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RetroDefense

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Posts posted by RetroDefense

  1. My son counts Pikmin as one of his favorite franchises but I imagine he'll be disappointed by this installment, sadly.  It's everything he hates - it's 2D, it's action-oriented, and it's on a handheld.

     

    Me, I never really got into the Pikmin games but have always appreciated 2D action titles.  Might give this one a try.

     

  2. I've been working on an issue list for the USA edition of this magazine.  I've been able to confirm issue numbers and dates for all but the following:

     

    011 Oct 91?
    014 Jan 92?
    015 Feb 92?
    017 Apr 92?
    019 Jun 92?
    020 Jul 92?
    031 Jun 93?
    032 Jul 93?
    038 Jan 93?
    039 Feb 93?
    040 Mar 93?
    042 May 94?
    048 Nov 94?
    058 Sep 95?
    060 Nov 95?
    066 May 96?
    068 Jul 96?
    077 Apr 97?
    099 Feb 99?
    122 Jan 01?
    132 Nov 01?
     
    The earliest USA edition I've seen is issue 12 but I assume an issue 11 for the USA market exists.  While not confirmed the above dates are probably accurate as the magazine ran like clockwork.
    • Like 1
  3. Wise Fwom Your Gwave!

    So decided to bring this thread out of mothballs.  It's been so long I actually had to un-archive it.   :huh:

     

    I'll be de-binding this copy of VG&CE Issue 7 (August 1989) and scanning it shortly.

     

    CIMG5121.jpg

    It's the priority item in my scan queue which also includes some EGM content scans for Sean697, some Next Generation comparison scans (disc vs. standard editions), and I have a number of misc. supplement cover scans planned.

     

    I already own the above VG&CE issue but scanning it bound proved too much of a pain.  Despite the saddle-stitching I couldn't avoid fuzzy-gutter - my scanner has an annoyingly high beveled trim.  So while paying a bit of a premium (well, certainly compared to what I paid for it back in the 80s) I finally grabbed a copy off Ebay.

     

    More importantly, I've negotiated dining room table scanning privileges for several days.  Especially considerate as my usual scanning setup has been acting a little grumpy lately.

     

    And no, this does not mean I'll stop annoying everyone with missing magazine threads.   ;)

     

    I'm also still working on editing marktrade's Play #4 scan although KiwiArcader has essentially done the work already.  I was only 20 or so pages in before my PC started throwing fits so I may take you up on that "basis" offer Kiwi.  I put some time into restoring that damn cover.   :)

     

    Cheers all.

    • Like 1
  4. Has anyone ever seen a cover pic of any of the iterations before it became Game Players PC Strategy Guide?  I have no idea when I started buying this mag.  Can't remember if I owned any of the earlier issues or not, but I can't find anything with google to help me confirm.

     

    I've seen very few cover scans so can't help you there.  This 'zine was completely off my radar back in the day.

     

    I've updated my list to reflect what has been visually confirmed by myself or someone here outside of scans (namely Kiwi and his v4 post).  I also confirmed several volume/numbers thanks to an official back issue list.

     

    I suspect the back issue list may actually be more complete than it lets on.  I wouldn't be surprised if v1n1, v1n3 and v1n5-v2n1 don't actually exist.  'Cause hey, Game Players.   :)

    • Like 1
  5. Kiwi brought this 'zine up in the shoutbox recently so I thought I'd post my notes.  This list is still early so question everything coming along nicely.

    Issues doubted to exist - or perhaps confused with other issues - are highlighted in light greyish cyan.  Questionable, unknown and guesstimated data are noted with a question mark (natch).  Issues visually confirmed to exist via legible cover scan are indicated in bold.  Volume/Issue Numbers confirmed via an official back issue list are marked with an asterisk.  Whenever possible, an issue's internal copyright, title, and publication date are noted, along with cover display date and cover volume/number.  Any "not a typo" comment means the noted inconsistency isn't related to a mistake on my part.

    I imagine this will be another fluid database entry no matter how many details we can fill in but the continuing work on part of marktrade, KiwiArcader, kitsunebi77 and Areala will likely give us the best possible picture of this magazine's convoluted publishing history.  Early Game Players issues may be known for their inconsistency but these RetroMags contributors have tackled the task with gusto.  Kudos to all - you guys and gals rock! :) 

    List Updates

    • 08/29/16 - several confirmations thanks to a back issue list found in v5n6.  The list doesn't confirm issue titles or dates but does confirm volume/number.  Preserved issues are noted and linked - thanks marktrade and KiwiArcader!
    • 08/30/16 - some visual confirmations from kitsunebi77; some date guesswork and confirmed dates.
    • 08/31/16 - v4n6 details and more scan links (thanks Kiwi).
    • 09/02/16 - some additional confirmations (v5n1, v5n5); some date & title guesswork.
    • 01/08/17 - some additional confirmations (v5n7, v6n1, v6n4); scan link added (v6n1); scan links updated.
    • 02/05/17 - intro revision; revised list format; v1n2 and v5n7 updated; "Special Strategy Issue" added.
    • 02/06/17 - v6n4 updated
    • 07/13/17 - some additional visual confirmations (v1n1, v2n4, v2n5) - thanks @kitsunebi77
    • 02/25/18 - some additional info/corrections - thanks again @kitsunebi77

    List Format

    [Cover Title] [questions and notes]

    • [Standardized Volume # Issue #] ("[cover volume # issue # if any]" "[cover date if any]" "[cover display date if any]" - "[internal title if different than cover]" "[internal date]" "[internal special issue description]" - (c) [indicia copyright date] - [questions and notes])
    • [standardized volume # Issue # shorthand]? ([questions and notes])

    The List

    Game Player's PC Buyer's Guide (also see GPPCSG section below)

    • Volume 1 Number 1 ("Vol. 1 No. 1" "Display Until May 9, 1989" - this issue appears to break chronological order; perhaps numbering typo and actually v2n1?)
    • Volume 1 Number 2* (exist?; noted in back issue list as "PC Buyer's Guide"; actually v1n2 listed below?)

    The Game Player's Guide to MS-DOS Computer Games

    • Volume 1 Number 2 ("Vol. 1 No. 2" "Display Until January 3rd, 1989" - "The Game Player's Guide" - (c) 1988 - presumed Winter or Holiday 1988; pg. 17 refers to 'SPECIAL STRATEGY ISSUE' mail-in offer)
    • v1n3? (exist?)
    • v?n?? ("SPECIAL STRATEGY ISSUE;" exist?; perhaps an issue of GPMSG below?; made available via TGPGTMCG v1n2; subscription bonus only?)

    Game Player's MS-DOS Strategy Guide (sometimes Game Player's MS-DOS Buyer's Guide or Game Player's PC Buyer's Guide?)

    • Volume 1 Number 4* ("Vol. 1 No. 4" "Display Until March 11, 1988[?? 1989?]" Jan/Feb 1988[?? 1989?])
    • v1n5 - v2n1? (exist?; see v1n1 note above)

    Game Player's PC Strategy Guide (evidently sometimes Game Player's PC Buyer's Guide)

    • Volume 2 Number 2* ("Vol. 2 No. 2" "Display Until July 11, 1989" May/Jun 1989?)
    • Volume 2 Number 3* (Jul/Aug 1989?)
    • Volume 2 Number 4* ("Vol. 2 No. 4" "Display Until October 21st, 1989" - Sep/Oct 1989?)
    • Volume 2 Number 5* ("Vol. 2 No. 5" "Display Until January [??], 1990" - Nov/Dec 1989? - cover titled Game Player's PC Buyer's Guide)
    • v2n?? (exist? highly doubtful; not listed in back issue list)
    • Volume 3 Number 1* (Jan/Feb 1990?)
    • Volume 3 Number 2* ("Vol. 3 No. 2" "Display Until May 15, 1990" - Mar/Apr 1990?)
    • Volume 3 Number 3* (May/Jun 1990?)
    • Volume 3 Number 4* (Jul/Aug 1990?)
    • Volume 3 Number 5* (Sep/Oct 1990?)
    • Volume 3 Number 6* (Nov/Dec 1990?; labeled Special Buyer's Guide or perhaps another Buyer's Guide?)
    • v3n?? (exist? highly doubtful; not listed in back issue list)
    • Volume 4 Number 1* ("Vol. 4 No. 1" "Display Until March 5, 1991" - "January/February 1991" - (c) 1990)
    • Volume 4 Number 2* ("Vol. 4 No. 2" "Display Until April 30, 1991" - "March/April 1991" - (c) 1991)
    • Volume 4 Number 3* ("Vol. 4 No. 3" "Display Until April 30, 1991" - "May/June 1991" - (c) 1991 - display date not a typo)
    • Volume 4 Number 4* ("Vol. 4 No. 4" "Display Until August 20, 1991" - "July/August 1991" - (c) 1991)
    • Volume 4 Number 5* ("Vol. 4 No. 4" "Display Until October 22, 1991" - "September/October" - (c) 1991 - internal date not a typo)
    • Volume 4 Number 6* ("Vol. 4 No. 6" "Display Until December 7, 1991" - "1991 PC Buyer's Guide" - (c) 1991 - presumed Nov/Dec 1991)
    • Volume 4 Number 7* (holiday 1991?)
    • v4n?? (exist? highly doubtful; not listed in back issue list)

    Game Players PC Entertainment

    • Volume 5 Number 1* ("Vol. 5 No. 1" "Display Until March 18, 1992" - Jan/Feb 1992?)
    • Volume 5 Number 2 ("Vol. 5 No. 2" "Display Until: June 2nd, 1992" - "March/April 1992" - (c) 1992 - editorial mentions 'Game Player's PC Strategy Guide: Special Buyer's Guide,' referring to v4n6)
    • Volume 5 Number 3 ("Vol. 5 No. 3" "Display Until July 21, 1992" - "May/June 1992" - (c) 1992)
    • Volume 5 Number 4 ("Vol. 5 No. 4" "Display Until September 8, 1992" - (c) 1992 - no internal date, presumed Jul/Aug 1992)
    • Volume 5 Number 5 ("Vol. 5 No. 5" "Display Until November 3, 1992" - (c) 1992 - no internal date, presumed Sep/Oct 1992)
    • Volume 5 Number 6 ("Vol. 5 No. 6" "Display Until January 5, 1993" - "November/December 1992" - (c) 1992)
    • Volume 5 Number 7 ("Vol. 5 No. 7" - "1992 Buyer's Guide Issue" - (c) 1992 - presumed holiday 1992; no display date on cover)
    • v5n?? (exist? doubtful given issue dates)
    • Volume 6 Number 1 ("Vol. 6 No. 1" "Display Until March 2, 1993" - "January/February 1993" - (c) 1992)
    • v6n2? (Mar/Apr 1993?)
    • Volume 6 Number 3 ("Vol. 6 No. 3" "Display Until July 6, 1993" - "May/June 1993" - (c) 1992 - copyright date not a typo)
    • Volume 6 Number 4 ("Vol. 6 No. 4" "Display Until Sept 7, 1993" - "July/August 1993" - (c) 1993)
    • Volume 6 Number 5 (Sep/Oct 1993?)
    • Volume 6 Number 6 ("Vol. 6 No. 6" "Display Until Jan. 4, 1994" - Nov/Dec 1993?)
    • v6n? (exist? doubtful given issue dates)
    • Volume 7 Number 1 (Jan/Feb 1994?)
    • Volume 7 Number 2 (Mar/Apr 1994?)
  6. A 286 PC with 5 1/4 floppy disk drive, 20 meg hard drive and 1200 baud external modem.  I don't recall the other specs - I may have never known them, actually, as it was an old PC gifted to me by my Uncle - but connecting to the local BBS after upgrading to an internal 2400 modem was ANSI menu bliss.

  7. Sorry if I missed it and someone already mentioned this, but for the issues that had alternate or multiple covers, are they uploaded with the magazines on this site?

     

    If we have alternate covers of an issue you'll find them in the magazine title's cover gallery.  They are usually not included with the downloadable preserved magazine scans.

     

    We're always looking for quality cover scans we don't have - including variants for issues we've already preserved!  :)

    • Like 1
  8. As much as I appreciate this bundle it reminds me again of the PS3's crazy, disjointed way of handling digital downloads.

     

    So I redeem my code using an anti-user-friendly onscreen keypad to start my game download, to then have to download a background downloader to download the game download in the background, to then have to manually install the game from the game download, to then have to wait while the installed game downloads a software update, to then have to wait for the software update to install in my installed game download.

     

    Someone tell me again about the convenience of digital downloads.   ;)

  9. There's been some discussion regarding fanzine preservation here at RetroMags but no decision has been made.  Personally I have some reservations but I'm very fond of 90s era video game fanzines and still have a box full of 'em.  :)

     

    I can appreciate the old-school, retro look of HyperPlay RPG.  Very nicely done.  Good luck with your zine!

  10. kitsunebi77, seriously man, you need to catch that magic moment.  Like, right here.  Right now.  What are you waiting for?  Crystal Pepsi means everything.

     

    Yes, I have partaken.  About 1.5 bottles in, I was past the long forgotten, horrific aftertaste and it's been smooth sailing since.  ;)

     

    It's enlightened me.  Right now.

     

    I also watched Real World Season 3 back in the day.  It was my last foray into reality TV, largely.

     

    Judd Winnick's DC material is recommended.

    • Like 1
  11. Back in the early 90's I had my SNES hooked up to a pretty decent stereo system and used to record the game audio onto cassette tapes to play in the car...

     

    Would do the same for any game with a great soundtrack and soundtest.  :)

  12. It'd be great if you can scan some issues, Melki!  Our scanning guides are very thorough but please let us know if you have any questions.  :)  If you find you don't have the time or equipment necessary to scan the issues yourself, RetroMags also gladly accepts magazine donations.

     

    Any way you can contribute is appreciated - thank you!

  13. I like the green of the Japanese version.  Would've been nice if they carried that over.

     

    Yeah, Amazon's earlier listings are often incorrect.  Especially this far out.  The Dark Horse ad copy on their page does quote the "over 400 pages" though.

     

    Wouldn't surprise me if the price drops once it gets closer to release.  Amazon USA applied a nice discount to Hyrule Historia back when.  Still do, actually, but I remember it dropping under twenty bucks at one point.

  14. Oh, yeah, the intro in Ninja Gaiden was fantastic.  It's the first game I can remember playing that made heavy use of cutscenes.  Or - as Tecmo called 'em back then - cinema displays.  I used that phrase to describe cutscenes for years before my son finally broke me of it.  I still like to argue they're different.  :)

    • Like 1
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