Bill Loguidice's Blog, page 69
March 13, 2018
Review: The Oregon Trail Handheld (Basic Fun, 2018)
As one of the most popular educational computer games of all-time – heck, one of the most popular computer games of all-time – it’s not surprising that The Oregon Trail has popped up again as memes, tchotkes, and hip card games. But a full-featured, stand-alone, mass market handheld game? In 2018?
Although seeming like an early April Fool’s joke, this Target-exclusive handheld from Basic Fun is quite real. Retailing for just $24.99, it falls strictly into the classic plug and play impulse buy territory.
The front of the box. Photo credit: Bill Loguidice
The rear of the box. Photo credit: Bill Loguidice
Although the physical design of this handheld brings to mind a classic Macintosh – The Oregon Trail – which started life in 1971 on an HP 2100 minicomputer, became legendary in the 1980s on the Apple II via MECC, with countless school children vying to stop their wagon-bound avatars from dying of dysentery and finally settle in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Although it’s still unknown as of me writing this review whether this is some type of modified emulation or a new creation (I’m leaning towards the latter), it’s pretty clear that the assets at least are either from or inspired by the 1990 PC DOS version.
The front of the unit. Photo credit: Bill Loguidice
The rear of the unit. Photo credit: Bill Loguidice
The handheld itself is about 5.5″ high, 3.5″ wide, and 1.5″ deep. The full color screen is 2.5″ diagonal. Although this may be a bit small for older eyes, the low resolution visuals should keep things readable for most.
Interestingly, while the physical design says classic Macintosh, the feel of the buttons do bring to mind both mainframes and other classic computers like the aforementioned Apple II. This is definitely a nice, if somewhat intentionally vague, shot of nostalgia.
Despite having old eyes myself, I really like the screen. Photo credit: Bill Loguidice
Besides the screen, the handheld’s other front facing elements include a power button (mock floppy disk), speaker, volume control button, status button (wagon icon), Enter button, Y button, N button, and unusual directional controls. This directional control consists of a four direction, triangular d-pad style control that’s flanked by four discrete diagonal buttons. This setup works well for most in-game situations, save for the hunting screens, where it can prove clumsy.
Surprisingly for this price point, the required three AAA batteries are included and pre-installed. You just need to pull the tab limiter from the back of the handheld and you’re ready to go.
A post shared by Bill Loguidice (@bill_loguidice) on Mar 10, 2018 at 1:53pm PST
To power on, you press – or “insert” – the mock floppy disk. You’re then shortly greeted by the classic The Oregon Trail options screen, where you can play the game, learn about the game, or see the top scores. Fortunately, this handheld retains the classic game’s full feature-set. In fact, you can even save your progress right from the menu screen, power down, and pick up right where you left off when you return.
I really like the look and feel of the unit. Photo credit: Bill Loguidice
There are reports of some players feeling the game is easier than the original (well, the many originals) and that it crashes on occasion, but you always expect some concessions with these cheap plug and play toys. These are obviously not designed, and certainly not sold as, premium experiences. Nevertheless, I’d say this particular product fares better overall than many similar products in the sub-$25 category. I’ve certainly encountered few problems and have minimal complaints, with my nostalgia itch suitably scratched.
Pluses:
Clever design
Authentic experience
Great value
Includes batteries
Minuses:
No headphone jack
Control pad not suitable for every in-game situation
The control pad and an alphabet menu are the only way to enter extended text
Might be a bit easier than the original (or maybe we’re just older and smarter?)
Smaller screen might be a bit tough on older eyes
Summary:
This handheld does a fantastic job of recreating the classic The Oregon Trail experience.
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Pay what you want for the Humble Bob Ross Bundle!
Here’s the link. Offer expires 2018-03-27 11:00:00 PDT.
The joy of bundling. Get inspired by Bob Ross’s iconic PBS show and the digital debut of the Bob Ross: The Happy Painter documentary, then follow his Joy of Painting ebooks as you create a masterpiece in Corel Painter Essentials 6 (don’t forget to use our exclusive Bob Ross-inspired Mystic Mountain Essentials Brush Pack)! Need a break? Put your brush down and play Passpartout: The Starving Artist, Drawful 2 or the other great games in this happy little bundle.
Pay what you want. Normally, the total cost for the content in this bundle is as much as $187. Here at Humble Bundle, you choose the price and increase your contribution to upgrade your bundle! This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase.
Redeem your keys. The ebooks in this bundle are available in PDF format. Software keys can be redeemed according to the individual instructions on your download page. For game platform information, check the icons on the box art for each title. For more information, you can see the full system requirements here.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the developers, World Land Trust, and, if you’d like, a charity of your choice and, if you’d like, a charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like the bundle or like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The Humble Bob Ross Bundle
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March 12, 2018
Big sale on Sniper Elite, Zombie Army, Battle Zone, and more in the Rebellion Sale!
The Rebellion Sale just launched in the Humble Store on Monday, March 12 at 10 a.m. Pacific time! The sale will be live through Friday, March 16 at 10 a.m.Pacific time.
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Pay what you want for Unreal Engine 4 AI Programming Essentials, Machine Learning with R, and more in The Humble Book Bundle: A.I. by Packt
Here’s the link. Offer expires 2018-03-26 11:00:00 PDT.
More awesome ebooks for you. We’ve teamed up with Packt for our newest bundle! Get titles like Unreal Engine 4 AI Programming Essentials, Machine Learning with R, and Deep Learning with TensorFlow. Plus, your purchase will support Code For America – or a charity of your choice!
Pay what you want. All together, these ebooks would cost over $1691. Here at Humble Bundle, you choose the price and increase your contribution to upgrade your bundle! This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase.
Read them anywhere. These books are available in PDF, ePUB, and MOBI formats, meaning you can read them anywhere at any time. Instructions and a list of recommended reading programs can be found here.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the publisher, Code For America, and, if you’d like, a charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The Humble Book Bundle: A.I. by Packt
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Massive private vintage and modern videogame and computer auction set for May 31, 2018 in Edison, NJ
OK, finally a date has been set for the auction of my personal collection of hundreds of different videogame and computer systems from all eras and regions, as well as tens of thousands of software items, accessories, books, and other paraphernalia and collectibles (my past descriptions of this here).
Temporary info from the auction house is here: https://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin/auctionview.cgi?lid=3023450
Final info and postings from the auction house should be available in about 3 – 4 weeks, at which time I’ll post again. Any questions, ask here or on the social media channel of your choice, and please help spread the word. Thanks!
Note that a small selection of approximately 100 items should be made available for auction online, but most of the collection will only be available for bidding on-site.
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March 8, 2018
The Paradox Weekend Sale is now LIVE in the Humble Store – Battletech, Stellaris, Hearts of Iron, and more!
Paradox Weekend just launched in the Humble Store on Thursday, March 8 at 10 a.m. Pacific time! The sale will be live through Monday, March 12 at 10 a.m.Pacific time.
The post The Paradox Weekend Sale is now LIVE in the Humble Store – Battletech, Stellaris, Hearts of Iron, and more! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
March 7, 2018
Pay what you want for The Humble Book Bundle: Mad Scientist by Make:
Here’s the link. Offer expires 2018-03-21 10:59:59 PDT.
This bundle is mad – MAD, I SAY. We’ve teamed up with Make: for a mad mad mad mad science bundle! Get titles like Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry, Make: High-Power Rockets, The Annotated Build-It-Yourself Science Laboratory, and Make: Fire. You’ll be mad with power.
Pay what you want. All together, these ebooks would cost over $311. Here at Humble Bundle, you choose the price and increase your contribution to upgrade your bundle! This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase.
Read them anywhere. These books are available in PDF, ePUB, and MOBI formats, meaning you can read them anywhere at any time. The magazine issues are available as PDFs. Instructions and a list of recommended reading programs can be found here.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the publisher and Maker Ed via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The Humble Book Bundle: Mad Scientist by Make:
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March 6, 2018
Name your own price for SOUND FORGE Pro 11, ACID Pro 7, Samplitude Pro X2 Silver, and more in Humble Software Bundle: MAGIX Sounds of Music
Here’s the link. Offer expires 2018-03-20 11:00:00 PDT.
These beats are alive with the sounds of MAGIX. Professional audio production is within your grasp with our new software bundle! Get SOUND FORGE Pro 11, ACID Pro 7, Samplitude Pro X2 Silver, plus goodies like Soundpool: Deeper Shades of House and MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab.
Pay what you want. Normally, the total cost for the software in this bundle is as much as $1,117. Here at Humble Bundle, you choose the price and increase your contribution to upgrade your bundle! This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase.
Redeem your keys. Software keys can be redeemed according to the individual instructions on your download page. For more information, please check the full system requirements here.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the developers, American Cancer Society and, if you’d like, a charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like the bundle or like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The Humble Software Bundle: MAGIX Sounds of Music
The post appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
March 5, 2018
Titan Quest, Shadowrun, Red Faction and more in the THQ Nordic Sale
The THQ Nordic Sale just launched in the Humble Store on Monday, March 5 at 10 a.m. Pacific time! The sale will be live through Monday, March 12 at 10 a.m. Pacific time.
The post Titan Quest, Shadowrun, Red Faction and more in the THQ Nordic Sale appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, GOD EATER 2 Rage Burst, and Mafia III are the new Humble Monthly Early Unlock games!
The Humble Monthly for March unlocked on Friday, March 2 at 10 a.m. Pacific time, which means it’s time for the new Early Unlock game! The Early Unlock games* for April are Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, GOD EATER 2 Rage Burst,and Mafia III + Sign of the Times DLC! Humble Monthly subscribers can get the games right away for $12, plus more games to come on Friday, April 6 at 10 a.m. Pacific time.
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