Tag: Console

Discover GameBuster: Antwerp’s Retro Gaming Treasure

If you’re a retro game collector passing through Antwerp, there’s one spot you absolutely shouldn’t miss: GameBuster. Nestled in the Theaterbuurt district at Bervoetstraat 40, this unassuming shop is a hidden gem for anyone with a passion for classic titles and gaming nostalgia. As it wasn’t my first visit there, I wanted to do a small review for the shop.

First Impressions

GameBuster doesn’t rely on flashy marketing or a sleek online presence — in fact, it has no official website or webshop, at least I couldn’t find it. You’ll find it listed on local directories like apen.be and cylex-belgie.be, but the real experience begins when you walk through the door. I leave the google maps adress here: Google Maps

The store has a distinctly retro atmosphere: shelves packed with games, consoles, and accessories from decades past and not only that, it has also a lot of DVDs and music CDs / LPs, with just enough clutter to make browsing feel like a treasure hunt. It’s the kind of place where every corner might hide a rare find. The owner is friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the hobby — and the pricing is refreshingly fair, especially considering the rarities on offer.

What’s in the Collection?

GameBuster’s selection spans multiple generations, from SNES to PS4. During my visit, I picked up five standout games that any collector would be proud to own and they were still missing in my collection:

  • EverQuest – Online Adventures (PS2)
    A pioneering MMORPG for consoles, this title is a fascinating snapshot of early online gaming on the PlayStation 2.
  • Tomb Raider – The Angel of Darkness (PS2)
    A darker, more narrative-driven entry in the Tomb Raider series. Though divisive at launch, it’s a unique chapter in Lara Croft’s legacy.
  • Tales of Eternia (PSP)
    Known as Tales of Destiny II in some regions, this JRPG combines charming anime visuals with a classic action battle system — a must-have for fans of the Tales franchise.
  • Grandia (PSX)
    A beloved PlayStation-era RPG, celebrated for its innovative combat, heartfelt story, and enduring charm.
  • The Legend of Heroes – Trails in the Sky (PSP)
    The beginning of a legendary saga. Deep storytelling, rich world-building, and memorable characters make this a cornerstone of narrative-driven RPGs.

Final Verdict

GameBuster is more than just a retro game store — it’s a nostalgic experience. Whether you’re hunting for a specific title or simply enjoy browsing shelves filled with gaming, movie or music history, this shop delivers. The combination of fair pricing, a welcoming atmosphere, and a well-curated selection makes it a must-visit for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Rating: ★★★★☆
Pros: Great selection, fair prices, friendly owner, authentic retro vibe
Cons: No online shop, limited visibility

If you’re in Antwerp and your heart beats for classic games, movies or music, make sure to stop by GameBuster. You might just walk out with a piece of history under your arm.

My Top 5 Retro Games

Retro gaming isn’t just a nostalgic hobby for me—it’s a core part of how I enjoy games today. These are the five titles I try to keep coming back to on an yearly basis, each one offering something unique that continues to resonate years after their original release.

1. World of Warcraft Classic (PC)

Actually I wasn’t sure to pull this game here in this list up because it is still too modern to call it as a retro game, right? But still this game full fills every aspect of a love-hate relationship. There’s nothing like logging into World of Warcraft Classic and reliving the magic of 2004. I love how it dials everything back to the basics: no hand-holding, no shortcuts—just pure adventure. The slow grind, the need for real teamwork, and the simple graphics (even with todays improved graphics) take me back to the early days of online gaming. It’s one of the few MMOs that still feels like a world, not just a game. A huge downside for me, it takes so much time to progress, like there are class quests which are more like a walking simulator than real gameplay. Although I still prefer this quest system then the one in the retail version.

2. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver (NDS)

These remakes are pure gold (or silver)—literally and are based on the original Pokémon Gold and Silver from the Game Boy Color. Until this day I think it has been the best version, not only with having one of the best Pokémon generation but also that you can travel two regions – Johto and Kanto, well known from the previous generation. Also they bring back the classic Pokémon journey with just the right amount of upgrades like the graphic and of course the origin Suicune story line. Also it brings a very nice difficulty with it. Who doesn’t remember the gym leader Bianca?

