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Introducing Evercade Alpha – The First Evercade-Compatible Bartop Arcade

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It’s time to change the game – literally.

Attention all gamers and retro enthusiasts: the Evercade Alpha is coming later this year, and it’s going to revolutionise your home arcade experience! This sleek, bartop-sized arcade machine is the latest addition to the Evercade family and is packed with features that will transport you back to the golden age of gaming. The standout feature? Full compatibility with the extensive Evercade cartridge ecosystem.

Endless Gaming Fun with Evercade Cartridges

The Evercade Alpha doesn’t just come with a few built-in games—it opens the door to over 50 physical Evercade cartridge collections, offering a staggering 500+ games. From legendary arcade hits to home console classics and vintage home computer gems, the Evercade Alpha ensures your gaming adventures will be never-ending.

Special Pre-Order Pricing

Starting June 4th, the Evercade Alpha will be available for pre-order at a special price of £199.99 / $229.99 / €229.99, a significant discount from its regular retail price of £229.99 / $249.99 / €249.99. This offer is valid until November 2024, so act fast to secure this deal from any Evercade retailer worldwide.

Choose Your Adventure: Street Fighter or Mega Man Editions

The Evercade Alpha comes in two exciting versions, each featuring unique built-in games and officially licensed designs from the legendary Japanese publisher Capcom:

Evercade Alpha Street Fighter Arcade

Features six iconic titles from the Street Fighter™ franchise, including the never-before-released Street Fighter™ Alpha series.

– Street Fighter™ II’ Champion Edition
– Super Street Fighter™ II Turbo
– Street Fighter™ Alpha: Warriors’ Dreams
– Street Fighter™ Alpha 2
– Street Fighter™ Alpha 3
– Super Puzzle Fighter™ II Turbo

Evercade Alpha Mega Man Arcade

Boasts two arcade-exclusive games from the famous Mega Man™ franchise, alongside a selection of Capcom’s classic arcade titles.

– Mega Man™: The Power Battle
– Mega Man™ 2: The Power Fighters
– Final Fight™
– Knights of the Round™
– Carrier Air Wing™
– Strider™

Premium Features and Design

Each Evercade Alpha unit is pre-assembled and packed with top-notch features for an unparalleled gaming experience:

  • Dual Evercade Cartridge Slots: Designed to mimic a coin tray, these slots support the entire Evercade cartridge ecosystem.
  • Authentic Arcade Controls: Competition-grade controls ensure you get the response and feel of a real arcade machine.
  • High-Resolution Screen: An 8″ IPS screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio delivers sharp, vibrant visuals.
  • Light-Up Marquee: Includes three interchangeable backlit marquee panels, with more available for purchase.
  • Additional Ports and Controls: Volume control, stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack, and two USB ports for external controllers.
  • Power and Connectivity: Powered by a USB-C connector, with an international mains plug included.

Expand Your Gaming Library

One of the most exciting features of the Evercade Alpha is its dual Evercade cartridge slots. This means you’re not limited to the pre-installed games. You can expand your game library with any physical Evercade cartridge collection, encompassing games from five decades of gaming history. Whether you prefer indie games, classic Japanese titles, or hidden gems, the Evercade Alpha has something for everyone.

Instant Access to Over 500 Games

With Evercade cartridges, there are no downloads, no setup, and no fuss—just plug in and play! Enjoy a seamless gaming experience with physical cartridges that include a box and manual, just like the good old days. Plus, your save games are supported across all Evercade devices.

Don’t miss out on the chance to bring the arcade experience home with Evercade Alpha. Pre-order now and get ready to dive into a world of classic gaming fun!

Comedy Central Announces Golden Axe Animated Series

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In an exciting development for fans of animated entertainment and old school video games, Comedy Central has unveiled plans for a brand-new animated series based on Sega’s 1989 seminal side-scrolling beat’em up / hack’n slash video game, Golden Axe. Set to captivate audiences with its unique blend of humor and adventure, the announcement has already sparked widespread anticipation among viewers eager to witness the comedic prowess of the show’s talented cast and crew.

Led by the Emmy-winning actor Matthew Rhys, known for his remarkable performances in “The Americans” and “Perry Mason,” alongside the beloved actor Danny Pudi, recognised for his role in the hit series “Community,” Golden Axe promises to deliver a fresh and entertaining experience for audiences of all ages.

Just like the video game, Golden Axe is set in the medieval fantasy world, Yuria, filled with magic, mythical creatures, and epic quests, with the animated series following the exploits of Ax Battler, Tyris Flare and Gilius Thunderhead, a group of unlikely heroes as they embark on an adventure battling the evil giant Death Adder and his minions. With Rhys and Pudi at the helm, viewers can expect a delightful blend of wit, charm, and comedic timing as the characters navigate the perils of their quest with hilarity and heart.

Speaking about his involvement in the project, Matthew Rhys expressed his excitement, stating,

“I am thrilled to be part of such a fun and imaginative series. Golden Axe is a truly unique and exciting project, and I can’t wait for audiences to join us on this epic journey.”

Equally enthusiastic about the upcoming series, Danny Pudi shared,

“As a longtime fan of animation, I am honored to be working alongside such a talented team to bring ‘Golden Axe’ to life. The world we are creating is full of humor, adventure, and heart, and I can’t wait for viewers to experience it.”

With Comedy Central’s reputation for delivering groundbreaking comedy and innovative storytelling, Golden Axe is poised to become a standout addition to the network’s lineup. As viewers eagerly await its premiere, the animated series is already generating buzz and anticipation, promising an unforgettable adventure filled with laughter, excitement, and plenty of golden moments.

Still Standing BONUS Featurette: 1UP ARCADE Brisbane – Australia’s LARGEST Retro Arcade

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You know the deal by now – go watch the award-winning Still Standing documentary, it will be the best 74 minutes of your day!

Now, the other bonus featurette made available by Brad Gilbertson (Creator/Director of Still Standing) is of the truly mind-blowing 1UP ARCADE in Brisbane, Australia’s LARGEST retro arcade. Let 1UP Arcade owner, Stephen Holmes, take you on an insightful and intoxicating trip back in time.


source: BGVC Films on YouTube

Enter Your Very Own Arcade Paradise VR

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Wishlist the nostalgia-inducing arcade and light management sim today – this time it’s in VR!

Publisher Wired Productions and award-winning independent developer, Nosebleed Interactive, are thrilled to reveal that Arcade Paradise VR is releasing on 25th April 2024 for Meta Quest 2, 3 and Pro.

It’s almost time to enter the virtual realm in Arcade Paradise VR, transporting you back to 1993 for an all-new immersive experience oozing with retro-fuelled gaming nostalgia! Taking you on an empowering journey from rags to riches, Arcade Paradise is an adventure and light-management sim combo game where you transform the decrepit King Wash laundromat into a thriving business.

Set in the rundown town of Grindstone, you play as Ashley, a rebel teenager going against your father’s wishes to continue the family business. Get hands-on managing the fully gamified day-to-day tasks, from manually picking up gum, doing the laundry, and scrubbing a toilet perfectly clean – to throwing out the trash in a basketball style mini game. Then, take your hard-earned money from completing these tasks to unlock your real objective… buying more arcade units!

Featuring 12 fully realized VR cabinets alongside 27 traditionally controlled games from the original release, it’s time to play, profit and purchase your way to your very own Arcade Paradise. So, strap on your latest virtual reality tech – because the future is NOW!

Features:

  • 12 brand-new fully realized VR arcade cabinets alongside 27, 90’s inspired, traditional controller games from the original release.
  • A wide range of gameplay from laundry mini-games to managing a full arcade with fully playable games cabinets.
  • Set high scores across each game in competitive online leaderboards.
  • Soundtrack composed by former The Prodigy live show member Kieron Pepper in collaboration with Black Razor Records.
  • Coming of age storytelling featuring award winning voice actor Doug Cockle playing your belligerent father, Gerald.
  • Bring the 90’s to the future with Mixed Reality, place cabinets in your living room for a whole new level of immersion.

Arcade Paradise VR launches on April 25th, 2024 on Meta Quest 2, 3 and Pro for US$19.99 / GBP£14.99 / AUD$27.32.

 

Press Release supplied

The Australian Pinball Museum Visits The Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum

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Prior to exhibiting at the 2024 Texas Pinball Festival (TPF), the Australian Pinball Museum visited the Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum in Hillsboro (Oregon, USA), and we are so glad that they did!

Obviously this place is now on our bucket-list of places to check out when we next visit the ole US of A. For more drool-worthy images from their recent visit at the Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum, check out the Australian Pinball Museum post right here and also their walkthrough video!

source: Facebook post via Australian Pinball Museum

‘Temple of Doom’ Arcade Game

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By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

A few weeks ago, I watched some of the Xbox Business Update and I’m so excited for the new Indiana Jones game, “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.” The gameplay looks stunning.

When I was a little kid, I loved the Indiana Jones franchise. There was a roller rink not far from my house, and when I would finish my homework, I would sneak out and go there to play the “Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom” arcade game. I would play “Temple of Doom” for about an hour if I had enough quarters saved up. I would hog the game; I wouldn’t let anyone else play if I was there. It was in the corner of the roller rink, so it was sort of hidden.

In the mines, when I’m running up and down the different levels, I always wanted to make sure that I freed every slave child I could. Although, I never understood how Indy’s bullwhip unlocked the cages that they were trapped in. I thought it was strange that when you freed a slave child, you got points; and some were worth more than others. I believe the more you saved the more the point totals increased. The blades coming up out of the rocky ground didn’t help when you are freeing slaves and attempting to take out Mola Ram’s men. A version of Mola Ram could just pop up in front of you when you were least expecting it.

The conveyor belts were sometimes hard to maneuver, but I enjoyed descending the large slides that took you to another level of the mines. Mola Ram’s henchmen, or, the Thuggee, were slippery adversaries when Indy must climb up and down the ladders in the mines.

I never liked the rail-car chase scene in the film “Temple of Doom,” but it was one of my favorite parts of the home and arcade game. You had to have sharp reflexes to bullwhip Mola Ram’s henchmen and gain points as you darted down the narrow tracks.

The 1984 film frightened my friends, but I admired how edgy and violent some of the scenes were. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas pushed gore and violence to an imaginative place. “Temple of Doom” was one of the first films to receive a PG-13 rating. I still don’t see how the ritual, human sacrifice scene didn’t get the movie an instant R-rating. I remember my friends finding that scene disturbing. The arcade game shares the dark tone of the film.

I bought the game for my Atari, but it was never the same as playing the fun arcade game.

 

STILL STANDING is now LIVE and FREE on SBS On-Demand in Australia

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“The emotive and amazing stories and histories will have you gripped like a Darth Vader choke-hold right till the end.” – Ausretrogamer, Feb 2023

A year ago (almost to the day) on February 23rd, 2023, we told you all that the documentary, STILL STANDING, was a must watch, giving it a 5-star rating! This is still the case, and this time it is even easier to catch one of the best made docos on the Australian arcade and pinball culture of the past.

Still Standing’s cinematographer and producer, Brad Gilbertson, has been working hard to bring this awesome doco to the masses via a national broadcaster. Well, after some very hard toiling by Brad, he had this good news to announce (via Facebook):

After a slight delay, Still Standing is now LIVE and FREE on SBS On-Demand here in Australia! Thanks so much for your patience while this was sorted out, and a HUGE thanks to the community, groups, our Still Standing cast and locations that have supported, shared and liked our recent posts! It has been overwhelming to say the least and we appreciate each and everyone of you enormously! Please enjoy the film and stay tuned for more exciting news very soon!

If you haven’t done so, and you have the slightest of interest in the Australian arcade and pinball scene from the past, then STILL STANDING is an absolute MUST WATCH! Head on over to SBS On-Demand right now!

image source: SBS On-Demand



‘The Walking Dead’ Arcade Game

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By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

Over Christmas break, I discovered the arcade game “The Walking Dead” at a local Dave & Buster’s, a sports bar and video arcade. The object of the game is to shoot as many zombies as possible for a high score, and to get through the stages without getting nibbled on. As an enormous fan of the television series and comic book, the game was calling out to me when I bought a massive number of tokens.

When I’m playing the exciting game, shooting zombies with my crossbow, I’m not thinking about anything else in the world. My troubles and the bad news headlines all fall away. It’s an escape into a fun, fictional world, created by the great Robert Kirkman. You begin in the West Georgia Correctional Facility in Story Mode, and you’re fighting your way through the corridors and the expansive, open yard. One of the most thrilling parts when you’re in the yard is when you shoot a tanker with an arrow with an explosive on it, killing all the surrounding zombies. Some of them are just dazed, but it gives you time to escape from the starving herd.

The Raw Thrills, Inc. game is fantastic because you can easily reload your crossbow by pulling back on the handle to load again. The action is so hurried, you have about a split second to decide where to aim.

image source: Raw Thrills

It’s somewhat annoying when parents and kids walk by the outer doors, and they peek at my gameplay. Hours fly by when I’m enthralled in the combat of the game. I like it when you open a door of the prison and a zombie is right there behind it, ready to pounce on you and bite you if you’re not careful. “The Walking Dead” arcade machine is in a dark area of the arcade, so I have a feeling of isolation and total immersion when the place isn’t crowded.

I still go back and watch some of my favorite “Walking Dead” episodes, and they are usually centered around the character, Daryl Dixon. I really like the episode “Still,” that aired during the fourth season. Most of the episode is Beth and Daryl hanging out at a golf country club. It’s a haunting episode and the performances by Emily Kinney and Norman Reedus are superb. The episode is a rather dramatic one with some heft. The new Daryl Dixon series on AMC had one of the best pilot episodes I’ve seen in some time. It’s called “L’ame Perdue.”

As I finish writing this on a snowy, frigid night, I’m contemplating going to Dave & Buster’s to play “The Walking Dead” game again. Luckily, they’re open late.



Arcade Cabinets Chiseled from Marble That Michaelangelo Would Be Proud Of

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Michaelangelo’s David VS Harow’s Arcadia!

With engineered stone becoming illegal (it’s about time!) in Australia, we are glad to see that marble is (potentially) still being used in a variety of new ways!

These arcade machines chiseled out of marble give Michaelangelo’s David sculpture a run for its money – they are absolute masterpieces!

Before we get ahead ourselves we have to come clean, these are AI renders, however for a cool US$100,000, artist Harold Sangouard (aka Harow) can chisel you a custom-made arcade cabinet from Calacatta marble.

We definitely don’t need marble in the kitchen, but our Fun Factory can do with a marble arcade machine sculpture 😉

image source: Arcadia – Harow



Killer Instinct on Steam Is Free – Get It Now

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Wanna kick to the head, for free?!

The legendary fighting franchise with over-the-top action, a wild cast of combatants, rocking reactive music, and C-C-C-COMBO BREAKERS is now free to play on Steam!!!

If you are an existing paid owner of the Killer Instinct (2012) game, you’ll be automatically upgraded to the Anniversary Edition (which is A$39.95).

Go on, what are you waiting for – go and break out some killer combos!!

image source: Steam