RetroGaming

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I've been using 86Box for some time now and figured I was finally ready to talk about it. It's one of my go to applications when testing PC software (and even some hardware!)

Find 86Box here: https://86box.net/

Andy Dyer, a renowned figure in the British video game magazine industry known for his work at Commodore Format, Total!, and Mega Fame, has sadly passed away.

• Beginning of Career: Started at Commodore Format.
• Co-Founded Total!: The UK'S first magazine dedicated to Nintendo systems.
• Contributions: His impact on UK gaming journalism will be remembered by fans and colleagues alike.

Do you have any memories of these magazines and his work?

• Sony's PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog is expanding with nostalgic titles.
• The latest addition rumored to be joining the collection? TimeSplitters

Key Information:

• Release: TimeSplitters has received a rating for both PS5 and PS4 in Taiwan, hinting at its inclusion in Sony's PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog.
• Publisher: The game is associated with the now-defunct studio Free Radical Design. No new titles from this developer are expected.

Why It Matters:

• This marks an effort by Sony to tap into a library of classic games for modern consoles.
• TimeSplitters, once a highly acclaimed franchise, will offer fans an opportunity to revisit and relive the experience on contemporary hardware.

What's Next?

• Release Timing: Rumors suggest that TimeSplitters may be released as part of next month's PS2 classics drop. However, this is speculative at the moment.
• Fan Reaction: The re-release of classic games has historically been well-received by fans seeking to play older titles on newer platforms.

What's your preferred platform to play the game?

On the occasion of Final Fantasy Tactics' 27th anniversary, its director Yasumi Matsuno shared images of an early version of the game that deviates significantly from the final product. Initially aiming for a real-time strategy (RTS) style similar to "Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen," the project was unfortunately scrapped and led to the release of the beloved turn-based tactics game we know today.

Matsuno explains, "This is a sample image from early 1996. We had hoped to continue development with the aim of creating an RTS... unfortunately this was scrapped." The images reveal a different art style compared to the final version.

While the original concept didn't come to fruition, it's fascinating for fans to see what could have been. Final Fantasy Tactics, known today as one of PS1's best games and later remade on PSP as "Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions," continues to captivate players.

Was the decision to pivot from an RTS to a turn-based strategy game advantageous for Final Fantasy Tactics, considering the unique gameplay experience it provided compared to its competitors at the time?

Ordered back in Feb and just got delivered!

As soon as I saw the PS1 version release a while back, I was eager to get a PS2 version to backup the single 8MB card I've owned since my first PS2. I got all my games pre-owned back then, so sadly none came with extra memory cards 😭

Initially I ran into some issues copying the save files from my old 8MB to this one (using wLE), ended up turning off the "Game ID" MCP setting so all saves get copied to the same VMC instead of dedicated ones for each game.

Apparently this card works on the PS3 too if you hold the front right button while connecting the USB, looking forward to that since I have some PS1 saves trapped in there...

A new trailer for the Gex Trilogy has been released, featuring all three console games developed by Crystal Dynamics. The collection includes Gex, Gex: Enter the Gecko, and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko, starring the anthropomorphic gecko protagonist. Pre-orders are set to begin in autumn 2024 with availability on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam.

Has this upcoming release piqued your interest?

Pocket 386 supports external accessories and will just barely run Windows 95.

Duck Detective is a fantastic adventure game that hearkens back to the days of point and clicks. It's got all of the charm, wit, excellent writing, and clever deduction-based puzzles you'd expect from a game during the prime of the genre. This retro styled adventure comedy game is one of my favorite games of 2024.

Capcom has announced the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, a compilation of seven iconic fighting games that will release on PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC in 2024. The collection includes:

• X-Men: Children of the Atom
• Marvel Super Heroes
• Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
• Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
• Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter
• X-Men vs. Street Fighter
• The Punisher

Would you prefer playing classic fighting games on their original systems or enjoy them with modern enhancements on newer consoles?

Square Enix has announced a Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven remake. This updated version will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam) starting October 24th at a price of $49.99.

Key Points:

• Story & Setting: Set in the Imperial year 1000, the game unfolds amidst a growing fiendish threat across various nations. The people await the fulfillment of an ancient legend predicting the arrival of seven heroes to save their ravaged kingdoms.
• Gameplay Updates: This remake includes updated features such as difficulty selection and numerous new additions like expanded world exploration in stunning 3D graphics. It maintains the core gameplay elements from the original, including “Glimmers” and “Formations,” ensuring both long-time fans and newcomers can enjoy it.

Character Highlights:

• Leon: The ruler of the Varennes Empire and incumbent emperor. He strives for peace against the growing fiend threat.
• Gerard: Second prince of the Varennes Empire, inheritor to the throne after his father's sacrifice using inheritance magic.
• Bear & Therese: Imperial Heavy Infantry and Ranger units, part of the empire’s unique defensive strategies.

Inheritance System: This feature allows players to choose the next emperor through a system where powers are passed down upon certain events. All playable characters have the potential to become an emperor at their own discretion.

Battle Mechanics:

• Turn-Based Combat: Features a timeline showing turn order for all allies and enemies, with immediate action once a character's turn arrives.
• Glimmers & Evasions: Abilities can trigger glimmers, learning new techniques. Evading enemy attacks allows avoiding damage or repeating evasion in future battles.

Formation System: Customizing formations before battle enhances characters with various benefits and status boosts depending on their class as the emperor.

Additional Features:

• Free-Form Scenario: Every player action significantly influences story progression.
• City Development & Background Music Options: Customize Avalon’s facilities, research weapons, spells. Select difficulty levels from casual to classic, switch between original score or new BGM tracks.

Pre-order Bonus: Purchasing before release grants the "Bonus Accessory Set," including equipment that boosts battle rewards and revenue gains for the first Imperial Year.

Do the updates to Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge Of The Seven set it apart for you?

I finally blew the dust off of my copy of Bravely Default for the 3ds.. I'm only a few hours in but this might be the most beautiful jrpg I've played on this console. The story so far seems somewhat stereotypical, but the art is gorgeous and the gameplay has been amazing so far! Just wanted to share!

I hope this isn't perceived as advertising.. I'm quite apprehensive about making this purchase and will absolutely update with my progress if/when the console arrives.

In the meantime, if anyone out there has any experience buying through AliExpress I would love to hear from you. This is my first purchase and I feel like it's a total gamble.

If this is somehow perceived as advertising, mods please delete immediately. I do not want to violate any rules. This community is too awesome to lose!

Square Enix announced that Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake will be released on November 14, 2024. The game is now available for pre-order and comes with several bonuses. Square Enix has provided a summary of the game's features:

• Visually Stunning Remake: The classic masterpiece Dragon Quest III is being reimagined in HD-2D graphics that blend pixel art with 3D visuals, creating an immersive experience like never before.

• Enhanced Features: Includes a modernized UI and quality-of-life improvements to the original game's mechanics. Additionally, there are new animations for battle scenes and adjustments such as adjustable battle speed and auto-battle settings.

• Engaging Gameplay: The vast world map offers deep exploration with numerous locations to discover, challenges to overcome, and exciting encounters that will keep players engaged throughout their quest.

• Timeless Music: The game features an immersive musical score that captures the essence of the Dragon Quest universe, adding depth to the gaming experience.

Key Features:

1. Modernized Remake - HD-2D visuals enhance player immersion.
2. Traditional Battles - Improved turn-based combat system with new animations and settings.
3. Immersive World - Explore a vast world filled with towns, dungeons, and caves.
4. Timeless Musical Score - Captures the magic of Dragon Quest.

What Makes the HD-2D Remake Stand Out?

What aspect of the HD-2D Remake do you think will most appeal to fans who have played the original game?

The iconic run-and-gun shooter, Contra, is now reimagined in a third-person perspective with the release of Contra Reforged by homebrew developer Retrolead. This modern take on the classic game retains its retro graphics and difficulty level while offering unique features such as an auto lock-on mechanism that eliminates the need for precise aiming.

Key Features:

• Retro Graphics: The look and sound of the NES port are preserved, giving players a nostalgic experience.
• 3D Third-Person Shooter: The gameplay is transformed into a more complex third-person perspective, offering new ways to navigate levels and engage in combat.
• Auto Lock-On Mechanism: Players can simply jump and shoot without needing to aim much, thanks to the game's advanced targeting system.

Would you prefer playing classic 2D run-and-gun games or would you enjoy the unique twist of a third-person perspective?

More and more indie developers are turning to retro games for inspiration. That's never been more apparent than during this latest Steam Next Fest. I played over 20 retro-styled demos and found 9 of the best.

Former Oculus designer and founder of ModRetro, Palmer Luckey, is set to release a new retro handheld gaming device later this year, aiming to compete with the Analogue Pocket. This comes as great news for tech enthusiasts, as it adds another option in the FPGA-based market.

Key Information:

• Device: Palmer Luckey's Chromatic
• Release Date: Holiday season
• Price: $199 per unit
• Technology Used: Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) for hardware emulation, offering more accurate game play compared to traditional software emulators

Distinct Features:

1. Design Focus: The Chromatic is tailored specifically to showcase Game Boy games as they were originally released.
2. Display Technology:
   • Maintains Nintendo's original 160x144 resolution on a screen designed to ensure faithful visual representation of Game Boy games.

Comparison with Analogue Pocket:

• Limited Support: Unlike the Analogue Pocket, which supports multiple platforms and offers enhanced functionality, the Chromatic is geared more towards providing an authentic Game Boy gaming experience.
• Display Difference: While the Analogue Pocket features a high-resolution 1600 x 1440 LCD screen for better detail, the Chromatic maintains the original resolution to deliver a classic visual experience.

Additional Touches:

• Hardware - Magnesium alloy shell, PBT buttons, compatibility with original Game Boy link cables.
• Power Supply - Uses three AA batteries or supports a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack through USB-C, which also supports lag-free video output.

As the competition heats up between FPGA-based retro handhelds, what do you think is most important in designing such devices? Is it accuracy, convenience, or nostalgia that holds the key to attracting gamers?

A physics simulation flaw in text-based 1969 computer game went unnoticed until today.

Age of Mythology: Retold is set to launch on September 4, 2024, nearly 22 years after the original game's debut. This modernized version pays homage to its classic roots while incorporating new elements for an exciting remake. Players will have the chance to choose a major god and progress through four historical ages across various game modes.

Key Points:

• Age of Mythology: Retold is a spin-off from the Age of Empires series, focusing on world mythologies.
• It will be available on PC and Xbox Series X/S, with plans for release on other platforms in the future.
• Game Pass subscribers can play it free upon launch, allowing access via cloud streaming on mobile devices and smart TVs.

What aspects of the original game do you hope are preserved or improved in this new release?

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/10558285

Came across this really cool retro gaming handheld project. Its open source and they’re sharing the BOM soon so anyone get can get it manufactured. Full info is on the github but the gist is, its a retro gaming handheld that runs a version of armbian (arm debian) and it can play up to ps2 and GameCube games.