RetroGaming

So far, um... I'm playing a 90's fantasy anime and it's wholesome as shit.

Atari Jaguar emulation has officially arrived on iPhone with the release of BigPEmu, a highly regarded emulator developed by Rich Whitehouse.

I started playing the remaster of San Andreas since they updated the lighting. I am really having fun with it. It is so much more fun than I remember it being.

Vice city felt like a reskin of GTA3 but San Andreas really feels like a new game.

I do not have much else to say about this really, but I just needed to sing its praises.

Celebrating 30 Years of Donkey Kong Country: New ROM Hacks for Experts!

Overview

The retro-gaming community is commemorating Donkey Kong Country's 30 anniversary in a special way. This includes three new ROM hacks designed exclusively for aficionados and experts who consider themselves skilled at playing the game.

Key Information

• Available Hacks:
• Challenge Edition: Inspired by the hidden difficulty mode from Donkey Kong Country 2. Removes DK barrels and warp barrels, making it impossible to bring back lost characters or perform level skips.
• Expert Edition: Similar to Challenge Edition, but takes its cue from the Game Boy Advance version of Donkey Kong Country 3, stripping out all checkpoint barrels. This means completing every level in one go without dying!
• Hero Edition: Specific to Diddy Kong and based on the unlockable '1 Player Hero mode' in Donkey Kong Country (Game Boy Advance).
• Editor Used: The hacks were created using RainbowZ Editor, a powerful tool for Donkey Kong Country that allows users to edit level attributes and other aspects of the game.

Are these challenging rom-hacks just what you need to get back into Donkey Kong Country for its 30th anniversary?

Identity of Bleem Resurfaces

In a surprising turn of events, Piko Interactive, the company that took on Sony in an infamous legal battle over emulation rights back in 2001, is now crowdfunding for what it calls the 'largest retro gaming project' ever.

The Story Behind Bleem

Bleem was founded to bridge the gap between Sega and PlayStation consoles by allowing PS1 games to run on Dreamcast. Although Sony lost the ensuing lawsuit, reinforcing the legality of certain forms of emulation, it led to Bleem's bankruptcy in 2001 due to overwhelming legal expenses.

Evolving into a Nostalgia Portal

Fast forward to today, Piko Interactive is resurrecting the Bleem brand under new ownership. Rather than focusing on emulation, this time around, Bleem.net aims to be an all-encompassing nostalgia portal featuring:

• Digital ROMs and physical releases of retro titles
• Merchandise based on iconic video games, cartoons, and toys
• Digital comics

Crowdfunding Campaign

The crowdfunding campaign promises to bring these offerings to life. It stands as a testament to the continued interest in retro gaming.

Community Reactions

Community reactions to this development are mixed, with some nostalgic about Bleem’s previous iterations while others criticizing Piko Interactive for past missteps and subpar product releases.

What do you think might be the key to success for Bleem.net? How can a retro gaming project today balance nostalgia and profitability without alienating fans of classic games?

When Yuzo Koshiro announced Earthion in late 2023, gamers worldwide were eagerly anticipating a new shooter for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive.

Key Points:

• Developer: Ancient Games
• Expected Release Date (initial): Late 2024
• Current Status: Delayed until 2025
• Current State of Development: On track, nearing completion

Developer's Statement

The development of Earthion is on track and it looks like the project has entered the home stretch. Though it is taking slightly longer than planned.

Upcoming Events

Earthion will be playable at the upcoming Retro Game Summit in Ota Ward Industrial Plaza PiO on November 30th.

Physical Release

Limited Run Games (LRG) have been contracted to handle physical distribution, however, some fans are concerned about this choice. Suggestions for alternative distributors include Retro-Bit, known for high quality releases and meeting deadlines.

What do you think? Is the delay concerning or exciting given that it promises a more polished gaming experience?

Key Points:

• Suigi has secured all five major speedrunning categories in Super Mario 64, effectively declaring the game's speedrunning community 'dead'.
• Suigi's dominance is so profound that his records in all 5 main categories remain largely unchallenged.

The Five Star Categories:

• 120 star: Completes every single star in the game.
• 70 star: Completes all normal requirements to reach the final level.
• 16 star: Uses glitches and techniques to significantly reduce required stars.
• 1 star: Further optimizes the 16 star run for a single star collection.
• 0 star: Eliminates stars entirely, focusing on time.

Background Details:

• Some of Suigi's records were set over a year ago; his 16-star record alone still leads by 6 seconds.
• Suigi estimates it could take up to a couple of years before someone else beats his current world records.

How do you feel about the dedication and skill demonstrated in these ultra-optimized speedruns? Do such efforts bring value to gaming or are they more of an academic exercise?

Retro publisher Limited Run Games is bringing back BattleTanx and its sequel, BattleTanx: Global Assault, to the Nintendo 64 console. Originally released in the USA, these games are known for their over-the-top action and destruction which captured a cult following when they hit shelves.

• Games Set to be Rereleased: Both versions of BattleTanx will see pre-orders starting on November 22nd until December 22nd with an expected release date in August 2025. The sequels and original modes, including deathmatches and capture the flag, will also be supported.

• Preserved Features: As part of Limited Run Games' signature style, the games retain support for the Rumble Pak and Memory Pak, ensuring an authentic N64 experience.

Do you remember playing BattleTanx? What do you think about its return to the market?

Key Facts:

• Title: Xeno Brigade Extinction
• Publishers:
• Technoshed: Publisher of the ZX Spectrum Next software.
• Event: Crash Live UK-based ZX Spectrum event taking place in England’s Midlands – where the game will be launched this coming weekend.
• Developer: Greenman Soft

Context:

The ZX Spectrum Next is a modern revision of the 1980s classic, promising both advanced specs and nostalgic charm. It targets a dedicated community of retro enthusiasts while aiming to expand its reach in today's gaming scene.

Game Details:

• Format: Strategy game for single or two-player.
• Inspiration: Turn-based strategy games from the original ZX Spectrum era.

Why is this noteworthy?: This launch demonstrates how modern technology can be used to revive and preserve classic gaming genres, making them accessible to a contemporary audience while honouring their heritage.

What do you think about reviving the Spectrum in the form of the ZX Spectrum Next?

With the likes of the NES and SNES Classic Editions, Nintendo kicked off a craze for micro-consoles that continues to this day. Despite Nintendo's absence in creating another 'mini' console, the community is stepping up with an impressive creation: a GameCube Mini.

The device, powered by an x86 Intel-based mini PC and running emulation, stands as a testament to the creator's robertdunnart's talent and dedication. It’s worth noting that this project is entirely in the hands of one person, so getting your hands on one involves a bit of waiting.

Given that the creator is literally a one-man band, there's no room for a disc drive, and it might take some time to receive your unit if you're interested. Head over here to contact him directly.

Previously, Robert lamented feeling like the 'black sheep' of the retro gaming + emulation community and stated that he was "literally invisible" after the failure of his previous Kickstarter project, Kawaii-cade. This new venture might just gain some traction with its success.

What do you think is the perfect GameCube Mini size?

Edia, the Japanese company known for re-releases of classic games like Valis and Tenshi No Uta, has announced they're bringing back a retro trilogy originally developed by Wolf Team: El Viento, Earnest Evans, and Anett Futatabi.

These titles are action platformers, with El Viento and Earnest Evans coming from the Mega Drive/Genesis console, while Anett Futatabi was released on Sega CD. Despite some challenges like a North American release that only featured a port of Earnest Evans and lacked cutscenes, the games have garnered a cult following.

• El Viento (1991) - An action platformer available in 2024 via Retro-Bit Gaming on Genesis.
• Earnest Evans (1991) - Another action adventure with unique gameplay that some say was ahead of its time.
• Anett Futatabi (1993) - A side-scrolling fighter game, often criticized but appreciated for its cutscenes.

Are you eagerly awaiting El Viento and Earnest Evans?

A new two-player ROM hack for DuckTales 2 on the NES allows players to team up as Scrooge McDuck and Darkwing Duck, bringing together two iconic Disney characters in one game. Created by a ROM hacker known as Ti, this hack introduces cooperative gameplay to the original DuckTales 2, which was released by Capcom in 1993.

The remastered versions of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 are set to release on December 10, 2024, bringing these beloved dark fantasy action-adventure games back with significant updates for modern platforms.

cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/28329143

Patch

Beyond the game itself (which rocks), Half-Life 2 had a big impact on PC gaming.

Half-Life 2 introduced many ground-breaking things at once—deep facial animations and expressions, an accessible physics engine, a compelling global-scale but family-minded story—while also being tremendously enjoyable game to play through. This has made it hard for anyone to suggest another game to go above it on any "All-time greatest games" list, especially those with a PC focus.

I'm having a hard time posting an article about HL:2 in "retro gaming" but it is 20 years old. If you'll excuse me, I need to go take my Geritol and Metamucil.

