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Rygar - NES Review

https://willballblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/wide_rygar2.jpg

Hey all, I recently sat down and played through Rygar on my NES. My overall review of the game is, that while fun, it is pretty easy. I feel that the lack of save game is the part that makes it most difficult. I had fun revisiting this game from a nostalgia point of view, but there are better games out there.

If you are interested in reading a more in-depth review, here is the link:

https://willballblog.wordpress.com/2016/10/28/rygar-nes-version-1987/

Night In The Woods Haunts Steam & PS4 on January 10th

"College dropout Mae Borowski returns home to the crumbling former mining town of Possum Springs seeking to resume her aimless former life and reconnect with the friends she left behind. But things aren't the same. Home seems different now and her friends have grown and changed. Leaves are falling and the wind is growing colder. Strange things are happening as the light fades.

And there's something in the woods."

Night in the Woods is launching January 10th after a successful Kickstarter project. As a run up to the game the project developers released the side game Lost Constellation and Longest Night. Both are set in the Night in the Woods universe and are available to... Read All

The Angry Video Game Nerd Discovers Something You All Need To See About The Berenstein Bears

Today’s Freshmen in High School will be learning aboutThe Berenstein Bears as an book title that happened before they were born.

Yet, the relevance of The Berenstein Bears is felt through our lives to this day. It is impossible to avoid the places we as a nation have gone. Scars and open wounds stain our stars and stripes.

We must understand that what we were told about this book title is a lie.

How many more people need to die until we realize a revaluation of The Berenstein Bears?

Don't let people try to tell it is Berenstain we all remember Berenstein.

The Angry Video Game Nerd video was created as a voice for the victims of Berenstain, to ask the questions they were... Read All

Earth VS. The Spider - Because If You're Going To Be Up Late You Should Watch MST3K

When Joel Hodgson created the Kickstarter project to bring back Mystery Science Theater 3000 I was in a blissful nerdvana. Before that I didn't think the show would even come back and then it was funded. Recently they just wrapped up filming the new season of the show and are talking about releasing the new episodes early next year. We are so close to a new movie sign I can almost taste the satellite of love.

Shout Factory is the company that has released the old classic MST3K seasons on DVD a bit at a time and recently they have been dropping free episodes on YouTube. If you haven't seen Mystery Science Theater or want to revist it you should hit play on Earth VS. The... Read All

A New Queer Adventure Game Hits Kickstarter!

Back this on Kickstarter!

Queer Quest: All in a Gay's Work is a new Indie adventure game on Kickstarter fresh out of the Portland Indie Game scene. Designer Mo Cohen is the force behind this really fun take on the adventure game genre while giving it a unique focus.

"Queer Quest is a queer-as-fuck point-and-clit adventure game. Inspired by classic gems like Monkey Island, Kings Quest, and Leisure Suit Larry, but set in a queer community in the pacific northwest. You play as Lupe, a long haired butch with a heart of gold. She lives with her babely girlfriend, Alexis, that is until one day when Alexis gets kidnapped! You gotta help Lupe by deciphering clues, talking to lovable weirdos, and... Read All

Skyrim Special Edition Collector's Strategy Guide Hits Shelves October 28th

Some people are on a quest to rid themselves of all physical media and go to a completely digital life. I get the thought but I still like owning certain things. I still enjoy leafing through a strategy guide or putting a retro game cart in a system to play because something about that it is just fun. Even when I was a kid part of the fun of reading Nintendo's Super Mario Brothers 3 strategy guide was just reading again and again. Which, honestly, is part of the fun of having a strategy guide for even a modern game. Can you look up something game related faster by doing an Internet search? Sure. But is it also incredible to open up a huge tome of Skyrim art and... Read All

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/25/2016 at 03:53am

Do you notice that the image you used says it's only available to view at their site?

I don't really disagree with having a hard copy of a strategy guide. Searching the Internet may be faster, but it's not always 100% available. Like, what if you're playing and your network goes down for who knows what reason, maybe your ISP is experiencing temporary issues, then what are you going to do? Having a stack of gaming magazines or strategy guides feels impressive (and I think looks that way, too). However, these hard copies are also vulnerable to spills, fire (as you mentioned), etc. Oh and the Internet can not only provide written text, but you can also watch videos of someone doing what you're trying to do. I think it's pretty much a matter of personal preference. I like both, but since Steam has an in-game web browser, I pretty much stick to the Internet as my source.

