NintendoAge E-zine

Sure is quiet around here lately.  As we go through this little dry spell, I invite you over to NintendoAge.com - if you're one of the few who haven't arrived here to my blog from that site, then I encourage you to sign up (it's free) and join the discussion.

In addition, as a member you'll have access to the semi-regular e-zine.  The last two issues have included articles written by...me!  Enjoy.

#743-B - Metal Storm (again)

#743-B
Metal Storm
ecrater.com
7/5/12

Dammit.  I already had Metal Storm.  I picked it up about 3 years ago in a big lot of games I bought from a dealer at an indoor flea market for $2.  At the time I had never heard of it and had just started collecting NES, so it got thrown onto the shelf and sat while I played Duck Tales.

Then about a year ago I was watching a series of videos by LordKat called "Until We Win" - where the guy basically plays through difficult retro video games until...well...  His video on Metal Storm was entertaining and piqued my interest in giving the unknown game a shot.  Aaaaaand then the damn thing wouldn't work.

Catridge based video games are usually resistant to the torture they endure during their lifespans.  Grubby little kids, animal encounters, blazing sun, freezing cold and general lack of care can really grime up the plastic, but usually a little elbow grease and a lot of rubbing alcohol can clean the contacts enough for the game to boot up and play.

Unfortunately, Metal Storm (the copy on the left in the picture above), seemed clean on the outside, but wouldn't start up.  Swab the contacts with alcohol...nope.  Clean out the NES with a toothbrush...nope.  Take the cart apart and deep clean the board...nope.  Look up replacement copies on eBay...sigh.  Since the game is apparently fun and apparently uncommon, therefore the copies online were pricey and since I already had a cartridge, a replacement wasn't very high on my priority list.

Cut to now and after a few recent eBay sales to build up my Paypal account I decided the time had come to right the wrong.  Ecrater.com is a new site I hadn't used before - I'm not sure if it's eBay related or what...but either way I can now play Metal Storm (the copy on the right).  And yes, it is as good as advertised.