#retroachievements

To say I had forgotten how much of an absolute banger GG Aleste 3 was would be incorrect. It is still cited as one of my top games whenever I talk people about games. But, god damn, this game is just superb and definitely battling Super Aleste as my top game in the series. Despite being made in 2020 as part of a wider #Aleste collection, the game was developed to be playable on #GameGear hardware. And honestly, I don't think I'd have it any other way. Working within the realms of the technical limitations of the Game Gear, the fact that the game delivers a fantastic and beautiful experience is just a testament to M2's development team. Definitely not a game for everyone, but even if you can't get behind the stylistic choice here, I hope you can appreciate it. Even after two years, this is still probably my all time favourite #SHMUP and I am incredibly proud to have this as my 300th #RetroAchievements mastery. #SHMUPtember

So, I finally got around to doing a new blog post on Ishambard's Nest. Yes, I do remember it exists and I want to be better at uploading to that, mostly because it is a better venue for in-depth thoughts on games and stuff. I figured, however, to back up a little bit, and I wanted to talk a little bit about #RetroAchievements I wanted to provide some context to what it all is and why I engage with it as much as I do. It wouldn't be a Nest post without it being a bit of rambling scree, but honestly, at this point I am still trying to articulate this to all to myself as much as I am to you. https://ishambardsnest.blogspot.com/2026/07/retroachievements-what-are-they-why-do.html

I ripped and teared, until it was done. Wait. Wrong game. I don't dislike Quake, as I made my way through chapters 3 and 4, I could fill some semblance of skill building, it probably helped that layer levels feel a little less claustrophobic, making fiends a little easier to work with. #Quake feels like that friend of a great friend (Doom, in this case), and whilst you get on with this friend there are time when their humour doesn't land or they have a take that you find a little too questionable. It doesn't mean they are a bad person, you just can't see yourself hanging out with them unless it is in a group that includes your good friend. Am I going to seek out more Quake after that? Besides Quake 2 that is. It's unlikely. Am I going to go back and play through it again? Not sure, I don't think it will be anytime soon if I were to. #N64 #RetroAchievements

So, I have figured a rather foolhardy long term goal. I am going to work my way through a bunch of different consoles from my youth, and aim for 50 #RetroAchievements masteries for each console. Currently looking at: N64 SNES NES Gameboy Gameboy Color Gameboy Advance Sega Genesis PlayStation 1 I crunched the numbers and across those systems i have already done 201. So that would be another 199 games in total. I am already halfway there! That should keep me busy for a while and I am sure I will find even more weird things to experience!

It's going to sound weird, but i can't wait to be solidly knocked out of the top 300 on #RetroAchievements So, firstly, why top 300? Well, the top 300 are celebrated in the monthly E-Magazines. So it is quite a coveted space to be, but it is also where, I feel, it gets "competitive" and I just don't have it in me to compete. It's been nice standing on the parapet, looking out, but my choices if I were to remain in this position are not appealing. I could play harder, faster, stronger eating into time I just don't have, or I could mop up some quick and easy wins, blitzing high value quick games. Or I could go for the beats, over the mastery. But whilst I am still here, I feel this weird pressure to be in the rat race. Perhaps because I thought getting here was a pipe dream. Evidently, I am just trying to cling to some kind of "glory". I stand by what I often say. I am not a good gamer, I am just stubborn and you'd be amazed at how far that can get you sometimes.

I do love finding new sets and games I want to play... But... #RetroAchievements

Played through Magic Knight Rayearth for SNES. Entertaining and short JRPG that compiles the first season of the anime. Also my first RetroAchievements (casual) completed game. 17 of 17 unlocked. #RetroGaming #MagicKnightRayearth #Gaming #RetroGames #RetroAchievements #VideoGames