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 videos I found.
#1 Ashleigh Burton reacts to Octopussy – As a young boy, I first saw the 1983 James Bond movie Octopussy on home video. Starring Roger Moore, the movie has Agent 007 on another wild adventure facing off with a Soviet Union general and the exiled Afghan prince. With a notable part of the film shot on location in India, Octopussy’s action and stunt scenes looked exotic and sometimes comical. That being said, I enjoyed watch Ashleigh Burton’s reaction video and it is easily the most entertaining Octopussy reaction video on YouTube to date. Watch her video now.
#2 Trump crushes the European Union and wins big for America – After executing the greatest comeback ever, US President Donald Trump’s winning streak of achievements continued as he scored big for the Americans by crushing the corrupted European Union (EU). Not only did American win over the EU on trade, Trump slammed Europe’s approach on migration as well as their renewable energy policies in front of the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Watch the two videos below and pay close attention to the details.
#3 Slope’s Game Room examines Theme Park – While I played a lot of video games and computer games through the decades, I never had the chance to play the 1994 game Theme Park. Developed by Bullfrog Productions, Theme Park is a simulation game in which players get to construct an amusement park and manage it with the goal of attracting visitors, making profit and expanding globally. The game was a major hit among critics and gamers. To find out more about who made Theme Park and what inspired the developers to make it, watch Slope Game Room’s in-depth video below.
#4 Popcorn in Bed reacts to Jaws 2 – Recently the Canadian YouTuber Popcorn in Bed posted her reaction video of Jaws 2. A sequel to Steven Spielberg’s classic Jaws, the 1978 movie had Roy Scheider as the star again but he and director Jeannot Szwarc had conflicts behind the scenes and the production was troublesome. Having seen all Jaws movies, I can say that Jaws 2 had a lot of creative elements common with slasher horror movies. That being said, the way this movie drew reactions from Popcorn in Bed is a must-see.
#5 Japan’s authorities react to troublesome foreigners and tourists from overseas – There is no denying that Japan is a great place to visit and explore. As a young man, I toured Japan twice (in 1996 and 1997) and I can say that the travel experience is tremendous. In today’s age of social media and people having their own smartphones, Japan continues to attract even more visitors from around the world and the sad thing is that there are troublesome or disrespectful foreigners who arrived as well. Now the authorities are making adjustments in reaction. Watch and learn from the video of Asian Route below. Also, remember to respect the rules and the locals in every country you visit.
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. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Atari 2600 print ad
If you have seen Steven Spielberg’s 1982 movie, were you able to play the Atari 2600 video game? I did!
Atari invested a lot on its video game based on Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial as the film was a massive box office success. In addition to their Atari 2600 video game print ad showing E.T. with Elliot, they ran another print ad with a concept of the sci-fi character needing people’s help. They came up with original artwork showing E.T. holding a box of the Atari 2600 E.T. video game, then posted details about how to acquire a copy of the game (with prices for regular customers and club members) and posted a toll-free 1-800 phone number. They also offered a $5 discount for those who order the E.T. or Raider of the Lost Ark video game and another cartridge. This old ad had commerce written all over it.
2. Bulls vs. Lakers and the NBA Playoffs Sega Genesis print ad
Before NBA Live, there was this old NBA video games series by Electronic Arts.
Based on the 1990-91 NBA season and the NBA finals match-up between the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers, Bulls vs. Lakers and the NBA Playoffs was Electronic Arts’ exciting game for the Sega Genesis which already had lots of sports-loving gamers. They made a 2-page print ad that was cleverly designed to make both gamers and NBA fans excited. It is not an accident that the ad showed comparative images (in-game footage and real-life basketball photos) of NBA superstars like Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone and Charles Barkley on the right. With the strong visual presentation, emphasis on popular NBA players and other details posted, this old ad is still fun and exciting to look at.
3. Japanese Smash T.V. print ad
The Japanese print ad of Smash T.V.
Yes, it is true! The console port of the arcade classic Smash T.V. was released on the Super Family Computer (Super Famicom) in Japan back in the 1990s. While I cannot understand the Japanese text shown on the ad above, it still looks exciting as the official artwork plus a screenshot of the game were displayed. The revealed retail price of 7,800 Yen is alone eye-catching as there were many games in Japan launched below that price in the next console generation. I can only wonder how many gamers in Japan bought and enjoyed Smash T.V.
4. U.S. Championship V’Ball arcade flyers
The very colorful and striking arcade flyer for the Japanese market.
The American arcade flyer.
