We have a bit of a shorter episode this week, but I've been recording and editing a lot lately so I think I needed it. GoldenEye, NFL, MLB, and a new song from Bleached - let's go!
Click here to download the episode!
Welcome, friend! Here you will find all you need to know about the podcast, plus other musings that tumble from my brain. New episode every Saturday! Get in touch here!
Crap open a cold one!
Showing posts with label N64. Show all posts
Showing posts with label N64. Show all posts
Friday, October 16, 2020
Monday, October 12, 2020
Question of the Week: October 17, 2020
Morning, friends!
This question is inspired by a debate suggestion I made a few weeks ago, so I figured we could all have some fun with it. Leave your answers below or as a voicemail at 209-867-7638 by Thursday at 2PM ET and let's have some fun!
Wooooo!
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Every Wrestling Game Should Have a Cartoon Referee
Hey, pals!
This will be brief, because I don't think there's much of an argument against this point. But let's jump in here.
Monday, October 7, 2019
Question of the Week: 10/12/19
Morning, friends!
We're back to normal this week, so it's time for this follow-up question (thanks, Jen!). Leave your answers below or as a voicemail at 209-867-7638 by Friday, October 11 at 5PM ET and let's have some fun!
Woooo!
We're back to normal this week, so it's time for this follow-up question (thanks, Jen!). Leave your answers below or as a voicemail at 209-867-7638 by Friday, October 11 at 5PM ET and let's have some fun!
Woooo!
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Show notes - Episode 195: Quit Knocking and Go Find Some Friends
Morning, friends!
We did a lot today, even after my big edit, and I think this may have been the longest I went before "officially" starting the episode. I'll try to do better on that front - maybe. I am of course short on time, so let's get to it!
Click here to download the episode!
We did a lot today, even after my big edit, and I think this may have been the longest I went before "officially" starting the episode. I'll try to do better on that front - maybe. I am of course short on time, so let's get to it!
Click here to download the episode!
Monday, June 3, 2019
Question of the Week: 6/8/19
Morning, friends!
This week, let's talk about games! I realize this may not apply to everyone, but feel free to weigh in with answers like: "that one with the flying heads" or something and I'll spend several on-air minutes trying to figure out what you mean.
Deadline for responses this week is Wednesday at 5PM ET (ol Pat has stuff to do) so leave em here or at 209-867-7638 and let's have some fun!
Woooo!
This week, let's talk about games! I realize this may not apply to everyone, but feel free to weigh in with answers like: "that one with the flying heads" or something and I'll spend several on-air minutes trying to figure out what you mean.
Deadline for responses this week is Wednesday at 5PM ET (ol Pat has stuff to do) so leave em here or at 209-867-7638 and let's have some fun!
Woooo!
Sunday, April 8, 2018
That Time I Forgot a WrestleMania Post
Hey, friends! I got caught up doing things after posting the show yesterday so I forgot to do this - MY BAD. I hope you enjoyed NXT last night, and that you're ready for the marathon today. Do it up!
Click here to download the preview to get yourself prepared!
Click here to download the preview to get yourself prepared!
Sunday, December 31, 2017
That Time I Had a Great Year
Hey there, Pat here! I hope your Sunday is going well, and that you don't have to work tomorrow so you can enjoy whatever festivities you want tonight.
I just completed my annual run through Ganon's Castle, and now I'm sitting here in my sweatpants (naturally) trying to find the best way to ramble about myself without straight up bragging. I tried to make this a part of the podcast yesterday, but I think this way is better. You can just keep scrolling if you'd like!
I hate "putting myself over" as rasslers say - that's "saying good things about myself" for normal people - but I feel like I've earned a bit of it this year. All things considered, my 2017 was quite awesome. I don't usually make resolutions for a new year, I just have stuff I'd like to do. And this year I was able to cross a lot of cool stuff off my list.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Top 25 on N64: 5-2
Hi friends!
Some of you may be chomping at the bit to read this [almost] last section so you can definitively tell me just how wrong I am. If you aren't, you probably haven't read the other posts. So here they are for your pleasure (each link opens in a new window)!
