Sunday Roundup: 3/9/14

New Games (3-9-14)This week’s Sunday Roundup has been long overdue, with all of the games actually coming into my collection prior to last Sunday. But, seeing as I was busy with work and a multitude of other tasks last week, I wasn’t able to get it written until today. Nonetheless, there are eight games here spanning seven systems. I kind of like it when they’re all for different systems: it’s like spreading out the wealth amongst the lonely consoles. And whenever I can procure a GameCube game I feel even better about the purchase!


50 Cent Bulletproof Cover50 Cent: Bulletproof
PS2
Release Date: November 17th, 2005
Purchased at: 8-Bit Gamers (Santa Clara, CA – $5)

The goofiness of this game is what really drove me to it. That, and have Jett at In Third Person actually rave about the sequel, Blood on the Sand, for the Xbox 360 being a blast. The original here on the PS2 isn’t as good apparently, but for the price I couldn’t pass up a video game starring a rapper that vaguely tells the true life events of getting shot nine times and living to tell the tale.

Apocalypse CoverApocalypse
PS1
Release Date: October 31st, 1998
Purchased at: 8-Bit Gamers (Santa Clara, CA – $4)

When a game stars a real world celebrity (Or rapper in the case of the above entry), I am instantly more interested in the concept. Apocalypse is a third-person shooting/action game that stars Bruce Willis. I think the best part of the game is that it capitalizes on the concept of Bruce Willis by putting him in ridiculous action scenarios, using huge guns, blowing all kinds of stuff up, and in general being badass. To make it even better, the game is supposed to be pretty fun!

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat CoverDonkey Kong: Jungle Beat
GameCube
Release Date:
March 14th, 2005
Purchased at: 8-Bit Gamers (Santa Clara, CA – $8)

I can only think of three games on the GameCube off the top of my head that utilize the DK Bongos. It shouldn’t be surprising that all three games star the big ape Donkey Kong. Jungle Beat saw a re-release on the Wii, but I was more than delighted to see it for a reasonable $8 on the shelf. I’d much rather be beating physical toy bongos than fake toy bongos to control a gorilla flying through a jungle dodging ninja gorillas any day!

*Upon further research, there are actually only three games to utilize the DK Bongos in North America: Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, Donkey Konga, and Donkey Konga 2. Hooray for owning the complete DK Bongos library!

Dr Muto CoverDr. Muto
PS2
Release Date: November 19th, 2002
Purchased at: 8-Bit Gamers (Santa Clara, CA – $4)

A super early PS2 adventure game, Dr. Muto was a title I kept looking at on the shelf during the PS2’s heyday but never got around to purchasing. There were plenty of other, better adventure games on the system. But jump to 2014 and I’ve finally secured a copy for myself. Now, if I can just track down a copy of Mister Mosquito I’ll be set for the “PS2 Games I Passed On” category.

Guilty Gear Judgment CoverGuilty Gear Judgment
PSP
Release Date: September 5th, 2006
Purchased at: 8-Bit Gamers (Santa Clara, CA – $6)

PSP games, at least the quality ones I’m still looking for, are getting harder and harder to come by. With that in mind, and the fact that $6 isn’t too bad a price, I picked up Guilty Gear Judgment for the Sony handheld. Interestingly the game isn’t just a port of the original Guilty Gear like I had previously thought: It’s two games; a port of Guilty Gear XX Reload and a brand new game, Guilty Gear Judgment. The latter of the two is a departure for the fighting game series, as it is a side scrolling beat ’em up featuring the GG roster. Pretty snazzy, right?

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy CoverProfessor Layton and the Azran Legacy
3DS
Release Date: February 28th, 2014
Purchased at: Amazon (Online – $30)

Breath… Breath… Breath…

It’s the last Layton game in the series! Ugh, how am I going to go on with out Luke and Layton in my life?! Anyway, being about 10 hours deep into the game so far I can say I’m liking it a lot, the game has actually managed to incorporate StreetPass in a semi-meaningful way, and it feels a lot better than Miracle Mask. You can expect a full review of the game soon.

Tales of Symphonia ChroniclesTales of Symphonia Chronicles
PS3
Release Date: February 25th, 2014
Purchased at: Target (Sunnyvale, CA – $40)

Even though the GameCube was my system of choice during the sixth generation (I didn’t get a PS2 until a few years after the initial release) I never managed to play Tales of Symphonia, the system’s most revered RPG and the most talked about entry in the respected series. Bundled with the Wii sequel, Tales of Symphonia Chronicles on the PS3 is a great package that I’ve been truly enjoying the past few weeks. Stay tuned for a full review shortly!

Witchs Wish CoverWitch’s Wish
DS
Release Date: May 25th, 2010
Purchased at: Amazon (Online – $6)

I’m not sure if I ever made mention of this, but Laura inspired me a long time ago to start a Pinterest account. While I’m not into pinning recipes and DIY projects (although Laura is) I have come to use the site for pinning all sorts of video games! I pin exclusively from Amazon, so it showed me a few different games I never knew about, including Witch’s Wish. Every now and then I take a look at my wishlists, hoping games will be on sale, and lo and behold this week one of them was. Welcome to the family!

Laters,
Jsick

DownStab has been a personal endeavor of mine for many years. Please enjoy the content and let me know if you have questions, comments, or just want to connect. And as always, game on.

– Jason J

Original blue and red Nintendo Switch controllers
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