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Destructoid - Darren Nakamura's Community Blog




About Me
I'm a recent Master's graduate from Caltech with a degree in Chemistry. I'm currently living in Pasadena, CA, with a degree I don't want to use, trying to break into the game industry. I've been reading Destructoid since June of 2006. I'm a huge Nintendo fanboy, though I spend most of my gaming time on the 360 these days. I've got far too many posts on the forum.

I play all types of games except realistic sports games and real-time strategy games. The former because I think they're boring and the latter because I utterly suck at them.

I've got an Examiner page. That place pays based on hits, comments, and subscriptions, so if you like my stuff, go check that out. If you don't like my stuff, go tell me how awful I am over there!

Games I'm currently playing:
Burnout Paradise (360)
Left 4 Dead 2 (360)
Lego Rock Band (360)
Mass Effect (360)
Modern Warfare 2 (360)
ModNation Racers (PS3)
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)
Valkyria Chronicles (PS3)

Games that are on the back burner:
BioShock (360, need to go back and get the Achievements I missed)
Crush (PSP, I never really think to play my PSP)
Culdcept SAGA (360, the battles just take way too long)
Grand Theft Auto IV (360, it just didn't draw me in like the old games)
Mario Kart Wii (Wii, I just never feel like playing its single player)
Rock Band 2 (360, Just missing one Achievement: Endless Setlist without pausing or failing)
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii, need to complete with Luigi)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii, same issue as with Mario Kart)

Games I haven't even touched yet:
Crackdown (360)
de Blob (Wii)
God of War (PS2)
MadWorld (Wii)
Metal Gear Solid 1-3 (PS1, PS2)
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath (Xbox)
Okami (PS2)
Persona 3: FES (PS2)
Project Gotham Racing 4 (360)
Quantum of Solace (360)
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (Wii)

Games I have finished 100% during this console generation:
1 vs. 100 (XBLA)
Aegis Wing (XBLA)
Banjo-Kazooie (XBLA)
Bionic Commando: Rearmed (XBLA)
Bomberman Live (XBLA)
Borderlands (360)
Call of Duty 2 (360)
Call of Duty 4 (360)
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (XBLA)
Halo 3 (360)
Fable II: Pub Games (XBLA)
Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes (DS)
Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom (XBLA)
Modern Warfare 2 (360)
NEVES (DS)
Omega Five (XBLA)
Pac-Man C.E. (XBLA)
Peggle (XBLA)
Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 1 (XBLA)
Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 2 (XBLA)
Picross DS (DS)
Picross 3D (DS)
Professor Layton & the Curious Village (DS)
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (PS3)
Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty (PSN)
Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition (XBLA)
Shadow Complex (XBLA)
skate. (360)
Uno (XBLA)
Worms (XBLA)

Promoted Blogs:
The start of the affair: Earthbound
True stories from Destructoid's E3 Intern Bitch 2008
The FEAR: The Red Ring of Death
Untapped potential: motion control
Checking out Halo 3: ODST through the ODST tour
Improving game communities: gaming together
The wrong thing: the procrastinating protagonist
What will be the last game you ever play?
Teh Bias: The Evolution of Dexter's Bias
Gamer Profile
3DS friend code:
Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/profil
Battle:
PSN: Dexter345
Mii: 1257 7687 3747 6405
Gamertag: Dexter345
Following (80)
A New Challenger
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bleep
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Bob Muir
Brian Szabelski
CaffeinePowered
CblogRecaps
ceark
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Copyright 2008 Agent Chieftain
Cowzilla3
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teknomcr
The GHost
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Virtualgirl
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Zero Atma
ZeroCoolPodcast
ZeroTolo
PAX pix, chronicling my trip
Darren Nakamura | 12:49 AM on 09.03.2008 35 comments



Aerox and my girlfriend Lib at LAX. Only a few hours until Seattle!


It's the Fruit Effer!


On the show floor, they had Dead Space. I didn't play it, nor Fallout 3, nor Left 4 Dead. Oh well.



A group of us went to Cheesecake Factory. We ate delicious food, and then when we were getting ready to leave, Niero paid for everybody. It was incredible.


One of my favorite things about PAX are the handheld lounges. It's so nice to just kick back and play some DS





The Freezepop concert was great. It also caused one of my near-tears moments. For some reason when I'm surrounded by nerds doing something beautiful, I get all misty. That moment is below.





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I know it's been done before, but you really have to see it in person.



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Necros is a goofy emmer effer



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And then Freezepop ended the concert with their rendition of "The Final Countdown." The energy in the room was crazy.




