The controls are simple. You can move your character right and left, but on some levels up and down as well. The first level of the game is a “Tapper“ style level where you need to move up and down different paths to kill the ghosts and retrieve the extra items. Some level you can fly a ship and move around the level to shoot the enemy.

The Boss level are most challenging. It will take a lot of patience and skill to beat the boss levels without losing a life or two. Just know that you are enduring damage when you hit them, it just takes a little time.

You can’t review this game without mentioning the brilliant music and sound of “Once Upon a Time on Halloween”. The designers of the game really did wonders to the sounds of the game and music that goes along with each level.

The addition to a high score learerboard is always a plus on the iiRcade. I can see this game being very competitive on Halloween and beyond. What is also great is that the game is easy to pick up and play so any age can play this and get better each time they play. Also available on the Nintendo Switch, this game is really only played at its fullest on the iiRcade. You will need that iiRcade sounds and experience to really love enjoy the game At a $7.99 purchase price, you can’t go wrong getting this game and filling your iiRcade competitive needs.

Highlights on iiRcade:
– 5 different arcade gameplay genres all in one
– Twin-Stick pour option in fitting levels
– 5 boss fights
– 10 stages
– Global Leaderboardsa

The post FLASHBACK !!! iiRCade News/Review: Once Upon a Time on Halloween appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Gunther Vinson who currently is displayed on card number 3980, from the Superstars of 2021 Collection.  Gunther is a true gaming junkie, who has been in the marketing profession for over 20 years.  His love for gaming helped him create Uplayarcade.com which is a website where he Buys, Sells and Trades arcade components and provides 3D printed upgrades and accessories for the home arcade industry. He also created Retro Recon, a show makes to help showcase the arcade industry.

What is your opinion of home arcades and how they are now more popular than ever?

I have one myself and use it every day. I think it makes sense because the current generation all grew up in arcades… we are simply reliving our childhoods in an affordable manner.

What does it take to be a video game journalist?

An understanding a passion for the video game industry.

What advice do you have for others who want to work in the gaming industry today?

Learn everything you can, from anyone you can. Also, don’t be negative. I learned this hard way. The video game industry is not a rough and tough industry. It is full of intelligent people that love video games and everything about them, so being rude and negative will not get you far. Man, up if you make a mistake, then fix it.

Did you ever think when you were younger you would be on a video game trading card?

Absolutely not! I am honored and blown away that Walter was generous enough to let me in his 2021 Collection! Thanks Walter!

Do you remember your first video game you played and what do you remember about it?

That’s very tough, but I believe it was Moon Patrol, at the Stater Bros grocery store in CA where I grew up… I remember playing it from standing in the cart…

What are your opinions about today’s generation of video games? How do you compare them to older, classic games?

I believe the games of today are far more sophisticated… more of an interactive movie… Retro games forced you to visualize the graphics… kind of like an interactive book. I think the human machine reacts better with stimulus that forces you to be creative… I love modern games, but I prefer retro.

What is your favorite portable gaming device and why?

My $12 no-name retro gaming handheld I bought off amazon… Love that thing.

What is your favorite sports video game of all time and why?

Neo Turf Masters. In my opinion hands down the best sports game for replay ability and tournament play.

Do you prefer arcade or console gaming and why?

Arcade – Arcades get you in and out. You’re spending hours or days playing the game on a console sometimes. Now if you asked this in a different time of my life where I had more time, the answer might be different.

What games today do you play and what are your favorite genres of games?

I focus on retro titles, but still love to play Call of Duty and GTA sometimes.

What games from the 1990’s were your favorite and why?

Street Fighter, SimCity, Starcraft, Mortal Kombat, SMB, the list can go on for a long time!!! When Super Nintendo came out… That was it. It gave true arcade graphics to the home.

Growing up were you team Sega or Nintendo and why?

Nintendo – I Like Sega, but simply didn’t have one. I had to go to a friend’s house to play Sega.

How does video game music influence games past and present?

Music has always been a big part of the gaming experience. I think it has affected the industry by creating musicians quite frankly. Growing up my friends and myself would learn songs and play them on our guitars and other instruments, Mega Man. Those tunes were out of sight!

Are video games aimed mainly at children, adolescents or adults?

Depends on the game. I believe games have always been made to target a wide variety of demographics… we have Barbie goes to the mall all the way to the Bloodiest gore fests like Time Killers where you’re cutting off your opponent’s limbs… the industry spans all genres.

