Evercade Evolution - Issue 2

ISSUE 02 Evolution The Evercade Fans Group Fanzine - For the Fans by the Fans The King Of Cade We sit down with the Managing Director of Blaze Entertainment, Andrew Byatt Also Inside Anyone For Tennis? We’re All Doomed! Namco Collection 2 We take a look at cart number Exclusive first look at the Can Daniel from Retro Rulez 2 then rate and review every unreleased Tennis All Stars from get Doom running on our game it has to offer. the Codemasters collection. favorite handheld?

Welcome to Issue 2 Of The Fans Group Fanzine Hey everyone! Wow its been a busy two team. A special thanks to Sir Top & Hat months for our Evercade Evolution! This from Twitter for his enthusiasm of wanting issue brings you over double the content to contribute! of the first issue. Liam, Vaughan and the Special thanks to my great friend Daniel team have been hard at work to make our for his articles, which I had a lot of fun second issue even better than the first. helping him with his proof reading. And Your comments across social media have a great thanks to Erik for his High Score brought smiles to our faces and we hope Challenges and the excitement he promotes that we can repeat this now with our second for everyone to participate. issue. I know our editor Liam is proud of Don’t forget you can head on over to Evercade Evolution and is totally over the Evercade.info and join the mailing list that moon with the first issue, so if some of you will tell you when the next issue is available. could leave him a thanks and a comment Thanks to the brilliant Martin Stephenson that would make his day! for hosting our magazine on his site, you A special thanks to OEB Pete for sharing can even download it if you want to print Evercade Evolution on his YouTube yourself a copy. channel. He always shares amazing content We are all looking forward to seeing and is a fantastic guy! your thoughts on our brilliant Evercade I would like to thank everyone who Evolution No.2. If you want to interact contributed to this issue. We have lots of with us more come over to the Evercade new features in store for you. A special Fans Group on Facebook. Please help us thanks to the guys at Blaze and especially spread the love of our favourite handheld Andrew for reaching out to us and offering console by sharing our fanzine with your us an exclusive interview! family and friends. We are always looking for great articles for Enjoy our amazing 2nd issue! our magazine, so please get in contact with us if you have an article idea or a suggestion Roger for something. Here is our look at Namco Museum Collection 2, packed with reviews on all the games from this collection from the amazing writing skills of Vaughan and our 2

Fans Group Team Roger Peter Martin Age: 43 From: Dartmouth Age: 49 From: Dorset Age: 47 From: Ireland (Mids) Favourite Game So Far: Favourite Game So Far: Favourite Game So Far: XenoCrisis Coffee Crisis River City Ransom Frantic fast paced shooter Coffee Crisis was the Great beat ‘em up that I with no holds barred. first Evercade game I’d hadn’t played before, and completed and loved I Evercade allowed me to every second of it. discover it. Rob James Liam Error Loading Error Loading Age: 33 From: Chesterfield bio... bio... Favourite Game So Far: Brave Battle Saga Epic RPG adventure with some of the finest parallax scrolling effects you will ever see on a 16 bit console. The Erik Vaughan Mark Age: 45 From: Dundee Age: 50 From: Woking Age: 51 From: Aylesbury Favourite Game So Far: Favourite Game So Far: The Fantastic Adventures Favourite Game So Far: Xenocrisis of Dizzy Super Robin Hood Love old school shooters Played a lot of Dizzy games on and this one is excellent. the Spectrum as a kid. Never He’s charming, rather dashing and Fantastic game. played any other version. This he never gives up! It’s a hard task is one massive game. but somebody needs to bring that pesky sheriff to account. 3

Contents Message Board 5 Cart Review - 39 Latest News 6 Namco Collection 1 39 Tennis All Stars 41 Sneak Peek Review 42 8 Bits & 16 Bobs 44 Interview With 10 Scores Andrew Byatt 46 Game Reviews - 12 Will It Run Doom? Namco Collection 1 49 14 8 Bits & 16 Bobs - Battle Cars Covid Special 54 56 Dig Dug 16 Gaming - The Price 58 You Pay 59 Galaxian 17 Erik’s High Score Libble Rabble 19 Club Mappy 21 New Year, New Mappy Kids Beginnings! 23 Just For YouTube Metal Marines 25 Adventure Awaits, 27 Hopefully! Pac Man 29 Subscribe Today! Quad Challenge 31 Star Luster 33 Xevious 35 37 4

Got Something to Say? get in touch at [email protected] or message one of the admin team rtaToephlpimavrniyenkcjgiuyatnotheuieodvrptehharseiygt.ghmadmuaceyhsr,faoItrirnetghasel.lyfIatfnetolztoinlkiekm.eIIerwebaaalcslyk Hi There, lflIeiakvcveoeoluutoolrdnistneet’tehrteechtoTrimnoukrewbotioonfgtatrehawreflxienEv1tvee6elr’rshcgAaaadsdmevteo,ebntbhuteuat trtmheIeyIwsslonaunolwdd. Loving the fanzine! Awesome work and I’ve HswcIuouwacmsdhosmeufooltyndonfSdltaohovmvefoetueEctmrvooietloslereercscieaeytdasisoetoTen.fmuTwirhtb.aoeoIsuTgaaludrlscarobhfbxeiotlh1dag6iw.rnaIeckfhsoxotalh1lmve6aecett.iaon signed up for the updates. Well done guys keep up the good work. I have now got an Evercade and loving it. Put Stevie Grafx16 out a quick video of my wants for the console, if you wanted to check it out here. IELhvemearvcmeaaidnesg.u.s.g?SgWuershetilooynditof’soegrsona’ttwtloiiknbeteelreCmghamrmisietnmgosna?sthe FSkaiilfirnege!thGaotd, tIhelonvdeebfeininitgelcyhtahseedclbasystich.e..yeti :) Thanks again for your work! Al - Gamesreup oTuhranNkeswSYteevaire,.NCehwecBkeoguint nSitnevgsies’secsutigogne.stion in Cheers Alex, check out Alex’s Gamesreup channel in our Just for YouTube section and his suggestion in our New Year, New Beginnings section. Not All Heros Wear Capes! Liaafnocnerctdteohmptuihtsec.ehaiHnwNateenar’ssomdoddcmoouofncfeeCeedrysoeeoodlslmuietgcoetntoishgoMeranelnpaa1dtroakwhudeRotvlrpwuekirtinttlfahgoanrsmtdhmy.eeoeMugmieawnatrcgitkllhulaiesndsemdiaen.IgagSgrwEoafapriansihkihmi’sscuhoHdgereediegstiothhghnanSantencikromhsrweaethpo.popaMyggaeotosrtk 5

Evercade Chronicle The Games Console That Hopes To Be Finger Clicking Good! Written by Vaughan Anscombe Companies have long evolved into what they sell. They change, diversify, branch out to move from one unrelated retail area to another. Some changes have been more notable than others. One example being the BBC, but with the help of Acorn. Amstrad, or AMS, were selling be enough to keep any CEO, let Now I am going to take this with consumer electronics, so maybe alone a Colonel, awake at night. more than a pinch of salt. I have not such a big leap to the world Yes, you hear me right. Not just ‘a’, grabbed a few sachets along with of microcomputers. Nintendo but ‘the’ Colonel of KFC fame. For the ketchup and BBQ sauce. graduated from hand crafted he is eyeing up a new battleground KFC have been ruffling a few playing cards along with another and branching away from fast food feathers in the gaming arena, Japanese giant, Sony of tape deck (well, not quite, but we will come getting others salty in a world you fame, and both have become two of to that later). would not normally associate KFC the most recognizable companies Giants, especially those in the with. Pecking away at Cyberpunk in the world. console world, have fallen before. 2077 and squawking about its So companies do diversify, but Indeed the ‘Jacks’ called Sony and many delays. Setting up a virtual maybe the strangest is yet to come! Microsoft entered this arena and branch in Animal Crossing New Looking in from the outside of slew the then giants Nintendo and Horizons, complete with colour the lucrative console market and Sega and they themselves rose to schemes, decor and menus.  wondering how you could break the top. Can KFC be the new ‘Jack’? into those revenue streams must For all the latest news and Evercade.infoupdates visit Martin’s site 6