After the concert, we all went out drinking, and then when the bar closed down at two we tried to go back to the convention center to play Rock Band. Even though there was an hour left before closing, we couldn't get a game in, so we just stood outside the convention center and hung out for another hour. Blehman somehow scored a media badge.


LostCrichton makes the best Destructoid mascot in short shorts.



Tactix, Asian Joe, power-glove, and DJDuffy (I think) rocking out on the Rock Band free play stage.


Destructoid took over this bar just about every night we were there. Here Dan Paladin whispers Castle Crashers cheat codes into FooLiz's ear.


Chad <3 Knives. Me too.


Phist with some questionable stains on his shirt.


king3vbo humors me and pretends to be surprised by my candid photography.





That last picture is priceless.


Me on the left, keener in the middle (one of my oldest friends from Destructoid who I just recently met), and Macca on the right (my new favorite person from New Zealand).



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After the bar, we went up to one of the hotel rooms. Hitogoroshi is incredibly ticklish, and he laughs like I do. Fortunately, I'm not ticklish.


The next day, my girlfriend Lib and I went up to the Space Needle. Here's her looking cute up on top.


Obligatory photo with the robot!


This was outside the bar on Sunday night. Niero brought champagne for those of us left, and above we took an IRC picture.


On Monday, our numbers were dwindling. This was taken just before Lib and I headed to the airport. A few of us were at Gameworks, and then they went to the Cheesecake Factory for one more dinner.

Those are pretty much all of the photos I have, but I just want to give shoutouts to everybody who made my PAX weekend extra special.

Aerox: Thanks for setting up the dinner at FareStart. I am sure I'll see you real soon.
Knives: You are one of the most jovial people I know. We'll have some parties here in L.A. on a Saturday so you can come up again.
keener: I'm so glad to have finally met you. You're one of the coolest people around. We have to hang out again soon.
Tactix: It's really great to meet up with somebody who loves Rock Band as much as I do. Can't wait to hang out again.
GHost: You are SO COOL in person. Good luck with your endeavors in Africa, and thanks again for my Dtoid card.
naia/Zero: You two are adorable. Double date table > all others.
Samit: I'm really jealous that you correcting people's grammar is endearing. You were great to talk to. Maybe consider Caltech for grad school?
Necros: HEY! I'm glad you didn't fail on the Rock Band 2 stage. That would have been embarassing.
Dale: You're hilarious as always. I never realized you were so old though! It's gotta be the happa genes.
Liz: Your being here in America is amazing. You and Glen had better get married so you can stay here forever.
Colette: You always seem so happy to see me. I hope you two are doing all right in the storms.
Chad: One of the best moments of the weekend was when you broke into song at the panel. If you made a podcast of you singing Disney songs, I'd subscribe.
Niero: Your generosity is unparalleled. I can't thank you enough for everything you've put together. Without you, the weekend would not have been nearly as huge as it was.
Lib: You get the most thanks of all. I'm so happy to have a girlfriend who not only tolerates my ridiculous hobby, but embraces it and will come with me on a 1500 mile trip just to hang out with people who I met on the Internet. I'm so lucky to have you.

Everybody else: I wanted to say this at one of the nights at the bar, but I didn't want to sound like a drunk asshole. I love you people. I don't say that lightly, but I love you like I love my college roommates, and like I love the brothers I never had. I couldn't ask for a better community to be a part of.



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33 comments | showing # 1 to 33
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nintendoll's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 02:54
nintendoll
Liz may have cried a bit at Gameworks Monday, but I cried on the plane like crazy. I'm such a girl. ;_;
Toneman's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 03:18
Toneman
I came when I met everyone, and cried when I left everyone.
Knivy's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 03:20
Knivy
I'll probably see you soon Dex, and I shall bring my RB dlc filled 360 hdd with me :)

@Nintendoll

It's ok <3, I'm a tshirt :)
Qalamari's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 03:30
Qalamari
Great pictures and video, Dex!

I really wish I'd been able to hang out with the Dtoid army more than I did... I've said it before but I totally miscalculated how much time I'd end up spending with my friends who made the trip with me. At least I got to shake your hand briefly... and if you and Lib still want those Pokemon, just send me a PM.
Tristero's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 03:53
Tristero
Great post. Almost made me feel like I was there. :(

Looks like a blast!
Samit Sarkar's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 04:11
Samit Sarkar
Phist with some questionable stains on his shirt.

I burst out into laughter at that one.

Also, "Ow, my boob...oh god, my boob," from Liz was absolutely priceless in the tickling video. The next time I see Hito, he's getting a tickle or two from me...

Dex, I don't know if I'd use the word "endearing", but I'm certainly glad that some people don't seem to mind the things I do (where others would totally call me a dick, etc.) Hah, Caltech? I'll be lucky to get into grad school to begin with. We'll see, though. Either way, I hope to make it out to LA sometime soon. It was great to meet you and Lib, and I'm glad I got to say a proper goodbye on Monday morning!
CrocBox's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 04:19
CrocBox
I love you too man, I love your pictures. Finally someone posted one of the IRC pics! :P

I had my little break down round an hour ago while I did my PAX post... I was making this squinty Hiro-like face to prevent myself from crying hardcore.
Dudemullet's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 04:42
Dudemullet
FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK again.
amazing pics dex. Extremely jealous on that IRC picture.
Oh well by next years pax I'll be done with college, heres to seeing you all on boston or wherever they move pax to.
naia-the-gamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 06:20
naia-the-gamer
I'm bummed we had to leave early. On the other hand I'm up at 4:30am taking another flight, so I needed the recovery time.

And jeez you guys are schmoopy! Are we going to need to do a group hug at the next party?
Cowzilla3's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 06:52
Cowzilla3
Oh man, I'm sorry I missed it all even more now, especially you soft touch Dexter. Those cold nights when you held me at E3 are long gone and i'm lonely. I know, I know. We said we wouldn't talk about it but I can't not think about it.
Wexx's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 07:06
Wexx
Necros is one goofy ass motha fucka, UUGH WHY DIDNT I GOOOO :(
Next year... Next year...
GuitarAtomik's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 07:21
GuitarAtomik
What the hell am I doing in that one picture? Good to meet you buddy!!
blehman's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 07:27
blehman
Hahahah!! Nice pics dude. Can't wait to see y'all again. For cereal.
CountingConflict's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 08:10
CountingConflict
The IRC pic is pure win! Great to meet you Dex! Till next year good sir.
Hoygeit's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 08:44
Hoygeit
It was awesome to meet you!
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 08:46
king3vbo
That pic of Madninja and I made me laugh, then shed a tear
power-glove's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 09:02
power-glove
Awesome pics Dex, it was a pleasure meeting you.
Brian Szabelski's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 10:19
Brian Szabelski
Nice write-up, Dex. It was great meeting you and Lib, and I look forward to meeting both of you next year! :)
Maurice Tan's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 10:36
Maurice Tan
Muchos win!! Especially the vids :)
Hitogoroshi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 10:36
Hitogoroshi
Very very nice Dex.

....man I was really hoping that vid would not make it to the internet.
Hitogoroshi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 10:45
Hitogoroshi
also I only laugh like that while being tickled
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 11:01
Bob Muir
Hey, at least I managed to fail on Guitar Hero's drums! Also, you fucking rock man, concert-going was awesome.
LostCrichton's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 12:23
LostCrichton
I love you Dexter! I love you hard! Epic PAX weekend was EPIC!
ceark's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 12:44
ceark
yeah the sea of hand helds at the concert blew me away. it's a beautiful site in person, you managed to snap a good picture of it.

sad that's it's over. Atleast I'll be seein' you DTOID LAer's again.
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 13:53
Darren Nakamura
<3 all around!
keener's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 15:23
keener
<33333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333

FIIINNAALLLLYYYY got to meet... too WAY too long. and yeah we really do need to hang out soon. and hopefully you wont be so hard to track down then either! no such thing as too much dexter, as far as im concerned.

and yay @ lib too. it was great to meet her and she is as awesome as i would expect from anyone you would date.
KyleGamgee's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 17:24
KyleGamgee
Looking forward to PAX next year.

I know what you mean man. Love, Actually is all around.
Stella Wong's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/03/2008 21:43
Stella Wong
It was awesome to meet you! You are awesome! :3
The Incredible Edible Egg's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 10:21
The Incredible Edible Egg
Dear Dexter,

You are short.

Love
~AZN Joe
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 13:31
Darren Nakamura
Dear Asian Joe,
I finally know who you are on Destructoid, since everybody just calls you Asian Joe.

Also, Aiya = Stella Wong?
MatCD's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 21:21
MatCD
good times.
RalphsBFF's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/04/2008 23:39
RalphsBFF
I just realized you are smiling with your teeth out in our picture with Niero. You never smile with your teeth out for me. But then, we all know Niero is the greatest, and he deserves toothy smiles!

<3 <3 <3 to everyone!
Natali Alinskaya's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/23/2011 04:01
Natali Alinskaya
Hello friends,this is a nice site and I wanted to post a note to let you know, good job! Thanks
Best regards, Natali, CEO of top songs and
online music
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