👾 Retro Gaming Weekly News #0159
Welcome to issue 159!
This week’s big news was the announcement of the Lego Game Boy, we also cover looking back at the Game Genie, a new FPGA N64 and a new Atari 2600 - plus a load more.
Appreciate you all that like and share these newsletters, its the fuel that keep me going.
News
🎮 A LEGO Nintendo Game Boy set featuring a buildable cartridge and functional crank has been officially revealed, launching August 1 for $79.99 — IGN
🧱 The LEGO Game Boy set is receiving praise for its authentic design, interactive features, and accessible price point — T3
🎵 Nintendo has released a new compilation of music from 26 classic NES and Famicom titles via its Nintendo Sound Selection initiative — Final Weapon
👾 The next Arcade Archives release is “Valkyrie no Densetsu,” a 1989 Namco shoot-em-up developed by the creators of Raiden (below) — Time Extension
🕹️ Sony plans to expand its PlayStation library with more classic titles, following strong demand for retro games on PS5 — Netto’s Game Room
🧱 A Minecraft shader pack transforms the game into a retro experience by mimicking the look of Game Boy and PlayStation visuals — Game Rant
💥 A fan damaged a Switch 2 while attempting to spray-paint a “Donkey Kong Bananza” cartridge to resemble a classic N64 design — Dexerto
🦑 A fan-made demake of Squid Game reimagines the series as a playable Game Boy title with pixel art visuals — TechEBlog
🕹️ A modder is building a retro handheld that runs actual SNES cartridges, combining classic hardware with a modern form factor — Gizmodo
🦇 The original Castlevania has been unofficially ported to SNES with added rumble support, enhancing its retro gameplay — Time Extension
💰 A rare 3DO M2 console worth over $20,000 was withdrawn from sale after the seller received online abuse — Time Extension
🕹️ Palmer Luckey’s Nintendo 64 clone console will launch at $199 for early adopters, aiming for a faithful retro experience — Time Extension
🤖 The 2D action game Terminator has been delayed due to physical PS5 and PS4 editions being added to the release — Push Square
🟨 A new yellow Atari 2600 console has been announced, offering a colorful update to the classic retro system — TheSixthAxis
🏛️ A new Atari 50 DLC brings Namco favorites like Pac-Man and Dig Dug into an interactive museum experience — Eurogamer
🌀 A fan has created a portable Switch 2 device themed around the GameCube, reimagining the console as a hybrid handheld — TheGamer
Features
🗺️ RPGFan offers a detailed primer on The Legend of Zelda series, providing historical context and game-by-game summaries for newcomers and fans alike — RPGFan
🧬 Tedium explores the impact of Game Genie on ’90s gaming culture, its legal battles, and the generation it empowered to experiment with cheats — Tedium
🌍 A retrospective traces gaming’s transformation from simple pixel art to a massive global industry spanning genres and platforms — Vocal Media
🍑 A viral fan theory suggests Mario and Princess Peach may be romantically involved, based on recent in-game cutscene interpretations — HotHardware
🔫 The Polymega GC01 light gun is finally here after a four-year wait, offering precision performance compatible with modern and retro hardware — Time Extension
🐒 Former Donkey Kong Country artists praise the visual quality of Bananza on Switch 2, calling it a worthy successor to the SNES era — Time Extension
🦇 Konami has released a surprise Castlevania: Dracula X Anniversary collection featuring both SNES and PC Engine versions — Inverse
🕶️ Screen Rant revisits Nintendo’s failed Virtual Boy on its 30th anniversary, analyzing its design flaws and commercial shortcomings — Screen Rant
🧮 A new profile highlights how a student’s boredom on a train led to a calculator-based breakthrough that influenced handheld gaming — Decatur Metro
🦖 Primal Rage was reportedly pulled from Best Buy listings after concerns about its violent imagery were raised by customers — EventHubs
💪 A retrospective examines Hulk Hogan’s legacy across WWE video games, from pixelated sprites to 3D-era wrestling titles — NewsBreak
📽️ A new three-hour documentary explores the rise and fall of Syndicate, featuring interviews with developers and never-before-seen footage (below) — Time Extension
🎮 The GuliKit Elves 2 Pro controller offers responsive inputs and ergonomic design tailored for competitive and casual gamers alike — TechRadar
📼 How-To Geek shares how retro gaming documentaries helped one player appreciate the charm and challenge of ’80s titles — How-To Geek
🕹️ Wired reviews the Super Pocket Neo Geo Edition, highlighting its nostalgic design and solid performance for arcade fans — Wired
🕰️ A modern Commodore 64 and a new handheld from the nephew of the ZX Spectrum’s creator aim to revive 1980s computing for a new generation — GamesRadar
📱 A guide to the best PlayStation 1 emulators available on iOS devices helps retro fans relive classic titles on the go — MacObserver
🔺 Paramount has reportedly shut down a fan-made PS1-style Twin Peaks horror game after two years in development — GamesRadar
🖥️ The Anbernic RG477M handheld showcases dual-screen emulation and is capable of running PS2 and Dreamcast titles — Retro Handhelds
📈 Nintendo Switch 2 is on track to surpass PS2’s lifetime record if early sales momentum continues — Nintendo Everything
🌀 A Steam Deck owner shares their process of turning the device into a portable Dreamcast emulator — How-To Geek
Lists & Rankings
🎮 CBR ranks what it considers the most overrated retro games of all time, citing titles that may not have aged as well as their reputations suggest — CBR
🕹️ A definitive list ranks the top 10 retro video game consoles based on innovation, game library, and cultural impact — CBR
💿 DualShockers highlights the rarest and most valuable PS1 games, with prices for some titles reaching thousands of dollars — DualShockers
📀 A guide to the rarest Nintendo 64 games details their current market values and what makes each title so collectible — DualShockers
🌫️ CBR ranks the greatest liminal space games, focusing on eerie, transitional environments that evoke feelings of isolation and nostalgia — CBR
🎮 A ranked list showcases essential PS1 games that defined the platform and remain must-plays for fans of retro gaming — Game Rant
🔍 CBR compiles a list of forgotten JRPG hidden gems that deserve recognition for their innovative mechanics and compelling stories — CBR
🌄 Game Rant explores the most visually striking locations in PS1 games, showcasing the artistic creativity of early 3D environments — Game Rant
📉 A retrospective highlights beloved franchises that arguably peaked on the Nintendo GameCube, citing gameplay innovation and fan acclaim — Game Rant
