Messages

226

Movies & TV / Re: Marvel vs DC: Highest Grossing Movies over time - including inflation (POLL)

« on: October 24, 2019, 10:04:21 AM »

I don't think the original Blade was intended to be campy at the time.  I know they worked hard to inject humor into 2 and 3, but I think the first was intended to be taken on face value.

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Movies & TV / Re: Marvel vs DC: Highest Grossing Movies over time - including inflation (POLL)

« on: October 24, 2019, 09:12:26 AM »

You know, as much buzz as Deadpool got for being an R Rated superhero flick and Black Panther got for the whole PoC superhero shtick... Blade really seemes like it kicked off the early "modern" superhero movie genere.  Before it, we had the campy but fun Superman and Batman movies.  Then Blade comes in and everything else follows.

228

TalkBack / Re: The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (Book) Review

« on: October 23, 2019, 11:10:07 AM »

>Presented in alphabetical order, most game entries include [...] release [...] information [...]

What does the book say for the release date for Super Mario Bros.?  Because if it isn't well documented, then I ain't buying. 🤣

229

Movies & TV / Re: Star Wars IX The Rise of Skywalker

« on: October 22, 2019, 11:20:12 AM »

>It's garbage in, garbage out.

This perfectly sums up any attempt at a conversation regarding movies with oohhboy.

230

Movies & TV / Re: Disney+

« on: October 18, 2019, 07:35:49 PM »

I wonder if Return to Oz will be on Disney+...

231

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Link's Awakening - Remake, Re-release or Direct Sequel campaign?

« on: October 12, 2019, 03:28:26 PM »

Finished the game (aside from some of the chamber stuff) and - loved it.

It fixed a lot of issues, introduced few more (the 'pausing' situation, the extra heart containers and bottles for fairies seems completely unnecessary, but I haven't played through Hero mode yet, the figurines feels like a tacted on, meaningless sidequest, and a few other things that just made me wonder why they did that, like changing Mad Batter to Lil' Devil) - but it is a solid remake.

I fully admit, I am quite nostalgic for the game.  This was the first Zelda game where the entire plot wasn't a huge text dump at the beginning of the game.  You started with a teaser and the plot unfolded around you through character interactions, the enviroment, and even the boss battles.  You could play the intro and the end credits of Link to the Past and know the basic plot of the entire game.  You could not do that with Link's Awakening.  And the world of characters seemed so alive and vibrant - all tucked inside that tiny Game Boy cartridge.

I still say, this game, Majora's Mask, and Wind Waker are the top three Zelda games.  And this game is still the peak of what gaming should be.

 

232

Movies & TV / Re: (NEW Poll Added!!) New Movies/TV Shows we should keep an eye out for!

« on: October 11, 2019, 08:30:57 AM »

Steven Universe? Which season.  Also I think comedy is so subjective that it is hard to be right or wrong.  I mean Parks and Rec I think is the funniest sitcom series I have seen, but I know some people that hate the show.  Futurama has some good seasons, but is overall inconsistent, Simpson's has some great seasons, but they are also inconsistent, but the early seasons were still amazing.  Bob's Burgers is pretty amazing too, and the series is overall fairly creative, but I can also understand why people would hate that series.

It's particularly good once they start getting deeper into the overall plot of the show in the 2nd and 3rd seasons.  But the 5th season is really, really good, epecially after you've gotten attached to the characters.  The movie that aired was also spectacular.  The comedy is more on the silly side than the profound, but it's still a pretty funny show.  There's just more to it than the comedy, with the characters, the action, and the story being bigger deals.  Oh, and the music.  The songs are possibly the best part.

I really like Steven Universe, but the show has a lot of issues.  Beyond some of the deeper stuff (like the racial coding of Bismuth, the whole slave/romance relationship between Pearl and <can't spoil>...), just so many of the basic plot points are built around inconsistent character choices.

Bismuth gets nothing really explained to her, then gets poofed and bubbled and set aside until Steven decides she'd make a great wedding present.

The freaking diamonds - murdering, genocidal conquerors - get a speech from Steven and now they're all bffs and everything is better now.

eh.

