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Wahoo, Super Mario Bros. Wonder Has Arrived!

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It’s-a Me, Mario!

Woohoo, or should that be Wa-hoo? Either way, we are rapt that our Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Nintendo Switch) game has arrived!

Can’t wait to get stuck into this new Super Mario game and explore all the new stuff, like new power-ups, mysterious transformations and customising our powers to each course’s features!

So much to discover! Oh well, at least you’ll know where we’ll be today and for the rest of this weekend. Happy gaming peeps!

This little cart will be stuck in our Switch for a while!



Hey Analogue, Forget The N64 3D FPGA Console, Just Get Our Old Orders To Us!

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With yesterday’s news about their next console, the Analogue 3D (a Nintendo 64 FPGA system), Analogue is once again betting that its customers will jump on board and will remain silent while waiting for their future promised system to be delivered at some indeterminate date – and there in lies the rub! No longer can we be excited about an Analogue system we have no idea when it will arrive!

Considering we have been loyal customers of Analogue, we do have to speak out about the length of time it takes to fulfill orders and their almost non-existent (or seldom) updates as you wait months (or years) for your paid-in-full order to be fulfilled. We speak from experience where our Analogue Pocket took 11 months from ordering to actually receiving it. Worse still, we ordered the Pocket (3 x) cartridge adapters pack last October (2022) and we are still waiting and have no idea if and when we will receive it – maybe Christmas, if we are lucky?!

We love our Analogue Pocket, but the wait for it was waaaaay to long!

Some will argue that Analogue only states rough timelines, like “shipping in Q3” or “coming in 2024”, however the issue we have is the lack of communication leading up to the point when they decide to actually ship items. As a customer, the expectation is that the retailer/supplier will keep you informed with regular updates, even if the items are late (due to whatever reason), we just want to know what is going on! The worst thing a company can do is remain silent and leave their customers in the dark – which Analogue does very well, unfortunately.

So, if you are in the market to order the Analogue 3D N64 system, be prepared for a long wait with absolute radio silence. Proceed with caution!

PS: We admit their products are great, but come on Analogue, please lift up your comms game (pun fully intended)!
PPS: Analogue does offer the buyer to cancel their order and get a refund, so that’s one positive, we guess.

Unfortunately, our Pocket Cartridge Adapter Pack is yet arrive 🙁
image source: Analogue



10 Years Of Classic Gaming at PAX Aus

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Cheers to 10 years of inducing intoxicating gaming nostalgia at PAX Aus!

Another PAX Aus is done and dusted, but this was no ordinary year, it was the 10th year the event had been held here in Melbourne (Australia, not Florida).

For this celebratory year, the Classic Gaming (CG) area was moved from its usual Freeplay section to the main Expo Hall, rubbing shoulders with modern AAA gaming heavyweights and indie devs.

Starting the Classic Consoles (as it was known back then) area in 2013 with Retrospekt, Retro Domination and our (Ausretrogamer) team, we knew it would be a hit with attendees of all ages – which not even Melbourne’s inclement July weather could stop anyone getting their nostalgia hit at the inaugural PAX Aus event.

Over the years, the Classic Gaming area has grown from strength to strength, with its popularity ensuring that it returns at every PAX Aus – with an even bigger floor space! The inaugural teams may no longer be involved, but the baton change with the Weird and Retro and the Press Play On Tape Podcast crew has ensured the growth and sustained popularity of the Classic Gaming area.

