👾 Retro Gaming Weekly News #0186
Hi everyone, welcome to issue 186 of our retro gaming roundup.
Covered this week, Yoshi appears in the new Mario trailer, Ren & Stimpy return, Donkey Kong Country as you have never seen it, retro gaming is the future - and a whole lot more.
I know I have been saying it a lot of late, but thanks to everyone that supports me by giving this a like/shares - I wish there was an easy way to recognise you good folk - I have been doing the newsletter now for 186 weeks consecutively andknowiyng it is well received makes it all worthwhile.
News
🎬 Nintendo fans relieved as Yoshi avoids 1 major movie change in new trailer – AllOut Gaming
🖼️ GOG has removed a game’s key art after being criticized for using AI-generated imagery in promotional materials – Kotaku
🎮 The Disney Afternoon Collection arrives on Nintendo Switch, now featuring two additional SNES titles – Retro Handhelds
🕹️ Mega Cat Studios has launched two new NES games and one SNES game, all playable on original hardware – GoNintendo
📼 Limited Run Games unveils The Ren & Stimpy Show: Time Warp Collection, a retro compilation for modern platforms – Games Asylum
👓 Nintendo reveals the initial lineup of Virtual Boy games coming to its online service at launch – Notebookcheck
🕹️ 8BitDo launches a translucent purple leverless controller, inspired by retro aesthetics – Notebookcheck
🎮 Analogue 3D now supports wireless Nintendo 64 controllers thanks to a new software update – Notebookcheck
⚙️ A new MiSTer FPGA N64 Turbo Core update delivers a 17.5% performance boost – Time Extension
🛠️ A new PS2 decompilation project is underway to improve game preservation and modding efforts – Escapist Magazine
💾 The Atari ST is being revived in mini FPGA form, though supply may be limited – GamesRadar
🐻 Banjo-Kazooie has been ported to PC, bringing the classic N64 title to a new platform – DSOGaming
🧩 Hewson’s classic puzzle-platformer Nebulus is getting a new physical release on the Game Boy Advance – Time Extension
🚛 SEGA’s obscure arcade game Yakuza: Magical Truck Adventure resurfaces in a new retrospective feature – ComicBook
🕹️ A new batch of officially licensed 16-bit games is arriving on PS5 this week – Push Square
🔍 Virtua Racing Deluxe on Sega 32X has been fully decompiled, aiding preservation efforts – Retro Handhelds
🌀 SEGA teases upcoming developments for the Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise – The Direct
🏛️ The Strong Museum of Play acquires a vast collection of Atari-related materials for archival purposes – Time Extension
📚 Bitmap Books reveals a new volume chronicling nine generations of video game history – Retro Dodo
Features
🎮 A fan-made AI-powered remake of Donkey Kong Country showcases enhanced visuals and animations built from scratch using OpenAI’s Sora model and Unity engine — but lacks gameplay (below). DSOGaming
🧪 Before Splatoon, Nintendo experimented with a colorful multiplayer shooter called “Cabbage” for the 64DD, aiming to create a chaotic, family-friendly action game decades ahead of its time. Time Extension
🏆 Super Smash Bros. Melee is hailed as the GameCube’s defining title due to its competitive depth, devoted community, and enduring influence in fighting game tournaments. CBR
🔊 Researchers analyzed over 93,000 sounds from Sega Mega Drive/Genesis games to identify common audio patterns, instruments, and compression techniques used in classic 16-bit titles. Adafruit
🕹️ A reader reflects on the timeless appeal of retro games, arguing they offer more character, creativity, and lasting fun than many modern AAA titles. Metro
🎅 Santacorps 4 is a holiday-themed indie game that nails the look and feel of Dreamcast-era Sonic, blending retro flair with modern level design. Rock Paper Shotgun
🚗 An obscure PlayStation racer, Simple 1500 Series Vol. 68: THE Race, was Sony’s overlooked attempt to rival Daytona USA with arcade-style driving and drift-heavy mechanics. Top Gear
🖌️ Metal Slug artist Tonko shared a 1990s concept doodle for a humorous sci-fi game based on Samurai Shodown, originally pitched but never produced. Time Extension
🧔 A Japanese shooter studio initially doubted the PlayStation’s viability due to Sony’s corporate appearance and lack of arcade credibility in the 1990s. Se7en.ws
Lists & Rankings
🕹️ Several beloved NES games from the 1980s, including Duck Hunt and Kid Icarus, are highlighted as prime candidates for modern remakes due to their lasting appeal and outdated mechanics — Ranker.
🔥 A curated list showcases the most iconic and challenging SNES boss fights, featuring unforgettable encounters from Super Metroid, Final Fantasy VI, and others — ComicBook.
🎮 Several once-celebrated platformers like Ristar and Plok have faded from memory despite their innovation and charm, warranting renewed attention — DualShockers.
💥 Hardware limitations of past consoles significantly impacted game performance and design, with titles like GoldenEye 007 and Sonic the Hedgehog affected by these constraints — SVG.
