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Transforming a 90’s Hot Wheels PC into a Modern Gaming Beast

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We have always been impressed by Shank Mods’ creations, like transforming the Virtual Boy in the Real Boy handheld!

Hold onto your hats folks, cause Shank Mods’ has now transformed a 1999 Hot Wheels PC into a high performance gaming beast! The eye-watering specs are impressive as they are expensive.

Before Specs:

  • Intel Celeron 500MHz processor,
  • 10GB hard drive,
  • 64MB of memory,
  • 56k modem,
  • 40x CD ROM drive,
  • 15″ CRT monitor and ran Windows 98

After Specs:

  • AMD Ryzen 9 5950X processor,
  • Gigabyte X570 Aorus Mini-ITX motherboard,
  • ASUS X570-I ROG Strix Mini-ITX motherboard,
  • EVGA NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 XC graphics card,
  • G.Skill Trident Z Neo Series RGB 128GB (4 x 32GB) RAM,
  • Samsung 980 Pro 2TB SSD, and an
  • LG WH16NS40 16x Internal Blu-Ray Rewriter.

This is pretty darn awesome!


source: Shank Mods



Melbourne International Games Week & PAX Aus Are Back!

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After 2 years of virtual events, 2022 is shaping up to have two massive events back in-person!

The Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW-22) (Oct 1 – 9) and PAX Aus 2022 (Oct 7 – 9) events are back! Save the dates, book in your annual leave, get a sitter and get ready to be back catching up with likeminded peeps at these (industry and public) events.

We are mindful that it has been a while since these events were held in person, so there may be some anxiety, but please be easy on yourself and only attend if you are sure and feel comfortable in mixing in large crowds, especially after these last couple of years.



An Atari ST That Has Been Running A Campsite Since 1986

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Imagine still using an old school computer to run your business? Well imagine no more, as Dutchman Frans Bos is still using the Atari ST 1040 he purchased in 1986 to help run his campsite business, Camping Bohmerwald.

During the mid ’80s, the ST had impressive specifications, with 1MB RAM and a 70Hz monitor. Most PCs of that era only had 512KB RAM and were notoriously expensive. Even though the Amiga 500 was the dominant 16-bit computer at the time, the ST enjoyed popularity in Europe, where the machine was seen as a serious professional computer (as well as a decent music/MIDI and games machine).

Frans purchased his ST computer to manage bookings on the site and register guests. Not entirely happy with the software, Frans then proceeded to write his own program to manage his business better. The ST is a workhorse, which is heavily used during six months of the year when the camping site is open. If you pay attention to the below video, you’ll hear that Frans notes that he likes using the ST because it starts up quickly! Now imagine running a business on a computer that is almost 40 years old – totally mind-blowing!


source: Victor Bart



SEGA Genesis Interactive Plush Console

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Sega Does What Nintendon’t!

Another nostalgia inducing product from Kidrobot for those Sega 16-bit and Sonic fans! Kick it oldschool with this cool retro plush! The beloved classic SEGA Genesis (we prefer, Mega Drive!) gaming console gets a plush makeover with interactive elements.

This Genesis/Mega Drive console is a 12″ / 30cm plush which includes a plug-in plush Sonic game cartridge and an original 3-button type plug-in plush controller.

image source: Kidrobot



PAC-WOR: A Pac-Man & Wizard of Wor Mashup For The C64

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What do you get when you cross the two classic arcade titles, Pac-Man and Wizard of Wor? Give up? You get PAC-WOR!

If you are a fan of Pac-Man or Wizard of Wor (or both), this Commodore 64 mash-up by Krissz will be right up your alley. The mix of gameplay is closer to Pac-Man than Wizard of Wor, but that just makes it more exciting and devilishly harder. Playing as Pac-Man (Pacwor) means you can’t shoot the Burwors/Garwors/Throwors, instead you have one power pill (poWOR) per dungeon which enables Pacwor to chew these evildoers within a limited time frame. Clearing the dungeons is usual Pac-Man fare, eat all the pills!

This is a cool mashup which we like, but we just wish there was more than one power pill per dungeon, especially in the latter ones where the Burwors and their evil mates speed up their movements!

Download and play Pac-Wor for free via CSDB.



Mini Review: Moto Roader MC on Nintendo Switch

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We have fond memories playing NCS’ Moto Roader series on the PC Engine, so when we heard that Ratalaika Games were bringing the third instalment, Moto Roader MC, to modern gaming systems, we got quite excited!

Moto Roader MC was the third and final game in the NCS developed series, originally released on the PC-Engine (Super CD-ROM²) in 1992. Moto Roader MC played a bit different from the first two MR games, which was actually a good thing – and we are glad Ratalaika Games picked this one to modernise.

If you are a fan of overhead racing games, like the classic Atari arcade game, Super Sprint, with weapons to blast your opponents off the track, then you will absolutely love Moto Roader MC. Raitalaika Games have managed to keep the whole experience authentic to the original, including the “PUSH RUN” button to start the game, which obviously doesn’t appear on any modern gaming controllers – but it did on the PC-Engine ones.

The racing is fast and frantic, with numerous varied tracks with differing obstacles that add extra difficulty while trying to pass the other drivers by either speeding past them, or shooting them if they are in your way. You can play head to head against the computer or locally with a friend in multiple modes of futuristic racing. The Nintendo Switch version goes one step further to make this game even more fun by being able to play with up to 5 players locally – imagine you rivals sitting near you! There is a an array of cool cars and drivers, as well as a variety of gameplay modes, including bumper car challenges.

Moto Roader MC is another classic retro title that we are glad to have on a modern system. It’s a fun pick and play racing title with enough play modes and challenges to keep you coming back to it. This game truly shines if you have a few friends over for some local head to head racing!

Ratalaika Games is bringing Moto Roader MC to the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on February 25th, 2022. We recommend you add this game to your library ASAP and have fun – it’s honestly great!



Disclaimer: Nintendo Switch review code for Moto Roader MC was provided by PR Hound.

Blast From The Past: A Video Of A 1980s Arcade

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What an absolute blast from the past this is! We absolutely love raw VHS video footage, especially the kind from the early 1980s!

We commend the Bally’s Aladdin’s Castle employee that had the foresight to film inside the arcade centre, filled with absolute classic arcade and pinball machines, that one day this video would be cherished by a generation (or two) of gamers across the globe! This is what a throwback Thursday should be like every week.

Sit back and enjoy this 15 minute trip down nostalgia lane…..


source: Jon Exidy Jamshid



An Amazing Custom Pac-Man Analog Synthesizer

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These folks at Swedish uber design group, Love Hultén, sure know how to catch our attention (again!) and make our jaw drop!

Just check out this Pac-Man themed analogue synthesizer based on the Korg Minilogue – it’s darn amazing! Oh yeah, the chiptunes it generates are equally as awesome!


source: Love Hultén



Masters Of The Universe ‘Remastered’ Exhibition

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Thanks to our friend and sometimes contributor, Dr Brant Raven, for informing us about Radio Velvet’s Masters of the Universe “Remastered” Exhibition (and store) in Melbourne.

As huge MOTU fans, this exhibition, museum, store and everything in between is right up our alley! Thank you to Radio Velvet Clothing for giving us a hit of nostalgia!

Now, if you are in Melbourne and are a MOTU fan, then get to the 1st floor, St. Collins Lane at 260 Collins St (between 10am and 4pm every day) before the end of January 2022! Oh yeah, the exhibition is totally free, so what are you waiting for, go now!

PS: If you need more convincing, check out the article with heaps of pics at A Nice Home.

story & image source: A Nice Home



TAITO EGRET II mini – United Games Entertainment brings exclusive version to the West!

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EGRET II mini – Exclusive version coming to the West
United Games Entertainment – TAITO Partnership Continues to Grow

Ever expanding German media publishing house United Games Entertainment, with its two game publishing labels, ININ Games and Strictly Limited Games, is moving into 2022 with an exciting announcement. They have secured the exclusive rights for the distribution of TAITO’s EGRET II mini in North America and Europe! The home version of the famous arcade cabinet will be available in different exclusive editions for the Western territories starting in 2022.

Great news for all fans who have been eagerly trying to order this yet to be released console, directly from Japan. With this exciting announcement United Games Entertainment, who exclusively distribute and sell TAITO’s titles in the West, both in digital and physical form, continues its growing relationship with one of Japan’s most iconic video games companies, well-known for legendary games such as Space Invaders, Bubble Bobble and many others.

The EGRET II mini is a faithful miniaturised version of the original, successful arcade cabinet TAITO EGRET II, coming with special content and features that make it a ‘must have’ for gamers:

  • A total of 40 pre-installed games, including classics such as Space Invaders, Lunar Rescue, Bubble Bobble, Darius Gaiden and many more

  • 5-inch 4:3 rotating screen (1024×768 resolution) for horizontal and vertical alignment and an optimal adaptation to the selected game

  • Joystick individually adjustable for each game – easily switch from 8 directions to 4 directions

  • HDMI output to play the games also on TV

  • Two USB Type-A controller ports for the different EGRET II mini controllers (that are sold separately)

  • Power inlet via USB Type-C port

  • SD card slot to add even more games

  • Own integrated sound through stereo speakers

  • Instruction panel for exchangeable instruction cards

  • Special in-game features like: Save states, adjustable lives and rapid fire

Games, Games and more Games!

In addition to the 40 pre-installed games on the console, 10 additional games can be added through an SD card that’s included in the EGRET II mini Paddle and Trackball Game Expansion Set, coming with Strike Bowling, Arkanoid, Plump Pop and seven other TAITO classics.

This adds up to an incredible total of 50 games of various genres, from 1978 to 1997 that will be available with the launch of the EGRET II mini!

More details about the different editions, what they will contain and where to get the EGRET II mini will follow soon!



Disclaimer: Press Release supplied by PR Hound