Euro Cup 2020 Preview

Even though this tournament is a year behind schedule due to Covid, the tournament is still being presented as the 2020 tournament. And I am so very glad that it is back with some of the best teams and players in the world being represented. The Euro Cup in my opinion is the 2nd most prestigious soccer tournament, after the World Cup. Considering the field of top quality there is no other international conference that even comes close to UEFA. The South American CONMEBOL would come at a distant 2nd with several quality teams (I will have a preview on the Copa America to follow).

In this post I'd like to highlight the teams, groups, rosters, stars to watch, and predictions. There are 24 teams in 6 groups of 4. The format is quite similar to the World Cup with 3 games in the Group Stage, followed by a 16 team knock-out round. It's different however in that the two top teams from each group will advance as well as the 4 best third place teams. I'm quite okay with this format, because quite often a very good 3rd place team misses out from the knock-out rounds. So without further ado here are the 24 teams and their best players to watch (including the players age, position, and club). I believe these tournaments are a great chance to scout the new rising superstars. 

Group A

Italy (Players to Watch)

• 
  Giorgio Chiellini (Captain) (Age 36) DF. Juventus
• Leonardo Spinazzola. (Age 28) DF. Roma
• Marco Verratti. (Age 28). MF, Paris Saint-Germain 
  
• Jorginho (Age 29). MF. Chelsea
• Lorenzo Insigne (Age 30). FW. Napoli
• Emerson (Age 26) DF. Chelsea
• Ciro Immobile (Age 31). FW. Lazio
• Leonardo Monucci (Age 34) DF. Juventus

Analysis: Always known for their defense, I see this team lacking in star quality upfront. However they certainly will be hungry for action after missing out on the last World Cup. I predict them to win their group, however to be eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Wales (Players to Watch)

• 
  Neco Williams (Age 20) DF. Liverpool
  
• Ben Davies (Age 28) DF. Tottenham
• Joe Allen (Age 31) MF. Stoke City
• Aaron Ramsey (Age 22) MF. Juventus
• Gareth Bale (Captain) FW (Age 31) Tottenham
• Danny Ward (Age 27) GK. Leicester City
• Daniel James (Age 23) MF. Manchester United

Analysis: This team made quite a splash in the 2016 Euro Cup, finishing in the Semi-Finals. They are especially of interest with their superstar Gareth Bale who has made it quite clear that he prefers playing for his national team rather than his club. 

Turkey (Players to Watch)

• Merih Demiral (Age 23) DF Juventus
  
• Caglar Soyuncu (Age 25) DF Leicester City
• Okay Yokuslu (Age 27) MF West Brom
• Burak Yilmaz (Captain) FW (Age 35) Lille

Analysis: This is a very young and hungry team and I predict they have the potentials to be a dark horse. I could see them finishing 3rd in the group, and maybe even into the quarterfinals.

Switzerland (Players to Watch)

• Yann Sommer (Age 32) GK. Borussia Monchengladbach
  
• Breel Embolo (Age 24) FW. Borussia Monchengladbach
• Granit Xhaka (Captain)(Age 28) MF. Arsenal
• Xherdan Shaqiri (Age 29) FW. Liverpool

Analysis: I think this team is good, but also they are in a very competitive group. With experienced names such as Xhaka, Sommer, and Shaqiri they could certainly cause some waves and surprises. However I predict they will finish 4th behind Italy, Turkey, and Wales. 

Group B

Belgium (Players to Watch)

• Thibaut Courtois (Age 29) GK. Real Madrid
  
• 
  Toby Alderweireld (Age 32) DF. Tottenham
• Jan Vertonghen (Age 34) DF. Benfica
• Axel Witsel (Age 32) MF. Borussia Dortmund
• Kevin De Bruyne (Age 29) MF. Manchester City
• Romelu Lukaku (Age 28) FW. Inter Milan
• Eden Hazard (Captain) FW. (Age 30) Real Madrid
• Dries Mertens (Age 32) FW. Napoli
• Thorgan Hazard (Age 25) MF. Borussia Dortmund
• Christian Benteke (Age 30) FW. Crystal Palace

Analysis: This team is stacked with superstar quality and after their 3rd place finish at the World Cup 2018, I would predict them to make another deep run. Their captain, Eden Hazard has had a terrible couple seasons with Real Madrid and will see this as a new opportunity to shine and return to his previous form with Chelsea. They also have one of the best playmakers in the world in Kevin De Bruyne and a top finisher in Romelu Lukaku. Under the management of Roberto Martinez I could see this team winning their group, making it to the semi-finals and maybe even the finals.

Denmark (Players to Watch)

• 
  Kasper Schmeichel (Age 34) GK. Leicester City
  
• Jannik Vestergaard (Age 25) DF. Southampton
• Simon Kjaer (Captain) DF. (Age 32) AC Milan
• Andreas Christensen (Age 25) DF. Chelsea
• Christian Eriksen (Age 29) MF. Inter Milan

Analysis: I consider this team slightly above mediocre, with a strong defense yet lacking goal scorers. I foresee some fiery leadership from GK Kasper Schmeichel however a lot of draws and subpar performance from the unmotivated Christian Eriksen. I predict they will finish 3rd in the group, and be defeated in the Round of 16.

Russia (Players to Watch)

• Denis Cheryshev (Age 30) MF. Valencia
• Artem Dzyuba (Captain) FW. (Age 32) Zenit Saint Petersburg

Analysis: I don't know too much about the Russian team, as most of their players play in the Russian league. However I do recall they had a great performance at the World Cup 2018, which happened to be on home soil. Since this team is in an easy group, I could see them finishing 2nd and getting eliminated in the round of 16.

Finland (Players to Watch)

• Robin Lod (Age 28) MF. Minnesota United FC
  
• Tim Sparv (Captain). MF. (Age 34) AEL
• Glen Kamara (Age 25) MF. Rangers

Analysis: This is the first time I can recall seeing Finland on the big international stage (World Cup or Euro Cup). I don't know any players on their team, however notice they have several MLS players for Minnesota United which is interesting. I forsee them losing all their games however and finishing last in the group.

Group C

Netherlands (Players to Watch)

• 
  Georginio Wijnaldum (Captain) MF (Age 30) Liverpool
  
• Memphis Depay (Age 27) MF. Lyon
• Daley Blind (Age 31). DF. Ajax
• Frenkie de Jong (Age 24) MF. Barcelona

Analysis: This team is always good, and suspect they will come out strong after missing the last World Cup. Memphis Depay has been in top form lately, and I could see him continuing his success alongside the young Frenkie de Jong. However the team has also had some unfortunate injuries of recent with Donny van de Beek and Virgil van Dyk. Their presence will certainly be missed, and I see this team maybe making it to the quarterfinals.

Austria (Players to Watch)

• 
  David Alaba (Age 28). DF. Bayern Munich
  
• Julian Baumgartlinger (Captain) MF. (Age 33) Bayer Leverkusen
• Marcel Sabitzer (Age 27) MF. RB Peipzig

Analysis: This is another one of the above average teams on par with Switzerland, Denmark, or Sweden. They only really have one superstar player in David Alaba, and the rest are mediocre players from the Bundesliga. Since the team is in an easy group however I still see them finishing 2nd place, and being eliminated in the round of 16.

Ukraine (Players to Watch)

• Andriy Pyatov (Captain). GK (Age 36) Shakhtar Donetsk
  
• Oleksandr Zinchenko (Age 24) MF. Manchester City
• Andriy Yarmolenko (Age 31) FW. West Ham United
• Rusland Malinovskyi (Age 28) MF. Atalanta

Analysis: When I think of Ukraine, I think of the superstar Andriy Shevchenko, and that's really about it. Well the Ukraine team once again has a new rising superstar carrying them in Oleksandr Zinchenko out of Manchester City. This young midfielder played a crucial role in Man City's recent league title. Nonetheless he does not have enough quality support and I forsee this team finishing 3rd with a long shot to make it out of the groups.

North Macedonia (Players to Watch)

• 
  Ezgjan Alioski (Age 29) DF. Leeds United
  
• Goran Pandev (Captain) FW. (Age 37) Genoa

Analysis: Just like Finland I believe North Macedonia is also quite new to the international stage. However they recently made quite a splash when they upset the mighty Germany. Any team that can defeat Germany (even if it is a friendly exhibition) deserves some credibility. Nonetheless I predict this team to finish last in their group. 

Group D 

England(Players to Watch)

• 
  Jordan Pickford (Age 27) GK. Everton
  
• Kyle Walker (Age 31) DF. Manchester City
• Luke Shaw (Age 25) DF. Manchester United
• John Stones (Age 27) DF. Manchester City
• Harry Maguire (Age 28) DF. Manchester United
• Harry Kane (Captain) FW. (Age 27) Tottenham
• Raheem Sterling (Age 26) FW. Manchester City
• Marcus Rashford (Age 23) FW. Manchester United
• Kieran Trippier (Age 30) DF. Atletico Madrid
• Jadon Sancho (Age 21) FW. Borussia Dortmund
• Mason Mount (Age 22) MF. Chelsea
• Phil Foden (Age 21). MF. Manchester City
• Ben Chilwell (Age 24) DF. Chelsea
• Reece James (Age 21) DF. Chelsea

Analysis: Granted I am a little biased as a huge fan of the English Premier League but this team is unquestionably stacked with star power. They also had a great showing in the previous World Cup finished in 4th place. The team has depth at every position with great playmakers in Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, and Mason Mount. They also have great leadership in Harry Kane, Harry Maguire, and their head coach Gareth Southgate. I believe this is England's tournament to win, and if they don't make it pass the semi-finals it would be a major disappointment.  

 

Croatia (Players to Watch)

• 
  Sime Vrsaljko (Age 29) DF. Atletico Madrid
  
• Ivan Perisic (Age 32) MF. Inter Milan
• Mateo Kovacic (Age 27) MF. Chelsea
• Luka Modric (Captain) MF. (Age 35) Real Madrid
• Domagoj Vida. (Age 32) DF. Besiktas

Analysis: The runner-ups at the previous World Cup still have a very impressive squad. Croatia always seems to play well at international tournaments and this one should not be any different. Their captain and playmaker Luka Modric, is getting a little up there in age, however he still has the ability to quarterback a deep run into this tournament. I foresee them finishing 2nd in this group and making it to the quarter-finals. 

Scotland (Players to Watch)

• 
  Andrew Robertson (Captain) DF. (Age 27) Liverpool
  
• Scott McTominay. (Age 24) MF. Manchester United
• Billy Gilmour (Age 20) FW. Chelsea

Analysis: Scotland hasn't made a major international appearance that I can recall since the 1990s. However the team isn't half-bad and has some notable star power quality in Andrew Roberston and Scott McTominay. They also have many players from the English Premier League as well as the successful Scottish clubs of Rangers and Celtic. I would not be surprised to see this team finish 3rd in the group and could see them playing in the group stage. 

Czech Republic (Players to Watch)

• Tomas Vaclik (Age 32) GK. Sevilla
  
• Vladimir Coufal (Age 28) DF. West Ham United
• Vladimir Darida (Captain) MF. (Age 30) Hertha BSC
• Tomas Soucek. (Age 26) MF. West Ham United

Analysis: I remember Pavel Nedved and Rosiscky but aside from that couldn't name any other Czech players. None of the names from this roster are familiar to me, however wouldn't be surprised if they could finish 3rd in the group. I believe them and Scotland will have a very tight battle for the 3rd place spot. 

Group E

Spain (Players to Watch)

• 
  David de Gea (Age 30) GK. Manchester United
  
• Cesar Azpilicueta (Age 31) DF. Chelsea
• Sergio Busquets (Captain) DF. (Age 32) Barcelona
• Alvaro Morata (Age 28) FW. Juventus
• Koke (Age 29) MF. Atletico Madrid
• Thiago (Age 30) MF. Liverpool
• Jordi Alba (Age 32). DF. Barcelona
• Adama Traore (Age 25) MF. Wolverhampton

Analysis: I believe Spain's glory years of 10 years ago have passed, which was made especially clear by not including Sergio Ramos in this squad. However their roster is still very impressive with experienced vets such as Busquets, Jordi Alba, and head coach Luis Enrique at the helm. I believe they should easily win their group, and could foresee them making it as far as the quarter-finals, maybe even the semi-finals.  

Sweden (Players to Watch)

• 
  Victor Lindelof (Age 26) DF. Manchester United
  
• Andreas Granqvist (Captain) DF. (Age 36) Helsingborgs
• Emil Forsberg (Age 29) MF. RB Leipzig
• Dejan Kulusevski (Age 21) FW. Juventus
• Emil Krafth (Age 26) DF. Newcastle United
• Alexander Isak (Age 21) FW. Real Sociedad

Analysis: Sweden made a great run in the previous world cup to the quarter-finals and once again have a very decent team. Victor Lindelof is probably the best known player from Manchester United, however they have represented players from all across Europe's top teams. I predict they will have a tight battle with Poland for 2nd place in this group, but still should make it out to the knockout stage even if they finish 3rd.

Poland (Players to Watch)

• 
  Wojceich Szczesny (Age 31) GK. Juventus
  
• Jan Bednarek (Age 25). DF. Southampton 
• Robert Lewandoski (Captain) FW. (Age 32) Bayern Munich
• Lukasz Fabianski (Age 36) GK. West Ham United

Analysis: This team has one of the best players in the world in Robert Lewandowski, however not too much of a support squad. I think they're ultimately a above average team on par with Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria. I believe they will have a tight battle with Sweden in this group and whoever wins that matchup should secure the 2nd place spot to advance to the knockout round. 

Slovakia (Players to Watch)

• 
  Martin Dubravka (Age 32) GK. Newcastle United
  
• Milan Skriniar (Age 26) DF. Inter Milan
• Marek Hamsik (Captain) MF. (Age 33) IFK. Goteborg

Analysis: This team made it's first European appearance in the previous 2016 Euro Cup and are returning once again as a longshot. They are led by their superstar Marek Hamsik, with his iconic mohawk. However Hamsik is past his hey-day, and I don't foresee this team winning a game at the tournament. 

Group F

France (Players to Watch)

• 
  Hugo Lloris (Captain) GK (Age 34) Tottenham
  
• Benjamin Pavard (Age 25) DF. Bayern Munich
  
• Raphael Varane (Age 28) DF. Real Madrid
• Paul Pogba (Age 28) MF. Manchester United
• Antoine Griezmann (Age 30) FW. Barcelona
• Olivier Giroud (Age 34) FW. Chelsea
• Kylian Mbappe (Age 22) FW. Paris Saint-Germain
• N'Golo Kante (Age 30) MF. Chlesea
• Karim Benzema (Age 33) FW. Real Madrid
• Lucas Hernandez (Age 25) DF. Bayern Munich
• Ousmane Dembele (Age 24) FW. Barcelona

Analysis: The returning World Cup champions will no doubt return to this tournament as the favorites. Their team is absolutely stacked with superstar quality, and could even field a B squad that could compete in this tournament. All eyes will be on their explosive superstar striker, Kylian Mbappe, arguably the best player in the world. However he is supported by a great cast of forwards in Griezmann, Giroud, and Benzema. The team has a brilliant pair of playmakers at it's center with Paul Pogba and N'golo Kante. Finally they have a solid defense of returning World Cup stars in Pavard, Varane, Hernandez, and their GK Lloris. I believe this is France's tournament to win, and anything less would be a disappointment. 

Germany (Players to Watch)

• 
  Manuel Neuer (Captain) GK. (Age 35) Bayern Munich
  
• Antonio Rudiger (Age 28) DF. Chelsea
• Mats Hummels (Age 32) DF. Borussia Dortmund
• Joshua Kimmich (Age 26) DF. Bayern Munich
• Kai Havertz (Age 22) FW. Chelsea
• Toni Kroos (Age 31) MF. Real Madrid
• Serge Gnarby (Age 25) MF. Bayern Munich
• Timo Werber (Age 25) FW. Chelsea
• Leon Goretzka (Age 26) MF. Bayern Munich
• Ilkay Gundogan (Age 30) MF. Manchester City
• Thomas Muller (Age 31) FW. Bayern Munich
• Leroy Sane (Age 25) Bayern Munich

Analysis: For some odd reason many critics believe Germany has loss a step, after their poor performance at the previous World Cup. However when looking at their roster and remembering the fact that they are Germany, I certainly could see them finishing atop this group and making a deep run into the tournament. Their no doubt in the group of death having to face Portugal and France, but still they should make it out to the knockout round. I think it's very likely that Portugal, France, or Germany will face each other twice in this tournament. I'm especially looking forward to the France-Germany matchup. 

Portugal (Players to Watch)

• 
  Rui Patricio (Age 33) GK. Wolverhampton
  
• Pepe (Age 38) DF. Porto
• Ruben Dias (Age 24) DF. Manchester City
• Cristiano Ronaldo (Captain) FW. (Age 36) Juventus
• Bernardo Silva (Age 26) MF. Manchester City
• Bruno Fernandes (Age 26) MF. Manchester United
• William Carvalho (Age 29) MF. Real Betis
• Renato Sanches (Age 23) MF. Lille
• Joao Cancelo (Age 27) DF. Manchester City
• Diogo Jota (Age 24) FW. Liverpool
• Joao Felix (Age 21) FW. Atletico Madrid

Analysis: The defending Euro Cup champs from 2016 will be another top contender in this tournament. Despite their very difficult group stage, I think it should be no question that Portugal will make it out. They just have to beat Portugal by a decent margin. This will most likely be Cristiano Ronaldo's last major international tournament and he certainly will want to steal the spotlight. But unlike their 2016 very fortunate and pragmatic run, this team is actually loaded with star quality. They have brilliant playmakers in Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Renato Sanches. They're also solid on defense. Portugal always seems to do well in the European competition and I forsee them making it deep into the tournament. 

Hungary (Players to Watch)

• 
  Peter Gulacsi (Age 31) GK. RB Leipzig
  
• Adam Szalai (Captain). FW. (Age 33) Mainz 05

Analysis: This team has a rich soccer history and probably isn't half bad, the only down side is they are in the group of death. For Hungary to somehow get a victory against Germany, France, or Portugal would be a major upset. I just don't see it happening, and see this group finishing without any points. Their best hope will be to score a few goals and not finish last in the tournament (most likely competing with North Macedonia and Finland). 

Top 25 Favorite Video Games

When I bought my Nintendo Switch a few months ago and emerged myself into Breath of the Wild, it quickly felt like a nostalgic trip down memory lane. As I've mentioned before I was an avid gamer as a teenager, but then took a fairly long hiatus after college. Well the past couple years now I have returned to video gaming as a recreational hobby. I came up with this idea several months back, to rank my favorite games from my childhood to my past few years of gaming. Granted I'm still nowhere near an expert on this topic, however I do appreciate good quality when it comes to entertainment, especially in regards to storytelling. Therefore I think this list will have some credibility, however ultimately it is my personal favorite list. 

Video games are essentially an interactive story and provide a similar stimulation as watching a movie, reading a book, or listening to a song. However unlike a movie, book, or song they require problem solving and challenging tasks to move along the storyline. This interactive format that can often challenge the player, makes the experience all the more rewarding when the goal is achieved. In a way it's similar to playing a sport or achieving some form of physical task. However video games are mostly mental challenges, (aside from holding the controller and pressing buttons). To experience a video game is a perfect balance of story and emergence. In a way it almost feels like you are in control of the story, as the player.

So my ranking will be based on several key elements. As I've just eluded to the biggest definer for me is a great story. However I also value overall gameplay structure, graphics, features, music, characters, setting, difficulty level, etc. A truly great game not only provides a great escape but also a good challenge that makes you feel invigorated. All of the games on this list sent me thru roller coaster of emotions; from frustration to total joy in achieving a task or defeating a boss. The games on the list were total emergence experiences for me where I truly felt transported and inspired by every aspect of the game. 

Once again I know there will be many critically acclaimed games not included which I myself have simply not played. Also I should mention that I have played all of my games on the Nintendo and Xbox Consoles. (Sorry PlayStation and Sega fans). Also I'm not including PC games on here, as I think that's just an entirely different experience. Since this is my first ever video game ranking, I will most certainly be updating it within a few years. Especially since I plan to take on Skyrim and Red Dead Redemption next, which I hear are considered masterpieces. For now though I will provide my first blush rankings, with a lot of the classics I grew up with. So without further ado here is my top 25 all time Video Game list.        

Honorable Mention

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (Xbox 360)

Mario Tennis (GameCube)

NBA Jam (Super Nintendo)

Mario Golf (GameCube)

Mortal Kombat 3 (Sega)

Goldeneye (Nintendo 64)

NFL Quarterback Club 98 (Nintendo 64)

Mario Sunshine (GameCube)

Top 25 Games

25. Street Fighter II

• 
  Release Date: 1992
• Console: Super Nintendo
  
• My Gaming Experience: I remember this being among the first video games I ever played for the Super Nintendo alongside the Mario games. The format was quite simple just an all out fighting match with a health bar status at the top. What I especially enjoyed about the game was the cultural array of fighters from Japan, USA, Russia, China, to Brazil. Each fighter had their own special abilities and persona, yet even more so their catch phrases. For example Ryu would shout out, "All You Can" when he did his trademark uppercut. Or Chun-Li's "Spinning Bird Kick" and her iconic giggle when she won. The game was fun with multi-players and I would consider this game and Mortal Kombat III as my all time favorite fighting games. 

24. Batman Arkham Asylum

• Release Date: 2009
• 
  Console: Xbox 360
  
• My Gaming Experience: It was in the fall of 2009, when I was juggling 3 jobs and living at my parents that I stumbled upon this game. I believe the format was a 1st-person action game, but still had lots of freedom for Batman to explore. The graphics were incredible, probably some of the best most detailed graphics I had ever seen at the time. The story was also very engaging as it put Batman in the midst of a planned coup at the Arkham Asylum that held all of Gotham's most notorious villains. The game featured pretty much all of the Gotham villains, with the Joker as the mastermind behind it all. Batman had great fighting abilities as well as many of his iconic weapons including his grapplehook which I enjoyed the most. I remember playing this game in the evenings was a great escape for me after a busy day of work. Here is my full review on the game when I played it in the fall of 2009 (see Arkham Asylum Review). I understand the sequel to this game Arkham City is even better however I have yet to play that game. 

23. Bounty Hunter

• 
  Release Date: 2002
  
• Console: GameCube
• My Gaming Experience: I remember this was the first game I really got into for the GameCube during high school. It was right around the time Star Wars Attack of the Clones was released. I thought Jango Fett was the coolest character ever and when I heard about this game I knew I had to get it. The game was very similar to Shadows of the Empire (just with better graphics). The story revolved around Jango Fett, once again as a first person shooter, traveling across the galaxy hunting targets. He has a very impressive arsenal of weapons including blasters, flamethrowers, and missiles. He also has a jetpack that gives him great mobility across various towns in the Star Wars Universe. 

22. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

• 
  Release Date: Oct 2013
  
• Console: Xbox 360, Xbox One
• My Gaming Experience: I played this game last year right at the onset of summer as it was the ideal time for a pirate game. The setting was one that I was not very familiar with, the Golden Age of Piracy during the late 1600s. The protagonist was Edward Kenway a Welsh privateer who took on to piracy and the Assassin's Brotherhood in the Caribbean. The game offered quite a unique structure focused more on naval combat and sea exploration. While there were still many mainland missions on the islands of the Caribbean the real appeal to the game was piracy on the open sea. To be able to raid, board, and loot ships was exhilarating and essential to upgrade Edward's power. Edward could even dive deep into the oceans to explore sunken ships and treasures. The graphics and setting were very enjoyable and it was nice to have free open-map exploration of the Latin American islands. 

21. International Superstar Soccer 64

• 
  Release Date: 1997
  
• Console: Nintendo 64
• My Gaming Experience: Right around the time I was obsessed with the Nintendo 64 I also developed a new love for the sport of soccer thanks to the 1998 World Cup. I remember watching every game of the international tournament that summer and just loved the whole passion of this international game. So naturally I rented an international soccer game before I really knew about the FIFA series. This game was International Superstar Soccer 64 and I spent so much time playing the game. Even though the players were all made-up the game included around 30 international teams. I usually played as Brazil and loved to play full seasons. I remember some nights on the weekends I would stay up all night playing this game. I also remember playing it with my classmate and soccer teammate Greg Messick at his house several times. It was thru this game that I really got to understand and interact with the tactics of the sport. 

20. Shadows of the Empire

• 
  Release Date: 1996
  
• Console: Nintendo 64
• My Gaming Experience: I played this game during the glory days of my Nintendo 64 phase and discovery of Star Wars. I think it was one of the first games I played after Mario 64 and was also a full submergence experience. I remember reading the book, yet don't recall if this was before or after playing the game. The story was set between Empire Strikes Back and Return of Jedi in which the protagonist was a rebel fighter named Dash Render. He essentially teamed up with Luke, Leia, and Chewie to save Han Solo and defend Luke against the wicked Prince Xizor. The game was a mixture of 1st-person shooter with some flying missions on the planet Hoth and in deep space. I've never cared for 1st-person shooters, but I couldn't miss out on this great Star Wars game. Dash had an arsenal of guns, blasters, bombs, and even a jet-pack. The gameplay, story, and graphics were a very enjoyable experience for me. 

19. Assassin's Creed III

• Release Date: Oct 2012
• 
  Console: Xbox 360, Xbox One
  
• My Gaming Experience: I played this game last summer in the midst of my AC phase, and loved everything about it (See Assassin's Creed III). Luckily I had purchased the re-formatted version with updated graphics and features. The game is set during the American Revolution, one of my favorite historical eras. It also features a Native American hero, Connor, which I thought was pretty cool. Aside from the main quest of hunting the Templar Order, Connor gets to explore Boston and New York City, and there is also a great Frontier map. Connor has the ability to hunt unlike any of the other games and with his catch he can trade and upgrade his equipment. I loved this wild aspect of AC, and also enjoyed the side quests of building a homestead community. 

18. Super Mario All Stars 

• 
  Release Date: 1993
  
• Console: Super Nintendo
• My Gaming Experience: Since the NES was before my time, I didn't really get to experience the releases of Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros 2, and Super Mario Bros 3 in the late 80s. These three games were the original Mario games which launched the franchise to iconic recognition. The games were later re-formatted and re-released for the Super Nintendo with updated graphics in the Super Mario All Stars. This combo package allowed the player to partake in the 3 original Mario games as well as the Lost Levels game. This was how I first experienced all the original Mario games. Even though I don't remember fully engaging in the games, I still enjoyed the side-scroller and whenever Mario had star power. I especially remember enjoying part 2 and part 3 with the abilities to unlock secrets to skip ahead in the game. Mario's ability to fly in Part 3 was also very cool.  

17. Zelda: Twilight Princess

• Release Date: 2006
  
• 
  Console: GameCube
• My Gaming Experience: I recently just wrote about this gaming experience in my Nintendo history (see Twilight Princess Review). Once again this was after my video gaming days during college where I made a full immersive dive back into Hyrule. I think I had been interested in the game via previews and hype but it was Gabriel once again who convinced me to play it. I remember I played and beat the game during my 3 week Winter Vacation between 06-07. I played it in Gabriel's room and spent many late nights unlocking puzzles, exploring the map, and defeating bosses. It was a great game with a great story and I enjoyed the support of Midnas, and Link's transformation into a wolf. 

16. Mario Kart Double Dash

• Release Date: 2003
• 
  Console: GameCube
  
• My Gaming Experience: This was our undisputed game of choice during my college years with my friends (aside from a little bit of FIFA here and there). I think it was the 2nd semester of my freshman year where I established a key group of friends much thanks to this game. I remember EJ, Karlan, and myself would visit the girls at the Teter Dormitories; Lauren, Sarah, Lizzie, and sometimes Lindsay. We would have major competitive matches of Mario Kart usually in Sarah's room. Since there were usually more players than controllers we made a rule that whoever finished last had to give up their controller for a round. This bond we shared kept us close all throughout college. We even started a Facebook group and competed with my brother's friends at Purdue. I also enjoyed playing this game with my younger brothers whenever I visited my parents in Fort Wayne. 

15. Roger Clemen's MVP Baseball

• Release Date: 1992
• 
  Console: Super Nintendo
  
• My Gaming Experience: In the early 1990s, my first favorite sport was baseball. I loved playing it and I loved following the Major Leagues. I remember playing this game quite frequently as a kid. Once again the teams and players were all fictional, however the baseball was front and center. There were several different styles of pitches to throw and the batter could be adjusted throughout the batter box. Timing was key when it came to batting. Fielding and throwing were fairly easy, just a matter of tracking the ball and throwing to the right base. I remember most playing this game with Reggie either at their place or at our place. The music was unforgettable as was the main menu where the umpire yelled "Strike!". The game was about the only baseball video game I ever really got into. 

14. Mario Strikers

• 
  Release Date: 2005
  
• Console: GameCube, Wii
• My Gaming Experience: This is about the only game that I really enjoyed for the Wii console. It was after my video gaming phase had passed that Gabriel had introduced me to it. Since I already loved the sport of soccer and the franchise of Mario it was the perfect mix. I believe it was in the summer of 09 that we played the game obsessively at my parent's house. I enjoyed how each of the players were put into one of three categories; defense, power, or speed. They also had the ability to shoot items, just like in Mario Kart. The game was total chaos, and yet still somehow featured the basic structure of the sport of soccer. Some of the stadiums were far more difficult then others with various obstacles. Power shots also made for an interesting dynamic, which were very difficult to stop. This game required virtual motion with the Wii-mote which often made it all the more intense and fun playing against my younger brothers.   

13. Star Fox 64

• Release Date: 1997
• 
  Console: Nintendo 64 
  
• My Gaming Experience: This was a great sci-fi piloting game that I enjoyed at the height of my Nintendo 64 emersion. I did not play Star Fox for Super Nintendo and was hardly familiar with it, but after getting introduced to Star Wars I was all about the sci-fi genre. This game was the coolest game ever, an all out intergalactic war fought on planets and deep in space. Fox McCloud was the captain of the Star Fox team with his 3 other teammates of sharp shooting pilots; Falco McCloud (the cocky ace), Peppy Hare (the elder rabbit), and Slippy Toad (the mechanical engineer). The Star Fox team was working together for General Pepper to save the galaxy of Corneria from the evil Andross. I remember Andross also had a team of ace pilots known as Star Wolf which made for an interesting dynamic. I remember this game being action packed and was even more exhilarating with the new rumble pack insert. The story was great and there was also a multi-player battle mode, which allowed players to fight against one another. I loved everything about this game and it reminded me very much of Star Wars or Independence Day. I'll never forget Peppy Hare giving tips and advice to Fox, such as "Do a Barrell Roll". 

