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The team behind Dolphin, the benchmark emulator for Nintendo Wii and GameCube, has released a new update (Release 2503). This version brings a host of improvements, particularly for fans of RetroAchievements.

Better cheat management in Hardcore mode

One of the major changes concerns RetroAchievements' Hardcore mode. RetroAchievements** is a platform that adds achievements to retro games, while Hardcore mode disables instant saves, slow motion and cheat codes for a more authentic experience.

Until now, Dolphin has completely blocked the use of cheats in Hardcore mode. However, after much feedback from the community, the developers worked with the RetroAchievements team to relax this rule. From now on, certain specific codes will be authorised, including those that fix bugs or improve gameplay, such as fixes for freezes or widescreen display.

Note that RetroAchievements is also compatible with Recalbox. To take advantage of this, simply create an account at retroachievements.org, then log in to your Recalbox game options. You'll be able to unlock trophies on your retro games, just like on modern consoles, and activate Hardcore mode to get back to the original game conditions, without emulation assistance.

Integrated game time tracking

Another welcome new feature is the addition of a game time counter, similar to that found on modern consoles. Activated by default, it shows the total time spent on each game in a dedicated list. However, it can be deactivated if you don't want to keep track of this statistic.

Simplified interface for graphics settings

Finally, Dolphin introduces a new interface for editing graphics settings on a game-by-game basis. Until now, these settings required manual modification via a text box, which could be tedious. Now everything is done directly via a visual interface integrated into the game properties, making customisation more intuitive.

Future integration into Recalbox

For the moment, this update only concerns the Dolphin emulator itself. We are currently testing this version internally for future versions of Recalbox and will integrate it once it is fully compatible with our solution.

Remember that GameCube should be supported on the Raspberry Pi5 with V10, while the Wii will require a PC with more resources than the Pi5 to run Recalbox.

For full details of this update, please see the full list of changes in version 2503.

Source : Time Extension

The World Video Game Hall of Fame is set to welcome a number of new iconic titles, and the shortlist features games from different eras. Among the finalists are Tamagotchi, the virtual animal that has captivated millions of gamers, and GoldenEye 007, a Nintendo 64 staple.

They will face stiff competition from cult titles such as Frogger, Quake, Harvest Moon, Age of Empires and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Other legendary games such as Golden Tee, NBA 2K, Mattel Football and Defender are also in the running, alongside a more recent contender, Angry Birds.

The competition is organised by The Strong National Museum of Play, based in New York State, USA.

Competing games are judged by a panel of journalists on a number of criteria: innovation, influence, iconic status, longevity and geographical reach. In other words, GoldenEye 007, Tamagotchi and Quake have every chance of winning this year.

The public also plays a key role in the selection by voting for their favourite titles. Voting is open until 13 March, and the three games with the most votes will be included in the final selection process, alongside those chosen by the international advisory committee.

The winners will be officially announced on Thursday 8 May. Which game do you think deserves to join legends such as Pong, Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda in the World Game Hall of Fame? You can make your voice heard here.

Source : Retro Dodo

It's good to open up the back rooms and old containers these days. A fortnight ago, we reported on brand new SEGA terminals, still in their original packaging. This week, games that have been in storage for 20 years are resurfacing.

Lee Singleton, head of Square Enix External Studios, shared the discovery on LinkedIn. The members of the studio opened an old storage container that had been closed for two decades, a veritable time capsule housing untouched retro games.

It contains titles published on Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Atari ST, N-Gage, PlayStation, Wii and a few others.

Most of these games make up a library from Domark Limited and Eidos Interactive, both acquired by Square Enix in 2009. In the video shared on LinkedIn, you can see titles such as Klax, Hard Drivin', Badlands, S.T.U.N Runner, The Living Daylights, The Nomad Soul, Death Jr: Root of Evil, Rugby World Cup... as well as a Lara Croft figurine, as Eidos owned the Tomb Raider brand at the time.

