Messages

101

General Gaming / Re: Shocktober III: Season of the Witch

« on: October 14, 2022, 09:27:24 PM »

Funnily enough, I tried out Bloodstained back when it was on Game Pass. And I've gotta say... I didn't like it, unfortunately! I think I'll be okay to stick with the "real" thing, although I know a lot of people think the Metroidvania series went downhill after Symphony. I guess I'll find out...!

What didn’t you like about it?

Personally, while I enjoyed Bloodstained, I strongly would have preferred sprite-based art. In hindsight, it also felt bloated as if IGA packed in extra content in part to justify how much money it earned on Kickstarter when the campaign was intended as proof to the publisher that there was even a small market for the game. Bloodstained earned over 10x its original goal. Whoopsie daisy. Had the game stuck to its original budget, I think we would have gotten a tighter and better game. Still scratched that Metroidvania itch for me. 💁‍♀️

If you enjoyed Symphony of the Night, all the GBA and DS ones are good to great. Despite GBA’s limitations, Aria of Sorrow got awfully close to hitting those highs.

102

Nintendo Gaming / Re: The Top 10 GameCube Games (According to MetaCritic)

« on: October 14, 2022, 09:00:48 PM »

I found a petition for a Viewtiful Joe Remake on Switch. Only 15 signature so far, but with our numbers here in the forums, I'll bet we can make it happen.

Ah, so 18 signatures. Very good.

A major hurdle for a Viewtiful Joe remake is that most, if not all, of the people who would have fought for the series outside of crossover fighting game appearances are all at PlatinumGames.

Considering that you said this completely unprompted, I'm beginning to think that you are!

103

General Gaming / Re: Shocktober III: Season of the Witch

« on: October 14, 2022, 01:12:28 AM »

I got distracted and did not try Resident Evil: Deadly Silence yet. However, I started up The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks which still works here because ghosts. right? I managed to get the D-pad ROM hack to work. 🥳 Better than stylus-only though not a complete solution as a lot of things still require touch like menus and most items. Not too far yet. The train segments feel like eternity. They feel like the game is not respecting my time. I'm committed as I never finished Spirit Tracks, and I want to wash away the shame.

Have they fixed the loading between areas on the Switch version?

You didn't ask me, but yes. After the second major update, the loading between screens on the Switch version has been pretty good except in two rooms (I don't remember precisely which ones). I don't recall them being especially bad, just longer than the usual transitions.

104

Movies & TV / Re: SPOILER ALERT: MCU Thread (Thor Love and Thunder / She-Hulk)

« on: October 14, 2022, 01:03:12 AM »

Okay, for realsies caught up now. I thought last week was the finale which was an excellent cliffhanger, and I would have been perfectly fine if that was how the season ended.

Jessica Gao really leaned into the fourth wall break, and I was there for it. The entire K.E.V.I.N. scene was awesome. I particularly liked Jen dunking on various characters having daddy issues, the X-Men namedrop, and "See you on the big screen... No." It was all great though. I haven't read any reviews or comments about it. I expect the ending to be divisive especially with the way incels have been treating the show.

I got snookered by the fake big fight scene. I was like "What the hell is even going on with 19 characters showing up?" so I'm glad they swerved in such a big way. I'm less enthused about the Skaar reveal though I'm willing to keep an open mind. Emil going back to prison really annoyed me because again, Marvel has done such a bad job separating the heroes' actions with the villains'. Glad the mid-credits scene kind of walked it back.

Anyway, I forgot about Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. I mostly liked it. While the cameos were great, having the entire Illuminati job to Wanda was kind of silly. Apparently, John Krasinski isn't a lock to reprise the role in the Fantastic Four movie which I will thoroughly hate if true because I like consistent casting. Yeah, variants, I know. Just seems like such an unnecessary tease.

Otherwise, I don't see know how Wanda can come back from this movie except as a variant. It'd be a real shame if Scarlet Witch and Magneto don't meet in the MCU.

As a side note, when America and Doctor Strange end up in Earth-838, there's a bench with a hostile design bar in the middle. Nice to know that in alternate universes, everyone still hates the poor.

105

Nintendo Gaming / Re: The Top 10 GameCube Games (According to MetaCritic)

« on: October 11, 2022, 07:54:49 PM »

Which game on this list is your favorite? Least favorite?

Favorite: Metroid Prime (I used to waffle between this and RE4, but the best version of RE4 is Wii Edition so that how I separate them now)
Least Favorite: Either handegg game by default because I don't play sports sims.

Did you play these on another console? Which one?

Yes, 1-5.

Any of these on your backlog?

Technically, I never beat Soul Calibur II.

