You Should Play This Kojima Gem Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand - A Game Ahead of Its Time

Fun Fact: Bowser, the main antagonist in the Mario series, was originally envisioned as an ox. This explains his horns and snout, even though he is a turtle

In today’s email:

• Mutants, Mayhem, and Football: The Wild Ride from Mutant League Football to Its Explosive Sequel Mutant Football League 2

• Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand - A Game Ahead of Its Time

• Why It's Time to Remake Metal Gear Solid for Modern Consoles

STEAM

Mutants, Mayhem, and Football: The Wild Ride from Mutant League Football to Its Explosive Sequel Mutant Football League 2

The Birth of a Cult Classic

Hey there, retro gaming aficionados! Grab your nostalgia goggles and let’s take a trip back to the early ‘90s, a time when video games were transforming our living rooms into battlegrounds of fun. Enter 1993, and amidst the sea of traditional sports games, Mutant League Football exploded onto the scene for the Sega Genesis, blowing our collective minds with its bonkers, over-the-top parody of American football.

Unleashing Chaos on the Gridiron

Picture this: teams of mutants, skeletons, and robots going head-to-head on fields littered with landmines and buzzsaws. Yep, it was as wild as it sounds. Created by Michael Mendheim, Mutant League Football took the engine from John Madden Football '93 and cranked up the chaos to eleven. Forget about your typical Hail Mary passes; here, you could bribe referees, wield chainsaws, and generally wreak havoc. It quickly became a cult classic, loved for its irreverent humor and sheer madness.

Revival in the Modern Era

Jump forward a couple of decades, and the spirit of Mutant League Football was resurrected with the 2017 release of Mutant Football League. This spiritual successor, also helmed by Mendheim, brought the same brand of chaotic football to modern platforms like PC, PS4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch. After an initial Kickstarter misfire in 2013, a successful 2017 campaign gave us a game that stayed true to its roots but was modernized for a new generation.

Keeping the Spirit Alive

Mutant Football League kept the essence of the original, offering 7-on-7 matches with teams of various mutants—think Skeletal Deadheads, Monstrous Orcs, and Rampaging Werewolves. It also threw in new dirty tricks and parodied NFL teams and players with hilarious names like the Nuked London Hatriots and Bomb Shady. It was a hit, proving that the formula of sports plus chaos equals gaming gold.

The Anticipated Sequel: Mutant Football League 2

Now, hold onto your helmets because in early 2022, fans got some seriously exciting news: Mutant Football League 2 is coming! Promising even better graphics, new teams, and a host of additional gameplay features, this sequel is set to take the franchise to new heights. As of May 31, 2024, it’s in Early Access on Steam, giving us a sneak peek at the next chapter of mutant mayhem.

The Legacy Continues

From its humble beginnings to its modern-day revival, the journey of Mutant League Football is a testament to the enduring appeal of mixing sports with a hefty dose of anarchy. With Mutant Football League 2 on the horizon, it’s clear this series isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving, ready to deliver more monstrous fun to gamers old and new.

Get Ready for More Mayhem

So, gear up and get ready to dive back into the madness. The mutant league is back, and it’s more chaotic than ever!

GAMEBOY ADVANCE

Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand - A Game Ahead of Its Time

The Solar-Powered Revolution

Hey retro gamers! Remember the early 2000s when innovation was the name of the game? Well, few titles pushed the envelope quite like Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand. Dropped in 2003 for the Game Boy Advance, this action-adventure RPG from Konami, produced by the legendary Hideo Kojima, literally brought sunshine to your gaming world.

At its heart, Boktai is all about good vs. evil. You play as Django, a vampire hunter with the coolest weapon ever: the Gun Del Sol, a solar-powered gun that uses real sunlight to blast undead baddies. The kicker? The game cartridge had a built-in photometric light sensor, meaning you had to go outside and soak up some rays to charge your in-game weapon. Talk about getting gamers off the couch!

