Hello Retro Gaming fans, Ryan Mcquinn here! Far away on the Fairy world of Ripple Star, Dark Matter beings have invaded and turned the star into a very dark place! The fairy, Ribbon, makes her escape on the sacred crystal through space. Narrowly avoiding the Dark Matter Beings that persue her, the crystal breaks and shards are scattered across 6 worlds. She then crash lands on Pop Star where she meets Kirby.… Read more
Retro Fresh! 👾
Frogger – Quickplay – (SNES) – 1998
Hello Retro Gaming fans, Ryan Mcquinn here! Growing up in the 80's and 90's was a blast, especially as a gamer! I remember going down to the Arcade on the weekend with $20 and spending all day playing games. I'd have a giant cup of soda, a pocket full of quarters, and more arcade machines than I could play in one day. Like most people, I had my favorites; Pac-Man, Galaga, Mortal… Read more
Retro Gaming Tip #12 – Turtles in Time – (SNES) – 10 Rests
#tmnt #snes #nintendo #konami #konamicode #cheat #tip #turtlesintime #turtles #code source Read more
First 10 Series – Super Mario Bros – Romhacks Comparison
Hello Retro gaming fans! Ryan Mcquinn here, Sometimes finding a good game can be difficult. Everyone has their own taste. Some like Platformers, others like shooters, maybe beatem ups. Me, I like just about every genre. I especially love seeing hacks and mods of already established games. I remember when I was in highschool, messing around with a level editor for Super Mario Bros called Mario Improvement. I think it was one… Read more
Disneys Aladdin [SNES] Review and Longplay [1993]
Hello Retro Gaming fans, Ryan Mcquinn here! Disney's Aladdin on SNES: A Magical Carpet Ride Through Agrabah In the world of retro gaming, certain titles evoke a sense of nostalgia that transcends generations, and Disney's Aladdin for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) is one such game. Released in 1993, this platformer was developed by Capcom, a company renowned for its mastery over the genre with titles like Mega Man under its… Read more
Sonic Adventure DX [GAMECUBE] Review and Longplay [2003] Super Sonic
Hello Retro Gaming fans, Ryan Mcquinn here! Finally, we've reached the end of the story. Chaos returns to wreak havoc on Station Square! Assuming the form of "Perfect Chaos", after consuming all 7 Chaos Emeralds, he floods the streets of Station Square putting it's citizens in danger. But one creature can stand against this monster...Super Sonic! Utilizing the positive power of the Chaos Emeralds Super Sonic powers up to save everyone!… Read more
Sonic Adventure DX [GAMECUBE] Review and Longplay [2003] Gamma
Hello Retro Gaming fans, Ryan Mcquinn here! Perhaps the saddest story in the game, is the story of E102-y a.k.a. Gamma. A robot designed and built by Dr. Robotnik for the sole purpose of serving the evil genious. He is not only forced to fight his older sibling, but also destory all of his kin. The saddest part of his story is which animals dwell within him, and his older brother E101-ß… Read more
Sonic Adventure DX [GAMECUBE] Review and Longplay [2003] Big the Cat
Hello Retro Gaming fans, Ryan Mcquinn here! The relationship between best friends is one to be cherished. Especially when you would risk everything to save them. Join Big the Cat as he runs right into the face of danger to save his best friend Froggy from the clutches of Dr. Robotnik. Big is a kind cat living a simple life in the Jungle of Angel Island, where he and Froggy hang out… Read more
Interviews 🎤
Exclusive Interview with Mustin of The OneUps
When it comes to video game bands, The OneUps have been doing this longer than most. Their official site says they have been performing since their first show in 2002, and over the years they have played events like PAX, MAGFest, and GDC while building one of the most recognizable sounds in live VGM. Their catalog on Bandcamp stretches from Volume 1 all the way to later releases like Volume 4, Arkadia… Read more
Interview: Developer Gridattack on Super Mario Kart Horizons
Super Mario Kart Horizons is one of the most ambitious ROM hacks in recent years, reimagining the classic SNES racer with twenty brand new tracks, four custom battle maps, an original soundtrack, and presentation elements like a custom manual and box art. The project, available at RomHacking.net and RomHackPlaza, represents the culmination of over a decade of tinkering, iteration, and dedication from its creator, Gridattack. Horizons has also been the subject of… Read more
Exclusive Interview with The Arkadian Ahead of RetroGameCon in Syracuse
The Arkadian was born in 2015 as the brainchild of Jon O’Neal, a musician with a passion for both heavy rock and the timeless soundtracks of video games. Influenced by artists like Stemage, Viking Guitar, Mega Beardo, and Master Sword, he began crafting arrangements that fused 70s and 80s-inspired metal with the melodies gamers grew up with. What started as solo experiments in a basement studio quickly grew into something bigger... a… Read more
Interview with Southbird – Creator of Super Mario Bros. 3Mix
When people talk about the greatest ROM hacks ever made, Super Mario Bros. 3Mix almost always comes up. Created by Southbird, this hack was more than just a simple remix of Nintendo’s NES classic... it became a sprawling tribute to Mario’s entire history. 3Mix included new mechanics like gravity flips, Yoshi integration, secret star coins, alternate exits, and even bosses and themes inspired by later entries such as Super Mario World and… Read more
VomitroN Interview: NES Metal Covers, Gaming Roots, and the Future of 8-Bit Metal
When it comes to fusing heavy metal with the 8-bit sounds of classic gaming, few names resonate louder than VomitroN. The project is the brainchild a Massachusetts-based musician, producer, and lifelong gamer whose work has turned the nostalgic bleeps of the Nintendo Entertainment System into sprawling metal epics. What started as an experiment in the late nineties while playing Contra in a college dorm became a full-blown passion project, and by the… Read more
Interview with LetsTalkGames / xMANGRAVYx
The Super Mario World hacking scene is filled with passion projects, but few creators have managed to balance accessibility, creativity, and ambition quite like xMANGRAVYx, the driving force behind LetsTalkGames. I first came across his work through Castlemania II, a gothic and atmospheric sequel that brought Castlevania inspired storytelling into the Mario universe. That game opened my eyes to how far a ROM hack could push the SMW engine. The final boss… Read more
Emulator News 📰
bsnes-netplay Update (August 11, 2026)
The 2026 release of bsnes-netplay integrates the bsnes emulator for Super Famicom and SNES with GekkoNet, enhancing netplay with low-latency features. Key highlights include true Super Game Boy emulation, HD mode 7 graphics, multi-threaded PPU rendering, customizable speed modes, and extensive game databases. Advanced features like adaptive sync, just-in-time input polling, and support for various audio/video modes improve performance. It also supports save states, cheat codes, and has extensive Satellaview emulation functionality.… Read more
KytyPlus Version 3.8
KytyPlus v3.8, a standalone PS5 emulator for Windows, macOS, and Linux, has been released. Key improvements include iGPU optimization and build stability, with major enhancements for Crash Bandicoot 4, now successfully playing its cutscenes. Bug fixes address streaming issues and improve queue management, preventing hangs. New diagnostics tools enable better monitoring of hang issues. The emulator's FSR upscaling is no longer auto-enabled for integrated GPUs due to driver faults. Overall, this release… Read more
Igir Version 5.5.1
Igir v5.5.1 has been released, serving as a zero-setup ROM collection manager for sorting, filtering, and patching files across any OS. The update primarily consists of dependency fixes and addresses a specific issue: it no longer attempts to correct file extensions for raw-copied archives when DATs aren't supplied. This change prevents unnecessary detection efforts and issues with the --merge-discs function. Users can opt to disable extension changes entirely by using the --fix-extension… Read more
FB Neo Git (September 27, 2026)
FB Neo Git (2026/09/27) has been compiled, serving as an emulator for arcade games and select consoles. It is based on FinalBurn and older MAME versions. The latest changelog includes various updates to files such as d_gba.cpp, d_sms.cpp, d_snes.cpp, d_coleco.cpp, d_megadrive.cpp, d_msx.cpp, and d_spectrum.cpp. For more details, you can download FB Neo Git (2026/09/27) from the provided source. FB Neo Git (2026/09/27) has been compiled. FinalBurn Neo serves as an Emulator for… Read more
DOSBox-X Git Version (September 27, 2026)
DOSBox-X Git (2026/09/27) is an updated version of DOSBox, designed to emulate an Intel x86 PC for running classic MS-DOS games on modern systems like Windows and Linux. Recent updates include fixes to CD-ROM image handling to restore the Red Book offset in absolute Q-channel positions and reorganization of Visual Studio files related to agents. These enhancements aim to improve the overall functionality and user experience of DOSBox-X for retro gaming. Download:… Read more
