Those of you who are a little more observant, may have noticed that little box over there on the right side of the home page that keeps track of the database stats. See it over there? Pretty neat isn't it? Well, you might notice that the total number of scans is just over 50,000. That's right, in a little over 5 years, RFGeneration has accumulated FIFTY THOUSAND scans.
This is obviously a momentous occasion for THE Classic and Modern Video Game Database, but we couldn't have done it without the hundreds of dedicated members who put in hours of their own time to scan these games. I've done my share of scanning, and I know how much work it can be to scan several games at once, so to those of you who have done thousands of scans, my hat goes off to you.
Some of our top image submitters since October 2006 include:
Tan
ga5ket
Fuyukaze
Y2richie
Pop Culture Portal
Rajaat the Warbringer
Belgarath
Funk_Buddy
Madir
James
Mezmoron
VACRMH
sharp
Tynstar
Lios
These are not the only users that deserve applause, however. There are hundreds of you that have submitted anywhere from one to hundreds of scans, and each and every scan is truly appreciated.
As the newest Site Director, I would like to personally thank each and every one of you that have contributed to the 50,000+ scans the site now has.
Now, let's see how quickly we can get to 100,000 scans!
This past Friday I caught a quick 9 after work and I can only put it one way - I got my money's worth. I really do not consider golf to be a social activity whatsoever, but I have never met so many people during a round in my life. I sprayed shot after shot into everyone's fairway except for my own. It got so bad that yelling 'FORE' and my resulting apology to my new 'friends' became a natural part of my post-shot routine. To add insult to injury, I could not even dull my frustration nor offer my new 'buds' a compensatory beverage - the Beer Girl had the night off! By the end of the round, I was dead tired (I probably hit that ball 8,000 yards on a 3,625 yard back 9 course) and felt humiliated beyond description. This 8 Handicap player had just carded a 63 - with no penalties! This was not the way I wanted to start off my weekend at all. I needed some sort of redemption.
The best way to heighten a sagging spirit like my own - get a video game! Call me a glutton for punishment, but I picked up Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2010 for the Xbox 360 on my way home. I fired it up and was once again all was right with the world. Birdies were no longer just a multiplier for my eventual score on basically every hole I had just experienced two hours earlier on the real links. This brought back fond memories of the various video golf games I had experienced in my past. The following is a trip down down memory lane for all of those wishing they could actually perform as well as their virtual golfing counterpart - I give to you my favorite and most memorable video golf games of all time.
Birdie King
Released : 1982 Developer : Taito Platform : Arcade
Golf
Released : 1984 Developer : Nintendo Platform : Nintendo Famicom
Now I do admit that this arcade classic was basically my introduction to the video gaming golf world. A roller-ball type of control was used, which was as responsive to the touch as one of my early dates to the High School Homecoming Dance - then again, maybe the problem was me all along (on both fronts). I do remember absolutely hating that circling buzzard - it would knock my perfect drive into oblivion and then consume more of my hard earned quarters without any remorse as I stupidly chose to 'continue' my round.
This was the first golf video game for a console that I truly enjoyed - I was actually a person (Mario wannabe) rather than just some white block on the screen. For whatever reason, this was important to me. The introduction of the 'swing meter' was also a welcomed addition. I grant you that this is as basic as it gets when it comes to the early golf games - but it was fun! I could change clubs and saw my 'linkster' in action. I still had to figure out and estimate the yardage and the like - a small price to pay for a rewarding experience back then.
Big Event Golf
Released : 1986 Developer : Taito Platform : Arcade
Lee Trevino's Fighting Golf
Released : 1988 Developer : SNK Platform : Nintendo NES
Big Event Golf was truly the pinnacle of arcade golf during its day. The first golf game to really capture the sport IMHO (along with my quarters). Rich colors and a detailed environment truly allowed one to really feel 'on the links'. The best part though was the viewpoint - you watched the flight of the ball from behind the golfer and could see your wayward drive disappearing into the underbrush - or the lake. Wind was either a friend or a foe. I cannot say enough about this game - it is a blast with your buds. I picked one up for $50 from a neighborhood that I would never venture into again (I didn't know this at the time). After a refurbishment, we still play this game religiously to this very day.
The infamous reverse 'TV-style' game view was just among the many things that made this fast paced simulation a hit. This was one of the first home console versions to feature multiple courses (two) and four-way play. The graphics were pretty impressive compared to the competition - golfers were more 'lifelike' rather than the cartoonish and the landscape, though still flat, featured much more detail than any of its predecessors in this genre. Still probably my favorite golf game for the NES system (just beating out Jack Nicklaus' Greatest 18 Holes of Major Championship Golf).
