My new Tetris lamp

It was just luck that I found out that a Tetris lamp was a thing. There was no hesitation, and I ordered one right away. You can find it on both Amazon and eBay, and probably other places too.

So every evening I’m playing with the Tetris lamp and try to get a new look.

tetris-lamp_gadget

Posted in gadget, retro | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sega Mega Drive is 25!

SONY DSC

It was on October 29, 1988 that Sega released the Mega Drive in Japan. That’s two years before Nintendo released its 16-bit console. Mega Drive was launched in North-America in August 1989 under the name Genesis. European gamers had to wait to November 1990 before they could enjoy the Mega Drive.

Sega was a greate gamemaker for the arcades. And with the Mega Drive, gamer could play arcade games at home with their 16-bit console. Arcade games like Altered Beast, Golden  Axe and Ghouls n’ Ghost where converted.

It was when Sonic the Hedgehog was a bundled game with the Genesis, that the sales realy took off in North-America.

In it”s lifetime, over 900 games where released on the Sega Mega Drive and the console itself sold over 35 million units worldwide.

October 29, 2013 marks the 25th anniversary of the Sega Mega Drive.

This blogpost will be updated in a couple of days, when I have more time to write.

Posted in Mega Drive/Genesis, retro, Sega | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Virtual Console (Wii U/3DS) release Thursday 24 October

A new week and new (or rather old) games to surface on Virtual Console for the Wii U and 3DS.

Donkey Kong 3
Wii U VC – NES

Unique to the classic series, Donkey Kong 3 is a frantic action game starring newcomer Stanley, whose greenhouse has been invaded by the troublesome ape and swarms of angry insects.

Armed with a spray can, you must push Donkey Kong up the screen while fending off the swarms of bugs intent on stealing Stanley’s precious flowers.

Avoid the coconuts that DK throws at you, and try to grab the power spray can for a few seconds of super-charged spraying as you aim for a high score!

Baseball
Wii U CV – NES

It’s the bottom of the ninth. You’re at the plate. Here comes the pitch. You swing… It’s a smash deep into centre-field! A home run!

In the NES classic Baseball, you control every action. The swing of the bat. The speed of the pitch. The hits, the steals, the double plays.

Pit your skills against the computer or challenge a friend. All it’s missing is the smell of hot dogs!

Pinball
Wii U VC – NES

The NES version of Pinball was one of the first video game recreations of the classic game, and it’s still as crowd-pleasing as ever. Use the flippers to keep the ball in play for as long as possible, and rack up a winning score.

There are two difficulty settings, and modes for one- or two-players so you and a friend can battle for the highest score

Mario also makes an appearance in the bonus stage in which you must save Pauline, the damsel in distress from Donkey Kong, with your pinball prowess!

Wario’s Woods
3DS VC – NES

The Peaceful Woods were once a safe haven for all gentle creatures… until Wario turned up. Now the place is swarming with monsters, and only Toad can clear up the mess!

Wario’s Woods is a fast-paced puzzle game in which Toad must line up bombs and enemies into rows of matching colours. Clear enough sections of the forest to go up against the mighty Wario himself!

Wario’s Woods on Nintendo 3DS also features Download Play, allowing you to connect to another player’s system and compete in a VS battle, with just one copy of the game.

 

Posted in 3DS, NES, Nintendo, retro, videogame, Virtual Console, Wii U | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Revisiting The Legend of Zelda – The Wind Waker HD

wii_u_the_wind_waker_hd_01

When I got The Legend of Zelda – The Wind Waker on GameCube on release in 2003, it was the second Zelda game I ever played.

I loved the game from the start, and enjoyed playing through it. But I’ve only played it once, and that’s 10 years ago. Have been thinking of doing it again, but there’s so many games out there to play.

Luckily, Nintendo have updated this game to HD and released it on Wii U as The Legend of Zelda – The Wind Waker HD. The game is as good as ever, but with better graphics. HD and widescreen makes it even better. The game also make good use of the gamepad.

I’ve only reached the second boss, but looking forward to the rest.

wii_u_the_wind_waker_hd_02 wii_u_the_wind_waker_hd_03

wii_u_the_wind_waker_hd_04 wii_u_the_wind_waker_hd_05

wii_u_the_wind_waker_hd_06 wii_u_the_wind_waker_hd_07

Posted in GameCube, Nintendo, preview, retro, Wii U | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Retro Gamer #121

There’s lot of interesting things to read in issue 121 of Retro Gamer:

  • Back to the Eighties – April 1980
  • Back to the Nineties – August 1996
  • The Making of… The Legend of Zelda – The Wind Waker
  • Compilation Kings: The Rise and Fall of the Classic Compilation
  • A Very British Affair – English Software
  • Ultimate Guide: Strider
  • Import Only: Tobal 2
  • The Making of… Bombuzal
  • Fairchild Channel F Retrospective
  • The History of Rambo Videogames
  • The Bluffers Guide to RPG
  • The Making of… Gribbly’s Day Out
  • In the Chair with… Nigel Alderton

retro_gamer_121

Posted in magazine, retro | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Virtual Console (Wii U/3DS) release Thursday 10 October

vc_wiiu_17oct2013

On Thursday 17 October European gamers get three new Virtual Console games, two on the Wii U and one on the 3DS.

Urban Champion
Wii U VC – NES

In Urban Champion, prove you’re the toughest guy on the streets. Block, punch and dodge your way through opponents to force them back – and down the open manholes! Plus, you’ll have to contend with angry neighbours dropping flower pots and avoid the attentions of the cops, too. Battle solo against computer controlled foes or face off against a friend in the two-player mode. This is the US version of the game.

Clu Clu Land
Wii U VC – NES

Released in the early days of the NES, Clu Clu Land is a unique and fast-paced action-maze game. Manoeuvre Bubbles around the stages by grabbing posts with her outstretched hands and swinging in your chosen direction. To win, explore the whole maze to uncover all of the gold bars. But beware! Spiky sea urchins can pop Bubbles if she touches them. Luckily, Bubbles can defend herself with an electric wave to stun her enemies. Clu Clu Land can be played solo or with a friend in simultaneous two-player mode. This is the US version of the game.

City Connection
3DS VC – NES

NES classic City Connection is a driving action game which sees you race across all the highways of the world! After breaking into a New York paint store you get behind the wheel of a customised automobile. You must avoid pesky cats and the ever-present police who will stop at nothing to bring your journey to a screeching halt. Utilising oil cans and death-defying jumps, throw your assailants off your trail and travel the world from New York to Japan in this exciting arcade classic!

Posted in 3DS, NES, retro, videogame, Virtual Console, Wii U | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Virtual Console (Wii U) release Thursday 10 October

This week, Thursdag 10 October, Wii U owner got two new Virtual Console games, both a NES game.

Tennis
NES, 1984, 1-2 players

Tennis was the first game to bring the sport to the NES, and includes singles or doubles matches against five different levels of competition.

While the controls are simple, it takes time to master the techniques and defeat the toughest opponents. Practise your volleys and smashes if you want to succeed!

You may also recognise a familiar moustachioed mascot making a guest appearance in the umpire’s chair…

Golf
NES, 1983, 1-2 players

nes_golfTest your skills across 18 holes of realistic links action. Golf offers classic stroke play for solo players, while two players can compete in stroke play or match play.

Judge the wind direction, check the distance, select a club, adjust your swing and keep your eye on the ball. Now drive it home!

From twisting fairways and dense forests to water hazards and deadly bunkers, Golf is packed with challenges for budding pros or newcomers alike.

Posted in NES, Nintendo, retro, videogame, Virtual Console, Wii U | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review: Columns (Game Gear)

columns_cartridge_sega_game_gear

Columns was originaly created by Jay Geersten in 1989 before he sold the rights to Sega. They released the game on all their consoles at the time, and other formats too.

I’ve been playing the Game Gear version. This version was released in October 1990 in Japan and in April 1991 in Europe and USA.

columns_sega_game_gear_01 columns_sega_game_gear_02

columns_sega_game_gear_03 columns_sega_game_gear_04

The gameplay is simple, and in many ways similar to Tetris. In the playing area a column made of three symbols on top of each other falls from the top of the screen. The symbols are of random colours, and when column is falling down, you can change the order of the colours to better match the blocks you have at the bottom of your screen.

You have two modes to choose from. The first is Original. This is the normal mode where you just play to get as many point as you can. It’s endless. The game ends when the hole screen is filled with blocks.

Flash-mode is a bit different. The screen will be filled with blocks (depending on the High number) with a flashing block at the bottom of the screen. So it will be your mission to remove all the other blocks and come down to the flashing one.

I love Columns. It’s a fun and addictive game. A puzzle game you can pick up and play when you have some minutes to spare.

Posted in Game Gear, handheld, retro, Sega, videogame | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Video review: World Cup Italia’90 (Sega Master System/Mega Drive)

sega_master_system_world_cup_italia_90

My second video postet to YouTube was a small review of World Cup Italia’90 for the Sega Master System and Mega Drive.

World Cup Italia’90 was released on the Sega console by Sega, and ported to other formats by U.S. Gold.

The video was posted in June 2006, in the early years of YouTube.

Posted in console, Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis, retro, review, Sega, video review, videogame | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Retro Gamer #120

Just got the hands of issue 120 of Retro Gamer. So this is some of the Things you can this month:

  • Back to the Eighties – January 1981
  • Back to the Nineties – July 1996
  • The Making of… Shadowrun
  • The Story of: Earthworm Jim
  • Import Only: Kaeru no tame ni kane wa naru
  • The Making of Myth: History in the making
  • Your Videogame Icons
  • The Story of: Oddworld
  • Evolution of beat-em-ups
  • The Making of: The Sims
  • In the Chair With… Colin Porch

retro_gamer_issue_120

Posted in magazine, retro | Tagged , , | Leave a comment