Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[NYC's oldest arcade re-opened as 'a cross between a Dave & Busters and a Chuck E. Cheese']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/nycs-oldest-arcade-re-opened-as-a-cross-between-a-dave-and-buste/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/nycs-oldest-arcade-re-opened-as-a-cross-between-a-dave-and-buste/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/nycs-oldest-arcade-re-opened-as-a-cross-between-a-dave-and-buste/#comments When Chinatown Fair suddenly closed early last year, the prospects for a re-opening were slim. A variety of owners of the arcade weren't able to agree to a lease negotiation with the property's owner, and the doors to Chinatown Fair in its original form closed for good in late February 2011. This past weekend, those doors re-opened, and what The Gothamist saw inside wasn't quite the same as the Chinatown Fair that shut down last year. For one, the ownership changed.

"We're kind of a cross between a Dave & Busters and a Chuck E. Cheese," new owner Lonnie Sobel said. "We're trying to do the best of both worlds." While a handful of classics were spotted - Dance Dance Revolution and Terminator: Salvation, for instance - the changes were apparent: Guitar Hero and Fruit Ninja machines sit next to skee-ball and air hockey, all dispensing redeemable prize tickets.

Sobel promises more fighting game fare in the future, and pins the current lack to "no really great fighting games" being out at the moment. We ... don't agree with that statement, but our disagreement won't change things, unfortunately.

[Image credit: Gothamist]

JoystiqNYC's oldest arcade re-opened as 'a cross between a Dave & Busters and a Chuck E. Cheese' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadechinatownchinatown-fairlonnie-sobelnycMon, 07 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: NYC arcade Chinatown Fair reopening]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/report-nyc-arcade-chinatown-fair-reopening/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/report-nyc-arcade-chinatown-fair-reopening/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/report-nyc-arcade-chinatown-fair-reopening/#comments Kurt Vincent was shooting around the location of the old, defunct Chinatown Fair arcade this week, for his movie about the downfall of that beloved game center, when he discovered that it was actually not as dead as it seemed. Awkward!

Vincent posted on his blog that he'd heard rumors of the Fair being reopened, and then ran into who he believes to be the new owner on the site. He was there cleaning out the space and moving games in.

For NYC residents, this means a return of one of the fixtures of game culture. For Vincent, it means a storyline change for the movie. And, best of all, for Chinatown Fair, it means somebody is cleaning the place.

JoystiqReport: NYC arcade Chinatown Fair reopening originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadechinatown-fairnycFri, 16 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dirt Showdown is about driving cars into other cars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/dirt-showdown-is-about-driving-cars-into-other-cars/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/dirt-showdown-is-about-driving-cars-into-other-cars/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/dirt-showdown-is-about-driving-cars-into-other-cars/#comments
Take all that serious business about driving you learned in the Dirt rallycross games and throw it out the window. Actually, throw it through the damn window, as smashing stuff is pretty much par for the course in Dirt Showdown. We're pretty sure that's all you do in it, actually.

JoystiqDirt Showdown is about driving cars into other cars originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadecodemasterscodemasters-southamdirt-showdowngameplaymicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxWed, 14 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Tekken Unlimited Tag Tournament 2 announced for Japanese arcades]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/tekken-unlimited-tag-tournament-2-announced-for-japanese-arcades/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/tekken-unlimited-tag-tournament-2-announced-for-japanese-arcades/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/tekken-unlimited-tag-tournament-2-announced-for-japanese-arcades/#comments It may not be hitting consoles until sometime this fall, but Tekken Tag Tournament 2 has been in Japanese arcades since September of last year, which in fighting game terms is a hundred billion years. The next step in the fighting game chain of evolution is, of course, the upgraded/altered/enhanced version, and thus Tekken Unlimited Tag Tournament 2 is born.

Unveiled during this year's AOU Amusement Expo in Japan, Tekken Unlimited Tag Tournament 2 allows for 2-on-2 battles like the original TTT2, but also 1-on-1 fighting like traditional Tekken games, as well as 1-on-2 fighting. The game's character balance has been adjusted to ensure that 1-on-2 battles are mechanically fair, according to Andriasang. Arcade owners who have already purchased Tekken Tag Tournament 2 will be able to upgrade to Unlimited free of charge. Let's hope these additions and improvements are reflected in this fall's console release.

JoystiqTekken Unlimited Tag Tournament 2 announced for Japanese arcades originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AOUAOU-2012AOU-Amusement-Expoarcadenamco-bandaitekken-tag-tournament-2tekken-unlimited-tag-tournament-2Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EyeAsteroids is an arcade cabinet you play with your eyes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/eyeasteroids-is-an-arcade-cabinet-you-play-with-your-eyes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/eyeasteroids-is-an-arcade-cabinet-you-play-with-your-eyes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/eyeasteroids-is-an-arcade-cabinet-you-play-with-your-eyes/#comments
EyeAsteroids, an Asteroids clone and frustratingly missed pun opportunity, is an arcade game from Tobii Technology that uses the company's proprietary eye-tracking solutions to recognize where you are looking on the screen, without the use of any other human interfaces. By bouncing invisible infrared lights off of the player's corneas and then monitoring the changes in the reflections generated, the arcade cabinate can extrapolate the eyes' position in 3D space and determine the angle of their gaze.

"In other words, the eye tracker works much like you would if you face another person and estimate at what they are looking just by observing their eyes," according to Tobii Technology's layman-friendly website. Fifty EyeAsteroid cabinets have been produced at $15,000 a pop, which is roughly the cost of one and a half Street Fighter 4 head-to-head vs. cabinets. If you happen to live in jolly ol' London Towne, an EyeAsteroid cab will be on display at the Trocadero until February 17.

JoystiqEyeAsteroids is an arcade cabinet you play with your eyes originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadearcade-cabineteye-controlledeye-trackingeyeasteroidslondontobii-technologyTrocaderoThu, 02 Feb 2012 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Persona 4 fighter hits Japanese arcades in March]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/persona-4-fighter-hits-japanese-arcades-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/persona-4-fighter-hits-japanese-arcades-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/persona-4-fighter-hits-japanese-arcades-in-march/#comments The Japanese console release of Arc System Works' Persona 4-based fighting game is due this summer, but you'll be able to play the game sooner ... if you happen to be near a Japanese arcade or an American arcade that really keeps up.

Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena will hit Japanese arcades in "early March," developer Arc System Works announced today. We're just going to think about this as a very long testing period, so Atlus can get an idea of balance tweaks before announcing the American release of this lovely 2D fighter. Right?

JoystiqPersona 4 fighter hits Japanese arcades in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arc-system-worksarcadeatlusjapanmicrosoftpersona-4-arenapersona-4-the-ultimate-in-mayonaka-arenaplaystationps3release-datexboxFri, 27 Jan 2012 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[This is your Tekken Tag Tournament 2 on drugs, any questions?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/this-is-your-tekken-tag-tournament-2-on-drugs-any-questions/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/this-is-your-tekken-tag-tournament-2-on-drugs-any-questions/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/this-is-your-tekken-tag-tournament-2-on-drugs-any-questions/#comments
It's good to know that Tekken Tag Tournament 2 will continue the Tekken series' tradition of being completely and uncontrollably bonkers. Winged wrestlers? Fancy-dress kangaroos? Dragon Ball nimbus clouds? Yup, this is Tekken all right. See if you can spot the homage to Blazblue's Noel Vermillion.

JoystiqThis is your Tekken Tag Tournament 2 on drugs, any questions? originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeitemmicrosoftnamco-bandaiplaystationps3special-itemstekkenTekken-Tag-Tournament-2TTT2xboxSun, 01 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix releasing transforming arcade game 'Gyrozetter,' anime and 3DS title to follow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/18/square-enix-releasing-transforming-arcade-game-gyrozetter-ani/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/18/square-enix-releasing-transforming-arcade-game-gyrozetter-ani/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/18/square-enix-releasing-transforming-arcade-game-gyrozetter-ani/#comments Let's imagine, for a moment, that we're all 10 years old again. (If you're actually 10 years old, good work.) Can you think of anything even remotely as cool as an arcade game about cars that transform into robots, where the arcade cabinet transforms too? Damn right you can't, because it's the best idea any living human being has ever had.

The arcade game in question, Super Speed Transforming Gyrozetter, is developed by Square Enix and transforms to reveal control levers as the player's car transforms into its robot counterpart. Cars have been licensed from Toyota, Mistubishi, Mazda, Mitsuoka and Subaru, making for an entirely authentic giant transforming robot experience.

The cabinet serves as the flagship for an entire Gyrozetter gaming/manga/anime franchise devised by Square Enix; a serialized manga based on the game is already in print, and both an animated feature film and 3DS game are reportedly in the pipelines. Trademark filings uncovered by Siliconera indicate that Square Enix has plans to expand the franchise to Europe after a successful Japanese launch, although we find it improbable that the arcade game itself will ever be exported outside of Japan.

Gallery: Super Speed Transforming Gyrozetter (Arcade)

JoystiqSquare Enix releasing transforming arcade game 'Gyrozetter,' anime and 3DS title to follow originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animearcadeeuropegyrozetterjapanmangasquare-enixSuper-Speed-Transforming-GyrozetterSun, 18 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco Bandai announces Tekken Tag Tournament 2 field tests in US arcades]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/04/namco-bandai-announces-tekken-tag-tournament-2-field-tests-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/04/namco-bandai-announces-tekken-tag-tournament-2-field-tests-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/04/namco-bandai-announces-tekken-tag-tournament-2-field-tests-in-us/#comments "But wait," we hear you say from the other side of the Internet. "Isn't the American arcade scene dead? Haven't coin-op establishments gone the way of the dodo? What kind of fool do you take me for? Hey I'm talkin' to you!"

Chill, friend! It's true that the American arcade is not as prolific as it once was, but the scene is far from dead. In fact, the U.S. of A.'s fighting game community has gone to great lengths to preserve its arcade heritage, and the scene is doing so well that Namco Bandai will be testing the latest entry in the Tekken series across our amber waves of grain.

Announced during Northeast Championship XII, the Tekken Tag Tournament 2 field test will take place in 5 different arcades across the nation: Next Level Arcade in New York City, Round One Entertainment in City of Industry, CA, Super Arcade in Walnut, CA, Fun Works in Honolulu, HI and Arcade UFO in Austin, TX.

As Austin is positively bursting with Joystiq editors, we'll be keeping an eye out for scheduling information as it becomes available. For now, we're just going to sit back and daydream about punching a robot with a bear. Mmmmm, satisfying.

JoystiqNamco Bandai announces Tekken Tag Tournament 2 field tests in US arcades originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeArcade-UFOfield-testFun-WorksNamco-BandaiNext-Level-ArcadeRound-One-EntertainmentSuper-Arcadetekkentekken-tagTekken-Tag-Tournament-2TTT2Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Infinity Blade FX' brings the iOS hit to arcades]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/infinity-blade-fx-brings-the-ios-hit-to-arcades/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/infinity-blade-fx-brings-the-ios-hit-to-arcades/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/infinity-blade-fx-brings-the-ios-hit-to-arcades/#comments For those looking to while away entire generations at their local Dave & Busters, Epic Games and Adrenaline Amusements are teaming up to put a big-screen version of Infinity Blade in the arcade/fried food chain, in either single-screen or two-player, two-screen configurations.

Infinity Blade FX uses the same cabinet as the arcade Fruit Ninja and Flight Control machines, all of which feature big-ass 46" touchscreens. It'll be in all 57 Dave & Busters locations by October 28, with other arcade and amusement park locations to be added later ... as those places buy machines, we suppose.

Continue reading 'Infinity Blade FX' brings the iOS hit to arcades

Joystiq'Infinity Blade FX' brings the iOS hit to arcades originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadechair-entertainmentdave-and-bustersepic-gamesinfinity-bladeinfinity-blade-fxiosiphonemobileThu, 13 Oct 2011 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Taking a detour to the Amusement Machine Show]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/video-taking-a-detour-to-the-amusement-machine-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/video-taking-a-detour-to-the-amusement-machine-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/video-taking-a-detour-to-the-amusement-machine-show/#comments Today, after finishing up our last appointment at TGS, we wandered over to an annex of the convention center and found ... a secret second convention! The JAMMA Amusement Machine Show is usually held sometime near TGS, but this year was held concurrently, and thus we were able to just pop in there!

The show was heavy on redemption and medal games, with entire booths dedicated to companies' prize offerings, but we were able to see some video games as well -- including a line of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 machines! There was also randomly a concert in progress over at Sega. You can see a bit of that, along with (OF COURSE) a few big mascot characters, in the video above!

Gallery: AMS 2011 show floor

JoystiqVideo: Taking a detour to the Amusement Machine Show originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ams-2011amusement-machine-showarcadetgs-2011Sat, 17 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tekken Tag Tournament 2 crowns the King of Japanese Arcades on Sept. 14]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/tekken-tag-tournament-2-crowns-the-king-of-japanese-arcades-on-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/tekken-tag-tournament-2-crowns-the-king-of-japanese-arcades-on-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/tekken-tag-tournament-2-crowns-the-king-of-japanese-arcades-on-s/#comments Japan will receive the Tekken Tag Tournament 2 arcade cabinets on September 14, with an international launch loosely slated for late September at the earliest. Now that we've gotten the easy stuff out of the way, here's the hard part: actually finding an arcade you can play this in. If you don't live in Japan, are you willing to take one expensive vacation just to play an arcade game?

Of course, Namco's thinking about you stay-at-home types. You have plenty to look forward to in Tekken Hybrid, which not only includes the CG movie and an HD remake of the first Tekken Tag Tournament, but also an early taste of the sequel.

JoystiqTekken Tag Tournament 2 crowns the King of Japanese Arcades on Sept. 14 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadearcadesjapanmicrosoftnamconamco-bandaiplaystationps3tekkenTekken-Tag-Tournament-2xboxTue, 30 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Walk with me through the MoMA's 'Talk To Me' gaming exhibit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/walk-with-me-through-the-momas-talk-to-me-gaming-exhibit/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/walk-with-me-through-the-momas-talk-to-me-gaming-exhibit/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/walk-with-me-through-the-momas-talk-to-me-gaming-exhibit/#comments This past Wednesday evening, high-brow gaming mag Kill Screen teamed up with a handful of developers, several sponsors, and New York City's Museum of Modern Art to celebrate "Talk To Me," an exhibit at the MoMA focusing on "Design and the communication between people and objects." Kill Screen's "Arcade" event brought together games from a variety of well-respected developers to highlight that very concept.

We headed over to the "Arcade" event and snapped a mess of photos of both that night's happenings and the exhibit itself -- a virtual walkthrough, if you will. "Talk To Me" will be on display at the MoMA through November 7, so you still have a few more months to head over and experience it firsthand if you like what you see. Sadly, there won't be a variety of games strewn throughout the museum when you visit, but perhaps playing Canabalt on your phone as you peruse the exhibit will offer some minor verisimilitude.

Gallery: 'Talk to Me' art exhibit, NYC MoMA

JoystiqWalk with me through the MoMA's 'Talk To Me' gaming exhibit originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadecanabaltkill-screenmomamuseum-of-modern-artnew-york-citynyctalk-to-meFri, 29 Jul 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NYC Museum of Modern Art to co-host 'Arcade' event with Kill Screen]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/nyc-museum-of-modern-art-to-co-host-arcade-event-with-kill-scr/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/nyc-museum-of-modern-art-to-co-host-arcade-event-with-kill-scr/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/nyc-museum-of-modern-art-to-co-host-arcade-event-with-kill-scr/#comments It seems the "Games as Art" debate is over, as New York City's Museum of Modern Art is co-hosting a game-centric event later this month with haute gaming mag Kill Screen. Titled "Arcade," the one-night soiree on July 27 features several great indie games (Bit.Trip Beat, Canabalt, Limbo, and "a new motion-based Kinect project" from current Harmonix employees Ryan Challinor and Matt Boch, as seen here). The games will be playable throughout various parts of the museum, including the MoMA's gorgeous sculpture garden. That's where we'll be hanging out, in case that wasn't clear.

You may be wondering how the folks at Kill Screen finagled a gaming night at one of the world's most famous art museums, and we were too. It turns out that the event is part of MoMA's "Talk to Me" exhibit, which explores "the communication between people and objects." Video games seem like a perfect fit, no?

If the incredible location and selection of great games weren't enough to convince you, tickets are just $16 in advance and $20 at the door, which entitles you to "an exclusive viewing, a cocktail reception, a tote bag," as well as the aforementioned opportunity to play games at the MoMA. We'll also be there in our sharpest outfit handing out exaggerated high fives, so keep an eye out!

Update: This post originally pegged Ryan Challinor and Matt Boch as former Harmonix employees, when in fact they are both still employed at the studio. Sorry guys!

JoystiqNYC Museum of Modern Art to co-host 'Arcade' event with Kill Screen originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadebit-trip-beatcanabaltkill-screenkinectlimbomacmatt-bochmicrosoftmobilemomamuseum-of-modern-artnew-york-citynintendonycpcryan-challinorwiixboxFri, 01 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dancing Eyes: the Namco Generations revival nobody asked for]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/dancing-eyes-the-namco-generations-revival-nobody-asked-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/dancing-eyes-the-namco-generations-revival-nobody-asked-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/dancing-eyes-the-namco-generations-revival-nobody-asked-for/#comments Namco's Generations series started off with Pac-Man Championship Edition DX. Pac-Man seemed like a good starting point for the retro revival series. Then it expanded into Galaga Legions DX, and then Pac-Man and Galaga Dimensions. Things got a little weird when Namco announced that it would remake the semi-obscure running game Metro-Cross as Aero Cross.

The series' slow turn into weirdness just accelerated into a powerslide with the next announcement: a PS3 remake of the virtually unknown 1996 arcade game Dancing Eyes. It's a sort of 3D Qix game about a monkey cutting rectangular routes around idols' clothing. The new version will feature PlayStation Move compatibility, so you can guide that pervert monkey with motion.

After the break, you'll find a trailer showing some gameplay and a very sad monkey. Dancing Eyes currently has a "TBA" release date in Japan; we wouldn't be surprised if this were the one Namco Generations game not to be announced elsewhere.

Continue reading Dancing Eyes: the Namco Generations revival nobody asked for

JoystiqDancing Eyes: the Namco Generations revival nobody asked for originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadedancing-eyesjapannamco-generationsplaystationps3psnwhatFri, 17 Jun 2011 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[ESRB: SNK classic 'Marvin's Maze' coming to PS3 and PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/esrb-snk-classic-marvins-maze-coming-to-ps3-and-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/esrb-snk-classic-marvins-maze-coming-to-ps3-and-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/esrb-snk-classic-marvins-maze-coming-to-ps3-and-psp/#comments With the PlayStation Network functional once again in many territories, and the PlayStation Store coming back soon (possibly tomorrow), Sony will soon be free to return to the very important work it was undertaking earlier this year. We're speaking, of course, about the sale of obscure SNK games.

The ESRB just provided a clue about the next game from the publisher to hit PS3 and PSP, and in a surprise twist, it's not a Neo Geo game. Marvin's Maze is actually a 1983 arcade game about a cute character trying to collect dots in a multi-layered maze, while avoiding or destroying "Robonoids."

In addition to this apparent PS3/PSP release, Marvin's Maze is part of the PSP SNK Arcade Classics 0 collection, which has yet to be officially announced for North American release.

[Image: The Arcade Flyer Archive]

JoystiqESRB: SNK classic 'Marvin's Maze' coming to PS3 and PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 May 2011 07:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeesrbmarvins-mazeplaystationps3psnpspsnksonyTue, 24 May 2011 07:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Fireburst trailer comes with a hot rock single]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/14/fireburst-trailer-comes-with-a-hot-rock-single/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/14/fireburst-trailer-comes-with-a-hot-rock-single/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/14/fireburst-trailer-comes-with-a-hot-rock-single/#comments Sure, this trailer for the upcoming downloadable arcade racer Fireburst has some fun jumps and explosions in it. But if you're anything like us, that song is what caught your ears. That's Dayton, Ohio's Hawthorne Heights performing "Drive," which you can get for free on the game's website.

Continue reading Fireburst trailer comes with a hot rock single

JoystiqFireburst trailer comes with a hot rock single originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 May 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadefirebursthawthorne-heightsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3racertrailerxboxSat, 14 May 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NYC's last great arcade documented in 'Arcade: The Last Night at Chinatown Fair']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/nycs-last-great-arcade-documented-in-arcade-the-last-night-at/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/nycs-last-great-arcade-documented-in-arcade-the-last-night-at/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/nycs-last-great-arcade-documented-in-arcade-the-last-night-at/#comments "Chinatown [Fair] was the last one, it had the best players, and this was like our last spot. So now hearing that this is closing, we gotta find another spot to migrate to," one defeated-sounding patron of Chinatown Fair exclaims in the short clip from Arcade: The Last Night at Chinatown Fair. The documentary intends to capture the iconic New York City arcade's last evening, and the ambitious project is being funded entirely by Kickstarter.

Rumors surrounding Chinatown Fair's closing began in early February of this year. Though a brief glimmer of hope saw the owners renegotiating their lease, the 50+ year-old arcade eventually closed for good later that month.

As of mid-day on Monday, the project has raised over $13K, with a goal of $20K (and another 22 days left). The film's production staff are also offering incentives for donation, with everything from a digital copy of the finished product and a credit in the film for just $10, to a "custom designed Chinatown Fair theme arcade cabinet" for pledges of $5,000 or more (One person already signed up! Madness!). Head past the break and see the full pitch video, as well as the premiere trailer.

Continue reading NYC's last great arcade documented in 'Arcade: The Last Night at Chinatown Fair'

JoystiqNYC's last great arcade documented in 'Arcade: The Last Night at Chinatown Fair' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 May 2011 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadearcade-the-last-night-at-chinatown-fairchinatownchinatown-fairdocumentarykickstarterkurt-vincentpitchtrailerMon, 09 May 2011 20:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Zen Pinball THD has a ball with Tegra 2 on Android devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/zen-pinball-thd-has-a-ball-with-tegra-2-on-android-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/zen-pinball-thd-has-a-ball-with-tegra-2-on-android-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/zen-pinball-thd-has-a-ball-with-tegra-2-on-android-devices/#comments Zen Studios has announced that it's readying a Tegra 2-only version of its PSN title Zen Pinball for compatible Android phones and tablets. Set to arrive "soon," the game will be going up against the just-released Pinball HD port for Google's mobile OS, which also requires Nvidia's dual-core chip to run.

The announcement says that "several" tables will be included in the Zen port, including the one featured in the latest DLC for the console version, "Sorcerer's Lair" (seen in the gallery below). Also to be expected: head-to-head online multiplayer and achievements.

Zen Pinball THD -- as it's called -- will be playable at Google's I/O 2011 conference in San Francisco tomorrow, May 10, and Wednesday.

Gallery: Zen Pinball THD

Continue reading Zen Pinball THD has a ball with Tegra 2 on Android devices

JoystiqZen Pinball THD has a ball with Tegra 2 on Android devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 May 2011 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidarcademobilenvidiategra-2zen-pinballzen-pinball-thdzen-studiosMon, 09 May 2011 19:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Mass. town to consider lifting 29-year ban on coin-op games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/mass-town-to-consider-lifting-29-year-ban-on-coin-op-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/mass-town-to-consider-lifting-29-year-ban-on-coin-op-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/mass-town-to-consider-lifting-29-year-ban-on-coin-op-games/#commentsIn 1982, sensing that its quaint, coastal way of life was being threatened by the coin-operated craze sweeping the nation's youth, Marshfield, Massachusetts banned arcade games from public establishments. The local law was upheld by the state's Supreme Court the following year and has remained in place ever since.

Three decades later, residents are starting to wonder if "the whole hysteria back in 1982," as current Marshfield Selectmen chair Patricia Reilly put it to WCBV Boston, had misguided their good intentions. After all, state law permits Keno to be allowed in bars and other public buildings in town. What could be so wrong about a little Big Buck Hunter edged up against the far corner of the local watering hole?

