Sunday Roundup: 12/29/13

New Games (12-29-13)Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Being a child at heart, most of my Christmas lists are full of video games. Each and every year I am reminded how truly blessed I am to have so many caring, loving people in my life that want to bestow upon me such gifts. This year for Christmas I was given quite a few video games to add to my collection. Some I have been wanting for years now. Some I bought entire new systems just to play. And yet some are for systems from years past.


999 Cover999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors
DS
Release Date: November 16th, 2010
Purchased at: Christmas Gift!

Man, how long have I been waiting for this. After naming the 3DS sequel Virtue’s Last Reward as an honorable mention Game of the Year last year, my eyes were set on the first outing on the DS. Interesting factoid: this cover here is the re-release cover. The original cover, which is slightly cooler in my mind, shows the game’s cast as well as some alternate fonts. Have at it, collectors, and track down both!

Adventure Time Explore the Dungeon Because I DONT KNOW CoverAdventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON’T KNOW!
Xbox 360
Release Date: November 19th, 2013
Purchased at: Christmas Gift!

The first Adventure Time game based on the Cartoon Network animated series was short but sweet. The second game here promises to be a longer game rounded out with co-op multiplayer. I have debated about getting the 3DS collector’s edition as well, because I have the first game as a collector’s edition on the 3DS already, but the allure of Xbox Live support and easy access to friends to play with was too much to pass up. Thanks for the mathematical gift!

Barnyard Blast Swine of the Night CoverBarnyard Blast: Swine of the Night
DS
Release Date: February 22nd, 2008
Purchased at: Amazon (Online – $7)

For one reason or another, I came across a video discussing good bargain bin games. Swine of the Night was on the list, and I thought the combination of cowboy pigs, video game parody, and apparently decent controls and gameplay made for a game I should check out. I’ve been searching bargain bins ever since but without any luck. Finally, I noticed the game was somewhat cheap on Amazon this week so i finally picked it up.

Cartoon Network Racing CoverCartoon Network Racing
PS2
Release Date: November 28th, 2006
Purchased at: Fry’s Electronics (Santa Clara, CA – $3)

My very first time in a Fry’s Electronics proved quite the adventure! I didn’t know they would have an assortment of PS2 games, albeit used, for purchase! Cartoon Network Racing has no appeal to me other than being a cheap, complete, PS2 game. Huh… with Adventure Time this makes two Cartoon Network themed games this year…

Dragons Lair (DS) CoverDragon’s Lair
DS
Release Date: November, 2010
Purchased at: Fry’s Electronics (Santa Clara, CA – $8)

I splurged a bit on this one, setting me back a whole eight bucks! I didn’t know they even released the game on the DS, but here it is! Actually, the $8 price tag is pretty good for the game: I checked it out online and used complete copies go for somewhere around the $15-$20 range. So not a bad find at all in my book!

Everquest Online Adventures CoverEverquest Online Adventures
PS2
Release Date: February 11th, 2003
Purchased at: Fry’s Electronics (Santa Clara, CA – $3)

Hooray for games you can’t even play! Everquest Online Adventures is a PS2 version of the MMORPG Everquest on the PC. The console version was significantly altered to from the PC game, but it actually wasn’t that bad. I was able to play this game online when it came out way back in 2003. My brother had a copy of it and I remember going online and playing. It… wasn’t great, but it was still fun. Interestingly, the game’s servers went down in march of 2012! I thought it would have been much, much earlier. That’s a good 5 solid years after the release of the PS3!

Game and Wario CoverGame & Wario
Wii U
Release Date:
June 23rd, 2013
Purchased at: Christmas Gift!

We played this game at a demo station in GameStop awhile back and it was a complete blast! The games we played were challenging and fun, and left a wonderful impression on how awesome the GamePad could be. I am happy that I was given it as a gift this year, but since there were some other games on my list that I also got I haven’t gotten around to this one quite yet.

Heavenly Guardian CoverHeavenly Guardian
PS2
Release Date: February 26th, 2008
Purchased at: Fry’s Electronics (Santa Clara, CA – $3)

Heavenly Guardian is a strange case for me. I have had my eyes on the game for quite some time now, but for one reason or another I would never find it at a good price or in good condition. There is also a Wii version (which I have as well), but I have always wanted the PS2 version. I am more than happy to finally have the game in my collection, even though it’s in no way special or all that good.

House of the Dead Overkill CoverThe House of the Dead: Overkill
Wii
Release Date: February 10th, 2009
Purchased at: Christmas Gift!

Zombies, on-rails shooting, and cursing. What more could you want from a game? Haha, I am very excited to finally be able to sit down and play this one. I thought I remembered something about the game holding a record for dropping the most F-Bombs in a video game? Maybe it’s been beaten out since, but that’s pretty crazy. Especially for a Wii game, which could largely be considered a child-friendly console compared to the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Kid Icarus Uprising CoverKid Icarus: Uprising
3DS
Release Date: March 23rd, 2012
Purchased at: Christmas Gift!

Man, I was completely surprised to open this one up on Christmas morning! Kid Icarus: Uprising isn’t a particularly difficult game to find, but finding it complete with the big box, 3DS stand, and AR cards is quite the task. Laura’s mother bought the game for me brand-spanking new, so I don’t even have to worry about not having each piece! Seriously, out of all the games I received this year, this one was the biggest surprise!

Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds CoverThe Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
3DS
Release Date: November 22nd, 2013
Purchased at: Christmas Gift!

