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CultureTotal Recall
The Tiniest Little PlayStation You Ever Did See
Sebastián Vargas has a fetish for tiny things. Tiny PlayStations, tiny Game Boys,you name it, if it’s a tiny video game console, he’s got it. These are Japanese gashapon pieces, all of them for old consoles and handhelds, all photographed wonderfully by Vargas. If you like tiny things as much as he does, check out…
By Luke Plunkett Published March 8, 2012 -
CultureTotal RecallAn Inspiring, Sad Interview With the Father of Video Games
If you care about the history of video games, at all, and would like to hear from one of the founding fathers of the medium (who is, remember, a total badass), then please, watch this video interview with Ralph Baer. At times it’s fascinating. Inspiring, even. There’s one point, though, where I actually teared up.…
By Luke Plunkett Published March 7, 2012 -
CultureTotal RecallWhy Peter Molyneux Leaving Microsoft is a Very Good Thing
So, after a decade working almost exclusively with Microsoft for Xbox consoles (and occasionally the PC as well), Lionhead founder Peter Molyneux has called it quits, and will soon be joining British start-up 22 Cans (or Twenty Toucans, if you prefer). It’s a sad day for Microsoft, who bought Lionhead in 2006, but as we’re…
By Luke Plunkett Published March 7, 2012 -
Culture
The Concept Art of Mass Effect 3
So, Mass Effect 3 is now out. And everyone who has played it for a few hours, or even been keeping up with it via trailers and screenshots, knows it’s a very pretty game. Something we’re celebrating here with this look at some of the game’s concept art. If you don’t own the game’s accompanying…
By Luke Plunkett Published March 7, 2012 -
CultureTotal Recall
What is This, Sonic or Mirror’s Edge?
This is from Sonic Advance 3, released on the Game Boy Advance in 2004. But boy, it looks a lot more like a demake of Mirror’s Edge, no? [via Noirlac] Total Recall is a look back at the history of video games through their characters, franchises, developers and trends. You’ll find Total Recall stories every…
By Luke Plunkett Published March 6, 2012 -
CultureTotal RecallThis Game is Terribly Sorry About Michael Jackson, S&M and Dead Japanese Politicians
In Japan, this game was called Gonbee I’m Sorry. In the West, it’s more commonly referred to as just I’m Sorry. But really, it has nothing to be sorry about whatsoever. Because it’s wonderful. Not to play, necessarily. I’ll be honest, I’ve never played it. But just as a thing, as an idea, it’s amazing.…
By Luke Plunkett Published March 6, 2012 -
CultureTotal Recall1943 Gives These Men the Least Satisfying Three Way Ever
Competitive 1943? It doesn’t really exist, but for the purposes of tonight’s episode of Retro Rumble, it does, OK? Watch to see Capcom’s classic shooter put three men through their paces for, well, not money, not trophies, just fame. Internet fame. Which isn’t even real fame, but they’re only playing the game for like a…
By Luke Plunkett Published March 6, 2012 -
CultureTotal RecallHow the NES Made That Funky Echo Sound
Ever wonder how NES games like Ducktales were able to make that distinctive “echo” sound? Wonder no more, with this handy explanation. NES Audio: Demonstrating Reverb/ Echo with Ducktales [Retro Game Audio, via Go Nintendo] Total Recall is a look back at the history of video games through their characters, franchises, developers and trends. You’ll…
By Luke Plunkett Published March 5, 2012 -
Culture
Mass Market
The long-awaited conclusion to the Mass Effect space opera trilogy leads the list of new releases this week. It’s joined by two baseball titles and Capcom’s fighting game crossover with Namco. Tuesday • Mass Effect 3 (PS3, PC, 360) • Mass Effect 3: From Ashes (PC, PSN, XBLA) • LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 (PS…
By Owen Good Published March 4, 2012 -
Culture
Sunday Comics: First-Person Problem
Welcome to your Sunday read of the week’s best in web comics. Make sure to click on the expand button in the bottom right to enlarge each comic. Dueling Analogs by Steve Napierski published Feb. 28.—Read more of Dueling Analogs Awkward Zombie by Katie Tiedrich published Feb. 27.—Read more of Awkward Zombie Nerf NOW!! by…
By Owen Good Published March 4, 2012 -
CultureTotal RecallWhat Does The Future Hold for Mass Effect‘s Painfully Punched Reporter?
“Kalisah Bint Sinan Al-Jilani, Westerlund News.” Say those words to any Mass Effect fan, and they’ll probably get a funny look on their face: A grin that’s half-silly, half-guilty. “Oh, man. I punched the crap out of that reporter.” What started as a somewhat shocking, offhand bit of violence in Mass Effect reached meme status…
By Kirk Hamilton Published March 3, 2012 -
CultureTotal RecallThe Most Horrifying Moments In Gaming (For A Ten-Year-Old In The 90’s)
My love for video games started when my dad bought a Super Nintendo home in the mid 90’s. But as much fun as I had playing then, my young, impressionable brain was also scarred by a handful of gaming moments that left an indelible mark on my psyche. Even if those moments don’t scare me…
By Nick Vannucci Published March 2, 2012 -
CultureTotal RecallNo One Lives Forever Had the Smartest Bad Guys
There were a lot of things to love about the No One Lives Forever games. The groovy music, the fresh-feeling 60’s spy motif (Austin Powers be damned!), the fearless, funny heroine Cate Archer. But even when compared to those things, the game’s writing stands apart. The villains’ banter, in particular, stands out. In a day…
By Kirk Hamilton Published March 2, 2012 -
Culture
The Dapper Villains and Pretty Ladies of the Killzone Universe
Andrejs Skuja works at Killzone developers Guerilla Games, where he’s currently a senior concept artist specialising in character design. Which is why, aside from a surprisingly interesting glance at the dumpsters and fold-out chairs of the future, this gallery will almost entirely feature his amazing work helping design the characters and costumes of the Killzone…
By Luke Plunkett Published March 1, 2012 -
CultureTotal RecallPossibly the Greatest Movie Homage Ever Included in a Video Game
Forget what the Driver series has become over the years. When the first game was released, back in 1999, it had a very clear vision: take a badass movie and make a badass video game out of it. But wait, was there a movie called Driver? No. There was one called The Driver, however, which…
By Luke Plunkett Published March 1, 2012 -
CultureTotal RecallWhy a Colonial Assassin’s Creed Makes Complete Sense (and Sounds Awesome)
It’s becoming increasingly likely that the next major instalment in the Assassin’s Creed series takes place during the American War of Independence. Which shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s been suspected for years now that the game would be set around there. Seeing what appears to be final proof, though, has a lot of us excited.…
By Luke Plunkett Published February 29, 2012 -
Culture
These Men Design Video Game Guns for a Living
rmory Studios occupy a fascinating little niche in the video game concept art business: they specialise in the design of firearms. Based in Southern Germany, rmory is “particularly proud of and known for our believable, functioning and appealing weapon designs”. While guns are the team’s top priority, they also handle peripheral items like “gadgets” and…
By Luke Plunkett Published February 29, 2012 -
CultureTotal RecallIn Loving Memory of Namco’s Ace Driver
The 1990s were a great time for arcade racing games. Daytona, Cruis’n USA, the original Ridge Racer…but for all the quality on offer there, my friends and I spent more time and money on one game than any other. And that game was Namco’s Ace Driver First released in 1994, Ace Driver doesn’t look terribly…
By Luke Plunkett Published February 29, 2012