Retro Gaming Culture

Oz Comic-Con Melbourne 2017: Unleashing Our Inner Geek

July 2, 2017 By ausretrogamer

If you missed out on Oz Comic-Con Melbourne 2017, then don’t fret, we are here to unleash your inner geek with these very cool photos!

To say we can’t wait for Oz Comic-Con 2018 would be a great understatement.

Let’s do this!

The new old order

Another great turnout!

Where to begin? That is the million dollar question…

The Dude abides

The Force is strong with this lot

Go Go Gadget Cosplay!

The detail is amazing!

The Doctor may be regenerating!

Ms ausretrogamer finds the Tardis!

We knew it wouldn’t take long to find Pikachu *wink*

Do you want to build a snowman?

Lego Spyro!

Chomp, chomp, chomp – Lego Pac-Man (photo source: Sean Tagg)

Melbourne Lego User Group (MUGs) represent!

Lego science!

Lego Super Mario Bros.

The legendary couple!

Guardians Of Oz Comic-Con

He has been upgraded

Glide to the PAX Challenge

In space no one can hear you scream

MOTU Classics!

Bumped into some cool peeps from Retro Domination (Matt and Tim)!

Perfect welcome mat for our Fun Factory

It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this.

Found the retro gaming loot!

Why is Nintendo loot always behind glass? *wink*

Whoa!

Winter has come!

Choose your weapon!

The great wall of Pop!

Whoa, Halo!

BB-8 made a friend

Who you gonna call?

Where is Han?

Wow, Wonder Woman!

Walkers everywhere!

Sanic and Josh (photo source: Sean Tagg)

Henry and the Fallout crew (photo source: Sean Tagg)

Marvel Star Wars!

Snootchie Bootchies

Another great wall – the scribble wall

A smiling (awesome) Hellboy

And the Oz Comic-Con Melbourne Cosplay winner is, Kayla Jean… (photo source: Guy ‘Yug’ Blomberg)

Till next year…

Our N64 Classic Mini Games Wishlist

June 30, 2017 By ausretrogamer

Dear Nintendo,

You gave us the NES Classic Mini and now, the SNES Classic Mini. We are all eagerly awaiting your inevitable N64 joining the Classic Mini ranks. With that said, could we please have the following 21 classic games installed on the upcoming N64 Mini – thank you:

Super Mario 64 – we are 100% certain this gem will make it!

Mario Kart 64
Wave Race 64
GoldenEye 007
Star Fox 64
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
International Superstar Soccer 64
Donkey Kong 64

F-Zero X

1080 Snowboarding
Diddy Kong Racking
Blast Corps
Bomberman 64
Rayman 2
Mario Tennis

Star Wars Rogue Squadron

Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire
Banjo-Kazooie
Banjo-Tooie
Perfect Dark
Yoshi’s Story

And I guess we would have to have a Zelda game on the list, not for us, for your Zelda loving fans, so let’s go with Ocarina of Time, but that’s it, no other Zelda games, please! Oh yeah, please no Super Smash Bros.!

Thank you,

Alex Boz
Editor-In-Chief @ ausretrogamer

Atari Panther: The Extinct Cat

June 28, 2017 By ausretrogamer

In 1988 Atari Corporation’s Jack Tramiel ordered work to begin on the successor to the Atari 7800 and XEGS. Work quickly begun on the Panther and Jaguar consoles – yes, the Jaguar! The Atari Panther was being developed by Flare Technology (Flare One and Konix Multisystem) and was scheduled for release in 1991, directly competing with Nintendo’s SNES and Sega’s Mega Drive.

The Panther platform was going to be a mash up of the Atari ST and Transputer “Blossom” video card, once again blurring the lines of “is it 16 or 32-bit?”. For the record, the Motorola 68000 CPU was going to run at 16MHz (compared to the Mega Drive’s 8MHz and the SNES’ 12MHz) which was going to be paired with a 32-bit graphics card running at a whopping 32MHz! On paper, Atari was doing their math(s) right!

As the Panther and Jaguar were being developed in parallel, Atari Corp. started favouring the Jaguar as it was progressing quickly and presented far more impressive and superior technology. Atari eventually decided to scrap the Panther and forge ahead with their 64-bit console. The cancellation of the Panther meant that Atari had no hardware presence in the home console market between the discontinuation of the Atari 7800 in 1992 and the launch of their Jaguar in 1993. This gap weakened the Atari brand and likely contributed to the failure of the Jaguar console.

The cancellation of the Panther was poor timing, which in retrospect Atari wishes they had pursued it to market, as it would have given both the SNES and Mega Drive one hell of a fight!

The Atari Panther blueprint!

Looking good – front, back with nice sides!

The press release that got us drooling!

image source: Atari-Explorer via Wayback Machine

Reebok’s Alien Stompers: It’s Game Over Man!

June 27, 2017 By ausretrogamer

If you thought last year’s Alien Stomper shoes by Reebok were out of this galaxy, wait till you see what they have in store come July 18!

The good folks at Reebok will be bringing us not one, but two Alien-themed pairs of runners, titled the Alien Stomper “Final Battle” Pack. The twin pack will consists of two out of this world pairs, one that pays homage to the Queen Alien and the other to the Power Loader P5000, just like in the climactic battle in James Cameron’s 1986 sequel!

Learning from last year’s mistake of only having the Alien Stomper available in a men’s only shoe, Reebok have ensured that these new runners will be unisex. If you miss out on these, it’s game over man!

source: Reebok

Super Nintendo Empire: The Vader Challenge

June 23, 2017 By David Cutler

By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

Darth Vader is such a fascinating film character. He goes away for a while, and then he comes roaring back into our pop culture conscience, better than ever.

After the spectacularly imaginative ending to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Vader is once again as popular as ever. There is something gratifying about seeing people of all ages wearing Darth Vader t-shirts again.

Like the original film trilogy, Super Nintendo’s The Empire Strikes Back, released in 1993, was the best of the Super Star Wars game series.

If you were a talented enough gamer to ultimately advance to Darth Vader, he was very difficult to defeat. That’s what made the game so good. Vader was a challenge, and battling him as Luke Skywalker was really a treat when I played the game as a kid.

Empire has the best lightsaber duel of the entire Star Wars film franchise. And I don’t care what anyone says, the Empire duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in Empire is more dramatic and thrilling than their final duel in Return of the Jedi. Just because it’s the coda of the original trilogy doesn’t make it the best lightsaber battle; satisfying, yes, but not on par with the duel that leads to Cloud City’s central air shaft.

image source: Pinterest

The lightsaber battle in the game is very similar to the one at the end of the 1980 film. However, Vader is a lot taller than Luke in the game; he’s almost giant-like compared to the young Jedi. As a child gamer, I found Vader’s height to be a little intimidating.

I spent many entertaining hours fighting Vader; to a point where I would keep track of how long it would take me to defeat him…if I defeated him. Vader’s not messing around at the end of the game. My friends and I called it “The Vader Challenge.” It was an ideal way to reenact the battle at the end of one of my favourite films.

The rest of the game action is enjoyable, but nothing is as testing and exceptional as the duel with Vader. Battling the AT-AT Walkers on the planet Hoth is really fun as well. The graphics are exceptional and the degree of difficulty adds a layer that makes this a game young Star Wars fans should try playing if they can find a Super NES copy.

It’ll stress you out a few times, but “The Vader Challenge” at the end is worth the anxiety.

Classic SEGA Games on iOS and Android via SEGA Forever

June 22, 2017 By ausretrogamer

Three decades after it all began, SEGA Networks announces a growing collection of classic video games for mobile

In celebration of a simpler time – an era that came before cool kale, hyper-connectedness, DIY artisanal beer-making, and social media mayhem – SEGA Networks Inc. is bringing a growing collection of classic video games from every console era to your mobile device for free. The collection, called SEGA Forever, is a re-awakening of archetypal gaming, an ode to the deep and diverse SEGA catalogue, and the beginning of a retro revolution that will transport players back through two decades of console gaming.

Each game in the SEGA Forever lineup is free-to-play, ad-supported, playable offline, and includes added features like cloud saves, controller support, and leaderboards. For players who prefer a pristinely ad-free mobile gaming experience – folks who want to play SEGA just like they remember playing in their basement, without interruptions from parents, siblings, or homework – SEGA have rolled back the price so each game can be purchased without ads for $1.99. As the SEGA Forever collection expands through months and years, it will include both official emulations and ported games that pan all SEGA console eras, each adapted specifically for mobile devices while remaining faithful to the original games.

“Above all else SEGA Forever is a celebration of nostalgia. It’s about allowing fans to reconnect with past experiences and share them with family and friends in an accessible and convenient way,” explains Mike Evans, CMO of SEGA’s Mobile Division in the West. “Join us on a journey of rediscovery as we roll out two decades of classic games free on mobile. Create your own ‘SEGA Forever folder’ and collect your favourite classics. Enjoy moments of nostalgia on the go, or sync a Bluetooth controller to enjoy a console-like experience in your living room. SEGA Forever democratises retro gaming, and seeks to change how the world plays, rediscovers, and shares in classic game experiences.”

The first batch of SEGA Forever games has been carefully curated, boasting both blockbusters and core fan favourites; The collection will officially kick off today with five Mega Drive / Genesis titles, all of which will be available to download for free on the Google Play Store for Android devices and on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, where they will be accompanied by iMessage sticker packs:

Sonic The Hedgehog, the 1991 household classic that has remained at the forefront of hearts and minds since inception
Phantasy Star II, the longtime fan-favourite RPG from 1989
Comix Zone and Kid Chameleon, two American titles developed by SEGA’s in-house studio STI
Altered Beast, the original Mega Drive / Genesis pack-in title, a beat-em-up set in Ancient Greece that represents a weird and wonderful segment of the SEGA catalogue that is ripe for rediscovery

Following today’s launch, the SEGA Forever collection will continue to grow with additional releases coming every two weeks. It took AGES to get here, so it’s now time to start playing!

image source: SEGA Forever

Masters Of The Universe Future Pinball: I Have The Power!

