My Lucky Day: Fabulous Video Game Finds

Okay, so perhaps “fabulous” is in the eye of the beholder here. Still, I came across a few finds which made me quite happy down at the local used goods store last week (and I’m only now getting around to talking about them, but what can you do?).

I’ll start with the second one first: Altered Beast for the SEGA Genesis. My wife is something of a fan of the game, and I like it as well– it’s sort of a guilty pleasure, but not one we’re shy about, perhaps because it’s so goofy. Suffice to say, I think we– and her especially– have put in a lot of time on it on Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection, probably more than anything else on the disc.

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Building a Better Mario Kart: What I Would Change

Much as I love Mario Kart, it’s not perfect, and I feel that SEGA’s Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing has overall managed to surpass it as a more enjoyable, more competitive, and overall more skill-based experience. The sequel, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, is coming in November, and looks like it will have the unique position of beating whatever Nintendo comes up with next to the Wii U.

Some are saying that the “transformed” system is a “rip-off” of what we saw of gliders and underwater movement in Mario Kart 7, though the differences should be very clear. In volume 282 of Nintendo Power magazine, Sumo Digital Executive Producer Steve Lycett stated that they felt they had an “excellent foundation” with Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing, but could do more than merely racing on land.

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What I Love in Mario Kart

As mentioned at the end of my previous post, I really enjoy Mario Kart. More than anything, the characters, vehicles, and tracks tend to stand out for me. Here are some of my favorites.

Now you're driving with power!

Characters: Mario Kart has seen a lot of characters over the years. I remember gravitating towards Yoshi in the first game, and Donkey Kong in Mario Kart 64, but since then, I’ve gone with Mario as my main– even when replaying the old ones (though I’ll occasionally use Yoshi and DK for old times’ sake). At least I don’t have to worry about him going anywhere or becoming an unlockable!

As noted before, playing as R.O.B. was one of my favorite parts of Mario Kart DS, and Rosalina was fun in Mario Kart Wii. In Mario Kart 7, I tend to use my Mii a lot, just as I often use my Avatar when I’m not using Shadow in ASR. Just don’t think I’d rather play a racing game with all Miis or Avatars; playing as myself among these casts of great characters is part of the fun, and it just wouldn’t be the same without them.

Oh, and I also like using Waluigi on occasion. I don’t care what the haters think, he’s fun! Especially when you play “in-character” and ham it up during your wins and losses. Yes, I speak from experience.

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Super Mario Kart Turns 20: Looking Back

Will I ever get a tribute up on time? Probably not on this site. Still, one day late (by a short margin) is better than never, I suppose.

Today’s honor is the 20th anniversary of the release of Super Mario Kart in North America (with Japan’s coming out only a few days prior). And this seemed like a good opportunity to share some memories of the game, and perhaps the series as a whole.

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ConsoleCreature & GameTrailers Look at Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed

Though I may not have said as much about it here, I’ve made no secret that Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing is one of my favorite games– period. And in the kart-racing arena, I honestly feel that SEGA and Sumo Digital have managed to craft a product which actually surpasses Mario Kart in many ways, chief among them being the actual racing, item use, and how unlockables are earned.

So as you can imagine, I was absolutely giddy when it was revealed that they were now creating a sequel, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. In the following video (with some NSFW language), ConsoleCreature has one of the developers show us what’s new in this version:

We’ve heard about the additions of Shinobi star Joe Musashi and Golden Axe hero Gillius Thunderhead to the roster, but now we get to see them and their rides in action with three of the game’s all-new racetracks: Dragon Canyon from Panzer Dragoon, Temple Trouble from Super Monkey Ball, and Adder’s Lair from Golden Axe.

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The Examiner/Slide to Play/MMN Revue for Tuesday, August 16th and Wednesday, August 17th

Whoops, forgot to post yesterday’s…

From the Canada Nintendo Examiner:

Straight Shooting with the Canada Nintendo Examiner – 8/16/11Sonic Generations, Nintendo Selects, WWE ’12, The Legend of Zelda, and… that’s it, really.

Straight Shooting with the Canada Nintendo Examiner – 8/17/11 – More Sonic Generations, Metroid, WWE ’12, Operation: Rainfall, and plenty more.

From Slide to Play:

Save Yammi Review – Do you like Cut the Rope? If so, then I’ve got a game for you…

From The Mega Man Network:

Art Up with Art Buster – It’s here!

Dr. Wily’s Revenge Slated for Europe eShop September 15th – It’s coming!

Ben Bates Handling Art Duties for Third Mega Man Comic Story Arc – This ought to be good.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

The Examiner/MMN Revue for Monday, August 15th

From the Toronto Video Game Examiner:

Games shipping the week of August 15th, 2011

From the Canada Nintendo Examiner:

Nintendo invites Canadians to “Fly Like Fox” in Star Fox 64 3D contest – Go! Fly! Win!

Straight Shooting with the Canada Nintendo Examiner – 8/15/11Earthbound, Super Mario Bros. 3 vs. Super Mario World, Star Fox 64 3D, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, WWE ’12, Sonic the Hedgehog, and more!

From The Mega Man Network:

Editorial: Mega Man Must Reach for a New Paradigm – “Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. Better than he was before. Better…stronger…faster.”

Solicitation for Mega Man #8 and Chad Thomas Gives Us Oil Man – Not enough Robot Masters, you say?

Why Was Capcom Going to Charge for the Mega Man Legends 3 Prototype Version? – Apparently, it wasn’t Capcom’s idea… or choice.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

The Examiner/Slide to Play/MMN Revue for Thursday, August 11th

From the Canada Nintendo Examiner:

The Nintendo Download – 8/11/11Super Adventure Island II and Avenging Spirit, ho!

Straight Shooting with the Canada Nintendo Examiner – 8/11/11Mario & Sonic, Metroid, Kirby: Mass Attack, Nintendo’s history, Super Mario 3D Land, The Legend of Zelda, Balloon Fight, and more!

From Slide to Play:

Awesome Saucer Review – Kind of cool, but not as awesome as they’d have you believe.

From The Mega Man Network:

3DCreative Magazine Cover Counts Down to Zero – Some pretty wicked renders.

Capcom Sends E-Mail to Mega Man Legends 3 Contributors for Mementos – Did your Devroom design get selected? Then at least you get a consolation prize– don’t miss it!

Mega Man Double Pack on its Way to PlayStation Portable? (Updated) – Yes… yes it is. But it’s just Mega Man Powered Up and Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X for $15.

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

The Examiner/MMN Revue for Monday, August 8th

From the Toronto Video Game Examiner:

Games shipping the week of August 8th, 2011

From the Canada Nintendo Examiner:

Straight Shooting with the Canada Nintendo Examiner – 8/8/11The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, anniversary stuff for both, Wii U, Kid Icarus, Sonic Generations, The Simpsons, The Noid, and more.

From The Mega Man Network:

Questions on Ruby-Spears Mega Man Answered by Joe Ruby – Ancient secrets revealed!

LBD and Heat Man on The Joystiq Show

More Mega Man from Chad Thomas – Thomas’ art has improved greatly for the next Mega Man comic book arc.

Mega Man and Aperture Science Team Up – And yet, no sign of Galaxy Man anywhere…

–LBD “Nytetrayn”

The Examiner/MMN Revue for Friday, August 5th

From the Toronto Video Game Examiner:

Toronto video game deals for the week of August 5th to August 11th, 2011

From the Canada Nintendo Examiner:

Straight Shooting with the Canada Nintendo Examiner – 8/5/11Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension, Metroid turns 25, Sonic Generations, and more.

From The Mega Man Network:

Prepare for a Triple Dose of Mega Man Books Next WeekGigamix! Star Force art! And the Mega Man Tribute!

Preview Pages for Mega Man #4, Plus Chad Thomas Robot Master Art/Tease – Your first look at the last issue of the first arc (based on the first game).

–LBD “Nytetrayn”