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Three new Sega Genesis Collection videos
You know what I love about all these classic compilations coming out? I'm realizing just how many games I missed out on as a kid, but the great thing about these games is we don't have to miss out on them anymore. Today's videos are Ecco Jr., Shinobi and Phantasy Star IV. Check out Phantasy Star after the jump. See also: Decap AttackVirtua Fighter 2, Sword of Vermillion and Bonanza BrothersPhantasy Star 2 and Golden AxeKid Chameleon Ecco the Dolphin and Columns
Amazon recommends Dreamcast
Two new next-gen systems will make their debut next month, and gamer Ben Murray finds Amazon recommending that he purchase ... a Dreamcast Visual Memory Unit (VMU). Plus he can pick this baby up for about six bucks US. Obviously Ben has purchased some Dreamcast gear through the site at some point in the past, but it strikes us as a bit odd that they are recommending this (and a Dreamcast vibration pack as well). Maybe Amazon decided to share a little retro love in the gaming arena. We pulled up our own Amazon page, half expecting that it would tell us we should be buying an Atari 2600 paddle controller instead of the Nintendo Wii. Our own Toys & Games recommendations page suggested we pick up a Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera and the Cars Mack Truck Bachelor Pad Playset (what the hell have we been buying?!) but, alas, no Colecovisions or Pong sets. The closest we got to any sort of throwback gaming was the Designer's World TV Game -- "Can you turn rags to riches? Find out when you enter the world of high fashion on your own TV (not included)!" Ooh, fashion gaming on our own (not included) TV!? Somebody pinch us.
Decap Attack Sega Genesis Collection video
We might as well call today retro-Thursday what with all the old-school news that has been posted on the site today. I always was more of a Nintendo gamer back in the day, so I don't feel so terribly noobish that I haven't played Decap Attack, which is one of nearly 30 retro games in Sega Genesis Collection. Hell, to be perfectly honest, I've never even heard of it before. Well, I've done me some research and learned the game's protagonist is Chuck D. Head, an aptly named mummy who throws his decapitated head at his enemies. In the game, you must travel across a skeleton-shaped island throughout beautiful locales like Abdomainland and Armington to battle it out with the evil Dr. Frank N. Stein. See also:Virtua Fighter 2, Sword of Vermillion and Bonanza BrothersPhantasy Star 2 and Golden AxeKid Chameleon Ecco the Dolphin and Columns
Electronic Arts announces EA Replay feature details
Earlier today, we showed you a ridiculously long gameplay video for EA Replay's Syndicate title, and now Electronic Arts has released the game's features details.EA Replay will feature: Ad-hoc and head-to-head support for Budokan, Road Rash II and Mutant League Football; Mid-game saves that allow you to stop the action at any time; and Unlockable character collectable cards. While the collectable cards don't do a whole lot for me, I think the ad-hoc and mid-game save features are a very nice addition. However, would it be too much to ask for some infrastructure action?
Rumor: Metroid Prime 3, online play, and DS connectivity
We offer this one with a cornucopia of salt, because it may turn out to be one of those father's-brother's-friend's-cousin-said sort of deals, but it's just so delicious that we can't keep it to ourselves. An "anonymous reader" apparently tipped UK site Cubed3 that there are many reasons behind the delay of the Wii's Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, and some of them are quite interesting. Such as the fact that the game may include some sort of amorphous DS connectivity. The tipster also indicated that online play was being added for the Wii (o rly?), and there's word that the graphics are being further tweaked as well. Color us skeptical, but we'll keep an ear to the ground, because if any of this is true, it's a good day to be a Nintendo fan.[Via Nintendojo]
Rumor: Metroid Prime 3 and Wii/DS connectivity
We offer this one with a cornucopia of salt, because it may turn out to be one of those father's-brother's-friend's-cousin-said sort of deals, but it's just so delicious that we can't keep it to ourselves. An "anonymous reader" apparently tipped UK site Cubed3 that there are many reasons behind the delay of the Wii's Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, and some of them are quite interesting. Such as the fact that the game may include some sort of amorphous DS connectivity. The tipster also indicated that online play was being added. DS connectivity? Could be interesting, if true. We'll keep you posted.[Via Nintendojo]
Syndicate EA Replay video revealed
myFlash = new FlashObject('http://www.gametrailers.com/umremote312.swf', 'swffile', 480, 409, 8); myFlash.altTxt = ''; myFlash.addVariable('mid', 13812); myFlash.write(); I never got the chance to play Peter Molyneux's Syndicate back in the early 90s, even though it was released on nearly every platform imaginable. However, thanks to EA Replay, I'll be able to finally do so anywhere I want, even if it's nearly 13 years after its release. If you had any questions about Syndicate, this video will show you pretty much everything and then some. The game combines several different genres like real-time tactics, shooting and simulator into something that was pretty ahead of its time when it was released.You'll be able to get your hands on Syndicate and 13 other classic EA titles when EA Replay ships Oct. 31.