12. Assassin's Creed Valhalla

• 
  Release Date: 2020
  
• Console: Xbox One
• My Gaming Experience: This is the most recent of the Assassin's Creed games, that I just spent the entire previous winter player. Here is my review on the game, (Valhalla Review).The game pertains to the Viking Age and the conquest of England during the 800s. The story and setting were interesting, but the graphics and gameplay were even more enjoyable. The gameplay was open format and non-linear with the option to chose how to progress thru the game. The map of England was enormous, and also included a very detailed map of Norway and Canada (known as Vinland). The main hero Eivor had a vast array of weapons, armor, and skills. One of the favorite parts of the game was being able to build and upgrade my homestead throughout the game. 

11. Mario Kart 64

• 
  Release Date: 1996
  
• Console: Nintendo 64
• My Gaming Experience: This was another great game for the Nintendo 64 that I spent a lot of time on. When I think of the 4-player games for the Nintendo 64 I think of GoldenEye, Mario Party, Star Fox, but especially Mario Kart. I never played Mario Kart much for the Super Nintendo however loved it for the Nintendo 64. I think what it made so fun for us was to race against family members. We would often have Mario Kart tournaments during the holidays, especially Thanksgiving. I remember I got so good at the courses in the game, I knew all the shortcuts and had several track records. I always preferred the Grand Prix races, but there was also the option to have multiplayer races and battle modes. Toad was my racer of choice at that time, who was the smallest yet also the fastest. 

10. Donkey Kong Country 

• Release Date: 1994, 1995, 1996
• 
  Console: Super Nintendo
  
• My Gaming Experience: Aside from Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Country was probably the next game we played most as kids for the Super Nintendo. The character of Donkey Kong was first introduced as a villain in an arcade game of 1981, where Mario had to save the princess. For the Super Nintendo console the character of Donkey Kong was completely revitalized. The game of Donkey Kong Country now provided Donkey Kong as a hero in a swampland, fighting against the wicked crocodile pirate King K. Rool. He was aided by a team of gorillas and monkeys including his side-kick Diddy Kong, his love interest Candy Kong (who granted save points), his friend Funky Kong (who provides travel points), and his elder grandfather Cranky Kong (who provides tips). The game provided a similar side-scrolling format as Super Mario World, with 8 worlds, with various stages, and bosses. The graphics were far superior then Mario with more 3-dimensional characters and villains. The soundtrack was also very enjoyable. It was in my opinion without question the best of the Donkey Kong games. Donkey Kong 2 was quite similar and enjoyable however this time it provided Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong as the playable characters. In Donkey Kong 3, the playable characters were Dixie Kong and Kiddie Kong. 

9. Super Mario World

• 
  Release Date: Nov 1990
  
• Console: Super Nintendo
• My Gaming Experience: Super Mario World was the first game I most remember playing as a kid, back in a time where we all awaited turns to play the console. The Mario Series arrived for the NES in the late 80s as the iconic mascot of the Nintendo console. Mario 1, 2, and 3 came before my time however I did get to experience all of these games in the joint release of Mario All Stars. However Mario World was a great side-scrolling journey through the colorful Mushroom Kingdom. One of the greatest features was that Mario now had a loyal stead, in the green dinosaur called Yoshi. There were 8 worlds in the game without about 4 or 5 stages in each world. At the end of each world Mario had to fight one of Koopa's children, and face Bowser at the end of world 8. This was a very enjoyable game and no doubt my first and most iconic experience of the iconic Mario series.  

8. Super Star Wars 

• Release Date: 1992, 1993, 1994
  
• Console: Super Nintendo
• My Gaming Experience: These games were very special experiences for me as it was thru these games that we discovered the Star Wars movies. I remember we actually rented them from a grocery store called Scott's and my mom explained the Sci-Fi movies to us. I remember we did not really know the order of the movies however and first played the Return of the Jedi game. We later watched all the movies in proper order to become familiar with the story, and instantly became obsessed with the franchise. I remember in those days we would often rent the games from a grocery store or a video rental store called Eye-on-Video. Video game rental stores were such a cool place in the mid 90s, and renting all 3 Star Wars games was one of the many experiences there. I remember each of the 3 Super Star Wars games consisted of side-scrolling and space flying stages. Throughout each game you could play as Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, or Chewbacca. I remember each of the games was quite challenging, but also very exciting and inspiring. 

7. Super Mario 64

• Release Date: June 1996
  
• Console: Nintendo 64
• My Gaming Experience: This was the first game we played for the Nintendo 64 as it came with the console Philip and I purchased. The game was very special to me, as it was the first experience into the new Nintendo 64-bit graphics. I remember the setting was quite unique in that Mario would enter paintings within a castle to explore a 3-dimensional world. Each world had about 7 or 8 stars which Mario had to collect by performing unique tasks, puzzles, or defeating enemies. I remember facing Bowser in 3d with the evil organ music, felt all the more intimidating and satisfying to beat. The game was just a very fun and new experience at the start of my video game immersion. 

6. NFL Quarterback Club 95

• Release Date: 1995-2002
  
• Console: Super Nintendo
• My Gaming Experience: Before Madden NFL became the most popular NFL game, there was competition from NFL Quarterback Club during the mid-to-late 90s. Around this time I was getting more into football (over baseball) and had begun following the professional league. My teams were at first the Miami Dolphins and then the Detroit Lions. It was thru the game NFL Quarterback Club 95 that I learned every team and star player in the NFL. I became very playing the game, calling up offensive plays and defensive plays. I also enjoyed the quarterback challenges that included so many star QBs such as Brett Farve, Dan Marino, Steve Young to name a few off the top of my head. Couple years later I bought the more recent NFL Quarterback Club 98 for the Nintendo 64. I still enjoyed this game but didn't put nearly as much time as I did for the Super NES game. 

5. Super Mario RPG

• Release Date: March 1996
  
• Console: Super Nintendo
• My Gaming Experience: I remember Super Mario RPG being about the last game I really got into for the Super Nintendo and was so amazed by the new 3d graphical format. Unlike most Super Nintendo games, Mario RPG was not a side-scroller but rather gave the player the ability to go almost anywhere on the screen. The combat was also quite different and offered an RPG format, that was turned base. Although this was my least favorite aspect of the game, I was just so blown away by the graphics and the story. In this incredible story Mario acquires a team of all stars to defeat the wicked Smithy Gang (including the Princess Toadstool, Mallow a cloud-boy, Geno the Wizard doll, and even his arch enemy Bowser). I don't think I actually beat this game, but still remember being so inspired by the gameplay, the medieval setting, the soundtrack, and the incredible fantasy story.  

4. Assassin's Creed Odyssey

• 
  Release Date: October 2018
  
• Console: Xbox One
• My Gaming Experience: I played this game last year around springtime, and was fully inspired by the gameplay, story, and the map of classical Greece. This game was the 2nd of my AC phase, and probably the one that really influenced me to play every game in the series. I wrote a full review here Assassin's Creed Odyssey Review. What I loved about this game so much was the historical premise of the Peloponnesian War (431-422 BC), and the freedom to navigate on land or sea. The heroic Alexios (or Kassandra) is a character who is character who evolves throughout the game, with constant upgrades to his weapons, armor, ship, and fighting skills. What I loved about this game more than the other AC games was the special fighting skills Alexios had. So aside from his usual sword/shield combat who has godlike abilities that can be called upon. He has limitless endurance and is not affected by impossible jumps from high buildings or mountains. There is so much to do in this game aside from the main story arc, which includes many ship missions and hunting wicked members of the Cult. The graphics, story, gameplay format, soundtrack are all incredible, but what I especially enjoyed about this game was the freedom to explore the historical (and mythological) setting of Classical Greece. 

3. Zelda: Breath of the Wild

• Release Date: March 2017
  
• Console: Nintendo Switch
• My Gaming Experience: I just recently wrote a full review on this game, (see Breath of the Wild Review) so I'll keep this summary pretty brief. After over 10 years with the Xbox, I switched back to the latest Nintendo Console just to play this Zelda game. I had seen my brothers play it for some time and after my Assassin's Creed phase I was ready for a new open-world experience. I of course had great memories playing Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess so I knew this game would not disappoint. It entirely exceeded my expectations, and I quickly lost track of time as I was once again encapsulated by the world of Hyrule. The game was quite challenging and several of the bosses and puzzles really took some strategical gameplay. The story was also quite riveting full of so much backstory. The map was enormous, full of great detail with so much to do and explore. The array of options and freedom Link has in this game is why I feel it is superior to the AC games and among my all time favorite games. 

2. FIFA

• Release Date: (1993-present)
  
• Console: Xbox 360, Xbox One
• My Gaming Experience: I became a huge world soccer fan by 1998 and my first soccer game I really enjoyed was International Superstar Soccer 64. I did not really discover the game series of FIFA until later in high school and college playing against friends. I remember excelling at the game and playing at our college apartments in Maxwell and Beech Tree. What I really loved about it, was that unlike the sports games I played before the FIFA series actually had the real rosters, players, teams, leagues, and stadiums. So not only was I enjoying the sport I love I was learning about the professional clubs and leagues in Europe. My first purchase of the series was not until 2010 for the Xbox, and I pretty much bought the game every other year after that (since the roster and players are always changing). I think I own at least 8 FIFA games, the most recent being FIFA 20 for the Xbox One. 

1. Zelda: Ocarina of Time

• Release Date: Nov 1998
• Console: Nintendo 64
• My Gaming Experience: This was at the height of my video gaming passion where the Nintendo 64 was one of my favorite hobbies. I'm not sure whose idea it was to take on this game, but I believe there was hype all around it (most likely from my magazine subscription of Nintendo Power). I did not play the previous A Link to the Past, so this was my first Zelda experience. I was instantly consumed by the medieval fantasy setting of Hyrule and the heroical story of the young Link. This was a game that I shared with my three younger brothers and we worked as a team to beat it. Everything about it was quite groundbreaking from the story, the gameplay, but mostly the 3 dimensional open-world format. To be able to explore and take on the game freely was what I loved most about it. The story was also one of my all time favorites still to this day (See Ocarina of Time Review). What I especially found very powerful about the game was how Link had to grow up in order to take on his adventure, defeat Ganondorf, save the princess Zelda, and then go back to his previous age as kid. He had so much support yet still this was quite an undertaking for a young kid and even a young man to take on the evilness of Ganon. It was such a heroic story, (on par with a romantic legend of King Arthur) and the character of Link is the true definition of a humble chivalrous hero who lets his courage speak for itself. 

Game Review: Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The past couple months I have made a full submergence into the land of Hyrule, via The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This is my 3rd Zelda gaming experience, and reminded me why I loved the franchise so much. This game was released back in 2017 and I had been very aware of the hype from my brothers and my little nephew. I had no intentions however to buy a Nintendo switch until I finished my year long phase of Assassin's Creed. I was looking for a similar open-world gaming experience, and the massive map of Hyrule was most recommended. So I decided to buy the Nintendo Switch, mostly to play Breath of the Wild and it was very much worth the purchase.

It took me a little time to adjust to the Nintendo Switch controls after owning an Xbox for the past 10 years but I eventually got the feel for it. It also took me some time to get familiar with all of Link's weapons and mobility options. In this game he can do it all, and there really is no limit to where he can explore. Another major adjustment for me was switching from the gory aspects of Assassin's Creed to a more colorful and cartoonish world in Zelda. That being said however the graphics were still quite detailed compared to most Nintendo games. The freedom to explore and take on this game however I chose to is what I most loved about it. 

The Setting

From the get-go of the game, Link was presented an enormous map that had to be explored and unlocked via giant towers. This tower aspect quickly reminded me of Assassin's Creeds viewpoints, that unlocked all the details of a region. Just like in AC, climbing each tower was no easy task, and some required major combat and problem solving. The towers also served as portals to quick travel throughout the map. There are 15 towers in the game's massive map, each that covers a vast and unique geographical region. 

Aside from the towers, were the many shrines that also served as portals yet also offered a vital heart or stamina expansion. There are 120 shrines scattered all throughout the vast map, some of which are very difficult to find or unlock. However discovering the shrine is only half the battle, and the real challenge is to unlock it. These trials are mostly puzzles, with a few combat trials, where Link has to navigate thru these underworld domains to reach the ancient spirit. Once he completes the puzzle, the ancient spirit offers him a sacred relic. With four of these sacred relics, Link can expand his health or stamina. So ultimately the shrines are very necessary to increase Link's power. 

The vast map consisted of all forms of terrains; from the green fields of Hyrule, to the volcanic mountain ranges of the Gorons, the rivers and water domain of the Zoras, and the dry desert lands of the Gerudo. These three tribes were iconic Zelda races that I recalled from previous games who always had a vital role in aiding Link on his adventure. However there was a new 4th species added to this game, the race of the Rito. I believe they were included in other games such as Windwaker, yet this was my first experience with them. The Rito lived high up in the cold Hebra mountains and took the form of humanoid birds. 

Aside from these vast regions of wilderness were many stables and small towns to visit. Both the stables and towns provided a nice break from the wild, where Link could socialize with other people, rest, and trade. The stables provided Link a system to board and recall horses that he had claimed throughout the map. The towns offered many side quests and various shops such as food, clothing, weaponry, and inns for Link to rest. Iconic Zelda towns returned such as Kakariko Village, Hateno Village, Goron City, Gerudo town, and Zora's Domain. New settlements included Rito Village, Lurelin Village, and Tarrey Town.  

There was never a dull moment exploring the vast map of Hyrule and this is truly the greatest appeal to this game. Just like it's title suggests, the map is a homage to outdoor wilderness and Link is navigating it with every tool and resource he can find. He can forge for berries and mushrooms, hunt, fish, chop for wood, and start a fire to cook food. Cooking is one of the great additions to this game that are vital to restore Link's health. Link also has the ability to create elixirs (by mixing bugs with monster parts) which grant him various forms of protection and strength. 

The map of Hyrule is also loaded with many outposts and enemies always quick to attack Link at first sight. These enemies are all sorts of monsters such as goblins, lizards, skeletons, ghosts, bats, octopus, jellyfish, and ferocious centaurs known as lynels. There is also the Yiga clan which are ninja like warriors. However fighting and defeating these monsters have various advantages such as collecting their weapons, rupees, and monster parts to sell or cook elixirs. However no matter how many monsters you defeat they always return after several days due to the very annoying blood moon. When this moon rises all wicked creatures are somehow resurrected, thus Hyrule is never fully free from Ganon's wickedness. 

Link's mobility to navigate the wilderness is quite realistic in this game due to the stamina bar. There is a limit to how fast he can run, how far he can swim, and how high he can climb. At first this was somewhat annoying, but then it made for a new challenge. There are many tools and ways for Link to get where he wants to get to or achieve his mission. It's always fun to have different options and ways to achieve a goal. Furthermore the stamina bar can be increased after four shrine-relics are collected. My favorite way to navigate in this game was with the paraglider and Revali's Gale which launches Link high into the sky.  

The Story

The main story of this game was a good one, full of backstory and details to the current situation. Link awakens from a 100 year slumber and is slowly reminded of how Calamity Ganon invaded Hyrule Castle and took the princess Zelda prisoner. He discovers that he was the chosen champion of Zelda, yet suffered injuries in their battle against Ganon and was put into a health restoration tomb for 100 years. Thus the game begins with Link recovering his memory and strength needed to defeat Ganon. 

Link learns about the ancient guardians and four divine beasts of Hyrule, some 10,000 years ago who defended Hyrule from the first Great Calamity of Ganon. However after a long period of peace, Ganon returned for a 2nd time, 100 years ago, and this time was able to turn the guardians and beasts against Hyrule. The king of Hyrule called upon the magical power of his daughter Zelda and a team of champions to defeat Ganon. This included Mipha of the Zora Domain, Daruk of the Gorons, Revali of the Ritos, Urbosa of the Gerudo, and the main hero Link. The champions were all defeated however, except for Link who was injured and put to hide in the Shrine of Resurrection.

In his present day adventure Link learns from an ancient Sheikah elder, Impa that in order to face Ganon again he needs to unlock the four divine beasts. This can be done in whatever order you chose and requires Link to travel to the four main races of Hyrule; the Zoras, the Gorons, the Gerudo, and the Rito. Each region has several quests required to collect the proper tools to approach the divine beast. Entering the beast is also a challenge, in which Link must team up with one of the local heroes to defeat it. Once inside the beast, it is like a temple of puzzles in which Link must solve to unlock. The final stage of taking back control of the beast is facing the boss of the temple, which is a phantom version of Ganon. Solving the puzzles of the divine beast were quite challenging and facing the Thunderblight Ganon (from Gerudo) was the hardest boss in the entire game in my opinion. 

Once you had control of the four divine beasts it was time to enter Hyrule Castle and face Ganon. What's actually quite interesting is you could face Ganon at the onset of the game, but it would have been nearly impossible. In order to face Ganon Link needs proper health and weapons, yet mostly because the four divine beasts will send a blast at him that will cut his health into half. Entering the castle was quite a challenge as it is heavily defended by the guardians with their deadly laser blasts. Facing Calamity Ganon was also challenging but not as difficult as Thunderblight Ganon in my opinion. 

Like most Zelda games however defeating Ganon was never a cut-and-dry task, and there are often various phases to defeating him. In this game after defeating Ganon inside the castle, Link must face the beastly incarnate version of Ganon (which is basically a giant bull). This boss however is not too difficult and this time Link is aided by the magical powers of Zelda. With his horse and the Bow of Light, Link just needs to hit the monster at key targets to defeat it. I defeated this boss on my 2nd try and was glad there wasn't a third phase. 

After defeating Ganon the game ended quite abruptly with Link and Zelda walking off into the sunset. This was probably my biggest complaint to the game was the abrupt ending to what was a very good story. Furthermore after the credits finished rolling thru, it appeared Ganon did not leave the game. While it was acknowledged that you beat him, Ganon was forever residing in the castle and map of Hyrule. I think this game could have easily created a universe post-Ganon, which would have been interesting to explore. 

Nonetheless aside from the main Ganon story-arc there is still so much side activities to do after defeating him. This includes unlocking all the shrines, discovering all the Korok seeds, and collecting so many other rare items. Ultimately the story was not quite as beautiful as Ocarina of Time, yet still very good. It offered so much new content and backstory to the Zelda Universe. I am very interested to partake in the game Hyrule Warrios which is like a prequel that takes place during the 2nd Battle of Calamity. I also can't wait to play the sequel to this game which I hear is in the works. 

The Gameplay

The thing that took me the longest to get use to, was all of Link's combat weapon options in this game. Every button on the controller serves a purpose for one of Link's unique skills or weapon uses. This ranges from the Sheik Slate, his sword and melee weapons, his bow-and-arrows, his shields, and his special hero skills. He has the ability the attack, counter-attack, dodge, and parry blasts. Precision and timing is key, where every enemy has a weak spot (usually his head or eye), and a carefully-timed dodge or parry can unleash a fatal assault. 

However just like there is a limit to Link's stamina, there is also a limit to his use of a weapon. This concept of a weapon breaking after several uses was quite an original one, and very frustrating at first. However it also adds a new challenge to collecting and choosing the right weapons for various enemies. Even the iconic Master Sword has a limit, but thankfully goes into a brief hibernation period and does not break. Each of Link's weapons have a power ranking, and the bigger ones pack a bigger punch but also take more effort to swing. I thought it was very cool to see Link collect and use non-common weapons such as tree branches, spoons, and even skeleton bones. 

The Shiek slate also made for a unique gaming experience, that allowed Link to use magical tools. This included a bomb remote, a time freezer, a powerful magnet, an ice block generator, and a camera. Every one of these tools was needed to perform tasks throughout the game, mostly in shrines, puzzles, and even fighting bosses. The bomb remote was my favorite and ideal for killing multiple enemies or unlocking hidden treasures within caves. These tools often offered Link alternative solutions to navigating and solving puzzles. For example the ice block generator was a good solution for Link to cross long rivers or lakes, if he did not have access to a sailboat or leaf. 

Another very interesting aspect of the gameplay is the constant moving time. This allows you to experience the map during the morning, afternoon, and the night. Most of the characters in this game are asleep at night which is cool to see. There are many quests and locations where the time plays a vital role. One big difference in the time is temperature changes from daytime to nighttime, especially in the Gerudo desert. Tracking time is necessary when searching for things or hunting dragons who usually move at sunrise. Link also has the ability to fast forward time by sitting by fires or by going to sleep at inns. There are also various secrets to uncover at night, notably the Fang and Bone monster shop. 

One of the features I always enjoyed from the AC games was the financial transactions and renovations and this game certainty had it's economic aspects. For starters the rupees were very necessary to stay at inns, board new horses, and make purchases at various shops. The great fairies also required large payments to unlock their fountains. Selling was also an option at stores and traveling merchants, and the stone gems sold for the best prices. There were two renovation goals in this game which I greatly enjoyed. The first was building Link's house in Hateno village, which required various tasks, funds, and resources. Although I wish the home would have been more detailed, I enjoyed the idea that Link had a home in the vastness of Hyrule. The 2nd and more enjoyable task was building Tarry Town, which included collecting resources and seeking unique inhabitants of the city. Once complete the town became a booming settlement of trade and resources.  

Aside from the main quest and shrines, there are so many side quests to take on to get the most out of the game. These usually take place in the settlements and villages where a townsperson is in need of a resource or requests Link to perform a challenging task. These side quests provide great content and also good rewards such as rupees or rare items. There are also many difficult beasts to challenge such as the lynels, giant hinox, stone talus, and the desert moldugas. Defeating these monsters are a great accomplishment that also provide a great wealth of weapons, money, and resources. 

The vastness of this game map is exactly what I was after when I purchased the game. It provided a very mythical/fantasy quality that the Assassin's Creed games did not quite have, which made for a nice escape. The story, music, details, and characters were all very enjoyable and it did not take long for me to truly lose track of time and get lost into this game. The character of Link remains one of my favorite fictional heroes for his humble yet very courageous persona. This game truly did live up to the hype and I would go as far as to say that it exceeded my expectations. It was definitely worth the double purchase of the switch console and the game, as I put so much time into it. There were frustrating, challenging,  and also very enjoyable moments, which makes for a great balance in a gaming experience. I would certainly have this in my top 5 favorite games of all time. 

Video Games: My Nintendo History

After a year long deep dive into the Assassin's Creed video game franchise on the Xbox One console I decided to make a switch to the Switch. This being the most recent Nintendo Console on the market, even though it was released back in 2017. I had been quite familiar with the Nintendo Switch design for some time now, watching my brother Gabriel and nephew Benjamin play on their tablets. However I simply considered the Nintendo franchise to be far too childish for my taste. The past ten years I have hardly played any Nintendo games, and preferred the more adult games offered by the Xbox (or even the Playstation). However I have recently decided to purchase the Switch mostly for one reason; to play Breath of the Wild.

After I finished my year long phase of playing all 20 AC games, I found myself at a fork in my video gaming road. I wanted my next game to have a similar open-world format, where I could truly submerge myself and get lost in the game. This is what I loved most about the AC games, and I knew there were many other games that had similar formats. Some options I considered were Red Dead Redemption, Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, and Shadow of Mordor (all of which I might still play). However there was one in particular that kept coming up in my research as one of the most critically acclaimed open-world video games, and that was The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. 