In 1988, Technos – the company behind the Double Dragon video games – released U.S. Championship V’Ball in video arcades in Japan and in America. The way it was promoted in Japan, Technos came up with an arcade flyer that had a comic-inspired hand-drawn artwork that easily gave viewers a strong American beach volleyball vibe. For the American arcade market, Taito (licensed by Technos) used different artwork showing two men in action. If you ask me, the Japanese arcade flyer is more dynamic to look at. Regardless of art style and presentation, both arcade flyers emphasized beach volleyball to gamers clearly.
5. Pitfall 3D: Beyond the Jungle print ad
The 2-page print ad of Pitfall 3D: Beyond the Jungle.
When Activision decide to make a new Pitfall video game with polygonal graphics and with 3D platform gameplay, it was not surprising at all as this was the trend that defined 1990s gaming. In 1998, Pitfall 3D: Beyond the Jungle was released for the PlayStation and it received a divisive reception from the critics. If you look closely at the print ad, the words “Next Generation Adventure” was written in the lower-right part and it was clear the game’s quality did not justify them.
6. Atari 2600 and games print ads
Our household had an Atari 2600 console and many games.
Atari’s promotion of its console, the games and interactive entertainment with the TV.
For a number of years decades ago, Atari dominated the video game console market in America with the Atari 2600 sold in the millions. While Atari today is no longer the video game giant it used to be, there is no denying the fact that they really changed the way people enjoyed the use of their television sets in American homes by offering them lots of video games for the Atari 2600 console. By looking at the above print ads, you can see that the company was not only aggressive with their marketing but also made interactive electronic entertainment more acceptable to countless families.
7. Burning Rangers North American print ad
I remember this ad from video game magazines I read in 1998.
Released in 1998 for the Sega Saturn, Burning Rangers was a high-quality exclusive game. To promote it in America, Sega came up with the print ad showing a few screenshots and a dominating image of a fire fighter cooling down on a kid’s personal pool. The image emphasized the element of fire in the game even though it lacked the more sci-fi elements used on the characters and setting. It should be noted that by 1998, the Sega Saturn was no longer in high demand in America as gamers overwhelmingly chose PlayStation and Nintendo 64 (N64) consoles and games. In retrospect, this was one of Sega’s final hard marketing moves done with a Saturn game.
Welcome back Xbox fans, geeks, retro gaming fans and other gamers!
If you are disappointed with modern console gaming and if you don’t like what the console makers are doing, retro gaming will restore the fun and help you forget about the disappointment.
I recently purchased a copy of Elevator Action Returns S-Tribute for my Xbox Series X because I wanted to play Elevator Action Returns again but in the comfort of home. For the newcomers reading this, Elevator Action Returns (also titled as Elevation Action II in some markets overseas) was first released in Japanese arcades in 1994.
The Japanese arcade flyer of Elevator Action Returns.
In my experience here in the Philippines, I played the original Elevator Action on the Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom) in 1986 and I played its sequel for the first time at the arcade of X-Site Amusement Center inside Festival Mall in Alabang in 1998. Upon playing Elevator Action Returns arcade version, I was instantly hooked as it was pretty playable, exciting and fun to play. To the best of my memory, I replayed Elevator Action Returns a number of times at X-Site Amusement Center until early 2001. Today, the game is no longer available in X-Site’s arcade selection which is a bummer.
In recent times, I’ve been replaying Elevator Action Returns and the original Elevator Action on my Xbox Series X thanks to the Elevator Action Returns S-Tribute digital copy I purchased. What I am writing here is not a game review but more of an observation about the mid-1990s game in general and how it played using the Xbox controller.
Game design and gameplay
Developed by Taito, Elevator Action Returns was built up on the foundation it inherited from its 1980s predecessor. The game has a 2D visual design and with more detailed sprites and artistic elements of the time. The game was designed with a joystick and two action buttons (one for shooting and the other for jumping) arcade control set up in mind.
The first level is a creative remake of what was presented in the original Elevator Action game. Only this time, the action is more intense, faster and more explosive.
Players will have to make their way through the floors in each level (six in total), shooting the enemies (the in-game terrorist group), entering all the red-colored door to retrieve something essential, survive and then making your way to the exit point of the level. As the game has a designated health meter or life bar for the player, this allows players to keep enduring the challenges without worrying about any one-hit deaths.
As players make their way through each level, they can pick up new weapons like machine guns or launchers. Players can also enter doors to pick up not only new weapons but also health boosters or points.
The 2D sprite work and animation are fantastic to look at. The artistic details in the background and foreground added visual dept.
You can pick one of three characters to play as.
When compared to the original Elevator Action, the sequel comes with good variety per level prepared. The first level was traditional in design like the previous game as players have to move down a tall building by floors, accomplish with the red door and conclude the level at the ground floor. The other levels are more horizontal in design and players will definitely be moving more sideward fighting the terrorists while avoiding environmental hazards. There also will be times when players will have to climb up one floor to the next by escalator or by elevator depending on the level designed.
When it comes to the constant opposition, the terrorists are many and players should be aware of them appearing when they are least expected. What it noticeable is that the terrorists become more aggressive and relentless the longer players take to finish a level. I promise you readers, you will do a lot of shooting, jumping, and even melee attacks when fighting the bad guys.
Levels like this one allowed for more sideway movement as well as opportunities to climb up or down a floor in order to accomplish your objective.
With a health meter implemented, you can endure more damage as you fight the bad guys and make your way through. Beware of environmental hazards along the way.
As for the controls, the arcade control set-up of a single joystick and two buttons remains the best way to play it. Elevator Action Returns is playable enough with the Xbox controller. While the left analog stick of the Xbox controller works well in moving the character, I ended up using the directional pad (D-pad) a lot more because it works much better and allows me to make more precise moves. This game can be played in single-player or in 2-player co-op.
A sequel released at the right time
I like the artwork the game developers prepared highlighting your mission accomplishment and survival. A lot of effort was invested on making the artwork displayed here.
Being a mid-1990s game made with more advanced visual elements, better hardware and a modern approach to gameplay, the action in Elevator Action Returnsis unsurprisingly faster, more action-packed and more explosive than its predecessor. Indeed, this is a high-quality sequel and a true evolution of the classic Elevator Action formula. As Islamic terrorism became a major problem in global affairs in the 1990s, the terrorism theme of the game’s story was timely and fitting as the fictional terrorist group is obsessed with causing destruction and death worldwide. As such, the game allows players to pick one of three character of a counter-terrorism unit, and each character has differences with regards to speed, armor, firing speed, health and sub-weapons. The levels are plentiful and the same can be said about the varied action which makes the game worth replaying from start to finish. I should state that the 2D sprite work is great and timeless to look at.
Elevator Action Returns is a classic and it ensures a lot of fun for anyone who loves retro gaming and the Elevator Action series in general. This is one of the best arcade games of the 1990s now available for playing on modern consoles.
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 videos I found.
#1 Superboy star John Newton featured in Minty Comedic Arts’ video – It has been almost forty years since the Superboy TV series first launched with John Newton (formerly John Haymes Newton) as the titular role. It was an entertaining TV show and it easily attracted a lot of Superman fans, DC Comics readers and those who read the Superboy comic books. Recently, John Newton was featured in a special video by Minty Comedic Arts which was the result of information mentioned in Minty’s standalone Superboy trivia video. Newton saw the Superboy video and reached out to Minty Comedic Arts. Minty – who admitted he has a weakness on interviewing/communicating with people – agreed to feature Newton in a documentary style video instead of an online interview. That being said, Newton recorded his minutes-long part and said a lot of intriguing and interesting information about his one-season work as Superboy. That being said, I urge you all to watch Minty’s special video below.
#2 Barack Obama exposed over Russia collusion hoax – It took more than eight years but Tulsi Gabbard did her patriotic duty by declassifying high-level files and messages exposing Barack Obama for treason over his responsibility behind the Russia collusion hoax (designed to undermine Donald Trump who defeated Hillary Clinton for US President in 2016) and he involved America’s intelligence community. What Obama did was not just a corrupted act as US President but a clear violation against the will of the American people who chose Trump over Clinton. This tragedy only showed how corrupted, wicked and arrogant Democrats really are. To understand all the details, what happened behind the scenes back in late-2016 and what the documents showed, watch the selected videos below.
#3 Jeff Daniels and Kamala Harris are the modern Dumb and Dumber – Do you still remember actor Jeff Daniels? He appeared in 1990s films like Arachnophobia, Speed and Dumb and Dumber. In an interview, he expressed his feelings for the defeated and incompetent Commie Democrat Kamala Harris and he still could not get over the results of the 2024 US Presidential Election won by Donald Trump! Daniels foolishly compared Harris to Abraham Lincoln. Watch the video below and observe who is dumb and dumber.
#4 A look at an Osaka diner – It has been almost thirty years since my one and only visit to Osaka in Japan. As I was browsing YouTube videos to watch, I spotted a video about a certain Osaka diner which has great looking visuals, a strong presentation, and the Japanese dialogue translated into English presented in subtitles. More importantly, the video will give viewers an in-depth look as to how diner is operated and how the food gets prepared before opening. It could be helpful for those inspiring to open a new restaurant. Watch it now!
#5 Reaction videos of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) – Have you been watching any 1950s movies as of late? If you did, was there any particular film from that decade that scared you or made you feel stressed while watching? The 1956 film Invasion of the Body Snatchers is one such film and people who discovered it and saw it recently often state they found it suspenseful and even scary. I found three reaction videos about the film on YouTube and they are entertaining to watch.
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, 1970s arts and culture enthusiasts, DC Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1979 to take a close look at a part of the DC Comics universe through a tale of the Action Comics monthly series.
Do you enjoy following stories with the “make-a-wish” concept as a key element? Or do you prefer seeing major events happen because someone else has the power to alter reality? I for one don’t enjoy those concepts very much and the element of wish-making really ruined the story of the glossy cinematic failure Wonder Woman 1984 (written and co-directed by Patty Jenkins). When it comes to Superman, the wish-making or the ability to seriously alter reality could be effect in storytelling when the right creators are involved.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at Action Comics #497, published in 1979 by DC Comics with a story written by Cary Bates and drawn by Curt Swan.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins inside a shed on a lot with three boys who have their own Superman club and support the Man of Steel’s never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American way. Arthur, who is up for drawing something for the next club newsletter, shared his idea (inspired by what he saw in a movie) about a gigantic meteor from outer space heading towards Metropolis which would compel Superman to save the city. Near the three boys is an empty chair reserved for a particular someone.
Many miles away deep within Metropolis, Clark Kent attends a conference in which Lana Lang delivers remarks to an audience of GBS affiliates. As Lana tells the audience that their news team is determined to maintain high standards of broadcasting, a uniformed door man causes a disturbance by telling everyone that a blackout has plunged the entire city into darkness.
Suddenly, the audience exited the venue and Lana notices that Clark is gone. Elsewhere, Superman quickly flies high and sees a giant meteor (the size of a stadium) on a collision course with Metropolis…
Quality
Do you wish you have the power to make superheroes do something as you wish?
Starting with the concept of reality getting seriously altered by someone with tremendous power, the said concept really brought the fantasy aspect of this Superman tale to a very high level. The Man of Steel ends up getting into unbelievable situations and do things that are amazing or shocking. In order words, the concept of altered reality (related to wishful thinking and intense imagination) actually works well in this tale thanks to the Bates-Swan duo.
Of course, this is not simply a Superman story about wild events that compelled him to react. There are character-driven scenes that emphasize how Superman analyzes what has been going on and why he seems to be controlled or guided to do things that he had no intent of doing. This particular element of the story raises questions about the ethics of having so much power at hand and being able to command a more powerful person to do something (as a wish is made by the one who wields a lot of power).
Considering the wild events that happened throughout the story, I can say that the Bates-Swan duo successfully pulled off a worthy pay-off at the conclusion.
Conclusion
Superman saves Metropolis and many people once again. Lana Lang is among the people on the street.
Action Comics #497 (1979) is an old Superman tale that is worth reading. While you won’t see Superman encountering any super villain, the fantasy elements and wild events more than made up for it. More importantly, the Bates-Swan duo was really careful with using the make-a-wish and reality altering concepts to make the plot believable while preventing it from becoming too outlandish. The result is a Superman tale that is entertaining to read.
Overall, Action Comics #497 (1979) is recommended.
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 videos I found.
#1 How to catch a shark and prepare it for consumption – If you are fond of fishing, have you ever tried catching a shark and then preparing it for cooking and eating? You can learn a lot from the video of Darcizzle Offshore which showed how a blacktip shark was caught. That being said, let me ask you – when was the last time you had shark for a meal? Watch the video below.
#2 Arcade games that never got ported – Through the decades, I visited the local arcades and played a lot of games. Along the way, there were times when I simply watched other games being played by others. Being an avid gamer, I noticed that there were several games of the arcade that never got ported on to consoles nor home computers nor the mobile devices. I recently stumbled on this video by Just Jamie which is entertaining to watch.
#3 Female bodybuilders and fitness influencers who died this year – With your current knowledge about health, do you often think that being healthy and being very muscular are always related with one another? Did you believe having a bulked up body means you are healthy? Believe it or not, there are already some female bodybuilders who did recently and certain details behind their deaths might shock you. Watch and learn from the video below.
