👾 Retro Gaming Weekly News #0157
Welcome to issue number 157 - we have a packed newsletter this week covering stories including the best way to turn your iPhone into a retro gaming powerhouse, celebrating 35 years of the Game Genie, Doom on the SNES is BACK and a sh*t ton more.
If you can take a moment to like, share or comment with any feedback on the newsletter (or subscribe if you are not already) then I will be forever grateful ❤️.
News
🕵️ A horror-themed visual novel inspired by Famicom Detective Club titled Digital Exorcist is set for release in 2026, blending retro aesthetics with supernatural storytelling — Noisy Pixel (below)
🏁 Modders behind an ambitious Mario Kart SNES ROM hack have unveiled a new “Endurance Mode” that dramatically extends gameplay — Time Extension
🎮 Limited Run Games has launched official Standard and Collector’s Editions of Doom for SNES, overcoming major technical hurdles to deliver authentic physical releases — Verge Magazine
🧨 A new hands-on preview of Doom: Super FX 3 reveals a polished and smoother SNES experience, thanks to upgraded tech 30 years after the original — Time Extension
🧱 Developer behind SNES Doom has defended the technical choices used in Limited Run’s 2025 update, citing performance priorities — Time Extension (below)
🕹️ The new ModRetro Chromatic color handheld has launched, but its limited availability is raising concerns among retro gaming fans — Forbes
👀 I watched the following video which covers the Chromatic in more detail and why it is anti-planned obsolescence (below)
🧪 Indie developer Taki Udon has teased a mysterious NES-related project with an 8-bit theme, sparking speculation in the retro scene — Time Extension
🎤 Shigeru Miyamoto revealed that The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was born out of after-hours experimentation during Mario development — Screen Rant
🔫 Polymega’s 1.1.35 update introduces long-awaited light gun support, unlocking compatibility with several retro shooting games — Time Extension
🧠 Nintendo is reportedly exploring virtual reality, suggesting a potential future shift in gaming experiences for the company — Game Rant
🌀 A fan-made Dreamcast port of Mario Kart 64 will feature Sonic the Hedgehog, blending two iconic franchises in one unofficial release — Time Extension
🔍 A new theory suggests a recent leak points to more Nintendo 64 titles coming to the Switch Online service — Screen Rant
🐉 DaemonClaw: Origins of Nnar brings a new pixel-based action experience to the Mega Drive, merging retro visuals with modern gameplay mechanics — Time Extension
📢 The voice actor behind Perfect Dark’s Joanna Dark is encouraging fans to help ensure the franchise’s survival — Nintendo Life
🐱 NES-style Metroidvania Cathedral is getting a prequel with new visuals and refined gameplay, expanding its retro-inspired universe — Time Extension
🧳 A working Nintendo Wii system small enough to fit into a Game Boy cartridge has been completed after years of development — Retro Dodo
📼 Rare Sega Genesis game Mega Noah’s Ark is being re-released by Retro-Bit for modern collectors and players — Time Extension
📈 Atari has released its fiscal year 2025 earnings, showing financial growth driven by licensing and game publishing — Globe Newswire
🤝 Digital Eclipse and Nightdive Studios plan to collaborate more closely in future projects, focusing on retro game preservation and remasters — Time Extension
Features
🕹️ A new console called the 16-Bit Compact HD allows users to play original SNES cartridges in 720p, bringing modern resolution to classic games — Siliconera
🐸 A 35-year-old mystery involving the original Battletoads has been solved, revealing that its opening music actually comes from unused Double Dragon II tracks — Time Extension (below)
📱 A writer shares their favorite iPhone emulator apps, highlighting how mobile emulation helps reconnect with childhood gaming memories — Pocket-lint
💬 Fallout creator Tim Cain criticized the lack of concern for game preservation, citing instances where he was told to destroy original assets — Time Extension
📲 A roundup of the best iPhone emulators details options for playing retro games from NES, SNES, PS1, and more on Apple devices — The Mac Observer
🎮 Game Genie, the iconic cheat device that altered how players interacted with video games, marks 35 years since its original release — CBR
🤖 A look back at R.O.B., Nintendo’s robotic NES accessory, shows how it helped revive the U.S. console market in the mid-1980s — CBR
🏎️ Mario Kart World SNES introduces a fan-made “394 P-Switch Challenge” that ramps up difficulty and creativity for competitive players — Kotaku
🧟♂️ Upcoming survival horror title Pulsebreaker combines PS1 visuals with gameplay inspired by Resident Evil and Fear Effect — Time Extension
🚗 Old School Rally is a new retro-style racing game on PS5/PS4 that captures the spirit of Colin McRae Rally — Push Square
🕶️ A historical overview explores how the first wave of VR in the ’90s took hold in arcades but failed to achieve mass adoption — Heise
🕹️ The new Neo Geo Super Pocket offers a compact, affordable way to enjoy the premium arcade experience that was once out of reach for many — Stuff
📀 A developer has managed to run a full PlayStation 1 emulator from within a Nintendo DS cartridge, showcasing extreme technical ingenuity — Hackaday (below)
🕹️ Fans of a beloved PlayStation 2 game are actively campaigning for a remaster, keeping its online community thriving two decades later — Men’s Journal
🚗 A modified Honda Accord features a fully functional PlayStation 2 built into the dashboard, blurring the line between car mod and console mod — Supercar Blondie
🧠 A rare Metal Gear guidebook that includes scans of Hideo Kojima’s hand-drawn planning materials has been fully digitized for public access — Time Extension
🎓 A BBC report explores how classic video games are being preserved and studied by academic institutions as cultural history — BBC
Lists & Rankings
🕹️ Several video game consoles that were once hyped are now remembered for their shortcomings, including clunky hardware and limited game libraries — CBR
💥 Despite commercial failure, some consoles like the Dreamcast and PS Vita are now praised for their innovation and cult followings — Game Rant
🎮 While often impractical, quirky gaming accessories like the Sega Activator and NES Power Glove still capture the imagination of collectors and retro fans — TheGamer
🔋 A roundup of the most technically impressive SNES games showcases titles like Star Fox and Donkey Kong Country that pushed the hardware to its limits — CBR
🦔 A list of Sonic games best suited for short sessions highlights titles that deliver fast-paced gameplay in compact form — Game Rant
👹 The PlayStation 1 era produced some of the most memorable boss fights in gaming history, from Final Fantasy VIIto Metal Gear Solid — DualShockers
💾 Once overlooked, certain video game systems like the TurboGrafx-16 and Neo Geo Pocket have become valuable collector’s items — Inkl
📦 A collection of lesser-known facts about the Nintendo GameCube includes its compact design, unique accessories, and unexpected cross-platform features — ComicBook
