lucentai

From June 12th to now I've re-lived 2002-2005 via Mega Man Zero Collection. The new extras are paltry but that's arguably not the point as the four Game Boy Advance titles have been ported perfectly with insubstantial changes. I can't get tired of these titles' platforming and exploration, and with my original carts successfully working about 1/140th of the time I wasn't about to pass up this chance. But at the same time I do wonder exactly how Capcom will respond to sales of this title. I had to stick up for these titles, but I very well might shoot myself in the foot in years to come! Maybe I've helped push Capcom to finally release that compilation of the five Mega Man Game Boy titles lol lol

( pokemon card booster pack fail )

Over the past year I've heard how Southern California's Arcade Infinity is in danger of going under but some of the quantitative facts in Shoryuken.com's "Last Game" article drives the idea of impending closure home. I might not play arcade music games like IIDX/Pop'n/Technika as often as some but it's clear that losing this arcade would render it difficult to access these titles. Not many places around here match its variety of fighting and driving game cabinets. I probably wouldn't immediately realize just how much of a blow it'd be. It's tough for me to recognize what I have until it dissipates.

I've been to AI more freqently in 2010 than any other year and I guess that's funny given the circumstances. But I'll definitely cherish the times while I can.

LJ mobile ate my post about Capcom Unity's Mega Man event in San Mateo but I'm still down for recounting some points. Let's give it a go:

I just so happened to be in town so I dropped by the event. It was visual overload as the perimeter of the room was lined by wall scrolls of Capcom releases from the past few years (mega man zx advent, monster hunter tri, super sf4, starforce 3), the center table had 6-7 red/black ds's with Zero COllection & printouts of art from Capcom Unity's recent contests, and other tables had 12 HDTVs to play games on. There were 4 wiis designated for Mega Man 1-4 virtual console, 2 wiis w/ anniversary collection running MM5-6, 2 wiis w/ MM9, 2 wiis w/ MM10, and 2 brick ps3s running anniversary collection (MM7-8). The 40 or so attendees didn't seem interested in 7-8 while 9-10 & the NES titles were mostly occupied. All WIis had Mega Man 9-10 on the drive so multiple contestants could participate in the endkless stage contests simultaneously.

I mostly attended for the (supposedly limited) Zero series shirt but I also wanted to try Mega Man Zero Collection. I didn't get too far in any mode so I didn't see the finer points of porting/unlocking but it seems Mega Man Zero 1-4 have been ported accurately. This also means that setting functions for the X & Y buttons is clumsy and limited. FOrtunately the art on the bottom screen changes to suit bosses and situations but the bottom screen use still feels like an afterthought. The new Easy scenario mode appears to undermine the exploration present in the series by giving all life ups and items, and the mode only provides one save slot for playing through Zero 1-4 sequentially. But pages of unlockables on top of these ports feels like a worthy package.

SInce the games were mostly retreads the event seemed to be more about camaderie and having plenty to see. Between raffles/games/contests/food (w/ free etanks)/Wish Upon a Star OVA showing there was a decent number of activities. Watching folks play endless stage contests and get spiked/overcome obstacles was entertaining. It was generous of Capcom to set up everything and give out figures/models/a red+black DS/etc. Certainly worthwhile

Post from mobile portal m.livejournal.com

Using the Pokewalker included with Pokemon Soul Silver/Heart Gold unlocks courses, which let you obtain different Pokemon/items with the device. For the heck of it (and some amusement) I wanted to see how long it would take to unlock the last course at 100,000 watts, and it took me from March 14th to May 18th. I don't engage in many endurance tests with games nowadays but the Pokewalker is a passive innocuous diversion. It supplements Soul Silver/Heart Gold in entertaining ways without benefiting players too much.

( picture, more stats and reflections )

I suspect Picross 3D is something DS owners want but don't know they do. I also suspect it may be cast aside and forgotten within the next few months. Some might scoff at logic problems or number clues or what have you, but the title's lower price point, easily grasped puzzle solving, and effective touch screen use are substantial. Three different types of clues show what to chisel away from a 3D grid of blocks, but the tutorials are more than enough to understand what's going on. Building custom puzzles like Charlotte here is quite straightforward especially since the game creates all the clues for you! It sure works out, but even without custom puzzles I'll probably play this for months to come. It's certainly worthy!

