Ruffian Reveals Streets of Rage Reboot Concept

As we play video games in the current age of reboots, revisions and remasters, developers are always looking to revive vintage franchises that may have been lost in the annals of time for both hardened fans who can wax poetic of the classics, and the new generation of potential fans.

Now, one such franchise that has been silent for quite some time is the brilliant beat ‘em up known to many as Streets of Rage. Made famous for providing an exclusive arcade-style action game for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive with some of the best VG soundtracks created by famed music director Yuzo Koshiro, it would be a series of games that served as a vantage point for Sega in the console wars of the early ‘90s. Sadly, the last Streets of Rage game that was released was Streets of Rage 3 which was more than eighteen years ago, and that’s not counting the debacle that became Fighting Force. However, one developer did not forget and wanted to revive this bare knuckle brawler.

Enter Ruffian Games, best known for their sequel to the skill-for-killing Crackdown 2, and their ultimate pitch: Revive Streets of Rage. Over the course of six to eight weeks with a small group to pitch their efforts, Ruffian produced a 3D prototype of what could’ve been a digitial distributed rendition of the SoR remake. The video below reveals the initial concept for all its worth:
(more…)

This Is The Most Expensive Atari 2600 Game Ever

So yesterday, the world’s only complete, in-box copy of Air Raid on the Atari 2600 was bought off of an auction. Guess how much it sold for? You might be surprised to know that Air Raid went for a cool $33,433 ($33,433.30 if you want the actual amount). There actually was another copy of Air Raid, back in 2010, and it sold for $31,600. The copy sold this year contained the manual, which apparently made it worth over an extra thousand dollars.

(more…)

Con Bravo: Gaming Tournament & Free Play Impressions

During the last weekend we at Broken Joysticks got the opportunity to visit Con bravo down in the Hamilton Ontario area as our readership is already aware – and let me give a shout out saying it was one of the best con experiences that we have ever covered. Meeting the Special Guests, the con goers themselves, and the staff was nothing short of epic amounts of fun – and we’ve made a note to put this down as one of our favoured cons for the future.

While the big coverage will be coming out as the week goes on, including interviews with Spoony, Doug, and others from Channel Awesome, we’d like to make a special note on something that we usually find more then a little mundane that we thought was exceptionally well done at this con – the gaming. (more…)

The Broken Joysticks Top 5: Nostalgic Pick Me Up RPGS

Greeting dear readers, you will have to excuse my infrequent posts as of late as I prepare for a big move I’m finding myself with less time. Chores, apartment viewings, work and, Rainbow Moon (Yes that review will be posted VERY soon). As life keeps throwing curve balls at me I tend to get depressed. When I get down I always seem to gravitate to immersive games from my childhood. I get wrapped up in these games. They provide an escape which can be a great break from reality. I always come back feeling refreshed ready to tackle whatever life has to throw at me. (more…)

Video Game Music – Volume 1

There is a number of different elements that make up a video game. One is obviously the gameplay. Two would be the pretty images that you see on your screen. But there is one area where many people are finally getting to notice: the music.

Video game music has, for a long time, but one of my most favorite parts of a video game. Of course, this applies to movies as well, but video games have been truly unique in the way music has been presented over the years. So much, that a music genre spawned from the type of music that video games have represented over the years: Chiptunes. Of course, music have evolved so much since the days of the 8 bit processor. Today, a lot of music takes it’s steps from its roots and goes into hollywood.

The effect today gives us a great, emotional and riveting sound in our years that we became accustomed to and many people today will even by the soundtracks for the games. During the course of my time as gamer, there have been plethora of music that I have listen to and loved. Today, Broken Joysticks give you, our lovely readers, a new look at music and to give the player and music lover in your, a whole new world to love in video games. (more…)

FFXI The Most Profitable Final Fantasy Title Ever

Final Fantasy XI has been online for almost a decade with thousands of players logging into the world of Vana’diel to take up arms. During the opening remarks at this year’s Vanafest in Japan Square-Enix CEO Yoichi Wada noted that the game is now the most profitable in the series’ 22 year run.

He said:

“Looking at profitability, it’s the top of all past FF games.”

With almost 10 years under its belt it’s not surprising that Square-Enix has profited from the thousands of $15 a month subscriptions they’ve collected on PC, PS2 and Xbox 360. The game will be getting a brand-new expansion pack later in the year the developer announced at Vanafest, as well.