Tag Archives: video games

Atari A to Z: Leggit

Not every game can be a classic. But sometimes notorious stinkers can be worth looking at, too.

A good example of this is Leggit by Imagine, originally released on ZX Spectrum as Jumping Jack then ported to Atari with a new name. While not a particularly good game in its own right, it did inspire a number of clones, suggesting it had some influence back in the day — and its basic formula can be rather indirectly traced forward towards some more modern releases that do things a bit better.

It’s also interesting to look at this game in terms of what not to do from a game design perspective… or, if nothing else, to ensure that my suffering through this nonsense wasn’t in vain!

Find a full archive of all the Atari A to Z videos on the official site.

Freedom Planet: Platforming Perfection

Longstanding readers will know that here on MoeGamer, I dislike focusing on negativity; rather, I much prefer to make a specific effort to try and “find the good” in games, particularly those that have had a rough deal from the mainstream press or community.

Sometimes, however, “the good” is so blatantly obvious that you can’t help but be taken aback by it somewhat. This may not happen often, but when it does, it really leaves an impression on you.

The most recent game where this has happened to me is GalaxyTrail’s Freedom Planet, quite possibly one of the finest video games I have ever played.

Continue reading Freedom Planet: Platforming Perfection

Atari A to Z Flashback: Atari Video Cube

The puzzle game genre as a whole arguably didn’t really hit its stride until the 16-bit home console era rolled around. But there were numerous attempts prior to that “golden age” to provide mind-bending puzzles for gamers at home.

One fascinating example was Atari Video Cube, a three-dimensional colour puzzle loosely based on the famous Rubik’s Cube. In fact, in a subsequent reprint of the game, Atari acquired the Rubik license and rereleased it as Rubik’s Cube — much to the chagrin of Atari 2600 collectors, who note that it is the exact same game, released with a different part number.

I really like this game. It melts my brain a bit, but I enjoy it a great deal. If you’re looking for an interesting way to flex your mental muscles a bit, this remains an enjoyable challenge to wrap your grey matter around even today!

Find a full archive of all the Atari A to Z videos on the official site.

Splatterhouse: Elements of Horror

Yes, yes, yes, I know it was Halloween yesterday and thus I was supposed to cover a spooky game then, but I was busy then, so you’re getting it now instead.

Splatterhouse is a classic 1988 horror game from Namco, and there are a variety of ways you can play it today — the most recent and readily accessible of which is the excellent Namco Museum on Switch.

It’s also a very interesting game to look back on from a modern perspective, given how popular horrific, gory games have become as the gaming medium has matured.

Continue reading Splatterhouse: Elements of Horror

Final Fantasy Marathon: The Fourth Fiend – Final Fantasy I #18

After a perilous ascent up the Mirage Tower, the Warriors of Light find themselves in the Flying Fortress, just a bit of exploration away from the last of the Four Fiends.

Tiamat has a reputation as a fearsome foe, but the rigorous training regime our heroes have been following up until this point will surely stand them in good stead when the time comes to take up arms against the fourth Fiend.

In the meantime, there are treasures to find and mysterious labyrinths to navigate, so let’s get to it, shall we?

My Time With Dee Dee: Learn Through, Uh, Doing

One of the nice things about being a non-commercial site that isn’t funded by big corporate advertising bullshit is that I’m not obliged to be in “competition” with any of my peers.

That means that when people like our friends over at Digitally Downloaded do something cool and interesting, I can explore it for myself and, more to the point, make you aware of it, dear reader.

If I haven’t made this abundantly clear already, the following relates to a piece of media created by a friend of mine. And if you have the slightest interest in media criticism and making use of the conventions of gaming to educate or learn something… you should definitely check it out!

Continue reading My Time With Dee Dee: Learn Through, Uh, Doing

Atari ST A to Z: E-Motion

The “E” is for “Einstein”. So says The Assembly Line, anyway, in this curious physics-based puzzler for Atari ST featuring “ray-traced” graphics.

E-Motion is the predecessor to Vaxinewhich you may recall from our first time around the ST’s A to Z. This time around it’s all about bouncing balls around rather than blasting away viruses, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less hectic! The world of subatomic particle physics is, it seems, rather dangerous.

E-Motion drew praise at the time of its original release for its colourful visuals, digitised sound and unusual premise. Today, it’s still an enjoyable — if rather frustrating — experience, and a charming, technically impressive highlight of this era of gaming.

Find a full archive of all the Atari A to Z videos on the official site.

Waifu Wednesday: Amayo Sato

It’s not something I see people talk about a whole lot, but I get the impression the fantasy of having a sibling you don’t already have — particularly an older sister — is quite a popular one among certain portions of the population.

I’m not even talking about a sexual fantasy here; I’m simply referring to the idea that some people seem to find the idea of having an older sister quite pleasant. And yes, I’m one of those people.

We’re certainly well-catered to when it comes to Japanese popular media, at least, with a whole host of charming onee-chans out there just waiting to take care of us. The most recent I’ve encountered? Amayo Sato from Gun Gun Pixies.

Continue reading Waifu Wednesday: Amayo Sato

Warriors Wednesday: Furry Politics – Warriors All-Stars #2

Having established that we are well and truly in isekai territory, Arnice, Christophorus and Rio appear to have a lot of work ahead of them.

For now, it seems, their best course of action is to go along with the furry inhabitants of this other world. These strange individuals appear to not only be trying to restore the life and colour to their broken world, but also are locked in a war for outright supremacy and dominion.

The struggle for the throne begins with a skirmish on Zack Island, of Dead or Alive Xtreme fame, and sees Arnice and co getting to know their rival forces a little better.

Atari A to Z: Kangaroo

The ’80s were a strange time, particularly for Atari, who, it seems, were never quite sure how to release or market things properly.

One of their well-received arcade games received an official port to the Atari 2600 and 5200, and the latter version then ended up on the 8-bit Atari computers. Unusually, however, this was published via the Atari Program Exchange or APX, which more commonly published consumer-submitted games rather than licensed ports.

That game was Kangaroo, and it’s an enjoyable single-screen platformer with lots of monkey-punching and fruit-grabbing. It also used to terrify me as a kid and I can’t remember why…

Find a full archive of all the Atari A to Z videos on the official site.