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This month, Fab2Ris launches a brand-new monthly appointment on the Recalbox YouTube channel: a curated selection of the most anticipated indie and neo-retro releases. First episode, first must-haves.

Twenty minutes to catch up on everything

The concept is straightforward: every month, Fab2Ris runs through around thirty upcoming indie, pixel art and 2D games — no filler, no fluff. A short, effective format designed for those who want to stay in the loop without spending their whole evening doing it.

April sets the bar high

For this debut episode, April turns out to be surprisingly generous. Spark Ignites kicks things off with a 2.5D pixel art tactical RPG built around clever class synergies. ZPF pays tribute to horizontal shoot'em ups in the Mega Drive tradition — and it's disarmingly sincere about it. Vampire Crawlers takes the Vampire Survivors formula and flips it into a turn-based card game — and it works. Then there's Forbidden Solitaire, a fake cursed 1995 CD-ROM blending horror FMV and bloody solitaire, and Prohibeast, set in an alternate 1930s Chicago where meat has been made illegal.

In short, a selection that should go straight to your wishlists — and put a dent in your retrogaming budget.

Watch the video now

We'll let you discover the rest of the lineup directly in the video — most of the featured titles have a demo on Steam, so take advantage of it. Since this is a brand-new format, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. And if you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe to the YouTube channel to stay up to date with all things Recalbox and retrogaming. See you next month for more.

Enjoying the Recalbox team's work? Support the project by becoming a Patron!

The traditional meetup with Patrons and the Recalbox team returns on Saturday, April 18 at 9 PM. This third Recal'Talk will give the team an opportunity to discuss the future of the project during a Discord call: software, hardware, gaming comfort, and new tools will all be on the agenda.

As you’ve probably guessed, V10 is only a step toward even more features and options. At the time of writing, we are currently on version 10.0.5 which, along with its smaller siblings (10.0.1 and 10.0.2…), brings a number of fixes based on your feedback.
We are gradually moving toward new iterations that will introduce fresh features—some expected, others pleasant surprises for users—which we’ll be presenting during this Recal'Talk!

We will also revisit the rollout of the Recalbox Test Tools, taking a closer look at this new tool that allows you to submit your test feedback to the Recalbox team while completing steps that let you earn XP in a system that is both fun and practical.

We will also cover the hardware side with something new that will appeal to DIY enthusiasts (don’t get too excited—it’s not a brand-new standalone Recalbox hardware!). The evening will end with an open discussion where you’ll be able to ask questions and chat with the team about the project.

As a reminder, the Recal'Talk channel opens within the half hour before the show and is located in the same place as the Discord channels dedicated to Patrons. If you are a Patron and plan to join us, make sure your Discord is up to date. If you experience connection or quality issues, try switching between the desktop app, the web version, or the mobile app. We’re looking forward to seeing many of you there!

To join our Discord server, click here

Enjoying the work of the Recalbox team? Support the project by becoming a Patron!

RecalCards are back with a brand-new series of visuals, and once again, the bar is set high. Available now in the Recalbox shop, these collectible and functional cards—thanks to the Card Reader—are sure to bring back memories for more than a few of you!

What is a RecalCard?

For those discovering them: RecalCards are rigid PCB-format cards that faithfully recreate the look and feel of the game media that shaped our childhoods. NES, Super Nintendo, Mega Drive... each card is a carefully crafted tribute to an iconic format, designed by and for enthusiasts.

Simply insert a RecalCard into your Card Reader and Recalbox will ask which game you want to assign to it. Once done, every time you insert that same RecalCard, the assigned game will automatically launch—just like in the old days! Remove the RecalCard and the game will automatically close. We told you: just like back then.

What the new series brings

This new collection really delivers in terms of variety, diving straight into pop culture: Neo Geo cartridges, VHS tapes, CPC audio cassettes, floppy disks, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, PC Engine—with their iconic Japanese manuals on the back… If you're a fan of the latter, you'll be pleased to discover that the new Card Reader faceplate is dedicated to the PC Engine.

Where to get them?

The new collection is available on the Recalbox shop. As a reminder, these RecalCards are collectible and, above all, fully functional. If you'd like to equip your Recalbox with a Card Reader, you can find it right here.

Don’t forget that if you support the Recalbox project via Patreon, you get a 10% discount on the entire Recalbox store. Finally, keep in mind that if you’re a Tier 2 Patron, you’ll receive 1 Collector RecalCard every 2 months, and if you’re a Tier 3 Patron, you’ll receive 3 Collector RecalCards every 2 months. Shipments will be starting very soon ;)

For Challenge #14, we smashed cute little monsters with a hammer. For Challenge #15, we’re taking a sharp turn in atmosphere: welcome to a world where bullets reign supreme and every pixel can be fatal with MUSHIHIME-SAMA FUTARI 1.5.

