Kinda old for people who follow me in the VG forum, but it's still a hoot.

I really just got bored of my last blog post so, eh...

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Archive

#01 Favorite Sonic games
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This Top 10 took a minute to decide one, but now I've come to a conclusion, this Top 10 will be.......
My favorite (non Sonic) classic video games.
If you would like to suggest a top 10 for me to do, please say so, I really have no good idea for one.

Number 10
Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64)
Man, I remember seeing this commercial and got exited out of my mind, not only because it was Mario, who was a healthy alternative from Sonic, but it was Mario in full 3D, which was a brand new thing at the time. Seeing anything in full animated 3D graphics was a thrill to even look at, imagine my anticipation to play it, this game was the reason I wanted a 64 (I never got one). I've played it however, plenty of times too, in fact, Super Mario 64 is my most frequent played Mario game ever, I've played it too many times, I really don't like the game anymore, but something always drags me back to it, and that's why it makes the list, because no matter how much I'll hate it, I'll still love it.

Number 9
Aladdin (Sega Genesis, Amiga, MS-DOS, NES, SNES, Game Boy and Game Boy Color)
As the link implies, I'm referring to the Genesis version, the SNES was inferior and I never played any other port. Now that that's out of the way, time to dive in a great game for the Genesis, a fair amount of difficulty and entertainment, this game was one that had you coming back. The music is pretty damn good, and the gameplay had it's innovation. I remember playing this game all the time, because the difficulty skyrockets by the 5 and 6th level, but it's so addicting to play. This is really the kind of game, you have to play to appreciate, this was back when Disney was still worth something, nowadays, you may not enjoy it too much, but for those who have played it in the 90s, they'll agree with me that this game has aged nicely.

Number 8
Marvel vs Capcom (Arcade, Sega Dreamcast, PlayStation)
Yeah, this game made it, but why so low? Because I never got good at it, at least, not as good as my friends, whew, nowhere near. If you know me, you've heard me talk about how I suck at fighting games, but I can't stop playing them, well this is that sort of situation. Crossover games/comics/tv episodes were all the rage in the 90s and Capcom cashed out on it, prequel to what is considered the greatest fighting game of all time. And I liked it, despite my deficiency of skill, it's always fun to play, picking Spiderman and Chun li, and whipp'n ass with them? Get out! That was great, although any game with Chun li in it is worth playing.

Number 7
X-Men 2: Clone Wars (Sega Genesis)
Another game that made you proud to own a Genesis, X-Men 2 was simply gold, I remember my cousin had it, and I wanted it so bad too, and fortunately, I did, and I played it forever, the game is brutally difficult for a kid to play, and even older, the game gives out a tough ass challenge, I've only managed to beat it without cheats once. That's to say this game has also aged well. It's 2 players too, so you can get a friend to join the action, which would be better in some stages, while in others, it really gets in the way, however with a friend it is more fun overall, you get to help each other out and stuff, boss fights gets a whole lot easier, and surviving become less of a burden as well, assuming both players are experienced to an extent, if one is a noob, then they'll always hold you back and eventually die. They make good enemy fodder though.

Number 6
Streets of Rage (Sega Genesis)
One of the first successful beat-em-ups, Streets of Rage was the only game of it's series I've physically owned, I got 2 and 3 in a collection game, that being said, despite the other Streets of Rage games being really fun, this one has a sentimental charm to it, looking back it's a whole lot harder than 2 and almost as merciless as 3, I like how you can call the cops and they come in with weapons of mass destruction to take the bad guys out. That's really excessive! But I guess something is needed to balance out the implausibility of beating criminals to death with your bare hands, old games are really violent.....

Number 5
Super Mario World (SNES)
Even through all the Sonic hype I was going through, there were a few Mario games that really caught my interest, this was one of them, in fact, this game was the first video game I recall seeing, even before Sonic. I originally wanted a Super Nintendo, because of this game, but my mom got me a Genesis, because she couldn't find a SNES, which I'm thankful for--old Sonic games rock. But still, Super Mario World left a mark on my childhood, it got me into video games, and it was the only reason I ever wanted a SNES, however, this game has not aged well for me, but back as a kid, this game was like an unreachable star, and it held a similar charm, the memories don't flood back like it does for other games, but without this game, there probably wouldn't be any memories to have flooding.

Number 4
Super Mario Bros. (NES)
I wouldn't be a true retro gamer if this game didn't make it. I--like anyone else of my time--had this game, and played it forever, with the abundance of warpzones, enemies and secret passageways, this is a family/friends classic, nowadays, it sucks playing alone, grab some friends and either go 2 players or take turns, it'll be a blast.
Everything else is self explanatory.

Number 3
Ranger X (Sega Genesis)
A game so obscure, there isn't even a wiki article for it, but some of the most obscure games are also the best, this game is no exception, if you like giant mech games, then find/buy/download Ranger X. Featuring great graphics, even for the Genesis, great gameplay and a not-so-bad soundtrack. This game has aged greatly for me, and I still enjoy it, it had a great, but fair level of challenge to it as well, again, one of those games that you have to play to truly appreciate, Ranger X deserves this spot well.

Number 2
Contra: Hard Corps (Sega Genesis)
Easily one of the best Contra games in the series and trounces Contra 3 in the dirt, Hard Corps took an original turn to the series and added multiple weapon choices, non linear stage progression, cutscenes and character selection--to name a few. Another game that made you proud to be a Genesis owner, with hardcore third person shooting at it's finest. There really isn't much to say, this game hasn't aged at all, I still fucking love it.

Number 1
Jet Grind Radio (Sega Dreamcast)
This one takes the cake, and I really don't know why, when I decided to make this list, I instantly decided that this would take the number 1 spot. The best and last parts of my classic video game era was spent with this game, I played it all the time, despite it's straightforwardness, I always found new ways to do whatever with whoever. I love this game and I wish Sega would make another game using this base (not the sequel).
Cube and Gum are still hot.

http://www.mediafire.com/syst3merror

Oh my....

Yeah...

I.....I'll be right back.

You heard me.

I'll be honest, I prefer light, but I use fab from time to time for fun.
I remember people wanting me to go back to Fab when I changed back to Light some time ago.

Which do you prefer for me to have?
Light or Fab, or suggest a different one.

Chaos Sonic Chapter 1 and 2 both lacked sounds amongst other things, so I've been searching.

I've came across a few of these sites, just to archive them and/or leave them for someone else to use.

http://www.entertonement.com/
http://www.stonewashed.net/sfx.html
http://www.audiosparx.com/sa/
http://www.therecordist.com/pages/down loads.html
http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/
http://www.audionetworkplc.com/sound-e ffects

Paying for Sound effects are for suckers. No copyright, no profit. They're called royalty free for a reason.

I'll be doing a Top Ten series as well, because as much as I like to bitch, I like to confide in people with non vital information about what I prefer out of my preferences.
Today, we have my Top 10 favorite Sonic games, dated up to 2008, I never played Black Knight.

If I had a number 11, it would be Sonic Triple Trouble (Game Gear).

Other games that didn't make it, but came close.
in no order
Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis)
Sonic Heroes (Gamecube, Playstation2 and Xbox)
Sonic Rush (Nintendo DS)
Sonic Advance (Game Boy Advance)
Knuckles' Chaotix (32x Genesis add-on)
Sonic CD (Sega CD Genesis add-on)

Number 10
Sonic Chaos (Game Gear and Master System)
A really addictive game of 8 Bit Sonic done right, not that I'm saying that Sonic 1 and 2 on the Master System/Game Gear were bad, but this one was far more enjoyable and still offered a pretty solid challenge, the game play wasn't bad either, it was traditional to it 8 bit predecessors, 2 acts with a boss act at the end, except here there were hidden rings that you could collect to keep you in the fight, whereas Sonic 1 and 2 the boss act supplied you with no rings at all. Tails was also playable in this game and he was just as fun as Sonic, who has a standing version of the spindash, which was never in any Genesis game for some reason, it was in each Sonic game on the Master System/Game Gear starting with this one, and was in Sonic CD, it was a great feature, although pointless compared to the spindash, the novelty of it was rewarding enough.
It was significant for it's insignificance.

