Rhythm Games Worth Your Time

An inflow of rhythm games brought popularity to the genre last console generation, but that popularity soon faded. Let's take a look at some of the greats of days past.

Following Konami's Dance Dance Revolution craze, Guitar Hero and Rock Band
arrived next on the scene. 

PaRappa the Rapper

PaRappa the Rapper is credited with creating the rhythm genre, but it vaguely resembles the genre of today. Played without any plastic instruments, you tap buttons on the controller to make a rapping dog mimic his teachers. It's an incredibly short game, requiring less than 40 minutes to complete.

Although PaRappa the Rapper 2 received mediocre reviews from critics, it’s an underrated game intended for the fans.

Be on the lookout for the upcoming Amplitude 
reboot, fully funded on Kickstarter.

Frequency

Frequency is the first game developed by Harmonix, the company that later went on to create the Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises. It places players in a tunnel with various instrument tracks. Play each track successfully to piece together a full song.

It’s a fantastic game that deserves more attention. 

The 2003 follow-up, Amplitude, is similarly excellent.

RockBand Unplugged for the PSP has similar gameplay but with a different theme and music genre.

Rocksmith

Rocksmith is a revolutionary music game that requires a real electric guitar.

The game adapts to any skill level and requires no musical background. The two entries in the young series have some flaws, but they are very rewarding experiences.

DJ Hero 2

DJ Hero 2 is easily forgotten. Left in the wake of Activision’s milking of the Guitar Hero franchise, DJ Hero was left with an unfortunate name.

The second entry in the short-lived series offers more electronic tracks and less rap. Gameplay is unique and at times euphoric.

Don’t forget to pick up the plastic turntable required for play.

Rez HD

Part music game and part rail shooter, Rez HD is more of an experience than a game. Originally a rare PS2 game, Rez received an HD reissue. To be fully appreciated, play it in surround sound. It’s available on an inexpensive disc called Qubed for Xbox 360.

The Qubed disc also contains two great puzzle games: Lumines Live! and Every Extend Extra Extreme.

Space Channel 5

Space Channel 5 plays much like the children’s game Simon Says. Listen to commands, observe actions, and replicate those actions per the rhythm. The game features quirky characters (including Space Michael) and an onslaught of oddities.

The sequel never received an individual U.S. release, but it’s available on the PS2 port and Dreamcast Collection for Xbox 360.

Gitaroo Man

Gitaroo Man virtually copies the formula invented by PaRappa.

The game is short, features a bizarre story, and uses on-screen button commands for gameplay. Give it a try if you’re looking for a little-known rhythm game worth your time.

Originally on the PS2, Gitaroo Man was later ported to the PSP.

Rid Your Collection of Stickers and Sharpie

There's a good chance you have some unsightly games like this in your collection:

Photo by Plat on Flickr. Background removed. (CC BY 2.0)

Be it a cartridge or a disc case, unsightly sticker residue and writing are enough to make any collection appear downright repulsive. Every collector needs some basic products to rid of these marks: cotton swabs, Goo Gone, 91% isopropyl alcohol, and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original.

Cotton Swabs

As you're probably well aware, Q-tips are perfect for cleaning cartridge contacts. Additionally, they're useful tools for removing sticker residue when combined with isopropyl alcohol or Goo Gone.  

Avoid cotton swabs with plastic shafts—these bend under the slightest pressure.  

Goo Gone

This is powerful stuff. Dip a Q-tip into Goo Gone and apply to sticker residue. Allow it to soak for a moment, and gently scrape off excess with a paper towel. Take care to not allow any to touch the game's label.

If cleaning a DVD-style case, remove the artwork insert while cleaning. Applying any pressure  where the case has indentations will dent the artwork, thus permanently damaging it.

91% Isopropyl Alcohol

Chances are you already have this for keeping cartridge contacts clean. It's also a great solvent for removing less-stubborn sticker residue.

A benefit of isopropyl alcohol over Goo Gone is that it does not leave a greasy texture. Apply some to a paper towel to wipe up excess Goo Gone. Like Goo Gone, keep it away from labels. Rubbing non-glossy labels can remove the color. The same can happen if you wipe it across the lettering of a NES's front flap.

