It is Done.

Union leadership has been changed.

I have also realized my writing has decreased greatly in quality ever since my academic adventures began once again... Somewhat ironic really.

Only 4 more stars to go in Super Mario Galaxy.

An epic tale of strategy and war, the Fire Emblem series is a rather intriguing strategy role playing game. Different from most games, the characters that appear throughout the adventure are each unique and add his or her own respective tale to the main storyline despite the sense of finality provided when a character runs out of hit points. Upon the loss of said life points, most characters meet their end so to speak, creating a layer of intensity that is rarely seen in others games belonging to the same genre. To say I have become fond of the series would be a rather massive understatement.

It is certainly a shame the games are so difficult to come by, literally becoming a quest in itself. I still hope to attain Fire Emblem 7 along with Path of Radiance, preferably before Goddess of Dawn is released in North America.

Epic

Well, I have recently been promoted to the role of leader in the Legend of Zelda Union. Having joined the union on my very first day as a member of GameSpot, (technically even earlier than that, since GameSpot counts the day after sign up as the first day) this is obviously quite the honor, although it also helps that the union is one fo the largest on GameSpot. Hopefully under my leadership the union will continue the unbridled success that has been present under the previous regimes. Nuck will still be around, so those who are worried about this change of leadership may find comfort in that, at least hopefully...

It certainly feels a great deal of time has passed since the union first started under the leadership of the mythical Mister_Slice, back when unions were largely an unknown quality. Well I suppose not just largely, they were an unknown quantity at the time, being a brand new feature implemented on GameSpot. Ever since that fateful day, the union has seen a plethora of changes that have helped shape the union into what it is today. Now is no different, the union will continue to receive new features and changes that will hopefully provide a positive impact and help the union continue upon the road of success.

Naturally though, all this would not be possible without the multitudes of members that have each left their distinct imprint upon the union, allowing it transcend past a simple "mini site" status and grow into a true community. I would like to thank all the members for all their contributions and hope that you continue to show your support for the Legend of Zelda Union.

And if your not a member yet, what are you waiting for?

My newest contribution to GameSpot in the genre of music videos. Due to the song's rather vast scope, it seemed to fit with the romanced gangster life portrayed through the Godfather series, not to mention the over the top violence featured in the video games created by EA.

The following is a list of some of my personal favorite games. The games are not listed in any particular order and are not representative of what games I think are the best, simply games that I greatly enjoyed, despite various faults that may be present. Obviously, games listed here may also be considered by myself or yourself as one of the greatest games of all time as well, considering games that are given such monikers are usually enjoyable, being the greatest and all... At any rate, there is a further stipulation in the list, which is that the games eligible must have been released during the 64 bit era (Nintendo 64/Sony Playstation/Sega Saturn) or later. Most of the games I played before this era was in a state where logical analysis had not fully developed to a sizable quantity, not to mention I missed out on quite a few games. I am also excluding games that appeared outside of Nintendo consoles as I am not as familiar with games outside of the Nintendo brand. Not that I haven't played games on other systems, just that I am most familiar with Nintendo products due to my preference for the first party games that are created by the company. There are various worthwhile games on other systems I'm sure, they just haven't had the opportunity to provide an impact as the following titles.

Super Mario 64
The list begins with what is considered Mario's first foray into the realm of the 3D, becoming a true c.l.a.s.s.i.c in the process, worthy to be accounted under the main Mario series that includes acclaimed titles such as Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros. 3, and Super Mario World. This game set the bar for how to handle future 3D games that functioned with a free roam camera, a function that had been utilized poorly before Super Mario 64 leapt onto the scene. Super Mario 64 also spearheaded the incorporation of the joystick into home console gaming, revolutionizing movement in a 3D world in the process. These reasons may seem over reliant of the technicalities of Super Mario 64 instead of more personal factors, yet that is what caused this game to become a favorite of mine. These techniques allowed a 3D world environment that the player could explore completely under his or her volition. Exploration was further supplemented by the vibrant world of Mario, featuring various different worlds with various different secrets all linked together via Peach's castle. Ultimately, it was this game that drove my interest from a merely passive perspective to a more analytical perspective, fueling a desire to further delve into the video gaming world.

