Multiple:Option

Sexy Blackjack Trainer featuring Sunny Leone/Sora Aoi

2008-08-19T21:13:00.000-07:00

Sexy Blackjack Trainer featuring Sunny Leone/Sora Aoi is a card game that teaches blackjack basic strategy and card counting. Play blackjack, win points, and unlock sexy pictures!

Warning: This game has adult content and is not appropriate for minors.

This is an entry for the Neoflash Summer Coding Competition 2008.

Read the readme.txt for more information.

Requires a DS (obviously) and a flash cart, such as a R4 or Neo MK5. The game will create a save file called "sbt*_sav.sav" on your flash cart. Works well in emulators, except for saving.

Download Sunny Leone version: Ver 20080819 - blackjack1_ds.zip (4MB)
Download Sora Aoi version: Ver 20080819 - blackjack2_ds.zip (4MB)

This game is not approved or authorized by the featured models, Sunny Leone and Sora Aoi.

Screenshots:

Game Trivia Catechism -The Secret of Mister X-

2008-08-19T21:06:00.000-07:00

Game Trivia Catechism -The Secret of Mister X- is a multiple-choice trivia game, testing your knowledge of video gaming. It can be played as straight trivia, or as part of a story that follows Mister X's journey through the King of Game Trivia Tournament. Two new game modes allows players to tackle challenging missions, or try practice mode and perhaps learn something!

This is an entry for the Neoflash Summer Coding Competition 2008.

Read the readme.txt for more information.

Requires a DS (obviously) and a flash cart, such as a R4 or Neo MK5. The game will create a save file called "gtc2_sav.sav" on your flash cart. Works well in DeSmuME, except for saving.

Download: Ver 20080819 - trivia2_ds.zip (4MB)

Original music by Eric Skiff, 8-Bit Terror, PDF format, Breakfast Afternoon, Circles, ne7, 777minus111, Girljoy, Nintendude, and Falco Lombardi.

Screenshots:

Game Trivia Catechism

2008-07-12T04:22:00.001-07:00

Game Trivia Catechism is a multiple-choice trivia game, testing your knowledge of video gaming. It can be played as straight trivia, or as part of a story that follows Al and Sally as they compete in the King of Game Trivia Tournament.

Read the readme.txt for more information.

Requires a DS (obviously) and a flash cart, such as a R4 or Neo MK5. The game will create a save file called "gtc_save.sav" on your flash cart. Works well in DeSmuME, except for saving.

Download: Ver 20080712 - trivia_ds.zip (3MB)

Original music by Eric Skiff, 8-Bit Terror, PDF format, Breakfast Afternoon, Circles, ne7, and 777minus111

Featured at: DCEmu.co.uk, Moonbooks, GBATemp, PDRoms, Zonahomebrew, GameSetWatch, Homebrew Welt, DS Fanboy

Screenshots:

A Question of Promise: Digital Comic

2008-05-12T01:32:00.000-07:00

A Question of Promise: Digital Comic is the DS adaption of the comic by Thuyen Nguyen; a light-hearted story of a guy, a girl, and a sentient pool-of-water. Eric finally decides to ask Eden out on a date. She's free that night, but he's already made plans with his housemate Dice. Can Eric have his cake and eat it too?

Read the readme.txt for more information.

Requires a DS (obviously) and a flash cart, such as a R4 or Neo MK5. The game will create a save file called "aqp_save.sav" on your flash cart. Works well in DeSmuME, except for saving.

Download: Ver 20080511 - question_ds.zip (9MB)

Original comic by Thuyen Nguyen
More issues in PDF format at Devinquest.com

Featured at: DS Fanboy, Byson, DCEmu.co.uk, GY.A.K, Nintendomax, DS-Scene, NDS Freakz, NDSBBS.Com

Screenshots:

Game Melody Oratorio Volume Two

2008-04-28T20:15:00.000-07:00

Game Melody Oratorio Volume Two teaches more simple game melodies via a virtual piano. Featured melodies are Outrun (Sega), Duck Tales (Capcom), Dr. Mario (Nintendo), Super Castlevania VI (Konami), Streets of Rage 2 (Sega), Double Dragon (Technos), Metal Gear Solid (Konami), Final Fantasy VII (Square), Leisure Suit Larry (Sierra On-Line) and Halo (Microsoft).

Read the readme.txt for more information.

Requires a DS (obviously) and a flash cart, such as a R4. The game will create a save file called "gmo2_sav.sav" on your flash cart. Works well in DeSmuME, except for saving.

