Blog

You may have seen it on Fabrice's live show or on our networks: Recalbox is currently in the development test phase on the Steam Deck. Before you rush off to Valve's machine, let's take stock.

As you know, we're deploying Recalbox on a variety of hardware: Raspberry Pi of course, but also Retroflag, Anbernic, Odroid, etc. You can find the list of compatible devices at this link. Our philosophy remains unchanged: to offer a plug and play solution that's accessible and doesn't require too much fiddling. Quality over quantity.

That hasn't stopped us from keeping an eye on new systems and the expectations of our community. The Steam Deck is one of them, and that's why David, one of Recalbox's developers, has been looking into the matter.

On 14 February, you saw the first image of the Steam Deck running Recalbox. But the work is far from over.

So far, David has managed to boot Recalbox via an SD card, without touching the internal storage (after having authorised booting on other media in the BIOS). The video works, but the display is currently rotated 90° (a rotation has been forced for the photo). For the time being, neither the sound nor the controls are functional.

As you can see, we're still in the early stages of development. But the idea of being able to alternate between modern games via Steam and retrogaming via Recalbox is extremely exciting!

For the time being, no roll-out date has been set. We'll keep you posted on the progress of the project on our networks, during lives and on the blog.

And here we are! I've been writing on this blog for three months now, and this is already the hundredth post. I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you about this aspect of the Recalbox project, invite you to join me on this adventure and thank a few people.

PRESS START

During the summer of 2017, I was trying to rebuild my PlayStation 1 library: console, controllers, a dozen or so games, some of which were pretty hard to find. Then my brother-in-law said to me: ‘Well, try Recalbox, I've got a Raspberry lying around’. I was intrigued... Two words in that sentence were completely new to me. An hour later, controller in hand, I was playing Micro Maniacs, and all my questions were gone.

I had in front of me the solution I'd been hoping for for years. A real dream! Every time I launched a game, I couldn't help but let out a ‘rho, that's crazy! I was a shadow user for a few years, I set up a bartop, equipped myself with a cathode-ray TV (three, actually, because... ‘you never know’) and RGB Dual to take back a nostalgic slap.

At the same time, from 2015 to 2024, a friend and I set up a website where I learned about writing and journalism. I quickly realised that I enjoyed covering an event as much as sharing it. In October 2024, we sold the site, which had become far too time-consuming for a simple passion project.

STAGE 1

It only took a month for me to contact DigitalLumberjack and offer to share my passion for retrogaming and my belief in the Recalbox project via the blog. After three ‘test’ articles, the ball was rolling.

And it was done with total confidence. Carte blanche. ‘Make yourself happy. I'd like to thank Digi for his trust, for the time he took to guide me and simply for his simplicity and friendliness. Thank you for allowing me to experience this adventure with you.

With you, because Recalbox is above all a human adventure. I've been lucky enough to join the team of beta-testers, a group that's hard to describe because it combines constant humour, incredible hard work and infinite patience to respond to the noob that I am, or to help me with certain articles.

Behind the scenes, I found exactly what I'd imagined: a group of friends united by their love of retrogaming. Whether we're having a good time or working hard, everyone is driven by the same passion. I had no idea how much work goes into developing a new version of Recalbox.

So, personally, I'd like to thank you for welcoming me and helping me, both with Recalbox and with the editorial team. I'm sincerely proud to be part of this adventure. And more broadly, and I think I speak for a lot of users: thank you for this project that you're carrying forward. Truly.

CONTINUE?

Now that everyone is nice and friendly... what's next? We're going to keep going. And I do mean ‘our’, because I'm going to be asking for your help.

As you'll have noticed, I mainly cover general retrogaming news via sites like Time Extension, Retro News, Retro Dodo, Le Mag MO5, etc., as well as ‘inside’ news about Recalbox through its current projects, tutorials, partnerships, IRL events...

But I may miss something you think is important to share. If you discover a neo-retro game, a homebrew project or a fun news item, don't hesitate to pass it on to me on Discord (in a private message or by tagging me). If I can, I'll write about it.

And don't hesitate to let me know what you think. Sometimes I write silly things, get a date or a console wrong, or make some twisted turns of phrase. When you've got your nose to the keyboard, it's not always obvious when you re-read.

Your help is invaluable. Like everyone else, between work, family and free time, my news research and writing time are limited. Sometimes I go too fast or miss relevant publications.

Finally, I'd like to thank you for your feedback, which I wasn't expecting, and for your presence on the blog, which is growing all the time.

Happy Valentine's Day! (I think it's a silly phrase, and a silly holiday, but I didn't know how to end this article). And for those of you who are on your own today... remember that some couples would have preferred to switch on their Recalbox.

Passion only has meaning if it's shared.

The famous beat'em all Golden Axe, originally released as an arcade game in 1989 on the Sega System 16 and then on Mega Drive, had never been officially ported to Neo Geo... until now. Homebrew developer Hoffman, already behind the porting of Shinobi to Neo Geo, has just released its adaptation of the game, the result of painstaking reverse-engineering and development work.

Hoffman explains that the port was created using a combination of analysis of the original code and new development to ensure that the gameplay and visuals were as faithful as possible to the arcade version.

This version includes the original arcade difficulty settings, the ability to select game region (Japan or World), as well as an exclusive soundtrack for the Neo Geo CD version, composed by Richard Douglas.

The developer has also fine-tuned certain technical aspects. He has improved his graphics tools to bring them even closer to the arcade version, and has paid particular attention to sound quality. The soundtrack comes directly from the original System 16 PCB. Some audio files have even been replaced by higher quality versions after extensive research into the original samples.

This homebrew port runs on the original consoles, most flash cartridge solutions and emulators. We haven't tested it on Recalbox yet, but if you'd like to give it a go and give us some feedback on Discord, the game is available now as a free download from Hoffman's itch.io page.

With the announcement of the remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny and the imminent arrival of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Capcom seems determined to revive its famous saga. But for many fans, there's one big absentee: Onimusha 3: Demon Siege.

