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The World’s Largest Playable Game & Watch Octopus Is For Sale!

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This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own the Guinness World Records’ largest playable Game & Watch device!

Back in 2018 we told you all about Dr. Tom Tilley’s massive Game & Watch Octopus creation which absolutely blew our minds! Well guess what, now is your chance to own this unique creation and be the talk (and envy) of the town.

If you are interested in this MEGA Game & Watch, head on over to Tom’s for sale page to get more details about the sale and to register your interest.


source: WithProfessorTom

 

Check Out This Awesomely Cool Mini Virtual Pinball Machine!

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We love stumbling upon awesomely cool DIY projects, just like David Schwab’s Mini Virtual Pinball machine creation! What makes David’s construction even more amazingly cool, is that it was his first attempt – wish we were that clever! Oh yeah, David has also created a Space Invaders themed tabletop, but we’ll tell you about that cool creation in another feature in the not too distant future.

Scrolling through all of the photos of the build and final product, it is hard not to be impressed. We asked David to provide his thoughts and inspiration behind his Mini Virtual Pinball machine, so we hope this gives you all an insight on how to go about embarking on such a project.

David Schwab’s thoughts on gaming nostalgia and on his Mini Virtual Pinball build: 

You can break it all down to 3 areas of competency; Software, hardware and construction. You need to be able to converse across all three disciplines. I think the attraction to this hobby is in the building and tinkering. To be able to assemble all parts, select hardware and build to a final and satisfactory presentation.

This is a work in progress as there are improvements I want to make. I don’t think anyone who sets to build one of these gets it right the first time, and that’s part of the fun.

In my design, I was going for pure nostalgia and very 0ld school. I would not say I was a big pinball player back in the day, as I was more the type of kid who nagged his mum for 20 cents to play Space invaders or Galaga. Those endless family holidays at caravan parks where there were tabletop arcade games demanded a feed of coins every day. I also majored in the Atari 2600, which was a great source of fun for both my brother Matt and I.

I went for the music and the ‘feel’ of some of the pinball tables, not necessarily staying with a purist collection of games. Everything I placed in this cab evokes emotion. The music, the aesthetic and the visualisation of the games. I have a Blues Brothers pinball table. This classic movie invokes great memories and a lot of fun. There are other pinball tables that others like – Doom, Crysis and Half-Life, although modern recreations bring a sense of nostalgia from the 90s and early 2000s.

This mini virtual pinball uses an Intel NUC 8i5 for the necessity of space and has an onboard 655 graphics processor, 250GB storage and 8GB of RAM. The 8i5 plays VP10 tables well, with no perceivable lag that I could notice. The back-glass is running a 1024 x 768 display which may also help the graphics processor. The playfield is a 1920 x 1080 IPS screen which holds a great resolution for a rig this size. 4K should never be considered with a small PC like a NUC and in any case you won’t need 4K unless you increase the size of your CAB past 32”!

So how did David get started on this project?

I did a lot of research online and asked questions. The best way to start is by typing ‘Virtual Pinball’ in Google and then head over to VPForums – which has a wealth of resources.

You can spend anywhere from $500 to $1500 depending on what you already have lying around, and how perfect you want it to look when finished. Some just plonk a couple of monitors in a box, others, just a couple of desktop screens to an existing PC while others want the full ‘this has got to look’’ fair dinkum.

The build process in (very droolworthy) photos:

images used by permission from David Schwab

We really really love this mini virtual pinball machine by David. If he took orders, we’d be getting in line 🙂

 

Discovering Fall Guys’ Chaos

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By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

I love the chaos of the new game “Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout,” developed by Mediatonic. I discovered Fall Guys, a platformer battle royale game, by hearing someone on the radio talking about it. Since its release on August 4, the game has become a unique alternative for Fortnite. The game is sort of a mix mash of Mario Party and Fortnite, but with funnier, and just as original looking players.

The jellybean-like figures manoeuvre through a three-dimensional playing field. The figures can jump, grab, and dive to help with gameplay. The aim is to qualify for rounds by completing each of the random mini-games. At times, you have to work as a team to make it to the end of the mini-game. The obstacles that randomly change throughout the game can be difficult to navigate even for an experienced gamer.

Players gain Kudos, an in-game currency, by completing matches. You get “Crowns” by winning; they are the ultimate currency. I’m not a fan of getting pink slime on me. When it first happened, I didn’t know what had happened to my dinosaur avatar.

Manoeuvring around the sliding walls in early rounds is easy. But the disappearing levels of plates and the turntable-like obstacles are sometimes difficult to master. The ability to dive becomes vital on those obstacles. Being able to grab other players helps as well.

My strategy is to always hang back behind the group or cluster of players as I move around the outskirts of the mapped obstacles. I think it’s oddly enjoyable to manoeuvre around giant fruit flying at you as you run with a herd of other players. I got taken out by a watermelon in one round.

I haven’t played a game this original and entertaining in years. I’m still discovering the various rounds. Sometimes, it’s not easy; but the game gets its hooks in you and it’s difficult to put down the controls.

 

PICO-8 Masters Of The Universe: The Battle For Eternia

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Do you guys remember when we got giddy over the fictional C64 Barbarian – Masters Of The Universe Edition game?

Well guess what, thanks to the amazingly talented game programmer, Andrea Baldiraghi (aka: TheRoboZ), you can now play the ultimate rethemed Barbarian video game, Masters Of The Universe: Battle For Eternia right in your browser (or that nifty little PocketCHIP running PICO-8) for some slashing good times!

Mr Baldiraghi, we thank you for creating this awesomeness in 3 months – Wow! Now grab a sword and let’s battle for Eternia!

image source: TheRoboZ – MOTU

 

VergeWorld: ICarus – A Nostalgic Blast!

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Whoa, the team at Retro Bones have been busy tinkering on VergeWorld: Icarus, a new sci-fi racer shoot’em up game (with exploration elements) for the Amiga, Atari and Mega Drive!

What is VergeWorld you ask? Far into the future, on a distant and inhospitable planet, mankind engages in one thing it knows well – war. The tyrannical corporate regime wants to enslave all inhabitants of the Kingdom – humanity’s new home. As a young smuggler, Nix, aboard the aircraft Icarus, you want to help the oppressed by joining the Revolt.

Download the Amiga demo to prove your worth by completing the infamous Death Run challenge and convince the Revolt to accept you as one of them!

image source: Retro Bones

 

Building Miniature SEGA Arcade Machines

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The amount of talent and knowledge some people have is beyond comprehension. One particular person got our attention on Twitter, gaug888. gaug888’s miniature Sega arcade machine creations are beyond amazing! Not only are they faithful miniature recreations of their bigger arcade brethren, they also play the arcade video games they are based on – totally mind blowing!

The meticulous level of detail of these miniature creations are off the charts. We reckon Yu Suzuki would be quite impressed too!

PS: If you want to check out the complete and documented log of gaug888’s miniature creations, head to Togetter now.

image source: gaug888 via Togetter

 

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX – A Legend Reborn

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We woke up today to great news that our fave ex-Sega mascot, Alex Kidd, will be getting a new lease of life on modern consoles!

Yep, you read that right, the classic and awesome Sega Master System game, Alex Kidd in Miracle World is being brought into the 21st century, titled Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX! Slated to be released early in 2021 on PC, Switch, Xbox and PlayStation, we honestly can’t wait to reacquaint ourselves with Alex on a modern gaming platform.

We love the brand new visual style, but we are even more chuffed and excited that it will have a retro mode to experience classic Master System Alex Kidd. This new version of AK will feature new levels, modes, and alternative boss battles – all based on the iconic Master System game. So if classic ‘80s platforming is your jam – and it should be, then you will need Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX in your life.

A legend has truly been reborn!

PS: While we wait for this to be released, we’ll keep playing Alex Kidd in Miracle World on our Master System 😉


source: GameTrailers

 

 

John Wick Hex – Review

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Prepare to suit up and take down your enemies in John Wick Hex from the team at Bithell Games, out now on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

John Wick Hex is a fast paced turn-based strategy game centring on everyone’s favourite killer of boogeymen. While some people may feel that a property like John Wick would make a good first-person shooter, the team at Bithell Games have managed to perfectly turn the fluidity and speed that Wick is known for into a turn-based strategy game that feels action packed. Players move through levels on a hexagon based grid with their actions being noted as “time taken” on a bar at the top of the screen. Enemies also have a time bar just below the player’s which allows you to plan your approach depending on their actions. An enemy may be planning to draw his weapon and shoot Wick allowing the player not enough time to fire first but perhaps enough time to roll away or even disarm their opponent. All actions take differing amounts of time from firing weapons, reloading, healing yourself and even just standing or crouching. Once a level is completed it can be replayed back at full speed in a fluid action scene demonstrating John Wick’s skills.

Levels are diverse and stylish, leaving each one’s approach in the hands of the player and their own particular style. Slow and methodical is often a winning strategy, with players made to think always a few steps ahead just like our protagonist. Carrying out certain moves will require the use of “focus” meaning that Wick will often need to take a short break and recompose himself before he can continue. This can be done at any time but allowing your focus to drain in the middle of a fight can prove to be fatal. Patience is certainly a requirement to playing John Wick Hex as levels can often be difficult and go from bad to worse in an instant requiring multiple playthroughs to get right.

