Archive for January, 2009

28 January, 2009 | 1 comment

Commercial Break: Pitfall

This week we are heading to one of the best selling Atari 2600 games of all time, Pitfall.  This game was special to me growing up as it felt so far ahead of its time. Pitfall was an insight into where games were going. As for the commercial, two things are impressive. First instead of any special effects or jungle settings the games graphics mostly get to speak for themselves and the gameplay is clearly represented. Secondly, and most important to videogame commercial history is that the creator David Crane is mentioned by name.

Even today with well known icons like Ken Levine and Cliff Bleszinski rarely do they get name placement right in the commercial. Anyone know why David’s name was mentioned?

26 January, 2009 | No comments

Legend of Kage 2

So I just picked up Legend of Kage 2 for the DS ($9.99 new at Gamestop of all places, it was irresistible). While it is debatable whether the original was a classic, you cannot deny that you do not forget it once you play it. With Kage jumping to impossible heights and chucking shurikens in all directions, he just kills with reckless abandon. Just like a true ninja.

Well Kage 2 is one of the truest updates of such an old title, truest meaning that it keeps everything that made Kage what it was and simply applied modern idea paint to it. I have not fully decided if this is good or bad, but I am having fun. The stages offer a wealth of one-hit kill enemies so you are rarely stopping to deal with enemies, instead it’s all about running super fast slashing whatever is unfortunate enough to fall into your path. All of the combat skills learned in the game (surprisingly more than I expected) are saved for very classic boss fights, all about accuracy and patterns.

Replay is in the form of 2 playable characters, a variety of magic, and difficulties. Kage 2 rounds this out with an art gallery that feels like an achievement system. This does not break any new ground, but is instead impressive in its unerring cling to an older school of gaming.

21 January, 2009 | No comments

Commercial Break: Crystalis

Every Wednesday Retrogoggles is going to post a retrogaming commercial for your viewing and commenting pleasure. I am starting this feature off with one of my favorite NES titles: Crystalis. This is a case where I am not sure the commercial had any bearing on my appreciation of the game. Seriously this commercial is kind of scary. I think it feels more like a public service announcement against LARPing (Live Action RolePlaying).  What do you think?

19 January, 2009 | No comments

VTECH Talking Baseball

Ah, Vtech Talking Baseball was a big part of my childhood. The Eagles and the Buffalos had some serious down and out games in my day. This handheld LCD game offered a lot for something so simple. The voice for one went non-stop; it described everything that was happening. This greatly assisted my young imagination. Secondly, and most important, Vtech Talking Baseball allows for 2 players simultaneous. This is pretty much the only LCD game I can remember having that.

 

Vtech Talking Baseball actually entered my nostalgic mind about 2 weeks ago. At the time I began searching EBay and whatnot, but I could not remember anything about the game other than the shape and color (these are not great search variables). Someone must have known what I was searching and left it for me at the Goodwill. I have not gone in that particular store in over a year so it had a definite serendipitous quality to it. Not only was the Baseball of my youth on the shelf, but also its Football twin. The cherry topping off this Goodwill visit was a Banjo Kazooie VHS that was a pre-release promo (not sure what I will be doing with this video).

 

After getting home I slammed batteries in and heard once again that familiar stilted voice. I was amazed that the condition and response in a game so many years old. I then moved the batteries to the Vtech Talking Football; here I was not so fortunate. It fired right up, I could see players on the field, but upon starting the game the first play never moved and the voice let out a steady ZERO ZERO ZERO ZERO ZERO ZERO it was special in its own way. I will investigate its problem later.

 

Vtech did make many other LCD games, some with voice, but only 2 had this particular case style. You can check out the other ones here.

18 January, 2009 | No comments

Herzog Zwei, Vertical Force, and a surprise…

Yesterday an eagerly awaited package arrived. Herzog Zwei (for the Genesis) and Vertical Force for Virtual Boy. Herzog Zwei is said by many to be the first RTS and also does many things right. I am just now getting the basics of control which are amazingly streamlined and allow you to manage alot with little input. Vertical Force is a vertical shooter with nothing special so far, but I shall see. The sweet bonus with these games was a pack of Nintendo GamePack cards from 1989. Should I open them?

16 January, 2009 | No comments

GOG RPG Sale

This weekend on GOG.com (Good Old Games) you can grab games like the original Fallout for 15% off of the already low prices of GOG.

By using the promotional code “PROMO1″ during checkout, you can get 15% off any and all of the following RPGs: Arx Fatali, Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics, Gothic, Invictus: In the Shadow of Olympus, Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader, Sacred Gold, Stonekeep.

Good until Jan 19th, get while the gettings good.