I dunno, memory cards are still really cool to me. I discovered a bunch last time we were cleaning our house, and some of those saves dated back to when I was a kid in the 2000s. Genuinely amazed they're still around, and really cool to see my childhood saves again. I know SD/MicroSD cards are TECHNICALLY memory cards, since they're cards with flash memory for data, but I don't see them as the same thing. One's for general purpose data and cameras and phones as much as it is for game consoles.
You know, I never appreciated Pole Position until I had to try and win the Grand Prix without crashing for a RetroAchievements set. It's actually a really fun and unique racing game if you sit down and actually try to beat it. I don't own a Switch or a PS4 but definitely nice to see.
I can't blame him for being frustrated. What an absolute waste of such a strong brand by the Tramiels. I would've loved to see an Atari be able to compete in the 90s, but it just didn't blow that way. At least their consoles are getting a reappraisal and lots of homebrew now.
Not for nothing, but something being made with passion doesn't mean someone can't share a negative opinion on it. The vast majority of any kind of art is made with passion and effort, anyone who says otherwise is a contrarian. "Passionate homebrew devs" are still producing games at the end of the day, games people are supposed to play, and if it doesn't play well (and this really doesn't look like it'd play well from that tweet, it seems slow and the pixelation is hideous), it's kind of a moot point. I can appreciate the effort that went into something while also saying I don't really see the appeal. The first comment was more than reasonable imo.
EDIT: They're planning a Kickstarter for this, according to some replies on that tweet. If money is being exchanged for a product, I think virtually any criticism of it is reasonable. No one says "well you can't criticize PC indie games", and certainly no one says AAA games are immune from criticism--I see no reason to treat homebrew devs any different. If anything, criticism is the way homebrew as a medium gets pushed forwards.
@fox_mattcloud Seconded on Geometry Wars Galaxies! That game kept me entertained for a month and change of literally daily play trying to pass four million in Retro Evolved mode. You really need the Classic Controller for it, but it's one of the finest slices of arcade heaven ever put onto a console, and frankly better than the original on XBLA. Might seem a little underwhelming next to all the big long adventure games on the Wii, but I was seriously hooked.
Duckstation or nothing, sorry. Open source, great GUI, RetroAchievements support, disassembler, superb accuracy, runs great. Every other emulator is either user-hostile (Mednafen's lack of GUI, RetroArch's settings being horrifically organized, XEBRA and Bizhawk being a nightmare to set up controllers with) or developed by, uh, unsavory actors (RetroArch and ePSXe). Duckstation feels like a testbed for the stuff that will eventually go in Dolphin and PCSX2 (since stenzek works on those as well), and they're both top-shelf emulators too, so I think it's in good company.
Nah, I like Bubsy. I think there's definitely charm and humor the right person could wring out of specifically that character. It might take putting something of a spin on him (and I've never been too attached to the gameplay of any of them so do with that what you will), but I would like to see at least one unironic banger of a Bubsy game someday.
So glad DVP got included on this list. I checked this just to see if it was here. I think the text was literally hacked into most of the games, and it's just super authentic looking. Phenomenal video.
This is the kinda stuff that keeps me coming back to Time Extension. Not just some blog that regurgitates false easy information and stuff people recognize to get clicks, but actual research and deep dives into the hazy parts of gaming's past. Reminds me of why I enjoy watching Karl Jobst's videos, just with fewer people cheating at games
@KainXavier I definitely understand the caution, given that Atari hasn't been managed by the best people really since the sale to the Tramiels, let alone anyone else. I am optimistic, though. All the stuff you say, plus some of their new merch is seriously cool looking; I just bought a Tempest poster from their flash sale a week or two ago, complete with the 2600 Tempest prototype in the design, which is a surprisingly deep reference for a company like Atari to be making. I have zero place to put any of their arcade cabinets but I keep getting emails for them and I am so tempted. (I'm also on the younger side, since you mentioned it; I postdate the PS1, but not the Xbox, so it's only through 2000s YouTube and the retrogaming community I learned about and got into Atari in the first place.)
I actually really like the idea of a modern Atari box with compatibility for the 7800 (which I've never owned and always wanted to), old controllers, and the ability to play carts, and hearing it uses Stella means I have no doubts basically every game will eventually be playable on it (and most already are, if you see Atari's compatibility list). I think nostalgia plays a big factor; you have to be much older to have grown up with Atari than Nintendo or the PS1, so people who grew up with those probably think this just looks kinda lame. I've always loved Atari and golden-age arcade stuffs (though I'm like half its age, so make of that what you will), so this will definitely be something I keep a watch out for.
Surprised to see the omission of some of these games' Xbox-exclusive features on this list! San Andreas let you rip CDs to the hard drive and listen to them as their own radio station, and THPS3 had an exclusive level. Not really a glaring issue, just one I find interesting because Xbox multiplats tended to be upgrades over the PS2 version. Feel that's worth a mention. (Also Project Gotham Racing 2 gave us Geometry Wars, which is basically half my interest in that game alone.)
I think Pitfall instead of Pitfall II is a missed opportunity. I've beaten both, and Pitfall II is not only a lot more fun to play (no time limit, no lives), it's got screens that scroll all over the place and a really great soundtrack that changes depending on game events. It's super ahead of its time and really impressive on the Atari. Pitfall is fun, but it's more a memorization game if you actually want to beat it, and I think after you do, you'll never really want to come back to it. I can also think of a ton of other racers I'd include on this list instead of Pole Position (Indy 500 comes to mind, as does Enduro if you still want the behind the car view). Otherwise pretty good list.
Comments 113
Re: In Memory Of Memory Cards
I dunno, memory cards are still really cool to me. I discovered a bunch last time we were cleaning our house, and some of those saves dated back to when I was a kid in the 2000s. Genuinely amazed they're still around, and really cool to see my childhood saves again. I know SD/MicroSD cards are TECHNICALLY memory cards, since they're cards with flash memory for data, but I don't see them as the same thing. One's for general purpose data and cameras and phones as much as it is for game consoles.
Re: Pole Position II Skids Onto Nintendo Switch & PS4 Later This Week
You know, I never appreciated Pole Position until I had to try and win the Grand Prix without crashing for a RetroAchievements set. It's actually a really fun and unique racing game if you sit down and actually try to beat it. I don't own a Switch or a PS4 but definitely nice to see.
Re: Interview: "It Was A Suicide Mission" - Larry Siegel Reflects On Atari's Failed War On Nintendo
I can't blame him for being frustrated. What an absolute waste of such a strong brand by the Tramiels. I would've loved to see an Atari be able to compete in the 90s, but it just didn't blow that way. At least their consoles are getting a reappraisal and lots of homebrew now.
Re: Gears Of Rage Brings "Mode 7-Like" Scaling To Sega Genesis / Mega Drive
Not for nothing, but something being made with passion doesn't mean someone can't share a negative opinion on it. The vast majority of any kind of art is made with passion and effort, anyone who says otherwise is a contrarian. "Passionate homebrew devs" are still producing games at the end of the day, games people are supposed to play, and if it doesn't play well (and this really doesn't look like it'd play well from that tweet, it seems slow and the pixelation is hideous), it's kind of a moot point. I can appreciate the effort that went into something while also saying I don't really see the appeal. The first comment was more than reasonable imo.
EDIT: They're planning a Kickstarter for this, according to some replies on that tweet. If money is being exchanged for a product, I think virtually any criticism of it is reasonable. No one says "well you can't criticize PC indie games", and certainly no one says AAA games are immune from criticism--I see no reason to treat homebrew devs any different. If anything, criticism is the way homebrew as a medium gets pushed forwards.
Re: Best Wii Games Of All Time
@fox_mattcloud Seconded on Geometry Wars Galaxies! That game kept me entertained for a month and change of literally daily play trying to pass four million in Retro Evolved mode. You really need the Classic Controller for it, but it's one of the finest slices of arcade heaven ever put onto a console, and frankly better than the original on XBLA. Might seem a little underwhelming next to all the big long adventure games on the Wii, but I was seriously hooked.
