Tag: Retro

$2LF EP 75 – “Hangin’ with the Homeboys” (1991)

by twodollarlatefee

In preparation for their upcoming interview with actor Nestor Serrano, Z & D dive deep into the underrated award-winning indie, Hangin’ With The Homeboys, starring Serrano, Mario Joyner, Doug E. Doug, and John Leguizamo. Does the film still hold up? How about the soundtrack? And why was 1991 an “interesting” year on the Billboard music charts? Check it out!

$2LF EP 75 – Hangin’ with the Homeboys

NEW EPISODES EVERY TWO WEEKS!

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‘Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020’ Is More Than Just Its Namesake

by Josh Jackson

Over the years, the Mario and Sonic Olympic series has gone through progressive change to make it more video game focused and less of a straight simulation. This was especially apparent with this year’s E3 demo, with events like skateboarding and surfing playing like a Tony Hawk-lite as opposed to the traditional sports we’ve come to expect from an Olympic themed game. Some recent hands-on time with the full version of the game takes this idea a step further, taking inspiration from video game history to provide a variety of activities that go above and beyond the scope of the Games.

Previous games had Dream Events, mini-games that put some fantastical spins on Olympic events. 2020’s edition already feels much more fleshed out, offering Dream Events that allow the standard games to be played in completely different ways. Take skateboarding for example. While a trick exhibition is expected, what we didn’t think we’d see is a racing event that plays like Mario Kart and Sega’s Top Skater arcade had a beautiful, digital child. Set on a futuristic track that wouldn’t look out of place in an F-Zero game, participants barrel towards the finish line on a downhill slope, grabbing Sonic themed item boxes to disrupt the competition. Popping an ollie at the edge of a ramp activates tricks, which give you an extra boost of speed as you fight for first place. Motion controls help simulate the skateboard feel, but I’m finding the traditional control stick option to be more stable. However you play, this mode alone is shows the versatility of 2020, establishing a fun, fast paced mode that could be its own game with enough content.

Taking this concept a step further, the Tokyo 1964 events put a retro spin on the Olympics. Highlights include the track and field events that play eerily similar to Konami’s 80’s classic of the same name. Playing as characters ripped straight from the NES version of Super Mario Bros and Sonic the Hedgehog on Genesis, these simple yet addictive games test your timing and button mashing skills in hilarious fashion. Seeing the two art styles side-by-side is absurd as it is, but watching characters like the lanky Eggman crash and burn on a high jump is something to behold.

These events are a core aspect to the game’s story mode, which we’re still working our way through. From what we’ve played so far, 2020’s take on this dream mashup is shaping up to be the series’ best so far. Keep an eye out for our full review in the weeks to come, and let us know what you think about the game so far in the comments below!

Geekscape 517: Hot Newz 64’s Steve Sobel Touches Our Hearts!

by Jonathan

Steve Sobel may not be a household name to many Geekscapists… but I think he should be! In the late 90s, Steve was the host of Hot Newz 64, a VERY short-lived Nintendo 64 promotional video that has since made a name for itself on the internet for being cringeworthy. But where is Steve now… and how does he deal with the internet bringing back his first paying gig in Hollywood? Does he have regrets about hosting the video? How does he deal with internet trolls? Is he even a gamer? We talk about all of this, get nostalgic for the 90s, discuss Steve’s role in the next season of Westworld on HBO, how growing up in Miami in the 80s was exactly what you thought it would be and so much more! Enjoy!

Here’s Steve’s Hot Newz 64 video in all it’s glory!

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All Hail The Glorious Leader! Kim Jong-Un Gets His Own Video Game!

by Shane O'Hare

Our glorious leader, son of Demi-God Kim Jon-Il, is finally being immortalized in a video game!  It accurately shows the true exploits of our leader in battle, from riding on the legendary flaming unicorn, to taking on the entire capitalist army on his own.

