classic gaming Archives

AppWizard

August 17, 2026

Mortal Shell 2 review: A monumental heavy metal sequel with the spirit of a ’90s PC game

Mortal Shell 2 features a tavern called The One Legged Wolf, where patrons gather amidst a chaotic environment, enjoying music from a lute-player. The game blends modern dark fantasy with humor and classic PC gaming elements, enhancing its predecessor's gameplay and lore. Players control the Harbinger, who can inhabit eight different Shells, each with unique abilities and skill trees. Combat mechanics have evolved to allow for a more aggressive playstyle without a stamina bar, offering various damage mitigation methods. The game includes an easy mode, the Slayer Seal, and a secret hard mode for different player preferences. Level design pays homage to classic gaming, with intricate dungeons and hidden passages. Despite some bugs and a focus on specific Shells, the game is praised for its creativity and engaging experience.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

H2 Interactive launches IGS Classic Arcade Collection worldwide on PC via Steam

H2 Interactive launched the IGS Classic Arcade Collection for PC via Steam on August 13, 2026, featuring eight iconic arcade titles, including the Knights of Valour series, Demon Front, and Martial Masters. The collection is available at a 10% discount for the first two weeks and supports multiple languages: English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. It includes online multiplayer support for up to four players, modern quality-of-life features like adjustable difficulty and customizable key mapping, and various display modes. The included titles are: - Knights of Valour: Super Heroes - Knights of Valour Plus - Knights of Valour 2 - Nine Dragons - Oriental Legend - Oriental Legend Spooky - Martial Masters - Demon Front - The Gladiator The collection was developed by International Games System Co., Ltd. (IGS) and published by H2 Interactive.

BetaBeacon

August 6, 2026

This Game Boy Advance clone is a cheap Android handheld from AYANEO

The AYANEO KONKR Pocket Advance is a handheld game console that resembles the Nintendo Game Boy Advance but with modern features. It has a 3.5 inch display, MediaTek Helio G90T processor, and runs on an Android-based operating system. The device is available for pre-order with different configurations and prices, with limited production runs expected. The KONKR Pocket Advance features a unique design ideal for classic GBA titles, along with additional buttons for enhanced gameplay. It also includes various modern features such as a 4,000 mAh battery, WiFi, Bluetooth, USB-C port, microSD card reader, and gyroscope. The device aims to provide a blend of nostalgia and modern functionality for gamers looking for a portable gaming experience.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

The next game on GOG’s preservation list would be your favourite ARPG if it hadn’t released the same year as Diablo 2, and it’s on sale now

NOX, an action role-playing game released by Westwood in 2000, is being revived as it has secured a spot in GOG's Preservation Program following a recent patron poll. GOG will provide ongoing support and enhancements for the game, which is currently available on GOG for a limited-time price of .39. Owners of the game will receive updates free of charge.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

This week in PC games: a battle royale detective game, a broken Y2K metaverse, a laptop tycoon sim, and a new Company of Heroes RTS

- Endacopia: A point-and-click horror game inspired by 90s edutainment software. - Broken Reality 2000: A first-person puzzle-platforming adventure set in a Y2K-themed metaverse. - Plum Road Tea Dream: A semi-autobiographical journey of a queer POC developer through seven distinct graphical worlds. - Moon Crashers: A game where players gather resources to build an escape rocket after crash-landing on the moon. - Forsaken Realms: Vahrin's Call: A third-person fantasy adventure set in a beleaguered city. - Kinny and the Cosmic Cauldron: A roguelike deckbuilder where players create soups for eldritch clientele. - Dissolution of the Silent Union: A narrative with gloomy anime aesthetics and themes of decay. - Orbital Hell: A hallucinatory score-attacker game battling geometric boglins. - Désorienté: A narrative-driven experience set in a violent world with intestines as currency. - CipherMind: A battle royale detective game for eight players in a concrete labyrinth. - Lunarium: An action-RPG featuring a knight and a floating sorceress. - Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand: A strategic spin-off involving tactical gameplay against waves of enemies. - Joy Malignant: A dice-based RPG set in a city filled with despair. - Truck-kun is Supporting Me from Another World?!: A humorous isekai game featuring a truck driver. - Outfield: An exploration of agricultural growth and its implications. - Olga: A cozy adventure game without combat. - Legacy of Sail: A nostalgic real-time naval tactics game. - Culdcept The First: A modern adaptation of a board/card game fusion. - Mistfall Hunter: A PvPvE extraction RPG. - Turnip Mountain: A 2D climbing simulator in a whimsical world. - Signy & Mino: Against All Gods: A side-scrolling RPG featuring a girl and her dog. - Devil's Hand: A card game where players form poker hands on a grid. - Parkside: Decayed Soul Manipulation: A sim shooter set in a dystopian California. - Cloud Sculptor: A 3D puzzle-platformer where players create sculptures for ghosts.

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

7 Retro-Themed PC Gaming Gadgets Inspired By Iconic Consoles

Retro gaming enthusiasts can enhance their gaming experiences with modern gadgets that merge nostalgia with contemporary technology. The 8BitDo Retro R8 mouse, priced at .99, is designed to resemble the Nintendo Entertainment System and offers Bluetooth, RF Wireless, or wired USB connectivity with a polling rate of 8,000 hertz and a maximum sensor resolution of 26,000 DPI. It comes in three designs: NES, Commodore 64, and original Xbox, and includes a charging dock. The PromoType KeyBoy Advance keyboard, priced at , replicates the Game Boy Advance and requires DIY assembly. It features L and R buttons that are configurable extras and includes a power indicator and speaker grille. The 8BitDo M30 controller, priced at .99, is designed for the Sega Genesis with a six-button layout and compatibility with various devices including PC and Nintendo Switch. The Retro-Bit V2 Wireless Tribute 64 controller, retailing at .99, is optimized for Nintendo 64 games and features improved latency and a classic button layout, compatible with multiple platforms including the Nintendo Switch. The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard, available for .99, features a design reminiscent of the NES, customizable A and B buttons, and supports both wired and wireless connectivity with key remapping options. The Ayaneo Retro Mini PC AM02, priced at 9, is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7840HS processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD, suitable for retro and contemporary gaming, ideally paired with a CRT display. The 8BitDo Arcade Stick, priced at .99, features a design inspired by the NES, customizable macro options, and supports USB-C wired and wireless connections, allowing easy switching between PC and Nintendo Switch.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

PC Gamer Repurposes Old SSDs to Create a Steam Game Cartridge System

Jibril-sama, a Redditor, has transformed old 2.5" SSDs into a new gaming cartridge system, combining nostalgia with modern technology. The SSDs, acquired for approximately each, serve as the basis for this project, which involves minor software tweaks and custom printed labels. The setup allows games stored on the SSDs to auto-navigate to their Steam pages and can auto-start games. This approach offers a practical solution for PC gamers facing rising storage costs, utilizing spare drives while maintaining SATA III speeds. The configuration requires a systemd template and a udev rule to launch scripts from the SSDs.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

YouTuber gets Minecraft running on an original Game Boy Color, and it even looks kinda playable

A YouTuber named Game of Tobi has ported Minecraft to the original Game Boy, creating a playable .gbc file that captures the essence of 3D gameplay while operating at half speed and in black and white. The project showcases the capabilities of the original hardware, despite its limitations, and follows a previous successful port to the Game Boy Color. The textures are simplified to maintain performance, and the endeavor reflects a spirit of experimentation within the gaming community.

AppWizard

July 3, 2026

GOG Makes Classic PC Game for Free

GOG is offering the 2004 game Nexus: The Jupiter Incident for free for a limited time of two days and 17 hours. After this promotional period, it will return to its standard price. If claimed during the promotion, it will remain permanently in the user's GOG library as a DRM-free copy. The game was developed by Mithis Entertainment and published by HD Interactive, and it has a Metacritic score of 77, a 4.4 out of 5 stars rating on GOG, and an 86% approval rating on Steam. The intellectual property is currently held by THQ Nordic.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Turn Your Android Smartphone Into A GameCube With This App

MrRubrik has developed a GameCube Launcher app for Android devices that allows users to transform their phone's interface to resemble the GameCube console. The app features a GameCube-inspired user interface, instant game launching via the Dolphin emulator, automatic detection of game covers, local game library management, and retro sound effects. It is designed to provide a nostalgic experience while incorporating modern functionality and is available for free on MrRubrik's website and the Google Play Store.