Re: Best PS1 Emulators - PlayStation Emulation Made Easy
Duckstation or nothing, sorry. Open source, great GUI, RetroAchievements support, disassembler, superb accuracy, runs great. Every other emulator is either user-hostile (Mednafen's lack of GUI, RetroArch's settings being horrifically organized, XEBRA and Bizhawk being a nightmare to set up controllers with) or developed by, uh, unsavory actors (RetroArch and ePSXe). Duckstation feels like a testbed for the stuff that will eventually go in Dolphin and PCSX2 (since stenzek works on those as well), and they're both top-shelf emulators too, so I think it's in good company.
Re: Atari Is Open To Pitches For A New Bubsy Game
Nah, I like Bubsy. I think there's definitely charm and humor the right person could wring out of specifically that character. It might take putting something of a spin on him (and I've never been too attached to the gameplay of any of them so do with that what you will), but I would like to see at least one unironic banger of a Bubsy game someday.
Re: Best Music Videos Featuring Video Games
So glad DVP got included on this list. I checked this just to see if it was here. I think the text was literally hacked into most of the games, and it's just super authentic looking. Phenomenal video.
Re: Flashback: Who Created The Arcade Classic Frogger?
This is the kinda stuff that keeps me coming back to Time Extension. Not just some blog that regurgitates false easy information and stuff people recognize to get clicks, but actual research and deep dives into the hazy parts of gaming's past. Reminds me of why I enjoy watching Karl Jobst's videos, just with fewer people cheating at games
Re: Where To Pre-Order The Atari 2600+
@KainXavier I definitely understand the caution, given that Atari hasn't been managed by the best people really since the sale to the Tramiels, let alone anyone else. I am optimistic, though. All the stuff you say, plus some of their new merch is seriously cool looking; I just bought a Tempest poster from their flash sale a week or two ago, complete with the 2600 Tempest prototype in the design, which is a surprisingly deep reference for a company like Atari to be making. I have zero place to put any of their arcade cabinets but I keep getting emails for them and I am so tempted. (I'm also on the younger side, since you mentioned it; I postdate the PS1, but not the Xbox, so it's only through 2000s YouTube and the retrogaming community I learned about and got into Atari in the first place.)
Re: Where To Pre-Order The Atari 2600+
I actually really like the idea of a modern Atari box with compatibility for the 7800 (which I've never owned and always wanted to), old controllers, and the ability to play carts, and hearing it uses Stella means I have no doubts basically every game will eventually be playable on it (and most already are, if you see Atari's compatibility list). I think nostalgia plays a big factor; you have to be much older to have grown up with Atari than Nintendo or the PS1, so people who grew up with those probably think this just looks kinda lame. I've always loved Atari and golden-age arcade stuffs (though I'm like half its age, so make of that what you will), so this will definitely be something I keep a watch out for.
Re: Best Original Xbox Games Of All Time
Surprised to see the omission of some of these games' Xbox-exclusive features on this list! San Andreas let you rip CDs to the hard drive and listen to them as their own radio station, and THPS3 had an exclusive level. Not really a glaring issue, just one I find interesting because Xbox multiplats tended to be upgrades over the PS2 version. Feel that's worth a mention. (Also Project Gotham Racing 2 gave us Geometry Wars, which is basically half my interest in that game alone.)
Re: Best Atari 2600 And 7800 Games Of All Time
I think Pitfall instead of Pitfall II is a missed opportunity. I've beaten both, and Pitfall II is not only a lot more fun to play (no time limit, no lives), it's got screens that scroll all over the place and a really great soundtrack that changes depending on game events. It's super ahead of its time and really impressive on the Atari. Pitfall is fun, but it's more a memorization game if you actually want to beat it, and I think after you do, you'll never really want to come back to it. I can also think of a ton of other racers I'd include on this list instead of Pole Position (Indy 500 comes to mind, as does Enduro if you still want the behind the car view). Otherwise pretty good list.