Employees were presumably allowed to help themselves to this stock, and the comments on the LinkedIn post indicate that Singleton contacted the BGI/National Videogame Museum (US), which was delighted with the discovery:

‘We'd be delighted to discuss these items (and perhaps help you inventory) - it sounds like quite a time capsule!’

It's worth noting that some of the games date back to the late 80s, more than 35 years ago, and have been found in their original boxes, in perfect condition. Real treasures, protected from any speculation.

Source : Time Extension

As we told you a few days ago, a countdown was launched on the official Tony Hawk's Pro Skater website, leaving little doubt as to what the final outcome would be, so many teasers and indiscreet confidences rained down on the net. It's now official: Activision has announced the release of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4.

A remastered compilation of the famous skateboarding games from 2001 and 2002. Scheduled for release on 11 July 2025, this collection will be available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch at a price of €49.99.

Following the success of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 compilation in 2020, the development of this new remaster has been entrusted to Iron Galaxy Studios. The studio aims to offer an experience faithful to the original games, with notable improvements such as 4K resolution, improved textures, smooth animations and advanced illumination.

The game will feature an online multiplayer mode supporting crossplay for up to eight players, enabling a shared experience across different platforms. In addition, enhanced customisation tools will allow players to create their own skaters and skate parks, with the ability to share them online.

If you're new to the franchise don't panic, Tony Hawk himself will accompany you through a new tutorial specially developed for this remake (despite his grandfather status acquired last September, and yes, it hurts).

The roster will combine skateboarding legends such as Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen and Steve Caballero, with up-and-coming figures such as Rayssa Leal, Chloe Covell and Yuto Horigome. A notable new feature is the inclusion of the Doom Slayer from the Doom saga as a playable character, available exclusively in the Digital Deluxe Edition.

The soundtrack will mix iconic tracks from the original games with new ones, enriching the game's musical experience. Classic pre-order benefits include early access to a June 2025 demo and exclusive in-game content.

If you want to brush up on your skills and practise a few tricks, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 can be played on Recalbox on several platforms, including PlayStation, the system on which the franchise has recorded the most sales.

GoRetroid recently unveiled the Retroid Pocket Classic, a new handheld console with a Game Boy-inspired design. This is the brand's first vertical model since the original Retroid Pocket.

Teasing before the official announcement

The existence of this console was first hinted at on Valentine's Day**, when a glimpse of the device was discreetly hidden in the background of a promotional image of the Retroid Pocket Flip 2.

Now official, the Retroid Pocket Classic boasts a sleek, compact design. The images published by the brand show seven colours available: pink, turquoise, lime green, blue, yellow, as well as two versions inspired by the Ayaneo and PiBoy DMG (‘GameBoy’ grey).

Minimalist design and a six-button model

Unlike the brand's previous models, this new device does not feature an analogue stick, but instead incorporates a D-pad, as well as the classic X, Y, A and B buttons. A front speaker is positioned at the bottom right, along with the Start, Select and Home buttons.

A promotional video released after the official announcement revealed a surprise: a variant with six buttons will also be offered. This is an appropriate choice for emulating consoles such as the N64, Sega Saturn and Mega Drive, which used six-button controllers. This configuration is reminiscent of other competing models, such as the Anbernic RG ARC-D and ARC-S, although four-button consoles are still more widespread.

AMOLED screen and first images of the back of the console

GoRetroid has also confirmed that the Retroid Pocket Classic will feature an AMOLED screen offering a resolution of 1240 x 1080 pixels.

Finally, the brand has shared images of the back of the device for the first time, offering a fuller look at its design and finishes as well as confirming the presence of the L1 R1 L2 R2 triggers.

While GoRetroid has yet to release any internal technical specifications or a release date, this announcement is already attracting the interest of retrogaming enthusiasts.

Reminder:** Recalbox is NOT compatible with GoRetroid devices. To find out which handheld consoles are supported, go to this link.

Sources: Time Extension

8BitDo, the reference when it comes to retrogaming controllers, is preparing to launch a controller that has been eagerly awaited by a large part of the community.

The legendary Nintendo 64 controller will be getting a revisited by 8BitDo version. However, as the images show, the design is not exactly the same as that of the famous three-pronged controller. An understandable choice, given that its ergonomics were questionable, even if it still holds a special place in the hearts of gamers.

So 8BitDo has opted for a more modern approach, drawing inspiration from the design of the Switch Pro controller, while incorporating the buttons and joystick characteristic of the N64.

This includes the C-Button (the four directional buttons on the right), as well as the A, B and START buttons, which retain their original shapes, with a few positional adjustments to bring them into line with today's standards.

The joystick, as iconic as it has been criticised for its fragility, is of course back. Positioned on the left-hand side of the controller, it retains its original covering with rings and notched base. Like almost all 8BitDo joysticks, it will also benefit from Hall Effect technology, guaranteeing greater precision and sensitivity.

Developed in partnership with Analogue 3D - an FPGA system that reinterprets the Nintendo 64 and is compatible with the original cartridges and controllers - this new controller will be compatible with this system via Bluetooth, but also with Windows, Android and the Switch (where several N64 titles are available via the Virtual Console).

The controller will be available at the end of March at a price of €39.99, with pre-orders already open at this address.

Last but not least, 8BitDo is also offering a Mod Kit dedicated to the N64 controller (as well as other models), which can be used to transform an original wired controller into a Bluetooth version, or to replace the joystick to improve its durability.

Thanks to Sylvano for the sources.

More than 20 years after its demise in 2004, Acclaim, the iconic publisher of the 80s and 90s, is announcing its return. The company, which left its mark on generations of gamers with titles such as Turok, NBA Jam, Shadow Man and Burnout, intends to concentrate on independent games and the return of its cult franchises.

A strategic return with a committee of experts

Behind this resurrection is a group of industry veterans, led by Alex Josef, now CEO of Acclaim. The company has surrounded itself with an advisory board made up of Russell Binder (Striker Entertainment), Mark Caplan (Ridge Partners), as well as Jeff Jarrett, a former wrestler and well-known figure in the wrestling video game world.

Jarrett, who has worked with Acclaim on the WWF and TNA Wrestling games, says he is honoured to be involved in this new venture:

I've seen first-hand the impact that great games can have on gamers and fans. Resurrecting Acclaim is an opportunity to pass on that same passion to a new generation.

The project is also supported by Phil Toronto (VaynerFund) and Eric Vogel (JET Management), who will provide their financing and management expertise to ensure sustainable growth.

One mission: to support independents and revive the classics

Acclaim's ambition is not only to publish promising independent games, but also to breathe new life into its historic catalogue. CEO Alex Josef is already promising big announcements:

We're fortunate to have an extremely talented team and have already signed some incredible indie titles, which we'll be unveiling soon.

This relaunch is bound to raise expectations: will we soon see remasters or sequels to cult licences such as Turok, Shadow Man or Burnout? The next few months should reveal the new direction Acclaim is taking.

2025, the year of the big comeback?

With its experienced team, Acclaim seems well equipped to reclaim its place in the video game industry. It remains to be seen whether the studio will be able to appeal to both nostalgic fans and a new generation of gamers, and whether the publisher will not fall into the ‘easy’ trap of lazy remakes or remasters content with their names and nostalgia as the sole sales drivers.

One thing's for sure: it's great to see a first-rate publisher from the 80s and 90s rise from the ashes.

Sources : Time Extension / RetroDodo

As every fortnight, you can take part in a new challenge on the Recalbox Discord. This challenge is open to everyone. The principle is simple: try to achieve the best score on a game drawn at random, often from the arcade catalogue.

🚀 For this fourth challenge of 2025, the game selected is The Punisher.

