Bill Loguidice's Blog, page 5

Evercade announces Tomb Raider Collection 2

Evercade has announced their latest cartridge, the 67th, and the 45th in the main series, Tomb Raider Collection 2, with two games on one Giga Cart, Tomb Raider: Chronicles and Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation includes a special bonus level previously only available on the PC version. The new cartridge releases April 2025, with pre-orders opening on February 25th.

Evercade – Tomb Raider Collection 2 – Trailer

You can check out the current list of games in the entire Evercade library with my master list, found here. There are 567 titles on cartridge, not counting unlockables, with dozens more built into the various hardware. You can check out my IGN review of the recent Alpha Mega Man and Alpha Street Fighter bartops here.

Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (Evercade)

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Evercade announces Atari Arcade 2 – 10 game cartridge!

Evercade has announced their latest cartridge, the 66th, and number 14 in the arcade series, Atari Arcade 2, with 10 games, two from Atari and eight from Stern properties that the current Atari owns. The new cartridge releases April 2025, with pre-orders opening on February 25th.

Minefield (arcade)

The games on the new cartridge are: Berserk, Dark Planet, Fire Truck, Frenzy, Lost Tomb, Mine Field, Maze Invaders, Moon War, Rescue, and Tazz-Mania.

Atari Arcade 2 includes 10 games that are new to Evercade, including the iconic early ’80s action games, Berzerk and Frenzy, complete with their pioneering speech synthesis. Continue the maze chase fun in Lost Tomb and Tazz-Mania, then explore a selection of varied and intriguing arcade rarities including Rescue, Mine Field, Dark Planet, Moon War and Fire Truck. The collection also features Maze Invaders, an Atari prototype that never made it to arcades back in the day.

Evercade Atari Arcade 2 trailer.

You can check out the current list of games in the entire Evercade library with my master list, found here. There are 565 titles on cartridge, not counting unlockables, with dozens more built into the various hardware. You can check out my IGN review of the recent Alpha Mega Man and Alpha Street Fighter bartops here.

Frenzy (arcade).

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Polymega Collection Vol. 3 and 4 now available – Tiger-Heli- and Drift Out-themed arcade and console collections!

Playmaji has made volumes 3 and 4 of their DVD game collections available for their Polymega console platform. These collections can be installed directly to the Polymega like any other game and feature a variety of arcade and console selections.

Polymega Collection Vol. 3 – TIGER-HELIPolymega® Collection Vol. 3 – TIGER-HELI Game ListTiger-Heli (arcade)Sky Shark / Flying Shark (arcade)Twin Cobra (arcade)Fire Shark (arcade)Twin Hawk (arcade)タイガーヘリ (arcade)飛翔鮫 (arcade)究極タイガ (arcade)鮫!鮫!鮫! (arcade)大旋風 (arcade)

Polymega Collection Vol. 4 – DRIFT OUTPolymega® Collection Vol. 4 – DRIFT OUTGame ListDrift Out (arcade)Drift Out ’94 (arcade)Super Drift Out (Super Famicom (SFC))Neo Drift Out (arcade, Neo Geo CD)Goal! Goal! Goal! (arcade)Boogie Woogie Bowling (Mega Drive (JPN)Great Boxing: Rush Up (Famicom (FC))

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Broken Sword Collection announced for Evercade, plus updated game list!

Evercade has announced their latest cartridge, the 65th, and number 44 in the main series, Broken Sword Collection, with 2 games. The games on the cartridge are the Sony PlayStation versions and include Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars and Broken Sword II: The Smoking Mirror. It should release February 2025 with preorders starting on January 30th.

Evercade – Broken Sword Collection – Trailer

You can check out the current list of games in the entire Evercade library with my master list, found here. There are 555 titles on cartridge, not counting unlockables, with dozens more built into the various hardware. You can also check out my IGN review of the recent Alpha Mega Man and Alpha Street Fighter bartops here.

Broken Sword Collection (44) – Evercade

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Evercade announces Indie Heroes 4 with 11 more games, plus updated master game list

Evercade has announced their latest cartridge, the 64th, and number 43 in the main series, Indie Heroes 4, with 11 games. The games on the cartridge are a mix of titles from a variety of platforms: Batty Zabella, Block Droppin’, Block’em Sock’em, Collie Defense, Flea!2, Jane Austen’s 8-bit Adventure, Murtop, Nyghtmare: The Ninth King, Soko Banana, Starseed, and The Curse of Illmore Bay. It should release February 2025 with preorders starting on January 30th.

Evercade Indie Heroes Collection 4 Trailer

You can check out the current list of games in the entire Evercade library with my master list, found here. There are 553 titles on cartridge, not counting unlockables, with dozens more built into the various hardware. You can check out my IGN review of the recent Alpha Mega Man and Alpha Street Fighter bartops here.

Evercade Indie Heroes 4 – Games

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Sociable Soccer 25 Launches Today on PlayStation 5!

In the best tradition of action-packed football/soccer games like Sensible Soccer with a dash of card-based gaming, Sociable Soccer 25 is now out for PS5. We should have a review soon. It’s also available for, or coming shortly to, Steam, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

Sociable Soccer 25 (PS5)

The press release follows.

Get Ready for A Seasonal Surprise: Sociable Soccer 25 Launches Today on PlayStation® 5!

Coming In Hot for The Holidays, Fill Your Stockings with The Arcade-Style Football Game That’s Not Just for Christmas!

London, UK – December 12, 2024 – Tower Studios, a leading UK-based software developer, led by industry veteran Professor Jon Hare, unwrapped a seasonal surprise today, announcing that the arcade-style football sensation: Sociable Soccer 25 is available for purchase today on PlayStation® 5!

The latest and greatest interaction of the football game that dares to be different, Sociable Soccer 25 is the perfect remedy to a stocking full of dull gifts, delivering the fastest, most fun video game football ever unleashed on a pitch! Proving a popular fan-favourite on PC, Sociable Soccer 25 finally comes to console complete with up-to-date player information, team and competition data for the 2024/25 season for over 1,400 club and national teams and featuring more than 13,000 FIFPRO licensed players for gamers to collect and upgrade!

Sociable Soccer 25 is the ideal football game to enjoy with friends and family over the Holiday’s, best played with a buddy via two-player couch co-op, where ‘one-more-game’ is likely to become a familiar theme! Sociable Soccer 25 delivers more of what football fans really want from a video game, without obtrusive loot boxes and forced DLC content.

Sociable Soccer 25 (trailer)

Commenting on the launch of Sociable Soccer 25, CEO of Tower Studios Jon Hare commented, “We’re bringing the Holidays forward a couple of weeks, delivering a Christmas Cracker to PlayStation 5 gamers everywhere! A fast-paced, arcade experience that shines when playing with friends and family on the couch, Sociable Soccer 25 is the perfect gift for others (or to yourself), offering thousands of licensed players and endless features at a fraction of the cost of our rivals. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!”

Some of Sociable Soccer 25’s standout features include:

More than 13,000 FIFPRO licensed professional players to collect and upgradeControl and manage your squad with no loot boxes or costly DLCHuge online league system with 10 divisions to conquerUp-to-date player, team and competition data for 1,400 world teamsOver 80 world football trophies to winFast, intuitive arcade gameplay, easy to pick up, but hard to masterTwo Player Couch Clashes to relive the good old days, playing against a friend in the ultimate face-to-face match up!Clan play representing the club that you love against rival fansFriendly, Career and Trophy game modes all includedMultiple ways to play: Coach (just watch), Casual and ProA host of unique referees, each with a different personality and style, to keep you on your toesChat and send emojis during matches to trash talk your opponent!Aftertouch, powered shots, sprint and energy systems

Sociable Soccer 25 is available today via physical disc from all good gaming retailers. Sociable Soccer 25 is also available for PS5 via digital download at the PlayStation Store. 

For more information about Sociable Soccer 25, please visit: https://www.sociablesoccer.com/.

Follow Sociable Soccer on X and search @SociableSoccer on other platforms.

Press Contact on behalf of Tower Studios:

Overload PR team@overloadpr.com 

All copyrights, trademarks, logos and brands are property of their respective owners.

***

About Tower Studios

Tower Studios is led by Jon Hare, previously of Sensible Software. Hare has an unrivalled games pedigree, with 10 titles that have reached #1 over the last 25 years. Hare has designed a number one football game in each of the last four decades; Microprose Soccer (1980s), Sensible Soccer and Sensible World of Soccer (1990s), Sensible Soccer for mobile (2000s) and Sociable Soccer for Apple Arcade (2010s). Since July 2024, Tower Studios is part of the Sporty Group, a consumer internet and technology business with an unrivalled sports media, gaming, social and fintech platform, which serves millions of daily active users across the globe via technology and operations hubs covering more than ten countries and three continents.

Sociable Soccer 25 (PS5)

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Gunnar Optiks sale and review of Overwatch D.Va Tokki Edition and Pacifica Blue Light Glasses!

The reviews follow Gunnar’s sale announcement.

Sale Announcement

From today to December 4th, Gunnar Optiks, a leader in blue light-blocking eyewear, will host five sales throughout November, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You can also find Gunnar glasses on Amazon.

Black November Kick-off Bundle Sale (Today to November 6th):GUNNAR is slashing prices by as much as 49% OFF. Plus, up to $100 in saved value by giving away a kid’s case for their popular ‘Cruz’ frames, an extra case, three microfiber cloths, and free shipping with any purchase at full price.20% OFF Rx Sale (November 6th to November 27th):Throughout November, Gunnar Optiks will offer 20% off all prescription orders for every style and lens tint. November Bucket Sale (November 18th to November 27th):Several of Gunnar’s most popular glasses will be available for deals as low as $20, $30, or $40, plus free shipping.Black Friday + Cyber Monday (November 29th to December 4th):During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Gunnar Optiks will offer up to 30% off nonprescription orders for most styles, excluding:Fallout Vault 33Call of Duty Ghosttokidoki Fall CollectionTahoeKista Collection

Gunnar glasses are perfect for long gaming sessions, working in front of a screen, or for anyone who prioritizes eye health. They are designed to prevent the effects of Computer Vision Syndrome, including eye fatigue, blurred vision, dry eyes, and headaches.

Reviews

The Gunnar Overwatch D.VA Tokki Edition and Pacifica with Clear tint are designed to block 35% of blue light at 450nm, while the Amber lenses block 65%. Both lens types block 100% of UV. The frames are also available with prescription lenses. As with other Gunnar glasses using GUNNAR-Focus lenses, they feature a dual-sided anti-reflective and smudge-resistant lens coating.

Gunnar Overwatch D.Va Tokki Edition (Legendary, Spark Crystal, Clear Tint)Gunnar Overwatch D.Va Tokki Edition (Legendary, Spark Crystal, Clear Tint) contents.

I’ve covered Gunnar glasses before, including the potential benefits of blocking blue light from displays, and these are more of the same, one in cat eye in the style of the popular game, Overwatch, and the other in a traditional round style.

Gunnar Pacifica glasses (Epic, Onyx/Silver, Clear Pro Lens Tint)Gunnar Pacifica glasses (Epic, Onyx/Silver, Clear Pro Lens Tint) contents.

The Overwatch D.VA Tokki Edition glasses come with a collector’s glasses case, microfiber pouch, and microfiber cleaning cloth. The Pacifica glasses come with a flat-fold glasses case, microfiber pouch, and microfiber cleaning cloth. They’re both great glasses, but the cat eye design is particularly striking on the Overwatch D.VA Tokki Edition glasses!

Gunnar Pacifica glasses (Epic, Onyx/Silver, Clear Pro Lens Tint)

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Polymega introduces Atari physical games, system update, and Atari Pro Module for 2600 and 7800 games!

In a surprise announcement, Polymega revealed the long-awaited Polymega System Software Update v1.1.32, Polymega Collection physical games, and an upcoming Atari Pro Module for playing Atari 2600 and 7800 physical games. I reviewed the Polymega not that long ago for IGN and continue to have a positive impression of the system, especially with the light guns due out before the end of the year. These new announcements make things even better.

The software update will be out shortly and you can pre-order the first two Polymega Collection games now. It sounds like it will be a bit longer before we have additional details on the Atari Pro Module.

The Polymega® Collection Vol. 1 – ASTEROIDS® features Orbit (arcade), Gravitar (arcade and Atari 2600), Lunar Lander (arcade), Asteroids (arcade, Atari 2600, Atari 7800), Asteroids Deluxe (arcade), Super Asteroids & Missile Command (Atari Lynx), and Space Duel (arcade).

Polymega® Collection Vol. 1 – ASTEROIDS®

The Polymega® Collection Vol. 2 – KARATE CHAMP features Karate Champ (Arcade, NES, Famicom Disk System), Karate Champ PVP (arcade), Fighter’s History (arcade, Super NES, Super Famicom), and Fighter’s History Dynamite / Karnov’s Revenge (arcade, Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD, Sega Saturn).

If you order either DVD now, you also get collector’s pins.

