👾 Retro Gaming Weekly News #196
Newsletter

👾 Retro Gaming Weekly News #196

Welcome to your 196th issue of the Retro Gaming News roundup. I just got back from watching the new Mario film and it was pretty good.

In this week’s newsletter we have stories such as a NES prototype is discovered and released into the wild, ModRetro add to their collection, Limited Run Games apologies (again), Mario Bros on the Sega Master System and a lot more (loads of lists these days, must make good clickbait).

It goes without saying, I appreciate you all reading, sharing and liking - I am thinking of a way of recognising those of you that keep taking a moment to give me a like, its a cliche, but it works wonders with the algorithms.

News

🎮 A classic SNES RPG series is making a comeback on modern consoles with a release scheduled for PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. Vice

🇯🇵 After more than three decades, a beloved retro RPG franchise is being officially revived for the Japanese market. Time Extension

🕹️ Nintendo has expanded its Switch Online library by adding three additional classic titles for subscribers to play. Nintendojo

💾 A long-lost prototype of a legendary NES game has been discovered by collectors nearly 40 years after it was developed. Vice

🏹 A fan-made project has reimagined the original Legend of Zelda as a first-person shooter available for PC. GamingBible

🕊️ The gaming community is mourning the loss of Yoshihisa Kishimoto, the influential creator of the Double Dragon series. GodisaGeek

🏠 A couple renovating their new home discovered a massive collection of vintage Game Boy items hidden beneath a bed. Meristation

🐊 ModRetro has announced the release of two classic handheld titles, including a port of Croc 2, for their hardware. GamingTrend

🏆 A dedicated fan in the UK has officially achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest collection of Tomb Raider memorabilia. Tomb Raider Chronicles

🧱 A detailed LEGO recreation of the original PSP-1000 could become an official set if it gains enough fan support. Notebookcheck

📼 Evercade is releasing a new collection of indie titles that pays homage to the shareware culture of the 1990s. Time Extension

🏍️ A new fan-developed patch for the Sega Master System version of Hang-On brings the graphics closer to the original arcade experience. Time Extension

📠 In a nod to retro distribution, Impossible Mission 3 is receiving a physical release on a Commodore 64 cassette tape. Metro News

🛸 This week’s “Arcade Archives” releases feature a classic Taito shooter and a unique hoverbike racing game for the NES. Time Extension

📦 Limited Run Games has issued an apology and announced delays for several physical releases due to overly optimistic shipping estimates. Time Extension

⚔️ The rare 1992 Sega Genesis RPG Traysia is set to reach a wider audience with a modern re-release this month. Shane the Gamer

🐧 Linux has recently added technical support for the Sega Dreamcast’s GD-ROM drive, keeping the 90s hardware relevant for modern users. It’s FOSS

🛒 A selection of classic Xbox games briefly and unexpectedly reappeared on the digital storefront before being removed again. Softonic

Features

⚽ This retrospective review looks back at the 8-bit sports title Goal! 2 and its place in the Jaleco library. Games Asylum

🍄 Super Mario Land is highlighted as a nearly perfect handheld experience that is often overshadowed by its console counterparts. CBR

🦍 Newly surfaced reports suggest Shigeru Miyamoto originally conceptualised Donkey Kong as a human in a gorilla suit. Nintendo Wire

🎮 N64 owners can now customise their 8Bitdo controllers with affordable, colourful buttons that mimic the original aesthetic. GamesRadar+

📅 An analysis of why 1996 stands out as one of the most transformative and successful years in Nintendo’s history. CBR

💜 A reader shares their personal connection to the GameCube, arguing why it remains their favourite console despite its flaws. Metro News

🦔 A technical look at the impressive fan port that brings Super Mario Bros. to the Sega Master System hardware. Time Extension

🤖 A new Final Fight project has sparked debate within the retro community for its use of generative AI tools. Time Extension

📐 This retrospective examines the failure of the 3DO console and its ultimate “Game Over” in the market. Retro Handhelds

🏥 The argument is made for why the PS1 classic Parasite Eve is the perfect candidate for a modern series reboot. CBR

📺 A look back at Sony’s futuristic PlayStation 9 commercial from years ago and how many of its predictions have actually come true. Dagens

Lists & Rankings

🔝 A comprehensive personal ranking counts down the top 25 games released for the Super Nintendo. Vocal Media

🤝 This list suggests 10 accessible video games that are perfect for introducing non-gamers to the hobby. CBR

🥇 An examination of five Nintendo franchises where the very first entry is considered the peak of the series. ComicBook.com

⚰️ A look at five great gaming franchises that began and ended their run on the 8-bit NES. ComicBook.com

💎 This ranking identifies the five most underrated titles in the Game Boy’s massive library. ComicBook.com

👿 A countdown of the most difficult boss encounters ever designed for the SNES era. CBR

⏳ Ten SNES titles are highlighted for being decades ahead of their time in terms of design and mechanics. CBR

🚫 A critical look at eight N64 games that have aged poorly and feel difficult to play by today’s standards. GameRant

🔒 This list features seven incredible GameCube games that are unfortunately still trapped on their original hardware. CBR

👎 A ranking of the 10 absolute worst titles ever released for the Sega Genesis console. ComicBook.com

🏢 This list picks the single best Namco title from every console generation. ComicBook.com

👑 A definitive ranking of the greatest masterpieces ever published by Sega. GameRant

🌀 Ten Dreamcast games are recommended for being immediately engaging and fun to play today. DualShockers

✨ A curated list of the seven most perfect games released during the PlayStation 1 era. CBR

Bonus Stages

Encrypted Comms