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[img width=300 height=300]http://imgur.com/mOqYu.jpg[/img]
For the final month of 2010 the Together Retro game club at http://racketboy.com decided to travel all the way back to 1980 for the arcade classic Tempest. On first look Tempest seems overly simple with it's vector graphics and small color palette. But once you start to play the game you realize that it was actually rather ahead of its time. To start with the game is a Tube Shooter in which you pilot a ship that can actually rotate 360 degrees around the outside of the tube and fire into the vanishing point from where enemies materialize. Surprisingly the vector graphics really do create an impressive 3D feel once you submerge yourself into the game, although admittedly you really have to use your imagination to make anything out of the enemy shapes. As primitive as the whole thing appears, this game is certainly one for the hardcore. It is by no means simple, and requires constant shooting and dodging. When I first started playing the game I would often see GAME OVER in under a minute. However once you put some time into learning the nuances of the gameplay things start to make a certain sense. I can only imagine the quarters that were sunk into the arcade original while attempting to make sense of Tempest.
[img width=300 height=200]http://imgur.com/AbnT0.png[/img] [img width=300 height=200]http://imgur.com/aznnq.jpg[/img]
In 2002 Tempest was ported to the Game Boy Advance as part of the wonderful Atari Anniversary Advance compilation. The GBA version looks and sounds great, and is almost arcade-perfect in execution. Of course there's one glaring omission from the GBA release: the rotary controller. My original plan was to purchase the Vaus rotary controller that was package with the NES version of Arkenoid and use it with the NES-to-GameCube controller adapter sold by http://retrousb.com. However, after doing a bit of research it became apparent that this would not work correctly due to some complicated analog stuff that I don't even fully understand. Having said that, I did get rather good at the game using a Hori pad. I did also test out using a GameCube steering wheel as an alternative to the rotary controller. Though the steering wheel didn't offer full 360 degrees freedom, it did have a certain arcade-style feel to it.
[img width=300 height=400]http://imgur.com/sequu.jpg[/img] [img width=300 height=400]http://imgur.com/FUCtH.jpg[/img]
Though the lack of rotary control is too bad, there is an exceptionally cool feature present in the GBA port of Tempest. If you hit the Select button the screen will actually rotate to display in a landscape presentation that actually represents the aspect-ratio of the original arcade cab. Now perhaps that was just a novelty on the Game Boy Advance hardware, but if you're playing it on a Game Boy Player and using a monitor that you can actually turn on its side, then this is actually pretty amazing.
[img width=300 height=300]http://imgur.com/tG5RZ.jpg[/img]
I should also mention that although the original Tempest has lots of sound effects, it is devoid of music during gameplay. If this bothers you at all then I have an excellent solution to offer up. In 1994 Tempest was remade as Tempest 2000 on the Atari Jaguar. The game is generally considered the absolute best game in the Jaguar catalog, and high on its list of credentials is its wonderful soundtrack. The Tempest 2000 soundtrack features a great mix of stereotypically awesome 90's techno, and it's also still easily available. There's something really great about playing an 80's arcade game while listening to 90's rave music made for a shooter imagining the year 2000.
[img width=300 height=400]http://imgur.com/QoBLo.jpg[/img]
Even after a playing for a month I can hardly say I've mastered this game. But I do think it's a lot of fun, and can see myself playing it fairly often in the near future. Though I definitely got a lot better after a month of practice 77,380 is the best I could do. But there's much to be said for the fact that I loved every moment, no matter how difficult it was.
So as another year comes to a close, and again I take a look back and reflect on the year. This time last year I made my only other blog entry. I detailed my various collection goals for 2010 and how I hope to go about achieving those goals. Well I'm back to do it again. Only this year I will also get to review my previous goals, as well as setting myself up with an ambitious list for next year.
2010 was probably the best year for my collection. I added over 400 games to my collection, added a bunch of boxes and manuals to many of my cart only games and finally got my collecting into full swing. 2010 was the first year that I had a considerable amount of extra money to devote to video games. In previous years since I've started collecting money has always been an issue. In many cases I would find highly wanted games and be unable to purchase them. I'd also be constantly torn between buying classic games for my collection or buying new releases for PS3. This has always been increasingly frustrating, but to my delight, not this year.
As for specific goals, last year was the first time that I set up a formal list like this. Overall I really didn't know exactly how to go about it and what kind of goals to set for myself. I feel since it was the first time I made this kind of list I kept it a bit too simple. As the year went on, I had a tough time staying interested in a few of my goals. Anyway, without further delay, here's my 2010 review.
2010 COLLECTION GOALS:
1. Reach 150 PlayStation (1) games.
This goal was quite easy for me to achieve overall. I added around 100 unique PS1 titles to my collection, I only needed 37 to reach the 150 mark. I now sit at 235 PS1 games and this number will probably grow by a few more games by the end of the year. I was also able to get a few specific wants for the system, most notably Tomba. I will have a similar PlayStation related goal in my upcoming list of goals, as I've decided to shoot for a complete PS1 collection.
2. Strengthen My PSP Collection.
Overall I was able to strengthen my PSP collection but not in the way I hoped. I had a set list of specific games I wanted and I got a few of them. Though, as the year progressed I began to neglect buying for my PSP. So I had a rather neutral result with this goal. I didn't quite achieve it but I didn't quite fail.
3. Complete My Resident Evil (US Releases and Variants) Collection [PC excluded]
I was able to add 4 or 5 additions to my Resident Evil collection, but a few months into the year I decided to put this one on hold for the time being. I'm not really pleased with the route that the series had taken and I don't want to own all the Wii Resident Evil games aor any of the 3DS games that are on the way.
4. Obtain a Complete Earthbound.
Failed, plain and simple.
