Retro Gamer UK I227 2021

REVIEWS: EVERCADE VS

»[Evercade VS] Sensible Soccer on
Codemasters Collection 1 was good on
handheld, but it’s better with a friend.

»[Evercade VS] The new menu system resembles that of mini consoles, in that it’s cleanly laid out and very easy to use.

»[Evercade VS] The scanline options are a nice addition – »[Evercade VS] Mega Cat Studios Collection 2 demonstrates that Evercade Namco Museum Collection cartridges
if these look too much, there’s a less intense setting. buyers should be open to new favourites. don’t work on the VS due to licensing
restrictions, which is a bit of a downer
We prefer the Data East Arcade 1 games. There are also optional bezels, time played to help you remember as those carts contain some of the
cartridge that comes with the and two scanline settings. What’s where you were. Evercade’s bigger names right now.
premium pack due to the greater a little disappointing is that despite
variety of its ten games. They the options, many games still have Save states are actually an If you haven’t yet tried the Evercade,
make for a decent start, but buying a soft, filtered look and there’s no interesting issue. They should carry then the VS is a good way to
additional cartridges is key to the way to get sharp pixels. Still, they’re between the VS and your handheld as experience the system’s library – it’s
Evercade experience and the ability easy to access and can be changed they’re stored on the cartridge, though a well-built, affordable machine that’s
to play multiplayer games does mid-game. In fact, the Evercade VS older ones created on the handheld easy to use. The library means that it’s
massively increase the entertainment system software is a slick front end won’t display screenshots on the VS. best suited to players with adventurous
value of some cartridges, particularly that can give any mini console a run Broadly speaking, they do, but right tastes at present, and those who don’t
Codemasters Collection 1 and for its money. The whole thing can be now saves created on the arcade desire too much fine control over their
Technos Collection 1. themed, plus the game selection menu cartridges on the VS won’t carry across visual settings. But if you already own
is attractive and gives sorting options. to the handheld. Blaze is aware of an Evercade handheld, many of the
Games are displayed at 1080p Game information screens include the problem and plans to fix it with a new system software features are
and you have the option to display in control schemes and a helpful option system update, but as it stands it’s not coming to your machine too. If you’re
original aspect ratio, pixel perfect or to load your last save, and save states ideal for those who want to play on primarily interested in multiplayer, it’s
full-screen modes, but there’s no tate now display screenshots and the total the road and then carry on at home. an easy recommendation. But if you’re
mode for vertically oriented arcade Also, it’s worth a reminder that the looking for a secondary machine for
your TV so you can swap between
big screen and small screen play, we’d
recommend that you wait and see if the
save state compatibility issues can be
resolved before taking the plunge.

In a nutshell

The VS feels like the next step in the
Evercade range, and it succeeds at
almost everything it sets out to do.
Newcomers will likely enjoy it, but
existing handheld owners who don’t
miss multiplayer might not need it.

»All games are
compatible with the
Evercade Vs except
for the two collections
by Namco.

»[Evercade VS] Some of the less renowned games included, like Break Thru, still offer a good deal of fun.

RETRO GAMER | 101

RWE ELOOTK ART OTHE RLATOESTURENTROD-REULATPED RELEASES

PICK OF THE MONTH

Resident Evil 4 VR RESI4ASYOU’VE
NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE

INFORMATION Few gaming cash cows »[Quest 2] Boss encounters »[Quest 2] The inventory system has been completely
have been milked as heavily are terrifying affairs as your restructured and is beautifully presented.
FORMAT: OCULUS QUEST 2 as Resident Evil 4. But adversaries often loom over you,
ALSO ON: NA then, few titles are as good giving a terrific sense of scale. to newcomers of VR, so even if you do
RELEASED: OUT NOW as Capcom’s acclaimed survival horror suffer from motion sickness you should
PRICE: £29.99 game. Originally released in 2005 as a system that lets you select weapons via a find an option that’s suitable for you. You
PUBLISHER: OCULUS GameCube exclusive, it was clearly too more traditional weapons wheel. can also do things like turn off Quick Time
DEVELOPER: good a title to be confined to Nintendo’s Events during cutscenes, disable your
ARMATURE STUDIO console and has been released countless Puzzles have been completely weapon’s laser sight and much more.
PLAYERS: 1 times since, appearing on everything redesigned as well, and they now feel
from the PlayStation 2 and Wii to iPhone, more interactive as you slide blocks around As immersive as Resident Evil 4 can
WHY NOT TRY PC and Xbox Series X. It’s now available with your hand or press buttons to activate be, it falters occasionally as cutscenes
exclusively on Oculus Quest 2, but has the switches or place items. It deepens and certain animations play out on a
W SOMETHING OLD move to VR been a beneficial one? Resident Evil 4’s immersion considerably, virtual screen, which can break the flow
Even if you’ve completed Resident none more so when you realise you of the game. However, that’s the only real
RESIDENT EVIL 4 GAMECUBE Evil 4 countless times in the past, this can now physically type on the game’s criticism we have as Armature’s game is
impressive remaster by Armature Studio typewriters when saving progress. quite simply a must play and a true VR
W SOMETHING NEW will still manage to amaze you. Where highlight that really shouldn’t be missed.
previous updates of Resi 4 have largely Of course, the downside to this
RESIDENT EVIL 4 XBOX SERIES X been done with the minimal amount impressive mobility is that the game
of effort, Armature has completely becomes a lot easier than in the past as
BRIEF HISTORY overhauled the classic game to ensure it you can now strafe past thrown weapons
works in VR – the results are nothing short or easily outpace bosses. You can turn
Resident Evil 4 debuted in 2005. of staggering. Yes, some elements of the strafing off however, which makes it feel
It revolutionised the series with game don’t work quite as well, but overall more in-line with the GameCube original
its focus on action and a new this is Resi 4 as you’ve never seen it and presents a greater challenge. In fact,
over-the-shoulder perspective that before and by goodness, it’s fantastic. the amount of different options available
easily allowed you to individually The biggest change over the original in Resident Evil 4 is highly welcome
target the body parts of enemies. is how your weapons work. Items and and Armature should be commended
Originally planned as a GameCube weapons are now assigned to various for making it as accessible as possible
exclusive, Shinji Mikami’s game parts of your body so you can grab
was eventually ported to the and wield them in real-time. Physically
PlayStation 2, as well as numerous reloading weapons and aiming them
other consoles. This new version quickly feels second nature and the
has been completely reworked for ability to move and shoot gives you so
VR and now uses a first-person much more manoeuvrability compared
perspective for better immersion. to the original. You can even dual-wield,
which greatly changes how you approach
GO DEEPER combat, but if it’s all a little too much
The facts behind there’s a more straightforward quick-wield
Resident Evil 4 VR
»[Quest 2] Many puzzles have In A Nutshell
Some elements of the script have been subtly changed so that
been cleaned up by Armature to they feel more immersive. This is an astonishing remaster that
make them less suggestive. revitalises a classic and familiar game
in a way that makes it feels like an
Disappointingly, The Mercenaries exciting, brand-new experience, no
and extra missions like Separate matter how many times you may have
Ways aren’t included. You’re just played it in the past. Simply unmissable.
getting the excellent base game.
>> Score 96%
Ashley’s AI has been tweaked so
she’s less of a hindrance than she
was in the GameCube release.

