Recently in Retro Category

Quite how Nintendo have managed to create a masterpiece of a game that is so much like it was in 1985 and yet so radically different is simply beyond me.

This game sent me bouncing back to the late 80's with a spectacular 2D gaming experience that maintains the very heart of the originals all those years ago.

So much has been incorporated from the early games like the same power-ups and environments and all of those familiar characters we all love.

Here at Power Up we have friends in high places - and in Los Angeles our very own insider LA Dolly is at E3 to give us the lowdown.

Here's what she had to say;

"Hi Power Uppers - Microsoft wheeled Sir Paul, Ringo and Yoko, Spielberg and Hideo Kojima (Oh yes Metal Gear on 360 at last) out onto stage for their press conference.

Also the new thing called NATAL - you will have heard a lot about this already - I know Mr Wollaston has just blogged about it!

Pele and James Cameron were at the Ubisoft press conference, with James Cameron talking rather in depth about Avatar.

There is a new camera peripheral for the Wii. Jay Z and Eminem played at Activisions DJ hero party. Notable spots include Kelly Osbourne, one of the Olsen twins plus some of the cast from Mad Men, Leo DiCaprio and Matthew McConnaghey.

Sony and Nintendo press conference today. Rumour has it that not only will Rogue Warrior Dick Marcinko be at the first day of the show but he might have a "friend" in tow... Over and out - LA dolly

Nintendo

It says a lot about me that when I used to go to Drayton Manor as a kid I would shun the rides and go straight for the arcade.

There was a triangle of games that glinted and caught my eye; I headed straight for them every time.

First up was Paper Boy - the BMX handlebars on the console were just brilliant and the perfect tools to help you hurtle through suburbia throwing rolled up copies of The New York Post at tramps and grandmas.

It was always karate and kung-fu games on my radar when I was a wee boy.

The wonders of You Tube mean I can now easily take a wistful walk down memory lane, join me!

Kung-Fu Master

International Karate +

Full Contact

Budokan

I am off to cry nostalgic tears of joy now....

This rather thought-provoking question came from an unlikely source today in a very formal environment.

I answered rather obviously Pacman for sheer simplicity and genius. I then added Afterburner for sheer ingenuity and wow factor.

Since I answered the question I have changed my mind about 40 times but I have to say I am straying towards Super Punch-Out and Paper Boy.

So Power-Uppers - what's your view?

Just found this that someone posted on the net...

Love it or hate it Kick Off 2 was a huge success.

Seriously - how good was this game!? The hackie-sack challenge is legendary - watch the seagull!

To put it simply this game is one of the best I have ever played. I loved this game as a youngster. It had everything....

So. I probably still haven't grasped this whole Wii thing as much as I could have. I love it. But I haven't dedicated the hours yet - unlike the kids and my other half.

BUT all this is about to change. Colleague of mine and fellow Mercury blogger Dan Smith has been telling me about the merits of the Wii Store.

For a sad old retro junkie like me to find out that you can download C64 games, N64 games and the like it really was sheer bliss.

Tonight I will be mostly downloading Jet Set Willy, Winter Games, Goldeneye, Mario Kart and Super Punch-Out.

Absolutely the best news I have heard in ages!

Up and down the country gaming journo's like me are churning out whimsical, nostalgic tales of where they were when they played Street Fighter 2.

Ever one to jump on the bandwagon I will do the same, it was in the big arcade on the corner of a backstreet in my local City Centre.

Every Saturday me and two of my mates would get off the bus and head for the arcade, once there we were met by the Jabba The Hut-esque arcade proprietor with a dirty holey vest and 3 teeth.

He would change our £5 notes and sell us a tray of biohazardous chips for 55p.

Then the magic began... the game that cemented my love affair with gaming - Streetfighter 2.