Videos

Atari A to Z: Aztec Challenge

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Despite technically being “on holiday” I’ve managed to fill today up completely to such a degree that I haven’t had time to finish a full article for MoeGamer as yet, and I’m about to go out for the evening. Consequently, you can expect an article later (late!) tonight when I get back.

In the meantime, please enjoy the beginning of this new side project exploring the library of the Atari 8-bit line of computers from A to Z and back again. New episodes are coming every Tuesday, so watch out for them either here or over on YouTube.

This isn’t technically part of MoeGamer’s remit, such as it is, but it is nonetheless a retro gaming project I have been working on, so I thought I’d share it here in case anyone is interested!

Podcast

The MoeGamer Podcast: Episode 7 – Touching is Good

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It’s a slightly belated new episode of the MoeGamer Podcast!

Both Chris and I had some unfortunate technical issues with our previous attempt to record this podcast, so we ended up having to do it all over again. We present to you the Definitive Edition of this particular episode!

I’m also pleased to announce that there is now an audio-only version of the podcast available on Soundcloud, and it’s been submitted to iTunes and a few other places. The show will continue to be presented in video format here and on YouTube as well, so if you enjoy watching as well as listening, never fear.

Continue reading The MoeGamer Podcast: Episode 7 – Touching is Good →

Cover Games, Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog: The Lost Game

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cropped-sonicheader-9220777This article is one chapter of a multi-part Cover Game feature!
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After the success of the Sonic games on the Mega Drive, what was next?

Sega had a difficult time ahead of it, since there was a certain amount of confusion over what the real successor to the 16-bit console would be. On the one hand, there was the American-developed, cartridge-based 32X, which would act as an add-on for the Mega Drive rather than a standalone unit. And on the other, there was the CD-based Saturn system, developed by Sega of Japan.

Clearly, in order to be a success, at least one of these new systems needed a Sonic game. But that turned out to be a rather more difficult undertaking than anyone anticipated. Continue reading Sonic the Hedgehog: The Lost Game →

Essentials, PS2

PS2 Essentials: TimeSplitters

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It’s funny how the advancing years can affect how you perceive a particular game.

TimeSplitters is a great example. Developed by a team of ex-Rare staffers who had previously worked on N64 classics GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark, this PlayStation 2 launch title was positively received on its original release — but also drew some criticism for, in some respects, seeming like a step backwards from its spiritual predecessors, particularly in terms of narrative and storytelling.

Returning to it some 18 years after its original release, however, paints a somewhat different picture… and makes it an absolute delight to play.

Continue reading PS2 Essentials: TimeSplitters →

Waifu Wednesday

Waifu Wednesday: Rouge the Bat

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The first response I got to last week’s article on Amy was “why Amy when you can have BIG FAT BAT TATS?”

Well, why not indeed? Rouge is, it seems, one of the Sonic series’ more popular female characters despite appearing relatively “late” in the grand scheme of things. And it’s not hard to see why.

But people like her for more than just those BIG FAT BAT TATS, so let’s take a closer look at her as a character and enjoy some fanart along the way.

Continue reading Waifu Wednesday: Rouge the Bat →

Videos, Warriors Wednesday

Warriors Wednesday: Know Your Place – Warriors Orochi #2

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The battles continue in Warriors Orochi as Nobunaga and friends attempt to rescue some peasants from a fate worse than death. Or just, you know, death.

I’ve been having a real blast with Warriors Orochi so far, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the series develops over time. The prospect of the upcoming Warriors Orochi 4 incorporating elements of Greek mythology is tremendously exciting to me, but I’m having fun with the Chinese and Japanese heroes in the meantime.

Hit the jump for the new video.

Continue reading Warriors Wednesday: Know Your Place – Warriors Orochi #2 →

Essentials, NES

NES Essentials: Arkista’s Ring

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The game I’d like to talk about today is a prime example of why emulation and game preservation is important.

I’d never heard of it prior to my first encounter with it yesterday, when I was attracted by the box art I saw in my Launchbox library. No-one I’ve spoken to about it today has ever heard of it. I’ve found very little information about or discussion of it online, save for a few YouTube commenters on gameplay videos reminiscing about how much they enjoyed playing this game back in the day. And I’ve never seen it come up in articles about retro collections or “hidden gems of the NES library”.

The game I’m talking about is Arkista’s Ring, developed by Nihon Micom Kaihatsu (aka NMK), published by the American arm of Sammy Corporation (without crediting NMK) and released exclusively in North America in 1990.

Continue reading NES Essentials: Arkista’s Ring →

Delving Into..., Dragon Quest, Hand of the Heavenly Bride

Delving Into Dragon Quest: Hand of the Heavenly Bride – #3

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Exciting things have been happening in the world of Dragon Quest V, and I am thoroughly enraptured with this game.

I can’t remember the last RPG that managed to make one’s adventure feel so simultaneously personal and meaningful to the broader context in which the narrative unfolds. But Hand of the Heavenly Bride does a wonderful job at this — and now I’m into the game’s third (and, I believe, final) act, things are escalating considerably while still remaining tightly focused on the protagonist and his family.

Let’s take a closer look, then! Doubtless you’ve already figured out that spoilers likely abound in this series, but I’ll warn you once more just in case.

Continue reading Delving Into Dragon Quest: Hand of the Heavenly Bride – #3 →

Sunday Driving, Videos

Sunday Driving: Blur – Shunting Shannon

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My revisiting of old arcade racers continues with another blast on Bizarre Creations’ wonderful Blur.

This week, we progress a little further in the game’s substantial single-player campaign, including taking on the first of the game’s boss encounters: Shannon.

Be sure to let me know either here or on YouTube if you want to see more Blur or switch to a different arcade racer for a bit for future installments in this series… and, of course, hit the jump for the video itself.

Continue reading Sunday Driving: Blur – Shunting Shannon →

Cover Games, Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinning Off

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cropped-sonicheader-9220777This article is one chapter of a multi-part Cover Game feature!
<< First | < Previous | Next > | Latest >>

So we’ve already talked about Sonic’s main 16-bit games on the Mega Drive, as well as his 8-bit adventures on the Game Gear and Master System.

But we have a few more games to explore from this early era before we start exploring the blue blur’s oft-maligned jump into 3D space, and those are the numerous spin-offs that appeared to complement the “mainline” platformer experiences.

Turns out there’s quite a few of them. And they’re pretty much all really cool! Let’s take a closer look.

Continue reading Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinning Off →

The best of overlooked and underappreciated computer and video games, from yesterday and today.