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Retro Gaming Culture

Metroid Bar Top Arcade Machine

July 1, 2015 By Ms. ausretrogamer

metroid 3

John Keeler has built a Metroid bar top arcade machine, have a close up look at the awesome unit in the video below.

metroid 2

Source: John Keeler on YouTube via Geekologie

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter

 

 

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: Arcade, bar top arcade, Metroid

Conquering Oz Comic-Con Melbourne 2015

June 30, 2015 By ausretrogamer

OzComicCon_logoOz Comic-Con Melbourne 2015 has been conquered – and wow, what a weekend it was! The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre was brimming with artists, cool exhibitors (including Beta Bar, Gametraders Highpoint, Little Lands, Classic Comics, Hammerspace Games, and The 501st Legion), awesome cosplay, a full program of speakers / panels / workshops (across 5 stages!) and, of course,  photos and autographs with the plethora of TV and film megastars (e.g. Bruce Campbell, David Wenham, Jewel Staite, Jason Momoa, Amber Benson, David Hewlett).

Look out for the next Oz Comic-Cons in Brisbane (19-20 September 2015) and Sydney (26-27 September 2015), but in the meantime let’s re-live Melbourne’s pop-culture extravaganza in fifty photos – we hope you feel like you’re there!

The crowd gathers for Oz Comic-Con Melbourne 2015!
OzComicCon_1

Got our media passes – let’s go!
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Ms ausretrogamer & ausretrogamer excited to be in attendance!
OzComicCon_4

Make it so Number 1
OzComicCon_2

Eat your heart out, Khaleesi
OzComicCon_3

Rocket! Yeah!
OzComicCon_6

The merchandise was too enticing!
OzComicCon_7

Jon Snow comes back to life
OzComicCon_8

Comics galore at the Classic Comics stand
OzComicCon_9

Shut up and take my photo!
OzComicCon_10

Cosplay from all over the universe
OzComicCon_11

Button mashing time!
OzComicCon_21

Foxy!
OzComicCon_12

Let’s get the credit card ready!
OzComicCon_13

For your next cosplay event
OzComicCon_14

The Gaming Zone was abuzz!
OzComicCon_15

Even The Joker found time to play some games
OzComicCon_16

A proud Whovian in a beautiful self-made TARDIS dress!
Join the Doctor Who Club of Victoria

OzComicCon_17

Gaming merch!
OzComicCon_18

The Great Wall Of Pop!
OzComicCon_19

Cels for sale!
OzComicCon_20

Hulk smash pins!
OzComicCon_22

Arcade and pinball represent, baby!
OzComicCon_23

Look Bones, it’s Batman!
OzComicCon_24

I’m a Mawg. Half-man, half-dog. I’m my own best friend.
(Note: The ears moved on this awesome costume!)

OzComicCon_25

Warcraft heroes taking it easy
OzComicCon_26

Hey Jabba, how much do you want for that carbonite Han Solo?
OzComicCon_27

Say Death Star!
OzComicCon_28

Star Wars Legion: 501st Terror Australis Garrison
OzComicCon_29

Rebel Pilot and Co-Pilot in training
OzComicCon_30

Refuel with one of these retro energy drinks!
OzComicCon_31

Let’s see how big this phone box is……
OzComicCon_32

The silence is deafening at this disco!
OzComicCon_33

If it bleeds, we can kill it!
OzComicCon_34

Great Wall Of Mugs!
OzComicCon_35

Old-school style!
OzComicCon_36

We’ll take them all, thank you.
OzComicCon_37

Grab this hero for hire
OzComicCon_38

Hi Mr Campbell, can I have your autograph?
OzComicCon_39

Release your inner lead foot
OzComicCon_40

The Brits have invaded!
OzComicCon_41

A LEGO Marvel Comics extravaganza!
OzComicCon_42

Don’t mess with me
OzComicCon_43

Na na na na na na na na Brickman!
OzComicCon_44

To the Batmobile!
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Lego Super Mario under Lego Abbey Road 
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Donkey Kong terrarium by Little Lands
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Super Mario Sisters!
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Get your retro on! – Quarries Of Scred by Noble Kale (Hammerspace Games)
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Till next time……..
OzComicCon_50

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: Cosplay, event, expo, Oz Comic Con, Pop culture

Dreamy Custom Pinball Tables

June 26, 2015 By Ms. ausretrogamer

featured

After the Australian 2015 Timezone Supanova Pinball Championship Victorian State Final and Cramer’s Pinball Tournament, we have gone a bit pinball mad! Although we love the traditional tables, we are in awe of these amazing custom machines.

