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Archives for 2016

If ‘Stranger Things’ Was An 80’s Computer Game…

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Have you been wondering what ‘Stranger Things’ would look like as an 80’s computer game? (of course you have!)

Well wonder no more, thanks to SquirrelMonkeyCom.

Source: SquirrelMonkeyCom via Laughing Squid



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msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter

 

 

Las Vegas Shenanigans: The Big Apple Coaster & Arcade

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Vegas_Shenanigans_NYNY_HDRWhat happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Pfft, if that were the case then we would not have told you about our exploits at Toy Shack and A Gamer’s Paradise while in Sin City. What we haven’t told you about (yet), is our arcade and pinball shenanigans at the resort casinos, like the The Big Apple Coaster & Arcade in New York New York.

Rather than write about this experience infinitum, we’ll let our photos tell the story. What we will say is that The Big Apple Coaster & Arcade is damn awesome! It has that Coney Island (seaside) amusement feel, which makes the experience even more authentic. To top it off, there is a roller coaster whizzing around on the top of the resort for that ultimate adrenaline rush! Enjoy the ride!

All stairs lead to The Big Apple Coaster & Arcade at New York New York!
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We have reached amusement nirvana!
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Locked and Loaded!
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Time to have some flippin fun!
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What to play first?
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Ms ausretrogamer chooses wisely!
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While Metallica is in use, AC/DC gets a workout by yours truly
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What should we play next? Oo, gun games!
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Gonna hunt us some dinosaurs!
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From one Jurassic Park to another!
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Whoa, Max Flight – VR 2002 style!
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Ms ausretrogamer tries out some old school Virtual Reality!
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Ticket Track? Ahhh, why not….
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Oo’er, very glowy!
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Raw Thrills? Count us in!
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Some NITRO action coming up!
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Decisions, decisions! Let’s Go Jungle then!
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All roads lead back to pinball!
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When in Vegas, you gotta check out The Wizard Of Oz: 75th Anniversary pinnie!
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There is no way I’ll be dragged off this pinball machine!
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Alright, we need our adrenaline rush! Let’s ride the Manhattan Express!
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Gotta grab a feed before we get back into more gaming!
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In the next of our Las Vegas Shenanigans series, we’ll feature the Fun Dungeon at Excalibur!

 

‘Game Over’ By PES

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PES featured imagePES recreates 5 classic arcade death sequences with everyday household items in his awesome stop-motion short ‘Game Over’.

Source: PES via Archie McPhee

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msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter

 

 

Press Play On Tape: The One Where Sega Released A Computer

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PPOT_16_SegaIs it See-ga or Say-ga? This and many more interesting things are discussed as the Press Play On Tape podcast hosts take a look at that one time Sega entered the home computer market. Joined by Tim Arnold from the Retro Domination and +3 to Geekdom podcasts, the lads explore Sega’s history in the lead up to, and following the release of their SC-3000 computer.

The guys discuss the different versions of the SC-3000 and where it was released, before taking a peek under the hood to see what hardware drove it. Listen in as they talk about the accessories Sega made for their home computer – including what might be one of the most expensive floppy disk add-ons ever! It’d be a boring computer without games, and given Sega’s arcade history, there’s plenty to be discussed. The team runs through some of the games for the SC-3000, including a unique hidden gem from two of Sega’s greatest developers that you’ll only find on the SC-3000 (and SG-1000)!

This month Daz finally gets his chance to pick Activision as the publisher of choice. As the world’s first independent games publisher, Activision had a huge library of games to choose from, yet the audience still manage to pull a few out from left-field!

Regardless of how you pronounce Sega, the Press Play on Tape team won’t judge you. Hope you enjoy this month’s podcast!

PRESS PLAY ON TAPE podcasts are available on iTunes and Podbean

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blahjediAaron Clement
Tassie based retro gaming guy. Father of 3 and married to the very tolerant Kellie Clement. Coffee powered!

