PixlBit

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.

Man, I've never even heard of that PS2 DBZ game!

I think on a pretty regular basis about playing something on my PSP but never get around to it. That was a great system.

Well dang. I totally forgot that the first Saturday in May is Free Comic Book Day. I always try to swing by somewhere and get the freebies. Looks like some cool stuff this year. But I must say, I always prefer trades over single issues because I can put them on a bookshelf and still tell what they are. So the previous Bloodborne comics were good? I've always been curious about those.

It's worth a try! It's not real memorable but still fun.

I find I rarely have patience for 3D platformers outside Mario, especially when they are focused on collecting. My kids like it though!

It's neither so good nor so bad that it really stands out. The weird name isn't really memorable either.

That '90s skateboard dude cracks me up lol

When I met...a certain character...in the first game, I was like, I'm gonna convict this guy of murder eventually, aren't I? I'm looking forward to it!

"Not dead yet" is the one re-occurring life achievement that really matters  My PS4 has basically turned into a Destiny 2 machine. Pretty much all my other gaming happens on my Switch Lite. Props for diving into Saga Frontier. That game is too daunting for me.