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Star Fox: Assault showed there's greater story potential beyond 64
Star Fox: Assault, released in 2005, is highlighted as an underappreciated chapter in the series that demonstrated significant storytelling potential beyond Star Fox 64. The game featured a more complex narrative involving the Aparoids, leading to greater character development and higher stakes for Fox and his team. Despite some gameplay flaws, particularly in its on-foot sections, the ambition of its story and blockbuster atmosphere are praised.
Xevious - Namco's 1980's classic has now arrived on the Sega Mega Drive
Namco's classic 1983 vertical shooter, Xevious, has been faithfully recreated for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis by developer Paulo Manrique, utilizing a line-by-line conversion of the original arcade code. This fan project preserves authentic enemy AI, dual-weapon combat, and features 4-channel PCM sound, supporting both original hardware and modern emulators.
2001 flip-phone PAC-MAN gets re-release this week
G-MODE announced that the 2001 Japanese flip-phone version of PAC-MAN will be re-released for PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch on June 18th. This version is a port of the classic arcade game originally released by Namco in 1980 and later by Bandai Namco Entertainment.
Galaga - An Arcade classic as a new Commodore Amiga conversion by JOTD and team! [UPDATE]
A new, feature-complete Commodore Amiga conversion of the classic arcade game Galaga has been released by JOTD and their team. Originally developed by Namco and Midway in 1981, this version offers a full 1:1 arcade experience with fixed bugs and improved performance, including an update that optimizes it for the Amiga 500.
Tekken 8 Game Director Kohei Ikeda leaves Bandai Namco after 20 years, marking yet another major dev departure
Kohei Ikeda, the Game Director for Tekken 8, has departed from Bandai Namco after more than 20 years. Ikeda expressed gratitude to fans and colleagues, reflecting on his journey from arcade player to leading the Tekken franchise. His departure follows other key figures like Katsuhiro Harada and Yohei Shimbori, with speculation he might join Harada at his new studio, VS Studio.
Ace Driver is this week’s Arcade Archives game on Nintendo Switch 2, Switch
Namco's 1994 arcade racing game, Ace Driver, is being released on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 as part of the Arcade Archives series. The game features authentic handling and various race tracks, with players able to adjust difficulty and compete for high scores globally. It will be available digitally for $14.99 on Nintendo Switch and $19.99 on Nintendo Switch 2.
G-MODE Archives+ Namco Chronicle launches May 28 in Japan
The G-MODE Archives+ version of Namco Chronicle, originally developed by Namco, is set to launch for the Nintendo Switch in Japan on May 28. This release is part of a series that brings classic games to modern platforms.
Super Xevious 1200 - JOTD's Arcade to Commodore Amiga 1200 conversion is rather decent! [UPDATE]
Jean-Francois Fabre (JOTD) has released the final versions of Xevious and Super Xevious for the Commodore Amiga 1200, featuring arcade-accurate gameplay and updated music. An additional update for Super Xevious 1200 includes keyboard controls and optimized code.
Retro Gaming in 2026: The Complete Guide to Playing Classic Games Legally | TAG
This guide explores legal options for playing retro games in 2026, noting that only 13.27% of classic US games released before 2010 are still commercially available. It details subscription services like Nintendo Switch Online and PlayStation Plus Premium, digital storefronts such as GOG and Steam, and physical collector's options including Analogue and Evercade hardware. The article also addresses the legalities of emulation, emphasizing that while emulators are legal, downloading ROMs for games one does not own is copyright infringement.
I figured my Sega Mega Drive was safe from the internet, but the MegaWifi aims to take the console online
A new Kickstarter project called MegaWiFi aims to bring Sega Mega Drive consoles online, enabling features like multiplayer gaming. The accessory, developed by Juan Antonio Ruiz Pachón, connects the retro console to modern networks. While the concept is intriguing for retro enthusiasts, questions remain about the practicality of lag-free online play on nearly 40-year-old hardware.
Puzzle game Namco Legendary Mountains announced for Nintendo Switch 2, and Switch
BeXide has announced Namco Legendary Mountains for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, set to launch this summer. This 3D puzzle game, inspired by Namco's history, involves tossing, stacking, and merging 'Voxels' to create larger ones and achieve high scores. It features dedicated stages and music for classic titles like PAC-MAN and DIG DUG, over 100 unlockable Voxels, and online score rankings.
Barunba
Barunba, a shooter developed by ZAP and published by Namco for the PC Engine and Turbo Grafx-16, is a generic and slow-paced game with few unique ideas. Despite colorful backgrounds and varied bosses, the unwieldy controls for its rotating turret feature and the game's lethargic pacing make it difficult to recommend. The game features four weapon types that can be powered up, but the temporary nature of max power and the single-life system contribute to its challenging difficulty.
Barunba
Barunba, a shooter developed by ZAP and published by Namco for the PC Engine and Turbo Grafx-16, is a generic and slow-paced game with few unique ideas. Despite colorful backgrounds and varied bosses, the unwieldy controls for its rotating turret feature and the game's lethargic pacing make it difficult to recommend. The game features four weapon types that can be powered up, but the temporary nature of max power and the single-life system contribute to its challenging difficulty.
Giant Enemy Crabs, $599, Ridge Racer: Sony's Wild E3 2006 Is Now 20-Years-Old
Sony's E3 2006 press conference, marked by the PlayStation 3's $599 price point and memorable moments like "Ridge Racer" and "Giant Enemy Crabs," is revisited 20 years later. The event is seen as a low point that complicated the PlayStation 3's early years and highlighted a disconnect with consumers, contrasting with today's more polished presentations.
Xevious 128k - Arcade classic Xevious gets a 128k edition for the Amstrad CPC via Easter Egg
The classic 1982 arcade shoot 'em up Xevious has received a new 128k edition for the Amstrad CPC, developed by Easter Egg. This port features advanced raster effects, a custom screen layout, dedicated sound effects, and utilizes ZX0 compression to push the hardware's limits. The game challenges players to pilot the Solvalou fighter against enemy forces across eight looping zones.
Arkanoid is this week’s Arcade Archives game on Nintendo Switch 2, Switch
Arkanoid is being released as the latest Arcade Archives title on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on May 7. This 1986 brick breaker game by Taito tasks players with piloting the spacecraft "Vaus" to destroy Space Walls and escape a warped labyrinth. The Arcade Archives series faithfully reproduces classic arcade games with adjustable settings and online high score competition.
Cyber Commando is this week’s Arcade Archives game on Nintendo Switch 2, Switch
Hamster announced that Cyber Commando will be released for the Arcade Archives line on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on April 30. Originally released in 1994 by Namco, this 3D action game tasks players with controlling a vehicle to stop a security computer malfunction in a space colony. The game will be available digitally for $14.99 on Nintendo Switch and $16.99 on Nintendo Switch 2.
G-MODE Archives+ Xenosaga: Pied Piper launches April 30 in Japan
The Namco-developed game Xenosaga: Pied Piper will be released for the Nintendo Switch on April 30 in Japan as part of the G-MODE Archives+ series. This title is a prequel to the main Xenosaga series.
Is a new Star Fox game coming to Nintendo Switch 2?
Rumors suggest Nintendo is preparing to announce a new Star Fox game for the Nintendo Switch 2, potentially launching this summer. This speculation is fueled by the character's recent appearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and reports from industry insiders like NateTheHate and VGC. The game is expected to be a 'classic style' on-rails shooter with multiplayer elements, though a larger budget title might follow next year.
PS5 Players Flock to Free Game for Ridiculously Easy Platinum Trophy
Thousands of PlayStation 5 players are downloading the free game Chess Mate to achieve an "easy" Platinum Trophy. The guide explains that all Trophies can be unlocked in approximately five minutes by capturing each piece type, earning a checkmate, and restarting the game multiple times. This trend of easily obtainable Platinum Trophies, exemplified by games like Ecchi Secrets, is growing in popularity among trophy hunters.
