Archive for Classic Gaming

11 August, 2009 | 1 comment

Monday Morning MAME Club: ShootOut

Shootout is a 1985 shooting arcade game created by Data East. Player must track down the “Mob Boss” Gangsters try to stop you from reaching the headquarters where “The Boss” is hiding. Player must fight his way through city streets, amusement parks, hotels, bars, and other parts of the city to reach the headquarters. G-mode currently obtains the rights to Shootout.

Get this oddity HERE.

20 July, 2009 | No comments

Monday Morning MAME Club: Kid Niki

This week we have Kid Niki from Irem, who are probably better known for Lode Runner and Kung Fu. Kid Niki was released 2 years after Kung Fu and is a prime example of evolution and growth of this exciting period in gaming. Pick up the ROM with THIS LINK.

15 June, 2009 | No comments

Monday Morning MAME Club: Moon Shuttle

This Scramble style side scroller was released 1981 by Nichibutsu. You move to the right while dodging or shooting anything in your path, not original, but likely a title you have not played before.  Enjoy the ROM HERE and chat it up on the Digital Press.

8 June, 2009 | No comments

Monday Morning MAME Club: Metro-Cross

So this is the game about a man coming to terms with his love of style and fashion…No? Then maybe something with a car or maybe a motorcycle? Of course not, everyone knows that Metro-Cross is about a man jumping over barrels and cans in a mall. Yeah check this 1985 Namco classic out! Get the ROM here, and talk about it on the Digital Press.

1 June, 2009 | No comments

Monday Morning MAME Club: Snacks’n Jaxson

No, that title is not a typo. Instead of deleving into the maddness of this game myself, allow me to present an exerpt from Flack’s (of the Digital Press) review

“In Snacks ‘n Jaxson, you control Jaxson de Box’s head, attached to his body by only a thin string. Jaxson the ever-hungry clown appears sitting at the far end of his dinner table, facing you. The object of the game is to keep Jaxson’s nose bouncing while eating the floating morsels of food that appear before him between bounces. The way the game is drawn, Jaxson’s nose is continually bouncing toward you in 3D – fortunately, its shadow makes it easy to tell where exactly the nose is at all times. After the first bounce, one item breakfast food will appear. The next bounce, two appear. After each bounce you must run Jaxson’s head over all the food items before you hit the ball with your face. Miss your nose and it’ll smash the glass window behind you. Fail to eat all the food items and a small troll dressed in a chef’s outfit will enter the screen and hit you in the face with a pie. I swear I’m not making this up!”

From Manufacturer Bally Sente check it out. Get the ROM HERE and comment on the Digital Press.

30 April, 2009 | No comments

Enforcing Lethally with The Justifier!

Early last week I received a bit of junk mail containing coupons to local shops. I disregarded it quickly and left it to sit upon the mail pile. Fortunately, my wife’s curiosity led her to perusing the ad in which was contained coupons to the local geek shop. The place is a real mess and prices very, but you will visit some seedy places to scratch a retro-gaming urge. A buy one get one free offer planned at least a brief part of my Saturday for me.

Entering the shop is a bit intimidating as it feels more like someones long unattended attic. There are treasures sure, but also the chance that Leatherface makes his home somewhere near the old comics in the back. I have it a bit easier as most of the video game merchandise is a straight shot from the entrance. Lately I have been yearning for something fun for the Sega CD I acquired not long ago. This is certainly the saddest portion of this shops games, while the copy of Mad Dog McCree was in good shape I saw little reason to grab it. The friends I brought along for protection though began spreading out and I had to leave the safety of the game aisle that I knew well. Thank goodness for uncharted territory, for sitting atop a pile of God only knows what was a complete in box copy of Lethal Enforcers for the Sega CD. Peering inside and seeing that baby blue Justifier light gun had me immediately return to that copy of Mad Dog McCree.  That is a 2 for 1 that made it all worthwhile.

This is quite a large box, kind of like the ones old Porn VHS would come in (you remember those boxes, you would seem them when you peeked into the Adults Only section of the rental store).  Notice it is rated MA-17, sounds about as naughty as the porn too!

This box was not just to get the notice of perverts though, it had a purpose. So lets see whats inside…

Oh and here is Mad Dog McCree…it is just awful. I do not think ANYONE misses the games of American Laser Games. On the plus side they gave the Sewer Shark team someone to look down on.

Cautions on the use of “The Justifier” (from the Lethal Enforcers manual) Italics below are my personal interpretations…

1. “The Justifier” is a precision instrument. Strong physical impact may break it (they are not really sure). Never hit with it or throw it. (Besides, with the cord attached it will not go far)

2. Do not touch the jack of “The Justifier” or bend or pull the cord strongly (it is just not that kind of peripheral). Do not damage the muzzle, point “The Justifier” at the sun, stop it up, or get it wet. (for good measure we should also avoid feeding it after midnight)

3. When storing “The Justifier”, keep it away from very hot or very cold places. Also keep it out of direct sunlight (for like Dracula, “The Justifier” to will be destroyed by the coming dawn), away from heaters, and away from places that have a lot of dust or moisture. (Basic housekeeping is crucial for “The Justifier”)

4. When cleaning dirt off “The Justifier”, never use thinner, benzene or other harsh chemicals. (Shouldn’t all the other rules prevent dirt enough!)

