NGN FAVORITES: VIDEO GAMES

I was a spoiled kid, but parent didn't focus that on video games. Not complaining, just explaining the shortness on some platforms. Plus, I grew up when video stores were in their prime and the sharing with friends option was always there. I've always gotten a console when I asked for one, so that was pretty good considering I had 3 siblings and I had to share nothing (9+yrs older here). Now as an adult, I have my "must haves" and everything else is a wait for a price drop or go on sale. Here are all the games that I have liked since Mario popped my cherry in the 1980's...

Fav NES Games

• Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt
• Super Mario Bros. 2
• Super Mario Bros. 3
• Batman: Return Of The Joker
• Mega Man 3
• RBI Baseball
• The Legend Of Zelda
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
• Mike Tyson's Punch Out

Mario was boss for me in the beginning, as I am sure he was for the majority of the general video game fans back then. Tastes evolve, but you don't forget your first haha Duck Hunt makes it for usage, both being the second game I owned (coming with Super Mario Bros.) and for being the only game I used the gun for haha There were some wrestling games both from WWF (WWE) and NWA (WCW), but they were a bigger part of my later years in terms of time spent. I also had the Power Glove, but could never get the damn thing to work haha

Fav SNES Games

• Super Mario World
• Super Mario All-Stars
• Street Fighter II Turbo
• Super Street Fighter II
• NHL '94
• NBA Jam
• Spider-Man And Venom: Maximum Carnage
• Sim City
• Donkey Kong Country

Mario makes it in again, for the same reasons. Super Mario All-Stars sneaks in for allowing us to play the originals (a lot of NES became hard to use, and didn't know how to clean and that as a kid), and giving the lost levels (which was basically exactly like Super Mario Bros.) was okay if bored. Was slightly obsessed with the Street Fighter games, having a need to see the end stories for all characters (I didn't mind the movie, it was different but loved the game to didn't care too much then haha). NHL '94, on sale at the now defunct Bi-way, and I am Canadian.

Fav N64 Games

• Mario 64
• WWF War Zone
• WWF Wrestlemania 2000
• WWF No Mercy
• Resident Evil 2
• Donkey Kong 64
• The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
• The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask
• Spider-Man

The Nintendo 64 holds memories, mainly being that played and completed Mario 64 Christmas Eve while I wrapped every present, including the ones for myself (it was a lot too, 4 of us kids and spoiled). With the N64 began the Wrestling obsession. Constantly in creative mode, making multiple variations of myself and wrestlers not featured in the game. I was one of the rare people who didn't actually enjoy 007, I just don't like first person shooters.

Fav X-Box Games

• WWE RAW
• WWE RAW 2
• Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic
• Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
• Batman Begins
• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4

I didn't play much on my X-Box. I initially got it because I wanted the feature to add music to it (pre-everything can store music, and everyone has something days). I absolutely loved the two Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic games, and still wish that the franchise would come to the Dark Side that is Playstation consoles.

Fav Playstation Games

• Twisted Metal III
• Gran Turismo
• Crash Bandicoot
• Final Fantasy VII
• Final Fantasy VIII
• Final Fantasy IX
• Legend Of Legaia
• Legend Of Dragoon
• Spyro The Dragon

Most of my initial PSone playing came when I would swap my N64 with my little brother for his Playstation. Memory there was finally getting licenses, saving it of course, and him losing the memory card haha The majority came later when my lady and I had one. There came Final Fantasy. Which I enjoyed before, but owned later and got to play the crap out of them. With those came the games she liked with Dragoon and Legaia.

Fav PS2 Games

• Grand Theft Auto III
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
• Bully
• Spider-Man 2
• WWE Here Comes The Pain
• WWE Shut Your Mouth
• WWE Raw Vs Smackdown!
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
• Dark Cloud

This is when Wrestling games were at an all time high for me, again lost in creative modes. With the PS2 O was introduced to Grand Theft Auto III. Needless to say, basically I play needs to be similar in terms of game play. Free-mode, huge maps, first person mode is non-existent or optional. The follow-ups were even better. Although the amount of commercial time Vice City had might have forced us, at least up here in Canada where the commercial was airing even a few years after (on The Score/Sportsnet360).

