Tag: 2D gaming

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 18 (Fighting Games Special)

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 18 (Fighting Games Special)

carlocarrasco

Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will take a look at another batch of retro gaming print ads – including arcade flyers – specifically about fighting games that were released in the 1990s. The said decade marked the time when Street Fighter II became a massive hit in the video arcades (and on game consoles) which sparked a wave of new fighting games from business competitors. In that same decade, 3D polygonal fighting games were also released which added greater choices of fighting games at the arcades and on game consoles that players could choose from.

For the newcomers reading this, Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) looks back at the many print ads of games (console, arcade, computer and handheld) that were published in comic books, magazines, flyers, posters and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. To put things in perspective, people back in the 1980s and 1990s were more trusting of print media for information and images about electronic games and related products.

With those details laid down, here is the newest batch of retro gaming print ads for you to see and enjoy…

1. Dead or Alive Japanese arcade flyer

Dead or Alive was the start of new success that impacted the direction of Tecmo in the gaming industry.

The above arcade flyer of Dead or Alive gave Japanese arcade operators and gamers a taste of what to expect with the game. While the screenshots showed some resemblance with what gamers saw in Virtua Fighter 2, the character designs Tecmo and its developers came up with were unique.

Before Dead or Alive was released in Japanese arcades in 1996, company Tecmo was in financial trouble and they asked Tomonobu Itagaki to make a fighting game similar to Sega’s polygonal blockbuster Virtua Fighter. A breakthrough for Tecmo happened when Sega announced they were licensing their Model 2 arcade to third-party companies which paved the way for Itagaki’s team to make Dead or Alive with it. The game became a big hit and it paved the way for Tecmo to release it on Sega Saturn and PlayStation, and the sequels that followed years later.

2. North American Soulcalibur Dreamcast version print ad

Namco came up with a creative approach to emphasize heart-and-soul promoting their game and the Dreamcast.

On September 9, 1999, Sega launched their Dreamcast console in America. With a gap of around ten months between the Japanese launch (November 1998) and the American launch, Sega had time to prepare Dreamcast’s release to American gamers with a huge lineup of games (both Sega’s games and from other publishers). Fortunately for Sega, they had Namco (their rival on arcade games) supporting their console.

Behind the scenes, Namco’s developers worked hard to not only port their arcade hit Soulcalibur to the Dreamcast, but to enhance the graphics using the console’s more advanced technology. The visual enhancements include rendering all of the games stages (and backgrounds) into full 3D polygonal environments. Namco also implemented different game modes and added even more content to ensure satisfaction to Dreamcast gamers.

The above 3-page print ad of Soulcalibur on Dreamcast was undeniably strategic and captivating to look at. The ad described the console as the heart, showed Soulcalibur character Mitsurugi (one of the game’s most popular characters) in the middle and then described the game (with 3 screenshots of game rendered with Dreamcast graphics) as the soul. It was a strong way to promote both the game and the console. In the years that followed, Soulcalibur grew into a popular fighting game franchise and the Dreamcast version will always be remembered as the crucial turning point.

3. X-Men: Children of the Atom arcade flyer

Anyone who read lots of X-Men comic books in the 1990s should be able to tell which character was drawn by which artist.

When Capcom first released X-Men: Children of the Atom in the arcades in the mid-1990s, I was surprised because I did not anticipate the day would come when the company behind Street Fighter II would actually make a 2D fighting game showcasing the Marvel’s mutants. Even more intriguing was the X-Men art Capcom used for the arcade flyer to promote the game. I recognize Jim Lee’s artworks of Magneto, Cyclops and Colossus. The art of Wolverine shown was drawn by Andy Kubert. It was a wise move for Capcom (with Marvel as a business partner) to use established X-Men comic book artworks instead of having their internal illustrator draw the characters. That being said, this arcade flyer still looks great and captivating to look at.

4. North American Ranma ½: Hard Battle print ad

A print ad promoting the game while saving some space to promote the anime and comic books.

By 1993, Street Fighter II and its upgraded follow-ups were wildly popular both in the arcades and on game consoles around the world. At the same time, there were many other 2D fighting games released to compete with and cash-in on Street Fighter II’s success. Believe it or not, the established anime franchise Ranma ½ saw a video game adaptation in the form of a 2D fighting game – Ranma ½: Hard Battle.

The North American print ad above published by DTMC (in cooperation with Viz Communications) promoted the game (one screenshot, the SNES game box and images of the characters as they appeared in the game) as well as Ranma ½ on anime videos and comic books. The way it was presented, the print ad promoted Ranma ½: Hard Battle without much heart nor passion.

5. Fatal Fury: King of Fighters arcade flyer

An intriguing visual presentation on the front.
You get to know the characters and what the game features are.

There is no doubt that Fatal Fury: King of Fighters is the most significant game that SNK made. Apart from being the company’s first fighting game for the Neo Geo system, it established the fictional “king of fighters” tournament that became the core concept for The King of Fighters series of games in the years that followed. Fatal Fury itself is notable for being designed by Takashi Nishiyama, a former Capcom employee who created the original Street Fighter game. What Nishiyama could not do with Street Fighter, he accomplished while making SNK’s fighting game. Compared with the combo-oriented approach of Street Fighter II, Fatal Fury was designed to emphasize the timing of special moves, confrontational play, cooperative play and the 3D-like spacing between characters (background row and foreground row in each stage) while telling a story in a solid way.  

The above arcade flyer of Fatal Fury has this unique looking artwork on the front showing stylized rectangular shots of the major characters Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard and Joe Higashi. On the other side of the flyer are the details that emphasized the creative concept of the game, who the characters are and what they could expect with regards to gameplay features. This flyer is still captivating to look at and it could entice you to try playing the original Fatal Fury game before trying out the sequels and spin-offs.

6. Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes arcade flyer

This is NOT a comic book crossover.

If there is anything that truly emphasizes the essence of a fictional crossover in terms of visuals, it’s the art that Capcom and Marvel agreed to for Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Superheroes which is evident on the front of the above arcade flyer. By looking at how the Marvel characters were drawn, it looks like someone at Capcom illustrated the artwork as the Capcom characters still maintained that particular art style seen in the artworks of the Japanese company’s other games like Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, Mega Man and Strider. Regardless, the artwork still is amusing to look at.

7. Art of Fighting arcade flyer

The front of the flyer.
The cast of characters showcased on the other side of the flyer.

Following the success of Fatal Fury, SNK went on to release Art of Fighting in arcades in 1992 and it became successful enough for the company to make sequels. With regards to the realm of fantasy, Art of Fighting was part of the same fictional universe as Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters, and there were times when its own characters appeared in other SNK games.

Art of Fighting’s arcade flyer had an energetic visual concept on the front with a rectangular lightning portion on the left balanced with five screenshots of the game itself. Once you get to the other side of the flyer, you will see really nice art of the characters with Ryo Sakazaki and Robert Garcia as the most dominating figures. Sakazaki and Garcia are the major characters of the Art of Fighting series. This flyer confidently introduced the characters and succeeded in making them look interesting.

8. Fighter’s History arcade flyer and print ad

Great looking front artwork showing the game’s characters, posing and some action.
If you look closely at the controls, you will see the six-button layout and functions which are the same with those used in Street Fighter II.
Data East offered two ways for gamers to enjoy Fighter’s History – pay a high price for the SNES version or gamers can go play the game in the arcade by dropping a few coins.

In 1993, Data East released their fighting game Fighter’s History in the arcades around the world. Along the way, the company released their arcade flyer which had a very captivating art work on the front featuring their characters and some action. The other side of the flyer showed the technical details on how to play, how the control works and who the characters are. Fighter’s History was nicely received in the arcades and the success led Data East into porting the game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). If you look at the print ad above, you can see how clever Data East was promoting the SNES version of the game while keeping an image of the arcade machine which serves like a subtle reminder that the same game is still available in video arcades.

Shortly after the release of Fighter’s History in the arcades, there were gamers who noticed that it had certain visual and gameplay elements that made it so familiar with what Street Fighter II had. When Capcom became aware of the similarities, they sued Data East claiming that Fighter’s History was too similar to their game and that copyright infringement was committed. Capcom lost the case ultimately and Data East went on to release two more Fighter’s History games.

9. Virtua Fighter 3 arcade flyer

Virtua Fighter 3 truly raised the standards for arcade game graphics back in 1996.

When it comes to gaming innovation and standing out among the rest, Sega did exactly those when they released Virtua Fighter 3 in arcades in 1996 and it had the best-looking and really mind-blowing graphics at the time. Developed by AM2 (led by Yu Suzuki) on the very expensive Model 3 arcade hardware, Virtua Fighter 3 broke new ground on graphics as it moved over 1 million polygons per second, had highly detailed visuals on the characters and surroundings, realistic reflection effects, detailed shining, parallel lighting and high-specular Gouraud shading to name some. Even the characters’ eyes followed the opponent’s position.

The Virtua Fighter 3 arcade flyer showcased their reflective, metallic character Dural who in turn was part of the graphical showcase (emphasizing reflections, smooth animation and liquid metal effects) when the game was previewed in the 1996 AOU event in Japan. The words “The New Standard” written on the lower-left corner of the front of the flyer was justified and truthful.

10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters print ad

This print ad had a nice visual presentation and was easily recognizable to the many TMNT fans.

In 1989, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise made quite a splash on video games which is not surprising as the multimedia franchise was already a popular in the West. More video game adaptation of TMNT were released in the early 1990s providing fans and gamers a lot of fun gameplay at the arcades (click here) and on consoles. Konami had the video game rights of TMNT and in a clear response to the sudden popularity of fighting games, they released Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters on the most popular game consoles of the time achieving varying levels of success critically and commercially (note: the SNES version stood out as the best). This print ad of the fighting game was effective in visually promoting the three console versions and the displayed text contained enough information to lure the attention of both fans and gamers.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 16

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 16

carlocarrasco

Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will take a look at another batch of retro gaming print ads – including arcade flyers – from the 1980s and 1990s.

For the newcomers reading this, Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) looks back at the many print ads of games (console, arcade, computer and handheld) that were published in comic books, magazines, flyers and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. To put things in perspective, people back in the 1980s and 1990s were more trusting of print media for information and images about electronic games and related products.

With those details laid down, here is the newest batch of retro gaming print ads for you to see and enjoy…

1. A-Jax North American arcade flyer

Another one of Konami’s arcade flyers showing a pretty fashion model with a touch of militarism.

A-Jax (also referred to as Ajax) is another one of the many military themed games Konami released for the arcades in the 1980s. It was a 2D vertically scrolling shooter in which players use aircrafts to shoot enemies both in the air and on the ground. The game was a hit in Japanese arcades and Konami came up with the North American arcade flyer showing three screenshots, an archive footage shot of a military helicopter and a sexy lady (with a light military look) with a machine gun. The style of presentation was similar in style with the North American arcade flyers of Contra and M.I.A.: Missing in Action.

2. The Combatribes print ad

The short comic book approach was used to emphasize the setting and concept of the video game.

Technos, the Japanese company behind the wildly popular Double Dragon games franchise, proved to be successful with the arcade release of The Combatribes. In an attempt to keep the wave of success moving, Technos released The Combatribes on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1992 and someone involved with the North American marketing came up with the idea of creating a comic book-style presentation for the print ad. Creatively speaking, the comic book approach was done to emphasize the story and visual concepts of the game, and entice readers to play it. By today’s standards of video game marketing, this print ad’s approach is both unusual and notable.

3. Dead or Alive 2 Dreamcast port print ad

This was a wide print ad that appeared on magazines and it sure was eye-catching. It was an effective way to promote the game and inform people of the Sega Dreamcast’s presence in the market.

When Dead or Alive 2 was released in the arcades in 1999, a lot of gamers were astounded by it as developer Team Ninja (led by Tomonobu Itagaki) made it much bigger and a lot better than its 1996 predecessor. Team Ninja really went all out making the sequel utilizing Sega’s NAOMI arcade technology, inviting martial artists to do motion-capture, and having a very ambitious game design. Since the game was developed with the NAOMI hardware, porting the game for the Sega Dreamcast was reportedly convenient and smooth for the developers who went on to add more gameplay features and modes. Publisher Tecmo came up with this wide print ad (promoting the Dreamcast release) showcasing three characters, six screenshots and text descriptions emphasizing the universal acclaim the game received. The promotional approach was simple yet effective.  

4. Jet Moto (PC version) print ad

From PlayStation to PC.

In November 1996, the futuristic all-terrain hoverbikes racing game Jet Moto was released on the PlayStation which went on to sell well and attract mostly positive reviews. Sony Computer Entertainment eventually released a version of the game for the personal computer (PC) in November 1997. As seen in the above print ad, the network play option and compatibility with Direct3D video accelerators were emphasized as such features resonated with the interests of PC gamers of the era. This print ad showed how willing Sony was to release PlayStation hits on PC back then.

5. Elevator Action Returns Japanese arcade flyer

Great looking art on the front.
The rear of the flyer.

When Taito released Elevator Action Returns (also titled as Elevator Action II in other nations) in the arcades in 1994, it became a hit as gamers enjoyed its action-packed gameplay, ambitious 2D visual presentation and varied level designs that clearly went beyond its 1983 predecessor. The front of the Japanese arcade flyer has really nice art showing the three playable protagonists on an elevator on their way to do their mission. The back of the flyer shows screenshots (which emphasized the varied level designs), text descriptions explaining how the game played (English version printed), and what the features are. Another text description confirmed that terrorists are the antagonists that players will be dealing with which was reflective of the rise of Islamic terrorism in the 1990s. Oh yes, if you look closely you will the word “item” misspelled as “items”.

6. Sunset Riders print ads

The Sunset Riders arcade machine, the SNES version, screenshots and a can of pork-and-beans on this ad.
This print ad appeared in some comic books I read long ago.

After enjoying a lot of success in the arcades with their 1991 game Sunset Riders, Konami went on to release ports of it to the Sega Genesis in 1992 and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1993. With regards to conversions and procedural/artistic changes between the arcade and console ports, the SNES version had few changes implemented compared to the one released on the Genesis. As seen in one of the print ads of Sunset Riders on SNES, it came with 7 arcade levels, 2-player mode and additional shooter stages. What the print ads did not reveal were notable replacements of specific characters in key parts of the game such as the dynamite-tossing female bandits getting replaced by male bandits, North American Indian villains getting replaced with outlaws, etc.  

7. Jackal Japanese arcade flyer

Whoever was the artist Konami hired truly delivered great-looking art!

Konami’s military themed game Jackal (Japanese title: Tokushu Butai Jackal) debuted in Japanese arcades in October 1986 and became a hit. The Japanese market arcade flyer had great looking artwork on the front that strongly emphasized the very concept of the game (players move military jeeps to shoot at enemies as they move into enemy territory). One of the characters (the one wearing the red beret) somewhat resembles the late Sean Connery which only shows that someone within Konami’s development team took inspiration from movies. This arcade flyer’s front still looks great.

8. Aliens North American arcade flyer

A good amount of effort was done to truly capture Aliens’ concept using hired models (as Ripley and Newt), a Xenomorph physical model and a suitable background.
The key details presented on the rear of the flyer. The Xenomorph’s presence adds tension.

In 1990, Konami released their ambitious arcade game Aliens which was loosely based on the 1986 movie that starred Sigourney Weaver and was directed by James Cameron. As Konami’s Aliens license was only temporary and the movie was so highly regarded, the Japanese company’s marketing team really had to exert extra effort to truly capture the film’s sci-fi horror concept in order to make a strong presentation towards arcade operators and their paying customers (the gamers).

Apart from showing screenshots on the front, the creative team hired a blonde model as Ellen Ripley holding a gun and a young girl as the character Newt, and have them pose convincingly in front of a Xenomorph model (darkened in the foreground). On the back of the flyer, the team heavily revealed the details using the text description to emphasize the gaming experience and story concept. The technical details, meanwhile, were presented in simplistic, easy-to-follow fashion. Aliens was a smash hit in the arcades and there are long-time gamers who regard it as one of the best game adaptations of the 1986 movie. This arcade flyer is a strong reminder that the featured game was never ever ported to any game console nor to any personal computer.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 15

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 15

carlocarrasco

Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will take a look at another batch of retro gaming print ads – including arcade flyers – from the 1980s and 1990s.

For the newcomers reading this, Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) looks back at the many print ads of games (console, arcade, computer and handheld) that were published in comic books, magazines, flyers and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. To put things in perspective, people back in the 1980s and 1990s were more trusting of print media for information and images about electronic games and related products.

With those details laid down, here is the newest batch of retro gaming print ads for you to see and enjoy…

1. X-COM: UFO Defense print ad

While there were no screenshots of the game for PlayStation, the art here was enough to catch your attention.

Back in 1994, X-COM: UFO Defense (original European title: UFO: Enemy Unknown) became an unexpected hit with PC gamers as it gathered lots of positive reviews from the critics and sold a lot on the PC DOS (disk operating system) format. In an obvious attempt to continue the commercial success, a port of the game was released for the PlayStation console in 1995. Publisher MicroProse and its marketing partners came up with this eye-catching print ad to promote the PlayStation version. While no screenshots were shown, the artwork used turned out to be effective in catching attention while emphasizing the sci-fi concept of the game.

2. Star Command print ad

Long before Starfield, there was Star Command.

Way back in 1988, I first saw my friends play the sci-fi role-playing game (sci-fi RPG) Star Command on the PC DOS format. A short time later, I played the game on our home computer and finished the single-player campaign. This print ad, which has lots of descriptive text, has a strong visual presentation that entices players to play the game and discover the vast amount of content (space travel, missions, battles, encounters with aliens) that the game developers prepared. For its time, the Star Command print ad was captivating to look at.  

3. The Daedalus Encounter print ad

This print ad was an attempt to catch the attention of both gamers and people who want to watch live-action spectacle.

Released on PC, Macintosh and the 3DO game console in 1995, The Daedalus Encounter was a sci-fi video game that worked as an interactive movie (with puzzles) starring Tia Carrere. To promote the 3DO version, publisher Panasonic came up with an ad that emphasized the sci-fi concept and the cinematic experience (including a few stills of cutscenes) leaving little room about how the game plays. Take note that this game was released at a time when the CD-ROM format started gaining popularity as a reliable optic media format which opened opportunities for game companies to include full-motion videos.

4. Gradius Japanese arcade flyer

The original Gradius has always been fun to play and the enjoyment also made it on game consoles as more games were released.

Still on the realm of sci-fi, Konami launched their 2D side-scrolling shooter Gradius in the arcades in Japan in 1985. The arcade flyer here used a huge amount of space for the game’s official artwork which is very captivating to look at as it clearly emphasized the sci-fi concept. On the side are five screenshots that tell gamers what to expect when playing. The promotions paid off nicely for Konami as Gradius became an instant hit in Japanese arcades and eventually found strong commercial success in the arcades in Europe and America. By today’s standards, this game is a classic and the Gradius game franchise has produced several sequels and spin-offs released on multiple platforms.

5. Super Cobra print ad

This ad I saw while reading comic books long ago. The game itself was fun.

Here is a game I played on the Atari 2600 over forty years ago. Super Cobra was a 2D side-scrolling game in which players control an armed helicopter that has to move from left to right, attacking enemies, and avoiding enemy projectiles while maintaining the fuel supply. This ad, which appeared on some comic books I read, utilized the game art that was used on the box cover although the single screenshot displayed looks exaggerated when compared to what I saw and played.

6. Destruction Derby print ad

The Destruction Derby print ad that had no screenshots of the game.

In 1995, Sony launched the PlayStation console in America and in Europe. In Europe, publisher Psygnosis promoted their ambitious game Destruction Derby (a 3D polygonal racing game that emphasized vehicular damage) for both PlayStation and the PC that same year. As this Destruction Derby print ad did not show any screenshots, Psygnosis and their marketing team or partner decided to pounce on positive gaming media quotes and the sexy model to promote their game. Their marketing move paid off nicely as over a million copies of Destruction Derby were sold by August 1996.

7. Virtua Cop 2 print ad

A lot of people found this Virtua Cop 2 print ad looking very weird.

When Sega of Japan forced its American division to launch the Sega Saturn console in the United States in 1995 without any pre-release marketing, it resulted in a series of disappointments that include low sales, too few games launched and strained ties with their business partners. In 1996, Sega started to become more aggressive to sell more Saturn units and more 1st party exclusive games such as Virtua Cop 2 (for the Saturn) which itself was a big hit arcade hit. As the company clearly aimed to make the console version of Virtua Cop 2 a hit, they approved this print ad which had a very intriguing visual concept showing video game images reflected on the glasses on the police man. As Virtua Cop 2 required a light-gun peripheral to be played accurately like in the arcade, this print ad utilized very little space for the Sega Saturn Stunner.

8. Contra: Legacy of War print ad

The print ad of Contra: Legacy of War.

When I first heard that a brand new game of Contra would be released on the still-new PlayStation and Sega Saturn in the mid-1990s, I was excited as I always enjoyed the original game I played on the Family Computer. This print ad of Contra: Legacy of War brought my excitement way down as it showed that the game no longer utilized the 2D side-scrolling design and came up with a design that emphasized 3-dimensional environments and polygons. The change in design was too alienating for me as all the previous Contra games had the 2D side-scrolling format as the main designs (leaving little room for the occasional sprite-scaling 3D sequences in some games). I finally played Contra: Legacy of War on PlayStation on November 1996 and it was a huge letdown!

9. Out Run arcade flyers

Sega Out Run arcade machines in different forms.
This Out Run flyer really has nice art.

In the history of arcade games, Sega’s Out Run was a massive success not only in Japan but also in America and Europe. Designed by Yu Suzuki (Virtua Fighter, Shenmue), Out Run was a pseudo-3D driving game in which players get to drive a Ferrari Testarossa convertible (which is always visible to the player) from one scenic destination to the next avoiding traffic as much as possible. This was indeed a labor of love on the part of Yu Suzuki who himself spent time in Europe to gain inspiration on designing the game. As Out Run was a hit, Sega made different types of machines of the game that arcade operators can choose from depending on how much space their respective arcades have left and how the local players prefer to play it. It should be noted that in one of the flyers above, the original sound track was promoted as well.

10. Hook SNES version print ad

If you look closely at the SNES box front cover art, you will notice that Peter Pan and Captain Hook looking nothing like the actors who portrayed them in Steven Spielberg’s movie.

In late-1991, Steven Spielberg’s movie Hook was released in cinemas and revived public interest in the fairy tale of Peter Pan. Typical of the entertainment business of the time, video games based on the movie were released on different platforms in 1992 and among them was a version on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). Apart from showing the game’s box, the print ad of Hook on SNES cleverly included positive quotes from GamePro, Game Players Nintendo Guide and the Super NES Buyer’s Guide to convince readers that the game is worth their time.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 14

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 14

carlocarrasco

Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will take a look at another batch of retro gaming print ads – including arcade flyers – from the 1980s and 1990s.

For the newcomers reading this, Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) looks back at the many print ads of games (console, arcade, computer and handheld) that were published in comic books, magazines, flyers and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. To put things in perspective, people back in the 1980s and 1990s were more trusting of print media for information and images about electronic games and related products.

With those details laid down, here is the newest batch of retro gaming print ads for you to see and enjoy…

1. Lufia & The Fortress of Doom for Sega Genesis print ad

Considering the eventual scrapping of the Sega Genesis port of Lufia & The Fortress of Doom, this old print ad might as well serve like a tomb stone.

I want to start with this mostly black print ad about the Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) Lufia & The Fortress of Doom coming to the Sega Genesis console. This game was released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in America and on the Super Famicom in Japan in 1993 and achieved commercial success for the Japan-based publisher Taito. In an attempt to keep on building up the success, a port of the game for the Sega Genesis (Sega Megadrive in other countries) was announced but ultimately it got canceled. It should be noted that Taito’s American division close down in 1995 and the sequel  Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals was released in America by a different publisher. That being said, this particular print ad is a sad reminder of a broken promise for Sega Genesis gamers as well as Lufia and JRPG fans who wanted to play the 1993 RPG on a different console.

2. Cloak & Dagger arcade flyer

The front of the arcade flyer. There is even a mention of the Cloak & Dagger movie.
Details of the game explained with arcade operators in mind. I find it odd that there is a vacant amount of blank space on this side of the flyer.

Cloak & Dagger, the Atari arcade game that appeared in the 1984 movie of the same name (read my retro movie review by clicking here), has always been an arcade conversion kit as this arcade flyer showed. For the newcomers reading this, an arcade conversion kit allows the arcade operator to replace an old game without having to buy a brand-new arcade machine. Very cleverly, Atari targeted arcade machines of Robotron: 2084, Defender, Stargate and Joust (all were from the competitor Williams Electronics) with Cloak & Dagger. The Cloak & Dagger flyer’s front shows a picture of the pieces of hardware (for insertion into the arcade cabinet plus some physical adjustments) plus decorations for the exterior of the arcade cabinet. The other side of the flyer contains the technical details that make it convenient for arcade operators to understand on how to convert the older games (limited to the above-mentioned Williams games).

3. NBA Live 95 for Sega Genesis print ad

This print ad is still exciting to look at, especially when you are still passionate with basketball.

Back in late 1994, Electronic Arts (EA) revamped their NBA-licensed basketball game franchise with NBA Live 95 which came with a major game redesign that includes the isometric on-court perspective, T-meter for free throw shooting and more. NBA Live 95 was also the first entry of the NBA Live franchise and brand which lasted for decades. This print ad of the Sega Genesis version of NBA Live 95 has the clever display of several screenshots along with pics of the shot clock emphasizing suspense. The basketball action images themselves are not only eye-catching but strong enough to get gamers excited. This is still a solid print ad to look at.

4. X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse print ad

An X-Men game by Capcom.

If there is anything significant about X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse, it is the fact that it was Capcom’s first-ever X-Men-based production that was also released a month before their own hit arcade game X-Men: Children of the Atom came out. Setting aside Capcom’s involvement, this game contains notable elements from the comic books that strongly resonated with dedicated X-Men fans. Apart from the two screenshots and the game box cover, this print ad has X-Men artwork by Andy Kubert who already was the regular artist of the X-Men monthly series.

5. Space Ace multi-platform print ad

Anyone who is a fan of Don Bluth’s works in animation should be able to recognize the art style of this ad.