For the tenth anniversary, the Classic Gaming area didn’t disappoint, with a plethora of amazing machines from yesteryear to tickle every nostalgic nerve in the body. From all of our old favourites from the 8-bit and 16-bit era (hello Atari, Commodore, Sega and Nintendo) all the way through to some darn awesome old-school PC power – and whomever thought of using the Dance Dance Revolution mat to control your (Doom Slayer) character in Doom (cheekily christened Doom Doom Revolution) should be given a knighthood! We hear that we have to now call Aaron (aka: Blahjedi), Sir Aaron of Press Play On Tape podcast, from now on 😉

Doom Doom Revolution!


image & video source: Aaron ‘Blahjedi’ Clement – PPOT

Back in 2015, Skott Kellett proposed to include pinball in the Classic Gaming area, which was an instant hit! The pinball section has now become a permanent fixture of the Classic Gaming area, ensuring gamers can get their mechanical hit via the silverball game. Skott is still the main wrangler of the pinball section, with games provided by Reality Games Australia, Mr Pinball Australia and the Australian Pinball Museum. We were lucky enough to experience some quite rare and hard to find pinball games, from Dutch Pinball’s The Big Lebowski, CGC’s Cactus Canyon Remake, Pinball Brothers‘ Queen, to American Pinball’s amazing Galactic Tank Force, complete with tank tracks and backbox turret!

But wait, there was more! PLAION Australia had the yet-to-be released Atari 2600+ console on display, which was impressive. We have been quite critical of Atari over the years, but even we are quite excited to get our hands on the new 2600+ console!

Last but not least, it is the people that bring the Classic Gaming area to life that we love the most, from the CG showrunning team members to the PAX Aus Enforcers, and the public that come in and reminisce with us about systems and games from a long long time ago.

See you at PAX Aus 2024!

We are going home – to the Classic Gaming Area!

Here are a few of the nostalgia inducing systems and displays!

Pinball in the Classic Gaming area is as popular as ever!

Classic Gaming is nothing without the awesome people that make it happen and for those that come and visit!



PAX Aus 2023 Cosplay Highlights

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It never ever ceases to amaze us how awesome the cosplay is at PAX Aus. After ten years of this marvelous event, you’d think we had seen it all, but no, each year delivers even more amazing cosplay, with 2023 being no exception!

Our amazing friend, Kelly Deluxe (also an avid retro gamer and pinball witch) has delighted us with her fantastic cosplay over the years, so of course we’ll lead into our cosplay highlights for 2023 with Kelly!

Sammie as Jester (Critical Role) & Kelly as Asuka Langley (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

If you thought the cosplay in 2023 were awesome, imagine how mind-blowing next year will be!

image sources: Ms. Ausretrogamer & Brant Raven



Pixelated Paradise: A Decade of Joysticks, Cosplay and Gaming Wonders at PAX Aus 2023

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The PAX Aus 2023 journey at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre felt like I stepped into a time portal where joy, games, and geekery merged into a jubilant celebration of a decade of gaming wonders. The electric excitement as I crossed the threshold suggested that this PAX edition would be an extraordinary ride through the heart of gaming culture. Little did I know that the days ahead would be a thrilling rollercoaster ride, offering glimpses into the past, present, and future of a community deeply woven into the global gaming fabric.

Immediately being hit with the Cosplay Symphony at PAX Aus felt like I went into a dimension where superheroes, villains, and characters from every possible universe came to life. Here,  commitment met imagination, and every area transformed into a photographer’s heaven. The cosplayers for the 10th anniversary weren’t just dressed up; they embraced the entire soul of a gaming culture that had become a global phenomenon.

The setting was always spectacular, with figures ranging from superheroes to mythical animals displaying unrivaled passion and ingenuity. Capturing those moments as a photographer was a dream come true, with each shot immortalizing the passion and enthusiasm of a group that had grown into a global phenomenon over the previous 10 years. At PAX Aus, the bright tapestry of costumes and characters was more than simply a visual spectacle; it was a live witness to the jaw-dropping ingenuity on exhibit, reflecting the essence of a culture that continued to extend the frontiers of imaginative expression inside the gaming world.

