Radiant Silvergun, Finally! but.....

About 3-6 months ago (I've lost count now) Game developer Treasure announced that they would be bringing the acclaimed Sega Saturn and Arcade Shooter "Radiant Silvergun" to Xbox Live Arcade with all of the Saturn and arcade modes intact and an HD graphic overhaul. 

It was delayed or at least everyone thought it was. Game journalists and fans alike were irritated, or maybe just me. It may have been problems with Microsoft's online firmware or some technical error. Either way the game was taking way to long.

Finally it has been announced that the game will have a September 14 release. That is wonderful news but viewing the early screen shots has provided me with more questions.

Everything from the original game is here. On the right side there is a chart showing what buttons fire what weapon. This is probably the best for someone playing on a controller but most of the arcade crazy purists prefer to play these kinds of games on arcade sticks with six or more buttons. The one thing that no professional site has mentioned, is if the buttons will be custom configurable. Many have arcade sticks that work for the Xbox and many will want to play with the traditional controls. I know this is an extremely small demographic of dedicated players, but they will want what they have grown accustomed to. The game is mostly marketed to them in the first place.

I know that I can't expect a company to adhere to the wishes of hardcore gaming nuts, but remember that the game itself is a traditional two dimensional shooter with the entire game set around scoring and leveling up the various weapons. It takes months to years to achieve any kind of success on the game. This game was made by the hardcore for the hardcore gamer who will spend the time on it. I don't think the average 15 year old who plays games casually with friends online will fully enjoy this game. I know because I've played with the young gaming masses. I've beaten their high scores!

To me, this little detail of button configuration will mean the difference between a company that is focused on opening up the doors of nostalgia to old and new alike or just wanting to make a quick buck. I hope they keep the current fans in mind while making new ones. Don't let me down Treasure!

So updates:

• Xenoblade is awesome and makes me want abandon my friends and family.
• Bud light is horrible and it makes me feel bad for those who "Settle" for it at sporting events.
• I am totally off the grid for never having a bud light til now.
• It's over 9000, that is all.

This Pony Thing

The My little pony cartoon resurgence has inspired upon me the following video.

I made it because it is entertaining and my friends sort of pushed me into it.

Things that annoy me on Facebook

1. People who don't respond to messages, pokes, friend requests (The word Pending gets really old after a month)

2. People who post all of their Farmville or Mafia Wars stats. I don't care if you killed Guido in the brothel.

3. People who post pictures of their kids and nothing else.

4. The posting of incomplete statements.  Example: "I'm just livid." forcing me to ask, "About What?" If I even care at all.

5. Those who post quotes from others who are more interesting than they will ever be. Sorry buddy, you're no CS Lewis, give it a rest.

6. People who invite me to events that are many hours away or in a different country.

7. Anime fanatics who want me to know what stupid j-pop song they are listening to. 

8. People who post horoscopes.

9. Friends that change their name and profile pictures all the time.

10. When users connect their facebook to every other social networking site on the planet, so their stream of crap never ends.

It's time to block some bitches!

Review #4

My fourth review is up. A retrospective of the violent, gory, and epic Splatterhouse game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E6W4z7S1d0&feature=channel_video_titleseries.

Nintendo WTF!

Nintendo is a legendary company but for some reason they have suddenly become stupid. The company that once gave us Mario, Zelda and the myriad of other classic game characters is apparently becoming senile in their old age. They are ignoring fans, making strange hardware and game release decisions, and not releasing games that a few years ago would have been a no brainier release.

First they decide to almost ignore their core fan-base by only releasing Zelda Skyward Sword and nothing else of note, making them wait for the Wii U, whose future is uncertain. The three games that could give fans something to do like Xenoblade, The Last Story and Pandora's Tower, are released in every country but north America.

To make things worse they have released a slim version of the Wii only in Europe of course, but that console isn't compatible with Gamecube games. Nintendo sacrificed their dignity just to make the wii smaller? I can understand Sony pulling that kind of crap but not Nintendo. They wonder why the 3DS didn't sell very well and why they have had monetary losses. It's called Karma.

Nintendo: Stop making stupid business decisions that cut corners, stop agreeing to give a license to half-ass game developers, stop screwing over your fan-base that put you where you are today, and stop nickel and diming the consumer. We want Nintendo back!

No company is perfect but Nintendo can do a lot better than this. When the crap hits the fan, the shovelware playing, casual, non gamer sheep will scatter, It's the core gamers that will decide your fate. Don't piss on us, you'll regret it!

Retro Rare Review #2

Here is a link to my second review I did on contra and mastering difficult games.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np62SvRQ0kc&feature=channel_video_title

Old at 30?

I was playing an old shooter game today and realized that I don't seem to respond as well to the game as I used to. I don't notice the small details, I die a lot, and I seem to react slower to fast paced sections.

In my 20's I was able to focus on a difficult section of the game for long periods of time. Now it seems Like my attention span and my gaming abilities are going down the proverbial tubes.

In professional drum corps, they won't allow anyone to join who is over 25, because of the physical demands on the body and the reaction time needed to march around and perform.
an extreme example but a real one.

I feel that gamers that are even 10 years younger, are faster, adapt quicker, and have more attention to detail. at least the ones who play games regularly. At 30 I am an elder in the video game community. It doesn't help that almost all of the people I play with online are in their teens still.

Most people at 30, have families and Jobs. I don't see my career happening anytime soon, or a family, even though I desire them. Plus I don't have a clear goal in mind.

I can see how most adults don't worry about "keeping up with the younger generation when it comes to video-games. They worry about their kids, marriage, and the mortgage. 

I have plenty of spare time to play games, and I have some very successful accomplishments. I have unofficial world records and game play videos to show off my skills. Being off my game is a concern when I am at a semi-professional level of play.

I am not really concerned yet, but It is just an observation. Don't mistake me for some ranting internet Emo person wanting attention. I am very confident in myself and see a bright future in my real life and my gaming life. It's too early for a midlife crisis anyway.

Famly from the heart

So my grandparents are coming over to visit this week. both are amazing women who are widowed. They have connected with a friendship that stands the test of time. I am lucky to come from a family that is known for longevity. I had two great grandmothers who died in their 90's. My grandfathers only got to their 80's but one of them survived Kimo.

Our family members tend to be very alert into a very old age, which is very fortunate. However There is always a time when a stroke or similar problem will provide a turn for the worse. My 93 year old great grandma was still living by herself when she had a stroke. She then was almost comatose for the rest of her life. She didn't even make it to 100.

I don't show a lot of concern for my aging grandmothers on the outside except through a cliche, friendly and loving respect. I just don't think about how I would react if one of them died. I feel cold at times, detached. When my mom recently mentioned that my Grandma on my dad's side was starting to forget short term memories, I quietly nodded on the outside but began to have a little panic attack on the inside.

I feel more emotional about these particular grandmothers. Maybe because I recently hit 30 and have finally gotten out of the self centered attitude that had resided in my teenage years. I don't want to not be able to talk to them. I feel that I have taken a lot of time with them for granted. That's not how it is, I see them annually but that's just how I feel.

They will arrive soon and I will be spending as much time as possible with them. Not to make up for lost time but to enjoy their company, so when that time comes I will be able to respond with my heart not just me. 

My first episode of my show. The Japanese Version of Xenoblade.
Nintendo of America needs to localize this. Now!

First Post

It is around July 2011, I am unemployed. My job has screwed me and I am sick of working in front of the same cubicle in the same office, feeling bad about choosing to take a temp agency contract. I like to fancy myself a creative person. Thinking outside the box has got me absolutely nowhere. I am a jack of all trades without any real trade to call my own. I can write so here I am.

I have been involved in the world of Videogames for as long as I can remember. No matter how many different things I get involved in, games are the constant. I have invested more time in games than anything. Now 30, as I wait to see what the future holds for work, love and gaming.  This blog will focus on game reviews, especially the older kind, from my childhood and more obscure titles.

Being a well rounded human being, This blog will also be random. Because Predictable is boring. 

 I have been stuck in Limbo for too long, wishing to carve a new path for myself.  It all starts with a blog, and the hope of something better. I am Daniel Taylor and this is Retro / Rare / Reviews.