Where many of us have become accustomed to soaking in content from a small selection of channels, kids are hell on wheels. If I really want to screw up my viewing history and channel recommendations, I’ll give a kid control. Everything from The King of Random to Guava Juice all want your money one way or another (Lord knows they have bills to pay, too), but their target demographic sure as hell isn’t anyone over the age of 18.

Now this is the part where so-called incensed parents will get in my face telling me that I should be policing every aspect of my child’s life. Put down your pitchforks, weenies, there’s a right way and a wrong way to effectively rear children, but it’s beyond the scope of this article.

This one is for those with kids who have access to mobile phones, wireless internet, and your AutoPay details, so listen up.

Stating Sponsorship is Not Enough

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In recent years, the FTC has begun squeezing the balls of money-hungry corporations and the YouTube minions that they employ for deceptive practices. Thanks to the unscrupulous efforts of organizations like Machinima, Warner Bros. and Micro$oft, the Federal Trade Commission has dictated that sponsorships and paid advertisements need to be transparent.

To this end, the caster in question will typically state that what they’re about to talk about is a paid advertisement. So everything’s hunky dory, right?

What about this video from The King of Random, where making swamp water drinkable is the main topic. In other words, the perfect video for Grant to get us to check out a shitty Walking Dead mobile game.

Seeing how it’s a mobile game based on a hugely popular license, there’s no way that they could exploit this to maximize profits, right? Oh wait…

And those disclaimers that Tubers like Grant are required to say before sponsored endorsements? Sure, most adults who don’t eat glue or make poop statues would know what “sponsored” means, but what do you think your average 12-year old hears?

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Truly parasitic.

Sponsorship Makes Less Sense Now

Pixabay

As mentioned above, many of these shitty freemium apps have odd advert placement. Because seriously, what adult in their right mind wouldn’t want to download Hero Wars because a grown man reviewing Nerf guns said so? Probably not many in this day and age.

As I’ve mentioned before, many working adults don’t have the time to sink hours upon hours into a game anymore. Even more so, even less of them play with Nerf guns unless they work for a pseudo-Google office who also pretends to be progressive.

So, if adults aren’t the intended audience, who is? Children, of course, with their soft squishy brains and (fingers crossed) unbridled access to in-app purchases! *faints

In truth, advertisers have been doing this for years. When I was growing up, the commercials had me convinced that all the cool kids were playing Crossfire, and that I was missing out.

What separates this from the tactics of mobile marketers today is that it made sense. This commercial typically aired during my Saturday morning Looney Tunes binges, along with Polly Pocket, Creepy Crawlers, and Teddy Ruxpin, all of which required a trip to the store and thus, more thought than simply hitting Confirm on a touchscreen.

All in all though, this approach made sense because they figured that kids and impressionable adults who can be pressured would typically be watching cartoons. A much better fit than a Doritos commercial where a guy launches a crystal ball into his boss’ nuts, eh?

Truly a work of art.

And this is where the ad approach of the new millennium doesn’t make sense. Why is a guy who reviews Nerf guns trying to get kids, his target demographic, to download Hero Wars, replete with 10 options for in-app purchases? Why is a guy who does amazing science experiments trying to get kids, also his target demographic, to download TWD: No Man’s Land?

I get it, really. They’re trying to make a buck, and I’m sure those guys got a sweet fee for touting this garbage, but not one of those channels has anything to do with the shit that they’re forcing you to listen to before they get to the content that you actually clicked on their link for.

Long story short, these apps are backed by insanely wealthy corporations who want nothing more than to maximize their return of investment by enticing children through their YouTube channel of choice. The kids click on a video, see their favorite content creators, then tempted to download an awesome app that all the cool kids are playing these days.

Sounds like a win-win…for those making money. And speaking of which…

It’s Still Happening

Pixabay

Back in 2014, Google was ordered to pay a $19 million dollar settlement for unauthorized purchases after a complaint from the FTC. The complaint came as a direct result of unwitting children racking up hundreds of dollars in in-app purchases across the country. Also swallowed up in the melee were tech giants Apple, Inc. and Amazon, all of which who also had to pay millions in settlements.

The FTC complaint stated that the lines between in-game purchases and real-life purchases “can be blurred”, and this becomes especially true when the player is an unknowing child and their parents are typically forced to add credit card info before any app can be downloaded, even free (and “free”) ones.

The King of Random Video mentioned above was uploaded on July 6, 2017, and the Coop772 Nerf Review video was uploaded December 26th, 2017, both of which point to shitty mobile apps that:

1. Force you to purchase Gold or Recharges for your characters with very real money.
2. Lock you out of progressing further through lengthy cooldown periods.
3. Exploit children by hitting them where they spend most of their free time.

If most freemium apps act this way, then maybe it’s not a stretch as to why a majority of the gaming community doesn’t take mobile gaming seriously. But not to worry, your average and savvy 18-24 year old is not the target demographic; their children are.

What Parents Can Do About It

Pixabay

So, before you find your middling booze money getting siphoned away by Lil’ Johnny’s Candy Crush addiction, there are steps you can take to avoid getting fleeced by these soulless shit sucking developers.

1. Enable Ask to Buy  where available.
2. Avoid inserting credit card information all together.
3. Communicate with your children on what’s acceptable and what’s not.
4. Delete abusive apps and leave scathing reviews that go into great detail.

Problems like this shouldn’t exist, but they do because these corporations like to make money however they can, even if their efforts begin to cross into unethical territory. And in case you were wondering how bad it can get unchecked, take a look at the guy who spent $16,000 on buffs for Final Fantasy Brave Exvius and understandably alienated himself from his wife and kids.

Well, that was fun. Anyone up for a rousing game of Star Wars: Battlefront II? Oh wait…

Wanna hear more about how developers hide crucial story elements behind DLC paywalls after already paying full retail price for a new game? Click here and rage away!

Are you a frustrated parent looking to blame admittedly bloodthirsty developers looking to make a buck any way they can, no matter how predatory? Stop giving them your money, cut all ties, and talk with your kids!

The post How and Where Mobile Developers Target Children appeared first on Lumpz Media.

Many of you may be wondering why Lumpz Media is even a thing. What media organization in their right mind would associate themselves with clowns while simultaneously trying to pass themselves off as an unbiased and trusted entity? Today, I’m here to answer all of these questions and then some.

My entire life, I’ve always felt out of place. I felt everything from awkward to rejected to outright vilified, even around my own family. There were even times that I felt that I was born into the wrong one entirely. Feeling out of control over every aspect of my life, there is one thing I’ve always held onto: my ability to connect to others and make them laugh.

Of course, this translated to multiple visits to the principal’s office in school, and frank admonitions from my family to “fall into line”. Not having a safe harbor to come home to, I would find solace in video games. When you walk around every day feeling like no one understands you or even gives a shit enough to, over time, it gets harder and harder to form meaningful human connections.

This was never the case with video games. Whenever I needed a break, I could always pop in my favorite cartridge and lovingly test my meddle in Castlevania or Super Mario Bros. Over time, I became able to detect the earmarks that define a great game and/or console, such as:

• Easy-to-understand mechanics,
• Strikingly sufficient graphics,
• Memorable music,
• A strong library to draw from,
• Hardware that’s reliable, serviceable, and usable.

The products that emphasized these points were the ones who got my money, while ones that did not were avoided, discarded, and/or warned against. With over 20 years of experience and a healthy appreciation for underdogs, I feel ready to provide objective pros and cons for whatever I review. And speaking of underdogs…

Though many may not appreciate the stereotypical appearance of clowns, their overall mission of amusing others is all I’ve ever known. My ability to make people laugh either through a clever joke or simply laughing myself is something I’ve always taken pride in, and will never apologize for.

