Finds 1229: The King of Fighters 97 Global Match

This is a really cool release by Limited Run Games. I am definitely jumping in all of these Neo Geo releases because they resemble the old big boxes of their cart game counterparts. I hope to see more of these releases by them. They are quite unique and collectible! 

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New Streets of Rage IV Trailer! Things are Looking Good!

A new trailer has been released of Streets of Rage IV and it shows some of the new features and more gameplay. This game really looks good if you ask me, but we shall see the final product and come up with our own conclusions when the time comes. A four local multiplayer has been announced which is great if you want to feel like the good old days which you would gather with friends to play video games. That doesn't happen as much with all the online gaming going on nowadays. Anyways, I left the trailer below for your viewing pleasure.

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Finds 1228: Crisis Force for the Famicom

I have been eyeing this game for years now and I finally gave in and picked it up. These are just games that you have to have as they have some of the best gameplay for their console and time. Crisis Force pushes the Famicom to its limits and brings you into a fast pace shoot 'em up mission in which you just want to come back for more. A highly recommended game for your Famicom collection. 

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1984 Episode 004 is Out! Finally!

After two years, I finally released the fourth episode of this series! it took long because I just had so much going on in my life! Anyways, I hope you like it! I already have more in the making so they'll be getting released! Anyways, you can check it out on the E-zine tab and click on 1984 comic. If you can't find it, just click HERE

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Ads from the Past 446: Apple Computers

The ads are back! This time, I will focus more on the computer side of the ad world from the past. Lets start off with this Apple ad. "Jeffesron had one of the best minds of 1776, but today you can make better decisions with an Apple" is a pretty long message for an ad but that was kind of the norm for the time. As ads have evolved, they have become more direct in their message. Overall, it's a nice message with some cool computers on the bottom of the ad. I'll give it a 8 out of 10!

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Retro Game of the Week 170: Electro Man (PC)

Sometimes I'll be talking about some of the more obscure games and yes even PC games count. There was a time in my life where I was really into PC gaming especially in the mid to late 90s and this is where I played some of the more obscure games around. There are just so many that I will have to dig out my old floppy disks in order to play them again and talk about them. Anyways, this is one which I got in a compilation disk but it didn't worked! Yeah, there was something wrong with the files, it just wouldn't copy to my hard drive and I was never able to play the game. Years later, I found a copy of this game online and downloaded it right away. I wasn't sure what to expect other than a side scroller action game and that's pretty much what I got. Why is this a pick of the Week? Quite simple, it contains some classic gameplay as well as sound. They aren't as memorable as other PC games of the time but it's totally worth mentioning. The game did a great job at mimicking other outstanding titles such as Duke Nukem II or Hocus Pocus which I talked about before. Furthermore, the game is limited but still delivers a fresh style of gameplay. It's obscure alright.

How does it play? You have your usual jump and shoot action buttons and the movement does a good job as it's as responsive as it can get. The difficulty of the game is moderate as you'll be wanting to take a break from time to time, but it's really nothing that will make you want to rip your hair off. Think of it as a beta version of Duke Nukem II, and we all know how amazing that game was. It does fall short on being amazing, but still brings you something to the table that'll entertain you for a couple of hours on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

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DOS Section Added

The DOS Section is up and running! I added three games to the section: 2400 A.D. Ancients I Electro Man
I will have updates every week to this section to have a nice collection of games! You can find this section at the Game Download Tab and clicking on DOS. Having trouble finding the link? Just click HERE

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Nintendo sent a brand new Game Boy to a 95 year old fan in Japan

This is one story were Nintendo goes beyond what they usually do. So apparently, an old gamer got a brand new Gameboy from Nintendo themselves! How did that happened? It's an interesting story really. The gameboy belongs to a 95 year old woman which she used to play Tetris from time to time. Unfortunately, her gameboy broke and after writing to Nintendo, she got one brand new! Well, you think Nintendo has a whole warehouse full of them for these kind of special occasions? Who knows! Maybe they have other consoles brand new waiting for the day to come out into the daylight. Imagine how collectors including myself are going to be drooling over them. Good job Nintendo! 

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Finds 1227: Dual Floppy Drive

A very interesting floppy drive. This thing brings both a 5 1/4 and 3 1/2 drives. Isn't that crazy? I never thought I would come up with something that amazing. Anyways, the drive does work as I have tested it recently on an old PC, but I think there has to be something made for the 3 1/2 part as I was only able to make the 5 1/4 part read. This is a 720kb drive according to the information about it. 

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Finds 1226: Gravis PC Gamepad with PCI Board

So this is an interesting pick up I got from Offer Up. The seller shipped it to me. This is a Gravis PC Gamepad which comes with its own PCI board if your computer doesn't bring it so you can easily install it on newer computers. But that's not all, the board comes with two controller outlets which means you can get another Gravis PC Gamepad and play two player games! Doesn't that sound amazing? I think so! 

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Kazuhisa Hashimoto, Creator of the Konami Code dies at 61

These are some sad news in the world of gaming. Being one that grew up using this code in multiple konami games (don't use it in Gradius 3) I am saddened to say that  Kazuhisa Hashimoto has passed away at the age of 61. It definitely is a shock as he was still quite young but that's life, things just tend to happen. Anyways, why don't you go and play some Contra and use his code to honor his work and spirit.
Here is some History: The code was first used in the 1986 release of Gradius, a scrolling shooter for the NES[9] and was popularized among North American players in the NES version of Contra, for which it was also dubbed both the "Contra Code" and "30 Lives Code", due to its near necessity in-game.
The Konami Code was created by Kazuhisa Hashimoto who was developing the home port of the 1985 arcade game Gradius for the NES. Finding the game too difficult to play through during testing, he created a cheat code to give the player a full set of power-ups (normally attained gradually throughout the game).[2] After entering the sequence using the controller when the game was paused the player received all available power-ups. The mistake was discovered after the release, but developers decided to leave it there, as removing it could result in new bugs and glitches. The sequence was easy enough to remember for testers and simultaneously sufficiently hard to enter accidentally during the gameplay for unsuspecting users.
The Konami Code was thus included in the series' other sequels and spin-offs, with some key differences:
In the Super NES version of Gradius III, the original code destroys the player's ship. However, replacing ← and → with the L and R triggers of the SNES controller powers up the ship. In the most recent iteration of the series—Gradius Rebirth on the Wii—the Wii Remote's 1 and 2 buttons fill in for A and B, respectively. The code has been subsequently re-used in a large number of other games and a varied version of the code is now used in the Opera Browser to activate hidden advanced settings.

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Finds 1225: Blood Gear, Devil World, Ishido, and Xybots

Here are some pick ups that are totally worth mentioning. Lets start with the box art. My favorite one is the Devil World art for the Famicom. It's just beautiful! I really love the detail of these box arts as they definitely shows how hard and thoughtful they were during that era of gaming. So the new additions are Devil World, Ishido, Xybots, and Blood Gear for their respective consoles. I usually don't get many Lynx games as I don't have a Lynx myself but the art was just too good to not pick them up. 

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Finds 1224: Chronus Arc, Danmaku Unlimited 3, and Sundered

A whole batch of Limited Run releases. A little bit of everything! I tend to get a little bit more picky on these releases. Here is a little info about each one: Chronus Arc

On their way to the Chronus Shrine to get the Chronus Fragments, Loka and his teacher Teth are surrounded by a mysterious man named Geppel and his gang. They demand the Fragments. While Teth plays for time, Loka rushes out of the cave on his own to fetch reinforcements. He is successful, but Teth and Geppel are nowhere to be found.

Aiming to gather information about his missing teacher, Teth, Loka decides to set out on a journey with his friend Sarna.

The game features familiar quests, but also dungeons filled with puzzles to solve, and characters who grow and can be developed as the story progresses with the class change system. Additional elements such as dungeons and special items are available for extra fun!

Don't miss out on Loka and his friends' grand adventure!

Sundered

Sundered is a horrifying fight for survival and sanity, a hand­drawn epic from the ​creators of ​Jotun. You play Eshe, a wanderer in a ruined world, trapped in ever­changing caverns teeming with eldritch horrors. Harness the power of corrupted relics to defeat gigantic bosses, at the cost of your humanity.

FEATURES

• Beautiful hand­drawn art
• Massive boss fights
• Dynamic encounters against hordes of enemies
• Procedural world
• Corruptible abilities
• Multiple endings

Danmaku Unlimited 3

"Mastery of the Modern Day Shmup" - GameSkinny
"A Visual Masterpiece" - Overpowered Noobs

Take to the skies once more as the last defender of humanity against overwhelming odds! Lovingly built to be enjoyed by newcomers and genre veterans alike, Danmaku Unlimited 3 is a perfect medley of the best aspects of classic Bullet Hell shooters wrapped up in a modern and approachable package.

FEATURES

• Authentically crafted Japanese style Bullet Hell shoot'em up
• Action packed campaign with spellbinding bullet patterns and epic boss battles
• Multiple levels of difficulty across two unique modes that caters to players of all skill ranges
• Innovative SPIRIT/GRAZE system promotes stylish risk vs reward play
• Brand new Ultra Wide Mode in 60FPS HD
• TATE Mode for the ultimate arcade experience
• Up to 25 unique weapon combinations
• Music by the talented Japanese indie circle BLANKFIELD

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Retro Gaming News: Ultima: Exodus Remastered hack released

A pretty cool rom hack release for this classic RPG has been released. Here is the info! Be sure to check out the source for more information on the release. You can download the game in the Roms sections by clicking here. When it was released in 1988, Ultima: Exodus was revolutionary, and proof that the RPGs that were already popular on microcomputers could be ported to home consoles. However, the original game had its flaws, and the NES version added its own.This patch not only fixes bugs and restores missing text and clues, but also updates the graphics, reintroduces enemies that were only found in the computer versions, and improves the gameplay without completely altering it.Gone are the days of grinding low level monsters for 95% of a playthrough: now levelling up is actually rewarding and encouraged. Higher level characters receive buffs and special abilities, magic users become more powerful and their spells have better chances to succeed, and more dangerous monsters and dungeons also give the best loot.Note that this isn’t an “easy mode” patch: the game is still punishing, but not in an unfair and unfun way. The player will progress through their quest to defeat Exodus.A partial list of what’s on offer in Ultima: Exodus Remastered (see the Release Notes for an extensive list):Updated, more user-friendly UI Bug fixes Many Quality-Of-Life changesImproved “3D” dungeon viewGraphics inspired to Ultima IV-VI NPC portraits in dialogues Lootable weapons/armour New enemy AI makes battles faster and more tactical Battle/magic systems rebalance More distinct Professions, each with their own stats and abilities Horses actually make map movement faster over certain terrain types and are not just cosmetic Note that this hack does not alter sound/music and is aimed at being compatible with future sound/music hacks. Have fun exploring Sosaria again!

Source 

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Windows 95 Rules!

So I recently got a computer from a friend that has Windows 95 with some classic DOS games. I will be doing an in depth look at this computer once I get everything I want in it. So far though, it's a thing of beauty. It loads great but there are some tweaks I want to do before I actually show you stuff on here. I will just leave this Windows 95 OS screen. There will be more of it by early next month as I'm currently doing stuff on that PC and fixing another one up. Oh yeah, that other one is a pain in the butt! 

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Finds 1223: Axiom Verge for the Nintendo Wiiu

The Wiiu has been dead for a while but there was a recent release for it by Limited Run Games and I just had to get all over it. The game is nice as it's in collector's edition with lots of extras. Not many people went for it as I haven't seen a lot of collector's mention it when it came out to the light. Anyways, this is a game like Metroidvania with lots of exploring and really awesome retro graphics. I wonder if there will be another Wiiu release, will we see something out of nowhere? 

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Finds 1222: Commodore Magazines! Vintage Computers

I still pick up magazines from time to time and these were definitely welcomed additions. They are from the early 80s mostly focused on the Commodore 64 computer. I have been trying to get more into Commodore 64 and even though I have very little knowledge, I am trying my best to discover more and more about it! 

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Bootleg Sealed TMNT Set!

In a previous post, you saw that I got a set of four bootleg TMNT action figures from my childhood. The same seller had the sealed set available as well and I just had to have it. I already hung them on the wall! I gotta love the Bootleg art. I can't believe there were sealed sets of these on the net. Gotta love it! 

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Finds 1221: Iconoclasts for the Switch!

Here is a pretty cool Limited Run release called Iconoclasts for the Switch. I am really adding more volumes of loot to my Switch collection. So many more games that I want though! 

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Finds 1220: Ghouls'N Ghost and Chuck Rock

Here are two more awesome Sega Master System games! It's Ghouls'N Ghosts and Chuck Rock! Chuck Rock might be forgettable, but Ghouls'N Ghosts is actually playable. I don't care! Two new Master System additions!

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Retro Game of the Week 169: Darkwing Duck (NES)

I am finally back! After two years of no entries to this series, I decided it's time for a revival. We have so much to work to do so lets get started. This review will be undergoing a new format. Just bare with me and enjoy the read! I will be incorporating new stuff as I learn more about these posts. So, some of these features will probably stay while others disappear till I can find the right kick. Enjoy! Why is this a pick of the week? Well. I decided to pick this game because it's actually a very good game and I know Disney related games get trashed nowadays, but back then Capcom brought us lots of quality games from Disney franchises, oh how we miss those days. So yeah, the gameplay and music make this game an instant classic, but don't get me wrong, it's a difficult one! How does it play? So, you ever wanted to play a Mega Man game with a Disney charm? Well, look no further as this is as close it'll get. Fans of the Mega Man series or side scrollers in particular will find that this game plays quite similar to them. You have the shooting and jumping and platforming that many of these elite games by Capcom brought back in the day. You will feel like you are in control of the game. 

Digital or Physical? Which format? So, putting aside the gameplay and music, this game should definitely be in anyone's collection. I highly recommend a physical copy of it. There is nothing like blowing on the cart till the game works only to crash later deep in the game. If you want to go digital, of course, there is emulation or the NES classic. One last option would be a Raspberry Pie. Go physical! 

