More on my Mario Maker Levels (with IDs)

I already wrote a quick bit on my first batch of Mario Maker levels, but I’d thought I’d write a little more about them, plus the additional stages I’ve made since then.

1: Great Scarier Reef (F27B-0000-001C-C0D7)

Great Scarier Reef was my first Mario Maker level, and is one of those “swim through a cage of spikes” type of levels. I created this level on the day of the game’s release, so I was unaware that this type of stage would become such a frequent sub-genre of level, otherwise I might not have made it.

Mine differs slightly from most such levels I’ve ended up playing though, since I wanted it all to take place on a single screen. It uses the original Super Mario Bros. theme, and you’re supposed to play as Mega Man (though it’s easy to lose the single costume provided). The idea behind the level was taking those segments from the old Mega Man titles where the Blue Bomber would fall through a series of spikes, and avoiding them on the way down, and reversing it. So instead you have to go upward (by swimming), and eventually working your way down to the flagpole.

It also uses the heartbeat sound effect throughout its entirety, which I like to think adds to its overall tension.

2: Mega Man on a Mission (2C78-0000-0031-45D4)

Another Mega Man themed level using the Super Mario Bros. theme. This one is simply based on the Mega Man segments where you had to jump on one tiny platform after another, though I threw in some cramped corners and enemies for a little variety. I admit I probably could have done this one better, but it’s still a simple but tough little platforming stage.

3: Showdown in the Clouds (5A4E-0000-0033-B42F)

My first stage using the Super Mario Bros. 3 theme. This level is just a gauntlet of boss fights. I tried my best to make them mandatory (since Mario Maker’s lack of forced boss fights is one of its few drawbacks), but the level ended up being frustratingly difficult to the point of not being fun. I had to go back and edit it a few times, and unfortunately some of the boss fights can only be fought halfway and then skipped. This is a concept I might go back to, but if you enjoy boss fights you may want to give it a shot.

4: Bowser Jr’s Wild Ride (E32C-0000-0034-1DF4)

This is a really simple “keep running” style of platformer, where you simply have to keep your momentum as you make some jumps and avoid some obstacles. It uses the Super Mario Bros. theme, and you play as Bowser Jr. It’s a stage that I like to go back to and play myself, though it is really simple.

5: The Tingle Zone (C190-0000-0035-E891)

Here I took the simple “keep running” style from Bowser Jrs’ Wild Ride, but made it more extravagant and a whole lot wackier. It still uses the Super Mario Bros. theme (it’s the only one with the character costumes), but this time you play as Tingle.

Though it uses a similar setup as the Bowser Jr. stage, I added in a lot more challenging platforming and obstacles, not too mention a purposefully excessive amount of the game’s sound/visual effects to add a dose of surrealism to it.

It’s simple, and maybe not a great level to a lot of people, but it’s one where I felt I did everything I wanted to do with it.

6: Weighted Companion P-Switch (63AE-0000-003A-1ED5)

For some reason, it wasn’t until my sixth level that I finally used the Super Mario World theme. As it’s title suggests, it’s somewhat of a spoof on the Weighted Companion Cube of the Portal series.

I actually feel this is something of a spoiler, given the nature of the level, so if you want to play it and just experience it don’t read any more of this paragraph. One of the ideas behind this level was rewarding patience and hard work over taking the easy way out. The level only provides you with one P-Switch (with the word “friend” written above it in coins), and you need to carry it through the entire level. Along the way, there are some puzzles that can either be solved or skipped over if you simply hit the P-Switch. But taking the easy way out ultimately makes the level umbeatable, since the end goal is surrounded by blocks that you can’t go through unless you hit the switch at the end, turning them into coins.

I admit I could have done a better job with some of the puzzles, but I think for the most part I got the level’s point across.

7: Banjo-Kazooie Inspiration (7C63-0000-0040-89A7)

Probably the easiest level I’ve made. As it’s name suggests, “Banjo-Kazooie Inspiration” is simply a tribute to Banjo-Kazooie. It once again uses the Super Mario Bros. theme, and you play as Duck Hunt, seeing as the duo is the closest thing to Banjo and Kazooie that the game provides. I recreated Spiral Mountain, Banjo’s house, the entrance to Gruntilda’s lair, and some of the early portions of Mumbo’s Mountain. You can even visit Mumbo (a Dry Bones) to transform into a “termite” (Pikmin).

