entertainment – Page 17 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 24

December 16, 2024December 16, 2024carlocarrasco

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, 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. Jangou Lady arcade flyer

*If you were to play Mahjong digitally, does sex appeal motivate you to do so?*

Are you fond of playing the tile-based game Mahjong? Believe it or not, there were indeed ways to play Mahjong in digital form inside the arcade or in gambling joints in Japan. The game Jangou Lady allows users to play rounds of Mahjong but with a notable additive – the digital art of women which serves as an attraction. In the sex appeal is clearly evident on this arcade flyer from the 1980s.

2. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi arcade flyer

Way back in 1983, Return of the Jedi delighted moviegoers in the cinemas throughout America. Behind the scenes, video game giant Atari acquired the movie license to make the 1984 arcade game Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. The arcade flyer’s front featured a highly detailed hand-drawn art of Darth Vader, the Death Star, Luke Skywalker and Storm Troopers on hover bikes, and the Millennium Falcon which reflect the selected elements of the movie that were turned into playable sections. The image of the arcade machine was understandably inserted as it came with an unusual controller. This flyer is still captivating to look at.

3. Over Drive arcade flyer

*This arcade flyer is a reminder that Konami was notable for hiring pretty and sexy women for their print ads.*

In 1990, Konami produced a racing game for the arcades with a unique style of presentation. That game was Over Drive and it stood out among the many racing games in the arcade mainly because of its first-person view (with a digital version of the steering wheel and driver’s hands at the bottom of the screen) and unique approach on sprite-scaling. To promote the game, Konami hired sexy models for photography for use in both the arcade flyer and the exterior images on the machine. Having sexy models posing with a winning driver added to the motorsport racing vibe needed to promote the game.

4. American Gladiators for NES print ad

*I saw American Gladiators on TV but never played this game.*

American Gladiators was a syndicated TV show that featured a variety of games in which amateur athletes compete with the established gladiators to succeed and become the next American Gladiator. Due to its success, it was not surprising that video game adaptations of the show were realized just a few years after its debut. In 1991, GameTek released the American Gladiators game on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and promoted it with this print ad that showcased their established gladiators of the time. This ad’s design was made to catch the attention of the fans.

5. Arch Rivals for NES print ad

*I remember seeing a lot of people crowding in front of an Arch Rivals machine in the local arcade long ago.*

Years before NBA Jam, there was Arch Rivals. Arch Rivals was a full court basketball video game in which players are allowed to punch players from the opposition in order to steal the ball and score. Over a year after the game’s 1989 arcade debut, the NES version was released and the publisher came up with a print ad showcasing a hilarious and cartoony artwork (the same art used for the game’s box cover) which gave readers a clear idea of what to expect. The art used is timeless and it still is funny to see.

6. Sega Sports print ad

*See any Sega Sports video game you like?*

Back in the 1990s, Sega excelled with sports video games. They were so aggressive, they established their sub-brand Sega Sports and this particular print ad showed one page promoting assorted sports video games (basketball, golf, baseball, tennis, boxing and American football) for the Sega Genesis and the other page with an exaggerated image of a guy with the line “Relive your jock itch” posted. Historically, a lot of American players and owners of the Genesis are slightly older than those on NES and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) during the 1990s and the strong sports games approach is a key factor.

7. Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties print ad

*When I first saw this print ad, it did not interest me as the presentation is lousy.*

The 3DO console is remembered for having a lot of games that used full-motion videos and photo slides regardless of what game designs came with them. Back in the 1990s, games designed as visual novels or dating simulations were still new in console gaming in the West. Following the PC version’s release, a 3DO port of Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties came out in 1994 and it received overwhelmingly negative reviews. The print ad here promoted the game as “an interactive romantic comedy” and fake quotes were displayed to fool ignorant readers that the game was entertaining. The print ad’s visual design had a mess of poorly implemented images. Ironically, this ad accidentally gave readers the idea that it was a slideshow game.

8. Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story and Demolition Man games print ad

*If you saw the movies, did you play their respective video game adaptations?*

The 1990s is remembered for the many movie-based video games that got released. Back in those days, a lot of Hollywood movie productions had video game adaptations as part of the business process and this is evident with the Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story and Demolition Man games released by Acclaim. For this particular print ad, the marketing team came up with a single-page ad to promote the two games with heavy emphasis on movie imagery leaving little room left for screenshots and other details. The way I look at this old print ad, it seems that Acclaim was aiming for not just movie fans but also gamers who like 2D fighting games and 2D action-adventure games.

9. Army Men: Sarge’s Heroes print ad

*This print ad by 3DO is still funny to see.*

In the late 1990s, The 3DO Company focused mainly on producing video games on multiple platforms and they had their own video game franchise based on the green plastic figures with a military theme. In 1999, they released Army Men: Sarge’s Heroes for PlayStation and Nintendo 64 (N64). To market the game, they had a hilarious visual concept of several solders freezing on an ice tray as a long green soldier marching on. This print ad always caught my attention while reading game magazines and it still is funny to stare at.

10. Sega Ages print ad

*I can only speculate that Sega accepted Working Design’s financial offer for the publishing rights in North America.*

Sega Ages is a series of ports and remakes of Sega’s own games (arcade and console) bundled together as compilations released on the modern consoles of the time. While Sega itself published Sega Ages on their Saturn console and Europe, the North American compilation was published by Working Designs under their separate brand Spaz which this particular print ad showed. While the classic Sega games of After Burner II, OutRun and Space Harrier often caught my attention, this ad made me wonder why did not Sega publish this compilation on the Saturn in North America themselves. Looking at this ad now remains awkward.

11. Sega Saturn North American print ad

*Did you ever own a Sega Saturn in 1995?*

While a lot of gamers and retailers were caught off-guard by Sega’s surprise early launch of the Saturn console in America, they still went ahead aggressively marketing the machine knowing they have a few months’ head start before the American launch of PlayStation. This print ad was designed to intrigue readers showing a bald lady whose head was made to look like the planet Saturn and next to her were images of Sega’s hottest games of the time – Virtua Fighter 2 and Virtua Cop. Sega relied strongly on imagery to promote their console with this print ad. It was somewhat weird yet eye-catching.

12. NBA Action ’95: Starring David Robinson print ad

*David Robinson was the MVP of the NBA in 1995 but he failed to lead his team to the NBA championship back then. He would late win the NBA championship in the shortened 1999 season.*

As mentioned early, Sega was aggressive the sports videos games and almost all of them were their own console exclusives. Their tradition of hiring professional athletes as endorsers continued during the age of the Genesis and Game Gear when they hired an NBA superstar as an endorser resulting in the Sega Sports basketball game titled as NBA Action ’95: Starring David Robinson. By the time the video game was released, Robinson was already the reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the NBA. This print ad of Robinson in action still looks impressive but with a big catch – the superstar’s 1995 MVP achievement was arguably forgotten as he and his team (San Antonio Spurs) got eliminated by the Hakeem Olajuwon-led Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Finals. It did not help that Olajuwon outplayed Robinson a lot in that very playoff series. That is a sad reminder that also came with this Sega Sports print ad.

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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 Team 7 #2 (1994)

December 13, 2024December 6, 2024carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book 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 superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Image Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1995 to take a close look at one of the many tales of the original WildStorm universe through one of the comic books of the first mini-series of Team 7.

For the newcomers reading this, Team 7 is set in the past within the original WildStorm universe. This is the one special forces team that had major WildStorm heroes – Grifter (WildCATS: Covert Action Teams), Backlash, Jackson Dane (Wetworks), John Lynch (Gen13) and Deathblow – who were younger, were proficient with combat and were destined to gain special abilities that later defined them. Issue #1 reviewed last time worked well by efficiently introducing the characters while also building up the plot and there were some nice pay-offs here and there.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Team 7 #2, published in 1994 by Image Comics with a story written by Chuck Dixon and drawn by Aron Wiesenfeld. This is the 2nd chapter of the 4-issue mini-series.

Early story

Set in the 1970s, a team of armed escorts and some personnel wearing protective gear isolate and examine a battlefield full of dead bodies. Miles Craven and Gabriel Newman analyze the evidence around them. Craven states that what they have is too important an operation to be left to underlings and he wants Gabriel to stay with the project which could use his special talents. Shortly after, the bodies of the Team 7 members were retrieved barely alive.

Seven days later, John Lynch wakes up in a hospital bed feeling traumatized over what happened to his team during the last mission. He was told that they were exposed to a chemical agent and he had been in a deep coma for a week.

Craven then enters the room to provide Lynch crucial updates…

Quality

*Do you recognize Deathblow and Dane on this page?*

As expected, the gritty and dark storytelling from the previous issue continued in this story. Without spoiling the plot, I can say that this issue has some handsome pay-offs to what was built-up in issue #1 and there were new build-ups established along the way. Because the script was crafted to build-up the plot and sub-plot, the military action scenes are lessened which is not surprising. I can assure you that Chuck Dixon’s writing here remains pretty strong.

While the previous issue served as an efficient introduction of the younger versions of WildStorm’s heroes who are in the middle of a world full of violence and espionage, this issue shed some light as to how the heroes dealt with their new abilities (in connection with the climax of issue #1) and how International Operations is handling matters behind closed doors. The suspense kept on building up and this made the narrative more intriguing to follow. Expect to see elements of high-level espionage, unethical science and war throughout.

When it comes to the characters, Lynch (being the captain of Team 7) has a huge share of the spotlight followed by Cole Cash (Grifter). The two have different views about their special forces duty – Lynch follows the superiors while Cole realizes something is wrong about their leadership and the intelligence fed to them.

Conclusion

*This scene showing Cole Cash (Grifter) emerging from dark with a defiant tone is a very defining moment of this comic book.*

Team 7 #2 (1994) is clearly a very engaging read. It has the fine mix of war (with uncompromising violence drawn by Wiesenfeld), intrigue and the dark side of global espionage. The science fiction element here worked well in explaining the powers Team 7 members got after what happened in issue #1. This comic book also marks the beginning of showing Lynch and Cole Cash as the co-leads among the teammates. Die-hard fans of Deathblow, Dane and Backlash will have to wait a bit before their favorites get their share of the spotlight. Regardless, this is a very powerful read and a fine example of doing a prequel within the original WildStorm universe.

Overall, Team 7 #2 (1994) is highly recommended.

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 45

December 11, 2024December 9, 2024carlocarrasco

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.

#1 A look back at Tobal No. 1 – The 1990s will always be remembered as the decade when fighting games became wildly popular. While franchises like Tekken, Virtua Fighter, Street Fighter and The King of Fighters literally flooded the arcades and consoles, game developers at DreamFactory (a subsidiary of Square) were dissatisfied with the state of fighting games at the time and this eventually led to the creation of Tobal No. 1, one of the most unique games of its genre ever made. To learn more about it, watch the video below.

#2 Assorted videos of Air Force One (1997) – Watching Air Force One (starring Harrison Ford) on the big screen in 1997 was a fun experience for me. It was one of the many so-called Die Hard clones of the 1990s which featured one brave, vulnerable hero fighting terrorists while confined in a place where escape is not option. For your enjoyment, I selected one trivia video and a few reaction videos of Air Force One. As it is a great film, I encourage you to watch it first in case you have not seen it. Otherwise, go watch the selected videos below.

#3 Slope’s Game Room’s look back at the Choplifter series – I first played Choplifter on the Family Computer back in the late-1980s and it really was both unique and fun to play. It was a side-scrolling adventure game with military action but it was not an all-offense experience. In fact, the game gives you opportunities to rescue hostages and the game development history is pretty interesting to discover. As such, I encourage you to watch Slope’s Game Room’s retrospective of Choplifter.

#4 The games of Square in the 1990s remembered – If you know your video game history, Square Enix was established in 2003 as a result of a merger between Square (AKA SquareSoft) and Enix. When Square was still an independent, standalone company it released a lot of memorable games on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and the PlayStation in the 1990s. If you love retro gaming and if you are interested to discover (or rediscover) what Square released back in the 1990s, then this video is for you.

#5 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau receives response from returning US President Donald Trump regarding new tariffs – Justin Trudeau – the super woke and out-of-touch Canadian Prime Minister – told the returning US President Donald Trump that new tariffs would kill the economy of Canada. The result is a memorable response from Trump. To see what happened and how the public reacted, watch this Sky News Australia video. Lastly, never ever trust Trudeau. You will regret it believing in him as he is a very bad leader.

#6 Kamala Harris being hit by her donors and her fellow Democrats for reckless campaign spending – The defeated Commie Kamala Harris is now the target of her US presidential campaign donors and even her fellow Democrats. You see, her campaign team raised at least $1.5 billion and ended up with a debt of at least $20 million due to reckless spending and irresponsible handling of money. Apart from literally BUYING the support of celebrities and Hollywood Communists, the Harris campaign spent excessively on online ads, private jets and others. The donors are very furious and a lot of Democrats realized that the laughing hyena Kamala Harris severely damaged the political party. That being said, Kamala Harris would be delusional enough to actually run for US President again in 2028. Watch and learn from Sky News Australia’s video.

#7 You, Me and the Movies react to Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan – Years I ago, I posted my retro review of Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan. The 1989 Friday The 13^th sequel was so sloppy and bad with its presentation, it sometimes could be funny to see and it’s okay to ridicule it. If you want to discover Jason Takes Manhattan without spending too much time, you should watch the reaction video of You, Me and the Movies.

8. The collapse of the Assad dictatorship in Syria – In case you missed the news, a new chapter in the history of Syria has officially started as the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad officially ended with the Islamist rebels taking over the country. Assad and his family are now in Russia. While there is euphoria going on in Syria, you should not allow yourselves to be deceived because the civil war in Syria was never a case of “good versus evil”. Assad was allied with Russia and terrorist state Iran. Meanwhile, the Syrian rebels are allied with the Islamist Turkish forces, Jihadists, terrorists and they have Al-Qaeda members in their ranks. Syria now has a new beginning but where will it go? Watch the videos I selected for your viewing and learning.

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Better than Streaming: Godzilla Minus One 4K Blu-ray now available

December 6, 2024December 3, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs!

Have you been searching for something intense, action-packed and thrilling to add into your collection of 4K Blu-ray movies? Be informed that Godzilla Minus One 4K Blu-ray is now available on the market and you can order it online right now.

*This is what Godzilla Minus One 4K Blu-ray looks like.*

Posted below are the technical details of Godzilla Minus One 4K Blu-ray sourced from its Blu-ray.com page,

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265 (62.89 Mbps)

Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)

HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Audio

Japanese: Dolby Atmos

Japanese: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)

English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)

Subtitles – English, English SDH, French, Spanish

Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Two-disc set (1 BD-100, 1 BD-50)

Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A

For the newcomers reading this, Godzilla Minus One is the Japanese-produced Godzilla movie from Toho, directed by Takashi Yamazaki and released in 2023. It was a commercial and critical hit, and it even won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. I previously wrote about Godzilla Minus One prior to its release in cinemas.

Due to the fact that Toho’s acclaimed giant monster movie was never released in cinemas here in my native Philippines, pursuing Godzilla Minus One 4K Blu-ray is the next option for me. I really wanted to see the film in local cinemas for the genuine in-theater experience of watching a Japanese-produced Godzilla film. For some reason, Toho did not release Godzilla Minus One in Philippine cinemas even though they released Shin Godzilla in the country in 2016. For the meantime, I have my Criterion Collection Blu-ray of Gojira (1954) to enjoy before my 4K Blu-ray of the latest Godzilla film finally arrives.

If you have decided already to order a copy of Godzilla Minus One 4K Blu-ray, click here.

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema or movies in Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 44

December 4, 2024November 29, 2024carlocarrasco

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

#1 Konami’s failed fighting games of the 1990s – Remember back in the 1990s when a lot of fighting games were released on the arcades and game consoles? Japanese game companies Namco and Capcom released a lot of memorable fighting games of different styles such as Street Fighter II, Tekken, Marvel vs. Capcom, Tekken 3, Soulcalibur, X-Men: Children of the Atom, X-Men vs. Street Fighter and so on. Sega released Virtua Fighter games while Midway released Mortal Kombat games, and SNK had Fatal Fury, King of Fighters and Art of Fighting games. Looking back at the fighting game craze of the 1990s, I noticed that Konami – best known for Metal Gear, Contra, Gradius and Suikoden – released their own fighting games but never achieved the tremendous success that its competitors had. The retro gaming video is a must-see.

#2 Calvin Dyson’s lengthy review of The World is Not Enough – I can hardly believe that it has been twenty-five years since the James Bond movie The World Is Not Enough was released in cinemas as the 20^th century was ending. The 3^rd film of Pierce Brosnan as Agent 007 received mixed reviews from the critics and some fans found it to be really brainless and excessive with action which negatively affected the cinematic narrative. To find out if the 1999 Bond movie aged well or not, YouTuber Calvin Dyson recently posted his lengthy retro review and you can watch it now.

