Video game violence: one gamer speaks out, and it's not what you're expecting

There is certainly a controversy surrounding the "threat" of violent video games. Some believe such games are harmless, while others believe they are a threat. I have personally concluded that video games do, in fact, have a negative impact on gamers. Why, of all people, do I take this stance? I'll tell you:

First of all, violent video games unavoidably cause bad thoughts. The road that leads to action is thought. Thoughts sink into our personality, becoming a part of our very being. I've seen the effect, not only in others' lives, but in my own life. Fortunately, I realized early on that it's something I don't want in my life, and thank goodness I did.

Secondly, violent video games contain appealing characters, and often glorify terrible behavior. The reality is, video games are no longer always about saving the world or defeating evil. One game might star a physically appealing character who participates in crimes ranging from stealing to killing...and for what purpose, one may ask? None whatsoever, in many instances. It's all for the sake of so-called "fun".

Think that's the worst of it? Well, consider this: there is a connection between the player of a video game and what happens on-screen. The onscreen character responds directly according to button presses, etc. that are performed by the player. It may seem insignificant, but, believe me, this interaction draws players into the world of video games in a way movies and TV can only dream of. Gamers don't just sit and watch what's happening: they control what's happening.

Being a gamer myself, I obviously have that unique perspective on why one might disagree with me. Even high-quality studies disagree with me. But it's not about whether violent games cause players to take a weapon to school and go on a shooting rampage. The real havoc occurs in a person's heart and mind. It plays out in a person's family. It demonstrates itself in a person's general behavior and attitude, not to mention their performance in other areas.

To me, there's nothing better than waking up late on a Saturday morning and snuggling in to play The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It gets even better when my younger siblings wake up and wander in to watch me play. There are quality, non- to light-violence video games out there. Pick up a good Mario or Sonic game. Check ESRB ratings. It really is possible to enjoy video games without guns, zombies, explosions, gore, gang-related activity, or even good-looking characters (I can't see Mario winning a modeling contest any time soon, can you?).

Now That I've Had the 3DS For a While...

The 3-D Visuals
The visual effect of the 3DS is astounding...when you can find your 3-D sweet spot. It's not something that I can show to many people at once. But it gives the feeling you're looking into a window to another world. This is especially true of the Mii Maker channel, where the little characters I've created look up at me, and I look down at them. It is a little bothersome that adjusting the system in my hands turns the screen blurry, but it's easy to overlook.

Built-in Software
It's not just the cool 3-D visuals that are cutting edge with this piece of hardware...it's the awesome little diversions that come in every unit. Augmented Reality (AR) games are played by placing little cards on any surface. The two outward-facing cameras on the 3DS pick up on which cards are on the surface and turn it into a gaming zone with a lot of mind-boggling features. Face Raiders is another game that comes built into the 3DS. Not only does this game allow the player to shoot friends' and family members' faces with tennis balls, but it takes place in whatever environment the player is in, thanks to the two cameras.

Games
So far I've got Steel Diver and Pilotwings Resort to play on my handheld 3-D screen. The controls in Steel Diver are hard to master, but the 3-D in this game is really pretty. It's mild (so I can turn the 3-D depth slider all the way up) but still impactful.  Pilotwings is a different story. The effect is very powerful, so I find it hard to look at with the 3-D all the way up. But the 3-D really enhances the game at about half-way down or less. Steel Diver and Pilotwings Resort are two solid titles.

What's Missing?
The only short-coming I can identify with the 3DS is that many of the important online features are missing at this early stage. There is an internet browser at the top of the main menu, but "it won't be available until a future update"? That's only half of it...I would have liked to see the eShop available at launch, but it won't be available for a month or so. The 3DS does have dismal battery life, but that doesn't bother me too much. Other than that, the 3DS is a cool little system. $250 seems like a lot to spend, but I'll get my money's worth out of it before the end. 

Club Nintendo...'Nuff Said

Ah, the joy of getting free stuff...there's no comparison. And for a huge Nintendo fan like myself, it's about ten times better when that stuff is exclusive Nintendo gear. Club Nintendo is a great two-way process that benefits both Nintendo and its fans. Take ten minutes to register your Nintendo product, take a survey, and watch the coins flow into your account. Have the patience to collect a lot of coins, and you too can find amazing stuff waiting in your mailbox. What exactly makes this program so great?

A Huge Variety of Stuff to Choose From
Rewards range from 10-coin screensavers you can instantly download on your computer to re-created Game & Watch systems at a whopping 1200 coins. Need a matching set of Nintendo-themed folders and bookmarks for school? Club Nintendo has you covered! Want a cool, sleek case for your Nintendo DS Lite? Club Nintendo's got your back! Bags of all shapes and sizes, playing cards decorated with Nintendo characters, multi-colored Wii remote straps, Mario and Zelda posters...this is just a taste of what's up for grabs

Accumulate Enough Coins to Qualify for Special Rewards
Earn enough coins in any given year (July 1-June 30) to achieve gold, then platinum status. Not only do you get a cool badge on your Club Nintendo page, but you will also receive extra-cool rewards. Spending your hard-earned coins on other rewards throughout the year doesn't negate your progress toward gold or platinum status, so spend all you want and keep that elite status intact!

Other Benefits
Set up a family account, receive (or choose not to receive) e-mail newsletters from Nintendo, post in the official Nintendo forums, and enjoy being part of Nintendo culture with Club Nintendo. Your experience may be invaluable to a fellow Nintendo fan who has posted a question in the forums. You yourself may receive much-needed help in the forums.

So go on and enjoy your Nintendo products, but don't forget to spend that 10 minutes on Club Nintendo! I promise it is worth it if you frequently purchase Nintendo games and systems.

Owning 3DS: Day One

I was a little late getting a Nintendo 3DS system. I opted with amazon.com for my big purchase, and got my 3DS early yesterday. So it's been a little over a day! What an experience! As I began to use the system, it counted down to the moment the 3D effect would turn on. To be honest, this initial demonstration was anti-climatic. The good stuff would come later with the variety of menu displays (yes, even the menu displays are cool in 3D) and the use of built-in software.

At this point, I haven't played much Augmented Reality or Face Raiders, but I am impressed by what I have seen. For the most part, I am able to keep the 3D depth slider as high as it will go, but I occasionally slide it down half-way when I discover my eyes are tiring.

The fun of 3DS has been showing it to my family members and friends. I have watched the same awe again and again with each new person. "It's like there's a little 'me' in the system!" exclaimed my brother as he viewed the 3D photo I had taken of him. "This is cooler than Xbox 360 or even the Kinect!" a friend raved after experiencing Augmented Reality. The most common response of all was simply "that is really, really cool."

Day one: success!

Nintendo Music: Midna's Desperate Hour

Combining two of my favorite things, this post is about a piece of music from a Nintendo game, which you can listen to below:

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is one of my favorites, and this music is a nice remix of the theme that plays during, obviously, Midna's desperate hour. I say "nice", but I actually mean "incredible". This moment in the game is one during which I nearly cried (actually, I probably did cry; it's been a long time!). I don't want to give too much away about the game, so I'll dive right in to talking about this tune.

It begins much like the original: a simple, albeit moving, melody on the piano. About a minute through the remix, the real changes occur. What I love about this remix is that it remains true to the original. In fact, it enhances the original. One addition I find particularly alluring is the sound of rain a little over two minutes in.

I'll leave you to listen without any more commentary. Enjoy!