Blog Archives
Pokemon Go’s latest Master Ball Event is Live!
The Master Ball has always been one of the most iconic items in gaming history! It’s stature remains in tact with Pokemon Go. The Master Ball, for those of you who do not know, can catch any Pokemon without fail. Again, this ability is how it works in the mobile Pokemon experience as well. So it’s great for catching legendaries and those that roam or flee often!
This event is broken into 4 parts. The first part looks like this:
– Catch 250 Pokemon
– Use 150 Berries to help catch Pokemon
– Make 100 Nice Curveball Throws
So that’s the first part. Are you guys excited for the event? And better question, what are you using your Master Ball on?
Every Time Luigi is Playable in a Main Line 3D Mario Game!
Mario has gone on many adventures through the decades. More times than not, his brother, Luigi, is there to give a helping hand. Today, we’re looking at every time Luigi is playable in a Main Line 3D Mario Game.
Mario’s first foray into 3D space was back on the Nintendo 64 with Mario 64. Now, despite all the playground rumors about how L was real, Luigi does not appear in the game. However, almost decade later, Mario and crew would return to Peach’s Castle in Super Mario 64 DS. This time around, Luigi would be playable. I guess L was real after all!
Super Mario Sunshine would skip Luigi altogether. Don’t feel bad for him though, as he got his own game in Luigi’s Mansion! That’s moving up in the world. So now we hop over to the Wii, here he is playable in two more titles, Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2. He starts out as an NPC Mario must first rescue. Then, as an unlockable, he becomes a fully playable character.
Meanwhile on the Wii U, Luigi would be a playable character on Super Mario 3D World alongside Mario, Peach, and Toad. That’s good company!
Lastly, in Super Mario Odyssey Luigi leads the fun mini game “Luigi’s Balloon World”. Though, he is not playable.
So there you have. A brief look at everytime Luigi is a playable character in a 3D Main Line Mario Game! Thanks for reading everybody. Have a great rest of your day!
What was the first video game to scare you? (Ask Reddit)
Reddit asked “What was the first video game to scare me?”
Here’s my answer!:
My dad played the OG Resident Evil games when I was a kid. I can’t say they messed me up or anything. Years later, I rented RE4 to play on my own. Didn’t take too long to get jumped by a villager and have Leon decapitated, and I was thinking, “Yeah, maybe this isn’t for me”.
Let me know what was the first game to scare you?
There a video fork of this topic on my YouTube shorts and Instagram reels. So feel free to follow me over on those sites and watch the videos. Thank you guys so much!
Video Game Compilations!
Video Game Compilations
Compilations are super neat and some of my favorite items in my collection. There is a convenience to compilations. Having so many games in a single package has always fascinated me. I think my earliest experience with compilations was the Legend of Zelda Collector’s Edition on Gamecube. Boy, is this thing awesome! It combines 4 Zelda titles into one tiny disc. It’s got the two from the original NES as well as Majora’s Mask on N64. But far and away the prize jewel here is the demo of Wind Waker. I don’t think this collection could get any better. Oh, my gosh this thing even has Ocarina of Time on it!
This compilation is truly insane with the game choices.
I mentioned Zelda being one of my first experiences with gaming compilations. However, these video game collections predate even that. While I couldn’t find any concrete resource for what the oldest compilation is, I’m sure we all think of the same game when we think about compilations, Super Mario All-Stars.
All Star Collection came out in 1993. I came out in 1994. So I wasn’t around when it came out. But I can only imagine the hype of having the first 3 Mario games plus the Lost Levels thrown in for good measure on one cart. Mario was a gaming force that swept the entire world. It revitalized the gaming industry and put Nintendo on the map. Nintendo found a way to repackage the same games and create an unbeatable value proposition for its consumers. They didn’t want the end of the NES to be the end of classic Mario. So they ported over all the original Mario games in one collection. However, Nintendo went the extra mile and gave the fans a real treat. The Lost Levels.
For those of you who don’t know, this was the original sequel for Mario 1. However, it was deemed too difficult for Western audiences. Thus, our Mario 2 looks a lot different. This Super Nintendo compilation was the first time we here in the states got to play this previously Japanese exclusive.
I love when compilations have bonuses like unreleased games, unlockables, or any new ways to play old games. Look at the SNES Mini. It gave us Star Fox 2. Star Fox was revolutionary with its mode 7 graphics. Nintendo was quick to get Star Fox 2 in development. Well, around this time, the 5th generation of gaming had launched. Real 3D graphics were officially here. Plans for Star Fox 2 were scrapped and never seen again. Fast forward over 20 years, and the SNES Classic releases with all your favorite Super Nintendo titles: A Link to the Past, Earthbound, Super Mario World, Super Metroid. The gang was almost all here. Wait a second. What is that? Star Fox 2 gets an official release on the SNES classic!? Those are the kinda announcements that make compilations something special!
That gets us back to the Super Mario 3D All Stars. What a controversial collection. Let’s break it down some.
