Ephemeral Enigmas
@ephemeralenigmas.bsky.social
Giving offbeat, obscure, forgotten, or just cool and interesting games the attention they deserve on my blog once a week. Also a contributor to Hardcore Gaming 101. He/Him
http://ephemeralenigmas.com/
http://ephemeralenigmas.com/
Pinned
Wizard Fire
Wizard Fire is the kind of game that’s an improved sequel in virtually every regard, but it’s also a game I didn’t necessarily expect to exist as it was. Here I was asking for some kind of bigger a…
ephemeralenigmascom.wordpress.com
New blog post time!
This week's game is Wizard Fire, the follow-up to Data East's D&D-inspired Gate of Doom that really doesn't stray far from it at all. However, an injection of style ends up adding some substance alongside it, resulting in a game that I found myself quite a bit more endeared to:
This week's game is Wizard Fire, the follow-up to Data East's D&D-inspired Gate of Doom that really doesn't stray far from it at all. However, an injection of style ends up adding some substance alongside it, resulting in a game that I found myself quite a bit more endeared to:
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
Our Black Friday gift to you, for the low low price of $0, is over 13,000 words about the Xbox 360 library.
This console gen felt like the last gasp of an industry before it turned a particularly heinous corner. Join us at the combination listicle and eulogy.
pixeldie.com/2025/11/28/t...
This console gen felt like the last gasp of an industry before it turned a particularly heinous corner. Join us at the combination listicle and eulogy.
pixeldie.com/2025/11/28/t...
The Xbox 360 Twentieth Anniversary Special
The Xbox 360 is twenty years old and Microsoft will never achieve its heights again, so we may as well rank the 36 best games on it.
pixeldie.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Our Black Friday gift to you, for the low low price of $0, is over 13,000 words about the Xbox 360 library.
This console gen felt like the last gasp of an industry before it turned a particularly heinous corner. Join us at the combination listicle and eulogy.
pixeldie.com/2025/11/28/t...
This console gen felt like the last gasp of an industry before it turned a particularly heinous corner. Join us at the combination listicle and eulogy.
pixeldie.com/2025/11/28/t...
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
You know, I've never really written about Emerald Dragon and why I like it so much. Let's fix that!
www.kidfenris.com/2025/11/emer...
www.kidfenris.com/2025/11/emer...
November 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
You know, I've never really written about Emerald Dragon and why I like it so much. Let's fix that!
www.kidfenris.com/2025/11/emer...
www.kidfenris.com/2025/11/emer...
I'm having a pleasant Thanksgiving, but that's not stopping me from feeling like this the whole time
November 27, 2025 at 11:59 PM
I'm having a pleasant Thanksgiving, but that's not stopping me from feeling like this the whole time
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
NO GOBBLE THIS YEAR JUST GUBBLE
November 27, 2025 at 6:10 PM
NO GOBBLE THIS YEAR JUST GUBBLE
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
timeline cleaning
November 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
timeline cleaning
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
In 1995, multiple video game magazines discussed a game that was less than halfway finished, shown off at that year's JAMMA show. That was Vic Viper: Battle Racing, a Gradius spin-off in the vein of F-Zero and Wipeout featuring Gradius vehicles and, you guessed it, battle racing. It never released.
Retro spotlight: Vic Viper: Battle Racing
Konami spun Gradius out into other genres, but in the mid-90s, they nearly went somewhere they should still really go.
retroxp.beehiiv.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:49 PM
In 1995, multiple video game magazines discussed a game that was less than halfway finished, shown off at that year's JAMMA show. That was Vic Viper: Battle Racing, a Gradius spin-off in the vein of F-Zero and Wipeout featuring Gradius vehicles and, you guessed it, battle racing. It never released.
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
NEW VIDEO: Phoenix Games is beyond notorious for releasing metric tons of garbage for the the PlayStations 1 and 2, sometimes in compilations of asset flips.
What if, though, one of these games was kinda... okay? And how would such a thing be possible?
youtu.be/EngHesUk2g8
What if, though, one of these games was kinda... okay? And how would such a thing be possible?
youtu.be/EngHesUk2g8
That time Phoenix Games accidentally released something kinda okay
YouTube video by Alien Bob
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 11:02 AM
NEW VIDEO: Phoenix Games is beyond notorious for releasing metric tons of garbage for the the PlayStations 1 and 2, sometimes in compilations of asset flips.
What if, though, one of these games was kinda... okay? And how would such a thing be possible?
youtu.be/EngHesUk2g8
What if, though, one of these games was kinda... okay? And how would such a thing be possible?
youtu.be/EngHesUk2g8
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
Tonight's look is Castlevania: Curse of Darkness for the Playstation 2.
pepsimanvsjoe.blogspot.com/2025/11/play...
This is easily the most maddening of the Igavania saga, yet there is something buried underneath that draws me into its embrace.
Moth to a flame or something like.
#retrogaming #konami
pepsimanvsjoe.blogspot.com/2025/11/play...