5. Complete My U.S. Metal Gear Solid Collection.
I added 2 more Metal Gear Solid games that I needed for my collection. I felt pretty lucky that I was able to find a copy of MGS4: Limited Edition in perfect condition, for a great price also. Obviously I wasn't able to complete this one but I feel like I made a solid stride towards completion and hope to complete it next year.
6. Start A Sega CD Collection With About 20 Games.
This one I achieved fully. Midway through the year I got my Sega CD and I promptly purchased 20 games. I was able to add specific games that I wanted as well, including: Snatcher, Sonic CD, Corpse Killer, and Night Trap. So this goal was met with a resounding success.
7. Obtain Every Capcom Release on the Original X-Box.
I quickly decided to scrap this goal. It was a last minute addition that I decided against afterwards.
If I'm going by this list of goals, my year would probably have to be considered a failure. I'm not looking at it like that though. This past year I obtained an array of games that I wanted (ie: Akumajou Dracula for Super Famicom, CIB), and had a ton of fun doing so. Therefore 2010 was a grand success for me that I intend to grow upon in 2011.
Well now that's out of the way, now let's detail my list of goals for the upcoming year.
2011 GOALS:
GOAL # 1: Reach 400 Total PlayStation (1) Games.
As stated previously I'm going for the ambitious and possible crazy feat of a complete PS1 collection. This is just one more step towards that overall goal.
Specific PS1 Targets for 2011:
The Misadventures of Tron Bonne
Mega Man Legends 2
Team Buddies
Psychic Detectives
Fox Hunt
Clock Tower 2
D
GOAL # 2: Complete My North American Metal Gear Solid Collection, variants included.
Only five more left:
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (Greatest Hits, PS2)
The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2 (PS2)
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (Red cover, Limited Edition, PS2)
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (PSP)
Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel (PSP)
GOAL # 3: Obtain 20 Complete Super Famicom Games.
There are plenty specifics games that I want but due to the difficulty of finding Super Famicom imports, especially complete, I'll take what I can get. Though I do hope to get at least Chrono Trigger, Castlevania Dracula XX, and Go Go Ackman 1 and 3, but I'm not getting my hopes up.
GOAL # 4: Obtain a PC Engine Duo-R.
I actually have a few potential sellers for this. Hopefully this will be easier than it should be for me.
GOAL # 5: Obtain a Nintendo Famicom and Rebuild A Famicom Collection.
I currently have a Messiah NEX system that plays Famicom games but I want the real thing. I had around 10 or so Famicom games but last year I decided to sell them off for whatever idiotic reason. I'm now immensely regreting that decision and I really want to rebuild my Famicom collection. 15 or 20 games should do just fine for now. A few games are a must, like Sweet Home and Akumajou Densetsu.
GOAL # 6: A Complete Copy of Earthbound.
Yet again I will try to find one, no ebay allowed.
GOAL # 7: Add Boxes to Various Systems.
I would like to have all of my consoles complete in box. Right now I have a decent amount of CIB systems. I would love to extend upon this number.
Specific systems I need boxes for include:
NES (Top Loader)
SNES
Sega Saturn (Grey, Japanese Import)
Sega Dreamcast (Black Sega Sports)
Sega CD
Well there you have it, my 2011 goals. When thinking about these goals I wanted to keep it simple but at the same time be a little more creative and diverse. Having said that, I am much happier with this set of goals. They are definitely more difficult than last year, but even still I am much more excited. Hopefully I can fare better with my goals this year and most importantly continue to have fun collecting in 2011. I thank you for reading and I hope to make further contributions to the blog more regularly. Thank you again, and Happy Holidays.
Now is the perfect time to try something different. Good Old Games (GOG), is holding their holiday sale and Steam will be doing their mega sell probably starting next week. So if you have ever been interested in trying pc gaming now is the time to give it a go.
I know I know, the biggest complaint about PC gaming is cost. It cost so much to game since you have to upgrade your pc every few months (which Is bs but we are not getting into that argument tonight). Well fret not, this is where GOG comes in. GOG sells old games that are worth playing, hence their name. Right now you can pick up about 200 games that will run fine on a netbook with no tweaking whatsoever and all for under $10 each. Hows that for expensive? When you buy a game from GOG you download an executable (EXE) and just double click on it and follow the prompts, 9/10 times it will autoconfigure everything for you. Simple and inexpensive, we have moved up in the world.
However being that this is digital distribution I know a lot of you are hesitant to jump on board. Physical copies are superior no one here is debating that. My thoughts on this are simply that spending $3 to get a copy of Rise of the Triad that installs without me playing around with it for two hours is well worth it. Or if you were an early adopter of Unreal Tournament 2004, like I was those five cd installs get tedious, isnt $6 worth it to not do that anymore?
There are other advantages to GOG. They strip the original DRM from the games and release them DRM free. So games that I would not have bought previously Broken Sword 3 came with Starforce (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starforce), are now purchase worthy. Also, though this is frowned upon by some, if you bought a multiplayer game, say Unreal Tournament 2004, you could install it on multiple computers and play with/against them. And if that wasnt enough they will even GIVE you games. They have several free to download aslong as you have an account games Tyrian 2000 was added to that list today.
So if any of that sounds interesting to you, head on over to www.gog.com and give a company that does Digital Distribution for old games right.
Personally, I am picking up copies of:
Raptor
Baldurs Gate 1 my copy is scratched
Baldurs Gate 2
Rise of the Triad
Serious Sam 1
Serious Sam 2
Neverwinter Nights Diamond Those half a dozen cds get to stay on the shelf now
Total Annihilation
Planescape Torment I figure its about time I play the game everyone keeps telling me is one of the best ever created.
Thats almost a years worth of gaming for well under $40.
Welcome to a new edition of People of RFGeneration, formally written up by Izret, I would like to thank him for the chance to revive an old tradition into something more regular. You will notice these are longer and take a fair amount of time to get put together. I hope you take a chance to read them over when they are put up so you can learn more about some of the people of RFG!
