• magisterrex Retro Games


    I've been gaming since the days of Pong and still own a working Atari 2600 (among other elder statesmen systems!). I tend to ramble on about retro games, whether they be board games, video games or PC games. Sometimes I digress. Decades after earning it, I'm finally putting the skills I learned while completing my history degree from the University of Victoria to good use. Or so I think. If you're into classic old school gaming, this blog is for you!

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    Got a game or product you want reviewed? Send me an email! Will review board games, PC games, video games and accessories (Xbox 360 or Wii, but also new releases for classic systems – you know who you are!)

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Game Review: Puck Drop (Hockey General Manager Simulator)

Posted on February 17, 2024 by magisterrex

In the golden era of the 90s, when pixels ruled and Gretzky was a household name, Bethesda Software gifted hockey enthusiasts with a gem – the Hockey League Simulator. Crafted as an add-on for the Gretzky Hockey series, this fantasy hockey management game stood on its own, captivating players with its strategic brilliance. Little did I know back then, as I spent countless hours drafting, trading, and chasing the elusive Stanley Cup, that this virtual hockey world would become a cherished part of my nostalgia.

The box art alone triggers memories of late-night sessions and the thrill of building my dream team. Hockey League Simulator I and II, the brainchildren of Bethesda Softworks, became the canvas for my strategic prowess. The game allowed me to immerse myself in the intricacies of managing a hockey team, making tough decisions, and navigating the unpredictable journey towards championship glory.

Fast forward from the 90s to the present day, and somewhere in the midst of life’s changes, I inexplicably parted ways with my cherished copy of Hockey League Simulator. The decision, or rather, the lapse in judgment, baffles me now. Why would I discard something that brought so much joy, that fueled my passion for hockey management, and fueled my quest for virtual Stanley Cup glory?

Life’s twists and turns can lead us to forget the simple pleasures that once consumed our days. The hockey management game faded into the recesses of my memory, lost in the shuffle of evolving interests and priorities. It was a piece of my gaming history, tucked away and nearly forgotten.

Hockey League Simulator and Hockey League Simulator II box art
Hockey League Simulator I and II from Bethesda Softworks

But, as fate would have it, the universe conspired to reignite the flame of that forgotten obsession. A modern-day savior emerged in the form of an app: Puck Drop by Marcel Piestansky, found in the Apple App Store. Little did I realize that this discovery would become a bridge between my past and present, rekindling the joy of virtual hockey management.

Puck Drop, with its sleek interface and updated features, transported me back to the thrill of drafting players, making strategic trades, and experiencing the highs and lows of managing a fantasy hockey team. It’s a testament to the timeless appeal of hockey management simulations and a reminder that the joy of gaming knows no era.

As I navigate the virtual ice rink once again, I can’t help but reflect on the journey from Hockey League Simulator to Puck Drop. The love for fantasy hockey management remains undiminished, and the joy of reliving those strategic battles is as potent as ever.

In the end, this rediscovery serves as a gentle reminder to hold on to the things that bring us joy, even if they seem to belong to a bygone era. Whether it’s a vintage game or a modern app, the thrill of managing a fantasy hockey team continues to be a timeless source of entertainment, connecting the dots between the past and the present.

Confession time! Just for fun, this entire blog entry was created by ChatGBT from some of my notes. The enthusiasm I have for both the Hockey League Simulator series and the Puck Drop series is real, though!

Filed under: Game and Book Reviews | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Radio Shack in the 1990s

Posted on December 15, 2023 by magisterrex

Fun fact: I worked for Radio Shack as a Store Manager (and eventually a District Manager) in the 1990s. In Canada, the mall signs all showed “Radio Shack”, but we were a separate division called “Intertan”, short for International Tandy. I still have very fond memories of my time in the store!

It turns out I have a recording from sometime in the 90s showing the store that I managed, which was located in Rutherford Mall, in Nanaimo, BC, Canada. Warning: it’s low res, as it was produced by a Samsung VC-E806N 8mm Camescope (high tech in its day, though!). I also cut it down to a very short clip, as otherwise it’s a lot of watching customers walking in and out of the store…

The mall is long past, but the 8mm recording brings it back to life! 

Filed under: Rants and Miscellany | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a comment »

Texas Instruments Speak & Spell Retro Educational Handheld Game Toy

Posted on November 21, 2023 by magisterrex

Kids in the 80’s not only had the power of 8-bit gaming to access, they also had handheld games and educational toys. One of the most popular educational toy was the Speak and Spell line of talking devices made by Texas Instruments, first introduced to the public in 1978.

It’s interesting to me that the Speak and Spell line was a result of work done way back in 1976 by TI on building a speech synthesizer that would use solid state electronics rather than using a recording of human speech. This work would also end up benefiting the TI-99/4A personal computer lineup, with the release of a Speech Synthesizer module to make your PC more cool.

With 153 words already programmed into the unit, and the ability to add additional solid-state expansion cartridges into an expansion slot located inside the battery cabinet, this toy lived up to the promise on the front of the box: Texas Instruments Speak & Spell Makes Spelling What It Should Be – Fun!

Check out this classic piece of retro tech in action!

Filed under: Retro Toys | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

Would you buy a NEW Atari 2600?

Posted on November 18, 2023 by magisterrex

We are definitely living in an interesting timeline, as we are now able to purchase a NEW Atari 2600 game console. It comes with a 10-in-1 game cartridge, and is incredibly backwards compatible with most Atari 2600 AND Atari 7800 games. (Full list HERE) It even has DB9 ports to allow for using original joysticks and other controllers, but you can buy new ones if you want!

It’s available to order in several countries:

Australia – EB Games
Austria – Games Only
Benelux – Bol
Canada – Amazon
France – Amazon
Germany – Amazon
Italy – Amazon
New Zealand – EB Games
Poland – RTV Euro AGD
Slovenia – Igabiba
Spain – GAME
Switzerland – CeDe
United Kingdom – Amazon
United States – Amazon

Will you buy one?

Here’s a link to the original announcement! An Icon Returns: The Atari 2600+ is Out Today

Filed under: Gaming News, Retro Gaming | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a comment »

What’s In That Game Box? – Nuclear War (1983 Edition)

Posted on November 17, 2023 by magisterrex

Ever searched the Internet looking for what exactly you were missing from the old board game you pulled from your closet, only to find no succor in your time of need? Well, stop that fruitless searching through endless google results, as this week we look at the 1983 version of Douglas Malewicki’s classic game of mass destruction, Nuclear War.

Nuclear War started it’s bombing run in 1965, and has seen many new editions (and expansions) since, but each keeps that 1960’s Cold War paranoia and panic vibe alive.

Should you find a copy in a thrift shop or on eBay, below is a guide to the game’s contents you can use to decide if you want to make that purchase! Included are:

  • The Game Box (featuring a marvelous image of the the Super Virus and a successful nuke)
  • The Spinner (which includes a dice-rolling option if the Spinner no longer functions)
  • 2 Strategy Maps (with spots for the Face Up Card, 1st Face Down Card, 2nd Face Down Card, 3rd Face Down Card, Population, and 2 Deterrent Force spots – as well as “The Button” with “Press to Test”)
  • A deck of Population Cards (40 total)
    • Ten 1,000,000 People Cards
    • Ten 2,000,000 People Cards
    • Ten 5,000,000 People Cards
    • Six 10,000,000 People Cards
    • Four 25,000,000 People Cards
  • A deck of Nuclear War Cards (99 total)
    • 19 Ten Megatons Cards
    • 10 Twenty Megatons Cards
    • 4 Fifty Megatons Cards
    • 1 One Hundred Megatons Card
    • 3 Saturn Missiles Cards
    • 6 B70 Bombers Cards
    • 9 Atlas Missiles Cards
    • Two 25 Million Propaganda Cards
    • Six 10 Million Propaganda Cards
    • Twelve 5 Million Propaganda Cards
    • Four different Anti-Missile Cards
    • Five different Top Secret Cards
    • Ten different Secret Cards
    • Two Joker Cards (not used for gameplay, showing how to get a catalog for more games)
    • Three Blank Cards (make your own card!)
    • Two Product Ad Cards (not for gameplay)
    • One Card showing the contents of the game
  • A Blade (division of Flying Buffalo, Inc.) product catalog
  • The Game Rules

That’s it!

Filed under: Board Games, What's In That Game? | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a comment »

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