Video games and gaming

[Ali Katt]

We need to start another thread! I was definitely SNES then PS1 all the way through.

It was requested and I know there was one on the old off topic.

[sparkus]

Before punting there was... Tekken!

[mr.bluesky]

I remember way back in the late 70's early 80's when space invaders machines were all the rage in the pubs . ( now with all this social distancing your not allowed to invade anybody's space  )

[Goldfinch]

Anyone remember the pacman watch from the early 80's?

I remember getting into trouble in class for playing it under the desk.

Memories of a small yellow handheld version with silver keys,which a few of my friends had.

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[mr.bluesky]

Anyone remember the paceman watch from the early 80's?

I remember getting into trouble in class for playing it under the desk.

Memories of a small yellow handheld version with silver keys,which a few of my friends had.

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I had a small hand held version of the game 

[Goldfinch]

I had a small hand held version of the game 

 

[mr.bluesky]

Wasted many hours on one of these  only 3 levels which were soon mastered

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[Kool Keef]

Used to love the Track & Field arcade game from the mid 80s, first game I really got into, the original button basher lol

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[AnthG]

In my old job when I used to work with a load of people in their 20s. They'd ask me what my favourite all time game is. Clearly expecting me to say something like Skyrin, or Grand Theft Auto San Andreas.

They'd burst into laughter when I would legitimately say Boulderdash 4 with Construction Kit for the Sinclair Spectrum.

But my God, they've missed out, that game is quite literally the best game ever made and I have played it more than any other games and would develop my own maps on it trying to come up with the most insane franticness I could think of.  It was the perfect game.

To avoid laughter. I tell people who ask now what is my second favourite game of all time, Ninja Gaiden Black for the Original Xbox. That game is just gaming perfection in every way you could conceive it. When you think that game came out in 2004. And stuff was running off tapes 10-12 years before it with 8 colours, its incredible.

[Goldfinch]

Did anyone have a Sega Game Gear?

I won one in the early 90's on a local radio station,enjoyed it for about 12 months,until one day I had a fit of rage because I couldn't advance in a racing game and through it across the room and broke it.

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[mr.bluesky]

Did anyone have a Sega Game Gear?

I won one in the early 90's on a local radio station,enjoyed it for about 12 months,until one day I had a fit of rage because I couldn't advance in a racing game and through it across the room and broke it.

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your first road rage incident 

[Goldfinch]

your first road rage incident 

 

[sparkus]

I fucking loved Nintendo DS when it came out, primarily for GTA Chinatown Wars (my nephew has it and keeps asking if I want it back).

Gameboy and NES were definitely my entree.

[suttonporksword]

I went through many a joystick trying to master Daley Thompsons Olympic challenge and boot camp on my spectrum . Maybe all that waggling is why I felt the need to get into punting later in life!

[LLPunting]

Anyone remember the pacman watch from the early 80's?

I remember getting into trouble in class for playing it under the desk.

Memories of a small yellow handheld version with silver keys,which a few of my friends had.

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I suspect they objected to the prolific jerking and the Kleenex rather than your purported watch mashing under your desk.

[LLPunting]

I went through many a joystick trying to master Daley Thompsons Olympic challenge and boot camp on my spectrum . Maybe all that waggling is why I felt the need to get into punting later in life!

Speedball and Speedball II on the Amiga was an absolute joystick killer.  I think we broke a dozen various joysticks one Summer.  We rebuilt and reinforced several with metal tubing and still ripped them apart.  Didn't matter if they cost £20 or £100 they didn't survive the Speedball season.

[LLPunting]

Wasted many hours on one of these  only 3 levels which were soon mastered

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I remember that one.

Started computer gaming on ZX-81/Spectrum/BBC B/Apple IIe.  Console gaming on Atari and Intellivision.

Populous was great, voicing was brilliant.

Defender on the Beeb with the volume cranked up was superb.

[Goldfinch]

I suspect they objected to the prolific jerking and the Kleenex rather than your purported watch mashing under your desk.

[CigarSmoke]

When i'm not punting or on day off from work, I just play racing car games on my computer such as Race-room experience. I need to stop punting to save money so i can buy a steering wheel and some pedals from a German company called Fanatec. If only Fanatec includes german escort women too...

[Goldfinch]

I've still got my first computer gaming machine which was an Acorn Electron complete with 15 cassette games.

I got it in 1985 from Granada for £249.99 and they delivered it.

