GamesYouLoved want to create a world where games of every description unlock your memories, open up nostalgic thoughts and bring people together.
With remembering the games you loved when you were younger we hope you can have some great feelings about the good times now!
Grandmother buys old building in Japan, finds 55 classic arcade cabinets
If you wanted to experience arcade games any time over the last forty years then you had to visit the Far East!. The game centers are still there lit up with neon lights all very attractive and Blade Runner like! But you have to go back 20 years to see them at their prime. Now one very lucky arcade fan is experiencing just that right now due to a surprise purchase by his girlfriend’s grandmother.
The grandmother agreed to purchase an old building in Chiba, which is just outside of Tokyo. When they arrived to check out their building they found out that the first two floors used to be a game center in the 1980's!!. Whoever ran the arcade back then left all the cabs behind when it closed, and it is full of classic and now highly sort after games!
In total there are 55 arcade cabinets, most of which are the upright Aero Cities cabs, but it’s the game boards that they contain that’s the most exciting discovery. The list of game includes the following:
Columns
Donkey Kong
Galaxian
Magical Tetris Challenge
Metal Slug X
Pengo
Raiden 2
Super Puzzle Fighters 2 X
Street Fighter 2 Championship Edition
Street Fighter Alpha 2 (Zero 2)
Street Fighter EX 2
There’s sure to be more games discovered as not all of the cabinets are in working order, with monitor damage being the main fault but whatever they find, this lucky gamer has just cashed in his extra credit!!
Everything is worth something, but some things are just not worth selling!
I have a unique job where every day has something new in store, but I always have the same goal regardless: SELL EVERYTHING. Having grown up in the art of resale since I was 12 years old, I have grown accustomed and built up a sort of immunity to the idea of keeping “stuff.” The thought of finding something “cool” and potentially keeping it, whether it's from a storage unit, a garage sale, or an auction, no longer peaks my interest anymore. I don't mean to say that as if I'm one of those mindless people that express zero-emotion in their day-to-day lives. It's more the idea that if I did not approach it this way, my house would probably be featured on an episode of Hoarders!. You know, one of those reality shows where I am just like the 60-year old lady who has floor-to-ceiling trash filling her entire home and no longer has any room left for herself or her 12 cats to sleep anymore. There is however, one thing, out of all the
antiques, trash, electronics, cars, guns, dirty mattresses, and adult toys I find that I
absolutely cannot come to terms with selling. Ladies and Gentlemen, that one
thing, is arcades!!!!.
Since I was a small child I've had this
fascination with these large machines that too many non-fans may just see as
glorified televisions in a wooden painted box dedicated to one lame video game.
But whenever I see an arcade, whether it is at a laundry mat (launderettes), a
family fun centre, or even a pizza restaurant, I see something different. I see
art.
To be quite honest, I'm not really even
into playing video games. I get a joy in simply collecting and displaying
arcades, as if they were literal pieces of handmade art, like a painting or
sculpture. Now that's not to say that many of these machines were probably made
on some assembly line in Japan, but I still appreciate them just the same. I just don't like the fully restored,
pristine condition machines either. In fact, I have more beat-up, graffiti
tagged machines then perfect condition ones. And you know what? That's okay
with me. These aged machines tell a story. A story when the arcade was king, when going
to these late night amusement centres were a social hangout spot, when people
would leave their homes to play video games, as opposed to locking themselves
in their rooms to playing Call of Duty all night. (Nothing against any of those
people, I love console gaming on occasion too!)
I
just love to see these classic monsters in action. I like to see people, young
and old, English, American, whatever, enjoy the experience of playing an
arcade. This is why I am so excited for Play Blackpool. I would be lying to you
if I didn't tell you the 12-year old inside me is completely ecstatic about
being a part of this exciting event. I can't wait to see all these games in
action, and all the awesome people that will get to enjoy them. This coming May
3rd and 4th, me and thousands of others will be at
Norbreck Castle in Blackpool having the gaming times of our lives! I hope to
see many of you out there, and if you would like to get beaten in any classics,
please just ask. I'm open to all challengers!
