The Pop-Culture E-Zine
This is an interesting 17 minute video indeed. Mat Taylor (aka: Techmoan) delves into the history of transparent electronic devices used in US Prisons, from cassette players, cassette tapes, radios to headphones and televisions – it’s a clear case of nostalgia! OK, we’ll see ourselves out.
source: Techmoan
We absolutely love archival footage from television broadcasters, especially footage from amusement centres (or as we used to call them, parlours) from back in the day!
The below video is from the popular segment on ABC News’ ‘This Day Tonight’, with this particular occasion focusing on Pinball Parlours in Australia in the mid 70s. This is very intriguing with some very enlightening discussions with Malcolm Steinberg (from Leisure & Allied Industries (LAI) and Timezone fame) about video gaming and pinball entertainment that are apt to this day.
So, how much did you spend on gaming back in the day? In 1976 a player might’ve spent as much as $5 (approx. $35 in today’s money) on amusement machines!
source: ABC NEWS via Facebook
Who doesn’t like free stuff? We sure do and that is why it is our duty to tell you about these latest retro gaming freebies!
PDF publisher, DaddaRuleKonge, have a swag of their popular retro gaming systems encyclopaedias all for free! No matter if you are an arcade, Atari, Nintendo, Sega, PlayStation, SNK, Vectrex or toy fan from any era, there are enough free encyclopaedias here to satisfy anyone’s interests!
Oh yeah, even though these are free (for now), you can also pay/name your price to say thank you to DaddaRuleKonge for their hard work.
So what are you waiting for, go and get downloading!
If you were impressed with Pixeljunkie’s playable mechanical LEGO Street Fighter II arcade machine, then there is no doubt you will be fully gobsmacked by Ginger Of Mods’ WiiBoy Color creation – a portable Wii, which is similar in size to the Game Boy Color!
This creation took 9 months of meticulous work, from printing the shell, to fitting all of the components, like the motherboard and display, resulting in the superb and unique WiiBoy Color!
The ‘Shut up and take my money’ meme would be a massive understatement right about now!
source: Ginger of Mods
While enjoying some much needed time off during the summer break, we finally got around to completing a fun project that had been on our plate for months!
With the way 2020 turned out, we really had no excuse of procrastinating on our already lengthy to do list. So when the Festive Season rolled around, we unboxed and started to build our Lego Star Wars Helmets! The experience of building these Lego sets had a calming effect, which was a great and unexpected by-product! We didn’t build these in one sitting, we basically did about an hour each day for about a week. Oh yeah, the instruction were awesome and a breeze to follow!
As mentioned, the build didn’t take as long as we imagined, but that may have something to do with the excitement and fun we were experiencing while completing each Star Wars helmet. Once they were all done, we found the perfect home for them – right on top of our Star Wars Comic Art pinball machine!
We reckon this custom pinball topper compliments the pinball’s Star Wars villainous artwork just perfectly – but we are biased 😉
If you are a fan of the Commodore 64’s SID chip and the brilliant music and sounds it pumps out, then you’ll also know the works of one, Mr. Rob Hubbard! The SID Maestro created countless classic chiptunes for some of the biggest games on the Commodore 64, from Commando, International Karate to Monty On The Run and Sanxion to name just a few.
This album reconstruction of Rob’s classic SID music in full stereo was painstakingly (and lovingly) assembled by Jason Page (aka: No Other Medicine). Jason had previously worked with Rob on the Project Hubbard KickStarter campaign, so this reconstruction was a homage to Rob.
The best thing about this album is that the 11 chiptunes are not remixes or hacked versions of Rob’s work, rather they have gone through a process called “True Stereo” to highlight the brilliance of the original tracks.
We reckon the best way to enjoy this album is via a pair of good headphones (or stereo speakers), so kick back and crank up the volume and enjoy some classic chiptunes in full stereo!
Thank you to Jason Page and Rob Hubbard for this aural pleasure!
When it comes to publishers of classic video gaming tomes, there is none better than the French Geeks-Line Publishing! With a stable full of awesome retro gaming anthologies, you can trust in these guys developing and delivering a high quality page turning book.
Their latest campaign on Kickstarter is for an anthology on the NEC gaming systems that wowed us back in the day, the PC-Engine and its many iterations, aliases and also, the PC-FX. Check out the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 and PC-FX Anthology Kickstarter now and if you are a fan of their books or the PC-Engine family of gaming systems, then this we’d highly recommend you jump on this right now!
image source: Kickstarter
If you are undecided, read our review of Geeks-Line’s PlayStation Anthology to see what you could expect with their upcoming PC-Engine/TurboGrafx-16 & PC-FX Anthology.
Another day, another cool Lego Ideas pitch based on a much loved video game franchise!