It's been in a cupboard all this time,I tried it about 20 years ago.and it still worked.

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[sparkus]

I remember that one.

Started computer gaming on ZX-81/Spectrum/BBC B/Apple IIe.  Console gaming on Atari and Intellivision.

Populous was great, voicing was brilliant.

Defender on the Beeb with the volume cranked up was superb.

There was a moment in the 90s where houses were full of unused and unloved Spectrums, Amstrads and Commodore 64s, before they became 'vintage' and sellable on ebay.  At car boot sales you could pick them up for next to nothing, especially if it was later in the day and the bloke and his missus didn't want to take it and all the cassette games back home again.  I bought several, played them a couple of times and then just chucked them out.

Do you mean Defender of the Crown? It did have a naked damsel scene

[Ali Katt]

In my old job when I used to work with a load of people in their 20s. They'd ask me what my favourite all time game is. Clearly expecting me to say something like Skyrin, or Grand Theft Auto San Andreas.

They'd burst into laughter when I would legitimately say Boulderdash 4 with Construction Kit for the Sinclair Spectrum.

But my God, they've missed out, that game is quite literally the best game ever made and I have played it more than any other games and would develop my own maps on it trying to come up with the most insane franticness I could think of.  It was the perfect game.

To avoid laughter. I tell people who ask now what is my second favourite game of all time, Ninja Gaiden Black for the Original Xbox. That game is just gaming perfection in every way you could conceive it. When you think that game came out in 2004. And stuff was running off tapes 10-12 years before it with 8 colours, its incredible.

You pay a lot of money for Ninja Gaiden Black these days. Sigma 3 is creeping up as well. I've played versions of Boulderdash not really my thing back in the day I much preferred mario and sonic.

[ratedj]

You pay a lot of money for Ninja Gaiden Black these days. Sigma 3 is creeping up as well. I've played versions of Boulderdash not really my thing back in the day I much preferred mario and sonic.

Started off with a Game Boy as a kid before acquiring a Mega Drive, SNES and Sega Saturn. However, the PS1 will long live in my memory as the game-changer! I can remember playing Metal Gear Solid for the first time. Simply put, there was nothing like it at the time. Now, most of my gaming takes place on the PC. During lockdown I actually resurrected Football Manager 2019. For anyone who knows about FM it's utterly spellbounding.   

[ratedj]

When i'm not punting or on day off from work, I just play racing car games on my computer such as Race-room experience. I need to stop punting to save money so i can buy a steering wheel and some pedals from a German company called Fanatec. If only Fanatec includes german escort women too...

A decent steering wheel definitely helps with immersion, though your first major upgrade should always be the pedals, as these will deliver the biggest improvement to your driving. I would also suggest that you give iRacing a look. Though it's subscription-based and you will never actually own the content the 'I' in iRacing stands for internet, and when it comes to online racing it's unrivalled. R Factor 2 is also worth a look. Though not as polished as iRacing many consider it to have the best physics, plus with every passing build it's improving. Raceroom is not bad, though what I would maybe desribe as 'simcade.' Then you have Assetto Corsa Competizione, where although it's only focused on GT3 racing it's graphics and sounds are rather impressive.

Fanatec are a decent company, and about a year or so ago they released their direct drive wheels, if that's what you'll be looking to procure.   

[Ali Katt]

Started off with a Game Boy as a kid before acquiring a Mega Drive, SNES and Sega Saturn. However, the PS1 will long live in my memory as the game-changer! I can remember playing Metal Gear Solid for the first time. Simply put, there was nothing like it at the time. Now, most of my gaming takes place on the PC. During lockdown I actually resurrected Football Manager 2019. For anyone who knows about FM it's utterly spellbounding.

Speaking of which there's been a few times where my mind was blown by games and most are from the PS1. Seeing Tekken and Ridge Racer in arcade on holiday for the first time and it was such a leap up from the Mega Drive or SNES. Second time was seeing Mario 64 for the first time in a shop display, it was only a video demo or the console running attract mode. I remember being really impressed by the old F1 games on the PS1 as it had Murray Walker commentary and pretty much any angle you could imagine, both were really rare in 96. I've been less impressed by current gen as it don't seem a big leap up from last gen. I think that's why most games I play now are retro themed like Broforce and Paers, Please.

[Kool Keef]

Had one of these as a kid.

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[Ali Katt]

Had one of these as a kid.

