Nintendo has just enriched its ‘Nintendo Music’ app with the timeless tunes of Super Mario World, the classic Super Nintendo title from the early ’90s. This update introduces 49 tracks, totaling over an hour of nostalgic melodies. Listeners can enjoy iconic pieces like the “Yoshi’s Island”, “Donut Plains”, and the mysterious Forest of Illusion theme. The full tracklist is available on Nintendo Life.
To access this musical journey, ensure you have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription and the ‘Nintendo Music’ app installed on your mobile device. This addition follows last week’s release of the Pokémon Legends: Arceussoundtrack, further expanding the app’s diverse library. Notably, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island is also featured, offering fans a comprehensive Mario musical experience.
After more than two decades, a pre-release build of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City has surfaced online, offering a glimpse into the game’s development just weeks before its official launch in 2002. This build, dated October 2, 2002, was shared by GTA Forums user IAmNotToniCipriani, who noted that it was initially dumped online by “johndoe2”. Interestingly, the pause menu reveals a compile date of October 1, 2002, indicating it was finalized 28 days prior to the game’s release on PlayStation 2.
Fans speculate that this build was a press preview copy, possibly intended for GameSpot, rather than a version meant for public consumption. Despite being close to the final release, the build contains numerous differences that shed light on the game’s evolution during its final stages.
Notable Differences in the Leaked Build:
• SWAT Team Appearance: The SWAT uniforms exhibit a more vibrant blue color compared to the final version.
• Vehicle Variations: The RC Goblin was originally green, and police cars appeared in white.
• Logos and References: The “Top Fun” logo was initially a clearer homage to “Top Gun”.
• Cutscene Alterations: Some cutscenes feature alternate angles, and the intro at Ken’s office includes a scene of Ken entering, which differs from the retail version.
• Character Design: Auntie Poulet’s attire was yellow instead of the purple seen in the PC release.
• Weapon Mechanics: Reloading animations for the shotgun and M4 were nearly instantaneous, likely due to a bug.
• Mission Icons: The Print Works asset missions showcased different icons.
• Vehicle Branding: The Sandking vehicle featured prominent Rockstar logos on its sides and top.
• Camera Perspectives: The melee combat camera was positioned further out, providing a broader view during fights.
Fans are meticulously analysing the build, comparing textures and models to the retail version. Some textures appear crisper and uncompressed, offering insights into the game’s graphical adjustments before release. This discovery provides a fascinating look into the developmental decisions and refinements that shaped the final version of GTA: Vice City.
In a recent interview with MinnMax, Sony veteran Shuhei Yoshida shed light on an intriguing chapter of gaming history: PlayStation’s first video game was an FMV (Full Motion Video) space shooter developed for Nintendo. This project was nearly complete before the well-known rift between Sony and Nintendo led to its cancellation.
Yoshida, who joined Ken Kutaragi’s team in February 1993, recalled that newcomers were introduced to the Nintendo-Sony PlayStation prototype upon arrival. He had the opportunity to play the nearly finished game on his first day. He described it as reminiscent of the Sega CD version of “Silpheed,” featuring a faux 3D perspective with FMV backgrounds streamed from the disc. This approach allowed for richer graphics than was standard at the time.
Unfortunately, Yoshida couldn’t recall details about the development team or whether the game was produced in the U.S. or Japan. While this particular title never saw the light of day, Sony later published similar games on the PlayStation, such as “Philosoma” in 1995 and “Novastorm,” which had been developed earlier by Sony’s subsidiary, Psygnosis.
This revelation offers a rare glimpse into what the software library for the Nintendo PlayStation might have included. Prior to this, “Secret of Mana” was the most notable game known to be in development for the add-on, which reportedly underwent significant cuts during its transition from CD to SNES cartridge. The existence of this FMV space shooter suggests that the Nintendo PlayStation could have boasted a diverse and graphically advanced game lineup, had the collaboration between Sony and Nintendo continued.
We hope that one day a Rom for this might emerge so we can see what might have been and preserve this for future generations.
When legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto asked former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida for his thoughts on Star Fox Zero for the Wii U, he probably wasn’t expecting an awkward moment. But as Yoshida recalled in a recent discussion, he found himself in the classic dilemma of whether to give an honest opinion or a polite one.