There is no need to hop from the N64 to Gamecube to Wii. Another awesome aspect is that the console these compilations are being released on are more than likely going to be the latest and most up to date consoles. This means you get all the benefits of modern consoles. Online leaderboards, HD graphics, achievements and trophies, and in the case of the Switch, portability. This means you can start your day playing Super Mario 64 in bed and stroll down to the local park and play Super Mario Sunshine without ever changing consoles. A lot of people dunked on the Super Mario 3D collection for Nintendo putting in the bare minimum effort, and well, yeah, they’re technically right. There’s not a lot in the way of extras. I would have liked for Mario 64 to have had the mini games from the DS version as unlockables. Or maybe an HD version you could switch between for new fans and purest. And I guess asking for Mario Galaxy 2 was asking for too much. Still, the ability to freely switch between 2 of the best games ever made and Sunshine with added mobility is still a strong case for why this is one of my favorite compilations of all time.
Okay, how about we look at another compilation on Switch. The Spyro Reignited Trilogy. This is what I wanted Mario 64 to look like. Spyro looks and feels amazing here on the Switch. The Spyro Trilogy was a special treat for classic and new 3D platformer fans alike. With the awesome iconic levels of the past with a fresh coat of paint, this was a match made in Heaven. They even went back and added skill points to Spyro 1. These serve as achievements and add some fun side quests to do while revisiting a favorite you know super well. The only bad thing to complain about here is that they only put the original Spyro on the cart. Spyro 2 and 3 are digitally downloaded.
We’ve talked about how these collections are perfect for replaying old favorites. But what about the opposite side of things – franchises you missed completely. For me, that’s the Klonoa collection. Klonoa on PS1 and PS2 are expensive! For the pair , you’re looking at about $400. Not to mention, they’re some of the harder titles to find on their respective consoles. The Switch rerelease helped allow thousands of players to discover the wondrous world of Klonoa for the first time. It’s a blast. This version added a new difficulty mode, the Easy mode. This is a welcomed addition for people who aren’t crazy about difficulty in video games and just wants to enjoy the game. Plus, some of the platforming alone is difficult enough without even mentioning the damage aspect of the game.
We’ve been talking a lot about Nintendo compilations , but Sony has had some bangers, too. The one that comes to my mind is the Ratch and Clank Trilogy collection. This is, without a doubt, maybe my favorite compilation of all time.
It’s just so good. You get one of the best trilogies in all of gaming. The Ratchet and Clank series on PS2 now moved to the PS3. Trophies are here. Graphics are updated. And all 3 masterpieces in one collection. To me, this perfectly embodies what makes these collections must own for fans.
The last compilation to talk about today is the Kirby’s Dream Collection. I wanted this compilation so bad as a kid and never got it.
So it was one of the first games I grabbed as an adult. Having 6 Kirby games on one disc was enough. But this game killed it with the extras. I’m going to quote the most trusted source in all the internet land for this, Wikipedia. So shout out Wikipedia! Kirby’s Dream Collection also features 13 new challenge stages based on those found in 2011’s Kirby’s Return to Dream Land.[3] An additional museum section features box art and video spotlights for every game in the Kirby series released through 2012, along with three viewable episodes from the anime television series Kirby: Right Back at Ya! (“Kirby Comes to Cappy Town”, “Crusade for the Blade”, and “Waddle While You Work”).[2] In addition to the game disc, the package includes a booklet that highlights Kirby’s history and provides behind-the-scenes trivia about the series, as well as a soundtrack CD containing 42 music tracks from past Kirby games and three new arrangements by the HAL Laboratory sound team. – per Wikipedia.
What’s not to love about that? And compilations in general, really. Every time the Switch gets a new collection, I get excited. I think about how the Baten Kaitos and Etrian Odyssey just got collections released semi recently. I’d love to add them to the collection eventually. Let me know if you guys have the same fondness about these collections as I do. And tell me, what’s your favorite video game compilation. Let me know down below!
The Most Controversial Zelda Titles of All Time!
Zelda has been around for over 35 years. Original debuting on the Nintendo Entertainment System in Japan in 1986. It launched as a bold and large take on the adventure genre. Perfectly encapsulating what it meant to go on such a large scale quest. You tackled dungeons. You get heart containers to grow stronger. And you found many of the iconic weapons still found in the series today. Shout out to our last video over the underutilized items of the series. Go check that out after this video. All this to say, Legend of Zelda 1 laid the blueprint for how to do perfect Zelda games. All the team had to do was update the graphics and game design with each new installment. Boom, you got a legendary franchise on your hands. What could wrong over those 35+ years? Well, as you will see today, plenty. We’re looking at the times Zelda releases didn’t quite hit the mark. Here’s the most controversial Zelda titles!
