Retrogaming Corner

Wonder Boy: Asha In Monster World Review
PlayStation Reviews, Retrogaming Corner

Wonder Boy: Asha In Monster World Review

The story of Wonder Boy is one that has spanned five decades.  It started life in the arcades just at the latter end of the golden age of arcade video games. Between the years 1986 and 1988, Sega had published three Wonder Boy games which were ported to everything from the Commodore 64 and the ZX Spectrum, to the TurboGrafx-CD. It made the move to home consoles in 1989, starting on the Master System before moving on to the Mega Drive. It would be 22 years before we heard from the boy of wonder again. Fast forward to 2016 and the retro gaming scene is booming! At the turn of the century, gaming tech had advanced hugely, and consoles like the Super Nintendo were just 'uncool' with their primitive and antediluvian graphics. But now that has been turned upside down thanks in part to a huge ...
Gaming in the 90s and How it Defined Us
Features, Retrogaming Corner

Gaming in the 90s and How it Defined Us

Gaming in the 90s. Why was it so good? Why was it so bad? What made a gamer in the 90s? Overlooked by society, labelled nerd or geek why would you keep going back? Join us as we go back to the decade that for some gamers was the ultimate pinnacle of gaming. As usual, if you enjoyed this and thought it was a good read then why not check out my previous article here. You can also check out what the rest of the Thumb Culture team are up to on social media. The 90s Many of you will know what an awesome decade the 90s was. The entertainment industry was huge, musically there were giants like The Spice Girls or The Battle of the Bands between Oasis and Blur. The movies never failed to deliver each year as well. With classics such as Terminator 2, Titanic, and The Matrix to name just a few....
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – A Retrospective Review – Heading home
Retrogaming Corner

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – A Retrospective Review – Heading home

17 years ago, Rockstar Games released what is still considered one of the best games ever made, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was released on Playstation 2, Windows, Xbox. And was later released on Mac, iOS, Windows Phone, Fire OS, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. If you grew up in the late 90's and early 2000's, you know all about this game. You either played this game religiously and knew every mission and piece of dialogue. Or you're one of the kids who's parents refused to let them play it. Or maybe you snuck off to a friends house to play it anyway. "After five years on the East Coast, it was time to go home" Whatever experience you have with this game, there is no denying that Grand Theft Auto...
A Flashback Sequel Is In Production!
News & Updates, Retrogaming Corner

A Flashback Sequel Is In Production!

So you may be thinking "we already had a sequel".  And indeed we did in the form of Fade To Black, but we are getting another one.  Details are scarce at the minute but if this logo for Flashback 2 is anything to go by, I am very excited to see Conrad B. Hart in his pristine white 80's style trainers once again.  And we know this is legitimate because  Paul Cuisset, the founder of Delphine Software and creator of the original game is leading a team to make this happen. For those unaware, Flashback was a game released in 1992 developed by Delphine Studios.  Delphine were made famous for their cinematics style platformers like Flashback and Another World and Cruise for a Corpse.  Flashback was an instant hit back in the day releasing on everything from the Acorn Archimedes to the FM T...
Top 10 Final Fantasy Antagonists
Features, Retrogaming Corner

Top 10 Final Fantasy Antagonists

For over 30 years the Final Fantasy franchise has given us joy, tears, sweat, and heartbreak, and it's the game that just keeps on giving. Its whole history is truly fascinating (maybe we'll get into it one day) and is something most JRPG fans already know. But it's the villains of the game that have caught our attention and there are so many to get through. So sit back and enjoy as we go through the Top 10 Final Fantasy Antagonists. Also, this list is based on how an antagonist makes you feel while playing. So taking into account their backstory and just overall fairness. If you enjoyed this then you can check out my latest list here and also why not check out what the rest of the Thumb Culture team are up to on our social media. 10. Golbez (Final Fantasy IV) Golbez, otherwise kn...
Top 20 EA Games Of The 20th Century Part 2 – 1993-1999
Features, Retrogaming Corner

Top 20 EA Games Of The 20th Century Part 2 – 1993-1999

Oh hello, you've caught me reminiscing about old EA games...again!  Part 1 covered the years between 1986 and 1993, and there were some beauties in there.  There were some you might have expected, and also a couple of curveballs thrown in the mix.  My Top 20 EA Games all based purely on my own opinion and experiences, and Part 2 will be no different.  If you missed Part 1, you can check it out here and let us know what you think.  Also, did you know we have a Discord?  Come and join the conversation with the team and other TC Noobs here. So without further ado, let's dive into the Top 20 EA Games Of The 20th Century Part 2 – 1993-1999. Syndicate (1993) Following the successes of Populous and Powermonger, Syndicate was the game the cemented Bullfrog's reputation as developers.  You...
Alex Kidd In Miracle World DX Arrives On June 24th
News & Updates, Retrogaming Corner

Alex Kidd In Miracle World DX Arrives On June 24th

A full 35 years since the original release on the Sega Master System, a remake of Alex Kidd In Miracle World is nearly here.  I am excited!  If you remember, Alex Kidd was the official Sega mascot until Sonic The Hedgehog came along in 1991.  Alex Kidd In Miracle World DX is the debut game developed by Jankenteam and published by Merge Games.  It will release on PS4, PS5 Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC on June 24th, 2021. This is much more than a visual makeover though. Here's what we can expect: A Legend Reborn – Dive into a stunning recreation of Alex Kidd in Miracle World with striking new art and tighter, more fluid controls. New Modes – New modes such including ‘Classic Mode’ and ‘Boss Rush Mode’ will be available for players alongside the standard game. ...
Evercade & The Oliver Twins Raise £11k For National Videogame Museum
News & Updates, Retrogaming Corner

Evercade & The Oliver Twins Raise £11k For National Videogame Museum

Evercade has donated over £11,000 to the National Videogame Museum. This is with thanks to the sales of the Oliver twins collection cartridge on the Evercade handheld console. The Oliver twins collection cartridge is available for all to purchase from retails such as Amazon, Argos and more. All profits from this collection are being donated to the National Videogame Museum in Sheffield. The games in this collection are as follows: Treasure Island Dizzy BMX Simulator Go! Dizzy Go! The Fantastic Adventures of Dizzy Dizzy The Adventurer Super Robin Hood Panic Dizzy Dreamworld Pogie Mystery World Dizzy Wonderland Dizzy Some brilliant games in there if you ask me. You can read the official press release below: Evercade, Codemasters, and The Oliver Twi...
Top 10 Worst Movie Tie-In Video Games
Features, Retrogaming Corner

Top 10 Worst Movie Tie-In Video Games

Over the course of 50 years, movies have been made into video games. Some good, some excellent, and then there are some that just make you question why the hell was this made. A majority of movie video games are just cash grabs. Capitalizing on the release of a movie and hoping to make a quick buck. While the internet is full of lists for the best movie tie-in games. We are going to delve into the abyss of shockingly bad games. So strap in because for this Top 10 Worst Movie Tie-In Video Games. We're gonna need a bigger boat. As usual, if you enjoyed this list then why not check out my previous list here. Also, why not check out what the rest of the Thumb Culture team are up to on our social media. 10. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Ok, so let's get this out of the way. No worst list ...
Final Fantasy XIII – A Retrospective Review – Lightning Strikes!
Retrogaming Corner

Final Fantasy XIII – A Retrospective Review – Lightning Strikes!

As we are on the verge of Square Enix's 16th instalment to their flagship series Final Fantasy, we thought we would take a look at one of the games that divided the fanbase, Final Fantasy XIII.  Both developed and published by Square Enix, Final Fantasy XIII is an RPG that released in March 2010 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.  It wasn't until 2014 that it saw a release on PC.  It is also available on the Xbox Series X via backward compatibility which will run at a higher resolution.  For this review, I am playing the PlayStation 3 version. Final Fantasy XIII - Do You Have The Courage To Face Your Destiny? Final Fantasy XIII received positive reviews upon release, but some fans had criticised the linearity of the game up until a certain point.  Square Enix has gone on record to say that ...