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After three years of loyal service, it was time to update our premium scraping service for our patrons. After spending an entire weekend caching nearly 100,000 “scraps,” we’re happy to announce that two brand-new servers are now online.

As a reminder, patrons benefit from a premium scraping service (in addition to the traditional Screenscraper servers), which allows them to auto-scrape by hovering over games, use the Recalbox servers for record-fast scraping, and perform a full scrape to automatically fetch media for their entire library through the Recalbox servers.

This week, two new premium Recalbox servers are going live, each with 2 Gb/s bandwidth. In concrete terms, this means unmatched scraping speed!

Around 100,000 scraps have been cached

For example, in the header image of this article, Fabrice tested scraping all CD-based games supported by a Raspberry Pi 5 — that’s 10,400 titles… including 12,064 images and 7,094 videos totaling 35.96 GB — all downloaded in just 13 minutes and 30 seconds!

Of course, results may vary depending on your connection and hardware, but this boost will certainly save you precious time when adding new games (especially full romsets), letting you enjoy your fully scraped library even faster.

To benefit from these new servers, there’s nothing you need to do — simply select the “recalbox” servers in your scraping options (patrons only).

Our Patreon page

After saving the Aniverse with Bucky O'Hare, we’re switching to a completely different atmosphere for the fifth game of our One Credit Challenge: it’s time for Pururun, a cute and colorful puzzle game that will put your brain to the test for this 5th arcade challenge.

Pururun is a puzzle game released in October 1995, developed by Metro Corporation and published by Banpresto. Exclusively released in arcades, this relatively rare title (only 3 machines listed in the collections of active VAPS members) offers an addictive puzzle mechanic where you have to align four blobs of the same color or more to make them explode.

The title itself is a Japanese onomatopoeia that evokes a jelly-like sound, perfectly fitting for these little wiggling creatures on screen.

Universe & gameplay

In Pururun, you guide the heroes Pipi and Moko through 24 stages by making colorful blobs explode.
A particularity of the game: each blob has an outer color and an inner color. When you align four or more blobs with the same outer color, they explode and turn into their inner color. This mechanic allows you to create devastating chain reactions by planning your outer/inner combinations in advance.

The game is played in real time with a fixed top-down view, and if the grid becomes too crowded, you have a limited number of bombs to clear some space. The two-player co-op mode lets you tackle the puzzles together, adding an extra tactical dimension.

Tips to progress

The key to success in Pururun lies in anticipating chain reactions.
Don’t just pop blobs at random: observe the inner colors and plan several moves ahead to create combos. Chain reactions will not only help you reach your goal faster but also achieve higher scores.

Keep your bombs for truly critical situations when the grid becomes unmanageable—they’re your lifeline, but in limited quantity.

🏆 Challenge rules

Your goal is to achieve the highest score on a single credit.
The challenge runs from November 1st to November 15th at 11:59 PM. You can try as many times as you like.

📢 How to participate

1. Launch the game (rom pururun)
2. Play and try to beat the best score
3. Take a screenshot or photo of your final score
4. Share your score on the Discord channel #challenges including your username and score

⚖️ Rules to follow

To ensure fair play:

• The score must be achieved in a single credit, without save state, rewind, cheats, or auto-fire (unless built into the game)
• Gentlemen’s agreement: using glitches to artificially inflate the score is also forbidden

🎁 Rewards and fair play

The challenge is above all about discovering games, sharing tips and, of course, having fun, all in a spirit of friendly competition!

The winner will receive a game key (GOG, Steam, etc.) to choose from a list of about 100 titles.
If you’ve won a challenge in the last three months, the reward goes to the next player.

Your ranking will be added to the One Credit Challenge leaderboard.
The champion of the first season will receive either an RGB Dual 2 or a one-year Recalbox Patreon subscription.

Good luck everyone, and may the best score win!

The Dreamcast homebrew scene keeps pushing boundaries, and developer Jnmartin84 is about to deliver another AAA port. Star Fox 64 is landing on Sega’s last console, and according to the latest updates from Falco Girgis, the port is 95% complete with an imminent release.

All eyes in the Dreamcast community were on the release of Mario Kart 64, and that port is finally available. But Jnmartin84 clearly isn’t one to rest on his laurels: during the final weeks of Mario Kart’s development, he secretly worked on Star Fox 64, and the results are simply phenomenal.

A 95% port, release approaching

Falco Girgis, a major figure in the Dreamcast scene and maintainer of KallistiOS (the open-source SDK powering the Dreamcast homebrew ecosystem for over 20 years), just shared a direct capture video on real hardware. And it looks nothing short of amazing.

“The port has progressed PHENOMENALLY over the past few months,” says Falco Girgis. “Everything runs ultra-smooth and lightning-fast! The visuals are crisp and clean, rendered in 480p thanks to the Dreamcast’s PowerVR GPU.”

The port is said to be around 95% complete, with the final weeks focused on implementing lighting and other special effects for certain areas. But the real technical cherry on top is the ongoing optimization work: Jnmartin84 is compiling the N64 display list code into SH4 assembly in real time, using Falco Girgis’s SH4ZAM library for another round of performance gains.