The more people tell me to drop the clown act, the more I embrace it. If we cannot find joy in what we are at our core, then where? Being beat down by society over and over again has its perks though. It allows for a somewhat silent objectivity, where keen observation trumps messy intimacy. This translates very well to creating honest reviews, which simply puts the information out there and empowers others to make up their own mind.

The best part about this approach is that we can continue to make humorous alliterations that any visitor can relate to. Appealing to different audiences is a practice that many successful entertainers have embraced, and anyone wishing to connect with their audience can learn a thing or two from them.

In closing, I will say this: I am here to stay. I am what I am, and I will not apologize for it. Lumpz Media aims to be a funny, relatable, and trustworthy resource absolutely any gamer can appreciate, period. In the vast sea of vitriol and frustration known as video game journalism, consider us your nerdy, uplifting friend who’s always ready with a quip and a smile.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything.

Sincerely,

Lumpz the Clown, CEO of Lumpz Media

Want to learn more? Visit our About Us page!

The post An Open Letter from our CEO appeared first on Lumpz Media.

With many stores opening earlier and earlier, the margin for violent events such as these only widens, but so do the profits and visibility of the businesses that participate. Luckily for all of us, companies like REI, Hobby Lobby, and several others are taking a stand against exploitative Black Friday practices, rewarding their employees with Thanksgiving off (sometimes paid), and letting would-be rioters know that enough is enough.

In protest of this violent, self-serving throwdown, I host an annual livestream event lovingly dubbed Fuck Black Friday, where I lock myself in The Clown Cave and play video games for the entertainment of literally tens of people. Always peppered with rants against greedy corporations, these streams never fail to entertain.

Livestreams occur on both Twitch and YouTube, with pre-stream announcements blasted out across Twitter.

This year, I take on Super Mario Bros.: Lost Levels for the Famicom Disk System, a game made famous through its punishing difficulty. The whole stream is included below. Kind of makes you grateful that we got Super Mario Bros. 2 instead, huh?

Thanks for watching, stay safe out there, and hold your loved ones close. We at Lumpz Media wish you the warmest of holiday salutations.

Curious what other games I’ve played for Fuck Black Friday? Try Silver Surfer, Breath of Fire III, Resident Evil: Director’s Cut, and Silent Hill 3 to name a few!

So how did I play Super Mario Bros. Lost Levels in 1080p? I streamed it from my Raspberry Pi!

The post Fxck Black Friday 2017 appeared first on Lumpz Media.

After a flurry of surprise wins, bloody 4-way dances, and barbed wire bash-ups that made up Season One, it’s all come to a head and the time has come for champions to be born. The name of this life-changing event? We’ve dubbed it…Oktoberfukt!

As you can clearly see, this was an epic match-up of the ages, featuring some of the most prolific personalities on the Interwebz, like Arcade Android, Derik Moore, Hiatu5, Kirbear, and Retr0Joe! As mentioned before, the championship titles up for grabs include the:

• SFWF World Tag Team Championships
• SFWF World Television Championship, and
• SFWF World Heavyweight Championship

Without further ado, here’s the rundown and match-by-match summation of the most exciting wrestling event to ever grace The Interwebz. For gamers, by gamers!

The SFWF World Tag Team Championship

First up, we have The Chips, Chip Killer and Chipette, versus Derik Moore and Arcade Android of Gaming Rebellion in a Tag Team Weapons Match!

This was an exciting match to call, if not a difficult one. With more turnarounds and cheap shots than I can count, there was no telling which team was going to claim the gold! Despite some terrifying warcries from The Chips, both Arcade and Derik went fearlessly forth and gave their all for the Red Fist of gaming fury! And this was after I double-crossed them both by forcing them into a Weapons Match in SFWF #3!

Will The Chips be able to squeak off yet another win after their amazing showing in SFWF #3, or will Derik and Arcade be able to shake off their horrific injuries and prevail in true underdog fashion?

Watch the epic battle between The Chips and Gaming Rebellion’s Golden Boys below!

Next up, we have…

The SFWF World Television Championship

Alright. Here’s where I’ve been consistently blown away. Ever since SFWF #2, Hiatu5 has been covertly climbing up the ranks here at SFWF. Not only did he manage to squeak out a surprise pinfall against Lumpz the Clown in an epic Gaming Rebellion 4-Way Dance, he solidified his position as a top-card wrestler after his Main Event throwdown with Lumpz the Clown in SFWF #3, even though he wasn’t able to secure the win that night.

And after that match-up, we were certain he would be out for blood.

At the same time, Roy Mystery, our resident plus-sized luchador, has also been quietly plying his own personal brand of pain, securing heavily mismatched wins in both SFWF #2 against Chip Killer and Kirbear in SFWF #3. Despite everything we thought we knew about gravity, Roy Mystery’s tenacity and athleticism are wholly unmatched.

And on October 8th, 2017, these two unstoppable forces met in the ring for the very first time, in a no-holds barred Cage Match!

And last but not least…

The SFWF World Heavyweight Championship

An epic match of the ages, with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line, the entire SFWF roster (that’s 12 wrestlers) will clash in a 30-spot Battle Royale!

The rules of the Battle Royale are as follows:

1. Only 4 wrestlers in the ring at any given time.
2. When a wrestler is eliminated, another will come out to replace them after a set cooldown.
3. A wrestler is eliminated when they are tossed over the top ropes.
4. DQs, pins, and submissions are not counted.

Raw skill, determination, blood, sweat, and tears are joined together 12x in this amazing 30-minute toss-up, and you can view all the zany action right here on Lumpz Media!

What’s Next for SFWF?

I had mentioned on Oktoberfukt that future events will be powered by a newer engine, but as of right now, that is not set in stone. Regardless of what game will host our favorite superstars, SFWF Season Two is expected to continue starting January 2018! Be sure to follow me on Twitter for future updates.

For posterity, we’ve included the entire Oktoberfukt event below, which features pre-match commentary by your favorite clowny gamer, Lumpz the Clown!

Thanks for watching, and Lumpz the Clown OUT!

Want to know how I was able to scale a PS1 game all the way up to 1080p? I used a Pi! Check out our Tech Demo!

The post SFWF Championships: Oktoberfukt appeared first on Lumpz Media.

Fright Fest 2017 in a Nutshell

Silent Hill 2 Restless Dreams Review

Silent Hill 4: The Room Review

Fright Fest 2017 in a Nutshell

For those who don’t know, Fright Fest at Lumpz Media is a time-honored tradition typically livestreamed in the month of October. Featured games are typically renowned titles in the survival horror genre, but there are times where I get a little more obscure.

This year has been a slog to complete the event to be completely honest, what with PRGE 2017, famililal duties, as well as shipping and equipment snafus getting in the way. However, as of November 20th, 2017, I’m pleased to report that I completed not one, but two, ginormous Silent Hill titles!

Despite everything, I’m pleased to report that Fright Fest 2017 is not only a wrap, but a rousing success. Thanks to Restream, I was able to simultaneously stream to both YouTube and Twitch and join both chats on stream for both channels, so nobody was left out.

The total runtime for both streams goes well over 20 hours, and Silent Hill 4‘s immense playtime alone demanded a 2-part stream to complete it! I can’t wait for next year, and I’d like to personally thank everybody who turned out, especially CaptainSuperCool17, Kevin Bhall, and Adam of ReplayAbility! You guys are the best!

So now, without further ado, here are my reviews for both Silent Hill 2 Restless Dreams and Silent Hill 4: The Room! Spoilers have been covered for your convenience.

Silent Hill 2 Restless Dreams Review

First off, I’m no stranger to Silent Hill 2, but this time around, I had the distinct pleasure of playing the so-called definitive edition for the original XBox, Silent Hill 2 Restless Dreams. This version not only gives players the option of removing the static filter mostly associated with the PS2 release, but also the option of playing the Maria sidequest, Born from a Wish.

The subscenario delves into the backstory surrounding Maria’s supposed chance meeting with James at Rosewater Park later on, which

Do I feel that this relatively small scenario adds value to the game? Absolutely. You get to see a side of Silent Hill that is both new and familiar, from the creeptastic Baldwin Mansion to the Blue Creek Apartments. If you’re a damn dirty completionist like me who needs answers before sleep, Silent Hill 2 Restless Dreams is definitely worth a look.

If you have some spare time and want to know how to accidentally get the Maria ending after doing everything humanly possible not to, my complete run for Fright Fest 2017 is included below.

Silent Hill 2 Restless Dreams was released in North America for XBox on December 20th, 2001, and is known as Saigo No Uta in Japan and Inner Fears in Europe.

Even more odd, this definitive version was ported back to the PS2, where it was subtitled in Europe as Director’s Cut. And what about North America? It was thrown under the Greatest Hits banner with no other indication that it was different from the original release! Weird, I know.

And what of more recent releases? Restless Dreams was also included in 2006’s Silent Hill Collection, but was only made available for the European and Japanese market. Other titles included in this collection were Silent Hill 3, and Silent Hill 4: The Room. Konami would later release the Silent Hill HD Collection for the PS3 and XBox 360 in 2012, but glaringly absent was Silent Hill 4. Ugh.

To make it easy for those looking to get their own copy, here are some of the best deals I’ve found for Silent Hill 2 Restless Dreams on XBox and Playstation 2, as well as Silent Hill HD Collection for PS3 (I’m not including a link to the XBox 360 version due to unresolved bugs).

Do bear in mind that the PS2 Greatest Hits version has gotten pretty steep in recent years, and that the XBox version is significantly cheaper.

The images below will take you to an Available Offers page for each respective release.

Silent Hill 4: The Room Review

When I first announced that I would be playing Silent Hill 4: The Room in its entirety, I had no idea what I was in for. I had beaten this game before, but that was over the course of a few months 2-3 years ago. I was finally able to complete it during a long weekend, but I had forgotten how truly big this game is…

How long, you may ask? Sites like HLTB and GameLengths would have you believe 9-10 hours is the norm. As for me? Try approximately 14 hours.

Do note that this was me not only watching every second of every cutscene, but also dying three times, backtracking to the room because I forgot shit, and checking every single door in every single dungeon.

Long story short, Silent Hill 4 is about Henry Townshend, who finds himself locked in his apartment, with no way of escaping save for an ominous hole in his bathroom. Throwing caution to the wind, he climbs through and not only finds himself in a twisted version of a nearby subway station, but also

Along the way, Henry finds

Seems simple, no? Check this out.

Video courtesy of Tipsain

That video was sped up about x2 from its original speed, so it’s safe to say that it can take upwards of 8 minutes to sufficiently incapacitate a ghost long enough to stab them down for good. Good Lord…

After a convoluted story that sees Henry

So how does one kill a supposed undead serial killer? Using these three simple steps:

1. Use a rotten, 30-something year old umbilical cord on the large monster in the room.
2. Run around the room collecting eight separate spears to run into said monster’s chest.
3. Kill the now vulnerable Walter as fast as possible.

Why “as fast as possible”?

So what do I think of Silent Hill 4? I think it’s a welcome addition to the series, and introduced new elements such as item storage and first-person perspectives. Further, SH4 does an amazing job of making the player uncomfortable by not only robbing them of the security of a safe room, but also having to witness some of the most gruesome cutscenes in video game history.

From bloody goodbyes to shattered hope, Silent Hill 4: The Room is an epic, emotional journey that leaves you drained and deeply satisfied. SH4 was originally released for PS2, XBox, and Windows in 2004, and later in 2006 on the aforementioned Silent Hill Collection.

Here are some of the best deals I’ve found for Silent Hill 4: The Room on Playstation 2 and XBox. The images below will take you to each release’s respective Offers page. As with Silent Hill 2 Restless Dreams, do note that the XBox version is significantly cheaper than the PS2 version.

If you’d like to see my complete run, the 2-part series will be included below once it’s uploaded. Bring the popcorn!

Want to go back where it all started? Check out my run of the original Silent Hill here!

So what other spoopy games have I played in Fright Fest’s past? Watch them all here and make a movie night out of it!

The post Fright Fest 2017 Review: Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 4 appeared first on Lumpz Media.

While it’s true that the latter used many of the elements that appeared in Doki Doki Panic, from enemies to unique character traits, they’re hardly the same game.

With no other recourse for North American gamers but to go back to where it all started, let’s take a look at what garnered all those favorable Famitsu reviews, and what makes Doki Doki Panic unique from Super Mario Bros. 2.

You Can’t Run in Doki Doki Panic

Regardless of what character you select, one thing becomes immediately apparent: a casual amble is all that you can muster. It doesn’t matter if you know where all of the shortcuts are, or that a single millimeter higher or further will get you there safely. In short (heh), not all secrets in Doki Doki Panic are created equal.

In order to find everything, it’s up to the player to use every character’s unique abilities. It doesn’t matter how hard you hold down the B button; your character will only walk. Unfortunately, this reduces jumping to a relatively pedestrian action, where the maximum height of each jump is predetermined. And crossing cliffs? Forget about it!

Luckily, you can still perform a double jump after taking damage, which can come in very handy at times.

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This by itself is not a game-breaking phenomenon. In fact, it encourages the player to get the most out of every character to facilitate full level exploration, whether it be using Papa’s mad digging skills in the sand levels or using Lina’s floating ability to reach the shortcut to Birdo in World 1-1.

And since we’re on the subject of using different characters in tandem…

All Unique Character Abilities are Still There, But Out of Order

For those who’ve played Super Mario Bros. 2 extensively, you know that:

• Mario is the most well-balanced character in regards to jumping, speed, and strength.
• Luigi is the highest jumper, but this is greatly hindered when he’s carrying an item.
• Princess Toadstool (Peach) can float, but has poor-to-mediocre jumping, speed, and strength skills.
• Toad has the highest strength and speeds stats out of everyone, but is the poorest jumper.

These abilities were carried over from Doki Doki Panic, but for those not familiar with the characters, trying to find the one that best suits your abilities isn’t as simple as placement memorization.

First of all, the character select screen in Doki Doki Panic looks like this:

From top to bottom and listed from left to right, the characters are:

For those just starting out on Doki Doki Panic coming from Super Mario Bros. 2, the unique character traits are as follows:

Imajin = Mario

Lina = Princess Toadstool (Peach)

Mama = Luigi

Papa = Toad

In short, Imajin is balanced, Lina can float, Mama is the highest jumper, and Papa is strong and fast but a poor jumper.

And after viewing the character select screen above, we’re sure you have some additional questions. It’s time to let you know that…

You Have to Beat Wart with All Characters to See the True Ending

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The character select screen for Doki Doki Panic serves another purpose: map progression. Once a character is selected, you’re stuck with them until the world is completed. Once the world boss is defeated, the player can choose a different character if they like.

However, simply tanking through Doki Doki Panic with your favorite character will not net you the true ending, where Mamu (Wart) is defeated, the Muus (Subcons) are freed, and the twins, Piki and Poki, are rescued.

In order to achieve this ending, all of the characters have to defeat Wart. It doesn’t matter if warps or shortcuts are used; accomplish this, and you’ll be met with the glory of 8-bit fanfare. But wait! That will take awhile, right?

When all lives are lost in Doki Doki Panic, the player is given the choice to continue or save. Though unlimited continues are available, progress can be saved and picked up at a later time. Seeing how a traditional run of Super Mario Bros. 2 using no warps can take the average player up to two hours, this is a welcome feature that wasn’t available to North American gamers.

Just be aware that once you die, you’ll be taken back to Level 1 of whatever world you happen to be in. Maybe there isn’t that many differences between Super Mario Bros. 2 and Doki Doki Panic? Oh wait…

Everything’s Different in Doki Doki Panic

Aside from the overall aesthetic, Doki Doki Panic is completely different from Super Mario Bros. 2. To keep it simple, let’s break it all down into categories.

Sounds

Whenever you hit an enemy in Super Mario Bros. 2, your ears are met with a satisfying, low sound that signals their demise.

So what do you get in Doki Doki Panic? A tinny, scratchy sound that’s akin to someone stepping on a Game Boy running Pong. The fun starts at the 0:29 mark.

In fact, I encourage you to loop that video back to the beginning to hear all of the sound effects that are present in Doki Doki Panic. When emulation made it possible for North American gamers to finally play it, some of them flooded forums asking why the sound effects were so distorted, even though that’s how they originally sounded on a Famicom Disk System.

The reason they sound so different? The reduced number of pins present in the NES compared to the Famicom Disk System. So…less is more?

But wait a minute. Wasn’t Super Mario Bros. 2 supposed to be a straight-across reskin of Doki Doki Panic?

Music

To name one, the widely familiar Starman theme is nowhere to be found here, even though the power-up appears in-game. So what do you hear when you finally collect this elusive power-up?

With every single Mario fan I’ve come across, the answer’s always the same: you want to run after collecting the Starman. So not only can you not run in Doki Doki Panic, but you also have to endure the above soundtrack, which is not bad in itself, but vastly different and hardly one that instills that classic sense of urgency.

And the overworld theme? Here’s Super Mario Bros. 2‘s iteration.

Familiar. Charming. Mario-esque, right?

And here’s Doki Doki Panic‘s.

Aside from sounding slightly rougher, the whole last 10 seconds of the former’s overworld theme was not present in Doki Doki Panic. The latter’s shorter duration could have you scratching your head as you begin to whistle the last few bars to yourself only to find that it has looped back to the beginning.

It also appears that the boss themes have been sped up with a lower tempo from their North American counterpart, which is slower but more high-pitched. These differences are not game-breaking by any means, but something to bear in mind when playing Doki Doki Panic for the first time.

Bonus Chance

Right about now, you’re probably wondering why a mini-game is getting it’s own section. For those who’ve played Super Mario Bros. 2, the Bonus Chance screen is a fun way to earn 1-Ups with coins found in-level, and is reminiscent of a 3-bar slot machine.

While it’s true that Doki Doki Panic also sports a Bonus Chance mini-game, it looks rather different.

With modern technology making anything possible, one can only imagine the chicanery that could be had when a stark green backdrop is used.

All in all, the Bonus Chance in Doki Doki Panic still serves its purpose of providing the player with a fun, engaging way of earning 1-Ups, but can be quite jarring to look at for those who played Super Mario Bros. 2 first.

Power-Ups and Items

Though the Starman is a shared power-up between the two, that’s about where the similarities end. To create a door to Subspace and those sweet, sweet coins and Mushrooms, you have to find a potion. In Doki Doki Panic, you get what appears to be a genie’s lamp.

And Koopa shells? They replaced whatever these things are.

It should be noted that this particular change was made for Super Mario Bros. 2 for fear of being construed offensively as blackface. Functionally, it’s identical to the Koopa shell, of which the rightful owners, the Koopa Troopas, didn’t even make a live appearance in Super Mario Bros. 2.

And 1-Ups? The familiar 1-Up Mushroom replaced the disembodied head of whatever character is currently being played.

And lastly, that iconic Mushroom that grants you an additional life point? It replaced a heart.

Functionally, all of these items serve the same purpose, but their appearance is different enough that new players may not know what exactly what they do. Consider yourself learnt.

Cutscenes

The attract mode in Super Mario Bros. 2 tells the story of Mario’s dream, where he climbs a stairway and finds another world, where a voice admonished him to free them from a spell. Entering a nearby cave, he sees the exact same staircase from his dream.

In Doki Doki Panic, a pair of children are reading a book when all of a sudden, a green claw comes out and snatches them from inside the book!

This is where our heroes come in. Mama, Papa, Lina, and Imajin are called into action, and jump into the book after the children. In effect, even though the Muus (Subcons) are still present, the entire storyline involving the twins adds a sinister twist that wasn’t present in Super Mario Bros. 2.

Environments

Though the overall aesthetic is still present, there are some minor and not-so-minor differences that you’ll note while trekking through the land of Muu.

Those hawk masks that you wander into after defeating the sub-boss? They now look like this:

Meandering waterfalls have now become the fast-paced eyesore of your worst nightmares.

GIF

And remember those earlier screenshots of the plants? In Doki Doki Panic, they’re black instead of red. For the most part, potions and 1-ups are exactly where Super Mario Bros. 2 veterans would remember them being. There’s just enough visual differences between the two that remind the player that this is a whole different experience.

Enemies/Bosses

And lastly, the baddies. When I started getting towards the end of World 5 on stream, some of my viewers and I were excited to fight Clawgrip, the giant crab boss who like to hurl boulders. So who did we encounter at the end of World 5-3?

That’s an albino Mouser, with Clawgrip nowhere to be seen.

Quite a disappointment for me personally, seeing how I’ve always tended to skip World 5 when using warps and have only faced Clawgrip a handful of times prior. However, this time around, Mouser is much more dangerous and unpredictable.

Aside from randomly moving from side-to-side at a higher rate of speed, the player also has less room to maneuver and toss bombs. Not only are there spikes to account for, but also the close proximity of the wall, which offers a relatively spartan 2 blocks of solid ground between it and the first set of spikes.

Trying to gain enough momentum to toss the bomb onto Mouser’s platform is easier said than done without taking damage from either the relentless torrent of bombs or the spikes. All I’ll say is bring your A-game.

Short of that, here’s a few more tidbits to take note of:

• Phantos are less ominous and only start attacking after the player leaves the room with the key. Other than that, their attack pattern remains the same.
• Wart only takes 4 hits to kill, and behaves/looks exactly the same as he did in Super Mario Bros. 2.

Doki Doki Panic is Doomed to Obscurity, While Super Mario Bros. 2 Lives On

Due to negging legalities, none of us will ever experience a fully fleshed out rerelease of Doki Doki Panic. Not because it’s a terrible game or anything like that, just those damn legalities coupled with good, old-fashioned obscurity.

The characters Imajin, Lina, Mama, and Papa are the intellectual property of Fuji TV, and were merely used to promote their Yume Kojo ’87 event, nothing more. A year-long promotional campaign was all the face time the main characters of Doki Doki Panic got. If you were hoping for an old-new anime to peruse, you won’t find one here.

Yume Kojo ’87 was highly successful, with over 5 million people total attending, and its unfolding had a profound effect on the Super Mario series, whether it knew it at the time or not.

The video above was produced by GTV, and outlines the complex history of Doki Doki Panic. What started as an inspiring trip to Carnival in Rio De Janeiro led to the framing of Yume Kojo ’87, an ultimately successful outdoor event that showcased new technology, targeted towards the children who would become the first adults of the 21st century.

Due to the one-off use of Imajin and company along with licensing issues, you’ll never find Doki Doki Panic as part of an official offering, whether it be a re-release, an HD remake, or inclusion on microconsoles. Outside of emulation, the only way North American gamers will ever experience Yume Kojo: Doki Doki Panic in all its glory would be to own an original Famicom, the Disk System accessory, and the original disk, all of which command an average total cost of $200 or more.

Click either one of these if you think I’m playing…

Sounds like a lot to go through to play Doki Doki Panic, huh? Bluntly put, legalities can be a bitch sometimes. Which brings me to my last point…

Super Mario Bros. 2 is a Vast Improvement Over Doki Doki Panic

From a technological standpoint, Super Mario Bros. 2 is a highly refined version of Doki Doki Panic, and most anybody who hasn’t experienced the latter first will feel like they’re taking a step backwards.

To sum up:

• Sound effects are more tinny and high-pitched,
• the characters can’t run,
• waterfalls move at an eye-melting pace,
• the amazing Clawgrip has been replaced by a punishingly difficult albino Mouser,
• the casino-like Bonus Chance has been replaced by a blank, bright green background, and
• you have to beat the game with all four characters to get the true ending.

Despite the save feature, that last one may rub some players the wrong way, and it could be seen as an attempt to artificially increase game length.

Is Yume Kojo: Doki Doki Panic still fun to play? Absolutely. Would I choose it over Super Mario Bros. 2? Absolutely not. Could my extensive experience with the latter have flavored this review? I’d say no, but those dissenting Famitsu reviewers from the third paragraph seem to think it would.

If I were to make a suggestion to anybody who hasn’t played either one of these games, I would suggest starting with Doki Doki Panic first before popping in Super Mario Bros. 2. Quite honestly, it’s hard for me to imagine anyone deeming Doki Doki Panic as superior over Super Mario Bros. 2, given the differences listed above.

If you’d like to see Doki Doki Panic in action for posterity’s sake, my complete run is below.

If you feel like Super Mario Bros. 2 gets a raw deal from Internet trolls, read about the time when a news reporter’s boss ask him to get a copy for his kid because it’s an awesome game!

Who’s your favorite character to play as in Super Mario Bros. 2? Mine is Luigi!

The post Doki Doki Panic: A North American Review appeared first on Lumpz Media.

• Multiple characters with unique abilities,
• Various dimensions to explore,
• New and interesting enemies, and
• Varying types of world end bosses.

Roughly 2 months after its release, Super Mario Bros. 2 caused such a fervor during the holiday shopping season that 20/20 shot a 10 minute special on it.

For those who can’t watch the video, there’s a group of kids who are excitedly telling reporter John Stossel how to beat Birdo, a guy who traveled over 1,000 miles to get a copy of Super Mario Bros. 2, and a hilarious account of Stossel’s director admonishing him to get a copy for his son.

Bottom line, you simply can’t fake this level of excitement. Super Mario Bros. 2 helped launch Nintendo’s gains into the stratosphere through clever marketing, quality gameplay, and old-fashioned word-of-mouth. So what happens when you mention this absolutely amazing game on social media today?

Much like what happened to Aggro Sky when he started tweeting about No Man’s Sky, a simple mention of Super Mario Bros. 2 on social media today is bound to attract a shit-eating troll or two, who will more than likely point out that:

1. Super Mario Bros. 2 sucks ass,
2. it’s a cheap Doki Doki Panic reskin, and
3. Super Mario Bros. 2 sucks ass.

Yeah. Not a lot of brainpower went into that particular think tank.

This whole debacle has left me scratching my head when my only memory of schoolyard video game discussions in 1988 through 1990 always seemed to return to Super Mario Bros. 2. So since none of these braniacs can form a cohesive reason on why it sucks so much ass, I shall do it for them while reminding you, my fellow Super Mario Bros. 2 lovers, on the “how” and “why” that makes it awesome.

How Super Mario Bros. 2 Became a Thing

By now, it’s common knowledge that Super Mario Bros. 2 is known as Super Mario Bros. USA in Japan, and that the intended sequel was deemed too challenging and confusing to Western gamers. This came after consulting with Howard Phillips, an early employee and spokesperson for Nintendo of America, who gave the sequel a double thumbs down and unwittingly changed the course of history.

My Twitter buddy, Norman Caruso aka The Gaming Historian on YouTube, summed up the sequence of events leading up to the release of Super Mario Bros. 2 quite nicely.

In short:

• Consultant Howard Phillips gives the Japanese Super Mario Bros. 2 (Lost Levels) an emphatic “NO”,
• Nintendo of America founder Minoru Arakawa contacted Nintendo President Yamauchi, asking for “a more accessible Mario 2“.
• Bogged down with multiple other projects, Nintendo R&D1 began scrambling to find a suitable replacement.
• Doki Doki Panic‘s development as a “new Mario” made it a viable choice, where they could simply replace the existing characters with Mario characters.
• Nintendo’s submitted proposal to NoA was greenlighted, and development began.

This seemingly simple choice altered the course of history, made the holiday season of 1988 even more awesome for budding gamers, and solidified Mario as a viable mascot for Nintendo at a time when the video game market was just starting to bounce back from the Crash of 1983.

A different Mario was definitely needed in order to stay relevant, and Doki Doki Panic seemed like the best choice to build on. But why though?

Why Doki Doki Panic?

Simply put, by the time the The Artist Formerly Known as Super Mario Bros. 2 would’ve been localized and mass produced, it would’ve seemed outdated as well as unfairly challenging and otherwise unapproachable. Nintendo needed an idea, and fast…

Using a stalled project that originally started out as a Mario-style engine prototype designed and directed by Kensuke Tanabe, a deal was entered into with Fuji TV in 1987 to use their brand new Dream Factory characters within this new engine, with the help of Shigeru Miyamoto and team. Players would have a choice between four different characters, all with unique abilities, with its true ending only being revealed when all four characters have beaten the final level.

Luckily, with Doki Doki Panic being released on the Famicom Disk System, saving was a possibility, and the game received rave reviews upon its release in Japan on July 10th, 1987.

According to The Gaming Historian, some of these reviews lauded the game’s “Mario” feel, which could largely be attributed to Shigeru Miyamoto’s suggestion to include horizontal scrolling alongside the engine’s vertical scrolling gimmick.

Seeing how the Dream Factory characters are the licensed property of Fuji TV, Doki Doki Panic in its current iteration would have gone down as an obscure, niche title based on Yume Kojo ’87, an extended, multi-day event that focused on upcoming show lineups and future tech speculations.

No one outside of Japan would’ve known much of anything about this event, the new engine was at risk of slipping into obscurity, and the license to use the characters was finite.

Knowing this, Nintendo made the fateful choice to remove the Dream Factory characters, add Mario ones, and clean up certain gameplay and sprite elements, thus birthing Super Mario Bros. 2 as North American gamers know it. It was later released in Japan as Super Mario Bros. USA without fear of legal ramification, since Nintendo designed the engine and owned the Mario characters.