A shoot ’em up by Cave

Mushihime-sama Futari is the direct sequel to Mushihime-sama, released in 2004. Cave, a Japanese studio specialized in manic shooters, pushed the concept even further in 2006 with this Futari version — literally “two” — introducing a two-player mode and several difficulty levels, including the dreaded Ultra. The game runs on Cave’s CV1000 hardware, and its 1.5 version is considered by the community to be an absolute benchmark of the genre.

MUSHIHIME-SAMA FUTARI 1.5 (Cave, 2006) — ROM: futari15

The story drops the player into a world inhabited by giant insects, where Reco, a young princess, rides her beetle mount to save her kingdom from a curse. A deliberately simple premise that sets the stage for a hypnotic barrage of projectiles arranged in pixel-perfect patterns. Reading bullet streams, spotting safe gaps, managing your shot mode, and keeping your cool under pressure: these are the four pillars of survival. The scoring system rewards risk-taking — staying close to enemies increases your points — turning every run into a constant balance between boldness and precision.

🏆 Challenge rules

Your goal is to achieve the highest score in a single credit.
The challenge runs from April 1st to April 15th at 11:59 PM. You can try as many times as you want.

📢 How to participate?

• Launch the game (ROM: futari15)
• Play and try to beat the high score
• Take a screenshot or a photo of your final score
• Share your score on the Discord channel #challenges, including your username and your score.

⚖️ Rules to follow

To ensure fairness:

The score must be achieved in a single credit, without save states, rewind, cheats, or auto-fire (unless it is part of the game).

Gentlemen’s agreement: the use of glitches that artificially inflate the score is also forbidden.

🎁 Rewards and fair play

This challenge is прежде all about discovering games, sharing tips, and, of course, having fun — all within a spirit of friendly competition!

The winner will receive a game key (GOG, Steam, etc.) to choose from a list of around 100 titles.
If you’ve won a challenge in the past three months, the reward will go to the next player.

Your ranking will be added to the One Credit Challenge leaderboard.
The champion of the first season will receive either an RGB Dual 2 or a one-year subscription to Recalbox Patreon.

Good luck to everyone, and may the best score win!

Since its inception, Recalbox has pursued a simple mission: to make the gaming experience of the past both accessible and authentic. But over the years, one question has come up more and more often internally: how far can we push this experience?
Today, we’re ready to reveal an unexpected answer.
Here is Recalbox VR, our very first virtual reality headset dedicated to retrogaming.

A legacy dating back to the 90s

The idea of immersing players in their games is nothing new. As early as the mid-90s, the Virtual Boy was already attempting a radical approach to immersive 3D. Designed by Nintendo as a new way to play, the device offered stereoscopic display… entirely in red and black.

Ambitious, ahead of its time, yet limited by the technology of the era, the Virtual Boy remains a unique object today: a striking, imperfect, yet fascinating experiment.

This is exactly the kind of attempt that inspires us.

Recalbox VR: a natural evolution

Recalbox VR was born from a line of thinking that has been evolving for several years around immersion.

After working on timing accuracy, CRT display fidelity, and peripherals, one thing became clear: we wanted to go further.

The Recalbox VR headset was therefore designed as a logical extension of the Recalbox ecosystem. It’s not about transforming retro games into modern experiences, but rather enhancing them by stepping into the game and rediscovering it like never before.

The system relies on a high-definition stereoscopic display paired with a rendering engine specifically tailored for retrogaming. Every pixel, every scanline, every blur and persistence effect has been reworked to function in an immersive environment without betraying the original look.

Early concepts

Unmatched sensations

One of the major challenges of the project was preserving the visual “readability” of retro games in a VR environment.

Unlike modern games, older graphics often rely on visual tricks tied to distance, display type, and sprite size. Translating that into a headset requires far more than a simple port.

“The hardest part wasn’t displaying games in VR, but recreating their original visual behavior. A scanline doesn’t have the same impact when shown on a flat screen versus perceived in depth. We had to completely rethink our image processing to achieve a proper result.”
— digitalLumberjack

“At first, we even considered integrating mini CRTs directly into the lenses to perfectly replicate the look of old displays — colors, scanlines, and all the charm of the era. But reality quickly caught up with us: the combined weight of the CRTs made the headset completely unmanageable. We had to rethink the concept entirely, keeping the visual fidelity and retro spirit, but with a much lighter and more comfortable solution… 7kg was just too heavy.”
— Bkg2k

A new way to play

Once in-game, it’s not so much the screen that surprises… but the way the games themselves subtly change in how they are perceived.

