Kash Top 30 List: Favourite Wrestling Theme Songs

 Well here it is. One whole year of doing top 30 lists every month after I turned 30. As I write this, I have just turned 31 years old but I still plan on doing lists every once in a while when the time calls for it or when I'm bored and need something to fill the time with. 

So for the last one, I thought I might as well continue with the music gimmick from the last one but this time have the Wrestling version. Wrestling does have a lot of good music so why not share some of my favourite ones and let me know of your own favourite ones too. You won't some here because there's a lot of popular ones that I honestly don't like at all. 

This will probably be my shortest list but it's all good. I just want to spend the last few hours of my birthday doing other things while I have the time. Enjoy and thanks for reading all of my lists so far!

30) Shinsuke Nakamura - NJPW

I still prefer his classic theme to his current WWE one even though that one is pretty good itself!

29) Triple H (The Game) - WWE

I did mention it in my previous list so I had to include it at least. I'm no Triple H fan but he always did get the really good themes. 

28) Will Ospreay - NJPW

I dare you to listen to the music and not sing along to the lyrics. It's just too good. Hopefully Will keeps this even with his new change in character. 

27) Owen Hart - WWF

I always liked this one over his others. Owen Hart was just too good, shame we never got to see him at his best.

26) Jeff Hardy - TNA

The only time I've seen Jeff Hardy as a heel (bad guy) was in TNA back in 2011 and crazily enough, it somehow worked? And he sung this kick-ass theme for himself too! Not his last appearance on this list. 

25) Drew McIntyre (Broken Dreams) - WWE

Shame he won't use this theme anymore, I always liked it but it just doesn't suit the current WWE Champion Drew McIntyre in the current time. So I had to share this remix-ed one.

24) Hardy Boyz - WWF

The looked like rock stars, they acted like rock stars, they probably were! And still in the case of Jeff (not so much for Matt, sorry). And this song was always a classic. 

23) Ultimate Warrior - WWF

Ultimate Warrior was still around just as I got into wrestling and he may not be one of my favourites but I always did like his theme, it just kicked ass, suited his gimmick to a tee since he was just there to kick some ass.

22) Rob Van Dam - WWE

Like his theme song said, Rob Van Dam was truly one of a kind. One of my favourite theme songs from that era for one of the best from that era. I'm a sucker for a good Frog Splash too.

21) Asuka - NXT

Maybe, just maybe, Asuka is the greatest female wrestler I've ever seen. I've not seen anyone who can come close to her level just yet and she sure has one awesome theme to send her down to the ring as well.

20) Edge - WWE

"On this day, I see clearly, everything has come to light". Edge's theme isn't just good, it might have some of the best lyric to any wrestling song I've heard ever.

19) Goldust - WWF

What a strange dude Goldust was ever since we first laid eyes on the man from Hollywood back in 1995. But one thing always stayed, his theme stayed and it was always amazing. 

18) CM Punk (Fire Burns) - WWE

This song actually debuted with Randy Orton for one show but I liked it right away so I was glad to hear it again this time with CM Punk for his first "run" with the company. His next theme was equally good, if not better.

17) Randy Orton (Voices) - WWE

A lot of people might not like this song but I actually dig it. At one point it was in my Top 10. This song just fits a psycho killer like Randall Keith Orton and he's still rocking it and yes, he's still as crazy as always even in 2021.

16) Kenny Omega - NJPW

Kenny Omega's current AEW theme is one of the better ones on this roster and I tried to include it onto this list but I just had to get Devil's Sky on here, it's still my favourite of his themes. Especially the Terminator version from Tokyo Dome back in 2017, how they edited the song to fit the Terminator theme was just brilliant. 

15) The Undertaker (Rollin) - WWE

I had to. You know I had to. Keep on rollin! It's not even the best Undertake entry on the list yet it's still pure gold.

14) The Nexus - WWE

I dare say Nexus' theme might be one of my favourites from WWE. Not just as, I like the un-edited version of the song from 12 Stones as well, I've got it on my iPod so you know it's good. It's also got my favourite quote, "The only easy day was yesterday".

13) Batista - WWE

YEEEEAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. This is some good shit from Saliva.

12) Christian Cage - TNA

Christian always had some kick ass tunes, all of his WWE theme songs were always so good so I had a hard time picking which one to put on here but his TNA theme was just an instant classic as he would say it. And yes, I am part of the Peeps (big Christian fan).

11) AJ Styles - WWE

The problem with choosing an AJ Styles song on here is that he has too many damn good ones! His last two songs in TNA were great, his New Japan was awesome (and was the one I was initially going to go with) but his WWE one might just be the best of the lot.

10) Razor Ramon - WWF

Hey Yo! Razor Ramon was one the first guys I became a fan of when I started my wrestling fandom at a young age and I always remembered his theme being so good. It still is.

9) Guerrillas of Destiny - NJPW

Easily my new favourite theme song to come out in the last few years. This just kicks all kinds of ass and it suits Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa to a tee. 

8) Minoru Suzuki - NJPW

You hear the calming voice in the song but you know somebody is about to get the shit kicked out of them. Love Suzuki's theme, for someone who is supposed to be the scariest person in all of Japan, his theme just makes you feel at peace. Maybe my favourite theme in all of Japan.

7) Stone Cold Steve Austin (1996-97 version) - WWF

You hear the glass shatters, you know what's about to happen. Yes this isn't the Steve Austin theme that everyone knows about but this is still my favourite of the whole lot, the raw slow sound makes it even better for me. He already made a fan out of me during 1996 before everyone else jumped on the bandwagon and he had a kickass theme to boot as well. 

