I can’t believe I’m turning 50 later this month. In a way I’m a little sad about it because my life is definitely not what I’d imagined it would be by now. I’m still single and living in a one bedroom apartment barely making ends meet with a job I don’t like that much. But at least there are some fun things we’ll be doing this month. My dad’s birthday is a couple of weeks before mine so I’m taking him to see the Coyote vs. Acme movie. And then for my birthday we’re going to see the Rifftrax Mystery Science Theater 3000 movie. And then at the end of this month some of my other family and I are going to Austin, TX to see my old college campus after 30 years, and to also see my best friend who has lived in El Salvador for a long time, but recently moved back here. At any rate, even though it’s my birthday, I’ve got some presents for you! Reviews I’ve recently written over at GamerDad. Please read as many as you can and maybe post a ‘like’ or comment or two! I’d appreciate it. And in the comments section, feel free to give me a pretend birthday present, too! OK let’s begin!
Ms. Pac-Man Texas Lottery Ticket
A few years ago I wrote about Texas state lottery scratch off tickets featuring Pac-Man and Space Invaders. And now here’s Ms. Pac-Man! This is just for Texas but you might get it in your state later or may already have had it. But let’s take a look at it anyway.
Sonic the Hedgehog Toys in Wendy’s Kids Meals
What I don’t understand is that McDonald’s has done Sonic the Hedgehog movie Happy Meals not once, but twice. And other fast food chains like Arby’s and Burger King have done Sonic toys in kids meals as well. But why not Sonic Drive Ins? It makes so much sense with the name and the fact that they serve chili dogs and all! But now Wendy’s is getting in the fast lane with their own Sonic toys. These last through the beginning of September, so some MIGHT still have them depending on when you read this. So let’s take a look at them.
Have you ever heard of a game where you play as a plumber and must run and jump through 2D worlds? Yeah, you MIGHT have. But what about one where you play as a plumber in a 2D world and ACTUALLY do plumbing? Yeah, maybe not. Well now there is a game like that with Plungeez! A mysterious manhole has appeared in the city and a plumber has fallen in. Help her escape and solve the mystery of the manhole in this 2D puzzle platformer with light “Metroidvania” elements.
Obakeidoro 2: Chase and Seek (Switch 2)
About five years ago I reviewed the original Obakeidoro, and now here’s the sequel. A mysterious man in a top hat has changed a school into a haunted mansion so that ghosts and kids can play a spooky yet silly game of hide and seek together. Help a schoolgirl and her friends, or the ghosts, play in this multiplayer centric mashup of hide and seek and tag.
There are times when a game takes inspiration from another title, and there are other times when it’s just a blatant rip off. This is one of those times. Best way to describe Kaboomania is that it’s basically Bomberman. Sure you play as a guy instead of a robot and lay dynamite instead of bombs, but it’s the same game.
In this 2D side scrolling shooter, you play as a bug as you shoot down enemy insects in giant themed areas. Reminds me a little bit of Insector-X. Originally an Amiga shooter, now you can play it on most modern consoles with added features.
Here’s another Vampire Survivors clone where you shoot enemies as pets with guns. I think the same company who made Dagger Froggy also made this one because that frog is in this game, too.
Remember the game of Dots that you used to play in school notebooks or activity pads? Well here’s a modernized version of it with futuristic neon graphics, power-ups, and tough computer opponents.
And that’s all for now! Thanks for reading my reviews and posting ‘likes’ and comments on them. I do appreciate it. And don’t forget that pretend birthday present! Later! --Cary
Happy 50th! Don't think about it too much. It's just a number. Live in the present, is what I say. Have fun!
I like that Lottery Ticket - good collectible worth having.
Here's a MST3K lunch box gift (not sure how to resize it):
What's that Rifftrax MST3K movie? Are they doing commentary on their commentary?
Yeah when you look at the big picture, I'm still pretty fortunate. I just get discouraged sometimes.
One good thing I have to say is that at age 50, I'm probably in the best shape of my life. There is a gym just two minutes from my house that I walk to every morning and workout for about ah hour. About a month ago I ran into my ex-girlfriend and she said, "Wow, you've gotten buff!" At work nearly every day I do get a a customer asking if I work out or they'll ask more ridiculous things like if I compete in bodybuilding competitions or if I used to be an American Gladiator. I don't think I'm THAT big, but it's nice to hear.
I have extra used Ms. Pac-Man Lottery Tickets if you want me to mail you one. Just keep in mind they are scratched off. Just send me a message here or on Facebook if you want me to mail one to you.
Cool, an MST3K lunchbox. But does it have a thermos?
I did see the Coyote vs. ACME movie with my dad and some of my brothers. It was very good. I highly recommend seeing it if you can. the story on how it got to theaters is very interesting.
And here's a trailer for the MST3K Rifftrax Experiment
And while I'm posting trailers, during Coyote vs. ACME they showed a trailer for another movie I'm going to have to see this month.
I keep toying with the idea of joining the YMCA near me but I haven't because work tires me out so. I may start doing some simple situps and pushups in the morning though. It's good to stay fit.
Thermos? I don't know, but that would be cool.
I used to love watching MST3K in the wee hours after work years and years ago.
That Shaun the Sheep movie is out next week! I'm kind of mad at theaters right now though with their ridiculously inflated concessions prices. I mean, it used to be bad, but now it's stupid bad. I just won't go.
That's why I work out first thing in the morning. When I get home from work, I'm absolutely wiped.
I just don't buy anything from the concessions anymore at movies. They've always been too expensive. Movies themselves are ridiculous, too. I only went to Coyote vs. ACME because I had free tickets and other movies I try to see on discount 6 dollar Tuesdays. And movies don't even stay in the theater long enough anymore! I miss the days when I would have three months or more to see a movie, and if I missed it I could catch it at the dollar movie, and if I missed that I could just rent it without having to worry about what subscription service it was on. A lot of things were better back then.
I don't even do subscription services anymore. I just rent from the library.
Any subscriptions services that I have, I just mooch off my brother. There's a library near where I live, but it's pretty small. I doubt they'd let you rent anything significant. I really miss the mom and pop video rental place we had in my hometown. It was called PayLess Video and at one point they had two locations in the same town!
That's a cool lottery ticket! Not sure what franchise branding would get me to buy one. Maybe Castlevania?
Kaboomania may be a soulless Bomberman clone but that's a good title.
I didn't know they were making another Shaun the Sheep movie! That's exciting! Oh, and I assume you know about the Aardman Pokémon show in the works?
Happy birthday, Cary! Your pretend present is a Pac-Man alarm clock shaped liked our little hero—digital clock display in the mouth—that plays the Pac-Man intro jingle ad nauseam when it goes off.
I don't think I've ever seen a Castlevania lottery ticket, but last time I was at Round 1 Arcade, they had a Castlevania coin pusher. Konami also had a Power Pro Baseball coin pusher and a light gun game based on Contra.
YES! I know about The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and PIchu! I can't wait for it!
Nintendo should make a Pac-Man 'skin' for their Alarmo clock!
