video games

Gamers’ Library: Supercade

Sometimes it’s crazy to think about how much time has passed in this gaming hobby. I can’t believe that it’s been almost 20 years since Supercade: A Visual History of the Videogame Age 1971-1984 was released in 2001. It seems like just yesterday that I brought it home and had it sitting prominently on my coffee table, to be frequently perused for at least the next year or two. How much stuff has happened in the world of videogames since then — heck, how much has happened in the world in general since then?!

Supercade, by Van Burnham, is itself an examination of the first significant span of video game history, from its inception as an experiment, to a new entertainment medium, to its golden age, and ultimately to the era of the industry crash in the US. A highly-respected tome amongst game fans and historians, Supercade runs well over 400 pages and is absolutely packed full of information amidst its vividly colorful layouts.

And now, in a new chapter in the history of video game…uh…history, Supercade is getting a sequel. Supercade: A Visual History of the Videogame Age 1985-2001 has just been successfully funded via Kickstarter (full disclosure: I’m a backer), and promises to pick up right where the original volume left off. So I thought now would be a perfect time to revisit the first book, to suggest to us what we can expect from its successor. Continue reading “Gamers’ Library: Supercade” →

July 5, 2020 0

Steins;Gate – It’s About Time

OR: I Tapped ENTER For 30 Hours and All I Got Was This Lousy Ending

Since I recently time-traveled all the way back to the beginning of visual novels with Portopia, I figured I would check out this more modern title to see how the genre has evolved in all these years. Steins;Gate may be 10 years old already (in effect making it retro-ish), but since it’s about time travel, does it really matter? The game will make you think about things like that; at least, it did for me, as I finally got around to playing this now-legendary title for the first time. Or maybe I’ve been here before in a different reality, and it wasn’t my first time? (Yeah, it was, I’m just messing with you.) (I think.) Continue reading “Steins;Gate – It’s About Time” →

May 30, 2020 0

PC Engine Mini: The RGSH Test

Well, two months after it was released, I’m finally getting to write about the PC Engine Mini. How is it?

Worth it. So, SO worth it. Continue reading “PC Engine Mini: The RGSH Test” →

May 17, 2020 0

The Strange Case of the TG-16 Mini (UPDATE 5/14/20)

What in the Sam Hill is going on with the US launch of the TurboGrafx-16 Mini?

THE STORY SO FAR:

Continue reading “The Strange Case of the TG-16 Mini (UPDATE 5/14/20)” →

May 14, 2020 0

State of the Blog Address 05.06.20

Happy belated 3.5 years to me! This coronavirus shutdown/stay-at-home thing has all our days blurring together, and I totally missed my usual April 16 date to post my annual half-year State of the Blog Address! As longtime followers may know, since the blog’s anniversary is on October 16, that means April 16 is the halfway point to another year online, so I like to step back and talk about where the blog is now, and my plans for the coming year. Continue reading “State of the Blog Address 05.06.20” →

May 6, 2020 1

Shenmue III: FINISHED!

This morning, after 18 years of waiting, I finally finished Shenmue III. As I’ve referenced before, I am a huge fan of the original two Shenmue games, and an eager Kickstarter backer of this third part.

So obviously, the big question is: How was it? Well, I’ve got a lot to say. Continue reading “Shenmue III: FINISHED!” →

April 6, 2020 0

Retro Game SuperHyper for Neo-Geo MVS Redefines Game Pricing!

I’ve been in a Neo-Geo mood lately — and with good reason! I am proud to announce the official Retro Game SuperHyper video game, exclusively for the Neo-Geo MVS arcade system! And wait until you hear the price! Continue reading “Retro Game SuperHyper for Neo-Geo MVS Redefines Game Pricing!” →

April 1, 2020 0

Oh god, I finally watched Joysticks

If you’re an old-fart gamer — like me — you may remember, or at least be aware of, the 1983 movie Joysticks. I’m not even sure if this Z-grade, R-rated teensploitation stinker has even achieved the rank of “cult classic,” so I’m hesitant to use it. However, in the interest of research…sigh. I finally pulled the trigger. Continue reading “Oh god, I finally watched Joysticks” →

March 3, 2020 1

What Are We Playing? 01.12.19: Stranding Judgment Glory

Wow! It’s been FOREVER since I did a WAWP post! So…what ARE we playing?

Continue reading “What Are We Playing? 01.12.19: Stranding Judgment Glory” →

January 14, 2020

A Eulogy for the Strategy Guide (Updated 3/20/21)

Do you hear that? No, of course you don’t. It’s silence. Why is there silence, you may ask?

Because the kid behind the counter at Gamestop is no longer asking you if you want the strategy guide with your new game. Why not?

Because there isn’t one.

Continue reading “A Eulogy for the Strategy Guide (Updated 3/20/21)” →

January 8, 2020

I Found A Box Full of Cool Stuff!

I was looking for some of my old Atari catalogs, and I found them in this box that has piles of other stuff in it, so if you have about 45 minutes to hang out, I thought you might like to dig through this box with me.

There’s some cool surprises in here, like original Nintendo Fun Club cards, Midwest Gaming Classic flyers, old console manuals, catalogs showing games that never came out, and some promotional VHS tapes.