They call this table ‘The Goonies’

Mike Johnson from Orlando, FL has built a beautiful custom The Goonies pinball table for the film’s 30th anniversary (yes, 30th anniversary!). It’s really hard to believe no one has made one before.

goonies


Video source: Cinereelists on YouTube
Source: Kotaku UK

Order that pinball table a red cap and a speedo

Wes Anderson has designed a new cafe in Milan, called Bar Luce and it’s gorgeous (no surprise!). Most beautiful of all are the custom pinball machines based on The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and short film Castello Cavalcanti.

wes andersonImage source: sissirossi on Instagram

The pinball machine that really ties the room together, or ‘f**k it, let’s play pinball’

The Big Lebowski custom pinball table is not only fantastic (it will feature original movie clips and movie quotes in the game), but is soon to be available to buy from manufacturer Dutch Pinball!

Backbox Translite artwork
4Image source: The Big Lebowski Pinball


Video source: Dutch Pinball on YouTube

Wow, so pinball, such flippers

See our previous post about how an old Baby Doll table was saved from the scrap heap and converted into Internet Meme Ball.

Meme_Ball_table2Image source: Liberty Games

Bite my shiny metal balls

This one-off Futurama: Space 3000 table was made in a mere 6 months by Evan K. from Seattle using the shell of an old Superman machine and a Futurama Space Pilot movie poster – wow! Check out how he did it.

Futu

FuturImage source: Special When Lit

Don’t cross the flippers!

Brian Stahl, or ‘Betelgeuse’ as he’s known on forums, built this amazing custom Ghostbusters table in 14 months from a worn out Flash Gordon machine. The soundboard contains over 40 quotes and music from the movie. Why has this not been made before?!


Video source: superiorcrown on YouTube
Source: Gameroom Junkies Poscast

Everything about this pinball table is awesome!

An awesome life-size LEGO pinball machine with a fully automatic reloading system made by ElectryDragonite.

lego


Video source: ElectryDragonite

By now you should be thoroughly inspired, our dream table would be Pulp Fiction (just imagine the quotes and music alone!) – what would yours be? Let us know on Twitter using #dreampinball.

pulp fictionImage source: Miramax

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msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter

 

 

Filed Under: Pinball, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: APL, Castello Cavalcanti, Cramers Pinball Tournament, custom pinball, dreampinball, Dutch Pinball, Futurama, Ghostbusters, Internet Meme Ball, Lego, LEGO Pinball, Meme Ball, pinball, Steve Zissou, The Big Lebowski, The Goonies, The Life Aquatic, Wes Anderson

Jammin’ at the Commodore Club

June 24, 2015 By ausretrogamer

CC_Jammin_HDRIt had been a while since we last attended the Amiga Users Group’s Commodore Club day. Going to one of these club meets is like a family reunion you look forward to – you know you will see people you know and like, and you are assured to have lots of fun. Well, it is safe to say, we had lots of fun playing games (terribly) and catching up with our great Commodore friends.

The highlight of the day was playing Throwback Games’ Jam It in four player mode on the C64. This pre-release basketball game even had our teams (Tweeters vs Slackers) and player names (I was MagicBoz) hard coded in by Leigh White, the brains behind the one-man-developer-shop at Throwback Games. We will interview Leigh in an upcoming feature to get to know him a little bit better and find out about his creation, Jam It, and its official release details. For now, I want to keep on jammin and slam-dunkin!

Welcome to Casa Commodore
CC_1

A box of C64 goodies. Let’s play lucky dip! 
CC_2

The C64 control deck! This is the nerve centre
CC_3

Meticulous organisation of the C64 5.25″ floppies
CC_4

The remastered Ghosts’N Goblins – it’s an absolute beauty!
CC_5

The battle of Xpiose: Dr Curlytek vs Zen Mare Retro
CC_6

Gonna have some Ivan ‘Ironman’ Stewart’s Super Off Road action!
CC_7

The C64 deck in 4-Player Joystick Mode!
CC_8

This stik is slik!
CC_9

Run for your life!
CC_10

Ice Skating (Hat Trick) battle: Reset Magazine Ed (Kev) vs The Doctor!
CC_11

The lads [L to R]: Rob, Stacey and Kevin getting ready to fly some taxis!
CC_12

Ashton Kutcher’s* dad’s creation – Space Taxi! *may not be true
CC_13

The beautiful Commodore 128D comes to life! 
CC_14

The A1200 – Now you are playing with power!
CC_15

Na na na na na na na na… BATMAN!
CC_17

Anyone for some Pooyan?
CC_16

C16 power!
CC_18

The 1200 can make anyone feel like a Hero!
CC_20

Oh that lush screen!
CC_25

Amiga 2000 represent baby!
CC_28

Getting ready to Jam!
CC_19

Jam It 4P battle: Tweeters vs Slackers! Who will win?
CC_21

Oo’er, I love me some Jam It stats!
CC_22

And the winner is……..
CC_winners

Leigh White playing his creation!
CC_24

The aftermath!
CC_26

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: Amiga, Amiga Users Group, C64, Commodore Club, gamers, Jam It, Retro Gamer, Retrocomputing, retrogaming, Video Games

Sonic The Hedgehog In Real Life

June 23, 2015 By Ms. ausretrogamer

sonic2Did you know that today (June 23) is the 24th anniversary of Sonic The Hedgehog? If not, consider yourself informed. To mark this momentous occasion, Elvis the Hedgehog from the San Diego Zoo shows us what Sonic might look like in real life. What he lacks in speed, he certainly makes up for with cuteness!


Video source: The Watercooler on YouTube

Source: The Watercooler via Laughing Squid

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msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter

 

 

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: Elvis the Hedgehog, Hedgehog, Sonic IRL, Sonic The Hedgehog, The Watercooler

Music Videos: 8-Bit Style

June 20, 2015 By Ms. ausretrogamer

the-magic-whipBlur is back, a whole 16 years after their last record as a four-piece with a new album The Magic Whip (released 27 April 2015). The album’s eleventh track, Ong Ong, has an adorable music video featuring the band members as bosses in an old-school platformer where Mr OK fights his way past the band to rescue Ms OK.

Mr OK
title

Bosses: Damon Albarn as Mr Cream, Graham Coxon as Mr Brown, Alex James as Mr Red, Dave Rowntree as Mr Black
bosses


Video source: Blur on YouTube

But blur is not the only band getting nostalgic with their music videos – Afro/Euro music duo The Very Best‘s gorgeous video for Let Go portrays an old-school 8-bit game with the characters and landscape made out of pixel beads.


Video source: The Very Best Vevo on YouTube

Finally, enjoy Danish pop duo Junior Senior’s Move Your Feet from 2003.


Video source: Crunchy Frog Records on YouTube

8-bit style music videos… all we can say is ‘please keep them coming’!

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter

 

 

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: 8-bit, Blur, Junior Senior, Let Go, Move Your Feet, music videos, Ong Ong, Pixel Art, The Magic Whip, The Very Best

Pop Culture: Retrogaming Balloon Art

June 16, 2015 By Ms. ausretrogamer

Retrogaming balloon art – the ultimate in POP culture! Yep, we had to work in that pun in the story. For your next birthday party, rather than just have the boring old colour balloons, get yourself a balloon sculptor to make you some cool video gaming themed characters – just like these……

Super Mario Balloonssuper mario

Awesome but terrifying Super Mario World balloon cosplay
mario and yoshi

Gotta blow up the balloons fast!
sonic 2

Gotta pop ’em all
pikachu

Balloon Invaders
space invaders

Master Chief by the Balloon Guy
balloon-guy-1

Mario by the Balloon Guy
balloon-guy-2

Balloon Warriors link

Fire flower tutorial by Mr Nany

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter

 

 

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: balloon art, balloon guy, balloons, Halo, master chief, Pikachu, Sonic The Hedgehog, Space Invaders, Super Mario Bros, Zelda

Cramers Pinball Tournament: A Flippin’ Success

June 15, 2015 By ausretrogamer

Cramers_bar_titleThe Cramers Pinball Tournament (an IFPA endorsed competition) was run and won, and boy, did we have a lot of fun!

The competition was stacked with players from all age groups and experience. The wizards all had a crack on the Cashbox Amusements supplied Metallica Premium Road Case and AC/DC Luci pinball machines to qualify for the top eight and the finals. The play was frenetic and exciting – lots of bumping, slamming and tilting going on. To ensure the crowd could enjoy watching the pinball action from the comfort of the Cramer’s Hotel lounge chairs, a camera was rigged up to the overhead projector – a stroke of genius.

