Think While You Have Fun!: Yahtzee
August 23, 2010 by Kyle Martinak
Filed under Board Games
Since writing an overview of poker for the uninitiated, I have noticed how commonplace it is to find someone who has not played the traditional board games that populated my youth. But I think everyone is familiar with Yahtzee.
Origins and Comparisons
The official game began as an activity aboard a Canadian couple’s yacht in 1954 (dubbed “the yacht game” and later amended to Yahtzee). They soon asked their friend Edwin Lowe (a toy enterpriser) to make some sets of the game that they could use as gifts. Lowe agreed, in exchange for the rights to the game. By 1956, Yahtzee was being marketed as a thinking-man’s dice game.
Forget-Me-Nots: Tie Fighter
August 9, 2010 by Kyle Martinak
Filed under Video Games
Computers were nothing more than an advanced video game system when I was a young boy. My brother had his sports games (“NBA Jam” mostly) and I had “Star Wars: Tie Fighter.”
Doesn't that just make you want to start playing right now?
Released in 1994, “Tie Fighter” was the sequel to “Star Wars: X-Wing” and was the first Star Wars game that put you in the role of the Galactic Empire. They may have been bad, but the game was nothing short of awesome, and I submit it as the best flight simulator ever.
Smash Bros: A Retrospective
July 12, 2010 by Chris Pranger
Filed under Video Games
Ooh, I'm getting antsy just thinking about Smash Bros. I should go play instead of writing this.
The idea of all my favorite Nintendo stars fighting each other in one big game was a concept I never imagined would become a reality. Even now I’m a little skeptical that it really exists, and furthermore, that it’s straight-up awesome. But somehow Super Smash Bros is a real thing and for that I couldn’t be happier. So to start a Monday off right, how about a Super Smash Bros Retrospective? That’s what I thought.
Games You Should Have Played: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
June 28, 2010 by Gus Townson
Filed under Video Games
Thank the gods Leonidas and his 300 never ran into THIS Persian Prince.
“Most people think time is like a river that flows swift and sure in one direction. But I have seen the face of time, and I can tell you: they are wrong. Time is an ocean in a storm. You may wonder who I am or why I say this. Sit down and I will tell you a tale like none you have ever heard.”
Tips From a Grandmaster: Super Mario Galaxy 2
June 25, 2010 by Chris Pranger
Filed under Video Games
Want to know how to beat every inch of Mario Galaxy 2? Read on my friends.
Welcome to my first attempt at offering tips and tricks to a popular video game. For me, I’ve always felt as if I was a fairly good game player, but I was never sure if that translated to teaching. We’ll find out today as I offer Tips From a Grandmaster for one of the best games of the year: Super Mario Galaxy 2 for the Nintendo Wii.
Zelda: A Retrospective Part 2
June 23, 2010 by Chris Pranger
Filed under Video Games
Changes were in store for my beloved series. Would it mean the end for my love?
When last we left off, I was swooning over the storytelling prowess of Majora’s Mask and specifically, how dark the tone of the game placed the series. My hopes for a new Zelda game were high and I was eager to hear what would happen next. Before a real console sequel though, we’d be getting a little handheld detour first.
Zelda: A Retrospective Part 1
June 21, 2010 by Chris Pranger
Filed under Video Games
Are you ready to hear some memories of the greatest story ever told? Too bad, 'cause here I go!
If there’s any series I love more than Mario, it’s the Legend of Zelda. I’ve been a fan for years now and I’m guaranteed to play each new title as it comes out, regardless of my preference for the art style or any other factors. I just have to play me some Zelda. Well, as predicted, Nintendo showed off the new Zelda title at E3 this year, the Skyward Sword, and I’m pretty excited. So much so that I decided to give my own little Zelda retrospective. So here it is, grab your magic bags and Master Swords and let’s take a trip to Hyrule.
Crash Bandicoot: A Retrospective Part 2
June 3, 2010 by Gus Townson
Filed under Video Games
Don't fret Crash, it can't be THAT tough, can it?
Make sure to read part 1 before reading part 2 today!
Let’s Think Deep: The Virtual Utopia
June 2, 2010 by Chris Pranger
Filed under Video Games
Where can we see the ideal society? We need look no further than video games for that answer.
Today’s Let’s Think Deep is going to be a little different than usual. Usually I’m just writing for this site. However, the following is an essay I wrote for a class I’m taking abut Utopian literature and thought, hence why the tone is more formal. To make things simple, I’ve also included the Work Cited/Referenced page at the end, Amazon links included if you get curious. Read more
Crash Bandicoot: A Retrospective Part 1
June 1, 2010 by Gus Townson
Filed under Video Games
Gather around Children, and let me tell you a story. A story of the underdogs from down under, and their legacy of overlooked brilliance.
Long ago in a console war far far away, the dynasties of Nintendo and Sega were at a stale mate. Leading SNES was legendary jump man Super Mario, while the flag of Genesis was single handedly kept up by the demon of speed Sonic the Hedgehog. In their never ending battle for dominance, they monopolized the entire interactive entertainment industry with no sign of slowing down (and for Sonic, that was quite literally). As the VG Universe nears toward the verge of a whole new generation (the 5th one to be exact), Nintendo sought out the allegiance of Sony for the construction of a whole new disc-powered gaming device to combat Sega’s new machine, the Saturn. Sony agreed, and began the blue prints of what would become the Nintendo Play Station. But just as the technology was within their grasp and all their hard work was about to pay off, Nintendo pulled the plug. They had been secretly giving their money and characters to Phillips behind their backs to work on the same thing. With no one to turn to, would Sony let everything they worked for die in vain?