Real hardware, not emulation

Contrary to what one might think, this is not emulation but a true native port. The project is based on the Star Fox 64 decompilation by Sonicdcer, which recreated the game’s original source code. Jnmartin84 then adapted that code to run natively on Dreamcast hardware, optimizing every aspect to take full advantage of the SH4 processor and PowerVR GPU.

The result? Iconic barrel rolls, precise laser shots, and intense space battles running perfectly. Even the character voices and sound effects are being implemented for a complete and faithful experience.

Jnmartin84, the magician of N64-to-Dreamcast ports

This isn’t the first time Jnmartin84 has impressed the community. His homebrew résumé is already impressive: Doom 64, widely considered the definitive console version; Wipeout running like clockwork; and now Mario Kart 64, freshly released with Sonic even added as a bonus. Each project showcases exceptional technical mastery and an eye for detail that elevates his work from a “working port” to a “flawless port.”

Falco Girgis confirms it: “We’ve got another AAA-quality Nintendo 64 to Sega Dreamcast port from Jnmartin! Stay tuned for the upcoming release!”

Who is Falco Girgis?

For those unfamiliar, Falco Girgis is a key figure in the Dreamcast scene. An embedded systems and graphics developer, he’s one of the main maintainers of KallistiOS, the open-source SDK that has allowed developers to create Dreamcast homebrew for more than two decades.

Thanks to his work and that of contributors like @sizious (DreamSDK) and @darcag3nt, the Dreamcast now enjoys a modern development environment with support for C23, C++23, and even Rust. KallistiOS was recently ported to GameCube and Wii, extending its reach even further.

Falco is also known for the Elysian Shadows project, an indie RPG that was a hit on Kickstarter in 2014 and was initially designed exclusively for Dreamcast. His passion for Sega’s console dates back to 2004, when at 14 years old he discovered that homebrew games could run on the Dreamcast without any hardware modification.

A homebrew scene more alive than ever

This news is part of a larger wave of exciting Dreamcast projects. The console is currently enjoying a true homebrew renaissance, with ports of GTA III, GTA Vice City, and now an entire series of N64 classics.

Week after week, the Dreamcast proves that a “dead” console can still live on vibrantly thanks to its passionate community. Twenty-six years after its release, it has never been more alive—and Star Fox 64 will soon be one more reason to bring that iconic white console back out of the closet.

If you fell for the LEGO Game Boy released this year, good news: it might soon become playable! The BrickBoy project has just landed on Kickstarter with a DIY kit that turns your LEGO build into a fully functional handheld console. And the best part? No soldering required—installation takes less than 10 minutes.

The official LEGO Game Boy is a beautiful collector’s item, but of course, it’s not functional. BrickBoy changes that with a kit that fits directly into your existing build to make it work for real. The concept is simple: an emulator module slides into the cartridge slot (sticking out slightly), paired with a 2.4" screen that replaces the original LEGO display.

Emulation, not physical cartridges

A key point to clarify right away: BrickBoy runs through emulation and reads ROM files, not original Game Boy cartridges. If you were hoping to insert your real Pokémon or Tetris cartridges into your LEGO Game Boy, this isn’t the kit for you. Other modders, like NatalieTheNerd, are working on solutions that use original Game Boy chips to read physical cartridges, but BrickBoy took the emulation route to make the product more accessible and versatile.

This approach has its advantages: you can potentially access the entire Game Boy, Color, and Advance library (depending on the kit) without collecting cartridges. The downside? It’s less “authentic” for purists who prefer original hardware. It’s up to you to decide what matters most: authenticity or convenience.

Three kits for three types of players

BrickBoy offers three distinct versions to suit all budgets and needs:

Essential Kit: The entry-level option for those who just want to make their LEGO Game Boy playable without spending much. It emulates Game Boy games in grayscale and runs on two AAA batteries. Small drawback: the battery pack sticks out from the back, slightly breaking LEGO’s perfect aesthetic.

Gamer Kit: The full version for enthusiasts seeking the ultimate experience. It includes Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance emulation in color, gameplay acceleration, customizable backlight, Bluetooth audio, wireless updates, and a rechargeable battery. This version fixes the aesthetic issue with a compact, discreetly integrated battery.

Collector’s Edition: The premium version designed for display as much as for play. It features a “show mode” and USB power for permanent display, ideal for looping demos on a shelf.

Plug-and-play installation with magnetic sensors

One of BrickBoy’s biggest strengths is its simplicity. No need to be a modding expert: no soldering, no screwing. The clever part lies in button management—rather than modifying LEGO bricks, BrickBoy uses magnetic sensors placed under the D-pad and action buttons. When you press the LEGO plastic buttons, they approach the sensors, triggering the input.

The entire electronic module is housed in a “super cartridge” that fits directly into LEGO’s slot, while the 2.4" LCD screen replaces the fake green window. Full installation takes 5 to 10 minutes.

A few grey areas remain

While the concept is appealing, some questions remain. The precise technical specifications of the module haven’t been detailed yet on the Kickstarter page (processor, storage capacity, etc.), and the emulation quality shown in promo videos seems imperfect (BrickBoy is rather evasive about the built-in emulator).
In addition, some segmentation choices raise eyebrows: the Essential Kit apparently lacks volume and brightness controls—pretty essential features.

Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, making it hard to judge the value for money. The team promises first deliveries in December 2025 after the end of the Kickstarter campaign.