102 | RETRO GAMER

GB Operator

» System: PC, Mac, Linux » Buy it from: www.epilogue.co » Buy it for: $49.99

Broadly speaking, emulation is legal, detecting pirate cartridges, and while we didn’t have » [PC] Right now it’s not possible to configure which mode
but unauthorised distribution of one to hand to test this, it did correctly identify all of backwards compatible Game Boy Color games use.
copyright protected software isn’t. the ones we used as originals.
This neat little USB device ensures that » [PC] The integrated mGBA emulation core offers solid
you can stay well clear of dodgy ROM sites by using While Epilogue’s software is fine if you want to just performance across the whole Game Boy family.
your own Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy plug-and-play, it’s still under development and right
Advance cartridges. Better yet, it allows you to use now doesn’t offer much in the way of options – at
your existing saved games, back them up and even the time of writing, things like software reset and
write your progress back to the cartridge. fast-forward functions were planned for the v0.8-beta
Epilogue has provided custom software for the release. You can install your own Libretro core in
GB Operator with the aim of making the whole place of mGBA, but that will be a bit of a hassle for
experience as user friendly as possible. When many. If you’re used to having fine control over your
a cartridge is inserted, a brief game synopsis is emulation, it’s better to just use the GB Operator for
displayed along with a handful of options. As well grabbing the data from your carts for now.
as playing games via the built-in mGBA emulation
core, you can quickly and easily reconfigure your Further features will undoubtedly make the GB
controls, and back-up your games and data at the Operator a more attractive piece of kit in the future,
touch of a button. We found that these functions but for now it performs its basic functions well and
worked as expected, with a minimum of fuss. cheaply, and in just as small a package as possible.
Epilogue also says that the device is capable of If nothing else, the ability to back-up precious
saves could well single-handedly justify the price of
admission for many players.

Gleylancer The Making Of Gynoug
Tomb Raider
System: Switch (tested), Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, System: Switch (tested), Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X,
PS4, PS5 » Buy it from: Online » Buy it for:£5.99 Buy it from: pen-and-sword.co.uk PS4, PS5 » Buy it from: Online » Buy it for:£5.99
Buy it for: £25
This rare Mega Drive shooter continues This is yet another release from
to rocket in price, so we’re delighted an TechRadar writer Shinyuden, but it doesn’t quite impress as
enhanced, far cheaper alternative is now and past Retro much as Gleylancer does. While it offers the
available. Coded by Shinyuden, the first thing Gamer contributor same staggering number of options, its new
that impresses about Gleylancer is the large Daryl Baxter modes are a lot less impressive. In fact you’re
number of options it boasts. You can adjust has gone deep simply given a number of cheat options that
everything from the resolution and controls to on the origins allow you to do everything from retain your
languages and screen curvature. A new Modern of Tomb Raider weapons when you die, to having infinite lives,
mode gives you all sorts of options, from being here, covering magic and credits, or becoming invincible.
able to select different gunners on the fly to the creation and They’re fun additions to have, particularly if
even using the right analogue stick to aim them. early days of both you’ve never played this rock-hard shooter
This mode does make the game quite a lot the game and its in its original Mega Drive incarnation, but it
easier so keep that in mind (especially as you star Lara Croft. doesn’t feel like it has had as much thought
can rewind time). Gleylancer is a tough blaster Over 20 interviewees have contributed their put into it as Gleylancer has. Still, Gleylancer’s
so it’s great to see this new release caters to so stories and Daryl puts them front and centre, rewind function is also included here, so you
many types of players. A superb classic shmup allowing the key players to tell the story in can quickly loop back and enjoy Gynoug’s
has just become even better. their own words. many gruesome bosses.
DARRAN JONES DARRAN JONES
There’s some really nice visual material
>> Score 90% such as early concept sketches and trade- >> Score 80%
show photos, and the book actually goes
further than its title suggests with a good
chunk of it dedicated to recounting the
development of Lara’s second acclaimed
adventure, Tomb Raider II.

Toby Gard is predictably absent from the
roster of interviewees and a few linguistic
errors have slipped by the editors, but this
remains a good read for any Tomb Raider fan.
NICHOLAS THORPE

RETRO GAMER | 103

HOT TOPIC

RETROBATES MULL OVER THE SCENE’S MOST INTRIGUING ISSUES

FESTIVE FUN

The team discuss their favourite Christmas gaming memories

DARRAN C hristmas is fast make a huge difference. The last
JONES approaching, and so is one I got for Christmas was the
everything that comes Wii U, and I had to wait nine hours
NICK with it. We’re looking for it to update!
THORPE forward to sitting down to dinner
with our families, a traditionally DARRAN
depressing episode of EastEnders, » [Saturn] Yuji Naka is a big fan of Lemmings, and it supposedly inspired him to develop Christmas NiGHTS.
and of course the fun of hunting I always wanted an Astro Wars.
down gifts and the excitement of My cousin had one and it was
receiving them in kind. Of course, brilliant. So pretty slim pickings for
gifts often mean games for us, so hardware then. What about actual
with that in mind we decided to videogames? What did you get?
chat about some of our favourite
memories of Christmases gone by. NICK

TIM DARRAN I’ve been really lucky and had I told my brother Matt that if
EMPEY quite a few over the years. A he didn’t get me The Legend Of
So we all know that Nick got a couple that really stand out are
GameCube one year, but has WWF Smackdown 2 and Zelda: Ocarina Of Time then
anyone ever received another Shenmue II, I put enormous I would disown him
console or computer for amounts of time into both. I got
Christmas? Mel got me a Mega Untitled Goose Game last year and DARRAN JONES
Drive with The Lion King pack-in, loved that, too.
which was lovely. Shame I never
kept it, as it’s now very expensive. DARRAN

TIM What about you, Tim? my Amstrad. I got Power Strike one based games. What titles have
year and RoboCod another year. Oh you enjoyed?
I never got a console or computer TIM and the best was when I told my
for Christmas, but my brother and brother Matt that if he didn’t get me NICK
I got Astro Wars one year. That I really don’t think I ever received a The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of
was pretty cool, though he was game for Christmas. My parents Time then I would disown him. I’ve actually played a few already
much better at it than I was. didn’t like games, so trying to get this year. Yakuza and Raw Danger
them to get me an Amiga was a TIM just happen to take place at
NICK lot of, “But I could use it for Christmas, but Sakura Wars: So
homework!” bullshit. So did you? Long, My Love has a proper
I’ve usually had them on my seasonal section. You get to ask
birthday, not that the two days DARRAN DARRAN one of the girls out on a date for
Christmas Eve in the penultimate
Classic. I used that excuse to get I didn’t, but he did give me the chapter, and there’s a Secret Santa
game on Christmas Day with the gift exchange as well.
caveat that he’d taken another
customer’s preorder and that DARRAN
there was probably a little kid
crying out there because their That’s not a bad start, Nick. I’ve a
copy had disappeared. I still soft spot for Christmas Lemmings,
enjoyed playing it, mind. Moley Christmas which was an
old cover tape and Christmas
TIM NiGHTS, which I’m surprised Nick
hasn’t mentioned yet.
That’s hilarious!

» [Amiga] It was always a real treat to get exclusive Christmas levels for top games on cover disks. NICK NICK

That’s the true spirit of Christmas – I had that before I had the full
the season of goodwill to all me. game, I love all the real-time clock
bonuses and Sonic’s in it. It’s like
DARRAN it was made for me.

Well to be fair, I didn’t realise how TIM
he got it until it was too late. So
what about actual Christmas- I know it’s much maligned but Dead

104 | RETRO GAMER

Follow us online so that you can join in the discussions HOT TOPIC

RetroGamerUK @RetroGamer_Mag [email protected] READERS
REACT
Rising 4 had some Christmassy Soccer and that Moley Christmas I
stuff in it. But further back – Die mentioned. Anyone played them? What are your favourite
Hard Trilogy. Well the first part was Christmas-themed
set at Christmas, not the much TIM stages or games?
better driving bits for the third part.
Nope. Barrie Ellis
Absolutely loved Merry Christmas from
NICK NICK » [Commodore 64] Some of our readers have fond memories of annual Melbourne House for the C64, in my
sessions with games like Santa’s Xmas Caper. 1984 Christmas stocking. What a joyous
Isn’t the second film set at I’d heard of Cannon Soccer, but little game. I would love a follow-up.
Christmas as well? being a console kid I never actually » [ZX Spectrum] This might not look Christmassy, but Monty Mole is
played it. trying to get his latest game to the tape duplicator. Stuart Howie
DARRAN Not going to say it’s my favourite but the
DARRAN very obscure Snowball Sunday on the
Quit it. You both know how I feel C64 always got me in the Christmas
about people who claim Die Hard So with Christmas just around the spirit when I was younger.
to be a Christmas movie. Let’s get corner what are you planning to
this nonsense back on track. A lot play over our ten-day break? I’m Stoppy
of the proper Christmas games, hoping to complete The Witcher It absolutely has to be Shenmue. Hearing
particularly during the 8-bit years III: Wild Hunt, which a RLLMUK the festive tunes and seeing Santa
aren’t very good at all. Why do Secret Santa gifted me. staggering around town. Lovely stuff.
we think this is? I’m thinking
specifically of The Official Father TIM Andrew Neill
Christmas but I’m sure there are Santa’s Xmas Caper. It was appalling, but
some others. I’ll probably be playing Halo Infinite I still played it every Christmas for years!
since it’s out in December. You
NICK should get the DLC for Witcher III, Goldtingle
it’s not Christmassy, but it is great. I think living the actual Christmas in
Maybe it’s because they’re Animal Crossing is particularly emotional
created purely for taking advantage NICK (of course the name of the holiday is
of seasonal sales? That’s got to changed, but the feeling is still the same).
lead to awkward deadlines, and I I’m hoping the Evercade VS won’t Not to mention that back in the
can’t imagine developers get really slip back any further, as I’m looking GameCube days they gi ed you a NES!
invested in the creative vision. forward to playing the new carts.
We’ve not had Gaelco Arcade 1 yet Ainsley Bowstead
TIM and I really want to spend some Ever since my mum made a Christmas
quality time with Biomechanical card with Sonic wearing a Santa hat as a
I just watched some footage of Toy and Alligator Hunt. kid, I can’t imagine Christmas without
The Official Father Christmas… the Ice Cap Zone from Sonic 3.
and wow, shocking. It’s quite a DARRAN
niche theme really, probably why vorn182
they’re usually special editions of Good choices one and all. Well I Die Hard Trilogy is worth a shout. It’s held
games or expansions like think that about wraps things up, up pretty well too. I was playing it
Christmas Lemmings. so I think the best thing we can recently and found it really enjoyable.
take away from this month’s chat
DARRAN is that we’ve been able to discuss Richard D Salih
Christmas without Nick harping on James Pond 2. Saving Xmas in fun
You’d normally get gifts with too much about Shenmue. It’s a worlds is an utter joy. And it’s become a
computer mags like Cannon Christmas miracle! tradition to play it before Xmas for over
half my life.
» [Amiga] Plenty of you have fond memories of Sensible Software’s
excellent crossover gift Cannon Soccer. VirtuaOllie64
Christmas NiGHTS was full of great
» [ZX Spectrum] A portly chap with an iconic red hat, who squeezes » [Mega Drive] It might be an average platformer, but selling unlockables, like Sonic as a playable
down pipes? A gaming hero like that could never catch on. The Daze Before Christmas could pay for plenty of gifts. character, and the music is so good that
it’s part of my definitive Christmas
soundtrack! I try to play it every
Christmas Eve if I can.