Aside, why are they releasing a new guide for the Special Edition? Did they not already have a Skyrim guide? I thought the game (for PC at least) was only getting a graphical upgrade. I don't know that they've added anything else to it.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 10/25/2016 at 03:56am

> Do you notice that the image you used says it's only available to view at their site?

ZOIKS! Thanks Greg, I just linked to an imgur image. And the answer is no, that didn't seem to show up for me. Must have been some Internet caching involved or something. Fixed now.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 10/25/2016 at 03:59am

This is a premium hardcover book and comes with a special Dragonborn bookmark but it does look like it has much the same content as the paperback release.

Would be fun if they upscaled the art in the book to be more HD for the upcoming release too

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/25/2016 at 04:15am

I see the fixed image now, looks good! A hard copy with a sweet bookmark is an added bonus! That's awesome!

That is an interesting idea you have for HD art. :)

Travis Admin wrote on 10/25/2016 at 01:20pm

> Aside, why are they releasing a new guide for the Special Edition?

Money! :D

Seriously though, if they were ever going to re-release something, this is the time. One of the biggest games ever getting a new release for new people? Time to print more money.

This is the only Bethesda game that I don't have a strategy guide for (since I started playing them, that is), so I might grab it.

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Portland Retro Gaming Expo

http://www.retrogamingexpo.com/images/shirt-2016a.jpg

Today is Sunday and it's Day 2 of the Portland Retro Gaming Convention! Jon and I are manning the booth, talking to people and right now we have a speed running competition for Super Mario Bros 3! If you are at the convention come stop by!

Travis Admin wrote on 10/23/2016 at 05:13pm

Any videos for the speed running comp? I used to enjoy speed running the Mario games. I never was good enough to be even remotely competitive but it's crazy fun.

Also I want one of those shirts!

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/23/2016 at 07:50pm

Good idea Travis, I'll try and get some.

Timogorgon Member wrote on 10/23/2016 at 08:09pm

I'm pretty jealous to be honest. One of these times I need to make a trip up there to attend this with you guys!

I saw you got a Retron 3 while you were there. I want to pick your brain about it later! I think my SNES is showing the first signs of failure, so I may need to look into a replacement system soon.

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/23/2016 at 08:25pm

Absolutely! We are already planning on a bigger booth for next year.

I'll do a Retron formal review in the next couple weeks for sure!

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/24/2016 at 05:43am

Hey everyone. I'll be writing up all my thoughts about the convention tomorrow so check back then.

Expect a few pictures.

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How Gaming Of The Future Looked Back In The 80's

http://www.bytecellar.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/book19.jpg

"Within ten years the computer games of today will probably seem very basic and primitive. The games of the future will be faster and more exciting with superbly realistic screen displays."

I always love reading old ads or articles of how people viewed the future of gaming. This article pretty much nails most of what gaming has become. The ad even sort of plays at room scale VR, which isn't something i'd really have thought would have been a thing even after watching Lawnmower Man so many times I wore out the VHS tape.

Plants vs. Zombies Heroes Is Another Digital Card Game

When Plants VS Zombies came out in 2009 I was hooked. It's fun take on the tower defense genre but if I had one gripe it would be the game was pretty easy and as such you could use the same strategy over and over to win. Plants VS Zombies 2 was launched as a free to play game and it was a fun game to start but it didn't quite live up to the original.

Recently it seems like each company is releasing their own digital collectable card game to get a piece of the huge Hearthstone and Magic online money making machine. EA recently dropped Plants VS Zombies Heroes on smartphones and since I enjoy the franchise well enough I decided to download it. If you have spent any time... Read All

NX is Nintendo Switch!

Well, #$&@ me! If it has the power, I'm all in.

What do you guys think?!

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/20/2016 at 02:21pm

I pretty much with you. This looks like all the rumors were true. My only question at this point is if the system will take some kind of game cart or is it digital only.

But yeah, this looks really neat. I think... did I see Skyrim in the trailer?

