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The Nintendo curse was real: Only 2 of GameCube's 10 best-selling games in the US were third-party
An analysis of the Nintendo GameCube's best-selling games in the US reveals a significant lack of third-party support, with only two third-party titles making it into the top 10. While some third-party games like SoulCalibur 2, which featured Link, performed well, many notable titles like Resident Evil 4 barely missed the top 20, highlighting the platform's struggles with attracting external developers.
Snapman 20 - A rather nice Pac-Man clone for the Commodore VIC-20
Beamrider has released Snapman 20, a faithful Pac-Man clone for the Commodore VIC-20, coded entirely in machine assembly. The game preserves the original arcade's ghost patterns and intermissions, requiring a VIC-20 with 35K RAM expansion. This homebrew title bridges 80s UK computer heritage with arcade fun.
Rally-X - An Arcade conversion of Rally X for the Amiga is in the works via JOTD
A new arcade conversion of Namco's 1980 game Rally-X is in development for the Amiga by JOTD. The project was revived after a software rewrite, with the developer aiming for 50 frames per second performance on stock hardware by bypassing the blitter and relying on hardware sprites. The game is expected to support AGA hardware for dual-playfield side screens, with potential for ECS compatibility.
Galaga - A fast-paced VIC-20 tribute to Namco’s arcade classic!
Milasoft has released a new VIC-20 version of the classic arcade game Galaga, paying tribute to Namco's 1981 title. This release features smooth animations, scrolling starfields, authentic sound effects, and escalating difficulty. The game includes iconic elements like diving alien formations and Boss Galagas with tractor beams.
CRTs be damned, the Intec Time Breaker Lightgun for PS1/PS2 brings Guncon romps like Time Crisis 2 back to the living room and onto your newfangled TV
The Intec Time Breaker Lightgun offers a modern solution for playing Guncon-compatible games like Time Crisis 2 and 3 on PlayStation and PlayStation 2 consoles with modern TVs. Despite a confusing calibration process and a high $160 price tag, the accessory boasts excellent build quality, wireless connectivity, and accurate performance, making it a standout option for casual players seeking to relive classic lightgun experiences.
Arcade Archives Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch sale live, lowest price ever for Ridge Racer and more
A new Arcade Archives sale is live on Nintendo Switch, featuring significant discounts on Namco titles, including Ridge Racer, which is at its lowest price ever. The sale includes various classic arcade games, with discounts running until August 27, 2026.
Galaxian - A brilliant Arcade classic by Namco comes over to the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis
A new port of Namco's 1979 arcade classic Galaxian has been released for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. Developed by Nameless Algorithm using a static translation technique, this fan project preserves the original gameplay and graphics while adding features like auto-fire and hiscore saving. The port is compatible with emulators and FPGA hardware.
Mario Kart? Forza? I’m Good With Armadillo Racing, Thanks
The cult-classic arcade racing game Armadillo Racing, originally released in 1997 by Namco, is being re-released on modern platforms. Hamster Corporation's Arcade Archives initiative will bring the game to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on July 23, featuring various modes and potential trackball peripheral support.
Armadillo Racing is this week’s Arcade Archives game on Nintendo Switch 2, Switch
Hamster announced that Armadillo Racing, originally released by Namco in 1997, will be available on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 starting July 23rd. This marks the first time the Japan-exclusive arcade racer will be playable on home consoles. The Arcade Archives version includes features like Time Attack Mode, VRR support, and online rankings.
Prime Slimes: A Guide To Gaming’s Greatest Goo-Getters
This guide explores the history and evolution of slime monsters in video games, from their origins in Dungeons & Dragons to their iconic status in franchises like Dragon Quest and Puyo Puyo. It highlights notable slime characters and games where players control slime protagonists, showcasing their enduring appeal as a beloved monster archetype.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Nintendo Download – June 25, 2026 (Europe)
Nintendo has released its latest European download list for the week of June 25, 2026. The update includes several new retail and digital titles for the Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, featuring a mix of new releases and updated versions of existing games.
Feature: 10 N64 Games We Played In A Wondrous Alternate Timeline
This article explores a hypothetical alternate timeline where the Nintendo 64 achieved greater market success, imagining 10 games that could have been released. It speculates on potential N64 entries for series like Fire Emblem, Tekken, Metroid, and Final Fantasy, and discusses what might have been if sequels to GoldenEye 007 and Super Mario 64 were prioritized.
Arcade Archives 2 Tekken launches June 25
Arcade Archives: Tekken, originally released in 1994 by Namco Limited, will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch on June 25 for $16.99. Developer Hamster Corporation announced the release, highlighting the game's revolutionary control scheme and the Arcade Archives series' commitment to faithfully reproducing classic arcade titles with modern features like VRR support and various game modes.
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.
