General Arcade & Retro Chat' Special Championship Edition

1o059k7ewrqj3n · 18-03-2020 2:57pm

Probably should be spending my money on better things but ordered Sega Mega Drive Collected Works from Readonlymemory.vg today. It looks really nice. Also ordered a Mega Drive wireless controller from Amazon, the retro-bit clear blue type.

Dunno how long this quarantine is going to go on for so might as well invest a wee bit on entertainment. The controller should work on the laptop too but I think it needs an adapter for the PSX Classic.

Tom Mann Centuria · 18-03-2020 7:50pm

The Fusion 2020 annual is a free pdf download at the moment. I'm not overly enamoured with Fusion tbh (but multiformat isn't really my thing), but it's free and plenty of different machines and games covered both Retro and modern and a good bit of reading in it, and free is a nice price!

Issue 10 is also a free download at the moment.

https://fusiongamemag.com/products/fusion-annual-2020-pdf

https://fusiongamemag.com/products/fusion-issue-10-pdf

Dr Bob · 20-03-2020 11:14am

Doom 64 is out on Steam for a fiver
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1148590/DOOM_64/
if you haven't played it on an N64 its a completely original version of Doom and really really good
There's been a few source ports before but this is a way to play it legally on PC (if that's your thing)
Its also out on switch as well apparantly

Retr0gamer · 20-03-2020 11:17am

Dr Bob wrote: »

Doom 64 is out on Steam for a fiver
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1148590/DOOM_64/
if you haven't played it on an N64 its a completely original version of Doom and really really good
There's been a few source ports before but this is a way to play it legally on PC (if that's your thing)

I'd go so far as to say ignore the source ports. All they do is transplant the game into the doom engine. This version is far more accurate to the N64 original and has all the fancy effects they added in tact and also includes the changes they made to physics and monster AI.

Dr Bob · 20-03-2020 11:24am

Retr0gamer wrote: »

I'd go so far as to say ignore the source ports. All they do is transplant the game into the doom engine. This version is far more accurate to the N64 original and has all the fancy effects they added in tact and also includes the changes they made to physics and monster AI.

Kinda
the Doom EX 64 source port uses a different engine (in fact I think its the one used in the official PC doom 64 now)so it looks pretty close to the N64
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRK9PWK8Jhw
https://doom64ex.wordpress.com/
I do like some of the QOL stuff you get with things like Doom Ex 64
(like not having to sit through 4 companies intros at the start of the game!)

sniper_samurai · 20-03-2020 11:29am

Dr Bob wrote: »

Kinda
the Doom EX 64 source port uses a different engine (in fact I think its the one used in the official PC doom 64 now)so it looks pretty close to the N64
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRK9PWK8Jhw
https://doom64ex.wordpress.com/
I do like some of the QOL stuff you get with things like Doom Ex 64
(like not having to sit through 4 companies intros at the start of the game!)

The lead on the new port is the guy who did Doom EX 64, he now works at Nightdive. He was also the lead on their Turok ports. Surprised Turok hasn't come out on PS4 when it is available on Switch and Xbox.

This new port is also more accurate than Doom EX 64.

Nerdkiller1991 · 20-03-2020 11:57am

sniper_samurai wrote: »

The lead on the new port is the guy who did Doom EX 64, he now works at Nightdive. He was also the lead on their Turok ports. Surprised Turonk hasn't come out on PS4 when it is available on Switch and Xbox.

This new port is also more accurate than Doom EX 64.

Well, they've got Bethesda money for this one, so it would make sense that they would port it over to all the major formats at the same time.

Retr0gamer · 20-03-2020 12:49pm

Nightdive have their own 'Kex' Engine they use to port all these games...

I'd love a digital foundry article on that engine and what black magic it uses to bring so many great conversions of some many games across different engines and formats.

DaveyDave · 20-03-2020 4:00pm

Anyone use any apps or websites for tracking your collection?

Just watching the latest Metal Jesus video and the Gameye app seems interesting, although no PC implementation from what I can see although it does look like you can backup the database to your PC.

