The Courtroom: Defending PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale

 Commentary, Video Games  No Responses »
Dec 102012
 

Before I begin, let me clearly state that in no way will this be a “why Super Smash Bros. is better than PlayStation All-Stars” piece. They both have their own merits. Instead, this piece will focus on why people should give PSAS a chance.

However, it goes without saying that PSAS was no doubt influenced by SSB. It’s a 4 player party fighting game, featuring beloved video game icons. Yet that’s about it with similarities. Once you delve into the gameplay, you’ll realize how different these two games are. PSAS is a lot less crazy and frenetic than its Nintendo cousin. Continue reading »

Posts You Might Like

The Courtroom: It’s Time Bill Snyder Got Some Credit

 Commentary, Sports  3 Responses »
Sep 252012
 

Hey there folks, it’s time to talk some football. While there were plenty of headlines to be made this past weekend in both the college ranks and the NFL (most notably the horrible officiating), I have decided to talk about something that I feel hasn’t gotten enough attention: Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder and the amazing job he’s done over his many years in coaching.

Continue reading »

Posts You Might Like

The Courtroom: Hitman: Absolution Trailer: A Discourse on Sexuality in Video Games

 Analysis, Commentary, Video Games  3 Responses »
Jun 162012
 

There’s been a lot of talk going around about the latest Hitman: Absolution, which is apparently sexist toward women. I’m here to tell you it’s not–if observed through proper context. First off, we’re talking about Hitman here. Hitman for Christ’s sake! The entire Hitman universe is dark, gritty, and non-sensical. It didn’t surprise me in the least bit that there were killer nuns wearing latex. And why are people getting outraged that Agent 47 is killing them in a brutal manner? They’re assassins trying to kill him; it’s only natural he defend himself. He’s not a saint–he’s a stone-cold killer.

Now this topic got me thinking again about sexuality in video games. I’ve already made my thoughts on this matter clear before: I could care less what goes on a digital fantasy realm. However, I thought it would be a good time to re-iterate and expand my beliefs for newer readers. Continue reading »

Posts You Might Like

The Courtroom: Should Developers Package Demos with Lesser Known Games?

 Analysis, Commentary, Video Games  1 Response »
May 232012
 

With the release of Dragon’s Dogma yesterday (which Kirk Thornton did the voice direction for), it got me thinking about a topic I’ve had on my mind for a while: should moar developers package demos of highly anticipated games with lesser known titles? As you may well know (or not know), Dragon’s Dogma comes with a demo of Resident Evil 6. The RE franchise is well-known and popular franchise; many gamers will undoubtedly buy the next installment of an established franchise. Some players have purchased Dragon’s Dogma solely for the demo of RE6. This is a great strategy to sell copies of a game, but as I stated, should moar developers do this? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons. Continue reading »

Posts You Might Like

The Courtroom: 7 Nintendo Characters That Deserve Their Own Game

 Analysis, Commentary, Video Games  8 Responses »
May 122012
 

Nintendo has provided us with some incredible franchises over the years. However, some detractors criticize Nintendo’s milking of certain franchise characters. It’s no secret that Nintendo thrives on their AAA titles, and that many game companies do not take the risk of creating a new franchise. What can be done to remedy this ailment? Why not create some games centered around already established side characters? This would please both hardcore Nintendo fans, who would love to see moar beloved Nintendo icons in games outside of “party” ones, and those pessimistic non-Nintendo fans, who would no longer be able to say that all Nintendo does is rehash Mario and Zelda. Here are 7 characters I believe Nintendo should feature in their own games:

1. Meta Knight

Who wouldn’t want to see a Meta Knight game? Meta Knight did have a fun side game in the DS game remake of Kirby Super Star, but one of Kirby’s greatest rivals deserves his own game. It has long been hinted that Meta Knight is a member of Kirby’s species; I would love to see a game that would explore this rumor and how he became the Meta Knight we all love today.  The game could also feature some of his early conquering exploits as leader of the Meta-Knights, and his arrival at Dream Land. Gameplay would be like any other Kirby game: a side-scrolling adventure game.

Continue reading »

Posts You Might Like

Mecha Monday x The Courtroom: Gundam Idealism

 Analysis, Anime, Commentary  3 Responses »
May 072012
 

At Anime Boston 2012, I attended a panel hosted by Charles Dunbar of Study of Anime called “The Honor of a Greater Power: Activism and Politics in Gundam.” There were two other guys co-hosting the panel with Charles: Doug Wilder of Animecons.com and Tomoaki Ishigaki. The panel was ok; inevitably, since the panel was open to the floor, there were going to be a lot of, for lack of a better word, stupid and eye-roll worthy comments. I’ve decided to write up a small piece about my views on the various ideas in the various Gundam series. While this post won’t necessarily be about activism and politics, it was indeed inspired by the panel. “The Courtroom” makes its triumphant return.

