Magnum Apex

[font=trebuchet ms][url]http://www.nintendojo.com/editorials/view_item.php?1065098911[/url][/font] [size=4][b]Misfirings of Miyamoto[/b][/size] [i]The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Nintendojo as a whole or any of its affiliates.[/i] [center][i]?What? How is it possible that this GameCube game is only worth $15 (CDN) as a trade in value??[/i][/center] This is the question that I fired at a local retailer last week as I traded in Windwaker and Knockout Kings 2003 for a shiny new copy of the double disc Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 (go buy this game right now). To which the shop owner replied; [center][i]?Eric, do you know that I wouldn?t even carry this GameCube ***** if it weren?t for the few people around here like you who are stuck with the console? This thing [GameCube] is doing worse than the Dreamcast did during its dying days and Nintendo isn?t doing anything to help me soften the blow. When they drop their prices they don't subisdize the price cuts and I eat the difference. I lose money on any GameCube stuff. Not to mention that it doesn?t sell. Just go check your local Blockbuster and see how many GameCube games they carry compared to PS2 or Xbox.?[/i][/center] While Nintendo may be running around saying that they are globally number two, what they aren?t saying is that they are getting their assess handed to them in the North American market. That is, until George Harrison of NOA came out (more than likely out of the contempt for all of the ill press and bad numbers coming at him) and recently admitted as much in an IGN interview. Instead of the usual bull**** reply from the Japanese end of the company that sports games don?t matter to Nintendo?s market segment because they make games for all ages of people; Harrison acknowledged that sports titles are an important part of his market; a market in which Nintendo has made some fundamental errors. [center][i]?We would love to have sports games sell better on GameCube. I think serious sports players sort of make their choice for their primary system and that was made over the last two or three years. So starting with the current installed base, it's a little discouraging that we can't sell more sports games. By comparison, though, sales of Madden on GameCube this year are up dramatically over the prior year so there is some progress, although it may not be as dramatic as we'd hoped. We recognize that sports is a category where we have to come out of the starting gates strong with the next console so we're going to be making every effort to make sure we've got the best sports games lined up at the launch of the next system.?[/i][/center] First and foremost, Harrison is acknowledging (with some much needed honesty) that Nintendo?s GameCube is being fed to the dogs when it comes to a genre that attracts casual gamers and their hard earned dollars to platforms. Secondly Harrison directly points to Madden as an indication of success, which tells you just how significant sports games are to the business. It appears Harrison is saying that since Madden is one of the top selling video game franchises ever, and Madden isn?t climbing on the GameCube, they are giving up on the system in order to focus on the next generation. That's right, folks, the plans Nintendo has are ala Saturn to Dreamcast... dump the loser and jump too quickly into the next generation of consoles. I think this slash and burn strategy is the result of several key mistakes by Nintendo (including their exclusion of the sports market) and, more specifically, Shigeru Miyamoto himself. Conversely; Microsoft, a supposed first timer and underdog in this generation of consoles kicked Nintendo in their pompous *** in North America because they floated a full, viable sports line up of their own to initially get the sports push on the system. Even if the games aren't comparable to better product, Microsoft showed the third party developers that they are seriously committed to sports and online sports. Then they went out and did their best to bribe most sports publishers like EA, Sega and Konami to jump aboard as well. The result, the casual fans superfluous income (the reason that the videogame industry has boomed over the last few years- it?s now mass consumption) picked Xbox over the regurgitated line up of GameCube which features one weak in house first party sports title, Kobe Courtside, with 1080 Avalanche in perpetual development. Further indication that Nintendo is giving up on the GameCube lies in their pathetic line up of rehashed crap coming in the near future (which isn't fooling anyone, especially the consumer). I?ve already covered this topic in another editorial but it bears repeating. Look at the next three major releases: Mario Kart 64 II : Double Dash, Metal Gear 1+2 with no replay value via VR missions, and Rogue Squadron Sequel #28 in which Luke blows up the imperial walkers on foot this time. Now, I've been thinking this through a bit further. The REAL REASON why these games feel like cheap rehashes is