After three years and five months, the Spectrum Next that I backed on Kickstarter finally arrived today. It sounds wild that I paid for this after the campaign ended in 2020, and during that time, there was a COVID breakout that led to component shortages. Because of this, the developers had to use a new chipset and retest the operating system, amongst other issues. Fast forward to today, and it’s here, the packaging looks fantastic, and I can’t wait to do an unboxing video and run it through its paces.
The ZX Spectrum wasn’t officially released in Australia, but it was imported here by a select group of computer shops. I was exposed to the Spectrum via the computer magazines available here, such as Crash, Big-K, CV&G, Sinclair User and other titles. The multi-format mags were a great source of information as they typically compared a game title released for the different platforms, so you could see which version was best. Being a Commodore 64 owner, games such as Robocop, Chase HQ and WEC Le Mans tended to be better on the Spectrum. Having never used a Spectrum (I own a 48K and a 2+ but haven’t connected them to date), the Next will be used to finally sit down and play the library of fab games available.
Another addition to the collection is the recently released Atari Gamestation Pro by My Arcade. This console emulates the 2600, 5200, 7800, and Atari arcade titles. It also includes a Micro-SD card slot so you can add your ROM files, and as a bonus, it includes MAME to play arcade games for that particular build.
I quite like the design as it looks like something that Atari would have released in the early 80s, with its silver motif and big buttons. Included are two wireless joysticks, each with an integrated paddle controller and system buttons. The joystick is powered by 4xAA batteries, or you can connect it to the base console using a USB-C cable that's not included.
The system has 200 built-in games for the various Atari platforms (138 are Atari titles and 63 are from Piko Interactive) and includes classics such as Adventure, Asteroids, Yar’s Revenge, and arcade titles such as Tempest, Centipede, Food Fight, and I,Robot. It has an attractive menu system that includes box art, game information and control information.
Over the last two months, there’s been a flurry of hardware releases that have taken a heavy toll on the bank balance. One of those releases is the Taito Super Pocket by Blaze under the Hyper Mega Tech! brand. They also have the Capcom Super Pocket. The Taito one has 18 arcade games built-in, a 2.8” high-quality IPS screen, and a rechargeable battery. It also plays carts for the Evercade, so it’sa great way to play those on the go. Initially, I wasn’t going to invest in these (I’ve ordered the Capcom as well, but it hasn’t arrived yet) as I have an Evercade EXP, but I find the size of that a little too unwieldy to carry around. This seems to be the perfect size for portability. I will release an unboxing video for this hopefully next week.
The Taito Super Pocket has 18 built-in arcade games
The second purchase was the Atari 2600+, a modern remake of the VCS, a seminal classic originally released in 1977. This variant is the 4-switch woody from 1980. The thing about this model is that it allows you to play your original 2600 and 7800 carts and connect your original controllers. Atari has also released a new CX40 joystick and a paddle controller with a 4 in 1 cart. The 2600+ includes one controller and 10 games in 1 cart including Missile Command, Yar’s Revenge and Combat. Output is via HDMI, and it’s powered using its USB-C port.
The 4-switch woody gets a modern remake
Also released is Berzerk, an arcade conversion of the Stern original converted to the 2600 in 1982 and is considered one of the best arcade conversions on the system. The great thing about this rerelease is that it adds the missing speech, the robots can now fire diagonally, there are new explosion animations and some minor bug fixes.
An absolute classic gets enhanced
Along with Berzerk, is a homebrew-style game called Mr. Run and Jump, Atari’s first new official release for the 2600 since 1990. Guide Mr. Run and Jump as he chases after his dog Leap through a series of realms, each with their own obstacles and challenges.
Chase after Leap through a series of realms
The games included with the paddle controller are Breakout, Canyon Bomber, Night Driver, and Video Olympics.
The new paddle controllers are designed to look and feel like the original
I will have unboxing and demonstration videos on these hopefully next week.
The year is 1988, I am 15 years old, year 10 at high school. I have a Commodore 64 with a huge collection of games (mostly pirated) and a Sega Master System with a decent library of arcade conversions and original releases. Magazines were pretty much the only source of gaming news and reviews. Publications such as The Games Machine, ACE and Computer & Video Games dominated the shelves.
So, when the May 1988 issue of C&VG revealed to the western world this little white box called PC Engine, it blew gamers away. Three games were covered – Victory Run, The Kung Fu and Necromancer. Victory Run is an homage to Out Run with attractive graphics and a great soundtrack, and The Kung Fu is a side-scrolling Kung-Fu Master-style fighting game with large sprites.
