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Posts tagged Fighting Games
Retro Gaming
410 months ago
Over the past few weeks, I’ve come to the realization that I’m first and foremost a retro gamer. When it comes to the latest and greatest games out there, I haven’t played about 99% of them. I rely on video gaming blogs and magazines to keep me up to date when it comes to the present. For most of the time, however, I live in the past. And that’s not a bad thing. I grew up with these games. That’s the big reason why they are still a huge part of my life. With my video gaming history firmly in place mixed with the librarian thinking part of my brain comes a barrage of ideas on how libraries can use retro gaming to attract and educate patrons.
It's odd to think that these kids were not born when the last NES game was released.
Retro gaming programming at your library is a great way to let the public know that video games have a HISTORY. 8BitLibrary and Piscataway Public Library teamed up and had a Retro Gaming Event in 2010 (Click here or here for pics). These programs are designed to turn your library into a makeshift museum of video game history. What does this history do? Like classic books, it will show your community that gaming has a rich background. Games like Minecraft which encourage players to build and create their own world have their roots in games like Sim City. Librarians can find and show these connections to their community. These connections in video game history will create a rich tapestry of games which we can then use to educate our patrons about the rich possibilities gaming has to offer.
Personally, I really enjoyed the Virtual Boy.
Yesterday’s release of Nintendo’s new handheld 3D gaming system the Nintendo 3DS gives libraries who have the system a chance to offer up the device for testing within the library. It’s a simple idea…set up some systems for your patrons to play and teach them about the technology. So where does retro gaming come into the picture? Nintendo’s tried 3D gaming before with the Virtual Boy. It didn’t really work out that well and the Virtual Boy died off rather quickly less than 1 year after it was released. Most people haven’t ever heard of the system and look at you in disbelief when you tell them about it (“why in the hell would they have released that?” is my favorite question I get when I tell them about the specifics of the Virtual Boy.) Giving patrons a chance to play the Virtual Boy at the library will create a unique experience which they’ll most likely not get anywhere else. It will also open up a lot of discussion on 3D gaming and how this new technology will impact our culture.
Yes, I applied some photo filter to this pic to make it look older.
Which brings me to my final point…can anyone give me a good reason why we shouldn’t lend out retro games and systems to our patrons? I’ve talked about this topic once before and the more and more I think about it this option seems like a no brainer. As libraries are squished out from viable eBook lending options and all that other stuff, what does the mission of the library become? I’m an advocate of giving our patrons experiences over just giving them stuff. Lending out retro games and systems like the Sega Saturn above gives our community a chance to experience something that they may not have a chance to experience elsewhere. My recent ongoing affair with X-Men: Children of the Atom for the Sega Saturn was only made possible by the fact that my mother and myself are pack rats who saved every single piece of video gaming history I collected. While I do enjoy the time I spend playing this game at home by myself (my wife won’t play with me) it would be a lot cooler if I could share this experience with others.
Review: Street Fighter IV (PS3)
21 year ago
WHAT? It’s back. The game that changed how we look at the fighting game genre returns with Street Fighter IV. Now before you go on complaining about how this is just another rehash of the series (for you non-gamers out there: There’s been what seems like 70 different versions of Street Fighter that have come out over the past 10 years. Most updates just add new characters, stages, and tweak game play dynamics), I say SHHHHH! While the game keeps true to the Street Fighter dynamics we’ve all come to love, it adds a new layer and welcomes a new generation of players to the amazing series.
WHY? “Don’t call it a comeback, I’ve been here for years” -LL Cool J. The series may have not been in the public eye much over the last few years (Street Fighter III was made for the more hardcore fan, in my opinion), but the shadow of Street Fighter has been felt in the countless other fighting games released. Street Fighter IV arrives at the perfect time, ready to reclaim the throne.
Plus, look at those graphics. BEAUTIFUL!
WHO? Street Fighter IV is the perfect blend of all the best qualities the game has offered over the years. It’s easy to pick up for those new to the series and regulars will feel at home with the game play. Street Fighter experts will also get a new challenge with this title. New characters, the addition of focus attacks, and more will give them something new to master.
As a longtime fan, I’m happy with the balance that Capcom has achieved with Street Fighter IV. Libraries should not hesitate this title to their collection.
Review: Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars
21 year ago
WHAT? OK, Capcom is finally getting weird on us. Taking characters from their own roster and mixing them with the who’s who of Tatsunoko Productions characters (a Japanese animation studio famous for Tekkaman and the original Speed Racer just to name a few), Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars is another entry in ever popular Vs. fighting game series by Capcom.
WHY? Simply put, Capcom makes the most beautiful and well crafted fighting games out there. Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars is not an exception. The game manages to keep everything that people love about Capcom fighting games intact while still managed to be innovative and fun. The simplified 3 button configuration for this Wii only release will allow newcomers to adjust to the series. Die hard fans may be taken back by this, but fear not: there are other control schemes you can use with the GameCube or Wii Classic Controller if you want a bit of depth back in the game.
WHO? The not so recognizable cast of characters may turn off some players, but let’s face it. This game was created for the hardcore nerd who understands just how important Science Ninja Team Gatchaman is in the world of popular culture. If you’re not into this kind of stuff, I still highly suggest you give this title a whirl. Not only is it a blast to play, but you may even become a fan of these wonderful characters.
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars is a Wii only release by Capcom. Let’s see more of those please, and thank you!