talk about tight at the polls today

Magazine reviews 23% 5522

Big-name web site reviews 25.25% 6061

Lesser-known web site reviews 3.46% 831

Reader-contributed reviews 25.25% 6061

I don't trust any of them 23.04% 5532

TOTAL VOTES 24007

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Nominate CATS,Jay Solano,Weedle and Ifnkovhgroghprm for sc2k6

Big-name web site reviews 25.25% 6061

Reader-contributed reviews 25.25% 6061



GameSpot VS GameFAQs!!!

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omfg gamstop is vote stufng



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Explicit Content 12/10/05

Festivus II - Fondling Kittens Since '76

I won't lie: Cloud is looking like a very good pick this year. Of course, my Link fanboyism has all but decided my champion for me, but going with Cloud sure doesn't seem like a bad decision.

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Board 8: Where people treat each other right.

CJay got to my Spring 06 Poll suggestion! Unfortunately, he didn't respond with his thoughts. It just says



Feedback Status: Read - Your message has been read by GameFAQs. No action is required.



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the-elite.net congratulates voltch, "Top Ten" Guru Champion!

Ngamer's Contest Archives: http://thengamer.com/gamefaqs/

That means it won't be used, IIRC. And yeah, Cloud is looking like the best pick as of the moment, so long as TP isn't released before the contest ends, and I doubt that it will be.



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Explicit Content 12/10/05

Festivus II - Fondling Kittens Since '76

Just to hate on the Cloud support:



Advent Children is still a movie and there's merit in the argument that many people have seen it here already illegally. It's been out for a good while now, I'm not sure how much the official release is going to help its characters, (or how much it ever was going to help its characters anyway.)



Dirge of Cerberus isn't about Cloud, it's about Vincent. Questionable as to how much it would help Cloud.



And KHII won't be introducing Cloud to many new people. They've already been taken care of with KH, so that effect could be very minimal, too.



Granted, Cloud doesn't need much to topple Link, etc. But I would safely say that TP, should it be out, outweighs all of the other factors.

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Revenge is a dish best served cold. ~ Old Klingon Proverb

Advent Children is still a movie and there's merit in the argument that many people have seen it here already illegally. It's been out for a good while now, I'm not sure how much the official release is going to help its characters, (or how much it ever was going to help its characters anyway.)



While it is likely there are a number of people who have seen it here, I also would wager there is a great deal of many people who have not seen it and would like to. An official release that is available in English for puchase on DVD or the PSP is far greater than a subbed version that was primarily downloaded through the use of a torrent -- people really have trouble working these for some reason. It being a movie should not really matter much anymore, at least not if you ask me. The way the characters are portrayed in the movie is more than enough to sway existing voters or new voters alike. People who may have disliked Cloud in FFVII were often quoted as to liking him in AC. This is primarily because AC is less story heavy and more action-oriented. It does a fantastic job of making Cloud out to be very cool.



Dirge of Cerberus isn't about Cloud, it's about Vincent. Questionable as to how much it would help Cloud.



As someone who imported Dirge of Cerberus, I can safely say that you are correct for the most part. Vincent is the star, and focus, of the game. I mostly posted that to note another big Square release that would help him. Cloud is in the game and has a couple of rather cool scenes, but he definitely takes a backseat for once.



And KHII won't be introducing Cloud to many new people. They've already been taken care of with KH, so that effect could be very minimal, too.



Kingdom Hearts II will undoubtedly serve to raise Cloud even higher than before. It is a more anticipated title, it will certainly sell more than its predecessor, and it will come out at just the right time. It is not going to be a massive boost like the first time, but a couple of percentage points seems likely, if you ask me. He has this and Advent Children to work with, so things are definitely looking good for him.



Granted, Cloud doesn't need much to topple Link, etc. But I would safely say that TP, should it be out, outweighs all of the other factors.