because they don't have online play! The generation before brought a fresh look to gaming because things went to 3D. This generations' 3D innovation is online play; and like sports line-ups, Nintendo has essentially ignored this important innovation. Consquently, the system is dying a quick death. What's more, Nintendo?s slash and burn policy on the way out of this generation is turning everyone off. Nintendo isn?t subsidizing retailers for their price drops. They aren?t offering to work with retailers to sell the stale **** that?s been cluttering up their walls. All of this poor management on the business end, no serious sports support, and a lack of fresh software via online play is also burning bridges for the next console. Do you think that any casual player who bought a GameCube will make that mistake twice? As things stand, I know I won?t. To the delight of most of you blinded, ignorant-assed fan boy ****heads out there I will gladly be retiring from Nintendo coverage once the next console comes out and if things keep going this way, that day can?t come soon enough. But I?m curious, what is the root of the problem? Well the most obvious answer is that Nintendo is completely out of touch. By Nintendo I mean the producer who?s had his non-violent / family first hands all over every Nintendo game in this generation: Shigeru Miyamoto. Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo are one in the same in this generation and if he can take the praise for recreating Mario 1500 times across several consoles he can certainly take the blame for having the most out of touch attitude in business since auto insurance companies began raping the public. While he may be a genius, I don't think that Miyamoto's thoughts are anywhere near what the public wants. And as much as Nintendo thinks otherwise, companies are supposed to give consumers what they want; not what they think they should have, e.g. online play, a full sports line up, new/hot games and not rehashes of three year old games etc. A while ago I wrote an editorial called [b][url="http://www.nintendojo.com/editorials/view_item.php?1016002785"]Ken Lobbed: Guess Who?s Next?[/url][/b] In it I hypothesized that Miyamoto would be the next to go. Oh how I wish that were the case. In the same way that Miyamoto?s brilliance supported Nintendo for years and lead it in the 3D era with incredible games like Ocarina of Time and Mario 64, it is ****ing the company now. His abstract thinking just can?t relate to the kicking of *** that Nintendo is taking by companies like (Sony and their inexpensive online strategy-DVD playback and mature games). The competition is adapting to what consumers want rather than forcing the consumer to take what they give them (Nintendo). Miyamoto should stop counselling the company on business matters he doesn't understand and locked in a dark room to do what he does best - create sappy videogames with boring plots and incredible gameplay. Want proof? The first example of Miyamoto?s lack of business foresight was his brain fart on the N64. He pushed for the infamous cartridge format so that Mario 64 wouldn?t have any load times. This was the beginning of what has become a slippery slope for Nintendo. Nintendo went with Miyamoto?s thinking knowing that they?d have a production model that would be cost prohibitive for outside parties. But they figured that it would much more difficult to pirate cartridges (profit only) so the consumer/developer would take what Nintendo gave them and that would be that. I can hear the board meeting now? ?Hey we?re Nintendo-san. We?re number 1. You take--****--we give you and like it, dishonourable North Americans.? Once again, with the GameCube, Miyamoto and Co. make the same fumble with their piracy proof small format. They contest that it won?t affect gameplay. Explain why Tiger Woods 2004 is on two discs? Explain how the rampant dissemination of piracy on the PS1 didn?t repeat itself this time around? Don?t believe me that Nintendo/Miyamoto, like a high school cheerleader, is all about 'me first and you later?without any foresight'? How about hearing it from George Harrison of NOA, once again discussing why Nintendo sucks at sport: [center][i]?Well, some of it can be as simple as functionality. When we launched GameCube we didn't have a memory card at the time that was big enough to hold, say, a full season. People really fanatical about sports demand to have that memory whether it's in a hard-drive or a memory card capacity. So we kind of missed a beat there. Sports games were very important to the US market but maybe not quite as important to the Japanese one and as a result [memory card capacity] was overlooked at launch.?