Atari has launched the M Network Collection for the Atari 2600, reviving four classic titles originally developed by Mattel Electronics in 1982. This collection includes “Armor Ambush,” “Astroblast,” “Frogs and Flies,” and “Star Strike,” each offering fast-paced gameplay that defined the era. Priced at $29.99, the collection is compatible with both the Atari 2600 and 7800 consoles, as well as the newly released Atari 2600+. This release is part of Atari’s ongoing effort to preserve and celebrate retro gaming experiences for a new generation.
Retroldtech, led by scale model artist JC Ayala, has introduced meticulously handcrafted miniature PVM monitors, available in 5-inch and 3.5-inch models. These detailed replicas cater to retro gaming enthusiasts and collectors, offering a nostalgic experience in a compact form. Each unit is crafted with precision to mirror the classic aesthetic of vintage monitors. The 5-inch model is priced at €575 and is set for release on December 13, 2024. Pre-orders are now open, with worldwide shipping options available.
Kai Magazine, renowned for titles like Life on Mars and Metal Dragon, has unveiled their latest project: The Secret of the Four Winds, a Japanese-style action RPG for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. This ambitious game features a custom cartridge with an audio enhancement chip, delivering Sega CD-quality music without the need for the actual CD hardware. Players will control three characters simultaneously, issuing commands and setting priorities to navigate deep, strategic gameplay. The narrative evolves based on player decisions, offering multiple endings and approximately 20 to 30 hours of gameplay. A playable demo is available, and pre-orders are open, with the game expected to ship in early 2025.
This week’s gaming has been mostly Marvel Snap (join my alliance [LFC] – a few spots remain), hacking a PS3 to play the ultimate version of Pro Evolution soccer and Guitar Hero and building out RetroShell’s retro news pages. New RetroShell products due very soon – we are launching a trading card style case, a DVD/CD hard shell and one for Funko products, more info soon.
The newsletter includes 27 stories featuring retro gaming news, reviews, and rankings. From 8BitDo’s Xbox retro keyboard to Sega 32X reflections, Tetris online, and Sonic fan games—it’s a must-read for gaming enthusiasts! #RetroGaming #GamingNews #Sega #NintendoSwitch
News
👊 Kirito the Game brings beat-em-up action to the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, delivering retro-inspired thrills. [RetroShell] Link
📚 Bitmap Books unveils the GBA Pixel Book, a stunning celebration of Game Boy Advance artistry. [RetroShell] Link
🧩 NES and Famicom players rejoice as Tetris is now available on Nintendo Switch Online! [Kotaku] Link
🌐 Super Tilt Bro reimagines NES gaming with online multiplayer capabilities for retro enthusiasts. [RetroShell] Link
🚫 Sega aims to shut down the ambitious SuperSega FPGA project, drawing community ire. [Time Extension] Link
🎄 Celebrate the holidays by playing SNES Batman Returns on the Genesis for free this Christmas. [Time Extension] (below) Link
🔥 Atari teams up with Sauce Shed to launch a range of retro-inspired hot and BBQ sauces, adding flavour to your gaming nostalgia. [RetroShell] Link
🎮 Evercade teases a future filled with official Neo Geo products, slated for release through 2025 and 2026. [Destructoid] Link
Features
🎮 BB Studio introduces a new drag-and-drop retro game creator, making it easier than ever to bring your pixelated dreams to life. [Retro Shell] Link
🎷 Sega’s dismal Mega CD debut, Wakusei Woodstock Funky Horror Band, is a cautionary tale of missteps in retro gaming history. [Time Extension] Link
💔 Former Sony lead reveals the PlayStation 1 was born out of a failed SNES partnership, with Nintendo leaving Sony “at the altar.” [GamesRadar] Link
🕹️ Anbernic RG34XX brings Game Boy Advance nostalgia with a modern twist – affordable, compact, and ready for retro adventures. [TechEBlog] (below) Link
🍄 New Super Mario 64 remake for the Nintendo DS gets slammed in a hot take op-ed, questioning its value in today’s gaming world. [Screen Rant] Link
📈 Retro game consoles like the SNK Neo Geo and 3DO lead the booming used market, captivating collectors and players alike. [Stark Insider] Link
🗺️ A fan discovers a hidden Ocarina of Time secret, shedding new light on one of Zelda’s most beloved adventures. [Gaming Bible] Link
🎂 The Sega 32X turns 30 this year, and fans are reflecting on the short-lived but iconic console. [Time Extension] Link
🎮 Tomb Raider’s Sega Saturn release in Japan gets a retrospective, with Shawn Layden sharing exclusive insights. [Polygon] Link
📺 How Blockbuster and a mail-order catalogue helped the PlayStation defeat the Sega Saturn in the ultimate retro showdown. [Eurogamer] Link
🎮 Review: The Atari 7800+ offers a nostalgic yet redundant tribute to the console that lost to the NES. [Time Extension] Link
Lists & Rankings
🎲 The unluckiest Nintendo characters take the spotlight in this ranking, revealing the most unfortunate lives in gaming history. [Game Rant] Link
🎮 A trip down memory lane: Explore the best 16-bit video game consoles that defined an era of gaming magic. [CBR] Link
🦘 Retro platformers from third-party developers shine in this list of iconic mascot games you may have missed. [CBR] Link
✨ These overlooked Nintendo characters deserve more love, showcasing hidden gems in the company’s vast character roster. [CBR] Link
🇺🇸 Discover retro video games that never made it to America, leaving fans dreaming of what could have been. [CBR] Link
💨 Sonic fan games deliver fresh spins on the iconic hedgehog’s adventures—check out these must-try creations. [DualShockers] Link
Retro Fighters has announced the D6, a versatile 6-button wireless controller compatible with the Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Designed with fighting game enthusiasts in mind, the D6 features low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless technology and a precise, responsive D-pad equipped with integrated Kailh® micro switches for both the D-pad and face buttons. The controller offers multiple modes—left stick, right stick, and D-pad configurations—to cater to various gaming preferences. Additionally, it provides two customizable modes for the C/Z buttons, allowing players to choose between L/R shoulder buttons or specific “C” and “Z” buttons. The D6 is compatible with original VMUs, 4X, and the upcoming 8BITMODS VMU Pro®, enhancing its versatility for retro gaming enthusiasts. Available in black and white, the D6 is priced at $49.99, with pre-orders opening soon and an expected release in 2025.
Atari has partnered with Sauce Shed to introduce a unique collection of hot and BBQ sauces, each inspired by classic Atari games. This collaboration, facilitated by Atari’s global licensing agency Tinderbox, merges the nostalgia of iconic titles like Asteroids, Centipede, and Breakout with innovative culinary flavours. The range includes ten distinct sauces, such as “Asteroids – Galactic Hot BBQ Sauce” and “Pong Sports – Retro Classic BBQ Sauce,” each designed to reflect the essence of the games they represent. Sauce Shed founders, award-winning chefs Olly Reynalds and Dave Perrett, both lifelong Atari fans, have meticulously crafted these sauces to honour Atari’s legacy while delivering bold, exciting flavours. The collection is available for pre-order, inviting gaming enthusiasts and food lovers to experience a fusion of retro gaming culture and gourmet taste.
Super Tilt Bro., a groundbreaking platform-fighting game for the NES, introduces online multiplayer capabilities with its innovative Wi-Fi-enabled cartridge. Developed by RogerBidon and published by Broke Studio, the game features diverse characters, multiple stages, and both online and local multiplayer modes. The open-source project encourages community involvement and cross-region play on NTSC and PAL systems.
Retro game development is becoming more accessible with the introduction of BB Studio, a user-friendly, drag-and-drop game creation tool designed for enthusiasts of classic gaming systems. Developed by Michel Iwaniec, BB Studio aims to simplify the game development process for vintage consoles.
Key Features of BB Studio:
• Intuitive Interface: BB Studio offers a straightforward drag-and-drop environment, enabling users to design and build games without extensive programming knowledge.
• Retro System Support: The tool is tailored for creating games compatible with various retro gaming systems, allowing developers to bring new experiences to classic hardware.
• Open-Source Accessibility: As an open-source project, BB Studio encourages community contributions and collaboration, fostering a vibrant development ecosystem.
For more information and to access BB Studio, visit the official GitHub repository:
Retro gaming aficionados have a new treasure to add to their collections: The GBA Pixel Book by Bitmap Books. This meticulously crafted volume delves into the rich pixel art and diverse game library of Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance (GBA), a handheld console that, since its 2001 debut, has been celebrated for keeping 2D gaming vibrant in an era shifting towards 3D.
Key Features of The GBA Pixel Book:
• Extensive Game Coverage: The book explores over 240 GBA titles, offering in-depth articles that highlight the console’s eclectic game portfolio.
• Visual Feast: Readers can immerse themselves in nearly 4,000 carefully curated screenshots, sprite artworks, and expansive level maps, all presented across 300 pages of high-quality, glossy paper.
• Genre Analysis: Organized by genre, the book examines the GBA’s influence on various gaming styles and its role in the evolution of pixel art, which has inspired today’s indie game movement.
• Premium Presentation: Encased in a sturdy slipcase, the hardback edition boasts edge-to-edge lithographic printing and sewn binding, ensuring durability and the ability to lay flat for optimal viewing of double-page spreads.
This English-language edition is a collaboration between Bitmap Books and German publisher Elektrospieler, bringing the original German work to a broader audience. It continues Bitmap Books’ tradition of celebrating classic gaming through visually stunning publications.
For more details and to secure a copy, visit Bitmap Books’ official website:
Retro gaming fans, rejoice! A new project is bringing classic side-scrolling action to the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. Kirito The Game, developed by Tulfared Prod, is a vibrant beat-’em-up that combines the charm of the 16-bit era with fresh, dynamic gameplay.
The game follows Kirito on an action-packed journey through beautifully designed stages filled with diverse enemies and formidable bosses. With its large, detailed sprites and smooth combat mechanics, this title promises to evoke nostalgia for iconic 1990s beat-’em-ups.
Kirito The Game is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, offering a demo ROM for backers to experience the gameplay. The campaign launched in December 2024, and pledges will help bring this exciting project to life.
Key Features:
• Side-scrolling beat-’em-up gameplay.
• Designed for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis.
• Retro-inspired visuals with cartoon-like charm.
• Demo ROM available for supporters.
Support this retro gaming gem by visiting the Kickstarter page:
