<![CDATA[Bay Area Gamers - The Blog]]>Tue, 30 Sep 2025 17:50:52 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Analysis of why some consoles failed and/or succeeded]]>Sat, 22 Jul 2017 21:00:13 GMThttp://www.bayareagamers.net/the-blog/my-opinion-of-why-some-consoles-fail-and-succeedHello, everyone!  I hope you are all having a great summer. Today, I will be talking about four different video game consoles, and why they failed and/or succeeded during it's lifetime.
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​First, I would like to talk about the Turbografx16.

It was released on August 29, 1989, and it was meant to compete with the NES at the time of it's release. The Turbografx(wow, creative name, huh?)had a few really good things going for it, such as the fact that the games came on cards, rather than cartridges. They were more reliable, and easier to store than a bunch of NES cartridges. You could fit about 12 games in one hand.  The console also had great games like the best version of R-Type, Bomberman, Blazing Lazers, and Bonk's Adventure. So, why did the console fail so spectacularly in America? Well, it was released two weeks after the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. That's horrible timing, and that partially dug it's grave. Another reason is that the Turbografx had limited third party support. They didn't have a popular franchise like Mario or Sonic, or even Michael Jackson's Moonwalker. It had...uh...Keith Courage in Alpha Zones. You also had to buy quite a few add ons to have a better multiplayer experience. I don't think you should have to pay for all of that stuff just to enjoy the games with more than one person. It's a shame, because the PC Engine(Japanese name) was actually very popular in Japan, competing with the Super Famicom and the Sega Mega Drive. Too bad it failed so miserably here.
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Next, I would like to talk about the Atari 5200 Super System.  

It was released in November of 1982, and was discontinued on May 21, 1984. The console did have a pause button, which was one of the first of it's kind, but that doesn't really make up for the many issues with it. First of all, the controller. I understand that you'd want to expand on the 2​600's single joystick and one button, but I don't really think that a numeric keypad was really the best way of doing that. On top of the keypad, there was a barely functional joystick and four buttons, two on each side of the controller. I feel like it's really awkward to hold, and to use. Also, the Atari 2600 was still receiving games from a number of developers, which I feel would give people even less of a reason to get a 5200. That, the controller, and the various hookup issues, is what I think is why think this console was a flop. I do kind of want to try more games out, though.
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The next console I wanted to talk about is another Atari console, the Jaguar.

It was released on November 23, 1993, and was discontinued around circa 1996. It was the last of the Atari consoles, and the first 64 bit console, according to them. It actually has a few games going for it, like Tempest 2000, and the best port of DOOM(with no music, sadly). The controller still had a keypad, but at least it was functional. I feel like the main reason why this console flopped was the lack of any third party games(I'm sensing a pattern here), or the false advertising. The console claimed to be cutting edge, and better than both the SNES and the Genesis, and overall being like that kid who brags about things he doesn't have or do, but the actual games looked like Star Fox, if they even used polygons at all. A game like it's launch title, Cybermorph, somehow looks less appealing than Mega Man X2. The Jaguar even had a CD addon, which was even less functional. I feel like this console would be better as a 32- bit console, like the Playstation. I see what they were trying to do, but the technology just wasn't there yet. I do recommend that you play Tempest 2000, though.
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Finally, I would like to talk about a successful console for once, the Game Boy Advance.

​It was released on June 11, 2001, and was discontinued on May 15, 2010. It was the third in Nintendo's line of handhelds(not counting different versions of the original Game Boy and Color), and it's probably my favorite handheld. The handheld was compatible with the Gamecube, and you can connect the two with a cable. You can do a variety of things with it, but I think it was mostly meant to trade Pokemon between the Game Boy Advance titles and the Gamecube titles. The GBA is also compatible with the Nintendo E-reader. I don't know what it does, but I do know it adds extra levels to Super Mario Advance 4. The only issue I really have is the compressed sound files within every single game. A game like Golden Sun has a soundtrack that sounds...eeeeehhh...on GBA. Games like Pokemon or Mario sound fine, but Zelda, Fire Emblem, and Advance Wars are just begging for a remaster. I feel like the GBA was successful because of it's amazing library of games(shovelware aside), and it's compatibility with the Gamecube.  If you're into that stuff, I suggest you get one.
Thank you for reading, and I will try my best to stay consistent with these blogs. Hope you have a nice day.
]]><![CDATA[Bay Area #MakerFaire: May 15, 2015 ~ MediaDay]]>Sat, 16 May 2015 06:35:26 GMThttp://www.bayareagamers.net/the-blog/bay-area-makerfaire-may-15-2015-mediadayPicture
Today, we were invited for Media Day at the 2015 MakerFaire held in San Mateo. We had an opportunity to attend a press conference with Dale Dougherty, Founder of the Maker Movement, and Gregg Brockway, CEO Of Maker Media. 











