Ooyah

Somewhat bizarrely, I had a sudden urge to play Diablo 3! So I started a new campaign in that, as a Barbarian. Looks like I dropped off it after 20 hours before, so let's see what happens this time. I will also be tempted to tinker more with my decks in Metal Slug Attack Reloaded. Have resisted the NES Championships thing... it just feels too "slight" and familiar. Have a great weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

@acbarebear @ironcore I wonder if this was a conscious decision by Nintendo, considering how often online leader boards find their top ten filled with hackers registering times below one second? So often, it is so hard to tell if times are legit or not. I find that really mars online leaderboards for me. Friend leader boards would work, though!

I will be tempted, but it has the feel of something that I have already played too many times. I wish they'd chosen an arena which feels fresher than NES games, to be honest.

I would just like to officially state that I am probably not working on Emio. Just to get that out of the way.

It's just utter chaos, really, isn't it? 😆

@BillyB I had a tape of the Outrun music too! I think it came with C and VG, maybe? I remember that it had music from 720° on the other side. I listened to it so much, I wore it out! 😆 Yeah, the Speccy and the C64 had some amazing arcade conversions. Rainbow Islands was incredible too. I hope you continue to enjoy Parasol Stars!

I finally upgraded to a 1TB SD card! Had to archive a lot of games to make the transfer, so am now re-downloading everything. And... even though I have the physical on (never-ending!) pre-order from Strictly Limited, I downloaded the digital version of Parasol Stars. Still magical and gorgeous, even after all these years. Am still playing Metal Slug Attack: Reloaded, but am probably almost done with it now. Maybe! 😆 Also... I picked up some Evercade carts for my new Super Pocket, so will check those out. Yeah, I really treated myself this week... but I will leave the guilt until later!!! 😆 Have a great weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

@Ristar24 Believe it or not, I can still remember reading about this in Zzap!64. The headline was "Parasol Stars Scuppered". I was so gutted, particularly as the C64 ports of Bubble Bobble and Rainbow Islands were both sensational.

@joey302 Crikey. Well, we can always keep an eye on their excellent status updates, which always seem to be "ROM is currently in testing"... because, of course, it takes well over a year to test a ROM! Yep!!! 😆 It is particularly baffling in this specific case, as they have just released it digitally! I think it's because they still have (at the time of writing) "54% left" of their 2,500 allocation. They're probably waiting to sell more, although that seems unlikely now! Whatever is going on, it's pretty shoddy!

@-wc- It's funny that you should mention this, as I just became aware of it last week! Evercade have another Data East cart coming in November, and it is on there. I was only familiar with the other Joe & Mac games up to that point. Is it good? Would be lovely to hear what you think about it, if you have a moment. I was certainly intrigued to learn of it!

@BillyB Yep, it's much closer to Bubble Bobble than Rainbow Islands. It's in the same "elimination" genre. The "throwing" mechanic reminds me a bit of Rodland. That is also fantastic, and would be in my all time top ten (along with Bubble Bobble and Rainbow Islands!). I love this kind of game. Snow Bros. too!

@AllieKitsune True! I just think that I would prefer a slightly cheaper option, to be honest. As a Taito nut, though, it has always been a constant temptation!

God only knows when Strictly Limited plan to ship this (if ever!), so I downloaded it. Absolutely brilliant game. Looks simply gorgeous, and plays like a dream. Bubble Bobble, Rainbow Islands, and this constitute a simply staggering trilogy, the best ever, in my opinion. Now if only there was an easy way to access Symphony and Memories...

I have this on an Evercade cart, but haven't played it yet! I must address that. Also, I'm glad to see Cool Spot being mentioned! I had that on the Amiga, it's fantastic... full of character and charm! But I guess that licensing issues would mess that one up these days. ☹️

That's a bit more like it! Nice selection. Dead Connection looks interesting. I consider myself to be quite a fan of Taito, but I've never heard of that one! Still no Chase HQ, though. It isn't on the Taito edition of the Super Pocket, either. Hopefully we will see it somewhere soon, as people seem to be very fond of it. Come on, Taito... "Let's go, Mr. Driver!" 😆

Cats and fish, living together... MASS HYSTERIA!

The NA cover is rather charming, I feel, but the EU/Japan one gets my vote. I too love the expression on the face of the guy doing the punching... "Oh no! Who left that manhole open! I didn't mean for that to happen!" 😆

I absolutely adored the last Shin-Chan game, it was magical. I am not sure if this will be quite as absurd, but if it has the same warmth and charm, I will be all over this.

@FishyS So, the Rabbit game has a dedicated "tantrum" button? I think that you have just sold me on this one! 😆

I had to check my calendar at first! 😆 But this actually looks fantastic... and hilarious. It is so nice to see something fun like this. I've never tried an entry in this series, but my interest is definitely piqued! I will look forward to seeing more. The movement in particular looks lovely.

I have mainly been plugging away at Metal Slug Attack: Reloaded. Somehow, I have passed 50 hours already, I have no idea how. Even though some of the difficulty spikes are absolutely insane, I have been thoroughly enjoying it. So I will be carrying on with that. I am already eyeing up Battle Cats, which has just dropped in the EU eshop! 😆 I hear that it is similar, but better. I have also just picked up a Super Pocket! Taito edition, of course. 😊 Thought that I would, ahead of the release of the Thalamus Collection. Can't wait to play C.R.E.A.T.U.R.E.S. and Summer Camp again. Have a great weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

I don't usually criticise but, my goodness... people will post anything these days. What will the next innovation be? I mean... if I Pat Cashed into my Gamecube, would that mean it is now a toilet? For crying out loud!

EDIT: Sorry... man, have I been in a bad mood today! Stroppy Ooyah... 😆

I'm really looking forward to the Thalamus collection on Evercade. Back in the day, I adored C.R.E.A.T.U.R.E.S. and Summer Camp, and I am anxious to see if they hold up still. I think that they will. I re-played Kokotoni Wilf the other day, and absolutely loved it!

Balatro, for me. Am over 230 hours now, and still playing. Has been a while since a game gripped me quite this hard. The only other contender that I have so far is Library Of Ruina, which blew me away. Although I should mention Pocket Card Jockey also!

Ah, they got the D and the K the wrong way around. This is a Kong Dong game, correct? Well, even with that mistake, I will go for the Europe cover.

Am still finding time for Balatro (have just crossed over 230 hours), but have been sucked into Metal Slug Attack: Reloaded. It is very simple, very grindy, and features some insane difficulty spikes... but I really like it. There's something rather satisfying about it, and, of course, it simply oozes charm, and looks gorgeous. I'm a bit stuck at the moment, but will try to find a way through! Have a great weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

"Hey, why don't you come back to my place, and I can show you my Kong Dong..."
SLAP
"...arcade machine."

I miss Skidmarks!

The game, that is. Just to be clear. Ahem.

Am still effectively maining Balatro. I reached the 13th Ante again, and was playing hands worth billions, but it was still nowhere near enough to reach the 14th. I also took a chance on Metal Slug Attack: Reloaded. Am not sure what to make of it so far, so I need a bit more time on that one. Am still plodding along with Library Of Ruina and Paper Mario: TTYD. Have a great weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

@WiiWareWave Yep! But, as I say, I strove to make the list realistic, so...

But, being serious for a moment (if I can manage that! 😆)... I can't help but think that Sega may want to exploit their Saturn library in other ways first. Having said that... Guardian Heroes on the Switch? Yes please!

It is the day of the Direct, which means... predictions! So... I think this update means that we will see more systems added to the Online service. Gamecube, Wii, Mega CD... Virtua Boy, Neo Geo, PC Engine... Atari 2600, Intellivision, Magnavox Odyssey, Amiga, Atari ST, Spectrum, C64, Vic 20, Amstrad CPC 464, BBC Micro, Dragon 64, and Oric. Of course, I have tried to stay realistic here.

Funny how he says he didn't want to make the game too difficult. Maybe I'm just rubbish but, man, I really struggled with this game! To be honest, I found it ridiculously hard. One of the most stressful games that I have played in recent years. I loved it, but it made me suffer! 😆

@Teksetter It's all speculation, as, in the end, she BRAvely Defaulted.

@Teksetter That is an unbralievably great comment!

@Tyranexx You're quite right... all those Switch carts would make snuggling very uncomfortable indeed. She was probably more focused on the crime at hand, though.

Sorry... couldn't resist! 😆

Sounds like a good attempt. Bra-vo, I say!

I really like the EU/NA cover, but "Violence Killer" is such an excellent name that I just cannot see past that. "I will now kill you, using violence!" So Japan it is! 😆

@garfreek Hey there! I too didn't enjoy Boggly Woods that much in the Gamecube version, but I found it much less of a chore in the remake. I remember my favourite part being on the train... I just loved the atmosphere and mystery of that section, so I am very much looking forward to reaching that bit soon!

Still can't stop playing Balatro. 😆 215 hours, Collection complete, and it just does not get boring. My new aim is to reach the 14th Ante. Goodness knows how, though! Have just started Chapter 4 in Paper Mario: TTYD. Am still also immersed in Library Of Ruina and Wizardry. I also picked up Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown in the sale. I consider Sands Of Time to be a masterpiece, so let's see how this one compares. Have a lovely weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

SWOS was an extraordinary achievement... I would definitely have it down as the best footie game ever. I was somewhat deterred from this one by the presence of the word "Sociable"... I thought that it would be more online focused. If that isn't the case, I will go for this very soon. If only it had the amazing SWOS song! 😆

Is the publisher of "Call Of Honor - Duty Of Warfare" really called "Help Me, Please"? 😆Quick Google... nope! Naughty Gavin! Did make me chuckle, though!

Another thumbs up for the new layout from me! I think that the tables are much easier to scan now. Thank you!

Am still loving Balatro! Over 200 hours now... the Collection is complete. All difficulties done except Gold. It is nice to have all of the Jokers and decks unlocked. Am also carrying on with Library Of Ruina, Wizardry, and Paper Mario: TTYD. Am very much enjoying all four games! Have a great weekend, guys, and take great care of yourselves out there.

@Diogmites Ah, thank goodness! Try to take it easy, and I hope that the rest of your recovery is really smooth. I'm still struggling a bit post-concussion, and my mouth is a wreck, but I will get there!

@Diogmites That sounds really uncomfortable and scary. I hope that the surgery went well, and I wish you a really speedy recovery.

I played this to completion on the Xbox 360, and I remember really enjoying it. The combat is fun, and the upgrade mechanics are really engaging. I'm quite surprised to see it make a comeback like this, but I will be tempted to play it again!

Surely we must get a Magikarp Squishmallow soon!

I played and "completed" Animal Well, but Wizardry gets my vote this month. So much love and care has been poured into it, and I have greatly enjoyed my time with it so far. Recommended for any fans of old-school first person dungeon crawlers!

Following last week's thriller, I think this one will be a bit more straightforward! Japan by a mile, I think.

@Chibi It's quite common for gamers to own more than one system. There are always games available on one system, but not others. What is so strange about that? I like the variety myself. Not everyone is only playing Switch games all of the time. Why shouldn't other systems be mentioned?