I've been listening to Conan's podcast. It's funnier than it should be.
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Listen I hate the wannabe mod type more than anyone but shouldn't we be talking about retro game re-releases in the retro games thread? No wonder that place is a ghost town.
Listen I hate the wannabe mod type more than anyone but shouldn't we be talking about retro game re-releases in the retro games thread? No wonder that place is a ghost town.
While we're on that subject, do you guys think this is the right thread for me to occasionally bring up the ZX Spectrum Next? It's not actually "retro" in the traditional sense for the retro thread, as it's a new machine, but I guess it's not exactly a plug & play device either since it's a full computer that you can get new games for and not just what it comes with (without hackery, at least), and it's obviously not going to sustain a whole thread on its own as I'll probably be the only forumer with one, at least any time soon (unless someone else just hasn't spoken up yet)... but I think here is probably the best fit for it.
Although I'm still not sure what I'll actually do with it, as I've said, but I'm eyeing up physical releases of some games for it (maybe I can even get them included in the forum GOTY awards list at the end of the year!). It should see at least few physical releases a year, and maybe even more downloadable, plus a few that are to be freebies for KS backers.
We really only need one retro-ish everything thread on this forum. It's pretty much the same audience interested in both and it just isn't moving that fast.
Base models have shipped out and many of them are in people's hands. Plus models are out the door shortly too, then it's on to the Accelerated ones - which make up over half of the entire production run, IIRC (of just over 3,000 units total), and one of those ones will be mine. Granted we're talking an enthusiast audience that's been waiting for a long time, but the reception has been overwhelmingly positive so far.
There was one instance where the backer sadly passed away last year, and as such his brother-in-law found himself with one of the machines today with no idea what to do with it - he's not into games at all and he says his kids are only interested in games if they're on iPhones. So, not unreasonably, he put the Next on eBay, and started it at 99p, no stupid "buy it now" prices or anything. It's already up to a whopping £410, with 9 days and 18 hours left to go (the original pledge at that tier would have been £175 plus £10 shipping, for perspective). There is much speculation as to how high it will go, as there have been a fair few interested people who missed out (mostly by only discovering it after the Kickstarter ended back in 2017).
There will be a second Kickstarter for another run of the Next at some point this year, and maybe sooner than we'd thought. So far it seems likely that, once again, only enough for backers will be built, due to the machine's admittedly niche appeal and relatively high price. But it's worth reiterating that it's not just an emulation box, it's setting out to do something else. (Although it's still 100% backwards compatible with its '80s predecessors and will still play literally any old Spectrum game you can throw at it, including from original cassette tapes.)
I am seriously thinking about importing a C64 maxi.
I admit I've eyed up a full size TheC64 (and/or the Mini). Even though for me, as a Speccy kid, the original C64 was the enemy. I can admit now that it was a good machine, one with different strengths to the Spectrum I'd argue, and TheC64 in particular is an interesting take on the SoC nostalgia box concept; while it's still fundamentally that as far as I'm aware, it does it with having full access to BASIC (not too hard given how advanced emulating machines of this vintage is now) and a full C64 keyboard in a still quite reasonably priced unit. Clearly they had fewer problems getting the keyboard working properly than the Spectrum Next team did, but I guess with TheC64 they didn't have to design the entire thing from scratch, they simply (heh, "simply", I know) had to recreate the existing C64 keyboard.
The Next keyboard is inspired by and based on the Spectrum 48K+ and 128K keyboards, but that's all - it still needed literally everything actually doing from the ground up and was a major factor in the machine being as delayed as it has been. It looks like it's paid off, though - according to the punters who have them now, they absolutely nailed it. (Seems like current estimates for the accelerated version shipping are a week from now, maybe two, but they are just estimates, the team are not throwing out any specifics - with good reason.)
Here's a pic (from someone else, these aren't mine although I have owned examples of most of them) of a Spectrum Next with some of its older siblings:
Top to bottom: ZX81, Spectrum 48K, Spectrum 48K+, Spectrum 128K, Spectrum 128K +2 (designed by Amstrad after they bought Sinclair, hence why it sticks out like a sore thumb), and finally, the Spectrum Next.
That is so beautiful. I have the US version which I think was called the Timex Sinclair 1000. My dad bought it for an ungodly amount long ago when I was little because he knew the future would be with computers and he wanted his kids to learn how to program. Unfortunately I pulled it out a few years ago from its original box and it has passed away. I am hoping that one day I'll have enough guts to open it up and see if I can fix it since I believe it is just the keyboard that is dead.
I had a ZX80 (looked similar to the ZX81 except it was white & blue, I believe) and eventually upgraded to a Spectrum. Sadly, I didn't have a cassette drive, so I never really did much of anything with either of them aside from writing a BASIC program that would let me roll hundreds of sets of 2d6 for when I was doing ship combat in Traveller High Guard.
That's not a bad use for one - and one that still exists now in the plethora of dice rolling apps for smartphones and the like!
But yeah, without the ability to save & load, obviously they'd be kind of limited.
The Next still has a cassette interface, so you can use old tapes with it, or there's a really useful Android app called PlayZX that lets you use your phone plugged in via the headphone jack (or, I assume, a USB-C wired headphone dongle), which has been around for ages and works with old Spectrums too. But the Next also has its own SD card slot, for a bit more modern convenience!
Played a couple NES games on my girlfriend's Plug 'n Play this weekend that I never played back in the day.
Ducktales 2. Pretty good! Solid sequel that keeps the gameplay of the original but seems to control a little better this time around. There's even some replay value in the form of a secret item hunt.
Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Ugh. I remember seeing this one in Nintendo Power and thinking it looked pretty good. This game is Nintendo Hard as shit. The controls also felt kinda bad to me. It seems like there is a slight delay on shooting/jumping (I don't think it was just the controller->TV but I could be wrong). I could write paragraphs about all the cheap, unfair bullshit difficulty in the game. I had to save state scum like crazy just to see the whole game in a reasonable time frame. This is a game that could bring out the AVGN in almost any of us.
Well, it was a big burst of retro goodness, but there aren't any companies left that could possibly join back in, right?
Hasbro is bringing back another ‘90s classic: the monochrome Tiger Electronics LCD handheld. Today, the company announced that it’ll be releasing four new versions of the iconic handheld, which will launch this fall for $14.99 each.
As with the originals, each device will play a single game. The launch titles include The Little Mermaid, Transformers: Generation 2, X-Men Project X, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (all are available to preorder at Gamestop now). Hasbro says that each game is “inspired” by the original version from the 1990s. They all sport a familiar control setup, with monochromatic graphics displayed on top of a static, colorful backdrop. Each unit is powered by two AA batteries (which, of course, are not included). “The design and technology were created with the original handheld game unit in mind,” the company says.
Well, it was a big burst of retro goodness, but there aren't any companies left that could possibly join back in, right?
Hasbro is bringing back another ‘90s classic: the monochrome Tiger Electronics LCD handheld. Today, the company announced that it’ll be releasing four new versions of the iconic handheld, which will launch this fall for $14.99 each.
As with the originals, each device will play a single game. The launch titles include The Little Mermaid, Transformers: Generation 2, X-Men Project X, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (all are available to preorder at Gamestop now). Hasbro says that each game is “inspired” by the original version from the 1990s. They all sport a familiar control setup, with monochromatic graphics displayed on top of a static, colorful backdrop. Each unit is powered by two AA batteries (which, of course, are not included). “The design and technology were created with the original handheld game unit in mind,” the company says.
That is....weird? I can't imagine there is that much nostalgia for these things. It's not like a mini console where you you get a bunch of games. $14.99 is a lot for one shitty LCD game.
Switch Friend Code: SW-4598-4278-8875
3DS Friend Code: 0404-6826-4588 PM if you add.
I have a Karnov one that I never beat. Since I'm a Transformers geek I'm so tempted to pick one of these up to leave at my desk at work. Especially to have the younger generation of co-workers here play it and see what they think.
I have a Karnov one that I never beat. Since I'm a Transformers geek I'm so tempted to pick one of these up to leave at my desk at work. Especially to have the younger generation of co-workers here play it and see what they think.
And this is why they will sell and why you guys cant assume that because you think something is frivolous that means everyone else does too. Just because you see no use in it doesn't mean that other people won't either. People will buy these for the nostalgia and for the toyetic/collectible nature of them. Especially if they are a fan of the IPs being released, like Transformers in this case.
I hope those fail miserably. That trash doesn't deserve to be purchased. They felt like disappointing ripoffs even 30 years ago, why bother now?
Good lord man tell us how you really feel?
I get not being a fan of a product, but wishing it fails miserably? When there's good people behind it's production, some of whom have their jobs on the line? Yeah I dunno about that one. That seems kind of mean-spirited if you ask me.
Apparently they're 100% reproductions of the original things -- note the Transformers one loudly says "Generation 2," which was the name for the toy line's relaunch in the early 90s.
Apparently they're 100% reproductions of the original things -- note the Transformers one loudly says "Generation 2," which was the name for the toy line's relaunch in the early 90s.
Which I did fine funny since they are using the G1 art on it.
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He's such a barbarian.
Steam | XBL
Legends of Runeterra: MNCdover #moc
Switch ID: MNC Dover SW-1154-3107-1051
Steam ID
Twitch Page
Resident 8bitdo expert.
Resident hybrid/flap cover expert.
Not a bad idea. Do you mean this thread?
My Backloggery
Like Mega Man Legends? Then check out my story, Legends of the Halcyon Era - An Adventure in the World of Mega Man Legends on TMMN and AO3!
Although I'm still not sure what I'll actually do with it, as I've said, but I'm eyeing up physical releases of some games for it (maybe I can even get them included in the forum GOTY awards list at the end of the year!). It should see at least few physical releases a year, and maybe even more downloadable, plus a few that are to be freebies for KS backers.
Steam | XBL
I wonder when they will be available stateside though.
Base models have shipped out and many of them are in people's hands. Plus models are out the door shortly too, then it's on to the Accelerated ones - which make up over half of the entire production run, IIRC (of just over 3,000 units total), and one of those ones will be mine. Granted we're talking an enthusiast audience that's been waiting for a long time, but the reception has been overwhelmingly positive so far.
There was one instance where the backer sadly passed away last year, and as such his brother-in-law found himself with one of the machines today with no idea what to do with it - he's not into games at all and he says his kids are only interested in games if they're on iPhones. So, not unreasonably, he put the Next on eBay, and started it at 99p, no stupid "buy it now" prices or anything. It's already up to a whopping £410, with 9 days and 18 hours left to go (the original pledge at that tier would have been £175 plus £10 shipping, for perspective). There is much speculation as to how high it will go, as there have been a fair few interested people who missed out (mostly by only discovering it after the Kickstarter ended back in 2017).
There will be a second Kickstarter for another run of the Next at some point this year, and maybe sooner than we'd thought. So far it seems likely that, once again, only enough for backers will be built, due to the machine's admittedly niche appeal and relatively high price. But it's worth reiterating that it's not just an emulation box, it's setting out to do something else. (Although it's still 100% backwards compatible with its '80s predecessors and will still play literally any old Spectrum game you can throw at it, including from original cassette tapes.)
Steam | XBL
I admit I've eyed up a full size TheC64 (and/or the Mini). Even though for me, as a Speccy kid, the original C64 was the enemy.
The Next keyboard is inspired by and based on the Spectrum 48K+ and 128K keyboards, but that's all - it still needed literally everything actually doing from the ground up and was a major factor in the machine being as delayed as it has been. It looks like it's paid off, though - according to the punters who have them now, they absolutely nailed it. (Seems like current estimates for the accelerated version shipping are a week from now, maybe two, but they are just estimates, the team are not throwing out any specifics - with good reason.)
Steam | XBL
Top to bottom: ZX81, Spectrum 48K, Spectrum 48K+, Spectrum 128K, Spectrum 128K +2 (designed by Amstrad after they bought Sinclair, hence why it sticks out like a sore thumb), and finally, the Spectrum Next.
Steam | XBL
Steam: betsuni7
That's not a bad use for one - and one that still exists now in the plethora of dice rolling apps for smartphones and the like!
But yeah, without the ability to save & load, obviously they'd be kind of limited.
The Next still has a cassette interface, so you can use old tapes with it, or there's a really useful Android app called PlayZX that lets you use your phone plugged in via the headphone jack (or, I assume, a USB-C wired headphone dongle), which has been around for ages and works with old Spectrums too. But the Next also has its own SD card slot, for a bit more modern convenience!
Steam | XBL
Ducktales 2. Pretty good! Solid sequel that keeps the gameplay of the original but seems to control a little better this time around. There's even some replay value in the form of a secret item hunt.
Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Ugh. I remember seeing this one in Nintendo Power and thinking it looked pretty good. This game is Nintendo Hard as shit. The controls also felt kinda bad to me. It seems like there is a slight delay on shooting/jumping (I don't think it was just the controller->TV but I could be wrong). I could write paragraphs about all the cheap, unfair bullshit difficulty in the game. I had to save state scum like crazy just to see the whole game in a reasonable time frame. This is a game that could bring out the AVGN in almost any of us.
https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/19/21136607/hasbro-tiger-electronics-lcd-handheld-games-xmen-sonic-transformers
Uh... okay?
...no, no, that's not it. I meant the other thing.
Steam | XBL
That is....weird? I can't imagine there is that much nostalgia for these things. It's not like a mini console where you you get a bunch of games. $14.99 is a lot for one shitty LCD game.
3DS Friend Code: 0404-6826-4588 PM if you add.
The only ones that I think would do decent business would be Nintendo Game & Watch games.
That two-screen Mario Bros. where they're in the bottle factory? That I would buy again (if it wasn't stupid money).
Steam | XBL
Heh. Got it right here on my shelf.
Steam: betsuni7
It was not the ideal way to play Simon's Quest.
My Backloggery
Extra large multi level shooter with a joystick setup.
It was ok i guess, but my dumbass 9 year old self should have realised 5 of those would have gotten me a NES.
I had that one, street fighter, mega man 2, and ninja turtles off the top of my head.
Ditto. It has a few scratches but overall it’s in excellent condition. I wish I picked up a few others back in the day.
Might have been better than the original.
Counterpoint: the original had "Bloody Tears"
My Backloggery
I legit enjoyed the Mega Man 2 one. It’s probably still in a box in my garage.
And this is why they will sell and why you guys cant assume that because you think something is frivolous that means everyone else does too. Just because you see no use in it doesn't mean that other people won't either. People will buy these for the nostalgia and for the toyetic/collectible nature of them. Especially if they are a fan of the IPs being released, like Transformers in this case.
Good lord man tell us how you really feel?
I get not being a fan of a product, but wishing it fails miserably? When there's good people behind it's production, some of whom have their jobs on the line? Yeah I dunno about that one. That seems kind of mean-spirited if you ask me.
Resident 8bitdo expert.
Resident hybrid/flap cover expert.
Like Mega Man Legends? Then check out my story, Legends of the Halcyon Era - An Adventure in the World of Mega Man Legends on TMMN and AO3!
Which I did fine funny since they are using the G1 art on it.
Steam: betsuni7