This third opus, released in 2004, left a lasting impression thanks in particular to the presence of a guest star: Jean Reno, who played Jacques Blanc, a policeman thrust unwillingly into feudal Japan. His face and movements were integrated directly into the game, in addition to his dubbing. Since then, his return in a possible remaster has become a recurring topic among fans.

Jean Reno ready to reprise his role

Following the announcement of the Onimusha 2 remaster, the website VG247 contacted Jean Reno's agent to find out if he would be interested in returning to the Onimusha universe. The response was swift:

Of course Jean would be delighted to reprise his role in Onimusha 3.

A brief statement, but one that will be enough to make fans of the game dream. Because if Capcom decides to remaster Onimusha 3, it would make sense for the 76-year-old actor to be involved again. The saga has already shown its attachment to the original actors: for the remaster of Onimusha: Warlords in 2018, Takeshi Kaneshiro returned to record his dialogue for the role of Samanosuke.

An expected but uncertain remaster

It now remains to be seen whether Capcom will dare to take the plunge. There was a long gap between the remasters of Onimusha 1 and 2 (seven years), and Onimusha 2 hasn't even been precisely dated yet. But with Way of the Sword in the pipeline and interest in the series growing, a remaster of Onimusha 3 could well be the next logical step.

Sources: Time Extension / VG247

The Recalbox blog is not designed to review video games. However, occasionally a neo-retro title catches my eye, prompting me to contact the publisher to obtain a copy and tell you all about it.

This is a rare occurrence: writing a review takes time, and Fabrice already presents many games in the Retrogaming News on Mondays, as well as testing some of them live on Thursdays.

But exceptions have to be made, and Rogue Flight is one of them. This 3D space shoot'em up will immediately remind Star Fox fans of the genre.

I'll admit it: as someone who didn't own a Nintendo 64, I've never played Star Fox. In fact, Rogue Flight was one of my very first 3D space shoot'em ups when I saw it from the back. But as soon as I saw the first trailers, I was immediately taken by its aesthetics and scoring.

A visual and audio tribute to the 80s and 90s

If Rogue Flight is immediately appealing, it's thanks to its meticulous art direction, directly inspired by the Japanese anime of the 80s and 90s. The game uses a grainy VHS-style filter (which can be deactivated) to further accentuate the retro atmosphere. Lighting effects, chara-design, enemies: everything exudes a love of old sci-fi anime.

The soundtrack, surprisingly, avoids the overly ‘gruff’ feel often associated with the genre. As for the dubbing, available in Japanese and English, it offers consistent interpretations without going overboard

The game is very beautiful

A classic scenario

The story is fairly conventional: the Earth has been destroyed by ARGUS, an interstellar surveillance system which, like any self-respecting AI, has rebelled against humans. The survivors, hiding in the shadows, launch a counter-attack with their last hope: Nadia, who seems to be the only one capable of piloting a ship.

At the controls of the Arrow, her combat aircraft, Nadia will have to face down the enemy. The storyline is merely a pretext for the multiple runs that await players, but that's not a problem, since the gameplay is the real strength of the game.

Accessible but demanding gameplay

Having little experience of rail shooters, my first few games were a carnage. Rogue Flight is a demanding game (and that's not a criticism!), where barrels are essential for dodging and absorbing enemy fire.

The only downside is that this mechanic is overpowered at the start of the game, as it has no cooldown. Against the first boss, I felt like I was cheating by using it ad infinitum. A bit more fine-tuning would have been nice.

In terms of controls, the game remains simple to get to grips with:

• A main shot, with several types of weapon to unlock,
• A target lock to send missiles,
• The barrel, essential for survival,
• A super dodge that slows down the action and destroys several enemies in one go.

While the barrel may seem excessive at first, it won't be enough in the higher levels, where the game reveals all its tactical depth.

In terms of gameplay, there's a well-thought-out mechanic: a combo gauge fills up as you shoot. Once it's full, it recharges your ship's shield, so you'll have to hit enemy after enemy to keep the gauge from falling back to zero.

Classic arcade mode and a tough roguelite mode

The arcade mode offers a classic first adventure, with three lives per run. Once you've used up all your lives, you have to restart the current level. Alternative paths offer replayability and different endings.

But the most important part of the game is the roguelite mode, which can be unlocked after completing the arcade once. Here, death means starting all over again. If you like challenges and scoring, you're in for a real treat.

As you complete each run, you'll earn upgrades that modify the ship's performance and appearance. The workshop quickly becomes indispensable if you hope to survive the highest difficulty levels. A New Game + is also available, allowing you to explore alternative routes and remixed levels (and different endings).

Il vous faudra améliorer votre vaisseau pour espérer survivre à haut niveau

Verdict: immediate fun, but limited replayability

Beware, Rogue Flight doesn't have the depth of Hades. The same settings are quickly repeated and the bestiary lacks variety. It's not a game you'll spend 600 hours playing, but that's not its ambition either.

The studio has preferred to concentrate on the essentials: fluid, immediate gameplay, where you spend more time playing than navigating the menus. Everything is designed to be a nervous, instinctive experience.

As soon as you find your rhythm, you become one with the ship. The action is intense, the effects explosive, and each level's end leaves you breathing a sigh of relief after coming so close to disaster.

Arcade mode ends quickly, but it's as you ramp up the difficulty and explore roguelite mode that the game reveals its true potential.

It may lack a little variety to prolong the experience over the long term, but at £20, it's hard to hold that against it. What's more, the 97% positive reviews on Steam speak for themselves.

Rogue Flight was tested on PS5 via a code provided by Perp Games, to whom I extend my warmest thanks. Developed by Truant Pixel, it is available on PC, Switch, PlayStation and Xbox.

If you're a lover of cyberpunk and run-and-gun games, here's a title that should catch your eye. Neon Inferno, a retro-futuristic game developed by Zenovia, is set to hit all platforms in 2025.

