So it’s coming next week, and I will be most likely see my resistance shatter like a dry leaf. Hot damn, what a sexy little system the Lite is. I’d been holding out getting a DS because there wasn’t all that much out there at I could see myself dedicating much time to (one or two select titles excluded, of course). The release of Super Princess Peach and New Super Mario Bros. have changed that immensely. See, my wife is a massive fan of anything Mario, and she’s played the hell out of all our GBA games. These two new titles means I now have her blessing for bringing home yet another game system. We’ll be taking turns with this one, and just like Mario vs. Donkey Kong, she’ll whup me big time. At least she thinks she will.

Yeah, that’s it. she only thinks she will….

Hmm, I just finished up a review of Galoob’s excellent Game Genie for the Genesis (look for it on Sega-16 tomorrow), and it got me thinking about “game enhancers” in general. Long the butt of jokes and criticism, they have nevertheless managed to sustain themselves and even evolve, right alongside the industry. Since 1990, we’ve gone from Game Genie to Game Shark to Pro Action Replay, and I estimate that it’s only a matter of time before we see them appear on store shelves for the Xbox 360 and its next gen brethren. Despite all the negative vibes heaped upon them, their longevity signifies one single, undeniable fact:

People like to cheat.

Sure, I guess those that do aren’t considered “hardcore” and badass and such nonsense. I ask you though: who really cares? At this stage of the game, does it really matter if I had to beat Chronicles of Riddick using a cheat code or game enhancer? Are the hardcore police going to beat down my door and taser my ass until I admit guilt and beg for mercy? Honestly folks, what’s the big deal?

I guess it was once a matter of pride, back when I was in high school and it was of the utmost importance to be the first to beat a particular title. Such was the insanity that made me play through Super Hydlide on the Genesis and Drakken on the SNES. It was always a contest to find harder and longer games to beat them a pulso, as we say in Spanish, which can best be translated as “cold turkey.” Yep, back then it was something you took seriously and carried around like a medal. See him? He’s the guy that 1-credited Double Dragon 2!

Nowadays, it’s a different story. I simply haven’t the time nor the inclination to suffer through Chakan. What’s that Galoob? You have an invincibility code for me? I’ll take it, along with a side of infinite potions! As time passes and my old school skills fade like sand sculptures at high tide, it becomes less and less important how I beat a game. These days, I just want to beat it, period. For that reason, I have a slew of cheat devices and use them all. That’s right, I admit it. Am I a scrub? Maybe. Am I less hardcore than those who don’t use them? Probably. One thing’s for sure, I’ll still have all my hair when I hit forty, and my kids won’t learn so many obscenities (at least not from me).

After nearly two years, Sega-16 is finally getting a staff. We’re a relaxed enthusiast site, but it’s time we kicked things up a notch. There is currently space for 2-3 talented and passionate individuals who are willing to write about the Sega Genesis and its add-ons. Staffers are required to write between 2-3 reviews a month (only games not yet reviewed please), as well as 2-3 articles on any Genesis-related topic (check our Features page for plenty of examples).

The process is simple: Just send one-paragraph email detailing why you’d like to write for the site, along with a sample of your writing. If you’re among the chosen, you’ll hear back from us with a long, ranting email written all in bold and caps. Ok, scratch that last part, but you’ll definitely hear from us! Send all submissions to ken@sega-16.com.

The deadline is Saturday, June 10, so get cracking!

It’s done. I’ve just placed my order for what will perhaps be the most anticipated Genesis game of all time. Controversial in every sense of the word, Super Fighter Team’s Beggar Prince has finally begun shipping (Sega-16’s webmaster Steven Kenyon got his today, lucky dog!). I had to unfortunately wait so long for mine due to my car’s nasty habit of selecting one part per week for replacement. She’s a tough little bugger, but I so long for a second car. After dishing out $70 for a new battery today - because being stranded at work is so much fun, I said “screw it” and put town my $40 for Beggar Prince. I should have it within a week or so, if the USPS does its job, and then my free time is gone.

I wonder what the pundits will say now that the game is a reality. Many skeptics refused to believe that it would ever ship, and now that it has, I’m sure that they will find something else to rip up. The box art has already been torn to shreds on Digital Press, but my own boards were more reserved in their comments, and for that I’m proud. Of course, Sega-16 will have a full review, once I put this puppy through his paces, and I’m sure that many out there appreciate are going to appreciate the first fully packaged and commercially released Genesis game in almost a decade.

And if it sucks, I’ll eat my hat.

Wait, I don’t own a hat.

Ok, I’ll buy a hat and eat it. Peace out.

Awesome. After nearly two years with GotNext, it’s a great to see how the site has grown. Not that I doubt Chris’s abilities, but it sure has come together very quickly and very tightly. There’s something about working with a group of passionate and dedicated people that just brings out the best in you, and that’s why I’m still here. Now that we have this sweet, sweet, little blog (I say go with “GotSpace”), I will probably keep my 1up blog as only a sort of mirror. Not that I posted there that much anyway, but this is going to be my home for all my ranting and raving. Expect to hear lots about classic gaming, Sega-16, and everything else that comes to mind.

You’ve been warned.