There’s also a secret room hidden somewhere in the level that pays tribute to Rareware and the ending of Banjo-Kazooie. See if you can find it!

8: Slippy’s Maniacal Test Run (803B-0000-0051-76E1)

For this level, I went back, once again, to the “keep running” platforming style. Only this time, it’s less wacky and more difficult.

Yet again it uses the Super Mario Bros. style (I really wish at least some of the costumes were available elsewhere). In the game’s opening you play as Slippy Toad from Star Fox, with the opening representing his “workshop.” Almost immediately, you “jump into” an Arwing, which you play as for the rest of the level, which is a dangerous obstacle course.

I tried to slide it a very simple scenario, with Slippy testing out a new Arwing in a “maniacal” test course of his design. Hopefully I did a decent job at it.

9: Nothing Can Stop King Dedede (0561-0000-0062-5F77)

I realize now that this level probably needed a different name. Originally, the idea for the level would be something that would make the player feel invincible (it would have been a really easy but bombastic course filled with Starmen and the like). But somehow it actually ended up being one of my harder levels. Go figure.

Anyway, you play as King Dedede (again meaning it uses the Super Mario Bros. theme). The first half also falls under that “keep running” category. But to prevent my levels from becoming too repetitious, the second half requires you to stop and take time before jumping ahead.

Perhaps sometime I’ll make a different “invincible King Dedede” level, but for now, this one provides a nice challenge.

10: Banjo-Tooie Inspiration (E749-0000-006A-31C0)

After making my Banjo-Kazooie level, I felt the need to make a Banjo-Tooie one as well. Not just out of obligation for the two games, but also because it gave a fun opportunity to take a preexisting level, and change it into something different, much like the Banjo games themselves.

Once again it’s Super Mario Bros. and you play as Duck Hunt. I originally copied the Banjo-Kazooie level, but then spent a good while in the editor to change it into something else.

I do admit, the references are a bit vaguer and less direct here, and I feel I could have done a better job with some aspects, but hopefully those with a keen eye will spot the references.

Spiral Mountain and a now dilapidated Gruntilda’s Lair return. I tried to recreate some of the boss fights with Klungo through a giant Bowser Jr. Jamjars shows up as a Rocky Wrench. Bottles’ ghost is a Monty Mole with a Boo on his head. Humba Wumba (a Magikoopa, because nothing else fit) can change you into a baby T-Rex (Yarn Yoshi), or an adult T-Rex (Mega Yarn Yoshi). Jinjo Village shows up as a few little boxes with Koopas inside them (the houses and Jinjos…I work with what I have). The only killable Koopa represents a Minjo. You can temporarily control Mumbo (here represented by a Shy Guy). And you even stop by Jiggywiggy’s temple (he appears as a Giant Blooper on top of a Goomba, because he simply can’t be recreated in this game).

Again, I don’t think I did as good of a job here as I did with the Banjo-Kazooie stage. But if you play the Banjo-Kazooie stage first and then this one, maybe at least you can appreciate it for how they echo each other.

Also, this one contains even more secrets! It even includes secret rooms to become DK and Diddy (because Rare references), and an entire hidden segment based on the Hailfire Peaks stage from Banjo-Tooie.

11: Thwomp the Yard!! (E936-0000-0089-48AB)

This was my attempt to make an incredibly difficult, but fair, level. I don’t think it’s for the feint of heart, as it took me over 200 tries to finally beat it in order to upload it (or maybe I just suck).

It uses the Super Mario World theme, and most of its platforming and puzzles, as the title suggests, involve Thwomps (though Boos, spikes and Yoshis also show up).

The level is completely fair, with no invisible blocks, blind jumps (I use arrows) or any other troll mechanics present. It’s simply a level I made to require very accurate precision. I was originally going to make it even longer, but I felt it was difficult enough and didn’t want to simply frustrate people.

If you’re up for the challenge, go for it.

12: Love is a Powerful Thing (87A2-0000-0092-50CF)

This level, which uses the Super Mario Bros. 3 theme, is simply a punchline. It’s a joke level. One where players will probably die the first time, but realize it’s actually pretty easy with the second go. My intention wasn’t to troll, just to give a simple joke that hopefully some people will find funny. I won’t give the joke away here though.

Those are all of my Super Mario Maker courses so far. If you want, why not try them out? Feel free to give any feedback on them. Tell me if you liked them, or how I can improve them. And be sure to give me stars so I can keep uploading more!

My First Batch of Super Mario Maker Levels (With IDs)

Super Mario Maker has been out for a few days now, and I’ve had some serious trouble putting it down. Despite a few missteps with filtering through levels, the game is an absolute blast. The sheer creativity it allows you to create with relatively few tools is amazing. I’ve already played hundreds of levels made by others, and currently I’ve made seven of my own. I will list them here along with their ID numbers, so feel free to have a go at them. And don’t forget to give them stars so I can keep making more of them!!

I wrote before that I would be showing my Mario Maker levels in video form, and I still plan to do that. But making videos can take time, and I’m not an expert at it either, so forgive me if it takes some time to get any Mario Maker videos ready, but they will happen. I am a bit impatient though, and wanted to share my levels nonetheless. So, here are the names and IDs of my seven currently available levels.

1: Great Scarier Reef

F27B-0000-001C-C0D7

2: Mega Man on a Mission

2C78-0000-0031-45D4

3: Showdown in the Clouds

5A4E-0000-0033-B42F

4: Bowser Jr’s Wild Ride

E32C-0000-0034-1DF4

5: The Tingle Zone

C190-0000-0035-E891

6: Weighted Companion P-Switch

63AE-0000-003A-1ED5

7: Banjo-Kazooie Inspiration

7C63-0000-0040-89A7

Please enjoy!

Filmmakers > Nerds

There are a number of undeservedly popular trends in social media sites and viral videos that I find insufferable, but one that I have an exceptional distaste for is the trend of defacing movies with nitpicking and self-aggrandizing commentary. Granted, nerds have always found pleasure in ridiculing the works of people who can create things that they never could, but the social media age has given them a platform to become stars out of it.

This may seem a tad hypocritical coming from someone who’s dedicated an entire website to giving his thoughts and opinions on movies and video games, with a not entirely un-nerd-like field of preference. But I will defend my stance as someone who simply has opinions and wishes to share them. There are plenty of people out there who use blogs, videos, and other such methods of sharing their thoughts who can be constructive and well-meaning with what they do. While there’s always means for me to improve, I at least try to fit into such a category.

What I’m talking about are people who simply trash movies for entirely inconsequential reasons. A certain technical goof gets blown into a movie-breaking flaw, or a tiny gap in plot consistency demeans all merits a movie could have. Oftentimes, it seems even great movies are written-off for the most trivial things, these days.

The internet age has practically endorsed cynicism and self-aggrandizement, combine this with the nitpicking of nerds and it turns into a whole new beast. Every time I check into YouTube and see a new “Honest Trailers” or “Cinema Sins” video is up, I frankly feel a bit disgusted. Some would argue that they’re “all in good fun” and perhaps on occasion that is the intent. But there are plenty of other videos or blogs I’ve seen that can deliver some inoffensive humor towards movies without seemingly eviscerating them just to inflate their own egos.

"We didn't need to deliver a line about why the dinosaurs in Jurassic World don't have feathers, but we did anyway, because we really just didn't want to hear any more crap from nerds." — “We didn’t need to deliver a line about why the dinosaurs in Jurassic World don’t have feathers, but we did anyway, because we really just didn’t want to hear any more crap from nerds.”

I know, I sound like a horrible jerk now because I’m saying bad things about popular internet videos. The way I see it, these internet videos are the ones that are more or less bullying filmmakers and artists for inconsequential elements just to give themselves a pat on the back. Personally, if I had to pick sides, I’d always pick the artists and studios who are able to create wonderful works of art and entertainment over the nerds who belittle them.

