Retro Duo 2.0

The Retro Duo is a 2-in-1 console that allows you to play Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Super Famicom, and PAL Super Nintendo games with some added features, and improved compatibility and was featured this year at CES. Information from the product's company:

Retro Duo 8-bit & 16-bit System 2-in-1

Now you can play your vintage 8-bit and 16-bit game collection on this new 2 in 1 system!

Product Highlights:

• Air-through Vent to prevent Overheating
• 5V AC Adapter for Energy Efficiency
• Power Switch Button V2.0
• S-Video Connection Capability
• Dual Game Cartridge Slots
• 2 Controllers included
• Compatible with most Japanese titles
• Compatible with original 16-bit controllers
• 2 colors to choose

The list price for this bad boy is $59.99 USD, but I ordered mine over at CostBuy for $39.95 USD plus shipping. A video demonstrating the system can be found here. Apparently this thing is pretty fresh, and it made it's debut on 1/21/08. It fully supports official SNES controllers and peripherals as well as third party ones. When I receive this in the upcoming weeks, and get a hold of a game cart, I'll write my review. Looks like my next few weeks will be filled with shopping online for used cartridges, or checking out the bins at local stores. If you know of a good online shop to purchase used NES/SNES games, can you pass the link on to me? Or, if you want to be awesome, you could mail me some of your old ones that have been collecting dust!

The Art of Simplicity

A few weeks ago gave end to gamma 256, a gaming project that challenges independent developers to create a game centered around a certain theme. This years theme was resolution, specifically, low resolution. The rules were simple:

• The game's maximum resolution may not exceed 256×256 pixels

• The game must run on Windows XP and support the Xbox 360 controller

Simple right? Well, that's the idea. Of the various entries, I chose two that I felt really showed off great potential.

The first game on the list is Dive, created by the Namako Team. Dive is a simple undersea action game where you play as a diver, and your goal is to swim as far underwater as you can. You are given the ability to use a sonar pulse to communicate with friendly undersea life, while trying to avoid the dangerous creatures that lurk deep within the ocean. Dive can be found here.


The second game is titled Bloody Zombies, released by Kloonigames, where your goal is to rescue your sweetheart Barbara from the clutches of nasty zombies. You do this by collecting keys, and opening the door to the next area. Your only weapon of defense: a gas powered lawnmower. Bask in the pixelated gore as you mow down zombies, and use your mower to glide through their bodily fluids. Bloody Zombies can be found here. (As of 1/27/08, the official site is down, an alternate download can be found here.)

The Console Wars, animated

I happened to StumbleUpon this video earlier today, and it really sums up our current generation of gaming. Watch here...

Recommended Pixel Art Programs

As with any art form, pixel art requires tools. If you're new to pixel art, or you prefer an easier interface, Microsoft Paint is a great program to use for your pixelated creations. Pixel art is easy to create, and with some skill, you can easily create a pixel masterpiece. BUT, you'll want to find a file conversion software, because saving your art in a .GIF or .JPG form can result in quality loss.

If you prefer a program with more dynamics, I recommend GraphicsGale. (Screen capture above) This is honestly my program of choice, as it provides all the necessary tools without complicating things. With this program you are also able to create icons, cursors, and animated .GIFs. Visit http://www.humanbalance.net/gale/us/ to download.

If your a Mac user, Pixen is a perfect program to use. Visit http://opensword.org/Pixen/ to download.

An expensive program like Photoshop is not needed for pixel art, nor is it recommended. It's best to "keep it simple." If you're fond of Photoshop or a similar program, it's perfectly fine to use, as it adds benefits such as transparency and layering, but it just isn't necessary.

I hope this helps you in finding a program that provides the tools for pixel artist.

The Launch of Pixel Venom

Today, coincidentally at midnight, Pixel Venom has officially opened. Pixel Venom is a haven to all things concerning pixel art. We'd like to invite you to please sign up and contribute to a fresh community of fellow Pixelpushers. Hopefully this group, among others, will promote pixel art to a higher value, and show the world that pixelated imagery is not just a thing of the past. Once we acquire a community of unique pixel artists, we hope to create a group mosaic. Once the Pixel Venom community is large enough, we hope to expand into a larger site with more capabilities. Thank you very much for visiting Pixel Venom Inc. (PVI) and as always, please feel free to post your original artwork!

Edit:

Pixel Venom has been extended to a general gaming blog.