Interview with Vectrex developer Alex Nicholson

Posted by Joe in VectrexAug 13th, 2009 | No Comments

An interview with Vectrex homebrew developer Alex Nicholson from 2006; always interesting how people get into homebrew development for classic systems.

The Vectrex is an 8-bit video game console that was released in 1982. It had its own monitor, so finally Mom and Dad could fear the Russians on the evening news in peace while you pretended to be a space ship, a vacuum cleaner, or even more unlikely, someone racing in the Tour de France. CGE stopped making Vectrex units in 1984.

Alex Nicholson is a retro programmer from the United Kingdom and has released Logo for the Vectrex…in 2006! Alex’s release includes a physical cartridge, an overlay, printed instructions and a perfectly designed box.

Full Interview at: joltcountry.com

The TurboGrafx-16 Turns 20

Posted by Joe in TurboGrafx-16Aug 13th, 2009 | No Comments

1up takes a look back at the NES challenger the NEC TurboGrafx-16.

Thus was born the PC Engine, renamed the TurboGrafx-16 for its US launch in the summer of 1989. A demure white box in Japan turned sleek black rectangle for America, the TG-16 made good on NEC's promise of a NES-beating experience. It was the first system of the post-NES era, and in contrast to Nintendo's toy company approach to their 8-bit console

Via: 1up.com

EA Files Trademarks For Populous, Wing Commander, And Other Classics

Posted by Joe in NintendoAug 13th, 2009 | No Comments

Populous was one of those games that burned into my retinas and after a while I could play the game in my sleep. Looks like EA is taking a fresh look at some of its older franchises and making sure they have their trademarks in order before they get dusted off.

Just this month, EA filed trademarks for the Bullfrog Productions-originated properties Populous and Theme Park, and the EA action games Wing Commander and Road Rash.

I'd like to see the Wing Commander franchise dig itself out of the stink that was the Wing Commander movie; I walked out of that one.

Via: gamasutra.com

Fifteen Classic Game Console Design Mistakes

Posted by Joe in GeneralAug 12th, 2009 | No Comments

Benji Edwards at Technologizer lays out 15 Classic Game Console Design Mistakes. They range from older systems to some of nintendos handheld line up. Problem #13: Incredibly Dark, Non-Backlit Screen on the GBA.
More at: technologizer.com

Classic Gaming Craigslist Wednesdays or CGCW

Posted by Joe in GeneralAug 12th, 2009 | No Comments

Today we're taking a look at some classic gaming systems and games that have come up on craigslist around the US this past week. Ebay has become a pricing source for many of these sellers and they aren't afraid to ask top dollar for that box of sega genesis carts with some cat pee stains on labels.

1) Huge Game Lot!!! RARE Games!! Trade for Ps3!! (Berkeley CA)

Nintendo Nes, Super Nintendo,N64, Sega, and Sega Dreamcast game Lot for sale!!!! Many games!!! Leave me a email ill respond fast!!! No seperate sales please!!! Only as lot! Dragon Warrior Series Alone is worth 200 on ebay!!!! Many Gems! Trade for a Ps3 Bundle (no 40 gigs) or Ps3 with some cash! Amazing Collection to start with for gamers!! about 880 dollars adds up the lot!!!! I will price them individually so you can tally it up!! Will let it go for 850 or trade!!! Please dont email me sayin its not worth that much cuz it is!!! Look it up!!

Starts by calling a FC3 Yobo RARE, then lists prices for each item but will only sell as a lot for $850 or a PS3 and some cash. Some good games in there though. Dragon Warrior NES 1-4.
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Amstrad GX 4000 Pictures

Posted by Joe in Amstrad GX4000Aug 11th, 2009 | No Comments

Came across a AMSTRAD GX 4000 on a Czech Republic shopping website for sale the other day and thought I'd pass some pictures along considering we don't see them as much in the states. Only 40 games were released and you find them for the most part in the UK and other European countries. More images after the jump.
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New Ghost N Zombie Game for the Colecovision

Posted by Joe in ColecoVisionAug 11th, 2009 | No Comments

You have to hand it to the homebrew community for developing games for decades old consoles. Buying the actual game to stick in your colecovision will set you back $60 and only 25 carts are being made. Might be a thoughtful gift for that Colevovision collector on your Christmas list?
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Super Star Wars Comes to Wii Virtual Console

Posted by Joe in Super Nintendo (SNES)Aug 11th, 2009 | No Comments

The first of a series of star wars games for the SNES Super Star Wars has finally made the long trip onto the Wii virtual console.  Originally released mid 1992; the game featured Luke and his journey from Mos Elis to the trench run on the death star. From what I remember when I first bought the game in 92, it was not the most forgiving game and several levels had its share of bottomless pits to stumble into. All three games shared a similar art style and pulled from the Star Wars universe pretty successfully.
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Classic Gaming Crafts Monday

Posted by Joe in GeneralAug 10th, 2009 | No Comments

Etsy the home of hand made crafts online has had some gaming item trends that once they take off everyone starts trying to get in on the action. Seems like everyone and their mother are making pixel bead coasters of mario right now for some beer money. Here's 5 less copied classic game craft projects you can check out.

Classic box art placed onto light switch covers. Perfect addition for a game or collectors room. Contra, duckhunt, castlevania etc. Price:$4.99 plus shipping
NES Box Art Light Switch Covers
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$85,000 Video Game Collection Up For Sale

Posted by Joe in GeneralAug 9th, 2009 | No Comments

What do you do if your a wealthy business man and one day you get hit by lightning and develop a strange urge to collect classic games? Well you might save yourself the time and just by someones entire collection on ebay. The collection in question is set to buy it now at a staggering $85,000 dollars; although the shipping is free. You might balk at the price tag, or perhaps start calling your video game buying habits an investment in the future. Either way most of us average collectors tend to debate over small purchases and might be collecting something else if we had that kind of cash flow:) One part stood out:

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY RARE OPPORTUNITY TO GRAB THESE VIDEO GAMING COLLECTIBLES IN MATTER OF SECONDS, WHICH TOOK ME A LIFETIME TO COLLECT. DO NOT SECOND GUESS THE VALUE OF THIS LOT, AS IT WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE BACK IN THE COMING YEARS.

-The question arises, will it give back before or after your wife beats you to death with your newly acquired ULTRA RARE IMPORT NEC LASERACTIVE?

There does seem to be some rare items in the auction and you can make an offer; but the lack of pictures and the fact that the list of items actually included is incomplete makes the success of someone buying it pretty unlikely. You never know though, lightning does strike golf courses quite a bit.
Via Ebay:$85,000 Dollar Video Game Collection For Sale