☆ Pang Man’s ZBOX, Subscription Box Review (Jan 2017) ☆ @jawarlock, @The_ZBOX , @TwistedNeil, @TPubComics

I am one of those people who never wins anything good. Over the last 20 plus years, I have entered numerous competitions, prize draws and raffles with no success.

I didn’t even win at Pass the Parcel at school!

☆ Review: Chime Sharp "Awesome Music Combined With A Great Puzzle Game" ☆ #PS4

Chime Sharp - PS4

Chime Sharp is a cool puzzle game that immediately grabs my attention as it looks and feels like a step up from the first game which was called Chime.

☆ Review: Loot Rascals "It's Time To Go Rescue Big Barry!" ☆ #PS4

Loot Rascals (PS4)

The first thing to mention with this quirky cool dungeon crawler is the fresh and funky art style.

It's cartoony and stands out from the get go and is crafted really well. 

It's aiming for the He-Man cartoon aesthetic in a retro style and it hits it on the head perfectly!

☆ Anyone Want To See A Stranger Things C64 Video Game? ☆

Stranger Things Left A Mark On Me .....

It's A TV Programme That I Constantly Think About..

I've Also Included It Into An Article Which Outlines My Favourite

 TV Shows That Should Be Made Into Video Games

☆ The Arcade Multiplayer Bar Of My Dreams ☆

One of my ongoing dreams is to open a video games Barcade in London.

I’ve devoted lots of my free time day dreaming about what my Barcade would look like and the games it would feature.

What it boils down to for me is creating a space to meet friends, eat, drink and play video games.

In particular arcade cabinets would be the main focus for me as these beautiful cabinets evoke memories of childhood crowded round the cab with your friends, usually in awe of the graphics and game-play.

More specifically I would love to fill this gaming space with the finest examples of multiplayer arcade cabinets known to man.

☆ A 30 Minute Legend Of Zelda Treat Just For You! ☆

I've just finished watching 3 ten minute YouTube videos from Nintendo which talk in detail about how The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild was conceived and brought to life.

I was hooked and hung on every word they said and I think you might like these videos too.

☆ Who Wants To Play DuckTales, Chip N Dale, Tailspin and Darkwing? ☆

Great News For Us Retro Gaming Connoisseurs!

We All Loved Those Disney Cartoons That Were On Saturday Afternoons When We Were Kids Right?!

Well, Capcom has announced that they’re bringing back 
DuckTales 1&2, Chip ‘N Dale Rescue Rangers 1&2, Tailspin, and Darkwing Duck and porting them from the NES originals to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC!

☆ Review: I Love This Game To Bits ☆ #iOS

Today I take a look at “Love You To Bits” on iOS and I uncover a charming and beautifully presented Puzzle Adventure Game that you just have to admire.

Take a look at my thoughts and then download it today as it’s the Games Freezer

“Game Of The Day”

☆ Video Feature: Video Games That Gave Me A Sense Of Wonder & Awe ☆

I Give You My Thoughts On The Games That Left Me With My Mouth Wide Open When I First Played Them......

What Games Would Make YOUR List?

☆ Which Video Games Gave Me That Sense Of Wonder & Awe? ☆

Having watched from afar as the gaming world enthuses over The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild I have noticed a common theme with the reviews and opinions of the game.

Gamers are enthusing about the game taking them back to the days when video games induced wonder and awe much like the original Legend Of Zelda on the NES did.

You know the games I mean don't you?

☆ An 8 Year Old Boy's Obsession With Video Game Graphics ☆ #Retrogaming

I recently did a Guest Blog over at gameleaks.net that I thought I'd share with you all here on Games Freezer....

It's all about my obsession with video game graphics as a video game mad 8-year-old....

☆ 8 Video Game Mechanics That Changed My View Of Video Games Forever ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

Courtesy Of Lost Garden

The Definition Of Game Mechanics:

“Game mechanics are rule based systems/simulations that facilitate and encourage a user to explore and learn the properties of their possibility space through the use of feedback mechanisms.”

I’ve been thinking back to some of the games that I loved to play over the years and thinking about the mechanics of those games that made me realise what was possible to achieve in the medium. The best mechanics seem to hook you and here’s 8 that hooked me….

☆ The Games Freezer: 4 Years In The Making ☆

The Games Freezer was switched on nearly 4 years ago on the 3^rd of May 2013

This little chiller has been humming away ever since and over that period of time has seen me learn how to run a website

After a few requests from Freezer Followers for me to spill the beans on how Games Freezer came about, I thought I'd put it all down in a blog post so as you can see how it all started..... 

Are you sitting comfortably?

I shall begin......Once Upon A Time.....

☆ Pang Man’s 1Up Box, Subscription Box Review (Jan 2017) ☆

Information:

https://1upbox.com

@1UP_Box

1Up Box is a monthly subscription box containing 5 or more mystery geek/gaming goodies.

