Magnum Apex

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms][b]NES[/b] - I got it from my parents when I was 5, and my dad and uncle first played it more than I did. Today, I rarely play it anymore, mainly because it hardly ever works. There's some blowing, cartridge placement and the occasional miracle to make it work, and that puts me off from trying. It sits next to my SNES, and under my Sega GENESIS. I have 45 games for the system. [b]SNES[/b] - It was the best Christmas present ever, before the PlayStation came along. I have infinite, wonderful memories from it, especially from the fighting game genre. I played Paperboy 2 on it about a week ago while waiting for pizza. I don't play it much because I have several current games to catch up with, and games are better now than they were back then, in my opinion. I have 43 SNES games. [b]N64[/b] - My dad bought two of these: One for me and one for my little brother, since I took care of things while he destroyed them. This wonderful piece of hardware, which I've taken care of like a baby, somehow has managed to play tricks on me. I need to place a cartridge under a certain position, or it just won't play. The last game I played on it was Conker's Bad Fur Day, late last year... it's the system that has aged the most terribly. I have some fond memories of Joanna Dark, James Bond and Ocarina of Time from it, though. It sits between my GAMECUBE and XBOX. I have 17 N64 games. [b]GAMECUBE[/b] - I bought it when Super Mario Sunshine came out, and the system has seen very limited playing time in comparison to other systems. There's just so much Twin Snakes, Metroid Prime, Wind Waker and Eternal Darkness I can play before I get tired. The system shows more playtime thanks to the GBA Player, though. I have 10 games for it. [b]GAME BOY ADVACE[/b] - I got it shortly after it came out, and enjoyed Castlevania: Circle of the Moon for it. I haven't given the system as much time as it deserves, as I concentrate more on home consoles at the moment. I have 7 GBA games, 7 GB games and 2 GBC games. [b]GAME BOY ADVANCE SP[/b] - I bought it because Nintendo knows I need the frontlight, a better battery format and for the system to be playable in public. Now it is tucked away in its case. [b]PlayStation[/b] - It was given to me for Christmas, and the blast I had with MK3 and WWF Wrestlemania: The Arcade Game was amazing. I could finally play arcade games at home without losing much in the process. It's my most cherished system, but only because of the games. Right now it's in its box. Games that finally got to me unlike any before it, such as FFVII, FFVIII, Metal Gear Solid and Spider-Man will never be forgotten. I have 51 PS games [b]PlayStation 2[/b] - It was February of 2001, and I got it thanks to a friend who bought it for me. I had to pay $350 though, because it came with a crappy CD cleaner. SSX was the BOMB, and Zone of the Enders followed suit, with its $50 MGS2 demo. FFX, MGS2, GTAIII and DMC are just some of the gems I've enjoyed in the system. Currently, I'm playing SSX3 on it, so I can get ready for online play. I have 36 PS2 games. [b]XBOX[/b] - My dad got it as a Christmas present while he was visiting. I was going to spend some alone time with it because I had to spend Christmas by myself. Shenmue II was the first title I played, and I really liked it. Got disappointed at Halo, since everyone said it was the end-all-be-all of gaming (Shows what they know... oops, opinion). However, KOTOR came along and shocked me. Best game for the system, and just one of the best games ever. The 'BOX also has some unappreciated games like Panzer Dragoon Orta and Otogi: Myth of Demons that made my life even more fun. Currently, I'm playing Ninja Gaiden on it. I have 12 XBOX games. [b]Sega GENESIS[/b] - This is my second GENESIS, as my first one had to be given away with all its games. The new one I bought it for $10 at EB, and there seems to be something wrong with the picture, or something... it's useless, and I only have one game for it. [b]Dreamcast[/b] - My dad got it for my brother, and my brother gave it to me after it died... literally. The thing will turn itself off in one hour... the light will still be on, but the disc will just stop spinning. It's a big shame, but at least I had a blast playing the Marvel vs. CAPCOM series, Resident Evil: Code Veronica and Sonic Adventure on it. It currently sits inside its box, because of the aforementioned issue. I have 10 DC games. I won't bother to name the games or systems I had at some point, but currently do not. That doesn't matter anymore, as I don't own them any longer.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Not to mention FFIX wasn't as popular, or as highly praised as FFVII, VIII or X. We're barely getting an FFVII sequel in a "noninteractive feature" format, so a true sequel of a lesser popular game is extremely unlikely, let alone in an interactive way.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]"Half-Pain" is called, according to animelyrics.com.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]There are so many... Punch-Out!! - A classic from Nintendo. You controlled a skinny, short, apparently defenseless little kid named Little Mac (I think that was his name), and you faced off against bigger, stronger, and very colorful opponents. The game was all about timing, as you had to both wait for an opening to throw a punch, and calculate the time in which you had to press left or right in the d-pad to avoid one yourself. In the end, you'd face off against a seemingly impossible opponent, none other than the controversially insane Mike Tyson. I'm proud to say I was able to beat him, once, which I believe is accomplishment enough. Mega Man 2 & 3 - In my opinion, the best NES Mega Man games. I don't need to tell you how great these games are. While some may find the series outdated, shooting around while jumping platforms and stealing the Robot Masters' weapons was all the fun you needed in the 8-bit era. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Arcade Game and The Manhattan Project - While the first game was decent, I found it extremely hard and sometimes boring. The sequel was a port of the arcade classic, and it was beat-em-up bliss from there. The Manhattan Project became my favorite of the NES series, which I believe wasn't an arcade original. Shadow of the Ninja - I'm still hoping Natsume revives this classic in the same way TECMO revived Ninja Gaiden. Shadow of the Ninja may be lesser known these days next to Jaleco's Last Ninja and Team Ninja's masterpiece series, but the game was packed with then over-the-top action, challenging bosses and creative level design. Super Mario Bros. 3 - I think Super Mario World was Mario at his prime, but 3 was [i]way ahead[/i] of its time, and miles better than its predecessors, whether American or Japanese. I remember loving the green shoe I always hopped in, and with it come other great gaming memories. Street Fighter 2010 - Believe it or not, not until a few months ago did I realize this game was, in fact, a branch of the SF universe. I made the connection once, especially with "Ken" as a playable character, but I thought CAPCOM just used the same name by coincidence, or CAPCOM of America mistranslated the title. The fact that it was a platformer didn't help matters, either. It was still a very fun shooter, though. Ninja Gaiden series - I don't think I need to get into the details. This series basically tried to do everything with a limiting hardware, yet it succeeded, and for that it deserves praise. Quality storyline, music, gameplay, graphics and difficulty, these games had it all. Double Dragon II and III - Parapapa papa, parapapa paPA! The theme from the second game's first level will forever be stuck in my head. River City Ransom did a better job with this genre, but at the time I preferred DD over RCR, probably because the characters looked better and the levels were more fun to look at and play in. DDIII is my favorite, as it introduced better use of weapons, and the graphics were exponentially improved. Heck, the playable brothers even made an appearance as bosses in... oops, almost gave it away. Paperboy - The surreal life of a paper delivery kid. If riding a bike in my neighborhood were [i]that[/i] fun, I'd be doing it even at 21. Dr. Mario - While people played Tetris, I played Dr. Mario. Obviously inspired by the Russian classic, it was fun on its own, as it offered a slightly different take on the sub-genre. Bart vs. the World - Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the NES game that had tons of fun Simpsons minigames? If so, that's the one I like. The title offered more variety than the previous Simpsons game did, where you had to fight aliens and co.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Since I'm a freak of nature, I try to get everything out of the anime I'm watching, and that includes paying attention each and every time an opening or closing animation begins. Sometimes I'll pay close attention to the animation itself, others to the music and lyrics, and less often I'd pay attention to the credits. That's how I assume TV Tokyo shows tons of anime. However, as of late, I only pay attention to them when I simply like the music and/or animation, or when I'm watching it for the first time. Ending credits where there's no animation, like the Golden Boy and Ninja Scroll DVD series, I ignore after the second or third time. The ones I like are the ones that I subconsciously end up memorizing. I can, to my embarrassment, sing almost every Mexican-translated Dragon Ball Z and GT song, and I can sing the first part of Cruel Angel Thesis, from Evangelion, almost flawlessly (Even though I speak as much Japanese as a puppy from Canada).[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]I can't think of my single most frustrating gaming moment, so I'll just mention some recent ones, and a few that I happen to remember: Chapter 9 of Ninja Gaiden would be my most recent frustration while battling it up with a gaming controller. Ninja Gaiden for the XBOX isn't exactly great for its arrow-throwing skills, or even staying still, for that matter. In the case of this particular chapter, all the heavy obstacles (mainly sub-bosses) required the use of two types of arrows, with the very occasional windmill shuriken to make things [i]a little[/i] easier. The fact that these events were virtually next to each other, it bolted the old school feel of playing an almost-unfair, hard action game. It was frustrating, but somewhat satisfying when I finally got through it. Now I'm getting pummeled like an ant by two giant worms. Nice... Another moment I recall was playing Space Invaders in a video game message boards I mod and normally visit. The record to beat at the time was 150,000+ points, and I was up to 100,000... my fingers were tired, and I had been playing for quite a while, and suddenly my connection was cut off. When it got back up, about fifteen minutes later, the game resumed [i]from the beginning[/i]. I thought about calling Adelphia (my ISP) and letting them know what I thought of their "Power Link," but their customer service is usually so very nice and collaborative, that I ended up brushing off the idea. In the end, I surpassed the score with 200,000+ points, and still hold it (Though, not many people are trying to break it - Most people leave Tetris and Space Invaders alone for newer games like Curveball and Snake). Far less meaningful, but still frustrating on a personal level, was my first half an hour with Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (GCN). Since I'm one of those "Mess with this in the original version and I'll kill you" MGS fans, I was getting gradually disappointed at little changes made to the voice acting and cut scenes, and I was hoping that a "remake" of the "Duel" boss theme would surely cheer me up. I was at the edge of my, um, floor when the cut scene of Snake's first encounter with Ocelot was about to end; and when I was ready for some "old school" fight music and boss battling, I was struck hard when I heard the passive theme that was whispering through my speakers. I lost concentration of the fight, and rammed Snake against the C4 wiring for a stupid death. Luckily, I realized later that each boss theme changed, so it wasn't all that bad. Backtrack to the 8-bit years, poke your head into my room, and you'll see little Cyke throwing his crippling NES controller in frustration and anger. If you look at the small Panasonic TV screen I was facing, you'd see a turtle-like, green creature smashing away at countless enemies. If you stayed hidden longer, you could see that this creature had brothers, and that they are united by very evil parents who named their offspring after different symptoms from the skin condition, acne. I admit, I've never been able to beat Battletoads, and I've stopped trying for the past few years. It's frustratingly hard, and it's the closest thing to a mission impossible that I've ever faced in a video game.[/color][/font]

[quote name='James][color=#707875]These days, it's fair to say that the majority of gamers don't read the magazines or anything. Most gamers [i]are [/i']"casual gamers". [/color][/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]That's probably the biggest problem with video games becoming "mainstream." In all honesty, I prefer how the industry is today than it was 10 years ago, but I admit it's far from flawless. Critically acclaimed games like Prince of Persia and Beyond Good & Evil have sold poorly in America, yet games like True Crime: Streets of LA and Enter the Matrix (Guilty as charged, but I [i]had[/i] to play it) had continually shown up in several top ten charts. These games received from lukewarm reviews to plain bashing, yet companies managed to sell the games. It puzzles me, though, that a known franchise like Prince of Persia didn't catch the attention of most Americans. The game is not only a "revival" of an enjoyable series, but it was also advertised repeatedly during the holiday season. A total shame.[/color][/font] [quote name='James][color=#707875']But there's really nothing to correct here, as such. I mean, if someone prefers playing with a yo-yo compared to playing a video game, who is to say that they are right or wrong? Most of it is definitely just opinion.[/color][/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Indeed.[/color][/font]

[quote name='Petey']Am I? I do suggest you evaluate yourself on a deeper level. You're working on a purely superficial train of thought and not allowing yourself to be open to what your subconscious is up to.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Hahahaha, now someone that doesn't know me, based on one post, automatically labels me a Sony fanboy. All right, let's see where this is going. You've labeled me a fanboy because I use phrases like "My PS2" and "The PS2 gave me;" because I dislike SSBM and think of it as an above mediocre button smasher, because I think Halo isn't [i]as good[/i] as most people make it out to be, and because I'm more accepting of a Twin Snakes remake than I am of other games that don't fall far from the predecessor tree. How is that being superficial? Let's address this issue further.[/color][/font] [QUOTE=Petey]That's your problem, Cyke. Tell you what, let's go back into that post, okay? Are you prepared to tell all of us here that your sole reason for crossing genre-boundaries with your dislike is simply because the game didn't immerse you? Look at what you said. "I believe SSBM is nothing more than your average button-smasher without the Nintendo characters and likeness smashed on top, which long replay value relies only on multiplayer gaming." We've established before that Smash Bros is far from a button-masher. You are certainly playing with the wrong people if that is your only opinion of Melee.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]You see, that's where you're wrong. No one has "established" that. There's no fact that SSBM is NOT a button smasher. A common agreement, a shared opinion, is not a fact. There aren't any complicated moves to pull off in order to execute special moves or take out your opponent. The fact that [i]you[/i] think SSBM isn't a button smasher is your [i]opinion[/i], not an established fact. The difference here is that you think I'm a fanboy because I disagree with what you believe to be true, while I'm not judging you because you disagree with mine. And who's "we"? Are you bringing other people's opinions into the argument? Isn't your opinion sufficient enough to hold this conversation?[/color][/font] [quote name='Petey']Cyke, you should really see what can be done with Pikachu. And you may accuse me of being off-topic here, but your criticism of Melee is wholly unfounded, even if it's your opinion. And since you so liberally throw around that accusation of button-masher, what makes you think we should take you seriously at all?[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]What? So because I feel the game is a button smasher, my opinion isn't taken seriously? Also, aren't you the only one that's attacking my post here? Don't you realize that maybe others just feel that I have my own opinion about the game, and that it's neither right or wrong, as it's exactly that, an [i]opinion[/i]? I don't think I've liberally thrown the adjective around, as I used it only once in that post. Furthermore, I dislike SSBM not because of being a button smasher, but because, to ME, it's an [I]unentertaining[/I] button smasher. I enjoy the genre quite well, as I am a big fan of the CAPCOM and MARVEL crossovers. [/color][/font] [quote name='Petey]Halo is a solid FPS. It's entertaining, and for its time, it was groundbreaking. It's still a great FPS today and the fact that colleges [i]still[/i'] host LAN events to play it should tell you something. I think that, like Melee, you haven't given it a chance and/or played with the right people. So again, your criticism is unfounded.