The REAL Secret Behind the Konami Code
Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A… that simple series of inputs known as the “Konami Code” was a game-changer that I used many times to finally […]
Tetris: Beyond the Surface
Nintendo changed the gaming world forever with the release of their home consoles, but the “Game Boy” represented an entirely new frontier… a gaming handheld. To launch their most ambitious […]
Splatoon and a Painting Priority
While most competitive games in the shooter genre tend to focus on eliminating adversaries, Splatoon flipped this entire genre on its’ head by prioritizing painting prowess over traditional combat… to […]
Paper Mario and a Deeper Experience
The “Paper Mario” series of games represent a massive departure from the simple, run and jump, side-scrolling adventures of a standard Mario game… these titles feature a real story with […]
StarFox and Doing a “Barrel Roll?”
When a supporting character in a video game gives us advice, it is typically designed to be helpful… but when it is given in a demanding, repetitive manner, it only […]
Dr. Mario and “Overcoming Evil With Good”
While most of Mario’s adventures involve acts of physical acrobatics, his exploits as Dr. Mario allows him to show his more cerebral side by carefully matching doses of medication with […]
The Bad Batch and Being Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
One of my favorite spin-offs to come from the animated Star Wars: Clone Wars series is the “Bad Batch”… a group of “failed” clones who were deemed unfit to serve […]
A Tale of Two Tombs: A “Triggering” Event
In almost every narrative-based game there are invisible “triggers” built into the landscape that aren’t visible to the player until we cross them, and typically when we step over that […]
Orlando MegaCon 2024: A Reflection on Our Search for Significance
There is nothing quite like the convention experience… and this year’s Orlando MegaCon was no exception. Fandoms are expressed as far as the eye can see as you wade through […]
Achievement Hunting: The Most Dangerous Game (The Parasite of Pride – Part Two)
Perhaps you are a better person than I am… actually, there is a VERY good chance that you are. Maybe these little “sounds” and their accompanying notifications mean absolutely nothing […]
Finding God in Video Games 