New PS1 Game 23 Years In The Making! If you have always simply But maybe the real clincher is Magic Castle was started in 1998 opened your delivery of chicken the built-in chicken chamber to by a small development team in to grab its contents you have keep your chicken warm while Japan on the Net Yaroze platform (Sony’s probably not really appreciated you game. Now that’s pretty “hobbyist” dev kit). After 8 months of the packaging it comes in. We much an ideal world for the work the team pitched the rougelite game are not talking snack box or gamer that likes southern fired to multiple publishers including Sony. chip packet or corncob wrapped chicken I imagine. in paper, no sir. We are talking But I am wondering if the Sony must have liked what the team could everybody’s favourite bucket. controller is grease proof? I do as they asked them to work on another Well those bods at KFC know can already imagine getting my project but they had to scrap Magic Castle. that their bucket is almost as discs coated in a southern fried This wasn’t something the team were iconic as their secret recipe and recipe with finger marks quickly willing to do so the deal broke down. have presented a console in the appearing on the console as Shortly after the team disbanded and the same style container. Whether well as the controller. game was never finished... until now. it’s a bargain is yet to be decided There is no sign of a price yet but to be honest the pictures and no word of what you would Recently PIROWO, one of the original look rather tasty. have to shell out to place this game designers, found the original source Sleek black lines with a natty takeaway order. code. He wrapped up the development red logo, an under lit base that Maybe it’s all a gimmick. by himself and has now released the fully gives the illusion of a cooker But what if the question is not working, complete game. or rotisserie. If the consoles what came first the chicken ingredients are to be believed it or the egg, but what console PIROWO took to Twitter to say “I am looks rather impressive. company will rule the roost; happy to have the opportunity to play this VR Ready - Ray tracing - 240 Sony, Microsoft or The Colonel? game for all of you, something no-one has FPS with up to 240HZ output known about for over 20 years”. 4K TV Gaming - The first of its kind, a hot swappable GPU slot. If you’re interested, the ROM can be downloaded from Archive.org and played in an emulator. Just click here. For all the latest news and Evercade.infoupdates visit Martin’s site 7

New Cartridge Worlds Smallest Announcement Nintendo 64 Written by Atari’s Video Pinball behind. Modder GmanModz has created what he deems the worlds smallest, fully Liam Isaacs Sports fans are in for a brand new functioning N64. experience with the previously This isn’t merely an emulator in a pretty Unless you’ve been living unreleased Mega Drive tennis case. The console features an original under a rock you’ll already game “Tennis All-Stars”. N64 motherboard and a cartridge slot for know about this and be eagerly plugging in your favourite games. awaiting its release. The full line-up is as follows: To see more on Gunner’s latest projects The latest cartridge to be check out his Twitter feed here. announced by Blaze is the 1. Sensible Soccer - amazing looking Codemasters International Edition FIFA In Full View Collection 1. 2. Cannon Fodder With 17 fantastic games, 3. Big Nose Freaks Out An American college student has Codemasters looks to be one of 4. Tennis All-Stars created the ultimate FIFA setup. the best carts to date. 5. Mega-Lo-Mania Reddit user Gatsbuu makes use of a £1,200 There’s classics like Sensible 6. Big Nose the Caveman super wide 49” Samsung Odyssey G9 Soccer, Cannon Fodder, Mega- 7. Cosmic Spacehead monitor to see virtually the entire pitch. Lo-Mania and more, including 8. Psycho Pinball some hidden gems thrown in 9. Bee 52 for good measure. 10. MiG 29 - Soviet Fighter Pinball fans will be happy 11. The Ultimate Stuntman as Psycho Pinball makes an 12. Super Skidmarks appearance so you can leave 13. Boomerang Kid 14. Linus Spacehead 15. CJ’s Elephant Antics 16. F-16 Renegade 17. Stunt Buggie For all the latest news and Evercade.infoupdates visit Martin’s site 8

Super Mario World Is Back And This Time It’s For Real Written by Liam Isaacs After initially being announced 2 years ago, Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan will be opening its doors soon (Covid permitting), albeit at a greatly reduced capacity. As part of Nintendo’s planned year long Super Mario World 20th anniversary celebrations, the theme park will feature interactive attractions, shops and restaurants. There will even be Mario Kart and Yoshi rides. The entire park is one huge Like all good theme parks the Fancy something to eat? Stop by interactive game so you might characters are brought to life Toad’s Cafe (Kinopio’s Cafe) for a want to buy a Power Up band (for by enthusiastic employees in Mario Burger or the tasty sounding a modest £22.66). Power Up bands costumes. You can meet Mario, Question Mark Block Tiramisu. are worn by guests to keep your Luigi, Toad and friends for photos For any video game fan young or score when defeating enemies and as they wander around the park. old this has to be on the bucket list. collecting coins. Another staple of theme parks is As you can see from the pictures it The tech doesn’t stop there. You the gift shops where you will be really does look like a Mario game will be able to check the wait time encouraged to spend your cash on brought to life. Which child, or for each attraction in real-time every Mario related item you could inner child, wouldn’t want to visit? using the mobile app. ever think of. Step inside Bowser’s Castle Miyamoto with Mario and Luigi Fancy a bite? Head to Toad’s Cafe For all the latest news and Evercade.infoupdates visit Martin’s site 9

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A ramble through the Evercades Cart Spark! I have been thinking (dangerous I know), really know anything about it and no about the Evercade and that almost release date had been set. magical spark that it seems to have. During the prerelease time I would hear I have talked before about being a first good and bad things about it, mainly generation gamer from way back when, how could a cart based system work in right up to the present and having had a the age of downloads. fair few different systems over those years. The only online games I bought were I recently, maybe the last year or so, PS4 and so the download thing didn’t started collecting Minis (not the cars but bother me, not being into that scene. On the consoles) and to varying degrees the other hand carts, and the ability to have loved them all. play my old favourite games, now that And then I heard about the Evercade, was tempting. I think through a podcast, and didn’t You can keep up with me on Twitter, on my blog or read my sci-fi stories, just click the links below. 12

And so I stuck it on my birthday list. My *True story ahead. wife asked if I was sure I wanted this for Interplay 2 didn’t really have enough my 50th. on there to interest me and so I skipped I wasn’t sure but I said yes because that cart (always intending to come choosing something is a long-winded back one day) but the release schedule approach of flip-flopping between, say, is just so demanding and I’m only a meals on a menu. And if I was going to then customer. (How can I keep up!) Anxiety let’s go big and have the deluxe version. whispers at me. Like I said this is a ramble and I have Worms comes along or is at least certainly took my time to get to the part announced. Now I used to love this on I intended to write about in the first the Amiga but did I really want to own place; the carts. a game with just worms and various Plastic cartridge boxes all shiny and versions of it?. sleek just like the old days, with It would seem that yes, I do! Not beautiful manuals (small but full of necessarily because I want the games wonder that gives me a chance to use but, and thanks for sticking with me my glasses and look intelligent while I know it’s been a trek, the carts are reading a games pamphlet). numbered and they look great but Old games, classic games, indie games incomplete sitting side by side on the - such a variety. Games I used to play shelf if you have a number missing. mixed with some I had never heard of. I am sorry for the long-winded way in A cocktail of intoxication if ever there which I arrived (well at least I think I was one. seem to have arrived) at my point. As with all games there are those that But I did say right from the top that this do not interest me but there is enough was a ramble through the Evercades. variety on each cart so that’s not an issue. I will no doubt ramble again it’s an But the real genius is that spark I wanted interesting way of, oh well that can wait. to define, that invisible pull that has you Cart wait to see you. in its warm grasp. It’s the cart spines, which are numbered. Vaughan They had me right there and I didn’t even know it. 13

