👾 Retro Gaming Weekly News #0185
Welcome to number 185 of our weekly retro gaming news roundup.
In this week’s newsletter, we feature stories including an 8k Ocarina of Time, Yap and the Enchanted Bubbles for the Game Boy Color, the best SNES game of all time(?), 1,750,000 FPS on the Virtual Boy - and lots more.
As always, a huuuuuge thanks to you all for reading, and a massive thanks for all the likes you have been giving the newsletter each week - it really inspires me and seems to lead to more subscribers, which is great. Wishing you all a wonderful week. ❤️
News
🎮 A new fan remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time reveals a previously unseen area, adding to its ambitious reimagining project — GamingBible
🏎️ LEGO is teasing a large-scale Mario Kart Luigi set, expected to complement the earlier Mario version — Video Games Chronicle
🕹️ Hyperkin confirms a handheld N64 is being considered, but it’s unlikely to be released in the near future — Time Extension
⌚ A fan-mod has brought Super Mario 64 to the Apple Watch, running the game using emulation tech (below) — TechEBlog
💻 A new PC fan port of Super Mario 64 has been released by the Harbour Masters team — Time Extension
🎉 Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition has been surprise-rated, hinting at a possible upcoming release — Nintendo Life
🥋 Konami’s classic Yie Ar Kung-Fu is being unofficially ported to the Sega Genesis by fans — Time Extension
📉 Anbernic’s RG34XXSP model quietly received a RAM downgrade, sparking concerns among retro handheld enthusiasts — Android Authority
🕹️ A teen modder turned Hytale into a multi-platform emulator, capable of running everything from Windows 95 to Game Boy — NotebookCheck
🧼 Yap and the Enchanted Bubbles, a new title with retro flair, is heading to the Game Boy Color — GoNintendo
🎉 Death metal band Party Cannon was gifted a Nintendo 64 customized for partying by fans — The Mosh
🛠️ A prolific Sega Saturn modder has developed a spiritual successor to one of Sega’s rarest consoles — Time Extension
🌀 Retro Fighters is preparing to launch a GameCube-themed dock for the upcoming Switch 2 — GoNintendo
🤖 Cyber Doll, a Saturn JRPG with anti-AI themes, is receiving a fan translation—but it comes with limitations — Time Extension
🏨 The futuristic design for the long-teased Atari Hotel in Phoenix has been officially revealed — The Independent
📱 The Trimui Brick retro handheld is receiving a new Pro version with improved features — Time Extension
🔊 A new Sonic the Hedgehog audio drama podcast titled Chaotix Casefiles has been announced — GameRant
🛠️ A new development framework for Sonic fangames is being built by the creator of Sonic CDX — Time Extension
🎯 Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft is getting new collectible Funko Pop! figures — TheGamer
⌚ Nubeo has released a retro-style wristwatch inspired by the Atari 2600 as a tribute to classic gaming — iXBT Games
Features
🎮 Disney achieved major success in 1990s gaming with a series of acclaimed titles across platforms, establishing a legacy of licensed video game excellence — ComicBook.
🕹️ The Retroid Pocket 6 handheld delivers strong performance, a vibrant display, and Android 11 support at a budget-friendly price — TechEBlog.
🧝♂️ The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is praised as the Game Boy’s finest title due to its emotional depth, design, and innovation — CBR.
🧩 A new mod enables ASUS ROG Ally and Xbox users to play physical Game Boy cartridges via an external USB device — XDA Developers.
🐉 Pokémon’s Game Boy development was marked by technical constraints and prolonged trial-and-error before achieving its iconic success — Nintendo Life.
🌾 Harvest Moon is remembered as an ideal SNES game, blending life simulation and farming mechanics in a then-unique genre experience — CBR.
🏆 Over 30,000 retro gamers voted The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past as the best SNES game of all time — RetroDodo.
📺 The original Japanese design for Lara Croft featured exaggerated proportions, including oversized eyes and head, but was ultimately scrapped — Filmogaz.
📼 The Intellivision Sprint handheld faithfully emulates Mattel’s long-overlooked console, delivering accurate performance and retro appeal — Digital Foundry.
👀 Lara Croft’s Japanese market redesign nearly featured an anime-style look before being replaced with a globally unified model — Time Extension.
💡 New research reveals the Sega Saturn’s potential for ray tracing, showcasing capabilities far beyond what was realized during its lifespan — Gamereactor.
🎵 Fatboy Slim shared that financial need drove his initial interest in composing a soundtrack for a Smurfs video game, which ultimately went unused — Time Extension.
Lists & Rankings
🕹️ A full ranking of every game included in official Super Nintendo Entertainment System bundles highlights the variety and legacy of the console’s most promoted titles — ComicBook.
📉 Several Sega Genesis games that once stood out are now seen as outdated due to gameplay issues, visual limitations, or design flaws — CBR.
📖 A selection of SNES titles with standout narratives showcases fan-favorite games known for emotional depth and memorable storytelling — ComicBook.
🕵️♂️ A list of lesser-known but nearly flawless Sega Genesis games highlights forgotten gems that delivered high-quality gameplay and design — CBR.
🧱 The top 3D platformers on the Nintendo 64 are ranked based on innovation, control, and lasting influence on the genre — ComicBook.
🌀 A roundup of bizarre unlicensed games on retro consoles showcases unconventional titles that bypassed official approval — ComicBook.
