gamingarchivist-blog

[gamingarchivist-blog]

🕹 Super Mario All-Stars (1993) Developer - @Nintendo Publisher - @Nintendo Genre - Platformer Platform - Super Nintendo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Astounding • "M" is for Mario, who else? 👨🏻🍄 #rcea2z • Super Mario All-Stars (Super Mario Collection in Japan) is a compilation cartridge released on the Super Nintendo. The game compiles together all of the NES Mario games onto one 16 bit cartridge (Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros 2, Super Mario Bros 3 and Super Mario Lost Levels). The lineup is different in Japan due to the discrepancy between Mario Bros 2 across regions. This cartridge was my first introduction to the series in the 90s and still stands out as the definitive way to play these games with updated graphics, sound and the ability to save progress. Another cartridge was also released which also included Super Nintendo exclusive Super Mario World crammed into the same cartridge. The compilation was also brought into the 21st century with the 2010 released on Nintendo Wii. If you own a Super Nintendo then there isn't a chance you don't own this title. Happy #MarioMonday 🙌🏻 • 📖 Suggested Reading - Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America, Jeff Ryan • More on my blog, link in the bio 🎮 • Tags 🏷 #thegamingarchivist #supermarioallstars #16bit #wii #cib #n64 #nintendoswitch #3ds #nintendo #snes #nes #ninstagram #retro #retrocollective #retrocollectiveeurope #amiibo #gaming #gameroom #gamer #retrogaming #retrogamer #igersnintendo #nin10do #pokemon #vintage #zelda #mario #pikachu (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

[gamingarchivist-blog]

🕹 Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (2010) Developer - Traveller's Tales Publisher - Warner Bros Interactive Genre - Action/adventure Platform - Nintendo Wii ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Admirable • "L" is for Lego! This is a great addition to the Lego games #rcea2z • Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 has the difficult task of guiding the player through the first four Harry Potter books. Similar to the other Lego games the game is at its best when played as a couch co-op game. Many aspects of the gameplay is enhanced by players working teaming up to solve a puzzle. Tackling four separate story threads is not easily achieved. The game's pacing is near perfect and depending on how much a completionist you are it can take from 2-6 hours per book. The game is hilarious in parts and doesn't take itself too seriously - the characters from the franchise are effectively brought to life in Lego form. Playing the game solo however takes away greatly from the experience, so much so that it begins to lose its appeal and charm. This is the best video game interpretation of the Harry Potter franchise and its sequel - Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 adds even more game time - just be sure to share the experience with someone else. ⚡️ • 📖 Suggested Reading: The Cult of Lego, John Baitchal • More on my blog, link in the bio 🎮 • Tags 🏷 #thegamingarchivist #harrypotter #lego #wii #cib #n64 #nintendoswitch #3ds #nintendo #snes #nes #ninstagram #retro #retrocollective #retrocollectiveeurope #amiibo #gaming #gameroom #gamer #retrogaming #retrogamer #igersnintendo #nin10do #pokemon #vintage #zelda #mario #pikachu (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

[gamingarchivist-blog]

🕹 Canis Canem Edit (2006) Developer - @Rockstar Vancouver Publisher - @Rockstar Genre - Action-adventure Platform - PlayStation 2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Awesome • Canes Canem Edit is the PAL title for Bully - first released on the PlayStation 2 in 2006. Players control new student at the school "Jimmy Hopkins". The school is Bullworth academy a fictional New England grammar school who's open world is filled with a wide variety of students and teachers. Prior to release the game was subject to a wealth of controversy. Rockstar's other releases (the Grand Theft Auto series) shoved the developer under the microscope of video game naysayers everywhere. The vocal minority claimed that the game trivialised and glorified schoolground bullying. When the game was released however these concerns turned out to be largely unfounded. The game excels in creating a fun simulation of a grammar school experince and it's open world - although nowhere near the size of other sandbox games - takes advantage of this by packing the hallways with things to do. The game is letdown by poor camera work and an array of plain and dull mini games. Overall it's an interesting experience playing this game a decade later. Although a very novel game it doesn't quite pack the same punch it did back in 2006. This may be due to wealth of open world games that sit on store shelves today. It's a game hard to recommend unless it's for a nostalgia kick; I'd suggest choosing a newer more well crafted open world adventure. • #Cisfor for Canis Canem Edit #cib with a fold out poster/map • 📖 Suggested reading: Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto • Tags 🏷 #thegamingarchivist #caniscanemedit #bully #ps2 #sega #nintendo #gamecube #n64 #gamereview #snes #nes #ninstagram #retro #retrocollective #rceurope #instagamer #amiibo #gaming #nintendo #playstation #xbox #gamer #retrogaming #retrogamer #instagamer #pokemon #vintage #zelda #mario #instablogger #xbox (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

[gamingarchivist-blog]

🕹 BioShock Developer - @2K Games Publisher - @2K Games Genre - First-person Shooter Platform - Xbox 360 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Astounding • 💭 "A man chooses, a slave obeys" • The Bathysphere sits on the Coast of Bermuda. It's a tank that can be lowered deep into the heart of open water and through this vessel one can see all the mysteries of marine life. It's here that BioShock's story begins. It's the year 1960 and our protagonist simply named 'Jack' stumbles upon this contraption after his aeroplane crashes into the ocean and discovers the secret world of Rapture. A world left in chaos after entrepreneur Andrew Ryan's utopian vision has fallen into disrepute. The world of Rapture is stunningly presented to the player as a living and breathing world. The story we uncover through the eyes of Jack is one of of a world torn apart and shows the severe flaws in an objectivist ideology. The story is as deep as the player would like it to be- for the less story motivated mind there is still a great deal of fun to be had with the games combat system. For those looking for more there is a series of audio diaries to collect that add an unnerving sense of realism. The gun play isn't revolutionary but it has enough variation to keep the player interested. The inhabitants of this derelict and eerie setting are genetically mutated humans known as splicers. Rapture's Art Deco hallways are alive with a real heir of horror and mystery. BioShock is my favourite game of this generation. The games perfect blend of storytelling and compelling gameplay have kept me coming back for more. If you haven't played BioShock already then would you kindly make this your next game? • More to come on my blog about the fascinating history of this game and many more on my blog which is currently under construction 🛠 • 📸 Photo credit @thegamingarchivist (me) • Tags 🏷 #thegamingarchivist #bioshock #xbox360 #nintendo #gamecube #n64 #gamereview #snes #nes #ninstagram #retro #retrocollective #rceurope #instagamer #amiibo #gaming #nintendo #gameroom #playstation #xbox #gamer #retrogaming #retrogamer #igersnintendo #instagamer #pokemon #vintage #zelda #mario (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

[gamingarchivist-blog]

🕹 E.T the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Developer - Atari Publisher - Atari Genre - Adventure Platform - Atari 2600 ⭐️ Atrocious • The Video Game Crash of 1983 will go down in history as one the most infamous events in gaming history. Flashback to 1983 and industry pioneers Atari were at the peak of the power. After booming sales of their home console (Atari 2600) they were the market leader and all seemed well. Unbeknownst to them over-saturation of the market was just around the corner. The volume of games released soared - the quality of these games plummeted. Customers became savvy to this trend and began returning the games in droves causing multiple leading publishers to buckle under the weight of unwanted stock. E.T the Extra-Terrestrial is the shining example of this trend and is commonly referred to as 'the worst video game of all time'. The game was rushed to release soon after the movies release in 1983. In complete contrast the movie, which was a critical and commercial success, the game was dull and uninspired in every possible way. A decision to entirely skip audience testing for the game is often cited as the reason this game was ever released. On release the game was produced in excessive volume - so excessive that when the game was released and hit the market - Atari were left with thousands of unwanted games with no potential customer. This surplus stock was famously buried in the desert in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Even with the game being so poor - it can still be seen as one of the most important games to ever be released. It was a wake up call for game developers that effectively spawned the thriving video game industry we see today. Terrible- but remarkably influential. 🌵👽 • More to come on my blog about the fascinating history of this game and many more on my blog which is currently under construction 🛠 • 📸 Photo credit @thegamingarchivist (me) • Tags 🏷 #thegamingarchivist #atari #et #atari2600 #gamecube #n64 #gamereview #snes #nes #ninstagram #retro #retrocollective #retrocollectiveeurope #instagamer #amiibo #gaming #nintendo #gameroom #playstation #xbox #gamer #retrogaming #retrogamer #igersnintendo #instagamer #gamer #pokemon #vintage # (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

[gamingarchivist-blog]

🕹 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2003) Developer - @Nintendo Publisher - @Nintendo Genre - Action/Adventure Platform - Nintendo Gamecube ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Awesome • The most striking thing about The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is the game's art style. The games cel shaded style caught fans somewhat off guard when the game was first previewed early in 2001. The art style was a departure from the series' previous iterations. Toon Link, as he is affectionately called, controls the same as in previous 3D Zelda titles Ocarina of Time and Majora's mask and the same tools and weapons are presented to us. Zelda veterans still have a wealth of dungeons to explore and with this assistance of the personified sail boat "King of the Red Sea" players can explore the world's many islands (some not compulsory) at their own leisure. Overall the experiment paid off with Windwaker and Wii U owners also have the option of a stunning HD remake released in 2013. • More to come on my blog about the fascinating history of this game and many more on my blog which is currently under construction 🛠 • Pictured above is the 2-disc limited edition release with a bonus port of Ocarina of Time 📀 • Tags 🏷 #thegamingarchivist #triforcetuesday #windwaker #link #snes #nes #ninstagram #retro #retrocollective #retrocollectiveeurope #amiibo #gaming #gameroom #gamer #retrogaming #retrogamer #igersnintendo #instagamer #gamer #pokemon #vintage #zelda #mario #pikachu #gamecollection • 📸 All photos taken by me unless stated otherwise (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

[gamingarchivist-blog]

🕹 Banjo-Kazooie (1998) Developer - @Rareltd Publisher - @Nintendo Genre - Platformer Platform - Nintendo 64 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Astounding • Rare spent the 1990s being a second party developer for Nintendo. A partnership formed by the smash hit release of the Donkey Kong Country series. In what can only be described as a golden era for the developer (Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Conker's Bad Fur Day) Banjo-Kazooie was released in 1998 and was a critical and commercial success. Similar to Mario 64 the game operates from a hub world were the 9 non linear levels are presented from the backdrop of Gruntilda's lair. Our protagonist Banjo (previously appeared as a selectable character in Diddy Kong Racing) sets out to save his sister Tooty who has been kidnapped by evil witch Gruntilda. This games biggest strength is in its level design - each of the 9 playable worlds is fully interactive and full of character. This is definitely a must have for any Nintendo 64 collector. • More to come on my blog about the fascinating history of Rare studios who's portfolio of games is easily one of the best in the industry 🛠 • Any suggestions for future games I should cover? Please let me know 🗣 • Tags 🏷 #thegamingarchivist #mariomonday #banjokazooie #rare #microsoft #n64 #gba #3ds #segagenesis #snes #nes #ninstagram #retro #retrocollective #retrocollectiveeurope #amiibo #gaming #gameroom #gamer #retrogaming #retrogamer #igersnintendo #instagamer #gamer #pokemon #vintage #zelda #mario #pikachu #gamecollection • 📸 All photos taken by me (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

[gamingarchivist-blog]

🕹 Kirby's Epic Yarn (2011) Developer - HAL Laborotory/Good-Feel Publisher - @Nintendo Genre - Platformer Platform - Nintendo Wii ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Awesome • Kirby debuted on the Gameboy in Kirby's Dream Land in 1992 and since that date has gone on to star in multiple sequels on both handheld and home console. This was however the first to come to home console since 2003 (Kirby's Air Ride being the former) and sits on the timeline as the tenth game in the franchise. This game stands out from its namesakes - not in its gameplay, which is the same puzzle platform we've come to know and love - but in its art style. The setting for the story is Patch Land - a world completely made of fabric and yarn. Even without HD resolution this game looks incredibly unique and authentic. The developers "Feel-Good" have since gone on to make Yoshi's Wooly World which shares the same texture design and improves on it. The gameplay is standard fair even if a little on the easy side this never becomes an issue due to the games stunning visuals. This is in my opinion one of the best Wii games out there and a real diamond amongst the mounds of shovel-ware available on this system. • More to come about the fascinating history of this game on my blog which is currently under construction ⚒ • Any suggestions for future games I should cover? Please comment below 🗣 • Tags 🏷 #thegamingarchivist #kirbysepicyarn #kirby #metaknight #wii #sewing #singer #n64 #gba #3ds #segagenesis #snes #nes #ninstagram #retro #retrocollective #retrocollectiveeurope #amiibo #gaming #gameroom #gamer #retrogaming #retrogamer #igersnintendo #instagamer #pokemon #vintage #zelda #mario #pikachu • 📸 All photos taken by me (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

[gamingarchivist-blog]

🕹 Lylat Wars/ Starfox 64 (1997) Developer - @Nintendo Publisher - @Nintendo Genre - Rail Shooter Platform - Nintendo 64 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Astounding • Starfox 64 (or Lylat Wars for PAL audiences) is a sequel to the highly acclaimed snes title Star Fox and was developed by legendary producer Shigeru Miyamoto. The game plays like a love letter to the original and completes Miyamoto's vision of fully immersive 3-D shooter. To compliment this vision a new peripheral was packed in with the game on release called the "rumble pak" which pioneered the rumble features that are seen as an industry standard in modern day gaming. Miyamoto's inspiration for the characters who are all anphimorphic space pilots comes from his love for puppet tv shows such as the muppets and thunderbirds. We play as Fox Mcloud himself and are joined by Falco Lombardi, Slippy Toad and Peppy Hare who's excellent characterisation helps drive the plot and improves the games replay-ability. This is an essential title for any Nintendo fan and stands out as one of the best N64 titles. • #cibsunday with the #playerschoice PAL release. I opted to get the small box version of this game so it fits nicely into the collection. • Any suggestions for future games I should cover? Please comment below 🗣 • Tags 🏷 #thegamingarchivist #lylatwars #starfox64 #starfox #n64 #nintendo64 #segagenesis #snes #nes #ninstagram #retro #retrocollective #retrocollectiveeurope #amiibo #gaming #zelda #link #retrogaming #retrogamer #igersnintendo #instagamer #gamer #pokemon #vintage #game #mario #pikachu #gamecollection • 📸 All photos taken by me (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

[gamingarchivist-blog]

🕹 Pac-Man (1980) Developer - Namco Publisher - Namco Genre - Maze Platform - Arcade/Various ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Awesome • Pac-Man is an iconic game that remains to this day a piece of pop culture history cemented firmly into the 1980s subconscious. Upon release the game earned popularity through word of mouth and became an overnight phenomenon. The game's greatest strength is its quick to learn - hard to master foundation. Pac-Man does have a somewhat hidden complexity. The Ghosts that pursue Pac-Man have different personalities. Shadow (red) chases Pac-Man, Speedy (pink) and Bashful (blue) work together to make traps and Pokey (orange) wanders aimlessly at his own leisure. The follow up arcade release, Ms. Pac-Man, is the definitive version of this game and where I recommend anyone looking for a challenge begin. Overall Pac-Man will forever be seen as one of the first stepping stones into the video game zeitgeist we all know and love today. • More to come about the fascinating history of this game on my blog which is currently under construction ⚒ • Any suggestions for future games I should cover? Please comment below 🗣 • Tags 🏷 #thegamingarchivist #pacman #mspacman #arcade #midway #segagenesis #80s #snes #nes #ninstagram #retro #retrocollective #gaming #gamingsetup #gameroom #gamer #retrogaming #retrogamer #igersnintendo #instagamer #gamer #pokemon #vintage #game #games #mario #pikachu #gamecollection #gamecollector • 📸 All photos taken by me unless stated otherwise (at 17 Below)

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🕹 Disney's Aladdin (1993) Developer - Disney Software/Virgin Games Publisher - @Sega Genre - Action/Platformer Platform - Sega Megadrive/Genesis ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Awesome • When Sega of America purchased the rights for Disney Software to publish Aladdin on the Megadrive in interesting comparison emerged. The 16bit war was in full flux in 1993 and Capcom also released an Aladdin game exclusive to the Super Nintendo and the two iterations were released just weeks apart. It's still an interesting topic for debate about which one is superior. As a Nintendo elitist it pains me greatly to admit that the Sega Megadrive version is superior in my opinion. The reason for this is due in part to the partnership with Disney Software. The animation is stunning and looks like a deleted scene ripped directly from the movie. The animations are smooth and sympathetic to their subject. Safe to say if you feel like sitting down and watching an old Disney movie but you have twitchy fingers - this could be the perfect remedy. • More to come about the fascinating history of this game on my blog which is currently under construction ⚒ • Any suggestions for future games I should cover? Please comment below 🗣 • Tags 🏷 #thegamingarchivist #aladdin #disney #sega #segamegadrive #segagenesis #16bit #90s #snes #nes #ninstagram #retro #retrocollective #gaming #gamingsetup #gameroom #gamer #retrogaming #retrogamer #igersnintendo #instagamer #vintage #igersgaming #vintage #game #games #mario #pikachu #gamecollection #gamecollector (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

[gamingarchivist-blog]

🕹 Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (2002) Developer - Silicon Knights Publisher - Nintendo Genre - Psychological Horror Platform - Gamecube ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Awesome • Originally planned as an N64 title Eternal Darkness is a third person thriller set in Rhode Island. Our protagonist Alexandra Rovias is investigating the suspicious murder of her Grandfather Edward. Upon visiting the mansion she stumbles upon a secret room in the house which contains a book made of human skin and bone. This discovery triggers a story that leaps through locations such as Ancient Persia and the Oubilè Catherdral in France. Silicon Knights achieved something truly unique here and the use of a "Saninty Meter" (depending on the level) can induce fourth wall breaking effects. These effects include simulating a broken tv with a blue screen or changing the tv's volume. These experimental implements are reason enough to try out this title, but this combined with a truly unique story make it well worth your time. • More to come about the fascinating history of this game on my blog which is currently under construction ⚒ • Any suggestions for future games I should cover? Please comment below 🗣 • Tags 🏷 #thegamingarchivist #eternaldarkness #sanitysrequiem #gamecube #nintendogamecube #snes #nes #nintendoswitch #ninstagram #retro #retrocollective #gaming #gamingsetup #gameroom #gamer #retrogaming #retrogamer #igersnintendo #gamingsetup #vintage #igersgaming #game #games #history #mario #pikachu #gamecollection #horror (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

[gamingarchivist-blog]

🕹 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) Developer - Bethesda @bethesdasoftworks Genre - RPG Platform - Xbox 360 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Astounding • Ok, I'll be honest right out of the gate. This is one of my favourite games of all time. Oblivion was released very early in the life cycle of the 369/PS3 generation. The main quest revolves around overthrowing a cult named Mythic Dawn who plan to open the many gateways to another realm called Oblivion. The world of Cyrodill is visually stunning and each town or province has a unique look and feel. The sheer amount of varied side quests is where this game truly excels. Whether you choose to fight in the arena, join the Dark Brotherhood or opt for the Mage's guild there is an incredible wealth of things to do. If you haven't played this one - I implore you do so posthaste. • More to come about the fascinating history of this game on my blog which is currently under construction ⚒ • Any suggestions for future games I should cover? Please comment below 🗣 • Tags 🏷 #thegamingarchivist #elderscrolls #elderscrollsoblivion #xbox #xbox360 #rpg #snes #nes #ninstagram #retro #retrocollective #gaming #gamingsetup #gameroom #gamer #retrogaming #igersnintendo #gamingsetup #vintage #igersgaming #game #games #history #bethesda #gamecollection #xboxgames #xboxgamer #xboxlive (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

[gamingarchivist-blog]

🕹 Golden Axe (1989) Developer - Sega Genre - Beat 'em up Platform - Sega Megadrive/Genesis ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Awesome • Ax Battler the Barbarian, Tyrius Flare the Amazonian and Gilius Thunderhead the Dwarf populate our three character roster. Our heroes seek revenge over Death Adder a Tyrannical Giant who has plunged the mythical land of Yuria into darkness. A quest to obtain the Golden Axe sees players use both magic and hack and slash to maraud through the games relatively short lived story. Golden Axe is one of the standout games in an oversaturated beat 'em up climate and stands the test of time as an essential item for any Sega enthusiast. • More to come about the fascinating history of this game on my blog which is currently under construction ⚒ • Photo credit 📸 @thegamingarchivist (me) • Tags 🏷 #thegamingarchivist #goldenaxe #sega #segagenesis #segamegadrive #sonic #sonicthehedgehog #segasaturn #segadreamcast #gamingsetup #gameroom #retrogaming #igersnintendo #gamingsetup #vintage #igersgaming #game #games #gamerguy #gamer #history #retrocollective #90s #80 #arcade #retroarcade #16bit (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

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Super Mario 64 🕹 Developer- Nintendo • The architecture of the Nintendo 64 is built around the gameplay mechanics of Super Mario 64. A release title for the 64 bit platform the plumbers foray into the 3D space was first conceived as a Super Nintendo game hoping to utilise the Super FX chip. It became quickly clear in development that this game was far too demanding for the SNES however and plans were shelved. The result of this patience is one of the most influential video games of all time... • More to come about the fascinating history of this game on my blog which is currently under construction ⚒ • Photo credit 📸 @thegamingarchivist (me) • Tags 🏷 #nintendo #mario #supermario #supermario64 #n64 #nintendo64 #snes #nes #gba #ds #3ds #gamecube #wii #wiiu #nintendoswitch #ninstagram #retro #retrocollective #gaming #gamingsetup #gameroom (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

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Donkey Kong 1981 Developer- Nintendo • One of the earliest iterations of the platform genre created by the gaming wizard himself Shigeru Miyamoto. This game helped turn Nintendo's fortunes in North America and quickly became one of the most applauded arcade games of it's time... • More to come about the fascinating history of this game on my blog which is currently under construction ⚒ • Photo credit 📸 @thegamingarchivist taken in my favourite watering hole @17belowmcr • Tags 🏷 #nintendo #donkeykong #arcade #arcadecabinet #gameroom #retro #retrogaming #retrocollective #vintage #history #mario #gaming #games #gamer #instagames #ninstagram #videogames (at Manchester, United Kingdom)

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"Players are artists who create their own reality within the game"

Shigeru Miyamoto