Michael Hughes
@kaidanxain.bsky.social
Seat filler on the Games and Junk Podcast, Summers School: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer podcast, and the Games And Junk Game Club podcast.
https://gamesandjunk.net
https://gamesandjunk.net
28 of 35: Yoshi’s Island
I’m not sure why, but I think I like this game just a little less every time I play through it. 🤷🏻♂️
I’m not sure why, but I think I like this game just a little less every time I play through it. 🤷🏻♂️
December 4, 2025 at 1:20 PM
28 of 35: Yoshi’s Island
I’m not sure why, but I think I like this game just a little less every time I play through it. 🤷🏻♂️
I’m not sure why, but I think I like this game just a little less every time I play through it. 🤷🏻♂️
In the last few months I went from “Yeah, we can watch Kpop Demon Hunters” to “The music was good, but I don’t see me listening to it on its own.” to KPDH album on repeat to “This TWICE group seems good, let’s check out some of their stuff.” to…whatever this is. Obsession, I guess? 😅😂
December 2, 2025 at 1:35 PM
In the last few months I went from “Yeah, we can watch Kpop Demon Hunters” to “The music was good, but I don’t see me listening to it on its own.” to KPDH album on repeat to “This TWICE group seems good, let’s check out some of their stuff.” to…whatever this is. Obsession, I guess? 😅😂
27 of 35: Super Ghouls ‘n’ Ghosts
Using rewind undercuts the novelty of finishing one of the most difficult games of all time, but it’s the only way I’m going to see it through these days. 😅
Also, this is the first time I learned you get magic in the form of charged weapons. Neat.
Using rewind undercuts the novelty of finishing one of the most difficult games of all time, but it’s the only way I’m going to see it through these days. 😅
Also, this is the first time I learned you get magic in the form of charged weapons. Neat.
December 1, 2025 at 7:34 PM
27 of 35: Super Ghouls ‘n’ Ghosts
Using rewind undercuts the novelty of finishing one of the most difficult games of all time, but it’s the only way I’m going to see it through these days. 😅
Also, this is the first time I learned you get magic in the form of charged weapons. Neat.
Using rewind undercuts the novelty of finishing one of the most difficult games of all time, but it’s the only way I’m going to see it through these days. 😅
Also, this is the first time I learned you get magic in the form of charged weapons. Neat.
I’ve got a boy who’s just like that. 🧡
December 1, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I’ve got a boy who’s just like that. 🧡
26 of 35: Donkey Kong Country 3
Maybe I only find this one easier because it’s the one I played the most? 🤔
Also included, my first attempt at the screenshot which happened to catch the split second the game simulates a scramble effect.
Maybe I only find this one easier because it’s the one I played the most? 🤔
Also included, my first attempt at the screenshot which happened to catch the split second the game simulates a scramble effect.
December 1, 2025 at 3:54 PM
26 of 35: Donkey Kong Country 3
Maybe I only find this one easier because it’s the one I played the most? 🤔
Also included, my first attempt at the screenshot which happened to catch the split second the game simulates a scramble effect.
Maybe I only find this one easier because it’s the one I played the most? 🤔
Also included, my first attempt at the screenshot which happened to catch the split second the game simulates a scramble effect.
25 of 35: Wild Guns
Another game that’s brand new to me, and like Actraiser, I would have loved having this one back in the day.
Another game that’s brand new to me, and like Actraiser, I would have loved having this one back in the day.
November 30, 2025 at 11:03 PM
25 of 35: Wild Guns
Another game that’s brand new to me, and like Actraiser, I would have loved having this one back in the day.
Another game that’s brand new to me, and like Actraiser, I would have loved having this one back in the day.
24 of 35: The Great Circus Mystery starring Mickey & Minnie (aka Magical Quest 2)
This trilogy's difficulty is all over the place just like DKC. The first game was moderately challenging, this one is a joke, and 3 is tough as nails. But this is the one I owned as a kid, so it's the one I love.
This trilogy's difficulty is all over the place just like DKC. The first game was moderately challenging, this one is a joke, and 3 is tough as nails. But this is the one I owned as a kid, so it's the one I love.
November 29, 2025 at 7:10 PM
24 of 35: The Great Circus Mystery starring Mickey & Minnie (aka Magical Quest 2)
This trilogy's difficulty is all over the place just like DKC. The first game was moderately challenging, this one is a joke, and 3 is tough as nails. But this is the one I owned as a kid, so it's the one I love.
This trilogy's difficulty is all over the place just like DKC. The first game was moderately challenging, this one is a joke, and 3 is tough as nails. But this is the one I owned as a kid, so it's the one I love.
Dad, come home. You’re drunk.
November 29, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Dad, come home. You’re drunk.
23 of 35: Earthbound
What a game. I still have my original copy that I got back in 1995. Despite it being worth a few hundred dollars now I don’t think I could ever part with it. It would be like losing a small piece of my childhood. ❤️
What a game. I still have my original copy that I got back in 1995. Despite it being worth a few hundred dollars now I don’t think I could ever part with it. It would be like losing a small piece of my childhood. ❤️
November 29, 2025 at 11:42 AM
23 of 35: Earthbound
What a game. I still have my original copy that I got back in 1995. Despite it being worth a few hundred dollars now I don’t think I could ever part with it. It would be like losing a small piece of my childhood. ❤️
What a game. I still have my original copy that I got back in 1995. Despite it being worth a few hundred dollars now I don’t think I could ever part with it. It would be like losing a small piece of my childhood. ❤️
22a of 35: Final Fantasy VI World’s Collide Randomizer
This rando basically turns the WHOLE game into a big ass treasure hunt. I played on fairly easy settings, with characters and espers shuffled in their own pool, while items were randomized amongst themselves.
The all female cast didn’t hurt.😂
This rando basically turns the WHOLE game into a big ass treasure hunt. I played on fairly easy settings, with characters and espers shuffled in their own pool, while items were randomized amongst themselves.
The all female cast didn’t hurt.😂
November 25, 2025 at 11:16 PM
22a of 35: Final Fantasy VI World’s Collide Randomizer
This rando basically turns the WHOLE game into a big ass treasure hunt. I played on fairly easy settings, with characters and espers shuffled in their own pool, while items were randomized amongst themselves.
The all female cast didn’t hurt.😂
This rando basically turns the WHOLE game into a big ass treasure hunt. I played on fairly easy settings, with characters and espers shuffled in their own pool, while items were randomized amongst themselves.
The all female cast didn’t hurt.😂
22 of 35: Final Fantasy VI
It’s so wild how different the first and second halves of this classic feel. The World of Balance is mostly linear storylines, then the World of Ruin is an open world treasure hunt.
Also, this final battle could not have been any closer. 🥵
It’s so wild how different the first and second halves of this classic feel. The World of Balance is mostly linear storylines, then the World of Ruin is an open world treasure hunt.
Also, this final battle could not have been any closer. 🥵
November 24, 2025 at 11:06 PM
22 of 35: Final Fantasy VI
It’s so wild how different the first and second halves of this classic feel. The World of Balance is mostly linear storylines, then the World of Ruin is an open world treasure hunt.
Also, this final battle could not have been any closer. 🥵
It’s so wild how different the first and second halves of this classic feel. The World of Balance is mostly linear storylines, then the World of Ruin is an open world treasure hunt.
Also, this final battle could not have been any closer. 🥵
21 of 35: Actraiser
I didn't intend to play this in one big sitting, but man, what a really cool game. I dug the almost puzzle aspect to the sim side of things, and while the action scenes didn't do much for me I still really like Enix's "simple" take on combat. Guess I'm 30+ late to the party!😅
I didn't intend to play this in one big sitting, but man, what a really cool game. I dug the almost puzzle aspect to the sim side of things, and while the action scenes didn't do much for me I still really like Enix's "simple" take on combat. Guess I'm 30+ late to the party!😅
November 23, 2025 at 9:06 PM
21 of 35: Actraiser
I didn't intend to play this in one big sitting, but man, what a really cool game. I dug the almost puzzle aspect to the sim side of things, and while the action scenes didn't do much for me I still really like Enix's "simple" take on combat. Guess I'm 30+ late to the party!😅
I didn't intend to play this in one big sitting, but man, what a really cool game. I dug the almost puzzle aspect to the sim side of things, and while the action scenes didn't do much for me I still really like Enix's "simple" take on combat. Guess I'm 30+ late to the party!😅
20 of 35: Donkey Kong Country 2
I can't believe how this trilogy's difficulty oscillates. The first game is fine, this one is borderline brutal (especially going for 100%), and the third is easier than 1!
I can't believe how this trilogy's difficulty oscillates. The first game is fine, this one is borderline brutal (especially going for 100%), and the third is easier than 1!
November 23, 2025 at 5:31 PM
20 of 35: Donkey Kong Country 2
I can't believe how this trilogy's difficulty oscillates. The first game is fine, this one is borderline brutal (especially going for 100%), and the third is easier than 1!
I can't believe how this trilogy's difficulty oscillates. The first game is fine, this one is borderline brutal (especially going for 100%), and the third is easier than 1!
19 of 35: Kirby Super Star
RetroAchievements sure breathe some new life into these old classics, but playing through Milky Way Wishes without collecting any of the super abilities just feels wrong.
RetroAchievements sure breathe some new life into these old classics, but playing through Milky Way Wishes without collecting any of the super abilities just feels wrong.
November 23, 2025 at 3:55 PM
19 of 35: Kirby Super Star
RetroAchievements sure breathe some new life into these old classics, but playing through Milky Way Wishes without collecting any of the super abilities just feels wrong.
RetroAchievements sure breathe some new life into these old classics, but playing through Milky Way Wishes without collecting any of the super abilities just feels wrong.
18 of 35: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Another big one down! It’s been so damn long since I’ve played through vanilla that I actually had to look up where to get the silver arrows. 😅 Damn you, randomizer!
Another big one down! It’s been so damn long since I’ve played through vanilla that I actually had to look up where to get the silver arrows. 😅 Damn you, randomizer!
November 23, 2025 at 2:23 PM
18 of 35: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Another big one down! It’s been so damn long since I’ve played through vanilla that I actually had to look up where to get the silver arrows. 😅 Damn you, randomizer!
Another big one down! It’s been so damn long since I’ve played through vanilla that I actually had to look up where to get the silver arrows. 😅 Damn you, randomizer!
17 of 35: Super Mario RPG
This is either the third or fourth time I've played through some version of this game in the last year. Still fantastic.
Also, possibly my favorite credits sequence on the system.
This is either the third or fourth time I've played through some version of this game in the last year. Still fantastic.
Also, possibly my favorite credits sequence on the system.
November 21, 2025 at 11:21 PM
17 of 35: Super Mario RPG
This is either the third or fourth time I've played through some version of this game in the last year. Still fantastic.
Also, possibly my favorite credits sequence on the system.
This is either the third or fourth time I've played through some version of this game in the last year. Still fantastic.
Also, possibly my favorite credits sequence on the system.
A couple that I liked less than expected and one I liked way more that I thought I would going in.
#LetterboxdFriday
#LastFourWatched
#LetterboxdFriday
#LastFourWatched
November 21, 2025 at 4:14 PM
A couple that I liked less than expected and one I liked way more that I thought I would going in.
#LetterboxdFriday
#LastFourWatched
#LetterboxdFriday
#LastFourWatched
15 of 35: Mega Man X2
Just a little tip for you RetroAchievement hunters out there: if you decide to go for the ridiculous “no upgrades, no heart tanks, etc, etc” run you best keep a close eye on that little icon that shows you’re still on track for it. Somewhere along the way it vanished for me…
Just a little tip for you RetroAchievement hunters out there: if you decide to go for the ridiculous “no upgrades, no heart tanks, etc, etc” run you best keep a close eye on that little icon that shows you’re still on track for it. Somewhere along the way it vanished for me…
November 20, 2025 at 12:16 PM
15 of 35: Mega Man X2
Just a little tip for you RetroAchievement hunters out there: if you decide to go for the ridiculous “no upgrades, no heart tanks, etc, etc” run you best keep a close eye on that little icon that shows you’re still on track for it. Somewhere along the way it vanished for me…
Just a little tip for you RetroAchievement hunters out there: if you decide to go for the ridiculous “no upgrades, no heart tanks, etc, etc” run you best keep a close eye on that little icon that shows you’re still on track for it. Somewhere along the way it vanished for me…
14 of 15: Magical Quest starring Mickey Mouse
I could’t not put potentially the first SNES game I played on this list! It’s also very likely the catalyst for my love of “costumes that grant powers” trope.
I could’t not put potentially the first SNES game I played on this list! It’s also very likely the catalyst for my love of “costumes that grant powers” trope.
November 20, 2025 at 11:41 AM
14 of 15: Magical Quest starring Mickey Mouse
I could’t not put potentially the first SNES game I played on this list! It’s also very likely the catalyst for my love of “costumes that grant powers” trope.
I could’t not put potentially the first SNES game I played on this list! It’s also very likely the catalyst for my love of “costumes that grant powers” trope.
13 of 35: Donkey Kong Country
I think at different points I have had all three of the DKC games on this list, but it seemed prudent to include my SNES’ pack-in game. Definitely don’t remember it being just over an hour long though. 🤨
I think at different points I have had all three of the DKC games on this list, but it seemed prudent to include my SNES’ pack-in game. Definitely don’t remember it being just over an hour long though. 🤨
November 18, 2025 at 11:21 PM
13 of 35: Donkey Kong Country
I think at different points I have had all three of the DKC games on this list, but it seemed prudent to include my SNES’ pack-in game. Definitely don’t remember it being just over an hour long though. 🤨
I think at different points I have had all three of the DKC games on this list, but it seemed prudent to include my SNES’ pack-in game. Definitely don’t remember it being just over an hour long though. 🤨
12 of 35: Mega Man X
RetroAchievements and rewind make for some fun playthroughs. This run I used only the Buster, didn't get the Armor Upgrade, and without dying.
RetroAchievements and rewind make for some fun playthroughs. This run I used only the Buster, didn't get the Armor Upgrade, and without dying.
November 17, 2025 at 10:56 PM
12 of 35: Mega Man X
RetroAchievements and rewind make for some fun playthroughs. This run I used only the Buster, didn't get the Armor Upgrade, and without dying.
RetroAchievements and rewind make for some fun playthroughs. This run I used only the Buster, didn't get the Armor Upgrade, and without dying.
Your last saved meme is your moral philosophy.
November 17, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Your last saved meme is your moral philosophy.
10 of 35: Goof Troop
It's really funny to see what could be construed as inspiration that Shinji Mikami would use in Resident Evil a few years later.
It's really funny to see what could be construed as inspiration that Shinji Mikami would use in Resident Evil a few years later.
November 16, 2025 at 2:43 PM
10 of 35: Goof Troop
It's really funny to see what could be construed as inspiration that Shinji Mikami would use in Resident Evil a few years later.
It's really funny to see what could be construed as inspiration that Shinji Mikami would use in Resident Evil a few years later.
9 of 35: Contra III
I tried to play this on Hard, but even with ample rewind I couldn't finish the third level. So, you know, a Contra game.
I tried to play this on Hard, but even with ample rewind I couldn't finish the third level. So, you know, a Contra game.
November 16, 2025 at 11:08 AM
9 of 35: Contra III
I tried to play this on Hard, but even with ample rewind I couldn't finish the third level. So, you know, a Contra game.
I tried to play this on Hard, but even with ample rewind I couldn't finish the third level. So, you know, a Contra game.
Does this look like the face of mercy?
November 15, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Does this look like the face of mercy?