#5 Breath of the Wild
Honestly, I feel like this game is retroactively controversial. Sure, there was a lot of excitement and suspense building up to its release alongside the newest Nintendo console, the Switch. Development took ages. It’s development took 5 years following the release of Skyward Sword on the Wii. It was originally designed for the Wii U, and was it’s last major release. However, as we discussed, it came on as launch title for the Switch. So a Swan Song for one console and a triumph birth for another. Still, Breath of the Wild was touted as breaking away from the traditional Zelda formula. It was open world and nonlinear, harkening back to Zelda on NES. The Switch was also reported to be returning to cartridges over the much preferred blu ray disc. Gamers were happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time. Breath of the Wild was a breath of fresh air for many Wii U and Switch owners. It spawned its own sub genre of games trying to rip it off or take heavy influence from it. Tears of the Kingdom would drop as a sequel almost a decade later. With the Zelda team saying this was essentially the new Zelda formula. It left many players reminiscing about the old Zelda. Players got fatigued with the new style. Even though Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are critically acclaimed, I think old school players are scared the days of Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time are dead.
#4 Majora’s Mask.
This one is going to be a mixed bag. You’re trying to follow up one of, if not the greatest games of all time. That’s a tough one. I actually respect the heck out of what the team tried to accomplish and what they created. But Majora’s Mask just isn’t for me. I don’t like the gloomy overtones, the three day cycle, and the design philosophy of the game. Now, that makes it stand out. You either really love the game or just don’t care for it. And it’s wedged between Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time on one side and Wind Waker and Twilight Princess on the other side. It definitely stands out with the environment and the masks.
Now the hilarious part to me is that Majora’s Mask got a remake on the 3DS. I really enjoy it. In my opinion, it fixes a lot of what I don’t like about the N64 version. A lot of that has to do with the handbook aiding in the side quest. As well as the ability to save being way easier. Not to mention, on the 3DS, you can just close the system. Yet, a lot of the N64 truthers don’t like the remake. Meaning, one way or the other, you probably really enjoy one or the other and have disdain for the other, which is interesting.
Remember, if you like this list, subscribe for more top 5s and discussions. And leave post ideas in the comments that you’d like to see.
#3 Skyward Sword
I’ve never met another person who says Skyward Sword is their favorite Zelda game. In my opinion, being stuck on the Wii just didn’t help it. It was locked behind motion controls. I remember popping it in back in the day, only to be denied by the Wii itself because I didn’t have the motion plus feature. I eventually played it on the Switch and did enjoy it. I’ve never played the Wii version, but it does feel like more people complained than praised it. The Switch version is pretty good if you find a copy. It’s worth noting that this is the last of the traditional formula Zelda games. As a result, I think in time this game might get a cult following.
#2 Zelda 2: Links Adventures
Zelda 2 struggles from being a Zelda game. Almost anybody’s argument who defends this game starts with “If this wasn’t a Zelda game, people would love it”. Maybe. But that’s part of what lands it on this list, and this high as well. On one hand, Zelda wasn’t exactly an established property at this point. Zelda had only been out for about a year by the time we got the sequel, Link’s Adventure. But it did bring back exploration, dungeons, and sword based combat. However, the gameplay was side scrolling. It was an RPG now, and the overworld is just weird. There’s no way you played Zelda 1 and was excited when you got this. Talk about breaking away from the Zelda formula. Honestly, if Zelda had been more of an established IP at this point, maybe I’d put this at 1. As it stands, there’s one Zelda game that’s release was more perplexing, disappointing, and controversial than all the rest. And that game was…
Before we reveal number 1, be on the lookout for polls on the Youtube. You can help sway videos/polls by voting in those polls!
#1 Wind Waker
Majora’s Mask may have had a hard time following up Ocarina of Time, but Wind Waker is the red headed step child of Zelda games. The tone on the N64 was dark, gritty and mature. What the heck is this?
Wind Waker changed the tone up completely. Dropping dark color palettes for bright, vibrant beach aesthetics, large sprawling fields conquered by horseback were replaced by never-ending, overbearing sea traversal. Not to mention, it has got to be one of the weirder looks for Ganon. Now, Wind Waker came out in a time in my life where I didn’t mind the art style. However, in hindsight, I can see people feeling bamboozled. Especially after the now infamous Gamecube trailer. Nintendo was finally embracing disc based formats. People were beyond thrilled to see what the Zelda team would cook up for the new hardware. The tech demo gave every fan hope they were getting the next epic in the Zelda franchise. This is to say nothing of peoples theories of cut content and empty spaces. This entry has everything to do with the tonal shift and misdirection of the tech demo. That alone has Wind Waker firmly in the lead for the most controversial entry in the series!
Guys, you ever make a top 5, write your script, plan out the whole video, and then remember you completely forgot a game existed!? That’s right, boys, we’re adding a new number 1. And boy howdy. It’s a doozy. Mostly because it’s a threefer!
#1 Zelda on CD-i
I’ve convinced myself that Philips CD-i is a fever dream. I mean, just look at these graphics.
That’s probably why I tried to suppress these games. Yeah, somebody cooked these games up, and God Bless Em. Zelda got a grand spanking three shots at the CD-I. Featuring questionable cutscenes, a return to 2D side scrolling graphics, and lacking any Nintendo quality, these jokers have got to be the most notorious Nintendo games ever. I won’t bother recapping Nintendo’s fallout with Sony and the disastrous relationship with Philips. Yes, it is truly one of the most industry changing of all time. And all we have to show for it is this.
