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At Recalbox, we know that some retro games are legendarily difficult. Who hasn't thrown away their controller after yet another defeat in Ghosts ‘n Goblins or Battletoads? Who hasn't cursed the level of the motorbike in Batman & Robin on Mega Drive?

That's why we're proud to announce Recalbox AI, a revolution in emulation: a high-performance artificial intelligence system that instantly detects your incompetence and takes over the controls for you!

• The AI finishes the level for you.
• If you're struggling against a boss, Recalbox AI* analyses the boss's patterns and beats him in less than 10 seconds.
• If you lose in multiplayer, the AI takes control and makes you look like a pro in front of your Netplay friends.

DigitalLumberjack explains how the project came about

"It all started after one of our testers spent 3 hours on the first level of Ghosts ‘n Goblins and never got to the second. At that point, we thought we had to do something. The idea of Recalbox AI was born: a system capable of helping players... or taking over completely when things get too annoying."

"We designed an AI that could learn from each player. Initially, it simply analysed mistakes, but we soon realised that for some players this was a wasted effort. So we added a ‘Take my controller’ mode that triggers auto-play as soon as a player dies more than 10 times in the same spot. ".

Cutting-edge technology to overcome lack of skill

Thanks to an algorithm based on Deep Neural Retro Learning™ (DNRL), Recalbox AI analyses your inputs in real time and detects your mistakes before you even make them. An 8-bit machine learning engine retrieves data from each failure to adjust the strategy live.

The system is based on a neural network called "Skynet “92”, trained on more than 10 million hours of gameplays by speedrunners and 87 VHS of Sunday gamers. It can predict your movements with an accuracy rate of 99.7%, unless you're playing Aladdin on the Mega Drive, in which case it freezes on the selection screen and asks:

"Are you sure you don't want to run the SNES version?"

An error message that was not an isolated case, the fault of the AI's relative youth and unexpected behaviour that had to be learned to code.

Bkg2k explains the development challenges:

"The biggest challenge was designing an AI engine capable of emulating human frustration. We had to train our network on hours of bad players' gameplays, analysing every mistake, every missed jump, every stupid game over. But sometimes that wasn't enough. "

"AI also has its limits. For example, on all the Atari ST games, it refused to advance beyond the first few levels, telling us: "No game detected". Today, Recays is the first game to use an AI."

"Today, Recalbox AI is ready, and we're proud to have developed the first artificial intelligence that not only plays better than you, but also judges you in real time".

An AI that plays better than you... and judges you

Recalbox AI also uses a frame-perfect automation engine that can execute ultra-precise combos down to the microsecond.

And if you're at the end of your rope, we've developed a "Rage Quit Anticipation ’ mode that detects signs of frustration and automatically activates an auto-save before you rage-quit a game.

So, are you ready to let Recalbox AI take control and let you shine in your favourite retro games?

With this cutting-edge technology, you'll no longer have to suffer repeated failures, and the AI will make sure you look like a pro, even if you've never completed a game without a cheat.

This is the end of game overs... and excuses.

It's up to you!

As every fortnight, you can take part in a new challenge on the Recalbox Discord. This challenge is open to everyone. The principle is simple: try to achieve the best score on a game drawn at random, often from the arcade catalogue.

🚀 For this sixth challenge of 2025, the game selected is Night Striker.

Developed by Taito, released in 1989 on arcade terminals. It was adapted for Mega-CD in 1993, PlayStation in 1995 and Saturn in 1996.

It's a shoot'em up with a rear view, which is quite rare on the arcade. You're in command of the Inter Gray ship, and certain gameplay phases will propel your avatar outside your ship in the style of Iron Man, and you can also drive your ship on the road.

The game is very fast-paced, with obstacles to avoid and enemies to shoot down, so you won't have much time to blink. The title also boasts good replayability thanks to its 21 levels, which you can complete via multiple routes, Out Run style. A single attempt won't get you through all the levels.

Fun Fact: the game's producer is no less than the producer of Ico and Shadow of Colossus : Kenji Kaido

🏆 The rules of the challenge

At the controls of your ship, your aim will be to achieve the highest score in a single credit.

📅 The challenge runs from midnight on 1 to midnight on 14 April You can try as many times as you like.

📢 How do I take part?

• 🎮 Launch the game (rom nightstr.zip)
• 🏹 Play and try to beat the best score in a single credit
• 📸 Take a screenshot or photo of your final score
• 📤 Share your score on the Discord channel #challenges or use the /submit score leaderboard command on the same channel.

⚖️ Rules to follow

To ensure a fair 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 all about discovering games, sharing tips and having fun, all in a spirit of competition that's always welcome!

🏆 The winner will receive a game key (GOG, Steam, etc.) to choose from a list of over 80 titles.

📌 If you've won a challenge in the last three months, the reward will go to the next one 🥇🥈🥉.

Good luck to you all, and may the best score win! 🚀

Many of you have asked us on our Discord to find out which portable console dedicated to retrogaming is ideal. Before we go any further, there are two things you should know: not all consoles are compatible with Recalbox, and there's no such thing as an ‘ideal console’; it all depends on how you use it.

However, Retrogaming.me shared a site last week that might help you decide: retrocatalog.com.

As our source points out, the market for portable retrogaming consoles has evolved considerably in recent years. This includes behemoths like the Steam Deck, as well as more affordable models like the Retroflag, Anbernic, Ayaneo, etc. cases.

So it's hard to find your way around, and many of you are asking yourself a thousand and one questions, sometimes to the point of making a purchase ‘by mistake’.

Retrocatalog.com could be a great help. The site lists almost all current and future handheld consoles. Each model has a complete and clear description.

You'll find information on the consoles you can emulate, technical details of the screen, dimensions, ports and connections, buttons (presence of L2/R2, Hall Effect, Gyroscope, etc.), as well as technical specifications such as processor, RAM, battery, and much more.

The real strength of the site lies in its comparator. Just like comparison sites for mobile phones, you can select two consoles and the site will show you the differences between the two devices in a clear and relevant way.

The comparator is crystal clear

Over 200 consoles are listed. If you're worried about getting lost, don't worry: there are plenty of search filters, by console shape, budget, size, power, and so on.

Remember that at Recalbox, we're currently limiting our support to around ten consoles, so we can offer you versions that are 100% compatible and stable. You can find the list of supported consoles at this link.

This list is subject to change, depending on requests from the community and the consistency of projects, such as the ongoing porting of Recalbox to the Steam Deck.

The love affair between film and video games has been going on for decades, with uneven results. However, some recent productions have enjoyed remarkable critical and commercial success, notably Super Mario Bros. (which grossed $1.3 billion) and the Sonic trilogy.

Buoyed by the success of its mascot, Nintendo is renewing its cinematic experience by collaborating with Sony Pictures to adapt The Legend of Zelda for the big screen.

This time, it won't be an animated film, but a live-action feature with real actors. Director Wes Ball aims to make a ‘serious’ and ‘down-to-earth’ adaptation, while drawing openly on the world of Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli).

Announced in November 2023, the film is back in the news today with a key piece of information revealed at the latest Nintendo Direct: its worldwide release is scheduled for 26 March 2027. This suggests that production will soon be entering its active phase.

For the moment, neither the cast nor the story angle have been revealed. So we'll have to be patient to find out more. But there is one reassuring point: Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of the Zelda franchise, will produce the film alongside Avi Arad**, producer of numerous Marvel adaptations.

Let's hope that the 7ᵉ art will be able to pay tribute to one of the most iconic sagas in video games, where Link has been trying to save Princess Zelda for 39 years now.

After selling over 15,000 physical copies of its independent games, Broke Studio is moving up a gear. The Auvergne-based studio, founded by Antoine Gohin and Julien ‘Fei’ Boisseau, is unveiling Homebrew Factory, a platform designed to support independent developers wishing to create, finance and publish their video games on cartridges.

Game Boy, NES, Mega Drive... Homebrew Factory targets retro console enthusiasts by facilitating the production of homebrew games, independent creations designed for older consoles. While development tools are now accessible, physical publishing remains a real challenge, with its costs, logistics and visibility. In fact, many homebrew projects remain in dematerialised form, due to production costs and logistics that are difficult for a small team to manage.

There are platforms such as Kickstarter to fund projects in cartridge form, but it is still difficult to find a place on these participatory funding platforms, which contain thousands of projects. This makes the homebrew scene even more of a niche with limited visibility.

The Homebrew Factory platform therefore sees itself as a bridge between creators and gamers, with a clear objective: to simplify the transition from prototype to physical cartridge. Developers can choose their materials, manage the number of units to be produced according to their budget, and launch production in just a few clicks. It's a solution tailored to suit all profiles, from creators just starting out to more ambitious projects.

With the support of over 30 developers over the past 8 years, Broke Studio has demonstrated the viability of the concept, as demonstrated by the success of Inspector Waffles Early Days on Game Boy Color. With Homebrew Factory, a whole section of the retro indie scene could find a new lease of life.

It's a great day for Recalbox and retrogaming! We're proud to announce the launch of the RGB DUAL 2 campaign!

If you followed Fabrice and digitalLumberjack's live show on Friday, you will have discovered our latest project: the RGB DUAL 2, specially designed for the Raspberry Pi 5.

The arrival of the Raspberry Pi 5 has breathed new life into retrogaming, making games and systems that were previously inaccessible on the Raspberry compatible. Since then, many of you have been asking us for a new, fully compatible version of the Recalbox RGB DUAL... and now it's here!

The RGB DUAL 2 is The HAT for Raspberry Pi 5, designed to connect your Recalbox to a CRT TV or VGA monitor. Everything you need to get back to the way things used to be! 100% Plug & Play: plug in, play, enjoy!

But we haven't stopped there. The RGB DUAL 2 has four outputs: Scart, RCA, VGA and Jack, with audio and video signals of exceptional quality. So you can relive the emotions of your childhood, with a picture as close to the original as possible, whatever your equipment.

We haven't limited ourselves to just new releases, new features are also making their appearance: composite and RGB signals (with progressive and interlaced modes), support for TV 4/3 and 16/9, dynamic resolutions, support for Guncon 2... and many other new features that you can discover on the project's Kickstarter page.

To take things even further, we've designed a brand new official Recalbox case specially designed to house your Pi 5 and your RGB DUAL 2: the Recaltower! Stackable and upgradeable, it can be adapted to any configuration.

After several months of development, testing and four prototypes, we've got a real game changer, ready to breathe new life into your CRT screens and VGA monitors.

As with the RGB DUAL and RGB JAMMA, we're launching this project via a crowdfunding campaign. By supporting this venture, you'll be among the first to own the RGB DUAL 2!

Exclusive models are reserved for our Kickstarter contributors: Early Green Edition, Blue Edition, Purple Edition, Kickstarter Bundle... because the pixel perfect deserves a showcase to match! You can find all the editions and technical details of RGB DUAL 2 at this link.

Please note: if you're supporting Recalbox and you're a Patron via Patreon, keep an eye on your email - a special edition has been reserved for you!

The Dreamcast is one of the consoles most supported by the retrogaming community. We've already told you about a number of ports to SEGA's latest console, including Minecraft, Prince of Persia, Half-Life / Counter-Strike and GTA III (Vice City is currently being ported).

In terms of ‘practical life’, the console also continues to benefit from improvements, with the recent addition of online save support thanks to the community.

Today, it's a new port that interests us, and not the least. Firstly because the game itself is a legendary title, and secondly because it was originally exclusive to the PlayStation, the Dreamcast's direct competitor.

The game in question is WipEout, the futuristic anti-gravity racing game by Psygnosis, released in 1995. Its port to the Dreamcast is led by jnmartin84, already known to the community for his adaptation of Doom 64 on the same console.

A first port attempt was made in 2023, but suffered from graphical bugs and no sound. On the strength of his experience on Doom 64, jnmartin84 resumed his work on WipEout, and the result is striking: the game can now run at up to 100 frames per second.

The project also benefited from the release of the game's source code in mid-2022, providing invaluable information for this type of development.