Also, use it as a first resort for removing Sharpie marks. Buy it at any drugstore.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original

Magic Erasers can also clean matte console exteriors. 

Sometimes isopropyl alcohol isn't quite enough to remove Sharpie marks. If this is the case, it's time to use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original.

These are essentially very soft sandpaper. Use them only as a last resort, and do not use a Magic Eraser on a glossy surface—scratches will ensue.

Generics can be purchased instead of the pricey brand-name product from Mr. Clean. Find them among cleaning products.

A Successful Cleanup:

Photo by Plat on Flickr. Background removed. (CC BY 2.0)

Yes, this is the same game pictured above. This game has a glossy label, so it was possible to briefly apply Goo Gone to the label. Had the label been absorbent, damaged would have occurred. Had any solution made contact with the edge of the label, the label could have been stained. This is a job well done.

GameCube’s Forgotten Multiplayer Games

GameCube, with its four controller ports, is notorious for being a great multiplayer console. With titles such as Super Smash Bros. Melee, Mario Party 4 through 7, and Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, it’s easy to forget about some of the lesser-known multiplayer titles.

Alien Hominid 

Originally a Flash game, Alien Hominid is a side-scrolling shoot ‘em up that received console ports. The main game mode allows for two player co-op play. With comical animations and big boss fights, it’s a great game that is often overlooked. Try out the Flash game before buying.

Hunter: The Reckoning

Hunter: The Reckoning offers an abysmal single player experience, but gather two or three friends and it’s fun. Don’t come in expecting any great story or depth; just expect some non-stop hack-and-slash action. The main thumbstick controls movement while the C-stick controls aiming.

NHL Hitz 20-03

NHL Hitz 20-03 has aged gracefully.

Yes, it’s an old sports game. No, it’s not obsolete. NHL Hitz 20-03 is not a realistic hockey game; rather, it's an extra fast, hard-hitting hockey fantasy. It has wacky characters, a sense of humor, and easy-to-learn controls. I’m not a sports fan of any kind, yet I find it very entertaining.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

Four Swords Adventures is probably the last Zelda game to come to mind when thinking of Zelda titles for the GameCube. The requirements to play it properly are very steep, because standard controllers will not work for multiplayer. Here's what you'll need for four players:

• x4 GameCube—Game Boy Advance Link Cables
• x4 Game Boy Advance systems (preferably GBA SP)
• x4 GameCube controller extensions (the GBA link cables run quite short)

Gather this equipment along with some friends, and you can prepare for a good time. It’s a unique experience where each player receives his or her own screen. Four Swords Adventures offers a nice mix of cooperation and competition.

Pikmin 2

Multiplayer in Pikmin 2 is split-screen yet retains detail.

Pikmin 2 is a real-time strategy game unlike any other—it’s both easy to understand and highly entertaining. The two-player versus mode of Pikmin 2 pits players against each other in an assortment of challenging environments. Build an army of Pikmin and use them to strategically meet one of the three win conditions. Consider purchasing the Nintendo Selects re-issue of Pikmin 2 for the Wii, as it offers widescreen support and enhanced Wii control.  

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$!

 "Nighttime Allergies" Microgame

This is a weird one. Overshadowed by Mario Party games, WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$! should not be forgotten. Rather than having a virtual board with minigames, WarioWare gives up to four players the opportunity to take turns playing “microgames"—games that have a duration of only a few seconds each. It’s not a game to be played regularly, but every once in a while it will produce some great laughs. 

How to Hook Up Several Consoles without Swapping Cables

With eight generations of video game consoles available, keeping them all connected and ready to play is not an easy feat. Fortunately, there are products out there that make it feasible.

The back of three Philips A/V switches with component,
composite, and S-Video input options. 

The A/V Switch Box

Critical to any multi-console setup is the switch box. These simple devices turn a single input on your TV into four or more inputs. A switch box typically has four inputs and a single output..

Hook a console to each input, and run the switch's output into an input on the TV. You will want to purchase your switch boxes based on the required video output, be it composite, S-Video, component, SCART, or HDMI.

The AVR

Although not necessary, an audio video receiver (AVR) functions as an input source selector and surround sound receiver. A typical AVR has a variety of input options. Best of all, the output from a switch box can be plugged into an input on an AVR. Doing this exponentially increases the number of available inputs.

Don't forget to disable the AVR's video processing features, as these can introduce video delay. 

Power Management

Hooking up several consoles requires not only the AV inputs but also the power outlets. Plugging in consoles incorrectly is a fire hazard. Belkin has a power strip for managing standby power consumption by automatically cutting device power when unused. Belkin also offers a power strip with a manual switch remote.   

Cable Management

With AV cables abound and power cords in a tangle, cable management is a tricky task. An effective, cheap solution is to use nylon cable ties. Neatly wrap cables and carefully trim the excess of the cable tie after lightly tightening.

Additional Accessories

TOSLINK Switch

Getting the best sound quality out of PS2 and Xbox requires an optical audio cable. This is troubling, because most switch boxes lack optical in/out. A standalone TOSLINK switch is usually necessary for switching the audio between these consoles.  

Female-to-female RCA Couplers

RCA couplers allow you to link two AV cables to combine their length. These are important for getting the right length cable line when connecting consoles to your switch boxes. Keep in mind that you should use thick, well-shielded RCA cables. Long runs of low-quality analog cables will deteriorate the output quality.

Controller Extensions

Arranging several consoles will require some space, and old consoles with corded controllers will be unlikely to reach your seating area. Buy some controller extension cables.

The End Result

Even with the help of these products, it still takes some ingenuity to simultaneously connect several consoles. The end result, however, is well worth the effort:

Collecting on a Tight Budget: Retail Arbitrage

Arbitrage is a simple concept with a fancy name. It’s all about buying low in one market and swiftly selling high in another market. Best of all, it applies to video games and can fuel your collecting hobby. 

Step 1: Discover a bargain

The idea is to identify clearance or sales items that can be purchased at one retailer and immediately flipped online or sold to a pre-owned game buyer at a gain. One way to start is to simply visit retailers and take a look at what they have in stock.

Some of the best retailers for buying deeply discounted items include Kmart and Toys “R” Us. These retailers will often overstock in popular titles and offer deep clearance prices. Also be on the lookout for sales opportunities and exclusive bundle deals.

If you don’t want to pop into stores with your fingers crossed, you can do some research. Prowl resources like cheapassgamer or /r/consoledeals to find the latest sales. Even if you don't intend to buy and resell, these are great resources for finding deals. 

Step 2: Gauge profitability

Just because you found a low price or an enticing bundle doesn't mean you've found an arbitrage opportunity. Before making the purchase, you should use your smartphone to estimate the profitability of what you’d like to flip.

You can estimate and compare trade-in values using several sources:

• GameStop (or check a comprehensive unofficial list)
• Amazon Trade-In
•  F.Y.E.
• CeX

Additionally, you can perform a completed item search on eBay. Flipping games on eBay almost always results in a higher return than a trade-in, but it is much more time consuming and risky.  Don’t forget to include shipping costs, eBay fees, and PayPal fees when estimating eBay profitability.

Step 3: Make the swap

After you've successfully identified a bargain and made the purchase, it’s time to cash in. Games purchased new at a retailer will need to be opened and sold as “used” to places accepting trade-ins. Be sure to carefully investigate the item’s profitability on eBay before removing the cellophane wrap.

Keep in mind that some stores may not accept a bulk trade of several copies of the same title. For instance, it’s not advisable to try to trade in 10 copies of the same game at a single location.

With a profit margin over 25%, I converted $25.92 of merchandise from Toys "R" Us to $35 at CeX.

Want to learn more?

Read a good book on retail arbitrage to really get educated. Learn about Fulfillment by Amazon, and consider expanding your retail arbitrage into product categories beyond video games. The best of the best can make a full-time job out of retail arbitrage through strategic purchases, chaining coupons, and participation in rewards programs.