iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Got to use the word homunculus at the dentist today, that was a good time.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

It’s The Star Fox™️ game for the Nintendo Switch 2™️ system. You say the whole thing, like A Tribe Called Quest.

A Nintendo music notification on a phone screen, it reads:

Nintendo Music
Sixty-two tracks from the Star Fox™ game for the Nintendo Switch™ 2 system have been added, plus a playlist featuring tracks from each...

The titling of Star Fox grows more cumbersome by the day. This never happened to Lylat Wars.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Mechwarrior 2 was at the time, the most advanced game I’d ever played. Learning the various systems, keyboard commands, and mission specific peculiarities of the game was incredibly rewarding, and it made me want to not just figure out how that game worked, but how all the games I loved worked.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Astro Warrior was my introduction to shoot ‘em ups, which would go on to be a genre I still love even if I’m not very good at them. I remember a friend of mine and I watching the demo sequence to try and decipher the attack patterns of the second boss. It’s a basic, but mechanically solid game.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Hearing that both RPGs and Final Fantasy were cool, I bought the first one I could both afford and play. The fact that my first RPG was a SaGa game probably skewed my perception for what was normal in the genre, but I imagine it gave me a more open mind towards odd or even unintuitive mechanics.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

At home, my family had an Odyssey 2, and its library is dear to me. Cosmic Conflict! May play like less involved Star Raiders, but the first person space combat really hooked me. My love of Star Fox, Rogue Squadron, and Ace Combat can trace its lineage back to my love of Cosmic Conflict! and the O2.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Spy Hunter is the first game I remember playing, and later on it was an example of how some arcade games really excel best in their original context. To this day, finding a Spy Hunter cab is the best way to experience the game. I really lucked out with this being my into to video games.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

It’s pretty well known as an oddity now, but when I first read about No One Can Stop Mr. Domino! In Tips & Tricks back in 1999, I was immediately taken by its odd concept. I had an N64 at the time, but when I bought a PS2, it was one of the first PS1 games I picked up, and I played it endlessly.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I bought incredible Crisis for $14.99 at Kay-Bee Toys because I’d seen a preview for it and it looked absolutely insane. I hadn’t encountered a game with such an out there premise or execution yet, and despite its flaws, Incredible Crisis had a ton of charm.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I first played Outrun at the YMCA where I learned to swim. You couldn’t even hear the music, but weaving in and out of traffic along a coastline just felt great. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was the first time that tone and feeling really became a reason I loved a game.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Shenmue was the first real slow game I ever played, and I mean that as a compliment. Exploring every nook and cranny of the world made it feel like I was visiting the world of a video game for the first time instead of simply viewing it.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

This was made more fun by approaching this as games that would have lasting impacts rather than games that ended up being all time favorites. These are all games I’d list in my overall favorites, but perhaps not top 10. These games lead me to what would become my favorites.

A three by three grid of nine game titles, starting left to right from the top:

Shenmue
Outrun
Incredible Crisis
No One Can Stop Mr. Domino!
Spy Hunter
Cosmic Conflict
Final Fantasy Legend II
Astro Warrior
Mechwarrior 2

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I’ll use this Chrontendo screenshot to remind everyone that the Sega Ages version of Phantasy Star on Switch is the gold standard for how to keep a classic RPG accessible while retaining its natural charm.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Milk Money’s tone and premise is so odd that I thought that it might be a poorly adapted European comedy. It is not, it’s just a strange and complete misfire.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I’ve been on a kick of watching movies that I only remember as previews on various cassette tapes we rented when I was a kid. Milk Money (1994) was impressively bad. Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (1991) was surprisingly fine. Unremarkable, but fine.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I never realized that Japan didn’t get the burnout series. It’s a shame they missed out on both this amazing title localization as well as getting Burnout 3.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

This is fantastic. There’s an uploader that became a cult favorite between my friends and I in the early 2010s because he was so distinct in style. Channels like this are what keeps YouTube worth exploring.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Having listened to that T2 episode of Retronauts, the context for your sign off really hit. Glad you’re still here.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

This is a good read, and touches on elements of both physical and mental health that at best are often only mentioned in hushed tones.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

As a kid I’d love reading about in game details like this, even if they may have been largely made up by some Nintendo staffer. When I first got an N64, the only two games I had were Star Fox 64 and Mario Kart 64. A strategy guide made replays feel rewarding instead of tedious.

An image from Nintendo’s official Star Fox 64 strategy guide. It’s a small blurb about an enemy type, and offers an in-universe explanation for its color scheme.

The text reads:

Invader II

Venom's Invader II Assault Fighters suffer from numerous design flaws and are vastly inferior to Corneria Fighters. To overcome their shortcomings, Andross has ordered all Invader Ils to be painted with Corneria markings to confuse the Star Fox team.

Next to the text we have an image of the enemy in all of its low polygon glory. This specifically is from the Katina level of Star Fox 64, and provides further explanation for why it’s hard to differentiate between enemy and friendly fighters in that level.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Between the upcoming Zelda remake and the recent Starfox remake, I really miss strategy guides. I’d usually only buy them if I got really stuck, or really loved a game and wanted to play it again with a sort of reference book.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Not gonna lie, a part of me was hoping this would be something like “Marco’s threw shade at Little Caesar’s and now Pizza Hut is threatening to release screen shots”.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Whataburger’s spicy ketchup has got to be in the running for best regional condiment worldwide.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

If you’d told me 15 years ago I’d have specific mahjong and pachinko games I was on the lookout for, I’d have called you insane. That being said, I can only guess as to when the horse racing sim part of gaming madness shows up in the mind.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

I’m constantly impressed by the selection on Kanopy. If you’re in the US, check your local library to see if they offer it. Between it and Tubi I have zero regrets about canceling all but two (Night Flight Plus and Rewind-O) of my streaming subscriptions.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

This stuff always seems lifted from the satanic panic era: A bunch of people actively looking for was to claim they’re being attacked by using some of the strangest stretches of the imagination possible.

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Reposted by Earl Gray III

TarZangief @tarzangief.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

"Neutral in the culture war"

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Peoria: Another small time Black Diamond smuggler was arrested after a trip to 1993 he claimed was for research purposes. As sis lawyer states: “I don’t know why they think these are worth anything. My client simply wanted his kids to watch The Fox and the Hound so they could learn about sadness.”.

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Reposted by Earl Gray III

Brandon Sheffield @brandon.insertcredit.com · 30/07/2026

In response to the unprecedented number of game developers laid off this year, we have created a bundle on itch to benefit a Game Industry Hardship Fund, managed by @videogameworkers.bsky.social. More than 100 games for 10+ bucks! Please share widely and donate generously! itch.io/b/3802/game-...

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

I love ArtDink, but every time I see a copy of Arctic for sale, it remains where I’ve found it. I just can’t bring myself (yet) to purchase a game that captures the feel of navigating around a fender bender at rush hour.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

A local game shop is selling these TCG card storage bins. The real blast from the past is the product photo featuring the Marvel (and DC) Overpower card game, something I hadn’t encountered in the wild since about 1998.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

youtu.be/a5JCSmr5uEM?... Come for the fighting games, stay for the excellent pocket version of Neo Turf Masters.

youtu.be

Neo Turf Masters - SNK Neo Geo Pocket Color - Archive Gameplay 🎮

YouTube video by Retro Games Archive

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Stumbled across this while at B&N for the Criterion sale, and I’m psyched to read it. I was unfamiliar, but it seems up my alley. Plus, we could always use more magazines based on regionally specific vernacular.

The Summer 2026 issue of Movie Jawn, a movie magazine for film lovers. The cover features Barbara Streisand and Ryan O’Neal as seen in What’s Up, Doc.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

It’s a good time, and there’s a novel gameplay mode called Making Mode where you pick up different skills for your fighter. It makes the whole thing customizable in a way that makes the gameplay a lot easier to get into/customize.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Wow, either these fires are something else, or Chicago really needs to improve its draw distance.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

You know, I’ll have to check. As soon as the box of these arrived, I broke out the old Twin to test them, only to realize I’ve misplaced the (already unofficial) AC adapter. Once I grab a new one, I’ll update.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

My word, there’s a Saturn version. Call me deranged, but the PlayStation version has a real charm to it.

The Saturn version of the Super Joypad Explorer, a third party Sega Saturn controller. It features all the usual Saturn face buttons, as well as ten different toggle switches for things like turbo fire or slow motion, all button specific. It’s yellow in color, akin to a No. 2 pencil. The ergonomics don’t look amazing, but I can’t speak from personal experience.

The first party Sega Saturn controller is considered one of the greatest controller designs of all time.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

The Famicom bootleg parade continues with Mobile Suit Z Gundam: Hot Scramble. Dare I say it, the pale mauve coloring looks better than the official cart! It is kind of weird seeing a Bandai release in a standard Famicom style cartridge, though.

An unofficial (bootleg) release of Mobile Suit Z Gundam: Hot Scramble for the Nintendo Famicom. The label features the Zeta Gundam amidst a space battle, as well as the title. Beneath the Japanese lettering, the English words HOT SCRAMBLE are written. The cart’s color brings to mind taro bubble tea.

Normally, this cart would be in a Bandai Famicom cart, black in color and with rounded edges. However, I love the look of this thing. Odd carts and colors are among the key reasons why o love bootleg games.

As for the game itself? It’s decent. Think of it as a sort of proto rail shooter/Space Harrier imitation, but with a few side scrolling levels added in for variety. That being said, the game would be far better without said scrolling levels. Worth a look if you’re exploring Famicom games, or just love Gundam.

Zeta Gundam is my favorite of the Gundam series.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Excuse me, Crocodile Dundee, would you mind naming your favorite Japanese arcade game manufacturer?

The back of a bootleg Famicom cartridge. Its unofficial status is made noticeable by the molded “Toito Corparatian” above the back label, which is written in Japanese and is probably about not freezing your Nintendo games in blocks of ice. The accepted spelling of the aforementioned company is Taito. You know, the Zoo Keeper people.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

The screws on most of these larger carts were pretty tough, so I’ll have to find a better screwdriver than the cheap one I had nearby. I was able to open up Trojan, however. A key reason I picked up these boots was the fact that they’re mostly from before the glob top era.

The board from a bootleg copy of Trojan for Famicom, note how the board isn’t as efficiently designed as a typical Famicom cartridge. Imagine going through all this work and ending up with the Famicom port of Trojan, of all things.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I bought a box of bootleg Famicom games, and I think my favorite so far has been this extra tall, brilliant yellow Makaimura/Ghosts ‘N Goblins cart. That’s just the regular Famicom label if you’re looking for a sense of scale.

A video game cartridge compatible with the Nintendo Famicom, but not made in any official capacity. Specifically, this is Makaimura/Ghosts ‘N Goblins, the Capcom published and Micronix made port of the arcade game. It’s a shade lighter than banana yellow, and is roughly double the height of the average Famicom cartridge. It’s also pretty heavy, owing to the higher than average number of chips needed to replicate the official cart.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

I picked up this paperback Robotech book at a used bookstore yesterday. There’s something charming about seeing Macross characters in the 1980s sci fi paperback style. More info in alt text.

A paperback copy of the fourth entry in Del Rey’s adaptation of Robotech from the late 1980s. Robotech is written vertically on the left side, and the cover notes that this is volume four of the first generation. (More on that in a second for those unfamiliar).

The title is Battlehymn, with the description reading “Two years of fighting…and Gloval knew that it had just begun…”. The author is Jack McKinney, who I’ll have to look up later.

The cover features Rick about to take off in his VF-1 while Zentradi forces make their attack. Front and center is the image of Breetai, making an expression as if he thinks he may manage a hole in one on a mini golf course. Miriya is also here, fresh from the local SDF-1 video arcade. The scene is brimming with protoculture.

The “first generation” tag at the top refers to the Macross saga, which was the first of three separate animated series cobbled together to make Robotech in the US. Liberties were taken, and as such, things aren’t a 1:1 march to Super Dimension Fortress Macross. This makes things occasionally confusing for newcomers, in no small part due to the the licensing nightmare of watching this stuff in the west. Alas, all that glitters is not Harmony Gold.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

I almost wonder if their goal was to list music they thought would be worth the premium price of having on CD instead of cassette or vinyl. I remember friends ponying up a bit more for “landmark” releases before CDs entered default media territory.

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Earl Gray III @earlthird.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

This didn’t happen to me, but my dad has often told a story about how in shop class his teacher deemed his work so terrible that said teacher threw it into the furnace mid class. He then sent my grandparents a bill for the wood. My grandparents confirmed this happened and that they refused to pay.

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