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The Haven Exchange

The Most Influential Video Game Mascot Pt.1 - Haven Exchange #25

May 19, 2021 Gamer's Haven Network Season 1 Episode 25
The Most Influential Video Game Mascot Pt.1 - Haven Exchange #25
The Haven Exchange
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The Haven Exchange
The Most Influential Video Game Mascot Pt.1 - Haven Exchange #25
May 19, 2021 Season 1 Episode 25
Gamer's Haven Network

One of the biggest staples in gaming are the larger then life mascots that seem to transcend higher then the video game they are from. These mascots are the ones we root for, cling to, and champion for years and years. They are not just heroes for their game series, but can also become a major contributor to the direct sales of platform hardware. We see their faces on merchandise and promotional ads, they influence gamers all the time.  On this episode, we rank and discuss the many gaming mascots out there to determine the most influential video game mascot!  
  
Who is your favorite or most influential gaming mascot? Let us know! 
  
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Share this podcast with your Twitter followers using this link: https://ctt.ac/vbmuN
 
Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! <3

Support the Show.

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Show Notes Transcript

One of the biggest staples in gaming are the larger then life mascots that seem to transcend higher then the video game they are from. These mascots are the ones we root for, cling to, and champion for years and years. They are not just heroes for their game series, but can also become a major contributor to the direct sales of platform hardware. We see their faces on merchandise and promotional ads, they influence gamers all the time.  On this episode, we rank and discuss the many gaming mascots out there to determine the most influential video game mascot!  
  
Who is your favorite or most influential gaming mascot? Let us know! 
  
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Share this podcast with your Twitter followers using this link: https://ctt.ac/vbmuN
 
Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! <3

Support the Show.

Unknown:

mee mee mee mee mee Ah,

BigRC:

the great mighty poo and I am going to throw my shit at you.

Unknown:

Oh, he looks up. Hi,

BigRC:

I'm Tish come from my chocolate starfish.

Unknown:

How about some sketchy little

Genesis:

breed mighty poo? If you don't know that was conquers bad firday bringing us in at the top. I don't understand how the game is that are more mainstream. Anyways, welcome to The Haven exchange podcast number 25, where we bring a new topic each and every week to exchange our thoughts, ideas, perspectives mixed with a little bit of silliness. This week we discuss and rank many of the beloved gaming mascots of all time to determine which mascot has been the most influential. We had so many to cover on this that we couldn't fit it all into one episode. So this will be part one. So check out and see where we are by the end of this episode. And stay tuned for part two. In other news, we just hit 500 downloads Holy shit, so you want to send out a huge thank you to everyone that has been listening to the show each and every week. And Big shout outs to our editor DSP for helping us sound mostly intelligent each week. You can catch him weekly twitch.tv slash DSP underscore IV, so tune in when he's live and drop some love. Thank you DSB also huge shout outs to all those listening in from the Gamer's Haven Network. You all are amazing, we are quickly going to hit that 1000 and note tab. Let's go. And as always, head on over to Patreon comm slash haven exchange to subscribe to one of our monthly tier options. Just like our silver tier patrons who for $10 a month get their episodes early, personalized shout out to the show voting on the topics that we're going to record next. Notice she wrote thank you for your continued support and thank you to all of our Patreon supporters. Alright, I hope you all don't get too mad at our picks. But if you do, be sure and let us know we'd love to see the feedback. This is the Haven exchange podcast number 25. The most influential video game mascots. Let's do the thing.

Unknown:

This is the Haven exchange.

Rick:

Excuse me. Some of them. ghosts.

Genesis:

Okay, now

Rick:

let's have some girls. What do you think he even says? I'm not I wouldn't talk about hunting other stuff. If that's what you're getting that.

Genesis:

I don't know what you're getting at was do you think we're getting that with that?

Rick:

I don't know, man. I felt like wait, Are we recording? Shit.

Genesis:

I tried to get them. I almost had to polish it. I was waiting for it. Every end of the sentence. There was gonna be some calls. At the end of it.

BigRC:

smart man smart man.

Rick:

told me when you make a cool look, make sure it's not and it's recording.

Genesis:

Don't look at the blinking red light. What's going on everybody? Welcome to The Haven exchange Podcast. I am one of your hosts here. Genesis. bringing you a all new topic this week. Who do I have with me today?

Rick:

Yo, yo, yo, yo. I want to do that every time just to I can hear Kurt just gonna kick this motherfucker off the podcast.

Genesis:

I mean, you do have the most awkward like introductions ever.

Rick:

Should I do the Obama thing? Like one way or

Genesis:

another? You all have heard his voice who is that speaking?

Rick:

It's Rick. How's it going? How's it going?

Genesis:

Oh, Rick, welcome back. Who else we got here in the studio?

BigRC:

Yeah, you are a no show boy RC returning once again, give my opinions and to let you mofos Know that he really hear from me. Right where

Genesis:

he was voted as the top co host of The Haven exchange. I saw that

Unknown:

he

Rick:

but you know what, though? That's not fair because I guarantee you Is everyone against me. It's just because I don't like cheese. Like it could be that 95% of the Haven group members are they just love cheese

Genesis:

are seen as the man of the people. He knows he knows how to win them over with cheese. And just because you're politically campaign flopped, you know, don't take it out on

BigRC:

another topic for another time.

Genesis:

No, we don't need it. We don't need this shit at all. So let's go with that. What are we talking about today? You know, what

BigRC:

is funny, Matt? Today, we're actually talking about the most influential mascots in, let's say, maybe videogame history.

Genesis:

Okay, yeah. I know, you guys are gonna have some strong opinions on this one. Are we gonna be battling?

BigRC:

Maybe for like, I'll say maybe three or four, maybe even five of them. But I think for the most part, I think we could probably agree on a lot of them.

Genesis:

Thank you. So so the most influential video game mascots in all of history. Is that right?

BigRC:

Yep. At least according to what I thought it was gonna be about. So. Yeah,

Genesis:

yeah. So for those that are listening, we have a list of all the masks Well, a good good chunk of mascots that represent video game series, Video game hardware, even, that we're going to be going through and basically ranking them out to see which one is the most influential, I guess of all time, I guess that's, that's the goal here. I guess before we dive right into that, I mean, why don't one of you explain sort of the importance or what you think the importance of these mascots are? How do they get to such fame? How would they even get to this list?

BigRC:

Right, if you don't mind? I'll go first. Yeah, yeah. So I feel like for the most part when you are looking for emails from either, man, apparently, I'm not for some reason. But uh, well, you are advertising for a video game console. I think you want that one main game that will help you. As I put this,

Genesis:

Excel the system,

BigRC:

yes. But like, also, you want the game to be good as well. Like, you want the game to be a constant seller, like you just said. So I feel like with these certain mascots, they probably hold dear memories are light, and just not from gameplay, but from maybe toys and maybe TV shows that a product was on and, and maybe commercials or cereal, whatever, you know. So I feel like in a sense, it probably influence your decision on what console you want to rock with at the very beginning. And if all we know it probably changed because a bigger influential mascot came out that you enjoyed,

Genesis:

right? I'm sure many of us, you know, kind of switched from Mario to Sonic. They're just the sheer advertising advertising tactics they employed on Sega was trying to be top dog. Oh, yeah. I mean, they made Sonic this edgy. Like, I don't give a shit attitude, you know, kind of dude that was appealing to like, US teenagers. As we kind of grew out of Mario, although it's kind of weird that Mario and old as fucking plumber do was to appeal to like, kids.

Unknown:

It worked

Genesis:

out which is great. It certainly worked and it's still working.

BigRC:

Right? And I believe one single slogan back then was like sigma does what attend don't? Yep, yeah.

Genesis:

There's some there's actually a new documentary on Nintendo versus Sega. That was really good and they talked about how they built these marketing campaigns specifically Sega in just trying to smash any efforts that Nintendo had with Mario in their in their marketing department. It's actually pretty interesting. So I imagine we're gonna we're gonna talk a hell of a lot about the big ones Mario and Sonic and and even Master Chief and not what said dude from Witcher. I'm pretty sure we're not going to talk about

BigRC:

I get to be alone.

Rick:

This whole god damn Taylor All right.

Genesis:

I mean, come on, Jared was in a system seller at all? What?

BigRC:

What? Just let me push the button.

Unknown:

Yeah, I'm poking

Rick:

the bear. Yes. But you know what I will say, I'm looking at this list of characters that are on this list. And I mean, it's what 56 characters on here, and I'm sure I will put Gerald over like fucking 50.

Genesis:

Should that just be one of the columns here? Who's better than Gerald? Gerald,

Rick:

this guy? You're intentionally being disrespectful.

Unknown:

And

Rick:

girl is gonna get you for that.

Genesis:

Is he gonna monster up me or whatever he does? A coin toss. I have no idea what that means in any context. But I hope it was a burn. You know, I didn't watch Netflix. It was good. I got nothing against that guy. Anyways, sorry to break on that widget engine yet again.

Rick:

Again, I didn't bring it up. So you all can leave me alone? And we know I didn't. I didn't say anything.

Genesis:

Okay, so well, we'll get things started here. And the order that we're selecting is not in any particular order. So we're just going to kind of announce a mascot and place them on a list of whether we think they're the most influential. down to who the fuck is this character? I'm looking at the list. I know there's a couple that I don't fucking know. So let's see if you guys can jog my memory, or are you for them if that be the case at all? So I guess to kick things off, is I don't know if there's a specific way to talk about this mascot here. But kicking us off we have the Angry Bird. Oh.

Rick:

That's a that's an odd one.

Genesis:

That's an odd one to get a standard. Yeah. So Angry Bird, as you guys know, took the world by storm on mobile was a huge hit. The mascot we're looking at is the red bird. Which I don't even know if what their names were if they had names.

BigRC:

I have no idea. Exactly. I think they even came out with like two. And I haven't watched to do this. Oh, you know

Rick:

what? That first movie was actually pretty good. I watched it with the girls. And it actually was pretty good. Oh, definitely check it out. Yeah, yeah, it was pretty it was entertaining. Just from a personal standpoint, the Angry Birds game itself was cool. But like, I know, my mom was hooked on it for a little while. Um,

Genesis:

that's the thing. Yeah, it hit I mean, people of all ages, and especially tackling the mobile market. It might have brought validity to mobile gaming itself. Yeah.

Rick:

Yeah. I think you could definitely make the argument that that might have been one of the first steps to getting people who aren't gamers at all into that world

Genesis:

later.

Rick:

It's definitely not my mom's first game, but it's definitely one of the games that got her back into gaming. Yeah, I mean, she plays games now on her iPad all day every day when she's at all four and his mama mama play like be jeweled and shit like that now, but she did a stint on Angry Bird. Yeah, she start I think if I'm not mistaken Angry Birds is the one that kind of really pushed her back into that world.

Genesis:

Yeah, I mean, Angry Birds. I mean, we see it in the in like Walmart. It's so many toys. You got to get on the clothes and get an bookbags. And then like, yeah, I see. We got movies that are out now for which? I don't think I've seen any of us. I don't know if they're any good. But I as far as an influential mass guide, where where do we think Angry Bird falls?

BigRC:

Well, just so the audience knows. How's our lists set up right now?

Genesis:

We have it going either most influential to most gamers no to hardcore gamers, no. casual gamers, no. obscure and literally Who the fuck is this person?

BigRC:

Now see, it's hard man. It's different between what most gamers know and what casual gamers know, in my opinion. I don't play Angry Birds like that. But I'm aware of this mascot or this particular person and what game he represents.

Genesis:

That's pretty influential if you've never played the games and yet, you know who that character is?

BigRC:

Really? See I don't see it that way. See? Cuz In my opinion, some that makes it more influential. It's like me, maybe getting some other product outside of where he or she originated from. Right? And me enjoying it, collecting it on a knit whatever.

Genesis:

So because it didn't actually get you to even play the product, even though you're aware. That's that means it's not that influential actually given its purpose.

BigRC:

Well, yeah, let's coordinate me.

Genesis:

Yeah, no, that makes sense. Okay.

BigRC:

But how do you feel about it?

Genesis:

I Well, I would have said I would have added Angry Birds most influential but I think you're right in saying like, Did this character influence you enough to play whatever type of media or watch whatever media content It was a part of? So I think yeah, I think you convinced me to downgrade it a little bit to probably I would say, between most gamers know and casual gamers now. I think most gamers know hooing revert is what I wouldn't put it as the most influential now hearing your response.

Rick:

Okay. Yeah, I would. I was thinking most gamers know, is what, where I would put Angry Bird. However, I did think of something while I was kind of processing that for the hardcore gamers. No, and the casual gamers know, categories. Those, those are a little weird to me. And the reason I say that is I feel like hardcore gamers know, everything. Just kind of pick these. No, no. I didn't pick these. That's the tear maker website that labeled these. I didn't label these. So before we get out there, and I'm an idiot, I had nothing to do with the title of these these categories. But it just dawned on me like hardcore gamers are hardcore gamers for a reason. They, they kind of know the hardcore shit. And I feel like they have knowledge of the casual shoot as well.

Genesis:

Yeah, so I agree. I think getting rid of that column and just having casual gamers is a fair.

Rick:

Yeah, get rid of hardcore and casual, okay,

Genesis:

cuz that kind of takes up most gamers. No, yeah,

Rick:

yeah, cuz hardcore gamers know what casual gamers play. Like you also know

Genesis:

what obscure is to probably

Rick:

write up score can also be the hardcore gamers. Because if it's a I don't know if I want to spoil one of the characters that's on the list, but

Genesis:

let's keep going. Let's see where we where we land. Summer moving on hardcore gamers as a column here. And I think we agree to put Angry Birds and most gamers know then.

Rick:

Yeah, yeah, I agree.

BigRC:

Yes.

Genesis:

Okay. Rc who's up next?

BigRC:

I will see a gorgeous picture. If I'm guessing right. They originated from 64 error. And that will be Banjo and Kazooie.

Genesis:

Banjo and Kazooie didn't have a whole lot of experience with them to be honest.

BigRC:

Not never the same here. I know the apart rare was they also made another good game, which was conquer.

Genesis:

Kind of King of like standout characters, though. Yeah.

Rick:

Yeah. rares made like, they've made a lot of great games, especially in that particular era of the Nintendo 64. But same thing, Banjo Kazooie I mean, cool character. Right. But, I mean, I think I only played the first one. And maybe played the second one didn't didn't touch the third one at all. didn't even bother with nuts and bolts, but it's not quite literally who but enough casual people know about it either. So I think that will fall under obscure.

BigRC:

I may have to agree with him. Because maybe during that time, I wouldn't say like, during a time when he first came out. I'll definitely say between most gamers No, and what casual gamers know. But as of today, as we speak right now. Yeah, I don't think especially with the Gen Z kids and everything. I don't think so.

Genesis:

Yeah. See, man, the band is gonna go fall into the obscure category.

BigRC:

I hate to say it. I mean, I'm just thinking about this time now.

Genesis:

Yeah, yeah, I get it. It seems. It seems we're doing banjo dirty though.

BigRC:

I mean, I mean,

Genesis:

when you look at this design and stuff, like he's really just a bear in a bird like yeah,

Rick:

I mean, he looks his games were good back end with a 95 or some 96 especially like that when the first one came out. It was cool. But who thinks about Banjo Kazooie now,

Genesis:

right and who does it Who does he represent? All right, who do they represent? I should say, because there's Kazooie, too. We can't forget about that burn.

Rick:

But you know, I'm really her banjos. image in general was the fact that Microsoft bought rare, right? Yeah, it was, um, Nintendo mascot at first, right? They made three games for the Yeah, they made three games for that. 64. And then next thing you know, they jumped ship to Microsoft and Microsoft didn't do a great job with them. No, they didn't. Yeah, they didn't Nelson Bolton, right.

Genesis:

Yeah, yeah. When you put him up against any of the other Nintendo mascots, he's he'll definitely be last on any of those lists against Nintendo when Microsoft brings in, which is when I actually first played any Banjo Kazooie game was the 361

Rick:

Oh, wow.

Genesis:

And you know, I think he might have had a chance there to they did a real big push towards marketing towards younger gamers during that era where we saw cameo and Banjo and Viva Pinata a lot of games, marketing towards the younger crowd. He could have had a chance but yeah, I think it kind of didn't work. I don't think it's the last we'll see a banjo though.

Rick:

Not well, because he was just added to Super Smash Bros. Okay, that's big enough. But again, I don't know who owns the IP. I mean, it could I think it is still Microsoft. But if I mean, you've already seen Ori and the Blind for our What is it orient the will of the Wisp and the yellow,

BigRC:

and a black horse. Yeah,

Rick:

those games were just added to Nintendo. So I mean, if Microsoft Nintendo could work out a deal to where Nintendo makes a new Banjo Kazooie game. That could be awesome. Give it like, could you imagine a banjo kazooie game in the style Super Mario Odyssey. That'd be cool. Yeah, that'd be dope. But will it happen? Oh, man, I think he's a smash character. And that's it. I don't think he's going anywhere else for all of us. Is that specific idea.

Genesis:

Okay, so we're gonna throw banjo in the obscure then. Yeah, yeah. Okay. Rick, who's next?

Rick:

So this one is I think I already know where this was going. This particular character, a lot of people may or may not know him. I know. The hardcore Xbox. I'm sorry. The hardcore original Xbox One users know who this is. His name is blinks the time sweeper? Yeah, yeah. I mean, I just saying blinks like I know who he is. Because I'm a hardcore gamer. And I was aware of the original Xbox era.

Genesis:

But

Rick:

I can't think of anyone outside of hardcore gamers who would know who this is.

Genesis:

Yeah, I have very minimal recollection on who this character is. Yeah.

BigRC:

It's funny you say that because I know who this character is. But unfortunately, I don't know how I never played games. Saying what is he a cam?

Rick:

Yeah. He can control time. Right.

Unknown:

Somewhat, I

BigRC:

guess. Yeah. I just remember that cover.

Unknown:

That's what I want. Right? Yeah.

BigRC:

Yeah, it was very memorable cover, but I never sat down played the game ever.

Rick:

And I'll say just like bought the driver's car off the street.

Genesis:

Well, it's actually funny. So looking up links is suggested that blinks was going to be the possible mascot for the Xbox system to go head to head against Mario and Sonic. And they say because masterchief was actually considered too violent and didn't really have an identity. So they so blinks is actually going to be the mascot for x box.

BigRC:

It's It's funny how that worked out.

Genesis:

Yeah, it didn't work out. Well, you

BigRC:

know for release massachi Well, yeah,

Genesis:

yeah, cuz it wasn't Microsoft published game. Developer our tune which I don't know that development studio. It looks Oh, they did vampire rain. Oh, again. Oh, and Club Penguin. For the Club Penguin fans out

Rick:

there rain was absolute trash. Like, I remember working at gamestop and people were coming in looking for and I remember everyone who tried to preorder as I do. This looks like shit. What are you doing?

Unknown:

This looks like

Rick:

garbage. Get out of here. Did you know they made a blink to

Genesis:

I see that now.

BigRC:

Yeah, I just found out like five minutes ago.

Rick:

Yeah, like I literally just saw blinks to masters of time and space and it was like wait minute they actually made a sequel to them. Yeah. I kind of want to Oh, you know what the first one is backwards compatible on the one.

Genesis:

Give it another chance. Yeah, I

Rick:

made download it and try it tonight. Just to see like,

Genesis:

Yeah, but the cover of blinks to the fucking biker pig. What are they doing over here? So where is blings? fall? Literally?

Rick:

I'm going literally

BigRC:

the same year. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.

Genesis:

Any blank slate fans out there? Please let us know. Right?

Rick:

We apologize in advance for a cat that can control time. Now nobody knows who the fuck that is.

Genesis:

Okay, well, moving on. We have Next up is good old bomber man.

Rick:

My guy in the end 64 days.

Genesis:

Bomber Man was the shits. Just saying?

BigRC:

Oh, yeah. Especially you playing with four plus a your friends should depend how the setup was? Yes. Great.

Rick:

So you both play both of the and 64?

BigRC:

Yes.

Rick:

Were there any more than those two? I think it

Genesis:

was another 64 or in general?

Rick:

Well, no on 64 there was 64 and hero. Was there another?

BigRC:

I don't remember not to my knowledge on 64. No, I mean, I think we'll just have to I think so. The question is

Rick:

Which one did you like more? Power man 64 or hero?

BigRC:

I don't know why keep getting them to confuse I want to say 64

Rick:

Oh, there was a Bomber Man. 64 to call the second attack.

Unknown:

Oh shit. Yeah, I didn't know that. That's worse. I'm new again. Yes,

BigRC:

I keep on forgetting what was What man? It was story base. And you know, it looks like 3d free reign and all that stuff. Man. You get to throw pickup kick bombs and stuff. I don't think I played hero. I'm looking at it. There was actual like, strategy behind playing a little bit, but I'm just trying to remember. Oh, you know, I take that back. It was hirota. Like,

Rick:

yeah, yeah, I was about to say hero was the one that I think that was one of my first and 64 games.

Genesis:

It looks to me like a more single player experience. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Trying to be a platformer in itself. Yes.

BigRC:

Yes. Trying to be a platform. And that's what I liked about it. It was like the traditional Burma games that were not used to play growing up.

Genesis:

Yeah. See that to me. Sounds like they were trying. They were trying real hard to get Bomberman to be a mascot by switching genres away. Mm hmm.

BigRC:

Yeah. Oh, and by the way, people? Yeah, I think I have futile songs on my video game soundtrack on YouTube. Let me show check it out.

Genesis:

Now. Okay. I don't quite remember the the osds being fire but I'll trust your judgment on

BigRC:

what you hear is definitely 90s hear 90s we listen to it, but go ahead. Oh, no,

Rick:

I was just gonna say if you've played a Bomber Man super are on the the new one that just came out a couple years about a year ago. Do you on that switch? Yeah, it was on the switch. But it is now on the other consoles. Mm hmm. I think it was free on games with cold at one point. But the music and that one is dope. So if you if you get a chance to play Super Bomber Man are definitely check that one out.

Genesis:

So we know the games are fire. But that mascot? What do we feel about the mascot?

BigRC:

I think he's very memorable. I think he's very recognizable. But I don't think he's very influential. So I in my personal opinion, I will say casual gamers should know.

Genesis:

Yeah. Really?

BigRC:

Yeah. In today's society, could I still make any games too? So like, I feel like even if you don't play it, you probably seen that his face on the front cover? Huh? It breaks out bummer, man, you know, saying

Rick:

Yeah, that's true. That's true. But see, I was actually gonna go the other route. I was actually gonna say obscure. Okay, and the reason why is because I think he's one of them that people are aware of him, right? I think a few people are aware like hardcore gamers might know who he is. They may or may not know. Same thing with casual gamers because if you if you look at bar man's timeline of games, like game releases, right? There's a couple years between games like 2010 was the Bomber Man live battle fifth. And then there wasn't anything until super are in 2017. I think I mean, it's not a hill. Die on for being? Um, I would say that casual gamers probably know who that is. But then I feel like a hardcore gamers know who he is who is just influential. I doubt like next, not at all right? If

Genesis:

you see bomber man's character on anything, does that sell the product that it's slapped upon?

