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[ZPF:]

#11

Retro Gaming and Hardware / Genesis 2025 Shmup ZPF

Last post by retro junkie - January 04, 2026, 08:47:06 PM

The Sega Genesis is Alive and Kicking!!
This is the first of many homebrew game reviews. So this is really an introduction to start the ball rolling.
From Homebrew fans the support for the Genesis, after all these years, has been a steady stream of games from committed fans of the console. Granted it is a niche market which affects the way the games are distributed. It is all based on pre-orders, mostly through sites like Limited Games, Mega Cat Studios, etc., which means most of it is targeting collectors. There are those few that have used  "KICKSTARTER" as a way of generating revenue. I wished I could support them all but there are just too many games coming out too close together for me and my wallet. Most of the games are in the $60 to $80 USD range, with some being "special" costing even more. That covers maybe just the cart or could include the case and some extra goodies, like, stickers, booklets, etc. With that type of method in distributing their games, that route basically means, for the average gamer, if you don't get it now then you might not see the chance of ever getting a copy. Supply is very limited because those producing the content just cannot do a mass marketing type distribution of their games and still make a profit. 60 USD today means several hundred dollars on ebay tomorrow. You know how they do you. Collectors eat this stuff for breakfast.

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ZPF:
I got this around June of 2025 with a pre-order made sometime at the first of 2024. It had a second release around November of 2025. The pre-orders were filled first and then a general release. I have been following this game through its whole development. Got it on a cartridge only. So looking forward to playing another Genesis shmup, or shooter. This game is an original homebrew with a love for the Genesis.

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The graphics are very good, simple cartooney-like in some ways to me, but detailed. Not too sure about the use of color in some parts of the game. The brightness of some of the colors seem to overload my eyes, my senses. Kind-of like being on an acid trip. I am thinking a long play of this game could give me a headache. The animation is smooth. Parallax scrolling is sweet in the backgrounds and gives a good sense of depth.

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Difficulty is determined by adjusting the number of lives, bombs, medals, and Z loss. There is no option for easy, standard, or hard mode. If you are a lousy gamer like me you get obliterated very quickly. It is still fun. Yes it is fun getting obliterated in this game. There is a shop where you can purchase items. And in game you have a weapons upgrade that is a floating big "R" around the screen that you have to go after to  pick up.

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Gameplay is a well oiled machine, smooth. Controls are very responsive. At times the screen can be loaded with bullets from the various enemies. Side scrolling fun. The money, or "Z", that you pick up is accumulated by it being automatically added to your stash whenever you blow something up. You have your pick of three types of ships. One is a flying mech, and two different space battle ships. Each ship is loaded with its own distinctive weapon. I personally do best with the middle one, an R-Type design, but that is the only familiar thing about it. You have access to three levels, the rest you will need to unlock. This game is put together in such a way that it is my fault that I got blown up. Looser!

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The Last Word: You get to add your name to the list beside your score, called "List of Today's Legends." Once you turn your Genesis off it is lost but it is good to take a pic of and give you some bragging rights. Famous for a moment.

There is much here that gives me the excitement and satisfaction of a Genesis classic shmup. It has its own unique feel and personality. A game in which you can sink your teeth into and will need to fight your way through. A game that makes you come back for more. Big thumbs up here.

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#12

Retro Gaming and Hardware / Re: Chibi-Robo Gamecube

Last post by retro junkie - January 03, 2026, 08:55:01 AM

@BLUEVOODU
I remember this game. I am sorry to say that it never appealed to me. I have never played it. I don't remember if it was the graphics or the concept. It just didn't grab my attention back then.

#13

Retro Gaming and Hardware / Chibi-Robo Gamecube

Last post by BLUEVOODU - January 02, 2026, 01:02:03 PM

Man... another title that's hard to believe that made it to the retro section.  This game made it to the Nintendo Switch Online Gamecube catalog.   This certainly brought back many memories... and I probably haven't played this game since... mid 2000's.  Chibi-Robo was released June 23, 2005 and was a fairly popular title. Man - Time has flown - I keep saying this a lot.

In this game, you are a cute robot that has to do many tasks throughout the house.  It's a basic platformer.  I remember it being a pretty fun game.   Do you remember this game?   If so, what do you remember and what did you like/dislike? 

Link to the Chibi-Robo Nintendo Switch Online Topic.
https://www.chickendinnergaming.com/forum/nintendo-switch-2-switch-3ds-and-wii-u/chibi-robo-on-nintendo-switch-online

Thoughts, comments... post it up!