A Game for the Outdoors

This wasn’t just a gimmick—it was a game-changer. Sunlight wasn’t just for charging your gun; it affected everything. Enemy behavior, puzzles, even boss battles were tied to how much sunlight you could catch. To beat the big bads, the Immortals, you had to drag their coffins into the sunlight and use the Pile Driver, which needed direct sun to work. Daylight mattered, making you plan around real-world weather and time of day. It even had a real-time clock and day/night cycle to keep things interesting.

Critical Acclaim and Lasting Impact

Sure, it had its challenges. Not everyone had the luxury of sunny days or free time to hunt vampires outside. But despite these hurdles, the game’s engaging story and unique mechanics kept players hooked. Critics loved it too—*Boktai* scored a solid 83/100 on Metacritic, with high marks across the board for its originality and smart use of sunlight in gameplay.

The success didn’t stop there. We got Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django, Boktai 3: Sabata’s Counterattack, and a spiritual successor, Lunar Knights, for the DS. Each game built on the innovative mechanics of the original, cementing Boktai's place in gaming history.

A Legacy of Innovation

Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand is a shining example of how blending creativity with technology can create something truly unique. It stood out in its time and paved the way for future games that blur the lines between the virtual and physical worlds.

In an era where gaming often means staying glued to screens indoors, Boktai was a breath of fresh air—literally. It’s a testament to the power of thinking outside the box (or house) and a beacon of what’s possible when developers dare to be different. So next time you’re soaking up some sun, think of Django and his solar gun, and remember the game that made us all get outside and play.

OPINION

Why It's Time to Remake Metal Gear Solid for Modern Consoles

The Legacy of Metal Gear Solid

Let's talk about a classic that’s been MIA from the modern console scene: Metal Gear Solid. Released in 1998, this game was a game-changer, redefining the stealth genre. Directed by the legendary Hideo Kojima, it introduced us to Solid Snake, a special ops soldier on a mission to infiltrate a nuclear weapons facility and neutralize a terrorist threat. Its cinematic style, complex narrative, and innovative gameplay set a new bar for the industry.

From iconic boss battles, like the mind-bending showdown with Psycho Mantis, to intricate plot twists, Metal Gear Solid wasn't just a game—it was an experience. It’s often hailed as one of the greatest video games of all time. So, why hasn’t it gotten the modern console treatment yet?

Why Remake Metal Gear Solid?

1. Tech Upgrades: Gaming tech has come a long way since '98. Imagine Shadow Moses in stunning 4K on a PS5 or Xbox Series X. A remake could harness today’s tech to create a visually stunning and deeply immersive experience.

2. Keeping It Alive: Sure, Metal Gear Solid has been re-released, but those versions aren't easily accessible on current consoles. A full remake would let new generations experience this classic without dusting off old hardware.

3. Story Depth: The game’s themes—genetic engineering, nuclear proliferation, warfare ethics—are still super relevant. A remake could dive deeper into these themes, adding new content and modern perspectives.

4. Fan Demand: Gamers have been clamoring for a Metal Gear Solid remake. Social media and forums are full of discussions and petitions. While Konami’s working on Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, a remake of the third installment, starting with the original would’ve made more sense.

Challenges and Considerations

Remaking Metal Gear Solid isn’t a walk in the park. Kojima’s intricate design and unique vision need a delicate balance to keep the original's essence while updating it for today’s audience. Plus, with Kojima no longer at Konami, there’s concern whether the remake could capture the same magic without his touch.

Conclusion

As we gear up for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, let’s take a moment to appreciate the impact of the original Metal Gear Solid. A remake would not only honor its legacy but also introduce it to a new generation of gamers. In an industry fueled by innovation and nostalgia, remaking Metal Gear Solid for modern consoles isn’t just a good idea—it’s a must. It’s time for Konami to bring Solid Snake back to where it all began, with today’s top-notch tech.

So, what do you think? Ready to see Snake in 4K? Let’s make it happen!