A philosophical dilemma

BrickBoy isn’t alone in this field, and that’s what makes it interesting. On one side, you have modders like NatalieTheNerd, whom we mentioned here: respect for original hardware, real cartridge reading, authentic preservation.
On the other, BrickBoy: the path of modernity and convenience, the power of emulation opening three generations of Nintendo handhelds, the comfort of a ROM library and rechargeable battery.

The BrickBoy project launches its Kickstarter campaign on October 28, 2025.
As always with crowdfunding, remember that not every project reaches completion—do your research before backing. If the idea of turning your LEGO Game Boy into a functional console excites you, now’s the time to keep a close eye on it.

From October 25 to 26, the Replay Festival opens its doors in Mouans-Sartoux for its 13th edition. Two days of total immersion in pop culture and video games from the 70s to the 2000s. And good news: Recalbox will be there!

Three members of the Recalbox team (Makhstorr, Zucco, and Bkg2k) will be making the trip with a booth that’s sure to attract enthusiasts. On the menu: four RGB Dual 2 units running on CRT screens for an authentic experience, two Recalbox systems in HDMI — one in TATE (vertical) configuration perfect for shoot’em ups — and the icing on the cake, two original vintage machines: a Panasonic FS-A1 MSX2 and a Sega SC-3000, sure to delight retro hardware fans. As a small bonus for arcade lovers, a mini wooden arcade cabinet (by Patman) in TATE will also be on display.

RGB Dual 2 in the spotlight

If you’ve never seen an RGB Dual 2 in action, this is the perfect opportunity! This board developed by Recalbox is specially designed to provide a true analog RGB output for CRT screens. No more compromises: you’ll enjoy pixel-perfect visuals, vibrant colors, and the natural scanlines of original arcade cabinets and consoles.

Whether you’re nostalgic for the arcades and consoles of the 90s or simply curious to see what a true RGB signal looks like on a CRT display, you’re in for a treat. The team will be there to explain the setup, the different available outputs (RGB SCART, composite, etc.), and share their passion with you.

As a bonus, our TATE configuration will let you experience vertical shoot’em ups in their native format — exactly as they were in the arcade cabinets of the time. From Ikaruga to Dodonpachi, the experience is nothing like a horizontal screen!

Original vintage hardware

To complete the experience, we’ll also be showcasing two authentic vintage machines: a Panasonic FS-A1 MSX2 (the Japanese standard that conquered Europe in the 80s) and a Sega SC-3000 (Sega’s very first foray into the home computer market in 1983). A great opportunity to see these original systems running live.

Come play and chat

Our booth will be a true space for discovery and exchange. Whether you’re already a Recalbox user, curious to learn about the project, or simply passionate about retrogaming, the team will be thrilled to meet you. Technical questions, installation tips, or discovering the latest features — this is the perfect chance to get hands-on with the hardware and see what Recalbox can do for you.

The Replay Festival takes place at the Gymnase René Friard and Gymnase La Chênaie in Mouans-Sartoux (06), from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26. Admission is only €5, with free re-entry. We can’t wait to see you there!

Recalbox was born during the Christmas holidays of 2014, with the mission of making retrogaming accessible to as many people as possible. With over 500,000 downloads per year, Recalbox has become a must-have for retro gaming enthusiasts.

In 2022, we made the decision to dedicate ourselves full-time to the Recalbox project. That’s when we turned to Patreon to give you the opportunity to support the project. Your feedback and engagement have strengthened our confidence in that choice.

It’s now been three years since you’ve been able to actively take part in the project. To mark the occasion, we’ve made a new video looking back at the incredible journey of Recalbox — a project born from a love of retrogaming that, thanks to you, has grown into a true human and community adventure.

Discover how the support of Recalbox Patrons has allowed the team to bring bold ideas to life and develop new features tested exclusively by Patrons before being released to the public. Your support has also helped us build partnerships with independent studios and contribute, in our own way, to preserving retro video games.

Being a Recalbox Patron means much more than providing financial support — it means taking an active role in the project’s future, exchanging ideas directly with the team about concepts and prototypes, and enjoying exclusive perks: early access to the latest versions, enhanced scraping, exclusive playlists, contests, promo codes, collector goodies, and much more!

Join the big Recalbox Patrons family today, and help keep retrogaming free, accessible, and full of passion:

https://www.recalbox.com/en/patreon/

It's an open secret that most gamers know, but it's always worth mentioning: your old PlayStation 1 discs hide an unexpected musical feature. Pop some of your PS1 games into a classic CD audio player, and you can listen to their soundtracks like real albums. A brilliant feature from Sony that deserves a closer look.

This function was deliberately integrated by Sony from the PlayStation's launch in 1994, but was so little publicized that even today, some players are still discovering this gem. The principle is simple: developers stored game music in Red Book Audio format (CDDA - Compact Disc Digital Audio), the CD audio standard, on tracks separate from game data. Result? A classic CD player could read these music tracks without any problem.

How Does It Work and Which Games Have It?

The test is super simple: take any PS1 disc, insert it into a traditional CD player, and press play. But be careful, not all games react the same way. Some deliver complete soundtracks with all the musical tracks, others offer hidden messages or bonus dialogues, and sometimes... just weird noises for games that don't use the Red Book Audio format.

