Ganbare Goemon, a classic gem that many gamers forgot and seriously needs to be brought back to life

While most gamers these days are waiting on the next big Castlevania or Metal Gear Solid game, ever now and then I have to take a strong look back at some classic gems that need new life. Ganbare Goemon was known on the Super Nintendo as "Legend of the Mystical Ninja". One of my personal favorite SNES games of all time. Having made few other titles on MSX, and in later years on the Nintendo 64 twice as Goemon 64, and Goemon's Great Adventure, the series has lacked the need for games since that time. Among the Super Famicom were several other games beyond the Mystical Ninja as sequels, but none made it outside of Japan. Why? Perhaps a lack of interest among the Western crowd.

Many were unaware that even today, the series still has some role being played, as with the character Ebisumaru who is Goemon's friend (and possibly a girl) also happens to be one of the Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. Imagine that. But the series needs to make a comeback of epic proportions. Too much as been forgotten, and many of today's gamers only deal with mainstream titles that Konami puts out. I can understand the need for that in terms of giving the masses what they want, but how about a PSN or Xbox Live release. You know, like they did with Castlevania: Harmony of Despair.

With PSN and Live titles popping up left and right from Contra, Gradius, and Castlevania, perhaps Konami should take a second look at the Ganbare Goemon series and give it at least a second platform chance. What do you think?

New Collectable tins will be released to add to the existing four Dragon Rulers Collection for Yu-Gi-Oh! sets

Two more tins are fixing to surface for Yu-Gi-Oh! fans. This time it will be to finish off the Dragon Rulers Collection, something I'm sure some of you duelist have been waiting for a while now. The two tins are called Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders, and Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms Tin set. Each of the tin sets will feature the following along with 5 Super rare cards, and 5 booster packs to boot.

Each Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders Tin includes:

• 2 Cosmo Blazer booster packs
• 2 Lord of the Tachyon Galaxy booster packs
• 1 Number Hunters booster pack
• 1 Secret Rare Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders
• 1 Super Rare Diamond Dire Wolf
• 1 Super Rare Number 88: Gimmick Puppet of Leo
• 1 Super Rare Spellbook of the Master
• 1 Super Rare Rank-Up Magic: Barian's Force

Each Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms Tin includes:

• 2 Cosmo Blazer booster packs
• 2 Lord of the Tachyon Galaxy booster packs
• 1 Number Hunters booster pack
• 1 Secret Rare Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms
• 1 Super Rare Thunder Sea Horse
• 1 Super Rare Gear Gigant X
• 1 Super Rare Number 50: Blackship of Corn
• 1 Super Rare Rank-Up Magic: Barian's Force

Each set will be solid separately, and with an MSRP price of $19.99. Both sets will be released this month on November 22nd. Something to be thankful for just in time for Thanksgiving, or to make a nice gift for the Holidays.

 

Holiday shoppers and Yu-Gi-Oh! fans will get some nice deals as various card sets and DVD prices drop

Whether you've been dueling for years or have just gotten into the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!, this holiday will yeild some lower prices on those latest DVD and card sets you've been keeping your eyes on. Let's get a solid run down of what's out there you might have missed.

• Starter Deck Yugi – Reloaded and Starter Deck Kaiba – Reloaded - MSRP $9.99 each

This is a starter deck for newbies who are just getting started with Yu-Gi-Oh! and want to get in on the action. The set comes out on December 6th.

• Shadow Specters Special Edition booster pack - $9.99 each set

This is the last booster set to be released this year, on December 13th, duelists will get a taste of new monsters that benefit both new and long time players.

• Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms and Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders  - MSRP $19.99

We can't live without the tins can we? On November 22nd, treat yourself to one or each of these tins which contain five booster packs and five different foil cards.

• Legendary Collection 4: Joey’s World! - MSRP $29.99

Joey’s World is the latest evolution in the hugely popular Legendary Collection series. Continuing our retro journey through the original, classic, Yu-Gi-Oh! anime series, Legendary Collection 4 contains almost 300 cards drawn from the Duelist Kingdom, Battle City, and Waking the Dragons storylines.

Included are 3 brand new cards per box: Joey’s own Blue Flame Swordsman, Mai Valentine’s Harpie Lady Phoenix Formation, and Marik Ishtar’s Card of Last Will (note: due to its insane power level, Card of Last Will is not allowed in tournament play, and is included solely as a Collector’s item and for casual play).

