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Retro VGS: Keeping It Retro

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RetroVGS_consoleWhen was the last time you truly got excited over a cartridge based console release? I know for myself, it was when the Nintendo 64 was announced – Super Mario 64 totally blew my mind, and that controller, oh man, I still love that controller (even though a lot of you don’t!). I just realised, that excitement for a new cart based console was almost two decades ago!

Well, start getting excited people (if you haven’t already), the Retro VGS console is generating a buzz in the gaming community like the systems we knew and loved in the 1990s. With the imminent Kickstarter campaign launch (it should launch any day / any minute now!), we can’t contain our excitement – this is the latest early bird pricing details we could find:

“The final early bird pricing of the RETRO VGS Kickstarter has been announced, and it appears to be starting at $299 for the standard black model, and $349 for the Kickstarter Exclusive colours. They’ve announced that the early bird will be limited to 500 units.

This indicates that the standard pricing for the system will be $349 for the standard black model, and $399 for the Kickstarter variants, which is in line with what we’ve been hearing from Mike Kennedy and the team over at RETRO VGS over the last couple of weeks.

With the recent pricing controversy, it’s nice to see that people will have a chance to grab the system at a lower price.”

As we know, Mike Kennedy and his team have been working tirelessly to ensure that the Retro VGS is a resounding success. The Retro VGS will truly be keeping it retro!

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image source: RetroVGS

NOTE: Since publication, the Retro VGS crowdfunding campaign has kicked off on IndieGoGo – check it out now!

 

Press Play On Tape: Ultimate Chiptunes

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PPOT_eps6_HDRIt’s that time of month when Daz and yours truly get together and wreak havoc on the PRESS PLAY ON TAPE podcast. This time around we chat about holidaying in North America and chiptunes – from hitting the Toy Shack in Vegas, the C64’s SID chip and the Spectrum’s Beeper, to the Atari POKEY and everything in between, we leave no chips unturned!

After last month’s debacle with the publisher of choice, I wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice. For this podcast, my choice was Microprose – the publisher of serious games. As per usual, we hit the social media boards to read out your favourite chiptunes and Microprose games. So settle in and turn up the volume. Enjoy!

PRESS PLAY ON TAPE podcasts are available on iTunes and Podbean.

 

Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary

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SuperMario_30_titleTo help celebrate Super Mario Bros. 30th anniversary (released in Japan on 13 September 1985), Nintendo UK have paid homage to the Brooklyn plumber by creating a very cool website. The dedicated site has: an about and thank you page, an awesome history of all Super Mario games, a link to Super Mario Maker – the awesome new Wii U release, and finally, a 43 second Special Movie for the king of all video game character franchises.

Check out the site now and celebrate the Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary with Nintendo! Be sure to check back often for more announcements from the Big N!

Nintendo says Thank You to everyone for loving Super Mario!
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A history lesson of all Super Mario Bros. games
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Super Mario Bros. – Special Movie SuperMario_30_Video

source: Nintendo UK

SidTracker64: Create SID Chiptunes On Your iPad

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SidTracker64_HDRIf you don’t have a circuit bent synthesizer to create your awesome chiptune tracks, then SidTracker64 is the app you have been looking for! There is no need to fork out for expensive old equipment- you just need $16.99AUD (and your iPad) and you are ready to release your inner Rob Hubbard and Martin Galway tunes.

SidTracker64 is for everyone, from the absolute beginner (like myself) to the accomplished chiptunes maestro – you’ll be hard pressed not to find a feature you are looking for. When you fire up the app, you are greeted by the familiar C64 blue screen which then “loads” the synth control deck. You may be daunted at first with all the knobs, buttons and switches, but the helpful tutorial is only a swipe away. There are many and varied features within SidTracker64, and rather than regurgitating them here, check out the app on iTunes. Once you like what you see (we are confident you will be impressed like we were), buy the app, you won’t regret it! Now, If you excuse me, I’m gonna go back to creating that awesome Commando SID track *wink*.

No need to have expensive equipment – just grab SidTracker64 for your iPad to make those sweet SID chiptunes!SidTracker64_title

The familiar C64 screen greets you to the wonderful world of SidTracker64
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Your SID chiptune creating deck. Don’t be daunted, help is only a finger swipe away!
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There is an extensive tutorial system to get you started
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Look at all these functions! Never fear, help is always near!
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Gotta interact with your knobs!
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Edit your fave chiptunes and put your own spin on them!
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This is a muso’s dream come true!
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Oh man, the synth sound, it is music to my ears!
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Catch those awesome waves!
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Give me a (drum) beat!
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This will get the heart racing!
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Midi Madness!
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source: SidTracker64

 

Toy Shack: A Vegas Toy Story

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When was the last time you walked into a toy store and got absolutely wowed? If you are like us, I bet it was way too long ago to remember.

