Fan War #1: Nintendo vs SEGA

This is one of the biggest competitions in video game and media history, next to Microsoft vs Apple, Capcom vs SNK (not the game), and Activision vs Bungie. This one is huge, especially with the fans.
The combatants:
Nintendo
-Systems: Game & Watch, NES, GameBoy, SNES, N64, GameCube, DS, Wii, 3DS, Wii U
-Games: Mario, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, Star Fox, Pokemon
SEGA
-Systems: SG-100, Master System, Genesis, Saturn, Dreamcast
-Games: Sonic the Hedgehog, Ecco the Dolphin, Golden Axe, Alex Kidd, Billy Hatcher
History:
This fan war goes way before when Sonic came into our lives. Nintendo's NES and SEGA's SG-100 were released during the same year (1983) and the NES had instantly been more popular than SEGA's creation. However, with Nintendo having released the SNES, which was a major success, SEGA caught up with the Master System and the Genesis. That's when Mario and Sonic's rivalry began. Finally, Nintendo released the Nintendo 64, which is still very popular today. SEGA decided to make a huge step and released the Dreamcast two years after the release of the N64, giving the N64 a long time to shine, and shine it did. The Dreamcast was a success, until Sony made a huge move releasing the PS2, which basically became a third party in the war, only being the one to nearly end it...in a bad way. This was weird because the PS1 was a huge success, but didn't do any damage to other companies. The PS2, however, ended up being far more recognized than the Dreamcast, and eventually the N64 was gone too, but in a less brutal way. SEGA had decided to quit the console business and stick to game development. Microsoft took the empty spot and released the Xbox, giving the Nintendo GameCube double trouble with Xbox and the PS2, which were quite the fighter, especially with Microsoft buying company after company, such as Rare (ending Banjo-Kazooie and its partnership with Nintendo) and Bungie and the PS2 still selling games until last year. SEGA began to release their games for all systems available at the time (GameCube, PS2, Xbox). From there, SEGA and Nintendo began to help each other out and patching up the battle wounds they both had been trying to heal for years. This resulted with the two companies being in a peace they've owed each other for decades.

New Zelda Game (For Reals)!

Yes, a new Zelda game has come, and it's completely original this time. This new game is promising, and tons of fun, bringing back some memories of A Link to the Past to 90s kids everywhere due to its Link to the Past-like format. It is, however, very simple. A friend of mine claimed it was so simple, he completed in in a few hours, which is how long you could beat the original Legend of Zelda for the NES if you knew where everything was. Not too bad, but not too good. This one isn't near as good as any other Zelda game. The Oracle games were good, but lacked some luster, and Link's Awakening DX wasn't the best, but better than this one by a long shot. Still brings back old enemies, is full of action-packed dungeons, and gives Link more intriguing abilities, like the ability to become a painting. Weird, but I'm good with that. It would seem that Nintendo has made two disappointments in the Zelda universe in a row, the first being a Wind Waker remake that wasn't good at all, but this game is redeeming the Zelda series. It's been a while since Nintendo's made an original Zelda game, and too long for some nerds out there, and it was well worth the time...well, sort of, anyway.

Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon RIP?

 These two great video game characters lived in a great era: back when PlayStation games weren't mostly first-person shooters. Despite all the fan remarks, these two series might not be dead. Reboots of Crash Bandicoot have been considered for over 3 years now and Skylanders is a big seller, but isn't doing well as a Spyro reboot, so I'm sure something's gonna happen. Unfortunately, we've seen a lot of losses of decency in Crash and Spyro games over the years. I remember when the Legend of Spyro series was released, and game by game, I had the feeling it was dying. Crash, however, just came off the face of the video game world. Mind Over Mutant and Crash of the Titans weren't good, but they weren't bad.
It's all because of what happens to a lot of good games: it's sold to other companies, and the mess it all up...most of the time. However, reboots are being considered, so I have faith in both of these games to come back. So, fans, don't put yourselves down. Something will happen, a miracle will happen. I mean, hey, PS4 is already awesome, and I'm sure anyone could say that reboots of Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon would be great for PS4.

 Let's stop the depression and turn those frowns upside-down. Miracles pretty much always happen in video games. Many people thought Sonic would be gone after the Dreamcast fiasco, but SEGA kicked butt and came back. Plus, PS2 did great staying with making games up until last year. The PS3 was too much of Call of Duty and stuff, and PS2 served as a creative version of the PS3 and kept our train of childhood memories going. See? We're fine. Crash and Spyro are still with us. Skylanders, despite Spyro not doing much and not really being a popular character in the games, has gotten great ratings, but reboots haven't been considered much by companies, but Skylanders is still doing well, which is pretty much equal to the amounts of considerations for Crash.

