The Renaissance of Video Games and Their Remakes (Part 3)

Continued from last time...

The NES was the first widespread, home console that contained worlds that could stand on their own visually. As time went by, the worlds got bigger and the visuals grander. Even now, what has been elusive in video games has been achieved, even in a small way. Using current generation technology (Playstation 3 to be exact) emotion has been portrayed digitally in a surprisingly accurate way. Just check out this video titled "Kara"

If you haven't figured it out, I love video games and I have a nostalgic love of the ones I grew up playing.  Even today, I love playing Mega Man 3, Mega Man X, Super Mario Brothers 2, Castlevania, Battletoads, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Donkey Kong Country, Final Fantasy IV, my list could go on for pages. Every one of these games is a classic with great (timely) graphics and game mechanics. As downloadable content becomes more and more popular, games from yesteryear have been re-released. In general, I love that these games having a resurgence so those of us without the foresight to keep our old systems and games can enjoy them again. However, I do have an issue when instead of just putting out a straight port of the game the developers feel a need to update the game, specifically the graphics. I'm not sure what the mindset is, maybe it's that despite it's popularity when they originally came out, graphics have come a long way (which is true) and people wouldn't be as receptive to the original visuals.

One of my favorite games of all time is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time. It was originally an arcade game that was ported to the Super NES. I played both, but enjoyed the Super NES version more for several reasons. It had more levels and since it was on a system I owned, I could play it whenever I wanted. I used to play it in college regularly with my room mate while we played 12" LPs we recently purchased. Of course, knowing what to do and having played it so much already, the game's story would only last ~30 minutes but I could play that game over and over, even right now. A few years ago, they re-released Turtles in Time as a downloadable game adding the suffix "Reshelled". It's a remake of the arcade version so there are fewer levels but they updated the graphics as can be seen in the screenshots below.

Almost finished with this topic so hold on until next time...

The Renaissance of Video Games and Their Remakes (Part 2)

Continued from last time...

Now, don't misunderstand me. I'm not suggesting that there weren't any games before the NES that weren't good and there were popular systems before it. Atari, Colecovision, and Intellivision are just a few examples of competing systems providing solid games. Most people are familiar with Pong; the simple table-tennis simulator that used maybe 10 tones between hitting the dot back-and-forth. Adventure had such a simple premise: find a key, open a gate, find a spear, kill a dragon, find a chalice, take it to a castle, you win. There's a great Robot Chicken sketch that sums up the game in under 40 seconds (see embedded below).

Even before that, simple computers had games that used nothing but text (commonly called text-based games, oddly enough). They briefly described a setting and then asked you to type out commands on what to do next, normally just typing commands like "Open the door", "Walk North", "Eat Gruel", that sort of thing. A lot of frustration would result when various commands would result in replies like "Don't know how to 'Open' something", "Can't Walk North", "Okay". So it doesn't know the verb 'Open', there's a wall or something blocking you from walking north, and apparently you ate the gruel with no context on how that affects your next step. The point I'm driving at is that before the NES, games required much more imagination in order for them to be enjoyed. A lot of reading was necessary, any visuals were so basic that you needed to picture scenery in your mind to see it as the creators intended, and if there was any sound, it was very basic although some inspired sound effects did come out of it (Pitfall's swinging sound for example).

Hold on until next time...

The Renaissance of Video Games and Their Remakes (Part 1)

I know I failed at the whole "I'll try to write one blog a week" thing so far but I started writing one and I kept going into random other topics and it was suggested that I split it into smaller, more easily digestible parts rather than making one big one. I think it's going to be more prominently like this in the future so here's the first of probably many multi-part posts!

Most people who are approximately my age (27, for the record) were fortunate to be children at a time when video games were becoming a larger part of popular culture and society in general. The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES as most of us know it) created images on our TVs that were colorful and generally provided a path to follow and goals to accomplish (examples: rescue the girl or princess, save the world from evil, destroy the bad guys, etc.).  Most notably, the music in these games was inspired! Super Mario Brothers, The Legend of Zelda, Mega Man, Castlevania, Contra, Metroid, Ninja Gaiden just to name a few that had amazing scores to accompany the addictive game-play. Before Nintendo's ground-breaking system, most systems had to focus on the limited visuals and the sound effects. Even today with huge teams and million dollar budgets, music has the largest impact on the worth of a game. Music can't save broken controls, a terrible camera, or lazy/awkward design but it's constantly with you as you play, changes depending on the situation, where you are, and when you find required items. The lasting effect of music is what makes it have such an impact. In video games, much more so nowadays, you sometimes spend hours roaming the same areas and in those areas, the same music plays. If it's catchy, well orchestrated, and fitting, then it grows on you and if you ever hear that song outside the game, visuals will pop into your mind of the level that music plays in the background. It may even make you long to play it again. Music can have a polar opposite effect as well. The music could be so awkward or poor in construction that you'll grow to hate certain areas or even the game. 


