GRcade Retro Gaming Chat

[Cheeky Devlin]

Aye, strawberry float off Preezy what are you playing at?

Devlin, is this the issue you were having with Resi where it would just randomly freeze at different times?

Yeah that's the one. Burnt games are harder for the lasers to read, which can wear them out faster. Also means I sometimes get that issue I had with Resident Evil, where it would occasionally get stuck on a load screen.

This would avoid that issue altogether as well as potentially provide faster load times.

But it comes at the cost of removing the original drive mechanism and laser, and the MODE isn't cheap (About £178 with shipping, but not including Import charges).

[jawa]

It's fine by me, I wasn't born when the SNES came out ...

.

...Imagine being asked when the 360 came out how you think games would be in another 15 years, knowing 15 years previous they looked like SNES games. I think you'd be pretty disappointed tbh

One of the good things about being an old git is having witnessed - and played! - the improvements in videogames from the Atari 2600 through to the present. Videogames have always been enjoyable but the technological development has been staggering.

But, yeah, I feel there's something to be said for games not having changed to a huge degree from the Xbox 360 and today. Higher resolutions and improved online functionality but the core appearance and gameplay is quite similar. For me, VR has been the big step forward (and I've only experienced the PSVR format). That really is incredible and there is potential for this sector of gaming to really improve in the coming years.

[Preezy]

My work here is done

[OrangeRKN]

Oh yeah there is still so much innovation, I definitely won't argue that. It's just if you asked me back then I'd have pictured properly photo-realistic VR or something!

[kerr9000]

I got a few bits and pieces today from a pawn store down the road from my work

Defender 2 Atari 2600 cart only 3quid
Centipede Atari 2600 cart only 3 quid
Ikari Warriors Atari 2600 cart only 3quid

Okami for the Wii complete for 3quid
Eledees for the wii complete for 50pence
Mercury Meltdown Revolution for the wii complete for 19pence
Big Brain Acadamy for the Wii missing manual for 19pence

It has been a long time since I grabbed anything for the Atari

[The Doom Spoon]

One of the good things about being an old git is having witnessed - and played! - the improvements in videogames from the Atari 2600 through to the present. Videogames have always been enjoyable but the technological development has been staggering.

But, yeah, I feel there's something to be said for games not having changed to a huge degree from the Xbox 360 and today. Higher resolutions and improved online functionality but the core appearance and gameplay is quite similar. For me, VR has been the big step forward (and I've only experienced the PSVR format). That really is incredible and there is potential for this sector of gaming to really improve in the coming years.

Although I haven't been on this planet for anywhere as long as you Jawa, I'm able to look back from the early 90s as a kid with my Sega Megadrive and have witnessed the technical advances in gaming since then!

I've stated before that my first proper wow moment in gaming was experiencing Ocarina of Time on my N64, followed by Rouge Squadron 2 on the Gamecube.

I've had plenty of "oh that's cool" moments on more modern hardware, but nothing has blown my mind since. Sea of Thieves has come the closest in recent years and I stand by that it's one of best graphically designed games there has been.

Modern gaming is cool and all, I love all the cool features and online capabilities they can crowbar into games, but they can become a little overwhelming too.

Since the Switch was released and having the chance to discover so many indie games via the eshop, I've found myself drawn to more simple games both graphically and mechanically, this is where I've discovered one game in particular, Stardew Valley.

I'd be comfortable in saying that game got me into the life/farming genre and reignited my passion for retro gaming.

For me retro (or retro styled) games have provided me with a much needed gaming detox in a world full of massive downloads, day ones patches and half baked games.

So yea, Stardew is the reason I now have like 9 Gamecubes!

Sorry for the essay!

[Billbones84]

I’m thinking of buying a Gameboy Advance SP. does anyone have any tips? Is it with buying a backlight one?

[Victor Mildew]

All SP models have a backlit screen as far as I know, but some are better than others.

[Chocolate-Milk]

All SP models have a backlit screen as far as I know, but some are better than others.

The first batch was frontlit, I think the model was AGS-001. The backlit AGS-101 came out in 2005.

.

In unrelated news, Everdrives are currently 20% off from https://everdrive.me/

[Billbones84]

Seems like a bit of a minefield. I think I’m going to get a modded one with a really bright screen. Is £100 a decent price? Seems to be the rate they’re going for on eBay.