In a title like Metal Slug, depth becomes immediately noticeable. The different layers — background, gameplay area, foreground elements — are no longer simply stacked, they exist within a space. Explosions feel slightly detached from the scenery, projectiles move across the scene with clearer trajectories, and some animations gain impact simply because they occupy a “physical” position.

In Super Mario Bros., the effect is more subtle but just as interesting. Platforms appear slightly raised, enemies stand out more clearly from the background, and distances become almost instinctive. Without altering gameplay, this added depth brings a new clarity, as if the game reveals a structure that was always there but previously implicit.

But it’s probably in a game like OutRun where the effect becomes most striking. The road no longer just scrolls by — it truly stretches into depth. Turns are easier to anticipate, elevation gives a sense of volume, and environmental elements — palm trees, signs, vehicles — sit within a far more tangible perspective. Where the game already relied on visual tricks to simulate 3D, VR enhances that illusion without betraying it.

What’s most striking is that nothing has been artificially added. This isn’t modern 3D layered on top of the games, but rather a spatial reinterpretation of their original elements. Sprites remain identical, proportions unchanged — only perception evolves.

And that’s precisely where the experience becomes uncanny: games you know by heart suddenly feel like they were always meant to be this way.

At the same time, special care has been given to the Recalbox environment. Rather than isolating the player in a neutral space, Recalbox VR places sessions back into familiar contexts through new VR-dedicated themes: a CRT television in a living room, an arcade cabinet, or a more minimal interface. Find the theme that suits you in the theme manager to browse your game library.

Technical details and availability

On the technical side, Recalbox VR features a dual micro-OLED display with a resolution of 3840 × 3840 pixels per eye, a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, and latency below 10 ms.

Rendering is handled by a graphics pipeline optimized for stereoscopy, capable of recalculating CRT shaders and frame synchronization in real time while respecting the original refresh rates of emulated systems (50 Hz / 60 Hz). The goal is to ensure a stable, precise, and faithful image, even with the most demanding content.

The headset will be compatible with PC and Raspberry Pi 5 and is expected to launch by the end of the year. A FishStarter campaign will be launched to fund the project. And as a bonus, discover our two-player prototype:

No AI was harmed in the making of these images.

We are pleased to introduce the Recalbox Test Tools (RTT), a tool designed to turn your testing sessions into a true community-driven experience.

What is RTT?

Recalbox Test Tools is a platform dedicated to beta testers and Patrons. It allows you to list the hardware you own, then run a series of tests on that hardware—for example by testing an update or performing a fresh install of a new Recalbox version. Each submitted test earns XP points, contributing to a leaderboard of top testers.

List your hardware

A new benefit for Patrons

Patrons (especially those updating via the Patron Alpha channel) already take part in beta testing phases ahead of release and actively help us improve Recalbox before each launch. RTT formalizes this contribution and places you even closer to the heart of the project. It’s an additional benefit for Patrons who want to get more involved in the project’s development: testing, reporting feedback, and having their participation recognized.

I want to be the very best, Like no-one ever was...

The most dedicated Patrons will receive a new badge on our Discord to highlight their contributions to testing phases. These tests are sent directly to the Recalbox team, with whom Patrons can interact in real time on dedicated Discord channels.

As a reminder, Patrons also benefit from access to a dedicated Patron Stable version, and can choose to remain on the public version if they prefer. In short, Patrons have access to three versions of Recalbox: the Alpha version (for testing), the Patron Stable version, and the public version—with the ability to switch between them in one click. Finally, note that RTT is entirely optional: there is no obligation to participate, just another opportunity for those who wish to get involved.

Run tests at your own pace

What does it change for the project?

Developers can monitor tests in real time, quickly identify issues based on hardware configurations, and prioritize fixes. At each testing step, users can confirm or invalidate a test and leave comments that are sent directly to the team. The more testers there are—and the more active they are—the faster Recalbox improves.

How to access it?

You can log in using your Discord account. The tool is reserved for beta testers and Patron members. If you are a Patron, head to your dedicated Discord channel to find the link and log in.

A big thank you to Bounitos who, after developing the RecalCards Generator, tackled the challenge of creating a solution that centralizes testing in the clearest and most engaging way possible—for both users and developers.

