Category: Game&Watch/Handheld

Nintendo Spitball Sparky – One of the classics

The first Nintendo Spitball Sparky I owned I sold to a friend of mine back home, but the day after sending it I knew I was going to regret the sale. Within a few short months I bought another one, but unfortunately this one isn’t as good as the one I sold – the hunt continues for a perfect one.

There really is something about this silver beast that isn’t easy to define. I would say it’s one of the more challenging Game & Watches, and I believe it’s the only Nintendo handheld I have that I haven’t actually broken the 1,000 point mark on yet. Actually Donkey Kong II is another one I might not have clocked yet too now that I think about it.

spitball-sparky-nintendo

A few details:

  • Model – Nintendo Super Color Game & Watch – Spitball Sparky (that’s a mouthful)
  • Model Number – BU-201
  • Released – 1984
  • Price then – unknown
  • Price now – $40 to $150

The game in many ways Spitball Sparky is similar to games like Arkanoid or Block Kuzushi, but each time the ball comes within spitting distance you must manually shoot it away. A very interesting gameplay element is the way in which you can shoot the ball before it actually lands. By doing this it means that it’s possible to change the trajectory, and this is what makes the game very fun to play. When compared with other Game & Watches of the time, the gameplay feels almost random.

spitball-sparky-nintendo-2

For the collectors out there who only want the most rare version you can get a hold of, there is the illusive white Spitball Sparky just for you indian viagra alternative. The silver version that you see pictured here is the original colour that the Spitball Sparky is meant to be, but due to an error in manufacturing there were white Spitball Sparky Game & Watches released into the wild. Getting a hold of one of these isn’t easy at all though, and the prices they go for are insane.

I can thoroughly recommend picking up a Spitball Sparky. I am always on the lookout for an immaculate one, and I definitely won’t be selling this one I have here until I find it – learnt my lesson the first time. ?

Tomy Lupin LSI Tabletop

Tomy released some really great handhelds back in the 80s, and Lupin is no exception. Adorning the same name as the famous animation over here in Japan (wonder if there were lawsuits), you have to shoot your way through mazes in a bloody violent orgy (the ‘bloody violent orgy’ is dependent on imagination). ?

tomy-lupin-tabletop-handheld

A few details:

  • Release – exact year unknown, but in the 80s sometime
  • Power – 4x C size batteries
  • Display Type – VFD
  • Price then – Unknown
  • Price now – $25 – $90

tomy-lupin-tabletop-handheld-1

The VFDs (vacuum fluorescent display) really stand the test of time very well. I am always impressed when I get one that plays just like the day that it was made.

tomy-lupin-tabletop-handheld-2

Again, they didn’t seem to catch on that the controls are better with the D-Pad on the left. ?

tomy-lupin-tabletop-handheld-3

In use the Tomy Lupin is one of my favourite Tomy games so far (not that I’ve played a heap of them though). The controls are very responsive and the mix of key grabbing, maze navigating, and pure shmup madness are a winning combo. They don’t usually go cheap, but it’s one definitely worth grabbing if you’re into VFD based handhelds. ?

<a href="http://www pharmacie viagra pfizer.addtoany.com/add_to/google_plus?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.supergaijinultragamer.org%2F2012%2F03%2Ftomy-lupin-lsi-tabletop%2F&linkname=Tomy%20Lupin%20LSI%20Tabletop” onclick=”__gaTracker(‘send’, ‘event’, ‘outbound-article’, ‘http://www.addtoany.com/add_to/google_plus?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.supergaijinultragamer.org%2F2012%2F03%2Ftomy-lupin-lsi-tabletop%2F&linkname=Tomy%20Lupin%20LSI%20Tabletop’, ”);” class=”a2a_button_google_plus” title=”Google+” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>

NeoGeo Pocket – Metal Slug on the toilet!

I know that many of my fellow gamers out there like to pamper themselves by taking long luxurious breaks on the toilet. Don’t be ashamed of it guys, I know I’m not. But having to sit a long time on the toilet does become somewhat tedious (can see you nodding in agreement).

Well your toilet breaks need not be tedious anymore! As now you can run’n’gun while you dump’n’splash. 😀

neogeo-pocket-color

The NeoGeo pocket comes in two main types – the Pocket, and the Pocket Color. The ‘Color’ of course means that it sports a color screen. The NeoGeo pockets seem to come in a wide range of colour schemes as well. The consoles I have pictured bellow don’t even touch the tip of the iceberg in terms of colours available.

The one bottom left is actually a Black&White version by the way.

neogeo-pocket-color-1

To make the purchase slightly more confusing for those of you after Pocket Colors, there are actually two versions to choose from. The picture you see bellow shows you both types. The console with the slightly recessed screen (the bottom one) is the newer version of the two. This newer version is slightly smaller and has the recessed screen I mentioned, but in use it doesn’t seem to make much difference.

neogeo-pocket-color-2

Another way to tell the difference between the two is the word ‘color’ written in the top right hand corner of each unit. The ‘color’ that is written in cursive is the newer version.

neogeo-pocket-color-6 neogeo-pocket-color-5

NeoGeo Pocket thumbsticks kick serious arse! In my opinion there isn’t anything that touches them, and when I have used emulation to play NGPC games this is the thing that I always miss. It uses a very clever micro switch system similar to the NeoGeo-CD control pads that has a very reassuring click when moved in any direction. They wanted to have that arcade kind of feedback on a handheld and they pulled it off beautifully.

neogeo-pocket-color-4

When first turning the NeoGeo Pocket Color on (without a game inserted) you are greeted with the following screen. When I first got one, the horoscope section read “you will thoroughly enjoy toilet time from now on”, and holy crap (pun intended) it was right! 😀

neogeo-pocket-color-10

Like most handhelds of the era the NeoGeo was no exception in that it can support linked play. Unfortunately, due to being an antisocial introvert, I do not have any friends to test it out with, but I did buy a few of the link cables just in case. The only trouble is that the cable may not be long enough to link two players in a public toilet.

neogeo-pocket-color-12

I only have a few games at the moment unfortunately…

neogeo-pocket-color-9 neogeo-pocket-color-11

NeoGeo Pockets are small machines that I can whole-heartedly recommend picking up if you have the chance. I am always on the look out for more as they make great presents. Just make sure you give them a quick smell before purchasing – I know where mine gets the most use after all. 😀

P.S. Sorry for the unnecessary toilet references in this post. At least if in the future you buy one from me, you know where it was tested.

Tomy Kingman LSI Tabletop

Cant afford a home console, Game&Watch, or Arcade Cab and want to play DonkeyKong? The Tomy Kingman LSI Tabletop may very well be the answer. 🙂

tomy-kingman-lsi-tabletop-game

A few details:

  • Release – 1983
  • Power – 4x C size batteries
  • Display Type – VFD
  • DonkeyKong clone
  • Price then – Unknown
  • Price now – $30 – $100

tomy-kingman-lsi-tabletop-game-2

Although a DonkeyKong clone it is different enough that you don’t immediately feel like you’re playing an exact copy. Yes, you still have to move upwards and jump over objects hurled towards you by a freakishly handsome monkey who is obviously into interspecies relations – is it still called bestiality when it’s initiated from the animals side? Anyway, yes it is similar to DonkeyKong in that respect – the gameplay, not the bestiality you filthy animals. The thing that makes this a little bit different is on the second stage where you are avoiding objects coming straight down.

Another thing that may be glaringly obvious to DonkeyKong fans is the fact that the controls seem to be on the opposite side than what you may be used to. I was actually suprised how quickly I became accustomed to this setup though.

tomy-kingman-lsi-tabletop-game-a

The VFD (vacuum fluorescent display) on the little machine is really great. I am not sure of the life on these sort of displays, but the one I have looks clear and bright.

tomy-kingman-lsi-tabletop-game-3

All up a nice little machine that’s well worth having if you’re into the old Tabletop VFD games. Does it replace DonkeyKong though? Nope, not at all. Nothing can replace DonkeyKong for the thrill of climbing, jumping, killing apes (sorry PETA), and getting the girl, but this Tomy handheld is a nice little diversion to the drudgery of life. 😀

1 2 3