6) Chris Jericho - WWE

The classic Chris Jericho theme is still amazing after all these years, especially this version from 2001 with the ball going around before blasting off. His theme may have had different little variants but they all still sounded amazing.

5) The Undertaker (Dark Side) - WWF

Nothing can beat the classic Undertaker theme but for me this one from 1998 was just that bit better, always preferred this! Much better than the Ministry version. 

4) CM Punk (Cult of Personality) - WWE

For a song that was a rock hit back in the 80's, it still suited CM Punk perfectly back in 2011. An amazing song will find a way to still be great even in the crazy world of wrestling.

3) Shawn Michaels - WWF

Be honest, how many of you have not sung the song "Sexy Boy"? You know you can't help it. It's just a pure classic.

2) Chris Jericho - NJPW & AEW

Judas was already a hit with Jericho's own band Fozzy. And then he used it for his "one-off" appearance with New Japan back in 2018. The song just worked and I knew about it from before and I couldn't help but sing to the chorus as Jericho made his way done, that's when I noticed a few others were doing that too. Now onto 2021 and everyone is singing to Judas when he shows up. Easily one of the best wrestling themes to show up recently and my new favourite. 

1) Bret Hart - WWF

There will never be a theme song that just hits home to me quite like this. You hear the first riff and you know what's about to go down. Easily my favourite theme song of all time and of course, it's for my favourite wrestler of all time as well in Bret The Hitman Hart. Nothing will ever beat this.

Kash Top 30 List: Favourite Musical Artists

Since I'm turning 30 this year, I thought why not create a few Top 30 lists of things that I like or have done so I've done a few list that covers my interest in just about anything, be it Motorsports, Pokemon, Wrestling, Gaming and also some general things. Most of us like music, some more than others, some listen to everything out there. And then there's me.

I usually only listen to a few but the ones I like, I really do like. There are songs from many different artists that I do like and have them in my iPod but these 30 are ones that I know have got at least 3 songs that I do like. Most of them are, no surprises, rock songs, specifically UK ones too, so here's my 30 favourites. 

And if anyone have got any suggestions for new ones for me to listen to, I'm all ears. Always looking out for something new to listen to. I won't say much for this particular list but I want the songs to show why I do like these guys. I'll share 3 of my favourites from these guys.

30) Motorhead

• Ace of Spades
• The Game
• King of Kings

Of course I knew about Motorhead for being the guys singing 3 of WWE Superstar Hunter Hearst Helmsley (Triple H) and the more I knew about them, the more I started to find their old stuff and liked those as well.

29) Killswitch Engage

• The Signal Fire
• The End of Heartache
• This Fire

(Late edit, I completely forgot to put them onto my list after listening to two of their songs on my playlist). Killswitch Engage gave me a favourite wrestling song but the more I heard their other stuff, the more I liked those too.

28) Jay Sean

• Down
• Do You Remember
• Ride It

Gotta show some love to my fellow Punjab brother, the man can sing! 

27) Arctic Monkeys

• Arabella
• Why You'd Only Call Me When You're High
• R U Mine

Randonly stumbled across them searching around for CDs in Shibuya, listened to some songs, bought the album and here we are!

26) The Smiths

• How Soon is Now?
• Stop Me if You've Heard This One Before
• There is a Light That Never Goes Out

The Smiths were something else. As I started to explore older stuff, these one caught my ears more so for Johnny Marr's genius on the guitar. Some pure classic on show here.

25) Culture Shock

• Save The World
• Alone
• Beautiful

My cousin got me into listening to these guys when I came to visit the States back in 2012 and yup I sure am glad she did. Not the classic Punjabi songs but still good!

24) The Dhol Foundation

• Desi Peeni
• Peace & Love
• Naa Karde

Saw these guys in Singapore and their varities of music caught me off guard, made it even more enjoyable. The mix of Punjabi, Reggae and Irish music shouldn't work and somehow they did.

23) Avril Lavinge

• When You're Gone
• Nobody's Home
• Hello Kitty

Avril always had a unqiue voice that drew me in the first time I heard her. And she's Canadian, gotta show some love for my peeps up north!

22) Evanescence

• Bring Me Back to Life
• Call Me When You're Sober
• My Last Breath

Amy Lee's voice is still one of the best I've heard in a long while and their music was always top notch. I'll still go back listening to the classic stuff when I've run out of things to listen to from my usual playlist. 

21) The S.L.P. 

• Trance
• Nobody Else
• Meanwhile in Geneva

I was a bit bummed to hear Kasabian taking a bit of a break but if Serge is doing his own thing now, it can only be a good thing with these early hits already. Heck, one of his songs is already a soundtrack on Death Stranding! Need I say more. Can't wait to see what else he'll do on his own.

20) Maroon 5

• Maps
• Animals
• She Will Be Loved

Seen them not once but twice at the Singapore Grand Prix, and they impressed me both times. One of the few pop acts that I actually like listening to. 

19) Franz Ferdinand

• Take Me Out
• Do You Want To
• This Fire

Found one of their songs from the classic Burnout 3 Takedown game and became a fan of theirs after listening to a few more of their songs.

18) Limp Bizkit

• My Way
• Rollin
• Build A Bridge

These guys kept featuing in WWF/E when I was growing up so sure enough, I would end up liking what I was listening to. They may be loud but some of these are really good shit.

17) Beady Eye

• Second Bite of the Apple
• Four Letter Word
• The Roller

Pretty much Oasis just without Noel Gallagher after 2009. They just were never the same but still managed to produced some real bangers for the short time they were around.

16) Saliva

• Ladies & Gentlemen
• Always
• King of My World

Found out about Saliva through wrestling and have been a fan of their ever since, there's a lot more songs I wish I could add onto that list!

