Posts Tagged ‘Retro’

I’m not really interested in the SPvTW (as the kids say it) film. Partially due to Michael Cera playing the same character he’s been nursing since Superbad Arrested Development, partially because I cringed in my seat the first time I saw the trailer. Nor am I really into the comics. I wrote them off as fake manga at first, now I write them off because I didn’t like them. There’s a significant generational gap surrounding the whole franchise, and anyone over the age of 20 will likely have a difficult time getting into the ultra-hipster attitude of the material. If you’re the type that wears ironic t-shirts, wrist sweatbands, and vintage Reebok hi-tops while listening to Vampire Weekend, you probably already worship at the Scott Pilgrim altar of pop-culture homages.

All that being said: this game is great! The best description I can offer is that it’s a high-def remake of River City Ransom. Throw in some truly amazing work by chiptune artists extraordinaire, Anamanaguchi, and the awe-inspiring pixel art of one Paul Robertson, and you have a winner. Thankfully, the game really doesn’t force the story from the comics/film on you (it’s there, but easily dismissed), and the game play doesn’t really suffer from it. Level building, loot dropping, side-scrolling beat-em-up goodness. Try it, love it, buy it. $9.99 on the PlayStation Store (360 version coming later this month).

In true Minnesota (home of the runner-up) fashion, I came in second in the 50 week Atari 2600 High Score Club. Scored 344 points, which averages to 6.88 points a week. Key to my success? I played every week. The guy who came in first was the only other person to play every week.

I don’t expect to participate nearly as much this next season. Although the first game in season 8 is Solaris, and I really should give that game a try.

I recommend playing. You end up playing games that you otherwise wouldn’t be trying. Also gets the competitive juices flowing.

Posted under: Consoles & Handhelds
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A homebrew version of Halo has been coded up by some guy named Ed. This guy Ed is really Ed Fries, the vice-president of game publishing for Microsoft during the original Xbox’s lifescycle. Read more about him on Wikipedia. Because of this, Ed is in a unique position – he had Bungie’s blessing to do this. From the AtariAge forum thread, the employees of Bungie already have their cartridges of Halo 2600.

I played a bit of it using my Harmony cart, and it is very well done. Simplistic in gameplay, but that is to be expected. Here is an initial impressions video someone else did off of youtube.

Not the first iPad decal I’ve seen, but certainly one that relates to the fine folks on GridCycle. The only concern is I don’t think those dots would last too long before they peeled off. But, if you dig it, you can order yours from this Etsy storefront.

Posted under: Gear & Gadgets
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Nothing earth shattering, but nice to see the old boy still keeping up with things.

Nolan Bushnell Interview