Battling a super-asian at E3
It's well known in the video game world that asian kids have a natural advantage. Why, no one knows, but it's clearly obvious.
So I'm at E3, and among all the crazy new games to play, there are two "old school" arcade machines that are free.
One of the machines is Street Fighter Alpha 3, and on it, is an asian kid. Not only is he playing, he's winning, with a line of 6 or 7 guys waiting to try and beat him.
I glance at the top of the screen, the asian kid has defeated 12 people already, in a row.
I look at the guys in the line, they are all white, 2 asian, so I get behind them.
I watch the asian kid dominate without any facial expression. His opponent sweats, trying in vain to land a hit, and fails every time.
4 white guys get beat, each of them sigh heavily, and walk off with shoulders slumped.
Then the two asian opponents give their best. They are clearly better than the white guys, but none of them can win a single round.
They both get beaten mercilessly, as the asian kid makes it up to 18 wins in a row.
It's my turn. By now a crowd has gathered around the machine, watching in awe at this kid's insane skill.
I select Akuma. He selects Guy (again).
I had watched the asian kid's moves intently throughout his previous matches, and had several plans of attack. I wanted with all my heart to crush this kid, and send him home. This is AMERICA DAMMIT, and a WHITE guy will reign supreme here.
The match began, I tightened my grip on the joystick.
With lightning speed, he began jumping around, and dashing in with kicks. I dodged, spinning around and nailing him across the stage.
I heard someone gasp.
The asian kid dashed forward again, with repeated special moves. I got hit a few times, then countered.
The first match was neck and neck, until I saw a solid opening.
This was my chance! I quickly put together the difficult combo, and it worked. Akuma glided across the screen, grabbed Guy, turning the screen white. A hundred blows occured, and the screen came back to normal, with Guy lying dead on the floor.
The crowd cheered, as round 1 was mine. My heart burned in my chest, sweat beaded on my forehead. Someone mistakenly yelled "OH THAT CHINK IS FUCKIN DEAD!"
It was then that I looked over at the asian kid, his hair covering his face, all except his mouth... which curled into the creepiest grimace I think I'll ever see.
"Round 2! Fight!" The asian's cell phone rings, and he answers with one hand, yelling japanese into it.
I fought like crazy, countering and dodging, he was harder this time but.... wait a minute... how is he fighting me and holding the phone at the same time...
No joke, he was fighting me with one hand. I glanced down at his hand, which flicked and twitched endless combos. In that split second I left my guard open, and he unloaded on me, ending me.
The crowd went silent. By now the asian had built up to level 3, and I had nothing. The third and final round was a decent battle, until he dumped a super move on me, and there was nothing I could do.
Akuma lay on the floor lifeless, my head sank, my arms shaking.
Then, the oddest thing happened. The asian stook out his hand, I shook it.
A tiny smile came to his face.
So I'm at E3, and among all the crazy new games to play, there are two "old school" arcade machines that are free.
One of the machines is Street Fighter Alpha 3, and on it, is an asian kid. Not only is he playing, he's winning, with a line of 6 or 7 guys waiting to try and beat him.
I glance at the top of the screen, the asian kid has defeated 12 people already, in a row.
I look at the guys in the line, they are all white, 2 asian, so I get behind them.
I watch the asian kid dominate without any facial expression. His opponent sweats, trying in vain to land a hit, and fails every time.
4 white guys get beat, each of them sigh heavily, and walk off with shoulders slumped.
Then the two asian opponents give their best. They are clearly better than the white guys, but none of them can win a single round.
They both get beaten mercilessly, as the asian kid makes it up to 18 wins in a row.
It's my turn. By now a crowd has gathered around the machine, watching in awe at this kid's insane skill.
I select Akuma. He selects Guy (again).
I had watched the asian kid's moves intently throughout his previous matches, and had several plans of attack. I wanted with all my heart to crush this kid, and send him home. This is AMERICA DAMMIT, and a WHITE guy will reign supreme here.
The match began, I tightened my grip on the joystick.
With lightning speed, he began jumping around, and dashing in with kicks. I dodged, spinning around and nailing him across the stage.
I heard someone gasp.
The asian kid dashed forward again, with repeated special moves. I got hit a few times, then countered.
The first match was neck and neck, until I saw a solid opening.
This was my chance! I quickly put together the difficult combo, and it worked. Akuma glided across the screen, grabbed Guy, turning the screen white. A hundred blows occured, and the screen came back to normal, with Guy lying dead on the floor.
The crowd cheered, as round 1 was mine. My heart burned in my chest, sweat beaded on my forehead. Someone mistakenly yelled "OH THAT CHINK IS FUCKIN DEAD!"
It was then that I looked over at the asian kid, his hair covering his face, all except his mouth... which curled into the creepiest grimace I think I'll ever see.
"Round 2! Fight!" The asian's cell phone rings, and he answers with one hand, yelling japanese into it.
I fought like crazy, countering and dodging, he was harder this time but.... wait a minute... how is he fighting me and holding the phone at the same time...
No joke, he was fighting me with one hand. I glanced down at his hand, which flicked and twitched endless combos. In that split second I left my guard open, and he unloaded on me, ending me.
The crowd went silent. By now the asian had built up to level 3, and I had nothing. The third and final round was a decent battle, until he dumped a super move on me, and there was nothing I could do.
Akuma lay on the floor lifeless, my head sank, my arms shaking.
Then, the oddest thing happened. The asian stook out his hand, I shook it.
A tiny smile came to his face.