Starting next month, the Xeno Crisis Game Boy Advance (GBA) version will begin shipping! Originally released on Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and PC in 2019, it has since made its way to numerous other platforms including Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Dreamcast, PS Vita, Neo Geo, N64, GameCube, SNES, and many more.

The physical version of the game comes with regional options for Japanese, North American, and European packaging. The price is £49.99 (or equivalent in your region), encompassing a cartridge, instruction manual, and downloadable ROM. It's worth noting that the Japanese version includes writing in Japanese only.

Originally designed for the Mega Drive/Genesis, Xeno Crisis is an arena shooter where players take on the role of a battle-hardened marine, rescuing survivors amidst enemy encounters and powerful bosses.

• Shipping Date: November 8th

Are you surprised by the number of platforms supported by this game?

Developed by Something Nerdy Studios, the indie NES scene just got more interesting with the announcement of Former Dawn, an action RPG that hopes to be one of the most advanced games ever on the retro console.

• Main Features: Combines action, turn-based battles, and isometric exploration.
• Aesthetic & Innovation: Features stunning pixel art, pushing what would seem possible from a 25+ year-old console. The game is aiming to surpass previous NES capabilities with its ambitious design.
• Crowdfunding Goal: Reached over £50,000 already through Kickstarter, needing more funds for full development with top artists and musicians onboard.

Important Notes:

• A digital package includes a Steam key for the PC version, a digital NES ROM, and some digital goodies.
• All physical cart versions have sold out but may see availability later.
• The game is expected to drop on both platforms in late 2026.

How do you feel about bringing newer gaming styles to classic handheld hardware? Is this something that piques your interest?

**Microids, the well-known publisher and distributor of classic games, is set to release a physical edition of Double Dragon Revive worldwide. This game will be available across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa starting in 2025.

• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC via Steam
• Publisher: Arc System Works
• Developer: Yuke’s

This news marks a revitalization of the classic Double Dragon series, which gained popularity in the 90s.

Why do you think it's important for classic games like Double Dragon to be brought back as physical editions in the current gaming market?

THE FIRST J. B HAROLD GAME BEING REISSUED FOR SWITCH

Overview

• The original PC-88 version of J.B Harold Murder Club is set to be reissued on the Nintendo Switch as part of D4 Enterprise's EGGCONSOLE series.
• The game was first released in 1986, penned by Rika Suzuki and later spawning several sequels like Manhattan Requiem and Blue Chicago Blues.

Reissue Details

• Expected to hit Japan on October 24th and some Western digital storefronts shortly thereafter.
• Notably, this reissued version may not include English text similar to previous releases by D4 Enterprise.

Key Points

• Japanese only: Unlike the previous ports to MS-DOS and other systems, the original PC-88 version did not have English options.
• EGGCONSOLE series: D4 Enterprise's reissues typically include a brief how-to-play section and main menu in English with gallery text.

Additional Info

• This is the second time this title has been published on Switch, with an earlier port by Althi but also not supporting English.

Have you played one of the previous releases of J. B Harold Murder Club?

Blazing Strike is a new pixel-art 2D fighting game that brings back the nostalgia of classic fighting games from the '90s. Published by Aksys Games, this solo-developed game features a roster of 14 playable fighters with two hidden characters planned as DLC.

• Developer: RareBreed Makes Games
• Platforms: Switch, PlayStation, Steam (Digital), Physical editions available for consoles
• Artefacts in Limited Edition Pack:

• Full-colour 112-page art book
• CD soundtrack
• Collectable character cards of the fighters

The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where players fight to bring down autocrats and save mankind. The gameplay takes heavy inspiration from classic titles like Street Fighter III and Garou: Mark of the Wolves, featuring rollback netcode for online multiplayer, combo rush systems, and a single-player story mode with cutscenes.

Creator Mark Chung states that the goal is to make fighting games enjoyable regardless of experience levels:

"Let's bring back the nostalgia from the 90s and make it fun to play today!"

In your opinion, will Blazing Strike meet the expectations of modern gamers or stick more closely to the classics?

What are they?

• Square Enix has released a series of collectible items called the "Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Cubic Memory" which feature 3D reproductions of game screens from popular Final Fantasy titles, enclosed in acrylic cubes.

Key Features:

• Six Types Available: The set includes six types featuring iconic scenes from FF1 to FF6.
• These collectibles offer a tangible way for fans to experience classic game visuals and bring back nostalgia. Collectors will love this new medium of collecting retro gaming art!

Is there a space on your shelf for one of these cubes?

Micro Mages, an indie NES title originally released by Morphcat Games in 2019, has gained popularity after raising over $150,000 through a crowdfunding campaign. Now, it's set to make its way onto the PlayStation console on October 23rd, 2024.

