WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM ISSUE #4 • MAY 2018

MAY 2018 • ISSUE #4

RPGS REVIEW A Selected History of RPGs Boss Fight Books 06 BY TODD FRIEDMAN 29 BY OLD SCHOOL GAMER RPGS NEWS Role Playing Games Convention Update 08 BY JASON RUSSELL 30 BY OLD SCHOOL GAMER RPGs VIDEO GAME MOVIE REVIEW Nox Archaist Man vs. Snake 10 BY BILL LANGE 36 BY BRAD FEINGOLD RPGs FEATURE Just For Qix: Cadash 45 Years of Arcade Gaming: The 1990s 12 BY MICHAEL THOMASSON 38 BY ADAM PRATT NEWS THE GAME SCHOLAR 2018 Old School Event Calendar Keyboard Creations 14 BY OLD SCHOOL GAMER 44 BY LEONARD HERMAN RPGs PUREGAMING.ORG INFO Wizardry Talk Sega 32x and Sega CD 15 BY KEVIN BUTLER 47 BY PUREGAMING.ORG RPGs Evolution of Role-Playing Games 17 In Japan BY ANTOINE CLERC-RENAUD

RPGs Lord British Meetup 19 BY BILL LANGE RPGs Publisher Business Manager Issue Writers Ryan Burger Aaron Burger Todd Friedman, Jason Brett’s Old School Bargain Bin Russell, Bill Lange, 20 Dungeons and Dragons Editor Design Director Michael Thomasson, BY BRETT WEISS Brian Szarek Jacy Leopold Antoine Clerc-Renaud, Brett Weiss, Walter Day, THE WALTER DAY REPORT Editorial Board Design Assistant Jonathan Polan, Todd Dan Loosen Marc Burger Friedman, Brad Feingold, G.O.A.T.’s of the 21st Century Doc Mack Adam Pratt, Leonard 22 BY WALTER DAY Billy Mitchell Art Director Herman Walter Day Thor Thorvaldson INTERVIEW/PEOPLE A Few Minutes with Buck Stein BY OLD SCHOOL GAMER HOW TO REACH OLD SCHOOL GAMER: Postmaster – Send address changes to: 24 OSG • 222 SE Main St • Grimes IA 50111 515-986-3344 Postage paid at Grimes, IA and other mailing locations. www.oldschoolgamermagazine.com INTERVIEW/PEOPLE Old School Gamer Magazine Subscriptions, address changes, or back issues (ISSN# 2574-8076 ONLINE/2574-8068 PRINT) Interview with Video Games Monthly go to: www.oldschoolgamermagazine.com, is published by BC Productions, Inc. or contact Old School Gamer by mail at: BY JONATHAN POLAN 222 SE Main St • Grimes, IA 50111 26 222 SE Main St • Grimes IA 50111 Copyright © 2018 by BC Productions, Inc. Back issues (if available): $6 plus shipping REVIEW All rights reserved. Reproduction of copy, photography, or Subscription rates: US and possessions: $30 for 1 year artwork is prohibited without permission of the publisher. I Have The Power: Super RetroCade Shipping address: OSG • 222 SE Main St • Grimes IA 50111 All advertising material subject to publisher’s approval. 28BY TODD FRIEDMAN TO ADVERTISE IN OLD SCHOOL GAMER OR WORK WITH US ON SOMETHING ELSE, CALL 515-986-3344 x300 OR EMAIL [email protected]

4 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 130,000+ square feet More info and Get Tickets at 50+ VIPs - 1000s of games midwestgamingclassic.com RPGs A Selected History of RPGs By Todd Friedman

role-playing game (RPG) is a Dragon Warrior presents players with a a science fantasy setting featuring a game in which each participant clear objective from the start and uses cross-genre combination of magic and A a series of smaller scenarios to increase technology. Phantasy Star was one of assumes the role of a character, the hero’s strength in order to achieve the pioneers of the traditional console generally in a fantasy or science the objective. The game begins in King RPG format, featuring fully traversable fiction setting that can interact within Lorik’s chamber in Tantegel Castle, where overworld maps, complete with inter- the game’s imaginary world. Players the hero receives information about the active towns, and sprawling dungeons. take responsibility for acting out Dragonlord, whom he must defeat, and The player engages in random enemy the stolen Balls of Light, which he must encounters, both on the overworld map these roles within a narrative, either retrieve. After receiving some items and in dungeons, which saw a change through literal acting, structured and gold, the hero sets out on his quest. from the top-down perspective to a first- decision-making, or character Much of Dragon Warrior is spent talking person view. Unique amongst all games development. to townspeople and gathering informa- of the time was the faux 3-D graphics tion from them that leads to additional of Phantasy Star’s dungeons, a widely The first commercially available places, events, and secrets praised technological feature role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons The green-capped hero of The The Elder Scrolls is a series of (D&D), was published in 1974 by Gygax’s Legend of Zelda wrote the book on action action role-playing open world fantasy TSR. TSR marketed the game as a niche RPG gameplay, tackling the toughest video games primarily developed by product. Gygax expected to sell about dungeons with the aid of the equipment Bethesda Game Studios and published 50,000 copies. After establishing itself he found scattered around a massive- by Bethesda Softworks. The series in boutique stores, it developed a cult for-the-time open world. This non-lin- is known for its elaborate and richly following among college students and ear style of game progression offered detailed open worlds and its focus on science fiction fandom. a vast alternative to the seemingly free-form gameplay. Morrowind, Oblivion The earliest RPG designed for on-rails approach of some earlier RPGs and Skyrim all won Game of the Year console gaming was Dragonstomper for and dungeon crawlers. The series also awards from multiple outlets. The series the Atari 2600 in 1982. The game laid the toned down many of the overt Dungeons has sold more than 50 million copies foundation for the tactical role-playing & Dragons elements that had become worldwide. The Elder Scrolls games are game genre, or “simulation RPG” as it standard RPG. With the exception of the action role-playing games, although they is known in Japan. It was also an early first Zelda’s direct sequel, no other games do include elements taken from action example of a real-time, action role-play- in the franchise have displayed numbers and adventure games. In Arena, players ing game. or any other figures in combat. This non- advance by killing monsters (and thereby One of the most memorable innova- traditional, action-oriented style has led gaining experience points) until a preset tions came in 1985’s Ultima IV: Quest Of to thousands of debates and Internet value is met, whereupon they level-up. The Avatar, a game I would have happily flame wars about what truly constitutes However, in Daggerfall, Morrowind, and eloped with at the time. Usually when an RPG. Many purists believe that The Oblivion the series took a skill-based establishing characters, you would Legend of Zelda series can’t claim RPG approach to character advancement. assign points to various attributes and status because of its focus on combat Players develop their characters’ skills skill sets, etc. However, what Ultima IV and exploration over level grinding and by applying them, and only level-up did was ask you a series of questions character customization. Others have when a certain set of skills have been and subsequently shape your character argued that the game’s innate sense of developed. Skyrim took a new approach according to the moral leanings of your discovery and experimentation share a - the more a skill is leveled, the more it responses. This could make all the dif- similar spirit with the RPG genre. Either helps to level the character. This shifted ference between starting the game as a way, Link’s first adventure inspired a host the focus away from character creation shepherd or a druid, for example. It was of other action games that utilized role- and more onto character development. a revelation. playing elements to varying degrees. The flexibility of the games’ engines has facilitated the release of game exten- The first title that inspired legions of Phantasy Star is a series of console sions (or mods) through The Elder Scrolls imitators was Dragon Quest, also known role-playing video games and other Construction Set. as Dragon Warrior in America. It was rev- supplementary media created by Sega. olutionary for its time, and its blueprint The series debuted in 1987 on the Sega Chrono Trigger is a role-playing video is evident in thousands of RPGs. You Master System with Phantasy Star, and game developed and published by Square explore the game’s overworld while continues into the present with Phantasy for the Super Nintendo Entertainment trotting from town to town, selling goods Star Online 2 and other extensions of System in 1995. Considered one of the and interacting with local residents the Phantasy Star Online sub-series. greatest Role Playing Games of all time, until you’re ready to hit your next locale. Each of the games in the series features Chrono Trigger features standard role-

6 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 playing video game gameplay. The player development began; most design elements the original Magic cards and rules. Players controls the protagonist and his com- were hashed out along the way. In contrast, purchase digital cards and are able to play panions in the game’s two-dimensional with Final Fantasy VII, the developers knew online against each other using their digital fictional world, consisting of various from the outset it was going to be “a real 3D collections. Magic: The Gathering Online forests, cities, and dungeons. Navigation game”, so from the earliest planning stage is the closest to paper magic of the digital occurs via an overworld map, depicting detailed designs were in existence. alternatives. the landscape from a scaled-down RPG turned to kids when Pokémon was World of Warcraft (WoW) is a massively overhead view. Areas such as forests, released to the Gameboy. First released in multiplayer online role-playing game cities, and similar places are depicted 1996 in Japan for the Game Boy, the main series (MMORPG) released in 2004 by Blizzard as more realistic scaled-down maps, in of role-playing video games has continued Entertainment. It is the fourth released game which players can converse with locals to on each generation of Nintendo’s handhelds. set in the Warcraft fantasy universe. World procure items and services, solve puzzles The games are commonly released in pairs— of Warcraft takes place within the Warcraft and challenges, or encounter enemies. each with slight variations—with an enhanced world of Azeroth, approximately four years Chrono Trigger’s gameplay deviates from remake of the games usually released a few after the events at the conclusion of Blizzard’s that of traditional Japanese RPGs in that, years after the original versions. While the previous Warcraft release, Warcraft III: The rather than appearing in random encoun- main series consists of role-playing games, Frozen Throne. Blizzard Entertainment ters, many enemies are openly visible on spinoffs encompass other genres, such announced World of Warcraft on September field maps or lie in wait to ambush the as action role-playing, puzzle, and digital 2, 2001. The game was released on November pet games. As of November 24, 2017, more 23, 2004, on the 10th anniversary of the party. Contact with enemies on a field map than 300 million Pokémon games have been Warcraft franchise. As with other MMORPGs, initiates a battle that occurs directly on sold worldwide, across 76 titles. This makes players control a character avatar within the map rather than on a separate battle Pokémon the second best-selling video a game world in third or first-person view, screen. game franchise, behind Nintendo’s own Mario exploring the landscape, fighting various In my opinion, the game that changed franchise. The franchise’s mascot is Pikachu. monsters, completing quests, and interacting the console RPG world is Final Fantasy VII for Magic: The Gathering is a trading card with non-player characters (NPCs) or other the PlayStation 1. Final Fantasy VII, released game and a digital collectible card game. players. in 1997, role-playing video game developed It was created by Richard Garfield. First With Virtual Reality becoming more by Square for the PlayStation console. It is published in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast, and more popular, there is no telling what the seventh primary installment in the Final Magic was the first trading card game created the future of RPG gameplay will be and how Fantasy series. The introduction of cut scenes and it continues to thrive, with approximately interactive the world will become. The best and the exciting new battle modes, along twenty million players as of 2015. Magic can RPGs embrace a rich storytelling tradition, as with a gripping story line and soundtrack, be played by two or more players in various well as deep and engaging gameplay, to create made this a perfect combination for one formats, which fall into two categories: universes that are as exciting to explore as of the greatest RPGs ever made. With the constructed and limited. Limited formats they are thrilling to quest and do battle. shift from the SNES to the next generation involve players building a deck spontaneously consoles, Final Fantasy VII became the first out of a pool of random cards with a minimum project in the series to use 3D computer deck size of 40 cards. With Magic: The graphics. Developers initially considered Gathering Online or MTGO for short, Wizards overlaying 2D sprites on 3D backgrounds but developed and released a computer version decided to forgo pixel art entirely in favor of of the game themselves that allows players polygonal models. Aside from the story, Final to compete online against other players using Fantasy VI had many details undecided when

Todd Friedman Todd Friedman is heavily involved in the video game community. He currently writes for Old School Gamer Magazine, Little Player Magazine, Retro Player Magazine, RetroGaming Times and The Walter Day Collection. He has Co- Promoted the Video Game Summit in Illinois for the past 10 Years. Todd is an avid video game collector with over 3500 console games and 35 systems, One of his main responsibilities is keeping the Walter Day Trading cards alive. Todd holds over 60 world records on the Nintendo Wii game DJ Hero, and was a nominee for the International Video Game Hall of Fame, class of 2016 and 2017. RPGs Role Playing Games GETTING FROM HERE TO THERE Jason Russell to encounter examples that rely upon integration of networking capabilities strategic movement systems or even action throughout the years has made possible and jumping mechanics. entirely new subsets of the genre like the At one time, certain gaming elements Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing such as character customization and Game (MMORPG); which even by itself (PC) the ability to level up with experience brought in $30.7 billion globally in 2017. accumulated, were easy indicators of the As of 2016, role-playing games made role-playing experience. These days it isn’t up 12.9% of all video games sold in the uncommon to encounter these systems in United States, making them the third most everything from party games to shooters. popular genre behind shooters and action So where then did the commonly titles. To provide some comparison, sports accepted attributes of the role- games made up 11.7% and shooters 27.5%. playing game originate? Surprisingly, As far as popularity is concerned, one the answer is one of timing. The role-playing franchise has stood above the 1970s witnessed a surge in popularity rest throughout the years, thanks in no of the tabletop or “pen & paper” role- small part to an affiliation with Nintendo, playing game right alongside the advent as well as pop-culture outlets in the form of of the home computing scene. It wasn’t everything from animated shows to feature a far leap for fans of the tabletop game films. Pokémon is the highest selling RPG experience to begin integrating elements franchise of all time with over 300-million of their pastime into emerging university video game sales since its inception in 1996. mainframes. Many of these early efforts As popular as the RPG has become, were strictly text-based dungeon crawlers many of us consider those early days of t that had players solving puzzles, defeating dungeon exploring in The Legend of Zelda monsters and avoiding traps much like or forming a party of four Light Warriors I their paper and dice counterparts. Thus with which to conquer the three continents could be witnessed the birth of turn-based tactical of Final Fantasy to be the epitome of argued combat to mimic the dice roll system the role-playing experience. Sure, they common in the tabletop counterparts. pale in comparison to the complexity, that most As the mainframe computer evolved graphical treatment and sheer scope of any video game is a into the home computer, the RPG the role-playing games that would follow role-playing game; what are we doing followed, benefiting from the integration in subsequent generations, but the simple of graphics and sounds to accompany truth remains that not only did these games when we grab a controller and settle the rich play mechanics that defined the provide the first real taste of the RPG in to session, after all, if not playing early genre. Home consoles were quick formula for countless gamers around the the role of a sniper, a race car driver to put their capabilities to use in the role- world, they did so on a scale that wasn’t playing arena as well. As far back as 1982 intimidating. They were simplistic enough or mushroom-stomping plumber? Yet, the Atari 2600 received the role-playing for a beginner to play but challenging throughout the years, the term role- game Dragonstomper after dabbling with enough to keep advanced players grinding elements of the genre in the form of Raiders away. playing game (or RPG) has come to of the Lost Ark and Adventure. We live in an era where polygon counts, describe a specific subset of video Arguably it was the NES that brought color pallets and 3D graphics processors game; one usually centered around a the role-playing niche’ into the console demand very little imagination from spotlight through a library consisting of players but simple sprites and solid game fantasy-set war mechanic, building role-playing entries from many sources, mechanics have kept the classics relevant character attributes and saving the including ports of earlier and contemporary even after all these years. In fact, a strong world from the rise of unspeakable evil Western-developed PC titles such as argument could be made that these are the Ultima and Wizardry, first party developed exact traits that make them timeless. action efforts such as The Legend of Zelda What makes things tricky is that while and Faxanadu, and Americanized versions generalizing the specific criteria required of popular Eastern RPGs such as Dragon in role-playing gaming, the borders of Warrior (Dragon Quest in Japan) and Final these classifications are hazy at best. Fantasy. Medieval fantasy settings are common, Jason Russell has been working in but role-playing examples are often set Of course the NES wasn’t the only home console to realize the potential of video game journalism since the early in a dystopian future, alien world or even 1990s before the internet existed, the contemporary environment. the role-playing genre as evidenced by the success of Sega’s Phantasy Star series, term “fanzine” had meaning and sailors still debated as to whether or not the Gameplay mechanics are no less Shining Force etc. earth was flat. He is responsible for helpful in establishing a solid criteria for The role-playing movement became classification. While turn-based combat a firmly established genre within the the RETROSPECTIVE column on Old largely reigns supreme, it isn’t uncommon video game hierarchy, whether examining School Gamer Magazine and is currently PC, console or even mobile gaming. The collecting 8-bit titles as if it were 1987

8 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 MAY 2018 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM 9 RPGs Nox Archaist AN UPCOMING TILE-BASED RPG FOR THE APPLE II PLATFORM Bill Lange

he word is out on Nox Archaist! The development team, 6502 On Twitter, Richard Garriott, Workshop, is a growing team of T talented Retro Gaming enthusiasts who creator of the groundbreaking Ultima bring a comprehensive set of skills and series tweeted “I greatly look forward experience in technology, art, business management, and other areas to the Graphically, to exploring this realm!” And Rebecca project. the game will use 14x16 pixel tiles, 17x11 Heineman, creator of The Bard’s Tale What will the Nox Archaist game be tiles per screen, and 256 tiles per tile III tweeted “I can’t wait to play this like? Nox Archaist is based on the classic set (128 static, 128x4 for tile animation). game on my Apple IIgs!” computer RPGs from the 1980s. The Upwards to 1000 different tiles sets will developers mentioned their influences be used depending on disk space. It will Nox Archaist is a new fantasy for this game including the Ultima also use popup windows, as needed, role-playing game by 6502 Workshop series, the Wizardry series, The Bard’s for inventory lists, character stats and Tale series, the 1986 release Wrath currently in development for the Apple conversation dialog, leaving almost the II (as well as the PC and Mac through of Denethenor, and the 1987 release Deathlord. Mark Lemmert describes his full screen for map graphics. Apple II emulation). It uses an old- The game engine is expected to school Apple II single HRES 2D game vision of the game as being what tile- based RPGs may have evolved into if handle typical RPG game elements engine with modern updates where such as multiple character adventuring appropriate. commercial development on the Apple II had continued past the end of the parties, a large tile-based overworld, Mark Lemmert, co-founder of the 1980s. castle/town/dungeon maps, tile 6502 Workshop and lead game engine animations and line of sight visibility. programmer, gave a presentation on The name itself, Nox Archaist, is an amalgamation of “the Roman goddess The Nox Archaist engine is also Nox Archaist at KansasFest 2017, an expected to handle allowing characters annual gathering of Apple II enthusiasts, of the night” and “the use of something old”. It is expected to be a dark and (and NPCs) to hide in tall grass, horses where he demonstrated gameplay that can traverse over difficult terrain, elements and provided a brief technical serious game, with hints of “The Bard’s Tale”-type humor infused into the characters having the ability to overview to attendees. Lemmert swim, water tiles of various depths, introduced Nox Archaist as a tile- robust storyline built upon a nonlinear fantasy world covering four double- battlements, towers, working canons, based RPG with a “sword and sorcery” flickering wall sconces in dungeons, theme for original Apple II hardware and sided (eight disk sides total) 5 ¼ floppy disks for the Apple II (or disk images for dynamic NPCs and advanced mob emulators. His talk included gameplay combat tactics. demos, a “behind the scenes” assembly Apple II emulators). The developers of Nox Archaist The combat system will use an language programming overview with Ultima III-like combat screen with Q&A, and several reveals. A video of the asked themselves, what could have happened if programmers kept mixed character mobs using advanced presentation can be found on YouTube. combat tactics. Along with melee and The Nox Archaist project was working on 8-bit RPGs? What could have they created? What limits could ranged weapons, users will also be able made public in March 2016, with initial to use magic. Spells, like fireball, can development work by 6502 Workshop they have broken? The game engine is expected to push the envelope of game be focused on a single foe or spread going back at least eight months out in an area effect to hit multiple earlier. Progress on the development development on the Apple II. Written in 6502 assembly language, but without targets. But watch out for friendly fire! of the game and game engine has been Inter-party conflict is also a supported covered in a series of articles in the the “marketing consideration” limits of the mid 1980s, it will feel like a classic combat option. Apple II related magazine Juiced GS, Need supplies? The characters in as well as on several Apple II and Retro Apple II RPG, with greatly expanded RAM, and potentially a less clunky UI. the adventuring party can buy weapons, Computing related podcasts. armor and other items, both magical and mundane, from merchants. However, you need to make sure you get to the various shops during business hours, as Nox Archaist also enforces time-based rules, such as store’s business hours and the opening and closing of castle portcullises. The Nox Archaist Collector’s Edition is expected to ship old school with a game box, printed manual, cloth map and four double-sided 5 ¼ floppy diskettes. It may also contain other

10 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 feelies depending on which funding 6502: In the 1980s/90s the Commodore OSG: Have you thought about supporting level is attained. For Mac and PC based 64 outsold the Apple II many times over. other 6502-based hardware such as the Apple II emulators (AppleWin, Virtual ][, Additionally, a much higher percentage Atari 8-bit and/or the Commodore 64? etc.), the game will be a free download of the Commodore users were game with additional instructions for setting players, whereas the Apple II was used up and running the game in an emulator. 6502: We think it would be a lot of fun There may also be a copy protection as much more of a multi-purpose to branch out onto other platforms, scheme implemented on the physical machine. As a result, the retro market especially ones that obviously have Apple II 5 ¼ floppy disks for hackers to for Commodore 64 games appears to a larger retro gaming fan base. That break as well. be much, much larger than the Apple said, we aren’t geared and staffed to do A Kickstarter campaign to help II. When designing our Kickstarter something of that nature at this time. So, fund the development of Nox Archaist Campaign (which was the first of its while we’re still definitely considering was initiated in September 2017. kind for an Apple II game), we’d hoped the idea, it’s nothing more than an item Unfortunately, the initial Kickstarter that the accessibly of Nox Archaist on on our “wish list” at this point. We can’t campaign was ultimately cancelled the Mac and PC platforms would attract really comment with anything new on early, as it didn’t gain necessary traction 8-bit gaming fans in general, in addition to be successful. If you are interested in this subject until the Apple II release is playing this new RPG, or just willing to to Apple II enthusiasts. We now know complete and we figure out what our help support new development for the that isn’t likely. next moves will be. Apple II platform, keep an eye on the There’s also the now somewhat well- Nox Archaist/6502 Workshop website documented problem that our previous Have you considered creating a at 6502workshop.com for the upcoming OSG: Kickstarter reboot later in 2018. marketing team consisted primarily of “development diary” type book outlining the In early January 2018, the 6502 house pets. Seriously though, this time hardware, software and development tools Workshop Development Team graciously we’ve got a team dedicated to spreading used, assembly language code snippets, took time to answer a few questions the word and crafting our Kickstarter in game engine details, and tips on creating about Nox Archaist. a professional fashion. We are intending an independent development project, to reach a wider audience and engage creating a team and Kickstarter campaign? OSG: Why a new Apple II tile-based RPG? more people who would be interested in a retro gaming project such as this. 6502: Yes! I have taken many notes 6502: My first computer was an Apple II. To that end, two new gaming during this process and look forward I grew up in the 1980s playing games and enthusiasts have joined the team who to hopefully writing an e-book or series learning programming on that platform. have a lot of experience in the area of of articles on the roller coaster ride I always wanted to make games for that crowdfunding and gaming community that has been developing Nox Archaist. platform in my youth, but as happens to management. Jarrod Kailef and Chris We’ve learned a lot of very interesting people so frequently, life got in the way Torrence are working diligently on stuff, both from our own discoveries and at the time. So, to me, the Nox Archaist the reboot while the rest of the team through contact with 6502 assembly project is about finally making the game and I continue to move development language veterans from the 80s, and I always wanted to make. The fact that forward on Nox Archaist itself. We have we would love to share this information. other people want to play it… well, that’s a wealth of data from the first campaign In fact, if there is interest, I’d like to just too awesome! All the project team that we are using to craft the new one, see 6502workshop.com become a members are like-minded about this. prioritizing the things most important to destination for 6502 game developers We all have roots in Apple II gaming. our backers. looking for information and tools.

OSG: Considering the obvious demand OSG: Thanks for taking the time to answer for this sort of retro game with the recent OSG: When do you think the rebooted Nox my questions. For me, it is amazing just Commodore 64 RPG game Unknown Realm Archaist Kickstarter will begin? to see such a large-scale tile-based RPG being such a success on Kickstarter, why game being developed for the Apple II. As do you believe the original Nox Archaist 6502: Given the part-time nature of our someone who enjoyed the early games such Kickstarter campaign fell short of its goal? team, we haven’t set a firm target date. as Ultima I - IV on my Atari 8-bit, as well as My best guess is the reboot will begin in Wizardry and The Bard’s Tale on my Apple the next few months - by spring 2018. IIc, I am looking forward to the Collector’s We will keep the 6502workshop.com Edition release of this game. website updated with the latest news. http://www.6502workshop.com/p/ OSG: When do you expect the Nox Archaist nox-archaist.html Collector’s Edition to be released? With a name like Nox, it should be released on December 21, the longest night of the year! Bill Lange – Bill is a software engineer. He designs and developments cloud based 6502: We’re still shooting for a software solutions. He resides in NJ with December ‘18 release of the Collector’s his wife Lucy and their dog Yoda. In his Edition. We may even lock it down to spare time, he likes to tinker with game that very date, but it’s a little too early to programming, 8-bit computers and the say that with 100% confidence. classic arcade machines of his youth.

MAY 2018 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM 11 RPGs

CADASH By Michael Thomasson THE LAND OF DIZIR Your adventure begins in a pleasant ninja uses long-range projectiles such meadow just outside the walls of the castle, as throwing knives and shurikens to but you’ll soon find yourself knee-deep in make quick order of enemy combatants. danger and intrigue traversing the kraken’s cavern, getting lost within the forest maze, EVEN THE SKELETONS BLEED! pushing deep inside the underground Of course, an adventure is only as good catacombs, and finally plundering within as its enemies, and in this endeavor the dreaded castle of Cadash. While Cadash doesn’t disappoint! Pulling from discovering the secrets hidden within this both customary mythology and the vivid fantastical realm, you’ll find the levels vast imagination of the game designer’s minds, and varied. Some levels scroll horizontally, the roster of demons and abominations others vertically, while the labyrinth turns against nature include Skeleton spiders, it all on its head - all designed to muddle were-pigs, swarms of wasps, metal your progress and prevent you from halting porcupines, fire elementals, winged lions, the profane ritual. and underground monkeys (who doesn’t like he game design model that monkeys??). These creatures accompany CHARACTER COUNTS the predictable mix of trolls, ogres, T shouldn’t have worked in the dragons, and blobs of slime. Be prepared arcade... BUT DID! If you liked the four-player dynamic of to roll your eyes when you first gaze upon… Atari’s Gauntlet, then Cadash should give the rolling eyes! You’ll even encounter the In an industry designed to capture a quarter you a thrill and then some. While each nefarious sounding Black Pudding, an every ninety seconds, the role-playing genre Cadash cabinet supported up to two unyielding zombie that continues to hound seemed nearly impossible to bring into the players, two cabinets could be “linked” to you even after its torso has been severed, arcades. However, during the summer of accommodate a four-player simultaneous as well as an utterly out-of-place ninja. If 1989, Taito Corp. cracked the dynamic wide adventure! Each party member would play you are twelve, you might even get a thrill open with the introduction of Cadash. In as one of the four classes: a fighter, a mage, from the topless Harpy, a half-human and one of the few action role-playing games a priestess, and finally a ninja; each with half-bird personification of storm winds to ever grace the arcade, Cadash played their own unique abilities and drawbacks. straight out of the books of Homer! more like a sprawling side-scrolling, action- The Fighter is just as you’d imagine, Not everything that moves about adventure title for a home console than the a muscle-bound, close-range “Conan- in Dizir is evil. Villagers and benevolent typical coin-op quarter-muncher. Mashing wanna-be” barbarian. The hunch-backed, creatures will sometimes aid you on your the platform genre with all the ingredients silver-haired mage uses his magic staff to journey, providing tips and other relevant of a traditional RPG system, Cadash leveled cast spells as he slowly limps through the information along the way. Did I mention up the arcade scene with statistics, ranks, levels. The priestess can perform defensive that there is a mermaid or two in the mix, magic, and an in-depth monetary system. and healing spells in addition to attacking as well? Furthermore, the game awarded players her oppressors. Finally, the mysterious with experience points for each enemy defeated, while advancing their character stats to gain more skills, health, armor, weapons or other benefits. Its ultimate goal was to lure you into dropping more quarters to build a better hero. NOTHING-NEW NARRATIVE In its most basic form, the plot is nothing new: a demonic wizard kidnaps the princess of the kingdom, and a team of heroes is dispatched to rescue her. The account becomes much deeper as the story unfolds during the game. It turns out that over a millennia ago, demons were cast underground, along with the wizard Baarogue, who was born of a human woman. Countless years later, the necromancer and his followers escape their exile, revolt, and bring the uprising from their subterranean prison to the kingdom of Dizir. They lay waste to most of the human world as Baarogue attempts to bind himself to the human king’s daughter, using her bloodline to become all-powerful.

12 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 KEEPING UP WITH CADASH such as the man-eating Crawling Kelp Since Cadash was designed to mimic a boss, and sadly two of the four selectable : console title, it ported quite well to home characters! This version also tinkered OSG PRO GAMING TIP consoles. The TurboGrafx-16 received the around with item and shop dynamics, but One of the more frustrating first adaption in 1991, which proved to be in a totally different manner than the TG-16 elements of the game has your version. As a result, all three versions of much brighter and upbeat than the original. player being knocked back when Cadash are unique and offer a different Working Designs, the publisher famous for being hit by an enemy. This forces game play experience porting Japanese games to North America you to traverse the area again so at the time, did its usual job on injecting The arcade version of Cadash landed in that you are likely to take damage subtle jokes and humor into the game, such several compilations, but never stateside. as breaking the fourth wall with lines like, Taito Memories Gekan for the Playstation repeatedly - keeping you in danger “Dead men tell no tales… unless, of course, 2 was released in 2005 exclusively for longer. However, you can turn the they’re in a game.” They also toyed with the Japanese market, and the 2007 Taito programming in your favor! Just player statistics and currency system to Legends 2 for the PC and original Xbox prior to being hit by an enemy, better balance game play. never left Europe. Taito Memories Gekan change the direction of your The following year, Taito released its for the Playstation 2 was released in 2005 player as if you are turning back, own version of Cadash for the Genesis. exclusively for the Japanese market, and and you’ll pleasantly find yourself the 2007 Taito Legends 2 for the PC and While it stayed true to the darker mood being pushed forward upon impact original Xbox never left Europe. of the original coin-op, the Sega version past the danger spot instead. altered enemy A.I. and had many omissions,

Michael Thomasson is one of the most widely respected videogame historians in the field today. He teaches multiple college level videogame courses, and has contributed to dozens of gaming texts and television shows including MTV’s Video MODS and the highly-rated book Downright Bizarre Games. He has written business plans, managed a multiple game-related retail stores, and consults for multiple video game and computer museums. Michael has helped publish 100s of games on Atari, Sega and other console platforms. In 2014, The Guinness Book of World Records declared that Thomasson had “The Largest Videogame Collection” in the world. Visit www.GoodDealGames.com.

MAY 2018 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM 13 NEWS

2018 OSG EVENTS CALENDAR OLD SCHOOL GAMER IS GOING TO BE EVERYWHERE OVER THE NEXT YEAR. ARE WE COMING TO YOUR TOWN? JUNE 2 Columbus, OH CORGS • corgs-con.web.com

JUNE 8-10 Atlanta, GA • Southern Fried Gaming Expo • gameATL.com

JUNE 8-10 SPRING Seattle, WA • NW Pinball and Arcade Show • nwpinballshow.com

JUNE 12-14 Los Angeles, CA • E3 •

JUNE 22-24 Philadelphia, PA • Too Many Games • toomanygames.com

SUMMER JUNE 28-JULY 1 Sturbridge, MA • Pintastic •pintasticnewengland.com

JULY 14 Villa Park, IL • Video Game Summit • videogamesummit.net

JULY 21-22 Cleveland, OH • Classic Console and Arcade Gaming Show • ccagshow.com

JULY 26-29 Pittsburgh, PA • ReplayFX • replayfx.org

JULY 28-29 Austin, TX • Classic Game Fest • classicgamefest.com

JULY 28-29 Irving, TX • Lets Play Gaming Expo • letsplaygamingexpo.com

JULY 28-29 Houston, TX • RetroPalooza Houston • retropaloozahouston.com

AUGUST 4 - St. Louis, MO • MoGameCon • mogamecon.com

AUGUST 3-5 Bloomington, MN • 2D Con • 2Dcon.net

AUGUST 10-12 Phoenix, AZ • Game On • gameonexpoaz.com

AUGUST 11-12 Garden City, NY • Long Island Retro • Expo.liretro.com

SEPTEMBER 14-16 Atlantic City, NJ • J1Con • j1con.com FALL SEPTEMBER 15-16 Secaucus, NJ • A Video Game Con • avideogamecon.com SEPTEMBER 29-30 Arlington, TX • RetroPalooza • retropalooza.com OCTOBER 19-21 Portland, OR • Portland Retro Gaming Expo • retrogamingexpo.com Walter Day will be joining the OSG crew at one of our favorite events of the year.

