Happy Birthday, Luigi!

(Luigi Banner-sig by =Chivi-chivik on deviantart)

You better grab every single green trinket you possess because it’s time for grand celebration: Luigi is turning 30 this year!  Can you believe it’s been that long?!  Since his first appearance in Mario Bros. (released on July 14, 1983 and not to be confused with Super Mario Bros. which release date was 1985), Luigi has served as Mario’s sidekick in almost all the adventures that have taken place in the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond.  However, Nintendo has decided that Luigi has been shrouded by his brother’s shadow for far too long.  Now in 2013, Nintendo has focused boundless efforts in creating and promoting new games and console designs centered on the green cap hero.  The highlight of this birthday?  New Super Luigi U!

This game will mark history in the Mario Bros. universe as it is Luigi’s first platform game in which he plays the starting role.  Excited?  You better!  I’ve been a Luigi fan since I can remember, even after playing so many Mario centered games throughout my life.  So now that I can enjoy Luigi to his fullest…  It makes my heart feel like a bundle of joy!

Also to celebrate, Nintendo twitted:

And so I did.  It took me a several minutes to compress all my loving words for Luigi in just 120 characters and have a selfie photoshoot because it was required to send a picture along with the greeting.  I am hardcore geeking out over this…  I really hope I get selected to appear on that digital card!

So what do you think about Nintendo’s Luigi Extravaganza?  See you around!

Haaaaappy Birthdaaaay tooooo yooouuuuuu! ♫

 

Let the console war begin! Part II

Welcome back to LouCyo’s reviews!  In my last entry I summarized the how the PlayStation 4 clobbered the Xbox One.  No matter how you look at it, the PS4 won battle and there’s no question about it.  I believe Xbox is at the bottom of the food chain and will need an act (or several) of whatever devine entities out there to survive once all available consoles and games become available for purchase.  With that said, I can’t forget to review Nintendo’s E3 live stream – which HOLY FUCK it was SOO GOOD!

First up, Pokemon X and Pokemon Y – Cannot. Fucking. WAIT!  AHHH!  Admitting to a hiatus of playing pokémon, I’ve always been a Pokemon fan.  Heck.  Not to long ago I dressed up as Pikachu to an themed event (which I might add I looked adorable).  Nintendo’s presentation of Pokémon X/Y showed exceptionally enhanced graphics in comparison to the ones we are accustomed to on handheld devices.   Pokémon battles have been blessed with more animation and smoother illustration.  Nintento also uncovered the enigma revolving around Sylveon’s Type.  You ready for this?  Sylveon is a Fairy Type pokémon!  Yes.  You read right.  It’s time to brush up on your pokémon knowledge and battle strategies.  It was also revealed that Fairy is Super Effective against Dragon.  Though I am not too ecstatic about it, I’m relieved Sylveon is not any of the types I mentioned on one of my posts earlier this year titled Who’s that Pokémon?! It’s… … Sylveon…? – especially flying.  I would’ve punch a couple of concrete walls…  Nonetheless, an addition that was much anticipated by many since a new Type hasn’t been introduce to the world of pokémon for quite some time now.  New pokémon, new storyline, new world…  I cant wait to throw them pokéballs!

Can we take a second to discuss Super Mario 3D World?!  The best way to describe the level of elation I felt when Super Mario 3DW was announced is to compare it to 10 serious heart attacks combined because of the legendary essence the game embodies.  Super Mario 3DW took me back to my SNES games when I played the CLASSIC Mario Bros. 2 (which if you’ve never played it, find any means necessary to do so…   Even if it means your giving away your unborn child)!  In Super Mario 3DW you’re be able to select 4 iconic characters.  Apart from the obvious choice of Mario, you get to play as Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad.  Once you do, you’ll run through a 3D landscape stomping on enemies, climbing walls, and collecting coins. Moreover, Super Mario 3DW will offer is a Counter Operative mode which gives the game a nice twist.  Nonetheless, encompassing much of all the Mario-esque fun we love.  Super Mario 3DW will introduce “new power suits” to the Mario Bros. universe and one of these was the Cat Suit – this new suit will let the characters pounce on enemies; scratch foes in the face; and climb up walls.  I can only imagine what other wacky outfits Nintendo has in store.

Let’s move on to some good ol’ Mario Kart!  Wii U will let you enjoy the madness of Mario Kart 8.  The word madness doesn’t even encircle the wonderful chaos of this game.  You’re hovering over walls; gliding through the air; driving through water tunnels…  For goodness’ sake the absence of gravity is implemented in the game – insane!  And I love every single second of it.  The courses look beautiful and I can’t wait to see the character selection and Power Ups.

Yes.  The above picture is exactly what you’re imagining.  Nintendo officially announced that a new Super Smash Bros will be available on 2014 featuring 3 new brawlers: Villager (Animal Crossing), Mega Man, and Wii Fit Trainer girl!  Not much was revealed but we can all anticipated the epicness of this game.  I can’t wait to see the whole brawling crew, the new challenger modes, special power moves…  I’ll stop because I’m hyperventilating…

Above were the games that I believe will be the future highlights of the Wii U in the next upcoming months.  Nintendo presented several other games during their presentation, but I wasn’t really quite enticed.  For example, Wii Party U.  It’s basically Mario Party but with Miis.  You’re on a board; roll dice; move around the board; and play mini games after.  I prefer Mario Parties – they just look more fun and aesthetically pleasing.  Then the Wii Fit…  I go to the gym.  So yeah…  Moving on.  Nintendo did brought up third party games available for the Wii U.  However,  the majority of the games looked like games you can download to mobile devices.  If not, the games are already going to be available on other consoles – no sense of excitement or exclusivity.

Nonetheless, Nintendo always does a great job in keeping a strong fan base even when finding itself not being the most popular or having the highest selling numbers during this console war.  I was wondering why this is and decided to discuss it with one of my best friends in the whole wide world who is a gamer himself.  I believe my friend explained it beautifully. Here’s a snippet of our conversation:

Me: “Would you agree that Nintendo’s ability to stay relevant even when other consoles top the charts is because they overall present more likable characters than other systems?  I’m trying to decipher how Nintendo always seems to stay afloat in the midst of console wars. Like the fucking neutral party in world wars.”

Best friend: “I think it’s due to the fan loyalty it builds. It might not be the best at attracting new fans, but those who try it tend to at least buy their consoles due to the unique experiences they offer.  With other consoles you feel like a consumer. You are objectively deciding whether to buy their consoles based on the merits of their machines and their exclusives. But with [N]intendo it’s more like you’re choosing to join in the goofy fun of an oddball company.”

 

Where there you have it!  Are you excited for the Wii U now?  I know I am!  Let me know what you think. See you around!

 

Blowing a cartridge in 2013?!

WHOAH!  Apparently Summer 2013 will be FULL of awesome new tech for us Gamers to indulge in.  While researching for new material for my blog, I came across various articles with the words “Super Retro Console.”

And here it is!

Say hello to Super Retro Trio!

This little baby right here had me spasm!  Named “Super Retro Trio,” will hit vendors during the summer and will give Players the ability to play NES, SNES, Genesis, and GBA (with an adapter that’s sold separately) on just one console.  How awesome is that shit?!

One of the best parts?  The price.  According to various articles I read, the console will be a measly $69.99!  The adapter (needed to play GBA games) is only $39.99.  To add to the excitement, a few articles mentioned there will be a bundle pack including the console and adapter for $89.99!  If that didn’t catch your attention, apart from the fact that you’ll be able to play motherfucking CLASSICS, I don’t know what will.

Surprisingly enough, I discovered there are other consoles out there in the market that have more or less the same functionality as the SRT.  I was surprised I have never heard of these consoles before and that none of my Gamer friends ever told me about these wondrous inventions…  Assholes.  Anyhow, moving on…

Bottom line, I support these consoles on their entirety mainly because of the efficiency and cost.  Purchasing the SRT is a HUGE money saver –  especially for us who want to rebuild/enhance our gaming library.  For example, some of us always had that “friend” who we lend them a game and never got it back.  OR your console gets busted open while you were moving your few pieces of furniture into your new apartment.  So having to spend less that $100.00 to basically own 4 different consoles sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me.  That spare moolah from not having to buy 4 different consoles can be use to buy Mario Bros., Super Mario RPG, and Pokémon LeafGreen.  Oh, the wonderful memories…  Although I have to say that if it was up to me, Genesis would’ve not made the cut – I would’ve replaced Genesis with N64.  Personally I believe N64 is one of the best consoles ever created and the game roster was just phenomenally epic.  No disrespect to Genesis, but: N64 > Genesis.  Especially after looking through this Pretty Awesome Timeline.

