In the second episode of the Variety Hour for Rocketdemon, it's time to beat up some pandas and fart in the faces of our enemies for massive damage with Namco's Tekken 3. Is it worth a damn in the days of Street Fighter 4 and Marvel vs Capcom? Tune in to find out!

Today on Gaming with Killatia we go gorilla style so we can talk about Star Fox 64 3D, an awesome remake of an awesome Nintendo 64 game made for the 3DS.

My Tetris Attack review is up now on gotgame:

http://gotgame.com/2011/09/28/gaming-with-killatia-tetris-attack/

In the first episode of my new show, I take a look at one of my favorite arcade games; Aero Fighters.

    The sequel to Mother and the only entry in the series to be released in America, Earthbound has garnered much praise among RPG and SNES fans, proclaiming it to be among the system’s best games. Released in 1995, its success in America was limited; causing fans to latch onto it in an effort to claim it deserved greater success. Whereas Mother on NES was more simplistic due to the choice of platform and technology of the time, is it right to view Earthbound in the same regard? Does it truly deserve its reputation right alongside classics such as Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI?

    Earthbound opens in the town of Onett, located in Eagleland, which is believed to be a parody of the United States. Much as in the first game, our hero of Ness (a bit more subtle in this game) is suddenly awakened by a troubling vision. Rising to investigate a sudden disturbance outside (in his pajamas no less), Ness is urged by his neighbor to check out the meteorite that crashed in the hills just north of his house. Setting out to explore with his friends in tow, the game begins.

    There is one quick caveat before I talk about graphics. I always try and consider a game’s visuals independently of others, especially given the year a game comes out. On the other hand, I understand the validity of such comparisons. When you judge a system’s graphical strength, you inevitably have to consider the standout games and keep them in mind when considering other entries, especially if their genres or visual style is similar.



    Having said this, Earthbound’s graphics are NOT good. Contemporary reviews in Gamepro and EGM were quite right to point out its limitations, only to be subject to ridicule by ardent supporters of this game throughout the Internet. The truth is, graphics shouldn’t matter as much as they do, but they also shouldn’t be dismissed outright if bad and endlessly overpraised if they stand out. To that end, Earthbound has bad graphics, but only on the surface…

    While the visuals can’t hold a candle to most SNES games, it is the world they create that makes them memorable. As Earthbound continues the series pedigree of being set in an average American suburb, you can see charming details everywhere. From the enemy design to familiar parochial stores taking the place of RPG staples such as the inn and weapon shop, Earthbound is a game that is full of clever details, if you take the time to look for them.

    Speaking of the enemies, they are definitely the area that benefits most from this game’s design and unique sense of humor. From New Age Retro Hippies to Unassuming Local Guys to Annoying Old Party Men (who grumble about today’s youth!), they are very funny. Their somewhat simplistic design belies their very nature and just how much fun they are.

Also, don’t be fooled by the psychedelic backgrounds in battles. They serve no purpose but to distract the player from the simple interface. The game would have been better off with backgrounds based on the areas you fight in. It might have even made up for the average and small overworld sprites.



Music is once again composed by Hirokazu Tanaka and Keiichi Suzuki, with a new artist in Hiroshi Kanazu. Despite the modern setting, most of the music follows the traditional archetypes of the genre. You have the peaceful themes of Onett and Twoson, the mysterious themes of the game’s prologue, fast paced battle themes such as Battle against Mechanical Enemies, and then there is the ambience.

I’m not a fan of ambience, as even though it is meant to create a mood, music doesn’t need to limit itself to background ambience and nature sound to convey emotions or a setting. Belch’s theme is a great example of this failing in Earthbound, consisting most of weird clicks and tapping like sounds. If the goal was to convey the mysterious nature of Belch’s factory operations, it wasn’t very effective. It just made me scramble for the mute button. Also, the final boss’ music is acclaimed, but it was surprisingly dull to me. Maybe this is the hype speaking, but the music is not what comes to mind when you think of the nature of the encounter, especially if you’ve never played the game before.

