Agreed, but if we have one, I hope it takes place next summer. Twilight Princess and FFXII may not make it in time for a Spring Game Contest.
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SC2K5 Guru Contest: Where Jman_gamerX8 kicked my ass.

Agreed, but if we have one, I hope it takes place next summer. Twilight Princess and FFXII may not make it in time for a Spring Game Contest.

I don't know about that. Would it be fair to insert a game that would be little more than a few months old into a "Best. Game. Ever." competition? It seems to me that it would be far too early to be really objective.

Regardless, the next contest, be it in spring or summer, should be a 64-game tournament.
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Congrats to Jman_gamerX8, the SC2K5 Guru champ!
Citan Uzuki and Mewtwo clash at www.rpgdl.com!

And since I like predictimg stuff, I'll predict Ed_Bellis' bracket:
ROUND 1:
(1) Super Mario Bros. 3
(4) Metroid Prime
(6) World of Warcraft
(2) Halo: Combat Evolved

(1) Halo 2
(5) Final Fantasy Tactics
(3) God of War
(2) Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

(1) Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
(4) Doom
(6) Street Fighter II
(2) Resident Evil 4

(1) Super Smash Bros. Melee
(5) Tetris
(3) Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
(2) Sonic 3 & Knuckles

(1) Final Fantasy X
(4) Super Mario 64
(3) Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
(2) Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past

(1) Half-Life 2
(5) Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening
(6) Starcraft
(2) Super Mario World

(1) Metal Gear Solid
(5) Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
(3) Sonic the Hedgehog 2
(2) Kingdom Hearts

(1) Chrono Trigger
(4) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
(6) Super Mario RPG
(2) Final Fantasy VI

ROUND 2:
(1) Super Mario Bros. 3
(6) World of Warcraft

(1) Halo 2
(2) Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

(1) Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
(2) Resident Evil 4

(1) Super Smash Bros. Melee
(3) Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

(1) Final Fantasy X
(2) Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past

(1) Half-Life 2
(6) Starcraft

(1) Metal Gear Solid
(2) Kingdom Hearts

(1) Chrono Trigger
(2) Final Fantasy VI

ROUND 3:
(1) Super Mario Bros. 3
(1) Halo 2

(1) Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
(1) Super Smash Bros. Melee

(2) Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past
(6) Starcraft

(2) Kingdom Hearts
(1) Chrono Trigger

FINAL FOUR:
(1) Super Mario Bros. 3
(1) Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

(2) Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past
(1) Chrono Trigger

FINALS:
(1) Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
(1) Chrono Trigger

WINNER: (1) Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
---
Pwned by Jman_gamerX8 in the Guru Contest.
Nominate Sub-Zero and The Prince of Persia for SC2k6

*predicting
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Pwned by Jman_gamerX8 in the Guru Contest.
Nominate Sub-Zero and The Prince of Persia for SC2k6

I'm also kind of opposed to holding Character Battle V next summer. I like having 2 contests a year, but I'm not sure if it's sustainable as each one makes the next more predictable. So my preference would be for a game contest next summer, and something new in the spring (or preferably winter). I also wouldn't mind if he branches out a bit to keep things interesting... even if it's not game-related. I could see a "best movie" contest being pretty fun.
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SC2K5 and SpC2K5 First Vote Champion
Jman_gamerX8 kicked my ass in the Guru Contest.

Who would you predict to win this match.

Link vs Final Fantasy VII?

>.>
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~*Ex~Tha*~
*is RKO'd by Jman_gamerX8 in the Guru contest*

so the xbox360 ain't exactly the most anticipated thing for gamefaqs. i reckon a blue dragon character will make the field though. but since it will be a non square rpg we know what will happen right?
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Blown to the next dimension by JMan_gamerX8 in the sc2k5 guru contest

Wait, voltch. The X-Box day vote tends to span all the way to regular PotDs for whatever reason. Why, if it wasn't for that, Halo 2 would've ended up behind MP2 in the GotY poll last year.

And the world would've been a much better place.

Oh, and I agree. Ditch spring contests altogether, and alternate between game contests and character contests. The thing with Twilight Princess is that it's the only thing that's thought to be able to give FF7 a challenge, so I have no problem with letting it in.

For kicks, what was the most recent game in the SpC2K4 bracket and its release date?
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What online fan couldn't get behind Trevor Murdoch? I mean, finally, a wrestler with our physique! -Sean Carless

For kicks, what was the most recent game in the SpC2K4 bracket and its release date?

