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You are here: Home / Archives for 2018

Archives for 2018

Review of the SNES / Super Famicom: A Visual Compendium

March 16, 2018 By ausretrogamer

When it comes to video gaming related compendiums, Bitmap Books has got you covered. One of their first efforts, the cleverly titled Commodore 64: a visual commpendium was an absolute ripper. We still love and cherish our C64 commpendium, especially the nostalgic buzz we get when flicking through its pages and finding games that we may have forgotten about. That C64 commpendium was the start of Bitmap Books’ journey into publishing awesome gaming related tomes.

Fast forward to today and we are once again wowed by their latest publication, the SNES/Super Famicom: a visual compendium! Not only is this compendium double (and then some!) the size of the Commodore 64 one, it boasts content that you would not normally find in a book like this. We were expecting the games coverage (of course), but the variety of content and contributions from industry legends, like Eugene Jarvis (Ed: OMG!) really blew us away!

The first thing that struck us when we received the SNES/Super Famicom: a visual compendium was its beautiful lenticular fascia slipcase. As mentioned, the size of this compendium (it’s 536 pages!) did get the 16-bit nostalgic nerves tingling immediately. We can bang on about the premium quality and finish, but we have come to expect this from Bitmap Books, which is a great feather in their cap.

The SNES (Super Famicom in Japan) was Nintendo’s entrant in the bitter 16-bit console war with Sega’s Mega Drive/Gensis. Selling almost 50 million consoles worldwide, it made Nintendo’s console a firm favourite with millions of gamers around the globe. If you owned or played on one of these 50 million SNES/Super Famicom consoles, then this compendium is for you!

SNES/Super Famicom: a visual compendium offers a visual snapshot of the best games, developers, box art and product design from across the territories it sold in. As the name suggests, it is a visual book designed to stir up excitement and nostalgia for Nintendo’s fantastic 16-bit machine and its legacy of classic video games. From the varied and amazing visual content, we absolutely loved the behind the scenes look at the creation of the SNES product / console packaging – a fascinating insight into the design team’s thinking!

This is really an easy review to do as the subject matter and quality finish truly sell themselves. Do yourself a favour and grab this compendium before it sells out!

SNES/Super Famicom: A Visual Compendium was kindly supplied for review by Bitmap Books

 

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture, Reviews Tagged With: Bitmap Books, Book, Book Review, classic gaming, compendium, NES, retrogaming, Review, Sam Dyer, SNES/Super Famicom: a visual compendium, SNES: a visual compendium, SuFami, Super Famicom, super nintendo, video games book

Thimbleweed Park Physical Version Coming to PS4 and Switch

March 15, 2018 By ausretrogamer

Calling all physical game collectors! On March 30 — the one-year anniversary of Thimbleweed Park’s digital download debut — you’ll be able to pick up physical PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions courtesy of our friends at Limited Run Games.

For both PS4 and Nintendo Switch, Limited Run Games will offer a USD$34.99 standard version and a USD$64.99 collector’s edition that comes with exclusive “feelies” — just like the good old days. These releases will be region-free. Quantities will be limited and once they’re gone, they’re gone, so start saving your nickels, dimes, and arcade tokens!

You can find more details on Limited Run Games’ website: http://www.limitedrungames.com

Just in case you don’t know what all this Thimblweed Park business is about, here is the 101, but first, how it all started…

Thimbleweed Park began its life on Kickstarter, created by the co-creator of Monkey Island and Maniac Mansion, Ron Gilbert. Thimbleweed Park is definitely a homage to the aforementioned games, which is a pretty good thing we reckon.

Anyway, on with the Thimbleweed Park 101:

October 15, 1987 – A dead body is rotting under the bridge, but the 81 (sorry, make that 80) inhabitants of the once proud town of Thimbleweed Park have bigger concerns. The town’s founder recently died under mysterious circumstances. The hotel appears to be haunted. A giant slice of pizza roams the streets. And something sinister is going on behind the locked gate of the burned-out pillow factory at the edge of town — something that could consume us all.

Five people with nothing in common have been drawn to this weird, rundown place. They don’t know it yet, but they’re deeply connected. And they’re being watched.

  • Who is Agent Ray really working for?
  • What does Junior Agent Reyes know about the pillow factory fire?
  • Will the ghost, Franklin, get to speak to his daughter again?
  • Will Ransome the *Beeping* Clown ever become a decent human being?
  • Will aspiring game developer Delores choose her family over her dreams?
  • And most importantly: how come no one cares about that dead body?

By the end of a long, strange night, these questions will be answered — and you’ll understand why in a town like Thimbleweed Park, a dead body is the least of your problems.

