Time Magazine has released a Special “Mario” Edition of its famous magazine to celebrate 40 years of Nintendos legendary mascot.
Credit: Time Magazine
The decision to mark the plumber’s 40th anniversary by placing him on a special edition cover highlights Mario’s unrivalled influence on the world of gaming. Technically, Mario is 44 years old, his first appearance being as “Jumpman” for the arcade game Donkey Kong, but most people mark the start of the Mario era based on his first appearance in Mario Bros in 1985 on the NES.
For those who grew up with Mario, this cover signifies more than a pop-culture nod; it’s a celebration of an enduring legacy that helped shape side-scrolling platformers and established a high bar for game design and playability. Mario’s journey from 8-bit sprite on the original NES to the fully realised hero in today’s titles exemplifies the evolving technical landscape. From cartridge-based consoles that paved the way for speedy arcade ports to modern 3D worlds running on advanced hardware, Mario’s presence throughout gaming history has remained consistent, adaptable, and beloved.
Beyond pure nostalgia, this Time Magazine feature underlines Mario’s international reach and commercial success. Few gaming characters have made the leap from classic games on platforms such as the Game Boy, SNES, and even the occasional PC port, to still remain relevant decades later. This milestone acknowledges how retro gaming continues to inspire current titles, captivating both new players and those who fondly remember the 8-bit era and the early years of gaming.
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Nintendo has officially unveiled a range of discounts for Mario Day, celebrated annually on 10 March. This beloved tradition pays tribute to gaming’s most recognisable plumber, who first appeared in the 1981 arcade classic Donkey Kong, albeit under a different name—Jumpman. For 2025, the promotions spotlight a selection of Mario-centric Nintendo Switch titles, including price reductions on Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. Some retailers are also bundling themed Joy-Con controllers, making it a convenient time for fans and collectors to grab these signature games.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD– $39.99 (normally $59.99) Mario Kart 8 Deluxe– $39.99 (normally $59.99) Mario vs. Donkey Kong– $29.99 (normally $49.99) Princess Peach: Showtime!– $39.99 (normally $59.99) Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury– $39.99 (normally $59.99) Super Mario Odyssey– $39.99 (normally $59.99) Super Mario RPG– $39.99 (normally $59.99)
Credit: Nintendo
Beyond the discounts, Nintendo has organised a series of events to mark the occasion such as a Mario Kart Tournament, GameStop and BestBuy demo events and even a Jet Blue A320 (below) – amongst a host of other activities and offers.
Credit: Jetblue/Nintendo
Since Mario’s earliest days, enthusiasts have praised the series’ accessible gameplay, charming worlds, and memorable soundtracks. In fact, the character’s creation by legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto helped shape the foundation of platform gaming. It’s a testament to the series’ legacy that Mario remains a cultural icon more than four decades after his debut.
Keep your classic games safe with RetroShell, designed to protect your retro collection. For the latest updates on retro gaming, subscribe to our free Substack, delivered to your inbox every Monday! Interestingly, Mario was named after Mario Segale, the landlord of Nintendo of America’s early warehouses.
Acclaim, once a powerhouse of 1980s and 1990s gaming, has officially returned to the spotlight under the leadership of new CEO Alex Josef. Industry reports suggest that this revival will focus on supporting independent developers and rekindling beloved classic franchises. For gamers who remember Acclaim’s heyday, this news represents a new lease of life for titles that once defined console gaming.
This is what I’m hoping for…
In its original form, Acclaim was a major name in publishing and distributing on systems such as the NES, SNES, and Sega Genesis. Perhaps best known for its home-console versions of arcade hits like Mortal Kombat (under licence from Midway), Acclaim also boasted original ventures, including the dinosaur-hunting adventure Turok (which recently had a remaster including a few enhancements). During the 1990s, the company experimented with an array of genres—from sports titles, such as All-Star Baseball and NBA Jamcollaborations, to action-heavy adaptations like WWF WrestleMania. While arcade conversions made Acclaim a household name, the publisher proved it could excel at original games too, catering to varied gaming tastes.
By the early 2000s, Acclaim faced mounting financial pressures, leading to its eventual closure in 2004. The rights to certain properties were sold off, and for years, the once-distinctive Acclaim logo faded into industry memory. As of 2025, the brand’s re-emergence signals a determined effort to capitalise on rising nostalgia for classic games and new opportunities in the indie market. According to newly released statements, Acclaim’s strategy involves leveraging modern distribution platforms while also offering development support to small studios interested in working with legacy IPs. This might open doors for reimaginings of fondly remembered titles—an enticing prospect for enthusiasts of classic games who crave updates on storied franchises.