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Quite expensive to buy these days, but with inflation probably what they cost at the time. Ironically I used to see them for £1 at car boot sales, now they are more like £20-£50. It's a Tomytronic 3D for any younger forum members. Tomy made some great toys, I liked their pinball games.

[sparkus]

Speaking of which there's been a few times where my mind was blown by games and most are from the PS1. Seeing Tekken and Ridge Racer in arcade on holiday for the first time and it was such a leap up from the Mega Drive or SNES. Second time was seeing Mario 64 for the first time in a shop display, it was only a video demo or the console running attract mode. I remember being really impressed by the old F1 games on the PS1 as it had Murray Walker commentary and pretty much any angle you could imagine, both were really rare in 96. I've been less impressed by current gen as it don't seem a big leap up from last gen. I think that's why most games I play now are retro themed like Broforce and Paers, Please.

G-Police was addictive as fuck.  You'd get lost in the levels for hours.

[Ali Katt]

G-Police was addictive as fuck.  You'd get lost in the levels for hours.

I had it on demo disc, but not the full game. I pretty much agree with what you said it was one I always intended to buy, but it was either too expensive or I wanted something else more.

[Kool Keef]

Quite expensive to buy these days, but with inflation probably what they cost at the time. Ironically I used to see them for £1 at car boot sales, now they are more like £20-£50. It's a Tomytronic 3D for any younger forum members. Tomy made some great toys, I liked their pinball games.

I had a look at what they go for earlier, wish I still had it now!

[Ali Katt]

I had a look at what they go for earlier, wish I still had it now!

I think everybody has a tale to tell. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Most common seem to be Raleigh Chopper with the bollock crippler brake went to scrap or Game and Watch was swapped in exchange for someone doing homework. Personally my biggest regret is not buying a Banksy for £750 back in the day it's worth £9K now, I would have used the money to buy artwork I want more. The others are having my Transformers G1 thrown away, selling a Castlevania II on Gameboy for £15 around 2000 (worth about £80 now) and I had Ninja Gaiden Shadow also worth silly money comparatively to what I paid when it came out. I suppose it's more important to look at what you have.

[Rick2468]

Posting a summary of what I've played over past few months. All on PS4 as that is all I use to game now. I had a subscription to PS Now so a lot of the games are from there.

- The Last of Us 2. Loved this. The story gets some hate and I can understand why but I was thoroughly engrossed. I really cared about all the characters and wanted happy endings for them. I thought there were some epic scenes. The world seemed so realistic and what you would expect from an apocalyptic world. The baddies would surprise you as well. Most games set out loads of ammo just before a big fight but TLoU2 spread it around meaning you always have to scavenge. I did not think the first Last of Us game was as great as all the reviews were, so it was a nice surprise how much I enjoyed this game.

- Blasphemous. This was on my want list and was on sale for £4.99 over Christmas so I bought it. I really enjoy the Metroidvania games. I thought this game was great. The setting is scary and sick but I liked it! The sword you have gave satisfying thumps whenever I hit anything. The game is renowned for being hard but I found it okay as long as I collected all the upgrades there were in each stage. All the bosses took no more then 5 attempts to beat, apart from the last one who took me at least 20. I am not good at games but these types of games are probably my speciality having played Hollow Knight to death. The game is short but was all quality so didn't outstay its welcome.

- Guacamelee!. After playing Blasphemous I fancied playing another Metroidvainia so looked if there were any on PS Now and this was on there and had good reviews. It was pretty good and I am glad I played it but not in the same league as Blasphemous or Hollow Knight.

- FFVII original. I played the original on PS1 when it came out. I played the Remake early last year and it made me want to play the original again. The nostalgia was INSANE. It was crazy how much I remembered from c25 years ago. I played it through to completion. The mini games were rubbish (recall them being rubbish the first time) but apart from that is was great.

- GTA3 definitive edition. Again, I played the original when it came otu. I fully believe this was a ground breaking game but it looked and felt so old but that is forgivable given the number of clones that have been released since then.

- Mafia 1 Definitive Edition. Yet again, I played the original when it came out. The engine was quite clunky compared with most GTA clones. The high point was the story, the missions felt varied. So worth playing. It only took about 10 hours to play the campaign. The setting is very atmospheric.

- Celeste. I'm hit and miss with these acclaimed indie games. Some of them I think are the absolute nuts others I really don't get the hype. This game fell into the latter definitely. It was too repetitive, once you worked out the puzzle in one room you worked them out for the rest of the level until a new mechanic was introduced. You die a lot in this game.

- Ghostrunner. I was excited for this having loved Mirrors Edge. When I played I thought it was great but far too hard. I managed the first level but didn't get far in the second level at all. I had to stop playing! Then they released an Assist Mode patch to slow the game down and give you a shield. The online message boards were up in arms about the patch saying people should just get good enough at the game to complete the original version. I didn't care I was going to take full advantage of it so did so. It was a really good game.

- Nier Automata. Was excited for this, but nah thought it was just okay. The opening cutscene and the music were utterly epic and 2 hours in I thought this could be the best game ever. But it was just repetitive. The weapons were boring. Bosses took 15 minutes of slowly shooting whilst their endless health bars expired. I feel I'm in the minority with my views on this game but I just didn't like it. One of the songs was so epic though I have it on my spotify play list.

- Katamari Damacy Rerolled: I love Katamari games they are so batshit crazy. They didn't release a new Katamari game for the PS4 but remade Damacy so I bought it for just £5 I think. It was good. Not as varied as Katamari Forever but it gave me a Katamari Fix so glad I played it.

- Subnautica - Kept picking this up and putting down again for about 5 years. Finally decided to play through and complete. I played on the mode where you didn't have to eat or drink just so I didn't have to faff with it. I did manage to complete it. The collecting resources bit at the start is shite but I must say the ending and a lot of the bit towards the end is amazing. The game got so much better when I got a scanner room so I knew where resources were. Glad I played through but bit tentative about playing the sequel as I heard it's not as good and I don't miss all the collecting.

Currently playing:
- Witcher 3. This is another game I kept picking up and putting down for years. My PS Now subscription expired so thought I would play through my back catalogue which isn't too long (I learnt my lesson on PS3 where I bought so many games when on sale and never got around to even taking the shrink wrap off). I thought I would play Witcher 3 to completion. I loaded my saved game and I had so many missions in my log I realised I had no clue what I needed to do. I decided to start over and use a guide to help me focus on what missions to do, and actually finish missions before taking too many on. I also decided to play on Death March mode, thought I'd try it and can always lower difficulty if it's too hard. The second playthrough is amazing. The guide I'm using focusses on the main quest and includes interesting or useful sidemissions (if you get good XP or rewards). The difficulty makes combat much more satisfying. Previously I just button mashed and if I died would try again until I got it right. On hard mode you have to use spells which I never bothered with before and also block and counter attack. The combat feels smooth so it is fun. Apparently on this mode it starts off hard but naturally gets easier as you get good equipment which I quite like the sound of.

Sorry this was a long thread! I know there were some comments in the Movies/TV thread on games and someone mentioned this thread and others seemed to like the idea but no-one posted here. Thought I would resurrect it!

[Punterperson1971]

Commando for spectrum or paratroopers for vic 20
Use to play a World Cup football game for zx spectrum have a PS4 but don’t use it much but do like football manager been playing it for years

[golden bull]

Who remembers Gauntlet? I was always Valkyrie 😆

And I was king of outrun, always had the top score wherever I played it😝

[golden bull]

Who’s played GTA when it first came out? Bet you horny fuckers always picked up the hookers and spent your green backs watching the car go jiggidy 🤣🤣

[suttonporksword]

Back in the late 80s if you were between 10 and 15 and didnt spend all your time alone in your bedroom waggling your joystick to win gold medals in Daley Thompsons olympic challenge you were on the wrong path

[king tarzan]

Anyone remember the pacman watch from the early 80's?

I remember getting into trouble in class for playing it under the desk.

Memories of a small yellow handheld version with silver keys,which a few of my friends had.

Hidden Image/Members Only

I used to have six million dollar man 👍👍👍👊👊🥊🥊

[king tarzan]

Commando for spectrum or paratroopers for vic 20
Use to play a World Cup football game for zx spectrum have a PS4 but don’t use it much but do like football manager been playing it for years

🐅🤜🤛🐅

[Payyourwaymate]

Did no one play Zelda then?  .

[Goldfinch]

Did no one play Zelda then?  .

Had one of these for many years

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[martini2429]

Did no one play Zelda then?  .

Yes, excellent game

 

[sparkus]

Who’s played GTA when it first came out? Bet you horny fuckers always picked up the hookers and spent your green backs watching the car go jiggidy 🤣🤣

Just a bit

I played it from the first through to IV, including the various spin-offs ('Chinatown Wars' and 'Ballad of Gay Tony'), on some pretty marathon sessions.  GTA III, San Andreas and Vice City were definitely the peak for me, though I just couldn't get into V at all.  I remember drooling each time ads came out for new ones, Rockstar were pretty savvy with soundtracks.  Me and mates would even incorporate dialogue into everyday convo ("These pants are not Silky Milky!")

This is pretty fucked up too (says a man who spends his time fucking sex workers and writing about it to strangers): External Link/Members Only

[Billy no mates]

Nier Automata is quiet simply the cleverest story in gaming bar none. There is also an incredible amount of mind fuckery, and smart 4th wall breaking stuff.

The gameplay is fine to middling.

Set the game to the easiest setting to speed up the combat, and enjoy.

(PS follow ALL the endgame credits instructions)

[Ali Katt]

Currently playing Contrast, but finding it a bit fidfly. I like the aesthetic though.

[Billy no mates]

Currently playing Contrast, but finding it a bit fidfly. I like the aesthetic though.

Control ?

[Rick2468]

Control ?

I played Control two years ago I thought it was brilliant. Controls were fluid and the story and setting were so eerie. The main character was cool. I am a bit twin peaks fan and I saw lots of references to twin peaks throughout. I thought the ashtray maze was one of the most exhilarating 5 minutes of gameplay I have had for years. The Threshold Kids were awesome and I loved how the story panned out towards the end with the model town etc. I am going to play it again at some point and it is rare for me to replay games after completing them.

Had a two hour session on Witcher 3 last night. Met the Baron. I crafted some powerful swords (using advice from the guide I'm using) but then it was bedtime so I didn't have time to test them out boo. Luckily my girlfriend normally only stays over at weekends so I have weekdays to slob out in front of the PlayStation.

[Coriniumstud]

Currently playing Asteroids on the Evercade

[The0neAnd0nly]

Replies 31 and 45 -

I'm currently also playing The Witcher 3. Last time I played and completed it was over 5 years ago when it was originally released so loving it.
I've put in about 100 hours, at level 30 (I didn't do NewGame+ as wanted to start from scratch) and just got to Bald Mountain. Wont post any spoilers.

I started playing again after finishing the 2nd season on Netflix. I was disappointed by the tv series. I thought Season 1 exceeded expectations as thought it would be rubbish but confusing time line aside quite enjoyed.

Second season wasnt really for me just felt a little flat and some of the changes they made from cannon didnt make sense.

Luckily I've still got another 200 hours with Geralt with all the side quests and DLC. Completed Hearts of Stone first time around but not Blood and Wine which I've heard is amazing.

[The0neAnd0nly]

Who’s played GTA when it first came out? Bet you horny fuckers always picked up the hookers and spent your green backs watching the car go jiggidy 🤣🤣

I was playing the definitive edition a few months ago and loved GTA Vice City and San Andreas both of which I completed again. Reminded me of my teenage years especially the soundtrack and cars (Infernus!!). Didnt bother with GTA3.

I always got my money back by bludgeoning the hookers once they left my car lol. (I'm in no way advocating violence against wgs or anyone else for that matter!!)

[Rick2468]

Replies 31 and 45 -

I'm currently also playing The Witcher 3. Last time I played and completed it was over 5 years ago when it was originally released so loving it.
I've put in about 100 hours, at level 30 (I didn't do NewGame+ as wanted to start from scratch) and just got to Bald Mountain. Wont post any spoilers.

I started playing again after finishing the 2nd season on Netflix. I was disappointed by the tv series. I thought Season 1 exceeded expectations as thought it would be rubbish but confusing time line aside quite enjoyed.

Second season wasnt really for me just felt a little flat and some of the changes they made from cannon didnt make sense.

Luckily I've still got another 200 hours with Geralt with all the side quests and DLC. Completed Hearts of Stone first time around but not Blood and Wine which I've heard is amazing.

It is such a well polished game. Quite dark in places. I love the regional accents. Something I noticed doing is that when I am walking around villages or riding my horse I walk / trot rather than sprint / gallop. This is a small thing and weird but I think it feels more immersive. Feels cool trotting up to a settlement slowly on a horse. In most games I sprint as much as possible to get to quest locations quicker. I do still sprint in the game if I'm escaping a losing battle.

I have the game of the year edition so have the DLC. Current intention is to just finish main game and not start the DLC then will see if I fancy doing the DLC. I may be keen for a change by then. I've heard the DLC is huge but even if I don't do it I'll feel I'll have got really good value from it.