Author Archives: RetroActive

About RetroActive

RetroActive is a retro gaming focused web show that first began in 2010 and has come and gone several times since then. Video game content focusing on those classic games that are still cherished or sadly often forgotten. Take a step back in time and enjoy a bit of nostalgia or learn something new about gaming from the age of Atari, and beyond. Doesn't matter if it is from Nintendo or Sega, a great game is always a great game.

Wonder Boy: The Classic That Launched Two Franchises – RetroActive

Wonder Boy was an arcade game ported to the Sega Master System in 1987. A classic platformer that launched two different franchises and left its mark in two different genres. Let’s see what Wonder Boy did well and what is …

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The Atari VCS – Is The New Atari VCS Worth a Pre-Order? – RetroActive

The Atari VCS was a crowdfunded video game console hybrid that was funded in Jun 2018. The new Atari VCS began shipping on December 11th 2020, even though most didn’t get their unit until the end of December and many …

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Bucky O’Hare – Was this Konami’s Answer to Mega Man on the NES? – RetroActive

 Bucky O’Hare was a game developed and released during the end of the Nintendo Entertainment System’s life. Bucky O’Hare on the NES seemed to borrow a lot of ideas from Mega Man and Battletoads; was Bucky and the crew …

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Luigi’s Mansion – A Spooky Good Time on the Gamecube – RetroActive

  Luigi’s Mansion was a launch title for the Nintendo GameCube in 2001 and was the beginning of a now loved franchise. It might not fit comfortably into retro gaming to some, but 19 years later a lot has changed …

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Wonder Boy In Monster World – RetroActive

Wonder Boy in Monster World. A video game that released early in the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive lifespan and has been on a lot of compilations but still flies a bit under the radar when compared other games of the era.

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Kevin Atomic Plays – Santa Claus Saves the Earth – Part 3 (Finale?)

  Santa isn’t saving anything today! In this episode Kevin tries to pick up at stage 9 and get through this awful game. If you’re new, subscribe! http://bit.ly/1Mizefd Kevin on Facebook http://facebook.com/kevinatomic Kevin on Twitter http://twitter.com/kevin_atomic Patreon http://patreon.com/kevinatomic For additional …

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Kevin Atomic Plays – Santa Claus Saves the Earth – Part 2

  Oh geeze Christmas is almost here and Santa is still trapped! Let’s see if in part 2 I can save him! In this episode of Kevin Atomic Plays level 8 and continue on with the Let’s Play of Santa Claus …

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Kevin Atomic Plays – Santa Claus Saves the Earth – Part 1

  Christmas is just around the corner and we must help Santa! In this episode of Kevin Atomic plays I am playing Santa Claus Saves the Earth on Game Boy Advance. This is a long one! If you’re new, subscribe! …

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A RetroActive Minute – Ghost House

  If you’re new, subscribe! http://bit.ly/1Mizefd I talk very quickly about the retro game Ghost House for the Sega Master System. Kevin on Facebook http://facebook.com/kevinatomic Kevin on Twitter http://twitter.com/kevin_atomic I have a patreon! http://patreon.com/kevinatomic For additional posts by Kevin: Click Here …

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RetroActive – Top 5 Winter Themed Levels from Super Mario

  If you’re new, subscribe! http://bit.ly/1Mizefd December 21st is the first day of winter! Seeing how we’re so close to it officially being winter, the days already getting colder and having threats of snow; I thought it would be fun …

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A RetroActive Minute – Trog!

If you’re new, subscribe! http://bit.ly/1Mizefd In this new show Kevin talks about a great retro game as quickly as he can, in around one minute to be exact. Up this week is Trog! for the NES. Follow to Kevin on Facebook …

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Fallout – Episodes 1-3 – Kevin Atomic Plays

  If you’re new, subscribe! http://bit.ly/1Mizefd Even though I love Fallout: New Vegas I haven’t tried to replay the first Fallout since sometime when it came out and I was around 11 or 12 (and I doubt I made it …

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Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair – Kevin Atomic Plays

  If you’re new, subscribe! http://bit.ly/1Mizefd Kevin plays Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair! An off-shoot of the Wonder Boy series that has the feel of the first Wonder Boy and the Hudson version called Adventure Island, but still the fantasy …

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RetroActive: Jet Set Radio

If you’re new, subscribe! http://bit.ly/1Mizefd RetroActive is back! Kevin talks about the classic Dreamcast game Jet Set Radio. This gem from Sega never gets old be it either the original version or the recent HD update! Subscribe to Kevin on YouTube …

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RetroActive: Papers, Please (Beta)

Stamping passports for the glory of Arstotzka

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RetroActive: Five Awesome Songs from Video Games

Music is awesome isn’t it? So are video games! But, when they come together in a solid way some great memories can be made; I’m sure you have a few of your own. Well here are 5 of my favorite …

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Tips For Your First Months in Harvest Moon: A New Beginning

There might be some tiny spoilers in what will happen in the game from these tips but I’ll try to be vague when I can. Even though all Harvest Moon games share so much of the same concepts and ideas …

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RetroActive: Balloon Fight

  Playing Balloon Trip Breeze in Nintendo Land made me want to play Balloon Fight all over again. Find out why I love this classic NES game full of arcade action. For additional posts by Kevin: Click Here Join the new …

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Review: Cherry Tree High Comedy Club

    After playing Cherry Tree High Comedy Club (which will for the rest of this review be shortened to CTHCC) I have decided that it is a game of misconceptions and misguided first impressions; not all of this is …

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RetroActive Memories: Super Mario Bros. 2

For a special Christmas episode Kevin shares his memory of getting Super Mario Bros 2 on Christmas morning. Happy Holidays everyone! For additional posts by RetroActive: Click Here Join the new Gamester81 forums: http://dev2017.gamester81.com/forum

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RetroActive: Atari Flashback 3

I recently found an Atari Flashback 3 released by At Games sitting on a shelf at Wal-Mart. So I grabbed it and now I’ll let you know if the system is worth your money as well.

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Review: To the Moon

Even though To the Moon has been out for a while now, it is (almost) never too late to review an indie title. With it recently making its way onto Steam, going on sale for the Fall sale and likely …

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Wii U System Review

So I’ve had my Wii U for two days (now entering three as I post this) and I will say that I am happy with my purchase, I do not feel like my $350 was wasted. But before I get …

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RetroActive: A Casual Review of Castle in the Darkness

Castle in the Darkness is a retro styled indie game coming for PC and iOS in 2013. Here I was asked to play and review the prologue. Find out my thoughts in this casual off the cuff review. http://castleinthedarkness.mattkap.net/ For …

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RetroActive Halloween 2012: Haunting – Starring Polterguy

Haunting is a game for the Sega Genesis that puts you in the shoes of a recently deceased skater dude who is out for ghostly revenge. Your goal is to haunt the family responsible for your death; a perfect game …

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RetroActive Halloween 2012: Splatterhouse 2

For the first Halloween episode of 2012 I bring you Splatterhouse 2 for the Sega Genesis! Time for some retro gore galore. For additional videos by RetroActive: Click Here Join the new Gamester81 forums: http://dev2017.gamester81.com/forum/

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RetroActive Memories: Final Fantasy

    A brand new series from RetroActive! The concept is to take a casual and heartfelt look at retro games and the memories they originally provided. Each episode is unscripted and focuses on the game as a whole, not …

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RetroActive Shortie: Kung Fu

    Though released on other systems the NES port of this classic arcade game holds a special nostalgic place in my heart. Find out why I enjoy this precursor to the beat ’em up genre on this Shortie episode …

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RetroActive: How To Refurbish Your NES

  Kevin gives you a step by step walkthrough of taking apart your NES and refurbishing your pin connector. If you are tired of seeing that blinking screen get ready to see it a lot less if you follow these …

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