One of the strange joys of being a longtime Final Fantasy fan is that no two games ever feel like they belong to the same universe. You can boot up one entry and find yourself in a medieval kingdom with knights and crystals. Boot up the next and you're navigating an industrial empire full of … Continue reading From Cornelia to Ivalice: A Tour of Final Fantasy’s Greatest Worlds
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Why Final Fantasy Still Matters (Even If You’ve Never Played It)
I was ten years old when I picked up the original Final Fantasy for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was 1990, North America had just gotten its hands on the game, and I had absolutely no idea what I was getting into. I'd never played a Japanese role-playing game before. I didn't know what hit … Continue reading Why Final Fantasy Still Matters (Even If You’ve Never Played It)
The Nintendo That Taught Me I’m Bad at Gifts: A Christmas Story
Welcome to Day 10 of Blogmas 2025, where I continue to prove that yes, I can write about Christmas every single day for 25 days straight, even if it kills me (spoiler: it might). For those just tuning in, Blogmas is my annual December marathon of holiday-themed posts, because apparently I hate having free time … Continue reading The Nintendo That Taught Me I’m Bad at Gifts: A Christmas Story
The Sound of Solitude: How Music Shapes the Atmosphere of Metroid
When bounty hunter Samus Aran first stepped onto the alien world of Zebes in 1986, players encountered something different – not just in what they saw, but in what they heard. Or rather, what they didn't hear. In an era when video game music meant catchy melodies and upbeat tunes, Metroid's soundtrack dared to whisper, … Continue reading The Sound of Solitude: How Music Shapes the Atmosphere of Metroid
Super Mario Bros. 2: The Unique Development Story and Its Impact
In the annals of video game history, few titles have a development story as intriguing as Super Mario Bros. 2. Released in North America in 1988, this sequel to the groundbreaking Super Mario Bros. took the gaming world by storm, but not in the way anyone expected. Its journey from concept to console is a … Continue reading Super Mario Bros. 2: The Unique Development Story and Its Impact
Gaming Nostalgia
As someone who grew up in the late 80s and early 90s, there are few things that take me back to my childhood quite like firing up one of my old favorite Nintendo games. After reminiscing about the PlayStation 2 era recently, I got to thinking about some of the true OG classics from the … Continue reading Gaming Nostalgia
Soundtracks for Gaming Adventures
Hey there, fellow gamers and pixelated adventurers! Today, we're diving headfirst into the magical world of video game music. If you've ever wondered why that one tune from your favorite game still lingers in your head years after you've saved the princess or defeated the final boss, then you're in the right place. We're going … Continue reading Soundtracks for Gaming Adventures
Why We Now Hate Best Buy & Nintendo
Monday morning, I woke up and watched the news, as I do most mornings. While watching the local newscast, I was excited to hear their announcement that Best Buy would have Nintendo's NES Classic in stock. This was exciting because, when I first heard about this Nintendo product several months ago, I really wanted one. … Continue reading Why We Now Hate Best Buy & Nintendo
The Confusing Middle 