Paper Mario
Unlike Super Mario 64 which was seeped in technicalities and such, Paper Mario's inclusion on this list is based a great deal more on personal emotions and the game's personal symbolic meaning. To put it bluntly, Paper Mario has become a memento of my own childhood, which came to a rather abrupt end. The game was released in the twilight of those innocent days and told a tale of whimsical characters in a storybook tale featuring a tyrant (yet lovable) king, a clever damsel in distress, and brave odd hero. The game was filled with creativity and humor, while still delivering a solid rpg experience. At first, I was rather disappointed a the notion of playing a Mario game in which all the characters were Paper, seeming like a ludicrous idea at the time. Despite the initial disposition, I quickly grew to love the game for all its quirks and whimsical fantasy. I particularly enjoyed the more in depth exposition into Mario's world, a realm I had previously been very fond of and even am today. The world was taken beyond its cook cutter standards into a fully realized society, featuring various characters undergoing various activities. All this was bonded together into a storybook presentation, almost of a dreamlike quality. Right down to the beginning narrator, the game held to this dreamy storybook theme as Mario indulged in his quest, crossing deserts, meeting new teammates, and delving into volcanoes. Everything was possible and all was right, even in the final epic battle with evil. Now older, I seem to have come to the consensus that I can never play this game again, much as childhood can never be fully regained. These ideals of the past are simply that, ideals of the past and impossible to truly revisit. The game has become the ultimate example of nostalgia, even the start screen theme song sending various emotions flooding back. This may also serve as a reason why I find the game's sequel superior in every way.

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
If Paper Mario is a symbol of my childhood, then Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is the direct aftermath of that time period. The game is quite a bit different through comparison to its predecessor, featuring a deeper and more satisfying battle system, no matter what one's personal feelings are towards the game. The presentation is much more similar to a theatre performance then a storybook, with even the implication of a play based on the events of the game being created in the game's epilogue. The storyline itself is a great deal darker and more enigmatic then the original Paper Mario game as well. The site of the adventure is plagued by a dark past that lead to the destruction of a "perfect" world, although the details only come into one's knowledge as one progresses through the game. Nothing could be taken at face value as the plot unfolded, with events often taking some bizarre yet ingenious twists. Much as life often begins to fill more greatly with shades of gray as one expands beyond one's innocence, Thousand Year Door is a game with various meanings of varying evil and good. Bowser is no longer the main enemy, although he is an enemy while also serving as an ally. He did technically save Mario and company form certain destruction near the end of the game after all. He has also become quite the comical character, much more so then in the previous game. This can be said about Thousand Year Door as a whole, due to the increase in comedy, both less subtly and more so. While Paper Mario may have had one grinning, Thousand Year Door offers laughter at the various situation that the game provides. (Just think of near the beginning of the game, where while Mario is engaged in a conversation, one can view several of the local mafia members pummeling several gang members in a comical fashion.) Combined with the mystery, Thousand Year Door is beast of various blended qualities that provides a darker yet, more interesting take on the Mario world.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
This game's inclusion on this list should come as no surprise to any gaming inclined individual. Now, Ocarina of Time is great for a plethora of reasons that I'm sure many have ether utilized in the game's defense from individuals who are less then enamored with the game, or have heard others utilize for the same reason. Of course, these reasons do play a part in my great admiration of the game, yet I have several of my own reasons that seem to be rarely included when the quality of the game is discussed. Although the game play and innovation of the game is constantly praised, the storyline and presentation of the game is largely forgotten and/or under appreciated. This strikes much more on a personal level, as I have a great interest in the subject, that of which is time. Although on the surface the story of Ocarina of Time may seem rather typical for a Zelda game, (Bad guy kidnaps princess, heroes rescues princess after collecting various items, yada, yada, yada... ) individuals always seem to forget about one specific aspect of the storyline, time. The theme of time is heavily utilized for gameplay aspects, yet also features into the main storyline, forming a relationship with presentation in the process. Perhaps some of he most sentimental moments in the Zelda series comes through Adult Link's romp through the land he knew in his childhood, a preverbal trip down memory lane. Few gamers ever consider the notion of what Link must be feeling or thinking after seven years have literally been stolen from him, straight from a child to a man. When Link first reaches the foot of the Forest Temple, the camera focuses on the stump that Saria had sat on during his childhood. The sense of loss and the cruelty of time is a constant factor throughout the second portion of Ocarina of Time, summed on nicely in the game itself through Sheik's various statements and the warping songs that Link learns. When considering the game's sequel as well, Ocarina of Time becomes quite the story of a tragic hero, who by gaining some power over time loses influence with the rest of the world.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Majora's Mask continues the story of its predecessor, yet is a great deal more bleak and apocalyptic with the moon threatening to crash into the world and all. The theme of isolation first touched upon in Ocarina of Time is in full presence in Majora's Mask, with Link's isolation reaching a new level with his Groundhog's Day cycle status. Link is an independent entity in Majora's Mask, with all the relationships he forms with the people of Termina limited to a three day expiration date. The characters themselves that Link interacts with are also much more compelling then in any previous Zelda game and any game in the series that has come since. Each character in the Bomber's Notebook has his or her own conundrum's that can be rather vast in scope. Throughout the three day cycle, one can delve into the character's own story, hopefully eventually solving their problems in the process. However, one will often require several cycle's worth of investigation in a character's story before solving the main problem, learning about the various facets of the character in the process. The whole situation often comes off as hopeless however, as no matter who one is helping, there are others meeting difficult consequences in the process. Time is eventually reset and it appears as if solutions were never even reached, as the problems return at full potency. While the time in Ocarina of Time had moved too greatly, the time in Majora's Mask is constantly static. Even if Link solves the problems of various characters, there is still that moon to contend with, which signals the coming the apocalypse. Even the name of the world "Termina" is similar to the world "terminal", which indicates the end. The game's whole premise may be attributed to a famous saying, "an individual true character is only revealed when faced with dark times" a phrase that blends well with the character driven plot of Majora's Mask. The only aspect of the game that truly irked me was the time limit, which is a concept of gaming I greatly despise, especially in a Zelda game which encourages vast amounts of exploration. Despite this, Majora's Mask is still a favorite, right down to when Link ventures back into the unknown world, engulfed by obscurity and alone...