The tournament generated lots of interest in the media, from local newspapers, websites, radio stations, and even national commercial TV stations!  The Channel 7 morning show, Sunrise, had a cameraman videoing all of the action for a segment on the show the following morning. Watch the video (at the bottom of this article), which also features an interview with tournament director, Scott Kellett.

Cramers_Scott_interview

Like all good things, the tournament had to come to and end. Congratulations to Greg Quinn on becoming the inaugural Cramers Pinball Tournament winner. To all the other participants, well done for playing hard! We get the feeling that the pointy end of the winner’s circle is going to become crowded in upcoming competitions.

These tournaments don’t just spontaneously appear out of nowhere. There are hard working people behind the scenes that make it all happen. It’s people like Scott Kellett that should be applauded and recognised, so for that, we thank you Scott, for a job well done. A big thank you to Cashbox Amusements for the all important pinball machines, and last, but by all means not least, Cramer’s Hotel for having us at their venue. Can’t wait to participate at the next Cramers Pinball tournament – speaking of which, keep July 28 free!

The Tournament Control deck – let the registration begin!
Cramers_controldeck

The tournament area is abuzz! 
Cramers_area

Even the menu gets the pinball treatment! Anyone for some TNT Wedges?
Cramers_Menu

Oo’er, the prizes!
Cramers_Prizes

The Cashbox Amusements supplied Metallica table!
Cramers_Cashbox

Getting in a bit of practice before the tournament.
Cramers_Practice1

Cramers_Practice2

The Wal Dickie Lego Pinball – I hope Stern make this one!
Cramers_Lego_Table

Great recognition from the Cramers Pinball Tournament!
Cramers_ARG

Scott Kellett calls for the official start of the tournament!
Cramers_Start

Dr Curlytek (Stacey Borg) gets flippin on AC/DC Luci
Cramers_DrC

More tournament flipper action on AC/DC Luci.
Cramers_ACDC

National broadcaster, Channel 7, getting up close and personal!
Cramers_ch7

Teenage pinball sensation, Jordan Tredaway showing everyone how Metallica should be played!
Cramers_Jordan

Cramers_Jordan_2

Yours truly’s fancy footwork being videoed
Cramers_arg_playing

Announcing the finalists!
Cramers_announcing

Nick Hamhougias bumps his way to the top 4 finalists!
Cramers_Nick_H

A top 4 finish for Jordan Tredaway – a future Australian pinball champion in the making!
Cramers_Jordan_top4

The top 4 [L to R]: Jordan Tredaway, Brian Shleibs, Nick Hamhougias, Greg QuinnCramers_Finalists_top4

Cramers Pinball Tournament winner: Greg Quinn
Cramers_Winner_GregQuinn

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: Australian Pinball League, Cramers Pinball Tournament, IFPA, IFPA Tournament, pinball, Pinball Wizards

Game Theory’s Shocking Mario Timeline Reveal

June 12, 2015 By Ms. ausretrogamer

Mario_timeline_HDRMario has been in more than 70 games – but is there a discernible timeline? The Game Theorists answer this question for us and uncover a shocking truth in the process!


Source: Game Theory on YouTube

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msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Editor and Researcher at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter

 

 

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: Donkey Kong, Game Theory, mario, Mario Timeline, super mario, Super Mario Bros, The Game Theorists

Kung Fury: Spot the Retro Gaming Goodness

June 7, 2015 By ausretrogamer

KungFury_titleSurely you have all watched Laser Unicorns’ Kung Fury movie by now? If you haven’t, then please do yourself a favour and watch it! For those of you that have already feasted on this visual awesomeness, how many of you spotted the retrogaming gear within the movie? The most obvious of retrogaming items was the venerable Power Glove, worn by Hackerman. Here are a few more:

Golden Age Arcade Machines represent!
KF_Arcade

Hackerman’s Retro Computer Lair. Is that a Macintosh?
KF_Hackerman_ComputerLair

Oh, it’s so bad!
KF_Hackerman_PowerGlove

The Aussie made Microbee!
KF_Microbee

The venerable ZX Speccy! Sir Clive would be so proud.
KF_ZXSpeccy

Hanging ten on the Microbee Model II
KF_Microbee_Surf

I spy some tapes!
KF_SpeccyTape

source: Laser Unicorns – Kung Fury

Filed Under: Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: Kung Fury, Microbee, Pop culture, Retro Gamer, Retro Gaming, retrogaming, zx spectrum

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