Making sense of Street Fighter part 3

With the insanity of Street Fighter Alpha 3 going on, I had no idea that a year earlier, Capcom released a Street Fighter III. I didn't get the news until 1999 and I kept wondering how I, a self proclaimed huge Street Fighter fan, missed it.

Everything about SFIII blew me away and it showed that Capcom was looking to move forward with series. New graphics, new jazzy soundtrack, semi-new gameplay and best of all, new characters. The previous storylines involving Shadaloo, along with it's leader, M. Bison, were nowhere in sight. In his place as head baddie is Gill, a half blue, half red angelic figure in charge of the Illuminati.

Apparently, the Illuminati couldn't afford to give their leader some pants...

In its first release, only Ryu and Ken returned from the original series, added only after fans demanded they be brought back. In the place of Ryu as the hero was Alex, a wrestler from the U.S. who went after the Gill when his trainer was injured by them. Other interesting characters included Ibuki, a *ninja* high school student, Dudley, a gentleman boxer who just wants his car back and Sean, the protege' of Ken. Through time, improved versions of SFIII were released, adding more characters and more fighting modes but I don't think the series really caught on in the U.S. the way SFII did. I think one of the reasons for that was because of Street Fighter fans were too busy playing the "Marvel vs. Capcom" series. While I don't knock the series, because  it was a fun series, Street Fighter III should've gotten the attention it deserved. From what I remember, only one of the games even made it to a video game console in the States,"Street Fighter III: 3rd strike" on the Sega Dreamcast.

8 years later, I began seeing previews for what would become Street Fighter IV and thought it looked pretty cool but it didn't blow me away. I saw Ryu, Ken and Chun-Li and thought "Oh, they brought Chun-Li back. That's nice" and hoped for more. Oh, how disappointed I would become.

I don't know who did Ryu's character design but they needed to fired ASAP!

With more reveals of the game came more disappointment. When all the fighters were revealed, it was the same Goddamn cast of Street Fighter II and yes, I realize that Street Fighter Alpha 3 also had the cast of Street Fighter II but that was a prequel and I already explained my frustration with that. The new fighters didn't fare any better. With the exception of El Fuerte' and Gouken, the designs were bland at best. Now to be honest, I might have been ok with the original fighters being in it if they had been aged but none of that had happened. And then I saw the story and I thought to myself "you've got to be fucking kidding me!". Street Fighter IV takes place after Street Fighter II but before Street Fighter III. This does not make it Street Fighter IV, it makes it Street Fighter II & 1/2. The other gripe was that Shadaloo was back in the picture. Bison was back but he was not the main villain, though he was still in charge of the organization. The main villain is Seth, who is in charge of Shadaloo's weapons division and looks like Dr. Manhattan of "Watchmen".

Seth, yeah, not impressed...

To me, this was not a step in the right direction, it was a step backward. No matter how upped the graphics and combos are, if a game is giving its fans nothing new, it's only a matter of time before fans are able to through that and I guess it was my time. I played the game it was just as most of  the new characters were, bland. Even it's updated versions didn't do anything for the series, save bringing in evil fighter, Juri.  At this point, I kind of gave up on the series...

Recently, there has been footage of the upcoming Street Fighter V and it looked exactly like SFIV. Test footage shown was of Ryu, Chun Li, a returning Charlie (now looking like Frankenstein's Monster) and hints of Bison. I'll put this way, I'm not jumping for joy about it...yet.

Get off your ass and blog (a short one)

Me deciding whether to post a blog or play Earthbound

 Yeah, this blog will be me, begging my readers to please don't go as I explain why my blog output has been a little slow lately.
I know my output has been sporadic since about September and for those visit this site, I do apologize. You guys deserve better than that but hear me out for a second. The reason the slowdown has happened is simple, life happens. I am a student finishing up at a community college while working at the schools newspaper. As a procrastinator, it's difficult to even write things I'm being paid and grade on, let alone writing for fun. And I know y'all are thinking,"if writing is so time consuming" or "if you're so busy" why keep doing it? Well, to be honest, I enjoy it. It's my outlet and I like to share my trials and tribulations, my likes and dislikes with an audience, in hopes that they enjoy my writings. Now, what can I do to keep ya'll coming back. Well, other than just try a little bit more in put out blogs quicker, I'm gonna have to leave that question up to you guys.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to play more Earthbound. I hope to have another blog out soon. Just be patient, please.

2014 Year in Review

1. What did you do in 2014 that you'd never done before?
Wrote for a newspaper. 

2.  Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Welp, still living at home. I didn't really make one for 2015, so I'll just stick with that one.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Um, one of my bestie's sister gave birth but I'm not that close to her...

4. Did anyone close to you die?
 My ex-girlfriend's cat died. That made me kind of sad.

5. What countries did you visit?
The country that is Ohio.

 6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
Um, my diploma, my own place, Kyatto Ninden Teyandee on dvd, a better phone

7. What date from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Best date I can think of is May 27th, when I began my new job at a college newspaper.

8.  What was your biggest achievement of the year?
See answer to above question...

 9. What was your biggest failure?
 Not being able to get financial aid for the umpteenth time, Not spending anytime volunteering for the organizations I frequently volunteer for.

10.Did you suffer illness or injury?
 Not really, which is astounding...

11. What was the best thing you bought?
 Erm...pants

 12.  Whose behavior merited celebration?
 Umm...

 13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
 The NYPD or any other law enforcement that got away with the murder of innocent people. 2nd place goes towards a former love interest who is both a coward and out of her fucking mind.

14.Where did most of your money go?
 Bus Passes and classes

 15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
  The U.S. release of Zyuranger, Age of Ultron, being paid more than two hours a story...

  16. What song will always remind you of 2014?
   Again, no song in particular. I listened to a lot of New Edition, David Grant and at the end of the year, DeBarge.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
   i. happier or sadder?: In between . Tired and Cynical mostly.
    ii. thinner or fatter?: My weight fluctuates a lot .
    iii. richer or poorer?: I have a job now so...richer?

 18.What do you wish you'd done more of?
   Not make everything all about me, take my classes seriously and manage my money better

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
 Make  everything all about me (yes, I know that was listed above) sleeping, and procrastinating. Can't seem to shake that habit. Possibly snoring so loud.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
  With Family in Columbus

 21. Did you fall in love in 2014?
 I thought so. What a disaster that turned into...

22. Did your heart break in 2014?
 See answer above...

23.  What was your favorite TV program?
 The Flash, Lucha Underground...

 24.Did you know anybody who got married?
 My irritating former roommate and the guy that used to live across the hall from me when I lived in the dorms both got married. 

25. What states did you visit in 2014?
  Just the one I live in

 26. Where were you when 2014 began?
  At Jenny Border's apartment...

27. Who were you with?
  Jenny Border, Terry and Jay

 28. Where will you be when 2014 ends?
  At Eliza and Adrienne's house

 29. Who will you be with when 2014 ends?
  Adrienne

 30. What was the best book you read?
  Didn't do much reading in 2014. Sorry...

 31. What was your greatest musical discovery?
  See answers to Question 16

 32. What did you want and get?
  A job

 33.What did you want and not get?
  See answers to question  6

 34. What was your favorite film of this year?
  Didn't really see anything new this year. Horrible Bosses 2 was pretty funny...in a stupid way.

35. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was given a piece of cake and card by my work mates. The rest of my birthday was spent at home.

36. Where did you go on vacation?
Vacation??

37. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
 Same as last year, Black Hipster

38. What kept you sane?
 My job, my friends, writing, Super Nintendo/ Super Famicom games...

 39. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
 any that stood up against Racism and murder of innocents

40. What political issue stirred you the most?
 see the first half of answer to question 13

 41. Did you have to go to the hospital?
 For once, no

 42.  How many concerts did you see in 2014?
 None

 43. Did you have a favorite concert in 2014?
 None

 44.  Who was the best new person you met?
 Katrina, Danny, Anna, Jen, Victoria

45. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
 Being told off by my boss playfully cursing out a fellow employee

 46. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2014?
  See previous answer...

