AUSRETROGAMER

Australia's Retro Gaming and Pinball E-Zine

You are here: Home / Archives for Video Games

Video Games

Podcast: Vertical Hold – The Retro Gaming Special Episode

By

Being invited to guest appear (or should that be speak?) on a podcast is always humbling, very cool and a bit nerve-racking. It is exceptionally cool when invited by two of our good friends, Alex Kidman and Adam Turner to come on their Vertical Hold: Behind The Tech News podcast.

Episode 254 of Vertical Hold goes all retro in the modern era, from revived Nintendo and Sega classic mini consoles, huge arcade control decks from Capcom that hook up to your TV, to questionable emulation and some iffy jailbreaking – this episode has it all!

Thanks again to Alex and Adam for having us on their podcast – we make a great triple AAA* team!

*Triple AAA team = Alex, Adam and Alex 😉

Title image source: Fordham IPLJ
Slider image source: Vertical Hold

 

Gears 5: A Rocky, Sometimes Brilliant Entry

By

By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

When I played “Gears of War” in 2006 for the first time, I was instantly hooked. It was another first-person shooter game, but something about it felt new and fresh. The recently released “Gears 5,” the fifth instalment in the successful “Gears of War” franchise, seems more creative and still familiar than its predecessors.

Like most things in entertainment, the original is always better. But with “Gears 5,” The Coalition, the game developers, have really took the franchise to a new, inspiring place.

“Gears 5” centres on Kait Diaz, an Outsider of Locust descent. Playing as Kait, your mission is to uncover the origins of the Locust and Kait’s family. Several characters from “Gears of War 4,” like James Dominic “JD” Fenix, return; but don’t be fooled, it’s Kait’s game.

I’ve always enjoyed video games that have a snow setting. Maybe it’s my admiration and affection for the battle on Hoth in “The Empire Strikes Back,” or just my simple love for action sequences on powdery snow; Act 2 of “Gears 5” takes place in a wintery landscape where you parasail with a skiff over frozen lakes and snow-covered terrain. You can investigate dark tunnels and find collectables, but lurking around the dark corners are parts of the Swarm. You have to conserve your ammo. Finding journals at abandoned camps adds to the game’s overall story. The game feels enormous. You can get lost, and watch out for incoming ice chunks that can crush you. It was gratifying searching for the New Hope Research Facility. I learned the hard way that it’s very difficult to throw grenades in the frigid wind when you approach the entrance to the research facility.

image source: Gears 5

I haven’t played all of “Gears 5,” but from what I’ve played, I think it could be one of the best games of the year. It undeniably expands on the “Gears” universe. It’s very rare that I want to go back and play parts of a game that I’ve already completed. Act 3 of “Gears 5” is enjoyable, but I was wholly engaged in Act 2.

Act 3 feels a bit like any other first-person shooter game where you are inquisitively flushing out the enemy through a facility or abandoned factory. It’s still engaging but not as engrossing as the first two acts of the game. The game’s three-player split screen play is superb. And, overall, “Gears 5” is an exceptional entry in an already definitive series that keeps turning out brilliant gameplay.

 

Play 2500 Classic MS-DOS Games For Free

By

No need to copy, swap dodgy disks or download questionable software, because you can now play an additional 2,500 classic MS-DOS based games for free!

Yep, you read that right folks. You can now play these classics without fear of doing anything illegal. All you have to do is head to the Internet Archive and browse their many, many classic games in their catalogue – we love you Internet Archive! Which MS-DOS game will you play first? For the record, we are starting with Street Rod and will then move onto Secret Of Monkey Island 😉

story source: Kotaku Australia

 

LEGO Ideas: Banjo-Kazooie and the Planet Express Ship

By

We are hooked at trawling the LEGO Ideas site and finding wonderful creations, just like this Banjo-Kazooie action figure and the Planet Express delivery ship from Futurama.

We have voted and now have our fingers and toes crossed.

image source: LEGO Ideas

 

 

LEGO Ideas: Outrun and Pac-Man

By

This is a call to action for all lovers of Lego and retro gaming to head to the Lego Ideas site and vote for the Lego Outrun and Lego Pac-Man Action Figure!

What are you waiting for, go and vote!

image source: Lego Ideas

 

The Fast and the Furious: Agent Shaw Video Game?

By

By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

I finally watched the Fast & Furious spinoff film “Hobbs & Shaw.” It was better than I expected. As I was watching the film, I thought, this would make a great video game. Certain action sequences would be perfect for a combat on different levels video game.

Dwayne Johnson and Jason Stratham had great chemistry; their dynamic was fun, but Vanesa Kirby as Agent Hattie Shaw stole the film out from under the two stars. She gave a standout, humorous performance that made my friend ask, when we were leaving the theatre, “Who was that?” Kirby gained attention in small roles in “The Crown” and “Mission Impossible: Fallout.” They were small, but she shined in both roles. I enjoyed her character so much, a new Fast & Furious video game centered on her MI-6 character could be intriguing.

There are several games based on the Fast & Furious franchise, but they are mostly driving, race based games. I’ve played a Fast & Furious driving game at an arcade and it was a lot of fun. However, it was slightly on the expensive side when it came to tokens.

image source: commonsensemedia

I’ve heard a rumor that an animated series based on characters from the Fast & Furious franchise is in the development stages; I believe for Netflix? Agent Shaw’s character would be perfect for a 30-minute cartoon. Perhaps Vanessa Kirby could voice the animated version of her character. Action packed animated series are hot at the moment, and the Fast & Furious name gets viewer’s attention.

An Agent Shaw game could be a first-person-shooter effort but the gaming industry seems to be saturated with them. And if you’re not Fortnite right now, it’s difficult to carve out your own niche in the market as a FPS game. With some really creative developers, a game similar to the Tomb Raider or Resident Evil series could be successful if done with some passion and Fast & Furious insight.

Goldeneye, one of the greatest first-person-shooter games, was based on a movie franchise. Like that classic, Agent Shaw could be just as thrilling with a modern-day spy feel to it.

Classic Childhood Pastimes Re-imagined as 8-Bit Video Games

By

When it comes to children and gaming, there’s a constant debate. Lots of kids love to play video games and often their caring parents see the pastime as less than desirable. They’d prefer their children to be playing outside, taking in fresh air and learning skills that will set them up for life. But in today’s world, gaming is actually rich with benefits for children. Research has proven multiple brain boosting advantages of gaming such as improved coordination, memory, problem solving, concentration and social skills.

Today’s parents probably have happy memories of playing jump rope, pat-a-cake and conkers outdoors with their friends, and they naturally want their kids to have the same experiences. But no doubt they also enjoyed the delights of Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt from time to time too. There’s nothing like a bit of nostalgia. And that’s why Climadoor have imagined what it would be like if classic childhood pastimes were made into 8-bit video games. This mash up would satisfy parents and children alike, and we think it would create hours of fun!

Conkers Kid – Playground Revenge II

Conkers is a playground staple in Britain and is sometimes knows as ‘Kingers’ in other parts of the world. Hours of fun can be had using a conker on a string to defeat those of your friends and foes. Many schools have deemed the game a concern as flinging around hard objects can be damaging, but there’s no such risk with the videogame.

Conkers Kid – Playground Revenge II would be packed with features. Start by choosing your best conker and level up by defeating your opponents. Perfect your swing and blast your way to success!

Jump Rope Master

Jump rope or skipping takes skill, co-ordination and physical endurance. Kids all over the world engage in the game and some master complex patterns and multiple ropes.

If this is a little too sedate for you, try jump rope master. You’ll be reborn as an agile ninja to help you leap over ropes whilst also avoiding the dangers of fireballs and flame throwers.

Mega Kerby – Sidewalk III

Kerby (also known as Kurby or Curby) is a British childhood street game that’s simple in nature. Opponents stand on opposite sides of the street and throw a ball aimed at the curb on the other side. The aim is to catch the ball again on the rebound. Despite sounding easy, there are plenty of hazards to dodge like traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. Not to mention keeping balls clear of the neighbours parked cars and windows…suddenly playing outside has turned into a parent’s nightmare, oh, the worry!

It’s time to break out mega Kerby – Sidewalk III. All the thrill with less of the danger. Throw, dodge, win the game. All without the risk of real traffic or angry neighbours!

Musical Chairs in Space 2020

A classic party game, musical chairs causes fun, tension and drama as kids clamber to grab a free chair when the music stops. There’s always one less chair than needed to eliminate players until one eventually wins. Who will be victorious? Often the one that cheats the most!

Let’s translate this into the galaxy where chairs float in space to futuristic music. Put all arguments and cheating aside and focus on your speed and agility to get that chair and remain king or queen of the galaxy.

Pat-A-Cake Wars

This sedate playground game sees participants clapping their hands in time to a rhyme, great for co-ordination and rhythm. But why not up the excitement level with Pat-A-Cake Wars? Bake a cake as fast as you can, compete against opponents and triumph over the bad guys.

Pooh Sticks Racer

A game first played together by Winnie The Pooh and his friends is now popular with children and adults alike. Choose your stick and drop it into a stream or river, you’ll win if your stick is first under the bridge! The fun doesn’t last for long though, and soon your stick will drift away.

Not with Pooh Sticks Racer! This high-octane game lets you navigate obstacles and rapids to keep your stick in pole position until the end of the race. Watch out for rocks, waves and branches that are set on hindering your progress, as well as other opponents!

Tag Man

Another classic playground game that lives in the hearts of children around the world. This one is such an institution, there was even a film made about it! You might know it as tig, it, tiggy, touch and go or chasey but the principle is always the same. The player who is ‘it’ chases other players until they can touch or ‘tag’ them, which turns them into the chaser and so on.

Tag Man tests your skill, requiring you to do whatever it takes to avoid the chaser. Find power ups to increase your speed, special invisibility powers and more. Just don’t get caught!

We hope you’ll agree, this mash-up between childhood games and 8-bit video games takes us all back to happy times gone by.

 

A Case for EA Sports Koepka PGA Tour

By

By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

EA Sports should bring back their PGA Tour game series for all gaming platforms. But this time, don’t have Tiger Woods or Rory Mcllroy endorse the game, give the honor to Brooks Koepka, the current ranked. golfer in the world.

I’ve played every version of EA Sports PGA Tour since 2003. Koepka could bring a jolt to the game’s popularity and significance. There hasn’t been a new version of the series since 2015.

Brooks Koepka is a quiet athlete. That seems rare in the age of Twitter and TMZ Sports. Koepka is on social media, but he rarely posts anything, and when he does, it’s usually about a tournament he’s participating in or Nike, one of his sponsors. He’ll occasionally post a picture on Instagram hanging out with his girlfriend, Jena Sims, and friends somewhere where there is water.

Koepka is a methodical assassin on the golf course in the final rounds of PGA Tour majors. If he is leading or if he’s a few strokes off the leader, he is unemotional and poised to a point that he has the rigorous strut of Arnold Schwarzenegger in “The Terminator.” Do you know the greatest reason for animal survival in the wild? It’s not size; it’s not speed; it’s not strength. It’s adaptability. That’s what Koepka does at the end of a major, he adapts; and that usually leads to a victory.

image source: EA Sports

During his interview with David Feherty on the Golf Channel’s “Faherty,” there were moments when he looked like he wanted to bolt from his chair, he seemed so uncomfortable. He came off as a man who didn’t like talking about himself. But Feherty, being an exceptional interviewer, knew when to insert humor and pull back.

Koepka is sort of the reluctant face of the PGA Tour at the moment. No other player has won 4 major championships in 3 years. Of course, Tiger Woods is still one of the most popular athletes in the world; especially after his storybook win at Augusta in April. But this year, Koepka and Woods are even at one major apiece.

Koepka, at 29, has another two decades of winning majors if he stays healthy and hungry. He could easily be the most popular golfer on the PGA Tour for the next ten years. EA Sports should consider the influence Koepka may have on the game, and, for them, perhaps gaming.

 

1991 Toys “R” Us Awesome Vintage Catalogue

By

We love old toys and video game catalogues. We have previously featured the Toys “R” Us 1996 Christmas catalogue and the hefty 830+ page 1992 Christmas Sears, Roebuck & Co. ‘The Great American Wish Book’ to tickle your nostalgic nerve.

Well, now we present you with the 1991 Toys “R” Us (US) catalogue that features classic toys and some very classic video gaming systems that will definitely jolt your nostalgic nerve. Enjoy!



source: eBay



The Difficulty of Jeopardy! Makes It Fun

By

By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

Playing Jeopardy! on the Playstation 2 is like writing poetry; it’s challenging and difficult, but that’s what makes it so enjoyable. Also, like writing poetry, you never know if you’re actually any good at it. I’m exceptional at Jeopardy! when it comes to categories like history, science and movies; I’m not bad at sports as a category either. But playing the Playstation 2 game gives me no indication of how I would actually perform on the television show.

I’ve never seen the same categories or answers come up twice after years of playing the 2003 game. On the case, it says “Over 5,200 answers!” I believe it.

1 to 3 players can play the game. I enjoy playing solo against two other contestants. There’s a lot of pressure to spell out the right question with your controller. You watch the countdown nervously as you’re trying to spell out the correct question. I’ve always been pretty good at clicking in first to answer. If I was on the actual hit show, I have no idea how fast I’d be able to use my clicker. That’s an important factor in being able to perform well over the course of the game.

image source: psxplanet

The game has sample contestant exams, but I’ve never tried to take one. Maybe I’m a little intimidated? And a game is supposed to be fun; the thought of taking an exam when you put the disk in the system doesn’t sound like fun. Playing the game against two simulated players is in a way an exam. It’s certainly a challenge that can become addictive.

At times, I’ve played Jeopardy! for hours. You can play a complete game in about 30 to 40 minutes; it depends on how long it takes you and your opponents to give the correct question. And just like the show, a player can take over the categories if an opponent’s answer is incorrect.

Selecting a Daily Double is a bit nerve-racking. If my score is over $10,000, I get conservative and bet very little. If my score is under that amount, I go for it and bet as much as I think I can get away with. There is nothing worse than missing Final Jeopardy! because you’re busted.

First-person shooter games and sports games can sometimes feel repetitive and tedious. Jeopardy! never gets boring and it keeps you guessing. The game is a challenge that never disappoints, and you can learn something.