Nick's Blog » video games

Why a Video Game Belt Loop is Not a Sign of the Apocalypse

Nick — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:30:01 +0000

Last week the Cub Scouts made big news by announcing a video game belt loop. I don’t think I earned too many belt loops, but I believe they are the Cub Scout equivalent of merit badges. Also, I don’t believe your “credits” transfer when you graduate to Boy Scouts; the belt loops have to stay in the shoe box.

Let’s not make this a bigger deal than it is. Here are the facts: membership in scouting has been in a steep decline for years, and this is just a desperate attempt to seem relevant again. And at least in terms of getting some press and exposure, it’s working.

Second, it’s Cub Scouts. Look at the video game belt loop requirements. It’s not like they’re saying you have to become a professional Halo player to earn Eagle. You don’t have to log a certain number of hours on World of Warcraft or win the Super Bowl on All-Madden mode. Here’s the official checklist:

Explain why it is important to have a rating system for video games. Check your video games to be sure they are right for your age.
With an adult, create a schedule for you to do things that includes your chores, homework, and video gaming. Do your best to follow this schedule.
Learn to play a new video game that is approved by your parent, guardian, or teacher.
Teach adults how to play video games.
Participate in a family gaming tournament.
Learn how to comparison shop for prices.

See, it’s all very wholesome. And probably more valuable than learning how to tie a sheepshank.

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Ugly Mii’s

Nick — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:30:23 +0000

The other night I was playing Dr. Mario on the Wii online when I notice my opponent has chosen to give her Mii a double chin. Why, I ask, would anyone go out of their way to create an unattractive digital avatar version of themselves? If you were playing against people you’re never going to see, wouldn’t you “round up” a little?

Bryn’s response: “Maybe in real life she has a triple chin.”

OK, maybe she was rounding up.

Now there are plenty of “ugly on purpose” Mii’s, designed for the purpose of getting a laugh, and I’m all for those. It’s just the brutally honest folks that feel the need to give themselves a double chin, a huge nose, or bags under their eyes. I guess I can admire their attention to detail, but I guess I’m surprised how people depict themselves when given a blank canvas.

Meanwhile, while I was getting philosophical about the perceived digital body images of random strangers, double-chin lady was kicking my ass.

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Impossible Mario Level

Nick — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:30:35 +0000

After mom and I played some of the new Super Mario Bros. Wii game this weekend, it reminded me of this video from a couple years ago. I don’t know where this terrible level is from, but it’s entertaining to watch this guy struggle through it. Caution, he drops a lot of f-bombs.

“This is worse than a Family Guy episode… This is worse than Panic at the Disco… This is worse than Ann Coulter.”

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Base Wars: Best Video Game Ever

Nick — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:30:34 +0000

Remember Base Wars? What a great game.

Here’s how the pitch meeting must have gone:

Guy 1: How about we make a baseball game.

Guy 2: It’s been done.

Guy 1: A baseball game … with robots?

Guy 2: I’m listening.

Guy 1: Yeah, a baseball game with robots, and there won’t be any forceouts — they’ll have to fight each other at each base!

Guy 2: We should totally give them machine guns, too.

Guy 1: And if one robot loses too many fights, it will blow up.

Guy 2: Make it happen.

Yeah we spent some time managing our robot baseball teams. When you won, you got money that you could use to repair your players that were damaged during the game, buy them better weapons, or buy them other tools that would improve their play. I remember you could buy players “shoulders” and it would make them hit more home runs. Other items increased their speed or made them throw harder. Others items, we had no idea what they did. Probably said in the rule book.

Tanks were my robots of choice. Others preferred the Cyborgs (who were nearly unbeatable if you had the turbo controller), the Flybots, or the Motorcycles. The Motorcycles were OK fighters but they were a liability on defense, because they had a hard time steering straight to the ball and instead would circle around it for a long time while the baserunners advanced.

One strategy was to pitch low to induce a lot of grounders, and therefore a lot of plays at first. Provided you were a good fighter, you could turn your first baseman into a killing machine.

I can’t remember if we ever finished a season, but it was still good times. Running the teams provided lessons in management on where to invest your winnings for the greatest return. It was Moneyball for kids.

Oh baby I just found out you can play Base Wars online.

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Bryn’s Evil Twin

Nick — Sat, 09 May 2009 18:51:21 +0000

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Dr. Mario Wii

Nick — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:23:46 +0000

It’s always sweet to rediscover an old classic, which was the case a few weeks ago when I learned Dr. Mario was available download on the Wii. It was only $10 — totally worth it for hours of entertainment.

The new version is called Dr. Mario Online Rx, and the best feature is being able to play against other people online. Everyone starts out with 5000 points, and you move up or down when you win or lose. I was once as high as 6500 points and ranked 12000th in the world, but then went on a pretty big losing streak and dropped back down to 5800. It’s like gambling: I’m like, “It’s ok I just need to keep playing a little more. I can win it back.” And then I lose more. So addicting though.

There are players who have maxed out their stats with 9999 wins and 8000 points. I’m kind of jealous. But not really. But yeah kind of. I thought I was a Dr. Mario superstar before getting owned online so it’s really been kind of a humbling experience.

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Country Guitar Hero?

Nick — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:12:10 +0000

Now nearly two years since living in the South, my drawl is gone, but a couple things remain: my love of sweet tea and country music. I guess I just buy into the small-town romanticism Nashville’s selling.

I also love Guitar Hero, which is strange because I am the least musically-inclined person around. So it’s cool that they built a game even someone like me could enjoy.

But my question is when are they going to come out with a Country version? Country is the most popular music genre in the US, at least in terms of radio stations. And Guitar Hero and Rock Band are two of the best-selling video games in history. It would seem to be perfect match.

To be fair, Guitar Hero World Tour comes with a little Eagles, a little Willie Nelson, and a little Allman Brothers. Some extra tracks from Brooks and Dunn, Brad Paisley, and Rascal Flats are also available for download, but it’s not enough!

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Victory is Mine!

Nick — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:26:59 +0000

Last night I earned a gold medal on the Mirror Special Cup for Mario Kart Wii, completing my License. Strange how there still seems to be characters and vehicles to unlock though.

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