( a few images of picross )

I imported the region-free Xbox 360 port of Cave's vertical shooter Espgaluda II two months ago and I still don't entirely realize how lucky we are. Overseas players had no way of playing it after its 2005 Japanese arcade release, and after years passed I never figured it'd get a port, much less a region free one! The title and its genderbending characters wouldn't have gotten passing mention years ago, but now they're all over gaming blogs and the like. Between the region free ports of Mushihimesame Futari and Espgaluda II, the recent iPhone release of Espgaluda II, and the forthcoming North American release of Deathsmiles next month, it's safe to say that overseas fans are fortunate.

As I've been a fan of the original Espgaluda for years it's quite something to be able to play the sequel. Espgaluda II arcade mode's difficulty is intimidating even among Cave's other works and its myriad scoring and attacking mechanics take some time to learn. I imagine some players would be baffled at expending gems to enter an alternate mode to slow down time, increase firepower, and erase enemy bullets, but these ideas -- combined with intricate enemy bullet patterns -- create an entertaining experience. The title appeals in multiple ways: as a shooter with complex patterns, as a polished visual feast, and as a considerable scoring challenge. I probably may never master scoring to its full potential but it still holds and then some.

Anyone can pinpoint game releases that may never be localized, and Espgaluda II easily could've been swept up in the tide. But overseas players' ability to play it on two platforms contributes to the idea that we're lucky to have what we've got. I'd say it's become increasingly easier to access titles!

• I have apparently logged 36 hours in the past week playing Super Street Fighter IV. I'm sure a chunk involved leaving the system on but I wouldn't have spent so much time if I didn't care. That said, I can't shake the feeling that this title plays it safe. More is the name of the game and additional characters/ultras/tweaks/online modes bring new options to the table. But prior Street Fighter series' revisions shake up the presentation and style in ways this doesn't. Super SF4 has a solid core by all means, but it's a love letter to those who enjoyed the original Street Fighter IV in the first place. Others probably shouldn't bother!

• Most of my Picross DS play was during summer 2007 but I've been picking it up occasionally. Picross 3D's forthcoming release has me hyped again, and I've picked at puzzles for the past few weeks. It's going to be visual logic puzzle time all over again -- I suppose Nintendo of America has my neck!

( eight images of super sf4, strange imagery, and not playing ketsui )

( twelve jpgs of non spoilery monster hunter tri, stacks, and energizing )

Post from mobile portal m.livejournal.com

I enjoy seeing how bands' styles and songs transition to live performances. I've been a fan of metal band Killswitch Engage for almost four years now but I've never been able to catch them in concert. I was fortunate when they were touring nearby on March 3rd, and established band Dark Tranquillity's support provided even more to look forward to. Despite initial concerns regarding Killswitch vocalist Howard Jones' sudden leave and replacement by vocalist Phil LaBonte, Killswitch's performance blew past expectations and then some.

The five hour concert comprised of Otherwise, Dark Tranquillity, Devil Wears Prada, and then Killswitch Engage. Otherwise's energetic performance was unadvertised but it was welcome. The band's rock felt fairly standard fare but the members' clean vocals propelled their handful of songs. Dark Tranquillity chose a few hits from the past decade and a couple of songs from the then-unreleased album We Are the Void. The band played these songs with expected precision and dynamism: "Misery's Crown"'s haunting vocals and "Final Resistance"'s rapid chords work especially well live. I'm still not much of a Devil Wears Prada fan but their intensity dominated the crowds. Killswitch Engage spanned their entire discography and delivered melodic metal in spades. Sold t-shirts featured the phrase "KillPhilSwitch Engage" and the band joked about it during its performance. Phil didn't always match Howard's vocal range on songs like "End of Heartache" but he filled in for vocals remarkably well considering his sudden addition. It was sure lucky to be able to attend!

( KSE/DT setlists )

Amid recent occurrences I'm glad to have what I have. Seeing folks stranded at airports makes me feel lucky to be where I'm at. Here's hoping things clear up ...

I've been experiencing The Worst Internet Ever, being a fake DJ and increasing numbers, catching up with folks, and leapfrogging from game to game. I think it's been about six months since I've drawn something (not counting application storyboards) ... something to catch up on, perhaps? But as for now I've got fourteen shots spanning toys and games and what have you:

( fourteen pics )

I have things to recount but I can't do them justice right now. Yet summarizing March isn't difficult: amid minor setbacks like having failing net and struggling with writing, I'm considerably lucky. I could elaborate. But instead, I'll post a set of twenty-five silly photos spanning toys, food, amusing juxtapositions, and Arcade Infinity:
( on and on and on )

I actually don't have anything planned and since I'm on Mobile LJ I'll just write briefly:

Fun moments yesterday involving Pump it Up, cranes, tickets, Marvel vs Capcom 1/2 with broken stick and button respectively, and others. Footage forthcoming

So far no luck on Yellow Forest walker course -- I've gotten some B tier (of 3 tiers) flail Pikachus but I haven't even bumped into a single tier A fly or surf ones. They sure have those exclusives on a leash, and rightfully so I suppose. It's all in good fun though. I could certainly eschew Pokewalker collectibles but that'd undermine my game purchase and would be dull.

