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http://www.computerandvideogames.com/432302/ikaruga-devs-want-steam-port/

A 'tuned up' version of the existing Xbox 360 HD update?



 

I saw this recently published article on Eurogamer and thought it worth the heads-up here for those interested -

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-ultimate-retro-handheld-collectors-guide

Re: the Atari Lynx summary,

Positives to commend the article for:

* recognising it as the "first portable games system with a colour LCD"
* mentioning the "unique ambidextrous control layout" that benefitted left-handed people
* commenting that it had an "array of top-notch arcade conversions"
* "S.T.U.N. Runner, Xybots... showed what the Lynx could do when tickled in the right places" - indeed
* "incredible power for its time" - so very true... and for many more years following its release too
* "much bulkier than the Game Boy and its appetite for batteries was legendary" - but no worse than GameGear
* "Second-hand Lynx consoles are slowly rising in value, a fact which illustrates just how beloved the system is with retro collectors" - impressed that a Eurogamer journo' would be aware of the retro scene for Lynx
* recognising that there are "enough quality present to make it worth looking into today"
* "In hindsight, it's a bit of a mystery as to why Atari never bundled Klax with the Lynx - it was the best puzzler available by far - the system's very own Tetris" - an interesting point
* "build quality of the Lynx II is impressive, the screen sharper than that of Sega's Game Gear and the speaker louder and crisper" - indeed


Questionable content:

* "...before Atari stepped in to assist with hardware production and marketing" paints a false picture
* "offered 16-bit gaming on the go" is an interpretation, not fact
* "These features couldn't help it overcome Nintendo's humbler hardware" - They meant to say commercially but failed to make that key distinction
* "(GameBoy) hit the market with a more compelling selection of software" - opinion not fact
* "(Lynx II) had a less blurry screen" - the screen of Lynx is superior to Lynx II imo
* "(Lynx II launched at) almost half that of the original model at launch" - well, yes, but that's to overlook certain other factors
* "the "64-bit" Jaguar" - oh dear, yet another ignorant individual propogating that myth
* "The underrated portable was soon forgotten" - 1989-1994 must mean 'soon' according to this journalist
* "the handheld's 16-bit processor" - a somewhat misleading statement when the CPU is 8-bit
* "If you're considering dipping a toe into the murky waters of Lynx ownership" - are GameBoy/GameGear 'waters' less 'murky' then? What a stupid statement
* "The ability to flip the display made the handheld friendly to left-handed gamers, demonstrating some neat 'out of the box' thinking on Atari's behalf" - contradicts earlier statement that Lynx was entirely down to Epyx whereby Atari only 'assisted' in its production and marketing

So, rather like many other print and online-based coverage of retro gaming these days the article was somewhat hit and miss. Many of the positives and negatives of the product in question were recognised but there were a few issues with factual accuracy, some liberal interpretation of the facts and a few notable omissions. All in all, better than I expected from Eurogamer but nothing particularly impressive either, imo.

I'll leave it for others to comment on the GameBoy, GameGear and PCE GT/TurboExpress sections although the write-up they've generally received appears to be of a higher quality journalism than what the Lynx received.

Overall, as a brief summary piece seeking to summarise the key points regarding four different retro handhelds I thought it reasonable and I welcome that the editor was intelligent enough to not let a moronic fanboy loose to pen the article.

[Thanatos]

Just for a bit of light-hearted fun which retro games have featured a dragon that you can remember?

To get the ball rolling,


Thanatos (Speccy/CPC/C64)



Thanatos Walkthrough, ZX Spectrum

http://kotaku.com/infinity-ward-pc-call-of-duty-will-look-better-than-ne-1154125840?rev=1376664151

Just thought to post that because,

* I know how much love there is on RVG for the Call of Duty series 

Just saw this today - the service is in beta at the moment and currently offers downloads for PC, Mac and Xbox 360 games. More competition to help offer UK gamers bargain games so I'm happy!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=diglaunBB_0813?ie=UTF8&node=2683270031&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-2&pf_rd_r=88B574D819D74465ACE1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=419148807&pf_rd_i=300703

Some decent prices on a handful of the better PC games so far including the likes of Far Cry 3 and Trials Evolution Gold Edition.

List your bargain buys!

Mine so far:

Mini Motor Racing EVO
Ms. Splosion Man
Super Puzzle Platformer Deluxe

I'd had all three on my Steam watchlist for a while so the instance of them all being reduced in price in the current sale was a result. The combined total price of under £9 = bargaintastic!

Iwata answering shareholders' questions on issues including,

* a lack of innovation
* whether Virtual Boy game ROMs may feature on the 3DS eShop
* whether he might be resigning
* concerns regarding the lack of third-party games on Wii U
* financial losses due to Nintendo having been found guilty of patent infringement
* poor financial performance and a suggested lack of effective financial controls
* lack of clarity and direction with regard to its online gaming network
* substance of the company's communications
* the varying quality of 3D graphics on 3DS
* Nintendo as a viable shareholder investment opportunity

Source: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/stock/meeting/130627qa/index.html

Maybe such things will bore some here to death but I find it interesting! 

Which videogames do you remember making you smile the most?

I mean in a way that charmed you, i.e. not by making you laugh per se.

Ones that spring to mind for me would include the likes of,

* Crazy Taxi (DC) - the wacky humour
* OutRun (arcade) - grinning like a loon back in '86 due to the game's atmosphere
* Rage Racer (PS) - completing that 'perfect' lap with no mistakes
* Samba de Amigo (DC) - impossible not to love, especially so when looking like an idiot waving the maracas about!
* Sonic Adventure (DC) - that moment when being chased by the killer whale
* Space Channel 5 (DC) - the whole visual and aural aesthetic never fails to make me smile inside
* Star Wars (arcade) - the grin from blasting the Death Star exhaust port that first time
* Super Monkey Ball (GC) - cutesy but oh so charming
* Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) - pure crazy riotous fun
* Tempest 2000 (Jaguar) - from the feeling of arcade-esque perfection captured
* Wii Sports - 'getting' what motion controls were all about when playing tennis
* Xenon II Megablast (ST) - seeing Super Nashwan Power that first time

There are plenty more I could have mentioned but that'll do for starters!

[three]

If you could own just three classic arcade coin-ops what would they be?

My three would be,