As can be seen in the video below, the game is very fluid, although a few graphical bugs remain, along with possible crashes and occasionally temperamental music. Despite everything, these initial results are very encouraging, and we're keeping our fingers crossed that this project will come to fruition, which could give us hope for ports of WipEout 2097 and WipEout 3.

Source : Retronews

If you think you're suffering from acute collector's disease, rest assured: we've just found someone even more relentless than you!

A Japanese gamer has managed to collect all 791 Game Boy Advance games released in her country. Elle a annoncé la nouvelle début mars sur son compte X, Sara-nee :

"Game Boy Advance games. 791 titles collected. It seemed both long and short at the same time... I feel relieved. Thank you all, including my followers, for your support. I really appreciate it. The collection period lasted about four and a half years. The total cost was around 4.5 million yen (around €27,800) ‘.

An impressive collection, all the more so because it includes the original boxes for the games, a detail that makes the task of finding certain cartridges in perfect condition even more difficult.

As a reminder, the Game Boy Advance was released in Japan in March 2001, 24 years ago now. The announcement of this extraordinary collection soon attracted the attention of other collectors, who estimate its current value at €61,000**, which could rise to €120,000 in ten years' time**.

But beyond the financial aspect, it's above all the preservation of this videogame heritage that interests us here. The Game Boy Advance was home to such legendary titles as Golden Sun, Advance Wars, Metroid Fusion, Pokémon Emerald, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Mother 3 and many more...

Source: Retronews

Bad news for those who were eagerly awaiting the Analogue 3D. The company Analogue has announced on social networks that delivery of its console, an FPGA clone of the Nintendo 64**, has been pushed back to July 2025.

The Analogue 3D had been put up for pre-order in October 2024, with delivery originally scheduled for First Quarter 2025. However, by mid-March, the lack of any concrete information already suggested that the deadline would not be met.

In a statement published on Twitter/X, Analogue confirmed the postponement, while thanking its customers for their patience. A FAQ dedicated to pre-orders has also been put online to answer the main questions from buyers.

If you have already ordered the Analogue 3D, no action is required. Analogue remains very transparent about this delay and guarantees buyers complete freedom to keep or cancel the pre-order:

"The Analogue 3D was originally available for pre-order in late 2024 and was expected to ship in the first quarter of 2025.

Shipment of the Analogue 3D has been delayed (since 18 March 2025) and is now scheduled for July 2025. We are working hard to ensure that your 3D order is delivered as quickly as possible and we thank you for your patience. If you have a pre-order in progress, no action is necessary.

As always, if you wish to cancel your pre-order at any time, Analogue has always had a no-questions-asked 100% refund policy for pre-orders."

A statement that, while disappointing, aims to reassure buyers. As a reminder, the FGPA concept allows you to play with your original games and controllers, with the console being a ‘copy’ of the original circuit, thus providing maximum authenticity in terms of in-game rendering.

Since the demise of Citra, 3DS emulation fans have been in need of a solid alternative. But a new emulator, Azahar, is changing all that. Available from now on for Android, macOS and Windows**, it can already run several games and could well become a benchmark.

A spiritual sequel to Citra

A fork of Citra and Lime3DS, Azahar takes up the work left undone after official support ended. A first version is already available, allowing players to test it and report any bugs on GitHub while waiting for a more stable version.

Compatibility and performance

Unlike Citra, Azahar does not support encrypted games or .3DS files by default. It uses the CCI format, but you can still convert your games to make them compatible.

One of the most interesting additions is an option to disable right eye rendering (which allows 3D games to be displayed by combining it with left eye rendering), which can improve performance by up to 50% for 2D games. An advantage that could appeal to those looking for a lighter, more optimised emulator.

An uncertain future?

Although Azahar looks set to become the new benchmark emulator for the 3DS, it remains to be seen whether Nintendo will put a stop to its development, as was the case with Citra and Yuzu.

In the meantime, those who want to try it out can download it from the official website:
🔗 azahar-emu.org

As every fortnight, you can take part in a new challenge on the Discord de Recalbox. This challenge is open to everyone. The principle is simple: try to achieve the best score on a game drawn at random, often from the arcade catalogue.