14 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 RPGs During my sophomore year in August, 1981, our high school was gifted with a black (“Darth Vader”) Bell & Howell Apple computer. These were given to select secondary educational institutions around the country. Additionally, our school purchased threeWiz(ardry) or four more of the commercial beige Talk Apples. Since PC’s such as these were a totally new concept, a few of us took the plunge and tried to learn everything we could about them and what they could do. MEMORIES OF WIZARDRY About six months after learning what the Apple was capable of, I happened into a computer store and saw,Kevin on theButler shelf, a box with some very nice and brilliant artwork. Upon inspecting said box, I realized this was a game like no other. The front was adorned with the name “Wizardry” and a nice graphic of a dragon while the bottom of the box showed screenshots of the game in action. I knew uring my sophomore year in August, 1981, our high found the chute that then and there I had to have it. With all the money earned from mowing lawns, birthdays,Dschool and was other gifteda sources, black I purchased (“Darth theVader”) game Belland & atook box ofme Elephant to the floppytenth disks.Howell Apple computer. These were given to select level. No stairs up, so secondary educational institutions around the country. this is for keeps. The first attempt doesn’t Since I didn’t own an Apple, I went back to the school and fired up the game. Additionally, our school purchased three or four more work so well, since the After making the scenario disk, I loaded it and created my characters. After all of the commercial beige Apples. Since PC’s such as rooms had an odd way for these years, I still remember the character names I created. My introduction, afterthese I weregot through a totally the new Proving concept, Grounds a few of of the us Mad took the Overlord,one to teleport was to to explore the next theplunge first andlevel tried of the to dungeon. learn everything Being weak we (duecould to about beingcorridor. new to the game), andthem the and monsters what they having could no do. mercy, it took a few false startsDuring and a lot ofmy character next recreations after the previous ones were killed. Finally,attempts, I got I thelearned characters the to sufficientAbout six experience months after levels learning so they what could the Applesurvive was system,a lot longer. but IBefore still had long, to get thecapable entire of, first I happened level was into mapped a computer and the store monsters and saw, throughweren’t asthe challenging…time six guardians. foron the secondshelf, a level. box with The secondsome very level nice introduced and brilliant Theseme to enemyguardians spellcasters are the most plusartwork. creatures Upon inspectingthat could eithersaid box, poison I realized or stone this my was dangerousparty. Poison and is nasty easy monsters to deal with,a game since like allno youother. have The to front do is was go backadorned to castle with the Wizardryto be healed. had to Stoning, offer. Needless on the othername hand,“Wizardry” required and aa nicetrip tographic the temple of a dragon and some while tohard-earned say, experience gold points to cure flowed said affliction.the bottom I continuedof the box showedto grind screenshots and get my ofcharacters the game leveled in action. up easily and charactersuntil I figured leveled I was steadily. powerful enoughI knew then to tackle and there the fourth I had to level, have where it. With the all elevator the money stops. earned To go to the lower levels, all one must do is take care of the monsters in the room labeled “*** TESTING GROUNDS CONTROL CENTERThe ***”. final Ofconflict course, was this atis anythinghand and but I enteredeasy and Werdna’s it took a from mowing lawns, birthdays, and other sources, I purchased the lair. It seemed he was entertaining some Vampires and a fewgame attempts and a box and of Elephanta bit more floppy leveling disks. of my characters to finally overcome this room. My reward was the Blue Ribbon that I could take to the other elevator and to deeper depths of the dungeon. Vampire Lord. I sent my fighter, Lord, and Ninja after Werdna. Since I didn’t own an Apple, I went back to the school and My thief stayed back and the cleric uttered a Malikto while my fired up the game. After making the scenario disk, I loaded it and magic user launched a Tiltowait into the room. Unfortunately, Aftercreated many my characters.hours of grinding, After all training, these years, mapping, I still andremember other actithe vities to get my characters prepared for the big battle with Werdna, I believed I was ready. But where do I find her? I finally foundWerdna the launchedchute that a tookspell mefirst to and the it tenth is a Tiltowaitlevel. No onstairs my up,party. so character names I created. My introduction, after I got through this is for keeps. The first attempt doesn’t work so well, since the roomsFortunately, had an we odd took way the for damage one to teleportin stride. toMy the moves next effectively corridor. the Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, was to explore the first During my next attempts, I learned the system, but I still had to geteliminated through the Werdna, six guardians. the Vampire These Lord, guardians and three are Vampires the most (the dangerouslevel of the anddungeon. nasty Being monsters weak Wizardry (due to being had to new offer. to the Needless game), to say,other experience resisted the points spell). flowed The last easily Vampire and missed,characters so roundleveled two. steadily.and the monsters having no mercy, it took a few false starts and Needless to say, the Vampire was eliminated with the superior a lot of character recreations after the firepower of five characters. previous ones were killed. Finally, I got the The final conflict was at hand and I enteredAfter Werdna’s the smoke lair. cleared, It seemed I had to characters to sufficient experience levels he was entertaining some Vampires headand a off Vampire to the Lord.castle I sentfor the my reward. so they could survive a lot longer. Before fighter, Lord, and Ninja after Werdna. Trebor,My thief of stayed course, back was and very the gratefulcleric utteredlong, the a Maliktoentire first while level my magicwas mapped user forlaunched our help. a Tiltowait Each character into the room. earned Unfortunately,and the monsters Werdna weren’t launched as challenging… a spell 50,000first and goldit is a andTiltowait experience on my party.after Fortunately,time for the we second took thelevel. damage The secondin thisstride. achievement. My moves effectively In addition, elimi each- natedlevel introduced Werdna, the me Vampire to enemy Lord, spellcasters and characterthree Vampires may now (the wear other the resisted chevron the spell).plus creatures The last thatVampire could missed, either poisonso round or “>”two. to Needlessshow the toworld say, of the your Vampire crowning was eliminatedstone my party. with Poison the superior is easy firepowerto deal with, achievement.of five characters. Although this is but a since all you have to do is go back to castle synopsis of the game, it took many Afterto be thehealed. smoke Stoning, cleared, on Ithe had other to head hand, hoursoff to theto achieve castle forvictory. the reward. Trebor, required a trip to the temple and some of course, was very grateful for our help. EachWizardry character was earned created 50,000 by goldRobert hard-earned gold to cure said affliction. I and experience after this achievement. (Trebor)In addition, Woodhead each character and mayAndrew now continued to grind and get my characters leveled up until I figured I wear the chevron “>” to show the world of your crowning achievement.(Werdna) Although Greenberg this isbut but there a synopsis is more of historythe game, that it ledtook to many the was powerful enough to tackle the fourth level, where the elevator hours to achieve victory. creation of this game. In the beginning, before the PC, people stops. To go to the lower levels, all one must do is take care of the played games with paper and pencil. Enter Gary Gygax and Dave monsters in the room labeled “*** TESTING GROUNDS CONTROL Wizardry was created by Robert (Trebor) Woodhead and Andrew (WeArnesonrdna) Greenbergwho developed but there what is would more historybecome that Dungeons led to the and CENTER ***”. Of course, this is anything but easy and it took a creation of this game. In the beginning, before the PC, people playedDragons. games They with createdpaper and an pencil.organized Enter system Gary Gygaxso that and someone Dave few attempts and a bit more leveling of my characters to finally Arneson who developed what would become Dungeons and Dragons.could They create created a character, an organized then system go out so and that take someone care ofcould the overcome this room. My reward was the Blue Ribbon that I could create a character, then go out and take care of the creatures in whatevercreatures world in whatever they were world playing they were in. It playing was only in. a It matter was only of a take to the other elevator and to deeper depths of the dungeon. time before the universities took a crack at this. The first dungeon mattercrawls suchof time as peditbefore 15, the dnd universities and Oubliette took apaved crack the at this.way. The PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations) made the ideal environment for these dungeon crawls. PLATO was After many hours of grinding, training, mapping, and other first dungeon crawls such as pedit 15, dnd and Oubliette paved designed for education, which meant high-end graphics and the speed to match them. Since PC’s were unable to do this, students activities to get my characters prepared for the big battle with the way. PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching createdWerdna, theseI believed games I was through ready. PLATO. But where It was do at I findthis him?time, I in finally the late 1970’s, that Robert and Andrew got together and collaborat- ed on Wizardry. Andrew was attempting to program the game in ApOperations)plesoft BASIC made which the had ideal many environment limitations. for In thesethe meantime, dungeon Robert was honing his skills with Pascal. Through a series of coincidences, the two men got together. Robert realized that if they

MAY 2018 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM 15 crawls. PLATO was designed for education, which meant and choices to make. high-end graphics and the speed to match them. Since PC’s With graphics (thanks to Apple Pascal) that were cutting were unable to do this, students created these games through edge at that time, Robert Woodhead and Andrew Greenberg PLATO. It was at this time, in the late 1970’s, that Robert and proved that the age of the PC had arrived and it could generate Andrew got together and collaborated on Wizardry. Andrew was high quality graphics that could rival the big commercial systems attempting to program the game in Applesoft BASIC which had at the time. Due to Pascal being able to manipulate the code, you many limitations. In the meantime, Robert was honing his skills could actually have a game that was bigger than the system you with Pascal. Through a series of coincidences, the two men got were running it on due to innovative ways of managing memory together. Robert realized that if they wrote Wizardry in Pascal, it and instructions. One big drawback, as noted by Robert, was the could overcome the limitations of Applesoft BASIC. Robert was constant disk accesses to accomplish this. He was concerned in charge of the programming and creating the scenario editors one could wear out a floppy much quicker this way. Even with that created the games database. Andrew was in charge of using that negative, people responded positively and in the first nine those editors to populate the database. months, 24,000 copies were sold making it the best-selling One last hurdle remained, and that was to get the game to CRPG at that time. Over a three-year period, Wizardry would sell run on a 48K RAM Apple. This was a situation where the software over 200,000 copies. Wizardry would also set the standard for outran the hardware and they had to wait for Apple to create the multi-character parties which would be a legacy for such games Pascal runtime system that would allow Pascal programs to run as Bard’s Tale and even the Phantasie series (although Ultima on 48K Apples. While waiting for Apple to come through, the game could also be cited as an influence). was extensively play-tested and tweaked so as to preserve the balance between party and monsters. The results show clearly Kevin Butler – Since he played on the first Magnanvox Odyssey in that Wizardry proved that a CRPG (Computer Role Playing Game) 1973, Kevin was bitten by the video game bug. From that point, could be made that rivaled those that existed on the mainframe he played many arcade and console games. In addition, he even computers. Although some aspects of the mainframe system learned to program the Apple II+ in the early 80’s. Retiring from (multi-player, more races and classes, ability to explore town, e.g.) the navy in 2004, Kevin had already worked for Majicsoft and were omitted, Wizardry allowed one to create six characters to was doing FAQ’s (mostly arcade) for GameFAQ’s and contributing guide through the maze. With 100 monsters to gain experience to the MAME project. He currently lives in Neosho MO with his from and 100 items to assist them, players had a lot of freedom wife and one son who is also a video game hobbyist. RPGs Evolution of Role-Playing Games In Japan Antoine Clerc-Renaud

ragon Quest may be the first to incorporate graphics. Japanese Role Playing Game Players typed their D command on the keyboard using mechanics still used today, but in order to progress. The hopefully gain some it’s certainly not the first role playing ingredients of the RPG were coverage…and it there: a team, a dungeon, game from the land of the rising sun. It worked! Not only did monsters and equipment was a trailblazer that inspired and led a the journalists finally management. charge by the Japanese but there were understand the Then a strange attempt some interesting games before it. interest for a game was made with Danchi-zuma no Ywaku, like this, but The Black Onyx would go on to or Seduction of Condominium Wives, in THE DARK AGES be the first RPG hit in Japan! It sold 10,000 June of 1983. As a condom salesman, The period before the first Dragon copies the next month and would go on to you go door-to-door trying to seduce the sell a total of 150,000 units a year later. Quest came out is commonly referred to lonely housewives. This one incorporated as the Dark Ages of Japanese Role Playing a first-person view with vector graphics A FIERY DRAGON Games. The titles that tried something and colored character sprites. We can But then it happened! After a contest new were clunky and difficult, at best, and also include Spy Daisakusen (Mission: held by the newly formed Enix, the unplayable and crazy at worst. Let’s not Impossible Japanese title) from Pony development team was formed right then forget that in Japan, from the 1970s and Canyon. and there. A few months later a staple early 1980s, it was populated by computers was born. Dragon Quest came out on May made in Japan. There were a few consoles, The Dragon & Princess is considered 27 1986 and was a game changer (pun that is Pong consoles, manufactured by a the grandfather of JRPG as it included intended). Drawing its inspiration from wide range of companies, from Nintendo many of the rules used today. other games such as Wizardry, Ultima or to Mitsubishi. However, experimentations A FIRST HIT COMING FROM A DUTCH Dragon Slayer, Dragon Quest offered a like the first few proto-JRPGs were The last pre-Dragon Quest game that rich, long and intense adventure. Random on computers and only some artifacts marked Japan surprisingly didn’t come first-person encounters established it as remain. from a Japanese developer but a Dutch a rule for JRPG, as many others would use Among the first publishers to catch one. Henk Rogers, who would later gain following the massive success of Enix’s the role-playing game train in Japan was fame securing the rights to Tetris for release. What made it so great was the fact Koei. Better known for its strategy games Nintendo from the USSR in 1989, was an that the developers chose the Famicom and Dynasty Warriors franchise nowadays, avid tabletop role-playing game player instead of the more obvious computer. the Japanese publisher played an active and had a knack for game design. Living Nintendo’s system was on the rise and role in the creation and popularization in Japan for a few years, he noticed a gap showing no signs of slowing down, which of role playing game in its home country. in the Japanese market. At a time when explains this choice. For the developers, it Moreover, Koei was accounting for half Ultima and Wizardry were all the rage in the also meant fewer buttons. Therefore, they of the JRPG releases by the end of 1983. West, there was nothing like this in Japan. had to simplify everything from the menu Their first attempt was titled The Dragon Rogers, therefore, aimed to create the to moving the character using a top down & Princess. A text-based game released best game for them. The Black Onyx was view. The result was crafted with such in December, 1982, it was later updated released in January 1984 and it bombed… mastery that it sold over 2 million copies. big time. Only five copies were sold for the The game eventually came out in the first two months. A first-person dungeon United States more than 3 years later, in crawling, The Black Onyx was perhaps too August of 1989, under the moniker Dragon different from what Japanese players were Warrior. To this day, Dragon Quest, or used to. Furthermore, the game relied DraQue as the Japanese called it, is more heavily on Western fantasy aesthetics. But successful in its native land than any other Rogers didn’t give up that easily. Indeed, video game series. he insisted on meeting, along with a Dragon Quest surprised everybody in translator (as he did not speak Japanese), Japan. Each and every instalment in the each and every PC Magazine editor. He sat series is a success in its native land, much with them, demonstrating the game to more than anywhere else in the world. REVISED AND UPDATED Persona, and Grandia were born during partly financed by Microsoft in exchange The next megaton in JRPG came these years. Some were short lived like of a console exclusivity). out only one year after Dragon Quest. Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross, Baten The HD generation of system saw Hironobu Sakaguchi, a Tokyo-based Kaitos and Baten Kaitos Origins. a few good JRPGs, but the Japanese developer at Square, was designing But as the 6th generation of industry was in a slump for the entire games for the Famicom. But he had consoles was drawing to a close, and duration of the 7th generation. enough of the fast-paced games and development costs were rising, the wanted to come up with something Japanese game development scene REVIVAL meaningful to him or he’d quit. Needless took a dive that would take a whole To the seasoned gamer and JRPG to say, he was impressed and envious of generation from which to recover. fanatic, it feels like since the release of the PlayStation 4, the Japanese Dragon Quest’s success. But he’d change The golden age of JRPG occurred video game industry was reborn. While a few things, and that he did. After mainly on consoles such as the Super we only had a handful of JRPGs for the months of work with a small team of NES, PlayStation and PlayStation 2, at a developers, Final Fantasy came out on previous generation, this current one time of decent development cost when is almost spoiled. Thanks to the rise December 18 1987. Like its counterpart developers could take risks. from Enix, it was a huge success. Easy of independent developers and mobile gaming, JRPG is back. Between Final to use with a compelling time travelling- MISSED OPPORTUNITIES Fantasy, Nier, Persona, Tales of, Star based story, players loved Final Fantasy. The 7th generation of consoles Ocean, there are numerous franchises It would eventually come out in North or HD systems was a dark period for aiming to bring the Japanese RPG to America almost three years later in May JRPG fans and developers alike. As a wider audience. Even Square Enix 1990. Then the rest is history and led to the graphics were improving, the launched a dedicated entity called Tokyo development costs skyrocketed. It was the best period in JRPG history. RPG Factory whose developers’ goal is not uncommon to be in the double- Another iconic production from to create Japanese role-playing games. the second half of the 80s was Square’s digit millions of dollars. Whereas the Their first two games, I am Setsuna and Final Fantasy creating a multi-billion previous generation allowed for smaller Lost Sphear, were charming. Let’s not dollars franchise with more than 100 teams to develop games and take risks, forget all the remasters and remakes— games including spin-offs, remasters, it was not true or viable anymore for the whether we like them or not—that allow and ports. newer generation of systems namely younger players to experience works of the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 or even art in high definition such as Kingdom GOLDEN AGE the Nintendo Wii. Teams needed to be Hearts or Secret of Mana. The Japanese Following those game changers bigger to tackle huge projects such as RPG is definitely back on track. were a whole lot of titles from various Final Fantasy XIII that would go on to be Luckily, after a slow generation, the publishers on just as many platforms. the first multiplatform game in order for current one brings its fair share of JRPG. While the West was coming up with Square Enix to recoup the costs. The More of them are expected to come out ideas of their own (and quickly facing a world was changing - a faster internet and that’s all we can wish for. wall), Japanese developers used some was now available in most of developed western franchises that were losing countries. New parameters needed momentum and applied some of their to be taken into consideration. As the magic to make them popular in the land costs were higher, it killed the medium- Antoine Clerc-Renaud – Video Game of the rising sun. This is how Wizardry ranged projects, the so-called AA Historian and Freelance Writer – Now saw a revival in Japan or how the Ultima games that were numerous on previous living in Montreal, by way of France where he grew up and lived for 24 years, series got Japan-exclusive episodes on generations. It was the survival of the Antoine is a passionate gamer and a the PlayStation. Sometimes using an richest, as the fittest needed resources dedicated writer. Video Game History is anime style, sometimes with turn-based in order to be able to launch a high a true mission for him and he’s always battles, Japan perfected the rules and scale project. Digital gaming was not on the lookout to learn something new applied this recipe to a whole lot of there yet and mobile games, although or unheard of. He wrote, co-wrote or games either original or not leading they started earlier in Japan, were not supervised several books on the subject to the golden age of JRPG occurring available for everybody in the world just including Coleco – The Official Book (self- between 1991 (Final Fantasy IV) and 2004 yet. Few notable JRPGs were released published) and PlayStation Anthology (Dragon Quest VIII). The 16 to 128 bit era on the 7th generation, at least on the (Geeks-Line). His love for writing allows saw the best Japan had to offer in terms home console side. Among those, we him to fully immerse himself in research, of role playing games. Most of them are have the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy, NieR, interviews while filling blank pages that now regarded as classics. Franchises Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey (both don’t stay empty very long. such as Suikoden, Tales of, Star Ocean, designed by Hironobu Sakaguchi and

