TGIF: Gaming Trend’s Weekend Lineup

Is the fire of competition inside you burning so brightly that it singes your heart and soul? Is your passion for sport so deep that no one but you could survive its overwhelming pressure? Does “the game” make you act like the people in this video?

If your answer to any of these questions is YES, then this weekend is all about you. Once every four years football fans around the globe come together to celebrate their culture, their national pride, and their love of the game. The 2014 FIFA World Cup is culminating in a greatly anticipated match between the mechanized powerhouse Germany and the home of the world’s greatest soccer player, Argentina. The dynamic goal-scoring ability of Messi against the technical prowess of Muller should make for an incredibly exciting match.

For those looking for as equally thrilling action, but prefer the intensity of one vs. one combat, this weekend Las Vegas will play host to the Evo 2014 Championship Series; a tournament of the world’s greatest fighting game players battle it out to crown a champion in each of their respective games. From the grand finale, pioneer, and backbone of the fighting games, Ultra Street Fighter IV, to the timeless and incredibly popular Super Smash Bros. Melee, there will be a game that most everyone can enjoy. Let’s get HYPE!

Josh Devlin, Reporter

I will be watching a lot of Evo this weekend and no doubt the excitement will incite me to try my hand at a bunch of fighting games as I convince myself that I could be just as good as those on the stream; that is until I misfire a hadouken 8 out of 10 times and throw the controller on the floor.

After my short-lived career as a fighting game player, I’ll probably end up finishing my first ever playthrough of the original The Legend of Zelda on NES. 30 years of game development have aged that game out of relevance, but I will stick with it because I feel like I have to, even if it feels more like a job than anything.

Ron Burke, Editor in Chief

I’m working on Sniper Elite III. Why did I never play any of these before? The game is pretty solid. Sure, the AI is a little quick to give up on their search after you made their best friend’s face explode, but the ballistics they are simulating are pretty solid overall. Expect my review after this weekend.

As for Josh and his NES adventure, remember that Dodongos don’t like smoke. Also, watch this commercial for all of the knowledge you need to complete the game:

Apparently my parents were supposed to help me hook it up. Thank the Flying Spaghetti Monster we don’t portray gamers this way anymore…wait…yes we do. Damn it. Ok, fine, let’s see the second commercial.

So…awful.

Stefan Alexander, Staff Writer

I really can’t get enough of Mario Kart 8, I’m definitely playing that this weekend with my GF and, hopefully, some friends online. I’m also supposed to get on Killing Floor tonight with my Older Bro and his friends. That’s always a good time and I’m sooo close to getting that Gold Star on my Berserker! Besides those gaming highlights, I’ll probably continue trying to beat Persona 4 and Outlast…oh yeah, and Strider and Dragon’s Crown and Shooter Ultimate and…

What are you playing this weekend? Tell us in the comments section below.