Retro Gaming Australia

It has been a pretty slow week in the Retro world – not a lot of updates coming from my menagerie of sites. I’m currently deciding whether I’ll start linking reviews in this post – I think the reviews that mainstream gaming sites do of Virtual Console releases are despicable, however. I’m also thinking of digging up some older articles I think are worth reading for a retro starter guide, or something similar.

Dragon Quest V (PS2) Translation Patch released at DQ Translations

While the Dragon Quest V remake has since made its way to the Nintendo DS in English, many folks were hanging out to play the PS2 version, which is somewhat superior techwise. For reasons unknown, Square Enix decided not to bring the game out here (didn’t they have an ad for it in the Dragon Warrior VII box? I can’t be arsed getting it out to look). Now, thanks to the hardworking folks at DQ Translations, you can play the game in English, provided you have the necessary kit.

Ambrosia Odyssey (PS2), Radio Flyer (SNES), Valerian (PSX), TransWorld Skateboarding (Xbox), Gundam Battle Assault 2 (PSX), Heavy Machinery (32X), Dimm & Witt (PSX) and Extreme Kayak (N64) at Unseen64

The guys at Unseen64 were quite busy this week, doing their usual business of unearthing information on cancelled games and beta changes. Of particular amusement this week is the confirmed existence of an honest-to-God kayaking game for the Nintendo 64.

David Crane’s Atari 2600 Magic at iPhone App Store (via 1Up Retro Blog)

Legendary designer/programmer David Crane has released an iPhone app which explains the inner workings of the Atari 2600. While it’s essentially $US2 for a lecture, I’m assuming its highly informative. Two more volumes explaining the “Internal Magic” behind Activision Dragster and Pitfall! are on the way.

How I Sold Nintendo World Championships Gold at Video Game Price Charts

The story of how JJ Hendricks found his copy of NWC Gold is pretty interesting and heart wrenching in itself, but this week, the proprietor of VGPC decided to sell his copy of the coveted cartridge and donate the proceeds to charity. What a nice fellow.

Star Wars: Ewok Adventures Prototype (Atari 2600) at Video Game Price Charts

John Bennett, the creator of said game, shared some details of the cancelled Star Wars: Ewok Adventures game with the guys at VGPC. The game was cancelled after the arse fell out of the American video games industry in 1983.

Interview: The Arrogance at C64.com

The folks at C64.com interviewed The Arrogance, a member of Success and many other groups back in the day. A few interesting tidbits in there.

This week’s Virtual Console release: Street Fighter Alpha 2 (SNES) for 800 Nintendo Points

As far as I’m concerned, Street Fighter Alpha 2 on the SNES is a goddamn technical marvel. Sure, it’s not the best version of the game, but the fact it even exists is amazing in itself.

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