The Man Who Started It All! This issue we sent our budding journalist April to have a chat with Andrew Byatt, Managing Director of Blaze Entertainment. Hi Andrew, Can you tell us who brought back the experience we What game(s) would you like to you are and how you got into had as kids and the new cartridge see on Evercade? the video game business? idea was born. We want to get more variety of I’m the Managing Director of Blaze original platforms on the console, Entertainment and responsible for Who was the first developer from Arcade to 32bit systems. We the Evercade. My background is on board? want to reassure people that we in product design and I previously Atari were the first brand we got understand that Evercade needs worked on Disney, Marvel and signed up with. to keep bringing great games to many other brands. I moved into the system. video games in 2017 to combine a Has there been a “one that passion and my job. got away”? With the Mega Cat Studio and We have talked with many Indie Heroes carts in mind, When did the idea of the developers and intellectual could Blaze become a publisher Evercade first come about? property (IP) owners and most with Evercade exclusives? We wanted to make a console that have expressed interest in being Yes, we are exploring this now. We the experience continued past the part of the project. Some games know retro is the main focus, but games pre loaded. We looked at are just tied up or IP owners cannot modern games with a retro theme the mini consoles and found that be located, but we work really would also be awesome to have after some initial fun they often hard to get the best and most onboard.  didn’t get used very much. I loved interesting games available. There the idea of making collections that is so much more to come. 14

What’s the most played game/ What has been your proudest Will we ever see different cart in the office? Evercade moment/achievement? coloured carts? Namco 2, Piko and Mega Cat When you launch anything like I expect that will happen at get played a lot, but we spend a this you have to trust your gut and some point! lot of time testing and playing jump in. I remember sending the games from new carts that are first few units out for review and Will we see “big box” premium not yet announced! seeing the videos go live. I watched carts in the future? Either the reviews on YouTube and had no bigger storage so bigger games What sacrifices were made to idea how they would be perceived. can fit in them or something the final production Evercade? It was a massive relief to realise we like a limited edition cart with Was WiFi, Micro SD, link up (to had made something good. big box and physical extras? another Evercade), online store, Worms has a bigger capacity more memory ever thought of Are you planning any Evercade at the same retail price, but the at the time of production? events or show appearances when bigger we get the higher the RRP We had all those kind of ideas, but we’ve seen the back of Covid? would get. This is tricky to navigate ultimately we wanted to make sure This is pretty difficult to plan right so it will be interesting to hear it was affordable. The future might now, but we want to get to shows, what you guys think of it. deliver those features and more, both in the UK, USA and Europe. we just need to continue to grow in Will we ever see more than 2 popularity and we have amazing What would be your dream carts released at a time? plans for the future. company/franchise to work with? Possibly. There are no rules Obviously those guys in Kyoto right now! What would you like to see in would be epic, but we want to the future Evercade v2 and/or work with Capcom, Konami, Sega, What do you think of home console version? Warner Brothers, Disney and Evercade Evolution? We are working on new hardware others. So many amazing games I can see the passion and work that right now that will be revealed in could be on the system. goes into this and I need to give the coming month. Rest assured, you guys a massive thank you for it continues to work with your Will we ever see Evercade native all your support. Hopefully in 10 existing collections. I’d like to hear games as opposed to emulation? years this will be huge! more about what people would Yes. We have a developer program like to see from us next! that several devs are working on Is there anything you would ports right now. like to see added to or removed In hindsight is there anything from Evercade Evolution? you would have done Will we see any “collection 2” yet Fantasy carts, how to guides, more differently with the Evercade? from the ones that only have hints and tips would all be cool. Launching during Covid was pretty “collection 1” at the moment? tough and we definitely dropped Potentially all of them. And with that I would like to thank the ball with button mapping in Andrew so much for taking the FW 1.0. We worked hard to make Are there any more previously time to answer our questions with changes to fix that for release date. unreleased or untranslated some really interesting and honest Some of the values we have as a games in the works? responses. I think I speak for the company are to make sure we fix We have one that has been worked whole fan base when I say thanks our mistakes, show integrity and on for a while, but not easy to finalise. for this amazing console and the deliver on our promises. Hopefully It’s an ambition to do more like this. fantastic support the team at Blaze people can see that we really care give to the Evercade community. about what we are doing. 15

Collection 1 gHaimgheE-grveuesridmcaeasdneau.vianalfilosacbalnesa&t We take a look at the 11 great games included on this cartridge... 16

System: Super Nintendo Released: 1993 Developer: Malibu Interactive Publisher: Namco Genre: Racing / Shooter Reviewed by Vaughan Anscombe “Hey guys it’s the future, so welcome to the “Pick your car from that rotating turntable.” present and play this game before it has ‘past’.” “Load up with grenades, weird spinning metal *Wink. disks and everybody’s fave...” “I’m your host, Crazy Drax, and ‘gear stick’ with *Pause for dramatic effect. me. Hey, you know it’s right.” “Blooming, booming missile launchers, man.” *Big cheesy smile. “Drive those 9 courses, all in glorious Mode 7.” “Hand drive, man.” “Blow up your rivals and earn some credits, man.” “Forget Channel 1987 and forget that ‘Running “And if you survive.” Man’, man.” *Reflection of a large smile. *Big smile.  “Forget Channel 1975‘Death Chase 2000’that’s “Spend those credits and upgrade your car, man.” yesterday’s news, man.” “Hey, need I say more? You’ve all seen that relic “We are all here for Battle Cars, man.” from the past: Toadstool Kart.” *Cheesy big thumbs up. *Stage whisper. “Two players take turns, or better still, ‘Face Off’ “Of course now get out there and drive, man.” against each other.”  *Finger to ear as he pauses.  “Let battle commence!” “Sorry folks, the options are there but this is *Theatrical stance. strictly a single player, mano e mano.” 17

Vaughan’s Scores Graphics Audio Gameplay Difficulty 8/10 6/10 8/10 6/10 “Very SNES like.” “Intro jangle and in game tune, “Credits to earn and then spend “2nd level spikes like that driver, man, that gets rather annoying to upgrade your car and you’ll go Pointy Mel.” *Stares into the camera. with spot effects that are well far, man.” effective, man.” *Dramatically points upwards. *Rubbing thumb and forefinger together. *Exaggerating a dancing hand movement. Can We Get A Second Opinion? Reviewed by Hand brake turns replace the air brakes but these take a bit of getting used to as they seem Liam Isaacs overly sensitive. Between races your cross the wastelands to the Have you ever wanted a cross between Mad next track by confusingly driving around the Max and F-Zero on the SNES? If you have then next track. This is a bit odd but it does give you this is the game for you. a chance to practice the track before the race. Set in a dystopian future where Battle Cars is You also rack up cash and credits during the the new top sport you must win your race by travel phase which can be used to upgrade any means possible. your car and weapons before the race starts. Playing like Wipeout, your car is equipped with Overall a decent, good looking futuristic weapons you can use to damage/destroy your racer although the difficulty does shoot up rivals and aid your road to victory. ridiculously after a few races. Liam Scores It 7/10 Overall Score 7/10 18

