Retro Gaming
Ongoing coverage on Retro Gaming.
Latest coverage
JOTD's Bad Dudes vs DragonNinja port for the Amiga gets an AGA update tease
JOTD has released a new update for their Amiga port of Bad Dudes vs. Dragon Ninja, featuring parallax scrolling, 2-player mode, and faster blits. While the original 1989 release by Data East/Imagine was criticized, this AGA update promises to be a hit in the Amiga scene. The update requires a PAL Amiga 1200/4000 with fast memory and WHDLoad installed.
Evening Reading - September 24, 2026
Shacknews' Evening Reading for September 24, 2026, rounds up various gaming news items including updates on Dragon Quest 11, Total War: Warhammer 3, Marathon, and Tetris Effect: Mixed Realities. The digest also touches on changes for Quake Champions and Counter-Strike 2, and mentions State of Decay 3's development.
35 Years Later, Alien Breed Is Still Coming For You!
The Alien Breed 35th Anniversary collection has been released for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5, featuring six classic games from the series. The collection includes modern conveniences like dual-stick controls and save states, alongside a virtual museum with concept art and developer interviews.
The Gamercard shares a family tree with the ZX Spectrum, but I wasn’t expecting the giftcard-inspired handheld to fully embody its microcomputer ancestry
The Gamercard, a credit card-thin handheld inspired by the ZX Spectrum and created by Sir Clive Sinclair's nephew, offers a unique approach to indie and retro gaming. While its rubber disc controls and lack of ergonomics are drawbacks, its sharp display, full RetroPi emulation, and PICO-8 integration provide a novel experience for tinkerers and fans of low-spec innovation.
Thunder Hoop Collection secures Nintendo Switch release date, new trailer
QUByte Interactive has announced that the Thunder Hoop Collection will be released on Nintendo Switch on October 8, 2026, for $9.99. The collection includes the original Thunder Hoop arcade game and its sequel, TH Strikes Back, featuring modern enhancements like Rewind and Save States, along with a new release date trailer.
Best early Black Friday retro deals 2026: Consoles, handhelds, and accessories I'd peek at ahead of the sales
This guide offers advice on finding the best early Black Friday deals for retro gaming consoles, handhelds, and accessories in 2026. It emphasizes focusing on smaller, impactful purchases like controllers and upscalers rather than original vintage hardware, and suggests checking retailers like Amazon, AliExpress, and Woot for potential savings.
Baby Escapes From Mushroom Manor - Guide Baby on his adventures through mushroom manor on the C64
Baby Escapes From Mushroom Manor is a new Commodore 64 platform-puzzle-adventure game by NinjaConor. Players guide an infant through a labyrinthine estate, solving environmental puzzles, scavenging for fuel, and collecting coins while avoiding various adversaries. The game features classic single-joystick controls and evokes the spirit of 8-bit classics like Dizzy.
Long-Forgotten Bandai Namco PlayStation 1 Game Coming to PS5
Hamster Corporation is releasing the classic PlayStation 1 action game Xevious 3D/G on PlayStation 5 on September 24 for $16.99. This vertically scrolling shooter, originally launched in 1996, features 3D polygonal graphics and new content. The Arcade Archives version will include modern features like save states, rewind, and online rankings.
The Alienware AW2726DM disrupts the QD-OLED monitor scene with fantastic value visuals, and I'm hyped to see a screen like this for under $400
The Alienware AW2726DM is a 27-inch QD-OLED gaming monitor that offers exceptional visuals for under $400, representing a significant value proposition. While it compromises on brightness and some features to achieve its price point, it includes a unique 360-degree rotating base and delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks. The monitor excels in gaming performance but has some drawbacks with retro gaming resolution scaling.
Karate Champ is this week’s Console Archives game for Nintendo Switch 2
Karate Champ is being released for the Nintendo Switch 2 as part of the Console Archives lineup on September 24, 2026, for $7.99. This 1986 DATA EAST action game features simple controls for executing a variety of moves. The Console Archives series adds modern features like customizable button layouts and save points to classic titles.
Berzerk - An all time classic from the 80's as the second entry into the MSXdev26 compo
Pixel Forge has released a new port of the classic 1980 arcade shooter Berzerk for the MSXdev26 competition. This modern iteration of the game is faster and features improved sound compared to older MSX versions, challenging players to blast robots and escape before the invincible Evil Otto appears.
ZX Spectrum and Manic Miner legend Matthew Smith to get video game box set
A Kickstarter campaign is celebrating the life and works of 1980s UK game developer Matthew Smith with a physical media box set. The collection will include all four of his games: Styx, Manic Miner, Jet Set Willy, and Andre's Night Off, released on cassette tapes for the ZX Spectrum. The campaign has already surpassed its funding goal.
PlayStation 5 Collection of Popular PS1 Action Games Gets Release Date Window
Edia has announced that the Battle Arena Toshinden Collection, featuring the first three PlayStation 1 3D fighting games, will launch on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC in 2027. The collection will include modern features while preserving the retro fighting style, though specific enhancements have not yet been detailed.
GameSir T7 Pro Retro Green Controller Review
The GameSir T7 Pro Retro Green controller offers a familiar Xbox layout with Hall effect thumbsticks and programmable back buttons, but its aesthetic is described as underwhelming when off. While functional and featuring bright RGB lighting, the controller's d-pad struggles with input accuracy, and its overall feel doesn't match higher-priced competitors, making it a decent budget option but not a standout.
Gun Smoke - 1980's Arcade Western is coming to the Amiga AGA via Modern Vintage Gamer
Modern Vintage Gamer is developing a new Amiga AGA port of Capcom's 1985 arcade western Gun.Smoke. The developer is reverse-engineering the original ROM into C source code, aiming for smooth performance on stock Amiga 1200 hardware, though additional Fast RAM may be required. This follows their popular Amiga port of Zippy Race.
JOAN OF ARC - A fantastic platformer from team Griffonsoft and publishers Psytronik Software for the Commodore 64
Retro publisher Psytronik Software has launched Joan of Arc - Deus Contra Machinam, the third title in GriffonSoft's tribute collection for the Commodore 64. This dystopian action-puzzler features a welder named Joan-27J/6 fighting a rogue AI, offering over 30 detailed screens, responsive controls, and a full soundtrack. The game is available for both PAL and NTSC systems, including modern hardware clones.
The Evercade Dual Thumbstick Wireless Controller readies the cartridge-based retro console for early 3D gaming, even if it's not my outright favorite retro gamepad
The Evercade Dual Thumbstick Wireless Controller offers a serviceable option for the cartridge-based retro console, featuring full-size analogue sticks suitable for early 3D games. While it lacks Hall-effect sensors and has a blocky design, its Bluetooth and wired connectivity, along with a fitting aesthetic, make it a solid choice for existing Evercade users.
Edia announces Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes 1 & 2 for Nintendo Switch, Psikyo Memories and Toshinden Collection for Switch 2
Edia has announced the upcoming release of several classic game collections for the Nintendo Switch, including Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes 1 & 2, Psikyo Memories, and Toshinden Collection. These titles, originally from PC Engine, PlayStation, and arcades, are slated for a worldwide release in 2027, aiming to bring retro gaming experiences to modern platforms.
Review: Future Knight (Nintendo Switch)
Future Knight is a 2D arcade action platformer for the Nintendo Switch that emulates the visual style of 1980s LCD games. While the unique mechanic of projecting a benign tumor to solve puzzles and attack enemies is interesting, its implementation is sometimes unwieldy. Despite some control issues, the game offers a fun and visually distinct retro experience with a bizarre narrative, making it a worthwhile purchase for retro enthusiasts.
G'AIM'E shows off fresh "Pro" and "Lite" Lightgun prototypes that ditch the AI camera, and they could feel more like my favorite PS2 gun for modern screens
Tassei Denki has unveiled new 'Pro' and 'Lite' prototypes for its G'AIM'E lightgun, moving away from AI cameras to utilize gyro and wireless capabilities for modern screens. These prototypes, shown at Tokyo Game Show, aim to offer improved accuracy and lower latency, potentially working with PC and older consoles like the PlayStation 2.