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Site & Scene News
The latest scene and console emulation and hacking news alongside other gaming news, competitions, give-aways, video game and gaming hardware reviews and much more!
Vampire Survivors, the action-survival roguelike, stands out as one of gaming's best bargains. For just $5, you get an endless, replayable game packed with unlockable characters, numerous weapons to try, and clever hidden secrets. Yet, the game's latest addition, Ode to Castlevania, makes the original seem almost sparse in comparison.
The new DLC is a treasure trove of content and a must-have addition.
While that might be a bit of an overstatement, Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania delivers far more than its $3.99 price tag suggests. It's not just a nod to 30 years of Castlevania games; it's a thorough tribute to the very inspiration behind Vampire Survivors.
Ode to Castlevania introduces a huge new area to explore, shaped...
AYANEO unveils next-gen flagship handheld gaming PC: The AYANEO 3
Following its recent foray into retro gaming handhelds, AYANEO is back with a new PC gaming device. The company has just released a teaser trailer showcasing the design and features of its upcoming flagship handheld, the AYANEO 3:
Key highlights of the AYANEO 3 include:
Processor Choices: AMD AI 9 HX 370 or Ryzen™ 7 8840U.
Two 7-inch Screen Options: High-refresh OLED or LCD.
Improved Controls: New rear buttons and trigger lock.
Better Sound: Enhanced front-facing speakers.
Bespoke Hardware: In-house components for improved performance.
Stylish Build: Compact, comfortable, and portable.
While AYANEO has shared some specs of the AYANEO 3, pricing and release...
PocketPair Reveals Details of Alleged Patent Infringement in Pokemon Co. Legal Battle
In September, news emerged about Nintendo and The Pokemon Company suing Palworld creators PocketPair for alleged patent infringement. Until today, November 8, 2024, little was known beyond the companies involved. PocketPair has now released a brief but informative report on the lawsuit's current status and the specific patents they allegedly infringed upon.
The Pokemon Company claims PocketPair infringed on these patents:
Patent No. 7545191
[Filed: July 30, 2024]
[Registered: August 27, 2024]
Patent No. 7493117
[Filed: February 26, 2024]
[Registered: May 22, 2024]
Patent No. 7528390
[Filed: March 5, 2024]
[Registered: July 26, 2024]
PocketPair...
The upcoming release of Sonic Wings Reunion for Switch, PS5, and Steam is set for May 29, 2025. This new installment in the classic '90s shmup series, also known as Aero Fighters, is being produced by Success, the company behind the Cotton series. The music for the game will be composed by Soshi Hosoi, who worked on the original series. The game was officially revealed on November 8, 2024, during a presentation that included live musical performances.
https://www.timeextension.com/news/2024/11/sonic-wings-reunion-is-coming-to-switch-ps5-and-steam-next-year
Yaba Sanshiro, a popular Sega Saturn emulator, is set to release on Windows PCs to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Sega's 32-bit system. Here are the key points:
1. Developer devMiyax announced this upcoming release on social media.
2. The Windows version will include various updates and bug fixes.
3. Yaba Sanshiro, also known as uoYabause, is already one of the most popular Android-based Saturn emulators.
4. The emulator was previously removed from the Google Play store in 2020 due to policy violations, likely related to its cheat functionality.
5. It was reintroduced as Yaba Sanshiro 2 with the cheat functionality removed.
https://x.com/miyaxdev
This Windows release marks an expansion of the emulator's availability...
The Sega Genesis, also known as the Mega Drive, continues to captivate gamers and developers 36 years after its initial release in Japan in 1988. Remarkably, new games are still being developed for this classic console, and the influx of titles has prompted the creation of a dedicated tracking website.
Mollie L Patterson, a games journalist and former GameFan staffer, has launched the Mega Drive Tracker (md.restartmag.com) to catalog all the new physical releases coming to Sega's 16-bit console. This site serves as a comprehensive resource for enthusiasts and collectors, helping them keep up with the surprisingly active Genesis game development scene.
Key features of the Mega Drive Tracker include:
1. Listings of upcoming titles
2...
Exciting news for retro gaming enthusiasts! A collection of 15 newly-preserved VHS rips showcasing Sega's groundbreaking Sega Channel service has recently been made available online. These videos, published by @GhostCorpsGen and @BillytimeG, offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of the service throughout 1997 and 1998.