I just have a crappy spreadsheet that I'm lazy with updating.

Handy to have something that can scan barcodes to bulk import, log price paid and complete, loose etc.

Retr0gamer · 20-03-2020 6:23pm

I've fallen way behind but backloggery is very good.

Wikidy · 20-03-2020 8:28pm

I use My Game Collection on Android for games and systems. It has a barcode scanner and finds boxart.

sniper_samurai · 21-03-2020 8:25pm

Have to say Nightdive have done a great job on Doom 64. The Xbox version has kb & m support and you can rebind everything allowing you to put each weapon on a separate button instead of the crappy previous/next weapon system on the bumpers for controllers. Wish the ports of Doom 1 & 2 allowed that, the only required buttons are automap, fire and use leaving a good 11 buttons that could be mapped to other functions.

Currently have the following mapping:
Left Bumper: Fists/Chainsaw
Left: Pistol
Up: Shotgun/Super Shotgun
Right: Chaingun
Down: Rocket Launcher
X: Plasma Rifle
Y: BFG
B: Unmaker

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy · 21-03-2020 9:34pm

DaveyDave wrote: »

Anyone use any apps or websites for tracking your collection?

Just watching the latest Metal Jesus video and the Gameye app seems interesting, although no PC implementation from what I can see although it does look like you can backup the database to your PC.

I just have a crappy spreadsheet that I'm lazy with updating.

Handy to have something that can scan barcodes to bulk import, log price paid and complete, loose etc.

Using Backloggery for years, just updated my collection lately.
I dunno if it's what you want though, it's not that fancy

DinoRex · 21-03-2020 10:31pm

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

DQXI on the Switch, most probably
Also, Destiny 2 on the Stadia
In terms of retro, and assuming that I get the DQ bug, I'll make headway on the original DQ games, as I just got them from China, a bunch of reproductions containing the english language hacks of DQ 1,2,3,5 and 6.

I'm also playing Destiny 2 on Stadia at the moment as it saves me from buying the season passes. I'm not sure how you can add me on there though.

sniper_samurai · 21-03-2020 10:41pm

DinoRex wrote: »

I'm also playing Destiny 2 on Stadia at the moment as it saves me from buying the season passes. I'm not sure how you can add me on there though.

You still need to pay 1000 silver per season for the seasonal content, the Stadia version means you don't need to pay €50 for the Forsaken and Shadowkeep expansions though.

CiDeRmAn · 22-03-2020 12:58pm

DinoRex wrote: »

I'm also playing Destiny 2 on Stadia at the moment as it saves me from buying the season passes. I'm not sure how you can add me on there though.

Doom Eternal is outstanding on the platform, it will be interesting to see how possible broadband restrictions affect it, but right now it is lag free

briany · 23-03-2020 3:37pm

Have to say that when I first played Mario 64, I was secretly disappointed by it. It's not that it's a bad game, quite the opposite, but there was just too much space. It could feel quite empty and cold at times. You could find yourself milling around without knowing what to do or where to go next. This something a little new for a Mario game. And that's not to mention that you could mis-execute a jump because you'd chosen to wrong perspective. Since Nintendo have brought out several 2D Mario platformers even since 3D has been well-established it makes me think that overall 2D is just better than 3D when it comes to platforming. Tighter level design, tighter controls, no need to worry about perspective shifts etc.

o1s1n · 23-03-2020 3:59pm

briany wrote: »

Have to say that when I first played Mario 64, I was secretly disappointed by it. It's not that it's a bad game, quite the opposite, but there was just too much space. It could feel quite empty and cold at times. You could find yourself milling around without knowing what to do or where to go next. This something a little new for a Mario game. And that's not to mention that you could mis-execute a jump because you'd chosen to wrong perspective. Since Nintendo have brought out several 2D Mario platformers even since 3D has been well-established it makes me think that overall 2D is just better than 3D when it comes to platforming. Tighter level design, tighter controls, no need to worry about perspective shifts etc.

