ctophil

I got my EGM issue # 256 the other day. I assume you'll get your issue eventually. I never had to call EGM to get my magazines. They just get to me really late most of the time. I can scan the cover if you need me to.

Yes indeedy, our Phillyman is getting married! Hehe. Congratulations! Best wishes to you, man.

Eh? It reads, "Display until 10/16/2012." So I assume it's the September/October issue. Guess you were right. They totally skipped the July/August issue. So now we just get numbers on the issues like comic books. Oh well, I just got my September 2012 issue of @Gamer Magazine (my first issue). I have to say it's quite good. It's got a unique feature like "Games that Changed Gaming," and I really liked the calendar of game releases in September and little bit of October. For certain dates, it even talks about major events that happened in gaming history on the calendar. Another thing I liked were the game review stats that showed on the right side of each review. Very informative when I want to look up a game in the future. The writing got some personality to them almost like the old days. I haven't been this engrossed in a magazine since reading EGM for the first time decades ago. EGM has really lost its touch. I'm not talking about not getting issues. It just feels bland and lack of personality. Seems too "professional" these days. We are gamers not businessmen. I would rather read the Wall Street Journal. The changes they made recently helped. But they still got a lot of work to do.

I guess EGM should be changed to EGQ or Electronic Gaming Quarterly now because they keep delaying their mess. And apparently Bi-monthly is still not enough time for them to get the printers working properly. I believe Gamepro tried to go quarterly but failed pretty much right away. So we got the July/August issue missing with "perhaps" the Sept/Oct one coming? I understand the economy is tough these days. But they need to just let it go when the time is right.

Yeah, I've never been more upset and outraged about a magazine in my life. You would think that Nintendo would spice up Nintendo Power since they are about to launch a new console lifespan known as the Wii U and to have exclusive coverage of it beyond regular gaming news. Older Nintendo Power subscribers are mostly hardcore gamers who have supported Nintendo since day one. I feel betrayed by Nintendo. It's the audience from back in the day that got them to their prestige today as the big 3 console makers. I grew up with Nintendo Power. It was the only game news source I had at the time before Al Gore *ahem* invented the Internet. They are making a very bad mistake. The other two console makers have their exclusive mags. But now where does Nintendo stand? Seems they are losing the battle to me. As for EGM, the only lifeline I see they got left is http://www.egmnow.com. It updates 2-3 times a day. The http://www.egmmag.com site is pretty much dead. Issues take months to come out when they used to release it on a weekly basis. At least Nintendo Power had the sense to let people know they are shutting down and how many more issues are coming out. EGM is just fading away and shutting people into the darkness with no recourse for a refund or something.

Looks like they will finish up Nintendo Power with the December 2012 issue. So we will have 4 more issues left. Update: Nintendo of America confirmed Nintendo Power will ship its final issue in December. The company issued the following statement: Nintendo can confirm that Future US will end the production of Nintendo Power magazine with the last issue slated for December 2012. For Nintendo Power subscription inquiries, please visit nintendopower.com/customerservice. Check out Nintendo at nintendo.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/nintendo or on Twitter @nintendoamerica.

Well, I did see this coming early this year when rumors circulated around the internet that even Nintendo Power will be closing doors soon. Now it has happened. The only things really left are Game Informer and perhaps @Gamer as multi-console video game magazines, both sponsored by corporate giants, Gamestop and Best Buy, respectively. Anything else will have to die. EGM is already out the door in my honest opinion. EGM issues are sporadic at best. July/August issue is still no where to be seen even if it's late August now. Sigh....I grieve even more than the death of Gamepro last year and many other video game magazines in the past.

There is a cool new RPG game that just came out for the Sega Genesis back in 2010. It's called Pier Solar. It was developed by Brazilian company called Watermelon. Looking at the screenshots, it looks similar to the Lunar series and very nice graphics for the Genesis. I heard the soundtrack is awesome. It's also touted as the largest Sega Genesis game in existence at a whopping 64 Megabits! lol. I ordered it last week and should be getting it by tomorrow. Check it out here: http://www.magicalga...y/pier-solar_1/ You can buy it now for a cool $69 (free shipping). But it's got the full packaging with box, manual, etc. I don't know about you. But I am looking forward to playing my copy soon! You should get it as well because they might not reprint it next time and have to end up getting it on Ebay for mega bucks. You can download or buy the soundtrack and play it in your Sega CD while playing the actual game on the Genesis to listen to CD quality sound. Pier Solar was developed to take advantage of the Sega CD throughout the game. Watermelon is also working on another beat-em-up game similar to Streets of Rage with RPG elements, simply called Project Y at this time. You can check it out on their web site, http://www.magicalga...com/en/factory/ , and even invest money into the project. Early adopters get the special investors version just like for Pier Solar.

Looks like they are getting there. Check out the official Ouya web site: http://www.ouya.tv/ You can pre-order an Ouya and get it by April 2013. http://www.ouya.tv/buyouya/ For $109, you get the system and one controller (includes shipping). Now, the launch is in March 2013 for the folks who invested at the Kickstarter site mentioned above. They released the final design of the Ouya, and it looks really small. You can fit it in the palm of your hand! That's even smaller than the Gamecube! The games will be streaming and downloadable. So you do need Internet access to play. All games on the system will require, in some form, to be free, either it be a trial or totally free with optional goodies you can buy like new levels, characters, armor, etc. For game developers out there, all Ouya consoles are also development kits. You make games for it by just buying the retail version. Another major Japanese publisher, Namco-Bandai, signed up to develop games for it recently. Read more about it here and check out the tech specs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouya

I'm still waiting for my July/August 2012 issue. It's even more late than last issue. We are in August now and nothing has shown up. I've gotten two issues of Nintendo Power already in the time it takes for EGM to not even send me one yet. I got upset the other day and signed up for Best Buy's @Gamer Magazine. I'll just let EGM send me issues whenever. ;-)

Just to spice up your curiosity some more, Square Enix said Final Fantasy III was just announced as a launch title for the Ouya in March 2013. Also, Onlive, the online game streaming service, said they partnered up with Ouya to deliver all of the titles in its library for the new console. Check out the news here: 1. http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/final-fantasy-iii-is-an-ouya-launch-title/ 2. http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/27/onlive-available-on-ouya-at-launch

First of all, thanks guys. Took a lot of thinking and pondering before I made those purchases. Collecting complete-in-box games aren't cheap when they are rare. Sure it's just paper and cardboard. But the meaning behind it is what counts. The money that you use is just paper. But you place value on it and make it worth something. The artwork and the feeling of completeness (like when the game just hit store shelves) makes me feel happier than just owning the cartridge. Just like any collectible item, the condition and how complete it is are very important. After over 20 years of gaming, I still don't get why people lose or throw away the boxes and manuals to the games. And some of those games look like they just got ran over by a truck, swam in mud, and been through a tornado at least a few times. I leave my games sitting around for 2 decades, and they still look like the shrink wrap just got taken off five minutes ago. Don't get me wrong, I do own cartridge-only games. But the ones that are important to me, I must have the complete-in-box experience. :-)

Hi everyone, I just wanted to talk about the new Ouya video game console for a moment. Apparently, it's being funded at the Kickstarter web site right now and will be, supposedly, released on March 2013. It's designed more for the indie developers who are familiar with the Android OS technology and is hacker-friendly. If anything, definitely a cool new game system for the garage-developer in you. The latest news is that Amazon.com, Muffi Ghadiali, the guy who helped designed the Kindle, will be responsible to oversee Ouya's design and development. What do you guys think? Will it compete directly with the Big 3 console makers or will it become the next 3D0 or Atari Jaguar? It's already funded by the gaming community at over $5 Million bucks. Check out the Kickstarter web site to get more info and maybe invest in the future of console gaming:

You guys should check out my recent SNES game purchases: Actraiser, Illusion of Gaia, and Lagoon in my other post: http://www.retromags.com/forums/topic/7921-july-2012-purchases/#entry36211 When I was a kid, I rented those games and beat them all. Now that I'm an adult, I finally got the money to buy them for my collection. Awesome games!

Just thought I would join Phillyman with my July 2012 retro game purchases! Actraiser (SNES) $104.28 http://www.ebay.com/itm/180919230556 Illusion of Gaia (SNES) $56.00 http://www.ebay.com/itm/180919229082 Lagoon (SNES) $16.00 http://www.ebay.com/itm/330754539053

Hey Folks, I was just pondering about retro game soundtracks. So I decided to put up my own Top 20 Game Soundtracks, old-school style. You guys can list your favorites as well. Anything before the current generation (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, etc) can be considered in your list. Notice that there are a lot of RPGs in my Top 20. Well, they just have good music. What can I say? I feel that modern games don't have the fantastic soundtracks of the past. I guess music composers these days don't have the inspiration like they used to. There is one game that is absent from this list that could of been part of the top 10: Terranigma (SNES). I have never played this game probably because it never came to the U.S. officially anyways. But I heard great things from it, including the soundtrack. I might modify the list when I do play it. 1. Final Fantasy VI 2. Lunar: Silver Star Story 3. Chrono Trigger 4. Suikoden II 5. Final Fantasy IV 6. Final Fantasy VII 7. Actraiser 8. Super Castlevania IV 9. Secret of Mana 10. Wild Arms 11. Suikoden III 12. Lunar 2: Eternal Blue 13. Soul Blade 14. Xenogears 15. Kingdom Hearts 16. Chrono Cross 17. Soul Blazer 18. Lufia 19. Legend of Zelda 20. Ar Tonelico

ctophil Ya, the same as my Retromags username. I make everything the same to make it easy. I'm online a lot playing with some of my close gaming friends via coop games. Like right now, I'm playing Lord of the Rings: War in the North. Pretty awesome coop RPG.

Hey Forum leaders, I can't seem to update my profile. It kept saying I have exceeded the maximum characters allowed or something. I tried to take out stuff and replace it. But didn't happen. I'm a regular member now, so not sure if this is a restriction of some sort. Thanks in advance.

Game Informer still offers print subscriptions as far as I know. You can check it out yourself at http://www.gameinformer.com/p/subscribe.aspx Think I'll subscribe to @Gamer, since I shop at Best Buy pretty often. You know, I have a feeling print magazines will die eventually. I'm sure they will sell subscriptions codes at stores one day for the digital-only editions for your PC, tablet, or smart phone. Gamestop already sells downloadable games at their stores. So game magazines will go that route any day now. If that comes to pass, I'll just stop reading game magazines altogether. Because that would make me more than a little upset. The only thing I'll do is poke online sometimes to read game news, that's about it.

I would have to say Rinoa from Final Fantasy VIII. She has that cute, playful look that just speaks to me. Although the 3rd worst game in the series (1st & 2nd place goes to FF 13 & 12, respectively), I'd play it again just for her. lol.

Oh yeah, Final Fantasy VI was the masterpiece. That game yanked me out from being a total dweeb as a mainstream gamer into super hardcore I am today. I don't have to explain it to the choir. FF7 was a good RPG but was not well put together like FF6. So it not making the top 100 list of all time is a major bummer and an insult to true gamers out there. But then, it's G4. I wouldn't trust their reviews and opinions too much. They cater to the mainstream audience on "what's hot" right now kinda mentality. They don't really know what a good game is all about. # 47. Must Eh? What the mess is a game called "Must?" If it's on the top 100, you better believe I've at least heard of it. I've been playing video games constantly for 24 years, and I never heard anybody mention that game nor seen it anywhere. Oh wait, it "must" be a typo. Should be Myst. Hehe. I think those here who wondered why Myst is not in the list. This is your answer. # 99. Words With Friends They got this game but no Dragon Quest nor Indigo Prophecy? Dragon Quest series was and is the premiere RPG in popularity and greatness. It even rivaled Final Fantasy as a top-tier RPG worldwide. Indigo Prophecy wasn't highly popular but was a terrific game at its own right. I think it deserves at least # 99 at the least. Created by Quantic Dream, always known for their original storyline, great characters, music, and odd-ball adventure elements. Sony even premiered their E3 2012 Press Conference with Beyond: Two Souls--the latest from Quantic Dream. People applauded when it was showcased at E3. They shouldn't base the Top 100 on how many copies sold. They should based it on how good the game is in the total package. # 95. Burger Time # 86. Out Run # 83. Ninja Gaiden They got these titles but no Shinobi? Come on, Burger Time wasn't that fun. It was fun for about 10-20 mins if that, and it's just boring and repetitive. The same can be said about Out Run. Shinobi and its sequels were challenging and fun for a long time, at least until you beat it. Not to mention, ninja magic never gets old! Ninja Gaiden is a great title, only comparable to Shinobi. # 67. Minecraft Ok, the above title is pretty fun. But where is SimCity? Building an entire city or place to live in always feels great. Especially when you combine it with traditional gameplay like in Actraiser or Dark Cloud. Just because its the latest craze, doesn't mean it beats the original idea that came before it. # 35. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Hmm, a good title in the Castlevania series. But if you don't include Super Castlevania IV, then might as well don't do a list at all. If you can have 4 Mario titles in a top 100 list, you can have at least two Castlevania titles in it. Castlevania is way up there as the game series that brought video games to the top, right next to Zelda, Mario, Metroid, and Mega Man. # 92. Galaga Although a great classic, I believe that Konami took the concept to new levels in Gradius and Life Force as the epitome of 2D space shooters. In fact, I found Gradius to be a lot more challenging and more varieties in level designs. Definitely a great improvement over Galaga as a shooter. If they are going to have Metal Gear Solid to represent its series, they should do the same for space shooters. # 81. Resident Evil Although a representative of the modern survival horror genre, Resident Evil 2 was more polished and a better game overall. Sure, I bought the Playstation One just for Resident Evil. The 2nd in the series really put me into the survival horror fan mode due its better voice acting, better action, scarier and exciting moments, and introduction of the Licker is the staple of the series! # 3. Bioshock As someone mentioned before, Bioshock, though a good game, should not be in the top 3 titles of all time. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time or original Legend of Zelda are much better titles overall. I think they just didn't want Mario and Zelda to occupy the top 3. But what can I say, good games will always kick the wannabes off the top. # 4. Asteroids Blah, Space Invaders should have been here instead of # 40. It was just one of the most fun games during the Atari era. Plus, the coop aspect just made it even better. I played that game with buddies for weeks and months because of that. Asteroids gets boring and is difficult to get into, while Space Invaders...anybody can pick up and play right away and get addicted to it. # 1. Super Mario Bros. You know, the original Super Mario Bros was a great intro to an awesome platformer. But Super Mario World takes the best of the first 3 games and combined them for the best game of all time. The G4 Top 100 didn't even mention Super Mario World. Now that's just plain stupid.

Yes sir, I played it at a local game store with some buddies. Cool game, very fun coop action. Soul Blazer (SNES)