#4 You, Me and the Movies posted another Friday The 13th (1980) reaction video – In July of 2021, YouTuber You, Me and the Movies posted its reaction video of 1980’s Friday The 13th. Recently, You, Me and the Movies posted another reaction video of the same movie but “Mrs. Movies” has been replaced by her sister Berly. I encourage to watch the video below.
#5 Fig Newtons remembered – Back in the 1980s, I saw an eye-catching print ad of the snack Fig Newtons while reading a superhero comic book here in the Philippines. Some years later, I managed to eat Fig Newtons imported from the United States and it was delicious to eat. If anyone of you likes snacks in general or if you really loved eating Fig Newtons before, posted below for your viewing pleasure and learning is a video about the history of Fig Newtons.
#6 SwordQuest contests and prizes remembered – Back in the 1980s, Atari released on their Atari 2600 console a fantasy-themed series of video games called SwordQuest. Not only did they release three SwordQuest games (click here, here and here), the company even organized contests (about the games) that had luxurious prizes made of real gold and jewels for champions. To take a close look at the events that happened – complete with archive video footage and pictures – watch the video by Save Data below.
#7 Ashleigh Burton reacts to Moonraker – If you are less than thirty years-old and you started watching James Bond movies in the 21st century, were you able to watch the movie that had Agent 007 go to outer space? 1979’s Moonraker is the one and only James Bond movie (starring the late Roger Moore) that featured space travel and even laser battles in space. Moonraker was also the first James Bond movie to surpass the $200 million mark in global ticket sales. For some people, Moonraker aged badly but for some it still is entertaining to watch. To find out more about Moonraker, watch Ashleigh Burton’s reaction video below.
#8 The international box office weakness of James Gunn’s Superman explained – No matter what Warner Bros. did and no matter the overseas promotional tours done by the filmmakers and stars of James Gunn’s Superman, the movie ended up as a box office disappointment outside of America grossing only $95 million during its first international weekend. In fact, the new Superman movies could not take down Jurassic World: Rebirth in certain countries during the weekend of July 11-13, 2025. As America generated the majority of its ticket sales, the movie has lesser chances of making $1 billion worldwide and I would not be surprised to see it gross less than 2013’s Man of Steel ($670 million worldwide). To learn why James Gunn’s Superman is already a commercial disappointment with moviegoers outside of America, watch the videos below.
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 videos I found.
#1 Calvin Dyson’s The Spy Who Love Me in-depth review – One of the best James Bond-focused YouTubers is Calvin Dyson. Years ago, he posted his in-depth retro review of The Spy Who Loved Me – starring the late Roger Moore – which is pretty entertaining to watch. I saw the 1977 James Bond film a number of times in my life and I can say that Dyson not only made an engaging retro review, he also provided crucial insight about the movie. For those who have not seen The Spy Who Loved Me, watch it first entirely before watching Dyson’s spoileriffic review. Otherwise, enjoy his video belo.
#2 Slope’s Game Room examines Popeye video games – Growing up, I saw cartoon episodes about Popeye. I also read a few comic books about the character and even saw the live-action movie of 1980. When it comes to retro gaming, I played the Popeye Game & Watch game and then the Family Computer (Famicom) port of the Popeye arcade game. I recently found Slope’s Game Room’s retrospective video about Popeye games and to my surprise, there were more video games about the character which I never played. To discover the Popeye games and their collective history, watch the video below.
#3 The decades-old conflict between Donald Trump and Rosie O’Donnell – In case you somehow missed the buzz all the time, the conflict between Donald Trump and Rosie O’Donnell has lasted for decades. As far as the modern age is concerned, Trump successfully returned as President of the United States and O’Donnell left America for another country. The truth about Rosie O’Donnell is that you cannot trust her and you should never let her manipulate. Behind all the Hollywood glamor and entertainment glitter, Rosie O’Donnell is problematic and unstable. Her conflict with Trump goes a very long way back and I urge you to watch the video below. It is both entertaining and compelling to watch.
#4 Friday The 13th (1980) reaction videos – Do you find the 1980 horror movie Friday The 13thnotable if not special at all? For me, there is absolutely nothing special about the slasher horror film directed by Sean Cunningham (read my retro movie review by clicking here). If there is anything notable about it, it would be its economic achievement of grossing almost $60 million worldwide on a negative cost of less than $3 million (including marketing and distribution costs). When it comes to story, cinematic concepts and performances, it is still pretty weak. Still the flaws of Friday The 13th (1980) did not stop it from becoming a popular film of choice for reaction videos by YouTubers. For your interest, posted below are assorted reaction videos of the movie.
