Queries

Queries: 2xAA (Episode 2)

Recently (but not too recently, because I was stupid and got late on this post), I was able to correspond the programmer, chiptuner, Englishman, and internet cool guy, Sam Wray, or as the internet likely knows him, 2xAA. Now, before you ask, yes, we are going to move out of the territory of Chiptune and video music, but I just happen to think Sam is both a great musician, and a great guy, as well as someone who interests me personally. I do have other guests in mind, who lie outside the realm of chiptune, so fear not. But for now, let’s get down to business.

Retro Power

Retro Power: Issue 1

Greetings readers! Welcome to the very first issue of Retro Power. We got a lot of great feedback from you. We hope you enjoy reading these great stories as much as we did! We could use more art from you guys next month. If you are an artist or know an artist who is into retro gaming, please feel free to spread the word. We also really want to see your retro gaming hauls too, don’t be shy! Keep being awesome, readers. We are quite fond of you.

-Alex and Valerie
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The Retro Critic

Mickey’s Adventures In Numberland

Believe it or not, I haven’t reviewed that many educational kid-friendly games.

No, Fisher-Price: Perfect Fit doesn’t count.

I have, however, reviewed one of my favourite Mickey games, Mickey Mania for the Sega Genesis and revisiting that one was a joy so I trust Mickey to, once again, offer something worthwhile.

Oh, who am I kidding?

Mickey’s Adventures In Numberland looked terrible.

And, in a way, it still does!
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Game Overkill

Game Overkill – God of War

I remember the first time I played God of War… or was it God of War 2? Maybe it was God of War 3? It was definitely the one where you have to fight your way out of Hades at some point.
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Raising a Gamer

Arcade Adventure!

Sundays are lazy days in our house. We typically take care of some overlooked housework and then lounge around for the rest of the day. This past Sunday my daughter, Mae, seemed a bit restless and wanted to get out and go do something. Having just finished vacuuming out the car, I still had a few quarters in my pocket and thought, “Hey, let’s go to the arcade”. Read More

My Two Gils

Top 5 Favorite Moments (For Real)

I wasn’t going to leave you guys with joke picks, was I? Truth be told, I almost get jealous when people post their personal experiences with video games. A lot of retro gamers have had life-changing interactions with the medium. I don’t think I have enough fingers to count the number of people that owe their life to video games in one form or the other. Of course, I’m not really jealous, because these people have gone through a lot of challenges and generally difficult phases. I just love to see someone able to embrace gaming on such a personal level. You know what? Have some links:

ZFunk007’s piece on anxiety

KingSigy on goodbyes

In any case, while I personally don’t have touching stories of my interactions with these games, I do have “actual” favorite moments. Keep in mind, my experience with gaming hovers around big name franchises and far from SEGA consoles. I may have missed a couple of great moments, but, guess what? I’m open to comments and suggestions!

Oh and, let’s be honest here, there will be spoilers.
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109 – Nester: President of the Terrestrial Federation

**THIS IS A PRIORITY 1 PODCAST**

We are pleased with your progress thus far. This council authorizes the use of the Konami Code going forward.
This podcast will include special operative Alex Weiss.

The Retro Critic

Snake

Snake.

Why did it have to be Snake…

The game I’ll be talking about today has technically existed since the 70’s but, for many of us, it’s only been around since the time of brick Nokia phones with silly antennas, a time of bad Vengaboys songs, a time of not pawing your computer or mobile screen like a child pretending to play the piano on a wall made of candy.

This was the late 90’s, man.

TO THE MAX.
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Playing With Power

Playing With Power – Nintendo Fun Club News #4

Compared to issue 3, the first thing you will notice about issue 4 of the Nintendo Fun Club News is the expanded color palate and higher gloss pages as Nintendo expanded the quality of the newsletter.

GMZ

GMZ #2-2 – Exclusive Interview with Daniel Lamplugh & Ubisoft’s Secret

Exclusive Interview with GMZ Co-Founder, Daniel Lamplugh

By Pierre Goguen

Once a generation, a world class interviewer gets to sit down with a person who has exerted their will and influence across the globe and gets to ask them the questions no one else dared. We’ve had Frost/Nixon, Yankovic/Madonna, Winfrey/Cruise, and now, sit back and bask in what shall surely be remembered for decades as Goguen/Lamplugh.

1 More Podcastle

108 – HOY SMALL FRY!

Raising a Gamer

Retro on the Go!

Traveling as a kid I can remember how miserable long family car trips could be. My mom tried to make it as bearable as possible, but there is only so much that you can do when stuck in the car for hours on end. My Game Boy became my best friend on those long car rides. I remember my first play-through of Pokémon (Blue is best) came on a trip down to Florida from Maryland. My Game Boy Pocket and a bag of AAA batteries kept both me and my mom from going insane on those long rides. Read More

My Two Gils

Top 5 Retrogaming Moments (Spoiler Free)

The number one is from the first Super Mario Brothers. Why did I tell you that upfront? I did it to hurt you. Do you feel the disappointment? That feeling, is it familiar to you? Do you feel betrayed? Like someone crossed the line? Is your heart broken? Is this your heart bleeding before me? Is this you down on your knees? These foolish games are tearing you apart. These thoughtless spoilers are breaking your heart. They’re breaking your heart.
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Dear Nintendo

We need to talk.

1 More Podcastle

107 – Hitting Someone in the Face with a Rubber Chicken

Obligatory ridiculous stock video.

Chasing Ghosts: One Quarter at a Time

There’s a Monster in my Pizza Barn! Rampage series is a childhood fantasy

The following is part of a series about my past experiences with arcade games and running them in MAME. I will only write about games I remember playing in an actual arcade, not games I only discovered through MAME.

RetroHate

Stupid Blinkin’ Sprites

You know in Pac-Man, that one ghost Blinky, who doesn’t actually blink? What if he did “blink” or rather, flicker in and out (you know like “real” ghosts do)? In fact, what if all the ghosts in Pac-Man flickered in and out of view? The game would probably be near unplayable.
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Playing With Power – Nintendo Fun Club News #3

For my first few post, I will be taking a look at the issues of the Nintendo Fun Club News that I have. Read More

The Retro Critic

Tetris The Movie: A Preview

So there’s talk of a possible Tetris sci-fi live-action movie and I, for one, am all for it!

I love Tetris!

And if Clue can be a movie, then why can’t a beloved retro gem like Tetris be a movie too?

Now, if we’re really going to take this news seriously, we’re going to have to set an example because we, as retro gamers and retro gaming aficionados, have the power to influence Hollywood this time and help steer this project towards something a little bit better than that House Of The Dead movie, for instance.

Let’s put our heads together and try to figure out the best way to make a Tetris movie work.
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