System: NES Released: 1985 Developer: Namco Publisher: Namco Genre: Action Reviewed by Vaughan Anscombe Let me tell you about my friend Dig Dug. Some He leaned in, making a show of covering his may think he’s a little strange but to me Dig mouth with his hand, and said that he used Dug’s a real hero. the bike pump to inflate these monsters until I first met him when I started potholing they exploded. (spelunking for those across the pond). Before I could make sense of that he added that You see, I was trapped underground. You could while tunnelling, if he timed it right, he could say I had started to run before I could walk. drop boulders on them and squash them flat. Stuck in the dark and running out of air, He also muttered something about eating the Giving up hope starting to despair, fruit they left behind once they were squashed. A lamp in the darkness and then he was there! Spinning his pump with his free hand he then A miner saved me while holding a bike pump. said these monsters could insubstantially I remember asking him why he carried a pump travel between caves, only their eyes showing, with him underground and he just smiled. and if that was the case you couldn’t hurt them in that state, you just had to be clever to avoid them and wait. I’m not sure if it was a lack of air or having been I still remember to this day that jolly addictive down there too long but he told me about tune he hummed as he helped me out of the strange beasties living in these caves.  cave and across a field of white flowers. Pookas: tomato-like in shape and colour, Dig Dug: a true 8-bit hero! sporting large goggles apparently to keep the rock dust out of their eyes. Fygars: green fire breathing dragon like creatures that would as soon set you on fire as look at you. 19

Vaughan’s Scores Graphics Audio Gameplay Difficulty 8/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 Small, colourful & full of character. Excellent opening theme, in Well balanced and designed to Perfectly judged. game music and sound effects. chase those high scores. Can We Get Some Second Opinions? Reviewed by Watch out for enemies as they can travel through solid dirt to reach you! Sir Top N Hat Sir_Top_&_Hat Be sure to earn bonus points by collecting fruit and of course my favourite, luring multiple enemies into position and satisfyingly Dig Dug, is any video game collection complete without a squash them with a single rock for extra bonus points! version? And the NES doesn’t disappoint? Later stages feature variations in the color of the dirt, while Prepare to vanquish persistent Pookas and fiery Fygars to increasing the movement speed of the enemies. clear each stage by inflating them with your trusty pump! Sir Top N Hat Scores It 8/10 Reviewed by Pookas and green fire breathing dragons called Fygars. However watch out, they can travel through solid dirt with only Mark Rutland their eyes showing in order to get to you. If you time it right you can crush them by digging underneath Dig Dug may be nearly 40 years old but it’s a classic maze the boulders on the screen but watch out you don’t crush game which spawned a number of spin-offs and sequels. Not yourself. Alternatively you can simple blow them up using the to mention being an inspiration to a whole host of others, air pump. What’s not to enjoy! including the excellent Mr. Do! and the iconic Boulder Dash. The graphics and sound may be simple but they suit the game Armed only with an air pump, the object of the game is simple. perfectly and just add to the overall look and atmosphere of the Control Dig Dug to dig tunnels, avoid falling objects like rocks, game. You never feel like you’re playing something from 1982. collect food and other items whilst at the same time defeating It’s a great game and I found I kept returning to try to do better. enemies to progress to the next level! Sounds simple, but it really isn’t, at least not for me. Mark Scores It 7/10 There are only two types of enemies, both equally difficult to defeat; red tomato-like, goggle wearing creatures called Overall Score 8/10 20

System: NES Released: 1984 Developer: Namco Publisher: Namco Genre: Shooter Reviewed by Vaughan Anscombe There are some games from the past that just Clearing the screen will bring a fresh wave of scream “play me”. attack and this time they will move faster. The I may be old but I will pull you in and hold aliens will also increase the amount of shots you tight. they can fire at you. One such game is Galaxians. Are you ready The battle takes place on a Star Wars inspired for the fight? starfield, coloured alien sprites do their level best to smash you out of the sky. Originally brought out in 1979, the year after This was considered a challenging game back Space Invaders, Galaxian went on to become in its day and you can see why. one of the best selling arcade games in all Arcade games are for me always best when North America. you can just pick them up and play. Your ship, the Galaxip, patrols the bottom But to become good you need to put the of the screen while a swarm (maybe more a time in. formation) of multi-coloured alien enemies fly above you. (To the tune of Get Down Tonight) Your ship’s weapon can only fire one shot at We stomp to the left. a time so make them count. Flagships or Gala We stomp to the right. boss ships, one on each side of the attacking We dive down to you. formation, will break off and dive-bomb you. We dive down to you. Destroy 3 of them and you’ll earn bonus points. 21

Vaughan’s Scores Graphics Audio Gameplay Difficulty 8/10 8/10 10/10 8/10 Colourful and very well drawn. Excellent sounds create the Pure Arcade. Only really constrained by the (You even have a Y-Wing) atmosphere. limitations of the games one shot rule. Maybe unfair to dock a point but I’ll leave that up to you. Can We Get A Second Opinion? Reviewed by Watch out for the Galaxian Flagship. It will divebomb with two red escort ships, Sir Top N Hat attacking as they dive down towards your ship in an attempt to hit you & stop your Sir_Top_&_Hat mission to protect Earth! Shooting all three of these will award extra You control a spaceship at the bottom of the bonus points. screen called the Galaxip and shoot enemies descending in various directions, in this fixed shooter. You can move left and right eagerly prepared to take on swarm after swarm of alien formations indicated by small flags at the top of the screen as they shoot projectiles. Sir Top N Hat Scores It 7/10 Overall Score 8/10 22

System: Super Nintendo Released: 1994 Developer: Namco Publisher: Namco Genre: Action / Puzzler Reviewed by Vaughan Anscombe A game designed by Pac-Man’s creator must be Once you realise you don’t actually have to good, yes? meet the arrows but just get both to the side Well, I will admit that I had filed this game away of the screen it suddenly becomes maybe not after a quick go as simply weird and moved on easier but at least more controllable. to more recognizable, familiar games. The more you entrap in the catchment area the I could see this on the horizon of games more points you will receive. Catch a Hoblin queuing for review and decided to plunge and it will be sent to the holding area for a right in and not put it off. limited time, making your task a little easier. Starting with an animated intro in Japanese You uncover treasures and items that you with two guys called Libble and Rabble, it looks gather the same way by wrapping them round pretty cool. In the game they are represented by that connecting cord. a blue and red arrow attached by a stretchy line. Your brain frazzles as the action heats up. It does look rather basic, but hey, let’s push on Trying to keep one eye on Libble and the other (Pac-Man looks basic as well you know). on Rabble is a feat of dexterous achievement The gamefield is filled with little pegs unlike no other. and wandering mushroom-like creatures Sound is excellent in a catchy arcade kind of (Mushlins) whom you’re there to harvest. way. The game is good once you master those Levels are seasons and slight differences will controls which is the real issue. As so much is appear as you play through. happening on screen, if you’re concentrating Four main baddies called Hoblins try to stop too much on one of your arrows the other one you amongst others that will appear. will get into trouble and die. Controlling Libble and Rabble you must wrap the cord that binds you around the pegs So to answer the question: A game by the catching Mushlins and baddies alike. creator of Pac-Man must be good? You control Libble (red) with the d-pad and Rabble (blue) with the buttons, which acts as a The answer has been tying me in knots. Yes, it’s secondary d-pad. good, it really is but not great. 23

Vaughan’s Scores Graphics Audio Gameplay Difficulty 8/10 8/10 8/10 6/10 Cute, small and varied. You’ll find yourself humming It’s there all right. Get yourself It feels like it should be a twin along to it. past the basic look and the stick to be really good. frankly bamboozling controls and there is fun to be had. Can We Get A Second Opinion? Reviewed by Controlling two characters at once immediately made me think of Kuri Kuri Mix (Cookie and Erik Downie Cream in America). It isn’t too hard as long as you keep one on the left and one on the right Now this one seems promising. side of the screen. Swapping them over just Controlling a red arrow and a blue arrow confused my brain. attached by a piece of string, you snag it After an initial couple of games which seemed around some pins in the ground to enclose like this could be a nice puzzler, I fell into an an area. This colours it in and hopefully you’ve easy way to clear each screen with minimal trapped some little mushroom guys inside. threat. I suspect I’m not optimising point Collect them all this way, move onto the next scoring by doing this but when it presented so level, rinse and repeat. little danger it soon became very boring. Elements of Qix spring to mind, although the A decent enough game. By removing the aim isn’t to colour in, rather to capture. easy method it would become a lot more challenging and garner a higher score. Erik Scores It 5/10 Overall Score 6.5/10 24

