retro game Archives

BetaBeacon

April 13, 2025

A chance conversation with a retro game store owner forever changed my views on emulation

The owner of a retro game store is not opposed to emulation and believes it has had a positive impact on retro gaming by helping people discover games they otherwise would not have played. Many customers of the store also emulate games, even those they purchase from the store, as it offers benefits like save states and improved framerates. Emulation has actually grown the owner's market as it creates a steady pipeline of people interested in retro games, leading them to collect physical games and memorabilia from the store. The owner emphasizes that the most important thing is to enjoy games, whether through original systems or emulation.

AppWizard

March 10, 2025

I’m not sure what’s weirder: that someone made a sequel to a completely forgettable 37-year-old game I played as a kid, or that it was actually worth the wait

Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is a sequel to the original game, Beyond the Ice Palace, which was released decades ago and received mediocre reviews. The original featured a nameless hero in a non-ice world with a simplistic ending. The sequel improves upon the original by offering a more engaging experience with hidden treasures, revisitable areas, and skill-based platforming. Combat is enhanced with versatile weapons, and the game balances nostalgia with modern gameplay principles, making it a worthy investment in the gaming landscape.

BetaBeacon

March 3, 2025

Forget emulators, native ports of Xbox 360 games are closer than ever

Emulation has advanced with the development of new static recompilation tools, allowing for native PC ports of Xbox 360 games. The first fan port showcasing this technology is Sonic Unleashed, offering various enhancements. The project requires original game files, an Xbox 360, and an Xbox 360 hard drive for operation. The tool is currently limited to x86 devices, but there is potential for native Android ports in the future. This development marks a significant milestone in retro game preservation and could change the landscape of Xbox and Xbox 360 emulation on PC and Android platforms.

BetaBeacon

February 19, 2025

15 best free Android games with no in app purchases

- AI Factory Limited offers a variety of simple free Android games with no in-app purchases - Alto's Odyssey and Alto's Adventure are free mobile games with in-app purchases that are purely cosmetic - Antiyoy is a turn-based strategy game with simple graphics and rules, featuring multiplayer and no ads or in-app purchases - Crossy Road is a popular free game with in-app purchases that are purely cosmetic - Papers, Please is a simulation game with no in-app purchases available for .99 - Doom and Destiny Advanced is a free JRPG with ads and some limitations, but contains the entire base game - OpenTTD is an open-source version of Transport Tycoon with no in-app purchases - Pathos is a retro roguelike adventure game with no in-app purchases - Pocket City is a city-building simulation game available for .99 with a premium version - Resonance of the Ocean is a short game with no complexity and no in-app purchases - Stardew Valley is a must-play RPG available for .99 without ads or microtransactions - The Spike is a volleyball game sim with optional in-app purchases - Vampire Survivors is a survival RPG with minimal gameplay and optional in-app purchases - Into the Breach is a challenging puzzle/roguelike game available on Netflix Games with no ads or in-app purchases - Vodobanka is a puzzle game where you command a SWAT team with no microtransactions, but a purchase is required after the demo version

Winsage

February 14, 2025

5 reasons you should use Windows for retro gaming emulation

Gaming has become increasingly popular, with many new titles and classic games available through emulation. Windows is the preferred platform for running retro game emulators due to its user-friendly nature, as most PCs come preinstalled with it. Windows 11 offers strong security features through Microsoft Defender, which is important for users downloading potentially risky ROMs. Linux has faced challenges with integer scaling, affecting the visual quality of emulated games, while Windows has better compatibility with emulators and hardware. Emulation Station Desktop Edition (ES-DE) enhances the retro gaming experience on Windows by providing an intuitive interface. Overall, Windows is considered the most accessible and practical option for retro gaming.

AppWizard

December 24, 2024

I played at least one retro game every week in 2024: Here are 10 I’d still recommend to everyone

The text discusses the appeal of classic video games and their modern counterparts, highlighting several notable titles. - Dig Dug (1982) is an arcade classic known for its simple yet challenging gameplay, where players clear dirt and drop rocks on monsters. - Mr. Driller DrillLand (2002) is a modern twist on the Dig Dug experience, featuring puzzle-solving and whimsical aesthetics, originally a GameCube exclusive now available on Steam. - Thief (1998) offers a first-person stealth experience in a detailed steampunk universe, focusing on exploration and heists. - Wing Commander (1990) combines space combat with a narrative that evolves based on player choices. - Strahd’s Possession is an RPG inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, featuring an innovative automap system for exploration in a gothic fantasy setting. - Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2 (2004) provides engaging character development and loot collection, compatible with modern platforms. - The Castlevania Dominus Collection includes classic titles like Haunted Castle (1987) and Dawn of Sorrow (2005), showcasing the potential for redemption through redesign. - Alone in the Dark (1992) is recognized as a pioneer of the survival horror genre, known for its puzzle design and atmospheric tension. - Skald: Against the Black Priory (2024) captures retro aesthetics with modern gameplay mechanics, reminiscent of classic Commodore 64 adventures. - Devil Blade Reboot (2024) channels '90s arcade shooters with vibrant pixel art and fast-paced action.

BetaBeacon

December 9, 2024

Top 20 best retro games on Android

- Crazy Taxi Classic is an iconic arcade retro game now available on smartphones where players can be a law-abiding driver or a reckless madman to earn extra tips. - Another World is a 30-year-old game where players control a scientist who ends up on another planet after an experiment gone wrong. - Tomb of the Mask is a Pac-Man inspired endless-runner game where players guide a tomb raider through a vertical labyrinth collecting stars, pellets, and coins. - Dragon Quest I is a classic JRPG game where players take control of the chosen one on a quest to slay the Dragonlord and save the princess of Alefgard Kingdom.

BetaBeacon

October 2, 2024

The 45 best free Android games for your phone or tablet | Stuff

- Vampire Survivors is a devilishly simple roguelike shoot 'em up game available on mobile for over a year. - Super Cat Tales: PAWS is a platform game where players control a band of cats through various levels. - Swordigo is a 2D adventure-platformer game with monsters to fight and treasures to find. - Dadish 3 is a platform game where players control a radish bouncing through levels to rescue his kids. - Bean Dreams is a platform game that emphasizes learning levels, timing, and exploration. - Sad But Ded is a platform game with a leapy protagonist trying to reach the flag without dying. - It's full of Sparks is a game where players direct a jumping firecracker to water to prevent it from exploding. - Alto's Odyssey is an endless runner game set in a desert with new gameplay elements like bouncing off hot-air balloons. - Saily Seas is a survival game where players try to avoid drowning and being eaten by a whale. - Will Hero is a platforming game with a square hero who bounces forward to defeat enemies. - Super Fowlst 2 is a game where players control a chicken saving the world from a demon invasion using its rear. - Knight Brawl is a hack 'em up game with a sword-wielding protagonist battling enemies in various scenarios. - Beat Street is a scrolling retro game where players fight enemies using only a single digit. - PinOut! is a pinball game with a single massive table challenging players to hit ramps against the clock. - Spaceteam is a multiplayer game where players give orders to prevent their ship from exploding. - Shadowgun Legends is a mobile FPS game where players aim to become a legendary warrior by completing missions. - Time Locker is a vertical shooter game where everything moves only when the player does. - PewPew Live is a twin-stick shooty game reminiscent of classic arcade games like Robotron: 2084. - Shooty Quest is a game where players shoot enemies with arrows using specific weapons for each enemy. - Missile Command: Recharged is a redesigned version of the classic Missile Command game where players defend against nuclear missile attacks. - Please, Touch the Artwork 2 is a puzzle game based on the work of Belgian modern artist James Ensor.

AppWizard

September 22, 2024

Parking Garage Rally Circuit (PC) Review – Video Game News & Reviews

Parking Garage Rally Circuit is a retro-inspired racing game that pays homage to classic arcade rally games from the SEGA Saturn era, specifically capturing the essence of 1995 with vibrant graphics and catchy soundtracks. The game features straightforward courses that increase in difficulty, challenging players against AI opponents and ghost cars derived from the developer's best laps. Players can choose from three vehicle categories—light, heavy, and ultra—with customizable color combinations. It includes a single-player mode with classic and endurance races, and a multiplayer mode for up to six players, though the latter is untested as the game is still awaiting official release. Parking Garage Rally Circuit is set to launch on PC on September 20, 2024, with plans for a Nintendo Switch port and aspirations for a SEGA Saturn release, priced at .99.

AppWizard

August 30, 2024

Dreamcast-inspired mini-PC plays your favorite console games — EmuDeck Machine features up to a Ryzen 5 8600G, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD | Tom’s Hardware

The EmuDeck Machine Mini PC, launched on Indiegogo, is available in two configurations: EM1 and EM2. The EM1 features an Intel N97 CPU, while the EM2 is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 8600G. Both models run on the Bazzite operating system, have 16 GB of RAM, and come with 512 GB NVMe storage. The EM1 has Intel UHD Graphics 730, and the EM2 has AMD Radeon 760M. Each model includes four USB Type-A ports and supports wireless connectivity, with EM1 using Wi-Fi 5 and EM2 using Wi-Fi 6. The project aims to raise ,710 by October 28 and has already raised ,000 on its first day. Early bird pricing starts at 9 for the EM1 and 9 for the EM2. Shipping could begin as early as December if funding goals are met.