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‘Cheers to 10 Years’ – PAX Aus Announces Even More Major Content

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‘Cheers to 10 Years’ As PAX Aus Announces Even More Major Content

With only three weeks to go until PAX Aus 2023, there is even more delicious content including more news from Nintendo and announcements from SEGA, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Star Wars Unlimited, Five Nights at Freddy’s and more to sink your teeth into!

We are hoping to see as many of you at PAX Aus this year, so we can’t wait for these weeks to fly by! Oh yeah, you should know where to find us by now (ahem, at our home base, the Classic Gaming area).

OK, without further ado, here is the awesome news…..

PAX Aus 2023 is shaping up to be an absolute whopper and there’s no better way to celebrate the last 10 years than showcasing even more great gaming content with more major announcements confirmed today. So please, take it slow and try not to stuff your face too quickly with all this delicious content…

In addition to Nintendo’s tournament in PAX Arena, Nintendo returns to the PAX expo floor headlined by Super Mario Bros. Wonder – playable before its release on 20th October! Fans can also shop in-person at the Nintendo booth with My Nintendo Store, which will have merchandise to peruse and purchase. Look forward to more information coming soon about the playable titles and available merch from Nintendo.

Gaming icon, SEGA will be attending PAX Aus this year with a booth showcasing Sonic Superstars and Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Melbourne-based Ukiyo Studios will be presenting “SEA What I Made! (SWIM)”, the largest Southeast Asian indie games delegation of its kind to grace Australian shores. A total of 15 titles from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines will feature a variety of game genres from turn-based RPGs to Southeast Asian-inspired Diablo-likes and even restaurant management sims.

And for tabletop fans, Star Wars: Unlimited will be demo-ed for the first time in Australia at PAX Aus. Two icons of the tabletop world will also be at PAX Aus – Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. Attendees will be able to learn to play Dungeons & Dragons with their friendly Dungeon Masters waiting to guide you on a quest. From there, visit the D&D Superstore where you will be able to find everything you need and want from sourcebooks to minis to collectibles and more. For Magic: The Gathering fans and noobs you can learn to play and get lost in the Wilds of Eldraine with fantastical creatures, unbelievable settings and beloved characters with a unique twist.

Pack your Senzu Beans and Devil Fruit, because the tabletop major moments don’t stop there with Dragon Ball Z and One Piece showcasing their games and hosting tourneys at the event. Compete for glory in the Dragon Ball Super Regionals and One Piece Card Game Tournament, pick up a free demo deck (while stock lasts), as well as try your hand at the new Dragon Ball Super Fusion World card game.

Vanguard, Weiss Schwarz, Shadowverse and Final Fantasy Trading Card Game will also be showcased at PAX Aus and Asmodee, yes, them of Exploding Kittens, CATAN, Ticket to Ride, Dobble/Spot It and so many more legendary games fame will be bringing their latest and greatest games.

What’s October without a jumpscare? Five Nights at Freddy’s will be activating the world of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza where Freddy and the gang are dying to meet you – step into the scene and see if you can survive five nights?

While on the topic of bears, what about bears, in space?! Hear from Broadside Games as they discuss how they went from working a day job and developing games on the side to focusing on a game full-time! The team behind the upcoming action-packed game, Bears In Space, tell all at PAX Aus!

And lastly, tabletop legends Phil Walker-Harding (Sushi Go, Bear Park, Imhotep) and Matt Dunstan (Fairy Tile, Relic Runners) will also be on the floor at PAX Aus, with Walker-Harding demonstrating his game, Spellbook, and Dunstan showcasing a new game, to be revealed for the first time at PAX Aus.

With 3-Day and Saturday Badges sold out and limited single-day badges available, you better gear up for PAX Aus’ 10th anniversary celebration. PAX Aus 2023 takes place October 6-8 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. For more information and badges, please visit their official website.

image source: PAX Aus



Topher Grace’s Star Wars: Always Rulez

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If you can’t stand the thought of sinking 30+ hours watching all the Star Wars films (including Rogue One and Solo), then this Topher Grace Star Wars: Always edit is for you!

Topher has mashed all of the Star Wars films into a 5 minute Cliff notes version for those that are time poor. With that said, we actually don’t mind this 5 minute version of the Star Wars saga.

May the FORCE be with you!


source: Lou’s Cafe



The Forgotten 1970s Toys

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Rhetty For History recently took a trip down nostalgia lane to bring us all the popular toys and games from the 1970s, noting that many had since been forgotten (well, not by us!).

The 1970s had a lot of toys for kids to choose from and some of those have remained popular to this day. Other toys weren’t so luck and some have been lost over time. In this video we will remember some of the 1970s forgotten toys!

We definitely remember games like The Hungry Hungry Hippos and Simon, but had definitely forgotten about The Bionic Woman board game, Lite Bright and Wooly Willy – did we even get any of these in Australia? Actually, there were quite a few games & toys from that era that induced nightmares too (not looking at you Jack-in-the-Box!).

Our fave toys from the 1970s were the Steve Austin action figure, the Kenner Star Wars action figures and pretty much every Matchbox car under the sun! We are probably forgetting some, but the ones we’ve mentioned are seared in our  hippocampus.

story source: laughingsquid



 

Step-By-Step Guide: How to Install Stern Pinball’s Insider Connected Upgrade Kit

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If you are like us, a step-by-step guide to install something foreign or something you have never done before is absolutely priceless (plus a guide saves you from tearing out your hair)!

There are plenty of video guides on how to install Stern Pinball’s Insider Connected upgrade kit, however we couldn’t find any for our specific use case – what do you do when there are no spare RJ45 ports on the Node board near the arch (under the playfield) on the Star Wars Premium pinball machine? Well, we break ground by writing this step by step guide (with heaps of images!) in the hope that it helps someone out there to install Stern’s very cool Insider Connected (IC) system.

NOTE: At the time of writing this step-by-step guide, the Star Wars Premium / LE Replacement Arch was not available to purchase in Australia, so we improvised where to install the IC QR Reader, as these machines do not have the space to accommodate it on the arch.

Tools Used:

  • You will need the Stern Pinball Insider Connected Upgrade Kit – For (SPIKE 2) Premium / LE Models (part number: 502-5420-01) which retails for AU$395.00
  • 11/32″ Nutdriver – we used this Wera 395 Hollow Shaft 11/32″ Nutdriver, which retails for AU$26.35
  • Clean cotton gloves – use these when removing the playfield glass

Stern Pinball INSIDER CONNECTED Upgrade Kit (Premium/LE)

The manual is a good resources, but not much use as it did not meet our specific use case

You will need this quick start guide right at the end, so save it for later

The 11/32″ nutdriver

Pre-step:

Before you begin opening your machine and installing the IC kit, make sure your machine is on the latest game code. Please go to the Stern Pinball support page to check, and if required, download the latest code and install it on your machine. Each code update has a READ ME file, make sure you download it and follow the steps to update your game code (if required). If you are already on the latest game code, then you are ready to proceed!

Step 1:

Before opening anything on the pinball machine, make sure it is turned off! Then grab the keys for the backbox (keys are usually stored on the other side of the coin door) and open the backbox by unlocking it, remove the translite and then lower the LCD/speaker part down towards the glass. You are now ready to go to step 2!

The backboard keys are usually on the other side of the coin door

Opening the backboard reveals the main CPU board

Step 2:

From the IC kit, get the microSD card and insert it in (label up) the slot just below the CPU/heatsync – make sure it clicks in. Then get the WiFi dongle and insert it in one of the spare USB ports to the right of the CPU/heatsync. If unsure, check the below photos. Once you have inserted the microSD card and WiFi dongle, you are ready for the next step.

The microSD that came with your IC kit is inserted in the SD slot just beneath the CPU

The WiFi USB dongle is then inserted in the spare USB ports to the right of the CPU

Job done – microSD and WiFi dongle installed on the main CPU board

Step 3:

This is where things deviate from the IC manual, so please pay close attention! Since there are no spare RJ45 ports on the node board near the bottom left arch, you will need to run a long Ethernet cable (CAT5 or CAT5e) from the front of the machine, all the way to the backbox to connect the cable to the spare port on the main CPU board (in the backbox). Once you connect one end of the CAT5/CAT5e cable in the spare RJ45 port on the main CPU board in the backbox, tuck the rest of the cable behind others, ensuring it is not intruding/pulling on any other cables running down to the cabinet. Push the cable through the left hole on the bottom of the backbox, ensuring it goes behind the playfield. You have done well so far, so take a little break, as the next step involves removing the playfield glass and lifting up the playfield!

The IC manual states to use the spare RJ45 port on the node board, but as shown, both ports are already taken. So a long Ethernet cable is required to reach the main CPU board in the backbox

Forget the ethernet cable that came with the IC kit, it is way too short! Get yourself a long (at least 6ft) ethernet cable (we used a 2.5M CAT5e cable)

Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the spare middle RJ45 port on the main CPU board in the backbox. Then tuck the rest of the cable (allow some slack!) through the bottom of the backbox and into the rear of the cabinet.

Step 4:

Are you rested? Did you grab a drink? If you answered yes, then you are ready! This step is probably the toughest, as it involves removing the lockbar, playfield glass and then lifting the playfield up towards the backbox.

First thing, make sure the LCD/speaker panel on the backbox is in the closed (up) position – make sure you lock it! Don’t worry about the translite, that can stay off for the time being.

Open the coin door and unlatch the lockbar from the two latches (one on the left and the other on the right) that hold it down. Once that is done, remove the lockdown bar by pulling up – don’t worry, the glass won’t slide out!

Once you open the coin door, there are two latches on either side that need to be unlatched to free the lockdown bar (the bar that holds the glass in place)

Remember how we listed cotton gloves in the ‘Tools Used‘ section above, well this is when you will need them – go and put them on! Once your gloves are on and with the coin door in the closed position, gently pull the glass towards you – make sure you have enough room behind you! When the glass is fully out / cleared from the cabinet, stand it up on a carpeted (or rubber) surface, ensuring it is leaning on a blanket instead of directly on the wall (or any other vertical surface).

Take the glass off with care!

With the glass off, you can now remove the balls out of the trough so they don’t go flying and damaging stuff once you start lifting up the playfield. Through the coin door, you will notice a big solenoid to the right – this is used to kick out the balls from the trough. Using your index finger, push up rapidly on the round flat part on the bottom of the solenoid to kick out the balls. You will have to kick out each ball individually, so make sure you keep kicking out till the last (6th) ball is taken out of the machine.

Remove the balls from the machine by ‘kicking’ them out (of the trough) by pushing up rapidly on the solenoid as pictured

This is your chance to inspect your balls – if they look ok, give them a thorough wipe, if they are dinged/scuffed up or they have lost their shine, it is time to replace them! If you do replace them, make sure you get the right ones, as machines with magnets require balls that do not magnetise / stick together!

Now comes the lifting! Grab the bottom of the playfield near the apron/arch and lift up slowly. Once the playfield clears the cabinet, pull it towards you. Rest the handles of the playfield on top of the cabinet. Now grab the handles and start lifting and tilting the playfield back towards the backbox. The playfield should be resting up against the backbox.

The whole point of this step is to run the CAT5/CAT5e Ethernet cable from the backbox, behind and underneath the playfield! Pull the Ethernet cable through from underneath the backbox and ensure it is run as close as possible to the back of the cabinet. Once the cable is inside the cabinet, run it through to the front of the machine – wrap it around the handle of the cashbox.

Now put the machine back together by lowering the playfield and pushing it back into the cabinet, ensuring you do not snag any cables behind it. Give the balls a wipe or replace if required and then put them back in the machine. This is also a good opportunity to clean the glass – give it a nice wipe down and then slide it back into position over the playfield.

Reinstall the lockdown bar, ensuring the action button sits properly on top of the electronics required to actuate it. Lock the lockdown bar with the two latches and then you are done! Phew, that was a lot of work! We are almost on the home stretch now!

Step 5:

Now the fun part – connecting the Ethernet cable to the IC QR code reader to ensure it works as intended. Once connected, it is time to power on the machine! You will notice the machine doing its thing in updating itself (Node boards etc), so be patient and wait for the updates to complete. Use the images below as reference to show you what to expect, as certain messages could make you panic, like “Nodes Not Found”!

Connect the Ethernet cable into the RJ45 slot on the Insider Connected QR code reader 

Power up the machine! You should note that the IC QR reader is drawing power (blue-ish light) 

Do not panic if you see this message. Just close the coin door and the update will continue to completion.

Once the machine updates itself to get IC integrated it will reboot.

Once the machine reboots, open the coin door so you can use the buttons to navigate the menu – go down and select “Stern Insider Connected”

First things first – setup the connection. We went with WiFi.

Select your WiFi network and then enter the WPA/WPA2 (WiFi) password

Once your WiFi connection is set, you should see a similar screen as below

Login to Insider Connected via your phone’s browser. You’ll need this to setup and register your location, machine and game room details with the Insider Connected ecosystem.

Once your location, game room and machine details are registered, you’ll be greeted with the below screen in the Stern Insider Connected Setup menu item

We are finally ready to play some pinball with Insider Connected enabled! Don’t forget to scan your player QR code on the IC QR reader!

Step 6:

At this stage you can call it quits, but that means your IC QR code reader is sitting on top of your coin box, which means every time you want to scan in, you need to open that darn coin door and scan your QR code – this may be ok if you only play once in a blue moon. For those that prefer to have their IC QR reader accessible any time, read on!

Since the IC QR code reader could not be mounted on the apron of our Star Wars Premium (and LE) machine, we had to improvise and fashion a spot for it. Even though Stern did release a replacement arch (that has a slot for the IC QR reader) for Star Wars (Prem / LE machines), it is very difficult to find as it is constantly sold out.

So, what did we do? Well, you know that bill acceptor slot on the coin door? Well, we used it to house the IC QR code reader! We learned the hard way that the coin door on Australian Stern pinball machines is quite different from their US counterparts. We ordered a mounting kit from the US, only to find that it did not fit at all on our Star Wars machine! This is where we putting our thinking cap on and improvised. Since we did not have a 3D printer, nor the skills or equipment to create a nice black metal plate, we ended up getting some black hard-board from Officeworks (stationary supplier) that artists may use. Was this the best product? Probably not, but it did the job for well under $10!

If you have come this far, congratulations, you can now pat yourself on the back and play some pinball as your reward!

This is not where the IC QR reader should remain! So what to do?

The bill acceptor space will never be used (by us), so why not use it to house the IC QR code reader……

Once you cut out that black hard-board to be fastened to the coin door, you’ll then need to mount the IC QR code reader, with the RJ45 slot pointing up! It is important to have enough slack in the Ethernet cable connection so there is no snagging when you open/shut the coin door.

The job is done! It isn’t the prettiest of solutions in mounting the IC QR code reader to the bill acceptor slot, but it works, and that’s all that counts!
images (c) 2023 ausretrogamer.com



 

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.



New LEGO Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter

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“Red Five standing by”

As a LEGO sucker, I mean a fan, yeah, let’s go with a LEGO fan, this teaser video from LEGO that I found on Facebook of their new Ultimate Collector Series version of the T-65 X-Wing Starfighter is mind blowingly detailed – with updated and authentic wing and engine design along with a new cockpit interior. There is even a place for your R2-D2 droid figure in the socket behind the cockpit!

With 1949 LEGO bricks to build this detailed X-Wing, you better get onto it on May the 4th and blast off to fight for the Rebel Alliance!

NOTE: This new set will be released on May 4th (Star Wars Day) and will retail for AU$369.99

May the 4th Be With You – Happy Star Wars Day!



This Is The Way: Microsoft & Lucasfilm Launch ‘The Mandalorian’ themed Xbox Gaming Gear

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This Is The Way

Celebrating the start of The Mandalorian season 3 on Disney+, Microsoft/Xbox and Lucasfilm have teamed up to launch ‘The Mandalorian’-themed gaming gear, including cool Xbox Series X|S Mando livery!

The third season of The Mandalorian follows Grogu as he reunites with Din Djarin, so what better way to celebrate this much-loved Star Wars series than to have a colour-coordinated controller, a hoodie and best of all, a human-sized armoured floating pram (Pram XL), which doesn’t really float, but would still be cool to win.

The comp/sweepstajes for The Mando-themed Xbox Series X|S is open to everyone on the planet, with the only entry requirement being a retweet of this tweet!

PS: For more news and how to enter the sweepstakes to win the Pram XL, head over to the Xbox News site right now.

image source: Microsoft Xbox News



Gone (Adult) Toy Hunting

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Ah, let’s not kid ourselves, these aren’t exactly adult toys, but they do indeed invoke nostalgia, a yearning if you will, for us adults of a certain vintage to want raid the toy shelves of our nearest department store!

If you are lucky enough to have a BIG W near you, you may want to head in and check out the toy section, as they are stocking a myriad of toys that us Gen X’ers will go absolute bonkers over!

The toys that grabbed our attention were of course the Star Wars action figures and the Nintendo related toys. What I wasn’t expecting was the variation of Masters of the Universe stock, which also included the retro 40th anniversary line – we had to wipe our drool!

See anything that takes your fancy?

This packaging brings back memories!

The MOTU Revelation line is very tempting!

Not sure we can relate to this MOTU, but younger generations may appreciate it

Stratos ($19) versus Mer-Man ($50) – big difference

Pokemon, Minecraft and Roblox – Big W has you covered!

Cat Peach!

Our favourite Princess – we miss her so much



‘Star Wars Pinball’ on Nintendo Switch

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By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

Playing “Star Wars Pinball” on my Nintendo Switch will never be as entertaining and fun as actually playing a standing pinball machine in an arcade or restaurant, but it comes pretty close.

When I purchased “Star Wars Pinball” before Christmas, I had no idea how much I would end up playing it in my spare time. I really enjoy playing pinball in my living room; I never thought it would be possible. Sometimes, I play it on my Switch when I’m in the backyard or I’ll play a quick game in the car when I’m waiting for someone. When I start playing “Star Wars Pinball” it’s hard to put my controller or Switch down. It took me a few days to explore every table option. My highest score is on the “Return of the Jedi” table with somewhere around 16 million.

I play “Star Wars Pinball” the way I watch the films; I usually stick to the original trilogy, and by “original” I mean the “A New Hope,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” and “Return of the Jedi.” However, the “Rogue One” table is a blast to play. Gareth Edwards’ “Rogue One” is my favorite Star Wars film behind “Empire.” Orson Krennic is prominently featured on the “Rogue One” pinball table. Ben Mendelsohn, who played Krennic, is underrated in the 2016 film. Krennic is sort of a tragic character; he’s the villain who’s killed by what he created and believed in.

The voices sound nothing like the original Star Wars actors, like James Earl Jones and Mark Hamill. Han Solo sounds like a voice actor attempting to do a poor, Harrison Ford impression.

My favorite pinball option is the Boba Fett table. Jabba the Hutt makes a cameo, and you can hit the ball into the Sarlacc that’s at the top of the table. Some of my highest scores are playing the Fett and the “Return of the Jedi” tables. The “Jedi” table has so many lights and colorful features that it’s difficult to see the ball at times. I like it when you’re playing the Fett table and the play stops as Darth Vader comes out, and tells Boba Fett, forcefully, “No disintegrations.” You get an appearance from Vader and Jabba the Hutt; probably my two favorite characters in the Star Wars universe.

The Boba Fett themed table is a pinball machine that you’d find in Jabba’s Palace, if it wasn’t fictional. It feels authentic to the Tatooine location that George Lucas created. Although, I don’t understand why they have Han Solo frozen in carbonite, hanging over the Sarlacc.

“Star Wars Pinball” has quickly become one of my favorite Switch games. Yet, “FIFA ’23” is still my go-to game.

Star Wars Pinball,Nintendo Switch,DC Cutler, David Cutler,Star Wars,Pinball,Star Wars Pinball on Nintendo Switch,gamer,gaming,videogames,gamers,Darth Vader



Starry (Wars) Night Artworks

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While endlessly scrolling through social media posts during the great void (the period between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve), we came across these darn cool van Gogh inspired Star Wars ‘Starry Night’ artworks!

Happy New Year peeps!

image source: Star Wars always on Facebook