The Daily Daze

The Great Gamer's Quiz is back on the attack, tasking would-be enthusiasts to prove their gaming expertise. This time, it's all about sound and chime, asking that players strive to remember the title each beat, voice sample, death note, and cinematic diddy originates. It's a test of memory, rapid recall, and focused listening--the perfect challenge for any individual or group of friends anxious to...

This week, it's a scattershot blast of gaming news ranging from Mario Maker masterpieces and Nintendo acting naughty to some encouraging early buzz regarding both the Sega Genesis Mini and the second Angry Birds movie. Fortunately, Mr. Pacario is here to make sense of it all. Check out his occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Pacario Thanks to Decktonic (www.decktonic....

Of all the games in the Zelda franchise, perhaps none contain the same mix of whimsical wonder and tragic, existential dread as the Game Boy's Link's Awakening. Indeed, the game is receiving a Nintendo Switch update for this very reason, but despite packing some plastic, updated graphics, the game seems to be forgetting--or ignoring--what made the original such a standout. Mr. Pacario explores why...

Are sequels usually superior, or inferior, to the originals? For film, the latter is usually the sad reality, but with video games...the answer is not always so easy. Indeed, gamers have long argued the respective merits of a number of gaming duologies, from Mega Man 2 and 3 to Pac-Man and his fairest counterpart. And so, Mr. Pacario enters the fray, examining five sets of classic, controversial g...

Another Great Gamer's Quiz enters the fray, this time to test your musical IQ concerning a random assortment of gaming's greatest hits...well, at least mostly! Can you defame your friends by nailing that perfect score, or rather, will you only disgrace yourself? 'Tis time to find out! Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Pacario Thanks to Decktonic...

Konami has finally unveiled, in full, its upcoming mini console, and the news is both good and bad depending on one's perspective. Mr. Pacario analyzes what's known about the system so far--especially that line-up of "fifty" games--to see whether this really is the sweet machine for which fans have always dreamed. (Second upload due to an error in the original version.) Check out Pacario's occasio...

While gaming has seen great changes in the 21st century, perhaps the hobby's greatest milestone came from the outside--in other words, YouTube. No other platform has connected gamers, raised controversies, highlighted the obscure, and been the bane of developer and "professional" journalist alike than the Google-owned network. Indeed, the service is a retro-maven's delight, with almost too many ga...

Super Mario Maker 2 is out, but... without Super Mario Bros. 2! What?! Indeed, the beloved dark horse of the franchise is nowhere to be found in Nintendo's newly released sandbox. To better lament its absence, Mr. Pacario is dedicating this latest edition of The Great Gamer's Quiz to everything Mario 2. Can you nail that perfect score? It won't be easy... Check out Pacario's occasionally updated b...

Forget emulation! How about miniaturization? Indeed, there's a company called Numskull dedicated to preserving that endangered species known as the arcade cab via perfect, immaculate miniature. With Pac-Man already released and several more machines on their way, the arcades of yore are fast returning, albeit in tinier form! Mr. Pacario takes a look at this upcoming line of pristine collectibles....

The gaming systems of today might pack plenty of power, but they definitely lack some of the quirky personality and experimental spirit that made their predecessors so memorable. Feeling wistful, Mr. Pacario glances back at the previous generation, wondering why so many of its creative ideas were ultimately left to wither. Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid...

Like The Lord of the Rings and A Game of Thrones, The Legend of Zelda series has its own legion of fans who adore it with an almost religious intensity. Indeed, do you belong amongst the throngs of these true believers, or rather, are you just a passing pretender? The Great Gamer's Quiz holds the answer! It's just like yanking the Master Sword, but in podcast form! Check out Pacario's occasionally...

Limited Run Games is a noble enterprise, existing to preserve digital-only games by converting them into physical form. And collectors everywhere were pleased...for a while. Yet, growing claims of greedy profiteering and poor customer service has robbed the company of its original prestige. Are things really as bad as they seem? Mr. Pacario analyzes the situation, offering his own unique take on t...

