Gaming History 101

When I look at the news today, little of the stories I read put me in a positive mood. Yesterday three news stories happened that put a smile on my face and I’m sharing them with all of you in hopes that at least one of these does the same.

Questions For Trees Has a Fresh New Episode

With the conclusion of the Video Game Purists podcast hosted by Rob “Trees” and myself, a wonderful slice-of-life podcast rose from those ashes like a phoenix called Questions For Trees. Not to be mistaken on content, it’s your old pal Trees literally answering questions written in to the show’s e-mail: questionsfortrees@gmail.com. For the uninitiated, he doesn’t just quickly answer your question, he turns it into the catalyst for an entertaining story or discussion. This was a bonus show we would sometimes do on VGP when we had to take a week off, so the first four episodes are an introduction and sample of those, but this week’s fifth episode was brand new content! I won’t spoil much, but in the roughly hour long discussion Trees mentions what he thinks is the best console generation and I happen to agree with him. Questions for Trees can be found by searching most podcast readers or by simply following the link above to be taken to the Spotify podcast page with all the details. Additionally, questions can be submitted via the email above. Help support Trees by subscribing and be part of an upcoming episode by submitting a question today.

Ninja Gaiden II Black is Out Now and on Game Pass

Yesterday Xbox released its Spring Developer Direct where it showcased 4 studios and 4 games coming in the first half of 2025 (with Ninja Gaiden 4 coming later this year). This direct is just under an hour and discusses upcoming titles id’s Doom: The Dark Ages coming in May, Compulsion Games’ South of Midnight coming in April, Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 also coming in April, and finally Ninja Theory’s Ninja Gaiden 4 in the fall. The stealth drop of that showcase was that Ninja Gaiden II has been rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 and is available in a definitive edition with Ninja Gaiden II Black, out now on Xbox (soon for Steam and Playstation), and part of Game Pass Ultimate.

The first two Ninja Gaiden titles by Ninja Theory were known for being as stylish as they were difficult, where the littlest mistakes could result in death and defeating brutal boss battles rewarded intense satisfaction. The original title released on Xbox and within a couple of years received an updated version that added content and refined the gameplay called Ninja Gaiden Black. Given the name Ninja Gaiden II Black, I assume the same is true here where Ninja Theory has rebuilt the game, refined the gameplay, and likely added content or included DLC (my memory escapes me if any were released). The “Black” version of these games differs from the more common “Sigma” releases in that those versions were completed re-programmed, tweaked, and given additional content that was met with some scrutiny. If you would like to kill an afternoon, feel free to go down the wormhole of “Black vs. Sigma” on forums. Those with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription can actually do the comparison on their own as it was announced Ninja Gaiden II Black is part of Game Pass and the “Sigma” version of the trilogy has been on the service for a while. If you’re into an action game that is punishing but fair and handles difficulty quite differently than a From Software game, this is a cool way to get initiated. I personally prefer the second game over the original – and not just because I was only able to beat the second – but both should be celebrated. Completionists can also play the original Ninja Gaiden Black on Xbox thanks to backward compatibility by either popping in their old disc or purchasing the digital version, which is currently half off for $4.99.

PS1 FPGA Console Pre-Sale on Jan 25

Taki Udon has announced the release date of his new console: Super Station One. This is an FPGA solution for playing not only original Playstation games, but all Mister devices, in a console form factor and with an introductory price of $149.99 and standard price of $225.00. This is significant because the price of the original Intel de-10 nano board required for the Mister has raised in price significantly until Taki began creating a lower priced alternative. Even at $225 the Super Station One will cost less than a de-10 nano, provide a sleek form factor, and function identically. If you want to get a Mister, this is the lowest price and best way to do so. Pre-orders begin at 9pm EST (8pm CST, 6pm PST, 2am 1/26 GMT) on Saturday, January 25, and with such a high price reduction, demand will be astronomical, so if you want a chance at one it’s best to head to the site, create an account, and be logged in and ready.

Those not familiar with the Mister, it is a field programmable gate array (FPGA) method to playing classic arcade games, retro game consoles, and decade old computers. It is hardware emulation instead of software emulation, meaning that the games run more accurately due to the FPGA acting exactly like the chips found in these devices. It is also extremely versatile, able to output analog video for CRT televisions as well as HDMI for modern sets, and works with both modern controllers or original controllers via lag-free adaptors (called “SNAC”). In short, it’s a jack-of-all trades for playing authentic arcades, classic PCs, and consoles up to the 32-bit generation and setting one up has never been easier.