Unknown:

No, no, no. No,

Rick:

not literally who but not quite, in the most or casual gamers.

Genesis:

Play you stick your stick and I think he's more than obscure. I think casual gamer is dumb, mainly because of the switches hotness right now and the limited titles that were available. I believe that was one of the system launch titles. Right? Where did it come out? Yeah,

Rick:

I think I don't think it was a long title. But it was it was very close. Oh, no, it wasn't launch trial. March 2017.

Genesis:

Yeah, cuz I remember the E three they were they put a lot of effort into showcasing Bomber Man. And it makes sense to the way the switch is set up with group play in the same household. Oh, yeah. So I think it got a bit of a an injection shot of fame given the the switch. So I would definitely say at least k casual gamers are aware of Bomberman now and they probably did help sell the switch. I wouldn't disagree with that. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. When I think about getting the switch I'm Bomber Man is first on the list. Really? I mean, aside from Mario, obviously, but Right,

Rick:

right. I can't buy a switch and not have Odyssey or three 3d collection or something like that. But bomb man. Nah, that's surprising. I'd like when I when I got my switch. Obviously Zelda was the first game that I got. Sure. I don't think I got power man. Day one, though.

Genesis:

But I also don't necessarily equate Bomber Man to Nintendo. I kind of see him in that series as separate from any console specific.

Unknown:

Mm hmm.

Genesis:

I never looked at it as a Nintendo character or Nintendo mascot.

BigRC:

Yeah. Okay. I could definitely see where you're coming from. I just know that me personally, the most memorable moment game was about my hero on 64. But also did play the others on I think of Sega and of course, like Xbox. I don't think they ever came out with anything on a PlayStation. They probably did. But you know,

Genesis:

it's interesting that the your favorite one is the one that's most different from its entirety. Yeah,

BigRC:

yeah. No, because if you think about it, man, it's just like, you know, you go in with strategy. Try to other guys out. Don't say you win. But this one little story base. Yeah. Behind the whole story to it. Yeah. Which I enjoyed. And then the fat tails for 3d to compare to the overhead 2d model. Yeah.

Genesis:

So I'm sure you'd love that one where they completely redesigned and made it all like futuristic and alien. They tried. See even now, but that is evidence that they didn't even look at Bomberman to like the character Bomber Man as a mascot that they could completely redesign the game and take a chance even though the flop, but like they didn't have they didn't see him as a mascot either as being a mascot for the series. I think only now they're really like taking that into account.

Rick:

Yeah,

Genesis:

I don't know my vote. Ultimately. I think I'm I go towards casual gamers. No, I think that's where I fall.

Rick:

I'll go there. Okay,

Genesis:

I can agree with that. All right. Okay, Bomber Man on the list. But now so we got banjo obscure. Do we think Bomber Man is more influential slash recognizable than banjo? actually. Yeah,

Unknown:

yeah. Yeah. Like as you're saying. Yeah, right. Yeah, absolutely. Okay,

Genesis:

RC who's up next? All right.

BigRC:

Whoa. This is somebody you may know originally from the super NAS in a recent game called f zero. And I believe we get Captain Falcon.

Unknown:

Who? Don't

BigRC:

say t Smash Mouth football. Fuck us up on site.

Rick:

We do not know who you ever are you?

Genesis:

I only know him from Smash Brothers. You

Rick:

don't waste you don't know. His origins never

BigRC:

thing. No, I

Genesis:

don't know who I

BigRC:

okay. He basically like this High Speed Racer. I mean, forgive me Yahoo fans that have zeros in it and everything, but I just don't remember it like a lot. But yeah,

Genesis:

he's racing.

BigRC:

It's futuristic racing. It's like, it's like the vehicles they operate. Go like 400 plus kph. Oh, yeah. And all that stuff. So yeah, he was one of the drivers in that game, and I think one day I forgot which game but they ported him over to one of smash games. And he just stayed there ever since.

Genesis:

He's not even on the cover.

Unknown:

No,

BigRC:

oh, zero. No, I bought tickets car is Oh, yeah, the car is

Genesis:

Yeah. But he himself is not until it looks like maybe gx on the GameCube can be wrong.

Rick:

Yeah, g gx is the one that came out on the GameCube at zero gx.

Genesis:

What I'm talking about as far as like, showcasing Oh,

BigRC:

yeah, yeah, that's him. On the very top. Yeah, I don't

Genesis:

I don't see that being a very influential mask.

Rick:

No, not sequential at all. Like he's front and center on I think every game except the first one. Like gx he's at the very top legend on the gameboy color on the Gameboy Advance, same thing. But I mean, him as a character. I'll put it this way. him as a character. I think if you know him, you only know him from Smash.

Genesis:

Right? Right. Like,

Rick:

I feel like you could be a fan of f0 later. You know what I mean? Like you can be a fan of F zero now. But I would almost bet money you are not a fan before Smash Brothers introduced?

Genesis:

Yeah, and even if you play dev zero, I don't I can't imagine in a racing game. You're seeing the driver all that often anyways? Yeah. Maybe between races or something. I don't know how the game you guys started out. So you better put some respect on him and you guys.

Rick:

I think I think he falls under obscure for me personally,

Genesis:

I would say obscure.

BigRC:

I would definitely say obscure.

Genesis:

I mean nobody fighting for Captain Falcon. No,

Rick:

no, no. Sorry for everyone who's listening. That's

Genesis:

like,

Rick:

fuck y'all, you know, but he's cool. He's one of my favorite characters of Smash Brothers, but I don't give a fuck about zero.

Genesis:

Was the latest F Zero game even?

Rick:

I think gx on the GameCube on the GameCube I was the last

Genesis:

that was the last game.

BigRC:

Not desbiens nothing all right.

Rick:

I don't think so. Dude, I think that is the last thing game is

Genesis:

the small fucker out of here.

Rick:

I don't think they ever made another one.

BigRC:

I really do believe gx is the final one would be you take gameboy advance as a primary

Genesis:

cause I mean, if he ran the scene on Gameboy Advance then sure. I think it's important to know. Okay, well,

Rick:

all that was a I see what you're saying. climate's. Yeah. Bye. Good first. release in Japan. Yes. Yeah. Yeah, so gx is I guess you could say technically the lat Oh, no, I guess legend on the Gameboy Advance came out. That was 2003 That was the last time America saw a F Zero game. That motherfucker should probably be under literally Who?

Genesis:

go with that.

Unknown:

Very well. No, no,

Rick:

no. You know, I think we should keep them as obscure only because he's only even in the conversation because of smash brother. If he was not in Smash Brothers demo, he would be in literally. No, you

BigRC:

were right.

Rick:

I would go obscure.

Genesis:

Okay. Um, moving on from Captain Falcon.

Rick:

Rick, you're up. So the next one is probably he I think he's our favorite foul mouth squirrel. And his name is conquer. conquer, to me, is easily one of the most influential characters. And I say influential. I put so much more emphasis on influential because that game came out on and 64 was a 2000 I think.

BigRC:

I won't say around that. I believe it was

Rick:

2001 Okay, 2001 right. Okay, so, but he I mean, how many people did you know when you were you all are the same age when this happened for me, but I was in eighth grade when that game came out. And my god, how many people came to school that day? That around the time that that came out and was just cussing a fucking storm or be like bro Did you see the power we had to pee on the fire demon? Like put him out or whatever or you had to throw toilet paper in the the singing pool mountain

BigRC:

bow which is Genesis favorite part by the way.

Genesis:

Yes, the great mighty poo.

Rick:

Do Honaker is. Now here's the question though, is Conker influential or is it the game that's influential?

Genesis:

I would say conquer hands down. I don't even really know the game play of conquer, but I know that character

Rick:

now. Okay. Okay. I would say I would put him at most influential. Okay.

BigRC:

I felt like it was a game that made him influential. Like because I feel like there's no other character that doesn't do my time. Mm hmm. Like how he did it. Thanks to Ray or horse.

Genesis:

Right? Yeah, another another rare mascot here, by the way. No, no, but even if you never played the game, you knew. Conker was more than just a little happy squirrel. You knew he was dirty, or the game had something that was not like any other Nintendo game that was out there?

Rick:

Yeah, yeah. I'm definitely I would go most influential.

BigRC:

I honestly will say most gamers know.

Genesis:

Yeah, I don't know if I would put them at the tear the top tier of most influential.

Rick:

Now, again, not a hill, I dial. I think we all know who the hell I die on is gonna Yeah. But I think you're right. And I think I'm putting a lot of the focus on Cocker just because of the time it came out.

BigRC:

It was

Rick:

right it came out in the early stages of my kneeled like preteen, like I'm gonna be a teenager in a year to what better time to be influenced, then a cussing squirrel, they begin over at the beginning of the game.

Genesis:

Imagine like Nintendo board meetings, they just saw like a fluffy squirrel was like, yeah, approved. without knowing anything.

Rick:

Right. They were like, you know what? Okay, go for it. That's why that's why I think he's most influential. But at the same time, I could drop that down to most gamers. No,

Genesis:

but I, I would, I would say that conquer is probably like, when you think of cult films, I think conquer is in that same sort of category. Where I man I kind of want to say obscure now because I don't know if many people even know who Cocker is.

BigRC:

See, and that's how I'm thinking to myself. I'm trying to think of today and what people know today overall, you know,

Rick:

that's a good point. Because the last time we really got any sort of conquer info was what was that game project? spark?

BigRC:

Yeah. Good memory. Yes.

Rick:

On the Xbox One. Yeah. That was like 2000. What 1314 has not been brought up since. Yeah. So I mean, I, I II know that you mentioned and I could definitely drop that too obscure.

Genesis:

Yeah, I gotta give him his flowers. But yeah, I mean, we haven't seen anything out of them. And I think he's in the cult status.

Rick:

Like a cult following.

Unknown:

Yeah, yeah. Yeah.

BigRC:

I don't want to put him down there, man.

Unknown:

I don't either.

BigRC:

Yeah, but

Rick:

the point? Yeah, he's definitely not relevant today. I mean, I think you could have a conversation about his game. You could have a whole hour topic just on his game alone, I think but does the rest of the world know that? And now there's not that many people are wanting a sequel, right?

Genesis:

I mean, I can see there being people enough fighting for and I could see it selling if they would ever bring it back. And I'm sure we haven't seen the last conquer either. No,

Rick:

I know Sage is gonna slit my throat the next time he sees me but I don't have faith. I don't have faith in Microsoft when it comes to that's a whole other topic. Yeah. Like I think they they should the bed would conquer they should the bed with rare in general. They didn't they did not utilize them the way they should have. So I don't have faith that we'll ever see a conqueror

Genesis:

will reflect back on this episode once we see the new title come out. Okay, so conquers sorry, but you're going into the obscure category, which isn't terrible. I mean, it's just, you know, mascot.

Rick:

It's not. He's not with blinks. So that's, you know, if you were with blinks and Then I'd find you both

Genesis:

Now this next one though, I think is going to be one of the top candidate candidates by the end of this episode, which is Crash Bandicoot for sure,

Rick:

for sure.