Everyone says gaming is more than just pretty graphics, and they're right! It's all about the music, too. Indeed, most of history's greatest games are accompanied by some terrific, unforgettable scores. In this episode, we celebrate the Memorial Day holiday with a musical medley of gaming's wondrous past. Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Pacario...

'Twas a big week in gaming--Nintendo finally shows off its upcoming Super Mario Maker 2, revealing all sorts of goodies, while Sega does the same with its Genesis Mini, unveiling another slew of awesome titles. Although very different products, they're both wonderful explorations of gaming's past. Mr. Pacario ponders the promise of both. Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://...

Welcome to another edition of The Great Gamer's Quiz, that zesty test of everything gaming. Are you anxious to prove your gamer's prowess over your friends? Have a hankering for video game history? Simply bored on the way to work? Then this test is for you! May you make the gaming gods proud. Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Pacario Thanks to De...

Those who collect video games understand all too well the intrinsic pains and pleasures that come with the hobby. Indeed, as vintage games seep deeper into the past--and the number of folk seeking them grows and grows--forming that "perfect" collection can prove both a pricey and intimidating endeavor. Hopefully, these sixteen tips will help collectors great and small to finally procure their own...

Today, video games are both the world's most popular pastime and most ubiquitous art form. But long ago, the future of gaming wasn't so certain. Indeed, back during the Crash of '83, many considered the medium passé and even dead. What saved the art that everyone now takes for granted? Many things, but one more than any other: the advent of the scrolling screen. Mr. Pacario explores this magical r...

The Great Gamer's Quiz returns, here to help you prove your superiority to all those "lesser" and "so-called" gamers out there. This time, players must survive twenty questions spread over four rapid-fire rounds, each containing its own tricky theme. It's a test for the ages...and a pretty fun one, too! Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Pacario T...

Is Nintendo the King of Creativity? Depends on the series! 3-D Mario games are filled with life and wonder, but the plumber's 2-D outings are decidedly less ambitious. Will the Big N ever give fans the great, 2-D Mario masterpiece they've been pining for since the '90s? Mr. Pacario ponders the situation. Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Pacario...

Finally, The Great Gamer's Quiz returns, testing your gaming cred as you drive to work, eat a burger, or run laps at the gym. There's more to life than just Mario, indeed, and these questions will reveal just how much you actually know about the platforming genre, and really, about the hobby itself. The gaming gods are watching; do you deserve a spot at their table? Check out Pacario's occasionall...

Over the past decade, gamers were treated to some of the best portable gaming the industry had to offer in the form of the slick n' powerful Playstation Vita, and the magical, graphical trickery of the Nintendo 3DS. Sadly, the former is being phased out while the latter isn't far behind. In homage to both, this show's goal is to highlight the best titles each platform has to offer. Note: Due to so...

The indie scene is huge amongst gamers now. But long before the term "indie" was coined, there was a similar movement; known as "Homebrew," these talented folks are still creating incredible titles for dead or ancient systems. Here, Mr. Pacario checks out the amazing NESMaker, which allows anyone to be a game developer, and Champ Games, one of the most talented developers in the Homebrew biz! Chec...

Nintendo has long flirted with VR technologies, its most notorious attempt being the fascinating "not quite portable, not quite VR" Virtual Boy machine. And now, Nintendo is trying again with its equally quirky Labo VR line of products. Will this end in similar failure? Mr. Pacario explores the history of Virtual Reality itself to find out. Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https...

The Great Gamer's Quiz returns in this bite-sized quiz to test one's knowledge, and ears, regarding some of history's greatest shoot 'em ups and their respective soundtracks. Indeed, any self-respecting gamer and/or shooter fan should be able to identify a least some the iconic pieces within. Will you prevail...or fail? Check out Pacario's occasionally updated blog here: https://www.destructoid.co...

Mr. Pat Contri, known in video game circles as "Pat the NES Punk," has a new book approaching, and it's a doozy! A catalogue of every SNES game ever released in the West, it's a stunning Nintendo tribute with engaging articles, pictures, retrospectives, celebrity pieces, and some cool surprises. Indeed, it might be the greatest book of its kind. And guess what, yours truly, Mr. Pacario, is a contr...