Despite over 95% of the gaming population going crazy over Grand Theft Auto IV I have been obsessing over Mario Kart. Since the first installment on the SNES, every Nintendo system to date has had a release of Mario Kart on it including four on the consoles, two portable games, and even two arcade games and now with this eighth installment they have yet to disappoint.
Mario Kart Wii
I recently picked up Mario Kart for the Wii. I got it after GTA 4 so I haven't played it as much as I'd like to have. I admit for a self-proclaimed Nintendo fangirl I was not excited at all about this game. I have become somewhat jaded with Nintendo and their remarkable ability to re-hash the same thing over and over again, each time with a bigger price tag. I was expecting to rant on it about how similar it was to the other versions, mainly Mario Kart 64. Simply put, I was wrong. Starting with the very first race I was into the game.
Like everyone else on my Xbox Live buddy list (except for the one guy playing Viva Pinata) I am completely hooked and dangerously addicted to GTA 4. Seriously, you would think they would start to run out of ideas, I mean how do you make an already record breaking game even better?! Rockstar obviously has the answers.
Grand Theft Auto IV
Contrary to what you are thinking --no I am NOT talking about the ever so talked about Grand Theft Auto IV nor am I talking about Mario Kart. On my little mini-vacation that I took to Tallahassee this past weekend me and the boyfriend went to buy our tickets for none other than Iron Man --awesome movie and I can't wait till 09'!-- we walked around the mall for a bit which was a bad idea for me because I'm on somewhat of a budget right now lol.
Well we OF COURSE came across the ever so famous GameStop..now I haven't really bought that many games from Gamestop..mainly because I can get them at work and get a discount on both new and used...but I decided to stop in and look around for a bit. Not a good idea for a gamer on a budget lol..I ended up walking out with three games --all of them used and in PERFECT condition at that =]-- for my DS and PSP because my handhelds despite the fact that I love them dearly just don't get enough gaming attention..I always end up getting games for my X360, Wii or PS2 (no 3 yet..working on it!) so I decided to spoil them for a change, plus it was a Buy 2 Get One Free on used games/accessories so hell why not?.
SPOILER ALERT!!!
If I could sum up my review of this movie in one word it would be, awesome. The first of the summer blockbusters burst onto the screen with amazing special effects, hilarious one liners, great sound effects and cinematography and the incredibly handsome Robert Downey, Jr.
One of the concerns I always have about movies based on games or comics has to do with the inability to stay true to the story line. In my opinion, special effects and animation technology is finally catching up with the creative genius that keeps people interested in comic book heroes and stories. The Iron Man movie stayed very true to the story line of the comic books and was able to incorporate great touches, like the theme music from the animated series. The casting was also done quite well, with Obadiah Stane and Tony Stark especially.
Iron Man
So I'm always writing notes to my parents that they don't really understand, using references that us gaming genre DO. Either way, the notes usually work, because my parents realize that I am a strange child, and this is just the way I communicate.
Since I make a ton of notes for them, I've decided to share the epicness with you all, one each week, to people that will actually get, and appreciate them... So I've been DYING for Chinese food for months, we only get it like twice a year and I'm so broke right now, I can't buy for myself... Therefore, I must ask the parentals!
I know everyone is so hyped up and excited over Grand Theft Auto IV and Mario Kart but those aren't the only games out there. I have actually been watching my boyfriend play some of the old games from the GameCube: Tales of Symphonia and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.
I know many gamers aren't "watchers" when it comes to video games. You like to actually be the one playing and you get so frustrated when the person who is playing makes a mistake that you think you could have avoided. But I personally LOVE to just watch people play games sometimes...especially role-playing games because then I could be the one concentrating on this intriguing story line while someone else is doing the hardcore battling and character leveling. Now I am an RPG nut..but I have never played either Tales of Symphonia OR Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles..mainly because I didn't get my GameCube until last year lol (I'm a collector of consoles what can I say?).
So this last Sunday, I attended the most exciting exhibit of the year (in my hometown) -
The Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo. It's no San Diego Comic Con, but it was 15 minutes from home, and absolutely satisfying...
The expo was packed with tons of actors, such as: Matthew Wood: Voice of General Grevievous in Star Wars. Kevin Sorbo: Hercules in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, and Xena Warrior Princess. Tricia Helfer: Best known from her role as Cylon Number 6 in Battlestar Galactica. George Takei: helmsman Hikaru Sulu from the original Star Trek, to name a few.
So today I, like many, spent a good portion of my day playing Grand Theft Auto. I haven't gotten very far, only 10 gamer points, but I did get some Warm Coffee and that's what counts. So I wanted to give you my impressions so far. The hardest thing about the game I've realized is controlling your car. I am not a good driver in real life, and I guess that transfers over into gaming as well. I am starting to get the hang of it though. Another thing I don't like is how little of Liberty City is capable of interacting with. Other then those two things I am completely loving it. I just got a pistol and not to brag, but I'm a good shot. So I'm having lots of fun with it so far.
How bout you though?
Anyone have the same problems with driving as I do?
Tell me your thoughts.
And if your one of the people who haven't pick it up this game, then I have great news for you. Tonight on The Game Show, the show I co-host, we are giving away a free copy of GTA on the system of your choice. So tune into TheStream.tv @ 10pm pst/1am est, see you there!!!
*Update: Last night's show was dedicated to GTA 4, if you missed it check it here. The Game Show - Grand Theft Awesome
Watch This Episode on www.theStream.tv
I must introduce my list by emphasizing the word 'inspired.' As many movie-going gamers know, the majority of the video game based movies take so many liberties that it is the basis for the most common critique. That being stated, I am not going to say it over and over again. In addition, there are so few good movies inspired by video games that my favorite 7 (read: 8 ... remember, my lucky number is 8) are all rolled up in a neat package because the most successful ones had sequels. What are your favorites?
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The Game Girls (6)
- Review: Wii-Mario Kart
- My review on the addictive game that is Mario Kart.
- http://www.gamegirl.com/article/77973/review-wii-mario-kart/
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