What's that Zelda Collector's Edition?

A promo disc that included the OG Legend of Zelda, Adventures of Link, Ocarina of Time, and Majora's Mask.

Should I run a similar poll for another console? Which one?

If you want. I'm not your mother. Or am I? (I'm not)

SNES, DS, or Switch would be my suggestions.

106

Movies & TV / Re: All Things Netflix! Soon to be found on another Network near you?

« on: October 11, 2022, 01:27:42 AM »

I didn't want to start a new thread for this.

My Disney+ subscription expires next month. I'm strongly considering the Disney+ and Hulu without ads bundle. I don't need so many streaming services so I may also cancel my recurring Netflix subscription and subscribe only when there's something I really want to watch.

Has anyone else done this or something similar? How is it working out for you?

107

Movies & TV / Re: SPOILER ALERT: MCU Thread (Thor Love and Thunder / She-Hulk)

« on: October 11, 2022, 01:15:25 AM »

I'm caught up. I liked She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Spoiling a Daredevil in the final trailer was a colossally terrible move that Marvel keeps falling for. Even the tease at the end of Episode 5 lingered too long. Speaking of, I disagree with sentiments that Daredevil was too jokey. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is a comedy. When Matt Murdock shows up, you play up that aspect since this isn't his show (similarly, the Harley Quinn show absolutely gets this right). He'll likely be more like Netflix Daredevil in Daredevil: Born Again.

Anyway, the first season of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law played out like a origin story so I expect subsequent seasons to ramp up quickly since they won't have to do the whole "I'm not a super hero" thing again. The cliff-hanger was great. The licensed music in the show is A+.

I'd have to rewatch Ms. Marvel to comment on it. I mostly liked it though I had some issues.

Thor: Love and Thunder was pretty good. I'd have to rewatch this as well though I remember thinking the third act, especially the ending was kind of rushed and Gorr had less than 10 minutes of screen time. I really want Marvel to leverage Disney+ more. Even a three-episode limited series of Gorr hunting gods would have been great here.

I'll always lament that Marvel didn't have an Eternals limited series as a lead up to the movie. They could have told some smaller, personal stories (notably light on CGI) to fill in exposition and develop these characters.

108

Movies & TV / Re: The Super Mario Bros. Movie

« on: October 11, 2022, 12:46:35 AM »

All I've heard is that people are complaining that Chris Pratt sounds nothing like Mario... not even italian or whatever. Haven't really ran across too much regarding this movie tbh.

Mostly the same here. I have watched the trailer, and I was completely wrong about Jack Black. He's not using his regular voice. His Bowser voice is pretty good from his two lines of dialogue.

As for Chris Pratt, I'm willing to hear more before critiquing it. It sounds like he's changing his voice a little bit. Unlike Black, you can still hear Pratt's natural voice which seems to be a lot of people's issue.

Personally, I'm not bothered by the lack of an Italian accent because Mario isn't Italian. Canonically, homeboy was hatched from an egg and was born and raised in the Mushroom Kingdom so if anything, his canon accent is an odd choice. And as much as I generally don't question Charles Martinet's performance ("It's-a me, Mario" is so ingrained to me), I've had mixed feelings about actors doing stereotypical ethnic accents since watching Hari Kondabolu's documentary "The Problem With Apu" (recommended, check a look if you have a chance).

The homer in me will always think of Captain Lou Albano as peak-Mario. RIP. If Nintendo and Illumination wanted to avoid any controversy, they should have cast this beloved Italian-American actor to universal acclaim and adoration.

109

General Gaming / Re: Shocktober III: Season of the Witch

« on: October 11, 2022, 12:19:34 AM »

From IGN article:

“Various overlapping circumstances made it difficult for Hellena Taylor to reprise her role,” they confirmed. “We held auditions to cast the new voice of Bayonetta and offered the role to Jennifer Hale, whom we felt was a good match for the character.”

If I visited more often, I'd have posted this in the Bayonetta 3 thread I made back when I hilariously thought the game would release in 2019. Boy is my face red...

Hale isn't a bad choice. I enjoyed her work in the MGS series. Considering Bayonetta 3 has been in development for roughly 37 years, I'm skeptical of the reasoning here. Helena Taylor wasn't available at any point in the last four years? I still think she's probably in the game, and this is one massive troll/red herring.

Anyway...

After some clownery with my Bayonetta (Switch) pre-order from August (Amazon canceled it), I picked up the game from Best Buy on Saturday. I haven't had a chance to open it.

