• Tag Archives retrogaming

  • Super Advantage (AsciiWare / Super Nintendo)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: EGM^2 – Issue Number 7 – January 1995



    The Super Advantage by AsciiWare is just what it sounds like. A newer version of the original Advantage joystick for the NES but for the Super Nintendo instead. These arcade like joysticks were better for certain types of games (fighting games for instance), particularly for a more arcade like experience.

    The Advantage had been developed by Nintendo for the NES in 1987. I’m not sure exactly when the Super Advantage was released but this ad is from the January 1995 issue of EGM^2 so my guess it was released in time for Christmas 1994. In addition to more arcade like controls, it offered turbo and other features. I’m not sure why they opted for four buttons on one row and two buttons on the other instead of a more typical 3/3. The original SNES control pad has six buttons also but two of them are shoulder buttons so maybe they were just trying to separate them in a similar manner.

    You had to really want one of these to get one. They were quite expensive for the time though well constructed. If I recall correctly, they were something like $59.95 when first released. In the case of the Super Advantage, Nintendo decided to license it out to AsciiWare, who made a number of other peripherals, instead of selling it themselves.


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  • Edge (April 1994)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Edge – Issue Number 7 – April 1994

    Edge was a gaming magazine that covered 16 and 32-bit consoles as well as the PC. I guess it was sort of a U.K. version of Next Generation if I had to compare it to something. The April 1994 issue includes:

    • News – Once again Edge takes the lid of the world of interactive entertainment with top info from Japan, London and Milton Keynes
    • This month on Edge – A new feature to the mag in which we bring you some of the quirkier stories and events which occurred during the course of Edge 7
    • Letters – A chance to air your views on all things technological, interactive or electronic
    • Prescreen – Edge takes a pre-pro look at some of the more innovative games heading to a screen near you. Top billing goes to Sega’s Daytona coin-op.
    • Elite Systems – For over a decade, Elite have been making games; now they’re getting into Super FX, PC and 3DO
    • LaserActive – Pioneer’s LaserActive system promises the gameplay of Mega Drive with the visuals of LaserDisc. But does it deliver?
    • PC – The PC has steadily grown from spreadsheet pusher to polygon shifter. But the hardware is starting to show its age. Edge reveals all
    • Testscreen – Edge passes judgement on the current crop of games. And, as ever, no punches are pulled
    • Charts – The best-selling videogames on the top formats
    • Recommended Reading – The magazine equivalent of a London phonebox
    • Back Issues – An incomplete set of Edge is a crime. Sort it.
    • Subscription – If you’re reading this, you’re already hooked. Make it easy on yourself and get Edge delivered.
    • Jez San – Edge speaks to the self-confessed “information sponge” about all things interactive: from NESGlider to set top boxes
    • Questions & Answers – Technology demystified: is Jaguar up to the new competition? Can CD32 play PC games?

    …and more!


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  • Video Games (October 1982)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Video Games – Volume 1, Number 2 – October 1982

    Video Games was one of a number of early video game magazines that were born just in time to die an early death due to the video game crash of that time period. The October 1982 issue includes:

    Features

    • Video Games Interview: Tim Skelly – One of a growing list of unmasked, eager-to-talk game designers, Skelly’s topics include his recent game Reactor, his days at Cinematronics and theta wave meditation.
    • Video Games Go to the Movies – Tron and Starblasters are sure-fire evidence of Hollywood’s latest love affair.
    • The Art of Video Games – How do all those pretty pictures get on to the video screen? Bob Mecoy provides some answers and also takes a revealing peek into the future.
    • Coleco Has a Vision – Better Games for All – What’s in a name? Steve Bloom examines the past, present and immediate future of this extremely ambitious toy manufacturer.

    Special Section

    • Roger Dionne’s A Buyer’s Guide to Home Video Games – Dionne dissects 19 of the most popular and/or up-and-coming cartridges, including Defender, Star Strike and The Quest for the Rings. Adapted from the Banbury book.

    Departments

    • Hyperspace – A few words of hype from the editor.
    • Double Speak – Some words of advice from our readers.
    • Blips – Death of a gamer, Applefest reviewed, new software on the block, Apollo’s story, the latest legal news, last call for computer camp.
    • Dr. Video – Ever wonder what all that game playing is doing to your eyes? Our resident optometrist, Dr. Arnold Sherman, has.
    • Book Beat – John “Hey Buddy! Can You Spare a Quarter?” Holmstrom can’t stand all those “beat-the-games” books. Can you?
    • Coin-Op Shop – Nobody review ’em better than Eugene “Defender/Stargate/Robotron” Jarvis. Everyone’s favorite game designer takes a look at Turbo, Zaxxon, Dig Dug, Robby Roto and Grand Champion.
    • Hard Sell – Got $300? Wanna blow it on a TV-game system? Roger Dionne narrows your choice down to Intellivision and Astrocade.
    • Comic Relief – Videosyncratic views of arcade life from Matt Howarth, Lou Stathis, Peter Bagge, and John Holmstrom (again?).
    • Outtakes

    …and more!


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