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]So, first you [i]assume[/i] I haven't given Halo and SSBM enough playing time, and from that assumption you conclude my criticism is unfounded? How dare you say I haven't given either one of those games a great amount of playing time? You're so narrow-minded it's funny. You're basically telling me that if anyone gave a game you liked a decent amount of playing time, they will come to enjoy it and see the same good points you see. That's a perceptual error, commonly discussed in early speech and psychology courses. Do you want my take on Halo? It didn't offer anything "revolutionary," like you said. The levels were extremely repetitive in of themselves, as well as the enemies. There's the option of using vehicles, but it's basically an improvement of an already existing idea already presented by previous FPS titles like Red Faction. Half-Life and Doom were revolutionary. Halo is not. It's not a bad game by any means, as the controls and A.I. are excellent, but there were FPS games that already offered that and more before Halo came along. Its multiplayer is quite fun, but so is on most of the FPS games I've played. Halo is a solid combat FPS... that's my exact description of whenever I'm asked about Bungie's game, but by no means do I consider it to be the best FPS out there, or even close. I chose SSX over SSBM and Halo because SSX was more fun for me than the other two, not because it was a PS2 exclusive. In fact, I consider the series the best BIG license around. I even thought, at the time, that SSX was the best snowboarding game out there, while I couldn't say SSBM was the best fighter game out there, nor that Halo is the best FPS out there. You can assume all you want, but you have absolutely no proof that I'm choosing games only because they're for a SONY console, as I'm giving the most basic reason of why I like a game more than the other: Because I simply enjoy it more. It's ridiculous that because I dislike a highly praised game, you conclude I must not have played it enough. You're assuming this without proof, and you're basing your accusations on that wrongful assumption.[/color][/font] [QUOTE=Petey]"Pathetic attempt at proving an unapparent point"? Who is attacking who here? I merely made a very reasonable observation, with a very reasonable basis, and based on your tone here, I think I may have struck a chord of truth. There is no need to get testy, Cyke; I wanted you to actually develop a logical argument. But, you feel threatened for some reason, and deem it necessary to retaliate to some imagined attack.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Um, who was the one calling the other a fanboy, Petey? The reason I find your posts completely laughable is for the simple fact that you choose to believe that I like games only because they appear on SONY consoles, where I've made no indication of that theory of yours. And develop a logical argument? What more argument do you want other than the fact that I enjoy a specific game more than I do the other? That was my only reason. It happens to be on the PS2, and the more games I like for the PS2, the more I will like the system. Oh, and let's look at some of your "observations," shall we?[/color][/font] [quote=]Cyke, I've bolded what you should take a look at, lol. My inclination is to suggest you're hiding a Sony Fanboy in there. For example, "only playable on my PS2." Why not just say "the PS2"?[/quote] [quote]Again, "PS2 gave me." This is sounding like something out of a psychologists handbook; no offence, but this sounds unhealthy, lol.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]These statements don't prove anything about your speculation of my being a Sony fanboy. They only show my enthusiasm in talking about the system.[/color][/font] [quote]So, you're really placing your system's entire future into one game? And even so, with the other games you mentioned, have you considered that when they're released, they'll be expensive? With those high-profile franchises, especially... Street Fighter, GTA, Onimusha, Final Fantasy. Based on the recent industry developments, I'm willing to bet that within two years of those releases, we'll see some of them on the other consoles. I feel that you're ignoring a large portion of what the industry really does, and hyperfocusing on Sony and nothing else. That's not the behavior of a fan; that's the behavior of a fanboy.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]The rest of your statements fall under this category. You were talking about the future in the industry of the PS2, and in other paragraphs you went on to comment about the NES/SNES remakes being on the GBA as being good for the younger audience. All these statements do NOT apply to the topic at hand, as I was attacking the games for the lack of value they provided to ME, since this thread asks what's the best console for ME. Yes, great observations if we're discussing the value of a video game to the industry, consumers and such, but we're not. My post limited itself to the value some of the games had for me alone.[/color][/font] [quote name='Petey']Do we value MGS2 at all, though? Even in its previous PS2 incarnation, the game was sub-rate. It looked pretty, of course, and played reasonably well, but I know I don't play games because they look good, and I know the gamers here don't either. I'm pretty sure you don't play them because they're eye candy, too. So, when we realize that we don't play only for graphics and playability, we need to examine other facets. One of those facets is plot. MGS2's plot...sucked, to put it bluntly. It was hazy, underdeveloped, hyperbolic, and unfocused. It was, quite possibly, one of the worst plots in any game ever.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Actually, we only play games for "playability," or for the more popular term, "gameplay." You wouldn't play a game that had a crappy gameplay with an amazing story. The story, graphics and music help work together with gameplay to form the final product, but gameplay is what makes or breaks a game. Either way, what does the above paragraph prove? Again, you seem to melt the definition of what an opinion and a fact is. You say the story sucked and was one of the worst in video game history. That's nothing but an opinion, and people's opinions of those who disagree with you aren't of any lesser value. I agree that the story wasn't as good as the one found in MGS, but I believe it was better than what most video games put out as a story. Am I wrong to believe that? Who are you to say the plot sucked and that's that?[/color][/font] [quote=Petey]And since when does good gaming have to be original? Yes, originality is a plus in a game, but the Marvel vs Capcom series has not had much significant change over the past few years. The engine has stayed relatively the same throughout the entire series. Is that a bad thing? No, because the engine is a solid one, and the reason that Smash Melee does so well is because its engine is a solid one. Cyke, originality does not mean good gaming. Whiplash is an example of that. In development, the game sounded brilliant. It was a platformer that didn't require us to pick-up useless items. No gems, no coins, no beads, nothing. We just had to destroy property as we escaped from a testing lab. On paper, the game was amazing, and wholly original. Come release time, though, very disappointing. It didn't have enough development time. Final Fantasy 8 had a radical new and original Draw System, but that was certainly inferior. Cel Damage was a new and exciting spin on the vehicular combat genre, but it didn't accomplish what it set out to do. Whatever flair, dynamics, and originality it had were all for naught due to substandard and limited gameplay. See? Originality does not always mean good gaming, just how a direct sequel does not always mean inferior gaming.