The Universal Century

The UC timeline is my favorite Gundam timeline because it reflects humanity in its true grotesque nature without sugar coating any details. People fight and die for no apparent reason. People cling to ideology in hopes of a “better” world. Obviously, the definition of “better” is subjective.  Despite countless years separating each series, humanity’s cruel nature seldom changes.  Despite the efforts of a few characters, the cycle of death continues.  Kamille Bidan of Zeta Gundam is one of my favorite characters because he grows from an idealistic fool, to one who realizes the cruel reality of the world. His final act, while courageous, changes nothing. Uso Ewin of Victory Gundam is another great example of an idealistic young fool becoming a hardened realist. Nearly 70 years after Zeta Gundam, and the world hasn’t changed. If you want death, Victory Gundam would be right up your alley. Continue reading »

Posts You Might Like

The Courtroom Special feat. Hippiefreak of Anime Tree Part 3 of 3: American Views on Asians

 Analysis, Anime, Comics, Commentary, Movies, Sports  1 Response »
Feb 222012
 

(Continued from Part 2)

Judge:  Hmmm that’s interesting.  In high school, no one I knew liked anime.  I wasn’t as big into it as I am now, but that’s because I have people to share my interest with.  Sharing culture is great as it promotes interest.  Hmmm anything else on this part? Otherwise, I think you’ve mentioned some aspect of part 3 a little: American perception of Asians.  Right off the bat, I know one thing I want to say is: HOLLYWOOD STOP DESTROYING ANIME!

Hippiefreak: Hollywood has ruined anime.  Look at Dragonball Z.  The way i remember Dragonball Z is one dude charging his power, episode ends, next episode other dude charges his power, and it repeats. How hard could it be to screw THAT up?

Do not want

Continue reading »

Posts You Might Like

The Courtroom Special feat. Hippiefreak of Anime Tree Part 2 of 3: Appreciating Culture

 Analysis, Commentary  No Responses »
Feb 212012
 

Last time, on Moar Powah Z! (part 1):

Judge: Unfortunately, [racism] will never go away.  People will hate each other for silly reasons till the end of time.  We’re imperfect creatures.  Anybody who thinks otherwise is an idiot, plain and simple.  We’re never going to come to some ultimate understanding of one another *cough*Gundam 00*cough*

Hippiefreak: A sad fact but I agree with you.  But case in point: some people HAVE moved on.

Judge: Yes, which kinda leads into our next point.  We’ve touched on it a bit already, but regardless of race, I think it’s perfectly alright to appreciate others’ cultures. In fact, it shows peaceful coexistence.

Now for Part 2!

Hippiefreak: I agree, having peace throughout and good tolerance will bring a lot of good into this world.  America seems to have greatly accepted anime.  While there are some exceptions, the many conventions and dubbings are evidence of that.

Judge: Yes! Quick note: have you ever been to a convention before?

Hippiefreak: Yes, I have. I went to Anime Central in Illinois, and I plan on going this year as well.  The presence of light novels angered my partner Light as he still cannot read Japanese that well.

Judge: Hahaha. Anime cons are great. I’ve been to New York Anime Festival (now merged with Comic Con) three years in a row and Anime Boston two years in a row (going again this April).  Anyways, where were we? Oh yes, culture.  With Korean cutlure, K-dramas and K-pop have really infiltrated not only the U.S., but a lot of other countries as well.  People love that stuff.

SNSD or Girls' Generation

Hippiefreak: Ah yes. A prime example in my life is a Filipino friend and an Indian friend I have.  They cannot get enough of that stuff. It kinda gets annoying, but it makes me wonder: if Japanese people saw how much their media has impacted the west, would they get annoyed at how we make such a big deal about it?

Judge: Yeah that is true.  But they do have their own creepy otakus.  Bottom line: everything in moderation.  Weeaboos for example.  They take it overboard.

Hippiefreak:  Anime isn’t really the best example for an ordinary Japanese life.  Losers getting the hotties is probably too good to be true as well.  But this brings up something I have thought about.  My current schoolmates are completely oblivious to anime/manga.  I am both happy and disappointed by this fact.  Happy that there aren’t any weeaboos and sad that I don’t have more people that share my interests.  There are a few exceptions with Light being one of them.

Judge:  Hmmm that’s interesting.  In high school, no one I knew liked anime.  I wasn’t as big into it as I am now, but that’s because I have people to share my interest with.  Sharing culture is great as it promotes interest.  Hmmm anything else on this part? Otherwise, I think you’ve mentioned some aspect of part 3 a little: American perception of Asians…(STAY TUNED FOR PART 3!)

The Courtroom Special feat. Hippiefreak of Anime Tree Part 1 of 3: A Korean Perspective on Anime

 Analysis, Anime, Commentary  1 Response »
Feb 202012
 

Hey guys and welcome to a special three part edition of “The Courtroom.”  Hippiefreak of Anime Tree was kind enough to sit down and have a chat over some interesting topics.  I wanted to do some posts involving an Asian perspective on Asian things.  Part 1 deals with being Korean and liking anime (since Hippiefreak and I are both Korean).  Part 2 deals with appreciating different cultures regardless of race.  And Part 3 deals with America’s view of Asians.  

Judge: Alright, if my memory serves me correctly, part 1 was detailing being Korean and liking anime correct?

Hippiefreak: Yes it was.

Judge: Ok. So just to start off, do you have any initial thoughts/feelings on the matter?

Hippiefreak: Well, anime in this time and age has fans all around the world. Although Korea and Japan’s relationship is still “edgy,” it doesn’t stop Korean people from loving anime.

Judge: I would agree with what you said. There were times in my life especially when I was younger where my dad would have some issues with me liking anime since it was Japanese. That wasn’t his only reason, but it still was a reason.  I used to think that liking anime and Japanese things moar than things of my own culture was a bad thing.  But in the end, it isn’t a big deal; I value my Korean ancestry and appreciate Japanese things as well. No harm no foul.

Hippiefreak:  During my childhood, anime was easily like Spongebob in America.  I watched them before I even knew it was anime or made in Japan.

Continue reading »

Posts You Might Like

The Courtroom: Tebowmania

 Commentary, Sports  1 Response »
Jan 162012
 

With the Denver Broncos now ousted from the playoffs, it’s time to examine one of the greatest phenomenons in professional sports–”Tebowmania.”  No other quarterback in recent memory was able to garner so much attention–both positive and negative–as Tebow did this season.  What was the cause of such craziness?  Well…many things.  A combination of a questionable skills, winning, religion, and Skip Bayless all played a big role in creating “Tebowmania.”

As a big fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide, I knew far too well the man that is Tim Tebow.  I knew of his amazing comebacks and inspirational speeches. Bama was unfortunately on the wrong end of one of his comebacks (2008 SEC Championship Game).  However, there were serious doubts by many analysts that he could become a successful NFL quarterback.  It’s time to put things in perspective.

You know it’s really sad that you are labeled a “hater” by simply stating facts.  I’ve been called a Boise State “hater” before, but I’m not bothered by it.  They have definitely proved they can play with the big boys…when given enough time to prepare.  With Cam Newton, I was very skeptical that he could make it in the pros.  However, his play this year has eased my concerns a little bit.  I want to see if he can do it next year, and the year after.  You see, with me, I have to be shown that a particular team or athlete can perform at a high level over multiple years for me to say, “They’re the real deal.”  What can I say?  I’m a pessimist and a skeptic.  I was very wary of Jose Bautista when he smacked 54 home runs a year ago.  Those worries were largely put at rest when he came out this season and had another monster year (a year which he deserved the MVP).  As much as I love Curtis Granderson (and as much as I believe this year he really turned the corner), he better go out there and do it again.

Michael Jordan told Ray Allen after the Boston Celtics won the 2008 NBA Finals that they were “lucky” and to talk to him again when he won “at least 2.”  This was by no means cocky; it’s the truth.  Winning a championship is hard in any sport; it does require some luck.  However, winning multiple championships is the true measurement of greatness.  Obviously, winning multiple requires luck as well, but that factor diminishes the moar and moar you win.  The Yankees Dynasty of the 90′s and the Patriots of the early 2000′s are proof of this.  They will always be remembered as the best of the best.  That’s what I want to see out of any player.  He doesn’t have to win a championship, but I want to see high levels of play over multiple years.  One good year does not mean sustained success (remember Rex Grossman?).  Tebow is the ultimate example of a one year wonder.  Not saying he’s going to be, but that he has all the makings of one.  People are so quick to jump on his bandwagon.  I’ve even heard some lunatics say that he’s “broken the mold for QB’s in the NFL.”  What the hell?  People are crazy. Continue reading »

Posts You Might Like

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3