Meanwhile on Console Archives, we're getting Ripple World, which has a few people disappointed as the game had already gotten a re-release not long ago.
Thanks for the heads up on Ripple Island.
But I assume like recent Console Archives releases, this Famicom title is Japanese-only.
I've been interested in Bitmap Books for a while. Recently I looked at a YouTube video review of one of their "Visual Compendiums", and thought it was waaay too much visual, not enough text for what I'm looking for.
Then I looked up a video review for their JRPG book, and they included hundreds of games, all given a whole page, regardless of the quality of the game being covered. So that wasn't what I was looking for either. I'd rather they focused lots of content on the best of them.
Just saw their flip-through video. Looks like a good mix of text with those gorgeous Bitmap images. Tales from the developers of classic games sounds great.
@Teksette It's Space Invaders, but mistakes leaves gaps in the surface, eventually restricting you to a sitting duck.
I looked at some gameplay. Your ship moves sooooo sloooowly from left to right, that it seems impossible to shoot all of the missiles down before they hit around you.
So it doesn't look very strategic to me. More like a chore.
Hamada-shacho also pledged full Hamster support for HORI's upcoming Arcade Classic Pro controller, with the nifty trackball, spinner, and loop lever modules. He said there are like 40 games on Ake-Aka that can take advantage of those input types, and they would roll out patches as quickly as they can.
Nice! I've dreamed of having a trackball for Switch. The more games that work with it, the more likely I will go for it and get one!
That's the nature of being a small business. Being more connected to the customer also typically results in doing more for them, even when larger companies with the resources to do it easily don't bother. They're too big to care.
Yes, publicly traded corporations can't do things "out of the kindness of their hearts", or their shareholders can sue them.
The fifth edition of the book that has been called “The Bible of Videogame History” is now available for preorder from Limited Run’s website. Phoenix Edition 5
Looks like that book focuses more on hardware than software. I'm not much of a tech guy, so I care very little about schematics and chipsets and wiring...I want to learn about the games!
Tried to find this on Amazon, and the first result was Arcade Adventures by Lost in Cult. Apparently it came out just 2 months ago. I have their Console Chronicles book, so the arcade one sounds good to me.
At least we have Genndy Tartakovsky’s Conan to look forward to. After Primal and Samurai Jack. I have high hopes.
I think Primal might be my favourite show on TV. I hadn't heard he was working on a new Conan show! That's going to be amazing!
I think Primal went under the radar for most people, but after succeeding with the Conan license, I can see people discovering Primal. Better late than never, they're in for a treat!
Its funny everyone keeps saying this was part of a trilogy.No its not its actually a quadrilogy.There is a fourth game by quintet in this series that was on PlayStation 1.Its called Grandstrean Saga
6/10 from IGN 6.7/10 from GameSpot 66% from GameRankings
It doesn't look like it is worth remembering. And anyway, it's a trilogy of revered SNES games.
I ran a weekly retro video game poll on Reddit. For the SNES/Genesis/TG-16 Era poll,: Terranigma ended up #27. Illusion of Gaia / Illusion of Time was #67.
On IGN's list of the Best SNES games: Illusion of Gaia was #74. Soul Blazer was #76. Terranigma didn't make the top 100, presumably because it got no North American release.
I did a series of weekly retro gaming polls on Reddit. For the NES/Master System Era, Super Spike V'Ball / U.S. Championship V'Ball ended up voted #29.
It placed in-between Rampage and Little Samson.
Rampage is definitely not obscure. It's one of the most famous video games ever made.
Little Samson is obscure. Or definitely used to be very obscure. No one in 1992 played it. It only gained its fame later on as a "hidden gem".
So what do we learn from all this? Nothing really I suppose.
A while ago I googled for lists of the best Sega Genesis games. I looked for long lists each at least 50 games long, that were ranked. I assigned points based on rank and added them all up. I was left with 16 lists, 395 unique games and 1,465 total entries.
Air Buster / Aero Blasters ended up in the Top 200 Sega Genesis games.
Releasing a Japanese strategy/RPG with no English translation at all on Western storefronts is one of the craziest financial decisions I've seen a company make
Just like the EGGCONSOLE line of Japanese language-only games. Makes me feel like: "Here you can have this...just kidding, no you can't!"
Yeah I had Mr. Do!, Cosmic Avenger and Lady Bug on my ColecoVision as well. Lady Bug was the only game we had that my Mom loved to play. I don't believe I ever got to see any of them in original arcade cabinet form, so that will be pretty awesome.
I only ever knew of the Mr. Do! sequels on the back of my console box, or other promotional pamphlets, so I'd love to have them as well.
As for Mr. Do! being a Dig Dug clone. The "power ball" ability makes it pretty different. It bounces through the maze in a zig zag pattern, and if you miss an enemy, it will continue bouncing around and you won't be able to use it again, as your enemies advance on you. So you're vulnerable and running for your life at that point.
I agree. I don't believe in skipping "black sheep" games in great series.
Zelda 2 and Castlevania 2 are the most popular to dump on.
"Ewww don't play that!!"
There's still a lot of fun there. And guides exist, so any "getting stuck" problems (cough, kneeling tornado nonsense, cough*, aren't problems anymore.
"We're also getting a new release of Riot's Psycho Dream, a cult classic platformer from 1992 that was never released outside of Japan. It got a digital release on modern-day systems in 2025, thanks to Ratalaika Games."
Oh neat, I missed that one! To the Switch wish list it goes!
I'd rather not support the Saudis. But at the same time, I'm not going to stop watching boxing and soccer. I'm not going to switch from PC to Apple or stop using Facebook. When booking a flight, I'm not going to avoid Boeing planes. When on vacation, I'm not going to avoid taking an Uber. I'm not going to stop watching Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures movies. I'm not going to stop playing Capcom games.
There's a World Cup in Saudi in 8 years, and all the football fans in the world will watch it.
They have successfully slithered their tendrils in lots of things we can't avoid.
I've read people say that Kung Fu Master is the first beat 'em up.
But when I saw Double Dragon for the first time, I didn't say "Cool, it's just like Kung Fu Master". It was its own thing. And all that came later, even though we'd all played Kung Fu Master, when describing other beat 'em ups we'd say "it's like Double Dragon".
Comments 279
Re: 'Get Them Now or Never' - Leisure Suit Larry's Last Releases To Be Delisted From Steam And GoG This Month
Also 95% off on Switch
Re: The Golf Game That Spawned One Of The Simpsons' Best Video Game Parodies Is Coming To Modern Consoles
RextheSheep wrote:
Thanks for the heads up on Ripple Island.
But I assume like recent Console Archives releases, this Famicom title is Japanese-only.
Re: 1992's Ultra Gory PC-98 Horror Title Dead Of The Brain Is (Be)Heading To Steam
"... translated into English (officially) for the very first time."
I can't resist!
Re: Interview: "In Ten Years' Time, Half the People in the Book May No Longer Be Alive" - Paul Drury on Why 'The Arcade 1971-1999' Is So Important
I've been interested in Bitmap Books for a while. Recently I looked at a YouTube video review of one of their "Visual Compendiums", and thought it was waaay too much visual, not enough text for what I'm looking for.
Then I looked up a video review for their JRPG book, and they included hundreds of games, all given a whole page, regardless of the quality of the game being covered. So that wasn't what I was looking for either. I'd rather they focused lots of content on the best of them.
Just saw their flip-through video. Looks like a good mix of text with those gorgeous Bitmap images. Tales from the developers of classic games sounds great.
Re: "Proudly Made With Human Hands" - MediEvil Recomp Is (Un)Alive, Bringing The Spooky PS1 Adventure To PC
The GameFAQs forum created a list of the "Top 100 PS1 Games of All Time". Over 400 people shared their personal top 10s to create the overall list.
MediEvil ended up tied for #59
Re: Balloon Bomber (Not The Kirby Villain) Drifts Sloooowly Onto The Arcade Archives This Week
KingMike wrote:
I looked at some gameplay. Your ship moves sooooo sloooowly from left to right, that it seems impossible to shoot all of the missiles down before they hit around you.
So it doesn't look very strategic to me. More like a chore.
Re: Thunder Hoop Collection Brings Two Explicit, Obscure, And Unhinged '90s Arcades To Consoles
I'm a sucker for Japan-only exclusives. European-only exclusives? Sure, why not.
Doesn't hurt that the games are apparently wackily nuts. That's always a plus when picking up something obscure.
Re: Take To The Skies In Xevious's Divisive 3D Arcade Revival, Coming To Switch 2, Xbox, & PS5 This Week
Console Archives addition this week is Karate Champ.
Once again, I'd assume the Arcade Archives version is superior.
Re: SNES RPGs Lufia & Lufia II Are Headed to Modern Platforms In 2027
Tempestryke wrote:
On IGN's list of the "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time":
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals was #34
The first game did not make the top 100.
Re: Lara Croft Is Coming Home: Campaign Raises £30K To Install Tomb Raider Statue In Derby
Ruka wrote:
And should be razor-sharp polygons.
Re: Clown Around in Mr. Do's Castle, Headed To Hamster's Arcade Archives This Week
Teksette wrote:
Nice! I've dreamed of having a trackball for Switch. The more games that work with it, the more likely I will go for it and get one!
Re: Clown Around in Mr. Do's Castle, Headed To Hamster's Arcade Archives This Week
The other Arcade Archives game is Dacholer in a AA2 version.
And Crazy Climber is this week's Console Archives release. I have no idea why you wouldn't instead get the AA release or its arcade sequel though.
Re: "Terrible Marketing Hid A Great Show" - First Reviews Of Paramount's Golden Axe TV Series Are In
@Andee
Yeah, I didn't like Rick and Morty or Lower Decks. It seems all the newer animated comedic shows are like "mania screaming on fast-forward".
Re: Random: The Curious Case Of Pixar Vs. Nintendo, And The Quest For Answers
It was #98 on IGN's "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time" list.
Re: GOG Preservation Program Now Includes 'Big Box' PC Packaging You Can Print At Home
@PowerPandaMods
Before I buy anything on Steam, I check if it is on GOG.
Re: Sunsoft's Second Retro Game Collection Includes Original 'Kusoge' Ikki And Obscure RPG Maharaja
Arabian and Ikki are in Arcade Archives.
The Mystery of Atlantis is on the NSO.
Re: Circus Strongmen & Japanese Warlords Headline Hamster's Arcade & Console Archives Offerings This Week
DashKappei wrote:
Last night I was on YouTube and just saw the screenshot thumbnail on a Hamster video and blurted out:
"They're giving us Karnov?!?"
The thumbnail did not have the name of the game, I just had instant recall of playing it 40 years ago at the local bowling alley.
Is it a good game? ...........I have no idea!
In all likelihood it is just a: "Wow, I remember that game!!" situation. But I will gladly nostalgia buy!
Re: Random Game Saturday: Aero Blasters / Air Buster (Mega Drive)
@MrN82
Here you go:
Complex https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-100-best-sega-genesis-games/alisia-dragoon
GamesRadar https://www.gamesradar.com/best-sega-genesis-games-all-time/
Ranker https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-sega-genesis-games/video-games-by-console
GiantBomb https://www.giantbomb.com/profile/stealthrush/lists/stealthrushs-top-100-favorite-mega-drive-games/355874/
BradHatesGames https://bradhatesgames.wordpress.com/the-top-50-sega-genesis-games/
Nobi https://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?10497-100-all-time-greatest-sega-genesis-mega-drive-games-of-all-time/page6
midnightrider https://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?30045-The-100-Greatest-Sega-Genesis-Games-of-All-Time
chilled https://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?30045-The-100-Greatest-Sega-Genesis-Games-of-All-Time/page2
spiffyone https://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?30045-The-100-Greatest-Sega-Genesis-Games-of-All-Time/page3
Lync https://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?30045-The-100-Greatest-Sega-Genesis-Games-of-All-Time/page5
JAFP78 https://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?30045-The-100-Greatest-Sega-Genesis-Games-of-All-Time/page5
o.pwuaioc https://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?30045-The-100-Greatest-Sega-Genesis-Games-of-All-Time/page5
Zebbe https://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?30045-The-100-Greatest-Sega-Genesis-Games-of-All-Time/page6
A Black Falcon https://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?30045-The-100-Greatest-Sega-Genesis-Games-of-All-Time/page6
Phantar https://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?30045-The-100-Greatest-Sega-Genesis-Games-of-All-Time/page6
stika https://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?30045-The-100-Greatest-Sega-Genesis-Games-of-All-Time/page7
Re: Beloved Block-Breaking Sequel 'Arkanoid: Revenge Of Doh' Is Coming To Modern Consoles This Week
"The Conveni 2" is also coming to the Console Archives line.
I think you need to know Japanese though.
Re: S.C.A.T. Is Back! Tengo Project Returns With A Remaster Of The NES Classic, Final Mission
Hooray for Tengo Project!
Re: Cult SNES RPG With Character Design By Castlevania Artist Akihiro Yamada Is Coming To Switch
@Daniel36
Yeah I think you would only own the right to the translation if the original work were in the public domain or something like that.
Emily Wilson can copyright her translation of Homer's "The Odyssey"
But I wouldn't be able to copywrite my translation of "Harry Potter" in some obscure language, even if I beat Rowling's team to it.
Re: Joe & Mac Retro Collection Brings Three "Stone Age" SNES Games To Modern Consoles This October
@JJtheTexan
On their list of the Top 100 SNES Games of All Time list, IGN ranked Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics #61.
The other 2 games didn't make the list.
Re: Peter Cullen, The Voice Of Optimus Prime And Mario, Has Died Aged 85
I was so happy in the theatre for Michael Bay's Transformers movie, when I heard that voice.
"Whoa! They got the real Optimus Prime!"
Re: Unlike Nintendo, Playdate Maker Panic Is Doing The Right Thing With Tariff Refunds
sdelfin wrote:
Yes, publicly traded corporations can't do things "out of the kindness of their hearts", or their shareholders can sue them.
Re: The Arcade 1971–1999 Is Aiming To Be "The Definitive Text On The First 30 Years Of The Arcade Industry"
rolenta wrote:
Looks like that book focuses more on hardware than software. I'm not much of a tech guy, so I care very little about schematics and chipsets and wiring...I want to learn about the games!
Re: The Arcade 1971–1999 Is Aiming To Be "The Definitive Text On The First 30 Years Of The Arcade Industry"
Tried to find this on Amazon, and the first result was Arcade Adventures by Lost in Cult. Apparently it came out just 2 months ago. I have their Console Chronicles book, so the arcade one sounds good to me.
Re: Here's The First Trailer For Golden Axe's Animated TV Series, From The Creator Of Star Trek: The Lower Decks
Westone32bit wrote:
I think Primal might be my favourite show on TV. I hadn't heard he was working on a new Conan show! That's going to be amazing!
I think Primal went under the radar for most people, but after succeeding with the Conan license, I can see people discovering Primal. Better late than never, they're in for a treat!
Re: Helmets At The Ready! Namco's Motorbike-Themed Arcade Racer 'Cyber Cycles' Is Making The Jump To Consoles
I'll get both.
Ninja Emaki was on my wishlist, waiting for a sale. I'll get the 2 version instead.
Re: PS1 RPG 'Rhapsody II' Is This Week's Console Archives Release, But This Other Option Is Still The Best Way To Play
I'm sure lots of people pick up these non-localised games.
They don't go out of their way to warn unsuspecting consumers.
I'll get the Marl Kingdom Chronicles version.
Re: Wake Up, It Looks Like Terranigma Might Finally Be Getting A Re-Release
Sadeness wrote:
6/10 from IGN
6.7/10 from GameSpot
66% from GameRankings
It doesn't look like it is worth remembering.
And anyway, it's a trilogy of revered SNES games.
Re: Wake Up, It Looks Like Terranigma Might Finally Be Getting A Re-Release
I ran a weekly retro video game poll on Reddit. For the SNES/Genesis/TG-16 Era poll,:
Terranigma ended up #27.
Illusion of Gaia / Illusion of Time was #67.
On IGN's list of the Best SNES games:
Illusion of Gaia was #74.
Soul Blazer was #76.
Terranigma didn't make the top 100, presumably because it got no North American release.
Re: Slap On The Sunscreen, An Obscure Volleyball Title From Double Dragon & Kunio-Kun's Creator Is Coming To Consoles
@KingMike @Lanmanna @-wc- @Naeval
I did a series of weekly retro gaming polls on Reddit. For the NES/Master System Era, Super Spike V'Ball / U.S. Championship V'Ball ended up voted #29.
It placed in-between Rampage and Little Samson.
Rampage is definitely not obscure. It's one of the most famous video games ever made.
Little Samson is obscure. Or definitely used to be very obscure. No one in 1992 played it. It only gained its fame later on as a "hidden gem".
So what do we learn from all this? Nothing really I suppose.
My work here is done.
Re: "Let's Fly Again" - Hamster Is Bringing A Japan-Exclusive PS1 Fighter To Switch 2 & PS5 This Week
PopetheRev28 wrote:
From Google, the PS1 version:
"Adds valuable console-exclusive extras including a Training mode, Story mode, remixed music options, and an art gallery"
Like you said, I probably would rather have the arcade version over it, but it still has some benefits.
Re: Both Ecstatica Games Are Coming To Steam And GOG This Year
Sounds like a couple of nice additions to my GOG library!
Re: "Deeply Meaningful" - Namco's Arcade Racer Armadillo Racing Is Getting Its First-Ever Console Release
Google says: "Armadillo Racing was not officially released outside Japan"
Gotta think it loses a lot on a controller without a trackball though...
Re: DOOM Has Been Recognised As One Of "The Most Influential Works" Of American Culture
Martin_H wrote:
Every kid I know tried using the force, and pretended to swing a lightsabre.
And every kid I know, tried to moonwalk.
You can't really deride arguably the best album of all-time. But I have no idea how to compare it to one of the biggest film franchises.
What's better? Sliced bread? Or the space shuttle?
Re: Sunsoft's Cult Classic PS1 Game 'Hard Edge / T.R.A.G' Is Coming To Modern Consoles This Week
@Teksette
From Arcade Archives' inception I always wondered: "...could they one day give me Lady Bug?"
It was the only ColecoVision game my mom enjoyed too. The turnstile gameplay is intuitive and thrilling.
Re: Random Game Saturday: Aero Blasters / Air Buster (Mega Drive)
A while ago I googled for lists of the best Sega Genesis games. I looked for long lists each at least 50 games long, that were ranked. I assigned points based on rank and added them all up. I was left with 16 lists, 395 unique games and 1,465 total entries.
Air Buster / Aero Blasters ended up in the Top 200 Sega Genesis games.
Re: This Week's 'Archives' Releases Are Universal's 1982 Dig Dug Clone 'Mr. Do!' & A PS1 Strategy Game From 1997
Azathoth wrote:
Just like the EGGCONSOLE line of Japanese language-only games.
Makes me feel like:
"Here you can have this...just kidding, no you can't!"
Re: This Week's 'Archives' Releases Are Universal's 1982 Dig Dug Clone 'Mr. Do!' & A PS1 Strategy Game From 1997
@Teksette
Yeah I had Mr. Do!, Cosmic Avenger and Lady Bug on my ColecoVision as well. Lady Bug was the only game we had that my Mom loved to play. I don't believe I ever got to see any of them in original arcade cabinet form, so that will be pretty awesome.
I only ever knew of the Mr. Do! sequels on the back of my console box, or other promotional pamphlets, so I'd love to have them as well.
As for Mr. Do! being a Dig Dug clone. The "power ball" ability makes it pretty different. It bounces through the maze in a zig zag pattern, and if you miss an enemy, it will continue bouncing around and you won't be able to use it again, as your enemies advance on you. So you're vulnerable and running for your life at that point.
Re: Shigeru Miyamoto Considers This Zelda Sequel To Be "Sort Of A Failure"
@EarthboundBenjy
I agree. I don't believe in skipping "black sheep" games in great series.
Zelda 2 and Castlevania 2 are the most popular to dump on.
"Ewww don't play that!!"
There's still a lot of fun there. And guides exist, so any "getting stuck" problems (cough, kneeling tornado nonsense, cough*, aren't problems anymore.
Re: Random: Don't Play Zelda? Sally Field Wants To Know "What The Hell Is The Matter With You?"
iMahvel_ wrote:
Based on a hugely popular novel.
Re: Random: Don't Play Zelda? Sally Field Wants To Know "What The Hell Is The Matter With You?"
We like her.
Right now, we like her.
Re: Taito's Legendary Brick Breaker 'Arkanoid' Lands On Consoles This Week, Alongside An NES Shooter From Nichibutsu
I have Eternal Battle, but will get the Arcade Archives 2 version for the Switch 2 mouse controls.
Re: Interview: "You'd Probably End Up In A Nasty Lawsuit" - 'Aliens: The Video Games' Uncovers The Interactive History Of The Series
An extensive Alien game collection would be incredible!
If X-Men: The Arcade Game can be re-released, then I have hope that anything can!
Re: Retro-Bit Is Blessing Two More 16-Bit Cult Classics With Physical Re-Releases
"We're also getting a new release of Riot's Psycho Dream, a cult classic platformer from 1992 that was never released outside of Japan. It got a digital release on modern-day systems in 2025, thanks to Ratalaika Games."
Oh neat, I missed that one! To the Switch wish list it goes!
Re: Talking Point: "We, The Consumers, Need To Vote With Our Wallets" - The Moral Dilemma Of Supporting SNK In 2026
I'd rather not support the Saudis. But at the same time, I'm not going to stop watching boxing and soccer. I'm not going to switch from PC to Apple or stop using Facebook. When booking a flight, I'm not going to avoid Boeing planes. When on vacation, I'm not going to avoid taking an Uber. I'm not going to stop watching Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures movies. I'm not going to stop playing Capcom games.
There's a World Cup in Saudi in 8 years, and all the football fans in the world will watch it.
They have successfully slithered their tendrils in lots of things we can't avoid.
Re: A Classic RPG Series Is Being Revived In Japan, After Almost 31 Years
PowerPandaMods wrote:
At first I also objected to the use of the word "classic" on these sites.
But not I have come to understand it means "old games being re-released!" and rejoice.
Re: After Last Year's Delay, ININ Games' 'Parasol Superstars' Is Now Less Than A Week Away
@Futureshark
Yes, this is a bundle with 2 games:
I already have BBIII on Switch separately, and will be adding the other.
Re: Double Dragon Creator Yoshihisa Kishimoto Has Passed Away
slider1983 wrote:
I've read people say that Kung Fu Master is the first beat 'em up.
But when I saw Double Dragon for the first time, I didn't say "Cool, it's just like Kung Fu Master". It was its own thing. And all that came later, even though we'd all played Kung Fu Master, when describing other beat 'em ups we'd say "it's like Double Dragon".