Retro News: Contra is the new black!!

So, in light of the pending release of the new Contra 4 for the DS Lite, I thought I would break out the old Contra games and play them again. Now Contra has a special place in my heart. This was a game my brother and I used to play for hours as kids. So there are fond memories tied to it. I will try not to let them bias my writings on this, but I don't feel that it is going to do much good.

Well, I started with the first Contra. Nothing beats the waterfall level. This game is where people began to dream big about boss battles. Visions that engulfed the screen. Beasts that snacked on those extra lives you worked so hard for like they were peanuts. The spread cannon changed platforming shooters forever. Then I switched to Super C. Now I have to admit that I really hadn't had much experience with this game. The pace is definitely much, much faster. I found the original game more of a sporadic shooter. Where as Super C and the following are more of hold down the fire button type games. Definitely twitch play type games. Now I'm not a twitch gamer by any stretch of the imagination, but there is something about these games that draws you in. They were amazing graphically for their time. I loved the progression of the weapons. The heatseaker gun is by far my favorite. And I can see why people say Contra III is the game to beat. I've seen footage of Contra 4 and can't imagine how crazy this game is going to be on 2 screens. I'm glad they didn't scrap the look for something new. Rather, they realized that this is one of the reasons people love this game so much.

Retro gaming is big not just because it reminds us of our childhood, but because they were great games. Solid, well thougth out, tough games. Back when games set out to kick the crap out of you. You got abused, but always came back for more. This is one of those rare games. The ones that make an indelible mark on gaming forever. I would dare to say that this game is right there with Mario as far as affect on the gaming industry. Games that define geners. If this would have been a game that was thought of today it would be a killer app for whatever console it ended up on. After hearing Igarashi talk about Castlevania, and why it is still 2D, he's right, a game doesn't have to look like reality to be great. People play games to escape for a while. To unwind. Let games be games.

Enough of my soapbox. Great game!! Must Play!!!

IF YOU DON'T KNOW YOU BETTER ASK SOMEBODY!!!!

So I think I might possibly have stumbled onto a new addiction..... Super Smash Bros. You know sometimes you just need to kick Kirby in the head!!!! Cute characters beating the crap out of each other, that is a brilliant idea!!! Who says Japanese don't know stress relief. Anyway, I know it's a retro throwback, but it's such a great find. I haven't been this jazzed about a game since Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts. Back to smacking Samus around!!

Manhunt 2

Okay, so everyone has made a huge stink about this game. The Brits have said it's so bad they won't even rate it (outlawing it's sale). The ESRB gave it the infamous AO rating. Here's the deal, if they don't want this game to get publicity, then they are doing an awful job of it. I'm not going to be a prude and say "NO NO, you can't play this game!!" But, this game makes me wonder about society as a whole. No, I have not seen enough evidence that games turn people into crazies. But, what in the world are we doing playing games like this anyway. It worries me when our society derives entertainment from taking on the role of a serial killer. Now I'm no saint, I've played GTA and shooter games before. I just don't know what to do with games like this. And I think Rockstar Games is the Howard Stearn of gaming. After a while the "shocking" just gets boring. There are plenty of things to make video games about besides serial killing. So, alas in parting this all just saddens me.

Nintendo DS, Oh Nintendo DS!!

I have a dilemma... I want to love the DS Lite. I truly do!!! I've been tossing the idea of picking one up around for a while now. So, the other day I was in the store and looked at the overall game selection for the DS. I was thinking to myself "watch they will have way more sweet titles than I thought!" Alas, I did not find this to be true. It seems that the DS's affinity for Mario knows no bounds. Know this, I have no lack of love for Mario. He has mad platform gaming what it is today. I do however find it a problem when all a console can come up with is games with one character for the most part. That and my other problem is that the games are geared toward teens and younger for the most part. I think that concepts like big brain academy and the like are wonderful. A true testament to the brilliance of the DS. I just wish they would get more complex "games" for the system. You know FPS and RPG's and what not. I think that Puzzle Quest was a great move for them. I just wish there was more to gaming on the DS than Pokemon, Mario, and Hanna Montana. So, until then, No DS for me.

Sad day for PSP.

Today it was announced that Atari has put the breaks on the new version of Earthworm Jim for PSP. I must say I'm truly sad about this decision by Atari. Earthworm Jim is one of the games that got me back into gaming again. The tongue-in-cheek nod to trash and off-beat humor is what I loved about it the most. Just an easy game to get into. There are very few games out there that present a challenge, but are mindlessly wonderful entertainment. So David Perry, Here's to hoping that Atari will come to their senses sooner than later.

4 GB Memory Cards for $49:99 @ Circuit City!!!

So, I'm getting ready for a trip back home here in the next week. I was thinking that it would be nice to have some movies to take with me on the plane home. This would require me to get a new memory card for my PSP, which I have been meaning to do for some time. So, I sat myself down in search of the biggest memory card I could afford. I figured I could find a 2 GB card on the cheep, but was hoping that I could find a 4 GB card in my price range. Low and behold Circuit City had quietly posted a deal on their site. They took almost $50 off their San Disk 4 GB cards. I'm sorry I didn't post this sooner :-( I wanted to let you all in on the deal as well. Apparently the deal has lapsed. But, I will be loading mine up for the trip home!!