Welcome back to the Game Ranter Banter! With the plethora of new major releases we’re surprised you can even find time to read this! This week five our writers will discuss Novembergeddon, the classic SNES, why video games may be a better alternative to movies, and some of the crazy things gamers have done these past few weeks. Oh, and we also give a slight nudge to remind you of three games that are worth picking up.

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Rob Keyes

Lost In Novembergeddon

Congratulations! If you’re reading this, that means you are still interested in video games… and have time to read, despite the brutal onslaught that was this year’s fall release schedule. With the busiest single day of major releases happening this week with Halo Anniversary, Assassin’s Creed Revelations, Saints Row: The Third, Need for Speed: The Run, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and more, following a few weeks which saw the likes of Modern Warfare 3, Skyrim, Battlefield 3, Batman: Arkham City, GoldenEye 007: Reloaded and Sonic Generations, there were more game hours to be played than actual real life hours available.

For hardcore gamers, there’s too much to play. The selection and competition is good, but the burden on our wallets and time is not. Keep in mind that this is all after games including Diablo 3, Mass Effect 3, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier and Operation Raccoon City were all pushed back… could you imagine if those came out these weeks as well?

Despite the growing library of hot titles, gamers absolutely must not forget two releases that may have gotten lost in the shuffle. When time’s available, attention must be paid to Rayman Origins and Lord of the Rings: War in the North. Rayman is offering one of the best platforming experiences ever and War in the North is unlike any previous LOTR title - it’s huge, has a ton of RPG elements and offers 3-player co-op (2 player splitscreen). I recommend you check these out.

Andrew Dyce

Who Needs To Go To The Movies Anymore?

Forgive us if you’ve heard this before, but it’s starting to seem like the best storytelling, or at least the most consistently good storytelling, is coming out of the video game space lately. Especially when it comes to adventures and science fiction.

With Uncharted 3 and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations delivering pulse-pounding and heart-wrenching drama and action that Hollywood filmmakers would kill for, the lack of truly great blockbuster films sticks out like a sore thumb. With the recent boost in 3D films, Hollywood producers have jumped at the chance to rush through terrible movies that insult the intelligence of the average moviegoer, and steal a few extra bucks from them in the process. By comparison, it’s starting to seem like every calendar year brings at least half a dozen truly groundbreaking games that push the boundaries of the medium farther and farther ahead. With the recent batch of fantastic titles this November, now more than ever a person is more likely to find an over-the-top and top-quality experience on their console than in a movie theater. Why would anyone pay $15 for a terrible movie, when they can pick up a story ten times better (that they can actually play a role in) for only 3-4 times the price?

Don’t get me wrong, there are great movies released frequently all over the world, but games are what captures young audiences’ imaginations these days. The fact that Hollywood thinks making big budget movies out of video games will solve their problems is even more troubling. But I won’t panic, I’ll just look forward to even more immersive and well-written gaming next year.

Tyler Schirado

My Love, My Mistress, My Super Nintendo

I recently wrote an article about a guy ranting and raving for 20 minutes about how Mega Man X is one of the greatest games ever created — and he might be on to something there. But I will go one step further. Mega Man X may be an incredible game, but if you look back at the bigger picture, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System is one of THE greatest systems ever. Yes the Sega Genesis may have come out a year previously, but that system had nothing on the SNES.

Just take a glance at some of these incredible titles that came with Mega Man X: Star Fox, Super Mario Kart, Kirby Super Star, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time, Earthworm Jim, F-Zero, Super Street Fighter II: Turbo, Donkey Kong Country, Final Fantasy III, Secret of Mana, Battletoads in Battlemaniacs, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, Chrono Trigger, and Super Mario World.

The SNES launched titles and characters that have continued to flourish throughout our lives. I may have only been entering kindergarten when the system came out, but I still kept up a video game stamina like a college freshman on twelve red bulls. If you think about it, the SNES also paved the way for future bumper buttons on controllers. And who could forget about the Super Scope? The Super Nintendo Entertainment System will be my one true system. I will forever cherish my memories and time spent with my dear old gaming box. You may not have motion controls or incredible 3D graphics, but you do have my heart.

Anthony Taormina

When The Saints Go Marching In

Though the title received a considerable amount of attention on Game Rant with the weekly, and then daily, Cherished Memory trailer series, I can’t help feeling like Saints Row: The Third might still fly under some gamers’ radars. Despite a reputation for being a crass and shameless version of Grand Theft Auto, this year’s iteration is surprisingly solid both in mechanics and storyline.

The sheer amount of varied activities the game asks the player to complete combined with a humor that ranges from tongue-in-cheek to gross out, Saints Row: The Third is exactly the type of over-the-top, silly title gamers need to help break up the waves of intense single player experiences that have permeated this Fall season.

So, I implore you to give Saints Row: The Third a chance, even if it doesn’t seem like your cup of tea. It’s surpassingly more deep andvaried than you’d expect, and it’s a whole lot of fun.

Matt Rowland

Gamer Facepalm

What’s the deal with all the angst among gamers recently? Maybe it’s economic issues, or maybe there are just a whole bunch of crazy people out there. Maybe it’s a little of both.

We have the unbelievable tale of the man who tried to rob someone at gunpoint over their copy of Modern Warfare 3. How about the two truckloads of the same game that were stolen in France? And even crazier than that are the loonies who harassed and threatened an ex-Telltale Games employee, for the simple crime that she had been the person who arranged the Jurassic Jeep deal before a jeep was damaged and flame wars ensued. Seriously, what is it with people?

None of these three examples can be rationalized. Two involve outright crime; the other began by one man’s highly exaggerated hyperbole about what happened to his Jeep, causing him to throw someone under the bus, and everyone under the sun to believe what he said verbatim without knowing 75% of the details of the story. The end result is just a bunch of pissed off people and one former Telltale employee who had to deal with complete strangers making baseless threats over an issue she has zero control over.

Look, we love video games. This entire site is dedicated to video games and the people who love them. But if games are causing you to lose your mind, break the law and/or harass complete strangers, well, then this facepalm is for you. Seek help.

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