iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

In honour of the Nintendo 64's 30th anniversary in 🇺🇸, here's a throwback to when I wrote articles covering two of it's most popular titles for my good friend N64Memories (sadly not on Bluesky) First up, ranking Super Mario 64's main stages... n64memories.blogspot.com/2018/01/gues...

n64memories.blogspot.com

GUEST CONTRIBUTION: Super Mario 64's 15 Worlds Ranked

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

There's several I could put here, but this final boss on 5th gen South Park takes the crown. Pummelling it with every last round of every weapon you have to bring it's health down... and then the fucker runs over to a charge pad to regain all it's health. I cried. I actually cried.

Screenshot of the final boss fight of South Park on Nintendo 64 & PlayStation.

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

QTP with 4 games in your backlog. Been wanting to replay a PS2 Silent Hill or similar for a while, but these 4 I've yet to play. October coming up seems as good a time as any to get one or two played.

Dead Space 2 Classics Xbox 360 🇪🇺 box art

Alice Madness Returns Xbox 360 🇪🇺 box art

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The My 9 Games site isn't playing ball with me for some reason, so I've made my own. Took some narrowing down, but these 9(ish) games evoke the strongest memories of my earliest playing days, and multiplayer gaming with friends before life took us our separate ways from age 18 onwards. #My9Games

My 9 Games.

▹Sonic the Hedgehog (Master System)
▹The Lucky Dime Caper Starring Donald Duck (Master System)
▹Master Games I [Super Monaco GP/Columns/World Soccer] (Master System)
▹Mickey Mania (Mega Drive)
▹Body Harvest (Nintendo 64)
▹Mario Kart 64 (Nintendo 64)
▹Pokemon Blue (Game Boy)
▹Blue Stinger (Dreamcast)
▹Freedom Fighters (Gamecube/various)

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Reposted by James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Shane @ The Pixel Empire @steadyspheretpe.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Two decades ago, a main competitor to Grand Theft Auto was born. Saints Row didn't hide it's inspirations, but was Volition's effort fun? VIDEO REVIEW👉 youtu.be/eNIjiPkJyHs #gaming #xbox360 #saintsrow

youtu.be

Saints Row (XBOX 360) - Review

YouTube video by SteadySphere - Pixel Empire Video Reviews

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

@gametripperuk.bsky.social any reason this is happening when I try to access the site? Wanted to share my Sonic 1 story for the umpteenth time but can't, clicking accept risk just gives a blank page. Just me or...?

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

A dodgy copy of Quake III Arena my mate knocked up for me on Dreamcast. Had heard good things about prior Quake games so jumped at the chance of playing, not realising it was multiplayer focused and I WASN'T making any progress running round killing the enemies. Played hell out of it all the same.

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I was late to the party, people referring to them as RPGs kinda put me off. Then I started regularly reading CUBE magazine which gave it a score of 9.5/10 - joint 4th highest of all games they ever reviewed - tried it and never looked back. To this day it's my second-favourite Zelda game.

A 4x5 grid of all the major Zelda titles by year of release. A yellow triangle highlights Wind Waker - my introduction to the series

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Reposted by James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Dave & Rocky @davenolan17.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

"I fear no man.
But that thing...
It scares meme"

GTA talking about Ocarina of Time

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

PS2, Free McBoot memory card in slot 2, HDD adapter & 1tb SSD full of your favourites in the back, Noctua fan upgrade, Bluetooth controller receiver, Dualshock 4. (Almost) the setup I've got, and I can't recommend it highly enough.

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

It'd take me forever to narrow down a top 100 games list these days, full credit to you. Found it hard enough picking 64 a few years back, the ones outside the top 30 are harder to pick than the ones in the top 30.

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

My Mum's favourite game one time. She could sit for hours giving a masterclass in rapid gem arranging. Played so often my Master Games I cartridge eventually kept crashing when trying to play columns so she played MD columns and Mean Bean Machine instead. I'd give anything to have that time back 💔

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I highly enjoyed my time with this. Looked great for it's time, with incredible wildfire physics that hold up today, camaraderie between the group you're part of, and that twist at the end... And everyone overlooked it because they couldn't wrap their heads around the malaria mechanic.

Far Cry Xbox 360 pal cover art, with a UK BBFC 18 rating badge in the bottom left corner.

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Nights into Dreams. Limbo/Inside. The main Killzone Trilogy (I do quite like Liberation, though.)

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Anyone tried this #Pokemon mod doing the rounds? The videos look cool, but I think the novelty would wear off quickly, no disrespect to the work gone into it. Blue ticks on Twitter are glazing this project like it's the next GTA6 😂 retrododo.com/how-to-downl...

retrododo.com

How To Download Pokémon Red/Blue 3D Mod

🤝Like our website? Support us as an independent publisher by tipping, joining our paid community or checking out our accessories brand GAMENOOK! You've no doubt seen the 3D Mod for Pokémon Red/Blue d...

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Came out under a different name here. I remember seeing it advertised on TV late one night, hyped as one of the most violent games ever. I must have been around 13/14 at the time, wasn't allowed to play "nasty" games so my curiosity for it was through the roof. Still haven't got round to it yet 😂

Wu-Tang Taste the Pain (known in most territories as Shaolin Style) UK box art.

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

In 1998 I'd "had" a PlayStation for Xmas but my parents caught me "trying it to see that it worked" and took it back to the shop. When Dec 25th came I was delighted to have a Jungle Green N64 and a couple of games. I wouldn't change it for the world, especially now as my Dad isn't here any more.

My original Jungle Green Nintendo 64 from 🎅 for Christmas 1998.

The top row of cartridges - Banjo-Kazooie, Mario Kart 64, Pokémon Stadium, Super Mario 64 and Wave Race - are the games I owned during the console's retail lifespan.

The rest I either borrowed from friends or never played until I got back into 'retro gaming' and bought my own copies in the early 2010s.

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

France 98 was the best World Cup as a kid. Change my mind.

FIFA Road to World Cup 98 PlayStation game

Promotional poster for McDonald's FIFA 98 Happy Meal toys

FIFA 98 Virtual Footix Tamagotchi-style keychain toy

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

In honour of The Odyssey hitting theatres, here are six historical* games I've enjoyed. Did you play these trips to the past and what are your favourites? #gaming *May include some reimagined, alternate history

Soulcalibur II Gamecube
Shadow of Rome
Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater
Red Dead Redemption
Ninja Gaiden Sigma
Resistance Fall of Man

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

While the game overall might not have been up there with the PS2 era titles, this scene from Silent Hill Homecoming got me good ⚠️Spoiler Alert for anyone who hasn't played⚠️ youtu.be/sYNsotC1Iho

youtu.be

A Mother's Sorrow - Silent Hill Homecoming

YouTube video by Surgiterum

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

This week, here's 6 games I've enjoyed in 2026. Have you played any of these and what are your #6for2026?

Stray
Blue Stinger
Bully
Golazo
God of War
Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX

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Reposted by James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Gamesmaster5555 @gamesmaster5555.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

This got a chuckle out of me😂 @thedreamcastjunkyard.co.uk feel free to re-post this, I snagged it elsewhere, this is not mine, but it just 'feels right'😉

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

My attachment to each GTA game released so far (some I haven't played) ⭐⭐▪️▪️▪️▪️OG ▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐▪️III ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐▪️Vice City ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐San Andreas ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐▪️LCS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐▪️VCS ⭐⭐⭐▪️▪️▪️Chinatown Wars ⭐⭐⭐▪️▪️▪️IV ⭐⭐▪️▪️▪️▪️V ⭐⭐⭐⭐▪️▪️London 1969 ▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️London 1961 ⭐⭐▪️▪️▪️▪️Advance ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐▪️Lost and Damned ⭐⭐⭐⭐▪️▪️Ballad of Gay Tony ▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️▪️Online

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

In honour of the Nintendo 64 and Super Mario 64 turning 30 years old today, here's a throwback to me writing a guest article for N64Memories blog, ranking the game's 15 main stages. What are your top levels from this iconic title? n64memories.blogspot.com/2018/01/gues...

n64memories.blogspot.com

GUEST CONTRIBUTION: Super Mario 64's 15 Worlds Ranked

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Excellent video well worth a watch if you're interested in the series' roots. I did start writing my own views on the subject, but then memories took over and I smashed through the 300-character limit sooo... Here you go lol

My memories of the early days of Pokemon...

It's the game that made multiplayer on the Game Boy cool.

Hooking your handheld up with a friend's on the school yard and going for it with personal pride, Pokemon card collections, and even dinner money at stake. I even remember two lads settle a love triangle this way. Or rather the girl did, they both lost out 😂

It united the different clans in a year group, bringing the "hard lads" and the swots together. The in crowd got to watch on and the less popular kids acted as lookout for teachers, because Game Boys were usually banned in schools, adding all the tension of a high-end drug deal to proceedings. Everyone wanted in on the action so Game Boy Colors and copies of the game sold like hot cakes.

Eventually the kids grew up, and most moved on, leaving the fun to the young ones. Even for me the magic had gone by the Game Boy Advance games, it wasn't the same playing by yourself at 17.

It was truly a "You had to be there" moment, in gaming and in life, in a way that's hard to explain to anyone who wasn't.

I was there, and I'm so thankful for the memories I'll treasure forever ❤️💙💛🧡🤍

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Got to be SWOS for me. The original FIFA maybe as the one that started it all but if you're going to HOF any of them it should be RTWC98. And I've always preferred even numbered PES games, especially 2&4.

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Reposted by James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Sensible Soccer @sensibleswos.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

While many will be talking about xG tonight, we should also be talking about xV: Expected Violence against women. Domestic abuse can rise 38% if England lose and 26% if they win. Stand with us. Support domestic abuse charities. t.co/P7RJTliWzQ | t.co/egbJaKLCjy

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Hear me out right... Make it a 2D action platformer with simplified controls, with proper 2D fighter controls from Mortal Kombat of old for the enemy encounters (and a dedicated button to switch between the two). Balance out the difficulty and fix what else made it so awful.

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Cool now let us tag our mates in them, might help with interaction a bit

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

In honour of Stuntman's return after nearly 2 decades, here are 6 games from dormant series/one hit wonders, that I'd like to see return. What do you think of these and which series would you like to see return?

Bonanza Bros
Wave Race
Body Harvest
Freedom Fighters
Bully
Resistance

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

This week, I've beaten @steadyspheretpe.bsky.social to it. What's harder to beat are these, six of the toughest games I've played, that make Cuphead look like a stroll in the park. Have you ever played any of these and what are your toughest?

Metroid Prime 2 - Gamecube
Alien Hominid - PlayStation 2
Mazin Wars (Saga) - Mega Drive
TMNT 1989 - NES
Simpsons Bart vs the Space Mutants - Mega Drive
Ikaruga - Dreamcast

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

When someone asks me how to beat Metroid Prime 2

Complete Gamecube Action Replay* kit, including a custom memory card and a steel box which contains the necessary disc, among other things

*basically Gameshark for Europeans

(not mine)

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

4 games I plan to play this year. 🎮 ⁕ Gen 3 Pokemon (haven't decided which yet) ⁕ Daxter ⁕ SoulCalibur ⁕ Stray

Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald
(all GBA versions)

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

20 years ago people were playing Pong and Space Invaders. Don't listen to these silly posts that say different 😳

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

This week, Shane decided to get negative. In solidarity, here's the six worst games I'd rather shit in my hands and clap than ever play again. Have you played any of these and what are your worst?

Cyber FIght - Switch
Go Kart Rally - PS2
America's 10 Most Wanted - PS2
Taz Express - N64
Carmageddon 64 - N64
Doodle Jump Adventures - 3DS

Just so you know to avoid 'em 😉

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Reposted by James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Wrexham AFC @wrexhamafc.co.uk · 02/05/2026

A fantastic season to be proud of. Our highest ever finish in the second tier and gave it everything until the final kick. Thank you for your unwavering support throughout the season. 🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

30-Day Video Game Music Challenge 🎶 Did one of these a few years ago on the other site, figured it might be fun to revisit it over here, and to see if/how my audio tastes have changed over that time. Let's crack on...

30-day video game music challenge quick glance sheet. Zoom in for specifics.

Feel free to borrow if you want to do your own 🙂

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James 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @whyalwaysjamesy.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

In case anyone's wondering why the numbers are down, and I'm taking longer to finish games this year...

A black & white cat walking in front of a TV that has the Great American Forest stage of The Lucky Dime Caper displayed on it

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