Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (Wii U)

Little Mac winds up, ready to strike. As he channels power to his fists, a bellow pours from his lungs, increasing in intensity with each passing moment. If Bayonetta doesn’t take action, she’s toast.

Right on cue, Mac charges forward with crushing force, hell-bent on clearing the path in front of him and knocking all adversaries far out of sight. Unfortunately, he’s never faced a witch before.

Bayonetta laughs and flips backward, her movements impressively precise. Amazingly, the passage of time grinds to a crawl. Mac fails to connect with anything, leaving him right where Bayonetta wants him.

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Ridge Racer 3D (Nintendo 3DS)

As we round the corner, I’m caught off guard by a helicopter hovering closely above the track. I lose my concentration and overcompensate for the turn, bumping into the car next to me. The driver takes advantage of the situation and uses the momentum from the collision to jettison ahead into first place. Damn it, we’re too close to the finish line for mistakes like this. I find my way into my rival’s slipstream and cut the distance between us inch-by-inch. Finally it’s time to make my move. I fire off the last of my nitrous and make a break for the finish line. We’re seconds away. This is going to be close!

Ridge Racer 6 (XBox 360)

I make the first turn on my favorite course, Airport Lap. It’s sunset and the sky is adorned with a beautiful orange hue. My car drifts through the curve and I power ahead. “Whoa-ho-ho! Nitrous ready!” The game’s announcer is extremely excited. “Watch out! Someone just fired off some nitrous!” A rival car speeds up behind me from the left. It’s time to take action. I use a can of nitrous and regain the lead. “Woo hoo! Nitrous!” Turn after turn, drift after drift, “nitrous” is the only thing the announcer is concerned with. As the race progresses, planes come and go all around the course, but I’m too focused to take much notice. I speed past the finish line with the help of my last bit of “crazy” nitrous. “Ha! Ha! You did it! First place!” How I love that nitrous-obsessed announcer.