Genesis:

When it comes to mascots crash was the face of Sony and the PlayStation. When the PlayStation one first came out I don't was that even a launch title though for it?

Rick:

I don't think so. I don't think so. But

BigRC:

it probably could it could good part could have been no, you never know.

Genesis:

Yeah. I will tell you personal experience Crash Bandicoot was certainly a system seller for me, in that it felt good to sort of have somebody to stand behind and join the wars between Sega Nintendo was like Okay, we got this third party on the PlayStation. I didn't actually have a 64 growing up. So I went straight from Super Nintendo, I believe to the PlayStation from there. And Mario was kind of already out. So I could be on his I could be on Mario side. But being alive at the same time as a new mascot, like crash, I had a stronger bond, I guess with them. And the games were fantastic, even though they seem ridiculously hard now when I go to try to play the remakes. So I would definitely think or say that Crash Bandicoot is in the most influential tier.

Rick:

Yeah. Yes, I would. 100%

BigRC:

a part of me wants to disagree. But go ahead. No, I'm not your friend for fascism. No, no, you go ahead. Well, look, it's like I agree and disagree. Because back then I never felt encouraged to get the ps1 before the crash. I play the game. It was okay. I didn't enjoy it like other people did. But every time I see the character, I do remember him. And I do remember him being the face of Sony. During that time so influential. Okay. Yeah, maybe sure. But I did feel like I have a influential relationship with them like that. But I mean, I'm not gonna lie. I met two or three people say you more influential muscle. We're gonna put them up there. So,

Genesis:

but you do agree that he he was influential maybe not to us specifically. But you seen his face everywhere. And you've seen him in the runnings against Sonic and Mario. True. I mean, they'll that's commercials with the the costume the dude in the costume of crash. The remember those commercials?

BigRC:

I do? I do so. Okay, yeah. Well,

Rick:

there's that but then also, like, if you like you use the phrase earlier when we were discussing. Oh, I remember how this came up with the Sega. Sega does when Nintendo or something like that? Yeah. Remember when you think of like shit talking between video game companies? Hmm. Like one of the first memories that pops up is the Crash Bandicoot mascot standing outside yelling at the Nintendo off. Sony was like, No, and I get it. Anyone who's in the game industry long enough knows that Sony and Nintendo have a really Sony started out of Nintendo doing some shady shit. Some some shady shit. Sony. Sony jumped into the video game industry because of how badly they retreated by Nintendo with their view. And so Sony obviously was taking shots every chance they could in Nintendo and anytime they took a shot Crash Bandicoot will run center. It was always like that asshole in a costume of Crash Bandicoot you know, yelling at Mario or some shit like that. You know?

Genesis:

Did they have them on stage like do something to like somebody in a Mario costume at an E three? I vaguely remember something

Rick:

that I'm not sure. But I would not be surprised. Not surprised.

Genesis:

me. I think there's no denying that crash helped put Sony PlayStation into gamers minds. Yeah. Yeah, but then I've held RC

Rick:

Yeah, same here.

Unknown:

Yeah.

Rick:

I know Sage like you. You assholes will put crash up there but then you put blinks at the bottom.

Genesis:

I love all stages all of a sudden turned into the hardcore blink scammer. Well, he's Yeah, you're gonna go ask him like later tonight and he's gonna be like, Who?

Rick:

Who's Crash Bandicoot What is that?

BigRC:

We'll see what happens.

Genesis:

Okay, so moving on from crash I'm putting on my most influential Fuck you. I don't know who this next one is. I see.

BigRC:

Now I believe this character start off at PlayStation one. Yes, yes. And he is green. Fun and fugly

Genesis:

fugly? Yeah,

BigRC:

I believe his name is Kruk

Unknown:

okay? is correct.

BigRC:

Yes. Now he's one of the other mascots I recognize from a particular brand which was Sony. But I hate to say it I know play numbers games.

Genesis:

I never played a crack game. I feel like he crack would have been like, when everybody was jumping on platformers like Spyro even though Spyro kind of rose to the top through that, but it seems like a knockoff of Yeah, crash Spyro and Mario all those all those 3d platformers that were saturating the market around that time? Yeah. As Mario 64 came out and fucking blew the gates off of gaming and yeah, then we see this shit. Like, Who the fuck is crack? He said, This is my station.

Rick:

ps1. Yep. croc legend of the gobos the flexor gobo that's who the fuck knows.

Genesis:

I'm a gumbo. Right

Rick:

now I I played crock when it first came out. or not when it first came out? I shouldn't say that. Because I don't know that. But I play crock. It was it came on 98 so it was definitely after Crash Bandicoot after Super Mario 64 it was not It was fun for what it was. But if you're gonna put it against crash and Super Mario, it's it doesn't compete at all. Yeah, and on a game level on a math level nowhere near those games. So that's definitely a literally who I

Genesis:

am reading like some of the receptions from its release and it says it borrowed from a lot of mechanics from a lot of games that were out of the time like Sonic Tomb Raider. ghacks danmark. Mario.

Rick:

I'll fight you both. If you don't know who.

Genesis:

He's coming. He's coming up. Yeah, I'll save my comments. So we're gonna we're gonna literally who crack. Yeah, at this point. Yeah.

Rick:

I guarantee you all of our listeners, I would probably say 99% of them are going to be like, whoa.

Genesis:

This is gonna be one asshole, Rick, man.

Unknown:

It was fun. I mean,

Rick:

look, man. Oh, man.

Genesis:

Oh, Rick, you get one that I love. Hey, yeah,

Rick:

yeah. So this one is? What era was that? 1930s? Right. 1930s cartoon style.

Genesis:

Ah, yeah.

BigRC:

I want to say

Genesis:

fluffy. Yeah, actually, yeah, it sounds legit.

Rick:

So this one for the people who aren't aware. who haven't figured it out already? Is cuphead Yeah. Oh, MD. What is it MD HR? I

Genesis:

believe MDMA.

Rick:

This guy, but cuphead is? Yes. from Studio mvhr. It was a game. I know. They announced it and it took them a couple of years to push it out. But when it did finally come out. It was amazing. It's Mega Man style sidescroller shooting game but hard is shit.

Genesis:

Dark Souls baby.

Rick:

Yeah, very hard.

Genesis:

Yeah, with hand animated fucking everything like, Huh. And I do see Yeah, but 1920s the 1940s simulating the golden age of American animation which runs Yeah, around the 20s to the 40s. So you see a lot of the the one of the things and the first thing you learn in animating anything is the the bouncing squeeze movements where things are the stretch and bounce and all that or like things are exaggerated in their movements. And yeah, the way they developed cuphead was amazing. And the character design is such a it's a fucking cuphead like anyone. That would be that cool. And but I have figurines of these characters. So it absolutely was influential on me. As mascots,

Rick:

you said Most of what,

Genesis:

for me fuck yeah. If I'm thinking realistically then no. I, I would say probably falls in the same land as like conquer with a cult following. I'm excited to see where that goes when we see the Netflix show hit to see this where because I mean cup heads journey is far from over and we're still in the beginning. So I think we're seeing a developing mascot if the cards fall right.

BigRC:

Wait, hold the fuck up. There's a show coming out.

Genesis:

Yeah. Why don't you hear about this? Yeah, coming volleying. It's um, yeah, it's coming to Netflix. I don't know if the dates been dropped or not yet. I imagine COVID probably impacted a little bit. But

Rick:

yeah, it was in I was announced in July of 2019. They announced the cuphead show, animated series based on the game.

Genesis:

Yeah, I think they've released one trailer sort of recently. I think I feel like I saw a trailer recently for it, and it's what you would expect. I think there's still a undetermined like context, like if it's going to be like targeting kids, or if it's going to be targeting gamers or adults. So I'm curious to see that but uh, yeah, I think what the show coming up, I will you were absolutely going to get a sequel at some point. Although the way they developed it. I think it takes a long time doing the hand drawings of everything.

BigRC:

Yeah, that I'm aware of.

Genesis:

So as much as I want to call cuphead as being most influential. Realistically, I think he will be at some point cuphead and mug, man.

BigRC:

Hey, go.

Genesis:

I feel like most gamers know who cuphead is right now. Even if you've never played the game, you already know who he is. I think I even dressed up as this dude is for Halloween. That's how much I like this.

Rick:

I would actually say obscure. Yeah, only because I don't agree with you. I don't think most gamers know whose cup it is. I think that's strictly a cult following. But let me rephrase it not co following but I think the hardcore gamers know. But I don't think any casual. No. Yeah, I

Genesis:

mean, it was, I think it was kind of looked at as an indie title, so I can see where you're coming from. I mean, it's an indie studio. I don't know if that studio did anything else.

Unknown:

I don't believe. Yeah,

Genesis:

Wikipedia.

BigRC:

There honestly, what I'll have to say is that maybe casual gamers know, the casual game. I

Genesis:

don't think casual gamers know who cuphead is.

Rick:

Because of how challenging it is on not only that, but then also like, I see it says they sold 4 million

Genesis:

success.

Rick:

It was but I mean, does that too? I don't know. I don't know.

Genesis:

I don't like this is this is a debate of Was it the character or the game? And obviously, I think in this case, the game really brings life to that character. Yeah, that's I think going forward. We're gonna see this develop into an influential mascot, but as of right now, it's sad to say that I would I would probably throw him under. I mean, I still think most gamers know who this is regardless, but I can put them into call following of obscure I don't know. I see we have to tiebreakers. Even though you said casual gamers though.

BigRC:

So between your living history between y'all. I'm saying most gamers No. Okay. And Rick, you're saying I'm here? Well,

Rick:

there's also not a hill I die off.

Unknown:

So

Rick:

I could definitely go with most cameras know how many copies

Genesis:

of f0 were sold in comparison to cuphead. Oh, my God. I don't think this zero ever hit the moon.

Rick:

So that's a fair point.

Genesis:

That's a fair point. So 4 million copies. I'm glad you brought that statistic up for me.

Rick:

So okay, that's true. out so then yes, most most cameras now.

Genesis:

Okay. Okay, settled. It's settled. All right. Keep on keep your eye out for a cup. But though I think we're gonna see some big things coming out of that series.

BigRC:

I hope so. And if the developers are listening to this, I hope you make the next fucking game. Got to play Co Op online, please.

Unknown:

Oh, yeah.

BigRC:

It can be done. Alright, me done. Yes.

Genesis:

I thought they recently added that and update though actually, now that I think about it.

BigRC:

Well, I think Rick could tell us that later on when he's freak. I think he owns it. I think he does. Yeah, yeah. So he so he could tell us.

Genesis:

Oh, you could do it through that parsec thing.

BigRC:

Oh, yeah. Go get the PC. Right. Right.

Unknown:

Wow. Yeah.

BigRC:

Alright, so who's next?

Unknown:

Next?

BigRC:

Bring up the next characters.

Rick:

I believe it's you, john. JOHN. Jen, welcome

Genesis:

to the podcast. Your voice you're hiding something I said, Jen, you bid. JOHN. JOHN Claude. Okay, so next up we have Diddy Kong.

BigRC:

Well, I was kind of hoping you introduced them both

Rick:

years about saying they're both right next to each other.

Genesis:

But yeah, but they're listed separately. So

Rick:

yeah, but you knows one without the other. If you if you say okay, I'm leaving this fucking podcast right now if you tell me that people know who did he call us but don't know who's talking.

Genesis:

That's not the point is very well. Okay. I think we're gonna agree that Donkey Kong is more influential than DD itself but we have to find where did he lands because did he was a breakaway character. He's a separate character in Smash Brothers. He's he had his own. What was it? Donkey Kong Country? To decarceration daily calories and

BigRC:

everything. And yeah, he was also in Donkey Kong Country to end for re

Genesis:

where he was the main I'm thinking I think.

