Toronto Thumbs

First Impressions
MCC-216

Recently I received Arcade Retro Gaming’s MCC-216 (Multiple Classic Computer). This little box is a magical device that integrates some classical computer platforms all in one place; essentially, it is a hardware-based emulator. What makes it different from software-based emulators is the reliability. The MCC-216 is awesome because: it runs off of a microSD card; allows you to connect up to two classic joysticks; has connections for a keyboard and mouse; allows you to output to your TV or monitor via VGA cable (there is another model that actually has an S-Video out).

With the ability to emulate C64, Atari 2600 and Amiga (soon), the allure is palpable. So far, I have played a few games on here already (C64; using the cool joystick that shipped with mine) and it is fantastic. I’m going to be testing this out over the next few weeks (as will some of the other Thumbs staff) to put this device through its paces.

Click here to visit Arcade Retro Gaming! »

Click here to check out some shots of the MCC-216! »

Posted in Arcade, Awesome, First Impressions, Gadgets | 3 Comments »

SWISH!
EA Announces NBA JAM for Wii

Today EA announced that its EA Sports branch is reviving the NBA JAM franchise by developing a new title in the series exclusively for the Wii. According to the publisher, EA Sports NBA JAM will feature vintage gameplay along with new features that “deliver a fresh new take on the game,” which seems akin to saying “It’s the same, but different.”

“NBA JAM is one of the most recognizable franchises in videogame history,” says EA Sports president Peter Moore. “Diehard fans of the original game have been asking for a remake for more than a decade. We’re very excited to give them their wish this year with the return of this iconic franchise.”

The company’s press release goes on to state that the new game will feature true-to-life body types, updated physics, and visible player emotion. I wonder if EA Sports realizes no one played NBA JAM for its realism.

While no screenshots have been released, the site nba-jam.easports.com is up in a somewhat bare bones state. Still, it’s nice to see the new logo still features a flaming basketball.

EA Sports NBA JAM will hit the Wii this year and is being developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, BC. As this is an EA Sports title, expect to see plenty of sequels.

Posted in Arcade, Awesome, Canada, News Bytes, Wii | 2 Comments »

Holiday Steal
Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 for 560 Points Today

If you’ve got yourself an Xbox 360 and are itching for some over-the-top fighting fun, be sure to download Marvel Vs. Capcom 2. It’s on sale today as part of Microsoft’s Holiday Extravaganza sale promotion. Regular price for this title is 1200 Microsoft Points, but today (and only today) that has been dropped down to a crazy low 560. I’ve already started my download, after having to do a hard drive cleanup (the 360’s 20 GB drive is tiny!), and encourage you to do the same.

If you’re not going to be near your console today you can purchase it through Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE Marketplace web interface.

If, however, 560 Points is still too much (or if you don’t have an Xbox 360), you can always play Deertase 2: Reindeertase for free.

Posted in Arcade, Awesome, LIVE, News Bytes, Xbox 360 | No Comments »

Event Re-cap
Gamercamp Wows, Leaves Me Wanting More

Organizers Jaime Woo and Mark Rabo welcome the crowd. Photo by Gavin Hay from the Gamercamp Flickr Pool.

Saturday’s Gamercamp was unlike any other gaming-related gathering I have attended. Since many of them are sponsored by software and console manufacturers and used to promote upcoming big-budget titles from studios with hundreds of employees, the contrast provided by Gamercamp was both refreshing and much needed.

Instead, the event celebrated local talent and featured demonstrations of upcoming indie games as well as insights from successful indie developers about the creative process, business decisions, and team dynamics. Gamercamp was a casual gathering with snack and chat breaks punctuating demonstrations and lectures.

During these breaks I was fortunate to meet with several local gamers and writers, many for the first time, to talk about gaming and other geeky subjects. Among these personalities were the amicable Imaginary Thomas (who was making his annual public appearance), Lori Dance and Dave Waisglass from the new and awesome game blog A Couple of Gamers, Don Tam from GameNorth.ca, Will Perkins and Lucas Rizoli from Dork Shelf, Ry-Tron and Nadine from Aboot Play, Zack Kotzer from Steel Bananas, and Jaime Woo and Mark Rabo, the minds behind Gamercamp.

What was surprising and most humbling was hearing from people who’ve read Toronto Thumbs and enjoyed the site – so to those of you who expressed kind words, thanks again.

Read the rest »

Posted in Arcade, Art, Awesome, Canada, Events, Indie, TORONTO | 7 Comments »

2009 Canadian Pinball Championship Today

This weekend, The Playdium Store has been holding the 2009 Canadian Pinball Championship, and today is its final day of competition.

Our resident competitor, Mike Jackson, is currently holding his own at 38th place in the standing. I was supposed to meet with Jackson on Friday for lunch but he had to practice his pinball skills at the tiny arcade in Union Station – one of the only arcades left in the city.

Good luck, Jackson. Know that no matter how you place in this Championship, you’ll still be a pinball wizard to us.

Posted in Arcade, Events, News Bytes | No Comments »

Limited Edition ‘Femme Fatale’ Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick: Tournament Edition

Today Mad Catz announced their Limited Edition “Femme Fatale” Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick, which will be sold at this year’s Penny Arcade Expo. The stick is limited to 1000 pieces, with 650 of those being for the Xbox 360 and 350 being for the PlayStation 3. It looks a lot like the Tournament Edition stick, only five times as pretty seeing as it’s decorated with images of Cammy, Chun-Li, Crimson Viper, Sakura, and Rose.

Mad Catz says the sticks will be available online via the Capcom and GameShark online stores after PAX, but judging from the low production numbers, it seems like your best bet for picking one up would be to actually attend PAX with a pocketful of cash.

Read the rest »

Posted in Arcade, Awesome, News Bytes, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | No Comments »

Turtles in Time Gets a Re-Vamp

A tipster going by the name Hamato Yoshi has just sent us the best news we’ve heard all week: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time is getting a remake and will hit Xbox Live sometime in the future. The game has the same score as the original but with updated graphics.

I think it’s time to get my TMNT Sewer Playset from my parents’ place and set it up.

Check out more photos on Ninja Pizza »
Additional reading: Out Of My Shell: TMNT & Me »

Posted in Arcade, Awesome, LIVE, News Bytes, Xbox 360 | 5 Comments »

SWAP MEET FIND
Hori PlayStation Fighting Stick

This weekend, being Halloween weekend, was somewhat low-key in terms of game playing. I did, however, get to check out a video game swap meet in Brampton, hosted by the folks at CGCC.

Today’s time change threw me off, and having gone to bed at 4 a.m. last night, I was more than a little tired when I finally realized that today was the swap meet. When I arrived at the location, a friendly but grumpy drunk met me at the door, angrily asking why I didn’t say anything to him as I made my way inside. Did I have to give him a password? Who knows? He seemed to want me to ask him how he was doing, which is something I rarely do with anyone because people always say they’re fine anyway. I asked him expecting “fine” as a response but he started to ramble so I politely told him I didn’t really want to know how he was, and headed inside to the swap meet.

I met up with Jamie Love once I got in and told him the story of the angry but friendly drunk. Jamie laughed and reminded me we were at a bar, after all (technically, it was the “banquet hall” area of the bar).

The many vendors at the swap meet had a lot of games and accessories that I had never seen before. One of them had the Hori Fighting Stick, pictured above. I’ve always wanted to own one of these and was able to get this one, in used but good condition, for just $10. The best part is that it can be used on my PC as well as my PS2.

Posted in Arcade, Awesome, Events, PlayStation 2 | 4 Comments »