vintage Archives

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Forbidden Solitaire warns us to uninstall it ‘before it’s too late,’ but I played the demo anyway and now I want more

The Steam page for Forbidden Solitaire warns users to uninstall it "before it's too late." The demo features bizarre elements, including an eyeball offering upgrades and a character embedding gems into their own flesh. Players can cheat by inserting gems into their hand, with gameplay mechanics resembling traditional solitaire but incorporating unique twists, such as damaging opponents with removed cards. The game's lore involves a character testing the game on a vintage '90s PC, with messages from a friend discussing its controversial history. The demo includes strategic gameplay with key cards, cursed cards, and the need for careful decision-making to succeed. The player experiences a mix of card battling and puzzle-solving, leading to a sense of competence in card games.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Over 1000 Classic PC Games Are Dirt Cheap On GOG Right Now

GOG has launched its Winter Classics Promo, offering over 1,000 vintage PC games at discounts of up to 95%. The promotion started on January 6 and will run until January 20. Games are free of digital rights management (DRM), allowing for easy download and play. Notable titles included in the sale are Theme Hospital, Fallout 3 GOTY Edition, Fallout New Vegas, Dungeon Keeper GOLD, Roller Coaster Tycoon, Sim City 2000, Thief Gold, and many others.

AppWizard

December 29, 2025

This Desktop Doohickey Will Bring Your Physical SNES Games to Your PC

Epilogue is launching the SN Operator, a device that connects Super Nintendo cartridges to modern PCs, scheduled to ship in April next year. Preorders will open on December 30 at noon ET. The SN Operator is compatible with PC, Mac, and Steam Deck, allowing users to back up games and save progress through the Playback app, which also supports co-op gameplay and RetroAchievements. It reads data directly from cartridges instead of using hardware emulation and supports mouse controls for classic accessories. Epilogue plans to expand its product line, potentially creating an Operator device for NES games in the future.

Winsage

December 14, 2025

Use Windows 3.1 Straight From Your Browser To Boot Up Pure Nostalgia

Jeff Parsons has created a fully functional emulation of Windows 3.1 accessible through modern web browsers, allowing users to explore the iconic Program Manager interface and various retro applications like File Manager, Paintbrush, and Media Player. The emulator operates seamlessly using JavaScript, requiring no installation, and offers both full-screen and windowed views with nostalgic elements like a floppy-disk dropdown. It includes classic shareware, vintage Microsoft Word versions, digitized PC Magazine issues, and games such as King's Quest and The Oregon Trail. This project highlights the slower pace of computing in the early 90s and serves as a reminder of advancements in hardware over the years. Previous attempts to run vintage operating systems on actual hardware have faced limitations, contrasting with Parsons' success in running Windows 95 in a browser.

AppWizard

December 10, 2025

Repair shop simulator ReStory will finally let me live out my dream of being an electronic tinkerer without having to destroy my own belongings first

ReStory is a simulation game set in early 2000s Tokyo where players act as a repair shop owner, mending various electronic devices. The gameplay involves disassembling gadgets, cleaning them, diagnosing issues, and restoring them. Players will encounter a range of devices to repair, including Atari consoles, Tamagotchis, and vintage mobile phones. The game features a narrative aspect where players interact with customers, revealing emotional connections to their devices. ReStory is set to be released in 2026.

AppWizard

December 9, 2025

Cozy thrift shop management simulation game Thrifty Business announced for PC

Spellgarden Games is releasing a thrift shop management simulation game called Thrifty Business, which will be available on PC via Steam in 2026. Players will manage a vintage shop, curate items, and create displays while engaging with customers and hosting events. The game features vibrant 90s-inspired graphics, over 500 unique items, extensive customization options, and a focus on community interaction without the stress of profit maximization or haggling.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

Psychological Adventure Game Sublustrum Announced for Consoles and PC

Publisher Brickworks Games and developer Phantomery Interactive are releasing a psychological adventure game titled Sublustrum, set to launch in fall 2026 for consoles and PC via Steam. The game is a reimagining of the 2008 cult classic Outcry, known as Sublustrum in Russia and Poland. The narrative follows a writer investigating the disappearance of his brother, a scientist, while exploring a liminal space that blends reality and dreams. Players will navigate a 3D environment featuring Victorian melancholy, industrial aesthetics, and early-20th-century retrofuturism. Sound plays a crucial role in the game, with audio-driven puzzles and a dark ambient score shaping the narrative. The game includes a mix of new and reimagined puzzles that require associative and lateral thinking.

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

I ranked Arc Raiders skins based on how likely I am to shoot them on sight, and I’ve become the thing I swore to destroy

Rory Norris shares his experiences in the game Arc Raiders, focusing on the significance of character skins in player interactions. He notes that different outfits convey various messages about trust and intent. - The Striker outfit resembles Norris's usual attire but makes him suspicious of the wearer's motives due to its aggressive design. - The Macrame outfit evokes danger, prompting Norris to act cautiously around players wearing it. - The Riposta skin, despite its fencing roots, appears threatening, leading Norris to take preemptive action against players in it. - Norris is skeptical of players in the default Origin skin, associating them with unexpected aggression. - The Cosmo outfit increases his distrust due to its unappealing design. - Although the Driftcoat is his favorite, it raises concerns about the wearer's potential threat. - The Leviathan skin's dark design creates an unsettling element of surprise. - The popular Torpedo outfit makes Norris question the intentions of its wearers. - Players in the Ryder skin are more trusted by Norris, though he remains cautious. - The Voyager skin's friendly appearance makes Norris feel at ease. - Norris finds the Astrolite outfit bemusing but holds no ill will towards its wearers. - The Chap skin elicits a neutral response from Norris. - The Cresta outfit is viewed with suspicion due to its unappealing design. - The Hawker outfit's unassuming nature could mask a dangerous player. - The Mirage skin offers a chance for trust, though Norris stays alert. - Ombra's vibrant design does not alleviate Norris's caution. - The Radio Renegade skin is appreciated for its practicality, but Norris remains skeptical. - The Velati outfit fosters a sense of trust if players engage positively. - The Voltedge outfit attracts friendly players, making Norris view them as allies. - Norris constantly negotiates for survival and collaboration in the game. - Players in the Patrol outfit signify skill and dedication, prompting Norris to consider teaming up. - Certain skins foster camaraderie, leading Norris to identify trusted allies in the game.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

Mafia: The Old Country’s Free Ride update is out now, replacing its empty open world with an extremely basic one

The Mafia series is known for its linear storytelling, with Mafia: The Old Country emphasizing this aspect while introducing a Free Ride update that enhances player experience by replacing the previous Explore mode. This update offers meaningful activities and hidden secrets, rewarding players with new vehicles, weapons, charms, and outfits. Additional features include a photo mode, a black-and-white Cinema Siciliano mode, a default Sicilian language setting, a Classic difficulty mode, and first-person driving. Despite critiques of the game's predictability, it has been successful, as noted by Take-Two Interactive's CEO, who indicated that the game's structure and pricing have produced favorable results.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

Hytale honcho says early access will be $20 because ‘charging more didn’t feel right’: He doesn’t think the game is good yet, but ‘my team and I will push hard to make it good, then great’

Hytale, a sandbox RPG inspired by Minecraft, was previously canceled by Riot Games due to unmet expectations. Under Hypixel founder Simon Collins-Laflamme, the project is being revived with a commitment to accessibility and a competitive price point. Collins-Laflamme has repurchased the game and expanded the development team to 50 members, despite losing four years of development time. The team recently released 16 minutes of new footage, which, while described as "raw and broken," showed promising elements. Early access is expected to be available in the next few days, and special editions will also be offered to support the project.