I 100% agree. Also had the same feeling when playing Ocarina of Time when it came out and wasn't a fan of it. They did indeed feel far more cold and empty when compared to the PS1 games I was also playing at the same time.

Retr0gamer · 23-03-2020 4:08pm

Well Ocarina always felt a big Janky to me. Mario 64 however was an absolute revelation. It was the first game to do 3D movement well and I still think it's a joy to control. There's a few iffy camera situations but overall considering the time it came out it managed 3D very well.

The PS1 couldn't come close to matching it. Any game that tried, Spyro, Ape Escape and others just had tiny areas and arenas that felt overly busy as opposed to the freedom you had with Mario 64. The N64 has the 3D platforming genre sown up that generation as the PS1 had nothing that could come close to replicating even the most mediocre Rare platformer.

Is 2D better than 3d??? Hard to say especially now that we have stuff like the Mario Galaxy games that are arguably as good or better than any 2D platformer.

briany · 23-03-2020 10:55pm

What are the retro sports games that ye still play and would say are so well-made that they still stack up against modern titles?

For example, I think the PGA Tour Golf series on the Megadrive is still a great game, as is Top Ranking Tennis on the Gameboy.

o1s1n · 23-03-2020 11:18pm

I still love a bit of Neo Cup 98 and NHL Hockey!

Kylo Ren · 23-03-2020 11:52pm

Tecmo Bowl
NBA Jam
Mutant League Football

CosmicSmash · 24-03-2020 1:10am

Neo Turf Masters was an amazing game, in the arcades and on the ngpc.

Inviere · 24-03-2020 8:19am

o1s1n wrote: »

I 100% agree. Also had the same feeling when playing Ocarina of Time when it came out and wasn't a fan of it.

100% this too. I distinctly remember thinking "this is gonna be epic.........dafuq is this??" I didn't go back to it for over a year I'd say, and it was only then that I got it.

o1s1n · 24-03-2020 1:42pm

CosmicSmash wrote: »

Neo Turf Masters was an amazing game, in the arcades and on the ngpc.

What a game alright! Golf with a proper arcade feel, not an easy thing to do. It's one of those games I always forget about and fire up randomly, only to have a blast.

Inviere wrote: »

100% this too. I distinctly remember thinking "this is gonna be epic.........dafuq is this??" I didn't go back to it for over a year I'd say, and it was only then that I got it.

I played it after going through text and narrative heavy games like FFVII and Metal Gear Solid on the PS1, so what I was expecting and what I got were completely different.

I hadn't played a Zelda game since ALTTP (which at that age, might as well have been decades previously!) so what a Zelda game 'felt like' was probably lost on me at the time too and I was going into it expecting some kind of open world RPG with loads of text and characters - rather than big open fields and NPCs with one line of dialogue.

24-03-2020 2:03pm

o1s1n wrote: »

What a game alright! Golf with a proper arcade feel, not an easy thing to do. It's one of those games I always forget about and fire up randomly, only to have a blast.

I love it too but once you get past hole 9 the wind becomes totally random and takes the joy out of it.
Like the wind is 20mph north and you end up in the water.
next shot and its 15mph south,then 20 west!
Feels like you are getting robbed.
I wish someone would rewrite it and "fix it".

KeRbDoG · 25-03-2020 4:31pm

BrownFinger wrote: »

I love it too but once you get past hole 9 the wind becomes totally random and takes the joy out of it.
Like the wind is 20mph north and you end up in the water.
next shot and its 15mph south,then 20 west!
Feels like you are getting robbed.
I wish someone would rewrite it and "fix it".

Changing the difficulty in the soft DIP settings maybe?

80s Synth Pop · 25-03-2020 4:41pm

ah yes neo turf master is a classic for having a few drinks with friends. The Neo CD version has an extra hidden 5th course if you are tired of the original 4.

Haven't played it much now since I got the Virtua Golf set up with the track ball control panel on the naomi cab recently. Really enjoying this one too. I would have bet my life I had Virtua Golf on the Dreamcast years ago but it was never released outside the arcade.

