Why the Nintendo 64 Totally Kicks Ass

How can a video game system kick ass? Very easily actually.

The Nintendo 64, or N64 as it is called in the gaming community, it undoubtedly the greatest videogame system ever created. No other system really even comes close. The new features and ideas it brought revolutionized the industry, the multiplayer is fantastic and the games are of the utmost quality. The N64 is a system that truly can not be replaced and will continue to be popular for a very long period of time.

Many gaming features used today we take for granted. a lot of the simple little touches we use are all possible due to the N64. Before the system came out all we had were D-Pads (Directional Pads) to guide our on screen characters to do our bidding. The precision was terrible, and the pad could hurt one's fingers after extended use. The N64 changed all of that. With Nintendo's newest machine came the joy stick on a home console. Precision in players' movements reached a whole new level. This is an innovation that every system since the N64 has used. one could not imagine the vast games we play today, and having to use a D-Pad to control our characters. it would be archaic.

Although a separate accessory for the controller, one could easily purchase the rumble pack. A rumble pack provides a rumbling sensation in the controller, used as a hint for secrets, or to exhibit force in a game. every controller now supports this once unthought-of feature. Fighting games use this feature the most, and would feel incomplete without this simple feature nowadays. Two very simple ideas implemented into one little system, changing the way we play games forever.

The one thing that the Nintendo 64 had over all competition at the time was multiplayer. Nintendo doubled the amount of players that could play simultaneously. Instead of having two people playing co-op, the N64 had four people games ready to play immediately at the time of purchase. The system also had a very strong line-up of quality games that utilised this amazing feature, with more games for four people than for most systems released in the last couple of years. Gaming with 3 players at the same time-who are in the same room as you-is perhaps the most fun a gamer can have. The situation makes the adrenaline rush and makes you work extra hard to win in the close competitions.

What makes a system great? The N64 brought some new innovations and ideas, and allowed for four person play, but what makes the N64 the best out there is the games. The system provides some of the highest quality games ever made which hold up very well to this day. Just a few of the many examples are;

Super Mario 64

For the first time ever, Mario interacts in a 3-D world. This game completely took the Mario series and flipped it around. Players were taken from a 2-D side scrolling game to a complete 3-D adventure. Instead of running to the end, players tried to locate and collect all 120 stars, performing missions and playing through episodes to find them all. Players who made it to the end faced the greatest 3-D boss battle of the time, against Bowser. Fighting him in a way they had never done in the past.

Mario Kart 64

My personal favourite game of all time. With 16 courses, 8 characters, 4 battle arenas and 4 player support, this game is extremely fun. Pioneering the famous battle mode, a nice distraction from racing that can be played against 3 other people as well, the game added depth to what was a very shallow series. tight controls and the extra polish made the game stand out and the 4 player mode is one of the best even to this day. This game inspired the extremely well received and high quality game, Diddy Kong Racing.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Known as the greatest game ever made, this game is truly one of a kind. The amount of polish and time spent on this game is hard to imagine. Boasting 6 full temples, 5 smaller dungeons (Including the Well and the Gerudo Fortress), and countless side quests, this game can last forever. To a full-fledged fishing game within a game, to the hunt for 100 spiders hidden throughout the very expansive world. Boasting the ability to travel through time, and over a dozen very memorable and challenging bosses, this game truly can be considered one of, if not the greatest, game of all time. It also inspired the sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Instead of trying to copy the original, the makers of the game truly wanted a unique experience and made something entirely new. Not as well received as the first, but certainly a game that had some fantastic moments.

Some other games that are notoriously good include: GoldenEye007, Super Smash Bros, mario Party, Mario Party 2, Mario Party 3, Pokemon Stadium, Pokemon Stadium 2, Pokemon Snap, Star Fox 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, Paper Mario, Perfect Dark, Donkey Kong 64, Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, Yoshi's Story, Mario Tennis and countless others.

The Nintendo 64 has stood the test of time and has aged very gracefully. From the system that has provided many industry innovations, introduced the world to multiplayer, and has hosted the best games ever created, the system is still the best ever created. The N64 completely kicks ass.