[/i][/center] So Nintendo opts for their horse racing simulator market and neglects the millions of dollars to be had in the U.S. and Canada by making a memory system so pathetic that a single sports game can?t fit on one memory stick. Other systems have hard drives for Christ sakes! I think there?s more to the memory card situation too. My good friend Noah Ward put it to me that Nintendo may have purposely sold those original crappy memory cards so that consumers would buy them by the bag load, only to sell the larger ones later, resulting in yet another upgrade. What the hell kind of move was the memory card in the first place? Don't forget, they also promised the Panasonic version and never delivered. Harrison is right, how can you play a sports game with no memory. Not to mention that in this world of convenience you can?t expect players to go searching through all kinds of memory cards for one game they want. Okay, what about Miyamoto?s/Nintendo?s decision to go with Game Boy Advance linking rather than online play? Boy that really worked out, seeing all of PS2 and Xbox developing a core following of online gamers for their next generation consoles this generation while simultaneously leaving Nintendo far in the dust on the next. That really looks good on Nintendo. All the while Nintendo gamers get to enjoy, ?cool unlockables when they link up with their GBA.? Speaking of which, the GBA has been remade three different times in order to whore out it?s 15 year old technology to Nintendo fanatics before Nintendo is stomped by a real portable in Sony?s upcoming effort. Once again, Sony gives the people what they want? Stereo, headphone jack, backlit, the works. Well hey, what does George Harrison think of Nintendo?s incredible GBA-GCN link up? [i][center]?Since we've launched the GameCube we've seen a really big opportunity for enhanced gameplay with the Game Boy Advance. We haven't seen the killer application for it yet which is why I think it's hard for consumers to fully get it, but there are some more things coming this fall. Clearly we've not shown the full potential of connectivity. We either have to deliver on that or we have to stop talking about it.?[/i][/center] And what does Miyamoto do in response to the consumer telling Nintendo that the GBA link is not a suitable replacement for online play? Apparently Miyamoto is hard at work on a killer PacMan application for the link up system that will allow GBA gamers to be the ghosts? whoah. Can anyone be more arrogant or perhaps out of touch than Miyamoto and the company that follows his lead? When he asked at that recent famed press conference ?Why aren?t they cheering?? Maybe it?s because you?ve created the same plot and games with a few gameplay twists a million times, maybe nobody gives a **** about the ants in your garden, maybe you should stop influencing every game in the Nintendo line up, maybe you don?t know **** about hardware and the business dynamics involved and should stick to drawing Italian plumbers and fantasizing! And lastly, open your ears and Nintendo's eyes, you arrogant, insular ***. While the massive gaming public is telling you to do something like online play with Mario Kart Double Dash, you?re trying to fit a square peg into a round hole with GBA connectivity. It's our dollars that move the industry, not your "innovative-profit-only-motivated" ideas. Even though you wanted to sell more GB?s by linking it to the GameCube, and even though you wanted to rape people of money by refurbishing six year old games, and even though you wanted to rip people off with a poor memory card strategy, you need to realize that nobody is buying your ?save the princess crap? or your outdated impracticality anymore. Why? [b]Because the kids that grew up with Mario have grown right up and they aren?t stupid.[/b] They have jobs and are spending their OWN money, not mommy?s money anymore. What is more, they are spending it on a system that gives them what they want. Nintendo, you want to get hip, let Miyamoto work on his projects ONLY and allow fresh thinking people to work on other games. More importantly, hire someone from Sony to work on your next console because your bloated arrogance and disregard for the public?s demands are sinking you fast. [font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]While certain attacks at Miyamoto were a little extreme (Pretty much the insults), it DOES represent the frustration from most of us. These are pretty much the summarized reasons why Sony took over as my favorite console maker, and why I have liked Nintendo less since the N64:[/color][/font] [quote]The competition is adapting to what consumers want rather than forcing the consumer to take what they give them (Nintendo). [/quote] [quote]Sony gives the people what they want[/quote] [font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]I've always said Sony loves the fans, and it's hard to be supportive of a company that tries to recuperate profit by remaking the Game Boy 20 billion times rather than expanding their library positively. Well, the article puts it better and with more energy than I ever have, so I'll leave it at that.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]Well, the next Ninja Gaiden game will come out for the Xbox.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]I agree. It's the best RPG ever. I can't think of a more enjoyable battle and leveling-up system. For the first time random battles never got boring in an RPG... not since Chrono Cross, anyway. Also, the main character develops perfectly, and the linearity of the majority of the game helps keep the story tight and interesting, unlike other RPGs where too much freedom can harm the flow of the storyline. Since RPGs are also praised for their characters, it's necessary that good graphics take place. These are excellent, as they perfectly portray the facial expressions of characters in moments of suspense. I was so pleased that I shed tears during the ending sequence. A game that can connect with the player on such a high level is definitely worth its praise.[/color][/font]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Youko Minamino [/i] [B] Best: Anything ADV has put out. [/B][/QUOTE] [font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]I'd have to disagree. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE ADV because ADV loves the fans. They're the only ones that have a decent amount of Spanish-dubbed anime like Neon Genesis Evangelion, Burn-Up W / Excess, Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo-2040 and others. They also add as many extras inside and outside the DVD as possible (Just look at Excel Saga). However, if there is ONE thing they REALLY need to work on is their dubbing. Sure, they've done a good job with the Samurai X OAVs and the comedy anime, but the average dubs of most of their series and movies is disappointing by today's standards.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]Well, with the original Metal Gear Solid being my favorite video game ever, I'm actually anticipating this installment with more excitement than Snake Eater. When I read today the game's release date, from Gamespot, being 03/04/2004, I gained a childish anger. I want to get my hands on The Twin Snakes as soon as possible, but I know the delayed release date is for the better. While everything about the game looks awesome, I do have one major concern: the controls. The shoulder buttons from the original MGS and MGS2 were crucial in accurately controlling the functions of the character. The Xbox version of Substance shows what I'm worried about, as the switch to first-person view becomes an annoyance when used with the same thumbstick that controls movement. I hope Silicon Knights has found a way to make the controls comfortable and second nature for the problematic GC controller.[/color][/font]

[url]http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/hypersf2/news_6075764.html[/url] [font=arial][size=4][b]Hyper Street Fighter II unveiled[/b][/size] [size=3][b]Capcom takes the wraps off its new Street Fighter compilation.[/b] In preparation for the upcoming Tokyo Game Show, Capcom has held a brief meeting to discuss a handful of its upcoming games. One of those games is a new Street Fighter II compilation, which is planned to release as a part of the 15th anniversary of the original Street Fighter II. Rather than merely compile all of the Street Fighter II games onto one disc and release it as your basic arcade compilation, Hyper Street Fighter II: The Anniversary Edition will combine all the different versions of each Street Fighter II character and place them into one game. The game will use the character sprites found in the last game to bear the Street Fighter II name, Super Street Fighter II Turbo. But you'll be able to go back and choose, say, Ken from the original Street Fighter II, before his dragon punch had its additional reach and his hurricane kick performed multiple hits. The character select screen, also modeled after SSF2T, will first ask you which game you'd like to choose from, offering the choice of World Warriors, Champion Edition, Turbo, Super, and Super Turbo. From there you'll select your character. Icons will appear on screen in place of the Super Turbo installment's super meter, denoting which version of a character you've selected. In addition to the fighting itself, Hyper Street Fighter II will also feature a gallery mode, which will contain artwork, opening and ending sequences from all the games, and credits for the various installments. Background information on the Street Fighter II games will also be available, as will a complete anime feature, which was originally released in 1994.[/size] [font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue][size=2](I suppose they're referring to SFII: The Animated Movie)[/size][/font][/color] [size=3]The game's producer, Kenji Itsuno, was on hand to show off the upcoming PlayStation 2 title, and he also stated that a separate strategy DVD, showing off all the different combos and tricks found throughout the series, is also in the works. Hyper Street Fighter II: The Anniversary Edition is currently scheduled to be released to the Japanese market in December. By Jeff Gerstmann, [url="http://www.gamespot.com/"][i][u]GameSpot[/i][/u][/url] [/size][size=1][POSTED: 09/25/03 12:09 AM] [/size][/font] [font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]First Mega Man and now Street Fighter? Could Capcom be any more lovable? I hope this one comes to America, as they didn't mention the possibility of it in the article.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][url]http://www.gamespot.com/all/news/news_6075612.html[/url][/font] [font=arial][size=3][b]Oft-rumored price drop now a reality. Number three console manufacturer enters the Q4 race running. What's up for Xbox, PS2?[/b] Retail partners Amazon.com and Toys "R" Us have taken the first step in heating up the fourth quarter videogame business. The online retailers are now offering the jet black- and indigo-colored GameCube at a margin-busting price of [url="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005QEFD/002-4146340-9062404?"][u]$99.99[/u][/url]. Senior analyst Billy Pidgeon of the Zelos Group commented on the price drop saying, "If you're going to sell the GameCube for under $149, you're losing money...they're throwing their margin away, basically dumping them." There is no indication that this price drop is the result of a renegotiation between the retailer and either the manufacturer or distributor. As far as Sony and Microsoft are concerned, Pidgeon says Sony is likely to be unfazed by the price drop. However, Pidgeon says, "Microsoft should care. They could lose the number two position, which is very important for Microsoft [to maintain]." Pidgeon added the price drop will certainly have impact on fourth quarter retail sales, but that competitive price drops across the board would be required to see substantial increases to anticipated Q4 sales. Pidgeon said, "Fourth quarter is the perfect time to use a price cut. It would really energize the market if there were price cuts this quarter." By Curt Feldman, [url="http://www.gamespot.com/"][u][i]GameSpot[/i][/u][/url] [size=1][POSTED: 09/23/03 01:09 PM][/size] [/size][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]Don't forget the Mega Man Legends series, or the countless spin-offs like Mega Man Soccer. He's been everywhere.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]Life is and will always be simple. Simple can still be hard, however. Even though a deeper thinking into the mechanisms of how people's problems exist and affect human beings may prove conceptually useful, it doesn't take but simple measures to solve them. Life is complicated because we make it complicated, and because we choose to consider more factors than necessary to get the job done. If you're talking about a world without the "bad," then we wouldn't appreciate the good. In fact, bad cannot be eliminated. If the things we see as negative in our world would suddenly disappear, the bad would simply take a new form to replace what's gone. Not only that, but being exposed to the bad can actually prove motivational for people to try and achieve a goal, whether it'd be getting into shape, earning more money, or trying to make the girl you have a crush on go out with you. No pain, no gain. The worse problems are, the better one feels when he finally overcomes them. Bad experiences also teach valuable lessons that can be carved on our minds for life. Life's also unfair. Sometimes negative things happen without your control, and you end up with the weight of the consequences. These experiences and situations can either brake or make a person, and as such they are essential in human society. There's no need to think about the world that will never be, as a world without pain is anything but paradise.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]In alphabetical order: [b]Best[/b] Cowboy Bebop Excel Saga Hellsing Outlaw Star Samurai X Trust / Betrayal / Reflection Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie Street Fighter Alpha Trigun X (The TV Series) ADV isn't known for their amazing dubbing, but they do well with the funny anime. Bandai and Pioneer are usually the best in that department. [b]Worst[/b] Dragon Ball Z / GT Knights of the Zodiac Love Hina (Thank American Kitsune) Vampire Hunter D[/color][/font]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by HunkyCorn [/i] [B]Yes! I know! he did that attack before he did the attack that he called the "spirit bomb"! I know it isn't the spirit bomb but thats what he called it. I dont understand why. It could just be the fu

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by SailorStar [/i] [B]If you can stay calm in any situation, i guess you can be considered mature.[/B][/QUOTE] [font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]I still don't get that. How come acting calm in any situation is a sign of maturity? People who don't care about their lives and want to die would act calm under any situation, like being under a falling chunk of debris or inside a burning house. Are those people mature? o_O[/color][/font]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i] [B]All I know is that I act mature when I need to or should. I think part of maturity is knowing the difference between situations where you can act immature or situations where you can act mature (whatever it is you feel fits into these categories is up to you, I guess).