retro gaming Archives

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

A Super Mario 64 ROM Hacker Is Recreating Minecraft Inside The N64 Classic

A modder named Arthurtilly has created a voxel engine similar to Minecraft within the Super Mario 64 engine, which operates on an authentic Nintendo 64 console. This project showcases modern modding techniques applied to vintage hardware. Arthurtilly, known for previous ROM hacks, collaborated with rovertronic to develop the Mario Builder 64 tool. His latest hack features an infinite world, multiple block types, diverse biomes, initial fluid dynamics support, and enhanced graphics. Future plans for the engine include a dynamic day/night cycle, flowing lava and water, world saving and loading functionality, integration of trees and vegetation, and an inventory system.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

Developer Made Minecraft Run On Nintendo 64

Arthurtilly has developed a Minecraft-style voxel engine within the Super Mario 64 engine, functioning on authentic Nintendo 64 hardware. The engine utilizes advanced multithreading techniques for efficient terrain and mesh generation, providing smooth performance. It features an infinite world with various block types, diverse biomes, and early elements like fluids and sophisticated lighting effects. Future updates will enhance the engine with flowing water and lava, an improved lighting system with a dynamic day/night cycle, full support for saving and loading worlds, terrain features like trees and vegetation, and an inventory system. A demonstration of the engine is available on a genuine Nintendo 64 console.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Modders use reverse engineering to bring Mario Party 4 to PC, more GameCube games to follow

The gaming community has seen a rise in reverse-engineering source code from retro console games, particularly from the Nintendo 64 era and earlier, leading to native PC ports. The decompilation of Mario Party 4 is nearly complete, making it the first fully decompiled GameCube title, which will facilitate unofficial PC ports. A port of Mario Party 4 with online multiplayer is in development. Other GameCube titles like Super Smash Bros. Melee and Metroid Prime are also being targeted for decompilation. An unofficial PC port of the Xbox 360 game Sonic Unleashed has been completed. Previous titles such as Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time have received PC ports with enhanced features. Modders are experimenting with advanced technologies like ray tracing for classic games. A modding tool has improved the recompilation process, but technical challenges remain. Nintendo has not taken legal action against these decompilation efforts, and modders use clean room tactics to avoid legal issues, requiring ownership of the original game for PC ports.

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

Minecraft runs on 8MB of VRAM using a 20-year-old GPU

The gaming community has revived underperforming hardware, successfully running Minecraft on a 20-year-old GPU, the 3D Phantom XP-2800, with only 8MB of VRAM. A video from Budget-Builds Official details this achievement using an antiquated desktop with Windows XP. Initially, Minecraft Alpha 1.2.6 faced OpenGL compatibility issues, which were resolved by using Microsoft-provided SiS drivers for the card, allowing it to display the game on a CRT monitor. After updates, the game ran, but attempts to run Minecraft 1.6.4 resulted in it loading at one frame per second before crashing. The team optimized performance by removing visual effects, lowering the resolution, and hosting the world server on a nearby laptop, along with using an 8x8 texture pack to stabilize the game.

BetaBeacon

May 2, 2025

The retro gaming and emulation community needs to take a deep breath

- The development of Winlator was officially put on pause following harassment due to a Trojan found in the APK file after version 10.0 was released.

BetaBeacon

May 1, 2025

Why does retro gaming and emulation matter so much?

The author's family primarily played Nintendo and Microsoft games, with limited exposure to Sony consoles. They missed out on playing some Nintendo consoles and games, but now they can easily access a variety of games on their phone. The author has recently become a father and their child is not interested in gaming controllers, only in how they feel or make noise.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

This cartridge lets you run a fake Windows 3.1 on your Game Boy, complete with Minesweeper

The GBS Windows cartridge, created by Rubenretro using GB Studio, allows users to experience a faux version of Windows 3.1 on the Game Boy. It includes applications like Minesweeper, a media player, and Paint, enabling creative expression with features such as printing via a Game Boy printer. The cartridges have sold out due to high demand, but customers can sign up on Etsy for restock notifications.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

7 things you can do with your old Windows 10 PC instead of trading it in

Microsoft is encouraging users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and suggests trading in old PCs that cannot be upgraded. However, trading in may not provide significant discounts, and there are various ways to repurpose old hardware. 1. Install Linux: Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Pop! OS can extend the life of older PCs due to their low system requirements and long-term support. 2. Make it a retro gaming machine: Using Emulation Station, an old PC can be transformed into a retro gaming machine, allowing access to thousands of classic games. 3. Make it a media server: Old PCs can be converted into home media servers using platforms like Plex and Jellyfin, enabling offline viewing of shows and movies. 4. Use it as a game server: An old PC can host game servers for titles like Minecraft, allowing for a unique gaming experience with friends. 5. Power your smart home: Turning an old PC into a Home Assistant server can help manage smart home devices from a single interface. 6. Turn it into a NAS: An old PC can be transformed into a Network Attached Storage (NAS) solution for centralized data backup across multiple devices. 7. Kickstart your home lab: Setting up a home lab using dedicated operating systems or platforms like Docker can turn an old PC into a multifunctional server for various services.

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 31, 2025

Jason Momoa talks Minecraft movie mayhem, 5 all-time metal tracks, and a Dune 3 return

Jason Momoa stars in the upcoming film A Minecraft Movie, directed by Jared Hess. The film is an adaptation of the popular video game, which has sold over 300 million copies and has a monthly player base of more than 170 million. Momoa plays Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, a former video game champion navigating the Minecraft “Overworld.” He describes the filming experience as fun and different from his usual roles, emphasizing the creative freedom he had on set. The character's heavy metal look reflects Momoa's personal style and love for retro gaming. A Minecraft Movie is set to be released in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on April 4th.