Gradius II: Gofer No Yabou
The screenshots conveyed a machine capable of large, colourful, flicker-free sprites that wouldn’t look out of place in an arcade. Where did NEC conjure this up?! And more importantly, how can a 15-year-old earning $20 a week of pocket money able to afford one?
Throughout the coming months, there was increased coverage and reviews trickling out of Japan and into the various gaming magazines. Well-known arcade manufacturers such as Namco, Irem, Konami, and Taito were throwing their support behind it. Unfortunately, it was too expensive to buy a PC Engine and invest in a decent games library.
The History of the PC Engine
Fast forward to 1992, I was working at a video game store that sold grey imports. I finally purchased one with three games – Parodius Da!, Don Doko Don, and Legendary Axe. I was in gaming heaven. I won't go into detail about each game but suffice to say I had heaps of fun with each one.
Unfortunately, I stupidly sold the PC Engine and the games a couple of years after that. Now I have a Core II with the Terraonion Super HD System3 Pro and have access to pretty much the entire library. The library is huge, so having reference books like the PC Engine The Box Art Collection from Bitmap Books is a great way to discover titles that you may not know or give a chance to.
Garou Densetsu Special
This is my 18th Bitmap Books publication, and in my humble opinion, they produce the best video game books using high-quality paper materials. Written contents are well-researched and pleasing to read, and the photography of the game boxes, manuals and screenshots are meticulous.
Spanning across 372 pages and weighing just a little over 2kgs, PC Engine The Box Art Collection has a very pleasing layout. Each page presents the game's cover art as well as three screenshots showing the title screen and in-game action. The text is all white on a colour background with an easy-to-read font size. The first paragraph explains the origin of the game, while the second has a cover art description. Also included is the year of release, software developer, genre and media format. Games are listed alphabetically.
Bookending the box art is a foreword by The PC Engine Software Bible founder Paul Weller, a history of the PC Engine, a collector interview, and a games index.
As always with Bitmap Books, the quality is fantastic. From the simple but beautifully designed cover, the print quality, the photography and the design layout, it’s a book highly recommended for fans of the platform. As the library is quite substantial, these types of books are a great reference guide to discover its many different releases on HUCARD and CD-ROM.
Visit this link to purchase it directly from Bitmap Books.
I've been hooked on a couple of recently released games on Steam for the past few months. One of them is Schildmaid MX, an intense side-scrolling shoot-'em-up that has captured my attention.
This game delivers a fresh shooting experience with its stunning pixel graphics and impressive particle effects for explosive moments. You'll find yourself turning the enemies' attacks into a mesmerizing bullet storm while collecting projectiles to power up your ship and achieve high scores. The action is non-stop and frantic, reminiscent of the chaotic excitement found in Geometry Wars. The vibrant explosions and pixelated chaos create a visually stunning display, complemented by the captivating soundtrack from Studio Mudprints.
Every aspect of Schildmaid MX feels polished, and the addictive gameplay is a testament to that. I personally enjoy playing it with the 8BitDo SFC30 gamepad, a faithful replica of the SNES controller, which offers responsive controls. The game also features an online leaderboard, allowing you to compete with other players, as well as a detailed score analysis that breaks down your stats, including hours played, enemies shot down, and enemy attacks collected. The challenge of constantly pushing yourself to improve your progress adds to the game's addictive nature.
Schildmaid Mx EX Jaeger Mode - Level 2
If you're interested, you can purchase Schildmaid MX on Steam for $21.95 AUD. It's definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of captivating shooters and addictive gameplay.
For the second game, let me introduce you to Murtop, a thrilling arcade game that transports you back to the golden era of gaming in the 80s. This hidden gem combines elements from classic titles like Dig Dug, Bomberman, and a dash of Mr. Do! Join the adorable protagonist, Murti, as she utilizes her bomb-popping skills to save the world from a relentless invasion of carrot-hungry moles.
Murtop offers an exhilarating experience with its 256 screen time-limited stages, reminiscent of the challenges found in traditional arcade games. The vertical screen orientation and pixel-perfect scaling ensure an authentic retro feel, while the CRT filter enhances the nostalgic vibes. Additionally, the game features an attract mode that adds to the overall ambiance. For those who prefer a TATE mode experience, Murtop has got you covered.
Murtop - Bomberman meets Dig Dug
If this sounds like your cup of tea, you can grab Murtop on Steam for just $7.50. Immerse yourself in this throwback arcade adventure and relish the joy of classic gaming with a modern twist.
My apologies for the lack of updates on this blog. I've been busy with work commitments and side gigs, as well as spending time setting up the computer lab. The lab setup has been a slow and careful process as each computer, power supply, and monitor requires recapping due to their age, typically 30 years or older.
To achieve this, I have been purchasing cap kits and accessories for the various hardware. While I initially had no plans to add the Commodore 128 to my collection, I stumbled upon a near-new boxed unit on eBay last year, and despite its high cost, I decided to buy it. I left it in the box with the intention of connecting it at a later date.
In March, I finally connected the Commodore 128 to my 1802 monitor and discovered that the video output was extremely faded with poor colour display. After conducting research, I found that this is a common issue with the MOS 8701 clock generator chip, which controls colour display and other functions. To fix the problem, I ordered a replacement board from Individual Computers, which also came with a crystal in case that was also faulty. Within days, the replacement board arrived, and my good friend, who is an electronics wiz, replaced all the caps. Fortunately, this fixed the issue with the video output, and it's now running without any flaws.
In addition, I'vepurchased some accessories for it, including a Userport Saver and an SD2IEC+ from TFW8b, as well as a RAD expansion unit from a custom builder in Canada. In a future post, I will cover these accessories in more detail.
I first subscribed to Apple Arcade in 2020, but I only spent a little time on the available games. That’s something I want to change in 2023. So, what is Apple Arcade? It’s a game subscription service that has no ads or in-app purchases. Currently, there are over 200 games available from a list of different genres.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve installed several games onto my iPad Pro and paired an Xbox One controller via Bluetooth to play them. Here are some highlights.
Horizon Chase 2 is an arcade-style racer with little to no breaking required.
When timed correctly, you can drift around corners, and by using the boost function, you can race ahead of the pack.
The competition will take you through five countries with a total of 55 tracks. Early races are easy, but the difficulty ramps up. It’s very challenging to win a race positioned in the top three.
There are several cars to choose from, with several more that can be unlocked by finishing races. You can upgrade your car by collecting blue coins during the race and gaining experience points at the end of the race.
Graphics are solid, colourful and detailed with a very smooth frame rate. Environments are dynamic, so certain tracks you can be driving from dawn to dusk. There’s dust on dirt tracks and other weather conditions such as rain.
This is a game that I recommend playing with headphones. It has a fantastic soundtrack by Barry Leitch of Lotus Turbo Challenge fame on the Amiga.
Overall, I like this game. It wouldn’t feel out of place if it was on a console. It has that one more go vibe to it.
Jetpack Joyride 2 is an action-packed endless runner-type game that is exclusive to Apple Arcade.
Equipped with a jetpack, you automatically rush down a hallway-type structure as you jet up and down to collect coins and avoid obstacles. You're also equipped with a gun that automatically starts firing when rockets and flying protagonists appear. At the end of the level is a boss that you must defeat.
Controls are dead easy. A single button is used to guide your hero. Timing is critical to avoid obstacles and later levels can get quite chaotic.
Along the way, health, firepower, vehicle and power-ups can be upgraded. These upgrades are optional but boosting them helps you to progress through the later levels.
I love this game - it is one of my favourites here. The graphics are well drawn and colourful, with a very smooth framerate. Audio, especially with headphones, is a perfect accompaniment. Levels are short enough that you want to keep playing to the next level.
I’ve been playing Exit the Gungeon for the last few days, and so far, I’ve been really enjoying it.
It’s a semi-sequel to Enter the Gungeon released in 2016. An arcade-style bullet hell dungeon climber where you attempt to survive countless waves of enemies and navigation of dangerous elevators.
Levels can be very chaotic as your gun transforms several times every minute. Using your dodge roll is the key to surviving, as when you are airborne, you’re invulnerable to enemy fire.
At the end of the level, you will encounter a boss (13 in total) that's well-designed and a joy to fight.
Using the Xbox joypad, the control is nice and tight, with the mapping of buttons very intuitive.
The pixel-style graphics are fantastic and would not look out of place on a PS4 or Switch. Sound effects are suitably crunchy. Very highly recommended!
Currently, there are over 200 titles available to play, with a small handful released monthly. Like any library available, titles vary in quality, but at around seven dollars a month (if paid yearly), it provides great value.