Arnold Palmer Tournament Golf
Released : 1989 Developer : Sega Platform : Sega Genesis
Links 386: The Challenge of Golf
Released : 1990 Developer : Access Software Platform : PC
This game did not introduce a great deal to the genre, with the exception of two vital things we still see in today's games - shopping for gear and the ability to upgrade your skills. Another interesting note is that your golfer (Arnie) is HUGE - almost 1/2 the size of the screen. You have three varied courses to chose from along with multiple play formats. The background tunes are kind of catchy too (or maybe I am just rather bland).
The true advent of the game as we know it today - Links 386 definitely has a place in every virtual golfer's heart. The lush, highly detailed terrain was no longer flat - it now breathed of life right down to the the occasional belch from a nearby frog. Commentary was digitized and spot on ("Jim, I think he hit the tree") and the amount of options were unlimited. Add-on courses were also available, in attractive boxes (5.25 disks). This series set the standard.
PGA Tour Golf III
Released : 1994 Developer : Electronic Arts Platform : Sega Genesis
PGA Tour '96
Released : 1995 Developer : Electronic Arts Platform : Panasonic 3DO
As Links 386 set the standard for the more advanced hardware of a personal computer, the PGA Tour series became the yardstick for the home console. PGA Tour III was the pinnacle of this series in the 16-bit generation. This game had everything - tournament play, a massive eight courses and 54 Pros to compete against. The digitized golfers are well presented and game play is fast. I can remember tournaments being held at the local speakeasy I frequented - yes, I rocked these due to my knowledge of the '50% rule' for those 'tweener' shots.
Thank goodness for 32-bit systems - courses are no longer flat!! Courses took a little longer to load, but the wait was well worth it. The undulating fairways and landscapes really blew you away - hearing the realistic sounding crowd cheer you was also a nice perk. The commentator is kind of funny to be honest - always speaking in a hushed voice and usually adding something that does nothing to help out your psyche ("This... for the bogie... to go 8 over"). Still a classic and ground breaking golf simulation for the home console system.
Now this is the one game I have not personally experienced on this list, but I would be remiss to exclude it. This is probably the most expensive golf video game that is out there for the home console. It reminds me very much of the early Golden Tee arcade games, specifically the camera angle that follows the flight of the golf ball after being struck. From what I have gathered the few people that I do know that have this game, they all say it is a blast and definitely the highlight of arcade-style golf games. I will have to save up for this ($200+).
OK - I admit this up front - this is the weakest entry on this list by far. T&E Software had previously released some real clunkers in this genre (Pebble Beach, Wicked 18, etc.) and I was not eagerly anticipating this game at all. Others had been rele3ased, but for whatever reason I could not (and still don't) embrace the analog stick swing control - I hate it! Swing Away Golf was the only alternative that I had since they still utilized the old-school 3-click swing, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the anime-style cartoon golfers, this game is very deep and a load of fun.
XavixPORT Golf
Released : 2004 Developer : SSD Company LTD. Platform : XaviXPORT
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2010
Released : 2009 Developer : Electronic Arts Platform : Xbox 360
This is not a well known title at all, nor is this video game console. Graphics are on par somewhere between a Neo Geo and a 3DO - not that great to be honest for a system being released in 2004. However, what merits its inclusion is the controller - an actually golf club! That is right, before the Nintendo Wii, the XaviXPORT was the first game console to entirely embrace motion sensing technology. The game is fair at best in all honesty, but swinging that club makes it a blast! Simple, easy play is its forte - time to get off the couch!
All I have to say is that I am happy to be reacquainted with an old friend - the 3-click meter in a next-gen golf game. Making it's reappearance in Tiger Woods 2008, this release in the most successful golf franchise of all-time is why I keep coming back. Luscious visuals, easy to use controls, this has it all for me. There are some things that still need to be tweaked here and there, but you will not find this old-school gamer complaining at all. This truly displays all of the innovations that have occurred within this genre.
There are many golf games\series that just missed inclusion but all are great games in their own right, most notably Hot Shots Golf and Golden Tee among others. I admit that this gamer is 100% biased to games utilizing the 3-Click swing method - that is why they call me Tripe O-G at work - I am definitely old-school, Let's here your thoughts, experiences and top golf games!
Today at the gamescom convention in Cologne, Germany, Sony finally confirmed alltherumors of the PS3 Slim. The new unit will be 33% smaller and 36% lighter than the existing models. Most importantly, it will launch on September 1st for $299. Can't wait that long? All PS3 systems are now $299, effective tomorrow.
Here's SCEI CEO Kaz Hari unveiling the new PS3 model at the gamescom press conference. It also gives you an idea just how much smaller it is when he holds the system in his hands.
One thing I learned many years ago is to never throw away a necktie, unless I had soiled it beyond repair by dribbling Arby's barbecue sauce all over myself during a rushed luncheon. Neckties are to gentlemen like shoes are to women - they will always come back in style at some point down the road. I almost hate myself for saying this. I know I am just pouring gasoline on an already healthy fire known as my lady friend's 'Shoe Museum' that now occupies the space formerly known as my closet. The most popular medium of today's internet is somewhat similar - the Forum.
While perusing a Sacred 2: Fallen Angels board this morning an odd déjà vus moment hit me. The year was 1991 and my warrior was getting beat on like a rent-a-car in Conan the Cimmerian by Virgin Interactive on my Packard Bell 386 computer. Back then the rage was all about 'Hint Lines' - a telephone number you could call to get assistance and tips on a certain game. But there was another option that was available to frustrated gamers - the Bulletin Board System (BBS). This was basically the precursor to what we now know as Forums.
The BBS was developed in the late 1970's as a means to allow users to share information, data and to communicate with each other on their mutually shared passion. Most of these were purely text generated graphical affairs requiring a modem to dial into the host - for the most part they were not supported in the early days of the internet. A long distance call was often required from your LAN line to connect to these hubs (usually ran off a dedicated server in some guy's house). You had to be quick - get in, post/get your info and log off. Time dawdling would result in your telephone bill skyrocketing beyond your fiscal means (at least for me). The foundation for the Forum as we now know it was laid.
Besides the sharing of information, creating communities has always been a goal of the internet. I did not embrace this aspect of the BBS in its early days - I just wanted the info to defeat Saranj and his entourage of saber wielding bandits in the courtyard of Nanuck. I was frugal with my discretionary financial resources, which were extremely limited at the time, to fully partake in this aspect of the BBS. Thank goodness technology has evolved to allow resources like RF Generation, Digital Press, ASSEMblers and the like to provide this integral goal for free.
Unlike most of my 50+ neckties that sit in storage awaiting their rebirth, the groundwork established by the BBS has reemerged countless times during the development of the internet. From My Space to Twitter to our favorite bookmarked Forums, the legacy of the BBS still lives on and flourishes to this day. Only time will tell what new incarnation of the BBS will surface down the road.
Another slow week for me. I didn't get to do much saling on Saturday because my uncle was having a huge cookout so I had to go over and help set up around 10:30 in the morning, so I only got a couple hours of saling in. On Sunday I had to help my mom setup for a "Slovak Fest" and then help clean up from the party before going to the flea market, so I didn't get there until after 11, and there was a huge crowd with very few good deals left. However, I did get a couple good things, so make sure to read on to see what they are.
As many of you know, RF Generation was founded on April 28, 2004, by a wonderful group of people. At its insight, we were a tight community of gamers, collectors, and average Joes that loved the community we had. We still love the community to this day.
Many of you probably don't know this, but I was not the original Site Director. In fact, I wasn't even an original staff member. Site Director... was a position developed by me in late 2006 as a way to ensure that we had a group of people that would work together to keep the site moving forward. Prior to that we had a webmaster, and the original webmaster was none other than Michael Collins. We miss him dearly, but since his passing a lot of us stepped up to keep the site growing, and grow it did.
We're not the little community we were in 2004. These days, we've got many, many members who use us as not only a game and hardware reference but also as one hell of a collection tool, coded by my good friend Eddie Herrmann. We've added a lot of things to the site since that fateful day in 2004, and in doing so we've grown dramatically.
We used to be on a shared host. We've since crushed that shared host and then in the course of 3 weeks crushed the VPS we were on. These days, we're on a dedicated server with an 85 dollar a month bill.
We used to not have a submission system for regular members. Back in the day there were the wonderful "Submit Missing Games Here" and "Submit Missing Images Here" threads. Oh, they were lovely things, and that's how you guys were able to submit content.
We used to not have a hardware database or variants. Since then, we do. The system to submit such things has seen more revisions than Michael Jackson's nose.
We used to have one programmer that programmed everything in Perl. After our proprietary file based database began being corrupted under heavy load, I stepped up to assist in transitioning the site to MySQL driven, learning PHP in the process. These days, We're entirely mySQL based with some file based caching for our more intensive scripts.
We used to have a different site design. Check it out on the web archive. These days we have the current template, and maybe someday in the future we'll change it again.
Oh memories. We've grown so much, but in the process those of us who run the site have grown older and busier. You may notice that two of the four directors, Tynstar and Tan, are no longer directors. Life has required them to move on. Similarly, countless staff members have moved on to the site to bigger and better things. We thank them for their grand service.
Now, it is with a tinge of sadness, and also happiness that I must announce that it's time for Eddie and myself to pass the torch onto someone else. It's been a fun 3 or so years, but our age and schedules are finally catching up with us.
It is my pleasure to announce that Mike Fox (NES_Rules) will be assuming the role of Site Director. He's been one hell of an asset to RF Generation, and I know that he'll be one hell of a Site Director. I for one am happy that he took this role, and I thank him for taking the torch and running with it.
What does that mean for the site? Well, that means that Mike runs everything now instead of me. It also means that Eddie and I will be taking a lesser role in the operation of the site. While we will be sticking around as the technical crew that keeps the site up and running and also quashing programming bugs, Mike will be the guy who ensures that the site continues to grow. I know he'll do a great job.
So, on behalf of Eddie and me, I welcome Mike to his new role. Thank you Mike, you're a great asset to RF Generation, and I know you'll be fantastic.
This week wasn't spectacular in that I didn't have any really big finds, but instead, I had a lot of little finds, each one a great find in their own right. For once, my first treasure of the week didn't come from Friday, but on Thursday for a change. But I didn't get much garage saling in on Friday or Saturday and then I didn't go to the flea market on Sunday at all. The majority of my finds all come very early on Saturday this week.
I recently decided to get GameFly because I found that there were so many new games I wanted to try out, but not necessarily buy them. So far, i've been very impressed by the service. So much so that I thought I'd let you all know about my experiences so far. If you don't know, GameFly is a rental service, much like NetFlix, that allows you to rent games by mail.
First, let's talk about the main part of the service, renting. Their library of games is extensive. They have almost any game you could want for PS3, 360, Wii, PS2, Xbox, GameCube, DS, PSP, and GBA. So far it seems like most of the games I've wanted to rent are readily available, with the exception of brand new games, which tend to have Low to Very Low availability. But usually they'll be more available in a week or two once the initial renters have returned their copies.
The process of selected what games you want is fairly simple. You simply search the site for the game you want to rent and add it to your GameQ. Once you have titles in your GameQ, you can rearrange them to tell GameFly which you would like to have top priority. When you return a game, they will pick the next available game out of your GameQ and send it. Pretty simple.
You receive the game disc/cart only in an envelope that opens up into a pre-paid return envelope. Inside the envelope you'll find a protective cardboard sleeve with a paper sleeve inside that contains your game. You can keep any game as long as you want. Once you are done with a game, just put it back in the envelope, drop it in the mail and they'll take care of the rest. Once they receive your game, they'll ship out the next available game on your GameQ
In addition to offering rental services, GameFly also has an extensive library of used games for you to buy at a discounted price. Often times, their used game prices beat out GameStop. For example, I bought Prince of Persia for PS3 from them for only $22, whereas GameStop was charging $27 at the time I bought it. Another example: GameStop wants $55 for Red Faction: Guerilla whereas GameFly only wants $43 for it. Another nice thing about GameFly is that if you rent a game and you end up enjoying it, you can opt to keep the game without having to send it back. Oh, and all you CIB whores out there, don't worry, if you decide to keep the game, they will mail you the case and instructions for free. Since the case and instructions haven't been touched by anyone, they're in perfect condition. Oh yeah, I should also mention that all 6 games I've rented from GameFly so far have been in mint condition with no scratches or fingerprints of any kind.
Their shipping times are pretty good too. I live in Minnesota, and it usually takes three days for me to get a game from them or for them to receive a game I send back. However, sometimes when sending a game back, they will use something called fast return, where they ship your next game as soon as they get tracking confirmation from the post office that you put the game in the mail. I haven't figured out how that works yet, however.
Their plans are pretty well-priced too. $15.95 per month for one game out at a time, $22.95 for two games, $29.95 for three games, and $36.95 for four games.
GameFly offers a program called GameFly Rewards to all of its members at no charge. Every three months you are a member, you will get $5 GameFly Dollars to used in their used game store. Also, if you're a member for six months, you will get 5% all purchases from them, and if you're a member for a year, you'll get 10% off. So the longer you remain a member, the better of a deal you'll get if you buy games from them. Add that on top of the $5 they give you every three months, and the savings start to stack up pretty well.
Click here to give it a shot! They have a free trial, and your first month is discounted if you decide to keep going with them.
This past Friday I caught a quick 9 after work and I can only put it one way - I got my money's worth. I really do not consider golf to be a social activity whatsoever, but I have never met so many people during a round in my life. I sprayed shot after shot into everyone's fairway except for my own. It got so bad that yelling 'FORE' and my resulting apology to my new 'friends' became a natural part of my post-shot routine. To add insult to injury, I could not even dull my frustration nor offer my new 'buds' a compensatory beverage - the Beer Girl had the night off! By the end of the round, I was dead tired (I probably hit that ball 8,000 yards on a 3,625 yard back 9 course) and felt humiliated beyond description. This 8 Handicap player had just carded a 63 - with no penalties! This was not the way I wanted to start off my weekend at all. I needed some sort of redemption. 
I recently decided to get GameFly because I found that there were so many new games I wanted to try out, but not necessarily buy them. So far, i've been very impressed by the service. So much so that I thought I'd let you all know about my experiences so far. If you don't know, GameFly is a rental service, much like NetFlix, that allows you to rent games by mail.