Enjoying the work of the Recalbox team? Support the project by becoming a Patron!

The Nintendo Switch 2 is gearing up for a particularly busy 2026, according to information circulating over the past few days. Insider NateTheHate, whose reliability is well established within the Nintendo sphere, shared several major revelations during his March 27 podcast — corroborated by Video Games Chronicle’s own sources.

Star Fox returns, ten years later

The Star Fox franchise hasn’t seen a major new entry since Star Fox Zero, developed by PlatinumGames for the Wii U in 2016. According to NateTheHate, a new game is planned for summer 2026 on Switch 2. The title would adopt a “classic” format, staying true to the spirit of the original entries, while also featuring online multiplayer and visuals described as “very good, very satisfying.”

The timing is likely no coincidence: actor Glen Powell has confirmed he will voice Fox McCloud in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, set to hit theaters on April 1, 2026. Nintendo rarely leaves this kind of synergy to chance.

Ocarina of Time: a remake for Zelda’s 40th anniversary

The other major announcement concerns The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. A remake is rumored for the second half of 2026, most likely around the holiday season, directly tied to the franchise’s 40th anniversary. According to some sources, the project could range from a faithful recreation of the original to a more ambitious reinterpretation of the 1998 Nintendo 64 classic.

Its release would also precede The Legend of Zelda movie, scheduled for theaters on May 5, 2027 — a momentum strategy Nintendo has long mastered.

Mario 3D delayed to 2027

The biggest surprise in these rumors is the absence of a new 3D Mario game in 2026. The successor to Super Mario Odyssey is reportedly pushed back to 2027, nearly ten years after the previous entry released in October 2017.

As for the broader schedule, summer 2026 is also expected to feature Splatoon Raiders, Rhythm Heaven Groove, and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, while Switch 2 Edition versions of Pikmin 4 and Xenoblade 2 are also anticipated.

Needless to say, these details remain rumors until officially confirmed by Nintendo. However, with two independent sources aligning, it’s hard not to take them seriously.

Sources: NateTheHate Podcast, Video Games Chronicle, Nintendo Life

Recalbox version 10.0.2 is released today. After being rolled out to Alpha Patrons and Patrons — whom we warmly thank for their feedback — this version is now available to everyone! This update includes several fixes, as well as some renamed and reorganized systems. Let’s go through everything in detail!

You can find the full release notes at the bottom of this article.

General fixes and improvements

The fixes in this version are quite broad and cover a wide range of areas. The team has notably worked on system performance to improve overall user comfort; display fixes and logo adjustments have also been made here and there to enhance readability and navigation.

Some cleanup has been done regarding update management (removal of an unnecessary error message, cleaning of the upgrade folder if a download failed to prevent the system from attempting to install an incomplete file…). Several of you reported an issue with the "last played games" system where the display was incorrect: this problem has now been resolved.

exFAT share performance

We have also fixed performance issues with dynamic shares formatted in exFAT. If you notice significant slowdowns at startup compared to version 9.2.3, you can enable the legacy exFAT driver in Advanced Options > Boot Settings > Use Fuse Driver. Of course, do not enable this option if everything is working properly!

Renamed systems

Where this update might surprise some users is in the renaming of certain systems:

• Atari 800 => Atari 8-bit (aligned with XL/XE compatibility)
• Neo-Geo => Neo-Geo AES (aligned with the new logo and policy)
• Amiga 600 => Amiga ECS/OCS (aligned with non-AGA compatibility)
• Amiga 1200 => Amiga AGA (aligned with AGA compatibility)

Neo-Geo: a change worth highlighting

Regarding Neo-Geo, this change is significant! There are now two distinct Neo-Geo environments:

• The console environment, called "Neo-Geo AES", with your ROMs located in the roms > neogeo folder.

• The arcade environment, with your Neo-Geo ROMs placed in the roms > fbneo folder. To see this virtual arcade system, you need to enable the virtual arcade system in "List Options", then enable Neo-Geo.

To be completely clear, "console" ROMs and "arcade" ROMs are exactly the same: it all depends on the folder where you place them.

You can find the full release notes via this link!

Enjoy!

Do you like the work of the Recalbox team? Support the project by becoming a Patron!

From May 7 to 10, 2026, Lyon will host Speedons, the major charity speedrunning marathon organized in support of Médecins du Monde — and the lineup promises plenty of surprises for retro gaming fans as well as more modern players.

What is speedrunning?

Speedrunning consists of finishing a game as quickly as possible, sometimes by exploiting bugs, glitches, or frame-perfect optimized sequences. It’s both a technical and spectacular discipline that has attracted a passionate community for years.

