Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group My Christmas Gift

Most of you (with the exception of Lori) don't know this about me, but I'm a huge video game fan. I already had a Playstation 2, but for Christmas I got the Nintendo Game Cube. It Rocks! I had always had a lot of problems, for some reason, with playing games... because after awhile my neck would always start to give me fits. I don't know why, really, because a computer doesn't cause the same horrible neck pain and neither does watching TV. I suspect it has to do with the great amount of careful observation and concentration that is required to play a video game. Anyway, I got a wireless controller with my Game Cube, and I can already tell how much better it is going to make my gaming experience. It will work from up to 20 feet away, and this allows me to get in much more comfortable positions for playing. I know that there probably aren't that many other gamers here, but I did want to share this little victory with everyone. Any victory over AS is a victory for all, the way I look at it. This is just one little reason why I'm in much better spirits with the new year.

Johnny

Hi Johnny!

I play, I play, I play videogames!! *Jade jumps up and down her kickas seat*

I must though shamefully admit that I don't have the Cube or the PS2 yet, as I have in this past year been a ferocious addict to Anarchy Online, where you can play 'live' with other people on the internet. I have lots of characters there and spend most of my spare time in my AO world... Have you tried it?

I sometimes still play Playstation 1 and Nintendo 64. But I have problems with the hand controllers and my arms - tha pain radiates directly from my thumbs and into my brain if I play too much. LOL

Usually I prefer action/adventure games, where it's not only the speed and reflexes, but also the brains who is the primary requirement. Both because I like those games more, and because they're easier on my neck.

So...I can TOTALLY relate to your feeling of happyness here, Johnny!!


bye from
Jade

Johnny,
Yeee Haaaa. Another gamer! I just got a Playstation 2 for Christmas and I love it! My son has the Nintendo 64 in his room and the PS2 is in the family room (for now). I am hooked on the Nascar games although I'd like to be able to figure out SOCOM U.S. Navy Seals. Heck, I can't even get past the first bad guy without getting killed. The graphics are incredible! I recently rented Nascar Thunder 2003 and got hooked. Its like actually being in the car! I don't have many games yet, but I want to start collecting them. We also like the fact that we can play DVD's in it too. Since Christmas, we've bought about 20 different DVD's. We love our PS2. Unfortunately, like you, I can only play for a few minutes (especially the Nascar games) before my neck starts killing me. The bad part is that it stays sore for many hours before it goes away. I've had to start limiting my time on it to just a half hour or so. That way it dosen't hurt quite so bad.
I'd like to get a steering wheel for it and God knows I need a memory card. It sucks not being able to save my game information. I did get a second controller and a remote that I haven't yet figured out.
I'd love to hear about your game adventures and what games you might recommend. Have you tried the new James Bond game for the PS2?
Let me know, I'll be waiting with bated breath.

Glenn

Santa brought my family an XBOX this year for Christmas! I want to play but I never get a chance because if my son isn't monopolizing the game then my husband is on it! He is on it so much that I can hardly get to sleep at night. (We keep it in our bedroom to minimize fighting between the children - or so my husband says!)

Anyway I'm glad you mentioned the neck pain - that will be enough to keep me from being too frustrated about not getting to play. I'll just tell myself that I would end up with a pain in the neck if I tried it out!

By the way.... What are your favorite games and do you know of any that are not too frustrating for a 5 year old boy? I know several of the PS games are also available for XBOX. If I hear many more screams of frustration out of my son I may have to ground him from it!



Amy Ediger

Hi Glenn,
we have a steering wheel for the computer. My 5 yr old son is hooked on Colin McRae Rally 2.0 and so am I.. As well as on other motorcycle and car racing games.
The steering wheel is much easier to play with than the keyboard, and the set includes pedals as well. It's a blast!
Get yourself a steering wheel too, it's really very funny!

Jade

Johnny,
That's cool that you got the controller, and it helps with the pain in the neck. Do you know if they make a wireless one for the PS2? Now if I could just find a way to beat Commandos 2, that might would help the pain in my neck
See Ya,
Mark

One of my friends told me they make a wirless one for PS2, but I have yet to find it, so I'm really not sure. As far as beating Commandos 2, I feel exactly the same way about Resident Evil... I'm so sick of the same *(*&(&^-in zombie sucking all the blood out of me everytime I play!

Too bad about the hubby and kid monopolizing the X-Box. As far as games, my two favorites types are fantasy-role-playing and sports (especially football). I really can't recommend specific ones for a 5 year old, but you might try some of the ones with a definite childrens' theme. Like I bought my 7 year old nephew "Antz Racing" for Christmas. It's based on the Disney movie "Antz" and he really loves it. You actually drive little bugs around (pretty cute, but still pretty hard).

Hey Glenn,

My favorite types of games are definitely Fantasy Role Playing and Simulation. I love the ability to create your own reality inside the game. I also love sports games, especially Football. I got NCAA Football 2003 for my Game Cube, and I haven't stopped playing it since Christmas. What's really cool about it (at least I think it's cool) is the ability to create your own teams, design their uniforms, stadium, and even create all their players. Like I was always mad that my college had ditched their football program years ago. So now I can bring them back, play season after season and establish my very own "Dynasty." Right now, in season 1, I'm 6-0, but I face games against the number 15 team and number 6 team in the nation over the next two weeks. We'll see how it goes.

I like racing games as well, though I have never tried any of the NASCAR ones (with all the great stuff I'm hearing about them, I think I'll have too). But one of my all time favorites, believe it or not, is Super Mario Kart. I also loved Diddy Kong Racing for the N64. I like the "Cruising" series and other street racing games also.

So, now, here's my top 10 all time favorite games and platforms:

1. SimCity 2000 (PC)
2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Super Nintendo)
3. The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64)
4. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Gameboy)
5. SimCity (PC)
6. Super Mario Kart (Super Nintendo)
7. NCAA Football 2003 (Game Cube, PlayStation 2)
8. Dark Cloud (PlayStation2)
9. Diddy Kong Racing (Nintendo 64)
10. Dig Dug (Various, but my experience was mainly in an arcade and on my trusty Atari 2600, which still works by the way. I'm really dating myself here aren't I?)

I haven't played any online games in a long time. About as far as I ever got was getting my butt kicked over and over at chess. But these new ones really sound like they would be extremely fun and addictive. Wow, this is really cool finding these other KickAS game players!