Nintendo toys from the '70s collected
A lot of casual students of video game history probably know that Nintendo manufactured traditional Hanafuda playing cards for nearly 100 years before diving into the video game business in the '80s. But not all Nintendo fans know that the company transitioned into the game space with a line of traditional toys and games in the '60s and '70s.A collector going by the handle dogbowl has a posted a small picture gallery containing some of the more interesting products Nintendo produced during this period. Some, like the Ultra Hand and remote control vacuum cleaner will be familiar to anyone who has played WarioWare Inc.: Mega MicroGame$. Others, like the marble race game and the spooky-looking board game pictured above will probably only be familiar to truly obsessed Nintendophiles. You can even see the inspiration for some classic NES and arcade games in toys like Wild Gunman and Mach Rider in their toy analogues. We can only hope that one day we'll get to see a Wii game based on these delightful flash cards.(Thanks ilostmyunicorn)
Play Tetris on your fridge [update 1]
Tetris has achieved an iconic pop culture status like Pac-Man and Super Mario Bros. Its simple and logical gameplay is addictive to the point of madness, and we wore out at least two Game Boys while trying to master it. However, we sure can pack a bag or load a truck a heck of a lot better now.Tetris has appeared on practically every video game platform since it was introduced in 1985, and regularly pops up in the most unexpected places.The block stacking phenomenon has appeared in Japanese comedy acts, on the side of a building in milkcrate form, as a set of shelves, as the basis for a Honda commercial, on a merit badge, off the side of Interstate 95 in Rhode Island, as a lotto ticket in Quebec, and on an episode of the Simpsons.Tetris has spawned dozens of clones, appeared in other Nintendo games like Dr. Mario, and lives on today as Hexic, which was designed by Tetris creator Alexey Pazhitnov. In fact, most of today's popular puzzle games like Bejeweled can trace their roots back to Tetris, which is itself a sort of bizarre twist on Breakout, and that leads directly back to Pong, which takes us back to the beginning of time and makes our heads hurt.Today it appears on your refrigerator as "Tetrius," courtesy of Art. Lebedev Studio in Russia. It can adorn your fridge this Christmas for only 278 rubles, which is about ten bucks. Check out the other products they offer, it's a bizarre collection of odd products that won't improve your productivity, but will make life a bit more fun.Joystiq's stocking had better have one of these in it come December, or else we'll make a clone of our own.[Thanks, laserboyjc! My bad for not thanking you earlier, great find]
More Sega Genesis Collection videos released
It seems like the past few weeks have been filled with Sega Genesis Collection videos. Well, I'm happy to tell you three more have just been released. This time, it's Virtua Fighter 2, Sword of Vermillion and Bonanza Brothers. In all honesty, I don't really remember the last two games, though. But getting to play me some Virtua Fighter on the go has me salivating. See Also:Phantasy Star 2 and Golden AxeKid Chameleon Ecco the Dolphin and Columns
Road Rash 1, 2, 3 EA Replay videos released
If you're like me and are a huge fan of compilations, there isn't a better time to be a PSP owner what with EA Replay, Sega Genesis Collection and Metal Slug Collection on the horizon. We've already seen several videos of games in Sega Genesis Collection, and now EA has released gameplay videos of Road Rash 1, 2 and 3. I can't wait to get my hands on this game. Road Rash is one of my favorite old-school games. However, I must admit I thought Skitchin' was a far more interesting game, and I wish it were included in this compilation. Oh well, I guess I'll hold out hope for it in EA Replayed Again. Check after the jump to see the other two videos.
Phantasy Star 2, Golden Axe SEGA Genesis Collection videos released
The Sega Genesis Collection videos just keep rolling in. There's already been four games shown, and now we get to see even more great games in action with Phantasy 2 and Golden Axe. Are you guys as excited for this badboy as I am? [Via IGN]
Kid Chameleon Sega Genesis Collection video
With every new video release for a Sega Genesis Collection game, I continue to get filled with more and more nostalgic memories. We've already seen videos of Columns, Ecco and Alex Kidd. Well, there's a new kid on the block with a Kid Chameleon video that has just been released. Released in May 1992, you may remember Kid Chameleon as that silly platformer with the kid who wore a variety of masks, each transforming his features and giving him special powers. There was even a goalie mask, a la Jason Vorhees, that enabled Kid Chameleon to throw axes.You'll be able to enjoy Kid Chameleon and more than 30 other old-school Genesis titles Nov. 7.[Via IGN]
Two new Sega Genesis Collection videos released
Seeing Alex Kidd was good and all, but now we're talking with new videos of Ecco the Dolphin and Columns that will be crammed into Sega Genesis Collection.I know there are a lot of young gamers around these days and some of you may not be old enough to have experienced the greatness of these two games. That's why I'm so excited Sega is releasing this collection of almost 30 Genesis games. It's kinda funny because Sega's old slogan - "Genesis does what Nintendon't" is so fitting. You see, Sega has put all their classic games onto one disc, while Nintendo forces gamers to buy all their NES games separately. For shame!