On our recent trip to the US, we didn’t just get wowed, we got absolutely gobsmacked by Toy Shack, a superb toy store in Las Vegas. Nesteled within the Neonopolis shopping complex in downtown Vegas (Fremont Street Experience), Toy Shack is truly a magical place you must visit and experience when you come to the City of Sin! Toy Shack has it all, from every conceivable collectible toy, to old school video games and even some golden age arcade machines to slip a quarter or two to give you that much needed hit of nostalgia.

Both Ms. ausretrogamer and I were mesmerised in each aisle of the store, with vintage 80s toys, comics, games and other collectibles lining the walls, from floor to ceiling – the photos below will attest to that (to an extent)! We had a difficult time leaving Toy Shack with only a handful of bags of super cool items, but the luggage allowance kept us in check.

If you ever find yourself in Vegas and want to do something other than gamble, then head to the Toy Shack for the ultimate in vintage 80s toys – we highly recommend it!

Store: Toy Shack
Address: Neonopolis, 450 Fremont St , Las Vegas, NV 89101, USA
Hours: Mon – Sat 11am to 10pm; Closed on Sunday

If you find yourself in other cities within the US, then you may want to check out these places: Musée Mécanique (San Francisco), the Nintendo World Store and the 8-Bit & Up and Video Games NY stores (New York City)

We found it! I wonder what awaits inside…
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I spy, Masters Of The Universe (MOTU) and Super Mario stuff!
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Woo hoo! I love my MOTU gear – brings back great childhood memories
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Oh man, so many MOTU temptations, especially that clock!
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Aha, I thought I spied Super Mario action figures!
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Oo’er, a nice but scary bust!
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Golden oldies! Now when was the last time you found arcade machines in a toy store?
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So much to look at! Wish I had compound eyes!
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Already worked up a thirst, and we have barely scratched the surface in here!
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G.I. Joe baby!
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Holy smokes – more G.I. Joe goodness (among other cool collectibles)!
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Visual sensory overload! Gotta take in all this Hot Wheels awesomeness!
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Haha, this one is for you, Ms. ausretrogamer!
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I wasn’t aware of all the diverse (and cool) Hot Wheels!
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I’ll take that, thank you very much
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Wish we had a limitless luggage (and financial) allowance!
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Chocolate and Miami Vice Hot Wheels? Really? Wow!
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Moving right along, we now hit the Twilight ZoneIMG_5564

Where do I even focus here!
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Found the cool action figures area! First thing we see, Mobile Suit Gundam wing!
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What the – Lau as a Virtua Fighter 4 action figure? Want!
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Found Lara!
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One for the Final Fantasy fans!
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Very apt seeing this MGS 2 tactical espionage action figure ;-)
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Now this I did not know existed! The temptation to buy is unbearable!
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First it was Virtua Fighter 4 action figures, now it’s Tekken 4! *mind blown*
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Zelda fans rejoice!
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We do need some new plates…….
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Admit it, you wanna sing “Transformers, robots in disguise”
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Found the old school video games section!
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Oooo, GameCube and Tiger gear!
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Whoa! Tele-Pong and Frogger tabletop! I wonder what is behind these….
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Ah, there you are! Great to see a C64 and a Genesis among the stack of retrogaming gear
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Man, this place is too much! I love Toy Shack!
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If I guess what’s inside the box, can I keep it?
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King of the stuntmen indeed
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One for the KISS fans – yep, I am looking at you Mr. Matt Cawley
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Now this is a WrestleFest!
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Which item captures your eye? Could it be the Transformers or those Star Trek figures?
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I knew I was gonna find Star Wars somewhere in here……
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Old school Star Wars nirvana!
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OMG, Heat Packin’ Jack!
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Get in my belly!
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I’ll take one of each, thank you (I wish!)
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The original road warrior!
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I look up and BAM, more MOTU goodness!
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I do need a new alarm clock. This should help me get up on those cold mornings
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Resistance (to buying temptation) is futile!
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Must. Have. That. MOTU vinyl record!
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Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing Mr. Ram Man himself
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I need to unsee this, otherwise my bank manager will be calling me!
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Spawning more goodness
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Diecast to die for!
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I’ll take one of, 154, 459 and 192 pieces, thanks
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I kneel to the defender of the universe!
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Fight of the Century?
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Poke-a-board!
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Yep, there are comics here too!
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I guess E.T. didn’t phone home…….
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The perfect action figure mix, Itchy and Sly
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Your move, creep!
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Be back to Toy Shack, we will!
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Mixed bag! Hang on, that’s an Ecto-1!
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These guys have ball-Z of dragons!
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We see a heartening sight upon our exit – a young lad getting into some old school arcade action. Retrogaming is alive and well!
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Interview with Commodore UK Boss, David Pleasance

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Interview_DavidP_titleWhen we came across Dan Wood’s YouTube channel and saw his video interview with David Pleasance, we knew we had to share it! The video is a fascinating, in-depth chat with the former (and final) Commodore UK Managing Director, David Pleasance. David provides insights into the glory days of Commodore and the demise of this once mighty computer company, and how he tried to save the venerable Amiga. Press play now – we promise it will load immediately.


source: Dan Wood (kookytech.net)

 

C64 Sideways SEUCK Competition 2015

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SidewaysSEUCK_TitleAs September is traditionally known as Shmuptember, we thought we would let you budding C64 coders know about the latest Shoot’Em Up Construction Kit (SEUCK) competition, but this time, your shoot’em up game must be a horizontal (sideways) scroller to be eligible for entry. So, download the free Sideways Shoot’Em Up Construction Kit and get cracking, I mean, get coding! You never know, you could be a winner just like Ant Stiller (Abyssonaut) or Alf Yngve (Forgotten Forest)!

The best part about these competitions is that you, the gamer, can play the entered games (Ed: Woo hoo!), and then cast your vote on your favourite. We must admit, we are hooked on Alf Yngve’s Edge Of Time entry, which is the sequel to his highly acclaimed game, Double Or Nothing.

This competition is once again brought to you by the great Mr. Richard Bayliss of The New Dimension!

Competition Details
Competition: Sideways Scrolling SEUCK Compo
Submission dates: Now till 30th November 2015
Voting commences: 1st December till 30th December 2015
Prizes: To be announced/given in February 2016

 

PAX Aus 2015 Primer: We’re Back, Again!

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PAXAus_2015_titleJust like Arnie famously said, “I’ll be back” – well, we’ll be back too for our third straight PAX Aus event! Since the first PAX Aus in 2013, the ausretrogamer team is once again teaming up with the Retro Domination boys and the Weird and Retro crew for 2015 to bring you an even more awesome Classic Gaming area!

All your favourite retro gaming systems from Atari, Commodore, Sega and Nintendo (to name just a few) will be back on freeplay! For this year, the old school consoles and computers will be complemented by an array of ‘other’ bigger (and badder) machines that will inject even more nostalgia into the area. We can’t say too much at this stage, but be ready to be blown away!

With a stellar lineup of systems, games and tournaments, this year’s PAX Aus is sure to be another event you cannot miss! Hope to see you guys there!

Event: PAX Aus 2015
Date: Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2015
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)

If you want to reminisce about previous PAX Aus events, then get into your time machine and punch in 2013 and 2014 right now!

PaxAus_ClassicArea_2015image source: Blow The Cartridge

Blow The Cartridge: The RetroGaming Webcomic

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BTC_TitleWhat do you get when you mash retrogaming with a comic strip? The answer is quite simple, you get the awesome Blow The Cartridge retrogaming webcomic!

We have been fans of Cameron Davis’ Blow The Cartridge comic strips for a while now – his webcomic creations are always topical and infused with a great mix of gaming nostalgia and humour, which is exactly what the doctor ordered after a tough day in the office. With that said, it is great to see that there is currently a Kickstarter campaign to make the fifth issue of the collected Blow The Cartridge comic book series! The campaign is to get all the latest comics Cameron has made online and put them together into one mind-blowingly awesome comic!

Pledge rewards on offer for this campaign include signed and personalised copies of the comic book, digitally-delivered copies, and also guest-starring roles in new strips that will be made specifically for the comic.

This sounds all pretty awesome to us. Hit the Blow The Cartridge Kickstarter right now if you want a fun-filled 48 page, full color comic book about the video games we grew up playing and why we still love them so much today!

BTC_webcomicimage source: Blow The Cartridge

 

Iron Maiden – Speed Of Light

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IronMaiden_TitleIron Maiden has a new album ‘The Book Of Souls’ coming out this Friday (4 September 2015). Check out the awesome retrogaming-themed single ‘Speed of Light’ in which Eddie the Head travels through a nostalgic wormhole where he battles his way through iconic platform, run’n gun, fighter and first-person shooter video games.

After you are done watching the music video, have a crack at the Speed Of Light Game!


Video source: Iron Maiden on YouTube

Source: Iron Maiden via Laughing Squid

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msausretrogamerMs. ausretrogamer
Co-founder, editor and writer at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.

Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter