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8BitMod's VMU Pro: Beyond Dreams

The VMU Pro from 8BitMods is not just living up to its name – it's exceeding expectations. This updated version of the Dreamcast memory card offers more storage, a color screen, and the ability to play MP3s.

But perhaps most exciting for classic gamers is its capability to run Doom, an iconic first-person shooter from id Software. The video footage shows impressive performance with better framerate than the SNES and 32X combined.

Better framerate than the SNES and the 32X combined 😆

@8bitmods pic.twitter.com/xfmoAzsapd

Next-Generation Retro Gaming

This VMU Pro joins other products from 8BitMods aimed at enhancing Dreamcast enthusiasts' experiences, such as the VM2.

Is the VMU Pro just a nostalgic curiosity, or do you think it offers enough value to justify its cost in today's gaming landscape?

Atari Jaguars are rare, and when classic games see a new life on them, it's worth noting. Songbird Productions and Eclipse Software, the original developers, are working on a brand new port of Wings Of Death, an iconic shoot 'em up originally released on Atari ST and Commodore Amiga back in 1990.

• The goal of the game involves guiding a wizard transformed into an insect through various levels with the ability to transform into different forms like an eagle, dragon, and griffin.
• Key features include 60FPS gameplay, high colour mode, and two versions of the soundtrack (one on cartridge, another on CD).

Some footage of the port was captured at JagFest2024 earlier in the year, and the release is currently scheduled for next year.

What do you think about seeing such a classic game on the Atari Jaguar platform?

Retro arcade streaming platform Antstream has added five games from the cult classic PlayStation-era Net Yaroze initiative to its game catalog.

Key Points:

• What is Net Yaroze?
• Net Yaroze was an early method allowing bedroom developers to create games for the original PlayStation without needing expensive development kits. A fee was required for a special PlayStation console and software, along with support from Sony and a community of fellow developers.
• Games Added:
• Time Slip (puzzle-platformer)
• Pushy IIb (block-pushing puzzler)
• Bouncer 2 (brick-breaking arcade-style game)
• Adventure Game (exploration-heavy action RPG)
• Arena (fast-paced mech shooter)
• Significance These games, not released commercially and largely lost since the late 90s, have now been made available on Antstream. The platform plans to continue collaborating with these creators to bring more titles to its library.

What other early development tools or initiatives do you feel deserve preservation and recognition?

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Overview

A modder by the name of Sakimotor has translated the exclusive Japanese Xbox 360 title Tetris The Grand Master: Ace. This game was originally released in Japan in 2005 as part of Arika's 'The Grand Master Series'.

Key Points

• Game Details: Tetris The Grand Master: Ace is a specialized version of Tetris that focuses on mastery. It never made it outside of Japan but now, thanks to Sakimotor, English-speaking gamers can enjoy the game.
• Translation Process: Sakimotor used Google Translate and DeepL for initial translation efforts before making necessary revisions to fit within the series' language context.
• Availability: The patch modifies a retail 1.0 release of the game, translating most or all Japanese text found in it. However, as the author notes, they have not tested the XBL-exclusive game modes due to limitations in their setup.

Fun Fact

There are many such games that never saw Western audiences but now benefit from fan translations and ROM hacks, broadening gaming experiences worldwide.

How do you feel about these types of retro fan translations? Are they helping preserve the history and legacy of gaming, or just providing a novelty experience?

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Brief Overview

• Fusion Retro Books and their partners, Pixel Jockey, have launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the release of a collector’s edition cassette boxset of classic ZX Spectrum games: 3D Tank Duel, 3D Starstrike, and Starstrike II.
• The campaign aims to raise £10,500 for production costs.

Key Details

• All three games were originally released back in the 1984/86 era on the ZX Spectrum.
• The boxset includes all-new cassette pressings and a stylish slipcase.
• The campaign is available via Kickstarter and will run until December 9, 2024 at 7pm UTC.

Campaign Progress

• The crowdfunding has already surpassed £7,500.

How do modern gamers feel about reliving the spirit of classic games on authentic hardware? Would you support this Kickstarter or prefer digital releases?

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• PlayStation Plus has announced the addition of several classic titles to its exclusive Classics Catalog in November 2024. These games span across different generations and include a range of genre experiences, appealing to fans of RPGs, action-adventure, first-person shooters, and more.

Key Highlights:

• Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain (PS1) – A dark action-adventure game that marks the start of the series.
• Blood Omen 2 (PS2) – The sequel to Blood Omen with a modern setting and more advanced gameplay.
• Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3) – A first-person shooter set in an alternate history where humanity battles against alien invasion.
• Resistance 2 (PS3) – The follow-up to Resistance, expanding on the story and introducing larger scale battles.
• Synapse (PS VR2) – Offering a unique VR experience with telekinetic powers, making it one of the key new additions this month.

These titles will join other modern classics such as Grand Theft Auto V, Dying Light 2: Stay Human, and Like a Dragon: Ishin for Premium members.

How do you feel about incorporating classic games into the PlayStation Plus service? Which of these new additions are you most excited to revisit or discover?

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An FPGA developer Boogermann has recently released an MSX core for the Analogue Pocket.

• MSX Background: Developed in 1983 as part of a joint venture between ASCII Corporation and Microsoft, the MSX initiative aimed to create a standardized home computer architecture. However, it gained little traction in North America despite moderate success in Japan and Europe.
• Analogue Pocket: Known for its FPGA-based power and compact size, the Analogue Pocket supports various classic and retro systems through custom cores.

Boogermann's MSX core currently supports MSX 1 cartridge ROM files, with plans to implement floppy disk and cassette support in the future. Future updates may add an on-screen keyboard, enhancing the user experience significantly.

The release of this core marks a revival for the MSX system, which has seen renewed interest from enthusiasts in recent years thanks to projects like Kazuhiko Nishi's work on the '1ChipMSX3'.

Would you be interested in using this core? Do you think software emulation is good enough for MSX?

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The Something Nerdy Studios kickstarter for their upcoming NES (and PC) title Former Dawn has reached its goal of $160,000. The game is a sci-fi RPG inspired by classic Nintendo and Sony titles like Final Fantasy IV through VI, Chrono Trigger, and Final Fantasy Tactics.

Key Facts:

• Genre: Sci-Fi RPG
• Platforms: NES (including TinyNES console) and PC
• Kickstarter Goal Reached: $160,000
• Special Edition: Backers of any physical tiers can add a Former Dawn-branded special edition of the open-source TinyNES console for an additional fee.
• Memory Mapper: Uses a new MXM-1 designer to offer advanced NES experiences with superior memory mapping and expansion audio capabilities.
• CD-ROM Emulation: The game will feature CD-ROM emulation for FMV cutscenes, enhancing the retro experience even beyond typical NES games.

This Kickstarter aims to cover development and manufacturing costs.

What do you think about this project? Did you back it on Kickstarter?

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Riviera: The Promised Land Remaster for Nintendo Switch

The remaster of Riviera: The Promised Land is set to arrive on the Nintendo Switch on November 28, 2024.

Key Points:

• The original game was first released on Game Boy Advance in 2004 and later appeared on PSP.
• A Japanese remastered version was previously released, bringing the classic visuals to modern players with updated visuals and enhancements.
• Known for its unique blend of turn-based combat, exploration, and visual narrative storytelling featuring the Grim Angel Ein tasked with preventing the destruction of Riviera.

How well do you think it will translate from the Game Boy Advance era to a modern console?

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Flap Happy, a new platformer from Mega Cat Studios, has recently launched on NES and Game Boy. The game uses traditional platforming mechanics mixed with roguelike elements.

• Developer: Refresh Games
• Publishers: Mega Cat Studios
• Platforms: NES, Game Boy
• Order details: Both versions come with a cart, box, and manual.

Flap Happy is designed to be as much of a challenge as it is a fun experience. Players control Flappy, our daring bird, flying through procedurally generated mazes filled with obstacles like hungry sharks, spikes, and more.

Does this game make you want to dust off your NES or Game Boy?

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News Summary

Resident Evil 2, one of the iconic survival horror games, is set to be released on several Apple devices including iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro models, and every iPad and Mac with the M1 chip or later. This remake is due to launch on December 10th, 2024.

Resident Evil 2 on iPhone and iPad includes enhanced controls and a new autofire feature which allows players to automatically fire weapons after aiming at enemies for a short time. The game supports a range of compatible controllers across these devices as well.

The remake rebuilds the original game using Capcom’s RE ENGINE, offering updated visuals, immersive audio, a new over-the-shoulder camera, and modernized controls on top of the gameplay modes from the original game. It was first released in 1998 for PlayStation but now sees a reimagined version available on newer platforms.

Key Highlights

• Platform Availability: iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro, iPad, Mac with M1 chip or later.
• Launch Date: December 10th, 2024.
• New Features: Enhanced controls and the autofire feature.

Have you played the remake on other devices? How well do you think it will adapt to mobile platforms?

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The Evercade retro console format has just unveiled its November 2024 Game of the Month, which is available to download for those owning an Evercade VS, Evercade EXP, or Evercade Alpha system.

• Title: Batty Zabella
• Developer: Retro Room
• Type: Horror-themed point-and-click adventure originally developed for the Game Boy

Even though we’re already halfway through November, the month's featured game can now be downloaded onto your Evercade console. Once you update to the latest system software. This will be available until it gets replaced by next month’s new Game of the Month.

Interestingly, all the Games of the Month are compiled onto one of Evercade's Indie Heroes cartridges, which are released early the following year if you wish to keep them as permanent additions to your collection.

Did you play Batty Zabella on the Game Boy? What were your impressions?

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