🚀 For this fifth challenge of 2025, the game selected is In The Hunt.

Developed and published by Irem, and released in 1993, this side-scrolling shoot ‘em up puts you in command of a submarine to thwart the plans of ’Sombre Anarchie ‘, a corporation hell-bent on destroying the world's largest cities. Players can complete the levels on their own or in cooperation with a friend.

Originally released on arcade terminals, the game was ported to the Sega Saturn and PlayStation in 1996. It has a good reputation among gamers who have tried it. Unfortunately, its release on home consoles was met with indifference, and the title is clearly one of the underrated games of the 32-bit generation.

The game's emphasis is on pixels, and some of the shots will remind you of the Metal Slug series. Enemies are varied, and you'll have to deal with projectiles from the depths as well as from the air. You'll have a whole arsenal of weapons at your disposal to deal with them, which won't go amiss when it comes to tackling the bosses at the end of each level.

🏆 The rules of the challenge

At the controls of your submarine, your aim will be to achieve the highest score in a single credit.
The challenge runs from midnight on 18 to 31 March. You can try as many times as you like.

How to take part

• 🎮 Start the game (rom ‘inthunt’)
• 🏹 Play and try to beat the best score
• 📸 Take a screenshot or photo of your final score
• 📤 Share your score on the Discord channel #challenges or use the /submit score leaderboard command on the same channel.

⚖️ Rules to follow

To ensure a fair 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 all about discovering games, sharing tips and, of course, having fun, all in a spirit of competition that's always welcome!

The winner will receive a game key (GOG, Steam, etc.) to choose from a list of over 80 titles.
📌 If you've won a challenge in the last three months, the reward will go to the next one 🥇🥈🥉.

Good luck to you all, and may the highest score win!

While the Switch 2 was recently officially presented, a new leak has aroused the curiosity of nostalgic gamers: Nintendo is said to be preparing a wireless GameCube controller compatible with its future console. The information comes from an official filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the US body responsible for regulating communications and the certification of electronic devices.

A resurrection of the cult controller?

The GameCube controller is often considered to be one of the best ever designed by Nintendo, particularly for its grip and ergonomics, which are well suited to fighting games such as Super Smash Bros. Melee**. This wouldn't be the first time Nintendo has reused this model, as a wired version was previously offered for the Switch for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

According to documents filed with the FCC, the new version of this controller would use a Bluetooth connection, marking a break with previous editions that required a wired adapter. This transition would allow gamers to enjoy the iconic design of the GameCube controller with greater freedom of movement, while meeting the connectivity standards of modern controllers.

Towards a return of GameCube games on Switch 2?

The appearance of such a controller suggests a number of interesting possibilities. The most obvious would be the addition of GameCube games to the Nintendo Switch Online service, which already offers NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy and Game Boy Advance catalogues. Such compatibility could allow players to rediscover classics such as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Metroid Prime, Super Smash Bros Melee and F-Zero GX in the best possible conditions.

The leak is also fuelling speculation that there could be a remaster or re-release of an iconic GameCube-era game, or even compatibility with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or a future release.

Any confirmation yet?

To date, Nintendo has not officially commented on this information. As is often the case with leaks of this kind, caution is the order of the day, even if the presence of an FCC filing lends them a certain credibility. It remains to be seen whether Nintendo will confirm the existence of this controller and, above all, how it will fit into the Switch 2 ecosystem.

With these new speculations, the anticipation surrounding Nintendo's next console continues to grow. Perhaps we'll find out at the next Nintendo Direct on April 2.

As a fan of LEGO, it's hard not to share the Danish brand's major announcements, especially when they involve retrogaming.

A few weeks ago, I told you about a project proposed by a fan on LEGO Ideas that was the talk of the town: a PlayStation 2 faithfully reproduced, both inside and out.

This time it's an official Nintendo set. In 2024, LEGO and Nintendo announced a partnership around Mario Kart, without revealing the details. So here's the first concrete example, designed as a collector's item for adults rather than just a toy for children.

The set in question represents Mario riding his mythical red kart, with its yellow wheels and exhausts. Comprising 1,972 pieces, it's a substantial set, rated 18+ (for the number of pieces...).

Mario's arms and head are articulated, and a stand is included to proudly display your construction.

Although the announcement was made official at the end of the day, it had already been leaked a little earlier when an Australian shop briefly put the set online on its shop. The advertised price was 249.99 Canadian dollars, or around €160, but the official price in euros has yet to be confirmed.

The official tweet announcing the set indicates availability from 15 May.

Given the likely success of this set, it wouldn't be surprising to see other Mario Kart characters receive their own version. Just look at the LEGO Super Mario range, which regularly offers new models, this time mainly aimed at children.

Images: Nintendo / LEGO

The team behind Dolphin, the benchmark emulator for Nintendo Wii and GameCube, has released a new update (Release 2503). This version brings a host of improvements, particularly for fans of RetroAchievements.

Better cheat management in Hardcore mode

One of the major changes concerns RetroAchievements' Hardcore mode. RetroAchievements** is a platform that adds achievements to retro games, while Hardcore mode disables instant saves, slow motion and cheat codes for a more authentic experience.

Until now, Dolphin has completely blocked the use of cheats in Hardcore mode. However, after much feedback from the community, the developers worked with the RetroAchievements team to relax this rule. From now on, certain specific codes will be authorised, including those that fix bugs or improve gameplay, such as fixes for freezes or widescreen display.

Note that RetroAchievements is also compatible with Recalbox. To take advantage of this, simply create an account at retroachievements.org, then log in to your Recalbox game options. You'll be able to unlock trophies on your retro games, just like on modern consoles, and activate Hardcore mode to get back to the original game conditions, without emulation assistance.

Integrated game time tracking

Another welcome new feature is the addition of a game time counter, similar to that found on modern consoles. Activated by default, it shows the total time spent on each game in a dedicated list. However, it can be deactivated if you don't want to keep track of this statistic.

Simplified interface for graphics settings

Finally, Dolphin introduces a new interface for editing graphics settings on a game-by-game basis. Until now, these settings required manual modification via a text box, which could be tedious. Now everything is done directly via a visual interface integrated into the game properties, making customisation more intuitive.

Future integration into Recalbox

For the moment, this update only concerns the Dolphin emulator itself. We are currently testing this version internally for future versions of Recalbox and will integrate it once it is fully compatible with our solution.

Remember that GameCube should be supported on the Raspberry Pi5 with V10, while the Wii will require a PC with more resources than the Pi5 to run Recalbox.

For full details of this update, please see the full list of changes in version 2503.

Source : Time Extension

The World Video Game Hall of Fame is set to welcome a number of new iconic titles, and the shortlist features games from different eras. Among the finalists are Tamagotchi, the virtual animal that has captivated millions of gamers, and GoldenEye 007, a Nintendo 64 staple.

They will face stiff competition from cult titles such as Frogger, Quake, Harvest Moon, Age of Empires and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Other legendary games such as Golden Tee, NBA 2K, Mattel Football and Defender are also in the running, alongside a more recent contender, Angry Birds.

The competition is organised by The Strong National Museum of Play, based in New York State, USA.

Competing games are judged by a panel of journalists on a number of criteria: innovation, influence, iconic status, longevity and geographical reach. In other words, GoldenEye 007, Tamagotchi and Quake have every chance of winning this year.

The public also plays a key role in the selection by voting for their favourite titles. Voting is open until 13 March, and the three games with the most votes will be included in the final selection process, alongside those chosen by the international advisory committee.

The winners will be officially announced on Thursday 8 May. Which game do you think deserves to join legends such as Pong, Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda in the World Game Hall of Fame? You can make your voice heard here.

Source : Retro Dodo

It's good to open up the back rooms and old containers these days. A fortnight ago, we reported on brand new SEGA terminals, still in their original packaging. This week, games that have been in storage for 20 years are resurfacing.

