David Thatcher

@giraffecat

I make video games, as Giraffe Cat! I made The Sirena Expedition, which is out on Steam and Nintendo Switch:

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David Thatcher@giraffecat· 1h

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is San Francisco Rush 2049 for the Dreamcast. This version's much more affordable than the N64 release, which goes for upwards of £600.

The back cover of San Francisco Rush 2049 for the Dreamcast. There are three screenshots of the game down the right side, and blurbs in three languages; English, Italian and Spanish.

The inside of San Francisco Rush 2049 for the Dreamcast, showing the manual and the disc.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· 7d

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Phantom Brave for the PS2. I got this shortly after playing a bunch of Disgaea, and was really into it for a while, but then I just stopped playing for some reason. All I remember is that you can pick up and throw trees. And maybe the trees can level up? Unclear.

The front cover of Phantom Brave for the PS2. It features the two primary characters, and the blurb, "Buy it for God's Sake!" from www.Eurogamer.net.

The back cover of Phantom Brave for the PS2, featuring the tagline, "Imagination knows no limit..." and three fairly opaque screenshots.

The inside of Phantom Brave for the PS2, showing the manual and the game disc.

The second disc of Phantom Brave for the PS2, a CD containing the soundtrack.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· 21d

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Gran Turismo Concept 2002 Tokyo-Geneva. Released shortly after Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec, it's the only game to feature the Toyota Pod concept car.

The front cover for Gran Turismo Concept 2002 Tokyo-Geneva. It's blue.

The back cover for Gran Turismo Concept 2002 Tokyo-Geneva. There are screenshots showing a number of cars, including the Toyota Pod.

The inside of Gran Turismo Concept 2002 Tokyo-Geneva, showing the manual and the disc.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Jul 25

#RandomGameSaturday this week is ToeJam & Earl for the Mega Drive. Generally considered the first Roguelite games, its sequel, Panic on Funkotron puts the duo in a much more conventional platformer.

The cover of ToeJam & Earl for the Mega Drive. It is filled with the titular aliens, one of whom is eating a hot dog, and the other of whom is wearing hip hop gear modelled after Flava Flav.

The back cover of ToeJam & Earl for the Mega Drive. It contains four screenshots and a blurb in 8 different languages that outlines the plot but does little to describe the gameplay.

The inside of ToeJam & Earl for the Mega Drive, showing the manual and the cartridge, both of which feature the cover art.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Jul 18

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is one of my favourites, ICO. I'm not sure why I have the art cards for this; I never managed to get the limited edition release (Found a copy of it in Virgin back in 2002, but when I took it to the counter they didn't have the disc for it). Not complaining though!

The cover of ICO for the PS2. It features a beautiful painting of the two main characters running through a yellow landscape under a blue-green sky.

The back cover of ICO for the PS2. There are three small screenshots and a large render of ICO and Yorda holding hands by the edge of a cliff. The blurb reads, "A cursed boy, lost in a place of shadows. A young girl, consumed by sorrow and loneliness."

The inside of ICO for the PS2, showing the manual on the left and the disc on the right. The cover of the manual is the same as the game's front cover.

Four art cards from ICO for the PS2. As far as I'm aware they only came with the limited edition release that came in a cardboard case, but this is not the version I have. So where did they come from?

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Jul 4

I've missed a few weeks, but this week's #RandomGameSaturday is Frontier: Elite II for the Atari ST, as I've been playing a lot of Elite: Dangerous recently.

Frontier: Elite II for the Atari ST. Paid out are the front and back of the box, both disks (game disk and and data disk), a registration postcard, the manual (written by Kathy Dickinson), Stories of Life on the Frontier, a Gazeteer, an erratum page, and a quick-start guide.

A large map of some of the main star systems in Frontier: Elite II. This map has been folded and unfolded many times, as I would have pored over it as a kid.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Jun 13

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Spiral Wave for the PC Engine! It's like if Galaxy Force II was a JRPG, and it's a mad thing to have been made.

The back cover of Spiral Wave for the PC Engine. Unlike most PC Engine games, there are screenshots of the game here, and a text blurb.

The inside of Spiral Wave for the PC Engine, showing the back of the manual on the left and the HuCard on the right. The back of the manual is an advert for Toilet Kids.

Two pages from the inside of the manual for Spiral Wave for the PC Engine. The left page details some of the game's characters. It's not clear from the photo, but the manual is very slight, only having about 8 pages to explain the game to players. It doesn't feel like a lot!

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Jun 9

Lot going on here

A flyer in a bus station that reads:

SECRET BEYBLADE RAVE

£50 PRIZE

FREE PIZZA AND TENZING WITH £3 ENTRY

18+!!!

Live DnB and Beyblade from 7:30pm till 11pm under the bridge on Longholme Way, no heroin! Dress code: historical fancy dress.

FOLLOW @BEDFORD_BEYBLADE

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Jun 6

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2! Apparently the 'Free Gift' inside is a sheet of Hello Kitty stickers, but my copy didn't come with them.

The front cover of Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2. Hello Kitty features in the centre wearing roller skates, surrounded by the supporting characters, all of whom are much smaller. There is a circle proclaiming a 'FREE GIFT INSIDE'.

The back cover of Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2. There are three screenshots, a floating Hello Kitty head, and a lot of text outlining the story and the game's features, including that both Hello Kitty and Badtz Maru are playable characters.

Inside the box of Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2, showing the disc and the manual. Hello Kitty features prominently on both.

The first page of the manual for Hello Kitty Roller Rescue for the PS2. There is a table of contents, and an outline of the game's story, which is as follows:

"King Block dreamt of conquering the universe, but alas he always ended up failing, and was made fun of by others in his galaxy.

"He left Planet Block in search of another planet to conquer, he hoped to be victorious and return to Planet Block with honour.

"On his quest for victory he came across planet Earth, he had found his next target and set out on his goal to turn Earth into a perfect cube.

"WHAT? A PERFECT CUBE?

"How boring would our lives be if everything, including ourselves, were turned into blocks?

"HELLO KITTY!

"It's about time to pick up your magic wand, skate your way into danger and drive the clumsy Cube Battalion away from Earth!"

David Thatcher@giraffecat· May 30

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Silent Hill 4: The Room for the Xbox.

The front cover of Silent Hill 4: The Room for the Xbox. It's all artsy.

The back cover of Silent Hill 4: The Room for the Xbox. There is a red block of text that reads, "This game contains scenes of graphic violence and should not be played by people of a nervous disposition".

Inside the box of Silent Hill 4: The Room for the Xbox, showing the disc and the manual.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· May 23

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Thoroughbred Breeder for the Super Famicom. I couldn't really resist this one for its cover!

The front cover of Thoroughbred Breeder for the Super Famicom, showing and adult horse and a foal in a green field. It is good.

The back cover of Thoroughbred Breeder for the Super Famicom. There are six screenshots, one of which shows an exciting-looking race, and the rest either show horses standing in a field, or some fairly dry-looking menus.

Two pages from the manual for Thoroughbred on the Super Famicom. The right page has a drawing of a horse, and a screenshot of two horses seemingly having a bubble-bath.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· May 16

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is the Japan-only PS1 release, Jingle Cats. Based on a series of mid-'90s albums of Christmas songs made from samples of cats, the game sees you trying to make the various cats like each other.

The front cover of Jingle Cats for the PS1. It features a collection of MS-Paint style drawings of cats that are reminiscent of the mobile game Neko Atsume.

The back cover of Jingle Cats for the PS1. There are five screenshots from the game, showing off the colourful hand-drawn style.

The manual and disc from Jungle Cats for the PS1. The cover of the manual features headshots of either of the cats from the game, and is very brightly-coloured.

Two pages from the manual for Jingle Cats for the PS1. They features profiles of 6 of the game's cats.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Apr 25

#RandomGameSaturday for this week is Lumines II for the PSP. Building on the success of the first game, Q? managed to license some slightly bigger artists for the sequel. Along with this listed on the box were Fatboy Slim, The Go! Team and... Hoobastank?

The front cover of Lumines 2 for the PSP, looking all orange and arty.

The back cover of Lumines 2 for the PSP. It features three screenshots of the game, and lists the featured artists as: The Black Eyed Peas, Chemical Brothers, Beck, Junior Senior, Gwen Stefani, 'and other popular artists'.

Inside the box of Lumines 2 for the PSP, showing the manual and the UMD.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Apr 18

I missed a couple of weekends, but this weekend's #RandomGameSaturday is Mario Power Tennis for the GameCube!

The front cover of Mario Power Tennis for the GameCube. Mario, Bowser, Yoshi, Diddy Kong and Boo are depicted playing Tennis.

The back cover of Mario Power Tennis for the GameCube. There are four screenshots from the game, and down the right side are a selection of the playable characters. The blurb reads, 'Power UP Your Tennis Game!'