Killer 7
After all that emotional babble and awe of the cruelness and vastness of time, comes Killer 7, a fantastic and frankly messed up game. Having played the game in late May/early June, Killer 7 is easily the most recent game on this list, if that means anything in the grand scheme of things. The game is flat out amazing, basking in a bizarre red pool of light. You play a guy who thinks he is seven ( actually possibly eight) guys, ranging from a wrestler armed with twin grenade launchers, to a woman in a tight dress which is always stained with blood who's special ability revolves around slitting her wrists in order to remove barriers. Yeah, puzzle solving takes on a whole different approach in Killer 7, that is guaranteed. Your comrades include a severed head named Susie and man in a gimp suit attached to a bungee cord who has his eyes sowed shut yet, often states how he believes he should be a male model and comments on the physics of various females... The enemies also share this oddity, being biological terrorists that have a thing for laughter and let loose blood in spectacular arrays, similar to the release of silly string or confetti. In regards to the laughter, I often felt as if it was coming from the main character's head for some reason... It has this quality to it that is both unnerving yet, oddly soothing... Oh and by the way, an old man in a wheel chair with a tank piercing sniper rifle and a guy in a business suit with green eyes are having a chess game throughout the whole thing, which if you haven't guessed yet, is crucial to the story, obviously. That is what sets Killer 7 apart from other games, its sheer originality and intelligence, or if you like, insanity. The story of Killer 7 is particularly complex and symbolic, displaying various concepts I have an interest in. The human mind, the contrast of opposing forces, politics in general, and various other intriguing factors are explored in Killer 7. The game's twisted take on events as well as its atmosphere is positively delightful, earning that "Mature" rating in the process in factors beyond violence and language. (Although there is a lot of that as well) If games such as Killer 7 were in greater abundance, surly the video game medium would be considered an art form by now. The game has also managed to garner a great deal of respect and admiration for SUDA51 on my part, causing a great deal of anticipation for his next title, No More Heroes. This is one of the few games where when a twisted smile appears on your face, you know it's a good thing.

That's it, for now anyways. It obviously may change at any moment, although I doubt any of these games would suddenly be struck from the list.

Honorable Mentions:
Super Paper Mario
Pokemon Gold/Silver
Banjo-Tooie
Super Smash Bros. Melee

Ineligible Games that May Have Made the List:
Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Tetris

In light of GameSpot's new review system, specifically the scoring, being imposed on all users, I am unable to provide the correct ratings that I feel games deserve. I in fact, find a difference between games separated by .1 increments, hence I will now list the true scores for various games I rate in this blog from now on. I shall still give games a rating based on the new system, rounded to the closest interval, yet if one desires to discover what score I truly believe a game deserves, one can find said game with said score here. All games I rate after Killer 7, (which ironically, would fit on the new rating scale since the game attained a score of 9.0) shall be listed here regardless of score. This is more for personal reference really, as I find it can be intriguing comparing the scores of various games, discovering in the process what one enjoys in games and what one dislikes in games, learning more about games as a whole.

Ratings: (Ordered by date)

Pokemon Diamond(DS)- 9.1 (June 29, 2007)

Super Mario Bros.(Wii)- 7.8 (July 31, 2007)

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest(Wii)- 7.5 (July 31, 2007)

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas(PC)- 8.7 (August 5, 2007)

Star Wars: Episode 1 The Phantom Menace(PS)- 4.5 (August 5, 2007)

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones(GBA)- 9.2 (August 20, 2007)

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass(DS)- 9.2 (October 12, 2007)