Super Smash Bros. For Wii U, A Smashing Good Time

I know the game has been out for a while, but I just wanted to give credit where credit is due. The older Smash Bros. fans will shout “Super Smash Bros. Melee was the best and will always be the best”, but what Nintendo did for SSB for Wii U has taken this series to another level. Enhanced graphics, new characters, different combo options, even more dangerous maps, and 8-player mode all come with the new and improved Super Smash Bros. Also, a player can still use regular Wii remotes on the Wii U, so this makes it easier for lazy people (like me) who do not wish to adapt to the new Wii U controller, which has a screen in the middle of it in case you wanted to use the bathroom without interrupting the game for everyone else.

A list of the new characters include: Mega Man, Wii Fit Trainer, Animal Crossing Villager, Rosalina & Luma, Little Mac, Greninja, Customizable Mii Fighters, Palutena, Robin, Shulk, Lucina, Pac-Man, Dark Pit, Bowser Jr. (with all other koopa kids), and the duck and dog from duck hunt. Also, Zero Suit Samus is available as a starting character as opposed to Regular Samus from SSB Brawl, where you would need to hit a “special ball” in order to become zero suit samus. As for DLC characters, there is only one: Mewtwo. Mewtwo from Melee and Lucario from Brawl had very, very similar attacks so I hope that this new Mewtwo comes with new attacks or other surprises. I personally only got to play as Palutena, Little Mac, Bowser Jr. and Shulk. Palutena you have to get used too. Little Mac is HIGHLY powerful and if you can hone in on timing his attacks, you will be unstoppable. I played as a Bowser Jr. who had a cannon and could also detach himself from his little vehicle thing to place a bomb inside it before returning, which killed my friend about eight times. Shulk is a swordsman character, but his “B” move allows you to use a sort of perk with choices of speed, power, or defense. Trust me, they really do help.

This is pretty much the extent of my knowledge because I just spent thirty minutes in a GameStop doing a trial run of the game and now I wish i wasn’t a broke student so I could purchase a Wii U just for this game. If you live a life without regrets, buy this game and you will not be disappointed.

Thanks for reading! To hear some awesome music and more shenanigans coming straight from my pie-hole, tune into my show “Shred the Gnar” Tuesdays at 8am only on http://www.kssu.com!!!

Much love,

DJGingerbeard

The Ghost Inside/ Attila/ Volumes Album Reviews.

I want to take a moment and talk about some news albums that came out recently, and by recently I mean within the last six months. The Ghost Inside, Attila, and Volumes all dropped some heavy stuff and I checked out all their new albums. Holy snap crackle and pop, they were extravagant. The Ghost Inside with some hardcore melodies, Attila with their IDGAF in-your-face attitude, ad Volumes with a melodic change for the better.

Once again, the Ghost Inside have proven themselves to be one of the leading bands in the hardcore scene. To all those who say they went “mainstream” and are not underground anymore, I say to you, screw that. If a band can make it big and get paid more so they can actually afford nice things instead of sticking to the underground and getting paid diddly squat for a run down apartment, I say go for it and get big. The first song “Avalanche” straight up pumps up the mood for everybody with a nice build up in the beginning and gang vocals to breakdown as a finisher. The debut song “Dear Youth” covers all aspects of a great song; powerful riffs, relatable lyrics, empowering breakdowns, and a harmony that is off the chain. Well done The Ghost Inside.

First off, Attila is not a band meant to be taken as “meaningful” or important to your life goals. They are a party hard, DGAF kind of band with a new album called “Guilty Pleasure”. With a mix between brutal exhales and rapping, Fronz (vocalist) has multiple virtuoso moments throughout the song. Some tracks make me shake my head and say “what the heck is this” but tracks like “Guilty Pleasure” and “Horse Pig” get me throwing chairs and flipping tables. Again, they are not very deep and philosophical, but they kill it live. I speak from past experiences when i say they put on a fantastic show with lights, and 8O8 drops. This new album will take their concerts to the next level. I saw an Instagram video of a huge wall of death to one of their new songs and that is enough to convince me that this new album is worth purchasing.

Last but certainly not least, Volumes. Volumes is a Djent band well-known for their breakdowns, but their album “No Sleep” was not what fans expected this album had a lot of lighter, more melodic tracks on it. Don’t get me wrong, the tracks are amazing and I am happy to hear that Volume’s use of music theory and desire to do less heavy music in their future, but Volumes received a lot of fire. In their song “The Mixture”, the lyrics say “you can have metal back” and in an interview, the vocalists said they are dropping from their label to pursue music on their own path. The album “No Sleep” is the first step in Volumes new style and wave of music, and I love every bit of it.

Thanks for reading, I am DJGingerbeard and to hear music from The Ghost Inside and Volumes (Attila is too vulgar) tune into my show “Shred the Gnar” every Thursday at 9am on http://www.kssu.com.

UFC Fight Night 54 Results and Recap

This Saturday UFC 54 was at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The main event fight between Rory Macdonald versus Tarec Saffiedine (Former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion) where fighting in a number one contendership match to fight the winner of Johnny Hendricks Versus Robbie Lawler. Macdonald Dropped Saffiedine with a big left hand and followed with several punches that lead to a TKO win in the 1:28 mark of the third round.

Rory MacDonald and Tarec Saffiedine Highlights:

This is MacDonald’s 3rd victory in a row, last lost came at the hands of current title contender Robbie Lawler. Lawler is current setup to fight in a rematch fight with current Champion Johnny Hendricks on December 6th 2014.  Macdonald Said” I want the next Title shot, I want the winner of the next fight.” Macdonald now holds a professional record of 18-2. While Saffiedine falls to 15-4 in his professional career.

Co-Main Event Fight between Rafael Assunaco versus Bryan Caraway.

Bantamweight Contender Rafael Assunaco Dominated the bout with is quickness and better striking. Winning by Unanimous decision 30-27 in the score cards. Assunaco is the last person to defeat current Champion TJ Dillashaw. With this win Assunaco was next in line to get a crack the title.

Assunaco said “I was impressed with Dominick’s Cruz’s performance at UFC 178 and was impressed by his dominating Performance” He wasn’t upset that Cruz will leap frog him in line to get a title fight. The Brazilian in third place for the UFC’s longest current winning streak 7, only behind Jon “Bones” Jones (Light Heavyweight Champion) with 11 and Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman with 8.

 

UFC Fight Night 54 results below.

Main card
Rory MacDonald def. Tarec Saffiedine via third-round TKO (1:28)
Raphael Assunaco def. Bryan Caraway vía unanimous decisión (30-27 x3)
Chad Laprise def. Yosdenis Cedeno via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Elias Theodorou def. Bruno Santos via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Nordine Taleb def. Li Jingliang via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Mitch Gagnon def. Roman Salazar via submission (rear-naked choke) (R1, 2:06)

Undercard
Daron Cruickshank def. Anthony Njokuani via unanimous decision (30-27 X3).
Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Jake Lindsey via submission (triangle) (R3, 3:22)
Paul Felder def Jason Saggo via split decision (29-28 28-29 29-28).
Chris Kelades def. Patrick Holohan via unanimous decision (29-28 X3).
Albert Tumenov def. Matt Dwyer via TKO (head kicks) at 1:03 of round one.
Pedro Munhoz def. Jerrod Sanders via submission (guillotine choke) (R1, 0:39)

 

The Hive operates a radio show on KSSU, Sacramento State’s only student run radio station.

UFC 178 – Winners,Losers, Recap

Don’t Call it a Comeback!

Dominick Cruz the former UFC bantamweight returns to the cage after 1092 days  away from the cage due to multiple injuries. Returns and makes short work of Takeya Mizugaki the 5th Ranked Bantamweight in the world Finishing him Via KO in 1:01 mark of the 1st Round. A very emotional Cruz Said “I’m still trying to take it all in”. Cruz had to vacate the title and will get a crack to regain the title he never lost due to having such a dominate performance. He will face Sacramento’s own T.J. Dillashaw the current Bantamweight Champion.

