Community Voice #25: Your Favorite NES Games?

Of the games I grew up playing, I'd have to say that Super Mario Bros 3 and Bubble Bobble are at the top of my most frequently played list, even though, as with some of the others mentioned, I never actually owned a copy of Bubble Bobble until I was older. Still, I have very fond memories of playing with friends or family, working together to reach the final level and defeat the boss--no easy feat--and one that took patience and practice, like most other games of the era.

So, what were some of your favorite NES games as a kid? Or, if you didn't have one growing up, what are some of your current favorites?

Community Voice #24: Do We Need an Uncharted Movie?

The recent announcement of Mark Wahlberg being cast as Nathan Drake in the upcoming Uncharted movie, not to mention the extreme liberties they seem to be taking with the games' stories, were not only disappointing, but it also got me thinking, “Do we even need an Uncharted movie?” Granted, I would loved to had seen Nathan Fillion as Drake instead of Wahlberg, but even then, could anyone but Fillion do any justice to the franchise? Even if the writers of the movie followed the story of Uncharted 1 or 2 line for line, is that something gamers would want to see? The story in both titles worked so well within the game, I don’t see a point in creating a movie based on those games.

Community Voice #23 : Your Black Friday Hauls: How’d You Do?

The weekend after Thanksgiving, starting with the notorious Black Friday and going through Cyber Monday, are an annual shopping bonanza, in which retailers of all shapes and sizes offer steep discounts in an attempt to separate us from our hard-earned cash.

So, how did you guys do? Did you score big deals online, or did you battle the crowds for the last deeply discounted PS3/TV bundle at Best Buy? I love to hear a good deal, so please share your hauls in the comments, or maybe those items you hoped to find on sale but didn't (and maybe are still waiting for).

Community Voice #22: Console Based Exclusive Content: Good or Bad?

As this gen of gaming continues, the trend of console exclusivity seems to be slowly fading in to the past. Key characters like Master Chief, Mario, and Nathan Drake will remain loyal to their respective consoles, but you're seeing less and less console-exclusive games. Don't forget the “exclusive” franchises that eventually break rank and end up multiplatform. Take Halo creators Bungie Studios for example. Since Halo 2, they'd been an Xbox 360 exclusive company, and yet now their recently inked partnership with Activision has them poised to appear on other consoles.

What we're seeing more and more of is publishers and developers striking deals with one of the “big three” to release exclusive extra content, meanwhile leaving fans of the game who don't own said “exclusive” console out in the cold. So instead of Xbox 360 fanboys arguing with their PS3 nemeses about things like graphics, you've got one rubbing their console exclusive content in the other's face. Moreso, it takes choice away, in a sense, from the consumer, rendering some versions of the game less "complete" than others, since access to exclusive DLC will be forever (or at least for an extended period of time) barred from those users' access.

Community Voice #21: Who’s PlayStation’s “Mascot”?

When I think of the big three console companies, generally an image comes to my mind for each - except Sony. I mean, epic exclusive games come to mind, sure. But not really a character that I'd consider an "icon" or "mascot" to represent the entire brand. Kevin Butler is a champ and a recognizable figure - and perhaps he counts, he is in ModNation Racers after all... But let's talk a video game character from a leading franchise. Is there a one main mascot/icon that immediately comes to mind for PlayStation as definitively as Mario, Link, Kirby and Donkey Kong do for the big red giant? Keep in mind, Crash Bandicoot also hasn't had his own game in years!

Community Voice #20: Xbox Dashboard and Live Changes: Yay or Nay?

Preceding the massive Kinect launch, Microsoft has started rolling out changes to both their Xbox 360 Dashboard and pricing tiers for their Xbox Live Gold service. Starting with the revamped Dashboard, Microsoft has launched a new ESPN3 app, "streamlined" functionality, and an improved voice codec surely aimed at all the people that will be using their Kinects to chat with friends. Along with these changes came a higher price scheme for Xbox Live Gold subscribers. Microsoft's defense of said price hike was a simple, "we need more server space to provide you exclusive content" (like ESPN3).

These changes leave a lot of subscribers wondering if they're indeed "worth it." I personally think so, seeing as how I do plan on getting a Kinect, and have already used my ESPN3 app to check scores and get news without having to change the channel. That being said, the cost increase seems a little bit much. Microsoft is a tech company and should in theory be able to provide said content without too much stress on their resources. It almost feels like they're lying just to cover their butts as people begin to express their frustrations with the higher prices.

Enough about what I think, I'm more curious to see what you, the reader, think. Do you like the new content? Does said content justify the price increase? Sound off and let your voices be heard!

Community Voice #19: Boss Fights: Love ‘Em or Hate ‘Em?

Boss fights: nearly all games have them. But do all games need them? Personally, I'm not a huge fan of boss fights, and I especially dislike when a game adds them in out of some obligation to a set of unwritten game laws rather than doing what fits the game.

However, I will acknowledge that a good boss fight in the right game can be a completely epic and transformative experience. Still, too many boss fights are boring, hackneyed, or cliche. Still others jack the difficulty level up so dramatically from what you have been playing thus far that rather than offering a fun challenge, they feel much more like a chore. And games should never feel like chores, right?

Community Voice #18: Favorite PS2 Games?

Obviously, with so many great titles available for the system, my picks (or even those from Sony's blog) don't include all of the best games available for PS2. What are some of your favorites? You don't have to limit yourself to only three!

Community Voice #17: The Best and Worst Video Game Quotes

Video games and movies share some similarities, one of them being the copious amounts of one liners that our favorite characters seem to have at the ready. Always perfectly placed, these witty quips seem to have a way of enhancing the gameplay just a little bit more. Whether it be my personal favorite from Duke Nukem "I've got BALLS of STEEL" or some other game changing quote, there have have been numerous examples of top notch one liners used in the gaming world.

Community Voice #16: Do You Pre-Order?

Back in the olden days of video gaming, only a few retailers sold games, the internet was a glimmer in Al Gore's eye, and so if you wanted to ensure you'd be playing that hot new release, you waltzed over to your local game store and put down some of your hard earned cash towards the next big game. However, with modern supply and an almost infinite fountain from which you can purchase new (or used) games, pre-ordering has gone from a necessity to a luxury.