Do you believe some video games are too violent and lead to violence in America today?

No. I don’t believe in gaming or even movies creating stigmas in our society… if you were swayed to commit a crime after seeing a movie, playing a game or listening to a song, you are mentally unstable… not controlled by the last media you ingested.

Do you prefer playing arcade games alone, against friends or online against the world and why?

I prefer online play as much as possible. In iiRcade Leagues we play each week and have a BLAST!!!!

Are video games good for relieving stress?

Yes. Gaming is my release from reality.

Do you like it when Hollywood makes a movie from the video game?

I like it if the original creators get a royalty from it.

Who is your favorite video game character and what makes that character special?

If I had to pick one, Pacman. The simplicity and difficulty of the game are such a classic form of entertainment… its timeless really.

What springs to mind when you hear the term ‘iiRcade?

COMMUNITY. The iiRcade community cannot be beat! We have great people and great fun Constantly!

When did you first meet Walter Day and where was it at?

I met Walter Day at the Iowa Gaming Classic 2021. Although we met there, he had heard of some of my accomplishments in the gaming industry and offered me my card after speaking briefly. This was one of those times where if you help others, you might get it back one day… I think I got it back that day.

If you could describe Walter Day in one word, what would that word be and why?

LEGEND. Walter paved the way for guys like me who are passionate about hosting game tournaments. He definitely has been an inspiration to me.

What is your favorite single player game and favorite multiplayer game?

This answer could change day to day… fav single player is Pac-man; fav multiplayer has to be Call of Duty WAW.

Where do you see video gaming in the next 10 years?

I see a massive retro market, and a massive VR market. The arcades as they are now, will continue to evolve with more and more redemption machines, and the retro bars will grow with more retro games for the older generation. There are developers making retro style games, like Rangok Skies, so I have confidence the retro style will be around for a very long time.

https://uplayarcade.com/

This is one of an ongoing series of articles based on the Walter Day Collection of e-sports/video gaming trading cards – check out more information at thewalterdaycollection.com.

The post Video Game Trading Card Spotlight – Gunther Vinson appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

The rules of the game are pretty simple. You can choose your level of difficulty by the amount of presents per round.  You can choose from 5 ,10 or 20.  Each present has 20 seconds to be picked up and dropped in the funnel or you will lose 500 points each time. Once you grab the gift, you will have bonus points that count down pretty quickly and give you the mount left when the present is dropped off. The faster you drop it off the more points you will receive. Once all the presents are dropped of the round is over and you will go to the next one.

The first few levels offer a way to gather points and get used to the game. After that the net rounds will offer cannons that shoot at the Santa as well as obstacles that can get in your way.

I really enjoy the music of the game, however, i do wish it would change from time to time. The same music each level sometimes gets repetitive. Overall, this is must have game, even not around the holidays. It can be played all year long.

The post Holiday Rewind – 2023 – CLUASCRAFT appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

As of this past week, it is with heavy heart that iiRcade has announced that they have to close their doors and shut down their servers.  This article is not to discuss the internal reasons for the doors closing because that has already happed last week and can be seen on YouTube and through the conversations through Facebook.  But the reason for this post is that this week, the servers for iiRcade will be shut down permanently as of Friday June 23, 2023.

If you have an iiRcade unit and have purchased any games for it in the past and want to preserve the games on the machine, you need to go online within the next few days to re-download the games to your machine.  If you have already paid for them, you do not have to pay for them again.  Also, if there are games you wish to purchase, you do have the opportunity to still purchase games,

In addition to that, it is highly recommended to check EVERY game that you currently own on your system to see if there are any updates to download.  There may also be system updates to be made to your system as well.

In the meantime, take a look at the pre-order project that is currently available to preserve the usage of the iiRcade after the servers are permanently shut down at https://thunderstickstudio.com/products/the-grs-ultimate-control-panel-for-iircade?fbclid=IwAR1iMoZtnsDioHFiEEZ5WSlqL-Xhxu44IlIHtPuHJ_OatSZeTtLQ8m-N2xs

The post iiRcade is Shutting Down Their Servers – Friday June 23rd, 2023 – By Brad Feingold appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

One of the top selling games in the iiRcade Game Store since launching in March 2021, Dead Cells is a critically acclaimed Metroidvania action platformer set within an unpredictable castle packed with dark secrets, game changing items and hordes of deadly beasts.

