The SNES Omnibus Vol. 2 -- NOW AVAILABLE!

The SNES Omnibus: The Super Nintendo and Its Games, Vol. 2 (N–Z) is now available! You can check it out on Amazon, where you can view sample pages, or order a signed copy direct from me (U.S. only) by simply sending $59.98 (includes shipping) via PayPal to brettw105@sbcglobal.net. Or, you can click on the Buy Now button below. I will ship the book right away. Thanks!

Autograph Options

Signed by Author $49.99 USD Unsigned $49.99 USD

The SNES Omnibus Vol. 2 is a fun and informative look at ALL the original Super Nintendo games released in the U.S. starting with the letters N-Z. More than 375 games are featured, including such iconic titles as Star Fox, Super Mario Kart, Super Mario World, Super Metroid, Tetris Attack, and Zombies Ate My Neighbors. Each game, whether obscure or mainstream, is covered in exhaustive detail. In addition to thorough gameplay descriptions, the book includes reviews, fun facts, historical data, quotes from vintage magazines, and, best of all, nostalgic stories about many of the games from programmers, authors, convention exhibitors, video game store owners, YouTube celebs, and other industry insiders. The book also features more than 2,000 full-color images, including box art, cartridges, screenshots, and vintage ads. Plus, there’s a gorgeous centerfold starring your favorite SNES characters. Includes nostalgic stories by such gaming celebs as John Jackson Miller (best-selling author of Star Trek and Star Wars novels), David Warhol (Intellivision programmer), Steve Woita (Genesis and Atari 2600 programmer), Rusel DeMaria (author of SNES strategy guides), Kelsey Lewin (popular YouTuber), John Riggs (popular YouTuber), John Lester (popular YouTuber), and many others.  

You can purchase the first book, The SNES Omnibus: The Super Nintendo and Its Games Vol. 1 (A-M) with FREE SHIPPING (U.S. residents only), by clicking HERE. 

The Five Count Interview with Brett Weiss

I was on the latest episode of The Five Count, a fun pop culture radio show. We had a blast talking Nintendo, The SNES Omnibus, and video games in general. Listen in at the 33:00 mark HERE. 

The Last Star Fighter Prototypes Found

Prototypes for toys based on the The Last Star Fighter, a favorite film among video game fans, have been found. Check them out HERE.

Old School Gamer Magazine #6 -- DIGITAL VERSION FREE

Issue #6 of Old School Gamer Magazine is shipping now. It's a pop culture-theme issue with tons of cool content, including my take on The Death and Return of Superman and Super Star Wars for the Super Nintendo. You can read it for free HERE.

FEATURED IN GAME INFORMER MAGAZINE -- The SNES Omnibus: The Super Nintendo and Its Games, Vol. 1 (A-M)

I was delighted to discover that my new Super Nintendo book, The SNES Omnibus Vol. 1, took the #1 spot in the Fall Reading List in the new issue of Game Informer Magazine. Click on the images for a closer look. You can order a signed copy of The SNES Omnibus direct from me and find out more information on the book HERE.

New Super Nintendo Game Review - Sydney Hunter and the Caverns of Death

Back in 2014, I reviewed CollectorVision’s Sydney Hunter and the Shrines of Peril, a Smurf Rescue in Gargamel’s Castle pastiche for the Intellivision. Now it’s time for Sydney Hunter and the Caverns of Death, an action/adventure title for the Super Nintendo. CollectorVision is an independent company producing games for modern and vintage consoles, and Sydney Hunter, an amiable Indiana Jones-type adventurer and geologist, is basically their mascot.

In this 16-bit expedition, Sydney heads to the South Pacific and explores the mysterious Sundial Island, home of Mount Doom. Deep within Mount Doom are treasures untold and a volcano god who demands human sacrifice. Tempted by a colorful jewel on a pedestal in a cavern within the mountain, Sydney ventures boldly inside, only to get trapped. You must help him gather treasure, battle enemies, and find his way out.

Armed only with a boomerang and a torch (for lighting the way), Sydney must run, jump, and climb through the various caverns, hurling his weapon at bats, frogs, ghosts, firebirds, snails, and spiders. There are also obstacles to avoid, including green slime, dropping water, and ghost flames (which can’t be killed). Tricky jumps will test your dexterity, and you must tread carefully throughout the game because one-hit deaths are the rule of the day—unless you are playing easy mode, where Sydney can find hats along the way. While wearing a hat, Sydney can take an extra hit.

There are no inventory systems to manage, magic potions to mix, weapons to upgrade, or other such complications, meaning some will find the goings a little light for their tastes. However, others will enjoy the simple, pick-up-and-play nature of the game. I find myself in the latter camp, especially since the game is deeper than it appears on the surface. As you make your way through the caverns, you must pick up crystal skulls, diamonds, and golden idols and carry them to specific places to make your way out.

Graphically, the game isn’t oozing with detail, but it does have a pleasant appearance, with a cute protagonist, nice lighting effects, glowing walls, and rising lava (when it’s time to quickly exit the cavern). From an aural standpoint, the music fits the mood nicely. More importantly, the game is fun, it has solid controls, and it presents a fair challenge.

As icing on the cake, the packaging is top-notch, old-school Super Nintendo, with box art by Joe Simko of Garbage Pail Kids trading card fame. If nothing else, the game is a nice stop-gap while we all wait for the highly anticipated Sydney Hunter & The Curse Of The Mayan for the Nintendo Switch, Steam, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.

You can purchase your copy of Sydney Hunter and the Caverns of Death HERE.