I was able to get a picture with Dale Dougherty, that was pretty cool












Here are some highlights from the press conference: 

  • 12,000 Makers participating in the 2015 MakerFaire
  • Expected Attendance: 30,000-40,000 people
  • The spirit of the Bay Area promoted the creation of MakerFaire in 2005
  • Makers are selected by by how they seem to interact with others
  • Dougherty said that what he likes the most is how International MakerFaire events reflect the culture of the area. 


The 2 new programs that were emphasized were:

School MakerFaire: a guide to how schools can easily create their own MakerFaires

MakerSpace.com: the official online community for MakerFaire

The exhibits available on the preview day included Pilars of fire, Battleboat Arenas, and Many 3d printing exhibits. Here are some pictures. 
]]><![CDATA[M.A.D.E. Smash Brothers Tournament: 5/8/2015 Oakland, CA]]>Sat, 16 May 2015 05:48:05 GMThttp://www.bayareagamers.net/the-blog/made-smash-brothers-tournament-582015-oakland-caAdvisory Narrative
On Saturday, May 9, 2015, I went to a Smash Bros. tournament held at the Museum of Arts and Digital Entertainment (MADE). The MADE is a museum of... video games (and the fans Rejoice!). Admission is one dollar to play games casually, and $5 to play in the tournaments. I can't tell you what games are there, because then there would be no surprise. You will have to check out the place yourself to see. At the tournament section, there were Singles tournaments, which is one on one, and Doubles tournaments, which are two on two. There were a lot of TVs set up, so it was hard to get by in that small room. There were really good matches, and our team, called LTS (Last Team Standing) won the singles tourney. 


I plan on going back to the MADE to attend more tournaments in the summer.
]]><![CDATA[Guess who's going to  ---> MAKER FAIRE 2015!!!!]]>Tue, 12 May 2015 18:26:17 GMThttp://www.bayareagamers.net/the-blog/guess-whos-going-to-gt-maker-faire-2015Picture
Hey Everyone!!!


Look for us at the 10th Annual Maker Faire! We will be reporting on the great events. We also have been rewarded a PRESS PASS! We have opportunities to go behind the scenes. You can check us out in live time at @gamerofthebay on twitter. 


For more information, go to:  

http://makerfaire.com/
]]><![CDATA[CalDay 4/18/2015]]>Sun, 19 Apr 2015 14:30:10 GMThttp://www.bayareagamers.net/the-blog/calday-4182015Picture
On April 18, I went to Cal Day, at U.C. Berkeley. CalDay is an information gathering event where you can hear about college and gather information about what you can do afterwards. I mostly got information on sociology, which I'm learning at school, and media studies, which I kind of do every day(in a way). Not a lot of people there have heard of MetWest High School, where I attend. I also went to a seminar for new Psychology Majors (A major is what you study in school). Six students talked about what they did. They said that psychology gives you experience in research, social action, and data analysis. I learn this kind of stuff at school, as well.
]]><![CDATA[16th Annual Youth Empowerment Conference : Stanford University, 4/4/15]]>Sun, 05 Apr 2015 22:56:01 GMThttp://www.bayareagamers.net/the-blog/16th-annual-youth-empowerment-conference-stanford-university-4415Picture

On April 4th,  I went to the Youth Empowerment Conference at Stanford University. Here, we did a series of workshops where we talk about things like negative stereotypes and how they affect the world( but I already earned this stuff in school), and what it means to have a dream. Our leaders were mostly college students, and they gave us a tour of Stanford. It's actually a LOT smaller than I thought it would be. 


After one class (They called it workshop, but I know what it really is), we had a lunch of cold Subway sandwiches and a bag of chips, and members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated gave a step performance while we ate. We had three more workshops after lunch, which basically talked about the same thing. After that, we went to the closing ceremony, where we waited for the parents to come pick us up( not my parents, they went to see a movie)


There were a lot of other teens there, all from different parts of the country, which was pretty interesting. I didn't really like the conference, mostly because I've heard this stuff before, and it all felt redundant. It was nice to hear someone else's thoughts on each subject, though. Everyone who wants to know more about the world, or just wants to see a tour of Stanford, should go here. I hope you all have a good evening and/or Spring Break! 
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]]><![CDATA[HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND MERRY NEW YEAR!!! Also, Amiibo: First Thoughts]]>Fri, 26 Dec 2014 08:10:53 GMThttp://www.bayareagamers.net/the-blog/happy-christmas-and-merry-new-year-also-amiibo-first-thoughts
HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND MERRY NEW YEAR!!!

Hey everyone! I hope you had a good holiday! A week ago, I received Nintendo's supposed answer to Skylanders, the Amiibo (for the record, I got Fox and Link). They came out on the same day as the newest Super Smash Bros. on Wii U. They are little figurines of Nintendo characters like Mario, Link, and even Little Mac! The Amiibo figures give you cool stuff in the games they are compatible with, like Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and others.


1. Pros of Amiibo

I like how it saves data on a figurine. I just find that fascinating. Also, the amiibo get smarter as they fight in Super Smash Bros. After a while, they could actually beat me.(Never happening again) That is really cool. You can also customize the amiibo(called Figure Players in Smash Bros.) to your liking. If you like that kind of stuff, then buy one if you have a Wii U. 

2. Cons of Amiibo

The Amiibo can only save the data for one game at a time, which means you have to delete the data if you want to use Amiibo for other games. Also, they don't do too much in other games. Smash Bros. is the only place where you get the full experience.

3. Overall

I actually think the Amiibo figures are a good idea, even if they do practically nothing in games other than Smash Bros. They are fun to use and they look nice on my shelf. I highly recommend it if you are a collector, or just likes Nintendo stuff. Stamp of Approval. Score: 18.3/20.
]]><![CDATA[Sega Dreamcast (1998-2001)]]>Sun, 16 Nov 2014 06:19:34 GMThttp://www.bayareagamers.net/the-blog/sega-dreamcast-1998-2001Picture
I went to the Coliseum Swap Meet a week ago and picked up something I have been looking for for months, a Sega Dreamcast. It came with one game, Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age Of Heroes. I realized two things. First, I really had to have one, and second, I hadn't done a blog in a while, so I thought that maybe I could do a review of the console( and the last one by Sega, at that). Let's all take a look at the sad end to Sega's console lineup, the Dreamcast. 



1. The Console Itself

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The console itself looks like a cross between a PlayStation and Sega's own predecesssor, the Sega Saturn, which released in 1995. It looks simple enough, a power button, an open button, and some cords in the back,but it has 4 controller ports, as opposed to 2 on the Playstation( seriously, only 2 controllers?!). 


The controller itself is kind of awkward.


 It doesn't really fit into your hand, the memory card goes into the back, and the cord comes out the wrong way, but it did change the Nintendo 4 button layout from A, B, Y, X, to B, A, Y, X. The control joystick does not jam like the PS2 or GameCube, and the buttons are very responsive. what I really don't get is why it has no AV cables, and it uses this box that you connect to the TV through a cable. I'd expect that from Atari, or even Mattel Electronics! I'm talking about the Atari 5200 and the Colecovision, because they have those stupid boxes, too.

2. How do I like it?

Judging by the little experience I have with the Dreamcast, I'd say that this is Sega's second best console, next to the Genesis. We actually had more luck with this than the Genesis(It didn't work). I really enjoy playing Marvel vs. Capcom 2, which will be talked about next time. I think that this is a good item for any vintage game collector. By looking past its flaws, I really wanted a Sega product as well (Ironically, I traded Sonic Adventure for it). I give it my Stamp of Approval. I'll think about a name for the stamp. 


Score is: 18/20.
]]><![CDATA[Restauant Review: Raphael's Shutter Cafe, El Cerrito]]>Tue, 22 Jul 2014 20:02:32 GMThttp://www.bayareagamers.net/the-blog/restauant-review-raphaels-shutter-cafe-el-cerritoPictureHere I am with the Owner. His name is Otis. Raphael is his Son.


Raphael's Shutter Cafe
10066 San Pablo Avenue
El Cerrito, CA 
raphaelscafe.com 

If anyone remembers my old website, I did restaurant reviews. This is the first one I have done since I was 9 years old, so please be patient. This review is about Raphael's Shutter Cafe. (No, not the Ninja Turtle) 




This place is in El Cerrito, and it's located RIGHT NEXT TO STAND UP COMICS !! We were just coming out of Stand Up Comics, and we decided to have brunch there. I had the French Toast. Mom had a Denver Omlette. They were both really good. 


About Raphael's Shutter Cafe: 

The Cafe is owned by Otis. His Son's name is Raphael. Otis used to work for the El Cerrito Police Department. He has owned the diner for 30 years, but the Cafe has been around since the 1930s!
This place serves breakfast and lunch, but it closes at 3:00, so no dinner plans, okay?  

Thank you for reading!
]]><![CDATA[28th and B Skate Park (or at least that's what I think it's called)]]>Thu, 10 Jul 2014 04:24:24 GMThttp://www.bayareagamers.net/the-blog/28th-and-b-skate-park-or-at-least-thats-what-i-think-its-calledWhile I was in our capital, I went to this skate park for 3 hours a day. It was really a old storage building, but the founder put ramps, halfpipes, a bowl, and other... skateboarding stuff. There's an age range, so don't get any ideas. It is not like a summer camp, so even if you can't skate, they will teach you how to. I didn't do very well, but in my defense, I never skated before then. If you just happen to be in Sacramento, bring the kiddies! (with skateboards) and either just skate around, or go to Skate Camp like I did. (It's more important than breathing.) I know that this is a short post, and I don't have any footage, but this was from a month ago, so bear with me. I hope you will have a great summer, and GO TO THIS SKATE PARK!!! ]]>