The true great allies in the West, Money Horse Games, have released THIS statement on the game.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea commands you to know that the capitalistic pigs at Moneyhorse LLC, are developing Glorious Leader! , an epic tale about the triumph of Kim Jong Un over the entire American army. Battle through 7 unique levels as you defeat waves of imperialists, combat over-the-top bosses, and ride unicorns!

Glorious Leader! is coming soon to PC and something called a mobile device. Finally, you will know why North Korea truly is the best Korea.

No release date has been announced, but we know our savior and glorious leader, will come precisely when he is needed.

Is ‘Shaq Fu 2’ On The Way?

by Josh Jackson

Being a gamer in the 90’s meant that you were subjected to a slew of terrible licensed video games. Hell, the game didn’t even have to be based off of a TV show or movie; it could just be based on a person. One of the most infamous examples of the latter was Shaq Fu, a fighting game of questionable quality that sent basketball player Shaquille O’Neil to another world to save a civilization from its tyrannical ruler. I mean, who comes up with this stuff, right? Apparently, someone thinks it’s a good idea to crowd fund a sequel after almost 20 years, and dare I say… It actually looks promising?

Shaq Fu 2 Box ArtShaq Fu Returns!?

Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn is being made by a group of developers who want to right the wrongs of the first game by making a sequel that would be good without the celebrity license. By turning it into a beat em up rather than a one on one fighting game, it definitely looks more campy than the original, which is the only way a game like this can succeed in my opinion. It has to be a little self aware if it’s trying to sell this premise. But the game won’t come out without the backing of the fans, with some of the stretch goals consisting of copies of the game, DLC for life, launch parties and even a social media follow from Saq or trip to TNT Studios for those with really deep pockets.

Shaq Fu Screen 1This looks better than it should.

This ambitious attempt at a reboot promises to deliver the following:

– Play as Shaq as he kicks ass and takes no prisoners
Intricately designed combo system that leaves room for a variety of fighting tactics.  Learn the moves and let Shaq rip against his enemies
-Pimp your character with new moves and abilities.  Select from different fighting styles or combine styles and create your own new discipline (Shaq FU is what you make it)
-Challenges for even the best players.
-Adaptive AI keeps the game exciting
–Battles against hordes of enemies in the tradition of the lost art of the beat ‘em up.  I mean, who could take Shaq one on one?
Take the challenge up to an entirely new level in unforgettable smack downs against awesome bosses.
–Once you beat a boss you unlock him and can play as him in the game.
–Fight through the slums of Asian cities, on the rooftops of skyscrapers. Battle it out inside buildings, seedy night clubs, and cause mayhem in the markets.
–Smash an enemy through the floor and leap down to a lower level.  Barge through walls and forge your own path.  Smash furniture, toss enemies through windows, even collapse structures – when you are the Shaqbreaker everything is possible

–A wide variety of melee and projectile weapons as well as various everyday objects that can be used as weapons – katanas, shurikens, baseball bats, the occasional basketball filled with the wrong type of gas, bottles, knives and dozens more.

–Don’t see a weapon you like?  What about that manhole cover or that car door?  You are Shaq after all, so maybe you want to hurl that motorcycle on a bunch of enemies at once.  The world is your projectile.

–Wipe out huge numbers of enemies at once.  Bowl down enemies with balls of steel, create earthquakes of unprecedented power, slam dunk baddies with ease.
-Modifiers that change your appearance and enhance your skills.  Transform into the monstrous Big Daddy O and crush your enemies.  Twirl into the Big Baryshnikov and pirouette your enemies like a tornado tearing through Kansas.  Power up into the Big Diesel and steamroll your enemies into Kobe-Patties.  A power-up for every nickname Shaq has ever had, and a few new ones for good measure.
-Co-op Gameplay.  Grab a friend and battle it out in tandem.  Play as Shaq’s identical twin (no he doesn’t sell insurance) or select from a host of other playable characters with different skills and power-ups. Split screen action available, baby!
Co-op’s not your bag?  Build up your character and fighting style and duke it out online or on the same machine against another player.
–Once you have played through the main game revisit it to discover secret environments that you might have missed.
Think its over once the Black Star Ninja, is unmasked?  Think again.

–Hosts of challenges await that pit you against the best Shaq Fu’s in the world.

On top of that, 5% of the proceeds from the game go to the Boys and Girls club, so even if it sucks, at least the money you wasted goes to a good cause!

Check out the funding site here for all of the juicy details, but not before checking out the trailer and letting us know how amazing this is in the comments!

Equip It! The Geeky Book Wearables You Need

by CJC

With all the booming new stores on this little thing called the internet, it can be difficult to sort through all the possibilities for purchase. So let Geekscape be your guide. In the traditions of old, we’ll help you figure out what to take to make it a little less dangerous.

“A new lease on life for books.”

Ever wanted to carry your favorite book with you without lugging around the whole thing? Now you can, and not in a shiny, new book smell-less, electronic reader format, either. Retro Beads & Bangles offers you a recycling opportunity that looks adorable AND literate. Using book pages to make jewelry is not unique to the internet (as you’ll see below), but Retro also branches into brooches, bracelets, the using of sheet music, and old board-game pieces to make unique and specialized accessories for every day. These beautiful earrings, necklaces, and cufflinks immortalize famous names and phrases from classic — and currently popular — literature for a fair-ish every day price.

Shipping policies are not listed, so customer may beware — or want to read the 76 customer reviews before deciding.

   

“What a novel idea!”

Pretty Little Charms, also out of the UK, offers similarly recycled book jewelry. The categories featured here are Game Of Thrones, JK Rowling, Mortal Instruments, Divergent + Twilight, The Hunger Games, Narnia + LOTR, Alice in Wonderland, Pride and Prejudice, Sherlock + Classics, and Dictionary/Other. The charms feature different shapes, as well as colors: some heart-shaped in silver, others a beautiful copper with a steampunk-like accessory hanging off of the main jewelry. Compasses accompany sections of map and silver wolf heads sit next to “direwolf”. It’s all very appropriate and well placed. Pretty Little Charms also offers rings in pairs, offering a chance to celebrate your favorite geeky ship either with your special someone or all on your own if you’re greedy.

The charms that come with the sections of words, and the choice illustrations for others, are really what makes Pretty Little Charms’ selection glow. You can carry your favorite character or phrase along with you in stylish fashion.

All items are $3 shipping for the first item and free for additional items. There is a fair return policy: anything can be returned in exchange, except for earrings (hygiene!) and you foot the shipping.

Pretty Little Charms would like you to note that these items are NOT waterproof. They are made from books! Therefore, care should be taken when you’re deciding where and how to wear them.

   

“Wearable literature.”

If jewelry isn’t your thing, then head over to Storiarts, where you can acquire pages of classic literature printed onto a scarf, or writing gloves. How fancy would you feel if you owned something called “writing gloves”? Tori Tissell produces these wonders by hand, with the text chosen from such pieces as “Pride & Prejudice” and “Sherlock Holmes”. You may also custom order if you have your own choice of words (book paragraph, music, poetry, etc) prepared. Storiarts’ scarves look gorgeous and, as they say, will make you feel both “warm and intelligent”. Just be sure that your chosen text is not copyrighted and can be reprinted and sold without bringing terrible consequences down upon Tissell’s head. That’s the polite thing to do.

All items are shipped via the USPS and tracking is available. Storiarts accepts returns or exchanges within ONE week of delivery, but if you do a custom order then a full refund cannot be granted, so choose wisely. And not poooorly.

   

Have you found any gems on Etsy recently? Sound out below!

Need To Add Some “Extra Life” To Your Place? These Retro Game Blinds May Help!

by Shawn Madden

Going to be redecorating soon but none of the blinds out there really jumping out to you? Well, the UK based Direct Blinds have come to save the day! They’ve introduced a new collection of blinds featuring some very recognizable gaming images sure to spice up any geeks home. Check out some previews below as well as the site for more colors that they have available.