Retro Gaming Update: Star Fox CD

An upcoming project goes by the name 'Star Fox CD', inspired by the legendary SNES game. Its developer, @RealSunlitSpace, is utilizing the MSU-1 chip for high-quality CD music.

The ultimate goal of this hack project is not only to leverage Randy Linden's unofficial Super FX 3 chip for potential enhancements but also integrate rumble support on the SNES system.

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Will you be playing Star Fox CD when it's released?

Reviving Historical Simulations: Koei Tecmo has announced that 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8', a classic simulation game set against the backdrop of ancient China, will soon be reborn. Scheduled for release on October 24, 2024, and available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, this remake promises to bring new life to the franchise. "All Officers Play" mode will allow players to experience the intricacies of strategy from any perspective within the Three Kingdoms universe. With enhancements in visuals, strategic depth, and gameplay dynamics, fans can look forward to a fresh reimagining.

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Are you a fan of the original? What will this remake need to do in order for you to be interested?

At a glance

Atari Jaguar emulation is set to grace iPhones, thanks to the efforts of programmer and Jaguar enthusiast, Richard Whitehouse, Head of Digital Conservation at The Video Game History Foundation. He's nearly ready to publish his iOS emulator.

Still in development stages but with hopeful plans for release next month. He posted this update on Twitter: "It’s alive! Still lots of work to be done", suggesting much more work is needed before full public availability. But the potential to play beloved games like Tempest 2000 is exciting.

Context

While iOS has seen its fair share of retro game emulators, this marks a significant addition for Jaguars fans. The emulator's release would provide another piece to the vibrant puzzle of nostalgic gaming on mobile platforms.

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What are your favourite memories of the Atari Jaguar?

Phantom Brave: Classic Tactical RPG Remastered for PS5, Coming in Autumn 2024

In a recent announcement, it was revealed that Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle remastered will be available for the PlayStation 5 on November 7, 2024. This version of the tactical RPG promises enhanced graphics and features.

Originally released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2, Phantom Brave is known for its unique gridless battle system involving the “Confine” mechanic, allowing characters to summon phantoms by attaching them to objects on the map. The remaster aims to retain the charm of the original while leveraging modern hardware capabilities.

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Are you a fan of the original?

Thanks to Delta, a popular iPhone emulator, Nintendo DS fans can soon enjoy online multiplayer support for their favorite retro titles.

On The Verge, Riley Testut revealed the multiplayer functionality leverages melonDS's online multiplayer code and connects through 3rd-party servers, allowing any Delta user around the world to compete in games like Mario Kart DS as they did back when Nintendo servers were still operational. No official release date has been set yet, but Patreon subscribers will have access to a beta version before it goes public. The service is set for free once available, just like the rest of Delta.

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What are your favorite retro DS multiplayer games you'd like to relive using Delta's online functionality?

Backyard Baseball '97 returns after years amidst lost source code challenges 🎮 🚀

Backyard Baseball '97, a beloved title among retro gaming enthusiasts since its original release in 1997, is making a comeback. The game, known for its engaging and accessible gameplay with memorable neighborhood kids on the field, was recently announced to be relaunched on Steam on October 10th, 2024.

Facing initial hurdles when the original source code was lost over time, Playground Productions teamed up with Mega Cat Studios. Through their perseverance, they successfully reconstructed a copy from an old CD-ROM and developed game builds compatible with modern PCs. Fans can now enjoy enhanced features including improved gameplay mechanics, enhanced graphics, and improved performance in addition to Steam achievements and global leaderboards that foster online competition.

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Would you preorder or wait for reviews when this classic returns?

Thanks to Mega Cat Studios, and new game, titled Lethal Wedding, promises to bring a cocktail of humour, action, and RPG elements into the realm of classic 16-bit shooters on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis.

This upcoming title takes inspiration from games like Zombies Ate My Neighbors but elevates the formula with modern twists. Here are a few key points that set Lethal Wedding apart:

• Unique Weapons: Discover an explosive bouquet of roses and a banana SMG among other quirky options to wreak havoc on your enemies.
• Character Customization: With over 25 upgrades, every playthrough feels different as players can tailor their heroes according to personal tastes or specific game scenarios.

The plot revolves around a comedic yet intriguing mission where the bride-to-be and her mother-in-law join forces with unconventional weapons and skills (like an explosive gun of roses and a banana SMG) to overcome psychopathic circus performers, mobsters, and even drug rings run by criminal clowns in a quest to save their loved-one from an unexpected wedding nightmare.

This top-down shooter has couch co-op gameplay where two players can support each other through over 30 levels filled with action. The game introduces a Vow System that adds a risk/reward mechanic to the narrative experience - as players fulfill specific vows at the start of each stage, they earn bonuses, making every choice important for progression and rewards.

The Lethal Wedding will launch on November 4, 2024 on Kickstarter.

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Do you think the bride-to-be/mother-in-law team-up is the most far-fetched aspect of the game?

Hamster Corporation Announces Taito Arcade Archives PS4 Sale

Hamster Corporation has recently unveiled another sale on its popular Taito Arcade Archives collection.

From September 25th in Japan to October 9th (UK) and October 10th (US), players will have a chance to buy Space Cruiser, Water Ski, among other beloved titles, all for half the original price on both the Nintendo Switch eShop and PlayStation Store.

Here is the list of available titles (see the original article for store links):

• Space Cruiser
• Water Ski
• Highway Race
• Darius II
• The Legend of Kage
• Space Seeker
• Wild Western
• Megablast
• Darius
• Sea Fighter Poseidon

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Did you play the original 3-screen version of Darius II? How well do you think the port will hold up?

🚀 Blast Off, the classic Japan-exclusive shoot 'em up from Namco that originally launched in arcades in 1989, is set to make its home console debut on September 26, 2024. The game, a sequel to Bosconian, will be available for Nintendo Switch eShop and PlayStation 4.

In this release, players will engage in battles against alien threats using four different coloured lasers, each with unique firing patterns. The game releases exclusively in Japan initially.

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Are you a fan of the original? Will you be picking this up once it becomes available in your region?

The Original Resident Evil 3 Gets a Modern PC Re-release

The classic game, "Resident Evil 3: Last Escape," famously known as "Resident Evil 3: Nemesis," has been announced for PC release on September 25th. This re-released version aims to bring the iconic survival-horror experience back to players, supporting modern PCs and controllers.

Original Release in 1999 on PlayStation, later available on Dreamcast, PC, GameCube. Jill Valentine escapes Raccoon City with Nemesis chasing her throughout the game, a thrilling and unforgettable experience for fans of the genre.

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Would you rather play this re-release of the original, or the 2020 remake?

The Lunar Remastered Collection is bringing the classic RPGs Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue Complete to PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. These remastered versions feature enhanced graphics and audio, a widescreen mode, and quality-of-life improvements, alongside re-recorded English dialogue. Scheduled for release in Spring 2025.

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What are your thoughts on revisiting these games with updated visuals and sound?

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Remaster Leak Brings Excitement and Speculation

The remasters of the iconic games, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2, have been leaked days ahead of their official announcement, setting a release date of December 10th, 2024.

Key Points From the Remaster Release

• Developed by Aspyr in collaboration with Crystal Dynamics,
• Players will enjoy both the original graphics and enhanced visuals,
• Coincides with the series' 25th anniversary,
• The remastered edition includes both Soul Reaver 1 & Soul Reaver 2, originally launched in 1999 & 2001 respectively.

Platform Availability and Rumors

Current information specifies PlayStation platforms but there's speculation about its availability on PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch as well. The official announcement is expected to happen during Sony’s State of Play event.

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What unique features do you think will be added to make these remasters stand out from their original versions?

Recently, modder Hairo Satoh has created a remarkable prototype—Game Boy Advance Cube—which offers the integration of nostalgic controllers (such as Famicom and SNES), Game Boy Advance Games, and a Game Boy Advance SP screen.

With slots for retro controllers directly integrated into the design, this device preserves gamers’ muscle memory from older consoles. Imagine combining your favorite Game Boy Advance games with classic controllers in a compact form factor?

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Which controller compatibility do you hope he addds next?

Tamagotchi Sales Surge with UK Store Launch

The Tamagotchi, a classic digital pet that made its debut in the late '90s, continues to capture the hearts and minds of gamers new and old alike. Global sales have doubled, making it a resounding success from 2022 through 2023. This surge is notably punctuated by the opening of the first Tamagotchi store in the UK — an event that hadn't been seen since its inception, when it was at the height of its popularity two decades ago.

• Revived tradition The modern Tamagotchi brings a familiar egg-shaped design but also includes features like connectivity, Wi-Fi gameplay, and downloadable content, making it more appealing to the evolving audience.

• The Official Shop is in Camden Market where you can grab your Tamagotchi Connection today.

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What sparked the renewed interest in Tamagotchi? Did the convenience of digital gameplay or perhaps its retro charm play the largest role?

Top Spotlight: The Switch remake of Yuji Horii’s classic Hokkaido Serial Murder Case game appears to be making a significant impact on the Japanese market. Famitsu's recent data reveals that this retro-nostalgic title has hit the top spot with 20,919 retail copies sold within one week after its global launch.

Sales Performance Analysis: With such an impressive start, the game not only showcases its timeless appeal but also benefits from the famous name of its creator. Horii has left his mark on gaming with hits like Dragon Quest franchises, and this renewed release is clearly resonating well.

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Do you think the success in Japan was solely due to the nostalgic factor or is there more to it?

Lord Alan Sugar, a prominent personality in the tech industry, is inviting enthusiasts and collectors to contribute to this online Amstrad museum project. The goal is to honour Amstrad's role in technology advancements, especially during the 80s when it became an influential force in consumer electronics and home computing markets.

Through sharing tales and personal items associated with Amstrad products (computers or other gadgets), fans can make a collective contribution that will be celebrated online. Alan Sugar emphasizes the museum’s aim to commemorate Amstrad's legacy and its impact on making technology more accessible for everyone.

If you own an Amstrad product or have memories that resonate with this brand, tweet away.

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What Amstrad product has had a significant impact on your personal or technological development journey?

The TrimUI Brick Takes Inspiration From The Analogue Pocket

TrimUI has recently announced the release of their new device, the TrimUI Brick, which features a design heavily influenced by that of the popular Analogue Pocket. With its wide range of FPGA cores and software emulation capabilities, the Analogue Pocket continues to draw interest from fans.

The announcement of the TrimUI Brick highlights an ongoing trend in the market—companies copying successful design elements of established products like the Analogue Pocket to create their own versions.

While the TrimUI Brick may not support physical game cartridges, it boasts an Allwinner A133 Plus chipset, providing a 3.2 inch 1024×768 IPS display, and offering the Analogue style for enthusiasts on a lower budget.

One unique feature set apart from its inspiration is the inclusion of an RGB light at the top of the device. While it shares some similarities like a stepped back design (lacking a cartridge slot) and three function buttons on the front, the overall functionality isn't as directly emulated due to the device's reliance on software emulation.

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Would you consider purchasing the TrimUI Brick based on its design and features in comparison to the Analogue Pocket, or do you prefer physical console releases that support original game cartridges for authentic retro gaming experiences?

Rayman: The Board Game has surpassed its Kickstarter funding goal and is adding stretch goals to its campaign.

The board game easily exceeded its original target of CA$50,000, currently at nearly 400% funding with over CA$194,000 raised from more than 1,000 backers in just two days. It offers both single-player and multiplayer experiences.

Among the add-ons are wooden token upgrades and unique 'skins' for characters, allowing collectors to complete their Rayman-themed tabletop collections exclusively through this Kickstarter campaign. Surprise stretch goals include new figures, tokens, and upgrades that backers collect as they pledge.

A demo of Rayman: The Board Game is available on the Kickstarter page.Try Now

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Are you looking forward to experiencing this adaptation?

The long-awaited Devil May Cry animated series is finally on its way. Netflix has announced that the highly anticipated adaptation of the video game franchise will premiere in April 2025. They've released a teaser trailer.

• Production House: ☺️ Netflix has partnered with renowned Korean animation studio Studio Mir, who recently made waves with shows like The Legend of Korra.
• Adi Shankar’s Vision: ⚽️ Creators from popular series like Castlevania and Captain Laserhawk, including Adi Shankar, are at the helm. Their ambition is to create not just an animated show but one of Netflix's best shows ever.

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What are your expectations for Netflix’s Devil May Cry?

Nintendo Might Introduce SNES Mouse Support on the Switch

Key Takeaways:

• Nintendo is reportedly exploring new avenues to enhance its classic gaming platform, the Switch Online service, by potentially integrating SNES Mouse support.
• This development suggests an interest in alternative input methods for vintage games like Mario Paint and Mario & Wario that historically used SNES Mice.
• The enhancement includes improved compatibility with both controller ports, customizable input options, and operational modes specifically for the SNES Mouse device.

This move could offer a more engaging user experience to fans who have been eager for such input improvements since the original release of Nintendo platforms. It might also appeal to gamers looking for nostalgic gaming experiences or those interested in non-traditional control methods.

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Do you think including SNES Mouse support could enhance your gaming experience on the Switch Online service? Would you like to see more vintage control methods in modern consoles?