Sprout

I'm typically not a fan of Battle Royale games for a number of reasons, some of which F-Zero 99 includes, but outside of such gripes I've been having a good ol' time just enjoying the ride. I hope that this game gets long-term support that goes beyond the content of the original SNES game, and that it's successful enough for Nintendo to consider more F-Zero games in the future. Also Golden Fox is pretty good. Please ignore that wonky looking 1 for Silence.

Knowing how much of a fan you were of the SNES version, seeing you as an opponent recently and repeatedly witnessing "Manolito ✘KO'd another victim" display on my screen was a terrifying time. [Audible panic noises as RedShell attempts another murder on my falling apart machine at the finish line] I did manage to win a Grand Prix when he wasn't in my lobby, though! (Having the player that was 30+ points ahead of me crashing out in the final race helped.)

Still pretty good, though. Layton is back baybee.

This is Maidahiro Sproukurai. Have you been watching Sakurai's YouTube channel? He tends to release a new video every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and today's video was all about- ...Huh. That's strange. It's Wednesday, and yet there hasn't been a new video upload. Don't you think that's a little strange? I think that's a little strange. At least I'll have a Nintendo Direct to watch today to make up for not getting a video from Sakurai, I suppose. ...Oh! Sorry, don't mind me! Just pondering things to myself. Don't worry, I'M FINISHED!

Lookin' forward to more Mario footy and have been listenin' to some of the old music recently, such as this one: ...But then I thought, "What if I added that song to it?" Ahh... I really shouldn't be allowed near computers...

Whoops forgot to react to things in a timely manner. I suppose I'll do some post thoughts since I popped in yesterday an' all. I'll get the negatives out of the way first, and attempt to cleanse the darkness that resides in my heart. Starting with the one people will probably find obvious: That ain't Wright! Less to do with Sora of course and more Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a whole but, well, no matter how much of a big deal each new fighter addition is, you're not going to satisfy everyone. And now Ultimate is coming to an end. "Everyone" is here. So to know that after several years of hoping and wishing, that something you wanted may never be a part of what can be argued as one of the biggest celebrations of videogames - not even as a spirit - well, I can't say I'm not disappointed. Combined with other desired characters also not getting to fight, it almost feels like my wants didn't really matter, drowned out amongst all these huge franchises and incredibly loud fan followings. And I feel guilty that there's a part of me that feels that way, because what Ultimate has accomplished is a collaborative effort that's nothing short of phenomenal, with herculean amounts of work and dedication to make it all become a reality and attempt to satisfy as many people as possible, and yet despite this here I am years later still reeling from the words "Yup, it's him.". And I'm sincerely thankful that each and every fighter that has joined the battle has made a great number of people happy, including people I know personally. Furthermore, it's not like Ultimate never elicited a joyful reaction out of me, as there's plenty of stuff both new and returning that I'm very grateful for. But if you'll forgive me for the selfish thought, I wish I could have got to experience those ecstatic feelings that so many others have had with the inclusion of a series and character that I hold a deep affection for. ...Granted, if you were to ask Phoenix himself, he's probably quite happy that he won't be on the receiving end of whatever Smash can throw at him. Man gets enough violence his way in his own series, after all. What the Duck? Where's the Duck? And the mouse and whatever the heck Goofy is I dunno some kind of dog maybe what the hyuck. Now, I am someone who played the first Kingdom Hearts back when it originally released on PS2 and enjoyed it, because I was a child and I had my innocence and no idea what lied ahead. And despite Sora not being who I wanted, watching him soaring about like Peter Pan to Simple and Clean and shaking Mario's hand, that admittedly did hit some feels. But no matter how many mooks you throw at the series that talk about hearts or the light or the darkness or what have you, a big part of the series has always been, y'know, Disney properties. I think it's fair to say that many people knew, even those who wanted Sora, that getting Kingdom Hearts into Smash wouldn't be without compromise. You can see it from the allusion that there won't be a Sora amiibo, and that Kirby apparently is not allowed to wield the Keyblade, so has to make do with an elemental recreation. And most obviously, from the complete and entirely predictable lack of Disney content (with the exception of a keychain). As someone who has only really played the first Kingdom Hearts game I don't suppose my opinion carries much weight, but - putting aside the implication that it would open the Pandora's box that is non-videogame inclusions in Smash - if you can't include the Disney properties, then, in my opinion, you're not really capable of including Kingdom Hearts as a whole. That being said, to be clear, I don't really fault Smash for that. £50 for a Music Track. Look, temporarily locking promotional spirits behind save data from certain games is one thing, but I paid for this Fighters Pass, with all the characters, stages and music associated with it, so to lock some of a DLC stage's music behind owning a different game feels a tad annoying, especially because I like Dearly Beloved, damnit. Do I like it enough to spend money on a rhythm game I'm not particularly interested in? ...Maybe. Frick. ---------- Anyway, whilst I may be a grumpy old man yelling at cloud versions of PS2 games, I don't want to appear as if I'm one, so here's some more positive impressions, too. An Outstanding Job of translating Kingdom Hearts into Smash. Whilst I may have said that getting Kingdom Hearts into Smash required compromise and would have liked to have seen a little of the Disney side of things, please don't misunderstand and think I believe that what is there is bad. Because really, I think that they took what they were allowed to and absolutely delivered. Part of the reason people want their desired character to join the fight, is that when someone gets that invitation, it comes with the knowledge that Sakurai and everyone else working on Smash are putting in as much effort and care into the inclusion as possible. And whilst I don't find the move set particularly interesting, as said before, I've played the first Kingdom Hearts, and though my memories are faint, watching how Sora played and animated, it certainly gave me the impression that they had managed to successfully faithfully capture how Sora plays in Kingdom Hearts, and I imagine bigger fans of the series have a similar impression. People on the internet keep talking about Sakurai retiring, or wishing that he wouldn't work on the next Smash Bros., but whilst that day will inevitably come, I personally think that he should continue to work on the series for as long as he is willing to do so, because time and time again, this man has demonstrated how much he knows and cares about the franchises he gets to work on through Smash. Whenever Smash returns, should he return with it then I welcome him with open arms. And, y'know, if there's an Ultimate Deluxe in the future, if Kingdom Hearts is in, maybe add Cloud's Kingdom Hearts costume whilst you're at at. A Smashing Send Off. I believe the final trailer was successful in conveying what it wanted to. Not just that Sora is here, but that Ultimate has reached its end, and what an incredible celebration it has been. It's easy to forget, but since the start, Smash isn't necessarily the likes of Mario and Pikachu fighting, but action figures or trophies of them. They are a child's plaything. They. Are. All. TOOOYYYS! The characters coming to life and crossing over to engage in battle are the result of your imaginations running free. And once playtime is over, they return to their original form. And that's essentially how this final trailer opens. It's the end of the show, the fire that has burnt brightly from the first trailer has finally burnt out, and the lifelight of the figures fade with it as they all return to the darkness. And yet, one final flicker of the fire remains, one guiding light that is just enough to spark the life back into Mr. Nintendo, who after a brief moment of hesitation (because who wouldn't hesitate at the internet reactions he might bring), throws caution to the wind and his hand into the flame, to reawaken the light. And who better to bring light to chase away the darkness than the protagonist of the series that won't shut up about either (and I say that in the most complimentary way possible of course). And that final parting shot of the handshake as all those other fighters look on, under that rekindled Smash flame is really powerful. Regardless of how you feel about Sora, I don't think there are many characters in the world of videogames not in Smash that you could replace him with in that final image and have it carry quite the same weight. It really can't be stated enough, but Smash is such an incredible accomplishment. I have no idea what lies ahead for the series, but as for where it currently stands... I'd say Ultimate was a pretty fitting title. With the exception of the netcode. And whilst the final trailer is still fresh in your mind, you may as well give this another listen. ---------- Smash is huge, so there's a lot to talk about. It's possible I may more to say about it in the future, now that Ultimate is complete. But for now, this has been the rambling thoughts of Mr. Sproukurai.

I think they have the Wright idea.

I cannot be restrained, and my mind cannot be fathomed. Case in point: Fighting every spirit battle in the game, that is certainly pushing the limits of sensibility. But I implore you, if you wish to remain human, to keep your sanity intact, then this is as far as you should go. Because past this point is where only fools dare to tread. Do not cross that line. _________________________________ So anyway I crossed that line about a year ago and this is what the score currently looks like if you defeat every spirit battle without using spirits yourself. But for really and for truly, do not do this. Only madness lies beyond the line. You may have noticed that I'm not all there myself. Heh heh hee hee heeEEeeEEeeEEeeEEeeEE~

Let's say your theory about preferences for suits is true. But if that's the case, if you were observing properly, you'd have noticed Kazuya's alternate outfit. 0 (Maybe you were too distracted by the topless version to notice...) Topless Kazuya, suited up Kazuya, he's covering all the horny bases! It's a horny home-ruuuuuun! This was definitely the best way to start the top of a new page.

I can't believe my boy Phoenix Wright got passed over for his evil, topless counterpart in Smash. Curse you horny gamers. "An attorney? Pfft. Fists speak louder than words." ...This is fine. Phoenix Wright is actually going to close things out as Challenger Pack 11, because after all these trailers involving Nintendo characters getting murdered and invitations getting stolen, someone is gonna be in need of an attorney. He's gonna cross-examine Kirby, the lone survivor.

It was a callback. (2:36 if it doesn't embed properly). I expect better from you(r memory).

Well I think we'll have to have another attempt when more people are around and connections are more stable, but I'd say it went about as chaotically as intended, pals. I did have one or two other themes in my noggin, but I'll save those thoughts for another time perhaps, possibly after Glen-I's return. Tonight I decided to be the host, but as mentioned, me being the substitute host probably isn't ideal, so I hope people here can figure out who should take up those duties. Back in my day we just did this stuff on the fly!

Hmm, I'm wondering if a different host might be the answer. If anybody wants to try to be the host in my place they can copy the rules above and make a new arena if they wish.

I'm noticing a few connection issues when RedShell is participating, but I'm wondering whether the issue is on my end or not. I'd like to check my connection, so, expect a new arena code in a moment. EDIT: Let's try again. 1DFL7 is the new arena ID. Password remains 8038.

The arena is live! Since I don't believe I have every regular on my friend list, and going into the home menu to accept friend requests might break the arena, as a slight change of plans the arena is now a public arena. So just look for the Arena ID 1DFL7. Password is 8038.