There is the old of “everyone’s a critic.” But I feel things like Honest Trailers are taking it more into the realms of “everyone’s a self-righteous a-hole.” And well, I’d like to see anyone who makes any of these snarky videos even begin to make a movie even half as good as the ones they criticize. Of course, chances are their bully-like critiques probably stem from their inability to create what artists and studios can, and the jealousy that comes with that.

"How could Batman have escaped a nuclear explosion at the last second? This movie clearly sucks!" "Or, it was just a simple editing technique to make it look like he escaped at the very last second to build suspense, jackass!" — “How could Batman have escaped a nuclear explosion at the last second? This movie clearly sucks!”
“Or, it was just a simple editing technique to make it look like he escaped at the very last second to build suspense, jackass!”

Sure, The Dark Knight Rises may have some pacing issues or a couple of questionable editing choices, but it’s hardly the disaster that a lot of these popular internet nerd-baiting sites and videos would like to claim. Even if they don’t like a movie, it’s possible to share that opinion intelligently and even humorously. But pointing out the most throwaway inconsistencies and using them to fuel petty complaining has become so sickening. The sad part is these people get millions of views, proving that we’re willing to feed trolls at the expense of people who are actually creating great things just so long as it gives us a brief moment to feel more important than them.

To be blunt, I hate the whole idea of “nerd criticism” and how popular it’s become. It’s not constructive, it’s not creative, it’s not contemplative. And it most certainly isn’t honest.

Go ahead and call me an elitist, but I find the things that filmmakers are doing, whether it’s creating something profound or simply entertaining, whether I like it or not, is infinitely more meaningful than the self-insistency of internet nerds.

RIP Satoru Iwata

“On my business card, I am a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game designer. But in my heart, I am a gamer.” – Satoru Iwata

On July 11 2015, the gaming world lost a legend, as Satoru Iwata, President and CEO of Nintendo, passed away at the age of 55. The world of video games will never be the same.

Satoru Iwata found his way into the video game industry as a programmer for HAL Labratory, Inc., which saw the rise of a fruitful career that spanned decades working on many beloved games, ultimately leading to Iwata working his way up Nintendo’s ranks to the role of President and CEO.

It was at the top of Nintendo where Iwata made his biggest splash in the gaming world. As Iwata found that video games were becoming too exclusive to who they appealed to, he lead Nintendo in a new direction to make games with a more universal appeal. This lead to the creations of the Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii, which not only brought an unparalleled success to Nintendo, but also changed people’s overall perception of the video game medium. No longer are they simply a “nerd’s pastime,” now they are recognized as a mainstream hobby.

Iwata would also take an active role in promoting Nintendo’s games to fans, hosting the majority of Nintendo’s “Nintendo Direct” videos as well as his “Iwata Asks” segments, where he would interview game developers as they worked on their newest releases.

Satoru Iwata improved both Nintendo’s image and that of the gaming industry as a whole with his creative directions and leadership. He brought a new attitude and sense of humor to gaming, always willing to make himself the butt of internet jokes in the process.

Although the last few years have seen Nintendo through some financial struggles, the company had still produced numerous great video games under his leadership. Satoru Iwata has left behind a legacy that few in the industry could ever hope to match. He helped bring some joy to the lives of many people. May that joy find its way – directly – back to him.

Rest it peace.

100th Blog Spectacular!

"I've already amassed THIS many blogs!" — “I’ve already amassed THIS many blogs!”

I tried to avoid making a self-aggrandizing blog such as this, but in the end I caved into the temptation. I just had to celebrate this milestone in some capacity. What better way to do that then with a blog that basically just reiterates this milestone again and again?

Wizard Dojo has now reached the 100 blog mark, which I must admit I’m a bit proud of considering I only launched this site back on Christmas day. Sure, there are plenty of blogs that have done more, but with how long-winded my writings tend to be, I’m perfectly content in giving myself a pat on the back for how many blogs I’ve managed to produce in that time.