233

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Link's Awakening - Remake, Re-release or Direct Sequel campaign?

« on: October 10, 2019, 02:43:19 AM »

I've been avoiding any discussions about this until I've had a chance to dig into it.  I've only got through the first dungeon due to time limits (and being so dang obsessed with that freaking Goose game), but so far, I'm loving it.

One major bummer, for me, is when keys drop, chests appear, stairs appear, etc. the game 'stops', plays a jingle, and draws your focus to it.  It really pulls you out of the game, versus the events just happening immediately without pause.  On the flip side, more buttons means less time is spent screwing around in menus, but at least there I am in control and doing something.  Here, it's just standing around waiting...

234

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Best of the 3DS eShop: Virtual Console. Game Boy - Part 2.

« on: October 08, 2019, 06:31:04 PM »

A few comments:

Metroid II is a fun game.  I bought the remake, but never got around to playing it.  Not sure why.  Anywhoo, it *is* really outdated and has a lot of weaknesses, but it's still a lot of fun and the dread of finding a new Metroid evolution.... eek.  For $5, unless you're an evil monster with a heart of stone, you should be able to get your $5 out of it.

Mole Mania - a fun action puzzle game.  Worth the price of admission for some light play if you like those types of games.

Quarth - eh.  I'm torn on this one.  It's a fun shoot em up/puzzleresque (really, not a puzzle game) game, but the lack of multi-player flatly kills this game.  If you're on the fence, go watch a YouTube video - basic game play footage will sum up all this game is and you can decide from there.

Pac-Man - DO NOT BUY.  One of the most ported games of all time, this version is stupid and pointless.  Now, if you get the legitimate GameBoy game, then yes - if you can get two copies, a link cable, and someone to play with.  The multi-player mode in this game is an amazing little hidden gem.    I'd love to see it renvisioned on a modern system.

Lock N Chase - never played the GB port, but I am a fan of the Arcade and Intellivision versions.  Fun maze-clone from Pac-Man's heyday.  If you like Pac-Man, I will generally recommend this one - but, again, I don't know about the GB port.

235

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Forum Retrospective #5: Metroid Other M - Any objections Lady?

« on: October 05, 2019, 10:17:26 PM »

I don't have the time to replay this, but...

..I liked it.  I liked it better than any of the Prime games, from an overall gameplay perspective.

I had a lot of fun with it.  The storyline was terrible.  The voice acting was terrible (but we have at least been told the reason that happened).

I didn't mind the authorization system.  Story wise, it was freaking stupid.  Gameplay wise, it wasn't really *that* different than finding new powerups as the game progresses.

I get why they did it.  It makes no real sense that after Metroid, Samus is back to base for Metroid II.  Then, at the start of Super Metroid, she once again is back to base.

It's like she's all "Well, that mission is over.  Guess I'll never, ever need these cool weapons and armor upgrades I found.  But if I do, surely the weird alien bird race left some hidden on whatever random planet I end up on years later.  Fingers crossed."

I feel like, if they wanted to build a storyline into this, it should have been something about the type of energy the suit emits when using various weapons/powers and that Adam needs to authorize them individually so they won't blow up the shipment negatively affect the ongoing experiments they have on the ship.  Him just flopping his dick around really seemed silly.  It was like they wanted to give a story reason for the loss of powers between games, but forgot to make that storyline make sense.

236

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Untitled Goose Game: The Goose Is Loose!

« on: October 05, 2019, 10:02:25 PM »

#gooseforsmash

He wouldn't really work as a fighter, but a Goose-themed level where Goose walks around stealing items from the landscape (and out of player's hands).

I'll give you $20 for this level alone Nintendo.

237

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Untitled Goose Game: The Goose Is Loose!

« on: October 03, 2019, 10:20:02 PM »

Got this.  Played it.  Beat it 100%.  Lots of fun.  But really short.

I'd buy a sequel though.

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Movies & TV / Re: Disney & Sony make up!! Spider-Man back in the MCU!!!.... For now.

« on: October 03, 2019, 10:19:46 AM »

Actor-Tingle®

239

Movies & TV / Re: Hey! DC's got stuff too... (Official Thread for the DCU of Movies and TV)

« on: October 02, 2019, 02:35:24 PM »

Finally watched the trailer.

meh.

Still hyped for The Joker though.

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Movies & TV / Re: Disney & Sony make up!! Spider-Man back in the MCU!!!.... For now.

« on: September 30, 2019, 01:41:19 AM »

Think of it though.  Venom made $800m.  Marvel's last few movies have been $1b.

If Sony lets Marvel pay for 25% of production costs but only take home 75% of the box office, assuming Marvel gets them a few more $1b+ movies, they'll be out in front *and* get to claim more $1b box office hits, helping their company value and stock prices.

And none of these articles seem to cover home video/streaming profits.  As much as I was okay with the Venom movie, I likely won't see it again.  I've seen the MCU movies 2+ times each (granted, anything that is just a flat two times was only in theaters - although, ironically, I've only seen FFH once) and am eyeing that box set.  If Sony gets Marvel to do the legwork on their Spiderverse, I really see no downside for them.

Honestly, I don't see why Marvel pursued Spider-Man so fiercely.  I'm glad it's in the MCU, but honestly, I think the entire MCU would have developed Civil War and beyond without him just fine*.  Let Sony Pictures continue to struggle to understand the formula and eventually sell the rights back to Disney or be bought by Apple and the rights revert back.  I can only guess Marvel didn't want Sony to taint the Spider-Man franchise to Fant4stic levels of bad before either of those happened.

*Assuming there was never an MCU Spider-Man.  Once he was there, there's no going back.

241

Movies & TV / Re: Disney & Sony Fighting results in MCU losing Spider-Man!!!

« on: September 27, 2019, 05:56:02 PM »

At this point, you're just trolling for the sake of trolling.

I have no patience for the levels of outright screaming & petulant whining I saw across the internet when it was originally reported that Spidey was leaving the MCU. Not an end to Spidey fikms altogether, jist the Spidey would no longer be the MCU's Anazing Friend. You'd think that Disney had made a shitty Star Wars movie, only pettier. It was like watching the Final Fantasy 7 fanbase all over again: they're already the company's favorite children, pandered to quite often. But one thing goes against their wishes, and they lose their minds.

So, yes.

242

Movies & TV / Re: Disney & Sony Fighting results in MCU losing Spider-Man!!!

« on: September 27, 2019, 12:28:47 PM »

At this point, you're just trolling for the sake of trolling.

243

Movies & TV / Re: Marvel Stuidos head honcho Kevin Feige developing new STAR WARS Movie....!?

« on: September 27, 2019, 11:52:38 AM »

Disney knows they screwed up with how they divided the fan base with Last Jedi, and a lot of those complaints that split it were due to Lucasfilm not having an overarching plan for Star Wars like they did for Marvel. Hoping this is resetting everything on a stronger foundation.

From an outside observer, I don't see this as a Disney thing.

It seems like Disney bought Lucasfilm and Marvel, then cut them both big, blank checks and said "Make our investment worth it."

Marvel knew what they want to do from the beginning (although they may have not been 100% aure on how they were going to get there) and with Disney's unlimited fundage, they could now do it.

Lucasfilm... it seems like they haven't really known what to do with Star Wars since Episode Five.  Six has a lot of issues and even before Disney bought the franchise, we had licensed stuff of varying quality (LEGO good, Angry Birds bad).  With Disney's unlimited funds, all I can think is Lyle Lanley and "[Lucasfilm] with money like the mule with a spinning wheel.  No one knows how he got it, and danged if he knows how to use it."

244

Movies & TV / Re: Hey! DC's got stuff too... (Official Thread for the DCU of Movies and TV)

« on: September 19, 2019, 11:35:45 PM »

If they're smart, they'll milk it and do a special 2-hour long feature with behind the scenes, backgrounds, etc.

245

Movies & TV / Re: Disney & Sony Fighting results in MCU losing Spider-Man!!!

« on: September 15, 2019, 11:39:46 PM »

I've not seen the newer one.  I think that's the revised one after they turned product licensing back to Marvel.

246

Movies & TV / Re: Disney & Sony Fighting results in MCU losing Spider-Man!!!

« on: September 15, 2019, 04:13:01 PM »

Should be noted, that's the second revision, prior to the agreement that allowed Marvel/Disney to use Spider-Man.

247

Movies & TV / Re: (NEW Poll Added!!) New Movies/TV Shows we should keep an eye out for!

« on: September 13, 2019, 07:26:43 PM »

The original was.

https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-eerie-indiana-the-complete-series/9118267

248

NWR Forums Discord / Re: I had a bad experience with GameStop last week.

« on: September 13, 2019, 07:24:25 PM »

What is an FLGS?

Friendly Local Game Store.  Typically, a shop that sells board/card games, RPGs, comics (aka FLCS).  Term of endearment because local stores (Walmart, Target, etc.) don't tend to carry such a selection/variety and online stores tend to be impersonal.  Your Friendly Local Game Store is where you can go to talk to friendly employees about games, get recommendations, special orders, new releases, and even typically have game events (Be it things like Magic tournaments/releases, or a really good FLGS, you can just stop in and play one of the demo games - maybe even with the employees on a slow day.

The Hollywood Video sub-store Game Crazy (RIP) did this with video games.  I never went into one where the employees didn't feel excited to be there and talk games (and not in a condescending way either).  Any in-stock title they had opened, they'd pop it into one of their demo machines and let you play it.  Special Ordering was second nature for them and they carried lots of niche product (got my US-Released Hori digital Gamecube controller from them on a fluke one day).  I've always wondered if Game Crazy would still be around if Hollywood Video hadn't crashed and burned.

Anywhoo, Imagine larger GameStops with real customer service focused employees, a huge selection of both video games and board/card games, still carrying all the geek culture stuff (but lighter on the Funko Pops, please).  Someplace that you could seriously go hang out at for a couple of hours, have fun, and not even *have* to buy something.

I can't even be in most GameStops for more than ten minutes because they're so tiny and crowded, I feel like I'm in everyone's way.

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General Gaming / Re: So nobody likes GameStop?

« on: September 13, 2019, 12:53:22 PM »

And it could sway the publisher from greenlighting a sequel.

Also, to comment on the above, I think "AAA title" is fairly commonplace and equates to "blockbuster" in the movie business.

250

General Gaming / Re: So nobody likes GameStop?

« on: September 13, 2019, 11:11:57 AM »

Forget books, look at movies.

Stores will get shipped in hundreds of new release movie.  They keep it for a few weeks/months, ship overstock back, get markdown dollars from the vendor to mark it down, ship them all back, get them back in with new, cheaper assortments, ship those back, get them back in for Black Friday sales. etc.

Video games are weird - and I think Nintendo is likely to blame.  Once a store/chain orders games, they own it. It's said and done.  Maybe they'll get markdown dollars at some point down the road, but overstock returns are unheard of.

If you read the book Game Over, it talks about Nintendo's early days dealing with an unnamed large retailer (probably Children's Palace, maybe TRU or K-Mart.  Man, look at that lost of retailers) in the days of the Game and Watch.  Now, the book is a lot of guesswork based on multiple interviews and here say, but the story goes that a retailer had a bunch of overstock Game and Watch units, so they phone Nintendo to inquire about markdown dollars.  For those who don't know, it's common in the US (and many other countries) that a retailer buys a bunch of product (toys being a big category for this) from the vendor, then, if it doesn't sell, the vendor will basically give them $x/unit that didn't sell (or, at least, credit towards future orders based off this) so the retailer can mark the merchandise down.  In Japan, this is unheard of - once the retailer buys it, they own it.  So when the retailer contacted them to ask about markdowns, Nintendo was all "lol. whut. no.".  The retailer supposedly then informed Nintendo that they would no longer be playing any future orders with them.  So Nintendo caved.

I really think this is A.) Why movies are treated so vastly different from video games.  Remember, Nintendo basically created the modern video game market.  Pre-Nintendo was a completely different world. B.) Why you *rarely* see first party titles drop in price outside of Player's Choice releases, and C.) Why Nintendo really short-ships every new item, because they feel they were burned before and don't want to be again.