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The official game list for The First Console War DLC for Atari 50

The game list for The First Console War, the second DLC for Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, has been revealed:

Air Raiders (Atari 2600)Anteater (Atari 2600 (unreleased, based on Stern IP))Armor Ambush (Atari 2600)Astroblast (Atari 2600)Basketball (Atari 2600)Dark Cavern (Atari 2600)Desert Falcon (Atari 7800)Final Legacy (Atari 5200 (prototype))Frogs & Flies (Atari 2600)Hardball (Atari 8-bit (XE cartridge version))International Soccer (Atari 2600)Sea Battle (Atari 2600 (unreleased))Star Strike (Atari 2600)Super Challenge Baseball (Atari 2600)Super Challenge Football (Atari 2600)Swordfight (Atari 2600 (unreleased))Tower of Mystery (Atari 2600 (prototype))Video Pinball (Atari 2600)Xari Arena (Atari 8-bit)

Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Expanded Steelbook Edition

The press release:

Today, publisher Atari and developer Digital Eclipse are delighted to announce the second DLC for Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration. Titled The First Console War, this new expansion showcases the saga of Atari’s first major competitor in the video game console space–Mattel’s Intellivision.

This second DLC is another major expansion to Atari 50’s catalog of content and includes 19 additional playable games and eight video segments that tell the story of Atari’s first major rivalry in the console market. Told through video interviews with M Network programmer Jane Terjung, video game historians Leonard Hermand and Mike Mika, and more, The First Console War delves deep into the video game console market’s landscape of the era and ultimately explains how and why Mattel made the decision to create games for its biggest competitor.

The DLC will be available on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Series X|S, and PlayStation 4 and 5. Owners of the original game on the Atari VCS will receive the DLC content for free in an update to the game in early 2025.

The First Console War  games list includes:

Air Raiders – 2600 M Network
Anteater – 2600 M Network (unreleased, based on Stern IP)
Armor Ambush – 2600 M Network
Astroblast – 2600 M Network
Frogs & Flies – 2600 M Network
International Soccer – 2600 M Network
Dark Cavern – 2600 M Network
Star Strike – 2600 M Network
Super Challenge Baseball – 2600 M Network
Super Challenge Football – 2600 M Network
Swordfight – 2600 M Network (rare, unreleased)
Sea Battle – 2600 M Network (rare, unreleased)
Tower of Mystery (unreleased prototype, recently rescued)
Video Pinball – 2600
Basketball – 2600
Hardball – Atari 8-bit (XE)
Final Legacy (prototype) – 5200
Xari Arena – Atari 8-bit
Desert Falcon – 7800

Here’s what to expect in the second DLC expansion: 

Video interviews with M Network programmer Jane Terjung, Activision’s David Crane & Garry Kitchen (worked on/published for both platforms), homebrew programmer Dennis Debro, and historians Leonard Herman & Mike MikaA brand new timeline explaining the challenge to Atari’s VCS by Mattel’s Intellivision–the first major rivalry in console games19 more Atari arcade classics, including rescued prototypes like Tower of Mystery and rare, unreleased M-Network titles like Swordfight, Anteater, and more

The First Console War DLC features additional interviews, more vintage ads, and even more never-before-seen historical artifacts, all interwoven to reveal the previously untold story of Atari and Mattel’s intense rivalry. Highlights from the timeline include unique and often overlooked innovations and hidden gems from the late 1980s, video interviews with industry professionals like Activison’s David Crane and Garry Kitchen, and much more!

The First Console War launches globally on November 8, in concert with the physical release of Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Expanded Edition on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 for $39.99. The physical release contains the original game and both DLCs.

A Steelbook version for Nintendo Switch, which will include Atari 2600 art cards, miniature arcade marquee signs, and an Al Alcorn Replica Syzygy Co. business card, will retail for $49.99 USD.

The post The official game list for The First Console War DLC for Atari 50 appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Gunnar Overwatch Ultimate Computer Glasses Review

The Gunnar Overwatch Ultimate Blue Light Blocking Gaming and Computer Glasses with Amber tint are designed to block 65% of blue light at 450nm, while the Clear Pro lenses block 20%. Both lens types block 100% of UV. The frames are also available with prescription lenses. As with other Gunnar glasses using GUNNAR-Focus lenses, it features a dual-sided anti-reflective and smudge-resistant lens coating.

Gunnar Overwatch Ultimate Computer Glasses

I’ve covered Gunnar glasses before, including the potential benefits of blocking blue light from displays, and these are more of the same, just with an ash and orange frame in the style of the popular game, Overwatch. What I show in the photos is the Amber lens version.

Gunnar Overwatch Ultimate Computer Glasses (contents)

In the box, you get a microfiber pouch and microfiber cleaning cloth, both with double-sided Overwatch visuals. Whether you’re a fan of Overwatch or not (shout out to the My Hero Academia collaboration!), these are a nice pair of glasses.

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