Comments 163

Re: Anniversary: Game Boy Color Turns 25 Today

ChromaticDracula

It’s a true testament as I still play mine! Of course I’ve upgraded it with a backlit screen and rechargeable battery and the like but the games still hold up and I never forget the controls as weeks and months pass between gaming sessions!
I love the gameboy color. Just the thought of that purple gameboy with a Pokémon red cart inserted is so comforting. The perfect shades of color, side-by-side. The bleeps and bloops. Ugh…
Mission Impossible had a TV remote function so I was changing TV channels with my gameboy… such a cool piece of tech.
I feel like the gameboy color and even 3DS had all these extra features and functions that even Switch lacks now. No IR port, no streetpass, no expansion slots that never get utilized… I feel like the older products were more thought out or just had so much more going on.
I remember I had either a green one or a purple gameboy color when it came out and my friend put a deep scratch on the screen or dropped it and dented it or something after I let him use it. His mom got me a new one to replace it (which was one of the nicest things ever.)
I can’t remember if I had green first and then purple or vice-versa but ya… that’s my contribution.

Re: Analogue Pocket OS 2.0 Adds A Much-Requested Feature

ChromaticDracula

@wiiware @gerald
This is correct- I’m happy for the ones that do have save states but it’s always nice to have the option for the others.
I won’t even bat an eye at Ghosts n Ghouls without save states, for example!
What I gather is that when those cores were built, they didn’t include save states and now adding them in after the fact is extremely difficult.
Basically we’d need someone to step in and build a new core for these and add them in from the beginning rather than as an after-thought.
❗️It’s important to remember that these cores were built for the community for free so it’s not like Analogue or anyone owes us anything. Someone in the open-source community would literally have to just do it on their free time and then give it away to the community. Not an easy ask!

I have high hopes someone will step in and do it someday. Once AnalogueOS starts taking off more and the system itself gets some more traction…

Re: Analogue Pocket OS 2.0 Adds A Much-Requested Feature

ChromaticDracula

I think it’s wild that I still continue to get these kinds of news pieces not from Analogue directly but through you guys.
I own an Analogue pocket, am technically a (very happy) customer, and am subscribed to their news and never see any updates like those you posted above.

So let this be a THANK to Time Extension and also a wtf to Analogue! I don’t have Twitter is that my fault?!

Seriously, this is really great news from Analogue
Now we just need those Save States for Genesis, SNES, and some others. It’s a very hot topic…

Re: Analogue 3D Is An FPGA-Based N64 With 4K Output

ChromaticDracula

@UK_Kev I’ve never been able to find someone to install it. If memory serves me well you can’t buy PixelFX as a consumer and you have to buy from an installer service or something. Or am I thinking of another N64 mod kit?

I can no doubt solder myself and have worked in electronics for years but I can’t find a way to get my hands on one… issues with stock/supply and even locating one in the first place is very difficult. Plus you have to ship your N64 off to some rando’s address for installation. If Analogue hits a good price point for this and it’s available easily, they’ve got me won over.

Re: Analogue 3D Is An FPGA-Based N64 With 4K Output

ChromaticDracula

This makes me so happy- it’s crazy that I’m subscribed to Analogue’s newsletter and I saw no word of this. This is huge news to me so thanks for posting!
Im 100% getting this as I have no way to play my N64 because of the lack of inputs on my TV. Because Nintendo and Konami refuses to release Castlevania 64 and most of that other stellar N64 library I need to get this.
I also refuse to buy a good quality $300 converter box to play N64 games on HDMI— that’s insane. I tried a cheaper alternative off Amazon and the picture was flickering so bad and was also extremely dark. I’d kind of rather get this new piece of tech from Analogue for that large price.

Re: Powkiddy RGB30 - A $90 Analogue Pocket Rival? You'd Better Believe It

ChromaticDracula

Is it a true rival though, not being able to output to a TV via dock?? And no cartridge support?
Cool handheld for sure but I think this is more a Anbernic rival if anything.

EDIT: Nevermind! It has HDMI-out!
I do prefer a dock setup rather than being tied to an HDMI cable. For my TV setup, I have a wall mounted tv and all the cords are run in the wall and hidden so the TV looks like it’s magically floating. This setup isn’t ideal for those kinds of situations.

Re: Printing Nostalgia - Why Limited Run Gaming Magazines Are Having A Moment

ChromaticDracula

I absolutely love this article and find it immensely useful. I agree about having these zines and books to truly engage your audience. Having ads and distractions and auto-play videos popping up on your screen while you’re trying to digest a few pages at a time is not fun. Death to AI and bots too!
I’m going to preorder the devils blush series and likely will one or two of the others. The pixel graphics speak to me like nothing else!

BITS > BOTS FOR LIFE!

Re: Poll: Handheld Or TV - How Do You Play Retro Games?

ChromaticDracula

I never play Switch handheld. For me, those grand kinds of games lose their fidelity sort of.
I always preferred the big screen, a proper controller, and the couch when gaming. I don’t even like gaming on a computer (screen) all that much.

That being said, the Analogue Pocket and dock has been a game changer, even moreso than a Switch for me. I almost play retro games exclusively so having my library mobile and on the TV all while having the same save file between both has been so amazing. No internet connection required, no installing, no nuances. It’s totally backwards but the Switch for me is like a proof of concept, i.e., the Switch walked so the Pocket could run.
I love the Switch but if I had to choose between the pocket and the switch, you’ll find me with the smaller device over in the corner.

Re: Talking Point: Will Hand-Drawn Pixel Art Still Be Viable In Ten Years Time?

ChromaticDracula

Honestly, as far as I’m concerned, this guy just wrote his own obituary. It shows how out of touch he is with the fans; no wonder the past bunch of Sonic games fell flat.
He needs to step down sooner than later and get someone in there that knows the fans.
For the new generation, I can see the nostalgia factor being non-existent with the hand drawn pixel art and stuff but that’s it.

Re: Cancelled N64 Title 'Dragon Sword' Is Being Resurrected

ChromaticDracula

@EarthboundBenjy I’m with you on this, even with loving Castlevania 64.
I’d love if this was playable on Switch or even on N64 hardware itself (ahem Limited Run Games or some other retro publishing equivalent.)
I just don’t enjoy gaming on PC or Mac as much as consoles so being able to do the latter would be ideal for me.
This graphical style above speaks volumes to me. Now I want to play Castlevania 64 again. Here’s to hoping we get that on NSO this year around spooky season!

Re: CIBSunday: Sega 3D Reprint Archives 1, 2 & 3 Triple Box (Nintendo 3DS)

ChromaticDracula

I don’t think I was aware of there even being more than 1 volume, never mind 3! I remember the single cart we got in US…
the thought of obtaining 3DS games still gets me excited. I miss the system being “current” and the regular physical releases so much!
I hope there’s a way to have some sort of 3DS game card slot or even a USB-type plug-in peripheral that reads them on the Switch successor.

Re: Analogue Pocket Supply Is Finally Catching Up With Demand

ChromaticDracula

Aweeeeeesssooooommmmeeeeee
I have built up quite the collection of GB/GBC/GBA games and have been playing them on modded consoles (backlight and rechargeable batteries).
I’ve been looking forward to the features this brings along with the “museum” and save states and all that. This is the system to have if you’re in your 30s.

Re: CIBSunday: Super Mario Bros. (NES)

ChromaticDracula

I loved playing this with my dad back in the day. Mario is such a staple for me:
I remember how much of an improvement Mario 3 was and I actually remember finally learning how to run in Mario 3 (and then learning I could also do it in Mario) and I dropped the controller and ran and got my mom and showed her and told her I finally figured out how to run.
From that day forward, that run button is held down at all times in all levels. Max speed or bust.

Re: Everything Revealed At The Evercade Showcase Vol. 1

ChromaticDracula

Oh wow... Not going to lie, I wasn't really paying much attention to Evercade but now they've got my interest. Sunsoft made me sit up in my chair.
They seem to be very in touch with what folks want: physical collectable media and the option to play the titles as they originally were or with any of the enhancements they've done. I love that. It's really refreshing to see a competitor in "the console wars" making such big strides with this 3rd party support. Well then, might be buying an Evercade sooner than I thought.

Re: Anniversary: Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow Turns 20 Today

ChromaticDracula

Huge fan of the divisive Castlevania 64 here. I loved Circle of the Moon because it had some of the same music from that 64 counterpart in there and at the time CotM was a real looker and listener for a “gameboy.”
So point being, I really do enjoy CotM best probably based on nostalgia and bias. I was in the military when the next 2 came out so I never really got to play them until recently on Switch. Really enjoyed them but always find myself jumping for CotM.

Re: Archivists Rescan Ken Sugimori's Pokémon Artwork & The Difference Is Incredible

ChromaticDracula

These hand-drawn images still give me such a warm feeling, whether they're the old or the re-scanned version.

In an alternate world, the Pokémon games took a different turn art-wise. I love the colorfulness but wish they kind of incorporated these drawings and their style in some way. Even if it was just in the Pokedex.
Speaking of Pokémon, I've seen recently someone took the original Red/Blue games and applied an Octopath/2D HD style to them and it looks great. Throw in some more colors so it's not so muted and you'd have a sale from me!

Re: F-Zero Gets Another Spiritual Successor In The Shape Of XF - eXtreme Formula

ChromaticDracula

I remember reading Nintendo saying they aren’t making another because there’s nowhere for the series to go, aka it sounds like they can’t think of a gimmick to set it apart. I think I read that over on sister site Nintendo Life…
I think that’s crazy because look at Mario kart: it’s even got some of the same tracks and yet they keep rehashing that…
What do I know- maybe that is their actual reason for not making another FZero, I just don’t think it’s a very good one…

Re: Poll: Are Game Boy Games Still Worth Playing In 2023?

ChromaticDracula

I’m here to comment that although the original gameboy games 100% hold up, they are also 100x better on the original hardware/gameboy.
I personally bought an original gameboy and even playing then same games on 3DS, they are are far superior on that original hardware (to me).
There’s just something about playing them on the system they were intended.
Gameboy Advance, however, is timeless.

There’s just something about that original gameboy and the way the games feel on that.

Re: Review: RAD2X Is The Only HDMI Cable You Need For Your Retro Consoles

ChromaticDracula

I can get down with this. I know it’s just a matter of time before our new tv, whenever that is, doesn’t include the L audio, R audio, video jacks.
I’ve had my eye on “Ultra HDMI” for forever but A. I can’t find one when it’s in stock, if it even ever is anymore, and B. You can’t buy those directly; you must have someone install it for you.
I have the skills to solder! I just need the part!

Anyway, since that’s been a chore to find for years, I’m contemplating this.
It’s either this or go for the Polymega…