DOSBox-Staging Repository (Git) – September 27, 2026
DOSBox-Staging Git (2026/09/27) has been released, aiming to modernize the DOSBox project through updated development practices and tools. Key improvements include refining constants in vga_draw.cpp, clarifying draw buffer margin calculations, and fixing horizontal pel panning direction in text mode. The repository focuses on addressing issues and enhancing features for compatibility with current systems. Users can download the x64 version and access the source via the provided link. DOSBox-Staging Git (2026/09/27) has been… Read more
Editorial Reviews 🌟
Super Mario Kart – Horizons SNES Romhack Review | The True Sequel Fans Deserved
What if Super Mario Kart got the sequel we always dreamed of on the SNES? Horizons delivers 20 new tracks, new music, and pure nostalgia. From grassy plains to abandoned mines, Super Mario Kart – Horizons takes the SNES classic to new places. It feels like Mario Kart 2.0… and you can play it today! Super Mario Kart – Horizons: The Romhack That Feels Like a True Sequel. Watch the video or… Read more
Smoked Fish and Cabbage Review – A Beginner Friendly Kaizo Journey
The Super Mario World hacking community has produced everything from sprawling cinematic adventures to bite sized experimental projects. Smoked Fish and Cabbage, created by LetsTalkGames and the coder known as xMANGRAVYx, stands out as a compact yet polished introduction to the Kaizo style. Released in July 2023, the hack is short by design with seven carefully crafted levels, but within that small footprint it manages to deliver challenge, variety, and accessibility in… Read more
Castlemania II Review – A Dark and Ambitious Super Mario World Hack
The Super Mario World hacking scene has always thrived on experimentation, but few projects push the envelope as boldly as Castlemania II, created by LetsTalkGames and coder xMANGRAVYx. Released in July 2025, this sequel builds upon last year’s Castlemania with even more ambition, blending Super Mario World’s platforming with Castlevania’s gothic spirit. The result is a hack that feels familiar in its controls but completely fresh in its tone and structure. From… Read more
Super Mario Bros. 3Mix Review and longplay – Southbird’s Masterpiece ROM Hack
When it comes to ambitious ROM hacks, few projects can match the scale and polish of Super Mario Bros. 3Mix, created by the talented developer Southbird. Released more than a decade ago (2014), 3Mix is not simply a reworking of Super Mario Bros. 3 but a complete overhaul that pays tribute to Mario’s past, present, and even future. The hack introduces new mechanics, new worlds, and a staggering amount of secrets while… Read more
The Crow (NES ROM Hack) Review – Pacnsac Games Turns Batman Into a Gothic Classic
Pacnsac Games, the prolific ROM hacker known as pacnsacdave, has built a name for transforming beloved NES titles into something wholly new while staying true to the spirit of retro gaming. In March 2020 he released The Crow, a complete hack of Sunsoft’s Batman: The Video Game. Rather than a simple cosmetic swap, this project reimagines the 1994 cult film starring Brandon Lee as if it had received its own 8 bit… Read more
Review and Longplay: Mr. Gimmick 2 NES ROM Hack by pacnsacdave
When you talk about hidden treasures on the Nintendo Entertainment System, few games are as respected and mysterious as Mr. Gimmick. Released in 1992 by Sunsoft, this platformer was known for its stunning physics, demanding level design, and a soundtrack that pushed the NES sound chip to its limits. While it never reached wide audiences outside Japan and Scandinavia, it has become a cult favorite among retro enthusiasts. Fans have been asking… Read more
Satire & Humor 🤡
Nintendo Wants You to Spend $150 on Mario Galaxy Again, and You Absolutely Will
Nintendo has announced the boldest, most innovative move in gaming history: charging you up to two hundred dollars for the privilege of replaying a pair of Wii games you already own. Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are officially coming to the Switch 2, and the bundle clocks in at a cool $150, edging toward $200 once you factor in collector’s editions, amiibo, and whatever random plastic accessory they force… Read more
Childhood Ruined: Mario Was Always Punching Yoshi in the Head