Earthbound’s score also stands out with its nods to pop music. Be it the Champs’ Tequila with Battle against Weak Enemies or Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode with the Fight against Johnny/New Age Retro Hippie. It’s a great little touch that makes the game all the more charming, but is also rumored to be among the reasons Earthbound hasn’t seen a rerelease in North America or on the Virtual Console. Nintendo is concerned about the litigious nature of people in the United States and would rather play it safe, at least until they decide to edit the game or something similar.

Sound effects are simple but charming and work just as well as the humor to create a unique experience. From the ever satisfying sound of a SMASH hit to Belch’s Burps to the sound accompaniments of various enemy attacks, Earthbound is a standout at a time when RPG’s often had rather generic sound effects. Even in a game as great as Chrono Trigger, you have to admit the sound effects mostly felt like an afterthought.



The most basic part of Earthbound is its gameplay, being mostly identical to the first game as well as the Dragon Quest series, with the battle scenarios looking identical. It isn’t necessary to comment on this decision really, but it does feel surprisingly sterile for a man as creative as Itoi.

Anyway, you fight enemies, gain experience, and learn magic from leveling up and so on. It’s as ordinary as can be, but it doesn’t make it bad, just don’t except it to stand out. I see the rolling HP system not as innovative but as more of a crutch to rely on when you encounter those enemies with oddly powerful attacks; too bad more enemies didn’t require the strategy of using the PSI shields or suchlike. Having to use defensive strategies regularly is still all too rare in most RPG’s and Earthbound really missed an opportunity with its failure to capitalize on the large number of enhancement spells you learn, especially as it is a necessity in the other games in the series. There I go again…

All else aside, Earthbound is still an enjoyable game to play. The characters might be mostly archetypes, but the game’s strengths allow me to ignore or downplay some of its notable failings. I could mention some other criticisms, but it would be leading away from my attempt to review the game objectively.

Bottom-line, Earthbound is a memorable game, for better or for worse, and an essential game for fans of RPG’s, SNES games, or retro games. If you are truly interested in my views on Earthbound, consider coming to my planned panel on the game at MAGFest 2012 in January. It’s going to be a debate on the merits of the game, with Roo of the Clan of the Gray Wolf so far confirmed!

- Ugly Bob
-Check out Elder-Geek.com!

5. Platoon

One thing I love the movie Platoon but the game on Nintendo was just awful you have to push up to jump you can't see who is killing you on the ground.

4.Cheetahmen II

Oh man this game is really bad I herd this was put away for a long time and I can see why.

3. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

I know this is the Angry Video Game Nerd most hated game ever but how can I not put this game on the list I don't understand it at all you have a weapon that is useless and you get one life.

2. Superman 64

When I first buy this game when I was like 12 I think I said to myself oh man this is going to be Awesome but when I first play it I was like oh man this is not awesome it is awful it is really hard to make superman fly and the bad controls

Paranormal activity?

It’s May Movie Month on Vinyl Rewind! Join the Vinyl Geek every Monday in May as he celebrates the start of the summer blockbusters by reviewing classic soundtracks.

The Vinyl Geek takes a trip down memory lane with "Stand By Me" soundtrack.

Dan and Bob fly through the trees pwning a crapton of undead foes in Demon Sword for the NES!

For this week's Retro Corner I decided to look at one of my favorite children's shows growing up: Fun House. Be sure to check out all of my videos at http://adnauseamtoday.com!

Dan and Bob from GigaBoots.com must find their way out of the maze in this week's QP! Join them on this adventure!

This week's Ye Olde Quicke Playe is of SpellJammer for DOS. Steve and Dan revisit the mysterious D&D space-travel simulator from their youth and curse way more than they did back then. Enjoy this comedic 18-minute overview of the game!

I forgot that it was Halloween, so please enjoy this ghostly video, complete with my own commentary.

Have you heard of the TMNT Pizza Power board game? Here is our review of it. :)

In this blog I play through and beat Mendel Palace for the NES. This is a game that came out in North American in 1989 and was made by Game Freak the developers of Pokemon. Interested? C'mon and check it out.

Hi everybody. After 20 years of dying at the hands of TMNT (NES) I finally conquered the mountain yesterday. I beat the game. I started a Let's Play a couple weeks ago with no real thought that I'd be trying to beat it. Somehow after a bunch of game overs and restarts I make it inside the Technodrome and to Shredder. Here's how it all went down.