75 hours of live runs for a good cause

From May 7 to 10, 2026, Speedons will take place at the Lyon Convention Center over four non-stop days, with streams broadcast live on MisterMV’s Twitch. The goal: raise donations to fund the actions of Médecins du Monde, an international medical aid organization operating in around thirty countries. To follow the event, head over to speedons.fr and their Discord server.

A lineup tailored for retro lovers

The 2026 schedule is a true journey through time. Starting on Thursday, May 7, the tone is set with Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland on GBA and Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep Final Mix HD, followed by classics like Mr. Nutz and Alien: Isolation. Friday, May 8 raises the bar with Crash Team Racing, Ikaruga, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, and the must-play Crypt of the Necrodancer. Saturday, May 9 continues with Metroid Fusion, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, F-Zero, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Sunday, May 10 closes the event with Paper Mario, Portal 2 Coop, Touhou 8: Imperishable Night, and Octopath Traveler 2.

Recent runs to complete the picture

Speedons isn’t limited to retro games: recent titles such as Astro Bot, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hades II, and Silent Hill f are also part of the lineup, offering a complete overview of what speedrunning has to offer in 2026.

How to participate?

Whether you attend in Lyon with a 1-day or 4-day pass, or watch from home, Speedons is open to everyone. Find the full schedule, ticketing, and all information on speedons.fr.

A new update is being rolled out to Patrons as part of post-V10 fixes. This includes several bug fixes as well as some renamed and reorganized systems. Here’s everything you need to know!

Find the full release notes at the bottom of this article.

General fixes and improvements

The fixes here are quite broad and cover a wide range of areas. The team has notably worked on system speed to improve overall user experience; display fixes and logo adjustments have also been made here and there to enhance readability and navigation comfort.

Some cleanup has been done in update management (removal of an inappropriate error message, cleaning of the upgrade folder if the download failed to prevent the system from attempting to install an incomplete file…). Several of you reported an issue with the “last played games” system where the display was incorrect: this problem has now been resolved.

exFAT shares performance

We have also fixed performance issues with dynamic shares formatted in exFAT. If you notice significant slowdowns at startup compared to version 9.2.3, you can enable the old exFAT driver in Advanced Options > Boot Settings > Use Fuse Driver. Of course, do not enable this option if everything is working properly!

Renamed systems

Where this update might surprise some users is in the renaming of certain systems:

• Atari 800 => Atari 8-bit (aligned with XL/XE compatibility)
• Neo-Geo => Neo-Geo AES (aligned with the new logo and policy)
• Amiga 600 => Amiga ECS/OCS (aligned with non-AGA compatibility)
• Amiga 1200 => Amiga AGA (aligned with AGA compatibility)

Neo-Geo: a change worth highlighting

Regarding Neo-Geo, this change is significant! There are now two distinct Neo-Geo environments:

• The console environment, called “Neo-Geo AES”, with your ROMs located in the roms > neogeo folder.

• The arcade environment, where your Neo-Geo ROMs should now be placed in the roms > fbneo folder. To see this virtual arcade system, you’ll need to enable the arcade virtual system in “List Options”, then enable Neo-Geo.

To be perfectly clear, “console” ROMs and “arcade” ROMs are exactly the same: it all depends on the folder you place them in.

You can find the full release notes via this link!

Enjoy!

Do you enjoy the work of the Recalbox team? Support the project by becoming a Patron!

Recalbox 10 finally integrates original Xbox emulation via the Xemu emulator (on PC and Steam Deck). To mark the occasion, Fab2Ris brings you a 14-minute tutorial video explaining everything you need to know to use it properly. XISO file format, batch conversion, emulator configuration, graphical optimizations: a complete guide to enjoy Xbox exclusives without pulling your hair out.

Converting files to XISO format

The video starts by explaining the main specificity of Xbox emulation: files must be in XISO format (compressed ISO), not raw ISO format. How can you tell the difference? Simple: if all your games have exactly the same size, they are unconverted raw ISOs. The tutorial then walks you through using the "Batch Convert ISO to XISO" tool, which automatically converts your ZIP or ISO files into the correct format, even from a network drive.

Be careful with disk space: a full Xbox set weighs nearly 1.6 TB in ZIP/ISO. Keep that in mind before starting massive downloads.

Configuration and optimizations

The video then details all the important settings: Europe/PAL region, language, 720p/1080i resolutions, 16:9 ratio, stereo audio only (surround causes Xemu to glitch). You’ll also learn how to display FPS to monitor performance, enable the menu bar for quick access to options, and use upscaling (×2, ×3, ×4) if you have a powerful enough PC.

