PixlBit

Well, you see, there is a method to my madness. I'm trying to get the Platinum trophy on the PS4 Genesis collection and there are a couple Golden Axe trophies. One of them was to collect 200 magic vials across the Golden Axe games, so I had to play them anyway. Might as well give myself credit! Lol. I have just one trophy left to get: Beat Streets of Rage 3 on Normal or Hard (I will do Normal). I'll be playing SoR2 first, though, to get the whole series experience.

Stage Select:

Capcom loves to bring out Okami again and again and while that is certainly a great game, I wish they would show some love to Clover Studio's greatest series, Viewtiful Joe! The final boss music from Viewtiful Joe 2 is excellent.

Cage Match:

Okage wins for being a game I would consider playing, unlike anything that has SaGa in the title.

I really liked the first Mario vs. Donkey Kong game and was sad when it went in a more Lemmings direction with its sequels. I'd much prefer a Donkey Kong '94-esque return to form.

Wait, are you playing the LEGO games back to back? My mind goes numb at just the thought of that lol. I have a hard time getting through ONE of those games. My wife and I played halfway through the Marvel Superhero one and just kind of fell off.

That's why I really respect games like Ikaruga that don't have power ups. Don't get me wrong, I like maxing out a giant laser as much as the next guy, but there is someting compelling about needing to do well with what you're given from the start.

I'm going alphabetically, so I gotta get through these other letters before hitting the Ms lol. I would have liked Grid Seeker so much more if they just let you continue right where you lost your last life.

It is! I'm playing Taito Legends 2 on the PS2.

I never saw this game in the wild but it would have a been a single-quarter game for me lol

STAGE SELECT!

1. After nearly ten years of me working exhausting, thankless jobs, we had a big shake up in our family that resulted in my wife now working (in a job that is better than the one I had in every way) and I am mostly taking care of the kids now. The four kids. As a result I am not physically exhausted like I used to be but I now have a mental/emotional exhaustion that is its own beast. Life is better, no doubt, but I haven't had the time I'd hoped for to pursue the things I'd like to accomplish. Also, this has slowed my podcast consumption, so I am often not finished with the previous NWP by the time the new one comes out. That said, I did really enjoy that last episode. Five hours, wasn't it? But with Mike and John guesting, the time really flew by. Excellent work, guys.

2. I really only use YouTube for music and very specific queries, like maybe I want to see someone fight a boss I'm having trouble with to get some tips on beating it. I don't have time to just watch stuff. That said, maybe check out "Journey (Vocal Variant 2)" from the Destiny 2 OST. So peaceful and relaxing.

3. My gut instinct is to go for the knife, since you really just need one good hit with it. But the extra reach of the bat...playing Ninja Turtles games taught me to always go with the longest weapon. I am at an impasse! Ugh. I guess...I guess the knife. Forgive me, Donatello!

4. Well, my deodorant is cucumber mint, which is pretty nice. As for my effect on the psyches of those around me, I imagine I smell like determination with a hint of vengeance.

5. You sure we can't go to Wendy's? Darn. Quarter pounder with cheese, I guess. Oh! Ask for bacon too. I'm sure they can do that.

6. Clearly the podcast needs a recurring haiku segment. Like...

"Mega Man steals pow'rs

Beats robot masters to pulp

Wiley craps his pants"

Five syllables, seven syllables, five syllables. I feel like Justin could do some good work here.

7. Either something very silly—Mega Man accidentally guns down a masseuse robot and can't get rid of the power until he finds the robot master whose greatest weakness is a great massage—or very serious, like, um, expanding on pretty much any JRPG.

Cage Match!

I'm voting for Chrono Cross but not out of a sense of malice for Quest 64, however much that might be deserved. Nor am I voting for Chrono Cross out of a deep well of personal nostalgia, though that well is deep indeed. But I'm voting for Chrono Cross with Quest 64's best interests at heart. Let's be honest: Quest 64 is famous because of its many high profile losses, and what will happen if it wins? Will it live a renewed second life, treasured in our hearts for its overlooked qualities? No, it will have a blaze of glory and then fizzle back into obscurity. But by losing, Quest 64's lease on life is renewed again, its time in the sun extended. And so I'm voting for Chrono Cross. You're welcome, Quest 64.

Man, that's crazy! Surely there are some cheezy '80s action movies that run with the idea of fighting off the evil poachers.