New GotGame Article - Politicians, Princesses and Dragons: Lets Get It On!

Another article I wrote was posted on GotGame just a day or two ago. I had a lot of fun with this one; it was about what kind of fighting game we would create.

Politicians, Princesses and Dragons: Lets Get It On!

After sorting through Diney Princess stuff I was inspired/annoyed by them to come up with a Disney Princess fighting game I called Melee in the Magic Kingdom.

The second was a mythical creature fighting game. I was thinking about a dragon fighting a unicorn and just went from there. I wanted a cool name, and Dragon vs. Unicorn didn't really cover all of the creatures I thought of including. I kind of pulled Other Realm: Survival of the Fittest out of the air. I still can't think of anything better.

The last one I just thought of after all the election coverage, and several cartoons featuring Washington and Lincoln fighting each other I thought it was time. Political Kombat.

Saddly it hasn't yet broken even 10 diggs, and I thought it would do better. Kind of sad about that.

Oh well. I did just turn in an article about the Phoenix Wright musical. Hope that goes well. Haven't seen any other news about it other than what I cited previously.

GotGame Post: Why PS3's Blu-Ray Player Might Be Worth It

I'm trying to include posts about my latest articles on GotGame as a way to hopefully get more people to read them. So if you're reading this it means there's a new article up there.

Why PS3's Blu-Ray Player Might Be Worth It

It's actually gotten more diggs in one day than I thought it would overall. So that's a good thing. YAY!

You've Got to be Kidding: Phoenix Wright the Musical

Okay, I know firsthand that Japan and the US are different in a lot of ways, good and bad, but who knew we both had a penchant for bad ideas for musicals. But a musical, based on a video game, about law? That's right folks, we're talking Phoenix Wright: The Musical.

Now I thought Spiderman and Legally Blonde were bad ideas for musicals (Spiderman especially, Legally Blonde I really don't give a crap about), but the Japanese have once again managed to out do us in something. A musical is in the works based on the Nintendo DS game we know as Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, a video game about a lawyer who defends his clients and solves murder mysteries. If you've never played the game, it's actually more of an interactive novel where you have to find clues, solve puzzles, and find the lies in witness testimony in order to find the truth and progress in the game. The stories are addictive, even challenging, and have always left me eagerly anticipating the next game in the series. It's kind of like a Japanese take on a young Matlock with some mysticism thrown in. The musical is supposed to be based on the first game.

The play is set to be performed by the Takarazuka Revue, an all-female acting group with a long an interesting history in Japan. I highly recommend reading up on them, the Wikipedia page on them alone is very interesting. In fact, it says that the god of manga Osamu Tezuka grew up in the city of Takarazuka, his mother was close friends with some of the actresses, and he grew up knowing them and watching their performances. This apparently influenced some of his work, especially Princess Knight (the first manga targeted/made specifically to/for girls). I never would have guessed, of course before this I didn't really know what Takarazuka plays were. I had heard of plays where women play the parts of men, but wasn't sure what they were or how they fit into Japanese culture. I have seen a Kabuki play though. I think in that all the actors are men.

Most interesting of all, about this story any way, is that they are choosing to go with the lead character's English name of Phoenix Wright instead of the original Japanese name of Ryuichi Naruhodo (which I think loosely translates as "No. 1 Dragon, I see"). I guess Phoenix Wright is catchier than Ryuichi Naruhodo.

From DarkDiamond, who got it from Kotaku.

Transformers 2 Info

According to Superhero Hype! leaked images of a tank-form of Megatron are indeed real, and that this is how Megatron will look in the sequel, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, accompanied apparently by a little hummel boy.

Also confirmed:

• Jetfire is in the movie, as an Autobot and not a Decepticon (apparently as previously believed), and will...wait for it...this is so cool...COMBINE w/OPTIMUS PRIME!

• Sideswipe is the Chevy Corvette.

• On the Decepticon's side, Ravage and Devastator will be in the movie, too.

While I found it on Superhero Hype! a lot of this information comes from Transformers World 2005, who have an apparent exclusive but definitely inside look into the film with it's script writer Roberto Orci. They're also where I got the Megs and Corvette pics from.

