The Rumble Pack

At least, that’s what they say.

Recently, I’m finding that every day that goes by finds another game added to my ever-growing list of “must plays.” Between catching up on my backlog of purchased-yet-untouched games, being a collection whore about games that I really care about (Smash Bros anyone?) and the onslaught of amazing releases that seems like will never come to an end (Why, when I get out of school, do summers suddenly get so sweet??), I feel incredibly overwhelmed with the amount of games being stuffed into my backlog.

Oh, and it doesn’t help that I do this podcast thing where everyone talks about all of the amazing games they’re playing. Doesn’t help one bit.

Probably the only game that will ever truly bring me balance.

>:0 BOOOO!!!!!! (ok ok, sorry, sorry) Read more

This week’s episode of The Rumble Pack contains the daily required amount of the following nutrients: Megaman per Nick’s further review. Shiren the Wanderer courtesy of Tony’s obsessive compulsive affinity for blindness. N+ straight from Kaz and XBLA/Pinata fun that Tom baked into the episode just for you.

Justin joins the crew for the second half of the show for a lively discussion of the news which ends in a rather intense discussion of Stardock’s recent comments on piracy. Then the whole cast embarks on a journey to finally discuss nostalgia in games to it’s fullest. Things are wrapped up nicely by running down the week’s releases and drooling over our most anticipated games.

 

 Episode 37: Remember [97:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

They’re heeeeeeeere.

It’s been six years.

Six years of duking it out with friends, six years of arguing about cheap characters, six years of practicing to become better, and six years of playing the same damn game with that goofy smile on my face.
You know a game is magic when you can’t stop playing it…for six years.

Once a console generation, Nintendo decides to grace us with the next iteration of what can only be described as the zaniest game I’ve ever come to love in my entire life. The new Smash Brothers is here, finally. Read more

*Major “The Wire” spoilers towards the very end of this post…

Wow, what the hell happened? I had intended to follow up those stupid potion photos with something substantial shortly after, but somehow time just slipped through my fingers. I’m not saying that I don’t have a few valid excuses, but I do feel bad for letting so many days pass by.

Tokyo: I have never appreciated clean air so much. After spending half a year under the smoggy blanket of Shijiazhuang, it was so refreshing to be able to see the sky again. My lungs almost had trouble adjusting to Tokyo’s comparably pristine air. On the ground, things were just as immaculate. Though I had trouble finding trashcans anywhere besides convenient marts, there was hardly any trash in the streets. The recycling program is also far beyond what I had encountered before - even in fast food restaurants, patrons have to separate their plastic straws and lids from the rest of their garbage. Of course, the Japanese use tons of packing material in lieu of mass quantities of preservatives, so I would imagine there are trade offs.

Stuffed poop inside a U.F.O. crane game - almost worth the 100 yen admission…

Read more

Down one Justin, but the other four stand strong. This week, Tony beats a game (nothing new), Tom starts a Geometric War, Nick made love to some Capcom and Kaz finds himself ambling back to Crystal Chronicles. The awesome foursome also talk about the Return of Das Boot and its utter creepiness.

In the second half, the crew touches on the light and the dark side of nostalgia. There’s also some extended talk about the up and coming Mario Kart Wii, and the good/bad/ugly of power slide dashing. Ready? Set? GO!

 

 Episode 36:Nasty Nintendo Nostalgia [85:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Hey everyone. I just wanted to pop on here and say sorry for the blog delay this week! It’s been kind of busy, and I’ve got guests coming this weekend, so look for something towards the beginning of next week!

Oh, and my brawl code is 4811-6614-4574, for anyone who wants to add me! See ya soon!

Full cast and crew for this episode. Tom talks all about Bioshock and how it feels to be finishing the big boy games. Justin talks about the latest Saturn gaming craze infecting his fellow travellers in China. Tony pimps Patapon , and yes, that sounds dirty. Nick talks about his religious experience with the TMNT arcade game and mentions Megaman. Kaz proves you can download a movie without being a pirate.

In the second half of the show Nick, Tony, Kaz and Tom take the reigns in a no-holds-barred discussion of Super Smash Brothers Brawl. Which leads to a related discussion that will continue on next weeks “On the Mind”.

Talking about this week’s releases, download games and Rock Band content round out an excellent episode.

 

 Episode 35: Smasha-de-Smash [95:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Disclaimer: Due to the loss of Justin’s file this episode is disjointed.. He does not appear in the first half of the show but is present in the second half of the show. None of the rest of the cast appears fazed by this because when we recorded he was there the whole time.

Nick, Tom, Tony and Kaz start the show off by yammering about all the games they’ve been playing. From Megaman games to Patapon to Audiosurf and even moldy oldies like Bioshock. The second half of the show contains all the important happenings in the industry and a discussion that continues our “Games As” series.  Not a discussion of games as something, but a discussion of racial inequality in games today, where the industry should go and what steps are being made now. Enjoy a slightly slim, more fit episode of The Rumble Pack!

 

 Episode 34: The Bell Tolls One [100:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It’s been a very busy week.

3 out of 4 nights have involved overtime and I haven’t taken lunch in about 3 days. I was so exhausted tonight, that I missed a monthly night out with my fraternity brothers. I also haven’t played a game in days. If it were any other week, I think I’d be at the end of my rope.

But not this week. Oh no, not this week.

You see, I’m currently trying to complete a project at work - one that should have been finished weeks ago, but thanks to certain circumstances (you’ll have to private message me for them), it’s getting crammed into this week. I’ve seriously been working like a dog trying to get it finished by friday. Because Monday, I’m not showing up for work.

Monday is all mine.

That’s right, I’m making my own mini-vacation, and it officially starts at 5:00 tomorrow.

Of course, the main event is Saturday at midnight.

So you’ll have to excuse me for the short blog entry this week - every ounce of energy I have that’s not being consumed by work is being stored for this weekend. And trust me - I’m going to need it.

Remember to send me your friend codes.

I’ll see ya on the other side.