I love Nintendo!

Anyone who reads my blog may ask: "You seem to rant a lot about Plastation and Xbox but where is the Nintendo love?"

Well, it was probably because Nintendo doesn't really participate in the console war that I like to debate about.  Here are a couple of facts about Nintendo: They are behind the competition in sales and I freaking love them un-conditionally!  Nintendo wasn't the first in the video game industry but in my opinion it is the first important one!  It was really the NES (Nintendo entertainment System) that started worldwide popularity of videogames and of course my ever lasting love for video games.

The first game I ever played was Duck Hunt.  My Dad gave me the gun and before I knew it I was a serial duck killer.  I was good at it, too!  Then I started with Super Mario Bros (which was included on the Duck Hunt cart).  I was hooked!  I loved every game I played.  Whether it be Mario, Zelda, Metroid or even Robin Hood... Each game transported me to a world within the shoes of these amazing characters.  I have many memories with Nintendo.  I can name at least ten of my favorite moments in my time playing Nintendo:

1. As mentioned above, I can never forget my first time playing a video game.  In fact, it is the earliest time in my life that I can remember vividly without the aid of photographs.  The fact that it was my first time and I got really good at it fast, made me really happy.
2. How can I ever forget the first time I fininshed a videogame?  I was probably around 4 or 5 when I first finished Super Mario Bros on the NES.  It was shortly after I started playing games.
3. My next favorite Nintendo memory comes from beating Metroid on the NES.  Not because of the acomplishment of beating the game.  But actually because of the suprise when I found out at the end that Samus was actually a female when she removed her helmet.
4. Playing Double Dragon on the NES with my brother.  It was always a riot because we spent most of the time beating on eachother, rather then our enemies.
5. ***possible spoilers*** Three words:  Metal Fucking Gear (or just Metal Gear for short).  This was the first game to actually immerse me in the experience and trigger actual emotions.  The story was gripping and full of twists that always had me guessing what was around the next corner.  When I found out that the person behind the terrorist plot was none other than your commanding officer, blew my mind all over the place.  
6. ***possible spoilers*** This one brings me to one of my favorite games to this day: Super Metroid.  A huge game with a ton of secrets and an ending that was nothing short of amazing!
7. Travel about 8 years into the future after the release of Super Metroid and out comes Metroid Prime on the Game Cube.  A game which changed the classic 2D exploration into a fully 3D world, experienced in the first person behind Samus' visor.  This game (which eventually turned into a trilogy) are some of the best games ever made!
8. When I heard that the Metal Gear Solid game (formerly released on the PSX) was being remade on the Game Cube under the title: Metal Gear Solid Twin Snakes, it was all I thought about untill it came out.  And it was still all I thought about for months after it was released because I could not put the game down!  With new cutscenes, graphics and re-done voice work, this ranks up there with my favorite games of all time.
9. One cool moment in my history with Nintendo was when I entered a Super Smash Bros Brawl tournament.  EB Games was packed with spectators.  With Link as my character, I wiped the floor with all the other players.  During one round even, my two opponents BOTH chose Falco and tried to take me down.  They both failed! People were even cheering for me!  It wasn't untill the final round when a Korean guy totally whooped my ass with Kirby...  So even though I didnt get to proceed to the next tourney, I won a sweet T shirt and was satisfied with 2nd place and the amount of fun I had!
10. My last favorite memory I can remember is playing Twilight Princess for the first time.  I waited forever for them to release a TRUE succesor to Ocarina of Time and I wasn't dissapointed!  I was treated with an amazing and epic game! 

It wouldn't be too hard to think of 100 awesome Nintendo memories but I don't want this blog to be TOO long :)

I will admit that I am not as much of a Nintendo gamer thes days, though.  A few of my favorite videogame series such as Metal Gear and Final Fantasy jumped ship for Playstation.  My gaming horizon expanded to the next gen consoles (PS3 and Xbox360).  With Nintendo's lack of quality 3rd party support and the rare first party masterpieces, I regret to say that my Wii is a dust collector...

However, as rare as they may be, Nintendo finally releases a Nintendo exclusive which is nearly always followed by a gaming experience UNMATCHED by the competing consoles.  Whether it be Mario, Zelda or Metroid.  Rest assured, shortly after those Nintendo exclusives hit the shelves, it becomes the PS3's turn to collect the dust.

Nintendo for the WIN!

-Jonathan Valor

PS3 vs 360: My Personal Opinions Rant

I honestly would refer to this as the "Debate that can never be settled".  That is, if you are a complete fan boy or girl of one or the other.  Have you ever tried to convince a fan boy or girl that the product they support is inferior to an opposing product?  I have.  It is fun watching them fume, I must admit.  However, I know better than to think I can sway them away from their opinion.  It just will NOT happen.  Out of most debates I have involved myself with, none were more heated than the battle of Playstation 3 versus the Xbox 360.

Although I do not consider myself to be a fan boy, I am an avid supporter of the Sony branded console.  However, I can find some good things to say about Micro$oft's console.  The LIVE service is great with loads of original Xbox games.  Being able to use MSN while gaming, all of that.  The only thing I do not like about the XBox 360 are the hardcore devoted fans of the console.  They DO go to a length in trying to explain WHY the 360 tops the PS3 but that length is very short.

The second most argument concerns the comparison if the two console's online services.  Yes, I agree that Xbox LIVE is a fairly better service.  However, while it may offer things such as a ton of Xbox classics and such, it is not light years ahead of the PSN as most fanboys like to think!  The most important element to an online service is of course the online gaming element.  The PSN handles this very well (when it's not being ruined because of hackers, anyway).  The type and variety of content is satisfactory and Playstation Plus is a nice option for rewarding the players willing to drop cash on the subscription.  The thing is, with the 360, you get what you pay for:  $60+ per year gives you access to a ton of content and services that tops playstations offerings (by a bit).  With Playstation however, you got a LOT for NOTHING as the initial service is free to use.  Playstation wins in the regard.  If Xbox live was free though, I doubt PSN would have a competing chance...

Now, the BIGGEST and most fucking annoying argument and reason why the Xbox 360 is superior is that the PS3 apparently "has no games".  This has got to be the most rediculously obnoxious and hypocritcal argument that can be made by a 360 fan boy.  Let's go ahead and count the exclusives, shall we?

Well known Xbox 360 exclusives:

1. Halo
2. Gears of War
3. Left 4 Dead
4. Fable
5. Alan Wake
6. Crack Down
7. Saint's Row
8. Infinite Undiscovery (although there are rumors that this could come to PS3)

Well know PS3 Exclusives

1. Metal Gear Solid 4
2. Little Big Planet
3. Infamous
4. Socom
5. Uncharted
6. DC Universe Online
7. Killzone
8. MAG

As you can see, for every Xbox 360 exclusive, there is a PS3 exclusive.  To say that the PS3 has NO games is utter bull shit.  The funniest thing of all, is that when a fanboy tries to defend the 360s apparent crapload of games, guaranteed and without fail, they will reference games like Call of Duty or Mass Effect which are ALSO ON PS3! 

Another thing I have noticed when comparing the online play (I have played both) is the difference in maturity between Playstation and Xbox gamers.  The maturity seems HIGHER when playing online.  Prime example being when I played Call of Duty: World at War online.  Note that I have played it online on BOTH consoles.  Playstation gamers seemed more relaxed and there simply to have FUN.  Don't get me wrong, it isn't perfect.  You will get the usual arrogant prick who is just there to ruin everyone's time.  When I played on XBOX however, it was a little more annoying.  It seemed like there was an abundance of pre-teens who like to swear and insult everyone just because they know they are well beyond punching distance.  They can talk smack because we can't pummel the living hell out of them.  They also accuse people who beat them of cheating.  If it wasn't for the ability to mute other players, I don't think I could handle it.

I will conclude this rant by saying that I am a gamer.  I will greatly lean towards Playstation, however I am capable of higlighting the positives of the other console.  Just don't try and tell me that the PS3 has no fucking games!!!  I'd like to point out that a few things on the PS3 list have recieved game of the year awards, too!

Hope this entertained in the slightest : )

-Jonathan Valor