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hex65000

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Posts posted by hex65000

  1. Posted

    From the retro - kinda green technology dept...

     

    So, the classic games on the hi-def tv thread made me think about this... How do you guys handle powering your systems? Since I'm starting to hook up more and more stuff to my TV and don't really want to leave it plugged in and turned on all the time. My solution has been a series of power strips attached to an old computer power selector. That way, I'm not powering up everything when I sit down to game. Sure, the real power draw is when you turn stuff on, but very few systems actually disconnect the power supply from the 120V main. Even the wall warts draw a little power when unloaded. Ideally, I'd have one switch control one machine and I turn on only what I need.

     

    Coupled with my sporadic time available to game, leaving everything off is typically better than the opposite.

     

    Thoughts?

     

    Hex.

    [ Will I get ANYTHING done today? Tune in to find out. ]

  2. Posted

    Is it me or is it weird that major retailers are becoming high end pawn shops? (like Gamestop) What's even more odd is that the other end of the production chain wants us all in the DRM heavy downloadable content model as fast as possible. It's like I'm seeing the pattern of the comic book boom from way back when. I might be wrong, but if I'm not you heard it here first kiddies! :D

     

    Of course, when you can't really 'own' a game is when I'm out of this crazy scene. Not like I don't have anything to play. :]

     

    Hex.

    [ Would rather give the AA homebrew scene 'donors' for $0.50 than get a gift card... <sigh> ]

  3. Posted

    I can't tell the difference honestly. That said, I don't wear my glasses as often as I should. So everything always looks a little blurry. ;v] I've been generally happy with running Svideo or better for my newer machines. I wasn't sure if the SNES supported Svideo, I may have to revisit that since it is currently running composite...

     

    My setup(s) ; Attached to a Samsung 40" 1080p TV

    360 -> HDMI (Awesome)

    Wii, PS2, XBox -> Component (Still looks good)

    PS1, Dreamcast, Gamecube, N64 -> Svideo (Can't tell any difference here)

    SNES, Genesis -> Composite (The TV hurts the appearance more than anything)

    2600, NES -> RF -> VCR -> Composite (Obviously the worst case scenario, but whatcha gonna do? Still looks okay for what it is)

     

    I haven't tried it yet, but all of the light gun games are pretty much not going to work right?

     

    Hex.

    [ Likes to point out that his K'nex stands remain frickin' awesome! ]

  5. Posted

    The Dreamcast was one of the machines that got me into serious console game collecting. A friend of mine had one set up and we played a ton of Soulcalibur and Gauntlet Legends. Both were awesome. I eventually scored one; it was my first used system which turned out to be well... gross. I wound up throwing pieces of it away it was so nasty. (bugs) :P I had also started buying them up by the ton on EBay and have amassed a pretty comprehensive collection of titles. I do tend to miss out on the J-bullet-hell shooters that have come about recently, but it's still a great system. I did play some DC over the weekend too. Specifically Crazy Taxi (classic arcade goodness), Mr. Driller (I am secure in my manliness despite that Mr. Driller wears pink), and Dino Crisis (which was overall similar but different to the disappointing game that Capcom cranked out for the PS1).

     

    That is all.

     

    Hex.

    [ Mistah Dillah! <bom> <bom> <pish> <bom> <bi> <bom> <pish> ]

  6. Posted

    I'd consider picking up the Zen Buddhist "Gong Hero", but sadly it is merely an illusion that need not be there.

     

    I'll pass on this one, I don't like the burning sensation items like this inflict on me. ;v]

     

    Hex.

    [ Will also pick up "Norse Hero", but a surge suppressor is required before beginning game-play... ]

  8. Posted

    Just an note on something odd that occurred yesterday...

     

    I went to my local Target for a few misc. things and I always check the clearance bin for games because sometimes they blow out a "B" title that I was interested in for a tolerable price. So, I found Madworld for $21 ; decent score -- a few bucks cheaper than buying it from Amazon. So I've collected everything I wanted and I check out. When the game comes up she wants to see my ID. I assure you that I am very much old enough. So I show her my ID and she takes it. She then swipes it through a reader. While I know my privacy v/s the world is vastly compromised, I don't like to encourage them. I told her that if I knew she was going to do that, I would have not let her have my ID. Then flatly stated that I won't let their company do that again. There was some shuffling of feet and the word 'manager' was said a few times. Still. Mine. Target doesn't deserve a free ID swipe because I bought some game that may be categorized as subversive.

     

    Hex.

    [ Tries to make sure the satellites get his 'good side'... ]

  9. Posted

    Picked it up, and I admit it wasn't what I expected. You really need to thoroughly read through how the combat system works. The fan service is clearly there as mentioned. I may pick this back up again, but I want to clear Devil Survivor first.

     

    Hex.

    [ Is still recovering from his rather warm Thai lunch... ]

  10. Posted

    I still keep my Gamecube in service for some of the reasons mentioned; Gameboy Player primarily.

     

    I also got (somewhat) lucky and scored some Monster brand S-video cables for about $6 each. It doesn't help the N64 terribly, but things look nice on the cube and I really can't justify the crazy cash outlay for a component video cable. I was happy with my Wii's graphics under composite for quite some time. I found a Nintendo brand component cable at TRU one day for under $10 and grabbed a set. Monoprice has affordable component cables for the PS2 available also. HDMI is nice, but I don't think I'm missing out on a ton v/s my 'Cube and S-Video.

     

    The other reason is more a personal neurosis than anything else -- that's wear and tear on a unit. I try to take good care of my stuff, and other than dust, I do a respectable job of it. My theory is that a system has X amount of life in it. You can obviously shorten it by operating the device in hostile environmental conditions. I have a Gamecube that costs less than $50 to replace v/s a Wii that costs about $250 to replace. In this context, I'll play Gamecube games on the Cube.

     

    Side note: played Samurai Jack last night, a hair past the halfway point in the game. I'm enjoying it for what it is.

     

    Hex.

    [ Knows he's playing another 3D platformer / beat-em-up... It's still fun. ]

  11. Posted

    By the way. hex65000, what's Starcraft night?

    It's when a group of us get together and play Starcraft. It's a boy's night out event. Except we hang out in an apartment and play Starcraft against each other. There is smack-talking abound, sometimes pizza, and analysis of our tactical goodness(or lack thereof). I'm not great at the game, but left unattended, am quite a nuisance. :D

     

    Hex.

    [ Is excited about Starcraft 2, but less so if we all have to play through Battlenet. ]

  12. Posted

    Amazon is doing a special on Dance Dance Revolution with the dance mat today. Right now they are doing a lightning deal on mats for $20.

     

    The rest of the offerings look like they are rhythm-game / music related.

     

    Hex.

    [ Thought about picking up DDR, but hasn't touched the FOUR installments of the game he has for his XBox... ]

  13. Posted

    DS: SMT: Devil Survivor, Gunpey

    PC: Starcraft (1)

    360: Onechanbara : Bikini Samurai Squad (I loaned out all my decent 360 games :( But bouncy is good. :D )

    PS2: Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer, Rumble Roses (Thinking about adding SMT: Persona 3, SMT: Devil Summoner 1, or Shining Tears to that rotation)

     

    Hex.

    [ Is sad that Starcraft night was canceled today, but the moistness of the Zerg will return next week... ]

  14. Posted

    Troll response:

    It sure seems like a number of 360 users are fixated on the sexual preferences of other men. Must be all those Madden and wrestling games.

     

    Much more rational response:

    I don't care what the preferences of other players are -- at all. It falls in my mind into the category of "non-issue problem"

     

    Hex.

    [ Just couldn't help but poke fun at one of the most homophobic demographics... ]

  15. Posted

    My nephews has alot of 360/Wii game scratched(not bad..it plays)
    When a kid tells me this, it may as well be on EBay marked "Untested, As-is" Read: Dead. Dead. Dead.

     

    The few times I do shop Gamestop it's typically for two reasons:

     

    -- Looking for 'last gen' games I don't have and want (for the XBox and GCube that number is dwindling fast) The PS2 has such a giant library and that is still somewhat supported -- I try to pay close attention to the offerings du-jour

     

    -- Looking at the 'new' games; I now just try to either remember or jot down titles and buy them through Amazon. At least it's sealed and usually cheaper too.

     

    That said, when I buy used stuff, the first thing I'll ask is to see the disc. I don't want some half-baked protection plan -- if it's in good shape out of the gate, odds are good that it'll stay that way in my hands. Also is all the paperwork there? Those generic covers are an automatic turnoff -- I won't even read the covers to see what's there.

     

    Overall, I will OCD put games in cases 99% of the time, and dusting occurs ... not so often actually. :] However, my slow migration of selected loose cart collections into ESD ziplock bags is probably my most ingenious and rather silly idea ever. My entire loose N64 collection lives in 3+ drawers with each cart in its own little ESD bag.

