[Has anyone graded their games?]

I would avoid WATA at all costs.  They are dishonest, unprofessional and are ruining our hobby.

[Diablo ps1 on PS3 fat sound problem]

First things first, how does the data side of the disc look?  Second, can you test the disc in another console?

[Keep or trade in?]

They are all excellent and I vote keep 'em!  imo Ghost of Tsushima is probably the best overall game on PS4.  Even if you skip or sell of the others, you really should play Tsushima.

[Old game franchises that haven’t released new games in 10 or more years]

Might as well at Grand Theft Auto to the list.  GTAV came out in 2013.  I'll owe each of you a beer if GTA6 actually comes out next year (2025).

[The Official PS2 Thread!]

I've been on a huge PS2 kick myself lately, so thanks for this thread.  My original launch PS2 had many problems (Disc Read Errors), so I put it in storage years ago.  I recently picked up a better condition one and have been enjoying the system all over again after the long hiatus.  I've been picking up games here and there... the other evening I popped in Seven Samurai 20XX without knowing anything about it, and just didn't want to stop playing it.  It's one of those kinda games!

 

GTA3, which I bought at launch before it exploded in popularity, will always be one of my absolute favorite games.  Played a ton of Smuggler's Run and SSX at launch.  Loved me some TimeSplitters too.  Such a great system and you could spend a lifetime just going through the insanely large PS2 library.

[Your top 5 best looking video game consoles of all time]

As much as I L-O-V-E the Astrocade, it's such an UGLY console.  Surprised to see it mentioned, and I love woodgrain!

 

I suppose the top 5 sharpest looking consoles to me are:

5. Intellivision II

4. Neo Geo AES

3. Nintendo Gamecube

2. Nintendo 64

1. Atari 5200

[Great Dreamcast Fighters]

I loved MvC too, but was a bit surprised none of my friends thought it was quite as awesome as I did.  We had spent MONTHS playing SoulCalibur, so I guess I could understand their POV.  Almost every other game (fighter or otherwise) paled in comparison to SC.  Once MvC2 came out, I was stunned and amazed.  It's simply a top-tier game with so many characters to pick from, great gameplay and it looks gorgeous.  I still absolutely love it, and the DC is my go-to version.

 

So SoulCalibur and MvC2 are at the top of my list, but Dead or Alive 2 is also up there.  Does Ready 2 Rumble Boxing count?  Of course there are the great Neo ports of Mark of the Wolves and Last Blade 2.  Street Fighter III was fun.  I also have a soft spot for Psychic Force 2012.  It wasn't even that great but I remember liking it quite a bit, so that oddball would probably be on my list too.  I haven't played it in years though, and it likely didn't age well.

[Holy crap, Amidar for the Atari 2600 is so bad]

Amidar is certainly not the sharpest looking game on the 2600, but it plays alright.  I've always enjoyed it at least.  You can certainly do worse, even among the Parker Brothers catalog.  I think Reactor is a MUCH poorer game all-around, but people here seem to love it.

[It's Time For Sega To Rejoin The Console Market...]

It's certainly fun to consider the hypothetical.  Even if it was niche and crazy expensive, I have so much love for the Dreamcast that I would buy a Dreamcast 2 at almost any cost.  Maybe SEGA will make just one, personally for me, if I ask them nicely.  With hindsight, part of the Saturn and Dreamcast's lasting charms are due to the low adoption rate and relative obscurity.  Those of us who played them bitd still love them.  It's certainly best that we never get a Dreamcast 2 (or other follow-up SEGA console) because it lets us appreciate the old consoles and games we do have even more.

[Anyone still waiting for their copy of SlaVE to show up?]

Yea, you're not getting your copy of SLaVE.  The dev is/was rather flaky and also abandoned another project called Hypertension: Harmony of Darkness.  If you pre-ordered through GOAT Store you should be able to get a refund.

[Atari Video Pinball console (1978). Why no love?]

Video Pinball holds a special place in my heart because it's the only video game I ever saw my grandmother play, and only once at that.  I remember asking her why she didn't play other games (like me and the rest of our giant family who were always on the Atari) and she said it's the only one she knows how to play   It's still fun and imo a must-have game for any Atari library!

[WTB loose game manuals (SMS Fantasy Zone, AES, PS3, Wii)]

Looking for SMS Fantasy Zone manual and a few others.  Thanks for checking!

[Was Mario the bad guy the whole time?]

Castle Doctrine for ole Bowser, eh?

 

I don't know, I wouldn't call any of the creatures defenseless.  They kill Mario upon contact and of course later on, you've got Lakitu straight up throwing spiky balls at you.  Not to mention the hammers and fireballs.  If they didn't want to get crushed under Mario's foot or die by fire, they shouldn't support their boss who kidnapped someone.  They started it and deserve what they get.

[Who owned / owns a Bally Arcade?]

@OldSchoolRetroGamer I'm actually a bit surprised you haven't played a Bally Arcade/Astrocade, seeing as you are a long-time member here.  It is -absolutely- worth finding a console and an UltiMulti-cart!  It's the Neo Geo of the 70's and the controller is simply the best of that era.  Amazing system, enjoy!

[A Crush of Lucifer - 1982 prototype for the Vectrex]

Ars Technica has a nice article about Crush of Lucifer (and the Vectrex in general) today: <link>

[THE BIG CHRISTMAS 2600+ GIVEAWAY COMPETITION!]

SwordQuest: AirWorld gets my vote!

[It’s a crazy mixed-up world, man]

Dishaster, Spiderdroid, Vulture Attack…. oh wait, those are real!

 

Big Bird Dies Screaming would be an interesting mix-up for sure!

[AI envisions women of the 80s using C64]

At least the AI nailed the 2 posters of Basc Pecl and Catfud!

[Astrocade catalog]

Interesting!  I'm curious about Conan the Barbarian (5004)!  What ever happened to that release?

[General upscaler thread]

Looks like the asking price is $750.  Not chump change, but it would certainly be worth it.  This seems like a final solution for upscaling, at least for my uses.

[Arcadia 2001 Replacement Overlay Set]

Very cool of you to offer these.  Kudos!

[Good Deal Games Turn Around Time]

I haven't ordered anything from Good Deal Games in several years, but iirc it's just a one-man operation and he's not a rip-off artist.  I would send him a polite inquiry and I'm sure you'll get your games soon.  Keep us posted!

[Intellivision Amico’s trademark changed to ‘abandoned’]

I disagree.  Until he apologizes and refunds the money he stole, he deserves all the bile and mockery he's been getting.

[Game Sack video]

Though I can't confirm or deny personally, Joe Redifer is pretty thorough and knowledgeable.  I would be very surprised if he didn't test it himself before making the claim.

[Game Genie troubles]

Did you test Bubsy without the Game Genie?