I may resume being productive for the first time since application madness -- maybe


Post from mobile portal m.livejournal.com

( this series of eighteen pictures has 3 pokemon shots, 5 halo shots, and other absurdity. backstabber extreme )

EDIT 3/29: I have yet to invest much time into WarioWare D.I.Y. (finishing up some application writing) but the title retains the characteristic humor of the series, now with more hilarious dialogue. Its WiiWare counterpart WarioWare D.I.Y. Showcase seems to essentially be inexpensive WarioWare Lite with default games that aren't quite as fun as prior WarioWare entries'. But it seems Showcase is primarily a hub for sharing material to/from the DS version anyway. I'll spend more time in the coming days, hopefully?

( assorted pokewalker / soul silver pics containing minor spoilers -- actual soul silver write-up forthcoming )

EDIT: This post preceded the arrival of three Game & Watch titles on North American DSiWare on March 22nd. Nintendo is splitting their Game & Watch titles between promotional DS carts and DSiWare, which is clumsy. But the pickup-and-play nature of DSiWare suits Game & Watch. These titles handle well and utilize the top screen's space effectively. Being able to start new games from designated checkpoints (albeit without being able to set high scores) is also a fun addition. Decent value but their appeal is undoubtedly limited to most people!

( seventeen photos about things related to the colors gold and silver .... just kidding, not really )

EDIT: Apparently this entry preceded the release of Castlevania Rondo of Blood on the Wii Virtual Console! Lucky # 15 go? I played it in the early 2000s, I did the unlockable classic Rondo on the Dracula X PSP compilation, and I'm supporting it again. I can now chuck that UMD into space! Kind of funny timing considering I'm working on Soul Silver but I'm glad we finally got it in North America's VC!

( thirteen arbitrary pictures of a lawltastic week! arcades, trophies, oh my, the battle within indeed )

EDIT: Apparently this mockery of 13 immediately pre-empted the release of Final Fantasy II on SNES Virtual Console today. Wow, that translation of IV can't possibly hold up today! Calling that game FF2 in 2010 is hilarious!

About a year ago on March 1st I wrote about how Shaymin Land's event was about to begin in Pokemon Ranger 2. We recently discovered Shaymin Sky will appear as an event in the forthcoming Pokemon Ranger 3, and it'll be transferable to the main titles. I've been doing these silly posts for over a year now and it's nuts to see that this event Pokemon still has some legs. I've thought Shaymin's prominence would diminish after Explorers of Sky last October, but between Ranger 3, a forthcoming Japanese episode, and PokePark Wii it seems the event Pokemon is sticking around.

I'm not entirely sure why I waited so long to buy Dark Tranquillity's albums! I'm catching up on their discography as much as I can and this brand of melodic metal demonstrates all sorts of complexities from album to album. More details to come ...

( eight pictures of fails during Halo Wars' campaign on Legendary ... with a dash of half minute hero for good measure )

I hope The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom (XBLA) sells. Its polished puzzle platformer design deserves some respect. The title eases the player into manipulating switches, dopplegangers, and other elements in order to reach well designed goals. Winterbottom's intricate monochrome hand drawn elements show wit and considerable effort, and the sheer number of scenes and stills is admirable. I would imagine these puzzles and visuals will hold up for hours to come.

Between Glow Artisan, Number Battle, and Q Games' Trajectile and Starship Defense, I think I can safely say that the DSiWare platform is amassing worthwhile original content. Glow Artisan delivers grid-based logic puzzle solving with a dose of color mixing, and replicating color configurations becomes daunting but doable. The aptly titled Number Battle provides myriad ways of orienting number tiles to overcome and hinder opponents, and though its generic North American name is unfortunate I'm glad we got the former Japan-only release in some form.

Man, how time flies! It certainly doesn't feel like thirty-five weeks post graduation. But a lot has happened, and a lot remains to be done. Some shifts will occur soon ...