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Retro Gamer

Video Game Time Capsule: The Complete History of Gaming

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Ever wondered how video games evolved from simple pixelated screens to the immersive experiences we enjoy today? Vlogger MRIXRT, pronounced “Moriarty,” has embarked on an ambitious project to unravel the complete history of video games in an astonishing 12-hour video (or 14 hours if you’re a subscriber).

This marathon of nostalgia and insight is more than just a timeline of gaming milestones. MRIXRT takes you on a captivating journey from the early days of arcade classics to the revolutionary franchises that dominate the market now. Featuring interviews with gamers, developers, and industry experts, the video delves into the pivotal moments, innovations, and controversies that have shaped the gaming world.

What makes this video truly exceptional are the in-depth analyses and fascinating narratives woven throughout. MRIXRT uncovers the stories behind iconic games and consoles, bringing to light hidden gems that have left an indelible mark on the industry. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or someone curious about the cultural impact of video games, this immersive visual journey offers something for everyone.

Join MRIXRT as he honours the dedication, creativity, and community spirit that have elevated gaming to its celebrated status today. Dive in (and binge it at will), and let the adventure begin!



Dive into the Arcade Era: A Journey Back in Time

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The golden age of arcade videogames was a magical time of groundbreaking innovation that gave birth to some of the most iconic franchises in gaming history. Think of classics like SPACE INVADERS, PAC-MAN, DONKEY KONG (featuring the debut of the legendary Mario), GALAGA and ASTEROIDS. These games weren’t just about pressing buttons and joystick maneuvers; they were about embarking on epic adventures and chasing high scores.

More Than Just Gaming

Arcades were much more than gaming hubs. They were vibrant social hotspots where friends gathered under the neon glow. It was here that players navigated mazes, jumped over barrels, and dodged alien lasers, all in the heroic pursuit of a high score. The camaraderie and competition forged friendships and created memories that lasted a lifetime.


Source: ACMI – The Story of the Moving Image – Videogames

The Lasting Impact

The influence of the arcade era is still felt today. These pixelated pioneers and their synth-laden soundtracks continue to be celebrated and revisited, serving as the beating heart of the 80s nostalgia. Whether it’s through modern reboots, retro gaming events, or pop culture references, the spirit of the arcade lives on.

So, next time you find yourself reminiscing about the good old days or watching a movie with a killer 80s soundtrack, remember the arcade. It was a place where heroes were made, high scores were chased, and friendships were forged. The arcade era might be a thing of the past, but its legacy continues to inspire and entertain.

Introducing the Wooden Game Boy – No Injection Moulding Here

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What does one do when they acquire a CNC router? Well, they put it to good use and create a wooden Game Boy, based on the OG case!

Physicist, coder and creative, Sebastian Staacks did exactly that with his newly procured machine, making a Game Boy out of walnut wood – thank fully based on the OG Game Boy from 1989. Sebastian has painstakingly documented the entire process on his site here and has also provided links to design files on Github – so if you have the itch to create something cool, then hop to it!

We gotta say it, this is one darn cool creation that we are in absolute awe of! Take a bow Dr. Sebastian Staacks.



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!

A New Retro-Indie Fanmade Game: Mighty Final Fight Forever

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Mighty Final Fight Forever is a fanmade beat ’em up project following on from the original Mighty Final Fight game released by Capcom in 1993

Indie developers Bouncer Games are working on a new game called Mighty Final Fight Forever, a redesigned and a complete remake of Capcom‘s 1993 release on the 8-bit NES, Mighty Final Fight.

Ausretrogamer reader, Vasek T. had the chance to play the demo version and reckons it looks “really promising”. Being huge beat’em up fans (Double Dragon and Final Fight are our fave) and judging by the gameplay teaser below, we reckon this overhaul and remake of 1993’s Mighty Final Fight is definitely right up our alley!

To say we can’t wait for this to be released would be a huge understatement.

