So apparently NES cover bands are a thing.  I know of three now after doing a little bit of research for this blog.  I don't know who started it or who is the best at it,but The Advantage is the group that introduced me to the idea though.  I downloaded two of their albums many years ago and wanted to share some of my favorite things about this group with you all here.

Their Awesome Album Artwork

Another Awesome Album Cover

Music is a big part of my life.  I played in a indie pop-rock band for many years out of High School and into college.  I still play guitar and bass at my church.  I love to listen to new bands and collect new music.  Currently I'm listening to Foster the People, Grouplove, Two Door Cinema Club, Bon Iver, The Naked and Famous, and I could go on for a long time.  The Advantage was the first band I had ever heard that mixed my love for retro gaming with my love for music.  The things I really like about them in praticular are: 1) their overall sound mix has a very indie-rock vibe to it, 2) They choose very obscure tracks to cover, 3) The tracks they choose are often times up tempo and very challenging, and 4)  They are super talented musicians, every one of them.

Do yourself a favor and check them out.  I'm going to try to link to as much content as I can and then embed a couple of my favorites.

MySpace page with 5 streaming tracks here.

YouTube playlist containing 38 videos here.

Amazon MP3 page where you can purchase tracks or link to purchase albums here.

Last FM page with a radio station link to similar bands here.

Wikipedia page with very limited info here.

A few of my favs:

Enjoy!  Thanks for stopping by.  Until Next time!

-kylie

I only own Nintendo consoles.  Even if I had enough money to by all of the consoles out there, I still wouldn't because I don't have the time to play games that I used to.  However, I can't help but notice the exclusive titles that other developers have and I have to say if I were to buy another console right now it would be a PS3.  Sony has a pretty nice selection of exclusives that not only look like solid games, but they also look like they would fit well among my Nintendo software library.  Here are some of the PS3 exclusives that have me jealous:

1.  Costume Quest

This fun looking RPG reminds me of what a modern Earthbound could look like.

2.  Little Big Planet

I don't know anything about the gameplay on this one, but it's critically acclaimed and looks like my style.

3.  Joe Danger

This PSN title looks like a modern upgrade to the classic Excitebike formula.

4. 3D Dot Game Heroes

No this is not a Zelda game, but I kind of wish it was.

5.  Flower

Another one I know nothing about the gamplay of , but it's simplistic nature has me intrigued.

6. Journey

This is probably the game on this list that has me the most jealous.  Journey looks incredible.

7.  Ni No Kuni

From the makers of the Layton Series and art by Studio Ghibli, how could you not want this game.

Other games that also peak my interest are the Uncharted games, anything from Team Ico, and the Metal Gear series.  Well played Sony.  You have a solid line-up there.  Maybe, fingers-crossed, some of these will come to the WiiU.  We did get Okami on Wii and Metal Gear on 3DS, so you never know.  Did I make any one out there want a PS3?  Are there other exclusive that I missed?  Let me know in the comments.  Thanks for reading!

-kylie

In the late 80's early 90's if gamers wanted to try a game out before they made a purchase they had few options.  One option was renting games from local video stores.  Another was to play the arcade cabinet version of the game at the local arcade.  Many home console manufacturers capitalized on this idea and created arcade cabinets to specifically showcase their current game line-up.  Nintendo had the Playchoice 10 that featured 10 current NES games that players could try out.  Similarly, SNK would later release the Neo-Geo cabinet along side it's console counter part.  Nintendo also had a unit called the "Nintendo M82" that was used as an in-store display.  The M82 allowed free play to passers-by on up to 12 different games.  However, the only way to find out about upcoming games was through magazine's, fliers, or other forms of advertisement.

Much later, when Sony launched the PlayStation, they introduced the idea of the "Demo Disk."  These were disks that featured small sections of a handful of different games all packed into a single disk.  One of my most memorable demo disk's featured a single level from the yet to be released, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater; I played that single level for hours on end and bought the full game the first chance I got.  CD's were much cheaper to produce than the cartridges of the past; therefore it was feasible to distribute this content for free or at a very low fee.  These disk's would soon be packed in with gaming magazine's as an extra incentive to buyers(ie Playstation Magazine & Official Xbox Magazine.)  Among the other companies, Nintendo occasionally utilized demo disk's as pre-order bonuses in the Gamecube era.

