Gretchen Leigh
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gretchenleigh.zone
Gretchen Leigh
@gretchenleigh.zone
3.1K followers 740 following 8.2K posts
middleaged multimedia queer | various video game history + preservation + archaeology projects | software engineer @archive.org | ⬅️🪽 | she/her 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈
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gretchenleigh.zone
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16?
The cover of TNT by Tortoise, a simple drawing of a human figure with TNT written on their chest and lines coming from their mouth next to the word Tortoise.
November 17, 2025 at 4:22 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
Playing video game
A screenshot from 428: Shibuya Scramble. A photograph of a hand holding a notebook with text overlaid: This was Kano's "Dick Diary," which he always kept close at hand.
November 16, 2025 at 4:20 AM
gretchenleigh.zone
Knights of Xentar has the most batshit localization that's completely divorced from the original text. Like, makes Working Designs look like they did straight Japanese-to-English translation by comparison.

Also, they made the crooked "land baron" in the first town a guy named "Don Frump"...
A screenshot from the mediocre 2D JPRG Knights of Xentar with a text box. A "steward" is speaking: "For killing the bandits? Don Frump's offer stands at 300 gold sovereigns. And how do you plan on knocking them off?
November 15, 2025 at 8:54 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
I'm not surprised that this AI Overview is pure bullshit, but I just want to know how they arrived at this list, because arguably only one of these is generally considered kusoge
The AI Overview for a Google search for "famicom kusoge list." Some examples of notoriously bad Famicom games, known as "kusoge," include Takeshi's Challenge, Gorby No Pipeline Daisakusen, Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa, Yume Penguin Monogatari, and Holy Diver. These games are often considered "so bad they're good" due to their poor design, frustrating mechanics, or other flaws, and they have a cult following among some fans. Notable examples of Famicom kusoge Takeshi's Challenge: Known for its bizarre and frustrating gameplay, which includes an opening where you must slap your own character. Gorby No Pipeline Daisakusen: This game is infamous for its confusing and poorly designed levels and difficult gameplay. It was never released in North America. Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa: A quirky platformer that's often cited for its strange world and mechanics, though some consider it a hidden gem. Yume Penguin Monogatari: A bizarre and often-criticized side-scrolling shooter that is part of the "kusoge" canon. Holy Diver: This game is a notorious example of a difficult action game with punishing mechanics and poor design choices.
November 14, 2025 at 10:45 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
The classic Tumblr post from wontonsoupinthemorning: message to all bitches please survive
November 14, 2025 at 3:52 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
Many of you
My hand holding a copy of volume 1 of the manga Cat Gamer.
November 12, 2025 at 7:08 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
I have arrived in Eugene and am staying in an extremely specifically themed hotel room
A wood cabin-esque room with a giant pillow with TRACK TOWN written on it on the bed and a rotary telephone.
November 12, 2025 at 12:17 AM
gretchenleigh.zone
Pac-Man Museum+'s framing device is an existentially horrifying arcade that exists in a version of purgatory that hovers over the world of the original Pac-Man
Pac-Man in an arcade filled with Pac-Man video games hovering atop the play field from the original Pac-Man.
November 9, 2025 at 6:41 AM
gretchenleigh.zone
Homer Simpson pointing to the country Uruguay on a globe.
November 8, 2025 at 3:02 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
Be nice to
A sticker with “Penisgirl” in a fancy font and trans flag pink/blue gradient affixed to a gate.
November 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
Kirk Van Houten proudly standing in front of his racing car bed.
November 7, 2025 at 6:32 AM
gretchenleigh.zone
We’re down to chairs and a monitor! See alt text.
An office chair, a curved computer monitor, and two regular chairs with footstools.
November 5, 2025 at 12:31 AM
gretchenleigh.zone
This is what’s still available. See alt text!
An office chair, two regular chairs and footstools, computer monitor, desk, IKEA Kallax.
November 4, 2025 at 8:53 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
BAY AREA TRANS FOLKS! I am about to move on short notice, and I need to get rid of some furniture. I’m giving this stuff away for free to any trans person who can pick it up! I’m in Oakland, let’s say within a half dozen blocks or so of Stork. See photos and alt text!
A Roku TV, curved computer monitor, two IKEA Kallax, an office desk, an office chair, some regular chairs and footstools, a tall floor lamp, a box fan.
November 4, 2025 at 4:18 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
When my niche retro gaming opinions are validated
A congratulatory interstitial screen from Pac-Land featuring Pac-Man celebrating in front of his house with a cup of tea.
November 3, 2025 at 6:18 AM
gretchenleigh.zone
I had a trans woman on the NYC subway compliment my egg ass on this dysphoria hoodie back in like 2015, and girl I know you’ve gotta be on Bluesky and I hope you’re doing well
A raggedy old hoodie with the following printed on it: “In case of fire 🔥, git commit, git push, git out”
November 1, 2025 at 6:43 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
When I accidentally iterate over a string that I think is a list
Text message from spam rando: “H-E-L-L-O.”
October 31, 2025 at 4:43 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
Packing
A bunch of vinyl records spread out before me on the floor: Jean-Luc Ponty’s Cosmic Messenger and Mystical Adventures, Stevie Wonder’s Fulfillingness’ First Finale, and Yas-Kaz’s Jomon-sho. Cardboard boxes in the background.
October 30, 2025 at 2:11 AM
gretchenleigh.zone
You know what you've gotta do
Key art for the 2018 video game The Quiet Man, developed by Human Head Studios and published by Square Enix.
October 26, 2025 at 6:20 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
This is the one time ever that I will reference Penny Arcade, I promise
The Penny Arcade comic with one guy holding up a ring and saying "Power... of... Shit!" and another guy holding up a ring saying "Power... of... Obsolescence!" and then the guys putting their rings together and saying "Unite to form... A bunch of stupid crap nobody cares about!"
October 25, 2025 at 4:57 AM
gretchenleigh.zone
We got copies of Sir Tim Berners-Lee at the Internet Archive’s annual event, and I need you all to know that there is a pull quote from Kate Fucking Bush on the back
"This Is for Everyone takes us on a journey with this incredibly important man and his work as a visionary. Full of warmth and humanity, he is on a mission to fight for the integrity of the web: determined that his living, evolving creation will bring us all together in harmony." —Kate Bush, human
October 23, 2025 at 5:27 AM
gretchenleigh.zone
I can’t believe they left out Big Challenges……
An abandoned storefront with graffiti and illustrations of Hello Kitty characters on the windows.
October 21, 2025 at 10:56 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
Any of y’all need a Newton Connection Kit for your Mac
An Apple Newton, Newton Connection Kit, Apple IIgs and other assorted retro computer gear.
October 21, 2025 at 7:04 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
She’s at the Internet Archive
It’s me, Gretchen, a bespectacled white woman in a green tank top and white flannel.
October 21, 2025 at 6:57 PM
gretchenleigh.zone
When the cashier at the store calls me "ma'am"
A win screen from Outrun 2006 Coast 2 Coast: CONGRATULATIONS! PASSED! Flagman is amazed! Flagman 3 is available!
October 20, 2025 at 6:13 AM