Lee Singleton, head of Square Enix External Studios, shared the discovery on LinkedIn. The members of the studio opened an old storage container that had been closed for two decades, a veritable time capsule housing untouched retro games.

It contains titles published on Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Atari ST, N-Gage, PlayStation, Wii and a few others.

Most of these games make up a library from Domark Limited and Eidos Interactive, both acquired by Square Enix in 2009. In the video shared on LinkedIn, you can see titles such as Klax, Hard Drivin', Badlands, S.T.U.N Runner, The Living Daylights, The Nomad Soul, Death Jr: Root of Evil, Rugby World Cup... as well as a Lara Croft figurine, as Eidos owned the Tomb Raider brand at the time.

Employees were presumably allowed to help themselves to this stock, and the comments on the LinkedIn post indicate that Singleton contacted the BGI/National Videogame Museum (US), which was delighted with the discovery:

‘We'd be delighted to discuss these items (and perhaps help you inventory) - it sounds like quite a time capsule!’

It's worth noting that some of the games date back to the late 80s, more than 35 years ago, and have been found in their original boxes, in perfect condition. Real treasures, protected from any speculation.

Source : Time Extension

As we told you a few days ago, a countdown was launched on the official Tony Hawk's Pro Skater website, leaving little doubt as to what the final outcome would be, so many teasers and indiscreet confidences rained down on the net. It's now official: Activision has announced the release of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4.

A remastered compilation of the famous skateboarding games from 2001 and 2002. Scheduled for release on 11 July 2025, this collection will be available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch at a price of €49.99.

Following the success of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 compilation in 2020, the development of this new remaster has been entrusted to Iron Galaxy Studios. The studio aims to offer an experience faithful to the original games, with notable improvements such as 4K resolution, improved textures, smooth animations and advanced illumination.

The game will feature an online multiplayer mode supporting crossplay for up to eight players, enabling a shared experience across different platforms. In addition, enhanced customisation tools will allow players to create their own skaters and skate parks, with the ability to share them online.

If you're new to the franchise don't panic, Tony Hawk himself will accompany you through a new tutorial specially developed for this remake (despite his grandfather status acquired last September, and yes, it hurts).

The roster will combine skateboarding legends such as Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen and Steve Caballero, with up-and-coming figures such as Rayssa Leal, Chloe Covell and Yuto Horigome. A notable new feature is the inclusion of the Doom Slayer from the Doom saga as a playable character, available exclusively in the Digital Deluxe Edition.

The soundtrack will mix iconic tracks from the original games with new ones, enriching the game's musical experience. Classic pre-order benefits include early access to a June 2025 demo and exclusive in-game content.

If you want to brush up on your skills and practise a few tricks, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 can be played on Recalbox on several platforms, including PlayStation, the system on which the franchise has recorded the most sales.

GoRetroid recently unveiled the Retroid Pocket Classic, a new handheld console with a Game Boy-inspired design. This is the brand's first vertical model since the original Retroid Pocket.

Teasing before the official announcement

The existence of this console was first hinted at on Valentine's Day**, when a glimpse of the device was discreetly hidden in the background of a promotional image of the Retroid Pocket Flip 2.

Now official, the Retroid Pocket Classic boasts a sleek, compact design. The images published by the brand show seven colours available: pink, turquoise, lime green, blue, yellow, as well as two versions inspired by the Ayaneo and PiBoy DMG (‘GameBoy’ grey).

Minimalist design and a six-button model

Unlike the brand's previous models, this new device does not feature an analogue stick, but instead incorporates a D-pad, as well as the classic X, Y, A and B buttons. A front speaker is positioned at the bottom right, along with the Start, Select and Home buttons.

A promotional video released after the official announcement revealed a surprise: a variant with six buttons will also be offered. This is an appropriate choice for emulating consoles such as the N64, Sega Saturn and Mega Drive, which used six-button controllers. This configuration is reminiscent of other competing models, such as the Anbernic RG ARC-D and ARC-S, although four-button consoles are still more widespread.

AMOLED screen and first images of the back of the console

GoRetroid has also confirmed that the Retroid Pocket Classic will feature an AMOLED screen offering a resolution of 1240 x 1080 pixels.

