#n64

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Aug 07, 2026

Replying to @ishambard@cupoftea.social

Wait... What's this? We're going to Kyushu in Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon?! Quids in! Let's go! The beaches of Fukuoka are calling me, let's say hi to Sakurajima, let's... Wait... What's happening. You god damn maniacs! You stole Kyushu from me! This just got deeply personal. (Hokkaido is still MIA, I am less concerned there) #GanbareGoemon #N64

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Aug 06, 2026

And people told me that playing video games would rot my brain. Little did they know that this silly anachronistic Japanese action adventure game was making me an expert in Japanese geography! Hang on... I am pretty sure there is something missing off this map... #GanbareGoemon #N64 #RetroGames

0

1

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Aug 05, 2026

So, I thought I had shot myself in the foot and jumped the gun when it comes to Goemon vocal songs, having showcased 『I am Impact』 a few months back during that particularly Goemon phase. Imagine my surprise when I discover that there are more songs crammed into that little gray cart. 『Gorgeous, my Stage』but more importantly for this #VGMWednesday we have 『The Theme of Mystical Ninja』, what? No fancy name? That's disappointing... At least i couldn't find one in my 5 minutes of searching. https://youtu.be/R7jEC64Da_Q This song feels lifted straight out of an 80s anime. In fact, if you told me the opening was a crudely rendered facsimile of an existing opening for a Goemon anime, i'd believe you. #N64 #GanbareGoemon

2

1

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Aug 04, 2026

Replying to @ishambard@cupoftea.social

My first encounter with the Strogg Gladiator in Quake 2 instilled a fear in me. Running around a corner, on what felt like moderately okay health to be instantly gibbed from the end of a corridor by a fast moving bipedal tank would do that to you. The Gladiator railgun does 50 points of damage. That doesn't leave much for margin of error when fighting them. Sure, once you learn the dance by approaching fast, forcing them into a melee attack, dodging that and repeating, it is less of a problem. Also as long as you are constantly strafing they will miss you, but N64 Quake 2 maps don't always give you the luxury of space to strafe around them. The parasite is still a more annoying enemy, but every time I saw a Gladiator it was like a mini panic attack. #Quake_2 #N64 #RetroGaming

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Aug 03, 2026

So, I didn't spend as much time talking about Rocket: Robot on Wheels as i did about Starshot. That is a crime, and I plan to rectify that. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Rocket is a much better game than Starshot. But comparing the two games is unfair. Rocket is a collect-a-thon whilst Starshot is mostly a level based platformer. The latter has one collectable that is required for story progression, making it barely qualify as a collect-a-thon. It would probably be fairer to compare Starshot to Glover or Jinx and even then, both of those are far more enjoyable than Starshot. I must admit, I have my biases towards 3D collect-a-thons. This is mostly because games like Super Mario 64 and Banjo Kazooie are textbook examples of how to make a good one. Mario 64 as a foundational example, and Banjo Kazooie as an applied and expanded working example. They are also just important to me, as games from my childhood. #RetroGaming #N64

2

1

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Aug 03, 2026

Replying to @ishambard@cupoftea.social

Rocket: Robot on Wheels continuously caught me off-guard as I played it. From building a rideable roller coaster in the first world to colour-based puzzles using a paintball cannon vehicle in the second world, the game presented a really cool mix of puzzle-based and skill-based challenges. Despite being called a Robot on Wheels Rocket is, effectively, a unicycle. His physics, momentum and movements reflect this. Turning on a dime is not possible and how he moves takes some getting used to. The game provides hints to the key collectable via the means of riddles to help steer you in the right direction. Not too dissimilar to how Mario 64 does the Power Star hints, but still requires a bit of thought to figure out. The other thing that surprised me was how difficult the game gets, and the difficulty spike happens quickly. Even in the first world, some of the platforming challenges are a test of patience. I can imagine many kids never getting to the end of this one. #N64 #RetroGames

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Aug 03, 2026

#IshambardPresents Starshot: Space Circus Fever #N64 Developer: Infogrammes I love a good 3D platformer, sadly, Starshot is not one of them. Presents done, cue ending theme. Right, you are probably wondering, what's the beef? I'll see what I can say in 700 characters. Floating space platforms are not a fun place to platform around. Planets are. >50% of jumps are over instant death pits Jumping is theoretical, not always a guarantee Same with activating flight mechanics No invulnerability frames after being hit Some puzzles are way too frustrating to execute Funky framerates Death is inevitable and repetitive to the point of screaming Just the entire last stage of the game, and awful escort/lure mechanics A god-damn sequel baiting negative ending I surprised myself there. Whilst the game has a bizarre sense of humour to it all, it doesn't make up for the suffering this one inflicted on you. Another one for the avoid at all costs pile. Save yourself, it is too late for me.

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Jul 30, 2026

Faith has been restored in my love for 3D Platformers, especially those of a Collect-a-thon nature. Well, the collecting portion was never in too much question. After what was a personal disaster for me with Starshot: Space Circus Fever, i had a bit of down time. Some introspection and wondering if I really wanted to go through my list of 2026 N64 games... Knowing that at least two of them were First Person Shooters and then there was 3D Goemon, at least the latter promised me a good time. It wasn't because I was particularly busy over the last couple of nights! It most certainly was a serene, reflection! Anyway, Rocket: Robot on Wheels, within the first 15 minutes made me slap my hands on a table and go, "That's what I am talking about!" Sure it has its quirks, it's not flawless. But Rocket has more enjoyment in its little finger than Starshot has in his entire body. And Rocket doesn't even have arms! God damn I am looking forward to playing more of this! #N64 #RetroGaming

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Jul 29, 2026

So, I was going to meme dunk on myself for choosing to play Rocket: Robot on Wheels, another N64 3D Platformer after having traumatised myself by playing Starshot. Then I see the game was made by Sucker Punch Productions, of Sly Cooper and Ghost of Tsushima fame... Okay, you have my attention... #N64 #RetroGames

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Jul 26, 2026

So, I am not one to go into the details of a games ending too much, if at all. But, i make the exception here with Starshot Space Circus Fever as this ending is pretty heinous. After all the deaths, blood, sweat, tears, exasperation and awful frame rates, you reach your final boss and after a lengthy battle of "what do they want me to do here" you finally defeat him. After his capture, you are told all his infrastructure is destroyed and he is basically unable to compete against you anymore in the circus business. Your Ringleader takes this opportunity to spare him, being the dominant circus force in space. But it turns out this was all a ruse, and though you beat him in the final battle, you were captured! And he utilised a digital clone of you to trick your ringleader. Cut to a shot of our character looking out of a window in his prison cell as the space ship zooms off. The game caps off with a "The End?" Sequel baiting you with a sequel that never happened. #N64 #RetroGaming

0

2

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Jul 26, 2026

I say this quite often with the games I played recently. This game is weird! Etc Typically, this isn't done with much hyperbole, because Dr Slump is a weird game. Glover is a strange game. The Goemon Games are bizarre. Starshot Space Circus Fever really seems to go above and beyond for being just off the walls. In the second world of the game, you attend the Killer Expo, a space venue to show off weapons of war because you are trying to find an experimental device that your ringleader plans to use against a rival space circus. Setting aside, there is a lot of dialogue that is, whilst humorous, is just so strange. At the Killer Expo, we find some people tied up in a torture room, one of them is discussing his crimes. Specifically, having overly-original political opinions, such as how the government wasn't attentive, tender and loving enough. A chortle and a knee-slapper for sure. Then I just sit there and go... Yeah...

#N64 #RetroGaming

3

1

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Jul 25, 2026

Perhaps i am being drastic. But, Starshot Space Circus Fever is making me actively dislike 3D Platformers. I can't tell if it is an emulation issue or the game just runs like an absolute dumpster fire. I feel it must be the former, N64 emulation from my understanding is a technical nightmare and most games, even the ones that run well, are secretly screaming about something in the background. #N64 #Emulation #RetroGaming

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Jul 25, 2026

I ripped and teared, until it was done. Wait. Wrong game. I don't dislike Quake, as I made my way through chapters 3 and 4, I could fill some semblance of skill building, it probably helped that layer levels feel a little less claustrophobic, making fiends a little easier to work with. #Quake feels like that friend of a great friend (Doom, in this case), and whilst you get on with this friend there are time when their humour doesn't land or they have a take that you find a little too questionable. It doesn't mean they are a bad person, you just can't see yourself hanging out with them unless it is in a group that includes your good friend. Am I going to seek out more Quake after that? Besides Quake 2 that is. It's unlikely. Am I going to go back and play through it again? Not sure, I don't think it will be anytime soon if I were to. #N64 #RetroAchievements

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Jul 25, 2026

1% health Hype as I run around E4M7 Azure Agony. Incidentally, I went on to finish the level after having cleared out another shambler and 5 vores... 🤣 #Quake #N64

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Jul 23, 2026

So... Ummm... Turns out I am REALLY bad at #Quake Sure, it is the #N64 version, it's not particularly optimal. But, i acknowledge that me being bad at Quake is a skill issue. Just entering Episode 3 now, after I BARELY made it past the Vores in the last map of Episode 2. #RetroGaming

0

Bitmap Books @bitmapbooks@mastodon.social · Jul 23, 2026

N64: a visual compendium Packed with meticulously realised screenshots and game art, which accompany profiles of over 150 titles that defined the N64. Out now: https://www.bitmapbooks.com/collections/all-books/products/n64-a-visual-compendium #bitmapbooks #retrogaming #gaming #n64 #fyp #bookstodon

0

3

0

Bitmap Books @bitmapbooks@mastodon.social · Jul 23, 2026

N64: a visual compendium Tells the fascinating story of a console that changed the gaming world. Out now: https://www.bitmapbooks.com/collections/all-books/products/n64-a-visual-compendium #bitmapbooks #retrogaming #gaming #n64 #fyp #bookstodon

5

0

4

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Jul 23, 2026

So, something I really appreciate about #Quake for the #N64 is that the game gives you full customisation of the controls. This makes me life, theoretically much easier as I can set the controls to work like a modern shooter, with the C-Buttons bound to an analogue stick. It isn't perfect, but it works for what I need it to do, unlike when I played The World is Not Enough and I had to do tweak with the Steam Deck a little bit That is something I must say I also love about the #SteamDeck having that ability to re-bind controls like that is amazing. Though I don't tend to mess about with it too much, having the option is great. #RetroGames #RetroGaming

0

Out of Print Archive (meppi64) @outofprintarchive@retro.pizza · Jul 18, 2026

Feature for 007 The World is Not Enough on Nintendo 64. Including an interview with Tim Rodgers & Bill Beecham at Eurocom. Taken from 64 Magazine 46 - December 2000 (UK) This issue can be found here:https://www.outofprintarchive.com/catalogue/64Magazine.html #retroGaming #Nintendo #N64

0

1

0

Ishambard @ishambard@cupoftea.social · Jul 18, 2026

So, I was flicking through the games I had on Emulation Station on my Steam Deck. I get to the N64 folder and see a folder I had ominously labelled "2026" I imagine that this was a folder of games I was looking to play in 2026. We are over half way through the year, and I have only knocked one game off that list. Hmmm... I might need to hustle a little bit. I should note that I really dislike playing N64 via emulation. I have probably spoken about this numerous times, at least in my head I have made this comment time and time again. It all boils down to controllers. An N64 controller has 6 face buttons, modern controllers have 4 face buttons. You can easily map an N64 controller to a modern controller. However, mapping the C-Buttons is always the biggest pain. A lot of the time, by default the 2nd analogue stick is mapped to the C-Buttons, and this is awful for accuracy Oh, pushed the stick a little too diagonally? That's a C-Right. Not C-Up! #N64 #RetroGaming #Emulation

0

1

0

About This Hashtag

Related