"We reached out to Don Mattrick for this article to try and find out more about what his objections actually were, but we sadly never heard back." hahahaha! If you ever do hear back, make sure to ask him about his other failures of leadership; such as "TVTVTV" and "we have a product for them, it's called Xbox 360" during his stint at Microsoft, or basically anything about the barn-fire that was Zynga!
Really like the games, but for me the peak was the GameCube entry. Purely for the madcap 4 player mode! (It was otherwise pretty much the GBA game again, could even use GBA's as controller to play it!)
I have a few of these but many I played on console, so very tempted to go for this after work! Be good to have the definitive PC versions on Steam for such a low price (not sure when I'll have time to actually go back and play them again however!)
Unsurprising that Mega Drive and Dreamcast top so far! Hard to pick between then for me, both great in different ways. I went for Mega Drive as it was formative; but in hardware design the Dreamcast was pretty great.
Dreamcast would be my top choice but doesn’t seem remotely practical as a mini-console: too powerful/expensive to easily emulate on a cheap mobile chip, and too many odd features that would be missing (VMU, online), plus an more expensive controller to manufacture, and the top games are/were also on other consoles (could lower demand).
So with all that said, I’d vote Saturn and I think it’s the most sensible choice! Popular, sold poorly, classic games still stuck only on Saturn, and the right sort of hardware to emulate well at a low cost.
I don't think the world is lacking for 2D Metroidvania's right now, personally I've love to see another crack at 3D (after the N64 games and Lord of Shadows didn't quite get it 100% right) looking for the "Metroid Prime" of Castlevania's! (but maybe they could spruce up and re-release the DS ones for 2D players in the meantime!)
It is excellent, as is Ocarina of Time! But I voted no, I’d say Super Mario 64. Mario was such a game-changer at the time, inspired so much of 3D gaming, it’s hard not to give Mario 64 the crown…but it’s a ruddy close call!
I voted GameCube. To be honest I don't have one favourite, but it inovated in ways I liked: comfy shoulder buttons, and a face button layout with some ergonomic pros (can "feel" the buttons and they all have a distinct siloette). But the sticks wear out fast and the c-nub isn't amazing for FPSs, so not perfect!
Really nice to see the Game Boy Color MGS not shoved to the bottom! Was a really fun game, and while it may look and feel dated now, as the article says it was really pushing the Game Boy to the max! One of my top games on that system.
Good choices! In hindsight the 360 had a really good run.
However, I think you should revise the Bioshock entry. Firstly the "Would you kindly" line is a bit of a spoiler for anyone who hasn't played it; but also it's (mostly) not Andrew Ryan using it throughout the game!
This is a small example of how the legal system doesn’t always function at such a low level. I am not a lawyer, and Sega have the right to threaten legal action (which could be contested); but given the rules around “unofficial” magazines/books in the past, I think the article is spot on is saying it wouldn’t hold up. Screenshots and hardware shots are perfectly legal. But the cost of court been as overwhelming as it is, seems Bitmap Books can’t even try to defend it. So not much point even having those laws (and lawyers) in this case! I hope it’s not a trend though, love things like Chris Scullion’s encyclopaedias and don’t want screenshots and retro journalism to be bullied into non-existence!
This really sucks for Blaze and for people who were dedicated enough to get this version. Hopefully insurance will cover the cost of replacements and it won't take too long.
Nice detailed review: Really looking forward to this! I love returning to retro stuff now I'm older, but the prices are off-putting, so I've only got what I had as a kid and didn't sell. I was going to get an Evercade if they did well and stuck about, but held off when I saw this was coming. Hopefully in time for Christmas, but sure I'll enjoy it in 2023 if not!
Comments 119
Re: Everything Revealed At The Evercade Showcase Vol. 1
Yeah, they are really supporting it, glad I got an EXP for Christmas!
Re: Sonic Bust: The Rise And Fall Of Sega Enterprises
Just mirroring others, but this is a great article, in-depth but an easy read!
Re: "There Are No Guns In Hip Hop" - The Fight To Save Def Jam Vendetta's Ending
"We reached out to Don Mattrick for this article to try and find out more about what his objections actually were, but we sadly never heard back."
hahahaha! If you ever do hear back, make sure to ask him about his other failures of leadership; such as "TVTVTV" and "we have a product for them, it's called Xbox 360" during his stint at Microsoft, or basically anything about the barn-fire that was Zynga!
Re: Wii U And 3DS eShop Closure Is Removing Access To The Wider Goemon Series
I’d love to see the N64 Goemon games re-released. The first is a classic I adored, but never got the chance to play the second.
Re: Anniversary: WarioWare Is Now 20 Years Old
Really like the games, but for me the peak was the GameCube entry. Purely for the madcap 4 player mode! (It was otherwise pretty much the GBA game again, could even use GBA's as controller to play it!)
Re: Valve Is Offering 96 Percent Off A Bundle Of Its Most Famous Titles
I have a few of these but many I played on console, so very tempted to go for this after work! Be good to have the definitive PC versions on Steam for such a low price (not sure when I'll have time to actually go back and play them again however!)
Re: Poll: What's The Best Sega System Of All Time?
Unsurprising that Mega Drive and Dreamcast top so far! Hard to pick between then for me, both great in different ways. I went for Mega Drive as it was formative; but in hardware design the Dreamcast was pretty great.
Re: Sega Wants To Know What Mini Console You Want Next
Dreamcast would be my top choice but doesn’t seem remotely practical as a mini-console: too powerful/expensive to easily emulate on a cheap mobile chip, and too many odd features that would be missing (VMU, online), plus an more expensive controller to manufacture, and the top games are/were also on other consoles (could lower demand).
So with all that said, I’d vote Saturn and I think it’s the most sensible choice! Popular, sold poorly, classic games still stuck only on Saturn, and the right sort of hardware to emulate well at a low cost.
Re: Talking Point: What Do You Want From A New Castlevania?
I don't think the world is lacking for 2D Metroidvania's right now, personally I've love to see another crack at 3D (after the N64 games and Lord of Shadows didn't quite get it 100% right) looking for the "Metroid Prime" of Castlevania's! (but maybe they could spruce up and re-release the DS ones for 2D players in the meantime!)
Re: Poll: Is Metroid Prime The Best 2D To 3D Transition Of Any Game Series, Ever?
It is excellent, as is Ocarina of Time! But I voted no, I’d say Super Mario 64. Mario was such a game-changer at the time, inspired so much of 3D gaming, it’s hard not to give Mario 64 the crown…but it’s a ruddy close call!
Re: New Mario 64 Project Pushes N64 Hardware With Stunning Results
That looks incredible! The draw distance, smooth framerate and (for N64) excellent textures are something else. Really mastering the hardware.
Re: Poll: So, What's Your Favourite Controller Of All Time?
I voted GameCube. To be honest I don't have one favourite, but it inovated in ways I liked: comfy shoulder buttons, and a face button layout with some ergonomic pros (can "feel" the buttons and they all have a distinct siloette). But the sticks wear out fast and the c-nub isn't amazing for FPSs, so not perfect!
Re: Best Metal Gear Games - Every Metal Gear Game, Ranked
Really nice to see the Game Boy Color MGS not shoved to the bottom! Was a really fun game, and while it may look and feel dated now, as the article says it was really pushing the Game Boy to the max! One of my top games on that system.
Re: Best Xbox 360 Games
Good choices! In hindsight the 360 had a really good run.
However, I think you should revise the Bioshock entry. Firstly the "Would you kindly" line is a bit of a spoiler for anyone who hasn't played it; but also it's (mostly) not Andrew Ryan using it throughout the game!
Re: Best Sega Saturn Games
I had no idea Traveller's Tales made Sonic R! Maybe they should work on a remaster if the Lego work ever dries up...
Re: Bitmap Books Pulls Mega Drive / Genesis 'Visual Compendium' After Legal Threat From Sega
This is a small example of how the legal system doesn’t always function at such a low level. I am not a lawyer, and Sega have the right to threaten legal action (which could be contested); but given the rules around “unofficial” magazines/books in the past, I think the article is spot on is saying it wouldn’t hold up. Screenshots and hardware shots are perfectly legal. But the cost of court been as overwhelming as it is, seems Bitmap Books can’t even try to defend it. So not much point even having those laws (and lawyers) in this case! I hope it’s not a trend though, love things like Chris Scullion’s encyclopaedias and don’t want screenshots and retro journalism to be bullied into non-existence!
Re: Exclusive: Meet The "Playboy" Handheld, Rare's Unreleased Game Boy Rival
Cool! I’m from near Leicester (Loughborough) and had never heard of the RCM, I’ll have to give a visit one weekend when I’m done to see parents!
Re: Evercade EXP Shipment Worth Half A Million Pounds Has Been Stolen
This really sucks for Blaze and for people who were dedicated enough to get this version. Hopefully insurance will cover the cost of replacements and it won't take too long.
Re: Evercade EXP - Superior In Every Way That Matters
Nice detailed review: Really looking forward to this! I love returning to retro stuff now I'm older, but the prices are off-putting, so I've only got what I had as a kid and didn't sell. I was going to get an Evercade if they did well and stuck about, but held off when I saw this was coming. Hopefully in time for Christmas, but sure I'll enjoy it in 2023 if not!