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Nintendo Playstation Auction Currently at $280,000

It has been all over the gaming news, the Nintendo Playstation is up for auction and one lucky bidder will own a piece of history. This historic piece of hardware will be owned by a single lucky rich bidder! The console was a mystery for the longest time till it finally resurfaced into the light. Here is some info about this console: "Nintendo Play Station Super NES CD-ROM Prototype - Sony and Nintendo c. 1992. At one point, this dual-branded prototype's existence was mere myth, and this is the very first time it will ever be offered at public auction. It is said to be the last remaining prototype of the alleged 200 that were forged from the failed joint-venture between Sony and Nintendo, two of the biggest competitors in the home console video game market. Reportedly, the other prototypes have since been destroyed. We at Heritage can attest the prototype is working, as we've played a couple of rounds of Mortal Kombat on it using a Super Famicom cartridge. The prototype does share some exterior similarities with both the Super Nintendo and the Sony PlayStation, but it has its own, unique characteristics as well. It has not only a slot for Super Famicom and Super Nintendo games, but a CD-ROM drive that was meant to play disc-based media and presumably video games as well. Though the CD-ROM drive was not currently working when it was found in 2009, it has since been repaired by Benjamin Heckendorn, a YouTube personality known for his console repair videos. It now has the ability to play music CDs like the commercially produced PlayStation, but there is no proprietary software that's known to have been made during the prototype's development.

The prototype's small screen on the top of the console shows the user which music track is currently being played from the CD, allowing the user to listen to his or her own music and play a cartridge-based game at the same time. It also has a headphone port and independent volume dial on the front of the console, to the left of the two controller ports. Turning the console over to look at the bottom, it has a label with what appears to be a handwritten "2." The meaning of this number is unclear. Looking at the back of the console, it has standard AV Out, S-Video, and the Super Nintendo's Multi-out ports. However, it also has a mysterious port simply labeled "NEXT," and its purpose is considered to be unknown.

One of the most interesting aspects of the prototype is the controller, whose casing sports the design of a Super Nintendo controller with Super Famicom colors. However, this is no ordinary Super Nintendo controller! Though the design itself is familiar to many, the branding is what sets it apart. Instead of Nintendo, "Sony PlayStation" is boldly emblazoned on the front of the controller, though "Nintendo" is raised in plastic on the back.

Both the console and the controller show some signs of aging that were characteristic of the Super Nintendo. Presumably, these pieces are made from the same type of plastic that the Super Nintendo was made from: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or ABS for short. This plastic is naturally flammable, so it was often treated with flame retardants, Bromine being the most common. As bromine is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, it oxidizes and causes the yellowing color. Since the shell of the console is made up of different pieces, it's possible the ratio of ABS to flame retardant was mixed more accurately for some pieces of the shell than it was others.

Also included with the lot is what is often referred to as either the "boot cart" or "debugging cart" which allows the system to activate the CD-ROM port as well as access the console's Super Disc operating system. The casing is in the shape of a Super Famicom cartridge, and does have the "Nintendo Super Famicom Cassette" text impressed into the back portion of the shell. A handwritten label adorns the front where a commercially produced label would typically go. It shows a date of either October 6th, 1992 or June 10th, 1992. The date is unconfirmed.

At one time, this particular unit was owned by the founder, first president, and first chief executive officer of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. Olaf Olafsson. Olaf eventually left Sony to join Advanta Corporation, and became its president in 1998. A little over a year later, Olaf left Advanta to join Time Warner -- but he left his Nintendo PlayStation prototype behind at Advanta. Roughly around this time, Advanta filed for bankruptcy and began gathering up everything in their corporate office to sell at auction. As the story goes, the Nintendo Play Station prototype was grouped together with some miscellaneous items that was boxed up with a group lot, the contents of which were veiled. A nice Easter egg for the winning bidder, indeed!

By far, this is arguably one of the most notorious, mysterious, and controversial artifacts of the video game industry. This prototype has been around the world and back again, admired and appreciated by video game enthusiasts from all over. Even though this is the closing of this portion of its narrative, it will continue to remain a pivotal piece of video game history no matter where it ends up."

The auction still has a little over two weeks to finish. I will have an update on the price as it goes along. I'm excited to see how this will play out. 

Source

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Finds 1219: Forgotten Worlds for the Sega Master System

It's great to be able to import these games from Europe and that they are more affordable. Anyways, I always thought the Sega Master System was a very underrated console. I know this is not the best conversion of the game, but it's definitely worth a playthrough. Gotta love the classic Sega feel!

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Finds 1218: Kickmaster, Spacehunter, Image Fight, and Others

More loot for the collection. This time around, I got some Famicom boxed games. If there is one thing I love is the artwork of Famicom games. Just look at them! Beautiful! I also got Kickmaster for the NES which is a great sidescroller and I totally forgot the Playstation game on the top of the photo but I know it's a beat 'em up of some sort. LOOT! 

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