GRcade Retro Club Weekender 2.0 - Every Friday to Monday!

Castlevania (DS series)

Here, you will find the lesser spotted Castlevania DS series - Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin and Order of Ecclesia (only just spotted the photos aren't in the right order :fp:

)

I loved Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin, but, i have yet to play Order of Ecclesia! I can't remember now why i never got round to it, but it's something i must rectify.

I never liked the chunky DS boxes they used over here, so i always got the US versions with thinner cases. 99% of the time they were a good bit cheaper too.

Also, I believe these games are quite sought after and can go for a pretty penny on ebay!

Front

Back

Inside

Oh, +1 for the Skies of Arcadia love :wub:

I still have my GC copy too.

dmin wrote:Castlevania (DS series)

Here, you will find the lesser spotted Castlevania DS series - Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin and Order of Ecclesia...

Hey, dmin, it's great to see you join in with the Weekender! This Castlevania trio make for a top set and checking out your photos has reminded me of another great attribute of DS games... the manuals! Your copies look to be in excellent condition and these three titles are very popular with collectors right now.

You've highlighted one quirk about DS boxes - that space for a GBA cart. I wonder why all DS boxes had this?

As promised, these are some of my brother in law's unwanted gems I rescued from going to one of Reading Council's tips. They're not in the best shape after being stored, but BIG BOXES :wub:

First up: it's not a game, and it's not what the box said it would be - it's the Hutchinson Multimedia Encyclopaedia! This is exactly the same one I had as a kid, I think it was bundled with pre-builds. It has a whopping 39,000 entries - "more than any other multimedia encyclopaedia" (apart from Groiler, whose box claims it has 50,000 :slol:

). Yes, I know it's not technically a game, but it's an excuse for me to bring up the fact that I loved Encarta's Mind Maze, and they should totally make a new version...

Next up, one of those classics that I know absolutely nothing about - Little Big Adventure! There's very little to show here as it's a value rerelease, but from a quick read of the manual I'm very interested in giving it a go...

Now, the main event: the Indy double pack! As I said, this box is a bit battered but the insides are fine...

The bonus stuff they included with old games was always so cool - I can't help but read the Grail Diary in Sean Connery's voice :wub:

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! A Champ Manager disc that was in the Indiana Jones box because why not...

Unfortunately I haven't got a CD drive connected to my PC so I can't play any of them until I find my spare PSU cable :fp:

jawaX wrote:
OrangeRKN wrote:...Ghost Trick is fantastic and I agree completely more people should check it out...

I did recall you mentioning that you'd enjoyed Ghost Trick! It's good to see some innovation in the puzzle genre and it's certainly a great title to try out...

With very appropriate timing, Eurogamer has today published an option piece about the game. Worth having a read!

jawaX wrote:
dmin wrote:Castlevania (DS series)

Here, you will find the lesser spotted Castlevania DS series - Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin and Order of Ecclesia...

Hey, dmin, it's great to see you join in with the Weekender! This Castlevania trio make for a top set and checking out your photos has reminded me of another great attribute of DS games... the manuals! Your copies look to be in excellent condition and these three titles are very popular with collectors right now.

You've highlighted one quirk about DS boxes - that space for a GBA cart. I wonder why all DS boxes had this?

It was a great storage feature IMO and I think it probably highlighted the backwards compatibility of the DS. Thinking back this was only the second console Nintendo released with plastic game boxes, which is quite weird really!

Dowbocop wrote:...it's the Hutchinson Multimedia Encyclopaedia! This is exactly the same one I had as a kid, I think it was bundled with pre-builds. It has a whopping 39,000 entries - "more than any other multimedia encyclopaedia" (apart from Groiler, whose box claims it has 50,000 )...

Dowbocop, it's good to see you rock into the Weekender! The encyclopaedia brought back some memories as I had an earlier Grolier version. I got it free with a CD-ROM drive that I installed into a PC around 1994. Multimedia "learning products" were pretty big at the time!

Dowbocop wrote:...Next up, one of those classics that I know absolutely nothing about - Little Big Adventure! There's very little to show here as it's a value rerelease, but from a quick read of the manual I'm very interested in giving it a go...