For official North America release dates, I believe it was Fire Emblem. It was released on November 3, 2003.
---
For the first time ever, Solid Snake has made the Final Four! Believe it.

Hmm... four months before nominations started. Interesting...
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What online fan couldn't get behind Trevor Murdoch? I mean, finally, a wrestler with our physique! -Sean Carless

IIRC CJayC made the cutoff line at Dec. 31 2003.
---
Congrats to Jman_gamerX8 for winning the Guru Contest.

Meaning two months before nominations started... if we get a Summer Contest with games, that means the cutoff line would be March 31. Nintendo needs to get their ass in gear.
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What online fan couldn't get behind Trevor Murdoch? I mean, finally, a wrestler with our physique! -Sean Carless

heh, how much do you wanna bet that Twilight Princess would get enough nominations to make it in, even if it wasn't released yet?

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Jman_gamerX8 - i had no idea who this guy was until he whomped us all in the Guru Contest.

I'm positive Twilight Princess wouldn't be out by March 31, but it likely would be on the shelves during the actual nomination period, and CJayC would get a lot of guff if he doesn't include it (since we KNOW it'll have more than enough nominations). Tough call...
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SC2K5 Guru Contest: Where Jman_gamerX8 kicked my ass.

The best way to avoid it is to make the deadline Dec 31 regardless of when the contest is held. It's easier to justify sticking to his guns if the deadline is less arbitrary.
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Jman_gamerX8 teamed up with Mario to kick my ass!

Yes, but then CJay would get huge flak from people who care for letting in a game that came out below five months before the nominations in 2004 (FE7) but not in 2006.
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What online fan couldn't get behind Trevor Murdoch? I mean, finally, a wrestler with our physique! -Sean Carless

That number would be small, and the argument would remain that the deadline was by the end of the year, regardless of nominations and contest dates. It's hard to argue against such a diffinitive date.
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Jman_gamerX8 teamed up with Mario to kick my ass!

Random thought: Imagine CATS and Wesker swapped places in the bracket. Who would've picked CATS over Lloyd in their brackets?
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What online fan couldn't get behind Trevor Murdoch? I mean, finally, a wrestler with our physique! -Sean Carless

I'd prefer no deadline at all for releases. Imagine if Ceej had run a game contest this Summer, and had the deadline be December 31 of last year. Everyone would complain about RE4 not being allowed in.
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Pity for the guilty is treason to the innocent.
Congrats to Jman, for knowing that on GameFAQs, men are always > women.

If I knew CATS was getting a face shot then maybe. If it wasn't for the Villains contest I would've took Wesker over Lloyd.
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Congrats to Jman_gamerX8 for winning the Guru Contest.

I can't imagine anyone taking CATS over Lloyd as anything more than a favorites pick.

Oh, and while there'd be an uproar if RE4 wasn't allowed in a hypothetical summer 2k5 games contest I don't think it has the longevity to make it into a 2k6 summer games contest (also hypothetical, currently) so it really doesn't matter.
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Jman_gamerX8 teamed up with Mario to kick my ass!

If RE4 doesn't make it into an upcoming game contest, RE won't have any representation at all.

I can't imagine anyone taking CATS over Lloyd as anything more than a favorites pick.

Do you mean before THIS contest?

To be honest, if I know there's going to be face shots, nowadays I'd go for it and pick CATS. Why, Lloyd did even worse this summer than CATS this spring.
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What online fan couldn't get behind Trevor Murdoch? I mean, finally, a wrestler with our physique! -Sean Carless

Resident Evil 4's chances lie completely in the hands of the nomination system. If 2004's flawed system returns, I don't see it in the main bracket.
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SC2K5 Guru Contest: Where Jman_gamerX8 kicked my ass.

Obviously. It's going to get SFFed of sorts by all the first-party Nintendo titles.

Come to think of it, it explains well why Megaman didn't see any action in 2004.
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What online fan couldn't get behind Trevor Murdoch? I mean, finally, a wrestler with our physique! -Sean Carless

Same with Star Fox, Donkey Kong Country, and Mario Kart. Personally, I think Mario Kart can wreak some serious havoc in a contest setting.
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SC2K5 Guru Contest: Where Jman_gamerX8 kicked my ass.

If we're going to include all manners of Mario spin-offs, then Mario and Nintendo representation would get ridiculous. I'd keep it at SSBM (and even there that's not a Mario game proper) and only SSBM, because of these considerations.
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What online fan couldn't get behind Trevor Murdoch? I mean, finally, a wrestler with our physique! -Sean Carless

If a game contest features a standard nomination system with no CJayC tinkering, we should get used to seeing the words "Final Fantasy/Mario/Zelda" at least 20 times. Some people may not like it, but it's the simple truth.
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SC2K5 Guru Contest: Where Jman_gamerX8 kicked my ass.

Well then, let's just let CJayC tinker with the representations, with no actual caps, but chop off the excess luggage, if you know what I mean.
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What online fan couldn't get behind Trevor Murdoch? I mean, finally, a wrestler with our physique! -Sean Carless

Well, I don't think the Mario spinoffs would be that dominant, even if CJayC didn't touch the nominations. I can't see any Mario Golf/Tennis/Party games getting in for the life of me. A Mario Kart representative might make it, and that would hardly be excess luggage. I'd take Super Mario Kart over Super Metroid in the blink of an eye.
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SC2K5 Guru Contest: Where Jman_gamerX8 kicked my ass.

I would keep it at one mario kart title (likely 64) and SSBM. Mario Kart deserves to make the field and I think it would do well for itself. if it makes too many Mario titles in the field, remove Mario World or something. nothing wrong with new blood.

I'm working on remaking my game bracket. it looks good so far but I want to double check it before I post it.
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Jman_gamerX8:Link::me:Jay Solano.

The Mario Kart games sell pretty much on par with the Mario adventure games...there's no reason to not see a Mario Kart game in the next tourney.

Oh, and a big reason people are always talking about how Nintendo and Square games could dominate the contest worse than the games is this: There are more games than there are notable characters. I'd like to see a 128-game tourney, with 2 matches per day, personally...

Of course, with 128 games, there's likely to be more fodder...but, the primary reason there was tons of fodder in Sp2K5 was because of the "1 nomination per system" rule...if we get rid of that, we'd see fewer games like Shining Force or NiGHTS in the contest, naturally. (nothing against those games...)

I'll put that in another way:

Which of these scenarios would the best?
1)A 128-game contest that's balanced that has lots of fodder.
2)A 128-game contest that's not balanced that doesn't have much fodder.
3)A 64-game contest that's rather well balanced without too much fodder, yet with only 64 games there will still be loads of complaints about games not making it in the contest.

I'd say somewhere inbetween 1 and 2, personally...yes, it be quite as balanced as option 3, and there's a bit more fodder, but I think the amount of representation is most important.

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Jman_gamerX8 beat me in the Guru Challenge! *gives Jman a glass of punch and a slice of cake*

I don't see why people are hating games done by eras. We get some interesting matches, but in latter rounds we'll get the same. Here's a bracket I made after SC2k4.

8-bit Division

1. Super Mario Bros. 3
16. Pong

8. Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
9. Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse

5. Tetris
12. Metal Gear

4. Contra
13. Pac-Man

6. Super Mario Bros.
11. Phantasy Star

3. Final Fantasy
14. Donkey Kong

7. Mega Man 2
10. Metroid

2. Legend of Zelda
15. Duck Hunt

16-bit Division

1. Chrono Trigger
16. Zero Wing

8. Donkey Kong Country 2
9. Pokemon Red/Blue

5. Mega Man X
12. Sonic the Hedgehog 2

4. Super Metroid
13. Street Fighter II

6. Super Mario World
11. Mortal Kombat II

3. Final Fantasy VI
14. Doom

7. Super Mario RPG
10. Sonic 3 & Knuckles

2. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
15. Earthbound

32/64-bit Division

1. Final Fantasy VII
16. Lunar 2: Eternal Blue

8. Super Smash Bros.
9. Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

5. Final Fantasy VIII
12. Banjo-Kazooie

4. Super Mario 64
13. Chrono Cross

6. Metal Gear Solid
11. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

3. Starcraft
14. Xenogears

7. Goldeneye
10. Resident Evil 3

2. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
15. Dance Dance Revolution

128-bit Division

1. Super Smash Bros. Melee
16. Sonic Adventure

8. Metroid Prime
9. Half-Life 2

5. Final Fantasy X
12. Super Mario Sunshine

4. Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
13. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

6. Diablo II: Lord of Destruction
11. Soul Calibur II

3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
14. Ninja Gaiden

7. Metal Gear Solid 3
10. Kingdom Hearts

2. Halo 2
15. Tales of Symphonia

---
Congrats to Jman_gamerX8 for winning the Guru Contest.

