Kung Fu Theater: Odd Couple

Why does Sammo look like he wants to kill me, while Lau looks like he's about to break into "The Circle of Life"? Photoshop is weird sometimes...

It looks like a poster for “The Lion King” Except with…you know, weapons…and Chinese people.

Bo Ming Chan Dao Duo Ming Qiang (Sweet Jesus) AKA “Odd Couple” AKA “Shaolin Saber vs. Wutang Spear”
Year: 1979
Availability: Available in several compilations, and a few individual releases if you’re willing to look. Generally subbed, although a terrible dub exists.

In the 70’s and 80’s, you couldn’t throw a javelin without hitting some Kung Fu “superteam”. Be it the “Little Fortunes” of the 80’s, featuring Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao and friends. Or how about any number of the teams assembled by Chang Cheh in his time (seriously, pick one)? Regardless, it seems like almost every actor or director worth a damn had a stable of recurring people they worked with, for maximum synergy for the production and maximum enjoyment for the fans.

This is not a practice I am condemning. No, far from it. The more comfortable performers got with eachother, the smoother and more intense their fights. The more aware of the actors’ strengths and weaknesses a director became, the more effectively he could cast them. It was nothing but good. The reason for this lead in is that one of the most consistently good, and sadly shortest lived, of these teams was the duo of Sammo Hung and Lau Kar-wing.

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Pokemon Finally Goes 3D With Pokemon X And Y

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Probably since Pokemon Stadium back on the N64, Pokemon fans have wanted to see a full-fledged 3D Pokemon game. Time and again however, they’ve only been teased by the allure of 3D Pokemon with games like Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon Battle Revolution, both of which were largely about battling and not catching and exploration. XD: Gale of Darkness was the closest the series would get to a 3D RPG of Pokemon. But that’s all about to change as now Pokemon has finally entered the 3D realm. With the tech finally up to snuff with the 3DS, a 3D Pokemon game looked possible now. And now we have Pokemon X and Y.

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PC Engine Discussion/Review : Bonk’s Adventure

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While I’m still writing an article lamenting my childhood ignorance of the Turbografx16 partially because of the shitty marketing and naming that went into its American console, let’s talk about one of the first games I was able to experience thanks to the wii’s virtual console, Bonk’s Adventure!

Heellllp, I’m falling off the title screen!!!

The first in a trilogy, a spinoff and some ports here and there, Bonk was brought back into the spotlight recently with news of his revival. We’ll probably never see that revival because Hudson went under soon after the news broke, but considering their half-assed multiplayer in the revival of Dungeon Explorer it might be for the better (More on that game in a future post). Continue reading →

I Got A Perfect In Rhythm Rally 2, Here’s How I Did It

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Okay so maybe I actually do have a tip. In between writing the Moai Doo-Wop article and getting a Perfect in Rhythm Rally 2, I’ve been trying to formulate some kind of plan as how to perfect Rhythm Rally 2, one of the hardest, if not the hardest, songs in Rhythm Heaven. It was my last song to Perfect too. Look all over the internet and it’s stumped many players eager for a perfect medal in this game for years. Some may have perfected it finally. Some are probably getting this game now after play the Wii sequel, Rhythm Heaven Fever. This fast-paced, wrist flicking, beat-anal game has claimed many a victim, but I may have a solution. It’s not perfect by any means, but with some practice you’ll get closer to the end than you’ll normally would, and eventually finish with a Perfect Medal. So hit the jump to see the tips.

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HP Countdown: Top Ten WTF Moments in WWE 2012

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Hey guys (and gals). Before I begin the second countdown, I forgot to elaborate on a few things. First the new RAW theme. If you listen to it closely, it kind of sounds similar to the song, “Remember The Name” by Fort Minor (a Linkin Park spin-off group). And secondly, Brock Lesnar’s return ranking pretty high on the list. Aside from throwing around John Cena and Triple H, Brock kicks peoples’ asses for realsies. And where CM Punk and Daniel Bryan showed everyone there is still wrestling in a wrestling company, Lesnar added the extra edge from his time spent beating people up in UFC, and showed everyone that professional wrestling (and entertainment) can be pretty violent. Also I neglected to mention Daniel Bryan becoming more of a mainstay on WWE television (he’s doing a lot more on television since 2012, whereas he was just kind of there for most of 2011…even with his Money In The Bank briefcase).

Back to the subject at hand. With every Top (insert x-amount of positives here) list, people always want to see the contrast, and see what they disliked. I’ve always fancied myself as a bit of a nitpicker when it comes to wrestling, and find myself complaining about it more than I do praising it. Seriously, my WTFs outline for this is at least TWICE as long as my FTWs one. Now you may be asking, “Jon, if you complain about it so much, why do you keep watching?!” The answer is at the end of the day, I’m still a wrestling fan. I enjoy professional wrestling on an intellectual level. I like reading dirt sheets on what goes on behind the scenes, as well as off camera. Remember, these wrestlers/superstars play a character, and it’s always interesting to see how they act in real life. I’m a fan of independent wrestling and their wrestlers. Guys who are either just breaking into the business, have been in the independent scene for a while and are still waiting for a break, and the occasional former big timer either there as a way of putting butts in seats, or offering advice to the up-and-comers. I’m a fan of companies like New Japan Pro Wrestling, Ring of Honor and Chikara where even though it’s wrestling, it’s still extremely entertaining. To me, WWE just seems to water down the product (immensely) with the inane amounts of promos, using body builders and fitness models as their featured “talent” (wrestling ability not available in all), pushing guys who don’t really deserve it, and wrestling seeming to come last on a program that is supposed to be about wrestling. In the past year (more so every year since 2005), WWE has left this smark (a smart mark) scratching his head in confusion. Here it is, I bring to you, My Top Ten WTF Moments in WWE 2012!

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HP Countdown: Top Ten FTW Moments in WWE 2012

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Happy new year everyone! I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. With 2012 firmly in the rear view mirror, we often look back on the memories that have occurred over the past year…some good, and some bad. I reflected on the past year in WWE, and what they accomplished and what they left us to scratch our heads at. For the past couple of years, I’ve done a ranking system similar to “cheers” and “jeers”, but titled FTW (For The Win) and WTF (What The F**k) moments for the wrestling group I’m a part of, and I figured since I have a means of distributing my diatribes to an audience outside of Facebook, and the year just ended, why not do one of each for WWE in the past year. Today, I present you with my personal list of FTW Moments in the WWE for 2012!

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I Stand On My Soapbox: Pricing And Content

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I Stand On My Soapbox is a series of editorials that cover more specific topics in the games industry and community. These articles are a little more extreme than normal editorials published here, and could just degenerate to outright ranting. Have fun and enjoy the show!

Ever since this generation started, seeing games costing $60 was a tough pill to swallow. I’ve never seen prices this high since the days of the N64. In those days though, the Playstation was still around and new games were only $40. PS2/Xbox/Gamecube games evened out with $50. It was a sort of pricing sweet spot that had some opposition but was pretty much uncontested. PS2 games were $10 dollars more than PS1 games, but Gamecube games were $10 cheaper than N64 games. Xbox would begin its life with games at $50. So in comes the PS3/360/Wii era, and we see the Wii in the same position the PS1 was with its games being $50 while the other two consoles charging $60. While both of these pricepoints were still high, I much preferred paying just $50 instead of $60. But now that the Wii U is out, and all the players in this game are now charging $60.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had it with this price point and it’s sad that we as gamers (I included) let this happen.

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Perfecting Moai Doo-Wop Got You Down? I Think I Have A Solution!

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Moai Doo-Wop

This past Christmas I got Rhythm Heaven Fever as a gift, and once again I was thrust into the rhythmic world of monkeys, ninjas, and surprisingly hot chicks. I had to take a much needed break from Rhythm Heaven on the DS after I nearly went insane getting a perfect on every rhythm mini game. But my craving for more Rhythm Heaven was kicking, and I needed my fix. So off I went playing Rhythm Heaven Fever, playing through all the minigames once, then getting Superb ratings on the ones that didn’t so that a Perfect Chance would pop up all the time. In my path to perfection, I had to take short break here too after almost losing it again with some of these songs (screw you Love Rap 2). And so while watching Chicago Fire on TV, I decided to pop in Rhythm Heaven on the DS, for old time’s sake.

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Night-Time Listenings Wrap-Up: 12 Days Of Christmas

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Night-Time Listenings 29

Well then, Christmas came and went this past Tuesday. Hopefully you got the gifts you wanted. And hopefully this article goes up in the supposed apocalypse. For 12 Days, we listened to music that was played on snow levels. Some of the games featured are Donkey Kong Country, Mega Man Legends 2, Xenoblade, Odin Sphere, Final Fantasy X, and more! So curl up next to your favorite gift! It’s time to look back at the 12 Days of Christmas Music!

If you want to see the music as it goes up (and not wait every Saturday for these wrap-ups), remember to go to our Tumblr page and follow it. Music for Night-Time Listenings goes up every weekday at 10PM.

