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Showing posts from December, 2024

Is it time to feature more of Welsh culture in video games?

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England and Scotland have featured so heavily in new gaming releases in recent years You could argue that the unique culture of Wales is something that developers in these sectors should explore more in their games. Author - Sophie T  There is plenty of evidence that Welsh culture hasn’t been utilised in gaming. Could a stronger Welsh representation in the media play its part in improving the Welsh gaming scene? As we have seen, elements of UK culture have been featured heavily in video games. One of the most recent examples of this is Forza Horizon 4. The popular driving game explores fictional parts of Scotland and the Lake District. Could Wales feature in a future edition of the series? You can see how good it would look judging by the graphics in this fictionalised version of Scotland.    Tales from the Mabinogion With this upcoming release on Steam, you can wenture into the enchanted realms of Ancient Wales. As King Pryderi, navigate mystical forests, rugged ...

We ask our writers what they're doing for New Years Eve

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As the countdown to 2025 begins... People across the UK are gearing up to celebrate New Year’s Eve in their own unique ways.  For some, it’s a chance to let loose and party; for others, it’s about quiet reflection and meaningful connections. We will delve into the plans of five Super News Affiliate writers (Liam, Olivia, Amy, Sophie, and William). A night at the pub with friends Liam has opted for a classic British New Year’s Eve: a lively night at his local pub. They will be hosting a special themed event featuring live music and a countdown on the big screen. He added: “There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere of a proper pub on New Year’s Eve. The place will be packed with familiar faces, and it’s always great to share that midnight cheer with everyone.” A celebration in London Olivia is trying to forget Manchester United's poor run of form and is attending a black-tie gala at a luxury hotel in the heart of the city. The evening promises champagne receptions, a gourmet th...

Sporting stars recognised in New Years Honours

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A number of sporting stars from across the UK are being recognised in the New Year Honours list. One of the most notable announcements has been that former England manager Gareth Southgate has been knighted.  Author - Liam C The 54-year-old stepped down from his role in July after guiding England to the final of Euro 2024. It was England’s second consecutive European final under Southgate, though they were defeated by Spain. His eight-year tenure also included taking the team to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. Southgate becomes the fourth England manager to receive a knighthood, joining Sir Walter Winterbottom, Sir Alf Ramsey, and Sir Bobby Robson. Former Wales and British & Irish Lions winger Gerald Davies has also been awarded a knighthood. The 79-year-old, who served as president of the Welsh Rugby Union until 2023, has been recognised for his contributions to rugby as well as his voluntary and charitable work in Wales. Meanwhile, Olympic 800m champion and BBC...

A brief history of Peckham's finest

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But here's the one that's driving me berserk: Why do only fools and horses work? This article will explore the best episodes of Only Fools and Horses Author - Amy W To Hull and Back This legendary episode from 1985 sees Boycie and his business buddy convince Del Boy to visit The Netherlands to smuggle diamonds. It's also an episode where Uncle Albert gets on a boat and doesn't sink. My own opinion is that this is the best episode of the lot. There is a fantastic story behind the key comedic elements here. One review on IMDB said: "John Sullivan's script has the perfect mix of plot and character moments. I find it hard not to get caught up in their adventure as well as enjoy the humour." Heroes and Villains The Trotter brothers dress up as Batman and Robin to attend the fancy dress party of Harry Malcolm. However, people forgot to mention that Harry died the day before and the party is now a wake.  Sleepy Man on YouTube said: "The background theme ...

Places to go on holiday in 2025

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Time to get the passports ready. Who's up for a holiday? As we look ahead to 2025, several destinations are poised to capture the imagination of travellers seeking unique experiences, cultural enrichment, and natural beauty.  Here are some of the most anticipated holiday spots for the coming year, along with insights from recent visitors that we have spoken to across different social media platforms. Author - Amy W Prague, Czech Republic This remains my favourite place. The city of Prague continues to enchant visitors with its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. The city's allure is set to grow with the release of a new 'Nosferatu' film shot on location, sparking renewed interest in its gothic charm. Recent refurbishments of historic hotels and the emergence of new culinary hotspots make Prague a must-visit destination in 2025. Visitor Review:"Walking through Prague feels like stepping into a fairy tale. The blend of medieval and mo...