Those familiar with the John Wick lore will love all the subtle nods to the movies and expansion of the universe in general, while newcomers are in for some exciting discoveries about these popular characters. The game has a wonderful comic book styling to it, featuring bright neon lights and dark dingy alleyways, that feels perfect for this kind of action. John Wick Hex offers a lot in the way of replayability and will push a lot of players to their limits while trying to get that perfect playthrough.

Not for the faint of heart or low on patience, John Wick Hex is a fantastic game with a lot of style and charm that might just push back a little too hard for some players to fully enjoy.

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Mat Panek, Chief Reporter
Retromancer – Collector, repairer & fan of retro games & tech. Atari to Amiga, Nintendo to Sega! LD, Zip, Beta and a proud dad! One half of the TiredParents on Twitch.

Follow Mat on Twitter and Twitch

 

 

Disclosure: John Wick Hex [EPIC Games Store] was kindly provided by Power Up PR  for this review.

 

 

Where To Play Pinball in Melbourne

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Location pinball is experiencing a renaissance where the silverball game is popping up at more locations in and around one of the world’s most liveable city. If you want to get your pinball fix you may want to check out these establishments.

MELBOURNE

THE PINBALL PARLOUR (Located inside Man Cave Madness at 4/1813 Sydney Road, Campbellfield)
Melbourne’s newest and biggest pinball venue! Over 45 machines and growing. Classics from the 70s, 80s, 90s and latest and greatest pinball machines. Open every Saturday and Sunday with two, two hours sessions per day! Prices start at $30 for adults / $20 for kids.

BARTRONICA (335 Flinders Lane, Melbourne)
Right in the heart of the Central Business District (CBD) of Melbourne, Batronica is the place to be seen at. The renovated venue (titled: Batronica 2.0) has made playing pinball (and arcade) machines even easier while you enjoy a drink.

MOON DOG WORLD (32 Chifley Drive, Preston)
This brewery can accommodate 700 patrons spread across its massive floor space which sports an indoor lagoon, a bar equipped with 72 taps, a beer garden, a hidden tiki bar, a waterfall and best of all, pinball machines!

GENERAL PUBLIC (366 Boundary Rd, Dingley Village)
Home of the Bayside Pinball Club, this awesome venue has it all, from great food, lots of fun attractions, including bowling and of course beautifully maintained pinball machines for you to flip to your heart’s content. But wait, there is more – there is another General Public in Frankston with more pinball action (16-22 Playne St, Frankston).

B. LUCKY & SONS (Level 3/211 La Trobe St, Melbourne)
It may only have one pinball machine inside, but B. Lucky & Sons quirky arcade is so cool with other distractions, you won’t want to leave. Oh yeah, the big plus is that it is inside Melbourne Central located on the entertainment level, level 3!

FORTRESS MELBOURNE (enter via Shop 25, Lower Ground, Emporium Shopping Centre)
Open 7 days a week, Fortress Melbourne is Australia’s largest video games venue with a smattering of pinball machines in their Arcade Alley area. Entry is always free, so do yourself a favour, when in the CBD, hit up Fortress Melbourne, you may never leave!

MARVEL STADIUM (740 Bourke St, Docklands)
If you are heading out to the footy at Marvel Stadium, why not hit the pins there too. They currently have Deadpool, Spider-Man Vault Edition and Avengers: IQ!

TIMEZONE (various shopping centre locations: Highpoint, Knox, Forest Hill and Craigieburn)
That old staple is starting to add more and more pinball amongst their arcade and redemption machines – which is a good thing! Know and Forest Hill have a lineup of multiple newer Stern pinball machines, which we hope means other Timezones will follow suit.

BRAYBROOK HOTEL (353 Ballarat Rd, Braybrook)
In the heart of the west, you’ll find a Guardian Of The Galaxy (GOTG) pinball machine and some bronze statues of a couple of Footscray Football Club’s legendary players.

ARCADE GARAGE (518-530 High St, Northcote)
Arcade Garage Northcote is Melbourne’s largest retro arcade with more than 60 machines (including a handful of pinball machines) available to play spanning from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s+.

HIGHPOINT HOTEL (Level 1 Tenancy 10, Highpoint Shopping Centre, Maribyrnong)
If Timezone Highpoint’s pinball machine doesn’t tickle your fancy, then walk around the corner to the Highpoint Hotel where you can play NBA Jam and some cool Stern pinball machines.

FUNDERDOME (inside Hoys Highpoint Shopping Centre, Maribyrnong)
Looks like Highpoint Shopping Centre is the place to be, with not one, but three venues sporting pinball machines (Highpoint Hotel, Timezone and Funderdome)! Funderdome has Stern favourites, Deadpool, The Munsters and Black Knight: Sword of Rage – all at $2.50 per game.

THE DONCASTER HOTEL (855 Doncaster Road, Doncaster)
According to our intel, Bob’s Diner at The Doncaster Hotel has two machines for your enjoyment!

RIDDELLS CREEK HOTEL (10-12 Hamilton St, Riddells Creek)
Heading out of Melbourne? Stop by this hotel to get some Grand Prix pinball action with your beer and burger!

KARTING MADNESS (Factory 9/841 Mountain Hwy, Bayswater)
Don’t let the name of this place fool you, Karting Madness also has a mad collection of pinball machines that will keep you occupied for quite a while.

PEACOCK INN HOTEL (210 High St, Northcote)
This sleek venue serves up a couple of pinball machines amongst their gastropub menu. Oh yeah, they also have a beer garden when you need to take a break from flipping.

THE HAWTHORN HOTEL (481 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn)
With its wood-paling bar, bistro food, trivia and karaoke, it’s amazing that this comfy pub could fit in any pinball – luckily, they do!

TOWER HOTEL (686 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn East)
With $7 schooners, Stern’s Mustang and Star Trek, you are all set for some cool pinball action.

THE OLYMPIC HOTEL (31 Albert St, Preston)
If you are heading out to Preston, then you can get some dinosaur pinnie action on Stern’s Jurassic Park!

TAYLORS LAKES HOTEL (7 Melton Hwy, Taylors Lakes)
Hit the family hotel for some good food, good drinks and of course, pinball.

COMMERCIAL HOTEL (111 Walton Street, Werribee)
Situated 35km west of the city, the Commercial Hotel offers a couple of pinball machines to be enjoyed while watching live sports and having a tipple.

RETREAT HOTEL (280 Sydney Road, Brunswick)
Head toward the back of the Retreat for a special surprise – pinball. With live music , craft beer on tap and hearty pub grub, you can’t really go wrong.

GRANDVIEW HOTEL (429 Heidelberg Road, Fairfield)
This 130+ year old triple story grand Victorian hotel will keep your hands occupied, both with drinks and pinball.

THORNBURY EXPRESSO COFFEE BAR (792 High Street, Thornbury)
A café with pinball? Yep, enjoy a coffee and perhaps an ice-cream while also playing some pinball in this ultra casual and cool cafe.

THE SALOON BARCADE (273-274 Nepean Hwy, Edithvale)
With locally brewed craft beers, cocktails, wine, spirits, and of course, PINBALL (arcade and pool), The Saloon Barcade is the place to be if you are out Edithvale way! Oh yeah, for those with the munchies, there are the staples, pizza, burgers and pasta too.

Oh yeah, another pro-tip is to check out your local AMF Bowling Centre and the foyer of Hoyts or Village Cinemas, as they usually have at least one (or more) pinball machines!

This was never going to be an exhaustive list, but it should get you started playing pinball in and around Melbourne. Due to the nature of locations changing their lineup or removing machines, this ‘Where to play pinball’ list is correct as at the time of publishing. We’ll endeavour to update this post as new locations pop up (and remove the ones that no longer have pinball machines).

If you appreciate what we do, please feel free to show your appreciation via the ausretrogamer virtual tip jar 🙂



A Purge Game: Good or Bad for the Brand?

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By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

When I hear someone suggest that there should be a Purge video game, I think, Why, we already have the Grand Theft Auto series.

The Purge franchise is made up of films and a television series, which were created by James DeMonaco. They take place in a near-future dystopian America where there is an annual national holiday known as the Purge, in which all crimes, including murder, are legal for a 12-hour period.

The Purge films are well made horror films; The Purge: Election Year is the best in my opinion. I’ve only watched one episode of The Purge television series and I found it a bit tedious. A movie is usually two hours, but to invest in a series is a big ask with a series that doesn’t drift far from the film’s concept.

If a company produced a Purge video game, the gameplay wouldn’t be that much different than a Grand Theft Auto game. Other than having a different kind of mission, both games would be the same in the amount of mayhem and carnage you could cause in a city.

image source: The Purge – Election Year via Vox

Don’t get me wrong, The Purge name would draw in fans of the films. Your franchise doesn’t make $446 million worldwide at the box office if you don’t have a loyal fanbase.

The fifth Purge film, which will be released in 2020, is supposed to be the last in the franchise. The film will possibly centre around a heist that takes place on the night of the Purge. After the final film, the franchise will have to stay pertinent somehow. The television series will continue, but a video game could also be how Purge fans are content.

The game could be interesting if you’re a player who is protecting a family or a single person. The best characters in the films are usually the ones who are the hunted. Maybe you could choose what city in America the game takes place in?

The source material is ripe with a universe that could support an exceptional video game. But could too much of a good thing dilute the Purge brand?