Sohmer and Lars of Looking for Group and Least I Could Do, two hilarious web comics which the former is being made into a feature length animated film and the latter into a animated tv series have recently released a pack of 20 gamer pics on Xbox Live Marketplace. They can be found under Blind Ferret Entertainment in the marketplace for 200pts.

If your not familiar with the series then I highly recommend reading it from the very beginning.
Looking For Group

[Via Sohmer's Blog]

Back in 2004, the new Atari released the Flashback, it was a plug ‘n’ play unit shaped much like the Atari 5200. It was preloaded with a bunch of classic 2600 games along with a handful of 7800 games but alas the hardware inside that sleek new package was deceptive. The brains of the unit was nothing more then a Nintendo-on-a-Chip, the same chip that powers those cheaply made 100-in-1 controllers you may have seen in the mall. Hence all the games loaded into it were nothing more then poorly written ports. Flash forward to 2005 and Curt Vandel, the designer of the Flashback rectifies the problem with a sleek new chip that emulated the Atari hardware perfectly. The Flashback 2 is born.

Design: 80/100
Gone are the 7800 games but in their place several more classic 2600 games along with several Homebrew games Atari thought were good enough to be included with the classic collection for a total of 42 games (including 2 hidden ones). With authentic 2600 guts powering the games you had a brand spanking new Atari 2600 preloaded and gone is the need for those clunky Manual RF Switchboxes. As simple to set up as any modern console.

The design is great, not only do they capture the aesthetic look of the 2600, it’s sleek and tiny. Though the rather large bright orange buttons now on the faceplate of the unit are slightly garish but do not take away too much from the overall appeal of the unit. For those who relish the days of fake wood paneling (lol) they have included it as a retro sticker where the wood paneling was on original 2600 “Woody” model for added nostalgic value.

As for the hardware? It’s very solidly made, the games themselves play just like they did on the original hardware. As an easter egg for the purists, Vandel had included jumpers on the PCB for those adept with a soldering iron to attach a real working cartridge slot and play their old 2600 carts on it. Also the new video hardware does away with interference and other garbage that RF modulation caused back in the day.

The package also includes two new legacy style controllers, which are much more responsive then the originals and just as well built. Since they use DB-9 connectors they can also be used on an original Atari 2600. Pretty nice deal if I do say so myself.

Reliability: 89/100
The reliability of the unit is pretty high. there are no moving parts to wear out thus no motors or hard drives to worry about breaking down after years of play. Unlike the original Hardware however it’s not built like a beast. Some of the plastic case feels a little flimsy but it’s far from being cheaply made.

The controllers are without a doubt built like bricks, extensive play will not be an issue as these controllers will take a beating and still work. Definitely a nice factor if you go through controllers like a mad man.

Value: 78/100
While this may only really appeal to the older generation, it’s still a really sweet deal for those who want to try the games of their parents or those seeking a bit of Nostalgia. The 2 hidden games however are paddle games, the unit does not include a paddle controller so most gamers will find these games unplayable but other then that the rest of the 40 are playable right out of the box. The ability to modify the console to accept real Atari cartridges adds quite a bit of incentive as well.

With the trouble the new Atari has seen as of late, it’s sad that the proposed Flashback 3 (an Atari 8-bit computer/5200) and the flash based Atari Flashback Portable have either been shelved or indefinitely delayed till either Atari gets it’s act together or somebody better suited to run the company takes the reigns. So if your looking for a great way to play those old games without having to fish out your system and games, it’s quick and easy way to go back down memory lane. Also these can now be had for less then $20 so it could make a great present for that certain gamer on your list.

Atari releases yet another one of it’s classic franchises to the Arcade with not one but 2 games. Asteroids and it’s pseudo-sequel Asteroids Deluxe. Is it still classic? Without a doubt, but are the additions to the game good? I can undoubtedly say no.

Graphics: 59/100
You get to choose between playing the game in it’s original untampered form in glorious old school vectors or an “evolved” form with colorful backgrounds, a tinge of psychedelic colors and alot of unnecessary special effects.. the special effects ruin the game. Whenever you destroy an asteroid it splits into more pieces, but in the evolved version of the game you also get a huge explosion of bright sparks, their pretty but they also cover up everything on screen so half the time you can’t see that chunk of asteroid plowing right into you. Is the same aesthetic of the original intact? Yes, but your gonna wish harm upon the developers for the light show screwing up your game.

Sound: 60/100
Evolved has brand spanking new sounds, their not bad but not spectacular. Another feature included in this rendition is music, the original never had music so it’s a nice touch but it’s typical techno and nothing really exciting or original.

Gameplay: 77/100
It’s Asteroids, it forever will be a classic, it’s simple yet addicting when you play it in classic mode though the aforementioned problems in Evolved mode make enjoying the game a chore as you’ll find yourself getting game overs rather quickly.

Replay: 60/100
This being a spruced up port their really isn’t much else to do, they didn’t add any sort of multiplayer (though would you want it? I doubt it since the screen gets crowded enough in higher levels as is) and no real new additions to the Evolved mode other then the visual aesthetic makes it take a hit. The overly zealous use of special effects makes Evolved teeth gratingly hard to play so it also takes a hit there as well. If your a retro gamer you’ll love the classic modes.

While the new Atari has been trying hard to bring the classics back, they just don’t seem to be getting how to do it. Back when Atari had the Jaguar, their 2000 series was great because it not only included the original, an enhanced version of the game but also a brand new version with brand new game play. If Atari could look back at that example maybe the XBLA titles would hold out better. Other then that if your an old school gamer like me and enjoy the oldies then it really isn’t a bad use of 400pts regardless of some of the more glaring flaws.

What is Break ‘Em All? What it sounds, like. It’s a breakout clone with a couple additions to keep it fresh but is it any good? Mostly.

Graphics: 72/100
The graphics are basically what you would expect from a block breaking game, you have a paddle, walls, a ball and colorful blocks. Nothing extravagant but the graphics arn’t bad either. It’s art style seems to take some ideas from Arkanoid, one of the reasons I decided to even give this game a glance.

Sound: 73/100
The sound effects are average sounds, ball on metal that kind of thing. The music is from catchy to mundane but it’s not bad enough that you’d mute the game.

Gameplay: 78/100
It’s a block breaking game ala Breakout that borrows elements from Arkanoid so it’s nothing we have not seen before but the developers decided to add a couple new features to it including an adventure mode of sorts. In this mode you break blocks to expose a hole in the ceiling to progress to the next level, on the 3rd level of the stage you get to fight a boss, as ridiculous as it sounds it’s not a horrible experience though the designs of the bosses would make you chuckle to yourself. The developers were kind enough to make the controls adjustable, so if you don’t like using the stylus to move your paddle, which isn’t always the most accurate or responsive, you can use the D-pad or shoulder buttons. It also features multiplayer modes but what are the chances of finding anybody else who would be itching to break bricks?

Replay: 68/100
Break ‘Em All is a mellow game for people who enjoy to sit back and play a bit. It’s not gonna bring you back for more all of the time but it’s not a bad title to pick up and play on a rainy day though their are much better games available.

Overall, as a bargain game it’s not a terrible waste of $20 if you prefer old arcade style games.

Educational games are big on the Nintendo DS, with Brain Age bringing new and unconventional players to video game systems everywhere.  Big Brain Academy followed on the heels of this success, and does an admirable job.  It is fun, as far as mini-games go, and makes for an entertaining multiplayer experience.  Will it increase your intelligence?  Perhaps.

Graphics: 75/100

Big Brain Academy features a number of mini games, most of which involve either numbers, shapes, dots or cartoon figures.  None of these are graphically impressive, but they are adequate and usually clear and easy to understand.  You’ll see the same types of figures in many of the games, and you’ll find that once you’ve memorized the shapes that go with them, some of the tasks will become easier.

Sound: 80/100

There’s not an incredible amount of sound in this game, as it would be distracting during most of the activities.  The menus feature a cheerful soundtrack, but it does get repetitive.  A few of the games require audio, as you might be identifying animal or vehicle sounds and matching them with icons.  Again, it’s adequate for this type of game.

Gameplay: 93/100

The best thing about Big Brain Academy is the nice range of activities, with varying levels of difficulty.  There are five categories: Identify, Think, Memorize, Analyze and Compute.  In each one is three different mini-games that work that part of your brain. For example, the Compute category features: Coin-parison (where you see two groups of American coins, and you must choose which side is the higher value), Add Agency (where you see a number of figures, and you must choose various cards that have figures on them that add up to the original number),  and Written Math (which shows a math question written in English words, and you must enter in the numeric answer).  Some games are better than others, but overall there is a good variety.

Replay: 80/100

If you have friends with a DS, you can play this game locally with only one copy of the cartridge.  It allows you to choose the game, and play up until somebody reaches a preset goal.

The main point of the game, however, is to improve your “Brain Weight” by going through the test.  You can take the test once a day, and are given an activity from each category.  Your score is then tallied, and you are given a grade.  With more practice, you will hopefully see improvement.  I do not know how much of that is just you getting smarter, or just getting better at those mini games.

Overall Big Brain Academy is a nice little game, with a quirky visual style and pretty solid gameplay.   If you’d like a game to work on some parts of your brain that you may not use on a daily basis, this could be for you.  I’d recommend it also to younger gamers, who will grasp these mini games probably a little more easily than Brain Age.  The single-cart multiplayer makes it a winner for families too.

Dawn of Sorrow is the follow up to the great GBA Castlevania game Aria of Sorrow. Once again you step back into the shoes of Soma Cruz, a white haired Japanese boy who is the reincarnation of Dracula. It has your typical Castlevania story line, but it is still a great game and a even greater addition to the Castlevania series.

Graphics: 90/100
Dawn of Sorrow has beautifully done 2D graphics with 3D mixed in here and there. Most of us here at Contraptica relish the days of awesome 2D games and this game satisfies that need. The animations are top notch and fluid and the special effects thrown in are neither intrusive nor boring, you’ll be quite satisfied with whats on your screens.

Though my own personal gripe is how effeminate the Castlevania protagonists have become… gone is the day of the barbarian style Belmont for a hero who probly cares more about their complexion and what conditioner they use in their hair…

Sound: 100/100
Even with the limitations of the media that DS games are stored on, music has come along way for portable gaming devices. Castlevania has had some of the best music to grace any console it’s been on, it’s that the composer is just that good at what they do. Not being on a CD, you still get almost CD quality music as you traverse yet another incarnation of Lord Dracula’s castle. The sound effects are clean, loud and fun.

Gameplay: 80/100
I love Castlevania, but it has not changed much since SOTN, not saying that is a bad thing. It is just the lack if any real innovation to the title since Aria of Sorrow that takes it down a notch. The use of the touch screen seemed rather last minute as I didn’t find the seals to add any real value to the game though the relic that allowed you to use the stylus to break the ice blocks was a nice touch. Otherwise this game plays like any of the other Metroidvania style Castlevania games.

Replay: 85/100
There is a lot to do in this game so you’ll find yourself searching for secret passages and that last health and magic up. It also features a Battle Arena mode once you beat the game and unlockable characters including Alucard and Yoko with their own unique ways of doing things.

Overall, It’s a lot like SOTN and I do believe it will hold up to the test of time like it has. It is a must have DS title.

Microsoft has once again updated their backwards compatibility list to add support for playing older Xbox games on the Xbox 360.  While a good portion of the list includes old sports games, there are a few titles in there that I wouldn’t mind picking up used and giving them a run through.  The full list is below the break.

[via TeamXbox]

Read the rest of this entry »

Does anybody remember Atari’s little handheld console? Probly not too many, but the Atari community sure has not for games continue to get made for it and the Atari Jaguar. What we have here is one of the most promising games in development for the long dead cat. Penguinet presents Zaku, which is actually a tribute to a great Turbo Grafx 16 game called Air Zonk. The game is beyond explanation.. the graphics are breathtaking considering the limitations of the Atari Lynx’s GPU, working with single 16 color palettes at a time can be a daunting task on such a small screen but Penguinet seems to have things well under control.

From the demo I played the Parallax Scrolling is smooth, the sprites are fast with next to no slow down with a lot going onscreen. However the Demo does not have sound yet so it’s not yet clear if the sound will match the visuals. The art style is slick, though the first level is VERY similar to the first level of Air Zonk but this is a tribute game as the Author has told me himself (helped me out quite a bit with my own Atari Lynx programming, a very nice guy). I can only imagine how the rest of the game will look.

Super Fighter Team, the publishers of 2005’s Genesis RPG Beggar Prince have picked this title up and plan on a 2008 release. So it might be due time to dust off your Lynx and enjoy what might be the biggest Homebrew release of this coming year.

For more information and a Demo playable on an actual Lynx (via BLL or Flash Cart) or in an Emulator such as Handy goto Penguinet’s Website. You won’t be disappointed with how this game is shaping up.

Thanksgiving’s over, and you know what that means: Christmas has started! Well, it feels that way, anyway… it’s a bit odd how much power Big Marketing has over the seasons.

Regardless, it’s never too early to start being awesome. This year’s Child’s Play has begun! For those who don’t know (and really, for shame) Child’s play is a Charity started by those fabulous Penny Arcade gents back in 2003.

In short, several hospital across several countries have wish lists set up through Amazon.com. You, the awesome gamer, by a game or toy from this list, and then, through the magic of post, is whisked to the hospital you chose, where it is then available for the children. In general, games and systems are available for use by everyone, whereas toys are often given to a child to keep. How awesome? So awesome!

So please, if you can, do your part! Let’s show God and karma and Jack Thompson what we’re really made of!

A recent small press conference held by Microsoft of Japan has leaked the details of the upcoming Fall Update thanks to a member of Engadget Japan.

Some of the features and changes this update will include are:

• Reorganization of the Games Blade to include “Game Library” replacing Xbox Live Arcade.
• Within the Games Library: A new menu with filters broken down into “All Games”, “Arcade”, “Demos”, and “Recent Downloads.”
• Marketplace now sorted into 4 Categories: “Featured Content”, “What’s New” “Game Store”, and “Video Store.”
• An expanded personal profile including a text field of up to 500 - 1000 characters allowing users to include more information about themselves including name, nationality, region and an introductory statement.
• Trials will no longer appear on Gamer Cards nor show up under previous played games.
• and of course the introduction of Friends of Friends

From the looks of these feature, we may be able to better organize our Arcade spaces with settings to filter out demos from full games. Also I can see the demos being removed as a nice touch as now we can see what games our friends actually own instead of wondering whether it’s just the trial version. As for Friends of Friends? It doesn’t seem all that useful but you never know, It’s uncertain whether the features given out by Microsoft of Japan will differ from what North American gamers will get when the update is released, so we should wait and see how it all works out when the Fall Update is released this December 4th.

[Via Joystiq]