This is easily the most maddening of the Igavania saga, yet there is something buried underneath that draws me into its embrace.
Moth to a flame or something like.
#retrogaming #konami
Playstation 2 Look - Castlevania: Curse of Darkness
pepsimanvsjoe.blogspot.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Tonight's look is Castlevania: Curse of Darkness for the Playstation 2.
pepsimanvsjoe.blogspot.com/2025/11/play...
This is easily the most maddening of the Igavania saga, yet there is something buried underneath that draws me into its embrace.
Moth to a flame or something like.
#retrogaming #konami
pepsimanvsjoe.blogspot.com/2025/11/play...
This is easily the most maddening of the Igavania saga, yet there is something buried underneath that draws me into its embrace.
Moth to a flame or something like.
#retrogaming #konami
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
New blog post time!
This week's game is Wizard Fire, the follow-up to Data East's D&D-inspired Gate of Doom that really doesn't stray far from it at all. However, an injection of style ends up adding some substance alongside it, resulting in a game that I found myself quite a bit more endeared to:
This week's game is Wizard Fire, the follow-up to Data East's D&D-inspired Gate of Doom that really doesn't stray far from it at all. However, an injection of style ends up adding some substance alongside it, resulting in a game that I found myself quite a bit more endeared to:
Wizard Fire
Wizard Fire is the kind of game that’s an improved sequel in virtually every regard, but it’s also a game I didn’t necessarily expect to exist as it was. Here I was asking for some kind of bigger a…
ephemeralenigmascom.wordpress.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
New blog post time!
This week's game is Wizard Fire, the follow-up to Data East's D&D-inspired Gate of Doom that really doesn't stray far from it at all. However, an injection of style ends up adding some substance alongside it, resulting in a game that I found myself quite a bit more endeared to:
This week's game is Wizard Fire, the follow-up to Data East's D&D-inspired Gate of Doom that really doesn't stray far from it at all. However, an injection of style ends up adding some substance alongside it, resulting in a game that I found myself quite a bit more endeared to:
New blog post time!
This week's game is Wizard Fire, the follow-up to Data East's D&D-inspired Gate of Doom that really doesn't stray far from it at all. However, an injection of style ends up adding some substance alongside it, resulting in a game that I found myself quite a bit more endeared to:
This week's game is Wizard Fire, the follow-up to Data East's D&D-inspired Gate of Doom that really doesn't stray far from it at all. However, an injection of style ends up adding some substance alongside it, resulting in a game that I found myself quite a bit more endeared to:
Wizard Fire
Wizard Fire is the kind of game that’s an improved sequel in virtually every regard, but it’s also a game I didn’t necessarily expect to exist as it was. Here I was asking for some kind of bigger a…
ephemeralenigmascom.wordpress.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
New blog post time!
This week's game is Wizard Fire, the follow-up to Data East's D&D-inspired Gate of Doom that really doesn't stray far from it at all. However, an injection of style ends up adding some substance alongside it, resulting in a game that I found myself quite a bit more endeared to:
This week's game is Wizard Fire, the follow-up to Data East's D&D-inspired Gate of Doom that really doesn't stray far from it at all. However, an injection of style ends up adding some substance alongside it, resulting in a game that I found myself quite a bit more endeared to:
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
Literal holy grail is up on ebay right now
November 25, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Literal holy grail is up on ebay right now
I wanna meet K. Rool's wife so bad
November 23, 2025 at 9:22 PM
I wanna meet K. Rool's wife so bad
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
Rule of Rose has multiple unlockable costumes, but my favorites are the octopus + crab combo and the one that turns the dog Brown into a chair for some reason
November 22, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Rule of Rose has multiple unlockable costumes, but my favorites are the octopus + crab combo and the one that turns the dog Brown into a chair for some reason
Rule of Rose has multiple unlockable costumes, but my favorites are the octopus + crab combo and the one that turns the dog Brown into a chair for some reason
November 22, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Rule of Rose has multiple unlockable costumes, but my favorites are the octopus + crab combo and the one that turns the dog Brown into a chair for some reason
I looked up a map for Rule of Rose since I'm finding it confusing to navigate, and while I appreciate the effort that was clearly put into making this one, I think I'm just as overwhelmed as I was before
November 20, 2025 at 10:26 PM
I looked up a map for Rule of Rose since I'm finding it confusing to navigate, and while I appreciate the effort that was clearly put into making this one, I think I'm just as overwhelmed as I was before
What did she mean by this
November 19, 2025 at 10:03 PM
What did she mean by this
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
I was a judge in the Independent Games Festival again this year - here are some of my highlights from 2026. Not a "who I think's going to win" prediction, just "here's some games I think are cool!" cdrom.ca/games/2025/1...
November 19, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I was a judge in the Independent Games Festival again this year - here are some of my highlights from 2026. Not a "who I think's going to win" prediction, just "here's some games I think are cool!" cdrom.ca/games/2025/1...