Four of the best Christmas themed TV episodes

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With everyone talking about the final Christmas episode of Gavin & Stacey... We thought we'd explore some of the best Christmas specials of our favourite programmes.  Author -  Liam Chadwick Seasonal Beatings - Peep Show (Series 7, Episode 5) Christmas with Mark, Jez and Superhans. What could possibly go wrong. Mark invites his parents over for Christmas lunch, but Jeremy gets overexcited and Dobby and Super Hans also show up. The boys try to celebrate a traditional family Christmas, but things go wrong.  Afternoon Delight – Arrested Development (Series 2, Episode 6) Christmas is a time for families to come together, but it rarely goes as smoothly as planned. When the banana stand is vandalised by teenagers, Michael turns to his son George Michael for help. However, when George Michael is unavailable, Michael worries he’s losing his son’s attention. Feeling lonely without her mum, Maeby steps in to assist, and the two end up singing “Afternoon Delight” at the o...

When Manchester United defied the odds to win the FA Cup

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Let's have a look at another iconic moment from 2024 Manchester United’s victory stopped Premier League champions City from claiming a second consecutive domestic double. Author - Liam C This is how European Super Football reported on the match in May United's win was forged through an impressive first-half performance that saw goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. Garnacho capitalised on a mix-up between City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega and defender Josko Gvardiol, leaving him with an open goal to score half an hour in. Nine minutes later, Mainoo capped off a sweeping move with a composed finish following a delicate touch from Bruno Fernandes. City inevitably ramped up the pressure in the second half, with Erling Haaland hitting the post, United keeper Andre Onana making a superb save from Kyle Walker, and Julian Alvarez missing a golden opportunity. City substitute Jeremy Doku pulled one back with four minutes remaining, but Ten Hag's side held firm to secur...

The one where we rank the top 5 episodes of Friends

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In this article, we will examine the best episodes of Friends Was your favourite moment included? Author -  Liam Chadwick The One with Ross’s Wedding (Season 4, Episodes 23 & 24) This two-part episode sees the gang travel to London for Ross’s wedding to Emily. Filled with chaos, romance, and some of the most quotable moments in the series, it’s a fan favourite. Highlights include Joey’s enthusiastic sightseeing, Monica and Chandler’s unexpected tryst, and Rachel’s last-minute decision to confess her feelings to Ross. But the true showstopper comes during the ceremony when Ross famously says, “I, Ross, take thee, Rachel.” The dramatic blend of humour and heartbreak makes this an unforgettable moment in sitcom history. The One Where Everybody Finds Out (Season 5, Episode 14) “When they don’t know we know they know we know!” This episode is a masterclass in comedic tension as Phoebe and Rachel play a hilarious game of chicken to confirm Monica and Chandler’s secret relations...

Have you heard of the Golden Raspberry Awards?

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You've heard of the Oscars, have you heard of the Golden Raspberry Awards? The Golden Raspberry Awards, also known as Razzies and Razzie Awards, is a parody award show honouring the worst films of the last year.  The first Golden Raspberry Awards Ceremony was held in March 1981.  Author - Sophie T  The ceremony itself is modelled after the Academy Awards but is deliberately low-end and tacky. Let's explore some interesting facts relating to the other big awards celebration in Hollywood. Who Has Won The Most Razzies? Sylvester Stallone is the most awarded actor ever. He has picked up 10 Razzies throughout his acting career. One of his most notable awards came in 1985 when was voted Worst Actor for his performances in Rambo: First Blood Part II and Rocky IV.  The iconic Worst Reckless Disregard for Human Life and Public Property award from 1997 In 1997, Con Air (starring Nicolas Cage) won the award for Worst Reckless Disregard for Human Life and Public Property. We...

Oasis are back: The biggest music story of 2024?

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Liam and Noel Gallagher announced a world tour for 2025 Oasis legends Liam and Noel Gallagher officially announced they are reuniting for a world tour, kicking off with 14 massive shows across the UK and Ireland next year. Author - Sophie T  The long-awaited news, which fans have been eagerly anticipating, was confirmed in August. putting an end to weeks of speculation. At the time of the announcement, Oasis fans across the United Kingdom said they were "over the moon" at the band's return. Liam and Noel Gallagher, who grew up in Burnage, are scheduled to perform four dates at Heaton Park as part of their reunion tour in 2025. This will be a return to the venue where the brothers last performed together as Oasis in 2009, shortly before their breakup. Are you excited to see Oasis live again? More music news and stories can be found here Why are people so excited? Oasis burst onto the scene with their 1994 debut album, Definitely Maybe, widely regarded as one of the gre...

How football nearly came home in 2024

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We are going to start exploring some of the biggest stories from 2024 Here we will examine how England nearly achieved glory in Euro 2024 and how Spain reached the pinnacle of European international football once again. Author -  Liam Chadwick A closer look at the final: England 1 - 2 Spain Gareth Southgate's team suffered heartbreak once again, falling to a late goal by Mikel Oyarzabal, which left them unable to end the long wait for success for the men's team in a second consecutive European Championship final. Spain took the lead just two minutes into the second half when Lamine Yamal set up Nico Williams, who beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with a powerful low shot. Cole Palmer briefly revived hopes of a comeback with a composed left-footed strike in the 73rd minute. However, Spain ultimately clinched victory, as Oyarzabal converted Marc Cucurella's cross four minutes from time, leaving England once again as the nearly men. Euro 2024: Spain win against England i...

From Gameboy to iOS: History of handheld gaming

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Let's explore the history of handheld gaming Back in the 1990s and 2000s, Nintendo's GameBoy and DS range of consoles were the kings of handheld gaming. They offered a gaming experience. Author - Sophie T  However, from around 2010, the smartphone in your pocket became capable of delivering a similar gaming experience. This has resulted in a change in gaming habits. The lack of handheld consoles since that time speaks volumes. What games are people playing on their smartphones? From a developer's perspective, the beauty of creating a game for these devices is that almost everyone has one in their pocket. It has meant developers can look to make a game that has an audience outside of the traditional gaming market.  The likes of Angry Birds have become massive across the world. This is very much a pick-up-and-play type title that will attract the non-traditional audience we have already mentioned. Mobile devices have also become popular for football fans. For example, fans...

The best minor Simpsons characters

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We love The Simpsons The Simpsons hometown of Springfield is a fantastic place with some interesting characters outside of Evergreen Terrace. Author -  Liam Chadwick As a blog, we have already examined and analysed our favourite episodes. We are now going to explore the the top minor characters.  While the Simpson family and other core Springfield residents often steal the spotlight, the show has an unparalleled ability to bring its world to life through an extensive cast of minor characters. These figures often provide some of the series' funniest and most poignant moments. Ralph Wiggum Ralph is the lovable, oddball son of Chief Wiggum. His nonsensical one-liners and childlike misunderstandings have made him one of the most quoted characters on The Simpsons. Though his intelligence level is often the butt of jokes, Ralph’s charm lies in his innocence and unpredictability. Hans Moleman With his thick glasses, hunched posture, and perpetually unlucky demeanour, Hans Moleman i...

Throwback to a legendary sporting moment at Old Trafford

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England v Greece 2001 It was one of David Beckham's finest performances for his country. At times, the Man United and Real Madrid midfielder was almost playing Greece alone. No player worked harder to make sure England qualified for the 2002 World Cup. Author - Jamie P The wider context Sven Goran Eriksson's England side were trailing the Greeks 2-1 deep into injury time and they looked destined for a potentially difficult play-off against Ukraine. David Beckham was having none of that. He had failed to score from five previous free kicks, and secured qualification for Japan and Korea with a dramatic goal in stoppage time.  Despite a bad start, this turned out to be a pretty memorable qualifying campaign for England. Only a few weeks earlier, they thrashed Germany 5-1. This is considered the best England performance of the modern era. It's a shame that the World Cup dreams were ultimately ended by Brazil a few months later but the road to get there was great fun.  More ...

Exploring the best of How I Met Your Mother and its wider cultural impact

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What's your view of Ted Mosby's adventures in New York City? Few television shows have left a cultural imprint as indelible as How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM).  Author -  Liam Chadwick First airing in 2005, it became a beloved fixture of pop culture over its nine-season run, blending humour, heart, and an unconventional narrative structure to capture the imaginations of audiences worldwide.  While comparisons to Friends were inevitable due to an ensemble cast and New York City setting, HIMYM carved its own niche, offering a fresh take on the sitcom format. It not only gave viewers unforgettable characters and iconic catchphrases but also sparked debates, particularly around its controversial ending.  Analysing the best and most popular episodes Did we include your favourite episode? We appreciate that we have picked some interesting episodes here. What do you think? The Pineapple Incident (Season 1, Episode 10) A quintessential example of HIMYM’s knack for comedic...