The game will plunge you into a dystopian New York in 2055**, where two heroes, members of a powerful city clan, will confront criminals determined to impose their law on a city plagued by a police force corrupt to the bone.

A tribute to the classics with a modern twist

The development team has made no secret of its inspirations, drawing directly on references such as Wild Guns and Contra. While Neon Inferno pays homage to 32-bit games, it also seeks to innovate by offering modern gameplay mechanics. There's a Bullet Time for dodging bullets, and enemies to shoot appear in the background, adding a sense of depth to the levels.

So you won't just be running and gunning: the gameplay looks set to be varied and inspired, as the trailer shows. The bestiary promises great diversity, with several types of enemy and bosses with very distinct patterns.

Striking art direction to great effect

All this is enhanced by a striking art direction, paying homage to the 32-bit era, with a great-looking CRT filter (which can be deactivated, given the Steam screenshots). In addition to its polished atmosphere, Neon Inferno will feature :

• A cooperative mode
• A equipment system
• Several difficulty modes
• An arcade mode dedicated to purists

A demo available

For the impatient, a Steam demo is already available. It allows you to explore an entire level and get a first glimpse of the game's gameplay and atmosphere.

Neon Inferno looks set to be a modern-day run-and-gun staple. It remains to be seen whether it will succeed in capturing the magic of the classics while adding its own identity!

If you are on this blog, it is very likely that you are a Recalbox user. Many of us want to remember our childhood memories and share them with friends and family.

Emulation has never been more accessible than today. Nevertheless, some players continue to play on the original consoles, and we understand them (we are part of it). Our old machines have a design rooted in pop culture, and nothing replaces their original sounds, controllers and sensations.

A poll published in the United States on February 8 (and therefore only relevant to that country) highlights the players' attachment to the original material. Conducted in May 2024 on a panel of 2,022 adult North American residents, this survey provides some interesting and rare enough numbers to be shared.

Let’s get to the point: of these 2,022 people, 14% used an original retro console at home in 2023 (year 2000 being the limit for retrogaming for this survey).

It is important to put this figure in perspective: these are consoles that are more than 25 years old (at best), no longer on the market, difficult to repair and sometimes requiring specific screens (CRT).

We should also note that many retro games are accessible via the online shops of different manufacturers (classics stores), or through emulation, which avoids clutter and multiplication of cables. So you might think that comfort is more important than authenticity. Yet it seems – and we hope so – that our good old consoles still have some guardian angels.

Some Recalbox users are also included. On our dedicated Discord channel real-hardware, many of you share your treasures or ask for help with the restoration of old consoles and even ordinosaures.

If you are wondering if you are a one-off by watching your VHS tapes or using other systems from another time, you can visit the survey page to be reassured.

Source: Time Extension

Square Enix has done a tremendous job on the remake of Final Fantasy VII. Composed of three parts, this project has so far convinced fans with its first two parts.

Graphics, gameplay, storyline development: this is a true remake that assumes its heritage while offering many new features. However, he can be blamed for his episodic pattern, forcing players to go through the checkout three times to wrap up the story of Cloud and his companions. However, the enthusiastic reception of the specialized press and players relegates this disadvantage to a secondary level.

Another Final Fantasy has a special place in the hearts of fans: Final Fantasy IX. Taking a character design close to that of FFVII, it marked a return to the heroic fantasy, thus reconnecting with the first inspirations of the saga. With its deep storyline, mature themes and characters as varied as endearing, it remains an essential opus.

For a few months, persistent rumors have been circulating on the web. Although they should be taken with care, they come from generally reliable leakers.

This is a tweet from NatetheHate2 who recently put Final Fantasy IX back in the spotlight. When asked by a follower about possible news of the game, he replied:

"Both [FF9 and FF Tactics] are still in active development. FFIX is not expected to be released in 2025. Maybe we’ll see him out in 2026."

The project seems to be underway, although Square Enix has not yet made it official. According to previous rumors, the development was initially entrusted to an external studio, but, considered unsatisfactory, it was taken internally by Square Enix and is now at an advanced stage.

Finally, unlike the remake of Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy IX would not receive the same prestige treatment, perhaps due to a smaller fanbase. The game would remain more faithful to the original game, released in 2000 on PlayStation 1.

All this is of course still to be taken lightly, but these leaks are beginning to gain credibility with many media. If a release in 2026 is really planned, an official release by Square Enix this year seems quite plausible.

Source: Retro News

Just a few years ago, it was hard to imagine playing our childhood games online. Multiplayer was limited to sofa evenings with several controllers and split screens, or even, a little later, to LAN games on PC.

Let's face it, it's hard to recapture that feeling today, so much so that we often raise the positive point when a modern game offers split-screen... Fortunately, there's now a way to network play your childhood games with your friends on Recalbox: Netplay! 🚀 Here's how to take advantage of it.

🛠️ Prerequisites

✔️ Have Recalbox up to date (9.2.3 at the time of writing).

✔️ Connect your Recalbox to the network, preferably RJ45 📶 (Wi-Fi can be unstable).

✔️ Have the same ROMs as your friends to ensure compatibility.

⚠️ Points of attention before you get started

Not all systems are compatible with Netplay ❌. Don't worry if you want to score with several people on arcade, MAME and FBNeo are compatible. Other consoles are of course compatible such as Mega Drive, NES, Super NES and many others that we are trying to update as we go along.

We invite you to watch 🎥 Fabrice's video (from 1 min 40) for more details and to join us on the Netplay channel of our Discord 💬 for the full list of compatible systems (and to find gaming partners!).

⚙️ Set up Netplay

1️⃣ Go to Game Options > Netplay Options.

2️⃣ Activate Netplay, enter your nickname and note down the port number, which you can use later.

3️⃣ Leave the Netplay Relay Server set to "None" (only useful on certain public networks).

4️⃣ Set a password to privatise your parts.

5️⃣ Activate "Hash ROMs" to guarantee compatibility with your friends.