We spoke to Sam Dyer - Author and inspiration being the new Commodore 64 Kickstarter
Tell us a bit about you first
I'm 32 years old with an ever decreasing hairline and an ever increasing waistline. I'm a Graphic Designer and a huge C64 fan and retro gaming fan in general. As a designer I have over 10 years experience, working for award winning agencies in London and the South West. It has always been a dream of mine to design a book all about the Commodore 64.
How long have you been playing videogames now and what was your first computer or console?
My first computer was a C64, handed down to me by my (very kind) Uncle. It must have been circa 1986. It came bundled with an Imagine multi-pack, International Soccer and a war strategy game called Theatre Europe! The Imagine pack had some amazing games on it such as Frogger, BC Bill, Arcadia and Pedro. I fell in love with this computer and over the next few years got loads and loads of games and spent many an hour in awe of the graphics and sound. Happy days!
Tell us about your role at Retro Asylum?
I absolutely love been part of the Retro Asylum. Since I have been involved about a year ago I have seen it go from strength to strength (obviously not just due to me joining!). My roles include uploading and writing site news, posting up reviews and essentially managing the front page. I also design the podcast covers with co-founder Dean Swain (Swainy). Also, every now and again you can hear me appearing on a podcast rambling on about my love of Sensible Soccer or looking at the career of a certain 8-bit games composer in a series called 'My 8-bit Life'. Been part of the Retro Asylum is loads of fun. It keeps me busy and out of trouble...
Why are you into retro gaming now?
Purely for nostalgic reasons. That warm fuzzy feeling I get when I am reminded of my childhood. It's addictive and I am constantly remembering little things that make me smile. I'm obviously a huge gamer too. I'm too tight to buy expencive modern games and have hardly any free time so the 'pick up and play' nature of retro gaming works for me perfectly.
Why do you think retro gaming is so popular in 2014?
I think a huge part of it is down to emulation. It's there for all to get online, at the click of a button. Also nowadays, with YouTube and websites like Retro Asylum and GamesYouLoved, retro gaming is all over social media, constantly reminding people and sparking their memories. Also the retro gaming community is so friendly and welcoming and it's a great thing to be part of. I've made some great friends through this shared love.
Also, nowadays it's acceptable to be into Retro Gaming and not something you would be embarrassed to admit!
Tell us about your graphic design background?
I went to Art College in Taunton where I spent 5 years and learnt loads. Then went to London and worked at some award winning agencies. I then took everything I had learnt and came back to the South West which is where I now ply my trade. Currently I am head of design at a brand agency and loving every minute of it. Every day if different and I am very lucky to do what I do.
About the book...
Why the Commodore 64?
The Commodore 64 was my first computer and the one I have the fondest memories of. It also played a massive part in inspiring me to become a designer. I used to be obsessed with the loading screens and box art. It is so visually rich, everywhere you look there is great design. Whether it's the iconic loading screens, Oliver Freys illustrations or the pixel art. I always wanted a book with all of this this stuff in it, but couldn't find one anywhere. So... I thought I would design one myself!
Any particular C64 games you love - perhaps a top 10?
Loads! In no particular order:
Batman The Movie
Up n down
Aztec Challenge
Cabal
Beyond the Forbidden Forest
Slap Fight
Treasure Island Dizzy
Blue Max
Ghostbusters 2
Ghouls and Ghosts
Can you give us any sneak insights into the book that people who are in the community would love to hear?
One of the rewards I am most excited about is the chance for backers to 'own their own spread'. They pick the game, write the review and then I design it as a spread. I think it will give the book a unique feel and something that backers would be excited about.
Getting the rights to use Oliver Freys illustrations is a massive deal for me. I have always loved his work and it will look stunning over double page spreads.
I am also planning to have a section on modern C64, looking at current day developers and the art they are producing.
When is the kickstarter due to start?
1st April 2014
Any reveals on the pledges available?
I'm still finalising the pledges but these will include a series of A2 loader posters, a chance to own your own spread in the book and also a chance to sponsor the book! There will also be smaller pledges where you can be credited in the book as an official supporter.
Who is writing the book and why?
The book will not have many words. It's a visual commpendium so accompanying each beautiful image may be a few game facts, a mini review or even a quote from the developer.
Ex Sensible Software artist and C64 fan Stoo Cambridge will be writing the foreword and I'm hoping to get a few well known retro legends to also write some words here and there.
What about design and illustration - as a designer what is your vision?
As previously said, it has always been my ambition to create this book and if there is enough interest my dream will come true. What I would love would be too get the C64 book produced and then maybe do one on the Amiga. The dream would be to walk into a high street bookshop and see my book on the shelf. That would be pretty cool!
GamesYouLoved go in the World of Retro Domination in Australia and speak to the team who tell us about their huge passion in life. Retro Games.
Retro Domination Team at PAX AUS 2013
GamesYouLoved So Pete - for those who don't know
you - tell us about why you started Retro Domination?
Pete The idea came about 2 years prior to
starting the site, having worked within the gaming industry for close to 6
years at the time running Console Domination I had always had a strong desire
to expand the site out to cover retro gaming as well.
It wasn’t until late 2011 that I came across a YouTuber called RetroGamerTim
which sparked an idea on how I could expand out the brand which has been
created. Originally Retro Domination was to be a small feature on the current
generation gaming site Console Domination. That was short lived as I was
introduced to a fantastic and dedicated team that have a genuine passion for
pop culture and of course retro gaming.
As the saying goes from there the rest is history and Retro Domination is now a
standalone site and part of the Console Domination Gaming Network.
Tim's MVS Cabinet
GamesYouLoved How did you get involved with Retro
Domination?
Tim: Well prior to RD starting I was doing a few
videos on YouTube on my RetrogamerTim Channel, as id watched a lot of retro
gamers through the years and wanted to give something back to the community.
Oddly Peter
found my videos interesting enough to have them feature on his gaming site,
Console Domination. So for a few months, I’d be tucked away in the lower left
corner of the site with my own little section of Retro Gaming vids.
I was also
invited along to their podcast, and being that I enjoyed gaming podcasts,
relished the opportunity. From that point, we lured in Mark, Daz and Matt and
we drummed the idea of doing a Retro Podcast. Would it work? Would anyone
listen? Will it be a great way for friends to catch up and have a good old yarn
about classic gaming?
Yes, yes
and yes.
Daz's Game Room
Darren: Doing the odd article and helping out with media events for Console
Domination, Peter asked if Tim and I were interested in doing a Retro Podcast
seeing Tim’s YouTube retro videos were doing well. After the first Podcast was
recorded I knew this was I wanted to do.
Mark: Daz and I have been friends since we were but wee lads and we had
known Tim for a couple of years before RD was started. Prior to starting with
the team, I had basically muscled my way on to an episode of the original
Console Domination podcast (via Tim) and was introduced to Pete. I guess he
liked what he heard, because I was then asked back to help out with a Nintendo
E3 special. Fast forward a few months, Pete asked me if I'd be interested in
joining the RD team permanently and the rest is history!
Matt:It
was a combination of my love of retro video games and my friendship with Darren
Borg. Darren introduced me to the owner, Peter Biu and the rest was Retro
history.
Matt's Game Room
GamesYouLoved What are some your highlights of running the
Retro Domination brand?
Darren: Where do I start? Being the Media contact for the site, I get to speak
to many people in the scene. Some of the main highlights include speaking with
Ben Daglish, Jeroen Tel, Andrew Hewson and RyuichiNishizawa (Wonderboy Creator).Hosting the Classic
Console Area at PAX AUS 2013. But the biggest highlight for me is the support
and encouraging words from our fan base. They make it all worth it.
Tim: I could say chatting to “industry legends” or “YouTube heroes”, but
honestly, the thing that’s kept me here, is the friendships I’ve made with the
guys on the team. Chatting at length about the Sega Master System or the Neo
Geo, and seeing the passion that all these guys have is amazing. I mean, we
have a fantastic fan base on Facebook and our podcasts get a lot of hits… but
at the end of the day, the best part is my friends.
Mark's Cabinet
GamesYouLoved Why did you start a podcast and what type of
things do you cover?
Darren: Due to the popularity of retro gaming, Pete thought it would be a great
idea to form a team. We needed a couple more people to join, Mark and Matt were
childhood friends of mine and I knew they would fit in perfectly. We cover
everything from retro gaming, movies, toys, memories as kids and heaps more. We
also have guests on the show consisting of Youtubers and game industry people.
Tim: It’s a medium I’ve always enjoyed, I loved listening to guys like
Radical Rascals or the Operation Killscreen podcasts, and felt it was a
fantastic way to convey our love for classic gaming.
What do we cover? Well
there are currently forty odd episodes so…a lot!
GamesYouLoved What’s the Retro Gaming scene like in
Australia for those outside the country - give us a flavour and insight?
Mark:
One word:
Expensive. Take a game that will sell for $5 in the US and you'll be lucky to
get it for under $20 here. I also find that there is definitely more loyalty to
Sega over Nintendo here (although Nintendo still gets its fair share of love!)
as opposed to the US and there is definitely a ton of love for the vintage
computer scene here too. We seem to mirror Europe more than we do the US.
Tim: It was good back in the day, but in the advent of “YouTube game
hunting pick up frenzy”, it’s made it really costly here.Considering we are a PAL region also, this makes
the prices even higher.
So lately all of my purchases have been off
shore, either from Japan (as I am a bit of a Sega Mark 3 fiend), the UK or
America.So any retro collectors
expecting to come here for a holiday expecting bargains…trust me, they’re cheaper
where you are!
Darren: It’s a double edged sword, first you have serious collectors who
are happy to chat about all things retro, but the worst part are the prices and
what resellers are charging for retro gear is ridiculous. I do purchase my gear
from the UK and USA as it’s still cheaper for me even with shipping on top.
Mick Gordon and Pete
GamesYouLoved Any exciting plans for 2014?
Pete: Last year we co-hosted “The Classic Console
Area” at PAX in Melbourne. This year we are working on bringing fans of the
golden era something much bigger. With planning already under away for the show
that will take place again in Melbourne in late October our aim to showcase the
most impressive display of playing Consoles and more. I can’t go into too much
detail but let’s just say it will feel like you have travelled back to the 80’s
that’s for sure.
GamesYouLoved Tell us about some of the interesting
people you have met on social media?
Matt: We have been fortunate to meet some really
great people: Gregg Hansen from Arcade Impossible, who came to Australia for
PAX 2013! Johnny Millennium (Happy Console Gamer), Rob Man, Billy & Jay aka
The Game Chasers, Bajo and Hex from the Australian ABC TV show ‘Good Game’, Jon
Hare,the founder of Sensible Software,
Andrew Hewson from Hewson Consultants, and Walter Day from Twin Galaxies!
Darren: Where do I start? My C64 heroes Ben Daglish, Jeroen Tel and
Andrew Hewson. Walter Day was a huge honor to have on the show! Meeting Tim
Schafer,Bajo from ABC’s TV Show Good
Game and Mick Gordon (Killer Instinct music creator (Xbox One). I’ve also become
very good friends with fellow retro gamers like Alex from Aus Retro gamer and
Aleks Serblander from Weird and Retro.
Tim: Most notably, Walter Day the founder of Twin Galaxies. He was certainly
a character and one of the few interviewees I was in awe of!
Aside from Mr. Day,
amazing industry guys like Mark “TDK” Knight and the very generous and very
humble Ryuichi Nishizawa (Sega/Westone).
YouTube guys like
Johnny Millennium, Rob Man and Gamester 81 were also fun to chat to, always
interesting to hear how someone else was brought up through the early days of
classic Gaming.
Who’s on my wish list?
Yu Suzuki.
GamesYouLoved Tell us about some of the events you guys
have attended in Australia and even overseas?
Matt: Darren & I were able to attend the Game Masters exhibition Which was held in Melbourne. It was a
celebration of Arcade and gaming through the years and the keynote speaker was
none other than Lucas Arts great Tim Schafer, responsible for some of the best
Adventure games of all time. Of course the highlight light for 2013 was helping
to run the Classic Console gaming area at PAX Australia. Darren & Tim were
also able to attend some media events for THQ and other publishers on behalf of
Console Domination, and team were also able to attend Shadowloo Showdown, an
Australian fighting game tournament that attracts some of the best players in
the world!
Unfortunately, we
haven’t yet had the opportunity to attend any events overseas, but hopefully
2014 will change that!
The Retro Domination Team
GamesYouLoved Who do you guys follow in the retro scene -
any shout outs?
Darren: Big fan and dear friend Gregg Hansen of Arcade Impossible, Johnny Millennium,
Luke Morse, Ausretrogamer , Weird and Retro and GameSack
Matt: I particularly enjoy watching AVGN (aka James Rolfe), Arcade Impossible
with our good friend Gregg Hansen, and I also listen to the Radical Rascals
podcast.
Mark: Locally, our good friend Alex from Aus Retro Gamer, our boys over at
Retrospekt and those cool dudes from Weird & Retro. Otherwise, I'm a big
fan of Luke Morse. His repair videos and game play videos are great and
informative, but I particularly love his Japanese cultural videos too. Of
course, the Johnny & Rob Man from the Happy Console Gamer channel get a big
shout out. Johnny Millennium’s enthusiasm is just too damn infectious! Last,
but certainly not least is the ever so handsome Green Hansen from Arcade
Impossible!
GamesYouLoved What are some of your favorite games of all
time and why?
Tim: Yu Suzuki’s’ Shenmue. It was a game that I loved. You were drawn into
this amazing world with a sense of freedom to explore in gorgeous 3D. Where you
could walk in to a shop and look and pick up every item for sale. It just was,
and still is an absolute treasure of a game, and genre defining too.
Aside from that, I
hold the very early Neo Geo titles close to my heart. I was always impressed by
the graphics, beautiful sprites and larger than life characters. Games such as
Magician Lord, Samurai Showdown, Fatal Fury really blew me away back in the
early 90s.They just seemed a step above
the average Capcom or Konami brawler.
Darren: Of all time, it’s definitely Wonderboy in Monsterland (I own signed
copies of the cart and have a dedicated arcade board) and I’m a big fan of the
Street Fighter series. Many C64 games like Myth, Mayhem in Monsterland,
Creatures 2, Hammerfist and the Last Ninja Series. Shinobi series, Midnight
Resistance, Heavy Barrel, Karnov, Silent Hill, CastlevaniaSymphony of the Night and anything Neo Geo, I
could go on.Atari 2600,C64 and Sega
Mega Drive are my fav platforms of gaming. C64 and 2600 because I grew up
playing them and Sega Mega Drive for the fact it was my next big jump in gaming
and that it felt like I had an arcade in my home.
Mark: The Street Fighter series is number one. The impact that it has had on my life is really hard to
put into words, but I love fighters in general (both 2D & 3D). Prior to
Street Fighter II, i was a huge fan of Final Fight and Double Dragon. Guess I'm
just a fan of animated violence! I’m also very much into World of Warcraft and
have spent countless hours questing, raiding, etc. Finally, I also have a soft
spot for shmups, despite being really lousy at them!
Matt: Wow, hard question! I have always enjoyed adventure games, specifically
from Sierra and LucasArts. Sierra being the pioneers of the text based
adventure game and creating some of the best games of its kind, such as Kings
Quest, Police Quest and the Leisure Suit Larry Series. I also really enjoyed
Maniac Mansion, Loom and the Monkey Island Series. I liken these games to the
“Choose your own Adventure” books, being able to mould the ending based on your
decisions. Even though there was only one ending with these games, it still
felt personalised. Thanks guys - keep up the great work! 'GamesYouLoved Team'
Believe it or not, I was once a mere mortal man like
you. It’s true I swear; there I was
going about my daily business when the skies parted and I was singled out from
the rest of the rat-race and illuminated by a brilliant shaft of light. Tykhe,
the goddess of fate & fortune had finally noticed me and rewarded my
patience and devotion with a brand new/old console.From that day forward, I have been a proud
owner of a Neo Geo X system and my life has been changed since.So read on, mortal and I shall impart my
wisdom and perhaps you too will be convinced enough to join the ranks of proud
and mighty owners.
The system comes handsomely packaged in a classy black and
gold box with a carry handle, just the thing for storing and transporting it
about should the need for either arise.The box contains everything you’ll need to get started including an HDMI
cable and some rather fetching stickers found in the back of the manual.They’re not strictly necessary, but they’re a
nice touch and I like stickers.
The console itself is well made enough although it feels a
bit on the light side because it’s larger than it needs to be to contain the
components.It’s mostly hollow as it’s been
designed as a replica of the home console of legend, but it’s still fairly
compact, around the size of a Mega Drive II, but nicer to look at.It has a nice matt finish and feels like it’s
made of a fairly good quality plastic.It certainly doesn’t look cheap or out of place under the TV.
Connecting the console to the TV is a straightforward
affair: video, power, done.Now although
I blame myself completely, I must confess to being quite disappointed when
first firing up the machine. Although I was aware there was an update
available, my enthusiasm got the better of me and in my impatience I charged
ahead with it right out of the box.As
penance for my lack of self-control I was greeted with glitchey video, which
was too big for the screen and poor sound emulation.After I updated the firmware (which was very
simple to do thanks to a helpful tutorial video on the Neo Geo X website) all
my worries drifted away with performance now improved to the level of
perfection you’d expect form an officially licensed product.With this in mind, the firmware update should
be considered as part of the initial setup process.Just be patient, it doesn’t take long and the
difference is remarkable.
One joystick is supplied with the console and the system
supports a second which can be bought separately.The joystick is also made to replicate that
of the original home system.It’s a sad
story, but I was never fortunate enough to play on the original so I can’t say
how it compares.While I was at school
we shared rumours of the fabled Neo Geo console and its ridiculously priced
games. A couple of the kids knew another kid (who conveniently went to another
school) who had one, but we honestly weren’t 100% sure the thing even existed
in this pre Internet age.sI mean, a home
console that played arcade games? Many of use were still loading from tape!
Back to the controller:While it’s a perfectly serviceable and accurate controller, it lacks the
heft and solidness of some other home arcade joysticks and so it delivers a
slightly disappointing tactile experience initially.It’s not that it feels breakable, I’m sure
they’re robust enough to cope with the most vigorously executed combos. It was nice to have a
large control platform on my lap again.
Now for the pièce de résistance:On this new 21ts century version there’s a
real treat: The body of the console opens like a clam shell and reveals (now this
is really good)…. a hand held version!I know: too good to be true, but it’s real!This device is the mother brain of the system
as the ‘console’ serves just as a docking station to charge and play with the
joystick on a TV screen.
This portable device is very impressive indeed.The handheld aspect is a hefty, solidly constructed unit, which
is a delight to hold in the hand.I was
really impressed with it when I first saw it as it looks like it should cost
far more than it does.You certainly
won’t feel embarrassed pulling this out in public.Its soft-yet-grippy rubberised back is
emblazoned with a chrome ‘SNK’ logo, so the guy opposite you on the bus can
watch with envy and only jealously imagine what’s going on.The highly reflective black with gold legend
of the front is sheer class and the sharp, bright screen nestled within feels
luxuriously big.The controls are well
laid out too. The face button layout has been reconfigured from the joystick to
suit the thumb and the shoulder buttons are within comfortable reach thanks to
their forming around the corners.Other
controls, such as volume and brightness, are located on the bottom edge, well
out of accidental reach.While the home
portion of the package has been made to replicate the original console, clearly
much thought has gone into the design of the handheld. It genuinely feels like
it’s been designed by gamers for gamers of the hardcore variety.
The Neo Geo is of course famous for its beat ‘em ups, but
the device comes pre-loaded with a generously mixed bag of twenty games which
should satisfy fans of all genres and is more than enough to keep you busy for
a good while whatever your gaming tendencies.This was particularly good news for me as I’m not a huge fan of beat ‘em
ups, but I still have more than enough to keep me very happy indeed. I was
pleased to see many of my Street Fighter 2 moves translate into the other
fighters as I have a fairly limited repertoire.
More game packs are available via the expandable game card
slot.They can be bought in collections
of three, or (at time of writing) a mega collection of fifteen, which is teasingly
named Mega Pack Volume 1 and makes much more financial sense.
Overall I’ve been more than delighted with the console.There are a couple more tiny niggles like having to charge the handheld unit
through the docking console and I would have liked a menu button on the
joystick to save me having to disturb my cat when I fancy changing the game,
but it could be argued that this replicates the action of changing the
cartridge and is therefore the ‘real’ experience.Anyway, the gripes are slight and completely
overshadowed by the brilliance and attention to detail of the rest of the package.This isn’t some cheap plasticy
3rd party console filled with abandonware; it’s an honest to
goodness SNK Playmore console and as such is host to some AAA titles which are
as playable today as they ever were.
Neo
Geo consoles and games continue to change hands for eye-watering prices, but
this set finally brings the glory of SNK to mere mortals and it feels like a
celebration. Review by Andy Pryer
