• Tag Archives PSX

  • VMX Racing (PlayStation)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

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    Source: Next Generation – Issue Number 27 – March 1997

    There were such a large number of games on the PlayStation that it isn’t surprising that there a number of them that seem obscure even though they aren’t necessarily rare. VMX Racing is one of those games. It doesn’t help that this was a pretty terrible game.

    VMX Racing is a dirt bike racing game that offers a fairly low number of options. You can choose from four bikes (the choice makes little difference) and race on 6 tracks. By PlayStation standards, the graphics are terrible, the sound is terrible and the music is terrible. There really isn’t much in the way of redeeming characteristics that would make this game worth playing. Interestingly, the only other game I could find that “Studio E” was involved in was a cancelled game for the Super Nintendo.

    If you are just dying to play a motorcycle racing game on your PlayStation that you have never played and this is the only one left and you just have to give it a try, it can be had dirt cheap on eBay. VMX Racing can be played with two players (split-screen) so you can torture a friend too. Not surprisingly there have been no remakes or sequels.





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  • NAKI Lunar Gun

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

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    Source: Electronic Gaming Monthly – Issue Number 97 – August 1997

    The third party controller market seemed to peak in the 16-bit era but there were plenty of third party controllers in the 32-bit era and even today. This particular ad is for a company called NAKI that developed controllers and other accessories. However, the latest stuff I could find from them is for the PS2.

    This ad is highlighting a gun controller by NAKI for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo 64 called the Lunar Gun. What is unique about this particular gun is that there was also an optional accessory for it called the Red Sight Laser Target System. That’s a pretty fancy name for something that basically amounted to a laser pointer. In theory, it makes it easier to hit what you are aiming for because, just like a laser sight on a real gun, you just have to put the red dot on what you are trying to hit.

    Overall, the Lunar Gun was a pretty good choice if you needed a light gun. It’s main competition was the Justifier and while that one is better known, the Lunar Gun has more options like auto-reload, easy (three round burst) and a laser sight among others. My one problem with it is philosophical. I’m not sure I could see buying an accessory for my accessory. I couldn’t find prices but i’m guessing the price of the Red Sight Laser Target System was not trivial making the combined price of the gun pretty hefty. It would have been nice if they could have just made a slightly more expensive gun and included the laser. They probably felt that they couldn’t have competed on price with the Justifier that way and that once they suckered you in with the gun then you would want to buy the laser anyway. No doubt the gun packaging includes advertising for it.

    This ad is from the August 1997 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly.





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  • Syphon Filter (PlayStation)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

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    Source: Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine – Volume 2, Issue 6 – March 1999

    Syphon Filter, released in 1999, was the first in a series of games released for the PlayStation and later the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. Syphon Filter is a 3rd person shooter in which stealth and puzzle solving are important. The plot centers around a series of biological outbreaks caused by an international terrorist. Your job is to solve various mysteries related to these outbreaks and to track down those responsible.

    Despite being developed by a relatively inexperienced game studio and almost being canceled on multiple occasions, Syphon Filter ended up being a success, receiving positive reviews and selling well. It spawned two direct sequels as well as a couple of spinoffs though the reception seems to trail off after the first two games. The game is clearly influenced by games like GoldenEye and Metal Gear Solid but those are good games to get inspiration from.

    In addition to the PlayStation version, an Android port was eventually released in 2011. The original was also popular enough to spawn a couple of sequels and spinoffs. Syphon Filter 2 and 3 were both released on the PlayStation with the spinoffs Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror and Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow initially released for the PSP. Logan’s Shadow was also ported to the PlayStation 2. The original Syphon Filter for the PlayStation is probably the best one to have, or perhaps Syphon Filter 2 (or both if you decide you like the first one you try but you might as well start with the first).

    The above ad is from the March 1999 issue of the Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine.





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