Virtual Console Games For 1-14-08

Pac-Attack (Super NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Pac-Man makes a rare appearance outside of a maze environment in Pac-Attack, a fun and quirky puzzle game. This unique entry in the genre puts its own twist on established conventions and adds one of gaming’s most iconic characters to the mix. The goal is simple: Keep your screen clear of falling blocks and ghosts by lining up blocks horizontally, causing them to disappear. Clearing the ghosts, though, requires the help of a hungry Pac-Man (who just happens to swing by every so often for a snack). It’s up to you to get all of the ghosts lined up for him, because Pac-Man will keep eating them until he is stopped by a block or he runs out of ghosts. In addition, his range of movement on the playing field is limited to horizontal or downward—thus adding further strategy. There are three game modes to choose from: 1 Player Normal, 2 Player VS., and the challenging 1 Player Puzzle. Feel like gobbling up some ghosts?

Riot Zone (TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM, 1 player, Rated E 10+ for Everyone 10 and Older - Tobacco Reference, Violence, 800 Wii Points): Riot Zone is a side-scrolling fighting game that follows two heroes as they fight to take down an evil organization. The crime syndicate Dragon Zone has kidnapped Hawk’s girlfriend and it’s up to him and his partner detective, Tony, to get her back. Join them as they jump “fists first” into the grim Kowloon district. Play as Hawk or Tony and fight through all five stages in the deadly Kowloon district. Smash down the Dragon Zone goons in areas like the Harbor, Abandoned Warehouse and the Ghetto. Both characters have unique skills and attacks. Hawk is a master of karate, while Tony is a hard-hitter. That being said, both guys are massive and possess killer techniques. The hard-boiled action is enhanced by the game’s realistic sound effects.

Gaming Stereotypes

These days everyone plays games. It’s been over a year the Wii has been out and people still are getting in line for it. It’s funny how time has a habit of changing things, I remember back in my middle school days, my daily hobby of playing video games was to be kept a secret from my peers, just for the sake of my dignity. Whenever I would mention any thing relevant to gaming, Super Nintendo, GameBoy, etc, I would just be setting myself up for the “cool kids” to just pick on me. But now, it’s the talk of the town. People spend thousands of dollars (Ebay) on these systems, and I used to be terrorized for just playing them? Ironic isn’t it? Of course there is still a kind of stereotype going on nowadays, people think video games are a waste of time and are just brain washing kids to become super mass murders that will eventually take over the world… right. I’m 23 years old, and whenever a relative comes from out of town and watches me play Mario Galaxy or Halo, they ask me, “You still play this?”, “I thought you would’ve grown up by now?”, “This is kids stuff”. I’ve been getting these lovely remarks ever since I had a Super Nintendo, and, when I was younger, I would feel ashamed and turn off whatever I was playing. But now, whenever they present their unwanted opinion or question, I just smile and continue playing. Why, cause I enjoy it. Just as all we gamers do, we play for the fun of the game, not for the sake of anyone else (Unless you’re a game tester).Of course, some of the old fashion stereo type still exists. The, “Oh my god, you play video games? You’re such a loser!”- Apparently they don’t see anything “loser-ish” in the way their talking! I actually had a debate with one of my female friends. I mentioned to her how I bought an Xbox 360 for $400 and she’s responds with the, “What a waste of money!” and I responded on how she doesn’t find buying a $500 Coach purse a waste of money. So we “debated” about how much useful an Xbox 360 is compared to a Coach purse. Yes, she is stupid and no, she’s not hot.

Now this is where the Wii does wonders. People love it, it’s simple, it’s new, and it’s fun. I wouldn’t go off to call these people the casual gamer, the Madden and Need for Speed people, I would label them as, non- gamers. Though I see more and more people interested in Wii sports! Now as a hardcore gamer, I see that as a game just to show was the Wii is capable of, not as a REAL game. But, the non-gamers are buying into it! I mean c’mon, how long can someone play Wii sports for!? The Wii is more about Mario Galaxy, Zelda: TP, and Metroid Prime 3!

These non-gamers also have the typical image of a hardcore gamer: overweight, hairy, breath loud, talk from their nose, and have glasses as thick as professor Fonzworth (Futurama). I remember when I went to go reserve the Wii, it was a Friday because that’s when my local Gamestop started taking reservations. I didn’t have class that day and I called in sick for work so I could be there on time to get the system. In order to get there on time and not to be last in line, I had to get up early, which is something uncommon for me. (Sleeping in FTW!) When my mom heard that I was up, she came out and asked me what are you doing up so early? And I told her that I’m going to go reserve the new Nintendo system and the expression on her face clearly said , “Dumb ass.” Nonetheless, I got to Gamestop and I saw a small line of about 7-8 people. I got in line and sat down, there was still a good hour an half left for the store to open, but it went by so fast, because I found it so easy to relate with those people. There was a fair share of weird people but nothing extreme.

Either way you look at it, almost every new culture has it’s stereotype, we might not find them appealing as others would, just as they wouldn’t find gaming appealing as gamers would. So, am I a loser for playing games? Nope, but people can think whatever they want, but unlike them, I’m not waiting in line for a Wii.