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Overview

GOG, the popular digital distributor of video games on PC, has announced their Preservation Programme, designed to safeguard and modernize over 100 iconic titles. This initiative aligns with GOG’s commitment to preserving gaming history.

Details

• Titles Featured: Over 100 classic games including Heroes of Might & Magic III, Diablo + Hellfire, Fallout: New Vegas, and System Shock II will be included in the programme.
• Modernization: The preserved titles have undergone updates, optimizations, and technical support to ensure smooth performance on modern systems such as Windows 10 and 11.
• Access: Games are accessible DRM-free with additional features like downloadable content, manuals, and ongoing technical support.

Impact

The Preservation Programme is a significant step towards protecting these timeless classics for future generations. It aims to preserve games facing the risks of technological obsolescence while making them more accessible to contemporary gamers.

According to GOG’s managing director Maciej Golębiewski, the foundation of GOG lies in preserving classic games, and this program is an extension of that commitment.

Conclusion

GOG's Preservation Programme represents a vital effort to maintain gaming history by addressing the challenges posed by technological progress.

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Do you think this move from GOG will inspire other companies to do more for game preservation?

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The retro shooter masterpiece, Xeno Crisis by Bitmap Bureau, has finally made its way onto the Game Boy Advance (GBA)! This game had been a favourite since its initial release for Mega Drive in 2018 and now it's available on several other systems including the SNES, N64, Dreamcast, and GameCube.

Key Points:

• The GBA version of Xeno Crisis comes with beautifully designed region-specific box art. * All regions (Europe, USA, Japan) are supported and the carts are region-free. They work on any GBA, GBA SP, GB Micro, or after-market devices like Analogue Pocket.
• Purchasers also get access to a downloadable ROM file for use in emulators.

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Have you been waiting for the GBA releaes of Xeno Crisis?

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https://k-tec.uk/

Ports of Shining Force Chronicle I, II, and III have been preserved by fans.

The original games were based on the Game Gear series Shining Force Gaiden titles released in Japan for mobile devices like Keitai phones before being ported to Android. They were available through the PuyoSega subscription service but are in Japanese, but were subsequently removed.

Thankfullly, Yeetdom101 has been able to recover the APK files and the games have now been preserved.

These games represent an important step in preserving Shining Force history, especially considering that Sega no longer supports these games officially.

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What are your memories of the originals on the Game Gear? Have you played these mobile versions?

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ANBERNIC has just announced their newest handheld device, the RG406H. This is a horizontal form factor with an interesting blend of design elements from previous models.

• Key Features:
• 4″ IPS touchscreen with a resolution of 960 x 720 and black bezels
• T820 CPU, capable of emulating PS2, Gamecube, and Wii games
• Good build quality with upgraded shoulder buttons, LED hall-joysticks, and a responsive D-PAD
• Runs Android for additional gameplay options
• Available in three colour variations: black, white, and transparent purple

This announcement comes after ANBERNIC has released multiple handhelds this year. There's no official release date yet but it’s expected to be priced around $150+.

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Given the powerful CPU and the ability to emulate high-end consoles, what do you think about the claimed emulation capabilities? Can this device truly handle all PS2 games?

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Key Details:

• Game Title: Casey’s Gold
• Console: Atari 2600, and its modern counterparts (Atari 2600+ and Atari 7800+)
• Release Date: November 25, 12 noon PST

Background:

The legendary Atari 2600 has found new life in recent times with the release of its updated versions. This article brings to light a new homebrew title designed for this retro console, Casey’s Gold.

Description:

In Casey’s Gold, players take on the role of Casey O’Kelly, a conductor responsible for moving gold bars from the hills outside town back east. The railroad company has hired you to search every train and retrieve any missing gold bars that have been scattered by saboteurs who hope to collect them at the destination.

Why It Matters:

The resurgence of classic consoles like the Atari 2600 is fascinating, especially when it comes to dedicated enthusiasts creating timeless games for these platforms. Casey’s Gold adds another layer of nostalgia and challenge to an already beloved retro console.

For those interested in ordering Casey’s Gold, you can do so directly from its publisher Audacity starting November 25, 12 noon PST.

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Do you have an Atari 2600+, or 7800+? What do you think of the updates?

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Key Points:

• Release Date: The Spyro Reignited Trilogy will be available starting from November 12, 2024.
• Titles Included: Spyro the Dragon, Ripto’s Rage, and Year of the Dragon are included in this remastered collection.

Remaster Features:

• Faithful adaptation with enhanced visuals and gameplay improvements.
• Available across various Xbox Game Pass tiers (Standard, Ultimate, PC Game Pass).
• Supported for Xbox Cloud Gaming on Ultimate tier subscriptions.

Industry Context:

• This addition further enriches Microsoft’s expanding library of Activision Blizzard titles following their acquisition in 2023. It follows earlier introductions such as Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to Game Pass.

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Have you played the original and remastered games? What did you think of the changes?

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https://k-tec.uk/

Retro Game Zine Seeks Funds

Remarkably focused on the depth and history of classic games, Retro Game Zine is launching a Kickstarter campaign to bring a new wave of retro gaming literature.

• Focus: Each issue will center around one game, offering in-depth analysis with personal essays and stunning visuals.
• Format: 5.5" x 8.5", 26 page zine printed on 80lb recycled paper.
• First Issue: Covering It Came from the Desert - a classic action-adventure game for the Commodore Amiga.

This project has already raised almost £1,500 and shows great support from fans eager to delve deep into their favorite classics.

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What are your thoughts on focusing entire magazine issues on a single game? Should more publications adopt this approach for a deeper dive into retro gaming history?

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https://k-tec.uk/

A fan-created teaser for a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess using Unreal Engine 5 has recently debuted, marking the game’s 18th anniversary. This initiative showcases the advanced graphics capabilities of current technology to re-envision classic titles with stunning realism.

• Enhanced Environments and Lighting: The teaser highlights improved environments and lighting effects that some fans commend.

• Character Models and Facial Animations: However, others have expressed concerns about character models and facial animations, noting they appear unnatural within a highly realistic setting.

• Unofficial Project: It’s important to note these Unreal Engine remakes are unofficial and generally incomplete projects by enthusiasts rather than official games.

• Rumors of Official Remaster: Insider reports suggest Nintendo may already have a prepared Twilight Princess remaster for the Switch, possibly launching in Spring 2025.

Official Release Anticipation: Given Nintendo’s history of strategic release timing, an official remaster featuring in the launch lineup of Switch 2 is plausible.

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What do you think? Would you play the fan remaster in an unfinished state?

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https://k-tec.uk/

Hamster Corp.'s Arcade Archives has recently released The Quest of Ki, a nostalgic side-scrolling platform game originally developed by Namco in 1988. Known as Kai no Bōken in Japan, the game is notable for featuring cameos from characters like Pac-Man ghosts and Dig Dug enemies.

• Platforms: PS4 and Nintendo Switch

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How do you feel about revisiting classic games on modern platforms like PS4 and Switch? Is there an exact moment in time that these releases bring back for you?

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https://k-tec.uk/

Sonic Wings Reunion

• Game Launch Date: May 29th, 2025
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Steam
• Developer: Success (known for the Cotton series)
• Composer: Soshi Hosoi (returning)

Background of Sonic Wings Reunion

The classic '90s Sega shmup series will return with a new entry. The original games were released in arcades and on various consoles from 1992, including the SNES.

• Series Titles:

• Sonic Wings / Aero Fighters
• Aero Fighters 2
• Aero Fighters 3
• Sonic Wings Special

• Short-Lived Return on N64:

• Aero Fighters Assault (produced by Paradigm Entertainment)

Community Reaction and Concerns

The announcement came with little more than a PowerPoint presentation followed by live music performances, which sparked mixed reactions.

Pros:

• Success is back!
• Returning soundtrack with Soshi Hosoi
• Short level gameplay with various ships to choose from for a relaxing shooter experience.

Cons:

• Limited gameplay demo or visuals available
• Early announcement without substantial details

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Does the lack of visuals and detailed information worry you, or are you already excited for Sonic Wings Reunion?

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https://k-tec.uk/

Thanks to a new Irem M90 core, the original Arcade version of Bomberman, released in 1991 by Irem under license from Hudson, can now be enjoyed on FPGA platforms.

Key Points:

• The first Bomberman coin-op was released in 1991 by Irem as Atomic Punk and DynaBlaster in some regions. A sequel, Bomber Man World, followed in 1992 (known as New Atomic Punk: Global Quest / Atomic Punk 2 in North America).
• FPGA coder @wickerwaka has released a version of the Irem M90 core supporting these games.
• The core is available for MiSTer FPGA and will also be coming to Analogue Pocket.

This latest development brings Bomberman back to retro gamers who might just remember playing it on arcade machines.

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How do you feel about seeing classic arcade games like Bomberman on modern FPGA devices?

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https://k-tec.uk/

Sega's cancelled console, the Neptune, was a proposed merger of their Mega Drive (Genesis) with the 32X. This would have provided gamers with a cleaner and more straightforward upgrade path than the complex jungle of cables used for the original setup.

However, Sega decided that it wasn't worth pursuing, instead focusing on Saturn. Now, decades later, fans are recreating this console in what has become quite an elaborate undertaking.

Jake Smith commissioned modder and console repair expert Simon Lock to build one such machine. Simon meticulously crafted the Neptune from existing hardware, taking over three weeks of intense troubleshooting.

The resulting console is a masterpiece but comes with a hefty price tag: over £1,000, not including the 32X and shell procurement. This translates to nearly $2,600 USD for a single unit.

Key Points:

• The Neptune was intended as an alternative to the complex 32X attachment system used with Mega Drive/Genesis consoles.
• It's incredibly expensive to recreate due to the meticulous build and troubleshooting involved.
• Only six systems of this kind currently exist, all manually built by enthusiasts.

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Would you shell out $2,600 for your very own Sega Neptune?

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https://k-tec.uk/