A long, long time ago, Redd used the Power Glove, and created his very own gaming series with it. One day, it broke, and he was upset. However, I, his long-time friend, made this prophecy, from the Dogs, to the Mini-Me (Yes, I am a fan of Goldmember). A New Glove would reveal itself, and our Champion, ReddMcKnight, would rise again. That time has finally come...
Behold...
THE REALITY GLOVE!!
[img width=650 height=488]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/DarkTheThief/Reality-Quest-glove-controller-for-the-N64-104142848P_zpsc745d1db.jpg[/img]
That's right. I am finally returning to my insane, glove gaming adventures, with a new kind of glove on hand.
The estimated date of my Grand Return is sometime this August. Input, Feedback, and Suggestions are welcome. Specifically, should I do the old format and just describe how a game is played with it, or do Videos?
Get ready, for this time...no game is safe!
[img width=400 height=391]http://i3.fastpic.ru/big/2009/1023/00/6187c37e36e8a49c86ed5072b8db6700.jpg[/img]
Get it? "Da Return"? Hyuck, Hyuck.
But seriously, bad puns aside, the site is finally back Online, and I could not be happier. I would like to thank all of our wonderful Staff Members for working so hard to bring it back, and putting up with me in the Chat Room while they were doing it.
Expect a very special PGGS Entry from me later today or tomorrow. It'll be longer, and have a special mini-feature along with it.
After a long hiatus, I am back at last. Why have I been gone? Recent events, such as a passing in my family, and events with friends, prevented me from returning sooner. All things considered, I'm actually doing alright. Now, enough about my life, onto the article.
The Power Glove: A controller (if you will), that is hated by everyone. Well, except for myself. As far as I know, it was only released in the USA and Japan, but have you ever stopped to think that there may be differences between the US's and Japan's? If you have, then your correct. There are differences. We'll start with some information and pictures:
US - Made by Mattel JP - Made by PAX
[img width=700 height=283]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/DarkTheThief/PG2.jpg[/img]
US - Does not have Words or Symbols JP - Does have Words and Symbols
[img width=456 height=706]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/DarkTheThief/PG3.jpg[/img]
[img width=666 height=529]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/DarkTheThief/PG4.jpg[/img]
US - Has white material inside JP - Has black material inside
[img width=700 height=405]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/DarkTheThief/PG5.jpg[/img]
US - Uses NES Input JP - Uses Famicom Input
[img width=308 height=382]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/DarkTheThief/PG7.jpg[/img]
[img width=440 height=410]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/DarkTheThief/PG6.jpg[/img]
US - Junction Box has logo and help-line Phone Number JP - Junction Box has logo only
[img width=700 height=296]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/DarkTheThief/PG8.jpg[/img]
But do the Gloves work differently from each other? Just a little bit. They both have the same Program Inputs for every game, but the big difference is this: The JP one works better than the US one. After testing several games with both, I found that the JP one was generally more reliable than the US one. The JP one has slightly better centering, and it's general functionality is better.
Well, that's it for this entry. This is ReddMcKnight, signing off!
[img width=640 height=911]http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/8/587058_49845_front.jpg[/img]
Now, here's an interesting one. 1942 is a Shmup released by Capcom in 1986. It is set in the Pacific theater of World War II. The goal is to reach Tokyo and destroy the entire Japanese air fleet. The player pilots a plane dubbed the "Super Ace". The player has to shoot down enemy planes; to avoid enemy fire, the player can perform a roll or "loop-the-loop". During the game the player may collect a series of power-ups, one of them allowing the plane to be escorted by two other smaller fighters in a Tip Tow formation.
There's actually a Program in the Power Glove for this specific game. When you load it, your hand becomes the plane. By pulling your arm backwards, the plane moves downwards. By moving it straight ahead, the plane moves upwards. The Turbo-Type features of the Glove work really well with this game, allowing you to shoot down enemies quickly. It's also easy to move around, but dodging enemies may become difficult as your arm gets tired from moving around so much.
All the same, 1942 is really fun to play with the Power Glove. If you want to try it yourself, load Program 5 and off you go!
But wait! There's more to this entry!
[img width=640 height=913]http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/3/563433_29025_front.jpg[/img]
Ah, The Legend of Zelda...a game we all know and love. It's fun, it's big, and it's become a classic. But how does it play with a Power Glove? Here's a little math for you: Power Glove + Legend of Zelda = No.
Why, you may ask? For one, Legend of Zelda requires accurate movements on the player's part to fight monsters and such, and since the Power Glove's centering features are kind of messed up, it makes it 3x as hard.
Even an Octorok is life threatening while playing with the Power Glove. I haven't been hit by one in YEARS, and using the Power Glove changed that. Still, it was definitely a unique experience using one with this game.
While I do love the Power Glove, this is one game that you do NOT want to try with a Power Glove. After trying it for myself and getting owned by a freaking CAVE (don't ask), I must say that this is one game better left to controllers.
Still, if you MUST try it with a Power Glove, it's best to use Program 1 for it. Maybe you'll have better luck than I did, but I personally don't think it's a good idea. The game is hard enough without using one.
Anyway, that's it for this entry! Thanks for reading! Keep an eye out for the next entry!
[img width=640 height=933]http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/0/587550_39729_front.jpg[/img]
There are a lot of games you can play really well with a Power Glove, but one of the funnest ones to play with the peripheral is Rad Racer.
Rad Racer, or Highway Star, as it is called in Japan, is a Racing game developed by Square (Yes, you read that right. The King of 8/16-Bit RPGs made a RACING game). It is often seen as Square's answer to Sega's Out Run, another racing game. In Japan, it is one of the few titles for the system designed for use with Nintendo's Famicom 3D System peripheral for 3D experience. In 1990, Square followed up with an exclusive North American sequel, called Rad Racer II.
So, why use a Power Glove with this game? Well, for one, the Power Glove has a Program installed into it for this particular game. I guess the REAL reason one would try to use a Power Glove with this game though, is because in a movie called The Wizard, a Character called Lucas Barton uses the Power Glove to play it. It's very likely that a lot of older gamers saw this movie and that particular scene.
People often complain that the Power Glove's control is awful, yet in that scene in The Wizard, Lucas uses the Glove very well, and after trying it myself with this game, I must say that it does indeed work well. It may seem hard to control at first, but it becomes easier as you practice.
So, how exactly does it work with this game? Much like a steering wheel actually. You use your hand to simulate turning a steering wheel, and since your hand is (almost) always locked into a fist, your car will never stop. Sound bad? It's not! Your camera is ALWAYS behind the car, so you can always see if your coming up behind another car, giving you the opportunity to turn and evade them.
Well, that's it for this entry. Thanks for reading!
[img width=570 height=800]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/DarkTheThief/SuperGloveBall.jpg[/img]
Now, THIS is a game. Super Glove Ball has you guiding a robotic hand through a 3D Maze. In each room, there are tiles you can break. They are above you, below you, to your left, to your right, and even right in front of you. To get to another room, you have to use your hand to grab a ball and throw it in the direction you want to break the tiles you want. You can also use your index finger to shoot lasers, which also breaks tiles. It can also kill enemies.
Me, I really enjoyed playing this with my Power Glove. Despite being an NES Game, it's in complete 3D. You can move your hand towards the TV to move the robotic hand further into the room, and pull it back to bring it back in. Wherever you move your hand, the robotic hand follows your movements. Nowadays, this is probably easy to pull off, but back then, it SCREAMED innovation.
So why is this game hated by so many people? I don't know. This is clearly a fun game, I just think people hated it because it involved the Power Glove, which to this day, gets a bad rap. I read a review of this game by someone on GameFAQs, and they didn't exactly provide valid points to hating it.
Anyway, that's it for this entry. Thanks for reading!
Did I mention I still love my Power Glove? So much in fact, that I was able to acquire a BOXED one for the Famicom. Granted, I'm a little worried, as the Famicom's Controllers are hard-wired to the thing, and it uses a special expansion port for other accessories. This brings me to the question: Will it use regular controller ports, or the special expansion port? You may be thinking: "If your worried about it, then why did you buy it?". It was a really good price, that's why. Anyway, I can just get a Famicom if it uses the special port. Besides, the Famicom has exclusives that weren't released in the US, which would prompt more stories from me on this Blog.
On another note, I'll be posting my updated NES Collection Pictures soon, possibly in the next entry.
Oh, and Final Fantasy XIV does not suck.
[img width=700 height=525]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/DarkTheThief/PowerGlove1.jpg[/img]
At long last, after 19 long years, it is mine...The Power Glove is finally mine!
I went to the Post Office this morning, as I had to mail something, and decided to pick up my own mail while I was at it. The woman there handed me several pieces of Junk Mail, a Small Package, and a Large Package. (The small one was The Wizard and Cloak & Dagger on DVD). I had a good feeling about the big one, and hurried home. Right when I got home, I opened it, and saw the thing...
[img width=700 height=525]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/DarkTheThief/PowerGlove2.jpg[/img]
I smiled so big, my face actually got stuck that way for a couple of minutes. Heh.
I brought up a FAQ on how to use the thing online, and proceeded to hook it up. I popped Super Mario Bros. into the console and switched that sucker on as fast as humanly possible.
It took some practice, not to mention trial and error to get used to the thing, but I think I'm getting better at handling it. To be honest though, I can see why people hated it: It's not the most comfortable thing in the world, and it's centering features are kind of messed up, but I enjoyed using it. It was DEFINITELY worth the money I paid for it.