#5 Reviews of James Gunn’s Superman – Now playing in theaters worldwide, James Gunn’s Superman is bringing in a lot of money. Of course, commercial success does not clearly reflect the film’s overall quality nor the reviews it gathered from the corrupted mainstream media and from independent bloggers and content creators. It also sucks that there are some movie-focused websites that signed marketing deals with contractors of movie studios that guaranteed not only constant film promotion but also the publishing of overall positive reviews. That being said, I encourage you to take time out to watch the selected video reviews of James Gunn’s Superman below sourced from four YouTubers. If you have not seen the new movie in the cinema and you are leaning towards watching it soon, then the videos below are a must-see.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading 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 enthusiasts, Atari fans, geeks and others who are passionate about video games!
Today we go all the way back to the year 1980 when Atari released in arcades a game that strongly resonated with people who were concerned about a potential nuclear conflict between the United States and Russia during the Cold War…Missile Command.
Designed by Dave Theurer and programmed by Rich Adam with Theurer, Missile Command is a 2-dimension shoot ‘em up arcade game that had a trackball to allow players to control a crosshair to defend six existing cities. The arcade also had three buttons players could use to launch surface-to-air missiles from the three missile bases to protect the cities from incoming ballistic missiles that came from an unseen enemy.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at the Missile Command arcade game of 1980 developed and published by Atari.
The arcade flyer with a great looking painted artwork. This one really resonated with gamers who lived during the Cold War.
Game design
As the commander of three missile bases (each armed with 10 defense missiles), the player is tasked to protect six existing cities from waves of ballistic missiles (launched by an unnamed enemy) coming down. From time to time, the enemy deploys bombers, satellites/drones and smart bombs to overwhelm your defense and test your precision and decision making.
You have three missile bases that each has its own supply of defense missiles. There are cities between each base which you have to defend from the endless assault of enemy missiles, smart bombs, war planes and satellites/drones.
When your defense missile detonates in the air, it creates an explosion which serve as a shield to destroy enemy missiles, war planes and satellite/drones when contact is made. If any projectiles from the enemy manages to get through the aerial explosion, you will have to quickly launch more defense missiles from the near base you have.
Players use a single crosshair which designates which part of the sky a defense missile can be fired at. Once the defense missile reaches its destination (placed by the crosshair) in the sky, it will explode and cause a growing flame lasting seconds. The said flame serves as a shield that can destroy the enemy’s ballistic missiles, smart bombs, war planes and satellites/drones upon contact. Defense missiles can be launched consecutively into selected spots in the sky in anticipation of the incoming weapons of the enemy.
To proceed from one level to another, the player must have at least one city remaining intact. Once all the six cities have been destroyed and the player no longer has any unused missiles (and no new cities earned by reaching certain high scores that justify rewards), the game will end with a “Game Over” screen with an explosion in the background.
Quality
In this screenshot, the enemy’s satellite/drone is floating while a smart bomb is about to hit the missile base at the lower-right. Smart bombs can be challenging to intercept because it reacts by avoiding the aerial explosion of defense missiles.
This arcade game – which is currently available for modern console owners to play via the Atari 50: The Anniversary Collection – remains very engaging and a lot of fun to play with after all these decades. As a player, my only objective was to defend the six existing cities and three missile bases from the waves of enemy ballistic missiles (and smart bombs in later levels) coming from the sky. Given the way the game was designed, this is strongly emphasized and the only times I could attack the enemy is by launching my own missiles towards the enemy’s bombers and satellites/drones (note: both of these are capable of launching more missiles at you).
If any of the enemy’s weapons hits one of your missile bases, it and the remaining supply of defensive missiles will be wiped out. Enemy missiles that hit a city will result in total destruction. Considering the intentional increase in challenge with each new level of play started, the enemy’s ballistic missiles move faster, the warplanes and/or satellite/drones appear more and the smart bomb – which is the most difficult to intercept as it deliberately avoids the aerial flames caused by your defense missiles – get launched against you.
When intercepting enemy missiles, you have to think quick where to aim (ahead of incoming missiles), which missile base to use to launch defense missiles and remember how much missiles do you have left per base.
That being said, the game deliberately becomes harder which compelled me to be more watchful of enemy weapon movements, and to be more strategic using my defense missiles while keeping a quick eye on the remaining supply of missiles per base. While the in-game difficulty intensifies per level, the game never became frustrating to play nor did it ever turn into a chore on my part. I just keep playing because I found the increasing challenges actually fun to take on.
The game’s visuals are still good to look at. It’s still engaging to see streaks of missile trails (both your defense missiles and the enemy’s ballistic missiles) fill the air above the cities and the flashing light effects that simulate explosions are still effective as eye candy. Along the way, the game’s sound effects worked perfectly with the visuals and they added a lot to the immersion.
When you score enough points, the game will reward you with a bonus city.
Me putting my initials after achieving a great score in Missile Command.
Considering its simplicity and the way it was designed, there clearly is no way for players to win at all. Rather, the game will challenge your precision, decision-making and ability to defend your cities and bases. That being said, the greater challenge is to survive and be able to move on to the next level with missile bases and whatever cities remaining you still have to defend. As with other games of the past, achieving the high possible score – which reflects your endurance, skill and progress – is a goal here. Achieving certain high scores also result in an extra city for you.
Cultural relevance
Missile Command’s legacy as one of the greatest arcade games ever released is undeniably real. Not only that, this game resulted in a lot of ports for consoles, portable gaming devices and home computers through the decades. This classic was re-released in several compilations from Atari and the Xbox-listed Missile Command contains the arcade version. In 2020, a remake called Missile Command: Recharged was released as part of the Atari Recharged series of games.
The different Missile Command arcade machines.
Missile Command even appeared for a few seconds in Terminator 2: Judgment Day which added more to the film’s concept of nuclear war.
With regards to arcade gaming, Missile Command is notable for having a trackball on its machine as a way for arcade players to control the crosshair during game sessions.
Conclusion
Apart from being the commander of missile defense, try imagining yourself being on of the citizens living in one of those cities. Can you imagine watching real-life missiles get intercepted in sky above you?
The Missile Command (1980) arcade game is a true video game classic and it remains compelling and enjoyable at the same time. It can also be an intriguing game experience since it does not let players complete the game by winning. All players can do is perform the best defense they could, survive to the next round and keep playing until their defense gets overwhelmed by the enemy and the rising in-game difficulty.
As a result of the game design, playing Missile Command is actually moral because the concept of defending your people using powerful yet limited resources is very strong all the time. Even with progressive difficulty, the game never became frustrating to play and I actually enjoyed the challenges knowing that defense and survival are main goals. Achieving the highest possible score is the other goal as reflected by video gaming of the era. Missile Command simply delivers bouts of fun and you cannot go wrong with playing it. It is not surprising that this game became a massive hit and established itself as a true classic among video games.
Overall, Missile Command (1980) highly recommended and the best way to play it on console today is to avail of Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration compilation.
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 videos I found.
#1 Ashleigh Burton and Popcorn in Bed react to The Spy Who Love Me – Remember The Spy Who Loved Me? Released in 1977, the film was Roger Moore’s 3rd performance as James Bond and it was also the start of Albert Broccoli’s full control of the film franchise after breaking up with his partner. The filmmakers went all-in making The Spy Who Loved Me filled with a lot of thrills, dangerous stunts and a twist on Cold War politics to not only delight James Bond fans but also attract moviegoers who wanted something grand and fun to watch. That being said, you should watch how this 1977 Agent 007 movie drew reactions from Ashleigh Burton and Popcorn in Bed.
#2 PatmanQC examines Chase H.Q. – I never played Chase H.Q. in the arcade nor any of its ports on consoles and home computers. Historically, the game was a huge arcade hit and it was praised by game critics during its time. Chase H.Q. offered players the unique experience of playing a police officer (who has a partner) and must drive a fancy car to chase criminals who are trying to get away on the road. The game is an inspired work and if you want to discover more about how it was made and who the creators were, watch the in-depth video of PatmanQC below.
#3 James Gunn’s Superman controversy – By the time you are reading this, James Gunn’s Superman movie is already playing in theaters around the world. Just before it was released, James Gunn confirmed in a media interview that his take on DC Comics’ icon is indeed political and he even used the word “jerks” to refer to those who reject his movie. For analysis, explanations and opinions, watch the videos below.
#4 You, Me and the Movies react to Cannonall Run II – Believe it or not, the first Cannonball Run movie I ever saw was the 2nd movie titled Cannonball Run II. Released worldwide in 1984, Cannonball Run II had an all-star cast, stunts and a lot of comedy but ultimately it failed to match the commercial success of its predecessor. You, Me and the Movies recently posted its reaction video of the sequel and it deserves your attention.
