Mario Archives

AppWizard

August 14, 2025

If “good is the new bad” in games, flawed experiments won’t have time to grow into future GOTYs

The BioShock series is experiencing significant narrative revisions for BioShock 4 following an internal review, as noted by Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, who highlighted the industry's shift towards higher standards in gaming. Players now expect exceptional experiences, with the phrase "good is the new bad" reflecting the competitive market where only remarkable titles succeed. The gaming industry has historically benefited from innovative yet imperfect games, like Divine Divinity, which eventually led to the success of Baldur's Gate 3. The current trend towards polished games may hinder creativity and limit the development of new genres, as the industry thrives on iteration and experimentation.

AppWizard

August 10, 2025

One of the first ever American videogame magazines is now available online for free

The Video Game History Foundation has digitized the magazine Computer Entertainer, originally published from 1982 to 1990, and made it accessible to the public under a Creative Commons 4.0 attribution license. Computer Entertainer is notable for surviving the 1983-84 video game industry crash, providing reviews and insights during that period. It features American reviews of iconic games such as The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Super Mario Bros. The entire collection can be accessed at gamehistory.org/computerentertainer.

AppWizard

August 8, 2025

Indaina’s Largest Corn Maze Has a Minecraft Theme

North Folk Farms, located in Waterloo, Indiana, is home to the largest corn maze in the state, a tradition since 2011. The farm features various activities such as pumpkin picking, hayrides, and a zip line. This year's corn maze theme is inspired by Super Mario Bros, while the 2025 design will be based on the upcoming Minecraft Movie. The corn maze opens on August 29th.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

FPS legend John Romero says Wolfenstein 3D was the first game id Software took its time with⁠—a luxurious 4-month development instead of just 2

John Romero discussed the early 1990s transformation of PC gaming during a Nightdive Studios podcast, highlighting id Software's rapid development cycles and innovative technology. He noted that John Carmack's programming breakthroughs in September 1990 were pivotal, and that id Software's initial pitch to Nintendo for a Super Mario 3 port was rejected, leading to the creation of Commander Keen. In 1991, id released three Commander Keen sequels and Catacomb 3D. Romero emphasized a shift in development practices with Wolfenstein 3D, allowing for a four-month development period focused on quality. He contrasted the simpler processes of that time with today's complex game development landscape. Additionally, he mentioned the rise of the hunting game genre and the potential of indie developers, while noting that Romero Games is seeking a new publisher after Microsoft withdrew funding for a triple-A shooter project.

AppWizard

August 1, 2025

A Post-Apocalyptic, Rhythm-Based RPG With An Incredible Soundtrack Is Free On PC

Keylocker is a rhythm-centric RPG set in a dystopian world where music is forbidden. Players control B0B0, a cyborg and one of the last musicians, who escapes from prison and teams up with a sentient robotic jukebox named Rocket and his brother Dealer to rebel against the oppressive rulers known as Satellites. The game features turn-based battles that require precise timing for button presses to evade damage or amplify attacks. Keylocker is available for free on PC via the Epic Games Store until August 7 and is also accessible on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

Castlemania II is a Castlevania-themed Super Mario game that you can play on PC

A new romhack titled Castlemania II has been created by modder xMANGRAVYx, combining elements from Super Mario Bros. and Castlevania for PC play. Players need a SNES emulator and the original Super Mario World ROM to play. The game features unique power-ups, engaging cutscenes, and custom bosses, with a higher difficulty level than traditional Super Mario titles. Players can download Castlemania II and apply the romhack using tools like Flips or Beat. Other notable romhacks mentioned include Super Mario Bros. CD and the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Remastered, set to release on September 13th.

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

This sci-fi horror racer is one of my favorite PC games, and it’s currently going for less than a fiver during the Steam racing fest

Distance debuted in 2018, featuring a blend of grimy sci-fi aesthetics and arcade racing gameplay. It includes an extensive campaign with psychedelic visuals and precision racing mechanics, offering a variety of tracks and Steam Workshop support for user-generated content. The game has both online and splitscreen multiplayer options but is noted for its captivating single-player experience. Recently, Distance's price dropped to .49 on Steam. The Steam Racing Fest has introduced various racing games on sale, including Distance, Redout, and Trackmania, encouraging players to explore beyond mainstream titles.

AppWizard

July 30, 2025

Battlefield 6 probably isn’t going to cost $80: ‘We’re not looking to make any changes on pricing at this stage,’ CEO says

In 2017, the standard price for a big-budget game release was around , with discussions in the industry about potentially lowering prices to or . Helldivers 2 launched at a more accessible price, while Dune 2 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 were priced at . Despite arguments for lower prices, major game release prices have generally increased over the years. In 2022, Call of Duty was priced at on Steam, and Nintendo priced Mario Kart World for the Switch 2 at . Microsoft initially priced The Outer Worlds 2 at before reducing it to due to community backlash. Take-Two's Gearbox studio set Borderlands 4 at , avoiding the higher price trend.

AppWizard

July 28, 2025

Super Mario Bros. Remastered Fan Game Hits PC Soon, Includes Lost Levels

Super Mario Bros. Remastered, a fan-made remake of the 1985 NES classic, will launch on September 13, 2025. Created by YouTube creator JoeMama, it features high-resolution graphics, widescreen support, improved physics, enhanced sound effects, and chiptune music. The game includes extensive customization options, allowing players to alter visuals and audio, as well as a built-in Level Editor for designing custom levels. It also incorporates classic titles like The Lost Levels and Super Mario Bros. Special, all benefiting from visual and audio upgrades. The development team is not using original assets to navigate legal issues, requiring players to supply their own NES ROM.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

The Outer Worlds 2 will no longer cost $80 as Microsoft backs away from plans to follow Nintendo’s lead

Obsidian Entertainment has adjusted the price of its RPG, The Outer Worlds 2, after public feedback regarding its initial pricing. The studio communicated with fans via their Bluesky account, indicating a commitment to fair pricing and collaboration with partners for the revision. The gaming industry has seen fluctuations in major title prices, with Microsoft maintaining its strategy of keeping full-priced holiday releases consistent. Obsidian's other title, Avowed, launched at a similar price point and was available through Game Pass, while it was discounted during the Steam Summer Sale. Some publishers have opted for lower price points for new titles to attract gamers seeking quality experiences without premium costs.