3, 2, 1.........GOOOOOOOOO!

Win ^

Many of you are aware that I like vehicles. So much so that I modified (minor) my family’s automatic 100whp Corolla. Why you ask? It's like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it. That being said, lets have a look at one of my favorite racing game series of all-time. F-ZERO! Whats not to love about these games? I mean c’mon, F-Zero sounds like you’re racing and dividing by zero all at the same time which means YOU’RE FRACKING AWESOME! And if that doesn’t get you all in a tizzy, two words:


FALCON – PUNCH!


That’s right, if you have ever heard these words or seen some of the funny de-motivational pictures on the interwebs, that phrase is from a character that got his start in the F-Zero franchise, Captain Falcon, who’s vehicle is named the Blue Falcon. I’m pretty sure he has a move called the Falcon Kick as well. Hmmm, someone might need to be ‘evaluated’ to see what the Falcon is going on around here [ba-dum tish]. Hey comedy is hard, but I digress.

SNES

F-Zero (エフゼロ) is a series of futuristic racing video games originally created by Nintendo. The first game was released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990. The first game in the series and a launch game for the SNES, F-Zero was also the first Super Nintendo game to use a technique that Nintendo called "Mode 7 Scrolling". When Mode 7 was combined with scaling and positioning of the layer on a scanline-by-scanline basis it could simulate 3D environments. Such techniques in games were considered to be revolutionary in a time when most console games were restricted to static/flat backgrounds and 2-dimensional (2D) objects. The result was developer Nintendo EAD creating the fastest and smoothest pseudo-3D racer ever on a console at that time. Roughly seven years later, F-Zero made its return to the Nintendo64 console. This game featured the original 4 cars plus 30 new machines and even more tracks. Critics said that the graphics lacked, which was true but this was due to the limitations of the console and the game needing to run at 60 frames per second. In 2003, The next F-Zero game, F-Zero GX, was released for the Nintendo GameCube and developed bySega's Amusement Vision team, and is the first F-Zero game to feature a story mode. I'm not going to really get into the Gameboy versions but just know they're awesome too.

N64

I love almost everything about these games. The controls are smooth and easy to use on each of the consoles. There became more options as the technology on each console progressed. When I was younger, the only thing I remember bugging the crap out of me was that you didn’t get the ability to use boost until you completed the first lap. AND THAT SONOFAGUN car that was always flashing & would blow up if you made contact. I hated that guy. Stupid cheating games!!!!!

GameCube

I really wish they would have made a version for the Wii because I thought that the Wii-motion would have been a neat thing to use to race. Maybe I’ll get my wish on the Wii-U.

Thanks for reading, take care & have fun out there everybody.

-out

Game Boy Micro

What do you think when the word micro comes up? Micro Brewery, Micro Machines (awesome), Microsoft? In this case I felt it necessary to talk about one of my favorite pieces in 'the collection,' the Game Boy Micro! 


"....The what!?!?! I don't remember that one Pat."


Of course you do. It was released in North America on September 19, 2005 & it features a back lit screen with the ability to adjust the brightness so as to adapt to lighting. The shape itself is kept to a more simple oblong—similar to the style of the Nintendo Entertainment System controller (i.e. d-pad, a & b buttons). The Game Boy Micro also featured a removable face plate that allowed consumers to purchase alternative designs. What's not to love? 


Of course, it has flaws. Geez ya pessimist I'm getting there. 



It was small, REALLY small. So much that I find myself holding it right in front of my face (that's what she said) at times or squinting. The screen looks great but the entire system fits into the palm of your hand thus larger than average hands = fail. Not a problem for myself. 


Honestly though, for playing GBA games, I prefer to use my Micro. The battery is phenomenal and it is light so there is minimal fatigue. Basically, if you can get a good deal on one, I recommend the Game Boy Micro for the collector. Especially if you can find one of the anniversary editions like yours truly has.


Til we meet again, God bless and take care. 


-out

Black for the first time...

Hey everyone. First, thanks for clicking on my blog. I have gone back and forth about doing a blog since I thought, "How do you know when it's time to tune your bagpipes?"......Exactly. So I figured if someone wanted to read my ramblings then more power to them. Maybe I will talk about the kids. Maybe I will talk about a new/retro game I played. Maybe I will talk about hockey or soccer, etc. You get the idea I hope. Chances are, this will be rather silly at times but see sentence #4, you were warned. 


So, as many know I am still hopeful that a great job is in my very near future. I had an interview a week ago with Magellan Health (http://www.magellanhealth.com/). Very cool company that has a position that should launch my career. Hopefully they choose me soon. Declan & Alaina wrapped up 5 days of vacation bible school fun last night @ Wentzville Christian Church (http://wentzvillecc.org/). It was nice to drop them off at an activity that they both looked forward to. Should I land a great job soon, Declan will probably start up in gymnastics again, while Alaina has mentioned wanting to play soccer. So we'll have that going for us.....


Thanks again and I hope everyone has a blessed time till we meet again.


-out


P.S.- HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL DADS OUT THERE!