Retro Blog 🕰️

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) is a hallmark of retro gaming, a testament to Nintendo’s enduring legacy in the video game industry. Each year of the SNES’s prime brought a standout game that not only defined the year but also left an indelible mark on gaming as a whole. Let’s take a nostalgic journey through the most quintessential SNES games from its golden years. 1991: Super Mario World The …

Navigating the Legal Landscape of Retro Game Emulation In recent times, the revival of classic video games through emulation has sparked a renaissance for retro gaming. This resurgence has raised important questions about the legality of emulators and ROMs. While some gamers dive into the nostalgia-fueled world of emulation with abandon, others hesitate, wary of potential legal consequences. Here, we provide a comprehensive look at the legalities of emulation, informed …

The PlayStation 1: A 32-Bit Revolution in Gaming The PlayStation 1 (PS1), Sony’s first foray into the console market, marked the beginning of a new era in video gaming. With its advanced 32-bit architecture, the PS1 redefined what gamers expected from their home console experience. I remember the year “Final Fantasy VII” was released; it was also the year I got my PlayStation. As a young child, the immersive worlds …

Tifa’s original design in the 1997 release of “Final Fantasy VII” featured a character with disproportionately large breasts, a common trend in character design during that era, reflective of certain aesthetic preferences in the gaming industry. Over the years, there has been a push for more realistic and less sexualized representations of female characters in video games. The “Final Fantasy VII Remake” responded to these concerns by presenting a redesigned …

The Top 10 Darkest and Most Horrific Video Game Characters of All Time Video game history is filled with villains and antagonists, but some eclipse others in their malevolent deeds and the darkness they bring to their digital worlds. These characters have committed acts so vile and shocking that they’ve cemented their place in the pantheon of virtual infamy. Let’s take a deeper dive into the top 10 darkest and …

Unveiling the Controversy: The Quest for Super Monkey Ball’s Lost “Adult” Levels Super Monkey Ball, a long-standing franchise known for its family-friendly puzzle-platforming gameplay, took an unexpected turn in 2012 with the release of “Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz” for the PS Vita. The game, which usually catered to a younger audience, suddenly found itself in the midst of a controversy due to a set of levels featuring adult-oriented content. …

The Iron Grip of Nintendo: A Retro Rant on Gaming’s Lost Potential Let’s wind the clocks back to the 1980s – the era of neon, synth-pop, and the rise of the home video game console. Among the giants of the time, Nintendo’s NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) stood as the colossus, dominating living rooms across the globe. But behind the scenes of this pixelated revolution was a darker tale, one that …

The Unmatched Greatness of NFL 2K5 Before we get to the mod, one must understand the history. When NFL 2K5 hit the market in July 2004, it did so with a strategic price point of $19.99, significantly lower than the typical new release price for video games at that time, and particularly lower than its main competitor, Madden NFL 2005, which was being sold at the standard price of $49.99. …

Suare Enix Releases Controversial FFVII Remake Update Square Enix recently deployed an update for Final Fantasy VII Remake on PC and PlayStation. While containing some minor bug fixes, this update also censors Tifa’s cleavage in a notable cutscene. In the Nibelheim flashback sequence, Tifa’s outfit has been altered to cover her chest area with a black undershirt. Her original design showed more cleavage in this scene. Fans have debated whether …

Nintendo Initiates Legal Action Against Yuzu Emulator Developers Nintendo is taking legal action against the developers behind Yuzu, a popular emulator for running Switch games. The legal filing points out that Yuzu unlawfully bypasses Nintendo’s software security measures and contributes to piracy. The lawsuit highlights a significant instance where over one million downloads of “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” were reported prior to its official release, coinciding …

SEGA’s nostalgic gem, Vay, initially released in 1993 for the SEGA CD and subsequently earning its place as a JRPG cult classic, particularly in the West, is poised for a resurgence. Fans can look forward to an “entirely new, fully reimagined port” specifically tailored for iPhone devices, set to launch later this year. The original game, developed by Hertz and released by SIMS in Japan, saw its North American debut thanks …

Lunar: Silver Star Story Touch Launches for Android Fans of classic RPGs, get ready! The beloved Lunar: Silver Star Story Touch, previously available on iOS, is set to make its way to Android devices on January 26th. This news comes via Pocket Gamer, and it’s sure to excite those who have been waiting to experience the game on their Android phones and tablets. The journey of Lunar: Silver Star Story began on the Sega …

The Sega CD: An Ambitious Leap into CD-ROM Gaming The Sega CD, known as Mega-CD outside North America, was Sega’s ambitious foray into the world of CD-ROM technology in gaming. From the moment I tore open the wrapping paper one Christmas morning to reveal a Sega CD, the year it was released, my gaming experiences were forever transformed. That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with …

The video game sector continues to face a challenging period marked by ongoing layoffs. Sony has joined the ranks of companies reducing their workforce, announcing on Tuesday the dismissal of approximately 900 employees from its PlayStation division, which accounts for 8% of its global headcount. The impact of the layoffs will be felt across several high-profile development teams within the Sony family. Notable studios that will be affected include Naughty …

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital entertainment, one can observe an interesting contrast between the top female personalities on Twitch and the leading female characters in AAA video games. The top female Twitch streamers often align with traditional beauty standards, which arguably contributes to their popularity and visibility on the platform. Their attractiveness can be a draw for audiences, as the platform is as much about personality and engagement as …