18 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 It was an incredibly fascinating night of conversation. Garriott Lord British Meetup was so generous with his time, spending almost five hours over dinner and drinks, discussing his company’s (Portalarium Inc.) DAVE AND BUSTERS WITH RICHARD GARRIOTT new game, his old games, his adventures aboard the International Bill Lange Space Station, his adventures diving down to the Wreck of the RMS Titanic, his recent book “Explore/Create: My Life in Pursuit of New Frontiers, Hidden Worlds, and the Creative Spark”, and n Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018, everything in between. O Michael Sean Kane organized Many of the attendees spoke and hosted a Shroud of the Avatar passionately about the new game. Not Launch Review with special guest, only did Garriott talk about Shroud of Lord British himself, Richard Garriott. the Avatar, he listened to the attendee’s comments and took notes to discuss with The event took place at the Dave & his development team for possible future Buster’s, a full-service restaurant game enhancements. Said Garriott about and video arcade, on 42nd Street in the event, “I too had a great night, chatting Manhattan, NY. with friends who are also my...partners in this grand experiment. We should all be There were a couple of dozen people in attendance, including proud of what we have created together.” members of the Ultima Dragons Internet Chapter, an internet- Garriott also took time to take photos with everyone as well based social club whose members share a common interest in as sign the multitude of books, Ultima manuals and cloth maps the Utlima series of computer role playing games by Garriott, as that people brought with them. well as long time players of the pre-release versions of Shroud of You can find out more about Shroud of the Avatar: the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues. Forsaken Virtues, which Forbes magazine recently called “... Shroud of the Avatar began as a Kickstarter project which basically an Ultima game without the Ultima name ...” at www. successfully funded on April 7th, 2013. After almost five years shroudoftheavatar.com. in development, it was officially released on March 27th, 2018. Look for more on Richard Garriott and his company’s latest Kickstarter and other early backers were able to get early access game, Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues, in future issues of to prerelease versions of the game for quite some time now. Old School Gamer magazine. While I was a Kickstarter backer way back in 2013, I just recently installed the released version and starting playing. shroudoftheavatar.com BRETT’S OLD SCHOOL BARGAIN BIN

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS By Brett Weiss

elcome once again to Brett’s dice and engage in tabletop battles using similar to that of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of Old School Bargain Bin, where miniature figures, often of their own the Rings, but Gygax has claimed he was W design. D&D, as it’s commonly known, was inspired more by the works of Robert E. I point out inexpensive games worth an outgrowth of Gygax’s own creation, Howard, L. Sprague DeCamp, and Fritz playing. Great RPGs for retro consoles Chainmail, a miniature war game set in Lieber when creating the monsters, tend to be pretty pricey, so I have medieval times. magic, and scenarios for the game. The a different and historical angle for Released by Guidon Games in magic system is based on Jack Vance’s 1971, Chainmail included a “Fantasy 1950 fantasy classic, The Dying Earth. this issue’s role-playing theme. We’re Supplement” that featured such “I’m not a big Tolkien fan,” Gygax said traveling back in time to the advent fantastical creatures as dragons, elves, in the aforementioned interview. “I did of the pencil-and-paper classic, and wizards. According to expert war love the movies, but I yawned through the Dungeons & Dragons, which played a gamer Keith Veronese of io9.com, each books. I found them very droll and very miniature figure “proxies for 20 of a dull. I still don’t give a hoot about Hobbits.” huge role (so to speak) in the formation certain type of soldier, whether it be A typical D&D campaign finds a group of a crucial (not to mention highly armored foot soldiers or a low-class of six or so guys (and an occasional gal collectable) video game genre. horse rider. This system allowed for large or two) sitting around a table, rolling battles between mixed classes based on dice, drawing maps, consulting rule Dungeons & Dragons, the popular, the outcome of six-sided dice rolls with books, leveling up their characters, and but widely misunderstood role-playing minimal ‘on table’ confusion.” pretending they are battling monsters and game, was born in 1974. It was the Gygax wrote the rules for Chainmail circumventing traps while on a quest for brainchild of Dave Arneson and Gary with his associate Jeff Perren, but treasure in a spooky cave or forest. One Gygax, friends who were fully immersed in Arneson tinkering with the game is player is the Dungeon Master (DM) while the miniature war gaming scene, in which what led to the creation of Dungeons the others are adventurers. players would roll six-sided & Dragons. In an According to David M. Ewalt, interview published author of Of Dice and Men: The Story of on pc.gamespy.com Dungeons & Dragons and The People Who in 2004, Gygax said: Play It (2013, Simon and Schuster), the “Even when you’re Dungeon Master’s job is to “dream up a playing miniatures, scenario, something like ‘Archaeologists there’s still some have discovered a pharaoh’s tomb in the role-playing aspect; desert, and the players are grave robbers you’ll pretend to be who have to break in and steal the hidden the commander of treasure.’ He also has to sketch out the the group, and so details; for example, making a map and forth. The one-to- deciding where the traps are, where one rules tended to the treasure is, and what monsters are make that aspect guarding it. This act of creation gives more prominent. It players an unknown world to explore and was Dave Arnenson, keeps the game session different from though, who started the last.” playing a Chainmail An experienced DM can make things game where each especially interesting for the explorers, of his players had as Ewalt explained: “He might decide just one figure on the players should start out in a Bedoiun the table. That was near the tomb and negotiate with the the impetus for sheik to buy a couple of camels. He could me to put together plan for them to be waylaid by desert what eventually raiders on the way to the tomb. And once became Dungeons they’ve found the pharaoh’s treasure, he & Dragons.” may ask them to make a moral choice: Originally The treasure carries a curse, and if it’s released as a boxed, removed from the tomb, the region will three-volume rules suffer 10 years of famine. The players set, Dungeons & will have to weigh getting rich and letting Dragons takes place thousands die against leaving empty- in a fantasy world handed and protecting the innocent.”

20 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 Left: Intellivision Licensed RPG - AD&D Below: 1983-1985 Cartoon Series by Marvel and TSR

Unlike most other games, Dungeons inhabited like an actor in a role, imbuing it StarCraft II and Heroes of the Storm, & Dragons is competitive, not cooperative, with motivation, will and action.” said, “Every game that lets you pretend a trait Ewalt believes is one of its biggest Jordan Weisman, creator of the to be someone else owes its core idea to strengths. original Shadowrun role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons.” “Players work together to advance concurs. He once told Game Informer In the 44 years since D&D was the story and solve problems, not beat magazine that “D&D changed the introduced, the game has gone through each other to the finish line,” he wrote. player’s relationship with the game. For a number of changes and expansions, “There’s rarely a real ‘winner’ in a D&D thousands of years, players were either including new character classes, new game; no single player comes out on top. not represented in a game at all (Mancala, rule books, monster manuals, players In fact, winning is something of an alien backgammon), in the role of a commander handbooks, supplemental modules, the concept…It’s more about the journey than of units on the board (chess, war games), late 1970’s advent of Advanced Dungeons the destination, to invoke that old cliché, or took on the ‘role’ of an existing token & Dragons (a revised, rules-heavy version and about developing your part in the (Snakes & Ladders, Clue).” of the original game), and the change story.” Weisman, who has claimed certain of publisher from TSR to Wizards of the Like other D&D devotees, Ewalt intense Dungeons & Dragons sessions Coast (which bought the property in 1997). believes the fantasy RPG enjoys distinct have made him laugh, pace, sweat, and Tie-in movies, novels, comic books, toys, advantages over other types of games, even shed tears, said the RPG has been miniature figures, and a cartoon series such as Monopoly, where players “just especially impactful on the video game were released as well. push a premade plastic token around industry. “I don’t believe that it is an And, of course, there have been video a board. Instead, they create a ‘player overstatement to say that all first-person games, including Advanced Dungeons character,’ or PC, a unique persona to be and third-person games are descended in & Dragons Cartridge (Intellivision), one way or another from D&D,” he said. Dungeons & Dragons: Warriors of the Speaking more broadly, Dustin Eternal Sun (Genesis), Dungeons & Browder, game director at Blizzard on Dragons: Eye of the Beholder (GBC, SNES), Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom (arcade), and Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes (Xbox), among many others. Next time you level-up your avatar, battle an onscreen orc, cast a magical spell, or slay a bitmapped dragon, know your roots and give at least a metaphorical shout-out to the late, great Dungeons & Dragons creators Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax. Without these inventive pioneers, the video game industry would probably look very different. Left, Above: AD&D “Pool Of Radiance”Box and Screenshot

Brett Weiss - Brett Weiss is the author of nine books, including the Classic Home Video Games series, The 100 Greatest Console Video Games: 1977-1987, and The SNES Omnibus: The Super Nintendo and Its Games, Vol. 1 (A–M). He’s had articles published in numerous magazines and newspapers, including the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Game Informer, Classic Gamer Magazine, Video Game Trader, Video Game Collector, Filmfax, and Fangoria.

MAY 2018 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM 21 THE WALTER DAY REPORT

G.O.A.T.s OF THE 21ST CENTURY By Walter Day

ast issue’s examination off the Golden Lance Eustache With 206 registered high filmed!) on Pole Position. He was also the L Age greats roused a vocal outcry scores on the Twin Galaxies Scoreboard, first person to ever cross 1 million points from the gamers of the modern era They Lance holds 19 world records, including on Phoenix and is the world record holder a high water mark on the arcade version on Pleaides, Space Fury, and Stocker. say: “How about giving recognition to the of The Real Ghostbusters with 425,900 modern gamers who are just as good as points. Pat Laffaye With 41 registered high the ‘golden oldies,’ but who, unfortunately, scores on the Twin Galaxies Scoreboard, were born too late to get a shot at appearing David Gomez Recognized Internationally Pat holds two world records, including a in a LIFE magazine spread?” as one of history’s greatest Robotron monumental 124,120 points on the Middle players, David holds 8 first-place Twin Road of arcade Paperboy and a whopping Well, it’s a worthy request and it is true Galaxies records on different Robotron 1,033,790 points on MAME Frogger. that many of today’s top gamers are just as tracks, and one of those is the modern good — if not even better than the gaming era’s longest 1-credit VERIFIED Endurance celebrities of yesteryear. John P. McAllister Not only does John Marathon with a 180,022,000 score. Looking over today’s competi- have 318 ranked high scores with Twin tive field, we find champions who have Galaxies, but 71 are world records, including mastered “golden age” titles as well as Pete Hahn With 128 registered high scores marquee accomplishments on Joust modern console games. Some dominating on the Twin Galaxies Scoreboard, Pete (107,301,150), Krull (496,190), Robotron the high score tables on a single games holds 84 world records on many important (1,236,950), Asteroids (41,838,740) and while others beating all-comers in multi- arcade titles, including Contra, Double Asteroids Deluxe (3,333,360). Placed in top game. Here are champions recognized Dragon, Marvel Super Heroes, Rush ’n 3 at the annual Funspot tourney 5 years in by Twin Galaxies, Fun Spot, and Galloping Attack, Tekken 3, and Die Ar Kung-fu. Plus, a row. 3 major marathons totaling around Ghost. Could any of them be declared the his accomplishments at Galloping Ghost 150 hours on Asteroids, Joust, and Star G.O.A.T. of our modern era? Arcade are even more impressive. Castle. Team member of the Kencade Battle of the Arcades being the winning

team 4 years in a row. Placed 1st in the Andrew Barrow With 157 registered high Donald Hayes With 203 registered high scores on the Twin Galaxies Scoreboard, Arcade 3-minute challenge sponsored scores on the Twin Galaxies Scoreboard, by Twin Galaxies. Placed 2nd in the Atari Andrew holds 75 world records, mostly Donald holds 46 world records on many very significant games, including 2600 even. Placed 2nd in the Intellivision in the home console realm. However, event. he distinguished himself recently by Centipede, Millipede, Domino Man, Super coming from his native Australia to Zaxxon, Pac-Man, Dig Dug and Satan’s win history’s first-ever Galaga World Hollow. He is a top contender in classic Robert Macauley With 384 high scores Championships in Santa Fe, New Mexico. arcade contests around the USA and has ranked on the Twin Galaxies Scoreboard, won the Fun Spot classic tournament Australia’s Robert Macauley holds 112 numerous times. world records on arcade, MAME and home Martin Bedard With 299 registered consoles. his many world record scores on records, Martin holds 102 world records on Twin Galaxies will attest to that! He was the Twin Galaxies Scoreboard and stands TriForce Johnson One of the rare players to have enjoyed a career spanning the also one of the two Australian represen- supreme on titles like Smash TV, 1942, tatives for last years PAPA World Pinball Astro Invader, and Time Crisis. Over the golden age through modern times, founder of Empire Arcadia, is recognized by Championships and IFPA World Pinball years he has been a top contender on the Championships in the USA. annual Fun Spot classics tournament. Guinness as the most documented tour- nament-winning team in gaming history. TriForce is also a successful competitor Lonnie McDonald An expert at Joust, he Greg Bond From New Hampshire, Greg who has won countless tournaments in has become a major leader of the gaming Bond entered the limelight when he broke the fighting game genre. Additionally, he community who inspires competitive the world records back-to-back on both is an 8-time record holder with Guinness classic competitions wherever he brings Mappy and Make Trax. for games like Tetris, VS. Super Mario his Joust Odyssey. He has turned over Brothers, and more. He was inducted into the score counter at 9,999,999 points on Jason Cram From New Hampshire, Jason the International Video Game Hall of Fame nearly 200 different Joust machines so enjoys 180 registered high scores on th as a member of the Class of 2016. far. Twin Galaxies Scoreboard with seven of them being world titles on classic arcade Richie Knucklez The co-founder of the David Nelson From Laconis, NH, David games. Among them are big titles like: legendary Kong Off, and star of the King has 333 registered high scores with Challenger, Congo Bongo, Lazarian, Crazy of Arcades documentary film, Richie is a Twin Galaxies and holds 105 world titles, Climber, and Kosmic Kroozr. Jason has top competitor who has achieved world including Astro Fighter, Blueprint, Ghosts also been a top finisher in Fun Spot’s records on Monaco GP, Space Invaders, ’n Goblins, Indy 4, Race Drivin’, and annual classics tournament. and the highest score ever recorded (and Shooting Master. David has also been the

22 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 Grand Champion on Fun Spots’ annual classics tournament numerous times.

Michael Sao Pedro With 82 regis- tered high scores on the Twin Galaxies Scoreboard, Michael holds three world records, including tp scores on Super Bug and Super Breakout. Plus, he has been a top performer in the annual Fun Spot classic championship numerous times.

David Race With 6 registered high scores on the Twin Galaxies Scoreboard, David holds 4 world records, including a “perfect Pac-Man score of 3,333,360 points as well as the “fastest completion” of a “perfect Pac-Man” game. of the Year for 2012. modern gaming legends who we couldn’t fit into this issue. Among them will be . Steve Wagner With 19 registered high Justin Wong, Art Van Vliet, James White, scores on the Twin Galaxies Scoreboard, But, wait! Because of space Armando Gonzalez, Ken House, Jimmy Steve Wagner holds world records on restraints, our next issue will have more Linderman, and many more. 8 major titles, including Cliff Hanger, Kangaroo, Elevator Action, Snake Pit, Swimmer, Rally-X, Jungle Hunt, Monaco GP. Walter Day - As the founder of Twin Galaxies, the oldest video game scorekeeping and adjudication service in history, Walter Day is known James White One of the top high score as the creator of e-sports and has often been called The Patron Saint champions at the Galloping Ghost Arcade, of Video Games. His remarkable efforts to find, verify and catalog James holds countless arcade world video game world records has led to a decades-long partnership with records and was selected the GGA Gamer The Guinness Book of World Records. REVIEW

A Few Minutes with Buck Stein of Retro Game Treasure BY OLD SCHOOL GAMER

uck Stine, of Retro Game find anything. Could I do this? Could then go the extra step and cater it to the Treasure, grew up as a Nintendo I build this? And so after six months individual gamers as well, too. That’s the B of research and making friends with beauty of the service. You don’t just pick kid in the 1980s and got his NES for his wholesalers and understanding how the the consoles and then we kind of pick fifth birthday. If you were to assess his business works, I created it! a haphazard mix for that console. You NES inventory at Retro Game Treasure also get to pick your genres and sub- at any given time, he may have the OSG: Give us a little bit of a peek inside, if genres, and styles that you like, and it largest collection of Nintendo games you could, the technology of keeping track helps us build around that. If you’re just looking to collect all the N64 games, around. But his inventory rotates out of all these people’s collections. And then the massive inventory you guys get in, plus you want to leave it completely open, every month as he ships out boxes of making sure people don’t get five copies of you can check every box. We can help games to his subscribers. Madden whatever and Ken Griffey Baseball with that, too. We even go a little deeper every year. into, like, accessories; you want to get an extra controller or a rumble pack, or BUCK: I went through Nintendo and a Gameboy camera, something fun like At the beginning, it was very straight to Super Nintendo, even BUCK: that, (we can accommodate). though the Genesis came out. I mean, much doing a lot of things manually the Genesis was originally made to and getting feedback from our monthly RGT then works from the point of all of compete with the Nintendo, not the subscribers. RGT was originally like a your requests and their vast inventory, Super Nintendo. But I eventually got survey with a PDF and it was my brain and recent acquisitions and starts packing a Genesis. I loved my Sega CD, even having to crosscheck and it took forever; the boxes. The plans vary from $29.95 to though the games were always kind of but, of course, we didn’t have very many $34.95 depending on how many months poorly executed. subscribers at the beginning. And so it eventually evolved into a system where you subscribe for, plus shipping of $5-$6 I went all the way up the gamut, right every subscriber has their own personal for US deliveries. In my discussions with around, like PS1, PS2 and Gameboy account. They put in all the games that Buck down at the Free Play Florida event Advance would have been playing when they already own so that we know. They last November, I saw the love that he has I was in college. And so, I played a lot of select what consoles they want to get for the hobby, his business, and for all of those, during my college years. I mean, games for. And they can change this on the other collectors he serves. I still play a lot of games now, too. I the fly. If one month you’re in a PS2 and And going to back to where we started didn’t always get every console, but I… N64 mood and in the next month you’re this story, he still has the Rob the Robot eventually picked up all the ones that I in an NES, XBox, Sega CD mood, you can from his original Nintendo, and probably a was missing. change it up. You pick up a new console, couple more of them! you can add a new console to your list of OSG: Tell us about the inception of Retro consoles that you have.” Game Treasure... Retrogametreasure.com But we go a step further than that. Let’s be honest, we all have different tastes, BUCK: Going back probably four and so when we make the joke about Madden, a half years ago, I was a subscriber of or sports games in general, yeah, there’s Blue Crate and the now-dead Third a small amount of people that do want Block. Some of those were for me and to get those. Let’s face it. Games like Ice and some for the kids and stuff. And it Hockey and Double Dribble, they were all of a sudden hit me one day, like, oh cool sports games. Those are good. We man, I bet you there’s a box out there like those. It’s the yearly sports games that does, like -- there’s a box that does that are not quite as good. But still, everything. I bet there’s a box that does some people absolutely love rumble retro video games and stuff. I would love games, love strategy games, but hate to expand my own collection. I had about platformers. Some people love run and 200-plus NES games at the time and a gun, love beat-em-ups, but they hate bunch of others for other consoles. And RPGs. There are people out there that I dug, and I dug, and I dug, and I couldn’t don’t like RPGs. It’s crazy. But we want to

24 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 MAY 2018 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM 25 REVIEW

Interview with Video Games Monthly by Jonathan Polan

ideo Games Monthly is a monthly OSG: What kind of games can members to arrive to receive your box. Our plans subscription service that delivers expect to find in their boxes each month? range from 3 games a month up to 10 V games! Plus, by selecting the systems video games to gamers who own classic The games run the gamut! Are you want games for and maintaining gaming systems from the 1980’s-2000’s. VGM: you a RPG lover? We got games for your library of games, you’re sure to Play the past into the future! you! Racing? Fighting? Adventure? Got never get duplicate titles or games for you covered! Whether you’re about to systems you don’t own. Now for the best OSG: Can you tell us about the origins of embark on your journey through Hyrule part…. YOU KEEP THE GAMES! Video Games Monthly? or ride your first Warthog, you can be sure that the games in your box are Thank you again to Video Games Monthly VGM: The concept actually came about tailored to your preferences. No two for taking the time to share about their boxes are alike, which makes it even one day when a few of us were sitting business. Make sure to sign up today! around and thinking how great it would more exciting to see what members be if we could collect video games and post on our social media pages each not have to leave our house? So, we took month! Also, you can be sure to never Videogamesmonthly.com it one step further and decided it would receive yearly sports titles! be best if the games were just delivered to our door. Thus, Video Games Monthly OSG: What is the condition of the was born and we gave retro and new cartridges/discs that are sent out? Jonathan Polan - Jonathan has been a gamers an opportunity to build and gamer since the mid 80s when his dad expand upon their gaming collection. VGM: Every single game is tested prior introduced him to the Odyssey 2. Since to being shipped out. We pride ourselves then, there hasn’t been a console missed, OSG: Is it true that you carry titles for on quality and ensuring that once your but his love always returns to Nintendo. So systems going back to the 80’s? box arrives, it’s ready to be played! much that Jonathan has made it a personal mission to collect an entire U.S. library of Nintendo Switch games, plus some VGM: Absolutely! From the Atari 2600 OSG: For those who have yet to sign up, import exclusives! In addition to raising up to the Wii U, there are over 20 systems how does the process work? two future gamers, he also previously was to choose from! Plus, we are constantly the PR & Marketing Director/Interviewer adding new games and systems. In fact, VGM: It’s as simple as the Contra for The Switch Effect and is currently the make sure to stay tuned on social media code! All you have to do is go to www. interviewer for Gaming Boulevard. His for some big announcements in the videogamesmonthly.com, pick a plan ultimate goal is to run Marketing & PR for coming month! that suits your gaming need and then video game developers to help promote and bring their games to market! wait for the beginning of each month

26 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 MAY 2018 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM 27 REVIEW

I Have The Power! ARCADE AND CONSOLE POWER SUPER RETRO-CADE by Todd Friedman

ring the power of an arcade to your home with best described as functional. It shows games in rows of the Super Retro-Cade plug and play console by five, enabling you to scroll to whichever title you desire. B You can sort titles by alphabetical order, by genre, or by Retro-Bit. Packed with over 90 popular retro games which system they originated. If you want to play fighting from Capcom®, Data East, Technos, and Irem, this games, select fighting. If you want to see Genesis games, stylish console re-introduces such gems as Mega Man select Genesis, and so on. Each title has a brief description 2, BurgerTime, Joe and Mac, Bad Dudes, Double Dragon, and you’re able to load and save them as well. Again, the interface isn’t flashy, but it gets the job done. One negative Strider, Super Dodge Ball, the Final Fight series and is the lack of a reset button. If you want to go back and play many more. a different game or stop the game, you need to power off the unit and turn it back on. I feel as if that would have been The two included gamepads have an angular, wing-like a simple add-on during construction of this unit. grip design and a SNES controller button layout. They're If you’re looking for robust graphical options, you’re white controllers with red A/B/X/Y buttons and a direction going to be disappointed. You can’t adjust filters or change pad on the face, along with black Start/Select buttons the resolution like you can with other emulator consoles. and red L/R shoulder buttons on top. The 10-foot cords The only thing you can do is change the image from Full attached are a huge perk for a system like this. Most wired Screen to Normal Size. In terms of the SD Card, I found retro systems have a 2 to 5-foot cord. The one downfall, that my 32GB card worked just fine. When you plug it into in my opinion, is the utilization of the D-pad for the game the device with the device on, it will prompt you to either action. Most of the games in the arcade require a joystick search the SD Card or the Local Memory. type controller to move your character more easily. I found some games rather difficult to move the characters as well The Super Retro-Cade changes many of the wrongs as getting a little cramp in the thumb when playing. The box that were present in the Generations from last year. It is mentions support for third-party controllers, so you could still a worthy home game system for the price and with 90 find a USB controller that has a joystick to make it easier if titles to choose from, there is plenty of gaming to be had on you like. this little system. It’s nice to go back and play games from my childhood and share them with my children, who can The Super Retro-Cade has both standard Composite experience the fun that was gaming in the 80s and 90s. and HDMI video outputs. The HDMI cable included with the system makes the graphics a bit cleaner but not as “high definition” as one would expect. The interface is retro-bit.com

28 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 REVIEW

Boss Fight Books GALAGA, SMB3, MEGA MAN by Old School Gamer

Recently, while traveling to various retro video Mega Man 3, game expos, I came across Boss Fight Books and by Salvatore Pane, asked the publisher which three books would be was the third of best for OSG to review. Based on his suggestions, this series that I I picked up Galaga, Mega Man 3 and Super Mario 3. read and it covers The books, written for Boss Fight Books publishers, a game of which I were written by different authors, and the three was never really a being reviewed here exhibit varying writing styles. big fan. Salvatore pulls “MegaMan- Galaga, by Michael Kimball, for instance, is dom” back, with more current tie-ins written as a bunch of seemingly unconnected, and references, such as YouTube uncoordinated small tidbits of information called contributers and references to many other “levels”. In this book, he gets to one level past 255, game programmers that were heavily also known as “Kill Screen Level 0” (a nice tidbit influenced by this Nintendo Entertainment of geek gamer humor for all). I appreciate his System gem. dry sense of humor as well as his references to I recommend you check out Boss Fight previous levels, but I preferred the writing style of Books and see which one of these light the second book (mentioned next). reads are right for you. At a reasonable price Super Mario Bros. 3, by Alyse Knorr, covers of $14.95 each, they are an enjoyable read one of the most famous sequel console games ever that you can get through with a couple nice released. It covers everything from why we didn’t reading sessions in about a week or so. get a proper second release in the Super Mario Bros. series to some great details on the game, it’s development, it’s pop culture marketing and more! bossfightbooks.com

DO YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? Then subscribe issue by issue with Patreon! patreon.com/oldschoolgamermagazine

or select Magazines, and then Print Subscription from OldSchoolGamerMagazine.com.

MAY 2018 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM 29 NEWS

TOP: Richie Knucklez, Billy Mitchell, Steve Wiebe and more compete in Kong Off. BOTTOM: Ryan Burger (publisher of OSG), Steve Wiebe and Walter Day. Convention Update: Start of 2018 ARCADE EXPO, TEXAS PINBALL FESTIVAL, CTGAMERCON, LOUISVILLE ARCADE by Old School Gamer

This is another of those big seasons champion-level gamers from across where Old School Gamer visited/ the country to compete, including Steve Weibe, who doesn’t come out exhibited at four expos since the last as often as some of the others. It issue. Enjoy the most recent coverage! was a thrill for the staff of OSG to see Kill Screen level games completed by several people including Steve. ARCADE EXPO • BANNING, CA BY RYAN BURGER And this excitement was just in the one room we inhabited most The Arcade Expo is held at the Museum of of the time. Other activities in the Pinball in Banning, California, and is one event included pinball competitions, visits TEXAS PINBALL FESTIVAL • of only three or four times per year that by pinball celebrities like Jersey Jack FRISCO, TX • BY RICK ELLIS the facility is open to the public. Banning Guarnieri, a cool expo floor, food and drink, Ever since I was a young boy I played the is about an hour outside of downtown Los and entertainment. silver ball…” the words ran through my mind Angeles, and as an arcade or video gamer, One of the performers that caught as I entered the Texas Pinball Festival held this is a must-have, bucket-list entry... our interest was The 8Bit Jazz Heroes in Frisco, Texas March 16-18 this year. It was call it an Arcade Bucket List, and this (8bitjazzheroes.com), who entertained an amazing sight to see with 404 pinball destination should be near the top! us with their fantastic jazz stylings of machines and 52 classic arcade games on Held over three days between March Nintendo-era tracks and other vintage the floor for a grand total of 456 opportuni- 16-18, the Old School Gamer gang joined classics. Look for a piece on them and ties to get your game on. There were also it’s advisory board members, Billy Mitchell other retro-themed artists coming soon to awards for the best games at the show with and Walter Day, in talking to gamers from Old School Gamer. the Grand Champion Lonny Payne with his across the country in the arcade room (the The Walter Day Trading Card Museum Jurassic Park machine. It was a fantastic best part of this large facility). The Museum is also housed here - at the Museum of machine that looked just as great as it of Pinball houses approximately 1,100 retro Pinball. Walter debuted about a dozen new played. to modern games. Chances are, if you have cards and presented them to many of the If you wanted to hear from some of the ever played it, they have it, plus hundreds honorees at the event. greats in pinball you were not disappointed of other games you may have heard of or Without a doubt, OSG will be returning in the seminar offerings. Festival attendees maybe seen online in one form or another. to this event next year and we hope to see were able to hear from Christopher Franchi, This year also marked the 6th Kong Off you there as well! “Father” Steve Ritchie, Bowen Kerins held by Richie Knucklez, which happened among others and the Spooky Pinball Team right around the corner from us at the who presented Spooky’s newest pinball show. This event brought a dozen or so arcadeexpo.com Alice Cooper’s Nightmare Castle.

L to R: Walter presenting new cards, the pinball room at the Museum of Pinball, and the 8 Bit Jazz Heroes playing outside 30 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 TOP: Richie Knucklez, Billy Mitchell, Steve Wiebe and more Fans were able to meet and take pictures with Lou Ferrigno “The Incredible Hulk” and he was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. The Texas Pinball Festival was enjoyed by young and old as everyone from families with young children, teens, millennials and gamers that have been playing for more than 50 years stepped up to their favorite machines and let that silver ball fly.

texaspinball.com video games and pinball tables. One large room was dedicated to CTGAMERCON • MOHEGAN SUN, CT console gaming stations. There were a few BY BILL LANGE giant TVs broadcasting the tournament play. The console room was packed the The second annual CTGamerCon took place entire weekend with competitive gamers. the weekend of March 24-25, 2018 at the Another large room contained dozens spectacular Mohegan Sun Entertainment of vendors. There was original artwork, Complex along the banks of the Thames gaming supplies, action figures, Funko River in Uncasville, Connecticut. Old LOUISVILLE ARCADE • Pops (lots of Pops!), Anime, movie posters LOUISVILLE, KY • BY BRIAN SZAREK School Gamer was there in force! Manning and more in the dealer showcase! My the booth were publisher Ryan Burger, personal favorite was the stunning pop Lucy and Bill Lange, and Richie Knucklez culture-inspired imagery by artist Rob I finally got a chance to get out from behind - the star of “The King of Arcades” which Taylor. Check out is artwork at herofie- the computer monitor and write a piece was reviewed in issue #3. dart.com. I purchased a piece of his art for this great magazine! I typically do the We had a lot of fun meeting and inspired by the Atari 2600. editing around here, but I had the chance to visit the Louisville Arcade Expo this talking to the enthusiastic gamer crowd, In addition to the vendor room, the year, about a two hour drive from my home, handing out free copies of the magazine, console room, the arcade, tabletop gaming which is its eighth year in existence. I was checking out the merchandise available and cosplay contest, there was live music only able to make it to Sunday’s events, but in the vendor room, and people-watching, and speakers, such as actor Rafael Ferrer, I had a great time. I was really impressed by especially all of the cosplayers in atten- the voice behind Darth Malack in Star Wars the sheer number of activities and exhibits, dance. With so much staff on hand, we Knights of the Old Republic video game, ranging from rows upon rows of alternat- were all able to find some time to enjoy in his first ever signing appearance. Son the event. of actress and singer Rosemary Clooney, ing arcade cabinets and pinball machines; a tournament area with projection gaming; In the main hallway of the Mohegan Ferrer talked about growing up amid a row of vintage game systems that were Sun Convention Center, where the Old Hollywood royalty and his memories of projected on the wall for all to see; a console School Gamer magazine booth was being part of the Star Wars universe. history museum/game room, where anyone setup, there were tables for tabletop While the main hall also had a few food can go in and play sample games on pretty board and card gaming, including MAGIC and snack vendors, we were merely feet much every major (and most minor) the Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons, away from a vast array of amazing restau- console systems ever released; a working Warhammer and more. Tabletop games rants just outside the Convention Center standee store display area with some older were played all weekend. There were also doors, out in the Mohegan Sun casino. consoles to play; computer gaming room; a half a dozen pinball machine and a few Old School Gamer plans on being back pinball tournament; an 80’s living room arcade games configured for free play as next year! See you then!l setup AND they even had a room full of well. Our hope is that future events will cocktail arcade cabinets to sit at and play include a much larger selection of arcade ctgamercon.com while you were eating your lunch!

MAY 2018 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM 31 ARCADE GAME COLLECTINGNEWS Some of my favorite cabinets were on display, including my new favorite: a lesser known Pac-Man called Pac-Man Plus in cabaret format. They also had some other favorite classics such as Robotron: 2084, BurgerTime, Space Invaders, After Burner, Dragon’s Lair, Crazy Climber, Popeye, and many others. I also got exposed to some great pinball classics such as Atari’s Middle Earth, Old Chicago, Wipe Out, Super Mario Bros, and some amazingly creative vendors who developed and created their own pinball machines that you could play to your heart’s content and purchase (if you had the room in your truck and didn’t care what your spouse thought!). I took my time playing as much as I could before I ran out of time, then I reached out to Matt Fleitz, one of the co-creators and annual organizers of this event. Here is a portion of our interview:

OSG: What was the impetus for creating the Louisville Arcade Expo?

MATT: This is our eighth year. When we were younger, my brother and I used to go to pinball shows in Chicago and Allentown. Those were the big shows back in the 90’s. Eight for (and can’t imagine!). Craziness with just having thousands years ago there really weren’t games around…just at people’s of people in the same place at the same time over a weekend. houses, things like that. Since all of our friend’s would haul There’s always things that pop up – you can’t let it bother you. their games to Chicago for shows, we thought, “why don’t we do one around here?”. And my brother worked with a guy who OSG: I see that you have vendors that bring machines that they’re was way into consoles and computers. So the three of us tried trying to sell, but who else brings machines to the event? to get other people with us, and they all thought we were nuts. We rented some hotel space at the Holiday Inn for our first year. We had maybe 40-50 games and a couple rooms full of MATT: Well, just random collectors. There are bars that bring old consoles, we got no sleep…and when we threw the doors games as well. Like, RecBar brought 40 games this year… open, there were a million people there, and it just went nuts. there’s a guy named Dave who brought in 20 games by himself! We thought we were going to lose money and have a nice party. There’s a guy named Dan from Indiana who used to fix games for Pizza Hut – he brings in games like Dragon’s Lair, Space Ace, Sega Star Trek… You know, he works on all those games and he OSG: How did you advertise that first year? loves it! He rents a U-Haul and brings them himself. Then there are local collectors that bring machines that are awesome. MATT: First year I think we just put fliers everywhere, begged everybody, you know… So then facebook began to be a huge OSG: What are your favorite exhibits? thing probably about 6 or 7 years ago. We really go off word of mouth these days. MATT: I really like the Apple stuff they brought in this year. They have Print Shop going, so you can go in and print your own OSG: That’s probably due to the fact that vintage and retro gaming banner…takes like a day and a half, but people love doing it! is so huge right now… They did the “Welcome to the Louisville Arcade Expo” banner in dot matrix, it literally took about a day to print. MATT: That was our goal. We helped promote it, get that stuff going, that’s what we wanted to do. We think we’ve helped OSG: I really like how you have a few vendors here who bring their that cause in our town. Now there’s RecBar, there’s Z Bar items that they’re looking to sell, but are also playable, so it affords (Zanzabar), there’s all these places that have games…there’s you the opportunity to fill up even more space. pinball machines and games everywhere. There’s just been this massive resurgence and we feel like we’ve been a part of that. MATT: Yeah, we love it when vendors bring games, we’re very happy about that. We could fill the whole hall with vendors, but OSG: So what are your personal passions in gaming? we limit the number of vendors and the types of vendors. We don’t want 10 comic book guys, etc. So we’re kind of a weird MATT: I’d say pinball mainly, these days. But the arcade games, show like that where some shows are driven by vendors, but too. And honestly, I like the (Nintendo) Switch. I play Zelda a lot. we want to have as many games as possible. We’re all about the But I have a Joust and Donkey Kong cabinets (at my house) that games – we have limited space for vendors…but if a vendor has I love. My nieces and nephews will come over to Uncle Matt’s a game, then it makes it all the better! We like artists too – we house to play games, which is great, and my brother has a want it to be different. million games at his house too, so it’s always fun. A big thanks to the Louisville Arcade Expo and Matt Fleitz OSG: What does it take to put on an event like this? for the great show and interview. Can’t wait for next year’s show.

MATT: It’s just one of those things where it takes a lot of arcaderx.com planning and I would say experience. Every year you learn something and you have to adapt every year, change a little bit…but there’s always so many crazy things that you can’t plan

32 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 HISTORY Preserving History Ken Horowitz

Vice President of Product Development Joe Miller, Sega Europe (arcade) founder Victor Leslie, and Park Place Productions founder Michael Knox. Both Miller and Knox died shortly after they spoke with me, and I’m thankful that n September 2017, I had the opportunity to do a panel on I had the opportunity to speak with them. To my knowledge, Miller never gave any other interviews regarding his time at Sega, Ivideo game history and preservation at Dragon Con in so it gives me great satisfaction to have his answers in both Atlanta. The convention was divided into several tracks, audio and written forms. Knox also gave me a lot of wonderful including one for video games, and I felt that I could offer my stories about working on the first Joe Montana Football for the Genesis, stories that he never really shared with anyone else. experience of writing about Sega over the years as something Unfortunately, Leslie died in 2002. His death represents the that might interest attendees. I had only anticipated 20-30 worst-case scenario for game historians. To my knowledge, he people, but to my surprise, almost 200 people showed up! never gave an interview about his Sega period, and now those experiences are lost to the game world forever. The turnout far exceeded my expectation. And this is the crux of why it is so important to preserve gaming history. Interviews may be subjective recollections Seeing so many people there was truly motivating, especially of events, but they are first-hand accounts and are useful as the large number of younger fans that came. As I talked to the starting points for further research. They provide vital pieces of crowd about the need to embrace gaming history beyond buying data that can be used to unravel a whole sequence of events and a SNES Classic or playing MAME, it became clear to me just how circumstances. Often, they lead to further interviews with other many people genuinely care about preserving the legacy of the people, allowing the writer to form a clear image and get the best gaming industry. My presentation went through the problems possible account of events involving a game or company. They faced by gaming historians and writers, most of whom are also illustrate the fact that people do want to hear these accounts enthusiasts and aren’t paid for their efforts. I discussed such and that they are historically valuable; something many of the issues as the de-listing of digital-only games, which denies people I contact are surprised to hear. I’ll never forget getting access to newcomers, and developers passing away before an email from one former Genesis developer after I published getting a chance to share their stories, his interview on Sega-16. “Thanks for remembering me” was all it One particular row of listeners caught my eye: Sandwiched said, but it was a powerful reminder of how so many people still between a girl with cat ears and a boy with an Iron Man mask were consider video games to be a disposable medium that retains no two adults who were at least my age. At first, I thought they were lasting value. the children’s parents, but it turned out that they were historians This reality got me thinking as to why so many people who were also into video games! Both were Ph.Ds. One was from decided to show up. It’s true that retro gaming is popular now, England, and the other was a document researcher from right but it didn’t occur to me that public interest in game history could there in Atlanta. Neither were directly involved in gaming history equal, or even surpass, that of modern gaming. After all, there or preservation, but they were very intrigued by the topic and was an Assassin’s Creed panel just across the hall! Interestingly eager to learn more. enough, that event was about the series’ use of Genetic Memory For 50 minutes, I shared my own research and documentation and was paneled by two biology professors. Reportedly, we had a experiences, all done through the lens of a Sega fan. That’s been higher turnout, which further piqued my curiosity (and, I admit, my area of study for the past 14 years and the subject of my two made me proud). books, so my talk had a decidedly Sega slant. “There are more than My panel ended with a 10-minute Q&A session, and more enough people to talk about Nintendo!” I declared, a statement people lined up to ask questions than could be accommodated. that actually garnered some applause from the audience. It was It was heartening to see many of those young people in line, most said partly in jest, but it was also a reminder that there is just so of them likely born during the mid ‘90s and later. They asked very much more out there in retro gaming that many people aren’t thoughtful questions about what I considered to be the greatest exploring. The industry’s five decades worth of history may pale danger to game history preservation and what the average compared to those of movies and music, but they are equally as person should do to help keep game history alive. I told them important. Thousands of people have spent their lives working to pretty much the same as I’ve written about here: talk to those create the games we love and enjoy, and their stories deserve to who were involved. Get their stories before it’s too late. One never be told. We owe it to them, and to future generations of gamers, knows when that window will close. to preserve their work and document their efforts. Only by doing so can we fully understand what it takes to make a “classic” game, I was once again made aware of this fact while working on as well as gain a greater appreciation for those titles that for my Sega Arcade book (due out later this year. I had the wonderful some reason never achieved that coveted status. opportunity to speak to the former president of Sega Enterprises USA, Tom Petit. Over two phone interviews and a ton of emails, I spoke of three specific examples of Sega-related game Tom shared all kinds of incredible information regarding legendary developers who are no longer with us: Sega of America Senior Sega games like Hang-On, Golden Axe, and Daytona USA. He

MAY 2018 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM 33

LET’S PLAY GAMING EXPO july 27-29, 2018 Dallas, TX

Vendors Arcades TOURNAMENTS letsplaygamingexpo.com VIDEO GAME MOVIE REVIEW Man vs. Snake also shared some jaw-dropping photos, KING OF KONG, KING OF ARCADES....NOW THE 3RD! including one of him, Sega co-founder David Rosen, and then-President of By Brad Feingold Sega of America Tom Kalinske, all sitting together. He was a virtual treasure trove One thing that I have noticed of Sega information. about video game documentaries About two months after he sent me is that it turns into “Six Degrees the photos, I read that he had passed away. of Iowa”. Every one of the movies He was very cooperative and gracious in our communications, and like many of the I have seen always links back to wonderful people I’ve had the privilege of Ottumwa, Iowa. And it should interviewing, he gave me the impression because that is where Walter Day that he would be happy to speak to me started Twin Galaxies. But even about other video game events. I never better, it is the home of another got the chance to ask him about his time video game record breaker. at Atari (his first job out of college) and Man vs. Snake follows the his friendship with Nolan Bushnell or his story of Timothy McVey and his tenure at Nintendo before coming to Sega. That chance is now gone, and the light of quest to beat the high score for gaming is all the dimmer for it. Nibbler. We already know what My words seemed to resonate with your first question will be… the crowd. I’ve been asked to come back to TIMOTHY McVEY?!?!?! No, not Dragon Con next year, and I plan on sharing the evil Timothy McVey. This guy this talk at as many game conventions is a humble video game player will have me. I truly believe that the best from Iowa. But the next question way to drive home the point of preserving is always, “WHAT THE !#*&@ IS game history is by discussing it with NIBBLER?!?!?!” That’s the fun people face-to-face, showing them what’s question…and I will explain. at stake, and how they can help keep it alive. My kids enjoy their PlayStation 4, Nibbler is a game from but they love ToeJam & Earl as well, and Rock-Ola Mfg. Corp. released in my youngest daughter plays a mean game 1983. It’s a very basic, yet challeng- of River Raid. Their enjoyment of these ing, game. You are a snake going classics brings me great satisfaction, around in a Pac-Man type board Normally, when I watch any type of and it is thrilling to hear them ask me eating up gems. As you get the gems, movie, no matter the genre, I serious how the games were made or why they your body starts to grow longer and the dislike the Kabuki/Animation storytelling look the way they do. The only way I can object is to not hit yourself. Just like that answer them correctly is if someone has method. However, MvS does an incred- old game on your flip phone but adding a documented the necessary information. ible interpretation of telling the story maze. That job doesn’t just fall to the writers and at certain points, and it is just a minor historians; it’s the responsibility of every But MvS has a lot more to it than moment of the movie. The best parts are true video game fan. We owe it to everyone just a guy playing a game. It, like King of how everyone was completely supportive who ever made a game we loved, and we Kong, is a quest to be the best. At the in his quest, including Billy Mitchell who, owe it to ourselves as fans of the hobby. very beginning, the documentary talks when McVey was struggling the most, about McVey and how, out of nowhere, he did what he could to be there for mental breaks the record of the game and scores support. over a billion points, causing a huge chain This was the first documentary that of events. And one of the biggest event I watched for my list of reviews and abso- was how Ottumwa, IA created an actual lutely loved this film. I have actually lost Timothy McVey day. Getting him national count of how many times I have watched recognition and even his own Nibbler Dr. Kenneth Horowitz MvS. It’s good background sound when Ken Horowitz – machine. is an English professor who has taught I am doing computer work as well. And research and writing for 20 years. He is But later on, an opponent appears mark my words, when I start building my the author of “Playing at the Next Level: to take on the king, Dwayne Richard. own arcade machine, I will probably have A History of American Sega Games” and “ With Walter Day refereeing the event, this movie playing in the background, The Sega Arcade Revolution: A History in the battle to be on top begins. At this provided my Wi-fi reaches the garage. It’s 62 games,” and his work has been featured point in time, I am not going to say much a great movie whose main character I was in numerous video game publications like more about it, as I don’t want to spoil the honored to meet in person and can’t say GamesTM and Hardcore Gamer Magazine. movie. You should see it yourself to find enough nice things! . Ken has also published academic articles out what happens. What I will say is that in professional publications, such as MvS is actually a sweet, yet emotional, Language Magazine and the Hispanic movie, and every time I see or eat Kraft manvssnake.com Educational Technology Services Journal. Mac and Cheese, I am thinking of McVey’s struggles to be on top again.