June 19, 2017 By ausretrogamer

When our friend Rusty Pinball made us aware of the Masters Of The Universe Future Pinball machine, we were thoroughly impressed and absolutely gobsmacked! Look at it, it’s beautiful to look at, audio is amazing, nostalgia tingling full motion video and a playfield flow that oozes Eternian spirit!

Not taking anything away from TerryRed’s masterful digital version of MOTU pinball, we just can’t help but wish it was a real table that we could bump, slam and tilt on! Oh yeah,we can also imagine the real MOTU table with a Castle Grayskull topper – how cool would that be?!

The thought of a real Masters Of The Universe pinball machine is truly making us weak at the knees. We just hope Jersey Jack Pinball is listening *nudge nudge wink wink*

source: TerryRed

Line Defense: The Mobile Arcade Game That Blends The Past With The Future

June 16, 2017 By ausretrogamer

Whoa, this newfangled arcade game Line Defense (Ed: not Defence!) melds the playing mechanics from two classic Atari games, Missile Command and Breakout. Line Defense was released almost a year ago (August 2016), so if you haven’t picked it up, then grab your Android or iOS device and hit download immediately. Oh yeah, did we mention that Line Defense is free? Well, what are you waiting for – go and get it and play it!

As massive fans of Missile Command and Breakout, we can say that the Legal Radiation game dev team have definitely blended the past with the future. For those of you that want to know the main features before you dive in, here is what Line Defense will deliver:

Simple one finger swipe control
Unique bonuses, power-ups, bosses & Motherships
Collect crystals and get special upgrades for your line (cannons, radar, shield power etc.)
20 colourful maps & a challenging hardcore mode
Unique Mini Games for extra fun
Amazing original soundtrack with dynamic in-game music.
Easy to play – no tutorial needed!
Includes 50+ achievements
Gamecenter Leaderboards Support

source: Legal Radiation Team

Neohabitat Reawakens Lucasfilm’s First MMORPG

June 15, 2017 By ausretrogamer

It seems that we may have been living under a rock all this time! We are the first to admit that we aren’t massive fans of adventure or RPG style games, but when the C64 is involved, we always sit up and take note!

Now cast your mind back to 1986 when Lucasfilm Games (LucasArts) began previewing their new online game Habitat (developed a year earlier) in magazines of the time. If you are lucky enough to remember, you’d recall that the game looked bloody amazing, a cross between an adventure game and something akin to an online chat room. If your recollections are a bit fuzzy, then think of a multiplayer SCUMM game before Lucasfilm were anywhere near releasing Maniac Mansion! Then, the game went into a closed beta and didn’t see the light of day till 1988, when it was scaled back as Club Caribe. Ah, you would be forgiven in thinking that the game was lost to the sands of time. But wait, there is a new ending to this story.

Before we get swept away by the nostalgic tide, let us give you the good news – Neohabitat have reawakened the original Lucasfilm Habitat server, which is now available for anyone and everyone to play online – for free! How awesome is that! It will feel familiar to those accustomed to the SCUMM-like interface, complete with cross hairs with a modern twist, which ain’t a bad thing at all.

Who would have thought that we’d be playing an MMORPG in 2017 that was made over three decades ago! It is indeed a great time to be a retro gamer!

source: Bobby Blackwolf on YouTube

Concept art for the box cover of Lucasfilm’s Habitat game. Source: Wikipedia

Steam Greenlight: Lode Runner Legacy

June 12, 2017 By ausretrogamer

“Lode Runner Legacy” Infiltrates Steam Greenlight
Classic platformer returns with fiendish new challenges

When Tozai Games announced that the classic platformer series Lode Runner was on Steam Greenlight, we had to take note! “Lode Runner Legacy” is the latest edition in the classic Lode Runner series, a masterpiece of action puzzle gaming first introduced in the U.S. in 1983 by creator Doug Smith. This new version features all of the high-adrenaline gameplay Lode Runner is known for with an updated Voxel visual style and powerful editors that let players create their own Runners and items. The Steam Greenlight campaign can be found here.

“Lode Runner endures because its combination of action and puzzle-solving never goes out of style,” says Scott Tsumura, co-founder of Tozai Games. “For this new edition, we’ve included a suite of game editors that allow players to customize to their hearts’ content and create their ‘one and only Lode Runner.’ We hope longtime fans and new players support this updated edition of ‘Lode Runner Legacy’ on Greenlight.”

In Lode Runner, players manipulate “Runner” to infiltrate the evil empire and recover stolen gold while avoiding enemies and minefields. The ingenious balance of puzzle and action gameplay from the original game is alive in “Lode Runner Legacy,” along with many new features that offer a fresh Lode Runner experience to both new players and returning fans alike.

Lode Runner’s frantic action takes place in static, maze-like levels, where a single player dodges enemies while running and climbing platforms to reach and claim stacks of gold. Jumping and shooting foes is forbidden, but blocks can be blasted to access lower platforms or trap pursuing enemies. Winding through ever-increasing levels of complexity is not for the faint of heart.

Key features of Lode Runner Legacy include: