Ratchet & Clank

The first time I played Ratchet & Clank was when I didn’t consider myself a gamer.  I would buy a console off the buy and sell ads for cheap, play the games it came with, and then sell the console right after.  During this period I must have played Ratchet & Clank because I always remembered how good it was.  But like I said, I wasn’t a gamer so I never beat the game and just sold the console right after.  Thankfully years later I came back to video games and I knew I had to have Ratchet & Clank in my collection.

As we’re currently celebrating the 20^th anniversary of this game (released on November 4, 2002), I decided to play it again.  This game feels like a N64 game such as Banjo-Kazooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day with their action platforming, comedy and puzzles.  It also has spaceship battles like the one’s found in Star Fox.  In fact some areas thoroughly impressed with what they were capable of doing back in 2002, such as walking up walls and upside down (similar to Super Mario Galaxy).  This game is near perfect, but my only complaint is that it requires some grinding to buy or upgrade certain weapons (thankfully you can remedy this with a lengthy cheat).  Other than that, this is a beautiful and fun game that every video game collector must own.

Ratchet & Clank Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratchet_%26_Clank_(2002_video_game)

Insomniac Games: https://insomniac.games/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fvf1E2DsAdA

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening: Dreamer Edition

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening: Dreamer Edition for the Nintendo Switch released on September 20, 2019.  The Dreamer Edition includes the game and an art book.  At the time I wasn't the biggest Link’s Awakening fan, nevertheless I was still excited to get this game because of the Nintendo Direct release trailer; which featured an anime video of Link being shipwrecked.  I bought the special edition the day it released and also the lone Link amiibo as well.

Flash forward years later, and I have played the game already and my opinion of the game has changed dramatically.  Initially I really hated the game because the maze like dungeons confused me a lot.  I can’t change my first impressions, however the real value of this game is the re-play.  And it’s in the re-play that I have fallen in love with this game.  Once you know what to do, and where to go you achieve a sort of buzz from the flow of the game.  Despite the updated graphics and console, the game still plays exactly the same as the original release; making this a bonafide timeless classic.  Link’s Awakening is now my favourite 2D Zelda game.

The Legend of Zelda: www.zelda.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nognSBwk9m0

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Continuing the long list of Wii U ports to the Switch is Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury.  But unlike other Wii U ports, this version comes with additional new content which is Bowser’s Fury; a new story where you get to help Bowser Jr.

This game released on February 12, 2021.  I usually wait until games go on sale to buy them, but because EB Games (Gamestop) was giving out a pre-order bonus (gold collector coin) I decided to buy it on release.  The gold coin is beautiful and comes with an image of cat Mario, or Super Meowrio (sorry bad joke).  I’m a fan of these kinds of pre-order bonuses so of course I’m happy with my purchase.

Nintendo: https://supermario3dworld.nintendo.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F--vwbrYypE

Luigi’s Mansion 3DS

When Nintendo announced that Luigi’s Mansion was going to be ported to the 3DS I was excited because I was a fan of the original game on the GameCube.  While the game was never a huge hit like a Mario or Zelda game, having it ported over to the 3DS meant Nintendo was still interested in the series and also in continuing the series with the announcement of the development of Luigi’s Mansion 3.  With the original being ported and developed to the 3DS by Grezzo meant more people could discover this hidden gem and have the fandom grow for this series.  Luigi’s Mansion for the 3DS released on October 12^th, 2018.

Luigi’s Mansion 3DS:

https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/luigis-mansion-3ds/

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/wq5t7FW5k7w

Luigi's Mansion GameCube

When the GameCube released back in 2001, I was not a video game fan.  I had other interests at the time such as school, dating, television and just exploring life in general.  I was basically disinterested in video games and felt I had moved on.  Thankfully this video game hiatus didn’t last long because when the GBA SP was released I came back to gaming.  The retro bug had hit me and I also used the subway a lot so I needed something to pass the time away.  Eventually I did get a Wii and I started to play the games I had missed out on over the years.

One of my most memorable games was Luigi’s Mansion.  Admittedly at first I was turned off by it because it had childish graphics in a time when shooters and mature games were the most popular.  I also hated the controls.  Thankfully I grew to appreciate and love the graphics and also cope with the controls.  It’s now become one of my favourite GameCube games and I look forward to Nintendo continuing the scary and spooky series.

Luigi Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luigi's_Mansion

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/MtfcL3t2i3o

Retro Unboxing: Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3

One of the best games for the original NES was Super Mario Bros. 3.  It took video games to the next level with its colorful graphics, fun game play, catchy tunes, and freedom to discover and replay multiple times.  It was basically the standard for many years for what a perfect game should be like.  I never thought it could get any better until I played the updated version on Game Boy Advance; which is called Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3.  Despite the confusing name, I actually prefer this version over the original because of the improved graphics and the portability the GBA offers.

While I was never a complete in box collector for video games, once I got back into gaming a few years ago I decided I had to have this game in my collection.  The beauty of this version is that it comes with a physical manual printed in color, awesome Nintendo inserts, and Bonus Level cards that will open up new levels when you scan them using an e Reader (the 2000’s version of an Amiibo).  This GBA release is the reason why I will always support physical games over digital.

Super Mario Advance Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Mario_Advance_4:_Super_Mario_Bros._3

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/4LyttMlwuiY

Lego City Undercover Wii U Chase McCain Minifigure

Here are two awesome Lego collectables that I’m adding to my collection.  The first is a video game called Lego City Undercover for the Nintendo Wii U.  The game is a combination between Grand Theft Auto, the Die Hard franchise and a Lego game.  I really think combining all three ideas into one game was an awesome idea because I’m a fan of them all.  The cover of the game is a classic Lego video game cover, displaying all the fun things to do in the game.  I also like that the game comes with a colour manual included.

The second Lego collectable that I’m adding to my collection is a minifigure of Chase McCain, the hero from the game.  This minifigure (set 5000281) was given out to anyone that pre-ordered the game.  The figure is simple with only 4 pieces to build, but it’s nicely detailed and a beautiful toy to display.  For those that want more than just to display, Lego also released a separate playset of Lego City Undercover featuring Chase McCain.  Besides that playset, I have to say this is a really nice collectable freebie that I hope Lego continues to do with future pre-ordered games.

Lego City Undercover Game:

http://legocityu.nintendo.com

Lego City Undercover Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_City_Undercover

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyFDf9-bRaE

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Sometimes when I look at games that feature beautiful realistic graphics that require tactical skills, and have mature themes I wonder if I should buy those games.  Those games are considered appropriate for my age and are hardcore.  Yet, when I do play those games I’m left frustrated and bored.  I neither have the patience nor skill to play games like that, so I end up either dying all the time or having to repeat a simple task over and over again to complete it.  That’s why I always end up going back to a Nintendo game when I want to have fun.  Their games are easy to play, original, and allow people from all skill levels to participate.

The key to having fun with video games is to play a variety of titles and genres.  One such game that I haven’t played in a while and that was long overdue from Nintendo is a Donkey Kong game.  Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze released on the Wii U on February 21^st, 2014.  I wanted to play this game for a while because it reminds me of those classic NES games that were easy to play, but with current advanced graphics.   Besides the game play, what drew me the most to this game was its creativity from backgrounds and how you interact within each environment.  The controls are accurate and easy to use with only a few different moves to remember.  The game also allows you to play on the gamepad which is convenient.  While the line-up of stellar triple A games is slowing coming to fruition on the Wii U, this is one game that was worth the wait.

Nintendo:

http://donkeykong.nintendo.com/tropical-freeze/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDdZL8V05yQ