Son Of General Retro Discussion

RNB

Hey guys,

Has anyone ever heard this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpk-NAlU5Lw

Apparently...Nintendo released a proto-version of Tetris for the Game Boy in the US and Japan. Tetris version 1.0 has 23 stamped on the cartridge and was produced in extremely limited quantities offering several differences to the standard print. Known differences include the A-TYPE song, a different level-up system and apparently the scoring is slightly changed in this version as well. According to a couple of sites I've found online, only a handful are known to exist.

Differences from v1.1 also include:

-Version 1.0 requires you to score 20 lines on Level 9 to proceed to Level 10. This was changed for Version 1.1 to 100 lines.
-Version 1.0 has a much shorter copyright screen, lasting only three seconds. The copyright screen in Version 1.1 lasts for ten seconds, though pressing Start after six seconds will go to the title screen.
-Different Level-up sound also used for entering the next screen. A different version of the 1.1 level-up jingle exist, and was intended to be used, but was likely changed at the last minute.
- Accessing unused level-up jingle found in Version 1.0, can be granted by using the Game Genie code 084-F5D-E62 which will replace the current level-up sound.

I'm just wondering if any of you have ever come across such a thing and if so, what you think it might be worth?

Cheers,
RNB

whykay

Retr0gamer wrote: »

What's the theme and what type of exhibitions are you looking at? Is it the history of games or about the tech or are you going to put a few consoles out with examples of games on them?

What I would like to see are some retro consoles and history of gaming at the beginning of the exhibition. If the public can play games, that would be cool also. It's just one of my ideas. Of course, we would need to source retro consoles from a third party, which should take care of things if they break. I'm also talking to someone who pretty much started and runs Game On (exhibition that came to Ambassador last year), it's really early stages, so not much details.

And finally, this open call is where I hope you all chime with your suggestions and ideas.

Pyongyang

Steve SI wrote: »

An SSD NAS would be nice but if you want some actual bulk storage you may need to look at regular or hybrid drives.
The SSD is one of the best upgrades you can do on a PC or Laptop as the performance increase is really great.

.

Not a fan of hybrid drives. Agree with you on the bulk storage limitations of SSDs though, not to mention the cost.

I bought a few ultrabooks with SSDs in them recently. The boot time of W7 Enterprise is staggeringly quick. That's one of the factors that sold me on SSD drives. Prices are almost at $1 per gb though so it's getting better.

CiDeRmAn

RNB wrote: »

Hey guys,

Has anyone ever heard this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpk-NAlU5Lw

Apparently...Nintendo released a proto-version of Tetris for the Game Boy in the US and Japan. Tetris version 1.0 has 23 stamped on the cartridge and was produced in extremely limited quantities offering several differences to the standard print. Known differences include the A-TYPE song, a different level-up system and apparently the scoring is slightly changed in this version as well. According to a couple of sites I've found online, only a handful are known to exist.

Differences from v1.1 also include:

-Version 1.0 requires you to score 20 lines on Level 9 to proceed to Level 10. This was changed for Version 1.1 to 100 lines.
-Version 1.0 has a much shorter copyright screen, lasting only three seconds. The copyright screen in Version 1.1 lasts for ten seconds, though pressing Start after six seconds will go to the title screen.
-Different Level-up sound also used for entering the next screen. A different version of the 1.1 level-up jingle exist, and was intended to be used, but was likely changed at the last minute.
- Accessing unused level-up jingle found in Version 1.0, can be granted by using the Game Genie code 084-F5D-E62 which will replace the current level-up sound.

I'm just wondering if any of you have ever come across such a thing and if so, what you think it might be worth?

Cheers,
RNB

Hmm, did you buy it from Galwaysale?
I know he/she/ie had a copy there as part of a gameboy package.

It certainly seems rare enough but, ultimately, aside from the music and the label it's the same game.

I did offer a few euro for it but was rebuffed.

Doge

o1s1n wrote: »

Ah sorry man, I read that as you just got a Famicom which I don't have, didn't realize you got a Super Famicom!

Only ordered one yesterday so haven't quite got it yet.

Have a tracking number and all, not a bad deal for 52 bobs.

I'm with you on the look of the NTSC, it's hurrendous.

Much prefer the Pal and jap consoles look meself.

OwaynOTT

o1s1n wrote: »

I think it's the purple colouring which offends me most. I love the bright Snes controller buttons and branding against the grey of the unit itself - the purple of the NTSC version on the other hand just looks bland and lifeless in comparison.

Maybe if they retained some of those colours it wouldnt make my eyes bleed so much.

You sir have a point about the colour scheme but in all else regarding the NTSC US SNES you are down right silly.

Steve X2

There's hope people

To make good-quality sperm, the testicles need to be a degree or two cooler than body temperature, which is why they naturally hang low and loose. But a tight pair of pants—or even just a snug piece of underwear—keeps them close to the body, negating millions of years of evolution in the process.

The logical extension of which is, of course, that hipsters will slowly become extinct.

http://gizmodo.com/5918022/drinking-drugs-and-diet-dont-harm-your-spermbut-tight-pants-do

.

o1s1n

waveform wrote: »

Only ordered one yesterday so haven't quite got it yet.

Have a tracking number and all, not a bad deal for 52 bobs.

I'm with you on the look of the NTSC, it's hurrendous.

Much prefer the Pal and jap consoles look meself.

OwaynOTT wrote: »

You sir have a point about the colour scheme but in all else regarding the NTSC US SNES you are down right silly.

Speaking of Super Nintendo aesthetics, you guys ever seen pictures of the prototypes? Interesting things to look at









They should have kept the headphone jack!

OwaynOTT

Red is mank looking.

o1s1n

Isn't it just! Almost as bad as the purple

Interesting to see how the controller developed. The button spacing is in a cross shape on that proto one. ABCD buttons too!

a5y

That shade of red. Wow.

Its like the poor joypad got stabbed by a wonky dinner fork in a cheesy 1970s horror B-movie.

CiDeRmAn

Sailor Moon tee anyone?

OwaynOTT

The Mario/Pikachu hybrid the other day was a definite get for me but unfortunately I missed out. Is there any way to get them after the 24 hours?

I see Sailor Moon is trending again, do I smell a contra revival?

a5y

OwaynOTT wrote: »

The Mario/Pikachu hybrid the other day was a definite get for me but unfortunately I missed out. Is there any way to get them after the 24 hours?

I see Sailor Moon is trending again, do I smell a contra revival?

Sigh. I got this one:

"I've never seen one before - no one has - but I'm guessing it's a white hole."

Augmerson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akuwMbT0h7c

o1s1n

Augmerson wrote:

ITT: Games I wanted as a kid and years later played and found to be ****e.

Man, that's a really good idea for a thread topic in itself! Post it separately

OwaynOTT

Do I need a jp dreamcast/GameCube or N64?

Andrew76

Anyone spot the headline on the front of this morning's Metro? "Outrage at Lara Croft game 'rape'". :rolleyes:
I know nothing about the upcoming game but according to Ethan Smallman there's a rape scene in it? Fact or just more sensationalist bullsh1t? Not sure if he's equating "beaten, bruised and taken prisoner" to a rape scene or there's a separate incident in the game.

DinoRex

Well... attempted rape at least. It's pretty pathetic.

I'm certainly not impressed with it... not to mention the fact that Lara has a mid-atlantic accent now.

Really enjoyed the last 3 Tomb Raider games. But I won't be getting this one.

o1s1n

I read that in the Metro too and also couldn't tell if it was someone trying to make something out of her being beaten and taken hostage or if there was actually an attempted rape scene.

If it was the latter it's going a tad far alright - but then again, it's something featured in film and other media - the problem with games is everyone assumes every single part of them are interactive when they're not. What if it was a non iterative part of the narrative, no different to something in a film?

As abhorrent as a scene like that would be...why should games be treated any differently? (again, as long as it's non interactive)

DinoRex

Well there's the fact that games writers are awful and can't even write believable dialogue between soldiers. They are in no way capable of handling a sensitive topic like rape without making an utter balls of it.

I'm imagining a QTE that you have to succeed in order to avoid getting raped.

johnny_ultimate

I don't think games should shy away from broaching such topics - but it should only be encouraged if it's handled in an intelligent way. I don't know how the scene in Tomb Raider will play, and there's certainly the high possibility it will be handled poorly and worthy of scorn. Yet if it sends the character off in an unexpected way or takes the time to examine the consequences (and it could go some way to justifying the re-imagination of the character we're seeing) it could be a bold, intriguing step in game storytelling. We don't know yet. But countless films, books and television have examined the topic in a provocative and mature manner: from Battlestar Galactica to Irreversible. While game writers have often shown themselves incapable of matching other mediums, they should certainly be trying to challenge expectations.

It just bothers me that tabloid outrage kicks off every time games try to extend beyond the 'safe' and expected. The backlash to the gay content of Mass Effect from both the media and gamers was frankly an embarrassment (although so was the execution of the sex scenes :pac:). A handful of games have shown the medium can be home to intelligent storytelling. They're very much an exception, but there's no reason they should be.

DinoRex

But video games are still horribly misogynist and completely in the gutter.

I think they need to be called on their bull**** a lot more in order for the industry to actually improve.

The abuse that Anita Sarkeesian is having to put up with for daring to make a series about how women are represented in video games really goes to show much growing up people need to do.

http://www.feministfrequency.com/2012/06/harassment-misogyny-and-silencing-on-youtube/

johnny_ultimate

Yes, I agree it's a frighteningly misogynist industry, and the abuse piled upon Sarkeesian is frankly disgusting (although I also don't agree a militantly feminist skewed series of Internet videos is the single best way to broach the topic, but that's an aside).

But that doesn't mean that sensitive topics can't be handled in challenging ways. Basically, none of us can yet tell what Tomb Raider will be like in terms of its ability to examine a hugely controversial topic. But it shouldn't be instantly discouraged until we see its execution, and what the creator's intentions are. Yes, going by previous evidence, we're right to be cautious. But if we back away from these topics, or discuss them only with moral outrage, then our little medium is going nowhere fast. Marketers using rape as a shock tactic is not on. Storyteller's using it as a justified plot device, however, is a different kettle of fish altogether.

o1s1n

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

It just bothers me that tabloid outrage kicks off every time games try to extend beyond the 'safe' and expected.

This. This is my thinking on the subject exactly. I know a lot of the time content in games is handled really poorly - but even if it weren't, you'd still have this tabloid mass hysteria. I'll leave my judgement until I see the scenes in question.

DinoRex wrote: »

But video games are still horribly misogynist and completely in the gutter.

I think they need to be called on their bull**** a lot more in order for the industry to actually improve.

The abuse that Anita Sarkeesian is having to put up with for daring to make a series about how women are represented in video games really goes to show much growing up people need to do.

http://www.feministfrequency.com/2012/06/harassment-misogyny-and-silencing-on-youtube/

Too right, and that is indeed the flip side of the argument.

However one thing I can find about scenes like this is they are handled correctly, misogynist mentalities come out looking very bad.

Have you ever watched any 70s exploitation flicks like I Split on your Grave or The Last House on the Left? Tabloids would have you believe they're exploitative of women, but I found it was almost the other way around. They made men look like absolute awful creatures and for me, really highlight the crap a lot of women have to put up with.

James Howlett

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

I don't think games should shy away from broaching such topics - but it should only be encouraged if it's handled in an intelligent way. I don't know how the scene in Tomb Raider will play, and there's certainly the high possibility it will be handled poorly and worthy of scorn. Yet if it sends the character off in an unexpected way or takes the time to examine the consequences (and it could go some way to justifying the re-imagination of the character we're seeing) it could be a bold, intriguing step in game storytelling. We don't know yet. But countless films, books and television have examined the topic in a provocative and mature manner: from Battlestar Galactica to Irreversible. While game writers have often shown themselves incapable of matching other mediums, they should certainly be trying to challenge expectations.

I agree with this. The developers and publishers must know that they're putting their necks on the line with the inclusion of such a scene, be it as an implied threat or clear attack against the main character, and they should be given the benefit of the doubt as we don't know exactly how the scene will play out visually.

Personally I'm not a fan of this subject matter being included in my "escapism media." Yes I play violent games and read violent books but I view that as "fantasy violence". I can't however include this subject matter in that category. A superhero comic "Identity Crisis" dealt with the topic a few years ago and while it was well written, I just didn't think it appropriate in a superhero comic.

So while I'm not thrilled about its potential inclusion in Tomb Raider, I'll wait and see how respectful they treat the subject.

Augmerson

Tomb Raider gets raped?!



But seriously, don't think it's a good idea to have that in a videogame.

johnny_ultimate

To be honest, I'm more concerned about the body count shown in demos of the game. I initially thought this was going to be a game of survival against the elements, but it just seems to be another gaming genocide.

It's what kind of distracted me in Uncharted sequels. Nathan Drake of the cutscenes shows himself to be a pacifist and all around nice guy. But then he goes and kills everyone.

I actually think the 'sexual assault' angle of Tomb Raider could actually examine this contradiction in an interesting way, but only if the writers and developers are really willing to make the game a descent into hell, alá Apocalypse Now or something. I remain cautiously pessimistic on this, sure, but again we can only wait and see.

o1s1n

Augmerson wrote: »

But seriously, don't think it's a good idea to have that in a videogame.

Excluding Thrill Kill of course...:pac:

The Last Bandit

Lets hope its not another Custer's Revenge...