Text-based game used to promote book
Using interactive games to promote products online is nothing new, as anyone whose ever had to "punch grandma to win a FREE PSP*" well knows. But Random House is taking a bit of a different tact, using an interactive fiction game to promote their new title The Glass Book of Dream Eaters.The two text-based mysteries, coded using the INFORM engine, let players take control of either wealthy plantation heiress Celeste Temple or assassin Cardinal Chang. It may not be quite as thrilling as boxing grandma, but both games provide some engaging, super-old-school fun for a lazy Thursday afternoon.* - Free PSP requires signing up for like a million free trials and promising us your first born child.[Via Grand Text Auto]
Minox rolls out updated DCC Leica M3
Some things just never change, and Minox apparently sees no need to update the retro styling on its wee DCC Leica M3 that has been consistent for several years now. The latest edition of this Digital Camera Classic sees a good bit of internal refreshing, however, and packs a 3.2 megapixel CMOS sensor (that interpolates up to five megapixels), QVGA movie mode, 1.5-inch TFT display, SD support, 32MB of integrated storage, and a rechargeable LiOn cell into a miniscule 77 x 47 x 44-millimeter package. While there's no details concerning pricing nor availability, it's hard to deny the classic allure (and overwhelming amount of cuteness) this ultracompact delivers, and we're sure those "more developed" role models are mighty proud of this young buck.
Is that a working Atari joystick in your pocket...
Tired of consoles that take up valuable entertainment center real estate? How about one that fits on your keychain instead? A new line of miniature Atari 2600 joysticks and paddles actually hook up to your TV to play built-in games. The mini-systems, which include two or three classic Atari games each, hook up to a TV through a six-foot RCA cord and external AAA battery pack.We wonder how playable these games are on such small controllers, but just the idea of a TV console that fits in your pocket intrigues us. Now if we could only get a pocket sized Intellivision, we'd really be in business.[Via Random Good Stuff]
Time Pilot warps onto modern day XBLA
Time-traveling, zeitgeist shooting news now, with Konami's 1982 classic, Time Pilot, hitting Xbox Live Arcade today. Much like Frogger, the game has been given a few enhancements, including Xbox Live cooperative and versus play, enhanced sound and somewhat shinier graphics. The latter feature can be disabled if you prefer to keep things authentic -- we find that the retro visuals give a better indication that you've hit an enemy, whereas the revamped graphics have smoke trails that make it easier to spot incoming missiles. Is Time Pilot worth 400 MS points (or $5 in crazy money)? Well, the answer to that question largely depends on the value you attach to the score leaderboard. If you actively visualize your friends and their pitiful scores sitting in the cockpits of the biplanes, jets and UFOs (from the futuristic 2001 level) you're currently blasting to smithereens, the game is an absolute and horribly addictive blast. In terms of length, however, you'll find that Time Pilot takes very little time to complete, with only one of the achievements posing much of a challenge. The decision's easier if you fondly remember (or scornfully loathe) the game from your earlier, possibly emulated days, but we've been told that today's young people are generally enamored by games that involve shooting things until they spectacularly explode (as depicted in the following screenshots).
Cannon Fodder announced
The retro games keep on coming back. IGN has an exclusive where they reveal the very first details and screenshots of Codemasters' upcoming game Cannon Fodder, a remake of the classic Commidore Amiga game. But unlike most of the other retro games that we've seen, this goes the extra mile and is a real remake: with new graphics and gameplay, updated for the current generation. You and a team of soldiers will fight it out on-foot and in vehicles, while being able to call air strikes and radar sweeps. The game will offer four player deathmatch and co-op modes.
Activision joins the return to retro
A slightly old news story about games that are very old. If you aren't sick of retro games yet, then Activision would like for you to read up on their offering of repackaged classics. Activision Hits Remixed will feature more than 40 games from the Atari 2600 era, such as Pitfall, Kaboom!, Chopper Command, Stampede, and Keystone Kapers. Thankfully, games that feature multiplayer will utilize the Game Share feature of the PSP, so that you and a friend can duke it out with a single UMD.The disc will also feature "modernized front-end graphics" (as fancy as the PS3's front-end?) and unlockables. I would get excited, but I'm too busy not caring.[Via Gamespot]
