Looks Like Trump May Have Minnesota In the Bag

Former President Donald Trump may have a big chance to turn this blue state, red. 

According to new polls, Trump is in the lead to secure Minnesota, resulting in the Biden campaign panicking over the president’s diminishing chances to win in November. 

An Emerson College Polling/The Hill state poll found that Trump holds a slight advantage over President Joe Biden in six swing states and tied in Minnesota— at 45 percent each. 

“In our first polling in several key swing states since Trump’s conviction last month, there has been little movement,” Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling said. 

A recent memo from the Trump campaign revealed that it is expanding ground to Minnesota after it signed eight leases for “Trump Force 47” offices in Minnesota. 47 signifies the number of the next president should Trump win.

“The addition of Minnesota and Virginia to the electoral map opens up at least 12 additional pathways to 270,” the memo said, the number of electoral votes needed to win.

If Trump takes home the gold in Minnesota, he would be the first Republican to win the state since Richard Nixon in 1972. 

In 2016, the former president came close to securing the state but lost it to his Democrat challenger Hillary Clinton. 

Pollster Frank Luntz said that media undermining Trump’s triumph in Minnesota shows that the media doesn’t understand what is happening in the political landscape regarding polls. 

“I don’t think the media understands exactly what’s going on right now,” Luntz said. “Yes, Trump dropped a few points after being found guilty on 34 felony accounts. But remember this: that would have destroyed any candidate as recently as 10 years ago. And the fact that Donald Trump is still even with, or in some cases, leading Joe Biden after being found guilty of 34 felonies?”

Despite the Democratic National Committee (DNC) investing more than $500,000 in Minnesota for staff, technology, outreach efforts, email fundraising, data, and operations infrastructure ahead of the election, Biden’s chances in the Gopher state still look weak. 

The Defense Department Lost Track of Millions Sent to Chinese Labs

The Department of Defense Inspector General is out with a new report detailing how the Pentagon sent millions of dollars in American taxpayer funding to a number of research labs in China and then lost track of how it was being used. 

The audit was conducted in compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act and looked at where funds were sent, in addition to whether they were used in ways that could spark a pandemic. Investigators probed whether money was sent to the Chinese Communist Party, the Wuhan Institute of Virology and much more.  

(U) Management Advisory: Review of DoD Funds Provided to the People’s Republic of China and Associated Affiliates for Research Activities or Any Foreign Countries for the Enhancement of Pathogens of Pandemic Potential (Report No. DODIG‑2024‑099)

The purpose of this management advisory is to inform Congress and DoD leadership of the results of our review required in response to Public Law 118‑31, “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024,” section 252, “Audit to Identify Diversion of Department of Defense Funding to China’s Research Labs. Section 252 requires our office to identify and report to Congressional Defense Committees: 

The amount of Federal funds awarded by the Department of Defense(whether directly or indirectly) through grants, contracts, subgrants, subcontracts, or any other type of agreement or collaboration, during the10‑year period immediately preceding such date of enactment, that—(U) (1) was provided, whether purposely or inadvertently, to

(U) (A) the People’s Republic of China;

(U) (B) the Communist Party of China;

(U) (C) the Wuhan Institute of Virology or any other organization administered by the Chinese Academy of Sciences;

(U) (D) EcoHealth Alliance, Inc. for work performed in China on research supported by the Government of China, including any subsidiaries and related organizations that are directly controlled byEcoHealth Alliance, Inc.;

(U) (E) the Academy of Military Medical Sciences or any of its research institutes, including the Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology;

(U) (F) any other lab, agency, organization, individual, or instrumentality that is owned, controlled (directly or indirectly), or overseen (officially or unofficially) by any of the entities listed in subparagraphs (A) through (E); or

(U) (2) was used to fund research or experiments that could have reasonably resulted in the enhancement of any coronavirus, influenza, Nipah, Ebola, or other pathogen of pandemic potential or chimeric versions of such a virus or pathogen in the People’s Republic of China or any other foreign country.

The report states that due to a lack of proper oversight and tracking, much of the funding was lost and where it went or how it was used is unaccounted for.

“The full extent of DoD funds provided to Chinese research laboratories or other foreign countries for research related to enhancement of pathogens of pandemic potential is unknown,” the report found. “The DoD did not track funding at the level of detail necessary to enable us to completely and accurately determine if the DoD provided funding to Chinese research laboratories or other foreign countries for research related to the enhancement of pathogens of pandemic potential. For example, when the DoD awards funds to an entity, the entity often provides some of those funds to other organizations for subawards or contracted services. DoD officials stated that during the initial grant application process, they have visibility over who the subaward recipients are intended to be. However, we found that DoD organizations lacked visibility of subaward information over the life of contracts and grants.” 

Due to limitations in the DoD’s tracking systems, the full extent of DoD funds provided to Chinese research laboratories for research related to enhancement of pathogens of pandemic potential is unknown. Read our new report now: https://t.co/Ts7V7C15V9— DoD Office of Inspector General (@DoD_IG) June 20, 2024

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“We found significant limitations with the adequacy of data, similar to the observations the GAO found in its reports. Specifically, the DoD did not track funding at the level of detail necessary to determine whether the DoD provided funding to Chinese research laboratories or other foreign countries for research related to enhancement of pathogens of pandemic potential,” the report concludes. “In addition, DoD organizations did not have visibility of subaward information throughout the life of contracts and grants. In addition, except for the CDMRP electronic grants system, DoD organizations could not effectively search award systems to identify all contracts, subcontracts, grants, and subgrants that may have been related to pathogen research performed by China and other foreign countries. As a result, DoD organizations could not produce a complete population of pathogen research grants and subawards necessary for us to conclude on the use of DoD funds provided for pathogen research.”

Oddly, the page about Chinese entities is redacted.

Console Wars – SNES vs PlayStation RPGs – Which is Better?

Classic RPG fans, prepare your arguments. We’re about to settle one of the longest-standing console war showdowns of all time: SNES vs PS1 RPGs.

It’s quite a bold claim, we know. Both consoles produced numerous titles that are still considered the best RPGs ever made.

