Archive for Author: Matt Gardner

  • … of the Month: Snapple Apple

    Columns Columns by Matt Gardner on

    Normally, I write my little "... of the Month" section about some sort of video game or video game related thing, but Snapple Apple is a worthy exception. Now, you may be thinking to yourself, "Why would I want to try this drink? I've had apple juice before; I know what it tastes like." That's an understandable reaction, but you're wrong; sorry buddy. Snapple Apple is different from all other apple juices in one major way... it actually tastes like an apple. Now I know some of you Apple Jacks people will tell me that tasting like apple isn't everything, but this drink is far superior to any other apple beverages I've had, and believe me, I've had my share of apple beverages. The first time I tried this I was actually surprised that it tasted just like I had bitten into a nice fresh apple, and I'm sure all of you critics out there will feel the same way. So, if you are tired of all those meddling kids out there telling you that tasting like apple is a bad thing, go out to your local Snapple emporium and buy yourself a case of Snapple Apple... seriously, 100% of people polled love the stuff.

  • Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future (PS2)

    Reviews Reviews by Matt Gardner on

    My time playing this game was mostly spent swimming around and eating fish.

  • … of the Month: .hack//SIGN Vol. 1 Limited Edition Boxed

    Columns Columns by Matt Gardner on

    This boxed set of .hack merchandise was released by Bandai in an attempt to make lots of money off of crazed fans like myself... and it worked. The box is hexagonal and has various .hack//SIGN characters on it. Inside the box are all the evils of the world, along with some hope and a bunch of .hack items to please any fan of the series.

  • Chocobo Racing (PS1)

    Reviews Reviews by Matt Gardner on

    Chocobo Racing is much like Mario Kart, only using characters from Square games instead of Mario characters.  The main characters of the game are the various creatures of Square games, as opposed to

  • … of the Month: A Link to the Past

    Columns Columns by Matt Gardner on

    Some say that A Link to the Past was the best Zelda game made to this date, and I would have to agree with them.

  • .hack//INFECTION: Part 1 (PS2)

    Reviews Reviews by Matt Gardner on

    A tale the likes of which has never been told before...

  • … of the Month: Breath of Fire II

    Columns Columns by Matt Gardner on

    Breath of Fire II is every bit as good as the first one, if not better. If you've played the first you'll be familiar with soe of the towns (i.e. Windia) and characters (i.e. Nina) in this one. The battle system is also pretty much the same as the first, with random encounters and turn based fighting. The main difference is that your character formations is a diamond instead of a line. The story is quite interesting, and you'll be into it from the very beginning of the game. There are many new and interesting characters that join you on your quest, such as a big armadillo type man, a fierce cat girl, a dog with a crossbow, and a monkey with a knife (and come now, what could be more fun than a monkey with a knife? Nothing.) There are fun side things to do while you wander around the world (hunting, fishing, visiting a traveling circus, etc.), any many interesting items and spells to discover. If you are a fan of RPGs or dragons or fire.. or monkeys with knives.. or grass and water and shiny things and mountains with caves and fish and breathing or... anything, get yourself a Game Boy Advance or a Super Nintendo and pick up Breath of Fire II.

  • … of the Month: Star Ocean: The Second Story

    Columns Columns by Matt Gardner on

    Don't let the name fool you, this game stands on its own, meaning you won't have to have played the first one to understand what is going on (which is convenient, since the first one wasn't released outside of Japan, as far as I know). Star Ocean has a customizable battle mode where you can choose if you want to fight in more of a classic RPG style, or a style which involved a lot more free movement and decision making. You can create various items such as armors, weapons, accessories, and items from raw materials you find using skills you gain on your journey. The story itself develops in different ways depending on the decisions you make (the most important of which being what which main character you will choose to control, Claude or Rena), and what mini-events you choose to participate in.

  • … of the Month: Final Fantasy Adventure

    Columns Columns by Matt Gardner on

    Game Boy Original Action RPG of the Month: Final Fantasy Adventure Final Fantasy Adventure is more like The Legend of Zelda that it is Final Fantasy, but it is a good game nonetheless. You play as a

  • … of the Month: The 11-Minute Mario 3 Completion Video

    Columns Columns by Matt Gardner on

    Now, in case any of you haven't heard the news about this pseudo-miraculous video, it is basically of a person playing through the game of Super Mario Bros 3. in 11 minutes. The conspiracy comes in with whether or not he did this legitimately, or whether he/she cheated in some way/shape/form. One theory is that the person who did it used an emulator, playing the game in a slowed down mode, and then sped it up in the movie to make it seem like his feat had been performed at regular speed. This stems from the fact that some people have seen "jumping" and flashing and whatnot during the video, hinting at such editing.