Barnard
@pbarnard.bsky.social
Reposted by Barnard
Japanese vs European Mega Drive box art. The Japanese version wins by a country mile as far as I'm concerned...
September 16, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Japanese vs European Mega Drive box art. The Japanese version wins by a country mile as far as I'm concerned...
Reposted by Barnard
Idea for game studios participating in "the algorithm doesn't want you to see this" memes on Twitter: stop fucking posting on Twitter?
September 16, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Idea for game studios participating in "the algorithm doesn't want you to see this" memes on Twitter: stop fucking posting on Twitter?
Reposted by Barnard
40 years ago, US Gold was advertising Datasoft's Zorro, a platform-puzzler that would have been a lot more fun to play if its puzzles weren't super-obscure and its music wasn't a horrendous cacophony. Loved the ad, though. Just a cool piece of old-school art.
September 8, 2025 at 11:36 AM
40 years ago, US Gold was advertising Datasoft's Zorro, a platform-puzzler that would have been a lot more fun to play if its puzzles weren't super-obscure and its music wasn't a horrendous cacophony. Loved the ad, though. Just a cool piece of old-school art.
Reposted by Barnard
40 years ago, Ghosts 'n Goblins began to appear in European arcades. This classic platformer was extremely challenging, but a ton of fun as you guided Sir Arthur into battle against an army of fantasy and horror creatures using a wide variety of different weapons. Brilliant game!
September 6, 2025 at 9:50 AM
40 years ago, Ghosts 'n Goblins began to appear in European arcades. This classic platformer was extremely challenging, but a ton of fun as you guided Sir Arthur into battle against an army of fantasy and horror creatures using a wide variety of different weapons. Brilliant game!
Reposted by Barnard
40 years ago, it was a snoozefest in terms of tech and gaming news. Rumors of a 16-bit Sinclair was non-news, Amstrad's PCW8256 thrilled no-one, Acorn started trading again, and package deals for Speccies abounded at retail as Sinclair desperately tried to generate more revenue.
August 22, 2025 at 11:39 AM
40 years ago, it was a snoozefest in terms of tech and gaming news. Rumors of a 16-bit Sinclair was non-news, Amstrad's PCW8256 thrilled no-one, Acorn started trading again, and package deals for Speccies abounded at retail as Sinclair desperately tried to generate more revenue.
Reposted by Barnard
My new book is finally out!
It's packed with tons of stories and anecdotes about the greatest video games, the most momentous events, and general behind-the-scenes craziness spanning the last 50-or-so years of gaming history. Don't miss it!
Buy it here: www.bitmapbooks.com/collections/...
It's packed with tons of stories and anecdotes about the greatest video games, the most momentous events, and general behind-the-scenes craziness spanning the last 50-or-so years of gaming history. Don't miss it!
Buy it here: www.bitmapbooks.com/collections/...
February 10, 2025 at 6:24 PM
My new book is finally out!
It's packed with tons of stories and anecdotes about the greatest video games, the most momentous events, and general behind-the-scenes craziness spanning the last 50-or-so years of gaming history. Don't miss it!
Buy it here: www.bitmapbooks.com/collections/...
It's packed with tons of stories and anecdotes about the greatest video games, the most momentous events, and general behind-the-scenes craziness spanning the last 50-or-so years of gaming history. Don't miss it!
Buy it here: www.bitmapbooks.com/collections/...
Reposted by Barnard
40 years ago, US Gold was offering this excellent selection of Sega arcade ports. However, while the original coin-ops themselves were classics, the quality of these conversions varied somewhat. Most were decent, with Tapper and Spy Hunter being my picks of the bunch.
December 2, 2024 at 8:50 PM
40 years ago, US Gold was offering this excellent selection of Sega arcade ports. However, while the original coin-ops themselves were classics, the quality of these conversions varied somewhat. Most were decent, with Tapper and Spy Hunter being my picks of the bunch.
Reposted by Barnard
35 years ago, NES Mega Man was finally released in the UK - years after Japan and the US. Despite it being pretty old at this point, it was still really entertaining. I noted it wasn't a game for novices, but despite being really difficult, was challenging in a really good way.
November 20, 2024 at 7:09 PM
35 years ago, NES Mega Man was finally released in the UK - years after Japan and the US. Despite it being pretty old at this point, it was still really entertaining. I noted it wasn't a game for novices, but despite being really difficult, was challenging in a really good way.
Reposted by Barnard
This is the Memotech MTX500, a 40-year-old rarity from Europe's early-to-mid-80s computer boom. It was a cool-looking machine in all-black, but like other failures from the era, it was technically interesting but just didn't have enough software support to hit critical mass.
September 20, 2024 at 3:56 PM
This is the Memotech MTX500, a 40-year-old rarity from Europe's early-to-mid-80s computer boom. It was a cool-looking machine in all-black, but like other failures from the era, it was technically interesting but just didn't have enough software support to hit critical mass.
Reposted by Barnard
35 years ago, US Gold was advertising this compilation of top-tier arcade games. However, since they were US Gold-produced ports, their quality was spotty to say the least. Bionic Commando was ace, but the others ranged from fair to just plain poor. A reasonable bargain at best.
September 20, 2024 at 5:34 PM
35 years ago, US Gold was advertising this compilation of top-tier arcade games. However, since they were US Gold-produced ports, their quality was spotty to say the least. Bionic Commando was ace, but the others ranged from fair to just plain poor. A reasonable bargain at best.
Reposted by Barnard
40 years ago, we didn't need wanky-ass AI-generated art. That's because we had companies like Artic slapping together visual nightmares like this crappy old ad using paper, scissors, and crayons. And anyway, unlike AI-generated art, this does have a naive charm all of its own...
September 16, 2024 at 3:25 PM
40 years ago, we didn't need wanky-ass AI-generated art. That's because we had companies like Artic slapping together visual nightmares like this crappy old ad using paper, scissors, and crayons. And anyway, unlike AI-generated art, this does have a naive charm all of its own...
Reposted by Barnard
Been playing this recently, and it really is extremely entertaining and fun. In a way, its slow, steady, plod-along action feels like a spiritual successor to late 80s/early 90s brawlers like Golden Axe - only in full 3D and with millions more enemies and crazy-powerful weapons.
September 16, 2024 at 7:08 PM
Been playing this recently, and it really is extremely entertaining and fun. In a way, its slow, steady, plod-along action feels like a spiritual successor to late 80s/early 90s brawlers like Golden Axe - only in full 3D and with millions more enemies and crazy-powerful weapons.
Reposted by Barnard
40 years ago, Compunet (CNET) was about to launch. I used this early bulletin board a lot during those very early days. It really turned me into the whole online concept. In other news, Rabbit, Oric, Fuller, and Dragon were screwed; all part of the mid-80s Euro micro shakeout.
August 31, 2024 at 4:08 PM
40 years ago, Compunet (CNET) was about to launch. I used this early bulletin board a lot during those very early days. It really turned me into the whole online concept. In other news, Rabbit, Oric, Fuller, and Dragon were screwed; all part of the mid-80s Euro micro shakeout.
Reposted by Barnard
Rando Saturday Review: Castle of Illusion
This Mega Drive game absolutely blew us away when it arrived in late 1990. The graphics were sumptuous, the parallax scrolling fab, it sounded fantastic, and it played brilliantly. An absolute stone-cold classic; a Mega Drive must-have.
This Mega Drive game absolutely blew us away when it arrived in late 1990. The graphics were sumptuous, the parallax scrolling fab, it sounded fantastic, and it played brilliantly. An absolute stone-cold classic; a Mega Drive must-have.
August 31, 2024 at 4:19 PM
Rando Saturday Review: Castle of Illusion
This Mega Drive game absolutely blew us away when it arrived in late 1990. The graphics were sumptuous, the parallax scrolling fab, it sounded fantastic, and it played brilliantly. An absolute stone-cold classic; a Mega Drive must-have.
This Mega Drive game absolutely blew us away when it arrived in late 1990. The graphics were sumptuous, the parallax scrolling fab, it sounded fantastic, and it played brilliantly. An absolute stone-cold classic; a Mega Drive must-have.
Reposted by Barnard
35 years ago, CVG reviewed Master System Wonder Boy III. It certainly wasn't Mario, but its blend of platforming and adventuring was nevertheless really entertaining and fun. Just a really solid game with lots going for it - like many other Master System titles of the era.
July 16, 2024 at 4:59 PM
35 years ago, CVG reviewed Master System Wonder Boy III. It certainly wasn't Mario, but its blend of platforming and adventuring was nevertheless really entertaining and fun. Just a really solid game with lots going for it - like many other Master System titles of the era.
Reposted by Barnard
40 years ago, there was all sorts of fuss and bother about the Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy video game license. Read the story for details, but it was pretty crazy and it really felt like Supersoft had acquired the rights under extremely sketchy conditions.
April 27, 2024 at 4:16 PM
40 years ago, there was all sorts of fuss and bother about the Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy video game license. Read the story for details, but it was pretty crazy and it really felt like Supersoft had acquired the rights under extremely sketchy conditions.
Boxing Day Squirrel Chase.
December 26, 2023 at 11:14 AM
Boxing Day Squirrel Chase.
Reposted by Barnard
Good morning! Happy Saturday! Here's another pixel art image from my game 'Horace', yes I'm still trying to spread the word!
Retweets very much appreciated! ❤️
Retweets very much appreciated! ❤️
December 16, 2023 at 10:50 AM
Good morning! Happy Saturday! Here's another pixel art image from my game 'Horace', yes I'm still trying to spread the word!
Retweets very much appreciated! ❤️
Retweets very much appreciated! ❤️
Reposted by Barnard
Did you know my game Horace is available on PC, Playstation, Xbox AND Switch?
Maybe a nice present for a loved one or two this festive period?
I don't know if it's on sale or anything but Horace can be found at all the usual places!
Reposts very much appreciated! ❤️
#Indiedev #PixelArt
Maybe a nice present for a loved one or two this festive period?
I don't know if it's on sale or anything but Horace can be found at all the usual places!
Reposts very much appreciated! ❤️
#Indiedev #PixelArt
December 20, 2023 at 11:57 AM
Merry Christmas. Thanks for making Horace. It's brilliant.
I absolutely love this stuff! Just reading through the description of 'Do Not Pass Go Description' (it's not Monopoly honest!) and the line...
'Superb graphics by Garry Kennedy (thanks mate)'
Is such a nice simple credit / shout out to his friend ❤️
'Superb graphics by Garry Kennedy (thanks mate)'
Is such a nice simple credit / shout out to his friend ❤️
December 26, 2023 at 10:25 AM
Merry Christmas. Thanks for making Horace. It's brilliant.
Reposted by Barnard
Here's my final Xmas retro post, and I saved the best 'til last. Oli Frey's 1985 ZZAP! Xmas Special is simply fabulous. Not only does it feel incredibly cosy and festive, but is also a top-tier piece of fine video gaming art.
Happy Xmas all, and the very best for the New Year!
Happy Xmas all, and the very best for the New Year!
December 24, 2023 at 7:51 PM
Here's my final Xmas retro post, and I saved the best 'til last. Oli Frey's 1985 ZZAP! Xmas Special is simply fabulous. Not only does it feel incredibly cosy and festive, but is also a top-tier piece of fine video gaming art.
Happy Xmas all, and the very best for the New Year!
Happy Xmas all, and the very best for the New Year!
Are 'Follow Fridays' making an appearance in bluesky? What other ways are we going to stumble upon those intriguing souls in this vast text-based wilderness? I want intrigue from mysterious people! #ff
September 25, 2023 at 9:10 PM
Are 'Follow Fridays' making an appearance in bluesky? What other ways are we going to stumble upon those intriguing souls in this vast text-based wilderness? I want intrigue from mysterious people! #ff
@bibertyboberty.bsky.social yo k.k how did you find me? Are you a random follower?
September 24, 2023 at 6:20 PM
@bibertyboberty.bsky.social yo k.k how did you find me? Are you a random follower?