Retro Gaming Australia

And we’re back. The first update for the year follows some major floods through most of Australia – I personally was not affected, having moved out of Toowoomba months ago, but I’ve seen pictures of a few people who’ve had their massive game collections ruined. Doesn’t really compare to those who’ve lost their lives or had their houses destroyed, but it still sucks. The situation with regards to retro gaming updates hasn’t really changed over the last month; if it wasn’t for Hardcore Gaming 101 and Unseen64, there wouldn’t really be anything around worth reading.

Tidbits
– Pier Solar has been released. It’s the first new Mega Drive game in many years. As far as I know, they sold through their shipment (which was 1,500 split between three regions), and another one is not planned.
– A new Dreamcast release, Sturmwind is planned for 2011. Surprise, surprise, it’s a shooter. It was originally in development for the Jaguar CD. You can view the trailer here and preorder the game here. It’s due in Q2.
– Ghosts n Goblins for the NES was briefly removed from Virtual Console after the arcade version was released on the service. Capcom claims it was a mistake, but that was only after people complained about it. People need to realise the importance of preserving all versions of a game, not just the best ones.
– The 25th Anniversary Edition of Super Mario All Stars is pretty much completely sold out. There are whispers of a reprint for the US version.

Recommended Reading
Kenseiden, Usagi Yojimbo and Metal Wolf Chaos at Hardcore Gaming 101
A couple of choice selections from HG101. Kenseiden is a dastardly annoying Master System game that I played a ton of but never finished. It gets a lot of comparisons with Castlevania, but I never really saw it that way (though it’s been about 18 years since I played it). Usagi Yojimbo is a classic from the now entirely defunct Beam Software. Metal Wolf Chaos is a memetastic mech shooter that was one of a handful of Japanese exclusives on the original Xbox – if you haven’t already heard about it, you play as a mech-piloting President of the United States, who is fighting off a coup led by the Vice President. Due to the sheer ridiculousness of the game, it’s developed a reputation and is rather costly to procure.

Asterix at Hardcore Gaming 101
I celebrate the quality articles that come out of HG101 whenever I can, but this Asterix article is something else. It’s ridiculously in-depth and tells you everything you wanted to know about Asterix games and then some.

The Weekly Kusoge at Hardcore Gaming 101
Normally we retro writers celebrate quality games, but HG101 has started a weekly column dedicated to examining the kusoge, a Japanese portmanteau of kuso (shitty) and geemu (game). The column explains the kusoge phenomenon further and already has two entries up.

The SegaWorld Sydney Puppet Show at Sega Memories
Remember SegaWorld? The giant amusement park at Darling Harbour Sega Ozisoft operated unsuccessfully for a few years in the mid 90s? A few dedicated fans out there have tried scrounging up details of what went on at the park, and Sega Memories have chanced upon an interview with the fellow who designed and operated the Sonic the Hedgehog puppet show which ran a few times a day. Interesting, if a little disturbing.

Unseen64 Updates
Assault Korps (PSX/PC)
The Strangers (MCD)
Lucifer (PC)
ICO Beta (PS2)
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Beta (PC)
Grease and Grudge/Road Race Tech Demo (3DO)
Gothic Beta (PC)
Magic Carpet Beta (PC/PSX/SS)
Grand Champion’s Rally (PSX)
Infiltrator: Shadow Wars (Xbox)
Dark Empire (GBA)
Christopher Columbus (SNES)
Good & Evil (PC)
Aqua Prophecy (PSX)
Curly’s Adventure (PC)
San Francisco Rush (GBC)
The Swamp Thing (MD)
Dark Eyes (DC)
Worms Battle Rally (PS2/Xbox/GCN)
Lufia III: Ruins Chaser (PSX)
Warriors (PSX)
Joe Blow (PSX/PC)
Seed (PC)
World Builders Inc. (3DO)
Sega VR Documentary
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater Beta (PSX)
Freedom Fighters Beta (PS2/Xbox/GCN/PC)
Saffire (GBC)
Covert WARS (PSX/PC)
Renegade Zero (PS2/PC)
Skies (DC)
Dragon Booster (PS2/Xbox)
Death Race (PSX/SS)
Sonic Adventure 2 Beta (DC)

Virtual Console
– Mario Party 2 (N64)
– Exed Exes (Arcade)
– Ghosts n Goblins (Arcade)
– Magical Drop III (Neo Geo)