System: NES Released: 1984 Developer: Namco Publisher: Namco Genre: Platform Reviewed by Vaughan Anscombe Mappy is a game I had never heard of and now I Sprinkled throughout are bonus levels find myself chasing a high score and humming involving popping balloons while trying to the in-game music. complete the level on trampolines. An arcade game from 1983, which would have The game is super easy to play and addictively made me 13, but I can’t say I remember seeing hard to master. Always drawing you in for one it in the arcades. more go. The game is simple enough in concept. You are The graphics are of the time; functional but a police mouse and you must collect the stolen clear and they do the job. Trampolines change items from the cat’s mansion. colour indicating their breaking point. The You do this by bouncing on trampolines to boss cat crouches behind items. It all moves traverse the levels. You can’t be hurt while at a cracking pace generating excitement and bouncing but you can when you encounter a stress of equal levels. cat on a flat level. An excellent little gem from the past that if Opening doors sends a shock wave along the given the chance will keep you coming back level; this becomes strategic when trying to for more! catch as many cats as possible in the blast. Stolen items flashing indicate more points So shut your cell door, throw away the key and if you collect them in the order they start while away your time with Mappy. flashing. However you can claim the stolen loot in any order you desire. 25

Vaughan’s Scores Graphics Audio Gameplay Difficulty 6/10 8/10 10/10 6/10 Functional but do the job well. Great (but annoying if you’re Addictive as chocolate, without Simple to play, hard to master. my wife) in game tune, a few the weight gain. little ditties and several spot sound effects. Can We Get A Second Opinion? Reviewed by Doors only open towards their doorknobs. Opening a door when a cat is near it will Sir Top N Hat score extra points. You can move between floors by bouncing Sir_Top_&_Hat on trampolines at various places in the house. If you pass cats in the air, Mappy is This gem is fast becoming one of my unharmed, but watch out, trampolines break favourite games. after a few bounces if you stay on them. Mappy the police mouse must retrieve the stolen goods that are placed throughout the mansion the cats called Meowkies. The controls are very simple use left-right and a single button to operate doors which are an important feature of the game. Sir Top N Hat Scores It 7/10 Overall Score 7.5/10 26

System: NES Released: 1989 Developer: Namco Publisher: Namco Genre: Action / Platform Reviewed by Vaughan Anscombe “Mawwiage. Mawwiage is what bwings us Happy can jump and flutter around the levels, togewah today. Mawwiage, that bwessed kicking and butt bouncing the various enemies awangement, that dweam wiffin a dweam...” - that stand in the way of marital bliss. The Princess Bride. Originally released only in Japan this is the first “At the root of every successful marriage is a ever official English translation of the game strong partnership!” and it’s all the better to hear what your fiancée The prophetic words of his dad, Mappy, wants you to do. continued to run around Junior’s mind as he 31 years in the traditional UK wedding calendar looked at the task before him. would mean Happy would have just passed his You control Junior, or Happy (he didn’t mind Pearl Anniversary or in the modern US version what name people called him). the anniversary would be the Timepiece. His soon to be wife will not say‘yes’until he can Maybe I’ll keep an eye out for a clock. prove he can provide the life she is looking for Still, he would worry about that once her house and take care of his family. was finally completed. You do this by travelling around a well-drawn, A happy marriage is a long conversation, colourful world picking up valuables, breaking which always seems too short. open chests and playing mini-games found at A little like this review. the end of each level. Eventually you get to spend these items on parts of your wife’s dream house that you are building for her. That is how your bride to be expects you to show your commitment. 27

Vaughan’s Scores Graphics Audio Gameplay Difficulty 10/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 Happy in all his finery. Goin’ to the chapel. And we’re A very happy union of challenge Like all marriages, you get out gonna get married. and control. what you put in. Can We Get A Second Opinion? Reviewed by All very nice and actually quite easy for the most part but when a level is completed you have to play one of three challenges. Erik Downie Mice normally like cheese, especially cartoon mice. Trying to Of the three challenges two of them are a proper pain with only gather the most amount of cheese that could send even the a ‘spot the difference’ challenge being really easy. largest mouse into a cheese coma seems to be the usual goal And if you fail? Say goodbye to a large chunk of your just for any animated rodents. collected cash. But what happens when a mouse plans to get married? Well, all If you have any cash left over you can then buy items for the those dreams of relaxing in a caquelon, sloshing about in some house you’re gradually trying to build and furnish over the nice, warm cheese fondue goes out the window as soon as your course of the game. fiancée wants you to buy a massive house. And furnish it. Luckily you can replay earlier levels to build up your money but Despite this all sounding like a bit of a consumerist nightmare, the annoying challenges at the end of each level tend to just Mappy Kids is quite fun. The main part of the game is a smoothly drain the cash flow. scrolling platformer where you control a mouse collecting I forgot to mention that before the challenge levels begin you various trinkets and bags of money that happen to be lying spin a fruit machine to win an extra prize, which is nice. You around the colourful levels. might get extra lives. Maybe even some money. Or lose one of The levels are sprinkled with assorted animals and insects getting your purchased house items. Okay, maybe not that nice. in the way. Hitting one of them knocks you over and some of Despite all this, the main platforming part of the game is a your collected goods are flung from your pockets. Simply regain simple and enjoyable affair, if somewhat easy. Unfortunately, your footing and get after them before they disappear. the irritating challenges at the end of each level leave a sour taste in my mouth, not dissimilar to extra mature stilton. Erik Scores It 6/10 Overall Score 8/10 28

System: Super Nintendo Released: 1993 Developer: Namco Publisher: Namco Genre: Strategy Reviewed by Vaughan Anscombe A real time strategy game. Hooray! I used to A few missiles fly, a plane drops a rather love them back in the day. ‘little’mighty mech and well zzzzz it all rather Control your army, which includes the titular peters out. giant mechs (Marines) of the title, deploy I struggled if I am honest to get past the first your bases and missiles and try to wipe out few stages because I really did not have a the alien enemy who has taken control of clue about what was going on. The game the Earth. does not teach you and in these sort of I say Earth. It is just islands now as apparently games that should be a given. Shouldn’t it? there was an antimatter war and the land has all but been vaporized. All very bland and just so unexciting. Real time I say real time but I found it felt more turn becomes snooze time. based. It reminded me of Advance Wars but not as good. I really did not have a clue what I was doing even with the advice option checked. Before each mission some smart mouth commander taunts you and then battle commences. There is a selection of icons down the left that denote your weapons etc. I kind of nodded off looking at them. 29

Vaughan’s Scores Graphics Audio Gameplay Difficulty 6/10 6/10 4/10 4/10 Functional and unexciting. In game music that grates after Plenty of levels but I didn’t have If the game declines to teach 30 seconds or so. Explosions and the will to carry on. you how to play you’re in trouble other spot effects. from the start. Can We Get A Second Opinion? Reviewed by your supposed to be doing quite a bit. High-res manual scans & The graphics look great and the animations are game guides available at Liam Isaacs really nice. Once you kind of understand what you’re doing it’s fun planning your priorities, Evercade.info This is a tough one, I want to love the game as defence or attack. You don’t want to leave I have a feeling there’s a great game in there yourself open to an attack but if you go all out somewhere, I just cant quite find it. defence your attacks are feeble. A strategy game where your aim appears to be Once you defeat the enemy you start the next fortify, build weapons and wipe the enemy out level where you do the same again. Then the before they destroy you. next level where you do the same again. It’s a I assume this game would be so much better bit of a rinse and repeat. if you had the original manual to refer to. Doesn’t quite hit the spot. I’m still not sure if I’m Without it you’ll find yourself guessing at what playing this game to its full potential though. 6/10Liam Scores It Wscerraetcyhoiunghetaood? Overall Score 5.5/10 30