15) MUSE

• Starlight
• Butterflies & Hurricanes
• The Dark Side

The first time I heard about them was back in 2005, their song was on the trailer for the F1 2005 game. Been following them ever since and I finally got to see them live at the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix and forgot how bloody good they were.

14) Queen

• Bohemian Rhapsody
• Don't Stop Me Now
• We Will Rock You

Is there anything I really need to say about these guys? The true classics.

13) The Beatles

• Help
• Come Together
• Ticket to Ride

Let's be honest, if not for The Beatles, most of my favourites won't even be on this list so of course I would end up liking their music as well after discovering it. 

12) Stone Roses

• I Wanna Be Adored
• Made of Stone
• I Am The Resurrection

More Manucian goodies are coming on this list but you can say it all started with these guys. Ian Brown always sounded mega and the Roses just sounded fantastic. Shame their run didn't go on for a long while. 

11) Stereophonics

• Dakota
• Live n Love
• Chances Are

I don't know how and where I found Stereophonics but I sure am glad I did. These guys are just brilliant, wish I found their stuff much quicker. Kelly Jones is one of those guys whose voice is just unique, makes it better.

10) Metallica

• Enter Sandman
• For Whom the Bell Tolls
• Now That We're Dead

Metallica. You know who they are. You know why they are here. Enjoy some pure heavy metal goodness from the geniuses behind some of it's classics. 

9) Fozzy

• Judas
• Nowhere to Run
• Lights Go Out

They started life out as a parody but Fozzy just keeps getting better and better and is now genuiely one of my favourite heavy metal bands of the whole lot! My iPod has over 20 Fozzy songs in it, and their latest album Judas kicked some metal ass. Also helps that their front man Chris Jericho also happens to be one of my all time favourite wrestler and podcaster and author. 

8) Ian Brown

• FEAR
• Stellify
• Keep What Ya Got

Ian Brown was awesome as Stone Roses frontman. He was also awesome as a solo artist by himself with some true classics of his own. Heard he might make a comeback so hopefully there'll be more good stuff to listen to soon. A true Mancunian legend! 

7) Johnny Marr

• Easy Money
• Spiral Cities
• Candidate

Speaking of Mancunian legends, here's another one! Also the first proper concert I went to was for Johnny Marr. The man just keeps making magic with his guitar from the 80's to the current day. And he just keeps getting better as a solo act too.

6) Kasabian

• Fire
• Days Are Forgotten
• You're in Love with a Psycho

These guys are just brilliant. So many of their songs have found their way onto my iPod and for good reasons, they keep producing absolute bangers. I was a bit bummed that I missed the chance to see them some years ago and now with them taking a break, we might not get more good stuff for them. At least they've given us a lot of good music.

5) Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

• Everybody's On the Run
• Ballad of the Mighty I
• It's a Beautiful World

The Chief is another Mancunian legend on this list, and to me, the greatest song writer of his generation. This songs gave us so many classics with Oasis and now a few additional ones with his own solo act. I got to see him for the Singapore Grand Prix and loved every single second of it, not everyday I get to see a genius at work.

4) Liam Gallagher

• One of Us
• Wall of Glass
• The River

Our kid is back! After a long absence, it was so good to see Liam finally give the solo artist gig a try and he sure has knocked it out of the park. The voice of Oasis somehow sounds even better as he nears 50! And maybe it's just me, but I've liked his two albums way more than I should, better than Noel as well. If the world knew good music, he would easily be #1 around the world with the stuff he's released so far.

3) Breaking Benjamin

• Diary of Jane
• Tourniquet
• Failure

I found out about these guys from a trailer of a NASCAR game of all things and was made a fan right away with their Phobia album. The last two albums just made me remember how truly great these guys are, easily one of my favourite rock bands that not many have probably heard of before.

2) AC/DC

• Back in Black
• Thunderstruck
• Highway to Hell

If you know me well enough, my top two favourites are pretty obvious. And of course it had to be the rock and roll legends AC/DC. The first moment I heard of them back in 1997, I was hooked. 23 years on, and I'm still a big AC/DC fan. As their song says "Rock or Bust" and it sure is for me. If you're ever feeling you need a good boost, AC/DC is always the go-to for me.

1) Oasis

• Rock n Roll Star
• Live Forever
• Slide Away

It had to be Oasis. There was no other way this would turn out. As if Noel and Liam Gallagher being in the top 5 wasn't already a big enough clue. The two brother have been great solo acts but together, they were the kings of music. No one did it better than the brothers from Manchester. My iPod is probably 50% filled with all of their stuff, be it Oasis or their own projects. I'm still holding on to hope that they'll reunite one day so I can watch them together live. Way too many classics to name so I had a hard time putting just 3 on here. This is music at it's finest. 

Thanks for reading and have a great 2021 ahead!

Kash Top 30 List: Best Pokemon Cards Released in 2020

Since I'm turning 30 this year, I thought why not create a few Top 30 lists of things that I like or have done so I've done a few list that covers my interest in just about anything, be it Motorsports, Pokemon, Wrestling, Gaming and also some general things. Those of you reading this know me from playing the Pokemon Trading Card Game, be it in real life or online but whatever the case is, 2020 has been an interesting year for the game with the introduction of Vs and VMaxes to counter the Tag Teams (with little to some success). 

So I thought, instead of doing a top 30 cards from a set, why not for once do a top 30 cards released in the year 2020. We've gotten 4 main sets and one mini set out, some have been great, some have been not so great but lots of good cards have been introduced to the game, some helping to bring a new archetype into the meta and others making an already good deck more broken. 

These are just my own opinion and as always, it's from someone who hasn't proven or done much in the game for real with my limited opportunities to do so (which will get even more limited due to the new Asian qualifying system) so if you disagree with some of these, that's completely fair. I just thought it'd be nice to look back at all the good cards we got out of 2020.

