Author: Victor Rhodes

Entertainment, Video Games

Nintendo’s newest console offers fun and innovation

Victor Rhodes

The Nintendo Switch is unlike any gaming console imagined. It birthed a new, innovated way to play video games — on the go and living room experience. The Switch was officially unveiled in October 2016 via an online teaser video. Nintendo released more information a few months later. After unboxing it, I was surprised by Switch’s slick design. Most gaming consoles were oversized machines and heavy. Switch, however, looks familiar to tablets such as the Apple iPad or Amazon Kindle. It felt light and comfortable while holding the console. The console includes a HDMI docking system, which allows gamers to…

Comic book, Entertainment

Marvel Comics’ web-slinger debuts in intense crossover

Victor Rhodes

Spider-Man faces off against a worthy foe in new series Spider-Man faces his toughest challenge yet in Marvel Comics’ latest crossover; “The Clone Conspiracy.” Written by Dan Slott and with art by Jim Cheung, “The Clone Conspiracy” follows Peter Parker feeling responsible over his uncle J. Jonah Jameson Sr.’s death. He was cautious about using a new medical procedure and sensed something wrong about it. Parker, as Spider-Man, later investigates a company behind this new breakthrough named New U. Spider-Man soon learns an old villain, Jackal, created New U and plans on ruining Parker’s life for good. The series continued…

Entertainment, TV

‘Luke Cage’ makes a solid debut on Netflix

Victor Rhodes

Newest show from Marvel studios shows great promise Marvel and Netflix’s third-pillar superhero series “Luke Cage” debuted Sept. 30 . A spin-off of “Jessica Jones,” it focuses more on street-level heroes and not Avengers, Ironman or Agents of Shield. Mike Colter is Luke Cage, who left Hell’s Kitchen and now lives in Harlem working multiple jobs. His character struggles with personal demons while moving forward from the past. The show introduced colorful new characters to Marvel’s cinematic and television universe.  Alfre Woodard is council- woman Mariah Dillard, a politician working hard to fix Harlem, which includes doing illegal deals with…

Entertainment

Fall’s new TV shows aim for laughs, thrills

Victor Rhodes

For those tired of watching summer reruns, the fall TV season has finally arrived. Here are five you won’t want to miss. ‘GREAT INDOORS’ This new sitcom brings Joel McHale back to television after “Community” ended. McHale stars as Jack Gordon, an adventure reporter who must adapt to the times and manage a digital-only department. Stephen Fry, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Susannah Fielding also star in the series. “Great Indoors” premieres at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 on CBS. ‘THE EXORCIST’ This horror television series is based on the famous film franchise. Anegla Rance (Geena Davis) notices her older daughter, Casey, displaying…

Entertainment

Playstation Now best cloud gaming service so far

Victor Rhodes

Sony Interactive Entertainment recently released a streaming service platform called PlayStation Now on Microsoft Windows devices. PlayStation Now is a cloud computing service where customers can play PlayStation 3 games via subscription. About 400 titles are available including new titles being added every month. Sony originally announced the platform at Consumer Electronic Show 2014. Along with the announcement, they revealed “PS Now” is powered by cloud gaming service Gaikai. It has been in beta since 2014 and recently had a full release. Like Netflix, customers are required to have a strong Internet connection. I tested out my connection through PS…

Entertainment, Video Games

Celebrating 20 years of Pokemon

Victor Rhodes

Relive Nintendo’s popular role-playing videogame classic franchise in digital form. It has been 20 years since “Pokemon” was first released in Japan, originally known as “Pocket Monster Red and Green” on Feb. 27, 1996. Global localization soon followed two years later. In “Pokemon,” a nameless young boy ventures into the woods before being stopped by Professor Oak, who explains about wild creatures living there and takes you to his lab. Once inside, the player is given a choice between three Pokemon: Charmander (Fire), Squirtle (Water) and Bulbasaur (Grass). Squirtle (left), Bulbasaur, and Charmander are the three Pokemon each player starts…

Entertainment

The hottest and newest shows arrive this fall

Victor Rhodes

New and exciting shows coming from different networks are set to air this fall. Last year’s lineup was panned by many critics as mediocre at best. This year, fortunately, shows much more promise. Here are five that you won’t want to miss. Contributed photo/ABC Studios “THE MUPPETS” Everyone’s favorite puppets return to the small screen. “The Muppets” follows Kermit and his friends running a late show hosted by Miss Piggy. ABC’s latest take on Jim Henson’s popular characters is geared toward adults and not young children. Muppet fans will enjoy the dark yet funny tone not seen in previous incarnations.…

Entertainment

‘Splatoon’ splashes on to Wii U consoles and delivers fun

Victor Rhodes

 “Splatoon” is a third-person perspective shooter developed by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development. The younger developers inside Nintendo created the prototype. In “Splatoon,” players control a humanoid squid character known as an Inkling. Inklings can shift between their normal and squid forms. Each player must ink enough turf within a time limit to claim victory. There are four weapons with different usages and strategies. For example, paint rollers can easily spread ink while Splattershot is a balanced and easily used weapon. “Splatoon” players begin in Inkopolis, the main hub where everyone gathers before doing multiplayer matches or campaign missions. It…