25-21: Crus'n USA to Star Wars Rogue Squadron
20-16: NBA Live 200 to Destruction Derby 64
15-11: Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards to StarFox 64
10-6: Perfect Dark to Winback: Covert Operations
Now you're ready. Grab your popcorn and let's get it on!
Some of you may be chomping at the bit to read this [almost] last section so you can definitively tell me just how wrong I am. If you aren't, you probably haven't read the other posts. So here they are for your pleasure (each link opens in a new window)!
25-21: Crus'n USA to Star Wars Rogue Squadron
20-16: NBA Live 200 to Destruction Derby 64
15-11: Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards to StarFox 64
10-6: Perfect Dark to Winback: Covert Operations
Now you're ready. Grab your popcorn and let's get it on!
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Top 25 on N64: 10-6
Hi there!
If last week's section didn't rally the troops against me, the final two certainly will! We've reached the top ten and I am excited to share my...favorite favorites with you. If you want a refresher, check out the rest of the list:
25-21: Crus'n USA to Star Wars Rogue Squadron
20-16: NBA Live 2000 to Destruction Derby 64
15-11: Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards to StarFox 64
Done and ready to shake your head some more? Good. Here we go!
If last week's section didn't rally the troops against me, the final two certainly will! We've reached the top ten and I am excited to share my...favorite favorites with you. If you want a refresher, check out the rest of the list:
25-21: Crus'n USA to Star Wars Rogue Squadron
20-16: NBA Live 2000 to Destruction Derby 64
15-11: Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards to StarFox 64
Done and ready to shake your head some more? Good. Here we go!
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Top 25 on the N64: 20-16
Hey, friend!
Welcome to our second journey down memory lane and into N64-land. This week, we're really diving into games I own and still play kind of a lot. Check out part one here (opens in new window) and then let's do this!
Welcome to our second journey down memory lane and into N64-land. This week, we're really diving into games I own and still play kind of a lot. Check out part one here (opens in new window) and then let's do this!
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Curmudgeon Gamer Post: WWF No Mercy vs WWE 2k16
Hey friend! I realize I am terrible at updating this. I don't even have a good excuse for you, so I will just say MY BAD and do my best to post more stuff!
Today I want to do a little comparison between my favorite wrestling game and the newest one. Yes, I will show bias toward the former, but the title should have given that clue.
Today I want to do a little comparison between my favorite wrestling game and the newest one. Yes, I will show bias toward the former, but the title should have given that clue.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Retro Game Review: NHL Breakaway 98
My friends, welcome to the first of several trips down memory lane. Today we visit Nintendo 64 Land to have a look at one of my favorite games on the console: NHL Breakaway 98.
I got this game for my birthday when it was new. The fact that I still play it 17 years later should give you an idea of how much fun it is for me.
It does help that this was a time when I was following hockey pretty closely, so I knew who a good number of the players were. It also may explain why this was one of the last NHL games I could really enjoy.
That aside, this game could still be fun for casual fans. The gameplay is very easy for even moms and dads (and sisters) to pick up quickly. Though there might be some "advanced" techniques to master, the old skate-pass-shoot scheme can usually get you through a few shootouts or practices (and exhibitions with a bit of luck). Though you should incorporate some turbo if you want to be successful in more advanced modes.
Speaking of modes, there are several that really add to the replay value of the game. There are of course the "normal" choices: Exhibition, Season, and Playoffs (I'll dig a bit into the Season mode shortly). But there are a few others I want to highlight:
SHOOTOUT
While not an expansive mode, it does offer a little break from the norm. Plus, the shootout is pretty popular (or at least it was at this time) in the sport. Each team gets 5 shots, alternating after each one, and working from defenseman up to center. You start with the puck at center ice and get 15 seconds per shot. If there is no winner, you cycle through your line (Scoring 1) until someone breaks the tie.
INTERNATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Become king of the world! Choose one of these countries and assert your dominance:
In regular playoffs, choose an NHL team to run through the bracket.
In both modes, you can set the length of each series, customize the playoff tree, and set the standard in-game options (difficulty, line changes, goalie control, penalties, etc.) before you get rolling.
PRACTICE
The mode my brother, Bill, and I played the most. The best part about this is that you can adjust the number of players for each team. You can play a full 6-on-6, or a simple 2-on-2 (goalies included). Also the game counts it as a check when you "accidentally" plow into your teammate - so fun!
And I have saved the mode I play most for last: SEASON
You can play a 25, random 41, random 82, or the regular 97-98 NHL game schedule. Exclusive to this mode are Breakaway Bonus Points. You earn these in-game and spend them on hiring staff, healing injured players, drafting/training prospects (aka creating players), and the Team Event - a pregame newsletter.
On hiring and firing coaches, each one improves a specific area of your team (the conditioning coach gives your players an endurance boost, for example). There are several types of coaches and you can hire and fire at will throughout the year, as long as you have enough points.
After the season ends, you can view the awards for the year and playoff statistics before beginning the quest for a repeat.
The graphics are not spectacular by today's standards, but they are still passable. And they were good at the time, especially considering Acclaim did the game.
My favorite feature is the glow/fire puck, partly because it makes games easier to follow. Although the players do look a bit clunky (if that's even the right word) at times, I love the goal celebrations. Players do backflips while the opponents flail on the ice, and the goalie slams his stick in disappointment. This is even more satisfying when you score often against a friend or older brother. Some people - nerds - whined about the flat crowd, and to them I say: it was 1998. Would a 3-D crowd have been nice? Maybe, but not having one doesn't ruin the experience for me one bit.
The sound in this game puts it over the top. I love the background music right from the beginning, and the menu themes get me pumped to play. The sounds on the ice are legit: from the checking to the skate-stopping to the puck hitting the post (such a heartbreaking noise!). The grunting while using turbo, coupled with the big hit smash of a power check really add to the intensity of the games. And, a personal favorite, the PA guy making announcements through the course of the game is a nice touch. I hope that lost child finds his parents soon.
To summarize, I still love this game. The diversity of game modes, the authentic sounds and sweet background tunes, and the ease of play all add up to always having a fun time even after all these years. If you have this game and a working N64, dust it off and play a quick Exhibition. I promise you will have fun. If you don't have this game, come play a few rounds with me! It'll be great!
FINAL RATING: 10 Eric Lindros concussions out of 10, would definitely recommend to a friend. (He seriously gets one in every season I play with the Flyers, it's a bit ridiculous.)
You will definitely see this game again when (if?) I finish my Top 25 N64 games list. Until then, or until next time, don't do anything I wouldn't do!
Crap open a cold one!
I got this game for my birthday when it was new. The fact that I still play it 17 years later should give you an idea of how much fun it is for me.
It does help that this was a time when I was following hockey pretty closely, so I knew who a good number of the players were. It also may explain why this was one of the last NHL games I could really enjoy.
That aside, this game could still be fun for casual fans. The gameplay is very easy for even moms and dads (and sisters) to pick up quickly. Though there might be some "advanced" techniques to master, the old skate-pass-shoot scheme can usually get you through a few shootouts or practices (and exhibitions with a bit of luck). Though you should incorporate some turbo if you want to be successful in more advanced modes.
Speaking of modes, there are several that really add to the replay value of the game. There are of course the "normal" choices: Exhibition, Season, and Playoffs (I'll dig a bit into the Season mode shortly). But there are a few others I want to highlight:
SHOOTOUT
While not an expansive mode, it does offer a little break from the norm. Plus, the shootout is pretty popular (or at least it was at this time) in the sport. Each team gets 5 shots, alternating after each one, and working from defenseman up to center. You start with the puck at center ice and get 15 seconds per shot. If there is no winner, you cycle through your line (Scoring 1) until someone breaks the tie.
INTERNATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Become king of the world! Choose one of these countries and assert your dominance:
- Canada
- Czech Republic
- Finland
- Germany
- Russia
- Slovakia
- Sweden
- USA (#1)
In regular playoffs, choose an NHL team to run through the bracket.
In both modes, you can set the length of each series, customize the playoff tree, and set the standard in-game options (difficulty, line changes, goalie control, penalties, etc.) before you get rolling.
PRACTICE
The mode my brother, Bill, and I played the most. The best part about this is that you can adjust the number of players for each team. You can play a full 6-on-6, or a simple 2-on-2 (goalies included). Also the game counts it as a check when you "accidentally" plow into your teammate - so fun!
And I have saved the mode I play most for last: SEASON
You can play a 25, random 41, random 82, or the regular 97-98 NHL game schedule. Exclusive to this mode are Breakaway Bonus Points. You earn these in-game and spend them on hiring staff, healing injured players, drafting/training prospects (aka creating players), and the Team Event - a pregame newsletter.
On hiring and firing coaches, each one improves a specific area of your team (the conditioning coach gives your players an endurance boost, for example). There are several types of coaches and you can hire and fire at will throughout the year, as long as you have enough points.
After the season ends, you can view the awards for the year and playoff statistics before beginning the quest for a repeat.
The graphics are not spectacular by today's standards, but they are still passable. And they were good at the time, especially considering Acclaim did the game.
My favorite feature is the glow/fire puck, partly because it makes games easier to follow. Although the players do look a bit clunky (if that's even the right word) at times, I love the goal celebrations. Players do backflips while the opponents flail on the ice, and the goalie slams his stick in disappointment. This is even more satisfying when you score often against a friend or older brother. Some people - nerds - whined about the flat crowd, and to them I say: it was 1998. Would a 3-D crowd have been nice? Maybe, but not having one doesn't ruin the experience for me one bit.
The sound in this game puts it over the top. I love the background music right from the beginning, and the menu themes get me pumped to play. The sounds on the ice are legit: from the checking to the skate-stopping to the puck hitting the post (such a heartbreaking noise!). The grunting while using turbo, coupled with the big hit smash of a power check really add to the intensity of the games. And, a personal favorite, the PA guy making announcements through the course of the game is a nice touch. I hope that lost child finds his parents soon.
To summarize, I still love this game. The diversity of game modes, the authentic sounds and sweet background tunes, and the ease of play all add up to always having a fun time even after all these years. If you have this game and a working N64, dust it off and play a quick Exhibition. I promise you will have fun. If you don't have this game, come play a few rounds with me! It'll be great!
FINAL RATING: 10 Eric Lindros concussions out of 10, would definitely recommend to a friend. (He seriously gets one in every season I play with the Flyers, it's a bit ridiculous.)
You will definitely see this game again when (if?) I finish my Top 25 N64 games list. Until then, or until next time, don't do anything I wouldn't do!
Crap open a cold one!
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Video Game Rant: Screen-Watching
Good day, my friend! Today I am going to hop on the soapbox and rant to you about video game stuff. Our topic is, as the title shows, screen-watching. It is a crappy practice that needs to stop. But before I start complaining, let me throw some positive energy at you.
Here's a fun fact: I. Love. Video games. They are fantastic, and some are way better when played with friends. Together you can enter strange and wonderful worlds to take down aliens, or take out each other. Depending on the game and the group, these contests can get pretty fierce. Different people are good (and/or bad) at different games, which almost always guarantees a fun day.
But, just like with everything ever, there are some jokers who will want to take a shortcut. And these people should be publicly shamed at every opportunity.
I know that local multiplayer is a rarity anymore, so for our purposes we will zero in on a classic: GoldenEye 007 on the Nintendo 64:
Here's a fun fact: I. Love. Video games. They are fantastic, and some are way better when played with friends. Together you can enter strange and wonderful worlds to take down aliens, or take out each other. Depending on the game and the group, these contests can get pretty fierce. Different people are good (and/or bad) at different games, which almost always guarantees a fun day.
But, just like with everything ever, there are some jokers who will want to take a shortcut. And these people should be publicly shamed at every opportunity.
I know that local multiplayer is a rarity anymore, so for our purposes we will zero in on a classic: GoldenEye 007 on the Nintendo 64:
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