SNES gave us Earthbound, Final Fantasy II and III (IV and VI in Japan), and Chrono Trigger. PS1 gave us Final Fantasy VII-IX, Final Fantasy Tactics, Legend of Dragoon, Parasite Eve, and more.

At this moment, you may find yourself involuntarily screaming at your screen, audibly (and angrily) naming the obvious winner of this showdown. We understand.

Some will tell us that Final Fantasy VII is the game that changed the world of RPG gaming forever. If that’s you, you’re right.

Alternatively, you may argue that Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy III changed RPG gaming first. You’re right, too.

But which console truly reigns supreme in the RPG genre? Find out below.

What’s So Great About SNES RPGs?

Before we talk about SNES RPGs, let’s back up and talk about the NES. The NES was a huge success in every genre (except for video games based on movies). Plus, at that time, RPGs were already one of the most popular game genres in Japan.

So, naturally, there were several great RPGs for the 8-bit system, like Zelda II and the original Final Fantasy. Unfortunately, aside from these two titles, the genre never really caught on with American audiences during the 8-bit era.

RPGs Become Truly Amazing For the First Time

Thus, SNES RPGs caused a radical change in the landscape of American gaming. For starters, these games were enormous compared to 8-bit titles, with beautifully detailed sound and graphics. The lush worlds and sleek visuals grabbed the attention of American gamers and didn’t let go.

Gamers who had never even heard of RPGs were instantly enamored with titles like Chrono Trigger and Earthbound. These games were so entertaining, so enjoyable, and so addicting that we couldn’t get enough. They started our desperate hunger for RPGs that we still experience to this day.

SNES RPGs Push the Known Boundaries of Console Gaming

If anyone in the 8-bit era thought about RPGs, they’d envision plain graphics and very basic settings. Think blue sky, some green trees, and castles made out of that same 8-bit brick pattern you see in every NES game. Based on screenshots, you couldn’t really tell one NES RPG from another.

But, thanks to a more powerful processor, SNES RPGs have far more distinction, detail, and depth. Suddenly, game creators could give each series and each game a unique art style and sound profile. And the cinematic drama/action scenes of games like Final Fantasy II and III were the best we’d ever seen in console games.

Stories That Rival the Best Hollywood Action Fantasy Epics

Aside from the look and sound of these games, they differed in tone as well. Final Fantasy II (IV) is a dramatic, medieval epic that feels like a tale from the legends of King Arthur. In contrast, Final Fantasy III (VI) is a futuristic, post-apocalyptic, operatic love story that blends sci-fi and fantasy in a beautiful steampunk fairy tale.

Furthermore, not all SNES RPGs took themselves so seriously. For instance, Super Mario RPG is no more serious than you’d expect from this familiar franchise.

Earthbound is relentlessly quirky and hilarious from start to finish. Chrono Trigger gives us a mix of lighthearted humor and apocalypse-level tragedy, plus time travel!

These stories were deeper than any that gamers had experienced before. And they still rival some of today’s Hollywood epics like Avatar, Mortal Engines, and other boring crap.

Many SNES RPGs Are Still Considered the All-Time Best

Don’t take our word for it. Go ahead and look it up for yourself.

If you research “best RPGs of all time” you will always see Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG, and Earthbound. Seriously, these are on every list, every time.

What’s So Great About PS1 RPGs?

That said, there are several PS1 games that always make the “best of” lists, too. In fact, it can definitely be argued that PS1 RPGs are inherently better than those of the SNES.

After all, this was the console that continued the successful Final Fantasy series, among other SNES RPG franchises. And this time, the games are 32-bit with FMV (Full Motion Video) cutscenes and 3D graphics.

3D RPGs Are Born

That’s right. For the first time in console gaming history, RPGs came to life in glorious 3D on the PlayStation. Those that weren’t 3D still had amazing, sprite-based graphics that blew our minds.

Bigger, Longer, More Detailed Epics

Aside from graphics and sound, PS1 games had an even bigger advantage over SNES games. And we mean that literally.

To illustrate, think about how much data you can cram into an SNES game cartridge. The answer is, “some.”

But, since the PS1 uses discs instead of cartridges, there are virtually no limits on how big or long a game can be. Each disc has more than enough space to contain a huge, playable game world with lots of characters and events.

And if that one disc still isn’t enough, game creators can continue the game on additional discs. Thus, games like Final Fantasy VIII and IX span 4 discs.

The lack of space limitations also allows for video files. Thus, cutscenes can include live action, hand-drawn anime, top-of-the-line CG, or any other recorded video. Unfortunately, though, the video resolution is often quite poor.

PS1: The True Successor to SNES?

One must also consider the matter of succession. For example, when the NES was succeeded by the SNES, a new and massively better era of RPGs began.

However, when the SNES was succeeded by the N64, the era of Nintendo-sponsored RPGs entirely ceased to exist. There are approximately 5 N64 titles that potentially count as RPG games.

Apparently, Nintendo’s choice to use cartridges instead of discs didn’t go over well with third-party game developers. Consequently, most of the companies that made awesome RPGs for the SNES abandoned Nintendo in favor of Sony’s PS1.

Thus, the PlayStation is (unofficially) the true successor of the SNES as far as RPGs are concerned. In fact, some of the most popular SNES RPGs (namely Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV-VI) were re-released on PS1 with FMV cutscenes and other bonus content.

So, one could argue that Playstation RPGs are superior to SNES RPGs just as the SNES is superior to its predecessor. Really, though, this is a matter of opinion, which we’ll get too momentarily.

Many PS1 RPGs Are Still Considered the All-Time Best

Ultimately, this point is where the real showdown between PS1 and SNES RPGs is determined. As with SNES, there are several PS1 RPGs on every RPG “best of” list. These include Suikoden II, Legend of Dragoon, and Final Fantasy VII-IX.

More Games

More importantly, the PS1 has literally 4 times as many RPGs as the SNES. So, if you think Final Fantasy VII is way overrated, no problem. Try Parasite Eve, Xenogears, Mega Man Legends, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Breath of Fire III, Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, etc.

SNES vs PS1 RPGs: Which Are Best?

It’s a tie—sort of. Just kidding (kind of).

Okay, yes, we did say that we’d settle this dispute once and for all. So here’s the thing.

