Once upon a time, I would stay up late at night with friends, listening to the local high school playing football, and “playing” visual novels with wonder… both by being sucked into the story, and at the amazement of modern technology used by state-of-the-art computers of the mid-80’s. Technology is funny though. It advances so quickly, and older tech is
Read more
For my taste, none of the series’ sequels ever quite matched the greatness of the original Contra game (the NES version, that is), but Super Contra came close. On Thursday publisher Hamster brought Super Contra to the Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of the digital Arcade Archives series. Originally released in arcades by Konami in 1988, Super Contra was
Read more
Before Mighty Final Fight, before Final Fight Guy, there was Mighty Guy. Late last week, publisher Hamster released Mighty Guy on Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of their digital Arcade Archives series. Originally released in Japanese arcades by Nichibutsu in 1986, Mighty Guy is a top-down action game akin to Commando and Ikari Warriors. Players take control of the
Read more
If you were busy with Christmas holiday comings and goings last week (like we were), you may have missed that Hamster has released Solitary Fighter on Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of the digital Arcade Archives series. Originally released in Japanese arcades by Taito in 1991 Solitary Fighter the first one-on-one fighter where you can kick a bear in
Read more
Publisher Hamster has announced that Mystic Warriors is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of the digital Arcade Archives series. Originally released in arcades by Konami in 1993, this is the first time that Mystic Warriors has been commercially available in the West. In Mystic Warriors, players choose from five playable martial arts masters: Spyros, Kojiro, Keima,
Read more
Publisher Hamster has announced that vertical scrolling shoot ‘em up Aero Fighters is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of the digital Arcade Archives series. Originally developed by Video Systems and released in arcades by Tecmo in 1992, Aero Fighters was later ported to the Super NES in 1993. However, this is the first time that an
Read more
Publisher Versus Evil and developer C2 Game Studio have revealed additional details for Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients, an action-RPG launching on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms in 2024. The latest info dump highlights the environment of Gliese, which is described as “a realm draped in mystery, where history lies cloaked in shadows and destiny teeters on uncertainty.” The
Read more
Don’t call him Wonder Boy… Publisher JanduSoft recently announced that 3D platformer Aztek Tiki Talisman will be released on 14 December for Nintendo Switch, Xbone, SeXbox, PS4 and PS5 (with cross-buy). Created by solo developer Josep Monzonis, Aztek Tiki Talisman is an adventure designed for players of all ages. Here’s the official breakdown of Aztek Tiki Talisman from JanduSoft, followed
Read more
Publisher ININ Games recently announced that six of its titles are finally coming to Microsoft platforms on 7 December, with more planned for early next year. The games are already available on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation. Here’s the list so far: Here’s the official breakdown of each game from ININ: Pocky & Rocky: Reshrined (Read our review here) The adventures
Read more
“No. It’s not a sequel to Scramble.” Publisher Hamster has announced that vertical shoot ‘em up Scramble Formation is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of the digital Arcade Archives series. Originally developed for arcades by Taito in 1986 and later ported to the MSX in Japan, this is the first time that Scramble Formation (aka Tokio)
Read more
Forever Entertainment has released Timberman: The Big Adventure on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC (via Steam and GOG). The game is already available for Nintendo Switch. Developed by Digital Melody Game and Storm Trident, Timberman is a 2D co-op platformer with a retro-inspired visual aesthetic. Here’s the official breakdown of Timberman from Forever Entertainment: For those looking to pick up Timberman
Read more
“…and that’s where the attack comes… not from the front… from the sides.” Publisher Hamster has announced that Dino Rex is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of the digital Arcade Archives series. Originally released in Japanese arcades by Taito in 1992, this is the first time that Dino Rex is seeing an official release in the
Read more
Are you the kind of person who might have played Space Harrier and thought to yourself? “You know what’s missing here? A Queen soundtrack!” If you are, then I have good news for you! Air Twister* is finally here to fulfill your deepest fantasy! If you’re unfamiliar with Space Harrier, it is one of the most original games from legendary video game creator, Yu Suzuki
Read more
Turn right on Yie Ar Avenue. Publisher Hamster has announced that Shao-Lin’s Road is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of the digital Arcade Archives series. Originally released in Japanese arcades by Konami in 1985, Shao-Lin’s Road was later ported to the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum, Shao-Lin’s Road is a follow-up to Yie Ar
Read more
Tokyo-based game developer Live Wire has released Radiant Silvergun for Steam PC. Originally developed by Treasure and released for arcades and SEGA Saturn in 1998, Radiant Silvergun is a sci-fi shooter that is considered a progenitor of modern “bullet-hell” shoot ‘em ups. This Steam version is a port of the 2011 Xbox Live Arcade version, with a few new features
Read more
Talky me banana? Sorry. The Japanese is actually pronounced “DIE-oh” and means something like “great king.” Publisher Hamster has announced that vertical shoot ‘em up Daioh is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of the digital Arcade Archives series. Originally released in arcades by Athena in 1993, this is the first time that Daioh is seeing an
Read more
Government name: my college apartment Developer Moonthsoft recently announced that The Bugs Manor is coming to Steam PC sometime in 2024. The Bugs Manor is a psychological horror game that features overhead 2D gameplay and a throwback pixel art visual aesthetic. Here’s the official breakdown of The Bugs Manor from Moonthsoft, followed by the latest trailer: The Bugs Manor is
Read more
Publisher Hamster has announced that Blandia is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of the digital Arcade Archives series. Originally released in Japanese arcades by Allumer in 1992, the very poorly titled Blandia failed to make a splash in the crowded pool of its fighting game contemporaries. It was nonetheless ported to the FM Towns and the
Read more
Publisher Hamster has announced that Guttang Gottong is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of the digital Arcade Archives series. Originally released in Japanese arcades by Konami in 1982 and later ported to the Intellivision and MSX, Guttang Gottong (ガッタンゴットン) is known as Loco-Motion in the West. Similar to those familiar little sliding tray/tile puzzles (though I
Read more
Publisher Microids has unveiled a new trailer for Flashback 2, this time highlighting the story of Conrad B. Hart’s continued struggle in a dystopian future to free all life in the solar system. This new installment into the Flashback series is a thirty-ish-years-later sequel to Conrad Hart’s first sci-fi adventure. Flashback 2 is being developed in collaboration with members of
Read more
“Yes, the space fish one.” Publisher Hamster has announced that Darius II is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of the digital Arcade Archives series. Originally released in arcades by Taito in 1989, Darius II received ports to several platforms since. This arcade-perfect version for PS4 and Switch keeps the original, wide aspect ratio intact, which is
Read more
Indie game publisher Hound Picked Games recently announced that the retro-inspired horror game Sunshine Manor is currently scheduled to release on 6 October for PS4, PS5, Xbone, SeXbox, and Nintendo Switch. Developed by Fossil Games, Sunshine Manor is inspired by 80s horror movies and features a throwback pixel art visual aesthetic. Here’s the official breakdown of Sunshine Manor, followed by
Read more
On Thursday, BBG Entertainment released their modern reimagining of Shark! Shark!, the 1983 Intellivision classic. Originally developed for the now seemingly defunct Intellivision Amico, this retro revival version features a family-friendly multiplayer experience in colorful underwater environments. Here’s the official breakdown of Shark! Shark! from BBG Entertainment: As a tenacious little fish in SHARK! SHARK!, navigate through perilous waters, confront
Read more
“Did the gunners start a union?” Publisher Hamster has announced that vertical shoot ‘em up Strike Gunner is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of the digital Arcade Archives series. Originally developed by Athena and released in Japanese arcades by Tecmo in 1991, Strike Gunner was later ported to the Super Nintendo as Strike Gunner S.T.G. Why
Read more
On Monday, Atari revealed that their upcoming reimagining of Haunted House is coming to PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox on 12 October. Developed by the Brazil-based developers at Orbit Studio, this new take on Haunted House “pays homage to the original survival-horror adventure by seamlessly adopting dynamic roguelite elements while incorporating stealth-based gameplay and haunting boss battles.” Here’s the
Read more
This is a timely one for Pennsylvania residents… Publisher Hamster has announced that Jail Break is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of the digital Arcade Archives series. Jail Break was originally developed by Konami and released in arcades in 1986. While there were ports of the game on ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and Commodore 64, this
Read more
Publisher CFK recently announced that Koumajou Remilia II: Stranger’s Requiem, the 2D action game based on Touhou Project and Frontier Aja and the sequel to KR: Scarlet Symphony is coming Nintendo Switch and Steam PC on 14 December. Co-developed by Frontier Aja and CFK, the Koumajou Remilia series are described as “gothic horror action” games that unabashedly take inspiration from
Read more
Brought to you by the bottom of every alphabetical arcade game list Publisher Hamster has announced that Zing Zing Zip is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS4 as part of the digital Arcade Archives series. Despite having a title that sounds more like modern-day Tumblr pronouns, Zing Zing Zip was originally developed by Allumer and released in Japanese arcades
Read more
Developer Lost Sock Studios has announced that its first-person escape room game Escape From Mystwood Mansion is set to release on on 27 September via Steam PC. Escape From Mystwood Mansion has been in development at Lost Sock Studios for two years. The game promises a combination of code-breaking and puzzle solving as players explore the mansion and reveal all
Read more
Are they all canonically clones of Chuck Connors? Bonus Stage Publishing has officially released the new multiplayer tactical shooter The Riflemen on Steam and the Epic Games Store. Developed by Normogames, The Riflemen features 5 vs 5 combat, and promises “an intense and realistic combat experience like never before.” It also features a throwback art style reminiscent of early polygonal
Read more
The Splintering 