Video Game Generations
@vggenerations.bsky.social
I’m Mike, an erstwhile indie dev and podcaster, now a newsletter author (it's totally free) and game mini-reviewer with no patience for the anti-woke crowd. Each issue of VGGN features a new (usually fun) topic. Read 'em all at https://vggpodcast.com/news/
Also, I figured out how to get my old DOS games working in a browser with JS-DOS, so I included a bit about them.
Lunatix: The Insanity Circle:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/lun...
FourTris:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/fou...
Lexter:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/lex...
Lexter 2:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/lex...
Lunatix: The Insanity Circle:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/lun...
FourTris:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/fou...
Lexter:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/lex...
Lexter 2:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/lex...
November 29, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Also, I figured out how to get my old DOS games working in a browser with JS-DOS, so I included a bit about them.
Lunatix: The Insanity Circle:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/lun...
FourTris:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/fou...
Lexter:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/lex...
Lexter 2:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/lex...
Lunatix: The Insanity Circle:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/lun...
FourTris:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/fou...
Lexter:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/lex...
Lexter 2:
prowler-pro.com/dosgames/lex...
Issue #30: Solo indie game developers and the games they made. Some of these, you'll recognize. Others, like Matthew Green, Cosmic Void, Jacob Jazz, MachineBoy, and Seth Robinson, you might not.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-03...
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November 29, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Issue #30: Solo indie game developers and the games they made. Some of these, you'll recognize. Others, like Matthew Green, Cosmic Void, Jacob Jazz, MachineBoy, and Seth Robinson, you might not.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-03...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
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…all lives, and deciding I was not in the mood to "get good" by having to replay an entire level. I'd have enjoyed it far less if I hadn't. The story is disjointed on its own, relying on knowledge of the movies and the book. Worth playing in 2025? Probably not.
November 27, 2025 at 12:26 AM
…all lives, and deciding I was not in the mood to "get good" by having to replay an entire level. I'd have enjoyed it far less if I hadn't. The story is disjointed on its own, relying on knowledge of the movies and the book. Worth playing in 2025? Probably not.
…is just OK. You play as Dash Rendar (a mercenary) across 10 levels that vary from space battles, to speeder bikes and other craft, to first-person shooting and jetpacking (or third-person or fixed; you have options). I started over on Easy after getting to the boss of Level 2 on Normal, losing…
November 27, 2025 at 12:26 AM
…is just OK. You play as Dash Rendar (a mercenary) across 10 levels that vary from space battles, to speeder bikes and other craft, to first-person shooting and jetpacking (or third-person or fixed; you have options). I started over on Easy after getting to the boss of Level 2 on Normal, losing…
Mini-Review: Star Wars - Shadows of the Empire (N64 on Analogue 3D)
I should have played this back when it was new in 1996, back when I had just read the Shadows of the Empire novel. Now, the years of self-created hype for it are dashed (no pun intended) by an experience that…
I should have played this back when it was new in 1996, back when I had just read the Shadows of the Empire novel. Now, the years of self-created hype for it are dashed (no pun intended) by an experience that…
November 27, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Mini-Review: Star Wars - Shadows of the Empire (N64 on Analogue 3D)
I should have played this back when it was new in 1996, back when I had just read the Shadows of the Empire novel. Now, the years of self-created hype for it are dashed (no pun intended) by an experience that…
I should have played this back when it was new in 1996, back when I had just read the Shadows of the Empire novel. Now, the years of self-created hype for it are dashed (no pun intended) by an experience that…
…if you miss an item, as I did with the Rusty Key. There's no quest log, no map, no built-in hints, but I was able to get through most of it without looking up a guide (just that key, and then a puzzle with a slipper, and maybe one more). I actually had fun playing through this.
November 25, 2025 at 7:23 PM
…if you miss an item, as I did with the Rusty Key. There's no quest log, no map, no built-in hints, but I was able to get through most of it without looking up a guide (just that key, and then a puzzle with a slipper, and maybe one more). I actually had fun playing through this.
…and the surrounding area to explore. It's hampered by the N64 controls, where the thumbstick is for the camera but movement is on the four directional "C" buttons. I got used to it quickly, though. The 8BitDo N64 controller is nice. The large world makes things a bit difficult…
November 25, 2025 at 7:23 PM
…and the surrounding area to explore. It's hampered by the N64 controls, where the thumbstick is for the camera but movement is on the four directional "C" buttons. I got used to it quickly, though. The 8BitDo N64 controller is nice. The large world makes things a bit difficult…
Mini-Review: Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers (N64 on Analogue 3D)
From several games in the unplayed portion of my N64 collection, I ended up getting drawn into this N64 sequel to the cult classic NES point-and-click adventure. Now it's in full 3D, with a large castle…
From several games in the unplayed portion of my N64 collection, I ended up getting drawn into this N64 sequel to the cult classic NES point-and-click adventure. Now it's in full 3D, with a large castle…
November 25, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Mini-Review: Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers (N64 on Analogue 3D)
From several games in the unplayed portion of my N64 collection, I ended up getting drawn into this N64 sequel to the cult classic NES point-and-click adventure. Now it's in full 3D, with a large castle…
From several games in the unplayed portion of my N64 collection, I ended up getting drawn into this N64 sequel to the cult classic NES point-and-click adventure. Now it's in full 3D, with a large castle…
Issue #29 of the VGGN is out now. This week, I write about some of the funniest moments from a few video games that made me laugh over the years (or at least chuckle a little).
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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November 23, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Issue #29 of the VGGN is out now. This week, I write about some of the funniest moments from a few video games that made me laugh over the years (or at least chuckle a little).
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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…hate it style, but here it's more restrained and far less uneven, if a little less edgy. The distinctive art style remains, but it's so detailed at this point that it barely feels cell-shaded. First-person shooting and melee is excellent. Loot and upgrades are great. Loved it.
November 19, 2025 at 1:56 AM
…hate it style, but here it's more restrained and far less uneven, if a little less edgy. The distinctive art style remains, but it's so detailed at this point that it barely feels cell-shaded. First-person shooting and melee is excellent. Loot and upgrades are great. Loved it.
…some of the most important ways, especially where "just more Borderlands" might be derogatory, it isn't. The world is bigger, and it's a single open world now (with a few "dungeon"-analog stand-alone areas). The writing and humor in previous games tended to be of a love it or…
November 19, 2025 at 1:56 AM
…some of the most important ways, especially where "just more Borderlands" might be derogatory, it isn't. The world is bigger, and it's a single open world now (with a few "dungeon"-analog stand-alone areas). The writing and humor in previous games tended to be of a love it or…
Mini-Review: Borderlands 4 (PS5 Pro)
When I see people being dismissive of the Borderlands series these days, it confuses me. These games typically score in the 80+ range, and if I was to assign a score, mid 80s is where I'd be. In some ways it's "just more Borderlands" but in…
When I see people being dismissive of the Borderlands series these days, it confuses me. These games typically score in the 80+ range, and if I was to assign a score, mid 80s is where I'd be. In some ways it's "just more Borderlands" but in…
November 19, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Mini-Review: Borderlands 4 (PS5 Pro)
When I see people being dismissive of the Borderlands series these days, it confuses me. These games typically score in the 80+ range, and if I was to assign a score, mid 80s is where I'd be. In some ways it's "just more Borderlands" but in…
When I see people being dismissive of the Borderlands series these days, it confuses me. These games typically score in the 80+ range, and if I was to assign a score, mid 80s is where I'd be. In some ways it's "just more Borderlands" but in…
Maybe they're sociopaths on a power trip. Maybe they're just misunderstood good guys. This week in VGGN Issue #28, it's a trilogy of top 7 lists all about criminals and crime games.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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November 15, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Maybe they're sociopaths on a power trip. Maybe they're just misunderstood good guys. This week in VGGN Issue #28, it's a trilogy of top 7 lists all about criminals and crime games.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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Fill your week with shovelware! OK, don't, but at least read about it in VGGN issue #27. Also: a few duds from my Wii collection and a shovelware verdict on several mini-reviews.
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November 8, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Fill your week with shovelware! OK, don't, but at least read about it in VGGN issue #27. Also: a few duds from my Wii collection and a shovelware verdict on several mini-reviews.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-02...