The PS1 is unarguably superior to the SNES in all respects, period. So yes, PS1 RPGs are better in terms of graphics, sound, game length, and sheer number of titles. If you love RPGs, you will definitely find some of your favorite games ever on the PS1.

But that’s the other thing. You will also definitely find some of your favorite RPGs on the SNES.

SNES hits like Chrono Trigger and Earthbound are unique, unequaled RPG adventures. In fact, these two titles might be the best video games ever made.

Is Final Fantasy VII better than Earthbound? Of course, it isn’t. Nor is Earthbound necessarily better than Final Fantasy VII.

Furthermore, Nintendo’s Earthbound and Super Mario RPG will never be legitimately available on any PlayStation console until Hell freezes over. Nintendo will likely hold onto these bragging rights until the end of the world.

Here’s the bottom line. PS1 is better for those who want to explore literally hundreds of great RPG titles, including some of the best ever made. But the SNES still has many exclusive RPG hits, some of which are arguably better than any PS1 game ever released.

PS1 vs SNES RPGs: Get What You Need Right Here

Obviously, we can’t tell you which games you’ll like better. You’ll have to decide that for yourself. But we can definitely help you with that.

Lastly, we’d love to see your opinions about SNES vs PS1 RPGs. Express your thoughts in the Comments section below.

Retro Console Wars – The Sega Saturn vs DreamCast?

Console Wars: The Sega Saturn and the Sega Dreamcast were two machines that enjoyed as many similarities as they did stark differences. One system marked the end of the 90s gaming era, and the other ushered in the much-heralded 6^th-generation of consoles that defined the new millennium.

And while both were manufactured by Sega, both were also responsible for hastening that company’s demise. But despite being regarded as failures at the time, their reputations have only improved in the intervening years. A Reddit thread on the subject of the Sega Dreamcast was a veritable love-in, and some Sega Saturn games, like “Panzer Dragoon Saga,” are so in-demand that they fetch hundreds of dollars on the retro game market.

This all begs the question, which is the better machine? Like anything, much of it depends on personal preference. But here’s how the two systems stack up according to certain criteria important to gamers young and old.

The Games: Dreamcast vs Sega Saturn

Both consoles score highly among fans when ranked solely by their respective games’ library. Each had their own strengths: the Saturn had some iconic and fun arcade ports like “Virtua Fighter 2”, “King of Fighters”,  “Sega Rally”, and “Street Fighter,” to name a few. 

While the Sega Dreamcast had its own excellent titles like “Power Stone”, “Shenmue”, “Jet Set Radio” and “Soul Calibur” as well as wildly popular exclusive titles like “Crazy Taxi.” How can I forget playing Marvel vs Capcom 2 on the dreamcast, which is a great fighting game and probably the best arcade port of the game. 

The Shmups / Shooters:

While both consoles featured rail shooters, like The House of the Dead, which first came out on the Sega Saturn and The House of the Dead 2 on the Sega DreamCast.  Both consoles featured some real good shmups, the Saturn had a few that really stick out like Radiant Silvergun, Battle Garegga, Dodonpachi, and the list goes on.  Sure, the DreamCast had some cool shmups that come to mind: Bangai-O, GunBird 2 the GigaWing Series. 

The Sonic the Hedgehog Series:

When one thinks of sega, generally the first title that comes to mind is Sonic the Hedgehog. Both consoles had their fair share of Sonic Titles, as you’d imagine, but the saturn didn’t really bring any huge improvement to the series.  Sonic 3D Blast & Sonic R are similar to games from the sega genesis and the sega game gear libraries. The dreamcast however had two new additions into the series with Sonic Adventure & Sonic Adventure II. The sonic team also created a Mario party clone in sonic shuffle.  Which is a very similar board game style game.

The RPGs:

That said, the Saturn’s library of games has earned an almost mythic status in the retro market due to its abundance of RPGs like Dragon Force, Shining Force III, Albert Odyssey, Guardian Heroes, Panzer Dragoon Saga and one of my favorite games Magic Knight Rayearth.  The first Skies of Arcadia was a great RPG on the dreamcast, The Shenmue series is fantastic, Grandia II, and Elemental Gimmick Gear come to mind.

Sports Games:

I do want to mention sports games, because the dreamcast really had some decent games.  2K really created some solid basketball games.  I know sports games are a dime a dozen, but when you do them right, you should be recognized.

So while many Saturn titles have become nostalgic favorites among hardcore gamers, the Dreamcast games continue to offer playable fun to this day. However, the total number of games for the Sega Dreamcast stands at just over 600 compared to over 1100 for the Sega Saturn. When I look at both libraries, to me the dreamcast is the more complete library.  The dreamcast has a  bit of everything in its library: from some great Arcade Games,  Flight Games, 2D Fighting Games, and so on. While both consoles featured some excellent 3d fighters, but I have to go with the dreamcast on this one!

Winner: DreamCast

The hardware: Dreamcast vs Sega Saturn

No surprise here that the Dreamcast offered more powerful overall specs than its predecessor. While the two systems claimed both 3D platform games and nice 2D platformers.  However, It was the Dreamcast’s 128-bit processor that left the Saturn’s 32-bit capabilities in the dust. Add to that the fact the Dreamcast was designed with 3D gaming in mind, and you had a console that delivered very well on this front. Still, anyone who has played a few of the Saturn’s 2D gaming titles, like “Street Fighter Alpha” and “X:Men,” can make a strong argument that this machine’s 2D library was superior. What tips the balance one way or the other is the fact that the Dreamcast utilized Hitachi’s SH4 processor, a PC-powerful chip that hummed along at 200 MHz. The Saturn’s dual VDP chips, on the other hand, simply couldn’t compete.

Winner: Dreamcast

The sound

Right from the get-go, the Sega Saturn was praised for its Yamaha YMF292 dedicated sound card. This custom processor featured a 32-slot sound generator and a 128-step digital signal processor that allowed it, among other things, to create sound mixes and generate digital sound effects. The Dreamcast, by virtue of the fact it was the first of the sixth-gen consoles, had solid sound too, but it didn’t stand out the way the Saturn’s did. The winner here is obvious.