Named winner and nominee for dozens of Game of the Year awards in 2018, the Metroidvania modern game allows game players to explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle, unlock new gear and gain access to unreachable areas in a fight to the death.

The Updates Pack will include:

• “The Bad Seed” – adding two new biomes, as well a boss for early game content
• “Fatal Falls” – adding two new levels, eight new enemies, seven new weapons, and a boss
• “The Queen and the Sea” – Battle through a rotten shipwreck and burning lighthouse
• All free DLC updates such as “Practice Makes Perfect” and “Legendary” are included up to v3.0

Those who have already purchased Dead Cells can easily add the DLC content through the iiRcade Game Store. The Dead Cells Full Bundle (Base Game + Updates Pack Included) is also now available for $34.99, a savings of $5 from buying the game and DLC separately.

“Dead Cells has been one of the more popular games on our platform. It’s a perfect fit for iiRcade, being an action-packed modern game with a retro feel that plays extremely as an arcade game,” said Jong Shin, founder & CEO of iiRcade. “Many of our users have enjoyed and finished the original Dead Cells game, so it’s great that we can add new challenges for the iiRcade community with the release of this DLC.”

Originally released on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Xbox One, iiRcade is the only home arcade system that offers Dead Cells.

Dead Cells features:

• RogueVania: The progressive exploration of an interconnected world, with the replayability of a rogue-lite and the adrenaline pumping threat of permadeath.
• 2D Souls-lite Action: Tough but fair combat, the iconic dodge roll, more than 90 weapons and spells with unique gameplay… The unforgiving action wed to the absence of any kind of safety net makes for an adrenalin pumping ride each and every run.
• Nonlinear progression: Sewers, Ossuary or Ramparts? Once unlocked, special permanent abilities allow you to access new paths to reach your objective. Opt for the path that suits your current build, your play style, or just your mood.
• Exploration: Secret rooms, hidden passages, charming landscapes. Take a moment to stroll the towers and breath in that fresh sea mist infused air.

Each iiRcade comes with 11 pre-loaded games: Dragon’s Lair, Double Dragon, Gunbird, Beach Buggy Racing, BombSquad (online multiplayer party game), Snowboard Championship, Diver Boy, Dragon Master, Maniac Square, Twin Brats and Fancy World, with more games downloadable, including free games, on the iiRcade store (https://iircade.store).

All games are officially licensed and available at affordable prices, and new titles are continuously added to the growing iiRcade store library. The full list of currently available games can be found on the iiRcade store.
For more information and to order iiRcade, visit iiRcade.com.

The post Dead Cells’ Updates Pack is Now Available in iiRcade Game Store appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

CHICAGO (PRWEB)April 19, 2023

iiRcade Inc., a premium home arcade console that allows gamers of all ages to play their favorite retro and modern games in a true arcade style, is pleased to announce that OPERATION WOLF, officially licensed by TAITO, is launching in the iiRcade Game Store this Friday, April 21 for $12.99.

With its Light Gun Compatibility, OPERATION WOLF will be the first game to work with a Light Gun accessory for those with Gold Edition cabinets. OPERATION WOLF can also be played by all iiRcade users (Gold Edition or Standard Edition) using the joystick and buttons.

“We’re very pleased to announce that light gun games can now be played on iiRcade Gold Edition cabinets,” said Jong Shin, founder & CEO of iiRcade. “We’re excited to also announce that our first light gun game is the iconic OPERATION WOLF arcade classic that’ll be available this Friday with more games to come.”

OPERATION WOLF is a military-themed first-person light gun shooter that was released in arcades in 1987. Upon release in arcades, the game received wide acclaim from critics, particularly for its gameplay, graphics, and controls.

Assuming the role of Special Forces Operative Roy Adams, the player attempts to rescue five hostages who are being held captive in enemy territory. The game is viewed from a first-person perspective with the screen scrolling horizontally through the landscape and is divided into six stages, each of which advances the story when completed.

Each iiRcade comes with 11 pre-loaded games: Dragon’s Lair, Double Dragon, Gunbird, Beach Buggy Racing, BombSquad (online multiplayer party game), Snowboard Championship, Diver Boy, Dragon Master, Maniac Square, Twin Brats and Fancy World, with more games downloadable, including free games, on the iiRcade store (https://iircade.store).