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Petey, I never said that a game had to be original to be good, but a game that's both great and original is better than a game that's just great. Don't you agree? And since I was talking about MY personal tastes, I can have whatever taste I want. The fact is, I ENJOYED MGS: TTS more than I did Wind Waker and F-Zero GX, for example, because when I played the latter games I enjoyed myself, but I also felt like I was playing enhanced versions of games I liked decently. If F-Zero were my most loved game of all time, GX would've been more of a blast, and I wouldn't have cared if it felt somewhat repetitive. However, I did find it repetitive, and not in a good way... so I didn't enjoy [I]as much[/I]. [/font][/color] [quote name='Petey']You're treating the cross-console re-issues like some imitation of the "pure" PS2 version. Cyke, you're only looking at your post on a superficial level. Get down into it and examine the subtleties of the language. If you can't, then you don't understand where you're coming from, and you can't expect me to take you seriously at all. In fact, I have a hard time taking you seriously to begin with, just considering your indignant tone.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]I was never arguing which system was best to anyone else. If my tone isn't to your liking, then too bad. I was never trying to prove that the PS2 is better than the other systems, but I merely stated WHY it was best for ME. You have been the ONLY ONE that has jumped on me for liking the PS2 more. And yes, games that I've already played on one console and are later released on another have NO VALUE to me. Why should they? Just like I didn't care for GTA: Double Pack for the XBOX, I didn't care for Sonic Heroes on the PS2, as I had already tried it on my GAMECUBE.[/color][/font] [quote name='Petey]No, [i]you're[/i] completely missing [i]my[/i] point. I call you a fanboy because to you, only Sony exists and nothing more, and that's not how it works at all. The very [i]minor[/i'] praise you've given to Xbox and Gamecube does nothing to give you a more well-rounded appearance. The minor praise serves to accentuate a compensation.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]That's because I focused on the system I liked the most, the PlayStation 2. In my post, I focused more on the good the PS2 has to ME over the lesser good the other consoles have to ME. If you must know, there are only 2 PS2 games that rate higher in my book than the XBOX-exclusive KOTOR, and only one PS2 game that tops the GAMECUBE-exclusive Twin Snakes. However, I can't honestly say that I've found as many games I've enjoyed on the GCN and XBOX as I have on my PS2, and that's a similar opinion some people have had on this thread (Only the other way around). You're only attacking me because my post, instead of being filled with roses and delicacy, is made with an air of pride from preferring my PS2. Too bad that was more than enough for you to miss the point of my post, since again, you're the only one that has had a trouble with it.[/color][/font] [quote name='Petey']You wrote off the Xbox, though, based on the one year after its release. If you know gaming, you know not to do that with any system. Also, considering that you just sat here and ripped up Smash Bros Melee, a launch title for Cube, then admitting you hadn't bought a Cube until Super Mario Sunshine, which you were disappointed with...c'mon. You refuse to enjoy anything other than Sony.[[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]I didn't write it off, but I didn't give it as much credit as the other two consoles. And, seriously, if, let us say, I didn't find a single game I liked for the XBOX at the time, can you blame me? Liking a game is completely subjective, so you can't say I was a SONY fanboy only because I didn't like the 'BOX in the beginning. See? This is why you're jumping the shark. You judge me based on a single post. A SINGLE post... and not about a discussion where we were determining which system is better, but on a discussion where people simply stated what was best for them. I played SSBM like I would any other game when my little brother got the GAMECUBE for Christmas 2001. It was his favorite game, and still is, so we ended up playing it a lot more than any other GC title. When my brother left in the early summer of 02 with my family, I waited until Sunshine came out to get a GAMECUBE for myself. Your biggest problem is connecting assumption after assumption until you're left with a theory about me that couldn't be further from the truth. Repeat after me: "I shall not judge a person only by one post." It's not that hard, really.[/color][/font] [quote name='Petey']No, Cyke, the reason you didn't criticize Twin Snakes is because MGS1 was on a Sony system. And there is no need to take that kind of tone, either. I'm challenging you to think about why you feel this way, so that you can understand what's going on underneath your superficial opinions.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Am I the only who finds this incredibly funny. Petey, after one post you read, you have concluded that I'm superficially choosing Twin Snakes only because it was a SONY title, where you have given no proof of your belief that the REASON I like certain games is because they were for a SONY console. You simply haven't. I chose Twin Snakes because it's the remake of my favorite game. That's it. In fact, before I fought the Cyborg Ninja in Twin Snakes, I was very disappointed with the title. Before fighting Mantis, Metroid Prime and Eternal Darkness, two Nintendo-published games were my favorite GAMECUBE games, followed [i]very closely[/i] by The Wind Waker, developed and published by Nintendo. Now, if I were a SONY fanboy, wouldn't I have made TTS my most favorite game as soon as I picked up the controller, or wouldn't I have chosen a multiplatform game that was also on the PS2? IN FACT, shouldn't I be heavily criticizing Twin Snakes as well for being a Nintendo exclusive and not a PS2 game, which I'm not? If I were a SONY fanboy, shouldn't I pick my favorite games as being a multi-platform game like Prince of Persia, which is also available for the PS2? Seriously, you're off the mark when you call me a fanboy, but this whole thing is funny because you made a thorough opinion of me from a single post, which is something that's impossible to do, no matter how smart you are or what degree in psychology you have. Don't you agree?[/color][/font] [quote name='Petey']And if you are able to ignore faults in a game that you enjoy immensely, then you are blinded by your own ignorance. Even I, one of the staunchest supporters of GE and one of the harshest critics of EA's Bond games, cannot deny that GE has faults, and I cannot deny that some facets of EA's Bond games were done correctly.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Woah, again, assuming? Oh, that's what you're good at, I see. I never said the games I enjoyed were flaw-free, now did I? But, again, you go ahead and put words in my mouth. MGS flaws? - Way too short. - You spend as much time playing as you do watching cut scenes. After the first time around, most people would understandably skip these, and beat the game even sooner. -It's the same guards over and over again (not including boss fights). -While gameplay itself is varied, the game is linear, with changes made only in CODEC calls and cut scenes depending on a choice the player is forced to make in the middle of the game. See, any game I've ever played has flaws. In fact, I find games like Metroid Prime to have fewer flaws than MGS... but it's the overall experience that makes me choose one game over another, and in that regard MGS succeeded above any other game.[/font][/color] [quote name='Petey']Do you feel that threatened here? Threatened enough to portray me as some mindless monster? Do you honestly believe that I'm here solely to attack you? Do you honestly believe that I had attacking you in mind when I wrote my replies? Cyke, come off it. I don't play favorites and I don't play targets, either. If you want to play the flame game, be my guest. I'll play. But I warn you, Cyke, your side isn't looking too strong here.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Monster? Oh, the drama... No, Petey, I was pointing out that you were the only one to turn your opinions into facts. You told me good things about Halo and SSBM, which I disagree with, and for that you call me a fanboy, simply because those games aren't on a SONY system. Just because my post implies that I like SONY doesn't mean that I'm a fanboy, because I did give reasons that I felt were the cause of my disliking, or not liking as much, games like SSBM and Halo, games I have played thoroughly (Something you assumed I did not). There's no "side" here, boy. Again, you've been the only one to attack my post. I read some people, without quoting me, disagreed with what I said about the PS2 controller, WHICH IS FINE. Someone said they didn't find the Dual Shock ergonomic, but unlike you, you don't see me jumping on them and explaining to them why I believe they should think otherwise. You're fighting opinion here, and you have no solid proof that I'm a SONY fanboy... just speculation.[/color][/font] [quote name='Petey']You're the one making this into an "us vs them" situation; I am not. You're the one getting worked up over this; I am not. You're the one throwing insults around; I am not. I suggest you take a step back here and take a look at yourself, man. I mean, really, are you so full of yourself to think that everyone is out to get you? Are you so full of yourself to think that every little disagreement is a personal attack on your very being?[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Hmmm... again, who called who a fanboy? Who insulted who, first? While I may have been attacking games, you attacked me. I don't see me, then, as the one that's taking this too seriously. After all, who was the one that started this silly debate? :)[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Yes, and as expected of all BANDAI games, it came out to lukewarm reviews in America. When the game hits no more than a $20 price point, I'll get it, as I like Lupin, and my favorite genre is stealth. Still, I wish BANDAI would start making quality games more consistently, especially with the upcoming PS2 release of Cowboy Bebop.[/color][/font]

