rockeyrolley

For those of you who want to see my entire Toys-To-Life collection, here it is!

Here's my entire Skylanders collection!

Here is every Amiibo I own so far!

Here's my complete Starlink collection!

And here's all the other different Toys-To-Life figures I own (which I don't have a whole lot of, so I just crammed them all into 1 picture), including Disney Infinity, Lego Dimensions, Lightseekers, and Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit! (Does it count as a Toys-To-Life game?)

BTW as a bonus, here's some other figures that I transformed into Amiibos! (sorta)

It's been a while since I've done any big collab videos with other YouTubers and the audience, and to kick off the new year I have an idea for a collab video that you just just might enjoy! I'm thinking about doing a new Top 5-10 list, one that's presented by not just me, but also by you guys as well! I've been debating on doing this list for a while (and I've been hesitant to do it for a while as well), but if I am going to make this happen, I can't do it alone, and I'll need your participation in this collaboration to do it right!... What is this list you may ask? Well, normally I tend to avoid controversial or drama inducing topics online, which this list may or may not result in, but hopefully it won't. Here it is...

Top 10 Games with Terrible Stories BUT Great Gameplay!

Honestly I've been hesitant to talk about this for a while, as topics such as this can be rather controversial at times, but maybe if we put enough well thought out effort into it, it just might work.

Anyway, as some of you may know, there are quite a few games that the masses deem as "bad games" mainly because of the in-game stories, but a lot of people seem to forget that these are not books, these are not movies, they are games. Here's a good quote from AVGN to sum it up: "What's the most important aspect about any game?... Well, being able to fucking play it!"

https://youtu.be/3hfHc0uZAIM?t=85

Now don't get the wrong idea, I'm not saying stories in games aren't important at all, they do serve some purpose, and for the most part they do play an important role in connection to the game's pacing, characters, motivation, goals and objectives etc, and in some cases the story does tie in well with the gameplay in a balanced structure, depending on the game. However, a lot of people seem to be so focused on the stories in games (especially journalists) that they seem to overlook or take the gameplay elements for granted, and forget what's truly important about the games they play. Once again there are plenty or games that have tons of negative reception because of their stories, whether it'd be the misdirection of pacing or characters, poor/lazy writing, lack of balanced narrative structure with too many plot holes, being overly convoluted or confusing to the point where it's impossible to comprehend what's happening, or just plain bad stories in general. But people put so much of their negative attention on the game's story, that they seem to completely ignore the gameplay, which is a huge important part that people don't even bother discussing whether if that particular part is good or not... But that's what we're going to do in this collab Top 5-10 list!

We will be analyzing 5 or 10 games that are infamous for their stories, but have great (or at least decent) gameplay elements to make up for it, or perhaps games that are extremely fun to play, but their stories aren't anything to write home about and just feel lacking in comparison to the gameplay! I'm not sure if it'll be 5 or 10 games, depends on how many good suggestions we get in the comments below, and who would be willing to participate in the collab.

For this collab participants will submit their entries, covering a specific game of their choosing (preferably in YouTube video form, or even just audio if that works easier for you. Or you could even just write a script for a game on the list and I'll read it out loud, but I'd still prefer we all do our own part in making this) and send them to me via either Discord, Twitter, or Email (or you could also link it in the comments below when you're done, if you'd like), and depending on how many entries we get, the best entries will be chosen and added to the full collab video when it's done!

Which games in your personal experience do you consider to have a bad or inferior story, but is still fun to play?

Now don't just say something like "The story sucks, but the game is good." and nothing else, you have to put some real thought and effort into this, be constructive with your criticism, be reasonable with your points and statements, and try not to let your personal bias show through too much, otherwise it'll probably come off as just blunt ranting or rambling. However you are allowed to add some sarcastic, satirical or exaggerated humorous elements in certain parts here are there to spice it up a bit, nothing wrong with that.

So who wants to join the collab? You can either construct your own entry for the collab, or just leave a suggestion for a game in the comments below, and perhaps either me or someone else will cover it, depending on how many games are available. There's isn't a planned due date for this list (and TBH I don't know if it'll be successfully finished, depends on how far we get into making it), so for now we'll just wing it from here, no pressure, no worries, let's just do it!

(If there are any important details I forgot to mention, I'll likely edit and add it to this post later.)

I have an idea for a Skylanders-Themed parody video that I really want to make someday, but I'm not entirely sure if I should...

Are any of you familiar with Coyote Peterson from the Brave Wilderness YouTube channel? If not, he's basically the modern day Steve Irwin, and he's mostly known for getting purposely bitten and stung by numerous insects. There's a whole bunch of em on YouTube you can easily find if you're interested in seeing them. Anyway, he recently announced that he's doing a new sting video coming soon this Saturday (despite him supposedly gone into sting retirement), and IDK why, but for some reason that inspired an idea in my head to do a parody of his sting videos!... Now what does this have to do with Skylanders you may ask? Well I can answer that with 1 simple word... SCORP!

You remember this guy right? He may not be the most well known Skylander in the series, but I think he's perfect for this parody idea! The name of the video will be "STUNG by a SCORP!"

Here's how it's gonna work (from what I've thought o so far)...

I have a huge backyard filled with tall grass and trees and stuff, and I think that would be the perfect wildlife-ish setting for this kind of parody video. First I get my Scorp figure and place it on a tree, pretend it's a real insect in the wilderness, and film the setting in a satirically dramatic way, very similar to how Coyote Peterson and his crew usually film his sting videos. Anyway, after I pretend to catch and trap the Scorp, I then start analyzing and talking about the Scorp in sort of a serious way (obviously it's just pretend/acting, as it's a parody once again), as if I was narrating a nature documentary or something.

Anyway, eventually I pick up the Scorp by the tail, and I say my own version of Coyote's usual quote before the sting. "I'm Canadian Peterson (Yes, that's the parody name I chose. XD Though I could change it if you want?), and I'm about to enter the Sting Zone with... The Scorp!... 1... 2... 3!" Then I place the Scorp on my arm, zoom in on it real close, and I make it look like the Scorp is stinging me (even though it's obviously a toy, but that's part of the joke), and that's when I start dramatically screaming while rolling around, pretending I'm in agonizing pain from the Scorp's sting, and I film that scene from multiple camera angles, with some fast-paced editing and stuff. If you've seen any of Coyote's sting videos, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about here. Now you're probably thinking this will disturb my neighbours, or maybe even make them call the Police or something, but you don't have to worry about that, cause I haven't got any. No really, my house is literally the only house on the block, surrounded by big grassy fields (before you ask, no it's not a farm... or at least not anymore), so there's nobody in our surroundings to disturb or annoy, except maybe the construction workers building new stuff from a mile away. XD Anyway, after I'm done screaming like a maniac, I colour my forearm red to make it look like a reaction from the Scorp's venomous sting. (though it's obviously gonna look fake, I'm probably just gonna use a red marker or paint. XD) Then I describe the pain and effects of the sting (even though I'm not actually feeling any pain, I'm just acting, as it's just a satirical joke/parody once again)

Eventually I wrap things up, by teasing a hint/sneek-peek of the next episode where I get stung by another insect Skylander, who's sting maybe able to rival the Scorp, or even take his throne as the King of Sting!...

However I'm mainly just planning on doing that tease as a joke, and it's unlikely that I'm actually gonna do another sting parody video like that... Unless maybe a ton of people really want to see it, Then I might consider doing a follow up called "STUNG by a GIANT SWARM!"

But for now I'm just planning on doing 1 sting parody video... If it ever happens that is...

So what do you guys think of this idea? Do you like it? Do you hate it? Do you not really care? Do you think I should make this video? Or do you think people would see it as either just plain stupid or in bad taste, or possibly even offensive in some way? Cause in the videos Coyote is actually getting stung for real, and the pain he endures is real, which is why I'm kinda afraid people might see it as either offensive or in bad taste if I reenact or make fun of it, which is the main reason why I'm hesitant to do it... Although there are some people who say Coyote is just faking it or overacting for the views. I can't say for sure whether if I 100% agree with that or not, but part of my idea was to replicate his over the top dramatic screaming and actions, but in a satirical way. Would you consider that to be in any way offensive, insulting, or in bad taste? Or is it not that big of a deal?...

Aside from all that, do you guys like the idea of a parody of Coyote's sting videos with Skylander-bugs instead of actual stinging insects? If so do you think I should make the video? Please let me know in the comments below, cause I'd really like your help to decide on this!

It has been almost 3 months since the last episode of Showoff Showdown, and I'll admit it was a rather underwhelming episode, especially considering that it was delayed for 5 months! I'm not surprised if a lot of people who waited all that time were left unsatisfied... including myself. Now I know I haven't been making Showoff Showdown episodes as often as I used to. You'd think all the time I spend in quarantine would give me plenty of free time to sit at my computer and make more videos and VS stuff all day since I can't go out and do anything else, but apparently not, as I seem to have spent most of that time eBay shopping and playing video games all day, instead of actually doing something productive, like researching VS battles! XD Anyway, part of the reason why I haven't been making Showoff Showdown episodes in the last few months, maybe due to lack of motivation, as nowadays I'm not as passionately into VS debating as I used to be... Now don't worry, I'm not gonna cancel Showoff Showdown or anything like that, it's just probably not gonna be as consistent as it once was, and Showoff Showdown episodes are likely gonna be more of an occasional thing on my channel from now on. Just thought I should give you a heads up on that, for those of you who've been wondering where the heck this series has been all this time, some are probably even thinking that Showoff Showdown is dead (also judging by how this server isn't nearly as active as much as it used to be) But that's not true at all, Showoff Showdown is still alive and well (as well as No Rules Duels, which would happen at any time!), once again it's just going to be progressing slower for now... But I do have some good news, 1 of my goals for this summer, is to make at least 1 more episode of Showoff Showdown before the summer is over! In fact, there is 1 match up in particular that I've been wanting to do for quite a while, and I thought, why not do it while I have nothing better to do in Quarantine?

What is the match up you may ask?... Well, let's just say, this one promises to be real oldschool!

I don't know if I'll be able to make this episode by the end of the summer as I plan to, but it's worth a shot... I may need some help from you guys though.

In recent weeks I've found a few leftover Skylanders related stuff at a few stores. I've found Imaginite Treasure Chests at EB Games (Canadian GameStop), a couple of Imaginators Starter Packs at Walmart, and not to mention some Superchargers figures at Dollarama for only $3 a piece! Now if you thought those were impressive finds, I've just found something at an EB Games that I think blows all of those previous finds out of the water!... I found a Skylanders Trap Team Traptanium Crystal Storage Case!

This is by far the most surprisingly incredible Skylanders related thing I've found at an EB Games, and it's honestly the last thing I'd expect them to have in stock!

Finding stuff from Imaginators still in stores is impressive and all, but Imaginators was the last game of the series so it's more common or likely to be found here and there, but this is a Trap Team product, which was made in 2014! I can't tell you how positively shocked I was when I found something like this still in stock after all these years!

I'll admit it cost a bit more than I'd normally be willing to pay for a decorative cardboard box, but considering that this thing is actually so rare that it's hard to find on Amazon, and people charge a fortune for it on eBay, between $200 and $300 on average from what I've seen, I'd say the retail price of $25 is definitely the better way to go in comparison, so I got it!

I'll admit I probably won't have much use for it since I don't really play Trap Team as often as I used to, but just knowing that I found and bought this in the first place gives me that sense of Skylanders-fuelled excitement and satisfaction that I hadn't felt in years!

Not to mention the Trap storage case is actually stronger and holds my Traptanium Crystals much more securely than the old flimsy cardboard Trap Holder that originally came with the starter pack, so that's a win right?