The Pop-Culture E-Zine
We got to say, we love the creativity and genius behind these two augmented reality (AR) videos of classic Commodore 64 games, International Karate + (IK+) and Bruce Lee!
Absolute awesome work by Retrohead! If you don’t follow or subscribe to Retrohead’s net presence, we implore you to do so.
IK+ AR
source: Retrohead
Bruce Lee AR
source: Retrohead
By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.
Several years ago, my brother bought an Atari Flashback 64 console, and I became obsessed with playing the 1983 tank video game Battlezone. As crude as the first-person shooter graphics may be, the game feels like a real tank simulator (minus the volcanoes and UFOs).
I’ve always loved tank games. Usually, the more realistic ones are the most entertaining, but Battlezone’s simplicity is what makes it so fun and interesting. I didn’t know until I did some research that Battlezone is often considered the first virtual reality arcade video game. The home version doesn’t feel like virtual reality, but I can definitely see how the original 1980 arcade version can be seen as a “3-D success”. Looking through the “periscope” viewfinder, which the player used to play the game, had to be exciting and different. The originality of it had to help the player immerse themselves in the classic game. I’ve never had the pleasure of playing Battlezone in an upright arcade cabinet; I hope one day I will.
There is also a smaller version of the cabinet where the screen was angled upwards, and there was no periscope. I think I remember seeing that version of Battlezone at a local supermarket when I was little.
When I play Battlezone, I have a battle manoeuvre where I circle around and pick off enemy tanks and flying saucers, then I pick up speed in one direction for a while until something pops up on my radar. I wish the game had a better radar, but the primitiveness of it adds to the retro feel. You must be fast on the joystick’s trigger when opposing tanks just pop up on screen in front of you. Playing the ’83 game is still a challenging and thrilling experience.
Atari 2600 version of Battlezone. Source: Retro Gamer
On this day [November 30] in 1990, Sega’s 16-bit beast arrived on our shores, which was about 2 years after Japan got theirs, but it was always better late than never back in those days!
Coming from the days of playing games on the Commodore 64 and Atari ST, the Mega Drive felt like we had a genuine arcade system in our bedroom! The Mega Drive was our first day one purchase (the N64 was the other) in 1990, which we paid $399 with the pack-in Altered Beast game. We also couldn’t resist buying Golden Axe on that day too. We still remember unpacking and playing it that day – our mind was completely blown!
Sega stamped their authority with their 16-bit powerhouse, and as history would record it, their most successful console ever. The Mega Drive was the catalyst for converting a generation of micro computing enthusiasts into console gamers, we should know, as we were one of them. Our transition from 8-bit (C64) and 16-bit (Atari ST) computing was quite stark – and as soon as we got our Mega Drive and whacked in the pack-in Altered Beast and then Golden Axe games, we honestly thought we had Sega’s arcade games in our bedroom. We were instantly smitten, and alas, that also rang the death knell on our playing days on the micros.
What were your earliest memories of Sega’s 16-bit beauty? Hit us up on Twitter or Facebook and join in the conversation.
If we wish hard enough, perhaps this awesome Retro PC XT model will become an official Lego kit!
This digital render was created by Reddit user, Mrmo Tarius (aka: Mr. Motinjo) – it looks so real! We reckon he has captured the old school 80s PC aesthetic perfectly, where every PC was beige and darn bulky. We absolutely love the nice little touches like the 3.5″ floppy diskettes, CompPro joystick, speakers and the desk. Hope to see this Retro PC hit the Lego Ideas site in the not too distant future 😉
“Tristam Island” is out now! Play Hugo Labrande’s retro text adventure on one of 36 platforms (Ed: yep, 36 platforms!), from the Commodore PET, VIC-20 and C64 to the Dreamcast! Hours of gameplay, smooth parser, digital feelies, modern game design, intrigue on a deserted island! Best bit, it is cheaper than our daily coffee intake, go and get it now!
image source: Tristam Island by Hugo Labrande via itch.io
The C64 games compilation SHOOT’EM UP DESTRUCTION SET 3 (previously released on tape + disk from Psytronik Software) is now finally available for digital download – only US$2.99 for six games – which is an absolute bargain!
You can read more about (or buy) the compilation right here, however, we thought we’d let you know about the key features about this value packed destruction set:
Oh yeah, this compilation is compatible with the original C64, THEC64 Mini, The C64 (Maxi) and your C64 emulator software!
There are concepts out there, either on paper or physical form that make us go WOW. Turkish Technical Designer extraordinaire, Cem Tezcan always knows how to make us go WOW with his exquisitely detailed concepts.
Cem’s latest fan concept is the Commodore PX-64, based on the portable Commodore SX-64 Executive Computer. Cem states that this concept device theoretically belongs in Commodore’s 1993-94 era, as one last reboot of the iconic 8-bit computer, the Commodore 64.
As mentioned, the style used here is based on the SX-64 metallic – turquoise colouring. However, Cem also created a version in the classic Commodore beige colours too. These concept models are about as close to real life we would ever get – and boy, do they look so real (and gobsmackingly lovely!). Using CAD modelling and PBR texturing, Cem Tezcan’s PX-64 creation is a love-letter for the Commodore community that still enjoys and loves these computers (like us!) till this day.
For now, just sit back and feast your eyes on these beauties!
PS: For more photos of Cem Tezcan’s concept creations, please visit here.
PPS: If you want to drool over Cem’s other Commodore 64 concept, the HX-64, check it out here.
image source: Cem Tezcan via ArtStation
Just in case you have been visiting Mars and just came back to this planet, SEGA is celebrating their 60th Anniversary this year.
Amongst their celebrations, they have designed a heap of retro inspired alternate covers of modern Sega games, like Alien Isolation and Persona 4 on the Genesis / Mega Drive, Puyo Puyo Tetris on the Dreamcast, Valkyria Chronicles on Sega Saturn, Yakuza 0 on Game Gear, and many many more.
Check out the rest of the cool retro inspired alternate Sega game covers here.
image source: Sega 60th Anniversary
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own the Guinness World Records’ largest playable Game & Watch device!
Back in 2018 we told you all about Dr. Tom Tilley’s massive Game & Watch Octopus creation which absolutely blew our minds! Well guess what, now is your chance to own this unique creation and be the talk (and envy) of the town.
If you are interested in this MEGA Game & Watch, head on over to Tom’s for sale page to get more details about the sale and to register your interest.
source: WithProfessorTom
Asking a gamer to nominate their favourite Nintendo game is like asking a parent to pick their favourite child. Well, guess what, we are going to do the unthinkable!
But before we crown our favourite, let us tell you about the top 3 contenders (that we still love playing till this day!):
First contender, Wave Race 64 (N64) – yes, we did pick Wave Race 64 above Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64 and Goldeneye 007. Don’t get us wrong, the aforementioned games are superb, but nostalgia draws us to Wave Race 64. What wasn’t there to like – realistic water physics, challenging courses and an absolutely cracking 2 player challenge – ‘Bonsai!’. We lost a lot of hours playing this game head to head. Oh yeah, the N64 controller was perfect for this game.
The second contender is none other than Super Mario Bros. (SMB) on the NES. This 2D platformer catapulted the Mario franchise into the stratosphere for good reason. The game had great level design, matched by awesome gameplay, a mesmerising Koji Kondo tune and most importantly, intuitive control – what more could you want!
Well, if it wasn’t for the next game, I guess the choice would have been easy and SMB would have walked away with the prize. Let us tell you about a 16-bit platformer that took the SMB ingredients, gave them a fair shake and then poured the contents into the SNES for a game we call (drum roll please), Super Mario World (SMW)! With SMW, the 2D platformer reached its pinnacle – sublime level design, 16-bit aesthetics that were an absolute feast for your eyes and the sound was perfectly atmospheric. This was a game that you could lose yourself in. SMW is one of those games you can either pick up and play for half an hour to get your Mario fix, or play till the wee hours of the morning. SMW walks away with the prize of our favourite Nintendo game of all time. Thank you Mr. Miyamoto for creating the definitive 2D platformer.
Phew, that was hard!