[QUOTE=PoisonTongue]Cyke, I've bolded what you should take a look at, lol. My inclination is to suggest you're hiding a Sony Fanboy in there. For example, "only playable on my PS2." Why not just say "the PS2"?[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Because it's the PS2 I own. It's just wording things differently since I had to say "PS2" a billion times. You're thinking too much of it.[/color][/font] [quote name='PoisonTongue']And I hardly think it's fair to praise SSX, a snowboarding game, over Smash Melee, a fighting game, or Halo, a FPS. Each of these games is in a totally different genre, with totally different focuses and design objectives. Thusly, you cannot outright disregard Smash Bros Melee or Halo, simply because you love SSX. It is really like comparing apples to tuna. I can understand comparing apples to oranges, because at least they're both fruit. Apples and oranges is like Street Fighter and Smash Bros Melee. But you absolutely cannot place a snowboarding game over a fighting game or FPS, because they're so radically different in fundamental design.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Well, that's your problem. You see, I don't limit myself to saying one game is better than the other because of the game's genre. I value a game over another simply on how much the title entertains me, how much I enjoy it, and how much it immerses me. SSX entertained, and immersed me more than Halo and SSBM ever did, and I enjoyed it more. Also, I normally prefer FPS and fighters to snowboarding games, so you make the math.[/color][/font] [quote name='PoisonTongue']Again, "PS2 gave me." This is sounding like something out of a psychologists handbook; no offence, but this sounds unhealthy, lol.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]I beg your pardon? It's a way of saying the system has great games available for me to play. If you're going to nitpick at the way I say things rather than accept the fact that I simply like the games on one system better than on another, then desist of this pathetic attempt at proving an unapparent point.[/color][/font] [quote name='PoisonTongue']And really, Super Mario World and LttP are 4th generation games, as opposed to GTA, which is more of 17th generation. Surely, based on your statements here, surely you don't intend to debase or devalue the contributions of GBA LttP and GBA SMW because they first appeared on a console some, what, 10 or 11 years ago? I'm not about to bash Twin Snakes because I've already played it when it was on PSX. While I certainly had some negative criticisms of Twin Snakes, I did not sit there and say it shouldn't be played by anyone because anyone can play the original. In fact, as I played through Twin Snakes more and more, it became better and better. Of course, I still won't buy it at this price; if I can find it for 20 or 25, then I'll pick it up.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]So? What's your point? You're not disagreeing with my argument about not deceasing the value of MGS2 for the PS2, for example, only because it came out later for the XBOX. HOWEVER, when these titles appear in other consoles later on, they aren't original, like Super Mario World and LttP aren't to the GBA.[/color][/font] [quote name='PoisonTongue']And that is precisely what the Xbox GTA DoublePack did. Gamers got both Vice City and III in one package, for 50 dollars. How are you able to say that's a bad thing? How are you able to say that's not right? Yes, GTA isn't my cup of tea, but I'm pleased that we're seeing cross-console releases and cross-console re-issues of solid games.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Where did I say that it was a bad thing that games got released for other consoles? I'm relating that "cross-console re-issues" you're referring to MY personal gain. That's what this thread is about. It's about what console you prefer and why. To me, GTA being released for the XBOX is of no use or value to ME, because I've played and beaten the games for the PS2, so when I take under account the XBOX's value to ME, I don't consider GTA: Double Pack as a factor.[/color][/font] [quote name='PoisonTongue']So, you're really placing your system's entire future into one game? And even so, with the other games you mentioned, have you considered that when they're released, they'll be expensive? With those high-profile franchises, especially... Street Fighter, GTA, Onimusha, Final Fantasy. Based on the recent industry developments, I'm willing to bet that within two years of those releases, we'll see some of them on the other consoles. I feel that you're ignoring a large portion of what the industry really does, and hyperfocusing on Sony and nothing else. That's not the behavior of a fan; that's the behavior of a fanboy.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]I like how you completely miss the point of this thread, and my post. I never talked about the future of the PS2 in the gaming industry; I talked about the value of my PS2 to ME. Since I have yet to play a game that entertains me more in so many ways as the previous two MGS games have when I played them on my PS and PS2, respectively, the upcoming release of MGS3 is reason enough to put the PS2 on top, in my book. By the time some of these titles come out to other systems, like you like to predict, I would've already played them and be moving on to other, newer games. If you call me a fanboy because I choose to play a game and enjoy it and give credit to the system I played it in, then your definition of the insulting term is highly incorrect.[/color][/font] [quote name='PoisonTongue']I've bolded a few questionable statements. For one, we shouldn't expect a system to be released with loads upon loads of excellent launch titles. For as far back as I can remember, each new console had a small handful of launch titles, even PS2. And I think you should be aware that your Sony Fanboy nature is becoming readily apparent.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Maybe I should have stated "in the period of one year" rather than early beginnings. Does that seem to "remove" my "fanboy nature" for you? The point is that a decent number of quality titles for the XBOX had taken longer to materialize during the system's lifespan than it did for the lifespan of the GAMECUBE and PS2, respectively.[/color][/font] [quote name='PoisonTongue']What are you talking about? lol. Firstly, without hesitation, you criticize Double Dash and F-Zero, Windwaker, Smash Bros Melee, and REmake for tired gameplay or not enough variation. But then you praise Twin Snakes? Forgive me for asking you to refine your view here, but how do Twin Snakes and Smash Melee differ? I'm not talking about gaming mechanics, either. I'm talking about their relationship to a previous title. They both made vast improvements in flow of gameplay and made their respective originals easily accessible for new gamers. This is the same with Windwaker and F-Zero. I'm going to suggest that the only reason you criticize Double Dash or Windwaker, is because MGS1 was on a SONY system. Think about it, Cyke. Think about it.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Um, no, expert of the oblivious. The reason I didn't criticize The Twin Snakes as much as the other repetitive titles is because The Twin Snakes is the remake OF MY FAVORITE GAME. You would have an argument if I were discussing Nintendo's console in terms of its impact, whether positive or negative, on the industry and its consumers. However, as I've pointed out several times, the reasons I gave above were in relation to my personal gain. For example, in order for me to significantly enjoy a Zelda game from the one before it, I need the franchise to make more of a change. Why? Because I'm not as big a fan of Zelda as I am of other series. On the other hand, MGS didn't need to make a big change for me from the original to Twin Snakes, because I can enjoy the title significantly with only minor changes. I can accept repetition when I enjoy it immensely, but I can't accept it when, while I play, I think more about how this game could've been better instead of just enjoying it without worries. "Think about it, Poison. Think about it."