Finds 2074: More Thrifty Finds! Lotus VHS, Blue Prince, Dark Souls III, and Spanish for Windows 95

Retro Gaming Life – Finds: More Thrifty Gems Added to the Collection!

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of uncovering a mixed bag of retro and modern finds—and this latest haul is exactly that. From vintage PC software to modern cult classics, this pickup feels like a time capsule spanning decades of gaming and computing history.

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📼 A Blast from the Productivity Past – Lotus 1-2-3 VHS Training

Kicking things off is a truly unique relic: a Lotus 1-2-3 training VHS tape. For those who don’t know, Lotus 1-2-3 was one of the most important spreadsheet programs of the 1980s, originally released in 1983. Before YouTube tutorials and online courses, learning software meant popping in a VHS and following along step-by-step.

This is the kind of piece that goes beyond gaming—it’s a snapshot of how people learned tech in the early PC era. A super cool addition for any vintage Windows or computing collection.

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💿 Learning the 90s Way – Spanish for Windows 95

Next up is a Spanish learning CD-ROM for Windows 95, which screams mid-90s edutainment. Back when multimedia PCs were becoming mainstream, programs like this combined audio, visuals, and interactive lessons in ways that felt revolutionary at the time.

It’s always fun finding these educational titles—they’re often overlooked, but they capture the experimental spirit of early PC software.

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⚔️ Modern Classic – Dark Souls III (Xbox One)

Switching gears to something more modern, Dark Souls III (2016) joins the collection. Developed by FromSoftware, this entry refined the brutal, methodical gameplay the series is known for.

Even years after release, it remains one of the defining action RPGs of its generation. A must-have for any collection that appreciates challenge and atmosphere.

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👻 Psychological Horror Done Right – Blue Prince (PS5)

Adding some modern horror vibes is Blue Prince on PS5. This one stands out with its eerie atmosphere and narrative-driven design. It’s always exciting to add newer titles that experiment with storytelling and mood—especially in the horror genre.

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🐉 RPG Adventure Awaits – Drakensang (Xbox)

Rounding out the pickups is Drakensang, a fantasy RPG rooted in classic tabletop-inspired mechanics. Known for its deep systems and rich world-building, it’s a great find for fans of traditional RPG experiences.

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🎮 Final Thoughts

This haul perfectly captures what makes collecting so fun—variety. You’ve got:

• Vintage PC training media 📼
• 90s educational software 💿
• Hardcore modern action RPG ⚔️
• Atmospheric indie horror 👻
• Classic-style fantasy RPG 🐉

Each item tells a different story about gaming and computing across generations. Whether it’s learning spreadsheets from a VHS or surviving brutal boss fights in Dark Souls III, it all belongs in the ever-growing world of Retro Gaming Life.

Stay tuned—there’s always more thrifty finds around the corner!

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Finds 2049: Petshop of Horror, Tom & Jerry, The Guy Game, Bart's Nightmare, and the Jetsons

New Finds for the Collection: A Retro Treasure Haul 🎮📼

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of adding new pieces to the collection—and this latest batch is a perfect mix of retro gaming nostalgia and cult-classic media. From handheld favorites to quirky console titles and anime gems, this haul brings serious personality to the shelf.

Let’s take a closer look at the newest additions!

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🐭 Classic Cartoon Chaos on the Go

One standout pickup is Tom and Jerry for the Game Boy Color. This title captures the timeless rivalry between Tom and Jerry in classic platforming style. It’s simple, colorful, and full of that cartoon charm that defined so many handheld games of the era. Perfect for quick sessions and pure nostalgia.

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😴 Springfield Gets Weird

Next up is a boxed copy of The Simpsons: Bart's Nightmare for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. This one is a fan-favorite for its bizarre dream-like levels and offbeat humor. The fact that it’s complete in box makes it an especially exciting addition—these are getting harder to find in good condition!

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🎮 A Controversial Curiosity

Also joining the lineup is The Guy Game for the original Xbox. Love it or hate it, this title is definitely a conversation piece. It’s one of those oddball releases that stands out in any collection simply because of its notoriety and unique place in gaming history.

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🕯️ Dark Anime Vibes

Shifting from games to anime, we’ve got Pet Shop of Horrors on VHS. This series leans into gothic horror storytelling with eerie, thought-provoking episodes centered around a mysterious pet shop. It’s a fantastic pickup for fans of darker, atmospheric anime.

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🚀 Retro Cartoon Nostalgia

Adding to the mix is a title featuring The Jetsons, bringing that futuristic Hanna-Barbera charm into the collection. Whether for watching or displaying, it’s a great nod to classic animation history.

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Final Thoughts

This haul perfectly captures why collecting is so fun—it’s not just about value, it’s about variety. From iconic franchises like The Simpsons to obscure and controversial titles, plus a touch of anime and classic cartoons, every item adds a new layer of personality to the collection.

Whether you’re into retro gaming, vintage media, or just chasing that nostalgic feeling, this is the kind of pickup that keeps the hobby exciting.

Which of these would you be most excited to add to your collection?

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Retro-Bit of the Day: TMNT II – The Secret of the Ooze (VHS)

Cowabunga, retro fans! Today’s Retro-Bit of the Day steps away from consoles and cartridges to spotlight another essential piece of ’90s nostalgia: the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze VHS.

Released in 1991, this movie became an instant staple for every TMNT fan’s home video collection. Long before streaming and digital libraries, this single cassette tape carried hours of excitement, laughs, and pizza-powered heroics. For many of us, it was one of those tapes we watched so often it practically lived inside the VCR.

TMNT II brought back everything fans loved about the first film—martial arts action, humor, and the Turtle brothers’ unique personalities—while leaning deeper into the cartoon-style fun. From the introduction of Tokka and Rahzar to the unforgettable appearance of Super Shredder, this movie became a defining part of Turtle history. And of course, you can’t talk about this film without mentioning the iconic “Ninja Rap” scene with Vanilla Ice, a moment burned into the memory of an entire generation.

Owning the VHS today is more than having a tape—it’s holding a physical piece of Turtle Power, a reminder of sleepovers, rewinding tapes, and that nostalgic clunk of the VCR loading up. For collectors, it remains a colorful and essential addition to any shelf of retro media.

Whether you’re reliving the magic or experiencing it for the first time, The Secret of the Ooze VHS is a timeless slice of ’90s pop culture. Stay tuned for more retro gems on Retro Gaming Life!

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Finds 1709: PC Games and Naughty VHS Tapes

Here are some interesting findings. I always love finding vintage Playboy VHS tapes. I also found a classic Scsi cable and some PC games. Good times <3

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Finds 1696: Thrifting in Sarasota

My trip continued to Sarasota where I stayed a couple of days and started looting like a crazy maniac! I went to a lot of thrift stores and came up with all this stuff. I am happy even though I didn't find anything really crazy rare but it could've been worse. Lots of goodies overall! 

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Finds 1624: Cowabunga VHS Tapes, Portable Color TV, PS2 Silver Slim, and Accessories!

Here are some new additions for the collection. The TMNT VHS tapes were so awesome! I just love the artwork! I also got lucky and found a PS2 Silver slim, a case for big floppy disks, a mouse and some motion plus wii remotes, and a portable tiny TV. Good stuff! 

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Finds 1606: Mario Bros, Metroid , Rare Floppy Drive, Samurai Shodown 3, and More

More amazing loot! A couple of more NES games and more PC media. You can also see an interesting VHS tape, yeah I usually look into those horror flicks. There is so many awesome things so check out the photos for more detail. 

Metroid and Mario Bros with a nice hub for my old Toshiba laptops. 

Rare floppy Olivetti drive. It's only used for these laptops. 

Software and goodies! 

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Finds 1603: Internal DVD Writer, Sound Blaster CDs, and Another Tiny Laptop Lifebook U810

Another awesome little gadget with this tiny Laptop. This one is the Fujitsu Lifebook U810 which needs a charger so I'll let you know how that's going. I also got some Sound Blaster driver CDs which are very helpful due to the fact that sound blaster is quite popular and the files might be helpful in future installations and restorations. I also got an internal DVD writer and some brand new VHS tapes. Why the VHS tapes? Just because! Lets keep growing the collection! 

