Q*Bert is a game that needs no introduction or explaination. It was popular for a variety of reasons and it's been mostly forgotten for a variety of reasons.

If Q*Bert has contributed anything to the history of videogaming it's not the 3D pyramid or the censored cursing but the gameplay of covering territory while being chased. City Connection had it's freeways whilst Q*Bert has it's cubes. At it's core both games are the same, they are just executed differently.

Sometimes the execution of a game can completely blind the player into thinking that they are not playing a clone but rather something new or different. Donkey Kong 3 is a clone of a variety of shooters, most notably Galaga while Popeye is a clone of the gameplay of Pacman. Yet side by side these games do not appear to be anything alike. But when you really analyze it there is no mistake about it... they are all clones of clones.

This industry continues to rehash classics. Earthworm Jim was recently re-released, Sonic 4 is right around the corner, and many more are coming down the pipe. It's amazing that for all of the millions upon millions of dollars going in to game development on the most cutting edge of technology we're still spending our hard earned dollars on games that do not offer any better of an experience than games release two and almost three decades ago. And sadly, side by side, these games require no analysis to find their inspiration because they look and feel the same. Of course if Q*Bert was re-released today it would cost 11 million dollars to develop with a crew of 45 people working six days a week for 18 months and an over priced voice actor to translate *$#! into "Mother F--!" and the consultation from a doctor specializing in reptiles to advise the artists on how a snake might bounce around on the pyramid. Oh and don't forget that Nine Inch Nails is doing the soundtrack and if you preorder the game from Gamestop you'll receive a voucher for the 'cool breeze' skin for the pyramid on XBox live and a poster of Q*Bert for PlayStation home.

There are plenty of Retrogen reviews on the internet and rather than repeat the same garbage of features and functionality of this awesome SEGA Genesis portable, I'll just give you the brass tacks...

BUY IT!

It's very inexpensive, has a better screen than the SEGA Nomad, and a better battery life. It feels solid and delivers an adequate SEGA Genesis experience when you need it. The audio isn't that great but who cares, it's cheap.

Double Dragon for SEGA Master System... It seems many people cite this 8 Bit version of the arcade smash hit as being more faithful to the original vs. the Nintendo NES version. And to some degree this is true if you look at the multi player and nothing else.

Graphically its similar though the Master System version has more colors but less detail. The moves seem more arbitrary and in many cases more difficult to pull off than it's NES counter part.

But everything is there including the correct music, plus the added bonus of a third enemy on the screen (the NES version never had more than two on the screen at the same time).

There is one more thing that the Master System version has that I have yet to notice in any of the home conversions... Spike and Hammer. These were the names of the characters in the arcade version and the arcade art featured tattoos of a spike and a hammer. Well the box art of the SEGA Master system clearly shows 'Billy and Jimmy' with the tattoos!

Sure, your character is a simple stick figure who can run and shoot in 8 directions.  You can die if you are hit by a bullet, wall, robot, or Otto (smiley face).  The robots are not very bright and there is a pattern to the mazes.  So what is so great about that?  Plenty.

First of all the Berzerk inspires the imagination.  I've said it a million times that less is more, and in the case of Berzerk the possibilities are limitless.  With almost no story to go by the player cannot help but create their own.  Is the maze a prison, or perhaps a space station?  Was your character sent there, or left behind?  Did you create these robots or did someone else?

Also consider this formula for game design:  Simplicity + Randomness = Infinite Gameplay.  What does this mean exactly?  Well consider a game such as "The Legend Of Zelda".  I mention this game specifically because the dungeon levels are very similar to playing Berzerk (up to four possible exits per room, random obstacles in the room, enemies try to kill you, and you can shoot (stab) enemies).  But the game play is linear.  You have a very specific story to follow.  Complete a dungeon, obtain items that will help you with the next dungeon, kill the boss, pick up the next piece of the Triforce.  Is there a randomness to The Legend of Zelda?  A little.  The enemies move in random patterns.  So does this mean that The Legend of Zelda has Infinite Gameplay?  No, because you have a specific objective to complete the game.  Berzerk on the other hand is so simple, and the randomness of the robots guarantee that no two games are going to be exact.

Berzerk in design was probably a precursor to many other games that fit a similar gameplay.  Robotron.  SmashTV.  Xybots.  Even Wolfenstein is basically Berzerk, but '3D'.  Suppose Berzerk was simultaneously multi-player... then it might be considered a precursor to many of the modern FPS's that are so popular today.

First up was the Gate of Thunder, Bonk's Adventure, Bonk's Revenge Disc.  It worked perfectly but I forgot how to access Bomberman... oops...

I used modified SEGA Genesis AV cables to get the picture.  The sound wasn't working because the pinouts are different from the Genesis, but the picture was perfect (the photo shows scan lines which are unavoidable when taking a photo with my phone).  Ahh Bonk's Revenge... how I missed you!

Ninja Spirit caused me another heart attack.  I inserted her into the card slot and... and... nothing.  Just a white screen.  I took it out and examined the pins.  They looked perfect but I wiped them down to be sure.  I tried it again and it still had a white screen.  Then again.  Then again.  Then I slid the CD-Rom lock and it started up fine.  I believe thats a coincidence as I don't remember the CD-Rom lock as being the trigger to start HuCard games.  In anycase, it worked perfectly.

But I've been a neglectful jerk and my TurboDuo has really shown its age and neglect.  Grime and dust caked the unit...

But she cleaned up nicely.  Now it'll be the challenge to keep her this clean.

And finally some TurboDuo games and manuals.  Looks like I'm missing the manual to Gate of Thunder and Vigilante, and the case to Tricky Kick, but it looks as though I have the manuals for the rest.  Galaga '90 and Side Arms is complete including the plastic sleaves inside the case.

The TurboDuo plays best with a good supply of Taco Bell... well, thats what I remember sustaining on while playing the TurboDuo... dozens upon dozens of tacos!

I dug up all of my Turbo Duo games to see if it still works... The system fires up. Lets try some games!

Caztro72 (real name Anthony) is an avid "YouTuber" who often posts videos showing his video game finds from various thrift stores. With great enthusiasm he parades the items he's purchased, how much they cost him, and an estimate of what they are worth (from Digit Press). Clearly he has obtained a wealth of knowledge and experience thrifting so we've reached out to him to gain his insight and advice.  Enjoy...

How long have you been using thrift stores for video game finds, and do you recall what the first gaming item that you found?
I've been using thrift stores as a means of finding classic video games since GameStop dropped the 8 and 16-bit bargain bins from their stores. This may have been 8 years ago! I believe the first thrift store game I found was Starship Hector for the NES.

How frequently do you visit thrift stores and do you have a specific routine in looking for items?
I usually visit a thrift store once a week, sometimes on a Wednesday morning or Thursday afternoon. I believe the middle of the week is the best time to search these stores as most product from the back rooms have been processed by then and are available for sale. I tend to check behind the main counter before I search the sales floor as most thrift shops consider video games too valuable to be left alone on the regular shelves.

What item are you most proud to have purchased from a thrift store and why?
Hmmm...tough question. I found a Namco Arcade Joystick for the PS1 for 7 dollars at the Unique Thrift Store (my main thrifting store). That was an unusual find. I don't know who would have donated that stick as they are uncommon and are compatible with PS2. Yes, I'm proud to have found that particular item! LOL!

What about regretful purchases? Do you have any of those?
Oh my! Yes! My collection has gotten to a point where I accidentally buy doubles of games I already own! Just recently I found Shadowgate for the NES at a Salvation Army Thrift. I purchased it thinking that I didn't own the game. Turns out that I did. Oh well! LOL!

Do you have limits on what you collect and why?
I tend to limit myself in terms of money. Collectors are usually frugal by nature. I try not to buy cartridges over 5 bucks. I also never buy PC games. I just don't find them collectible. I'm really just a console guy! (Sorry to all you PC fans out there! LOL!)

You seem to have a mixture in gaming tastes, from old to new. Do you have a preference of retro gaming over modern, or vice versa?
Great question. I have a preference for retro more than modern. I started going back to 8 and 16-bit games just as PS2, Xbox, and GameCube were leading the revolution. Long, drawn out story lines, and 3D graphics just don't make a game for me. I enjoy simple 2D gaming that you can pick up and play with not a lot of commitment. I also prefer the simple 8 and 16-bit ditties over today's orchestrated music.

What are your thoughts on classic games being re-released on modern consoles like the PSN? Do you feel it diminishes the collecting hobby?
Tough question. Well, I think retro downloads keep the classics alive. So in that respect I am in favor of Virtual Console and the like. And let's face it, many gamers aren't going to search out original hardware and software to play the classics when they can just download. True collectors will always search out the original carts no matter what. So these downloads are a nice alternative that I don't think hurt the hardcore collector.

If you had to pick just one what is your favorite all time video-game?
That is a tough one! I would have to go with Taito's BUBBLE BOBBLE. I think it captures the essence of what a video game should be. Simple play mechanics that require an amount of skill to master, coupled with dozens of levels, quirky game music, fun game play, and lovable characters!

What made you decide to start talking about your classic games collection and thrifting experiences on Youtube?
I had originally created a YouTube account to upload a video from my vacation in Europe. Then I started to see gaming channels that other people had created. Echo036 in particular had inspired me to start talking about my video game collecting habits. Love his channel!

What gaming websites do you frequent?
I'm not much for surfing the video game sites. I actually subscribe to Nintendo Power, Playstation Magazine, The Official Xbox Magazine, and Game Informer. I like print!! But when I feel like surfing I check out Digital Press' site and IGN.com.

Is there anyone you want to do a shout-out to?
Big shout out to Echo036! He was the first guy to comment on my earliest videos! And his channel inspired me to build mine! http://www.youtube.com/user/echo036

Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
To all my subscribers out there I humbly thank you for all your support!! Happy gaming!!

I want to thank Caztro72 for sharing his time with us.  Check out his YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/Caztro72

I once believed that Gun.Smoke was the most creative shooter ever made where by you are a human and not an aircraft. Boy was I wrong. Mercenary Force for Nintendo Gameboy has squashed that perception.

Review and praises for this game coming soon!

What is your best/favorite find from a thrift store?

The best thing I ever found personally was a whole stack of boxed NES launch games -- with the original round seal stickers and Famicom adapters inside -- for $2 each. There was also a boxed Final Fight 3 in there. That was a pretty fantastic day.

My parents also found a boxed Vectrex with a light pen and tons of boxed games for $100 about a year ago. Everything together is worth more like $800.

How frequently do you thrift, and do you have a routine when you go?

I used to go every weekend, and yes, I had a routine -- there's a way to hit basically every Goodwill and Salvation Army in the city by looping up around through the Haight, the Mission, downtown and then back through the Richmond. These days I have a lot more to do on the weekends, so it's catch-as-catch-can.

Cool stuff eh?  The rest of the questions he answered can be found here: http://www.formspring.me/kobunheat

And the Game Life section of Wired magazine can be found here: http://www.wired.com/gamelife/

In case you are wondering the third question was about the Classic Gaming Expo...