System: NES Released: 1984 Developer: Namco Publisher: Namco Genre: Maze Reviewed by Vaughan Anscombe Hola my name is Wan Arriba. I will be your tour Having one maze lets you practice and hone all guide at the museum today. your skills to chase those high scores though. This place is a maze so please keep together, Pac-hombre will travel in the direction you oh and the rumores you have heard about this last pressed. This my amigos makes judging museum being embrujado... I’m sorry, how do corners a little easier which is a skill you need you say? Oh yes, “haunted”, are true! to master. Well I have seen the odd fantasma or dos! Pero the game still plays like the true clásico Here it is! that it is and the sounds, oh the sonidos, they This is what we have all come to see. will transport you back to the arcada. Places Pac-Man of flashing lights, loud music, vibrating sound Let me explain. effects all competing for attention. You guide your little pizza shaped hombre Standing in prime space amongst crowds of around a maze, comiendo, ah, apologies, teenagers who would be gathered round to eating Pac-dots, and various fruits that appear witness the game being clocked and legendary in the laberinto. high score status being achieved. So I hope you have enjoyed your trip to the Namco museo. But beware; there are ghosts. Not just uno of Come again my name is Wan please fill out these fantasma but cuatro out to stop you. this little score card for your experiencia. They will chase you around until they catch you but if you eat a power pill you will, how Adios do you say, turn the tide on them for a limited time and you can eat them. You may have experienced a newer version of Pac-Man and if you have this may come as quite a conmoción. It is slow and there is only uno maze! Ha! The 80s! 31

Vaughan’s Scores Graphics Audio Gameplay Difficulty 6/10 6/10 8/10 8/10 Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Can We Get A Second Opinion? Reviewed by Don’t forget to grab the succulent fruit like cherries and strawberries, for more delicious Sir Top N Hat bonus score! Iconic Pac-Man is definitely a crowning jewel Sir_Top_&_Hat in this Namco collection and very close to the arcade original. Wakka wakka! Clear the maze of Pac-dots in this lightning in a bottle NES version. Everything is here, each of the ghosts that pursue you behaves differently, chomp power pellets, become invincible, turn ghosts blue, allowing you to eat them for points. The more ghosts you eat in a row, the higher the score. Sir Top N Hat Scores It 8/10 Overall Score 7.5/10 32

System: Genesis Released: 1991 Developer: Now Production Publisher: Namco Genre: Racing Reviewed by Vaughan Anscombe Right from the off this game roars quality. The The dirt track swings and undulates like a impressive comic book style opening with loud dancer I once knew (but that’s another story). engine noises sets the tone. With bumps and humps, your quad will Hit the breaks, did my Evercade just talk? bounce over them and taking them at speed Arcade digitised speech. Wow! scores some air. A split screen racer where you face an Keep your wits about you and half an eye on opponent on various dirt tracks set in different the rear-view mirrors. Any slip ups and your cities which admittedly are just silhouettes in opponent will be on you like a rash. the background. Impressive options let you alter your riders Stand like a champion on a champagne colour and how many laps you want to race. soaked podium. Rev your engine and watch those lights. Red to green and the race is on. As you steer your quad into turns you will soon realise there is some weight to your vehicle and if you’re not careful you will spin out. It becomes very satisfying judging this just right and getting the perfect balance between speed and cornering. Hit an obstacle and you will fly head over heels. Complete a lap in the time limit to keep the race running because if you are not fast enough your quad will putter to a stop. 33

Vaughan’s Scores Graphics Audio Gameplay Difficulty 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 Impressive right from the off. Brmmm vroom squeal with A fun single player game that Become one with the quad and added speech. would benefit from a 2nd player. master the course. Can We Get A Second Opinion? Reviewed by cut hard, shift low, you fanning the brakes as your racing tyres claw for traction. Hit jumps, Peter Hussey go airborne then throttle down to soften your landing on nine twisting tracks. Vaughan - “right from the off this game roars You can choose from four vehicles each with quality”, a statement I am on the same starting their own unique horsepower, handling and mark with. acceleration. It features, a circuit championship My first encounter was on the MegaDrive but this game was poorly received........ All I can (1991) which at the time the game was a say is they didn’t play it long enough. poor seller and a niche genre that was poorly Quad Challenge on Evercade will punish you received by video gamers. but, boy what a ride. Stick with it and, trust Originally called Four Trax in the arcade, Quad me, you’ll be drinking champagne on the Challenge (MegaDrive) is now on Evercade podium.........Race Out! and those memories of fun; challenging as you See YOU at the starting grid. Peter Scores It 7/10 Overall Score 7.5/10 34

System: NES Released: 1985 Developer: Namco Publisher: Namco Genre: Shooter Reviewed by Vaughan Anscombe For every Star Wars there is a Battle Beyond Engines thunder, stars streak by and Gaia the Stars. jumps into an enemy squadron. Lasers streak For every hero or heroine there are the backups; past me, burning scars down the ship’s side. the supporting cast. Looking frantically around to catch a sight of Nobody remembers our names. We are the enemy I pull a 180, the g-force crushing me normally somewhere at the back of the victory back into the blast couch. party or wearing red on an away mission. “Yes”, I scream as the enemy starfighters come But this is my time. I am the hero. My name into view. is Dan Heinick and this is my story. Red 2.5 With a pull of the trigger the first one explodes standing by. in a ball of light. I swing to the left tracking the Space is so very large but not as empty as the last one, all the while dodging his return fire. boffins would have you believe. We set out to “I have you now”, I scream, depressing explore and as time passed eventually settled the trigger one final time and watching in the galaxy. satisfaction as he explodes. That is until that alien overlord, Battura, showed The soothing sounds from my ship bring me up demanding our immediate surrender. Well, back to reality as I quickly check for damage. we are not having it! Not too bad, but I’ll need to plot a course for No way. Not on my watch. a base. Checking the screen I lock onto the B We are taking the fight to him and his minions. symbol and the engines spool up to warp. Sitting in the cockpit of Gaia, the ship’s systems The base is clear and I lock on, watching as the are constantly bleeping away in a reassuring shuttle crew refuel and re-energise my shields. manner. Space may be silent but to us I am impatient. Don’t these crew hands realise starfighters the ship’s sounds are life. for every second I wait for them to refuel, The display scanner shows the locations of our Battura conquers more of the galaxy? bases and the enemy. I need to plot my course around the starfield and then warp into battle. “You’re all clear kid. Now let’s blow this thing and go home!” 35

Vaughan’s Scores Graphics Audio Gameplay Difficulty 8/10 10/10 8/10 8/10 Pretty impressive for this old Beeps, chirps and warning sounds. Cockpit view simulator shooter. Take the time to learn what your school starfighter. It feels like your ship is alive. Pretty impressive. ship can do and it becomes just about right. Can We Get A Second Opinion? Reviewed by You play Dan Heinick and engage enemy ships using your map and radar to display Sir Top N Hat their locations. Your ship can be crippled through destructive Sir_Top_&_Hat enemy shots and must be repaired by docking at the base for supplies and to Your beloved StarFighter jet is known as refuel. Your ship also comes equipped with a “GAIA”, you have launched what could be regenerating shield mechanic. your last mission. As the burning hot flames Good luck, the galaxy is counting on you! emerge from the engines, your jet fades away like a distant star on an unknown mission into the universe... Enter - Star Luster. Prepare to go into open space, choose a location from a stellar grid on the map and warp to it in a first-person cockpit experience. Sir Top N Hat Scores It 8/10 Overall Score 8.5/10 36

