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tag:destructoid.com,2006:blogsonic429's Blog :: DESTRUCTOIDhttp://www.destructoid.com/ul/user/1/184779-9948c-50.jpgsonic429http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/sonic4292014-10-14T19:02:19Ztag:destructoid.com,2008:284229Is this the last console generation?2014-11-24T15:40:32Z2014-11-24T15:40:32Z<!DOCTYPE html>
Before I begin, I know I haven't been around much the last few days or so, vacation means less time in front of a PC and more time doing whatever. But I'll be back to my chatty opinionated self next week. In the mean time here's a blog to tide you over.

Anyway, to the topic at hand. I've been hearing rumblings from people on the internet about consoles going the way of the dinosaur. That is to say: people think consoles will no longer be a viable concept for delivery of gaming content. I've heard the arguments and I have to say I totally disagree for a number of reasons. But in order to make my argument against it I have to explain why people believe this.

This video is from a guy named Adam Koralik with Figure it Out productions. He's an old school gamer and one who talks a lot about the industry quite a bit, so needless to say we have a lot in common. I don't always agree with him, but I can usually see where he's coming from. The video below is his stance on why he feels the way he does. I normally don't like to ask too much time from people but it is necessary to discuss the topic at hand.

The first problem with this stance that I want to address is the hole in the market that this would create. See, you can't just take out a product that the market embraces and not replace it. Sure, Blockbuster is no longer a thing, but in its stead we now have Redbox, Gamefly and to a point, Netflix and PS Now. People have rented games and movies ever since the physical media has existed. For a lot of people, it makes a lot more sense to just want to borrow something temporarily. It's cheaper, its convenient, and allows access to potentially a lot more content.

What Adam is proposing is that the current method of consoles would just simply cease to exist. That's like saying that they'll stop making DVD's because you can stream movies now. I foresee physical distribution, digital distribution and streaming games all being part of the future. I have no qualms about all three coexisting.

The way I come to that conclusion is by looking at similar entertainment markets. It's impossible to deny that digital distribution has been incorporated into all the markets, not just gaming, but why is it that only gaming will discontinue physical distribution, or local processing power? You don't see people foregoing DVD's, Blu Ray's, CD's, or physical books? Even the PC market still has physical releases for all the AAA games, even if it is all digital. Even then, you still have local processing power, it's not done in the clould. The physical media is part and parcel of the console and exists and will continue to exist for a number of reasons.

First off, people like them. I know it sounds like I'm over-simplifying but there will always be a demand for a physical product. People like boxes, with artwork and manuals. People like knowing that they can take a disc over to another persons house, lending, borrowing, trading, and the like, it's one of the resons consoles still exist in a world of PC's. Why else do you think the Xbox One announcement of their "plan" for used games was met with such resentment? People like the sense of ownership that comes with a physical release. This goes for music as well as movies. Those people predicting back in 2008 that blu ray would be gone by now have shut their mouths, and this is even in light of all the streaming services currently available.

The PSP go was met with very lukewarm sales. And while you could attribute that to the fact that the platform went from physical to digital so quickly, the exorbitant price tag, and incompatibility, I still think console gamers just aren't ready to go digital only.

Going digital only means a lot of things. It means you will have to have a reliable internet connection with a decent speed. It means that your console will inevitablly be a brick when the servers for that console are shut down. It means capacity for hard drives will have to be much larger than what is currently offered. And it means you could possibly be alienating a massive percentage of the population with those requirements.

In theory, a digital only console could be made and be successful, but frankly I'm not sure if people will accept it. I also think the online infrastructure isn't where it should be. There are parts of not just the US, but the rest of the world that don't have access to fast enough internet to support a digital only console. Sure, you can do things like firmware updates, download small games (less than 1 GB) and maybe stream video one at a time with DSL (2-3 Mbps). But if you want to download modern AAA games, have a smooth experience for online play, or even stream games, you are going to need something 4-5x that speed. Those without access would be unable to game if consoles took this direction.

Again, I need to reference the original plan for the Xbox one. I can see Microsoft was wanting to push a future like this, but obviously the gamers have spoken, and MS was forced to retreat from their overzealous ambitions. PS Now is in the same boat, I don't know a single person excited at the concept of paying by the hour to play games.

Obviously both Microsoft and Sony made terrible decisions with pushing towards a digital future, and perhaps if approached with more wisdom and respect for the gamer, it might have been more successful. But as it stands both attempts thus far have been an utter failure. And even if they were a success, none of that would be the death knell for physical media and local processing power.

Now as far as the big 3 bowing out, I would say that any of the three could. But I don't think all three would. It wouldn't make sense.

Nintendo doesn't do anything else but games. They have gone on record as saying that when they exit the hardware busiess they exit the gaming business. Nintendo has been around the longest and have ventured into far more than just gaming, and even now they are talking about wearable tech and quality of life products. I do wonder what would happen to the house of Mario. Those IP's are worth millions and I can't help but wonder how Nintendo would say afloat without them. Perhaps they would pull a Sega, not in the sense of making third party games, but that they would just scale so far back that they hardly exist at all. Maybe Nintendo of America and Europe would cease to exist and they would only make Japanese products. I hope to never see that day.

Sony is in a different place. I feel like if anything, they would focus on gaming only as that is by far their most profitable division. I for one wouldn't mind seeing that at all. Perhaps they could allocate the proper resources to support the Vita in the way that it deserves. Perhaps they themselves could make their own games with their own internal studios. It might actually be the best thing for the Playstation line as their exlusives tend to be lackluster.

I do agree with Adam on the Xbox in the sense that it has never been a profitable brand for Microsoft. They could possibly just drop it entirely, but it could be more of brand name for sports and entertainment. It could be a gaming box the same way the Amazon Fire is. But since the posting of this video MS has made many strides in distancing themselves from the Don Matrick era. E3 was all about the games for the Xbox this year, and thus far that strategy has been working to their advantage. So I wouldn't count the Xbox line out yet.

One thing that Adam has failed to mention is that just because one company would bow out, that another couldn't be there to take its place. Atari basically bowed out and Nintendo took their place, Sega bowed out and Microsoft took their place. The point is the market would be left with a gap if one of them left, and I'm sure there are others chomping at the bit to throw their hat into the ring; perhaps Apple or Samsung, maybe even another big publisher? Can you imagine if Ubisoft or Square-Enix made a system?

I do see the problem of AAA games being released unfinished and unchanged from their previous annual incarnations potentially causing a crash. I also see current gen consoles falling short on performance without unique features to back them up (with the exception of Wii U) potentially contributing to said crash. But those are other issues that needs be dealt with, and that's something I'd like to tackle in another blog.

Sorry to be so long winded, but I thouht this issue should be discussed. What do you guys think. Are consoles as we know them doomed, or are these just arbitrary setbacks that will resolve themselves?
  tag:destructoid.com,2008:284106What's the deal with racing games?2014-11-20T15:09:47Z2014-11-20T15:09:47Z<!DOCTYPE html>
I've tried tons of racing games over the years, everything from Forza to Need for Speed, and I have to say that a lot of them just fail to appeal to me as a gamer. I want to talk about my issues with them and what can be done to resolve the issue.

First on the chopping block: racing sims. My God these can be so utterly boring and sterile. I've played Forza 2 and 3 and they have the personality of a carboard box, Gran Toursimo is better in that regard, but it still has a lot of the same issues. All the menus are clean, the car models and tracks are detailed to a tee, but I can't help but be bored to tears by the actual gameplay/ Controls feel stiff and unresponsive, just a basic turn needs just the right amount of gas or break. You aren't supposed to bump into anyone of your car or you'll get a penalty, going slightly off road makes your car come to a hault or even spin out. Load times are horrendous for whatever reason, and the sense of speed just isn't there. What's worse is the the upgrading system. For instance, I was trying to win this cup in Gran Tourismo, it told me my curent car was incompatible. Fine, so I wanted to get another car that was, well they gave me a list. The problem with this list is that I basically had to remember what cars I can use, and they all have a make, model and range of years, with like 20 cars on the list that makes it hard to purchase without being able to cross reference it with the shop. So I closed the list remembering a handful of the makes and models and went to shop, there's like 30 different car manufactures that have to be brought up individually. Great. So I search and search and finally find a single car that's compatible. It's literally called the Midget. It's grossy underpowered, but I purchased it anyway. Much to my unsurprise, it has no chance in hell of keeping up with the pack. So I dump basically all my savings into it, and its just a little faster. At that point I gave up, there's $20 and 3 hours I'll never get back.

Racing sims

So how does this even happen? Do people really enjoy endlessly tweaking nuts and bolts and collecting hundreds of cars that look very similar to race the same handful of tracks over and over again? Because I for the life of me stuggle to find the appeal in this kind of game. Yes, I get RPG elements, but I need compelling gameplay to back it up.

Next we get to what I clasify as street racers. Now these games sound great in theory, you get faster paced action without all the jazz that boggs down a sim game, yet are true(er) to real life so you don't feel like your playing Daytona or Mario Kart. I can respect that, at least in premise. But these have failed to get my attention too. The worst culpurite is Need For Speed. These games tend to have a little personality, but nothing that distinctive. Now I will say I enjoyed Need For Speed Underground (GCN) and the demo to Need For Speed The Run (360), but beyond that, I feel like the NSF games never get above mediocrity. Project Gotham Racing seemed like it was a step above, but so was the difficulty, about half way though I just couldn't keep pace with the rest of the racers. I think this genre has potential, but I haven't seen one that delievers on it, at least not yet.

I suppose someone likes these games

So what kind of racers do I like? Well I got to thinking about it, and I like anything that doesn't fall under those categories. Mario Kart for instance is an absolute blast, the mechanics (post N64) are rock solid, the controls are tight, has a level of customization that's not too deep but enough to give it variety, it's easy to learn and hard to master. To top it all off the multiplayer, both local and online, is stellar. Why don't we have more racing games like this on the market? Well we do, Sonic All Stars Racing, which takes the same genre but plays completely differently. I can see where someone would like one but not the other, but I love both. My kingdom for another Diddy Kong Racing though, that game was excellent.

You know what else I enjoy, futuristic racers. F-Zero was probably the first racing game I ever fell in love with. It's not an easy game by any means, but it does have tight controls, excellet graphics, a ton of personality, and enough content to keep you busy for a good long while. They aren't so great for multiplayer, but I would still do just about anything to get a new entry for Wii U. But F-Zero isn't the only game like that, we also have the Wipeout games and the Extreme G games, plus there's some clones out there. That's the thing they all have in common though, great mechanics, fast, frantic gameplay, and have memorable gameplay. I just can't play these racing games where all the tracks look the same, and the music is just there to fill the background noise over the humming engines.

Tell me this doesn't look more fun than your boring racing sims

I also like "other" racing games. And by other I mean non traditional racing games. I still want a legit sequel to games like Jet Moto, SSX Snowboarding, 1080 Snowboarding, and Waverace. These are games that don't fit the traditional bill of what people think of when they talk about racing games. The nice thing about these games is they incorporate a trick system into the racing mechanics. With SSX its an integral part of the gameplay, no tricks, no boost. Jet Moto more or less adds it on the side, and that works, its fun to fool around with. The last two just separate them completely, it's either tricks or racing. And frankly, I'm cool with that. Whatever works.

And then there's Burnout. Burnout is or rather was, amazing. I remember my friend showing Burnout 3 to me and just being blown away. I picked it up shortly thereafter for $6 new (best $6 I even spent on a racing game). The graphics were phenominal, the controls were flawless (somthing more racing games need to address) the game was blazingly fast the soundtrack to this day is my favorite licensed soundtrack for any game. You not only can run other cars off the road or into traffic, its encouraged and you are rewarded for doing so. Burnout Revenge and Paradise are excellent too, not quite as good as 3 but still great. Why that franchise has been abandoned is beyond me. It is quite literally a racing game for those who don't like racing games.

Burnout: Bring it back

But there's so much more than can be done with the genre. I want to see more racing games incorperate elements like weather effects and track editors. Let me have more features like Crash mode in Burnout (where you compete to cause the biggest pile ups) I want anti gravity sections like Mario Kart 8 and maybe even bring back combat like Twisted Metal. Point is, I don't think we need more games like Forza, they've been done to death, it's time we made the genre a little more interesting.

 tag:destructoid.com,2008:283857Top 10: Sexiest consoles2014-11-14T16:02:05Z2014-11-14T16:02:05Z<!DOCTYPE html>
You know what I think is sexy? Gaming consoles. Maybe I'm just weird, but I can't help but get excited when I see a sexy looking piece of hardware. It just makes me connect with the system somehow, like I want to play games on that system just because it would look cool on my electronics shelf. So I decided to make a top 10 list of consoles that I think look awesome.

Okay some ground rules, when I talk about the system, I'm (obviously) including the hardware itself, but also specifiying which version of the console and color viariant. I generally dislike white consoles and won't buy one unless I'm hard pressed and have no other option. Also, I'm factoring in controllers, and box art into the list. I am however, not including graphics, but I will include UI (if applicable) because sometimes that can attribute to a consoles sexiness. Moreover, I'm leaving off game specific or decaled consoles. So, no Modern Warfare Xbox 360's or Net Yaroze PS1's, alternate colors are fine.

#10 Game Boy Advance-Original model-Indigo color

Oh the GBA, now that is just a sexy as a handheld from back in the day can be. Okay so this model lacks a backlight, and I knock it for not being as portable as subsequent models, but look at it. How many electronics come in purple? Not many. But even if you don't like purple it comes in a myriad of colors including the 90's style transparent colors! (Yes, I'm estatic that it's back with 2DS) It's got the best shoulder buttons of any handeld I've ever used (with intents for your finger to rest), I love the small LED light for power, and a fairly nice layout for the face buttons. I also knock it for having a tiny D-pad (the same one the Gamecube controller uses). Still quite sexy, I need to run out and buy one again, just because.

#9 Genesis Model 2- With 3 button controller

As much as I love purple, I don't like white, particularly off-white. Genesis is clearly a sexier console than the SNES. We all know black should be the default color for any electronics, it just blends in with the rest of the equipment. I love the red power lights on the Genesis 2, it's a bit lighter than the model 1, but does a better job at hiding those unssightly ridges. And you may be wondering about the controller choice. Why not go with the 6 button? It's far more functional. Yes it is, but we're taking beauty, and frankly, the original Genesis controller feels great in your hands, I just love the hard plastic and girth.

#8 3DS Orignal Model-Cobalt Blue

Sorry about the lens flair (J.J. Abrams would be proud). The only color I like better than purple is cobalt blue. I've loved it ever since I got my hands on a blue N64 controller (which is the best cobalt blue ever) I've loved the color. But I also love the glossy pastic, layre cake look when it's closed, and general clickyness of the buttons. I have to knock it back because the screen gets marked by the pastic ridge at the bottom, the Start/Select/Home strip which doesn't work as intened, even if is nice looking.

#7 Wii Original model-Red

You can tell I love my colors, eh? Yeah, I was never that fond the original model Wii stylings But man when they announced the limited edition red Wii, I could wait no longer. Of course mine doesn't look like this, the plates are removed for fear of breaking, and it's laying flat because I use the Gamecube aspect quite a bit, but that doesn't detract from the appeal. I'm particuarly fond of the blue light around the optical drive when it's reading a disc, the slot loading drive and how damn quiet it is, like it doesn't want to bother anyone, just sit there, be awesome, and play awesome games.

#6 PSP Model 3000-Black

Yes, I know this model comes in cobalt blue, but I actually prefer the black version. Why? I suppose it's because it's just so slick. The menus in particular are fast loading, the system loads up a game specific background when a UMD is inserted just like the PS3, and allows you to do a search or update. Long story short it's very console like. But I also like that it has a tiny, well hidden memory card slot that allows you to load and play media easily. There's volume and backlight buttons right on the front, and feels built like a tank. Everything about this system feels high end, the UMD's included (even though I despise the format).

#5 Saturn-Model 1

Okay, this or more like a glamor shots photo, but I do love the stylings of the the Sega Saturn. I love the access lights and the buttons right on the front. Vents are well hidden on the side and it runs fairly quietly. The menus are particularly nice, it's kind of a space ship cockpit of sorts, with tons of options for music playback. You can play the soundtracks from Saturn games here, and it even has a built in visualizer with a spaceship. It may seem hokey now, but I think it was a nice touch. The controller (not pictured) model 2 is the best fighting pad ever made. Not too shabby.

#4 PS3-Model 2 (slim)

I like the aestheics of the PS3 for a lot of the same reasons I like the PSP, the menus are slick and responsive (well outside of the storefront) the media friendly nature, and the black plastic. I would have gone with the original model for the glossy as opposed to matte finish, but it's just too big to blend in. And also, this is one of those rare cases where I feel like mattle actually looks better. I also love the slick little laptop hard drive it has, and that it can be upgraded rather easily. I would like a couple more USB ports (maybe a couple in the back?) but it's hard to complain.

#3 Xbox 360-Model 2 (Matte Black)

Again, I'm breaking my own rules, but I think the matte finish of the 360 is just a tad nicer than the gloss finish. But what really won me over was the touch sensitive open and on "buttons" (even though they aren't buttons) The 5 available USB ports, the very well cocealed but still accessable internal hard drive, and the wisper quiet fans. I think what really works well is the indented top and bottom, no other system I know does that. The lights look nice too. Just all around this is a super slick system that's only held back by the ejecting tray and less than stellar menus. The controller more than makes up for that though.

#2 N64-Charcoal Black

I've always love the stylings of the N64. Those curves make it feel more modern than it actually is. The 4 controller ports, the simple but elegant power and reset buttons, and the expansion port on top makes you realize this thing was built for real time 3D graphics. I also like that they planned ahead for the N64DD as the power cord was designed to supply power to both (unlike the Sega CD). It's a shame, the add on never made it here. I also love the color, I was half tempted by the retro transparent colors, but I think charcoal looks the best. Options are hardly a bad thing though. Even the box stylingss look great. Just stellar all around.

#1 Gamecube-Indigo

Gamecube is just flat out amazing looking, it comes in purple or a couple of other colors if you aren't weird like me, but I adore the mini discs. The controller is as comfortable as it is odd, and the memory cards are super tiny. I love the top loading tray, the ports on the bottom for the modem, the Game Boy player accessory, and the menus are just about perfect. They carying handle and 4 controller ports just lets you know this was meant to be taken to a friends house to play local multiplayer. Everything loads quickly, nothing is superflous. In my mind more consoles should stive for both the build quality and uniqueness that the Gamecube offers.

So there it is, do you agree with my list? What console do you feel I left out? Sound off in the comments below. I'd love to hear what consoles you think look great.

 tag:destructoid.com,2008:283540Giving Thanks: Gaming choices2014-11-06T12:26:55Z2014-11-06T12:26:55Z<!DOCTYPE html>
So I couldn't just pick one topic be be thankful for, so I decided to address all the big things that make me happy about the current state of the industry.

Last gen consoles

So little story here, my uncle recently went though a divorce (which he should have left her 10+ years ago) and started a new life. He has a new girlfiend now and she has a granddaughter she's caring for, she's 14 and wants a Playstation. So they came to me for advice, what should they get a PS3 or a PS4. Now to me there's not a clear cut answer, but when I asked how she was going to use it, it became pretty appparent that PS3 was the better choice.

What I'm getting at is that I'm thankful that the PS3 and 360. Not only have seen an unnatural long shelf life, but are still kicking and relevant almost 10 later. Even with other consoles with long shelf lives, like the 2600, and the Game boy, they didn't see the kind of attention that the 360 and PS3 are, it was more like a sporadic release that may or may not be good. But the PS3 and 360 are still getting quality digital and retail releases, sales, and updates. Not only that, these systems are pretty affordable, you can go into a Gamestop and pick up some amazing titles for $10-$20, and with a subscription, get some digital games on top of that.

I feel like Link opening up a treasure chest

Wii U

After we discussed the Playstation, my future Aunt asked me about a Wii for herself, where I made a suggestion for Wii U. Fact is, Wii U has been a really nice system as of late, yes the third party is still pretty bad, but it's hard to deny the first party is as strong as ever. Nintendo has been hard at work on their software and it shows. With the Wii U, she doesn't have to make a choice between current and last gen, she can get both in one. I've already written in length about the system, so I won't gush on about why I'm thankful for the Wii U, besides someone else has already written that blog for me.

3DS

I've been playing a lot of 3DS as of late, between Smash Bros, Pokemon SoulSilver and some downloadable games, it's been getting regular use. It's just a nice all around system with a lot to offer. The fact that we'll be getting a refresher on the hardware next year is exciting too. It doesn't even bother me that we're getting it later than Japan, my 3DS XL is in tip top shape, I can't see parting with hardware that's not even a year old yet. Still, the future looks bright for 3DS.

Could cross play be in the future?

Diverse Themes

This was my biggest gripe with the last gen, specifically between 2006-2011ish. It just seemed like we were getting a lot of brown shooters. Not that I mind mature themes, or shooters in general. In fact, it's quite the opposite, shooters are one of my favorite genres, and last gen proved how much could be done with them, but they milked the genre dry.

Call of Duty took the gaming world by storm, and every other developer started getting dollar signs in their eyes. Capcom made Resident Evil lose its identity, Sony jumped on the bandwagon with Killzone and Resistance, Halo started taking on CoD traits, and Gears is probably the best example I can give of a brown bro styled shooter. I'm not saying these are bad games, it's just that they start looking pretty similar after a while.

Just looking at the preview section on Dtoid I can't help but feel happy with the direction gaming has been going. I see Japanese gaming starting to become more prominant, retro 8 and 16 bit indie games, games like Sunset Overdrive which reminds me of Jet Set Radio, Bayonetta 2 which is an M rated Nintendo published game, games like Minecraft and Costume Quest 2 that kids seem to like, and we still have survival horror making a comeback with The Evil within and a new Silent Hill.

Indies

I believe the fuel the fire that created these more diverse themes is undoubtedly the indie scene. For far too long we have bought the games that AAA developers said we should have, now we have the power to say what kinds of experiences we want. We can vote with our wallets, we can go on kickstarter and tell the world that we don't need another annualized entry in a long running series, we want unique expereinces. We want new takes on classic genres. Shovel Knight is easily the best indie game I've ever played, I usually feel intimidated by difficult games, but it was just so good that I had to keep playing. I can't wait to see more of that.

It also gives me hope for the future. My two most anticipated indie games are A Hat in Time and 90's Arcade Racer. I want to see indies have the backing to be able to make 3D games, so they can appeal to us gamers that love and remember the 5th generation. So I can't help but love the indie scene, it's the grass roots movement that the gamers here on Destructoid should be able to appreciate.

I've rambled on enough. I hope you share my sentiments.

 tag:destructoid.com,2008:283324PS1: A retrospective2014-11-01T19:31:18Z2014-11-01T19:31:18Z<!DOCTYPE html>
If you follow me on Dtoid you probably know I'm not the biggest supporter of Sony, I'm more of a Nintendo guy. It's not that I consider the Playstations bad systems, it's more that they come from a different place, Sony has a different philosphy than I do. With that being said though, I end up getting every platform because I feel like they all have something to offer. There are things that I really like about the Playstation brand, and I feel should recieve praise. Here, I want to talk about my favorite of the Playstations the PS1, and my history with the machine.

Let's roll the clocks back to 1998, I was well into the N64 which I had recieved the previous year as a Christmas gift (a story which I had already detailed in another blog). I was enjoying games like Banjo Kazooie, Diddy Kong Racing, and Ocarina of Time. And while those were undoubtedly amazing games, I began to feel that itch to want to branch out. See I have this thing called wonderlust, in essence I always want to reach out and expierence something new, this is why I'm always buying new games and rarley finishing them.

At first I was totally against Sony even entering the market, after all, what did they know about video games? They were a electronics manufacturing company for Christ's sake! But slowly, I began to get exposed to the Playstation. My friend had one, he was showing me stuff like the original Diablo (which initally I found to be boring and ugly) Jet Moto, and Twisted Metal. I'm not sure any of those actually won me over. They were like most other of my inital experiences, just a seed that would later grow. It wasn't till later that I played a demo of Tekken 3 in Best Buy that I started to entertain the notion of buying the system.

I'm not sure what that is but demo kiosks have some kind of effect on me. It seems one postive expereince on a console is enough to put that idea in my mind. But I remember what struck me about Tekken 3: the fact that there was nothing like it on the N64. It's not that the game couldn't be made for the system, it's the fact that it wasn't. The idea was that Playstation offer a more "edgy" kind of gaming experience, for lack of a better word. Back then consoles were more distinctive, if you wanted JRPG's the PS1 was your system of choice, if you liked arcadey games, then Saturn was the better way to go, and N64 was all about the platfomers.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. That year I saved up some money, ran up to the outlet mall and bought a refurbished Playstation from the Sony store. It came with a non dual shock controller (even though they were out at the time) and of course no memory card. I didn't even scrape up enough money to buy any games with it. I was a 14 year old boy, I didn't think things though, cut me a break. But what it did come with was a demo disc. And what a demo disc it was, it had the first level of Crash Bandicoot, it had a couple characters of Tekken 2 to fool around with and videos of Twisted Metal 2 and Jet Moto. I played that demo disc for forever, it only made me want those games all the more. My first two games were Crash Bandicoot and Tekken 2.

I still have a soft spot for this controller

Later I picked up a copy of Final Fantasy VII, which left a lasting impression. I still consider it the best RPG I've ever played. I cut my teeth on survival horror by picking up the original Resident Evil, I had no idea what the game was about when I first bought it, but I remember the dog jumping out of the window was the first time I was ever scared by a video game.

In fact I think that's the most defining feature of the Playstation for me, it was the first time experiencing a lot of things I consider to be everyday occurances in games. Die Hard was the first time I had ever heard profanity in a video game, Tekken 2 was the first time I had seen a really well made CGI cut scene, Duke Nukem Time: Time to Kill was the first intentially offensive game that I had ever played, and Diablo 1 was the first dungeon crawler that I had ever played.

Long story short it felt like it was a system that wasn't afraid of offending my parents. (I'm actually surprised that my parents gave me free reign to explore this new world.) It was okay that Barret told me to get my spikey ass over here, or that Solid Snake smoked a of cigarette. The system just treated me like an adult, where I had to keep discs clean, and manage my own memory instead of letting the cartridge do it for me. I loved the demo discs that went out, where it let me play unfishinshed demos, import demos, give me free cheats, and even download saves with everything unlocked. This is stuff that Nintendo would never do, and I loved Sony for doing it.

To this day, that is what I still love about the Playstation platforms. If I want to upgrade my hard drive, it lets me be a big boy and get the hard drive I want, not the ones they sell you for an exorbiant rate. I can open up the sytem and get access to it. They don't lock down features like communication because they are afraid that I might talk with a convict, or lock out apps behind a paywall. Something about a device that let's me game the way I want to and provides me the tools to do it just seems nice. That's an aspect of the Sony philsophy I can get behind, and that's why I still enjoy gaming on my PS1.

 tag:destructoid.com,2008:282560Tons of Wii games worth buying2014-10-14T19:02:19Z2014-10-14T19:02:19Z<!DOCTYPE html>
Let me start off by saying I think the Wii is a terribly misunderstood console. When comparing it to the PS3 and 360 it's hard not to bulk a bit when they are suppossed to be the same generation. Fact is, the Wii isn't trying to be like them, it was built to be a machine for everyon not just the core gamers. The thing to understand is your enjoyment of the Wii really depends on how you set it up. That means having the right connection (component video) the right kind of controllers (Wii remote+, Gamecube controllers, Classic controlers) and of course the right kinds of games; which is where this blog comes in. Anyone who tells you that the Wii doesn't have a respectable collection of quality games is either ignroant or lying. Not saying you don't have to dig through some shovelware to get to those quality games, but they are there to be had. So here's my list of reccomended games.

 My crazy modded (limited edtion Wii)

For starters these are my top 10 Wii games, I'd reccomend these above all else.

1 Super Mario Galaxy

Without a doubt my favorite platformer of era and my favorite game on the Wii. Any disapointment that people have had with Super Mario Sunshine could easily be aleviated with Super Mario Galaxy. In many ways feels like the true successor to Mario 64. The graphics are brilliant, the challenges are well laid out, the pacing is spot on, and the variety is staggering.

2 Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword

While some may prefer Twilight Princess (also on this list) it's hard for me not to like Skyward Sword better. The motion controls that were an afterthought with the former are fully realized in the later. This is the game that truly showcases what Nintendo wanted to do with the Wii remote. The puzzles arewhat really won me over, the game is incredibly imersive and theres so much to do and see in the world.

3 Mario Kart Wii

To me this is the Mario Kart that got it right. I enjoyed previous and subsequent entries but something about Mario Kart Wii just feels right. Each of the 32 tracks feel like they are fine tuned, ready to be raced over and over until every turn is mastered. It's easily the best online experience the Wii had to offer, and even though servers are down local multiplayer can live on.

4 Super Smash Bros Brawl

I'm going to come out and say it, Brawl is better than Melee. Okay it's not a popular opinion, but I actually prefer the floatier mechanics and slower gameplay, it makes the game more tactical in my opinion. But even if you disagree it's hard not to appreciate the sheer amount of content to be had here, the roster is massive, there's an 8+ hour subspace emmisary, with mini games, challenges, stage builder and more options than you can shake a stick at. And if you really dislike the mechanics, Project M is an SD card away.

5 Metroid Prime 3/Trilogy

Which Prime game is the best? Well, Prime 1 obviously, but the other 2 are great games in their own regard. And you can get all 3 amazing games on a single disc. Here's the best part, the controls are updated so you can look and move at the same time! But I digress. Seriously, these are 3 of the best adventure games ever made. The world of Metroid is deep and there's nothing quite like exploring anciet ruins as Samus Aran, legendary bounty hunter. Very highly reccomended.

6 Tatsunoko vs. Capcom

I'll be the first to admit the Wii isn't a haven for fighting games. But this is easily one of the best fighters of the last generation. If you enjoyed Marvel vs. Capcom 3 or Street Fighter x Tekken, TvC is sure to please. 2 on 2 tag team fighting mixing the world of Tatsunoko and Capcom. Even if you don't know Yatterman from Karas it really doesn't matter, it's a fighting game people. If you are a Dreamcast fan this one is sure to resonate with you.

7 Donkey Kong Country Returns

Donkey Kong's glorious return after years of side games. It's a straght up ode to the Donkey Kong Country games on the SNES, but it's not a remake, it's more of a modern take on those games. The controls are tight, the platforming is tough, and the nostalgia is high. Seriously, if you can't appreciate old school hardcore gameplay like this you have no soul.

8 New Super Mario Bros Wii

Also a return of sorts to the old school days is New Super Mario Bros Wii. It feels like a mix of Mario Bros 1-3 and Mario World. People have called the art style bland, but I've always found the game to be charming. Much like Donkey Kong it's a challenging game, and gets even moreso as you add players. If you can mangage to beat the game with 4 players co operativley you are a better platforming guru than I, and this is coming from someone who beatlost levels without warps or cheats.

9 Sonic Colors

It's about time Sonic made a decent 3D game. I can't help but enjoy running through Robotnick's interstellar amusement park. The foundation of the gameplay is as old as Sonic Adventure 1, except the mechanics are a lot better. The twist though is the wisps that give Sonic Temporary powers such as digging though the ground or flying. It's by no means earth shattering, but it's the best Sonic game of the generation.

10 Kirby Return to Dreamland

Yes, another platformer. But that's one of the systems strengths. RTD is a love letter to fans of Kirby Superstar on the SNES. You can play as Kirby, Waddle Dee, King Dedede or Metaknight, each with their own abilites. It's also got drop in drop out gameplay, and really delivers on the promise of 4 player co-op in away Mario just couldn't nail because of difficulty. Yes, it's on the easy side, but don't hold it against it. Oh, and like most HAL games, it's packed to the brim with content.

These are the rest of the list. Not every game on here is a timeless gem, but each one I feel is worth at least checking out. Theese aren't in any particular order other than similar titles being listed together.

Wii Sports/Resort

Wii Sports may have caught all the headlines, and it's a great game for what it accomplished, but it's hard to deny it's little more than a tech demo. Wii Sports resort is the real deal. All the ideas that Wii Sports had, feel much more fully realized in this release. Swordfighting is a particular highlightbut even things like Tennis, Golf and Bowling have a lot better fidelity with the Wii remote + . It's a fun casual game, that's best played with friends.

Kirby's Epic Yarn

If you had to choose betwen the two main Kirby titles I'd defenetly chose Return to Dreamland, but there is a certain charm about Epic Yarn. It reminds me very much of little big planet, everything is super polished and obviusly looks like fabric and yarn. It's a relativley simple game, a 2D side scrolling platformer where the goal is to collect as many gems as possible and complete the level. You lose gems when you get hit but you can't die, much in the same way that the Lego games work. I'm sure most guys here weren't chomping at the bit to play this, but in it's defense it wasn't made for you, it's made for younger kids and it shows that very clearly. If I had a kid, I would start them with something like this.

Super Mario Galaxy 2

This game is interesting in the sense that Nintendo usually doesn't give us a direct sequel to a major franchise on the same system, or if they do, they are ususally radically different. Mario Galaxy 2 in many ways just feels like a natural expansion on what the firt game offered. But if it isn't broken, don't fix it.Mario Galaxy 2 is bigger, more challenging and sports a lot of new ideas. It basically assumes you've already beaten the first game and are ready to move on. The cloud suit and inclusion of Yoshi are highlights. Still for what it's worth I like the first game a little more.

SNK Arcade Classics Vol 1

There's quite a few anthologies to be had on the Wii, but I would say this one is probably the best one to get simply because it has more variety than the others. If you have fond memories of that red machine with 4 buttons it's hard not to enjoy this game. I never knew about Shock Troopers until recently, it's a top down shooter (think Commando) with surprisingly great controls, tons of weapons and an co-op to boot. But there's also stuff like Art of Fighting, King of Fighters 94, Metal Slug and World Heroes, each of which have their own compliations. So it's a nice introduction to the world of SNK if you aren't familiar.

Metal Slug Anthlogy

If you've played one Metal Slug, you've played them all, but why not enjoy them all? Serioulsy, if you've never played a Metal Slug game you owe it to yourself to try it out. They are 2D shoot em ups, somewhat simiar in structure to the Contra games but slower paced. There's power ups vehicles, different paths and of course co-op. Each one kinda has their schtick.

King of Fighters The Orochi Saga

Reinhold Hoffman's favorite fighting franchise, or at least one of them. This compilation starts you out at King of Fighters 94 and takes you all the way to 98. While that's by no means a complete set, it's the main line of classic games. It's interesting to see how the series evolved in such a short amount of time. The game work on team play, you have 3 characters to chose from, but in the original you can't even pick your team, they're already pre determined. Each incarnation does something a little different and expands the roster. The main game you'll be spending time with is KOF 98. If you've stuck to the Street Fighter side of the pool then I'd recommend branching out. I still prefer SF, but I must admit I'm a fan of the more "deliberate" (for lack of a better term) gameplay.

Samurai Showdown Anthology

Maybe you aren't a fan of King of Fighters style mechanics, Samurai Showdown has it's own feel. Of all the SNK games, I would have to say I love the original Samurai Showdownt the best. The roster is small but each character feels signifigant, the pacing feels right, the controls are spot on and the visuals are stellar. However, popular opinion sides with the second entry which I'm also a fan of. But like I said in the other anthologies, why not try them all?

House of the Dead 2-3 Return

Oh I miss light gun shooters, it's a shame that those old guns won't work on our modern TV's. But lest we forget the Wii remote can easily facitiltate that function. I've always viewed the House of the Dead games to be the defacto light gun shooter. Sure the dialog is cheesy, and the hits are cheap, but think about all thememories you can relive with your friends. It's a straight forward port except as you play you unlock more credits so you can get better and farther, just don't expect to beat the game without cheats. It's a damn shame the original isn't packaged with this, the only other home port is on the Saturn.

Guilty Gear XX Accent Core/Plus

And people say Tatsunoko is the only game worth owning an arcade stick for. I beg to differ. If you've never played a Guity Gear game this is a nice place to jump in. I'm pretty much a casual fan of the series, I couldn't tell you all the differences between the versions, nor can I nail those 25 hit air combos. I can tell you this though, it's got a diverse cast of outlandish characters, beautiful animation, spot on controls, and a hell of a soundtrack. It's pretty hardcore to say the least, so be prepared to invest some time if you want to be proficent.

Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil/0

You might be put off by these titles, they are actually just re releases of the Gamecube games. If you've never played any of the classic Resident Evil games this is really a fantastic way to start. If you have to pick one the remake is the better game but I'd say get both for the full background. These are not the fast paced action games that 4-6 are, they are slow meticulous, scary, and require you to not only pay attention but conserve resources. Long story short, everything the new games
aren't. The reason I reccomend getting these instead of the Gamecube games, is the 480p support, ability to play them on the Wii with the classic controller, and the fact that they aren't split across 2 discs.

Resident Evil Umbrella/Darkside Chronicles

Okay, maybe you don't want to go through all the trouble of going through those old school Resident Evil games with human tank controls. That's cool, Wii has got youcovered here as well. Think of the RE Chronicles games as a readers digest version of the story of Resident Evil told by means of a light gun shooter. These games are nicley paced, story driven, and have rewarding gameplay. Unlike the House of the Dead these aren't arcadey, which means progress is saved, guns can be permantanly upgraded and theres more to come back to than just a higher score; co-op is great too. Darkside Chronicles in particular is a fantstic choice, it's the best light gun game I've ever played.

Resident Evil 4

How could I not reccomend the classic? People argued which is better, the Gamecube version with better graphics, or the PS2 version with more content, then the Wii version comes along with both and on screen aiming to boot. Even if you aren't the biggest fan of motion controls you can still play this with the classiccontroller. It holds up better than a lot of games do from 10 years ago. If you've never played RE4 I highly reccomend picking this up.

Metroid Other M

Okay this game gets a lot more flak than it deserves. No, it doesn't touch the Prime games, but frankly, it's not trying to. In some ways I feel like it's trying its best not to tread on Retro's work. You play with the Wii remote sideways and play in third person, when you need to look at something you just point the Wii remote at the screen and it switches to third person. It facilitates both action and puzzles remarkably well...at least most of the time. It's by no means a perfect game but dispite it's many faults I had a great time with it, the graphics are slick, the combat is fun and frantic in a way that Prime's never wasand that Ridley Fight was the series best. The game is only $8 at Gamestop, give it a shot, you may be surprised.

Sin and Punishment Star Successor

I'll admit, there are some Wii games that feel more dated than they actualy are, but this isn't one of them. Treasure has always had a knack for giving gamesamazing presentations and that's definitley the case with Sin and Punshment SS. From the instant you boot it up you know this game is special. You can use the classic controller, and for most Wii games I reccomend that given the option, but I never even considered it. The game itself is like a light gun shooter only your character is on screen, you have to dodge and weave with the analog stick and aim using the Wii remote. It feels so natural in a way that most motion controled games don't. It's a pretty tough game, but rewarding to progress. If you enjoyed Kid Icarus Uprising but not the controls it's well worth checking out.

Naruto Clash of Ninja Revolution 1-3

If you've played the Clash of Ninja Games on the Gamecube, you'll know exactly what these games are about. I enjoy the games because they are simple fun. Combat has two attacks (light and heavy) a throw and special button. They all do great fan service, and have tons of content to go through. These are fun party games but there's a lot of content to go with that. Fighting games just don't have single player campaigns anymore for whatever reason. They aren't amazing gamesbut they are a lot of fun. If I had to reccomend one in the series I'd say the third one is the best as being the most refined.

Zack and Wiki: Quest of Barbaros' Tresure

They don't make games like this anymore. Fundamentally, Zak and Wiki is a modern day point and click adventure. It's a puzzle game with excellent motion controls, it's actually pretty challenging and requires you to pay attention. I adore the art style, it reminds me of the Dreamcast days where Capcom wasn't afraid to make their games "gamey". I never beat the game, but I had a great time with what I did play. I would love to see a follow up on Wii U but it didn't sell very well in the Wii's heyday, so it's rather doubtful.

Animal Crossing City Folk

If you want a slow paced game with no real goal or ambitions then Animal Crossing will be right up your alley. See, I'm not a fan of sim games in general but forsome reason Animal Crossing just resonates with me. I love the slow music, making relationships with the other animals, and avoiding Tom Nook and in general doing whatever I feel like. If an animal keeps threating to move away, I say GTFO. Because, yeah, I'm like that. Granted this isn't my favorite version of the game (3DS and Gamecube versions are more enjoyable) but I can't deny that it's still a fun game all around.

Rayman Origins

Admittedly, this is on every platform under the sun, so why would you get it particularly on Wii? Well, no specific reason, but that doesn't mean it should be takenoff this list. Rayman Origins is platforming heaven. If you've played Legends it's very much the same kind of game, only less refined. The game just feels right the art style is fantastic, the controls work well, it's totally replayable and with 4 player co op it's a great party game. There's a lot of trial and error if you like that sort of thing (I do), but I can't imagine someone liking platformers and not liking this game.

Pikmin 1/2: New Play Control

This is another example of a game improved by motion controls, it seems any game that uses the pointer aspect of the Wii remote instead of the motion aspect works to the games advantage. Pointing and clicking where things should go is usually a luxury only affored to the PC gamer, but here you get that kind of accuracy. Okay, maybe not quite the level of a mouse, but it works as a 3D mouse. Much like other Gamcube re releases you are getting 480p and 16:9 support, and even though the visuals are dated, the style hold up fairly well. Both games are totally worth getting but they can fetch a pretty penny online.

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat: New Play Control

Another Gamecube re release, there's actually a whole set of "New Play control games". The original game was made for the DK Bongo's (remember them?), but the Wii version changes the controls around for the Wii remote and nunchuck. While I still prefer the bongos to the new play control, it's a nice way to enjoy the games and the controls still work really well. It's a 2D scrolling platformer with a twist, it's built around combos and timing, you have to collect bannans,defeat enemies and platform in one fluid motion. The more combos you can stack together the higher the score you will get. It's unique in a lot of ways and feels like a great fit for Wii. I'm glad the game got a re-release because the original fell under a lot of people's radar due to being released late in the Gamecube cycle.

Wii Fit/Plus

Now this is a game I bet you didn't expect to see on this list, did you? But the fact is, this is a really well made game. It takes a balance board with your Mii wieghs you and tests you to see what kind of shape you are in. It does a remarkably good job of encouraging you and giving good advice. This isone of those games that feels really "next gen" to me as its got "an outside the box" kind of thinking. It keeps track of your stats, compares your progress to your friends, and makes suggestions. It's a little scary how much was thought of in the game. But the exercises are actually fun with multiple levels and makes a fantastic use of both the board and the Wii remote. IMHO it's one of the most innovative games that last gen had to offer.

Battalion Wars II

If you enjoyed the original game on the Gamcube this one is sure to please. You basically are a leader of a batallion and have to lead your troops into battle against the soviet army. Each of your men have a class and it's up to you to put them in their place to optimize performance and win. It's a strategy game of sorts but you control it all. You can fire the bazookas, ride in tanks, or take control of the artillary. It's pretty kid friendly, but that should be expected from a first party title. Controls work well because, again, it works with the pointer, not the motion.

Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess

How could this game not be on the list? I case you've been living under a rock for the past 10 years you know that Twilight Princess is the Zelda game that fans were clamoring for for years. It's the anthesis of Wind Waker, which means the game is dark, mature, with more emphasis on the dungeons and less on thevoverworld. Even the story gets kinda out there. There was a few times where I was wondering if I was actually playing a Zelda title. Yes, this game is bettervwith traditional controls if you ask me, but it's certainly not bad on the Wii. It still plays quite well today, and it's increidby immersive.

Warioland Shake it

Seeing a pattern here? Yeah, the Wii pretty much has the undisputed crown for platforming last gen. This is an old school platformer in the style of the Wario Land games. It's quirky and has some limited motion controls, but they aren't too invasive. Acutally this is pretty obviously a Gamecube game that just got moved over mid development. But you basically go into a level getting all the treaure you can when you get to the goal you have to get back to the beginning with the allotted time. Obviously, not all the treasure can be had going in, some has to be gotten exiting the level. Which means there's quite a bit of replay value trying to maximize the amount of treasure in a given run. It's not likely to melt your brain, but it's got a great sense of humor, nice mechanics
and fun gameplay.

Punch Out

Now this is how you revive a dead franchise! I've always loved the Punch Out games, never been good at them , but that doesn't stop them from being great. This is a love letter to fans. You once again control Little Mac and work your way through the ranks to become the heavyweight champion. But this is far from your typical boxing game, see it's more of a game of learning patterns and memorization than actual boxing. Enemies have weakness that you have to exploit as
well as attacks that have to be avoided, it's all about learning when to dodge, block and attack. I can't help but love all the characters as they each have their own personality and antics. It's as much of a reward to win as it is to see the next character you have to face. Never could beat the game but I had a great time trying.

Mario Pary 9

I'll admit I haven't sunk countless hours into Mario Party 9, but I do feel like it belongs on the list. As opposed to other MP games, you all travel in one car around the board, each player collects mini stars. It has more of a focus on mini games than previous entries and most of the games are pretty solid. Like any Mario Party it's best for 4 players as the AI is likley to use underhanded tatics.

Goldeneye 007

I know a lot of people wanted to see Goldeneye show up on the Virtual console, but it never happened for a lot of reasons. I think this was meant to be more of a homage to the N64 classic without being a re release. This is a game all its own. Essentially, this is a retelling of the 1995 movie as if Daniel Craig was acting in it. Before you cry blasphemy, it's very tastefully done and brings a new flavor that serves the plot well. Frankly, I'm glad it didn't ride the coattails of the N64 games as so many did before it. No, it's not that groundbreaking, but that doesn't mean it's bad. It's running on a modified Call of Duty engine with JB style objectives. I like the implementation of cameras and other gadgets so it's not a shooting gallery. The multiplayer is really nice as well. Grab 4 classic controllers and play split screen, just like the old days.

Dead Space Extraction

Remember when I said that light gun shooters made a return on the Wii? This is another fine example of that. EA could have shoehorned a bastarized version of Dead Space for Wii like Capcom did with Dead Rising. Instead they thought they'd do the fans and the series a service. This is a prequel to the orignal Dead Space told in the form of a light gun shooter. This is even slower paced than Resident Evil Chronicles but it does pick up. There's quite a few places where you have to use the Wii remote in intersting ways, you have to figure out how to block holes or cover your exit. It's not just about shooting and I can totally respect that. And don't worry about the tension and mood being toned down, that's not the case at all. It's very foreboding and well made.

Silent Hill Shattered Memories

To me this is my proof that some developers just didn't try with visuals on the Wii. This is proof positive that realistic games can look great on the system. The environments are carefully crafted with some stellar lighting. Seriously, go through the game and cast your light on anything and watch it reflect in real time on the walls with true to life accuracy. The snow, the architeure, even the texture work and character models are impressive, effects you just don't see done on the Wii. Oh, and this game is incredibly creepy, the audio is chilling and the tension runs high. Even the motion controls work exceptionally well here. There isn't much like this on the Wii and I highly reccomend giving it a shot.

Tomb Raider Anniversary

This is another game you won't see a whole lot of on the Wii, a single player puzzle adventure game. The game is esentaially a remake of the original on PS/Saturn, but uses the mechanics of Tomb Raider Legend. The controls work well enough, but I'm not convinced they are particually better, except for maybe the shooting. Much like, Dead Space and Silent Hill, there's a deep imersive expereince to be had here and it doesn't baby you at all. You have to learn the mechaics and avoid traps. Puzzles are challenging, and there's a ton of ways to die here. Thankfully the checkpoint system is forgiving. Theres a long game here to be had for those willing to see it to the end. I can't say I ever made it all the way through, but I'd like to revisit the game when I get some time.

Red Steel 2

This is not your traditional first person shooter, in fact I have a hard time calling it a first person shooter, more like a first persona action/adventure game. The gameplay revolves around taking jobs and and fighting enemies. The gamplay is rewarding as you are constantly getting better gear to take on more jobs. There'sa good amount of variety here as well. The controls work well due to requireing Wii motion plus, and I love the western theme.

Lego Star Wars the Complete Saga

This is anothe one of those relreleases that are worthg getting because it's an upgrade from the previous generation. You are getting both orignal Lego Star Wars games and all the extras with 480p and 16:9 support. Both of the games were alread chock full of content but both together is enough to keep you busy for a long time. The gameplay is a fairly straightforward afair with collecting lego studs, solving puzzles (which is basically finding the right character with the right ability) and a little platforming mixed it. It's got drop in drop out co op, and it works well either way. Lego games are as common as can be but the originals are still a lot of fun.

This is the rest of the list. Frankly, there's some games here that I either haven't spent enough time on to reccomend or that I simply don't have. I would really love to pick up games like Fire Emblem and Pandora's Tower but lack the time and money to get around to them. If anyone has any experience with these games I would love to hear them.

 My entire Wii collection

Super Paper Mario
Super Mario All Stars Wii
Muramasa The Demon Blade
Xenoblade Chronicles
Pandora's Tower
Fire Emblem Raidant Dawn
Last Story
Fortune Street
Monster Hunter 3
Sakura Wars So Long my Love
No More Heroes 1/2
Mad World
Okami
House of the Dead OVerkill
Kirby Dream Collection
Pokemon Battle Revolution
Lost in Shadow
The Conduit
Klonoa
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3

So there you have it, Sorry to drone on. I promise I won't get offended if you just read the sections that you wanted. But I would like to hear back from the communuty. Have you guys played these games? Does anyone else appreciate what the Wii for what it was, or will it take a few more years before others start looking back at thesystem?


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text:
I hope I don't ruin the turkey.
This is a crazy, leap, kind of year where the people in my family who usually cook Thanksgiving, i.e. cook the turkey, are both working. Our family tradition is to have a Thanksgiving lunch and dinner. We basically eat all day. We ran the risk of not having Thanksgiving lunch this year due to both my sisters working. No one else was available to be the chef. Except me and my husband. Soooooo, I'm going to step up to the plate and take a swing at roasting my FIRST turkey.
I've been really spoiled. Up until a few days ago, I knew I didn't have to do much on Thanksgiving except eat and not wear pants all day long. I have watched non-stop Food Network Thanksgiving shows that have turkeys being cooked in a myriad of ways. As I watched these shows, all I could think of was, "Wow, that turkey looks soooo good! I wish I could do that." Followed by a "Hmm. But then I'd have to actually cook a turkey. It looks way too fussy. If I miss one step will my turkey be dry? These Food Network chefs can cook a turkey in their sleep while wearing roller skates in the kitchen."
There's no going back now.
I would love to try cooking my turkey in fun experiments like cooking the turkey upside down for the first hour, but what happens if I can't get it to turn back over?? How the hell do I "flip" a turkey? Turkeys are way bigger than any chicken breast I've ever roasted, and even those can be tricky when using tongs!
No worries, though. I have a plan. I'm going to go with the traditional way of roasting and not get too fancy. You know the acronym, K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple, Stupid. lol.
I'm going to roast my turkey tomorrow afternoon when I get done interning. I figure by cooking it a day ahead will come in handy IF I fuck it up! Oh, and we do not one, but TWO turkeys for Thanksgiving lunch. So, I will be doing the 10 lb turkey and my husband will do the 20 lb. turkey on Thanksgiving. Yep, that's correct. 30 lbs of turkey!
If you are celebrating Thanksgiving, what are some of your traditions for the holiday? I'd love to know!
Also, have you ever roasted a turkey before?? If so, you're awesome!
I hope your day was amazing and here's to Thanksgiving Eve! Gobble! Gobble!
<3 always,


