👾 Retro Gaming Weekly News #0177
Welcome to December and the 177th issue of our retro gaming newsletter. I am hoping you managed to get some retro bargains this Black Friday. My Analogue 3D arrived, and I picked up a job lot of unsorted carts that I will be testing very soon. I am playing a lot of Arc Raiders lately.
In this weeks newsletter, the biggest story has been the announcement of the Chromatic M64, a loopback at the Famicom Karaoke cartridge, the Game Boy loading screen easter egg, Spyro on the N64 and much more.
Thanks for reading, liking and supporting this newsletter ❤️
News
🕹️ ModRetro reveals the M64, a 4K FPGA-powered Nintendo 64–compatible console aimed at delivering modern accuracy and performance. The Verge
🕹️ Palmer Luckey’s ModRetro M64 targets the N64 market with a $160–$199 FPGA-driven system built to resolve long-standing hardware grievances. Retroshell
🎮 ModRetro hints that new and previously unreleased N64 titles may come to the M64, expanding its software library beyond legacy games. RetroDodo
🔧 Krikzz issues a patch to enable EverDrive compatibility on the Analogue 3D, though with limitations affecting certain features. Retroshell
🌿 Petal Runner is announced as a cozy, Game Boy–style indie adventure set for release in 2026. Forbes
👊 Karate Blazers brings four-player arcade beat-’em-up action to Nintendo Switch and PS4 this week. Retroshell
🚀 A spiritual successor to Star Fox from one of the original SNES developers receives a fresh gameplay re-reveal showcasing major improvements. GamesRadar
💥 Mighty Final Fight Forever is set to launch just before Christmas, continuing Capcom’s retro-inspired beat-’em-up revival. Retroshell
🐉 A modder successfully gets Spyro the Dragon running on Nintendo 64 hardware (below). GoNintendo
🚀 R-Type Delta returns in a reimagined form that departs from the original’s look while preserving its core identity. Retroshell
✨ A Cardcaptor Sakura RPG for WonderSwan is about to receive a full fan translation, making the once-Japan-exclusive title accessible. Time Extension
🔄 A modder creates an automatic converter enabling Game Boy Advance games to run on Game Boy Color hardware via on-the-fly patching. Retroshell
🕸️ The ARMsx2 PS2 emulator introduces online multiplayer support, allowing networked play for supported titles. SteamDeckHQ
🎮 Nintendo adds four tougher retro titles to Switch Online, increasing the service’s lineup of challenge-focused classics. Retroshell
👟 A Singapore designer fits a fully functional SNES inside a Nike trainer, creating a compact and wearable mod system. Retroshell
🕗 TimeSplitters Rewind sees its community stepping up to continue development after years of uncertainty. Retroshell
💾 The ExoWin9x project preserves 662 Windows 95 games in a single portable archive for long-term accessibility. Retroshell
Features
🎤 A rare karaoke studio built around the Nintendo Famicom has resurfaced, showcasing an obscure piece of Japan’s gaming and music crossover history — Techeblog
🌆 A look into Barcelona’s vibrant retro gaming scene reveals its cultural and pixelated heartbeat — Retroshell
🎮 The Super Famicom launched in Japan 35 years ago, marking a pivotal moment in Nintendo’s console history — Inverse
🧱 A fan-made LEGO tribute to the ZX Spectrum has gained attention online, with hopes it could become an official set — Time Extension
🕹️ A full-size Nintendo M82 kiosk in exceptional condition is now up for auction, offering a rare glimpse into classic retail gaming hardware — WGNO
📱 A never-released Sega handheld designed to rival the Game Boy has been revealed in a behind-the-scenes pitch — Time Extension
🧲 The BrickBoy Kickstarter aims to blend LEGO-style customization with Game Boy functionality, featuring swappable magnetic buttons — The Verge
💾 The 8BitMods VMU Pro offers a modern upgrade to the Dreamcast memory card with expanded storage and new features — Time Extension
🥚 A hidden boot screen Easter egg has been discovered in the latest update to the Game Boy Classics app — Vooks
🎼 Donkey Kong Country’s composer believed Nintendo would replace his soundtrack before the game’s release — Time Extension
🗡️ Chrono Trigger remains a top contender for the greatest fantasy RPG of all time, according to fans and critics — CBR
🕹️ The Mangmi Air X is a budget-friendly emulation handheld offering solid performance for retro gaming — Time Extension
🎯 Analogue 3D’s N64 compatibility list highlights the best titles to revisit in high-fidelity — IGN
💜 Despite losing the console war, the Nintendo GameCube continues to resonate with nostalgic gamers — DualShockers
📺 A blooper involving the NES appears in Stranger Things Season 5, catching the eye of retro fans — Time Extension
🎮 The Atari Gamestation Go is reviewed as a portable solution for retro game fans, albeit with some limitations — Tom’s Hardware
🏠 A retro gaming enthusiast shares their picks for transforming a living room into a full arcade experience — GamesRadar
🎂 The PlayStation 2 celebrates its 25th anniversary, remembered for its deep library of hidden gaming gems — Eurogamer
Lists & Rankings
🕹️ A look back at five lesser-known but standout games from the 1980s that offered unique gameplay and nostalgic value — ComicBook
🎮 This list highlights NES titles with high replay value, showcasing games that remain engaging decades after their release — DualShockers
📺 A ranked overview of The Simpsons video games, comparing decades of releases to determine which titles captured the show’s spirit best — Collider
👾 An exploration of SNES classics that redefined gaming and are still regarded as masterpieces today — CBR
🕰️ A ranking of N64 games that have aged remarkably well, demonstrating timeless design and enduring fan appeal — CBR