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Cheers To 10 Years – See You At PAX Aus 2023

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Wow, we still can’t believe that PAX AUS is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year!

It is also hard to believe that the Classic Gaming area, or Classic Consoles as it was known in the inaugural year, has been at PAX AUS since the beginning. From the Showgrounds in Ascot Vale in 2013, where it was bitterly cold, we were quite excited when PAX Aus was moved to its new and much bigger home in 2014, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. By moving PAX AUS from July to October, it also ensured that we would have better weather, but then again, this is Melbourne, so anything can happen, in any season!

We are indulging ourselves with nostalgia by reflecting on years gone by at PAX AUS – there has been countless awesome memories and meeting new and amazing people that we are proud to call our friends. Cheers to ten years!

We hope to see some (or all) of you at PAX AUS 2023!

slides created by: Aaron ‘Blahjedi’ Clement (Press Play On Tape podcast)



PAX Aus 2023 – But Wait, There Is More!

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With only a few more sleeps till PAX Aus 2023 kicks-off this Friday, there are more exciting and enticing news coming out from Australia’s premier gaming and pop culture event!

PLAION is proud to announce the Atari 2600+ – a modern day faithful recreation of the pioneering console that first appeared in 1977.

The new Atari 2600+ system will be on display at PAX Aus this week in the Classic Gaming area. The Atari 2600+ is launching worldwide on 17th November 2023 and available to pre-order for $189.95.

Nintendo has revealed more of their PAX plans – Not only will PAX visitors be able to experience Super Mario Bros. Wonder ahead of release, they will also be able to play Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 1: The Teal Mask, Detective Pikachu Returns and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown on Nintendo Switch.

Detective Pikachu Returns is launching on the first day of PAX, Friday 6th October. Also available to play on the Nintendo stand will be  an unreleased game from Square Enix – STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R. See all the Nintendo PAX news here.

image source: Rocketcomms



Why Retro Gamers Should Wear Blue Light Glasses

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How many hours a day do you spend gaming? Whether you play modern or retro games, most of your sessions are undoubtedly spent in front of a screen — big and small. However, this increased exposure to digital screens may harm your eyes.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 13 million Australians have one or more chronic eye conditions, including short- and longsightedness, astigmatism, macular degeneration, and blindness. In a 2022 survey from Optometry Australia, 88% of participants reported experiencing sore or tired eyes when using a computer or tablet. For people with existing uncorrected vision problems, this can make vision problems even worse.

For gamers specifically, caring for your eye health shouldn’t be overlooked. Recently, we highlighted some of Nintendo’s new games and content coming up soon. From Luigi’s Mansion 2‘s visual upgrade to critically acclaimed titles such as Batman: Arkham Trilogy‘s Switch debut, protecting your vision to enjoy these newer games is vital. One such way is by investing in blue light glasses. Below, we’ll look at what blue light glasses are, why retro gamers may need them, and other ways you can protect your eyes while gaming:

What are blue light glasses?

Blue-violet light comes primarily from the sun and our digital devices, such as computer screens, tablets, smartphones, and handheld consoles. Unlike other forms of light, our eyes aren’t built to effectively filter blue light, causing discomfort and vision problems when viewing digital screens for long periods.

Investing in a pair of blue light glasses can help protect your eyes from your gaming devices, including your smartphone, laptop, and handheld consoles. Blue light lenses such as OPSM BlueGuard® lenses can be fitted to your existing glasses and matched with your prescription. Other blue light lenses like the Invisibles® Blue also have an anti-reflection coating resistant to smudges, scratches, dust, and water.

Blue light glasses also come in different shapes and forms, so you can opt for subtle designs that you can wear in and out of gaming sessions daily or choose more gaming-oriented designs to complement your gaming ensemble.

Is retro gaming harmful to the eyes?

Nowadays, most video games are played on LED screens that emit blue light. If you’re wondering whether older, retro gaming devices also harm the eyes similarly, the answer is yes. While old-fashioned monitors such as CRT displays don’t emit the same level of blue light as LEDs, they still emit some radiation that can harm the eyes. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, CRT monitors can be more stressful to the eyes than modern flat-screen displays. This is especially crucial for retro enthusiasts who still use CRT monitors to capture the retro feel of older games.

CRT monitors are also known for their constant flickering that emulates frame rates and makes animations in 8- and 16-bit games look smoother. This flickering can cause dizziness and blurriness when exposed for long periods.