#3 In-depth documentary of Smash TV – Remember way back in 1990 when Smash T.V. (also referred to as Smash TV) was released in the arcades and attracted a lot of players with its enjoyable game design and concept? The game was a hit and went on to be ported to many platforms afterwards, and I played its Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) version a lot. To find out how hit game started and who were the key people behind its production, watch the video documentary of PatmanQC now.

#4 Defeated Kamala Harris, Sharon Stone, Alec Baldwin and others highlighted in Lefties Losing It episode – It has been a few weeks since Donald Trump pulled off the greatest American comeback by winning again the US presidential election. Even until now, the Leftists are still agonizing over Trump’s victory and many of them cannot accept the reality of what happened. In the latest Lefties Losing It episode below, you will see a drunk-like Kamala Harris talking to her supporters, Sharon Stone bashing others and more. Watch it!

#5 Electric vehicles sparked into fire disasters as a result of salt water caused by Hurricane Helene – This news video should convince you not to buy and drive an electric car or any type of electric vehicle for that matter. Salt water touching the ion batteries of electric vehicles spark flame and this leads into fire incidents that simply could not be solved quickly. Hurricane Helene’s powerful wind brought salt water into affected communities and not even electric vehicles parked inside the garage were spared. Avoid electric vehicles and stick with vehicles that run on fossil fuel.

#6 Ashleigh Burton’s Fantastic Four (2005) reaction video – Back in 2005, I never saw Fantastic Four in the local cinema. I was never a Fantastic Four fan nor did the team-up of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby starting the said superhero team interested me. Believe it or not, I finally saw the movie on home video in 2009. In recent times, YouTuber Ashleigh Burton posted her reaction video of Fantastic Four and it is fun to watch.

#7 Phantasy Star IV retrospective – Thanks to my physical copy of Sega Genesis Classics, I was able to play Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium on my Xbox Series X console. For the newcomers reading this, Phantasy Star IV was a sci-fi Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) released on the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive in other markets) in Japan in 1993 followed by released in America and Europe in 1995. The production side of the game has very interesting details and you can learn all about it in GTV Japan’s retrospective video below.

#8 A look at Disney’s The Black Hole – Long before the Walt Disney Company became the super woke entity of modern times, they released the expensive sci-fi film The Black Hole. As far as the Disney legacy is concerned, the 1979 movie is significant as it marked a serious change of direction the company took with its movies. Disney was already known for wholesome and family oriented movies and TV shows and eventually entered a period of uncertainty. The Black Hole was both Disney’s attempt to cash-in on the sci-fi and disaster film craze of the 1970s and attract more adult moviegoers. You can learn more about this forgotten movie by watching the videos below.

#9 Popcorn in Bed’s What Lies Beneath reaction video – I saw What Lies Beneath inside a crowded cinema here in the Philippines way back in 2000. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film was an inspired work of suspense and horror mainly told through Michelle Pfeiffer’s character. I still remember some comments of disappointment over Harrison Ford’s lack of screen time compared with Pfeiffer’s. Regardless, you have to see Popcorn in Bed’s reaction video right here.

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Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 23

December 2, 2024November 13, 2024carlocarrasco

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.

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

1. Raiders of the Lost Ark game print ads

*The print ad with strong Indiana Jones imagery.*

*The print ad with the movie theater exterior image and the small image of the Atari 2600 console.*

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Raiders of the Lost Ark was one of the best adventure movies ever made as well as the start of the iconic character Indiana Jones. Given its huge commercial success, an official video game adaptation for the Atari 2600 was released in 1982 and game designer Howard Scott Warshaw even met with Spielberg during the game’s development.

To promote the game, Atari released two print ads – one ad had a movie theater exterior visual concept to emphasize they have the official video game adaptation based on the movie while the other ad showed the game’s official artwork and game box cover while emphasizing a savings offer. Atari really did what they could to sell a game while riding on the success of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

2. Phoenix print ad

*Even without any screenshots, this print ad’s art still gives viewers a clear idea of what to expect.*

Similar to what they did with Galaxian and Joust, Atari made this print ad promoting Phoenix which was a 2D sci-fi shooting game that was similar with Space Invaders in design. Colorized, hand-drawn artwork resembling the 2D sprites of the game was done to capture the attention of people. The art is so good, it made up for the lack screenshots of the game.

3. Moon Patrol arcade flyer

Moon Patrol was a 2D sci-fi side-scrolling adventure game first released in the arcades in 1982. To sell the game to arcade operators, publisher Williams created the North American arcade flyer that heavily used hand-drawn comic book-style artworks on both sides while using available space on the other side for the descriptive text, contact details and the image of an arcade machine. What is very clear is that no screenshots of the game were shown to stand out which explains why a lot of hand-drawn art was used. The picture of the machine showing a screen of Moon Patrol was the closest thing to see a screenshot on this flyer. Personally, I really like the style and quality of the hand-drawn artwork as it made the flyer look lively.

4. Paperboy arcade flyers

*The arcade flyer showing the Paperboy machine and screenshots. The hand-drawn art is nice.*

*This one uses comedy showing a grown man riding a bike as a paper delivery “boy”.*

*I really like the stronger emphasis on the in-game graphics of Paperboy which dominates the space. What you see is what you get in the arcade.*

The first time I ever played the classic Paperboy was in the arcade inside a Las Vegas hotel way back in 1989, and it sure was a challenging yet fun experience. Before its arcade debut in 1985, the developers took a lot of risks making the game which includes coming up with a bicycle handle bar for each machine to have. To promote the game, Atari made at least three arcade flyers that creatively emphasized what the game’s concept was about, how did it play, why does the machine have bicycle handlebars and why players can expect fun. Atari’s promotional efforts paid off as Paperboy became a huge hit in the arcades not only in America but also in Japan.

5. Frogger multi-platform print ad

*This print ad is still amusing to look at.*

After Frogger became a hit in the arcades, Parker Brothers secured the rights to port the game on Atari consoles, the Intellivision, TI-99/4A, vic-20, the Commodore computers and ColecoVision. To promote their Frogger ports, the single-page print ad was made showing a player in the foreground playing in front of screens that each showed what the game looked like on each platform. Parker Brothers found tremendous success selling 4 million copies of Atari 2600 version of Frogger at a time when there were only 13 million units of Atari 2600 in existence. By the year 2005, video game sales of Frogger reached 20 million worldwide across different platforms.

6. Predator 2 print ad

*This is one very edgy print ad as used an official image from the movie.*

If there is anything memorable about the 1990 film Predator 2, it is the fact that it had the story and the alien hunter itself within a metropolitan setting. That being said, the Sega Genesis Predator 2 video game had a suitable design of shooting and adventuring within the urban settings. This video game ad really captured the vibe of the movie (even showing the reddish human skull with spine on the Predator’s left hand) and clearly showed what gamers could expect. This old ad is still captivating to look at and its edgy approach is still intact.

7. Atari Jaguar print ad

*Did you ever own an Atari Jaguar console?*

When I was reading video game magazines back in the 1990s, I always found print ads of the Atari Jaguar intriguing to look at. I was very young when I first played the Atari 2600 and its games at home, and later played some Atari games in the arcade. To me, seeing Atari Jaguar print ads like this one gave me moments of nostalgia and it made me wonder if Atari knew what it was doing with their so-called 64-bit game console. They did what they could to promote their console and the games within this 2-page print ad.

8. Vs. print ad

*This print ad easily reminds me of the 1990s.*

By 1997, both the arcades and the video game console market were filled with lots of 2D and 3D polygonal fighting games. Japan was the hot spot of the production of 3D polygon fighting games and the developer Polygon Magic (based in Japan) made Fighters’ Impact which Taito released in Japanese arcades and the PlayStation. The said game was picked up by THQ for a late-1997 release on the PlayStation in America under the title Vs. I never played this game but I heard that the game’s development included gang-oriented characters designed by Marvel Comics artist Kurtis Fujita. This Vs. ad is a lively reminder about the hip-hop fashion that made its way into video games.

9. GoldStar/LG Electronics 3DO print ad

*This is a very weird way to market a video game machine.*

Back in the 1990s, the South Korean electronics company GoldStar (which was part of the umbrella of LG Electronics) had the license to produce 3DO game consoles with its own style. In some ways, the GoldStar 3DO console looked like a premium console on the outside. Unfortunately, the GoldStar 3DO print ad here had a very sloppy presentation as the ad makers used very weird art of a brain-with-eyes holding a 3DO controller leaving little space left to promote the console and games (without any screenshots). The text description was sloppily done. This is a bad example of promoting video game hardware and games.

10. Pandemonium 2 print ad

*I saw this ad but never played the game.*

Looking back at 1997, I find it strange that I never got to play Pandemonium 2 on the PlayStation even though I saw its print ad in magazines. I had a lot of fun playing Pandemonium! on the console in 1996 but somehow missed out on its sequel. Looking back at the Pandemonium 2 print ad, I was surprised with how the game developers redesigned the two playable protagonists, especially Nikki who was clearly made to look very sexy. The word “libido” (meaning sexual drive) was deliberately placed above Nikki. The ad also had a hypnotizing mix of colors which I believe was also deliberately done by the ad makers. I can only wonder how the game played.

11. Mission: Impossible print ad

In 1990, Ultra Games (a label of Konami) released the Mission: Impossible video game on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in America. Developed by Konami, the game was an adaptation of the 1988 TV series and it had an ambitious design with regards to level design and gameplay. To promote the game, the ad makers came up with a visual design showing the game’s box (which had a nice painted art on the cover) on the foreground and several screenshots resembling TV monitors on the background. Even by today’s standards, this print ad still looks good and captivating even if you are not too familiar with Mission: Impossible on TV.

12. The Lawnmower Man Sega CD and Genesis print ad

*Are you fan of The Lawnmower Man movie?*

Back in 1992, there was a lot of buzz generated by the movie The Lawnmower Man as it had a disturbing concept that involved virtual reality and, more notably, author Stephen King sued the filmmakers to remove his name from the title because the film differed so much from the source material. Of course, those developments did not stop the production of video game adaptations of the movie. This print ad promoting the Sega CD and Sega Genesis versions of the game heavily used the images of CyberJobe which were among the most memorable images from the film. Looking at the ad, the ad makers could have made the screenshots look a little larger to really sell the games.

13. Ground Zero: Texas print ad

*The shotguns really made this ad eye-catching.*

I never played the Sega CD video game Ground Zero: Texas but I knew that it was one of those games that heavily relied on video footage while giving players moments to interact. Back in 1993, there was an increase in the number of video games that carried lots of live action footage to drive the narrative and players were given options in order to progress. What is very notable about the game is not the game design but the very 2-page ad used to promote it. The image showing four people pointing their shotguns towards the viewer was easily the most captivating part of the ad. Even though there was vacant space in between, the screenshots of the game were displayed to be really small.

14. Alien vs. Predator for SNES and Game Boy print ad

*This ad caught the attention of a lot of people back then.*

Back in 1990, Dark Horse Comics launched the 4-issue mini-series of Aliens vs. Predator which turned out to be a very intriguing and engaging crossover comic book tale featuring two iconic sci-fi species of monsters. The success of the comic books led to the production of many video games which delighted both fans of Predator and Aliens. In 1993, Activision released Alien vs. Predator on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and the single-page print ad they came up with was engaging to look at. The SNES game box with the fine looking painted art was the main visual highlight leaving just enough space for the descriptive text, the Game Boy cover and two screenshots. Believe it or not, this video game was not related at all with the Alien vs. Predator arcade game and Atari Jaguar console game.

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“All My Feelings are All Me” – Mindbuilders Preschool’s Culmination for Health Awareness Month

November 29, 2024November 29, 2024carlocarrasco

To conclude their Health Awareness Month, which was primarily aimed to develop self-awareness in their students, Mindbuilders Preschool located in BF Homes organized a special event entitled “All my Feelings are All Me.”

Prior to this culmination, the teachers of Mindbuilders Preschool implemented activities throughout October that would encourage their pupils to identify and even discuss their feelings in class. One tool the students made and used during their daily Circle Time period was a “feelings scale”, which allowed each child to identify a specific emotion he or she was feeling at the time. The children were also taught to use a decorated paper cup nicknamed the “jellyfish”. By breathing in and out of the cup, they could use it to calm themselves down in situations that made them feel scared, nervous or anxious. Other activities promoting self-awareness, specifically in the Gross Motor domain, were also implemented.

Then, on the morning of November 15, the assembly of preschool pupils, teachers and volunteer parents witnessed two very special presentations: one by psychologist Patricia Pacheco-Beton and another by a living legend of Philippine cinema and television, Miss Gina Alajar.

Teacher Pach efficiently taught the young audience about the kind of feelings they have and how to react when they feel something. In separate turns, a few students were called to the front to answer the guest psychologist’s key questions. The answers stated amused the other children as well as the parents and teachers who were present. More importantly, the little children themselves learned a lot from Teacher Pach’s presentation.

*Using a children’s picture book, Teacher Pach engaged the students with a story and how it relates with feelings.*

Teacher Pach also engaged the students in a read-aloud of an illustrated children’s book about the myriad of feelings a child can have in just one day! And as the narrative went on, students were able to identify the kind of emotions that the main character displayed.

Veteran actress and director Gina Alajar facilitated an acting workshop with three alternating groups of kids in attendance. In relation to the topic of feelings, she first asked the students what kind of emotions were they able to spot in films they had watched before. Collectively, the children gave answers which proved that they had been paying attention to the cinematic emotions even while enjoying the movies.

*Ms. Gina Alajar had a group sit-down with the students of Mindbuilders Preschool about their feelings in relation to the senses. (Photo credit: Richard Estuesta)*

*The veteran filmmaker getting feedback from one of the students. (Photo credit: Richard Estuesta)*

To determine how far everyone could go with their emotions, Alajar focused on the five senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. For each sense explored, the actress used specific items to get reactions from the kids. As children would respond differently to each item, she processed valuing each one’s feelings and respecting the feelings of others as well. Having seen Gina Alajar act so dramatically in movies from long ago, I was very impressed to see how experienced and patient she was when it came to teaching the students of Mindbuilders Preschool. It was as if they were all her grandchildren!

Elsewhere within Mindbuilders were other activities that tapped the students’ other intelligences. These took place inside different classrooms. One classroom had each child decorate a puzzle piece and then assemble the pieces together to form one big puzzle. In another classroom nearby, students were taught to express themselves with music and movement amidst multicolored lights. Finally, a coloring session of positive quotes on affirmation stones was held in another classroom.

*In this particular workshop, the students learn to express themselves with music and movement. (Photo credit: Macon Leaño)*

*Students putting the puzzle pieces together in another classroom. (Photo credit: Tintin L. Cabase)*

*A student coloring positive quotes on an affirmation stone. (photo credit: Kristine Salustiano)*

*The session of coloring positive quotes on affirmation stones offers students a unique opportunity to practice their analysis and creativity. (photo credit: Kristine Salustiano)*

After all the workshops and sessions were completed, the students were treated to a free film viewing at the play area.

A special activity fulfilled!

According to Mindbuilders Preschool Directress Marah Estuesta, the team worked hard in preparation for their Health Awareness Month Culmination. This included making schedule adjustments due to a major weather disturbance. What transpired on November 15, however, was a huge pay-off complete with a strong reception and the fulfillment of goals on educating the children about self-awareness.

Mindbuilders Preschool’s Health Awareness Month Culmination was supported by Chef Thess Uy Catering.

*Philippines film and TV living legend Gina Alajar poses with the teachers and parents of Mindbuilders Preschool. At leftmost is directress Marah Estuesta. (Photo credit: Richard Estuesta)*

Words from the Directress

“This activity was one for the books! In today’s world, where mental health is increasingly prioritized, I am happy to have an activity that fosters socio-emotional development in our preschoolers. It is very relevant that children begin developing self-awareness early, as it lays the foundation for understanding and managing their emotions, as well as expressing them effectively.

From understanding their own feelings to recognizing those of others, this activity is a significant step in helping young minds navigate the complexities of emotions. By engaging in activities that promote emotional intelligence, children learn valuable skills such as empathy, emotional regulation, and healthy communication.

Our month-long activities encouraged our preschoolers to explore and express their feelings in a safe and nurturing environment. Through fun, interactive exercises, tapping their Multiple Intelligences, they begin to articulate their emotions, understand their impact, and learn appropriate ways to respond to various emotional states. This kind of early intervention is vital, as it equips children with the tools they need to grow into emotionally resilient and socially adept individuals.“

Marah Estuesta

About Mindbuilders Preschool

Mindbuilders Preschool is an early learning environment committed to maximizing a child’s potential by creating exciting experiences that inspire enthusiasm for learning. Founded in 2002, it has grown as the leading Multiple Intelligences Preschool in the South (BF Homes, Las Piñas & Parañaque), following Howard Gardner’s Theory. Mindbuilders Preschool offers one of the best classes in the community for preschoolers.

For further updates about Mindbuilders Preschool, visit https://www.MindbuildersPreschoolPH.com/

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

A Look Back at Predator 2 #1 (1990)

November 29, 2024November 19, 2024carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, movie fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1990 to take a look at the official comic book adaptation of the movie Predator 2 (1990).

For the newcomers reading this, Predator 2 is the sequel to the 1987 movie directed by John McTiernan (Die Hard) and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. As the movie became a huge commercial success, it started a chain of events that led to the rise of the Predator entertainment franchise covering merchandising, comic books and video games to name a few. Of course, the development of a cinematic sequel happened and both the movie studio and filmmakers took their time to make it. Predator 2 was directed by Stephen Hopkins and it starred Danny Glover, Gary Busey and Bill Paxton.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Predator 2 #1, published in 1990 by Dark Horse Comics with a story written by Frank Henkel (based on the screenplay by Jim Thomas and John Thomas) and drawn by Dan Barry. Mark Verheiden (writer of 1989’s Predator #1) was acknowledged with special thanks. This comic book is the first of a 2-part comic book adaptation of the movie.

Early story

The story begins during a very hot day in 1997 Los Angeles. Police office Mike Harrigan rushes to the site of a major shootout between heavily armed gangs (Colombians and Jamaicans). The police managed to corner a gang to a building that was occupied by the foreigners. Knowing that a fellow cop is slowly bleeding to death and the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team are still stuck in traffic, Harrigan decides to take action against the armed gangsters with the support of his teammates and some police personnel.

After managing to get close to the gangsters by the building using his car, Harrigan manages to shoot them all and pave the way for his teammates to get closer. Harrigan does not realize that a camouflaged Predator is watching him from above.

At one of the higher floors of the building, the rest of the foreign gangsters prepare themselves for the arrival of the cops by gathering guns and ammunition. Suddenly, the camouflaged Predator crashes in on them…

Quality

*The Predator here is quite aggressive and even arrogant enough to suddenly fight the Jamaican gang alone.*

I am surprised how entertaining this first chapter of the 2-part comic book adaptation of Predator 2 turned out to be. While the accuracy is understandably less than 100% with regards to translation from cinema to literature, this comic book’s narrative is quite faithful to the events of the movie (from the start until the King Willie scene) and the film’s vibe was strongly captured. In fact much of the dialogue spoken in the film were mostly recaptured here, and the same can be said about the way the characters were portrayed.

For brevity and the maximizing of the pages made available, creative liberties or shortcuts were taken by the creators. This means that the presentation of details was carefully done to keep readers properly informed while managing to keep the fun factor and level of intrigue strong. Indeed, writer Frank Henkel did a very good job keeping things together to make the reading experience fun and engaging.

If there is anything that this comic book exceeds the movie on, it is the graphic violence. Artist Dan Barry really ramped up the bloody scenes and gore (examples: Mike Harrigan’s killing of two foreign gangsters with a shotgun, and the scene when Harrigan and his team were stunned by the sight of the many ruined dead bodies of gangsters who were just eliminated by the Predator before they arrived) as he used his own style to make the action scenes as intense as the ones filmed by Stephen Hopkins and crew. It was obvious he saw the movie.

Barry also had his own style on visualizing the characters without the authority to use the likeness of any actor from the film. Mike Harrigan looks nothing like Danny Glover while Peter Keyes does not resemble Gary Busey. Barry’s visual take on the Predator itself has a really distinctive look when compared to how other artists drew Predators.

Barry did not aim to achieve photo realism at all with the characters (who appear with a slightly cartoonish aesthetic), the locations and action scenes but I don’t find anything problematic with his work here. In fact, I enjoyed his way of translating the movie’s visual presentation into literary format.

Conclusion

*Mike Harrigan, Danny and Leona make their moves.*

Predator 2 #1 (1990) is a very enjoyable read. It strongly captured the vibe of the movie complete with the dialogue and the way the characters were presented. Very clearly, the Henkel-Barry duo did really fine work in this comic book adaptation and I am convinced to move on to issue #2.

Overall, Predator #2 (1990) is highly recommended!

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 43

November 27, 2024November 19, 2024carlocarrasco

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

#1 When Atari invaded Japan – Here in the Philippines, me and my friends played video games on the Atari 2600 consoles in our respective homes during the first half of the 1980s. What I did not know back then was the fact that Atari did its best to sell its console and video games in nearby Japan. It turns out, their console in Japan was the Atari 2800. Watch and learn about this particular part of video game history with the video of GTV Japan below.

#2 A look back at Superman: The Animated Series – When it comes to animated series of the 1990s related to superheroes, X-Men: The Animated Series, Batman: The Animated Series and Spider-Man: The Animated Series are often remembered by long-time fans and geeks. The animated series of Superman, however, does not get remembered as much even though it had good quality animation and presentation. Of course, it should be remembered that the 1990s was the same decade when DC Comics had Superman killed, introduced the Supermen, brought Superman back to life and even had the Clark Kent identity destroyed which probably overshadowed the animated series. To discover more of Superman: The Animated Series, watch the video below.