Bonus for Steam Deck users: a tip about stretch mode to use the full 16:10 screen, at the cost of slight image distortion.

Do you enjoy the work of the Recalbox team? Support the project by becoming a Patron!

Do you own a Card Reader and love the Neo Geo? You’ve been heard! Discover the new Neo Geo front panel and its RecalCards, available starting today on the Recalbox store.

The Neo Geo, a console released by SNK in 1990, is known for being technically identical to arcade machines of the time — a remarkable achievement back then. Extremely powerful but very expensive (around $600 at launch), it was aimed at a niche audience of wealthy enthusiasts, making it a more exclusive console than others. Today, it remains a cult system, especially revered in the retrogaming community for its fighting games and shoot ’em ups.

Metal Slug, King of Fighters '98, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, and Puzzle Bobble are titles that helped shape the golden age of video games, sometimes even creating genres that are often imitated but rarely matched.

If nostalgia hits you (not really our style…), you can transform your RecalTower and its Card Reader with Neo Geo colors and insert your dedicated cartridges, which, as a reminder, can be customized using the RecalCard Generator.

Warning: to use this front panel, you must own a Card Reader. Additionally, since each RecalCard has a unique ID (here 0007, 0008, 0009, 0010, and 0011), please only order one kit per series.

If you support the Recalbox project through the Patron program, you get a 10% discount on the store by entering your promo code available in your Patron space — don’t forget it! Finally, note that Patron tiers 2 and 3 will soon receive exclusive Collector RecalCards in their mailboxes... including, among other things, visuals from major Neo Geo titles 😉

If there’s one standout visual addition in Recalbox 10, it’s the built-in theme manager, which lets you download and switch themes on the fly, directly from the interface. Browse available themes, preview screenshots, and install them with a single click. A highly anticipated feature that radically transforms the user experience.

Instant customization

While installing a new theme is quick and incredibly easy, Fab2Ris has still put together a video to guide you through this new manager, accessible from the Recalbox menu. You’ll learn how to browse themes, identify those compatible with your setup (HDMI, CRT 15 kHz, JAMMA, vertical mode), and preview them before installation. Neo-Retro, Pixel Art, Original Xbox... including the new highly customizable official Recalbox theme, you’re bound to find something you love!

Installation is instant: a single click is enough to download and activate a new theme. Your interface updates in real time, with no reboot required. Bonus: some themes are configurable (transitions, animations, layouts) directly from the manager. Finally, note that if you support the Recalbox project via Patreon, you get access to exclusive themes.

Note for Raspberry Pi users: the team recommends using a Raspberry Pi with at least 4 GB of RAM to avoid slowdowns with high-definition themes.

Our partner and friends from Art'cade will be attending Gones Games, the video game and esports event of the Foire de Lyon, on March 21–22, 2026. Part of their booth will be entirely dedicated to Recalbox, featuring live demonstrations of the RGB Dual 2 and RGB JAMMA 2. It’s the perfect opportunity to see these arcade and CRT solutions in action and meet members of the passionate Lyon retro gaming community.

Gones Games: Lyon’s gaming event

Now in its third edition, Gones Games is becoming a key video game event in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The program includes esports tournaments (Splatoon 3, Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6), hands-on time with the Nintendo Switch 2 through the Nintendo League, as well as cosplay and pop culture activities. All of this takes place in a fully immersive atmosphere bringing together hardcore fans, competitors, and curious visitors alike.

Art'cade: retro gaming passion with a Lyon touch

Art'cade is a Lyon-based association dedicated to bringing classic arcade machines back to life, often with a distinctive urban art style that immediately stands out. A true hub for retro gaming enthusiasts in Lyon, the association organizes unique events and runs a community arcade space called Arcade in the Box, designed for sharing and social gaming moments.

Art'cade also sells original arcade cabinets customized by local artists, blending street art and gaming with true French craftsmanship.

Try the RGB Dual 2 and RGB JAMMA 2

At the Art'cade booth, visitors will be able to see and try the Recalbox RGB Dual 2 and Recalbox RGB JAMMA 2 in live demos during the event. The RGB Dual 2 lets you connect a Raspberry Pi 5 directly to a CRT display via RGB, VGA, or HDMI. Meanwhile, the RGB JAMMA 2 transforms your arcade cabinet into a complete emulation system compatible with the JAMMA standard.

Join us on March 21–22 at Eurexpo Lyon to experience Recalbox alongside fellow enthusiasts!

Practical info: Gones Games / Art'cade

One Credit Challenge #14 takes us back to 1989 with Don Doko Don, a fixed-screen action-platformer by Taito. Bob and Jim, two dwarf lumberjacks armed with mallets, must rescue the princess of Merry Land by knocking out enemies with their hammers, then picking them up and throwing them at other foes. A spiritual cousin of Bubble Bobble with an addictive combo system and colorful graphics typical of Taito’s golden age.

Did someone say Bubble Bobble?

What makes Don Doko Don special? You use your hammer to stun enemies, then pick them up and throw them against a wall or other enemies to destroy them and trigger score bonuses. Combos are the key to scoring: the more you chain them, the more points you rack up.
Power-ups are essential: potions to level up, the death hammer, the flying hammer for ranged attacks, and magic books that instantly eliminate all enemies on screen.

Fruits dropped by defeated enemies also grant points, and some levels hide keys that unlock secret bonus stages. Make sure to collect them to maximize your score!

🏆 Challenge rules

Your goal is to achieve the highest score using a single credit.
The challenge runs from March 16 to March 31 at 11:59 PM. You can try as many times as you want.

📢 How to participate?

• Launch the game (ROM: dondokod)
• Play and try to beat the highest score
• Take a screenshot or photo of your final score
• Share your score on the Discord channel #challenges by indicating your username and your score.

⚖️ Rules to follow

To ensure a fair challenge:

• The score must be achieved on a single credit, without save states, rewind, cheats, or auto-fire (unless it is part of the original game).

• Gentlemen’s agreement: using glitches that artificially inflate the score is also prohibited.

🎁 Rewards and fair play

The goal of the challenge is above all to discover games, share tips, and of course have fun, all in a spirit of friendly competition!

The winner will receive a game key (GOG, Steam, etc.) to choose from a list of around 100 titles.
If you have already won a challenge in the past three months, the reward will go to the next participant.

Your ranking will be added to the One Credit Challenge scoreboard.
The champion of the first season will win either an RGB Dual 2 or one year of Recalbox Patreon.

Good luck to everyone, and may the best score win!

Have you just received your Recalbox RGB JAMMA 2 or updated to the latest version and feel a bit lost in the menus? Fab2Ris has released a complete 11-minute tutorial video that walks you through every setting, option, and shortcut to get the most out of your arcade cabinet.

A complete guide from A to Z

The video explores all available options: screen modes (15 kHz, 31 kHz...), HDMI priority to temporarily switch to an external display without opening your cabinet, audio configurations (stereo jack, JAMMA mono, gain adjustment), customizable Neo Geo layouts, 4-player mode... everything is covered.

You will also discover practical panel shortcuts: adding credits, fast forward, rewind, savestates, and in-game volume adjustment. Not to mention the Twin Stick (dual joystick) option to rediscover Smash TV or Total Carnage in authentic arcade conditions, as well as input lag reduction features to optimize responsiveness.

Whether you're using a 15 kHz CRT, 31 kHz display, or a multi-frequency monitor, this video will help you fine-tune your setup for a perfectly crafted arcade experience.

You can also find the full online manual and join the Recalbox Discord to ask the community your questions.

Enjoy the work of the Recalbox team? Support the project by becoming a Patron!

After the launch of the RecalCard Generator in February, the Recalbox team (and more specifically Bounitos) has just released a major update that turns the tool into a true label manager. Version 2 brings highly requested features: naming, editing, batch deletion, and most importantly import/export to share your creations with the community.

Reminder: what is a RecalCard?

RecalCards are collectible physical cards designed by Recalbox that fit into the Card Reader, a dedicated reader that sits on top of your Recaltower. The idea? Bring back that nostalgic gesture from the past: choose a cartridge, blow into it (of course), insert it into the reader, and the game launches automatically. Blank when you receive them, each RecalCard can be programmed by you to launch the game of your choice from your Recalbox library.

Recalbox Patrons level 2 and 3 will receive exclusive Collector RecalCards every two months featuring artwork created by the team, paying tribute to cult retro gaming titles. These limited editions will never be available in stores.

Manage your labels like a pro

The new version lets you name your labels so you can better organize your creations. You can now edit an existing label without having to start over, and delete multiple labels at once thanks to batch selection. Very useful when testing different variations of the same artwork or when cleaning up your library.

Share your creations

The most anticipated feature is probably export/import. You can now export your labels as a file and share them with other users on the Recalbox Discord. Conversely, you can import creations from the community directly into your generator. A fan created a full Final Fantasy pack? You can grab it in one click and print it for your own RecalCards.

Selective printing

Another handy addition: you can now precisely select the labels you want to export as a PDF for printing. No more printing your entire collection when you just want to add three new games to your set.

Note: it is not possible to export or edit labels created in v1.

Head over to RecalCards Gen to try out these new features!

Enjoy the work of the Recalbox team? Support the project by becoming a Patron!

You've certainly seen it on social media, Nintendo unveiled the final trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie during a Nintendo Direct on March 9, 2026. After Yoshi's presentation in January, this latest trailer confirms Donald Glover as the voice of Yoshi, and reveals Issa Rae as Honey Queen and Luis Guzman as Wart. The film releases on April 1st, 2026.

The (almost) complete English and French cast

In the original version, Donald Glover (Atlanta, Community) voices Yoshi, joining Chris Pratt (Mario), Charlie Day (Luigi), Jack Black (Bowser), Anya Taylor-Joy (Princess Peach) and Brie Larson (Rosalina). Newcomers include Issa Rae (Honey Queen) and Luis Guzman (Wart).

For the French version, the cast from the first film returns: Pierre Tessier (Mario), Benoît Du Pac (Luigi), Jérémie Covillault (Bowser), Audrey Sourdive (Peach) and Emmanuel Garijo (Toad). Yoshi's French voice has not yet been officially announced by Nintendo France. This French dubbing had received excellent feedback during the first film, to the point that American viewers envied our version on social media.

Spectacular sequences

This final trailer multiplies action sequences across different galaxies. We see Mario navigating between planets with reversed gravity, Yoshi fighting a giant T-Rex alongside the plumber brothers, battles against Bowser Jr. in space, and dizzying chase scenes. The film promises a large-scale space adventure, three years after the phenomenal success of the first installment which grossed 1.36 billion dollars at the worldwide box office.

Sources: Nintendo, Journal du Geek, Nintendo Difference

Enjoying the Recalbox team's work? Support the project by becoming a Patron!

8BitMods, the creator of the well-known VMUPro, has just unveiled the BitLink DC, a two-part system that turns your Dreamcast into a wireless console. A dongle plugs into the console, an adapter installs inside your original controller, and that’s it. Pre-orders are now open, with delivery expected in the coming months.

The dongle: the console-side receiver

The BitLink DC Dongle plugs into any Dreamcast controller port. It acts as a wireless receiver and offers several advantages: four virtual memory cards so you never run out of space again, a USB-C port to connect wired controllers, and keyboard/mouse support for compatible games such as Quake III Arena or The Typing of the Dead. One important point: one dongle manages only one wireless controller, so if you want to play with four players, you’ll need four.

Image : 8BitMods

The adapter: turning your controller wireless

The BitLink DC Adapter fits into the second port of the controller, where the Rumble Pack used to plug in. Installation requires opening the controller to connect a small internal cable (no soldering required). Once installed, it turns your controller into a wireless version while keeping vibration support thanks to its built-in motor. Its 2200 mAh battery provides several hours of gameplay and can even recharge a connected VMUPro. Bonus: it also works on PC and Mac via Bluetooth.

Image : 8BitMods

Price and availability

The dongle alone costs £27, while the complete kit (dongle + adapter) costs £70. Available in white and black, as reported by Time Extension, they are compatible with official Dreamcast controllers, the Arcade Stick, and the StrikerDC from Retro Fighters.

Sources: 8BitMods, Time Extension, Retro Dodo

The GameCube arrives on Raspberry Pi 5 with Recalbox 10! To help you get the most out of this demanding emulation, Fab2Ris has prepared a complete video tutorial guiding you step by step through the settings and optimizations. From overclocking to emulator tips, discover how to run Mario Kart Double Dash or Zelda: The Wind Waker in the best possible conditions.

Essential settings explained

This video covers all the key points to optimize your GameCube experience: freeing up system resources, choosing the right emulator, enabling or disabling the Vulkan driver, and using Recalbox 10’s advanced system settings. You’ll learn how to fine-tune the graphics settings according to your needs.

Bonus: built-in cheat codes

As a bonus, the tutorial also shows you how to enable cheat codes directly from the Dolphin-GUI emulator. Giant Link with the Master Sword right at the start of Wind Waker? It’s possible—and very easy to set up. A great way to rediscover your classics in a whole new way!

Check out the video below to see all these settings in action and optimize your GameCube on Raspberry Pi 5 (or PC or Steam Deck).

Enjoy the work of the Recalbox team? Support the project by becoming a Patron!