🎲 Host a game

1️⃣ Choose your game and launch it by pressing Y (triangle on PS1) instead of A (X on PS1).

2️⃣ A pop-up will appear to set up password protection.

3️⃣ Click on Start to launch the game!

🎮 Join a game

1️⃣ Stay on the system selection screen and press Y (triangle on PS1).

2️⃣ A list of games in progress will appear: 📌

On the left: the games concerned.

👤 On the right: the host nickname + other useful info (compatibility, core used, etc.).

3️⃣ Select the game and choose whether to join as a player or spectator.

4️⃣ Enter the password provided by the host and... off you go! 🚀 ---

⚡ Maximise compatibility and reduce latency

To improve the stability of your connection, you can open the ports on your box.

1️⃣ Connect to the administrator interface of your box (specific addresses of operators at the bottom of the article under the video).

2️⃣ Add the port number indicated in the Netplay menu.

3️⃣ Result: improved compatibility and reduced latency.

📺 A detailed demonstration is available from 10 minutes in the video below, with an example on the BBox. As each box has its own settings, you can easily find tutorials on the Internet.

🏠 Netplay locally

If you have two Recalboxes connected to the same network and want to play Netplay together, you'll need:

🔧 Change the port number on one of the two Recalboxes.

📡 Add this port in the administrator interface of your Internet box.

✅ This will prevent conflicts between the two Recalboxes and ensure a stable connection!

🎉 Ready to play!

Now you're ready for your online adventure!

🎮 Whether you are using HDMI, RGB Dual or RGB JAMMA on an arcade terminal 🕹️, these different pieces of hardware do not interfere with Netplay.

💡 The main thing is to have the same ROMs (hashed), the same core and the same version of Recalbox.

📺 Below, find Fabrice's video 🎥 on which this tutorial is based.

📢 Need help? Join us on Discord 💬 !

More details on our Wiki

ACCESS YOUR BOX MANAGEMENT INTERFACE:

▪️ Orange - Livebox 4/5/6/7 : http://livebox/ Adresse IP : 192.168.1.1 Identifiant : admin Mot de passe : 8 premiers caractères de la clé WiFi

▪️ Orange - Livebox Play : http://livebox/ Adresse IP : 192.168.1.1 Identifiant : admin Mot de passe : A définir lors de la 1ère connexion

▪️ Free - Freebox (tous les modèles) : http://mafreebox.freebox.fr Adresse IP : n/a Identifiant : n/a Mot de passe : A définir lors de la 1ère connexion

▪️ SFR - NB4 / NB6 / Box Plus : n/a Adresse IP : 192.168.1.1 Identifiant : admin Mot de passe : clé de sécurité WiFi

▪️ SFR - Box THD (câble) : http://monmodem Adresse IP : 192.168.0.1 Identifiant : admin Mot de passe : Mot de passe indiqué sur l’étiquette sous la box

▪️ Bouygues Telecom Bbox (modem blanc) : https://mabbox.bytel.fr Adresse IP : 192.168.1.254 Identifiant : n/a Mot de passe : A définir lors de la 1ère connexion

▪️ Bouygues Telecom Ancienne Bbox : https://mabbox.bytel.fr Adresse IP : 192.168.1.254 Identifiant : admin Mot de passe : admin (par défaut)

Mega Cat Studios recently shared an update on their highly anticipated shoot’em up ZPF scheduled for Mega Drive / Genesis, and which we already told you about a few weeks ago. On this occasion, a new trailer (which you will find at the bottom of the article) focused on the game’s story was unveiled, along with an important announcement: the release date for Kickstarter and pre-orders rewards is postponed from Q1 2025 to May.

A dive into the world of ZPF

The new trailer is narrated by a mysterious character named Quigely who introduces the three playable heroes and the game’s three distinct worlds. Each character has its own story and is presented in a beautiful pencil style:

• Knight is an ancient armor forged by forgotten gods, now piloted by a magician of great talent.
• Gold is a cyborg who takes on dangerous missions for the authorities of a futuristic city.
• Gladius is a ship piloted by one of the last survivors of a space colony decimated by an alien invasion, seeking revenge against these mutant abominations.

Fate brings the three protagonists together through a series of time-lapses that push them to face an unknown evil force.

Development almost completed, but inevitable delay

According to the developers, ZPF is almost finished and the team is now focusing on final adjustments. However, unexpected "delays from suppliers during the holiday season" forced Mega Cat Studios to postpone release. This additional time will allow to refine the game by performing extensive tests to ensure a smooth and seamless experience.

Kickstarter success

ZPF made a splash in its fundraising campaign on July 2024, reaching more than 1000% of its original target. This success is a testament to the enthusiasm of players for this project that combines frenetic action, impressive boss battles and a survitaminated soundtrack.

With this slight delay, fans of shoot’em up retro will have to wait a little longer before they can get their hands on this promising title. Meanwhile, the new trailer provides a foretaste of the epic adventure ahead.

You couldn't miss the election of the new President of the United States, Donald Trump. The 47th President of the United States is not one to mince his words. The proof is in the forthcoming imposition of customs duties, particularly on imports from Canada, Mexico and China.

These tariffs are of particular concern to the retrogaming community in the United States, for one simple reason: almost all retro hardware comes from China. The YouTube channel Retro Game Corps, which lists many handheld consoles, looked into the matter:

*"I'm seeing a lot of questions about US tariffs on handheld consoles, especially since the de minimis exception (which previously allowed 25% tariffs to not apply to handheld consoles) has been suspended. To

give a concrete example, this would mean seeing the Anbernic RG353M Recalbox compatible console in France rise from €159.90 to around €214, which considerably reduces its appeal.

RG353M

Mike Chi, the creator of RetroTink, is also concerned about the speed at which these new duties will be applied:

"New trade regulations are a source of uncertainty, especially as importers have little time to adapt. We strive to maintain the same experience for our domestic customers, but if this situation persists, US shipments could see their prices rise due to tariffs and compliance costs."

"Small businesses may face the greatest challenges in adapting to complex and often changing regulations, due to limited resources."

