Issue 104
August 2013
The Swedish light heavyweight explains why he loves Kratos from God of War and why he’s never played UFC Undisputed
What was the first game console you ever had?
“I think it was the Super Nintendo. I had quite a few if I’m honest and I don’t remember all the names, but the Super Nintendo was one of the first I ever had.”
That’s a pretty good choice for a first console. What games did you play on it?
“I can barely remember what games I played on the Super Nintendo as it was so long ago, but I vividly remember playing video games on the N64. I played Zelda, GoldenEye and Megaman on the N64, all the classic video games. I used to be a Nintendo guy, but now I just play on my PS3.”
Really? What’s wrong with the Xbox?
“I have an Xbox too, but I’m just not a fan of it. I’m more of a fan of the Playstation’s smaller controller. I like playing Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 against other people online too, the multiplayer gameplay is a bit better I think. I’m a huge fan of Black Ops 2.”
Have you played any of the UFC Undisputed games?
“I actually haven’t played any of the UFC games yet. I don’t think I’m in any of them and I really want to play as myself. Hopefully, for the next one I’ll be in it. I need to put it in my next contract that I’m in the game. It’s probably why I haven’t played it yet (laughs).”
When you play online have any fans realized that they’re playing video games with a top UFC light heavyweight?
“I don’t think they have. And if they have they haven’t mentioned it when we’re playing (laughs).”
You mentioned that you’re really into Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. Are you only into shooters or do you try other stuff too?
“I’m pretty versatile when it comes to gaming. I’ve played all the God of War games. Kratos is an awesome character and the games are fantastic in general. I’m a fan of the whole story line.”
QUICKFIRE
Night or day gaming? Day
Sonic or Mario? Mario
Sega or Nintendo? Nintendo
Three games on a desert island? “Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, God of War and Resident Evil 4.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE
Video Game History of MMA: Geek Chic
Capcom: developer and publisher of the world-beating Street Fighter franchise, sideline in predicting the future of combat sports culture. When the famed Japanese video game company placed comic relief fanboy character Norimaro in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter in the late ‘90s it likely had no idea it was foretelling the plight of today’s superstar mixed martial artists.
The unlockable nerdy-looking autograph pest only appeared in the arcade (1997) and Sega Saturn (1998) versions of the game in Japan, and was created by Noritake Kinashi, a Japanese comedian. And as you might expect of a product of the Japanese sense of humor, he’s bizarre.
He’s also an eerily accurate prediction of modern MMA groupies. Kitted out with a camera bag, the Street Fighter lore says he’s attended the game’s tournament to take pictures of high-kicking heroine Chun-Li – which unfortunately sounds like some of the creepy attention MMA’s female fighters unintentionally attract. The bespectacled Norimaro’s fighting skills are poor though perplexingly powerful (using passive aggressive attacks like throwing stuffed animals at fellow fighters is a damaging combo, for instance), while the player pausing the game mid battle means Norimaro takes the opportunity to ask his opponent for an autograph.Requesting a fighter’s ol’ John Hancock at an inappropriate time? No, that doesn’t sound like something an MMA fan boy would do in the slightest.
But what really takes the sweaty handshake and fist pose is, at the end of the game, it turns out Norimaro’s nabbed a pair of Chun-Li’s underwear. There’s that Japanese humor for you – and something we really hope isn’t an interest of MMA obsessives.
Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter was Norimaro’s only video game appearance, but his heritage continues, however, in the hearts, minds and basement MMA shrines of our sport’s creepiest geeks.
LAUZON'S BEST BITS
Geek and UFC 155lb contender Joe Lauzon shares morsels from his life in video games
Lauzon on Minecraft
“I started playing Minecraft, which is an absolute time-suck. It’s basically Legos but it’s a lot of fun. That game is ridiculously awesome. There’s no real objective, you can do anything you want, you just play around. You can sit down and five hours will pass, and you’re like, ‘Where did the time go?’”
SEPARATED AT BIRTH
Dan Severn ¦ Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid
They’re both old, both fought on long into their golden years and both have sublime mustaches: UFC Hall of Famer and wrestler Dan Severn is a dead ringer for Metal Gear Solid protagonist Solid Snake. It’s primarily apparent in the older iteration of Snake, who appears in the 2008 Guns of the Patriots installment of the series. While Snake uses firearms as his primary combat tools instead of near-Olympic-caliber wrestling, he has a deadly sleeper hold. And he’s no stranger to fisticuffs: he’s appeared in beat ‘em up titles DreamMix TV World Fighters for the Nintendo GameCube and Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Nintendo Wii.
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