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For anybody who doesn't already own Limbo and Inside, they're a staggering 90% off on PlayStation right now.
This isn't a refer or affiliate link or anything - just a well-intentioned PSA.
You're welcome.
store.playstation.com/en-us/catego...
This isn't a refer or affiliate link or anything - just a well-intentioned PSA.
You're welcome.
store.playstation.com/en-us/catego...
November 4, 2025 at 3:53 AM
For anybody who doesn't already own Limbo and Inside, they're a staggering 90% off on PlayStation right now.
This isn't a refer or affiliate link or anything - just a well-intentioned PSA.
You're welcome.
store.playstation.com/en-us/catego...
This isn't a refer or affiliate link or anything - just a well-intentioned PSA.
You're welcome.
store.playstation.com/en-us/catego...
Capsule Review: Stroke the Animals (PS5)
Perhaps the biggest shovelware offender. The same elevator music re-used. Animal stock photos. Pricier than other "easy platinums". Wear out your X button (can't just hold X). No animation, just a slight dimming effect. Irredeemable slop.
Perhaps the biggest shovelware offender. The same elevator music re-used. Animal stock photos. Pricier than other "easy platinums". Wear out your X button (can't just hold X). No animation, just a slight dimming effect. Irredeemable slop.
November 2, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Capsule Review: Stroke the Animals (PS5)
Perhaps the biggest shovelware offender. The same elevator music re-used. Animal stock photos. Pricier than other "easy platinums". Wear out your X button (can't just hold X). No animation, just a slight dimming effect. Irredeemable slop.
Perhaps the biggest shovelware offender. The same elevator music re-used. Animal stock photos. Pricier than other "easy platinums". Wear out your X button (can't just hold X). No animation, just a slight dimming effect. Irredeemable slop.
…when you hold the X button. The whole point is that you're buying a quick platinum trophy to easily raise your PSN rank, not any sort of actual game. Even the music seems to get re-used, but I only tried three of these. FWIW, I could actually see toddlers enjoying one of these.
November 2, 2025 at 9:35 PM
…when you hold the X button. The whole point is that you're buying a quick platinum trophy to easily raise your PSN rank, not any sort of actual game. Even the music seems to get re-used, but I only tried three of these. FWIW, I could actually see toddlers enjoying one of these.
Mini-Review: The Jumping "food" series (PS5)
Some shovelware devs at least *try* to include game-like elements to mask the lack of any redeeming qualities in their games, but not ThiGames. Each one is just a different still image with a picture of food that hops slightly…
Some shovelware devs at least *try* to include game-like elements to mask the lack of any redeeming qualities in their games, but not ThiGames. Each one is just a different still image with a picture of food that hops slightly…
November 2, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Mini-Review: The Jumping "food" series (PS5)
Some shovelware devs at least *try* to include game-like elements to mask the lack of any redeeming qualities in their games, but not ThiGames. Each one is just a different still image with a picture of food that hops slightly…
Some shovelware devs at least *try* to include game-like elements to mask the lack of any redeeming qualities in their games, but not ThiGames. Each one is just a different still image with a picture of food that hops slightly…
Capsule Review: The (Animal/Food/Sports) Quiz (PS5)
Second of two egregious "easy platinum" shovelware quiz series on PlayStation. L1/R1 to answer, and it ignores wrong answers. Just press/toggle rapidly to mine all trophies. PSN Quality Control is asleep at the wheel, I think.
Second of two egregious "easy platinum" shovelware quiz series on PlayStation. L1/R1 to answer, and it ignores wrong answers. Just press/toggle rapidly to mine all trophies. PSN Quality Control is asleep at the wheel, I think.
November 2, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Capsule Review: The (Animal/Food/Sports) Quiz (PS5)
Second of two egregious "easy platinum" shovelware quiz series on PlayStation. L1/R1 to answer, and it ignores wrong answers. Just press/toggle rapidly to mine all trophies. PSN Quality Control is asleep at the wheel, I think.
Second of two egregious "easy platinum" shovelware quiz series on PlayStation. L1/R1 to answer, and it ignores wrong answers. Just press/toggle rapidly to mine all trophies. PSN Quality Control is asleep at the wheel, I think.