47.  Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014
 Stop procrastinating. Another one is to not wait around for a woman who doesn't seem too interested after a while.

  48.  What are your plans for 2015?
  Finally graduating from the college I am at and return to the University I was at before. Get my place, roommate possible. See where this job takes me.

 49. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Life is a beautiful struggle"- Talib Kweli  


 

Eulogy for an old friend (Saturday morning cartoons)

Imagine I look like this while you read this blog

On September 27th of this year, an old friend of mine breathed its last breath. Though this friend was way older than me, I've known them all my life.This friend made me laugh, cry, gave me imagination, and most of all, woke me up early every Saturday morning.  This friend is, if you didn't guess by the title, is Saturday morning cartoons.

The best friends a toddler could ever ask for

As an 80s baby who grew up in 90s, I got to see the two greatest eras of Saturday morning cartoons. From cartoons based on comics books, to 30 minute toy commercials, I truly believed I soaked it all in, shaping some of my personality. I know it sounds insane but bear with me here, I can say I got my sarcasm from Raphael of the Ninja Turtles or Heathcliff, a sense of right and wrong from the Thundercats or M.A.S.K. and some my taste of music from Kidd Video (look it up). I'm not saying my parents didn't teach me anything but when you're a kid, you tend to listen to cartoons more than your parents. Well, until your parents threaten to whoop you.

Probably the reason for my obesity 

As I got older, I didn't watch as much many Saturday morning cartoons because if I didn't have to work, I was most likely catching up on sleep.When I did see them, with some exceptions, I wasn't really impressed with them. Within time, the big 4 channels (ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX) stopped showing cartoons altogether, leaving only the CW and after September 27th of this year, they stopped.

I find it a little sad because of the following reasons; 1. They've been around for forever. They were around when my parents were kids. I remember watching them with my parents (my mom always chuckled at "Cadillacs & Dinosaurs and Dad was pretty fond of "Real Ghostbusters") and my sister ( "Jem" was the only cartoon we could agree on to watch). I was hoping to one day watch them with my children but unless I have the internet, I won't be able to show them the classics. 2. I can't be the only person influenced by Saturday morning cartoons. Though we don't like it, Michael Bay is obviously a fan of them. I know books and life can influence kids but what better way to be influenced than to wake up on a 6 a.m. Saturday morning to watch 6-7 hours of animation??

Rest in Peace, Saturday Morning Cartoons. You are sorely missed
Always,
Me

P.S. Below are stills from some of my Saturday Morning Cartoons growing up and some of the morals they may have taught me...  

Teamwork

Family

Patriotism 

Music

Martial Arts

and... More Teamwork

Lonely Summer...

I apologize to my audience (the five of you) for not blogging in so long but a lot has been happening that's kept me a tad busy. This summer left me with the full plate of a new job and a very difficult class, that, in the end, I failed. I do enjoy my new job, there were elements that kept me from enjoying this summer, not getting any personal writing done and hanging out with friends.

Oh and I STILL don't own this yet... 

For over a year, I've been working on a book about how screwed up 2011 was for me and a short sci-fi story I started on in a writing class and I don't even think I've jotted down ideas for either of them since mid May. I wanted to keep this blog more updated or at least conclude the Street Fighter blog by early August but all I finished was "Shenandoh Beauty" and that was late July. As upset with myself I am about not staying on top of my personal writing,  all I can do is make time to work on it whenever the chance is given.

The issue that urks  me the most about this summer is the time, or lack there of, I got to spend with friends. Now my friends aren't fully to blame for this, as there some friends I either avoided, hung out way too much instead of others or just didn't put effort into contacting. There were friends, however, who I truly wanted to hang out with but it always felt like something would get in the way, either on their side or mine. Coming  from a superstitious family (even though I'm agnostic), I feel like this was some form of Murphy's Law, biting me in the ass for said friends I didn't make time for or avoided.