Hold on until next time...

This Week In Me & Recent Best SNL Moments

A few things have happened since my last post. Mainly, I went to Columbus, OH for an interview at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for an LSS (Life Support Specialist) position which is basically exactly the sort of thing I want to steer my career towards. Overall it went very well because I was able to show my genuine earnest and desire for such a position with poignant questions about the organization. However, I was also made blatantly aware of my ignorance about how isolated aquariums work in terms of upkeep and overall maintenance but I know what those weak spots are and have found some reputable sources online to read up and acquire a general understanding. I pick up on things very quickly when thrust into situations that require it but I don't know if I was able to convey that thru the interview. No matter how you look at it, it's out of my hands now and all I can do is wait to see what decision is made which I should know but this coming Friday. If nothing else, I learned from the experience of the interview and will work on my deficiencies so if I don't get this job, I'll be better prepared for the next interview. I am far from giving up.

As I said, I was in Columbus, OH this past week and after my interview was over, I was fortunate enough to spend some time with my sister. We hung out, talked, and went to a local bar where we matched our wits in a trivia game. She and I versus approximately a dozen teams usually made up of more people (average of at least 4 people). Halfway through the round, we were tied for third, each of us throwing up some impressive random knowledge. We didn't fare so well during the second half of the game and dropped in ranking to third from last place. The winning team was comprised of 7 or 8 members and was called "The Dude Abides", so I didn't feel disheartened by the loss. It was a fun time with a wonderful sibling and would do it every week if it was possible.


That's my personal update and now for something a bit more light-hearted. During a moment of inactivity over the past week, I found myself on Hulu watching some clips from Saturday Night Live and thought it'd be a fun diversion to compile a list of some of my most recent favorite sketches. Recent is a relative term in this scenario in that I don't want to reach too far back but I also haven't watched as much SNL lately so in this context, I'm limiting myself from 2000 to present. Obviously, I haven't seen every sketch since 2000 to make a definitive list and I'm just throwing out the sketches as they have come to mind so they're in no particular order, I'm just numbering them so it's obvious how many there are present. So without further delay, check out my reasons why they're good skits and go on watch them thanks to Hulu.

Number 1
Dateline with Keith Morrison
Bill Hader is arguably the best current cast member of SNL. He has perfect comedic timing and can channel just about any celebrity he sees fit. When he plays Keith Morrison, he portrays such a giddiness as such horrific situations being described as well as figuratively aggravating the emotional wounds by asking questions from a hopeful aspect when he already knows the terrible answer. The links that follow have one being the earliest example I could find followed by one with Steve Buscemi that I believe showcases the best aspects of the sketch with evolution over time.
Earliest Dateline I Could Muster
More Recent One w/ Steve Buscemi

Number 2
Almost Pizza
Short, simple, and sweet. Why is it almost pizza? Why won't the wife/mother tell anybody why it can't technically be called pizza? She won't eat it herself, probably because it'll kill you, but she wants her family to die? It raised so many simple questions that will never be answered and not knowing is what makes it so hilarious! If you had an explanation, it would lose the magic it possesses.
Almost Pizza

Number 3
Returns and Exchanges
Jay Pharoah does simply an amazing job as Denzel Washington. He's got his mannerisms, his cadence, and even throws in a slow clap toward the end. Constantly saying "Okay" and "All right", talking to himself, repeating statements back and turning everything around on a person is what Denzel does in every movie he's in (at least it seems that way). It's funny and satisfying putting that persona into such a mundane situation.
Returns & Exchanges

Number 4
Back to the Future Auditions
Harking back to earlier SNL days when they had the Star Wars initial screen tests where Hollywood greats of the day such a Walter Matheau and Christopher Walken tried for the roles of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Han Solo, respectively, the same formula was used in screen tests for Back to the Future. The comedy still holds up well as a plethora of familiar Hollywood personas try to channel the roles of Doc, Biff, and Marty while not using any of the same people from the Star Wars session.
Back to the Future Auditions Part 1
Back to the Future Auditions Part 2

Number 5
The Bjelland Brothers
I don't know if this one counts as necessarily being good but it grows on you within the four and a half minutes it takes to play out; just a terrible, outdated, sibling duo eeking out the waning interest in their biggest hit, which wasn't a hit at all. The story behind the song is self explanatory but somehow by the time the sketch is over, I guarantee that you'll be singing the chorus. Bryan Cranston, possibly the best actor in television and film at present, being involved bumps it up automatically.
The Bjelland Brothers

Number 6
What Up With That?
I love the rhyming for rhyming sake, the constant interruption of the guests, the random personalities that show up from off stage, and the ongoing gag that Lindsey Buckingham shows up for every show, never gets to say one word, but is somehow not mad at the host. The song is catchy and I find after watching it singing it with my own lyrics. It also keeps coming back with slight new spins but the original premise still manages to tickle the funny-bone.
What Up With That? (Al Gore)

That's the list for now. If there are any that you think are on par with these, please leave a comment and I will enjoy them. Thanks for reading and comments and criticisms always accepted. Until next time...