I booted up a ROM hack of Resident Evil: Director's Cut Dual Shock Vers. that restores the original soundtrack and uncut, color FMV on Vita. Woof. That game did not age well. I recently acquired Resident Evil: Deadly Silence so I'm going to see if the Rebirth mode helps. I love the series though I've never fully completed the original four games (including Code Veronica). It almost feels like a rite of passage. It's the same reason I beat the original Super Mario Bros. and Legend of Zelda a few years ago.

A friend and I are trying to slog through Resident Evil 6 on PS4. Woof, again. It feels like Sunk Cost, The Video Game® as if Capcom knew it wasn't working at various stages of development yet forged ahead because they were too far along to start over.

110

General Gaming / Re: Genesis Mini: Anyone else excited?

« on: September 30, 2022, 05:18:05 PM »

I pre-ordered; I’m a shill for these things. Still, here’s hoping someone extracts the ROMs so all of them can be added onto one Sega mini console. I’ll open the new Mini II if need be as I don’t care about the collector’s aspect. I just can’t be bothered having these games on two separate devices.

I’ve wanted to play Crusader of Centy for over a decade so I finally have my chance.

Victor Ireland (Working Designs) being a dick about the English translation of the Lunar games is a travesty. If I can combine the ROMs into one mini console as mentioned, I’ll throw in the Lunar games as well. I don’t even really need them as I have the PSX remakes, but it’s the principle…

111

Movies & TV / Re: SPOILER ALERT: MCU Thread (Thor Love and Thunder / She-Hulk)

« on: September 30, 2022, 02:22:28 PM »

I immediately click “Don’t recommend this channel” any time I see that nonsense. They’re the same clownshoes who complained that Marvel made one movie with a black superhero then had the audacity to make one with a woman superhero as if they didn’t get like 20 white male superhero movies in a fucking row. I don’t need that kind of negativity in my life.

I may post my usual bulleted list of thoughts later. For now, I mostly enjoy She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Marvel marketed a superhero sitcom which is exactly what this is. I’m ambivalent to the dating stuff because that’s not really my thing.

112

General Gaming / Re: Shocktober III: Season of the Witch

« on: September 30, 2022, 01:37:48 PM »

I doubled dipped on Bayonetta (Switch) which should be delivered Tuesday. I also snagged Bayonetta 2 on Switch. I’m going to stop lying to myself and play both on Easy.

I just added the first three OG Resident Evil games to Vita (I’ll create a related thread if I’m not too lazy). Only beat Claire A in RE2 so I’d like to run through everything before tackling the remakes.

113

General Gaming / Re: So nobody likes GameStop?

« on: September 21, 2022, 02:01:12 AM »

It's been a while, but I finally have a new "Once again, F GameStop" story.

• Checked the GameStop website for the trade-in value for a Switch Pro Controller ($22 trade-in credit; $17 cash).
• Also saw that New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe was on sale for $43.99 new.
• Called the nearest GameStop to confirm they price match online prices. Yes to both.
• Also confirmed that location had a new copy of New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe in stock.
• Took the bus to said nearest GameStop two hours later.
• Same rep I spoke to on the phone rang me up for a used copy of New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe for $54.99; $32.99 with the Switch Pro Controller trade-in.
• Asked for a new copy and was told me they don't have it new and no store within 20 miles has it new either. I mentioned that I called and confirmed with him that they had a new copy in stock. He shrugged. I then brought up the website and showed him that it stated this location has the game "In Stock". He shrugged again. "I don't know what to tell you." I don't know, man. Maybe not that you have a game in stock when you don't. That's why I called first. We literally had a conversation about this.
• Told him I didn't want the game used because it's actually priced higher than new. He still tried to complete the transaction for the trade-in. Yo, F this guy.
• Left with my Switch Pro Controller and checked the GameStop website again. Another nearby GameStop shows the game "In Stock".
• Called that other GameStop. The rep didn't check anything and immediately stated they don't have it new or used. Fine, maybe. It sounded more like he didn't feel like doing anything, but I'd rather that than he lie to me, say it's in stock, then I go there.
• Checked the GameStop website again for a location in my hometown in New Jersey which also shows the game "In Stock". Nine miles away from the GameStop I took the bus to.
• Called the GameStop in my hometown. The rep checked the system then the drawer. She confirmed they have several used. She checked the system again then the new game drawer. They have six new.
• Confirmed they price match online prices.
• Drove to that GameStop a couple days later, traded in my Switch Pro Controller, and bought New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe new for the online sale price. The rep was very nice in person as well.

Ultimately, a happy ending. One for three with GameStop reps is not an encouraging sign for the company. This is pretty much why I rarely go there. I have more bad experiences than good.

For the record, as frustrating as that was, I kept my cool. I've worked retail before so I'm never rude to staff anywhere. Still, as a former retail worker, I cannot for the life of me wrap my brain around doing this to someone. What was accomplished other than just being a dick to someone for no reason? Just say you don't have it, bro.

I don't remember the last time I traded anything in. If you're wondering what the reason was, I pre-ordered this new Switch Controller strictly for the Hall Effect Sensing Joystick which will never drift. The Pro Controller I traded in didn't drift, but it was the one I bought at launch so it was only a matter of time.

114

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: September 21, 2022, 12:56:43 AM »

Me rooting for Pat Bev:


Saw a rumor that the Suns are trying to trade Jae Crowder for Bojan Bogdanović. Resident Jazz fan, thoughts?

115

TalkBack / Re: Kirby Re-Returns To Dreamland In Deluxe Edition February 24

« on: September 13, 2022, 11:32:30 AM »

It's probably because Star Allies sold so well and this is the only other Kirby game that has 4-player multiplayer like that game, so they probably figured it's be the best game to appeal to the current 2D Kirby audience on Switch.

Makes sense. I’ll take it either way. I kept kicking the can down the road on Return to Dreamland until I just didn’t buy it. I’ve been meaning to actually finish The Crystal Shard  and personally, it could use a remake more.

116

TalkBack / Re: Kirby Re-Returns To Dreamland In Deluxe Edition February 24

« on: September 13, 2022, 11:07:27 AM »

I’m surprised this is getting a remake before The Crystal Shards. Perhaps Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack made that less of a priority.

117

TalkBack / Re: Sequel To Breath Of The Wild Titled Tears Of The Kingdom, Launches May 12

« on: September 13, 2022, 10:59:08 AM »

Invoking the imagery of tears in the sequel to Breath of the Rain doesn’t inspire much confidence that I’m not going to get chokeslammed by the weather again.

Is it “tears” as in crying or as in ripping?

Anyway, one thing I noticed is how much better the lighting is in the sequel.

118

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: July 13, 2022, 11:55:28 PM »

Day 37 (really, only like two weeks) of will-Kyrie-Irving-get-traded-to-the-Lakers. Reddit and YouTube are a cesspool of bad takes and worse trade proposals. Why would the Lakers trade TWO first round picks for Irving? The Nets have no leverage. Homeboy spent half a season not playing basketball and like the last five years generally being a weirdo. The Nets can either take a protected FRP or watch Irving walk next summer for nothing along with whatever BS he pulls before then.

From the Lakers' perspective, Kyrie Irving is not your savior, y'all. Trading Westbrook for Irving is essentially trading one set of problems for different set of problems. Irving is clearly the better fit and player in 2022... when he plays. Are you getting that guy? He hasn't been that guy since he asked out of Cleveland. Say what you will about Westbrook. At least he plays and leaves it all on the court (along with the houses he builds out there).

In other news...

Sources: Utah Jazz now willing to listen to Donovan Mitchell trade scenarios

How are you coping, broodwars?

119

TalkBack / Re: Bayonetta 3 Finally Arrives October 28

« on: July 13, 2022, 11:29:19 PM »

How much of a flustercuck is pre-ordering the physical version of Bayonetta 1 going to be?

I've also earned more fake internet points with another successful prediction. Suck it, everyone.

Loving this every-day-a-single-game-mini-Direct strategy that Nintendo is doing here... 

I, too, enjoy regular trailers.

120

TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Of America Offering Second Opportunity To Preorder Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Special Editi

« on: July 01, 2022, 05:17:39 PM »

I don't know how even Nintendo could think that associating a new game with frustration and arbitrary tedium was a good marketing move.

You're overthinking this if you believe this is part of some elaborate scheme. It's far simpler than that. Nintendo doesn't like excess. Full stop. It makes a set amount of a thing for an exact amount of profit then it moves on. Occasionally, it'll throw us a bone like that extra batch of NES Classic Editions. At the end of the day, Nintendo doesn't want to be left holding the bag.

Sooner or later, Nintendo's love of using scalpers to artificially increase demand for their games is going to backfire on them.

Nintendo isn't doing this either. The audience for special editions is small. There's nothing to backfire. This special edition is what, $30 USD more than the standard version. With economies of scale, like $25 of that is profit. Cool, profit achievement unlocked. Nintendo will keep doing this because it isn't as if people will stop buying its special editions. Not defending this, just trying to be pragmatic. When there are no consequences, there's no reason to change.

121

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: July 01, 2022, 04:51:14 PM »

Sources: Utah Jazz trading star center Rudy Gobert to Minnesota Timberwolves for four first-round picks

Bye Rudy.

