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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!
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...
The Lunar Remastered collection will not include the original English voice acting from the Working Designs localizations of the Lunar games. This is despite the fact that Victor Ireland, the founder of Working Designs, has offered to provide the content at a low cost.
According to Ireland, he has reached out to the developers, GungHo Online Entertainment, but has received "radio silence" on the matter. He says he is willing to work with them to ensure the "best version" of the games is released, but it seems GungHo is not interested in including the original voice work.
Ireland suggests that this decision is likely due to GungHo's unwillingness to pay a fair price for the content, rather than any technical or licensing issues. He...
The announcement of Sega's new "emojam" device, while an interesting and innovative product, is likely to disappoint some fans who were hoping for the long-awaited Dreamcast 2 console.
The Dreamcast was Sega's final home console before the company shifted to a third-party software development model. It was a beloved system that introduced many groundbreaking features like online gaming, web browsing, and downloadable content. However, it ultimately struggled to compete with the PlayStation 2 and was discontinued in 2001.
In the years since, Sega fans have been eagerly anticipating the potential release of a Dreamcast successor that could recapture the magic of the original. The emojam, while an intriguing device, is clearly targeted...
The video game "Dynamic dungeon RPG Tokyo Clanpool" is launching in the West this December for the Nintendo Switch. The game is set in a near-future Tokyo where the government has collapsed and monsters threaten the people. Players take on the role of the newly inaugurated Prime Minister Natsume Kannuki and her "Diet Dolls" as they battle the monsters and uncover the truth behind the mysterious tower that has appeared.
Key features of the game include:
- Dungeon RPG gameplay with first-person exploration and turn-based combat
- Ability to customize characters' skills and abilities using "Digiskins"
- Altering the structure of dungeons by breaking walls, floating, or digging tunnels
- Managing the approval ratings of the citizens...
The Vigamus Group, the owners of The Video Game Museum of Rome, are opening a brand new video game museum called GAMM (Game Museum) in the heart of Rome. The new museum is set to open on November 30th, 2024, shortly after the Checkpoint - Festival of Interactive Experiences taking place on November 28-29.
GAMM will be located at Piazza della Repubblica and will span approximately 700 square meters across two floors and three thematic areas. The museum aims to highlight the cultural and artistic value of video games, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the history, technology, and gameplay of the medium.
The new museum was born out of the success of the previous Video Game Museum of Rome location, which has welcomed over 2...
SuperSega has recently explained that they are intentionally producing "crappy" videos because they are afraid their competitor Analogue will steal their ideas if they create higher quality content. The company has faced some other controversies as well, such as their boss arriving in a Lamborghini to beg for pre-orders, and confusion around their pre-order charges.
It seems SuperSega is struggling to compete in the retro gaming market and is resorting to questionable tactics, likely out of desperation. Their fear of Analogue stealing their ideas has led them to purposefully release low-quality video content, which has further damaged their reputation. The other news stories suggest a company in disarray, unable to effectively manage...
The Sega Genesis was a popular 16-bit video game console released by Sega in the early 1990s. In the late 1990s, there were some experimental projects that involved fusing a Sega Genesis with a digital camera, creating a unique hybrid device.
This was a niche project undertaken by a few hobbyists and tech enthusiasts, who were interested in exploring the possibilities of combining gaming hardware with camera technology. The resulting device would allow users to capture images and then display or manipulate them using the Genesis' graphics capabilities.
However, these camera-Genesis hybrids never gained widespread popularity or commercial success. They remained obscure curiosities known mainly to retro gaming and electronics...
In the ever-evolving world of video games, where cutting-edge technology constantly pushes the boundaries of what's possible, one dedicated archivist has taken on the crucial task of preserving the physical artifacts that shaped gaming's history. Meet Sarah Chen, the passionate curator who has successfully preserved over 500 classic video game toys, ensuring that future generations can experience the tangible side of gaming's rich cultural heritage.
A Collector's Journey
Sarah Chen's journey into the world of video game toy preservation began over two decades ago. As a child of the 1980s, she grew up during the golden age of video games, witnessing firsthand the explosion of gaming culture and the accompanying merchandise that captured...
The modder known as 'Silent' has indeed been dutifully fixing Grand Theft Auto (GTA) bugs for the past decade. This dedicated effort has culminated in a significant milestone for the GTA modding community.
Silent's project, called SilentPatch, began in 2013 as a passion project and has since evolved into a phenomenon in the PC gaming world. Over the past ten years, Silent has created an impressive number of fixes for the classic GTA trilogy:
- 67 fixes for GTA III
- 66 fixes for GTA: Vice City
- 165 fixes for GTA: San Andreas
In total, Silent has implemented over 300 improvements across these games, addressing a wide range of issues from minor annoyances to more significant gameplay problems.
The latest SilentPatch update...
Confusion has arisen regarding SuperSega pre-orders being charged for the full amount. The situation stems from a recent development with the SuperSega FPGA console project, which promises to play software from all of Sega's major consoles.
The project has been surrounded by skepticism due to poor communication and questionable marketing tactics. In a recent video, Alejandro Martin, presumably the project lead, attempted to showcase the console's prototype. However, this demonstration has done little to alleviate concerns:
1. The video begins with Martin arriving in a Lamborghini Gallardo, an unusual choice for a product demonstration.
2. The prototype was presented in a suspicious-looking cardboard box.
3. While the video showed...
Atari has indeed acquired the rights to Chris Sawyer's classic PC simulation game 'Transport Tycoon'. This acquisition was announced on November 1, 2024, marking a significant development in the gaming industry.
Transport Tycoon, originally released in 1994 by MicroProse, is a beloved transport simulation game that puts players in control of a transport company starting in the 1930s. The game tasks players with building a transport empire using various vehicles including trains, ships, trucks, planes, and helicopters.
Key points about this acquisition:
1. Atari acquired the rights from the game's creator, Chris Sawyer.
2. The original game was highly praised for its deep and complex gameplay, detailed pixel graphics, and wide range...
Next-Generation Dreamcast VMUs, specifically the VM2 (Visual Memory Unit 2), are getting several essential features that significantly enhance the original VMU's functionality:
1. Backlit LCD Display: The most crucial upgrade is the inclusion of a higher-resolution backlit LCD screen. This feature allows users to finally see the VMU's display clearly, even in dimly lit environments. The screen, while slightly different in dimensions from the original, offers improved visibility and readability.
2. Rechargeable Battery: The VM2 comes with an internal rechargeable battery, eliminating the need for frequent battery replacements. It can be charged via USB-C or when connected to the Dreamcast controller, with a full charge taking about 15...
Polymega, the modular retro gaming system, has introduced a new series called "Polymega Collection" that brings classic arcade games to the platform via physical media. This is a significant development for retro gaming enthusiasts. Here are the key details:
1. Physical Media: Unlike the initially presumed digital distribution, these classic arcade games will be released on physical DVDs, exclusively playable on Polymega systems.
2. First Releases: The series launches with two titles:
- Asteroids ($40)
- Karate Champ ($40)
3. Content: Each release includes multiple versions of the main game and related titles. For example:
- Asteroids package includes: Orbit, Gravitar, Lunar Lander, Asteroids (Arcade/2600/7800), Asteroids...