Luigi's Mansion 2

I have been replaying Luigi's Mansion 2 over the last few days (well, I never actually finished it- I got really close, and then got stuck. I will beat it this time). I really enjoy the humour of this game, and the fact that Luigi gets to be the protagonist!!!

Throughout this game, Luigi must traverse multiple haunted mansions at the request of Professor E. Gadd, to clear out some agitated ghosts, and help him with his research. You are equipped with several of E. Gadd's clever gadgets, including the Poltergust 5000, to suck up the ghosts, and the Dual Scream, a tricked out DS that allows E. Gadd to communicate with Luigi.

The game is very enjoyable for a number of reasons. First, and I think foremost is, that like the protagonist, it doesn't take itself too seriously. While exploring the mansions (and not just as you leave him to idle while you take a bathroom break), Luigi can sometimes be heard humming along to the game's background music. The ghosts, affected negatively by the loss of the Dark Moon, are merely mischievous, and not quite malicious. And E. Gadd always takes the time to say strange things to Luigi, and make jokes. Oh, and he transports you around with something he calls the Pixelshifter, which to me, just looks like a giant Etch-a-Sketch.

                                           

Aside from the main story, which takes place in multiple smaller chapters, there are extras that you can attempt to complete. For instance, find all of the Boos in each mansion (there is one per chapter), and you unlock a bonus level, in which you must collect all of the ghosts as quickly as you can. You can also attempt levels again in order to get a perfect score, by catching more ghosts, taking less damage and time, and finding more treasure. Luigi reacts differently at the end of the chapter, depending on the score that you achieve. And of course there is the Thrill Towers, a haunted area exclusive to the game's multiplayer. You can play online, locally and also with Download Play.

Exploring each haunted mansion is a lot of fun, and while this world may be drab compared to other Mushroom Kingdom titles, it still has plenty of charm, in the environments, the music, and of course, the characters. Seeing Luigi overcome his fears in order to help the Professor and do right by the usually friendly ghosts is endearing. And, the game is just a lot of fun.

If you like Mario games, and you want to see Luigi have his time in the spotlight (and also if you played and enjoyed the first Luigi's Mansion game, which I unfortunately have not had the chance to do), then I suggest that you give this game a try!

My Favourite Gaming System

Hello everyone!

Today, I would like to talk a little bit about my favourite gaming system, Nintendo's New 3DS!

I remember back in 2011, when the 3DS was first released. I was very excited that I had a job at the time, so I was able to place a pre-order and got myself one on launch day (a first for me- I usually obtained them years after the fact)! And as luck would have it, I fell sick just in time for release, so I braved the shops to pick it up, and then had a week of bed rest. The 3DS really helped me avoid utter boredom. My launch title was Street Fighter 4.

My 3DS was a constant companion until the day that my husband bought me a New 3DS (my old one was starting to drain way too fast to be able to continue using it- though I still have it... I am a sentimental person). I struggled deciding between a regular one, and an XL. Ultimately I leaned into the regular one for a number of reasons. Firstly, with my health the way it is, the XL was just too heavy and uncomfortable to hold for extended periods, and my hands are so small I could barely reach the second set of shoulder buttons. Another important deciding factor was the interchangeable face plates on the regular one. I chose the Isabelle ones, of course.

Why do I love the 3DS so much, aside from my sentimentality? Well, the answer is simple. It has had more games on it that I have loved than any other gaming system (except maybe the DS), and I am totally in control of my own gaming experience.

Let me explain that further. Well, firstly, I can customise it to my own taste (which has become even easier with the introduction of 3DS menu themes and the Badge Arcade). Secondly, I am free to play whenever I want to, without being concerned about if it is going to bother others, or interfere with their TV time. Related to that, I can play when I am on public transport or during breaks at uni, which is good, because sometimes the only time I have to play is in idle moments during the day.

I am very happy with the battery life on the New 3DS as well, meaning that I can play longer, and not worry quite so much.

I will write another post in the future about some of my favourite video games on the Nintendo 3DS, but until then, I want you to think about what your favourite game console is!!!

Went Shopping Yesterday

Yesterday Luke and I went to see the new Star Wars movie (finally), and decided to do a little bit of shopping beforehand. This is what I purchased.



My brother lent me Dying Light last month sometime, and I was enjoying it so much, I was trying to decide whether or not to buy myself a copy, so I could play without feeling guilty about keeping his copy for so long. Then, I saw it for $47 at EB Games, and figured I would. 

I bought Cat Toad at Zing. Toad is my favourite inhabitant of the Mushroom Kingdom, and I really loved the Cat Suit in Super Mario 3D World. His head can be turned around, and there are magnets in his front paws. So, should he live on the fridge, or my study's door jam?

Hi There!

Hi to anyone who may read this. I want to apologising for leaving this blog dead in the water. Life sort of got in the way, and I was unable to keep up my 365 Day Challenge, and so I stopped blogging here.

But, I decided that maybe I could use this blog as a general video game blog.

I enjoy many video games, on many different systems, in many genres. So, hopefully there will be something fun here for you one day!

Most recently, I have been playing a lot of Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam Bros. I received it from my husband for Christmas, and I have to say that it is good fun. And, my brother lent me Dying Light, so I have also been working my way through that. I just made it to Old Town, and this place is full of tough volatiles to kill...

I thought this would be a fun way to share my opinions about video games, and keep this blog active.

From time to time, I may write bilingual blog posts here, as I do on my Disney blog, Stitch's Place. I find that writing about things that I am passionate about is a good way to get in some Japanese practice!!!