An Innocent Gesture with a Dark Twist For more than two decades, fans of Super Mario World believed Mario was simply pointing forward when Yoshi stuck out his tongue. It looked playful and harmless. Mario gave the signal, Yoshi obeyed, and the duo worked together as partners. That illusion shattered in 2017, when Nintendo veteran Shigefumi Hino, the designer who created Yoshi, revealed that the original concept was very different. According to… Read more
Every Controller I Have Smashed In Rage, Ranked By The Quality Of The Meltdown
Every Controller I Have Smashed In Rage, Ranked By The Quality Of The Meltdown There are difficult games, and then there are the ones that melt your brain until the only solution is to weaponize the nearest controller. We tell ourselves it’s just a game, but anyone who has stared down Alma in Ninja Gaiden Black, crawled across spikes in Celeste, or been betrayed by the blue shell in Mario Kart Wii… Read more
Leonardo DiCaprio Refuses to Play Final Fantasy IX After It Turns 25
A Consistent Cutoff Leonardo DiCaprio has built a reputation for consistency in his personal life, and it appears that this rule now extends to his gaming habits. According to sources close to the Hollywood actor, he has officially stopped playing Final Fantasy IX after the game reached its 25th anniversary. Released in 2000 for the original PlayStation, Final Fantasy IX is widely regarded as one of the greatest entries in Square Enix’s… Read more
Nintendo Threatens Legal Action Over $20 Garage Sale Copy of Super Mario Bros. 3
A Garage Sale Becomes a Legal Battlefield What began as a quiet Saturday morning in Saratoga, New York quickly escalated into what some neighbors now refer to as “the day Nintendo declared war on suburbia.” Local resident Robby Thompson held a simple garage sale in his driveway, offering old household items, clothing, and a box of retro video games. One of those games happened to be a sealed copy of Super Mario… Read more
Joy-Con Drift Marketed as “Immersive Gameplay Feature”
A Feature Masquerading as a Flaw Since its release in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has been celebrated as one of the most successful consoles of all time. It blended handheld convenience with home-console performance, revitalized franchises like Zelda and Mario, and sold over 140 million units. But along with this success came something else: the infamous Joy-Con drift. What began as a flood of user complaints, characters walking off cliffs without input,… Read more
Recent Posts
The Rise, Fall and Complete History of Acclaim Entertainment: Mortal Kombat, Turok & Bankruptcy
Acclaim Entertainment became one of the loudest and most successful publishers of the 1990s, riding Mortal Kombat, NBA Jam, Turok, wrestling games, comic licenses and aggressive marketing to enormous visibility. This is the complete story of how Acclaim rose from a small Long Island publisher to a gaming powerhouse — and how overexpansion, costly licenses, bad bets and financial trouble brought it crashing down. Read more
Best Android Emulators in 2026: The Complete System-by-System Guide
There was a time when taking a serious retro game collection with you meant carrying a dedicated handheld, several cartridges, a mess of cables, and probably a case big enough to qualify as luggage. Android has changed that completely. A decent modern phone can now handle everything from the Game Boy, NES, and Sega Genesis to the PlayStation, Dreamcast, PSP, GameCube, and — with the right hardware and a little patience —… Read more
Eden Version 0.2.1
Eden 0.2.1 is now available as a stability-focused hotfix for the open-source Nintendo Switch emulator. Rather than introducing a huge new collection of features, this release focuses on problems discovered after Eden 0.2.0, including large-library crashes, issues affecting 12th-generation Intel CPUs, Windows updater problems, a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe controller-related freeze, and several smaller stability bugs. If you are looking for general information about Eden rather than this specific release, visit our… Read more
The Complete History of Road Rash: EA’s 90s Combat-Racing Icon
Road Rash: The Complete History of EA's 90s Combat-Racing Icon Road Rash was never just a racing game with punching. It was the product of a very particular moment inside Electronic Arts, when the company was learning how to become a console developer, Sega was still fighting to establish the Genesis, CD-ROM looked like the future, alternative rock was spilling into games, and a small group of developers discovered that motorcycle racing… Read more
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