jdodson | Cheerful Ghost

Unreal 20 Years Later: An LGR Retrospective

Recently Unreal passed it's 20 year birthday and GOG was giving it away for free. During that giveaway I shared a behind the scenes making of Unreal video that focused on the original single player game and what later became Unreal Tournament. LGR made an Unreal 20 Year Retrospective video that goes much more into detail about the Unreal base game alongside some of it's great and not so great parts. It also talks about the Unreal multiplayer and expansions you can get as part of Unreal Gold edition.

Unreal Gold Is Free On GOG

The Unreal franchise is legendary. Unreal Tournament GoTY, Unreal Tournament 2004 & UT3 are all best of breed deathmatch shooters. But Unreal didn't start with the Tournament games it started with Epic creating the base Unreal game in 1998. GOG is giving away Unreal for the next bit so head over now and pick it up if you haven't before. I've included a history of Unreal video above which showcases much of the franchise story including how Unreal came by it's multiplayer Tournament mode.

"Believe dat.

It's been 20 years since we crash-landed on a planet full of ugly aliens, snazzy guns, and conveniently places power-ups. Today we're going back for a nostalgic trip FREE of charge!

Together with Epic Games, we are celebrating this anniversary with a 48h giveaway of Unreal Gold, the hallmark FPS that expanded the shooter genre with open areas, sweet weapon upgrades and, well, unreal lighting effects.

Grab it for FREE through our front page banner until May 24, 5pm UTC. Remember to redeem your code before June 7th, 10pm UTC.

https://www.gog.com/news/unreal_20th_anniversary_unreal_gold_free_for_48h

Will Nintendo Create A GameCube Classic?

After Nintendo created the amazingly popular Nintendo and Super Nintendo Classic I've wondered if a Nintendo 64 Classic would come this year? Some people have speculated that Nintendo might also bring a GameCube Classic to market and a YouTuber Nintendrew looked into how practical that was. Spoiler alert he actually builds one but it's not cheap, a reason why Nintendo might not be building one anytime soon. That said, computing prices drop fast enough a GameCube classic might come in the next handful of years and if it did, I'd buy one at launch.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 05/22/2018 at 05:47am

Wow that would be cool. What's interesting to me is that for us in North America, the GameCube is almost 17 years old! Yet I feel like I still see it as kind of "new." Whereas I feel like the N64 is older and much more doable as a mini. I would like to see a miniN64 and a miniNGC though. I really enjoyed my GameCube, I still have it.

Travis Admin wrote on 05/22/2018 at 04:47pm

Based on this video I'd say it's possible. Nintendo could more easily minify their own architecture, but they'd need really high demand for it to make it a good business decision. I'm still betting we see an N64 Classic, and that will be the last one for a while.

What I'd love is a GBA Classic loaded with GB, GBC, and GBA games. A DS Classic runs into hardware limitations probably.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 05/23/2018 at 05:11pm

The 64 Classic is coming this year. My guess is it will be announced in June or July.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailystar.co.uk/tech/gaming/704683/Nintendo-64-Classic-CONFIRMED-Nintendo-trademark-suggests-N64-Mini-console-coming-soon/amp

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 05/23/2018 at 05:59pm

Cool!

Travis Admin wrote on 05/23/2018 at 06:54pm

That isn’t real confirmation but it’s about as close as you can get without an announcement. Awesome!

I’m looking forward to this one because my N64 is a little broken. I kinda hope they do multiple colors like they did with the originals.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 05/24/2018 at 03:43am

I'm curious if they will do 4 player? They don't have to include 4 controllers but it would be neat if they did. My only game recommendation is they included Dr Mario 64, I think they'll get everything else right.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 05/24/2018 at 03:55am

I never played Dr Mario 64, I played the Gameboy version. That's something I'd like to see on that list and I think it seems like a good one for them to include, in other words, I think they would include it. I also think Mario 64 would have to be included, that's a classic N64 game. I doubt Smash Bros. will be on it, but that was one of my favorites. I also liked Goldeneye, but I don't expect to see that on there as it's not directly Nintendo.

This leads to a great discussion. Maybe we can come up with our own ideas about what may be included or what we'd like to see included.

Travis Admin wrote on 05/24/2018 at 01:24pm

I bet they’d put Smash on it.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 05/24/2018 at 01:36pm

I think Smash would be a great addition.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 05/24/2018 at 01:39pm

Ideas:

Mario 64
Ocarina
Majoras Mask
Mario Kart
Smash
Dr Mario 64
Excite bike
Gauntlet
Earthbound 64 (because they go back and finish it, which they won’t but one can dream)
Star Fox 64
Donkey Kong 64

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 05/24/2018 at 05:42pm

Shit yeah I forgot about the Zelda games and Mario Kart. Star Fox 64 would be great, I've seen it, but never played it. Great list Jon! Hopefully Smash would be in there. Are N64 games small enough to fit on something? Well, I do know that the Zelda games are small enough to fit on a Gamecube disc (because I have that disc).

