☆ Happy Meal Mario Madness Returns ☆ @McDonaldsCorp #GamersUnite

A few weeks back I noticed a press release detailing that Mario and the crew would soon be back in the Happy Meals boxes.........I never eat McDonalds BUT when it comes to Mario figures then I had to take one for the team!

I've been excited to see what was on offer for the last few weeks and over the weekend I got the chance to sample some of the Happy Meal delights and this is the Mario loot I uncovered.....

☆ Pang Man Part 15 – Cool Stores: Hamleys (Regent Street) ☆ #GamersUnite

Pang Man has been on his travels again and this time he has nipped over to Regents Street in London for a trip down to the legendary Toy Shop ...... Hamleys Of London!

☆ Spectrum Addict The Movie ☆ @AndyRemic #retrogaming #gamersunite #kickstarter

I've just finished watching the trailer for the Kickstarter "Spectrum Addict - The Movie" and I've fallen head over heels for this cool sounding retrogaming project!

☆ My All Time Favourite Ninja Video Games ☆ #Retrogaming #Gamersunite

Ninjas are cool - FACT
Every little boy growing up in the 80's wanted to be a Ninja - FACT
Ninja Video Games are awesome! - FACT

☆ "A WINNER IS YOU!" ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

A quote from a video game can stick with you forever.

Some are thought provoking, some are iconic but most are funny!

There's some great websites out there that use video games quotes as their basis such as my friends at classicallytrained.net who utilise video game quotes to teach us valuable life lessons (check the site out when you get a chance, i'll be reviewing Jon Harrison's book soon so watch out for that)

Today I want to share with you some of my favourite video games quotes from down the years.

☆ "This Book Is A Dungeon (This Dungeon Is A Book)" ☆ #GamersUnite @nmeunier

So i'll confess immediately that i'm a BIG fan of Nathan Meunier.....

Nathan is a cool freelance writer (mainly video games related) who shares his techniques with budding writers like myself.

Of course this is cool in itself.........BUT.........

You just gotta see what Nathan has brought out now.....its mega cool on many levels!

☆ LEGO Arcade Machine Perfection ☆ @BrothersBrick #Retrogaming #Lego #Gamersunite

 

Video Games & Lego are the perfect mix.

Everyone loves Video Games …. Right?

Everyone loves Lego …. FACT!

☆ Down To Margate With All My Retrogaming Family ☆ @ReplayEvents #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

We've had PLAY Blackpool and now it's almost time for PLAY Margate........

Are YOU Ready For The Video Gaming Time Of YOUR LIFE Player ONE?

☆ The Mystical Four World Warriors ☆ #Retrogaming #Gamersunite #StreetFighterV

They were the untouchable street fighters........

They had an allure and an aura about them......

They struck fear into a generation of gamers........

They were the greatest world warriors we'd ever seen.........

They were Balrog, Vega, Sagat & M Bison

🧔 My Video Gaming Facial Haired Heroes 🧔 #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

Facial Hair seems to be everywhere right now. A clean-shaven bloke is now a rarity and it would seem that beards and moustaches are here to stay in the world of mandom.

So in honour of the hirsute man I have compiled a nice list of mainly retrogaming bearded fellows who rock the best beards.

Let's take a walk down Beard Road and stick a left down Moustache alley into the world of fuzzy pixel faces.........

My Modification Nightmare 🎮 #GamersUnite #Nintendo @nintendorepair

Have You Ever Started Something And Wish You Hadn't?

Well, recently I had that sinking feeling consume me after I started to mod my Nintendo DS Lite with what I thought was a simple piece of DIY.....

A DS Lite case swap......

☆ A Retrogaming Virtual Reality Experience Like No Other "Pixel Ripped 1989" ☆ @pixelripped @Anagamedev @StefKeegan #Retrogaming #GamersUnite #OculusRift

Well this Kickstarter has got the lot........... Virtual Reality Retrogaming A game within a game  Created by a Pie Maker from Brazil!! Created by Brazil's FIRST VR Developer! Intrigued? I am...........

☆ Atari The Box Art Oil Paintings ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

Have you ever wanted to see the classic Atari retro gaming cartridge and box art recreated in beautiful oil paintings?

I'm pretty sure I heard you say YES.....

Good, Read On!

☆ The Atari 800 And Me ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite #Atari

The retro gaming machine that holds a dear place in my heart has to be the Atari 800 XE/XL.

 

I've written about this ugly duckling of the computer games world before and how it came into my possession as a second choice to the ZX Spectrum.

 

I've grown to love this grey beauty and even more so as I look back on the many hours that I spent loading tapes and playing some of the cool games that introduced me to the wonderful world of 8-bit computers.

 

So the question is, which games do I fondly remember the most on my beloved Atari 800……..let's take a look, shall we?

☆ Come & Get Your Retrogaming Amiibos! ☆ #Retrogaming #Amiibo

I haven't been one to get involved in the Amiibo scene thus far.

I looked at the figures and thought they were neat but never really fancied collecting them as I don't own a Wii U and kind of think what is the point if I can't use them for what they intended for.

Well.....that view may have just changed!

☆ PIXELS - Playing Cards For Retro Gamers ☆ @weTakeBreath #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

Cool Playing Cards Always Seem To Prove Popular On Kickstarter And These Ones really Caught My Eye.....

Let me introduce YOU To PIXELS Playing Cards made specifically for Video Games Fans like you and me....

☆ Has There Even Been A Better Time To Be A Retro Gamer? ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

As I strolled into work in the London sunshine (which is good for the soul) it dawned on me that it's an awesome time to be a retrogaming gamer.

 

I can't remember any period of time where an appreciation for what has come before in the world of video games has been so strong.

☆ The Toys You Pestered Your Parents For (30 years ago) ☆ #GamersUnite #Retrogaming

I often take a peek in the local Charity Shops for some retrogaming bargains. Often there is a deluge of Playstation 2 FIFA games and not much else. 

Sometimes there's the odd gem but mainly it's a bit of a let down. The best purchase I have made is a Game Cube for £5 and also I managed to find a Playstation 1 version of Street Fighter Alpha.

Then more recently I took a trip to a Charity Shop near work and was taking a peek at the books section when I came across a book called TV CREAM TOYS………………

☆ Another Games Freezer 10 Links Video Games Roundup... ☆ #GamersUnite #Retrogaming

Another Busy Week In The Freezer Has Left Me With Loads Of Things To Share With You But With Not Enough Time In The Day To Do So....

So I thought i'd give you all a run down of tehe coolest things I came across on my retrogaming travels this week....

Eyes down for a full house, get your browsers primed for a Games Freezer 10 Links Video Games Roundup!

☆ Behold The Mighty POWER UP! ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

Over the history of video games there have been many examples of video game characters who collect a particular on screen item and transform into another guise completely or gain a certain attribute that makes the game even more fun.

It got me thinking about the characters over the years who have had the most entertaining and enduring on screen transformations through the use of power ups.

Take a look at my picks and let me know which characters you would add to this list….

☆ The Second Coming ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

As I was making my way into work this morning I was just thinking how I hadn't heard too much of an update on the recreated Spectrum in a while and then lo and behold an update drops into the Games Freezer mail basket!

☆ The Handheld That Almost Passed Me By.... ☆ #GamersUnite

Having never been one to keep up with current trends in video games I tend to focus my efforts on obtaining the retro gaming systems from the past that I owned and loved or the ones that I wish I had owned.

 

More recently though I have been dabbling in looking out for more current consoles that are now available at super cheap prices.

 

One such console that I recently acquired fitted the super cheap bill perfectly and it's now something that I just can't put down…..

☆ Was There Ever An A-Team Video Game? ☆ #GamersUnite #Retrogaming

I'm a big fan of the A-Team (who isn't?!) I was just thinking today that I can't ever recall an A-Team video game.

You can imagine that there is plenty of potential with an A-Team game for a squad-based tactical shooter of some kind. 

You could have some RPG elements in there and some great potential storyline and side missions.

Imagine the fun you could have with modding the van with all sorts of cool add ons.

At this point, I did what everyone does in this situation and googled it......

This is what I found...

☆ Talking About My Generation ☆ @bitmap_books @C64Reloaded @Spelpappan #Retrogaming #Commodore64 #GamersUnite

Those cool cats at Bitmap Books are masters at producing the most awesome video games related books and now they are looking to make an english version of a Swedish book called Generation 64.

If you are a Commodore fan then read on.....

If you are not...........then READ ON anyway....you're going to love this book...

☆ A Championship Manager Cult Legend Retires ☆ @90sfootball #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

Every version of Championship Manager always seemed to have that player that you just had to purchase but wasn't that well known and actually may not have been that well known but they proved to be the bedrock of any team that you built on the mighty CM.

One of those such players has now reached the end of his career and retires with a career in football that didn't quite live up to it's ratings and wonderkid status in Champ Manager!

His name is................

☆ Beans Beans Good For Your Heart ☆ @kumobius @tcmg @zzymyn #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

Do you like your platform games to be old school?

Do you like to smile as you play?

Do you like to tap your foot as you play to brilliantly crafted retro platformer tunes?

Well, I think I've found the game for you………

☆ Classic Console Magazine ☆ @cconsolemag #retrogaming #gamersunite

My favourite retro gaming read at the moment has got to be Classic Console Magazine...This free magazine is full of retro gaming goodies and I thought i'd point you in the direction of where to grab this cool publication so you too can enjoy this monthly morsel of gaming goodness...

☆ Silent But Violent ☆ @SilentAgeGame @houseonfiredk @u9i #Android #GameDev #GamersUnite

I'm constantly looking for a game on Android that I can lose myself in for hours on end. It's been a quest for me since I was given my Nexus 7 for Christmas a couple of years back.

 

The thing is, it's pretty rare to find an Android game that can actually consume me for more than a few sittings.

 

So far the only games that I have truly immersed myself in on Android are:

 

• The Walking Dead Season 1&2

&

• Limbo

 

Until now that is……………….

☆ Let's Do The Video Games 'All Nighter' ☆ #GamersUnite #Retrogaming

Being a gamer of a certain age with kids means that when it comes to all video games 'all nighters' they are sadly a thing of the past.

But I fondly remember those times when I would buy a game and have the freedom to play it till the sun came up.....and then i'd go to sleep, wake up at lunch time and play it some more!

☆ Website Of The Day - "Games That Weren't" ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

I first came across this awesome website when I visited this years PLAY Blackpool in March.

GTW had two tables set up with various examples of games that weren't and from that moment on they had my attention.

☆ Take A Trip Through Four Realms ☆ @Hugebot #GameDev #Kickstarter #GamersUnite

I've been following the progress of Four Realms for a while now and now Hugebot are ready to unleash this cool retro styled game on Steam Greenlight and Kickstarter.

Let's check back in on developer Del Mason to get a full update on all things Four Realms.

☆ Let's Plan A Prison Paradise ☆ @IVSoftware @PrisonArchitect

Alpha 34 , now that seems like a lot of Alphas doesn't it?

 

I suppose it is but hey why not take the time to get this game right?

Prison Architect has everything I like in a game.

 

It's simple on the surface but then as you get underneath those tasty layers it exposes you to things that you never thought that you would need to consider.

☆ A Commodore 64 Story For Us All ☆ @Retro_Fusion #Kickstarter #Retrogaming #C64

My appetite for retro gaming related books continues and is routinely appeased by the plethora of cool books that seem to be emanating from the retro gaming community with great success.....

The one i'm excited about today is the latest awesome book project from fusion retro books.......

☆ Mr Iwata - Corporate President - Developer - Gamer ☆ #RIPIwata #GamersUnite #Nintendo

Having seen the news break on Twitter and now read many of the tributes to the great man it seems like words can't really do justice to what Satoru Iwata meant to everyone (and not just gamers).

What really comes through from the tributes and quotes is the fact that the man was a gamer foremost and corporate president last. 

His sense of fun runs through the core of everything Nintendo does and will do forever more.

In honour of this wonderful man I have scoured the internet for the best fan art tributes and articles that really give you a sense of how much Iwata San will be missed.....

☆ Giant Ants EVERYWHERE!! ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite #SEGA

For a while now the long awaited Megadrive Version of IT CAME FROM THE DESERT has been in production from Cinemaware after a successful Kickstarter campaign

On the news front it had gone silent for a long while......

Then this week I received some promising news on its progress.......

☆ PLAY it! - Manchester Is Coming......Are YOU Ready? ☆ @ReplayEvents #GamersUnite #Retrogaming

We've Been Passed Some Really Exciting News About A Video Gaming Event Called PLAY it! Manchester......

Those cool dudes at Replay Events have been busy again and have pulled together another awesome sounding event!

You Can't Afford To Miss This...........

☆ Save Your Progress? >Yes No ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

It's been a while since I had the pleasure of of slotting a Game Boy cartridge into the back of the Game Boy and firing up a game of Super Mario Land.

 

But that's exactly what I did this morning on my commute into the office.

 

Earphones in, Game Boy out and away we go……..

☆ My Very Own Video Games Console Book Idea ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

Yes I have about a thousand ideas a year about video games related projects.

 

Whether that be retro gaming related books, arcade machines, retro gaming barcades, retro gaming shops and all sorts of other video game related projects, my brain seems to be constantly thinking about a way to channel my love of video games into something tangible.

☆ Super Retro Summer Sports Games ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

This super summer sunshine, Ashes Cricket and Wimbedon Tennis has got me in the mood to play some super cool summer sports.

 

Obviously when I say 'play', I mean dust off some cool retro games and get playing some of the best summer games related games of the last 30 years!

 

So let me get my thinking cap on and bombard you with 5 of my favourite Summer Video Games!

☆ Cream Of The Kickstarter Crop - "Legends Of Fire & Steel" ☆ #Kickstarter #GamersUnite @boomzap

Kickstarter is full of awesomeness when it comes to new video game related projects.

My regular Kickstarter sweep of all things video games brings up a whole host of exciting looking projects. 

I just wish I had enough money to back them all!

So instead of trying to back all of these beauties I will be sharing with you 
"The Cream Of The Kickstarter Crop" to spread the word on these amazing projects....

Without further ado, let me introduce you to the first of my Kickstarter favourites....

☆ Grab A Slice Of Terrible Video Games History ☆ @ashens #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

We've all read those online lists of the "WORST GAMES EVER" 

We read them and say things like, 

"Oh yeah I remember that, it was really bad!" 

or 

"Oh yeah I remember that, it wasn't THAT bad!"

Well Stuart Ashen has come up with a book full of terrible games that were so bad that you will never have heard of them........

(at least 99% of them anyway!)

☆ An Encyclopedia Of Atari Knowledge ☆ @thevgatv #Retrogaming #Gamersunite #Atari

The Atari 2600 is the godfather of the consoles and deserves every inch of coverage that it has received over the years.

 

Imagine a world without the Atari 2600…………then imagine a world without the mighty console generations that followed it......that's how important the Atari 2600 is.

☆ The Definitive NES Guide, A New NES Game and Garpage Pail Art! ☆ @GamingVgbs @JoeSimko #Kickstarter #GamersUnite

Kickstarter Campaigns Come And They Go.....

BUT We Can't Just Let This One Just Pass Us By....

Retrogamers You Need The Following Kickstarter Backed Items In YOUR Life

☆ Retrogaming Music To My Ears ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

Video Game music is an often overlooked or under estimated element to a video game.

 

Imagine Gameboy Tetris with another soundtrack! It just wouldn't be Tetris! 

(would it?)

 

I like to think the video game and the music go hand in hand in order to deliver the game experience.

☆ The Alcatraz Barcade Dream ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite @AlcatrazLondon

We've all had the dream of opening up our very own Barcade haven't we?

I've always felt that there are definitely not enough great barcades in London and there is a definite gap in the market for a top Barcade like the Brooklyn Barcade to be opened in London.

I have been in contact with a guy called Marcus Gordon who is looking to make that dream a reality by opening Alcatraz Bar in London.

Alcatraz Bar is currently trying to get funding to open a retro/current console gaming bar in London, with a unique flavour........

☆ Website Of The Day "BOX=ART" ☆ @Gidkilla #retrogaming #gamersunite

If like me you adore great box art and the beautiful Japanese designs that adorn the Japanese versions of games then you will love my Website Of The Day .......

BOX=ART

☆ WIN YOUR VERY OWN SEGA MEGADRIVE ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite #SEGA

How Do You Fancy Getting Your Hands On YOUR VERY OWN Original SEGA Mega Drive?

Read On And I Will Tell You Exactly What YOU Need To Do To Win A Mega Drive Courtesy Of Games Freezer.......

☆ Kickstart A Retrogaming Music Legend ☆ #retrogaming #GamersUnite #Kickstarter

Have you heard of the retrogaming legend Uncle Art?

If you haven't heard of him then you will probably have heard his work before probably without realising it…..

☆ SEGA The Second Coming? ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite #SEGA

Us Retrogaming folk generally hark back to the days of SEGA vs NINTENDO in the console wars era of the 90's or the glory years of Atari and it's always great to reminisce on those days of trailblazing video games when things seemed much simpler.

☆ Fallout 4 Looking Fierce ☆ @BethesdaStudios @Bethblog #PipBoyEdition #fallout4

So E3 is over and I've had some time to reflect on the thing I was soooo excited about…..

 

FALLOUT 4 and its oscars-esque reveal in Hollywood California

☆ Time To Fire Up My NEW SUPER PANTENDO! ☆ @Pantendo #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

I'm always looking for inspiration to start building my very own arcade machine and believe me I have found lots of inspiration but my lack of expertise always seems to let me down.

I'd love to create my own arcade machine BUT I want tit to look good and play well. Something shoddy would make me sad.......

Then recently I stumbled across a really cool project by Dean Taylor called "Super Pantendo"

This has reignited my desire to at least complete one arcade project in my lifetime!

Read Dean's story and see if it inspires YOU like it did ME.......