Blue Game Gear!

So I came across a blue Game Gear locally...finally. Most who know me...know I don't like shopping online as it doesn't have the same thrill I get by coming across a great find out in the wild. Yesterday I was happy when I added these to my collection...note..one isn't a Sega item..but still I think collectors can appreciate it!

So now that the blue one is out of the way....I need to still find boxed versions lol...also the other colors including the Coca-Cola Red one! Wish me luck!

Zombies Ate My Neighbors Review + Hardware Updates

   
    Hey everyone, I know...this is much later than the "up by end of tonight" posted a few days ago. Sorry, life happens! As promised though, here is my ZAMN review! Before we get to that though,  I want to cover some hardware projects I'm taking on soon as my tax refund check gets here. As I said before I have 2 Game Gear units needing a fix. Mine has sound that's pretty much inaudible, and my friend Melanie's has sound , but the picture is all whitewashed looking. I will be finally ordering the components needed to fix those. Also with my multitudes of Genesis model 1's and 2's laying around, I will finally be getting around to modding one with the Crystal Clear Audio mod , as well as do an component connection mod. This should give some nice clear audio and picture. I will make sure I take plenty of pictures showing the process, as well as video so you can see/hear the difference. For now lets get to that review.

Box Art

Main Screen

Character Selection

Gameplay Screenshot

The premise is that your in a living horror movie. 55 stages of classic monsters trying to kill you. Don't be fooled, because there are much more than just zombies in this game. 

You play as one of 2 wholesome teenagers who are pretty much trapped in a real life horror film. Some how all the big movie monsters ended up in your neighborhood. Zombies, blobs, Aliens, Giant Babies...you name it. Your neighborhood is being terrorized and its your job to save the good neighbors from these monsters. Use whatever you can find laying around to fend them off. Your squirt gun is just as effective has those corn dogs you picked up last stage! 

Pretty cool plot I think, even by today's standards. 

                                            Overall Plot Score: 9 out of 10

Gameplay is extremely basic. Sometimes though, simple is better. In saying that, this game is hard and pretty unforgiving. You move around shooting things and walking into your helpless neighbors to save them. You can switch between all the different weapons you pick up. Each will help against different monsters. For example; Zombies take one shot from anything and they are dead. However  masochistic chainsaw guys who look like Jason will need something more potent to blow them away. Same as the Mummies, ideally using a fire extinguisher to freeze them then blow them to bits works nicely. You also have secondary items you pick up which can range from medical kits to special weapons to potions that turn you into a crazed monster. You always move at one speed and can't jump.

Now I think the games simplicity is what makes this game so tough. Being that you move at one speed and can't jump..your option is to kill everything, or run away from it. If you go down a dead end...that can hurt you quite badly. As the levels go on you come across new enemies which are much tougher to beat. This game is tough even today. Some people say its one of the hardest video games ever made. I believe single player is tough, but not crazy tough. 2 Player mode..is a different story. Try playing this game with a friend who you know will try doing his own thing..then see how fun it is! 

Overall I think the simple gameplay is what makes this game so hard and so fun. There are games that frustrate me and make me rage quit..then there are games like this, that keep me coming back for more. No matter how many controllers I break. Why not a perfect score? Easy. I think the simple gameplay is also it's biggest downside. Honestly, the addition of a simple run/walk mechanic or even just jumping...would of made this much less of a frustrating challenge!

Overall Gameplay Score: 8 out of 10

Zombies has fun graphics. Why? It's funny because I never paid much attention to game opening credits or publisher/developer logo's when I was a kid. So I didn't recall this being developed by LucasArts. Soon as I saw the logo I did a double take. When you see the game you can definitely tell it's a LA game, it shares many similarities to many of their PC games with the art style.

Overall Graphics Score: 9 out of 10

 Let me start by saying...I LOVE the music in Zombies Ate My Neighbors. It obviously isn't as elaborate as some of the big blockbusters of the time like Super Metroid or Final Fantasy, but the music has a certain charm.....a crazy over the top creepy circus charm that is. It fits the game perfectly and you will enjoy it!

                                           Overall Music Score: 9 out of 10

9 out of 10

 Some final thoughts and fun tidbits. Zombies Ate My Neighbors wasn't a blockbuster in its time, but has become a cult classic favorite among a lot of gamers like myself. With its 55 levels an average length for games of its time period, it's scaling difficulty, and fun atmosphere, this game will keep you on your toes and you will enjoy every moment of it. Even if you break a controller or two in frustration.

The game was originally planned to have a battery backup for saves, but due to budget constraints they went to the password system instead. Also like many other games - this was out before the ESRB ratings came out. You will notice by the lack of a rating on the cover. The SNES version had the blood taken out and made into purple goop...sounds like Mortal Kombat no? Also over sea's there were many other changes. The European version was just called Zombies, and had the chainsaw massacre guys replaced by lumberjacks with axes! I hope you all enjoyed the review. Now go slay some monsters!

Incoming Review and Updates

Hey guys and girls, small update. I will have a Zombies Ate My Neighbors review going live by end of today. Also, I hope to post some Game Gear repair guides as soon as I get the parts I need. One of my GG's has extremely low sound and the other has a whitewashed screen, but plays sound. I know I promised repair guides a while ago, but I haven't had any systems to repair. I really want to do it right with pictures. Stay tuned!

Winter Gaming Sessions and Reviews + Updates

       

      Hey fellow Gamers and Collectors, now that I closed up the business for the season, I have plenty of time to game. I been playing my Wii U a lot though, so haven't gotten around to playing my Genesis. No new pick ups except for a mint copy of Evolution 2 for the Dreamcast. Shout out to Melanie for hooking me up with that!

      Now that I have more free time and got my 6 foot Genesis controller extension cable in the mail...(I really hate having to be so close to the TV), I can relax in bed and play some games and write some reviews. Also I hope to have a semi-professional HD Camcorder and a nice microphone to do some live stuff which I will post to a youtube page. I know I promised some repair tips and notes, but I haven't had anything to repair...strangely enough (with the exception of the last lot of rusted genesis units) every thing I found recently has worked. I'm going to try to find some non functional units so I can snap pictures and pose some guides.

     Anyone else get a Wii U? If you did feel free to add me on the Miiverse, my Nintendo ID is Tricky


      I will be posting my next batch of reviews soon. Look for them in the coming days...I really want a better format to review with, something that flows nicely and pleases the eyes...Also every other friday I do a podcast with some friends called Wii Talk U Listen, its general gaming , but we tend to stray off topic often and also we do a lot of Nintendo stuff. Check us out.

Awesome Find of the Month

    Hey Gamers and fellow collectors!!! So finally been able to get out and do some game hunting...needless to say...had the best find I've had in quite some time....thank you Amvets....if only the Salvation Army and Goodwill could give me great finds like these...Anyways...I'll let the pictures do the talking...

All these lovely gems for...$21 bucks at Amvets :) worth ...well if I sold these in current condition on ebay I'd bring back at least $100 if I put them up without much other competition on the listings.

So I think I'm going to switch my blog over to a webshow now that I will have more time on my hands...thoughts on this?

I will have another update soon!

Find Update

Hey guys. Not a whole lot on the find front for my Sega collection. Lately I've been coming across tons of Nintendo stuff though. My GF is a Nintendo person and has a lot of stuff, but I figured why not start adding to my game room if its the right price...right? Right!

So my recent finds have been a N64 with several controllers and games , an SNES model 1 with tons of games and controllers, aaaannddd....a model 2 or mini SNES which I'm pretty stoked that I found out in the wild...and for only $10 bucks!

There really hasn't been any major game finds lately or cool oddities, but I will take a picture of the Nintendo lot soon as I wake up a little more and add it. Really hoping to get a house soon so I have room for all my stuff. For those who don't know...I had an apartment loaded with stuff, but decided to move back home to save money for a house...well taking an apartment full of video game and other goodies back to a bedroom..not the best idea lol....we have wallpaper and random stuff we been collecting and shoving in the attic...so soon as we get a house..we can commence operation gameroom lol.

Thats all I really got for today!

Quick Update

Hey fellow collectors and curious cats! Not much to report - still don't have any space to really work with so I been limited to what I been picking up. However I had a great general find at a garage sale. Got a PS2 - 2 model 1 genesis - 2 model 2 genesis- 1 model 1 Sega CD - 1 Nintendo 64...all for...$20 bucks. Tested the PS2 and cleaned it up and it works all fine and dandy...it's obvious someone had these packed away in their musty basement for years. The 64 works and I haven't had a chance to check the Genesis' yet as I had to clean an area up around my TV lol. Unfortunately the Sega CD unit is missing the front cover, so the insides are showing and are quite dirty...not sure if it works..I'm going to test it anyways because finding model 1 Sega CD units...well...lets say they aren't often found. I figure if it at least powers on, I can clean it up and take the front cover off a dead unit.

Also found a Blue Boxed re-release version of Night Trap. The lady through it in along with a bunch of Star Wars toys..not like I was going to turn that down!

I wish more people would comment - just saying..it would keep me on here more often. I apologize for being so spotty with my posts...if you have questions or need repair tips feel free to post...

That reminds me...now that I have 4 new units..if any of them have issues and need fixing..I will make video's or take snap shots and make a repair post..I've only been talking about it since my first post lol. Anyways until next time!