In the end, I don't know what to think. Summer's over with and my schedule is even more hectic. Only thing I can think of doing is appreciate the friendships I have and the time I can get, even with those I previously avoided.

Oh, and I don't own this yet either, Damnit!

Shenandoah Beauty

I think most of us (me and you, the readers) remember how great/ horrible high school was for us. I remember my first dance, first friend, first time someone made fun of me but most of all, I remember my first high school crush.

I began high school in the fall of an undisclosed mid-late 90s time frame at Colonel White high school. Having had a bad experience in middle school, I was a little hesitant on speaking to anybody. In my first month, I found myself extremely bored, mostly because I didn't talk to anybody, and began an old habit I picked up in middle school, skipping classes.One particular day, I sat on the outside steps of the school,debating whether or not to skip when I heard the door open. I panicked, thinking it was a school security guard but seeing who came through the door would make me panic more than any authority figure could, at least at that time.

"Let me guess, the lunch sucked to you too." said a short, caucasian girl. Her hair was blond and frizzy, she wore coke bottle glasses, a row of braces lined her teeth, top to bottom and in my eyes, she was beautiful. I was terrified but I hid it behind a smirk, the first time my face had a positive expression since school started. "It was pretty gross" I said and she smiled, showing off her beautiful braces. I introduced myself, proving that I was more vocal towards women then than I am now, and she told me her name and that she was new. We chatted until we heard the bell and ran inside, with her turning around right when I decided to look at butt. "Well, see ya around."" she said, running off in the opposite direction of where I was going.
An hour later, I had choir class, a class I despised so much that I mostly sat in the back to avoid being seen by the teacher. This day, I sat in such a reclusive spot, I'm sure I could've fallen asleep. A couple of minutes after class had started, the door opened and  there she was again. She handed a slip to the teacher, I guess letting him know she was new and as she turned to face the class, I stood up, hoping she would notice me. She saw me, giving me a small wave but choosing to sit in the front. I was taken aback that she didn't sit next to me but hell, at least she acknowledged me and when class was over, I wanted to be with her but this was my last class and wanted to catch my bus and be at home even more.
Within the months, I felt like I now had a purpose to come to school, her. When she was there, I couldn't have been happier and when she wasn't , I sulked hard. I remember one night when I stayed up to watch "The Lost Boys" (1987) on a school night and just when I was about to go to bed, Wes Craven's "Deadly Friend" (1986) came on. Now I really didn't care to stay up and watch another horror film, a bad looking one at that, but then I saw the character of Sam, played by actress Kristy Swanson and I saw her. Because of the resemblance, I watched this horrible movie in all it's glory and by the time it was over, it was time for me to get ready for school. This experience might explain my long standing crush on said actress.

No, not her but make her hair frizzy, give her braces and coke bottle glasses and just maybe... 

Even though she gave me a purpose to come to school, I still skipped regularly (sometimes, girls aren't enough of an initiative). My schoolwork was suffering, my teachers were concerned and even she admitted she thought I had a rare disease that kept me out of school.

After our school's Christmas break, I returned to student life like nothing happened but it wasn't going to go so easy. Some classmates who I had been grouped with in my science class weren't happy with my lack of being there. I brushed this off and waited for lunch time to come so I could see her. When it happened, I literally ran to the door that lead outside to meet her. I waited outside, in what was freezing weather, and after a few minutes, she walked out. I was ready to hug her but I saw her face and she looked very unhappy  to see me. I asked her what was wrong and she let me know that she was upset that I had not been there, especially before break. She dug through her purse and handed me a Christmas card. "It doesn't mean that much now but here" she said. I was very moved that this girl, who I may or may not have in love with, had taken the time out of her day to buy me a Christmas card. Unfortunately, I think the only words I could muster were "Oh, wow, thanks!"

After that, I began to attend class regularly, and yes, I mostly did it for her. My grades started to come up and being a little more sociable, not just with her but with other to people too. Then, it all came crashing down in three words from her; "My family's moving."

I swear I heard my heart shatter when she told me that but I all I mustered up was a cold "Oh, really, where?". I even remember her telling me where she and her family were moving to, Arkansas. She told me they were moving in two weeks and at that point I stuck to her like white on rice, probably much to her annoyance. On her last day, we sat next to each other on the school steps, in the cold and in silence. I wasn't sure what to say other than good luck. She wasn't sure what to say other than thanks. I wanted to tell that I loved her, or as much as 14 year old knew about love. I wanted to beg her not to go but it wasn't up to her and when the bell rang for us to go to class, we did. In choir class, I sat in the back and she sat in the front, as normal. The first 20 minutes were a blur as all I did was stare at the back of her blond hair and then the teacher asked us to stand for us to sing "Shenandoah". We all sang and I saw her walk up to the teacher and say something and he shook his head, without missing a beat and she walked towards the door. She turned around, looked at me and waved bye to me like she'd see me tomorrow. I wanted to run to her and kiss her but my legs froze and all I did was wave back to her. She walked out and though it couldn't really be heard, I heard the door close, loudly.

Ask me about video games Check List

In between my more serious blog coming up, I saw this checklist on my tumblr page, which I'll post a link to at the end of this blog, and decided "what the hell" and post it on this blog page too. For those wondering, all 3 of you, I'm a retro gamer, meaning I mostly play games that were from my childhood, which was a long time ago. This checklist showcases the likes and dislikes on the various old games I play, you've been warned...

1. Favorite video game?
 Super Mario Brothers 3

2. First console you owned?
Nintendo

3. A game that holds a special place in your heart? See answer #1

4. Favorite video game character?
It's between Mario, Chun-Li from the Street Fighter series and Goemon

5.  Least favorite video game character?
Not sure but it's probably a boss from an SNK fighting game, cheap bastards...

6. Favorite genre?
Between Beat 'em up, side scrolling action and fighting games

7.  Video game character you’ve had a crush on?
Rainbow Mika from Street Fighter Alpha 3

8. First video game you remember playing?
Popeye arcade game

9. Age you started gaming?
Playing games: 6. Actual gaming: 19

10. Hardest video game you’ve played?
Phantasy Star IV, four years and still haven't beat it...

11.  Video game you’ve spent the most time on?
Not sure but it was probably Capcom Classics Collection vol.2

12. Most embarrassing gaming moment?
Losing my shit when playing King of Fighters XI and Art of Fighting, the latter, in front of my then girlfriend

13.  Scariest video game you’ve played?
I tend to stay away from horror themed games but I remember being a little freaked out when I first played Laser Ghost. Damn laughing gargoyle...

14.  Most memorable gaming moment?
Either beating Super Mario World or Chrono Trigger.

15.  Video game character you wish you could meet in real life?
It's between Chun-Li, Mai Shuranui or Kirby

16.  PC, Xbox, Playstation, or Nintendo?
Dreamcast, Nintendo, Playstation

17. Gaming company you’re most loyal to?
Originally, it was Capcom but because of recent mistakes made by the company, I've strayed to SNK and Konami, though they're not perfect either.

18.  If you could only play one video game for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
I dunno but it would have to have ninjas

19. Do you use strategy guides?
No

20.  How often do you use cheats?
Depends on the games

21.  Competitive or single player?
Single, unless it's a beat 'em up

22.  Video game character you want to/have cosplayed?
Never have cosplayed. Who would I cosplay as? Either Goemon or one of the Ninjas from Konami's Mystic Warriors

23. Ever go to a video game convention?
No but I wouldn't be against it

24.   Hardest boss fight you’ve been in?
see answer #5

25. Video game you wish you could burn from your memory?
Power Punch II

26.  Favorite gaming series?
It was Street Fighter but these days, it's hard to say...

27. Do you skip tutorials, or find them useful?
See answer #20 

28. Best online gaming experience?
Jet Li's "Age of Wushu" . It was more fun than I anticipated.

29. Worst online gaming experience?
Really haven't had one

30. Why do you game?
For fun, for escapism, just like everyone else...