Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

270 followers 46 following 140 posts

Game Designer, Forbes contributor, Mecha Damashii founder, and self-sufficient introvert. "Japanese Mecha Expert", apparently.
https://allmylinks.com/cacophanus

Posts Replies Media Videos

Pinned

Ollie Barder @cacophanus.bsky.social · Jun 14

I will endeavor to post here more here, but in the meantime, here are some mecha anime recommendations starting with Blue Comet SPT Layzner.
docdro.id/P3BtyQB
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

‘Wings Of Rean’ To Get New Blu-Ray Release And Soundtrack Next Year
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

www.forbes.com

December 14, 2025 at 7:39 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

‘Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Theve’ Looks Incredible And Is Out Next Year
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

‘Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Theve’ Looks Incredible And Is Out Next Year

It’s been a good while since we had a new mainline 'Ace Combat' game, and now it appears that 'Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve' will be out next year.

www.forbes.com

December 12, 2025 at 4:44 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

‘Planetes’ Blu-Ray Review: A Gem Of A Hard Science-Fiction Anime
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

‘Planetes’ Blu-Ray Review: A Gem Of A Hard Science-Fiction Anime

There are very few “good” hard science-fiction anime out there, but 'Planetes' is definitely one of them, albeit one wrapped in a warm, cosy blanket of comedy.

www.forbes.com

December 11, 2025 at 8:11 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

Classic Shmup ‘R-Type III’ Is Getting A New Port Next Year
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

Classic Shmup ‘R-Type III’ Is Getting A New Port Next Year

In a rather interesting announcement, ININ Games will be publishing 'R-Type Dimensions III' next May, bringing the classic SNES shmup to modern platforms.

www.forbes.com

December 11, 2025 at 6:45 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

The Gattai Hagane Works Dancouga Toy Review: Huge And Impressive
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

The Gattai Hagane Works Dancouga Toy Review: Huge And Impressive

Over the years, there have been many excellent Dancouga toys made, but this is by far the most impressive and easily one of the largest

www.forbes.com

December 10, 2025 at 8:56 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

Platinum Trophies In The ‘Dragon Quest’ HD Remakes Are A Joy To Earn
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

Platinum Trophies In The ‘Dragon Quest’ HD Remakes Are A Joy To Earn

Now that all three of the original 'Dragon Quest' trilogy have been remade in HD, it’s time I shared my thoughts on getting Platinum trophies for both releases.

www.forbes.com

December 8, 2025 at 11:33 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

The ‘Virtual On Masterpiece’ Collection Is Now 70% Off
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

The ‘Virtual On Masterpiece’ Collection Is Now 70% Off

Following the 30th anniversary of the first 'Virtual On', the 'Virtual On Masterpiece' collection is now 70% off on the PlayStation Store.

www.forbes.com

December 7, 2025 at 4:25 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

A Quick Rundown Of The Hidden Unlocks For ‘Metroid Prime 4’
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

A Quick Rundown Of The Hidden Unlocks For ‘Metroid Prime 4’

Following my review, I have completed 'Metroid Prime 4' on both Normal and Hard difficulty and unlocked everything, so here are a few helpful pointers.

www.forbes.com

December 5, 2025 at 1:21 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

Giant Gundam From The End Of ‘GQuuuuuuX’ Gets Massive Toy
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

Giant Gundam From The End Of ‘GQuuuuuuX’ Gets Massive Toy

One of the fun parts of the finale for 'Gundam GQuuuuuuX' was the appearance of the classic RX-78-2 Gundam, and its “hyper mode” version has a toy out next year.

www.forbes.com

December 4, 2025 at 4:33 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

Samus Aran Finally Gets The Chogokin Toy She Deserves Next Year
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

Samus Aran Finally Gets The Chogokin Toy She Deserves Next Year

Thanks to those great people at Bandai Spirits, Samus Aran from 'Metroid Prime 4' will get a diecast figure released next Summer.

www.forbes.com

December 4, 2025 at 4:04 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’ Switch 2 Review: C’est Vi-O-La
www.forbes.com/sites/games/...

‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’ Switch 2 Review: C’est Vi-O-La

It’s taken a long time for us to get 'Metroid Prime 4', and the game is certainly excellent, but did it really need to take 8 years?

www.forbes.com

December 2, 2025 at 3:04 PM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

Masaaki Hayasaka On Remaking The Original ‘Dragon Quest’ Trilogy
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

Masaaki Hayasaka On Remaking The Original ‘Dragon Quest’ Trilogy

Now that all three 'Dragon Quest' games of the Erdrick trilogy have been given the HD-2D treatment, I caught up with producer Masaaki Hayasaka on how they went about it.

www.forbes.com

December 2, 2025 at 12:56 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

Takenobu Mitsuyoshi On His Game Music Career And Iconic Game Over Jingle
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

Takenobu Mitsuyoshi On His Game Music Career And Iconic Game Over Jingle

One of the more colorful and fun people in gaming is Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, who has made a career of composing great game music and memorable voiceovers.

www.forbes.com

November 28, 2025 at 10:35 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

Arcadia’s Massive SDF-1 Macross Toy Is Now Better Than Ever
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

Arcadia’s Massive SDF-1 Macross Toy Is Now Better Than Ever

One of the most iconic designs in all of mecha anime now has a huge toy to do it justice. In short, the SDF-1 Macross has never looked so good.

www.forbes.com

November 27, 2025 at 5:03 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

Classic Mecha Game ‘Virtual On’ Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

Classic Mecha Game ‘Virtual On’ Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the original 'Cyber Troopers Virtual On', which was to be released in Japanese arcades and later worldwide.

www.forbes.com

November 27, 2025 at 4:24 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

‘Samurai Troopers’ Shows Off Its ‘Demon Slayer’ Infused Combat
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

‘Samurai Troopers’ Shows Off Its ‘Demon Slayer’ Infused Combat

The upcoming 'Samurai Troopers' sequel anime is finally showing more of its combat animation, and it looks excellent.

www.forbes.com

November 26, 2025 at 2:57 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

New DLC For ‘Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion’ Is Actually A Lot Of Fun
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

New DLC For ‘Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion’ Is Actually A Lot Of Fun

Over the past week or so, I’ve been playing the new 'Into the Abyss' DLC for 'Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion', and it’s been a lot of fun.

www.forbes.com

November 26, 2025 at 12:59 AM

Ollie Barder

@cacophanus.bsky.social

Live-Action ‘Gundam’ Movie Eyes New Star Amid Worrying Story Outline
www.forbes.com/sites/ollieb...

Live-Action ‘Gundam’ Movie Eyes New Star Amid Worrying Story Outline

Back in April, Sydney Sweeney was attached to star in the live-action 'Gundam' movie, and now Noah Centineo is in talks to be her co-star.

www.forbes.com

November 23, 2025 at 3:07 AM

Reposted by Ollie Barder

マシーナリーとも子

@barzam154.bsky.social

海外のレビュアーさんがすごくいい言葉を使っていたのでいい言葉を使うなあ！　という話をしたかったのに前提を話すのに5000字使ってしまった

Ollie Barder氏の言葉に大感銘を受ける／感想とレビューの違い／ずっとバーチャロンの話｜マシーナリーとも子 @barzam154__ note.com/mahinari_tom...