|
Double L: Hello everybody and welcome back to the World's Strongest NES Cart competition! It has been quite a competition so far, hasn't it Kaz?
Kaz: Most definitely Double L. Although Duck Hunt has a multiple-point lead, the rest of the carts are definitely within striking distance. Now, remember that I predicted Duck Hunt to fall off toward the end of the competition. I'm going to stand by that. I'd be very surprised if Duck Hunt does better than 3rd place in this event.
Double L: The first cart to head up to the platform is SMB/DH. He's in last place as of right now, and needs a good showing here.
Kaz: It's a little bit confusing, so allow me to explain the platform for this event. There is a square platform that is elevated about three feet. In the center of this platform is a hole that is just 1cm smaller than an NES cart on all sides. The cart lays over this hole and then a button is pressed, resulting in a boot thrusting upward through the hole. The NES cart is thrust into the air. The higher, the better.
Double L: Notice the attention SMB/DH is paying to his exact positioning. If he is perfectly centered, he'll go a bit higher.
Kaz: He's given the signal that he's ready.
Double L: And the boot is thrust! SMB/DH is going up, up...oh, that looks pretty good.
Kaz: Indeed. And SMB/DH came right back down on the platform. That means that he went straight up in the air.
Double L: The judges have declared the maximum height as 37 feet 2 inches.
Kaz: Not bad by any means. The record is 39 feet 1 inch.
Double L: One thing we ought to tell viewers is that this is an event of inches. 35 feet is a horrible punt, 38 a great one. There aren't too many variables here, so all the heights will be within about a yard of each other.
Kaz: Coming up now is SMB/DH/WCTM. He's listed this as his favorite event.
Double L: And he very well should. He's gone as high as 39 feet, just 1 inch off of the record.
Kaz: SMB/DH/WCTM believes that the key to getting those extra inches is aerodynamics. He sacrifices a bit of symmetry so that one end of him flies higher, creating a spiral motion that he thinks is beneficial.
Double L: Notice how he's slightly offset.
Kaz: He's given the signal and the boot is thrust.
Double L: He's into the spiraling motion...wow, I think he beat SMB/DH.
Kaz: Actually, he tied him!
Double L: This brings up an important point. If two carts tie for, say, first place, both of them gets 5 points. No cart will be awarded the 3 points that go with 2nd place, the next cart will be given the 3rd place points.
Kaz: That could change the whole complexion of the competition.
Double L: Up now is SMB. He's three points off of the lead as of right now.
Kaz: SMB has never really liked this event, despite a history of doing very well in it.
Double L: He looks a bit nervous up on the platform, doesn't he?
Kaz: Yes, he looks as though he can't find the right spot. But he's just given the signal - he must feel at least halfway comfortable.
Double L: The boot kicks SMB and he's in the air...well, I think he got pretty high up, but the form was horrible.
Kaz: Whatever the judges say, he could have gone a foot higher if the twirling and flipping had been minimized.
Double L: SMB went 37 feet 5 inches! He's jumped into first place!
Kaz: Wow, wow, wow.
Double L: And now up comes Duck Hunt. Kaz, you said he would fall off. And the stage is definitely set - the first three carts have had good performances in this event.
Kaz: I'm interested to see if my conjecture proves true.
Double L: Duck Hunt is wasting no time - he's found his position. Duck Hunt gives the signal, the countdown begins...and the boot is thrust!
Kaz: He's going end over end...
Double L: Oh, and he lands on the ground five feet to the left of the platform. Clearly the boot did not hit the center of the cart.
Kaz: Typical rookie mistake. He should have taken his time. He didn't fall off because of a physical error, he fell off because of a mental error.
Double L: The maximum height is 36 feet and 3 inches.
Kaz: That has to hurt.
Double L: Well, the standings sure got shaken up. SMB finished first, SMB/DH and SMB/DH/WCTM tied for second, and DH finished last in this event. Let's look at the standings through four events:
SMB - 1st place, 12 points
DH - 2nd place, 10 points
SMB/DH/WCTM - 3rd place, 9 points
SMB/DH - 4th place, 7 points
Double L: For Kaz, this is Double L. We'll see you in two weeks for the final event of WSNC.
|
|
