👾 Retro Gaming Weekly News #0183
12th January 2026
Welcome to your issue number 183, back in sunny (ish) Barcelona and back to Ark Raiders.
In this week’s issue, we delights such as turning your phone into a Game Boy, a Sega legend dies 😕, Mario 64 on the Dreamcast, retro CES announcements and a load more.
Every time I see someone like the newsletter, or a new subscription, it feels like a power up.
News
🕊️ David Rosen, co-founder of Sega and a key figure in the company’s early global expansion, has died at age 90. The Guardian
🎮 The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection is coming to Xbox and Game Pass in Spring 2026. Inverse
🕹️ GameSir has announced the Pocket TACO, a compact, foldable mobile gaming controller designed for portability and performance. Hypebeast
📱 8BitDo’s new controller design transforms smartphones into a Game Boy-style handheld using a sliding, clamshell form factor. Android Headlines
🕹️ Mega Cat Studios will release two new NES games and one SNES game on January 29, 2026 (below). GoNintendo
🌟 A cult-favorite indie JRPG inspired by SNES classics is being re-released eight years after its original launch. ComicBook
🌀 A fan has ported Super Mario 64 to the Dreamcast, offering what some describe as AAA native performance. Time Extension
🎮 GameSir and Hyperkin have unveiled a modular controller featuring interchangeable layouts for GameCube and N64-style play. Nintendo Life
🏎️ A fan has created an HD version of Ridge Racer within Dreams, filling the gap left by Bandai Namco. Time Extension
🕹️ The SuperStation One FPGA console has finally begun shipping after major development delays. NotebookCheck
🎉 A new Mario 64 PC mod introduces mini-games styled after WarioWare, adding fast-paced challenges to classic levels. Time Extension
📉 A recent update regarding the Nintendo GameCube hints at disappointing news for fans awaiting future developments. ComicBook
🕹️ My Arcade’s long-delayed Sega mini arcades are now confirmed for release later in 2026 after a year of silence. Time Extension
📼 A DIY cassette player can now record Spotify sessions in real time, bringing digital music to analog tape. NotebookCheck (not retro but retro cool)
🌴 A new Sega Saturn FPS titled Vigilant Paradise channels Miami Vice aesthetics and retro shooter vibes. Time Extension
🎨 8BitDo’s NES 40th Collection has been praised as a stylish and high-quality tribute to the classic console. RetroDodo
🚀 Nearly 37 years after its original release, Zero Wing is getting an unofficial Neo Geo port by fans. Time Extension
🛸 The Japan-only Dreamcast game Macross M3 has received a complete English fan translation for global audiences. NotebookCheck
🧩 Evercade’s first firmware update of 2026 adds support for Neo Geo and Atari 2600 titles. Time Extension
Features
🧟♂️ Battletoads, which debuted on the NES in 1991, rapidly expanded across platforms due to Rare’s push for cross-platform success and marketing adaptability — Games Asylum
🎯 Gail Tilden, a key figure in Nintendo of America’s marketing team, reflects on her role in the NES launch and the strategy of avoiding the term “video game” to rebuild consumer trust post-crash — Time Extension
🕹️ Four decades on, the Sega Master System is remembered for its technical strengths and unique regional success, despite being overshadowed by the NES globally — CBR
💾 The Turbo EverDrive Core & Pro offers robust performance for PC Engine fans, though limitations in CD-ROM support and audio playback may impact user experience — Time Extension
🌙 Kazuyuki Hoshino explains that the “NiGHTS” acronym stands for “Night into Dreams,” reflecting the game’s surreal aesthetic and narrative depth — Gamereactor
🕹️ The Atari GameStation Go is a modern handheld tribute to retro gaming, offering wide compatibility and preloaded titles despite some interface and emulation flaws — GamesHub
👾 The Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition celebrates the iconic console and its most infamous game with a nostalgic design, improved ports, and collector appeal — TechRadar
💿 (Duplicate) The Turbo EverDrive Core & Pro review is covered above — Time Extension
♟️ KEX is a newly developed abstract board game inspired by PC Engine aesthetics and mechanics, offering a fresh take on retro gaming design — Retro Handhelds
Lists & Rankings
🕹️ A roundup of affordable retro and modern game consoles highlights budget-friendly options from Nintendo, Atari, and others, catering to gamers seeking value and nostalgia — CBR.
🎮 Six Nintendo 64 titles are spotlighted for their memorable and beloved storytelling, including fan favorites that helped define the console’s legacy — ComicBook.com.
🧩 Five underrated GameCube games are recognized for their overlooked innovation and gameplay, showcasing hidden gems from Nintendo’s early 2000s lineup — ComicBook.com.
🔄 A look back at forgotten video game crossovers reveals surprising collaborations that once brought together major franchises across genres — CBR.
🌍 A critique of modern JRPG design argues that open worlds are not essential for creating expansive, immersive experiences, citing strong linear alternatives — DualShockers.