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 10/20/2016 at 02:25pm

At about the 54 second mark, you see the player loading what looks like a DS sized cartridge into the device. I assume that's a game cart. And, yeah, that looks like Skyrim! That's a really good sign, showcasing GPU power on the go.

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 10/20/2016 at 02:34pm

One thing I'm initially worried about is scratching that screen from frequent loading/unloading from the base.

I'll admit, I wasn't sold on the premise of a hybrid system, but seeing it in action is impressive.

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/20/2016 at 02:41pm

Yep. Hopefully the screen has some kind of orotect Be coating.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 10/20/2016 at 02:58pm

Shut up and take my money!

It looks like this system will make me popular!!!

And I am not sure about the name.

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/20/2016 at 03:27pm

Bethesda games confirmed https://mobile.twitter.com/bethesda/status/789125712196341760

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/20/2016 at 03:29pm

Looks cool! Wow Skyrim! Since I saw Mario Kart and Splatoon, I wonder if it will some how be backwards compatible with the Wii U or if it's getting its own version of the games. I'll have to check later for more details.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 10/20/2016 at 03:32pm

I watched it a second time. The detachable controllers seem a little small to me. They also show a controller where you can attach the detachable controllers and another controller. That final controller seems to be the way to go.

From a game standpoint, I saw what I believe is a new mario, and then some Wii U games (Mario Kart and Splatoon). If these are true Wii U re-releases, I hope there is some upgrade pricing for people that already own the Wii U games. I doubt there will be though, but one can dream.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 10/20/2016 at 03:44pm

Some more details and images on engadget: https://www.engadget.com/2016/10/20/switch-is-nintendos-next-game-console/

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 10/20/2016 at 04:20pm

You're right, Will_Ball, the detachable controllers do look small. Like Wii remote usability, but so tiny. I do like that they each have analog sticks. The Voltron controller, which I'm assuming is the core option, looks...odd. Maybe even uncomfortable to hold? I hope it comes with the "pro" controller, though that's not likely.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 10/20/2016 at 04:28pm

Wow! I can't wait to demo one. I don't know if I *need* one right now, but it looks pretty rad.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 10/20/2016 at 04:59pm

You need one right now Adam!

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 10/20/2016 at 05:27pm

https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2016/10/20/nintendo-switch/

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 10/20/2016 at 07:26pm

PS4 and Xbox One use AMD GPUs. I wonder if there will be hurdles in developing cross-platform with Switch's custom Nvidia GPU. Or is that a benefit? I imagine 1st party and exclusives will be impressive. Nintendo has historically struggled with 3rd party, though. Will it be different this time?

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 10/20/2016 at 09:15pm

It looks to have decent support, but time will tell: http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/20/13345640/nintendo-switch-third-party-support-bethesda-ea-activision

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/20/2016 at 09:15pm

Bethesda is in on the Switch. Either Nintendo paid them a lot or it's a system they can work on easily. Hopefully it's the latter.

Also, NVidia is huge on PC and most companies don't have issues working with those cards. So I think it should be OK.

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/20/2016 at 09:16pm

505 Games? Terraria on the Switch confirmed!

hardeyez wrote on 10/20/2016 at 09:51pm

Interesting concept, i.e. Nintendo tablet with a dock... I'm not sure if I'll get it though. My Wii U ended up just being a Pikmin 3 and Mario Kart machine... which is pricey for really only two games...

Travis Admin wrote on 10/20/2016 at 10:09pm

I really want one. It's nice being excited about a Nintendo console. The titles will make or break it, but if it's getting some of the biggies like Bethesda, who knows?

The multiple controller configurations are great. This is Nintendo's forte and they're really shining here.

Want. Very want.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/20/2016 at 10:26pm

Nvidia for the win! Terraria confirmed! More win! The new Zelda looks awesome. Skyrim on the Switch, for the win! It all looks win, win to me. I might get one, we'll see.

As for the small controllers, I think it makes sense. Technology seems to shrink over time as parts get smaller. They may be a bit small, but it does fit the system and seems to make it easier to carry around allowing multiple players.

The Switch seems to be the next step from the Wii U. One thing I thought was cool about the Wii U was that you could play it without the TV on.