#5 When Obama mocked Donald Trump – Remember back in 2011 when Barack Obama – and the elite – mocked Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner? Back then, Obama was US President and he abused his authority to put down Trump (who was rumored to run for President in the 2012 contest) to conveniently boost his own chances of for re-election. Not only that, Obama’s elite allies also pounced on Trump. By today’s standards, the 2011 event is painful for the liberals, the woke, the Satanic Left and the Democratic Party because Trump got elected as US President twice. No matter what Obama and the Satanic Left did, Trump only got stronger and hit back at them hard. Watch the video below.
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, 20th century pop culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the mid-1980s to take a close look at one of the many tales published through the original Superman monthly series (first launched in 1939).
For the newcomers reading this, the original multiverse of DC Comics formally ended with Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985-1986). That being said, a lot of DC’s monthly comic book series had respective tales the reflect the closing period of the old multiverse (which lasted for decades) and the Superman monthly series of the era was part of the trend.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at Superman #412, published in 1985 by DC Comics with a story written by Cary Bates and drawn by Curt Swan.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins at the unemployment bureau in Metropolis. Clark Kent, who recently lost his jobs with WGBS and the Daily Planet, stands in line and waits for his turn. Being unemployed, Clark feels troubled and other people nearby recognize him.
As his turn at the counter starts, Clark senses something and decides to get out quickly. He enters the emergency exit, changes into Superman and flies out of the building. It turns out a high-rise building accident has occurred and already several pieces of sharp glass have been falling down. To prevent further harm, Superman uses his heat vision to convert the falling glass and collectively turn them into a growing molten ball. He brings the giant molten ball to the top of the building (still in construction/expansion) and meets the hard-hat workers before flying away.
Elsewhere, Lana Lang announces news to TV viewers regarding the dismissal her of close friend Clark Kent which was the result of the fake headline news story about Superman and the NASA satellite. In another location, Lex Luthor is very pleased watching the same broadcast knowing his plan of ruining Superman succeeded and got Clark Kent as a fake news casualty. Luthor is not done with Superman yet…
Quality
Lex Luthor here is ruthless, strategic and obsessed with defeating Superman.
I really like this Superman tale. This is a story about Superman who is still dedicated to doing acts of good by helping people with problems even though he is socially in deep trouble being unemployed as Clark Kent. Not only is the unemployment aspect relevant, the consequences of fake news and their negative effect on people made this tale more socially relevant with today’s world of fake news and unethical journalism.
Going back to Superman, it is clear that the embarrassment and unemployment of his civilian identity impacted him as a superhero. This is evident when Lana Lang accused him of betraying Clark Kent resulting in a fake news story that led to the firing by WGBS and the Daily Planet. Lana, who does not realize Superman and Clark are the same person, blamed the Man of Steel that the firing of Clark is so devastating to her as she cares for him so much (note: Clark and Lana were romantically involved during their teenage years at Smallville).
The powerful writing by Cary Bates does not end there. In this comic book, you will see Lex Luthor execute his other plans to ruin Superman whom he personally accused over the loss of his family and his own world Lexor (click here and here for references). This is a Luthor who is not simply being evil but also someone who is well organized, strategic and even fearless. By this stage, the criminal mad scientist Luthor has accumulated a lot of resources to have his own headquarters, technologies and a dedicated staff. In some ways, Luthor in this comic book eerily resembled his financial tycoon version in the post-Crisis era (click here and here for relevance).
I should also state that the personal encounter between Superman and Luthor here is a great pay-off to the build-up that preceded it. You readers should see it for yourselves because to reveal more in this review will ruin it.
Conclusion
As Lana Lang delivers the news to TV viewers regarding Clark Kent and Superman, tension is brewing over at the Daily Planet.
Superman #412 (1985) is undeniably a great Superman story published during the very late stage of the original multiverse (note: Superman #423 was one of the final tales of Superman of this particular era. Superman #424 was part of the post-Crisis era). The portrayal of Superman being disturbed by the huge setback he suffered as a civilian is really compelling to see and his encounter with Lex Luthor really brought the tension and suspense to high levels. At the same time, the consequences of Superman’s actions (including those of his civilian form as Clark Kent) are very evident and nicely dramatized by the Bates-Swan team. You really feel that the creators were wrapping up their Superman stories and decided to move this series to a new direction knowing that the original multiverse will end. This is a must-read tale!
Overall, Superman #412 (1985) is highly recommended.
Author Carlo Carrasco 