retrogaming

BBC Archive: Imagine Software – 1983

July 10, 2023 By ausretrogamer

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

Review: PC-Engine – The Box Art Collection

June 30, 2023 By ausretrogamer

We are still of the opinion that NEC’s PC-Engine could’ve easily competed with Sega and Nintendo on the world video game stage! The little beast was actually quite popular in the late 80s in its homeland of Japan, but beyond that, NEC made an absolute mess of the western release, including the renamed and hulking piece of plastic, the North American TurboGrafx-16.

If you were anything like us, you would have drooled at NEC’s console and its cute game cards called HuCards back in the late 1980s. With a heap of coverage in all the major gaming magazines at the time, we seriously considered buying a grey import, but once we factored in the foreign exchange, fees and the ridiculous shipping costs, it became nothing but a dream console to own one day.

With the resurgence of classic gaming a decade and half ago, we managed to finally procure not one, but several PC-Engine console variants, including the original (white system), CoreGrafx I and II, the Duo (CD-ROM based console) and the spectacular PC-Engine GT (aka: TurboExpress) handheld. The number of HuCards we bought from Japan along the way made up for the lost time we had in the late 80s and early 90s with NEC’s gaming console.

As per usual, the PC-Engine’s HuCards came in CD-type cases with amazing art, which still bring a smile to our faces. Thanks to Bitmap Books, their new box art collection tome, PC-Engine: The Box Art Collection immortalises these amazing games and their artworks!

Journey back to the late 1980s, when Japan gave birth to a bold new aesthetic that would soon sweep across the globe. The PC Engine stood at the forefront of this artistic revolution, showcasing a diverse range of styles and approaches that celebrated the country’s games, movies, music, design, and fashion. And at the heart of this revolution was the remarkable box art that adorned the PC Engine’s extraordinary library.

The PC Engine: The Box Art Collection book is a tribute to the vibrant, sophisticated, and personality-packed covers that graced the best and most intriguing Japanese releases for NEC’s undersized powerhouse. Within the pages of this meticulously curated collection, you’ll discover masterpieces like Adventure Island, Darius Plus, Bomberman ’93, YS I & II, Soldier Blade, PC Denjin (Air Zonk), Akumajō Dracula X: Chi no Rondo (Castlevania: Rondo of Blood), Devil Crash, and Street Fighter II: Champion Edition.

Overflowing with creativity and passion, PC Engine: The Box Art Collection spans an impressive 372 pages. Immerse yourself in more than 300 professionally shot pieces of box art, accompanied by carefully reproduced screenshots. Every page has been crafted with the same design-led approach that made the PC Engine’s game covers so exhilarating, ensuring an experience that is both thoughtful and exciting. To enhance your journey even further, each featured game is accompanied by an insightful review and expert summary.

The standard edition of PC Engine: The Box Art Collection boasts a show-stopping metallic red foil logo on its hardback cover, reflecting the console’s bold and daring spirit. As with all Bitmap’s publications, the collection is printed lithographically on high-quality paper, allowing the gorgeous visuals to shine as they deserve. With thread sewn binding, this book is built to last, ensuring you can lay it open flat and fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking world of the PC Engine.

So, unleash your inner gamer and embark on a visually stunning adventure. PC Engine: The Box Art Collection invites you to witness the magic that unfolded when video games collided with art, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape. Get ready to be inspired, mesmerized, and transported to a world where creativity knows no bounds. We can’t recommend this tome highly enough!

Specifications

Title: PC Engine: The Box Art Collection
Publisher: Bitmap Books
Available From: PixelCrib
Price: AU$69.99
Pages & Weight: 372 pages. 250mm × 250mm; 2.5kg
Cover: Hardcover with textured cover with metallic red foil blocked logo and text
Print: Edge-to-edge high quality lithographic print
Binding: Sewn binding for enduring quality and the ability to lay flat for ideal double-page image viewing

Disclaimer: PC-Engine: The Box Art Collection book was kindly provided by PixelCrib for this review.

A Very Cool Custom LEGO Nintendo Game Boy

June 29, 2023 By ausretrogamer

Get ready for a blast from the past with this incredible creation by LEGO Masters finalist and avid gamer Nick Lever! Combining his love for LEGO and Nintendo, Nick has brought the iconic Game Boy to life in a whole new way. Prepare to be amazed as he unveils his 1:1 scale LEGO version of the beloved portable gaming system!

Constructed using a whopping 354 pieces and 115 unique parts, this life-sized masterpiece is a sight to behold. But that’s not all! Nick’s attention to detail is truly remarkable, as he has included a fully functional D-pad that you can actually press, as well as slots for inserting game cartridges. It’s like stepping back in time and holding a piece of gaming history in your hands!

Although you won’t be able to play any games on this LEGO Game Boy, Nick has thoughtfully crafted four custom game cartridges to accompany his creation. Get ready to dive into classic titles such as Tetris, The Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening, and the timeless Pokemon Red and Blue. While some may miss the absence of Donkey Kong Land, it’s hard to complain when these games are considered among the greatest of all time. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if you find yourself sneaking in a quick gaming session instead of being productive this afternoon!

Now, here’s the exciting part. If you’re feeling inspired and eager to build your very own LEGO Game Boy, you’re in luck! Nick is offering the required piece list and instructions for sale. Simply reach out to him on Instagram to get your hands on this valuable resource. Get ready to unleash your inner builder and embark on a nostalgic journey back to the golden age of gaming!

So, grab your LEGO bricks, channel your creativity, and prepare to experience the joy of constructing your own life-sized Game Boy. This project is sure to bring hours of fun and a sense of accomplishment. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to merge two beloved passions and create something truly extraordinary. Get ready to level up your building skills and embrace the world of LEGO gaming!

story source: technabob

The Nintendo Snack Pack DOES What Sega Don’t!

June 26, 2023 By ausretrogamer

The Nintendo Snack Pack Dedicated Oldschool Entertainment System (DOES)

We have always been in awe of Starforce Pi’s creations, like the amazing PC-Engine SD and Sega OMega Drive.

This time around we are in awe of The Nintendo Snack Pack, a portable gaming/streaming system fitted into a 1972 Sony TV-740 case, including a large 20,000mAh battery and 12v charger that makes it an easy proposition to carry around and play!

The Ninty Snack Pack specifications are quite impressive (see below), but at the heart of it are two boards, the SNES mini and NES mini, stacked on top of one another. Switching between ‘channels’ is done via the large retro-style rotary dial on the front of the all-in-one unit.

The rotary dial not only allows you to switch between SNES and NES gaming fun, but it also allows you to switch to a SEGA channel which comes complete with 8/16-bit Sega fun and a host of other gaming systems to play. The third channel, VIDEODROME, is used to stream classic cartoons, movies and other shows via Chromecast, and last but not least, the fourth channel allows any console with an AV/composite connection to be plugged in and played – wowser, this is one super impressive DIY creation!

It would be a huge understatement for us to say how much we’d love The Nintendo Snack Pack to be sitting in our games room right now!

The Nintendo Snack Pack DOES What Sega Don’t!

Nintendo Snack Pack SPECS:

Authentic Nintendo NES Mini Board (Channel 1)
Authentic Nintendo SNES Mini Board (Channel 2)
4x Controller Ports (1-2 Player for Channel 1 & 2, respectively)
Google Chromecast 2nd Generation (Channel 3)
RCA Audio/Video Input (Channel 4)
Aluminium Rotary Dial to switch channels
8″ IPS LCD screen in 4:3 aspect ratio, 1024×768 (HDMI/RCA/VGA)
Logitech 1.2watt Stereo Speakers (Z120)
20.000mAh 12V DC Battery
Vintage 1972 Sony TV-740 Converted Case
Dimensions: 25 x 20 x 24 cm, Weight: 2.5kg (5.5lbs)

story & image source: Starforce Pi

Donkey Kong Inducted Into The Amusement Industry Hall of Fame

June 23, 2023 By ausretrogamer

Step right up, folks! Prepare for a thrilling trip back in time to witness the birth of a gaming legend!

