wiWelcome to the last Retrostpekt Gaming RoundUp before Christmas. We’ll be back with news, reviews, and more soon, plus an end of year surprise or two. Until then, from all the Retrospekt crew, we wish you a safe, fun, and gaming filled Christmas and holiday season.
Here we go…
- Cartridge releases for the original Game Boy are still arriving as 2017 draws to a close, nearly thirty years after Nintendo’s iconic handheld was first released. Kotaku reports about Tobu Tobu Girl, a new release that appears to be somewhat of a riff on the Doodle Jump style of platformer. It’s a polished looking game that’s available for (free) download or purchase as a boxed cartridge edition.
- Indieretronews has posted details of a new version of ScummVM which adds over twenty more classic DOS and Windows point and click adventure games to be played on modern computers and consoles (Windows, OSX, Linux, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, and PSP are just some of the supported systems). In addition to the new games, including numerous Sierra classics such as King’s Quest IIV, numerous graphical, audio, and interface improvements have been added. More information on these improvements and further details about how to run ScummVM 2.0.0 can be found on the official Scumm website.
- – Our friends at Ausretrogamer have reviewed the JB Hi-Fi exclusive Retro Pocket arcade, a handhed system retailing for $24.95. Although the look and feel of the device apes the early 1980s Nintendo Game & Watch devices, this unit has a full colour 1.8″ LCD screen and includes over 150 games. Despite the games being somewhat simple and generic, this looks like a fun little retro style gaming unit at a rock bottom price.
- With the end of year break approaching, and retro games being gifted and traded like hot potatoes (not to mention the free time we’ll all have to play those old cartridge games), The Verge presents a timely reminder about blowing into cartridges if they don’t work on the first attempt; in short, don’t…even though we know all will.
- – Another week, another retro gaming Kickstarter, and this time it’s yet another gaming book. This one does look great – The GameCube Anthology has already smashed its goal with over three weeks to spare. Chronicling the GameCube’s development, impact, and legacy, the book also presents information on all 647 GameCube games, with even more information included in the various crowd funding limited versions. The two book Ultimate Edition is calling me…
- Spotted on Retro Domination’s Facebook feed is news of Retro-Bit being granted the license to to produce hardware for legacy Sega consoles including the Genesis / Mega Drive, Saturn, and Dreamcast. Interestingly, these peripherals will not only have the original console connections, but additionally USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity will be included, which enhances their versatility and potential use cases.
- Three Movements is a new album composed by Manami Matsumae, best known for her work on the original Mega Man soundtrack. Recently released on both CD and vinyl, the vinyl edition also includes three bonus tracks and a postcard signed by the composer. Ranging in styles across chiptunes, trance, orchestral, and ambient, Matsumae elaborates on the diversity of this release: “By this point, I’ve created music for a number of video games. These songs come in a variety of genres, and I want everyone to listen to the different styles I’ve experienced throughout the years, which is why I ended up creating my album in this fashion.” Do check out some of the other music releases on the site…there’s sure to be a number of albums that will tickle the fancy of discerning game music lovers.
- Until Nintendo finally re-releases the NES Classic Mini, demand remains high. It’ s a surprise to approximately zero gamers that a variety of knoc-off devices permeate the market. This video highlights one of the most convincing fakes on the market, and shows the many similarities and various differences between the original and the fake product.
- This twenty minute video highlights the various Tiger LCD games from the 1980s via a compiliation of their very cheesy television advertisements. Such simple but occasionally deep gameplay on such limited devices – those were the days!
- Finally, don’t forget that Adelaide’s local gaming and pop-culture vidcasts and radio shows are back for their last shows for the year. Hack the Dino is on again this afternoon at 3:30pm from Greenlight Comics. Press Start is on whippetradio.com (5:30pm tonight, 12:30pm tomorrow) discussing Star Wars, gaming news, and more Retrospekt Haikus.