First released in the mid-1980s, Space Ace was a LaserDisc video game that was designed and produced by the legendary animator Don Bluth (An American Tail, The Land Before Time, Anastasia). After achieving success in the arcades, new versions of Space Ace were subsequently released on many other platforms, including the consoles and computers that used disc drives in the mid-1990s which this print ad emphasized. By looking at the lower part of the print ad, you will see Sega CD, 3DO, Macintosh and PC as targeted platforms. The most notable visual feature of the ad was, unsurprisingly, official art of Space Ace.

6. BurgerTime arcade flyer

The front of this flyer could make you crave for burgers.
The technical and creative details on the rear of the flyer.

Bally/Midway came up with this arcade flyer of BurgerTime which itself went on to become a beloved classic game. The front showed a very enticing looking hamburger that looked like it could fill a person’s belly and tingle his or her taste buds. Then they showed the hand-drawn in-game characters looking like they really are interacting with the hamburger. The back of the flyer shows details that emphasize what the game is about, why it could be a fun arcade addition and what the specs are. This is an engaging arcade flyer.  

7. NCAA Final Four Basketball print ad

Do you know anyone who played this college basketball video game?

If there is anything notable about video gaming in the 1990s that is missing today, that would be the presence of multiple basketball video games released by different game publishers. Along the way, there were some college basketball video games such as NCAA Final Four Basketball developed by Bitmasters and published by Mindscape. This print ad had enough screenshots to show what the game looked like and how it played. The ad also mentioned that the game had 64 real NCAA teams and logos as well. This 1994 video game did not have a strong reception from game critics although it received a very high rating by GamePro magazine. NCAA Final Four Basketball has long been forgotten.

8. Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures print ad

An eye-catching print ad from a more memorable time when the Indiana Jones franchise was still under the full control of George Lucas and his enterprise.

Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures was an ambitious 2D side-scrolling adventure game that also served as an adaptation of the first three Indiana Jones movies (1981-1989) of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Like the Super Star Wars trilogy of games that preceded, this one was a challenging and lengthy game filled with lots of action. This print ad only showed Indy’s whip and hat but the screenshots, the text description and the game box cover (which has a young Harrison Ford as the iconic Jones) were more than enough to convince viewers that this was an Indiana Jones game.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 27

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 27

carlocarrasco

Welcome back, my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

John List true crime documentaries – In America, the late John List is one of the most notorious criminals ever in their history. At a very desperate point in his life, List murdered his own family members in 1971 and it took some time for the local authorities to find out what he left behind in their huge home. Having left his home and investigators behind, List traveled across the nation, came up with a fake identity and lived away from the law for almost twenty years. How the law enforcers tracked him down (involving America’s Most Wanted TV show) and arrested him is a great story to follow. All of these are documented in the two videos below.

The Stepfather explanatory video by GoodBadFlicks  – Believe it or not, the story of John List inspired the creation of the 1987 psychological horror film The Stepfather. This video by YouTuber GoodBadFlicks is a must-see.

The assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump – I really cannot ignore the assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump which resulted in the injury on his right ear, the death of a campaign rally attendee and one other person getting injured. Whatever your political views are, this is a tragedy and it clearly was not staged. It was indeed an attempt to kill and already the Satanic Leftist mainstream news media are distorting the facts and lying to you. To get clear insight on what happened and who the suspect (a very young guy who was a registered Republican voter who also donated money to support Democrats and far-left movement), watch the selected videos below.  

HolyLandSite’s Mount of Olives video – Recently, the YouTube channel HolyLandSite published their newest video featuring the Mount of Olives in Israel. I personally visited some of the sites at the Mount of Olives featured in this video and in my experience, I witnessed the Holy Bible come to life and gained insight on what the place was like during the time of Lord Jesus. Mount of Olives was where Lord Jesus last stepped on before ascending into Heaven and He will arrive there sometime in the future. Watch the video below.

Capcom’s failed case against Data East over Fighter’s History – Remember how popular Street Fighter II was in the arcades in the 1990s? Capcom made tons of profit from SFII which led to the production of sequels, spin-offs and other 2D fighting games that followed. Of course, as the fighting game genre became tremendously popular, there were other fighting games that competed with Capcom’s creations. Believe it or not, Capcom sued Data East alleging that their competitor’s game Fighter’s History infringed the copyright of Street Fighter II. To find out what happened, watch the video from Top Hat Gaming Man below.

6. Donald Trump nominated again by Republicans for President of the United States – By the time you are reading this, the 2024 Republican National Convention has concluded a few days ago. Donald Trump has been nominated again for US President by the party, only this time the Republicans are very united and they were reinvigorated arguably because of the failed assassination attempt on their candidate. The Democrats meanwhile are divided and already their powerful members stopped supporting the re-election campaign of Joe Biden. The contrasts between the two parties are so great during the last week. If you want to see all the Republican speeches and the nomination acceptance speech of Trump (whose running mate is US Senator J.D. Vance), watch the Republican National Convention (night 4) below.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 26

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 26

carlocarrasco

Welcome back, my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

More Unsolved Mysteries Season 1 episodes – I have always been a fan of the Unsolved Mysteries TV series since the early 1990s. Apart from the great hosting and narration by the late Robert Stack, Unsolved Mysteries’ creative team was consistent in producing live-action interpretations of true crime stories, UFO stories, missing persons stories, ghost stories and other tales with a high level of quality. I also love their attention to details sourced from police reports, law enforcers and interviews of eye witnesses. Not only that, Unsolved Mysteries also helped in capturing wanted criminals and reunited family members who were separated for a long time. This was evident from their first season and posted below are further Season 1 episodes for you to enjoy.

Videodrome reaction video by You, Me and the Movies – Recently, YouTuber team You, Me and the Movies published their movie reaction video of Videodrome which was a very intriguing and shocking movie directed by David Cronenberg. If you don’t mind the spoilers, this is an entertaining reaction video to watch.

RollerGames episodes in high-definition – When I was very young, I was able to watch on local TV here in the Philippines the episodes of RollerGames which showcased a series of action-packed and intriguing roller derby rounds. This was one of those alternative sports competitions that was entertaining to watch and it even shared certain elements with professional wrestling shows with regards to tension between competitors and the show’s notable personalities. The good news here is that the RollerGames episodes have been restored in high-definition and posted below are the first four episodes for your enjoyment.

The Aliens arcade game from Konami – I remember back in the early 1990s – before the debut of Street Fighter II and all those other fighting games that followed – Aliens (by Konami) was a big attraction in local arcades. Loosely based on the 1986 sci-fi action movie directed by James Cameron, Aliens the arcade game was an action-packed 2D scrolling game in which players have to move to their destination while firing their guns against multiple waves of Xenomorphs, Facehuggers and other variants of monsters. This was a highly entertaining game that never got ported into any console, and you can learn more about Konami’s Aliens by watching PatmanQC’s video below.

Xbox Game Pass adjustments – Recently, Microsoft announced big changes to Xbox Game Pass (XGP) which has divided both subscribers and gamers in general. Apart from the price increases, there are also changes on the policies and what subscribers get in return for paying more or less. Personally, I don’t like what Team Xbox came up with. Watch the videos below.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 23

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 23

carlocarrasco

Welcome back, my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

Woke Disney’s discriminatory practices confirmed and caught on camera – Being woke means being foolish and wicked. What was discussed before about the woke Disney Company’s distorted approach on hiring workers as well as promoting their current workers was confirmed to be true as a Disney executive confirmed it openly on camera. A lot of footage has been recorded of him talking about Disney’s discrimination against white males as they empower people of minorities (colored people, the under-represented ethnic groups, etc.). You should watch the two videos I selected from Midnight’s Edge ad RK Outpost. Woke Disney should be brought to justice!

Video documentary about Sega’s Streets of Rage franchise – YouTuber PatmanQC recently published another informative and entertaining look at the history of Sega’s popular Streets of Rage game franchise. This includes the behind-the-scenes development of the first game that hit the arcades, as well as the different versions that appeared on multiple platforms.

Somewhere in Time videos – Somewhere in Time (1980) was a film that starred the late Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer. While it was never successful in movie theaters, it became a big hit on cable TV, public TV and home video. As its legacy lived on, it is not surprising that there are several movie reaction videos, video reviews and other features about it on YouTube. Posted below are some selected videos for those of you who wish to discover more of Somewhere in Time.

A look at the rise and fall of the Orlando Magic – Back in the mid-1990s, a lot of my friends (who love basketball) became fans of the Orlando Magic which had Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Nick Anderson (the guy who missed 4 crucial free throws in specific NBA Finals game), Horace Grant and Dennis Scott. Their excitement really went overboard when the Magic of 1994-95 successfully won the Eastern Conference Finals and entered the NBA Finals to face off with the defending champion Houston Rockets. Of course, as recorded by history, the Magic got swept away by the Rockets even though they had the home court advantage. If you are nostalgic about 1990s NBA action or if you want to see how different the Orlando Magic was back in the 1990s, then you should watch the video below.

Stockton to Malone (but still no NBA championship) – Still on the topic of basketball, do you remember the so-called golden age of the Utah Jazz when they had Karl Malone and John Stockton who together were among the very best players in the NBA back then? For the newcomers reading this, the Utah Jazz made it to the NBA Finals of 1997 and 1998 but lost each time to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Long before those championship series happened, the Utah Jazz became a serious playoff contender in 1988 (pushing the LA Lakers to seven games in the Western Conference Semifinals) and went on to struggle in the years that followed. As for Stockton and Malone, they each had great basketball achievements but never won a championship. To learn more with a lot of details plus in-depth analysis, watch the video below.

Heart of Darkness retrospective video – Way back in 1998, I played the video game Heart of Darkness on the PlayStation console but never got to finish it. While the cinematic cutscenes are not outstanding, the graphics used for gameplay was eye-catching thanks to the developers’ artistic and technical approach. This should not be surprising as the game was supervised by Eric Chahi who was best known for Another World. To learn more about Heart of Darkness’ production history, watch the video below.

A look at Salamander (AKA Life Force) – Still on the topic of retro gaming, I had fun memories playing Salamander (titled Life Force in North America) on the Family Computer (Famicom) back in the late-1980s. It was a sci-fi 2D scrolling shooter that not only featured side-scrolling levels but also vertical levels. Developed and published by Konami, Salamander was a spin-off of Gradius (an acclaimed 2D side-scrolling shooter on its own) but it became successful in entertaining players with the two-player mode, unique challenges, fine gameplay features and outstanding visuals. To learn more about Salamander, watch the selected videos below.

Friday The 13th Part 3 videos – If there is anything significant about Friday The 13th Part 3 (1982) other than being filmed in 3D, it is the fact that it marked a creative turning point for the franchise. It was in this movie that the film series really started to take shape with Jason Voorhees as its feature antagonist. That being said, it is not surprising that there are lots of retro reviews/reactions and feature videos about it. Watch the selected videos below.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 11

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 11

carlocarrasco

Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will take a look at another batch of retro gaming print ads from the 1980s and 1990s. In addition, there will be a few flyers of arcade games as well as promotional posters of a notable console game that was released only in Japan.

For the newcomers reading this, Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) looks back at the many print ads of games (console, arcade, computer and handheld) that were published in comic books, magazines, flyers and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. To put things in perspective, people back in the 1980s and 1990s were more trusting of print media for information and images about electronic games and related products.

With those details laid down, here is the newest batch of retro gaming print ads for you to see and enjoy…

1. M.I.A.: Missing in Action arcade flyer

This is an effective way of catching the attention of both players and arcade operators. I can imagine the woke, the SJWs and rabid feminists getting easily offended by this.

Konami was a very prominent producer of games back in the 1980s. Not only did the company produce high-quality and enjoyable military-themed games on consoles and computers, Konami also made its presence felt in the highly competitive sector of arcade games. In 1989, they released the arcade conversion kit of M.I.A.: Missing in Action and this flyer is the best know promotion of it. M.I.A.: Missing in Action is the follow-up to Konami’s hit game Rush’n Attack.

Visually, the flyer’s display of four screenshots combined with a dominating photographic image of prisoners of war (POWs) getting delightfully released by an attractive female Rambo-type rescuer were designed to catch the attention of young adult and adult gamers. The text descriptions (note: there were more details on the back of the flyer), however, were geared towards arcade operators who were looking for new games to acquire without the hassle of having to buy an entire arcade cabinet. That being said, this flyer was a clever way to appeal to arcade operators and the people who love playing arcade games.

2. Fonz arcade flyer

Simplistic yet effective to look at. If you are an arcade operator, this flyer conveniently has key information displayed.

Believe it or not, Sega was already active in arcade games way back in the 1970s. In this particular flyer, Sega’s arcade game Fonz (also called Moto-Cross, Man T.T.) offered players the unique experience of driving a digital vehicle using actual handlebars on the machine that were meant to create an immersive and realistic feel. If you look closely, the flyer has lots of details written with arcade operators and players in mind.

3. Haunted Castle arcade flyer

Indeed, this game is part of the Castlevania game franchise. It was one of the first Castlevania games released for arcades.

Arguably, Konami is best known for the Castlevania game series which covered handheld gaming devices, personal computers, video game consoles and even arcades. Haunted Castle (Japanese title: Akumajō Dracula) is the 2nd arcade game of the Castlevania franchise and it is not a port of any console game. Like the arcade flyer of M.I.A.: Missing in Action, this one was crafted to lure the attention (and money) of arcade operators looking for conversion kits to replace their old games. The visual presentation is eye-catching and even though the Castlevania brand was nowhere to be seen, Castlevania fans could tell this this arcade offering was part of their favorite game franchise.  

4. The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? flyer and poster

The poster promoting the release of the game for Sega Saturn in Japan.
The flyer promoting the Sega Saturn game’s 1997 release as well as the 15th anniversary of Macross.

In 1997, the 15th anniversary of the Macross multimedia franchise was celebrated in Japan and among the highlights was the release of The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? on the Sega Saturn. To promote the game and the franchise itself, lots of flyers and posters were released in Japan. If you look at the illustrated images on the promotional materials closely, you will realize that they are not from the original 1982-83 Macross anime TV series but rather from the The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? animated movie of 1984 (read my retro movie review by clicking here).

While it might be baffling to some as to why the original anime TV series was not used as the source material for the 15th anniversary celebration through gaming, the 1984 anime feature film was actually more adaptable for a video game project (read my retro review by clicking here). It is so obvious, you just have to ask yourselves this question – how can the game developers compress the entire concepts of the 36-episode Macross anime series into one game while ensuring fun gameplay? Regardless, the game was a lot of fun to play and I enjoyed playing the PlayStation version in 1999.

5. Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety print ad

A clear effort to sell the game to gamers as well as fans of Spider-Man and Venom.

In 1994, Acclaim released Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage (based on the 1993 comic book storyline Maximum Carnage) on Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and Sega Genesis ultimately becoming popular with comic book fans and gamers who enjoyed sidescrolling beat-them-up games.

Subsequently, Acclaim and develop Software Creations reunited to release the sequel Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety a year later on the two leading 16-bit consoles as well as on personal computer (PC). If there is anything notable about this eye-catching print ad, it is the fact that its visual presentation (with graphics on-par with the previous year’s game) cleverly hides the fact that it did not have much new to offer gamers with regards to gameplay and story cutscenes (which the previous game prominently had). Eventually, this game attracted weaker reviews from game critics and has since been forgotten.

6. Tecmo Super Bowl SNES print ad

From the time when Tecmo was still a strong producer of sports video games.

In 1991, Tecmo Super Bowl was released on the aging Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and because its game design greatly entertained gamers, it became a tremendous commercial success. Not even the very high launch price of $54.99 stopped it from selling a lot.

To keep the commercial success and public interest going, Tecmo announced a new version of the game for the more powerful SNES console with the simple title of Tecmo Super Bowl. If you look closely at the print ad, you will notice that gameplay screenshots were not used at all. Instead, they showed images of the nicely illustrated art works they prepared as eye candy for the game with the intention of making it look cinematic. This is very curious because gameplay itself was the main selling factor of the NES version of Tecmo Super Bowl. I can only guess that Tecmo was not ready to show gameplay images by the time this print ad was made.

7. X-Men 2: Clone Wars print ad

The art used is too alienating for promoting this game.

During the age of the 16-bit consoles, there was a variety of X-Men video games released and produced by different companies. In 1993, an X-Men game published by Sega was released exclusively on the Genesis console which turned out to be fun for gamers and received mostly positive reviews from the critics. Sega went on to publish the sequel X-Men 2: Clone Wars and this print ad caught my attention because of how exaggerated the characters looked. It’s so strange, it’s as if the artist took visual reference from a somewhat blocky 3D polygonal portrait then tried to make them look hand-drawn. I wonder if anyone from Sega regretted this.  

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Contra (1988)

A Look Back at Contra (1988)

carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from playing the video game and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back retro gaming fans and readers!

Today, we will go back to the late 1980s to examine one of the most significant console games of the decade…Konami’s Contra. To put things in perspective, Contra started in the arcades in 1987 and went on to become a big hit. Konami went on to make a version of the game for Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in the West and the Family Computer (Famicom) in Japan that resulted in different looking graphics (both artistically and technically), reworked stages, and different and extended level designs that were done within the consoles’ limitations. In short, the home version of Contra was pretty different from the arcade version but still was made to be fun and exciting on its own.

In my personal experience, my discovery of Contra has always been on the Famicom and some time later on the NES. For this retro review, I replayed Contra (both Famicom and NES versions) via the Contra Anniversary Collection on my Xbox Series X.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Contra, developed and published by Konami for the NES and Famicom in 1988. The NES version was released one week ahead of the Famicom version in February 1988.

The start screen of the NES version of Contra. The commando with dark hair was deliberately made to resemble Sylvester Stallone somewhat.

Game concept

In the far future, an alien army from space – Red Falcon – arrived on Earth inside a meteorite that landed on the Galuga archipelago. There, Red Falcon established an extensive high-tech base for their operations and eventually brainwashed a local human army to do what they want. Red Falcon plots to wipe out human civilization on the planet.

With the information about Red Falcon collected, the Earth Marine Corps send Contra unit members Bill Rizer and Lance Bean to the island to destroy the opposition and find out what Red Falcon has been doing…

Gameplay and quality

Contra is an action-packed 2D side-scrolling game with strong sci-fi and military influences.

To begin with, Contra of 1988 was made to be a nicely-paced, action-packed, side-scrolling adventure game that has some 3D-like levels in between. The game design and levels Konami came up with was done to immerse gamers into actual participation in the military campaign against the aliens and their brainwashed human soldiers. This campaign not only includes battles through the forest of the Galuga archipelago but also through the interiors of Red Falcon’s high-tech facilities, going up an elevated location with waterfalls, the snowy area and further deep into the rest of the enemy’s mechanical base.

For the most part, you play as a commando armed with a rifle with unlimited ammunition. As you shoot enemies and make your way through the 2D side-scrolling level, there will be the occasional flying capsules that you can shoot down to gain new weapons/ammunition (S for Spread Shot, M for Machine Gun, L for Laser) or some power-up (temporary invincibility or the rare ability to eliminate all enemies present on-screen) to help yourself as the wave of opposition from Red Falcon is relentless (which is reason enough to compel you to keep progressing and fighting). There are also times when the mentioned enhancements suddenly pop out after killing an enemy.

To prevent the game from getting too old with side-scrolling, Konami implemented these stages in which players face the front to attack enemies, overcome obstacles and move forward with 3D-like effects going into the next place.

By default, this game is brutally hard. Not only do the enemies keep appearing (with some of their teammates being strategically placed to fire at you), the obstacles will compel you to take your time overcoming them. In this game, one-hit death is the norm and there are many moments in which falling to your death becomes a huge risk. You get hit, you not only lose one life, you will lose whatever powerful weapons you gained.

There are also stage bosses (powerful enemies that await you at the end of a level) that will challenge you so much, you will have to adjust your strategy, pay attention to the movements and timing of the enemy, and then adjust your way fighting.

Only the Famicom version of Contra has this sequence.
I really love the sci-fi elements the game developers came up with for this classic game. There are lots of high-tech stuff to see here and this robotic enemy is just one of them.

Fortunately for us players, the controls are really tight and very responsive. You can move your characters to overcome obstacles, avoid getting hit by enemies and even move down from one platform if the space below is safer. I still remember how precise and responsive the controls were on the NES and Famicom versions, and I can say that all the responsiveness made it on the Xbox controller when I replayed Contra on Xbox Series X with the Contra Anniversary Collection I downloaded. In fact, the high precision of the controls added to the fun of shooting enemies or obstacles with the Spread Shot while moving to the right as it was meant to be.

Considering the intense difficulty of the game, players who do the famous Konami Code (Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, and Start) will be reward with 30 lives when they start playing Contra. For Xbox gamers reading this, there is a slight difference with the Konami Code when playing Contra on Xbox consoles.

Apart from shooting, there are lots of platform gaming elements to experience here. The difficulty is very brutal and the famous Konami Code will grant you 30 lives when you do the code correctly.
This cut-scene is only available in the Famicom version.

With regards to game design, the Konami developers did a really fine job creating the levels, placing the challenges and setting up memorable boss battles for action/adventure-hungry gamers to indulge in. The developers also cleverly implemented the fictional/fantasy concepts into the game design which resulted in me getting immersed in the Contra team’s mission against the Red Falcon at their secret base.

Another highlight with playing Contra is the 2-player option and the above-mentioned Konami Code added to the fun and accessibility of. I still remember the old days of playing in a 2-player session (cooperative play essentially) of Contra at a friend’s house on a Famicom. Since my friends and I were already enthusiasts of 1980s Hollywood action movies, playing Contra was enjoyable even though the difficulty was brutal.

This is one of the touch stage bosses you will encounter in the game.

If there are any notable differences between the two versions of Contra of 1988, it would be the fact that the Japanese (Famicom) version has storytelling emphasized through cutscenes (with Japanese text displayed), a technical overview of the Red Falcon base at Galuga with maps displayed before you start a new level, in-game art, an additional scene that spiced up the ending and, most notably, more background/environmental animation. The additional animation on the Famicom version made the adventuring look and feel more lively and this is most evident in the final stage (lair of the alien).

Conclusion

The Japanese cover art of Contra on Famicom. The Rambo-like character and the alien egg are obvious inspirations from Hollywood action movies of the 1980s.

There is no doubt in my view that after all the decades that passed since I first played it, Contra (1988) is still very engaging and a lot of fun to play whether you choose the Famicom version or the NES version. The developers who made this game succeeding in making something very enjoyable for millions of gamers and it is very clear that the makers were inspired by Hollywood action movies of the decade. In my view, the most obvious military inspirations are Aliens (1986), Commando (1985) and Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985).

Historically speaking, Contra (1988) was released at a time when militarism inspired many other game designers to come up with enjoyable games in different forms such as Cabal, Jackal, Rush’n Attack, Operation Wolf, Operation Thunderbolt to name some. Considering the overall quality and high fun factor Konami established, it is safe to say that this game is one of the finest among its militaristic gaming counterparts of its decade.

I had a grand time replaying Contra (1988) on my Xbox Series X in preparation for this review. Having played both NES and Famicom versions, I can say that the latter is the more complete and more immersive version to play. That does not necessarily mean the NES version is totally inferior. In fact, the NES version is more straightforward with the pick-up-and-play approach, and the gameplay itself is nearly identical (note: Famicom version is slightly more challenging) and very much fun to experience. If you are the player who really wants to be more immersed into the lore of Contra and absorb the military sci-fi concept Konami prepared, then the Famicom version is the one to play. That being said, now is a good time to purchase and download Contra Anniversary Collection.

Overall, Contra (1988) is highly recommended! It truly is a retro gaming gem!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Sea of Stars is an enjoyable RPG and you should play it on Xbox now!

Sea of Stars is an enjoyable RPG and you should play it on Xbox now!

carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow gamers, geeks, role-playing games (RPGs) enthusiasts and fantasy lovers!

In recent times, I completed my first playthrough of Starfield on my Xbox Series X and it lasted me over 220 hours of fun, discoveries and intriguing moments. Having played it so long, I will replay Starfield with a new playthrough only after Bethesda implements the next series of patches/updates (to refine the game) and release the planned downloadable content (DLC).

That being said, I finally started playing the inspired Japanese-style role-playing game (RPG) Sea of Stars on my Xbox Series X. Having played some hours of it, I can say that I am really enjoying Sea of Stars and I intend to finish it. Oh yes, Sea of Stars is available on Xbox Game Pass (XGP) right now!

This is one of many great looking scenes composed of really fine 2D art style and pixel artistry in Sea of Stars.

Developed by Sabotage Studio, Sea of Stars is a turn-based RPG with a strong retro feel that will remind you of past Japanese RPGs (JRPGs) like Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana. The game follows the exploits of two Children of the Solstice who combine the powers of the sun and moon to perform Eclipse Magic, the only force capable of fending off the monstrous creations of the evil alchemist known as The Fleshmancer. Along the way, the two Children of Solstice start a quest joined by their friend and together they travel to different places encountering different inhabitants and engage in situations that only they can solve.

Having played Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy VI and a lot of JRPGs from the so-called 16-bit era of console gaming, I can say that Sea of Stars is a very inspired game that has lots of elements common with the mentioned games (plus more) with regards to art style, gameplay, quests, music, character development and visual presentation. To put it short, the guys at Sabotage Studio took a lot of inspiration from the classic JRPGs to make something fun for this current console generation. I am having a lot of fun with the game which itself is available for Xbox Game Pass (XGP) subscribers to avail.

An important meeting about to happen in the game.
A boss battle early in the game.
This is just a part of the world map of Sea of Stars.

In my experience and recollections from the past, Sea of Stars has visual style that is best compared with Chrono Trigger. Sabotage Studio really created a lot of nice looking 2D artworks and highly detailed sprites that made the new game look lively. With regards to the storytelling , character development and character expressions, the game has a wholesome tone that never felt childish. The tone as well as the humor made Sea of Stars comparable with several Japanese RPGs from the 16-bit age of consoles.

You will encounter really interesting characters who will join your party as the game progresses.

Sea of Stars is really fun to play and it is a great change of pace and style for me as I finished my Starfield playthrough which lasted more than 220 hours. This Sabotage Studio game will help ease my wait for the expected 2024 RPGs such as Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes and the Xbox-exclusive Avowed. As much as I hope to see past JRPGs like Xenogears, Breath of Fire and Lunar get remastered and released for Xbox consoles (and XGP), I know such possibilities remain uncertain and Sabotage Studio’s game easily fills the void. If you are looking for a Japanese-style RPG that is fun, nostalgic and visually pleasing, you can’t go wrong with Sea of Stars. Go for the game on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass now!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco