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!!!

MandoPony's Turning Over a New Leaf

I thought I would share the following video with you, created by YouTube user MandoPony. This song is very nice to listen to, and it can really get you in the mood for playing Animal Crossing! And, if you are a fan of Isabelle, like I am, then you will appreciate her appearance here!

ACNL 365 Day Challenge: Days 3-4

Day Three

All in all, today was a quiet day in Akceber. I was planning on buying turnips from Joan today, but I did not arrive in time to meet her. Isabelle told me that a new resident had moved in. Her name is Francine, and she is a rabbit. So, once again Akceber is full.

However, a few of my neighbours came up to me worried about Flip. So, I went to talk to him and he said that he will be moving out in three days. I wished him luck. He seems sad, but also a little bit excited.

I now have six rooms in my house, which is nice, even though some of them are a little small. But, I will make them bigger! I think I will start with the Mermaid Room. I checked Tom Nooks today, and bought a Mermaid Fence.

Unfortunately there was no Mermaid furniture on the Island today, so I just caught bugs. I found that the fastest way to make a lot of money is to go to Tortimer's Island at night and catch beetles. Some are worth more than others of course, but by the end the 1000 Bells Kapp'n charges to ferry me to the Island is totally worth it.

Day Four

Today was a good day in Akceber. I began furnishing my basement and my right room. I have gone with a backyard theme for my basement. I have a Backyard Fence and Lawn as my wallpaper and carpet. I have a Backyard Pool, a Toad Umbrella, Pikmin, Cosmos Fan, and my pet frog down there too. It is a very small room currently, but it will get bigger.

In the right room I have started placing my Balloon furniture. I don't have much yet. It is very much a work in progress. It is a bit of a tricky theme because the only way to get the furniture is to pop balloons as they float above town. So, it will take a while, but I am patient.

I also put some work into my Ninty Wares exhibit at the museum. I have a lot of Nintendo stuff that I have either bought, or won from the Fortune Cookies at Super T&T. At the top is my Mario goods, to the left is Zelda, south is miscellaneous, and in the centre of the room I have consoles and misc. I quite like it, though I think I need to better organise it, so I don't run out of room.

For example, if I manage to procure a mannequin then I can save a few spaces from my Hero of Time outfit. Though, I hear that in Akceber there are only four mannequins... so I will have to use them well.

I worked at the coffee shop today. I did well, so I was paid in the finest beans and an espresso machine. Tom Nook came in at the end, and threw me a little. I think next time he comes in again I should try Killamanjaro, lots of milk, one sugar, and see how that goes.

Oh yes, and Redd was in town today. After careful examination of his wares, I decided to purchase his Calm Painting. When it get's delivered tomorrow, I will take it to Blathers and see what he thinks.

ACNL 365 Day Challenge: Days 1-2

Day One

Today is the beginning of my Animal Crossing: New Leaf 365 Day Challenge. Welcome! The goal of this challenge is to get me to play, at least for a little bit, every day. This way I can enjoy every season and competition in the game, getting as much out of it as possible.

As I was exploring, and weeding for Lief, I saw a space set aside for someone named Melba! So yay! New neighbour. Oh, and for weeding, Lief gave me a Cosmos Fan, which I already had, so I sold it to Reese.

I decided to go to Isabelle to start a public works project, but before we could begin, we celebrated the completion of the Zen Streetlight. Back in the office, I asked Isabelle about citizen satisfaction, and was shocked to discover that the people considered the town perfect. As a reward, Isabelle added the Flower Clock and the Town Hall Renovation options to the list of PWPs. So, I began on the Flower Clock. I set it up directly in front of the train station.

Today I took two trips to Tortimer's Island with the intention of paying off the Clock, and my home loan from Tom Nook. I also did some tours, as the gift shop had a Mermaid Clock to purchase. I placed it in my Mermaid Room when I returned home. I also paid off my home loan and the Flower Clock! As such, tomorrow I plan to get another house expansion, and begin the Town Hall Renovations.

In the mail I received an HHA Flag for my wall as a reward for reaching 20,000 points. I am going to keep working hard on my house, and one day I will get the highest rank, with 150,000 points.

Day Two

When I visited Akceber today, Isabelle informed me that a new resident had moved in, so I went to introduce myself. The new resident's name is Melba. She is a koala, and she is actually a camper who visited my town once, and I convinced her to stay! That is the first time I have done that! I also spotted on my wanderings that another spot has been reserved for a home.

We held a ceremony for the Fl


ower Clock, and then I began the Town Hall Renovation. It will look like a Japanese building afterwards! Though, it is a bit pricey (over 400,000 Bells), so it may take a few days. But, that is OK.

While in Town Hall, I checked the satisfaction rating again, and it is still perfect. So, 13 more days and I will receive the Gold Watering Can! I just need to keep Akceber clean and weed free.

As it was a Saturday, K.K. Slider was performing instead of DJ K.K. I listened to his song, and he slipped me a bootleg. As usual, I put it in my Lily Record Player in my music room. But, I am still playing K.K. Synth in there, as I really like it. I am hoping that one day I will receive a signed photo from him.

I gave Tom Nook a visit. He was happy to see me of course. He congratulated me on paying off my loan, and mentioned that there was still more work to be done. So, I owe him again, but I now have the room to the right of my house. Or, I will tomorrow anyway.

Another visit to the Island, and I saw that a Mermaid Shelf was available for purchase, so I did some tours and bought it. My Mermaid Room is coming along nicely. I am looking forward to completing the set.

Furnishing wise, I received some good advice from Lyle at the Happy Home Academy. If I place green items near the entrance, I will get good luck. Red should be placed in the East, and yellow in the West. This will score me extra points. Also, since it is my birthday month, my cake is worth extra. And, I received an HHA Jacket in the mail for breaking 30,000 points!