Hey Fair Gamers!

Welcome back to another episode of my Spooktober Series.

Today I'll be going over one of my favorite Gamecube games: Luigi's Mansion.

Although it doesn't exactly fit the horror genre, Luigi's Mansion is a perfect fit for this episodic adventure.

Now if you're ready for some ghost busting fun, who ya gonna call? Luigi Mario!

-Scott-

​Fair Game Technician

Hey Fair Gamers!

Join me and Heather in a journey through the darkness in Silent Hill 3 for PS2!
Dark, dreary, and full of things that go bump in the night, the Silent Hill family of games is perfect for this month!
Dim the lights, grab your favorite pair of headphones crank up the volume and get ready for Episode 2 of my Spooktober Series!

- Scott - Fair Game Technician

Hey, Fair Gamers!

Throughout the month of October, I'll be bringing to you some Horror Genre gameplay. 
Welcome to (drumroll) SPOOKTOBER!!!

To start off Spooktober, I'll be bringing to you Resident Evil 2 for the original Playstation.

I'll be going into some of the personal history of this game, and will be showing some zombie blasting, head crushing, jumpscaring fun.

So dim the lights, grab your favorite pair of headphones, crank up the volume, and let the games begin!

Stay tuned this month for more Horror Genre content with me!

-Scott-
Fair Game Repair Technician

Risk of Rain 2 is quite a game.

With its cell-shaded design and rogue-like gameplay, it will always keep the session fresh with currently playable characters being Commando, Mercenary, Artificer, Rex, Huntress, Engineer, MUL-T, and Loader. With more characters on the way and even more stages and bosses/enemies there is always something to do in the game. 

Each run has randomized loot and stages with all the chests spawning in random locations. There are normal items and "Lunar" items. Lunar items are always powerful, but they always have a catch to them. You can earn items by finding them in the world and doing challenges. With up to 4 players, there will be more enemies and loot per added player, but nobody shares loot, so trying to balance out the items can be tricky. Also if a player dies, they will be unable to be revived until the next stage, and each stage the difficulty will increase by a large amount, while the difficulty always slowly increases the longer you live. 
So if you choose to play with friends, be careful that they do not loot-ninja all your gear.

Hey Fair Gamers, thanks for tuning in!

Join me with Sora, Donald, and Goofy in episode 2 of my Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix Japanese Version Critical Level 1 Challenge. During this challenge, I am also going to be solely using the Kingdom Key as my main weapon, and not having King Mickey save me. This week, I'm going over some of the most important beginning fights we'll encounter, along with strategies for them. 

This week's challenge is more intense than last time.

Let's see if you can keep up!

- Scott, Fair Game Repair Technician 

Valkyria Chronicles is fun becuase it has a slight spin on an average turn based game as far as I can tell, with a comic book-esque style to it and using actual range and not telling you how much you are actually going to hit other than "Your shots will land in this circle we give you" and how each weapon has its own weaknesses and strengths.

Some characters are fond of certain people, and will gain bonuses when fighting nearby. Each character has their own unique personality and stats; some people may also be more fond of being in close streets while others gain benefits from being in the open fields, or on sandy areas. Others, for example, have allergies or such that make them perform worse in certain areas, or they might have low confidence so if they are being shot at, so they have reduced stats.

Each class has its own role: Scouts are an all-around class, Shock Troopers are resistant to bullets and explosives, but have low accuracy, Snipers have low health but high range, Engineers can repair barriers and tanks, and Lancers are anti-armor units. If a unit falls in battle, you get three turns to get to them or before an enemy can finish them off if you want to save them, So make sure you stay in cover when you can or keep another person close by. 

- Steven

Hey Fair Gamers!
Join me in Hyrule for my Three Heart Challenge in The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time this week! I have the three Spiritual Stone bosses, a miniboss, and some Easter Eggs to share with you. The goal of this challenge is to beat the game with no more than a total of 3 hearts! Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll catch you next week with another let’s play of Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix Japanese Critical Level 1 Challenge! It’s gonna be intense!
-Scott-
Fair Game Repair Technician 

 Released on October 20th, 1997 (March 27th, 1998, in Japan), The Super Nintendo Model 2 (aka “Junior”, “Mini”, or “Super Famicom Jr.” in Japan), is a slimmed down variation of the original Model 1 (aka “Fat”) Super Nintendo console. It was released as a budget console by Nintendo, for those that were looking for a cheaper way to get into gaming, but were put off by the high prices of the latest consoles of the time (Nintendo 64, PlayStation, and Sega Saturn). 

  Aside from cosmetic and size differences, there are a number of internal differences as well.  For one, there is no eject mechanism (mainly because there is no eject button, to begin with), inside the lid of the Super Nintendo Model 2. In addition, the internals have been slimmed down considerably with a single chip solution that was introduced late into the Super Nintendo’s lifetime with the Model 1 consoles, often referred to as “1-Chip” models. These revisions of the Model 1 Super Nintendo consoles are often sought-after by people looking to get the best possible picture quality from their Super Nintendo, as they are considerably sharper than most other revisions of the Super Nintendo previously released. 

​There are also a couple issues with the Super Nintendo as a whole. One of which applies to every Super Nintendo, and one that applies only to the Super Nintendo Model 2. Since this article is about the Model 2, let’s get its unique issue out of the way.
  Unlike all Model 1 Super Nintendo consoles, the Model 2 lacks any native RGB or S-Video output, on its AV Multi-Out. This is a huge problem, if you plan on using any of the Super Nintendo HDMI cables, HD Retrovision’s excellent Super Nintendo Component cables, or an RGB SCART/S-Video set up with a video processing device of your choice. While the games are still playable with the standard Composite cables (Yellow for Video, White for Left Audio, Red for Right Audio), the picture quality is far from perfect. Acceptable on older CRT TVs, but looks incredibly messy on any digital display. A comparison of video signals will be posted in the same article, further down.
 
​The other issue that the Model 2 suffers from, that also plagues every other Super Nintendo console, is lack of proper power filtering. When Nintendo was manufacturing the Super Nintendo, they did whatever they could to keep costs low. To achieve this, they removed almost all of the necessary power filtering capacitors, to ensure a clean voltage signal is flowing through the Super Nintendo. With launch model Super Nintendo consoles, and every Super Famicom console, they did keep the main filter capacitor intact. However, Nintendo of America made sure to remove that same capacitor in every other Super Nintendo console after launch, to save more money on manufacturing. As a result, the Super Nintendo is susceptible to failing prematurely, because of the unclean 5 volt power, flowing through the console. The Model 2 has much better power filtering, but the North American Model 2 still lacks the main power filtering capacitor. 

So with all that being said, the Model 2 is looking to be one of the worst possible Super Nintendo models to get, right? Well, not quite. Despite the limitations, it is still sought after by hardcore retro enthusiasts, and videophiles for retro gaming. Why is that? Because the higher quality video signals still exist on the Model 2, they just aren’t wired to the multi-out. All that we need to do is to restore those lost signals. While we are at it, might as well install the missing filter capacitors. This is exactly what happened to this gem of a console…
 
 Behold, the new and improved Super Nintendo Model 2!!

​On the outside, it looks nearly identical to a stock Super Nintendo Model 2. But on the inside, much has changed. For one, all the capacitors have been replaced, to ensure that it stays going for more years to come. In addition, the voltage regulator has been replaced with a more efficient regulator, and the missing power filtering capacitors have been added to the PCB, to ensure that this console no longer has that vertical white bar, and it will last much longer than stock consoles.

  In addition to the new capacitors, RGB and S-Video has been restored on this console using Voultar’s excellent SNES RGB bypass kit! So now, we aren’t stuck with barebones Composite video, and we can use the higher quality video cables that stock Super Nintendo Model 1 consoles can use. Once more, the picture quality is far superior than most of those Model 1 consoles, as the Model 2 is said to have the sharpest RGB video out of all the Super Nintendo consoles. As an added finish, we also replaced C11 with a new ceramic capacitor, to fix the infamous “ghosting” issue that plagues the 1-Chip line of consoles. So now everything is pixel perfect!

​  So, what kind of quality can we expect with all this? Well, here are some direct screenshots from my personal Sony PVM. I will let them speak for themselves.

At last, there are some other modifications done to the console that, while not necessary for functionality of the hardware, is nice to have. For one, an LED was added to the console, to indicate that it is indeed getting power. In addition, the tabs inside the cartridge slot have been cut out, to allow us to play Super Famicom games without the need of an adapter.

Overall, the modded Super Nintendo Model 2 is quite the jewel of a console. It does take some work to get going, but the results are absolutely stellar. However, it does come at a cost, due to all the work that is put into it. On the rare occasion we have these in, it costs $159.99, with tax. That might be a lot of money for something like this, but for what you are getting with that money, I believe the results speak for themselves.
  Credit goes to Voultar, for making the fantastic RGB Bypass kit for the Super Nintendo, and Ace for the information on proper power filtering of the hardware. Links will be provided to their YouTube channels, if you want to check out what they have going. And until next time Fair Gamers, Stay Strong and Game On!!
Voultar: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiUAFHtzv_2xJHEjWlk1fOw
Ace: https://www.youtube.com/user/Ace9921

​I heard No Man's Sky was updated for the better and thought I'd check it out. As it turns out, it's my new favorite game. I had heard of issues with the previous version being desolate and boring with practically nothing to do, they definitely fixed that. 
I want to call No Man's Sky the grown up version of Spore, but that wouldn't do it justice. 
So long, real life responsibilities, I have solar systems to explore.

- Willa

                                                                                       Hey guys!
     So after long days of repairing and testing out all the functions of consoles, I still like to go home and play video games. This week, I'll be going over Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix Japanese for PS2. I've decided to do a Critical Mode Level 1 challenge, and go over some of the details I find helpful. Now, some of you will most likely be trying out this challenge on PS4 (the Final Mix games are also available on PS3), the tips and strategies will be the same. For this challenge, I am using a Logitech wireless PS2 controller for its responsiveness.

     Twilight Thorn: So, fighting Twilight Thorn can be pretty simple. Use Reaction Commands to dodge his fists, lightning ball, and lightning waves he sends at you (bear in mind that you will also have to watch out for the Creeper Nobodies). Now, you may want to stock up on potions that drop from the Dusk Nobodies that appear before this battle, otherwise you can destroy Creepers in this battle for big health orbs. Other than that, time your reaction commands correctly, and take a shot when you see an opening.

     Struggle Battle Hayner: Hayner can be tricky sometimes. He can recover pretty quick from an attack and retaliate with a heavy blow, as well as do normal heavy damage and can e slightly fast otherwise. Now, for Struggling you need only one more orb than your opponent to win the match. So mind those counters up top! But, you want to make sure that you have Guard and Aerial Recovery equipped in you Abilities List. Guard, parry, attack, and jump. Hayner leaves himself open a lot, and can be fairly simple.

     Struggle battle ViVi: ViVi can be quick, and very unpredictable at times. He also has a long range. His attacks can do pretty heavy damage, and he quickly jumps around a lot. With the right timing of guard and jumping, it can be made an easy task. Aerial Recovery can be very helpful if he knocks you back. Also, luckily enough ViVi has a very small health bar.

     Struggle Battle Dusk Nobodies: Dusks can be really easy most of the time (in Critical Level 1, they can defeat you in a pinch). Reaction Command them to confuse, hit twice, R.C again, hit twice, repeat until defeated. Doing this should help you take less or no damage.

     First Fight With Axel: Axel can be suuuuper tough. He's quick, hits hard, and can break your combo! (Watch out for combo break) If you guard and parry his attacks he can get knocked back, and that will be your time to attack. He will also tire out, and take a squat. Attack him then as well. Try to run or jump out of the way after each time you get a decent combo. Be sure to have potions for Axel.

     Struggle Battle Setzer: Now, I chose to throw the match with Setzer. The reason I threw the match is that in doing so, he hands over a medallion that increases your attack by 1 which is very helpful in my opinion in the beginning and for this challenge. If you decide to win, you will be granted a Champion Belt which decreases lightning, fire, and ice attacks by 20%. Setzer is really easy mostly. He tends to leave himself open a lot. His attacks can be easily guarded or parried, and he is very slow with little health.

     Dusks + Assassins: Don't forget to R.C with the Dusks. Easy. The Assassin Nobodies can be worrisome, but it's okay. Guard (preferably) against their attacks. They roll back forever when guarded. You may also parry their attacks, but they have a quicker chance to lash back out at you. Watch out for their self destruct move! 
 
     Second Fight With Axel: This fight with Axel is the same, yet very different as the first. This fight, you are granted two keyblades. This makes it so you cannot guard attacks. Axel uses all the attacks from the first battle (but stronger), except this time he leaves himself open for Reaction Command. When Axel jumps into the fire, target him, step aside slightly, and Reaction Command him. In this battle, aerial attacks are most helpful. Be sure to have potions.

     In conclusion, I hope you enjoyed my gameplay and advice. Maybe you'll follow along with me with this challenge, and if you ever need help with this challenge feel free to come in the store and ask for my help! I'll most likely be in my repair room, but will definitely come out to help with KH2 advice! Have a great weekend, and I'll see you next week!

                                                             - Scott - Fair Game Repair Technician