#3 Examining the original 2099 comics franchise of Marvel Comics – You might have heard about 2099 among the many comic books Marvel published through the decades. The futuristic of Marvel’s shared universe originally started in late 1992 when the comic book speculator boom was still intense. It started strongly with Spider-Man 2099 followed by Ravage 2099, Doom 2099 and Punisher 2099. In the 2^nd half of 1993, X-Men 2099 followed and even more related comic books got released. Of course, the 2099 franchise of the 1990s eventually ended. How and why it all happened like that, you can learn by watching Owen likes Comics’ video below.

#4 You, Me and the Movies’ Excalibur reaction – Excalibur is an epic medieval fantasy movie about the legend of King Arthur and his knights released in 1981. I first saw the film on TV in 1988 and it was an intriguing viewing experience. I replayed it on physical disc format in 2003 and eventually recognized Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren, Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne looking much younger. If you want to discover more of Excalibur through the reaction of You, Me and the Movies, watch the video posted below. It’s a fun watch.

#5 Assorted videos about Planet of the Apes (1968) – Planet of the Apes of 1968 is considered by many as a great science fiction film as well as a philosophical and intelligent viewing experience. While it is an engaging viewing experience, I find the concept of human evolution and the so-called genetic links between humans and apes to be nothing more than fantasies. Considering its fame, it is no surprise that a lot of YouTubers made their own videos about it and you can watch the selected videos below.

#6 A look back at Robotron: 2084 – Robotron: 2084 is a 2D, multi-directional shooting game first released in arcades way back in 1982. I never played the arcade version but managed to play it on an IBM PC around the mid-1980s. The history behind the game is quite rich in details and you can enjoy learning about it by watching the video of PatmanQC below.

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A Look Back at Predator #1 (1989)

November 22, 2024November 17, 2024carlocarrasco

Welcome back science fiction enthusiasts, 1980s arts and culture enthusiasts, movie fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1989 to take a look at a significant event of the Predator entertainment franchise – the comic book launch of Predator.

For the newcomers reading this, Predator started as a sci-fi action movie in 1987 directed by John McTiernan (Die Hard) and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, and Jesse Ventura to name some. The writers and creators were Jim Thomas and John Thomas. As the movie became a huge commercial success, it led to the start of its own multi-media entertainment franchise covering video games, toys, novels and comic books. It also led to the release of more movies including a crossover film with the Alien franchise.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Predator #1, published in 1989 by Dark Horse Comics with a story written by Mark Verheiden and drawn by Chris Warner. The is the first chapter of a 4-issue mini-series and it would later be referred to as Predator: Concrete Jungle.

Early story

The story begins during a very hot summer day in 1991 New York City. A man killed his own wife using a shotgun which eventually leads to the arrival of cops, medics and his arrest. The two detectives Errol Rasche and John Schaefer (brother of Dutch) have been working together in the local war against crime and they have a tendency to do things that violate their superiors’ orders.

In one of the rundown buildings of New York, a secret meeting between two gangs got terribly disrupted by a Predator who attacked from the outside. Chaos and destruction followed.

Shortly after, Rasche and Schaefer arrive outside the same building which has been surrounded and isolated by the local police. When a man suddenly fell out of the building and crashed on top of a police car, the two detectives decide to enter willfully violating the order to stay out.

Once they enter the room where the secret gang meeting was held, Rasche and Schaefer are shocked to see many skinned and dead bodies inside. Schaefer is convinced that what happened was not the result of a gang war…

Quality

*A gang meeting about to be disrupted by the unseen Predator.*

This comic book – written as a not-too-obvious sequel to the 1987 movie – is absolutely very intriguing to read from start to finish. Mark Verheiden clearly wrote a crime story that happens to involve the species of deadly hunters from outer space. In fact, this comic book has very notable elements that also made it into the core concept of the 1990 movie Predator 2.

Story is set within a massive city that happens to be suffering from a heat wave – check! There is rampant crime and conflicts between gangs – check! The Predator causes huge disruptions on the criminals – check! The detectives willingly violate protocol to solve cases – check! One of the detectives is gradually getting closer to retiring and his pension – check. It’s almost as if this comic book was a huge influence on the people who made Predator 2.

Going back to the story, this is a strong tale of crime and urban war told through the exploits of detectives Schaefer and Rasche who have worked many years together, they treat each other like brothers (similar to Predator 2’s Mike Harrigan and Danny Archuleta).

With their record of disobeying orders, Schaefer and Rasche simply involve themselves in cases believing they have the right know the details on the spot and to solve problems their way even though their superiors don’t need them. This is the anti-authoritarian portrayal of law enforcers that easily reminded me of certain TV shows and movies of the 1980s.

All throughout, the story by Verheiden is nicely structured, has lots of engaging details to follow and carefully blends sci-fi elements with detective storytelling. Verheiden clearly knows how to build up tension, keep the narrative progressing and use action or spectacle with precise timing.

When it comes to the visuals, Chris Warner’s style is very good. His approach on drawing the characters made them look exquisite and visceral at the same time. In fact, there were some shots of people in this comic book which reminded me of Todd McFarlane’s way of drawing people during his early works in comics. Lastly, I should say that Warner’s approach on hard action and his way of drawing of the Predator must be seen.

Conclusion

*Rasche and Schaefer defy orders. Schaefer (holding the gun) is the brother of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in the Predator movie of 1987.*

I really enjoyed reading Predator #1 (1989). This is indeed really fine work by the Verheiden-Warner team and as far as building up the lore of the Predator goes, they clearly succeeded and their contributions here strongly influenced the creation of Predator 2 which opened in cinemas in late 1990. This comic book has the visceral touch and violence that make it comparable with both the 1987 and 1990 movies.

Overall, Predator #1 (1989) is highly recommended!

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