Edge: Saturn

The controller

The controllers for both the Dreamcast and the Saturn play to those consoles’ strengths. Those who reveled in mashing circular buttons in the arcade found much to love in the Saturn’s understated 6-button controller. It was perfect for 2D gaming.  If the Saturn analogue controller wasn’t your cup of tee, Hori made some awesome arcade sticks that really are great for that arcade experience. You can still find these today on sites like eBay.

Both consoles had different controller peripherals for each console. Like flight sticks, driving wheels, and light gun blasters.  The light gun on the Saturn was big and bulky, I was always a fan of the more compact light gun for the dreamcast. Sega did make a unique 3d controller just for Nights into Dreams, which had pretty great 3D graphics on the Sega Saturn.

Dreamcast fans, on the other hand, had a modern controller that played to the system’s 3D prowess by offering an analogue controller as well as the standard buttons. The addition of memory card slots allowed Dreamcast gamers to save their progress more efficiently than the Saturn’s internal memory did, or messing with a ram cartridge. For this reason, the Dreamcast has to come out ahead.

Edge: Dreamcast

The console sales Saturn Vs DreamCast

High sales don’t always translate to quality. However, there are some passionate forum debates out there weighing the merits of these two systems based on their respective sales figures. Online numbers tend to vary, but official estimates tend to place lifetime sales of the Saturn in the 9.26 million range, while the Dreamcast sold around 9.13 million. But there are ancillary factors to consider as well, such as the fact that the Saturn had a slightly longer shelf life (released in North America in 1995 and discontinued in 1998) than the Dreamcast did (released in 1999 in North America and discontinued in 2001.)

Those who judge these consoles solely based on sales can come to one of two conclusions: that the Dreamcast did better because it virtually tied the Saturn in sales in a slightly shorter timeframe; or the Saturn wins because it (barely) edged out the Dreamcast in overall sales. Since the opportunities to nitpick here are almost endless, we absolve ourselves of any further headaches by simply calling it a push.

Edge: tie

Even while trying to remain impartial, it’s hard to make a fully subjective choice between these two consoles. Much of the choice does come down to personal preference (for games, hardware, controller, etc.), so a truly official winner may never be crowned. This reality seems to have been borne out by the above list, which takes into account a number of criteria yet makes it clear the sleek and powerful Sega Dreamcast matches up equally with the sturdy and game-rich Sega Saturn.

10 Facts about the Nintendo GameCube & its Best Games

The GameCube hit shelves in 2001 and was the first console to use optical discs instead of cartridges. It was also the first console to introduce wireless controllers, and it incorporated LAN play by connecting multiple GameCube consoles.

This console had a broadband adapter that allowed players to connect to the internet and play online games. The addition of the Game Boy Advance game adapter made it easy to connect with innovative additional gameplay or multiplayer options.

Why purchase a Nintendo GameCube

Even though its successor, the Nintendo Wii, is backward compatible, GameCube games can’t be played on the Wii U. GameCube games are valued by collectors for their rarity and gameplay experience.  The console was released in four different colors, Indigo “Purple”, Platinum “Silver”, Orange, and black. 

It also had a variety of different colored controllers to choose from. The console was released back in the early 2000s as a rival to Sony’s PlayStation 2 and Microsoft’s Xbox.  Initially the Gamecube wasn’t nearly as popular as the PS2 & the Xbox, many thought it was due to Nintendo’s lack of innovation.  What I mean is the GameCube was a video game console, but the PS2 & Xbox were multimedia video game consoles.  

Accessories

Our favorite accessory is the Nintendo Gameboy player, which is an excellent accessory.  With the gameboy player, you had to have a base which attached to the bottom of your console, then you would insert a gameboy player disc.  Once both of those items are up and running, you can insert Gameboy Advance games in the bottom of the player and play GBA games on your big screen TV.  The gameboy players can be a bit pricey, but they are well worth it.  

Another accessory, I own, is the Nintendo Wave Bird controller.  Which is a wireless controller made by Nintendo, but it fits nicely in your hand and pretty much stays connected without any issues during game play.  The controller comes in two colors, Platinum & a Gray variant.

Memory Cards

You need a memory card to do anything with the system.  Memory cards are required for any game you wish to save.  Nintendo released three different memory cards for the system, 59 blocks, 251 blocks, and a huge 1019 block memory cards. Games like Pokémon Colosseum or Animal Crossing with take a huge amount of blocks.   I’d recommend at least 251 blocks.

If you’re looking for a GameCube, you can find one easily online or at a local retro game shop. However, it’s important to know which games to buy. Here is a list of our top GameCube games for beginners:

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Super Smash Bros Melee is a game that has been captivating audiences since its release in 2001. The combat is intense, and the characters are beloved by gamers all over the world.

While there have been other games in the Super Smash Bros. series, Melee has remained the most popular. There are many reasons for this – the gameplay is exceptional, the controls are tight, and the character roster is incredibly diverse. Not to mention, the game is just plain fun!

Whether you’re playing against friends or AI opponents, Melee offers an engaging experience that can be enjoyed time and again. If you’re looking for a feisty fighting game with plenty of action, Super Smash Bros. Melee is definitely worth checking out!

Mario Kart: Double Dash

Mario Kart: Double Dash is a racing game that was released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2003. The game features two players per kart, with one player driving and the other managing items. The game also introduced special items that can be used to give players an advantage on the track.

Mario Kart: Double Dash received critical acclaim upon release, with praise directed at its graphics, gameplay, and multiplayer features.

Some reviewers criticized the short length of the single-player mode. However, the game went on to become one of the best-selling games on GameCube.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is an action-adventure video game developed and published by Nintendo for the GameCube home console. It is the tenth installment in The Legend of Zelda series.

The Wind Waker follows the adventures of Link, a young boy sailing through a world inhabited by mythical creatures called the “Wind Wakers”. Using wind magic to sail across the seas, Link must rescue his kidnapped sister and save his world from a long-dormant evil. Critics praised it for its unique graphics style and gameplay.

The game was re-released on Wii U in 2013 as part of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, which features enhanced graphics and Miiverse support.

Luigi’s Mansion

Luigi’s Mansion for GameCube is one of the best games in the series. It’s a perfect blend of spooky and cute, with some absolutely fantastic level design.

The controls are tight and responsive, and the graphics still hold up today. If you’re looking for a challenge, you can try to collect all the ghosts at each level. Otherwise, just enjoy Luigi’s adventure as he explores this creepy old mansion!

Pikmin

Pikmin is a video game developed and published by Nintendo for the GameCube console. The player controls Captain Olimar, a space traveler whose ship has been damaged in an asteroid collision and must salvage its parts by exploring the planet on which he crash-lands. To do this, he uses creatures called Pikmin to explore the environment and fight enemies.

The game was generally well-received by critics, who praised its graphics and unique gameplay elements. Some criticisms were directed at the length of the game’s story mode, which could be completed in about five hours.

Overall, Pikmin sold over 1 million copies worldwide. A sequel, Pikmin 2, was released in 2004.

Metroid Prime

Metroid Prime is a classic GameCube title that many gamers consider to be one of the best games ever made. The game follows the story of Samus Aran, a bounty hunter who must stop the Space Pirates from using an alien artifact to create an army of Metroids.

The game’s graphics and gameplay are top-notch, and it’s no wonder that it won numerous awards following its release. If you’re a fan of first-person shooters or action games, then Metroid Prime is definitely worth checking out.

Born to Play

These are just a few of the GameCube games that are worth checking out. If you’re looking for a console that offers a wide variety of great used video games that hold their value, then the GameCube is well worth considering. These are a great choice if you are selling games online.

There are many other great titles available for the GameCube, so be sure to do your research before making a purchase. When you’re ready to improve your retro game collection.

Super Nintendo vs Nintendo 64: Who has the Best RPG Games

With hits like Mario 64, Super Smash Bros, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the N64 was one of the most popular and successful consoles ever. But why didn’t we ever see Final Fantasy 64, Chrono Trigger 64, or even Earthbound 64? Where are all the N64 RPG games?

For that matter, when you compare RPGs from Super Nintendo vs Nintendo 64, it looks downright ridiculous. Case in point: SNES gave us two of the best RPGs ever made, Chrono Trigger and Earthbound, plus hundreds of other RPG hits.

In contrast, Nintendo 64 gave us the infamous RPG dud, Quest 64. That’s about it.

What happened? Who’s to blame?

Also, are there any Nintendo 64 RPGs worth playing? Find out below.

Nintendo 64: The Pinnacle of Nintendo

As far as console gaming history is concerned, the Nintendo 64 is significant for a lot of reasons. As mentioned, it was extremely popular when it was released. Nintendo produced a veritable torrent of hit N64 games to flood the gaming market.

To be clear, the console had some of the best first-party exclusive games of all time—many that still remain classics to this day. In case you’re unaware, “first-party” refers to games that are made by the same company that makes the console on which the games are played.

Nintendo 64: The Decline of Nintendo

But, unfortunately for Nintendo, it wasn’t enough. The problem was that they lost almost all of their third-party game developers to the PlayStation and other consoles.

These developers didn’t like the fact that the N64 uses cartridges instead of discs, which were the new standard format. Namely, the N64 cartridges have far less storage space than CD-ROMs.

Game developers were so limited by the cartridge format that they left Nintendo for consoles like PlayStation, which allowed them more freedom. Thus, the N64’s release also marked the moment when Nintendo started to lose its grip on the video game industry it once dominated.

The Glory Days of Nintendo RPGs (SNES)

Previously, the Nintendo Entertainment System and its successor, the Super Nintendo, essentially annihilated all competition. Though the Sega Genesis certainly put up a fight, it couldn’t compete with the wide variety of first and third-party games that Nintendo made available to consumers.

More to the point, the Super Nintendo had established a long history of quality RPGs. This included some of the biggest games, such as the first few Final Fantasy games and the incredible classic Chrono Trigger. Other notable titles include hybrid RPGs like Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and Earthbound.

Additionally, due to heavy third-party support, lesser-known SNES RPGs abound by the hundreds. This includes Secret of Evermore, Illusion of Gaia, Star Ocean, and Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen.

The Suddenly Enormous Competition

Although this genre has always been fairly popular with hardcore gamers, one title in particular caused it to explode during the mid-1990s. Released for the Sony PlayStation in 1997, Final Fantasy VII made the role-playing game genre popular with a more casual gaming audience as well.

Before this, most Japanese RPGs were deemed too obscure or complicated for North American audiences. Now, gamers in the United States were begging Japan for more RPGs.

All at once, the Sony PlayStation was overflowing with RPGs of varying qualities. And since compact discs held a dramatically larger amount of information than cartridges, the games could be much longer and more detailed.

Longer & More Complex Games

RPG games of this era took dozens of hours to complete, which made them an incredible value compared to the games of previous generations. Even a game as expansive as Super Mario Bros. 3 for the Nintendo NES can be beaten in only a few hours.

Final Fantasy VII, on the other hand, takes anywhere from 30 to 60 hours to complete. That’s only if you don’t spend too much time on the dozens of side quests and mini-games that are included.

Better Stories

Another reason why these amazing games became so popular was that they told such deep and dramatic stories. Prior to this, gamers didn’t expect a lot of plots, nor did they receive it. Now, gamers looked forward to intricate character details and gripping storylines.

Where Are All the N64 RPG Games?

Meanwhile, at the very moment when gamers were desperately seeking their next RPG fix, they realized that Nintendo 64 was experiencing an RPG drought. It certainly didn’t have any titles that matched the massive popularity and incredibly high quality of Square’s Final Fantasy VII.

Now, you’d think that Nintendo would try to make up for the lack of third-party RPGs by making some of their own. But, strangely, they made almost no effort to do this at all. Instead, they doubled down on their efforts to produce loads of action/adventure games and, for some reason, racing games.

Don’t get us wrong, most of these games are excellent. Still, the list of N64 RPGs is so short it’s legitimately shocking.

There are literally only 3 true RPG games released on N64 in North America: Quest 64, Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage, and Paper Mario.

Aside from these, there are a few games that have RPG elements but don’t actually qualify as RPGs. These include Atari’s Gauntlet Legends, Shadowgate 64, and Konami’s Hybrid Heaven.

Are These N64 RPGs Any Good?

Of the 3 RPGs on N64, only one is worth playing. Namely, Paper Mario, the sequel to Super Mario RPG, is just as excellent as its SNES predecessor. The other two RPGs are generally considered slow, shallow, and boring.

What’s the Bottom Line?

While the N64 has won a lot of popularity contests, “Best Console For RPGs” is not one of them. Because of the physical and storage limitations of cartridges, Nintendo had to concede the RPG genre to Sony for an entire generation. Nor could the limited list of N64 RPG games live up to the expectations of long-time SNES RPG fans.

So, if you want to play the best RPGs ever made, check out our SNES and PlayStation games for sale. Or, forget RPGs and check out awesome N64 titles like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

15 of the Best PS2 RPGs Ranked – The Old School Game Vault

Putting together a list of “the best PS2 RPGs” is both easy and difficult. It’s easy in the sense that there’s no dearth of role-playing games—the system has more RPG titles than some short-lived consoles, like the TurboGrafx-16, has of any kind at all. The difficult part involves separating the wheat from the chaff.

The good news is that it can be done, and the below entries make up our 15 RPGs for PS2 (ranked from 15 to 1).  These amazing titles are sure to please any role playing enthusiast. Some of these options, dare we say, rise to the level of modern classics.  You can also find lots of PS2 on sale right here on our website!

15. Kingdom Hearts II

The first “Kingdom Hearts” entry initially confused many gamers and reviewers by throwing Disney Characters into a “Final Fantasy” world. Kingdom Hearts II sticks with the same basic premise of the previous game, but improves on almost everything else its predecessor did.

The camera is better, the gameplay mechanics are better, and the gummi-ship sections have been overhauled to deliver high-octane action. But where this game really shines is in the presentation. Even by today’s standards, it’s a great looking game, and the lush coloring and animations in the world all but beg you to enjoy this epic adventure.

14. Star Ocean: Till the End of Time

To say that some people love this most notorious entry in the “Star Ocean” series, while others hate it, is an understatement. TTEOT is the third in the series, and it does depart noticeably from the second. In this entry, the onus is more on the sci-fi aspects of the story, which features a protagonist named Fayt Leingod being kidnapped by aliens and dumped on a remote planet.

Whether you like the game depends on your tastes. Will you find the story to be solid or unsound? Will the plot-twist at the halfway point induce you to throw in the towel, or does it enhance the game? Does the inventory system cause you to lose your mind? These are things you’ll only find out by playing the game.

13. Steambot Chronicles

What’s not to love about this game, it’s a little nugget of gold. It has never been that popular of a title, but that’s okay. For those of use who have played the game, I love the Mech Combat Mechanics mixed with RPG elements.

The majority of the game is spent playing side missions, some many find the story a little boring and basic, but for me this was my last PS2 game I thoroughly enjoyed. 

 12. Suikoden III

One RPG series that enjoys a true cult following is “Suikoden.” Many gamers enjoy the third entry the most because it almost acts as a stand-alone game. What truly broke the mold is that in “Suikoden III,” the story is told through three different protagonists.

That means gamers will play as a mercenary, a knight and the son of a chieftain. So it’s a great game for those with short attention spans.

11. Rogue Galaxy

There isn’t much of a rift when it comes to this title—gamers tend to love it unreservedly. In “Rogue Galaxy” you play as Jaster Rogue, a hunter who finds himself on a space pirate ship going on quests with a few unique sidekicks like a dog-headed warrior and a tribeswoman.

The game is a slow burn, but the plot kicks into gear about the midway point, and the story is off and running. Also, the fighting system does a nice job of managing real-time combat with the more traditionally RPG item menu.

10. Shadow Hearts: Covenant

Best PS2 RPG game ever made for the system? Maybe. Most inviting cover-art for any PS2 game ever? Probably. The game takes place in an alternate WWI-era setting that is rife with fantasy elements, and it has a rich cast of characters including vampires, wolves, military officers and… a puppeteer.

The battle system is unique in that it features a “judgment ring,” which acts as a timer to deliver crucial hits. Overall, a game that will leave a lasting legacy.

 9. Radiata Stories

Radiata Stores had a huge anticipation with Japanese gamers, unfortunately that same enthusiasm didn’t carry over to the states. Radiata Stories went on to win game of the month after release and was nominated as one of the top PS2 RPGS video game back in 2005.

The game is classified as an action role-playing game, and has all the dragon slaying and dungeon exploring one can handle.

8. Baldur’s Gate Dark Alliance

This maybe one of the best RPS’s ever made! I’m a huge fan of the hack and slash/ role playing elements in the game. Dark Alliance was awarded Role Playing Game of the Year back in 2001.

And has been released on just about every major consoles since its release. The gameplay is really what set this game apart 20+ years ago. Not to mention the dungeon & dragons elements the game includes, and the slew of famous voice actors.

  7. Final Fantasy X

Blitzball, Spyra, Wakka—mention these names to any hardcore RPG fan, and they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about. “Final Fantasy X” is beloved for its solid story, richly layered with some of gamings favorite characters, and ahead-of-its time animation. Those who don’t know it need to know it about this classic style RPG.

6. Grandia II

Grandia II, which was originally released in the Sega DreamCast library, which became an instant turn based RPG classic. So much so that Ubisoft got the rights to release a port of the game to the PlayStation 2 back in 2000.

The game is a solid RPG in the grandia series, even if the depth and story isn’t as deep as the original.

5. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4

The “Shin Megami Tensei” series earned rave reviews for its willingness to break with RPG convention. This was especially true of the third installment, which features a dark plot and overt sexuality. “Persona 4” improves on the previous entries by delivering better animation and mechanics.

The plot centers on another high-school protagonist who must overcome spirits, murders and killer fog. Persona-3’s “one more” fighting system is back, and gamers who haven’t, yet it, experienced the group brawling would do well to give it a go. And by all means read why we think persona games are so damn good.

4. Final Fantasy XII

Despite the occasional departure, Square always maintained the high standards of for any Final Fantasy Game. Final Fantasy XII was the first entry in a few years, but it lived up to expectations.

This story takes place in the familiar world of Ivalice, and it does a good job of melding a “Star Wars” spirit with an Anime execution. The game has it all, political intrigue and rebellion, aerial dogfighting, sleek spacecraft, and an eclectic cast of characters.

 3. Wild Arms 3

Wild arms 3, which is a sequel to the two earlier games Wild Arms & Wild Arms 2 Second Ignition. The game was a vast improvement over the first two titles in the series, as it was really created to use the fully technological power of the PlayStation 2 Console.

Wild Arms 3 is a classic turn base RPG game, which was hugely creative.  Especially with the ways you would interact with the in game character traits. Which make this a must-play title in the series

2. Dark Cloud 2

You really got a love when a company looks at a successful first game, in the series. Then they ask themselves, how can we make a sequel better than the first game. Boy did Sony deliver, with a remarkable masterpiece with eye-popping graphics.

Then Sony mixes in some “Zelda ish” mechanics into the gameplay. The gameplay is just as polished as the visual presentation, with super enjoyable characters and environments to experience, which make dark cloud 2 one of the best PlayStation 2 RPGs.

1. Dragon Quest VIII Journey of the Cursed King

There’s something to be said for packaging. While substance of storytelling and good mechanics are a must for any game, how it looks also plays a crucial role. This is the first “Dragon Quest” iteration that utilizes 3D graphics, which is a great presentation method for Akira Toriyama’s artwork.

As for the gameplay, this story of evil wizards and heroes is a throwback to the days of simpler RPGs—classic battle scenes, solid boss fights, traditional menu screens, etc.

These are the best RPGs on PS2, you need to play now. So find that old PlayStation 2 console and fire it up.  Head over to our shop, and browse through hundreds of PS2 for sale at great prices.  I promise you, you’ll be glad you did.

How to tell if N64 game is Authentic or a Bootleg Video Game

With retro video game cartridges, selling at an all-time high. 

People are going to make bootlegs and try and sell them as the real thing. With an expensive game selling for 1400 dollars. Like the Nintendo 64 repro cart shown in the images, of Clay fighter Sculptors Cut. 

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that dishonest people are trying to replicate this cartridge and make an easy buck. 

Our stance on this topic.  We have no problem if you want to buy reproduction carts for yourself.  Our problem is when people are trying to sell a fake game as the real thing.  So this article is like a Nintendo 64 cartridge buying guide, it’s a great reference on how to tell if a n64 game is real or fake.

So let’s begin, if you’re not into reading, then here is a YouTube video covering the topic.  One quick thing to point out is, you’ll notice most bootleg video games look very cheap and can be pretty easy to identify. So let’s further discuss how to spot these fake N64 games.  Also, we’ve written other popular articles about similar topics right here on our site. 

• How to spot Fake Pokémon GBA Games
• How to spot bootleg SNES Games
• How to spot Fake Pokemon DS games
• How to Spot Counterfeit Switch Games

First impressions are key, Bootlegs look cheap

• A fake n64 game is much lighter than the original carts, the fake labels always seem to look off or have noticeable imperfections.
• The fake cartridge shell is much lighter than a real game, generally, the plastic on a counterfeit game looks a slightly different shade of gray.
• I always seem to notice the screws used, as they just look like there were cut from a machine.
• Look at the spelling of “Seal of Quality” on the front of the Nintendo 64 game. Most counterfeit games capitalize the “O”.
• The Best Way is opening up the game and taking a look!

Tools of Recommendation:

If you are any type of Nintendo retro game enthusiast, you are going to need a game bit opener.  I’d highly recommend buying game bit opener.  The small 3.88 mm size which is universal for all Nintendo Cartridge Based Games, like the Nintendo NES, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Original Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.  You need a separate “Y” shaped screwdriver to open Game Boy Advance games.

Step #1: The Rear Label 

When analyzing the back of the cartridge, look at the cartridge label.  You are looking to see if the label has a number imprinted into the label, like “00 or 41” for example. Authentic labels are going to have a number imprinted into them. This is the easiest and fastest way for checking authenticity of the majority of games we get in.  You can use this method on other classic game consoles, like the Nintendo NES, and Super Nintendo.   All Game Boy games will have a small number imprinted on the front label.  Keep in mind that a repro label will look real glossy and almost look too new to be on a 25-year-old game cartridge. 

Step #2: The Font & Cart Screws

Now look at the spelling of “Nintendo” on the back of the fake cart in the photo.  If you look closely at “Nintendo” imprint on the cartridge shell,  the dot on the “i” in Nintendo is a circle in the photo.  I understand It’s kinda hard to see, but up close you can tell.  Authentic N64 games, the dot on the “i” would be a square and not a circle.  

I didn’t show any cart screws here in the photos, but the screws used here are some cheap over manufactured screw.  You can really tell if you compared screws side by side from a bootleg game to a genuine cart.  It’s just like everything else when dealing with a fake Nintendo 64 game, everything looks cheap.

Step #3:  Inside the Cartridge Shell

Another sure fire way to quickly identify fake n64 cartridges is to look for some number or letter imprints.  When you flip the game upside down, and you are looking in towards the cartridge pin.  Just like the photo shows, there should be numbered or lettered imprints where the circles are in the photo.

On authentic Nintendo 64 games, if you look in the groves, you should see some numbering in the slots. This is really useful and easy way to spot counterfeit games.  

Step #4: The internal circuit board

The game board can be a dead giveaway, “this is where the game bit opener helps”.  You notice the words “Nintendo” are not stamped into the fake board anywhere.  All genuine Nintendo 64 circuit boards, would say Nintendo somewhere.  Notice all the chips on the board, which are in Japanese.  Authentic game chips, most, have “MX” stamped on the chips.

The Conclusion

If you think you’ve bought or have been given some bootleg games? Please share your experience in the comments below, especially any tips, we have not discussed above.  As we are all here to help each other out!

How to tell if SNES Game is Authentic or a Bootleg Game Cartridge

Recently we obtained a handful of games.  These were some really rare Super Nintendo titles, that someone was trying to sell to me as legit copies. At first glance, it was pretty obvious to tell none of these were an authentic game.

Below are points about how to spot counterfeit cartridges for the Super Nintendo. 

The games are also commonly referred to as “fake”, “reproduction” or “bootleg video games”.

We also have a YouTube video if you’d rather watch than read about the topic. The game titles in reference are: Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, and The Legend of Zelda etc. For larger images, you can refer to the pinterest page. 

Now keep in mind, I’m writing this article because someone is trying to sell me bootleg cartridges as the real thing.  I have no problem if you buy reproduction games for your collection, but selling bootlegs as the real thing is where I draw the line. So just make sure if you are a collector of classic games, make sure you buy from a super-reputable store.

First Impression is Key:  The Condition of the SNES Cart looks New & Cheap

— I was just amazed at how clean the games look.

— The front & back labels look pretty new for the 25-year-old game.

— The cart color looked practically brand new as well.

— The Screws, were not the typical gold screws used to keep the game shut. These screws had an odd shape, and were not perfectly circular like an actual screw would be.  The screws used were jagged and appeared to be just cut from a manufactured sheet of screws.

Step 1: Observe The Back Label

When analyzing the back of the cartridge, look at the cartridge label.  You are looking to see if the label has a number imprinted into the label, like “00 or 40” for example.  All Nintendo cartridge games from Super Nintendo, Nintendo NES, and Nintendo 64 will have a number imprinted on the back label.  This does not apply to handheld game boy games, as they don’t have back labels.

Step 2: Open Up the Game Cartridge & look at the board

— The easiest and most sure fire way to spot counterfeit Super Nintendo games.  Is to open up the game cartridges to examine the internal circuit board.  Like I’ve mentioned in previous articles, you need to buy yourself a 3.8 mm size game bit opener.

— Just look at the difference in the above board photo The game boards in comparison are that of Chrono Trigger – You can certainly see the difference between the legit chrono trigger board vs the fake board. 

— Now observe the game cartridge board size – You’ll notice the fake cart has a tiny game board compared to authentic copies of the game. 

— The legit game board will have a year and Nintendo imprinted on the board. – like the Chrono Trigger board in the photo, says 1993 Nintendo on the board.

Step 3: Check for a Product Number Code

— If you look inside, right above and below where the game pin connector is located. On a legit version, you’ll see an alphanumeric product code stamped into the shell.  As the Top Shell has a four digit stamp of (F(A)- 55) and the bottom shell has a similar three digit stamp of B – 32.

— None of the bootleg video games had any product number markings of any kind.

— This tip is also an easy identifier for to spot counterfeit versions of NES carts, and bootleg N64 cartridges.

Step 4: Analyze The End / Game Title

— “In the Video” The writing is not clear on the “Chrono Trigger” game, and it was hard to Read” due to the blurry image. As you can see by the Earthbound Photo below, the fake Earthbound game has the font & color all wrong on the end label. Really, if you take the time to actually look at a game label, you’ll pick up on the flaws. 

— Most of the font’s on the fake games were wrong, the print wasn’t clear and at times the end label was just hard to read.

Step 5: Analyze The Front Label & Tell-Tale Signs

The same thing applies to the front labels as did the end labels. Really, if you just look at the details of the label, the vast majority can spot the imperfections pretty easily. Just keep in mind that the graphics used on the counterfeits I have here, are really just poor images.

— You’ll notice front labels are out of focus, the print is not clear.

— The game rating box was smaller on the counterfeit games.

— The Player’s Choice Logo on the Legend of Zelda game in the video was Tiny.

 Check out our other posts on the Topic:

Read more about the growing problem of counterfeits & how to spot fake video games on other systems.

How to Spot Fake Pokémon Nintendo DS Games!

I was playing my Nintendo DS, and the Pokémon game cartridge I was using wouldn’t load. I thought that was strange, the pin on the game looked clean. My Nintendo DS played every other game cartridge I inserted. Furthermore, I tried the Pokémon game on a different DS, the game started up, but would then freeze.

This got me thinking that something must be wrong with this game. Then I compared the Pokémon game, with a few other Nintendo DS games. I noticed some big differences that lead me to determine I had some bootleg video games.

So let’s discuss the differences I found with the fake game

And how you can avoid buying counterfeit versions, of Pokémon Nintendo DS games. If you want to view larger images, you can see them on pinterest @  TheOSGVault

Step 1: The Serial Code / Region Code Must Match

The biggest factor I found to determine counterfeit cartridges is the serial number. If you look on the bottom of the front label you will see some numbers such as [NTR-IPKE-USA]. The middle group of numbers [IPKE] needs to be a part of the serial number on the back of the cartridge. As you can see from the photo, this group of lettering is not a part of the serial numbers.

Upon inspecting approximately 12 other games

Each game had the second group of lettering, clearly part of the serial number, on the backside.  This is by far the quickest and easiest way to identifying fake cartridges.

Step 2: The Font

The main noticeable difference is the font on the back of the cartridge. The Nintendo on the back of the cartridge is in a larger font than a “genuine Nintendo DS game”. Then if you look at the font for the model number & the [Pat. Pend.], it is the same similar larger font as the “Nintendo Lettering”. Refer to the photo below.

The font above the letter “E” on the front of the cartridge

When compared to an authentic game. The wording “everyone” is much more legible on an authentic game. This also goes for the basic font on the front of the label. On the Legitimate game the font is much clearer and pronounced as you can see in the photo.

Step 2b: The Cartridge Color

When you look closer game to game, “BELOW” you’ll notice the games are different color’s.  You can notice a different in colors between the two games.  The color of the shell the on the Pokémon HeartGold Version in the photo is grayish. As the color should be black like the Authentic Pokémon Soul Silver cartridge in the photo.

Step 3: The Front Label

When you examine counterfeit copies & genuine games like the two games in the photo above. You can see that the bottom left corner of Soul Silver has a very distinct angle to it.  When you examine reproduction copies like the Pokémon HeartGold Version. You can see the bottom left corner of the label is rounded.

As I continue to do some research about the fake Pokémon Nintendo DS games.
I thought the game label would stand out, much like a counterfeit GBA game would. This doesn’t seem to be the case. The label on the front of the Pokémon game appears to have all the similar markings as a genuine Nintendo DS game. Except for the rounded bottom left corner on the Pokémon Heart Gold Version shown above.

Make sure to check out our other articles about the growing problem

And how to spot bootleg video games on other systems. Here are the other articles, hopefully you can find them useful.