Ooh! I've never played LBA but it was very highly-regarded at launch.

Dowbocop wrote:...Unfortunately I haven't got a CD drive connected to my PC so I can't play any of them until I find my spare PSU cable

It's amazing to think that PCs often don't use a disc drive now. I'd guess that PC gaming must be at least 90% digital nowdays?

Dowbocop wrote:...Thinking back this (the DS) was only the second console Nintendo released with plastic game boxes, which is quite weird really!

Yeah, cardboard boxes were rather a petty manufacturing saving, really, considering the cost of the carts. The Game Boy was interesting as the games had a plastic cart case plus the main cardboard box. I really like the look and feel of the GB carts and cases; for me they were well-made and just the right size.

Little Big Adventure! I loved that back in the day (and the sequel was awesome as well!) :wub:

It was always a bit of an oddball game (well it is French after all

) but had bundles of charm and a really nice visual aesthetic

OrangeRKN wrote:
The Doom Spoon wrote:So for the first Weekender, I thought I'd start with something close to my heart, and that's Starwars games on the GameCube!

Great to see this Star Wars collection - there really were some great games in that era! I've always missed out on the Rogue Squadron sequels but I love the first game on N64 and have played a very little of 3 in co-op (which I believe is actually the campaign from the second game redone for two players?). That's on account of me not having a Gamecube, but I did have Lego Star Wars (the first game and the original trilogy as pictured) and Bounty Hunter on PS2 - all of them great! I think the original trilogy might still be the peak of the modern style of Lego games, in part because it does the whole no dialogue thing which later Lego games have stopped doing.

The Doom Spoon wrote:Moving on, I wanted to highlight a game I loved so much, but doesn't seem to get the recognition in the Star Wars game community, and that's Bounty Hunter!

I agree with this! Bounty Hunter is unfairly derided in my opinion, I'm glad to see someone else sticking up for the game. The coruscant levels are my highlight from what I remember just for that setting, having people going about their daily lives as you scan around looking for any with bounties on their head - it works well. I think it'd actually be a good fit for a Hitman style game reimagining...

What I think the GC missed out on of the same era was Star Wars Battlefront (II especially). That's my all-time favourite Star Wars game and it's a shame it wasn't on the Gamecube.

jawaX wrote:Bounty Hunter is another Star Wars game that looks fun but I haven't played. It seems that it was on GC and PS2 but not the Xbox. I'll go check out a vid on YouTube as the idea of being a Bounty Hunter seems like it could be a good premise for a game.

The Doom Spoon wrote:Honestly, Bounty Hunter was awesome! If you do give it a go, let me know what you think! It can be picked up quite cheap these days, and am I right in saying the PS4 can play PS2 disks?

The PS4 can't play PS2 disks, but Bounty Hunter was released on PS4 as a downloadable PS2 classic. In fact Limited Run Games did a physical release of Bounty Hunter on PS4 which I even bought!

Cheers Orange! If you ever get a chance to play through the sequels then they are so worth it!

I totally see the hitman using the Bounty Hunter formula, and I'm sure to success too! It's a game I'm really itching to play again, so I think I'm gonna set it up later!

I would of LOVED to see BF and BF2 come to the Cube, they're wonderful games and I spent MANY hours playing them on PS2, I believe the second one is backwards compatible on Xbox Series S/X now too! Definitely something I shouldn't sleep on!

Looks like Jawa has a chance to play Bounty Hunter then! I absolutely recommend it too, I think he'll totally enjoy it!

---

Thank you for sharing dmin! That's a lovely Castlevania collection you got there! I believe I have a copy of Dawn of Sorrow somewhere... I'll have to go have a look for it!

It's great that the system was region unlocked, meaning you had your choice of case styles! Personally, I've always liked the chonky cases! Also I forgot about the GBA game slots in the cases too! They were good times! :wub:

---

It's all about big box pc games! It's almost a shame everything is so digital for PC these days, because games used to look epic in these boxes! I think I have a big box copy of Diablo 2 somewhere at my nans house!

That Grolier encyclopaedia looks very familiar too... I'm sure I had something very similar! Also, it's wonderful seeing that Lucas Arts logo on that Indy box! :wub:

The Doom Spoon wrote:
OrangeRKN wrote:The PS4 can't play PS2 disks, but Star Wars Bounty: Hunter was released on PS4 as a downloadable PS2 classic. In fact Limited Run Games did a physical release of Bounty Hunter on PS4 which I even bought!

Cheers Orange! If you ever get a chance to play through the sequels then they are so worth it!

I totally see the hitman using the Bounty Hunter formula, and I'm sure to success too! It's a game I'm really itching to play again, so I think I'm gonna set it up later!

I would of LOVED to see BF and BF2 come to the Cube, they're wonderful games and I spent MANY hours playing them on PS2, I believe the second one is backwards compatible on Xbox Series S/X now too! Definitely something I shouldn't sleep on!

Looks like Jawa has a chance to play Bounty Hunter then! I absolutely recommend it too, I think he'll totally enjoy it!...

Guys, thanks, good to know that there are other options for trying out the Bounty Hunter game. It's odd that it didn't receive an original Xbox version.

The Star Wars chat reminded me that I do have some other Star Wars games for the OG Xbox... it's time for a bonus Weekender post!

The KOTOR games are classics; the mechanics have now slightly aged but they remain cool action RPGs. I enjoyed Jedi Knight II and originally played it on PC (during my brief PC gaming years of the early 2000s!); the atmosphere and puzzles were pretty neat. I've not tried Battlefront or Republic Commando; the latter one is sometimes regarded as being a little-known gem and recently gained a port to modern systems (PS4 and Switch).

jawaX wrote:
The Doom Spoon wrote:
OrangeRKN wrote:The PS4 can't play PS2 disks, but Star Wars Bounty: Hunter was released on PS4 as a downloadable PS2 classic. In fact Limited Run Games did a physical release of Bounty Hunter on PS4 which I even bought!

Cheers Orange! If you ever get a chance to play through the sequels then they are so worth it!

I totally see the hitman using the Bounty Hunter formula, and I'm sure to success too! It's a game I'm really itching to play again, so I think I'm gonna set it up later!

I would of LOVED to see BF and BF2 come to the Cube, they're wonderful games and I spent MANY hours playing them on PS2, I believe the second one is backwards compatible on Xbox Series S/X now too! Definitely something I shouldn't sleep on!

Looks like Jawa has a chance to play Bounty Hunter then! I absolutely recommend it too, I think he'll totally enjoy it!...

Guys, thanks, good to know that there are other options for trying out the Bounty Hunter game. It's odd that it didn't receive an original Xbox version.

The Star Wars chat reminded me that I do have some other Star Wars games for the OG Xbox... it's time for a bonus Weekender post!

The KOTOR games are classics; the mechanics have now slightly aged but they remain cool action RPGs. I enjoyed Jedi Knight II and originally played it on PC (during my brief PC gaming years of the early 2000s!); the atmosphere and puzzles were pretty neat. I've not tried Battlefront or Republic Commando; the latter one is sometimes regarded as being a little-known gem and recently gained a port to modern systems (PS4 and Switch).

I love the KOTOR games they are some of my fave games of all time. Republic Commando is flipping great get on it , I highly recommend it.

kerr9000 wrote:I love the KOTOR games they are some of my fave games of all time. Republic Commando is flipping great get on it , I highly recommend it.

Yeah, I played the first KOTOR and it sure was good, kerr; it's a game that stands on my "to play again sometime" stack. I picked up Battlefront and Republic Commando very cheap from WH Smith's when they were selling off their original Xbox stock. Will eventually try 'em!

jawaX wrote: Guys, thanks, good to know that there are other options for trying out the Bounty Hunter game. It's odd that it didn't receive an original Xbox version.

The Star Wars chat reminded me that I do have some other Star Wars games for the OG Xbox... it's time for a bonus Weekender post!

The KOTOR games are classics; the mechanics have now slightly aged but they remain cool action RPGs. I enjoyed Jedi Knight II and originally played it on PC (during my brief PC gaming years of the early 2000s!); the atmosphere and puzzles were pretty neat. I've not tried Battlefront or Republic Commando; the latter one is sometimes regarded as being a little-known gem and recently gained a port to modern systems (PS4 and Switch).

What a great collection Jawa! I played RC on my brother Xbox and remembering having s good time with it! This generation of console all had their own iconic Star Wars games which I suppose, would be unheard of today!

I think I'm going to pick it up on Switch and give it a properly playthrough I think!

I've dabbled with KOTOR since it was available on Xbox One, but would like to give that and it's sequel a good go! Those are two other games I think would be amazing on the Switch!

Better late than never, I present to GRcade the following:

Main Entry

BONUS ENTRY

I got both of these in the mid-2000s. The chainsaw came from eBay and was already open though I've never used it.

The Iron Maiden was purchased from Parkreiner when he was sent two by accident.

Drumstick wrote:...Main Entry
The Resident Evil 4 Chainsaw Controller!

Hey, thanks for contributing to the Weekender, Drum. And - blimey! - what an odd controller that was! It's amazing to think that they made dedicated versions of these for both GC and PS2; they always looked perhaps a wee bit unwieldy to use but they still stand as terrific pieces for collectors. It's great that you still have the box. It's a controller with real style!

Drumstick wrote:...BONUS ENTRY
The Iron Maiden variant of the Regenerator!

...

A top idea to share a gaming figure here. The beastie looks to be very good quality and I do like the translucent effect. Lovely stuff!

Crap, i completely forgot about this.... i have really enjoyed reading everyone's posts though, and will look through my google account to see if i have any images that may be worth sharing before the end of the day. Failing that i may have to miss the first week. I have so much stuff, but looking at how well written and presented these entries are, I feel like my efforts will pale in comparison.

Do you need to be a member of imagur (or whatever its called) to upload pics to it?

kazanova_Frankenstein wrote:Crap, i completely forgot about this.... i have really enjoyed reading everyone's posts though, and will look through my google account to see if i have any images that may be worth sharing before the end of the day. Failing that i may have to miss the first week. I have so much stuff, but looking at how well written and presented these entries are, I feel like my efforts will pale in comparison...

kaz, dude, no sweat! There's no pressure to post; just as and when you feel like it :-)

. If you wanted to join the next Weekender, that's all great!

And there's no elitism or BS here - don't worry about that. Whether it's a couple of games for the Jaguar or something for the mighty Wii U, you're gonna get a good reception here.

kazanova_Frankenstein wrote:Do you need to be a member of imagur (or whatever its called) to upload pics to it?

I use imgur but haven't signed up; I just do a search for "imgur upload" and that takes you to the photo upload screen.

Drumstick wrote:The Resident Evil 4 Chainsaw Controller!

Very jealous of this! It's patently ridiculous as a controller but that's what makes it so great. Great condition too! Never tempted to give it a go? Not necessarily for Resi 4 either, I think the most I have seen that controller used is for Dark Souls and fighting games :lol:

jawaX wrote:
kazanova_Frankenstein wrote:Crap, i completely forgot about this.... i have really enjoyed reading everyone's posts though, and will look through my google account to see if i have any images that may be worth sharing before the end of the day. Failing that i may have to miss the first week. I have so much stuff, but looking at how well written and presented these entries are, I feel like my efforts will pale in comparison...

kaz, dude, no sweat! There's no pressure to post; just as and when you feel like it . If you wanted to join the next Weekender, that's all great!

And there's no elitism or BS here - don't worry about that. Whether it's a couple of games for the Jaguar or something for the mighty Wii U, you're gonna get a good reception here.

kazanova_Frankenstein wrote:Do you need to be a member of imagur (or whatever its called) to upload pics to it?

I use imgur but haven't signed up; I just do a search for "imgur upload" and that takes you to the photo upload screen.

Thanks! I will start trawling through my archives.

OrangeRKN wrote:
Drumstick wrote:The Resident Evil 4 Chainsaw Controller!

Very jealous of this! It's patently ridiculous as a controller but that's what makes it so great. Great condition too! Never tempted to give it a go? Not necessarily for Resi 4 either, I think the most I have seen that controller used is for Dark Souls and fighting games

It lives in my loft so it's out of sight and out of mind, but I keep meaning to give RE4 another playthrough... :nod:

GRcade Retro Club Weekender 2.0 - Every Friday to Monday!

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