PS: The Free Demo (Windows) version can be found here.

JAPAN: Retro Arcade Gaming In Osaka

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👾Retro arcade gaming at Retro Games Zarigani!👾

Ausretrogamer’s intrepid traveller, Brant Raven, found himself in Japan last month during the ever-popular Cherry Blossom season.

But Dr. Raven wasn’t there just to admire the Sakura, nosiree, he also found time to seek out some old school Japanese arcade parlours. He did find one in Osaka, the Retro Game Center Zarigani, located at the foot of Tsutenkaku Tower in Shinsekai.

What Brant found was a treasure trove of classic arcade machines, including the Yu Suzuki designed SEGA favourites, OutRun and Afterburner – both in their Deluxe cabinets. To say we wish we were all there would be a gross understatement.

Check out all these precious machines!!!

image source: (c) Brant Raven for ausretrogamer.com

Atarian Al Alcorn Inducted In The Amusement Industry Hall of Fame

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Pioneer Al Alcorn Honored with Amusement Industry Hall of Fame Induction

In a momentous tribute to his groundbreaking contributions, the esteemed engineer and computer scientist, Al Alcorn, has been inducted into the Amusement Industry Hall of Fame this year. Alcorn, renowned for his pivotal role in the inception of the iconic game Pong, joins the ranks of esteemed visionaries, including fellow Atarian Nolan Bushnell, a member of the inaugural class.

Alcorn embarked on his illustrious career at Ampex in 1968, where he initially delved into the development of a high-resolution video system. However, it was in 1972 that he embarked on a transformative journey with Bushnell and Ted Dabney at Atari. Together, they spearheaded the creation of Pong, a seminal milestone in the realm of video amusement games, heralding a new era of entertainment.

Reflecting on Alcorn’s indispensable role in shaping the landscape of gaming history, RePlay publisher Eddie Adlum remarked, “If you ask 10 operators today who programmed Pong back in the day, five would say Nolan Bushnell and the other five would say they don’t know. The answer, obviously, is Al Alcorn.” Working under Bushnell’s guidance, Alcorn meticulously engineered the circuitry that birthed the revolutionary machine in 1972, laying the foundation for the burgeoning video game revolution.

[L – R]: Ted Dabney, Nolan Bushnell, Fred Marincic and PONG creator, Allan (Al) Alcorn
In a testament to their innovative spirit, Bushnell and Alcorn experimented with unconventional concepts, such as embedding Pong circuitry into barrels, dubbing it “Barrel Pong.” However, it was the classic upright cabinet iteration that resonated most profoundly with audiences, establishing a paradigmatic standard for all subsequent video uprights.

Al Alcorn’s induction into the Amusement Industry Hall of Fame not only honours his extraordinary legacy but also underscores the enduring impact of his visionary ingenuity on the fabric of modern entertainment. As his pioneering achievements continue to inspire generations of creators and enthusiasts alike, Alcorn’s legacy remains indelibly etched in the annals of gaming history.

story & image source: RePlay Magazine

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

The Doctor Goes Retro Gaming Shopping in Japan

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Our resident doctor, Dr. Brant Raven is currently in Japan on holidays. Instead of heading to Suzuka to catch the F1 circus or the cherry blossoms, he has instead gone hunting for retro gaming goodies in Ikebukuro, another centre of otaku culture. The Doc has his priorities right.

This time, Brant paid a visit to Super Potato. Before you get too excited, this Super Potato store is much smaller than the main store in Akihabara, but it’s still adorned with nostlagia inducing retro gaming products. Brant tells us that the store is very small, but it has “shelves and shelves and shelves full of very rare stuff” – they were his words! Unfortunately Japan hasn’t been immune to costs rising, so the retro stuff that the Doc was checking out was expensive.

For now, we are living vicariously via Dr. Raven and can’t wait for him to send us more pics as his visits more retro gaming stores!

 

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