Optimum bracket based on adjusted X-Sts (keeping Clinkeroth in, because, well, they still competed in the contest, and I'm throwing in three play-in matches instead):

/ (1) Link
( (16) Vyse
( (17) Sarah Kerrigan
/ (8) Alucard Tepes
\ (9) Rikku
/ (5) Zero
\ (12) Carl Johnson
/ (4) Squall Leonhart
\ (13) Kratos Aurion
/ (6) Yoshi
\ (11) Tommy Vercetti
/ (3) Solid Snake
\ (14) Cecil Harvey
/ (7) Ryu (SF)
\ (10) Ness
/ (2) Sonic the Hedgehog
\ (15) Terra Branford

/ (1) Mario Mario
\ (16) King of All Cosmos
/ (8) Leon Kennedy
\ (9) Chun-Li
/ (5) Master Chief
\ (12) Revolver Ocelot
/ (4) Zelda
\ (13) Zidane Tribal
/ (6) Dante Sparda
\ (11) Pac-Man
/ (3) Ganondorf Dragmire
\ (14) Jin Kazama
/ (7) Tidus
\ (10) Diablo
/ (2) Samus Aran
\ (15) Geno

/ (1) Sephiroth
( (16) Laharl
( (17) Yuri Hyuga
/ (8) Vivi Ornitier
\ (9) Riku
/ (5) Luigi Mario
\ (12) Sam Fisher
/ (4) Tifa Lockheart
\ (13) Conker
/ (6) Donkey Kong
\ (11) Kefka Palazzo
/ (3) Kirby
\ (14) Big Boss
/ (7) Janus "Magus" Zeal
\ (10) Ryu Hayabusa
/ (2) Crono
\ (15) Joanna Dark

/ (1) Cloud Strife
( (16) Albert Wesker
( (17) Manny Calavera
/ (8) Yuna
\ (9) Frog
/ (5) Auron
\ (12) KOS-MOS
/ (4) Vincent Valentine
\ (13) CATS
/ (6) Knuckles the Echidna
\ (11) Gordon Freeman
/ (3) Bowser
\ (14) Agent 47
/ (7) Sora
\ (10) Kratos (GoW)
/ (2) Megaman
\ (15) Lloyd Irving
---
What online fan couldn't get behind Trevor Murdoch? I mean, finally, a wrestler with our physique! -Sean Carless

How do you know which division to put those characters in? Random?
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I got MARIOWNED by Jman_gamerX8, winner of the Guru contest.

because there's lots of problems. one, you've got like 14 NES games. 14 NES games don't deserve to make a best game ever field. two, you've got a Mario 3/Zelda rematch, possibly/probably a SSBM/FF10 rematch, an FF7/OOT rematch (this is unavoidable, but it shouldn't be in the round of 8), etc. there's lots of quality titles you're leaving out by forcing yourself to take 16 of each genre. it's also quite predictable because we know the general pecking order of games within its genre.. what we don't know is how older games stack up to newer games. example: ff6 vs., say, Mario 64. who wins? compare that to ff6 vs. Mario World and the former is much more unpredictable.
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Jman_gamerX8:Link::me:Jay Solano.

/ (7) Janus "Magus" Zeal
\ (10) Ryu Hayabusa
/ (2) Crono
\ (15) Joanna Dark

...*drops 6m katamari on stats*
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Jman_gamerX8 has owned us with his sexy plumber bracket.

From: Dranze | Posted: 9/25/2005 6:33:32 PM | #484
How do you know which division to put those characters in? Random?

No.

Example:

/ (1) 1st
\ (4) 16th
/ (3) 9th
\ (2) 8th

/ (1) 4th
\ (4) 13th
/ (3) 12th
\ (2) 5th

/ (1) 3th
\ (4) 14th
/ (3) 11th
\ (2) 6th

/ (1) 2th
\ (4) 15th
/ (3) 10th
\ (2) 7th

Etc.
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What online fan couldn't get behind Trevor Murdoch? I mean, finally, a wrestler with our physique! -Sean Carless

I'd say a good balance between generations would be something like:

-10 8-bit games
-14 16-bit games
-18 32/64-bit games
-22 128-bit games

There's just a whole ton of extremely popular games this generation, and most of the 8-bit games would do horrible.

