Nostalgia, reflections, other feelings

Not too sure why I'm making this topic. Maybe I'm feeling nostalgic, maybe I just want to hit 15k posts as some kind of arbitrary achievement. But every few months this place will pop into my head and I'll get thinking about all the time I spent here, and how simultaneously weird and amazing it was. I mean, from ages 12 to roughly 18/19, I was on this site constantly. I literally grew up here. And made so many friends, had so many conversations, that it seems almost unreal. The fact that I spent so much time here, had an entire separate life here, and nobody in my real life even knew about this place. I never told a soul that I was at one point an admin on one of the biggest gaming forums in the world.

Looking back, it's so clear to me how big an impact this place has had on my life. It taught me how to type, made me fall in love with tech. I really believe that this forum and site has drastically changed the direction my life has gone, as crazy as that sounds. All because I looked up some cheat codes on a cold night more than half my life ago, and decided to register an account. (Coincidentally, this date almost a decade later would be my anniversary with my first real girlfriend). The first account I ever registered in my life. Then a few months after that I decided to click the forums button, having no idea what they were.

It was so nice as a pretty normal but nerdy and a bit lonely teen to have a place full of people that were pretty much like me. The old Teams forum before it split off into its own section was some of the most fun I've ever had on the internet. Sometimes I go back and look at threads and see people I was friends with that were last active in 2009 or 2010, and the realization that these were all real people is almost overwhelming. I have very, very few people from here that I trust added on real social media. Everyone else I just sit and wonder what they're doing these days, if they ever think about the hours and hours we all spent here.

I'm thankful for every second I've spent on this site and these forums. All the arguments, the tedious moderation, the petty staff politics and arguments I tried to stay out of. The splinter groups that branched off and made their own forums but were also still popular here. It all seems so goofy now. What were we doing arguing about closing this topic or moving that, or deleting a post that didn't quite have 3 words in it? It was so silly. But we had a hell of a community. And that's something I'll always miss. You can't find a community like we had on Facebook or reddit or even Discord. It just isn't the same. It's a sad fact that the age of the forum is over, but this place will always be my home away from home, even if I'm gotten older and moved away and only fly back in to visit every now and then.

« Last edited by steelersrock01 on Aug 28th 2020 »

Second greatest post I've seen in my 8 years on these forums.

I can relate to so much of this. I came onto this site when I was 12 to try and get friend codes for Animal Crossing Wild World, and then made an account to PM people. I could've gone onto any gaming website with forums. It was pure chance that I even came here. And it's translated to 15,500 posts in over 7 years, three Amazon gift cards won through MVPs, two stints as Smod, me gaining an interest in NFL and Pokemon, and some great friendships.

Sometimes if I procrastinate I look back though old threads too. I only have to go a few pages back, and it will take me back a few years. Nostalgia just makes me sad though.

Just post a lot in Forum Games. CW is still active when people reply to him in there.

I'm not posting in Forum Games. That's cheating. If you look at my stats it'll say I have almost 5k posts in forum games, that's because when Rich made the points system, he counted posts in the old Teams and Clans forum as forum games, because they were "low effort". Totally not true, Rich's biggest mistake IMO.

Funnily enough Matt I still consider you a "new" member lol. My timeline of this site is so skewed. I spent most of my time here from 2007-2012 so you were just getting started as I was fading a bit. I don't think you should get sad looking back at old threads. I just get so damn curious. I was looking at the stats page and happened to click on ShadowGX's profile. One of the more prolific members from the early days. She last posted in 2010, and I think she was around 19 or 20 when she left. It just blows my mind that she's now 30 or older. Same with guys like Pooly, Vasco, ieatwyverns, Xeta, geezerguy, king26, EspeonDude, Master Volthawk. I could sit here and name names all day. Dozens and dozens, if not hundreds. Every time I look through old threads I see another name I had forgotten and think "oh yeah, that guy was awesome". I know some of them have popped up over the years, but for the most part nothing.

I guess "wistful" is the word I would use. I started here in middle school, graduated high school and college, found and lost love, got a job, got another job, and this place has always been here. That's really comforting to me. There'll always be questions to answer. If I make a forum topic someone, at some point, will answer.

