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Rage Against the Machine’s Killing in the Name, Played On The SEGA Mega Drive

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We have belted out RATM’s ‘Killing in the Name’ countless times over decades since it was released some 30 years ago (1993), and even now, it still stirs up the existential rage inside of us!

Before we get too deep into the meaning of the song, let’s take a step back and enjoy this timeless classic being played on Sega’s 16-bit awesome Mega Drive / Genesis console, courtesy of fxsnowy! Ah, that unmistakable sound of the Mega Drive’s Yamaha YM2612 six-channel FM synthesizer chip is music to our ears!

Turn it up peeps!

PS: Imagine this tune being played on the C64’s SID chip….. We can dream 😉


source: fxsnowy



The Legend of Zelda Live-Action Movie Is In The Works

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Not to be outdone by Mario, Nintendo’s other massive franchise, The Legend of Zelda, is going to get the love-action movie treatment!

Currently in the works with Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Legend Of Zelda film soon be a reality – Wahoo, or should that just be “woohoo”?!

Wes Ball, the visionary director behind the Maze Runner trilogy, will step into the director’s chair for this upcoming live-action Zelda feature film. The live-action film, set to be distributed by Sony, is a joint venture between Nintendo and Avi Arad’s Arad Productions, Inc., promising an epic collaboration that merges the gaming and cinematic worlds.

Shigeru Miyamoto, the iconic Nintendo representative director and visionary behind legendary franchises like Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda, is set to produce the film. Miyamoto shared the exciting news on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, revealing that he and Arad have been tirelessly crafting the live-action adaptation for many years.

In this unprecedented partnership, gaming giant Nintendo and entertainment powerhouse Sony are co-financing the project, signaling a groundbreaking moment where two industry giants unite to bring a beloved gaming universe to life on the big screen. The collaboration promises to deliver an immersive and captivating experience for fans and newcomers alike.

Fans can expect nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece (Ed: we hope!!) as Ball takes on the challenge of bringing iconic Nintendo characters and worlds to life in a way that has never been seen before.

The anticipation is building as the creative forces behind this project continue to unveil their vision for the live-action adaptation. With Wes Ball at the helm, supported by the creative genius of Shigeru Miyamoto and the backing of Nintendo and Sony, this collaboration is set to redefine the boundaries of gaming and cinema, promising an unforgettable journey into the heart of beloved Nintendo classics. Stay tuned for more updates as this epic adventure unfolds!



‘Darkman’ on Game Boy

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Every Soul Has A Dark Side!

By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

When I was a kid, I really enjoyed playing “Darkman” on my Nintendo Game Boy. I saw the Sam Raimi film in a theater, and when I saw that Game Boy was coming out with a game based on the movie, I had to have it.

The gameplay of “Darkman” on Game Boy was basically “Double Dragon” and “Double Dragon 2.” It was a simple multi-level game where you had to accomplish a different mission in each stage. In a lot of ways, “Darkman” was fun to me because I loved playing “Double Dragon.” The game does import many of the 1990 film’s highlights. The Raimi film was not a huge financial success, but now it has a bit of a cult following on physical media and streaming.

When teachers weren’t snatching my Game Boy out of my hands, I played the game at school. I would play “Darkman” on the school bus home. Sometimes, when I was really into the game, I would miss my stop. “Darkman” was one of my favorite games to play on my Game Boy. And there were a lot of film adaptations on Game Boy. Around that time, I also liked playing the “Hudson Hawk” film adaptation on my Game Boy.

I watched “Darkman” several days ago; I hadn’t watched it in years. I had forgotten how hooky some of the action sequences were. I still had a good time watching it again, but I was surprised by how much slapstick humor was in it. The cast is spectacular. Liam Neeson and Francis McDormand are terrific in the film. They’re so young. Larry Drake is excellent as Robert Durant, the ruthless mobster who leaves Peyton Westlake (who becomes Darkman) for dead. He overacts a little, but he’s very threatening and he has a short fuse. The film feels more like an old 1950s horror film than a comic book movie. Liam Neeson’s make-up as Darkman is gruesome and fantastic. It’s so good it’s distracting during some of the more dramatic scenes. But most of his face is covered with rags throughout the film, giving off an “Invisible Man” vibe.

I wonder if any gaming studio has ever considered making a new “Darkman” game. Sam Raimi would probably have to give his blessing for that. It could be thrilling if it’s a single-player game with an interesting narrative and cool villains.

image source: gamefabrique.com



Book Review – From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror

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Maniac killers? Vengeful ghosts? Science gone wrong? Discover the most gruesome, grueling and downright scary horror games from the 1970s till now in this horror-themed book!

Just in time for Halloween, Bitmap Books has unleashed their latest and scariest video gaming based book, From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror.

Let us introduce you to From Ants to Zombies, a spine-tingling journey through the captivating world of horror games that spans over six decades, from the funky 1970s to the heart-pounding 2020s. This book is definitely a thrilling rollercoaster ride across more than 70 different gaming platforms, from the vintage ZX Spectrum to the monstrous Xbox Series X.

From Ants to Zombies (FAtZ) has dug up the crypt and unearthed over 130 hair-raising horror video game titles that dissects and puts them into context for the reader. In this monstrous tome, the games are divided into thirteen delightfully eerie chapters, each with its own twisted theme. Whether you’re into rail shooters or open-world RPGs, whether you fancy exploring haunted mansions or venturing into infested space stations, or whether you prefer a slow, creeping existential dread or stomach-churning bursts of violence, FAtZ has you covered!

But that’s not all. FAtZ sprinkles some spine-chilling, exclusive commentary from legendary horror game developers like Keiichiro Toyama (the mastermind behind Silent Hill), Jane Jensen (the brains behind Gabriel Knight), Ken Levine (the genius behind System Shock 2), Sandy White (creator of Ant Attack), David Riordan (the spooky mind behind It Came from the Desert), Paul Norman (the man behind Forbidden Forest), Graeme Devine (the wicked genius behind The 7th Guest), and many more! These legends will give you a peek behind the curtain and share their sinister secrets (no spoilers here!).

From Ants to Zombies spans a whopping 600+ gorgeously illustrated pages, with a lovingly crafted hardback edition with a unique glow-in-the-dark logo and text – perfect for those late-night reading sessions. All the ghastly images are printed lithographically on high-quality paper to showcase the breathtaking visuals these games deserve. Plus, Bitmap Books has used thread-sewn binding for extra durability, so you can lay the book open flat while you dive into the darkest corners of gaming history.

For those of you that want your cake and eat it too, the book’s cover features a one-of-a-kind artwork created by the incredibly talented artist Vasilis Zikos – it’s an unholy marriage of art and horror, just like the games within.

From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror is your golden ticket to revisit the classics you love and discover hidden horror gems you may have overlooked. It’s a deep dive into the inexhaustible well of terror that six decades of video game history has to offer.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of horror gaming like never before and prepare for sleepless nights, heart-pounding scares, and the thrill of a lifetime!

From Ants to Zombies is a showcase for the remarkable range horror gaming has achieved across six decades, from the 1970s to the 2020s, on 70+ gaming platforms, from the ZX Spectrum to the Xbox Series X!

Book Specs:

  • Hardback
  • 664 pages
  • Edge-to-edge high quality lithographic print
  • Sewn binding – for enduring quality and the ability to lay flat for ideal double-page image viewing
  • Glow-in-the-dark logo and text on cover
  • Coloured bookmark ribbon
  • Weight: 2.5kg – it’s hefty!
  • Price: AU$79.99
  • Store: PixelCrib



Disclaimer: From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror book was kindly provided by PixelCrib for this review.

LIBERATION – The New Retro Space Adventure Game Is Available Now

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Unleash Chaos in Space!

Liberation is a retro space adventure inspired by the original 1984 version of Elite, and mashed up with classic UK science fiction such as The Tripods, Blake’s 7 and Doctor Who.

In this game, you pilot an elite stealth ship as you take your revenge against the evil Galactic Federation (GalFed)! Upgrade your ship with a variety of weapons and systems. Engage in high-stakes dogfights, dock with space stations and planet spaceports, and work with heroes and villains to destroy GalFed.

To make this game even sweeter, it was made in Australia (Frankston, VIC!) by Classyk Games, on Linux with Godot, using an open source stack including Blender, GIMP and InkScape. Liberation is available right now on Windows, Mac, Linux for Steam and coming soon to itch.


image source: Classyk Games



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