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Jman_gamerX8 beat me in the Guru Challenge! *gives Jman a glass of punch and a slice of cake*

yeah, exactly. my bracket has.. 9 8-bit games. you don't need more than that because it's just wasting space. we generally know that Metal Gear, Phantasy Star, Duck Hunt, etc would get killed. the only curious game in there is Castlevania 3 and that hasn't exactly stood the test of time.
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Jman_gamerX8:Link::me:Jay Solano.

The 500th post is imminent....
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2005: The Summer of Mario
I got smoked by Jman_gamerX8 in the guru contest! Congrats!

what we don't know is how older games stack up to newer games. example: ff6 vs., say, Mario 64. who wins? compare that to ff6 vs. Mario World and the former is much more unpredictable.

Yeah...linearity seemed to be quite questionable in Sp2K4...most notable was the fact that PSIV was ranked far below PS, even after adjusting for SFF.

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Jman_gamerX8 beat me in the Guru Challenge! *gives Jman a glass of punch and a slice of cake*

I haven't completely checked it over yet to try and avoid rematches and SFF an the like, but here's my game bracket. rip it apart, I'd appreciate it:

(1) Final Fantasy VII
(16) Lumines

(8) Super Metroid
(9) Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

(5) GTA: VC
(12) Chrono Cross

(4) Mario 64
(13) God of War

(3) Halo
(14) Pac-Man

(6) Super Mario Kart
(11) Soul Calibur

(7) Half Life 2
(10) Tetris

(2) Super Mario Bros. 3
(15) Skies of Arcadia

--


(1) Halo 2
(16) Kirby: Canvas Curse

(8) The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
(9) Metal Gear Solid

(5) Mario Kart 64
(12) Fable

(4) FF10
(13) Pong

(3) Starcraft
(14) Ico

(6) Metroid Prime
(11) Street Fighter 2

(7) FF8
(10) Sonic 3 & Knuckles

(2) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
(15) Star Wars: KOTOR 2

--

(1) Super Mario Bros.
(16) Golden Axe

(8) Goldeneye
(9) Pokemon R/B/Y

(5) Gran Turismo 3
(12) Metroid: Zero Mission

(4) Metal Gear Solid 3
(13) Tales of Symphonia

(3) SSBM
(14) The Sims 2

(6) Sonic 2
(11) Mega Man X

(7) Mega Man 3
(10) Resident Evil 4

(2) Chrono Trigger
(15) Contra

--

(1) Ocarina of Time
(16) Ninja Gaiden (xbox)

(8) Star Fox 64
(9) Diablo II

(5) Metal Gear Solid 2
(12) NBA Jam

(4) Kingdom Hearts
(13) Katamari Damacy

(3) FF6
(14) Tekken 3

(6) Zelda 1
(11) Lemmings

(7) Super Mario World
(10) World of Warcraft

(2) GTA:SA
(15) Dragon Warrior


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Jman_gamerX8:Link::me:Jay Solano.

It's a shame that you guys have to pair up some of my absolute favorites against games I hate... such as these Halo 2 vs. Fire Emblem/ToS situations I see...

The Unstoppable Flame!
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2005: The Summer of Mario
I got smoked by Jman_gamerX8 in the guru contest! Congrats!

Do we have xstats for this contest yet? I don't wanna have to read through almost 500 posts to find out.
---
Every night I commemorate that match by pretending my left hand is Master Hand and having him beat "Kuja"-Swiss_Bean_2

well, if you like cult games, they're going to get killed. 'tis the way. lots of my favourites will be mutilated in a game bracket.
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Jman_gamerX8:Link::me:Jay Solano.

(1) Super Mario Bros. - Nintendo
(16) Golden Axe

(8) Goldeneye - Nintendo
(9) Pokemon R/B/Y - Nintendo

So much for no SFF.
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BAD THINGAMEBOB! Wow, it NOW be doing whatever I be telling it to be doing! Ciabatta be me!

that should be minor SFF, if at all. those games are ten years apart and appeal to somewhat different fanbases.
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Jman_gamerX8:Link::me:Jay Solano.

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

Do we have xstats for this contest yet? I don't wanna have to read through almost 500 posts to find out.

We have a set of unadjusted stats, although they haven't been put up on sc2k5.com quite yet. I believe people are either still debating over how to do the adjusted stats, relying on their own stats, or both.
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SC2K5 Guru Contest: Where Jman_gamerX8 kicked my ass.

Oh, and congrats Link.
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SC2K5 Guru Contest: Where Jman_gamerX8 kicked my ass.