System: NES Released: 1984 Developer: Namco Publisher: Namco Genre: Shoot ‘Em Up Reviewed by Vaughan Anscombe I have a passion for vertical shooters and have Xevious appear to be honorable and fight fair had over the years. Oh, I have never really been and dying is just a learning curve. very good at them, barring the odd exception, Note: Pilots studying the plans recovered for but love them I do. us have found that there are two ways to take Xevious on the Evercade is a little beauty these out. of a vertical shooter; using the d-pad you Every time you die and try again invariably you fly your ship ‘Solvalou’ over the landscape will get a little further and that, my fellow pilot, destroying the oncoming enemy, for whom is the sign of a great game; always tempting the game is named after, and blow the crud you to put 10 pence more in to save the world. out of ground targets. The graphics are sharp and clear; bullets and A and B fire your weapons (If like me you are a ships rush you, ground targets move and there little nervous of constantly pressing the same is no slow down. buttons, fear not – just hold them down and The intro tune is cool, although the lasers are save on the wear and tear). high pitched and sound rather weedy, but I can You have a sight that sits a little way ahead of get used to that. your ship so you can target your bombs and lay My only gripe, and maybe it is just me, but I waste to those trying to shoot you down. find the in game sound (you can’t really call it One of the first games to feature boss battles, it a tune as it seems very short and on constant took its sales to the heights of Space Invaders repeat) quite annoying. I don’t have to wait for and earned it the title of one of the most the missus to tell me to turn the sound down as influential games of all time. I’ve done it already. These bosses or motherships will throw everything at you and you will need your So sit back in your blast couch, pull down your senses tuned into the force, or whatever takes visor, grasp the flight stick and let’s go save you to that zen place, because this game is the world! hard and will do its best to kill you. But these 37

Vaughan’s Scores Graphics Audio Gameplay Difficulty 8/10 6/10 10/10 10/10 Retro but very good. Played on a lower volume than I A pocket full of change, baby. Hard but perfectly judged. would normally do. Can We Get A Second Opinion? Reviewed by You have two weapons for combating enemies — a gun that fires projectiles at Sir Top N Hat flying enemies, and a “bomb” for destroying enemies on the ground which uses a sight to Sir_Top_&_Hat determine where the bombs will go. There are a total of 16 stages, these areas Xevious, in case your wondering about the have large geographical features, such as name, originally it was named Zevious, the forests, sand roads & rivers, which loop back “X” being added to make it sound more to the first after completing them all. exotic and mysterious. In Xevious you control a starship known as the Solvalou in this vertical-scrolling shooter to destroy the Xevious forces. Sir Top N Hat Scores It 6/10 Overall Score 7.5/10 38

Namco Museum Collection 1 Battle Cars (Mega Drive) Cart Number: 02 Reviewed by Evercade system would find appealing and I think really help to show what the Evercade is Released: 22/05/20 Mark Rutland all about. There’s eleven games in total on this Games: 11 Namco (Nakamura Manufacturing Company) cartridge, so not as many as some, but it’s a is a name which has a rich history of solid collection, although not perfect. With Pac-Man (NES) producing some of the greatest games of all the exception of Quad Challenge, which is Galaxian (NES) time and one of the world’s largest producers from the Sega Genesis, they’re all versions Dig Dug (NES) of video arcade games, having published over from either the NES or SNES systems. Many Xevious (NES) 300 titles since 1978. of these games started life as arcade games Star Luster (NES) If there’s one good reason why the Namco and were then converted to the 8- and 16-bit Mappy (NES) Museum Collection 1 is packaged with the systems, but all seem to be good versions and Mappy Kids (NES) basic Evercade Starter Pack it can be summed generally faithful to the originals. It means it’s Libble Rabble (SNES) up in one, hyphenated word, Pac-Man. a cartridge full of history and decent pedigree, Battle Cars (SNES) Our little yellow, dot eating friend is one of so hopefully something for everyone. Metal Marines (SNES) the most recognizable video game characters In all there are seven games from the 8-bit Quad Challenge (Mega Drive) in history and just on his own, over 48 million era and four from the later 16-bit machines, copies of the game have been sold across all with games spanning nine years (1984-1993) platforms. Add to that the iconic maze game of gaming history. In fact, if you include the Dig Dug; the superb shooters Galaxian and original arcade release dates, it’s actually Xevious; plus the addictive side-scrolling fourteen years, with Galaxian being the old platform game, Mappy; and you have the man of the group having first been released basis for a really good set of compilation in 1979 and making it even older than Pac- games. Games that anyone new to the Man, although only by a year! 39

Obviously some games are better only been available in certain countries NES or SNES. Battle Cars is another than others but I found the ‘classics’ or you’ve never heard of before. racing game which does look and play of Pac-Man, Galaxian and Dig Dug Libble Rabble is one such game. I’d well for it’s age, although personally I were all games I really enjoyed playing. never heard of it and when I started would have preferred for them to have Galaxian is probably one of my playing wasn’t really sure that I’d missed included Pole Position instead! It’s a favourite games and this is a really good much, but weirdly it does grow on decent enough game and will, I’m sure, version and works well on the Evercade. you. The controls definitely take some interest a number of gamers. Like many of you, I love playing retro getting use to, although I suspect the Star Luster is a space combat game games either via RetroArch on my Mac original arcade game would have been which offers a pretty impressive 3D or, over the years, on various hand-held a dual joystick cabinet which would perspective and reasonable gameplay devices like the GP32 (GamePark) or probably have made the game more but ultimately is just a little dull. Maybe Dingoo systems and although recently playable. It’s not that bad though and it’s just me but I didn’t feel there was I’ve looked at things like the Anbernic certainly worthy of some of your time. enough to do and the battles just RG351P, ultimately, I think the Evercade weren’t frantic enough. is just perfect for these kind of games. Quad Challenge (Mega Drive) Metal Marines, I’m afraid, is the Xevious is another game on this Quad Challenge is another arcade elephant in the room. It’s a real time cartridge I’ve played a lot, mostly conversion with this version being strategy game which I really didn’t because it was part of Erik’s High Score released on the Sega Genesis. enjoy, mainly I suspect, because there’s Challenge for January. I don’t remember Originally released as Four Trax in the no real instructions or guidance on how being very good at it and it turns out I’m arcade it was considered to be one to play. There seemed to be a lot going pretty rubbish at it on the Evercade as of the first off-road racing games for on though, so maybe it just needs more well, although whether that means it’s a a console system where a number patience than I have. faithful conversion or not is debatable! of machines were linked together In true arcade style, most of these are Mappy was a game I’d seen before for multi-player games. This version aimed squarely at the kind of gamer but never really played, but I must features a split screen so you can see who likes to ‘play and go’ but will keep admit I love it. It’s a really addictive but just how well your computer opponent coming back for more. It’s an ideal very simple game and I found myself is doing. It’s a pretty good game and starter cartridge for a system designed constantly going back to see if I could one which does succeed in making you to take with you and I think with titles do better. It’s a good job I never played want to try again to finish the lap before that keep you interested and always this in the arcades otherwise it would the timer reaches zero. feeling like you could do better, it’s have cost me a fortune. The last three games on the cartridge definitely a collection you’re likely to Mappy Kids may be related to Mappy were all originally released on the come back to, time and again. but that’s really where the similarity Certainly not a bad trip ends. It is, however, a decent sideways down memory lane. scrolling platform game and what makes this one interesting is that it was only ever released in Japan on the NES. For me, this is a big part of what the Evercade is all about. The chance to play unusual, obscure and even unreleased games or simply to try games that have See how we scored it on the next page! Want More? There’s Much More! Click the thumbnail to watch James’ playthrough on his YouTube channel “ItsMuchMore” where you’ll find a whole host of Evercade videos and live sessions. 40