[/color][/font] [quote]"Tired remakes"? What is a tired remake? The Mario Advance series? Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire? Metroid Zero Mission? Donkey Kong Country? LttP? Mario Kart Advance? C'mon, dude. If anything, these remakes/re-issues are giving the younger generation a chance to get in on the great games they missed, since they weren't even born yet, lol. And I know my older systems don't really work that well anymore, so these remakes and such are an extra bonus, because I can play them legally.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]I'm glad that they help bring the younger generation into old school gaming... too bad my post was about what [i]I[/i] got out of it, huh? Too bad that what I was asked of this thread was "What's the best gaming console for YOU." Yes, ME, Me, as in Cyke, not the younger generation, not the industry, but ME. Next time you decide to extensively attack someone else's post, be sure to think of two important factors, a) What the topic is about, and what the thread starter asks for, and b) What the person you attempt to quote is answering to, and what he's trying to say. Think about that before you make sudden accusations without any basis for confirmation, as it makes you look completely lost, and frankly, quite humorous. P.S. "Size 2" is the default size for font, so for the love of Koopa, don't use the unnecessary tags.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]I own all three major consoles, and the Game Boy Advance. Out of all four, I've had more playing time with my PlayStation 2 than with any other system. Couple that fact with upcoming games, the most ergonomic controller, and you've got my favorite system. When Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty came out, it was only available for the PS2, and it turned out to be my second favorite game of all time. It simply was the sequel to the best game I've played in my 16 years of gaming, and it was only playable on my PS2. One of the system's lunch titles, SSX, turned out to be one of the best games ever made, and a lot better than any of the launch titles from the GAMECUBE and XBOX. Some may argue that Super Smash Bros. Melee and Halo: Combat Evolved were better, but I believe SSBM is nothing more than your average button-smasher without the Nintendo characters and likeness smashed on top, which long replay value relies only on multiplayer gaming; and Halo is nothing but a solid combat FPS that's been taken way out of proportion by the majority. Then the PS2 gave me Devil May Cry, Onimusha, Grand Theft Auto III and Vice City, Zone of The Enders: the Second Runner and the perfect Final Fantasy X, the latter being my favorite RPG. Surely, some of these titles later came on other consoles, but the PS2 was the system that brought them to me. People don't steal any credit for the SNES now that Super Mario World and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past are now available for the GBA. Some of the aforementioned games were made for the SONY console, and later ported to the rest. The great variety of exclusive RPGs and fighters only helped in my PS2 being overly used. The upcoming release of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater alone is enough to confidently put my PS2 above all other systems, yet for those unsure there's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Gran Turismo 4, Hyper Street Fighter II: Anniversary Edition, Onimusha 3, Final Fantasy XII and Suikoden VI to prove the system has franchises strong enough for its lifetime. "But Cyke, what's wrong with the other systems?" Well, nothing, really... but it's a matter of what they offer and what they don't. The XBOX was painfully lacking a good ten games to warrant a purchase during its early beginnings, while the GC and PS2 were offering better titles, with only Shenmue II being of my interest. However, the console slowly but surely "outranked" the GAMECUBE, in my book, when Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic came out. I dislike Star Wars, and find the old movie franchise to be cheesy, and the new one to be in the same league as "Charlie's Angels" in terms of film quality (Horrendous, unbearable, and scarring), so the achievement this game made for me to not only accept this universe, but also like it and get addicted to it is immeasurable. The open-ended nature of this RPG is flawless, and does justice to the license it uses. In the words of many a Star Wars geek, "It's the best thing to happen to Star Wars since [I]The Empire Strikes Back[/I]." Games like Panzer Dragoon Orta, Otogi, MechAssault, Ninja Gaiden and the mostly better versions of multiplatform games (Prince of Persia: The Sands of time, WSB2K3, Beyond Good & Evil) helped ensure the system's second place in my video gaming heart... at least until March 9, 2004. I didn't get the Nintendo GAMECUBE until Super Mario Sunshine came out. I played my bro's system, and found no reason to get it. All its exclusive games were average, and some downright boring. After getting and playing Sunshine religiously, I was disappointed. I could at least count on Nintendo to get Mario right, but I felt the title had boring, repetitive level design, repetitive, and unintuitive, uninteresting, tedious boss fights (except Bowser, I admit). It lacked most of what made Super Mario 64 such a classic, although it did include its problematic camera. Super Mario Sunshine was not only a disappointment, but it was a sign of things to come, and a notice of something that was already an issue with the GAMECUBE. With the exception of the incredibly revolutionary, almost-perfect Metroid Prime, nearly all the "quality" exclusive titles were simply upgrade versions of their N64 counterparts, and even some were upgraded versions of another franchise (Star Fox Adventures plays like a bad Zelda). The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Super Smash Bros. Melee, 1080 Avalanche, Mario Kart: Double Dash, F-Zero GX, Resident Evil games, and Wave Race: Blue Storm were some of the GCN titles that shared way too many similarities to the previous game in their respective franchises. Yes, [i]some[/i] of these games were still great, but why play something that feels I've played before where I could enjoy Devil May Cry, Z.O.E. or GTA, completely original games with their own taste, or an original take of an existing genre? This is not to say GCN was deprived of any original, great exclusive games (Viewtiful Joe, Eternal Darkness), they just weren't that many. Still, before KOTOR, the GCN was enjoying a nice second in my view, and it got it back after the release of Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes, a game that, while it may be yet another game lacking in true originality for the system, was the remake of the best game ever made. Despite a few flaws and things missing, the game grabs you like the first one, and for any first-timer, they'll enjoy it was much as we did back in '98. The fact that we don't have F-Zero GX or Mario Kart online is a big minus. Whether Nintendo is choosing not to risk online gaming or not doesn't matter to me. I don't work for Nintendo, and I, as a consumer, only care about what companies give me. SONY and Microsoft give me online play, and Nintendo doesn't. That's all there is to it. As for the GBA, I only limit myself to playing the Game Boy Player (I rarely play games anymore when I'm out, though I still own a GBA and a GBA SP), and I don't feel like playing tired remakes of games that I only thought were extremely enjoyable back then. With all the SNES ports, it's a good system to revisit the old days (despite the lack of four-face buttons), but in my view the new generation kicks the previous eras in the nads. It still has some great original and fun titles like Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and Boktai, but not enough of them to give the system more playtime.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Not to mention that some older GB games have dead save batteries, so this memory stick could add replay value to those old titles.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Nintendo is, at least, doing the last good thing it can do with the tired Pokémon franchise with Pokémon Coliseum. After that, there's not much of interest in the future for the franchise, other than online play. As for Digimon, I have nothing good to say about it.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]All the delaying made me worry that the product wouldn't live up to the hype. It has happened before. However, I can't lie and say I wasn't quickly caught up in the hype after reading the GameSpot review. Out of all gaming publications out there, I agree with them more often. I played all three NES games when I was little, and I have nothing but fond and frustrating memories of them. Reading about the challenge of not only unlocking these, but just plain beating the game just makes the wait more painful. Ninja Gaiden, Twin Snakes, ESPN MLB and Snake Eater are my most wanted games this year. So far, the media likes the first two. I can't wait to try them out.[/color][/font]

