Retro Comps Update – Capcom Classics Collection V.1 nearly complete!

As I mentioned a little while ago, one of my goals this (upcoming) December is to get my Retro Comps articles properly expanded and with more images and comments.  So far, I’ve gotten Capcom Classics Collection V. 1 nearly done (my memory of the 194X series is shoddy, so I’ll replay them when I can pull away from Skyrim long enough to do that), and plan on diving into more comps tomorrow.  The format isn’t 100% set in stone, but I do like the way it’s looking thus far.  I may add in some availability comments and some additional thoughts on the bonuses, too.  But hey, progress!  It’s nice not being (so) sick.

Music Wednesdays – Beck’s “E-Pro”

I have absolutely no idea what Beck is talking about here or what the video is supposed to represent, but damn if it isn’t a catchy tune.  The video is also rather memorable, in typical Beck style.

 

Music Wednesdays – The Cars’ “Drive” (plus Our Lady Peace’s cover)

I actually heard Our Lady Peace’s live cover (see below) before hearing the original, which is great in its own right, but there’s just something special about that delightful ’80′s bravado that makes this one wonderful.  This was the bigger hit from Heartbeat City, their fifth album.

Sadly, there’s no “official” channel to get Our Lady Peace’s cover beyond buying their Live DVD, but hey, this is the internet.  So enjoy.

Sick Status Update

I’m feeling quite a bit better, but this flu hasn’t quite let go of me yet.  I worked a half day today (and may do the same tomorrow) due to some unpleasant tummy gurgling.  I am definitely better than I was Sunday, but I’m not 100%.  As such, I’ve not been too inspired to blog, and will probably continue to lie low until the sickness fully departs my system.

(at least I’m not bedridden like I was Sunday – I definitely felt the way Curvy Brace looks here)

Weekly Whose Line? – Drew Carey’s Improv-a-Ganza Special Finale

One last airing for you from Drew’s improv show – we’ll be back to Whose Line? clips next Sunday.

Sick :(

I’ve apparently contracted my nephew’s stomach flu, so I’ve been sleeping most of the day.  And I’m going to get back to that here in a moment.  Hopefully I’ll be over this tomorrow, but in case I’m not, I figured now at least you know why I’m not here.

Book lovers may want to check out our sister blog, as I did get a couple posts up over there yesterday.

Virtual Console No-Shows: Dragon Warrior II – IV (NES)

Thanksgiving has come and gone, so now we’re back on track with posts.  Metroid II came out yesterday, but I honestly spent so little time with it so long ago I don’t feel comfortable recommending it one way or the other.  Since the Wii continues to be left in the cold, let’s get the rest of North America’s NES Dragon Warrior (aka Dragon Quest) titles out of the way in one fell swoop (here’s the report on the first)!

75. Dragon Warrior II (NES, Square-Enix)

76. Dragon Warrior III (NES, Square-Enix)

77. Dragon Warrior IV (NES, Square-Enix)

Brief Synopsis – After the success Dragon Quest in Japan, Yuji Horii and company went into overdrive, kicking out three more sequels for the Famicom.  Amazingly, Enix America went ahead and localized all of them for the US, too.  Each improves upon its predecessor, with IV being the most dynamic of the lot story-wise.  III invented the job system that would return in IX, and II introduced the party concept into the franchise.

Why are they Missing? – I think we can point to Japan on this one.  Square-Enix decided to refrain from offering any Dragon Quest content to the Wii, instead choosing to either remake them for the DS (IV – VI) or re-release the originals in anniversary disc form (I – III).  So, odds are good we’ll never see Dragon Quest up on the VC…at least for the Wii.  Maybe the Game Boy titles will get a chance.

Other (Legal) Options – The NES originals for these tend to be trickier to find than the original (due to Nintendo overprinting it and giving copies away for Nintendo Power subscriptions).  Dragon Quest I, II and III were remade on the Super Famicom and Game Boy Color, but only the portable versions made it westward.  The Anniversary Wii disc seems to be Japan-only at this point.  IV meanwhile was remade for the DS and isn’t too difficult to find online for a decent price.

Thanksgiving Whose Line? – Food!

With most of the football and turkey gags covered last year, I decided to run with another major Thanksgiving staple for this year’s celebration – food!  And of course, no game covers food like Helping Hands!  So enjoy these two playings of this great game and have a great holiday.

Not sure how both of these ended up being Italian-related…that’s the beauty of the roll, I guess. :p

Music Wednesdays – The Verve’s “Lucky Man”

Perhaps better known for their “Bittersweet Symphony” (which is also a lovely song), The Verve should not have been an one-hit wonder here, and I present you this song, another single from Urban Hymns, as proof.  Excellent album, too.

Music Wednesdays – The Beach Boys’ “The Warmth of the Sun”

Yesterday, November 22, marked the 48th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, an event that emotionally devastated the country. Later that day, after learning about the tragedy, Brian Wilson and Mike Love of The Beach Boys began writing this song to express how they were feeling.

The lyrics tell a story of teenage heartbreak, with the narrator taking simple (perhaps desperate) solace in the memory of better times. Despite the typical lush harmonies, the mournfulness in the melody is achingly apparent.