Gaming's equivalent of the "Thrilla in Manilla" has finally gone down. The results have been posted and, just to get this out of the way up front, our hometown hero didn't pull through.
The long-awaited gaming bout between MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo and Soulja Boy Tell 'Em's Soulja Boy Tell 'Em jumped off with a flurry of damaging blows from Totilo as he rocked Soulja at Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2. The future rap hall of famer (provided someone who hates rap music creates a rap hall of fame) responded with his game choice, Gears of War 2. It proved to be the right choice, as he was able to even the score and force a third, final round. That game turned out to be one that neither player was familiar with, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. In what can only be described as a clumsy display of skill-less Street Fighting, Soulja Boy pulled out a victory at the end. A lucky win, to be sure, but a win nonetheless.
And, please, save the "if you can't throw a fireball, you shouldn't be writing about games" talk for some other time. We're all hurting here.
Here's the footage:
Heartbreak! And if you live in Canada or the UK, it's a double heartbreak, because this video probably won't play at all!
I'm not too certain what the exact stakes were, but if I'm reading this right, it means that everyone who writes about video games professionally is now forced to bow to Soulja Boy and treat him as our new god. Maybe this means we can get some of his terrific insight for Shawn Elliott's ongoing reviews symposium.