3. Final Fantasy VII (PSX)

The second Final Fantasy I played as a kid and I couldn’t believe it first when I realized that one of the main characters was gone forever. Even with newer versions and remakes out there, I always find myself returning to the original Final Fantasy VII. It’s not just the story—though that’s still one of the best—but also the charm of those blocky characters, the haunting music, and the raw emotion behind every scene. It’s a perfect snapshot of late ’90s RPG design, and for me, it never gets old.

4. Final Fantasy X (PS2)

Final Fantasy X – my most loved Final Fantasy ever. In my opinion it has the best of everything. The turn based action combat, the soundtrack, the first voice acting in a FF, the emotional story, the skill system, of course the graphics, which got everything out of the PS2, last but not least Blitzball. With hidden areas and optional hard bosses to mess with, makes the grind to be overpowered really satisfying. Every time I return to Spira, it feels like catching up with an old friend, except when it comes to avoiding lightnings or Chocobo racing.

5. Super Mario World (SNES)

Super Mario World was my second Mario game and till to this day, it is the best out there. You have a whole world map with secrets and hidden areas to discover and to master, which was really new and innovative for just a Jump & Run game. Jumping with Yoshi through this very well designed levels makes it an unique experience. Even with today’s Mario game standards, this one was ahead of its time.

Final Thoughts

These aren’t just games—they’re part of my gaming DNA, I remain still a big RPG gamer to this day. Whether it’s adventuring in Azeroth, collecting badges in Johto, swinging swords with Cloud and Tidus, or jumping with Mario and Yoshi, these titles keep me grounded in what I love most about gaming. If you’re into retro titles too, I can’t recommend them enough. As final words I need to add, there are many more games I really like, so I might put a second list with other many beloved and nostalgic retro games.

Games from yesterday are todays Games

A translated repost of a German article on this blog I did in 2019. Even after almost 6 years, I think this takes even more value, as even more Remakes and Remasters are on the horizon.

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Remakes of older games have always been very popular, regardless of whether they have been completely redesigned or just given a little facelift. A number of remasters and remakes have already been released and many more will follow.

And in my opinion: And rightly so!
Back then, Nintendo or PlayStation games were way ahead of their time. Even if the controls weren’t always the best at the time and were often very jerky, the gameplay was still a lot of fun.
Nowadays, when a dull Call of Duty or FIFA comes out every year, many people don’t even know what the beginnings of 3D gaming were like. It’s good that today’s young people are also being presented with a piece of gaming culture that they simply couldn’t experience back then, or that we, the slightly older generation, can indulge in nostalgia.

Just take Spyro, a jump & run adventure game that was released as a remake not so long ago. The game is virtually the same as the 1998 version, with the difference of improved controls and graphics.

Personally, I’m still looking forward to the remake of Final Fantasy 7. It will be different to the original, but I’m still keen to save the world from Sephiroth with Cloud and his troupe. Other upcoming titles that have piqued my interest are

Trials of Mana
Medieval
Zelda: Link’s Awakening

If you’re keen, take a look at the following list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_game_remakes_and_remastered_ports

Maybe you’ll find a game that has been re-released without you even knowing it!

PS5 – That’s how it looks!

As you all probably saw, Sony revealed yesterday on their event the new PlayStation console, the PS5.

It looks kinda spacy but I do still like the new design. There will be two versions of it. The normal one which includes a Blue-Ray player and a digital one, probably for those who doesn’t like to collect discs anymore.

Neither a price or a release date got announced but the rumours tell that it will be comes out around christmas, probably a bit earlier.

Instead there were many games announced. My favorites were Resident Evil 8 and Horizon Forbidden West, the sequel from Horizon Zero Dawn which was a very great game. As for RE8, the rumours were true about the village and occultism. The story will progess as Ethan, the protagonist from RE7 and Chris Redfield.

Check out the trailers:

For more game trailers, check out the Playstation Youtube Channel.

What do you think about the new PS5? Let me know!