Bloodstained’s Challenge: When History and Perception Collide

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By Peter W. Smorynski Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, a game Kickstarted into motion by Koji Igarashi in 2015 as the spiritual successor to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night may be having a public perception problem. This is undoubtedly in part due to the rocky road of its development cycle, which has included several lengthy … Continue reading Bloodstained’s Challenge: When History and Perception Collide →

Link’s Awakening 2019: Old Rumors rouse a New Reality

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By Peter W. Smorynski The rumors had been rolling in like waves for months…and then, suddenly, the dream became a reality. On February 13, 2018, during their Nintendo Direct, Nintendo lifted the lid on a Nintendo Switch remake of 1993’s The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening for the original Game Boy. As "The One More … Continue reading Link’s Awakening 2019: Old Rumors rouse a New Reality →

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link – How a Black Sheep was a Link to the Future

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By Peter W. Smorynski "Link set out on his most adventuresome quest yet…” So begins 1988’s Zelda II: The Adventure of Link on the NES, a controversial entry that has since been dismissed as the “black sheep” of the Zelda franchise—and is just as likely to be found in a list of classic '80s video … Continue reading Zelda II: The Adventure of Link – How a Black Sheep was a Link to the Future →

AGO+ Podcast Update: Introducing Youtube and Audio Download Options

Greetings, everyone! In search of the best way to deliver the AGO+ Podcast, we're offering new options. There will now be direct-download versions linked to this site, and AGO+'s Youtube channel will now feature every episode with bonus navigational features, so at home or on the go, you can have your media how you want … Continue reading AGO+ Podcast Update: Introducing Youtube and Audio Download Options →

AGO+ Podcast: Episode 1 – “November Gaming News”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1ERbjIasLM For a Direct-Download Audio Version, click HERE In this gaming episode of the AGO+ Podcast, we discuss the Nintendo Direct from November 1, 2018, zeroing in on the best of what's there, as well as what's potentially missing to make Super Smash Bros. Ultimate the ultimate entry. Additionally, Metroid Prime 4 rumors, Zelda rumors, … Continue reading AGO+ Podcast: Episode 1 – “November Gaming News” →

Godzilla’s Gigantic Pop Culture Footprint

By Peter W. Smorynski The ground shakes, buildings tremble, and screams of terror mix with shouts of hope. For over sixty years, all around the globe, there’s only been one monster who can elicit such a contradictory phenomenon. GODZILLA. Recently, I was approached by an acquaintance in academics to comment on how Godzilla affected pop … Continue reading Godzilla’s Gigantic Pop Culture Footprint →

AGO+ Podcast: Episode 0 – “Nintendo Direct 9/13/18”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaBRPNrchZY For a Direct-Download Audio Version, click HERE In this pilot episode of the AGO+ Podcast, we discuss the Nintendo Direct from September 13, 2018, recounting the announcements but also digging into them with analysis and forecasts that have become increasingly relevant in the interim, given recent reports about the video game industry. Along the … Continue reading AGO+ Podcast: Episode 0 – “Nintendo Direct 9/13/18” →

Smashing Directly into History – Why Castlevania’s Crossover with Nintendo Matters

Update 12/5/18: Click HERE for Direct-Download Audio Version By Peter W. Smorynski Swish! Crack! Whoosh! Hear that? It’s the sound of a million flickering candles being smashed! Friends, Simon and Richter Belmont from the Castlevania franchise are coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch! Wait, you’re more excited about King K. Rool, … Continue reading Smashing Directly into History – Why Castlevania’s Crossover with Nintendo Matters →