Why, I may have to give myself a promotion!

Sure, I’d rather be taking the time it takes to write this blog to write another review or something, but I must let the world know that Wizard Dojo is now in the triple digits! It’s a cause for celebration.

It's a Wonderful Dance — “When George Bailey dances to your success you know it’s legit.”

Rest assured that after I’ve finished this blog, my reviews and opinionated rants on video games, movies and animation will once again take center stage here at the dojo. Then everything will go back to being (relatively) serious. But for now… 100 blogs!

I guess I could also take this opportunity to thank my growing readership, which has quickly started gaining steam. May more of you figure out how to click that Follow Button.

Over the past few months I’ve tried to update this site as often as possible. It hasn’t been easy, but hopefully I’ve amused some of you in one way or another with all this stuff I write. I must say I enjoy adding more content to Wizard Dojo, so it isn’t exactly like reaching 100 blogs has been a chore or anything. May it continue to flourish.

Here’s hoping I can continue to provide you lovely people with something to read. Now let’s all take a moment to celebrate 100 blogs.

Once again, I thank you kind readers for giving me some extra incentive to keep writing these things. I would also like to thank myself, because 100 blogs! Here’s to many, many hundreds more. Thanks for reading!

A Liebster Award Winner is Me!

I was pleasantly surprised to find out I had been nominated to receive a lobster (them’s good eats!), and then marginally disheartened but still pleasantly surprised to learn that I had misread the information, and I am indeed the recipient of a “Liebster.” As it turns out, the Liebster Award is given from one blogger to another, to recognize the growing potential of a blog. An appreciation kind of thing.

I would like to give a thousand thanks to Matt from Nintendobound (an exceptional Nintendo blog) for selecting me for this award. Can we give him a round of applause, please?

Of course, receiving this award ~~comes with a catch~~ means I have to do three things: Firstly, I have to answer the eleven questions that were asked of me in my nomination. Second, I must list eleven facts about myself (because I’m so interesting). And C, I must nominate some fellow bloggers and ask them eleven questions of my choosing. I like to think this gives me power.

Let’s get cracking!

Questions, questions, just fill my head…

1: What is the best trip you have ever taken?

"Finally they're opening up the gate!" — “Finally they’re opening up the gates!”

It’s hard to say a singular best, but last year I did visit Walt Disney World for the first time, and it was magical. It was during the Summer, and they had just started their Frozen Summer Fun event. Being completely obsessed with Frozen, this made everything that much better. I’m hoping to go again once the Frozen Ride opens at Epcot, in which case I will shove children out of my way to be the first in line.

I’ve been a lifelong fan of Disneyland, but Walt Disney World is just so much more.

2: What are your three favorite movies?

Geez! Asking this big of a question right out of the gate?! Not fair! And why three? Why not five, or ten?!

My list of favorites wouldn’t include the usual checklist of Godfathers and Citizen Kanes. Those are great movies, but they are movies I “respect” and “admire” for their greatness, but not ones that I can claim to love in the way I love my favorite movies.

There are so many great movies out there that I’ll always feel bad for leaving some out. Some movies I ‘love’ would include It’s a Wonderful Life, Schindler’s List (that ending!), The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Back to the Future, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Spider-Man 2, the Toy Story series and, of course, The Dark Knight.

But when it comes to the movies I love most, they tend to be animated. More specifically, they tend to be animated by Studio Ghibli and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. While I could list pretty much any and every Miyazaki film (Porco Rosso, Ponyo, the list goes on), I think two stand out most for their personal impact on me: My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away.

So there’s two right there. As for the third one, the top contenders would be The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Incredibles, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Frozen. It’s a tough choice, but in the end I’m going with…..

Frozen.

And no, I’m not a 12-year old girl. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t absolutely fall in love with this movie. I could go on and on about why I love it so much (and I will. Oh, I will), but for now I will simply say it deserves all of its success.

So there you go, my answer (for now) for my three favorite movies.

Spirited Away

My Neighbor Totoro

Frozen

Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Return of the King and The Incredibles would probably follow…along with another Miyazaki film. It’s a hard question!

One day I will go way more in-depth with all of this.

3: What game does everyone seem to like that you don’t?

Easy. Bioshock Infinite.

There are games I think are overrated, such as Final Fantasy VII or Skyrim, but I can acknowledge that they are good games with plenty of merit, I just don’t think they live up to the hype for one reason or another.

"Please, nobody catch them." — “Please, nobody catch them.”

But I outright think Bioshock Infinite is a bad game. The gameplay couldn’t be more basic, the storyline couldn’t be more self-insistent, the social commentary couldn’t be more shoehorned, I could go on. It is utterly void of genuine creativity and inspiration. People call it art only because it (arrogantly) calls itself art. Bioshock Infinite is a bland game with a poorly contrived narrative, but it couldn’t have a higher opinion of itself.

4: What game do you like but everyone else seems to hate?

Mega Man 8.

Yes, the voice acting is the stuff of nightmares (or comedy gold, depending on how you look at it), and the Robot Masters are a bit goofy (I like Sword Man though), but overall I think it’s one of the best Mega Man games. I’m not about to argue it’s as great as Mega Man 2 or anything, but it is one of the few entries in the series that stands out from the others. Not just because of the vibrant visuals, but it also had moments like the on-rail shooter in Tengu Man’s stage and the notorious “Jump jump, slide slide” segments in Frost Man’s stage and Dr. Wily’s castle.

It’s not perfect, but I think it is a lot more fun than it gets credit for.

5: What characters should be added to the next Super Smash Bros. installment?

Dixie Kong should have already been in the series by this point. We have three freaking Kid Icarus rejects but only two Donkey Kong characters? That’s just dumb.

Besides Dixie, I’m always rooting for Geno. If only Square could be a pal…

Other top choices include Fawful, King K. Rool and Paper Mario (not a clone). I would also love to see Banjo-Kazooie, but that could be complicated with all the legalities.

Anyone makes more sense than freaking Dark Pit though.

6: What long-gone gaming franchise needs to be resurrected?

I was going to say Toejam & Earl, but they’re making a comeback! Hopefully they won’t add some needless third character this time…

Instead, I’ll list Ristar! Seriously, only one game. One.

"Yeah, this is basically where Ristar has been the last two decades." — “Yeah, this is basically where Ristar has been the last two decades.”

There just seems like there’s so much missed potential with Ristar as a franchise. Just imagine him reimagined today, in glorious HD. They could build on the core concepts of the original game, while making a brand new experience.

Why Sega can’t seem to see the untapped goldmine they have here is a mystery…

Oh wait, does Super Mario RPG count as its own franchise? Because that needs a sequel as well!

7: What long-standing gaming franchise needs to go?

I hate to say it since this series was a big part of my childhood, but it has to be Sonic the Hedgehog.

Now, I’m not saying the series has to die completely, but Sonic definitely needs to go for a good while. Sure, Sonic Generations was good, but it’s surrounded and outnumbered by so many awful titles from the once-great series, that Sonic has become an absolute joke.

Remember back in the day, when Sonic the Hedgehog was held in a similar regard to Mario and Zelda? Now the only time Mario and Sonic should be mentioned in the same sentence is if that sentence is “Mario stomps Sonic into dust.”

The series just isn’t what it once was at all. Too many bugs, too many unthought out elements, and just too many dang characters! Message to Sega: You don’t need to introduce more dumb animal characters with every new entry!

Sega needs to either go back to basics (but do it better than Sonic the Hedgehog 4) or let the series go away for a while, and maybe people might actually want to see Sonic in another game.

8: What job would you never take?

Anything that involves going into a sewer, I suppose.

9: What would be your reaction if extraterrestrial beings made contact with us?

I’d probably think it’d be pretty cool. If they were friendly enough I may want to see how well they take to Mario Kart.

10: What is your favorite video game song?

It’s a hard choice, as I consider myself something of a connoisseur of video game music. There are so many great gaming soundtracks. Super Mario RPG, Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario Galaxy, Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, Banjo-Kazooie, Shadow of the Colossus, Nights, just to name a few.

But if I had to pick one favorite gaming soundtrack, it’d have to be Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest. It alone is a soundtrack filled with classics and all-time greats, but if I had to pick one track from DKC2 it would be… *Drumroll*

In a Snow-Bound Land.

DKC2 — “Tough as nails. But that music!”

What is it with me and snow? Anyway, In a Snow-Bound Land is absolutely beautiful. It’s atmospheric, emotional, and it captures my imagination every time I hear it. It also continues DKC2’s brilliant trend of including the most soothing and beautiful music on the most difficult levels (one of the game’s many subtle works of genius). It’s simply captivating.

11: Will you forbid your children to play video games whose ratings are not appropriate for their age?

Of course. A ten-year old shouldn’t be playing Grand Theft Auto. Simple as that. There are plenty of great games for them to enjoy as kids, they can wait to play the more violent stuff.

Now for some random facts about me.

1: I can whistle pretty darn well. “Like a freaking bird” I’ve been told.* I can often be heard whistling various video game songs. I’m not quite Walter from The Muppets, but I’m getting there.

*Has never actually been told this.

2: I don’t drink, smoke, or do drugs. Unless Dr. Pepper counts, in which case just inject it into my veins!

3: I attended E3 every year from 2009 to 2014, fulfilling one of my dreams as a kid. I got to play some awesome games before most people!

4: My favorite video game character is Bowser. The King Koopa is just too cool, and he never gives up. He gets knocked down and he keeps on keeping on. He’s an inspiration.

5: Whenever I’m not watching movies, playing video games, writing about those movies and video games, or dealing with that annoying thing called “real life,” I enjoy drawing and creative writing. I’m not going to brag about my abilities, but at least I do my own stuff.

6: My favorite television series include Arrested Development, Seinfeld, Monk and Regular Show. Though I also have to give my childhood a shout out with Digimon (the first two seasons, the third one killed it for me as a kid).

7: Super Mario RPG was the first RPG I ever played, and still my favorite.

8: I am a frequenter of Disneyland (annual pass holder!), and know the place like Gollum knows Middle-Earth. My favorite rides at the park include Indiana Jones, Star Tours, and Space Mountain.

9: I’m not one for watching sports, but I do enjoy pro wrestling (don’t laugh). It can get goofy, but the theatrics of it all can provide some great entertainment when it wants.

"The SNES launched with Super Mario World! How do you beat that?!" — “The SNES launched with Super Mario World! How do you beat that?!”

10: I still consider the SNES to be the greatest video game console of all time. A bigger lineup of all-time classics than any other console, and they haven’t aged a day.

11: Every now and again I like to have a go at some video editing. I’ve even managed to get some money from some of my YouTube idiocy.

And now for my questions.

1- What is the earliest game you remember playing?

2- What do you think are the three most important aspects of a great game?

3- What are your five favorite TV shows?

4- What are your five favorite movies?

5- What is your favorite color (very important)?

6- Who is your favorite video game character?

7- If you could live in any video game world, which one would it be?

8- What is your favorite video game song/soundtrack?

9- If you were an eccentric millionaire, what would be the first off-the-wall thing you’d do with your wealth?

10- How would you prepare for a zombie apocalypse?

11- Favorite video game console?

As for my nominees, well, I must admit that I don’t get around to reading too many different blogs (more time for Smash Bros. you see) but there are some great ones out there. I nominate…

AfterStory

GamesThatIPlay

And well, yeah that’s it. I would also re-nominate NintendoBound but I don’t know the rules on that. An honorary mention anyway.

Welcome to the Dojo!

Welcome to the dojo!

To all who come to this opinionated website… Welcome! Wizarddojo.com is a place of video games and animations (and other movies). You will find reviews, top 5/10 lists, and other such writings on those subjects. Primarily by yours truly, but hopefully some other members of my fellowship will join in this venture. So stay a while and listen.

In preparation for the launch of this site, I already cooked up some reviews and other such things, so why not take a gander at them? Or you could look at that about page if you’d like. Get your magics ready and prepare for battle, you have entered the wizard’s dojo!