Lurker > CaptainOfCrush

I can't be the only person who expects another good performance from Pikachu next round. I think he's about to have the best non-rallied, non-N9 percentage against Link ever, even better than Magus in 2003.
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Yoblazer
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This is gonna cost Pikachu in the long run. I'll say it again (and again until everyone tells me to shut up) that I feel re-running a match THIS close a week later makes the loser the favorite. You only need a few people to switch their votes (just to switch things up), and the result changes.

Pikachu is going to get unceremoniously dumped into Losers by Link, and he'll then be faced with an immediate Mega Man rematch.

He could have gone further with a Losers run through Ganondorf.
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Yoblazer
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Mario/Cloud is still the greatest match ever imo. You really had to be here.
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

UltimaterializerX posted...

Mario was considered the big favorite all the way up until Link beat Seph's ass in the semis, then people were like "oh". Ceej gave us odds and everything. Mario was 6:1, next closest was 9:1 but I forget who that was. I think it was Cloud or Sonic but I don't remember. Link and Seph were in the teens somewhere.

Those were CJayC's odds, right? On the board, the general consensus was that the FFVII duo were the top dogs, and I remember Sephiroth holding an advantage over Cloud. It wasn't until 2003 when Cloud emerged as FFVII's #1 guy, and even in their 2004 rematch, quite a few people went for the Seph > Cloud upset because the hierarchy wasn't quite established yet.
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Yoblazer
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NowItsAngeTime posted...

AT the time was it pretty well known/obvious FF7 was the #1 most popular game on the site?

Yeah, almost overwhelmingly so. I remember genuine shock (and glee) when Link was able to beat Sephiroth without breaking a sweat, because back then, that just didn't seem like it would happen. Seph and Cloud were capable of insane percentage beatdowns WHILE also bringing in more votals. They were something else.

Had Link not emerged as a contest force in 2002-03, FFVII would have been an even bigger favorite in the first games contest.
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Yoblazer
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Sephiroth was probably the favorite to win (the entire contest) during most of it, so from what I remember, there was genuine surprise that Samus and Mega Man were able to keep it as close as they did.
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

Dva69 posted...

Why are we not allowed to criticize anyone or anything in your fairy tale land?

Criticize for crappy behavior, sure. Constructively criticize for a badly missed prediction, sure. Insult for a badly missed prediction... why?
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Yoblazer
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ZeldaTPLink posted...

It's so easy to call someone an idiot after the result of a match.

I'd like to see people have the balls to do that before the match.

Or better yet, I'd like to never see it happen when discussing predicting popularity contests. I don't care if someone thought Mega Man would capture the spirit of his 2005 self and win with 65%; it doesn't make that person an idiot, and using language like that is indicative of someone who is reactionary and immature by nature (basically, a child).
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

If you were around in the days when Pokemon was getting its ass kicked by Xenogears, then yes, this turnaround would look at least a little jarring.
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

There are probably some inter-N9 sureties (I can't imagine Mario losing to Sonic/Mega Man/Samus, for example), but apart from that, we may be near a point where everyone not named Link can lose to some beefed up entrant outside the N9. After seeing today's results, even someone staunchly in Snake's corner must admit that Zelda at least has a chance... and if she upends Snake, what makes the non-Nintendo N9 safe?
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Yoblazer
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CelesMyUserName posted...

SS has a lot of strengths going for it, it just also has the most completely stupid flaws that shouldn't exist.

This is where I stand. The game had almost as much charm as Wind Waker, a great score, and arguably the strongest collection of dungeons in a 3D Zelda.

If they fix some of the pacing issues (mainly by silencing Fi and keeping menu prompts from constantly bugging the player), that alone will be a major improvement. Some of the actual story segments can also be trimmed for the sake of tighter pacing (3x Imprisoned fight, returning to the first dungeon midway through the game), but I don't think Nintendo has made changes that significant when re-releasing games. I also think those sections will be way more palatable if the player isn't constantly interrupted by Fi/the menu.
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Yoblazer
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I think a loss for MM here might actually be better for his overall contest placement. This result is close enough that I'd actually take the loser today as the favorite in next week's rematch (which will happen unless Ganondorf trolls everyone hard).
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

I guess... it closely ties to "worldwide" gaming popularity for Pikachu to be a Top 5-level character. It's just still weird to see it on the site given where he started from.
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Yoblazer
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Nude most nights. Feels goooood.
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Yoblazer
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Link
Zero
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

Fuckin beautiful, my favorite one yet!
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

I dont think Cloud is a guarantee to get anywhere, which is why I seriously considered Crono against him. But he's been at risk to lose to non-Link Noble 9ers for eight years.
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

Cloud already lost to a Pokemon. Fraud should be reserved for fluke wins we don't expect to see repeated.

Actually, it shouldn't be reserved for anything because it's getting lame.
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Yoblazer
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Everyone except Pikachu and Zelda is a fraud.

Hell, even Zelda's still on the bubble.
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

Jesus, how sad would it be if Mega Man is the one that loses here and relies on a revenge Losers win to save face.

I wouldn't even golf clap him.
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

Otacon's looking at this poll and getting his SNAAAAKE voice ready.
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

Even if MM holds on, he's a prime candidate for Pika revengeance next week.
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

WW for the charm and music. TP's pacing is so off.
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

I'd give Ganondorf a healthy shot against Pikachu if it were, say, the Division 1 finals (probably would have called him the favorite pre-contest), but after Link is done putting up like 85% on him, I can't imagine the voters caring more about the guy. He'll be discarded meat. Alucard would have been lucky to draw Ganondorf in Round 1 of Losers - that could have kept his miracle run going!
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

If MMX (specifically X) would have gotten into Smash instead of Classic, would most people still take Classic to be stronger directly or indirectly?
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/poll/1344-east-division-round-2-zero-vs-sonic-the-hedgehog

It's still real to me, dammit
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Yoblazer
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LeonhartFour posted...

Augh, I still have no idea why I didn't have Pikachu winning the division. One of my bigger regrets in my bracket this year.

Yeah, that was my biggest regret by far. I missed four division winners - would never pick against MMX, never conceive of picking Alucard, and was content with my Kirby upset, but Pikachu was the one I should have been smarter with. I tried to rationalize his strength away while crediting Yoshi strength he really hasn't shown in a while. I think Yoshi's a clear step below Bowser/Luigi at this point.
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Yoblazer
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LeonhartFour posted...

Yeah, it's more in the PS games where they actually attempt to have a real story.

Considering I've never played any of those, that answers a lot. Looks like I was premature in my judgment... but come on, we all know X-X3 is where he gets most of his popularity.
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Yoblazer
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TheRock1525 posted...

A pair of tits.

I forgot about this. I'm guessing you gave the board the follow up story?
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Yoblazer
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UltimaterializerX posted...

CaptainOfCrush posted...

UltimaterializerX posted...

Could not have been more obvious Bowser was the favorite, especially with that Bowsette nonsense pre-contest.

Were you as brazen and confident on the board before the match actually happened?

Yep. Check the stats topic archive when some moron alt troll tried coming at me sideways about it.

Im the nicest guy ever until someone tries to @ me, then its pit bull time.

I'll give you credit for it, but you're still waving it in everyone's face like a child. And I'd even give you some leeway for THAT if it was a unique prediction (jcgamer with Alucard taking a division). Around 42% of the Gurus had Bowser winning the division and I don't see anyone else trying to turn it into their "genius special". Grow up.
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Yoblazer
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If she maintains her R1-4 strength, then she has a real shot against Snake (which may be the case).
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

UltimaterializerX posted...

Could not have been more obvious Bowser was the favorite, especially with that Bowsette nonsense pre-contest.

Were you as brazen and confident on the board before the match actually happened?
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

This was a fun one; hope everyone enjoys.
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Yoblazer
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Mr Lasastryke posted...

i can understand someone thinking vertigo is boring (even though i voted for it) but north by northwest is super entertaining.

Yeah, I just didn't enjoy either. Maybe I came into Vertigo with too lofty expectations, but I had barely heard of NbN and still didn't like it. I should probably give it another chance someday because I really enjoyed Psycho, Rear Window, and Rope.
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Yoblazer
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(and waited for my late ass)
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Yoblazer
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Them boys stood.
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Yoblazer
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I've only seen the "Big Four" before last weekend, but I watched Rope last weekend and it might honestly be it. That or Psycho.

I dont think I'm a big Hitchcock fan either way. I thought Vertigo and North by Northwest were both boring and overrated.
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Yoblazer
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We'll see. The Years contest went quite smooth for SBAllen (little drama/stress), and we got the next one less than 18 months later. I feel like this one is sailing even smoother, so who knows. We might get contests with more regularity provided they don't burn the guy out.
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

_SecretSquirrel posted...

Yeah, I care more about the games too, but I feel like Games are likely too static to do yearly.

Same. I think people have more rigid game preferences and are less likely to get crazy with their voting just to see funny results.
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

I haven't followed this, but this isnt anything close to the big budget, triple A console Pokemon game that fans have wanted for like 15 years, right?
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

It remains and will probably always remain my favorite game ever. The magic of that first playthrough in December 1998 will never leave me.

Beaten it probably a dozen times. I decided to speedrun it several years ago and beat it in about nine hours. Tried again the very next day and did it in seven, so while I can't say I've beaten it dozens of times, I've done it twice in two days.
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

The top-heavy nature of the N64 would win the day over the GCN. OoT may not equal instant win, but OoT + SM64 + MM indeed would.

If we're only gonna get big contests every couple (or few) years, I don't see the harm in giving us little ones to whet our appetites. I'd still rather have the Years contest than none at all.

Now, the unattractive thing about the Console contest is the spectacular degree to which the SNES would dominate, so the best bracket set up would be to stack the bottom half with the other big four (PS1, PS2, N64, NES) to get at least a couple of interesting matches.
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Yoblazer
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Tough to choose between CT, SMW, and MMX.
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Yoblazer
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pjbasis posted...

What did SMRPG look like in 2015 again?

How did it outplace like every other Mario game? Weak path? I guess they got Undertale'd, but I don't remember the bracket exactly.

It got paired up with a bunch of PS2 era games and none were quite strong enough to take out a SNES classic. If any arguments were to be had about the winner of a console contest, Mario RPG's run put them to bed imo.
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

It (anecdotally) says something about the timeless quality of Chrono Trigger that I first played it as an adult, 16 years after its release, and it catapulted to the top of my favorite games from that era. At the very least, it's top three
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Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg

ExThaNemesis posted...

Newegg $40 PS4 controller gonna be lit y'all good lookin out. I might get Nier as well.

2B contest performance literally generating sales. ARE DEVS PAYING ATTENTION?
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Yoblazer
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Punnyz posted...

https://www.gamestop.com/collection/blackfridayad

HERE we go

@CaptainOfCrush theres nier

@Nelson_Mandela Red dead you get a 10 dollar coupon when you purchase it at full price

Thanks!
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Yoblazer
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I dont think anything happened, he just seems to be a lot less active.
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Yoblazer
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Thanks for making this (we miss you Wang).

I'm looking to do a bit of holiday gaming so I'm hoping Nier Automata is $20 somewhere.
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Yoblazer
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Don't show this to Bill Maher
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Yoblazer
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