Dale Muir
Donkey Kong Country 3 with the MERRY
cheat. That was one of my favourite
Christmas presents ever!

Tony
I loved Psycho Santa on the Amiga – a
free cover disk game from Bullfrog with
The One magazine Xmas 1993. I still
laugh at the fart samples (aged 42) as
much as I did when I was 14.

RETRO GAMER | 105

COLLECTOR’S CORNER

READERS TAKE US THROUGH THE RETRO KEYHOLE

BIOHAZARD

I had no idea what kind of game
I was diving into. The PlayStation
was very new and this was a new
adventure. The game really gave

me a new experience.

PAID: €3000

STREET SUPER MARIO
FIGHTER BROS 3
ZERO 3
Probably the best Mario ever. I
My favourite version of Street played this endlessly, so I really needed
Fighter. It still gives me exactly the to include it. I still find it hard to decide
same pleasure now as back in the
day. By the way, I have Gouki’s level which one is better: Super Mario
Bros 3 or Super Mario World.
3 button combo tattooed on
my forearm. PAID: €1200

PAID: €590

EUROS AND EASELS

Peter Riezebos discusses combining two passions

BIO Our latest collector is an new and sealed. Thus only I would be a Fantasy VII and Ocarina Of Time, I take
unusual one because his changing variable, the games would be multiple streaming sessions.”
games aren’t just to enjoy, exactly the same.”
they’re also been picked to Considering he’s been spending a
NAME: entertain others and have inspired Peter’s decision has been a costly one. fortune on videogames, only to open
Peter Riezebos his latest art project. Peter Riezebos “I spent around 350,000-400,000 Euros them, we assumed that Peter was
started playing games in 1990 when he to collect all games and all videogame strictly for the playing of games over
systems in new, sealed and some simply collecting them. “Not at all,” he
LOCATION: was ten years old. He managed to build graded conditions,” he tells us. “I bought clarifies. “I really think every gamer
Netherlands up two sizeable collections over the the same versions that I used to have should do as he or she pleases. I used to
following twenty years, but managed to (Resident Evil on the PS1 I bought as collect game systems that I would not
Biohazard for the Japanese PS1, so I open. But what I really dislike is the
FAVOURITE GAME: give most of the games away. acquired exactly the same version). Over monetary business around games. A
The Legend Of Zelda: He’s now decided to revisit his youth the past few years prices have gone up, financial fixation where non-gamers drive
Ocarina Of Time so I consider the collection to be worth up prices, where market manipulation
in the form of an art project and anywhere between 1 and 2 million Euros dominates auctions and media. Games
interactive stream that you can watch at (that is before I opened everything).” are meant to be played. And collecting
for nostalgia and other game-related
FAVOURITE SYSTEM: www.twitch.tv/nextnextlevel. “As part of So why spend so much money if reasons is beautiful.”
Neo Geo my art performance and art show, I you’re going to open them anyway? “As
wanted to replicate my favourite game an artist, I strongly believe that I should Not everyone shares Peter’s views
only create artworks based on subjects however. “Once a seller of graded
COLLECTION WORTH: experiences from my childhood and that I have a strong affinity with. In that games told me that I was ‘robbing’
way I ensure some kind of emotional
Before opening 1-2 million teenage years,” he tells us. Peter wanted translation based on intrinsic motivation.
Euros (excluding Neo Geo to get hold of the 100 games that had Based on the experiences and memories
I created paintings. An emotional
collection). After opening a made the biggest impact on him, from translation.” In addition to being costly,
fraction. Before the end of Street Fighter Zero 3 to Ocarina Of Time, Peter’s new collection/project is also a
time extensive one. “During the project I
the project I will give most so he began to pick up second-hand am aiming towards completing every
away again. copies – only to be dismayed by their game, he tells us, “though this might be
a challenge. And for some games, ones
TWITCH: quality. “Most were in a bad state, which that require longer playing like Final
I experienced as a stain on

NextNextLevel beautiful memories,” he

SECRET OF says. “Then and there, I
MANA decided to really

“I was a huge fan of JRPGs and replicate the

SquareSoft made excellent games. I experiences by

fondly remember Chrono Trigger, Final collecting all games
Fantasy VI and Secret Of Mana. In Mana

I was impressed by the soundtrack

and overall art style. ”

PAID: €8000

COLLECTOR’S CORNER

Got an impressive collection of your own? Contact us at:

RetroGamerUK @RetroGamer_Mag [email protected]

JEWEL IN THE CROWN BARGAIN HUNT

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: Your guide to the rising world of retro prices
A LINK TO THE PAST
THE COVER STAR
■ One of my favourite Zelda games ever. I used to play this a lot
at my aunt’s (who was a big gamer and completed most 8-bit HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED
and 16-bit RPGs on Nintendo hardware). I paid 2,000 Euros, an
insane amount since it was 100% new and a red seal label. A With over five million sales, Master Chief’s first adventure
copy was recently offered on Ebay for $500,000. is super cheap on Xbox. You can get it for under
a fiver, with the Xbox 360 remaster being similarly
PAID: €2,000 priced. The Mac version is a little more expensive

gamers from collecting due to me and typically sells for £20.

opening the sealed games. I told him LODE RUNNER

that all the sealed and graded games he If you fancy owning Lode Runner on Apple II expect to pay

sold were out of reach of real gamers. In around £45 for a complete copy. The MSX, Atari 8-bit and
Spectrum versions range from £7-£25, while the C64 version
should be under £30.

REZ

Sega’s superb on-rails shooter is slowly rising in price. The PAL

Dreamcast version ranges from £50-£90, while the Japanese

edition is a little cheaper. The PS2 option is easier on the wallet

as PAL copies usually sell between £4 and £20.

DARKWATCH

This is slowly rising in price and now reaches as much as £25 on

Xbox. The PS2 version sells for a similar amount.

RAINBOW ISLANDS

If you want to relive Darran’s Amstrad experiences you can buy that

version for under £3. Just be aware that The Hit Squad variant is a

lot pricier, so seek out the big box edition to save your pennies.

TATSUJIN

A complete Japanese copy of this excellent Mega Drive shmup

hits £65. The PAL version (Truxton) is also rising in price and
typically sells for £40, while the Genesis version goes for £100.

NIGEL MANSELL’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

All versions of this entertaining racing game are relatively cheap,

ranging from £3 to £25 depending on version and how complete

they are. So take your pick and have some fun.

THE FLINTSTONES

Nick certainly doesn’t rate this, but if you want it for your collection

it’s not costly. You can pick it up complete for between £8 and £20.

my opinion he is part of the problem.”

Even though Peter’s games have

exploded in value he’s planning to give

them away once everything is finished. HOW MUCH?!

“The project is really a passion project to DOOM

THE celebrate gaming from a gamer and We know original floppy copies of the id Software
LEGEND artistic perspective. Straight from the shooter reach high prices, but this auction still
melted our minds. Fourteen bidders got in a war
OF ZELDA: heart,” he concludes. “I understand
and the victor paid the princely cost of £1,850.
OCARINA OF TIME that gaming meant so much more
Prices correct at time of print
Probably one of the best games to me that ‘just playing a game’. It
ever made. I bought it on the day of was almost existential to me.”
release and finished it in one week.

In many ways I consider this a

masterpiece.

PAID: €2000

RETRO GAMER | 107

MY RETRO LIFE

PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT OUR SHARED PASSION

PS2 FOR PENNIES BUDGET
BUY LIST
Embracing the market leader didn’t mean abandoning the underdogs
THE PS2 BUDGET GAMES I’M LOOKING TO
Despite the initial games weren’t great but the PICK UP NEXT
fact that I console launched with insane sales
was a happy momentum and never lost it, so if a SMASH CARS
PlayStation developer only had the resources to RuTshsiisainsdgaeonvoaedclocgporeamrpphCliricseshaegt diSvtreuanddiiiotossc,bowundittgrhoesltloeomdrigceainsrusr.rapcreisrinbygly
owner, the develop for one console, Sony’s was
PlayStation 2 is the most obvious choice. I had written ALL-STAR FIGHTERS
not a console that won me over off Sony’s console as being home to sLooldoike,rIstjeaurksieetssw.oaIntnhtAintyokasgMeueisnuwszhbaaektaihtfrasowpmpoertndhsse,wOrinhgeehcnth?aannbEaDrFa
immediately. In fact, there was a derivative World War II shooters and
time when you could have said that Grand Theft Auto wannabes, but there DARWIN
the PS2 represented everything was actually plenty of stuff to satisfy Have you ever wanted to
that was wrong with gaming, and I my tastes once I started looking past but on the PS2 and with play something like Pikmin,
probably would have agreed with you. the most popular games. I personally chimpanzees and a dodgy
Most of this was to do with simple came to appreciate fantastic exclusive translation? I certainly do, and this is that game.
bitterness. As a big fan of Sega’s games that were aimed squarely at
swan song I still feel a bit of lingering the hardcore player, like Gradius V TFAhoerIRsidoemRaeAofrNetaaGksionEng,RoI n:seRreemEscSutoeClmikUeisEdsiisoaHnssEtererL-mtIhCinemdOsemPd eTgaomEf tehRse. THE PRIDE OF MY BARGAIN
resentment at the absurd level of hype and R-Type Final. On the other end old Sega game Air Rescue, too. BIN COLLECTION IS NOW
that accompanied Sony’s new console of things, Sega Superstars was a hit
on release. It probably doesn’t help with my family at Christmas thanks WORTH OVER THREE TIMES
that I moved on to the GameCube. In to the EyeToy. While the Wii gets a WHAT I PAID FOR IT!
my teenage years, I was truly miffed lot of credit for being a family friendly
that my cheap, capable console with machine, the PS2 wasn’t exactly a DEMOLITION GIRL
fantastic games like Metroid Prime slouch in that regard, and the Guitar Ycoounm’cdeytphstihniseklsvIoewsro,idtuhicldouulaoglurhes.aItdhmyaatoyiwt arnsetkahlDliysahoranrasen,tobfoufritnIhddisiotcsnowoptay. .yThtoe
and The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Hero and Rock Band games drew the
Waker was struggling for shelf space, family in again later on. a little digging, and you’ll even find [PS2] SOMETIMES, I JUST
while the PS2 was sitting pretty with some bizarre localisations. Tokyo Road WANT TO GO INTO
mediocre licensed games and annual But my favourite thing about the Race? That’s actually Taito’s arcade
sports games at the top of its charts. PS2 is the output of smaller publishers racer Battle Gear 2. Fighting Fury is SOMEONE’S HOME AND
Honestly, I was a human salt mine at like 505 Games, Metro3D, Midas based on the popular manga Baki The DELIBERATELY CAUSE
this point in time. Interactive Entertainment and Play-It. Grappler, and you’d never guess from PROBLEMS. MR MOSKEETO
So how the heck did I come to While they naturally put out plenty of the cover art that Seek And Destroy
not only own a PS2, but pick up 116 safe non-branded sports and racing was originally a Choro Q game. LETS ME.
games for it? Well, to be honest, games, they also tended to pick up
videogames had very little to do with games that had fascinating concepts, Of course, plenty of these games [PS2] X-TREME EXPRESS
getting it. In 2003, VHS was on the and often released them at budget don’t play particularly well – X-treme SHOWS WHY TRAIN RACING
way out and the only DVD player we prices. As great as the Xbox and Express proves that train racing isn’t ISN’T MORE COMMON, BUT
owned was our PC – not really an GameCube were, they couldn’t have an amazing idea and Sky Surfer shows IT’S WORTH IT FOR THE
ideal situation, since it wasn’t in the supported that market in the same that extreme sports are dull without
living room. My mum suggested that way – according to Phoenix Games things to bump into and fall off of. But NOVELTY ALONE.
we should get a PS2 given that it was founder Paul Share, speaking in issue I’m a fan of dreadful films like The
also a console, and soon enough we’d 134 of Edge, a budget game needed Room and Fatal Deviation, so there’s [PS2] THE SNIPER 2
taken the plunge. I picked up WipEout to hit roughly 50,000 sales to break plenty of comedy value out there. REDEFINES CUTSCENE
Fusion because of my love for the even. Only the large and diverse I played BCV: Battle Construction
series, but make no mistake, the audience of the PS2 gave them a Vehicles on Twitch a few months ago, QUALITY IN GAMES –
extended editions of The Lord Of The realistic shot at that, especially with and while combat between bulldozers MOSTLY BY LOWERING THE
Rings films were more of a killer app the more offbeat ideas. is exactly as graceless as you’d
than any game. But after Christmas, imagine, the story was so bizarre that BAR, TO BE HONEST.
I finally started to warm up to the I’ve been revisiting a few of these it made for one of the best streams
console – I was given Prince Of Persia: games this year, and they’re as of the year. For similar reasons, I can’t
The Sands Of Time as a present, and refreshing now as they were wait to share the true disasterpiece
picked up Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution then. Mr Moskeeto gives you the The Sniper 2 with everybody.
in the sales. The GameCube was still chance to spend a summer drinking
my preferred console for multiplatform the blood of an unfortunate Japanese I’ve bought the blockbuster sequels
games, but I did start to pay more family, and how many games let like Final Fantasy X and Metal Gear
attention to the PS2 market. you do that? Raw Danger might Solid 2 that failed to sell me on the
The conventional wisdom is that be technically rough, but escaping console 20 years ago, and they’re
great games sell consoles, but disasters is fun, the overlapping worth playing. But they’re not the
with the PS2 I tend to think that character stories are very ambitious games that truly warm my heart when
the situation was inverted. The and it gives you the chance to act in I think of the PS2 – give me the 6/10
some decidedly unheroic ways. Do low budget oddities, thanks.

108 | RETRO GAMER

MY RETRO LIFE

[PS2] THE DOG IS WHAT
ATTACKING THE
STEAMROLLER WERE YOUR

IN BATTLE FAVOURITE
CONSTRUCTION
VEHICLES, AND I PS2 BUDGET

AM LOSING GAMES?
MY MIND.
Readers fill us
[PS2] JUST ANOTHER DAY IN LONDON, [PS2] EVEN BY in on their best
IN BUDGET GAME KING GLOBAL TREASURE’S bargain bin finds
DEFENCE FORCE. STANDARDS,
FREAK OUT IS Martin
A WEIRD ONE, Ford Racing 3 was very impressive.
AND IT GOT A 60 fps attractive visuals. Varied
RELEASE VIA MIDAS content. Good handling and a
INTERACTIVE 60Hz mode! Only the audio really
ENTERTAINMENT. let it down. I think it retailed for
about £20.
[PS2] SOMETIMES, YOU JUST NEED TO
ACQUIRE DATA. I DON’T DECIDE THESE Peter Snoeren
THINGS, THE DEVELOPERS DO. TAKE YOUR I loved The Red Star, a fantastic
mix of beat-’em-up gameplay and
QUESTIONS TO THEM. bullet hell shooter. It’s an absolute
gem. Another favourite of mine
[PS2] COME ON BABY: was Monster Attack, which was the
THE AKACHAMPION HAS very first Earth Defense Force game
WEIGHTED BABIES BEING released in Europe. Ever since that
THROWN IN THE SEA AND game, I’ve been a huge EDF fan.
FORCED TO SWIM TO THE
Jason
SURFACE. REALLY. I really enjoyed Groove Rider. It was
Scalextric without the licence. Think
I got it for eight quid. It was worth
about that much.

Daniel Betts
It has to be Fruit Machine Mania.
There is something strangely
compelling about these niche
interest PS2 games that were
only possible due to the system’s
install base.

Erik Welleweerd
Michigan: Report From Hell was
really good and pretty hard to find
nowadays. Too bad I didn’t buy the
whole stock when they were in
stores for only a few Euros.

Carl Harrison
Global Defence Force is easily
the best budget game. Saw the
glowing review on Game Central
(Digitiser at the time) and promptly
bought it from my local Morrisons
for about £6. I still think it’s the best
in the series and would love a HD
port of it.