Developed and published by Capcom, and released in 1993, this beat'em all lets you play as The Punisher (or Nick Fury for player 2), an iconic character from the Marvel comic book universe.

Originally released on the CP System (arcade), the game was ported to the Mega Drive in 1994. Players take on the role of the famous Marvel anti-hero, ready to do battle in a variety of settings, driven by boundless vengeance.

To do this, Frank Castle (his real name) uses his fists and mugs, and can use various elements of the scenery to smash his enemies in the face. Very early on in the game, weapons (numerous but limited in use) are added to the gameplay.

The game remains an excellent memory (and a great way to let off steam) for all those who have tried it. The graphics, although classic, pay tribute to the character's origins by displaying a few onomatopoeia on the screen, in the style of comic books.

🏆 Challenge rules

As Frank Castle, your aim will be to achieve the highest score in a single credit.
The challenge runs from 4 to 18 March, midnight. You can try as many times as you like.

📢 How do I take part?

• 🎮 Start the game (rom ‘punisher ’)
• 🏹 Play and try to beat the best score
• 📸 Take a screenshot or photo of your final score
• 📤 Share your score on the Discord channel #challenges or use the /submit score leaderboard command on the same channel.

⚖️ Rules to follow

To ensure a fair challenge:

• The score must be achieved in only one credit, without save state, rewind, cheats, or auto-fire (unless provided for in the game).

Rewards and fair play

The challenge is all about discovering games, sharing tips and, of course, having fun, all in a spirit of competition that's always welcome!

The winner will win a game key (GOG, Steam, etc.) to choose from a list of over 80 titles.
📌 If you've won a challenge in the last three months, the reward will go to the next one 🥇🥈🥉.

Good luck to you all, and may the highest score win! 🎮🔥

Fans of video games, retrogaming and good causes, you'll be aware that the fifth edition of SpeeDons is taking place from Thursday throughout the weekend!

Last year's SpeeDons was a huge success, raising €2,066,663 for Médecins du Monde and attracting 1.5 million viewers. For this 2025 edition, the objective is clear: to beat this record!

The project was initiated by MisterMV, who is hosting the event alongside a host of content creators including Zerator, Antoine Daniel, DamDam Live, Gom4rt, Hugo Délire, Jarmou and many others.

The best speedrunners will be on hand to finish both modern and retro games in record time: Zelda, Doom, MediEvil, Metal Slug, Resident Evil, Donkey Kong, Cuphead, Okami HD... In all, over 70 games are on the programme, so there's something for everyone!

As well as these performances, the streamers will be taking part in events, challenges and discussions about Médecins du Monde, highlighting the charity's work.

The event, which takes place in Lyon, is sold out. But if you want to support the initiative, you can follow the live stream on Twitch from MisterMV. There you'll find links for making donations, taking part in challenges in the form of bets or buying T-shirts, all in aid of Médecins du Monde.

If you'd like to follow a particular game, the weekend schedule is available at this link. You'll also find the full schedule at the bottom of the page.

If you're new to speedrun, you should know that it involves completing a video game as quickly as possible, exploiting techniques such as glitching or optimising every action for maximum efficiency. This discipline requires intensive training and in-depth knowledge of games.

For example, some players have set impressive world records, such as finishing Super Mario Bros. in 4 minutes 54 seconds and 881 milliseconds!

8BitDo has announced an update to its Ultimate controller, soberly named Ultimate 2.

Like V1, the configuration of the joysticks and buttons is based on that of the Xbox controllers. In terms of new features, 8BitDo boasts ultra-low latency (1000 Hz / 1 ms), optimised by its in-house 8Speed wireless technology.

Whether in wired mode via the USB-C cable or via Bluetooth 2.4 GHz, the controller's responsiveness will no longer be an excuse for defeat.

Another addition is the L4 and R4 buttons, positioned slightly between L1/R1 and L2/R2. The joysticks incorporate TMR technology, offering greater sensitivity and precision than Hall Effect sticks, while consuming less battery power.

Fans of flashing lights will be delighted to learn that the joystick bases are equipped with an RGB halo, fully customisable in terms of colour and behaviour (fixed, flashing, reacting to joystick movements, etc.).

To adjust these settings, you can use the 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2, which also allows you to configure the entire controller (sensitivity, dead zone, etc.).

There's also the option of toggling your triggers between a linear Hall Effect mode and a non-linear mode, a great feature if you regularly change your style of play. Like its little sister, the V2 offers a vibration function and a Turbo button.

Finally, a nice touch from 8BitDo: a charging station is supplied with the controller, making it easy to recharge without searching for a cable in a drawer, while still proudly displaying your controller.

The controller is available in the US and UK via Amazon (and will soon be available in Europe) for $59.

If you follow news from Anbernic, the famous manufacturer of portable consoles dedicated to retrogaming, you may have heard about the 1.0.6 update for the XX range.

This version introduced an application enabling users to download ROMs directly onto their device via Wi-Fi, a bit like an eShop, but free of charge... and with copyrighted games.

This is obviously illegal, as emulation or FPGA solutions are not allowed to offer licensed content. However, Anbernic took the risk of rolling out this update, which was withdrawn almost immediately to the astonishment of many in the retrogaming industry.

It should be remembered that Anbernic is a Chinese company where, although the principle of copyright is well known, it is sometimes applied less rigorously than in Europe, and especially than in the United States and Japan.

This abortive attempt by Anbernic raises many debates. If these consoles exist and are so successful, it's largely because many retro games are no longer legally available for purchase. The issue of preserving video games and piracy is therefore more topical than ever.

Emulation systems and homebrew projects have always put the spotlight on retrogaming. Some players in the video game industry have shown a degree of tolerance and even welcomed some of these projects.

But to go so far as to openly encourage piracy via homebrew software... the risk of major publishers banging their fists on the table seems obvious. A reaction that could call into question this fragile tolerance, which would be regrettable for the community as a whole.

Source : Time Extension

An incredible find this week for arcade fans! An American by the name of Tristen McCormick is offering for sale seven brand new SEGA arcade machines, still in their original boxes.

The advert was posted on a Facebook group dedicated to trading and selling arcade equipment. The machines, which have been kept intact until now, have been unpacked for the sole purpose of being moved.

McCormick states in its announcement:

"They have all been removed from the boxes to make them easier to move. No burns on the tubes as they have never reached the floor of a game room."

He also points out that the PCB game cards are not included and reminds us in passing that the kiosks are not JAMMA. They therefore have screens, controls and sound systems, but no integrated games.

The kiosks were originally intended to house Fighting Vipers, a 3D fighting game by SEGA, first released in arcade format in 1995 before being ported to Saturn the following year.

The origin of these terminals

A potential buyer contacted McCormick to find out more. They came from a former distributor who, following a misunderstanding with SEGA, never marketed the fifteen terminals he had received. SEGA then asked him to return the PCBs of the games, leaving him with the ‘blank’ terminals for logistical reasons.

Of these fifteen terminals, eight had already been sold. This left seven at the time of the announcement, priced at €500 each or €3,700 for the lot. In other words, they've probably already been sold by the time you read this...

Source : Retrododo

If you have a Recalbox arcade machine, you can start a game directly. This trick allows you to have a terminal dedicated to a game without having to go through the menus. This is also possible with other configurations, but it's particularly important here, because it suits the needs of an arcade cabinet.

To begin with, your Recalbox must be up to date (as always), as this feature has been added to version 9.2.

You can do this in your Recalbox's advanced settings:

• Advanced settings
• Boot settings
• Boot on Game > On

All you have to do is select the game you want to launch when your Recalbox starts up. To do this, go to the game in question, press START to open the game options without launching it, then find the line "Boot on this game ’ in the menu and activate it.

As you know, when you start your Recalbox, the system starts by playing a start-up video. If you want to start the game directly without this start-up video, you can deactivate this option.

• Advanced settings
• Boot Settings
• Boot Video (Introductory Video) > Disabled

This will have the effect of starting your Recalbox directly by launching the selected game, just like on an original arcade machine.

Of course, you can still press "Hotkey + START" in the middle of a game to return to the Recalbox menu.

You'll find the whole process in Fabrice's video below:

The news surrounding Tony Hawk's Pro Skater has been very busy in recent days. Launched in 1999 on Dreamcast, Nintendo 64 and PlayStation (for home consoles), this cult licence has left its mark on a whole generation of gamers and is about to return.

The series has been released a number of times, all of them of high quality, most recently with a remaster in 2012 (Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD) and a remake in 2020 (Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2). The latter was developed by Vicarious Visions, the studio that merged with Blizzard under the Activision umbrella.

This merger does not mean the end of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, quite the contrary. Tony Hawk himself had indicated his involvement in a future project, and more recently, pro skateboarder Tyshawn Jones said:

"I'm in a Tony Hawk coming out, so that's cool. They've got a new one they're remastering, so that's about to come out. I was in the last one."

If you still had any doubts, Activision has just launched a countdown on the game's official website, giving us a date of March 4, 2025. Call of Duty Black Ops 6 players have also been treated to a new map called Grind, set in a skate park and clearly reminiscent of the Tony Hawk franchise.

If you're observant, you'll notice that the official website mentions the Iron Galaxy studio, already at work on the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 remake and the remakes of the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro franchises.

So all we can do now is wait until 4 March for a very likely trailer.

Photos: Activision

After several twists and turns, the film adaptation of Street Fighter by Legendary Entertainment and Capcom finally has a director. Kitao Sakurai, an American-Japanese filmmaker best known for his work on The Eric Andre Show, will take the reins of the project.

A project in search of stability

This announcement comes after the departure of brothers Danny and Michael Philippou, directors of the horror film Talk to Me, who had initially been approached to direct the feature film. In June 2024, they chose to concentrate on another project, Bring Her Back, leaving Street Fighter without a director and casting doubt over whether it would ever come to fruition.

With the arrival of Sakurai, the project now seems to be on the right track. Although the 42-year-old director has limited experience of making feature films, he is nonetheless a creative force renowned for his work on The Eric Andre Show. He has also directed Bad Trip, a Netflix comedy, and several episodes of the series Twisted Metal and Butterfly. He is also executive producer of season 2 of Beef, a hit Netflix series.

A cult franchise soon to return to the big screen

Capcom is directly involved in this adaptation, co-developed and co-produced with Legendary**. Scheduled for release on 20 March 2026 under the Sony banner, this film will attempt to restore the image of previous film adaptations of Street Fighter.

The franchise has already been adapted twice in Hollywood, the most famous (and controversial) of which was in 1994, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as Guile. Although the film was a critical flop on its release, it has now acquired a cult following among fans, thanks in no small part to its exaggerated tone and the surprising performances of its actors.

Doubtful anticipation

For the moment, very little information has been revealed about this new adaptation. For the time being, Legendary has only shared the film's official logo (at the top of this article), leaving fans waiting for more details about the story, the cast and the artistic direction of the project.

It remains to be seen whether this new version will manage to capture the essence of the famous fighting game, whose latest opus, Street Fighter 6, released in June 2023, won the Best Fighting Game award at the Game Awards 2023.

Sources: Time Extension / Hollywood Reporter

This week, publisher Red Dunes Games and developer BLAST ZERO announced Samurai Pizza Cats: Blast from the Past, a 2D action-RPG based on the famous anime series Samurai Pizza Cats, well known to children in the 80s and 90s.

Produced by Tatsunoko Studios, this 54-episode Japanese series premiered in February 1990. It features three pizza-delivery cats who, thanks to their samurai skills, battle a multitude of robotic enemies in a Japan combining medieval times and technology.