All games are officially licensed and available at affordable prices, and new titles are continuously added to the growing iiRcade store library. The full list of currently available games can be found here.

For more information and to order iiRcade, visit iiRcade.com.

About iiRcade:

iiRcade is a premium home arcade console that offers a gaming experience like no other. Play the retro arcade games that you remember and the latest modern games in amazing arcade style. With cinematic gaming experiences powered by 19” high-density display, 100W of powerful stereo sound, premium 2-player arcade controllers and device optimized for the best arcade gaming experiences, iiRcade delivers arcade gaming that is so immersive, you will feel like you are inside the game.

FULL PRESS RELEASE

The post OPERATION WOLF with Light Gun Compatibility Launching April 21st for iiRcade appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

If you’re looking for even more Amiga goodness, then you’ve come to the right place. As thanks to our good friend Amiga Bill who streams top quality Amiga games through Twitch, we’ve been told that AcidBottle is working on an Amiga port of the classic Arcade game of ‘Tiger-Heli’. A game that was originally released back in 1985 in the Arcades and then ported over to the NES and Playstation. To coincide with this cool news story, we have some early footage of the game which is being created using Earok’s Scorpion Engine.

Here is what the Wikipedia says about the game from back in the day “Tiger-Heli is a vertically scrolling shooter game developed by Toaplan and released for arcades in 1985. It was published in Japan by Taito and in North America by Romstar. Controlling the titular attack helicopter, the player must fight endless waves of military vehicles while avoiding collision with their projectiles and other obstacles. The Tiger-Heli has a powerful bomb at its disposal that can clear the screen of enemies when fired. It was the first shoot ’em up game from Toaplan, and their third video game overall”.

Links :1) Demo 2) Github

The post Tiger-Heli – Taito’s vertically scrolling shooter is coming to the Amiga. Early footage shown! (Demo Added) appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

Wizard Of Walls!

“Wizard Of Walls” is a dungeon/maze shooter with retro mechanics inspired by the old arcade classic “Wizard Of Wor”. You play a warrior with a laser gun and have to shoot all monsters. If you touch a monster or get shot by a monster, you die instantly (no health bar, no regeneration). Everything becomes faster and faster. Your goal is to survive as many dungeons as you can.

Collect power-ups within the dungeon. The blue ones make you run faster, the orange ones make you shoot faster.

Every 5th dungeon is a spider dungeon. A horde of fast moving spiders crawl around and try to drop eggs. If you don’t shoot the eggs in time, 5 new spiders will be born.

The graphics on this independent game is top notch. It is an overheard maze like shooting game. The sounds as well really makes this game a must have in the iiRcade. This will be for sale for $9.99 in the iiRcade Store on January 20th, 2023. Check it out.

For more information on iiRcade go to https://www.iircade.com/

The post Coming Soon for iiRcade – Wizard of Walls appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

Major Title 2 is an arcade-style golf simulation. The game is presented in a mixed perspective. The pre-shot perspective is a standard third-person view from just behind the golfer, but once the ball is hit, the view switches to a top-down perspective to track the ball in flight. Instead of setting the power and controlling the shot, the only function of the vertically oriented swing meter is to select the vertical angle of the shot

There are 2 courses as of now to choose from as well as 4 golfers with different attributes (power hitter, all-round player, technician, and magician). There is a career stats option where you put in your initials and birthday.  If you play 18 holes, the stats will update. However, as of this article, the feature does not work. I know iiRcade can fix that. The greens are very tricky as the slopes look like a mini gold hole sometimes. Very hard to read but if you do it right it is an exciting way to make the putt.

If you want a pretty basic fun golf game to hold off until a possible trackball game one day, then this one will be perfect for the sports library.

For more information on iiRcade, go to https://www.iircade.com/

The post iiRcade Review – Major Title 2 – Tournament Leader appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.

in R-Type LEO, players take control of the titular space fighter to travel the man-made mechanical planet Eden and destroy its supercomputer core Major.

This game is a bit different than the games before it. The most notable change is the removal of the Force, a shield item from previous installments that also acted as an additional source of firepower.

The power ups in the game make the ship weapons really powerful such as lasers and missiles.

The iiRcade does a great job porting this game in the machine. It really gives a true arcade feel and sounds amazing.

For more information on iiRcade , go to https://www.iircade.com/

The post iiRcade Game Review – R-Type LEO appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.