The Sega Channel was a cable-based video game service for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis that operated during the mid to late 1990s. It was ahead of its time, allowing subscribers to access a rotating selection of games through their cable connection.
Here are some highlights from the newly-preserved footage:
1. The first upload includes content from the weekly video game review show "Twitch" (1995-1997) and...
A demo for the trauma-healing mystery adventure game Type-NOISE: Shonen Shojo has indeed been released. Here are the key details:
1. Release Date: The demo launched on November 7, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. ET.
2. Platform: Available for PC via Steam.
3. Demo Content: Features the "Hiyori Chapter," allowing players to experience the story of Hiyori, a content creator with a habit of telling white lies for attention.
4. Gameplay: Players solve intricate mysteries and story-rich puzzles to uncover fragments of the characters' pasts.
5. Special Campaign: Participants who complete the demo and submit feedback by December 20, 2024 (JST) can have their names included in the end credits of the full game.
6. Full Game Release: The...
Steam has officially rolled out its native Game Recording feature to all users, moving it out of beta testing. This new built-in tool allows players to easily capture, replay, and share gameplay footage directly from their PC or Steam Deck without relying on external software.
Key features of Steam's Game Recording include:
1. Background Recording: Automatically saves gameplay footage to a specified storage drive, respecting set duration and storage limits.
2. On-demand recording: Allows manual start and stop functionality for capturing specific gameplay segments.
3. Timeline markers: Adds event markers to recordings, making it easier to find key moments, especially in games with "Timeline-enhanced" capabilities.
4. Customizable...
The Sega Neptune was a planned console that combined the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive and the 32X add-on into a single unit. Originally intended for release in 1994 or 1995 with a proposed retail price of $200, the Neptune never made it to market. Sega ultimately canceled the project as the Saturn, their next-generation console, was ready for release.
The Neptune has since become a highly sought-after item among Sega collectors and enthusiasts. Recently, talented modders and console repair experts have been creating custom-built Neptune consoles, which explains the high price tag you mentioned.
The $2,600 price point refers to a modern recreation of the Sega Neptune, not an original prototype. Here's why it costs so much:
1. Rarity: Only...
The possibilities for classic PS1 RPGs coming to PS5 are quite promising, with several high-profile titles being considered for release or remaster. Here's what we know:
1. Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story:
- Naoki "Yoshi-P" Yoshida, the producer of Final Fantasy XVI, has expressed strong interest in bringing these two classic PS1 RPGs to modern platforms, including PS5.
- Yoshida stated, "I want to give Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy Tactics to future generations so that they can always be played on any platform."
- He emphasized the importance of making these masterpieces playable alongside modern gaming trends.
2. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth:
- While not a direct port, this highly anticipated next chapter in the...
"Showa American Story" is an upcoming RPG that offers a unique and bizarre take on 1980s America, heavily influenced by Japanese culture. Set in an alternate timeline called "Showa 66," the game presents a world where Japan has economically dominated the United States, leading to a fascinating blend of American and Japanese cultures.
Key aspects of this alternate 1980s America include:
1. Japanese Cultural Colonization: Japan has bought out most of the United States with its strong economic power, resulting in a surge of Japanese immigration and cultural influence.
2. Neo Yokohama: Formerly known as Hollywood, this reimagined city showcases the fusion of American and Japanese elements.
3. Post-apocalyptic twist: The game...
The claim that Sega wanted Phantasy Star IV to flop in the West due to its high price of $100 is not supported by evidence. In fact, the high price was likely due to several factors related to production costs and market conditions at the time:
1. Large cartridge size: Phantasy Star IV was a 24-megabit (3MB) game, which was considered large for its time. This required more expensive memory chips.
2. Battery backup: The game included a battery for saving progress, adding to the production costs.
3. Development costs: As a complex RPG, the game likely had high development costs that needed to be recouped.
4. Market positioning: RPGs were often priced higher than other genres due to their length and perceived value.
5. Component...
A concert celebrating the 30th anniversary of Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals (known as Estpolis Denki II in Japan) is indeed scheduled to take place in Japan next year. Here are the key details:
1. Date and Time: February 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM Japan Standard Time
2. Venue: Ota Civic Hall Aprico in Tokyo, Japan
3. Organizer: Music Engine, a Japanese video game orchestra
The concert will feature music from both Lufia and Lufia II, highlighting the deep narrative connection between the two games. A tentative setlist of 15 tracks has been announced, including:
From Lufia:
- The Battle of the Island in the Void
- Battle #1, #2, and #3
- To the sky
- Journey's End
From Lufia II:
- Rumbling
- The Earth
- Battle #1, #2, and #3
- The...