Halo Custom Edition!!!

Halo: Custom Edition is an insanely fun version of the original Halo: Combat Evolved featuring changes in graphics, weapons, vehicles and maps from games following Halo CE, and of course, modified maps. These maps are either original Halo maps with new features, maps from other Halo games, or just fun maps such as the one pictured. Most maps like the one pictured feature mods like weapons from Halo 2, 3 and Reach and being able to play as characters other than Master Chief (such Link, Sonic, and even a Teletubby). This game is also well populated and thousands are playing. Just watch out for noobs, campers, hackers, and all the other types of gamers you hate dealing with. It will ask you for a CD key that you can either get from your copy of Halo CE for Xbox or by a software that allows you to generate a random key for the game. For information on how to get the game, getting the Keygen software and getting maps, go to this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SyzTkaqaYI (Instead of downloading the Keygen software, I looked at the key the creator of this video generated and copied it onto the game, but you can do it whatever way you want. Try it! It's free of viruses and charge and fun!

CoD: Ghosts vs Halo 5/CoD Black Ops II vs Halo 4

Although Xbox One is really gonna suck, I have faith in 343 Studios in making Halo 5 fun for all. Call of Duty: Ghosts, sorry to all CoD fans, isn't promising at all to me. I just don't really like the series anymore. After World at War, I just lost interest. Halo has always been great in my opinion, despite Bungie giving it up to 343. I've known about Halo way longer, so I've had more time to get more interested in Halo. My cousin and I are way, way, WAY bigger fans of Halo than of CoD. Halo has been our favorite first-person shooter since when the original Xbox was more popular than the PS2. So, let's talk more about what we have now in both series. Halo 4 is the first game in the series by 343, and it's pretty good. It's a shame they got rid of Brutes, and their weapons aren't the best, but still a great game. Many forums, such as on IGN, concerning fans' opinions on whether Halo 4 or CoD: Black Ops II is better, have Halo 4 pwning BO2 in tons of categories, such as campaign, multiplayer and graphics (noted in the IGN forum), so we kinda have the cold, hard facts. At my school, it's PS3/CoD nation, which sucks a lot for me. In some cases, you get picked on for not liking CoD. Luckily, I haven't run into those guys. CoD Black Ops II is pretty fun, especially local matches and Zombies, but the Xbox Live servers have way more noobs and campers than Halo. That's the good part about CoD being more of a teen-favorite, even though many votes of being the game of the year have gone to Halo 4. Halo 4 is making kids at my school get more into Black Ops II, which shouldn't happen since Halo 4 isn't all bad, and they make up at least 60% of the amount of Xbox Live Black Ops II players who cuss their mouths off and are extremely annoying in lobbies and servers. Halo's good with the prevention of those people, except for Halo: Custom Edition (the PC version of Halo 1 with modified maps and custom servers that can be started by anyone). Bottom-line, woo-hoo to Halo 5, boo-hoo to CoD: Ghosts.

Let's talk about SEGA and Atari

 These two great companies have definitely made breakthroughs in video games and had their ups-and-downs in consoles. SEGA had huge success making the Master System and the Genesis, and of course, Sonic the Hedgehog. Despite Sonic's worldwide success, the release of the Saturn marked a turning point for the financial success for SEGA. As soon as the first PlayStation came out, the 2D magic of the Saturn and the amazing 3D graphics of the PS1 didn't mix well and the Saturn began to decline. Next was the Dreamcast, which was a huge hit in the sense of fun and gaming, but failed financially yet again and once again lost to Sony after the release of the PS2. The Dreamcast, according to some gamers, was ahead of its time and didn't truly get the chance to shine, thus having SEGA end up with having their games available for all other platforms out at the time from PS2 to Wii-Ware.

Next, I'd like to talk about Atari. I never really got the chance to play any Atari system, but my parents certainly did. I've watched gameplay videos of game for Atari 2600, 5200, etc., and I could well imagine how fun these systems were to kids who grew up during the first three generations of gaming. The Atari Jaguar was a major breakthrough in 3D gaming and was basically an earlier version of the N64, as considered by some. However, the Jaguar seemed to be a little ahead of its time as well, resulting in the decline of development of hardware by Atari. Like SEGA, they began to have their games available for any platform possible. These two companies are still  phenomenal and still very popular, in both games and consoles. The consoles will be forever in our hearts, but the games are really what keep these trains going.