Even if you aren’t gaming on an old CRT monitor, you may be gaming on smaller screens and handheld devices when emulating your retro games. While this is fine for short-term use, viewing smaller screen resolutions for long periods can cause squinting and headaches and tends to make you lean closer to a screen than necessary. As such, wearing blue light glasses can still help protect your eyes and vision during retro gaming sessions.

Other ways to protect your eyes while gaming 

Finally, aside from getting blue light glasses, there are other things you can invest in to protect your vision health in the long run. Some people opt for backlight or monitor light bars to help ease the lighting situation while gaming. This is especially helpful for people who spend hours gaming in the dark or dimly lit rooms.

You can also opt to get ergonomic chairs so that you can keep a safe screen distance while gaming. Brands like Herman Miller offer chair lines that are sleek and elegant for everyday use, as well as gaming chairs that combine the gamer-friendly aesthetic with science-backed ergonomics and functionality.

Gamer or not, all of us need to take great care of our eyes and bodies.



SPACE INVADERS: World Defense – A Cool New AR Smartphone Game

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Hold onto your blasters, because Taito – the developers of the OG Space Invaders – have unleashed Space Invaders: World Defense, a 3D augmented reality (AR) extravaganza that turns your smartphone into an alien-blasting weapon. Picture this: you’re waving your phone around in the air like you’re swatting digital mosquitoes, all in the name of defending Earth from an extraterrestrial invasion. That’s one way to get those arm muscles in shape, right? Welcome to the 21st-century workout routine, where Pokémon GO meets intergalactic cardio!


source: Taito Channel (YouTube)

And if you’re ready to embrace your inner space-pilot, you can snag this quirky game on iOS and on Android right now! Prepare to go head-to-head with pixelated invaders who’ve decided Earth is the hottest tourist spot in the universe. These little buggers are leveling up – they’re now masters of evasion, peeking out from behind buildings and doing their best dodgeball impressions. Who knew aliens had taken improv classes?

Be warned though, this isn’t just a solo mission. It’s an international showdown, as players team up across the globe to squash these pixel-pushers before they can beam up any more unsuspecting cows. High scores and special power-ups are the name of the game, and we’re praying that among those power-ups is a “Death Star Superlaser” option. Let’s be real, we could all use a planet-blasting tool to level the playing field. Otherwise, we’re leading the charge, and trust us, Earth’s fate is doomed if we’re in charge of fending off an all out alien invasion. We still can’t even fold a fitted sheet, let alone save the world.


source: Google AR & VR



Castlevania: Nocturne – Coming to Netflix this September

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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



Retro Gamers Screening in Melbourne

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Not even a global pandemic could stop the Michael Naim Film Retro Gamers film being completed! It may have been delayed (like everything else was during COVID times), but we are rapt to see this Australian made and produced short film completed and ready for screening!

Featuring our good friend and fellow PAXAus Classic Gaming exhibitor, Cameron Bonde (aka: @octamed on Twitter) , Retro Gamers delves into the retro gaming community and explores its culture and nostalgic stranglehold.

Mark yourself busy on Sunday, July 23rd, as Retro Gamers will be screening at Cinema Nova. To purchase tickets to the screening, please head over to the Cinema Nova website here!

PS: For our friends in the US, you can also get tickets to the Retro Gamers screening at Gen Con 2023!


image & video source: Michael Naim



BBC Archive: Imagine Software – 1983

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Cast your mind back to 1983, when Imagine Software were the pop stars of video games development!

Now this is a blast from the past! Imagine Software, the video games development superstars from Liverpool were going gangbusters when this video was aired on the BBC almost forty years ago on October 23, 1983. Who didn’t love Green Beret, Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh and Hyper Sports to name just a few.

We all know what followed – the high-profile demise of Imagine a year later in 1984 – but for now, let’s just cast our minds back 40 years and enjoy this vid!


source: BBC Archive



FREE Video Games in May on Prime Gaming!

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This is more of a PSA (that’s Public Service Announcement) for PC gamers (with an Amazon Prime sub) out there!

The list of free titles during the awesome month of May reads like a who’s who of video games – from STAR WARS™: Rogue Squadron 3D (on May the 4th!), to the retro gaming splendour of NEO GEO titles like Last Resort, Super Sidekicks, King of the Monsters 2 and Robo Army to name just a few!