"The biggest concern at the moment is how sea and air shipments will be affected by the 4 February implementation date."

Other well-known names in the US retrogaming community, such as HD Retrovision (renowned supplier of quality AV cables) or modder Voultar, point out that new stock will be immediately impacted:

"I had hoped to stock up by the end of January, but I think all the inventory (including DIY edge enhancers) will be restocked in February. The new tariff has changed everything."

"Please support small businesses! It's"

important to note that the retrogaming community is largely made up of small businesses run by enthusiasts. These businesses, often financially fragile and operating in a niche with little room for manoeuvre, are likely to suffer from these new provisions.

Source: Time Extension

We regularly feature 8BitDo accessories, a manufacturer renowned for its high-quality, aesthetically pleasing controllers that are compatible with Recalbox.

These accessories also include keyboards. A few weeks ago, we brought you editions paying tribute to the Sega Saturn and the Xbox to mark the anniversaries of these consoles.

Until now, the entire range of 8BitDo keyboards has only been available with a layout US, in other words "QWERTY " keyboards. This situation is changing with the arrival of two models for the European market.

The C64, in the colours of the Commodore 64, will be available in a "British UK Layout " version, while the "N Edition ", in the colours of the NES, will be available in AZERTY for France, Germany, Spain and the Nordic countries.

Apart from this adaptation of the layout, no other changes are planned. There are still 87 keys, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, and two programmable “super buttons”. The technical specifications remain exactly the same as those of the versions released a few months ago.

Initial tests of the US versions have praised the quality of the 8BitDo keyboards, highlighting their materials, their solid colours and their resolutely retro design, faithful to the mechanical models of yesteryear.

These European versions will be distributed by Game Outlet Europe, a company specialising in video games and accessories.

8BitDo began shipping the retro mechanical keyboard in Europe in 2023 with great success," said David Karlsson, CEO of Game Outlet Europe, in a statement carried by Time Extension. "The demand for European-style layouts has been strong, and we are now delighted to launch a mechanical keyboard for our European customers, tailored to their region and offering both incredible functionality and unique retro style."

The "N Edition" AZERTY keyboard is already available on Amazon. Fingers crossed that other models will be adapted in the future

As every fortnight, you can participate in a new challenge proposed on the Discord of Recalbox. This challenge is open to everyone. The principle is simple: try to achieve the highest score on a game drawn by lot, often from the arcade catalog.

🚀 For this second 2025 challenge, the game selected is Gunbird 2

Released in 1998 on arcade, it is the sequel to Gunbird, released in 1994. Shoot 'em up vertical scrolling developed by Psikyo, Gunbird 2 offers six “hunters” each with their own gameplay. The game offers a colourful universe with steampunk/piracy sauce.

The game has a cute and colorful art direction, as well as very inventive bosses that have impressed minds with their difficulty. It was later ported to the Dreamcast and PlayStation.

🏆The rules of the challenge

At the controls of one of the six protagonists, your objective will be to achieve the highest score in a single credit.

Each character has its own abilities, thus allowing multiple attempts to find the right shoe for you. Like any shoot 'em up that respects itself, you will benefit from a main shot, a charged shot, bombs and a special melee hit, devastating but very risky.

💡 Some tips to shine:

• 🎯 Destroy with precision, aim at the source of enemy fire.
• ⚔️ The attack to the melee will be paramount.
• 🎮 Strategically dismantle each part of the bosses.
• 🔄 Persevere and “learn” the boards, the game is very difficult.

📢 How do I participate?

1. 🎮 Launch the game. (rom "gunbird2")
2. 🏹 Play and try to beat the high score.
3. 📸 Take a screenshot or photo of your final score.
4. 📤 Share your score on the Discord channel #challenges or use the command /submit score leaderboard on that same channel.

⚖️Rules to follow

To ensure fairness in the challenge:

• The score must be achieved in a single credit, without save state, rewind, cheats or auto-fire (unless provided for in the game).

🎁 Rewards and fair play

The challenge is mainly to discover games, share tips and, of course, have fun, all in a spirit of competition always welcome!

The winner will win a game key (GOG, Steam, etc.) to choose from a list of over 80 titles. Note that if you have won a challenge in the last three months, the prize will go to the next 🥇🥈🥉.

Good luck to all, and may the best score win! 🎮 🔥

As you probably already know, your support via Patreon entitles you, among other things, to discount codes on certain online shops. Three new partners are joining us and two are returning, so here's an update:

Four new shops, and not the least, are joining us!

• Tenzen Arcade: The new player in the retrogaming community. Tenzen Arcade will unearth original arcade terminals for you. With a stock displayed in real time and the possibility of placing an order if you want a specific model, any purchase of a Japanese candy cab, such as (New) Astro City, (New) Net City, Blast City, Aero City etc... (excluding NUC) from Tenzen Arcade entitles you to a free Recalbox RGB JAMMA + Pi5 kit.

• SmallCab: The essential site for components for your arcade cabinet, with more than 2000 references on offer. Created in 2008, it is now a leading site for DIY kiosks. Take advantage of an 8% discount on your basket.

• Neofid: The French studio behind DaemonClaw, Demons of Asteborg and Astebros is offering a 15% discount on its shop. You'll find physical cartridges for Mega Drive, Neo Geo and Game Boy Advance, as well as dematerialised ROMs for their games.

• Kubii: Do we still need to introduce the official Raspberry supplier in France? The store offers the entire range marketed by the Raspberry Foundation, and much more besides: Retroflag cases, 8BitDo controllers and sticks, arcade hardware, and even Recalbox goodies and clothing! Take advantage of a 5% discount on purchases of €50 or more.

Two partners are back!

• L'Écureuil Noir : We're back with €10 off, discover a wide range of books dedicated to video games and the Pop Culture that marked our childhood.

• Red Art Games: Back with a 10% discount, this publisher offers a wide range of neo-retro physical games for Switch, PlayStation and Xbox. The titles selected are of consistently high quality, and are often featured on Fabrice's live shows.