This time round it is Pikmin’s turn, with the Pikmin – Planter of Growth Lego Idea. If you are a fan of Pikmin (or Lego), then there is only one choice really – vote now!
source: Lego Ideas – Pikmin
By: Cassandra Rosas (Originally posted on Porch.com)
Gaming is a great way to have some fun, relax, and work on your eye-hand coordination. Whether you’re new to gaming or consider yourself a seasoned pro, it’s important to have the right setup if you plan to game for hours at a time. From the right chair to the right tech and equipment, there are certain things you’ll need if you want to have the ultimate gaming room at home. Read on for some great tips and suggestions that will help you design a gaming room you’ll never want to leave.
If you’re a gamer, you’re going to need a comfortable, supportive chair with the right features. Here are a few things to look for when choosing the right gaming chair.
Back support. The proper back support is the most important component in a gaming chair since it keeps your spine aligned and your body in the right position. Look for chairs that include lumbar support and an adjustable design so you can change the angle of the back as needed. With the right back support, you’ll feel more comfortable, energetic, and able to prevent pain or injury while sitting for long periods.
Directional armrests. Adjustable armrests give you more control over how your arms and hands are positioned. Look for a chair that features directional armrests that you can move up, down, forward, and backward for optimum support.
Ergonomic. An ergonomic gaming chair provides you with the full-body support you need to stay comfortable. Ergonomic chairs should include features like a headrest, lumbar back support, and an adjustable height to help you sit in the proper position while playing. Your chair should provide you with a combination of support, comfort, and improved posture all in one.
Adjustable cushions. Gaming chairs with adjustable cushions make it easier for you to feel comfortable while you play. Most chairs that have adjustable cushions feature a lumbar “pillow” attached to the back as well as seat, back, and headrest cushions that you can move to fit your body in the best way.
Fabrics. Don’t forget to pick the right fabric or upholstery for your new chair. Mesh is great for warmer environments since it’s breathable and cool. Fabric or leather is a great option if you live in a colder place and need your chair to help keep you warm.
In the gaming world, RGB refers to red, green, and blue. Let RGB inspire your lighting and colour schemes. Here are some tips and killer gaming accessories to help you design an awesome RGB gaming room.
PC cabinet. Choose or design a PC cabinet that lets you change the lighting and design and that will make every internal component light up. This cabinet should include easy access to connect RGB-compatible components and accessories like gaming keyboards, headsets, and more.
Walls. Brighten up your gaming room with some awesome RGB lighting or décor. You can find RGB LED lighting strips, light bars, and even wall decals and artwork that will add a bold, modern touch to the room featuring the classic RGB motif.
Chair. There are lots of futuristic gaming chairs that include integrated RGB lighting. These chairs should be comfortable, but they should also have the right lighting around the back, seat, and headrest to create the look you want.
Floor. Make the entire floor RGB with lighted tiles for a bold effect. If you prefer to use lighting only around the edge of the room, try a rope light or LED light strips featuring the RGB colour scheme.
Toy and accessories. Enhance your game room even further by designing an amazing background with accessories or by adding some awesome toys to the space. Wall-mounted hexagonal light panels add a cool effect, or you can fill a wall shelf with all of your favourite characters and gaming-themed collectibles.
A lot of interactive games require webcam connectivity so you can interact with other players, so it’s important to choose one that has the best quality and picture. Before you shop, learn the differences between 4K, 1080, and 720 resolution levels.
Webcams offer different resolutions, which refers to the measure of pixels within an image. A 4k webcam is also known as Quad HD, because it offers four times the resolution of 720 pixels. These cameras are extremely high in quality, but they’re also at the higher end of the price spectrum. A 1080 webcam is full HD and is a great mid-grade choice due to its high-definition resolution, and it often comes at a reasonable price. A 720p webcam is another standard that’s still used by many gamers today. Although it doesn’t offer the best resolution, the 720 webcam is still a good choice for streaming if you need something affordable that works well.
Seasoned gamers use a gaming headset for a more immersive experience. A gaming headrest is also helpful if you want high-quality sound for talking or listening while you play using both of your hands.
Wireless vs traditional. A wireless headset makes it easier to move around the room or perform other tasks without having to take the headset off. A traditional headset attaches to your PC with a wire, which means you’ll need to remove it when you move away from your console. Most wireless headsets are rechargeable and include a docking station so they can charge up quickly. Traditional headsets don’t have a separate power source, since they rely on a direct connection with your gaming console or computer.
Look for compatibility. Certain types of gaming headsets may only be compatible with specific consoles. Check the headset’s packaging, or go online to ensure that it will work with your specific console or computer.
Aside from your chair, webcam, and headset, you’ll want to be sure you have the right desk for your needs. Here are a few pointers to help you find the perfect desk for your gaming enjoyment.
Tall or long. Just like other furniture, you’ll want to make sure your gaming desk will fit nicely in the room. Decide whether you’ll need a desk that’s tall or long, depending on your console type and your game-playing habits. A tall desk offers more vertical storage, while a wider desk will give you more elbow room and space for a larger keyboard or mousepad. Measure the space for the desk before you invest to be sure it’ll fit.
