The Red Snifit 04.15.07: GAMING ON THE CHEAP - Episode 1

Posted by Chris Scott on 04.15.2008

Take an adventure through the mind of 411maina's Chris Scott as he explains his purchase a new console..............that Nintendo DIDN'T MAKE! What will the fanboys think? Also, your weekly trip to the Virtual Console Corral!



Welcome to the sophomore edition of The Red Snifit. I'm your host Chris Scott. First, I'd like to thank the staff of 411mania for their warm welcome to the show (thankfully the Stonecutter-style orientation I was half expecting never panned out). Now that we got the sentimental mumbo jumbo that you, John Q. Columnreader, don't give 2 craps about, it's time to get on with the program!

Last week, for the first time in my life, a bought me a system that Nintendo didn't make. For more on this not-so landmark moment, it's time for.....


Our Feature Presentation: GAMING ON THE CHEAP - episode 1



Last week on my adventures to find old goodies for a budget price, I finally decided to pick everybody's favorite "little engine that almost could", the Sega Dreamcast. The bundle I purchased included 2 controllers, 1 VMU, all the hook-ups, and 2 free games for $40. Adding in sales tax and deducting what I had in store credit, it only cost me $17 in real American money. Not too shabby.



Unfortunately, this ends my 11 month long streak of not actually paying for anything I've gotten at the good ol' Trading Zone (when I traded in my Gamecube after getting my meat hooks on a Wii). I've coasted on store credit you just under a year picking up forgotten titles like Tetrisphere, Act Raiser, Pinball Hall of Fame: The Gotlieb Collection, Mischief Makers, Axelay, Star Soldier: Vanishing Earth, and Gumshoe along the way. It was a blast watching the clerk's heart sink each time as they realized that they weren't gonna get any of my magical green papers time after time! I'm sure they threw a small party for themselves in celebration of finally getting cold hard cash out of my wallet.

This also unofficially forces me to take my Nintendo Fanboy card and tear it up for, I'm sure in many a fanboy's eyes, committing an act of disloyalty to the big N. Seeing how Sega has been out of the console business for quite some time now, I really don't think it's that big of a blow. Now I see how purchasing a console made by Sony of Microsoft could be seen as a crime, but there's no arguing with the hardcores (it just makes your brain turn into delicious grape Squishies). I don't really think Big Reggie is gonna be bangin' on my door to kick me in the wangdoodle for it, but one never knows.



As for the games, I selected Shenmue and Chu Chu Rocket. I was really wanting Sonic Adventure, but as luck would have it, it wasn't in stock (but thanks to the wonders of the internet, I got it 4 days later). The only limitations to selecting the games were that they had to be $15 or less; which is understandable, but sucks because I was gonna chose Samba De Amigo (it was $25). I'm really digging Shenmue at the moment. I haven't gotten very far yet, but I like how I can virtually talk to anyone and the time flow of the game. To be fair, I haven't given Chu Chu Rocket enough time to get into the game that much because I've been busy with Shenmue. I have given Sonic Adventure a look, and it's a little different then I expected; but I'm sure it'll grow on me over time. As much as gamers complain about never having their most beloved characters (Mario and Link specifically) speak in complete sentences in cut scenes, after playing Shenmue and Sonic Adventure, I can see their reasons for continuing the utilization of silent heroes.



In conclusion to my ramblings, I'm glad I have a new system to play around with in an attempt to broaden my gaming horizons. Even though the most loyal fanboys of the big N may consider me a traitor, I really see nothing wrong with checking out when you missed out on during your past. I still have no desire to snag an X-Box 360 or PS3 (or their predecessors), but maybe one day in the distant future (if they drop out of the console race), I'll reconsider; but for now, it's the Wii all the way for me!



Apparently, I'm not the only one with Sega on the brain; as shown as we wonder off into……….

The Virtual Console Corral!

Fantasy Zone (SMS) - 500 points)



Nintendo Says:
Take command of the spaceship Opa-Opa and blast your way through various fantastical levels as you try to take out all the enemy bases in each stage. Once you've destroyed the bases, you'll have to beat the stage boss in order to move on to the next level. By using your guns and bombs wisely, you'll be able to take down your enemies and explore each of the crazy environments in this side-scroller. You can also buy upgraded weapons for your ship by accessing the shop. Various Sega games through the years have referenced the Opa-Opa-now you can play the game that started it all.

Nintendo MEANS to say:
Just in case you're one of those wierdos that has nostalgic feelings over the Sega Master System, here's one of the 1st games they released for it! It's also great for fans of horizontal shooters who hate the usual dark, spacey colors!

Hit or Miss: Miss: Do we really need any more shooters on the Virtual Console? It plays well, and it kinda reminds me of Defender, but I just can't get over the Kirby-like environments. How am I supposed to feel like I'm kicking major ass when it looks like it takes place inside a fruit flavored marshmallow world?



Mega Turrican (Sega Genesis - 800 points)



Nintendo says:
The Machine has enslaved the galaxy under its tyrannical rule. As Bren McGuire, the last survivor of the United Freedom Forces, it is your duty to destroy the evil forces of the Machine that have devastated the galaxy. Fight through countless hordes of enemies using everything at your disposal. Use the weapons and power-ups of your Turrican Assault Suit, including the incredible Plasma Rope, to fight back the tide of oncoming enemies and find the health and power-ups that will keep you alive. Fifteen levels of chaos and destruction stand between you and freedom.

Nintendo MEANS to say:
You've played Super Turrican, right? Well, this is the game that came before it! You shoot stuff, get power-ups, all the basic good stuff! It's a favorite with all you Genesis fans we're banking on your nostalgia to act as motivation to pick up this great game!

Hit or Miss: Miss: Surprise surprise, ANOTHER SHOOTER! At least it's a platforming shooter (like Contra), but unless you really need to own it for that warm, old-timey fun timey feeling, you're better off just ignoring this one and sticking with either Super Turrican or Gunstar Heroes instead. Don't get me wrong, it's a good game, but unless you've got plenty of money to burn, there's no need to buy it.


With each game released on the VC today being on a Sega console and being a shooter, it's baffles me that Sub Terrania still isn't available for it yet.

Am I all alone on this bandwagon?

And that will do it for another edition of The Red Snifit. I'm Chris Scott, and I'm off to play more Shenmue!