Todd Hargosh, Testing Director

Todd's columns have appeared in many publications such as GamePro, Electronic Gaming Monthly, PC Gamer, and Electronic Games. Todd is a founding member of GiN and speaks from an "old school" gamer's perspective. Embracing the notions of all classic gaming, game soundtracks, and the original "hardcore style," he also shuns the trends he feels are ruining the game industry, such as the embracement of 3D, the over-saturation of MMOs, and misleading game advertising.

Recent Posts

Pre-E3 2002

The week before E3 should not start off like this. At first I expected to write a very convincing preview for next week’s big event, but wouldn’t you know it, I get home from a small trip out of town only to find out that my computer will not power on. Turns out that during a heavy storm the day before my power supply ended up being fried. And if that wasn’t enough, when I wanted to take out my tensions on a game of NHL 2002, I inserted the disc into my PS2, only to be greeted with a … Continue reading Pre-E3 2002

Virtua Fighter 4 Kicks the Competition

If there was any title that propelled me to purchase a Saturn as early as I did, it was the original Virtua Fighter. Upon seeing it, I was immediately enthralled by the smooth animated, yet blocky looking, action. Little did I realize that when I played it the combat system would be vast. However, there were certain individuals with no particular taste whatsoever, and ended up shunning it because of how it looked, or they complained about it being too hard. As far as they’re concerned, I can just tell them to get lost and go back to shallow titles … Continue reading Virtua Fighter 4 Kicks the Competition

Slow Down Partner

God how I hate these slow times. For the last few weeks there has been very little for me to try out. Most of my time has been spent continuing my High Heat season, as well as playing some old classics that I still have yet to finish. I even decided to go back to Madden and start a new season. But still, with only 2 1/2 weeks until E3, this drought is starting to kill me. In fact, this drought is even affecting my writing, as it is getting harder and harder for me to find new subjects to … Continue reading Slow Down Partner

High Heat 2003 Is Still MVP

Hey folks, it’s baseball season again. And means it’s time to look at the latest and greatest baseball simulations on both the PC and console platforms. Once again, I must ask the same question that I asked last year, when I reviewed High Heat 2002, and gave that game 5 Gems (actually 4 + on the PS2). Why is it that there are still a select few morons out there (yeah, I am talking to YOU, Game Informer) that still love to trash this series as opposed to weaker titles such as All Star Baseball? Deep down inside, I have … Continue reading High Heat 2003 Is Still MVP

Recovering From A Sega Bender

My name is Todd, and I am a recovering fanboy. Support Group: "Hi Todd!" Maybe I should be a bit more specific. I am a recovering Sega fanboy. After the events that have occurred over the past year and more, both bad (the backstabbing of the Dreamcast, NFL 2K2 being overshadowed for once by Madden, taking away the Dreamcast's swan song Shenmue 2) and good (Jet Grind Future on the Xbox, and VF's return to glory with VF4) I realized that it would be best for me to treat Sega like any other company that we receive products from for … Continue reading Recovering From A Sega Bender

Make Something Original!

(this means you Big N) General Hardcore to Nintendo: Make some original stuff ASAP! I find it hard to believe that after just one commentary, I am already receiving tons of feedback, both written and verbal. While most of the comments I have been receiving have been positive, I also have received a mess of hate mail regarding my stand against IGN. Admittedly they are mostly from fanboys who think that IGN is the best thing to come out in gaming since the Virtual Boy (and yes, that is what they have said). As far as I'm concerned with those … Continue reading Make Something Original!

Salute!

Hello, I’m Todd Hargosh, but you can call me The General. I’ll be writing about the hardcore side of gaming each week, opposite GiN Playmate Chella. So every other week you can check in and read my battle plans. You won’t always agree with what I have to say, unless of course you are a hardcore gamer too. But I will always shoot straight with you, and you know that when I say something, I mean it. So watch out toes, cause there is going to be some squishing going on. Ok, onward to the first Battle Plans. You know, … Continue reading Salute!

NFL 2K2 is Fun, Yet Lackluster

Sega Sports NFL 2K2 on the Xbox looks great, far better than when the series was on the Dreamcast. Unfortunately, the game can’t quite live up to the depth of play we have come to expect from their main competitor, Electronic Art’s Madden 2002. Before any new Sega fanboys cry out foul about me giving this game an average review, let it be known that I am writing this as an unbiased reviewer. I do admit that while I owned a Dreamcast, I was one of the biggest Sega fanboys on the planet, and like many of them, was heartbroken … Continue reading NFL 2K2 is Fun, Yet Lackluster

Final Fantasy X Gets It Together

I HATE FINAL FANTASY! I HATE FINAL FANTASY! I (expletive deleted) HATE FINAL FANTASY!!!!!!!! Ever since dealing with Sephiroth and his repeated 10-minute long Super Nova attacks, I swore off anything related to the Final Fantasy series. As if seeing commercial spots showing poorly animated FMV wasn’t enough, the crappy characters used in following episodes made me sick to my stomach. Do we really need another Leonardo Di-Crap-rio imposer, or another big headed freak that doesn’t do anything but point? Don’t even get me started on that Orko lookalike. I don’t care if his name is Vivi or whatever, to … Continue reading Final Fantasy X Gets It Together

PS2 Sportsboard for Experts Only

A controller is like a security blanket that you get to know and love; without it, I am helpless. Even when it comes to racing titles, I feel more comfortable with a Dual Shock in my hand than a steering wheel. There are some exceptions of course. I will always favor the use of a light gun over doing point-and-shoot on Time Crisis, and when it comes to my Dance Dance Revolution addiction, I absolutely refuse to play with a Dual Shock or my computer keyboard; only a floor mat will suffice. Still, new controls come out that attempt to … Continue reading PS2 Sportsboard for Experts Only