First up on my list was a recommendation as well as an obvious choice, bickman2k, a director here at RFG. Read up and see what we can learn about him!
[img width=251 height=188]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/collections/bickman2k/2010-12-09%2006.51.54.jpg&sizex=251[/img]
Adam aka bickman2k
Preview
Location: Olathe, KS (near Kansas City)
Where does your screen name come from? For that story, we have to look to the future. All the way, to the year 2000...
How did you find RFG? I was using IGN to track my collection. At the time, that was mostly GameCube titles, but was quickly growing to include the NES, Genesis, among others. I was running in to more and more titles that just weren't on the IGN list. I began my search for something new and RF Generation was on the list of things to try.
What made you stay and become part of RFG? At first, I was using RF Generation as a test for tracking my collection along with an Excel sheet, Access database, Collectorz.com, and Cart Commander. I could never get the software stuff to look just the way I wanted it to. With the additions and submission system to the database, I know that my collection will always have every game in. I've never really been in to posting on forums because I felt like I was late to the party and could never get involved. At first, I sort of felt the same way (on my end, of course), but once I started posting more consistently, I realized that this is a community I really wanted to be a part of. It's really the only forum I'm constantly active on.
Have you ever met or personally know anyone at RFG? I have not, but I'm sure if Funk_Buddy ever wanted to meet, we could make it happen! I periodically check the member map, but for some reason, things didn't click until we got connected on Facebook.
Basics
Number of Games Owned (at time of printing): Including variations (hi Tynstar!): over 2200
LoL @ Tynstar comment. Number of Games on Wishlist (at time of printing): 0. The reason for this is that I rarely do much game buying/trading/selling over the Internet. Or I could cop out and say that anything that's not on my owned list is on my wish list.
Number of Systems: Including variations: over 50
[img width=251 height=188]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/collections/bickman2k/2010-12-08%2022.13.20.jpg&sizex=251[/img][img width=251 height=188]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/collections/bickman2k/2010-12-08%2022.13.00.jpg&sizex=251[/img]
When did you start collecting? Growing up, we had the NES and SNES, but when we moved on to the next system, my parents sold the older ones or we traded them in to get games for the new console. Once we hit the N64, we kept it. I was given a GameCube for high school graduation by my then-girlfriend, but didn't dump the N64 (maybe a game or two). I went off to college and loved playing GameCube games, but I had always played games on emulators (NES and SNES mostly). I was getting the itch to start getting the old games again. So, I started calling old friends and neighbors to see if they had their stuff sitting in a closet. Eventually, I got to the point of being on the hunt. I'd say the hook was successfully planted in the summer of 2003.
What was your first system you owned? The first system I personally purchased was a PlayStation from my best friend (who is now my brother-in-law).
What was your first game? I have vague memories of Major League Baseball on Intellivision, but I really remember Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt.
What was your first game you bought yourself (if different from above)? Taking out birthday presents where I could go choose a game, I'd probably have to say Super Punch-Out!!
What made you decide to buy that particular game? I enjoyed playing Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! on the NES at my neighbors' house when I was younger.
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! is a classic. First game you ever beat? First one I can remember is finishing all levels on both games on Donkey Kong Classics for the NES.
Have you ever broken anything due to frustration from a game? Nope.
Interview
Are you collecting now, if so what anything specific? My collecting has slowed, but I still enjoy the hunt. I just can't hunt as much as I used to. Hopefully things will change that will allow me to get back in to the swing of things.
When did you feel a tipping point from gamer to both gamer and game collector? I think that goes back to the summer of 2003 again. I've always enjoyed playing games, but it was that summer when things really took off.
What are your goals as a game collector, how have you developed them, and how do you feel about your progress toward them? I don't really have set goals for my collecting purposes aside from "get them all". I really find all games to be interesting. There are plenty of people out there that like to focus on one thing or another. I don't think I could restrain myself like that.
How many games, systems, etc. are "enough"? Again, all of them... The greatest thing about collecting is that no one can define when you're done.
What's your proudest moment as a game collector? Probably the day I realized that I had over 2000 games. There are a lot of milestones that a collector will hit. I think it starts with 10, then 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and so on by thousands on up. It seems to get easier to hit milestones once you're already getting that high. It is harder to store it all though...
2000 is a lot of games, I doubt I will ever reach that! What's your least proud moment as a game collector? After entering my collection, realizing that I have 2 boxed (maybe CIB) copies of Barney for the Genesis. Why? WHY?!?
I am at a loss for words, Barney? Honestly Barney?Remember, he loves you!  Anways, where/how do you store it all? We have a small house right now, so there's obviously no room to store it all at home. I have my PS3, Wii, Xbox 360, and GameCube games that I'll play on a shelf. I also have the PS2 SingStar games at home since you can play them through the PS3 SingStar version. There is a small collection of NES, SNES, and Genesis games as well. Everything else is in a storage unit.
[img width=251 height=188]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/collections/bickman2k/2010-12-08%2022.13.47.jpg&sizex=251[/img] What's your favorite part of your collection? Probably my SNES collection. I remember some gaming on the NES, but my favorite memories are on SNES games. Although I really do love my collection of non-game gaming collectibles.
SNES did bring some good quality collection stuff, I agree with you there. What about a favorite series? Overall, it has to be the Mario series. There are a lot of series where there is a game or two that I really enjoy, but the body of work across the entire Mario series is hard to beat.
Again, I am going to agree with you. The Brothers have brought many a good time. What is the most valuable part of your collection? I'd say my SNES collection, specifically my SNES RPGs. Lots of CIB goodness.
What would you like to improve in your collection? Probably my SNES collection. I have a lot of games for it, but there are just so many more that I either used to have and want to get again or never got to play and would like to try.
I am seeing a trend, you like your SNES! What do you think was your best deal while game buying? Tengen Tetris for $5 or my free model 2 NES.
Wowzer, that is dandy of a deal. What item in your collection do you feel you overpaid for? Please make me feel better about these: CIB Jaguar with all original packing material, bags, cords, and Cybermorph for $100 and Virtual Boy with 10 or 11 games, books for games and system, and hard plastic Blockbuster rental case for $100. I still think I may have paid too much for them, but I had never seen them around here before. As I mentioned, I don't purchase much from the Internet. I had also just been paid for doing some computer work, so it was extra money, which makes overpaying a little bit easier.
What do you feel is the strangest or weirdest item in your collection? Batter-Up for Genesis. For those who don't know, it's a motion-sensing baseball bat that you played baseball games with.
That was ahead of its' time by a few years huh?! What item(s) do you not have in your collection that people are surprised to hear you don't have? Well, I'm seeing that I have a manual, but no copy of Tetris for Game Boy. Yes, it's true.
That is strange, even I have that Is there any way you'd ever stop collecting? The only way I'd stop collecting would be if we had a severe financial crisis and I had to have a massive sell-off. I just don't think I could go through it all again if that happened.
Do you have a funny story about your collection? It's funny now because I could have saved myself $50. Summer of 2003, I'm working at a golf course and my best friend calls me. They are having a garage sale and they have a Genesis, Sega CD, 32X, and a bunch of games for sale. As you can imagine, $50 for it all. I get up there and purchase the whole bundle from his sister who was there. As I mentioned above, my best friend is now my brother-in-law as well. Yes, I bought my first Genesis, Sega CD, and 32X from my future wife.
[img width=251 height=188]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/collections/bickman2k/2010-10-16%2017.08.45.jpg&sizex=251[/img] Ha! That is funny, although I think I would have asked to take her out to dinner and call it even Have you ever had to move your collection to another house? What was it like? Yes. It's... not done yet. We were living with my wife's mom and stepdad for about a year before we bought our house. It was nice because we had a storage room there that we could use. Since we weren't forced out, we moved gradually, but my games stayed there because we simply didn't have the room to keep them at home. A few months ago, we got a storage unit that's closer to the house. So, I cleared out my collection entirely and as we moved things from the old location to the new, they had a stop at our house to be entered online. I'm almost done!
Sounds like a good way to go, I would be so scared to put stuff in a storage unit though. I guess I need my stuff where I can go see it and go through it! If your significant other told you no more games, what would you do? I'd laugh nervously, then wait for her to say "April Fools!" She's somewhat a gamer, too. Loves SingStar, Rock Band, and Sonic the Hedgehog (the good 2-D one).
That is good, "Couples who play together, Stay together"! What percentage of your games are still sealed? Less than 5%.
What percentage of your game have you actually played? Completed? I have no idea. It gets hard to play through an entire game (especially newer titles) when you have a kid and responsibilities and all that adult-type stuff.
Do you own any complete collections (every game for a certain system)? No, but I'm only one game away from Virtual Boy (Jack Bros.).
I am the evil interviewer with these questions....
What is your favorite game of all time (Top 5 if you need to)? I'd have to say Earthbound. If I ever fire up an emulator on a PSP or my phone, Earthbound is usually the first to get a playthrough. Really, there are so many games that I consider favorites, that the top is sort of an amorphous blob with Earthbound on top.
I would say I like your choice, although I don't own it, I remember playing it through at a friends house and totally loving it. Least Favorite? I've never played them, but, Ubisoft, please, PLEASE stop making the "Somethingz" series. Seriously? "Babyz"? "Horsez"? Let's stop this.
I agree, all those Ubisoft releases are really annoying when it comes to adding to the Database especially.
Others
Do you collect anything else besides games? I am growing into a LaserDisc collector. They are an interesting beast. We first started getting them because the art was very cool. Way better than a narrow VHS cover art and it's GIGANTIC! Mostly started with Disney titles with the intent of using them as decoration, but then I came home with a haul of 60-70 that I picked up for $10 and this past summer I got a working player!
That is interesting thing to share, I am sure most people here didn't know that you collected them. What do you outside of games? Mostly spend time with my family. I also enjoy golfing.
Golf? You need to think of a hobby, golf isn't even a sport?! Just messing! Well, I'm also trying to teach myself some more advanced web programming languages and programming for Android.
Finally, what other features would you like to see more of at RFG (Example: Reviews, Articles, Interviews, Previews, etc)? I really enjoy all of the articles that are written by everyone on the site. I really hope that the interviews take off because I really enjoy being able to learn about everyone on the site. You can pick up things in the forums, but a user-focused article lets everyone get a really good grasp on where they are coming from. The review articles are great, again, because each one is different. The topics may include similar items, but the viewpoint and experience is what sets each one apart. I also enjoy reading the finds blog entries because it's quite interesting to see just what kind of things are being found elsewhere in the country. I do get somewhat jealous because nothing cool tends to make it here...
Thanks for your time! Below you can find Adam's Gamercard and RFG Collection.
[img width=470 height=155]http://gamercards.exophase.com/36335.png[/img]
[img width=468 height=60]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/banners/generated/collection/bickman2k.png[/img]
I am open to suggestions/comments and everything else. Please let me know via PM or email if you are interested in being interviewed. Thanks again!
[img width=300 height=300]http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd163/sunsetflip84/WWFSuperstars2.jpg[/img]
WWF Superstars 2[/b]
Game Play
Okay time for some in ring action with the wrestlers of the WWF. I pick the oh so cool Macho Man Randy Savage. I start off on medium difficulty and go into the a regular match. I'm wrestling against Sid Justice...and I mop the floor with him. Its been almost a decade or so since I lasted played the game...hmm better bump it up a notch and contend with hard difficulty.
So this time around I pick the Undertaker and take him through the tournament mode on hard. I make it to the second last match before the computer gets cheap and almost hands me my first loss. But I eventually turn it around on him and swiftly beat him up. Its a shame that each wrestler uses the same moves. On top of that you don't get any finishing moves either. Bah!
So in this go around you get a total of 6 different wrestlers to choose from (you only get 5 in the first Superstars game) with regular match, tag-team match, steel cage match and a tournament mode to compete for the title. One of the better wrestling games on the GB.
Verdict
Pros: More wrestlers than the previous installment, various modes a plus, second wind feature is great.
Cons: Not too difficult even on the hardest setting, lack of variety in maneuvers, not as nice looking as Superstars 1, no trash talking before the match like the previous game.
Its one of the better wrestling games on the GB, but I would still take a pass on this one.
[img width=300 height=400]http://imgur.com/miu5n.jpg[/img]
A while back a friend of mine sent me a link for an old issue of Pocket Games that he found on eBay. Of course I'm a huge fan of books and magazines with a heavy Game Boy focus, so I made a lowball offer and ended up with a copy. As it turns out Pocket Games was actually a semi-yearly release by the staff of EGM. This Summer/Fall 1999 issue is presumably the first one, and is focused completely on the Game Boy Color, though later issues would branch out and cover various handheld systems. The more I've flipped through it in the past few months, the more I've realized how great a magazine it was.
[img width=300 height=300]http://imgur.com/7LeSSl.jpg[/img] [img width=300 height=300]http://imgur.com/fS6nY.jpg[/img]
Though their reviews aren't extremely in-depth, they seem to be more honest and insightful than other multi-console magazines of the same time. This of course makes sense as at the time most video game magazines were interested in the sort of powerful graphics that would come from disc-based mediums and generally seemed to consider the cartridge a dying breed. However Pocket Games rather fairly compared GBC releases to other GBC releases rather than their console big brothers. But what's nice is that they also didn't sugar coat anything as Game Boy fanboys either. This particular issue finds them ripping apart Midway's GBC ports of Mortal Kombat 4 and NFL Blitz, but also pointing out the fine work that both Konami and Capcom had done with similarly challenging ports ultimately showing Midway as a bit lazy in learning the GBC's new and improved hardware.
[img width=300 height=300]http://imgur.com/ByTaW.jpg[/img]
This particular issue also features a fifteen-page strategy guide for Pokemon Yellow, which actually sort of led to me finally seeing what was so enjoyable about the series. Though I've never been a huge fan, I decided that I'd follow the walkthrough included here and see what all the hype was really about. Since then I've played other games in the series, but Yellow (so far) remains a favorite of mine, as it has a certain streamlined quality to it, especially when compared to Red and Blue. But I digress, the point is that in this day and age of in-game walkthroughs and FAQs for every game being only a Google-search away, it's refreshing to instead have a dozen or so pages of in-depth help and wonderful pictures to just get you started in a game. Rather than showing you every last secret, these sort of walkthroughs were more for helping the player get sucked into a vast game. It reminds me of the early days of Nintendo Power, which is nice.
[img width=300 height=300]http://imgur.com/Tj3wu.jpg[/img] [img width=300 height=300]http://imgur.com/jd13q.jpg[/img]
This issue also features list of Pocket Games' Top 50 Games, which features both Game Boy and Game Boy Color releases. The list is actually pretty interesting, as the first thirty titles have full paragraph blurbs explaining their inclusion on the list, and the magazine was even thoughtful enough to include import-only titles as well. Though reprinting the entire list here would be a bit much, but for the curious here's their top ten as of Summer 1999:
1. Pokemon Red/Pokemon Blue
2. The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
3. Tetris/Tetris DX
4. Metroid II: The Return Of Samus
5. Wario Land II
6. Donkey Kong
7. Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
8. Final Fantasy Legend (series)/Final Fantasy Adventure
9. Super Mario Land (series)
10. Mega Man (series)
[img width=300 height=400]http://imgur.com/2dfAs.jpg[/img]
The back cover features a great Capcom advertisement for their then upcoming releases. The ad shows cover art for 1942, Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors' Dreams, Ghost'N Goblins and most interestingly the unreleased port of Resident Evil that GBC fans were so excited about. Though Capcom would eventually release the amazing original game Resident Evil Gaiden, this promised demake of the first Resident Evil never saw the light of day. How awesome is that cover though?
[img width=300 height=400]http://imgur.com/gG9BH.jpg[/img] [img width=300 height=400]http://imgur.com/oeMkm.jpg[/img]
Also of interest is this particular review of the Hyper Zoom by Interact. Though the accessory itself is hardly worth noting, the picture of it is. Notice that the Game Boy Color seems to be running a version of the Sega Genesis RTS game Herzog Zwei. This picture drove me nuts and sent me on a crazy Google mission to find any mention of a planned GBC port of the game, but alas not even a passing mention could be found. It's a fair guess that for whatever reason the editors just decided to use a random screen in the picture, though it still seems odd to me that they wouldn't use a random screen from a GBC game instead!
[img width=300 height=400]http://imgur.com/HmK8H.jpg[/img] [img width=300 height=400]http://imgur.com/rbfBA.jpg[/img]
This first issue is still the only one that I have, though I do plan to start keeping my eyes peeled for others. I'm not quite sure how many issues were actually published, but I can find proof of at least an Issue #17 being released in the Spring of 2005. Are there any avid readers of this magazine out there? Any favorite issues or features in particular?
[img width=563 height=391]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk189/Crabmaster2000/un_squadroncover.jpg[/img]
Continue reading Unloved #22: UN Squadron
[img width=265 height=266]http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd163/sunsetflip84/CastlevaniaAdventure.jpg[/img]
The Castlevania Adventure[/u]
Fired up another GB game on the ol' Game Cube! Trying to get as far as I can playing as the forgotten Christopher Belmont. I'm a bit rusty as I haven't touched this game in quite a few months.
(Game Play)
And just like the first time I had some problems even getting the game going! Cleaned up the cart and after a few minutes it worked. Bah. So Belmont is slow. Very slow. His jumps are faster for pity's sake! The first level is pretty straight forward. The only hits I took was from the birds (pesky things).
Found the hidden area and powered-up. Netted 2 extra lives in the first level, I'll need them for later. The jumping portions of the game are just too unforgivable. Perhaps the programmers scaled back the speed of Belmont? Thus making the game more difficult?
Lost my first life on stage 2. The part where you cross the chasm by jumping on those platforms that fall. Ugh. Notice however that the backgrounds and the music are standard Konami fare (excellent). Stage 3 the trap area is the one that finally got me. The chasing spikes was too much for poor Belmont.
(Verdict:)
Pros: Great music, sound effects and graphics (for an original GB game)
Cons: Slow movement, whip downgrade when you're hit, very difficult platforming area
I say pass on this game!
Battle Cross, one of my favorite hidden gems of the Super Nintendo. This Japan only release combines two of my preferred gametypes into one svelte package: Arcade Racers and Party Games. Imagine if RC Proam and Bomberman loved each other very much and had a child that had a steep learning curve, and you have Battle Cross. The basis of it is that you are racing four other people on jet bikes and shooting each other with laserbeam looking bullets. Battle Cross is also one of the few SFC/SNES games that is five player.
Now there are some downsides:
- Hard to find/can be expensive ie there are none on ebay right now
- Learning curve is higher than other games (steering is alittle funky)
- Can be addictive
If nothing else, do yourself a favor and give the rom a go.
[img width=130 height=130]http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd163/sunsetflip84/nemesis.jpg[/img]
Alright RF Generation, back with another report.
(Game Play)
Had some trouble even getting the game to work on my Game Cube. Once I did get it going the nice intro greeted me to a nice title screen and sound track. Right off the bat one of the things that I love about the game is the customization of it.
You can choose the difficulty, stage, number of lives (up to 99!) and even turn the rapid fire on or off. Nicely done Konami. If only other shooters would accommodate us. I played the game of difficulty 2 (which must be hard) and set my lives to 3 and auto fire on.
Within the first 30 seconds I was obliterated. Ha,ha,ha! So I adjusted my strategy to gather as much speed in the early going and work my way up from there. I made it to the final area of stage 1 when I lost my last life. Wow.
One thing that struck me is how brutal the enemies are on difficulty 2. They don't wait to fire on you and they get in your face right away. Another thing, for a game boy game this cart packs some nice graphics. The enemy sprites are okay but mostly dark blots. The backgrounds are really sweet though.
My second attempt was much better. Same setup as before except I went to difficulty 1 and turned auto fire off. I didn't lose my first life until halfway into level 2. Not bad for not playing this game in a year or so!
Verdict:
Pros: Setup customization, nice backgrounds, excellent tunes
Cons: Only 5 stages, slowish ship movements
If you find it cheap, Get this game!
So RF Generation, any fond memories of Nemesis? Let me know!
Hey this is my first foray here at RF Generation. Thought I might contribute to this place.
Alright here's the report. I hooked up my Gamecube and decided to pop in Wario Land in the old Game Boy Player. Farted around with the controls for a bit just to get the hang of things. Keeping in mind I haven't touched this game for....10+ or so years the rust was clearly apparent.
(Story)
Apparently the Brown Sugar Pirates have stolen a solid gold statue in the guise of Princess Toadstool. After getting his butt handed to him by Mario in (SML 2), Wario's in need of a new castle and bags full of treasure.
(Game Play)
The first level is all about getting used to the controls and the various hats in the game. You get a selection of 3 hats to utilize when they appear by breaking bricks. You get the flying hat, dragon hat and the bull hat. Each one has various powers and uses to help you find hidden areas and treasures.
Although I only made it to the second world (Mt. Teapot) I already lost a few lives (thanks to the thwomp that chases you in the cave). But was making some progress finding the first hidden treasure (the horn). Wario Land sports some very interesting hidden areas increasing its replay value if you ignore them your first play through. The graphics are nice, big and cartooney with some nice variety in enemy sprites.
I only scratched the surface in this great game. With 8 worlds and 40 stages to get around you'll be risking lives and treasure just to see which ending you get at the final conclusion. That's one of the parts I loved about the game. Depending on how much treasure you accumulate the better your ending.
Final Verdict:
Pros: 8 worlds, 40+ levels, hidden areas, nice graphics
Cons: If you make an effort to get all the treasures and find all the areas, the replay
value drastically drops.
Get this game!
[img width=700 height=525]http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii241/shobonimaster/IMG_2637.jpg[/img]
Found this at a flea market store for $9.50. I'm happy about getting it because aside from my 360 this is my only boxed console. As you can see the box isn't in the best shape, and it's opened at the wrong end, but a little scotch taped made it alot more presentable for display.
[img width=700 height=525]http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii241/shobonimaster/IMG_2638.jpg[/img]
[img width=700 height=525]http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii241/shobonimaster/IMG_2640.jpg[/img]
As you can see it came with all the cords, the manual, and the original dual analog gampad. It even has the cover sleave, which is missing from even the picture in the data base. The foam inserts are a nice little addition as well.
As for games, all it came with was a loose copy of tigerwoods 99 that was in the disc tray. I used this game to try out and it works perfect, the only problems being the open button sticking a little if you press it to hard, and the power button being a little touchy.
[img width=700 height=525]http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii241/shobonimaster/IMG_2636.jpg[/img]
I also picked a boxed multitap for $5, and a loose copy of Halo(Xbox) for free. This brings us to my other real find. I Manged to get the NIB(CIB now) 3D system up there for $2, and when I did research the cheapest I could find it online was $8-$15, It even went on up to the original $100 price tag in some places. So I'm happy about that find, I'll have to plug it into my Win98 later and give it a shot.
[img width=300 height=300]http://imgur.com/6YUoU.jpg[/img]
I've been playing through a GBA shmup lately called World Reborn. The game is actually a really intriguing mix of not only shooting, but also RPG elements as well. Although Namco's Sigma Star Saga was a rather brilliant merging of similar genres, I never found it all that great of a game personally. But World Reborn just seems to get everything right.
First of all as a horizontal shmup, it plays well. The controls are good, the music is excellent, the graphics are a throwback to golden-age 16-bit shooters, the power-ups are plenty and the bullets are from hell. Though it's not up to the perfection of say Iridion II, it basically offers up everything a fan of retro shmups could want.
[img width=300 height=200]http://imgur.com/2Mclh.jpg[/img] [img width=300 height=200]http://imgur.com/Wbcay.jpg[/img]
On the RPG side of things you have several pilots to choose from for each level, and each can select which ship to take. Each ship and pilot have different stats that can be leveled up each time they're used. This adds an interesting depth to the game because you can choose to stick with one pilot and one ship and just max them out, or create a strategy to level up more than one for more balance in differently-suited levels. Maybe it's going a bit overboard to say that World Reborn is also an RPG though. If anything it's actually a bit closer to a visual novel. Between levels dialogue-heavy cut-scenes propel the story forward, but the level-route isn't linear. Instead you can choose which level to go to next in a sort of choose-your-own-adventure fork-in-the-road kind of way.
[img width=300 height=200]http://imgur.com/2Tkzm.jpg[/img] [img width=300 height=200]http://imgur.com/IsLIS.jpg[/img]
To say that World Reborn must be tried by all GBA shmup fans is an understatement. However, here's where the game's major problem comes up: it was never released. Although a 100% finished game exists, the game never actually made it to retail. This is majorly sad, and it's my hope that bringing awareness of this fantastic game into light could perhaps rectify this. With wonderful outlets like Homebrew Heaven out there, it would seem that even a limited run of this game would be a belated gift for GBA enthusiasts out there such as we.
So here's everything I know from googling and pulling bits of the developer's defunct website up using http://archive.org's Wayback Machine:
The game was designed by a development group known as NeoPong. As far as I can tell, this is the only finished title that this particular team created. Presumably they own the rights to the game as their website actually officially hosted a free download of the ROM at a time. The game was to be published by Destination Software, who is probably better known as DSI Games who was also responsible for publishing the GBA port of R-Type III. I can't seem to find any history of why the game was canceled though, so it's unknown if Destination retained any rights.
From my research I believe this is the full team of NeoPong:
Charles Galyor - lead designer/president
Robert Dean - lead programmer
Kirby Thornton - programmer
Bertrand Dupuy - artist
Eric Stamm - musician
If anybody happens to know any of these guys, I'd love to know more of the story behind the abandonment of World Reborn. I think it would be amazing if there could be even a small release of this game to finally see itself materialize in cartridge form. I suppose the biggest factor would be determining if the demand exists for such a release, though.
Hopefully this is the start of a strong come back for the People of RFGeneration! As in the past things have changed and am sure will continue to do so in the future. After this Paully3433 will be taking the lead. I appreciate his assistance in bringing back the series!
This installment is all about Paully3433. I figured he might as well get the spotlight since he is going to be writing it from here on out. Interviewing yourself might be a bit awkward...
Also in keeping with an unintentional tradition this interview is longer than previous ones.
Let me/him know what you think of the new and improved PoRFG. Also please do not hesitate to help us come up with new ideas/questions for future installments.
Alright so without further delay...Holy hell I just* noticed how long it has been since the last one!...
THE INTERVIEW!
General
How did you find RFGeneration?
I actually found RFG while being active in a Union on Gamespot. Some of the collectors I was friends with used RFG to keep track of their collections.
What made you join?
RFG seemed like a good community with tons of potential, and it was exactly what I was looking for.
What made you stay?
I stayed because I liked the way the Database was set up. I used to use Gamespot and IGN to track my collection, but it wasn't fulling me needs.
How did you come up with your username?
My username is just a name that I used to use for almost everything computer related way back in High School. So I just left it and made things easier.
Have you met or personally know any of the other members of the website?
I have not met any, although Tondog and Oatbob live within an hour or so from me.
Are you an active collector? If so anything specific?
Yeah I am actively collecting when my income allows me too Mostly RPG's and strategy games. I am trying to find some of the stuff I played when I was younger, NES and Genesis games mostly.
Whats your favorite game or series? Why?
That is, as it would be for most collectors, incredibly difficult to answer. The Final Fantasy series is pretty high up there for me. Others worth mentioning would be: Dragon Warrior/Quest, Wild Arms, Suikoden, Gran Turismo, Grandia, Lunar, Crash, and Spyro, off the top of my head. Otherwise anything Atlus, NIS or Square.
What are your passions?
Passions in collecting or otherwise? In collecting the goal is to get the games I played when I was younger, as well as the RPGs for the systems I have. Otherwise my family is my passion, I love them dearly and if it came to it, would give up my games in a heartbeat for them.
What do you do outside of RFG?
Anyways, I work as a Mason, which means I can lay block, brick and stone, as well as pour concrete. For fun, I fish/hunt, play sports, take the kids to park and just be outside. It really is amazing I find time to do what I can at RFG.
Specific
Your collection(and wishlist) is VERY RPG heavy. Do you have a favorite kind?
Hrm tough one there..... I love Turn-Based RPGs, that is why the Final Fantasy Series got me hooked into RPGs. I also am big fan of Diablo or Baldur's Gate type of games.
What makes you gravitate towards that style?
I seem to like the chance to plan out an attack. Some of the newer RPGs run in active mode and that turns me off a little. I like to think and the chance to perform a devastating combo.
What is your most valuable collection item?
Man, you make this hard If I had to choose one, I guess it would be my sealed copy of SMT: Digital Devil Saga Deluxe Box Set. Value wise it isn't extremely high, but sentimental value came when it came in the mail the same day as my daughter was born. So I doubt I will ever get rid of it. I have an opened normal version so I can play through it as well
What is your most prized part of your collection?
I like my Sega CDX system personally. Sounds dumb but ah well. Not everyone has one of those right? Another cool thing I have is a trunk that has Mario on two sides and Zelda on the other two. Very cool storage box and has gotta be rare.
What do you feel is the most unique(strangest or weirdest) item in your collection?
Up until a few months ago, I had a Ghaleon Hand puppet from one of the Lunar games. But I ended up selling it since it was taking up space I didn't have. Now I would say the SMT: Devil Summoner 2 for PS2 Doll thing that came with it. Kinda creepy looking!
What item(s) do you not own that might surprise people?
The only "Next-Gen" systems I have are a DS Lite and a PSP Slim. I do not have a PS3, Wii, or 360 and may not get any of them for sometime. My true colors are old school RPGs and not this new crap Graphics are good but not something that I need.
What has been your proudest moment in collecting thus far?
Just the fact that I keep my games in great condition and for the most part, have original versions and not Greatest Hits. I am proud of that. When I get something Mint, I intend to keep it Mint.
Your most embarrassing?
I don't really have anything to embarrassing, once and awhile I will buy a game I have already. I feel crappy when I find a game on sale that I just bought, that's embarrassing.
GAMING FIRSTS
What was the first game/system you played and how old were you?
The first system I played was an Atari 2600 that my uncle had. As for the first game, probably Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back or Asteroids, I don't remember for sure.
First console owned?
The first system I owned was Christmas of 1988 when I got the NES bundle with Super Mario/Duck Hunt Combo, I was 5
First game you bought yourself?
Gosh I don't remember for sure. I do remember begging my mom to let me spend my money on "NES Play Action Football" at Shopko. $50 for that was a rip off wowzer!
What made you decide to buy that particular game?
If I remember right, I think I rented it for $.50 at a store in town. Thought it was cool and wanted it. Like I said that was like 20 years ago
First game you beat?
Super Mario Brothers for NES
First time you wanted to destroy something because of a game?
That has been many times, many many times.... specifically I remember played Warcraft III for PC and getting so mad I through my disc out my bedroom window. Another time I remember my friend beating me on the Power Pad in Track and Field for NES. You know the running and jumping off the pad quick trick during long jump? I was so bad I refused to play that with him for weeks lol.
First game to surprise you?(by being better than you expected)
Dark Cloud for PS2 was a huge surprise for me. May not have been the first but probably the one that stands out to me. That game combined great gameplay with some cool concepts. RPG to City Building, what a great idea?
First game to disappoint you?
Remember that NES Play Action Football" story? Can we stop there again for a visit? I should have just stuck with Tecmo Bowl..... Others to disappoint were Unlimited Saga for PS2 and Final Fantasy X-2 for PS2. Both huge Square let downs for me.
Hopefully this has shed some more light on Paully for you guys He has been here for 2 years and a couple months now. While he hasn't been super vocal on the boards or blogs he is definitely an integral part of our community doing quite a bit of work "behind the scenes".
Much thanks again Paully for taking the torch. Looking forward to the next installment of this series!!
* This was actually started in/around May...
It pains me to end my part in the series but obviously I have let it flounder into near oblivion :-/. Did I already mention I am really looking forward to future interviews?
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Posted on Dec 2nd 2010 at 05:43:15 AM by ( noiseredux) Posted under news |
[img width=300 height=400]http://imgur.com/V9cj5.jpg[/img]
I would never use this blog as a means of plugging an auction under normal circumstances, but the Racketboy forum is currently hosting a charity auction to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Seeing as how we video game collectors are adults that are often attempting to hang on to a happy childhood through our hobby, it's important to remember the children who aren't making such happy memories. If you head over to the Racketboy forums you can take a look at the full auction details. The auction thread is here: http://racketboy.com/foru...iewtopic.php?f=15&t=26581
Fans of the Game Boy Player Land blog may want to check out Lot #162 (pictured above):
162. noiseredux's Growing Lot of GB/GBC/GBA Stuff
Amazing Spider-Man (GB), Antz Extreme Racing (GBA), Asteroids (GBC), Baseball (GB), Bionic Commando Elite Forces (GBC), Mortal Kombat II (GB), Solar Striker (GB), Star Wars Attack Of The Clones (GBA), Star Wars Trilogy Apprentice Of The Force (GBA), boxed GB Printer (feed drive seems jammed?), GB Printer paper (sealed), Nintendo Winter 2002 catalog (GCN/GBA), Pokemon Gold Japanese box & manual only, Purple GBC replacement case, 13 GB cartridge cases, 9 GB/GBC/GBA manuals, GBA SP box, Dialhex box, handful of possibly non-working GB games AND WHATEVER ELSE I CAN FIND TO INCLUDE
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We are a community of collectors, gamers and the likes, and some of us enjoy to let the world know what is on our mind. For those members, we have the community blogs, a place where they can publish their thoughts and feelings regarding life, universe, and everything. Some of those members might even choose to write about gaming and collecting! Whatever they write about, you can find it on their blog. You can either see the latest community blog entries in the feed you see to the left, or you can browse for your favorite blog using the menu above. Interested in having your own blog hosted on RF Generation? It's rather simple, first be a registered member, and then click the "My Blog" link that you see in the navigation above. Following those two steps will certainly get you on your way to blogging.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy our entries, rantings, and completely unrelated series of thoughts. We write for you to read, so we certainly hope that you enjoy our material.
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