Comments 80

Re: Review: Pixel FX Morph 2K - For $200, This Is Amazing Value For Money

StyrofoamCup

I greatly appreciate this review.

I am soooooooo close to retiring my KAICO OSSC after years of excellent service. It's not a knock on the OSSC. I have it on the latest firmware, and it still works like a champ. I like to keep my video settings to reasonable scales as I like a close 1:1 output on my dinky 1080p LED. I am not a 4K chaser, so those devices that go to the exteme resolutions don't appeal to me.

I'm more in the market for a scaler that has a simple, clean form factor like the Morph. And this is where my OSSC with daughter board for Composite/SVideo input has reached a breaking point. It is bow a block with cables out every side. It's time to tidy up. And the Morph 2K soubds just right for the job.

Re: The Devs Behind Loco Motive Once Pitched A Red Dwarf Adventure Game, & It Looks Smeggin' Brilliant

StyrofoamCup

As a US resident (listening for Black Hawk helicopters), I watched Red Dwarf in the 90s thanks to PBS (again, listening for storm troopers).

I LOVED that show as an addition to my TNG and Babylon 5 viewing. Rimmer's arcs were just brilliant. I'm not sad we didn't get a game because that show was perfect sci-fi at the right time of my life.

Stoke me a cipper. I'll be back for breakfast.
Salute

Re: Gallery: "Fatal Fury Is My Street Fighter II" - Leafing Through Bitmap Books' Ultimate Guide To SNK's One-On-One Slugfest

StyrofoamCup

My Fatal Fury story:

As is often the case, I didn't appreciate this franchise as a child since I was too dazed by hadoukens and fatalities at that time of my gaming life. I remember seeing Fatal Fury and thinking "meh".

Today, older and wiser, I have US, AES copies of Fatal Fury and Fatal Fury 2, and Japanese copies of FFS and RBFFS.

The older I get, the more I adore the 90s, street crime motif that is now so obvious to me in those FF games. I used to think Fatal Fury was a failed Street Fighter II. I now see it as a hybrid SFII/Final Fight, and I love getting back onto the streets to just have fisticuff battles.

Old SNK nailed the grit of the 90s in so many games, and Fatal Fury is the perfect example.

This art book will sit amongst my Neo Geo collection soon enough.

Re: These Photos Of Old Japanese Arcades Remind Me Of What We've Lost

StyrofoamCup

It was a good time. I appreciate what arcades and game designers achieved to ultimately bring the arcade experience home to millions.

But my age is winning out over nostalgia. While at an all-day arcade in my area, reality was hitting me. I'm too tall to comfortably play at most upright machines originally intended for kids and teens, many machines were in need of controller repair, and I was thinking of the immense cost of powering so many machines.

Re: The C64 And ZX Spectrum Are Being Reimagined As Nintendo-Style Clamshell Handhelds

StyrofoamCup

I am a new fan to the Commadore 64/C64 family. I started dabbling with the mini systems in the last few years. And I am a sucker for dedicated portable systems.

Is this handheld necessary in light of the many options being offered for the C64 platform? Nope. Will I try to get A C64 model? Yeap! Is it available on Funstock USA yet? NOPE!

Supplemental: Funstock USA listings went up around 9 AM EST. YEAP! HEHEHE!

Re: Sounds Like Plaion Has Another Console In The Works Following The Neo Geo AES+

StyrofoamCup

Reading between the lines, this info dump tells me that original and alternative NeoGeo access points stay relevant. If you want the stock, original experience and have the option, then the original Neo Geo is still valid. If you are a MISTer user, go nuts. It is still valid.

I'm very much interested in the board consolidation, power optimization, and what is in the carts. Having an original Neo Geo and most legacy systems, I love when modern tech optimizes original designs especially with power consumption. We fondly remember wall arts, but I have no issue retiring them when the option is available (and I have with most 1990s systems). I'm looking forward to a cart dissection in the coming months.

Re: Struggling To Pre-Order The Neo Geo AES+ In North America? Plaion Is Working On It

StyrofoamCup

I live in a US state that is hit with the tax snag. I was eager for the UE, but I also needed time to discuss budget in my home. And the very next day, the tax issue appeared.

I appreciate the information as wild speculation can now be put to rest. It's not a stock issue, and Ill jump from Amazon to Plaion when the opportunity arives. If I have to buy from a villain, I might as well get the most mega shock bang for my buck.

Re: "No Emulation, No Compromise, No Comparison" - The $250 Neo Geo+ AES Aims To Be A 1:1 Replica Of SNK's Classic Console

StyrofoamCup

After much thought, I'm redirecting my focus away from the hardware and Plus aspects of the machine since I'm comfortable with my current investments (decent model AES, OSSC, and RGB options). I have sticks and memory cards galore.

My interest is now squarely on the carts. Besides the notorious prices of original carts (Metal Slug is a car now), even conversion carts can be pricey and even dubious in design. Sometimes EEPROMs from MVS carts are sacrificed. Sometimes people burn their own to retrofit sacrified AES carts. It's real messy out there. Now, we have an entity offering decently priced replicas (case, labels, manuals, new cart cases), and with new parts (I presume). This is more exciting to me than the console news.

I already have a NeoSD cart for my flashcart needs. But, I'm atill a sucker for standalone carts when the mood hits. The mood is hitting hard for a $90 replica of Metal Slug.