Let’s enter Nintendo’s magical realm, where imagination reigns supreme, and discover the incredible tale of Donkey Kong’s rise to the Amusement Industry Hall of Fame!

In 1981, two genius minds at Nintendo, Shigeru Miyamoto and Gunpei Yokoi, unleashed a game that set the arcade world ablaze! Donkey Kong stormed the scene, selling like crazy and becoming an instant sensation!

So, my fellow gamers and dreamers, let’s celebrate the timeless wonder of Donkey Kong. Let’s embrace the joy it has brought us and the endless possibilities it holds. It’s a testament to the power of imagination, proving that even a humble arcade game can withstand the test of time.

Donkey Kong’s legacy still lives on, and now forever enshrined in the Amusement Industry Hall of Fame. Congrats DK!

story source: RePlay Mag

The Definitive History of SEGA WORLD Sydney

June 19, 2023 By ausretrogamer

Who knew that Sega OziSoft convinced Sega (Japan) to pump AU$80 million dollars into the world’s largest indoor theme park (at the time), SEGA WORLD Sydney in Darling Harbour! We still regret not visiting Sega World in Darling Harbour (Sydney) while it was still open. We’ll never get to cross that off our bucket-list.

This SL Films’ half hour documentary provides interesting insights into the history of the site, and an analysis into why it closed down, touching upon the local industry and local conditions.

If you are like us and never got to visit Sega World, this definitive history of the theme park/amusement centre is the next best thing!

source: SL Films

image source: SL Films

Netherworld – Daytona USA Tournament

June 15, 2023 By ausretrogamer

Day-toooooo-naaaaaa USA! We absolutely love Daytona USA, it was and still is one of Sega’s most iconic arcade driving/racing games!

If you always fancied yourself as great Daytona USA player, then listen up, there is a tournament this Saturday (June 17) at Netherworld in Brisbane that you may want to participate in.

Rev your engine and put the pedal to the metal – the Netherworld Speedway is hosting the Daytona Cup with our major race sponsor Slipstream Brewing Company! Alongside a selection of Slipstream Brewing Co beers we’ll be pouring a special collab brew just for race day – the Powerslide East Coast IPA. Qualifying (time trial mode) happens from 10am to 3pm with the top 8 from each track going into the finals from 3pm. The finals (linked 4 player normal/battle mode) will be separated into Beginner, Advanced and Expert races with prizes awarded to the top 3 drivers on each track. For a little overtime, the top four overall participants with the highest points across all tracks earn a chance to compete in a one off Grand Prix mode on the advanced stage for ultimate glory.

Tournament Details:

What: 4 player link-up Daytona USA Championship tournament
When: Saturday the 17th of June from 10:00am
Where: Netherworld – 186 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, Australia
Tickets: Entry ticket comes with one free drink and tournament entry – https://events.humanitix.com/nwdaytona

image source: Netherworld

Dreamcast and GameCube Gaming On The Go

May 30, 2023 By ausretrogamer

Ever dreamed of having a portable version of Sega’s Dreamcast and/or Nintendo’s GameCube consoles? You may not need to dream anymore!

We know you’ll throw the old, “but my Steam Deck (or Ayaneo or hacked PS Vita) can emulate these consoles already!”, well let us tell ya, these portable versions are a step closer to their original source (by using the original’s internals)!

It is quite impressive to see these innovations come to life, even though it may offend the purists (and possibly get Nintendo’s lawyers onto these merchants).

These portable systems aren’t necessarily cheap, but they scratch an itch for the nostalgic in us – especially the Portable Dreamcast! Now, what can we offload to procure one of these……..

Where to buy:

Portable Dreamcast (on AliExpress)
Portable GameCube (on AliExpress)

Portable Dreamcast

Portable GameCube

XBHD – EON Gaming’s Revolutionary New Original Xbox Adapter

May 24, 2023 By ausretrogamer

XBHD, EON Gaming’s Revolutionary New Original Xbox Adapter Launches 20 June

World’s first plug-and-play HD adapter with multi-video output, built-in LAN party support, and more

EON Gaming, makers of the acclaimed GCHD MK-II, and Super 64, have revealed their next flagship adapter, this time for the original Xbox, called the XBHD. This full-featured, first-of-its-kind adapter unlocks the potential of the original Xbox for gamers worldwide on Tuesday, 20 June 2023 for $189.99 USD through Amazon as well as their worldwide retail partners including Castlemania Games, Retro Saga, and Games Connection.

The 2001 launch of the original Xbox sparked an unforgettable era. Microsoft entered the gaming console scene, going toe to toe with industry giants Sony and Nintendo in the 6th generation of consoles. Going on to sell more than 24 million units worldwide, Xbox offered greater processing power, internal storage, onboard LAN connectivity, and a host of exclusive titles such as the seminal Halo: Combat Evolved. Xbox was a force to be reckoned with and quickly moved from underdog to industry staple.

The XBHD pays tribute to these beloved titles with a robust set of features and the best video quality possible. Make use of dual HD video ports to host head-to-head matches or simplify streaming setups with no additional hardware or power required. Gather friends and recreate true LAN party experiences thanks to three RJ45 ethernet connectors, seamlessly enabling LAN support for up to four consoles.

Experience the original Xbox with perfectly translated visuals supporting 480i, 480p, 720p, and even 1080i resolutions. Additionally enjoy the flexibility of the MiniTOSlink 3.5mm port, providing clear audio through headphones, speaker systems, and even capture cards for streaming.

Key Features:

The XBHD is a plug-and-play HD adapter for the original Xbox
No mods required & no external power required
Provides the best visual signal possible on original hardware
- Losslessly translates the component video to HD
- 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i compatible (NTSC resolution settings required)
Lagless input – controller inputs appear on screen instantly
2 HD video out ports for simultaneous video streaming (noiseless dual HD video output)
3.5mm MiniTOSLINK jack (audio output)
3 Ethernet ports for simplified LAN experience
Custom designed plug that matches original Xbox aesthetic

“The Xbox was home to the LAN party.” said Justin Scerbo co-founder of EON Gaming. “The magic of linking consoles together to enjoy an expanded, connected local gaming experience was something that defined us then, and something we long for now. With XBHD, we wanted to bring that possibility back. Now, it’s easier than ever, and these classic games have never looked better.”

“I remember packing up my Xbox, 4 controllers, the cables, and an old, hefty tube TV into my small Miata, driving down to my friends house, and having a Halo party that felt like it lasted for days,” said Justin Chou, co-founder, EON Gaming. “Now-a-days, although everything’s become easier with the use of online matchmaking lobbies, I can’t help but feel like I’ve lost something magical. I miss sharing a living room with my closest friends and playing games all night.”

The XBHD launches worldwide on Tuesday, 20 June 2023 and retails for $189.99 USD (approx. AU$290.00) via Castlemania Games, Retro Saga, Games Connection, and Amazon, shipping worldwide.

For more information, please visit EON Gaming’s official website

[press release supplied]

STARCADE – The Classic Arcade TV Game Show Will Be Recorded Live at Netherworld

May 15, 2023 By ausretrogamer

If we lived in Brisbane, we’d be all over this awesome event that Netherworld is hosting this Saturday (May 20th)!

This Saturday is STARCADE!!! A classic arcade TV game show recorded live in the Netherworld with YOU as the star! Register to be a contestant via events.humanitix.com/starcade !

A love letter to the classic 80’s arcade show Starcade, everyone is encouraged to look the part! The show will be broadcast on the day via twitch.tv/netherworldarcade with no tuning into the community television station needed.

Over a number of 4 player heats, players will be pitted against other contestants in both classic arcade trivia AND classic arcade gaming, so you’ll need both brains AND arcade brawn to make it through to the final round. Each round will consist of quick fire, hand on the buzzer trivia questions followed by some classic games chosen at random.

Registration comes with your first drink and a Starcade enamel pin. If you don’t want to participate in the game show, you’re more than welcome to just rock up to watch along in the audience! It kicks off this coming Saturday (May 20th) at midday and is suitable for all skill levels.