text:
Taylor Soper
Taylor Soper is a GeekWire staff reporter who covers a wide variety of tech assignments, including emerging startups in Seattle and Portland, the sharing economy and the intersection of technology and sports. A native of Portland, Ore., and graduate of the University of Washington, he was named a "New Journalist of the Year" by the Society of Professional Journalists.
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Harley Davidson Meets God
Arthur thought about it for a minute and then said, "I want to hang out with God." St. Peter took Arthur to the Throne Room, and introduced him to God.
Arthur thought about it for a minute and then said, "I want to hang out with God." St. Peter took Arthur to the Throne Room, and introduced him to God.
We rounded up our favourite tracks of the year, then refined them into two gym-ready playlists
As a visual medium, documentaries frequently succeed in portraying the unimaginable far better then any book alone could do. Beaming everything from the co
Tribesports is the home of sportspeople and sports challenges. Join the fun and start sharing your sports activities with people like you.
Just over 3,000 films were released in the past ten years. Instead of sleeping, Neil and Cole (with the help of a supercomputer) whittle that list down to the best 1%.
Because ruining one person's day can provide infinite entertainment for the rest of us, the 40 best pranks ever captured in GIFs!
Fun Switcher. Turn on the fun! Collection of cool sounds and music.
The Bechdel Test, if you're not familiar with it, is a benchmark for movies developed by Alison Bechdel in 1985. For a movie to pass The Bechdel Test, it
Another round of those voted 'most likely to be awesome.
Draw a stickman and watch him come to life!
If the rest of this year's movie posters told the truth - Movie Feature at TheShiznit.co.uk
This is dedication. Is there a class to teach you how to smuggle this many props onto a Disney ride?
There are million YouTube videos of people covering rap, hip-hop and R&B songs, and it can be overwhelming to sift through them all—so we've done it for you. Here are 10 songs that you should hear.
Facebook is full of it, dumb people and more dumb people. Of course, there are some who are friends with these and never miss a single moment to humiliate
Were you one of the many who saw The Avengers over the weekend?
Hey remember that ruling that deprived human beings of basic rights? It's been overturned. Let's celebrate by taking a look back at some of the funniest pro-gay marriage signs.
| TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is where the world's leading thinkers and doers gather to share ideas worth spreading. TED.com shares those ideas with the world, for free, in videos that have been called "the best thing on the web, ever."
Do you like this? If so, grab a Shamwow, some Fun-Dip, a stapler and a computer mouse and meet me on TWITTER! Ch'mon, Sparky!
he must be a lucky man
Funny Siri Commercial Parody Fight Between Husband And Wife FaceDL Video Download From Facebook
Whether you are on the road traveling, or find yourself alone in a park with no equipment to train with, here's a compilation of 92 CrossFit workouts for you...
The Best Of The Best: Here Are 20 Gems Of Wisdom You Need To Know
From deep within the bowels of the internet…
White Kid Sing The Blues In Guitar Shop Like It's Nobody's Business!
A few of Nirvanas views while stoned and Krist tells us what really pisses him off
The live-action Rugrats movie is coming and it's going to be the most amazing (and disturbing) movie of 2012!
Watch this Adorable Baby do the evil eye and laugh :D!
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The sex tape everyone has been waiting for with Eva Mendes is finally here and you won't believe what kinds of positions she gets into.
unbelievable football skills
© 2011 WMG. Gym Class Heroes' music video for 'Stereo Hearts' featuring Adam Levine from the album, The Papercut Chronicles II - available now on Decaydance ...
"Toddlers and Tiaras: Where Are They Now?" catches up with Makenzie (Ashley Tisdale) and her mother (Leah Remini), 22 years later, we find out Makenzie hasn't changed a bit. Unfortunately.
New TV commercial from Wiser's.
Dont do this kind of thing in the street go to a parking lot, you could loose your car if your not smart.
Surfer gets interviewed on the news.
Full story: http://bit.ly/carouselrace | Part two: http://youtu.be/xcQuPb3LpAU Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/improv.everywhere For our latest miss...
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Live standup Mime from Gamarjobat on Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford. Learn how to Make Money online http://tinyurl.com/6v4yrbm
Drumming Phenom
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David Armand, of the comedy troupe Hollow Men, with a brilliant visual interpretation of Natalie Imbruglia's Torn.
Subscribe to our new pranks channel http://www.youtube.com/user/pranks Exclusive Videos & Pictures http://www.facebook.com/TheScarySnowman Here we go! Kickin...
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CrazyCall is the ultimate tool for making prank calls and fooling your friends. You can change your Caller ID (SPOOF) and Voice (VOICE CHANGER) when calling. So when you call someone he sees on his Caller ID display the number you selected. You...
I really want the meme on the right to go away. The whole thing suggests we're okay with what's happening and likely to happen to the kids that this meme represents. It goes beyond racism; it's pathological.
You will never leave the house drunk again.
Door op dinsdag 01 juni 2010 20:38 - Categorie: , Views: 1.022.432
Soda vs Marijuana
my first "no risk, no fun" video Crazy guys!!!
The biggest fail is paying them millions of dollars.
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Our 100th Youtube Video. Interview with a One-Year-Old. I wanted to interview Jose Luis a few months before he turned two. This is what he had to say. Shay's...
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San Francisco Giants reliever Brian Wilson is like Kenny Powers in real life, he recently sat down with Jim Rome and it turns out to be one of the best interviews in a while.
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Without the explanation of the prank at the beginning, this would've been considered the greatest fart of all time.
A sneak peek at Football Cops, the new cop drama starring Peyton and Eli Manning premiering this fall, only on DIRECTV. More at www.footballcops.com
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"I'm living proof that hope is never lost!" That is a quote by Josh Hamilton, who is a major league baseball player that made a miraculous comeback to baseball after being addicted to drugs. This video gives a small glimpse into his story and his dra...
Funny photos, videos, awesome art and design. Plus other cool and weird internet humor. Always SFW.
Posted by in , , |
Parking Revenge Win
*Subscribe* more videos coming soon. Follow me @TyCullen on twiiter. Asking random New Yorkers with headphones on what song they are listening to. Tracklist:...
[EN] Andy Roddick, as know as Powerful-Server, plays the match of tennis on clay court. Roddick shots powerful stroke on left corner, but chief umpire miss-j...
http://gags.justforlaughs.com Two young Japanese tourist girls with backpacks ask people passing by to take a polaroid picture of them. Right as a van slowly...
Dude is taping, inhales bug and goes on a tirade. Extremely funny.
cat attack foiled again! poor kitteh http://twitter.com/alienBS
man sticks his head up girls ass its a must see..plz subscribe and thumbs up and check out some of my other videos and thank you all
http://www.hahaha.com Little brat wants a video of him smashing the crap out of a duck - presumably to tenderize the meat before he BBQs it. A presentation o...
Deine besten 6 Sekunden des Tages ^^ Become a Fan @ Facebook! : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eh-Marine-Official/333548903332771
Fran & Marlo Cowan (married 62 years in 2008 when this was taken) playing impromptu recital together in the atrium of the Mayo Clinic. To read more about the...
Amazing. Kenny Powers becomes CEO of K-Swiss, and enlists the help of Michael Bay, Matt Cassel, Jillian Michaels, MMA Champion Jon "Bones" New video ft. Matt...
My daughter Chevelle snaps out of her slumber to her favorite song...She's gonna be a STARRRRRR!!!!!!!!! "Kid Cudi Is My Favorite" "Kid Cudi Is My Favorite" ...
Short? Yes. Hilarious? Always.
discrimantion against bank robbers


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Don't Let Zac Efron Text While Walking
Please stay safe Zac.
Please stay safe Zac.
Lauren Yapalater 2 months ago 110 responses
Texting while walking will result in you falling down a large sinkhole or walking into a bear . To be fair, there was almost no signage warning anyone that there was fake ground up ahead.
Lauren Yapalater 2 years ago 44 responses
EMAIL firstname.lastname@example.com
TWITTER @twitney
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TWITTER @itslaurenyap
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TWITTER @mattstopera
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TWITTER @arielle07
BuzzFeed is currently working with select partners to help them track what's hot on their sites using the same advanced social tracking and analytics tools used on BuzzFeed.com.
If you're interested, contact us at email@example.com.


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Glad James Polls had a good success rate. All the description were overall pretty much spot on to me !
I still prefer the name Lizard men to Lizardfolk :P
PS The Hobgoblin Poll has an error:
Hobgoblins: Do you think the bestiary statistics for the orc match up with the story we've presented?


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News Details
Exclusive interview with Jean-Éric Vergne
– The summer break allegedly sees Formula 1 drivers take a step back from the world of racing. But earlier this week, an old Red Bull and the streets of Assen were waiting for Toro Rosso's Jean-Éric Vergne. GPUpdate.net sat down with the Frenchman to discuss his season so far and look towards the future.How do you rate the first half of season?I have had a good first half of the season. There were some positives and some negatives. The negative is that we had too many retirements. The positive is that every time I had a retirement I was always in the position to score points. So that is a good thing, you know. I think we could have scored a lot more points, but we still have the...
Full Story »
Full Story »
3mo ago from GPUpdate.net 0
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Photos: Vergne gives F1 demo in Assen
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Video of the Day: Vergne's F1 demo in Assen
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Reports link Brawn, Costa, Bottas with Ferrari
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Hamilton v Rosberg: F1 title permutations
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59m ago from Pitpass.com


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October 02, 2013
After years of planning, construction of a bypass around the northern part of Birmingham, Alabama is finally set to take place, but it will be a long time before it's completed.
Gov. Robert Bentley said work on the Northern Beltline, to be known at Interstate 422, will being next year. The announcement came after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Monday approved a permit for construction of the first phase of the route.
The Northern Beltline will be a 52-mile highway that will stretch from Interstate 59 northeast of Birmingham, to the junction of I-459 and I-20/59, southwest of the city. The first phase of the project is a 1.34 mile portion between State Highway 75 and State Highway 79. Once construction begins, completion of the first portion of the Beltline is expected to take five to six years.
The new Interstate, was mandated by Congress and will take 30-35 years to complete costing as much as nearly $5.5 billion. It will link I-20, I-22, I-59 and I-65. There is already a loop to the south of Birmingham, I-459, that was completed many years ago.
The Alabama Department of Transportation has launched a website about the project at BetterBeltline.org
We offer e-newsletters that deliver targeted news and information for the entire fleet industry.
The expert, Mark Betner from Citgo will answer your questions Ask a question
Detroit Assurance: Collision Mitigation, Assisted Braking, Better MPG
Unsung Documentary Series: Baker Trucking
Ultimate Test Drive Video: SuperTruck A Walk Around
PERC Clean American Innovation: Roush CleanTech
SKF Offers Extended Warranty on Wheel End Products
Talbert Unveils New Traveling Axle Trailer
Western Star Offers Limited-Edition Calendar
Ursa Super Plus EC SAE 10W-30 Designed for Fuel Economy


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"G" Words
Build basic reading skills with Magical Mother Goose! Can you find the "g" words in this group of pictures? Help your child work on the "g" initial sound, and when she's done with the worksheet see if she can find more "g" words around the house or classroom.
Updated on Nov 18, 2014
This Weeks Deals
FREE Shipping on Orders over $50


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Added Jul 11, 2013
by Suzanne Ford
Oxford, United K...
I wanted to make something pretty and useful as a gift for my friend's birthday so I have whipped up a small purse for her jewellery as she travels.
She wears a lot of slim rings and lots of small earrings so this little purse will be ideal for when she travels. And when she's not travelling it can double nicely as a card or money purse.
Plus I love the (true vintage) fabric.
I placed two buttonholes on the top flap and attached the ribbon on the bottom flap so you can fasten the purse closed by threading the ribbon through the buttonholes.
I acquired the floral fabric from my Nan.
Ribbed ribbon from the haberdashers.
Add to Favorites no one added it
Find out more about our three fabulous courses starting this week!
Backstage Report
Choose from one of 5 popular dresses.
Member Project of the Week
Kick off party dress season with this cute greenery covered dress.
Editors' Pick
See Meg's picks and get them at a special price with an extra discount for Black Friday
Sewing & Techniques
See how Meg made this edgy dress using the Janome Artistic Edge Digital Cutter!
You must allow our "request for permission" request to login to Burdastyle with Facebook.


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The Obama Administration's objective to raise the minimum wage to $10.10, from its current $7.25, hit a major road bump Wednesday as Senate Republicans voted to block the bill. The measure needed 60 votes to pass, but received a vote of 54-42.
According to NBC News, the bill also featured increases dependent on inflation that would push a family of three above the poverty line. Senate Republicans, however, said the increase would hurt small business owners and predicted job cuts to make the higher wages work.
National Restaurant Association responds
Following the vote, the National Restaurant Association issued the following statement"
"The restaurant industry offers individuals of all ages, backgrounds and skill-levels flexibility, opportunity and real pathways to success. Eighty percent of all restaurant owners began their careers in entry level positions within the industry," said Scott DeFife, the NRA's EVP for Policy and Government Affairs. "Restaurants provide a first start to teens and young adults, relief to displaced workers, and an opportunity to create a lasting career.
"Dramatic increases to the minimum wage like the proposed legislation put forth by Senator Harkin would significantly hurt restaurant owners' ability to create jobs and limit the opportunities restaurants can provide to current and future employees.
"The CBO estimates a wage increase to $10.10 an hour could put half a million Americans – and potentially one million — out of work. Policy makers should focus on pro-growth policies and other necessary reforms — such as increased access to education and job training opportunities — in order to help restaurants continue to provide opportunity to millions of American workers."
Topics: National Restaurant Association , Operations Management , Staffing & Training
Pizza Hut franchisee: High confidence in brand relaunch despite minimal testing
Blaze ignites Knoxville opening with free pizza giveaway
Good news for cheese prices after rough year
How Papa Murphy's controlled record-high cheese prices in Q3
Pizzeria Planning: Designing and Maintaining an Efficient Pizza Kitchen
Case Study: Dairy Queen® Franchisee
Case Study: Burger King® Franchisee
Experimenting with Pizza Flavors
Sales, staff needed to execute successful catering program
How some restaurant operators plan to navigate higher minimum wages
'Hidden compliance cost:' Restaurants with 50+ full-time employees must start ACA reporting in 2015
Virtual Currency 101 for Restaurants
© 2014 Networld Media Group All rights reserved.


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Pehr Dots Storage
Description: Pehr Dots Storage
Storage bins you don't have to hide. Made from a durable, natural, heavy cotton canvas Pehr's storage bins can be used for everything from laundry to toys or tossed in the back of the car for a weekend out of town.
Dimensions: 13" x 12"


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Select an image
Desktop image
The desktop image allows you to try Xubuntu without changing your computer at all, and at your option to install it permanently later. This type of image is what most people will want to use. You will need at least 192MiB of RAM to install from this image.
There are two images available, each for a different type of computer:
- PC (Intel x86) desktop image
- For almost all PCs. This includes most machines with Intel/AMD/etc type processors and almost all computers that run Microsoft Windows, as well as newer Apple Macintosh systems based on Intel processors. Choose this if you are at all unsure.
- 64-bit PC (AMD64) desktop image
- Choose this to take full advantage of computers based on the AMD64 or EM64T architecture (e.g., Athlon64, Opteron, EM64T Xeon, Core 2). If you have a non-64-bit processor made by AMD, or if you need full support for 32-bit code, use the Intel x86 images instead.
A full list of available files can be found below.
If you need help burning these images to disk, see the Image Burning Guide.
Name Last modified Size Description
Parent Directory - vivid-desktop-i386.iso 22-Nov-2014 10:50 1.0G Desktop image for PC (Intel x86) computers (standard download) vivid-desktop-amd64.iso 22-Nov-2014 10:48 1.0G Desktop image for 64-bit PC (AMD64) computers (standard download) vivid-desktop-i386.iso.zsync 22-Nov-2014 10:51 1.9M Desktop image for PC (Intel x86) computers (zsync metafile) vivid-desktop-amd64.iso.zsync 22-Nov-2014 10:51 1.9M Desktop image for 64-bit PC (AMD64) computers (zsync metafile) vivid-desktop-amd64.manifest 22-Nov-2014 10:44 45K Desktop image for 64-bit PC (AMD64) computers (contents of live filesystem) vivid-desktop-i386.manifest 22-Nov-2014 10:06 45K Desktop image for PC (Intel x86) computers (contents of live filesystem) vivid-desktop-amd64.list 22-Nov-2014 10:48 4.3K Desktop image for 64-bit PC (AMD64) computers (file listing) vivid-desktop-i386.list 22-Nov-2014 10:50 3.6K Desktop image for PC (Intel x86) computers (file listing) vivid-desktop-amd64.metalink 22-Nov-2014 10:51 1.0K vivid-desktop-i386.metalink 22-Nov-2014 10:51 1.0K SHA256SUMS.gpg 22-Nov-2014 10:51 198 SHA1SUMS.gpg 22-Nov-2014 10:51 198 MD5SUMS.gpg 22-Nov-2014 10:51 198 MD5SUMS-metalink.gpg 22-Nov-2014 10:51 198 SHA256SUMS 22-Nov-2014 10:51 179 SHA1SUMS 22-Nov-2014 10:51 131 MD5SUMS-metalink 22-Nov-2014 10:51 125 MD5SUMS 22-Nov-2014 10:51 115


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here welcome to: forums > games > board games > my favorite game
Board Games
Passionate about board games? Talk about your favorite board games.
Um, this is under the "Board Games" category.
"jada90" wrote:mine to ilove my dsi
Music, comics, and computers RULE!
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Oh, and it drives me crazy when ppl typ lik di$, have bad grammar/spelling, or type in all caps LIKE THIS. A combo of them all is even worse.
Dear Fluffy..
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A great online version of the famous Candy Crush. This is the best game launched...
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The Leading eBooks Store Online
for Kindle Fire, Apple, Android, Nook, Kobo, PC, Mac, BlackBerry...
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Unpredictability and PresenceBRILL 2008; US$ 159.00
Applies a legal anthropological framework to Norwegian history. This book focuses on what happens when pre-state conflict patterns encounters a stable royal power in the high middle ages. It formulates the question of state formation in a different way. It demonstrates the relevance of studying Scandinavian history as part of European history. more...
Icelanders in the Viking AgeMcFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers 2010; US$ 35.00
The Sagas of Icelanders are enduring stories from Viking-Age Iceland filled with love and romance, battles and feuds, tragedy and comedy. Yet these tales are little read today, even by lovers of literature. The culture and history of the people depicted in the Sagas are often unfamiliar to the modern reader, though the audience for whom the tales were... more...
Norway Travel Complete ProfileWorld Trade Press 2010; US$ 16.00
Whether planning your own trip to Norway, or planning someone elses, youll be equipped with the all-inclusive travel reportboth of our Travel and Points of Interest reports rolled into one. more...
Norway Women in Culture, Business & TravelWorld Trade Press 2010; US$ 7.45
Women often occupy different roles in a foreign culture. Avoid offensive assumptions and behavior by understanding the position of women in Norwegian society: their legal rights; access to education and health care; workforce participation; and their dating, marriage, and family life. more...
Sweden Travel Complete ProfileWorld Trade Press 2010; US$ 16.80
Whether planning your own trip to Sweden, or planning someone elses, youll be equipped with the all-inclusive travel reportboth of our Travel and Points of Interest reports rolled into one. more...
Iceland Travel Complete ProfileWorld Trade Press 2010; US$ 14.40
Whether planning your own trip to Iceland, or planning someone elses, youll be equipped with the all-inclusive travel reportboth of our Travel and Points of Interest reports rolled into one. more...
A Short History of FinlandCambridge University Press 1998; US$ 26.00
Second edition which brings events up to Finland's admission to the European Union in January 1995. more...
The Political Economy of Joining the European UnionAmsterdam University Press 2010; US$ 50.00
Deze dissertatie onderzoekt de effecten van een volwaardig EU-lidmaatschap voor de politieke economie van IJsland. Het biedt tevens een overzicht van de EU, EER en de Europese Vrijhandelsassociatie (EVA) en een grondige analyse van de EMU en het vissers- en landbouwbeleid. Bovendien biedt dit proefschrift een blik op de voor- en nadelen van een EU-lidmaatschap.... more...
Culture and Customs of NorwayABC-CLIO 2010; US$ 50.00
Norway is one of the world's largest oil-exporting nations. It is also one of the most progressive countries in the world, according to the Global Gender Gap Index, the Global Peace Index, and the Human Development Index. Yet, despite its outstanding culture, important economy, and spectacular beauty, Norway remains unfamiliar to most Americans. more...
Denmark, 1513-1660Oxford University Press 2007; US$ 124.99
One of the largest states in Europe and the greatest of the Protestant powers, Denmark in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries was at the height of its influence. Embracing Norway, Iceland, portions of southern Sweden and northern Germany, the Danish monarchy dominated the vital Baltic trade. However, its geopolitical importance far exceeded its... more...


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