Star Fox Zero launched in 2016 with a mixed reception. It attempted to bring back the classic Star Fox gameplay with a motion control twist, using the Wii U GamePad’s gyroscopic aiming. While Miyamoto saw this as an innovation, many players found the controls cumbersome, leading to frustration rather than immersion. The game holds a Metacritic score of 69, reflecting its divisive nature.
Yoshida, who had a professional admiration for Miyamoto, faced a moment of hesitation when asked about the game. “Should I say my honest reaction?” he recalled thinking. While he didn’t reveal exactly what he said, the implication was clear: even among industry veterans, Star Fox Zero had issues that were hard to ignore.
At E3 2015, PlayStation's Shuhei Yoshida was invited by Nintendo to play Star Fox Zero with Shigeru Miyamoto. He didn't have the heart to tell him his real opinions on the game…
This interaction highlights a key issue in game design—innovation versus accessibility. Nintendo often priorities creative control schemes, but Star Fox Zero showed that not every experiment works out. The game’s failure to gain traction contributed to the Wii U’s struggles, and it remains one of the more polarizing entries in the Star Fox series.
Would a Switch or Switch 2 re-release with traditional controls redeem Star Fox Zero? Fans remain divided. One thing’s for sure—when Miyamoto asks for feedback, you better have a diplomatic answer ready.
After eight years of dedication, Fan Translators International has released a complete English translation patch for Level-5’s visual novel on the 3DS. Time Travelers, was originally exclusive to Japan on the PSP, 3DS, and PSVita platforms.
The team
Set in a futuristic Tokyo, Time Travelers weaves a narrative that intertwines the lives of five protagonists, each grappling with the consequences of time manipulation. The game’s unique storytelling and interactive elements have intrigued players since its initial release.
The translation team, led by sekki35, 22sorataka, ecky, onepiecefreak, Theswweet, and Teekro, meticulously translated the main story, ensuring that the game’s emotional depth and quirky humour resonate with English-speaking audiences. Proofreading was handled by Theswweet and Teekro, while Etokapa, MissBazinga, and NitroTears focused on graphics and movie translations. Programming support was provided by Neobeo. Edit: Wilson reached out to me to clarify that “onepiecefreak is the mastermind behind the translation doing the majority of the programming and reverse engineering work.” – so extra kudos and apologies for missing this from the original article.
After 8 long years of trials and tribulations. The team is finally ready to unveil the English translation patch for Time Travelers on 3DS!https://t.co/toP4p1ZWN0
To experience this translated adventure, players need a .3ds or .cia version of the game. After downloading the patch, extract the .zip file and run the .exe. Provide the file paths to both the game and the provided .pat file, then specify the output directory for the Luma3DS LayeredFS-ready patch. Finally, copy the new folder to your 3DS’s SD card and ensure “Game Patching” is enabled in the Luma3DS CFW settings.
This release marks a significant achievement in fan-led translation projects, allowing a broader audience to engage with a previously inaccessible title. For more details and to download the patch, visit Fan Translators International’s official website.
In honour of the 40th anniversary of the classic puzzle game Sokoban, Dutch MSX veterans have crafted ‘Super Sokoban’ for the MSX2.
In 1982, Japanese developer Thinking Rabbit introduced the world to Sokoban, a puzzle game that has since become a cornerstone of the genre. The original MSX version debuted in 1984. Now, as part of the MSXdev24 competition, a new iteration titled “Super Sokoban” has been released, offering enhanced graphics and SCC soundtracks.
Credit: MSX Devs
This polished rendition utilizes the MSX2’s capabilities and features an SCC soundtrack, enhancing the original’s charm. Players guide a warehouse worker, manoeuvring boxes to designated spots within confined spaces, demanding strategic foresight. The game offers two modes and a password system, ensuring both challenge and accessibility. For newcomers, an included manual provides guidance.
For those that are interested, you can find the game here, credit to the source of the article – MSX Devs.
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After more than a decade, The Sims 2 has made its return to modern platforms, now available on the EA App and Steam. This re-release includes compatibility for Windows 10 and 11, along with support for widescreen and high resolutions. However, it’s important to note that this isn’t a full remaster; the game remains largely as it was during its original 2004 release.