Prices were taken from Troll and Toad on the 10th of December 2020.

#30 - Turbo Patch - Darkness Ablaze - 172/189 - Uncommon - $0.20

Seen play in: Eternatus VMAX, Turbo Zacian V, Torkoal V, Sableye V

Turbo Patch was one of the more hyped up cards to be released from the Darkness Ablaze format. Sadly, it has not lived up to the hype mainly due to it needing to hit heads to attach energy from the bench. At least it can attach any energy which is why it's seen niche plays in various different types of decks but still not enough to show how good or bad it truly is. Not the like-for-like replacement of Max Elixir many were hoping for it to be.

#29 - Telescopic Sight - Vivid Voltage - 160/185 - Uncommon - $0.34

Seen play in: Inteleon VMAX, Blacephalon UNB

Finally some help was given to decks who are able to snipe the bench, specifically onto GX/V targets but sadly, the only ones who can make full use of it for the time being are the likes of Inteleon VMAX (which doesn't see play due to PikaRom still be popular), Cramorant V, Weezing or Ampharos V. Eventually this will find a space somewhere, the effect is too good to ignore.

#28 - Coalossal VMAX - Vivid Voltage - 99/185 - Ultra Rare - $9.99

Seen play in: Coalossal VMAX

We thought this would be the answer for the current meta. With PikaRom and Eternatus running havoc in the game and both having fighting weakness, it was thought that Coalossal would be a major player in the game. Sadly that hasn't turned out that way, PikaRom now has Mew3 to deal with it and Eternatus still isn't getting one-shot by Coalossal most of the time. But worry not Fighting type fans, help is on the way in the next set.

#27 - Dragapult VMAX - Rebel Clash - 93/192 - Ultra Rare - $8.45

Seen play in: Dragapult VMAX

The big game changer coming out of Rebel Clash, Dragapult VMAX forced many decks to be build differently solely because of it's ability to pick off single prize bench sitters at anytime. Coupled with Distortion Door Giratina and Obstagoon, benched Jirachis were never safe. Deck saw a lot of success in the Rebel Clash format and that was it as Eternatus VMAX has pretty much made the deck unplayable, even with all the disruption tools. It could make a comeback in the next set with many strong cards all weak to Psychic.

#26 - Jirachi Amazing Rare - Vivid Voltage - 119/185 - Amazing Rare - $29.99

Seen play in: Coalossal VMAX, ADPZ

While Jirachi from Team Up is still in Standard, it will still see more play over Jirachi AR. It's ability for the time being makes the most sense for decks like Coalossal who needs to discard an energy off the top of the deck or Zacian decks needing that one Metal energy for the ability. It will never compare strongly to Jirachi TEU but still a good consistency helper. 

#25 - Cinccino - Sword & Shield - 147/202 - Uncommon - $0.20

Seen play in: Control decks, Excadrill CEC

Zoroark-GX's trade ability came back in the form of Cinccino so obviously, it was going to see some play even though it wasn't as good as an attacker as Zoroark was. The deck found it's home mostly in Control decks just for it's drawing power but also saw play in Excadrill CEC to help thin the deck out as much as possible. I expected it to see way more play in other decks but that was never the case. 

#24 - Coating Metal Energy - Vivid Voltage - 163/185 - Uncommon - $0.35

Seen play in: LMZ

The perfect replacement for Weakness Guard Energy for LMZ players since it was a Metal energy, meaning Zacian now had the weakness removal effect. It has seen a bit of play in ADPZ as well but mostly in LMZ, just to cover it bases against the likes of Blacephalon, Centiskorch and ReshiZard.

#23 - Vikavolt V - Darkness Ablaze - 60/189 - Ultra Rare - $3.13

Seen play in: Vikavolt V, PikaRom

Quaking Punch returns but this time it needs more work to establish the item lock. Vikavolt was at it's best in the short space of time it was Standard legal with Thunder Mountain and Electropower, making it one of the best decks for the POG 2020 Championships. Since then it's been a tech choice for PikaRom, and saw fringe play with Amoongus. 

#22 - Bird Keeper - Darkness Ablaze - 159/189 - Uncommon - $0.20

Seen play in: Centiskorch VMAX, Control, Decidueye

One of the better supporters to be released later on in the year. Bird Keeper had the same draw 3 power as Welder but with the added effect of switching your active which can be useful in many different situations. 

It's a natual partner for Control decks to put a wall into the active or even Rowlet to hit for 60 for free. It has seen more play in Centiskorch recently to counter the Paralysis issue from PikaRom. This will likely see more play as more decks show up.

#21 - Metal Saucer - Sword & Shield - 170/202 - Uncommon - $0.20

Seen play in: Any Zacian decks

Only Zacian decks have been able to utilise Metal Saucer but you can see why it's stupidly good. Dark Patch and Water Patch had always seen play during their time and Metal Saucer had the same results, giving Zacian decks that comeback-ability when things are not looking so good. Addition energy attachment during a turn is always a huge bonus and it makes the already powerful Zacian V (and Zamazenta V in some cases) even that more painful to deal with.

#20 - Decidueye - Darkness Ablaze - 13/189 - Holo Rare - $0.98

Seen play in: Decidueye

The only playable Stage 2 in the current meta only because of it's wall-like ability. A lot of decks are built in such a way that they usually don't have a non-GX or non-V attacker, which helps Decidueye greatly. It's still a stage 2 deck meaning it'll still struggle a lot of times but once it's sets up, you'll be getting a few free wins. It should still see play until it's rotated just for it's ability alone.

#19 - Tool Scrapper - Rebel Clash - 168/192 - Uncommon - $0.20

Seen play in: ADPZ, LMZ, PikaRom, Coalossal VMAX

Simple effect. Remove two tools. Simple yet effective. It's ADPZ answer to help beat fellow Zacians, or an answer for other decks to get rid of annoying tools such as the bulky Big Charm or the annoying Stealthy Hood. Still doesn't see as much play as many first thought it would as not many decks are depending on tools for the most part, that could change soon.

#18 - Cramorant V - Sword & Shield - 155/202 - Ultra Rare - $3.10

Seen play in: Blacephalon, Centiskorch VMAX, ReshiZard

The attacker that no-one ever sees coming. The natural partner for Welder decks for it's 3 attack cost. It has seen play more for it's ability to take down Dedenne-GX for the last two prizes since Dedenne-GX sees play in most decks. The ability to snipe anyone is something only Cramorant can give decks that many others can't, making a great set-up attacker vs VMAX decks too. It may start to see less play once Welder rotates so it'll be harder to power it up. 

#17 - Galarian Zigzagoon - Sword & Shield - 117/202 - Common - $0.30

Seen play in: Obstagoon, Decidueye, Eternatus VMAX, Centiskorch VMAX, Dragapult VMAX

Speaking of snipers, Zigzagoon is one of the rare cases where the first line of an evolution sees more play just for it's ability to hit 1 damage counter to anyone. The one damage counter has come in very handy in many different situations, be it for Dragapult to snipe off benched basics or to help fix Centiskorch's or Eternatus' numbers to get a KO. This will continue to be used in many different decks all to fix up the numbers.

#16 - Speed Lighting Energy - Rebel Clash - 173/192 - Uncommon - $0.19

Seen play in: PikaRom, Vikavolt V, Ampharos V

Having the ability to draw extra two cards has made it a must have for PikaRom players who usually need to the perfect set-up to take KOs. Consistency boosting cards is always a good thing and PikaRom is already known for being one of the most consistent decks. It may only see play in PikaRom mostly but it's still one of the best decks in the format for a reason. 

#15 - Big Charm - Sword & Shield - 158/202 - Uncommon - $0.22

Seen play in: ADPZ, PikaRom, GreenZard, Mewtwo & Mew-GX

+30 HP? Why not! Big Charm sees play most in 3-prize attackers because as if they weren't already difficult enough to take down, having 30 more can sometimes gave them that extra turn to survive an onslaught. It can also be a great defensive tool, keep stuff like Dedenne-GX and Crobat V safe from being it for 180 or less damage. 

It's also a helpful tool for decks like Green's ReshiZard that already uses Heat Energy to buff it's HP up or even decks like Coalossal VMAX to make it near impossible to take down.

#14 - Oranguru - Sword & Shield - 148/202 - Holo Rare - $1.08

Seen play in: ADPZ, Magcargo-GX, Zacian Combo, Coalossal VMAX

Oranguru is just super helpful in many different situations, being able to swap one card with the top card of your deck can sometimes be the big game changer. Paired with Mewtwo UNB, it gives you a supporter straight back as well. 

It's seen play in ADPZ just to save important cards like a Boss Order's, help Coalossal VMAX stack a Fighting Energy to hit for 130 and is the piece to help Zacian pull off the Jirachi Prism Combo. Because of it's varied uses, Oranguru will continue to be one of the best tech choices for many different decks until it's rotated.

#13 - Air Balloon - Sword & Shield - 156/202 - Uncommon - $0.20

Seen play in: ADPZ, PikaRom, Mewtwo & Mew-GX

It's no float stone but it still gets the job done. Have the free retreat on certain attackers/bench sitters thanks to Air Balloon has been super helpful to many decks not needing to rely on Switch all the time. 

Stuff like Raichu & Alolan Raichu-GX and Zacian V cannot consistently hit for paralysis or a big 230 damage if not for the ability to retreat into something else and getting back into the active. 

#12 - Centiskorch VMAX - Darkness Ablaze - 34/189 - Ultra Rare - $9.95

Seen play in: Centiskorch VMAX

One of the best attackers to come out of Darkness Ablaze, Centiskorch has now become the natural replacement for Fire Box for it's ability to hit a lot of damage from out of nowhere. It's one of the few attackers with no damage cap. 

With enough energies, it can even one shot stuff like the 340HP Eternatus VMAX. The deck might struggle once Welder is rotated but it can still find it's way back, since the best card in the game right now, Zacian V, has a fire weakness after all.

#11 - Boltund V - Rebel Clash - 67/192 - Ultra Rare - $6.89

Seen play in: PikaRom, Mewtwo & Mew-GX, Turbo Boltund V

The perfect starter for lighting decks and also the perfect finisher, Boltund V is one of the reasons why PikaRom made a comeback to the top of PTCG. 

It's first attack is already helpful enough to get your attackers ready for Turn 2 but also a strong enough late game attacker to hit for possibly 250+ damage if all your main attackers are still around. Boltund may disappear from the format once PikaRom is rotated. 

#10 - Aurora Energy - Sword & Shield - 186/202 - Uncommon - $0.20

Seen play in: Mewtwo & Mew-GX, Welder Box, ADPZ

Aurora Energy was the perfect replacement for Rainbow Energy. It was even better for Mewtwo & Mew-GX as it discards a card from your hand, helping you add an attacker to your discard pile which is a bonus. It's seen play mostly in toolbox-style decks, specifically Welder decks giving you many attackers to choose from.

#9 - Eternatus VMAX - Darkness Ablaze - 117/189 - Ultra Rare - $9.49

Seen play in: Eternatus VMAX

The big hitter of the new format. The Mega Rayquaza-EX "look-alike" hits for 270 with an all-dark bench which goes up to 8, which can be easily filled with the likes of Crobat V (draw power), Zigzagoon (damage buff), Toxicroak, Slowbro (Poison) and Yveltal (free retreat). 

The deck will continue to be the ultimate beat stick right up until it's rotated. It might have some issue coming in the next set though. 

#8 - Marnie - Sword & Shield - 169/202 - Holo Rare - $0.99

Seen play in: ADPZ, PikaRom, Dragapult VMAX, Eternatus VMAX, LMZ

The only other hand disruption card available to us in Standard for the time being alongside Reset Stamp. It's can be worse to deal with as it shuffles your hand away and you'll be getting whatever is on top of your deck which can ruin combos your opponent is building up. 

It's the card that decks like Blacephalon, Centiskorch and Control don't want to see. It'll see play just for the disruption aspect with Reset Stamp rotating soon. 

#7 - Eldegoss V - Rebel Clash - 19/192 - Ultra Rare - $3.39

Seen play in: ADPZ, Centiskorch VMAX, Mewtwo & Mew-GX, PikaRom

Similar to Tapu Lele-GX of older rotation but instead of search your deck for a supporter, you take a supporter from your discard, similar to VS Seeker from yester years. 

Eldegoss has been the winning card in so many games, to get the Boss for game or stop your opponent winning with Marnie or helping you get the damage you need with Welder. Eldegoss will always see play in as many different decks as possible. 

#6 - Scoop Up Net - Rebel Clash - 165/192 - Uncommon - $0.92

Seen play in: Most single prizer decks, Centiskorch VMAX, Dragapult VMAX, Eternatus VMAX

One of the best items to be released in 2020. With Escape Board gone, Scoop Up Net is now the preferred switch out option for Jirachi but Net gives so you so many more options than that. It's Acerola for single prize cards but in the form of an item card so it's crazy good. It's so good, it's one of the only few new cards I've bought during the pandemic. 

The best part about it is the various plays you can use with it. Extra damage with Zigzagoon? Check. Extra energy denial with Giratina? Check. Saving a damaged attacker? Check. Nets will continue to see play in all sorts of decks, especially single prize decks. 

#5 - Crobat V - Darkness Ablaze - 104/189 - Ultra Rare - $15.77

Seen play in: ADPZ, PikaRom, Welder Decks, Eternatus VMAX, Coalossal VMAX,

As long as Dedenne-GX is still in Standard, it will always be the preferred choice for a Pokemon to draw you out of dead hands since it discard cards. Crobat V just fills your up to 6, same as what Shaymin EX used to do but the big difference is Crobat can only be used once. After the next rotation, Crobat will see more play as the natural replacement for Dedenne-GX. 

For now it's mostly seen in aggro decks trying to get all the pieces together. It's also the perfect partner alongside Eternatus VMAX since it only plays Dark pokemon and all you really need is Crobats to keep drawing you out of bad hands while adding more damage for your attacker.

#4 - Professor's Research - Sword & Shield - 178/202 - Holo Rare - $0.75

Seen play in: 3-4 off in almost every deck, 0-1 off in Welder decks

The discard hand and draw 7 effect made it's return back in Sword & Shield with Research. It first showed up in Base Set and since then, it's seen play many times before in the guise of Juniper and Sycamore and always saw play in almost every deck. 

Drawing 7 is just too good, most of the time you'd want to use that to clear your hand off and give you more stuff to work with. It will continue to see play until it's rotated out of Standard but will likely come back in another guise.

#3 - Boss's Orders - Rebel Clash - 154/192 - Holo Rare - $5.95

Seen play in: Almost every deck.

Lysandre came back in the form of Boss's Orders. A simple effect on this card, gust up one of your opponent's benched Pokémon. Simple and straight to the point. 

Lysandre saw play in almost deck when it was around, it's predecessor Guzma also saw play in almost every deck so it's no surprise to see Boss' Orders seeing play in almost every deck so far. It is usually the winning card, to grab an easy target off your opponent's bench for the win. Boss's Orders, like Research before it, will see play until it's rotated.

#2 - Zacian V - Sword & Shield - 138/202 - Ultra Rare - $3.47

Seen play in: ADPZ, LMZ, Zacian Combo, Control Decks, Blacephalon

The most played deck of 2020 is easily ADPZ. It's called that for a reason and the Z (Zacian) has been part of the reason why the deck has seen a lot of play, online or in real life. 

Zacian isn't just a great attacker, making it a natural partner with ADP-GX, but also great for set-up decks just because of it's ability to draw three cards at the end of the turn, seeing play mostly in Control deck for it's draw power.

Zacian has also been in it's own deck, either in a defensive style deck with Lucario & Melmetal-GX or a Combo-style deck with Jirachi Prism and Mr Mime. A great all rounder card, perhaps the reason why ADPZ is such a huge problem to deal with. It would be easily the best card released if not for another card released in Sword & Shield. 

#1 - Quick Ball - Sword & Shield - 179/202 - Uncommon - $0.19

Seen play in: Every. Single. Deck.

No question the best card to be released from this year has to be Quick Ball. It's a 4-off in almost every deck for a good reason. 

It's the best search card in the game since it gets you any Basic for the price of just one card, pretty much taking Ultra Ball's spot in decks in formats of the past. 

This card will continue to see play until the last day of it's rotation and even then, it'll continue to see play in Expanded. 

This one may look a bit messy as it took me a few weeks to finish due to my new working schedule but in any case, I hope you enjoyed reading it! Enjoy the holidays!

Kash Top 30 List: Favourite Video Games

Since I'm turning 30 this year, I thought why not create a few Top 30 lists of things that I like or have done so I've done a few list that covers my interest in just about anything, be it Motorsports, Pokemon, Wrestling, Gaming and also some general things. This one however might have come at the worst possible time.

