👾 Retro Gaming Weekly News #0142
31st March 2025
This week we have 39 stories, including (but by no means limited to) turning an Atari 2600 into a digital photo frame, a PS1 Crab, Nike Air Goldeneye edition and Bully gets an update after almost 2 years - and a whole load more.
News
🎮 Square Enix has re-released the PS1 classic SaGa Frontier 2 across modern platforms in a surprise drop. Retroshell
🎵 Nintendo has added the soundtracks for Dr. Mario and two Tetris games to its official music platform. Nintendojo
🕵️ Two early N64 prototypes of The World Is Not Enough have surfaced online, showcasing significant differences from the final release. Time Extension
🕹️ Nintendo has expanded the Switch Online SNES library with four additional classic games. Retroshell
🧠 A new NES game titled Echoes of the Unread has been released, offering an authentic experience for the 40-year-old console. VICE
📱 A previously lost N-Gage title, Katz vs Maus, has been recovered by Bitmap Bureau. Retroshell
🏎️ Sega’s Super Monaco GP has received a new SRAM hack for improved save support. Time Extension
👟 Nike has launched a new Air Max sneaker series honouring classic video games like GoldenEye 007. Retroshell
🛍️ Limited Run Games has revealed a new line of Crazy Taxi merchandise celebrating the arcade classic. Retro Dodo
🔧 The “Open Heart” mod enhances Sega Genesis/Mega Drive consoles with improved hardware longevity and performance. Retroshell
🎮 The Abxylute One Pro handheld has been unveiled with upgraded specs and a competitive price point. TechEBlog
🎉 Bandai Namco is hosting a 20th anniversary event for Tales of Legendia in 2025. Retroshell
🧩 The Dolphin emulator now successfully boots every Wii and GameCube Virtual Console title. NotebookCheck
🎬 The Street Fighter movie has been delayed and removed from Sony’s release calendar. Retroshell
🎸 A fictional band from a Sega Dreamcast game has unexpectedly won a real music award in 2025. Time Extension
🕶️ Rockstar’s Bully has received an update nearly 20 years after its original release. Retroshell
📼 A long-lost NES port of Populous has been recovered after nearly 30 years. Retroshell
Features
🖼️ mClassic graphics upscalers, designed for the Nintendo Switch and retro consoles, are now available at a discount for the first time. Retroshell
🧝 An in-depth feature explores The Legend of Zelda’s influence on pop culture, from fashion to storytelling. WinterIsComing
⚠️ Gamers are being warned after a PSP battery explosion raised new safety concerns for aging handhelds. Retroshell
🕹️ A 3D printing project brings a fully functional NES controller replica to life. XDA Developers
🎮 Shuhei Yoshida reflects on PlayStation’s early days, highlighting its roots in fun, risk-taking, and innovation. Retroshell
⚡ Mega Man 2 was created in just three months, according to its lead developer, who emphasises the passion behind its development rather than corporate pressure. Automaton
🖼️ A Raspberry Pi-powered digital photo frame emulates the Atari 2600 aesthetic in a creative DIY build. XDA Developers
🚫 An overview of video game consoles that failed to find success despite unique features and bold ambitions. XDA Developers
🍎 A look back at the Apple-Bandai Pippin, a short-lived multimedia console aiming to blend computing and gaming. XDA Developers
🎮 An Atari Jaguar retrospective revisits its specs and place in 64-bit gaming history. TechEBlog
🚀 ZPF is a new shmup launching on Sega Genesis in May, delivering high-speed, psychedelic action and strong early impressions. VICE
🐒 A former PlayStation executive once used Donkey Kong Country as a benchmark to criticize Crash Bandicoot for being too difficult. Time Extension
🦀 A fan creation called “Playstacean” transforms the PS1 into a crustacean-inspired sculpture. Laughing Squid
Lists & Rankings
🕹️ A look at rare and obscure Nintendo consoles reveals hardware most gamers have never encountered. XDA Developers
⏩ A selection of PlayStation One titles that were ahead of their time in mechanics, storytelling, or design. CBR
📅 A year-by-year breakdown of the best Nintendo game released each year throughout the 1990s. TheGamer
🎮 A ranking of the best console-to-handheld ports that preserved gameplay quality on the go. CBR
📈 An exploration of video games that redefined industry standards through innovation and influence. DualShockers
💎 A guide to some of the rarest video game consoles in existence and what they can fetch on the market today. CBR
🕹️ A curated collection highlights some of the greatest PlayStation 2 games of all time. VCGamers
🔫 A ranking of the best first-person shooters on the Nintendo 64, from classics to hidden gems. CBR
brb just going to check my PSP battery...