Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
@atariarchive.org
Science Communicator, Video Game Historian, author of Atari Archive, old school FGCer, occasional Retronaut host, and chicken owner. He/him
Pinned
Atari Archive Vol. 1
– Limited Run Games
Limited Run Games is the industry-leading publisher and distributor of award winning collector's editions, rare video games, and merchandise for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PS5, PC, and retro cons...
limitedrungames.com
Hello new followers! I'm Kevin, game historian, science communicator, and fighting games old head. My history focus is on the early days of gaming history in particular, so I want to plug some of my work: first and foremost with my book, for sale through Limited Run (and on Amazon in paperback).
Likely wrapping up the year on Atari Archive blog posts with Steeplechase. This Sears-exclusive is based on an obscure Atari arcade game from 1975, but uses the paddle controllers to make it more interactive and ultimately more interesting: www.atariarchive.org/blog/steeple...
Steeplechase – March 1981, Atari Archive
March 1981 introduced a pair of novelties to the VCS library, in that they are first-party Atari games that are also retailer-exclusives.
www.atariarchive.org
December 26, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Likely wrapping up the year on Atari Archive blog posts with Steeplechase. This Sears-exclusive is based on an obscure Atari arcade game from 1975, but uses the paddle controllers to make it more interactive and ultimately more interesting: www.atariarchive.org/blog/steeple...
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
Attention new users! I've made a starter pack of Japanese game devs, something a lot of folks miss from Twitter. Please flow and re-share! And if I'm missing anybody let me know! go.bsky.app/5R1tEtT
December 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Attention new users! I've made a starter pack of Japanese game devs, something a lot of folks miss from Twitter. Please flow and re-share! And if I'm missing anybody let me know! go.bsky.app/5R1tEtT
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
My annual present to game history has dropped! For my final paper, students submit an 1200 word entry about a game industry topic. I compile top scores into a PDF encyclopedia on @archive.org. This year we added Flash games, Google Stadia, PC Bangs, Nexus Mods +++
Vol 1: archive.org/details/Game...
Vol 1: archive.org/details/Game...
Encyclopedia of the Game Industry, Vol 1: A-I : Laine Nooney and collaborators : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
The Encyclopedia of the Game Industry is a two-volume, collaborative document produced as a class assignment in Dr. Laine Nooney’s undergraduate course,...
archive.org
December 26, 2025 at 3:55 PM
My annual present to game history has dropped! For my final paper, students submit an 1200 word entry about a game industry topic. I compile top scores into a PDF encyclopedia on @archive.org. This year we added Flash games, Google Stadia, PC Bangs, Nexus Mods +++
Vol 1: archive.org/details/Game...
Vol 1: archive.org/details/Game...
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
In an episode exclusively for our $5 patrons: prepare yourselves for @bobservo.bsky.social @jparish.bsky.social @atariarchive.org & @feitclub.bsky.social stating the absolute fact that we're approaching the 20th anniversary of 2006 A.D.
Sign up & listen here: www.patreon.com/posts/144317...
Sign up & listen here: www.patreon.com/posts/144317...
December 26, 2025 at 12:18 PM
In an episode exclusively for our $5 patrons: prepare yourselves for @bobservo.bsky.social @jparish.bsky.social @atariarchive.org & @feitclub.bsky.social stating the absolute fact that we're approaching the 20th anniversary of 2006 A.D.
Sign up & listen here: www.patreon.com/posts/144317...
Sign up & listen here: www.patreon.com/posts/144317...
I’ve written/spoken a lot about how massively important Space Invaders is, especially in Japan. If you need context why Hamster made this their 500th game, I suggest my Retronauts on it retronauts.com/article/2374... and my article on the 2600 port: www.atariarchive.org/blog/space-i...
December 26, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I’ve written/spoken a lot about how massively important Space Invaders is, especially in Japan. If you need context why Hamster made this their 500th game, I suggest my Retronauts on it retronauts.com/article/2374... and my article on the 2600 port: www.atariarchive.org/blog/space-i...
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
Y’all, the Castlevania: Awakening In The Moonlight musical by Takarazuka Revue is available legally on VOD with subtitles starting today until the end of March, this is a great adaptation and the women in this show are so good, PLUS this is a rare experiment globally
Please see it if you’re curious
Please see it if you’re curious
Takarazuka Revue “Castlevania: Awakening in the Moonlight" Worldwide streaming／『悪魔城ドラキュラ』全世界 動画配信実施
YouTube video by 宝塚歌劇 公式チャンネル Takarazuka Revue Company
youtu.be
December 25, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Y’all, the Castlevania: Awakening In The Moonlight musical by Takarazuka Revue is available legally on VOD with subtitles starting today until the end of March, this is a great adaptation and the women in this show are so good, PLUS this is a rare experiment globally
Please see it if you’re curious
Please see it if you’re curious
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
New blog post! I wrote about Father Christmas, the weirdly barebones Japan-exclusive CD-ROM game based on the British storybook. It's... not very good, so I didn't have much to say, but I *did* find some interesting stuff in here anyway.
cdrom.ca/games/2025/1...
cdrom.ca/games/2025/1...
December 25, 2025 at 2:47 AM
New blog post! I wrote about Father Christmas, the weirdly barebones Japan-exclusive CD-ROM game based on the British storybook. It's... not very good, so I didn't have much to say, but I *did* find some interesting stuff in here anyway.
cdrom.ca/games/2025/1...
cdrom.ca/games/2025/1...
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
It's the Christmas issue of Famitsu, so that means many Japanese gaming industry folks gave their personal Game of the Year lists. I'll update this thread periodically since there's a lot of them once again.
December 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
It's the Christmas issue of Famitsu, so that means many Japanese gaming industry folks gave their personal Game of the Year lists. I'll update this thread periodically since there's a lot of them once again.
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
Any account devoted to investigations like that, regardless of intent, inevitably shifts its focus to maintaining its followers through frequent posts and updates. Which leads to incorrect accusations, and yet another vector for online harassment.
Ngl by my reckoning we're about 6 months out from that "slop detected" account having to retract/apologize for posting something that leads to a level designer somewhere receiving death threats. You get a sense for this kind of thing. 6 months is probably too generous
December 24, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Any account devoted to investigations like that, regardless of intent, inevitably shifts its focus to maintaining its followers through frequent posts and updates. Which leads to incorrect accusations, and yet another vector for online harassment.
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
I had been loosely following RAM shortages, but Micron leaving the consumer market made me take a deeper look at what's happening.
If you're like me, and had filed away as 'a thing that is happening', it's worth starting to take a look, because this is getting pretty bad, pretty quick.
If you're like me, and had filed away as 'a thing that is happening', it's worth starting to take a look, because this is getting pretty bad, pretty quick.
Wondering why everyone is suddenly talking about RAM? What's the big deal?
@patrickdane.bsky.social speaks to analysts and hardware experts like @matpiscatella.bsky.social, @superhys.bsky.social, and Daniel Owen to outline why RAM prices are skyrocketing, and what this means for videogames.
@patrickdane.bsky.social speaks to analysts and hardware experts like @matpiscatella.bsky.social, @superhys.bsky.social, and Daniel Owen to outline why RAM prices are skyrocketing, and what this means for videogames.
The Insatiable Appetite for RAM is Threatening to Consume the Gaming Market
RAM provider Micron recently decided to leave the consumer space. Experts tell us about the effect this will have on gaming.
thisweekinvideogames.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:03 PM
I had been loosely following RAM shortages, but Micron leaving the consumer market made me take a deeper look at what's happening.
If you're like me, and had filed away as 'a thing that is happening', it's worth starting to take a look, because this is getting pretty bad, pretty quick.
If you're like me, and had filed away as 'a thing that is happening', it's worth starting to take a look, because this is getting pretty bad, pretty quick.
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
Calling all 6502/NES programmers!