Okay, so that’s officially the list. What’s your 5 most infamous Zelda games in your opinion? Let me know down below!
Christmas Gaming Memories! (The Christmas Blog!)
Ahhh, yes. Video games and Christmas. Name a more iconic duo. As a child, Christmas and video games were synonymous with each other. And as a man child, this is still true. My parents knew my love of video games from an early age. So they did their best to make sure something gaming related awaited us under the tree. Today I thought it’d be fun to reflect back on childhood Christmas memories with a gaming theme.
Remember you can watch this topic on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MVkDyIDA78
My mom’s work allowed her to layaway the latest consoles. The first console I remember her surprising us with was the Gamecube. I remember turning the box around and seeing all the games you could play on the back. The main reason I’m mentioning this is because this was a surprisingly profound moment in my life. Back during the 6th generation of gaming, PS2 was my console of choice. Yet as an adult I’m nostalgic for the Gamecube. Part of that is the Nintendo charm no doubt. But the other part was the endless wonder the back of a box can do for a child. That Christmas made the Gamecube feel like it was the greatest machine on earth even if the little lunchbox would go on to be underrated in our household.
I’ll do my dad’s gift next. My dad loved going to flea markets, antique malls and perusing Craigslist. He would often see gaming bundles for sale. One year he surprised us with a PS2 lot. Later on he would do the same for a PS3 lot. The PS2 lot had The Hobbit, Black and Bruised, SplashDown Rides Gone Wild, the Scorpion King, Yu Yu Hakusho and maybe one of the Outlaw Golf games. This was a pretty awesome group of games. Splashdown was probably the game we played the most. As it’s just a little arcade water skiing game made ridiculous. It’s a fun weekend kind of game.
Now the PS3 I cannot really remember too many of the games that came with it. However, it did have Heavenly Sword. I remember the hype for this game was unreal back in the day. The funny thing about Heavenly Sword and the Hobbit is I didn’t get to play too much of them back in the day but I enjoyed my time with both. So much so that when I grew up I was determined to buy these games again. I played through the first two or so levels of the Hobbit and really liked it. And while I haven’t seen the movies or read the book, I do live with a one year old so I’m basically terrorized by a Hobbit everyday when you think about it.
Now the other console mom surprised me with back in the day was the Xbox 360. A console that would go on to consume my life for the next decade. Who would have guessed the profound impact this console would have on me. It turned me into an achievement junkie. My cousin who lives 10 hours away from me grinded through some of the most fun co-op games I’ve ever played like Borderlands and Battle Block Theater. It provided some of the most fun single player games like Bioshock and GTA4 and 5. And my brother and I beat Halo 3 on the hardest difficulty back in the day.
Sure, The first couple did get the red ring of death, but once my mom finally got me one that worked, I’ve kept it ever since. I want to say I got the 360 around 7th grade. I entertained myself with games like Perfect Dark Zero until I got those life changing big experience games like Fallout New Vegas and some of the others I’ve discussed today. And who could forget the countless amount of time we sank into Modern Warfare 2. I lost count on the amount of Mountain Dew that was consumed playing that game.
I took this console to college my Freshman year after all and had friends would come over to watch me beat Red Dead Redemption and Bioshock Infinite. My wife and I beat Resident Evil 5 on co-op with this bad boy. So just remember if you ever think I’m a Nintendo fan boy, of which I am, I’ve probably put the most amount of time into my Xbox 360. I doubt my mom knew how long my 360 would stay with me when she bought it for me, but I still have it to this day.
That gets me to the final gift I want to talk about today. I had just gotten the Wii U for my birthday with Cat Mario on it. I knew what I wanted for Christmas too. I had big plans you see. I wanted 3 games that year and I wanted them bad. Wind Waker HD, the latest Madden and Far Cry 4. Far Cry 3 was the talk of my high school and I missed out on it. Far Cry 4 had just came out and you could bet your bottom dollar I wasn’t missing out on it this time around. Christmas day starts. I make my way down stairs and see 3 game case shaped gifts. Bingo. I opened the first gift, Wind Waker HD. We’re off to a great start. Gift 2- that year’s Madden. Man, I love it when a plan comes together. Gift 3, what’s this… Nintendo Land? You better believe I confronted her. I said mom, how could you mess this up? I gave you the playbook and everything. And even though it’s been 10 years I’ll never forget what she said to me. “I know you really wanted Far Cry 4, but Nintendo Land just looked like a game you’d like more.” I had never been more defeated. I could just picture the Gamestop employee snickering because he won a bet with a co-worker he couldn’t sell a copy of Nintendo Land. But you know what. My mom was right. Nintendo Land is more my kinda game. Oh wait, I don’t know that because I never got to play Far Cry 4. Thanks mom.
All joking aside, I now love Nintendo Land. People hate on the Wii U but I’ve yet to bust out 4 player Nintendo Land and everybody not have a great time. This story strengthened my love for the Wii U and my connection with it. I now go to bat for this game and say it’s one of my favorites on the console.
