Sunday, April 26, 2009

My top 10 8-bit games

#10 Ice Hockey/Blades of Steel - I couldn't pick just one of these games so I took the easy way out and combined them into one selection. Although I do own Ice Hockey on the Virtual Console and not Blades of Steel, it doesn't mean I prefer one over the other. One just so happened to be released first and I didn't want to pay for two hockey games on my Wii. They each do have their pros and cons however. I preferred the gameplay to Ice Hockey and the strategy that came with selecting either a fast, skinny player, a medium player, or a fat powerhouse. Blades of Glory had better music and the fighting mechanic was awesome. Either of these games are worth checking out.

#9 Double Dribble - This is one of the games that introduced me to sports games as a kid. It was probably one of the first I owned. I still have memories of schooling my uncles when they'd come to my house. I remember thinking that the little animation that played when you dunked the ball was so realistic. Some intense battles were played on this game.

#8 Battletoads - One of the most difficult games on this list, and that's saying alot! If you've never played this game you're really missing out as it is one of the most obscure games on the list. This is a fun beat 'em up in the same vein as Double Dragon (I think they might've even made a crossover game) and fun as hell. It is also one of the best looking games on the system and the finishing moves are awesomely hilarious! Play this if you ever have a chance.

#7 Excitebike - This game was just plain fun. Being that I was a young'n when I got my Nintendo, this game helped eased me right into the experience not being too difficult but still requiring some strategy. This game was ahead of it's time with the track creator. It was always fun to go back and set a new best time on each of the tracks.

#6 Bubble Bobble - This reminds me of when I would rent a 2-player game just so I wouldn't have to play alone. I discovered this gem of a game using that method of thinking. My sister would always take the role of the blue dragon and I'd carry her through all 99 levels. Very fun 2 player game that's easy to get into and perfect to play with a date nowadays.

#5 Punch-out - Along with Battletoads, it is probably one of the most difficult games on this list. It is a game of trial and error that tests your reaction time and attention to detail. It is a great game complete with memorable characters and awesome music. I currently have the training music as the default ringtone on my phone. This is another game that I have not been able to beat due to the difficulty. I refuse to read a guide for any games that I play but I hope to one day stand as the boxing champ of the world.

#4 Legend of Zelda - I'm almost ashamed that this game isn't higher on my list but that's just a credit to the quality of games on the system. This is the game that started the whole Legend of Zelda series and inspired many copycats. It introduced so many new gameplay aspects that are still a part of the series today. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the number one game on the many fan's lists. From the non-linearity of the game, to the ability to play it using whichever weapons you choose, this was one of the first games that truly let you play how you wanted. A must play for all gamers.

#3 Megaman 2 - Everything about this game is badass: the gameplay, the bosses, the music. You name it, this game has it. Although its predecessor and successors were great games in their own right, this game just had something about it that struck a chord with me. I still go back and play through it once in awhile when I'm craving something old school. The music is classic. Some of the most memorable game tunes ever written. Woodman's theme is among the best you'll find in video games even now. I even have a different boss theme as a ringtone for each one of my friends. Once you discover each boss's weakness, it's pretty easy to get through the game but it's that thrill of discovery and trial and error that makes the game great. The difficulty is also pretty high in some parts; try getting through Heatman's disappearing platforms without using the rocket platform, or Quickman's instant death lasers without using Flashman's time freeze. Very difficult indeed and I think it has grown on me even more since I got it on the Virtual Console.

#2 Super Mario Bros. 3 - In terms of pure gameplay and enjoyability, this game would probably be number 1 on my list but I have to give homage to a classic and couldn't bring myself to place this one in my #1 spot. This game is just about perfect in every way, it took everything it's predecessor did and perfected it and added several fun elements that became staples of the Mario series.World map with crazy new enemies. Check. Ability to actually go back in a stage! Check. Cool new powers. Double check. Frog Mario is the cutest thing ever and Tanooki (statue) Mario...WTF?!

