The Graded Gallery (Birmingham)
Thoughtful features about retro games and gaming culture, linking memorable play to design choices, technology and the settings in which games were experienced.
Featured readings
Each feature names its subject and asks a different editorial question: how structure creates variety, how arcade design makes competition readable, or how environments can carry a story.
Platform and structure
A feature examining Super Mario Bros. 3's world-map structure, power-ups and level variety through its Nintendo Entertainment System context.
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Arcade readability
An exploration of Street Fighter II's character-specific move sets, round structure and readable competition in the arcade environment.
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Exploration and pacing
A close reading of Myst's environmental storytelling, exploration and puzzle-led pacing, set against the home-computer tradition of adventure games.
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Our approach
The editorial team looks at hardware limits, interface choices, play spaces and cultural memory. Comparisons focus on named criteria such as pacing, readability, exploration and platform context rather than unsupported rankings.