Developer / Publisher: Terrible Toybox (based in Seattle)
Platforms: Mac, Windows, Linux, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android

image source: Thimbleweed Park

 

Filed Under: Announcements, Modern Gaming Tagged With: 80s, Limited Run Games, Nintendo Switch, Physical Game, PlayStation 4, PS4, Terrible Toybox, Thimbleweed Park, Video Games

Sega Mega Drive Classics coming to PlayStation 4 and XBox One

March 15, 2018 By ausretrogamer

HOLD ME CLOSER SHADOW DANCER! SEGA MEGA DRIVE CLASSICS COMING TO PLAYSTATION 4 AND XBOX ONE

SEGA® Europe Ltd. has an Altered Beast™ of an announcement certain to create an Alien Storm™ amongst the Shining Force™ of retro SEGA fans out there, as SEGA® Mega Drive Classics™ is set to release for PlayStation® 4 and Xbox® One on 29th May, 2018.

The collection has over 50 retro classics to experience across every genre; arcade action, shooters, beat ‘em ups, puzzlers, old favourites and hidden gems, with a raft of modern features. These include online multiplayer, achievements, mirror modes, rewind and save states meaning players old and new should find revisiting these great games an absolute Sonic 3D Blast. Visit the Sega Mega Drive Classics product page for more details.


source: SEGA Europe

SEGA Mega Drive Classics is available to pre-order now. It comes complete with a double sided Golden Axe™ and Streets of Rage™ poster, identical to the ones you would have seen in the game’s 90s inspired retro gamer’s bedroom, the hub through which players can access the entire collection!

To Gain Ground™ on all the latest information about SEGA and the SEGA Mega Drive Classics visit www.sega.co.uk.

Go now, be the Light Crusader™ you always dreamed you could be…

PS: Oh how we wish Sega Mega Drive Classics would somehow materialise on the Switch 😉

image source: SEGA Europe

[PRESS RELEASE supplied by Five Star Games]

Filed Under: Announcements, Modern Gaming, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: 16-bit, Classic Games, Mega Drive, Mega Drive Classics, PlayStation 4, PS4, Retro Gamers, Retro Gaming, Sega Genesis, Sega Mega Drive Classics, Sega Mega Drive Classics PS4, Sega Mega Drive Classics Xbox One, XB1, XBone, Xbox One

ReedPOP & EB Games partner up for PAX Aus 2018 featuring EB Expo

March 14, 2018 By ausretrogamer

THIS IS BIG NEWS PEEPS!

PAX Aus and EB Expo, the biggest gaming shows in the southern hemisphere, are teaming up to create the ultimate celebration of games and gaming culture at PAX Aus 2018.

This partnership will bring the world-class features of EB Expo to PAX Aus and include a dedicated area for the biggest game publishers to showcase upcoming titles, developer presentations, and Australia’s biggest pop-up EB Games store.

PAX Aus will take place from 26-28 Oct. at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and feature games and content from over 180 companies from around the world.

PS: Don’t stress, the Classic Gaming Area will return again at PAX Aus 2018!

 

Filed Under: Announcements Tagged With: EB Expo, EB Expo 2018, EB Games, EB Games Expo, events, expo, Gaming Event, PAX Aus, PAX Australia, PAXAus, PAXAus 2018

The Blue Marble

March 14, 2018 By ausretrogamer

We are left scratching our heads yet again by the brilliance of others in this world.

Enter YouTuber Kaplamino. He spent 3 months making this epic blue marble Rube Goldberg domino-effect contraption which has totally blown our minds!

Kaplamino must have patience of a saint, as he failed over 500 times getting this just right – WOW!


source: Kaplamino

 

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture

Digitiser: The Show – Proper Retro Gaming TV

March 13, 2018 By ausretrogamer

Does Paul Rose (aka: Mr Biffo) really need an introduction? If so, then hang your head in shame! OK, if you really don’t know, for whatever reason, we won’t judge (Ed: oh yes we will!). Anyway, here is the 101 on Paul Rose – Going by his alter ego, Mr. Biffo, he is the creator and chief writer of legendary teletext games magazine Digitiser, which ran in the UK between 1993 to 2003. These days, he mostly writes for kids TV but can still be found rambling on about games, old and new on his daily website, Digitiser2000.com. You can thank Wikipedia and Retro Gamer (magazine) for this mashed Paul Rose bio.

So why all the excitement and the soiled undies you may ask? Well, Mr Biffo has a Kickstarter that will tickle your retro gaming and funny bone. Digitiser: The Show, will be a proper retro gaming tv series, with top notch production value that will blow your 8-bit minds! Rather than spin a yarn on here, why don’t you check out the Kickstarter campaign and judge for yourself as to why THIS MUST HAPPEN!

Oh yeah, since Digitiser: The Show campaign has blown past its target goal, Mr Biffo has kindly thrown together a handy grid showing which rewards are available with which tier – so check it out, pledge hard or go play with your broken yo-yo!


source: Digitiser2000

 

Filed Under: Announcements, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: Digitiser, Digitiser2000, Digitiser: The Show, Digitiser: The Show - Proper Retro Gaming TV, Gameplay Jenny, Kickstarter, Larry Bundy Jr, Mr Biffo, Old School, Paul Gannon, Paul Rose, Retro Gamer, Retro Gamer TV, retrogaming, Teletext

Flipping Cool: Stern Pinball Arcade – Nintendo Switch

March 12, 2018 By ausretrogamer

Let’s get something straight off the bat, there is definitely room for two pinball video games on the Nintendo Switch! The gamer is the winner here as both pinball games on the Switch are unique in their own way to warrant them being in your games library.

