And so… here we are and you KNOW there’s going to be a fourth part to this series, right? It starts on Wednesday (Sshhh! Keep it a secret!), so hopefully Sony can do what they’ve done previously in getting those of us who like what they do (well, most of it) as thrilled as we were back in 1995. As always, we shall see…
Heh. I sat in a Starbucks most of today working and for about an hour during the afternoon I had to listen to two guys sitting nearby talk about old cartoons while the girlfriend of one was completely baffled about why they were so into The Flintstones. By the time they got around to the assorted celebrities and music numbers on the show and one guy hit up YouTube for a few videos (including the one above), I had a few tunes looping in my head until I left for the night. Anyway, from the 1963 episode “Ann Margrock Presents” here you go – if you’re not shaking it around the room, you’re probably not breathing. Enjoy! Hmmm, now I want one of those bird basses or an elephant trombone (I think there’s room in the front closet for one of those)…
With Sony getting ready for next week’s big worldwide reveal, their Japanese branch is doing a bit of nostalgic reminiscing on YouTube. Here’s part one of what’s looking to be a fun little series (those quick bits of Japanese PlayStation ads are hilarious and make me wish Sony would devote a channel to the MANY awesome TV ads for PlayStation systems that have been shown there since 1994). Given the console’s huge impact on the gaming scene, I’m hoping we get to see this series show at some point on a Blu-Ray or online in full with additional focus on how the system hit North America in an equally spectacular manner (er, Polygon Man, the whole ENOS campaign and those silly Toshinden “Sofia Says” ads aside).
Thanks to dionisio for the Sofia ad!
Hmmm. When I was growing up, it was Karen Valentine who the boys (and some of the girls) wanted to hug. These days, it’s all about a “Jill Sandwich” (which was thankfully avoided way back in 1996 thanks to the late Barry Burton) and other squishy bits (usually plenty of zombie parts) fans of the Resident Evil franchise are mooning over. Still, she’s a gal with staying power who’s never been a stereotypical female game character and in fact, her popularity has lasted longer than some game gals who’ve needed a CG reboot every few years. You go, girl! Of course, she’s not real, kids – but strong gals who can save your skin while putting a boot on some undead ass are more than welcome these days…
As awesome and non-stop hilarious as Retro City Rampage is, the game was looking even more amusing in its pre-alpha stages. I’m thinking Brian Provinciano chopped some of this stuff down because anyone he got to test the game at that early stage was dropping dead from laughing too much. There are rules against killing off your testers even if they’re happy with what they’re playing. Anyway, you should grab this if you haven’t. I’m just wondering what the heck sort of follow-up Vblank Entertainment has planned. I don’t think we’ll see a sequel, but it wouldn’t shock me at all what with all the in-jokes and homages that made it into RCR. Hey, with game older some companies vaporizing into the ether and being broken up into little IP bits, it’s nice to see game creators keeping the true retro spirit alive and in fine form…
If you were a kid or young adult in the United Kingdom, America and a few other lucky locations during the 1960’s and 70’s and had a TV in the house, you more likely than not saw something Gerry Anderson produced and fell head over heels for before the opening credits were done. I happened to grow up watching Captain Scarlet & The Mysterons, Thunderbirds, UFO and Space: 1999 all of which burned their share of memorable images into my brain and are still fondly remembered today. Sure, much of his output might not hold up to the scrutiny of the legions of jaded sci-fi fans that go for flashier effects, more outrageous characters and overall classier writing. Anderson’s shows were primarily geared to young boys (although his wife Sylvia certainly softened things considerably with her unique fashion sense), but there were more women in his series as time progressed, some of whom ended up a more than eye candy thanks to some fine writing and acting.
As I haven’t read a Spider-Man book in ages but have been around the comics block on and off for decades, I’m not too surprised that Marvel has decided to phase Peter Parker out of the Marvel Universe and replace him (thanks to a mind and body swap) with Doctor Octupus, who will now star in the new Superior Spider-Man comic (“Superior?” What, they couldn’t find better word than that?). Can I get an “Eh, whatever” here? Let’s see now, Superman died, he came back. Same with Supergirl. Batman got his back broken – he got better. Robin died, he was replaced with a new one or something (I forget, as it’s been a while since I read a Batman comic too). The list goes on and on and every time some fans go out of their way to be as unpleasant about these changes as possible. Sometimes, a little dying can be good for a character, but it’s up to the writer to lure you in and surprise you every so often…
These TCM tributes get longer and harder to sit through each year, that’s for sure. Add Charles Durning and Jack Klugman to this too long list of folks who’ve brought many some great entertainment memories over the decades. I was actually thinking about some Odd Couple episodes this past weekend out of the blue (the one where Oscar calls a square dance and the one that ends with him with two steaks on his face), but I think he’ll be more remembered by certain TV fans for his outstanding performance in the Twilight Zone episode “In Praise of Pip”, one of the best episodes from that show’s fifth season. As for Durning (who was also a decorated WWII veteran), his “everyman” working class face and always solid acting no matter the genre always made him a pleasure to watch. Go rent “Tootsie” just to see his comic chops and Dog Day Afternoon for a bit of his dramatic work.
Tomorrow is the big day many hardcore SNK fans have been waiting for as the NEOGEO X Gold Limited Edition system drops into selected retailers. I’m gathering the one I pre-ordered from Best Buy should pop up a few days afterward, but I can wait. Really. Still, the UPS guy here knows I’ll haunt his truck when it’s on the other side of the street early in the morning, as we get our ground deliveries here late in the afternoon (unless I happen to see him early in the morning and zip on over to save him some time later on).
Yes, I’ll post a review of the system once I get some quality time with it. I know I’ll still be awful at some of those 20 included games, but I’ve been practicing a bit over the last few weeks using the PS2 collection from a few years back and some of that rust is gone from my creaky fingers. Magician Lord, I’m coming for you! Well, it’s still more like the other way around, but one day… one day. At least I can complete Metal Slug without wanting to eat a couch cushion.
Man, is this game going to have some gamers used to more casual “play it for me!” stuff jumping up and down on their keyboards HARD and screaming about it all over the internet. Granted, you can indeed use a controller to play this, but remember, throwing it at a monitor a foot away will cause one of two things to occur: you’ll either need a new monitor or new teeth or both should that busted controller bounce back and smack you in the mouth. Sure, you CAN try ducking, but I know you haven’t been exercising much and all that soda and chips in your belly has made you slow. Well, maybe wear a face mask like Vega or something…
"DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" 