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Finds 1599: VHS Tapes, Stunt Race, Digimon for GBA, Super Monkey Ball, Office with Bookshelf, and Others

Here are some awesome additions! Some gameboy games, a couple of memory cards, even a SNES game! The coolest stuff though is the VHS tapes. I still remember the Ace Ventura cartoon and definitely going to watch this one. The Office is also really cool, might install it in one of my computers but which one? We shall see!  

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Finds 1558: VHS Anime Galore! Plus Michael Jackson's Moon Walker

These is one of the most awesome lots of VHS loot I've found in a while. What I like is that a lot of the VHS tapes are anime and that's always welcomed because they aren't that common anymore. Best of all, I got them all for a dollar! There is a lot of stuff I'm going to play on my old CRT tv. Do you see anything you like?

Here is a better view at these beautiful media. The best part is that the artwork on them is amazing!

More beautiful media. I want to watch that Michael Jackson Moon Walker first! It's been too long. 

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Finds 1542: SNES Findings! Darkwing Duck VHS, and PS4 Games

A very odd day of pick ups as I never expected to find SNES games in the wild. I went to a thrift store and saw a bag with VHS tapes, as I’m looking in there I see a SNES cart, and another one, and another one. I ended up finding five SNES games as well as this Darkwing Duck VHS that’s really cool as it was one of my favorite shows growing up. Finally, some PS4 games from Wally World as they were on clearance. The deals are out there guys!  Keep hunting!

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Finds 1534: Girls Gone Wild VHS Tapes

I'm always looking out for some obscure stuff and you can't really get more obscure than Girl Gone Wild VHS tapes. They are unique and can probably sell them for a good amount. As for now, I will keep them and see what all the fuss is about. I remember seeing the commercials non stop while watching cartoons late at night especially during the Adult Swim early days. I never ordered them though. I will keep adding more random weird stuff to my VHS collection that's for sure. 

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Finds 1523: VHS Tapes Robin, Ducktales, and PC Software

A little thrifting over the weekend turned out to be fun and got a couple of things in the process. The Robin and Ducktales VHS tapes were definitely a must have, I just love these VHS tapes and have been building my collection on some of my favorite cartoon series as well as movies. Maybe I can find some Halloween movies with the holiday coming up. I also got some PC software and a music CD. Nothing crazy, but a lot of this stuff can go on the internet archive once I get around to doing it. I want everyone to enjoy this forgotten software. 

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Finds 1515: Mario Bros VHS, Wizard of Oz VHS, and Apple Keyboard

Here are some interesting finds. We have Mario Bros VHS and Wizard of Oz VHS. I actually noticed the cover of Mario Bros in this box while thrifting. The seller said he could do two for a dollar so I had to look for another VHS tape and decided to go with the Oz VHS. I also picked up the keyboard for a dollar. Now, that Apple keyboard definitely needs a retrobright so I will be making a post on how to do this in the future. You haven't seen the last of the keyboard!

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Finds 1509: Atari Wireless Controllers and TMNT VHS

Here are a couple of items I got recently. One of them is a TMNT VHS which was fifty cents while the other one was free. Yes, that’s right! Free Atari wireless controllers, but that’s not all, they are also compatible with VIC-20 and Commodore 64. These things are beautiful and brand new. I do need two 9 Volt batteries to test them out. They’re really awesome.

Here are the contents of the controllers. They’re so cool! 

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Finds 1487: Batman VHS, Myst, and Wolfenstein Games!

I visited a couple of thrift stores and scored some goodies. First, we have this Batman VHS which is actually from the cartoon series in the mid 90s which was actually pretty good. I can’t find much info on it, but it’s apparently based on an episode of Batman’s backstory. They made a whole series of these. The other two findings are PC games. The Myst I’ve never seen before while Wolfenstein I think I have it already so it’ll be a gift. Nothing but good loot!

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Finds 1486: Hentai VHS and Anime VHS Tapes!

Here is a nice photo for some of you perverts! I found some Hentai VHS tapes that I don’t even remember where they were in the first place but here they are. I’m sure you can recognize a few of them. Also, some classic anime VHS tapes for the rest of you who aren’t into naked cartoon ladies! it’s an odd lot but a good one nonetheless. 

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