Retro Blog 🕰️

Top 10 Most Popular SEGA CD Games of All Time The SEGA CD, an ambitious add-on to the iconic SEGA Genesis, might not have been the commercial success SEGA hoped for, but it left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape with its innovative use of CD technology. Despite its relatively short lifespan, a number of games have achieved cult status and are remembered fondly by retro gaming enthusiasts. Here’s …

The handheld gaming scene has been dominated by Nintendo since the days of the Game & Watch, but Sony’s foray into this market has left an indelible mark. The PSP is a testament to that, a device so ahead of its era that even as I pen this in 2024, it remains a beacon of handheld gaming excellence. The PS Vita, on the other hand, didn’t quite hit the same …

Publisher: Square Co., Ltd. Platform: PlayStation Release Date: November 20, 1997 (Japan); May 5, 1998 (North America) Genre: Shoot ’em up Introduction Einhänder, a side-scrolling shoot ’em up (shmup) released by Square during the golden era of the PlayStation, is a game that remains a cult classic among retro gaming enthusiasts. In an era dominated by RPGs and 3D platformers, Einhänder stood out as a unique offering with its cyberpunk …

Mega Man in the Mushroom Kingdom”Mega Man in the Mushroom Kingdom” is a ROM hack of the original “Mega Man 1” for the NES that marries the tight platforming action of Mega Man with the iconic world of Nintendo’s Super Mario series. Crafted by a creator known as alexAR in 2006, this hack offers a unique blend of two beloved universes that many of us grew up with. Story and …

Sylphia – A Mythical 8-Bit Shoot ’em Up That Still Delivers Fun The TurboGrafx-CD was home to some great shoot ’em ups back in the day, and Sylphia stands out as one of the more unique entries in the system’s library. Developed by Compile and released in 1992, Sylphia is a vertical scroller that feels heavily inspired by the NES classic Legendary Wings, and that’s a very good thing. In …

Sol-Feace – A Solid Sega CD Shmup with Slick Style   When the Sega CD launched in 1992, players were still figuring out whether the pricey add-on would become the next big leap in console gaming or fade into a niche experiment. Sega promised cutting-edge audio, animated cutscenes, and larger, more ambitious experiences than the cartridge-based Sega Genesis could handle on its own. Among the titles chosen to showcase the …

“Super Mario 64 Randomizer” takes the classic Nintendo 64 adventure and injects a fresh dose of chaos and unpredictability that will delight fans of the original. With each playthrough, the randomizer algorithm shuffles the location of stars, items, and even levels, ensuring that no two games are the same. This not only breathes new life into a beloved classic but also provides a unique challenge for veterans and new players …

The 90s were an era of transformation for the JRPG genre, with each title delivering not just captivating narratives but also pushing the envelope in terms of graphics and gameplay. 10. Wild Arms               “Wild Arms” introduces players to a unique blend of fantasy and Wild West themes, where ancient technology and magic collide. The story follows a group of adventurers seeking to prevent …

Retro Review: Abadox – The Deadly Inner War In 1990, Natsume released a title for the Nintendo Entertainment System that would become known for its blend of grotesque visual flair and approachable gameplay: “Abadox – The Deadly Inner War.” This side-scrolling shooter takes players on a perilous journey through the guts of a colossal alien organism that has consumed an entire planet, including its orbiting space colony. Gameplay and Difficulty …

Hidden Treasures: The Top 10 Most Expensive Retro Games Lurking in Your Attic Are you sitting on a gold mine? Your attic might just be a treasure trove of retro gaming riches. As Rite Aid delves into the world of vintage video game collectibles, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten most expensive retro games. These elusive cartridges, if in mint condition and especially if they’re still sealed, could …

The video ended up being close to 24 hours so I had to split it in two parts. Unlike most of my compilations this one is limited to screenshots at times because a lot of these games are just so obscure. Enjoy our comprehensive retrospective as we showcase each and every one of the classic games developed for the MS-DOS in this captivating video journey. part2: https://youtu.be/I834FDYsp_A The Legacy of …

The video ended up being close to 24 hours so I had to split it in two parts. Unlike most of my compilations this one is limited to screenshots at times because a lot of these games are just so obscure. Enjoy our comprehensive retrospective as we showcase each and every one of the classic games developed for the MS-DOS in this captivating video journey. part 1: https://youtu.be/tXx_5a5oSZk The Legacy …

Enjoy our comprehensive retrospective as we showcase each and every one of the classic games developed for the Gameboy Advance in this captivating video journey. The Game Boy Advance: A Look Back at a Handheld Legend The Game Boy Advance (GBA), released in 2001, is a hallmark of handheld gaming, remarkable for its significant leap in power and capabilities from its predecessors. As we delve into the specs, history, and …