Two partners are always on hand.

• Killer Laser: Take advantage of a 10% discount on laser-cut and laser-engraved decorations designed to enhance your gaming room.

• Flex Arcade: These French designers of retro metal arcade machines offer customisable models with premium finishes, designed to last a lifetime. A €150 discount is offered on their creations.

Benefits on Recalbox hardwares.

Finally, don't forget that your support also entitles you to a 10% discount on our shop, which offers the RGB Dual and the RGB JAMMA. These plug-and-play solutions are ideal for bringing your CRT screens and JAMMA kiosks back to life. And who knows, maybe some new hardwares will join this catalogue soon..

To take advantage of these discounts, you'll find your ‘promo codes ’ in your Patron area.

For those who don't know, Patreon allows you to financially support a project (such as Recalbox). This support is optional, and there are several formulas available to suit everyone's possibilities, with no obligation.

Because your support is essential to us, we owe these ‘Patrons ’ benefits to you. Other exclusive benefits reward your support: priority scraping, exclusive music and wallpapers, dedicated channels on Discord... All this is a way of saying thank you. Thank you for supporting the project, thank you for pushing us to go further, and thank you for making Recalbox what it is today.

I'd also like to say a final word of thanks to our partners, for their trust and generosity, and for proving that Retrogaming is above all about community.

Many people want to restore an arcade cabinet or create one from scratch in the neo-borne style. We thought it was important to take a look at how this project works and to highlight the mistakes to avoid before getting started.

First of all, know that the aim is not to discourage you. In 2018, I created a bartop myself, and I can assure you that, in terms of DIY, hardware and software, I was far from an expert.

However, it's essential to be aware of a few things before taking the plunge, so as not to spend money unnecessarily, waste time, and above all, avoid getting discouraged.

This post is being written at a time when, on our Discord #support channel, we're seeing a lot of people getting stuck at various stages of their project. But these obstacles could have been avoided. Amos, our beta tester and support, reminded us of these crucial points, which we'll expand on here.

1️⃣ Learn about the arcade

The arcade is a fascinating world 🕹️: its history, its machines and the iconic games it has spawned. Take the time to find out more. Explore Facebook groups, check out forums, join our Discord, watch videos, but above all, never rely on just one source. You run the risk of encountering untruths or sincere opinions, but limited by a single point of view.

This research will also familiarise you with the vocabulary and codes of the arcade, which will naturally point you in one of two directions: restoring an original terminal or creating a terminal from scratch. The path will be quite different.

Personally, I find it much easier to create a bollard from scratch. You'll have full control over your components and know your “baby” inside out. What's more, it's much easier to find the components you need.

Restoring a vintage 🛠️ bollard (like the Aero City, Astro City, Naomi... models) requires more knowledge of the hardware and a bit more DIY.

🎛️ The RGB JAMMA solution with Recalbox

If you have a JAMMA bollard, Recalbox offers a Plug and Play solution: the RGB JAMMA. This kit is compatible with JAMMA, JAMMA+ and CHAMMA terminals.

The JAMMA system, which first appeared in the 80s, standardised the connection of signals, making it easier to change games on the same machine. This was a major advance at the time, because previously each terminal corresponded to a single game.

2️⃣ Restoring an arcade cabinet: the key steps

If you're embarking on the restoration of a vintage cabinet, here are a few essential steps:

🔍 Find and inspect the cabinet

✔️ Check the dimensions: some cabinets are bulky and heavy. Make sure you have enough room and a way to transport it safely.
✔️ Inspect the general condition: damaged wood, screen out of order, faulty wiring, etc. Make sure that not too many parts are missing, especially if it's a rare model.

🛠️ Test and repair

✔️ Electronics: test the power supply, check the motherboard (PCB) and change the capacitors if necessary.
✔️ Display: the original terminals are fitted with CRT screens, so check that the screen is not marked (burns due to static images). If the screen is too damaged, you can replace it or try to adapt an LCD screen.
✔️ Buttons and joystick: if these elements are worn or defective, complete kits are available to replace them (more on this below).

For greater peace of mind, you can also call on professionals to find you the terminal you want. Some of them have stocks, including Tenzen Arcade, a French company with whom we have a partnership if you support Recalbox via Patreon.

3️⃣ Creating a "Neo-Borne" bollard: from A to Z

If you prefer to create a "Neo-Borne " bollard (a made-to-measure bollard), you have several choices:

🔹 If you're a DIYer 🏗️: you can create the structure from scratch, usually in wood, then integrate the electronics, screen, buttons, etc.
🔹 If you're not a DIY enthusiast 🛒: several sites offer assembly kits, often in the form of wooden structures to be assembled.

⚠️ Be careful with ready-made models sold online, which often lack transparency regarding hardware and software.

Here too we can recommend one of our partners, Flex Arcade (pictured). With a metal chassis and quality components (Sanwa, Seimitsu), these terminals are destined to last and embellish your living room with their neo-retro style. If you're a 'Patron', you'll get a €150 discount on their creations.

4️⃣ Pay attention to the quality of materials and equipment

An arcade terminal project does not rhyme with saving money 💰. If you try to compromise, the final quality may suffer.

✔️ Structure: choose solid wood that can bear the weight. Don't overlook the quality of the panel, which houses the buttons and joysticks 🎮.
✔️ Hardware: avoid no-name products and go for recognised brands such as Xinmotek, Brook, PS360+ for encoders, and Sanwa, Seimitsu for joysticks and buttons.

SmallCab offers more than 2,000 references to supply you with components, buttons, joysticks, etc. If you are a Patron, you will receive an 8% discount on your basket.

5️⃣ Anticipate your choices before you start

It's essential to think your project through before buying materials and starting your project. It's much easier to change your mind before the work begins than to have to adapt during the project... which is sometimes impossible.

6️⃣ And what about Recalbox?

A quick reminder 📢 : Recalbox is open source software, designed to facilitate emulation. We are not hardware resellers (Kubii, 8BitDo, Xinmotek), but we do recommend certain brands.

Recalbox can help you with :
✅ The RGB JAMMA and RGB Dual to simplify hardware

✅ Software updates and support available on our Discord

📢 Before you buy, ask us! Ask us your questions and describe your problems precisely (example: "I'm on Raspberry Pi X, RGB JAMMA, Recalbox 9.2.3, and here's what's happening... ").

7️⃣ All in One project

We are currently developing the All in One, a hardware dedicated to arcade terminals that will clip onto a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5. This plug-and-play system will manage power, buttons (up to 8 per player), joysticks and amplified stereo sound....

📅 Expected release in 2025 😉

8️⃣ Recalbox resources 📖

To find out more, check out our wiki:

📌 The arcade: explains how arcade emulation works

📌 The Arcade in Recalbox : technical details on MAME, ROMSETS (Split, Merged, Non-Merged), BIOS, CHD...

If these terms seem complex to you, you should know that it's important to understand them to optimise your installation.

🎮 A word of personal advice: You'll soon want to load your terminal with dozens and dozens of systems with hundreds or even thousands of games, which isn't necessarily very useful, and as you can guess, arcade emulation isn't "turnkey", so many systems can mean so many software complications. **For my part, I only use FBNeo (10,000 compatible games), and that's more than enough for me!

With the release of the Raspberry Pi 5 a few months ago, many people are looking to upgrade from the Pi 3 or 4 to the Pi 5. We can only recommend this upgrade: the Pi 5 offers greater comfort in the Recalbox menus and improved performance on demanding games (certain “Cave” arcade games, PS1, Dreamcast, Saturn, etc.). What's more, with the arrival of version 10, new systems will require the Pi 5 to work properly.

However, there is one major obstacle preventing some users from taking the plunge: the fear of losing their data (games, backups, BIOS). This tutorial explains how to migrate safely. It's taken directly from Fabrice's video, which you'll find at the bottom of the article.

We assume that all your data (Recalbox, games, etc.) is stored on a microSD card before this migration.

📌 Step 1: Check Recalbox is up to date

Go to Main Menu > Update and make sure you have the latest version.

📅 At the time of writing, the required version is 9.2.3.

📌 Step 2: Back up your games, saves and BIOS

We're going to create a backup:

1️⃣ Switch off your Recalbox and remove the microSD card.

2️⃣ Connect it to a PC. Two partitions should appear: "RECALBOX" and "SHARE".

If either is missing, right-click on "Start", then open "Disk Management". Add a letter to the invisible partition, it will be displayed immediately.

3️⃣ In the "SHARE" partition, copy the ROMS / SAVE / BIOS folders and paste them into a "backup" folder on your desktop.

🛑 To avoid any compatibility problems, limit yourself to these three folders.

📌 Step 3: Download and install Recalbox on the Pi 5

Use Raspberry Pi Imager:

1️⃣ Select Raspberry Pi 5 as the model.
2️⃣ Choose Recalbox in the "Emulation and game OS " tab.
3️⃣ Select your microSD card as the storage device and start writing.

💡 Important advice :

• Use a microSD U3 for best performance (optimal read/write).
• Choose recognised brands** (SanDisk is a good choice).
• A 32GB card is more than enough**, your games will be stored elsewhere.
• This operation will erase all the data** already on the card.
• Once writing is complete, remove the microSD from your PC.

📌 Step 4: Install and configure Recalbox

1️⃣ Insert the microSD card into the Pi 5 switched off, then turn it on.
2️⃣ Let Recalbox install and configure your settings (language, display...).

📺 If you want more details on the settings, go to Fabrice's video from 9 minutes onwards.

3️⃣ Systematically configure your controller, even if it seems to be detected correctly.

4️⃣ Update the bootloader (in the advanced settings).

5️⃣ Restart Recalbox to save settings.

📌 Step 5: Prepare your external media to store your games

To avoid losing your games in the event of a problem with the microSD, we always recommend using external media (USB key, hard drive...).

1️⃣ Format your media to exFAT, even if it's brand new.
2️⃣ Connect your Recalbox on.
3️⃣ A message appears: Select "Initialise " (not "Move SHARE"!).
4️⃣ Once the operation is complete, unplug your external media and plug it into your PC.
5️⃣ Go to the folder Recalbox > roms and paste your ROMS folder saved in "backup " into it.

💡 Windows will ask you if you want to replace or keep the duplicate files: keep them.

📌 Step 6: Restore your Recalbox and BIOS

1️⃣ Power down your Recalbox and remove the microSD.
2️⃣ Connect it to your PC and open the "SHARE " folder.
3️⃣ Copy the BIOS and SAVE folders from your backup (on your PC) and paste them into "SHARE " (on your microSD).

4️⃣ When Windows asks to replace or keep files, keep them.

💡 If you don't want to use external media, you can ignore step 5 and copy your ROMS directly into "SHARE " on the microSD along with your saves and BIOS.

📌 Step 7: Finalise

1️⃣ Insert the microSD into the Recalbox.
2️⃣ Turn it on, then plug in your external media.
3️⃣ A message is displayed to re-launch the interface: Accept.
4️⃣ Check that everything is recognised (scrapped games, saves, BIOS).

🎉 Your migration is complete! You can now enjoy your Raspberry Pi 5 with Recalbox.

🚨 Good practices and support

✔️ Never unplug the microSD when the Raspberry Pi is switched on.
✔️ Cleanly eject the microSD before removing it from the PC.
✔️ If you have any doubts or specific configuration, go to the channel #support on our Discord.

🎥 Find Fabrice's video below for a visual accompaniment!

The Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) has just launched Early Access to its digital library, a unique resource for journalists, YouTubers and video game enthusiasts. This ambitious project aims to preserve and make accessible a wide variety of historical documents related to the video games industry.

