AUSRETROGAMER

The Pop-Culture E-Zine

You are here: Home / Archives for ausretrogamer

ausretrogamer

Construction Simulator – Review

By

We’ll be upfront, we haven’t played a ‘sim’ video game in a long long time, especially one like this one!

Our expectations in playing Construction Simulator (CS) on our Xbox Series S was coming off a low base. We honestly didn’t know what to expect, and weren’t thinking about getting hooked on such a game. Well, we didn’t have to wonder for too long, as we found Construction Simulator such a breath of fresh air compared to the plethora of other genres we’ve been playing lately. We even managed to drain our controller, which left our construction crew and company perilously close to failure, that’s how darn good this game is – it makes you care and take responsibility for the success of your construction empire.

30 million Construction Sim fans can’t be wrong in loving this series, so better make that 30 million + 1 now. Aastragon Entertainment and Weltenbauer have ensured the player could build (pun fully intended!) a construction empire on a myriad of gaming systems, from the PC, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, to the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles. CS includes a co-op multiplayer for up to four players, the largest fleet of vehicles in the history of the series and numerous new and once again significantly expanded features in a completely revised, modern look. Coming in new to this series, we have to say, it’s been a pleasant surprise.

Will you become the next Multiplex or Lendlease? Or will you become a Grocon, where you start off all high and mighty, only to go down the building gurgler – your destiny is literally in your hands. Where else could we realise our childhood dreams of becoming a builder or using an excavator – thankfully, CS offers this in the comfort of our lounge room!

The extensive list of licensed vehicles, machines and equipment from the top manufacturing brands is quite impressive, as are the huge maps across Europe and the US with different and challenging campaigns featuring 90 jobs! It’s not just pure building, this is an all encompassing simulator, including maintaining your construction yard, refuelling and vehicle maintenance and renting construction gear from your dealer, just to name a few. We can’t really compare to real life as we aren’t in the industry, but the publisher assures us that the earthmoving systems and driving physics have all been revamped, making them very close to lifelike – which is great to know.

We’d go so far as to say that Construction Simulator is our fave ‘sim’ for 2022 so far! We have no doubt the 4-player co-op multiplayer mode would be even more fun than the solo campaigns, but nevetheless, this game is the complete package, no matter how you play it! Go and build and have some fun!



Disclaimer: Xbox Series X|S review code for Construction Simulator was provided by HomeRun PR.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie Teaser Trailer

By

Just in case you have been living off the grid lately, check out the latest teaser trailer for The Super Mario Bros. movie! It’s a bit Game of Thrones-ish, which isn’t a bad thing.

Are you excited? We sure are! WAHOO!


source: GameSpot



Official ELDEN RING Fine Art Print Collection Is Available Now

By


Working in close conjunction with FromSoftware, Inc., and Bandai Namco Entertainment Ltd., next-gen art gallery Cook and Becker has proudly launched a collection of 10 museum-grade-quality art prints from the game ELDEN RING.

The prints are official concept and key artworks used by FromSoftware, Inc. in the development of ELDEN RING.

The ELDEN RING collection consists of 10 prints, showing in-game characters such as Godfrey, and General Radahn and Leonard, or locations like Limgrave, the Debate Hall, the Lake Village Of The Albinaurics, and more.

The limited-edition prints are museum-grade quality, using only the best quality paper and archival inks to ensure longevity. All works are available for purchase unframed, or with a high-quality frame or finish.

Visit the full collection by clicking this link for information on pricing, finishing. For more information about Cook and Becker, please visit our website: https://www.cookandbecker.com



PAX AUS is THIS WEEK!

By

After 3 years, PAX Aus is coming back home – in person

It’s that time of year where we all gather at PAX Aus for some amazing times. Naturally, we are biased by saying that you should all definitely come and check out the Classic Gaming Area for a hit of nostalgia (or if you are so inclined, to participate in the many tournaments to earn bragging rights!).

For now, to get you all hyped for PAX Aus 2022, check out our posts from the last in person PAX Aus in 2019. We hope to see many of you at this year’s event!



Star Wars Classical Artworks From A Long Long Time Ago

By

The amazing artist Scadarts, has created very cool classic art portraits (and icons) of our beloved Star Wars characters!

Here are a few that we loved, but there are plenty more here.

PS: If you want any of these on a t-shirt, hoodie or even a baby onesie, then check out Scadarts’ storefront!

images used with permission via Scadarts



LEGO Unveils An Ultimate Collector Series of The Mandalorian’s Razor Crest

By

*GULP* LEGO teased us earlier this week (see the below mind-blowing tweet) with the Ultimate Collector Series version of The Mandalorian’s Razor Crest set!

All you need to know is that it will be made up of 6,187 pieces and will be rich in details! The LEGO Star Wars Razor Crest set will include removable engines and a cockpit, an escape pod, and a minifigure-size carbon-freezing chamber, as well as minifigures featuring the characters of Grogu™, the Mandalorian™, Mythrol™, and Kuiil™ on a buildable Blurrg™ model.

Once built, you can proudly (play with it, or) display your creation with an innovative stand and information plaque. This ultra cool Collector Series Lego Star Wars Razor Crest set will set you back US$600 (~ AU$950.00)! Now hurry up and release it now, please!!!!!!!

source: technabob

 



Metroid Mike 64 Presents: Super Mario Bros. 5

By

Yeah, you read that title right! Thanks to the hard and meticulous work over the last 7 years, Metroid Mike 64 has created Super Mario Bros. 5 using Super Mario Maker 2.

Metroid Mike 64 has fused classic NES/SNES 2D Mario platforming action with 40 full courses spread across 8 worlds. He has used elements from Super Mario World, Super Mario Bros. 3 and the one that started it all, Super Mario Bros.

We reckon Shigeru Miyamoto would be quite impressed with Metroid Mike 64’s wonderful creation! What are you waiting for, grab the Maker ID (0G9-XN4-FNF) and have some fun!

source: Metroid Mike 64 via Twitter



Arcade Machine Coin Slot: Insert Coin To Play Anything

By

Now this one hits right in the nostalgia bit of our retro heart! We pumped countless coins into arcade and pinball machines, back when they were 60c per play, but then quickly become $1 and $2 gold coins per play! Ah, those were the days.

If you want to relive the experience (at home or in the office) of seeing a coin slot and coin return, then TAMA-KYU’s arcade machine coin slots will be right up your alley!

We would love to grab these 4 different coin slots (priced ¥300 YEN / $3.20 AUD each) and stick them on our microwave oven, fridge, TV and of course, our gaming console(s)!

Cha-ching!

image and story source: technabob(via PR Times JP)



Stern Pinball’s James Bond Pinball Machines Are Shaken, Not Stirred

By

SternPinball Announces New
James Bond 007 Pinball Machines
Featuring the Award-Winning InsiderConnected™

The world’s most famous British Secret Service agent gets the Stern Pinball treatment, all shaken, but not stirred! The world’s largest pinball manufacturer has unveiled their latest pinball machine: James Bond 007, celebrating the iconic James Bond films.

This new cornerstone series features the original 007 actor, Sean Connery, available in Pro Edition, Premium Edition, and Limited Edition (LE).  Stern Pinball will also release a special James Bond 007 60th Anniversary Limited Edition pinball machine featuring all six James Bond actors!


source: Stern Pinball

In Dr. No (1962) Sean Connery propelled 007 into the cultural zeitgeist, bringing the legendary literary figure to life through adrenalised action sequences, ground-breaking gadgets and effects, memorable characters, and timeless villains.

Stern’s James Bond 007 cornerstone pinball machine highlights film footage and iconic music from the films that built the 007 legend: Dr. No, From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), and Diamonds Are Forever (1971).  Players are immersed into the world of espionage in this action-packed pinball experience, tackling assignments, teaming up with key allies, and stopping SPECTRE’s villainous schemes.

Gather gadgets from Q Branch as pinballs get ejected through the roof of a custom sculpted Aston Martin DB5.  Break through the Osato Chemicals drop targets to battle SPECTRE at the Bird 1 rocket base.  And hold your breath on the gravity defying, magnetic jetpack as it transports pinballs across the playfield.

All James Bond 007 pinball machines will include Stern’s award-winning Insider Connected™ system, which enables players to interact with the game and a global network of players in a variety of ways.  Through Insider Connected, players can track progress, earn new game-specific achievements, engage with the player community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests.  Insider Connected also provides an operator-focused toolset to drive location play through Location Leaderboards, build player loyalty, analyze performance, make adjustments remotely, and maintain the machines.  Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com/.

Limited to 1,000 machines globally, the highly collectible cornerstone Limited Edition includes an exclusive full-color mirrored backglass inspired by Thunderball, masterfully adapted cabinet artwork, custom high gloss and powder-coated pinball armor, 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 Chairman Gary Stern and President Seth Davis.

Stern’s James Bond 007 60th Anniversary Limited Edition pinball machines will immerse players in the history of 007.  Limited to 500 machines globally, the highly collectible 60th Anniversary Limited Edition offers players a retro-inspired playfield packed with exciting mechanical action.  Control the chaos from Oddjob’s kinetic spinning disc hat, survive tactical precision shots against 10 drop targets, escape SPECTRE’s evil henchmen navigating pinballs through 4 fast-flowing optical spinners, learn assignments through an in-playfield LCD screen, and rack up high scores on classic-style score reels.

Fittingly, the new James Bond 007 pinball machines will be on show for the first time to media and public in London.  On September 26th the games will be on display and available to play as part of the Bond-themed Christie’s Late, a public event celebrating the forthcoming Christie’s Sixty Years of James Bond Charity Auction.  Shortly after, they will be a part of the James Bond at 60 weekend at the British Film Institute on the South Bank, September 30th-October 2nd.

Pricing and Availability:

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”)*^:

*MSRP for sales to USA end-users, before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.
^Australian pricing has not been announced at this stage

  • Pro Edition: $US 6,999
  • Premium Edition: $US 9,699
  • Limited Edition: $US 12,999
  • 60th Anniversary Limited Edition: Price Yet to be announced

James Bond 007 pinball machines and accessories are available now through authorised Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world. Pro and Premium Editions will also be available at the 007Store.com

PS: We love the retro inspired artwork, as it is in keeping with the time-based theme. George Gomez (Lead Designer) always makes extremely playable pinball machines, and this one looks to be in keeping with his design philosophy of making it unique and fun!

Limited Edition

Premium Edition

Pro Edition

image source: Stern Pinball Inc.



Pokémon Pinball Machine – It’s For Real

By

A dad of a Pokemon fan created an incredible real life Pokemon pinball machine!

Imagine being skilled enough to reskin an old pinball machine into an amazing Pokemon pinball machine?! Luckily for Redditor bosgetti, their father had the requisite skill set to create such a unique, customised and incredible pinball machine.

In case you were wondering, the donor EM pinball machine was a Chicago Coin Hi-Score Pool.

PS: Check out this amazing machine on imgur now!

story source: Reddit