Let's talk about Nintendo 2DS

"What the heck is this?" most people ask. One of few other people's answers is "a doorstop". That's all that the Nintendo 2DS is good for, really. If you want 2D 3DS games, just turn the 3D off on a 3DS and save freaking money! It's basically a wider GameBoy with two screens that sucks ice. It makes the DS stand for "doorstop" instead of "digital system" or whatever the heck it really means. I honestly don't like this generation of gaming as much as the next guy and definitely like past gaming generations better. The Wii U isn't all bad, the Xbox One already sucks before it's even been released, and PS4 takes most of the cake and leaves the last slice for Nintendo. More to the point. This system isn't good at all and is honestly can just be a 3DS with the 3D off or, as mentioned before, as a doorstop. Hopefully, Nintendo can come up with something better or just give consoles a break and just make games for now. To me, the Nintendo 2DS has just ruined Nintendo's chances of finishing the eighth generation of game consoles with good consoles and handhelds and has moved Nintendo farther from getting close to beating PS4. Honestly, the Xbox One is worse than the 2DS, surprisingly, so Microsoft needs to worry more about computers if they're getting beaten by a doorstop.

Let's talk more about Pokemon

 Almost a year ago, I talked about what I thought about Pokemon now. Well, I was being a bit too harsh. Sure, I've grown out of it, and I know a lot of kids my age hate it, but that was just cold. Pokemon does seem to be "dying" in some places, but the good thing is it's still alive. I remember growing up playing Pokemon and didn't care if we played with Kanto cards against Hoenn cards. There really wasn't a big difference. We were satisfied with any trade and any game. Us kids were good sports. Nobody cried or whined or anything. We enjoyed it. So I began to wonder how kids were with Pokemon now, so I asked my brother about Pokemon at his school. We went to the same elementary school, where Pokemon was banned because, nowadays, kids have been known to be spoiled brats, and so to avoid arguing and stuff, it was banned. So kids would smuggle cards to school or play after school just like teenagers smuggling drugs at my current school. It was the same from when I went there. I remember the first hint of Pokemon dying around me. In sixth grade, I was talking about how I still like Pokemon, mainly the old Pokemon of course, but someone misheard me and thought I completely liked it and made fun of me. Now, nearly every time I bring Pokemon up to kids my age, I always get back, "Pokemon's for dorks." or, "Pokemon's gay." I felt like someone was my best friend when they tell me they like and miss the old Pokemon. So, yeah, I still like it. The game's are still magical like they used to be, some of the cards are just like the old ones, but the EX's and stuff were just to O.P. for me, which was another reason (I was just so confused of why the cards were like that now), and the anime's pretty good, but I'll never forget what Pokemon was like back then. Everything was perfect. Being one of those guys that have a lot of friends, but aren't that popular, that keep their nerdy interests a secret between me and my fellow nerds, I enjoy Pokemon sometimes, but I have been kinda getting into this generation, like Xbox and Minecraft. At least I'm not exactly like kids these days who walk around cussing and carrying iPhones. So yeah, that's my real opinion on Pokemon now.

New Star Wars Battlefront!!!

It's happening, bro! DICE is making what's basically a reboot of the oh-so-classic Star Wars: Battlefront series, but is technically a SWBF 3. After some cool, some lame spin-offs and stuff, a new installment hath come upon us. Although they will be available for possibly only the new, upcoming systems besides Wii U, we are definitely all excite about the new one. I personally have already obsessed over this game ever since my friend told me about how it's in production and how there was a promotional Facebook page about it. We exchanged updates until we had equal knowledge of this game. When my cousin showed me the trailer, I was even more obsessed. It is coming on the same year as the even longer expected Star Wars: Episode VII, which Disney is taking care of. So, 2015 is officially the new age of Star Wars as soon as what we are gonna be waiting for for two years is released to the public.