I play through the final stages of Battle Kid Fortress of Peril. This blog contains the ending sequences and also a bonus video.

I play Battle Kid Fortress of Peril (NES) Parts 36-40.

I play TMNT for the NES. Parts 1-7.

I review Tetris the Board Game with my friend Caitlin.

I play through Battle Kid Fortress of Peril. Parts 31-35

I play through Battle Kid Fortress of Peril. Parts 26-30.

I play through Battle Kid Fortress of Peril. Parts 21-25.

I play through Battle Kid Fortress of Peril. Parts 16-20.

I play through Battle Kid Fortress of Peril. Parts 11-15.

I play through Battle Kid Fortress of Peril. Parts 6-10.

I review a Battletoads Tiger Electronic Game.

I play through Battle Kid Fortress of Peril. Parts 1-5.

I review and take a look at the insides of a NES.

Part 3 of R & C Play Star Wars Episode 1 Racer/"that awesome Podracer game".

To watch, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZvWBk-aIBU

PLEASE NOTE IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU WATCH THIS VIDEO IN FULL SCREEN MODE. YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHY WHEN YOU WATCH.

To watch the entire Star Wars Podracer Lets Play or for more from R & C Play, visit:

In part 6 of R & C Play Kirby's Dream Course, C can't believe it and R takes advantage of the sun button.

To watch, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osfYt_sSI7A

To catch up on what you've missed or for more from R & C Play, visit: www.youtube.com/user/RandCPlay

We are now taking requests for NES, SNES, GBA, GBC, or N64 games (or any executables you can send us)! 

In part 7 of R & C Play: Banjo Kazooie, R & C are interrupted by delicious spaghetti, follow x's to a living chest, and play the easiest word game ever.

To watch, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBZYiuYc5m8

To catch up on what you've missed or for more from R & C Play, visit: www.youtube.com/user/RandCPlay

We are now taking requests for NES, SNES, GBA, GBC, or N64 games (or any executables you can send us)! 

In part 6 of R & C Play Star Fox 64, R & C burn down the house and fight for their lives.

To watch, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zFF0av3GNQ

To catch up on what you've missed or for more from R & C Play, visit: www.youtube.com/user/RandCPlay

We are now taking requests for NES, SNES, GBA, GBC, or N64 games (or any executables you can send us)! 

Part 2 of R & C Play Star Wars Episode 1 Racer/"that awesome Podracer game".

To watch, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM2mKnXcHHs

PLEASE NOTE IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU WATCH THIS VIDEO IN FULL SCREEN MODE. YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHY WHEN YOU WATCH.

To watch the entire Star Wars Podracer Lets Play or for more from R & C Play, visit:

In part 5 of R & C Play Kirby's Dream Course, karma strikes and C almost ramps it over.

To watch, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBzGAni3YlU

To catch up on what you've missed or for more from R & C Play, visit: www.youtube.com/user/RandCPlay

We are now taking requests for NES, SNES, GBA, GBC, or N64 games (or any executables you can send us)! 

_{^{In part 7 of R & C Play Disney's Tarzan, gravity is a cruel mistress.}}

_{^{To watch, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ0Ql-Wqe1o}}

_{^{To catch up on what you've missed or for more from R & C Play, visit: www.youtube.com/user/RandCPlay}}

In part 6 of R & C Play: Banjo Kazooie, R & C take to the sky before jumping 'til our heart's content. T

To watch, go to:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyXaQeFbxiI

To catch up on what you've missed or for more from R & C Play, visit: www.youtube.com/user/RandCPlay

We are now taking requests for NES, SNES, GBA, GBC, or N64 games (or any executables you can send us)! 

Rask plays through Star Parodier on the Wii virtual console to see how far he can go in one life.

Yes, you read that correctly. R & C Play: The Great Sperm Race.

In the sole episode of R & C Play The Great Sperm Race, R feels dirty, leukocytes go wakka wakka wakka on C's flagellum, and C becomes incapacitated.

To watch, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1l-o4gOI8c

For more quickies or just to see more from R & C Play, visit: www.youtube.com/user/RandCPlay