The Pop-Culture E-Zine
As a kid, I loved looking through sales catalogues. I’d scour the toy, and of course the video games pages.
I came across this old Norman Ross (retailer from back in the day) from August 1982, and I must say, the prices (in AUD$) for some of these goods are astronomical! Anyway, instead of getting bogged down in factoring in inflation and figuring out the prices in today’s money, let’s just enjoy the nostalgia 😉
image source: supplied
We are betting most of you may not have known that there was a line of PEPSIman action figures in Japan! Well, consider yourselves informed, cause this is one of those action figures.
This particular PEPSIman is the ultra cool snowboarder, complete with boots, cast, crutches (Ed: what the??!!) and of course, a can of Pepsi cola – ahhhhh, so refreshing! To say we are intrigued (and surprised) that this stuff exists, would be a gross understatement.
Do you have a PEPSIman in your collection?
source: eBay
Whoa, I am late to the party, but just in case there are others that aren’t aware, Atari announced that the Retro Games Ltd. made THE400 Mini pre-orders are now open – but only to US residents (boooo)!
For our Australian friends, don’t fret, cause you can also pre-order THE400 (Atari) Mini system right now at The Gamesmen site (The Gamesmen have exclusive retail rights in Australia)! Priced at AU$189.95 and shipping in late March (March 28th, 2024), this is a pretty cool system to pick up.
For everyone else, Amazon is also offering pre-orders on the THE400 Mini right here.
So, who is getting one?
One of the first games I bought for my Atari Lynx (back in the day, and which I still have!) was Chip’s Challenge. For the record, the first game I bought for the Lynx was California Games, but this review isn’t about that game!
Just like Tetris on the Game Boy, I love coming back to Chip’s Challenge on the Lynx, it’s just a great game that suits the Lynx to a tee. To now have this great game on the Switch, I honestly couldn’t stop smiling! Chip’s Challenge on the Switch is exactly how I remember it on the Lynx, but with better controls and a luscious screen (if played on the OLED Switch).
For those of you that have no idea who or what Chip’s Challenge is, let us school ya a bit! Schoolboy Chip desperately wants to join the exclusive Bit Busters Computer Club, but to prove his worthiness he must complete a series of brain-twisting challenges set by the club’s owner Melinda the Mental Marvel – darn you Melinda!
You have to help Chip solve over 140 challenging grid-based puzzles, finding and using tools and devices such as keys, switches, pushable blocks and more, all while avoiding enemy creatures, and collecting computer chips to exit the level, all against the clock! Sounds easy aye 😉
Chip’s Challenge on the Switch has brought back a lot of nostalgia. For those coming in fresh to this game, please don’t be put off by the “blocky” graphics – it’s just all part of the charm! The game shines with its mind-bending puzzles to solve. At the end of the day, for the price of the game (less than a take away coffee), Chip’s Challenge is well worth it on the Switch. It may look quite blocky when docked, but this game shines when playing it on the go!
Chip’s Challenge will be released worldwide on Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop on January 25th 2024.
Disclaimer: Chip’s Challenge Switch review code supplied by Pixel Games UK
Experience the excitement of a real-life Pac-Man maze as you elude colorful ghosts and snatch up fruit! This March (2024), The District Docklands in Melbourne will host an incredible Pac-Man Escape Room Maze. This immersive pop-up event, officially endorsed by Pac-Man, will immerse you in an escape room adventure within a massive maze.
Prepare to outmaneuver ghosts, gather your favorite fruits (bonus points if you can devour all five), and tackle puzzles along the way. Each participant has only three lives, and if caught by one of the four ghosts, a life is lost. You can embark on this adventure solo or with a team of up to 10 people – the choice is yours. The first person to collect all the fruit and conquer the puzzles will earn the title of the ultimate Pac-Man Player!
Additionally, the venue will feature Pac-Man video games for you to enjoy once you’ve completed the maze. Melbourne’s up-and-coming DJs will be spinning ’80s tunes during the session and at the pixelated bar, providing the perfect opportunity to relax and grab a refreshing beverage after your thrilling adventure
Ah LEGO Ideas, you do get some pretty darn awesome product ideas, just like this METROID – E.M.M.I. entry by DirectorInfamousCockroach100!
What’s there not to love here, there is Samus Aran (based on her Metroid Dread appearance) and the E.M.M.I. robot enemies featured in Metroid Dread!
DirectorInfamousCockroach100 states that:
Originally I was going to build Samus’ ship but I couldn’t crack the design :/ so here is the E.M.M.I! The Robot enemies featured in Metroid Dread.
The design here is a bit bulky but I wanted to try and make it as posable as possible! Of course it comes with a transparent stand just in-case, the build is not the most stable!
So if you are yearning for a Lego Metroid set of some kind, then you better get voting on this one!
Developed by Imagine Software and published by Pixel Games UK, this 1989 classic returns with over 140 levels to put your mind (and your fingers) to the test — available for the first time on Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop.