Historically, Acclaim’s success lay in its ability to bring arcade-quality gameplay to home systems, often bridging the gap between coin-op experiences and living room consoles. With the resurging interest in retro gaming and platforms like IOS now open for emulation and mini-consoles, the potential for revisiting Acclaim’s back catalogue is evident.
Now, under fresh leadership, the publisher is ready to make the most of today’s retro gaming resurgence. Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Josef explained: “Acclaim’s legacy stretches back to a golden era for console gaming. We want to reinvigorate that legacy by partnering with indie studios that share our passion for timeless gameplay.” He also noted a commitment to modernising fan-favourite series: “Players remember the thrill of discovering Turok’s hidden levels or mastering combos in Mortal Kombat. We aim to harness that nostalgia while incorporating fresh ideas for contemporary audiences.”
Reportedly the company’s strategy involves offering developmental resources to smaller studios interested in working with legacy IPs, rather than simply re-releasing classic titles: “Our plan is to go beyond mere remasters. We’re looking at how to introduce new mechanics, deeper narratives, and polished visuals, but without losing that retro spark,” Josef said. Several key franchises—dormant for years—are set to be revisited, and there are hints of new projects inspired by the spirit of Acclaim’s original catalogue.
We are very excited to see what legendary franchises might get the remaster treatment in the coming months.
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Interestingly, Acclaim once produced motion-sensing game controllers in the 1990s, demonstrating an early foray into technology now commonplace in modern gaming peripherals.
Xbox 360 fans are celebrating a significant breakthrough in video game preservation, following recent reports of a new tool developed called “Xenon Recomp” that could potentially enable native PC ports of Xbox 360 titles. While technical details remain in flux, the basic concept is that original code from older Sonic games—and possibly any Xbox 360 release—can be adapted to run on modern personal computers without the need for complicated emulators. As stated on Github – the tool “converts Xbox 360 executables into C++ code, which can then be recompiled for any platform.”
Sonic Unleashed is called “Sonic World Adventure” in Japan
This project is seemingly inspired by the N64 Recompiled project, which does a similar thing for Nintendo 64 games. However, before we get too excited it is worth noting that, even though the N64 project has been out for almost a year and there has only been a small selection of games which have made the leap on the PC from the N64.
The implications of this development are considerable. Xbox 360 hardware, which first debuted in 2005, has had a long and storied history, but it faces inevitable decline as parts wear out over time (or death by RROD 💀). For historians, collectors, and general admirers of retro gaming, a reliable way to bring 360-era favourites to PC represents a significant leap forward in preserving these interactive works. Removing hardware limitations also opens the door for enhancements such as improved frame rates, higher resolutions, and the preservation of the original.
From a historical perspective, this effort sits alongside longstanding attempts to keep classic games alive. In the 1990s, enthusiasts used DOSBox to preserve MS-DOS releases, ensuring these foundational PC titles would remain accessible. Console gamers have similarly embraced community-driven tools, from chip-based modifications of the NES to custom firmware on handhelds. In each case, the goal is the same: safeguarding our collective gaming heritage.
If this latest tool proves viable on a larger scale, we could see a renaissance of Xbox 360 classics—both mainstream hits and more obscure gems—brought back for modern hardware. With such projects gaining traction, publishers might begin collaborating with fan communities to tap into renewed demand for older catalogue titles.
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Masahiro Sakurai, the visionary behind many of Nintendo’s iconic properties, has recently been recognised by the Japanese government for his pioneering game design tutorials. Known for co-creating the Kirby series and masterminding the Super Smash Bros. franchise, Sakurai’s work has had a far-reaching impact on the retro gaming landscape, inspiring new generations of developers and players alike.
The man, the legend
Sakurai’s career began at HAL Laboratory in the early 1990s. It was here he introduced the world to Kirby, a character whose deceptively simple mechanics brought accessibility to classic games on the original Game Boy. Kirby’s Dream Land, released in 1992, remains a cornerstone of retro gaming, often praised for its whimsical design and intuitive controls. Despite primarily creating titles for Nintendo consoles rather than MS-DOS or other home computer platforms, Sakurai’s design ethos has transcended hardware boundaries, influencing gameplay across the entire gaming industry.
Perhaps his most influential creation is the Super Smash Bros. series, first launched on the Nintendo 64 in 1999. By blending different Nintendo characters into a unique fighting experience, Sakurai bridged the gap between casual and competitive players. He introduced streamlined controls, dynamic stages, and an iconic roster of familiar faces, forever changing how fighting games were perceived. His focus on accessible tutorials helped ensure that newcomers could grasp the fundamentals without complex manuals or steep learning curves.
This recent recognition by Japanese authorities underscores Sakurai’s dedication to teaching the art of game creation. Through his YouTube channel and various speaking engagements, he has continued to share in-depth analyses of design principles, championing clarity and enjoyment in all gaming experiences. Such efforts ensure the preservation of classic titles, spotlighting the continuing relevance of beloved properties like Kirby and Smash Bros. in modern gaming culture.
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Nintendo has recently made the iconic soundtrack from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past available on its official Nintendo Music platform, a welcome treat for fans for of this legendary game . First released in 1991 on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), A Link to the Past quickly established itself as one of the pivotal entries in the series. Its unforgettable score, composed by the renowned Koji Kondo, has been lauded for capturing the spirit of exploration and the grandeur of Hyrule’s landscapes.
Arguably the most recognisable piece is the “Overworld Theme,” featuring a rousing melody that perfectly embodies Link’s heroic journey. Listeners often cite the “Dark World Theme” as another standout track, bringing an edgy, sombre layer to the adventure, hinting at the hidden dangers of the alternate realm. The gentle, almost homely tune of “Kakariko Village” offers a contrast to the game’s more intense moments, providing a sense of respite amidst the chaos. Likewise, “Hyrule Castle” and its regal progressions underline the weight of Link’s quest to save Princess Zelda.
Technically, the SNES’s audio hardware (utilising the SPC700 sound chip) allowed Koji Kondo’s compositions to shine in more nuanced ways than the original Nintendo Entertainment System ever could. Despite limitations such as a mere eight channels, the sound team’s creativity resulted in a rich, layered soundtrack that continues to resonate with retro gaming fans. A Link to the Past also influenced subsequent Zelda soundtracks, setting the bar for orchestration and thematic cohesion in future instalments.
As of February 27, 2025, the full collection can now be streamed officially, giving newcomers and long-time devotees a chance to revisit these defining compositions. With each track, one is reminded of how music can elevate gameplay into a truly immersive experience, and take you back to playing the game – even decades after a title’s original release.
Keep your classic games safe with RetroShell, designed to protect your retro collection. For the latest updates on retro gaming, subscribe to our free Substack delivered to your inbox every Monday!
8BitDo, a name synonymous with retro-inspired gaming gear, has just unveiled the Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller—a device that marries the charm of yesteryear’s gaming with today’s technological prowess. Boasting ultra-low latency 2.4G wireless connectivity, precision TMR joysticks, switchable triggers, and a snazzy customizable RGB Lighting Fire Ring, this controller is poised to elevate the experience of classic game lovers everywhere. Compatible with Windows and Android, it’s now available on Amazon ($59.99), in Purple, Black and White ready to bring next-level performance to your retro adventures.
Credit: 8BitDo
Controllers have come a long way since the days of the Atari 2600’s rudimentary joysticks and the NES’s iconic rectangular pads. For those who cherish the golden age of gaming—the 80s and 90s when Super Mario Bros. and Doom ruled supreme—the right hardware can make all the difference. The Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller steps into this nostalgic space with finesse. Its wireless design frees players from the tether of short cables that once kept us huddled near CRT televisions, offering instead the liberty to kick back and enjoy a more social, arcade-like vibe from anywhere in the room.
Ultimate 2 Wireless. The flagship, fully upgraded.
What sets this controller apart for retro fans? The ultra-low latency 2.4G connection ensures every jump in Super Mario Bros. or shotgun blast in Doom feels spot-on, mimicking the responsiveness of vintage hardware. The TMR joysticks provide pinpoint accuracy—ideal for navigating the analogue-heavy worlds of Nintendo 64 classics—while the switchable triggers adapt to varied playstyles, from rapid-fire shooters to smooth racing titles. And on Android, it transforms your mobile into a portable retro powerhouse, perfect for emulating MS-DOS gems like Commander Keen on the go.
Credit: 8BitDo / Amazon
As you dive into classic gaming with the Ultimate 2, keep your treasured collection pristine with RetroShell, offering bespoke protection for your retro haul. For the latest scoop on gaming’s past, sign up for our free Substack, landing in your inbox every Monday.