[Cheeky Devlin]

Seems like a bit of a minefield. I think I’m going to get a modded one with a really bright screen. Is £100 a decent price? Seems to be the rate they’re going for on eBay.

The AGS-101 is the one you want. The other one is only marginally better than the original GBA screen if you ask me.

From what I can tell they're not too hard to mod and there's plenty of guides and places to get the kits. Not much more expensive either.

In unrelated news, Everdrives are currently 20% off from https://everdrive.me/

That's not too bad. You would be stung with Import VAT and postage though which would bring it closer to prices from UK sellers. Though it would still come out slightly cheaper I think. You'd also have a longer wait for them as well.

If you're looking for any I would recommend Retro Towers. That's who I got all of mine from. They're UK based so VAT is included in the price you pay and they're faster at getting the item out to you.

[Billbones84]

Seems like a bit of a minefield. I think I’m going to get a modded one with a really bright screen. Is £100 a decent price? Seems to be the rate they’re going for on eBay.

The AGS-101 is the one you want. The other one is only marginally better than the original GBA screen if you ask me.

From what I can tell they're not too hard to mod and there's plenty of guides and places to get the kits. Not much more expensive either.

In unrelated news, Everdrives are currently 20% off from https://everdrive.me/

That's not too bad. You would be stung with Import VAT and postage though which would bring it closer to prices from UK sellers. Though it would still come out slightly cheaper I think. You'd also have a longer wait for them as well.

If you're looking for any I would recommend Retro Towers. That's who I got all of mine from. They're UK based so VAT is included in the price you pay and they're faster at getting the item out to you.

Should I look to get a modded one, or just the standard 101 model?

[kerr9000]

Seems like a bit of a minefield. I think I’m going to get a modded one with a really bright screen. Is £100 a decent price? Seems to be the rate they’re going for on eBay.

The AGS-101 is the one you want. The other one is only marginally better than the original GBA screen if you ask me.

From what I can tell they're not too hard to mod and there's plenty of guides and places to get the kits. Not much more expensive either.

In unrelated news, Everdrives are currently 20% off from https://everdrive.me/

That's not too bad. You would be stung with Import VAT and postage though which would bring it closer to prices from UK sellers. Though it would still come out slightly cheaper I think. You'd also have a longer wait for them as well.

If you're looking for any I would recommend Retro Towers. That's who I got all of mine from. They're UK based so VAT is included in the price you pay and they're faster at getting the item out to you.

Should I look to get a modded one, or just the standard 101 model?

Personally id just look for the standard myself.

[kerr9000]

Grabbed Cool Boarders 2 complete for the PS1 for £3

[Cheeky Devlin]

Grabbed Cool Boarders 2 complete for the PS1 for £3

Nice.

I really want things to get back to more normality soon. Really miss having a retro-rummage.

[Green Gecko]

That was a great game, many hours as an alternative to THPS2 back in the day.

[kerr9000]

Grabbed Cool Boarders 2 complete for the PS1 for £3

Nice.

I really want things to get back to more normality soon. Really miss having a retro-rummage.

I have had mini looks in charity shops and pawn stores after work but yeah I'd love to go to some proper markets and retro stores and conventions, I know I don't always buy from conventions and stuff as they can be expensive but it would be great to just dig around and see things I haven't seen.

[Imrahil]

Talking of giant retro shifts in gaming, I remember going from the Spectrum to my Amiga 600 in 1992 and that felt like I'd been transported to a Utopian gaming paradise. Probably the most magical few years in gaming I ever had.

Then of course came the 3D revolution in 95/96 onwards with PSX/PC gaming. But nothing ever came close to my initial switch to the Amiga.

[kerr9000]

I got a few bits from a pawn store today

Super James Pond cart only for the Gameboy for £2
Megalit cart only for Gameboy for £4

And a PS2 official memory card for £2

[jawa2]

Talking of giant retro shifts in gaming, I remember going from the Spectrum to my Amiga 600 in 1992 and that felt like I'd been transported to a Utopian gaming paradise...

Yeah, I made a similar move from the C64 to the Atari STe and it was a real step up; going from 8-bit to 16-bit was quite a leap.

As was my later move from the ST to the Amiga*.

* Comedy diss especially for 16-bit computer fans. I loved both of 'em!