Marketing!!! "Make the Switch with Nintendo!" :)

Travis Admin wrote on 10/21/2016 at 02:42am

Yeah Terraria for the Switch is a great move just because it runs on literally everything at this point it seems, but I'll still stick to PC. But Terraria needs to be experienced by everyone who can experience it.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/21/2016 at 03:26am

> Yeah Terraria for the Switch is a great move just because it runs on literally everything at this point it seems, but I'll still stick to PC. But Terraria needs to be experienced by everyone who can experience it.

I completely agree! I have a very strong preference for the PC version of Terraria. I just feel like it's more of a mouse and keyboard kind of game. I wish it could get the console-specific items and especially the extra holiday events. I did play a bit of it on the Kindle and very little on the PS3. Although I bought the Wii U and DS versions for Vinny, I haven't really given them much of a try.

Switching back (see what I did there?), it looks like some of the Wii U Mario games were included in the video. I'm assuming that was Mario Kart 8 we saw and one of the other regular Mario platform games (I can't recall the title at the moment). So, I'm wondering if the Switch will somehow be backwards compatible. I didn't notice a disc drive, so my only guess is that if you want to play older games on it, you'll have to purchase the game via the Nintendo Store and download them. I guess we'll see specifics with more information.

As for Skyrim, I'm going to guess that it's the Special Edition, at least that's my assumption. It might be a safe assumption that it has the hardware for it. I'm not sure that it would make sense having the current edition of it, since the other newer consoles will have the Special Edition. Again, we'll see in time with more info.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/21/2016 at 11:11am

This article is titled "Everything You Need to Know" yet doesn't include everything I want to know, however there are some additional details, for instance that Skyrim may not be on it even though it appears in the video.

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-switch-everything-you-need-to-know/1100-6444673/

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/21/2016 at 02:53pm

http://i.imgur.com/5CFOMEr.gifv

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/21/2016 at 04:04pm

LOL Even if some people have negative opinions about Nintendo's last few consoles, I think they deserve some credit for being the most innovative. The other consoles have hardly changed, they've pretty much only received hardware upgrades (more memory, disc space, faster CPUs, etc.). Playstation only added motion controls after the Wii came out.

scrypt Supporter Post Author wrote on 10/21/2016 at 06:36pm

The best thing about the innovation that the Switch offers, is that this seems to be something that a lot of people have wanted for a long time: seamless integration between mobile and console gaming. Motion controls with the Wii were neat, but it wasn't on the top of anyone's "want" list (and, actually, Sony played with motion controls on the PS2 with the EyeToy). It almost seems obvious that the Wii U was a prototype for the Switch, but the Switch seems much more thought-out and functional from a practical standpoint. I wouldn't be surprised if they made the entire Wii U catalog available for the Switch. There doesn't appear to be any disc drive, so they'll likely be re-released, or made available through a digital storefront.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/21/2016 at 09:16pm

I don't know what people have been wanting. I agree about the Wii's motion controls, but I thought it was a cool addition. I must have forgotten about the EyeToy on the PS2, I never messed with it. I was thinking of it out for the PS3. I agree, and that's pretty much what I was saying, regarding the Wii U being a bit of a prototype for the Switch. It's like the Switch is really an upgrade and seems to do it well (or so I hope). I wouldn't be surprised either to see Wii and Wii U games available for download for the Switch, but I don't really want to have to re-buy games. So, if I get the Switch, I'll keep my Wii U. I didn't get rid of my Wii either.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 10/21/2016 at 10:44pm

I learned a long time ago to not get rid of consoles.

jdodson Admin wrote on 10/22/2016 at 04:17am

I still have my Wii hooked up to the TV. Sad when my PS3 died, but I don't really talk about that anymore.

Travis Admin wrote on 10/22/2016 at 05:32am

I don't understand trading/selling consoles but that might just be me. Just because a new generation comes out doesn't mean I won't want to play a last gen game.

It's unlikely that you'll be able to get every Wii U game on the Switch, but even if that isn't a factor (like the PS2 having total backwards compatibility with the PSX) I still keep them for sentimental reasons I guess.