Number 9
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis/Mega Drive)
I may get some ugly faces for adding this game so low in the countdown, for this game is an all time favorite to most people who know Sonic, even those who hate him in the modern day, Sonic 2 was a good game, but it's appeal on me was not as heavy as it is on most others, story-wise, the game was pretty damn epic and served as a back story to an even more epic game, and consistency in these times are wonderful, not alot of old school games has such a deep and compelling story that spans across two/three games, of course back then the story was cut and dried for me, stop Robotnik, the end. But now, looking back, that game was pretty in depth. So why is it so low in the countdown? The gameplay, it wasn't awful or anything, but it was Sonic with a spin dash, that was it. Then there was Tails, who always either got in the way or just plain made things worse. In Boss fights, he would end up hitting the boss, making me go right through him, which in some stages was the difference between life and death. He fucked up alot in special stages, eventually preventing me from getting the Chaos Emerald. I know there is the option of choosing Sonic only, but that makes it feel empty and as if I didn't get the full experience. It a hard case of picking my poison, which is why I don't play that game as often as others.

Number 8
Sonic Adventure 2/Battle (Dreamcast and Gamecube)
This was a pretty epic game, introducing an anti hero, Shadow the Hedgehog, this was back when he was a mysterious badass with an exclusive power instead of an emo with a power that others seem to be able to use for some reason, oh and working for the government. His voice was perfectly captured as well, before Jason Griffith raped it blind along with Sonic's. Then there was Rouge, you don't have to be a furry to acknowledge that she was easy on the eyes, another character who's voice was later raped by a 4kids union voice actor, the game play was core with the Sonic Adventure series, thus it felt traditional and had more of what the first game had, except and Adventure Field/Overworld. The difficulty was pretty nice and to me at least, the soundtrack was pretty badass, for all characters, except for Rouge's stages. It was also the birth of one of the most memorable Sonic themes next to His World, Live and Learn, which even non fans know of it's badassitry. Some people acknowledge this game as Sonic 3D done right, but that is debatable amongst others people.

Number 7
Tails Adventure (Game Gear)
Believe it or not, there was a Sonic game before Chronicles that was an rpg, that would be the Game Gear masterpiece, Tails Adventure, chronologically, immediately before Sonic 2 on the Genesis, or before Tails met Sonic. His forest was attacked by evil ducks or some shit like that, and Tails tends to them with Bombs and other items that he acquires in the game, he levels up every time he finds a Chaos Emeralds, and his HP increased by 10, this game is also proof that Tails' mechanical genius was not tacked on in Sonic Adventure, for he has a little buddy robot that transforms into a submarine and is also an environment scouter, pretty handy, he (Tails) also has a workshop where you can exchange between items and submarine weapons, the game is pretty epic and cannot be completed in one sitting. It has a surprising amount of depth for an 8-bit game on a handheld console. And if you can get into it, it's a blast to play, nice boss fights, pretty interesting areas, and not a bad soundtrack. Definitely one of those games that every Sonic fan should play, but shamefully does not.

Number 6
Sonic Advance 2 (Game Boy Advance)
One of my cherished preteen/early teenager games, Sonic Advance 2 was a game that I was never in the mood not to play, I remember getting it May/June of 03 from graduation (from 8th grade) money given by my grandmother, and from there I played this game every day until my Game Boy Advance broke, which was around late July early August, I eventually got a DS and bought the game again and enjoyed it since, the game was fun, had a badass soundtrack, exhilarating gameplay, it was fantastic, there isn't all that much left to say, I loved it, more than Sonic Advance 1. 3 May have been better than 2, but 2 left a mark on my childhood that I don't want gone, it gains points for nostalgia.

Number 5
Sonic 3D Blast (Genesis and Sega Saturn)
I got this game Christmas of 96, and I was hyped out of my mind. The game was great and from there, because of such fond memories, this game is absolutely perfect to play during the Christmas season. An esoteric tradition that I do every year, again, great soundtrack, gameplay, professionally speaking, could have been better, but it doesn't ruin the experience. This game gains huge nostalgic points for being a great game given to me on frigg'n Christmas!

Number 4
Sonic Shuffle (Dreamcast)
Just about the most underrated Sonic game next to Sonic Unleashed, Sonic Shuffle was a great game, plain and simple, I never saw it as a Mario Party ripoff, as I never played a Mario Party game until the latest installment of it on the Gamecube, which I hated. Sonic Shuffle was a game that required a deep sense of strategy, as the AI is brutal, even on Easy mode, the game play is pretty epic and long to say the least, the mini games were fun, the Sonic Adventure references were cool, in my opinion and was a welcome addition to my Dreamcast collection. The soundtrack sounds just fine to an 11 year old, gameplay was solid enough to keep a person interested. I think the reason people hated this game so much was the sole reason that it was apparently Sega's answer to Mario Party, once you look past that, the game is pretty awesome, especially with 4 human players going at it.

Number 3
Sonic Adventure/DX: Directors Cut (Dreamcast and Gamecube)
Talk about a die hard fan's wet dream, being overshadowed by Mario and Sony, a new Sonic game was what we needed, and Sonic Adventure came entirely out of nowhere, like a ninja in the dead of the night, it was spectacular. I remember being a kid, around 9 or 10 years old, going to a Best Buy, then spotting a giant Sonic statue to the left, and running for it.
I then layed eyes on Sonic Adventure for the first time, it was the most mind blowing thing ever. I recall some asshole in the VG forum saying that Sonic games were never high in the graphical department, well, clearly, he was an idiot, because Sonic Adventure was the first home console game with 124 bit graphics, twice the amount of the 64. Not that graphics were/are everything, but it is in fact an asset to increasing the gameplay experience, nowadays, graphics is all stock, it doesn't do too much, but back then, when you're used to scratchy outlines and shapes and botched textures, seeing a game in crisp 3D format was amazing to say the least, Sonic Adventure left a large impression on that subject, I remember finally getting my Dreamcast, and that game, I played it forever, loved every bit of it up and down, it had so much depth and love put into it, it was a middle finger to Super Mario 64 and Crash Bandicoot, who was Sony's mascot before they scrapped him in favor of appealing to the mature audience. I loved that game and still still do love it to this day, I'll start a new file just to relive the moments again.

Number 2
Sonic Unleashed (Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintento Wii and Playstation 2)
Before anyone asks, I am referring to the superior versions, namely the Xbox 360 version.
This game is pure gold. For me, a person who didn't mind most 3D games was completely astonished by this game, it had some of the best graphics seen on the 360, gripping gameplay, a great soundtrack, and overall, a wonderful experience. The Werehog levels were actually fun, although paled in comparison to the Daytime stages. There was a clear amount of love put into this game, which sucks, because it was thrown to the gallows like the rest of the 3D titles. I have minor problems with the game, but they in no way alter the experience that it provides. It's a shame that other people haven't tried this game out, it's great! My friend even said after looking at the gameplay that the daytime makes the nighttime seem bearable, and I agree, although the Nighttime was fun, the Daytime should be why anyone would buy the game, it's a must play kind of game experience.
Sadly underrated, but in complete honesty, a step in the right direction for Sonic, if they used this as a based for upcoming games, got rid of the Werehog and focused on the daytime gameplay, it just could very well save Sonic's reputation. Let hope Sega doesn't botch it up.