One of the crowning achievements of my middle school era was becoming a moderator of the General Gamecube Discussion forum. It was the spring of 2007 and that forum only had one mod. Back in those days most forums with only a couple mods had open rolling applications, you just had to have 30 posts in the forum and be active. So I applied and waited weeks checking every day. We were in the computer lab at school doing a powerpoint or something and I decided to sneak on and check. Seeing my name in the modlist was honestly a high point of those years.

Having this community was so important to me as a young teen. No matter how bad of a day I had or how crappy I felt, I knew I could always come in here to a team and talk about and in a minute or two someone would be there to talk with me. Or I could just ignore it and talk about completely different stuff and no one would be any the wiser. I could focus some energy into stuff like member brawl, the awards, the SC Times newsletter, trying to work with GIMP to make below average sigs. Graphic design is still a passion of mine and I credit it almost entirely to the Graphics and Artwork forum.

The other day a close friend was having a rough time and asked me to tell a story or something from my life to distract her. So I took the plunge and told her about my time on SC, something I never told anyone about, not my parents, brother, or any girlfriends. Not necessarily kept hidden, but not shouted from the rooftops either. I told her about all the different forums, the games, the competitions, being a mod and admin ("did you get paid???"). Fully expecting her to be like "Ok...kinda weird" and move on with her day. But she said "You know, when I was that age I really wish I had a place like that. It sounds really nice".

Rich, I'm sure you'll see this eventually. I know you never made any money with the forums and teams. In fact I'm sure they were a substantial expense at their height. But I hope you get some small satisfaction from knowing that you provided a safe and awesome community for thousands of people like me and for that you deserve all the best.

Anyone who reads this and wants to keep in touch outside of SC, my socials are:

PSN - steelersrock01
Steam - https://steamcommunity.com/id/mlore95/
Discord - steelersrock01#7424
And I can scrounge up my Switch code too. I'm always down to play some games or just chat.

« Last edited by steelersrock01 on Aug 29th 2020 »

I was thirteen, thinking out loud, when I first came to SC. We only had one desktop in our home, meaning my four siblings and I had to share it in thirty minute intervals. I wasn't all that much of a nerd since I was sports (football specifically) junkie, but I had recently got back into Pokemon. I had played all the 1st Generation when I was just four - my parents literally got me Pokemon Red, Pokemon Blue, and Pokemon Yellow - each ending with me giving up after not understanding that you had to defeat Team Rocket in the Silph Co Building in Saffron City before you could actually battle Sabrina. I even, in one of those games, somehow found my way to Blaine and defeated him without yet defeating Sabrina. Even after quitting each of the 1st Generation Games without completion, my parents eventually got me Pokemon Gold, Pokemon Silver and Pokemon Crystal when they would later come. Again, I never completed any of them, usually losing track after the Lake of Rage Story.

After the 2nd Generation, I lost interest in Pokemon for a while. I later would get back into the franchise, but not until the end of the 3rd Generation with the Pokemon Battle Frontier Anime. By that time, directly before the 4th Generation and my later arrival to SC, I was dealing with quite a bit. I went through a lot of medical stuff during middle school, which would see me having to split between going to school and doing distance learning (which I would later have to do through high school). I had been extremely popular and social during my elementary school years, but all of that changed starting in middle school. My medical issues didn't help anything but a lot of my once friends were in different districts, while the rest started to change during those years. Long story short: I started to become quite introverted around that time.

Anyway, I received a Nintendo DS Lite and Pokemon Diamond the Christmas after I had turned thirteen. My love for Pokemon would return with that very game, but I could never capture my favorite Pokemon, the one known as Heracross. By the time I had thought to search the internet for ways to capture it, months had pass and it was the summer of '08. I went on Google one day and asked how to find Heracross in Pokemon Diamond, and SuperCheats was one of the first results. I didn't understand the answer to someone else's question about the same thing on SC, so I created an account (since you could post anything on SC in those days without one) and asked how to find Heracross in Pokemon Diamond. A side note: I had to create my very first email account before being able to register - [email protected] if anyone wants to hit me up - which I still use to this very day no matter the critique and comments I hear back on it. I chose the name Warrior13 as my Username because the Hawaii Warriors were one of the hottest College Football Teams in those days, led by QB Colt Brennan in the air raid offense, and since my favorite number and age happened to be that very number. SC also had (and probably still does) Road Warrior Hawk of the Legion of Doom Pro Wrestling Team as a Avatar Choice, which fit perfectly.

After receiving an answer the next day, I asked a follow up question since I still didn't understand. After asking a third question and eventually understanding the Honey Tree Odds for Heracross, I went about trying to capture it. A few days later, I caught a Heracross. After I did, I returned to SC to explore a bit. A quickly found the Pokemon Teams section were you could show off your Pokemon Teams (even though I didn't know anything about Effort Values or Competitive Battling). Seth Vilo's Team was one of the highest, and turdball thirteen year old me had the gall to challenge him to a battle. Of course, he would accept. We never had our battle back in those days since I didn't have Wi-Fi and had no idea what it was really, but we ultimately would years (and two generations) later when a friend gave me his email so I could reconnect with him. He bodybagged me, if anyone wants to know, having defeated every last one of my Pokemon (which were competitively trained) with just one of his.

The next day, I discovered the new Teams & Clans and created my first team, Team Heracross (of course). I would then ask Seth Vilo and Will D Mr. Random to join. Not so long after this, Anthony (Mr Emeraldrafael himself) would become active on SC (even though he had joined before I had). As time passed, Seth Vilo (which I would later find, at least I'm pretty sure, was just a pseudonym), Emeraldrafael and Warrior13 would become a great core of friends. I've lost touch with Seth over the years (I still have his email), but I do see him online at Smogon University every now and then; Anthony, however, I'm still close with, so much so that I consider him my best friend outside of my anyone in my family. For years, I would remain active only with Teams & Clans (as well as answering Pokemon Questions). I was so immature in those days that I forced myself to forget most of my activity, at least anything that was childish. I also don't know what was real and fake from back then, having been so naive that I never considered anyone would've created multiple accounts and lied about themselves (which I'm sure some did). It wasn't until years later where I would finally venture to the Main Forums, and the rest, I guess you can say, is history. And by history, I mean becoming one of the best contributor. Yeah, Rich might be the head, but come on: I'm Mr. SuperCheats at this point. lol

I'm now a 12-Year Member and ranked as high on that stats page as I'll ever be, never having been honored as a SC Legend. I'm literally five days out of turning twenty-six. I'm still slowly churning away at earning my Bachelor's Degree, only having been going part time since finishing high school (which I was the Valedictorian of my Senior Class) as I have been working full time since then. It's not like I even need to finish at this point, not when I already have a 45k job as a Medical Billing Specialist & Coder. Don't care for the job at all, probably why I keep working towards said degree, but the pay is too good to pass up (I'm also able to work remote from home as much as I want). I've written a novel (starting on the second of the series now), the same I'm contemplating sending in for possible publication. I'm the sibling that is said to be perfect, the one my parents love the most, the same that most of my professors believe has an IQ between 160-180 (even though I can't confirm since I've never been tested and never will be). And yet, after all of that, I still find myself coming back to this place. Even with it being a ghost town, I still can't but love to be here. I miss the friends I made long ago, but I've learned to value the ones that still choose to remain these days despite having come of age on their own. I guess I could try to stop coming around, but let's face: I'm going down with this ship.

emeraldrafael : I've already made reference to it, but Anthony Wasek is my best friend outside of my the peeps in my family. I'd like to meet you in real life one day, perhaps you can take me to a hockey game and teach me to learn to love the game.

Seth Vilo : Still not sure if your name is Seth Vilo or Johnny Roberts, but that doesn't matter. Give me a rematch one of these days, buddy.

@"Will d (mr ramdom)" : You were the second person I met on SC, and you were a pretty cool dude. I wish I had been older when I first joined as I think we could've really been tight.

Mitar3 : You were younger than me when you first joined, Micah. I still wonder what became of you. I had your email at one point, but I no longer do. If you ever read this, hit me up.

Rangerman : You're probably like forty now. jk We were so much alike despite our age difference; I hope you're doing well, man.

pearlprincess1 : You were a pretty cool chick, Amanda. I hope life is treating you well.

Alana|D|Alana|D : Classic story of boy likes girl but girl only likes boy as friend. Still, I hope you're doing well, and I hope your dream of one day traveling to Wyoming or wherever hilljack place it was comes true. I've told you more intimate and personal things about myself than anyone else from SC.

AK GMAN14 : My Batman. Tell me your real name already, bro. XD

KingofCorn : Jake really needs to get back here. Perhaps he will after Trump gets reelected and he doesn't have to campaign for him. lol

Forgoten_Scars : "Sing to me, Pollo.

fatassmonkey : Don't know you name, but you were obviously cool enough to make my list.

Keyblade21 : Bromance. Nuff said. My first and true Dear John.

balthiersbit : Can't forget Momma. She'd whoop me if I did.

Sanzano : Love talking sport with you, Dennis. Our Skins and Phins are losers, but we remain fans. Says a lot.

steelersrock01 : Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike! Same name. Same interests. My doppelganger.

FreezShock : A-R-T

Snowfire : A lot was said back in the day, but I was just a kid. Still care immensely about you as a person. Maybe we can be friends if you ever see this since none of the emails I have for you work.

Matt77 : Bet you thought I wasn't going to include you? jk XD You were but a kid when I first met you Chosen One, but you've grown up a lot since then. We differ quite a bit, but you're still cool. Not many foreigners would've taken the time to learn to love REAL FOOTBALL. ;)

Sorry if I forgot anyone who cares.

« Last edited by Warrior13 on Aug 31st 2020 »

Oh man I relate so hard to the sharing computer thing. My family only had one desktop and my brother and I fought over it constantly - him wanting to play Age of Empires, I wanted to post on SC and play Maplestory. Added to the fact that back in 07 we still had dial up internet it was a pretty terrible time. I live in Jersey but a pretty rural area, so it took until May of 07 to get broadband internet. I would wait 30 seconds to a minute for pages to load, haha.

I think I was printing out cheat codes for GTA San Andreas when I decided to make an account. I think I used the Mario avatar. I used to put all the cheat codes I printed out into a binder. It's probably still in the basement somewhere.

Very similar thing with me wrt the medical stuff as well - I missed about a month of 8th grade after a surgery and deal with some lifelong issues. I turn 25 on Sept 10th.

A word of advice - finish the degree. I finished mine and don't use it for my job (though I'm working on it). Employers love to see that you finished even if it isn't relevant to the job. As long as the debt is manageable. I managed to pay off my loans in a little over 2 years and consider myself lucky. What are you going for, btw? Congrats on the job too, that isn't a bad gig especially these days. I make a little less than that and am still living at home for now but I've been able to save a pretty nice little nest egg for myself.

It's really a shame Rich never kept using the Legend system. Will deserves it, for sure, but there are probably 50 or so members (myself humbly included) that probably deserve it. Oh well, not something that matters in the grand scheme of things.

You don't seem like the kind of guy that uses much social media, but if you'd like to be friends on Facebook to keep in touch I'd totally be cool with that. Just let me know and I'll email you. If not, I'll probably email you anyway sometime. Odds are I'm going to forget to check in here in a bit, so I'll save your address. I'd like to hear more about that novel, too.

We never had dial up. Man was I glad.

My little brother had a similar binder, but that was for all the WWE Day of Reckoning CAWs info.

Of course both of our B-Days are in September. Us Virgos. lol

I'll finish it eventually. Trying for a dual major, but not sure I'll make the requirements without going crazy over. Been focused on Creative Writing and Sports Management. If I had to choose one, obviously, I'd choose Sports Management. But more is centered to that, business courses specifically, ones I really don't care for. Might eventually go to technical school to be a pilot after I do finish, whether that be commercially or just for fun. Though, I'm not sure I'll ever quit my job unless something extraordinary comes into fruition. I've been salaried with this company for three years (been working for them for more than five), and I get biyearly bonuses and a yearly pay bump of about 3k.

At least Crossy got in. lol

I have SC and an Email. Nothing else, and by that I mean I never have either. Maybe one day. lol

Realist Fiction. 585 Pages. The first of a series. I have plots for twenty-five books, but I could shave it down to twenty of even ten if I lose interest. If I ever get it published and it becomes something, I would then be able to devote more time to it. Basically the life's story of a would be musician, but it focuses more on the personal relationships he has. #1 is mainly about a girl he knew during childhood through teens as his life begins to take shape. Some good things, some bad things. I view realist fiction as everything that happens in life, just based on fictional characters.

Those seem like wildly different majors with no overlapping courses haha. Keep grinding. I can kind of relate. I majored in Interactive Multimedia (a mix of comp sci, graphic design, and some other tech stuff), but my real passion is in history. I didn't have quite enough classes to fill out a second major, but my schedule was always goofy. I'd have Development of Web Apps and Technical Writing, and then my other classes would be "Roman Interactions with Germanic Tribes" and "Europe in Late Antiquity" lol, which I often enjoyed much more than the tech stuff. Sometimes I wish I had majored in history instead and went on to grad school to get my phD or became a school teacher. I haven't really used my degree, and now I'm at a point where it's been so long since I've been in school that I've forgotten most of it. I'm looking to find work in web development, but I basically have been going through a process of re-educating myself.

That job sounds like a good gig.

I'll shoot you an email some time, if you don't mind. And you should definitely ship out your novel, just to try. Or self-publish. I'd definitely like to read it. I've actually started a novel of my own recently, a realistic fantasy drawing on experiences from my real life. But I haven't made much progress and other responsibilities have gotten in the way. I got inspired because one of my best friends is writing and shared it with me.

I've also been saving money to go on a trip through Europe with the same friend. I have enough money saved where a few months of travelling wouldn't hurt, and my feet itch. I have an overwhelming desire to go see some of the world while I'm still young. It was maaaaaaaaybe going to be this year, but covid and all has put a damper on that, so maybe next year or sometime after. Definitely before I settle down. Right now I'm just focusing on saving money and looking for better work, which is kind of depressing in this environment. I've been coming to terms with some personal philosophies about what I really want from life, how much money and stuff I need to be happy, and the kind of people I want to surround myself with. It's been a weird year.

I feel ya. I hardly come back (other than June 14th) often but when I do, I can always remember my past times here between 2007-2011.

From the first time I got added to be a mod...to things like what happened on August 7, 2008. Tch, that was a mess...

« Last edited by InvertAlpha on Aug 29th 2020 »

Warrior said:

Matt77 : Bet you thought I wasn't going to include you? jk XD You were but a kid when I first met you Chosen One, but you've grown up a lot since then. We differ quite a bit, but you're still cool. Not many foreigners would've taken the time to learn to love REAL FOOTBALL. ;)

You got me xD

1) You don't have the badge, but you are 100% an SC LEGEND.

2) You're the sole reason I follow NFL (a god-scent when the Aus sport seasons end) and have played Pokemon games.

3) On the Discord server Rich asked people in general to answer gamers' questions, and I checked who had been doing so last month. My goodness. The site is slowly regressing, the forums are near-dead, and you answered 161 questions from gamers last month alone.

4) What does "remember the monsters" mean?

5) Some of are just stuck here aren't we? If I tried to leave, I'd get pulled back. One day I'll have to, and I don't know how I will.

« Last edited by Matt77 on Aug 30th 2020 »

Mike:

Widely different is an understatement, but it sounds like you went through something similar.

The job is nice, but oh so very boring. Imagine the most boring thing you ever did in your life, and then think about doing that basically every day of your existence. All work and no play is making Mike into a very dull boy; I don't even play my custom arcade machine (loaded with over 6,000 Arcade, Sega, Super Nintendo, and Gameboy Games) all that much, which tells a lot.

Feel free to email me just so I have a means to communicate. Already contacted a few publishing places, but Covid is making things difficult. That market has taken a big hit. Surprisingly, and unsurprisingly, no one seems to be reading during Covid; that, or people don't have enough expandable funds to buy a book. I've seen books that hit the market instantly go for 50% the SRP.