Fav PS3 Games

• Batman: Arham Asylum
• Batman: Arkham City
• Batman: Arkham Origins
• Grand Theft Auto IV
• DC Universe Online
• Lego Batman: The Video Game
• Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
• Spider-Man 3

Remember what I said about Grand Theft Auto? Well, Grand Theft Auto IV started my wishing I had a Batman game like that. Envisioning Gotham as I cruised the city. I eventually got that with the Arkham series. I was not disappointed either, given that franchise is now ahead of Grand Theft Auto. PS3 also gave me my first online experience with DC Universe Online. Which I have thoroughly enjoyed, and hoped they gave a new version on PS4. And like many other immature adults, or those with kids to use an excuse, I enjoy the Lego games. Of course, Batman takes the cake there.

Fav PS4 Games

• Batman: Arkham Knight
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
• Assassin's Creed: Syndicate
• Deadpool
• Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham
• Lego Marvel Superheroes
• DC Universe Online

Batman: Arkham Knight left me hoping that it isn't the end. Regardless, it is why I wanted to upgrade from a PS3. And although I hadn't played previous installments, which may be why, I really like the Assassin's Creed franchise. That happened through Black Flag and Syndicate, which goes against the grain from what I hear. Deadpool was originally a PS3 game, but I only have it on PS4 so it makes this list. Although not a direct movie rip-off, but an upgrade would be nice for the Merc With A Mouth. Still not a whole lot of PS4 games just yet, and hopefully there will be a ton more, given rumors that PS5 will be purely digital.

NGN FAVORITES: MOVIES

Like television shows, this list doesn't really show everything that I have watched and enjoyed throughout my life of 34 years. Too many genres for starters, and I enjoy trilogies and sagas, which are technically one story. Most of the movies I have seen were at home, but have seen a few in theaters. I just prefer uncrowded places, with no morons talking, yelling, or chewing through the film haha

Fav Movies As A Kid

• Batman (1989)
• Batman Returns
• Rocky IV
• No Holds Barred
• La Bamba
• The Neverending Story
• He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
• Police Academy 3
• The Care Bear Movie

The Care Bear Movie was the first film I had seen in a theater, so it makes the cut for popping the cherry. I remember thinking how weird He-Man was, but I as a child I liked it. Same with Hogan in No Holds Barred. La Bamba and The Neverending Story still make me cry haha Stupid horse. Police Academy 3 would've been joined by 1 and 2, but didn't have the room. All three were on a VHS tape at my grandparents, so it was "one" movie to me haha Porky's Revenge almost made the cut, given my cousin and I watched the crap out of it haha

Fav Movies As A Teen

• He Got Game
• Space Jam
• Scream
• Independence Day
• American Pie
• Natural Born Killers
• Men In Black
• Bad Boys
• The Crow
• American History X

My teen years were my basketball years, and comic book movies were well....Batman & Robin...ya. He Got Game is still a great movie, glad to see my kids enjoying what I did as a teen haha Will Smith was tops at that time, hence the film count for him. American Pie...hahahahahaha Natural Born Killers and American History X are/were amazing movies. Gripping as they say.

Fav Movies In My 20's

• Batman Begins
• The Dark Knight
• The Dark Knight Rises
• Star Wars Ep III: Revenge Of The Sith
• The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy
• The Matrix Trilogy
• Scarface
• The Godfather Trilogy
• Kick-Ass
• Watchmen

Although some of these began when I was a teen, the trilogies were mainly watched in whole in my 20's. Scarface and The Godfather came out when I was a kid (and before I was born) but finally watched and loved them. There was finally an influx of comic book films, but again too many to list, so I went with the ones just outside of "mainstream". Chloe Moretz as Hit Girl was off the chains....do they still say that? Meh. The Dark Knight Trilogy needed to be mentioned individually. They are top favorites. And, they are directly responsible for my return to comic books.