Round 1 of the NFL Draft

Although I'm writing this just over 24 hours after the first round of the draft and just after the second and third rounds have been completed, there are a few things I'd like to discuss while they are still relatively topical.

Anyone who follows the NFL and the NFL draft knew that Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III were going to the Indianapolis Colts with the 1st overall pick and the Washington Red Skins with the 2nd, respectively. However, when Cleveland traded up to Minnesota's 3rd overall pick (for their 4th overall pick, plus a 4th, 5th, and 7th round pick... and Cleveland fans wonder why their team hasn't been relevant), Trent Richardson was an early surprise. While watching it, I found that all I could do was compare him to one of The Lord of the Rings' fighting Uruk Hai, probably mostly because of the dread locks.

For a running-back, that's almost a complimentary comparison because who wants a beast that like running straight at them at full sprint. Just be glad he's not armed in the NFL.

Teams were picking fairly fast, as far as the NFL draft goes. The eleventh round brought the next best bit of entertainment when the Kansas City Chiefs has their pick in and on ESPN, Mel Kiper Jr, Jon Gruden, and Rick Berman were the commentators. They were speculating that Dontari Poe was about to be selected but the pick was in so soon they used all they're comments up and then had nothing much to say. Leave it to Berman to point out that Dontari Poe and Edgar Allan Poe have the same last name and everyone  reading Edgar Allen Poe's collection of short stories was causing the delay for the announcement. Well, I guess no one ever confirmed out denied this fact... Once Dontari Poe's name was announced, Berman was converting his fellow commentators stating that Edgar Allan Poe wrote "a lot of good (stories), you know". He even managed to pull out a quote, but I'm not familiar enough to recognize the exact source.

I point this bit knowing full well it is challenging to have something ready for just about every player about to be drafted as well as the fact that the first round telecast aired for just over 3 hours. Berman is one of favorite characters of sports but that's exactly what he is, a character.

Notre Dame being my favorite college football team, it was fun to see Michael Floyd get picked 13th overall by the Arizona Cardinals. He was amazing to watch at Notre Dame and with one of the best receiving in the league, Larry Fitzgerald, around to mentor and help the young man in his transition into the NFL. It'll be interesting to see how he handles it next year. Lets just hope he can manage to keep his drinking separate from riding behind the wheel of a moving car.

The last thing I want to touch on is my NFL team's pick. The Superbowl Champion New York Giants,I've been a fan since I was young, not just latching to a current winning team. I rooted for them when the Giants played the Eagles in 2010 when the Eagles scored 4 unanswered TDs in the last 7.5 minutes of play ending with the heart wrenching Matt Dodge punt to Asante Samuels (This is incorrect. It was DeSean Jackson who returned the punt. I'm very ashamed I made such a blunt error. Just a lesson to remember that when I write a blog at 11pm that I should ensure to edit and proof-read more thoroughly, probably waiting until the next day. Thanks to my brother Kevin for pointing this out to me) who returned it for a TD in the final seconds and single handedly caused the Giants to miss the plays-offs for the 2010 season that allowed the Green Bay Packers to take the wildcard spot and eventually win the Superbowl (I'm not bitter or anything though). The Giants chose David Wilson, running-back from West Virginia. During this off-season, the Giants cut RB Brandon Jacobs, who was a hard hitting truck when he was at his best. Wilson is more quick footed much like the current starting RB at NY, Ahmad Bradshaw. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I loved Jacobs when he would run over people and it was a great one-two punch combo with a quick Bradshaw. Guess nothing but time will tell and with 2 Superbowl wins in 5 years, I can't complain at all, not until the next season starts.

Well, I've been meaning to do something like this for a while and this seams like the best place to start. What I plan to do with this blog is write about things that interest me, generally. I want to create retro videos on video games, music, and movies as well as compilation of others things I enjoy, such as nature, SCUBA diving, hiking, kayaking, animals, etc... the list could go on for a while.

Basically, I want a launching platform for all the video and written ideas that pop into my head. Sometimes I see these things as being completed by myself, but a lot of the ideas I have bring in people close to me to discuss topics we enjoy and I hope listening, watching, and reading about all these topics will entertain all who read them. That is the aim, of course, we'll see what happens upon execution.

I'm going to personally try and update this at least once a week, whether it is a simple update about what Ive been doing and enjoying, or a full fledged projects analyzing a pop culture hot topic, a fantastic nature-related hobby/skill, or just rambling about something interesting I recently found out about.

In the future (and I suppose now if something comes to mind), any constructive comments you have about the things I go on about or the finished projects you see, will be welcomed and appreciated. Thank you to everybody who has read this and I hope not to disappoint.