That is really the key to look at. Cloud really does not need much to beat Link. He does not need a huge boost at all. You can try to downplay each of these factors all you like, but they are more than Cloud needs to take home another championship. The release of Twilight Princess, however, would almost certainly manage to slightly outweigh Cloud's boost and likely give Link the victory. That said, at this point in time, I find it unlikely that Twilight Princess is going to release before or during the contest. I was hopeful of it before Reggie's speech at DICE, but now I would expect right around November, but before the Revolution launch.



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No, DNEA! You must not give up so quickly! Think about your love! Your hopes! Your dreams!

Think about the possible three-way man sex orgy, dammit! - Seijun

"Read" pretty much means rejected, Gamer.



~*ST*~

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Winner of the Spring 2004 "Best. Game. Ever." Contest

Currently Playing: Deus Ex, FFTA, MMXC

And rejected pretty much means Ulti doesn't want to have sex with you.



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Explicit Content 12/10/05

Festivus II - Fondling Kittens Since '76

Message From Ultima_X at 2006-02-11 04:16:49

This is a bit different from the theme of other Ask GameFAQs questions, but a recent Top 10 list I wrote up got me thinking about something. Why was Mario/Crono 2 begun twenty minutes early, then allowed to run up until the standard closing time instead of simply being closed after 24 hours?

Feedback Status: Filed - Your message has been "filed" away for future perusal.



That or complete are the actions you want to see =p



I'm also very curious to see whether or not Ceej answers that one.



~*ST*~

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Winner of the Spring 2004 "Best. Game. Ever." Contest

Currently Playing: Deus Ex, FFTA, MMXC

Aw, shoot. Well let's hope this means he has his mind set on Games and is just afraid to let the users of GameFAQs decide whether or not it's a good idea, rather than that he isn't going to be doing anything for Spring no matter what we would like to see.



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the-elite.net congratulates voltch, "Top Ten" Guru Champion!

Ngamer's Contest Archives: http://thengamer.com/gamefaqs/

XD



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My sig hurts from being owned so hard by ExTha, just like Duke owned Maryland.

ExTha > Soul > EC

Yeah, so basically we have the same Cloud arguments we did as last year, more or less. Nothing new to say, really. If Link gets TP before/during the contest, I'd say it's his no matter what Cloud does.



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Revenge is a dish best served cold. ~ Old Klingon Proverb

Unless Cloud gets a cameo in TP. Then Link is screwed.

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I know you love me... I wanna wad you up into my life...

We may be Janus5000. But We may not be. We are not sure.

Yeah, these are almost the exact same arguments as last year and Cloud got beat worse than the year before. Cloud should get closer this year, what with the big year Square has coming up, but I ain't picking Cloud again.

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Considering we have been arguing over the same general games that will contribute to the boost, it is not a surprise we are running into the same points repeatedly. Fortunately, this time around we have actual confirmation on the two major contributor's to what will be Cloud's boost this year. If Twilight Princess does not make it out in time, and I find it likely it will not, then that is not going to leave Link with a lot to work with. You can try to downplay and make Kingdom Hearts II and Advent Children seem like miniscule factors, but they are definitely going to give Cloud the few percentage points he needs to get a win against a pre-TP Link.



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"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion." -- Sephiroth

I ain't worried about FF:AC being released officially here. If Cloud gets the win, it'll be because of the two games.

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Miss my Four-Pack Of Fun? Go here:

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Big year for Square or not, GameFAQs has really turned its back on Square of late and has slurped the hell out of Nintendo. It's not just in contests, but all over every board I visit.



I know Square has been disappointing lately, but I never imagined the anti-Square sentiment would get this bad. Not that the company doesn't deserve it, for the record, but it's still a shame to see.



~*ST*~

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Winner of the Spring 2004 "Best. Game. Ever." Contest

Currently Playing: Deus Ex, FFTA, MMXC

I still do not see any reason to shrug off Advent Children like it will not make any notable difference. The only thing that can do is help him out. Kingdom Hearts II and Advent Children are his two biggest things this year, as Dirge of Cerberus will likely not make up any type of boost that should be worth noting. That one will be for Vincent's nice increase.



