👾 Retro Gaming Weekly News #0184

19th January 2026

Welcome one and all to our 183rd issue of our retro news round up.

Contained herewith are stories such as the new old NES mouse, a PS1 mini-pc, Link lego, the hardest Game Boy games, the worst football game ever, multi player Mario 64 - and lot more.

Thanks for opening this email each week. - if I can do things better, please let me know how - if you like it how it is, a like or a share if a wonderful virtual power up for me. ❤️

News

🖱️ 8BitDo has unveiled the N30 Wireless Mouse, a retro NES-inspired device featuring mechanical buttons and a scroll wheel disguised as a D-pad, available now at a discounted price – Techeblog

🕹️ ACEMAGIC has revealed a PS1-inspired mini PC and new Panther Lake models at CES 2026, offering retro aesthetics with modern performance – XiaomiToday

🧱 A LEGO set based on The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time final battle has leaked, including price and release details ahead of its official announcement – Dexerto

🟥 Virtual Boy owners finally have access to a long-awaited flashcart, offering expanded functionality and game loading for the retro console – RetroHandhelds

🎮 A compact mod project has turned a real PSone into a functional handheld, combining original hardware with 3D-printed design – Hackaday

🤖 Super Robot Wars 64 has received a complete English fan translation, bringing the Nintendo 64 mecha strategy game to new audiences – RetroHandhelds

🧙 Quest 64 is being recompiled from scratch with new improvements, now available in early alpha stages for testing (below) – GBAtemp

👥 A fan-made multiplayer version of Super Mario 6 is now available for download, allowing cooperative play – Screen Rant

📼 Yakuza Kiwami 3 will include 12 playable Sega Game Gear games, continuing the series’ tradition of integrating retro titles – VGC

🚫 The next numbered entry in the Psyvariar shoot-em-up series has been delayed, with no confirmed release window – Time Extension

📦 Hyperkin has expressed interest in developing a portable N64 handheld with potential cartridge support, though no official plans have been confirmed – GamesRadar

🐬 Ecco the Dolphin is making a return with new projects in development, as revealed in a recent interview with the original creator – Netto’s Game Room

🌐 Another classic Dreamcast title has come back online with restored multiplayer functionality – Time Extension

🎲 Three additional Sega classics have launched in the West, continuing a wave of nostalgic re-releases – DualShockers

🔫 The LightConn, a wireless Dreamcast light gun, is getting a laser-guided upgrade for improved accuracy and performance – Time Extension

📅 Xbox Game Pass is adding several retro classics to its January 2026 lineup – TrueAchievements

🚧 Hyperkin has delayed the launch of its Mega95 handheld Sega Genesis console, citing production issues and quality concerns – Time Extension

🕊️ Tenshi no Uta: The Angel Verse Collection has been officially released in English, making the classic RPG series accessible to a broader audience – RPGamer

🧝 A fan-made remaster of The Zelda Adventure, the CD-i game Nintendo prefers to forget, is currently in development – Time Extension

Features

🎮 Animal Crossing: New Horizons now unlocks retro Nintendo toys when connected to classic consoles via the Switch Online service, offering nostalgic items for in-game use — Polygon

🗡️ A retrospective on The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Adventure highlights its challenging mechanics, divisive legacy, and lasting influence on the franchise — ComicBook

🧩 MangoPi’s open-source alternative to Raspberry Pi offers strong retro gaming capabilities at a lower price point, appealing to hobbyists and tinkerers — How-To Geek

⚽ A roundup of the worst football video games ever made contrasts them with the more competent Football Manager 2026 — FRVR

🌀 SEGA marks 35 years of Sonic the Hedgehog with commemorative celebrations highlighting the franchise’s enduring legacy — TechPowerUp

🕵️ IO Interactive confirms 007: First Light will differ significantly from GoldenEye 007, aiming for a distinct gameplay experience — Time Extension

🏴‍☠️ The cult animated series The Pirates of Dark Water may be making a comeback, with potential for a new adaptation in development — Giant Freakin Robot

🕹️ Samsung’s brief foray into gaming consoles produced oddly named devices like the “Sammy Atomiswave,” now remembered more for novelty than impact — SamMobile

🔍 A new breakdown explains how Nintendo’s Virtual Boy used stereoscopic 3D and internal mirrors to deliver its signature red-and-black visuals — Gamereactor

📺 Ultra-rare Sega Saturn game based on a Japanese game show receives an English translation patch, making it accessible to international players (below) — NotebookCheck

🌌 A fan-made Dreamcast port of Sonic Mania cleverly handles 3D sections using visual tricks to preserve smooth gameplay — Time Extension

🚓 A late Game Boy Color entry in the Chase H.Q. series showcases high-speed action with notable polish for its platform — Games Asylum

🎣 About Fishing merges the narrative style of Shenmue with Sega Bass Fishing mechanics for a quirky, genre-blending experience — Time Extension

💾 The Atari 400 and 800 computers laid the groundwork for home computing in the 1980s with versatile gaming and productivity capabilities — TechEBlog

🆓 A developer is giving away dozens of Super Nintendo and PlayStation 2-style games for free, preserving the spirit of retro gaming — GamingBible

Lists & Rankings

🕹️ A roundup of seven brutally difficult Game Boy titles highlights how these games challenged and frustrated players with unforgiving mechanics and high difficulty. ComicBook

🎮 The best GameCube games of all time are ranked, showcasing the console’s standout titles across genres and fan favorites. Dexerto

🎯 A ranked list explores the top South Park video games, evaluating their gameplay quality and faithfulness to the show’s signature humor. Collider

🕘 The most iconic Sega Genesis games are ranked, reflecting the system’s influential legacy and standout classics in the 16-bit era. Dexerto