Follow Aaron Clement on Twitter and Instagram

 

 

 

Film Review: Wizard Mode

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WizardMode_DMDThere is something enticing about pinball – the flashing lights, pop bumpers, drop targets and the challenge of playing better in each game seems to draw people from all walks of life. Among the top tier pinball players in North America, there is one name that constantly stands out, Robert Emilio Gagno. Through his dedication to pinball, Robert has won many a tournaments and competitions and now strives for the ultimate pinball reward, Wizard Mode. Oh, and Robert happens to have autism.

Wizard Mode is a candid personal perspective on autism through the life of the current world champion of pinball. The film follows Robert as he seeks to balance his quest to become a world pinball champion and his growing real world responsibilities, culminating in the largest pinball tournament at the world, Pinburgh, in Pittsburgh, PA.

We laughed, we cried, we cheered, we applauded, and most importantly, we were inspired by Robert Gagno’s story to become (spoiler alert), the pinball champion and a champion in life! Robert has definitely achieved Wizard Mode and the filmmakers from Vimeo and Salazar Film have hit the Super Jackpot!

Currently available on Vimeo in the U.S. and Canada. Wizard Mode will be available worldwide later this year.

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Wizard Mode

WizardMode_Postersource: Wizard Mode Film

 

Smartboy: Turn Your Android Phone Into A Game Boy

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We’ve had a busy couple of months and the Smartboy story came and went. But it’s such an exciting product we thought it was worth a quick post, just in case there are others out there who missed it the first time around.

The Smartboy concept started life as an April Fools’ Day joke – but it has rightly evolved into a real product, currently for sale as a development kit.

As Hyperkin says: “WE built the Smartboy. YOU can make it great.  The Smartboy Development Kit attaches to Android smartphones, turning the phone into a handheld gaming device. It will be compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges. Included in the kit is an open source serial app and firmware, which will enable developers of all kinds to advance Hyperkin’s current build toward a retail-ready model. Hyperkin is offering a royalty percentage – of retail-ready Smartboy units sold – to anyone that can improve the Smartboy’s serial app and firmware.”

So, if you have the skills – go for it, please! The Smartboy is selling for $59.99 USD with an estimated shipping date of 1 December 2016.
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Source: Hyperkin via Gizmag

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msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter

 

 

Wish We Were At San Diego Comic-Con 2016

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As massive fans of everything Masters Of The Universe (MOTU), this year’s San Diego Comic-Con (starting July 21) proves yet again that it is the paradise for exclusive MOTU gear for collectors!

If you are like us and cannot attend this Con of all Cons, here are a few cool MOTU items (from Super7) we wish we could get our hands on! Oh yeah, the NECA Toys TMNT Arcade action figures are on our wishlist too!

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SDCC2016_Skeletor_Lair_MOTU_MUSCLE_cansource: Super7

 

Brisbane Video Game & Pop Culture Market

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BrisbaneVideoGamesMarket_titleHey Brisbanites, listen up! Mark yourself busy this coming Sunday July 24, as the Brisbane Video Game & Pop Culture Market is coming to town!

Rise early and get down to the Shady Palms Cafe where Queensland’s finest purveyors of classic retro video games and consoles, toys, books, comics and other pop culture items will have their wares available for sale at this special event.

Presented by DJ Sheep, Bulletproof Crates and diggin101, this market is targeted at bedroom gamers and pop culture geeks wanting to get rid of their old goods at prices that aren’t eBay focused. So make sure you are at Shady Palms Cafe this Sunday and grab yourself some cool gear.

BrisbaneVideoGamesMarket_flyersource: Video Game Markets: Brisbane

 

Why Mortal Kombat Rounds Don’t Make Sense

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Dorkly shows us exactly why Mortal Kombat rounds don’t make sense, lol!

Source: Dorkly via Laughing Squid

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msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter

 

 

Bookcase Tetris

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Who needs a telly when you can play Tetris on your bookcase?!

Source: Nadia Tokerud via Technabob

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msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter