In case you miss the news in October, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft animated series is coming soon to Netflix!
We must admit, it does look good, and seldom do Netflix miss the mark. Can’t wait for this one.
source: Netflix
Netflix
Castlevania: Nocturne – Coming to Netflix this September
The rise of Richter Belmont. Premieres only on Netflix, September 28.
Discover the enthralling world of Castlevania as it ventures into new territory with “Nocturne,” an exciting series focusing on the origin story of Richter Belmont, a gaming icon and one of the franchise’s most beloved characters. Set amidst the backdrop of the French Revolution, this gory and gothic adventure takes fans on an unforgettable journey through a time of vampires and high stakes.
Led by showrunner Kevin Kolde and Creator/Writer Clive Bradley, “Nocturne” promises a gripping narrative filled with love, loss, and thrilling encounters. As an evolution of the original fan-favorite Castlevania Netflix Series, the show delves into never-before-seen aspects of Richter Belmont’s past, adding depth to this iconic character.
Produced by Project 51 Productions, with animations provided by Powerhouse Animation, “Nocturne” guarantees top-notch quality and a visually stunning experience. Whether you’re a seasoned Castlevania fan or new to the franchise, this series serves as the perfect starting point for an exciting journey into a world of gaming adaptations, anime, and captivating storytelling.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the epic tale of “Nocturne”!
image & video source: Netflix
It’s Time We Got A F1 Themed Pinball Machine!
We love asking the tough questions here at ausretrogamer. Today we ask, is it time for a pinball manufacturer to capitalise on the Formula 1 (F1) popularity by creating a modern themed pinball machine based on this pinnacle of Motorsport racing? F1 cars and pinball share a lot in common, both are highly engineered and precision made machines, with thousands of parts making them tick to perfection, and let’s not forget, they require skills to get the best out of them.
Thanks to the Netflix produced Drive To Survive docuseries (season 5 now streaming on Netflix!), F1 has experienced a renaissance, seeing its popularity break records by garnering new interest from all walks of life, including interest from teenagers, women and young kids, which previously were underrepresented. With pinball also enjoying a golden era, the fusion of this racing theme into a pinball machine would definitely not hurt in expanding the popularity of the silverball game – it’s a match made in heaven!
Stern’s ‘Stern Of The Union’ Newsletter for November 2022 contained this pic with Max Verstappen that we hope is a hint!
image source: Stern Pinball
Of course the licensing side would impact what can and cannot be included in such a theme, however, there are many different ways to infuse the F1 theme into a pinball machine, either based on a manufacturer/team, a popular driver, famous track or the F1 as a collective.
Now imagine a F1 pinball machine featuring exotic materials like carbon fibre rails, a rear wing topper and an integrated F1-style steering wheel on the lockdown bar for certain modes. As for the playfield and rules, well, we can only dream big; from incorporating qualifying laps to get to pole position, pitstops when your car needs to be fixed or requires a fresh set of tyres, to hitting a gear shifter to change gears and possibly hit DRS to kick off DRS multiball and ultimately get to the Chequered Flag wizard mode to be crowned F1 champion – the list of what to include in the design and play of such a pinball machine is (almost) limitless.
We love Stern’s Mustang, but we really want a F1 themed pinball machine!
The EM Grand Prix was cool back in the day
We are aware that there are a few car/racing themed pinball machines, from Stern’s Mustang and Grand Prix, Bally’s Corvette, Williams’ The Getaway to Sega’s Viper Night Driving and Data East’s Checkpoint (to name just a few), but we are still missing a F1 specific pinball machine, so please please let’s have one!
Imagine if you will a Stern Pinball F1 machine……
‘Stranger Things’ Video Game Moment
By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.
First off, I’ll try not to spoil anything. (Ed: WARNING – proceed with caution if you have not watched ST4 as yet!)
I didn’t start watching “Stranger Things” until this year’s season. Season four of the popular Netflix series has been enthralling and masterfully plotted.
I never thought I would like the people of Hawkins, Indiana, but they grew on me rather quickly. I watched the fourth episode of the season, titled “Chapter Four: Dear Billy,” and the greatness of the storytelling and the final, video game-like ending, made me realize that the show wasn’t just some nostalgic, kid show. It was much more than that.
Max is my favorite character on “Stranger Things.” Why, I’m not sure? Maybe because she reminds me a little of myself when I was young, and, like Max, I was always optimistically curious about life. Sadie Sink plays Max superbly. Her journey through the fourth season of the hit series is the most captivating storyline. So much so that the Kate Bush song “Running Up That Hill,” released in 1985, has made its way to the top of the current music charts. In the fourth chapter, the song is used brilliantly in the scene that reminded me of a video game. The song is a part of the dramatic scene where Max makes her escape from Vecna, the primary villain. The song is used as a key diegetic piece that works magnificently.
When Max breaks free of Vecna, she is running along a rocky ground through the demonic dreamscape. I got video game vibes when Max is running between falling rocks and debris to get to her friends who are using Bush’s song to get her back to the real world, in a graveyard. Her run made me think of hundreds of video games that I’ve played over the course of my life. She was on a mission to get back to her friends, and the nail-biting scene is shot beautifully. It conjured up visions of a video game hero dodging obstacles to reach a safe place or new level. Everything about it works.
Max’s sprint to her friends and “Running Up That Hill” made for an extraordinarily calculated action sequence that will resonate with fans of the series for years.
image source: Rotten Tomatoes
The Eerie Timex X Stranger Things Watch Co-Lab
With the popularity reaching fever pitch for the latest season of Stranger Things (season 4), it was inevitable that major brands would jump on the partnership bandwagon.
The timing (pun intended) of the Timex X Stranger Things watch collaboration is perfect, just in time for the second part of season 4 kicking off this Friday, July 1 on Netflix.
It seems that Timex have captured the aesthetic of the show quite well with the 80s digital (and analogue on the Camper version) look and most importantly, a nod to the show with hidden features and alarm sounds that play the iconic Stranger Things melody – this perfectly completes the hair-raising sci-fi-horror-drama immersion.
We love the Timex X Stranger Things T80 digital watch with its stainless steel bracelet and overall silver tone. Oh yeah, it has the spine-chilling graphics on the watch face and a hidden Stranger Things logo when you activate the INDIGLO® backlight!
source: Timex x Stranger Things
A New Season of ‘The Witcher’
By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.
The second season of the Netflix Original Series “The Witcher” will be released this week (in the US) and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
“The Witcher” is not “Game of Thrones.” It never was. I never understood in all the reviews of the first series how almost every critic took the time to point that out. “The Witcher” is its own unique adaptation of the books and popular video games. I have friends who think “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” is one of the greatest games ever made. I like it, but I enjoy the television series just as much. And we know how hard it is to adapt a video game property into an entertaining live-action series or film. “The Witcher” could be one of the best.
“The Witcher” is always good when Henry Cavill gets screen time. His who cares, flipped attitude as Geralt of Rivia never gets old. Geralt may be cold at times, but he really has a heart. When Geralt isn’t slaying some disgusting beast for coin, he’s just trying to keep to himself. He grunts and says a certain four-letter word a lot throughout the series. The greatness of Cavill’s character is his subtlety. The way he plays Geralt is the exact way I thought the character would be in the iconic games.
image source: Netflix
Anya Chalotra, the actress who portrays Yennefer of Vengerberg, had an intense, charming chemistry with Henry Cavill. Yennefer is my favourite character on the eight-episode first season. Her story had an arc that was fulfilling and tragic. I felt for her character and where she came from before she grew powerful with her witchcraft skills. I like the episode when Geralt and Yennefer finally met. It was quite a “memorable” scene.
I could’ve gone without the singing. I thought the songs were silly and the character of the bard Jakier was just on the series for comic relief. His character felt like annoying filler. The battle in the final episode lasted way too long. I enjoyed how Yennefer kept the attacking forces at bay using all her powers. It made for a somewhat satisfying ending that left the audience with more questions than answers.
I’ll watch the second season when I have the time after Christmas. I like to watch a series in one long binge session. Season two of “The Witcher” is a nice Christmas gift for fans of the series. I just wish Netflix marketed the show better.
HIGH SCORE – A New Netflix Docuseries Tracing The History of Classic Video Games
If you have Netflix, then mark August 19th on your calendar to watch HIGH SCORE, a new 6 part documentary series tracing the history of classic video games.
Narrated by the voice of our favourite video game plumber, Charles Martinet, this docuseries traces the history of classic video games, featuring insights from the innovators who brought these worlds and characters to life.
We have watched a plethora of documentaries on the history of video games, so we expect to hear some of the same stories, but that isn’t a bad thing at all. With Netflix behind this documentary, we are assured of high production value!
We can’t wait to watch this to get our nostalgia hit! Get Ready!
source: Netflix
Stern Pinball Unveils STRANGER THINGS Pinball! It’s Bitchin’
Stern Pinball Inc. announced today their new line of pinball machines celebrating the iconic Netflix series, Stranger Things!
Stranger Things is the comeback game for one of our favourite pinball designers of all time, Brian Eddy. Brian joined Stern Pinball in 2017 after being out of the pinball design game for a couple of decades. Brian is best known for two of the greatest machines of all time, Medieval Madness and Attack From Mars. With that kind of design pedigree, the excitement is quite high for his debut Stern title.
Well, from what we have seen of the three editions (Pro, Premium and Limited Edition), we reckon Brian has given us something magical – mind you, we haven’t played it yet, so once we do, we’ll give you our opinion.
source: Stern Pinball Inc.
Experience the terrifying forces in Hawkins, Indiana that turn this small town “upside down” with supernatural elements, strange sightings, and government secrets. Stranger Things pinball machines will immerse players in a search to unravel the extraordinary mysteries and secret government experiments taking place at the Hawkins National Laboratory. The gameplay focuses on unlocking the hidden meanings of supernatural events occurring in and around the town, including the appearance of a girl known as “Eleven” with telekinetic abilities. The ball is wild as Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Will, Joyce, and Police Chief Jim Hopper help Eleven close the dimensional gate.
The Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models all feature distinct hand-drawn art in addition to the custom sculpted, interactive Demogorgon bash toy, guarded by drop targets and a rotating ramp. All models include two hideout ball scoops, a Demodog spinner, three custom ramps, and game rules that will transport players into the Upside Down.
The Premium and Limited Edition models feature a first ever video projector that displays images and animations directly on the playfield, creating dramatic interactions with gameplay action. The center of the playfield features a unique ramp that doubles as a screen and leads the player into a direct battle with the Demogorgon. These models also feature a new Eleven themed “telekinetic” magnetic ball lock.
As mentioned already, we’ll let you know what we think of Stranger Things pinball once we flip it – so stay tuned!
source: Stern Pinball Inc.
If ‘Stranger Things’ Was An 80’s Computer Game…
Have you been wondering what ‘Stranger Things’ would look like as an 80’s computer game? (of course you have!)
Well wonder no more, thanks to SquirrelMonkeyCom.
Source: SquirrelMonkeyCom via Laughing Squid
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Ms. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.
Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter
Time For Link To Break His Silence: A Live-Action Zelda Series!
In the biggest video game adaptation news of the moment: Netflix is in the early stages of developing a live-action series based on Zelda – wow! Apparently it is envisioned as Game of Thrones for a family audience.
If the project pans out, it will be a rare example of a Nintendo adaptation – others include the 1989 animated Legend of Zelda series and the disappointing Super Mario Bros. movie from 1993.
In 2004 there was talk of a Metroid film to be directed by John Woo, but according to the former producer Brad Foxhoven, the project fell through when Nintendo became nervous about handing over control of their characters’ back stories and development to the film’s writers and directors.
In latest reports, Netflix is seeking a writer for the project. Let’s hope this one gets off the ground and is well received because a successful adaptation could open the door to many more exciting Nintendo-themed films and series.
On a final note, The Verge has some excellent suggestions for a winning cast, including Maisie Williams as young Link and Natalie Dormer as adult Link.
Source: Geekologie, Speakeasy and IGN.
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Ms. ausretrogamer
Editor and Researcher at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.
Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter