This is the review of the RDP RetroDuo Portable V.2.0 handheld system.   This is a fairly new item that has been on the market less than a year.    I have purchased this item with the excitement of playing the original classic Nintendo and Super Nintendo games on a portable handheld device.  

There are many recycled versions of classic Nintendo and Sega games on Gameboy, Wii U Shop, Xbox Live, PlayStation Network and MAME, but to me there is nothing like playing the original cartridge that was played back in the 1980s and 1990s.  I do own the systems and controllers from back in the day but most of the time they are stored away or unplugged.   With this new portable device it’s easy to turn on the classics and play them anywhere.  There is no TV required.  When I first saw this item online, I immediately got excited and had a vision of myself playing The Legend of Zelda in my backyard on the deck or in the bedroom at night with headphones so no one was disturbed.    

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Mathieu Hunter, who currently is displayed on card number 634, from the Superstars of 2014 Collection.  Mathieu is currently working as a game tester in Canada, which he has been for the last 5 years and is aspiring to get into game design.  Mathieu held a previous world record on the original Super Mario Bros (Super Mario All-Stars version).  He loves to do speed running record attempts and he also showcases this ability in video gaming events all through Canada.  Mathieu also has a hobby in skateboarding. 

Do you remember your first video game you played and what do you remember about it?

Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt when I was three. Me and my brother were at some daycare at a fancy restaurant and we played there while my parents had diner. I don't remember much about this first experience aside that I loved playing these games.

Happy Easter !

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Paul Dean, who currently is displayed on card number 49, from the Superstars of 2011 Collection.  Paul is also featured on card number 2108, from the Superstars of 2015 collection.   Paul has had many Video game accomplishments in his career such as a 41 hour marathon of the game “Frenzy” in 2005.   In 1985, Paul broke the world record on the Arcade game “Spy Hunter” which still stands today.  Paul’s score of 9,512,590 is still the only million points or higher game recorded for Spy Hunter.  You can see Paul each year at the California Extreme Expo, which he runs various competitions open to the public. 

Are you still involved with gaming today, and what role do you play?

Yes, I still compete from time to time as well as run high score contests at California Extreme and at the Arcade Expo. I have been running high score events since 2006 and it has been a lot of fun getting the players back together each year to compete.  I have done video game panel discussions and events at the Ottumwa Iowa Big Bang, California Extreme, Banning Arcade Expo, San Diego ComicCon, Portland ComicCon, E for All, E3, The Kong OFF 2 & 3 and the Seattle Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show.  I also have a web site named spyhunter007.com which covers a lot of the competitive history of video gamer's and I post to the CAGdc classic gaming forums run by Mark Alpiger. I also follow the new Twin Galaxies site run by Jace Hall and I am a member.

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Paul Zimmerman, who currently is displayed on card number 1, from the Superstars of 2011 Collection.  Paul has many World Records held on the Atari VCS System.  Games like Demon Attack, Berzerk and Phoenix to name a few.  Paul has been a big contributor each year to the Video Game Summit held in the suburbs of Chicago.   He has offered his help in organizing video game tournaments as well as holding world record attempt competitions.   You can also see Paul in the documentary Bonus Life Extended Play.

When did you first meet Walter Day and where was it at?

The 2008 Video Game Summit in Lombard, IL. I was on staff and invited Walter to come to the event. He brought along Tim McVey as a surprise (his first public appearance in decades and as a gaming celebrity). I also invited Todd Rogers (his first return to his hometown Chicago after 15-year absence). Also Trickman Terry and Ken Sushi-X from Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine were at the event. The event was amazing!