The video game ban will be challenged at next week's town meeting when voters can overturn the seemingly archaic decree. Of course, there are still those who fear such change could forever alter the character of this South Shore Shangri-La. "We're a coastal town," insists former selectwoman Faith Jean, who helped pass the law back in '82, to CBS Boston. "Now are we an amusement coastal town or are we fishing and swimming and sailing?"

"We are not talking about little video games that kids play or pinball machines. We are talking about slot machines, gambling machines," adds Jean in the WCBV Boston report. "Coin-operated devices are one more thing your kids will be asking money for. What kind of town do we want Marshfield to be?" For the record, Reilly expects the repeal to pass.

[Image credit: drsparc]

JoystiqMass. town to consider lifting 29-year ban on coin-op games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadebanmarshfieldmassachusettsrepealMon, 25 Apr 2011 16:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Cave's Akai Katana now available for home arcades]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/caves-akai-katana-now-available-for-home-arcades/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/caves-akai-katana-now-available-for-home-arcades/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/caves-akai-katana-now-available-for-home-arcades/#comments Allow us to dispel any casual thought of picking up an arcade cabinet and populating it with new games. Cave has put the circuit board for its latest arcade release, Akai Katana, up for sale on its international online shop. The price? 220,000 yen, or $2,597.73. Rather a lot of money for a single game -- one that requires you to already have a JAMMA-compatible cabinet, and one that's already been announced for a much cheaper home release.

However, there are some important mitigating factors to consider: for that $2,600, you also get a poster and a screwdriver shaped like a red sword (or ... akai katana, in Japanese), for use with the volume adjustment setting on the board.

The board available through the website is a special version of the game, intended for home use. It only supports free play, so owners can't charge quarters or tokens, and it has balance tweaks and an optional higher difficulty level, which weren't found in the arcade version.

JoystiqCave's Akai Katana now available for home arcades originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Akai-KatanaarcadecavemicrosoftxboxMon, 11 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Oni officially debuts on Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition site]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/oni-officially-debuts-on-super-street-fighter-iv-arcade-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/oni-officially-debuts-on-super-street-fighter-iv-arcade-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/oni-officially-debuts-on-super-street-fighter-iv-arcade-edition/#comments After giving us a look at Evil Ryu for Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition, Capcom Japan has pulled back the curtain on the final hidden fighter: Oni. We've got screens and videos showing off his moves -- the perfect way to study up before the DLC eventually drops!

Continue reading Oni officially debuts on Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition site

JoystiqOni officially debuts on Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition site originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadecapcommicrosoftoniplaystationps3Super-Street-Fighter-IVsuper-street-fighter-iv-arcade-editionxboxFri, 08 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Super Mario Bros. Wii arcade medal game primed for Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/02/new-super-mario-bros-wii-arcade-medal-game-primed-for-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/02/new-super-mario-bros-wii-arcade-medal-game-primed-for-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/02/new-super-mario-bros-wii-arcade-medal-game-primed-for-japan/#comments Before cursing the heavens, realize that the Capcom-developed New Super Mario Bros. Wii arcade machine isn't what you think it is. The Mario Bros. cabinet is actually a "medal game" -- in other words, it's a series of Mario-related mini-games (slot machines and the like) that can earn players more medals (i.e. tokens). According to Siliconera, players that reach Bowser in the up-to-four-player game have a shot at winning a jackpot.

Check out a video of the game in action on the official site (click 映像紹介 at the bottom of the page).

JoystiqNew Super Mario Bros. Wii arcade medal game primed for Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 07:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadecapcomjapanNew-Super-Mario-Bros-WiinintendoSat, 02 Apr 2011 07:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Evil Ryu officially revealed on Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition site]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/evil-ryu-officially-revealed-on-super-street-fighter-4-arcade-ed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/evil-ryu-officially-revealed-on-super-street-fighter-4-arcade-ed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/evil-ryu-officially-revealed-on-super-street-fighter-4-arcade-ed/#comments We've known about the inclusion of Evil Ryu and Oni in Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition for some time now (both are hidden unlockable characters), but Capcom's finally acknowledging their presence -- well, okay, Capcom is acknowledging Evil Ryu's presence. A profile for the hate-filled hadoukener has surfaced over on the official Japanese site.

The site also revealed some screens and two brief videos highlighting Evil Ryu's Ultra Combos, which you can see in the gallery below and past the break, respectively.

Gallery: Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition (Evil Ryu)

Continue reading Evil Ryu officially revealed on Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition site

JoystiqEvil Ryu officially revealed on Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition site originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadecapcomevil-ryusuper-street-fighter-4-arcade-editionSuper-Street-Fighter-IVFri, 25 Mar 2011 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@PAX East: The Behemoth's Battleblock Theater and Castle Crashers arcade cabinets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/seen-pax-east-the-behemoths-battleblock-theater-and-castle-cra/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/seen-pax-east-the-behemoths-battleblock-theater-and-castle-cra/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/seen-pax-east-the-behemoths-battleblock-theater-and-castle-cra/#comments After experiencing Super Crate Box on the incredible Winnitron 1000 in person at GDC last week, imagine our delight to find both Castle Crashers and Battleblock Theater running on four-player arcade machines at this year's PAX East.

The Behemoth booth was packed full of folks getting their co-op on and purchasing game merch as we precariously circled and snapped a handful of shots. You can find them in the gallery below. As you'll see momentarily, the cabinets weren't just fun to play on, but also quite attractive in their own right.

Gallery: Seen@PAX East: Castle Crashers and Battleblocks Theater

JoystiqSeen@PAX East: The Behemoth's Battleblock Theater and Castle Crashers arcade cabinets originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeCastle-Crashersmicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2011the-behemothxboxSat, 12 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[UK Mortal Kombat tourney has a sweet arcade-size grand prize]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/uk-mortal-kombat-tourney-has-a-sweet-arcade-size-grand-prize/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/uk-mortal-kombat-tourney-has-a-sweet-arcade-size-grand-prize/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/uk-mortal-kombat-tourney-has-a-sweet-arcade-size-grand-prize/#comments The latest Mortal Kombat may be for consoles only, but that hasn't kept its publisher, Warner Bros. Interactive, from creating an arcade cabinet for the game ... which can only be had if you're the UK's best at MK. WBIE is teaming with GAME and GameStation to hold a tournament that runs from March 14 through April 11, culminating in a final round at the Gadget Show Live in Birmingham.

The winner will take lug home the custom coin-op cabinet, which houses a PS3, meaning it can technically be used to play Super Street Fighter IV, the upcoming Tekken Tag Tournament 2, or any number of fighters on the platform. The cabinet's artwork depicts Scorpion on one side and Sub-Zero on the other -- and looks pretty amazing, if you ask us. Check it out for yourself in high-res via the gallery below.

Gallery: Mortal Kombat (arcade cabinets)

Continue reading UK Mortal Kombat tourney has a sweet arcade-size grand prize

JoystiqUK Mortal Kombat tourney has a sweet arcade-size grand prize originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadearcade-cabinetfightinggamegamestationmortal-kombat-2011Netherrealm-Studiosplaystationps3tournamentukWarner-Bros-InteractiveThu, 10 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The (Marble) Madness of Mark Cerny]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/06/the-marble-madness-of-mark-cerny/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/06/the-marble-madness-of-mark-cerny/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/06/the-marble-madness-of-mark-cerny/#comments In 1983, game designer Mark Cerny worked on a game that had dynamic 3D environments, including bumps in the floor that would chase your character. It also, at one point, was to use either a touchscreen or a motorized trackball that provided resistance feedback to correspond to onscreen events. Obviously, none of these things worked out at the time. But the game did manage to make it out, if in a less grandiose form than originally intended, and on more modest hardware than the revolutionary arcade board Cerny had in mind. And the scaled-down version found an audience as Marble Madness.

During a GDC postmortem for the classic game, Cerny said that the concept came about because the post-crash game market (and Atari) demanded totally unique concepts with two-player functionality. Two players meant twice as many coins per play, after all. And so Cerny set about with a minigolf-inspired game that used new 3D hardware -- which eventually ended up 2D, with a new "budget" arcade board that used interchangeable cartridges and afforded a bit more storage space.

Cerny gave an abstract look to the game, with enemies like Slinky creatures and transparent blobs (the transparency was simulated by drawing the floor grid onto the enemy sprite). So he was understandably irritated when the cabinet designers decided to make the trackball controller a smiley face. Eventually, they reached a compromise, with a sort of smiling character on the panel, but not quite a face, and not on the trackball itself.

After the year or so of design, Cerny and Atari ended up with a hit -- for about six months. Sales dropped off, he said, because the game could be completed in four minutes. He lamented not spending more time designing levels after getting the tech in place; at eight minutes, it could have remained a hit, he said.

JoystiqThe (Marble) Madness of Mark Cerny originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeatariatari-gamesgdc-2011marble-madnessmark-cernyretroSun, 06 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ono: Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition won't come to consoles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/ono-super-street-fighter-iv-arcade-edition-wont-come-to-consol/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/ono-super-street-fighter-iv-arcade-edition-wont-come-to-consol/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/ono-super-street-fighter-iv-arcade-edition-wont-come-to-consol/#comments If you were looking forward to one day buying the "Arcade Edition" of Super Street Fighter IV on a PS3 or Xbox 360 disc (or even 3DS cartridge), you can go ahead and put that money toward something else. (Marvel vs. Capcom 3, maybe?) Producer Yoshinori Ono told Famitsu (via Andriasang) that Capcom has no plan to release the Arcade Edition for home consoles.

The reason lies in the game balance. The Arcade Edition includes characters who are deliberately unbalanced -- we're thinking Oni and Evil Ryu here -- in order to build "competitive spirit" among the people who hang out at arcades and play in short sessions. The home version of Super Street Fighter IV has been designed to better equalize the characters.

Of course, the absence of a standalone console release of the arcade version of the game doesn't preclude the release of Evil Ryu, Oni, Yun and Yang as Super Street Fighter IV DLC -- something Ono has proposed before.

Update: Ono has made several statements on Twitter suggesting that an Arcade Edition DLC announcement will be forthcoming after the release of Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition. Thanks, Kreg.

JoystiqOno: Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition won't come to consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadecapcomdlcmicrosoftplaystationps3Super-Street-Fighter-IVsuper-street-fighter-iv-arcade-editionxboxyoshinori-onoFri, 25 Feb 2011 01:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinatown Fair could relocate, currently renegotiating lease]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/chinatown-fair-could-relocate-currently-renegotiating-lease/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/chinatown-fair-could-relocate-currently-renegotiating-lease/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/chinatown-fair-could-relocate-currently-renegotiating-lease/#comments Yesterday morning, Twitter was littered with folks trying to find out more information about the status of legendary New York City arcade Chinatown Fair. "#ChinatownFair" hashtags in-tow, rumor and speculation of the tweeters held that the arcade could be closing by the end of this week, with other reports stating March or later -- as it turns out, the arcade may not be closing at all. "I'm trying to see if I can relocate my business," owner Samuel Palmer told Joystiq last night.

According to Palmer, negotiations are still ongoing with his landlord -- a situation brought on by a failure to renew Palmer's previous lease agreement. "Samuel Palmer -- I'm not too sure if he had the lease renewed. So the landlord has an interest in raising the rent, and I guess he doesn't wanna pay it," manager Valentino Ventura told us, adding, "There is a possibility -- a remote possibility -- that we may be moving elsewhere. But we'll see how that goes. We plan to stay here."

Ventura further specified in a Facebook post that "[Chinatown Fair] may be relocating to Williamsburg, Brooklyn if disputes with the landlord are not settled" -- a notable move for an arcade that's been in operation on Mott Street in Lower Manhattan since at least the 1950s. But Ventura's not worried. He says that "the place makes plenty of money," and makes sure to point out, "We love our customers."

For now, Palmer is in ongoing negotiations for the store to stay put. And, at least for now, it's not going anywhere.

[Image credit: The New York Times]

JoystiqChinatown Fair could relocate, currently renegotiating lease originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadearcadeschinatownchinatown-fairnew-york-citysamuel-palmervalentino-venturaMon, 21 Feb 2011 18:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Billy Mitchell opens 'King of Kong' arcade at Orlando airport]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/billy-mitchell-opens-king-of-kong-arcade-at-orlando-airport/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/billy-mitchell-opens-king-of-kong-arcade-at-orlando-airport/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/billy-mitchell-opens-king-of-kong-arcade-at-orlando-airport/#comments Apparently, Billy Mitchell isn't too concerned with his portrayal as a professional bastard in the acclaimed gaming documentary, The King of Kong: A Fist Full of Quarters. The film's star-spangled villain has opened up a "King of Kong Arcade" in the Orlando International Airport, which possesses the aesthetic charm of the film -- yet, puzzlingly, there's not a Donkey Kong arcade machine to be found within the joint.

We can't fathom why the machine is absent -- but, if we were to guess, we'd assume that Billy doesn't want his establishment to sire any more potential usurpers of the high score throne. Check out the video after the jump for a brief tour of Billy Mitchell's decidedly modern airport arcade.

Continue reading Billy Mitchell opens 'King of Kong' arcade at Orlando airport

JoystiqBilly Mitchell opens 'King of Kong' arcade at Orlando airport originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArcadeBilly-mitchellDocumentaryKing-of-kongOrlandoSat, 19 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[You can't bear to miss this Tekken Tag Tournament 2 trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/you-cant-bear-to-miss-this-tekken-tag-tournament-2-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/you-cant-bear-to-miss-this-tekken-tag-tournament-2-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/you-cant-bear-to-miss-this-tekken-tag-tournament-2-trailer/#commentsThe AOU Amusement Expo is going on in Japan, which means we're going to see more from upcoming arcade games. And that includes Tekken Tag Tournament 2, for which Namco released this new trailer. If you want to see a bear knock spectators off of a ledge while fighting another bear, watch this.

Continue reading You can't bear to miss this Tekken Tag Tournament 2 trailer

JoystiqYou can't bear to miss this Tekken Tag Tournament 2 trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aou-2011arcademicrosoftplaystationps3tekken-tag-tournament-2xboxFri, 18 Feb 2011 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Tapper World Tour trailer serves up gameplay, Don Bluth charm]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/tapper-world-tour-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/tapper-world-tour-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/15/tapper-world-tour-trailer/#comments Part of why we're so excited for the iOS rebirth of Tapper is its look, created by animation legend Don Bluth (Dragon's Lair, Space Ace). As neat as Tapper World Tour has looked in screenshots, it's even lovelier in motion, as you'll see for yourself in this trailer.

Continue reading Tapper World Tour trailer serves up gameplay, Don Bluth charm

JoystiqTapper World Tour trailer serves up gameplay, Don Bluth charm originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applearcadedon-bluthiosmobileretrosquare-onetappertrailerwarner-bros-digital-distributionTue, 15 Feb 2011 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[The Gamerator: An arcade cabinet with a built-in tap and refrigerator]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/the-gamerator-an-arcade-cabinet-with-a-built-in-tap-and-refrige/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/the-gamerator-an-arcade-cabinet-with-a-built-in-tap-and-refrige/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/the-gamerator-an-arcade-cabinet-with-a-built-in-tap-and-refrige/#comments What's better than having absolute, unrestricted access to two of life's greatest pleasures? We'll tell you: When both of those pleasures are combined into a single, brilliant machine. The Custom Bar Guys have created just such a mash-up with The Gamerator: An arcade cabinet that contains a refrigerated chamber, in which you can store a pony keg of your favorite beer. You can hook said keg up to a built-in tap, and enjoy a frosty beverage while playing one of the machine's 100 emulated arcade classics. We guess you could enjoy several beverages, though after a while, that's going to throw off your Sinistar game.

It will run you $3,500, which is a substantial sum of money. However, we're talking about an arcade cabinet with cupholders and a built-in tap, upon which you can actually play Root Beer Tapper. We dare you to find a better way to spend three-and-a-half Gs.

JoystiqThe Gamerator: An arcade cabinet with a built-in tap and refrigerator originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Feb 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadearcade-cabinetbeerdrinkingmodthe-custom-bar-guysthe-gameratorSat, 12 Feb 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[California gallery becomes vintage arcade in March]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/california-gallery-becomes-vintage-arcade-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/california-gallery-becomes-vintage-arcade-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/california-gallery-becomes-vintage-arcade-in-march/#commentsIf you'd like to party with Pac-Man in a way that doesn't involve playing Pac-Man Party, head down to Alhambra, California's Nucleus Gallery on March 5. The Southern California Classic Collectors group is setting up 30 old arcade machines, and a dozen or so old consoles, to turn the gallery into a retrogaming paradise.

In addition to the presentation and free play of old games, attendees will be able to hear live chiptunes, take part in commerce in the trading room, play a retrogaming quiz competition and, for some reason, play Rock Band. Also, because it's Southern California, food trucks will converge on the location, stalking their elusive prey of "hungry people." Tickets are $10 now, or $15 at the door.

JoystiqCalifornia gallery becomes vintage arcade in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadenucleus-galleryretrosc3-arcade-partysouthern-california-classic-collectorsThu, 03 Feb 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Evil Ryu and 'Oni' unlocked in Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition [update: video pulled]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/23/evil-ryu-and-oni-unlocked-in-super-street-fighter-iv-arcade-ed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/23/evil-ryu-and-oni-unlocked-in-super-street-fighter-iv-arcade-ed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/23/evil-ryu-and-oni-unlocked-in-super-street-fighter-iv-arcade-ed/#commentsNow that Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition is proliferating throughout arcades, players are rapidly unlocking the two new hidden characters, Evil Ryu and "Oni." Both fighters are strong, with reduced vitality to balance them. "Oni" looks significantly different from Akuma, with glowing white flames for hair. And Evil Ryu, as in previous Street Fighter games, is a stronger, faster version of Ryu with some of Akuma's abilities.