I first remember watching Gabriel and Andres play the Breath of the Wild back in the summer of 2017 during our vacation at a cabin in Kansas. I was quite impressed with Link's ability to climb and paraglide, but I was hardly much into gaming in those days. It seemed maybe a year later, Benjamin had begun his obsession with the Zelda franchise. Every time we visited him he was either playing one of the older games or Breath of the Wild. For the past few years I bought Benjamin all sorts of Zelda merchandise from games, books, toys, posters, etc. I remember even Philip had partook in the latest Zelda craze of Breath of the Wild and had his own game going aside from Benjamin. 

So although I was several years late to the Zelda BOTW craze I decided it was finally time to experience it myself. This game after all was voted best video game in 2017, and is regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time. However before I could purchase Zelda it meant I would have to also purchase the Nintendo Switch video game console. This was selling for approximately $300 on Amazon which wasn't all that bad, so I decided to make the purchase alongside the games BOTW and Mario Kart. So after a 20 year hiatus, I once again owned a Nintendo console, which is how my gaming all began. In this post I'd like to give homage to my Nintendo history. I will later have a history of my Zelda experience, a full review of Breath of the Wild, and a ranking of my all time favorite games. 

My Nintendo History

I remember many years ago as a kid while living at Park Avenue we were first introduced by video gaming by our neighbor Shane Stefanski. This was probably in the early 1990s when Shane would bring over his NES console and play Mario games in our TV room. We thought it was the coolest thing ever and Shane was the best gamer ever. Eventually we all got into gaming ourselves, and it was the Super Nintendo that properly began my engagement into gaming. In those days it seemed we always had family at our house and had to take turns playing the console. Some of my favorite Super Nintendo games included Super Mario World, Donkey Kong, Super Mario All Stars, NFL Quarterback Club, the Star Wars games, and Mario RPG. ( I was familiar with Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past however never played that game as a kid).

Then in 1996 Nintendo released it's new gaming console, the Nintendo 64, with it's cutting edge 64-bit graphics. In those days Philip and myself had been working Sundays at a newspaper factory, which gave us extra spending money. We decided to save up and split the cost of the Nintendo 64 and bought it the weekend it was released. I remember I was one of the first kids in my classroom to own a Nintendo 64 which felt pretty cool. I would say this was probably the height of my video gaming, and we bought and rented many games in those days. I even had a monthly subscription to the Nintendo Power magazine. Some of my favorite games included Super Mario 64, Mario Kart, Star Fox, GoldenEye, Shadows of the Empire, and especially Zelda: Ocarina of Time. 

I remember aside from it's cutting edge 3d graphics, the concept of 4 multiplayers really got everyone involved. I probably had some of the best quality time ever in those days with my brothers and cousins playing games such as Zelda, GoldenEye, and the many Mario games. However by the late 90s, I naturally began to shift my attention away from video games and more into sports, girls, and a social life. Around this time I was graduating from junior high and beginning high school. Although I continued to game on free time, I had grown more interested in soccer, friends, schoolwork, and impressing girls. 

I remember in the Christmas of 2002 our family got the latest Nintendo console, the GameCube. Although by this point I was not as avid a gamer as I was for the Nintendo 64 years, there were several things I immediately preferred over the 64. The first was the smaller controllers, the 2nd was the change from a cartridge to a game disc, and the third was obviously the better graphics. I think by this point Gabriel and Andres had taken mine and Philip's place as the video gamers in the family. One of the games I most emerged myself into for the GameCube was Bounty Hunter, which focused on my favorite Star Wars character Jango Fett. During my college time I remember especially enjoying Mario Kart Double Dash with my friends (we even had a Facebook Mario Kart club). I also did a full submergence into The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess during a winter break at my parents house in Gabriel's room.

By the end of my college years, I remember Nintendo released it's latest console, the Wii. Aside from it's very modern sleek look, this was probably my least favorite of the consoles. I remember it introduced the new virtual "Wiimote" which required a receiver bar, alongside the console itself. I often found setting this up to be an extra hassle and the controller was not always the most accurate. I think the only games I really got into for the Wii was Mario Kart and Mario Strikers mostly at family events. I never owned a Wii, and did not play much video games during my post college days in Indianapolis. I think it was in 2011 that I officially became an owner of an Xbox, thus ending my sole allegiance to Nintendo. 

My Zelda History

I could probably write several posts about video game franchises that I have emerged myself into. This would range from FIFA, Mario, Assassin's Creed, Star Wars, and so forth. I later intend to have a proper ranking of my all time favorite video games. But for now I want to focus on my past experience with Zelda games. Prior to playing Breath of the Wild, there are only two Zelda games that I have fully emerged myself into; Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess. However both games were incredible experiences, and made me a huge fan of the series. These past experiences were part of the reason I decided to return to the Nintendo console and emerge myself into Breath of the Wild.

Ocarina of Time

To this day I always claim that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the greatest video game ever made. The game is my undisputed number 1 on par with The Beatles or the movie Gladiator. This is of course my personal opinion and I confess not to be the most versed video-gamer, however I believe the game is still considered among many critics to be there at the top. The game was actually released in 1998, two years after the Nintendo 64 had already been available. I'm not sure what made us buy the game, since we were far more into the Mario and Star Wars games at the time, however it must have been highly recommended.

I remember from the on start I was so engaged by the fantasy setting pertaining to the young knight, Link, needing to save the princess Zelda from the evil Ganon. I was quickly encapsulated by the open world of Hyrule and the freedom to go wherever I wanted. Everything about the game was so groundbreaking, but what mostly did it for me was the incredible story. The young Link has to fast forward time in order to face Ganon. He journey's through the game with his consultant fairy named Navi, his loyal stead Epona, and many other companions. He eventually gets a magical ocarina which helps him transport throughout the vast map of Hyrule. What I especially enjoyed about the hero Link was his humble persona where he said little and let his actions speak for themselves.

Aside from the great story and unique non-linear gameplay it was also a great gaming experience with my brothers. It was a game we all worked on together as team. There were so many puzzles and tactics required in the game it really did take a support team to get thru it. I remember Philip and I did most the playing while Gabriel was our onscreen viewer, and Andres was our "Save-a-maroo" reminder. Each person played a vital role and we also got a guidebook to unlock all the secrets in the game. It was by far the most engaging video game I had ever played, where I was truly encapsulated by the story, the setting, and the challenge. 

Twilight Princess

I remember after Ocarina of Time, there were other Zelda games released that I did not partake in. Majora's Mask seemed like a spin-off from Ocarina, and the others I found to be far too childish (especially The Wind Waker). Also by this point I had somewhat lost interest in videogaming. However I do remember Andres really began his Zelda obsession around this time, and I would often watch him play the new games. It was during the Christmas break in 2006 when I became very interested in the latest Zelda release of Twilight Princess for the GameCube. This was because the game actually had good graphics compared to all the other Zelda games released after Ocarina. 

After hearing Gabriel's great reviews, I decided to dive deep into the game during my winter break at my parent's house. I remember setting up shop in Gabriel's room and spending most of my 3 week break from classes playing Twilight Princess. The game had the similar open-world/non-linear format that Ocarina and I was quickly fully engaged. With some help and tips from Gabriel, I was able to beat the game before I returned back to Bloomington. Some of the highlights I remember were Link's new consultant Midna, and his ability to transform into a wolf.  Ultimately I would say the story was not as good as Ocarina, however the graphics and gameplay were very enjoyable. 

Both of these games were full submersion for me and among my all time favorite gaming experiences. I honestly preferred the Zelda franchise over the other major NES games such as Mario, Donkey Kong, and Metroid because it was more medieval and fantasy like. I enjoyed the whole premise of the sword wielding warrior fighting monsters, talking to townspeople, traveling to far-off lands, and saving the princess in the castle. It was because of these two games, that I recalled my appreciation of the Zelda series, and decided to return to Nintendo to take on Breath of the Wild. I'm still quite a novice in the Zelda world (having only played 3 games in the series) yet still would say it's among my favorite video game series.