We recently preserved and shared a source code snapshot of the lost Police Academy game! Which is great, except it's in a pretty bad state.
I'm hoping there's enough to "revert" back to its trade show demo. Any interest in helping?
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pgm4m...
We recently preserved and shared a source code snapshot of the lost Police Academy game! Which is great, except it's in a pretty bad state.
I'm hoping there's enough to "revert" back to its trade show demo. Any interest in helping?
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pgm4m...
December 22, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Calling all 6502/NES programmers!
We recently preserved and shared a source code snapshot of the lost Police Academy game! Which is great, except it's in a pretty bad state.
I'm hoping there's enough to "revert" back to its trade show demo. Any interest in helping?
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pgm4m...
We recently preserved and shared a source code snapshot of the lost Police Academy game! Which is great, except it's in a pretty bad state.
I'm hoping there's enough to "revert" back to its trade show demo. Any interest in helping?
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pgm4m...
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
One week early for our Patreon subscribers: @jparish.bsky.social @atariarchive.org & @feitclub.bsky.social look back at those we lost in 2025
Sign up & listen here: www.patreon.com/posts/146426...
Sign up & listen here: www.patreon.com/posts/146426...
December 22, 2025 at 11:02 PM
One week early for our Patreon subscribers: @jparish.bsky.social @atariarchive.org & @feitclub.bsky.social look back at those we lost in 2025
Sign up & listen here: www.patreon.com/posts/146426...
Sign up & listen here: www.patreon.com/posts/146426...
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
i think if you use genai for anything, even writing an email, you're both a moron and a huge baby, and i dont want to play your video game as a result. its not that hard!
As the backlash to generative AI in video games continues to pick up steam heading into 2026, it'll be fascinating to see what is considered "made with generative AI." Can a dev team say they're not using AI if they're writing design docs with Copilot or using chatGPT to make schedules and budgets?
December 21, 2025 at 11:18 PM
i think if you use genai for anything, even writing an email, you're both a moron and a huge baby, and i dont want to play your video game as a result. its not that hard!
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
It's almost christmas 🙏
December 22, 2025 at 2:37 AM
It's almost christmas 🙏
At this point when I visit an archival library I'm probably rapid-firing photos off at any page that is remotely interesting to review later for this very reason.
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
Seems like it's worth posting this one again.
December 22, 2025 at 2:04 AM
At this point when I visit an archival library I'm probably rapid-firing photos off at any page that is remotely interesting to review later for this very reason.
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
NEW EPISODE! Atari Party 2025 was last month and I got to chat with a bunch of amazing people!
Have you played Atari today?
@rectapete.bsky.social
@atarispot.bsky.social
@atariarchive.org
@nathaniellockhart.bsky.social
@fergojisan.bsky.social
Listen here! ⬇️⬇️
stillloading.libsyn.com/still-loadin...
Have you played Atari today?
@rectapete.bsky.social
@atarispot.bsky.social
@atariarchive.org
@nathaniellockhart.bsky.social
@fergojisan.bsky.social
Listen here! ⬇️⬇️
stillloading.libsyn.com/still-loadin...
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 AM
NEW EPISODE! Atari Party 2025 was last month and I got to chat with a bunch of amazing people!
Have you played Atari today?
@rectapete.bsky.social
@atarispot.bsky.social
@atariarchive.org
@nathaniellockhart.bsky.social
@fergojisan.bsky.social
Listen here! ⬇️⬇️
stillloading.libsyn.com/still-loadin...
Have you played Atari today?
@rectapete.bsky.social
@atarispot.bsky.social
@atariarchive.org
@nathaniellockhart.bsky.social
@fergojisan.bsky.social
Listen here! ⬇️⬇️
stillloading.libsyn.com/still-loadin...
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
I'll be presenting at Super MAGFest 2026 with @lainenooney.bsky.social and @kendraserra.bsky.social about what's new in the field of game history! Come with your loaded questions for this gathering of stone-cold experts in history, preservation, and copyright
builder.guidebook.com/g/#/guides/m...
builder.guidebook.com/g/#/guides/m...