[/B][/QUOTE] [font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]Heh, I was about to slam that comment to the wall, but the parenthesis bit fixed it for you. [img]http://www.rajahwwf.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif[/img] Though, would you consider a person immature if they act in a way that doesn't fit [I]your[/I] idea of mature under a specific situation?[/color][/font] [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Adahn [/i] [B]I've had a little more time to think, and perhaps maturity has more to do with distinguishing between what is important, and what is not, rather than parental instincts showing their face. I believe if someone could put things into perspective in their daily lives, and act accordingly, then they are mature. Everyone makes mistakes, even the oldest in any society, but they have learned, from experience, what truly matters. I was wondering if he have anyone rather aged on these boards, and it would be interesting to know their opinions on the matter. So far it's been people in their teens (including me), and the words of someone perhaps in their late 20's or early 30's would be able to draw from their life experiences and enlighten us. *Note*-If you are of such an age, and you have posted, I'm sorry for not noticing. [/B][/QUOTE] [font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]Believe me, there are 60-year-old people who are as immature as a baby. Seriously, there are as many immature gown ups as there are young ones. We have adults that commit murder, steal, and lie for their personal gains... those show no signs of maturity. We have women who're constantly abused by their husbands, or kids by their parents. I've found out age is a very minor factor in figuring out someone's emotional maturity when said person is unable to learn from experience, or unable to even accept them and admit they were wrong. Then again, right and wrong are very subjective terms, though there's a limit to everything.[/color][/font]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Radical Edward [/i] [B]Dang...sounds like they took a good anime and killed it... [/B][/QUOTE] [font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]Yes, they are sure killing it. When I moved back to America and watched American DBZ for the first time, I was speechless, and desperately wanted to know who or what was responsible for so much editing. It didn't help that people got the wrongful impression of the show from watching it on Cartoon Network. Sadly, there are several people who do not appreciate DBZ, mainly because it got extremely popular with the kids. I believe if the show had been kept exactly as it was in the original version, it would have appealed to an even greater audience. Yes, people, the outlook from the show IS different in each version. That's what I fear will happen to Knights of the Zodiac. Showing a botched episode only once a week will turn off anime enthusiasts and fanboys alike, and the show might be forgotten without a chance for success, and hated for its changed presentation on American television.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]Super Smash Bros. Melee is nothing but a mindlessly boring fighter at best, which only appeals because of its classic Nintendo characters. To say that it's one of the best games for the 'Cube, or at least a good game is a disgrace to good video games out there. It does have a lot of extras, but without a decent, enjoyable gameplay behind it, most of these aren't worth unlocking. When people even DARE to name this title as one the best fighters around, it makes me wonder what we've been feeding our children. Oh, and Super Mario Sunshine. It's basically a Super Mario 64 clone, with a new "twist," and without the "fun."[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]Well, I'm only going to count the ones that are BASED off anime, not the other way around: .hack//INFECTION (Playstation 2) Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Battle 22 (Playstation) Fist of the North Star (Game Boy) Gundam Battle Assault 2 (Playstation) Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs. Zeon (Playstation 2) Vampire Hunter D (Playstation)[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]Not bad, not bad at all. In fact, it shows more promise than anything made about Spider-Man [i]outside[/i] the comic book world (Well, minus the PS video games.) It does something that the movie and older animated series haven't been able to accomplish, which is the removal of the "chessness" from the dialogue and animation. Somehow the cool comic book sequences and dialogue don't necessarily translate well in a television screen... until now. As sad as it is, its pop culture references help keep the show fresh and devoid of embarrassment. Also, we finally get to see Spidey move FAST, jump FAST and swing FAST. You would think that before this show others would've already captured said sense of speed. Well, I'm glad someone finally has. I originally had low expectations of the show, mainly because it's MTV and they force all their shows towards dumbass teens (redundant?), but I've been gladly proven wrong.