In the current generation of consoles, gamers with online capabilities are able to access a slew of different game demos in the form of downloadable files.  Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo all offer downloadable demo's of some of their franchise's games, most of which are free of charge.

For whatever reason, Nintendo has yet to bring downloadable demos to the 3DS's eshop.  The company has even confirmed that it plans to offer such but has yet to do so.  Megaman Legends 3  was said to be available as a free game demo early in it's development and has since been cancelled altogether.  The 3DS has been heavily criticized for both it's lack of content and their choice for dropping the price of the console a few month's after it's launch.  Offering game demo's would reassure those that currently own the device that good games are indeed coming to the 3DS.  The iPhone/iTouch platforms are proof that free content is a big hardware mover.  Backing up the eshop's solid library of games with demos of retail releases would most definitely help move hardware units, as well as software.  Super Mario 3D Land  is set to release in less than a month.  I hope to see a demo of the game sometime before it is released but doubt that it will happen.

Our 3DS's need this Nintendo.  Bring it.

Thanks for reading everybody!

-kylie

If someone were to ask me, "Hey Kylie, what's the best movie ever made?"  I would reply "Back to the Future!"  Then they would say, "WRONG! ITS AVATAR YOU OLD DOUCHE!" and then they would kick me in the shins.  Ok, that may be a little extreme, but seriously, I love Back to the Future.  It is by far my favorite movie and it has been for a long time.  My parents like to tell the story of a 5 year old me, completely obsessed with his BTTF VHS tape; jumping on his bed with the tape in hand, dropping it, breaking it, and completely melting down like it was the end of the world.  Luckily for me it wasn't seriously damaged (just had to pop the protective tape covering back on).  That movie made me want to be Marty McFly with his guitar solos and skateboard skills.  It also taught me my first curse words.  I can vaguely remember getting my mouth washed out with soap for walking through the house quoting Doc Brown: "Damn.. Damn, Damn, Damn."

Needless to say, Telltale's upcoming release of Back to the Future: The Game has me excited.  Released on October 25th, it will be the first BTTF themed game to come to a Nintendo Console since 1993.  So in honor of it's release next week, I decided to take a quick look back at past BTTF games on my favorite publisher's consoles.

First up is Back to the Future  for the NES.  In this game from 1989, you are in control of Marty McFly, trying to navigate through Hill Valley, collecting clocks along the way to refill your time meter.  So you are essentially racing against time, if you runout, you die on the ground from some weird convulsion .  Eventually if you make it through this brutally hard portion you advance to a new stage where you are behind the counter at the diner throwing milkshakes at bullies that try to approach the bar.  If you let any reach the bar, you lose.  I've only personally ever played the first section of the game on an emulator and must say: it was really awful.

Next, we have the NES sequel to the above; Back to the Future: Part II & III.  This game, released only a year later in 1990, I actually owned as a kid and did pour quite a bit of time into.  You are once again playing as Marty in what is not-so obviously a future Hill Valley.  Some of the design choices are very strange in this one; the world you explore is full of weird monsters and fall hazards.  It pulled many ques from Mario Bros. style platforming.  There is even a spikey shelled turtle that you can defeat by jumping on it's head.  The main downfall of this game was it's confusing mechanics, of which you are never explained any of; you're just dropped off by a flying DeLorean left to figure it all out on your own.  There are hidden mini-games, that if you beat, you receive random items; then you have to solve a corresponding jumbled word puzzle for each location and match it to the items you've collected... I think?  I assume that once you do all of this you can somehow progress to the third episode of the series that is set in the old west.  I only ever got to play that part of the game by using the password that I got out of my Nintendo Power magazine.  (If you're curious, the password is: "thefluxcapasitoristhepower.")  This game was definitely better than the first, the mini-games were fun and the platforming isn't bad.  It would be much better if it weren't so confusing.

The last BTTF game to ever be made for a Nintendo system was released only in Japan.  Super Back to the Future: Part II was a Sonic the Hedgehog inspired platformer released in 1993.  The game had a very Japanese art style to it.  Once again you play as Marty McFly, only this time he never gets off of his hover board.  You essentially ride around defeating baddies with jump attacks, collecting coins along the way until you reach the goal at the end of the stage.  With a few boss fights sprinkled in for good measure.  I've never played this one, but it looks to have been the best of the bunch so far.

I should probably also note that the Gamecube game Universal Studios Theme Parks Adventure featured a "Back to the Future: The Ride" mini-game.  I never played it but if the youtube video I just watch does it any justice, it too was pretty worthless.

There you you go buttheads. It's been pretty bleak so far, don't you think? Back to the Future: The Game hits store shelves a week from today.  IGN gave the PC and iOS version of the game a 7.5.  I played the some of the first episode on my laptop and must say it is probably the best BTTF game ever made and definitely will be the best one to ever come to a Nintendo console.  I'm glad that somebody in the game industry finally handled my favorite movie franchise with enough care to make a quality game.

Thanks for reading my piece!  Hope you enjoyed it.  Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Oh yeah and by the way.. this totally happened:

So here it goes.  My final installment of my top five games on every Nintendo system.  Today I am covering the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo Wii.  Technically the "lives" of these systems are not over yet, so they may change as more games are released.. Skyward Sword for example.  I just want to say thanks to everybody who has been reading and commenting on these.  I have enjoyed making them but am also excited to work on blogging something a little more original.  I have several ideas so please stay tuned.  Without further ado, may I present My top 5 games on DS and Wii:

Nintendo DS:

5.  Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars 

I was a fan of GTA before it jumped to the 3rd dimension in GTA III.  So, I was thrilled to see this DS exclusive (at the time) come out and bring the game back to it's roots.  It had the same fun gameplay of the original top down games mixed with the great mission pacing of the more modern ones.  The use of touch screen in this game was great as well.

4.  New Super Mario Bros.

I really wanted to leave this game out to make room for Elite Beat Agents,  but I just couldn't do it.  This game was so good it definately desirves it's place on this list.  If you've never played it, you should, as a gamer you owe it to yourself to not miss this gem.

3.  Mario Kart DS

The DS had a ton of great games, a good portion of which have the name "Mario" in the title.  This one is no exception.  Mario Kart DS is one of the best controlling Kart racers yet.  The inclusion of wireless download play off of one cartridge was also a great innovation this game introduced.

2.  Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

This was my first time playing a game from the "Mario & Luigi" RPG series and wow, was I blown away.  This game is funny.  The story is hilarious and off-the-wall.  It has some of the funnest turn-based fighting I've ever played.  Oh yeah, and you get to play as Bowser 50% of the time!

1.  The Professor Layton Series

It is always great to see a new IP come to along with a quality game.  In this day and age, a game like Professor Layton is a rare thing.  It is a unique gameplay idea matched with an amazing art direction, with a level of polish that is rarely achieved by third party companies.  And the goodness isn't over yet, Professor Layton and the Last Specter launces today (Oct. 17)!

Nintendo Wii:

5.  Kirby's Epic Yarn

I was torn between this one and Donkey Kong Country Returns for this slot, but ultimately Kirby stole the show with this title's amazing good looks and fun cooperative play.  If you are looking for a challenge you won't find it here; this game is easy.  It has so many strong points though; the most important is that every level in this game is unique and fun.  My wife and I beat this one together and had a blast.

4.  New Super Mario Bros. Wii

NSMB Wii is crazy diverse.  Like the platformer above, every stage in this game is unique and fun.  This one however can either be a wild party game with 3-4 players, a nice co-op play through, or a challenging single player romp.  It's up to you.  And however you decide to play this one, you will have fun no matter what.

3.  Super Paper Mario

This is the only game on my list that I personally never really "played."  I basically watched my wife play this game through to the end.  She says it's the only game she ever beat by herself.  Myself, having only controlled Mario for less than 5% of the actual game, still know that this is one of the best games on the Wii.  Switching from 2d to 3d has never been done better, and even though this game was a departure from the turn-based battling of the series, the game play itself was still top-notch.

2.  The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Twilight Princess finally brought us back to Hyrule in a grand way.  This game was so many things that I wanted in a Zelda game.  I loved being able to ride your horse and shoot arrows at the same time.  I loved the overall feel of the game.  All around just a great game that I will probably play again in the future.

1.  Super Mario Galaxy: 1 & 2

Galaxy 2 is the critic's choice between the two of these great games.  However, Galaxy 1 needs a shout out here too for bringing this concept to our living rooms.  Combing great 3d Mario platforming with unique physics was better than I would have ever dreamed.  The games are challenging and a blast to play.  All the while we get to enjoy beautiful scenery and great Mario tunes.

(Here's to hoping that Skyward Sword bumps this one off the top!)

And that's a wrap!  Thanks for reading everybody.  Comment below with your additions!

-kylie