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for NES – An Underwater Challenge of Epic Proportions The 1989 NES classic, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” brought the pizza-loving, crime-fighting reptiles from the sewers of New York City to the screens of eager gamers everywhere. While this title brought a lot of joy, it also brought immense challenge, particularly the notorious water level that tested the patience and skill of many. A Test of Turtle …

Ninja Gaiden for NES – A Test of Skill with a Story to Tell In the pantheon of NES classics, “Ninja Gaiden” stands out as a shining example of storytelling prowess and gameplay that tests the limits of even the most skilled gamers. Released in 1988, this action-packed platformer introduced players to Ryu Hayabusa, a ninja on a quest to avenge his father’s death and uncover the mysteries of a …

Dear Sega,   I hope this letter finds you riding the wave of nostalgia and innovation that has always been your hallmark. I am one of the countless fans whose voice has longed to see Sega leap back into the console hardware race, even though the timing never seemed quite right. The landscape of gaming has evolved, with future consoles setting their sights on a digital-only horizon. Yet, in this …

I played through for the first time. Gunstar Heroes – A Genesis Gem Sparkling with Action Platform: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Developer: Treasure Release Date: September 9, 1993 “Gunstar Heroes” burst onto the Sega Genesis like a comet, delivering an explosive experience that has since become a benchmark for run-and-gun shooters. Developed by Treasure, a team formed by former Konami developers, this game was not just a debut title …

To clarify the situation regarding Billy Mitchell’s high scores in classic arcade games, it’s important to stress that Twin Galaxies, the organization known for tracking and verifying video game high scores and world records, has not reinstated Billy Mitchell’s previously removed high scores as current legitimate records. The controversy surrounding Billy Mitchell’s achievements began when Twin Galaxies conducted an investigation in response to allegations that some of his performances were …

The Legendary Axe Review Forget Keith Courage. The Legendary Axe was a good reason to own a TurboGrafx-16. The TurboGrafx-16 era brought us many titles, but none so memorable as “The Legendary Axe.” It’s 1989, and what we have here is a game that not only looked like a treasure trove with its crisp graphics but played like an epic saga too. Meet Gogan, our barbarian hero, larger than life …

Ninja Spirit for the TurboGrafx-16: A Retro Ninja Odyssey A member of our Facebook community suggested I take a trip down memory lane with “Ninja Spirit” on the TurboGrafx-16, and I’m delighted I heeded that advice. I’m sorry, I forgot the user’s name in a flood of comments. Here’s my honest take on this retro ninja escapade: Graphics and Sound: Visually, “Ninja Spirit” is a feast for the eyes, especially …

The Game-Changing Graphical Ascendancy: Why N64 to Dreamcast Was the Real Revolution Fact Piece (this is a fact) As gaming aficionados wax poetic about the visual leaps from the PlayStation 2 to the PlayStation 3, they seem to have overlooked the true graphical deity of its time—the Sega Dreamcast. While the PS2 to PS3 evolution indeed brought us into the HD era, it pales in comparison to the seismic shift …

Neutopia Review: TurboGrafx-16’s Homage to Hyrule In the realm of video games, imitation is not just a form of flattery but often the seed from which a new gaming experience blossoms. This was undoubtedly the intent behind Hudson Soft’s “Neutopia,” a game for the TurboGrafx-16 system that wears its inspiration not just on its sleeve but in every pixel and gameplay element. Released in the shadow of Nintendo’s groundbreaking “The …

Nostalgia-driven gamers and Sega aficionados, take note: Hyperkin is set to launch the Mega 95, a portable gaming device that breathes new life into classic Sega Genesis/Mega Drive cartridges. As revealed by The Verge, this portable console boasts a five-inch screen and promises up to 10 hours of battery life. It also features two display modes and will be sold with a dock for those who prefer to play on …

Keith Courage in Alpha Zones: A Stalwart of the TurboGrafx-16 Era “Keith Courage in Alpha Zones” emerged on the TurboGrafx-16 in 1988, the same year the gaming world was graced with the iconic “Super Mario Bros. 3” on the NES. While Nintendo’s heavyweight was stealing headlines and hearts, Keith Courage quietly carved out its own niche, delivering a remarkable adventure that showcased the TurboGrafx-16’s graphical and gameplay capabilities. Borrowing this …

Valis III for Sega Genesis: A Mixed Port with Limited Appeal Valis III, originally a hallmark of the TurboGrafx-CD’s library, made its way to the Sega Genesis with the promise of bringing its action-packed adventure to a wider audience. This port, however, comes with a fair share of caveats, and my experience with it has been less than satisfactory. Porting Challenges The transition from the TurboGrafx-CD to the cartridge-based Sega …