Archive for February 2013
Podcast: Video Game Capital of the Universe
This week we have special guest Matt Bradford from Video Game Outsiders on to discuss his former employer Twin Galaxies. We cover the genesis of Walter Day’s high score database, the golden age of professional arcade gaming, controversy over the King of Kong, and future endeavors with new owners Jordan Adler and Richie Knucklez.
Opening song – You’re the Best by Joe Esposito
Closing song – High Score by Ski Beatz featuring Da$h
Review: Capcom Arcade Cabinet (XBLA/PSN)
Whenever I hear about another announcement for another arcade collection to be released individually I always think back to Game Room. Here we go again. Not only that but you would be hard pressed to not point out that Capcom has released these arcade gems before, most if not all of them (there are some games I don’t yet know about) appearing on the Capcom Classics Collection that appeared on Xbox, PS2, and PSP. Despite all of that against it – your interest and want in the specific games notwithstanding – Capcom Arcade Cabinet offers exactly what retro gamers purchasing arcade games on today’s consoles look for and all at an easy impulse buy price.
At its core it’s a lot like Game Room in that you navigate a main screen that displays the available games you have to play. Games that you have not purchased or that aren’t available yet are blacked out. Of the titles you do have, you can read a quick background paragraph on the game or enter its specific menu. As of now the selection is an interesting mixed bag of highly popular and relatively unknown titles from 1984-1987 – currently the three titles from 1987 have been released: Black Tiger, 1943, and Avengers – and the overall package looks to be consistent with that structure moving forward. Whether or not you want these games is entirely up to you and probably responsible for whether or not you’ll pick up anything, but this review isn’t about each individual game but rather the options and package you get with Capcom Arcade Cabinet.
Podcast: 1 Coin = 1 Credit
Fred and Trees discuss the wonderful world of arcade games. As this is a broad topic, all format is thrown out the window and discussions include what makes up an arcade, arcade title eras, arcade games vs. home consoles, atmosphere of arcades, MAME, and of course more games than can rightfully be named here.
Intro song is Pac-Man Fever by Buckner & Garcia
Outro song is 1980 by Dirt Nasty
Podcast: Snake? Snake! Snaaake!
This week Fred and Trees celebrate the release of Metal Gear Rising Revengeance with a podcast about words that don’t exist… Er, scratch that. Instead, we discuss Hideo Kojima’s classic stealth franchise Metal Gear.
Retro Game Challenge: Super C (NES)
Console: NES
Released: April 1990
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Instruction Manual: Not necessary – Link
Difficulty: Moderate
Played it as a child? Yes
Value: $9.03 (used), $179.95 (new) (pricecharting.com)
Other Releases: Yes – as Super Contra on arcade, PCs (microcomputer and IBM compatibles)
Digital Release? Yes – Virtual Console for Wii (NES version) and XBLA (arcade version)
Per a request from reader Quark, our follow up from the Contra retro review. Now we complete the sequel.
Review: Deus Ex (PC)
Console: PC
Released: June 2000
Developer: Ion Storm
Publisher: Eidos
Instruction Manual: Not necessary
Difficulty: Moderate
Played when it released? Yes
Other Releases: Yes – PS2 (as Deus Ex: The Conspiracy)
Digital Release? Yes – Steam ($9.99) and gog.com ($9.99), both are the Game of the Year Edition
Deus Ex is an interesting game for several reasons. The way various factors all came together at its inception, it almost feels like a lucky form of happenstance that it worked at all. Those that played it when it released will tell you it’s a must play title that will blow you away with its innovation. On one hand they’re right, like other heavily influential games in history it does set precedence and introduces gaming to many staples we see today. On the other hand, it’s the earliest version of many of these ideas and will always be tied down to the conventions of gaming at the time. Those that give it a chance, grind their teeth to learn the gameplay techniques, and resist the urge to cheat will find a strong cyberpunk tale that doesn’t disappoint.
This is the typical view when playing Deus Ex
Podcast: Game Club – Crash Bandicoot
Fred Rojas and Rob “Trees” discuss the 3rd party Playstation 1 title that basically became the mascot for Sony throughout the generation. The sordid past and creation of the eventual bandicoot is discussed as well as the full campaign and relevance. We also announce this month’s game club title: Ico.
Gaming History 101 