It costs around £24 a month (due to international shipping from the US to the UK).

Subscriptions can be on a 1 month re-occurring basis or on a longer term if you prefer. The longer term options (3 months, 6 months) mean you pay less for each box, but are tied down for a bit longer.

☆ Review: Sneaky Stealthy Mouthy 'Filthy Lucre' ☆ #GameDev

Filthy Lucre (PC)

With a premise involving an ignoble cause and a (rightfully grumpy) wronged man, Filthy Lucre starts out with no myth or facade that you are playing a hero. As a criminal working to re-steal the wealth of an elderly man who has been robbed, you must work your way through nonsequential missions of stealth, murder, and theft.

What’s not to love?

☆ Awesome Amstrad Title Screens ☆

The Awesome Amstrad Still Looks Cool To This Day. 
Marvel At These Amazing Title Screens.

"Stay Frosty"

☆ How Many SNES Hidden Gems Can You Name? ☆ #Retrogaming

How Many Of These SNES Hidden Gems Can You Name?

☆ Ten Minute Taster: Death Squared (PS4) ☆ #GameDev

"Watch me have lots of fun with AI robot cubes as I solve random puzzles"

☆ The Hand Drawn Video Gamer ☆ #Retrogaming

For a while now I have had a desire to create a video games related book that covers the theme of hand drawn video games maps.

I was largely inspired by the Artcade book by (Tim Nicholls) which covered Arcade Cabinet Marquees and also I was inspired by the awesome series of visual compendiums by Bitmap Books which cover some of the greatest retro consoles and computers of all time.

These books have really ignited that nostalgia which surrounds the video games scene right now and I can lose myself in those visually stunning publications while soaking up all the visuals embedded in those pages.

☆ Website Of The Day: Video Game History Foundation ☆ #Retrogaming

Today we uncover an essential website for any video gamer who appreciates the history of the greatest video games ever created and also of the worst video games created......

Come One, Come All, It's The Video Game History Foundation!

☆ Pang Man’s Geek Fuel Subscription Box Review (Feb 2017) ☆ @TheGeekFuel

Information:

www.geekfuel.com

@TheGeekFuel

Geek Fuel is a monthly subscription box containing 5 or more mystery geek/gaming goodies.

It costs around £24 a month (due to international shipping from the US to the UK).

Subscriptions can be on a 1-month re-occurring basis or on a longer term if you prefer. The longer term options (3 months, 6 months and 1 year) mean you pay less for each box but are tied down for a bit longer.

☆ Ten Minute Taster: Ys Origin (PS4) ☆

"Watch me get beat down by a demon and lose my marbles whilst trying to do the Ten Minute Teaser intro..."

"This game is so much fun!"

Having Been Given Access To Ys Origin On The PS4, I Set Out To See What It's All About.

In Our NEW Ten Minute Taster Video Feature, I Pick Up And Play A Game For Ten Minutes And Let You Know How I Get On.......

So Let's Take A Look At The Dot Emu Remake of Ys Origin For The PS4!

I'll Be Trying To Talk You Through This 10 Minute Taster Of The Game To Let You Know My Initial Thoughts......

Let Me Know What YOU Think....

"Stay Frosty"

☆ Can You Name All Of My Fave NES Games In This 1 Minute Montage? ☆

The Nintendo Entertainment System was one of those consoles that I played around my friend Paul's house lots but never actually owned one...

In honor of never owning one here's my fave NES games in a 1-minute video montage, can you name them all?

Let Me Know How YOU Get On In The Comments Box Below

"Stay Frosty"

☆ 7 Video Games That I Would Love To See Remade Properly ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

There are so many games that I would love to see get the remake/reboot treatment and this 7 are my real desires.

Kickstarters are a wonderful thing and if Shenmue 3 can get made then I’m certain the following 7 would garner enough support in a Kickstarter world to get made.

☆ Freezer Facts Episode 2: Mario Kart ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

Find out what Princess & Bowser used to get drunk on together...

"Stay Frosty"

☆ Freezer Facts Episode 1: Street Fighter ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

Find Out Where Dhalsim Keeps His Pet Elephant!

"Stay Frosty"

☆ Ten Minute Taster Episode 1: Torment - Tides Of Numenera ☆

"Watch me (eventually) teleport a jelly head octopus from an electrified dome to....... err somewhere!! 

This game is nuts and I think I love it!"

☆ The Deep Freeze Number 2 (Feb 2017) – Getting To Know The Games Freezer Staff! ☆

Welcome to Part 2 of the Deep Freeze, where we let you know what the Games Freezer staff have been up to over the last month. 