Travis Admin wrote on 05/24/2018 at 06:30pm

N64 games are very small by today’s storage standards. 32-64mb. So you could fit ten large N64 games on a standard cd rom. They’d have plenty of room to put 30 games on a 2gb sd card.

I would like to see GoldenEye and Perfect Dark on there but I highly doubt they’d get on there due to licensing since Microsoft owns Rare now, so the only Rare games would be properties owned by Nintendo like Donkey Kong 64

Travis Admin wrote on 05/24/2018 at 06:31pm

Oh and you know that Wave Race game is going to be on it.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 05/24/2018 at 10:55pm

Cool, thanks Travis. I'd like to try Perfect Dark. I'm not sure, but I may have played or seen Wave Race.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 05/26/2018 at 03:37am

Oh! And I want Pokemon Stadium (1 & 2?) on there. Ogre Battle 64 would be a good addition, too, I've read or heard that it's a good game (similar to Final Fantasy Tactics).

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Take A Look At The Grandfather To The Switch, The Sega Nomad!

I didn't know that Sega released the Nomad which was a full blown Genesis that you could play on the go or connected to a TV. It's a great idea and something that people love about the Switch but Nintendo wasn't the first to do it. DF Retro talks about what worked about the Nomad and other consoles that tried to do that before the Switch became so popular.

"Nintendo Switch is rightly lauded for its hybrid console concept - the idea of having a fully mobile console you can also use for living room play, with full multiplayer support. But whether through design or through sheer luck, Sega actually got there first with its Nomad, way back in 1995. John picks up the story."

Nintendo's New Switch Online Service Is A Step Closer to A Nintendo Netflix Subscription

Today Nintendo dropped the details of it's Switch online service and it looks quite interesting. I don't love that consoles charge you money for online play as that's typically included in the price of PC games. That said, the way Nintendo is rolling it out isn't too shabby because the first year of service will just be $20. But what do you get for that first year?

Online Play

20 NES games with added online play

Save data cloud backup

Nintendo switch online app & special offers

I haven't heard great things about the online app & special offers just sound like discounts on things we'd already get. The interesting part is the 20 NES games with added online play and if you look at the list, it's a great list of games such as Soccer, Tennis, Donkey Kong, Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros, Balloon Fight, Ice Climber, Dr. Mario, The Legend of Zelda & Super Mario Bros 3. So basically you get access to most of the games on the NES Classic included in your subscription? Sounds like an amazing benefit to me but i'm wondering if this list of games rotates or if they keep adding to it over time? If it's the latter then it could mean that Nintendo will eventually offer a compelling back catalog of retro games that come included with a Nintendo online subscription which if they keep adding games could be an incredible selling point of the Switch.

https://www.nintendo.com/switch/online-service/
https://www.nintendo.com/switch/online-service/nes/

Rage 2 Gameplay Looks Kill-tastic!

If there was any question if Rage 2 looked good that’s been answered in the gameplay featured in this new Rage 2 trailer. They are boasting a fully open world, something the original Rage lacked(it was more of a hub world system) as well as the ability to drive any vehicle you see. Visually this does look like the best kind of follow up to Rage and doesn’t look to entirely wipe the original game away as Rage 2 picks up 50 years after the events of the first game.

One part of the original Rage I enjoyed was the multiplayer co-op system. I played a lot of split screen co-op on the PS3 and then on PC online with Travis. Hopefully Rage 2 brings this back because it was a very unique component that focused less on twitchy multiplayer and more about working together with a friend.

Travis Admin wrote on 05/15/2018 at 05:23pm

I agree with you about the Co-op Jon. It was unique. Whereas with Borderlands you’re playing basically the same game but with more people, the dynamic in Rage’s co-op changed the feel of the game dramatically.

The fully open world could be nice if done well. I just hope it doesn’t lose what made the first game unique, although many people would argue that major changes needed to happen to the core of the game.

But Rage 2’s gameplay looks insanely chaotic which is something id has been doing well for a while now. I have really high hop a for this.

Travis Admin wrote on 05/15/2018 at 05:45pm

I’m comforted to know that this isn’t just shopped out, id is developing it WITH them. It’s possible that the scale was something they hadn’t dealt with before and who better to get than the team who did Just Cause 3?

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 05/16/2018 at 01:23am

> I agree with you about the Co-op Jon. It was unique. Whereas with Borderlands you’re playing basically the same game but with more people, the dynamic in Rage’s co-op changed the feel of the game dramatically.

Yup. I also liked that the Multiplayer was car based.

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Rage 2 Reveal Trailer Brings Us Back To The Wasteland!

The new Rage 2 announce trailer dropped this morning and features a cacophony of visuals that are tonally similar to the original game. I don't love the live action parts of the trailer but i'm also not a marketing expert i'd just prefer to see gameplay. There are a few gameplay glimpses scatted throughout that look incredible and if you want even more of that Bethesda is launching a gameplay trailer tomorrow. It's a good idea Bethesda is releasing these Rage 2 trailers now before E3. There are a lot of games announced at E3 and doing this beforehand gives Rage 2 a chance to shine during a news lull. I think the original Rage game was way better than it reviewed and during the run up to the Rage 2 I launch plan on coming back and giving it a second look. We've been taking a second look at some older but not really that old games such as Borderlands 2 on Cheerful Ghost Radio and I think we might give Rage the same treatment.

Travis Admin wrote on 05/14/2018 at 02:39pm

And apparently the gameplay reveal is coming tomorrow.

Bethesda always puts live action stuff in their trailers and it works sometimes. I agree that it didn’t really work for me this time. It just looked like a mid-90s post-apocalyptic sitcom intro which is honestly kinda funny and maybe what they were going for. Just not what I was hoping for.

BUT new gameplay tomorrow so I’m fine with that.

Travis Admin wrote on 05/14/2018 at 02:40pm

Also I gotta say this is a gutsy move to do this sequel. I really figured after the reception the first game got that it would just kinda be forgotten.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 05/14/2018 at 05:22pm

Looks like the developers behind this are Avalanche Studios the team behind Just Cause 3 & Mad Max.

https://twitter.com/AvalancheSweden/status/996068096250130432

Travis Admin wrote on 05/14/2018 at 05:33pm

Interesting. That suggests a different kind of focus for the game which may be good.

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Mega Man 2 & Mega Man X Get A New Limited Run Cart Release!

I should have posted this at the top of the month but somehow this news big got buried. That said, iam8bit and Capcom are partnering up to release two new repro collector carts for Mega Man 2 and Mega Man X for $100 each. I imagine a lot of Mega Man fans are pretty excited to get a new pressing of Mega Man and since these carts are in limited quantities what more could a collector want?

"Capcom and iam8bit are kicking off “Mega May” with the announcement of two nostalgic Mega Man collectibles: the Mega Man 2 - 30th Anniversary Classic Cartridge and Mega Man X - 30th Anniversary Classic Cartridge. These brand new, limited edition reproductions are now available for pre-order on iam8bit.com for $100 each. Units are expected to ship late September 2018.

Each game is a Limited Edition of 8,500 units. Each cartridge comes in one of two available colors: Opaque Light Blue (7,500 units total per game) and Translucent, Glow-in-the-Dark Blue (1,000 units total per game). Cartridge colorways are randomly inserted into sealed, unmarked boxes so each package is a surprise."

https://store.iam8bit.com/collections/mega-man-cartridge-collection

Will Sony Make a PS4 "Switch" Console Hybrid?

After the Switch dropped and it was obvious that is was really popular I started thinking that Sony, Microsoft and even Valve might want to get into dedicated mobile gaming handheld market. With everyone having handy access to very powerful smartphones the market could get crowded but one thing Nintendo showed me that if you do something right, people will buy it. I'm not gonna lie, I've wanted a dedicated PC gaming handheld for a while and would love it if Valve made one. That all said the people over a Digital Foundry made a video recently wondering if Sony would make the Switch equivalent for the PS4. The long story seems to be no and if they did it would just be a sequel to the Vita. A Vita successor might be awesome and worth a release but the value of the Switch is that it's the current Nintendo console and a handheld, which is harder to do with the PS4 or XBox One mostly due to power constraints giving Nintendo a huge advantage.

"Is Switch truly one of a kind, or could Sony - and indeed Microsoft - create their own console hybrids? Rich explains why it's actually more likely that Switch could step up to challenge those consoles rather than the other way around."

The NES Classic Returns June 29th!

Nintendo is finally bringing back the NES Classic as it promised and we now have a date to expect it.

"#NESClassic Edition will return to stores on June 29! This system and the #SNESClassic Edition system are expected to be available through the end of the year."

Good news to everyone that wasn't able to get a NES Classic or is having a hard time securing a SNES Classic! That said, I imagine you could take the "available through the end of the year" to mean Nintendo might discontinue them? I gotta think that they don't mean that but... well if you want one, now's a good time to get one. I know the NES & SNES Classics mostly sit unused for most but I play them a lot and we've been dedicating one Cheerful Ghost Radio segment per month to cover games on the NES Classic.

Now i'm just wondering when Nintendo is gonna drop the word on the N64 Classic?

https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/995831060826030080
https://www.nintendo.com/nes-classic/

jdodson1

2759 Posts

Unreal 20 Years Later: An LGR Retrospective

Unreal Gold Is Free On GOG

Will Nintendo Create A GameCube Classic?

Take A Look At The Grandfather To The Switch, The Sega Nomad!

Nintendo's New Switch Online Service Is A Step Closer to A Nintendo Netflix Subscription

Rage 2 Gameplay Looks Kill-tastic!

Rage 2 Reveal Trailer Brings Us Back To The Wasteland!

Mega Man 2 & Mega Man X Get A New Limited Run Cart Release!

Will Sony Make a PS4 "Switch" Console Hybrid?

The NES Classic Returns June 29th!