     

    I'm always astounded at how some of my friends throw away the boxes of Game Boy games as soon as they buy them and just keep the carts. :/
    I can kind of relate. I'm constrained by space for my gi-nourmous game collection. With only a few exceptions I'll get rid of the cardboard insert, collapse the box, and keep the box, cart, and manual. I only do this with Gameboy and sometimes N64 stuff.

     

    Hex.

    [ Every once in a while finds something new and interesting that makes him realize he's not quite done collecting games just yet. ]

  16. Posted

    Thanks for the tip on a nice resource. I have a Genesis 2 I was trying to overclock with little success. I even installed a new CPU in it that met the requirements of overclocking, but it wouldn't stay stable. I may decide to revisit that project again. Since I finally went hi-def for my game machines, older rigs like the Genesis are a problem because the new TVs really sharpen everything. (whether you want it or not :D )

     

    Hex.

    [ Reminds listeners to attack the enemy's weak point... for maximum pleasure. (!!?!) ]

  18. Posted

    As far as systems go I have nothing planned. I'm sure I'll get a PS3 eventually. To put this in perspective, I bought a Xbox 360 from Crazy Climber 4-6 months ago... It is still sitting in its shipping box. I haven't even plugged it in. It's embarrassing. The games I have for it I've loaned to my friends, because at least they have time to play them. :( I believe that I've hit the proverbial wall here and am just going to enjoy the platforms I have and just accumulate software and properly oufit what I own. On the (short) hardware want list...

     

    PS3 (no rush)

    1-2 Coctail arcade machines (Space Duel or Tempest.) Perhaps a Mame/Neo-Geo cabinet. (no space :( )

    Fully functional Apple 2 rig (see above)

    Fully functional Atari 8-bit rig (ditto)

     

    That's it.

     

    Hex.

    [ Perhaps that thin mint wasn't such a hot idea... ]

  19. Posted

    I have the awful feeling that I should take my Wii offline while I still can. :|

    It occasionally gronks at me with a CD, but it's been in standby mode for well over a month now due to PS2 RPGs and my DS taking higher priority. Does it update completely on its own, or do I have to let it update?

     

    Hex.

    [ "It's... kinda sad." -- Sam ; Sam & Max ]

  20. Posted

    The usual fare here. Amazon is doing lightning deals on Wii stuff. While Wii Music and Airport Mania doesn't do a thing for me, the third installment of Raving Rabbids does. Some potential good buys to be had.

     

    Hex.

    [ I don't really watch for this stuff, but I'd rather let folks know when I see it happen... ]

  21. Posted

    Actually, a Youtube video of footage would be ideal if the developer is concerned about having his code ripped. I have noticed that some developers can be a bit wacky about their code. With the Youtube solution he still controls the source / prerelease code, and the rest of us get a better idea of what he/you are selling. The price point is very appealing, but it would be nice to see what we're buying...

     

    Just trying to help.

     

    Hex.

    [ Doesn't know what to do: Eat? or Videogames? Hmmmm... ]

  23. Posted

    Hehe! That was pretty fun. A few thoughts...

     

    The .85A brick was typically geared for the Genesis 2. I also think they did reverse the polarity (from memory) on those units too. So it's possible you did apply reverse voltage to your Genesis 1.

     

    Do a dry run setup at home before venturing out. IE: check your cabling/game/etc on a known working TV. It's much easier to troubleshoot from home v/s the store.

     

    Don't bother with the controllers if the goal is to compare video quality. Just select a game or 2 with interesting 'attract modes' and just use that aspect. This also means you have one less thing to carry. Also you can determine ahead of time if the game really needs to see a controller in order to function correctly. The PSx/N64 platforms tended to care, the SNES & Genny ehhhh... not so much I think.

     

    In a way not being paid attention to by the 'crack(ed)' staff is an ideal situation -- don't complain. It's like asking "What could possibly go wrong?" :D

     

    That's it.

     

    Hex.

    [ Protect. -- Annoy. -- Insecticomics. ]

  25. Posted

    Just to update and bump this thread a bit, I've been playing this on and off for about a week now (and my DS batteries are flat and the charger is hiding. :| ) Cosmic Gate is pretty good overall and it's interesting that they worked very hard to make it look like an NES release from the so-so sound, the big blocky text and game characters, even the color palette feels very 8-bit. I finally got through the last Haggleman1 challenge after blowing it multiple times on floor 7, :( and am now facing down Rally King; which I'm honestly not excited about playing. I'm not huge on racers so it'll be one that I'm going to force myself to play through in order to progress to more interesting game variants.

     

    Just my 0.02 impressions right now. The feel is rather good overall though.

     

    Hex.

    [ Wonders if there will be other amusing riffs on 80's game makers Taito->Tomato? ]

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