Checkpoint

Checkpoint takes a look at video games new and old, from some of the greatest games of all-time to the hottest new releases. The One-Uppers (Shaun El-Ters, Chris Etling and Lee van Kilsdonk) debate those and other topics in a roundtable discussion with multimedia and other shiny objects. Checkpoint updates once a week.

Recent Posts

Checkpoint: Super Mario World

by The One-Uppers on February 23, 2010

In 1990, the NES was reaching the end of its lifespan. Resurrecting an industry was one thing, but the public wanted to know what Nintendo had up its sleeve next. The answer: A brand-new system bundled with a revolutionary platformer that featured a familiar plumber. While we wait for Super Mario Galaxy 2, Checkpoint takes a look back at Mario’s journey into Dinosaur Land, and the One-Uppers bicker about the importance of Yoshi’s first adventure.

One Giant Leap

Chris: Super Mario World was the natural progression we…

Checkpoint: Link to the Past

by The One-Uppers on February 16, 2010

Back in 1992, Nintendo brought one of its flagship franchises into the 16-bit era by releasing The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, which some would call the best game in the series. Checkpoint takes a look back at the adventure of a boy who just wanted to stay in bed before some girl started talking to him, and the One-Uppers debate whether LttP is better than Ocarina of Time.

A Connection to What Once Was

Chris: For me, this was the first Zelda game…

Checkpoint: Starfox 64

by The One-Uppers on February 8, 2010

The Nintendo 64 was the console of dichotomy. There was a huge, gaping divide between the haves (say, Ocarina of Time) and the have-nots (say, Superman 64). One game most industry fans would put in the “have” column is Starfox 64, the simple tale of an animal and his animal crew taking on other animals in space. Checkpoint takes a look back at the furry galactic drama, and the One-Uppers discuss what made such a simple concept work so damn well.

Going off the Rails

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Checkpoint: GTA San Andreas

by The One-Uppers on February 1, 2010

Since the exploits are much harder to pull off in real life, the Grand Theft Auto series has always held a special place in our hearts. After all, it’s pretty difficult to kill drug dealers, hijack cars and bunny hop 100 feet on a bike without some severe consequences (of varying scale). Checkpoint takes a look back at their favorite GTA game in the series, and the One-Uppers debate why CJ was the best protagonist in town.

Pedaling the Peddlers

Lee: Grand Theft Auto: San…

Checkpoint: Pokemon

by The One-Uppers on January 25, 2010

Call it a fad, a ruse or a hoax. Call it a shallow game for kids. But you’ll also have to call Pokemon the highest-selling portable franchise in gaming history. With DS remakes of Gold and Silver on the horizon in two months, Checkpoint takes a look back at the Pokemon series through that point, encompassing Red/Blue/Yellow and Gold/Silver/Crystal, and the One-Uppers (with the return of Jason Hagerty and an appearance by LJ general manager Gary Sundt) debate the importance of catching ‘em all.
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Checkpoint: Chrono Trigger

by The One-Uppers on January 18, 2010


In 1995, Square released the best birthday present Chris could ever ask for: Chrono Trigger. The SNES title would later set records for sales in Japan and make a gigantic impact in the worldwide market, setting the standard for RPGs to come after it. Checkpoint looks back at what many call the greatest RPG of all-time, and the One-Uppers break down what made Crono’s adventure so outstanding.

Silent Protest

Chris: It’s surprising to me that Crono is such an easy-to-like  character. He’s the classic silent protagonist, yet…

Checkpoint: Super Smash Bros.

by The One-Uppers on December 4, 2009


The One-Uppers have poured a lot of time into the Smash Bros. series over the years. Since the original game came out on the N64, it revolutionized the platforming fighting game (which the Ninja Turtles and “Tales of” series borrowed heavily in recent releases). Checkpoint takes a look back at the frenzied fighter with familiar mascots, and the One-Uppers decide which game was best — and then talk about it least.

Super Smash Bros.

Lee: “Happy Together” by The Turtles. That is what you would…

Checkpoint: Left 4 Dead

by The One-Uppers on November 19, 2009


With the recent release of Left 4 Dead 2, the One-Uppers have found their time split. Sure, reviewing some of the biggest titles in gaming history is important, but so is surviving the day of zombies. In between killing infected clowns and stealing stock cars, Checkpoint takes a look back at the original L4D to see what got this cooperative revolution started, and the One-Uppers debate whether Bill or Francis was more useless.

Apocalypse Now

Lee: We should talk about the concept. Left 4 Dead brought the…

Checkpoint: Mario 1/2/3

by The One-Uppers on November 17, 2009


The One-Uppers, lovers of good co-op games that they are, played a lot of New Super Mario Bros. for the Wii last night. As such, Checkpoint takes a look back at the inspiration for it all: the original Mario trilogy. Mario’s place in gaming history has been cemented (and re-cemented) for more than two decades already. The One-Uppers discuss the strongest elements from each game and what tugs at their nostalgic heart-strings the most.

