Author | Lightnews

Sean Carolan

Sean Carolan

@sean.carolan.io

110 followers 46 following 180 posts

🪴Gardener in Upstate NY

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Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 5h

Weee! Asian supermarket delivers everything! 🦊 #shibainu

A Shiba Inu in a cardboard box

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 19h

I like big shrooms and I cannot lie. This is Stropharia rugosoannulata, aka garden giant. They were cultivated outside on a pile of wood chips. #fungifriends 🍄

A huge wine cap mushroom, hand for size

A dinner plate sized garden giant mushroom

Garden giant mushrooms

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 2d

The excitement of finding the latest issue in your mailbox or at the newsstand was unmatched. Who remembers frantically flipping to the back for cheat codes?

What was your favorite gaming magazine?

https://www.retromags.com/magazines/usa/nintendo-power/

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 2d

* GamePro (1989-2011): Famous for its ProTips and cartoon mascot
* PC Gamer (1993-present): The definitive source for PC gaming with demo discs
* GameFan (1992-2000): Known for its passionate writing style and beautiful layouts

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 2d

Some legendary magazines include:
* Nintendo Power (1988-2012): Nintendo's official magazine with exclusive content and memorable cover art
* Electronic Gaming Monthly (1989-present): Known for its multiple reviewer format and April Fool's jokes

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 2d

📚 #retrogaming Throwback Thursday - Gaming Magazines 🎮
Before the internet, gaming magazines were essential sources of news, reviews, and cheat codes. These monthly publications shaped gaming culture and built anticipation for upcoming releases.

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 9d

What's the most memorable arcade cabinet you've ever played?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcade_cabinet

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 9d

* Star Wars' sit-down cockpit with authentic yoke controller
* After Burner's moving cockpit that tilted with your flight maneuvers

When home consoles became dominant, many unique control schemes couldn't be replicated, making these arcade experiences truly special.

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 9d

* Defender's horizontal controls with an imposing array of buttons
* Tempest's distinctive color vector display and spinning controller
* Discs of Tron's semi-enclosed booth with blacklight effects
* Dragon's Lair's LaserDisc-based animation that stunned players

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 9d

🎮 #retrogaming Throwback Thursday - Classic Arcade Cabinets 🕹️
Many of us discovered video games at arcades, where unique cabinet designs were part of the experience.

Some iconic cabinet designs include:

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 16d

What shareware games did you play? Did you ever register any?

https://archive.org/details/best-of-the-best-vol-2

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 16d

* One Must Fall: 2097 (1994): A deep robot fighting game with tournament and story modes
* Tyrian (1995): Epic MegaGames' vertical shooter with extensive ship customization

The "Please register if you enjoy this game!" message was familiar to PC gamers everywhere.

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 16d

* Doom (1993): The first episode "Knee-Deep in the Dead" spread like wildfire
* Commander Keen (1990): id Software's platformer series that helped establish the model
* Jazz Jackrabbit (1994): Epic Games' colorful answer to Sonic the Hedgehog

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 16d

This "try before you buy" model helped indie developers bypass traditional publishers and reach gamers directly through BBS systems, magazine demo discs, and shareware collections.

Iconic shareware games:

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 16d

💿 #retrogaming Throwback Thursday - Shareware Games 🕹️
Before digital distribution, shareware was revolutionary - giving players the first episode free, hoping they'd pay for the rest.

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 16d

No...no...noooooo!

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 22d

I've learned to not wander outside my curated feed...😬

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 23d

* SimCity 2000 (1993) - Secret llama references throughout the game including the infamous "Llama Dome" and "You can't cut back on funding! You will regret this!" message.

What's your favorite hidden Easter egg in a retro game?

https://atari.com/blogs/atari/so-let-s-talk-about-that-easter-egg

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 23d

* Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! (1987) - A visual cue in the crowd tells you exactly when to throw a punch to knock down Bald Bull or Piston Honda.

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 23d

* Diablo (1996) - Secret cow level that became so famous Blizzard added an official cow level in the sequel.
* GTA: San Andreas (2004) - "There are no Easter eggs up here. Go away." message on top of a bridge in San Fierro.

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 23d

* Adventure (1979, Atari 2600) - The first documented Easter egg, where programmer Warren Robinett hid his name in a secret room to get credit for his work when Atari didn't credit developers.

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 23d

🕹️ #retrogaming Throwback Thursday - Hidden Easter Eggs 🥚
Game developers have a long history of hiding secret messages and inside jokes in their games. These "Easter eggs" reward players who explore beyond the obvious paths.

Some famous verified Easter eggs include:

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 24d

This time is different! We promise!

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 26d

This may be the tipping point that forces me to get a Fruit Jam...

Sean Carolan @sean.carolan.io · 29d

Taste the Rainbow 🌈
#gardening 🌱

A photograph of colorful vegetables and flowers