The Lost Cartridge

The Lost Cartridge is an independent publication launched in December 2024 by JustJay, born from a lifelong passion for everything that made the 80s and early 90s special. Remember that feeling of blowing into a cartridge, hoping it would somehow make the game work? That mixture of frustration and hope, followed by the pure joy when the screen finally flickered to life? That's the feeling I'm trying to capture here.

This site isn't just about gaming – though you'll find plenty of that here. It's about preserving and celebrating an era when technology was simultaneously simpler and more mysterious. When loading a game meant listening to the rhythmic clunking of a Commodore 64 disk drive, and when the manual that came with your game was a treasure trove of artwork and lore rather than just a legal disclaimer.

I started The Lost Cartridge because these stories deserve to be told. Every scratched cartridge, every worn joystick, every dog-eared magazine holds a memory. Not just of the games we played or the movies we watched, but of the friends we shared them with, the summer afternoons spent in dimly lit arcades, and the late nights trying to finish "just one more level."

Here you'll find:

Movies & TV:

• Deep dives into 80s sci-fi classics and cyberpunk films
• Retrospectives on movies that defined the synthwave aesthetic
• Analysis of neon-noir classics and their modern influence
• Exploration of cult classics that inspired today's retrowave scene
• Coverage of modern films capturing that 80s essence
• Behind-the-scenes stories of practical effects and soundtracks
• Spotlights on influential directors who shaped the era

Music:

• Profiles of modern retrosynth artists and their stories
• Analysis of classic synthpop and electronic music
• Coverage of new retrowave album releases
• Interviews with synthwave producers and musicians
• Deep dives into the gear behind the sound
• Playlists and recommendations for different synthwave styles
• Features on how 80s soundtracks influence modern music

Gaming & Technology:

• Deep dives into classic games and the stories behind them
• Reviews and retrospectives of retro hardware
• Interviews with people who shaped our digital childhood
• Personal essays about growing up in gaming's golden age
• Coverage of modern games that capture that classic feeling
• Exploration of vintage computing and its impact
• Preservation stories and restoration projects

Arcade Culture & Technology:

• Technical deep dives into arcade cabinet architecture
• Restoration guides and maintenance tips
• Reviews of classic arcade PCBs and hardware
• Exploration of JAMMA standards and modifications
• Modern arcade system coverage (Taito Type X, Sega ALLS, etc.)
• Tutorials on arcade monitor repair and maintenance
• Features on custom cabinet building
• Coverage of modern solutions like MiSTer and SuperGun setups
• Reviews of contemporary arcade releases
• Spotlights on arcade preservation efforts
• Guides to setting up home arcade spaces
• Analysis of control panel layouts and components
• Stories from the golden age of arcades
• Coverage of modern arcade venues and communities
• Features on arcade collecting and restoration

The name "The Lost Cartridge" comes from that universal experience of rediscovering an old game and feeling like you've found a lost treasure. Every cartridge has a story – of where it came from, who played it, and the memories it holds. This site is about finding those lost cartridges, both literal and metaphorical, and sharing their stories.

This is a space for those who remember, those who want to learn, and those who never stopped believing that sometimes the best graphics were the ones we created in our imagination. Whether you're a long-time gamer who remembers when "save points" weren't a thing, or someone just discovering the magic of retro gaming, you're welcome here.

Join me as we explore the games, music, movies, and moments that made this era special. Because while technology moves forward, some things – like the joy of finding a long-lost game cartridge – never change.

Welcome to The Lost Cartridge. Let's go find some memories together.

JustJay

Got a story to share or spotted something that needs updating?

Whether you've found an inaccuracy in one of the articles that needs correction, have a memory to contribute, or just want to reach out, this form is your direct line to me. Just like the old days of tech magazines' letters pages, I value every message and will review any content that needs attention. Your feedback helps keep our digital time capsule accurate and authentic.