And The Scores Are In... Marks’s Scores It’s not all good though and there’s definitely a couple of games on here which would have been better replaced by others from Overall I really like this collection. It’s got the vast Namco catalogue. a decent mix of titles and gives you the opportunity to play some of the classic arcade games produced by Namco. Game Variety Game Quality Play Time Replay Value 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 Good mix of titles with some real All pretty good versions which Lots of options to keep gamers Definitely a cart I’ll be coming classics included. suit the Evercade perfectly. coming back for more. back to. Vaughans’s Scores Less is more as they say and in the case of this 3 more I would return to occasionally so 9 out of 11 is great collection they are correct. value and most importantly great fun. 11 games to choose from and for me at least 6 I would play Welcome to Namco Museum. I just know you’re going to again and again. There are some real gems in this little cart. have fun! Game Variety Game Quality Play Time Replay Value 8/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 Some real gems and fun to be Platform, Racing, Maze, Shooters, Hours of fun on most of them. I am only knocking a point off for had on at least 9 out of 11. RTS. Take your pick and enjoy. Metal Marines. Liam’s Scores I got this one as part of the premium pack. Like After not touching it for months I popped it in and I can see why Atari Collection 1 I was too young to play a lot of these games still get played over and over. Some true classics these the first time round. They do get shoved and some hidden gems too. on every compilation though so I thought it was a bit same old, I thought this cart was a dud, turns out it’s still a classic. same old. How wrong was I... Game Variety Game Quality Play Time Replay Value 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 A nice selection, nearly has the lot I’d say overall they are all decent Nice selection to keep you A great line up of games which but where are my sports games! ports. No poor conversions. entertained for a while. will have you coming back. 8.5/10 41

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SpCeocviiadl Gaming in Isolation (A new meaning on single player) I very rarely have any sick time from from your family in the same house. But work, I guess it was something my mum that’s not really why I started writing this. instilled in me. I don’t like letting people My room has November’s half read Retro down, especially my teams. Gamer (I’m up to the Battlezone article), I have not been furloughed and have my daughter’s old laptop is charging worked right through all 3 lockdowns, away so I can watch old Dr. Who DVDs or, although I can’t say I wasn’t considering much to my delight, BBC iPlayer (really opting for it this time, but alas I never got that did not even occur to me). I have my the chance. Kindle and of course my Evercade, which My Covid test waspositive on January is where most of my ‘lucid’ or feeling 4th, and to be honest I would not wish better time has been spent.  it on anybody. Dealing with the illness is bad enough, it’s also the self isolation You can keep up with me on Twitter, on my blog or read my sci-fi stories, just click the links below. 44

Four carts have kept me company out of day on your own. That and the surfing all the ones I have. on California games, another chilled out At first I thought I would carry on relaxing experience. I did browse the working through Atari Collection 2 other games on that cartridge but again I to complete the reviews for Evercade will revisit them some time in the future. Evolution. You see I get just as much Lynx 1 next. I know I played them out of pleasure writing about the games as order but my brain is addled. playing them. Super Missile Command is so good and Erik asked me what was harder; Covid or the time really flew playing that version Atari 2? To be honest it is a close run thing! (which to my money is the best). No really I jest, it was Atari. ;) A game called Xump that, if you give it Well I guess you’ll see the fruits of that illness a chance will, hook you and keep you induced labour at some stage in a future puzzling on how to get through a level. issue (bet you can’t wait for that Pete). And now I’m going back to Brave Battle I went back to Dizzy and, to be honest, Saga. I saved over my progress ages ago just couldn’t keep up with it. I love those and only just worked up the courage to games and that cartridge but it was start again, but that could be due to the making my head spin. excessive paracetamol intake (note: not Moved onto Xeno Crisis which I have recommended or endorsed). not played for a while. Boy is that game So, to sum up, I have had the chance hard even on easy and it certainly wasn’t to have a go at a fair few games on my helping the blood pressure. Evercade. It has kept me occupied and Tanglewood I had not really given the my thoughts lighter than they may have time either, but I have now and it’s a been otherwise. beautiful relaxing game. Certainly aided Though it is not strictly medical, it is my state of mind, except for that damn very medicinal and is aiding my retro lighting level which took me a while to road to recovery. understand why I was being struck! Stay safe and well everybody, gaming is Back to Atari, this time the Lynx 2 and not everything... Chips Challenge, an excellent way to But it helps. pass the time when you’re cooped up all Vaughan 45

Gaming.the price you pay (adjusted) Is gaming really more expensive now? Vaughan takes a look at how the Evercade compares... Written by I thought it would be interesting to see how much the Evercade would cost if released at its current selling price on the same Vaughan dates and inflated upwards to the‘here and now’. For this we will Anscombe go with the base price of £59.99. I have always had a thing about the cost of gaming. Well if truth 2013 2007 2002 1995 were told, probably the cost of life, but as gaming is one of my £71.43 £87.55 £100.12 £120.39 hobbies I will use that as my example. For me, in my gaming life, we will take it from the 80s when I owned by first machine, the 1993 1990 1986 1977 ZX Spectrum 48K (rather than the family machine). £125.25 £150.61 £183.50 £436.09 Money is all relative, and I guess you buy what you can afford, If we reversed the experiment and deflated the price from and in those days games were ranging from £1.99 budget the‘here and now’to the‘then and there’it makes interesting releases, up to £9.99. Slowly those prices started to creep up to reading for our favourite handheld system. the dizzying heights of £14.99. There is an article that took my interest regarding the real cost of gaming. Check it out: 2013 2007 2002 1995 £53.29 £44.01 £37.54 £31.77 www.netvouchercodes.co.uk/blog/console-prices-with-inflation 1993 1990 1986 1977 But I thought it could be a little more personal, a little more £29.98 £26.87 £20.84 £9.83 interesting to me, and hopefully to you, if we look at our current consoles compared to the ones we grew up with. The link shows I’ll let you into my psyche here so try not to judge too harshly. you the price of consoles that have been adjusted for inflation to show you that, yes, your brand new all singing all dancing Xbox I have this issue with certain game prices; I struggle to justify Series X or PS5 are relatively expensive coming in at £450. But paying more than £40 for a new game. I will always shop around how would consoles of yesteryear compare? and try and get it cheaper even if it’s just a fiver off. For me £30 to £35 is a price I find acceptable. It’s funny what difference an extra I will leave you look for yourselves if you are interested, but let’s fiver will make to my thought process. just pick a couple as an example of what they would cost now. Using the inflation adjuster it is an interesting process to see 2013 PlayStation 4 £404.13 what you would have paid for your items over certain points in 2013 Xbox One £495.35 your past. 2007 PlayStation 3 £595.11 2002 Game Cube £211.34 My budget games costing £1.99 would now be £6.09, the 1995 Sega Saturn £772.83 quality titles costing £9.99 would clock in at £30.56 and the With some real eye openers £1231.45 expensive“I really would have to save hard for”games costing 1993 Panasonic 3DO £913.73 £14.99 would be an eye watering £45.85. Now that must have 1990 Turbo Grafix £442.85 been some paper round I used to have! 1986 NES £1245.72 1977 Atari 2600 Interestingly, it would seem that I was paying around £40 even then for the odd game back in the day. So as you would expect gaming has always been a relatively Now that’s a weird kind of symmetry! expensive hobby (nothing new there then). 46

Price reduced in-line with inflation to show how much a £14.99 Evercade cartridge would have cost if released in 1977.

Price reduced in-line with inflation to show how much a £14.99 Evercade cartridge would have cost if released around 1985.

Hey guys it’s Erik Justin Royce Lance 20 Martin Stephenson 12 tom PerneR 12 darren Portman 10 vaughan Anscombe 10 James Jarvis Justin Bieber 9 Erik Downie 9 Allan Benzies 8 Roger OlVER 7 7 LEAGUE TABLE 2021 49

Roger OlVER 151180 Martin Stephenson 133200 vaughan Anscombe tom Perner 89730 darren Portman 61310 Erik Downie 31120 Wayne Lymbery 24650 Disa økland 17200 7150 Dig Dug Namco Museum Collection 1 Dig Dug is a 1982 maze arcade game developed and published by Namco. It was distributed by Atari, Inc. in North America and Europe. Controlling the titular character, the player is tasked with defeating all of the enemies in each stage, done by either inflating them with air with a pump until they pop or crushing them underneath large rocks. It ran on the Namco Galaga arcade board. 50