Cabinets. Consider a desk that has built-in cabinets so you can store games, accessories, and other items neatly and protect them from dust.
Shape. Your gaming desk can be a traditional rectangular shape, or you can try an L-shaped desk for more surface area and a better fit in your room. Look at the variety of desk shapes available, and consider the available space you have in your gaming room before deciding which shape will work for you.
Console space. Make sure that your desk has plenty of room for your console while leaving enough extra space for your keyboard, mouse, and anything else you’ll need. Some desks include a separate compartment underneath, where you can store your console to free up the top surface for your monitor and other accessories.
Materials. Gaming desks come in a huge range of materials, including metal, glass, and wood. Make sure your new desk is sturdy, looks great, and is able to hold up to lots of rigorous gaming. Consider things like how it looks, how it feels (texture-wise), and how easy it is to keep clean.
Images supplied by: Porch.com
Of course, no setup for a gamer is complete without the right gaming computer, so check out these features to help you build your gaming PC.
Mouse. A gaming mouse has a faster reaction time than a standard mouse. Look for a gaming mouse with the right DPI (dots per inch) level, depending on whether you use fast or “normal” hand movements. Your mouse should be comfortable, with a good grip to keep your hand and wrist stable. A mouse with a trackball is a popular choice among avid gamers, thanks to its flexibility and ease of use.
Mousepad. Make sure your mousepad includes soft and comfortable wrist support to prevent pain or carpal tunnel syndrome. Try a gaming mousepad with a low-friction surface so you can enjoy fast reaction times without the mouse “catching” on the surface.
Keyboard. Find a keyboard made of durable ABS plastic so it holds up over time and won’t get scratched. Backlighting comes standard on most gaming keyboards, which also feature a variety of colors and patterns to make playing more interactive. A one-hand keyboard allows you to type with one hand while keeping your other hand free for mouse work.
GPU. The GPU, or graphics card, is extremely important when building your gaming computer. Make sure the GPU is fast and uses the latest technology to ensure you’re getting the best graphic quality possible. Compare brands, capabilities, and features like RAM and how well it will work with your webcam, software, and monitor.
Storage. Standard storage is HDD, or a hard drive, while SSD is a solid-state drive. If you’re looking for speed and reliability, SSD is a much better choice, although it’s also more expensive. An HDD drive is less costly, but it may not have the speed or capacity you need if you’re a hardcore gamer.
CPU – AMD vs Intel: The CPU is your computer’s brain, so it’s vital to choose a fast, responsive processor. AMD CPUs are powerful and feature excellent integrated graphics, which is ideal for 3D gaming. Intel works best for videos and streaming movies, although the brand does offer many options that give you the raw power you need for fast gaming. Choose Intel if you have the cash, but opt for AMD if you’re on a tight budget or just starting out.
Buy or build? If you’re experienced in building computers, you can build your own gaming system and customize it however you choose. If you don’t have computer-building experience, or you’re a beginner, you might be better off buying something already designed for gaming. Compare your options side by side, and think about what’s most important to you, like cost, graphics, processing speed, and looks, and go from there.
If you love to game, designing the ultimate gaming room in your own home makes the entire experience even better. With the right furniture, computer, accessories, and high-tech environment, your home gaming room will be your new favourite place to chill.
By: Alex Boz (Sort of Final Boss @ ausretrogamer)
Every time March 1 rolls around, I am reminded of the day I got my Nintendo 64!
It was March 1 1997 that us folks in Australia received Nintendo’s 64-bit wonder. I had done something that I had only done once before (with the Sega Mega Drive), and that is, I plonked down $400 and bought the N64 on day one! It was a special feeling getting the latest and greatest console on day one, but the realisation that the games were sold out and new stock was still a few weeks away, was a painful experience. Once Super Mario 64 hit the shelves, I could not throw my $100 fast enough to the cashier and get back home to fire up the system to see what the fuss was all about. Let’s just say that I was not disappointed.
Thankfully (or embarrassingly) someone captured my excitement upon receiving the Nintendo 64!
image source: From the Boz Family photographic archives
Even though I have fond memories of the SNES, it is the N64 which tugs more on my nostalgic heartstrings, which till this day I can’t explain why. Perhaps it is the late night Mario Kart 64 sessions with four friends or the 2P battles I had with my cousin playing Wave Race 64, or going dinosaur hunting in Turok (fog included). Whatever it was, I am thankful for the N64 giving me thousands of hours of fun, especially playing with others sitting right next to me, not on the other side of the planet via some wires. Oh yeah, the controller cops a lot of flak, but to be honest, it is one of my favourites, which made gaming on the console even better.
What are your memories of the N64 – share them with me or via Ausretrogamer on Twitter and/or Facebook.
image source: Kelamy