Weekly News Roundup: 29 April 2012

I know this is going up two days early, but I've got a mini-vacation this weekend to visit a friend recovering from cancer.  So, I'll post this up and be on my way out for a long weekend.

News Roundup: 11 December 2011

The weekly news roundup is here!  A few interesting stories and the VGA winners after the jump.  I'm also including the reveal trailers from the VGAs.  Some interesting stuff there, especially a Bioware Command and Conquer, Alan Wake: American Nightmare and The Last of Us by Naughty Dog.  Some cool stuff.  Also, if you can, donate to Child's Play!

News Roundup: 4 December 2011

The weekly news stories that caught my eye for the week ending 4 December.  Getting down to the wire on the year.  Stories, as always, after the jump with article links in the headlines!

30 Days of Gaming: Day 4

Day 4 - Favorite Gaming System

I used to say, "Anything by Nintendo!" and that was that.  It had all of the classics that shaped my gaming loves: Super Mario Bros, Dragon Warrior (Dragon Quest) and Bionic Commando soaked up hours of my life (after homework, of course) as I explored these worlds.  When the SNES came out, I got it as soon as possible and enjoyed the heck out of games like U.N. Squadron and Super Mario World.  Lastly, the N64 showed me that Mario could run around in 3D and still be amazing!  I also was introduced to other platformers and even FPSs thanks to Goldeneye.  

Super Mario Bros 3 and I made some fond memories with friends

Then came the watershed moment that changed everything.  Most people around my age remember watching the TV adverts for Final Fantasy VII.  I remember seeing it and my jaw thudding to the floor.  I had always enjoyed the JRPGs from Nintendo, so this was a natural move.  While the N64 had platformers, the PSX had Lara Croft and Cloud Strief.  These were more mature characters with more mature stories to tell.  I wasn't a kid anymore, and playing "kiddie" games wasn't cool (I'm sure you all remember those teenage years).  As such, Sony swiftly replaced Nintendo in my heart.  I haven't looked back since.  

This blew my mind

While I was getting the PS2 a few months after launch, I never owned a GameCube.  I picked up my workhorse PS3 about 4 months after launch, and it still gets turned on almost daily.  My Wii was an afterthought, and mostly for Wii Fit (until Skyward Sword and now Xenoblade Chronicles).  I still play kid games on occasion because they can be fun, and having a little one of my own means that I'll be dusting off the old NES as she gets older and introducing her to my old flame.

These adverts were what sold me on the PSX

I do have all the systems (yay for not having to take sides!), but my Sony consoles are the ones that get the most use.  They showed how technology advancements would shape the hobby I love and while Nintendo owned my childhood, Playstation owns my adult life.

Hello, my love.

Review: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Wii

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: 20 November 2011

Nintendo has made a fortune over the years between Mario and Zelda. The franchises newest entries are always eagerly awaited and fans flock to stores to buy them at launch. Zelda enters it's 25^th year with an entry built from the ground up for the Wii: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Since this will be the swan song of the Wii, I figured it was as good of time as any to finally experience a Zelda title. So, having no nostalgia-driven memories of saving Hyrule, nor a deep seeded loathing of Gannon to spur me onward, I delved into Skyward Sword and the world of Zelda for the first time. The experience turned out to be one of the best I've ever played.

Link and Zelda, the beginning of the legend