Key Points

• Crowdfunding Success: Micro Mages exceeded expectations when it launched a Kickstarter campaign, raising over $150,000.
• Classic NES Feel: The game offers classic NES-style pixel art and chiptunes with modern mechanics such as wall jumps and ghost mode upon death.
• Game Details: Featuring eight worlds with 26 levels each, Micro Mages supports up to four simultaneous players using the NES FourScore controller. Checkpoints and passwords ensure you don't lose your progress easily.

Do you prefer playing older titles on traditional consoles or newer platforms?

Jason Bradbury's 'Ctrl AI Delete'

Jason Bradbury, a celebrated figure in the tech world, is set to release his upcoming film, 'Ctrl AI Delete'. This movie combines retro gaming with humor and nostalgia, making it an exciting project for many fans.

Key Facts:

• Funding Status: The Kickstarter campaign has reached 50% funding, but there are still 17 days remaining.
• Cast and Crew: Jason Bradbury mentions they have most of the cast in place and a professional cinematic crew.
• Plot Summary:
• Premise: A global AI program goes awry, leading to chaos. A group of retro gamers attends an expo and must use their vintage tech to save humanity from technological meltdown.
• Elements: The film features real 80s and 90s arcade machines, highlighting the charm of classic gaming consoles.

What would your dream retro-tech setup be if you were fighting against an AI as in 'Ctrl AI Delete'?

Unreleased Yoshi's Egg Remake For Nintendo DS Reveals Early Development

Earlier this year, a Game Freak hack leaked details about an unreleased remake of the classic NES game 'Yoshi's Egg', developed for the Nintendo DS. The prototype is believed to be from 2007 and was built using the engine that would later power Pokémon: Black & White.

• Game Developer: Game Freak
• Original Title: Yoshi's Egg (known as Yoshi in North America, Mario & Yoshi in Europe)
• Platforms: NES, Nintendo DS (Prototype)
• Estimated Development Date: 2007

The ROM has already been put through its paces, with a video showcasing over 20 minutes of never-before-seen gameplay.

Do you think this prototype indicates a planned retail release, or rather an internal exercise to explore the new engine?

Mega Castlevania IV Project Thrives with New Footage

The fan-made project 'Mega Castlevania IV' is actively in development, aiming to bring the classic SNES title 'Super Castlevania IV' to the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. This ambitious undertaking is being led by developers @GameDevBoss and @Retro_Reloaded101.

Project Highlights

• Development Status: The project has made significant progress, as evidenced by new footage released by MD Rom Test. This footage showcases the game running on the Genesis/Mega Drive.
• Visuals and Sound: Visuals have been effectively translated to the Genesis, but music has undergone changes due to hardware limitations. Despite this, the soundtrack remains a testament to the original compositions by Masanori Adachi and Taro Kudo.
• Historical Context: This isn’t the first attempt to bring Super Castlevania IV to the Genesis, with Factor 5 creating a proof of concept for a Genesis port in the past, impressing Konami but ultimately not moving forward. The current project builds on this legacy, driven by passionate fans eager to see this classic game on a different platform.

Did you own a Mega Drive/Genesis back in the day? Were you jealous of Super Castlevania IV on the SNES?

• ANBERNIC have recently entered the wireless controller market with their new RGP01 controller, following a teaser on their YouTube channel.
• The RGP01 is available in three colourways: white, pink, and black. Its design is inspired by modern Xbox controllers and supports multiple platforms including PC, Steam, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS via Bluetooth 5.3 or 2.4G connections or USB-C.
• The controller features ANBERNIC’s hallmark LED Hall-effect joysticks that can be set to different colours and react to movements. It also comes with a built-in six-axis gyroscope for enhanced gameplay on Nintendo Switch Joy-cons.
• ANBERNIC allows swapping of the ABXY button layout via software, alongside a TURBO rapid-fire button which is user-mappable.
• While ANBERNIC has produced some of the best retro handhelds this year, entering an already saturated market with 8BITDO and GuliKit presents challenges. To gain market share, they would have to outprice competitors aggressively.

How do you think ANBERNIC will fare in this highly competitive market, and will their unique features be enough to stand out?

Windjammers' Sega Mega Drive / Genesis Port: A Progress Update!

A group of dedicated fans is hard at work recreating the classic Neo Geo game, Windjammers, for the Sega Mega Drive. This ambitious project has gained significant attention and progress.

• New Updates:

• The team has released a video that delves into the rendition of the dog distance mini-game with a new Mega Drive-exclusive power system. They also introduced an air hockey bonus game.

• A comparison between stages from the original Neo Geo version and those in this port was featured, showcasing the team's dedication to authenticity.

• Technical Challenges:

• The project is being developed using SGDK, a free development kit for the Sega Mega Drive and Genesis. The team has had to reduce the original game's colour palette from hundreds to just 16 colours.

• They have cleverly converted sprite scaling into nicely drawn sprites/tiles per frame, which fits well within the limited space of a 32-meg cartridge.

What do you think could be the most challenging aspect of porting Windjammers to the Sega Mega Drive?