Retro Kevo

February 1, 2021 by Kevin

# Controller Overlays

If you’ve ever wondered about Controller Overlays, this video is for you!

I show you a few selections from the 1292 Advanced Programmable System, Mattel Intellivision, ColecoVision, Atari 5200, & Atari Jaguar.

August 29, 2020 by Kevin

# Homegoods Store Front

August 14, 2019 by Kevin

# Gameroom World Tour

I am participating in The Well Red Mage’s Gameroom World Tour. You can check it out here https://youtu.be/nTDbw3NZdQg

Comment there or here with a link to your gameroom tour and I’ll see you there!

July 16, 2019 by Kevin

# Screen Looking is a Skill not a Cheat

Actual photo of Screen Looking in Halo Multiplayer, circa 2004

Dear young readers (and those who wish to look back fondly),
Once upon a time, before the prevalence of broadband internet connections (what you know as regular internet) multiplayer gaming (what you now call ‘Fortnite’) was performed by gathering all your friends together to play the game staring at their own divvied up rectangle of you 32″ CRT (google that one yourself). Once we took a single step out of the dark ages we were able to connect multiple consoles together and have even more players engaged.

This is all to say that when playing multiplayer we were able to throw popcorn at any player we were displeased with, or if we thought our mom was out of earshot, hurl insults as loud as we dared.

This proximity allowed one more feature unseen in today’s landscape. The Screen Look. Simply put, the Screen Look is when you peer away from your own segment of the screen onto another quadrant to espy on your competitors segment, possibly on another CRT all together.

Many a time, a player subjected to this practice and possibly feeling as though they have been put at a disadvantage might hurl one of the aforementioned insults at the Screen Looker. ‘Cheater!’ one might say if they were using especially family friendly language. Occasionally this is accompanied by a look of sincere hurt as though you have offered to get them a piece of cake and instead come back with a coiled up snake.

I have another take on this practice.

‘It’s a Legitimate strategy!’ I say.

First, if the game developers didn’t want you to look at more than one screen they wouldn’t have put more than one screen there. Or a screen divider would have been packaged with the game disc.

Secondly, if I can look at more than one screen at a time and still manage to take care of business I say that I am simply putting my innate enhanced cognitive abilities to good use.

Thirdly, listen I know you’re losing but really it’s just because I’m better than you so don’t get so worked up over this one thing. I mean really, I brought pizza and soda. What more do you want?

In conclusion, even though this practice has few applications in today’s gaming I feel that it should be honored. If I were going to have a LAN party version of Dundie Awards there would be one for Best Screen Looker, right after Most Creative Insult, Most Spare Controllers, and Best Sport Even Though They Lost Miserably. It would be the penultimate award.

November 14, 2018 by Kevin

# My Gamepad Collection

I made a short video to show off a few of my favorite gamepads. What is your favorite?

November 13, 2018 by Kevin

# The Evolution of Gamepads

My new book is finally ready! Pre-orders are available. The Evolution of Gamepads will ship in December.

This not-quite-an-encyclopedia is 200 pages of full color pictures, details, explanations, and fun facts about that all-important interface between you and the game. After five years of research and curating a gamepad collection, I have turned a work of passion into a charming book. If you enjoy video games this is a book for you. You will enjoy returning to this book again and again.

You can buy the book directly from the publisher. Ordering from them provides me with the highest royalty payment, at the same cost as from other providers. The link to order from there is https://store.bookbaby.com/book/The-Evolution-of-Gamepads.

If you would prefer, the book is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Baker & Taylor, and Goodreads.

October 30, 2018 by Kevin

# Magnavox Odyssey Control Unit

I really wanted to know the dimensions of the Magnavox Odyssey Control Unit. I searched high and low for how big the controller is and could not find anything online.

C’mon Internet. You are failing me.

Now that I have one in hand I am going to use my calipers and measure the controller. I knew it was a big one, but now I know how big.

From nob to nob, it is 6.26 inches. From the sides, 4.4 in.

From base to peak it is 3.53 in

Width at the top is 2.11 in. Width at the base is 3.34 in.

Did I miss anything you were dying to know? Ask me here or on Twitter and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

October 11, 2018 by Kevin - 2 Comments

# New Book Coming Soon!

I am excited to announce that I have completed the final draft of my soon to be released book The Evolution of Gamepads. This not-quite-an-encyclopedia will be submitted for line editing this weekend. If all goes well it should be ready by the end of November. The book is 200 pages of pictures, details, explanations, and fun facts about that all important interface between you and the game. It highlights the history and changes of video game controllers.
Stay tunes for more details!

April 15, 2018 by Kevin

# Huge Controller Lot!

April 14, 2018 by Kevin

# Mail Time!

I got a few packages in and made a video to share.

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# Recent Posts

- Controller Overlays
- Homegoods Store Front
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- Screen Looking is a Skill not a Cheat
- My Gamepad Collection

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