What I've Been Playing...

It's been a while since I've blogged, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to do a round-up of what I'm currently playing! I find that lately, I get seriously invested in a game, then that becomes my 'go-to' game which I don't switch through for a while. However, there's still a few in this list I am trying to flit between. Check them out below.

The Witcher 3, PS4

So #MyPS4Life recently showed me that I've spent 99+ hours on The Witcher 3...and for good reason. While I'm a little slow on discovering this series (I started the third instalment earlier this year), it has easily become one of my favourite games of all time, and is easily the best experience I've had on the PS4 yet. I'm just at the end of the 'Blood & Wine' DLC, and have a bunch of side quests I can return to, but other than that, I've done the main stuff! And no...I've still yet to win a game of Gwent. Someone told me to watch a tutorial on YouTube which breaks things down more easily, so I'll be doing that at some point. If anyone has any useful tips for getting the hang of Gwent, please let me know...

Octopath Traveller, Nintendo Switch

So I've just jumped from one RPG straight into another one, and I'm loving this! At first the bosses seemed near impossible, but as I've gathered the other characters and levelled them up, it's become a lot more manageable. Octopath Traveller combines gorgeous graphics and a lovely score with some truly enjoyable gameplay. I'm 10 hours in, and am finding it a delight to unlock each character and follow their story. If you own a Nintendo Switch, then I highly recommend this one!

Castaway Paradise, PS4

As I await Animal Crossing's Nintendo Switch release, I've been playing through Castaway Paradise. While it isn't quite as cute and charming on the eyes as the Animal Crossing games are, the gameplay is pretty damn similar. I'm so close to grabbing a Platinum trophy on this one that I just keep returning to capture those final bugs and fish!

The Simpsons: Tapped Out, iOS

I'm not a mobile gamer, but this is the only mobile game I actually put some time into...in brief stints. The Simpsons: Tapped Out has been around for years, and is essentially a town builder. Yes, there's plenty of loot boxes and microtransactions, but I have got away with playing this without spending a penny. EA surprisingly are quite generous, and give a lot away for free, meaning I'm never not able to play. I'm on level 115 and my town is huge now!

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Nintendo Switch

I've been waiting for this for so long, so of course it was preordered! Smash Bros. Ultimate has been out over a week now, and myself and my husband are playing together to slowly but surely unlock each character in that gigantic roster. Nintendo have upped the ante with this one, and have 

Stardew Valley, PS4

I've just returned to this today, as another game to dip in and out of when I am in need of something relaxing that doesn't require too much brainpower. Stardew Valley is such a charming sim-building game, and I've just adopted a cat in game, so this self-confessed cat lady was pretty happy about that.

So that's it! What have you been playing? Let me know in the comments, or on Twitter!

Throwback - Gaming with my Brother

Us gamers can be pretty nostalgic people. We all look back wistfully at old gaming memories we still hold dear to us. Look at the reaction on Twitter when the Spyro the Dragon, and Crash Bandicoot remasters were confirmed - people who were playing this the first time around were delighting that a piece of their childhood was making a return. 

So, this got me thinking about my fond gaming memories growing up. A lot of my gaming took place sitting next to my brother, handing the controller back and fourth to one another when either of us died in-game. I've brought my brother Jack on board for this one, so join us as we reminisce about a selection of games we both played through together, and loved!

Couldn't seem to find an old video game pic of us,
so here's me and Jack playing Incy Wincy Spider with our Dad instead!

Remembering Satoru Iwata

The games industry recieved some sad news this week. 

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata passed away at the age of 55 after a long battle with cancer on the 12th July. 

Iwata was truly a key name in the gaming industry, helping to develop games in the Super Smash Bros, Kirby and Pokemon series as a programmer at HAL Laboratory before joining Nintendo in 2000. In May 2002, Iwata succeeded Hiroshi Yamauchi as the company's President. It was under his direction that Nintendo pursued the development of the Nintendo DS and Wii consoles in 2004 and 2006, the DS becoming one of the most successful handhelds of all time. 

Gaming Memories

I guess I'm feeling a little nostalgic lately, so I decided to compile a few old gaming memories running through my head from when I was growing up. How many of these do you relate to?

Watching Dad Game

Watching my dad play through a game was a family event. Me, my brother and mum would routinely sit in the living room and watch him try a level or two, offering suggestions on what to try next.

A few of the games my Dad played back when I was a kid ended up being games or series that resonated with me, and I enjoyed myself at a later date.

To name just a few:
Tomb Raider-Lara became one of my favourite characters since watching my Dad play through each game in the series. I absolutely love the reboot too!

Resident Evil-Such a great zombie horror series. It was funny watching dad jump in Resident Evil 2 in the Nemesis sections!

Links Awakening-My introduction to the Zelda series! This remains my favourite Zelda game, to this day. I credit my Dad for that one. 

Super Mario World-I admit it, I've always been a bit rubbish at Mario, even though I enjoy playing them. My dad was much better!

Taking it in Turns to Complete A Game With My Brother

Me and my brother often played through games together when we were growing up. We would take it in turns to complete each level, handing the controller over when one of us died, and vice-versa. A few games that stand out for this are as follows...

Donkey Kong Country & Donkey Kong 2-I remember us especially liking the underwater levels and the minecart races!