This feels like more of Danny Ainge hoarding draft picks only to not make any major moves then say afterward, "Oh yeah, we could have had [Player X] or [Player Y] if we really wanted."

Was it merely a coincidence that the Celtics were back in the Finals the literally season after Ainge "retired"?

From the Jazz’seses side, it was high time for a major roster shakeup. The roster was simply not working as (previously) constructed. As expected, they kept Mitchell who still has upside while Gobert is who he is at 30. And Beasley is solid. I don't know anything about Vanderbilt, Bolmaro, or Kessler. They're all young so that's a plus if the Jazz are committing to a rebuild around Mitchell. Pat Bev, of course, trick y'all, man.

From the Timberwolves’ side, four first round picks (all unprotected except 2029) feels like an overpay. President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly gave up a draft pick by even answering Ainge’s call. Why does anyone still trade with this guy?

preferred "Next Chapter" destination..... #1 regular season record in the West (The Suns) or the #1 regular season record in the East (The Heat).

that sounds so familiar.... reminds me of when he signed with the Best Regular Season Record in NBA History Warriors.

Ehh, I get the sentiment, but the situations aren't even remotely the same. The Warriors signed Kevin Durant at the beginning of his prime as a free agent and only gave up the privilege of re-signing Harrison Barnes. Oh no.

The Suns or Heat would have to give up at least rotation players (though the Nets apparently want all-star level players which, LOL, good luck) and draft picks for post-Achilles-tear-but-still-pretty-excellent-Kevin-Durant.

Anyway, teams are just poaching Warriors' talent this free agency. Bye Payton, Porter, and true Finals MVP, Toscano-Anderson. It's OVER for you bitches!

It's as good a time as any to see what Moody, Kuminga, and Wiseman can become.

122

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: June 16, 2022, 11:31:50 PM »

Thanks, Warriors. It got a little dicey with some of those second half Celtics runs. Ultimately, the Celtics couldn't overcome giving up a 21-0 run in the first half though.

Curry finally getting his Finals MVP.

No Game 6 Klay was disappointing. He does not deserve to go by "K Daddy".

Imagine spending thousands of dollars on tickets and watching the home team fall behind 22 points. Yikes.

123

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: June 13, 2022, 11:41:17 PM »

Curry always seems to have one bad shooting night per series. Good timing with that game being at home and when Wiggins went off.

Speaking of, the Warriors better pay that man, but I don't think they will because they have to pay Poole soon too. What sucks is that Wiggins is clearly best when he's the third or fourth option. I doubt he'll be this effective on another team. We already saw that guy in Minnesota.

Anyway, Tatum weirdly shot a bunch of airballs. And Mark Jackson continues to be intolerable on commentary. "Imma call him Klay. Imma call him Klay." Yeah, because that's his name. What are you talking about?

GIVE ME GAME 6 KLAY!

Soon.

124

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: June 10, 2022, 11:30:10 PM »

That man Steph Curry. Tiddy Garden got really quiet at the end. Mmm, mmm. Let's fucking go!

GIVE ME GAME 6 KLAY!

125

General Chat / Re: NBA Thread: Brought To You By The Tampa Bay Raptors Of Toronto

« on: June 08, 2022, 11:51:27 PM »

RE Warriors tonight: I was rooting for you, we were all rooting for you. How dare you?

System seems good with the 4-1 out but if Russ is staying then it is going to be hard to use that unless they get back a floor spacing 5 or get the defensive wings in a low 3 and D wing free agency.

The Lakers don't have the assets to make any splashy moves. They can probably get 3 OR D, not a wing who is both. That's fine given the circumstances.

The Lakers held a workout yesterday. People on Reddit and Youtube were dunking all over this. However, it's exactly what they should be doing. Most role players they sign should be under 30. They're likely all coming to come from the scrapheap, undrafted pool, and purchased second round picks. Cross your fingers they find a Spencer Dinwiddie-type diamond in the rough who every other team gave up on.

Best option seems to be trade Russ for Brogdan and Hield and grab OP Jr with the taxpayer MLE or trade for Rozier, Oubre Jr and Plumlee and go from there with wings and front court depth.

I've seen the Pacers trade thrown around a lot. I'd agree if the Lakers didn't have to give up any picks. The Pacers would be saving like $60 million in salary. That's the trade. If anything, the team absorbing the extra years/salary should be getting at least a conditional first round pick.

Ultimately, the Lakers' best move is to just ride out the year with Westbrook. Pelinka has been planning for years to have cap space in 2023. Stay the course unless a good trade pops up closer to the deadline next February. The Lakers absolutely should not be trading their 2027 or 2029 first round picks.