[quote name='Shinmaru']And why don't you consider them to be fighting games? That's just a bunch of elitist nonsense, in my opinion. Smash Bros. and Melee are just as legitimate as any other fighter; they just have a more "arcadey" (and I use arcadey loosely, since Smash Bros. can get much deeper than the normal arcade game) feel to them. Fighters that are similar to Smash Bros., such as Power Stone and its sequel, I would count into the fighting game genre, as well.[/quote] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Yes, it just might be an elitist thing to say. I can't think of a convincing reason to explain why I feel that the SSB franchise is not a fighting game series, but it's just the way I feel. Whenever I play SSBM, I feel like I'm playing Mario Party rather than Street Fighter II, for example. It's not the arcade style, because I love the MARVEL vs. CAPCOM franchise, and it's not its goofy presentation, because I consider Clayfighter to be, well... a fighter. The game simply doesn't sit well with me as a fighter, and I therefore can't categorize it under the genre.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Personally, the fighting game genre has evolved into something I'm not so attracted to. While growing up, I played virtually every single fighting game I ever came across to death. From Street Fighter to Pit Fighter, from Mortal Kombat to Power Moves to Killer Instinct to Clayfighter. I loved the genre. Then, Tekken came along. It was fun, but it wasn't as good as the experience I had with Ryu or Sub Zero. Soul Calibur came along, and while it was fun, it didn't have a long, lasting appeal for me. Super Smash Bros. came along, and I felt left out because I just couldn't enjoy the game. It couldn't be my connection with the characters, as I've played with Samus, Link, Donkey Kong and Mario since childhood. I couldn't figure it out, but the two SSB games out there are not fun for me, [I]at all[/I]. I don't even consider them to be fighting games, contrary to popular belief. Maybe I'm stuck in the 2D era of fighting games. When Marvel vs. Capcom came along, I played that game to death, as well as its sequel. I love that game. I've played Capcom vs. SNK 2, and I liked it, too. For me, the best fighting game ever created has been Street Fighter Alpha 3, and no fighter has come half as close to it, in my view. It's just what I like.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]The one in Final Fantasy X. The turn-based, player-switch system coupled with the innovative, open grid level-up system make for battles that are interesting and fun after the 200th time, somthing I can't say about most RPGs.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Let's just say that if you had played The Second Runner before making this thread, you'd be talking about the sequel instead of the first game up there. I liked the first Z.O.E., as I finished it several times. There were some obvious flaws, however, like the terrible voice acting reminiscent of old dubbed anime, way too short, moves that don't need to be used in the entire game, repeated and uninspired level design, and a bad execution to a good story. Many people call it the game that came with the $50 MGS2 demo, and with good reason. Understanding what the great Hideo Kojima was attempting to make however, I knew Z.O.E. 2 would deliver in every category the way I expected, and it did. The Second Runner is a game that fans of the original will love, and haters will accept as what the first game should've been like.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust could get a second shot. Sure, you might be a tad disappointed after playing Jalenco's Vampire Hunter D for the PlayStation, and any mention of the mediocre title is enough to dissipate any hopes of a quality D game. Then again, you need look no further than a game called [i]Otogi: Myth of Demons[/i] for the XBOX. While the title is a commercial failure, it's one of those under-appreciated gems that simply need a little attention. Otogi is an action title that controls somewhat like Devil May Cry, only the camera can be controlled, and the levels aren't connected to each other in the same vain. In fact, they aren't connected at all. At any rate, while playing the third level of the game I couldn't help but imagine how amazingly fun would be to play a similar title with the Vampire Hunter D license. Sadly, it will just remain a dream for now. On a related note, according to OPM Bandai's working on a Cowboy Bebop game for the PS2, slated to release sometime in '04.[/font][/color]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Akira Toriyama had absolutely no involvement with Dragon Ball GT, but TOEI Animation (the animation studio responsible for GT) asked for his approval. Toriyama did have a sibling working in the series, but the only thing he intervened with was Vegeta's moustache. Akira Toriyama did not seem to like it... good call, in my view. Lastly, by that time it was plainly obvious that Toriyama did not want to continue on with the story. In reality, he wanted to stop after the Freezer saga, but the growing popularity of Goku and friends pushed him to create the Cell and Buu sagas. Dragon Ball GT is quite different than Dragon Ball Z. Whether it's for better or worse is anybody's opinion. Personally, I think it was a step down from the DBZ anime. In DBZ, all characters have extremely important and interesting roles to play in the story. Trunks, Gohan, Vegeta and Piccolo are all embraced by fans because of their key actions in the plot. In GT however, all these characters become secondary. Gohan is weak, Goten and Trunks grew out of their fighting enthusiasm, Piccolo [spoiler]dies and is almost never heard from again[/spoiler] and Vegeta [spoiler]was demoted to actually admitting and accepting happily that Goku is forever stronger than the Saiyajin Prince[/spoiler]. Strangely, we never see the return of Future Trunks, either, but instead we're doomed to watch reappearances of characters that we never truly cared for back in the first two series. The focus that had always remained on the rest of the Saiyajins and Piccolo was all accumulated and transported to Pan. Yes, Pan. Boring, annoying, ridiculous Pan. Goku's kid transformation and Pan's constant exposure are the main factors that exemplify the producers (failed) attempts at going back to the original DB story. Since it didn't work, they went with the Baby storyline to try and draw fans of DBZ (and continued to do so with Super Android 17), but the watered-down versions of Vegeta and company did not help matters. However, if you manage to accept its overwhelming differences, the ending is extremely pleasant. I watched it at 17, and I admit I couldn't stop from crying heavily. You can argue a lot of things about the show, but if there's one thing you should appreciate it's the ending. It's an emotional tribute and reward to fans who've stuck with the show ever since we first saw Goku and Bulma cross paths way back in the first episode of Dragon Ball. Believe me, it's worth the wait.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]My favorite WWE/F game is WWF No Mercy for the N64, but before that it used to be WWF Warzone. I never really liked the WWF Smackdown! series much. I barely tolerated it when I was at my highest point of wrestling needs. Right now, I think all the WWE games for all the current generation of consoles plain suck. I haven't played WWF Smackdown!: Here Comes The Pain however, so I can't comment on that one.