Geeks By The Creek

01/01/2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

28/12/2023

Finally, getting to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra! Pretty close to bucket list for me!

28/11/2023

Well, looky here what came in the mail today! Super excited!

Still waiting on the dock, but this was a huge pick-up for me; it is part of my plans for gaming going forward. It's actually a really cool yellow.

The big picture is... I'm selling about 75% of my game collection, along with some original hardware and most of my portable/handheld gaming devices. About 80-90% of my collectibles, too. This will be a over the course of a couple of years.

I'm replacing most of it with a select few devices and hardware that will allow for a focus on mobile gaming (especially dockable) and emulation. About 60-70% of my hardware is going as well.

My Analogue systems feature prominently in my plans and this was a big piece of the puzzle. I still love gaming and downsizing in no way means I have to stop enjoying my hobby. A hobby I've enjoyed for around 50 years.

I just have to streamline and shrink my footprint considerably.

15/09/2023

Happiest of Gamecube days to you! Did you own a Gamecube? What was your 1st Gamecube experience and your fave GC game? Were you one of the lucky ones that ordered a component cable? I still have mine somewhere...

14/09/2023

All of these years behind me and I still get surprised by how something as simple as a stack of cute, fun stickers can bring a little happiness into and otherwise gray day...

Bad mental and physical health day and struggling, but for some reason, I'm sitting here grinning at this stack of stickers I got. ❤️

Kirby is adorable... and I'll be taking a break from Sea of Stars to play some Forgotten Land later!

14/09/2023

Gonna torture myself again on the off chance I'll actually have a voice later. I'm gonna wait to watch the direct when I can react to it and maybe, just maybe, get a video done today.

That of course means staying away from social media so that I don't spoil anything.

Prog-NOT-stications: Hoping to see updates on Princess Peach, Luigi's Mansion, Star Ocean, Metal Slug Tactics, Super Mario RPG, Splatoon content, Mario Kart and Sonic...

as well as a Zelda remaster 2 pack, Metroid Prime remasters, hopefully some more HD 2-D games from Square Enix, a new road map for new releases on the Nintendo Online Service (maybe new systems too?), some Donkey Kong love, I'd love if they just knocked us sideways with a new or remade Star Fox. And just to throw some really wild crap in there, in keeping with an Online Service update... Gamecube games... AND the announcement of a Wavebird controller for the Switch! Not that most of us would be able to get one...

See you later tonight!

13/09/2023

Happy National Video Games Day! I'm celebrating by playing Sea of Stars in a Mario shirt with Pikachu boxers and my Spnic slippers eating Super Mario Oreos...

I also took my Pikmin for a long walk (Pikmin Bloom)... and my doggo too.

How did you celebrate?

02/09/2023

Ok... I must be out of my damn mind, but I did a thing. These are beautiful. I have never gotten something like this for myself and it feels weird, but I did a thing. Video when it arrives.

Also: I'm debating the joy cons, I'm already feeling like I spent too much on myself.

30/06/2023

I absolutely love this game, the graphic novels and the movie. I owned it on both the PS3 and 360, but to be able to play it pretty much anywhere is amazing!

I'm holed up in a dark office playing the hell out of this. What are YOU playin' now?!

20/06/2023

I did a thing! Well, I actually did a thing a few days ago, but I was too sick to do a video. These have a beautiful, almost retro/70s aesthetic. I'm loving the warm colors and the translucent details.

It almost makes me wish they had released full on themed system bundle. Not sure where they would carry over the translucency, but if they could match the look with the plastics for the job, the top vent would have been a fun choice. Perhaps with lighting as well.

The world may never know what could have been...

17/04/2023

Channel things!

The overarching vibe here is that I am working hard to find my voice and relevance in the YouTube gaming/nerdling space. To that end...

I'm currently editing indie dev interviews from Midwest Gaming Classic's Future Classics area, getting ready to upload a few more shorts from MGC, developing a series of shorts exploring things I love or am passionate about as well as planning out some pick up and unboxing videos.

Additionally, I'm actively revisiting past content, series and the podcast for retooling and relaunch while reviewing a lot of legacy content that never got edited or uploaded to the channel.

I'm also trying to figure out how best to approach the insane Video Game Monthly Power Packs I received a while ago. That was on me for starting out with giant packs of games. Far too much to do in a video... that isn't well over 30 minutes long 🤪🤣. Working on the best way to break those boxes up!

Sooo, a lot of content on the way. Just need to develop a cohesive approach and a schedule.

Thanks for following me on the socials and for those who have stuck with me throughout the years, thank you so much for the support, for those who have found me recently, thanks for taking a chance on me and a huge thank you to those who subscribe to my YouTube channel.

I do this for the love of doing it and for the joy I get from entertaining everyone who enjoys my content. Thank you for giving me that opportunity! It means the world to me!

09/04/2023

If you are looking for a fun multiplayer game for Easter with the fam, Diddy Kong Racing is my pick!

The whole game is fantastic, but for Easter specifically, Fire Mountain stage, where players have to capture eggs, bring them to their nest and defend their nest/keep them there until they hatch. All while trying to get more.

The 1st player to hatch three eggs wins. A wonderfully creative and fun twist on multiplayer.

Yes, you'll need an N64 and a copy of the game... or other means of playing N64 games, but hopefully that's doable! Because this is my fave multiplayer game on the system.

09/04/2023

Happy Easter... heh heh heh.

Not trying to egg you on, I'm just a bit of a basket case.

09/04/2023

Attending a prom themed birthday evening. I decided to lean into an 80s/Nerdy Ducky kinda vibe. I think it came together well enough. 🤪

Reppin' that video game lyfe...

01/04/2023

Hot off of the press: Geeks by the Creek Merch!

01/04/2023

I will be Midwest Gaming Classic SaturdayAfternoon, hanging out, checking out indie games, vendors and the retro gaming section...

AND STREETPASSIN UP AND DOWN THE BLOCK! Hoping to make some new Streetpass friends!

The 3DS video is of me clearing out the last StreetPass friends I made in Japan and Australia in preparation for this weekend.

And I'll be doing all of that wearing my new Geeks by the Creek merch (well, one tee shirt at this point 🤪). Sunday I'll be on the Future Classics stage interviewing Indie Game Devs!

Let's exchange puzzle pieces! 🙂

28/03/2023

The end of an era...

20/03/2023

Here's something I'm really looking forward to at Midwest Gaming Classic: StreetPassin' up and down the block.

This is one of the irreplaceable, inimitable 3DS experiences that is truly delightful. One of my daughters and I would spend hours Streetpassing when we'd go to Cons together, collecting puzzle pieces and playing StreetPass games.

There's something very satisfying and compelling about the whole StreetPass experience, as well as a fun connection with other 3DS/Nintendo gamers from around the world, seeing what games they were playing.

There was always a sense of excitement when a new state/region got filled in. I miss that... and those fun filled shared experiences with my daughter.

08/02/2023

Well, Twitter is finally 100% garbage.
I attempted to Tweet an update before the Nintendo Direct and got a message saying I was over the daily limit. I hadn't Tweeted at all today and this multi-Tweet post would have been my first.
Here it is a little late. Thanks Twitter and Elon... you pieces of crap.

I also mistakenly shared this as a comment on a post in my haste. I left the comment in the post so that everyone can see I actually did what I said. Transparency.

I still haven't seen any news about the Direct and I aim to keep it that way. I have a bit more adulting and I have to eat. Then I'll be doing my prediction/wish list/react video. My prediction and wish list are below. As I did supposition in a previous direct predictions video quite some time ago (ProgNOTstications vid), I still believe that as Nintendo stretches the life of the Switch, DLC for evergreens titles, remasters, remakes and Nintendo Online content (including DLC) will take center stage. See below and original Tweet attempt.

All righty then. Nintendo Direct. I'll be avoiding it and social media until its done. I don't really have a lot of 'predictions', but I have a wish list. Sort of.
Predictions: Expansion of the Nintendo Online service. Not sure what it will be, but I think some... 1/6
key titles will be announced w a rough schedule, much like the last N64 lineup. I'm hoping for GBA & Gamecube to be added as well. While it's a bit late, if N is holding off on a new system, that would be good filler between fewer & fewer 1st party bangers. In addition to 2/6
retro games, a new '99' game or other Online Specific title may happen, along w more DLC locked to the service. Surprise evergreen software DLC would be perfect. It justifies N's ridiculous pricing of older software, it beefs up the service & fills gaps in release schedules 3/6
Donkey Kong? Maybe. But Maybe next year? They may be in the position of having to spread these out quite a bit. New Mario Odyssey; but I'm thinking as DLC vignettes (a la Bowser's Fury), not a full game. F Zero & Star Fox are due. The latter for redemption after Zero. 4/6
Gamecube remaster or two, a new Mario Sports title, additional Wii Sports content locked behind N Online, Wario game of some sort would be awesome. I think Arms is due for DLC, DIDDY KONG RACING plz. I'll watch later 5/6
and do my react vid then. After which I'll post my vid.