BigRC:

Okay, because because the third one was Trixie and I baby.

Genesis:

Oh, Dixie Dixie. Yeah, yeah. So he is a standalone character. He's not necessarily to go in hand in hand with the donkey talkie. sounds so weird saying it that way. So Diddy Kong, we'll start with them over as far as being an influential mascot. I think a lot of people could gravitate towards Davey over donkey. Yeah. Over donkey. Mm hmm. I'm looking for casual. Influential though. Yeah. Influential. Oh, no,

Rick:

man like that. I just when you bring it down like that, like the fact that Diddy Kong had a whole racing game about him. And I mean, that kind of game would fall under casual gamers and hardcore would play something like that. Yeah. Whereas Donkey Kong just had country and Tropical Freeze and all that shit.

Genesis:

Those a day. Hey, don't

BigRC:

forget man. He was part of the early Mario game to man that 64 No. Very early Mario game. Well, Mario, right. Yeah,

Rick:

he was the DIA. That's that's very true, but but however it is. Yes. Do Do people know that? I'm willing to rephrase it. I think people know that. But wasn't it wasn't the first game call Donkey Kong. And then Mario

Genesis:

dominating Mario. Yeah,

Rick:

yeah. Right. So it was Donkey Kong game. Right. But you just played his jump man. That was eventually tied. Right, Mario? Right. Okay.

Genesis:

I mean, did he until Donkey Kong Country.

Rick:

Right. So I think you I think you have to say Donkey Kong is more influential than Diddy Kong, simply because Donkey Kong was first. Right. And don't be calling is talked about and wraps on. You know. No one's rapping about David Kahn.

Unknown:

So does did he fall in on like, Donkey Kong? Come on, like Donkey Kong?

Rick:

Cool. I would go. I would go Donkey Kong is most gamers know. And Diddy Kong is? You could put them next to each other to be honest with you.

Genesis:

I would put donkey at most influential.

Rick:

I could agree to that.

BigRC:

I see the I'm definitely talking to the 20 most influential and most gamers No.

Genesis:

Yeah, I mean, you think Donkey Kong Country was amazing. Yes. Amazing. And even like sequels tend to get shittier like sure they weren't as great when you went to two and three and they were still great games. They still had fantastic soundtrack.

Rick:

You know what I hear on a regular basis in the game industry that Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze on the I think it's came out on the way you Yeah, he ported it to the switch. I've heard that that is one of the best platform or sidescrolling It's

Genesis:

really good. I played the shit out of that game.

Rick:

Yeah, I've heard it was incredible. I never played it. But I've heard nothing but good things about it.

Genesis:

Nice. Yeah, I mean, Donkey Kong obviously takes a seat next to Mario but he's up there is one of the big Nintendo mascots for sure.

Rick:

Yeah, I could definitely see him being most influential and in DD being most gamers No,

Genesis:

yeah. I would say most gamers are casual gamers now. Yeah, I would, I would hope at least.

BigRC:

Okay, so I will definitely leave Diddy and donkey under most games. No.

Genesis:

Maybe you think they both went hand in hand on the same tier?

BigRC:

Yeah. Because when I think about Donkey Kong, I don't think of him as a system seller. I mean, that's one main thing, I think about as much sure that, you know, what's terminal for, you know, products and not other stuff outside of where he originated from, as well. Yeah, I remember he did have a show. I think I added Dominican country came out. I think it was like one season, but I still kind of do remember that.

Genesis:

Yeah, yeah.

BigRC:

And everything. So yeah, I would say most gamers know cuz of course, he's on smash as well. Mm hmm. So especially with dating so yeah.

Genesis:

You know, if I think about what I'd rather buy a T shirt with Donkey Kong or Mario on it, I'm probably buying the Mario shirt, you know?

Rick:

So you think in both on most gamers, yeah.

BigRC:

Yeah.

Genesis:

Stop convincing me of my favorite whoops.

Rick:

Yeah, well, he's got a point. You know, if you go to a store and you you, you have money to buy a switch and one game and it's either a Donkey Kong Country or Super Mario Odyssey. I think most people are going to go Super Mario. Yeah. So I don't know if they're Donald think they're neck and neck. So obviously Mario is going to go we already know where Mario is going. everyone listening to this knows where Mario? So you but you can't have Mario on the same tier Donkey Kong. Like they're just not Yeah, they're not supposed to being equal. Yeah, I hate to say it but that like there's no way they're equal.

Genesis:

Okay, all right. I see you're up.

Unknown:

Whoo. All right,

BigRC:

man. Um, man, this character. I remember he started in the super NDS error. And then we came out six for fucking love this game to death. I think one of the top five best inserts for games I played during that time. And it is Fox McCloud

Genesis:

Fox McCloud nucleoid. Star Fox?

BigRC:

Yes, in Star Fox series.

Genesis:

I've personally never really gave a shit about the Star Trek series. And I always felt like Star Fox or Fox McCloud was very heavily like being pushed as being a mascot. When I don't know if people actually gave a shit about the games. Or, like did you actually have fun playing Starfox

BigRC:

raw? Yes.

Genesis:

Don't see it?

BigRC:

No. Okay, so look like yeah, if you go back to Super Nintendo. Yeah, like Exactly. What I told him everything about the FX chip in there. Yeah, the game seemed like very basic as fuck, but it was still fun to play. For came out. It was a huge jump from how it looked on. In the 16 bit days. I'm sorry. Yeah. Yeah, no, What's the story behind it and you taking different paths and auto stuffing, the collectibles and stuff you'll unlock by putting work into it? Yeah, it was definitely a memorable game.

Genesis:

It's not like trying to defend Death Stranding? Yeah.

BigRC:

But you know what, even though I enjoy even though I've got fond memory of his game, I didn't really get a chance to play all his future ones except like the new one that came up for what was it? The we you?

Rick:

Oh, yes. Star Fox Zero.

BigRC:

Was there Yeah, like it? Put it like a reimagined I think of like surfaces for a little bit. Zero. Yeah, it was okay, but it didn't have that same flair. Like it did. But even though I got some fond memories of this, I could. I don't think I could put it under most influential. But I'm definitely in between most gamers know and casual gamers know, only because he's known in eight said he brings up in the Smash lineup.

Genesis:

Yeah, smash certainly has been a huge contributing factor to a lot of the specifically Nintendo mascots. I mean, the thing that Fox McCloud has going for him is that he is the face of a niche that well maybe not niche but like a specific style of game like it's not a 3d platform. It's it's a ship flying Arkady type game with there's not really much else like that. And so he is the face of that world, that corner of the gaming style. So I got to give facts, props on that front as being a mascot to that side. Gaming for sure.

Rick:

Right? So this is gonna sound strange,

Unknown:

but

Rick:

Starfire or Fox McCloud Starfox I'm in the same boat where it's between most gamers, no and casual gamers. No. But like one of the greatest ncac or games of all time with super, super mario Starfox 64. Right. Yeah. But the I would probably make the argument that one of the most memorable lines in that game was not actually delivered by Starfire. It was Pepe with

BigRC:

dual Barbero. Yes.

Genesis:

That will align doctor roll. Thanks. You guys are almost in sync.

Rick:

But I feel like Star Fox to me, I think would probably go into casual gamers. Only because I think he's more. I think he's more known from Smash Brothers than he is his own games.

Genesis:

Yeah. Or like us oldies that. remember it being a new type of game on the Super Nintendo. Following his path, you know, going to, to n 64. I don't know when it released that n 64. But probably was around lunch. Maybe?

BigRC:

I don't remember that being the lunch title.

Rick:

Which one? Starfox 64. Yeah. Starfox 64 was in 97?

BigRC:

Yeah, I think the Sims four came out in either 9596. Okay. Yeah.

Genesis:

So this is kind of a mid tier, I'd say mascot for Nintendo.

BigRC:

I think they sold a game with the Romo pack. I think the room pack came out with that game. So yeah, the

Rick:

man 64 was in 96.

Unknown:

Six.

Rick:

Yeah. Starfox was the following year.

Genesis:

Nice. See? Yeah. Well, I'll let you guys so the column where this goes.

BigRC:

Rick, okay. You know what I mean? I'm still stuck between the two man. I don't want to drop it down casual, but it's something like that. Because it's today and how things are. I think that's how most people will know him today is from smash though. I'd have to agree with you.

Genesis:

casual gamers now.

Rick:

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And what's funny is I'm looking at the wiki. First Starfox 64. And the end, the very first line that stuck out to me was a Starfox 64 has been deemed as one of the greatest video games of all time.

Unknown:

Yeah.

Rick:

It was fun to him. Tell me his name was incredibly

Genesis:

deemed by who?

Rick:

Just to list on Wikipedia games that are considered the best of all times. Yeah. Yeah, star.

Genesis:

I never got into it. So maybe that maybe that's just me. It wasn't my style of game grubbing.

Unknown:

Wow. Scrub, scrub.

Genesis:

Okay, so moving right along. This one, I'm sure. It sounds like you were excited to talk about this next character, Rick.

Rick:

I am. Because I almost know exactly where it's going. I know exactly where it's going. What the character is gecs now, I didn't give any like funny little story before I mentioned his hand because I really don't think anybody knows who this guy is. But I love it. So he gets had three games gets one gets to enter the gecko and gets three deep cover Gecko. And it was basically basically a talking Gekko that was like a poor man's James Bond. Yeah,

Genesis:

he was like a spy. Yeah,

Rick:

he was a spy work. I think his dad or something work for the NSA or some shit like that. And he was going up against this dude named red. So it was I think it was like a dinosaur or crocodile or some shit like that. And the second one was awesome. I mean, I I want to say I've played because gets into the gecko was a PlayStation classic on the ps3, PlayStation Store. I want to say I played it within like the last 10 years, but I played it back on the ps1 around when it came out. It's actually a really good game. However. I hate to say it, but one of the most notable things about okex is not even the game itself. It's the designer of the game. Who who happens to be Evan wells, the founder of Naughty Dog. Okay, so right you're talking to Evan wells is actually Evan wells and Bruce straily. They're both founders of Naughty Dog. Those guys left this to go Form Naughty Dog. So for that reason gecs is gonna go under literally Who? I mean. I know who he is because I actually played into the gecko when it first came out. Yeah. But I don't know a single soul who else would have played it? Yeah,

Genesis:

I mean, I, I loved the character. I loved gecs as a character, and I really wanted to be on board with that series. Every time I played the game, I just did not have fun playing it at all. And I was I was fighting because I thought the character itself was really cool. And he felt like he could be a mascot for a lot of reasons. But the games were just not fun. But they did a good job in creating a character that was, I think, memorable to a lot of us old school gamers at least But yeah, I think most people be like, Who?

Rick:

Who? Who is this? Guy?

Genesis:

Again? I don't know. What's your experience with gecs RC? Shit.

Rick:

No much. Okay, so

Unknown:

literally. Oh, it is? Yeah. Yeah.

BigRC:

Like the one thing I mean, I remembered the character but never played his game. I do remember that commercial though. Which commercial gifts on a commercial double set up like a screen like that. Give the movie a string.

Unknown:

Oh, really?

Genesis:

I don't know. Remember that?

BigRC:

Yeah, that's all remember. I remember that. And her screaming and him getting aroused by her. Yeah, it's weird, but you gotta watch. Oh, yeah, so YouTube was a shit.

Rick:

Okay. gecs was, I didn't really play gigs. Three. I definitely didn't play the first one. I played in beat into the gecko, but I don't think I I may have played like a little bit of three. But enter the gecko was a lot of fun to going through the haunted stuff. And it was

Genesis:

like different portals or something you'd go through to include the worlds or something. It's a it's like a giant TV remote.

Rick:

And yeah, jump on the little button and you will get sucked into whatever that yeah.

Genesis:

Yeah, it's a cool concept, but the gameplay was just not fun.

Rick:

Yeah, the camera sucked. That was probably the biggest thing about that game. Oh, and Fun fact, the studio that may guess is the studio that eventually went on to do Tomb Raider.

Genesis:

Yeah, and Avengers. Crystal Dynamics. Yep.

Rick:

Yep, Crystal Dynamics. Great studio. They don't make bad games. I mean, you could make the argument for Avengers. I enjoyed my time with Avengers, so I don't think they made bad games.

Genesis:

He just he argued in counter arguing to himself. Okay, so gecs is falling into the literally who category?

Rick:

Fate is on my side. Look, look who I get to announce. Look, I get to announce.

Genesis:

I Well, I can't do the math in my head. So you don't bid the next the next couple of days and can go by quick at least. This next one? Yeah. Glover. Like I know the character but like, I don't give any shit about this character. It's literally a glove. Dancing on a ball from Nintendo 64 the game coilover good. Yeah. Who gives a shit? Right? Literally Who? I see you're welcome to counter if you have a hill you want to die on with that? She? I'm good. Okay, that's I figured

Rick:

before before we continue I just thought about it. Crystal Dynamics. If you happen to hear this. Stop working on Avengers and make another Legacy of Kain

Genesis:

Oh yeah, like or Soul Reaver

Rick:

don't get rid of Allah Who the fuck cares about events?

Unknown:

I want

Rick:

I want a new Soul Reaver those games are Tamara Hussein I know you know what I'm talking about if you happen to hear this please sorry.

Genesis:

Okay, can you get that off his chest we got from Glover the mascot that nobody gives a shit about I don't know why that's on this list but I guess we need some that are at the bottom so

BigRC:

the bounce everything out. But yeah, this character man. I think he originally offered me Yes Did he spawn in the series in the dead alive series as one of the main characters as well. This is Ryu Hayabusa. Yeah, my man's.

Genesis:

I love this character and I love the games. I loved watching the journey going, like being featured in Yeah, the dead that are alive series. I don't know why that crossover happened, but I was happy to see it.

BigRC:

No, because I believe the same developers.

Genesis:

Oh, was it does that

BigRC:

leave it was oh techno or

Unknown:

I can't think of kawi Yeah,

Rick:

yeah, I think that was before they merged though. They weren't just techmo at the time. And then they merged with Koi

Genesis:

was Riu always the character of ninja gating.

Rick:

Yeah, yes. Okay. Because he A lot of people think Ryu was given his own game for Ninja Gaiden. But because he's a character that's in there alive. But Ninja Gaiden came out first.

Genesis:

Gaming A long time ago, right? Yeah.

Rick:

Yeah. That was on the NAS I believe. Yes, it was correct. Right. And then they made a game based on fighting characters. They Rio was a partner. So Ninja Gaiden was first and that that game was Rio hybris. It was never someone else.

Genesis:

Right. Right. Right. Right. Now, I would say yeah, I mean, he's certainly influential. Maybe not today. But all the ninja gating games there were, especially in the early gaming days when you have any s and Sega, but then being able to remaster yourself on to, let's say current gen. I don't know if I want to say original Xbox is past Gen yet. But to remake that, and that game was beautiful. I came ahead was challenging. It looked great. The art? And yeah, really. I mean, that's where we really stood out for me it was then, even though knowing he had a history with the original games,

Rick:

you know, even though Ninja Gaiden three came out on everything. I don't know about anybody else. But when I think of Ryu Hayabusa or just Ninja Gaiden in general, I think of Xbox. First game was exclusive to the Xbox. Yeah, and Ninja Gaiden to the olje did you get into is is easily one of the greatest games of all time, in my opinion.

Unknown:

Oh, fuck yeah,

Rick:

he was amazing.

Genesis:

Huh? You got any of those on your YouTube playlist?

Rick:

I had the first Ninja Gaiden arita. Marcy.

BigRC:

Yeah, that no, I think I got the one of the trilogy songs on there for like the first and second game. That's what it's all about. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Like for India's trilogy? Yeah. Yeah. But I think he taught him about like the modern day or like,

Unknown:

oh,

Rick:

black. Yes. And black and sigma.

Genesis:

Just like remakes.

Rick:

No, I think they're new games.

BigRC:

I could Yeah. I mean, yeah, like, because you know how the trilogy came out, then, like, all of a sudden, when Xbox came out. They did the exclusive. So I mean, it could be a remake. I mean, yeah.

Genesis:

Like a remake, and it made it like harder or something like that.

BigRC:

Oh, no. Black Black is but like, it doesn't really Mitchell gayden Oh, yeah, well, that's my

Rick:

theory. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Cuz the way it went was, it was Yeah, it was just Ninja Gaiden on their original Xbox. And then they made a black that will add like extra costumes and shit. And then they made Ninja Gaiden sigma, where they ported the first game to the ps3. Because if I'm not mistaken, Microsoft own the rights to it or some shit like that for the first Ninja Gaiden. And back in those ps3 360 days, one of the ways around that was just throw an extra title on the game. And now it's a new property right right now. That's how they got with Ninja Gaiden. Two, Ninja Gaiden. Two is exclusive to Xbox, but sigma two is on everything.

Genesis:

Now. I thought that when that game came out on the OG Xbox, though, I was like this is the mascot for Xbox right now. Oh,

BigRC:

okay. That may I mean, yeah, he was definitely up there.

Genesis:

At least Yeah, at least one of the pivotal is like the way you would see shit. I forgot to do the same from gears. What's the main guy from yours?

Rick:

Marcus? Marcus

Genesis:

Phoenix. Yeah, the same way I see him like that's an Xbox. That's an Xbox character. You link them to the system I knew and you link them to the series. I felt the same way about riou at the time with the OG Xbox like this is this is xbox. This is Ninja gayden.

BigRC:

So yeah, so where will we put real a man I don't know. I Oh man. Yeah, definitely between most gamers, no and casual gamers, no, in my opinion. And

Genesis:

I mean, I don't think casual gamers are going to know who Ryu is. No, no,

Rick:

I don't think so either. So maybe most gamers know an obscure because casual gamers probably don't know who that is at all. Yeah, he cuz he's not all smashed. He's not on anything other than dead or alive.

BigRC:

Yeah. Right. That's current gaming.

Genesis:

Most gamers you should know. Yeah. Yeah. I don't know.

Rick:

Shed that might be another tier we add on here.

Unknown:

Who you should?

Rick:

People should absolutely no.

Genesis:

I, I'm okay with putting them in either category. That sounds like most gamers knows the common.

BigRC:

Man, Rick, tell you true. I kind of want to fight you on this man. But I think I'm gonna leave it up to you though. Because

Rick:

no, I was gonna say I'm gonna leave it up to you.

BigRC:

there because like, I don't see like so between it should be between most gamers know what Calvin was? No, but like,

Genesis:

I don't see casual gamers knowing who you

BigRC:

will see. I kind of want to see here. Let me not do that. Because it's gonna be some other shit. Like, think

Genesis:

of a casual gamer and then showing them a picture. And even the picture with the name Ryu on it? Do you think they're gonna know what series that comes from? From a casual gamers perspective?

BigRC:

Right, the same as your game. But then they probably wouldn't know if it came from also dead alive as well. It didn't let the fighting game you know, right.

Genesis:

Right. Alive

Rick:

is also that's a hardcore series. I feel like hardcore gamers would know hardcore gamers no dead or alive. But yeah. If you showed the title of dead or alive to someone who's not a gamer and ask them what is this, they're gonna look at you like, Is this some Jackie Chan movies?

BigRC:

Yeah.

Rick:

I mean, I I'm leaning more towards obscure just because I don't think casual gamers know who he really is. I really

BigRC:

don't think that no, I don't I don't think it's much time.

Genesis:

But I can't wait to see the comments on this episode. To see if it'd be good to get a good statistics of people that know and or do not know some of these that we are placing on some of these ties.

BigRC:

So I'm if you need to go have a placement under obscured.

Genesis:

Okay. Yeah, it's, it's sad. He should be more well known.

Rick:

It's almost kind of the developers fault. Not let's say it's the developers fault. Like it like they're to blame button. The games, the very beginning. I'm sorry, the very first game was crazy hard. And they did that through the entire series. I mean, read is not that hard. I think to one, the two are much harder. Yeah. But I mean, that's definitely a hardcore game.

Genesis:

A lot of Game of the Year awards even back to its original one.

Rick:

Yeah. Yeah. I also believe that Ninja Gaiden was the start of the idea of the souls born games. Like I think, I think Ninja Gaiden the OG Xbox One.

Genesis:

I think it's difficult.

Rick:

Yeah, I think then kind of put the idea in, what's his name? yuzaki or something like that?

Genesis:

Yeah, Me. Me. zacky.

Rick:

Yeah, he probably played that and was like, yeah, I'm gonna torture my players.

Genesis:

I wouldn't be surprised if he if he were to say like, he had some influence from that.

Rick:

Yeah. So

Genesis:

that was also Shinobi. So fuck, yes.

Rick:

Oh, my goodness.

Genesis:

So

Unknown:

yay.

Genesis:

Let's talk about this other literally Who?

Rick:

Well, judging from I'm sorry, everyone listening to this right now. Just listening to Jen's reaction. You already know who's coming. The man himself the greatest stealth character of all time. The survivor of less than voluntad Ebola Solid Snake himself.

Genesis:

I mean, that's that's who's next up my list? Yes.

BigRC:

Nope.

Rick:

Who's next on my list?

Genesis:

You must have rearranged some shit.

Rick:

Wait, who's that clearly?

Unknown:

Jackson,

BigRC:

Dexter.

Unknown:

Wait, so so

BigRC:

is so you give them the intro for nuttin, buddy.

Genesis:

That's right. We're going to say we can talk about snake now.

Rick:

So just yet take him where I was well okay,

Genesis:

but I want to revert my initial my reaction wasn't to snake It was absolutely to jack and Dexter. Oh, so

Rick:

you would say jack and AXA would go literally Oh, yeah.

Unknown:

I could

Genesis:

I could bite we can come back to that.

Rick:

Yeah, just go I mean we don't have to we could I mean just throw him in most influential and be done with it. If you're gonna sit here, dude, I'll fight you both.

BigRC:

Oh, I know. both

Genesis:

agree snake is a very influential mascot.

Rick:

Yeah. created the stealth job. He did. He did. Well, ko Jima created it but he's the face of the creation of that. Like the car hiding under the cardboard box. The exclamation point when you get caught

Genesis:

those groundbreaking stuff for sure. I love they call them Metal Gear Solid series. I think the story is too convoluted. And really, that's it But no, I love I love I played the I played the hell out of the first three games. Yeah, great series.