Irem's Arcade Bomberman has recently been made available for FPGA platforms. FPGA coder @wickerwaka has released a version of the Irem M90 core that supports the first Bomberman arcade game, along with its regional variants known as Atomic Punk and DynaBlaster. This core is currently available for the MiSTer FPGA and is expected to come to the Analogue Pocket as well.
The original arcade Bomberman was released in 1991 by Irem, under license from Hudson. It was followed by a sequel, Bomber Man World, in 1992. These arcade versions predate many of the home console entries in the franchise that fans might be more familiar with.
This development is significant for retro gaming enthusiasts and Bomberman fans, as it allows them to...
Image from Time Extension
Archivists have recently made an exciting discovery in the world of retro gaming. They have uncovered a prototype of a lost Commodore 64 game called "Computer Theatre," which was developed by Dona Bailey, the co-creator of the classic arcade game Centipede.
Key details about this discovery include:
1. Development: Computer Theatre was developed in 1984 at Activision but was never released.
2. Creators: The game was a collaboration between Dona Bailey and Paul Allen Newel, who was one of the designers of Simutrek's laserdisc game Cube Quest.
3. Genre: Computer Theatre is described as a "visual novel," a genre that was emerging in Japan around the same time.
4. Gameplay: Players could choose between three...
Taki Udon, a prominent figure in the FPGA gaming community, recently made a bold statement aimed at his competitors in the MiSTer FPGA market. On November 6, 2024, he tweeted:
"A group of individuals with a competing interest are angry that we are selling affordable MiSTer hardware. As a middle finger to them and thanks to the people who actually matter, all Batch 2 MiSTER Pi = -$5. If you were threatened before this, it's going to get much worse."
This statement comes in response to apparent opposition from some individuals in the MiSTer community who are unhappy with Taki Udon's efforts to make FPGA gaming more affordable. Taki Udon's MiSTer Pi system offers a $99 entry point into FPGA gaming, significantly lower than many existing...
"VS. The Quest of Ki," a prequel to the Tower of Druaga series, is indeed making its way to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. This classic game, originally released for the Famicom in 1988, is being re-released as part of the Arcade Archives series.
Key details about the release:
1. Release Date: November 7, 2024
2. Platforms: Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4
3. Price: 6.99€ / £6.29 / $7.99 / 838 Yen
4. Publisher: Hamster Corporation (as part of Arcade Archives)
The game follows the priestess Ki on her adventure to retrieve the Blue Crystal Rod from the demon Druaga. Unlike its predecessors, "VS. The Quest of Ki" is a side-scrolling platformer. Players control Ki, who can fly using a magic tiara, as she navigates through a...
A new cheat code for Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest has indeed been discovered, 29 years after the game's original release on the SNES in 1995. This discovery was made public on November 5, 2024.
Here's the translated tweet:
The newly found cheat code allows players to exit stages at any point and return to the game's map screen, even on levels they haven't completed yet. Here's how to use the cheat:
During the pause screen, press the following button combination:
1. Right + Y
2. Left + A
3. Up + B
4. Down + X
When entered correctly, this sequence will immediately return you to the map screen, regardless of your progress in the current level.
This discovery is particularly noteworthy given the game's age and...
The new game "Maid Café on Electric Street" is a leisurely maid café adventure game set in the otaku haven of Nipponbashi, Osaka. It is being developed by Adventurer's Tavern and published by PLAYISM, and is scheduled to launch for PC via Steam on November 18, 2024.
In the game, the player takes on the role of a protagonist who has quit their toxic job and finds themselves appointed as the temporary manager of the run-down Fuwa Fuwa Café. There, they meet and get to know the four main maid characters - Shiro, Miyu, Favna, and Honoka, who are all voiced by a talented cast of voice actors.
The gameplay involves managing the café, serving customers, and exploring the sights and shops of the Nipponbashi district, which features many...