Sporting moments: Andy Murray wins Wimbledon

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This new series of articles will look back at some great sporting moments First up, it's a famous tennis match involving Sir Andy Murray. Author - Sophie T  By the time the 2013 Wimbledon Tennis Championship had come around, Britain had waited 77 years for a men's champion at the iconic tournament. Murray had been improving every year by this point and had reached the final the previous year. He had also picked up Olympic Gold and won the US Open. After a gruelling afternoon in searing temperatures, Murray had finally followed in the footsteps of Fred Perry and was victorious at Wimbledon. He was willed on by most of the 15,000 fans on Centre Court, thousands watching on the nearby screen and millions more around the UK. Click here for more sporting news from across Europe This video from the official Wimbledon YouTube account shows all the moments from this iconic match.  Reaction at the time One fan commented on the BBC match report and said: "Well done Murray, reall...

The past, present and future of Nintendo

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We all love Nintendo. Let's explore their history and what the future might have store in for them. Author - Sophie T  Nintendo entered the video game market in the 1970s, initially producing arcade games. One of its earliest successes was Donkey Kong (1981), a groundbreaking arcade game designed by Shigeru Miyamoto. The game introduced players to the now-iconic character Mario, originally referred to as "Jumpman." The launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System The success of Donkey Kong encouraged Nintendo to develop its first home console, the Famicom (Family Computer), which was released in Japan in 1983. The system later rebranded as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) for its 1985 North American launch. The NES revolutionised gaming with its innovative hardware and a huge library of games. A super era for Nintendo The 1990s saw Nintendo cement its place as a leader in the gaming industry. The release of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1990...

Who's that girl? Exploring the best of New Girl

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What's your favourite New Girl episode? Starring Zooey Deschanel as the lovable and eccentric Jess Day, the series revolved around her life with three male roommates—Nick, Schmidt, and Winston—in a Los Angeles loft.  Author - Sophie T  Cooler (Season 2, Episode 15) Cooler is a fan-favourite for good reason. It shifted the dynamic of the series, providing emotional depth while maintaining the show’s trademark humour. Nick and Jess’s relationship became a cornerstone of New Girl, and this episode was the moment it truly began. Parking Spot (Season 2, Episode 17) Just a couple of episodes after Cooler, Parking Spot continues to explore the shifting relationships in the loft. The story revolves around a seemingly mundane issue: Schmidt discovers a highly coveted parking spot near the apartment, and all the roommates compete for it.  It exemplifies New Girl’s strength in taking small, everyday conflicts and turning them into laugh-out-loud moments while deepening charac...

A closer look at some other football video games

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This article will now explore some classic football video games to take you on a trip down memory lane. Have you played any of these iconic games? Author - Amy W Sensible Soccer This is a series that was highly popular in the early 1990s and still retains a cult following. Often known affectionately as Sensi, the first few entries in the series received rave reviews. The first release in the series sold around 200,000 copies. By 2002, it was estimated that overall, the series had sold over 2 million copies. This Is Football This was a series published on various generations of the PlayStation between 1999 and 2010. It first appeared in 1999, but it was not until its debut on PS2 in 2001 that it started to shine and was genuinely competing with FIFA and PES for the title of the best football game. Club Football  Club Football was a series of games produced by Codemasters in 2003 and 2004 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Each version of the game focused on a specific club with the...

The best of Peep Show

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"I had visions, I was in them. I was looking into the mirror..."  Peep Show was adored by people across the United Kingdom and even became a cult hit in other parts of the world.  Author -  Liam Chadwick A brief introduction The show was broadcast on Channel 4 from 2003 to 2015. In 2010, it achieved the distinction of being the longest-running comedy in Channel 4's history in terms of years on the air and also became one of the channel's most popular programs. Let's take a look at some of our favorite episodes. University Challenge Another memorable episode of jokes and great one-liners.  "This is OK. This is just a moment that will haunt me forever." One YouTuber commented with a line that many people would agree with: "This episode is arguably the most tragic of them all because it shows how happy Mark could have been." It is regarded by many as the ultimate Peep Show episode. One reviewer described it as a tragic-comic masterpiece that s...