Super Mario World-As I said previously, I'm not amazing at Mario. But we persevered anyway!

Crash Bandicoot-I especially remember us finding the Warthog ride level hilarious. I still remember the music!

Smash Bros. Melee-We got pretty much every trophy/statue in the game. Absolutely fantastic game.

There were plenty more than this, but these are the ones that I remember the most.

Trying Out Cheat Codes

Remember those cheat books that came with Playstation Magazine, Nintendo Magazine and Games Master? I relished those! I remember trying out the Aladdin cheat codes to gain instant access to my favourite levels. As a Disney kid and a huge Aladdin fan, I loved going back through the familiar landscapes.

Talking of freebies in games magazines, this leads me to my next point...

Working Through the Demos on Demo Discs

Every time a games magazine gave away a demo disc, me and my brother would work through every available demo, good or bad. I remember this is where we first discovered Parappa the Rapper, Ridge Racer and old fighting games, like Rival Schools. 

Some demo discs were also a bit of a novelty. For instance, one time, a fighting demo disc came in a fake blood bag/drip. These demo discs were also the first time I discovered indie games, as often, especially on the Playstation demo discs, small indie titles were included. 

Sinking Hours into The Sims

I've loved The Sims since my Mum surprised me coming out of school one day with a copy of SimCity 3000 and The Sims 1. I have a lot of fond memories of spending hours designing houses and families, and of course, resorting to the typical Sims torture.

Creating 'Masterpieces' on Mario Paint

Mario Paint was one of the first games we got on the SNes. I remember finding the fly swatting game a little freaky when I was much younger (I think it was the fly swatter screaming in pain, and the creepy boss bug's face), but I also have good memories of trying to beat it.

However, what I remember most fondly is the music maker and art creator. I created so many musical pieces that probably sounded brilliant as a kid, but is probably complete nonsense now! 

I know we have Mario Maker coming, but if Mario Paint ever made it to the WiiU, I'd definitely be taking that up again.

So there you have it! Here's just a few of my old gaming memories (I have plenty more!). What are your best memories of gaming as a kid? Leave some comments, or Tweet me! 

NintyFans Halloween Contest Winners

My Nintendo group on deviantART ran a Halloween competition that ran from mid-October to the 8th November.

We had plenty of people enter for a chance of winning some great prizes, such as commissions from artists, deviantART points and features and more. 

As the Founder, I also got to judge the entries. Here's who I chose as the first, second and third place winners. Congratulations!

FIRST PLACE

Smash Halloween Party by Spelarminlind

SECOND PLACE

Haunter House by artisanpanda

THIRD PLACE

GKHGKGDHG


DFKJDFGKDFHGF

FLKJFDLKJG

Halloween Boonanza! by Misswaterfox

NintyFans Smash Bros. Competition

I often use 8-Bit Girl as a place to let my readers know about my Nintendo deviantART group's competitions. Every few months or so, NintyFans holds an art competition based on a particular theme, with a bunch of prizes up for grabs each time.

The theme this time is:

Smash Bros. Characters
Draw a character you want in the next Smash Bros. game. They have to be a character that has never been added to the series character roster before!

Prize Donations?

As for the prizes, there are drawing commissions, features and more up for grabs, but we are still on the lookout for more!

If you are a dab hand at being creative, or would just love to feature some fantastic Nintendo art on your gaming blog amongst any other prizes you may have available to donate, then please get in touch with me!

I would be happy to add your prize to the competition blog. Also, please feel free to enter yourselves if drawing is a passion of yours. As the saying goes, the more the merrier!

For prize donations, please email kayleighjpowis@gmail.com with the headline 'Smash Bros Competition Prize Donation' and I shall add them to the competition blog straight away.

Check out the current prizes, rules and entries here: http://nintyfans.deviantart.com/journal/New-contest-386645991

Good luck everyone, and have fun!

Feature Friday: Enigmasystem

Today's feature comes from deviantART member Enigmasystem. Hailing from Germany, she has a fantastic digitally painted style. 

Her gaming related pieces show particular strength, with this homage to Mario gaining a Daily Deviation reward on dA today.

Check out some of her art below, and then head on over to her gallery to see more!

Hoothoot from Pokemon

Mario faces a colossus Piranha Plant

Super Smash Bros. 

Tomb Raider (2013)

Borderlands 2 Announced & New Smash Bros News!

As many of you know, I am one of the writers for the Game section of MCM Buzz. Each time I have written an article over on that site, I shall post a link to each one of them on 8-BIT Girl. I know a lot of my readers may appreciate checking these out at some point.

Borderlands 2?
The first concerns the official announcement of Borderlands 2! It's predecessor shifted over 2 million copies in the first two months of release, so a sequel was inevitable. 


You may read more about what we are to expect in Borderlands 2 and other information by clicking right here. 

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New Super Smash Bros. Wii U Details
Masahiro Sakurai, the brains behind the hugely successful Smash Bros. series, as well as the upcoming Kid Icarus game has finally announced a few details about the latest Smash Bros. outing. 


This new Smash Bros. will be released on the Wii U as well as the Nintendo 3DS, and Sakurai promises that this version will be a huge improvement over it's predecessors.


So, what are we to expect from the new Smash Bros.? Hopefully a few questions will be answered over at my article.