Friday, January 29, 2016

Nice Package! (City Connection, Famicom)

Until a few months ago, City Connection was nowhere to be found on the extensive gaming "wish list" that resides on my trusty laptop.

Although I have fond memories of playing some version or other of this odd Jaleco-made action game as a teen, it was a Famicom title I could do without.

Or so I thought. Just before the holidays, I fired up this 1985 release's ROM and had such a blast with it that I decided then and there to track down a complete-in-box (CIB) copy of it.



To be fair, I go through that very same process all the time in regard to other games, and the majority of them are still taking up space on my precious "buy ASAP" list.

What pushed me to pick up City Connection so quickly? There's no question its plucky Japanese box art (above) played a pretty vital role.



I don't know that I'd say the back of City Connection's box is as fabulous as its front, but that doesn't mean the latter is a big old turd.

For instance, I rather like how the reverse side of the package showcases a handful of semi-wonky screenshots like only a retro game can do.



The absolute best part of the CIB City Connection experience, though, is its cartridge. I mean, just look at the beautiful, banana-yellow plastic in the photo above.

Adding to the effect is the focused version of the game's logo and box art.



Now here (or, rather, above) is something you don't see every day--a label on the back of a Famicom cart that features more than a couple of lines of boring text.

Sadly, I'm clueless as to the point of this label. Does it simply reiterate or summarize the information shared on the backside of City Connection's box? Or does it share some kind of unique info with the player? Whatever the case may be, consider me a fan of the general execution.

Have any of you played any iteration of City Connection? If so, what are your thoughts on it?

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Dear Marvelous: make a gay version of Uppers (Vita) and I'll gladly buy two copies

I know there's no real chance that what I'm suggesting here will happen, but I'm going to suggest it anyway.

After all, I can't imagine there are many male gay gamers out there who wouldn't like to see and play a same-sex version of the following over-the-top beat 'em up.

Granted, I'm not calling for the folks at Marvelous, led by Senran Kagura producer Kenichiro Takaki, to simply replace the ladies in Uppers, their upcoming Vita release, with men--which seemingly would mean a whole lot of scenes showing the game's muscly protagonists motorboating the pecs of their similarly manly onlookers.



Actually, I'd be fine if they did just that, but I'd prefer something a bit more creative. For example, they could give Uppers: Gay Edition a kind of worship-y vibe by having the aforementioned onlookers (who would be guys, just in case it needs to be repeated) squeeze the brawlers' muscles or even bury their faces in the studs' armpits.

What do you think? Am I alone in finding such a scenario appealing, or would some of you like to experience it, too? Or maybe you'd like to see something similar, but aimed at gay women? In that case, how would you want its content to differ from what's showcased in the trailer above?

Even if you don't agree with me and my idea, what is your opinion of the version of Uppers the world (Japan, in particular) will get in a few months? Do you think it's trashy and crass, or do you think it looks like childish fun?

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

I'm seriously thinking about double dipping on Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2 (otherwise known as Sega 3D Classics Collection)

If you're asking yourself: what does he mean, "double dipping"? What I mean is that I already own a copy of Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2 (and the first Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives title, too, it has to be said), and despite that fact, I'm still considering buying the localized version of the sequel when it's released here on April 26.

Speaking of which, when Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2 hits North American store shelves (as well as this region's 3DS eShop) this spring, it'll do so with a slightly different name. That name: Sega 3D Classics Collection.

As was the case with Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2Sega 3D Classics Collection will contain a slew of well-loved games from Sega's extensive back catalog. Among them: Altered BeastFantasy Zone II (Master System iteration), Fantasy Zone II WGalaxy Force IIMaze Walker (another old Master System title), Power DriftPuyo Puyo 2Sonic the Hedgehog and Thunder Blade.



Oh, and all of this retro wonderfulness can be yours for a measly $29.99.

So why am I just "thinking" about buying the Sega 3D Classics Collection at the moment--you know, as opposed to feeling certain I'll buy it? Well, like I revealed in this post's opening lines, I already own a copy of its Japanese counterpart. On top of that, I've yet to even stick that game's cartridge into my import 3DS LL.

Because of that, I'll continue to ponder the situation until I'm forced to make a decision one way or the other.

In the meantime, how did all of you react to the revelation that at least one of the Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives titles will soon be made available to owners of North American 3DS systems? Are you going to add Sega 3D Classics Collection to your, er, collection at some point down the road, or are you planning to give it a pass?

Monday, January 25, 2016

Raise your hand if you're planning to pick up a copy of the Bravely Second Collector's Edition

I don't know how many of you have been following the drama related to the stealth (for lack of a better word) North American release of the Bravely Second Collector's Edition, but here's the gist for those who feel out of the loop.

Basically, early last week, Nintendo unveiled a Bravely Second Collector's Edition for the North American market.

Included in this premium release, which will hit store shelves alongside the 3DS RPG's standard edition on April 15: a copy of the game (duh), a 10-song soundtrack and a 25-page "deluxe art book." I'm not entirely sure what "deluxe" means when it comes to game art books, but I have a feeling it means the book has a hard cover.

Oh, and all of the above comes packed inside a rather lovely outer box.

Unsurprisingly, copies of the Bravely Second Collector's Edition aren't going to be cheap. In fact, one of them will run you a not-unsubstantial $69.99.



You might think the steep asking price would make them readily available, especially given the rather negative reaction to this game's 2014 predecessor, but that's not the case.

As anyone who has attempted to pre-order this version of Bravely Default from Amazon will tell you, copies seem to be severely limited at the moment.

If you're interested, you may be able to grab one via gamestop.com, so be sure to check it out if you've got designs on owning this particular Collector's Edition. And what if you just want the regular edition? Amazon has you covered.

So, how many of you already have nabbed a North American copy of the Bravely Second Collector's Edition, or how many of you want to nab one in the coming weeks or months?

Let me know in the comments section below. And let me know, too, if you're simply interested in this title's more straightforward (and decidedly more affordable) standard version.