Fight of the Night! Controversy Included!

Tim Kennedy vs Yoel Romero was a back and forth battle with both fighters getting rock at different times. Romero Won via TKO in the 3rd round, but Romero was practically out on his feet by the end of the 2nd round. The 3rd round was about to begin, but in a strange turn of events Romero didn’t get up from his still and actually took a additional 30 sec to get off his stool. That was till Referee Big John McCarthy forced him to stand up. That extra time gave Romero time to recover and beat Kennedy with a furry of punches in the third. “It’s the dirtiest trick in the book,” said UFC President Dana White at the night’s post-fight press conference. “Literally the dirtiest trick in the book.” It is still unknown if Kennedy will challenge Ruling to make it a No Contest due to bizarre and lengthy time given to Romero. Watch Kennedy confront Romero after the fight.

Pound For Pound Best Fighter Ever? 

Demetrious Johnson could be the best fighter ever dominating Chris Cariaso in every round with superior striking and ground work ultimately submitting Cariaso via Kimura. Johnson has pretty much cleaned out his division being the most active Champion in the UFC fighting about 3 times a year. Johnson’s striking, ground game and athleticism is on another level. It doesn’t appear that there is anyone that could give him a real challenge and dethrone him.

UFC 178 results below.

Main card
Demetrious Johnson def. Chris Cariaso via submission (kimura)
Donald Cerrone def. Eddie Alvarez via unanimous decision
Conor McGregor def. Dustin Poirier via first-round TKO
Yoel Romero def Tim Kennedy via third-round TKO
Cat Zingano def. Amanda Nunes via third-round TKO

Undercard
Dominick Cruz def. Takeya Mizugaki via first-round TKO
Jorge Masvidal def. James Krause via unanimous decision
Stephen Thompson def. Patrick Cote via unanimous decision
Brian Ebersole def. John Howard via split decision
Kevin Lee def. Jon Tuck via unanimous decision
Manvel Gamburyan def. Cody Gibson via submission (guillotine)

The dawn of new post-fight bonus for the UFC

Knockout of the Night and Submission of the Night will be no more. UFC announced that it will be replacing the long standing performance awards with two Performance of the Nights awards. UFC’s Dana White tweeted earlier today which will be awarded to fighters who display “the two best individual performances on the card.”

UFC 169 Results: Barao v. Faber

On February 1, UFC 169 fights were headlined by UFC Bantamweight Champion Renan Barao against Urijah Faber and  featured the co-main event of Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo defending his title against Ricardo Lamas.

Mixed Martial Articulation: Is Fox Ready for the UFC? and some Bob Arum Bashing

On this weeks M.M.A. I break down the Pacquiao/Marquez fight, talk about Bob Arum and mourn boxing.

I also talk about what we have learned from UFC on FOX: Dos Santos vs Velasquez.

Tune in Live every Monday night at 9pm PST here on kssu.com

Mixed Martial Articulation: UFC on Fox, UFC 139 preview

Tune into Mixed Martial Articulation here on KSSU, Monday at 9pm PST.

We will be recapping UFC on FOX, talk about the broadcast, the fights and see what we learned from the UFC’s maiden voyage on Broadcast TV.

We will also make our picks for UFC 139: Shogun vs Henderson.

Once the show is done, we will post it here as well.

Mixed Marital Articulation: ESPN continues to phone it in

In the latest edition of “Hot Button”  on ESPN.com, ESPN asks visitors which potential super-fight they would most want to see: either Boxing’s Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, or the UFC’s golden carrot of Anderson Silva vs. George St. Pierre. As a fan of both, I’d really want to see Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. I do not think it will ever happen, but I would love to watch that fight, just so boxing can turn in a relevant and good main event on a major card.

M.M.A. UFC 3: Pride Roster Reactions

ESPN released the “Pride Mode” roster for THQ’s upcoming “UFC3” which is due to be released in February.  This mode allows gamers to expierence the old school and unique feel of the PRIDE era with the different rulesets, entrances and fighters of the Golden age of Japanese Mixed Martial Arts.