Oh my god, this game is awesome! There were two games that I wanted more than any other gift this year, and this game was one of them. A Link Between Worlds has been wonderful to me so far, full of nostalgic locales, beautiful musical scores, and a challenge and sense of adventure that the Zelda series is known for. I’m only a few dungeons in so far, but I can already see why so many are calling this game the best in the entire franchise!

LEGO Marvel Superheroes CoverLEGO Marvel Super Heroes
Xbox 360
Release Date:
October 22nd, 2013
Purchased at: Christmas Gift!

With the release of each new LEGO game I feel like they can’t really do anything better than the last. LEGO Batman 2 was awesome, giving a sort of Grand Theft Auto open-world feel to the game. How can they top that? Apparently by adding nearly every recognizable face from the Marvel comics universe into one video game, that’s how! Though Jett over at In Third Person isn’t too keen on it, I’m still expecting a great game out of this one!

Lord of the Rings Aragorns Quest CoverThe Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest
PS2
Release Date: September 14th, 2010
Purchased at: Fry’s Electronics (Santa Clara, CA – $3)

I have only heard negative things about this game. One that the gameplay was just meh; two that the game was too easy; and three that the game wasn’t all that good. But still, for just $3 I’ll buy pretty much anything. I mean it… even some of the crappiest games (which may very well include this one) are much more appealing if they are only a few dollars each! Protip: get a massive game collection fast by just picking up cheap games, regardless of quality. Haha, I’m kidding, that’d be terrible!

Lumines Plus CoverLumines Plus
PS2
Release Date:
February 27th, 2007
Purchased at: Fry’s Electronics (Santa Clara, CA – $3)

You know, people always consider the Lumines series, which started out on the original PSP, to be one of the better puzzle games out there. It combines music with simple puzzle gameplay, and while I have played it a do find it addictive and cool at times, it just doesn’t quite do it for me. Regardless, having Lumines Plus on the PS2 is a neat addition to the game library for sure.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (3DS) CoverMonster Hunter 3 Ultimate
3DS
Release Date: March 19th, 2013
Purchased at: Christmas Gift!

Oh man! After narrowly purchasing the Wii U version of the game I am quite happy to finally have my hands on the 3DS version of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate. Many 3DS friends of mine (real world friends as well as 3DS online friends) recommended the game to me, telling me I’d love the RPG aspects, but I never played it before. I don’t think it’s really a gamble to play this one without knowing anything about it, because I’m more than positive I’ll like it, but I’m wondering exactly what the game will be like.

Prince of Persia Forgotten Sands (DS) CoverPrince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
DS
Release Date: May 18th, 2010
Purchased at: Amazon (Online – $6)

One more Forgotten Sands game down, and just the PSP version to go! After discovering that each version of this game is slightly different on each console I’ve been on a quest to track down each and every version of the game. The DS game here is the latest addition to the library, and features unique 2D side scrolling gameplay and special attacks. Honestly I feel like the PSP version will be the hardest to find, but I’m up for the challenge!

SMT Devil Summoner Soul Hackers CoverShin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
3DS
Release Date: April 16th, 2013
Purchased at: Christmas Gift!

Huzzah! Another special edition 3DS game! Though special edition isn’t really special when I think every version of the game came like this. The game comes with a bonus soundtrack CD which I’m more than happy to have along with the game. For the SMT fans out there, Soul Hackers is a port of the once Japan exclusive Sega Saturn game Devil Summoner, and the only English translated version of the game out there.

Super Mario 3D World CoverSuper Mario 3D World
Wii U
Release Date: November 22nd, 2013
Purchased at: Christmas Gift!

The other game that was on the top of my Christmas list was Super Mario 3D World. Considering that this was the game that convinced me I needed to own a Wii U, you can say I was more than excited to open up this game. Thank you so much Laura, I absolutely love it! I’ve actually been able to play a few hours too, and I can say the game is a complete blast and easily one of the best Wii U games as well as one of the better Mario games out there. In terms of multiplayer gameplay, I think this surpasses New Super Mario Bros Wii/U.

Uncharted 3 CoverUncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
PS3
Release Date: November 1st, 2011
Purchased at: Christmas Gift!

Drake’s final (at least for now) chapter is finally mine to experience. After the insanely exciting and fun Uncharted 2: Among Thieves I was totally on board for the sequel. Though it isn’t said to be as good as Uncharted 2 it’s still a solid game on the PS3 and another classic by Naughty Dog. The Game of the Year edition here gives some bonus DLC as well!

Wonderful 101 CoverThe Wonderful 101
Wii U

Release Date: September 15th, 2013
Purchased at: Christmas Gift!

This one isn’t exactly my gift because it was given to Laura, but I thought I’d include it on this list anyway because I mean come on, it’s The Wonderful 101! Laura was able to play a quick demo of it while she was waiting for me to finish my demo of Knack on the PS4 (mini-review: it was just alright, but looked pretty), and she really liked how the game looked and played! One of her good friends bought it for her, and now we have another great Wii U game to play in 2014!

ZombiU CoverZombiU
Wii U
Release Date: November 18th, 2012
Purchased at: Christmas Gift!

A Wii U launch title, ZombiU has been a title I’ve wanted to play since the system’s release. Not really for the fact that it’s a Wii U exclusive, but because of how it handles the gameplay. Even when you’re in a menu, you can be attacked. I think the franticness of that combined with the danger of zombies (duh) makes for a unique outing.

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

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