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
Demonschool: Is OUT. It's out. Finally it is out. We hope you enjoy it.
store.steampowered.com/app/1900250/...
store.playstation.com/en-us/concep...
www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
store.steampowered.com/app/1900250/...
store.playstation.com/en-us/concep...
www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
November 19, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Demonschool: Is OUT. It's out. Finally it is out. We hope you enjoy it.
store.steampowered.com/app/1900250/...
store.playstation.com/en-us/concep...
www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
store.steampowered.com/app/1900250/...
store.playstation.com/en-us/concep...
www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
New blog post time!
This week's game is The Adventures of Star Saver, a sequel/reboot of questionable Famicom game Miracle Ropit's Adventure in 2100. It's so rare that unbeloved games get a second chance to build upon ideas like this, so the fact that Star Saver exists at all is to be celebrated:
This week's game is The Adventures of Star Saver, a sequel/reboot of questionable Famicom game Miracle Ropit's Adventure in 2100. It's so rare that unbeloved games get a second chance to build upon ideas like this, so the fact that Star Saver exists at all is to be celebrated:
The Adventures of Star Saver
The Adventures of Star Saver is, in a lot of ways, the ideal follow-up. It sincerely looks back at Miracle Ropit and removes its worst tendencies without compromising on the things that made it int…
ephemeralenigmascom.wordpress.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:23 PM
New blog post time!
This week's game is The Adventures of Star Saver, a sequel/reboot of questionable Famicom game Miracle Ropit's Adventure in 2100. It's so rare that unbeloved games get a second chance to build upon ideas like this, so the fact that Star Saver exists at all is to be celebrated:
This week's game is The Adventures of Star Saver, a sequel/reboot of questionable Famicom game Miracle Ropit's Adventure in 2100. It's so rare that unbeloved games get a second chance to build upon ideas like this, so the fact that Star Saver exists at all is to be celebrated:
New blog post time!
This week's game is The Adventures of Star Saver, a sequel/reboot of questionable Famicom game Miracle Ropit's Adventure in 2100. It's so rare that unbeloved games get a second chance to build upon ideas like this, so the fact that Star Saver exists at all is to be celebrated:
This week's game is The Adventures of Star Saver, a sequel/reboot of questionable Famicom game Miracle Ropit's Adventure in 2100. It's so rare that unbeloved games get a second chance to build upon ideas like this, so the fact that Star Saver exists at all is to be celebrated:
The Adventures of Star Saver
The Adventures of Star Saver is, in a lot of ways, the ideal follow-up. It sincerely looks back at Miracle Ropit and removes its worst tendencies without compromising on the things that made it int…
ephemeralenigmascom.wordpress.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:23 PM
New blog post time!
This week's game is The Adventures of Star Saver, a sequel/reboot of questionable Famicom game Miracle Ropit's Adventure in 2100. It's so rare that unbeloved games get a second chance to build upon ideas like this, so the fact that Star Saver exists at all is to be celebrated:
This week's game is The Adventures of Star Saver, a sequel/reboot of questionable Famicom game Miracle Ropit's Adventure in 2100. It's so rare that unbeloved games get a second chance to build upon ideas like this, so the fact that Star Saver exists at all is to be celebrated:
Rule of Rose has been fascinating so far because it has such good atmosphere but makes you spend most of your time following a dog through identical looking hallways
It also becomes really funny to me when the little imps try to jump at you only to miss and hit the ground with a cartoonish thud
It also becomes really funny to me when the little imps try to jump at you only to miss and hit the ground with a cartoonish thud
November 17, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Rule of Rose has been fascinating so far because it has such good atmosphere but makes you spend most of your time following a dog through identical looking hallways
It also becomes really funny to me when the little imps try to jump at you only to miss and hit the ground with a cartoonish thud
It also becomes really funny to me when the little imps try to jump at you only to miss and hit the ground with a cartoonish thud
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
They called this little guy Bonk because that's what he does.
Re-release this: Bonk's Adventure (GB)
A portable Bonk with the same name as a different, non-portable Bonk.
retroxp.beehiiv.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:31 PM
They called this little guy Bonk because that's what he does.
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
Please give to Rebecca Heineman's GFM if you're able. She needs all the help she can get.
Donate to Help Rebecca Ann Heineman Fight Aggressive Cancer, organized by Rebecca Heineman
I’m Rebecca Ann Heineman. The very first video game champion, creat… Rebecca Heineman needs your support for Help Rebecca Ann Heineman Fight Aggressive Cancer
gofund.me
November 16, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Please give to Rebecca Heineman's GFM if you're able. She needs all the help she can get.
Reposted by Ephemeral Enigmas
I have once again forgotten to promote a video when it goes live
Please forgive, it will happen again
m.youtube.com/watch?v=LgBq...
Please forgive, it will happen again
m.youtube.com/watch?v=LgBq...
November 15, 2025 at 1:02 AM
I have once again forgotten to promote a video when it goes live
Please forgive, it will happen again
m.youtube.com/watch?v=LgBq...
Please forgive, it will happen again
m.youtube.com/watch?v=LgBq...