Gamefly Sucks

Their game availabilities are far too low. It pisses me off that the only service—that I know of—makes you wait for two weeks for a new release. Like I want to rent a bunch of old shit that's at the bottom of my queue because Gamefly didn't get enough copies of Blur or Alan Wake? Bullshit.

Gamefly Sucks.

Super Street Fighter IV FightStick Arcade Joystick (Tournament Edition)

Sucks. Definitely not worth the $150 price tag.

1. The Start and Back/Select buttons are on the opposite side of the casing from you. Which is obviously a ridiculous place for them.
2. The thing weighs far more than it should. At first I thought this was a sign of quality, I soon noticed that it's just a heavy-ass case.
3. The stupid glossy cover on the top is A) not shaped to match the rest of the casing—it's just a piece of plastic bolted to the body with a print below it—and B) gets more fingerprints than the back of a black iPhone.
4. The LP+MP+HP button (and its K version) are unnecessary. Like anyone competing at any tournament level needs a multi-function button?
5. Maybe most important is: Why would a "Tournament Edition" fightstick have a turbo button?

I'm returning mine and getting another HORI EX2 to replace the one on which that my dog decided to chew up the wire. It's definitely superior in that it's the same fightstick without the weight and without the heft price tag.

Anyone looking for a 360 fightstick would be a fool to not give the HORI EX2 a chance. If anyone has already bought a pair of the "Tournament Edition" sticks:

You paid thrice what you should've paid; and good luck with your turbo buttons, you big douche.

Super Street Fighter IV — More!

I am pleased to officially declare that I am impressed with the improvements they've made from SF4 to SuperSF4. You want some reasons? I'll list some:

1. Unlocking colors is easier and much more attainable, even if it's a little less rewarding.
2. The new online modes and improvements are pretty cool and were definitely needed in a BIG way.
3. I like leveling up specific characters. I think that experience based progress that you can show off is incredible important to long-lasting online gameplay.
4. The new stats that show you a player's "main character" are interesting and pretty revealing. Especially if someone isn't playing as their main character.
5. The replay channel and it's overlays of command inputs and stats is pretty awesome. It's damn near impossible to follow a lot of people's inputs, but it's fun to be aware of at least.
6. I love uploading replays! I don't know what requirements must be met, but I always feel like a grade-A badass whenever I get to upload a replay.

Now it's time for some things that I don't like—and even a few I hate:

1. It seems like it's harder to get less than an A in offense than it is to get an A. I end up getting an A in offense even when I didn't win a single round. In a game where the gameplay is built around being offensive the whole time (unless you're a douche), it should be harder to get an A. Unless there's an S! I, surpisingly even myself, haven't gotten higher than an A and don't feel like investigating the existence of anything higher.
2. I still miss parrying from Third Strike. After a lengthy discussion with a friend of mine, I've come to terms with the fact that it could be overpowered when playing online—but, focus attacks aren't enough to stop some turd from throwing fireballs from the other side of the stage until I run out of health with which to Focus Parry*.
3. People who play as M. Bison and are assholes.
4. Everyone playing as Juri and only doing the same two moves. You know the moves I'm talking about.
5. People who sweep like they only have the roundhouse kick button.
6. People who only know how to throw projectiles and EX projectiles, so that's all they do.

I guess that's it. The list of hate may be the same number of items, but don't let that fool you—I really do like this game and am pleased with where it's arrived relative to its departure.

I'm currently playing Final Fantasy XIII and already have a list of gripes and I'm only 4 hours in. So that's coming soon.

* I don't really know if it's referred to as Focus Parrying, but that's what I'm calling it**.
**Maybe just because I miss parrying in Third Strike***.
***Maybe just because I miss the deeper gameplay from Third Strike.