26-03-2020 9:24am

80s Synth Pop wrote: »

ah yes neo turf master is a classic for having a few drinks with friends. The Neo CD version has an extra hidden 5th course if you are tired of the original 4.

Haven't played it much now since I got the Virtua Golf set up with the track ball control panel on the naomi cab recently. Really enjoying this one too. I would have bet my life I had Virtua Golf on the Dreamcast years ago but it was never released outside the arcade.

If the time ever comes let me know,
Always fancied virtua golf

Retr0gamer · 26-03-2020 11:35am

And people still think is game is a masterpiece...

1o059k7ewrqj3n · 26-03-2020 11:42am

Got my Sega Collect Works from Read Only Memory today, fantastic book!

1o059k7ewrqj3n · 28-03-2020 2:28pm

Finished the Sega book last night. It's a decent read - the written material isn't anything new but it skips along at a good pace with some quotes from key Sega personnel and summarises the 16-bit days for Sega.

The rest of the book is dedicated to documentation, schematics, research images, backgrounds and characters. Some nice shots of Sega hardware from controllers to add-ons.

Can anyone recommend any other decent books on Sega?

CiDeRmAn · 28-03-2020 7:23pm

Not sure about Sega books, but the Switch is proving to be a decent host of excellent Sega Arcade and Console ports.
They've transitioned well from the AGES series on the 3DS and, as a result, I picked up G-LOC yesterday from the Japanese eShop.
And a lovely translation it is too!
Only a tenner or so, 1000 yen.

DaveyDave · 28-03-2020 10:39pm

Anyone know if GameStop ship from Ireland? Smyth's have closed their online orders so my pre-order of Resident Evil 3 is useless. Amazon are prioritising certain deliveries so it could be weeks before it shows up, especially as I'm currently waiting two weeks for a parcel from the UK already. GameStop unfortunately may be the quickest option.

1o059k7ewrqj3n · 28-03-2020 11:07pm

DaveyDave wrote: »

Anyone know if GameStop ship from Ireland? Smyth's have closed their online orders so my pre-order of Resident Evil 3 is useless. Amazon are prioritising certain deliveries so it could be weeks before it shows up, especially as I'm currently waiting two weeks for a parcel from the UK already. GameStop unfortunately may be the quickest option.

I was on their site today and they've closed down operations until the all-clear as far as I can see.

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy · 28-03-2020 11:18pm

DaveyDave wrote: »

Anyone know if GameStop ship from Ireland? Smyth's have closed their online orders so my pre-order of Resident Evil 3 is useless. Amazon are prioritising certain deliveries so it could be weeks before it shows up, especially as I'm currently waiting two weeks for a parcel from the UK already. GameStop unfortunately may be the quickest option.

My friends got a call about P5 Royal, they gave him a voucher because he partially paid, couldn't get the one with all the extras just the normal one .

They'd a post online but might not count now
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10163012751495062&id=273761945061

briany · 29-03-2020 3:16pm

Why are so many DS and Advance games still quite expensive? OG Gameboy games can still be found for not much money even though they're older and there's a collectors' market for those. I was thinking that after I'd gotten all the loose Gameboy games I want to play, I might get some DS and Advance stuff, but looking at the prices many of those games go for (excluding your shovelware), I might give that a miss.

Retr0gamer · 29-03-2020 7:00pm

briany wrote: »

Why are so many DS and Advance games still quite expensive? OG Gameboy games can still be found for not much money even though they're older and there's a collectors' market for those. I was thinking that after I'd gotten all the loose Gameboy games I want to play, I might get some DS and Advance stuff, but looking at the prices many of those games go for (excluding your shovelware), I might give that a miss.

It's because the market is absolutely riddles with bootlegs. You're paying a premium on knowing you'll have get a genuine cart.

Also there's far more super rare gba and DS games.

CiDeRmAn · 29-03-2020 8:13pm

Retr0gamer wrote: »

It's because the market is absolutely riddles with bootlegs. You're paying a premium on knowing you'll have get a genuine cart.

Also there's far more super rare gba and DS games.

Which are?
Come on Retr0, you know you love lists...

Inviere · 30-03-2020 8:01am

Another proto dumped & released. This time, it's Viewpoint 64 - https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2020/03/28/viewpoint-2064-n64-unreleased/

o1s1n · 30-03-2020 10:17am

Wow, that's some release! I didn't know there was a Viewpoint sequel in production, let alone for the N64.

For an N64 game, it doesn't look half bad.

DaveyDave · 30-03-2020 2:58pm

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy wrote: »

My friends got a call about P5 Royal, they gave him a voucher because he partially paid, couldn't get the one with all the extras just the normal one .

They'd a post online but might not count now
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10163012751495062&id=273761945061

When I posted their website said online orders still open, looks like online orders are closed now.

Guess I'll just hold off for now and see what happens.

Touch Fuzzy Get Dizzy · 31-03-2020 12:22pm

DaveyDave wrote: »

When I posted their website said online orders still open, looks like online orders are closed now.

Guess I'll just hold off for now and see what happens.

I hope you get sorted, I was months finding 5 the first time because my order got cancelled, first time ... Second time ... Third time.
I was fuming.
Mine is dispatched from Amazon so hopefully it'll be here soon.
My Rune Factory on Switch just arrived today

Doge · 03-04-2020 12:53am

Absolutely cracking feature here on Crash Bandicoot by Ars Technica in which Naughty Dog co-founder Andy Gavin is interviewed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izxXGuVL21o

He gets into the technical details of how they managed to get the game to look so well whilst maintaining a decent frame rate, but he explains it in a way which is easy to understand.
And the video editing that supplements it is top notch also.

Its great to see someone so knowledgeable who remembers the techniques in detail like it was yesterday.
Some of his techniques were a revolutionary first and are used to this day in gaming.

Theres also the extended interview which was uploaded a week ago and is over 2 hours 10 mins long.

Retr0gamer · 03-04-2020 11:32am

He's been talking about it in magazines and articles for a while now, first heard this stuff in retrogamer magazine. Great to see it in video form.

As much as I think the Crash Bandicoot games are second tier platformers, Christ they looked gorgeous at the time and the art as aged relatively well. Have to say, he is a genius programmer and weird to see them come from making utter scutter on PC and megadrive (rings of power is gross) to what they are today.

DinoRex · 03-04-2020 12:25pm

sniper_samurai wrote: »

You still need to pay 1000 silver per season for the seasonal content, the Stadia version means you don't need to pay €50 for the Forsaken and Shadowkeep expansions though.

Nope. Have gotten every season so far. I haven't even a clue what Siliver does.

Those seasons just aren't unlocked on my PC or PS4 with the same account.

I haven't had to pay anything at all as I have a 3 month Stadia pass.

sniper_samurai · 03-04-2020 12:40pm

DinoRex wrote: »

Nope. Have gotten every season so far. I haven't even a clue what Siliver does.

Those seasons just aren't unlocked on my PC or PS4 with the same account.

I haven't had to pay anything at all as I have a 3 month Stadia pass.

Seasons are unlocked on all platforms if bought on one on your linked account, the expansions are platform specific though.

DaveyDave · 04-04-2020 12:04am

Is there any consoles outside the usual Nintendo, Sega and Sony stuff that is worth looking at that isn't mad money?

Thinking about ordering the PC Engine Mini to branch out a bit but I'm wondering if there's anything else I could collect for, 16bit and newer.

sniper_samurai · 04-04-2020 12:32am

DaveyDave wrote: »

Is there any consoles outside the usual Nintendo, Sega and Sony stuff that is worth looking at that isn't mad money?

Thinking about ordering the PC Engine Mini to branch out a bit but I'm wondering if there's anything else I could collect for, 16bit and newer.

Amazon Japan have some Turbografx 16s and Core Grafx Minis atm if you want the US or EU versions, works out at €125 including shipping.

CiDeRmAn · 04-04-2020 8:08am

I was thinking of buying the PC Engine mini but I just got a rgb out for my TG16

General Arcade & Retro Chat' Special Championship Edition

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