👾 Retro Gaming Weekly News #0170
Welcome to issue 170, the Ocarina of Time hits the PC, Flashback on the Saturn, Golden Axe on the 2600 (lots of ports this week), deadmau5 teams up with Atari, and a load more.
As ever, thanks for reading - you all rock ❤️.
News
🛸 Konami’s 1987 arcade shooter Battlantis has been re-released on modern platforms under the title Rise: True Hero, bringing its Space Invaders-style gameplay to new audiences. Time Extension
🕹️ Epic Games Store’s latest free title is a nostalgic NES-inspired game, evoking classic 8-bit aesthetics and gameplay. ComicBook
🚀 A new Sega Master System homebrew release, a sci-fi themed Ice Climber-like platformer, will be available for free later this month. Time Extension
🧝♂️ A massive update has been released for the fan-made Unreal Engine 5 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which is now playable on PC. TweakTown
🏁 Ubisoft’s Street Racer (1994), originally seen as a Mario Kart competitor, is returning via a new retro collection on Steam. Time Extension
🦊 A Star Fox mod for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate lets players fight as Peppy Hare, adding voice lines and new moves to the game. EventHubs
🌕 A fan translation of Suda51’s PS1 horror title Moonlight Syndrome has received a promising progress update. Time Extension
👊 Absolum, a new brawler from the publisher behind Streets of Rage 4, features a unique combo cash-out mechanic and strong critical reception. Eurogamer
💾 The 1990s classic Flashback has been unofficially ported to the Sega Saturn through fan efforts. Time Extension
🪓 Sega’s Golden Axe has received an unofficial Atari 2600 port, marking a surprising demake of the iconic beat ’em up. CBR
💿 The second Neo Geo Premium Selection title has been released, continuing the retro preservation series. Time Extension
🎧 Deadmau5 is collaborating with Atari on a special edition Atari 7800 game release. RetroDodo
💽 The latest firmware update for the Saturn Saroo flash cart adds new features but introduces some notable drawbacks. Time Extension
⚔️ A new RPG described as “Skyrim meets PlayStation” is generating buzz on Steam for its blend of exploration and classic console design. GamingBible
🌊 Pitfall creator David Crane has announced a new Atari 2600 project titled Rescue from Poseidon’s Gate. Time Extension
🎮 A new PS2 emulator called PSX2 has entered development, promising improved performance and compatibility. Android Authority
🕹️ The Atari Jaguar is set to receive both a new 3D shoot-’em-up and a Virtua Cop-style shooter next year. Time Extension
🦔 A possible leak from Sega has hinted at a Sonic or Shadow the Hedgehog remake in development. VICE
👻 A modder is enhancing their acclaimed home port of Ghouls ’n Ghosts with new updates and player contributions. Time Extension
📜 The Tales of Rebirth PS2 fan translation project has reached version 1.0, making the full game playable in English. Noisy Pixel
🇯🇵 A Japanese-exclusive SNES title has been added to Nintendo Switch Online, expanding the retro library’s regional diversity. Restart
🕹️ The 1986 PC-8801 game Miracle Warriors: Seal of the Dark Lord has been ported to Nintendo Switch via the EGG Console. RPG Site
🌲 Mawthorne 2, a new NES homebrew game, has officially launched, continuing the retro-style adventure series. Retro Handhelds
📱 Anbernic has unveiled a modern handheld resembling the Nintendo DS, priced below the original system. Engadget
💻 Nintendo has suffered a major data breach reportedly exposing sensitive internal information. ScreenRant
🎨 Another classic Game Boy title is receiving a DX colorization upgrade, enhancing visuals for modern play. Time Extension
🎮 ModRetro has launched a new Atari game collection for the Game Boy, combining classic titles in a portable format. GamingTrend
🐜 A quirky new Game Boy Color title features a chain-smoking ant protagonist in a mushroom-smashing adventure. Time Extension
⚖️ Nintendo has filed a lawsuit seeking over $4 million from a Reddit moderator accused of selling Switch ROMs. HotHardware
📁 Playdate OS 3.0 introduces a long-requested feature—folders—enhancing system organization for users. Time Extension
Features
📘 A new publication, The Definitive Book of SNES RPGs, celebrates the 16-bit era’s most beloved role-playing games through detailed retrospectives, developer insights, and visual tributes to classic titles from the Super Nintendo era. Gamereactor
🕹️ GamesRadar offers a complete modern setup guide for the Nintendo 64, covering HDMI adapters, upscalers, and controller options to optimize retro gaming on today’s hardware. GamesRadar
🤼 TheSportster uncovers hidden secrets and development trivia behind the Nintendo 64’s classic WWE wrestling games, highlighting how they shaped the genre’s evolution. TheSportster
💿 A rare Sega Saturn game is now on sale for $8,000, reflecting the growing collector demand for hard-to-find retro titles. Time Extension
🎮 CBR compares the design and strategic similarities between Xbox and Sega consoles, exploring how Sega’s legacy influenced Microsoft’s gaming direction. CBR
🕹️ Inverse commemorates the Sega Game Gear’s anniversary by examining how it rivaled Nintendo’s Game Boy in design, innovation, and market impact. Inverse
📦 A detailed gallery showcases Retro-Bit’s re-releases of R.C. Pro-Am II and Battletoads & Double Dragon, capturing the nostalgia of 8-bit and 16-bit classics. Time Extension
🕹️ Shuhei Yoshida recounts the European launch of the original PlayStation, sharing stories of its marketing challenges and the console’s rise to success. GamesIndustry.biz
🤖 An indie developer has brought an “impossible” AI-generated RPG concept to life, proving that experimental ideas can evolve into fully realized games. Time Extension (below)
🎮 Inkl reveals how Sony nearly clashed with Psygnosis during the PS1 era after the studio released Wipeout on the Nintendo 64, straining their partnership. Inkl
🕹️ TechSpot revisits the history and legacy of Sega’s Master System, exploring its innovations, market competition, and cult following. TechSpot
⌚ Time Extension highlights a $1,000 Space Invaders wristwatch that doubles as a playable miniature arcade, merging luxury design with retro gaming. Time Extension
🐉 Eurogamer reviews Digimon Time Stranger, praising its PS2-era RPG charm while noting its nostalgic flaws and emotional storytelling. Eurogamer
🕹️ TechEBlog explores the RCA Studio II, one of gaming’s earliest consoles, detailing its limited technology and unique place in video game history. TechEBlog
🎮 Former Psygnosis staff reflect on the controversial move to bring Wipeout to Nintendo 64, explaining how creative freedom led to a major industry shift. Time Extension
🚀 ComicBook revisits a forgotten PS1-era sci-fi RPG, praising its deep story and world-building as among the best of its generation. ComicBook
🧩 Shuhei Yoshida notes that Nintendo’s decision to cancel the SNES PlayStation helped Sony find independence and achieve later success. Time Extension
🎲 EarlyGame examines Mario Party-e, a lesser-known card-based spin-off for Game Boy Advance that used the e-Reader for mini-games. EarlyGame
🕹️ Over 15,000 retro gamers voted to determine the greatest handheld console of all time, ranking systems based on nostalgia, performance, and design. RetroDodo
🧱 Nintendo Life interviews the designers of the LEGO Game Boy set, revealing how close collaboration with Nintendo shaped the model’s authentic look. Nintendo Life
Lists & Rankings
🎮 A list of the most valuable Nintendo 64 games highlights rare titles that fetch high prices among collectors due to limited releases and enduring fan demand. Mental Floss
🕹️ Forgotten NES games that deserve another playthrough are ranked, showcasing underrated classics that helped define retro gaming history. CBR
🎯 The best Nintendo games from every console generation are featured, reflecting the company’s evolution from 8-bit adventures to modern masterpieces. ComicBook
🧳 A retro gaming enthusiast shares three handheld consoles they can’t live without, emphasizing portability, nostalgia, and timeless design. Retro Dodo
🐉 The best Pokémon games are ranked, comparing gameplay, storylines, and generational innovations across the iconic franchise. Gam3s.gg
