The Pop-Culture E-Zine
Is it the fun, is it the mayhem playing with friends or is it the achievement of beating the end boss, getting a high score or completing that tough mission? Why do you play video games? If you are stuck for an answer, watch the below video and find out.
source: The Game Theorists
Which video gamer personality are you? Are you a thinker or are you an achievement go-getter?
source: Steven Lefcourt
Retro gaming music genres remind me not only of the game tunes but also embrace a celebration of the collective atmosphere of being a kid in the 80s – It was not just about the game you took home after school and played for 6 hours straight, but also good times spent against a backdrop of TV shows, movies of the time, riding BMX bikes, attitudes, and other 80s pop culture icons.
Although I’d known about chiptunes, mods, demo scenes, remixes, and some interesting game theme a capella on youtube, when I saw names like Minibosses and NESkimos on convention schedules, it definitely sounded like the ‘next level’! Speaking of ‘next level’, many of us who played around on machines like the Commodore 64 , Atari 800 or the Amiga, at some stage inevitably started to dissect those games to see what made them work.
Though not limited just to retro gaming, the Nerdcore genre in the style and hacker-related lyrics of artists like YTcracker, Dual Core, MC Frontalot, and Dale Chase definitely shares some common roots with old-school games and deserve a mention here.
Many of the listed bands play at gaming, demo, or hacker conventions, and can be easily missed with lots of things going on. It really pays to know a few and remember to stop-by when you’re there. To get you started, here’s a list of great retro gaming-related live acts to check out one night or at least have a listen to.
A few bands that rock out some of those great memorable retro game themes:
A small sampling of Nerdcore artists with retro gamer-related lyrics and styles:
Although there’s a plethora of awesome artists out there, here’s just a few choice video clips from the above list to start with. I’ve tried to grab the live versions where possible to give some idea of the audience experience, which is often fairly up-close and personal, especially in the case of Nerdcore shows I’ve been at. Crank it up!
Minibosses : Super Mario 2 at Penny Arcade Expo 2006
source: Vaguely Qualified Productions
The OneUps: A number of tunes at Nerdapolooza 2013
source: Jason Roop
Video Games Live : Medley at Hamilton Palace Theatre 2011
source: Montreal Metal Shows
Axes Denied : Commando theme
source: Axes Denied
Year 200x : Ghosts ‘n Goblins theme
source: The LoverlyLiz
Sixto Sounds : Castlevania
source: LKH9
MC Frontalot : It is pitch dark
source: MC Frontalot
Zealous 1, Shaffer the Dark Lord, MC Lars and YTCracker : Do the Bruce Campbell (anyone remember that old c64 Evil Dead game?)
source: 1jwells
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
diaf23
Retro, science fiction, horror movie fan and breaker of things.
Follow diaf23 (dieinafire23) on Twitter
A short and sweet video about six Sega Dreamcast facts you may or may not have been aware of. Watch it, you might learn something. We definitely did. Long live the Dreamcast!
source: Vsauce3
If this doesn’t make you get up and dance at your New Year’s Eve party, then I don’t know what will. Get your Mario overalls on and get jiggy wit it!
Happy New Year to you all! Stay safe and enjoy!
source: Nathan Barnatt
Did you ever have an inkling there was something NQR (Not Quite Right) about your favourite video game character? How about that rippling Russian behemoth, Zangief, or that speedy gold-ring eating blue hedgehog, Sonic? I always suspected something about these two. Thank you to the team at Cracked.com, they have finally released the dossier on 12 video game characters that may require medical intervention.
source: Cracked.com
Every gamer knows that the mushroom power-up is only for Mario and his bro, Luigi to use. If the power up falls in the wrong hands, it may spell doom for the video gaming universe. Watch what happens when other popular video gaming characters (Lara Croft, Master Chief, and Assassin Connor) attempt to steal Mario’s treasured power-ups! I shudder at the thought!
source: CorridorDigital
Hands up who keeps their retail catalogues from years gone by? I see no hands. Well, I am glad that someone did. Take a trip down nostalgia lane and drool over the video gaming gear that was on sale at Toys ‘R’ Us (USA) during the 1996 holiday season.
Images sourced via: imgur
It is that time of year. The time of year when you are supposed to be relaxed and very merry. If you are lucky enough to be on holidays and enjoying the festive season, lucky you!
For me, this time of year is always good to reflect on the last twelve months. Apart from reflecting on personal matters (which I am keeping to myself), for me, the main (retro gaming) highlight of 2013 was our participation in the very first PAX Australia event. The inaugural event was an absolute blast and we will no doubt be back, bigger and better for PAX Aus 2014! Other vintage gaming highlights included the capture (at last!) of the Vectrex and SX64.
Well, Santa is almost here, so I will take this opportunity to thank you all for your patronage – it is truly awesome and appreciated. I wish you all a very merry Christmas and all the best for 2014! Stay safe, be merry and game on!
Counting down the days until Christmas? Bored at work or home? Need a distraction?
You’re in luck. Santa has delivered all you ever wanted this holiday season: a Christmas Invaders game for your smart device! Inspired by the classic arcade game (Ed: you know, the one where you shoot invaders), you’ll be challenged with fending off wave after wave of Christmas themed invaders.
Simply tilt your device to control your Christmas tree shooter and eliminate the barrage of oncoming festive attackers. You can even try your luck aiming at Santa and his reindeer for bonus points and lives!
Work your way through the increasingly difficult levels with awesome Christmas jumper inspired designs and old school sound effects that will take you back to the good old days.
Christmas Invaders brings a festive feel with retro style gameplay. Step back in time, get in the Christmas spirit and have a go on Christmas Invaders – it is FREE!
Get your hit of FREE Christmas Invaders for your Android or iOS device right now.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hovel Games is an independent start-up that develops games for mobile devices including iOS and Android. Hovel consists of partners Kurt Rathjen and Emma Carter, and was founded in 2012 in Australia.