Super Mario Bros.

Shaun: Mario was the first game I ever played, and…

Checkpoint: Rock Band

by The One-Uppers on November 5, 2009

Rock Band heads into a strange dimension with this week’s release of Lego Rock Band for a variety of systems. The blockheads from Checkpoint take a look back on the first two iterations of the game, as well as what the RB series has done better than Guitar Hero in the past three years. This time around, the One-Uppers mostly agree on everything, but one of them may be a casualty by next week. Read on, and don’t mourn the missing links — they’ll be back next…

Checkpoint: Kingdom Hearts

by Chris Etling on October 29, 2009

With the recent release of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days for the DS (which Shaun reviewed not too long ago), Checkpoint takes a look back at the Square/Disney mashup that came seemingly from nowhere. The idea of Cloud and Donald interacting didn’t make much sense at the time, but now, four titles later (with a fifth on the way), KH is entrenched as a major franchise in video games. The One-Uppers look back at the original and its sequel and decide which is…

Checkpoint: Ocarina of Time

by The One-Uppers on October 22, 2009

Many folks, including a number of media publications, have called The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time the GOAT — greatest of all-time. When it first came out in 1998, it redefined the series and got almost universal praise from fans and critics alike. Checkpoint takes a look back at the N64 best-seller, and the One-Uppers put OoT in its place in the Zelda pantheon.

Dawn of a New Era

Lee: Of the new games that were coming out for the N64, I anticipated Ocarina of Time…

Checkpoint: Halo

by The One-Uppers on October 15, 2009

The Halo series recently went back to its roots with the release of Halo 3: ODST (which Shaun reviewed a couple weeks ago). As such, Checkpoint takes a look back at the original trilogy, and the One-Uppers discuss the exact point where the series went downhill. And no, there’s no mention of Halo Wars. The usual link to music is at the end of the piece.

Halo: Combat Evolved

Shaun: Halo was probably the biggest reason I purchased an Xbox. I…

Checkpoint: Tales of Vesperia

by The One-Uppers on October 8, 2009

Tales of Vesperia came out a couple years ago for the Xbox 360, the 10th “mothership” (i.e., major) title game in Namco’s series. With a PS3 release in Japan last month and a feature-length movie just released on Oct. 5, Checkpoint takes on the JRPG with the lavish visuals and fast-paced battle system, and the One-Uppers (with special guest Jason Hagerty) debate the merits and demerits of Yuri Lowell’s grand adventure. We’ll warn you in advance: like every Checkpoint, there are some spoilers here.
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Checkpoint: Mario Kart

by The One-Uppers on September 30, 2009

The Mario Kart series has been around for nearly two decades now — 20 years of throwing red shells at opponents and running over question boxes. Checkpoint takes a look back at the influential racing series, and the One-Uppers try to decide which title is the game’s best. Hint: It has nothing to do with Mario Kart Arcade.

Super Mario Kart

Chris: The Mario Kart series started way back in 1992 with Super Mario Kart for the SNES, a game…

Checkpoint: Final Fantasy VI

by The One-Uppers on September 24, 2009

Final Fantasy VI. Some would call it the greatest game of all-time. Others get confused by the American numbering system and can’t remember if this is III or VI. Checkpoint takes a look back at the middle of Square’s glory days, and the One-Uppers discuss where VI belongs in the annals of history.


Character Building

Shaun: Probably the strongest case for a main character is Terra, but she is absent for more than half the game, so there is room for others to…

Checkpoint: Sonic the Hedgehog

by The One-Uppers on September 21, 2009

Sonic the Hedgehog got a shiny new HD trailer recently, teasing a return to the series’ 2D roots. So Checkpoint asks: what made the original trilogy of Sonic games so successful? Where has the series gone awry? And what does a new game need for Sonic to star in a good title for once? The One-Uppers discuss.


The Past

Lee: The first games succeeded because they brought a new twist to the side-scrolling game. They allowed for a faster, smoother platformer.…

About Checkpoint

by The One-Uppers on September 20, 2009

Once upon a time, three brave souls set forth on a journey to discover the truths about gaming. Or something. The end result was Checkpoint, a series dedicated to roundtable discussions, excellent VGM medleys and the occasional funny link. The band of three, undaunted by their new task, dubbed themselves the One-Uppers. Thinking they were clever and witty, they aspired to sort through the significant titles and series of the past 25 years. No, Barbie Petting Zoo won’t be one of them. Listen to their story.

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