![What's New in Game History? Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 12pm in Panels 2.
We don't need to tell you that game history is important. But how do you know what the big stories are amidst the countless articles and videos? Our panel of the leading preservationists, historians, and legal experts will give you the hottest cuts of new books, videos, essays, museum exhibits, and online collections, as well as updates on the legal battles currently shaping the future of game preservation.
Stick around for an extended Q&A where we answer your burning questions about what's happening in video game history!
Panelists: Laine Nooney [Associate Professor of Media, Culture, and Communication, New York University, https://lainenooney.com] | Phil Salvador [Library Director, Video Game History Foundation, https://gamehistory.org] | Kendra Albert [Partner, Albert Sellars LLP, https://albertsellars.law]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7vagxrj6ra6fikqrpm6a45v2/bafkreibrj32q4tyvbm22i5fqmrl4bej3pelgpvnf4ej3fg5jugb4zbnlpy@jpeg)
December 21, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I'll be presenting at Super MAGFest 2026 with @lainenooney.bsky.social and @kendraserra.bsky.social about what's new in the field of game history! Come with your loaded questions for this gathering of stone-cold experts in history, preservation, and copyright
builder.guidebook.com/g/#/guides/m...
builder.guidebook.com/g/#/guides/m...
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
In Super Mario World, green berries increase the timer. By strategically eating them to make the timer pass 100 multiple times, the music can be sped up repeatedly. It turns out that the music engine cannot handle more than 20 speed-ups, and slows down to a crawl instead.
December 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM
In Super Mario World, green berries increase the timer. By strategically eating them to make the timer pass 100 multiple times, the music can be sped up repeatedly. It turns out that the music engine cannot handle more than 20 speed-ups, and slows down to a crawl instead.
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
I love how Tom Paris is a nerd for 50s Americana and nobody seems to enjoy it. You know there's gotta be one guy in Starfleet who's forcing his teammates to watch Revolutionary Girl Utena in a holodeck recreation of a suburban basement
December 21, 2025 at 4:28 AM
I love how Tom Paris is a nerd for 50s Americana and nobody seems to enjoy it. You know there's gotta be one guy in Starfleet who's forcing his teammates to watch Revolutionary Girl Utena in a holodeck recreation of a suburban basement
Going through some older articles on my site to update with new info. I interviewed Jim Huether a couple years ago and so I went back and updated Flag Capture's entry with new details:
Flag Capture (Capture) – October 1978, Atari Archive
This game is something of a treat for these early years of the VCS.
www.atariarchive.org
December 20, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Going through some older articles on my site to update with new info. I interviewed Jim Huether a couple years ago and so I went back and updated Flag Capture's entry with new details:
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
This one's a masterpiece
Who coined "Metroidvania"? It wasn't @jparish.bsky.social, and he'll be the first to tell you. Besides, there are far more interesting questions, like: How did it spread? Evolve? And what's it got to do with rickrolling?
Watch til the end for a post-credits sting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8set...
Watch til the end for a post-credits sting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8set...
The History Of The Word "Metroidvania" And How It Spread
YouTube video by Critical Kate (of A Critical Hit!)
www.youtube.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:17 AM
This one's a masterpiece
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
If you're not trans, I don't think I can fully explain how important this is.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
The name "Popular Science" doesn't mean we shift our coverage depending on public opinion. It means we cover relevant subjects that are rigorously researched, reliable, and grounded in reality.
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
First-of-a-kind study shows encouraging data for trans kids who socially transition
Ninety-four percent of participants in a new study stood firm in their trans identity after five years, and "detransitioning" is rare.
www.popsci.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:58 PM
If you're not trans, I don't think I can fully explain how important this is.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
Reposted by Kevin Bunch (ubersaurus)
the Cookie's Bustle nonsense continues ... the blueksy account @romhack.ing got suspended over it this time
December 19, 2025 at 7:33 PM
the Cookie's Bustle nonsense continues ... the blueksy account @romhack.ing got suspended over it this time