iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 28/12/2025

Nik’s funeral is taking place on 30th December at 1pm GMT. For those that can’t attend, the funeral will be live-streamed. We have tried to contact as many of Nik’s friends as we could, but we may have missed some. The link is watch.obitus.com username: cuma6886 pin:962499

watch.obitus

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Reposted by Nick Thorpe

Chun Wah Kong @chunwah.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Need some Parappa on BlueSky.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 01/12/2025

It’s amazing that I thought of it really

A photo of five siblings in a back yard. The oldest is 18 years old, the youngest is 7 months old, and all of them are ginger.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 30/11/2025

You know, I went to see Spirits Within when it first came out but haven’t watched it since. It’s sitting on my DVD shelf and 2026 is the 25th anniversary year, so I’ll have to revisit it.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 30/11/2025

I liked Final Fantasy VII so much I took my PlayStation on holiday with me as a teenager. This, though? It made two hours feel like four, and genuinely contributed to me forgetting why I’d ever liked the original game. Joyless, flavourless mulch of a film.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 30/11/2025

#ScanlineSunday Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Master System, 1986) Pacific PTV141 RF

A close-up photo of a CRT TV displaying Alex Kidd in Miracle World for the Sega Master System. Alex is underwater, swimming through a narrow passage between the ground and green blocks. Due to the aspect ratio squash seen on PAL Master System consoles, the blocks look more rectangular than square.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 30/11/2025

Weird way to send a message, when you can just buy an AEW ticket. It’ll be cheaper, the wrestling will be great, there’s no chance you’ll see Logan Paul, and if it’s a PPV you won’t even need a hotel room because the shows last approximately 18 hours.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 30/11/2025

See, that’s the funny thing. The Dreamcast had this other fantastic fighting game that was renowned for its visual flair, and with a double-page spread in a magazine to show it off, this is how Sega chose to advertise it in the UK… Allergic to money. It’s the only explanation.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 30/11/2025

So I knew about the Mega Drive one as I actually bought that Mega-CD compilation to get it, but the PS2 one? Somehow I totally missed that there’s an enhanced version on that disc, so thank you for alerting me to that!

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 30/11/2025

Yes! Give me a new Master Of Darkness, we need the return of Dr Ferdinand Social! Rescue Mission is the perfect thing to bring back today! Also definitely Penguin Land (I know it was an SG-1000 game first but still)!

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 29/11/2025

Hey, it’s random game Saturday! WWF Wrestlemania: The Arcade Game arrived at a rough time for the promotion, but drew players in with digitised sprites, chaotic multi-man brawls and over the top interpretations of signature moves. The Mega Drive version is a pretty impressive rendition of the game.

A PAL Mega Drive copy of WWF Wrestlemania: The Arcade Game. The front cover appears to be sun-faded in places.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 29/11/2025

I love the idea of someone doing something like that as a means of malicious compliance. “Sure boss, I trained it on all kinds of voice acting, just like you asked!” *Shuffles copies of Last Alert and Disaster Report out of sight.*

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 29/11/2025

I was thinking "oh, there was that recent mobile game" and it turns out even that is the best part of a decade old now.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 29/11/2025

Twist: Luchasaurus can understand him perfectly, but pretends not to and messes up the challenge because he finds it funny to annoy Mortos.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 29/11/2025

I can’t believe someone heard this and said “ship it” – surely it would be better to leave a show without a dub than saddle it with one this bad? That said: please don’t feel compelled to hear the whole thing for yourself. Let these clips be enough. Do not push the numbers up with hate-watching.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 28/11/2025

There are two cheat codes listed for Pac-Mania on the Mega Drive. One offers an expanded level select, allowing you to choose any stage in the game. The other is listed everywhere as having an unknown effect - a noise plays when you enter the code, but the effect isn't clear. It's driving me crazy.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 27/11/2025

You thought I’d forget Dreamcast day? Tish and fipsy. Here’s something I meant to repost weeks ago and, uh, didn’t. Anyway, Border Down was the first game I ever imported myself, and I also hope it comes to modern platforms so people can own it without having to spend silly money.

My copy of the standard edition of Border Down for Dreamcast, which I ordered way back in 2003. It has gone with me as I’ve moved around, so there’s a crack in the front of the jewel case.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 27/11/2025

Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen. Fear Factory Black Stone Cherry Babymetal FEMM Pete & Bas

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 27/11/2025

I’ve actually got vrchat installed, this is probably what gets me to finally try it

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 27/11/2025

I just caught that this arcade bar is the work of Paul “Otaking” Johnson, who regularly appeared in the letters pages of Mean Machines Sega and Sega Magazine back in the 90s. Last I saw, he was doing animations with an 80s anime throwback style. Crazy stuff!

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 27/11/2025

Oh damn, that Virtua Fighter, I want to go to there.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 27/11/2025

I had to check back and see what I gave it. Is 86% too harsh?

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 27/11/2025

I was so optimistic that WWE was finally going to get it right after the Cruiserweight Classic, and the launch of 205 Live was a big part of why I initially had that faith. Shame it didn’t pan out as hoped, but we still got some highlights.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 27/11/2025

When you see this, post an image from your gallery to describe your mental health

Timeless Toni Storm, with worn face paint and smeared lipstick, is slumped in a backstage corner after losing a wrestling match. As an off-screen interviewer holds a microphone to her face, she offers no response, staring expressionlessly into the distance.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 26/11/2025

I’m the kind of wrestling fan who actually used to watch Velocity. It was essential if you ever wanted to see the cruiserweight wrestlers not named Mysterio.

A photograph of an LCD TV, showing a VHS recording of an episode of WWE Velocity. Akio, accompanied by Sakoda, is making his ring entrance.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 26/11/2025

I used to live in a house full of League of Legends players (they actually founded the university's LoL society), and I found that the most effective way of getting them into fighting games was to introduce them to BlazBlue. This story probably doesn't help anyone to learn anything, though.

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Reposted by Nick Thorpe

Max Kennerly @maxkennerly.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

The training/socialization of men starts instantly and goes hard. Everything you might like is too gay, too feminine. You are required to hate yourself for being insufficiently masculine, to blame others for that feeling, and to hate everyone who doesn't "respect" your manliness.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 26/11/2025

That's totally fair. Funnily enough, HotD is actually one of my "exception" games. I normally avoid anything with zombies, but I find HotD generally pretty bearable as I feel adequately able to repel the threats, compared to games like Resident Evil where the ability to defend yourself is rationed.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 26/11/2025

Huh, I never knew you weren't a fan. Is there anything in specific that puts you off it? (And yes, that is a great soundtrack.)

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 26/11/2025

Looking at more VHS recordings. Here’s WWF Vengeance 2001, the first PPV after the Invasion story concluded. This Matt vs Jeff Hardy match didn’t do much for me then or now – honestly, I don’t think they were good opponents outside of the Final Deletion. People didn’t want to see them fight, either.

A photo of an LCD TV, showing a VHS recording of WWF Vengeance 2001. Matt and Jeff Hardy stare each other down in in the ring ahead of their match, while Lita stands in the middle as the assigned special guest referee.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 26/11/2025

I took risks with my motion sickness because the Xbox 360 feature wouldn’t have been complete without screenshots of Bioshock and Halo 3. Please encourage further acts of bravery/stupidity by buying this issue of Retro Gamer.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 26/11/2025

Yeah, Xbox Gamer didn't really try anything in the way of justification - they just did models for every cover, up until the end of 2003. www.retromags.com/magazines/uk...

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 26/11/2025

You know, I came across this magazine cover for something I'm working on, and I thought those days were behind us. Silly me. At least this one kept a model and a photographer in work.

The cover of the February 2003 issue of Xbox Gamer, which is "The smarter read for Xbox" apparently. The main cover image is of a lingerie model, laying on her front and looking into the camera, while holding an Xbox Controller S.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 25/11/2025

A special No Thanks to the postie who almost certainly lied, saying that they tried to deliver my post but found nobody in. People have been in all day and the package is a single DVD that doesn’t need to be signed for, it should fit through the door no problem. I know things are busy now but c’mon.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 25/11/2025

I'll never forget the Gizmondo booth at Game Stars Live 2004. It had an "under construction" theme, and there was playable hardware - but for some reason, the PR people had it hidden away! You had to chat to them for a good while to play it. Even back then, it all felt weird - how little we knew…

A photo of the Gizmondo booth at Game Stars Live 2004, at London Excel. The booth has an "under construction" theme, with barricades surrounding haphazardly stacked pallets with a mock fire in the centre. Scaffolding is visible in the background, as well as a single screen showing a promotional video. No consoles can be seen in the shot.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 25/11/2025

Huh, it’s been nearly a decade since NXT Takeover London. As someone who was there, it was a great time even though it wasn’t the most consequential of events. I feel like it’s probably worth writing something about that show – there’s definitely a legacy to discuss, both positive and negative.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 25/11/2025

Thank you! Yeah, they weren’t really much of a thing here. My colleague made them and brought them into work – other than that, I think I’ve only seen them served at Sonic fan events.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 25/11/2025

Damn, that ain’t it. I finally got the chance because Luke made a bunch and brought them into the office.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 25/11/2025

Today marks 10 years since I first ate a chili dog. You’d think I would have tried one a lot sooner than 2015, being a Sonic fan and all that, but no. Also, 12 years on Retro Gamer today. Back when I started, Xbox 360 games were still coming out regularly. Now the console is on the cover. I’m old.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 25/11/2025

No (but only because I already have it on PS5)

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 24/11/2025

I’m pretty sure that with a little effort, you could get better writing out of a houseplant.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 24/11/2025

In the arcade version of Border Down, birds take flight alongside your ship in stage 1. They’re missing on the Dreamcast – they were intentionally removed from Remix mode to differentiate it, but were accidentally removed from Arcade mode too. It slipped through because devs were focused on Remix.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 24/11/2025

Everyone knows that when the magic beans don’t grow, the only correct course of action is to blame the soil and buy another batch…

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 23/11/2025

Got recommended this YouTube video earlier. Only British kids remember the N64? Toxic "we were the last to really live" nonsense? All from a channel called Dear Old Blighty that cranks out a video like this every day and a half? Ugh. I really can't stand this kind of nostalgia slop.

A screenshot of a YouTube video link from the channel Dear Old Blighty titled "Growing Up in 1990s BRITAIN - We Were The Last To Really LIVE". The thumbnail has the text "1990s - 18 Things only British kids remember" and an image of a child and a Nintendo 64 with Mario Kart cartridge inserted in it.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 23/11/2025

#ScanlineSunday Super Bomberman: Panic Bomber W (Super Famicom, 1995) Wharfedale CTV1428 RGB SCART

A photograph of a CRT TV displaying Super Bomberman: Panic Bomber W, a falling block puzzle spin-off for the Super Famicom. Bomberman heads in various colours are stacked on top of blue bricks and bombs, with stars showing that a match has recently been made.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 23/11/2025

Yeah, it has to be the most eventful AEW PPV since All In, and I’m always up for a big surprise. I was a bit worried about how Triller would hold up because the Tailgate Brawl was just all technical issues, but it ended up being fine during the actual PPV portion.

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Nick Thorpe @hkt3030.neocities.org · 23/11/2025

Settling down for an afternoon sleep, but I’m pretty sure staying up for Full Gear was worth it.

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