@samuelvictor Thanks for the feedback, and you're right, it would help for us to stagger content when we can. However, TE and NL are, despite being part of the same network, independent in terms of editorial, so this isn't always possible. There's bound to be some crossover at points, but we try our best to avoid it.
Also, the lack of comments on here compared to NL isn't anything to do with us posting similar stuff, though - NL gets over 10 times the traffic of TE
We're always listening, though, and I appreciate you having the site's interests at heart! Spreading the word (either via word of mouth or online) is the best way to help the site grow
@samuelvictor The sites are separate, and always will be - even though we do often cross-post content across both.
The 'angle' of the NL story was different to this one, too, even though it's based on the same interview.
Just as NL, Push Square and Pure Xbox often post the same story from three different angles, there's sadly no way for us to avoid this kind of issue unless we only had one site – which might cause more harm than good!
@-wc- I can only imagine that it was somehow cheaper to license just a single title from SNK for this, rather than the whole series? It is odd, for sure!
@user0 I'm the main retro writer in the whole network (and the editor of Time Extension, a retro site). It stands to reason that if we ever cover anything by any retro-focused company, it will be me writing it. We've covered 8BitDo, Hyperkin and Retro-Bit with far more regularity than we have RetroSix.
@MysticX The impact of the crash was indeed fairly localised to the US, but, when you consider that it was perhaps the biggest market for console games at that point, I guess it was quite a big deal. Here in the UK, home computers like the Spectrum were already filling the void and in Japan, the Famicom launched in 1983 and we all know how that went
@RupeeClock There's zero issue with the cartridge slot, IMO. You can tap GB carts quite aggressively during gameplay, and nothing happens. I've been using mine since 2021 and haven't had a single instance of the issue you're describing.
@Scooby-Doo Yep! I got all of my Japanese PlayStation, Saturn, N64 and Dreamcast stuff from there. They even used to install mod chips on consoles so you could play imports!
@Chrysologus A lot of highly desirable games are anything but affordable these days - and that's not really the point of this study. Games should be preserved in a way that means you don't have to always resort to finding original hardware / software.
@killroy10 I've added Towers II - you've actually reminded me that there's an Enhanced edition available this year, so I might need to revisit that myself!
@-wc- You're not kidding. It feels like yesterday that I ordered a Japanese copy of this from Lik-Sang and immediately got a telling-off from my girlfriend (now my wife) because it amounted to a whole week's wages at the time (I was only working in a toy store!)
@Delwynden You know, the SNES game gets a bad rap (and I include myself in that, I wrote the Nintendo Life review) but I have a massive soft spot for it. Because I was so starved of LotR content back in the 1990s I played it in spite of its many failings, but it still charms me to this day. The music, in particular, is wonderful, and I love how it uses the 1978 movie characters (that film was basically my introduction to Tolkien).
We had individual interviews with the MM staff on the MMA, and I also did a piece for Retro Gamer magazine about 15 years ago where I spoke to all of the usual suspects, too.
@themightyant That site was how myself and Darren met each other! Sadly we took it down a few years back because the traffic couldn't justify the hosting costs, but it will always be an important stepping stone for me; without it, I wouldn't have met Darren, we wouldn't have done VC Reviews and we wouldn't have joined up with Ant (the founder of Nintendo Life)... my life would have been totally different without the MM Archive!
@-wc- My point is that the 'Nintendo problem' could, depending on the age of the person, be a 'PlayStation' or 'Xbox' problem. Basically, what is popular at any given time (or with a certain generation) tends to be what people remember years down the line (this could be applied to literally any medium, as well).
This piece isn't trying to frame an argument, either; it's presenting a topic of discussion.
"Of course, this theory could equally apply to the PlayStation or Xbox generation; both Sony and Microsoft have enjoyed periods of extraordinary commercial and critical success, creating legions of fans who will only ever view history through a blue or green lens"
@romanista The point is that there were more PS1 owners than N64 owners, so selling 3 million is easier on a platform where there are more potential players. Of course, that also means the competition is higher, but the point still stands, I feel.
@KingMike I have owned both the NA and Japanese versions of Populous, I always wondered why Sega published it in Japan! And you're quite right on the hardware register, I've updated the text
@-wc- The first wave of Bluetooth pads it did were literally exactly the same as the NES / SNES pads, the only thing missing was the Nintendo logo. With its more recent pads, 8BitDo has shifted to simply mimicking designs rather than using them wholesale.
@Andee Agree 100%. I know it lacks the animal transformations, but I think it's a superior game in every other way; beautiful visuals, great music and a really solid sense of progression. One of my personal favourites!
Comments 779
Re: Powkiddy RGB30 - A $90 Analogue Pocket Rival? You'd Better Believe It
@ChromaticDracula It has HDMI out
Re: "Like A Book Or A Movie" - Star Fox Dev Dylan Cuthbert Shares His Vision Of Retro Gaming's Future
@samuelvictor Thanks for the feedback, and you're right, it would help for us to stagger content when we can. However, TE and NL are, despite being part of the same network, independent in terms of editorial, so this isn't always possible. There's bound to be some crossover at points, but we try our best to avoid it.
Also, the lack of comments on here compared to NL isn't anything to do with us posting similar stuff, though - NL gets over 10 times the traffic of TE
We're always listening, though, and I appreciate you having the site's interests at heart! Spreading the word (either via word of mouth or online) is the best way to help the site grow
Re: "Like A Book Or A Movie" - Star Fox Dev Dylan Cuthbert Shares His Vision Of Retro Gaming's Future
@samuelvictor The sites are separate, and always will be - even though we do often cross-post content across both.
The 'angle' of the NL story was different to this one, too, even though it's based on the same interview.
Just as NL, Push Square and Pure Xbox often post the same story from three different angles, there's sadly no way for us to avoid this kind of issue unless we only had one site – which might cause more harm than good!
Re: Hands On: Evercade's Latest Crop Of Carts Offer Some Welcome Surprises
@KingMike I've noted that in the text, just in case anyone thinks it's a straight sequel. And yeah, the MD / Genesis game doesn't get enough love!
Re: Metal Slug 3 Teams Up With "Competitive RTS" Warpath
@-wc- I can only imagine that it was somehow cheaper to license just a single title from SNK for this, rather than the whole series? It is odd, for sure!
Re: CIBSunday: Time Crisis 4 (PS3)
@Daggot We probably need a 'best Time Crisis games' list, to be honest
Re: CIBSunday: Time Crisis 4 (PS3)
@Daggot CIB (Complete in Box) Sunday pieces are intended to show off games in their packaging, they're not meant to be in-depth features.
Re: Review: RetroSix Super GamePad - The Perfect Replacement For Your Old SNES Controller
@user0 I'm the main retro writer in the whole network (and the editor of Time Extension, a retro site). It stands to reason that if we ever cover anything by any retro-focused company, it will be me writing it. We've covered 8BitDo, Hyperkin and Retro-Bit with far more regularity than we have RetroSix.
Re: 40 Years Ago Today, Atari Dumped Millions Of Unsold Games In The New Mexico Desert
@MysticX The impact of the crash was indeed fairly localised to the US, but, when you consider that it was perhaps the biggest market for console games at that point, I guess it was quite a big deal. Here in the UK, home computers like the Spectrum were already filling the void and in Japan, the Famicom launched in 1983 and we all know how that went
Re: Transparent Analogue Pockets Are On The Way, But You'll Need To Be Fast
@RupeeClock There's zero issue with the cartridge slot, IMO. You can tap GB carts quite aggressively during gameplay, and nothing happens. I've been using mine since 2021 and haven't had a single instance of the issue you're describing.
Re: Review: Aya Neo Pocket Air - The New Handheld Emulation King
@tektite_captain The rubber is indeed dirty-looking on the sticks, which is a little annoying. That's just the way they look sadly.
Re: Best Gundam Games Of All Time
@Sketcz I have the physical version of Troy and I have a modded 360... might have to investigate, as I've only ever played it in Japanese
Re: Best Gundam Games Of All Time
@WoottWinds I've added Unicorn to the list, I can't believe I forgot that! Will look into the others as well, once I've had a chance to play them.