Since its creation in 2017, the Video Game History Foundation has been working to digitise and archive magazines, press kits, CD-ROMs, videos and other essential documents, which are often difficult to access or threatened with disappearance. Thanks to this new platform, users can now explore these resources freely via an advanced search, making it possible to find games, publishers or even game styles.

From its launch, the library offers six major collections, including :

• The guides and documents for the first twelve editions of E3.
• An exclusive collection of FromSoftware promotional material.
• Over 100 CD-ROMs of artwork and press releases from the GamePro archives.
• Over 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage of Cyan's development of Myst.
• The archives of Mark Flitman, former producer at Konami and Acclaim.
• A selection of rare magazines and other period media.

For the time being, all the documents are in English. It is not yet certain that French-language archives will be added to the collection, but we can remain optimistic in view of the many resources held by certain enthusiasts, notably Recalbox users, and the French footprint in the world of video games.

Phil Salvador, who initiated the project, is urging archive holders to get in touch with the Video Game History Foundation:

"On the internet, magazines often tend to be either a bunch of PDFs on a torrent, or a very large collection that is only available in person or is locked away. While we have a lot of respect for all those who make documents available, we want to give researchers a structure. I hope that this will encourage people who have access to rare and interesting documents to give priority to open access and to find a way of organising it so that it is useful to users." He saids for Time Extension.

Access to this library is free, but those who wish to support the project and ensure its development can do so via Patreon.

With this initiative, the Video Game History Foundation hopes to encourage the preservation of videogame heritage and encourage studios and collectors to share their archives with the community.

Photos: Video Game History Foundation

From 23 to 25 May 2025, come and meet the Recalbox team at HFS Summer 2025!

This event will take you back to the atmosphere of the arcades, with over 150 arcade machines, pinball machines and retrogaming consoles available for free access! It's a great time to share with family and friends, in a friendly and festive atmosphere.

If you're feeling competitive, there will also be LAN tournaments:

• Family tournaments for fun
• International tournaments with top players

Get ready for spectacular clashes on Street Fighter, Fatal Fury, Capcom vs SNK, Virtua Fighter, Windjammers... A unique opportunity to see players from the Fighting eSport scene go head-to-head in a supercharged atmosphere!

A not-to-be-missed retrogaming event

For its 11ᵉ edition, HFS Summer has established itself as a key retrogaming event. Fans of arcade terminals and partners are coming together to offer you meetings and non-stop gaming, at the heart of the French and international retrogaming community.

📍 Location: Halle des Expositions, Évreux
🎟 Prices and bookings on billetweb.fr:

• 3-day pass: €49
• Friday: €19
• Saturday: €24
• Sunday: €19
• Free for children under 8.

📅 Tournament registration before 9 May 2025.

Organisation and broadcasting

A dedicated Discord is available on Billetweb to help you organise your journey. Don't forget to share your arrival on the Recalbox Discord to organise meetings between users and Recalbox staff on site.

Follow the event live on the Twitch HFS Summer channel.

Photos: HFS Summer / Eric Sztelma / Healmely

It's through trademark registrations that some retrogamers are nurturing the hope of a comeback. This time, it's SEGA that's making that promise, having re-filed the trademarks Skies of Arcadia and Arcadia Eternal (the Japanese equivalent) on 16 January.

No official announcement has followed these filings, which leaves us uncertain as to their intentions. It could simply be a matter of ‘protecting’ the trademarks, or it could be a project in the pipeline. But what kind of project? A remake, a sequel, or even a new medium? For now, the mystery remains.

Whatever the case, a wind of optimism is blowing through RPG fans. SEGA is particularly active at the moment with projects for its iconic franchises, such as Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, and Virtua Fighter. Meanwhile, Skies of Arcadia has a strong fan base, and a sequel or remake has long been called for.

Released in 2000 for the Dreamcast, Skies of Arcadia made a lasting impression with its fresh universe, storyline and flying boat combat mechanics. The game was then improved and re-released on GameCube in 2002 under the name Skies of Arcadia Legends. No sequel or remaster has been released since.

The game is playable on Recalbox via the Dreamcast version. We recommend using the Raspberry Pi 5 for the best experience.

Retrogaming fans, you've probably already heard about the next hot FPGA machine: the SuperStation One. Retroremake, the group behind the project, has just revealed the details of the console and its price.

Retroremake is already well known to the retrogaming community, thanks in particular to its MiSTer FPGA project, an open source platform designed to recreate retro consoles and computers in hardware form.

A console dedicated to the original PlayStation

As its name suggests, the SuperStation One focuses on the original PlayStation, with a design inspired by the PS One (the ‘slim’ version of the PS1). The console can read PS1 ROMs thanks to an FPGA circuit, eliminating the need for emulation, as the device is designed to faithfully reproduce the original hardware.

Nevertheless, in order to meet the expectations of potential buyers, the developers have specified that the console will be compatible with the MiSTer FPGA platform. This will make it possible to play titles from other retro systems thanks to the addition of new cores.

An experience designed for purists

For those who want to use their original PS1 CDs, Retroremake is offering a dock called SuperDock, which attaches to the underside of the SuperStation One and lets you run your physical discs.

The console has two ports for original PS1 controllers and two memory card slots, as on the PS One. In keeping with the retro spirit, the Power button and Eject button are positioned exactly as they were back in the day. However, the Eject button has been redesigned to act as a Reset button.

Comprehensive connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the SuperStation One does not disappoint:

• Video outputs: HDMI (1536p/1446p), Composite / RCA, VGA, DIN and Component.
• A Mini Jack output for connecting an external audio system.
• One Audio Digital output (optical).
• Two USB ports.
• One Ethernet port. Integration of Bluetooth and WiFi.
• A MicroSD port, particularly for back-ups.
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Pre-orders now open

The SuperStation One is available for pre-order at a price of $179.99, with a choice of three colours: grey, black or translucent blue.

Due to its FGPA nature, this console is NOT compatible with Recalbox (like all FGPA consoles), our solution being an emulation solution unlike FGPA systems.

Photos: Retro Remake