Fav Movies Now

• Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice
• Suicide Squad
• Deadpool
• Man Of Steel
• The Avengers
• The Avengers: Age Of Ultron
• Guardians Of The Galaxy
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• The Amazing Spider-Man
• Sherlock Holmes

Suicide Squad doesn't come out until mid-summer, and I haven't seen Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice yet. Why are they on the list? Underestimating my fan hood. Love what I have seen thus far from both movies. I am also on the side that loved Man Of Steel. And Supes always has to earn my love haha Like majority The Avengers universe would go on here, but there isn't enough room. Guardians Of The Galaxy makes the cut because I truly had no hope for the film, and it ended up being my favorite so far. I am also disappointed that the Amazing Spider-Man franchise was cut short (especially with the planned build on the universe), and back in reboot mode.

COMIC BOOK VIDEO GAMES: STILL WAITING

It is the age of the comic book nerd in entertainment right now. Television has been had a jump in number of comic book shows that are on with Arrow, The Flash, The Walking Dead, Marvel's Agents Of SHIELD, Daredevil, quite a few others and more in the works. Movies always had a comic book presence, just not at the rate we have seen the last decade. And DC Comics is just now truly adding to the mix so combined with everything Marvel is putting out, there is a lot of movies.

You would think that video games would also be right up there in terms of quantity. Quality is improving with each passing console I must add, but there needs to be an increase in numbers for sure.It is hard to believe that with the success of the Batman: Arkham franchise, DC Comics didn't jump at expanding its empire within the video game world. Same can be said with Marvel, who of the two tends to be the merchandising machine, but not the case here. Not that anyone is asking for games that are basically video game versions of the movies, but something based on them. Spider-Man 1-3 did this early with free-roaming capabilities and only similarities with the movies. Everything else was almost its own video game universe loaded with comic book universe references. Why not do this with The Avengers universe that has unfolded? Either a collective or individual games. There are so many characters within both DC and Marvel's worlds that would almost work instantly in the styling of Batman: Arkham franchise. Green Arrow, The Flash from top of my head for DC Comics if we are eliminating flying capabilities. The Punisher, Spider-Man, and Deadpool for Marvel. Deadpool was recently re-released on PS4 (picture was a happy accident that was left as is haha), but it was an older PS3 game, and some upgrades would make for an epic game. Visually and story line. Add Ryan Reynolds as the voice. Might be gold.

I am sure there is a valid reason for the lack of presence by comic books in the video game market. Or perhaps they are in the works given the success in other fields. I am itching for something, given that I haven't come across anything saying there will be more Batman games with Batman: Arkham Knight being the final chapter of the Arkham franchise. Would love to see perhaps a villain version. The Joker and others. Just saying.

MORE WRESTLING THAN ANYTHING ELSE

If there are any "regulars" out there, you may wonder why so many more wrestling than anything else entries. Well, that is simply because professional wrestling never stops. I've said before what the WWE has become is truly sports entertainment.  Unlike other television shows and sports, there isn't an off-season in wrestling. Sure, we may get a pre-taped RAW if Christmas lands on a Monday, but we still get something.

With sports entertainment, there is also many other things to talk about then RAW or Smackdown!, even though there are things to talk about there on a weekly basis. There is the past, the present, the future of each superstar and diva (sorry, wrestlers and womens wrestlers), which include things like character direction, who they should face, who they should face again because it was amazing before. There is the direction of the WWE and the rest of the promotions out there. There are countless rumors and incidents to talk about. Countless "what if..." and "should be"s on every level of the business.
This time of year is Wrestlemania season, so there is even more things to talk about. This years event and it's card, how it should be, how things will turn out. Opinions on how things did go down, the next nights RAW. Plus, there is 31 previous Wrestlemania's and the matches they contained or should have.
I don't get this from anything else. Television shows usually only last so long before they are cancelled, or simply decide to end their runs. Television also functions as "seasons", so we only get half a years worth really, and nowadays with the breaks during the season. Movies are similar, except there is usually a 2-3 year gap between films, and that is if there is even a follow-up film. And revamps are highly possible (looking at you Spider-Man). With comic books it all depends on what you read and how publishing schedules work out. Even then, you are likely looking at a monthly wait for the next issue. Plus, now even the comic books are in a near constant revamp and relaunch mode.

With wrestling the worst that really happens are injuries or sudden character changes or firings, but even all of that gives fans something to talk about. So, if anyone was curious as to why the wrestling posts are heavier than anything else, that is why. Or if you don't care, I completely understand haha

TRYING TO BLOG

I keep approaching this as if it is an article and not a blog entry. Reason being is I did attempt to make a mini-site combining various blog pages (can find it HERE). The only real difference the replacing "we" with "I". So, since that is how I am supposed to do this part, so be it haha

Not sure what to really write about, often wondering why since majority of todays nerds n geeks use podcasts to get their opinions and thoughts out there. Well, in terms of skills, I rank much higher in written than verbal. Plus, depression is a real biatch and just don't feel like it. Depression, now there is a topic I've never had to discuss in regards to my "nerdism". Usually I am able to use comic books, tv shows, movies, and video games to get out the funk/rut. Not the case as of late. This bout has been something new for me. Quit my job, which is fine except I didn't wait to have another lined up to replace it. To make it worse, I actually planned on growing within the company. But, it just became too much with non-work bullshit mixing in with work bullshit. Only positives are that I was immediately happier, still depressed but better. I no longer had to pick up the slack because of piss poor hiring choices by weak management. Why would I want to be "mentored" by them when I only respect 3 out of 10-11 of them. I liked more than that, but only respected few. Almost made it out onto the sales floor, but couldn't hold on passed the agreed 3 week mark. And when someone wants out of an area, what moron gives them even more shifts than normal in that area? Ah well, I am rambling about none important stuff and  life goes on. Another job will come about. Has to, "Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice" comes out in a month. Need money to go see that with my woman and oldest daughter. Who I absolutely must take, as she wasn't old enough to join for "Deadpool". Which is okay by me, as some scenes would have been awkward watching beside my kid haha

There are quite a few movies coming out for my comic book family to watch this year. Some will be in theaters, but some will also be a "wait for it on Blu-Ray" viewing. Will definitely be going to see "Suicide Squad" in theaters. Big Mr. J fan and have been waiting since "The Dark Knight" for his character to return to the big screen. And of course to see, Harley Quinn making her live action movie debut. Margot Robbie looks and sounds great to me. Hot to be honest, which makes for another awkward thing for me as I named my youngest Harleigh Quinn (fem version and looks prettier). And anytime I point to a picture or clip of Harley Quinn (any version) and ask who that is she replies, "That's Me!" haha
On the fence about going to see on the big screen is "Captain America: Civil War". Looks amazing, but not really a fan of going to the movies. Loud people talking and eating. Kids. Bad seating. Crowded. On a good day it isn't like this though and I do enjoy things until I have to pee and don't want to miss anything haha
Might make a date night out of seeing "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". May only be because of the cartoon and movies, but it is one of the few comic book things she actually likes on her own haha
Everything else coming out like "X-Men: Apocalypse", "Gambit", and "Dr. Strange" will be viewed a la Blu-Ray whenever they come out. Don't have much hope for X-Men universe, except for "Deadpool" (obviously) so in no rush to see any of them.

Then it will be a wait for 2017 kind of thing with "Justice League Part 1", "Wonder Woman", and "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2" coming out. God I hope "Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice" is as good as I hope.
Fantastic 4 2? This got a green light? hahahahaha