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Thimbleweed Park Physical Version Coming to PS4 and Switch

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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

 

Sega Mega Drive Classics coming to PlayStation 4 and XBox One

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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]

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

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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!

 

Digitiser: The Show – Proper Retro Gaming TV

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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

 

Good Game Spawn Point Returns For 2018

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You youngsters (and us old timers) have been patiently waiting for this news! What news you ask? Good Game Spawn Point series 9 returns on ABC ME on March 10 at 9:00am!

Here is the official ABC TV press release for those of you that may have missed it:

GOOD GAME: SPAWN POINT (GGSP) is the show for younger gamers, by gamers – and it’s back for another huge year of gaming in 2018 with an exciting new look, brand new presenter, Gem, and online-first focus!

Hosted by Rad, Goose, and Gem, with assistance from D.A.R.R.E.N. (the Digital Assistant for the Research and Regulation of Endless Noobery), GGSP will be younger gamers’ number one daily destination for the latest video game reviews and news, let’s plays, live stream playthroughs, and stories on gaming culture, coding, and the hottest tech. Plus, the hosts will continue to attempt to solve any-and-all videogame dilemmas the audience throws at them in the regular e-mailbag segment, Ask SP!

With its new online first focus, GGSP will deliver fun gaming content for Australian families first on the ABC ME app and on YouTube each weekday, Monday through to Friday. Full episodes will continue to screen on ABC ME each Saturday at 9:00am.

With 97% of Australian homes with children having video games, and 60% of Parents actively playing games with their children, GGSP is proud to offer something for everyone in the ever-growing landscape of Australian gamer families. (*igea Digital Australia 2018 report)

Video games are changing the world, so let us be your guide!

Cast Biographies:

Gemma ‘Gem’ Driscoll

A new face will be joining the presenting line-up, with 20-year-old Gemma ‘Gem’ Driscoll jumping into the GGSP team alongside show regulars Angus ‘Goose’ Ronald and Angharad ‘Rad’ Yeo.

“It’s a dream come true to have the chance to share my passion for gaming with Australian families everywhere each-and-every week,” says Gem.

“When I was younger, I wasn’t really into gaming – not the way I am now anyway! But I’ve always been obsessed with fantasy and sci-fi. When I was in high school I started experimenting with games that let me create my own characters in these incredible worlds – and needless-to-say, I fell in love! These days, not a day goes by when I’m not thinking about games. I’m not the best at fighting games, but I adore big open worlds where I can explore at my own pace. That’s what I love most about gaming, there’s something for everyone!”

Obsessed with Doctor Who, Harry Potter and Star Wars from a very young age, 20-year-old Gemma ‘Gem’ Driscoll has always been a natural storyteller. A discovery of video games in her teens came via the realisation that she didn’t have to only write and

dream about fantastical worlds, but that she could actually ‘be’ in them – exploring epic, open worlds full of colourful characters, and setting forth on imaginative adventures.

Since then, video games have changed her life, inspiring her to create a YouTube channel to explore her thoughts on the medium; getting involved with the cosplay community and immersing herself in the culture that surrounds games; and now, joining ABC ME’s Good Game: Spawn Point, where she can share her passion for games daily, and inform kids of all ages on the wonderful experiences that are held within.

Angharad ‘Rad’ Yeo

“Hi! I’m Rad. I started playing games with my family when I was a kid, and ever since then games have been one of my favourite social activities! I love having puzzles to solve and goals to achieve, and I enjoy how games let you experience a whole different world. Some of my favourites include Portal 2, RollerCoaster Tycoon, Sim City, Just Dance, Monument Valley, and Tricky Towers. I’m also lucky enough to have the world’s most wonderful, perfect, special, beautiful dog – Boatmeal!”

Gus ‘Goose’ Ronald

“Because I was born in the very same year that Mario got his own game on the NES, there’s never really been a time in my life without videogames! If I wasn’t renting, borrowing, or saving up for the latest releases I’d be over at my mate’s house sharing the couch in furious bouts of multiplayer madness! These days I enjoy mixing up my interests in new and advancing tech with my nostalgic love for all things old school & retro! In between gaming sessions I’m usually at the beach hunting the perfect wave, or curled up on the couch with a good book and my beloved cat overlord, Lando!”

image source: ABC Australia

 

2018 Reset64 4KB ‘Craptastic’ Game Competition

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We’re excited to announce the 2018 Reset C64 4KB game coding competition. This year’s competition theme is once again…. Craptastic!

