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Classic PC games Colonization, Pirates! Gold hit Steam
Retro-focused publisher Tommo announced plans to revive and distribute a number of classic PC games via Steam, GOG.com, and other digital platforms as part of its newly announced Retroism initiative. PC strategy games Sid Meier's Colonization, Pirates! Gold Plus and Sid Meier's Covert Action are first in line, returning as individual downloads and as part of the collected Retroism Explorer Pack on Steam this week. Tommo's plan is part of a continued partnership with Night Dive Studios, which previously spearheaded Steam releases for Putt-Putt Joins the Parade, Spy Fox in: Dry Cereal, and other classic games from Humongous Entertainment's back catalog. Retroism will soon expand its scope to bring "dozens of games originally published by MicroProse, Accolade, Infogrames and other iconic publishers" to Steam, GOG.com, Amazon, the Humble Store, MacGameStore, GamersGate and Green Man Gaming. A hub site will additionally host retrospectives, historical documents, and supplementary material for featured games. [Image: MicroProse / Retroism]
'Retroism' heralds return of gaming classics from MicroProse, Accolade and others
Do you like video games? Have you been playing them for, like, 30 years? Well good news: that gum you like is going to come back in style! Okay, okay, we're just really excited that Twin Peaks is getting a third season. But also, classic games from the likes of MicroProse, Accolade and Infogrames are being brought back to life care of Tommo and Night Dive Studios under the name "Retroism." Starting today, Retroism is bringing back games from that trio of studios and "other iconic publishers," and the initiative kicks off with Sid Meier's Colonization, Pirates! Gold Plus and Covert Action.
Putt-Putt, Spy Fox join Humongous Entertainment's Steam catalog
Putt-Putt Joins the Parade, Spy Fox in: Dry Cereal and other classic children's adventure games from publisher Humongous Entertainment are now available via Steam as part of a new partnership with Tommo and retrogame restoration group Night Dive Studios. Co-founded by The Secret of Monkey Island creator Ron Gilbert, Humongous Entertainment produced dozens of kid-oriented point-and-click adventure games for PC platforms throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Other Humongous Entertainment games making their Steam debut this week include Freddi Fish and The Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds, Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside, Putt-Putt and Pep's Balloon-o-Rama, and Freddi Fish and Luther's Maze Madness. Tommo plans to launch Steam versions of many more games from Humongous Entertainment's back catalog in the coming weeks, including Putt-Putt Goes to the Moon, Pajama Sam 3: You Are What You Eat from Your Head to Your Feet, Spy Fox 3: Operation Ozone, and Putt-Putt Travels through Time. All of this week's featured games are available for 50 percent off through April 24. Steam is also offering a Humongous Entertainment Complete Pack, which grants early access to all 27 games in the collection for $99.99. [Image: Humongous Entertainment]
Tommo denies breach of contract, will continue selling Neo Geo X plug-and-play console
Tommo Inc. has responded to SNK Playmore's recent termination of its licensing and distribution agreement over the Neo Geo X Gold retrogaming console, claiming that no breach of contract took place. Tommo will continue selling the Neo Geo X handheld unit, its companion plug-and-play console, and all related accessories at retail. Noting that the two companies recently extended their licensing agreement through 2016, Tommo now demands SNK to "retract its press release and any attempts to terminate the license agreement." Though SNK advised customers to contact retail sources for Neo Geo X Gold returns and exchanges, Tommo announced that it will continue to provide customer service and warranty support for the unit and its games. Debuting late last year, the Neo Geo X Gold is a portable console and plug-and-play unit that includes several games originally released for SNK's 16-bit Neo Geo system. Tommo followed up the console's launch with five additional game pack releases, expanding the system's library to more than 30 games.
Tommo to continue to sell Neo Geo X Gold through 2016, denies breach of contract
Well, this is awkward. Two days ago, SNK Playmore announced the death of the Neo Geo X Gold -- today, the handheld's manufacturer has demanded a retraction. According to Tommo, it has a standing contract with SNK to produce and support the handheld console through 2016 and "fully expects this agreement to be honored by all parties." Moreover, the company claims that it has performed all of its obligations as a licensee, asserting that SNK has no reason or grounds to terminate the agreement. For now, the company says it will continue to sell the Neo Geo X Gold system as well as its arcade stick and assorted game collections. It's a messy situation, to be sure, but at least it's delaying the device's inevitable fate as a collector's item. Check out the statement for yourself after the break.