The list of compatible games is impressive: WipeOut 2097 (with tracks from The Chemical Brothers), Ridge Racer Type 4, Gran Turismo 2, Final Fantasy VII with its orchestral OST by Nobuo Uematsu, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Tomb Raider, Twisted Metal 2, or titles like Colin McRae Rally, Tony Hawk, and Tekken 2 and 3. Some Saturn games also benefited from this feature, as did PC titles until 1999-2000.

A Technical Constraint Turned Feature

This approach wasn't just a nice bonus, it was also a technical constraint. As retro forum enthusiasts explain, when you access CD audio tracks, it's impossible to read game data simultaneously: the drive has only one laser. Early PS1 games therefore had to choose between Red Book music (to be loaded beforehand) and fast loading times.

From 1996 onwards, with the arrival of audio compression (MP3 and other formats), developers began compressing music to load it into memory rather than reading it directly from the CD. This evolution allowed for faster loading times, continuous loading, and paved the way for open worlds and sandbox games. But early PS1 titles remain true musical treasures accessible on any CD player.

CD Swapping, the Other Forgotten Trick

Cherry on top: some PS1 games even allowed the reverse! Once the level was loaded into memory, you could eject the game disc and replace it with an audio CD of your choice. Imagine carving down the slopes of Cool Boarders or racing through Vigilante 8 while listening to your favorite album. A revolutionary musical customization for the time, well before modern consoles natively integrated this option.

Sony had this forward-thinking vision where the console should be more than just a gaming machine. Thirty years later, rediscovering these tricks triggers a real wave of nostalgia mixed with admiration for the ingenuity of that era.

Major video game event in France, the Paris Games Week will open its doors from October 29 to November 2 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer, a curious parent, a cosplay enthusiast, or simply a fan of geek culture, PGW 2025 promises five days of total immersion in the video game universe.

Tickets are already available, with several options tailored to all profiles (day ticket, 2-day or 4-day pass, premium ticket). If you attend, it’s quite possible you’ll spot a bit of Recalbox there. No hallucination — we’re lucky to be represented by two associations we’re especially fond of: Art'cade and R3D2.

Art'cade

Art'cade is a Lyon-based manufacturer creating arcade cabinets where retrogaming and urban art meet. Each machine is customized by renowned street artists and produced in limited series with a certificate of authenticity. French artisanal know-how combined with unique designs turn every cabinet into a true collector’s piece.

Beyond manufacturing, Art'cade energizes the Lyon retro scene through its association “Arcade in the Box”: a venue with more than 40 free-play machines, event rentals, and a workshop open to visitors at La Cité des Halles (Lyon 7th district). We’ve had the pleasure of visiting several times, including private evenings with our Patrons.

True friends of the Recalbox project, Art'cade will showcase RGB Dual 2 and RGB Jamma 2 demos at their booth. Be sure to stop by and discover their universe!

R3D2

R3D2 (R3born R3start R3build Sustainable Development) is an association founded by two passionate teachers who raise awareness about ecology in a playful way through retrogaming. Their concept? Arcade cabinets made from recycled materials — halfway between pixel passion and environmental consciousness.

Their presence at Paris Games Week will be marked by a challenge for a good cause: building 8 arcade cabinets for pediatric hospitals!

"These cabinets will be assembled directly at Paris Games Week with young people from the Hauts-de-France region, to show that video games can also rhyme with solidarity, creativity, and sharing," as stated on the association’s social media.

We are proud to contribute to the project by equipping each of these cabinets with Recalbox! If you want to see arcade machines being built from A to Z and a Recalbox installation on site, you know where to go!

Images: PGW / Art'cade / R3D2

Now that we’ve protected the Earth with Cosmo Gang the Video (with almost 20 challengers — thank you all!), let’s head to the Aniverse to face the Toad Empire with the fourth game of our first One Credit Challenge season: Bucky O’Hare.

Bucky O’Hare is a hybrid game mixing beat’em up and run and gun gameplay, released in 1992 and developed and published by Konami. It appeared in arcades on the Konami system in September 1992 in Japan, then in the United States. The game is based on the animated TV series "Bucky O’Hare and the Toad Wars" from 1991, and even features the original voice actors from the show in its cutscenes.

Universe & atmosphere

In this game, you play as one of the four crew members of the Righteous Indignation: Bucky O’Hare (the heroic rabbit captain), Jenny (a telepathic “Aldebaran cat”), Dead-Eye Duck (a four-armed duck), or Blinky (a one-eyed android). Their mission: to stop the Toad Empire invading the planets of the Aniverse and enslaving their populations, by destroying KOMPLEX, the evil computer program that controls the empire, and freeing the “Interplanetary Life Force.” The colorful, cartoon universe stays faithful to the series, with dynamic animations and a fun space opera atmosphere.

Gameplay & mechanics

The gameplay mixes action and shooting: unlike classic beat’em ups, each character is equipped with a laser gun as their main weapon, while also being able to perform melee attacks and jumps. Each hero also has a limited number of smart bombs to eliminate multiple enemies at once. Weapon and health power-ups appear occasionally through glowing “doors.”

The game features 8 stages across various environments: Planet Warren, Planet Punk, Climate Converter, Asteroid Belt, Planet Rat, Mothership, Toad Star, and finally the Planet Life Force. The perspective changes between stages — sometimes classic side scrolling, sometimes forced isometric view, or vertical scrolling. Some levels even include jetpack sequences or rides on Toad Croakers (hover bikes). A boss awaits at the end of each stage, with KOMPLEX as the three-phase final boss.