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]I agree with the one that said that, "Without love, there's no hate." There's a balance to everything, and if there are two extremes to the feelings ruler, they're love and hate. Either way, I'd erase fear, but not just any fear. If we were to erase all fear, we would all die from jumping off cliffs without our needed sense of danger. I'm talking about irrational fears. The fear kids have when all the lights are turned off; the fear of claustrophobics, etc. This type of fear is completely useless, as its name suggests, irrational. The fear doesn't prevent you from being in a dangerous situation, but may rather incite you to do more harmful things to yourself in order to avoid the harmless subject of your terror.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]To me, emotional maturity means dealing with one's personal issues without giving up to fear or pain. It means overcoming, or trying to overcome those obstacles because of what you believe in. Emotional maturity cannot truly be seen on the surface. The only time you can even "tell" when someone is emotionally mature is how said person handles himself around emotionally stressful situations. I suppose a combination of self-esteem, not being selfish and always knowing to expect the unexpected are key characteristics of someone who's emotionally mature. Someone who is emotionally mature usually doesn't take him or herself too seriously, nor other people. Simple comments, as insulting as they may be, wouldn't be a bother at all to an emotionally mature person. I also believe there is no specific way to act "mature." The very thought of someone saying that one acts mature makes me want to point at the one who said it and laugh at him/her all day. Maturity itself doesn't exist, as it is endlessly subjective in nature. The best definition of maturity I can come up with, as general as it may be, is the capacity of a person to successfully learn from experiences. People who rarely make the same mistake twice are considered mature, in my book. I'm talking about every possible mistake you could make... from something you shouldn't have said, or for taking the wrong method in accomplishing a task, to wish for something that you now regret, to procrastinate for a test. I guess maturity also involves seeing ones mistakes, and accept them rather than give excuses to their existence. Oh well, that's what I think.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]OMG, they destroyed him... they destroyed Hyoga. He's a rough, non-childish character... and he was made to look like a dumb teenage brat in today's episode. No, no... America did it to my Dragon Ball... don't let it happen to Saint Seiya, plz thx k. :( Radical Edward: The following things are VERY wrong with it: - The opening and closing themes and animation were changed completely. - The background music and sound effects were all changed. I can't tell if the Pegasus scream is from the original show, though. - The dialogue has been given a complete, horrendous makeover, and this problem is the worst, not only because of its own flaws, but because it also damages the voice acting. They seem to have gone down the same path FUNimation took Dragon Ball Z. There are phrases like, "Dude, you are about to get frosted," and "Are you like, ready to say Uncle?" that not only sound retarded, but simply do not fit with the tone or the time of the show. It comes off as ridiculous. - The voice acting and cast is TERRIBLE. Hyoga, the "frosty dude," is nothing like he's currently being portrayed. His voice doesn't even suit him. Heck... in Mexico he was voiced by the same guy who did Vegeta for DBZ. You can pretty much guess the changes in that department. I'm scared of what they'll do to Ikki and Shura. - The show's real name in "Saint Seiya," and the girl you know as "Siena" or something is actually named "Saori." I have NO idea why they changed that last one.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]I read the first two issues a couple of days ago, after having it being recommended by Fate. It looks promising, and the "Doppelganger Ninja Centerfold" technique made me laugh out loud.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]The dubbing is terrible, because the voice acting is horribly overdone and the script is aimed at kids under 3 years old (The translated one). Seriously, "He's loud, he's proud, he's [insert name] the Bear!" The soundtrack was also changed for Cartoon Network, but yeah... I've seen it all and it's arguably the best fighting anime around. You've only seen 2 episodes... out of over a 100... be patient.