LRG sent me SNES Doom with the FX 3 chip early...to prove they are changing their ways?

VGEsoterica

Member
Honestly when I got the email I was very surprised as my "reporting on" track record with Limited Run games hasn't exactly been positive. I just stuck to the facts of the matter but it's not like I was making videos that were glowing in any way shape or form. But why not? If they really did hire new employees to fix the tech processes behind their cart based games and try and do the right thing seemed fair to give them a shot

and before you say it...yes I am aware that one game does not a track record make and obviously LRG was aware they had done things the right way with Doom and clearly want to show off their new tech, especially to some people who a) had not been super kind on their previous releases and b) had enough knowledge to point out the hardware, its function and how this PCB had been gone over with a fine tooth comb and even enlisted the help of Bitmap Bureau

If every game they release after this has the same quality that would be a hell of a turn around and I do hope it happens

 
Seems like LRG knows people hate them, but it will take more than just this to fix their reputation. They can start by not shipping the games with bum ass quality like CDRs, or over a year late for no good reason.
 
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Seems like LRG knows people hate them, but it will take more than just this to fix their reputation. They can start by not shipping the games with bum ass quality like CDRs, or over a year late for no good reason.
If they make this their new quality standard and deliver it consistently they could claw back some reputation. But it has to be the "new normal" for them. The next cart release can't go back to recycled parts
 
Good to see they're at least trying. Sadly it means they're only resorting to this because the first attempt of just ripping everyone off didn't work so well. Product looks good, there's just something greasy about sending those guys money.
 
Thanks for sharing this VGEsoterica VGEsoterica your content is always greatly appreciated.

I have a hate hate relationship with LRG...but I also admit I am part of the problem.
I purchased stuff from them religiously and at first thought "Oh its so great that there is a cottage industry around releasing traditionally non physical games on physical media".

Then the grossness of their popularity sat in and I became mostly bitter about the future. When you have folks like this that will pay to license the ability to physically release titles that almost removes any of the need for major publishers to do the same thing. BUT THEN you pile on that their practices of using used hardware and very VERY inferior cd media for their releases that cost $$$ or more and it turns into a shit show.

Anyway, this update would be great for doom, especially if that means I can get my hands on the the boards they are using for the carts and have the ability to flash them with physical hardware support for FX "stuff".
 
im out of the loop, why the hate for limited run games (not defending, i have zero opinion but am completely uninformed on this topic)?
They fired their community manager because she tweeted that she was looking forward to Hogwarts Legacy, and they kowtowed to the Resetera crowd


Fuck them.
 
I'm trying to figure out where all the vitriol for them comes from?

I've never ordered anything from them, but I've seen a couple of cool things pop up over the years that they've advertised as coming.

Is it cheaply made? Not whats advertised in their initial posts? I'm just trying to figure out(beyond the Ree thing, which I understand the ridiculousness of their actions there) what's up with them
 
I'm trying to figure out where all the vitriol for them comes from?

I've never ordered anything from them, but I've seen a couple of cool things pop up over the years that they've advertised as coming.

Is it cheaply made? Not whats advertised in their initial posts? I'm just trying to figure out(beyond the Ree thing, which I understand the ridiculousness of their actions there) what's up with them
Well, order from them and you might find out why people hate them
 
Is it cheaply made?
Yes. In some cases they used off the shelf (like...of the shelf at Walmart/Big Lots) CDR discs for some of their releases and a lot of their gameboy games were just reflashed used carts.

I am fine with re-flashed carts when I'm fucking around with home brew but I was super pissed to pay $150 for a re-flashed GB release in 2023 (or 2022...cannot remember)
 
I'm trying to figure out where all the vitriol for them comes from?

I've never ordered anything from them, but I've seen a couple of cool things pop up over the years that they've advertised as coming.

Is it cheaply made? Not whats advertised in their initial posts? I'm just trying to figure out(beyond the Ree thing, which I understand the ridiculousness of their actions there) what's up with them

 
Honestly when I got the email I was very surprised as my "reporting on" track record with Limited Run games hasn't exactly been positive. I just stuck to the facts of the matter but it's not like I was making videos that were glowing in any way shape or form. But why not? If they really did hire new employees to fix the tech processes behind their cart based games and try and do the right thing seemed fair to give them a shot

and before you say it...yes I am aware that one game does not a track record make and obviously LRG was aware they had done things the right way with Doom and clearly want to show off their new tech, especially to some people who a) had not been super kind on their previous releases and b) had enough knowledge to point out the hardware, its function and how this PCB had been gone over with a fine tooth comb and even enlisted the help of Bitmap Bureau

If every game they release after this has the same quality that would be a hell of a turn around and I do hope it happens



confused-no.gif
 
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So FX3 is a RPi chip eh? Guess I shouldn't be too surprised, but I guess that's where we are with reproducing non-commodity parts. Still cool. I'd like to see an upgraded Star Fox 1. Heck, I'd like to see some sprite level scaling/rotating applied to old games.
 
Appreciate it. I'm just hoping people can hang with a tech review of their new pcb from me. I was as surprised as anyone to get the email asking where they could send the prototype
I will give it a watch since it's an interesting topic.

LRH is still the same shady company unfortunately.
 
Just think how easily Nintendo could reopen SNES to developers and do digital-only for new SNES games.
Every Switch can play SNES games and the audience is already in place.
A large percentage of those games would be SNES exclusives.
ROI on new SNES games would be much better than ROI on new Switch games.
It's incredible that Nintendo hasn't been doing this since the Wii and doesn't own a massive chunk of modern independent gaming as a result.
 
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Just think how easily Nintendo could reopen SNES to developers and do digital-only for new SNES games.
Every Switch can play SNES games and the audience is already in place.
ROI on new SNES games would likely be much better than ROI on new Switch games.
Being the lowest cost platform in terms of development time and money would give them an advantage over UE.
It's incredible that Nintendo hasn't been doing this since the Wii and doesn't own a massive chunk of modern independent gaming as a result.
Developing games on SNES is hard and limited. The guy who programmed the SNES Doom is a genius and a lunatic.

It's easier to develop a modern SNES-style game using a modern engine than it is to develop on a SNES.
 
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Fuck LRG or support Randel Linden Canadian Legend. Tough choice. I have a lot of respect for Linden and all he has accomplished, truly one of the greats. Based on videos out there it really seems that LRG took this one seriously, going all out with some quality. Time to dust off the Super NT.

Just a reality check, it's 2025 and we are getting a SNES (re-master) release. It's crazy times.
 
Small studios are making unlicensed SNES games all the time and Nintendo could easily make an improved modern SNES SDK.
I don't think the SNES homebrew scene is that big... especially compared to Genesis.

In any case I don't see the point. No matter what, it's still harder than making a Switch game. You can make a SNES style game much easier with less limitations (on sprites, on art, on CPU, on music especially) on Switch.
 
So FX3 is a RPi chip eh? Guess I shouldn't be too surprised, but I guess that's where we are with reproducing non-commodity parts. Still cool. I'd like to see an upgraded Star Fox 1. Heck, I'd like to see some sprite level scaling/rotating applied to old games.
Its new developed code being run via the Pi chip. Which honestly is the only way you could do it today. Manufacturing custom ASICs for it could be done but then the carts would probably be $200+
 
I think the take away here is that VGE gets more love than LRG and should probably just start his own classic games business as he knows what people want and would be a more honest businessman.
 
I only have one LRG product, which is the physical version of Command & Conquer Remastered Collection. And I thought it was neat. But maybe having EA breathing at your neck was one of the reasons why it was neat.
 
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