Let's talk about 3 things: PS4, more about Xbox One, and E3 2013

We've got a few things to talk about, folks. First off, PS4. In an earlier post I said I was looking more forward to PS4 than Xbox One. I've always liked both Xbox and Xbox 360 and all three PlayStations. However, the next Xbox isn't what I hoped for, so PS4 sounds great to me. I am disappointed online play is no longer free, that's the only part that sounds dumb to me. Other than that, seems legit. Next is a follow-up to my post focusing on Xbox One. It just seems crappier the more information we get on it. I just don't know what the heck we're gonna do about this. I also learned the camera can talk to you, remember your identity and ask an unrecognized person to identify themselves. It also has remote play where you can have a friend take over playing a video game you can't beat and beat it for you if they're far away, using Skype. That sounds pretty cool. So does the talking camera, but it's also kinda sketchy, just like how the Kinect won't turn off. So, honestly, I only really like one thing about it. That's bad news for Microsoft because a lot of people are on the same page. Thirdly is E3 2013. I heard that there were some disappointments to some of the things revealed at this year's E3. The Xbox One's price is ridiculous ($499, what the heck?); lame Mario and Donkey Kong games coming up; that Link to the Past sequel isn't happening, just a Wind Waker remake; and, of course, the unfortunate news of online play for PS4 not being free. Super Smash Bros. 4 seems to be the only thing revealed by the guys at E3 to look forward to. This generation might be tough to avoid and an impossible one to skip. Hopefully, a miracle in the video game industry may happen in either Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony or (in most hopes) all three.

Let's talk about a Dragon Ball Z live action movie

Lots of DBZ fans like me would really love to see a live action DBZ movie after over 20 years of seeing animated ones. However, the 2009 film Dragonball: Evolution obviously shouldn't count. It was a complete fiasco. Four years ago, my friend had told me about it after seeing it. Preferring Z over the original Dragon Ball, we thought it was pretty cool. It was only cool because it was the first attempt close to good. After that, I've developed Dragonballmovieimpossiblephobia, the fear of it being impossible to make a successful live-action adaption of Dragon Ball Z. When I saw that K&K Productions was making a fan-made trailer for a DBZ movie that wouldn't even be made, I was convinced they were actually making the movie. My ADHD got the best of me and I was sad to find out there was no movie and only the trailer. Honestly, I just don't know what Hollywood can do. Sometimes I feel like we think Hollywood can make movies of anything, but our technology surprisingly isn't quite ready for something like this. I'd turn to Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams or Michael Bay if I was looking for someone to direct something so awesome. Until, it's living with what we have of this epic piece of anime.

Let's talk about Xbox One

Microsoft is definitely making advancements in technology in Windows, computers, phones and of course the Xbox. Anyone could have known they'd make a third Xbox. I was excited at first, but when I got my first glimpse at the Xbox One, I definitely wasn't impressed. No one else seems too impressed either after what I've heard. Following what I said on my "Xbox One vs PS4" post, I've kept my position at my opinion on the new Xbox, and tons more people are on and are joining my side. More and more I see commercials and stuff, and it almost makes me want to completely hate it. I mean, hey. Microsoft has a lot of competition: Apple, Nintendo, Sony, etc. They're trying to keep people from forgetting who they are. Maybe you shouldn't be so negative about this upcoming system. Right now, they're getting real competitive with their opposing companies. They have been working on awesome phones, amazing updates to Windows 8, and although their effort on making a new Xbox was very good, they put just maybe a little too much effort and not enough planning. Name's clever. Still plays games. However, too much focus on TV. I just don't know what's gonna happen, but let's be brave, people. Prepare yourselves for the not-so-worst days of gaming yet.

Boredom Post #2: Complete Beatles Timeline

1940:
-July 7: Richard Starkey is born in Liverpool, England.
-October 9: John Lennon is born.
1942:
-June 18: James Paul McCartney is born.
1943:
-February 25: George Harrison is born.
1957:
-July 6: John and Paul meet at a performance of John's band, The Quarrymen, at the Woolton Parish Church Garden Fete held at St. Peter's Church.
-October 18: Paul plays his first gig with The Quarrymen.

 1958:
-February 6: George joins the Quarrymen.
1960:
-January 17: John's friend Stuart Sutcliffe relucantly joins Johnny & the Moondogs.
-August 6: The Beatles take Pete Best as the drummer.
1961:
-February 9: They play at The Cavern club as The Beatles, which would be their name and club of choice for gigs.
-November 9: Brian Epstein sees and meets the group
for the first time at the Cavern.
1962:
-January 1: The Beatles audition for Decca Records, but get turned down.
-April 10: Stuart Sutcliffe suffers a brain haemorrhage in Hamburg and dies in the ambulance.
-August 18: Ringo joins the Beatles.
-August 23: John marries Cynthia Powell.
1963:
-March 22: The Beatles release Please, Please Me in the UK.
1964:
-February 7: The Beatles fly to New York City on Pan Am flight 101, where 3,0000 screaming fans are waiting for them at the JFK Airport.
1965:
-February 11: The group make their live debut in America at the Washington Coliseum.
1965:
-August 15: The group plays at Shea Stadium. It would become the most popular rock concert in their time.
1966:
-January 21: George marries Pattie Boyd.
-August 26: Their last concert is played at Candlestick Park, San Francisco. Rare footage of the gig would be recovered years later.

1967:
-June 1: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is released.
1968:
-May 14: John and Paul attend a press conference regarding the founding of Apple Records, Ltd.
1969:
-March 12: Paul and Linda Eastman get married.
-March 20: John and Yoko Ono get married.
-August 8: The famous photograph of the Beatles walking across The Zebra on the cover of Abbey Road is taken.
-September 19: During a meeting, John quits The Beatles.
-September 26: Abbey Road is released.
1970:
-April 1: Ringo plays at and is last Beatles to play at a recording session, adding the drum part to Harrison's 'I Me Mine'.
-April 10: Paul quits The Beatles and states at a press conference he does not see a time where he will be in a songwriting partnership with John again. This marks the breakup of The Beatles.
-May 8: Nearly a whole month after their breakup, Let It Be is released.
1980:
-John is assassinated by Mark David Chapman outside The Dakota hotel.
1994:
-Paul, George and Ringo reunite and use an old tape of Lennon, borrowed from Yoko Ono, to record Free as a Bird, their first song as a group in over 20 years.
1995:
-Anthology 1 and 2 are released.
1996:
-Anthology 3 is released.
2001:
-November 19: George dies of cancer.

Boredom Post #1: Sonic VS Shadow VIII:Lost Episode

Hey, guys! So I was looking through my posts and realized I never made an eighth Sonic vs Shadow. After looking in my drafts I realized I did but I never finished it. Well I finished it and here it is.
Sonic: This looks TOO easy.
Shadow: Bring it!
Announcer: Round 1. FIGHT!
Sonic: (attempts to punch Shadow) (Shadow disappears) Huh?
Shadow: (reappears) Peek-a-boo! (pounds Sonic into ground)
Sonic: (gets up) You think it's over, don't ya?
Shadow: (laughs) I haven't even started yet. (gets two Chaos Emeralds and transforms into Super form)
Sonic: I'm smart enough to bring my own. (pulls out three Chaos Emeralds and transforms)
Shadow: What?? I will not be beaten again! (they charge at each other) (they clash and Sonic kicks Shadow)
Sonic: Ungh! (Shadow punches Sonic back down)
Shadow: Chaos...Spear!
Sonic: Oh no! (deflects it at Shadow, Shadow gets hit and falls down back in his normal form).
Announcer: Sonic wins Round 1. Now for Round 2. FIGHT!
Shadow: Ok, Sonic. Playtime's over (transforms back into Super form and charges at him)
(They clash and Shadows beats Sonic down back into his normal form). Too easy, you say?
Announcer: Wow! In mere 5 seconds, Sonic is down. Shadow wins Round 2. Final Round. FIGHT!
Sonic: Can't give up now (spin attacks Shadow back into his normal form).
Shadow: Hmph. I don't need stupid emeralds to take you down (snaps and Sonic goes flying).
Sonic: Whoa! I underestimated him! (runs really fast and dodges energy beams from Shadow). Too fast for ya, huh?
Shadow: Don't get cocky with me. I'm not done. Chaos control! (disappears and reappears right in front of Sonic)
Sonic: Agh!
Shadow: Chaos...BLAST! (Sonic goes flying). Don't cross with the Ultimate Life Form.

Xbox One vs PS4

Boy, this one's a tough one. I mean, I have an original Xbox and I've always enjoyed the 360. However, I can hardly remember the last time I played a PS3. I mostly remember the PS2 being awesome next to the GameCube and Xbox when I was little. I wasn't too shocked when either the Xbox One or PS4 was announced. I knew they'd make a new one sooner or later. Growing up with Nintendo, I never really liked the 360 but I grew into it. The PS3 wasn't my thing. The Xbox One doesn't allow you to turn off Kinect and the camera stays on, and that's actually kinda sketchy. I really expected better and the commercials seem to focus very little on video games. Obviously you can play them, but it's mostly about TV and stuff. I'm actually more excited about the PS4, but I'm not quite sure about buying one myself. I kind of look forward to the new Xbox just so, if someone I know gets one, I can try it for myself and maybe I'll regret what I said. Well, with the Wii U being horrible in my opinion, I'm not too excited about eighth-generation video game consoles and would rather stick to the ones I played as a kid and the seventh-generation consoles.