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"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion." -- Sephiroth

The movie leaking here will be bigger for FF:AC than it officially being released here...and Cloud, despite having a match shortly after so much of the FF:AC traffic came here, was beaten worse last year by Link than 2k4. I don't think a movie being exposed to America a second time months before the contest is going to help it more than a movie being exposed to America the first time a week before the match.

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Yeah, these are almost the exact same arguments as last year and Cloud got beat worse than the year before



Well, that was before we knew anything of a Nintendo boost and when it was still expected for Advent Children to have an American release during the contest.



And pardon me for asking this, but...why was someone saying that KHII won't do anything for Cloud because he's not being exposed to a new audience, just the same one as before? Uhh...How much of a new audience is Link being exposed to with Twilight Princess?



The big word is hype or excitement. You know, that thing that people claimed gave Link the 2004 contest just based on a trailer for the game. And yet, when Cloud is expected to have three RELEASES within a very short span of time right before the contest...it's not going to do anything? Nobody's going to be pumped up about it?



Let's face it: Kingdom Hearts is the best thing Square has going for it right now, and people WILL get excited about it.

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Nominate Serge (Chrono Cross) for SC2K6!

Nominate Seifer Almasy (Final Fantasy VIII) for SC2K6!

You guys act like there won't be a steady influx of Nintendo fans coming to the site and, as an extension, Link fans. The DS is still going strong and is going to have a lot of killer apps coming up in the next few months. As long as the DS keeps bringing fans to the site, then Link still has potential power to pull from. Even with Advent Children and a slew of games on the horizon, Cloud got beat WORSE and didn't even appear to increase much at all if you're comparing his strength to Base Link. And there WAS proof that Advent Children made an impact on site traffic in the fact that FFVII moved up on the FAQ rankings.



Sure, Kingdom Hearts II and probably Dirge of Cerberus will have a bigger impact, but it's not like Link is getting any weaker. It's been almost two years since the first trailer and Link doesn't appear to be losing any steam. If complete info about the game is released before SC2k6, I wouldn't worry at all about him either. Cloud's only hope is that Square fans will simply outnumber Nintendo fans by then. Otherwise, all I expect is a closer match...



Something else I just thought about. According to GameFAQs, Super Mario Bros. DS is expected to be released in the US on June 1, 2006. It's probably going to be the biggest Nintendo game released since Wind Waker...

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Nominate Carmen Sandiego for SC2k6

Currently playing: MMXC, Fight Night R2, Threads of Fate, Jade Empire

Another note: several of the XS lists have Cloud as constant despite Advent Children. The Square titles coming out this year might be necessary just to keep him from dropping.

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Pity for the guilty is treason to the innocent.

Yeah, they'll keep him from dropping while also boosting him up a little bit. Cloud is expected to have quite a sizable role in KHII, as is Sephiroth, for that matter.

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Nominate Serge (Chrono Cross) for SC2K6!

Nominate Seifer Almasy (Final Fantasy VIII) for SC2K6!

Cloud will be stronger this year. Given that it may be his last chance at taking a title, I can see it happening. BTW, what's the official word on Crisis Core?

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Take a hike, and don't forget the trail mix *****. Hijack - MC Chris

Detective in Sir Chris' Police

I don't see Advent Children doing **** for Cloud, if he's gonna take down Link it's gonna be because of KHII.



And I've never bought into the hype factor boosting a character either.



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My sig hurts from being owned so hard by ExTha, just like Duke owned Maryland.

ExTha > Soul > EC

The only one I ever bought it for is Master Chief, and even now we can look back and see it didn't do him any good.

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The movie leaking here will be bigger for FF:AC than it officially being released here...and Cloud, despite having a match shortly after so much of the FF:AC traffic came here, was beaten worse last year by Link than 2k4.