08/02/2023

11/11/2022

Video games got me through some rough times after the Gulf. I don't care what studies say, gaming helped with my mental health... and that of those who served and gamed with me.

Veteran's day then became a day that I got together with fellow soldiers and veterans over the years. To talk, game and bond.

Here's to all who serve and have served. My brothers and sisters. I hope today finds you well, at peace and happy.

13/09/2022

HAPPY NATIONAL VIDEOGAMES DAY! I HOPE YOURS WAS GAMERLICIOUS!

What did you do to celebrate?

09/09/2022

So much nostalgia in a tiny game card...

I cut my TMNT teeth on the original black and white indie comic series back in the 80s. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who read & collected indie titles (I was a Marvel guy at the time) & I dove into TMNT & Fish Police.

While they were amazing, I never expected TMNT to blow up like it did, as the orginal comics were actually pretty dark.

Flash forward to the height of Turtle frenzy (which happened to be the year I enlisted) and a casual trip to the base bowling alley and there it was blaring loudly in a dark corner: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Glorious.

It's pretty damn awesome to have all of these gaming memories in one package.

07/09/2022

Well, it finally came last week, but I was getting ready to head out for a brief vacation. Yet another unboxing I need to do, once I'm able.

I'm looking forward to see how the set came today and the quality, but given the review of the actual games and how they were handled, I feel like I already have cause for disappointment.

The Genesis version was one of my favorite games on the system and while I also own the SNES iteration, it just doesn't feel quite as tight. It LOOKS great, but the Genesis game has that SEGA controller connection that just feels better.

I'm hoping to still have fun with the game and be momentarily delighted by the collectibles.

02/09/2022

I haven't even had the chance to unbox this and I think I can confidently say that this is the prettiest system I own!

I like my Animal Crossing Switch, both of my Pokémon themed Switch Lites and I have some incredibly cool 3DS systems, but this is kind of next level.

I may have a problem 🤪 (I'm actually selling a bunch of my systems tho...). I can't wait to break the seal on this one!

02/08/2022

This game blew my mind and made me into a bit of SEGA/Genesis fan boy. The visuals, the intro, the lightning fast gameplay; SEGA does what Nintendon't indeed!

The game is a dream to play, but the vibe brings it all together and sucks you in. That fuedal Japan meets steampunk aesthetic is everything. And the ridiculously, unfairly good energetic butt rock that drives the game with brutal rhythmic force feeds the adrenaline rush.

Just two of the reasons this game is at the top of it's genre... and not just on the Genesis. From the moment the game comes to life to the end credits, you'll be completely engaged.

Do I think you should run out and drop a grand on a complete copy of the game? Only if you're buying my copy! 🤪

But in all seriousness, there are multiple ways to play and whichever ones are available to you, just make sure you give M.U.S.H.A. the attention it deserves. You won't be disappointed.

29/07/2022

I actually have two of these! Both still in the box, both obtained after the death of one of my favorite systems, the SEGA Dreamcast.

I have a good deal of clearanced Dreamcast merchandise, but I would rather the system lived on. Debating on whether or not I should keep or sell. It's not like they'd get regular use, but at the same time I really want to take all of my fave racing games for a spin.

It says it was originally $60, but I remember them going for more at some stores. I got these for $14,99 each. If there's ever a silver lining to losing a great console, it's the clearance sales.

28/07/2022

As a gamer, it's not uncommon to catch crap for not getting enough fresh air. I myself don't understand the concern. I've always gotten plenty of outdoor time.

Perhps not quite as much when playing games on my SEGA Nomad, given it's notorious battery life. But I never missed the chance to take one of my portable systems on an adventure with me.

For all of it's faults, this was SEGA'S 'Switch adjacent' badass of a concept become reality. It's a hybrid system. You can hook it up to the tv and play; Even two player. And then disconnect it and continue playing on the go!

If only the battery and screen technology were where the system needed them to be, this would have been legendary, not just a cool retro collectable and a gaming footnote.

27/07/2022

Saw this on the cheap at Gamestop and couldn't resist. I should have taken the plunge a while ago, as I had played a bit of the first game and really enjoyed it.

Don't know why it took me this long, but for $15 after my Gamestop $$, I got both games, reversible art AND an art book. Not gonna lie... I was maybe a little disappointed it wasn't a full color instruction booklet. But art book is pretty cool too.