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]I knew what most of my presents would be for Christmas. I bought them together with my mom and little brother beforehand, whom are visiting along with my dad. My mom got me, to my request, Ninja Gaiden (NES), Ninja Gaiden II (NES), Splinter Cell (PS2), and Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space (PS2). With the exception of Gundam, all the games were placed under the tree until Christmas Morning. My dad bought me two tight Structure t-shirts, and black pants. The attire proved to be attractive for girls, which I didn't mind. My little brother, on the other hand, got me a Ford steering wheel cover for my '01 Mustang. From my girlfriend, I got a cute necklace that she's worn forever and holds dear. I keep it safe, and even though I was telling her to keep her treasured possession, I hold the gift with infinite value. On Christmas Eve, we just had dinner at Olive Garden. Since all my family lives in Venezuela, we didn't make a big deal out of Christmas. On Christmas Day, we watched The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Great film, but not as jaw-dropping as The Two Towers, in my opinion.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]I have several old hotmail accounts that are constantly filled with spam. When I was younger, say... 17, being an internet-illiterate I signed up for tons of porn sites. Yes, willingly. I was quite the horny teenager. I soon realized the error of my ways when I got 20 e-mail messages a day about random crap I didn't care about. At first, I was excited because "I'm getting porn!" but the novelty quickly wore off. I signed up to new hotmail accounts, but somehow spam got in the way. However...[/color][/font] [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Fall [/i] [B]Nope. Ever since I've had the e-mail address I've got now, with Hotmail (whooohh...), I've had no junk-mail what-so-ever. And I have absolutely no idea why. I'm signed up to so many mailing-lists, fan-clubs, etc, I can't count them all, and I've only ever had one junk-mail item sent to my address... and to that, I actually read it and took some interest. ...yep, and my "Junk-Mail" folder is empty... :smoke: [/B][/QUOTE] [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]... this happened to me as well, when I signed up for yet another hotmail account over a year ago. The spam I get, which is quite rare, relates to advertisement for college and university offers. Other than that, I get no spam. There are times when some newsletters I'm signed into fall in the junk mail folder, like ADV and Nintendo, but after fixing it I don't worry about it happening again. Asura: There's the small possibility that someone saw your e-mail address and used it to play a prank on you. That is, someone could've purposely searched for spam websites and signed your e-mail address to them, just for the hell of it. Heck, I know someone from college who's done it.[/color][/font]

[color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]I've had similar problems with KOTOR. I bought my Xbox December of last year, when you could get it with the dual-game disc. I bought KOTOR less than a month ago. The problems I've had have happened only about 3 times. The game freezes up while loading, or when I encounter an enemy. The latter, after I removed and reinserted the disc, put me back in an area [i]before[/i] I encountered said enemy. It also gave me a bunch of incoherent stats, like -1 XP gained, -1 Light Side point gained, -1 Dark Side point gained, etc. It doesn't happen as continually as it does to you, but all I can advice is to save often, and just replay whatever part you were previously frozen in. It sucks, but it looks like the only way to keep playing, and the game is definitely worth playing all the way through.[/color][/font]

[b]SECTION A[/b] [i]In the following section, please answer each statement with one of five answers: A) Strongly Agree B) Agree C) Somewhat Agree D) Disagree E) Strongly Disagree[/i] 1) I find OtakuBoards rules easy to understand and follow. [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms][b]B) Agree[/b]. I understand them, but from time to time I have a hard time following them, because I believe some of them to be too uptight.[/color][/font] 2) I feel that the staff at OtakuBoards understand their job and are capable of performing it appropriately. [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms][b]B) Agree[/b]. They seem to follow and enforce the rules to the letter, but there's been a few (rare) times where I've felt their actions were unnecessary.[/color][/font] 3) OtakuBoards is easy to navigate. [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms][b]A) Strongly Agree[/b]. Everything is organized, very descriptive and clean, just they way I like it.[/color][/font] 4) OtakuBoards has a friendly atmosphere. [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms][b]A) Strongly Agree[/b]. Sometimes it's [i]too[/i] friendly/sensitive.[/color][/font] [b]SECTION B[/b] Please try to keep your answers relatively short in this section. 5) How often do you visit OtakuBoards? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Once a day, but very rarely do I stay on for long.[/color][/font] 6) Do you feel that the rules are too strict/not strict enough/fine as they are? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]They are either too strict, or enforced too strictly. There are times that certain situations require the use of common sense that, at that particular situation, doesn't seem present in the rules.[/color][/font] 7) Should we continue to uncensor the creative writing areas on OtakuBoards? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Yes, as I'm very much against censoring.[/color][/font] 8) Would you rather a decentralized forum system on OB (more forums, less activity per forum) or a centralized forum system (less forums, more activity per forum)? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]"Fewer," not less. Fewer forums and more activity in each is the way to go. With too many forums, there are bound to be some very inactive ones.[/color][/font] 9) Would you like to see a closer integration of myOtaku and OtakuBoards? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]I don't know what "myOtaku" is, so my answer's "yes."[/color][/font] 10) Are you signed up to myOtaku.com? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Probably not.[/color][/font] 11) If you are not signed up to myOtaku.com, do you plan to sign up in the near future? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]I don't know what it is, so I can't tell.[/color][/font] 12) Do you read Announcements at OtakuBoards? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]On occasion.[/color][/font] 13) Which single Category (Category, as opposed to individual Forum) do you spend most of your time visiting? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Otaku Anime and Otaku Gamer.[/color][/font] 14) Do you think that OtakuBoards should offer an in-built chat system as part of our service? If we included a chat, would you use it? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]If many people use it, yes.[/color][/font] 15) If we offered an "OtakuBoards Wireless" service that would be accessible via Internet-capable cellphones, would you use it? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]No. I'm not going to be online when I'm away from my computer where I can be more productive doing something else.[/color][/font] 16) When we offer a next generation version of OtakuBoards, should we continue to provide semi-regular community events in our Event Arena or a similar forum? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Sure.[/color][/font] 17) If you could add one new Category (Category, not Forum) to OtakuBoards, what would it be? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]A category where rules are a lot less harsh, gearing towards forums concentrating on letting off steam and such. It would also help in keeping spam and such away from other forums.[/color][/font] 18) If you could remove one Category from OtakuBoards, what would it be? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]Otaku Series. Square Enix and Zelda can go in the Otaku Gamer category, and Pokémon could be/should be/must be eliminated.[/color][/font] 19) If you could add anything to OtakuBoards (in terms of a new forum, a technical tool/feature, etc), what would it be? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]"General Gaming Chat." A forum where topics relating to all three systems, or gaming in general could be posted.[/color][/font] 20) On a scale of 1-10 (1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest), how would you rate your experience at OtakuBoards since you registered? [color=darkblue][font=trebuchet ms]8. -1 for the sometimes-uptight rules, and -1 for the forum being limited to all threads having essay-like posts. I can rarely engage into a discussion because there are too many big posts, and I feel the need to read them all before giving my input; but I can't because I don't always have time to read it all (Actually, I don't choose to spend my time that way continually). Sorry if my answers were a little long.[/color][/font]