Well, that's it for this post. Until next time, I leave you all with this...
[img width=700 height=525]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/DarkTheThief/ReddWithPowerGlove.jpg[/img]
"I love the Power Glove. It's so bad."
NOTE: Yes, that's really me, and yes, I really am that nerdy.
Thanks for reading!
On the last episode of DRAGON! BA--I mean, Finding Nintendo, Redd had said--Nah, I'm just messing with you all. Dragon Ball Z is a good anime, but it takes too long to make it's point. Heh. Anyway, as you all know, I mentioned getting a Power Glove from someone in Japan. That fell through. However, this morning, I made just enough money to buy one. Hopefully, this one doesn't pull an eBay on me and I actually get it. That said, when I get it, I'm gonna post pictures of it. That's it for now. Look forward to the next post. Again, sorry for another short post. My next ones will be better.
As you all know, my last Quest for a Power Glove did not go over so well. I bought one, and the seller refunded my money, as he had already sold it to someone else. The hope that I would get another chance was slim.
I was on Racketboy one morning at around 10:00 AM, and I noticed a new message in my PM Inbox. I figured that it was just another user inquiring about one of the items on my Sell List, as that's what I most often receive PMs about. I quickly noticed that it was about something else. Opening the message, the user who sent it was explaining that Power Gloves were super cheap in Japan. I quickly saw his point, and he offered to send me one, should I compensate him for it.
Fast forward to the next day, he tells me that he's going to the store tomorrow. So I waited for the next day.
Fast forward to today, he tells me he called the store, but the person working there didn't seem to know what he was talking about (He said that the person working there sounded young). Anyway, he said that he'd stop by there "soon". As of writing this entry, I am eagerly awaiting his next message.
I will continue to provide updates here as I get messages from him. Here's hoping I get it.
Thanks for reading!
This is the not-so-happy story of my quest to obtain a Power Glove.
Many retro gamers are aware of the existence of an item for the NES called the Power Glove. I first discovered this item as a kid, while watching the movie Beethoven (which is really good by the way). It had appeared in the film, being used by one of the kids to play Super Mario Bros. 3. Being just a kid, I thought it was the coolest thing in the world, and I desired one.
Unfortunately, I could not acquire one at this point in my life, because if I recall correctly, they were no longer being sold, as it was not exactly a hot item. So I waited...
Fast forward to the year 2010, I finally saw my chance: There was a complete one, box and all, listed on eBay. I wanted it so bad, that I went on Racketboy, and heavily advertised my sale thread in the IRC Chat Room, which is something I normally don't do, not wanting to put pressure on my customers and all. Luckily for me though, I had stuff that they wanted, and thanks to two customers in particular, I had reached my goal of 80 Dollars, which would allow me to buy it and cover the shipping charges. Take note that I don't have a steady job at the moment, so this kind of cash was not exactly easy to get.
I hurried to eBay, and quickly purchased it. Victory was finally mine...
...So I thought anyway.
About a week passed, and I was waiting rather impatiently for the mail, hoping it would arrive that day. The mail came, but there was no Power Glove. I was growing concerned, so I decided to sign into my eBay Account and send the seller a message, asking if they had shipped it yet.
Before I could start writing the message though, I noticed that I had a new message myself. I decided to check it first. Upon arriving at my inbox, I saw that it was from the seller. I opened it, and was greeted with this:
"I am sorry, but I am going to have to refund your payment for the boxed power glove. I had this item for sale on another site simultaneously with the listing on eBay. It was purchased by a different buyer prior to your purchase here. I normaly don't list on multiple sites, but had listed this on Amazon months ago and to be honest, I had forgotten that it was even on there when I listed it on eBay. I am really sorry for your inconvience in this matter. Thanks for your understanding."
After reading it, I was at a complete loss for words. The item I had worked so hard to obtain, and for so long, was taken away from me in the most unfair way possible. I actually sat there, reading the message over and over again for at least 5 minutes before my anger kicked in.
I just found this to be so wrong on so many levels. Maybe this was just another lost sale to the seller, but to me it was more. Of course, the seller didn't know that, but I was still angry, and to this day, that anger lasts.
Having 80 Dollars in my Paypal Account again, I decided to look for another one. I found a few, but they were all listed at higher prices than what I could afford. I searched for days, but nothing came up, so I finally spent the money on some other NES Accessories.
As I said before, to this day, I am still enraged, and what fuels that rage even higher is the fact that there's not a thing I can do about this. That seller will probably do this to other, unsuspecting customers, and I can't even warn them.
To this day, I continue to search for a Power Glove, despite my fellow Racketboy Member's protests against it. Since I have no money, I can only hope someone will trade me one, which slims down the chances of getting one even further.
Unfortunately, I'm left with the conclusion that I may never get one, but being as stubborn as I am, I refuse to give up until the very end.
Thanks for reading.
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