Of course you're writing a novel. Parallelistic is what we are. lol

I'm thinking about traveling once my aging dog eventually passes. She can't travel anymore, and she needs to be watched as much as possible these days. Glad I live close to family, even more so that I can work from home whenever I please. Could be sooner rather than later, or later rather than sooner.

Matt:

Anyone who is around these days deserves the title by default imo. lol

And now you're better than picking at me. Well, at least luckier. XD

People come to the site. Get what they need. And leave. Even back in the day, I'm sure most visitors did the same.

Stuck here? Feels like it. Could call it purgatory. ;)

Remember the Monsters is the final episode title of the Dexter TV Series. In a flashback, the title character's sister tells him he's going to be a great father, reminding him of the shadow monsters he dispelled for her when they were young. I loved the series, even though it got pretty crummy near the end, so much so that I named a chapter in my novel the same title. In that chapter, I even include the phrase in one passage: "I was afraid and not wanting to remember the monsters of my past that have lied in wait within the closet of my heart, Pandora's Box of suffrage that has spanned over what has felt, as I literally just made reference to, like seven lifetimes (I could even throw in an eighth if I truly wanted to)." That chapter of mine really tests (and pretty much breaks) the fourth wall.

It was a while ago that you said your soul was tortured because of 'remember the monsters'. And I even guessed that it had something to do with Dexter. And you said no!

https://forums.supercheats....c=140923

My best guess then is that your past had some difficulties, or perhaps some regrets? Worry not. All of our souls are tortured, in different ways.

I also now remember how you once sent me 1 or 2 chapters of a novel you were writing back in like 2016. I remember it being very good. I'm sure you've come even further in the years on from then.

Warrior13 said:

Mike:

Widely different is an understatement, but it sounds like you went through something similar.

The job is nice, but oh so very boring. Imagine the most boring thing you ever did in your life, and then think about doing that basically every day of your existence. All work and no play is making Mike into a very dull boy; I don't even play my custom arcade machine (loaded with over 6,000 Arcade, Sega, Super Nintendo, and Gameboy Games) all that much, which tells a lot.

Feel free to email me just so I have a means to communicate. Already contacted a few publishing places, but Covid is making things difficult. That market has taken a big hit. Surprisingly, and unsurprisingly, no one seems to be reading during Covid; that, or people don't have enough expandable funds to buy a book. I've seen books that hit the market instantly go for 50% the SRP.

Of course you're writing a novel. Parallelistic is what we are. lol

I'm thinking about traveling once my aging dog eventually passes. She can't travel anymore, and she needs to be watched as much as possible these days. Glad I live close to family, even more so that I can work from home whenever I please. Could be sooner rather than later, or later rather than sooner.

I'm a bit surprised more people aren't reading. I read a ton. Publishing's always been tough though. I know a lot of authors actually make more money distributing through services like Kindle Unlimited than they would publishing traditionally. You lose some of the security and the built in marketing that way though.

I understand the job too. For a little over a year after college I worked a job where all I did was transcribe scanned insurance documents into a custom program. So my company would get a ton of mail, a team would scan it into the system, and then my team would take the scanned images and key the handwritten info into computer-readable formats. Most boring stuff I've ever done. Eventually I got promoted to lead the team but it was still very tedious and stressful with a lot of quotas to meet and a ton of forced overtime with really small pay. After a while I just couldn't do it anymore and found different work that's less hours and similar pay.

I feel ya on the video game stuff too. I can barely muster up the motivation to play most days. What used to be 10 hours a week has pretty much turned into an hour here or there. Not sure if I've grown out of it or just haven't been trying to play the right games. Oh well. Too much other stuff to do anyways.

Matt: It actually had nothing to do with Dexter and everything from that chapter of my novel. Another passage from that same chapter: "I've been beaten and branded, but even more so cursed into living as one of the many tortured souls of complete blackness." All fiction though. Don't really have many regrets. A lot of learning opportunities, but not regrets. As for those chapters I sent - yes, that's the one. It has changed a lot since then and is now complete. As I said, 585 pages now. I've also edited three different times. I think I caught everything, but I'm sure there's a typo or two since it is so massive.