One of the most poorly received Mickey Mouse platformers, Fantasia (1991) for the Sega Mega Drive, has just received a fan upgrade in the form of two new improvement patches. These patches, developed by fans Tryphon and Razor, aim to address many of the issues that plagued the original game, which was criticized for its poor design, awkward controls, and frustrating gameplay.

Overview:

• Creator: Sean Fletcher
• Purpose: Enhances the N64 gaming experience with Delta on iPhones.
• Key Features:
• Design: Mimics the original Nintendo 64 controller aesthetics, with textured grips and easy-to-understand button placement.
• Improved controls: C-buttons under the left stick for precise movements in games requiring dexterity, and two Z buttons on the right stick for quick actions.
• Convenience:* Quick save and load buttons accessible from the skin itself.
• Games tested: Perfectly works with classic N64 titles like Banjo-Kazooie: Jiggles of Time, Mario Kart 64, and Diddy Kong Racing.

Conclusion: It enhances the control precision needed for demanding games, making the N64 experience on mobile devices more enjoyable than ever.

What classic N64 game would you choose to play first with this skin?

8BitMod's VMU Pro: Beyond Dreams

The VMU Pro from 8BitMods is not just living up to its name – it's exceeding expectations. This updated version of the Dreamcast memory card offers more storage, a color screen, and the ability to play MP3s.

But perhaps most exciting for classic gamers is its capability to run Doom, an iconic first-person shooter from id Software. The video footage shows impressive performance with better framerate than the SNES and 32X combined.

Better framerate than the SNES and the 32X combined 😆

@8bitmods pic.twitter.com/xfmoAzsapd

Next-Generation Retro Gaming

This VMU Pro joins other products from 8BitMods aimed at enhancing Dreamcast enthusiasts' experiences, such as the VM2.

Is the VMU Pro just a nostalgic curiosity, or do you think it offers enough value to justify its cost in today's gaming landscape?

Atari Jaguars are rare, and when classic games see a new life on them, it's worth noting. Songbird Productions and Eclipse Software, the original developers, are working on a brand new port of Wings Of Death, an iconic shoot 'em up originally released on Atari ST and Commodore Amiga back in 1990.

• The goal of the game involves guiding a wizard transformed into an insect through various levels with the ability to transform into different forms like an eagle, dragon, and griffin.
• Key features include 60FPS gameplay, high colour mode, and two versions of the soundtrack (one on cartridge, another on CD).

Some footage of the port was captured at JagFest2024 earlier in the year, and the release is currently scheduled for next year.

What do you think about seeing such a classic game on the Atari Jaguar platform?

I hold the Wii pretty high in my head. However, I also know that the grass is often very green on the other side.

Is it actually as fun as I remember? I see that a lot of the classic games are pretty rare so that is not reassuring.

Retro arcade streaming platform Antstream has added five games from the cult classic PlayStation-era Net Yaroze initiative to its game catalog.

Key Points:

• What is Net Yaroze?
• Net Yaroze was an early method allowing bedroom developers to create games for the original PlayStation without needing expensive development kits. A fee was required for a special PlayStation console and software, along with support from Sony and a community of fellow developers.
• Games Added:
• Time Slip (puzzle-platformer)
• Pushy IIb (block-pushing puzzler)
• Bouncer 2 (brick-breaking arcade-style game)
• Adventure Game (exploration-heavy action RPG)
• Arena (fast-paced mech shooter)
• Significance These games, not released commercially and largely lost since the late 90s, have now been made available on Antstream. The platform plans to continue collaborating with these creators to bring more titles to its library.

What other early development tools or initiatives do you feel deserve preservation and recognition?

https://k-tec.uk/

Overview

A modder by the name of Sakimotor has translated the exclusive Japanese Xbox 360 title Tetris The Grand Master: Ace. This game was originally released in Japan in 2005 as part of Arika's 'The Grand Master Series'.

Key Points

• Game Details: Tetris The Grand Master: Ace is a specialized version of Tetris that focuses on mastery. It never made it outside of Japan but now, thanks to Sakimotor, English-speaking gamers can enjoy the game.
• Translation Process: Sakimotor used Google Translate and DeepL for initial translation efforts before making necessary revisions to fit within the series' language context.
• Availability: The patch modifies a retail 1.0 release of the game, translating most or all Japanese text found in it. However, as the author notes, they have not tested the XBL-exclusive game modes due to limitations in their setup.

Fun Fact

There are many such games that never saw Western audiences but now benefit from fan translations and ROM hacks, broadening gaming experiences worldwide.

How do you feel about these types of retro fan translations? Are they helping preserve the history and legacy of gaming, or just providing a novelty experience?

https://k-tec.uk/