This is coming from a guy with three NES consoles just in case they die, I'll have backups, so take it with a grain of salt :D

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 11/20/2016 at 04:22am

It looks like the Switch is going to cost $250 according to a source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K02RK01DACw

The new Zelda game has been delayed again and may not be available until this time next year. However, it's expected that a new Mario title will launch with the Switch. In this video, it looks like that will be Mario Galaxy 3 and Mario Sunshine HD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-g6ZcrwT6Q

Also, it looks like Pokemon Sun and Moon is coming to the Switch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOGaNZh42Cw

jdodson Admin wrote on 11/20/2016 at 06:15am

$250? That's seems crazy cheap. I can understand a Zelda delay but this time next year? Wowee they must have really missed the target on that one. If it's great then that's fine but that's unfortunate if true.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 11/20/2016 at 06:39am

Considering a New 3DS XL is $200 and the PS4 Pro is double that, yeah! I think it's supposed to be powerful. A special edition of the Wii U was about $250. I got used to console prices of about $200 and Nintendo seems to be the only one keeping up with that.

Zelda got delayed because of localization (from an article I read) and that it'll go through about 6 months of testing once that's completed. I think the article I read and the video I included mentioned 4-6 months of testing, which would put it's release date to September, but the video says December.

Travis Admin wrote on 11/21/2016 at 03:47am

When you consider that consoles in the 80s were $200 and inflation has lowered the value of the dollar, it's kinda nuts that anyone can still do that.

jdodson Admin wrote on 11/21/2016 at 04:07am

I agree. That said, this isn't quite as powerful as a PS4 or XBone and that might mean they are pulling more profit in on it.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 11/21/2016 at 05:01am

Yeah, look at this chart titled "36 Years Of Console Prices, Adjusted For Inflation": http://kotaku.com/36-years-of-console-prices-adjusted-for-inflation-1485353267

The $200 console was still alive in 2001 with the GameCube, however it's inflation adjusted price puts it at about $260. I don't expect the Switch will be as powerful as the PS4 or XB1, but I do expect or hope it to be at least as powerful as the Wii U and more powerful than the 3DS. I read (or saw in a video) that the Wii U sold at a loss and Nintendo didn't want to do that with the Switch. I also saw somewhere that Nvidia called the Switch "ground-breaking."

Is anyone planning to get one at launch? I thought I might for the Zelda game, but since that's getting delayed, I probably won't get one until (at the earliest) when that game is released. I still may wait to find out how it performs on the Switch compared to the Wii U, because it'd be cheaper for me to just buy the Wii U version, although I think I'd prefer the one that performs better.

Still, a Pokemon Sun/Moon game (perhaps called Stars according to the video I shared) is definitely another Switch temptation.

jdodson Admin wrote on 11/21/2016 at 05:36pm

Interesting article, thanks Greg.

> The $200 console was still alive in 2001 with the GameCube, however it's inflation adjusted price puts it at about $260.

Looks like Nintendo always wins on cost at least recently. Which makes sense, they aren't the most powerful but they do sell at a value which I think is a pretty good strategy.

> but I do expect or hope it to be at least as powerful as the Wii U and more powerful than the 3DS.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_3DS

The 3DS is fairly underpowered by modern specs which is why the games don't look terribly amazing. It has a ton of fun games though. If the NX has specs on par with the Wii U or better it should be great. The Wii U is like a PS3 and i'd say that graphical level is still quite good and moreso for a handheld system.

> Is anyone planning to get one at launch?

If the Zelda game is held back I might wait now. But we'll see maybe they will drop something at launch that makes it more appealing.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 11/21/2016 at 06:16pm

I will get it on launch. I'm saving up Amazon gift cards for it!

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 11/21/2016 at 06:34pm

I am definitely adopting a wait and see approach. I'll buy Zelda on the Wii U whenever it comes out, but I don't know if I *need* the Switch.

jdodson Admin wrote on 11/22/2016 at 05:44am

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/skyrim-director-praises-nintendo-switch-says-elder/1100-6445634/

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 11/22/2016 at 10:29am

LOL I was just about to post that link Jon.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 11/23/2016 at 05:41am

The Switch gets more praise: http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-switch-could-be-a-game-changer-that-expan/1100-6445671/

"GameStop Suggests Zelda: Breath of the Wild Could Come Out Before April," which defies recent rumors about a delay: http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-suggests-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-could-c/1100-6445669/

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