Mike: Oddly enough, I don't read all that much. Ironic since I love to write. But yeah, that's my job, just keep on churning. I'm playing Pokemon Emerald on my Arcade Machine, but I only have three gym badges. Like you said, I don't play much these days. I literally play the newest Pokemon Games when released, complete it in a day, and that's about it for the next six months to a year. lol

I played Sword when it came out but haven't been motivated to play the DLC yet. I did a quick run through Leafgreen a few months ago too just for the nostalgia. I've been trying to play through the Yakuza games but only ever feel like playing an hour or so at a time. It's strange because I still love games and tech, just not so much playing them.

I think maybe having such a tedious job can be motivation for other creative pursuits. I was so bored at my job and had so much pent up creativity that while I was working there I started so many projects - a few games, a novel, some websites - that I never felt like doing while I was in school or working a more exciting job.

Don't get the DLC until the next part comes out in the falls. Seriously, I finished Part 1 in like two hours because all my Pokemon were maxed out and I had loads of EXP Candy to training Kubfu. Just wait until the Crown Tundra, or directly before it is available.

Eventually when I get more free time and get sick of ACNH, I'll be moving onto Shield next. It could be a while though. How does it compare to Sun/Moon?

Warrior13 said:

Don't get the DLC until the next part comes out in the falls. Seriously, I finished Part 1 in like two hours because all my Pokemon were maxed out and I had loads of EXP Candy to training Kubfu. Just wait until the Crown Tundra, or directly before it is available.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking I'll do if I play it at all. I hate buying DLC piecemeal so maybe they'll have a deal on both of them. It's nintendo, so probably not, but maybe.

Matt77 said:

Eventually when I get more free time and get sick of ACNH, I'll be moving onto Shield next. It could be a while though. How does it compare to Sun/Moon?

SwSh are aggressively mediocre, but they are definitely most similar IMO to Sun/Moon which I didn't enjoy too much either. If you liked Sun you'll like Shield. Just don't expect any open exploration. The entire story is an almost entirely linear railroaded experience. The wild area is a cool feature and encounters not being completely random is a nice touch, but the story/rival were a huge weak point. Also this might be me being a boomer, but I hate the art style. 3D does not work with pokemon, imo. It worked okay in Colosseum, kinda. I think it looks gross on Switch. The pixel art and sprites on the GBA look so much better, and I think they could've made a much larger and deeper game on the Switch if they went with that style over the 3D models.

I much prefer the GBA and DS games.

« Last edited by steelersrock01 on Aug 31st 2020 »

Matt: As Mike alluded to, Sword & Shield had hits and misses. Very similar story to Sun & Moon to a certain point, plus it had a rushed (and void) feeling in regards to the true antagonist of the games. The Wild Area was nice to an extent, but it gets rather tedious when looking to collect. The first DLC didn't make up for any of negatives, but I'm hoping the second portion of it will help. Not the worse Pokemon Game, but far from the best. Play to play and wait for the 4th Generation Remakes.

Mike: You get both with the Expansion Pass, which is nice. Most people I know that didn't buy when first announced are waiting to see if they go on sale closer to the Crown Tundra Update.

I'm hoping it'll go on sale but I know it's just gonna be something like 10% off. The nintendo tax is real.

I can't wait for the Diamond/Pearl remakes. I haven't played those since release. To be honest I don't care too much about the individual pokemon, though my favorites are the original 151 through Ruby/Sapphire. I just love the art styles they used between Firered and Black/White 2. I wish they used it for SwSh. I know it isn't flashy but I feel like they could've made a gigantic game with multiple regions and a bunch of different storylines and sidequests. I would've gladly paid $60 for a game in the style of Gens 3-5 if it had double the content of SwSh, which I got through in about 20 hours. They could've even come up with a way to do the Wild Area in 2D.

SwSh aren't bad games, they just feel like a giant missed opportunity.

What amazing posts to read. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts about the forums and what they meant to you growing up.

Sorry I'm a bit late replying here, but I don't check the forums so often. But it has made me happy that this place was important to some people and that you found it fun and more importantly, safe

You guys are awesome, it was a fantastic community with over a hundred threads active daily at it's peak. But things move on, and while we are still here... Things are certainly a lot quieter.