Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 17h35 years ago I was having fun with Mega Drive Pac-Mania. The dot-gobbling concept was a decade old at that point, but it was still fun - and the crisp graphics and excellent sound made it a joy to look at and listen to. A simple, old-fashioned, but very fun arcade game. 1231
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 18hOzzie mates! You can buy me book from here and it won’t spend months being shipped halfway around the world like we used to have to do with my old mags. 160
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 13/10/2026Parabens, as they say around these parts. 110
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 13/10/202640 years ago, Elite was advertising Space Harrier and Scooby Doo. Space Harrier was released just before Xmas but not sent to mags so reviews appeared afterwards. No surprise: It was shite. As was C64 Scooby Doo ('tho it was much better on Spectrum/Amstrad). 2181
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 12/10/202640 years ago, Tecmo's classic throw 'n slash platformer Rygar was working its way into European arcades. Original Japanese flyer on the left; US version right. Personally I think it's no contest between the two; I'll take the brandishing-lopped-off-demon-head version thanks. 4222
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 12/10/2026It's weird. I checked sold listings, and one did sell for £100 in August, so it does seem to be scarce. Maybe more got thrown away back in the day? Your guess is as good as mine. 010
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 12/10/2026It wasn't a pull-out comic. It was separate from the magazine. archive.org/details/mean...archive.orgMean Machines Magazine Issue 16 020
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 12/10/2026Did have a free Sonic comic with it. Don't see how that would inflate the value hugely, though. 020
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 12/10/2026No idea. It certainly wasn't scarce in any way. We printed slightly more copies than the prior edition (probably 80k-100k, can't remember exactly), and slightly less copies than the next issue. 110
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 12/10/2026Sounds like par for the course. Nintendo loved to throw their weight about over import stuff. They used to try it on with us all the time when we reviewed import games. 010
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 12/10/2026Watched it on delay first thing this morning. Flippin' heck. What a way to start the week. 010
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 12/10/2026Here's a great snapshot of the console games on offer in autumn 1991. This small south east chain of computer game stores had a pretty good stock of mostly official games, but could also get you import games if you wanted them. 4161
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 09/10/202640 years ago, Trivial Pursuit was H-U-G-E. A real cultural phenomenon that seemed to be everywhere. There was even excellent home computer versions (complete with an amazing 3000 questions) created under auspices of Domark. I had tons of fun playing it with the ZZAP! team. 3353
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 09/10/202640 years ago, Amstrad's profits were the equivalent of £232m in today's money. Meanwhile, the C64c wasn't exactly wowing retailers, nor anyone else for that matter 'cos the old breadbin design was perfectly fine thanks. Man, what a boring week it was back then. 2110
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Here's the distinctive and memorable ad for this game. Its featured sports really did feel very different and highly interesting - and were all super-fun to play. 1130
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 07/10/202640 years ago I was being blown away by C64 World Games, yet another stellar entry in Epyx' benchmark Games series. This was the pinnacle of multi-event sports games, featuring top-of-the-line audiovisuals and superbly tuned, extremely fun gameplay. A massive all-time classic. 6361
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 06/10/2026My book's back in stock and starts shipping tomorrow. If you haven't heard about it, check out the reviews. Many readers have really enjoyed this very personal odyssey through video gaming history - as well as its behind-the-scenes anecdotes, stories, and personal experiences. 0201
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 06/10/202635 years ago, if you had a Game Boy, you could pimp it out with all manner of peripherals. Nuby had one of the biggest ranges of stuff, including lights, screen magnifiers, sound boosters, and carrying cases. Were there any Game Boy extras that you felt were indispensable? 8231
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Still waiting for the bastards to make me poet laureate. 000
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Yeah, text adventure developed on The Quill, other stuff added using actual programming. 110
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Here's a game I don't remember ever seeing. Dodgy Geezers was a graphic adventure developed using The Quill, a text adventure creation system, and published by Melbourne House. Just a really weird and obscure video game oddity from 40 years ago. 2282
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 05/10/202635 years ago, Toys "R" Us was a very fast-growing biz. Already huge in the states, this toy store chain was rapidly spreading to the four corners of the UK - and with it came shelves and shelves full of the latest consoles and games. Which one of these was your local store? 13220
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 02/10/202640 years ago, Amstrad's new PC/Speccy +2 were delayed, more ST models were touted, and Boots were being dicks. That Pergamon story is interesting tho'. An inaugural CD-ROM transfer service that helped pave the way for what would become the most successful media format of the 90s. 2210
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Well, at least it's better than queue-wicks, as my idiot friend used to call it. 070
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Taito's weird and wonderful Golden Age of Arcades classic Qix (pronounced kicks) is celebrating its 45th anniversary. This highly original playfield-filling game was and still is an extremely unusual and interesting concept. Super-tense and tricky to play, but also very fun! 2333
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 01/10/2026That’s the thing. The games industry doesn’t value its media. It loves its influencers and their echo chamber positivity, but the actual media with their awkward questions and counterpoints are often seen more as a pain in the ass than an asset. 091
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Here’s where you can buy my book if you’re down under. 0100
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 01/10/2026They really should be. Used them for 30 years in California: a really cheap and effective way of keeping a room cool. 110
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Sold it in early 84 to fund my first computer (second hand Atari 400). At that point could already clock the game so a computer seemed like a better idea (and was because it was a stepping stone to a full time job in the games industry). 000
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Much obliged. I’ll look forward to receiving my inevitable notification of peerage from ol’ King Chuck. 020
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Not astonishing at all considering the establishment neither understands nor values gaming’s contributions to our culture and society. Problem? Yes. Reality? Sadly also yes. 150
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 29/09/2026If you haven't bought my book yet, the third printing is now available, should you be interested in reading something about video games that is a little different - and very personal. 3203
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 29/09/2026This 1981 Bally Midway flyer explains why arcade games seemed to be appearing everywhere at this point in time. Coin-ops were generating huge revenue and everyone wanted in on the action. Malls, stores, and sometimes even your local corner shop or fast food joint had them! 2241
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 29/09/202635 years ago, I was astounded by the sheer quality of Master System Kick Off. This football-game-for-the-super-skilled was extremely fun - assuming you were able to master its challenging, but highly rewarding gameplay. A decent aftermarket joystick is very much recommended! 1241
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 28/09/202645 years ago, the Golden Age of Arcades was in full swing with classics like Namco's Galaga wowing gamers across the globe. This shooter has a special place in my heart 'cos I won a coin-op in the 1983 UK Arcade Championships, and man did I absolutely play it to death! Fab game! 1482
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Stoke in the morning. You’re playing Stoke in the morning… 020
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 25/09/2026They really need to spend a year in the championship. 220
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 25/09/202645 years ago, Frogger hit the arcades. Created by Konami and published by Sega, this simple-but-fun road-crossing game was a breath of non-violent fresh air as players guided the awesome amphibian to his home at the top of the screen. A fabulous game that I played a ton! 2292
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 25/09/202640 years ago, ol' Sir Barrow Boy Sugar was peddlin' his wares: the delayed Speccy Plus 2 and his cheapo PC. Meanwhile Commodore was prepping its Sidecar Amiga PC emulator and Apple launched its new IIGS computer that was, of course, stupidly expensive (£3,082 in today's money). 0211
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 24/09/202645 years ago, this Atari coin-op classic was creeping into the arcades. When people say they don't make 'em like they used to, this is a good one to point to. A trackball-controlled shoot 'em up featuring mushrooms and spiders - and of course the eponymous centipede. Bonkers. 0353
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 24/09/202640 years ago I was having fun with this Gauntlet variant, which featured a two-player mode in which one player takes the role of the hero while the other is their golem minder. Very entertaining, despite the actual playing area being the size of a postage stamp. 4293
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Pretty good example of how a game's box art and video game magazine covers can differ in terms of quality. I mean, there's nothing especially wrong with this box art per se, but Oli Frey's interpretation of the game is a far more effective attention-grabber. 2312
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Mike Pattenden took every opportunity to complain or have digs. He was bitter about our success and was even more bitter when we started working there. 000
Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 22/09/202640 years ago, ZZAP! featured this super-gory Beyond the Forbidden Forest cover, a game that we rated 91%. Other top reviews: Druid 88%, Powerplay 95%, Parallax 93%, Hacker II 88%, Iridis Alpha 95%, and Super Cycle 95%. A pretty amazing month with something for everyone! 5404