Yes I know what's going on with the world at the moment with the Covid-19 pandemic which means all of us are most likely stuck at home under quarantine trying to avoid contacting this virus. What's the best thing to do when you're stuck at home? Play some games of course! Most of us are gamers in one way or another and this lockdown has gotten me back to playing my PS4 and Switch (along with the PC games like Football or Motorsport Manager, Uno or the usual, Pokemon Trading Card Game online). 

I've been playing video games for as long as I can remember. I've had my fair share of consoles not named X-Box but as you'll see, I don't play a lot of games to be fair. But here's my favourite of the whole lot, be it PS games, PC games or even older GameBoy stuff. Some entries might not be just one video game but the series itself. I'm always on the lookout for new games to try as well.

#30 - WWF Attitude (PS1/N64)

Not the greatest game on the N64 but WWF Attitude is one of the first games I played as a kid, a lot of fond memories playing this with my brother and my cousin when we were just kids wanting to re-live the action of our wrestling heroes. 

#29 - Jet Moto 2 (PS1)

Another game that I can remember playing early on during my childhood, this was a fun racing game to get my started on my obsession with racing games. I wished there was a newer version of Jet Moto.

#28 - Lego Racers (PC)

If you told 10 year old me that there was a game combining my love of Lego with my love of Racing, you don't need to give me a second invitiation to get this game. Short game but it was so much fun to play, especially to build your own Lego race car! This is one of the games I'd love to download again just to play it one more time.

#27 - Pokemon Trading Card Game (GameBoy and PC)

I was big into everything Pokemon as a kid so sure enough, I got into the card game, spending way too much of my lunch money on them. The Gameboy version was always so much fun! I think I've replayed it at least three times now and still enjoyed it. Little did I know that 20 years on, I'm now playing Pokemon TCG competitively in real life and on the PTCGO online circuits too. The love for the game all started here.

#26 - Need for Speed Underground (PS2)

Need for Speed series wasn't my favourite racing series of the lot but I did like playing Underground, it was completely different to what I was used to. The idea of being able to customise my own car was really neat, adding decals and neon as well! The story mode was nice too. The drift driving, not so much.

#25 - NASCAR 2005 Chase for the Cup (PS2)

Yes, I'm not a big fan of NASCAR and I don't watch it anymore. But I did really like this game mainly for it's career mode. Racing through 3 different tier series was fun and owning 3 different teams later one was a lot of fun too. I spent more time on this game when I really shouldn't. The new My Team mode in F1 2020 is an upgraded version of this.

#24 - Star Wars Battlefront (PS4)

A Star Wars game! Sure the Campain mode was lacking but I still had my fun playing the game. I'm usually not the biggest fan of multiplayer modes but this sure had one of the better multiplayer options for any FPS type games around. Wish they could make a similar game with a proper storyline mode, icing on the cake if that happened.

#23 - Pro Evolution Soccer 3 (PS2)

PES was a nice alternate football game but it just wasn't as good as FIFA for me personally. What I did like about PES was the numerous amounts of things you could customise in the game, from players to teams and I really enjoyed that side of things. 

#22 - F1 Career Challenge (PS2)

I liked F1 Career Challenge more for the fact that they had 4 years worth of car packed in one game and with one of the better career modes for an F1 game. I probably spent way too much time on this game than I should have during my teenage years. 

#21 - Grand Theft Auto V (PS4)

I wasn't the biggest fan when I first saw GTA San Andreas but having tried GTA V for myself for a bit, I changed my mind. The game was fun, just having the chance to explore a wide world doing anything you wanted was freedom, something I've never had in any game. A guilty pleasure game for sure.

#20 - FIFA Street (PS2)

Fifa Street was fun! Football games can get tiring at times but this never felt tiring. Even my brother who wasn't a big football fan enjoyed playing this, that says alot! It reminds me of the time playing street soccer with my friends and it was nice to do the same in the gaming world. They need to re-make this game!

#19 - Motorsport Manager (PC and Switch)

I'm a sucker for management games and when I found out about Motorsport Manager, I lost my mind. This just felt like the game built specifically for me, being a big fan of Football Manager and Motorsports. I've always been wanting a mix of these two and here it is. It took me a while to get used to the game but when I did, I was hooked. I enjoyed it so much I bought a Switch version for it!

#18 - Def Jam Fight for NY (PS2)

This was a really fun alternate fighting game. I did spend maybe too much time on Def Jam fight for NY but why wouldn't you when there was so much to do in the game? It's not quite my usual WWE games but it felt close enough. 

#17 - TOCA Race Driver 3 (PS2) / Grid Autosport (PS4)

Ok I'm cheating a bit here but I had a hard time picking one over the other so why not include both together since Grid Autosport reminded me so much of TOCA Race Driver 3. Any racing game that lets me try out many different series and the challenge of working your way up from the minor leagues to the biggest series is always a big plus for me. Both had IndyCar in their games too, a major plus for me.

#16 - Rise of Tomb Raider (PS4)

I've not played much adventure/puzzle games before this but Rise of Tomb Raider made a fan out of me not just for the series for that genre as a whole, I'm now actively looking out for different adventure and puzzle games to try just because of how much fun I had playing this game. And the story was amazing, should be made into a film!

#15 - WWE 2K14 (PS4)

No WWE 2K game can match this one, which is a shame as we've had loads since then but none felt more fun as this. The unlimited number of ways you could customise your shows, belts, PPVs and my favourite one, story was the main thing that kept me playing the game. I just like creating things and seeing how it goes. Loads of diffrent modes on it too, shame how they never kept it like these ones. 

#14 - Project Cars 2 (PS4)

Project Cars was fun! It was something new to me and I enjoyed it right away. Maybe the best driving game around in terms of the driving/racing side of things. Another nice escape from reality to race some of the best machinery in the world. And loads of different categories of cars and racing series to try is alway a plus for me. And they have IndyCars in all of their versions so far. PC3 will be the next game I buy for sure. 

#13 - Mario Kart (Nintendo DS and Switch)

It's Mario Kart, why would you not like it? Funnily enough it's the only Mario game on this list but I've always liked Mario Kart more than the others. It was the go-to game (apart from Monopoly Deal) for me and my friends to kill our time during our Army service and also during Pokemon League. 

#12 - Mortal Kombat X (PS4)

Of the fighting games, be it Tekken, Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat, I've always been more of a fan of the Mortal Kombat series. Sure it's the more gory version but it's the most fun for me. I have been playing MK since MK4 on the PC. Yes I might have been a little young for it but it was still fun. MKX was just awesome, maybe the best one yet with so many different things to do to keep getting back onto the game.

#11 - Killzone (PS3)

Halo may be good for those Xbox fan boys but I don't think it can match Killzone. Wasn't too used to FPS games when I first got it but I've been hooked ever since, getting all 3 versions on the PS3/4 and even the PSP version which was more of a 3PS game. I enjoyed the series so much I bought a book detail the story from the game, I was that big of a fan of Killzone.

#10 - WWE SmackDown Vs Raw 2006 (PS2)

As you've seen, I do love my wrestling games but SvR 06 will always be one of my favourites of all time. Loads of match types and one of the best rosters too but the thing that got me was GM mode, easily my favorite mode to play on the game and I probably spent most of my time on it. I love manager games so this was a major hit for me, making up my own storylines with the wrestlers and seeing how everything plays out. WWE, please bring back GM Mode, specifically something close to 2006's version.

#09 - Gran Turismo 4 (PS2)

I do love my racing games and Gran Turismo 4 had to be the best of the lot from the series. I did get 5, 6 and Sport but nothing felt close to the PS2's GT4. It was close to perfect with all the events and thousands of cars to collect. I sure hope PS5's GT7 will be close to this.

#08 - Batman Arkham Knight (PS4)

Before Arkham Knight, I've never really played much adventure/puzzle games but this got me hooked. So hooked I ended up buying the two previous Batman games on the PS3 just to have more fun with the series. As someone who grew up watching the cartoon series, it was nice to relieve some of the stories though this brilliant game, especially Batman and Joker, whose version played by Mark Hamil, is still my favourite Joker of all time. 

#07 - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3)

I wasn't expecting much when I first got Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare but it turned out to be one of my favourite games I've ever played. I wasn't never really into FPS games before trying this and apart from Killzone, I don't think I've enjoyed an FPS game quite like COD4. Everything about it was spot on, from the campaign to the online multiplayer and even the offline splitscreen multiplayers, it was the go-to game for me and my American cousins whenever we were around together. 

#06 - Burnout 3 Takedown (PS2)

If I don't feel like racing proper, Burnout 3 Takedown was my go to game to wreck havoc! One of the most fun games I've ever played on the PS2, I still hope for someone to do a re-make of it for PS4 or PS5. It's also one of the few games I completed everything in the game. And the soundtrack on Burnout 3 might be one of the best in any game!

#05 - Championship/Football Manager (PC)

For as long as I can remember, I've always enjoyed wasting my time playing Championship or Football Manager. It is just too addictive. My earliest memory of it was playing CM 00/01, seeing my cousin play it before I got hooked onto it myself. FM 2009 and 2012 were ones I played the game the most. I did get back into playing FM 2020 during isolation and forgot how much fun it was. I've always like the idea of building my own team together and seeing how everything works out.

#04 - FIFA 2004 (PS2)

FIFA used to be one of my favourite games of all time. I used to play it alot on the PC when I was kid during 1998-2001 period and then getting back onto it for PS4 starting with FIFA 2004 which is probably my favourite one of all time still. It was the most fun I had playing football, especially with the career mode. I loved playing World Cup 98 and FIFA 2001 as well. Shame FIFA isn't as fun as it used to be. 

#03 - F1 2020 (PS4)

As you can tell, I love me my F1 games and even though F1 2020 is the newest game in my library, it's already one of my all time favourites. Sure, the Codemasters version of F1 games have not been great since 2014 but it's slowly getting good again. 2020 has the new My Team mode which I'm really enjoying. Like I mentioned for Nascar, I do enjoy the idea of owning my own team and making all the decisions to get the team going forwards. 

#02 - Pokemon Heart Gold/Soul Silver (Nintendo 3DS)

Ok sure, if I included more Pokemon titles on this list, it might look a bit boring so I thought I'd just have one to represent the whole lot. I've played the Pokemon games for as long as I can remember, never once missing a gen. Pokemon Crystal was the first ever game I can remember owning so it'll always hold a special place in my heart but HGSS has to be my favourite of all time. The Gen 2 games were probably my favourite just because we could go to two regions, double the fun! The adventure was probably the most fun I had of the games I've played, with Platinum and BW2 being the next closest. 

#01 - WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain (PS2)

The very first PlayStation game I ever owned is still honestly, my favourite game of all time. Apart from Pokemon, F1 and formerly FIFA, I've always bought WWE games, they were always the most fun. If you looked at my gaming library, most of them would be wrestling games anyway. 

But Here Comes the Pain was just another breed, easily the best wrestling game I've ever played. Controls were easy to learn, fun to play, the roster was stacked and it had probably my favourite career mode which is amazing as there was no voice-over but it didn't need it! I like this game so much I own two copies of it, one of which I bought in Canada 10 years ago and still have not opened it.