Super Mario Bros. 2 Makes Landfall in North America

Right-click and select “Open image in new tab” for full-size image. Scans courtesy of Super Luigi Bros.

Since the Internet was not a thing back in 1988, all I and others like me had to go on was printed materials, commercials, and recommendations from friends to see what we should play next. As for the latter, most of what I heard included:

“Dude, you really need to play the new Super Mario Bros. 2!”

“Bowser doesn’t even appear in it! This game is awesome!”

“You can play as four different characters! Even Princess Toadstool!”

Back then, friends and neighbors were very vocal: play Super Mario Bros. 2 or be irrelevant. Nintendo and Super Mario Bros. 2 seemed to be absolutely everywhere I went, and I was perfectly fine with that. I had to play this game, but how?

Playing Super Mario Bros. 2 for the First Time

I was lucky to have a future stepbrother who not only had a copy of Super Mario Bros. 2, but also had a Nintendo Power subscription along with a smattering of Game Player tapes, like the one below previously uploaded at the currently defunct Retro Reality YouTube channel.

This tape goes into detail on basic gameplay tenets and proven strategy level by level, but honestly, Nintendo already did that for you within the game design itself. Instead of inundating players with game-stopping tutorial popups, Mario and party are immediately spawned outside of a door levitating in the sky.

This move effectively showcases the new vertical scrolling mechanic as the character falls, and a casual stroll through the first level introduces players to enemy combat, subspace, and level exploration in a non-intrusive, natural manner.

My 6-year old self had no trouble jumping right into the action and understanding the rules of the game. Mario had no spectacular features, Luigi could jump really high, Toad could run and dig faster than anyone else, and Princess Toadstool (Peach) could float after jumping.

After some haggling around, I decided that Luigi was my main for life, and began my years long attempt at trying to beat Super Mario Bros. 2 with the high-jumping man in green.

Super Mario Bros. 2 Dominates the Discussion

Of course, no Super Mario game would be complete without secrets. The schoolyard chatter was ablaze with what new secrets Super Mario Bros. 2 was hiding. Up until I heard about it, I was under the impression that potions were only good for farming coins, which were used in the bonus round at the end of the level to win 1-ups.

Boy, was I wrong…

Your first warp point is in World 1-3, where using a potion by the vase near the tower will take you to World 4, a land covered in ice and absolutely crawling with these guys:

GIF

Multiple other warp points exist in certain vases while in subspace, and my post-toddler mind was absolutely buzzing with all the possibilities and theories. Trying to decipher what was fact, fiction, and plain old misinformation became almost as compelling as the game itself.

Cheats, speculation, trades, and strategy abounded, and continued into 1990, when Super Mario Bros. 3 was released in North America, effectively dethroning Super Mario Bros. 2 as the schoolyard’s hot topic.

Super Mario All-Stars Renews Interest

In 1993, North American gamers were reintroduced to Super Mario Bros. 2 et al on Nintendo’s hot new system, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System via Super Mario All-Stars. Super Mario Bros. 1-3 were beautifully represented with updated graphics and bug fixes on top the familiar gameplay. Further, there was another Mario game that we hadn’t seen before: The Lost Levels.

Since the Internet was still not quite a thing yet, many of my friends and I believed that this was merely an extension upon the original Super Mario Bros. We had little to no idea that this game was a previously rejected version of Super Mario Bros. 2, and didn’t think much of it beyond that.

Lost Levels proved to be an almost insurmountable task to me and my fellow 4th graders, who found its difficulty unapproachable. Not only were we expected to complete near impossible jumps at times, but also deal with purple poison mushrooms.

Throw in the fact that the jump mechanics between the brothers had changed, and you have a game that only the most sadistic child could enjoy. Even when All-Stars was red hot, I don’t recall even one of my friends or a single reviewer telling me that they enjoyed playing Lost Levels. We kids were all having too much fun enjoying the updated visuals of three of our childhood staples to really give it the time of day.

Up until the Internet spoiled everything years later, there simply wasn’t any other Super Mario Bros. 2 to North American gamers, and we honestly didn’t want one.

Why You Shouldn’t Shit on Super Mario Bros. 2

I’m not saying that you have to enjoy the game, or that you’re any less of a gamer if you don’t. What we’re talking about here is a crossroads in time that could’ve led to very different outcomes. Mario forever entering into the lexicons of time as a timeless character, or one doomed to be the next Bubsy?

All on its own with no conspiracy horseshit and/or salty purist fanboys to muddy things up, Super Mario Bros. 2 sold over 10 million copies and is one of Top 20 best-selling games of all-time. Not only that, but its legacy has been passed on to future entries in the franchise, all to great fanfare.

One example of this is Super Mario 3D World, released in North America for the Nintendo Wii U on November 22, 2013. Not only do you have the choice of playing as Mario, Luigi, Toad, or Peach, but they also retain many of the unique traits that they inherited in Super Mario Bros. 2. Peach can float, Luigi can jump the highest (originally explored in Lost Levels), and Toad is the fastest.

Enemies that were not intended to be permanent fixtures in the Mario series, such as Birdo (Ostro), Shy Guys, and Bob-ombs, are now franchise mainstays.  Even the bonus game in Super Mario 3D World is reminiscent of the one in Super Mario Bros. 2.

The game proved to be so successful in North America that it was released in its native Japan as Super Mario Bros USA, where it was not as well received by reviewers at Famitsu. Much of this was attributed to the prior release of Doki Doki Panic, and should not be considered a knock against its quality.

Despite your feelings on Super Mario Bros. 2, there’s no question about its impact on the franchise. Where would we be if Lost Levels was disseminated as the second entry of the franchise instead of Super Mario Bros. 2? Let’s speculate…

What Could’ve Been

Who would’ve thought that you could play as other characters besides Mario and Luigi? Ever since the release of the original Mario Bros. for the arcades in 1983, Luigi had always been a simple palette swap of Mario that allowed for simultaneous two-player action. This was also the case in Super Mario Bros. in 1985, with no discernible physical differences or abilities between the brothers aside from the color of their overalls.

Lost Levels may have started the trend of tinkering with various attributes to help distinguish Mario and Luigi from each other, but none of it was on the same level as Super Mario Bros. 2. Would Nintendo ever have thought to use anyone else besides the Mario brothers, all with their own unique abilities? How about a narrative that doesn’t involve rescuing Princess Peach for the umpteenth time?

And even more damning: would gamers care by then, even if Super Mario Bros. 3 was released as a beautifully designed game?

Imagine Super Mario 3D World where you’re restricted to playing only as the Mario brothers, endlessly fighting Goombas, Koopas, and Hammer Bros? Would Nintendo even bother developing it by then?

History Doesn’t Lie

Despite retroactive critics who lambaste Super Mario Bros. 2 as a cheap reskin of Doki Doki Panic, Nintendo made a wise choice, one that spans multiple generations. Not only did they save the Mario brothers from falling into oblivion, but they also showed us the worlds that they travel in are unique, colorful, and fun to explore freely.

Even new gamers who didn’t grow up with the Nintendo Entertainment System have fun playing Super Mario Bros. 2, a true testament to its ironclad staying power.

Not to mention the countless creative projects that it inspired:

Smooth McGroove

Music by Pedro

lara6683

If you haven’t figured it out by now, Super Mario Bros. 2 is wildly successful because it is an amazing game. The kids of 1988 are all grown up now, and have passed that love on, not only their creative projects, but to the children in their lives as well. If the above videos are any indication, I’d say that things are going quite swimmingly.

One of the best resources that you’ll find on the history of Super Mario Bros. 2 was written by Jon Irwin, of which you can pick up a copy here in paperback or for your Kindle. Chockful of sales and insider information, I highly suggest reading it.

As for those who have since lost their original copy, you can pick up a used copy at a local retailer or private seller, typically for under $15, or pick up a digital copy for your Wii U here and call it a day.

Super Mario Bros. 2 captivated audiences when it was released, and will continue to do so for generations to come. Below is my complete warpless run of Super Mario Bros. 2 using only Luigi as my way of celebrating this amazing game. Here’s to another 30 years and beyond!

Have you ever wondered what a North American gamer would think of Yume Kojo: Doki Doki Panic? Read my in-depth review here!

Curious how the above video looks so crisp? I used my Raspberry Pi and Elgato Game Capture HD. Read and watch the tech demo here!

The post History Counts: Stop Shitting on Super Mario Bros. 2 appeared first on Lumpz Media.

1. offering unsolicited advice, and
2. getting really pissed off when the player doesn’t do exactly what they told them to do.

Constantly having to sit in the same room with one of these chronic “helpers” over the years has prompted me to make a video decrying this deplorable practice, known to the community as “sideseat gaming“:

For many of us, we simply don’t know what constitutes sideseat gaming and what doesn’t. Luckily for you, we’re here to explain exactly what it is and why those who do it totally suck.

Let’s Plays Become How-To Plays

Oh wow! Your buddy’s online and is playing Devil May Cry, your favorite beat-em-up since Amagon! But wait a minute…they’re fucking up the combo again?! No, no, idiot! You already went down that hallway! You’re seriously doing THAT again?!

Enraged beyond belief, you jump into chat to tell your buddy exactly how they should progress, feeling like you’re the second coming of Gamer Christ. Stop right there…

Have you considered for a moment that maybe they’re enjoying the problem-solving aspect of the game? That perhaps their mistakes are made on their own terms in an effort to get better at their own pace, all while regaling you with amazing commentary that may have nothing to do with the game they’re currently playing? Maybe you’re the one causing your own torment.

If we all go into a livestream with the goal of enjoying the personality of the player opposed to the game itself, this wouldn’t even be a problem. Why not contribute something to your friend’s amazing taco fart story instead of telling them where to go or what to do? You just come off as a know-it-all and effectively make things awkward for the streamer and your fellow viewers.

You Mad, Bro?

But what about that cheese grater-induced feeling you experience when no one’s listening? Surely, someone must care.

Though your anger towards being ignored may be justifiable in any other situation, this is not the case when viewing a livestream. At that point, you are merely a spectator, not the player. Sure, the streamer may be nice enough not to call you out for all to hear, but almost all of them will cringe at the very sight of unsolicited advice, and even more of them explicitly state “do not tell me what to do unless I ask” in their rules.

A vast majority of streamers are creative individuals who enjoy artistic freedom colored with their personality, and sideseat gaming pisses all over that. You’re attempting to rip the controller from their hands via chat, and getting pissed off when they actively or passively resist. Reactions vary among streamers, but the mentality is the same: “Don’t tell me what to do.”

If you find yourself getting mad when the streamer isn’t doing what you want them to do, do yourself and everyone else involved a favor, and walk away. Have you ever walked out of a movie before because the trailer lied to you and you found yourself watching a heavy, coming-of-age drama instead of a glitzy action adventure? Same thing.

Screaming at the screen won’t change what it is, and it’s up to you whether you want to consume it or not.

Abusing Twitch’s Search Function

There are certain games that I won’t livestream because I know what will happen: I’ll eventually get raided by people I don’t know who found me based on the game I’m playing. It goes without saying that hugely popular games come with their own panel of so-called experts, and they all know how to use Twitch’s Search function.

The use of this function may attract new fans to a particular channel and garner new followers, but it was the game that drove that traffic, not a random mention on Twitter from a friend. Many of these new viewers may not have even taken the time to comb your social media profiles or Video list before popping into chat, so to them, you are a stranger who happens to be playing the game they searched.

It is not up to the streamer to pander to the needs of every single viewer who randomly pops in based on these searches. Streamers need to remember that they can’t please everyone, and shouldn’t take it to heart if their content is just not to some people’s liking.

As long as you are yourself 100% and you’re passionate about what you do, you’ll attract the right audience. And as for new viewers, you showed up because of the game, but do you enjoy the streamer? If not, you’re cordially invited to find another. Don’t ruin other peoples’ fun time by being a know-it-all dick.

Wrapping Up on Sideseat Gaming

Our community would be infinitely better if we remember that it’s the streamer that we show up for instead of the game itself. Glowing personalities that we relate to leave a far deeper impression than any game can ever achieve, even if we don’t want to admit it.

Sure, we’re all united by our love of video games, but did any of us ever appreciate it when some asshole at the theater blurted out every shocker right before it happened? The same thing applies to livestreaming. We’re there to enjoy the streamer while they play, nothing more.

If they ask for help, by all means, provide it. But until then, keep your mouth shut and enjoy the show, or quietly and gracefully kick rocks. But always, always, be respectful to your fellow humans. Lumpz the Clown OUT!

Did you know that I participate in annual livestream events? Check out Fxck Black Friday, Summer Brutality, and Fright Fest here!

Still buzzing with anger over that asshole viewer? Read some more of my angry Rants here and feed that rage monster until it’s dead!

The post Sideseat Gaming is the Worst, So Stop Doing It appeared first on Lumpz Media.

Hey hey, folks! Lumpz the Clown here, and on the recommendation of my good Twitter friends @RewindMike and @utahpunk, I put aside my initial reluctance and purchased a Wii2HDMI Converter. The main reasons for my reticence were reports of them melting and potentially damaging the Wii as well as audio output issues, so getting a reliable product from a trusted seller was absolutely pivotal in my decision to take the leap.

After performing some careful research, I chose the Wii2HDMI Converter by WSTD. Bear in mind that there are many cheap knockoffs that look exactly like it, which may have lead to the above-stated reports, but after over an hour of capturing, I’m pleased to say that WSTD’s iteration has proven fairly reliable.

Before I get to the results, it’s important to note that:

1. The Wii is only capable of delivering a maximum resolution of 480p, or Enhanced Definition (ED).
2. The component cable outputs at 480p, compared to the composite cable output of 480i.
3. The component cable’s image is upscaled to 720p on ED or HD displays.
4. The Wii2HDMI upscales the image to 1080p or 720p (details below) after the 480p signal is delivered from the Wii.
5. An EDTV or HDTV is required to view output from either of these products.

I should also note that I’m capturing gameplay using an Elgato Game Capture HD, which supports HDMI and component/composite inputs. All of this is output through HDMI and hits the screen while being captured by the Elgato Game Capture via USB 2.0.

None of the settings within the Elgato software were changed for this test, and displayed 480p60 as the input resolution, which was kind of odd. However, this didn’t seem to negatively impact the resulting capture footage in any way, as you’ll see below in the Results section.

Wii2HDMI Technical Specifications

Given that last point, does this product really deliver the goods? Aside from the above-stated points, the Wii2HDMI Converter also has the ability to:

1. Swap on the fly between 1080p and 720p via a small pinhole located near the HDMI output.
2. Output sound through the 3.5mm jack when connecting to an HD computer monitor.