Ditto for the Side Story games, @AJB83 - I've always heard bad things about them, though?
Re: Review: 8BitDo Neo Geo Wireless Controller - It Just 'Clicks'
@gojiguy It does work, but you'll need the 8BitDo USB Adapter 2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrhdRTDuTeY
Re: Best PS1 RPGs Of All Time
@Knirau11 Don't know how I missed BoF4! Added!
Re: Playing The CeX Retro Lottery
@Andee Game Focus was amazing! Such a shame when that closed down.
Re: The Superb 'Sonic Triple Trouble 16-Bit' Gets A Welcome Dose Of Amy Rose
@BionicDodo Fixed! 😅
Re: Playing The CeX Retro Lottery
@Scooby-Doo You're very welcome - thanks for the kind words!
Re: Playing The CeX Retro Lottery
@Scooby-Doo Yep! I got all of my Japanese PlayStation, Saturn, N64 and Dreamcast stuff from there. They even used to install mod chips on consoles so you could play imports!
Re: Best Genesis / Mega Drive RPGs And Action Adventures Of All Time
@-wc- That's the Japanese title.
Re: Review: Aya Neo Air 1S - Wipes The Floor With Switch And Steam Deck, At A Price
@BulkSlash I believe AyaSpace 2.0 can be installed on any of the older handhelds.
Re: Activision Might Have "Lost" A Bunch Of Amazing Transformers Video Games
@ralphdibny All of them will be available second-hand - this is only talking about digital re-releases / remasters, etc
Re: Hands On: Unboxing Astebros, A Brand-New Mega Drive Game For 2023
@Uncharted2007 That's my pride and joy!
Re: Shocking Study Reveals 87% Of Classic Games Are "Critically Endangered"
@Chrysologus A lot of highly desirable games are anything but affordable these days - and that's not really the point of this study. Games should be preserved in a way that means you don't have to always resort to finding original hardware / software.
Re: Best Atari Jaguar Games
@killroy10 I've added Towers II - you've actually reminded me that there's an Enhanced edition available this year, so I might need to revisit that myself!
Re: Best Atari Jaguar Games
@killroy10 This list isn't set in stone; I'll look into those (excellent) suggestions and might expand the list in the future - thanks!
Re: Three Of Taito's Classic '80s LaserDisc Games Are Coming To Nintendo Switch
@Mario500 Google translated from the original Japanese site
Re: Random: The GameCube's Lid Holds A Secret, But Did You Know About It?
@TransmitHim I have to admit that made me chuckle!
Re: One Of The World's Most Famous Game Boys Is Retiring From Active Duty
@mrfield Wow, really? That's just down the road from me. Wish I'd have known!
Re: "It's Like A Dream" - Hamster President Satoshi Hamada On The Success Of Arcade Archives
@JohnnyMind Fixed! Thanks!
Re: Anniversary: Henshin-A-Go-Go, Baby! Viewtiful Joe Turns 20 Today
@-wc- You're not kidding. It feels like yesterday that I ordered a Japanese copy of this from Lik-Sang and immediately got a telling-off from my girlfriend (now my wife) because it amounted to a whole week's wages at the time (I was only working in a toy store!)
Re: The Making Of: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I - A Middle-earth Classic
@Delwynden You know, the SNES game gets a bad rap (and I include myself in that, I wrote the Nintendo Life review) but I have a massive soft spot for it. Because I was so starved of LotR content back in the 1990s I played it in spite of its many failings, but it still charms me to this day. The music, in particular, is wonderful, and I love how it uses the 1978 movie characters (that film was basically my introduction to Tolkien).
Re: Review: 8BitMods MemCard Pro GC - A Next-Generation GameCube Memory Card
@sabreman64 It works on Wii
Re: The Making Of: Super Play, The Japan-Obsessed SNES Magazine That Inspired A Generation
@themightyant This might be the interview you're thinking of? https://www.timeextension.com/features/the-making-of-mean-machines-the-magazine-that-sold-console-gaming-to-the-uk
We had individual interviews with the MM staff on the MMA, and I also did a piece for Retro Gamer magazine about 15 years ago where I spoke to all of the usual suspects, too.