Stern Pinball Arcade is distinct from Pinball FX 3 as it allows playing real world pinball machines on your Switch. And with the latest digital update allowing portrait mode (TATE) play and full in-game touch control, Stern Pinball Arcade is currently our go to pinball game on the Switch (sorry Pinball FX 3).

Look, you can now play Stern Pinball Arcade in TATE mode!

Oo’er, TATE loveliness

As mentioned earlier, playing real world pinball machines is this game’s main drawcard. We are huge fans of Stern’s real world machines, so to be able to play the likes of AC/DC, Ghostbusters, Star Trek, Mustang and Starship Troopers is pretty damn cool. For those of you that want to know exactly which tables you can play in Stern Pinball Arcade, here is the complete list (tables can be purchased in add-on packs):

  • Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
  • Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
  • Starship Troopers
  • Ghostbusters Premium
  • Ghostbusters Limited Edition
  • Star Trek Vengeance Premium
  • Star Trek Enterprise Limited Edition
  • Harley Davidson / Third Edition
  • High Roller Casino
  • Last Action Hero
  • AC/DC Premium
  • AC/DC Back In Black Limited Edition
  • Mustang Premium “Boss”
  • Mustang Limited Edition
  • The Phantom of the Opera

Each table has leaderboards to chase for bragging rights whether you compete against friends or players around the world. There is also a Stern Challenge mode that sees you hitting a target score on each table to earn challenge points before moving on to the next. If you want to get to grips with a table and understand how to play it or dig deeper in its ruleset, then hit the instructions and table goals to get you up to speed.

Speaking of speed, Stern Pinball Arcade has got you covered. Ball trajectory and flipper aim is accurate, so hitting targets and ramps is easier, giving you that satisfied feeling when you make your shot! The greatest satisfaction of playing Stern Pinball Arcade on the Switch is that it has the fundamental concepts of gravity, force and acceleration down pat. If you can’t find these Stern pinball machines to play in real life, then Stern Pinball Arcade is your next best bet! Get flipping and tilting (actually, don’t tilt!).

Should we play Stern’s Ghostbusters in YOKO (horizontal) mode; OR …

TATE (vertical) mode? Hmm….

Better luck next time!

Let’s learn the Star Trek ruleset

Woohoo, full in-game touch control!

Stern Pinball Arcade add-on packs were kindly provided by Stern Pinball for this review.

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Filed Under: Pinball, Reviews Tagged With: game review, nintendo, Nintendo Switch, pinball, Pinball Press, Review, Stern Pinball Arcade, Stern Pinball Arcade Nintendo Switch, Stern Pinball Arcade review, The Pinball Arcade

Skynet Can Now Play Galaga!

March 11, 2018 By ausretrogamer

We all know the doom and gloom that Skynet brought us in the Terminator movies, but what would happen if you used artificial intelligence for good by playing one of the greatest vertical shmups of all time? Well, high score tables may end up all having the initials AI on them.

So how does the Learnfun and Playfun AI built by Tom Murphy VII go at playing Galaga? You’ll have to watch the video to study its moves and find out the surprise ending 😉

PS: If you wanna learn how to use the Learnfun and Playfun AI system, check it out here.


source: Jordan Rathbone

[via Technobob]

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: AI, artificial intelligence, Galaga, learnfun and playfun, learnfun playfun, retrogaming, shmup, shoot'em up, Skynet, Terminator, tom 7, tom murphy vii

How Video Games Save Lives

March 9, 2018 By ausretrogamer

Next time someone tells you that video games are a complete waste of time tell them about Ryan “Chinglish” Dingle!

The Feed’s Marc Fennell spoke with him at Blizzard’s Blizzcon, about how video games changed his life – from a homeless teenager to becoming a professional gamer.


source: The Feed

 

Filed Under: Modern Gaming Tagged With: Blizzcon, Chinglish, chinglishtv, gamer, Marc Fennell, ryan chinglishtv, ryan dingle, SBS, Streamer, TheFeed, TheFeedSBS, video, Video Games

DIY Nintendo Switch Pinball Controller

March 7, 2018 By ausretrogamer

Who needs Nintendo Labo when you can create your own custom Nintendo Switch pinball controller for less than a meal for two at Nando’s!

Stemage was nice enough to provide a bill of material and schematics to make this cool DIY Switch Controller for USD$26!


source: Stemage

 

Filed Under: Modern Gaming, Pinball Tagged With: $26 custom pinball controller for Nintendo Switch and Pinball FX3, diy, Nintendo Switch, pinball, Pinball Controller, Pinball FX 3, Pinball Nintendo Switch, Stern, Stern Pinball

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