There are many, but the one that always stands out in my mind is Chrono Trigger. I unexpectedly received it as a gift from my aunt the week before Christmas '96, and knew literally nothing about the game. Between starting it on Dec. 23rd and finishing it on the 30th, I was literally a changed man. It remains the…

My blazer will return! Just you wait! You haven't seen the last of Old Brownie Velooooouuuuuuuurrrrrrrr………

Playing through Link Between Worlds really reminded me of how close Spirit Tracks is to being great. The fundamental structure isn't bad, it's the pacing. That game stands in your way CONSTANTLY. Here's a hint! Here's directions! You seem to be trying to use a train, which direction would you like to go?! WHY DON'T…

Dude! Gamecube had Rogue Squadron , Super Monkey Ball, and Super Smash Bros. Melee 30 days later! Fantastic launch. Game Boy Advance had Castlevania Circle of the Moon, PSP had Lumines and Ridge Racers. Wii Sports pretty much made the Wii launch amazing out the gate (though not much else did for a long, long time.)

Actually my dad was on the board at ITI, the Idiots Technical Institute. I basically just cruised through, got my doctorate in Super Major Dummyness and got hired by Microsoft straight out of school. That's how I got to design the original Xbox controller.

I've been thinking quite a bit lately about the history of launch games, Mafia. I don't think they're always mediocre by default, and not just on Nintendo machines. I actually love Resistance: Fall of Man to this day. Dreamcast especially had some humdingers, like Marvel vs. Capcom (still superior to Marvel vs. Capcom…

How did you know that I work in Microsoft's premiere idiot division! My cunning plan to fool the world is ruined. RUINED!

Right there with you. When I realized that Half-Life came out half my freaking life ago today, I immediately wanted to go out and get some Centrum Silver.

You know I got you covered, NakedSnake.

I shared that experience as well. I loved Neo Geo arcade cabinets when I was 9, and this super rich kid at summer camp said he actually had one, and my friends and I responded with a mix of disbelieving scorn and envy. When I actually saw a copy of Magician Lord at a local electronics store, I bugged out. Then I saw…