Retro News
October2017
News Masahiro Sakurai Goes Into Absorbing Detail on the Development of Kirby Super Star
Learn from the best
Over the past few weeks Nintendo has been publishing interviews with key developers of various SNES titles to coincide with the recent release of the SNES Mini and, bringing this fascinating series to a close, a sixth interview has been released to talk about Kirby Super Star. The interview is held with Masahiro Sakurai, creator...
News Suda51 Has Considered Remaking GameCube Cult Classic Killer7
"Are you awake from your nightmare?"
Killer7 was one of the more unique games in the GameCube's library. Developed for Capcom by Suda51 and Grasshopper, it was the last of the "Capcom Five" games for the GameCube (well technically the fourth, as Dead Phoenix got cancelled). Killer7 was certainly quite intriguing and had a strong adult...
News The Nintendo Virtual Boy Could Be Getting New Software
Virtual insanity?
The Nintendo Virtual Boy may have gone down in history as the company's grandest folly, but it's clear that there are many fans out there who feel it didn't get a fair crack of the whip. Team VUEngine is a group of Virtual Boy enthusastis who want to resurrect the failed console with a series of new homebrew titles. A...
News The Inevitable SNES Classic Mini Hack Is Now Complete
"75% of games are working fine"
Last week we reported on Russian hacker Alexey 'Cluster' Avdyukhin's intention to modify his popular hacking tool hakchi2 to add support for the SNES Classic Mini. He's stayed true to his word that this work would take around a week and now v2.20 of hakchi2 has been released which offers the following...
Review Metal Slug X (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Remixed Vehicle – 001/II
It remains to be seen how many Neo Geo titles HAMSTER will ultimately bring to the Switch, but there's been no sign of the publisher slowing down in recent times. This has ensured that a good range of titles are available, but it has resulted in some that are surplus to requirements. There’s little reason to download...
News Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts Gets the MSU1 Digital Audio Enhancement Treatment
Pantless Knight with Hi-Fi Audio
Capcom's Super Ghouls'n Ghosts will always be a polarising title. A masterpiece of game design with impressive usage of the Super Nintendo's graphical and sound capabilities produced one of the system's finest exclusive games, but also one that challenges players with not one but two complete (rather hard)...
News Star Fox 2 Set To Be The 19th SNES Title To Sell A Million (Kind Of)
27 years after the console launched
Star Fox 2 may be arriving decades after the glory days of the SNES, but (depending on your perspective) it's on course to become the console's 19th million-selling game. Sure, it's not a "proper" release as it comes pre-loaded on the SNES Classic Mini alongside 20 other titles (some of which, it should be noted,...
Video An Unboxing of the Super Famicom Classic Mini
A super part of the family
In Japan, 5th October marks the release of the Super Famicom Classic Mini. Following the SNES Classic Edition / Mini last week, the “Sufami Mini” is now ready to buy! It too comes with 21 games, though the lineup is slightly different. Don't worry, importers, Star Fox 2 is included. As for outward appearances, it's...
Hardware Review Retro-Bit's SNES And Mega Drive Pads Will Relieve Your Battered Originals
Available in Street Fighter and Mega Drive designs
Retro-Bit's no stranger to creating serviceable controllers for old-school systems - we covered its excellent NES pads not so long ago - but the company is moving up a generation with its next products, aiming for SNES and Mega Drive / Genesis owners. The new "Dual Link" pads are, as the name sugg
News Sonic 3D Blast Developer Explains Bizarre In-Game Easter Egg
It’s not a bug, it’s a “feature”
When discussing the greatest games in the Sonic franchise, Sonic 3D Blast is seldom mentioned by anyone, and for rather good reason. The foray into exploring 3D platforming for the ‘hog was slow and strange; not really capturing the magic of those first few games in the series. Even so, it’s an enduring...
Video 10 SNES Games That Should Be On The SNES Mini But Aren't
This time, it's audio-visual
Similar to our recent feature about 20 games we feel should be featured on the SNES Mini, this video slapper-together-of decided to have a go at it as well. Make sure you check out the video above that relates unsurprisingly closely to the title of this article, and why not let us know your definitive list for this...
News English Translation Released for Super Famicom Exclusive Wrecking Crew '98
Stop! Hammer Time!
Mario isn't just a plumber, he is a man of many talents, including home wrecking. The literal kind, not the 'steal your girlfriend' kind that remains a Bowser exclusive gig. During his brief demolition stint at Wrecking Crew not only did he use his magic hammer to bring the house down, he also met a new nemesis: Foreman Spike.
News Cyber Gadget Reveals The Retro Freak Basic, For All Your SNES And Super Famicom Needs
Arcade stick also on the way
Cyber Gadget - the company behind the Retro Freak console - has revealed the Retro Freak Basic, a new model which only plays SNES and Super Famicom cartridges out of the box. The Retro Freak Basic comes in two packs - the Economy set (10,778 Yen, around $96) is just the unit itself with no controller or HDMI...
News Old Skool's Classiq 2 HD Plays SNES And NES Carts, Costs Less Than The SNES Classic Mini
Coming this November
The launch of the SNES Classic Mini has not only pushed Nintendo's 16-bit wonder back into the public eye, it has created legions of unhappy gamers who sadly haven't been able to get their hands on one. To capitalise on the increased interest in the SNES several other manufacturers are pushing out clone systems, including the...
Feature 20 Games That Aren't On The SNES Classic Mini, But Really Should Be
How does our wishlist compare to yours?
There’s a lot to like about the SNES Classic Mini, with the compact box offering plenty of plug-and-play 16-bit goodness. Save states and the new rewind feature are good additions, and the inclusion of a second controller (unlike with the NES mini) is welcome. It has an impressive line up of games too, with...
Video Check Out This Custom SNES Mini Raspberry Pi Project
A whole lot more than 21 games...
It seems that the SNES Mini has been quite well received by the eager fanbase, and it will no doubt continue to please as Nintendo actually keeps up with stock this time around. Even so, one complaint which has been leveraged against both this microconsole and that of its predecessor is the lack of an eShop or a...
News Super Castlevania IV and Rival Turf Join the MSU1 Audio Club
“Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!”
It looks like Conn and Kurrono Kei aren't giving the old MSU1 audio enhancement trick a rest; this allows you to add CD-quality soundtracks to retro games. Released during the last week was one of the most fan-requested patches (Super Castlevania IV) and a surprise release for...
News Behold The Majesty Of The SNES Classic Mini Game Manuals
A trip down memory lane
We miss the colourful manuals which used to come with games - sadly for the most part they have become a thing of the past as publisher cut costs and titles utilise more in-game tutorials. Of course the Super Nintendo had some of the best game manuals, and Nintendo have now released scans for the games included on the SNES...
News The Inevitable SNES Classic Mini Hack Is Well Underway
Chrono Trigger is playable already
Given the ease of hacking the NES Mini to add additional games, due to the efforts of Russian hacker Alexey 'Cluster' Avdyukhin with his hakchi2 software, it was only going to be a matter of time until the SNES Classic Mini got the same treatment given that it uses basically the same hardware under the...
Review Burning Fight (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
A dying flame
Scrolling beat ‘em ups are simple games that provide a lot of fun as you (sometimes with the help of a friend) wander through a number of stages giving gangs of reprobates a good kicking, before facing off against a more powerful end of stage thug; rinse and repeat. Burning Fight comes courtesy of SNK and whilst Sengoku (another...
September2017
Poll A Retro Quest - Were You Able to Buy a Super NES Classic Edition / SNES Mini?
Nintendo promised more stock; did it deliver?
Well, it's here - the Super NES Classic Edition / SNES Mini has arrived, bringing with it 21 games including the first official release of Star Fox 2. It's pretty much exactly what you'd expect - a cute and utterly charming little gadget that does a great job emulating iconic SNES games. Nintendo,...
News ThinkGeek Confirms That It'll Have Launch Day SNES Classic Stock in the US
Another option alongside major retailers
Pre-orders were pretty tough to find for the Super Nintendo Classic Edition in the US over recent months, meaning plenty will be heading online and into stores as soon as 29th September rolls around. The big retailers like Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy etc will be on the agenda, but online retailer Thinkgeek -...
Random Super Mario World Artist Confirms Mario Really Was A Jerk To Yoshi
Someone call PETA!
Fans of Super Mario World will attest that it's one of the finest 2D platformers of all time, but it hides a troubling secret. Since the game was released in 1990, fans have debated whether or not Mario is actually punching Yoshi on the head when he shoots his tongue out. The close proximity of Mario's fist to Yoshi's head -...
Review Pokémon Gold And Silver (3DS eShop / GBC)
Golden oldies
Pokémon Gold and Silver are the second generation instalments in the Pokémon series; released at the turn of the millennium, the games arrived just a few short years after their predecessors, Pokémon Red and Blue. Boasting a whole new world to explore, 100 new monsters (bringing the total to 251), and an entirely new cast of...
Every McCloud has a silver lining
It's hard to believe that sat here in 2017, we're actually getting the chance to review Star Fox 2. The Super FX-powered SNES swan-song has gone down in gaming folklore as a perfect example of Nintendo's ruthless approach to the video game business. When faced with the possibility that it could be compared...
News Super Mario Kart Nearly Became F-Zero 2
How different things could’ve been
Mario Kart is easily one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises, absolutely nailing the local multiplayer gameplay and providing an easily accessible experience for all to enjoy. It stands as a cornerstone of Nintendo’s portfolio and plays no small part in selling new hardware for the company; there’s a reason...
Review Art of Fighting (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Pretty but poor
Street Fighter II took the arcades by storm in 1991, leading to a slew of one-on-one brawlers in the months and years that followed. SNK would develop a number of fighting series in the hope of tempting players away from Capcom’s game, samples of which have already arrived on Switch via HAMSTER’s ACA Neo Geo series. Now Art of...
News Nintendo NY Store Confirms SNES Classic Edition Midnight Launch Party
Only for those with a wristband, of course
It's been somewhat easy to forget in the current busy spell, but the Super NES Classic Edition (to use the North American name in this case) is out next week; it'll bring lots of retro goodness and the first official release of Star Fox 2. Some of us have pre-orders good to go, while in some...
Video Exploring The 8-Bit Mega Man Games Of The SNES Era
AKA: The ones everyone forgot to play
The Mega Man series may have branched out onto more powerful hardware in recent times but most hardcore fans consider the 8-bit entries to be the zenith of the franchise. Capcom's action platformer found fame on the NES and titles like Mega Man 2 stand out as true, must-have classics in the console's library...
News Nintendo Publishes New Interview on the Making of Super Metroid
The king of the genre
Super Metroid is one of those games that’s close to peerless in its genre and stands as one of the most respected games of all time. It’s a large part of the reason why “Metroidvania” games are given their name, and to this day is still popular in the speed running communities, as well as the broader scope of gaming...
News Hyperkin Shows Off Working Version Of Its Supa Retron HD SNES Clone
First look at the system's controller
Hyperkin has given us a little more information on its forthcoming Supa Retron HD console, which launches later this year. We already know that the new machine will output in 720p HD via HDMI and will boast a 16:9 / 4:3 aspect ratio switch, just like the Retron HD. It will also be capable of playing SNES...
News We Were Addicted To Ridge Racer On PlayStation, Admits Star Fox 2 Developer
"All the Star Fox 2 team would be playing it"
The SNES Classic Mini arrives later this month and brings with Star Fox 2, a game which was supposed to come out in the mid-'90s but was canned at the very last minute. There are countless theories as to why Nintendo decided to pull the plug on what was essentially a finished game, but the general...
News Donkey Kong Country on SNES Gets the MSU1 Digital Audio Enhancement Treatment
It's on like hi-fi Donkey Kong!
Rare's phenomenal Donkey Kong Country was quite the game changer in late 1994, not only giving an extra edge to the Super Nintendo in the 16-bit console war but also becoming one of the most cherished games in the entire SNES library. Despite the fancy ACM graphics, one of they key features that still resonates with...
News ClusterPuck99 to Bring Party Gameplay and a Suggestive Name to Switch
Will include exclusive stages
The Switch is already establishing itself as a nifty party machine with a range of multiplayer games making their mark on the system. ClusterPuck99, published by Coatsink (Shu) and developed by PHL Collection, will aim to join the ranks and become another multiplayer hit on the hardware. With support for up to eight...
Random Modders Turn GoldenEye 007 Into Goldfinger 64
We expect you to be impressed!
GoldenEye 007 is one of the N64's most beloved titles; as well as introducing an entire generation of players to the joys of FPS deathmatches it sold by the bucketload and established its developer Rare as one of the UK's most talented codeshops. Fast forward to the present, and industrious modders have taken...
Review Spin Master (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Short but sweet arcade action
The fiendish Dr. De Playne has taken Johnny’s treasure map and his girlfriend Mary. A globe-trotting adventure follows as you attempt to get both back, either by yourself or with the help of a friend who is given control of the identically handling Tom. Despite featuring different characters and a more modern...
Feature The Complete History of Rockstar Games on Nintendo Platforms
The good, the bad & the controversial
Rockstar Games is a business powerhouse at the top of the gaming industry. Producing sales figures some developers could only dream of, with the Grand Theft Auto series reaching over 150 million copies sold, the studio rarely puts a foot wrong. On 7th September it was announced that 1940’s crime title...
News Super Mario 64 Online Creator Says "Nothing Can Stop" the Fan Project
Confidence, we like it
Another day, another fan-made project using a Nintendo IP that may soon be quashed by Nintendo's lawyers. This fan-made version of the classic Super Mario 64 impressively allows 24 players to play at once. Not only can you play as Mario, you can even play as Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Rosalina, Wario and even...
News Smash Melee Champ Resigns from All-Male Rules Committee To Encourage Broader Representation
"It’s good for our community"
The Super Smash Bros. Melee fighting scene has grown considerably since the GameCube game launched back in 2001. One of its biggest assets is the community behind it, with plenty of enthusiasm for the long-established brawler. With the official ruleset ever changing, it was announced on 6th September by Melee...
News Learn All About the Making of F-Zero with This New Interview from Nintendo
Show me ya moves!
Last week, we shared with you a fascinating interview from Nintendo that detailed the early days of the SNES and the production of Star Fox, as part of a way of promoting the impending release of the SNES Mini. Nintendo has now released part two of its interview series, and this one goes over the making of the original F-Zero...
News Check Out a New NES Game - Amazon's Running Diet
Some quirky anniversary marketing from Ancient
New NES releases in 2017 are always welcomed, but there is more than meets the eye to Amazon's Running Diet, because it is in fact a release by the folks at Ancient to celebrate an anniversary for 3DS title Gotta Protectors. In this endless runner you take control of the titular Amazon, one of the...
Review Blue's Journey (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Unremarkable trip
Pollution caused by the Daruma tribe is causing great harm to the planet Raguy and it’s up to you as Blue to partake in a platforming adventure to defeat this menace and save the Princess Fa. There was no shortage of platformers in the 1990s, but one appearing on the Neo Geo was unusual and with its leaf-stun mechanic and ability...
News Don't Pay Over The Odds For A SNES Classic Mini, Urges Reggie Fils-Aime
"You shouldn't [have to] pay more than $79.99"
The NES Classic left something of a bad taste in the mouths of many gamers; while the unit was a dream come true for retro fans, there simply wasn't enough stock to meet demand and Nintendo made the whole situation worse by ending production. Later this year the SNES Classic arrives, and those same...
News Fan-Made 'Super Mario 64 Online' Released
Mario 64 times 24 players
In a move that is sure to turn quite a few heads both inside and outside of Nintendo's legal department, the fan-made Super Mario 64 Online has been released by Kaze Emanuar. After an extended test period, the author deemed the current build ready for public consumption, and you can check the release trailer below...
News SNES Title Joe & Mac Gets the MSU1 Digital Audio Enhancement Treatment
Rescue the cave babes to new sounds
It seems like it was only yesterday we were reminiscing about Data East's original cave man ninja duo, and now news of a MSU1 audio enhancement patch by Kurrono Kei has dropped like one of the game's many pterodactyls after a good bashing. The Super Nintendo version of Joe & Mac was released back in 1991, the...
News SNES Classic Zombies Ate My Neighbors Gets Fan-Made Sequel
54 new levels of spooks
If you're a big fan of LucasArts classic Zombies Ate My Neighbors, there is a good chance you have done and seen it all, alone and with a friend, on plenty of occasions; the game is a true classic that somehow never fails to entertain even twenty four years later. If like many others you never acknowledge Ghoul Patrol as the...
Video '90s Interview With Miyamoto Reveals What He Thinks Makes His Games So Special
"My brain is filled with a children's mind"
Few things bring as much joy to crusty old retro gamers than watching interviews, trailers and associated footage from "the good old days" of video gaming, which makes this clip from an Australian current affairs programme - entitled "A Current Affair", rather fittingly - required viewing. In the short...
News Neo Geo Action Platformer Spinmaster Rotates Elegantly Onto Switch Next Week
It's a miracle (adventure)!
Sorry fight fans, there's no Neo Geo one-on-one fighting game from SNK next week as Hamster is instead choosing to bring to the Switch eShop the very first game Data East developed for MVS hardware. 1993's Spinmaster (known as Miracle Adventure in Japan) lets you take control of Johnny and Tom in their...
News Miyamoto and Other Developers Discuss Star Fox 2 and the SNES
"If you think about it now, we were awfully ambitious."
The late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata was well known in many circles for his Iwata Asks interview series in which new hardware and software launches would see him asking the developers about the experience and other such things. Although the series more or less was retired with his passing,...
Video Flicking Through SNES Mag Super Play's First Issue In Over 20 Years
You can practically smell the nostalgia
UK SNES fans will no doubt recall Super Play, a magazine which ran for 47 glorious issues from 1992 to 1996 and gave generous coverage to imported titles that would never see the light of day in the west. As we reported recently, publisher Future has resurrected the mag for one issue only to celebrate...
News PayPal Offering £5 Off When You Spend £20 On The Nintendo eShop
UK users only, naturally
PayPal is offering £5 off your next Nintendo eShop purchase - providing you spend over £20, that is. UK-based users of the online payment service - which recently extended its reach to Nintendo's new console, the Switch - can obtain this offer by logging into their PayPal account, clicking on the offers page and selecting...
Review Zed Blade (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Energetic tunes and score chasing shmup action
With these ACA series releases Hamster has ensured that those seeking a retro-gaming fix on Switch have had a steady stream of Neo Geo titles to choose from. As standard, each one comes with useful options to tweak difficulty, remap buttons or play the Japanese version of the game (titled Operation...
Random Cringe-Inducing Diddy Kong Racing VHS Promo From 1997 Gets Restored
With Trent Tillman, your host
Rare's Diddy Kong Racing is one of the highlights of the N64 library, providing a racing adventure which was arguably superior to Nintendo's own Mario Kart 64. To accompany the release, Nintendo created a VHS promo tape which showcased gameplay footage alongside some rather painful live-action segments, with the...
News Six TurboGrafx-16 Titles Get Rated Ahead Of Wii U Virtual Console Release
Lords of Thunder! Hero Tonma! Twin Bee!
ESRB ratings have appeared for six new TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine titles, revealing that these games are headed to the Wii U's Virtual Console service. The sextet comprises of legendary shooter Lords of Thunder, action platformer Legend of Hero Tonma, sports sim Digital Champ: Battle Boxing, Konami blaster...
News Not One But Two Prototypes For NES Sim City Are Discovered
Bowser sighted off the 8-bit coast!
One of the holy grails of NES gaming archaeology has been spotted in the wild! Nintendo had negotiated the rights from Maxis to produce Sim City for their 8-bit hardware and while the original Super Nintendo version is acclaimed as one of the very best iterations of Will Wright's city-building opus, all the...
News Beloved Magazine Super Play Is Being Revived For The SNES Classic Edition Launch
"The rumour is true: Super Play is back!"
Future Publishing is resurrecting one of its most famous UK magazines to mark the launch of the SNES Classic Edition. Super Play was a remarkable publication which launched in the early '90s and provided superb coverage of all aspects of Nintendo's 16-bit console, with a special focus on Japanese imports...
August2017
News Game Boy Color Title 'µCity' Brings Sim City To Your Pocket
Homebrew release proves 8-bit portable city managment was feasable
The homebrew community strikes again with a rather surprising fully featured release! µCity (read "Microm City") for the Game Boy Color is the result of dedication by homebrew coder AntonioND, who released version 1.0 of the game a couple of months ago. It flew under our radar until...
News A Nintendo 64 Die Hard Prototype Has Been Preserved
"Yippee-Ki-Yay, Nintendo 64!"
Video game archaeologists can rejoice, because Assembler Games forum user 10ahu has dumped and released the three known working prototypes of the infamous Die Hard 64, a game that would try to give the revered GoldenEye 007 a run for its bullets. Canned mid-development by Fox Interactive, this Bits Studios-developed...
News Celebrate The 30th Anniversary Of Street Fighter With This Pricey SNES Cart
Yoga fire warning
Ah, nostalgia. While we can totally get behind retro delights such as the upcoming SNES Classic Edition and being able to challenge friends on the train with Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers on the Switch, there has to come a point where you just roll your eyes. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Street...
News Battle Chef Brigade Aims to Deliver a Festive Feast on Nintendo Switch
New trailer showcases a mix of gameplay styles
Battle Chef Brigade was one of many games confirmed for the Switch eShop back when the console launched, but Nintendo has now taken the opportunity to share more of it in today's Nindie Showcase. Developed by Trinket Games and published by Adult Swim, it's a fantastical setting that mixes up combat...
News Sausage Sports Club Will Aim for Meaty Sales on the Switch eShop
Featuring "adorable floppy-necked animals"
Due to the out-of-the-box multiplayer options of the Nintendo Switch, it's a happy follow-on that various games will make use of that functionality. We've already had quite a few party games, and Sausage Sports Club will join the ranks this Autumn / Fall. It'll have various modes and minigames in...
Review Super Sidekicks (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
International so-so Soccer
Although primarily known for its fighters, the Neo Geo did host games in a number of other genres and indeed Hamster’s ACA releases have included puzzlers, run and gun titles, shooters and a golf game. Now they bring us football (or "soccer" if you're reading this in North America) simulator Super Sidekicks. The aim of...
News Super Mario Kart on SNES Gets MSU1 Digital Audio Enhancement
Koopa Troopa's supremacy remains unaffected by aural changes
It is hard to believe that just recently Super Mario Kart turned 25 years old. Even more unbelievable, in just one month there will be a new SNES console with the game out at retail, so we can take on those cups all over again. Dedicated Super Nintendo and MSU1 fans (a byuu-developed...
Hardware Review The Retro-Bit RES Plus Gives You A HDMI NES For Under 40 Dollars
But is it better than the competition?
Despite the fact that the SNES Classic is on the horizon and we're already seeing SNES clones being announced - like the Hyperkin Supa Retron HD - there's obviously still a healthy market for systems which replicate the performance of Nintendo's previous system, the NES. This year has already given us...
Review Puzzled (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Blocking our enjoyment
Not all Neo Geo games are created equal. Although the majority of titles on SNK’s system offer great blasts of arcade goodness, there were also a number of Neo Geo games back in the day that didn’t quite meet the high standards set by other gems like The King Of Fighters or Metal Slug. Puzzled, sadly, is a perfect example...
News Nintendo Shows Off Awesome SNES Classic 'Nintendo Power' Covers
Will be given out as posters at PAX West
Last week Nintendo outlined extensive plans for PAX West, which is right around the corner, and it's ramped up the hype with some neat promotional art for the Super NES Classic Edition. The following tweet shows off three special collector's posters that revive the Nintendo Power brand in order to promote...
Review Aero Fighters 2 (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Awesome Shmup action
Aliens are causing trouble all over the world and it’s up to you to stop them. There’s a variety of colourful characters for you to pick from including a baby, a head-in-a-Jar and a dolphin (no, really) as you take to the skies to save the day. With frantic play, some great music and a dose of the quirky, Video System’s...
News Clever Hack Brings Hyrule Warriors to the NES
Link shot the food! Impa is about to die! Zelda shot the potion!
Hats off to 'pacnsacdave' for this ingenious bit of graphical hacking. Bringing the over the top action of Hyrule Warriors to the humble NES hardware seems like quite a stretch, but thanks to this well implemented complete graphics overall of Tengen's NES conversion of Atari's ageless...
Review Shock Troopers 2nd Squad (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Shock and slightly less awe
There are few games that enjoy the sort of cult status Shock Troopers does. As one of the few Neo Geo games that was only released in arcades and not the Neo Geo console as well, the original Shock Troopers wasn’t as widely played as the likes of Metal Slug and SNK’s various fighting games. Those who did manage to...
Review Samurai Shodown (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Weapon-based wonder
Pick from one of twelve characters, fight one-on-one against the others (and your clone) en-route to a ridiculously-dressed final boss character. Sounds standard fare for a '90s fighting game, but with its 18th century Japan setting and the combatant's use of weapons, Samurai Shodown offered something quite different. If playing...
News Zed Blade Brings Shmup Action to the Switch eShop Next Week
We hope your neighbours love '90s rave music
Shmup fans can rejoice, as the end of August brings along NMK's 1994 title Zed Blade (better know in Japan as Operation Ragnarok) to the Switch eShop. In this frenetic horizontal shmup you have the choice of three craft with different speeds along with customizable weaponry. After your choices have been...
Video The SNES Mini Controller Is Not Entirely Identical To The Original
Obtuse, overlooked, and of little consequence
The SNES Mini or Super NES Classic Edition depending on where you're from is a marvellous little machine that really captures the spirit of the original console it's trying to emulate (pun intended). However even Nintendo can't seem to make an absolutely identical copy of itself it seems. The controller...
News Here's The Lead Problem With The SNES Classic's Controller
You know where this is leading to, right?
As much as we loved the NES Mini, there was a big problem with the console: the cables on its controllers were so short you had to sit almost directly in front of the TV to play. Those of us who feared that the SNES Classic Edition would suffer the same fate were pleased to hear that the leads on its...
News UK Media Outlet The Guardian Aims To Settle The 16-bit Console War Forever
Mega Drive or SNES?
For decades the endless debate on which is better - the Mega Drive / Genesis or the SNES - has raged. These two 16-bit powerhouses presided over one of the most popular periods in the history of video gaming; they sold millions and established gaming as one of the most successful entertainment mediums in the world. Little wonder...
Review Magician Lord (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Casts ‘impedimentia’ too often
It’s funny how over the years some big titles can fade completely into obscurity. There’s a good chance most modern gamers will never have heard of Magician Lord, but back in the early ‘90s it was actually quite a well-known title. That’s because in the early days of the Neo Geo, Magician Lord was one of...
Review Fatal Fury Special (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Fatal Fury II' Special Champion Edition
With tweaks to the controls and a refined version of the two-plane fighting system, Fatal Fury 2 was a big improvement over the first game in the series, but SNK clearly felt it could do better. Taking a leaf out of Capcom’s book, it went away, added in some stuff and came back with this updated version:...
Video Just How Well Does The SNES Classic Edition Run Its Library Of Games?
See with your own eyes
You may remember not that long ago we showed off every game that is featured on the Super NES Classic Edition in part to highlight the wonderful standard of titles coming to the system. Now we're back with those very same titles in a very similar video, but this time we have the games running on the console itself so...
Review Fatal Fury 2 (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Not quite Special enough
Back in the day, the power of the Neo Geo meant that SNK was the first publisher to release home console games that were over 100 Mb in size (that’s megabits, so around 12.5 MB). It commemorated this by launching the 100-Mega Shock series, which basically involved slapping a lovely splash screen at the start of any game...
News SNES Classic Edition Won't Be Sold In Canadian Province Of Quebec
Thanks to laws which "protect the use of French"
The SNES Classic arrives next month and is sure to be a solid seller, but if you live in Canada's second-most populous province, then you might be out of luck. According to EB Games employees, the system won't be sold in Quebec due to the province's strict language requirements. Here's what...
News Joy Joy Kid - Also Known as 'Puzzled' - Arrives on the Switch This Week
It's not a joy con
If you're not a fan of Neo Geo fighting games (and why not, dare we ask) this week's new Arcade Archives (ACA) release might be your thing. Hamster is bringing Puzzled to the Switch eShop on 24th August, known in Japan by the much funnier title Joy Joy Kid. At first glance this 1990 release looks like a general Tetris clone, with...
Video Let's Have a Look at the SNES Classic Edition's Menus & Save State Features
Gripping stuff
The SNES Classic Edition's user interface bears a striking resemblance to its NES predecessor, but there's more going on under the surface. One of the most interesting new additions is the inclusion of a rewind feature that allows you to scrub through a save state and jump back in moments before you fell into that pit or were zapped...
Review Metal Slug 2 (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Slow Vehicle – 001/II
For those seeking enjoyable run and gun action the first and third Metal Slug games are already available on the Switch’s eShop and now Metal Slug 2 gets the ACA treatment, faithfully recreating the sights, sounds and feel of the original game. Unfortunately, this also includes the extreme slowdown. It doesn’t take much...
Video Here's What Star Fox 2 Looks Like On The SNES Classic Edition
Barrel rolls and everything
The SNES Classic Edition comes out next month, but we've been lucky enough to get our hands on the system early, and as you might imagine we've been tirelessly putting it through its paces to see what all the fuss is about. Perhaps the biggest selling point of the system is that it includes Star Fox 2, which is being...
Review The King of Fighters 2000 (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
The crown slips?
Although Hamster Corporation is doing God’s work by bringing a horde of classic Neo Geo games to the Switch, by this point it’s starting to become pretty clear that there’s no logical rhyme or reason to the order they’re being released. On the day the Switch launched in March we were treated to The King Of Fighters ‘98,...
News SNES Classic Edition Has A Rewind Feature To Make Up For Your Ageing Reflexes
You can also use special frames to spruce things up
Nintendo has given a bit more detail on the upcoming SNES Classic Edition console, which launches on September 29th. The most interesting new announcement is that the console comes with a special "Rewind" feature which allows you to skip backwards when you make a mistake - a similar concept to...
Video Take a Detailed Look at the Original "Legend of Zelda" Manga
Just in time for the 30th anniversary of the English release
If there is anything that you could say is good about having delayed releases for games from Japan, it’s that for many classics we can celebrate anniversaries for both the East and West. The Legend of Zelda is one such game, and though its Japanese landmark was last year, the US release...
News Pokémon Gold and Silver Getting Boxed 3DS Releases In Europe
With a download code inside!
Back in June's Pokémon Direct it was revealed that Game Boy Color classics Pokémon Gold And Silver will be coming to the 3DS Virtual Console on the 22nd September. As if that wasn't exciting enough for Pokémon fans, Nintendo of Europe has announced today that it will be releasing a boxed version of the game,...
News Here's How ARMS Might Look On The Game Boy Advance
Retrotastic
We weren't sure what to make of ARMS when it was first revealed, but Nintendo's bold new IP turned out to be a pleasant surprise and every bit as colourful as Splatoon. The game makes great use of Joy-Con motion controls to let the player use their stretchy weaponised arms to punch, thump and knock-out opponents. However what if...
Review The King of Fighters '99 (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)
Enjoyable, skip-able fighting fun
Since its beginning the three-vs-three Team-Battling shenanigans of SNK’s The King of Fighters series provided enjoyable fighting action. Each instalment added and tweaked things, culminating in the superb “Dream Match” ’98 edition. This was followed unsurprisingly by The King of Fighters ’99, which...
Review Ultra Hyperball (Switch eShop)
Not very ultra
If humanity has given the world anything, it’s the ability to turn even the most mundane games into a sport. Rock/Paper/Scissors, the epitome of what you do when you can’t decide who gets to do something unsavoury, now has world championships. Not content with merely kicking a soccer ball into a net, folk now insert themselves...
News UFO 50 Brings a Team of Talented Developers Together for an 8-bit Collection
Confirmed for PC so far, but looks like a lovely fit for Switch
The retro aesthetic is used a fair amount in modern gaming, sometimes to play on nostalgia and on other occasions because it's the best option for a given project. When you browse any download store you don't need to look far before you see pixel-art and hear chiptune music. The...
Random When Fans Go to the Next Level - Check Out Alex Kidd in Miracle World 2
No Kidding
Sometimes business realities don't bring us all of the games we want, or publishers have their own ideas on how to best utilise an IP. This certainly applies to retro gaming and 'missed opportunities' in the past, which explains the rich scene in mods and fan created games that deliver sequels and remasters that enthusiasts want to see...
News 25 Years Later, And Night Trap Still Isn't Going To Appear On A Nintendo Console
Howard Lincoln's words echo through the decades
Controversial FMV game Night Trap is getting a 25th anniversary remaster, but the game won't be appearing on the Switch - despite the best efforts of the developers. The game - which involves trying to protect a household full of excitable young women from the clutches of some rather unconvincing...
News Hyperkin Reveals HDMI SNES Clone, The Supa RetroN HD
The SNES Mini could have competition
Hyperkin's Chris Gallizzi has just lifted the lid on the company's next clone system, the Supa RetroN HD. The clone system uses hardware rather than software emulation, and boasts 720p output via HDMI as well as composite AV. You'll be able to toggle between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios, and there's a region...
News Game Boy Color Screen Mod Almost Makes The Console Complete
Close, but yet so far
Those of you who happen to follow the Game Boy modding scene will be aware that its relatively easy to tinker with your monochrome system and get a gorgeously sharp and well-lit screen these days, but the Game Boy Color is a harder nut to crack, largely due to the nature of its reflective display, which can't be lit with LEDs...
Feature Is It Really Cheaper To Order Retro Games Direct From Japan?
Forget eBay - there could be a cheaper option
Back in the '90s, it seemed that the Japanese got all the best stuff. Not only did games typically launch sooner in Japan, they came in gorgeously-illustrated boxes complete with full-colour manuals, putting the rather drab western equivalents to shame. Not only that, the Japanese were blessed with many...
July2017
News Aero Fighters 2 Joins The ACA Neo Geo Lineup On Switch Next Week
Pew pew pew
Hamster has revealed that Video System's 1994 shooter Aero Fighters 2 is next week's ACA Neo Geo title on the Switch eShop. It's a neat change from the usual raft of fighting titles, and is one of the Neo Geo's more enjoyable blasters. While the game contains plenty of outlandish bosses and enemies, all of the player-controlled planes...
Random Sealed Copy Of Super Mario Bros. Fetches Over $30,000 On eBay
Who needs two kidneys anyway
When you think of rare and collectable NES games, chances are Super Mario Bros. is the last thing that springs to mind. It's one of the most common NES releases in existence, and logic would dictate that on the secondary market, it's not worth a great deal - even in exceptional condition. However, a sealed copy of the...
News Terranigma on SNES Gets The Ultimate Digital Audio Treatment
MSU1 Magic turns Quintet into full orchestra
Like everyone else we love the whole SNES Mini thing, but with a total of 21 games we also had to accept that many big names would be missing in action. One of biggest third-party producers missing is Quintet, which is surprising considering its incredibly prolific output during the SNES years, which...
News Walmart Cancels All Super NES Classic Pre-Orders
Rolling back more than just prices
If you pre-ordered a Super NES Classic Edition from Walmart when they were live for a brief period last Friday, you're in for some disappointment. Earlier today, the mega-retailer emailed all customers who managed to nab one of the highly sought after consoles to inform them that the listing was made available in...
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