Download: Ver 20080427 - melody2_ds.zip (3MB)

Featured at: DCEmu.co.uk, Homebrew Welt, Moonbooks, DS Fanboy, GBAtemp, GBAtemp (The Temper Post), GBArl.it, PDRoms, QJ.net, ElOtroLado.net, Insert Credit, GameSetWatch, Destructoid

Screenshots:

Game Melody Oratorio

2008-03-18T22:33:00.000-07:00

Game Melody Oratorio teaches simple game melodies via a virtual piano. Featured melodies are Super Mario Bros (Nintendo), Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega), Tetris (Nintendo), Bubble Bobble (Taito) and The Legend of Zelda (Nintendo). An entry for the Neoflash Spring Coding Competition 2008.

Read the readme.txt for more information.

Requires a DS (obviously) and a flash cart, such as a R4. The game will create a save file called "gmo_save.sav" on your flash cart. Works well in DeSmuME, except for saving.

Download: Ver 20080319 - melody_ds.zip (3MB)

More info about the Neoflash Spring Coding Competition 2008 at Neoflash

Featured at: DCEmu.co.uk, DS Fanboy, GBAtemp, GoNintendo, PDRoms, Cubed3, GBArl.it, NDStuff, Byson, GameSetWatch, Insert Credit, Destructoid,

UPDATE 2008/03/21: I've been told that the game may not run if your flash cart doesn't support auto-DLDI patching. If this is the case, you'll need to patch it yourself. DLDI patch tools and instructions are available here.

UPDATE 2008/04/14: Game Melody Oratorio came 4th in the Neoflash Spring Coding Competition 2008. Thanks to everyone who played and reviewed it!

Screenshots:

Fate/hollow ataraxia Prologue

2008-03-12T04:44:00.001-07:00

Multiple:Option heads back into Fate territory with its third DS homebrew release: Fate/hollow ataraxia Prologue. The sequel to Fate/stay night, my version is a port/remake of the visual novel game's prologue, as translated by Blue Gunner.

Read the readme.txt for more information.

Requires a DS (obviously) and a flash cart, such as a R4. The game will create a save file called "fha_save.sav" on your flash cart. Works well in DeSmuME, except for saving.

Download: Ver 20080307 - fate2_ds.zip (6MB), 3MB Version

Original game by TYPE-MOON
Buy Fate/hollow ataraxia goods at Play-Asia

Featured at: DCEmu.co.uk, GBAtemp, DS-Scene, Akenaide yo~, Byson, EmuZone, NDStuff, Encubed, NDS Freakz, Insert Credit

UPDATE (2008/05/11): Added "3MB Version," which should provide better compatibility with some flash carts, such as the Neo MK5. If you couldn't get this game to work before, please try the 3MB version.

Screenshot:

Snatcher Pilot DS

2008-03-06T00:54:00.001-08:00

Multiple:Option's second DS homebrew release is Snatcher Pilot DS, an adventure game by Konami and an early game of Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid). This game is a demo (hence "Pilot") and is based upon the PC-Engine "Snatcher Pilot Disk," but uses the Sega CD version's assets.

Read the readme.txt for more information.

Requires a DS (obviously) and a flash cart, such as a R4. Mostly works with DS emulators, but there are a few issues.

Download: Ver 20080225 - snatcher_ds.zip (6MB), 3MB Version

Original game by Konami
Buy Snatcher at Play-Asia

Featured at: DCEmu.co.uk, Homebrew Welt, DS Fanboy, DS-Scene, PDRoms, Retro G-NDS, Sniper Notícias, Byson, Insert Credit, NDS Freaks, NewsInside.org, GayGamer,

UPDATE (2008/05/11): Added "3MB Version," which should provide better compatibility with some flash carts, such as the Neo MK5. If you couldn't get this game to work before, please try the 3MB version.

Screenshot:

Same As It Ever Was

2008-03-02T03:43:00.001-08:00

My new film is the follow-up to The Most Powerful Person in the World. It deals with a similar theme: video games aren't the bane of society. While the previous film was a self-described "love letter," promoting the good of games, the new film is a direct response to all the video game critics. The critics argue that games are "bad," but their arguments are the same as the ones that were thrown at music, movies, comics and everything new that the previous generation doesn't (or refuse) to understand.

Featured at: GameSetWatch, The Age, Sumea
Original Post

Pippin Video Blowout! Part 3 & Final Thoughts

2008-02-25T03:20:00.000-08:00

The last of my Pippin videos, today we'll have a look at the CDs that came with the system itself. These aren't particularly interesting (as pack-in discs usually go), but they are worth posting.

The first video is of the PEASE disc. It has a bunch of Mac games and utilities. It's a Mac disc through and through, loading you straight into the MacOS GUI (complete with the Mac boot jigsaw icons, if you know what I'm referring to?) The games are mostly clones (Tetris, Space Invaders) but there are a few original Mac games (shareware, weirdly enough). If you weren't holding the controller, you'd swear you were just looking at an ordinary Mac.

My last video is of the Pippin Title CD-ROM Catalog Vol. 1, which is self-explanatory. Going through the catalog, you'll note that most Pippin titles are edutainment, reflecting its Mac background. Nothing really surprising in terms of games, but it's interesting to see the number of announced titles - far more than I've ever expected or seen (in real life or otherwise). I have no idea whether all of these were actually released or not. Sadly no demos were included on the disc.

Final Thoughts
So, should you get yourself a Pippin? No, unless you are a console collector or a Mac collector. For your average gamer, the Pippin offers no stand-out exclusive titles worth playing. The console is heavy, and the controller is awkward. The hardware and software are difficult to track down, and frankly you'll spend a lot of time for little gain. It isn't worth it.

Don't think I'm completely down on the Pippin though. There are two things I quite like about it:

Internationalized hardware - Not only is the Pippin 100v-240v power capable, it also outputs NTSC/PAL and VGA with a simple switch on the back on the console. Lovely.
Pippin technology licensing - Like the 3DO (though not in reality), the Pippin tech was meant to be licensed to other companies. So we could have had a Sony Pippin, a Sharp Pippin, a Panasonic Pippin, etc. I firmly believe in the tech licensing idea, and hope that one day Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo embrace it whole-heartedly.

And thus ends the tale of the Apple Bandai Pippin Atmark.

Pippin Video Blowout! Part 2

2008-02-24T02:53:00.001-08:00

Part 2 of my Pippin Video Blowout! focuses on the games. Not many were made, and most were of so-so quality. If you can imagine (or remember, if you're old enough) games that were made in the 1990's when the word multimedia was the rage, then you'll know exactly what these were like.

The first video is Racing Days for Pippin (Kitt Peak Inc., 1995-1996). A racing game with a poor framerate, one camera view, two race modes, three tracks and five cars. Pretty bad now, and would not have impressed in 1995, considering Ridge Racer on PS1 was available during the same time period. Does allow the player to repaint the car with the in-game texture editor, which is nice; and also has network play.

The second video is Power Rangers Zeo vs. The Machine Empire (Bandai, 1996). A side-scrolling action game with a poor framerate (again). Live-action FMVs introduce each level, with acting on par with that of the Power Rangers TV show. For an action game, controls are woefully imprecise. Attack animations tend to push you back, causing your punch or kick to fall short of the target. Simply frustrating. Yuk.

The last video is of Gundam Tactics ~Mobility Fleet 0079~ (Bandai, 1996). A strategy game based on Gundam, I have completely no idea how to play it. Granted, it's all in Japanese, but there isn't any obvious "attack" or "defend" buttons. I did manage to move my units, and eventually die, so that's something. Nice pre-rendered attack animations. I suspect it might be a good game, but I'll reserve my judgment until such time as I figure out what's going on.

Next in Part 3: System pack-ins!

Pippin Video Blowout! Part 1

2008-02-24T01:56:00.000-08:00

A bunch of Pippin videos I captured for prosperity. But before that, you ask, what is an Apple Bandai Pippin Atmark? From Wikipedia: "The Apple Pippin was a multimedia platform marketed by Apple Inc. (then Apple Computer Inc.) in the mid 1990s. It was based around a 66-MHz PowerPC 603 processor, a 14.4 kbit/s modem and ran a stripped version of the System 7.5.2. The goal was to create an inexpensive computer aimed mostly at playing CD-based multimedia titles, especially games, but also functioning as a network computer. It featured a 4× CD-ROM drive and a video output that could connect to a standard television monitor."

It was something like this:
Apple = 3DO Company
Bandai = Panasonic
Pippin Atmark = 3DO FZ-1

The first video is the Pippin's boot sequence. Nothing fancy. It repeats until you insert a CD.

The second video is the Pippin's CD player. Looks a lot like the Sega Saturn's CD player, except without the animating starfield or the spaceship. Static and dull, but gets the job done. Note that the Pippin has standard CD buttons (play, stop, etc.) on the hardware itself, so no need to have the TV on and/or use the controller.

Next in Part 2: Games!

Fate/stay night Trial Edition (Abridged for DS)

2008-02-08T01:06:00.001-08:00

My first DS homebrew is an abridged port of the Trial Edition of Fate/stay night, a Japanese visual novel game, as translated into English by insani.

Read the readme.txt for more information.

Requires a DS (obviously) and a flash cart, such as a R4. Works in DeSmuME, except saving.

Download: Ver 20080427 - fate_ds.zip (6MB), 3MB Version

Original game by TYPE-MOON
English demo translation by insani
Buy Fate/stay night at Play-Asia

Featured at DCEmu.co.uk, Byson, NDS Freakz, TehSkeen, PDRoms, Temple Knights, Wii.DS-Scene, TGBus, Otaku.fm, Hobby Blog, Insert Credit

UPDATE (2008/02/16): The game has been downloaded almost 1,000 times! Thanks, but now I'm running out of bandwidth! I've moved the game to Rapidshare and changed the link accordingly. If you want to link to the game, please link to this page in case I need to upload it again!

UPDATE (2008/03/26): Re-uploaded the game to Hyperfileshare.

UPDATE (2008/04/27): Uploaded new version (20080427). Saving, D-Pad control, better navigation and updated engine.

UPDATE (2008/05/11): Added "3MB Version," which should provide better compatibility with some flash carts, such as the Neo MK5. If you couldn't get this game to work before, please try the 3MB version.

Screenshots:

Apple Bandai Pippin Atmark Comparison Pics

2008-02-06T22:34:00.000-08:00

Haven't seen any new ones lately on the web, so I took a few.

An Xbox and a Pippin side by side, like ebony and ivory.

The white Pippin gently mounts the black Xbox in what can only be described as "digital jungle fever."

Controllers side by side. Note the trackball and the button colors, which have been flipped and reversed.

Mario and Kirby

2008-02-01T03:52:00.001-08:00

Mario finds himself in Giant World once again.

Kirby is two pink puyo away from ceasing to exist.

H.Shooter Parade Screensaver

2008-01-28T03:25:00.000-08:00

I whipped up this quick (perhaps cheap and nasty) screen saver featuring a bunch of ships from horizontal shoot'em ups (or shmups, a term I don't really like). They fly across the starfield calmly, as if waiting for you to insert some coins to begin their suicide mission against the enemy armada...

It was made in Flash and runs on XP/Vista, and probably other flavours of Windows. Read the readme.txt for more info and a list of the games I stole from.

Download: Ver 20080201 - h_shooter_parade_screensaver.zip (616KB)

Featured at Insert Credit

Update (20080218): I've changed the download link to Rapidshare due to running out of bandwidth. Please link to this page only in case I need to upload it again.

Transformers Jump!

2008-01-27T03:42:00.000-08:00

A physics and highlight reel from Transformers (Atari, PS2).

Original Post
Featured at Tformers.com

Pip'n Xbox

2008-01-27T03:39:00.000-08:00

I took an old Apple/Bandai Pippin promo video and replaced every reference from Apple to Microsoft. Now it's an Xbox promo video.

Featured on Destructoid

PostPet

2008-01-26T01:31:00.000-08:00

If Thunderbird and Nintendogs had a love child, this would be it. PostPet is a graphical email program where emails are received and delivered by a virtual pet that you take care of. If your friend also has PostPet, their pet will come to your virtual house and deliver the email, and then interact with your pet. Forget to take care of your pet, and it'll get angry, and may even refuse to deliver your emails!

Website (Japanese): http://www.postpet.so-net.ne.jp/
Website (English, discontinued): http://www.postpet.so-net.ne.jp/en/
Design article: http://www.lisahazen.com/samples/postpet.html

CFC Style April 1997

2008-01-26T01:18:00.000-08:00

"Capcom Friendly Club" was Capcom's official fan club which, with annual membership fees, provided members with priority news of upcoming games in form of videos and newsletters/fan-books. "Capcom Friendly Club" had begun in April of 1996, and 12 volumes of newsletters and 12 volumes of promotion video have been released until its discontinuation. The club was discontinued in 2003. (Summary from Google's cache of www.mmcafe.com)

This video is a full capture of the April 1997 edition of "CFC Style" and features short interviews with Shinji Mikami, Keiji Inafune, Yoshiki Okamoto and others; and trailers for Breath of Fire II, Rockman X 4, Bio Hazard 2, and more.

Length: 40 Minutes
Language: Japanese

The Most Powerful Person in the World

2008-01-26T01:09:00.000-08:00

A love letter to video games.

"I guess when games can have memorable collages like this, we know we're getting somewhere with the artform, hm?" - Gamesetwatch

"...something you might see at a high end art museum show on the medium of gaming. Great stuff" - Kotaku

"...the perfect example of why we all love video games so much... It's a very serene piece that is definitely worth your time." - Destructoid

Original Post
Archive.org page with high quality MPEG2 version

Welcome to Multiple:Option

2008-01-26T00:53:00.001-08:00

I wanted to separate my video game-related posts and stuff from my other blog to organize myself. So welcome to Multiple:Option!