Have you ever waited in line for something? I don't mean your average line at grocery store. I mean a line for a special event, be it a grand-opening, a new release, a convention... something more specific than the everyday sort of waiting in line.
Odds are that, while you are in line, or just before you are in line, you start to make expectations for the new-release (let's use this example) you are about to take part in.
Why!?!
Why do you form pre-concieved ideas of what's about to happen? Odds are that you are completely off and will be disappointed because it did not meet your expectations that, technically, no one guaranteed for you.
In case you didn't know, Nintendo is releasing one of it's most anticipated releases this year: the New 3DS XL (good for you Nintendo, more creative names (sarcasm)). So logically, many stores are going to have some early morning lines of Nintendo super-fans that want to guarantee their purchase (now why didn't they pre-order at one of the many locations on offer?). Many of these stores will, most likely, not have enough stock to fulfill demand, thus destroying many people's pre-conceptions. This often leads to anger and rage from people that can't afford losing their chances to get their oh-so-precious toy.
Now, I admit it, I'm a bit of a hypocrite (surprise, surprise). I NEED a New 3DS. But I'm not going to be waiting in line for it. Sure I'll lose my chances at it for a while, but it's worth it not to get severely disappointed. Besides, what college student with a life has that kind of money?
So for those of you who will be waiting in lines in the future, clear your mind of any pre-conceptions. Or at least weigh both the positive, and negative possibilities. You'll be only slightly disappointed, or overjoyed. Either result isn't too bad don't you think?
Sorry for the little hiatus. I'm sure many of you can understand how hectic the Holiday Season can be. I'm back now... back with a grudge.
You see, while I was away, the little nerd within me got into something new. Something to collect. Something in extremely... extremely high demand.
Odds are, those of you who owned a Nintendo 64 gaming console have heard of Super Smash Bros., right? I'm sure some of you don't, so allow me to explain. Super Smash Bros. was a fighting game developed in 1999 by Nintendo for their Nintendo 64 gaming console. Over the course of 15 years, 4 sequel titles would release: Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
The two latter titles, were just released last year. Both of them are similar in design and layout, but the version for Wii U is the more complete version (the handheld one for the Nintendo 3DS handheld console is mobile and a lot smaller in comparison). Despite the unbelievably original name (sarcasm), the game is fantastic.
One of it's many features is the integration of Nintendo's "toys-to-life" figurine line called "Amiibo."
A "toys-to-life" figurine is a toy character figurine that uses a Near Field Communication system built into its base. Scanning the NFC system, or tag, digitally activates the character in the video game the figurine is tied (advertised) to.
Confused? This video should help!
Now Nintendo isn't the only one in this industry. Activision has a line of toys-to-life figures called Skylanders. They have been unbelievably popular these past few years.
Realizing this, Disney created Disney Infinity which uses the same technology, but rather than featuring gimmicky monsters, the game features popular Disney and Marvel characters (and eventually Star Wars!).
Smash Bros. Amiibo Wave 1
Nintendo, however is the first developer to have their toys-to-life figures be available for multiple types of games. For example, I have an Amiibo for Mario. I can tap that Amiibo onto my Wii U GamePad while playing Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, or Mario Kart 8. Both of them do something unique to enhance gameplay, but I'm not here to promote the lovely features these little guys offer.
You see, like many types of figurines, the Amiibo are highly collectable. This makes them popular, and highly desirable. I'm one of those people who are hooked. So what's the big deal?
"You like toys, and you want to collect them. Way to be a man!"
...Sure, I see how it is. But you see, I'm not as obsessed as I could be.
In this day and age, the internet literally gives us instant information regarding availability. Due to the high demand of Amiibo, this has opened the gate for scalpers, or resellers as they are often referred to. These people exploit the demand of Amiibo to buy as many of the figurines as possible, and sell them for over quadruple the price of retail ($12.99), because parents and collectors don't care how much money they spend. "If little Timmy wants it!" as they say...
Smash Bros. Amiibo Wave 2
The amount of money these scalping hoarders make allows them to buy out entire stores just to make a quick buck, thus making children (the target age group) and collectors suffer for being only two minutes late for a store's opening! Yes. That's right. People make lines for these suckers. Nearly every time it's a disappointment, because some gentleman, who has no better thing to do with their time, was standing in line in front of you.
Sure there are pre-orders for these things, but guess who pre-ordered several hundred of these figures before you did? That's right. A scalper.
It's getting so out of hand, that some stores liquidate their stock as employees call dibs on the product before the product is even shelved! And what do they do with that? Sell it of course!
Smash Bros. Amiibo Wave 3
Yes, folks, this is what the world has come too. Exploit rich parentsmake money. Sounds fun right? You couldn't be more wrong. Scalpers are hated with such a passion by fans. All out brawls and complaints to management to enforce limits are made daily. I'm not one of those people, but I sure as heck despise that people think that this is an okay thing to do!!!
