👾 Retro Gaming Weekly News #0183
Welcome to your issue number 183, back in sunny (ish) Barcelona and back to Ark Raiders.
In this week’s issue, we delights such as turning your phone into a Game Boy, a Sega legend dies 😕, Mario 64 on the Dreamcast, retro CES announcements and a load more.
Every time I see someone like the newsletter, or a new subscription, it feels like a power up.
News
🕊️ David Rosen, co-founder of Sega and a key figure in the company’s early global expansion, has died at age 90. The Guardian
🎮 The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection is coming to Xbox and Game Pass in Spring 2026. Inverse
🕹️ GameSir has announced the Pocket TACO, a compact, foldable mobile gaming controller designed for portability and performance. Hypebeast
📱 8BitDo’s new controller design transforms smartphones into a Game Boy-style handheld using a sliding, clamshell form factor. Android Headlines
🕹️ Mega Cat Studios will release two new NES games and one SNES game on January 29, 2026 (below). GoNintendo
🌟 A cult-favorite indie JRPG inspired by SNES classics is being re-released eight years after its original launch. ComicBook
🌀 A fan has ported Super Mario 64 to the Dreamcast, offering what some describe as AAA native performance. Time Extension
🎮 GameSir and Hyperkin have unveiled a modular controller featuring interchangeable layouts for GameCube and N64-style play. Nintendo Life
🏎️ A fan has created an HD version of Ridge Racer within Dreams, filling the gap left by Bandai Namco. Time Extension
🕹️ The SuperStation One FPGA console has finally begun shipping after major development delays. NotebookCheck
🎉 A new Mario 64 PC mod introduces mini-games styled after WarioWare, adding fast-paced challenges to classic levels. Time Extension
📉 A recent update regarding the Nintendo GameCube hints at disappointing news for fans awaiting future developments. ComicBook
🕹️ My Arcade’s long-delayed Sega mini arcades are now confirmed for release later in 2026 after a year of silence. Time Extension
📼 A DIY cassette player can now record Spotify sessions in real time, bringing digital music to analog tape. NotebookCheck (not retro but retro cool)
🌴 A new Sega Saturn FPS titled Vigilant Paradise channels Miami Vice aesthetics and retro shooter vibes. Time Extension
🎨 8BitDo’s NES 40th Collection has been praised as a stylish and high-quality tribute to the classic console. RetroDodo
🚀 Nearly 37 years after its original release, Zero Wing is getting an unofficial Neo Geo port by fans. Time Extension
🛸 The Japan-only Dreamcast game Macross M3 has received a complete English fan translation for global audiences. NotebookCheck
🧩 Evercade’s first firmware update of 2026 adds support for Neo Geo and Atari 2600 titles. Time Extension
Features
🧟♂️ Battletoads, which debuted on the NES in 1991, rapidly expanded across platforms due to Rare’s push for cross-platform success and marketing adaptability — Games Asylum
🎯 Gail Tilden, a key figure in Nintendo of America’s marketing team, reflects on her role in the NES launch and the strategy of avoiding the term “video game” to rebuild consumer trust post-crash — Time Extension
🕹️ Four decades on, the Sega Master System is remembered for its technical strengths and unique regional success, despite being overshadowed by the NES globally — CBR
💾 The Turbo EverDrive Core & Pro offers robust performance for PC Engine fans, though limitations in CD-ROM support and audio playback may impact user experience — Time Extension
🌙 Kazuyuki Hoshino explains that the “NiGHTS” acronym stands for “Night into Dreams,” reflecting the game’s surreal aesthetic and narrative depth — Gamereactor
🕹️ The Atari GameStation Go is a modern handheld tribute to retro gaming, offering wide compatibility and preloaded titles despite some interface and emulation flaws — GamesHub
👾 The Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition celebrates the iconic console and its most infamous game with a nostalgic design, improved ports, and collector appeal — TechRadar
💿 (Duplicate) The Turbo EverDrive Core & Pro review is covered above — Time Extension
♟️ KEX is a newly developed abstract board game inspired by PC Engine aesthetics and mechanics, offering a fresh take on retro gaming design — Retro Handhelds
Lists & Rankings
🕹️ A roundup of affordable retro and modern game consoles highlights budget-friendly options from Nintendo, Atari, and others, catering to gamers seeking value and nostalgia — CBR.
🎮 Six Nintendo 64 titles are spotlighted for their memorable and beloved storytelling, including fan favorites that helped define the console’s legacy — ComicBook.com.
🧩 Five underrated GameCube games are recognized for their overlooked innovation and gameplay, showcasing hidden gems from Nintendo’s early 2000s lineup — ComicBook.com.
🔄 A look back at forgotten video game crossovers reveals surprising collaborations that once brought together major franchises across genres — CBR.
🌍 A critique of modern JRPG design argues that open worlds are not essential for creating expansive, immersive experiences, citing strong linear alternatives — DualShockers.