The game supports up to 4 players in co-op, making the experience even more intense. Upon release, RePlay ranked Bucky O’Hare as the third most popular arcade game at the time.

🏆 Challenge rules

Your goal is to achieve the best score in a single credit.
The challenge runs from October 16 to 31 at 11:59 PM.
You have as many attempts as you like.

📢 How to participate

1. Launch the game (rom "bucky.zip")
2. Play and try to beat the best score
3. Take a screenshot or a photo of your final score
4. Share your score on the Discord channel #challenges with your username and score

⚖️ Rules to respect

To ensure fairness:

• The score must be achieved in a single credit, without save states, rewind, cheats, or auto-fire (unless included in the game)
• Gentlemen’s agreement: using glitches to artificially boost your score is also forbidden

🎁 Rewards and fair play

The challenge’s goal is above all to discover games, share tips, and have fun, all in a friendly competitive spirit.

• The winner will get a game key (GOG, Steam, etc.) to choose from a list of about 100 titles
• If you’ve already won a challenge in the past three months, the reward goes to the next player 🥇🥈🥉
• Your ranking will be added to the One Credit Challenge leaderboard
• The champion of the first season will win either a free RGB Dual 2 or a one-year Recalbox Patreon subscription

Good luck everyone, and may the best score win!

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the original PlayStation, and to celebrate the occasion, Sony is teaming up with Reebok to launch a limited-edition sneaker collection that will delight both video game fans and streetwear enthusiasts.

The collaboration pays tribute to the console's legacy in an original way: each model in the collection corresponds to a key market from the PS1 launch – Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom – and draws inspiration from the visual codes and aesthetics of that era.

Three Models, Three Tributes

• InstaPump Fury 94 (Japan): Inspired by the 1994 Japanese launch, this sneaker embraces a futuristic look with Reebok's iconic Pump technology and touches reminiscent of the early PlayStation console design.
• Pump Omni Zone II (United States): As a tribute to the 1995 American launch, this model blends comfort and style, with retro details that recall PlayStation's first steps in the US market.
• Workout Plus (United Kingdom): This model celebrates the 1995 British launch and revisits the vintage aesthetic of classic Reebok sneakers, while incorporating subtle references to the console.

"This collection is a time machine," said Mubi Ali, Global Senior Product Marketing Manager at Reebok. "It speaks to the kids of the 'music on TV after school' generation: grunge in their earbuds, wheels under their feet, and an early online world that felt infinite. We've brought those memories to life in every stitch, every lace, and every pump."

A Collector's Box Set for Hardcore Fans

For collectors, an exclusive box set brings together all three models in packaging inspired by the original PlayStation. Each box set is numbered and limited, making this set a true collector's item for retro gaming and sneaker enthusiasts.

A Commemorative Book on the Side

Sony is taking advantage of this anniversary to publish PlayStation: The First 30 Years, a 400-page book that chronicles the console's history, from its early prototypes to worldwide success. It contains never-before-seen photos, sketches, and development anecdotes, and will be available in standard or deluxe versions, the latter limited to 1,994 copies to commemorate the PS1's launch year.

Availability and Launch

• Japan – InstaPump Fury 94: available from October 14, 2025 at Beams
• United States – Pump Omni Zone II: available from October 17, 2025 at CNCPTS
• United Kingdom – Workout Plus: available from October 15, 2025 at END

This collaboration between Reebok and PlayStation skillfully blends tribute and contemporary style. These sneakers celebrate 30 years of PlayStation while offering models inspired by the console's original aesthetic, perfect for retro enthusiasts and fashion lovers alike.

The LEGO Game Boy, released this summer, did not go unnoticed. True to the design of Nintendo’s iconic handheld, it proudly sits on the shelves of brick and retro gaming fans alike. But for Natalie the Nerd, a well-known American modder, this simple display model was only the beginning.

Her idea? Turn this LEGO creation into a fully functional handheld console, capable of playing real Game Boy cartridges!

A 100% authentic mod

Natalie chose authenticity: she integrated a Game Boy Pocket motherboard directly inside the LEGO shell (Pocket version to save space and make integration easier). The result? A console that plays original cartridges using real vintage hardware — no Raspberry Pi, no emulator software. A true feat of miniature engineering!

To achieve this, she had to redesign several internal elements:

• a smaller board than a standard cartridge, to fit inside the LEGO case
• a more modern USB-C power system
• and soon, fully functional buttons mounted on a small PCB and fitted into a 3D-printed LEGO piece

Every detail was carefully planned to preserve the charm of the LEGO set while staying true to the spirit of the original console.

A creation made for the community

Natalie didn’t design this Game Boy just for herself. In true DIY spirit, she plans to share her files and schematics so that enthusiasts can reproduce the mod at home.
She will also provide details on all the required components, allowing anyone to build their own version.

This kind of initiative perfectly illustrates the creativity of the modding scene — a blend of nostalgia, engineering, and passion — a mix that could inspire many other hybrid projects.

Images: Natalie the Nerd

Now that we have cleaned up the planet Anders with Demon Front, it's time to turn to the third game of our first season of the One Credit Challenge and protect the Earth with Cosmo Gang the Video.

Overview

Cosmo Gang the Video is a fixed shooter (you can only move horizontally) released in 1992, developed and published by Namco. It first appeared in arcade on the Namco System 2 in Japan in March 1992, then in the United States in April. The same year, it was ported to Super Famicom (the Japanese version of the Super Nintendo).

Universe & Atmosphere

In this game, the player pilots a ship named Hyper Beat to fend off the Cosmo Gang, a group of colorful, mischievous aliens invading space around the Earth. The visual style is colorful, cute, and dynamic, with cartoon-like enemies, creating a light yet intense atmosphere.

Gameplay & Mechanics

The gameplay is simple but addictive: eliminate waves of enemies coming from above or the sides, avoid their shots, and collect power-ups (shield, slow bombs, spider webs, etc.) to enhance your abilities. The game features 32 levels, with bonus stages and a final boss, Don Cosmo, to defeat at the end. In two-player mode, special interactions between the two ships enrich the experience.

🏆 Challenge Rules

Your goal is to achieve the highest score on a single credit. The challenge runs from October 1st to October 15th at 11:59 PM. You can attempt as many times as you like.

📢 How to Participate

• Launch the game (ROM "cosmogng")
  ⚠️ Make sure to play the arcade version, not the Super Famicom version.
• Play and try to beat the highest score.
• Take a screenshot or photo of your final score.
• Share your score on the Discord channel #challenges, including your username and score.

⚖️ Rules to Follow

To ensure fairness in the challenge:

• The score must be achieved on a single credit, without save states, rewinds, cheats, or auto-fire (unless allowed in the game).
• Gentlemen’s agreement: using glitches to artificially inflate scores is also prohibited.

🎁 Rewards & Fair Play

The challenge is mainly about discovering games, sharing tips, and, of course, having fun, all within a friendly competitive spirit! The winner will receive a game key (GOG, Steam, etc.) to choose from a list of around 100 titles.

If you have won a challenge in the last three months, the reward will go to the next player 🥇🥈🥉.
Your ranking will be added to the One Credit Challenge leaderboard. The first season champion will choose between a RGB Dual 2 or one year of Recalbox Patreon subscription.

Good luck to everyone, and may the highest score win!

In a groundbreaking announcement

Electronic Arts (EA), the legendary publisher behind franchises such as The Sims, Battlefield, FIFA and Madden, is about to be acquired in a massive deal. The buyout would value the company at around $55 billion, and would result in its delisting from the stock market (barring unforeseen circumstances). The details of the consortium, the financing, and the implications deserve a closer look.

The structure of the deal

The offer consists of a cash buyout, approved by EA’s board of directors, pending regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.

The consortium of buyers includes several major players:

• Silver Lake (technology-focused investment fund)
• Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, already a significant EA shareholder
• Affinity Partners, led by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of Donald Trump

The proposed financial structure: around $36 billion in equity and $20 billion in debt, arranged notably through JPMorgan Chase.

What it means for EA and its shareholders

Current shareholders would receive $210 per share in cash, representing a 25% premium compared to EA’s price before buyout rumors surfaced. Once completed, EA would no longer be publicly traded, becoming a private company, and therefore free from the constant scrutiny of public markets.

Even after the acquisition, EA would keep its headquarters in Redwood City, California, and Andrew Wilson would remain CEO.

Stakes & risks

This $55 billion acquisition would be one of the largest ever recorded in the industry, particularly among video game publishers. For reference, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision in 2023 totaled $75.4 billion.

Some analysts believe the offer, though generous, might undervalue EA’s long-term potential, especially with upcoming major releases like Battlefield 6. The buyout still faces multiple hurdles: regulatory approval and a shareholder vote. Without these, the deal could fall through.

Strategy and future implications

This event marks a major strategic shift for EA: going private could grant the company greater freedom to invest, restructure, or take long-term risks, without constantly needing to reassure markets and shareholders. The significant involvement of a sovereign fund like the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) highlights the growing influence of non-traditional players in entertainment and gaming.

Electronic Arts, a key figure in our passion

Let’s be honest — in recent years, EA’s releases have been hit or miss, alternating between excellent titles and more questionable choices. Take Battlefield, for example: the series has delivered several memorable entries, only to disappoint with Battlefield 2042, a surprising episode lacking the soul and authenticity that once defined the franchise. The same can be said for Mass Effect, the iconic space opera, which concluded with Andromeda, well below expectations.

On the other hand, EA has also produced critically acclaimed titles like the Star Wars games (Battlefront and the Jedi saga), or the award-winning It Takes Two, praised for its brilliant game design and original storytelling.

And for retrogaming fans like us, it’s hard not to remember the countless titles that defined our youth: The Sims, SimCity, Command & Conquer, Need for Speed, FIFA, Medal of Honor, Road Rash… and many more!

Recently, several leaks suggest that Anbernic, already well-established in the handheld emulation market, is planning to launch a dual-screen model heavily inspired by the Nintendo DS.

A design strongly inspired by the DS / DSi

According to images shared on Chinese social media, the upcoming device — supposedly named RG DS — adopts a clamshell design, aesthetically very close to the DSi, with a glossy top shell.
It features two symmetrical screens, a solid hinge, and a layout with classic directional and action buttons, as well as four shoulder triggers on the top edge of the console.

One notable detail: the new device is said to include two analog sticks, which is quite unusual for a DS-inspired console.
It would also feature two USB-C ports, a MicroSD slot, and design cues reminiscent of Nintendo models — particularly the metallic finish on the top.

Speculation and uncertainty

Even though these leaks have sparked a lot of discussion, they should be taken with caution:

• Some elements in the images seem suspicious — for instance, one of them carries a “Google Gemini” watermark, suggesting it might have been AI-generated or edited.
• Neither Anbernic nor any official sources have confirmed the specs, release date, or pricing.
• Pricing remains unclear, but leaks mention a “three-digit price”, which could mean somewhere between $100 and $200, depending on the region.

What can players expect?

If the project turns out to be real, the RG DS could appeal to Nintendo DS / 3DS emulation fans looking for a dedicated, compact, and faithful handheld.

Competition in this category already exists (with, for example, the AYANEO Pocket DS — which we covered here — and other dual-screen devices), but Anbernic, closely followed by the retro gaming community, could stand out if the price-to-performance ratio is right.

⚠️ WARNING: As of today, only two Anbernic models are officially supported by Recalbox.
You can find the full list of supported handhelds here.

Sources: Time Extension / Retrododo

It's hard to imagine a controller without the iconic A, B, X, and Y buttons. This combination, popularized by the Super Nintendo, became standard on most consoles that followed — from the Dreamcast to the Steam Deck, and even the Xbox. A layout so familiar that we almost forget to ask the question: why these letters, and not simply A, B, C, D?

Originally, other manufacturers had actually gone in a different direction. Sega, with its Mega Drive, opted for A, B, C buttons, while SNK completed the alphabet with A, B, C, D on the Neo Geo. But it was Nintendo who, in the early 1990s, chose to break away from this alphabetical logic.

This choice apparently dates back to the development of the Super Famicom. A reader of Nintendo Power, intrigued, even asked the company directly in 1993. And the answer is quite surprising: according to Lance Barr, a designer at Nintendo of America, the letters X and Y were borrowed from the world of CAD (Computer-Aided Design). (The magazine clipping was shared by Sasha’s Retrobytes on BluSky and reported by Time Extension.)

In these 2D and 3D modeling programs, the X and Y axes are used to represent horizontal and vertical directions. A nod to industrial design tools, illustrating Nintendo's methodical approach to controller design.

A and B were intended as the primary action buttons (the most used, placed on the bottom right), while X and Y served as secondary buttons. They are sometimes visually differentiated (concave/convex shapes and colors varying by region) to help players distinguish them.

A choice that is both technical and ergonomic, which eventually became a new standard in video gaming. Even Sega later adopted the letters X, Y, Z on some of its controllers, proving that Nintendo's intuition was correct.

And even today, more than thirty years later, this layout is ingrained in our gaming reflexes, and it must be said that A, B, X, Y sounds better than A, B, C, D. It’s hard not to mention PlayStation, which has engraved the look of its action buttons into pop culture, instantly recognizable and now universal.

Now the question remains whether this theory is correct, as none of the original SNES or controller creators have either confirmed or denied it.

The HFS Summer 2025, which took place from May 23 to 25, 2025 at the Halle des Expositions in Évreux, lived up to all expectations for fans of retrogaming, arcade, and emulation. Organized by the association HFS Play, this annual event (the 11th edition) has established itself as one of the most important retro-gaming festivals in France, attracting not only a national audience but also visitors from across Europe.

There were more than 150 arcade cabinets, pinball machines, and retro consoles available in free play, along with varied tournaments (family-friendly for fun, international for competition) featuring fighting games such as Street Fighter, Virtua Fighter, Capcom vs SNK, Windjammers, and more. The atmosphere was festive and friendly, making it the perfect spot for both newcomers and competitive players.

For Recalbox, being at HFS Summer 2025 was more than just an exhibition: it was an opportunity to meet its community in person, exchange with other enthusiasts, test iconic machines, connect with arcade and retrogaming experts (both players and technicians), and fully immerse itself in the retro culture so dear to its users.

To truly capture the atmosphere, we’re sharing a fifty-minute video (below) in which Fab2Ris, together with Gtranche, takes you on a tour of the event. You’ll discover the different types of cabinets (candy, sports, music, guncab, racecab…), as well as the pinball area with passionate exhibitors, and many other stands.

We’ll let you enjoy it all… and we hope to see you there next year!

For years, the 8BitDo Pro 2 has established itself as one of the best controllers for retrogaming. But its successor has arrived: the 8BitDo Pro 3. Announced several months ago, it is finally available in France and comes as a major evolution, designed to dethrone the previous model.

Flawless presentation and design

Right out of the box, you’ll find a flawless presentation, true to the brand’s standards. The controller comes with a charging base (dock), a USB-C cable, a manual, and some aesthetic accessories that we’ll show you later. The Pro 3 is available in three color schemes, which we could call Game Boy, PlayStation (which can easily be turned into SNES), and GameCube — enough to please any retro fan.

Notable improvements over the Pro 2

So, what does the Pro 3 bring compared to the Pro 2?

• TMR joysticks: say goodbye to “drift,” a frequent issue on modern controllers.
• New triggers Halle Effect: with a switch, they can go from analog to instant “click,” perfect for fighting or action games.
• Two new programmable buttons (L4 and R4), compatible with Ultimate Software 2, allowing you to assign keys or macros.
• New D-Pad: more precise and responsive, ideal for 2D games.

A smart and practical dock

One of the Pro 3’s main assets is its multifunctional dock. Not only does it charge the controller, but it also houses a built-in USB-C wireless dongle (receiver). As a result, you just have to plug the dock into your PC, Raspberry Pi, or Nintendo Switch, and the controller pairs instantly, without any manual setup.

A real comfort of use, especially since you just need to pick up the controller for it to connect automatically to your device, without pressing any button.

Original accessories

The Pro 3 also comes with arcade stick-style balls that can be swapped onto the analog sticks. Rounder than the traditional mushroom caps, they provide a different grip, which could be interesting for certain game genres. While the visual effect is appealing, it may take some players time to adapt and see over time whether the grip proves truly comfortable, or if the accessory ends up being considered more of a gimmick.

Another aesthetic detail: the ability to swap out the action buttons (with a small included tool) to switch from a GameCube look to a Super Nintendo style, depending on your preferences.

Excellent compatibility

As always with 8BitDo, compatibility is guaranteed: PC, Android, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, Raspberry Pi, and of course Recalbox. The controller works instantly, both wired and wireless.

With the Ultimate Software V2, the 8BitDo Pro 3 is fully programmable. You can remap buttons, create macros, invert joystick axes, program the L4/R4 buttons... Profiles can be switched on the fly using the central button, offering perfect customization for each game or emulator.

Verdict: the ultimate retro controller?

The price is slightly higher than the Pro 2, sure, but it includes the dock, the wireless receiver, and several accessories. For any demanding retro gamer, the 8BitDo Pro 3 ticks all the boxes: symmetrical ergonomics, customization, durability, responsiveness, and a polished design.

In our eyes, it stands out as the new benchmark for retrogaming controllers.

Test video:

Images: 8bitdo

After the launch of version 10 in early access for our users supporting us via Patreon, Recalbox keeps getting better with the 10.0-patron-2 update. Behind this “2” lies a long list of fixes, new features, and optimizations that improve the interface, hardware compatibility, and even specialized peripherals like lightguns. Here’s a look at the most important additions.

A smoother and more reliable interface

Recalbox 10.0-patron-2 fixes many small issues that could affect the user experience:

• Saves and display: the last played games are now properly remembered, dates in themes are aligned correctly, and TATE mode (vertical screen) display has been fixed on both CRT and HDMI.
• Search and navigation: searching for games no longer causes crashes, fonts reload correctly, and long titles are displayed properly in message windows.
• Visual performance: a switch to a new texture manager makes the interface smoother, especially on slow storage or via NAS, while also fixing missing character issues.
• Web Manager fix on Pi3

Improved compatibility for retro hardware

• CRT and display: added a CRT calibration screen in RetroArch, better splash screen handling, 480i fix on RGB JAMMA, and PAL/NTSC refresh rate support on DosBOX Pure. CRT fans will be delighted.
• RGB DUAL 2 and JAMMA: a new dedicated boot screen has been added, while compatibility with Model 3 via RGB JAMMA has been fixed.
• Expanded support: added support for the Dreamcase case, lr-holani (Lynx core), and updated MAME to version 0.278.

New features for peripherals and emulators

• GunCon / lightguns: default calibration has been fixed, ghost movements removed, and a new automatic priority management system configures or disables GunCon depending on whether the game is compatible or not. Support for 2-player GunCon 2 has also been added.

Improved emulation:

• Supermodel (Sega Model 3 emulator) is now supported on Raspberry Pi 5.
• Dolphin standalone (Dolphin GUE / GameCube) now supports RPi5 + CRT.
• lr-picodrive and lr-gearsystem include new options and support for specific peripherals (paddle, light phaser, SC-3000 keyboard…).
• lr-scummvm and lr-dolphin benefit from major updates for better 3D performance.
• lr-mednafen-saturn improves rendering with aspect ratio fixes and deinterlacing options.

Better gaming comfort

Multiplayer controller setups now work stably with 3 players or more. GunCon shader rendering has been refined, and screenshots now work properly, including in 480p in the web manager or on CRT.

The 1G1R (One Game One ROM) feature, which simplifies game lists by keeping only one version per title, has also been improved with better region sorting and optimized handling of multi-disc games.

Ongoing development

As you can see, Recalbox 10.0-patron-2 is not just a bugfix update: it improves the overall experience in many areas (full changelog available here).

From a smoother interface to better CRT handling, through enhanced support for retro emulators and peripherals like GunCon or Dreamcase, this version has been carefully refined to be available on the RGB Dual 2 and RGB JAMMA 2, in addition to traditional PC or HDMI setups.

A huge thank you to our Patrons, whose support helps us test different versions faster and more efficiently, allowing us to speed up the release of these updates.

As a reminder, as you can see with the fixes and improvements listed above, the V10 available to Patrons is currently in beta. For the most motivated among them, an alpha version is also available, allowing them to take an even more active part in the development of V10, which will later be released as a final version for everyone once stabilized.

If you are a Patron, you don’t have to do anything: if your Patreon key is activated and you’re on the “patron” update channel, your Recalbox will update automatically. Enjoy your games, and don’t hesitate to share your feedback on our Discord.