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Anime Theater: Shigofumi: Letters From the Departed

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See, if mail carriers were ALL this adorable, it would solve so many problems…

Shigofumi: Letters From the Departed
Year: 2008
American Distributor: Sentai Filmworks

When the time comes for you to die, what will your last thought be? As the darkness closes in around us, as we shut our eyes for the final time, a veritable cavalcade of thoughts will sweep over us. “Is this really the end?”, or “What happens to me now?”, or “Was it really wise to choose Pop Tarts over pancakes this morning, because I gotta say, even as a lover of Pop Tarts one should never lightheartedly pass off pancakes, I mean, they’ve been the premier breakfast food for years for a reason and-“

…Anyway, back on topic. But most of all, we will think of those who we’re leaving behind. And by extension, of any last words we would want to say to them. Perhaps words of encouragement or of regret. Or rage, or of love. Or even simply some truth we couldn’t bear to say in life. It is this concept that lies at the heart of “Shigofumi: Letters from the Departed“, a little gem from a few years back that uses the concept of one’s final wishes as a fulcrum through which to show how we relate to each other in both life AND death…

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Merry Quistmas

Things I’ve Learned From Christmas Music

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Oh Christmas music. How it always seems to almost never change, with the exception of the occasional new edition to the genre (which nowadays is like what, maybe one or two every couple of years?). It seems like the genre is inundated with covers and rehashes of older songs. I’ve spend a fair amount of time each season for as long as I can remember (I’m a very old man) listening to Christmas music. From listening to it while riding in the car with my mother, to hearing it at every shopping center beginning in what seems late October, and even hearing it on my morning commute to work, I’ve listened to A LOT of Christmas songs. And after a while, I realized I started to analyze the lyrics to different Christmas songs. So anyways, here’s what I’ve learned from Christmas music!

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THQ Owes Millions To WWE, Might Get Acquired By Ubisoft

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THQ owes WWE money

Poor poor THQ. That little uDraw fiasco and banking on Darksiders II to save them just wasn’t going to cut it. THQ filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week, which means that while they will still operate and have current games still being developed, their primary focus right now is to pay off the debt they’ve incurred. In their bankruptcy filings, it’s revealed that THQ owes $45 million to World Wrestling Entertainment. THQ has partnered with WWE for a very long time, making wrestling games as far back as the original Smackdown! on the PS1 (and probably earlier). The WWE games got its loyal fans, but it looks like they weren’t enough as now THQ owes WWE. Chairman Vince McMahon is pretty peeved at this and is watching the bankruptcy proceedings closely. I think he should also consider starting up a videogame publishing branch and just self publish the games instead of having someone else do it.

In other THQ news, It looks like Ubisoft might want to buy out the company. Going back to how the bankruptcy works for the company, they’ve offloaded their assets to an investment firm and are trying to find a buyer. One of those potential buyers is Ubisoft, and they want to get THQ’s properties for cheap. According to MCV, “Ubisoft is after a bargain buy, and is prepared to hold-out until THQ is forced to sell off specific assets…” This means that if they’re successful, they will acquire Red Faction, Saints Row, Company of Heroes, Homefront, Darksiders, and any remaining deals left with the aforementioned WWE. Ubisoft’s been growing quite a lot as of late, and this acquisition will greatly expand their catalog of games.

THQ owes $45 million to WWE (unsecured creditor); Vince McMahon apparently “furious” [GameChup]

Ubisoft plots THQ bid [MCV, via GamePolitics]

Retro Weekends – Toy Cars And Hot Wheels Stunt Sets

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Hot Wheels Stunt Sets

Ah toy cars. One of two things that defined my childhood. The love affair with toy cars started almost at the same time as my love for videogames started. Fascinated by cars, I would amass a collection that would dominate any other collection I had involving toys. Making them speed across the floor, jumping off furniture, or crashing them into other cars, these were my go-to forms of entertainment when videogames weren’t around. Things got awesome when I would come to own two stunt sets in the Hot Wheels toy line, which we’ll cover today. So on this Retro Weekend, we talk about those two stunt sets.

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As One Nintendo Mag Dies, Another One Is Born

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Nintendo Force

This year’s been somewhat of a sad year for traditional videogame outlets. G4 was on its way out (or was already long gone), and Nintendo Power, one of the longest running gaming magazines, were going to close its doors this December. But as Nintendo Power was closing its doors, a team of journalists were prepping something behind the scenes, to continue where Nintendo Power left off and introduce a new era for Nintendo magazines. The new mag will be called Nintendo Force. IGN’s Lucas M. Thomas, the man leading the charge, sent an email to well known Nintendo games journalists, proposing that they start a new magazine. Thomas stresses that Nintendo Force is not Nintendo Power reborn, but “a spiritual successor to the great publication we just lost.”

The team he assembled reads like a who’s who of journalists across many different online publications. Among this new team is resident Nintendo man Johnathan Holmes of Destructoid, Kevin Cassidy of GoNintendo, Evan Campbell from Nintendojo, Nintendaan, John Thomas of The Bit Block (previous called Wii Folder), and more. Looks like David was right when he said that Nintendo Power was simply too big to just let die and that someone would probably step in to take its place. It’s nice to see that Nintendo mags will continue to live. Hopefully they be alive for many year and not do the same mistakes Nintendo Power did during its time with Future. And I have a feeling the bias might be curbed a bit since these guys ain’t afraid to called Nintendo on their crap (at least in Holmes’ case). Godspeed guys, godspeed!

Announcing Nintendo Force Magazine [Nintendo Force website]