*Sigh*
Smash Bros. Amiibo Wave 4
Sorry for the mini-rant, but this is a real issue that I'm dealing with here. Well technically I'm not the only one. There are so many fans of Amiibo out there. Sure I'm only after the Amiibo that are based off of the Super Smash Bros.video game, but there are so many characters that I have lost from right under my nose, some of which have been reported as "discontinued." Never to be restocked again... Well phooey!!
So if you ever consider, or are currently in the reselling business, beware! If it has a fan base, people will hate you. Consider what you are doing first. Don't be selfish. Chances are, you'll make a collector, or maybe even a little kid very, very happy.
Super Mario Amiibo Wave 1
Of course, I'm the person who tries to look for the best deals, so somehow I'm always out of luck...
so if any of you have either a Marth, Villager, Wii Fit Trainer or Pit Amiibo you are willing to sell for MSRP, I'm your guy.
I know what you're thinking, "What? Two video game related posts in a row? I thought this blog covered more than that?" Rest assured, I've already got plans for the next few weeks, and not all of them have to do with video games.
Recently I watched a YouTube video that someone put together of their "Top 100 Greatest Songs of the Nintendo 64." I got all nostalgic, and then this thought popped into my head.
Do you know how significant Super Mario 64 was for the video game industry?
The moment you turn on your Nintendo 64 with the Super Mario 64 game cartridge in, this logo blinks onto screen, followed by Mario saying his popular phrase, "It's-a me, Mario!"
Super Mario 64 was released in 1996 as a launch title for the Nintendo 64 gaming console. No big deal right? Wrong! You see, the Nintendo 64 was revolutionary, in that it was the first ever gaming console to be capable of emulating a 3D polygon, or, in other words, it could create 3D pictures using computer graphics. It had the technology to give depth to an object and build a world that you could explore from all directions as opposed to a 2D game where forwards/backwards was all that you had. It had truly set the bar as to what was capable with this new console.
But that's not all that was revolutionary about Super Mario 64. It was also the first game to put you in a "safe environment" to learn the game's controls, as well as featuring a hub-world (the area you go in between levels, or "courses" in this case) where you would have access to all of the areas in the game.
Mario with a "Power Star" over his head.
You see, in Super Mario 64, you are invited to the castle of Princess Toadstool (A.K.A. "Princess Peach," or simply just "Peach") by invitation from the Princess herself. When Mario arrives, he enters the castle and finds that the Princess is missing. The only way to get her back is by collecting the castle's "Power Stars."
In order to get these Power Stars, you must enter all of the rooms inside the castle. Most, if not all of these rooms, contain a painting. To enter one of the courses that contain a Power Star, Mario must, literally, jump into the painting. From "within" the painting, Mario selects a level, and can earn one of six stars if certain conditions are met (this includes finding 8 red coins hidden throughout the level, or a simple fight with a larger sized enemy).
This castle hub-world has four floors with a tower at the top. Only the main lobby and the gardens at the front and back of the castle are available at this point, but as the game progresses, you can earn keys that unlock the basement floor, as well as the two upper floors, and the castle's tower. By the time you have earned 80 Power-Stars you will have full access to the entire castle.
If you keep an eye out, you may run into "Castle Secrets" that award you with one of the game's total of 120 Power-Stars. A real treat for those who thought they found "literally everything."
Both the 3D visuals, and the hub-world of Super Mario 64 inspired such games as Donkey Kong 64, Sonic Adventure, and Diddy Kong Racing, and would become the basis of which many game developers would design their games' hub-worlds off of.
If this post at all encourages you to try out Super Mario 64, you can purchase this game through the "eShop" accessible on both the Nintendo Wii and Wii U home consoles. There is also a version of the game with updated visuals, three extra characters, and 30 more Power Stars called "Super Mario 64 DS," which, as the name suggests, is available for the Nintendo DS, as well as the more recent Nintendo 3DS and 2DS handheld systems.
The Nintendo 64 console with 6 of its many, multicolored controllers.
The original Super Mario 64 game cartridge
Of course, if you really want go "old school" you could purchase a Nintendo 64 console and an original cartridge of the game. Just note that getting an used game console and game cartridge would be much more cheaper than getting brand new copies of the original console and game cartridge, as the latter cost a small fortune, due to the console's collectability. Also, keep in mind that used consoles are subject to wear and damage.
And, if I may add my own plug here, this game is one of my absolute favorites. Ever. It is easy to learn. Perfect for beginners. It has an excellent soundtrack, as well as offering a gaming experience like no other of its time. I highly suggest you play this game if you can get you hands on it.
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