I sincerely doubt that will be the case. I am willing to wager Advent Children releasing to the American public, getting advertising on American television, in magazines, etc. will create a far larger impact than just it releasing in Japan and people being able to obtain it through torrent. There are still plenty of people, and voters, here who have not seen the movie. Thinking the majority of those interested have already seen the movie is a wee bit foolish. The exposure given to Advent Children through advertising alone is going to be more impactful than just a torrent download.



Its release will help to further push the excitement and attention to Cloud that he sorely lacked the previous year. Now I am not trying to say this movie is going to provide a massive boost for Cloud. I am, however, expecting a good 1 - 2% boost from it, and that is well within a resonable amount to expect from something like this. It, coupled with Kingdom Hearts II and Dirge of Cerberus, is undoubtedly going to give people a constant dose of Final Fantasy VII and Cloud within successive months of each other.



Well, that was before we knew anything of a Nintendo boost and when it was still expected for Advent Children to have an American release during the contest.



Exactly.



You guys act like there won't be a steady influx of Nintendo fans coming to the site and, as an extension, Link fans. The DS is still going strong and is going to have a lot of killer apps coming up in the next few months.



I am having trouble coming up with what the Nintendo DS has coming that is going to create a constant flow of Nintendo and Link fans coming to the site. The DS certainly has some good games coming out, but they are not exactly killer apps that you are speaking of. The biggest one between now and the contest that I can think of is Tetris DS.



Even with Advent Children and a slew of games on the horizon, Cloud got beat WORSE and didn't even appear to increase much at all if you're comparing his strength to Base Link.



Cloud really has not had anything to help him out since 2003. Kingdom Hearts was huge for him, as we all know, and since then he has not been featured in very many games or extras that are worth noting. The biggest thing since then was the Japanese release of Advent Children. That certainly helped him out a bit, but I never would have suspected it producing enough for him to overcome Link. I was convinced he was going to win due to the release of the American version here at the same time.



Sure, Kingdom Hearts II and probably Dirge of Cerberus will have a bigger impact, but it's not like Link is getting any weaker.



I never would expect Link to get any weaker. I am expecting Cloud to win for what he has this year and what will help him. I certainly would not rely on Link getting any weaker because that would just be stupid. Kingdom Hearts II, Advent Children, and Dirge of Cerberus in succession like that is going to make a big impact. Cloud's role in KH2 is suppose to be far larger than it was in KH. He even has a little side story dedicated to him in the game. Sephiroth, too, is suppose to have a bigger role. Dirge of Cerberus probably won't make up too much for him. Vincent will see a very nice boost from it, but Cloud probably would not have anything really substantial. For Cloud, it is just there to continue bringing in FFVII fans to the site.

Something else I just thought about. According to GameFAQs, Super Mario Bros. DS is expected to be released in the US on June 1, 2006. It's probably going to be the biggest Nintendo game released since Wind Waker...



Super Mario Bros. DS will indeed big quite big. There still has not been even a Japanese release date from what I know of though. Still, that being released certainly would help out Mario and co.



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"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion." -- Sephiroth

Cloud will be stronger this year. Given that it may be his last chance at taking a title, I can see it happening. BTW, what's the official word on Crisis Core?



There is still the Final Fantasy VII remake that is undoubtedly in the future. The more Kistase is questioned the more he seems to say that he wants to get that project rolling. Now this is just me, but Advent Children being released in NA sets up nicely for such an announcement at E3 this year. Heh.



And Crisis Core should be at E3 this year. It is focused around Zack though.



I don't see Advent Children doing **** for Cloud, if he's gonna take down Link it's gonna be because of KHII.



I can only see it helping him out. To toss it aside as something that will not be a factor is nothing short of stupidity, if you ask me.



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"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion." -- Sephiroth

I sincerely doubt that will be the case. I am willing to wager Advent Children releasing to the American public, getting advertising on American television, in magazines, etc. will create a far larger impact than just it releasing in Japan and people being able to obtain it through torrent. There are still plenty of people, and voters, here who have not seen the movie. Thinking the majority of those interested have already seen the movie is a wee bit foolish. The exposure given to Advent Children through advertising alone is going to be more impactful than just a torrent download.