Number 1 favorite!
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (Genesis)
Remember when I said Sonic 2 was a back story to an even more epic story, this is it.
Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles, smacked into one wonderfully long epic tales of epicness that in my opinion trumps anything that the SNES could offer. If you had this game, you had bragging rights. The gameplay has been touched up from Sonic 2, more, longer stages, and other great things added in. Mind blowing Soundtrack, great songs up and down, nice graphics, great gameplay, my favorite Sonic game ever, and for good reason. I loved this game so much, that in the 5th grade, I made a comic strip series themed off of this game that spanned up to 200 comics that were at the least 5-7 pages long, rarely they were 4 or 8. No lie, I'm dead serious. I love this game so much that during the same time span I wrote two stories about 20+ pages front and back based on this game. I love this game so much, that early 9th grade I made another comic that followed the game's story much more accurately, I made 2, one for Knuckles' story, and one for Sonic and Tails, each one telling a tale of epicness. I used lined notebooks about 70 pages and I filled them up front and back, I was such a great Sonic artist that most people swore up and down that I traced.
I am not exaggerating, I love this game, it gets the vote for my favorite video game period, let alone my favorite Sonic game.

And there are my top 10 favorite Sonic games, I'll be doing more top 10s in the future, so be on the look out!

Serious post. I will ban upon insensitive comments if I don't know you like that.

So, eariler today I was sent to head to the store, I go, handle my business, I come back and three little kids come running my way. Not really the type to deal with other people's kids, I quietly ask what they wanted.

Apparently, their dogs killed my cat.

"Ah dammit!" was the first thought, but the only thing that left my mouth was "hm...Sucks."

So I walk home, already mourning my kitty. I get home and hear the whole story.
My niece opened the door and the cat, always eager to run outside, did just so. Coincidentally, the neighbor's dogs dug a hole through their back yard fence and caught eyes on my cat. Somehow they caught her and she was found being tugged and mauled by them.
My cat is not very big by the way, she's small for her age.
So she was retrieved back into the house, no external damage, but she wasn't looking too hot. She sat down, got up, walked around a bit, then layed down near the steps, where she never got back up.
I was told this after finding out that my dead cat was still inside the house.
So, I dug her a grave and gave a farewell prayer.

My sister is pissed and is trying to sue the neighbors whose dogs killed our cat.

That cat lived with us for about a year, and was the replacement of Winky, our last cat, who ironically was killed by the very same dogs. She--like Winky-- became apart of the family, we loved her, took care of her, played with her, she clearly held affection for us. She wasn't the smartest of cats, and she was really hyperactive, but that was a charm that we all accepted. I was just playing with her the night before, it really does suck that she's gone.
She was pregnant too, she was just starting to show a few days ago, didn't really changed how she was.
We lost Xander and potentially 3-5 kittens at once.
I'm still mourning, it's weird. I've never mourned over a cat like this, there's a lump in my throat and I try to listen to more "happy" sounding songs to keep my mind off her. I look around the house and remember watching her scurry around the house, batting at random things, high on life, then shaking my head thinking to myself "Stupid ass cat", of course it was a term of endearment, but she wasn't very clever in all honesty.
That ruined my whole day.
I'll miss you Xander.
Goodbye.

I know it's a bit bland, but it's a Beta screen, I might make some adjustments.
I figured since it's getting warm again, I should at least start on the title screen.
Those 4 transparent items you see are the buttons in the order of (left to right, top to bottom) Play, Scenes, Characters, and "Xtras". They label when you highlight them.
I have music set up for it an everything.
I only wish I knew how to make it look more lively, like Chapter 2's title screen, it was epic!
I don't mean to gloat, but I was really proud of chp 2's title screen.
Now, I'm not ashamed, but I think I can do better...
Much better.
It'll come out in the wash I guess...