Classic Now, Classic Forever – Why Mario Lives On

Author’s Note: This editorial was published May 26, 2010 and originally appeared on Bitmob.com. Clicking on this link will take you to its original location.

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For many, the terms “goombas,” “koopas,” “bullet bills,” and “warp pipes” are synonymous with platforming. They’re not associated with just any kind of platforming — elite platforming, some of the best that the video game industry has to offer. These terms originate from the Mario universe, a universe where a princess is in constant danger of being kidnapped by a supernaturally powerful beast named Bowser. Whenever he takes her, millions of Mario fans emerge to answer the call to save her, despite having done so countless times before.

They do so happily.

But why? What is it about this particular universe that draws gamers in so? Mario isn’t the only platforming franchise in town and his isn’t the only one with imagination — Insomniac’s Ratchet & Clank franchise is packed with creative designs. If gamers want some great platforming challenges, the Prince of Persia franchise offers that. However, no matter what, no matter how many challengers arise in the platforming genre, Mario remains king.

Bitmob Roundtable: The Present And Future Of PSP

Author’s Note: This roundtable was published November 9, 2009 and originally appeared on Bitmob.com. Clicking on this link will take you to its original location.

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In December 2004 in Japan and March 2005 in the U.S., Sony entered the handheld console market with their first handheld, the PlayStation Portable (PSP). They not only entered a new market but a new console war — against Nintendo, who created the handheld market and has never lost a handheld console war.

All of Nintendo’s previous competitors left the handheld market, and none had the brand power of PlayStation at their disposal. The PSP has had three remodels, and Sony has sold 55.9 million units worldwide. But how has the PSP really fared as competition in the handheld market?

With the fifth anniversary of the PSP’s U.S. launch coming this March, fellow Bitmobbers Alex R. Cronk-Young and J. Cosmo Cohen joined me for a roundtable discussion evaluating the current PSP’s performance thus far and what might (or might not be) in the cards for its successor.

Heavy Metal #7

Author’s Note: This feature was published May 27, 2008 and originally appeared on Kombo.com. Clicking on this link will take you to its original location. Kombo.com is down and unlikely to come back.

Welcome to Heavy Metal, a weekly series on Kombo.com dedicated to trying to unravel unanswered questions and theories related to the Metal Gear Solid series. Every week leading up to the release of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, a question or theory will be analyzed or presented as extensively as possible.

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It is important to note three things:

1.) This is all speculation, created using information presented in the Metal Gear Solid games and any MGS4 trailers or information released to the gaming public.

2.) This is as much for fun as it is thought provoking, so please do not take it too seriously.

3.) This feature will contain spoilers about existing games in the MGS series without warning or precaution. If there are MGS games that you haven’t beaten, it’s a good idea to stay away.

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Questions: Is Solid Snake the real deal or are we looking at Raiden syndrome all over again? Is the man we believe to be Solid Snake actually Big Boss? Will Snake be old and face certain death or will he find a way out?

Heavy Metal #6

Author’s Note: This feature was published May 18, 2008 and originally appeared on Kombo.com. Clicking on this link will take you to its original location. Kombo.com is down and unlikely to come back.

Welcome to Heavy Metal, a weekly series on Kombo.com dedicated to trying to unravel unanswered questions and theories related to the Metal Gear Solid series. Every week leading up to the release of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, a question or theory will be analyzed or presented as extensively as possible.

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It is important to note three things:

1.) This is all speculation, created using information presented in the Metal Gear Solid games and any MGS4 trailers or information released to the gaming public.

2.) This is as much for fun as it is thought provoking, so please do not take it too seriously.

3.) This feature will contain spoilers about existing games in the MGS series without warning or precaution. If there are MGS games that you haven’t beaten, it’s a good idea to stay away.

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Question: Is Otacon a mole for The Patriots?

Heavy Metal #5

Author’s Note: This feature was published April 21, 2008 and originally appeared on Kombo.com. Clicking on this link will take you to its original location. Kombo.com is down and unlikely to come back.

Welcome to Heavy Metal, a weekly series on Kombo.com dedicated to trying to unravel unanswered questions and theories related to the Metal Gear Solid series. Every week leading up to the release of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, a question or theory will be analyzed or presented as extensively as possible.

—

It is important to note three things:

1.) This is all speculation, created using information presented in the Metal Gear Solid games and any MGS4 trailers or information released to the gaming public.

2.) This is as much for fun as it is thought provoking, so please do not take it too seriously.

3.) This feature will contain spoilers about existing games in the MGS series without warning or precaution. If there are MGS games that you haven’t beaten, it’s a good idea to stay away.

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Theory: Big Boss is alive, the leader of The Patriots and the final boss of Metal Gear Solid 4.

Heavy Metal #4

Author’s Note: This feature was published April 14, 2008 and originally appeared on Kombo.com. Clicking on this link will take you to its original location. Kombo.com is down and unlikely to come back.

Welcome to Heavy Metal, a weekly series on Kombo.com dedicated to trying to unravel unanswered questions and theories related to the Metal Gear Solid series. Every week leading up to the release of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, a question or theory will be analyzed or presented as extensively as possible.

—

It is important to note three things:

1.) This is all speculation, created using information presented in the Metal Gear Solid games and any MGS4 trailers or information released to the gaming public.

2.) This is as much for fun as it is thought provoking, so please do not take it too seriously.

3.) This feature will contain spoilers about existing games in the MGS series without warning or precaution. If there are MGS games that you haven’t beaten, it’s a good idea to stay away.

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Question: What do the motives of The Patriots have to do with Big Boss and/or Metal Gear?

Heavy Metal #3

Author’s Note: This feature was published April 7, 2008 and originally appeared on Kombo.com. Clicking on this link will take you to its original location. Kombo.com is down and unlikely to come back.

Welcome to Heavy Metal, a weekly series on Kombo.com dedicated to trying to unravel unanswered questions and theories related to the Metal Gear Solid series. Every week leading up to the release of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, a question or theory will be analyzed or presented as extensively as possible.

—

It is important to note three things:

1.) This is all speculation, created using information presented in the Metal Gear Solid games and any MGS4 trailers or information released to the gaming public.

2.) This is as much for fun as it is thought provoking, so please do not take it too seriously.

3.) This feature will contain spoilers about existing games in the MGS series without warning or precaution. If there are MGS games that you haven’t beaten, it’s a good idea to stay away.

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Question: Who are the Patriots? What are the Patriots?

Heavy Metal #2

Author’s Note: This feature was published March 31, 2008 and originally appeared on Kombo.com. Clicking on this link will take you to its original location. Kombo.com is down and unlikely to come back.

Welcome to Heavy Metal, a weekly series on Kombo.com dedicated to trying to unravel unanswered questions and theories related to the Metal Gear Solid series. Every week leading up to the release of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, a question or theory will be analyzed or presented as extensively as possible.

—

It is important to note three things:

1.) This is all speculation, created using information presented in the Metal Gear Solid games and any MGS4 trailers or information released to the gaming public.

2.) This is as much for fun as it is thought provoking, so please do not take it too seriously.

3.) This feature will contain spoilers about existing games in the MGS series without warning or precaution. If there are MGS games that you haven’t beaten, it’s a good idea to stay away.

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Question: Liquid Ocelot combines two men who serve completely opposite goals. How do they (or do they even) co-exist in the same body!?!

Heavy Metal #1

Author’s Note: This feature was published March 24, 2008 and originally appeared on Kombo.com. Clicking on this link will take you to its original location. Kombo.com is down and unlikely to come back.

 

Welcome to Heavy Metal, a weekly series on Kombo.com dedicated to trying to unravel unanswered questions and theories related to the Metal Gear Solid series. Every week leading up to the release of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, a question or theory will be analyzed or presented as extensively as possible.

—

It is important to note three things:

1.) This is all speculation, created using information presented in the Metal Gear Solid games and any MGS4 trailers or information released to the gaming public.

2.) This is as much for fun as it is thought provoking, so please do not take it too seriously.

3.) This feature will contain spoilers about existing games in the MGS series without warning or precaution. If there are MGS games that you haven’t beaten, it’s a good idea to stay away.

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Question: Whose grave is Snake standing at in one of the first Metal Gear Solid 4 trailers and does it have any significance for the story?