36 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4

FEATURE 45 Years of Arcade Gaming: The 1990s By Adam Pratt

in action that with some knowledge and This is an update & re-write of an practice (sometimes just some dumb luck), original article that was published on a player was rewarded with pulling off a ArcadeHeroes.com on June 27th, 2012 special attack that wasn’t readily apparent entitled ‘40 Years Of Arcade Games’. from just looking at the six button layout. You can still read that post here: Street Fighter II was followed by many http://arcadeheroes.com/2012/06/27/ improved editions, almost to the point that 40-years-of-arcade-games/ it became a joke. The series dabbled with 3D play in the EX line but eventually got around to Street Fighter III which offered n our quest to reminisce about more entertainment to pro players who I the games of arcades past, we’ve sought to master the parry technique journeyed through the 70s, spent a among other things. for the genre would try their hand at such couple of articles on the 80s, and now Street Fighter II’s success reinvigorated arcades and stuffed cash games: Taito gave it a go with the likes we’ve finally reached the 1990s. While boxes at locations around the world. of Kaiser Knuckle, Atari with Pit-Fighter the previous ten years gave us hit after Naturally, this spawned a number of similar and Primal Rage or Konami with titles like hit, this decade was not far behind in titles in the genre. Mortal Kombat by Monster Maulers and Martial Champion. giving us amazing experiences and Midway would become the American rival Lesser known companies would also to Street Fighter, opting for a slower pace contribute to the dustbin of history, memories. of play but bringing the art of digitization American Sammy creating duds like Way to the forefront at a time where 3D was of the Warrior, to garbage like Data East’s Instead of going year by year, this time still in its infancy. This game brought to the Tattoo Assassins. Because everyone the focus will be on the influential games fore the violence factor – the idea of the wanted to be the next Street Fighter and their genres, occasionally touching on “fatality” at the end of the match delighted or Mortal Kombat, the market became the obscure. That means that we’re starting some players while causing others, saturated to a point where the genre would with the genre that redefined gaming for particularly politicians in both parties, to fizzle out. But that wasn’t before it made its years and shaped the decade at large – the bristle with righteous indignation. It wasn’t mark and made operators plenty of money. one-on-one fighter. The king of this class long before every company with skin in the An unfortunate effect from the is undoubtedly Capcom’s Street Fighter II, game had a fighter – Sega did try out a few overwhelming popularity of fighters saw the elevating their 1987 release by giving the 2D based games but settled to show their beat ‘em up all but disappear from existence player the chance to choose among a variety dominance in the realm of 3D with Virtua from the latter half of the decade. It was a of unique and interesting characters. Fighter, a somewhat more realistic take on shame, as this genre was an excellent fit for This was enhanced by the graphics that the fighter that spawned several sequels; arcades, thanks to the focus on fast-paced, were lighting fast and beautifully detailed, Namco also went the 3D route with the multiplayer action that just isn’t the same memorable sounds, and perhaps, most of faster paced Tekken (and eventually the when played on a console. Despite the shift all, the complexity offered by the fact that weapons-based Soul Edge/Soul Calibur in focus to fighters, we did get some great both beginners and hardcore players could series) and The King Of Fighters by SNK games in this genre, many of these names get the same satisfaction out of the game. focused on 2D play but proved to be a are still well-known: Konami made most of This was thanks to the move sets given decent cash cow for the company. It was the notable ones such as Teenage Mutant to each character, a sort of secret code somewhat ignored in the United States until Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time (‘91), Sunset recently, but from 1994-2003, it saw a new Riders (‘91), The Simpsons (‘91), X-Men (‘92; entry every year, bringing together massive and in two flavors, the most impressive of character rosters, fantastic graphics and which was the giant 6-player dual screen more storytelling. SNK, for their part, would model); Atari did well with Guardians Of The flood their popular Neo Geo MVS hardware Hood (‘92); Capcom, with titles like Alien with fighting games, finding titles that Vs. Predator (‘94) & a pair of Dungeons & would rank among the memorable and the Dragons games (Shadow Over Mystara in forgettable along the way. The MVS is one ‘96 getting most of the praise); Sega had of the most iconic pieces of hardware from a few, such as Arabian Fight & Golden Axe: this era, using giant cartridges and finding The Revenge Of Death Adder (‘92), while support through the 2000s. they pioneered the 3D brawler with Die Other companies not exactly known Hard Arcade & Dynamite Cop (‘96) and Spike

38 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4

FEATURE Out (‘98). Die Hard was one of my personal while using a very different racing favorites back in the day, right along with formula. Cruis’n USA would also Atari’s vehicular combat arena game T-Mek. feature 3D texture mapped graphics We’ll also give a shout out to pinball and force feedback steering but here – when pinball makers began to add dot would feature open-circuit tracks, matrix displays, ramps, toys, animatronics instead of the traditional closed- and licensed themes to their games, pinball circuit, making it more fantasy-based machines began to sell better than at any racing. This difference proved to be other time in history. The most recognized a success as Cruis’n would become a pinball machines ever made came out of franchise in itself that lives on today the 90s – The Addams Family, Twilight Zone, with Cruis’n Blast that was released Fun House, Theatre Of Magic, Medieval in 2017. Beyond that, the other major Madness, Terminator 2, and so on. impression Midway would make was Another genre that saw major with Hydro Thunder, a fantastic boat developments that would being people out racing simulator that also gained a to arcades in droves (or entertain them on loyal fanbase. top of what the fighters were doing) was the Apart from the battle between racer. Racing games have been around since Sega and Midway for that dominate the 70s, but it was due to some particular driver, Atari Games pumped out a technological improvements in the 90s that few racers in the 90s, particularly a made them better than ever. As we read in vehicular combat off-roading game the last article about this subject, Namco Road Riot. However, their signature created a game-changing innovation title would be San Francisco Rush, with Final Lap: the networked game. This a simulated racing game that would technology would be used in most racers take place on closed-circuit courses of the decade (including Namco’s Final through the titular city. Taito also had a there; Midway had the likes of Terminator Lap sequels), but the most important few odds and ends in the genre, the most 2: Judgment Day and Revolution X; Sega game to use this combined with cutting interesting of which was Dangerous Curves with titles like Laser Ghost, Alien 3: The edge 3D graphics was Sega’s Daytona USA. as this had a car on one side of the cabinet Gun; Gunblade NY and Behind Enemy Lines; Using Sega’s specially designed Model 2 and a motorcycle on the other. Konami Data East with Dragongun; SNK with Beast hardware, this was a system capable of was in a similar boat – they did release Busters 1 & 2; Taito with Operation Wolf 3 and Gunbuster, and so on. This last game, providing smooth textured mapped 3D several 3D driving games, but most are Gunbuster, was rather unique – it was a graphics beyond the capabilities of the not remembered too fondly apart from GTI 4 player, first-person shooter, with free contemporary home consoles. It wasn’t just Club and Jet Wave (a jet skiing game with movement not dissimilar to games like the graphics that wowed players though – a realistic jet ski controller). Namco may Wolfenstein 3D or Blake Stone. the realism provided by the force feedback have started the whole networked racer, steering, the incredible high energy music, but among the several driving titles that Pedals would come into play once the exciting track design and the ability to they would pump out, Ridge Racer is the again when Namco launched Time Crisis in network up to 8 units saw many locations one that captured the most attention – ‘95, a franchise that lives on to today with holding their own tournaments to bring especially the Full Scale version released in Time Crisis 5 as released in 2016. Time the gamers in by droves. Daytona USA 1994 that used a full, realistic car with fully Crisis’ special ops action combined with would become one of the highest earning operable controls (even the A/C worked!). the cover mechanic won over the hearts video arcade games in history, with many Although one has to give Namco credit for of many gamers, but none in the franchise locations keeping their cabinets operating also creating several unique games that performed as well as Time Crisis II (‘98) until Sega offered up a modern alternative were about racing that did not involve a would. This was thanks to the dual monitor, in 2017 with Daytona Championship USA, a car – they brought skiing back with Alpine dual player station setup that subsequent remake of that original. Racer or let you enjoy the feel of being a installments would use. The 3D graphics didn’t hurt either - archaic by today’s Sega would lead the way with their jockey with their hilarious work-out of a standard but they got the job done at the simulation racers although nothing would game, Final Furlong. time. The same could be said for Sega’s quite match Daytona’s popularity – even Manufacturers would adore networked Virtua Cop series that launched in 1994. Daytona USA 2. We should mention that cabinets since that meant more sales but Running on the same hardware as Daytona they did design a few racers before Daytona they didn’t ignore another important, high USA, the game looks dated now, but at the such as Rad Mobile (the first appearance earning genre – the light-gun shooter. time, it set the standard for how to handle a of Sonic the Hedgehog in a video game), Efforts on this front had been fairly tepid 3D shooter with scaling effects and details OutRunners, F1 Super Lap, among others. in the 70s and 80s but the 90s is where that could only be done in the format. With 3D hardware to show off, however, this style of game really began to shine. One could also recall Midway’s CarnEvil, a that’s where Sega would make sure to get This started with games like Taito’s Space game dripping with personality and odd 3D the most out of their R&D investments. Gun in 1990, a game that borrowed heavily graphics (that still earns quite well at my Scud Race, Manx TT Superbike, Sega Rally, from the Aliens franchise while sporting arcade today). Indy 500, and more, would make Sega a an incredible looking cabinet and even force to be reckoned with – but not one that foot pedals used to reverse your in-game Over at Atari Games, they had been their competitors would take laying down. movement. As a mounted gun game, this struggling to find that break-out hit since Gauntlet and in 1995 they did with Area 51. Midway would release a rival to was a format that would still remain popular, This tapped into interest that was found in Daytona that would enjoy a similar success despite the number of ‘free fun’ titles out popular culture with alien abductions and the shoot ‘em up genre; Japanese gamers Gameworks locations. Perhaps the most the secretive Area 51 base out in Nevada, would find the most to like here whether it famous Sega simulator of them all would be and it ended up becoming the best-selling was Seibu Kaihatsu’s Raiden series, Taito’s the R360. This gyroscopic cabinet that was title the company had produced in years. continuation of the Darius series in Darius developed with the help of NASA was quite It would get a sequel a few years later Gaiden and G. Darius, or pushing alternate a sight to behold if you came across one with Area 51: Site 4 but that one would shooters like the Rayforce games, Konami’s (usually at a big theme park, although we fail to capture the same interest as the extra love for the Gradius franchise or the had a local FEC that kept a couple of them predecessor did. This captured a bit of creation of companies like Psikyo (the outside to rot away when they couldn’t interest due to the digitized graphics that Strikers 1945 series, Tengai, Zero Gunner), figure out what to do with them), as it was were running on a modified Atari Jaguar Raizing/Eighting (Armed Police Batrider, capable of spinning users around in any console but it wasn’t the first to do this with Battle Bakraid & Garegga) and of course direction. For user safety it was not 100% the format – Konami went the digitization Cave and their focus on the “bullet hell” accurate in that motion, being a little slow route in ‘92 with Lethal Enforcers as did shooter that would find a solid audience in in reaction times. Either way, just watching Taito in ‘93 with Under Fire and Data East in Japan. Most of their titles were released in this one was an attraction in itself. ‘94 with Locked’N Loaded. the 2000s, but they did get started in 1998 Both Taito and Namco would try their Where Sega had carved out an even with Dangun Feveron. You also had sub- hand at the simulator, but neither company bigger name for themselves with racing genres like ‘Run’n Gun’ games, led by titles would match Sega’s output. Taito kept their games, their brand recognition would be like Metal Slug. systems more towards the non-interactive boosted even higher thanks to their light Perhaps the most interesting part of end while Namco created theme park- gun releases of the 90s. We mentioned a the 90s were the simulators. While several style attractions. In 1990 they released few above but perhaps the most famous simulators were released during the 80s, the Galaxian 3 Theaters, released in both 6 of those was the zombie shooting series the 90s is where this genre exploded. They and 28 player configurations (the latter not The House Of The Dead, a fantastic horror didn’t have to include motion – examples receiving a wide release, even in Japan). shooter game that put players into the roles of that include Atari Games’ Steel Talons, It was more like a light-gun game, but of special agents investigating a zombie Sega’s Star Wars Arcade or their Bass this would influence modern multiplayer outbreak. When I worked at an arcade in Fishing titles later on. In the ‘gray area’, interactive theaters to a great degree. the late 90s, we had fun tinkering with the you had games that players could stand on These theaters proved to be too much of an settings on this one to change the blood and move but the cabinet itself didn’t use investment, so later on, the company would and other aspects of it. It’s worth noting motors to move things around; titles like show some restraint by releasing two- that Sega will be launching a 5th official Namco’s Alpine Racer, Sega’s Top Skater player motion simulators like Rapid River or entry of franchise to arcades at the end or Konami’s Hang Pilot. There was also the aforementioned Final Furlong. of this year entitled House Of The Dead: the class of rhythm games to consider – There were many other titles worth Scarlet Dawn. mimicking instruments or arts like dance mentioning that came to us from the 90s, Sega also enjoyed a bit of mileage from with titles like Beatmania, Keyboardmania, but space is limited. Suffice it to say, it the wildly popular Jurassic Park franchise, Guitar Freaks and the king of them all, was a great decade for arcades and classic first launching a joystick controlled effort Dance Dance Revolution (all of these gaming in general. It is true that much of based on the first film in 1994 (Sega by Konami). DDR would become such a the early 3D games have not aged well when also would use this kind of controller for phenomenon that various arcades would be you look at what can be done now, but they shooters like Rail Chase and Star Wars packed with players seeking to show off as still have their charm – or the gameplay was Trilogy Arcade), then striking gold when the best dancer, not unlike how they used such that it overcomes the look. they developed The Lost World: Jurassic to come in to show off their fighting skills We’ll end with a note that this decade Park in 1997. This one gained enormous on Street Fighter. did end on a low note for arcades as a popularity in arcades at the time, in good But most games that would be downturn around 2000-2003 saw the part due to the “jeep” style enclosed thought of as a simulator would generally closure of various arcade divisions as well cabinet it came with. Arcade operators had incorporate cabinet movement in some as arcades themselves. But from those more than a few issues with those types of form, and among these, chances were ashes, new challengers arose and the cabinets back then, enough to label them that it had a Sega logo on it. This all really industry has been humming along over “Dens of Iniquity”. picked up in 1990, as Sega developed their the past several years. Arcades still live, It wasn’t all fighters, racers and Y board system to control games like G-LOC be it through nostalgia with retrocades or light-gun games to be found in the 90s and Rail Chase, but subsequent hardware fresh new ideas found at other facilities. though. Quite a few sports games would systems would also support motion bases, Hopefully you’ll find some great games to shape the direction of the industry at often for Sega’s racing games. Sega would play from the ages when you visit a venue – large, from Midway’s NBA Jam and NFL also create “Special” versions of games like either way, be sure to get out and play! Blitz, to Sega’s Virtua Striker or Incredible The Lost World which would use motion Technologies’ Golden Tee (which still see an seats to spin players around between two arcade release around September of every screens, these games being found at their year, making it one of the longest running franchises in video game history). Every Japanese company would develop a number Adam Pratt - Owner and operator of the Arcade Heroes news blog and of the Game Grid of soccer, volleyball and baseball games Arcade (West Valley City, UT) that opened in 2008. He began collecting arcades in 2000 and – no, they wouldn’t all get much attention has done everything in the business; from game sales to writing game reviews, marketing, QA out West, but they still would carve out testing, and consultancy, to name a few. He released his first book, The Arcade Experience, in their niches. The same could be said for 2013. Adam lives in the Greater Salt Lake City area with his wife and three kids..