Re: The Making Of: Super Play, The Japan-Obsessed SNES Magazine That Inspired A Generation
@themightyant That site was how myself and Darren met each other! Sadly we took it down a few years back because the traffic couldn't justify the hosting costs, but it will always be an important stepping stone for me; without it, I wouldn't have met Darren, we wouldn't have done VC Reviews and we wouldn't have joined up with Ant (the founder of Nintendo Life)... my life would have been totally different without the MM Archive!
Re: Talking Point: Does Video Game History Have A "Nintendo" Problem?
@-wc- My point is that the 'Nintendo problem' could, depending on the age of the person, be a 'PlayStation' or 'Xbox' problem. Basically, what is popular at any given time (or with a certain generation) tends to be what people remember years down the line (this could be applied to literally any medium, as well).
This piece isn't trying to frame an argument, either; it's presenting a topic of discussion.
Re: Talking Point: Does Video Game History Have A "Nintendo" Problem?
@-wc- Ahem.
"Of course, this theory could equally apply to the PlayStation or Xbox generation; both Sony and Microsoft have enjoyed periods of extraordinary commercial and critical success, creating legions of fans who will only ever view history through a blue or green lens"
It's right there, my dude
Re: Talking Point: Does Video Game History Have A "Nintendo" Problem?
@romanista The point is that there were more PS1 owners than N64 owners, so selling 3 million is easier on a platform where there are more potential players. Of course, that also means the competition is higher, but the point still stands, I feel.
Re: Hollywood Actors In Video Games
@Hikingguy I might need to add The Horde, what a game!
Re: Guide: How To Play Mega Drive Games On Sega Genesis - TMSS And Region-Locking Explained
@KingMike I have owned both the NA and Japanese versions of Populous, I always wondered why Sega published it in Japan! And you're quite right on the hardware register, I've updated the text
Re: Review: 8BitDo 2.4G Ultimate Controller - A Great Option For Switch, Steam Deck And PC Gamers
@Yarrdave Well, would you look at that. I've updated the review and included a credit to your good self!
Re: Review: 8BitDo 2.4G Ultimate Controller - A Great Option For Steam Deck And PC Gamers
@Viewtifu1 Really? I couldn't get it working on my Switch (or the PS5 / Xbox One) but I will try that later on and update this review if it works!
Re: Review: 8BitDo 2.4G Ultimate Controller - A Great Option For Steam Deck And PC Gamers
@-wc- The first wave of Bluetooth pads it did were literally exactly the same as the NES / SNES pads, the only thing missing was the Nintendo logo. With its more recent pads, 8BitDo has shifted to simply mimicking designs rather than using them wholesale.
Re: Flashback: How An Australian Developer Helped Lucasfilm Make Its First Star Wars Game
@Hydra_Spectre They also make Shadowrun on the SNES, so it's not all bad!
Re: Guide: Best Wonder Boy Games, Ranked By You
@smoreon Monster Lair and Dragon's Trap are on the Anniversary Collection, though? Annoyingly, they released two collections...
https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/wonder-boy-anniversary-collection
Re: Review: Sinden Light Gun - Old-School Arcade Blasting On Your Modern-Day TV
@Blofse Yes it does, I mention that in the review
Re: Review: Sinden Light Gun - Old-School Arcade Blasting On Your Modern-Day TV
@Diogmites That's actually @AntDickens in the photos, I was behind the camera
Re: Review: Aya Neo Air Plus - 2022's Best Steam Deck Rival Is Back
@Serpenterror You can turn the lights off.
Re: Irem Collection Vol.1 Brings Image Fight II To The West For The First Time In Physical Form
@AllieKitsune This is the first time it has been made available in physical form, we've updated the post to make this more clear.
Re: Poll: What's The Best Wonder Boy Game?
@Andee Agree 100%. I know it lacks the animal transformations, but I think it's a superior game in every other way; beautiful visuals, great music and a really solid sense of progression. One of my personal favourites!