RetroGaming

Square Enix has announced the release of die-cast miniature models of classic Sega consoles as part of its “Bright Arts” series. These detailed replicas are designed to celebrate some of Sega’s most iconic gaming hardware and will be available in multiple regional variants.

Naoki Yoshida, known as Yoshi-P and the director of Final Fantasy 14, has expressed skepticism about the feasibility of remaking Final Fantasy 9 as a single title.

The New Law that Reveals: We Don't Own Digital Games

In the modern era, digital media has revolutionized how we consume entertainment. The shift towards streaming music and movies has made physical products less common. The same trend is now affecting video games, with over 90% of games sold in the UK being digital.

While digital media offers convenience—like instant access without the need to visit a physical store or manage multiple discs—it also comes with hidden terms and conditions. Digital storefronts are now required by California’s new law (AB 2426) to disclose that buyers do not hold unrestricted ownership over their digitally purchased content.

Key Points:

• Disclosure Requirement: Californian sellers must clearly state they are providing a license, not selling digital goods outright.
• Limited Ownership Rights: While this does not preclude the right to access your purchases temporarily, it highlights the transient nature of licensed media.
• Permanent Exclusions: The law does not apply when products can be permanently downloaded and is not applicable in situations where buyers are notified of terms clearly.

Implications:

This new law adds awareness that digital games, as well as other digital content, do not confer long-term ownership. It also brings to light the challenges of preserving retro or modern games through permanent downloads or physical media.

In the age of digital content, do you think it's more important to own a permanent copy or have accessible licensed rights?

Ken Kutaragi: Sony’s Doubts About the PlayStation Success

Ken Kutaragi (often referred to as the “father of PlayStation”) has revealed a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the early days of PlayStation's development.

Key Insights From Ken Kutaragi:

• Initial Skepticism: During the Tokyo Game Show 2024, Kutaragi shared that Sony executives and industry insiders were highly skeptical of entering the video game market. Many viewed games as mere children’s toys and doubted their potential to rival other forms of entertainment like movies or television.
• Industry Doubts: Kutaragi and his team faced significant pushback from both internal and external stakeholders. Developers were often uninterested in pursuing the project, predicting failure based on previous unsuccessful attempts by others.
• Vision and Determination: Unwavering in his vision of gaming as a major entertainment medium, Kutaragi worked tirelessly to attract key developers and secure exclusive titles like Final Fantasy VII. These strategic moves played a crucial role in establishing PlayStation’s success.

Impact on Gaming:

Kutaragi's leadership transformed Sony into a major player in the gaming industry. The PlayStation became hugely successful despite initial doubts.

Are you glad that the Nintendo/Sony "Play Station" deal fell through and that Sony went their own way? How might the gaming landscape look today if the partnership had continued?

Time Crisis is bringing back the nostalgia with a new AI powered gun compatible with modern TVs. This kit from Achievement Electric will allow you to use light guns conveniently without needing to worry about acquiring an old CRT or tinkering with setups.

The AI Gun Con system comes pre-loaded with the original Time Crisis game, designed for all LCD monitors. The pricing starts at $89.99 for a basic unit and goes up to $119.99 for an arcade mode setup which includes a pedal controller.

Expect an official release date announcement soon as the Tokyo Game Show approaches shortly.

Would you want to know more about how AI is used in this device before buying?

Raiden Fighters Remix Collection

Japanese game developer MOSS has announced the Raiden Fighters Remix Collection. This collection will bring three titles: RAIDEN FIGHTERS (1996), RAIDEN FIGHTERS 2: Operation Hell Dive (1997) and RAIDEN FIGHTERS JET (1998) to a new audience.

With gameplay that is both punishingly difficult and exhilarating, the Raiden Fighters series features fast-paced action.

Specifics like platforms and a release date are yet to be disclosed by MOSS. The inadvertent reveal came via Game Center Mikado ahead of its planned announcement at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show 2024.

Will you be adding these titles to your collection?

Arika's Return to Tetris The Grand Master

Arika has signed an agreement to develop a brand new Tetris The Grand Master game.

Scheduled Release and Evolution

Scheduled for release during the fiscal year 2024, the concept revolves around 'making players good at Tetris'. Given Arika's track record with these sequels, fans anticipate not just another level increase but perhaps new gameplay layers or mechanics that add depth to strategy and challenge — all while respecting the core elements of the classic.

Historical Context

Originating in 1998, Tetris The Grand Master breathed new life into the arcade with a more complex yet addictive version compared to the original 1988 arcade release.

Past and Present Projects

Prior iterations such as Tetris The Grand Master 2 (2000) and Tetris: The Absolute - The Grand Master 2 Plus have been celebrated for introducing elements that made the traditional Tetris gameplay more compelling. Further, Tetris The Grand Master Ace, despite being developed for Xbox 360, retained its essence while adapting to new console capabilities.

What does Arika need to do to craft a worthy successor?

The Super Game Boy has received a significant upgrade with the introduction of the Super Game Boy Plus, an unofficial enhancement developed by @BucketMouseBite. This new version addresses several limitations of the original Super Game Boy, which allowed Game Boy games to be played on the SNES but had a faster clock speed than the original Game Boy, affecting gameplay and compatibility with link cables.

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.

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.

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.

What are your favourite memories of the Atari Jaguar?

Two years back i went to Sakuracon in Seattle and they had a whole room dedicated to teaching Riichi Mahjong, and my wife and i found it to be a particularly addicting game. Naturally wanted to find some console versions because we dont really have other people around us who are interested in playing the table game.

ive seen a lot of retro mahjong games and not so much modern console ones. not really a big deal, but there seems to be a lot of import mahjong games and i cant really tell even from gameplay videos are considered ‘good’. So, if you like these games, which ones would you recommend? i have a super famicom, and a saturn. im not opposed to buying another console for a game if it is like the golden goose of mahjong.

Additionally, why do a lot of these games have some sexy overtones to them? i dont mind it, but this game type seems to have it in excess.

Fans of the Lunar series have spotted something interesting about the upcoming Lunar Remastered Collection. The remaster keeps the original lyrics from the introduction song of the PlayStation 1 versions, which were localized by Working Designs back in the 1990s.

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.

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.

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.

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

TL:DR, made some Icons for 3D Models, turned them into a banner for social media, liked it so I made it into this wallpaper.

So over the years I've made various icons for controllers and systems for my 3D Printable Display Stands. These Icon and cut into the model to know which part belongs together.

Anyways I needed a new Banner on YouTube so I took them, threw them into Inkscape and turn it into this.

I am very pleased with the results, and kind of wished I had more icons to make it more detailed.

With Google's assault on Invidious leaving it inoperable, consider watching this video with FreeTube, a nifty open source program that lets you watch youtube videos privately!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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