Exploring the colorful world of PAX Rising at PAX Aus 2023 was like discovering a treasure mine of hidden gaming delights. As devoted coders proudly presented their brainchildren to an eager audience, the lively marketplace of innovation unfolded. Navigating meticulously chosen booths plunged me into a sea of unique and imaginative titles, demonstrating the depth of innovation within the indie gaming sector. The energetic atmosphere, filled with innovators eager to share their dreams, produced a strong sense of community among indie developers and players who shared a love of gaming in its purest, most creative form.

What distinguished PAX Rising was its function as a springboard for the next great thing in gaming. It wasn’t simply a concert; it was a view into the future, where creativity and originality were emphasized. Each booth became a portal into a new realm, where revolutionary ideas and unique viewpoints challenged popular gaming conventions. PAX Rising was essentially a celebration of ingenuity, a monument to the boundless imagination that defines independent gaming. It demonstrated that the future of gaming is being fashioned not only by industry titans but also by the hearts and brains of intrepid independent creators carving their path into unknown realms of gaming brilliance.

The PC Freeplay area quickly became a popular destination for gamers, luring them into a world of limitless possibilities. Rows of computers, deliberately loaded with the best games available, stood like digital portals to vivid worlds just waiting to be explored. This interactive environment served not just as a gaming battleground but also as a community gathering place for gamers from various backgrounds. Friendships and alliances were formed and tested in virtual venues that crossed genres and eras. The shared camaraderie among users, where strangers became friends, engaging in epic battles or cooperative tasks that transcended the limits of the digital universe, genuinely distinguished this area. The PC Freeplay area was more than simply a place to play games; it was also a place to socialise.

Classic Gaming at PAX Aus 2023 was a nostalgic trip that transported me back to the golden age of video gaming. The collection of ancient consoles, which included a boxed Atari 2600, PlayStation 1 and 2, PC Engine, Spectrum, Vectrex, Sega consoles, and Nintendo’s Game Cube, created an enthralling museum of gaming history. It wasn’t just a static display of relics, though; it was an interactive trip into the origins of gaming culture.

What drew my attention the most were the numerous joysticks and control devices that had been properly placed out for participants to enjoy and experiment with. This hands-on approach to gaming history enabled fans to not only observe but also feel the evolution of interface design over time. Classic Gaming was a tactile investigation of the instruments that have formed our gaming experiences, from the simplicity of early joysticks to the ergonomic shapes of modern controllers. However, the nostalgia didn’t end there. Rare jewels like the 1976 Sheen 100 system, linked to an even rarer Panasonic TR-475U pop-up portable black and white TV, transported visitors to the origins of home gaming. Retro IBM and Apple PCs from the late ’80s and early to mid-’90s were represented, highlighting the humble beginnings of personal computing and its influence on gaming.

Furthermore, the Classic Gaming section didn’t just include consoles; it also had a fantastic selection of both older and contemporary pinball machines. For those who grew up in arcades, the distinct noises of flippers and bumpers, along with flashing lights, formed a symphony of remembrance. Classic Gaming at PAX Aus 2023 was more than just an exhibition of old hardware and  pixelated visuals; it was a celebration of the gaming industry’s ongoing legacy. It enabled me to bridge the generational divide by instilling a respect for the technological advances that have carried us from the pixelated landscapes of early games to the immersive worlds of today. I couldn’t help but wonder at how far gaming has come as I strolled through this time-traveling display, all while enjoying the everlasting delight that these great games continue to deliver.

If you preferred consoles, the Console Freeplay and Tournament rooms were a gaming haven. Battles in Tekken 8 were intense, and surprising victories brought an extra dimension of ferocity to the game experience. Meanwhile, handhelds provided a quiet yet communal environment. It was jam-packed with people engrossed in their own gaming worlds, emphasizing the perplexing social side of portable gaming.

The mood in the Let’s Dance area was fantastic. Imagine a never-ending stream of people dancing to the beat of their favorite songs – a throbbing hub of ecstasy that demonstrated that gaming is about more than pixels and polygons; it’s about the experience.

PAX Aus 2023 was a haven for speed running enthusiasts. Audiences were captivated by impressive speed runs, which demonstrated the expertise and precision required to learn games in record time. In the Tabletop section, analogue gaming demonstrated that it is not going away. In this digital age, board and card games took center stage, grabbing the hearts of visitors.

The Panels, albeit mostly full, provided a wisdom oasis for individuals looking for insights from industry professionals. However, with so much else going on, many guests were split between
panels and the plethora of other attractions.

In the VR Freeplay segment, virtual reality took center stage. Attendees had the opportunity to explore immersive virtual worlds, which brought a new depth to the gaming experience. Mean
while, the PAX XP Scavenger Hunt transformed the expo into a game within a game. Attendees walked the expo floor, discovering hidden treasures and getting a taste of everything PAX Aus had to offer.

And, among all of these wonders, there were those other highlights that genuinely distinguished PAX Aus Professional players’ incredible tournament play astounded observers. The expo  displayed incredible PC builds and components, such as a PC with an inside screen that played Tetris. At the Sega booth, the Lego Sonic display honoring Sonic Superstars stole the show. The Nintendo booth was decked out in all-white Nintendo Switch consoles, capturing the clean and modern appearance of Nintendo’s renowned system. And, in addition to the scientific marvels on exhibit, the MSI booth stood out with cutting-edge gaming technologies.

Beyond the pixels and polygons, though, the general mood of PAX Aus 2023 was one of optimism and acceptance. Everyone had a good time in and out of their costumes. Gaming culture wasn’t just alive; it was thriving and had firmly established itself as one of the world’s major cultures.

As the curtain closed on PAX Aus 2023, memories of laughter shared, friendships created, and the communal celebration of a culture that had evolved and matured over a wonderful decade lingered.

Here’s to another ten years of PAX, where the gaming world continues to be a light of joy, inclusiveness, and limitless possibilities. Game on, friends!

Dr. Brant Raven, Reviewer & Star Wars fanatic
Scientist, philosopher & technologist. Science Fiction über-aficionado, retro gamer, curator & bibliographer. Creator of the Star Wars Bibliographic Database.

Follow Brant Raven on Twitter and Pinterest

 

 



Cheers To 10 Years – See You At PAX Aus 2023

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Wow, we still can’t believe that PAX AUS is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year!

It is also hard to believe that the Classic Gaming area, or Classic Consoles as it was known in the inaugural year, has been at PAX AUS since the beginning. From the Showgrounds in Ascot Vale in 2013, where it was bitterly cold, we were quite excited when PAX Aus was moved to its new and much bigger home in 2014, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. By moving PAX AUS from July to October, it also ensured that we would have better weather, but then again, this is Melbourne, so anything can happen, in any season!

We are indulging ourselves with nostalgia by reflecting on years gone by at PAX AUS – there has been countless awesome memories and meeting new and amazing people that we are proud to call our friends. Cheers to ten years!

We hope to see some (or all) of you at PAX AUS 2023!

slides created by: Aaron ‘Blahjedi’ Clement (Press Play On Tape podcast)



GoldenEra – The Film About The N64 Video Game, GoldenEye 007, Is Now Available for Pre-Order!

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The fantastic documentary on the most awesome FPS game, GoldenEye 007, is now available for pre-order!

In case you weren’t aware of this fantastic film, GoldenEra is a celebration of a magical moment in video games history, when 3D games burst onto screens and into our imaginations. The film showcases GoldenEye 007, a game that would inspire a generation with innovative gameplay and a multiplayer mode that would change gaming forever. Who doesn’t remember their 4-player death-matches with mates on their Nintendo 64?! Ah, it was so much fun!

GoldenEra is a nostalgic celebration of one of the most important video games of all time. A game that broke all the rules and defined a generation of gamers. The story is told by academics, journalists, celebrities, fans and the game’s designers.

GoldenEra the feature length film, explores the passion, ambition and naive exuberance of the team from countryside England that produced countless hours of joy to millions of gamers around the world.

Featuring hours of content, including:

  • Art of GoldenEra
  • GoldenEye and Obsession
  • GoldenEye inspired VR
  • In Game Reenactments
  • Mick Gordon on Rare
  • Music of GoldenEra
  • The Memes
  • The N64 Hardware
  • Writing GoldenEra
  • Bringing Back GoldenEye (Feature Length GoldenEye Movie!)

You can now pre-order the GoldenEra Limited Edition “Most Deadly” Blu-ray with N64 Slip Case film right here!



PAX Aus 2023 – But Wait, There Is More!

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With only a few more sleeps till PAX Aus 2023 kicks-off this Friday, there are more exciting and enticing news coming out from Australia’s premier gaming and pop culture event!

PLAION is proud to announce the Atari 2600+ – a modern day faithful recreation of the pioneering console that first appeared in 1977.

The new Atari 2600+ system will be on display at PAX Aus this week in the Classic Gaming area. The Atari 2600+ is launching worldwide on 17th November 2023 and available to pre-order for $189.95.

Nintendo has revealed more of their PAX plans – Not only will PAX visitors be able to experience Super Mario Bros. Wonder ahead of release, they will also be able to play Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 1: The Teal Mask, Detective Pikachu Returns and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown on Nintendo Switch.

Detective Pikachu Returns is launching on the first day of PAX, Friday 6th October. Also available to play on the Nintendo stand will be  an unreleased game from Square Enix – STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R. See all the Nintendo PAX news here.

image source: Rocketcomms



LEGO Halloween: Brick Or Treat!

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What better way to celebrate Halloween than to build some spooky Lego sets!

To help us all celebrate Halloween, LEGO have been kind enough to provide build instructions on creating spooky stuff, like vampires, pumpkins and even your own shadow puppets!

To get you started, here are a few:

  • Build a ghost and/or a bat (instructions)
  • Build a pumpkin (instructions)
  • Build a vampire (instructions)

Grab the rest from the LEGO site right now, then grab all your spare bricks and get constructing! What a treat, thanks LEGO.

image / story source: LEGO



Chironex Studios’ GRIST Game Seeks To Recapture The PC Gaming Experience From The 1980s

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We are now even more hyped for PAX Aus 2023! If you are asking why, then let us tell you……

Growing up in the 80s, our first encounter with a desktop PC was a chunky beige box with a green monochrome CRT monitor. The keys were as loud as the disk-drive accessing the sectors on the 5.25″ floppy, and without any GUI, we had to explore this (what now seems archaic) machine through trial and error using commands that were quite foreign to us at the time. Like any kid back then, we found games to play on these old school computers, which got us hooked. Bathed in the green glow we explored different worlds, made tough decisions, and became different characters – it unleashed our imagination.

Well, an independent Australian game developer, Chironex Studios is seeking to recapture those early days of PC gaming with their new game, Grist!

GRIST is a digital boardgame-slash-rpg about surviving as a Starship Commander in a universe where the secrets of faster-than-light-travel have been lost to time and conflict. Voyage across the galaxy sending out your crew on missions, recovering artifacts of the pre-collapse civilisation, and pushing back the terrors that lurk in the dark between worlds. All the while deciding which parts of your humanity you will keep, and which will be traded for one more year of life among the stars.

GRIST combines vintage ascii terminal style graphics with a synthwave soundtrack for an iconic ascii-wave aesthetic. Gameplay features include a unique positioning based combat system, multiple-choice events with long-tail outcomes, strategic hand-optimization, and a variety of different scenarios to test your abilities.

Currently in development by Chironex Studios, GRIST is planned for an Early Access release in late 2023, so add it to your Steam wishlist right now! And if you are going to PAX Aus in a few weeks, then make sure you head to Booth 16 in the Indie area (Expo Hall) to speak to the developer and check out GRIST!

image source: Chironex Studios