But we're talking about GameFAQs, not the American public. I'd say there's a higher percentage of Internet users on GameFAQs than there is in America.

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Pity for the guilty is treason to the innocent.

But we're talking about GameFAQs, not the American public. I'd say there's a higher percentage of Internet users on GameFAQs than there is in America.



Yes, of course. GameFAQs will undoubtedly be affected by the advertising though. There is also still going to be a number of people who have not seen Advent Children and are waiting for the actual release in America like one would expect. Everyone who frequents this site has not seen Advent Children, or everyone who wants to see the movie. You also have a renewed interest with people who might have already seen the Japanese version and want to watch or purchase the DVD or UMD and see it in English.



There are a variety of factors involved that still make Advent Children a very real factor in Cloud's undeniable boost this year. I cannot believe some of you really want to ignore it as nothing simply because the Japanese version was put onto the Internet. Yes, it definitely have an affect, but by no means was it anywhere near its full potential on any of the characters. Hell, I will enjoy seeing Tifa and Vincent perform after the movie is released here as well. One just should not ignore it due to the Japanese release. There will be an impact here again once its released. I can guarantee it.



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"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion." -- Sephiroth

I guess I haven't been paying attention... is Fire another HM alt?

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Nominate Aeris for SC2k6.

Fire is the only account of mine that is not in Purgatory. But yeah, I am indeed HM.



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"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion." -- Sephiroth

cloud for the next contest is a reasonable pick then?

oh and is the age of voters the same as the average age of gamefaqs users?

i mean you don't have to be 13 to vote right?as in you don't need an account to vote.

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Nominate CATS,Jay Solano,Weedle and Ifnkovhgroghprm for sc2k6

cloud for the next contest is a reasonable pick then?



Without a doubt. I do not see how anyone here could possibly argue that picking Cloud is unreasonable this year. He has too much in his favor to not think hard about the inevitable Link/Cloud match.



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"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion." -- Sephiroth

The vast majority of GameFAQs users are between 13-25.

http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=1217

http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=1386



The polls are a bit old, but I wouldn't expect a major change since then.

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"Why did I become a lawyer in the first place...? Because someone has to look out for the people who have no one on their side." ~Phoenix Wright

Without a doubt. I do not see how anyone here could possibly argue that picking Cloud is unreasonable this year. He has too much in his favor to not think hard about the inevitable Link/Cloud match.



Oh sure, it's not unreasonable at all to pick Cloud. But it's still not enough to make me think he'll beat Link. Besides, I remember correctly you all but guaranteed for Cloud to beat Link last year, off of nothing but the AC leak to boot. =P

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Nominate Carmen Sandiego for SC2k6

Currently playing: MMXC, Fight Night R2, Threads of Fate, Jade Empire

Oh sure, it's not unreasonable at all to pick Cloud. But it's still not enough to make me think he'll beat Link.



I think it is more than what he needs to make up the 2.94% (which would give him 50.5% against 2005 Link) needed to pump out a victory. This is going to be his best year since 2003 and he will come out of it with a championship, yo.



Besides, I remember correctly you all but guaranteed for Cloud to beat Link last year, off of nothing but the AC leak to boot. =P



I told you I was desperate there at the end. I certainly was not about to say Link was going to win. Hell, looking back, I also said Cloud would win the day vote, too. I really did not want to see Cloud lose. <<



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"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion." -- Sephiroth

And pardon me for asking this, but...why was someone saying that KHII won't do anything for Cloud because he's not being exposed to a new audience, just the same one as before? Uhh...How much of a new audience is Link being exposed to with Twilight Princess?



The difference there though is that Link is actually the star of his game, instead of a nifty side character. TP is obviously much bigger for Link than KH2 for Cloud. It's not as if KH2 is Cloud's game, or that he probably has anything more than a small role. Also, the new audience factor for KH was probably the greatest reason people saw for the boost. I always thought the theory was that people saw the FF characters in the game, went out and got them, etc. This time is isn't going to be a new audience, and they can't be said to be doing much more than a cameo.



And, killer ds releases? Super Princess Peach could be fun, and aren't the Pokemons coming out this year?

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Revenge is a dish best served cold. ~ Old Klingon Proverb

Metroid Prime Hunters, Pokemon, Super Mario Bros., Super Princess Peach, Tetris DS, etc. I didn't mean killer apps as the game to end all games for the DS. I just meant that there will be popular games coming out for the DS this year that will pretty much guarantee an influx of Nintendites to this site. I think that's more than enough to keep Link as top dog, even if Cloud has Kingdom Hearts 2 and other stuff on the horizon.

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Nominate Carmen Sandiego for SC2k6

Currently playing: MMXC, Fight Night R2, Threads of Fate, Jade Empire

The difference there though is that Link is actually the star of his game, instead of a nifty side character. TP is obviously much bigger for Link than KH2 for Cloud. It's not as if KH2 is Cloud's game, or that he probably has anything more than a small role.



Kingdom Hearts provided more of a boost for Cloud than anything we have ever seen Link get. Yet his role in that game was even smaller than what it will be in Kingdom Hearts II. He had a massive boost before, but he does not need anything resembling that for KH2 to provide him the necessary strength to beat Link. I have no idea why this is not sinking in. The boost from KH2 does not even need to be comparable to KH for him to win.



Cloud's role in KH2 is also far larger than what it was in KH. Yes, it is ultimately a lesser role in the grand scheme of things and certainly nothing that has him as one of the main characters, but a bigger role and more exposure in a game that is undoubtedly going to reach more people than its predecessor is great. Cloud even has a side story that deals with the conflict with Sephiroth and the relationships with Tifa and Aerith. Keeping in mind that Cloud needs only 3%, new auidence or not, to have the necessary strength to take down Link who is going to have nothing in his favor.



Also, the new audience factor for KH was probably the greatest reason people saw for the boost. I always thought the theory was that people saw the FF characters in the game, went out and got them, etc. This time is isn't going to be a new audience, and they can't be said to be doing much more than a cameo.



People do not need to go out en masse and play the Final Fantasy games again. Cloud is once again given to an auidence he normally is not reaching. Kingdom Hearts II is not the only thing that will helping Cloud either; he will have Advent Children there to further push him forward. I really cannot believe these once guaranteed factors for Cloud winning are now being doubted in such a way that says he cannot or is unlikely to win. It is just absurd. I cannot believe I am having to really argue KH2 helping Cloud.



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"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion." -- Sephiroth

And, killer ds releases? Super Princess Peach could be fun, and aren't the Pokemons coming out this year?



There is no major Pokemon game coming out between now and the start or middle of this contest. How in the world something like that would do anything for Link, though, is beyond me. I understand the idea of bringing Nintendo fans to the site, but that is getting a wee bit ridiculous. Same goes for Super Princess Peach, which is by no means a killer app in any sense of the word.



Metroid Prime Hunters, Pokemon, Super Mario Bros., Super Princess Peach, Tetris DS, etc. I didn't mean killer apps as the game to end all games for the DS. I just meant that there will be popular games coming out for the DS this year that will pretty much guarantee an influx of Nintendites to this site.



Metroid Prime Hunters is a good one. I would not expect sells to be stellar, though, but we shall see. Pokemon is just not coming out. I do not know where someone got this idea that we were going to see an actual Pokemon DS game sometime between now and the contest. Super Mario Bros. DS is very, very iffy. It could release at its designated time, but I am a bit on the edge considering it does not even have a date in Japan. Super Princess Peach is not at all a game that I would not consider big nor a game that will bring any "Nintendites" to this site more than just any old Nintendo release does. Tetris DS, however, is a good one because of it being Tetris. Again, though, I do not see any of these, with the exception of SMB, doing anything more than the usual release does. They are not stand out titles.



I think that's more than enough to keep Link as top dog, even if Cloud has Kingdom Hearts 2 and other stuff on the horizon.



I do not see any of that doing anything at all for Link. I would wager a new trailer would do more for Link than all of that combined. And I do not even think a trailer would do much. I cannot believe you are willing to say those small releases, SMB aside, is enough to combat Kingdom Hearts II, Advent Children, and to a much lesser extent, Dirge of Cerberus -- should it release on time, but it is already the smallest factor for Cloud of them all.



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"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion." -- Sephiroth

I do not see any of that doing anything at all for Link. I would wager a new trailer would do more for Link than all of that combined. And I do not even think a trailer would do much. I cannot believe you are willing to say those small releases, SMB aside, is enough to combat Kingdom Hearts II, Advent Children, and to a much lesser extent, Dirge of Cerberus -- should it release on time, but it is already the smallest factor for Cloud of them all.



Did you not just see Nintendo as a whole, LINK INCLUDED, boost out of nowhere? Tell me then, where did you think that boost came from? There were no big games for Nintendo. What, Super Mario 64 DS? Mario Superstar Baseball? All signs point to the DS serving as a catalyst for Nintendo. I know you're on another "Cloud is going to beat Link" high, but I don't know why you cannot believe those tidbits when we've already seen it happen in the past year.

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Nominate Carmen Sandiego for SC2k6

Currently playing: MMXC, Fight Night R2, Threads of Fate, Jade Empire

Thing was, despite Nintendo boosting like crazy this year, Link's boost was comparably tame--if he even boosted at all. And I don't see other games on the DS giving him much more than he already has. Despite the newer releases, I can't fathom how it's going to bring in significantly MORE Nintendo fans, especially since that influx has already arrived, and been cited for 2k5's Ninty boost. Link should by and large maintain his 2k5 strength--as is logical.



But the Square influx, *relative* to 2k5, should obliterate Nintendo's increase here. What did Square have last year, honestly? With actual releases, wouldn't it be prudent to determine that the relative advantage rests at Square's feet?



I'm on no 'high' with Cloud--I still doubt if he would have beaten adult Link in 2k3 despite picking him then, and I picked Link in 2k4 and 2k5...because I thought him the logical pick. But despite all my doubts, I'm picking Cloud this year...because I just feel he has too much going for him.

Did you not just see Nintendo as a whole, LINK INCLUDED, boost out of nowhere?



Link's was nothing in comparison to all of the other Nintendo characters. They were not even comparable. Yes, Nintendo got a boost last year from things like the Nintendo DS launch the year before and its many releases afterward. But you act as though Square had something to counter that with. Cloud, and Square characters, have been without something major for a long time now. The only big swing that I can recall that went their way was the release of Kingdom Hearts. Since then, Nintendo has just been releasing far bigger products and created far larger hype for its titles (Twilight Princess, Revolution, etc.) There has certainly been a reason for Nintendo to see an increase, especially last year. But what you are expecting is simply ridiculous. A few releases to the DS are suppose to out do Kingdom Hearts II, Advent Children, and Dirge of Cerberus? Cloud's, and Square's, biggest year since 2003? I do not buy that for one second.



Tell me then, where did you think that boost came from? There were no big games for Nintendo. What, Super Mario 64 DS? Mario Superstar Baseball? All signs point to the DS serving as a catalyst for Nintendo.



For the record, Super Mario 64 DS not only sold over a million copies (the only million seller for the DS at the time), but also came bundled with the DS in June -- right before the contest began. Pretty much all the Nintendo characters got an increase, but the biggest stars of that boost seemed to be the Nintendo characters.



Metroid Prime 2 : Echoes, The Minish Cap, Super Mario 64 DS, Star Fox Assault, etc. all came out for Nintendo in between 2004 and 2005 from what I can recall. Nintendo also unveiled the Revolution at E3 2005 -- again, right before the contest. Nintendo was just all over with titles and the problem was that Square had nothing to counteract this. What, Musashi Samurai Legend is suppose to go up against all that? I think not. Nintendo had everything in their favor that year whereas Square had nothing. The same nothing they have not had since 2003.



The Nintendo DS doing well for Nintendo and it should help them out should they get a big release for the system. But Super ****ing Princess Peach is not by any stretch of the imagination going to keep Link and Nintendo in a position to overcome Square's sheer dominance this year. Dragon Quest VIII, Kingdom Hearts II, Final Fantasy VII : Advent Children, and Dirge of Cerberus are what Square has really pushed out this year. Nintendo, in comparison, will have pumped out Mario Kart DS as their biggest draw. Super Princess Peach, Metroid Prime Hunters, and Tetris DS are not going to bring any more Nintendo fans here than what we normally have. Those strike me as nothing more than usual Nintendo releases and should not be regarded as anything significant when Square is packing monstrous titles. It is an insult to even compare Kingdom Hearts II to that stuff alone, much less AC, DoC, DQVIII, and it combined.



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"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion." -- Sephiroth

I know you're on another "Cloud is going to beat Link" high, but I don't know why you cannot believe those tidbits when we've already seen it happen in the past year.



If Super Mario Bros. DS were coming out for sure before the contest or right around its start, I would be more willing to understand your point. I would not agree with it fully at all, but it would make more sense since SMB DS is a huge title with tons of Nintendo appeal that will draw fans here. I would say it is far more likely to help out Mario and co. as opposed to Nintendo as a whole.



How can you possibly tell me Nintendo is going to match, much less beat, Square this year in terms of what they have lined up and how it will affect the contest? The two are not even comparable. Square absolutely slaughters Nintendo in what it is packing. This would be like me saying FFVI Advance is going to go even with Twilight Princess. It makes no sense at all. Even more, it seems like you and a couple of other people basically telling me Cloud would gain less than 1% per big release (KH2, DoC, AC) this year for Link to win. Or you are just expecting some absurd increase for Link again despite there being nothing in his favor. Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?



As for the "high," I will have you know I have been a supporting Cloud over Link for years now. It is not some random whim that has occurred out of nowhere. I do it each year that there is a logical argument for Cloud to win. Last year, there was good argument in Cloud winning due to a then assumed American release of Advent Children while Twilight Princess was November 2005 at the time. The unsuspected Nintendo boost and lack of the American Advent Children release put a damper on that party though. This year, however, there is absolute, undeniable confirmation that Kingdom Hearts II and Advent Children are releasing before the contest. To me, there is simply too much going for Cloud and virtually nothing going for Link.



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"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion." -- Sephiroth

But despite all my doubts, I'm picking Cloud this year...because I just feel he has too much going for him.



Exactly. One can try to go for absolute bare minimum in what they will do for Cloud, but I simply refuse to believe people honestly think Cloud is anywhere but at an advantage this year. This is his year, no doubt about it.



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"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion." -- Sephiroth

In fact, and this will be my last bit on the subject for tonight, just look at 2003 - 2006 and just what Cloud had going for him in each of the years.



2003

Kingdom Hearts



2004

Advent Children Announcement



2005

Advent Children Japanese Release



2006

Kingdom Hearts II

Final Fantasy VII : Advent Children (American Release)

Final Fantasy VII : Dirge of Cerberus





Now everyone know, or everyone should know, that Cloud gathered 47.56% on Link last year. He lost by a total of ~5800 votes. Let me tell you that he needs approximately 2900 voters to switch in order for him to win. He needs a grand total of 2.94% in order to beat Link with roughly 50.5% -- a boost of 0.98% from each of those releases. You want to argue that Link has Super Princess Peach and Tetris DS to help him.





You tell me. You tell me.





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"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion." -- Sephiroth