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We recently talked about the arrival of ARMSX2, a promising new PS2 emulator for Android that’s still in development. But while the mobile scene is catching up, PCSX2 on PC has just reached a historic milestone: the emulator now supports over 99.5% of the PlayStation 2 library. A victory for video game preservation.

As reported by OC3D, PCSX2 has now reached an almost perfect level of compatibility after more than 20 years of development. Out of the 4,000+ games released for the best-selling console of all time, only four remain unrated as “Playable” or “Perfect”: DRIV3R, Final Fantasy XI (which depends on online servers that are now closed), Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects, and World Series Baseball 2K3.

A spectacular evolution in recent years

PCSX2’s progress has been remarkable: its compatibility rate increased from around 98% in 2021 to 99% by the end of 2023, and now stands at 99.5%. This improvement is the result of years of relentless work from the open-source community, with constant upgrades to the emulation engine, graphics compatibility, and performance.

Recent versions (2.4.0 released in July 2025 and subsequent updates) brought major advances: RT in RT support fixing many rendering issues, improved split-screen (Jak X and others), SDL 3.0 and Wayland by default on Linux, HDR optimizations, and a flood of bug fixes.

An essential preservation tool

Twenty-five years after the PS2’s release, original hardware is increasingly hard to find in working condition. PCSX2 ensures that the classics from this golden era remain accessible to future generations. And not just accessible — often improved, with higher resolutions, stable performance, and even HD texture pack support.

The emulator allows you to dump the BIOS from your own PS2 console and rip your physical games from their DVDs. You can then play them on your PC through emulation, often at higher resolutions and with performance boosts. It’s an excellent way to preserve your collection’s legacy and make it playable on modern hardware.

And on mobile?

As we mentioned in our article on ARMSX2, PS2 emulation on Android is also advancing. Based on recent PCSX2 code, ARMSX2 represents the future of mobile PS2 emulation thanks to its open-source nature. While its performance is still behind NetherSX2 for now, the project is evolving quickly and directly benefits from PCSX2’s ongoing improvements.

The retrogaming community now has exceptional tools to preserve and play PS2 classics — whether on PC with the near-final version of PCSX2, or on mobile with actively developed ARM emulators. God Hand, Final Fantasy X, God of War, Metal Gear Solid 3, Gran Turismo 4: all these masterpieces that shaped modern gaming remain accessible and playable.

The Vectrex, the cult 1982 console with its built-in vector display, is about to be reborn in miniature form. The Vectrex Mini project, led by the French team Neo Retro and headed by David "Flynn" Oghia, launches its Kickstarter campaign on November 3, 2025, at 4 p.m.

This miniaturized version aims to revive one of the true UFOs of video game history, as reported by Rom Game. The original Vectrex, developed by Smith Engineering and marketed by General Consumer Electronics, was revolutionary for its time: unlike its competitors such as the Atari 2600, which required a television, it came with its own 9-inch CRT display capable of rendering crisp, bright vector graphics.

A mini console that’s fully featured

The Vectrex Mini captures the spirit of the original in a casing half the size, produced using the same injection molding process as in the 1980s. At its core lies a modern ESP32 processor powerful enough to run the entire Vectrex library with performance surpassing many arcade cabinets of the era.

The 5-inch AMOLED screen (800×600 pixels) replaces the original cathode-ray tube, faithfully reproducing the legendary vector graphics with sharpness and brightness. Although it can’t perfectly recreate the phosphorescent glow of CRT vectors, the team promises an authentic and immersive result.

The console includes 12 classic preinstalled games (final lineup to be announced soon), mostly from the General Consumer Electronics catalog, along with their physical overlays. These colorful plastic sheets, placed in front of the screen to enhance minimalist graphics, were an essential part of the Vectrex experience — and Neo Retro has made sure to include them for the sake of nostalgia.

Pricing and editions

Early backers will be able to grab a “Founder’s Edition” starting at €99 for the first 50 units, followed by €129 for the next 300 orders, then €149 for everyone else. As reported by Games Radar, that’s surprisingly affordable for an all-in-one tabletop arcade system with an AMOLED screen.

A limited White Edition will also be offered at $250 (around €219), capped at 200 units. This “very NASA-punk” white version includes a numbered certificate of authenticity and a unique badge. David Oghia initially wanted a gold-plated Vectrex Mini, but the manufacturing process proved too complex.

Modern connectivity

The Vectrex Mini comes with several modern features: USB-C power (via outlet or power bank), a microSD slot to add more games, an included Bluetooth controller, and video output (USB-C or HDMI, final decision pending). There’s no cartridge slot for original Vectrex games — the console will only run preinstalled titles and additional ones via microSD.

Timeline and availability

The Kickstarter campaign launches on Monday, November 3, 2025 and will remain open throughout the month. Production is expected to take about 10 months after the campaign ends, with deliveries scheduled for late 2026. For now, Kickstarter will be the only way to get one.

For a console that never found commercial success in 1982 but became a collector’s cult favorite, the Vectrex Mini represents a rare opportunity to discover — or rediscover — this unique piece of video game history. See you on November 3 for all the campaign details.

PlayStation 2 emulation on Android has just reached a decisive new milestone. ARMSX2, a new open-source PS2 emulator based on PCSX2, was released in version 1.0 at the end of October 2025. And unlike its predecessors, this one might finally become the long-term solution for PS2 emulation on Android phones and tablets.

Since the discontinuation of AetherSX2 in early 2023, PS2 emulation on Android has been in a strange situation. NetherSX2, a fork of the abandoned project, works decently but relies on closed-source code that’s nearly five years old. ARMSX2 is here to change that.

An emulator based on the latest PCSX2 version

ARMSX2 stands out thanks to its modern foundations. Unlike NetherSX2, it uses the latest PCSX2 codebase, integrating all the optimizations and bug fixes from recent years. The project is fully open-source under the GPL 3.0 license, ensuring transparency and community-driven development.

Primarily developed by MoonPower with support from jpolo1224, ARMSX2 was born after years without any open-source PS2 emulator dedicated to ARM systems.

x86-to-ARM64: a temporary solution

A key technical detail: ARMSX2 uses a translation layer that recompiles PCSX2’s x86 code into ARM64 in real time. This approach, similar to Apple’s Rosetta 2, makes it possible to bring PCSX2 to ARM quickly — though at the cost of slightly lower performance for now.

As noted by Retro Dodo, the developers are transparent: performance is currently below NetherSX2, but this is a temporary situation. The team is actively working on optimization and doesn’t rule out a future transition to native ARM64 code.

Compatibility and availability

ARMSX2 runs on any device with a modern ARM64 processor: recent Android smartphones and tablets, as well as iOS, Linux ARM64, and Windows on ARM. Version 1.0.3 is available on GitHub, with a Play Store page coming soon.

As with any PS2 emulator, ARMSX2 requires a BIOS dump from a legitimately owned PS2 console. The user interface is simple and intuitive, with on-screen controls and Bluetooth gamepad support.

pocket-lint.com

The future of PS2 emulation on Android

As highlighted by Android Police, the community welcomes ARMSX2 with cautious optimism. NetherSX2 remains faster for now, but ARMSX2 represents the future thanks to its open-source nature and modern foundation.

For fans of Final Fantasy X, God of War, or Gran Turismo 4, PS2 emulation on Android has never looked so promising. Could ARMSX2 be on track to build the future of portable emulation?

After more than 20 years of fighting for the recognition of France’s video game heritage, the MO5.COM association has reached a historic milestone. The National Video Game Museum will open its doors in Arcueil (94) in December 2025, finally giving France a permanent space dedicated to the memory of video games, from the 1950s to today.

The announcement was made official during Paris Games Week, marking the achievement of a dream carried since 2003 by the MO5.COM association, recognized as being of public interest. The museum will offer, from its opening (planned between December 5 and 15), a 1,200 m² space located near the Laplace RER B station, able to welcome up to 200 visitors simultaneously. This area will evolve over time to match the project’s growing ambitions.

Authentic, playable machines in free access

What makes this museum stand out is its truly participatory approach. No more showcases you can only look at: here, the microcomputers, legendary consoles, and arcade cabinets are authentic and fully playable. From the Thomson MO5 that gave its name to the association to modern consoles, and through mythical arcade machines, every visitor will be able to relive the history of video games, controller in hand.

The museum will be open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and every day during school holidays. Other days will be reserved for groups by registration (schools, companies, associations). Admission will cost less than 10 euros, with free access for association members and partners. A Tipeee membership grants unlimited access to the museum.

Much more than an exhibition

Beyond the exhibition space, the museum will feature a 200 m² workshop dedicated to preservation and research, as well as another for maintenance and diagnostics. The latter will allow the public to have their retro machines repaired according to a predefined list, meeting a real need among collectors facing the breakdown of their old equipment.

A dining area will complete the experience, encouraging discussions among visitors. The site will also host conferences and international meetings, building on the network MO5 has developed over more than 15 years with institutions around the world. The association aims for the prestigious "Musée de France" label, which would ensure optimal protection for the collection and make inter-museum loans easier.

A mobilized ecosystem and video game legends

The project enjoys impressive support. Among its partners: James Game Center (arcade expertise), Pix’n Love Publishing (which will release a dedicated book), AFJV, ISART Digital, Les Numériques (present at the opening), The Digital Lounge, Pastagames, OrdiRetro, Retro Gaming Connexion, and all members of the EFGAMP (European Federation of Game Archives, Museums, and Preservation Projects), co-founded by MO5 in 2013.

The museum also has the support of iconic figures among its honorary members: Alexey Pajitnov (creator of Tetris), Éric Chahi (Another World), Jordan Mechner (Prince of Persia), Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear), Paul Cuisset (Flashback), Philippe Ulrich (Captain Blood), and Daniel Macré (Vroom). These legends will hold conferences and master classes, bringing international legitimacy to the project.

How to support the project

To join this adventure, you can become a member of MO5.COM via Tipeee, contribute your time and skills, share your knowledge, or simply spread the word. Every bit of support helps bring this unique place in France to life.

The museum will soon have its own website for ticketing, reservations, and practical information. In the meantime, you can follow updates on mo5.com or join the community’s Discord server.

A fun detail for nostalgic visitors: the famous Jeulin turtle, the association’s mascot (a reference to the LOGO turtle from Thomson computers), will be seen roaming the museum. This opening marks a historic step in recognizing video games as cultural heritage in France, offering a lasting space to discover, share, and preserve the memory of a medium that has shaped generations.

Sources: MO5 / Rom-Game

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