The Wonderous Adventure of Wii Fit

I used to weigh over 200 pounds. I used to be extremely unhealthy and out of shape. Although I can hardly claim to be in terrific shape now, I do weigh 50 pounds less and I don't lose my breath when I tie my shoes.

Thanks Wii Fit.

Wii Fit was able to motivate me in ways that my real life simply couldn't. Nothing makes you feel so ashamed, or hurt, then stepping on the board and instead of seeing a number, you simply see the word, "obese." That stings. You start to realize just how unhealthy you are, you realize all of the junk food you've eaten has stayed with you. You learn just how bad off your health really is.

But don't worry-Wii Fit is there for you. You start of metting the balance board on screen, your virtual guide through this entire process. Then, you get to meet your trainer who has no name. I decided that I would name the male Bob, and the female Tina. They were easy to remember so I knew who to curse when I was angry.

The game is seperated into 4 distinct categories, Yoga, Strength Training, Aerobics and then Balance games for fun. The first three categories are essential to the game, while the Balance games allow for a short rest period inbetween workouts and exercises.

Yoga is an amazing little gem in this game. Having the tranquility and guidance needed to perform yoga was very relaxing. I could feel my body stretching. I could feel the negative energy leaving. I felt at peace with myself. This was not the most physical of the activities, but was definately the most rewarding mentally.

Strength Training was definately the one that hurt me the most. Who knew there was so many different exercises that could strengthen up different parts of the body? Lord knows I didn't. This is the section that made you feel tired and hurt the next morning. This is where you realize that losing all of that weight will not be easy by any means. You have to pick up your socks and start working hard, this is where it makes a difference.

Aerobics is actually fun as well, and gives the user a pretty good workout. Running, jumping, and more are all present and make the user move their body. This is very important, as it encourages the user to be active outside of the game as well. Running in the game has convinced me to start running in real life, which I will be starting when all of this snow melts. I enjoyed this section the most.

Balance games become really competitive, earning that high score is an honour that should not be taken lightly. Everyone wants a piece of that scoreboard and they're going to have to earn it. from dodging soccer balls to snowboarding down the slopes, the balance games cover it all.

Wii Fit also gives you tips and tricks. Like eating a banana before working out, I guess it gives me more energy. These tips are unique and interesting and can add up to real differences in your life. It gives you encouragement and scolds you for going off of your strict regime.

The most influential part of the entire game is that you weigh-in and it tells you how you are doing. All without pounds. It can tell you your BMI score, Body Mass Index (Mass relative to body size). It basically lets you know if you're overweight. but not having to see the pounds (Rather, they were an option) was nice, I didn't have to focus on losing X pounds for X period of time. Instead, I could focus on going from "obese" to "overweight."

The game lets you set goals and tries to help you accomplish them. It will let you know if they are reasonable or not. If not, you can easily change them for something more attainable.

But what the game does for you, something much more important, is that it doesn't judge you. It allows you to become healthy at your own pace. It sincerely motivates you, you start to look at what you eat and wonder if its healthy. You walk the stairs instead of the elevator. You change your life. The game changes your world around you.

By combining all of this together, the game is able to effectively help you change your life if you let it. You can become a better, healthier person.

Thanks Wii Fit.

Whatever Happened to the Wristwatch?

Having a watch used to mean something. Not anymore.

There used to be stores upon stores specifically catering to the watch market. Not anymore.

Everyone who was anyone wore a watch. Not anymore.

No one wears watches anymore. Did society change while I wasn't looking?

Everyone wore them. People would even trade them at recess. Now, the people who wear watches are the social outcasts, the people behind the trends.

What could possibly be the cause? Cellphones. Who needs to wear those bulky watches when one can easily check their phones, or their iPods, or their Zunes (Yeah right).

Society has become so dependent on technology that the grandest invention of all time is completely foresaken.

There used to be co many wristwatches out there, now there is only a couple left.

At least cellphones will never take the place of sliced bread.

Let the Good Times Roll

My first blog. How exciting. First off, I do not care if not one single individual reads this. This will be self-therapy for me. I want to talk about random things, important things, and everything in between.

I cannot wait to get started.