Re: Hopes Of Neo Geo Hardware Revival Triggered By ESRB Rating

StyrofoamCup

These are exciting times for legacy systems to say the least.

As a NeoGeo fan/smalltime collector (AES, MVS, Mini, Evercade, and emulation all over), I have to stress caution about the possibility of cart compatibility. Their engineering would negate any reduction in a machine's footprint making this a NeoGeo by default and pricing up the machine. Then comes the emulation demands from this crowd. It would have to be spot on or no buy from a demographic that prides itself off arcade responsiveness.

But, I'd gladly add a machine to sit next to my Neo AES and CD video system.

Re: Two New "Jaleco Sports" Collections Are Out Today, Bringing Even More SNES & NES Games To PS5 & Switch

StyrofoamCup

These releases sure are timely.

I've recently grown great affection for 16-bit era, arcade baseball games. This is partly because I learned I have over 30 unique Super Famicom baseball games which I simply boxed away. Then, in a flurry, I started digging and enjoying Japanese style baseball fun of the 90s. Super Kyuukyoku Harikiri Stadium is my fave this far. And now I eagerly await my 2020 Super Baseball carts for SFC AND NeoGeo to arrive.

Oh, and maybe I'll conaider this collection on the Switch.

Play ball!

Re: Sega 32X Is Getting An Ambitious Elite-Style Space Exploration Game Called 'SignalFall'

StyrofoamCup

People's passion to go back to classic systems and push the envelope of what is possible is what excites me the most about modern gaming.

I'm highly appreciative with the work done on current gen machines. Regardless of one's platform preferences, all machines are technical marvels. But nothing gets me more tingled than a by-gone machibe receiving software projects and upgrades previously thought impossible because "not enough bits". Earthion, the msu-1 version of SFA2 with arcade soundtrack and patched audio on the SNES, and the Doom 32X Fusion projects show the old machines had even more talent than the memory limits of the time allowed.

And the 32X (with Sega CD in the mix) is the system I eagerly await to have its moment. There is so much untapped power, and all the modern advancements may fulfill so many broken promises. Maybe, I'll finally see the SSFIIT port teased over 30 years ago.

The World is in a rough patch right now, but Classic Gaming is in a golden moment I'm embracing.

Re: This Dreamcast Controller Fixes One Of The Console's Biggest Shortcomings

StyrofoamCup

To each their own controllers.

Being a Dreamcast vet from start to end of retail life, not once did I say "I sure wish this controller had a second stick.", and I never held it against the system that it lacked controller options. I have sticks, pads, analogue gadgets, and a fishing rod/tennis racket to vouch for my play time.

But, I love trying new things if it leads to new playtime on a classic platform.

Re: Pure FX Appeal - Unpicking The History Of The PC-FX, One Of Japan's Biggest '90s Console Flops

StyrofoamCup

As a PC-FX owner, I can say it's more form than function. The tower design, all those panels to open for expansions, and the reused 6-bitton controller design all showcase a machine that would evolve with development. But the decision to focus so aggressively on anime-centric FMV at launch killed all momentum when the new kid on the block was getting near real-time arcade hits and some elaborate 3D experiences. However, Zenki does deliver a taste of what could have been with a decent side-scroller with in-gameplay fmv running at an impressive framerate.

Re: Every Shining Game, Ranked

StyrofoamCup

What incredible timing. It's been a Shining Winter for me. At this moment, I'm very attached and enjoying The Sword of Hajya thanks to a newly acquire and heavily modified GameGear. And, I recently found SFIII in a thrift shop which I'll play soon enough.

Re: They Buried My Beloved CeX

StyrofoamCup

Snape killed CeX!

@RenderSpotlight As a US citizen (until the Emperor changes the rules again), let me say that even the after pictures showcase clean streets and tasteful graffiti. I feel for your loss though. I've seen dozens of lovely game shops over here fold from the march of time.

Re: The 32X Version Of Virtua Racing Has Been Decompiled

StyrofoamCup

I love all news regarding Virtua Racing. Hearing more doors have been opened using VRD warms my heart as I had this and Doom constantly in my 32X back in the 90s.

Rewatching the Digital Foundry Retro video also hits hard when you realize Reiko Kodama, aka Phoenix Rie, had a direct hand in the Switch release before her passing in 2022. I give countless thanks for her contributions on so many SEGA games I love.

Re: Interview: "Miyamoto Was A God To Us" - Richard Honeywood On The Raiden Project, Working With Iwata, & Turning Down Pokémon

StyrofoamCup

The Raiden Project has been in my game library for 30 years. I obtained the original release from a HS friend in a shady deal on summer day in 1995.

The game is a fixture in my life when I have literally bought and sold HUNDREDS of games over the time period. I purged so much stuff, and yet I kept TRP.

I have no specific reason for this relationship lasting so long and consistently. I loved Raiden II for sure (it is my favorite of the franchise), but I've played dozens of shooters I can say I equally liked. But, here I have TRP still in its 1995 release state in the Sega Saturn style case Sony bought because they needed boxes.

It's also amazing to think TRP is the only official way to play Raiden II on any console after 30 years. Not even Arcade Archives has it available. The spell on Raiden II would be a videogame investigation I'd love to read.

Thanks for this piece and interview. It's given me much to absorb.

  • Page :
  • 1