👾 Retro Gaming Weekly News #0168

29th September 2025

Welcome to issue number 168 of our retro gaming news roundup. This week we cover the craziest Xbox handheld, why buttons are A/B/X/Y, a Thor video is found in a 24 year old Spiderman game and quite a bit more.

Thanks as always for reading! ❤️

News

🕹️ The Mega SmartDrive add-on offers expanded storage and features for Sega Genesis / Mega Drive consoles, designed as a versatile accessory for retro gamers. Time Extension

🔧 A modder transformed an original Xbox into a handheld system using a hacksaw, hot glue, and duct tape, resulting in a functional but unconventional portable console. Tom’s Hardware

📚 A comprehensive Sega Genesis art book, previously limited in availability, is now officially accessible to all fans. Forbes

💾 An attempted sale of the unreleased Intellivision Amico console appeared on eBay, drawing attention from retro gaming circles. Escapist Magazine

🎮 City Hunter, originally a PC Engine title, is being revived for PS5 in a modern console comeback. Push Square

⚖️ Crush 40 singer Johnny Gioeli lost a legal case against Sega over ownership rights to Sonic Adventure 2’s theme song “Live and Learn.” Time Extension

👓 A feature highlights modern ways to experience Virtual Boy games without relying on Nintendo Switch hardware. Time Extension

🌊 Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake introduces new underwater exploration mechanics. RPGamer

🎵 A new music release linked to The Legend of Zelda II has been made available on Nintendo’s music platform. Gamereactor

🧱 The LEGO Game Boy set has been restocked on Amazon and is shipping earlier than expected. GameSpot

📱 The Retro Pixel Pocket handheld receives a new chipset and a 50% price reduction. Time Extension

👋 Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser announced he will be stepping down from his role. Nintendo Insider

🎨 The original Game Boy Color version of Rayman is being re-released in physical format. Time Extension

🔫 The leaked GoldenEye 007 remake from last week is now playable for the public. NoobFeed

🎨 MagicX unveiled a new color variant of its popular Zero 40 handheld system. RetroDodo

🕵️ Concept art and gameplay details from the canceled Perfect Dark project have surfaced online. XboxEra

🪓 An unofficial port of Golden Axe is being developed for the Atari 2600. Time Extension

🤼 WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth celebrates an anniversary, with fans continuing to express strong appreciation for the game. Wrestling Inc

🤖 Data East’s RoboCop received a second Sega Genesis / Mega Drive homebrew port, though it appears to have displaced the earlier version. Time Extension

Features

🎮 An explainer details why modern controllers use A, B, X, and Y buttons instead of a sequential A, B, C, D layout, tracing the history back to Nintendo’s design decisions. Time Extension

🕹️ The Neo Geo Mini remains a favorite among retro enthusiasts, keeping fighting game sessions alive with its compact arcade design. GamesRadar

🕷️ A previously unseen scene from the PS1 Spider-Man game reveals Thor’s appearance, resurfacing after more than two decades. CBR

🍄 A newly examined glitch in Super Mario Bros. highlights how the bug captivated and puzzled gamers for decades. BBC

📱 Xiaomi has launched a Game Boy–style retro phone case that can actually play classic games, blending nostalgia with modern smartphones. Stuff

🧱 A comparison looks at LEGO’s buildable Game Boy alongside Nintendo’s original handheld, showing both similarities and differences in design. The Verge

🔧 A Raspberry Pi project has revived the Game Boy Advance, turning old hardware into a functional retro handheld again. XDA Developers

🎨 A retrospective highlights an N64 title celebrated as a masterpiece but now unlikely to be re-released. ComicBook

👻 An article explores how a Nintendo design choice accidentally created one of gaming’s scariest levels, leaving a lasting impact on players. ComicBook

🐻 A feature examines Yooka-Laylee as a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie, comparing its design and reception. EarlyGame

📀 Readers debate why the Nintendo 64 will always stand as the company’s best console despite its limitations. Metro

Lists & Rankings

🎮 A ranking highlights Sega Genesis games with some of the best storylines ever told in retro gaming history CBR.

🕹️ A roundup features some of the greatest retro games of all time across multiple platforms GameSpot.

👾 A list explores the best NES games available on Nintendo Switch Online that justify the subscription service DualShockers.

📟 A nostalgic look back at favorite handheld electronic devices from the 1990s SlashGear.

🕶️ An overview of Virtual Boy games that remain enjoyable despite the console’s commercial failure Game Rant.