RETRO GAMER | 109

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bDoorikvse

STAR LETTER

RIGHT IN THE FEELS

Dear Retro Gamer, PC gaming or what it was like for » We’ve been impressed by the original Evercade and haven’t found screen bleed to be an issue.
I’d just like to say how much Martyn Carroll to start the original
I enjoy the new My Retro Life version of Retro Gamer. In short, BRIGHT LIGHT! their price points. Hopefully the
section. I loved how much please don’t ever get rid of this Evercade VS will be more to
personal information was in the excellent section, it’s one of the Dear Retro Gamer team, your liking. Nick’s certainly been
mags of the Eighties and Nineties first things I turn to. Your latest issue covering the impressed with it so far.
because it made me feel like Regards, impending Evercade VS console
I genuinely knew the writers James Turner piqued my interest, as I had bought TURTLE POWER
behind the magazine. the portable version a few months
We’re glad you like My Retro back and had yet to unbox it. I eagerly Hi Retro Gamer,
Thanks to My Retro Life I’ve Life, James. We’re happy for opened the box, charged the portable I have a complete UK set of NES
a better understanding of why other contributors to share unit and chose one of the three games and also a collection of
Darran loves shmups and import their own stories, so we’ll see cartridges which I had purchased. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle games.
gaming and it’s also obvious that what we can do. We’ve put a I’m not sure if these are any good to
he’s a big fan of handheld gaming book aside for you. Enjoy. However, what immediately struck use in the Collector’s Corner section
too (something I also enjoy). I’ve me was the poor screen quality that of the magazine. I also stream on
also enjoyed learning about how » My Retro Life allows us to share our passions presented itself front and centre. The my Facebook page where I try and
Nick fell in love with Sonic and his with you, like Darran’s Saturn shmup collection. low resolution was fine for the games complete harder games on the
Twitch article was also interesting it was showing but the light bleeding original hardware. You can find me
and it has allowed me to discover I discovered games like Street from the screen was atrocious. Never under LongviewandFriends.
a whole new area of gaming I Fighter II in holiday arcades, and had I owned a mobile device with Kev
didn’t really know existed. the reason I have a Sega Saturn is such a poor display. To conclude,
because of a week of being in awe there’s no way I would recommend That’s a nice collection, Kev.
It would be great if we of Virtua Fighter 2. Although arcades the Evercade portable to anyone, Hopefully it didn’t take you too
could read about some of the aren’t the same today there has even though the selection of games long to complete and didn’t cost
magazine’s other staff members been an attempt to replace them are some of which you won’t find on you too much money.
as well. I’d love to know why with the various arcade bars that other products, as the screen quality
Andy seems so obsessed with have started cropping up. blights the whole experience.

ARCADE MEMORIES What are your thoughts on these Perhaps the VS console with its
and do you think it’s something we’ll reliance on higher-quality TV panels,
Hi Retro Gamer, see more of in the future? will negate any of the negatives of
I understand exactly where Iain Lee Regards, its portable brethren. Saving that, get
is coming from when he talks about Luke Middleham a Switch Lite, load it with collections
the constant hunt for tokens in from Capcom, Konami etc and
today’s arcades. When I trawled the Arcade bars are certainly becoming enjoy portable retro gaming via its
arcades as a kid it was always about more popular Luke, in fact we’ve extremely good LCD screen.
discovering new games and seeing featured one in this very issue. Kind regards,
how far I could get. While arcades have changed a Gavin Eke
lot from the old days, they still
» Places like Arcade Club are proving extremely popular manage to offer experiences We’ve used the Evercade loads » Kev’s collection of NES stuff looks pretty cool. It’s pretty
and capture the atmosphere of early arcades. you can’t easily get at home. It’s and we’ve never really had an good going to get all of them.
just a shame they’re not always issue with light bleeding, so it’s
experiences everyone wants. a pity the experience has been
ruined for you Gavin, as we feel
it’s a nifty little system for the
price. Having said that, it does
feel a little unfair to compare
it to a Switch Lite as there’s a
good three times difference in

110 | RETRO GAMER

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CONTACT US Future PLC Quay House, The Ambury,
Bath, Somerset, BA1 1UA
Snail Mail: Retro Gamer,
Future Publishing, Quay House, Editorial
The Ambury, Bath, Editor Darran ‘Halo: Combat Evolved’ Jones
Somerset, BA1 1UA
[email protected]
Email: [email protected] 0330 3906443

» [PC] If you enjoyed playing Ape Escape on the PlayStation, you might want to try out Yahya’s remake. DISCUSSED THIS MONTH Art Editor Andy ‘STALKER’ Salter
Production Editor Tim ‘Red Faction’ Empey
GOING APE » [Wii] Gabriele would love us to look at the Prime Back to the cinema Features Editor Nick ‘Disruptor’ Thorpe
series, but it’s OK to avoid Federation Force. Photographer Phil ‘Doom’ Barker
Good day Darran, Most of the team enjoy a good trip to the cinema Group Art Director Woz ‘GoldenEye 007’ Brown
I just wanted to let you know about right to praise the 2D Dread, why not and the release of No Time To Die has certainly Editorial Director Tony ‘Half-Life 2’ Mott
my Ape Escape fan game that I have focus on coverage of the fantastic opened the gates. Nick’s been content to wait
been working on for the past couple of Prime series instead? There’s not for things to arrive at home, but Darran and Andy Contributors
months in my free time and which I’ve a single book or article out there are big fans of being in (a preferably empty) Writing Adam Barnes, David Crookes, James Dyson,
finally released. I thought it might be covering these wonderful games as cinema and watching the likes of Dune and No Andrew Fisher, Danny Gallagher, Iain Lee, Graeme Mason,
something cool enough to write about. everyone seems to only write about Time To Die on the big screen. James Bond’s Rory Milne, Paul Rose, Alan Wen
You can find it at bit.ly/aperemake. Super Metroid. I will not even ask for latest outing probably wasn’t worth the long
Yahya Danboos Federation Forces to be included! I delay, mind. Design Jonathan Wells
know you’re the only ones who can
Thanks for writing in, Yahya. We’ll accomplish this task for me. We’re glad you’re keeping the Advertising
certainly take a look at this as we Gabriele, an extremely loyal Metroid love going, Gabriele. If Media packs are available on request
were big fans of Ape Escape on subscriber from Zebes. we can get suitable access we’d Commercial Director Clare Dove
the PlayStation back in the day. be happy to put Metroid Prime
on the cover. We’ll try to sort [email protected]
SAMUS CELEBRATION something out when Metroid Advertising Director Tom Parkinson
Prime 4 finally arrives.
Dear Retro Gamer, [email protected]
Don’t you think the time is right Account Director Kevin Stoddart
to put Samus on the cover of our
beloved magazine? While Nintendo [email protected]
and the whole world are absolutely
International
Your say «ƺɎȸȒ JƏȅƺȸ ǣɀ ƏɮƏǣǼƏƫǼƺ ǔȒȸ ǼǣƬƺȇɀǣȇǕ ƏȇƳ ɀɵȇƳǣƬƏɎǣȒȇِ ÁȒ ˡȇƳ
out more contact us at [email protected] or view our
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What’s your favourite moment Subscriptions
from Halo: Combat Evolved? Email enquiries [email protected]
Customer service phone line 0330 333 433
Jonathan Keen James Harvey intense as you get further into » [PC] Trundling around in Halo’s Warthog New orders phone line 0330 333 1113
The Flood encounter. Meeting The final mission when you’re the level. certainly left a big impression on many of you. Online orders magazinesdirect.com
these abominations for the first in the Warthog and the music is Senior Marketing Manager Tom Cooper
time really turned the game on getting more and more intense as jeffsretrogaming Eurisko
its head. you get towards your destination – Stepping out of the crashed When you realise you don’t know Circulation
a proper heart-pumping moment! Pelican on the 2nd level ‘Halo’ what all the fuss was about. Sorry. Head of Newstrade Tim Mathers
Rev Phil Richardson and looking around to see the
That moment when you played Demi-Fiend amazing skybox and view of the Cubism Production
multiplayer for the first time and LAN party, Blood Gulch, Capture ring. Definitely a ‘wow’ moment Looking up at the Halo as it wraps Head of Production Mark Constance
your mate is driving the Warthog The Flag. that I still revisit on occasion. around the sky. The sheer scale of Production Project Manager Clare Scott
and says, “Hop in the back and it was mind-blowing at the time. Advertising Production Manager Joanne Crosby
use the gun…” Steven Hall Kevin D Advertising Production Coordinator Emma Thomas
For me it’s the first level when I’ll never forget the first time Withnailmarwood Digital Editions Controller Jason Hudson
Jeremy Powers the Covenant boarded the Pillar I encountered the Flood. That Spending 45 minutes looking at Production Controller Vivienne Calvert
Getting that first Warthog and the Of Autumn. It reminded me of the flipped that game from an action the grass when you landed on the
freedom of exploring this world… opening of Star Wars when the game to a horror game real quick, planet. There was nothing else Management
and just… GOING. It may seem Stormtroopers boarded Princess I had never really seen that before. close to how good this looked at !ǝǣƺǔ !ȒȇɎƺȇɎ …ǔˡƬƺȸ Angela O’Farrell
closed off by today’s standards, Leia’s ship! the time on consoles. Brand Director Matthew Pierce
but it felt like a massive world Renegade Global Art Director Rodney Dive
had opened up for me back then, Chris Any time you get in the Warthog James Dawson Commercial Finance Director Dan Jotcham
which I still love to return to from The final mission escaping on the in co-op campaign. It’s just so Realising just how overpowered
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>>LOAD 228

ON SALE 23RD DECEMBER 2021

THE HISTORY OF

PSYCHONAUTS
WE SPEAK TO TIM SCHAFER ABOUT DOUBLE
FINE’S MIND BENDING ADVENTURE SERIES
AND MUCH MORE, INCLUDING…

Homebrew, Beach Head, Doctor Who And The Mines Of Terror, Spy Hunter, Neo Turf Masters, Atari Jaguar CD,
Chiller, Golden Axe, Xbox 360, Arc Developments, The History Of Dune, The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers

FOOTBALL FRENZY

» You know how it is, with those professional
sports people and their professional sports. Often,
their day jobs involve a lot of running, and you
don’t get that good at running unless you have
something to run away from. So it goes for Jimmy
Tightend, a tight end whose behaviour on the field
recently has been concerning his fellow players.
Let’s skip to the end and find out why…

01 02 03

» Jimmy Tightend has just fumbled » As the defensive players take the » It’s all too much for Jimmy Tightend.
a pass and possession has turned field, Jimmy passes the cheerleaders. The mental anguish causes him to
over as a result. That draws the ire of Ah, the cheerleaders. What would collapse into a heap on the touchline,
quarterback Johnny Quarterback, who football be without them? They’re an curled into the foetal position. The crowd,
berates Jimmy. “Get it together, man! We essential part of any game, with their his teammates and the TV crew all look
have to win this game, for her sake!” choreography, their skirts, and their… to him as he wails, “Jenny, Jenny!”

04 05

» A flashback begins. “Look at me, Jimmy! I’m really gonna » Jimmy returns to his feet and roars in anguish. “Why? Why
do it,” says Jenny Cheerleader. Jimmy shouts back, unable to must my only natural talent force me into a career that is so
move. “Don’t do it, this is madness! There’s no way you can pull maddeningly full of cheerleaders?” But nobody’s watching
it off!” It’s too late. A tragic pom-pom accident costs Jenny her now. The defence have just scored a touchdown from an
life, and Jimmy his girlfriend. interception. Jimmy Tightend is going to the Super Bowl.

114 | RETRO GAMER



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