2 articles in 2 days, both over 20 Diggs

Two articles I wrote recently for GotGame have been published recently, one following another.

Both of them even have over twenty diggs. For a GotGame article that's better than average, for mine and those of others.

As added goodness one of them, Video Games as Tools of Charity, got over twenty diggs in it's first day. Though to be fair I was writing about a pretty cool group of gamers, and I did pick on Jack Thompson. I just had to include my thoughts on what he'd do if he heard about this. Read the article to find out.

Gemu Starto: Anime Game Hoshi hasn't gotten the diggs I was hoping for, but probably more than I guess I could have expected. I am considering doing a part 2.

Toonami, you will be missed

Saturday, September 20, 2008 officially the worst day of my life so far. For reasons more than just this (reasons that connect to today). After a lot of denial and heavy drinking, I've got nothing. All I can offer is this quote I got from BrainyQuote

"Everything that is new or uncommon raises a pleasure in the imagination, because it fills the soul with an agreeable surprise, gratifies its curiosity, and gives it an idea of which it was not before possessed."

-------Joseph Addison

Eleven years is a true triumph, at times it was rocky but still brought me and millions of others great joy.

Thank you. Thank you, Toonami. Cartoon Network, while you aren't dead to me we are not on friendly terms.

Revolution: Complete

Revolution 2.0: Waiting and ready

Update: One More Nominee for Brawl's Sequel

I've got one more character to nominate for the next Super Smash Brothers. I actually was considering this character before, but didn't really know enough about him* to really say anything. But after reading some stuff online, including Wikipedia, I've got enough to work with.

Nights: This flying jester/harlequin of dreamland is one resilient character, managing to survive the Sega Saturn and finding a place on, of all systems, the Wii with Nights: Journey of Dreams. Nights into Dreams, the original Saturn game, was even re-released on the PS2 in Japan back in February of this year. Considering Sega's Sonic appeared in Brawl, it's no stretch to think Nights (also from Sega) could appear in the next SSB. Nights may be the Liberachi of video games, but with the ability to fly and change shape he* sounds like a really fun character.
Final Smash: Nights transforms into his* dragon form and moves across the screen under the control of the player with the capability to pass through solid surfaces, giving him* the potential to hit any character anywhere on screen.

* - Most of what I read about Nights suggested "his" gender was androgynous, meaning Nights could be male or female, and depended on the dreamer Nights merges with. I just used "he" because it's easier to type than "she".

My Nominees for the Next Super Smash Brothers

If there's one thing that this election has taught me, it's that you can never start campaigning too early. With that in mind, there are probably some matters gamers are looking forward too more than the election, and one of those is the line-up of the next Super Smash Brothers game. While details about the next SSB game are pretty much hush hush over at Nintendo, we can always start to guess and nominate new characters.

It's highly likely that many of SSB's classic characters will be returning, although what new tricks Nintendo may have up their sleeve can only be guessed at this point. Personally I think some kind of co-op/tag-team final smash-type move would be cool. While Knuckles and/or Tails is/are likely to join Sonic if he is to return, there's still no telling what characters Nintendo is considering for the next SSB. But if the sequel to SSBB is anything like it's predecessor (Final Smashes included) and they are looking to have some new characters, I have a few ideas on who I think will be or at least could be considered.

Bomberman - He's had a large number of games and has been tight w/Nintendo in the past. Plus, past games show that different colored Bombermen are easy to do. Besides, SSB can always use more explosions.
Final Smash: Something involving either a large number of bombs or one really big explosion, maybe even with a countdown. Basically, BOMBERMAN GO BOOM!

Donkey Kong Junior - With just DK and Diddy representing Donkey Kong they could use some reinforcements, but there aren't too many other Donkey Kong characters that could make the transition to a fighting game. Dixxy Kong maybe, but going back a little further I think Donkey Kong Jr. would be a lot more fun. Combining Diddy's quickness with a smidge of Donkey Kong's strength, DK Jr could be a tough little roller and puncher, and the toughest hombre ever to wear a onesie.
Final Smash: Junior could be like his daddy and play the bongos, possibly releasing some of those annoying crocodiles from the original arcade game. However he could go through a sudden growth spurt and become more powerful, looking kind of like his daddy, for a certain amount of time. He could even possibly throw barrels.

Banjo-Kazooie - Even though they are set to appear on the Xbox360, they got their start on the N64. So it stands to reason they could make an appearance in SSB, if anything as crossover guest stars like Snake and Sonic from Brawl.
Final Smash: While I've only played a little bit of the original game, I'd imagine something like Kazooie turning into a phoenix and giving off an aura of flame that damages opponents and heals him and Banjo.

Paper Mario: Link is the only character to have had other versions of himself in a Smash Bros. game. This needs to change, especially since Nintendo's poster boy Mario hasn't had one (and no Luigi doesn't count). Paper Mario also offered great and unique game play, and material that would make for a cool move set (ex. temporary flight by folding into an airplane). He could replace Mr. Game&Watch though.
Final Smash: Paper Mario folds himself into some form of weapon (throwing star, knife, something), basically showing just why paper beats rock. Behold the power of origami.

Amaterasu (Okami): Making the transition to the Wii, Okami proved itself to still be a great game. Amaterasu might prove to be a difficult character to control, but fun to play as and possibly even beautiful to watch. It would be nice if Ami left a trail of flowers behind her like in the original game, but that may be asking too much. It might even be interesting to fight as a four legged character. More than anything, it'd be a way for us to play as Okami one last time. CURSE YOU CAPCOM!!!!!
Final Smash: Random strokes from the magic paint brush cause status effects, damage, or blows opponents off the stage. Maybe even causing food to appear like Princess Peach. Some plants and flowers appearing on the stage might be nice too.

Midna (sans Wolf Link): Not too many other characters from the Zelda series have stood out or been as big a part of a game like Midna has. Also, with her sinister smile and hair for a weapon she'd make for an interesting character to fight with. Besides, you can forget having Twinkle as a fighter as far as I'm concerned.
Final Smash: Midna transforms into her true form...beyond that I got nothing except she unleashes dark energy. What this would do I have no idea.

Viewtiful Joe: Another of Capcom's characters who's possibility for sequels was ended when Capcom FOOLISHLY (I repeat, FOOLISHLY) decided to dissolve Clover Studios (again, IDIOTS!), Joe got his start on the Gamecube before porting to the PS2. With his powers there's some cool move potential. Besides, you can't tell me that you wouldn't want to play as Joe in a video game at least one...last...time. (sniff) I'm sorry I...I need a minute.
Final Smash: Either Joe summons Big Machine to smash opponents with giant robot fists, or he uses his powers to move super fast or slow his opponents down for a certain amount of time.

Golden Sun – Just as SSB took characters from Fire Emblem, the Golden Sun series could be another great source for fighters. Personally, I like the idea of Alex being in the game after his work as a trophy in Brawl. Now I admit that I've never played Golden Sun, but after researching the series it seems like there are lots of other great characters that could be potential fighters.
Final Smash: It would depend on who the character is, but if we're still talking about Alex then I'd say something like his palm move as a trophy from Brawl.

Darkrai: Since another Pokemon character is likely to be added to the already huge roster of Pokemon characters in Smash Brothers and since most other legendary Pokemon might be too big or too small, I nominate Darkrai. He's also become something of a fan favorite with his dark, and somewhat emo-esq qualities.
Final Smash: Darkrai emits an aura that causes all or nearby opponents to fall asleep, at the same time dealing damage with Dream Eater.

Lucian and Aaron (Lunar Knights): LK or Boktai DS has a strong history in Japan, and it's still one of the most unique games available for the DS. Now since Pokemon Trainer and Zelda/Sheik had a "tag out"/change system, this same system could be used for Lucian & Aaron, having them working as a team just like in the DS game.
Final Smash: Depends on who you choose. Lucian might have a dark slash, similar to Link's TriForce Slash, that causes great damage but doesn't knock anyone off screen, while Aaron would have a sun laser blast massive in size but weaker in dealing damage and capable of hitting multiple opponents and sending them off screen. One for distance and one for close range, just like the DS game.

Finally, and probably my most wanted:

Miis - Me, you, and all the other Miis. Your Mii, which is essentially you, could actually be a character in Super Smash Brothers. There are too many possibilities to discuss, but one way this could work is that you set your Mii's move-set up like an existing character model. Kind of like the different colored Alloy Men from Brawl.
Final Smash: Either an alternate form using a different Mii, a Mii parade charge, or Miis just appearing from a dimensional gate, flying and running all over the screen.

Well, what do you think? Oh, and if Nintendo reads this you can thank me for my ideas with a job.

UPDATE - see this post for one more character.

Set to Stun: RAF Radar Chief Says He Saw A Fleet of UFOs

Not much to say on my part, so you should probably follow the link and read the story for yourself.

Here's the story.

Presley Wins, is the Great American Dog! Proof Boxers Rule!

I don't watch too many reality shows, but as a dog lover I found myself compelled to watch Greatest American Dog. It was also great when, in the end, one of my favorite dogs won. If you watched the show, or just look at some pictures, it easy to see why Travis and Presley won. These two may have been the most inexperienced (Presley was a puppy compared to some of the other dogs), but they symbolized what I think is this competition was all about. They are a boy and his dog, and who better to symbolize the concept of Greatest American Dog? Besides, the dog's name is Presley, as in Elvis who sang Hound Dog. It's perfect. What's more, after winning and getting all that money, Presley seemed more excited and eager to play with the other dogs than anything else. That's a Great American Dog for the people/dogs. Besides, who could resist that face.

I'm glad I found this picture, because these were the two dogs I was rooting for from the beginning. I love both boxers and bulldogs, so I was rooting for both of them. It's nice to know that one of my picks won. It was sad to see Tillman leave, but he was already kind of famous. Known as the skating bulldog, Tillman is an internet sensation and was even on Oprah. After what I've read about people's love for Tillman I think he'll be okay as long as he keeps up what he's doing, skateboarding and being lazy. Sorry you didn't win Tillman, but you're still a great American dog in my eyes for just being a skateboarding, surfing bulldog. Heck, just for being a bulldog.

Truth be told I've wanted a bulldog or a boxer for some time. I use to walk a neighbors pair, one boxer one bulldog, and people often thought we looked alike swaggering up and down the street with our broad shoulders and chests and our short legs. And again, how can you resist that face.

I've got to give some special props to little Andrew, the Maltese who came in second. Andrew and his mama/owner Laurie had a wonderful relationship that we could all learn from. While a bit of a mama's boy, as the smallest dog in the competition Andrew lived up to the old saying that it ain't the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog. And who can blame him for wanting to make his mommy proud of him. Way to go Andrew.

While I've shed some light on these dogs specifically, I really hope that all the dogs and owners who appeared on Greatest American Dog do well in the future. While this competition may raise the price of some specific breeds of dogs, boxers more than likely, I just hope that people realize that no one breed of dog is better than others and that all dogs are great. After all, chances are we won't be seeing Greatest American Cat any time soon.

Set to Stun: Mysterious Boom In My Own Backyard

Apparently there was quite a loud noise in a neighboring North Carolina city, described as a loud boom.

Reports from Clayton, Wendell, Selma, and Middlesex state that on Sunday, September 7, 2007 at around 5:45 p.m. a loud noise was heard, and appears to have no explanation as to what caused it. Clayton resident Clint Banks said that it lasted for at least 15 seconds.

Some believe that it was a sonic boom, but surrounding air bases and airports reported no missing planes.

According to officials at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Wayne County, planes are not allowed to produce a sonic boom and that all of the base's F-15s completed landing at 4:15 p.m.

While not intentional a sonic boom is possible, but the recent weather may have been a factor. However, officials at the National Weather Service said they did not know of any events – including an earthquake – that would have caused the noise.

Finally, paranormal event in my own backyard...okay in a city about two or three hours away, but still pretty close.

Here's the official story.