Early feedback from players has been mixed. While some are thrilled to revisit the classic life simulation, others have reported frequent crashes and technical issues that hinder the experience. On Steam, the game currently holds a “mixed” review status, with many users expressing frustration over these persistent problems.
Credit: Steam
Despite these challenges, the re-release offers a nostalgic journey for fans, complete with the original’s charm and quirks. The iconic music and unique gameplay mechanics remain intact, providing a trip down memory lane for those who enjoyed the game in its heyday.
It’s worth mentioning that this version includes all previously released DLCs, offering a comprehensive package for players. However, given the technical issues, potential players might want to wait for patches or updates that address these problems before diving back into the world of The Sims 2.
In a recent interview with Edge, Takaya Imamura, the designer behind Star Fox, revealed that the game’s iconic characters were inspired by key Nintendo staff members. Fox McCloud, the protagonist, embodies the “essence” of Shigeru Miyamoto. Imamura explained, “Fox is based on Miyamoto-san… I think, if you look closely, you can see the similarities.”
Other characters also have real-life counterparts:
• Peppy Hare: Modeled after the game’s director, Katsuya Eguchi.
• Falco Lombardi: Inspired by graphics team member Tsuyoshi Watanabe, noted for his prominent “Roman nose.”
• Slippy Toad: Based on assistant director Yoichi Yamada, who had an affinity for frogs.
Imamura noted that these designs captured the “essence” of his colleagues rather than being direct caricatures. Interestingly, during development, the team members didn’t have strong reactions to their in-game representations, possibly due to the intense focus on the project.
This behind-the-scenes insight adds a personal touch to the Star Fox series, highlighting the creative inspirations that shaped its beloved characters.
A new wave of PlayStation 2 memory cards is changing the way we play. Devices like the SD2PSX and MemCard Pro 2 are no ordinary memory cards—they’re powered by microcontrollers, packed with features, and can now launch PS2 games directly from a microSD card, eliminating the need for discs, hard drives, or USB sticks.
Originally designed to store unlimited PS1 and PS2 save files, the SD2PSX, an open-source project, recently received a major update thanks to a group of developers known as SD2PSX Extended. They introduced a new protocol called Multi-Purpose Memory Card Emulation (MMCE), allowing the PS2 to communicate with the memory card in two ways—handling save files as normal while also loading game ISOs seamlessly.
The MemCard Pro 2, developed by 8BitMods, has also been updated with the same functionality, making it another excellent all-in-one solution for PS2 gaming. The process is plug-and-play, requiring no console modifications. Users simply install firmware, organize their games into folders, and launch titles via Open PS2 Loader (OPL), all from a single memory card.
Even the original MemCard Pro 1 (latest hardware revision) has gained this feature, providing more options for players. The SD2PSX remains the open-source alternative, while the MemCard Pro 2 offers a polished experience with built-in Wi-Fi, Google Drive backups, and an intuitive web interface.
With these innovations, PS2 enthusiasts now have a streamlined way to enjoy their favourite classics. Whether opting for the open-source SD2PSX or the feature-packed MemCard Pro 2, both devices redefine what a PS2 memory card can do.
As previously reported – Electronic Arts (EA) has announced the re-release of The Sims and The Sims 2 for Windows 10 and 11 PCs, scheduled for January 31, 2025. This move comes as part of the franchise’s 25th-anniversary celebrations, rekindling fond memories for longtime fans.
To amplify the nostalgia, EA launched a Y2K-themed website, www.the-sims-y2k.com, reminiscent of the internet’s early days. The site features playful elements like “Sim Urself,” allowing users to create retro-style selfies with iconic Simsimagery, and the “Meme Jacuzzi,” offering a collection of Sims-inspired memes. The design, complete with Comic Sans font and vintage graphics, captures the style of the era.
Credit: Sims Y2K Meme Jacuzzi
The re-releases will include numerous expansion packs. For The Sims, this encompasses expansions such as Livin’ Large, House Party, and Hot Date. The Sims 2 re-release will feature eight expansion packs and nine stuff packs, providing a comprehensive experience for players.
These re-releases not only offer a trip down memory lane but also provide an opportunity for a new generation to experience the charm/chaos of the original Sims games.