#1 Super Mario Bros. - For a split second, I thought about putting another game in the number 1 spot but then I came to my senses. Although games that came after may have done things slightly better, this game revolutionized the industry and I don't think it needs much elaboration. I will let its spot as #1 on my list speak for itself.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Anchor Porter


As I was getting ready to go out with my boys this past Friday, I decided to have a beer or two before I left the house so I could have my drink on by the time I got to the club. Opened my fridge and had a choice between crappy "drink just to get drunk" beer or some tasty stuff. Since it would be my first of the night, I decided to grab one of the good beers and went with the Anchor Porter. I made the right choice because this is one damn tasty beer. While caught up in the enjoyment of the beer, I completely forgot to take a picture but I was simply sitting at my house so there's nothing special that was missed. I just tossed in an old picture I found of me holding a beer with my sister in Dallas. If you imagine hard enough, you can picture me holding a bottle of Anchor Porter.

Thought about pouring it into a glass but didn't feel like washing dishes later so I drank it straight from the bottle. The smell was very sweet and malty. Sweeter than I was expecting. It could be because the last porter I had was a Smoked Porter and the last one before that was a couple months ago at Gingerman. Behind the upfront malt smell, I detected some chocolate, coffee and figs with the faintest of alcohol scents at the end. The first sip gave me a little more carbonation than I'm used to with this style but it dissipated quickly and gave way to a very nice, sweet malty taste that left a delicious roasted character behind. Accompanying the sweet malt was a pleasant caramel flavor, mixed fig and the requisite coffee/chocolate finish that was balanced off with the faintest of hop flavors. This is a very high quality porter. The sweet malt is what makes it stand out so much and you can tell that it is high quality malt. Still have yet to be disappointed with an Anchor Brewery beer. This is a very satisfying beer for those in the mood for a porter. I'd even venture to say that it is among the best porters I've had. It is well put together and is a complete package, a solid example of the style that would work great as a session beer if you're looking for a changeup to your typical session lineup. Definitely do not hesitate to pickup a six pack of this.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Things to do before I Die 3

1. Deliver a eulogy. It's just about the hardest type of speech you can make.

2. Tie and wear a bowtie. Just occurred to me any I've worn were already made, that's like wearing a clip-on tie.

3. Kill an animal that's bigger than me.

4. Start a fire using something other than a match or lighter, i.e. Survivorman style.

5. Spend the night on a boat.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Victory HopDevil Ale



I was invited by friends to go out to Red Sands this past week. I hadn't been there in foreva and with the news that I'd get to ride some quads with beautiful folk, I couldn't decline. I grabbed a handful of beers from the fridge to see which mood would strike me while I was out there. Started off with the always reliable Sierra Nevada Pale Ale but as I reached for another, I was urged by a fellow quader to try the Victory HopDevil Ale I had brought along so she could partake in a sample of the sweet nectar as well. Of course I wasn't expecting anyone else with me to like it but I enjoyed this brew on an occasion like this. I think I may have tried this beer before because for some reason I had a hunch that I didn't like it. Since I couldn't remember too clearly, I'm glad I got to try it again because I was wrong about it.

This beer had a very nice grapefruity hop aroma with a bit of a kick to it from the hops. The more I smelled it though, the more I picked up on some sort of musty, earthy aroma. It wasn't a bad thing and was pretty interesting in fact. The first sip reinforced the grapefruit hop aroma as it overpowered the other flavors in the beer. The mouthfeel is great for an IPA with just the right amount of carbonation and a smooth creamy finish. The hops really give this beer a unique flavor compared to other IPAs. It doesn't have the piny, Cascade hops that most other IPAs have. A nice malt flavor comes out in the end but this beer is all about the hops as most IPAs are. As the beer warms, a little spicy character emerges accompanied by an alcohol kick that balances out this solid IPA. A surprisingly good beer. I always enjoy being surprised by a well tasting brew that seems to come out of nowhere. As I watched the sun set on the sand dunes, I again began to think about the future and how I would handle the curveball life had thrown at me recently. Beer always gets me thinking about life... Definitely pick this one up if you're a fan of IPAs.