The manual of Mario Power Tennis for the GameCube, along with the disc.

Two pages from the manual for Mario Power Tennis for the GameCube, showing the Speed Players (Yoshi, Diddy Kong and Koppa Troopa), the Defensive Players (Waluigi), and the Tricky Players (Boo and Bowser Jr.).

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Mar 28

I'm in Ireland again, so this week's #RandomGameSaturday is Sonic Advance for the Gameboy Advance, which I just happened to bring with me.

The cartridge for Sonic Advance for the Gameboy Advance.

The title screen of Sonic Advance, running on a modded orange and black GBA.

A shot from the intro of Sonic Advance, showing Dr. Robotnik, running on a modded orange and black GBA.

A shot from the attract demo from Sonic Advance, showing Sonic running along a beach, running on a modded orange and black GBA.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Mar 14

Today's rather late #RandomGameSaturday is Taito's Don Doko Don for the PC Engine! This single-screen platformer occupies the same genre as Bubble Bobble and Parasol Stars, and has similar mechanics to the latter, where you can hit enemies to stun them and then throw them at other enemies.

The front cover of Don Doko Don for the PC. Engine. It features a clay model of a little gnome guy dressed in red and carrying a wooden mallet.

The HuCARD for Don Doko Don for the PC Engine. It is about the size of a credit card, slightly thicker, and features the same cover art as the front of the box.

Two pages from the manual for Don Doko Don for the PC Engine. These contain the game's story, and feature two illustrations, one of the two gnome-like protagonists, and another of a slightly troubled-looking princess saying "JIM AND BOB HELP ME!"

Two more pages from the manual for Don Doko Don for the PC Engine. These two detail all of the game's enemies, which include mushrooms, rabbits, kings, dragons and caterpillars.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Mar 12

I think you're right, and it's a juvenile rook! The bill is particularly pointed, more than a carrion crow's would be. Other than that, they look very similar!

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Mar 7

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is basically just the latest game I bought, War of the Monsters for the PS2, given that I just cleaned it up this morning.

The front cover of War of the Monsters for the PS2, showing a gigantic gorilla fighting a gigantic red-and-blue mech.

The back cover of War of the Monsters for the PS2, showing three screenshots of action and a series of bullet points describing the game.

Two pages from the manual for War of the Monsters for the PS2, headlined 'TIMELINE TO DESTRUCTION?' and detailing the game's story.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Feb 21

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 for the Dreamcast. I've been thinking about this game a lot recently, and how, because of the fact the Dreamcast can output VGA at a crisp 640x480, this version is the best way to play the game outside of the arcade original.

The cover of Marvel Vs Capcom 2 for the Dreamcast. This release features hand-drawn cover art showing about 13 characters from the game's roster of 56.

The back cover of Marvel Vs Capcom 2 for the Dreamcast. Along the right side are three small screenshots, and the majority of the cover is taken up by a 4-bullet-point blurb in 5 different languages.

The inside of Marvel Vs Capcom 2 for the Dreamcast, showing the manual on the left and the disc on the right.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Feb 14

Yeah! As with Gran Turismo, I think it was the reflections that made it feel realistic; Total NBA has a really good shiny court effect. I remember being impressed by the photographic face textures as well, though I don't think they hold up quite as well.

A screenshot from Total NBA '97 for the PS1 with a very reflective court.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Feb 14

Today's #RandomGameSaturday is Total NBA '97 for the PS1. I remember thinking this game looked photo-realistic as a teenager. This version came in a cardboard case with real* basketball rubber on the front of it! *Probably

The front cover of the cardboard box edition of Total NBA '97 for PS1. Is it a blue box with orange basketball rubber on the front of it.

The back cover of the cardboard box edition of Total NBA '97. Is it in a blue box, and there are 3 screenshots on it

The inside of Total NBA '97 for the PS1. The inside of the box features some basketballmen, and the disc is made to look like a basketball.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Feb 9

Here I am in the valley between Games Industry Professionals and Creative Technologists, next to Danny Elfman (!?).

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Jan 31

He's a close-up of the Aibo boxout. It mentions how Aibo can talk to you and give you hints. Full translation in the alt-text!

The Aibo boxout from the back of the box of DekaVoice for the PS2. Translated, this reads:

"Playing together with AIBO makes things even more fun! It will talk to you and give you hints according to the game scenario.

Now, join forces with AIBO and begin your investigation!

To play with AIBO, you need to download the software (free of charge) from the AIBO website.

Compatible models: ERS-310 series/31L, ERS-210/220 series

"AIBO" and "Memory Stick" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation."

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Jan 31

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is the obscure Japan-only PS2 game, DekaVoice. It's a detective game that makes use of a USB mic (or ASCII's Seaman controller) for interrogating people. It's also the only game with Aibo support! You can make Sony's robot dog play the part of the in-game dog, Ryan.

The front cover of DekaVoice for the PS2. It features protagonist Steven Hayward and his dog Ryan, shot from a dramatic low angle and rendered in a cel-shaded style.

The back cover of DekaVoice for the PS2. There are several small screenshots from the game, some explosion bubbles describing the game's features, and a small box explaining the Aibo compatibility.

Inside the box of DekaVoice for the PS2, showing the manual on the left, and the disc on the right. The front of the manual is an image of a wooden chair.

Two pages from inside the manual of DekaVoice for the PS2, showing a description of the controls. The left page shows the layout for the DualShock2 controller, and the right page shows the layout for the ASCII SeaMic controller.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Jan 24

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is arguably the best racing game on the PS1: Ridge Racer Type 4! I spent the entire summer before starting university in 1999 completing Grand Prix mode the 100+ times required to unlock the Pac-Man car. Pictured here with Andy Kelly's R4 fanzine, One More Win.

The PAL release of Ridge Racer Type 4 for the PlayStation, sitting on a desk next to a copy of Andy Kelly's fanzine, One More Win.

The back cover of Ridge Racer Type 4 for the PS1. There are two columns of screenshots down the left side showcasing the game's muted in-game colour palette, in contrast with the orange and black colour scheme of its menus. Reiko Nagase features.

The inside of Ridge Racer Type 4 for the PS1, showing the game disc and the Ridge Racer Hi-Spec Demo disc that came with it, along with the manual. The One More Win fanzine is open to two pages showing dramatic high-resolution screenshots from the game.

A two-page spread from the One More Win fanzine, showing a close-up of one of the game's cars in the Pac Racing Club's red and yellow livery. Underneath the game case is open, showing the manual and the Hi-Spec Demo disc again.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Jan 17

#RandomGameSaturday is three games: Bubsy & Bubsy II for the Mega Drive, and Bubsy 3D for the PS1! I finally picked up a copy of the Mega Drive sequel today, completing the set.

Two Mega Drive games, Bubsy and Bubsy II, and underneath them Bubsy 3D for the PlayStation.

The front cover of Bubsy for the Mega Drive, with the cartridge and manual laid out next to it. There's some pretty whacky foreshortening going on on Bubsy's right hand.

The front cover of Bubsy II for the Mega Drive, with the cartridge and manual laid out next to it Bubsy looks happy, but also a bit stoned.

A weirdly pristine copy of Bubsy 3D for the PlayStation. The manual is shiny and untouched, and a cursed 3D render of Bubsy features on both it and the front cover.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Jan 10

Because I'm in Ireland, #RandomGameSaturday is just something I picked up at CeX: 1080° Snowboarding for the N64!

The front cover of 1080° Snowboarding for the N64, showing a snowboarder doing a sweet grab. The box is in good condition.

The back cover of 1080° Snowboarding for the N64. "Take home all the speed and excitement of real snowboarding action!" The game clearly aims to be a realistic depiction of the sport, in contrast to what SSX would do a few years later.

The cartridge for 1080° Snowboarding for the N64.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Jan 5

It's the last 7ish hours of the Steam Winter Sale, so why not add The Sirena Expedition to your cart? It's £1.49, and it contains: - A mysterious facility under the sea. - Eyes. - Lots of low-res rusty textures. - Eyes. - A big secret. - Nice music! - Eyes? store.steampowered.com/app/1957300/...

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Jan 3

A slightly newer one for #RandomGameSaturday. Except that it's a collection of old ones! Looking forward to digging into this collection of Jeff Minter's early work next week.

The front cover of Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story for the Nintendo Switch. It is suitably psychedelic.

The back cover of Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story for the Nintendo Switch. It's still pretty psychedelic.

The cart for Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story. For something so small, it's pretty psychedelic.

David Thatcher@giraffecat· Dec 27

This week's #RandomGameSaturday is R-Type Tactics for the PSP. This is the Special Edition, but I believe two of the art cards are missing from it. Not bad for £12 from CeX though!