Better clear your diary, as you’ll be playing video games quite a bit.

List of free games on Prime Gaming during the month of May:

  • May 4: STAR WARS™: Rogue Squadron 3D — Save the Rebel Alliance from imperial onslaught in this thrilling flight simulation game where players take on the role of Luke Skywalker and assemble their Rogue Squadron team to fly into battle, engage in intense, fast-paced space and planetary missions to continue the fight for freedom.
  • May 4: Super Sidekicks — Dribble, pass and use a variety of techniques to compete against the best teams from around the world as players battle for the SNK Cup.
  • May 4: Samurai Shodown IV — Test your samurai skills using powerful attacks to wage intense battles and defeat Amakusa before he conquers the modern world.
  • May 11: Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition — Explore the planes, survive dangerous combat scenarios and solve mysterious puzzles in this story-rich, tactical role playing game set in the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse.
  • May 11: Lake — Take on the role of Meredith Weiss and take a break from the big city to decide how you want to experience the beautiful Providence Oaks, featuring its iconic lake and scenery.
  • May 11: Robo Army — Take on high-powered collisions in this beat ’em up title as players crush and destroy their enemies to restore peace from the robot corps known as Hell Jeed.
  • May 11: Last Resort — Save humanity’s first hotel on Mars by taking down hordes of aliens in this small co-op shooter game.
  • May 18: Kardboard Kings — Own the best card shop in town by earning a reputation with customers, beating your shop goals, unlocking new decorations and more!
  • May 18: The Almost Gone — Unlock intricate dioramas to experience the plethora of connections of your life in this narrative puzzle game about death, loss and mental health.
  • May 18: 3 Count Bout — Become the world’s strongest wrestler by learning the moves and winning hard fought battles to take the champion’s throne for yourself.
  • May 18: Alpha Mission 2 — Recapture the universe from the seven star alliance by utilizing 11 types of various power armor in this vertical scrolling arcade game.
  • May 25: Lila’s Sky Ark — Protect a psychedelic world from bizarre beasts and punishing bosses in this poetic mystery filled with secrets, puzzles and music.
  • May 25: Agatha Knife — Embark on a whimsically twisted adventure with Agatha, as players join her in exploring her love for eating meat and her friendships with animals.
  • May 25: King of the Monsters 2 — Become the undisputed king of the monsters as players take on earthshaking battles against a plethora of behemoths.
  • May 25: Kizuna Encounter — Engage in intense battles as players use both weapons and fists alike to win in single-round sudden death tag-team matches.



DOOM on the Commodore 64 is so RAD!

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DOOM has been run on a multitude of devices – if it has a screen, then DOOM has ran on it! With this being the case, why not have DOOM run on the trusty 8-bit micro, the Commodore 64?

As you can see from the video below, that is exactly what we have here – a DOOM tech demo going by the title of RAD-DOOM which enables gamers to play DOOM on their Commodore 64 via the RAD Expansion Unit by Frenetic.

The RAD Expansion Unit contains a Raspberry Pi that takes the role of a CPU replacement for the Commodore 64. The graphics are still rendered by the original VIC-II chip. All technical details of RAD-DOOM can be found in Frenetic’s GitHub repo.

The gameplay starts off with keyboard controls, with the 1351 mouse control enabled later on. The special settings menu is visible from time to time where graphics rendering options and screen presets are available.

It’s amazing (and darn awesome!) what is still possible on the 41 year old 8-bit computer! Long live the C64!


source: emulaThor



Do The Math – Atari XP: 50th Anniversary Box Set

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Do The Math! Atari doing what they do best, squeezing every cent out of their IP

Goddammit Atari, just when we thought you had redeemed yourself with the amazing Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration collection, you go ahead and become the exploitative shell of a company yet again 🙁

Don’t get us wrong, the concept for the Atari XP: 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Box Set is super cool, but the price is way too much for the majority of Atari fans, especially in the current global financial climate.

Anyway, if you have a cool USD$999.99 / AUD$1440.00 / £830.00 burning a hole in your pocket, then this collection may be right up your alley, but you better hurry, as these are limited to 100 worldwide!

Just like Pokemon, will you get them all?

PS: We always wonder what Nolan and Ted (RIP) would have thought about this ‘new’ Atari…….

We just want this Missile Command light up cart!

Will you get them all?image source: Atari Interactive, Inc