IPlayWinner has compiled full move sets for both characters, allowing you to study up before you attempt to take on the denizens of your local game center. Check past the break for video of both characters in action (with some NSFW commentary from players), and find more at Shoryuken.

Update: Youtube has removed videos featuring the two hidden characters due to copyright claims made by Capcom.

[Thanks, Paul and Jim!]

Continue reading Evil Ryu and 'Oni' unlocked in Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition [update: video pulled]

JoystiqEvil Ryu and 'Oni' unlocked in Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition [update: video pulled] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadecapcomevil-ryuonioni-akumaSuper-Street-Fighter-IVsuper-street-fighter-iv-arcadeSun, 23 Jan 2011 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[LittleBigPlanet 2 goes retro in time for tomorrow's launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/17/littlebigplanet-2-goes-retro-in-time-for-tomorrows-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/17/littlebigplanet-2-goes-retro-in-time-for-tomorrows-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/17/littlebigplanet-2-goes-retro-in-time-for-tomorrows-launch/#comments LittleBigPlanet 2 has a brand new graphics engine ... that you can ignore in these retro-inspired user-created levels. Sony and Media Molecule released this trailer in advance of tomorrow's littlebig-launch, focusing on some of the arcade games you can play via LBP2's versatile creation tool.

Continue reading LittleBigPlanet 2 goes retro in time for tomorrow's launch

JoystiqLittleBigPlanet 2 goes retro in time for tomorrow's launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeLittleBigPlanet-2media-moleculeplaystationps3retroMon, 17 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pac-Man Battle Royale now shipping to US arcades]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/pac-man-battle-royale-now-shipping-to-us-arcades/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/pac-man-battle-royale-now-shipping-to-us-arcades/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/pac-man-battle-royale-now-shipping-to-us-arcades/#commentsGreat news for people who live anywhere near an arcade in the US: Distributor BMI Gaming is now shipping the wonderful Pac-Man Battle Royale to American arcade operators. When we played Battle Royale at E3, our sheer delight was tainted by sadness, as we figured that many of you would never get to experience this game if it only saw a limited Japanese release. While this isn't the home version we so dearly want, even the slightest possibility of being able to play this four-player Pac-vs.-Pac game is enough to put a smile on our faces.

Arcade Heroes reports that the $4275 price tag for the cocktail-style cabinet is low relative to other new-release arcade games, meaning that arcade operators will have an incentive to choose Battle Royale over other games. And that's good for everyone except the first three Pac-Men we meet in our local arcade.

JoystiqPac-Man Battle Royale now shipping to US arcades originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadebmi-gamingnamco-bandaipac-manpac-man-battle-royalepacman-battle-royaleThu, 13 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hank Chien reclaims King of Kong title]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/hank-chien-reclaims-king-of-kong-title/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/hank-chien-reclaims-king-of-kong-title/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/hank-chien-reclaims-king-of-kong-title/#comments This is one of those stories we scarcely need to report, as we're sure you felt it somewhere deep in your bones, but there's a new (old) King of Kong. As the unmistakable feeling of the tectonic plates shifting below your feet will attest, the honor was taken by plastic surgeon Hank Chien with a Donkey Kong score of 1,068,000 in two hours and 45 minutes.

Chien takes the title from Steve Wiebe (1,064,500) who took it from Billy Mitchell in September (1,062,800) who took it from Chien (1,061,700) who won the title in March of 2010, besting Mitchell's 1,050,200, which had stood for three years.

In related news, Joystiq has recently broken its own record for "Most Stories About the Donkey Kong High Score in One Year" and you don't see anybody writing a frigging blog post about that.

JoystiqHank Chien reclaims King of Kong title originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeBilly-MitchellDonkey-Konghank-chienking-of-kongSteve-WiebeTue, 11 Jan 2011 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[iPad occupies new quarters in iCade arcade cabinet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/ipad-occupies-new-quarters-in-icade-arcade-cabinet/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/ipad-occupies-new-quarters-in-icade-arcade-cabinet/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/ipad-occupies-new-quarters-in-icade-arcade-cabinet/#comments Know what your desk, coffee table or car dashboard needs? The iCade. That is if you have an iPad and want a (very) small arcade cabinet to stick it in. Built by ION for internet nerd wares vendor ThinkGeek, the iCade features a special iPad cradle designed to not scuff your precious tablet, along with a ball-top joystick and eight concave buttons.

If you have the money, space and understanding loved ones to spare, you can pre-order the iCade for $99 from ThinkGeek. Shipments begin this spring and include the iCade app, a front-end for (initially) a handful of Atari classics, such as Asteroids, with the promise of more to come. The iCade API is also being provided to iOS devs free of charge, so here's hoping the likes of Cave release updates to make their games compatible with this inspired add-on.

JoystiqiPad occupies new quarters in iCade arcade cabinet originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesapplearcadeiarcadeionmobileperipheralsretrothinkgeekMon, 10 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lenovo turns your laptop into a far less portable arcade machine]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/lenovo-turns-your-laptop-into-a-far-less-portable-arcade-machine/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/lenovo-turns-your-laptop-into-a-far-less-portable-arcade-machine/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/lenovo-turns-your-laptop-into-a-far-less-portable-arcade-machine/#comments Technabob has spied a delightful (not so) little laptop case mod from Lenovo during a CES preview. Designed by modder Dean Liou, the case allows you to turn your adequately sized laptop into an arcade machine in seconds, by sliding it underneath the dock's fight stick controller, and plugging said controller into your computer's USB port. Sadly, Lenovo is just showing off the dock as a proof of concept -- as of right now, there are no plans to take the mod to market.

Sure, this thing would completely eliminate the portability of your lap-sized computer, but, come on. Look at it! It's like an arcade machine for babies. Could you imagine anything cuter than that? Well, an arcade machine for puppies, we guess -- but modern consumer entertainment hardware science is decades away from perfecting that kinda technology. For now, check out a video demonstration of this human laptop arcade mod posted after the jump.

Continue reading Lenovo turns your laptop into a far less portable arcade machine

JoystiqLenovo turns your laptop into a far less portable arcade machine originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadearcade-stickcase-modces-2011lenovomodpcperipheralsWed, 05 Jan 2011 21:30:00 EST