#14

Nintendo - Switch 2, Switch, 3DS, and Wii-U / Chibi-Robo on Nintendo Switch ...

Last post by BLUEVOODU - January 02, 2026, 12:55:47 PM

Chibi-Robo also made it to Nintendo Switch online for the Gamecube Player.  Anything Gamecube on Nintendo Switch Online is exclusive for Nintendo Switch 2 systems.

Have you had a chance to try this game on the Switch 2 with Nintendo Switch Online?  It's been forever since I played it on the Gamecube. I also made a Gamecube topic linked below.

Nintendo Link:
https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/chibi-robo-is-here-new-update-for-nintendo-switch-online-expansion-pack-members/

Chibi-Robo Retro section Gamecube Topic:
https://www.chickendinnergaming.com/forum/retro-gaming-and-hardware/chibi-robo-gamecube/

Thoughts, comments... Post it up!

#15

Retro Gaming and Hardware / Re: Sega Genesis Development i...

Last post by retro junkie - January 01, 2026, 10:09:06 PM

I have been following the development of Dark Stalkers. I want that one bad. And Street Fighters 3. Final Fight is a must have, that is one I have been following too.
shmups, Parodius,Luftoheight, copperstorm

Sword of Apocalypse looks good.

The Castlevania games are a no brainier.

But there is a lot here that would be worth having. It all depends what is released and when. Some of these are put up as preorders, which means they will be limited. Some are released free, some you pay for the download. And some will end up on Aliexpress on a cheap cartridge.

#16

Retro Gaming and Hardware / Re: Sega Genesis Development i...

Last post by BLUEVOODU - January 01, 2026, 04:17:30 PM

The 1st post of 2026!  And it's. Great one @retro junkie !

This is pretty crazy though... it's hard to believe there are that many games being developed at this stage for the Genesis.

Also - lol to the cat boat in Mega Parodius. Which ones are you most interested in (question for everyone)?

#17

Retro Gaming and Hardware / Sega Genesis Development is on...

Last post by retro junkie - January 01, 2026, 11:21:00 AM

For several years I have followed the game development for the Genesis. There have been some great games released and the community around this console remains very active. I have tried with my limited funds to support some of this but it is just too big. I am looking forward to the shmups and fighters for sure. And there are some others that are very interesting.

#18

General Discussion / Re: Happy New Year 2026!

Last post by retro junkie - December 31, 2025, 04:36:42 PM

My New Years resolutions: Keep my eyes closed during a roller coaster ride, eat more chocolate, don't leave my crayons in the sun, use dental floss every day, don't throw trash on the ground when you are walking on Mars, don't spill hydrochloric acid on my shoes, eat more chocolate, always knock before entering a barn, don't let dinosaurs get in the sugar, never volunteer to do any extra dental work, always get my seat before the cat does, eat more chocolate, and feed my stomach whenever it's hungry.

#19

Retro Gaming and Hardware / Re: Has anyone Broke out their...

Last post by retro junkie - December 31, 2025, 04:33:34 PM

Really, the way that they introduced the Turbo Grafx 16 into the US market was a dumpster fire. When it came out in Japan as the PC Engine it was up against the NES and the Sega Master system. It was a great success and thrived in that market. A couple of years later, after the Sega Genesis hit the shelves in the US, and the SNES was close behind, the TG16 was pushed into the US gaming culture. Up against, what were giants in the US gaming world, something like the Turbo didn't have a chance. Timing was off, the next generation was here. The TG16 was like someone standing outside with their nose pressed against the glass looking at Sega and Nintendo battle it out for first place.

#20

Retro Gaming and Hardware / Re: Has anyone Broke out their...

Last post by retro junkie - December 31, 2025, 02:13:01 PM

@BLUEVOODU
 Hudson soft and NEC did not understand the US gaming market at all, which resulted in its demise. This is why they approached the market like they did, with pride, arrogance, and boldness. (Japanese-ish style games just did not appeal to the US gamer. They refused to port over Street Fighter 2. They would not listen to the US team that was handling the TG16 marketing.) I know that they over produced the original TG16 and were only able to move about half. The figure you quoted 750k is what I remember from that time period. And the 350k sounds right. Due to pricing,I would think an even smaller amount of Turbo express and Duo were sold. The availability of the consoles were very limited to certain locations around the US which would affect sales. Advertisement was almost next to none and mostly limited to video game magazines. I actually drove to another state in order to purchase my Turbo Grafx 16 and games in those days. No one in my area had one or had a clue what one was. And the unit I got was marked down at a Toys-R-Us, pack in was Keith Courage and Bonk was added to quicken the sales. The console was on its way out very quickly.