Also included are 6 Ultra Rare token cards: Joey’s 4 Sheep Tokens (previously released only as convention exclusives) and 2 Lamb Tokens (never before released).

Legendary Collection 4’s Mega Pack set contains almost 300 cards used by Joey, Mai, Marik, and Rex Raptor, plus other popular cards from the classic era. This Mega Pack set is designed so that foil cards are easier to collect, while assembling an entire set of the Common cards will pose more of a challenge!

What about the episodes? When your not dueling with friends or rivals, you're a couch potato waiting to explode. So help yourself to three different DVD sets this holiday.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Classic Season 1 is currently listed for $28.96, Season 1 Volumn 2 is right at $16.96. Along side that, is the Yu-GI-Oh! R, Volume 4: Return of the Dragon [With Cards] Shonen Jump Manga. Yes I said manga, as the series has its hand in their too. The current MSRP is listed for $8.99 at Wal-Mart.

• Lord of the Tachyon Galaxy Booster pack - MSRP $3.99 per pack

Lord of the Tachyon Galaxy launches the Mecha Phantom Beasts, an entire air wing of bestiomorphic, roboticized warplanes with incredible future-tech advances, including auto-deployed hard-light holographic decoy monsters. These defense systems generate Level 3 Token monsters to draw away enemy fire with incredible efficiency. As a result, as long as at least one Token is in play none of your Mecha Phantom Beasts can be destroyed!

Don't forget to check out the animated series for both Zexal and classic each Saturday morning and twice Sunday on Vortexx on The CW in the United States. Canada can catch episodes each Friday and Saturday on YTV. For more information, news and events check out the official site.

Create your own token card and purchase a limited quantity of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG double game mat at the Gen Con 2013

So much Yu-Gi-Oh! merchandise, so little money, and time. The Gen Con takes off in a few days from August 15th - August 18th and will feature lots of activities for fans to get involved with. Konami will be featured at booth #601, and you will be able to also purchase a number of products, including a Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG double game mat for $30. Token cards can be created too, featuring different backgrounds and characters to boot. The latest booster packs can be found there, like Number Hunters! and the Battle Pack 2: War of the Giants set.

The event is taking place at the following location

Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium
100 S. Capitol Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46225
http://gencon.com/attend/indyinfo

Hours for each day are listed below for each event.

Thursday, August 15th

12:00 PM	Doors Open
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Win-A-Mat (8-Player Flights)	$12.00
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM	2014 Regional Qualifiers (16-player Flights)	$12.00
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Super Starter Tournament (8-player Flights)	$14.00
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Battle Pack Sealed Tournament (8-player Flights)	$10.00

Friday, August 16th 

	Doors Open
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM	Win-A-Mat (8-Player Flights)	$12.00
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM	2014 Regional Qualifiers (16-player Flights)	$12.00
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM	Super Starter Tournament (8-player Flights)	$14.00
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM	Battle Pack Sealed Tournament (8-player Flights)	$10.00
10:00 AM	Dragon Duel	$2.00
11:00 AM	3 vs. 3 Team Tournament	$30.00per team
12:00 PM	ATTACK OF THE GIANT CARD!!	$12.00

Saturday, August 17th 

10:00 AM	Doors Open
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM	Win-A-Mat (8-Player Flights)	$12.00
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM	2014 Regional Qualifiers (16-player Flights)	$12.00
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM	Super Starter Tournament (8-player Flights)	$14.00
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM	Battle Pack Sealed Tournament (8-player Flights)	$10.00
10:00 AM	Dragon Duel	$2.00
11:00 AM	3 vs. 3 Team Tournament	$30.00per team
12:00 PM	ATTACK OF THE GIANT CARD!!	$12.00

Sunday, August 18th 

12:00 PM	Doors Open
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM	Win-A-Mat (8-Player Flights)	$12.00
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM	2014 Regional Qualifiers (16-player Flights)	$12.00
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM	Super Starter Tournament (8-player Flights)	$14.00
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM	Battle Pack Sealed Tournament (8-player Flights)	$10.00
10:00 AM	Dragon Duel	$2.00
4:00 PM	Doors Close for the Weekend

 Aside from the usual dueling fights, participants can take part in some carnival activities happening in the Webash room. The official events and information page for Yu-Gi-Oh! shows what new products, tournaments and so on are taking place or are scheduled for later and what locations.