Finally, the brand has shared images of the back of the device for the first time, offering a fuller look at its design and finishes as well as confirming the presence of the L1 R1 L2 R2 triggers.

While GoRetroid has yet to release any internal technical specifications or a release date, this announcement is already attracting the interest of retrogaming enthusiasts.

Reminder:** Recalbox is NOT compatible with GoRetroid devices. To find out which handheld consoles are supported, go to this link.

Sources: Time Extension

8BitDo, the reference when it comes to retrogaming controllers, is preparing to launch a controller that has been eagerly awaited by a large part of the community.

The legendary Nintendo 64 controller will be getting a revisited by 8BitDo version. However, as the images show, the design is not exactly the same as that of the famous three-pronged controller. An understandable choice, given that its ergonomics were questionable, even if it still holds a special place in the hearts of gamers.

So 8BitDo has opted for a more modern approach, drawing inspiration from the design of the Switch Pro controller, while incorporating the buttons and joystick characteristic of the N64.

This includes the C-Button (the four directional buttons on the right), as well as the A, B and START buttons, which retain their original shapes, with a few positional adjustments to bring them into line with today's standards.

The joystick, as iconic as it has been criticised for its fragility, is of course back. Positioned on the left-hand side of the controller, it retains its original covering with rings and notched base. Like almost all 8BitDo joysticks, it will also benefit from Hall Effect technology, guaranteeing greater precision and sensitivity.

Developed in partnership with Analogue 3D - an FPGA system that reinterprets the Nintendo 64 and is compatible with the original cartridges and controllers - this new controller will be compatible with this system via Bluetooth, but also with Windows, Android and the Switch (where several N64 titles are available via the Virtual Console).

The controller will be available at the end of March at a price of €39.99, with pre-orders already open at this address.

Last but not least, 8BitDo is also offering a Mod Kit dedicated to the N64 controller (as well as other models), which can be used to transform an original wired controller into a Bluetooth version, or to replace the joystick to improve its durability.

Thanks to Sylvano for the sources.

More than 20 years after its demise in 2004, Acclaim, the iconic publisher of the 80s and 90s, is announcing its return. The company, which left its mark on generations of gamers with titles such as Turok, NBA Jam, Shadow Man and Burnout, intends to concentrate on independent games and the return of its cult franchises.

A strategic return with a committee of experts

Behind this resurrection is a group of industry veterans, led by Alex Josef, now CEO of Acclaim. The company has surrounded itself with an advisory board made up of Russell Binder (Striker Entertainment), Mark Caplan (Ridge Partners), as well as Jeff Jarrett, a former wrestler and well-known figure in the wrestling video game world.

Jarrett, who has worked with Acclaim on the WWF and TNA Wrestling games, says he is honoured to be involved in this new venture:

I've seen first-hand the impact that great games can have on gamers and fans. Resurrecting Acclaim is an opportunity to pass on that same passion to a new generation.

The project is also supported by Phil Toronto (VaynerFund) and Eric Vogel (JET Management), who will provide their financing and management expertise to ensure sustainable growth.

One mission: to support independents and revive the classics

Acclaim's ambition is not only to publish promising independent games, but also to breathe new life into its historic catalogue. CEO Alex Josef is already promising big announcements:

We're fortunate to have an extremely talented team and have already signed some incredible indie titles, which we'll be unveiling soon.

This relaunch is bound to raise expectations: will we soon see remasters or sequels to cult licences such as Turok, Shadow Man or Burnout? The next few months should reveal the new direction Acclaim is taking.

2025, the year of the big comeback?

With its experienced team, Acclaim seems well equipped to reclaim its place in the video game industry. It remains to be seen whether the studio will be able to appeal to both nostalgic fans and a new generation of gamers, and whether the publisher will not fall into the ‘easy’ trap of lazy remakes or remasters content with their names and nostalgia as the sole sales drivers.

One thing's for sure: it's great to see a first-rate publisher from the 80s and 90s rise from the ashes.

Sources : Time Extension / RetroDodo