“What the bloom’n heck does craptastic mean?”, I hear you ask.

It certainly doesn’t mean crap, although it can! Craptastic can mean ludicrous, bonkers, outrageous, funny, wacky, far out, and silly. The theme simply implies that the compo is just for a bit of fun, not a serious coding competition. You are more than welcome to make an excellent game to submit for the compo. Your game may contain some humour or silliness to fit more with the theme, but it doesn’t have to!

2016 Craptastic Comp Winner: Goblin by Vanja Utne / Pond Software

In the 2016 competition, some entries were truly excellent, others excellent but silly, others truly awful but funny! It’s just a chance for people to do something a little different if they wish and explore ideas/concepts that wouldn’t normally work well in a more serious compo.

Please remember that this competition is limited to 4KB. Yes, any entry submitted can be no more than 4KB when compressed. If your game is more than 1 file, then all the files put together must not exceed the 4KB limit.

We want craptastic game entries! Remember, the key word here is fun! We want both coders and players alike to have fun and enjoy this comp!

Submit your entries to RESET (via email) by 30th June, 2018 (23:59 GMT).

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RULES

Basic rules are as follows:

  1. The competition deadline is 23:59 GMT on the 30th June, 2018. All entries to be submitted to [email protected])
  2. All entrants must register at [email protected]
  3. Entrants are free to preview screenshots and videos of their game(s) to other publications/websites.
  4. The competition will only begin when there are at least 5 registered entrants.
  5. All submitted games MUST be 4KB or less, compressed, and executable on a stock C64 on either or each of tape, disk and cartridge. Your submission may have a separate docs file (either as a C64 executable or a txt file, which doesn’t count towards the 4KB cap).
  6. The games must be previously unreleased and your own work, whether that be by yourself or as part of a collaboration.
  7. PAL must be supported, with additional NTSC support optional (but encouraged).
  8. Participants may submit multiple entries, either as an individual or within a team. Team entries must be registered by an individual, and any potential prizes will be sent to the registered individual only.
  9. All applicants that submit a valid entry will be featured within the next issue of RESET magazine.
  10. Entries should be submitted exclusively to RESET by the competition deadline. Please feel free to share as you wish after the competition has ended (after the compo deadline has passed).
  11. There will be a panel of judges (TBA), and entries will be scored on a point distribution basis across several criteria. The decision of the panel is final.
  12. Judges *CAN* enter games themselves, but cannot self-vote (award points to their own release).
  13. Games must be submitted as freeware.
  14. Games will be published (not necessarily exclusively) on a future Reset Mix-i-disk for the whole world to enjoy, after the competition has concluded, and may be included on a future cartridge compilation.

4th place in the 2016 Craptastic Comp: Bonkey Kong by Graham Axten / Pond Software

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SCORING SYSTEM

The scoring rules are very simple. Depending on the number of entries, the judges will award points to each game over several criteria (as discussed below). If there are 6 entries, 6 points go to the best, then 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 to the worst.

If a panel member has entered a game themselves, then the number of points that they can award will be adjusted (in this example, to 5) and they will not score their own release.

The criteria that each game will be evaluated on are:

Originality – New idea or “rip off”? Off the wall ideas encouraged.
Concept – Quality of game design, is it fun, is it bonkers, is it craptastic?
Execution – Execution of design, taking into account controls, NTSC/GS compatibility.
Presentation – Quality of graphics, audio and overall presentation. Supremely bad can be seen as a positive in some cases!
Gameplay – A measure of how enjoyable the game is to play.
Lasting Appeal – replay value, addictiveness.
OMG factor – when you see it, do you think “wtf!?” This is the true measure of craptasticness!

When the panel has scored each game accordingly, the totals for each criteria will be divided by the number of judges to produce a mean average. These averages are then added together for each game to give a final score.

CSDB will not be used for voting. Also, entries should not be uploaded to CSDB, or elsewhere until after the competition has closed. Feel free to post screenshots or info though.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRIZES

A craptastic gaming comp requires craptastic prizes, right? Actual prizes and more sponsors will be announced soon!

For now, a big thank-you to the following sponsors for their support.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Keep an eye on the Reset64 Facebook page for more information.
  • If you would like to sponsor a prize, please get in touch!

So, what are you waiting for? Get coding, and remember, have fun!!

Previous competition (to help you get inspired): http://csdb.dk/event/?id=2483

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Unkle K / Reset C64
Father, husband, teacher and retro gaming/computer enthusiast! Editor of Reset… C64 magazine.

Follow Reset C64 on Twitter

 

 

SCORE WARS: Galaga World Championship

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Consider yourself a top Galaga player? Then you only have till March 1 to qualify for a chance to be flown over to Score Wars (in Sante Fe, New Mexico) by Meow Wolf to compete for the $10,000 top prize!

So what are you waiting for, get on over to the Score Wars website now to register your high score!

source: Score Wars

 

Replicade X Tempest Mini Arcade Machine: The Early Bird Catches The Cool Worm

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If you were like us, you may have backed New Wave Toys’ first Kickstarter which was a Replicade Centipede mini arcade machine.

When we got the note that their Replicade X Tempest mini arcade was now live on Kickstarter, we jumped on it right away! Yes, we broke our first New Year’s resolution – no backing Kickstarters in 2018, but we made an exception for this, cause it is that good.

The Replicade X Tempest Kickstarter has already blown past its goal, so this will happen and we can’t wait! For everyone that went gaga at our photos of the insert coin light up keychain, here is your chance to grab one by backing this campaign with as little as $25USD.

Instead of regurgitating all about New Wave Toys’ Replicade X Tempest mini arcade right here, why don’t you go and check out the Kickstarter now and decide for yourself.

source: Replicade X Tempest on Kickstarter

 

THEC64® Mini: Coming on March 29!

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The World’s best-selling Home Computer on sale from 29 March 2018

The fully licensed re-imagining of the 80’s bestselling home computer – THEC64® Mini – will be released on the 29 March 2018!

Developed by Retro Games Ltd – and distributed by Koch Media – THEC64® Mini is half the size of the original C64 and is a fully functioning home computer that connects directly to your television and comes with two USB ports for the joystick and a keyboard.

Launched in 1982, the C64 home computer went on to dominate the home computer scene throughout the 1980s. Millions of units were sold across the world and have a special place in the hearts of its former owners.

36 years later and it’s back as the reimagined THEC64® Mini.  Plugging into any modern TV via its HDMI port, users can play any one of the 64 licensed classic pre-installed  games.  This includes games from developers like Epyx, Gremlin Graphics, Hewson and The Bitmap Brothers boasting titles such as California Games, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, Paradroid and Impossible Mission among many others.

Also included is the classic puzzler Boulder Dash®. The game sees ‘Rockford’ cavern crawling in search of gems while trying to avoid creatures, cave-ins and gas explosions. Stephan Berendsen, President of BBG Entertainment GmbH said: “Retro Games and BBG brought back together what has always belonged dating back to 1984 – the C64 and Boulder Dash®.”

Most of these games were rated over 90% by leading publications of the day, with many winning coveted awards. From sports to shooters, platforms to puzzles, there is a plethora of titles to keep the most discerning retro enthusiast happy!

“We are delighted to bring to retail THEC64 mini and let both original fans of the machine, and all-new generations of games players discover this amazing system, as well as maybe even have a go at programming it for themselves!”, said Paul Andrews, Retro Games’ Managing Director.

What’s in the box:

  • THEC64® Mini
  • 1.5m wired USB joystick (with added function keys for game specific modes
  • USB charging cable (1.2m)
  • HDMI cable (1.2m) allowing full compatibility will all modern TVs

Other features include:

  • Pixel perfect display with US/Europe display modes
  • CRT filter options
  • Save game function
  • Plug a standard PC keyboard into one of the two USB ports and use as a classic C64 to type in those old BASIC computer listings
  • Future software updates can also be assured by firmware revisions via USB flash drive.

image source: THEC64® Mini

PRESS RELEASE supplied by Koch Media

 

Nintendo Labo: Make, Play, Discover

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The big news of the day has to be the announcement of Nintendo Labo, a brand new build and play interactive experience for your Nintendo Switch! From piano to motorbike, a robot and much more, each Toy-Con comes to life when combined with the mighty Switch.

Don’t believe us, then check out the trailer below. Basically, this cardboard tech will tickle your creative bone, we just hope that it could somehow be integrated with our PinBox 3000 😉

Nintendo announced two Toy-Con kits (Variety and Robot) with a Customisation Set that will provide handy materials, like stencils, stickers and tape. Nintendo Labo kits will be available on April 20 in Australia. So, what’s the verdict?

image source: Nintendo of America

image source: Lil-Ausretrogamer’s PinBox 3000!