5. Do not point “The Justifier” at a person (as this will be embarassing for you). Never take it apart or try to rebuild it. (Did you not learn anything from Terminator 2)

6. This product cannot be used with projection TVs, LCD TVs, high-speed scanning TVs, high-definition TVs, or wide TVs.  (Okay so only older TVs, got it!)

7. This product may not work with some old TV models. (in fact any successful functionality is sheer luck and is not endorsed by Konami)

8. Do not use “The Jusitifer” outdoors (as this will embarass your family and friends). It may not work indoors with direct sunlight. (your home requires a roof for successful functionality)

9. While playing the game, do not use an infrared-type remote control device (to turn off the TV or VCR, for example). If used, sometimes the game will not function properly. (that and never, ever cross the streams)

10. If you have any fluorescent lights near the TV screen, “The Justifier” may not function properly. Either move the light or turn it off. (“The Jusitfier” is a fearful of cancer from fluorescent lighting, and fluorescent lighting blocks the power of God)

11. When playing a game that is not compatible with “The Justifier”, always remove “The Justifier” from control jack 2. (Really this is to avoid “The Justifier” discovering your infidelity and causing you much grief, I once left one plugged in while playing Sonic 2. Now “The Justifier” has the kids and the house…that bitch)

Until Next Time, the power is yours…

23 April, 2009 | 1 comment

Sierra Adventure Games in Browser

Sarien.net should be given a huge digital hug for the kindness of giving us classic Sierra Adventures in our web browsers. Even better they are free and can be played multiplayer. Yes multiplayer adventure gaming, weird but true! You will see other players avatars and you can even chat with them, this is great for figuring out puzzles and adding a social element to a genre that has never experienced it. For those with a fear for the social you can still play the games single player, but will be depriving yourself of an interesting experience.

Currently the following titles are available:

Space Quest 1

Space Quest 2

Police Quest

Leisure Suit Larry

The Black Cauldron

Be sure to check it out as there are many other features to experiment with, such as right clicking instead typing for options. Also you can take on the appearance of any sprite in the game. Take a moment to check it out…

20 April, 2009 | No comments

Monday Morning MAME Club

This weeks game is Ninja Emaki by Nitchibutsu. Released in 1986, Ninja Emaki is a Commando style top down shooter. Instead of tanks and army men you will be fighting a collection of highly unusual demons and bosses. Be sure to check it out and comment here or at the Digital Press. Get the file here and get to Ninjaing…is that a verb? Well, it should be.

14 April, 2009 | 1 comment

The Kindness of Co-Workers

One important part of the retrogaming hobby is talking about and sharing that hobby. Never should you be concerned about appearances regarding hobbies, adults play with toy trains, collect stamps and a host of other things that someone somewhere would consider silly. Good things can come from a comfortable open appreciation of your hobby. Not only can you make unexpected friends, but you can also end up with one man’s trash that could be your next wonderful treasure.

In the past I have been given the following gaming treasures by co-workers that gave them to me because they knew of my passion. A SNES with numerous boxed games, a complete Virtual Boy with Red Alert, an Atari Jaguar (not sure if this is considered a gesture of kindness though), and numerous other games and accessories all because someone knew what I enjoyed. Just last week I was discussing classic gaming with a co-worker and she said “I have some boxes that were my son’s he does not want them, but I can bring them to you”. She was just happy to get rid of them, me I was more than excited to see what new treasures would be bestowed upon me. Lets take a look at them.

You know looking back at the PlayStation 1 it is weird to see that controller without the analog sticks. This addition was cool, because my collection only has one of the tiny PSones not the original.

Check out that sweet Genesis 2 box, it really is great shape.

All the better because it was packed with the system, 2 controllers and all the hookups. Down to the owners manual (which I have never seen) and the receipt of the purchase. The only thing not in it was that copy of Vectorman, but looking inside this box I am not sure where it would have fit.

This is a close up of the receipt. I am not sure how most of you feel about it, but finding things like this adds so much to collecting. You see the date, the price and where it was bought. Not only is this a history of the system, but an insight into the original owners. I love finding things like this in the antique books I collect as well.

I feel like I just photographed one of these, yes this is Sega Saturn number 2 in my collection. One new thing here is a third party controller and an RF hookup which will give me more options, who does not want a Saturn in multiple rooms?

These are the games that were in the boxes. Starting at the top: A great condition CASE to Gran Turismo, yes only the case, but if you are in need of it let me know and it will be yours. Following the case is 007: Tomorrow Never Dies, Jampack (both for the PS1), Madden 98, Black Fire, Virtua Cop, NHL 98, and Wipeout. Here is the reason for the open cases.

Yup two orphaned cases, lucky for me I have Daytona USA and it is in need of a case so that is solved, anyone need Sega Rally case? Just let me know.  Well that wraps up the kindness of coworkers, people often do not realize what a special gift they have given you. Until next time…wait, why is this Saturn rattling?

Sweet, hidden treasures are the best. Until next time, the power is yours…

13 April, 2009 | No comments

Monday Morning MAME Club: Jungler

No, the game title is not a typo. Jungler is an arcade title that was released in 1981 by Konami. This game is so popular it does not even have a Wikipedia entry. Fortunately KLOV is always there for us with the details. You will be shooting at enemy ships while growing your own ship longer SNAKE style. The guys at the Digital Press forums never fail to impress with the ability to summon the most of obscure titles. Get the ROM HERE and lets us know what you think.

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