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PC-FX: The Other NEC console

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Written by: Kimimi

The PC-FX, like it’s older and far more popular brother the PC-Engine, isn’t actually a PC of any sort. You’d be forgiven for thinking otherwise – it looks very much like a traditional tower PC and confusingly you will find Youtube videos of people running PC-FX games on PC hardware (using a PC-FX GA card, more on that later) but in reality it’s just a regular console, albeit one that could also play CD+G and photo CDs as standard. [Read more…] about PC-FX: The Other NEC console

Off The Beaten Path: Saturn Edition

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Written by: Kimimi

When people think of Japanese Saturn games, they quite rightly call to mind classics such as Capcom’s 4MB-enhanced beat ‘em ups, shmups like Battle Garrega and Radiant Silvergun, and the sequels the West wanted but never got (I hate to bring up old wounds, but I must mention Dragon Force 2 and the remaining Shining Force 3 scenarios). The Saturn had far more Japanese games than just these cult classics though and while the quality naturally varies from game to game there’s still plenty of interesting titles waiting to be played, often for $10USD or less. [Read more…] about Off The Beaten Path: Saturn Edition

Evolution of Strip Poker Games

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Throughout the history of gaming, it is widely accepted to kill, pillage and destroy as long as the ladies keep their clothes on. OK, maybe we made that up. However, it is ironic that many companies will not touch a strip poker game but will make first person shooters until the cows come home. Fortunately some companies took a chance on this genre and male poker fans have been thankful ever since. Let’s take a brief look at the evolution of strip poker games. [Read more…] about Evolution of Strip Poker Games

Retro Gaming: System Rarity Guide

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Collecting ‘rare’ retro gaming systems can be heaps of fun, but you need to have a rough idea how sought after a retro gaming system is. Usually, the principle works like this – the rarer the system is, the more it will cost. This guide is exactly that, a guide, or a companion to assist you in your research of older gaming machines. Happy hunting ! [Read more…] about Retro Gaming: System Rarity Guide

Exactly how compatible IS the PC compatible ?

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Written by: J.P. Hays

Hey there ! My name is J.P. Hays, more commonly known on the net as Amadeus484. I am an avid collector of all things vintage computing and gaming, and I also enjoy studying various topics on the subject of vintage computing.  I also enjoy doing experiments on my vintage and modern computers.  The following post is one of those experiments, done about 4 months ago. Presenting – “Exactly how compatible IS the PC compatible ?”.

[Read more…] about Exactly how compatible IS the PC compatible ?

ZX Spectrum: Happy 30th Birthday

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Happy 30th birthday to you, ZX Spectrum

April 23, 1982: Sir Clive Sinclair gave the world, the ZX Spectrum. This 8-bit wonder took the UK by storm. It proved so popular that it was in production till 1992. It celebrates its 30th birthday today. So, to you, the ZX Speccy, we wish you a happy 30th birthday. May you celebrate many more to come !

 

By the numbers:
Launch Date: 23 April 1982
Launch Price: £125 (16KB), £175 (48KB)
Dimensions: 232x144x30mm
Weight: 552g
Processor: Zilog Z80A (running at 3.5MHz)
RAM: 16/48KB
ROM: 16KB
Onboard Language: Sinclair BASIC
Display: 32×24 characters, 256×192 pixels
Colours: Eight available (plus seven variations)
Sound: Internal speaker (buzzing)
Interesting key technical component: The ULA (Uncommitted Logic Array) chip, aka: the ‘glue chip’, combines the functions of several chips and controls the I/O functions.