Even better, the Wii2HDMI supports all Wii native display modes, which include 480i, 480p, and 576i for our friends across the pond. Supported HDMI output regardless of region is at 60Hz for 720p and 1080p.

Now, onto what you’ve all been waiting for: the epic resolution throwdown of the century!

Wii Component vs Wii2HDMI Results

For the sake of being a dogged completionist, here is the side-by-side comparison featured in both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios (changeable within the Wii’s Widescreen Settings) at 1080p.

And for those who may be wondering, here is the same video captured in 480p:

When placed side-by-side, it becomes clear that the component output is much darker than that of the Wii2HDMI. However, it’s important to note that not once did I feel compelled to change the settings on my TV and Elgato to accommodate the Wii component cable, especially when capturing Super Metroid.

The Cons of Wii2HDMI

Regardless of aspect ratio or resolution settings, the title screen looks washed out compared to the component cable output. Later discussions with other YouTubers have led me to believe that this is a product-wide problem, and that changing their capture card or TV settings is done on a case-by-case basis.

As for me personally, I just want something to work right out of the box. I shouldn’t have to change user profiles or TV settings just to make something look good. Unfortunately, the Wii2HDMI almost forces additional legwork on those interested in capturing the best possible image.

Even worse, if any of you out there need complete darkness when trying to sleep (me to a tee), the Wii2HDMI needs to be unplugged when you’re done, lest you be blinded by its insanely bright blue LED.

I honestly don’t see why it’s necessary to include an LED that’s constantly on while the Wii is in Standby mode. Yeah, I know it’s plugged in, I didn’t need the reminder, thanks.

Some of you may have your recording equipment in a completely different room (or office if you’re lucky), and this may not even be a problem. It really just depends on your needs and setup.

Will it Work for You? TL;DR

Pros:

• Cleans up the image and upscales beautifully to 720p or 1080p.
• Uses only a single HDMI cable as opposed to the multiple wires of a component cable.
• Has HDMI and 3.5mm audio output.

Cons:

• A bright blue LED that never turns off unless the unit is unplugged from the Wii.
• The Elgato only recognizes the Wii’s maximum 480p signal (could be different with other capture cards).
• Having to constantly change brightness and contrast settings on a case-by-case basis.

Aside from its minor quirks, I’m pleased with the Wii2HDMI. The majority of the games I captured rendered beautifully after the fact, the unit wasn’t even warm after 1+ hour of solid game capture, and I will say that it’s a vast improvement over the Wii’s composite 480i output.

If you’d like to get the unit I used for this test, click here or the link below to be taken directly to WSTD’s product page.

Do be aware that WSTD may not ship to your country, so exercise caution when dealing with other brands. Some other top-rated sellers include Prodico, NAMEO, and Tendak. Just do your research, and save a Wii while making cheap manufacturers go extinct!

Thanks for stopping by, and Lumpz the Clown OUT!

Would you rather go Component for your setup? Read my full Monoprice Wii Component Cable review here and make up your own mind!

Want to reduce your tech clutter while still capturing old games at 1080p? Check out what the RetroPie is capable of!

The post WSTD Wii2HDMI Converter: Does it Work? appeared first on Lumpz Media.

For the folks who may have just gotten here, Summer Brutality is an annual livestream event where I typically gave myself 2 hours to beat a historically difficult video game. Whether it be Ninja Gaiden, Ghosts ‘n Goblins, or Mega Man, no stone was left unturned and no quarter was given as I gave each stream everything I had…and typically fell short.

However, this year, I wanted to do something bigger. Something mind-blowing. Something unprecedented since the inception of what would become Summer Brutality way back in 2014. Thus was birthed a Castlevania-themed event that I forever dubbed: The Unholy Trinity.

This time around, there would be no time limit, and no set number of lives to work with. Just me and sweet victory, separated by a black ocean of three seemingly impossible games.

Why Though?

The Castlevania series has long been regaled (and reviled), for its punishing difficulty. The three titles I had chosen, two of which I previously had little experience with, include:

• Super Castlevania IV
• Castlevania Adventure ReBirth
• Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse

So how did I do? Prepare your anus, because full stream uploads are included below (highlight reels coming soon)!

Super Castlevania IV

To set the appropriate tone, I kicked off Summer Brutality 2017 on July 10th, 2017 with a community favorite: Super Castlevania IV. The kicker? I had no real previous experience with it. Yup, with no fond childhood memories/nightmares to reflect on, I literally went in as a blank slate with no idea what I was in for.

Luckily, the community was quick to remind me that Super Castlevania IV is perhaps the easiest of the three titles I had announced beforehand, which helped calm my frayed nerves. After almost five hours, I was finally able to put Drac away without invoking the full subweapon loadout cheat at the bottom of the chamber stairs. Yay, me!

Castlevania Adventure ReBirth

By now, it was clear that running away was not an option. But that isn’t necessarily true, when in my hubris, I made the dumbass decision to attempt Castlevania Adventure ReBirth on Hard Classic the first time around…and promptly quit 3/4 of the way through Stage 4 in absolute frustration. Since the video no longer exists, you’ll just have to take my word on it: I got my full ass handed to me.

Not to worry, though! I was able to return on August 7th, 2017 and beat ReBirth on Normal Classic like a mouth-breathing pleb, but I honestly felt like it was only half a victory, given my previous stream on Hard Classic was well past the 6 hour mark. Now it’s personal!

Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse

This last one, however, had been a long-festering thorn in my side. I had first attempted Castlevania III in what is the first unofficial Summer Brutality in 2014, and again. And again. And again. One thing they all had in common? Me losing my ass.

I’ve always had a deep set need to complete a canonical run of Castlevania III with Sypha as my battle partner. The long and short of it all: I finally beat it…after 8+ hours! Put that in your weiner-shaped bong and smoke it!

Complications Throughout the Event

Shortly after my attempt of Adventure ReBirth on Hard Classic, on a #TacoTuesday to be exact, I sliced the absolute shit out of my left thumb with a can lid. Since I’m a broke ass with shit insurance, I opted to super glue my new gaping flap shut and tape it.

The only problem? We as gamers tend to use our thumbs a lot, and even after a couple weeks of healing, using it still felt like turning a rusty hinge filled with blood and cleaved flesh. The resulting scar still feels kind of funny to the touch, but at least I didn’t lose it, which was beginning to seem like a real possibility at times.

And as for Castlevania III? Try stream dropouts, which hadn’t happened at any other point throughout the entire event. It’s like the gaming gods were conspiring against me, but luckily, my awesome viewers were quick to tell me about any problems with the stream so I could rapidly address them.

The culprit? My area had been getting hit with these crazy hailstorms the week prior, which seemed to solely focus on my ISP’s transmitter box. Who would’ve known that 20 year old wires would falter so quickly when literal iceballs are falling from the sky in rapid Last Samurai-esque succession?

In the end, the stream continued, and it’s all been recorded in the annals of YouTube history! I FINALLY beat Castlevania III, baby!

Wrapping Up

I can finally say that I’ve laid The Unholy Trinity of Super Castlevania IV, Castlevania Adventure ReBirth, and Castlevania III to rest. I’m now more determined than ever to complete my backlog of insanely challenging games, knowing that I’ve conquered some of the most unforgiving titles around.

Mega Man? You’re next. Thank you all so much for being a part of Summer Brutality 2017, and I can’t wait for next year. Lumpz the Clown OUT!

Curious about what other insanely challenging games I’ve played for Summer Brutality? Go here and find out!

The annual events don’t just end with Summer Brutality. Check out Fright Fest and Fxck Black Friday!

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