There you have it. All the Christmas memories I wanted to discuss today. My parents knew how much I loved video games and made sure they did their darndest that way I had something new to play waiting for me on Christmas. I probably didn’t do a good job telling them back then but I will always be grateful for those memories because they influenced me so much. Looking back I know how hard they had to work to pull these things off for a couple of spoiled brats who didn’t know how good they had it back then. As we know, video games aren’t cheap. I have a daughter now and I can only hope I make half of her dreams come true the way my parents did for me. So this Christmas be thankful for what you have in life because someone had to work hard to make sure you have those things.
But that does it for this post. Tell me down below what your favorite Christmas gift was growing up. Video Game or otherwise. Merry Christmas guys.
The Future of The Legend of Zelda series!?
Today we are talking about an interview that is making its rounds around the internet and in video game circles. Zelda series producer Eiji Aonumoa told IGN “It’s interesting when I hear people say [they prefer the old entries] because I am wondering, ‘Why do you want to go back to a type of game where you’re more limited or more restricted in the types of things or ways you can play?’ But I do understand that desire that we have for nostalgia, and so I can also understand it from that aspect,” said Aonuma.” He pondered during his interview.
If you want to watch our video over this topic, check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDEJWKzUqU8&t=14s
Read the full interview here: https://www.ign.com/articles/zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-interview-nintendo-eiji-aonuma-hidemaro-fujibayashi
These comments were made in regards to people apparently wanting to go back to the old formulaic Zelda. Personally, I got my Wii U Christmas of 2013. Zelda Breath of the Wild and Smash Brothers were the two main reasons I wanted the machine. I remember waiting years, following every ounce of news about Breath of the Wild leading up to the release. This was one of the most anticipated releases of my life. Playing through it, it lived up to the hype.
So many people wanted to focus on the changes like they were negative. No heart pieces, no traditional dungeons, no loose linear structure. Everything had changed. And I found myself defending it. The shrines were a modern and sleek way to give the players a sense of progress. And it even granted the player freedom how they chose to strengthen Link. Want to survive battles easier, go for Heart Containers. Want to have a smoother time traversing the wild, fill that stamina bar up baby. I loved the way we were piecing together the world and the lore through memories. The korok seeds were a collectathoners dream. I loved my time with it.
But when my time with it was through, I had no urge to replay it. In fact I find myself saying its my second least favorite Zelda. Only above Zelda 2. Why is that?
It just feels hollow. Nothing makes me want to replay or revisit it. It was a blast playing for the first time and discovering everything. But nothing hooked me enough to want to replay it. Whereas Wind Waker on Wii U jumped up to maybe my 2nd favorite Zelda. What’s the difference? Wind Waker feels like an epic quest. Setting sail with nothing and watching Link become the hero he was always meant to be is just something special. Wind Waker is pretty open world too. It doesn’t suffer from the hollow issue; there’s always an island to explore, treasures that await and monsters to defeat. It has some of my favorite NPCs and items in the whole series. It’s a massive open world that doesn’t feel empty nor tedious to search.
Which gets me to what I want to talk about today. Is Breath of the Wild really that different from the rest of the series. And was that a positive shift?
People act like Breath Of the Wild was the first open world game. Many could argue the original Zelda was one of the first ever open world games in general. As the player can explore, I believe any of the first 3 dungeons in any order. The other games may be a bit stricter with progression, but most of the cities are available after you leave your hometown. With only the dungeons and heart pieces really locked behind items.
I think Breath of the Wild handled open world perfectly, as I discussed in my video addressing open world gaming (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ksjo1xPkMw). They give you a brief tutorial, all your runes, and say have fun. And have fun we did. But if you’re like me, the runes just weren’t enough. Breath of the Wild can get teased for being called a sandbox physics engine. There can be some truth to that with the magnet and stasis. The bombs were a must have return for the franchise as they are arguably the most iconic item in the series. Cryonis was a welcomed addition to Links arsenal. But I found myself missing items like the Lens of Truth, the Hookshot and many others. We knew we weren’t getting them either. The runes in Tears of the Kingdom are all relatively fresh ideas here. Ultra Hand is awesome, allowing Link to interact with so many objects in the game world. Fuse, admittedly, may be one I under utilize. As the name suggests, it grants Link the power to combine objects together. Recall, in my opinion, is the most lame one yet. But it plays nicely with the physics engine reputation the new Zelda games have garnered. Ascend is easily one of my favorite power ups in any Zelda game. In my opinion, it’s what sold me on Tears of the Kingdom as an evolution and not a copy of Breath of the Wild. It gives Link the ability to travel through surfaces to reach new heights. It’s amazing for exploring and discovering new areas and locations. While I don’t believe the runes are as cool as the old school items, they were definitely a nice way to break from the mold while still maintaining a semblance of old Zelda.
Some of the most fun I have playing Zelda is reaching a location that is inaccessible at the moment and thinking “wonder what item gets me in here” or wonder what is hiding behind that secret area? It’s a great motivator to encourage players to return and re-explore areas they thought they were through with. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom still offer many puzzles that can give you that “ah-ha” moment through the shrines, of which there is a lot. And I’m not one who hates on the divine beast, as I found myself enjoying them more than others seemed to. To me, oddly enough, it’s just that world feels empty. The chest that you may find will not offer anything special. As weapons break, you have all your items from the start, and heart pieces are gained through the shrines. Meaning, if you see a chest off in the distance, you know you won’t find anything in there of real worth.
All this is to say that yes. At its core Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are the most open world the series has ever been, but at what cost? As the lands, in my opinion just aren’t worth exploring. The korok seeds are the only real thing here worth collecting. They are used to expand your inventory slots. Which is good, but hardly worth all the time it would take to track them down. I often circle back around to Ocarina of Time or Wind Waker because I feel they are near perfect games and capture what it means to be on grand adventures. They are a perfect blend of open world while maintaining direction. Every action feels like it has a purpose and adds to the bigger picture. Nothing feels forced or time consuming. Everything feels like it is here for a reason. Things are fun to explore and have rewards. That’s the issue with giving you everything up front. You won’t be rewarded with light arrows or magic or what have you.
So how would fix Zelda moving forward? It’s a tough problem to have. By removing items and rewards, you are removing part of the fun in exploring these worlds. However, if you reintroduce all these extra things, you complicate the game. Thus sacrificing what works about the two newest Zelda outings. I think my simplest solution is this. Find a way to blend runes with progression items. Runes will be given all at once and at the beginning. While progression items will be concentrated mostly on dungeons. Keep the shrines, but reduce the number. Shrines will extend stamina while heart pieces return to the overworld. Yes players no longer have to choose between the two, but who cares? Games are meant to be fun overall. And players can skip one or the other if they want a challenge. This is how I would fix things. It would give the over world more of a purpose, while still keeping the new open world feel that the games are crafting.
Which style of Zelda do you prefer? Are you fan of the open world gaming, or do you prefer the formulaic style we were use to? Thank you guys for reading and have a great day!
I asked chatGPT for Five Nintendo 64 Hidden Gems!
Hey guys! If you remember, a few months back we asked ChatGPT to come up with a list of 5 Nintendo GameCube Hidden Gems. Well, we are back at it. Only this time around, we suggesting it do Nintendo 64 games? What games will it collate into its list this time around? After all, the Nintendo 64 is considered very top-heavy. Sure, it’s top 30 or so games can compete against the best of the best of any other console. However, unlike the Super Nintendo or Playstation 2, its catalog of games isn’t nearly as deep. Surely, that means there’s some unknown games with some real potential. Remember I also asked it to write it in a Youtube script format. Enjoy!
Remember if you would prefer to watch this, I did a video over this topic on my Youtube channel (Dahubbz) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvTL_WY5MLE&t=6s
“Hey, gamers! Welcome back to our channel, where we love to unearth hidden gems from gaming’s past. Today, we have something special in store for all you Nintendo 64 fans out there. Get ready to discover five incredible hidden gems that you might have missed. Let’s jump right in!”
“Our first hidden gem is none other than ‘Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon.’ Released in 1998, this action-adventure game combines humor, platforming, and RPG elements into a unique experience. Follow Goemon and his friends as they traverse beautifully designed levels, battle quirky enemies, and solve puzzles. Trust us, this one will leave you smiling from ear to ear!”
“Moving on to our second hidden gem, we have ‘Rocket: Robot on Wheels.’ Developed by Sucker Punch Productions, the studio behind the ‘Infamous’ series, this game offers a captivating blend of platforming and puzzle-solving. As Rocket, a lovable robot, you’ll explore an amusement park filled with challenges and secrets. With its charming characters and clever level design, ‘Rocket: Robot on Wheels’ is an underrated gem that deserves more attention.”
“Next up, we have ‘Blast Corps.’ This explosive action game from Rare combines destruction, strategy, and puzzle-solving in a way that only the N64 could deliver. As part of a demolition team, your mission is to clear a path for a runaway nuclear missile carrier. Use a variety of vehicles and creative methods to demolish buildings, navigate obstacles, and save the day. ‘Blast Corps’ is a thrilling and addictive experience that will keep you hooked for hours on end.”
“Our fourth hidden gem takes us into the world of racing with ‘Diddy Kong Racing.’ While many are familiar with ‘Mario Kart 64,’ ‘Diddy Kong Racing’ often goes unnoticed. This game offers a robust single-player adventure mode, where you’ll explore different worlds and engage in various racing challenges. With its vibrant visuals, memorable characters, and an incredible soundtrack, ‘Diddy Kong Racing’ stands tall as one of the best racing games on the Nintendo 64.”
“Last but certainly not least, we have ‘Paper Mario.’ While ‘Super Mario 64’ stole the spotlight, ‘Paper Mario’ offered a delightful twist on the traditional Mario formula. This RPG combines turn-based battles, charming storytelling, and a unique papercraft aesthetic. Join Mario on an epic quest to rescue Princess Peach and collect the seven Star Spirits. With its witty dialogue, engaging gameplay, and unforgettable characters, ‘Paper Mario’ remains a beloved classic among N64 enthusiasts.
And there you have it, five incredible hidden gems for the Nintendo 64 that you absolutely must play! Whether you’re a long-time fan of the console or new to the N64, these games will provide you with hours of entertainment and nostalgia. Let us know in the comments which one you’re most excited to try out.
So there you have it. ChatGPT gave us 5 interesting picks. My favorite here is Goemon. Paper Mario and Diddy Kong just don’t feel like hidden gems. So with that in mind, what games would you add or remove from this list. Thank you for reading. Have a great day.
Will Grand Theft Auto 6 Be the Best Video Game Ever?
What an image? Grand Theft Auto 6. I never thought the day would come. Seriously. Guys I beat Grand Theft Auto 5 on my Xbox 360 my freshman year of college. I beat that game so long ago I hadn’t even met my wife yet. Needless to say, I’ve been waiting for this one. I’m not much of an online multiplayer guy. So I beat the main campaign and didn’t fool around much with the online modes of the game. Meaning, GTA 5’s DLC didn’t really do much for me. With all that in mind, it’s safe to say Grand Theft Auto 6 is one of my, and I’m sure many others as well, most anticipated games of all time. So honor Grand Theft Auto 6, here’s 6 questions I have going into the reveal trailer.
#1 Will Rockstar Keep an Emphasis on Story Mode.
This may sound weird. How many people actually play the games for the single player story mode experience? Prior to Grand Theft Auto 5, I feel like the notion was no one actually beats the campaign. They treat the game like the ultimate sandbox world that it is. If you advanced in the story it was just to unlock other parts of the game map. Then, when 5 came around, people flocked to the multiplayer. Yet, I played through and beat 4 and 5. I loved both campaigns. GTA 5 was groundbreaking in my opinion with how you could switch between 3 different characters, pretty seamlessly, too. My minds been racing for a decade on how they could top the three way character dynamic of Grand Theft Auto 5’s single player experience.
#2 Will We Have the Return of Character Swapping
With that said, will Rockstar make a triumph return to the 3 character option? Or will the story mode be a more traditional one main character story? To me, a single main character is not a deal breaker. Though, I do wonder if they’ll try to push the boundaries and say do 6 characters or something wild. I’m sure there’s a sweet spot to the number of characters they would want you actively juggling between. Either way, I’m interested to see what they come up with.
#3 Where Will the Game Be Located?
When I saw the teaser image I assumed the location would be Vice City or back to Los Santos. Honestly, I was hoping for a new location. However, considering I got my start in Vice City, I would love to see an overhauled version of Vice City running on the latest hardware. So, if we aren’t getting a new location, I’m fine with revisiting Vice City.
#4 Will Old Main Characters Make A Return?
This is something I feel like they could do to help give this game “break the internet” levels of excitement. For example, will Tommy Vercetti be featured in Grand Theft Auto 6? Vice City was set sometime in the 80’s. When will 6 take place? Will any of the crew from Grand Theft Auto V be in the new game? Or will we get an entirely new cast?
#5 Will It Get a Nintendo Switch Version
Nintendo has a brand to uphold. Grand Theft Auto tends to be the furthest thing away from that brand. Still, the Switch finally did get a Grand Theft Auto game in the form of the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy. I never got around to playing this one, but I seem to remember people saying it wasn’t the best version of these games. With all that being said, will Rockstar and Nintendo strike up a working relationship to get the latest outing on Nintendo’s console.
#6 Will This Be The Best Game Ever?
A bit of a hyperbolic question, maybe. However, I think any generation of gamer over the last 20 years probably has a Grand Theft Auto game somewhere in their top 10. I know Grand Theft Auto IV was my favorite game for a long while. I assume Grand Theft Auto 6 will carry on that trend of being an industry standard for Rockstar. I think it’s safe to say the hype following Tuesday morning is going to be insane.
So if you’re into the Grand Theft Auto series maybe check out our Five Games That Did Open World Perfectly! Thank you guys for watching. Let us know if you’re excited for this one or any other games you’re eying
Five Games That Did Open World Perfectly
Lately, I’ve been watching a good bit of RetroBird. One thing became apparent quickly. He hates Open World Gaming… and I’m slowly finding myself agreeing with him. I’m tempted to do a video later discussing my thoughts on open world games and how my thoughts have changed. But today’s topic is addressing 5 games that I think did it perfectly.
Today, we will be discussing one of the biggest buzz worlds in all of the gaming industry- Open World. Open World Gaming is often associated with freedom. Freedom is how you approach tasks, exploring or just goofing around. These games are less linear and rigid and more vague in design. Take the latest Pokémon games, Pokemon Scarlett and Violet. The player has the free to take on the Gym Leaders, defeat the members of Team Star, conquer the Titan Pokémons or do none of that and just go work on your Pokedex. That is one of the beautiful things about Open World Gaming. However, that’s not to say these games are perfect. These games can suffer from filler content, empty worlds, and repetitive tasks that burn the player out. With all that said, let’s look at 5 games that did Open World Perfectly!
Let’s just start with Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom. I actually prefer the more formulaic style of Zelda games such as Ocarina of Time or Wind Waker. However, as far as open world games go, BOTW and TOTK are really solid. The way the world is devastated and you are just dropped into the middle of it and have to piece together the lore and history of this Hyrule is really exciting. Granted, chests and other exploration rewards are not really that enticing in these games. The big draw to Zelda and open world games are how they handle both the exploration and items. They give access to all the runes and the glider a few hours into the game. Long gone are the days of grinding out dungeons to get the next item to move on to the next section of the map. This means you can literally go anywhere you want in the game. It’s just a matter of how much health and stamina you want before you start tracking down the story beats and boss fights. That’s a huge plus for open world games. There’s very few places actually off limits. And to keep highlighting the pros of BOTW’s open worldness, it is very simple. Yes, there’s side quests. But they don’t feel like they are bloating the game. Yes, there’s combat and wild encounters. But they don’t slow the pace of exploration. Honestly, I didn’t value or appreciate these aspects when Breath of the Wild came out. I felt it was shallow and not an actual grand time. Wind Waker felt epic. Breath of the Wild felt empty. But, you know, I respect the way it cuts out a lot of fluff most open world games suffer from.
Next up is Sonic Frontiers. If you know me, you know I don’t like Sonic games, especially 2D Sonic games. So why is Frontier a perfect open world game? The game worlds are massive which can be a detriment to other games. There’s very little in the way of NPCs. The side quests are that rare blend of varied but repetitive. The game will shift between 2D and 3D style. So it bears repeating. Why is Frontiers a perfect open world game? Atmosphere! Sonic blew up because he nailed the atmosphere in the 90s. He was fast, he had an attitude. He knew why people liked him and wanted to play Sonic games. This game figured out how to do speed. The use of an open world allowed them to capture that Sonic essence. It encouraged the developers to design the worlds and challenges to be large in scope. This way Sonic’s quickness and platforming skills were on display. I think this game shows off one of the factors that can separate a bad or decent use of open worldness from a great one: how we explore. Sonic’s use of velocity and the epic scaling of the monsters and terrain made this feel like a true adventure.
Let’s talk about maybe the best sandbox series of all time. Grand Theft Auto. Truly groundbreaking, but rarely duplicated. There’s just nothing quite like it in the open world space. Every GTA game was massive in scope. But GTA 3 shook the gaming world like very few games ever have. In my opinion, GTA 4 took that and just made it into an unstoppable juggernaut. There was truly so much to do in this game. Racing missions, heist missions, dating missions, the list goes on and on. There’s two things the Grand Theft Auto series has going for it as far as sandbox gaming goes. First, just like Breath of the Wild and Sonic Frontier, the method for which the player traverses the world. It may come as a shock, but for Grand Theft Auto that method was, well… Grand Theft Autoing. Jacking a car from a defenseless (or maybe not so defenseless) NPC and driving away with the radio blasting was the soundtrack that defined many childhoods. The second thing on it’s side, which I think it does better than the previous games, is that the world is alive. The NPCs are fleshed out and matter. The environment tries to actively kill you from police, gang members, armed civilians and trains, you are never safe. There’s radio stations with music or news. There’s internet cafés, dates, consequences and much more that help engross you into the world. Open World games don’t get much better than the Grand Theft Auto series.
Recently, the series that’s got the closest to emulating Grand Theft Auto is Spiderman. They captured that lively city approach that only Grand Theft Auto had before. Joe Jonah Jameson pollutes the air waves spewing antispidey propaganda. The cops are desperately trying to slow down criminal activity, everybody lives in fear of Kingpin hiding in the background. One of the strong things Spiderman has to lean on is the IP itself. Mary Jane, Oscorpse, the Sinister Six, Aunt May, so many established and beloved characters mesh and flow so well in the universe Marvel and Spiderman have spent 60 years weaving. Insomniac perfectly captures how we all thought it would feel to swing through New York City as everybody’s favorite friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
Lastly, Fallout. Fallout New Vegas is my favorite open world game. This time around, it takes all the good things I said about Breath of the Wild and many of the other games, and turns it upside down. There’s no fun way to explore. The worlds aren’t bright and vibrant. There’s dread lurking down every street. Blood thirsty Raiders set up camps along the deserted highways, radiation contaminates the once pure air, experimental monstrosities now stalk the bombarded hellscape. You must piece together the lore of the land. You will forge alliances with what’s left of the survivors. You will level up your character through a branching skill tree that allows for nearly unlimited replayability. It’s one of the few open world games where I don’t get tired or burned out of exploring every nook and cranny the world has to offer. I don’t feel betrayed by my curiosity.
So, that’s my list of some of the games I think do open world perfectly. Sure, there’s plenty more such as Red Dead Redemption, Skyrim and The Witcher, but these are the ones I feel the most passionate about. My findings seem to show games that put emphasis on making exploring fun while mixing in world building elements tend to keep my interest as I’m playing. Nothing derails open world games faster than monotony traveling or uninteresting worlds.
If you haven’t, check out Retrobird. He has tons of great video game discussion videos that I cant get enough of. Thanks for reading, and have a great day!
Da_Hubbz 