Entertainment/Gaming Consoles

[vsp]

The local EB Gameworld (Electronics Boutique clearance outlet) has used Dreamcasts for the riproaring price of $29.99, with one controller and the usual cables. I'm in the process of talking a buddy into getting one (FIRE PRO D baybee).

N64s are a dime-a-dozen these days, depending on how picky you are about condition. The fact that they're down to twenty bucks and I _still_ won't buy one should speak volumes about my opinion of its game library. Between the Atari 2600 and the Dreamcast, it's one of only three mainstream systems I've never owned -- I never bought an Atari Lynx for lack of finding a good deal on the used market, and the NeoGeo systems were too expensive (plus, MAME filled that need nicely).

Recent gameage: On the PS2, Legaia 2 was a decent time killer. An improvement on the first in some ways, but very, very linear and somewhat on the short side plot-wise, along with having the First Team Flaw (i.e. an RPG where you can recruit and switch between multiple characters, but by the time you get that option, your original characters have been levelled-up so much that it's pointless to use anyone BUT them. The original Suikoden was the grand high poobah of that trend.)

I'm halfway through Onimusha, and alarmed that I'm _already_ halfway through it. I'm at about 94% and holding in Vice City, and don't have the heart to figure out which Unique Jump I'm missing (since the you-did-this-before animation is identical to the you-haven't-done-this-one-but-you're-not-landing-in-the-precise-trigger-spot animation, I can't tell).

Morrowind was entertaining but got repetitive once I built some levels and skills -- I haven't dug into the expansion pack much yet.

And what game did I probably put more hours into than any other this year? GTA Vice is probably third, GTA3 is second, CARDFIGHTER'S CLASH on the mofo'in NeoGeo Pocket Color gets the nod. Never thought I'd say that, but the game is insanely addictive.