☆ Pang Man’s Geek Fuel Subscription Box Review (Jan 2017) ☆ @TheGeekFuel

For those who are unfamiliar with Subscription Boxes, essentially the concept is that you pay a monthly fee (usually around £20) and in return every month you get delivered to your doorstep, a large mystery box full of geek/gaming related goodies inside. These may include things such as figurines, games, clothing, posters, key chains, and mugs.

☆ Pang Man Part 26, Cool Collectibles- McDonalds Super Mario Happy Meal Toys! ☆ #Nintendo

I am a big fan of gaming collectibles so anything gaming related will appeal instantly grab my attention. A few weeks ago I was driving to pick up some Vietnamese takeaway when I spotted a big billboard with Yoshi on it.

A closer look revealed that the 2017 range of Super Mario toys were now available at McDonald's.

☆ The Games Freezer Retro Gaming Directory ☆ #Retrogaming

When I first started to delve into the retro gaming video games subculture I was eager to search for the websites and blogs to visit as well as the people to follow on Social Media.

I wanted to seek out the cream of the crop so as I could learn as much about the scene as possible as well as gaining ideas in order to launch my beloved Games Freezer Blog.

☆ My SNES Mini Wishlist Video Is Now LIVE On YOUTUBE! ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

(Picture Credit Link)

The Games Freezer SNES MINI Wishlist Video Is Now LIVE On YOUTUBE!

If You Get A Moment Then Go & Take A Look (take two looks if you want)

☆ Which Console Was Code-named Dolphin? ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

After listening to the Bombcast podcast recently my memory was jogged on the subject of codenames for consoles before they were released to the general public.

 

Whenever we were privy to information on a new console pre-release it would be contained within the pages of CVG or Mean Machines and it may be referred to with an artists impression of what it would look like.

 

My memory was of these mysterious names that were associated with these 'next generation' consoles.

 

I've done some digging and have found a fair few of these names but maybe some are not as glamorous as I remember….

☆ The UK's Video Game Market is BACK! ☆ #RetroGaming

The UK's biggest market style event dedicated to video gaming is back and takes place in just under two weeks!

☆ Get Involved In The Awesome Games Freezer Give Away! ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

🕹WIN ONE OF THESE AWESOME SUPER FAMICOM CARTS!

 

☆ 2017 "The Year Of Video Game Emulation?" ☆

Emulation of video games over the last 3 years seems to have come from the shadows of gaming into the mainstream in a big way.

When I started this site in 2013, emulation was a dirty word only spoken about in hushed tones within a dark corner of a gamers forum on the internet.

Now fast forward to 2017 and one of the biggest and oldest video games companies in the world has brought a dedicated emulation machine in the form of the NES Mini Classic.

🎰 Could This Become A Video Game? 🎰

Sometimes you look at a TV show and instantly you think “Wow! That would make an awesome video game!”

Often the reality is that a developer picks up the rights to do the game and makes a complete hash of it even though the source material is top-notch.

My list below has 8 TV shows listed that could still inspire the creation of a brand new video game either retro-styled or right up to date.

Take a look and see what YOU think of this list of awesome TV shows that totally need a good video game.

☆ Gaming Memories: Sarahsharkbait And The Power Of Video Games ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

This week we are happy to welcome you to another Friend Of The Freezer and their very own video games memories story to share with us all.

Say hello to Sarah (Sarahssharkbait) from www.gamesleaks.net

Today Sarah will tell us the story of how video games have always been in her life and how it has helped her through difficult times.

☆ Goonies Meets X Files, Meets Stephen King's IT! ☆

It’s a Thursday morning and I’m cold to the bone. I’m walking to the train station to begin my journey into work and I enter the train carriage feeling like I need something to warm my soul.

As I find a space on the packed commuter carriage I pull out my phone and begin to listen to the Giant Bombcast to cheer my way into Thursday with a mix of chat and video games. 

Just as I begin to smile I realise I have something special that I NEED to watch on Netflix…..

☆ Review: "So grab your mouse, round up the mob, it's time to play OKHLOS OMEGA!" ☆ #GameDev

OKHLOS: OMEGA (PC)
On February 6^th, Coffee Powered Machine released their largest update since their initial release back in August 2016. The update was so big that they aptly renamed the game Okhlos: Omega. This is truly a well-done mobocracy gaming experience that leaves those with control issues foaming at the mouth for more yet not quite satisfying the true nature of complete control.  

So grab your mouse, round up the mob, and prepare to take down soldiers and Gods alike as you leave a wake of destruction in your path and a furrowed brow.

☆Review: Miniclip's First Ever Console Release Hits With MX Nitro ☆ #GameDev

MX Nitro - PS4

Miniclip, a company most well-known for browser-based Flash games and, more recently, mobile games have decided to take on the console gaming market with their first release to the platform, MX Nitro.

So how has it turned out?

Well, I got my hands on it for the PS4 to review so here we go..

☆ What's On YOUR SNES Mini Wishlist? ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

The NES Mini got a lot of Nintendo fans excited last year as Nintendo launched a mini retro marvel to the world packed with 30 fan favourite games.

The stampede to pre-order was audible and the excitement created was tangible.

As someone who loves the retro gaming scene, this was a brilliant concept and I loved the discussion it promoted around the re-living of those golden days of the Nintendo Entertainment System.

☆Review: "Visit the land of ‘Hogswart’ (I didn’t make that up)" ☆ #GameDev

EPIC MANAGER - PC

Made by ManaVoid Entertainment, it was funded on Kickstarter, it met CA$ 37,933 of its CA$ 35,000 goal, with it reaching the goal in November of 2014. 

Two years on, in December of 2016, 1.0 was released on Steam, with a Mac port released only on the 13th February.

Does it meet the standards of what they themselves set? 

An epic adventure with many twists and turns, based on an enthralling fusion of two genres?

☆ Mobile Game Of The Day - Gunblazer - Inspired By Galaga & Xenon..... ☆ #Retrogaming

Gunblazer is a retro arcade shoot em up inspired by classic Galaga, Xenon, etc.

Your mission is to destroy the waves of incoming alien ships and kill their MASTER BRAIN leader. 

☆ Peasants Quest Will Brighten Up Your Day...☆ #Retrogaming

Have You Got A Spare Moment On This Friday Afternoon?

☆ Retroblox Is One Pretty Looking Console... ☆ #Retrogaming

Something that we haven't covered yet on Games Freezer is the exciting new retroblox Kickstarter campaign! 

The images of this new modular machine have stirred up a lot of excitement in The Freezer and I thought it would be a good idea to share the official press release....

Let Me Know Your Thoughts On This Cool New Machine.............

☆ Exciting News For All NEO GEO Fans ☆ #Retrogaming #NeoGeo

I've just received some awesome news from BITMAP BOOKS relating to their next exciting retro gaming book.....

It's going to be a Neo Geo Art Book! 

Neo Geo has it's own beautiful art style that is both unique and beautiful, you can truly tell a Neo Geo Game apart from all other systems due to it's lovely brighty chunky sprites that bring so much character to the video games.

Read On For More Info Directly From Bitmap Books................

☆ GameBlast17 - Gamers Changing Lives 24-26 FEB 2017 ☆ #GameBlast17 #GamersUnite

It’s not long now until GameBlast 17 kicks off! 

And I for one can’t wait for this brilliant video games fundraising event gets underway. 

☆ HAMA Bead Pixel Art Is So Cool! ☆ #Retrogaming #PixelArt #GamersUnite

When it comes to HAMA Beads and Bead art I have been an admirer from afar for a while now.

I always loved the sight of fellow gamers creating well-known sprites from well-known video games.

☆ Pang Man Part 25: Cool Video Game Places: “The Kirby Café”- a missed opportunity! ☆ #GamersUnite

On my final day in Tokyo, I was feeling a bit peckish and so I decided to see if any gaming related restaurants were nearby. After a bit of digging, I found the perfect place to eat.

It was an official Kirby-themed restaurant called the Kirby Café which looked amazing.

🕹️🎮 17 Reasons to Let Your Kids Play Video Games 🕹️🎮 #GamersUnite

We all know that video games are a lot of fun, especially when we play them with our kids.

But did you ever feel a twinge of guilt letting your kids play video games, maybe thinking in the back of your mind that you weren’t doing them any good?

☆ The Deep Freeze Number 1 (Jan 2017) – Getting To Know The Games Freezer Staff! ☆ #GamersUnite

One of the things I loved about the gaming magazines of old is that the writing staff weren’t just nameless, faceless souls.  They felt like real people, people you could hang out and play video games with or share a beer with.

The 1st Magazine that really did this for me was the legendary Mean Machines.

How did they do this you might ask?

☆ Pang Man Part 24 - Cool Video Game Places: “GameBar A-Button” (A Retro-gaming bar) ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

Although my trip to Japan was coming to an end, I managed to squeeze in a visit to one final retro-gaming bar called GameBar A-Button.

(address: Taitou-Ku Taitou 1-13-9)

http://a-button.jp/

☆ 2016 -The PS4 Diaries Part 20 "Fallout.....Fallout Never Changes" ☆ #PS4 #GamersUnite

Saying that something never changes is not necessarily a slur or a derogatory remark against it and in this case, I'm happy to say it's a compliment. 

☆ Pang Man Part 23 – Cool Stores: The Pokémon Centre (Mega Tokyo) ☆ #Retrogaming #GamersUnite

In a previous article, I covered a visit to the Pokémon Centre in Skytree, 

(Pang Man Part 17) however for completeness, I thought it best to pay a quick visit to the only other Pokémon store in the city; the Pokémon Centre Mega Tokyo branch.