PixlBit

Stage Select
I only have one, and it's what SanAndreas mentioned. (*puts on tin foil hat*)

What's the deal with these "shortages" with new Nintendo hardware? While personally, I can't say I knew about it back in the Zelda II days, I've definitely noticed this "phenomenon" in years recent- especially with the NES and Super NES Classic Editions as well as the Switch. They kept feeding us the excuse, "oh we had NO idea people were interested in little 'ol us. Are you actually saying that more than 100 people across the US want this rediculously easy to manufacture mini console? We're having SO much trouble meeting that unpresidented demand! I sure hope nobody snatches up every preorder batch and resells them for two or three times the price on eBay! That would be a real shame."

This was total B.S. and I'm still mad about it, even though I do have those consoles now. It's this supply and demand game Nintendo is playing with us that really grinds my gears. I just hate to see scalpers benefit from it and we honest paying customers get stuck between a rock and hard place every time. CONSPIRACY, Conspiracy I say!

Cage Match:
I'll go ahead and side with the underdog in the this fight. I'm going with Half-Life 2. Sure, Halo 2's effect on Xbox Live can't be denied, and I enjoyed the single player campaign well enough. But I couldn't follow Halo 2's story all that much, especially when it kept switching back and forth between Master Chief and the Arbiter. It just felt unnecessarily convoluted and like it was trying to be more important than it actually was.

Half-Life 2 has it faults for sure. But I felt like I could follow what was going on much better. And I don't mind a protagonist that doesn't talk. Nobody complains about the Doom Guy.

Well said Patri-- I mean “Booky”! I’m getting in just under the wire with this one since I’m coming back from a family vacation. So I’ll be brief.

Stage Select: I would definitely enjoy the Ridge Racer Type 4 soundtrack while driving down the highway on a warm summer’s day. It’s one of those OSTs I can listen to basically from the theme song to the end credits. I love it.

Cage Match: Is this really even fair? Gradius gets my vote! While Space Invaders was innovative for it’s time , I contastnly find myself drawn to Gradius. I love the variety between levels and best of all...that music! That unique style never gets old to me.

I'm kinda looking forward to seeing Dr. Mario World on iOS. I knoew there's going to be microtransactions, so I want to see how playable the game will be if I opt not spend any money.

Yeah, the game can be a little slow starting off. But things start to pick up once you get Paula in your party.

Hey Cary! Yeah, there's pleny of folks out there who share the same feeling that you have towards EarthBound. And I definitely get it. The visual style and delivery of the game's plot just isn't evryone's cup of tea. And you raise a good point that I forgot to mention- sometimes, the game doesn't do very well in telling you where you need to go once your reach the middle porition of the adventure. Sometimes I'd forget why I was doing a particular set of tasks.

Even so, I thouroughly enjoyed the game and find it charming with it's unconventional story and modern day setting. But I think it's fine if others see thing differently. I'm not in Dark Souls or Seriko (or whatever it's called) because they seem to be difficult just for the sake of being difficult. But I know so many people who love those games. That's what makes being a gamer so interesting- different things appeal to us for various reasons of preference.

Oh yes- I finally caught the Xevious audio in that arcade in EarthBound. Was sure why I didn't notice it before. I really wish that Nintendo would just release Mother 3 in the US already! There zero reason not to. Though they may have to struggle with translating certain joke or idioms. Maybe.

I preordered a physical copy of the Collection of Mana for my Switch. August is going to be a good month. I've only plaed a few minutes of Secret of Mana on the SNES classic. I'm really looking forward to playing through the game on a portable screen.

Yeah, it was the same for me when I became aware of it in the early 2000s. But the situation is a bit better now. Probably the easiest way to get it is via Wii U or 3DS eShop. Or you could track down a SNES Classic Edition which shouldn't be too expensive now that the demand as all but disapated.

Oh cool! From what I’ve heard, you are in for a treat when you play it in VR. The was designed to give the player the maximum enjoyment when playing in VR.

Consumption Junction:

Currently, at the time of this writing, I am playing only one game- Metal Gear Solid 4. I got it as part of the Metal Gear Solid Legacy Collection in 2013 and finally felt compelled to get into MGS 4 now. I just defeated Laughing Octopus. 

HOLY CRAP, that was a creepy battle! Enemies who can mimic inanimate objects in games like this kinda freak me out. I’ll probably be much further ahead by the time you guys read this.

Also, I’ll probably be playing Nier Automata and Final Fantasy VII, the HD remaster on Switch. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Great show as always!

That part in the final screenshot happens I think in game B when you clear the board of all lines. It's a little musical number that plays before moving you on to the next round.