#retro action

[dailymusemaniac]

My childhood all originals no remakes

[dimalink]

In a New Year I and my bro played cool in NES

New Year I have met with game console NES. In a New Year I and my bro, we play good in game console NES. So, it was a special, somewhere almost 12. 11 with something. We sit with bro and play in Double Dragon 2, Contra. Main in Double Dragon 2. It was interesting! With a true CRT tv. Cool environment! With good expectations about a New Year. Good cozy atmosphere.

And, already, in a first days of new year itself I played in NES for myself. In a game LifeForce. For example. Good start of a New Year. For retro gamer. So, I still a big fan of 8 bit console NES.

Saying the truth, today I have a china clone FC Compact 2. But it is rather good.

 Mainly, we played with bro in Double Dragon 2. So, it is possible to play two players mode in this game. So, at one screen play together. In a first part of the game, it is not like this. There is no such a game mode. Game from a childhood, by the way. I remember good this videogame. I like gfx a lot. And I thought it was a boxers, I though like this in old days.

And I though that it was lots of Double Dragon videogames. Very a lot of them for NES. And I think about 5 or 7 parts. It was my ideas in old days.

Contra it is also a good game. Excellent action. But it was like a hard game. To play in Double Dragon it was more easy. By the way, I and my bro, we had this cartridge with contra in 90s. But game has a title Super Darkwing Duck. And instead of guys it were a ducks. Two ducks. We like this version a lot. So, I even today, I would like to get this version, one day.

In a game LifeForce I have already played in a new year. It was a good and calm start of the year. Well, of course, I do not go far in game. Game is unusual because of you are inside of some biological organism. It is inside something like cells. They do a defense. As I get it. Everything is such biological. Or you can think about some such planet. So, it is also a way. Unusual game setting for action game.

By the way I remember that in 90s I mismatch games Contra and Super Contra. So now, I and my bro we play both of these games. In Contra and in Super Contra. But as a symbolical, not for a long time. About A New Year event, we play for a while.

By the way, FC Compact 2 is rather good variation to play NES 8 bit with cartridges today. It is china clone. So, I play with it for a long time, play from time to time. And for game from time to time it is going to be good. And I think about, to change china joysticks for better one. To press buttons better, and something like better reaction, faster to be. It is valuable for fast games, like Dig Dug. Starting with some level it is already very fast everything and china joystick is not good.

And in anything else it is good version to play NES.

So, year start just excellent. Calm. With 8 bit game console NES. Excellent memories. I start some different games for point of interest. With a cartridge that have lots of games. So, in the evening it is a lamp light. Such a good mood. And game console NES 8 bit. It is a thing you need, in case you are retro gamer 8 bit. Good retro TV. Everything with a beautiful!

From time to time i like to play videogames. And write about it. Dima Link is making retro videogames, apps, a little of music, write stories, and some retro more.

WEBSITE: http://www.dimalink.tv-games.ru/home_eng.html ITCHIO: https://dimalink.itch.io/ GAMEJOLT: https://gamejolt.com/@DimaLink/games

[powershopz]

WS Studio Store continues its long‑running retro‑action line with “Guns and Girls 34”, starring Agneta and Iwona. This chapter focuses on fast‑paced shootout choreography, emotional reactions, and a wide variety of camera angles that highlight the series’ signature style. Expect tight catsuits, dramatic standoffs, and plenty of dynamic panoramas as the duo moves through a sequence of stylized action scenes.

https://powershopz.com/WSstudiostore/267135

[powershopz]

New from Electric City Productions: Lethal Torture — a gritty, adrenaline‑charged cop thriller inspired by classic 80s action cinema. Preview: https://powershopz.com/ELECTRICCITYPRODUCTIONS/196352

[invisiblekatanaartwork]

Artist's Blog #172 - American Ninja (1985)

American Ninja – Every 3rd VHS Tape on the Shelf

In the 1980s, ninjas were everything. I’ve said this countless times already when blogging about ninja movies. You can read more ninja movie blogs on Enter the Ninja and Ninja III at the respective linked titles. They snuck onto toy shelves, into Saturday morning cartoons, and into every third VHS box at the video store. American Ninja, directed by Sam Firstenberg and starring Michael Dudikoff, is a proud product of that era. It’s one part military action movie and one-part martial arts flick, specifically ninjutsu. A good point here though, the main ninja barely wears the stereotypical uniform. Now, let’s not pretend this is some master class in historical accuracy on the art. But if you’re like me—raised on the mystique of shadow warriors and spinning shuriken—there’s something about it that feels right, even when it’s wildly wrong. Grab your shurikens, Sai, and Ninja To and let’s stealthfully go through my thoughts on American Ninja.

Ninjas in Olive Drab

The hero of the story is Joe Armstrong (Michael Dudikoff), a loner with no memory and a mysterious past. He was, according to the movie, found as a child and trained in ninjutsu by a Japanese master left behind after World War II. I honestly found this to be a creative twist that’s both absurd and oddly compelling. To me, this was a unique way for someone to learn this art that, at the time, was very exclusive to Japan. From a quick Google search, I learned the name Robert Duncan as the first person to teach ninjutsu in America but, Stephen Hayes is probably the most notable. There’s a movie called Ninja vs KKK that features Hayes and there are plenty of clips on YouTube of him as well. Also, he is a good author and if you like ninjas, read his stuff. Yes, I have notes on Ninja vs KKK to blog on, but they are old so I might have to rewatch. Let’s move on.

Joe is the classic strong-silent type. And for most of the film, he’s not in the black ninja gi. Instead, he’s just out there—blending in. Which is exactly what real ninjas were supposed to do, trained to do, and were exceptionally good at – being “the grey man.” The film’s sensei character, played by John Fujioka, pretends to be a gardener to hide his identity. That felt right. Historically, the scariest thing about ninjas wasn’t the sword—it was the fact you didn’t even know they were there. That’s the real ninja magic. They weren’t action figures in matching suits. They were spies, saboteurs, and assassins, hidden in plain sight, and working, typically, for the highest bidder. But then again, American Ninja, like most ninja movies,doesn’t always play by the rules of history and tradition.

Weapons, Woo, and What the Hell

One thing American Ninja gets hilariously right (and wrong) are the weapons. We get chain-and-hook combos, sickles, throwing stars, arrows, and more. Joe even uses at hand tools like a proper old-school ninja, a nod to how many traditional Japanese weapons came from agricultural roots. Yes, there’s a scene where he tosses a shuriken underhanded and kills a man instantly. This is totally false but absolutely in line with 80s ninja mythology. Perhaps the best instance is when he uses a towing chain and hook in place of a ninja chain and sickle weapon. As the ninja could turn their harvest scythe into a weapon of lethal proficiency, our main character does the same with this weapon at hand. Don’t get me started on the “art of assassination” line from Curtis Jackson (Steve James), Joe’s military buddy. Ninjutsu doesn’t translate to that, no matter how many VHS tapes or cartoon intros say so. It’s closer to the art of perseverance or stealth—not some mystical murder school. Again, it’s 1985, and accuracy was never the point – entertainment was.

Ninja Training Camps & Military Misfires

I harped on this I know somewhat recently in Wu-tang vs Ninja but, ninja didn’t practice in training camps. American Ninja has this same idea and it’s frustrating to me. Think summer camp but with swordplay and spike traps. Real-life ninjas didn’t train like this—not out in the open jungle with matching outfits and swinging spiky bags. That part is just dumb. And I say that with love and respect to the shinobi. The military convoy scenes are just as baffling. Why is the general’s daughter in the lead vehicle? Why does no one have guns? Why do military prisons have ladders conveniently placed by fences? I know—it’s a movie. But y’all who read my stuff know that I always get upset about these things. There’s also the obligatory ninja-versus-ninja showdown at the end, which includes deflecting arrows.

Let’s talk about the arrows for a second and one other thing that I know I’ve mentioned in a previous blog as well. I read in a book about ninjutsu once that learned to deflect arrows was part of their training. In feudal Japan, this would have been useful although I don’t know how possible it would really be. Ancient longbows could shoot arrows at high rates of speed so, you would have to be at the right distance or you’d be done for. Second is what’s known as the go dan test or 5th degree test. This is where a student must be blind folded and use their senses to roll out of the way of a surprise sword attack. You can watch this on YouTube here – believe what you want to but, this is a real test. Anyway, Jo does this as part of one of his first fight sequences. I suppose that someone somewhere involved in American Ninja consulted with real practitioners and got some accurate ideas and customs.

How American Ninja Would Have Really Ended

The thing is, American Ninja overall is ridiculous in all the ways you want a 1980s ninja flick to be. Cars explode simply flipping over, ninjas leap off rooftops without a sound, run across metal roofs silently, steel clanks don’t clank and everyone’s either screaming, kicking, or standing dramatically with wind blowing their headbands. Training sequences are comical. There’s one with swinging spike bags. As the movie is ending there’s a chase through the training grounds. Instead of just running around the spiked bags (like a sane person), the ninjas run through the middle. Why? This kind of logic—or lack thereof—is part of the genre’s DNA though. So, in closing and in line with this, let me say how American Ninja would have actually ended. If I’m driving a truck that belongs to the criminal that essentially runs the island and a ninja is on a dirt bike right beside me, I’m turning hard into him. There you have it, American Ninja is over. I guess that doesn’t sell popcorn though.

Final Thoughts from a Ninja at Heart

Look, I know I sound critical, but I grew up on this stuff and I LOVE it. I love the fantasy around ninja, and I love studying actual the historical art too. I’m a product of the 80s ninja boom and, I got into martial arts because of movies like American Ninja. If I had the chance to drop everything and study traditional ninjutsu with a legit master, I’d do it tomorrow. I love the mythos, the history, the weird spiritual edge it all carries – everything. Does American Ninja make sense? Not really. Is it accurate? Only in fragments. Is it fun? Absolutely. Would I recommend it? If you love ninjas, yes. If you want realism, no. If you want to see Michael Dudikoff fight a clan of mercenary ninjas on a dirt bike in the Philippines while barely emoting, then this is for you. Last question - will I watch it again? Probably not anytime soon, but eventually, yeah.

Ninja fans, you are personally invited to follow my art journey on social media, visit my website, read more of my blogs on odd films, and consider supporting and buying my art here. If anyone knows of any legit ninja schools in the SC area, let me know. This art is still hard to find. Peace.

[mobilerafie]

Retro-Action Green Lantern

[linuxgamenews]

Spell Blaster seeking funding for the co-op dungeon crawler

Spell Blaster top down retro action games out on Kickstarter for Linux, Mac, and Windows PC. Thanks to developer Jump Game Studio. The crowdfunding campaign is now more than 50% funded. Spell Blaster is a game that fans of top down retro action games will feel right at home with. Due to raising $8,200 USD by July 22nd, 2021 9:30 AM EDT. At the time of writing, the campaign is at $4152 USD with 107 backers, with 16 days left to go. Spell Blaster is a 1-2 player co-operative dungeon crawler. The gameplay also tasks players with working through mazes. All while destroying monsters, avoiding dangerous traps, and solving puzzles. The game has already been described by fans as a mix between Zelda, Secret of Mana, and Goof Troop.

Spell Blaster Kickstarter Trailer:

While Spell Blaster is a unique game, it foregoes the open world of traditional titles. But instead focuses on the dungeon crawl. Each stage is essentially its own dungeon. All selectable from a World Map that expands as you progress through the game. This makes the gameplay more pick up and play, and more arcade like. This also allows you to complete stages in bursts. The player(s) begin their adventure on a World Map, selecting a Stage to play. Their task is simple: find and destroy the Dark Shard in order to win. However, this goal won't be easy as there are plenty of monsters standing in their path. This also puzzles waiting to be solved You can test out the Spell Blaster Windows PC demo via Itch.io.Which works nicely on Linux using Wine. Just download the zip file, extract it, then run the installer "wine Spell\ Blaster\ Demo\ Setup.exe. Once the installer is complete it will ask if you want to launch the game. You should be good to go, along with controller integration.

Full Features:

Team up with a friend in Spell Blaster local co-op multiplayer.

Navigate, puzzle solve, and fight your way through dozens of stages.

Discover unique Zones that introduce new enemies and challenges.

Face off against Bosses that will test your skill at the end of each Zone.

Gain multiple spells and abilities that continuously expand your combat potential.

The wicked sorcerer Agonus has appeared in the land of Meridia. Due to summon dark crystal shards and harvest the life force of the planet for his own nefarious schemes. It is up to brave heroine mage Marza, and her equally fearless sidekick Pan. All while you begin a journey to save the world from destruction! Spell Blaster top down retro action is due to arrive on Linux, Mac, and Windows PC, November 2022. Which will be releasing on Steam and itch.io. Due to receiving the game on the digital platform of your choice. Check out the crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter and

[linuxgamenews]

Cyber Shadow retro action gets a full launch

Cyber Shadow the epic cyber ninja game releases with day one support for Linux, Mac and Windows PC. Thanks to the creative efforts of developer Aarne "MekaSkull" Hunziker and publisher Yacht Club Games. Which is now available on Humble Store, GOG and Steam. Cyber Shadow cyber ninja world has been taken over by synthetic lifeforms. Which also sets Shadow on a desperate plea to be our hero in this journey. While hopefully uncovering what set the world on the path to constant ruin. Slash through techno hordes, leap past traps, and nimbly navigate the ruins of Mekacity. Only you can unlock the secrets to your clan's ancient powers in Cyber Shadow. Which is a unique take on the ninja action genre.

Cyber Shadow Release Date Trailer

Aarne has been developing the game on his own for years. Then Yacht Club Games was the only team he’d ever consider to help him hone his creation. Aarne describes Cyber Shadow to the Shovel Knight creators as an “NES-style game that had the level design principles of Mario. With the skills and action of Ninja Gaiden. The enemy designs of Contra, and the dark visual aesthetic of Batman.” This also explains why the reviews are 81% Very Positive.

Features:

Dash, slice, and leap through masterfully designed Cyber Shadow levels. All full of sharply honed ninja platforming action.

Authentic 8-bit presentation with handcrafted sprites. Also, detailed pixel aesthetic, and perfect controls. Modern touches like fluid animation and multi-layered parallax backgrounds. All of which help to evolve the game design.

Take down more than a dozen apocalyptic bosses – Since they range from enormous war machines to your synthetic clan rivals.

Relive the authenticity of classic 8-bit challenge or experience it for the first time. While your experience an added convenience or two.

Rescue your clan to unlock permanent Ninjutsu skills and abilities – As a result, combine them seamlessly as only the warrior of legend could.

Search for secrets as you explore the ruined world of Cyber Shadow. So you can return to your old haunts to find supplies, items, and upgrades.

Experience a gripping story – told both in-game and through animated cinematic story scenes between the action. Who can be trusted? Also, how far will Shadow go to protect his clan and the one he loves?

Pulse-pounding soundtrack by Enrique Martin, produced by Jake Kaufman.

Cyber Shadow epic cyber ninja game release on Humble Store, GOG and Steam. Priced at $19.99 USD for Linux, Mac and Windows PC.