Rick:

Great character. I think he would beat the shit out of all these characters on set. Maybe like there's a few on there that would would you know, this isn't who could win in a fight. Okay, no, no. No, but in all cases, though. Yeah, definitely. Easily most influential for me

Genesis:

think he was he was built off of. I feel like there's notable, I don't know, movie actors like action heroes that he was built from. Or to portray or my

Rick:

my thinking of that wrong thing. Well, he definitely. Like he has a lot of people who I'm sorry, there are a lot of characters that snake was based on,

Genesis:

obviously, but do you know of any but if there was a specific one, like that's known that he was built from or is he just truly in an original character? No, no, he's

Rick:

definitely Snape. Plus, from escape from Oh my

Unknown:

god, I love that series.

Rick:

Escape from New York. And then the other one was a was named Michael Bain from Terminator.

BigRC:

Oh, calories.

Rick:

Yeah, him. I mean, kijima has said in numerous interviews that you can tell who his influences were. Actually, when Solid Snake eventually became like a full face. Raw. His name is john cod fan dance face was the inspiration for why he looks the way he does. No. So he definitely took a lot of different characters and molded them into journeyman sneak forgotten like that. That's Snake Snake.

Genesis:

Have you seen his?

Rick:

Yeah, that's awesome. Okay, New York.

BigRC:

Yeah.

Rick:

Now I will I will admit that I didn't see the movies until after I played Metal Gear Solid because once I found out that that was the inspiration like of course I'm watching those fucking Oh, right. Yeah. And then I saw them and you can see snake plissken mannerisms are a lot of it is Solid Snake,

Genesis:

like voice sounds to the david Hayter.

Rick:

Yeah, the only difference was the the he didn't have an eyepatch. Solid Snake didn't have an eyepatch

Genesis:

until didn't have an eyepatch in the

Rick:

four. Yeah, or he had he had an eyepatch and four but it wasn't required iPads. Oh, yeah. Like it was it was the he was using that for a tactical advantage.

Genesis:

He's wearing an iPad for funsies

Rick:

it was like a binocular he could like night vision he

Genesis:

had it was more than

Rick:

like it wasn't missing an eye like anytime and be okay. Yeah. Whereas snake plissken his his aim would be all

Unknown:

keyed.

Rick:

Well, that's a different character. So don't

Genesis:

wait no different than Snake.

Rick:

Snake Eater.

BigRC:

codename is snake.

Genesis:

What's the story? story?

Rick:

Isn't his code name is naked snake.

BigRC:

Yeah, this is true.

Rick:

What is not Solid Snake like it's not the same guy. They don't even have the same first name like naked snake is john. Solid Snake is Dave okay. They're different people.

Unknown:

Well, moving on.

Rick:

Snake is the clone. mega snake is Big Boss.

BigRC:

You see what the fuck you started Genesis. Oh no. I'm done.

Genesis:

I'm done. I I'm trying to I'm so who's which? Which one's the mascot?

Rick:

Solid Snake for sure.

Unknown:

about that. That's

Rick:

it. No more. No more Metal Gear.

Genesis:

So most influential Yeah.

BigRC:

Whoo

Genesis:

hoo.

Rick:

off of this whole fucking thing

Genesis:

do you agree RC is an influential character?

BigRC:

I think he does sell consoles. I mean that's one thing I look at. I know he had toys and shit and never really collected them or fuck with with that but I did enjoy the games like that I do recognize them. And of course he's another smash character. So yeah, I'm thinking I'll see I hate to say I'll have to put them up there as most influential

Rick:

Okay, you and I'm noticing that we keep mentioning smash and I'm noticing a lot of the icons for the characters are the Smash icon. Like a lot of these characters on here Smash Brothers icon. Pretty cool.

Genesis:

Well, we are at probably close to an hour and a half already. So try to breeze through some of these next low key ones like Jackson Dexter will just throw that on there somewhere where unless I have no horse in the game on Jack's. That series came out after I had already turned Xbox superiority stance.

Rick:

JACK and go literally

Genesis:

who said jack and Dexter

Rick:

and jack? jack index? Yeah. jack is the god DAX is the thing.

Genesis:

I feel like it has a huge following for like Sony fans those Yeah, of course. Yeah, I wouldn't put them in. I wouldn't say literally who I would say casual gamers. No.

BigRC:

Yeah, but but but same time. That's a Sony though.

Genesis:

Right, right. Rami but yeah,

Rick:

maybe obscure just because I feel like hardcore gamers know, but casuals may not.

Genesis:

I think casuals know more than hardcore like that. That game is marketed towards the casual gamer crowd.

Unknown:

No, absolutely.

Rick:

He's holding a gun. What do you mean? Yeah, but it was like the gameplay was platforming, right? Like like the the first one was but the other four after that. No, they were all hardcore, like guns and stealing cars.

Genesis:

And that wasn't the main mascot for the PSP. Yeah,

Rick:

but again, stealing cars guys.

Genesis:

He's like a mechanic now. I feel like I'm fighting for Jags cuz he just like a technical mechanic like they've built shit together. So I don't know. That was that was ratchet sir. That made me want to pick it up. Yeah. Oops. Alright, literally who it is.

Rick:

Okay, literally Who? Yeah, I could go with literally who on him? I would have been nice and obscure. Yeah, but like he said, you know, we got a ton of character that we

Genesis:

could throw on obscure. I'm okay with that. Okay, yeah, yeah,

Rick:

put some rows back. Okay.

Genesis:

It says the guy put fucking Alright, RC

BigRC:

No, I What else can I say? He's big. His pink. He's fluffy.

Genesis:

He sucks. Yeah,

BigRC:

he actually does suck. It's looking Kirby.

Genesis:

It's Kirby. Yes. Kirby's an icon. I will say yeah, Herbie is a fucking icon.

Rick:

Again, the rap rap songs. I've heard I've definitely heard the bar of the suck some like curry.

Genesis:

I can imagine the context.

Rick:

Yes. Yeah.

Unknown:

Yeah. No.

BigRC:

Dude, honestly, I could. I'm not familiar with a lot of the game. I do remember that in this game. Being very memorable is very first in the game. Yes, I also played it. Yeah, well, trust me. If you go out and play it ages very well. It's a platform game. You play it. You go right through it again easily, but it's a little bit challenging, but not too challenging. It's like you enjoy it from

Rick:

you know that that's a good point. The what, Kirby there were two the crystal shards on the and 64 and then there was the superstar ultra, I think on the DS. Two of the best sidescrolling games I've ever played. Wow, my crystal crystal shards was amazing. Oh my god. 64 I think I just was a fan of and 64 if you can't tell Yeah.

Genesis:

I don't remember which game it was, but there was one it was like a golf style game with him. And the Super Nintendo. I played that game constantly. I can't remember the name of it, though was that that wasn't dreamland was it? Not dreamland, I

Rick:

think was On my Gameboy

BigRC:

yeah you know Gameboy in Yes, but yeah.

Genesis:

Oh, Dream course that's what it was on the Superman Kirby's Dream course. Okay. And I was like a golf saw game we had to like get them in the hole.

Rick:

Now the real question though for Kirby, is he most influential or most games know, most gamers know.

Genesis:

I don't know if he's most influential. I think he's almost up there but Yeah,

BigRC:

I agree as in like most gamers know. And do you agree with that, Rick?

Rick:

Yes, I agree. Okay. Most gamers know.

Unknown:

Yeah. All right.

Rick:

Is that everyone? I think everyone knows who Kirby is. But is he influential? No. I don't think I don't know. He's

Genesis:

really he's a cute character. I bet he sells merchandise like crazy. Oh, more so than Donkey Kong? I would say.

Rick:

See? I don't know because I don't get again I feel like because of people's like, him being in rap songs and

Genesis:

I guarantee more people know Kirby the character than they do their game to his games.

Rick:

Yeah, that's true. That's true that there's probably a ton of people that don't even know they probably think he's a cartoon characters.

Genesis:

But I'm fine with sticking them in most gamers no category. Absolutely. All right, who's up next?

Rick:

Is it my turn?

Unknown:

Yeah.

Rick:

Okay, so I'm not sure maybe I did fuck the list up so I'm gonna go with who I got next year. I isn't another one. I think he'll fall under literally Who? I think he had two or three games but his name is quinoa

Genesis:

okay yeah that's who I got next so you must have put snake he was

BigRC:

he was a drag them by

Genesis:

his mouse ship them tomorrow Noah i don't know i think you

Rick:

I mean obviously from this picture he has a rain is in his hand I if I remember correctly, he does weird shit like like some like Green Lantern or something like that.

BigRC:

I mean, like how we were talking I mean like sex finishes weird or put mustard on fucking pork and beans

Genesis:

weird I mean Wow. First of all,

Rick:

don't you don't you curse this podcast with with that. Okay, now I'm gonna be thinking about man on his head.

Genesis:

That's interesting design choice. Oh yeah, that's me by Namco to

Rick:

now Okay, that was you know what they probably may klonoa because Pac Man was down in sales anyway you know? Let's make some dumb bitches like a he's like a Greenland and knock off a cat dog rabbit Yeah,

Unknown:

yeah. Nuts. I think that's

Rick:

that's I think that's the definition of a literally,

Genesis:

literally literally Who?

Rick:

Like, huh

Genesis:

so this next one well, the God of War man. Yeah. credos. Again, that's another Sony staple that I missed out a lot of because I was so on board with Microsoft. But credo side certainly see as being a very influential system selling mascot care. Rotary. First, there's no arguing that he's the he's the king of quicktime events. I guess because he's too bad as to do anything beyond quicktime events. It has got to work in a launch title of most Sony platforms.

Rick:

Because he was. Now think about it. When did

Genesis:

you first come out on PS two?

Rick:

But he was more It was 2005. sequels 2007 or eight? And because it was if I remember correctly, it came out the year the ps3 came out forgot a word to say would have been it would have been 2007. Yeah, so no pending. Gotta work. Three was like 2010 I believe a God of War Ascension was like 2012 Yeah, now it's not I think it's ever been a launch title. Now, I definitely think is a system seller. I think it's influential characters. But I I think a lot of it is based off the new cradles from God or 2018 the sort of soft reboot, you know,

Genesis:

I don't know. I feel like he was sown systems moment. He came out with the original data war.

Rick:

I think he wants to but I think he ascended with the newer. Oh, yeah, I think people liked him before a lot but now he's because he shown some some sort of humility. previous games. Yeah, the previous games he was just some yelling asshole that like ripping people apart. But you couldn't really connect with him? Yeah, he would have been. Yeah, you just played his games when you want to let off some steam. Sure, without actually going outside ripping people in half. But the new one yeah, that's really just took him off as a character. So definitely multiple agile. All right.

BigRC:

Yeah. I don't remember too many products being sold to him. I didn't like that outside of gaming. But I definitely but honestly, I didn't see him hit at least his face being like the face of Sony.

Genesis:

Yeah, yeah. When you when I think of got awards? Certainly. That's a Sony. That's a Sony mascot. Yeah. Taking the reigns from crash. Yeah,

Rick:

yeah. Yeah, I think he's far more. I think he's far more especially because of now. He's far more of one.

Genesis:

Yeah. Oh, yeah. Okay, RC. Yeah, well, top that.

BigRC:

Yeah. Well, hmm. Well, I think this was a influential character. At least the old school person was she has been revamped in the sense. She's young, she's hot. She's inexperienced, but learning all at the same time. Is the modern day. Laura Croft,

Genesis:

Laura Croft, Tomb Raider extraordinare.

BigRC:

That's right. Such good games.

Genesis:

Yeah, and I think I mean, we do see that. There's the old version and the new version. New new version listed on here. I think we can find them in two one. I don't know.

Rick:

I'm going to disagree with you on that. I'm gonna I'm gonna say we can do them both now. Agree, but I don't I don't think there.

BigRC:

See our thinking the same thing. So you know, I'm gonna let you go first either record Genesis, you go ahead, just punch in.

Genesis:

JOHN

Unknown:

McClane,

Genesis:

we'll learn a craft as a whole, I think is totally a mascot, not only for the Tomb Raider series, but for the Sony platform. It's the first not the first time but probably the first time since Miss Pac Man that we have a female mascot and not an animal. So I don't who knows what the fuck up pack is so Miss Pac Man. But we have a female mascot. And a prominent series. hugely influential. I wouldn't be surprised if Laura Croft did bring a lot of female gamers into gaming or females into gaming. Although we can argue the Accent Accent accentuated features that the original Laura Croft had might not have been directly marketed for females, but you have a league mascot and that way, I think it's still important. And then we see that evolution into the current Laura Croft, who is much more normalized in her and her physique. I don't know if the current Laura Croft is as influential as the original film. I think if you were to put a group of people together and you show them a picture of both side by side, people are gonna know the original or crafts image versus the current one.

Rick:

Yeah. Like I I completely agree. When you think about female empowerment. What bigger character in the video game world is more empowering to women than Tomb Raider that Laura Croft, specifically.

Genesis:

But I can see there being controversy behind that because you have a character that has giant tits and wide hips?

Rick:

are either you familiar with Melanie Mac? No,

BigRC:

no, no.

Rick:

She's like, like, She's like, she's, um, she's a twitch streamer. She is one of the hosts of the GameStop TV. She's one of the biggest Tomb Raider fans that I've ever seen. Right. And her thing is, she's the one that really kind of put it in a better way. Basically, she's saying that people need to get off this idea that because a woman is overly sexualized, that they have no value, and that they're only their their only value is the fact that they're courageous or whatever. She's saying that those people exist in the world. Like there are women out there who are shaped like that.

Genesis:

I agree with that. However, you have to think about the designers were they making a character with those curves for the simple fact that that Of course, somebody like that exists or were they doing it because fucking nerdy poverty. teenage boys

BigRC:

love the boys,

Genesis:

boys. Shit. I don't know, can you give me? What there's no zoom on this camera?

Rick:

That is funny. I mean, that's a good point.

Genesis:

So I would love to hear female gamers and on their opinion of Warcraft and if she's as influential as we kind of assume it to be, or if it's just the fact there, there's very little gaming mascots that are female. So there's not much to choose from either way. Sad enough, but Lara Croft, as a whole, I would certainly say is a influential mascot, most influential. I'm mostly speaking to the Gog version not.

BigRC:

Okay. And this is going back to what I said earlier about how I was looking at this thing about what's going on currently today. I would have said back then for the Oji one, hell you most influential today, Martin de lopro. De the games that the trilogy it's our now it's fantastic. Oh, they're amazing. Yeah. Yeah. And Matter of fact, date made a movie based off this current

Rick:

trilogy as well, which I haven't seen yet. You haven't seen? I haven't seen? I haven't seen either, but I have heard that it is it's literally a carbon copy of the first reboot of the first Tomb Raider. Yeah. Which, you know, they're making a sequel to it. So I did. I think it did. I thought I

Genesis:

thought it was good. Okay.

Rick:

Yeah, I've heard it was good, for sure. But, I mean, in the interest of time, I would go classic Tomb Raider, for most influential and then reboot for most cameras. No.

BigRC:

See, I will see that too. But I kinda want to renege on what I said about like, currently.

Unknown:

You know, I do.

Rick:

I don't know. I just reboot. Laura is influential. I think she's cool. No, no, no, yeah.

BigRC:

I disagree with you. But I don't know where to put the old school. One that like, I want to put it as most influential.

Genesis:

I would say, LG is most influential, but

BigRC:

yeah, yeah. But I think I kind of want to keep it to where like, do you think if you showed this picture to people who casual play games or or hardcore gamers, I mean, from all from all across the world, everywhere? Anybody? They don't know who this is?

Rick:

Yes,

BigRC:

I think so. Okay, then let's put her under most influential.

Rick:

I think I think Laura Croft is no one made this. Yeah, the old school. Right, right. I think the old school Laura Croft. I don't know how this is gonna come out. So there's no ill intent with what I'm about to say. But I think Laura Croft is part of the reason why half of the gaming industry is female. Like I think Laura Croft is kind of what led females know that there is a character for you out there. There is a strong female lead that can die You know, I mean, like, she's kind of started a lot of these other like, Uncharted, we probably wouldn't have Uncharted. If it wasn't for Tomb Raider. Oh, yeah. I think that you can't count that out.

BigRC:

I will bring out another female character, but a lot of people didn't know that she was a female character. But we'll get to that. Oh,

Rick:

yeah. I know who you're talking about. Yeah. Yep. Yep. So yeah, you want to just do most influential for classic and then

Genesis:

yeah, cuz the only reason that there would be two is if you're talking about design choice. in it. I think Laura craft as a character as a whole is the one most important Hmm, yeah, I mean, so I don't really care where we put modern VR Yeah, I don't really care.

Rick:

What you think an odyssey

BigRC:

for modern leaver? Where she most games No? Okay.

Rick:

Yeah. My boy. He Yeah.

Genesis:

Yes. Okay. All right. Shout out to

Rick:

shout out to my boy, Chuck, because I know he agrees with me on this one. The character coming up is Leon s. Kennedy first introduced in Resident Evil two. I think if when you think of the best resin Evil games, he's the star of those games. So resin, that being resonable two and four. And he has the best campaign and resin evil six. As far as his influence. He I don't think he's that higher. Maybe casual, maybe obscure.

Genesis:

Yeah. He's an important character in gaming. He's certainly a major face to the Resident Evil franchise. But I don't think casual gamers really know who he is. No, I don't think so.

Rick:

And putting him in AP scores feel so disrespectful. Yeah, no cuz I mean we got Riu and conquer down there.

BigRC:

I was tour. I mean, he ain't no Chris Redfield. So you know, I mean, maybe you don't belong at the bottom now, Chris.

Genesis:

I mean, you got Jill. Yeah, I don't know. Yeah, man. Well, I think most people would say Leanne is the face of Archie but aside from zombies in those pockets, but

Rick:

that shit that could be a topic that we introduce or that we have Chuck on because I feel like there's a debate on the most influential resin evil character because there are so many resin evil characters that are important to the overall story. Yeah. Link is obviously my favorite. But you know our sees a fan of Chris. I think Kurt's a friend a fan of

Genesis:

St. Link. No.

Rick:

I'm might have said link. looked over at the chat. Here is a chat on DSP. Go and edit that out, please.

Genesis:

This whole thing, this whole little part right here, say the name you meant to say? And then we'll have we'll have them superimpose it over the link. Leon ain't gonna do that shit. But yeah,

Rick:

I mean, I think as far as where Leon goes, I would I'm fine with obscure, like he's important to the series. But uh, he's, he's not important to gaming.

Genesis:

Yeah, makes sense. Okay, I think the further along we go these definitions, and we're replacing this, maybe we should have refined a little bit because it is difficult let some of the mid tier mascots that we're finding. Okay. So we are at about two hours now on this and we still have a lot of mascots to go through. I didn't think it would. I didn't think we would take this much time discussing them all, which is great. So I think we might need to break this into a two part episode.

Rick:

Yeah, this,

Genesis:

this took a lot longer than I thought it was considering we still haven't even talked about Mario or Sonic or Pikachu or Yoshi. Like there's still a lot to go over. Yeah,

Rick:

there's a there's a few characters on here that, like I think we could just go ahead and throw them in the trash now. But But yeah, like we have to talk about Mario. We haven't talked about Luigi. There's a bit important conversation about Ryu from Street

Genesis:

Fighter. Yeah, absolutely.

Rick:

Yeah, this is this is a. This is a good one, though. I like this. With the pics we have already.

Genesis:

Yeah. And I can't wait to hear feedback on our choices once this episode goes. Live. Yeah. So I think with that, yeah, we'll break this into a two parter. Let us know. Absolutely. If you enjoyed this episode and the topic and then are looking forward to a part two, and then we'll continue on. And release that for you folks and let us know where you think we might have fucked up or where you think we would that you agree with us on. I definitely enjoyed discussing the mascots here and taking a trip down memory lane. So with that, thanks, everybody for tuning into this week's episode of The Haven exchange Podcast. I am of course Genesis you can find me over on Twitch, twitch that TV slash Genesis underscore gh we got a lot of fun things coming up. Specifically this Saturday, we're doing a Val Heim tournament over on my channel where we have a bunch of streamers participating in to see who will be the last one standing in this tournament. And there's prizes. I will also be dressing up as Cesar flicker Lin from the Hunger Games. It's going to be a good time. So make sure to tune in this Saturday, May 22, where that's all going to go down and of course you can find all the details to that as well as discuss this episode. Further in the Gamer's Haven Network discord, and you can find the link to that right in the description of this big RC. I should tell the people where they can find you after the show.

BigRC:

Oh as always, man, want to get back up and running, which is hopefully very soon. No BS. You can ask me First of all on TV, hey, whatever man for slash big RC underscore gh on social media at YouTube, Twitter and Instagram at big rc 56.

Genesis:

Okay, RC fantastic. I definitely want to go check out the playlist some more that you have on YouTube now talking about some of these old school games, specifically Ninja Gaiden. So

BigRC:

Oh, yeah, he probably like about two or three of them on there. Yeah. All of them from Michigan to

Genesis:

Hell yeah. Yeah, I'm definitely gonna listen to those. That stuff.

Rick:

Yeah, his soundtracks are dope. His, like, his playlists. Oh my goodness. Oh, yeah. Fire.

BigRC:

I'm still and a few things here and there. So

Genesis:

Hell yeah. Now you gotta start giving us like genres for the game. All this He's like, here's the breakaway playlist for the chill. Danny ones for the high ones. Anyways, Rick, what's going on? I hear you're doing some stuff on Twitch.

Rick:

I am, I am back on Twitch a little much more frequently than I was just the last few months. I've been playing Mass Effect the legendary edition, pretty pretty heavily. I think I just hit like 10 hours or something like that on the game. So you can definitely follow me on Twitch at twitch TV slash Phantom underscore, gh. While we continuing those playthroughs you know, I'll sprinkle in some new games every now and then like some Phasma phobia or Metal Gear of some sort of Witcher or something like that. But right now, the main focus is the Mass Effect trilogy, where I'm going to be playing one all the way through the third game. So definitely hit me up on there. You know, same thing with Twitter. If you want to talk shit, you want to talk about how much our political system is garbage? definitely follow me on twitter at Phantom underscore gh n.

Genesis:

You know what, I just thought it would be cool. If once you go to start the second game, if you had some sort of command or overlay that listed out the important choices you made on the first game that's going to be carrying over the human. That's not a

Rick:

bad idea. Maybe I'll just maybe I'll add some. Maybe I'll just add like a like, text onto the stream or something.

Genesis:

Yeah, that'd be cool.

Rick:

Maybe I'll do it as I do it. Right. We made a few decisions already. So that's a good idea.

Genesis:

Up to pick brains on this guy.

Rick:

This guy wanted to do that shit soon as we're done here.

Genesis:

As always, thanks again, everyone for tuning in each and every week to the Haven exchange podcast. We love the support we've been getting here on the show and seeing you guys tune in each and every week and given us a little shout outs on what we've been doing here. Love it. Love to see it. You guys are amazing. So shout outs to all of you out there. And thanks for tuning in this week. Peace out.

BigRC:

Appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you.

Unknown:

This is the Haven exchange.