SNK terminates Neo Geo X Gold licensing, Tommo required to cease production
Not even a year after the Neo Geo X's rocky road to market, creator SNK is pulling the plug. The firm has severed ties with manufacturer / distributor Tommo, ordering it to "immediately cease any and all manufacturing, distribution, marketing and promotion and selling of the Licensed Products." Affected items include the handheld console, the SNK NeGeo X arcade stick and all applicable software. This isn't really a surprise for a system that was plagued with delays and pricing issues from the word "go," but it's sad to see nonetheless. A handful of retailers have the console marked down from its $200 price, so if you were on the fence about buying one new, now would be the time to get off of it. Or, you could always go the wooden route.
More Neo Geo X classics arriving June 25 [Update]
Update: This article originally listed these products' collective release date as June 6, which is incorrect. The actual release date is June 25, and the body of this post has been changed to reflect that. Original: Those looking to play some new games on their Neo Geo X consoles can now preorder five volumes on Amazon for $25 each that, in total, include 15 of the system's classic games. Neo Geo X owners also have the option to pay $80 for a Mega Pack that contains all 15 games. The game packs will be available on June 6 June 25, according to Amazon's listings. While we knew these games were coming, here's how they are spread out across the five volumes: Volume 1: Sengoku, Metal Slug 2, Top Hunter Volume 2: Samurai Shodown 3, Savage Reign, Super Sidekicks 3 Volume 3: The King of Fighters '96, Blazing Star, Kizuna Encounter Volume 4: Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Shock Troopers, World Heroes 2 Jet Volume 5: The Last Blade, Blue's Journey, Art of Fighting 3
Neo Geo X additional game cart, system update, travel case and 'Rocket' cable slated for April launch
You've blasted your way through the 20 games that come built into the Neo Geo X, so what's next? Last month, rumors the handheld had been discontinued suggested that was your lot, but the truth was less worrying: the limited edition Gold bundle run had come to an end. Now, Tommo Inc has detailed the first of five additional game cartridges for the portable. Neo Geo X Classics: Volume I will add three titles for you to wear your thumbs down on: Metal Slug 2, Sengoku and Top Hunter. The cart is due to hit North America in April for an unspecified price, and those that pick one up will get a "Rocket" high-speed data transfer and charging cable gratis, as well as the Neo Geo X System Update 1.0, which we expect to hear more details on shortly. A travel case for the handheld is also in development, and is expected to be released the same month. Hit up the PR to see all the games the five expansion carts will ultimately offer, although chances are, some of you are playing them already.
'Neo Geo X Classics: Volume 1' bundles 3 games for new system [update]
The Neo Geo X gets slightly more practical with the announcement of additional upcoming games! That card slot will be put to use playing Neo Geo X Classics: Volume 1, a compilation of 3 new (well, unreleased on Neo Geo X, anyway) games: Metal Slug, Sengoku, and Top Hunter. It'll be out in late April.Publisher Tommo will also include a "Rocket" data transfer/charging cable with Neo Geo Classics: Volume 1. It optimistically announced plans to release four more volumes, each with one of these cables. The full lineup for the series, 15 games in all, can be found after the break.Volume 1 also includes the Neo Geo X's first system update. Software support and system updates – how very like a current game system.Update: The post originally said all 15 games were on the first volume. This was an error, for which I apologize. Vol. 1 includes Metal Slug, Sengoku, and Top Hunter.
Neo Geo X production to continue, more games/peripherals on the way
This week's reports that Japanese Neo Geo X production had come to a halt are only somewhat correct, Engadget has learned. In actuality, only production of the Neo Geo X Gold Limited Edition model has ceased, which was always part of the plan. You know, it being a Limited Edition product and everything."Tommo will be continuing to support the NEOGEO X format going forward with more games, peripherals and software updates, as well as more units of the console hardware," Tommo told Engadget. "The NEOGEO X Gold System Limited Edition Collection Series that includes Ninja Masters, was always planned to be a limited edition product."Further elaborations were not made concerning what said games and peripherals might be. Considering that the original Neo Geo AES didn't really have peripherals though, save for a memory card and an adapter that let the AES play arcade cabinet cartridges, we're curious about what Tommo might come up with.
Neo Geo X still in production, Tommo plans to add 'more games, peripherals and software updates'
Despite reports claiming that Tommo Inc's portable re-launch of the Neo Geo had ceased production, that is apparently not the case. "There has been a recent rumor about the end of the production of the NEOGEO X System. This rumor is incorrect," Tommo told us in a statement. The reports apparently stem from ending production of the Limited Edition Neo Geo X Gold System, which Tommo says, "was always planned to be a limited edition product." Beyond just continued production of the standard model, Tommo adds that it'll be supporting the device with, "more games, peripherals, and software updates." The Limited Edition, however, will likely start to disappear by some point in April, when the company expects final stock to begin shipping. "Given the popularity of the NEOGEO X format, we don't expect this stock to last long," the company notes. Head past the break for the full statement.
Neo Geo X 'Limited Edition' throws in an additional game
The Neo Geo X "Limited Edition," an offer we originally thought exclusive to GameStop, will be available on Amazon, Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, Best Buy and AAFES when the retro-focused handheld is released on December 6.The $200 Limited Edition includes an additional game card – the only announced game card for the device – containing the game Ninja Master's. Yes, "Master's." The Limited Edition, of course, also includes the handheld with 20 bundled games, the Neo Geo AES-styled docking station, and an authentic Neo Geo AES joystick.%Gallery-168934%
Neo Geo X handheld gets standalone $130 price tag
If you wanted to relive your past arcade glories, but weren't looking for a whole peripheral package, the Neo Geo X is now going to let you do that. While the forthcoming handheld was expected to arrive bundled with nostalgia-tinged hardware, a lower-priced solo handheld is also on the cards. Priced at $130, the makers aren't divulging any more detail on 4.3-inch handheld's precise launch date, but we'd guess that the single unit will match the pricier bundle's December launch date.
Neo Geo X Gold gets worldwide December release date, $200 price tag
Just when you were wondering if it was all just vaporware, the Neo Geo X has finally received a worldwide release date of December 6th after missing its original Q2 window. The 20th anniversary reboot of the retro gaming system -- now branded the Neo Geo X Gold -- has a suggested retail price of a cent under $200, and for that you get the handheld and the newly detailed peripherals shown above -- a joystick and a charging dock that doubles as TV out (via HDMI or RCA). The specs have changed somewhat since the initial announcement and the handheld is now showing off a 4.3-inch LCD, a little bigger than the 3.5-inch previously announced, while the list of pre-installed titles looks just as healthy as it originally did -- see the source link for the full list.
'Neogeo X Gold' portable arrives this December for a whopping $200
Despite the fact that 20+ years passed since you last played Neogeo, its portable rebirth this December will be shockingly expensive at $200. Tommo Inc. announced the handheld console's December 6 launch date for North America overnight, and put detail to the various pre-installed software it comes packed with (King of the Monsters and Samurai Showdown 2 are our personal highlights, but the full list of 20 games is below the break). The system also comes with the charging dock and joystick you see above, included in the $200 price.Beyond being a handheld Neogeo – which, admittedly, is pretty neat –the system doubles as a home console and can be hooked up to TVs/monitors via HDMI or traditional RCA. As such, an external joystick works with the device (though we'd suggest keeping that joystick locked to your domicile rather than take it on the go).It's unclear what retailers will carry the Neogeo X Gold just yet, but Tommo works with the usual brick-and-mortar suspects (Best Buy, Amazon, GameStop, etc.) Distribution in Europe and Asia is being handled separately, and no prices or dates are given for either territory.
Target Terror, Anubis II prices slashed to reflect quality
Konami's awful arcade-to-Wii Target :Terror port was a hilarious prank at first, one we were willing to play along with, what with its goofy FMV terrorists and over-the-top 9/11-inspired plot. But the joke immediately stopped being funny when we saw the light-gun game's retail price: $39.99. We crossed our arms, turned our head slightly to the site, gave Target: Terror's box a stern look, and said out loud, "Whatchu talkin' bout, Willis?"Willis must have changed his tune, however, as Amazon has temporarily marked down the game to $15.88, a price more in line with the amount most people would be willing to pay for the 2004 shooter. Grab it before the sale ends! While it won't add enough to your total to make your order eligible for Amazon's Free Super Saver Shipping ($25), you can also pick up Data Design Interactive's Anubis II for a reduced $5.95. Some might feel that's still asking too much the game, however ...[Via CAG]Read - Target: Terror for $15.88Read - Anubis II for $5.95
Boxart battle: Rock Blast vs Trix
We recently came across this cover for UFO Interactive's Rock Blast -- a game we'd never even heard of before -- and immediately thought of, what else, Trix. Juxtaposing the two designs, it's impossible not to see the similarities! Comparing the two releases, though Rock Blast doesn't limit its potential audience to "just kids," Trix, being a breakfast cereal and all, has the advantage of being delicious.Yes, you could argue that Rock Blast's puffed spheres have more color to them, implying richer fruit flavoring, but you're forgetting that Trix is also a good source of whole grain and calcium. No need to feel embarrassed, it's a common mistake. Bring a spoon past the post break and dig into a larger version of the Rock Blast cover.See also: Boxart battle: Emblem of Gundam vs Front Mission 2089
