Aliens PCB

I remember seeing this game in arcades as a child, but have no recollection of actually playing it. I mainly picked this board up because it was relatively cheap (for an arcade PCB) and hassle free (no suicide batteries etc.). 

While it hasn't aged as well as other games of it's time, this gives Aliens a distinct "retro" feeling. The game is also well known for straying away from the source material to provide all sorts of interesting creatures. Also, it has never been ported to any console whatsoever.

By no means a great game, Aliens has several unique features that make it stand out. Firstly, the controls are quite unique with only two buttons, one allowing you to do a standing shot and the other to shoot while crouching. It's more fun than it sounds (or looks).

The game play is rather varied and includes tunnel sections with a radar indicating incoming aliens, a brief but tense elevator segment, and occasional driving/shooting stages and bosses from a third person perspective .

Atomiswave Dolphin Blue

I received my Atomiswave motherboard and Dolphin Blue cart today. Though I don't have a high res monitor, the Atomiswave still supports good old 15khz. The games don't look quite as they should on my low res New Asto City monitor, but it's good enough for me. Besides, the Atomiswave looks so cool! I just had to have it.

Arcade hardware doesn't get much easier than this, just pop in a cart in the middle, plug in the JAMMA harness, and it's ready to go. Perfect for someone like me who is just starting out with this arcade stuff.

The Atomiswave only has about 25 games, many of which are fighting games. However, Dolphin Blue is basically a Metal Slug Clone with an aquatic theme. It may not be terribly original, but it sure is fun.