A developer known as Meesedev is creating a voxel engine, dubbed the Meese Engine, inspired by Minecraft beta 1.7.3. The goal is to build an engine capable of handling voxel-based games, eventually replacing Minecraft assets with original ones to create a new game surpassing Minecraft in both gameplay and graphical fidelity.
In a recent update, Meesedev showcased the engine’s performance, “blasting through an existing world file at 2,800 km/h, holding a perfect 60fps with a 64-chunk render distance.” This demonstration was conducted on the PC port of the GameCube version of the engine.
Blasting through an existing world file at 2800 km/h, holding a perfect 60 FPS with a 64-chunk render distance on the PC port of my Gamecube voxel engine. Feels unreal how well this thing is running. This is shaping up to be one of the most high-performance Minecraft-style voxel… pic.twitter.com/yiXDeFj5sT
The developer has also implemented “world saving and loading” features, enabling the engine to load “14,000 chunks (~500 million blocks) in just a few seconds,” sufficient for a 64-chunk render distance. Notably, Meesedev dedicates only one day per week to this project, making the progress particularly impressive.
While the Meese Engine is not planned to be fully open source, Meesedev has indicated that some smaller components might be made open source in the future.
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On February 14, 2003, Nintendo released the Game Boy Advance SP, a revolutionary update to its popular Game Boy Advance. Marking its 22nd anniversary today, this sleek, foldable console not only redefined handheld gaming but also set the stage for future designs like the Nintendo DS and 3DS.
A Compact, Stylish Redesign
One of the most striking changes was the clamshell design. Unlike its predecessor’s horizontal form factor, the SP introduced a vertical flip-open style, protecting the screen and making it more compact—a game-changer for portability. It was the first handheld from Nintendo designed with adult users in mind, aiming for a sleek, pocket-friendly form that could be carried without hesitation in a jacket or bag.
Another notable design choice was the cartridge slot placement at the bottom rather than the back, an unusual but practical decision. It ensured that inserting games felt more natural, reminiscent of sliding a cassette into a Walkman.
A Brighter Future: The Introduction of Front Lighting
Perhaps the most celebrated feature was the built-in front light, allowing players to enjoy games in low-light conditions. The original Game Boy Advance suffered from a dim, reflective screen, making gameplay difficult without direct lighting. The SP’s illumination feature was a blessing, bringing clarity to classics like Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.
It also gave players control over brightness, with an on/off toggle—a simple but welcome addition. This move was so well received that Nintendo later introduced backlit screens with improved visibility in later SP revisions.
Goodbye, AA Batteries—Hello, Rechargeable Gaming
Before the Game Boy Advance SP, handheld gaming meant constantly buying AA batteries. The SP revolutionized this with a built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery, offering up to 10 hours of gameplay (18 with the light off) on a single charge.
This shift saved gamers money and hassle, eliminating the need to carry spare batteries. At the time, rechargeable technology wasn’t mainstream, making this feature a game-changer—years ahead of its time.
Colour Variations & Limited Editions
The Game Boy Advance SP launched with six colours, including Platinum Silver and Azurite Blue. But the most nostalgic model came a year later: the NES Edition, a tribute to the original Nintendo Entertainment System.
Other rare editions included:
• Pokémon Center’s Achamo Orange (Torchic-themed)
• Boktai’s Django Red & Black (for Hideo Kojima’s “Boktai” series)
• The Famicom 20th Anniversary SP, celebrating Nintendo’s classic console
Each edition added collectability to an already iconic handheld, making the SP one of the most desirable models in Nintendo’s lineup.
A Legacy That Lives On
The Game Boy Advance SP paved the way for future folding handhelds, influencing everything from the Nintendo DS to today’s Nintendo Switch OLED case designs. Its style, practicality, and durability made it a favourite among gamers of all ages.
Two years after its launch, in 2005, Nintendo released the Game Boy Micro, a smaller, ultra-portable version of the GBA. While it never achieved the SP’s level of success, it showed Nintendo’s dedication to compact and stylish handhelds.
Today, February 14, isn’t just Valentine’s Day—it’s a day to celebrate one of the greatest handheld consoles ever made. Happy birthday, Game Boy Advance SP!
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Bandai Namco Entertainment has announced that Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: Battle Destiny Remastered will be released on May 22, 2025, for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. Originally launched in 2012 for the PlayStation Vita, this remastered version brings the game to Western audiences for the first time, complete with enhanced visuals and English localisation.
Credit: Bandai
Players will have the opportunity to relive iconic moments from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, choosing to align with one of three factions: Earth Alliance Forces, ZAFT, or the Archangel. The game features over 100 mobile suits, all redesigned with high-resolution textures, and includes side stories from the Gundam SEED universe, such as Astray and C.E. 73: STARGAZER.
The remastered edition offers a redesigned user interface tailored for modern platforms, improved tuning options, mission selection enhancements, and a new lock-on mode for more accessible gameplay. These updates aim to provide a smoother and more engaging experience for both new players and longtime fans.
Credit: Bandai
Pre-orders for the Steam version are currently available, with Nintendo Switch pre-orders opening at a later date. For more information, visit the official website.
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In a recent episode of the Grit Podcast, former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick revealed that Berkshire Hathaway, led by vice chairman Charlie Munger, once contemplated acquiring Nintendo. Kotick recounted a conversation where Munger suggested purchasing both Activision and Nintendo, noting that Nintendo was valued at $13 billion with $7 billion in cash at the time. Munger humorously remarked that if the investment turned sour after his passing, it could be attributed to “the folly of an 82-year-old.”
This revelation adds to the list of companies that have considered acquiring Nintendo. Notably, Microsoft once approached Nintendo with a buyout offer, which was reportedly met with laughter.
While these discussions never materialized into actual deals, they highlight the gaming industry’s allure to major conglomerates. Nintendo’s enduring success and unique position in the market continue to make it a subject of interest for potential acquisitions.
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Tainted Pact Games, in collaboration with Assemble Entertainment, has unveiled Flesh Made Fear, a survival horror game that pays homage to the classic PlayStation era. Scheduled for a Q4 2025 release on PC via Steam, the developers have launched a Kickstarter page with the campaign due to launch soon; to fund additional features and potential console ports.
Credit: Steam
Drawing inspiration from the original Resident Evil trilogy, Flesh Made Fear combines fixed and dynamic camera angles, tank controls, and intricate puzzles to recreate the tension and atmosphere of 90s survival horror games. Players will navigate a world filled with grotesque creatures and mind-controlled adversaries, all products of twisted experiments and occult rituals.
The narrative centers on the Reaper Intervention Platoon (R.I.P.), a covert task force assigned to eliminate Victor “The Dripper” Ripper, a former CIA agent turned rogue scientist. His experiments have transformed a secluded town into a nightmare realm. Players can choose between two operatives: Natalie, who has less health but a larger inventory, or Jack, who boasts greater health but a smaller inventory. Each character offers unique storylines and stats, enhancing replayability.
Key features of the game include:
• Classic Survival Horror Mechanics: Fixed and dynamic camera perspectives, limited saves requiring collectible items, and strategic inventory management with access to safe room storage.
• Puzzle-Driven Narrative: Engage with intricate puzzles intertwined with the story, unlocking hidden secrets and new areas.
• Terrifying Adversaries and Arsenal: Face grotesque abominations born of Ripper’s twisted experiments, using weapons like pistols and grenade launchers. Ammo is limited, challenging players’ resourcefulness.
The Kickstarter campaign aims to raise funds for additional features and console ports, allowing backers to support the game’s development and bring this retro-inspired horror experience to a wider audience.
For a glimpse into the chilling world of Flesh Made Fear, check out the announcement trailer below:
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The upcoming Minecraft movie has unveiled its depiction of the game’s iconic villagers, eliciting strong reactions from fans. In a recent trailer, viewers were introduced to a more realistic portrayal of these characters, featuring prominent foreheads, pronounced unibrows, and large, rectangular noses. This design choice has led to widespread discomfort among the community.
Many fans have taken to social media to express their unease, with some drawing comparisons to Squidward from SpongeBob SquarePants. Comments range from lighthearted jokes to concerns that the new villager design might be unsettling for younger audiences. One user remarked that the villagers are “actually quite disturbing,” while another speculated that “kids will be having nightmares from this.”
The Minecraft movie, set to release on April 4, 2025, has been a topic of much anticipation and scrutiny. As the release date approaches, it remains to be seen how audiences will react to these creative decisions and whether the film will capture the charm of the original game.
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In a recent discussion on the Grit podcast, former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick revealed that Barbara Broccoli, co-owner of the James Bond film franchise rights, expressed reservations about including violence and firearms in the 2010 GoldenEye 007 Wii remake. Kotick noted, “We made a sequel, and it was a challenging thing to make because Barbara Broccoli did not really want anything that was violence. And she didn’t really want guns in the game.”
The original GoldenEye 007, released in 1997 for the Nintendo 64, is often credited with boosting the console’s popularity. Kotick remarked, “GoldenEye is what actually sold the N64.” The 2010 reimagining for the Wii featured Daniel Craig as James Bond, replacing Pierce Brosnan from the original game. Despite the challenges, the remake was developed to align with the expectations of a modern first-person shooter while respecting the franchise’s legacy.
Kotick acknowledged Broccoli and her half-brother Michael G. Wilson as “great custodians for the IP,” understanding their concerns about violence, especially considering the franchise’s appeal to younger audiences. He emphasized the difficulty in balancing these concerns with the expectations for a new GoldenEye game.
The 2010 GoldenEye 007 was initially exclusive to the Wii and later released as GoldenEye 007: Reloaded for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011. The game aimed to modernize the classic while introducing new gameplay elements and updated graphics.
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Sega has officially announced the upcoming release of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, a 2D action platformer developed by Lizardcube, the studio renowned for Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap and Streets of Rage 4. The game is scheduled to launch on August 29, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, priced at $29.99 USD.
Credit: Sega
Players will once again step into the shoes of Joe Musashi, the iconic ninja protagonist, embarking on a quest for vengeance across more than a dozen stages filled with challenging platforming puzzles. The combat system is designed to be combo-driven, offering a variety of tools such as the Katana Oborozuki, Kunai, Ninjutsu arts, and Ninpo to defeat adversaries.
Credit: Sega
For enthusiasts seeking additional content, a Digital Deluxe version will be available for $39.99. This edition includes early access to the game, a starter pack with in-game items, a digital art book and soundtrack, and a DLC stage featuring bosses inspired by iconic Sega villains, slated for release in early 2026.
The Shinobi series, which debuted in the late 1980s, has been a cornerstone of Sega’s gaming legacy. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance marks the first new installment in 14 years, following previous revivals on the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo 3DS. Fans of the series and newcomers alike can look forward to experiencing this modern take on a classic franchise.
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Golden Axe, the iconic 1989 beat ’em up from Sega, has been meticulously ported to the Neo Geo platform by developer Hoffman. This fan-driven project brings the classic hack-and-slash experience to a new audience, ensuring both authenticity and enhanced features.
Hoffman’s approach combined reverse engineering with new development to closely match the original gameplay and visuals. The port supports MVS, AES, and Neo Geo CD systems, offering flexibility for various hardware setups. Players can select game regions (World/JP) and adjust original arcade difficulty settings to tailor their experience.
A standout feature for Neo Geo CD users is a specially crafted soundtrack by composer Richard Douglas, providing a fresh auditory experience while maintaining the game’s classic feel. Additionally, Hoffman enhanced six voice samples by sourcing higher-quality versions from 1980s films like Conan, American Werewolf in London, and Rambo, enriching the game’s audio authenticity.
The port is compatible with most flash cart solutions, real hardware, and emulators, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of players. While minor differences and edge-case glitches exist, Hoffman’s dedication to visual accuracy and gameplay fidelity shines through, making this a noteworthy addition to the Neo Geo library.
For those eager to revisit the world of Golden Axe on Neo Geo hardware, the port is available for download on Hoffman’s itch.io page.
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Aspyr Media has announced a new physical release of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered for the Nintendo Switch. This remastered collection, which launched digitally in December 2024, brings together the iconic action-adventure titles that originally captivated players in the late ’90s and early 2000s.
The standard edition is priced at $29.99, while a deluxe edition is available for $49.99. Pre-orders are currently open on Amazon, with the release scheduled for June 2025.
Previously, Limited Run Games offered its own physical versions, including a standard edition for $34.99 and a collector’s edition priced at $149.99.
Deluxe Edition: Credit: Amazon
For collectors and fans of physical media, this new release offers another opportunity to own these classic titles in a tangible format.
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