Retro Gaming
Ongoing coverage on Retro Gaming.
Latest coverage
Game Boy Juke Box Sparks Hit Clips Nostalgia Among Retro Gamers
A Reddit post comparing Nintendo's Game Boy Juke Box accessory to the 1999 Hit Clips music players has sparked widespread nostalgia among retro gamers. The observation highlights the striking design similarities and taps into a shared memory of late '90s portable tech, reflecting a broader trend of retro gaming revival and the enduring appeal of nostalgic design in gaming accessories.
Game History and Preservation
Palmer Luckey's retro gaming venture, ModRetro, is nearing a $1 billion valuation with the upcoming launch of its FPGA-based Nintendo 64 clone, the M64 console. The device will play original Nintendo 64 cartridges and support 4K resolution output.
This Retro Gamer’s 26-Year-Old Pikachu N64 Still Works — And It’s Making Everyone Jealous
A Reddit user shared a photo of their perfectly preserved Pikachu Edition Nintendo 64, which still functions flawlessly after 26 years, sparking discussions about retro gaming hardware and nostalgia. The article contrasts the durability of older consoles with modern hardware issues and highlights the growing value and importance of preserving vintage gaming systems.
Nintendo Is Pulling Out All The Stops For Mario Day Festivities
Nintendo is celebrating Mario Day with various promotions, including access to classic Super NES, Game Boy, and NES titles for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. Participating retailers are offering discounts on games like Super Mario Odyssey and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Additionally, Ciniplex theaters will feature Nintendo Switch 2 demo booths, and Mario Kart World is hosting online races for My Nintendo Platinum Points.
Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege – Beta Demo | Alpha Beta Gamer
Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege is an NES-style 2D action game set in late-17th century Europe, featuring pixel art and an 8-bit soundtrack. Players control Rudiger, an ex-soldier, who must protect his people from a power-mad priest and his monsters. A demo is available on Steam, allowing players to experience the game's mechanics and make choices that impact playthroughs.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
This article discusses five video games from the early 2000s that have aged remarkably well. It highlights titles that have stood the test of time in terms of gameplay, graphics, or overall design, defying expectations for their era.
Gladmort
Gladmort is an action platformer developed by Chipsonsteroids and published by Pixel Heart SAS, designed to emulate the challenging gameplay of Neo Geo classics like Ghouls 'n Ghosts. While it captures the aesthetic and core mechanics, the game suffers from frustrating level design and "gotcha" moments, particularly in its later stages. Despite strong boss battles, the overall execution falls short of its inspirations, making it a difficult experience for players.
City Hunter Review – Does The World NEED More City Hunter? - Pixel Byte
The review of City Hunter for Nintendo Switch notes that while its availability in English on modern platforms and the addition of new modes by Red Art Games are positive, the game itself is too brief, disorienting, and repetitive to be truly enjoyable. It is considered an interesting artifact from the PC Engine era.
THE MESSENGER - Ninja Gaiden Demastered
The Messenger, a new pixel art ninja platformer from Sabotage Studio and Devolver Digital, is set to release on August 30, 2018, for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The game features a unique mechanic allowing players to switch between 8-bit and 16-bit aesthetics and gameplay styles, paying homage to classic NES and Super NES titles like Ninja Gaiden.
Hazelnut Bastille: first trailer and a playable demo of this action-RPG inspired by Zelda: A Link to the Past!
Aloft Studio has released the first trailer and a playable demo for their upcoming action-RPG, Hazelnut Bastille, which draws heavy inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. The game features a 90s-style pixel art aesthetic, a soundtrack by Hiroki Kikuta, and is being developed in Unity. A release was initially planned for 2019.
Nintendo’s March Gift: More Classic Mario Magic Coming to Switch Online
Nintendo has announced new classic Mario games will be added to Nintendo Switch Online in March 2026. While specific titles have not been revealed, the announcement has generated excitement among fans for potential additions from various eras of the franchise. This move is seen as a way to add value to the subscription service and appeal to both nostalgic players and new generations.
Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection Preview – Electrifying!
The Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection will bring seven titles from the series to modern platforms, including the original trilogy and its variants. This collection features an isometric RPG-style gameplay with a unique Battle Card system, quality-of-life updates like adjustable screen settings and assist controls, and bonus gallery content. It is set to launch on March 27, 2026, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.
PLUMP POP Joins The Arcade Archives 2 Lineup
HAMSTER Corporation has released the 1987 arcade classic PLUMP POP on Xbox Series X|S as part of its Arcade Archives line. The game features a unique premise where players use a trampoline to launch a child character to defeat airborne enemies. This release includes modern conveniences like rewind functionality and a new Time Attack Mode.
Nintendo Switch Online Is Getting Its First New Virtual Boy Games This Month
Nintendo is adding three new games to its Nintendo Switch Online service in March, including two Virtual Boy titles: Mario's Tennis and Mario Clash. A Game Boy Advance puzzle platformer, Mario vs. Donkey Kong, is also being added. All three games will be available on March 10th for users with the Expansion Pack subscription.
Three retro Mario titles are coming to Nintendo Switch Online on Mario Day
Nintendo is adding three retro Mario titles to its Nintendo Switch Online service on March 10th, also known as MAR10 Day. Mario's Tennis and Mario Clash will be available on the Virtual Boy app, while Mario vs. Donkey Kong will join the Game Boy Advance library. Access to these games requires the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.
Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen on Switch is the nostalgia hit I needed
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, originally released for the Game Boy Advance in 2004, hold up surprisingly well today, offering a significant dose of nostalgia for players who grew up with them. While the games retain their original charm and gameplay, some dated mechanics and the lack of modern quality-of-life features, such as online trading and a sortable item bag, are noticeable. Despite these drawbacks, the games are considered a worthwhile purchase for fans seeking a trip down memory lane, especially when compared to the cost of original cartridges.
Nintendo Switch Online's March update to the Classics library is all about Mario, and one new game is particularly surprising
Nintendo is adding new retro games to its Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service in March, focusing on Mario titles. The update includes Mario's Tennis and Mario Clash for the Virtual Boy library, and the original Mario vs. Donkey Kong for the Game Boy Advance library, with the latter being a surprising addition shortly after its remake.
Mario Day This Year Means Three New Switch Online + Expansion Pack Games
Nintendo is adding three classic games to its Switch Online + Expansion Pack service on March 10: Mario Vs. Donkey Kong for Game Boy Advance, and Virtual Boy titles Mario Clash and Mario's Tennis. These additions coincide with Mario Day and continue Nintendo's celebration of the character's 40th anniversary.
Review: Scott Pilgrim EX (Switch 2) - A Gloriously Entertaining, Fan-Service-Filled Retro Brawler
Scott Pilgrim EX is a gloriously entertaining retro brawler that continues the story of the Netflix series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, developed by Tribute Games. It features a free-roaming design with branching levels, a wealth of fan-service, and fluid animation, offering a delightful experience for fans of the genre and the Scott Pilgrim franchise. The game supports up to four players locally and online, with a variety of playable characters and upgradeable stats.
Super Bomberman Collection Review — Nostalgia Bombs | Console Creatures
Super Bomberman Collection is a nostalgic compilation that faithfully recreates seven classic Bomberman titles from the 1990s, including Japan-exclusive entries. Developed by Red Art Studios under Konami, the collection enhances the original games with modern quality-of-life features like save states, rewind, and CRT filters, while preserving the core gameplay. Despite the lack of online multiplayer, it offers a satisfying digital experience for fans of the series.