42 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 DO YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? Then subscribe for the year at OldSchoolGamerMagazine.Com

MAY 2018 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM 43 THE GAME SCHOLAR

Intellivision II with Music Synthasizer

for a videogame console. With Labo Toy-Con Piano, Nintendo Keyboard has put a novel spin on a peripheral category with a winding, noteworthy hit-game Creations history in gaming. Piano-style peripherals Astrosmash to teach people have been around for decades, and how to play the piano. In this game, falling By Leonard Herman, the Father of developers have offered very different musical notes had to be shot down for Video Game History visions and uses for these sometimes points by pressing the correct keys on the expensive videogame instruments. These piano keyboard. are the industry’s Keyboard Creations. SOFTWARE TOOLWORKS MIRACLE VIDEOPAC MUSICIAN abo, the do-it-yourself kits that PIANO TEACHING SYSTEM Coincidentally, the very-first piano add-on When Nintendo decided to enter the U.S. L released on April 20, 2018, are for a console had also been made out of pure genius on the part of Nintendo. market in 1985 it introduced the Nintendo cardboard. The Videopac Musician, which Advanced Video System, the NAVS. One of They’re somehow breathing new life came out in 1982, was available for the the peripherals that Nintendo announced into the Nintendo Switch, which right Philips Videopac G7000, the European for the new console was a 3-octave version of the Odyssey2. The keyboard music keyboard. Unlike Mattel’s Music now is burning bright like a phoenix, was actually an overlay that sat atop the while teaching kids (and adults) the Synthesizer, which could only operate console’s built-in membrane keyboard. when plugged into the Intellivision principles of engineering and physics. The overlay displayed seven black ECS, the NAVS keyboard was planned and nine white keys, 1-octave (a standard to also function by itself since it would One of the projects that the high-quality piano has 88 keys and covers 7-octaves). use batteries and have its own built-in pre-cut cardboard can be turned into Technically, compositions could be speaker. is the Labo Toy-Con Piano, a keyboard created on this but they couldn’t exceed 81 Alas, Nintendo did not go ahead with peripheral that turns the Switch into a notes. Once a song was in memory, it could functioning piano. It’s part of a $70 Variety the NAVS due to the dwindling videogame be played back or edited. Unfortunately, market. Instead, they came up with the Kit that features five do—it-yourself there was no way to save the songs. A cardboard projects. NES and its Robotic Operating Buddy as primitive, necessary first step soon to be a trojan horse to get it into toy stores. A eclipsed a year later. NINTENDO LABO PIANO music keyboard wasn’t planned for the new console. NES owners would have to The Labo Toy-Con Piano is a 13-key, MATTEL INTELLIVISION II MUSIC 1-octave piano. Once assembled, the wait five years before a music keyboard SYNTHESIZER became available for their console. And Switch console sits in it and acts as its The next musical keyboard introduced command center. One of the Switch’s the one that did arrive was not from was much more sophisticated. The $125 Nintendo. Joy-Con controllers has a built-in camera, Intellivision II Music Synthesizer was The Miracle Piano Teaching System and when this controller is buried within released by Mattel Electronics in 1983 and from Software Toolworks, a ten-year the bowels of the constructed piano, it was part of the Entertainment Computer old company best-known for developing uses the camera to read which key is being System (ECS) upgrade to the Intellivision game software for personal computers, pressed. The Switch, which sits above II. The ECS plugged into the cartridge was the most professional of any music the keys in full view, would then respond slot of the Intellivision II and effectively keyboard ever released for a game appropriately. turned the console into a real 16-bit console. And while its main purpose was computer. Two types of keyboards could to teach people how to play a piano via then be plugged into the ECS: one was software that plugged into an NES, this the alphanumeric Computer Keyboard 49-key unit was, in fact, an actual four- that was needed to enter data into the octave MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital computer, and the other was the 49-key Interface) keyboard that could be used music synthesizer. alone without the NES. Although the Synthesizer wasn’t a Versions of the Miracle Piano full-size piano keyboard, its 4-octave Teaching System were released for the range made it perfect to introduce the Genesis and SNES, as well as the Mac, fundamentals of piano playing to novices. Amiga and PC. Despite the unit being a Although Mattel Electronics announced critical success, its $500 price tag (over While Nintendo came up with an several programs that combined game- $900 when adjusted for inflation) kept it ingenious and innovative way to distribute playing with piano–playing tutorials, only out of the hands of most people. a piano peripheral, it is certainly not the one made it to market. Melody Blaster first time that a piano has been available used the basic concept of the Intellivision

44 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 Mad Catz Rock Band 3 Piano Controller

Konami KeyboardmaniaController

for the home game and it was

the only controller that could be used MAD CATZ with the game. This changed with the early ‘02 release of Keyboardmania II, ROCK BAND 3 PIANO CONTROLLER YAMAHA CBX-K1 KEYBOARD which allowed the use of any MIDI keyboard that could be connected to the PS2 with a Until the arrival of the Nintendo Labo Aspiring Japanese piano players hoping USB to MIDI converter. Toy-Con Piano in 2018, the last year to hone their skills through videogame that a musical keyboard peripheral was consoles didn’t get the chance, because VALCON GAMES EASY PIANO released for a home system was 2010. none of the afore-mentioned music Musical keyboard peripherals weren’t And it wasn’t just for one system. The keyboards were released in Japan. That limited solely to consoles. In early 2010 Piano Controller from Mad Catz came out changed in 1997...sort of. Valcon Games became the American for three: the Xbox 360, the PlayStation Waka Manufacturing, a manufacturer publisher for Easy Piano, a 13-key, 3, and the Wii. of computer adapters, released a $72 title 1-octave piano keyboard that plugged The Piano Controller was the latest for the Japanese Saturn called Saturn into the Game Boy Advance port of the musical instrument controller for the Music School, which taught users how to Nintendo DS. Rock Band franchise. However, while play piano. The package included a MIDI The keyboard was part of a $40 Interface Box which connected any MIDI numerous guitars and drum sets for package that also included a DS game piano keyboard to the Saturn. However, prior versions of Rock Band had just card featuring ten mini-games that taught a limited $191 version of the game came been controllers that looked and acted players the fundamentals of playing the bundled with an actual 3-octave Yamaha like actual instruments, they were piano. These mini-games featured a CBX-K1 keyboard. useless outside of the game. The $80 musical staff on the screen and musical Piano Controller that Mad Catz designed KONAMI KEYBOARDMANIA notes scrolling along the staff from left to for Rock Band 3 was a genuine 2-octave CONTROLLER right. When a note reached a vertical bar, MIDI keyboard with 25 keys. the player had to press the appropriate Keyboardmania was an arcade game from key on the keyboard in order to proceed. For some reason, keyboard the Bemani division of Konami in which The program featured several built-in peripherals have failed to really catch players had to destroy 14 columns of falling songs, including Madonna’s Material on. until the marriage of quality and musical notes. Each column represented a Girl, but players had to complete a song price point hadn’t occurred, and the white key on a piano keyboard and the note successfully before they could unlock change is refreshing. Perhaps Nintendo was hit when a particular key was pressed. another song. and its beloved hybrid console will A home edition of the game was released Because the keyboard plugged into break the chains of historic curiosity in Japan for the PS2 in September, 2000. the Game Boy Advance slot of the DS, it and catapult the piano peripheral into Like the home versions of Bemani games could not be used with the Nintendo DSi, mainstream ubiquity. So many others that preceded it such as Beatmania and which did not have the cartridge slot. have tried and failed, but perhaps Labo Guitar Freaks, Keyboardmania used a However, the game card that contained will be proof positive that a videogame special controller to play. In this case it the program could still play on the newer machine can still retain its core identity was a 2-octave, 24-key piano keyboard handheld console and instead of the while having the ability to be so much that was similar to the arcade version. physical keyboard, the player could use more. That would be music to my ears. Unfortunately for fledgling piano a virtual, 8-octave, 13-note keyboard on players, the Konami Keyboardmania the system’s touchscreen. controller didn’t double as a functional piano. Its only purpose was as a controller

Leonard Herman – The Game Scholar, is regarded as one of the earliest and most respected videogame historians. The first edition of his book Phoenix: The Fall & Rise of Home Videogames, which was published in 1994, is considered to be the first serious and comprehensive book about the history of videogames. He has written articles for Videogaming & Computer Illustrated, Games Magazine, Electronic Gaming Monthly, the Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, Pocket Games, Classic Gamer Magazine, Edge, Game Informer, Classic Gamer Magazine, Manci Games, Gamespot.com and Video Game Trader, which he also edited. In 2003, Mr. Herman received a Classic Gaming Expo Achievement Award in recognition for his accomplishments in documenting game history.

MAY 2018 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM 45

PUREGAMING.ORG COLLECTOR INFO Sega 32X and SegaCD Pricer PRESENTED BY PUREGAMING.ORG’S RETRO GAME COLLECTOR APPLICATION All pricing below is based on Pure Gaming’s unique algorithm that scours online resoures looking for what actual product sold for in many different locations. It should be taken only as a guide and not a final value of any game. The real value is whatever someone is willing to sell it for, and you are willing to buy it for. Every issue of Old School Gamer Magazine will publish pricing for a different console or gaming era. We recommend you look into the collecting app offered by PureGaming.Org.

SYSTEM GAME LOOSE BOXED SYSTEM GAME LOOSE BOXED 32X After Burner $35 $43 32X Surgical Strike $450 UNK

32X BC Racers $121 $240 32X T-MEK $45 $81

32X Blackthorne $99 $192 32X Tempo $39 $58

32X Brutal - Above the Claw $19 UNK 32X Toughman Contest $16 $34

32X Corpse Killer $14 $20 32X Virtua Fighter $12 $30

32X Cosmic Carnage $9 $17 32X Virtua Racing Deluxe $9 $15

32X Darxide $46 UNK 32X World Series Baseball $109 $220

32X Doom $10 $19 32X WWF Raw $32 $51 WWF WrestleMania - The Arcade 32X Fahrenheit $15 $25 32X Game $14 UNK 32X FIFA Soccer 96 $20 UNK 32X Zaxxon’s Motherbase 2000 $32 $58

32X Golf Magazine - 36 great holes $5 UNK SCD 3 Ninjas Kick Back - Hook $21 $74

32X Knuckles Chaotix $56 $89 SCD Adventures of Batman and Robin $17 $43

32X Kolibri $70 $109 SCD Adventures of Willy Beamish $3 $31

32X Metal Head $12 $19 SCD After Burner III $3 $44

32X Mortal Kombat II $18 $49 SCD AH-3 Thunderstrike $5 $13

32X Motherbase $32 $58 SCD Android Assault $26 $106

32X Motocross Championship $9 $13 SCD Animals $5 $17

32X NBA Jam Tournament Edition $23 $31 SCD AX-101 $23 $52

32X NFL Quarterback Club $10 $21 SCD Batman Returns $8 $40

32X Night Trap $49 $63 SCD Battle Frenzy $15 $29

32X Pitfall - The Mayan Adventure $30 UNK SCD Battlecorps $12 $24

32X Primal Rage $35 $62 SCD BC Racers $16 $51

32X R.B.I. Baseball ‘95 $8 UNK SCD Bill Walsh College Football $3 $8

32X Shadow Squadron $20 $33 SCD Black Hole Assault $8 $33

32X Slam City $29 $32 SCD Bloodshot $45 $80

32X Space Harrier $30 $44 SCD Bouncers $6 $17

32X Spider-Man - Web of Fire $265 $403 SCD Bram Stoker’s Dracula $3 $14

32X Star Trek - Starfleet Academy $29 $42 SCD Brutal Paws of Fury $6 $19 Cadillacs and Dinosaurs 2nd 32X Star Wars Arcade $12 $20 SCD Cataclysm $15 $45 32X Stellar Assault $112 UNK SCD Championship Soccer ‘94 $13 $41

32X Supreme Warrior $35 $40 SCD Chuck Rock $6 $40

MAY 2018 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM 47 SYSTEM GAME LOOSE BOXED SYSTEM GAME LOOSE BOXED SCD Chuck Rock II Son of Chuck $7 $32 SCD Jeopardy $5 $13

SCD Joe Montana NFL Football $6 $6

SCD Cliffhanger $6 12

SCD Cobra Command $3 $23 SCD Jurassic Park $2 $11

SCD Compton’s Interactive Encyclopedia $17 $39 SCD Keio Flying Squadron $114 $914

SCD Corpse Killer $5 $19 SCD Kids on Site $3 $14

SCD Corpse Killer CD-32X $16 $35 SCD Kris Kross - Make My Video $5 $24

SCD Crime Patrol $14 $58 SCD Lawnmower Man $20 $57

SCD Dark Wizard $15 $55 SCD Lethal Enforcers $2 $39

SCD Demolition Man $13 $52 SCD Lethal Enforcers II Gun Fighters $6 $20

SCD Double Switch $5 $10 SCD Links The Challenge of Golf $2 $12

SCD Dracula Unleashed $5 $15 SCD Loadstar Legend of Tully Bodine $3 $14

SCD Dragon’s Lair $5 $28 SCD Lords of Thunder $28 $157

SCD Dune $13 $25 SCD Lunar Eternal Blue $31 $179

SCD Dungeon Explorer $17 $66 SCD Lunar The Silver Star $31 $102 Dungeon Master II - The Legend of SCD Skullkeep $6 $22 SCD Mad Dog II Lost Gold $15 $94 SCD Earthworm Jim - Special Edition $49 $208 SCD Mad Dog McCree $8 $19

SCD Ecco the Dolphin $7 $24 SCD Mansion of Hidden Souls $9 $26

SCD Ecco The Tides of Time $8 $22 SCD Marko’s Magic Football $147 $234

SCD ESPN Baseball Tonight $5 $14 SCD Marky Mark Make My Video $8 $24 Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein - Bram SCD ESPN National Hockey Night $6 $9 SCD Stoker’s Dracula $9 $24 SCD ESPN NBA HangTime 95 $17 $120 SCD Masked Rider $13 $33

SCD ESPN Sunday Night NFL $6 $11 SCD MegaRace $16 $40

SCD Eternal Champions $9 $29 SCD Mickey Mania $15 $41

SCD Eye of the Beholder $8 $29 SCD Microcosm $6 $13

SCD Fahrenheit $7 $24 SCD Midnight Raiders $2 $12

SCD Fatal Fury Special $38 $220 SCD Mighty Morphin Power Rangers $5 $15

SCD FIFA International Soccer $6 $8 SCD Mortal Kombat $8 $26

SCD Final Fight $13 $132 SCD My Paint Animated Paint Program $21 $64

SCD Flashback The Quest for Identity $15 $35 SCD NBA Jam $3 $17

SCD Flink $30 $105 SCD NFL Football Trivia Challenge $9 $33 Formula One World Championship - SCD Beyond the Limit $2 $9 SCD NFL Greatest Teams $6 $8 SCD Ground Zero Texas $3 $13 SCD NHL Hockey 94 $6 $12

SCD Heart of the Alien $22 $85 SCD Night Striker $17 $80

SCD Heimdall $8 $28 SCD Night Trap $22 $77

SCD Hook $7 $30 SCD Night Trap CD-32X $48 $102

SCD INXS - Make My Video $6 $12 SCD Novastorm $29 $87

SCD Iron Helix $5 $19 SCD Panic $16 $76

SCD Jaguar XJ220 $2 $33 SCD Pitfall $9 $24

48 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #4 SYSTEM GAME LOOSE BOXED SYSTEM GAME LOOSE BOXED SCD Popful Mail $71 $299 SCD Stellar Fire $6 $13 Power Factory Featuring C&C Music SCD Factory $4 UNK SCD Supreme Warrior $14 $33 SCD Powermonger $7 $22 SCD Supreme Warrior CD-32X $29 $59

SCD Prince of Persia $3 $21 SCD Surgical Strike $6 $12

SCD Prize Fighter $2 $10 SCD Surgical Strike CD-32X $800 $1000

SCD Puggsy $15 $36 SCD Syndicate $175 $240

SCD Racing Aces $2 $11 SCD The Secret of Monkey Island $12 $83

SCD Radical Rex $38 $253 SCD The Smurfs $60 UNK

SCD RDF Global Conflict $6 $26 SCD The Terminator $35 $105

SCD Revenge of the Ninja $20 $61 SCD The Third World War $5 $22

SCD Revengers of Vengeance $16 $74 SCD Theme Park $93 $175

SCD Rise of the Dragon $8 $29 SCD Time Gal $14 $94

SCD Road Avenger $15 $78 SCD Tomcat Alley $2 $8

SCD Road Rash $13 $67 SCD Trivial Pursuit $3 $14

SCD Robo Aleste $35 $98 SCD Ultraverse Prime - Microcosm $17 $56

SCD Rock Paintings and Hot Hits $6 $9 SCD Vay $18 $90

SCD Samurai Shodown $22 $77 SCD Wheel of Fortune $7 $14

SCD Sega Classics Arcade Collection (4 $3 $12 SCD Who Shot Johnny Rock $8 $24

SCD Sega Classics Arcade Collection (5 $3 $12 SCD Wild Woody $25 $87

SCD Sensible Soccer $20 UNK SCD Wing Commander $9 $34

SCD Sewer Shark $2 $23 SCD Wirehead $24 $45

SCD Shadow of the Beast II $32 $92 SCD Wolfchild $14 $65

SCD Sherlock Holmes Volume I $3 $10 SCD Wonder Dog $7 $55

SCD Sherlock Holmes Volume II $3 $15 SCD World Cup USA 94 $2 $14

SCD Shin Megami Tensei $5 $18 SCD WWF Rage in the Cage $9 $23

SCD Shining Force CD $33 $160 SCD Yumemi Mystery Mansion $2 UNK SCD Silpheed $9 $24 COVER CHALLENGE ANSWERS SCD Slam City $5 $28

SCD Slam City CD-32X $70 $128

SCD Snatcher $146 $549

SCD Sol-Feace $5 $14

SCD Sonic CD $26 $52

SCD Soulstar $23 $76

SCD Space Ace $12 $32 Space Adventure Cobra Legendary SCD Bandit $107 $422 SCD Spiderman vs Kingpin $10 $39

SCD Star Wars Chess $15 $34

SCD Star Wars Rebel Assault $8 $21 List cover answers here please cover answers here SCD Starblade $15 $37 please cover answers here please cover answers

MAY 2018 • WWW.OLDSCHOOLGAMERMAGAZINE.COM 49 50 OLD SCHOOL GAMER MAGAZINE • ISSUE #2

RETRO VIDEO GAMES TO YOUR DOOR EACH MONTH THAT YOU KEEP Video Games Monthly is a monthly subscription service that delivers retro video games to gamers who own classic gaming systems from the 1980’s – 2000’s.

YOU KEEP THE GAMES!

PLANS AS LOW AS $29.99 Visit www.videogamesmonthly.com for all the details. GAMES AVAILABLE FOR OVER 20 SYSTEMS Follow Us on Social Media