In ‘Chip’s Challenge’, players take on the role of Chip — a puzzle obsessive who desperately wants to join Melinda the Mental Marvel’s computer club. His initiation takes the form of a series of increasingly difficult puzzles. To succeed Chip slide blocks, dodge hazards and collect the computer chips to pass each level. Are you up to the Challenge?
‘Chip’s Challenge’ for Nintendo Switch allows players to play this classic puzzle game with many modern features, including:
● Display filters, including an 80s-style CRT filter; and
● Suspend points – save and restore up to 4 suspend points per game
image source: Pixel Games UK
Our good friend from Tassie and absolute coding guru, Tony Cruise, has an awesome book for you retro gamers wanting to code your own 8-Bit NES video games! Oh yeah, Tony has also supplied a 35% off discount code for this amazing tome!
My new book “Classic Game Programming on the NES” has been finalised for print production.
Grab your copy today and start creating your own games for the #NES.https://t.co/UCKPkBd22C
Use the code: au35cru for 35% discount off any @ManningBooks product in all formats.#retro…— Tony Cruise (@ElectricAdv) January 4, 2024
Get ready to embark on a heart-pounding adventure as Stern Pinball, Inc. introduces its latest masterpiece – JAWS pinball, featuring one of the most iconic motion picture thrillers of all time from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. Immerse yourself in the suspense and excitement of all four blockbuster JAWS films, brought to life with brand-new mechanical features inspired by iconic movie moments and cutting-edge technology. The JAWS pinball games are available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models, offering enthusiasts a range of options to experience the adrenaline-fueled action.
A Journey to Amity Island
Step into the fictional world of Amity Island, nestled off the coast of Long Island, New York, a charming fishing community that turns into a hotbed of danger as the Fourth of July vacationers approach. Uncover the thrilling narrative where the Amity Island mayor conceals shark attacks to safeguard the island’s tourism money, leading to even more terrifying encounters. As a player, you’ll have the chance to play as Quint, Hooper, and Brody – the grizzled fishermen determined to save Amity Island’s residents and the Fourth of July celebrations.
Experience the Heart-Stopping Gameplay
The JAWS pinball games promise an immersive experience, with players grabbing their harpoons to tackle the most dangerous ocean creatures on the planet. Animated lighting effects create tension as you spot “blood in the water,” and the motorized “Shark Fin” target makes a splash across the playfield. Navigate the “Orca Boat” upper playfield, featuring a “Lookout Tower” ramp, a ship’s wheel horizontal spinner, and a “Radio” stand-up target to call for help. Brace yourself for the motorized custom sculpted “Great White Shark” bash toy, crashing through the bottom of a fishing boat and adding an extra layer of excitement to this thrilling pinball odyssey. Will you survive JAWS?
A Symphony of Sound and Vision
In addition to the gripping gameplay, JAWS pinball games feature custom speech by actor Richard Dreyfuss and the iconic movie theme music by John Williams. Immerse yourself in the world of JAWS with audio and visual elements that pay homage to one of the greatest movie franchises of all time.
The Limited Edition Experience
For collectors and enthusiasts, the Limited Edition model is a must-have, limited to just 1,000 games globally. This highly collectible version includes a full-color mirrored backglass based on the iconic JAWS movie poster by artist Roger Kastel, a reflective foil high-definition cabinet decal with hand-drawn artwork by Michael Barnard, exclusive custom “Great White” powder-coated pinball armor, Speaker Expression Lighting with JAWS-themed game effects, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, exclusive inside art blades, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, and a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Stern President & CEO Seth Davis and Chairman & Founder Gary Stern.
Connect and Compete with Insider Connected™
Take your pinball experience to the next level with Stern’s award-winning Insider Connected™ system. Engage with the game and a global network of players through features like progress tracking, Achievements, special JAWS Quests, and the pursuit of a lifetime Bounty Hunter rank.
Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball, expresses excitement, saying, “Honoring one of the greatest movie franchises of all time, we’re giving JAWS our most advanced software and hardware to date. We can’t wait to debut JAWS Pinball’s heart-pounding gameplay to the world!”
Are you ready to face the Great White Shark and save Amity Island? Grab your harpoon and dive into the thrilling world of JAWS pinball!
PS: Before we forget, the new JAWS pinball games will make their debut at Stern Pinball’s official booth (#16254) at CES 2024 (if you are lucky to attend, make sure you head straight there)!
Indicative Pricing ($AUD):
image source: Stern Pinball, Inc.
Disclaimer: Press release supplied by Stern Pinball, Inc.
Whoa, 2024 has started in earnest with the pinball market leader, Stern Pinball, releasing “The Move”, a behind-the-scenes look at their recent factory relocation!
Being the biggest in the pinball market, Stern Pinball has been growing at an exponential rate, so it was only a matter of time for them to relocate to larger premises to have the production space to churn out their amazing pinball machines.
So stop flipping for about five and a half minutes and watch Stern Pinball’s, “The Move”!