La-Mulana EX Vita Code: We Have A Winner!

Posted on March 7, 2015 by geelw

As my scratchy throat woke me up to get it some more tea with honey, and I kicked and almost tripped over the box I put the names in when I got up (Memo to self: next time, make sure the box in on a table and not the floor!), I’ve decided to pick a winner for the La-Mulana EX Vita code. The funny thing is, one of the names I wrote popped out of the box when I kicked it and I was going to declare that person the winner (hey, I was kind of half asleep!). But I decided to redraw the winner just to be fair… and actually picked the same name again. Not easy to do when you pick facing away from the box the names are in while in a dark room with your eyes shut. Anyway, congratulations go out to:

Nate V.! (applause)

Check your email, mister!

As for you non-winners, listen up (and put down those torches!). Stick around if you happen to:

a) likes indie games and could use an instant mini-backlog
b) are a Star Wars fan who likes oddball collectibles

I have a couple of interesting giveaways in the works soon you may want to be a part of. No spoilers here, but it’ll be fun to see what happens…

Want a La-Mulana EX Vita Code? I’m Sharing My Pain With One of You

Posted on March 4, 2015 by geelw

If you happen to have a PlayStation Vita and haven’t picked up La-Mulana EX yet, you’re missing out on a few things:

Your character dying while getting attacked from all sides by cheap enemies.
Your character dying during a boss fight with something over ten times your his size.
Your character dying after you missed a pinpoint jump because you panicked and jumped again to certain doom (oops!).
Your character dying because you’re really not that good at these retro action/platform games but keep playing them anyway.

Get the picture? Okay, I’m only partially kidding. This game is hard as heck AND I’m not as fast on those buttons as I used to be. Pygmy Studios’ handheld port of this excellent throwback to the MSX days is out now and I have a spare code to give away. If you want it, just post in the comments below and I’ll RANDOMLY pick ONE winner. You need a Vita as well as access to the North American PSN shop, as that’s where the code needs to be redeemed. I guess that’s US and Canada entries only. Unless there’s a secret Canadian PSN shop I don’t know about. Let’s see now… it’s Wednesday, correct? Let’s shoot for a contest close of 11:59PM on Friday. I’ll pick one of you guys or gals at random and shoot you over your code. Get it? Got it? GOOD> Now, go enter already! No need to post an essay or reason you want to win at all, folks. Just an “I’m in!” gets you a chance. Good Luck!

La Mulana EX: Rising Star’s “Hidden” Treasure Headed to Vita Soon

Posted on February 27, 2015 by geelw

I’d almost forgotten La Mulana EX was incoming on the Vita, but thanks to Rising Star Games hitting my inbox with this trailer, I’m reminded that this is a game that needs to be played. Of course, at my advance age, I’ll probably keel over from the old school difficulty curve the game sets up right from the first stage. But at least I’ll go down fighting, grrrr. Anyway, I need to bug Rising Star about that release date, as the banners on the site say it’s been out for a while, but I don’t see it anywhere on the US PSN shop. Eh, I’m in the middle of about twenty other things anyway, so perhaps that’s a good thing for now. Too many distractions means less work getting done, not more. At this point, I’m all for human cloning, provided I can have my double tinkered with so he types five times as quickly as I do (and uses more than four fingers).

UPGRADE GET! Retro City Rampage DX Out Now For Nintendo 3DS

Posted on February 5, 2014 by geelw

Assuming you don’t own a Nintendo 3DS XL yet, here’s the one game that demands that larger screen real estate. Retro City Rampage DX is out now in the US via the eShop (2/20 in Europe) and adds a few fun things you’ll see in that video above (or at the game’s official site) Although it looks fine on the standard model, the extra size does make a huge difference. I’ve played this game on PC, PS3 and Vita (and it’s also out on WiiWare and Xbox LIVE Arcade), but it looks as if I’ll be diving in once more at some point just to get a few more nostalgic chuckles going. But not for a while, though. I’m doing the headless chicken thing at Toy Fair soon and am in the midst of poking through my inbox and setting up meetings. I need a secretary/helper monkey/game organizing librarian or something.

Ah well – I’m off to a late start today thanks to the stupid storm this morning. Back in a bit with more once I get out of the house…

Does He Fight Retro Man? Mega Man III Blasts onto 3DS Via Nintendo eShop

Posted on March 18, 2013 by geelw

Well, you probably don’t need this if you’ve already bought Mega Man I through V on WiiWare, but in case you only own a 3DS… well, here you go. The classic third entry in the classic franchise presented as a standalone game. it would actually be really cool to see Capcom HD the entire series up, maybe add optional 3D elements to them (to take advantage of the now seemingly underplayed 3D function of the handheld) and get it out on a retail game card, but we’ll see what happens. Hell, I’d be planning this if I were running thing over at Capcom’s Suits ‘n Sales Division (and I’d add the newer MM games PLUS Street Fighter x Mega Man to the deal), but as usual – we shall see what happens in the future when the future arrives. It’s coming up now… every second, at that. Scary, isn’t it. Tick, tick, tick….

Incoming Retro Bliss: Sega Genesis Classics Collection Gold Edition (PC)

Posted on August 18, 2012 by geelw

As I always have way too much going on (being a one-man operation can be a bit of a pain every so often), sometimes I can be a tad forgetful. That. or I end up not getting to everything on my rather long list of games I’d like to dive into for a spell. To wit: I’d forgotten this amazing set of over 40 Sega Genesis games had shipped out to retail a while back (OK, something like March 2011!) until one of my eBay alerts reminded me that I was looking for this. A few clicks later and for a mere $9.90 shipped (brand new/sealed), I’m a happy camper set to re-relive some games I’ve played to death on a few platforms already. Hey, the classics NEVER get old, that’s for sure.

I’ll drop in a review once this arrives and I get in some quality time with the games in this great package. Hmmmm… now, where did I put that PC game pad I haven’t used in ages?

Wolfenstein 3D Is Older Than Too Many People Who SHOULD Pay It More Respect…

Posted on May 10, 2012 by geelw

Sure, it looks hideous compared to whatever modern FPS you drool over and line up for year after year, but if not for John Carmack and this formerly controversial Nazi-killing corridor shooter, you wouldn’t all be standing outside in the rain at midnight for Master Chief, any Modern Warfare game or hell, pretty much every other FPS on the market. That said, Bethesda has made this classic shooter playable for free as a browser game on Bethsoft’s Wolfenstein page or the game’s official Facebook page, so go check it out. Also, click away HERE for a great YouTube video commentary with Carmack about the game – you just might learn something in the process (like some respect!)