Lastly, the soon-to-happen launch of the SRT made me think about new upcoming consoles – especially the OUYA.  If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll remember I discussed the new Android powered console OUYA, which is schedule to also hit the stores during the summer.  I wonder how the OUYA will navigate the waters not only competing against the Titan Console Trio (Wii, PS4, and Xbox One), but also with this magical instrument that conglomerates a vast number of finest games ever made.  I guess we will have to wait and see.

What are your thoughts on the Super Retro Trio?  Do you think it’s worth it?

See you around!

 

Enter password: O U Y A

There’s a war coming…  And I anticipate bloodshed!  If you haven’t been filled in, there’s a new wave of game consoles that (apparently)  promise to shake the pillars where the classic Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft gods stand.  And one of these newcomers goes by the name OUYA.

OUYA is an Android-based console in which you’ll be able to play Android-based games on your T.V.  I know, nothing that exciting (or at least it wasn’t for me).  HOWEVER, it does not stop there.  Apart from the Android app games, OUYA will be able to play PC-like games through OnLive streaming service .  Not only the console will have a nice selection regarding PC gaming, but OUYA has also partnered with titan companies like Namco Bandai and Square Enix.  And many of you will find this exciting: Final Fantasy III will be one of the games available for the OUYA – which indeed got me fucking excited.  If the previous reasons haven’t sparked up at least your curiosity, how about if I told you this console is only $99.00?  Yes, you read correctly.  That itself makes the console, in my opinion, appealing enough.  Especially when you compare it to the “normative” $300+ for videogame consoles on the market.  You still will have to spend a rumored $49.99 for the controller, but the combined prices of console-controller is still minuscule in my book.

OUYA hits retailers during the summer time and I cannot say I’m not excited.  Though there are various issues that cross my mind.  One of the main concerns is the intense highlighting of OUYA’s ability to use Android apps.  It makes it seem like OUYA’s only good quality is the ability to plug the apps in your Android mobile device onto the television screen.  I’m going to make a huge guess here and say that the general public does not research as much as I do when it comes to these types of things.  With that, I don’t see many people wanting to pay roughly $200 if their understanding is they’re just going to be able to play WWF (the extremely addicting Words With Friends) and some bootleg version of Bejewled on their television screens.  Yes, OUYA argues that the Android market and mobile gaming app usage has increased dramatically in these times.  Which is true.  BUT I believe most people play these “app games” on mobiles, tablets, and such mobile technology because they can take the games with them anywhere – not having to wait until they get home to play.

What do you think?  Will this new movement prove to be the next generation in gaming?  Or will the classic console trio prevail?

P.S. – Here’s a nice little video about OUYA.  See you around!

 

Press Start

Hello!  And welcome to what’s probably going to be one of the best videogame reviews blog in the history of the Universe!  …  Or at least I like to think so – and several other people that I know agree with the latter statement.  First things first: Lou-Cyo is a hardcore gamer that sadly cannot sit down and play all day err’ day like he would like due to this thing called life.  HOWEVER, that hasn’t stop my love and passion for these amazing virtual universes – especially when I’ve been a player my whole life.  Even while in the womb, I was exposed to videogames – my Mom would sit for hours and satisfy her Tetris addiction.  So whenever she goes on her rant accusing me of suffering from a videogame addiction, – which I own up to- I blame it all on her.  I am guilty of spending countless hours of my life in front of a television with a controller, its respective console, and food.  Lots of it.  I grew up alongside the gaming world and surrounded myself with wonderful people who understood how beautiful the gaming world can be.  That and because I needed friends.  I was that “uncool,” nerdy kid who played Pokémon Blue Version (Squirtle FTW) by himself…

Now that you know a tad about me, you’re probably wondering “What the fuck does that have to do with reviews?”  Fair question and simple answer: I want readers to get at least a gist of exposure to gaming.  I want to let my readers know I am not a poser trying to seem cool by posting articles and copy/paste shit.  My posts will have substance with factual information and relatable topics up for discussion.  I WANT people to feel informed and with the chance to express their opinions.  This blog is more than just me rating about videogames (which, trust me, yes I will rate the shit out of the ones I get to play).  It’s also about upcoming new videogame technology; revisiting classic games and consoles; ranting about underrated games; fans’ reactions…  You name it!  Bottom line: I want my reads to be fun and enjoyable.

I believe that’s all I have for now.  Oh!  Please be patient with me and my blog’s decor.  I am still debating on how I want it to look like.  And my computer is undergoing some repairs, so that makes it even harder to work on the blog’s display; however, I’m thanking whatever divine entity out there for cool, already developed layout codes.  See you around!