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue][url]http://ps2.ign.com/articles/437/437927p1.html[/url][/color][/font] [font=arial]Mega Man Anniversary Collection Announced Almost every original MM title ever released plus new stuff? Where do we sign up? September 12, 2003 - In what can only be described as "the announcement that has made our Friday", Capcom Entertainment revealed today that it plans on releasing a new compilation disc in celebration of Mega Man's 15th birthday. Entitled Mega Man Anniversary Collection, this new anthology set will collect Mega Man 1 through 8 in a single package in addition to two arcade titles never before released in the U.S., Mega Man: The Power Battle and Mega Man: The Power Fighters. "The Mega Man Anniversary Collection pays tribute to the brainchild behind this multimillion unit selling franchise, Keiji Inafune, and the original games that he created," said Todd Thorson, director of marketing, Capcom Entertainment. "It gives gamers, who have not experienced the Mega Man phenomenon, an opportunity to play the titles that redefined the platform genre." Apparently based on the Japanese-only PlayStation re-releases, Mega Man 1 through 8 will also boast updated soundtracks, additional artwork, original television commercials, anime segments, producer interviews, and various information pertaining to the series' history. Power Battles and Power Fighters are fighting/action titles first released in Nippon arcades nearly eight years ago. The Mega Man Anniversary Collection will be released for Sony's PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube in February 2004. Expect us to keep you updated on this one as more becomes available -- we can't wait. -- IGNPS2[/font] [font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]I'm almost shedding tears of happiness. Seriously.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]Spanish is my first language, so it's expected that I speak it fluently. I was born in the U.S. but raised in Venezuela, which is something I'm very thankful for. I came to visit America almost every summer. Thanks to these visits and my liking for video games and American television I learned to speak the language. After graduating from high school I moved to Florida and ended up perfecting the language. I new tongue I'd want to speak? Japanese.[/color][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms][color=darkblue]Well, I've seen a lot of anime, the majority being stuff that Americans are just getting to see for the first time, and I can completely assure you that Trigun is one of the best anime series ever made. It may lack in animation quality, but the series itself is one of the most cleverly executed ones around. First of all, its transition from being a comedy/action series to a drama/action is outstanding. Comedic moments are [i]truly hilarious[/i], yet they fit perfectly well with the atmospheric tension of each episode. Sure, you may think Cowboy Bebop is a similar example, but Bebop is broken up in stories, and the comedic value of them can only be found in a comedy-intended or lighthearted episode. There was never a moment where laughter was included during heavy scenes, and understandably so... pulling off something like making you laugh out loud in an intensified, plot-driven episode and then magically pulling you back into the seriousness of the situation is virtually impossible. Trigun achieved it smoothly... again, again and again. Trigun's enviable uniqueness is also accomplished thanks to its main character, Vash The Stampede. It's amazing how an audience can relate to such an unrealistic character. You won't find a single Vash in this world. Not a single one... yet people can relate to him, care about him, and defend his controversial views on people, life and death. A character completely determined to not kill anyone, in an understandable yet unexplainable way unlike that of Himura Kenshin from Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X. He simply won't kill, and he's deeply saddened, like a child, when it occurs. The fact that he's an excellent "fighter" in the Western sense, he chooses to go for peace. Even his desire to not allow anyone to die serves as a subliminal message to the viewer in allowing them to be shocked and saddened when death does occur in the story. An anime show's, or any entertainment media for that matter, greatness lies in the strength of the connection it serves with its audience. Then we have the opposite, the EXACT opposite... Knives. Both characters show the extremes of the human heart without presenting themselves as either cheesy or repetitive (Which cannot be said for the countless other anime with "Good vs. Evil" themes.) It draws you in like only a few stories would. All its elements fit and work together to deliver a pleasant yet emotional experience; and this is coming from a guy who: a) Grew up with Mexican-dubbed anime (As perfect as dubbing/voice acting can be. America/England/Canada aren't getting near them in quality, and it doesn't look like they will for a very long time.) b) Is biased AGAINST English-speaking dubbing. c) Watches all his anime in Japanese audio with subtitles. d) Has watched Trigun ONLY in Cartoon Network.[/color][/font]