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Classic Flashback: REZ
(Sega for Playstation 2)
Sega’s
Rez is an innovative music shooter that takes the gamer into the heart of
cyberspace. While this may not sound that interesting, incredible cyber visuals
look simply astonishing and work in conjunction with the driving music to
creating an intense feel that makes you feel like you’re inside a living
mainframe. Rez is amazing in that it takes through a series of deconstructionist
techno environments that evoke the feel of older games. The brilliant use of
seemingly primitive wire-frames and vectors give it a distinct retro look though
the graphics don’t feel dated in the slightest and makes good use of the PS2's
abilities. While it may not appeal all gamers, Rez is another innovative, genre
bending title from Sega that’s simply amazing.
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 Classic
Flashback: Jet
Grind Radio (Dreamcast)
Mixing alt.anime graphics, hip-hop influenced character designs and one
of the coolest J-pop soundtracks to ever appear, Jet Grind Radio was a
brilliant, artistic game that came out of nowhere to ensnare gamers everywhere
with its dazzling mix of style and action. Unfortunately, despite being one of
the most uniquely stylish games ever to come out, Sega's Jet Grind Radio arrived
near the end of the Dreamcast's lifespan and never infiltrated the mass-market
the way it should have. However, a well-received follow-up on the Xbox and a
decent GBA port have kept the series' cult following alive. Join us as we take
another look at this under-rated, yet brilliant title and explain why it's still
worth seeking out
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 Lasercade:
Virtua Fighter 3TB (Dreamcast)
Sega's
Virtua Fighter 3tb (Team Battle) on the Dreamcast is frequently overlooked in
favor of Namco's now-legendary Soul Calibur. VF 3tb remains an excellent fighting game with a deep and
challenging
combat system that will challenge the best players to master
it.
At first, the experience may seem a bit dry, but as you learn the
nuances
and subtleties included in the game you really get a sense of
enjoyment
and satisfaction from playing and mastering it. While the
less-than-cutting-edge
presentation and a lack of extra modes is
disappointing
on the Dreamcast,
VF3tb's core game more than makes up for this. The
realistic
controls and extensive array of offensive and defensive moves
supersede
its sub-par graphics to create an addictive and thoroughly enjoyable title that
has held up well over the years.
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 Fighters
Megamix (Sega for Saturn)
What do you get when you combine the cast of
Virtua Fighter with the warriors from Fighting Vipers? Sega AM2’s Saturn
Classic 3D
fighting title, Fighter's Megamix. In case you haven’t heard of this
under-rated fighter, it mixed brawlers from both Virtua Fighter and
Fighting Vipers. So, how does the game stack
up to it’s own saturation marketing campaign? Glad you asked. To begin with,
FMM features more than 22 characters from the aforementioned games plus 10
hidden fighters. This made for a huge cast. Along with the then state-of-the-art
Saturn engine, it was definitely impressive for it's time from a technical
standpoint. How did the fighters interact with each
other, you may ask, knowing that VF and FV have radically different styles of
play? And how does the game hold up today from a historical standpoint? Read on and find out.
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 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
(Konami for Playstation)
Konami's classic
Castlevania franchise reached one of its high water marks in this
outstanding Playstation installment, Symphony of the Night. It took the traditional 2D platform
and added a whole new layer of RPG
elements to make for a game that is surprising in its length and depth. Aesthetically, SOTN’s lush soundtrack and graphics are nearly
unmatched creating a mood and drama that is nearly flawless. Taking a new
non-linear almost RPG like approach and marrying it with
time-tested play-mechanics produces what it by far, one of Playstation’s best
games. While copies of the game are difficult to come by these
days, Symphony remains one of the most important titles ever released.
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 Castlevania
Chronicles (Konami for Playstation)
Based on an obscure
Japanese MSX
release, Castlevania Chronicles is definitely one of the more interesting
and enjoyable titles for the Playstation and Castlevania collector. While
it's extremely rare to find one of these at a good price these in the wild
or online days, the game is definitely worth seeking out. It definitely
has that classic Castlevania feel about it, so join us as we open our
archives and take a look at this under-rated Belmont adventure. It's
definitely one of the most under-rated games in the series and should be a
prime candidate for inclusion on one of the current consoles' download
services.
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 Metal Slug Anthology
(SNK Playmore for Nintendo Wii)
SNK has delivered a launch gift to Wii
owners with Metal Slug Anthology, a complete collection of the legendary
Neo Geo series. The compilation includes all seven commercially released
arcade games in perfect emulated form along with extra features and art
galleries. The games play exactly as you'd expect them to, though the Wii
controllers make an interesting twist on the formula. It takes some
getting used to these changes, but standard option, like using a Gamecube
controller, means classic gamers won't be left out. These gimmicks aside,
the Metal Slug titles remain as addictive and enjoyable as ever, with
flawless translations and brilliant play.
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 Battlezone
(Atari for PSP)
Loosely
based on the classic arcade game, Battlezone puts players in command of
futuristic hover tanks as they do battle in simulation with other tanks in
a variety of terrain. The gameplay is fairly straightforward and offers
several modes of play including capture the flag, lone wolf and hot zone
included. Battlezone also offers numerous multiplayer modes with wi-fi
play plus numerous upgrades and power-ups to unlock. The simple gameplay
is entertaining, but the gameplay feels shallow since it only offers
several variations on the deathmatch theme with little variation. It gets
tedious after awhile, but Battlezone is a fun and entertaining combat
title that delivers a solid dose of action.
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More
Classic Reviews
& Features
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 Capcom Classics
Collection Volume 2 (Playstation 2)
Featuring
an impressive roster of arcade classics such as 1941, Captain Commando,
Super Street Fighter II Turbo and Strider, Capcom Classics Collection
Volume 2 is an impressive compilation that fills in the blanks left in the
first installment. With classic shooters, fighters and action titles and a
few pleasing obscurities, there's something almost any classic gamer will
enjoy. The games themselves are flawlessly emulated, with standard and
enhanced presentation plus support for progressive scan monitors. Add in a
healthy number of extra features such as artwork and music and you have a
solid package that will appeal to classic gamers.
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 Atari
Anthology (Playstation 2)
While many classic gaming compilations only include a handful of titles, Atari Anthology for the PS2
takes a different route, offering a more than 80 classic home and arcade games
to choose from. The majority of these games are timeless classics that have
withstood t he test of time. From simple yet addictive 2600 titles like Doge 'Em
and Yars' Revenge to the more sophisticated arcade hits like Red Baron and
Battlezone, there's something for every taste. The selection is broad and deep,
and the games shine thanks to the excellent emulation that recreates the
original games almost flawlessly. This outstanding pack is a great value that
should please classic game fans.
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 Atari
80 Arcade Classics (PC)
There have been many compilations of classic
games released on the PC over the years, but none comes close to the breadth and
depth in Atari's 80 Classic Games in One package. With more than 20 arcade hits
and 60 classic 2600 titles included, there's plenty for the classic game fan to
enjoy. While many titles such as Asteroids and Battlezone have appeared numerous
times in other collections, the real joy here is playing 'official' emulated
versions of obscure titles such as Red Baron and Liberator, which haven't been
commercially released. Join us as we examine why this collection is a great deal
for the classic gaming fan.
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 Midway
Arcade Treasures Vol. 1 (PS2)
Midway's first compilation for the PS2 includes more than 20 classic titles ranging from the early to late
1980's. The game's form a wide swath from the all-time classics such as Robotron:
2084 to more obscure releases such as Bubbles and Blaster. Arcade Treasures also
includes interviews with the developers and archive materials to browse. At a
bargain price, there's a lot of gameplay value here for fans of the classic era,
with very most games having a timeless quality that makes for nearly infinite
replay value. Join us as we explain why it's worth a look for classic arcade
fans.
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 Midway
Arcade Treasures Vol. 2 (PS2)
Classic compilations usually focus on the
golden age of gaming from the early 80's, and this collection is no exception
with classic titles such as Wizard of Wor, Spy Hunter II and Gauntlet II making
appearances. However, Midway Arcade Treasures 2 also includes a collection of
newer arcade classics including Mortal Kombat 2 & 3, Rampage World Tour,
and Pit-Fighter. There are also a number of obscure titles such as APB, Wacko and Kosmic Krooz'r that are
pleasant surprises. An interesting mix of games is included along with a
selection of archival materials. While the emulation is a bit spotty in a few
titles, AT2's quality is decent overall. The low price means you get plenty of
action for your money, making this excellent package an excellent purchase for
classic gamers everywhere.
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 Midway Arcade Treasures
Vol. 3 (PS2)
This is a
solid emulation pack that steers the classic compilation in a new direction.
This installment features 8 classic arcade racing games ranging from earlier
classics such as STUN Runner and Race Drivin' to newer releases like Hydro
Thunder and San Francisco Rush: The Rock. Each game has been emulated
faithfully, and they look and play as they should, for the most part. There are
a few minor glitches and frame rate issues, but nothing significant. Most of the
games in this package hold up well, with some of the earlier games retaining a
nostalgic charm. Join us as we accelerate into the past with these classic games
on a race down memory lane.
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 Midway
Arcade Treasures: Extended Play (PSP)
When it comes to creating a compilation
of classic games for the PSP, Midway has done a decent job converting some
of their legendary titles to the portable console. Featuring more than 20
classics ranging from Defender to Mortal Kombat 3, the game offers a broad
cross-section of classic titles, may of which are online-enabled for
multiplayer action. The presentation is somewhat erratic, with most
converted perfectly while others suffer from bad aliasing and poor sounds.
The games themselves are still highly enjoyable for the most part with
generally decent emulation, making this a solid purchase for gamers who
want to play their favorites on the go.
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 Sega
Smash Pack (Dreamcast)
With a dozen Sega classics in tow, this exclusive
limited edition CD is the perfect antidote for Dreamcast owners looking to
relive the company's glorious 16-bit era. The
only real problem with Sega Smash Pack is that players currently have to buy an entire Dreamcast system in order to play the disc, which makes it quite an
expensive oldies package. In the following review, we explore the dozen games
included and examine whether the disc alone is worth the expense.
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 Namco
Museum (PS2)
Namco’s Museum installment has arrived on the PS2 and
features a larger number of games than previous installments. As usual, Namco
has included a couple of surprises in the pack that should keep classic gamers
happy: three of the remixed ‘arrangement’ versions of these oldies make
their first appearance on console along with a bevy of timeless classics. Join
us as we take a nostalgic trip back to gaming’s golden age when things were
much simpler.
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 Sega Ages
(Saturn)
Towards
the end of the Saturn’s lifespan, Working Designs did Sega fans a huge favor
by releasing an outstanding compilation pack, Sega Ages. With 3 landmark AM2
titles (After Burner II, Space Harrier and Out Run) on one disc in
close-to-perfect arcade form, this is a must-own package for gamers and
collectors alike. WD’s trademark deluxe packaging seals the deal and the hours of addictive and timeless gameplay makes Sega Ages the
Saturn’s best domestically produced compilation.
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 Defender
(Playstation 2)
Defender is one of the all-time classic coin-op games,
with a legend that remains strong even 20 years after its release. This
long-awaited PS2 update mixes the classic gameplay of the original, and takes it
into full 3D with all-new elements such as mission-based play and gives the
player more elaborate weapons. Defender also gives players enhanced abilities
and weapons, but there are smarter enemies that make it even more intense.
Despite all these changes, Defender remains as addictive, fun and frenetic as
the original. We happily blast away and explain why this classic update is a
must-buy.
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 Spy
Hunter (Playstation 2)
The legendary 1980’s arcade hit has
returned on the PS2 thanks to Midway. This version of Spy Hunter comes complete
with a huge graphics and gameplay facelift that sets it firmly in the
contemporary gaming arena. While the title takes its inspiration and many of its
basic mechanics from the original, there are so many upgrades and changes to the
formula that it almost feels like a new game. However, the essence of the
original is still very much evident in this version. There are a few minor
problems, the biggest being the overly dark graphics, but are these flaws enough
to spoil the experience? We take a look at this neo-classic title and find out.
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 Dragon's
Lair 3D (Xbox)
Dragon’s
Lair has returned in fully rendered 3D with a new installment for the Xbox that
features numerous enhancements. Instead of making players wait for pre-rendered
sequences, the game now takes place in real-time, allowing for greater freedom
of movement. Dragon’s Lair 3D retains the original game’s feel but uses a
spectacular cel-shading technique to great effect. Dirk himself can perform new
moves and use cool weapons as he tries to save Princess Daphne. Join us as we
find out why this reborn should appeal to more than nostalgic gamers.
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Anyone who grew up during
the golden age of video games back in the 1980's is likely to have fond
memories of "Electronic Games" magazine, the seminal
publications which set the standards for gaming journalism that few have
reached. Now, one of the original troika behind the magazine, Bill Kunkel
has published his long-awaited memoirs with "Confessions of the Game
Doctor", an entertaining look back on his distinguished career
covering the rise of electronic gaming. The book is filled with lively
stories about some of the most influential people and characters, spanning
the industry almost since its inception 25 years ago. The writing is
crisp, funny and enjoyable, making
this one of the best insider views of the industry to date. This is a
must-read for anyone who wants to know the inside story of how the
legendary magazines came to be. 
