fbpx
Japan Nakama
No Result
View All Result
  • Anime
  • Creativity
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • TV & Film
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Gaming
  • Language
  • Travel
  • Music
NAKAMA SHOP
Japan Nakama
NAKAMA SHOP
Japan Nakama
No Result
View All Result

Home » Gaming » Vaporwave: The Definitive Video Games

Vaporwave: The Definitive Video Games

Cleary Mallard by Cleary Mallard
April 21, 2020
in Gaming, Music
0
0

The vaporwave experience is interactive as well as audio-visual. Many games have been claimed by the vaporwave dynasty as influential relics and a few have even been borne directly from it. From the violent tendencies of Hotline Miami (2012) to the relaxing ambience of Islands: Non-Places (2016), the aesthetic has dripped into video game designs across the board. Whilst some of the influences fall more clearly into the realms of synthwave, or retrowave, the aesthetics can certainly be appreciated by those of the vaporous style of wave.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)

gtavaper

The most famous game that stands (unbeknownst to its developers at the time) arm in arm with vaporwave is the classic Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002). You cruise around a city based on 1986 Miami in stolen cars of the era, blasting the radio packed with 80’s classics. Floral shirts, lo-rez beach sunsets and night-time drives are of course included. Devolver Digital produced a pixelated gore-fest complete with nostalgic trips to the video store and local pizzeria back in 2012.

The hit game, Hotline Miami, is retro in every way except its release date (though I suppose it’s only a matter of time before that is too). In an interview for Eurogamer with game creators Dennis Wedin and Jonatan “Cactus” Söderström, Wedin tells us that “[Drive] was a really big inspiration for the game. The music and feel to the story – not much dialogue and how the violence was portrayed in the movie – were a big inspiration.” It seems that something in the zeitgeist of the early 2010’s asked for a reboot on digital nostalgia. Hotline Miami answered that by packing 80’s tropes and aesthetics into a fast-paced and ultra-fun video game with a catchy synthwave soundtrack.

Crap No One Loves Me (2015)

crapnoonelovesme

Jade Statue’s vaporwave album “Executive Towers” has an official game to play alongside it, programmed by daffodil in 2015. This is a rare example of a game sprouted from directly within the community. It’s available to download on a “name your price” basis, so you can give the Vaporwave immersive experience a go before deciding to part with your hard-earned moolah.

Crap! No One Loves Me (2015), a game where you are a coffin that surfs like a Counter-Strike terrorist down a zany, winding road, is the only vaporwave racing game you’ll ever need (not just because it’s the only one that exists). Increasingly difficult levels lead you through quirky 3D worlds that sweat imagination. Feeling tired after all that sliding? Visit the Vape Shop, where all the iconic symbols of the micro-genre live and breathe (digitally). The blue and pink walls welcome all those under the Macintosh Plus banner.

Soda Drinker Pro (2016)

sodadrinkinggame

An odd game you’ll find floating around the vaporwave circuit is Soda Drinker Pro (2016). Snowrunner Games produced this unintelligible FPSD (First-Person-Soda-Drinker) for an even more unintelligible reason and it’s perhaps due to this that its gained enough of a following for individual Lets Play videos on YouTube like Jacksepticeye’s to amass over 1.5 million views. If you haven’t already googled this strange phenomenon then I’ll give you a brief overview.

Islands: Non-Places

islandnoplaces2

You walk around different abominably textured (and themed) square rooms sipping and collecting soda. That’s it. I can only imagine the connection to vaporwave is the complete annihilation of what some people might consider a fond nostalgic idea concurrent with pre-noughties’ media: walking along the beach with a soda. A game with a similar lack of objectives, but a much more pleasing visual aesthetic compared to the last game, is Islands: Non-Places. Carl Burton’s game is available exclusively on Apple and IOS devices. It looks like Plato’s realm of the forms, vaporwave edition. The moody, textureless rooms feature fountains, dining tables, pillars and lamps that seem to belong deep inside the bourgeoise ziggurats of Blade Runner (1982).

LSD: Dream Emulator (PSX)

lsdman

LSD: Dream emulator is a PS1 game from 1998 that will subvert your idea of what a video game really is. Traverse obscure dreamscapes made of blocky textures and graphics that are just uncomfortable to look at. Every time you bump into something, you get transported to another dream. You could end up anywhere from a glass bridge between the mouths of two giant masks, or the bar of a dancing head. The game’s complete recombobulation of computer graphics and video game purpose make this a solid Vaporwave title.

sonicvaper

In 1991, the too-cool-for-school hedgehog’s debut on the SEGA Genesis proves a decent play too. You’ve gotta love slotting the cartridge into the console, listening to the unforgettable SEGA opening title, and of course zooming through the high-contrast landscapes as Sonic to save those animals from Robotnik.

The Spring Yard Zone brings up the expensive, swinging lifestyle that so much vaporwave music tackles. It would be great to hear a remix of the level’s theme. Not so much the gameplay, but the world that Mirror’s Edge (2008) takes place in is akin to telesales advert for the perfect city, one that is hyper-efficient, clean and safe. Take the album cover of PrismCorp Virtual Enterprises – Home™. It brings to mind the almost creepy ideal that advertising can gloss over familiar places like the home.

So, if you’re wanting to extend your A E S T H E T I C experience beyond the realms of music optimized for abandoned malls, why not give some of these Vaporwave video games a go. If you want to find more, just ask the vaporizers on reddit where to look. I’m sure daffodil, the person who programmed Executive Towers, would love to hear from you once you’ve played the game.

Tags: Cleary Mallardgrand theft autohotline miamiVaporwavevideo game music
Previous Post

5 Irresistible Parties to Meet Japanese People in London

Next Post

Memoirs of a Murderer | Film Review

Cleary Mallard

Cleary Mallard

My Katamari is always rolling, picking up new underground music and videogames from Japan. I DJ and produce as Kamer, vibrating dubstep, noise, ambient and videogame soundtracks.

Related Posts

45563229856031.5611fc1811e24 e1569350597588
Music

Vaporwave Art: Behind the Vapour

2400 years ago, during the 4th Century BC, Alexander the Great’s conquest across Asia...

by Cleary Mallard
P1110172
Food

4 Unique Japanese Dishes You Need to Try!

Coming from England, a land known world-wide for its bland, beige, sloppy brown dishes (that English...

by Cleary Mallard
neojapan
Music

Vaporwave: More than a Micro-Genre

Squeeze the play button on your cassette player and let the beats start flowing;...

by Cleary Mallard
Ryan Gosling Drive Poster 2
TV & Film

Vaporwave on Screen

Beyond the cracked marble hotel lobby fountains and abandoned shopping malls lies a world...

by Cleary Mallard
Next Post
MM feature

Memoirs of a Murderer | Film Review

Latest Articles

Top 25 Anime Masks

Top 25 Anime Masks

Anime Subscription Box

Top 10 Subscription Boxes for Anime Lovers

Japanese Streetwear made easy with Tokyo Time

Japanese Streetwear made easy with Tokyo Time

The Art of Shodō: Traditional Japanese Calligraphy

The Art of Shodō: Traditional Japanese Calligraphy

Follow Japan Nakama on Instagram

Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki mentioned rec Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki mentioned recently on a Twitter AMA that Miyazaki has actually made all the dishes, that were eaten in his films, himself. 
.
Another reason to love Studio Ghibli films is knowing that it was made by a foodie!
.
“Achieving dramatic effect and creating delicious-looking meals and characters enjoying them – their expressions and gestures – comes from the power of finely detailed drawing. Food that is still warm, that looks soft and tender, with the wonderful flavor showing on the faces of those eating them – these scenes of meals are appealing and charming. No dialogue is needed to convey deliciousness and happiness.” 
.
#animefoodlove #animefoodporn #animefoods #foodwarsanime #animefoodaesthetic #foodanime #animegif #oldanime #animefood #ghiblistation #studioghiblidrawing #studioghibliedit #studioghiblifood
🤣🤣🤣 #streetfighter2 #streetfighter #ryu 🤣🤣🤣  #streetfighter2 #streetfighter #ryu #gameover #gameoverman #streetfighters #streetfighter2turbo #streetfighterz #americanpsychomeme #americanpsychomovie #dorsia
Not wanting the Easter break to end. @pugrules__ Not wanting the Easter break to end. @pugrules__  #puglife #pugsofinstagram #puglove #pugsnotdrugs #puglife🐾 #pugnation #pugloversclub
Adding a new spin on the classic #samuraichamploo Adding a new spin on the classic #samuraichamploo series intro. Mad bears by @angryapplelofi 🙏🙌.
.  #samuraichamploo #samuraichamplooedit #animefight #samuraiwarriors #animecool #lofibeatsandchill #lofihiphopbeats #lofitypebeats #chillvibes😎 #lofibeats
Can't believe we only just discovered #chickenatta Can't believe we only just discovered #chickenattack by @gregorybrothers feat. #takeoischi. This is freaking hilarious! Check it out on the @gregorybrothers youtube channel.  #takeoischi #chickenattack #songify #thegregorybrothers #videosyoutube #creators #youtubechannel #youtuberlife #comedymusic
With springtime upon us and park life slowly becom With springtime upon us and park life slowly becoming a reality why not treat yourself to some delicious Japanese artisan mochi by @ainomochi. The ultimate picnic snack 🤤
.
Mochi is a traditional Japanese sweet made from sweet rice flour with a soft and squishy outer layer of delicious fillings. @ainomochi make all their mochi by hand and deliver them right to your doorstep! Check out the multitude of flavour options they have. We also wrote about them on the #japannakama site so hit that up for some dessert inspiration 🥳
.  #mochi #mochidessert #chocolatemochi #deliciousdessert #mochiicecream #japanesedessert #dessertaddict #foodadventure #japanesesweet #oishi #musteat #japanesesnack
#stopasianracism #stopasianviolence #stopasianhat #stopasianracism #stopasianviolence 
#stopasianhate #stopasianhatecrimes
Nutritious gaming 😋 🎮🍱. . @retro_dodo . Nutritious gaming 😋 🎮🍱.
.
@retro_dodo 
.
#gamingsetup #extremegaming #videogamesaddict #videogamesmemes #videogamesforlife #videogames4life #playstation #playstationexclusive #playstation4life #sushiclub #sushiboat #japanesefusion
Everyone meet @basil.the.shiba . This cute little Everyone meet @basil.the.shiba . This cute little #shibainu companion is our lockdown go to when needing that cute little pick me up. We interview his owner on our site and talk about what it’s like owning a Shiba Inu in general and over lockdown. Visit our site to read more!  #shibainucrazypeople #japanesedogs #cute #shibainulovers #shibadog #shibainusofinstagram #shibalover #lockdownlife🔐 #lifeonlockdown #lockdownlifestyle
Just another reason to follow @cookinsoul. He’s Just another reason to follow @cookinsoul. He’s made an album with @jinsangbeats 🌊 this is the first single “sushi masta”.  Full video 👺👇
www.youtube.com/cookinsoul
.
Artwork by @teriyakidonut_
.
.
#cookinsoul
#cookinsoulbeats
#jinsang 
#lofihiphop
#chillhop
#hiphopbeats
#lofibeats
#lofiedit
#animewatcher #animeamvspring #animeamvs #animevideos #lofiproducer  #hiphophead #sendmebeats #realhiphophead #animehiphop #soundcloudartists
We talk about “Why Japanese Denim is the Best in We talk about “Why Japanese Denim is the Best in the World" in our latest article, along with denim subcultures in Japan brought over to London by @tokkou_bld.
.
Although Japanese denim usually comes at a premium, it's worth it when all of these things have been considered. It has a level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that doesn't exist in jeans from other countries, embodying the concept of Takumi – craftsmanship as a way of life.
.
#Tokkou #JapaneseDenim #craftsmanship #takumi #匠 #japannakama
Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has invited 8 Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has invited 8 members of the public to join him for a trip around the moon on Elon Musk's SpaceX flight.  #yusakumaezawa #rockcovers #spacehistory #flymetothemooncover #loveflying #flymetothemoon #skyhigh #japanesecover

Stay up to date

SUBSCRIBE NOW
Facebook Twitter Instagram

About us

Japan Nakama are a London based online publication that investigates and explores all aspects of Japanese Culture. To those new to Japanese culture welcome, to the Japan obsessed, welcome home.

JAPAN NAKAMA

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Promotional Videos
  • Contact us

Interested in writing for us?

© 2020 Japan Nakama - Connecting people through the spirit of Japan

No Result
View All Result
  • Anime
  • Creativity
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • TV & Film
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Gaming
  • Language
  • Travel
  • Music

© 2020 Japan Nakama - Connecting people through the spirit of Japan

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.