QCF: Super Mario Maker

K, so I admit defeat. I caved. I gave in. If you've been listening to the podcast proper, you'll know that I got a Wii-U. It was a moment of weakness. However, it also allowed me to get on the hype train for Super Mario Maker, a title that could easily be the Wii-U's ultimate killer app.

The concept is ludicrously simple; Build a level, no matter how long or short (within the limits the game sets in place both horizontally and vertically) and play it. You can make your stage as easy or as hard as you'd like, and with 120 slots, there's plenty of space for would-be Mario Makers to store a plethora of intricate – or simple – stages for them or their friends to play later. To start though, players only have a basic handful of tiles and enemies that can be placed in their stages.

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QCF: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3DS

 was on the fringe end of the crowd that played the original Majora's Mask growing up. Admittedly, I never really got into the game that much. The moon terrified me, and the three-day countdown instilled a sense of panic in young me that almost seems irrational now.

So while some Zelda fans approached this game as a nostalgic journey into a childhood classic, I entered into Majora's Mask 3D hoping to find something in the game that had escaped my 10 year old self.

After spending some time with The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D,  I can confidently say that 10 year old Alissa was an idiot for not absolutely falling in love with this game at first sight.

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Press Pause Video-Episode 02: Pro Wrestling Video Games

hat do you know, it’s another edition of Press Pause Video, and this one is a real slobber knocker! The gang gathers around to talk about the history of Pro Wrestling video games and the impact that they have left on each other as a respective media. We also talk about tasty animals, cubic poop, and other things but that’s beside the point, just put on your favorite wrestling tee, click on the play button, and enjoy the damn show!

Mail us at our new email Mailbag@presspauseradio.com, leave a voicemail at 469-PPR-TALK, and be sure to stop by at our Forums if you haven’t already registered and post your thoughts about the show. Finally, make sure to rate and subscribe to us on iTunes and YouTube, follow us on Twitch page and Twitter, and finally take part in our Facebook and Steam group!

QCF: Pokémon Alpha Sapphire/Omega Ruby

n what has gradually bloomed into somewhat of a subtle tradition from the gaming giant since the Gameboy Advance’s prime, the Big N has enlisted their subsidiary Game Freak, into unleashing yet another modern revamp of a past chapter out of their golden child’s past, for the latest incarnation of Nintendo’s pocket hardware.

While last year’s stellar X and Y entries went on to prove why the Pokémon brand is still a household name though, the inevitable remakes of franchise’s Ruby and Sapphire generation that we anticipated has sadly failed to keep the momentum that those previous titles had lent them.

No, what Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby does instead is quite the opposite, it falls victim to a wonted flaw that has infrequently plagued Pikachu and his Poképals in more recent years of the now tenured property—complete and utter fatigue.

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PPR Presents Play Play: Super Mario Sunshine

o matter what camp you’re in when it comes to this argument, no response to a Super Mario game has ever been this mixed or polarizing as the one that has the iconic plumber wearing a backpack with a super soaker attached to it.

Join Gil, Ser, and George, as they setup and gab about Super Mario Sunshine in this latest Play Play; an endeavor that will set the stage for Ideals to comes to blows, and sides to be challenged, and one of the most colorfully dangerous amusement parks you’ve ever seen. 

Mail us at our new email Mailbag@presspauseradio.com, leave a voicemail at 469-PPR-TALK, and be sure to stop by at our Forums if you haven’t already registered and post your thoughts about the show. Finally, make sure to rate and subscribe to us on iTunes and YouTube, follow us on Twitch page and Twitter, and finally take part in our Facebook and Steam group!

QCF: Bayonetta 2

here are certain games that are fully aware of the audience they’re intended for—the original Bayonetta was such a title.  The impression of vivacious action and the great deal of spectacle its sultry violence spurs on is the kind of experience that indulges in the very unique spirit of expressionism that can only be realized by video games.

And yet ironically, despite the many eccentric nuances exclusive to the culture of gaming that it did celebrate, it’s appeal and accessibility was arguably a bit niche-sized at best, finding a home within the hearts of only the most hardcore of action fans.

Bayonetta 2 rectifies a great deal of that with Nintendo’s influence, and much to the delight of everyone involved or interested for that matter, it doesn’t compromise any of the distinctive dynamics or personality of the Umbra Witch—quite the opposite actually.

The trifecta of Nintendo, Sega, and Platinum collaboration has not only produced title made of everything that a sequel should be, but Bayonetta 2’s subtle improvements help propel the approachability of it adrenaline-soaked quest into a significantly wider spectrum of player skill and interest that’s good enough to land the Wii U on some wish lists for this holiday season.

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QCF: Super Smash Bros for 3DS

hen a name becomes more and more distinguished over time like Super Smash Bros has, the occasional fumble or two can easily be overlooked, like it never even happened at all; and at the Chagrin of Super Smash Bros Brawl, the expectations for the latest sequels to bear the Smash name have never been higher.

While the 3DS version out of the pair of new games, has quickly gotten the label of being the B-choice release, the experience it has to offer is by no means the case. Everything that’s been jam packed into this port is very much faithful to those very same lofty expectations I mentioned earlier, and dare I say, Super Smash Bros for 3DS went on even further to surpass them.

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QCF: Hyrule Warriors

or the last twenty-eight years, we’ve all welcomed Nintendo’s taciturn hero of legend with open arms, navigating him through the most dangerous quests, filled with perilous trials like pushing blocks, and lighting conspicuous torches, and…yeah, that’s right folks—twenty-eight years of this.

The legend of Zelda has certainly earned its iconic stature within games today, but aside from a few exceptions, it’s becoming more and more apparent that the formula and design of the more recent entries have arguably reached a point of tedium. The Big N’s elfin princess and hero could use a change of pace, and Nintendo answered enthusiastically answered that call.

Hyrule Warriors was the farthest thing I honestly has in mind for the franchise, but after finally getting my grubby mitts on it; I humbly, and most fortunately admit that I was wrong—not only is this experimental spin-off a refreshing palate-cleanser, but it’s a direction I wouldn’t mind the series returning to in subsequent releases for years to come.

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