James
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cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
James
@cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
27 followers 7 following 220 posts
Blogger at Cheap Retro Gaming. Fan of retro games, and those inspired by such classics. Also enjoys finding quality free titles, good deals on games, and taking advantage of bundle offers.
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cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Space Harrier was a standout arcade title in 1985. A few years later SEGA released a sequel to it. See my review of it, and the SEGA Genesis Mini 2 version!

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/09/24/s...

#GameReview #GameReviews #SpaceHarrier #sega #segagames #railshooter #segagenesis #segamegadrive
Space Harrier II Reviews – How Was SEGA’s 2nd Arcade-Inspired Launch Title for the Mega Drive? Two Versions Compared!
It’s clear that one of SEGA’s goals with the Mega Drive was to make home console releases as similar to their arcade counterparts as possible. Because of this, what better way to introduce the worl…
cheapretrogaming.com
September 25, 2026 at 12:16 PM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Continuing our journey through early NES titles, we approach a series of cold, snowy mountains. See what I think of Ice Climber!

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/09/12/i...

#GameReview #GameReviews #nintendo #nintendoentertainmentsystem #Nesgames #cutegames #iceclimber #iceclimbers #twoplayergames
Ice Climber Review – Sure, This Is a Cute Vertical Platformer, but It’s Also Really Frustrating!
Continuing our journey through early Famicom and NES titles, we now approach a different kind of Platformer. This one being vertically oriented where the player starts at the bottom of the screen a…
cheapretrogaming.com
September 12, 2026 at 9:36 PM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Until today, I’ve not reviewed any early driving games, so let’s begin with Kee Games’ Super Bug. It’s from The Wider World of Atari DLC for Atari 50!

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/09/05/s...

#gamereview #gamerviews #arcadegames #vwbug #drivinggame #atari #Atari50 #retrogaming #kidfriendly
Super Bug Review – This Was a Popular Driving Game in 1977, but What’s It Like Today?
In the early years of gaming, developers were still trying to discover just what kinds of titles would be appealing to the public. One common theme was car racing and driving. An example of the lat…
cheapretrogaming.com
September 5, 2026 at 1:44 PM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Hi everyone, just so you know, some of the posts I am working on for September 2026 include reviews of Space Harrier II, Ice Climber, and Creepy Brawlers. I’m also preparing a Buyer’s Guide for the PlayStation 3 store’s impending closure. I hope to see you then!
August 29, 2026 at 1:56 PM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
In the early 1980’s, many games tried to cash in on the maze chase craze. One that was released in 1981 was Wizard of Wor, a title that featured synthesized voices. How was it?

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/08/29/w...

#gamereview #GameReviews #arcadegames #actiongames #MazeGame #twoplayergames
Wizard of Wor Review – A Maze Game, but With a Little Action and a Sci-Fi Feel to It?
The early 1980’s saw a slew of new arcade games with maze exploration and chasing mechanics. One example was Wizard of Wor, which gave players a gun to shoot their enemies, and also featured synthe…
cheapretrogaming.com
August 29, 2026 at 1:49 PM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
After reviewing the single-screen action game, Joust, we now look at Nintendo’s take on the formula, with Balloon Fight for the NES!

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/08/22/b...

#GameReview #gamereviewer #balloonfight #cutegames #kidfriendly #twoplayergames #nintendo #hallaboratory #Nesgames
Balloon Fight Review – A Cute and Kid-Friendly Take On Early Single-Screen Action Games!
The early years of the NES had a lot of single-screen titles. One example was Balloon Fight, where you play as a boy who floats in the air with some balloons strapped to him. As cute as that sounds…
cheapretrogaming.com
August 22, 2026 at 12:53 PM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
We now come to my first game by Williams Electronics, Joust! It is a single-screen action game that featuring characters riding birds. How is it today?

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/08/15/j...

#gamereview #GameReviews #arcade #arcadegames #ActionGames #SingleScreen #twoplayergame #birds #animals
Joust Review – Not All Single-Screen Action Games Needed To Take Place in Space Back in 1982!
In the 1980’s, there were a ton of games that influenced the design of latter titles. There were a lot of single-screen action games that featured space or sci-fi themes. Yet, one title from 1982 t…
cheapretrogaming.com
August 15, 2026 at 2:08 PM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Where do you want to go in life? In The Lost Condor you can experience a little bit of Machu Picchu through a Walking Simulator. Is it worth the trip?

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/08/08/t...

#gamereview #GameReviews #WalkingSimulator #MachuPicchu #Peru #Itchio #itch.io #realistic
The Lost Condor Review – Explore Machu Picchu Through a Walking Simulator! Or Maybe Stonehenge?
Where do you want want to go in life? In The Lost Condor, you can take a virtual trip to Machu Picchu, the ancient 15th century site in Peru!
cheapretrogaming.com
August 8, 2026 at 10:43 PM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Hi everyone, I will be returning to regular reviews again on Saturday, August 8!

During the month, I will review a Walking Simulator taking place in Machu Piccu, two single-screen action titles, and an old-school maze action game from Midway.

I hope to see you then! Thanks for your patience!
August 1, 2026 at 9:27 PM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Just to be upfront with everyone, I will not be posting new reviews at Cheap Retro Gaming until at least August. Please see my post for more details. Thank you!

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/06/25/t...

#blogging #blogupdate #announcement
There Will Be No New Reviews on This Site Until (Probably) August.
At this time, I need to say that I will not be uploading new reviews at Cheap Retro Gaming until at least August.
cheapretrogaming.com
June 26, 2026 at 1:30 AM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Coming up on the 6th Atari game I’ve reviewed, I’m surprised that this is already the 3rd one that has a war theme! How is Destroyer different from the others I’ve played?

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/06/11/d...

#gamereview #GameReviews #atari #Atari50 #arcadegames
Destroyer Review – Another War Game From Atari? How Is This One Different?
Coming up on the sixth Atari game I’ve reviewed, I’m surprised that this is already the third one that has a war theme! How is Destroyer different than the others that I’ve already played?
cheapretrogaming.com
June 14, 2026 at 1:04 PM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Slimes are the mascot of the Dragon Quest series, but did you know about the baby’s board book about them? Check out my review to learn more!

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/06/04/s...

#bookreview #dragonquest #DragonWarrior #dragonquestslime #boardbooks #cute #KidFriendly #squareenix #enix
Slime Pipipi Review – Square Enix Published a Board Book Based on the Dragon Quest Slimes?
Many of us know of merchandise that is available for popular gaming personalities, but back in 2019 Square Enix released a baby’s board book featuring a bunch of their slime characters!
cheapretrogaming.com
June 6, 2026 at 1:20 PM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
We’ve finally come to a game I’ve been looking forward to reviewing for weeks, Excitebike! Check out my post to see if I still like it!

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/05/28/e...

#gamereview #GameReviews #excitebike #racinggames #nesgames #nintendoentertainmentsystem #nintendo #kidfriendly #nes
Excitebike Review – Is One of Nintendo’s First Racing Games Still Impressive Today?
There are at least a few favorites in the NES’ early library, with the system’s first racing game being a bit hit back in the day. How is it today?
cheapretrogaming.com
May 29, 2026 at 1:28 AM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Windjammers is a popular title, but how is a similar concept when it’s been developed for the NES? Find out in my review of Log Jammers!

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/05/21/l...

#gamereview #GameReviews #indiegames #sportgames #multiplayergames #nes #nesgames #Evercade #megacatstudios
Log Jammers Review – How is this imitation of Windjammers for the NES and Evercade?
Log Jammers is clearly a title developed to be similar to Windjammers on the NEO GEO. Yet, on much more humble hardware, that being the NES. I recently played it on the Evercade through Mega Cat St…
cheapretrogaming.com
May 22, 2026 at 1:12 AM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Why do online multiplayer with fancy cameras and microphones when you can do couch co-op in Combat, an early pack-in game for the Atari 2600! See what I think in my review.

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/05/14/c...

#gamereview #GameReviews #atari2600 #Atari50 #Atari #multiplayergames #wargames
Combat Review – The Pack-In Game for the Atari 2600 Is More Fun Than It Has Any Right To Be!
One aspect of gaming that has been lost some is the joy of couch co-op gameplay. But back in the 1970s and ’80s, we could do that easily with the pack-in game, Combat, for the Atari 2600!
cheapretrogaming.com
May 15, 2026 at 1:12 AM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Coffee Crisis has a lot of personality, and references to coffee, music, and Pittsburgh. It's an Indie-developed Beat’em Up. How is it?

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/05/07/c...

#gamereview #GameReviews #indiegames #BeatEmUp #pittsburgh #segagenesis #segamegadrive #Evercade #megacatstudios
Coffee Crisis Review – A Lot of Effort Has Been Put Into This, but Something Still Feels off…
I like to see developers put a lot of their personality into a title. This may take multiple forms. A recent game I played that does this a great deal is the SEGA Genesis Beat’em Up, Coffee Crisis.…
cheapretrogaming.com
May 8, 2026 at 1:48 AM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
One Rotten Oath is a retro FPS and FMV hybrid with horror elements and a short gameplay loop and length. What do I think of it?

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/04/30/o...

#gamereview #GameReviews #IndieGame #indiegames #fps #fpsgames #FMV #fmvgames #horrorgames #gamedevelopment #steamgames
One Rotten Oath Review – A Hybrid of FPS and FMV Genres That Feels Homemade, but Is Still Intriguing!
Many different genres have been tried to provide new gameplay experiences to players. One that came and went quickly was FMV games. Yet, they still show up a little today. One recent example is the…
cheapretrogaming.com
April 30, 2026 at 10:34 PM
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Tetris has been released on tons of systems; with the most recent version I’ve played being 81-TRIS. It’s a port of the classic to the Sinclair ZX81. How is it?

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/04/23/8...

#gamereview #GameReviews #tetris #puzzlegames #freegames #ZX81 #browsergames #itchio
81-TRIS Review – a Free, Fun Version of Tetris for the Sinclair ZX81 Microcomputer!
If there’s any famous puzzle game, it has to be Tetris! The title has been released on tons of systems, and the most recent version that I’ve played is 81-TRIS, which is a port of the classic…
cheapretrogaming.com
April 24, 2026 at 1:49 AM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
A lot of earlier video game series don't have a lot of content made for them today. Yet, in 2013, Namco's Mappy had his own web series. How is it?

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/04/16/m...

#Mappy #mappythebeat #WebSeries #showreview #comedy #freeshow #bandainamco #namco
Mappy: The Beat Review – Amazingly, Mappy Has His Own Animated Series! Is It Any Good?
A lot of video game series have a ton of content made for them. Many earlier titles have been overlooked in this regard. I would have expected Namco’s Mappy to be one of them. Yet, in 2013, it had …
cheapretrogaming.com
April 17, 2026 at 1:43 AM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
We now come to my third Namco game review, Mappy! Check out my review of it, and the free PICO-8 version!

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/04/10/m...

#gamereview #GameReviews #retrogaming #Mappy #platformergames #kidfriendly #cutegames #famicom #pico8 #steamgames #FreeGames #namco #bandainamco
April 11, 2026 at 1:58 AM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Multidude is a single-screen puzzle game developed for the NES and available on the Evercade through Mega Cat Studios Collection 1. It's also free. How is it?

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/03/26/m...

#gamereview #GameReviews #indiegames #puzzlegames #freegames #Evercade #NES #megacatstudios
Multidude Review – Single-Screen Puzzle Gameplay, but Is There More to It?
One of the strengths of the Evercade ecosystem is how it showcases unique Indie games that were developed for older hardware. One example of this is Multidude, which is a single-screen puzzle title…
cheapretrogaming.com
March 27, 2026 at 1:49 AM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Hi all, despite not posting anything in the last couple of weeks, I want to say that I plan on having another review completed next week. I’m working on sharing my thoughts on Multidude soon!
March 22, 2026 at 1:18 AM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
Super Painter is a single-screen Platformer available on the NES and Evercade through Mega Cat Studios Collection 1!

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/03/06/s...

#gamereview #GameReviews #indiegames #platformergames #2DPlatformer #kidfriendly #FreeGames #Evercade #megacatstudios #NES #Nesgames
Super Painter Review – A Fun Little Single-Screen Platformer With Loose Controls!
Early Platformer games were single-screen affairs where you controlled a character around the stage to achieve an objective or get to an exit. Super Painter takes inspiration from such games, and i…
cheapretrogaming.com
March 6, 2026 at 8:34 PM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
While popular in Japan, Xevious isn't well regarded in the West. But if you give it some real play time and study its history, does it get better?

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/02/23/x...

#gamereview #GameReviews #shmup #shmups #Xevious #retrogaming #namco #bandainamco #nes #Nesgames #famicom
Xevious Review – While Not Too Popular in the West, How Is This Early Shmup?
Many popular Japanese titles were also successful in other parts of the world. However, some didn’t experience as much notoriety in the USA as in their homeland. One example of this was Xevious, an…
cheapretrogaming.com
February 24, 2026 at 2:58 AM
cheapretrogaming.bsky.social
SKELOST is a short, free, Action Platformer where you play as a cat with a gun and talk with yokai?

cheapretrogaming.com/2026/02/17/s...

#gamereview #GameReviews #indiegames #FreeGame #freegames #itchio #gameboycolor #GBC #japaneseyokai #japanesefolklore #ActionPlatformer
SKELOST Review – A Free Side-Scrolling Action Platformer With an Intriguing Soundtrack and Art Design!
Sometimes I find a title that I didn’t know anything about, but want to try it out because of its trailer. The most recent game that did that was SKELOST, a free Action Platformer developed f…
cheapretrogaming.com
February 18, 2026 at 3:06 AM