Capsule Review: Quiz Thiz (PS5)
First of 2 "easy platinum" shovelware "quiz" series. They even re-release the same games multiple times (gold, silver, etc.) for extra trophy sets. No way to lose - just press X/O rapidly to mine all trophies in a matter of seconds. Utter garbage.
First of 2 "easy platinum" shovelware "quiz" series. They even re-release the same games multiple times (gold, silver, etc.) for extra trophy sets. No way to lose - just press X/O rapidly to mine all trophies in a matter of seconds. Utter garbage.
November 2, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Capsule Review: Quiz Thiz (PS5)
First of 2 "easy platinum" shovelware "quiz" series. They even re-release the same games multiple times (gold, silver, etc.) for extra trophy sets. No way to lose - just press X/O rapidly to mine all trophies in a matter of seconds. Utter garbage.
First of 2 "easy platinum" shovelware "quiz" series. They even re-release the same games multiple times (gold, silver, etc.) for extra trophy sets. No way to lose - just press X/O rapidly to mine all trophies in a matter of seconds. Utter garbage.
…a Flappy Bird rip-off that's crude and very easy (Lirili Larila), one where you jump over slow-moving icons (Tung Tung Sahur Runner) and one where you just click on the right character floating around (Italian Brainrot). All junk, each an easy four-minute Platinum. Shovelware.
November 2, 2025 at 9:24 PM
…a Flappy Bird rip-off that's crude and very easy (Lirili Larila), one where you jump over slow-moving icons (Tung Tung Sahur Runner) and one where you just click on the right character floating around (Italian Brainrot). All junk, each an easy four-minute Platinum. Shovelware.
…all of these come from Oiven Games. There's a "pong" that doesn't work right (Br Br Patapim), one where you score by dodging left and right (Tralalero Tralala), one where you catch falling tiles (Chimpanzini Bananini), a simplistic "light gun" shooter (Cappuccino Assassino),…
November 2, 2025 at 9:24 PM
…all of these come from Oiven Games. There's a "pong" that doesn't work right (Br Br Patapim), one where you score by dodging left and right (Tralalero Tralala), one where you catch falling tiles (Chimpanzini Bananini), a simplistic "light gun" shooter (Cappuccino Assassino),…
Mini-Review: "Italian Brainrot" games (PS5)
Now we're getting into the truly egregious of the shovelware slop littering the PSN digital shop. Several different devs are using these absurd AI-generated characters (stick man "Tung Tung Sahur" seems to be a popular choice), but…
Now we're getting into the truly egregious of the shovelware slop littering the PSN digital shop. Several different devs are using these absurd AI-generated characters (stick man "Tung Tung Sahur" seems to be a popular choice), but…
November 2, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Mini-Review: "Italian Brainrot" games (PS5)
Now we're getting into the truly egregious of the shovelware slop littering the PSN digital shop. Several different devs are using these absurd AI-generated characters (stick man "Tung Tung Sahur" seems to be a popular choice), but…
Now we're getting into the truly egregious of the shovelware slop littering the PSN digital shop. Several different devs are using these absurd AI-generated characters (stick man "Tung Tung Sahur" seems to be a popular choice), but…
…you then use to upgrade and add components, which increases your income even more. Just keep doing that, and within a few minutes, you'll have a completed "engine" and the PSN platinum trophy. These are a marginal step up from others, but still exist only for cheap trophies.
November 2, 2025 at 9:14 PM
…you then use to upgrade and add components, which increases your income even more. Just keep doing that, and within a few minutes, you'll have a completed "engine" and the PSN platinum trophy. These are a marginal step up from others, but still exist only for cheap trophies.
…"jumping food" games, all those "stroke the animal" games, and two different "quiz" series games are still listed. Go figure. The five games (Alien Engine, Cyber Engine, Organic Engine, Steam Engine, and Windmill Engine) work the same way. You gain "money" every second, which…
November 2, 2025 at 9:14 PM
…"jumping food" games, all those "stroke the animal" games, and two different "quiz" series games are still listed. Go figure. The five games (Alien Engine, Cyber Engine, Organic Engine, Steam Engine, and Windmill Engine) work the same way. You gain "money" every second, which…