In the game, it will be possible to switch instantly between the heroes to exploit their unique abilities, whether to solve puzzles or triumph in battle, with special attacks directly inspired by the anime.

The title will also feature a RPG Lite aspect, allowing characters to level up and equip them with special cards to improve their chamurai skills.

Fans of VO will be delighted to learn that the original Japanese and American casts will reprise their roles, adding an extra touch of authenticity. The series' original scriptwriter, Satoru Akahori, will also be taking part.

The trailer below reveals the first visuals of the game, and it's clear that the graphics, animations and menus pay homage to the anime.

You can play Little Tokyo in 2026 on all major platforms.

There's been a major blow to the video game trade in France: Micromania has officially been put up for sale by its American owner, GameStop.

It's no secret that the physical video game market is in trouble. This is due to the rise in popularity of dematerialised products, which offer regular promotions and immediate accessibility, the success of subscription-based services such as Game Pass and PlayStation Plus (not to mention PC-based offers), and the growth of cloud gaming, which is becoming increasingly relevant with the roll-out of fibre.

Against this backdrop, GameStop has decided to refocus its activities on the United States. Already weakened by its near bankruptcy in 2021, the American giant recently sold off its shops in Italy, which have found a buyer, while in Germany the shops were forced to close for lack of a buyer.

Founded in 1983, Micromania has established itself as a leading video game retailer in France. Bought out by GameStop in 2008 for $700 million, the store tried to adapt to dematerialisation by diversifying its activities with Zing, a range of derivative products dedicated to video games and pop culture.

But this strategy has not been enough to turn around sales in the 300 or so shops across the country. This is due to very low margins, which even the release of the Switch 2 will not be enough to compensate for. As for GTA VI, it doesn't seem to have convinced GameStop either. One of the reasons? The fact that Micromania shops are located in the shopping malls of large supermarkets, where the big names slash prices as soon as blockbusters are released to attract customers.

What does the future hold for Micromania ?

Micromania was keen to reassure its customers in a message published on X:

"Hello, the announcement by our parent company GameStop that the French structure Micromania-Zing has been put up for sale in no way affects our operations. Our activities are continuing as normal, and we are continuing to develop our range of video games, merchandising and services. Past (and future) pre-orders will of course be honoured. Credit notes and vouchers will continue to be valid."

The situation is bound to change over the coming weeks. If GameStop finds a buyer, the business will be able to continue, but potentially at the cost of a reduced shop network and some closures. On the other hand, if no buyer comes forward, the outright disappearance of Micromania would mean the closure of its shops and the loss of many jobs.

Finally, France is not the only country affected by this decision, as GameStop shops in Canada are also affected.

A recent survey of 2,000 Generation Z Britons has just been published. It looks at the retrogaming habits of this population, born between 1997 and 2012, who are unfamiliar with the hardwares we usually cover here.

The results are surprising, even encouraging, for the hobby we cherish and share.

The survey reveals that, over the last two years, 66% of Gen Z members have purchased retro technology (consoles or other), and 24% own a retro console. This craze for retrogaming is explained in 89% of cases by a desire to break away from the Internet, but also by a feeling of relaxation provided by vintage games for 74% of those surveyed.

We also learn that 77% of the panel feel a sentimental attachment to their original hardware, encouraging them to keep their equipment.

The study was not limited to video games and explored other retro trends. The report is even more surprising in this respect: 30% of Britons say they would consider swapping their smartphone for a flip phone, and 61% say they are interested in audio cassettes, believing they will make a comeback, just like vinyl records.

These figures may seem high, but nostalgia plays an important role. Nonetheless, some of Gen Z are expressing a desire to distance themselves from the omnipresent Internet, in order to rediscover a certain simplicity and a bubble free from constant solicitations.

The report also echoes other persistent fashion effects, such as the return of the success of music from the 90s and 2000s or the growing interest in preserving "Youngtimer ’ cars.

Remember that Gen Z is relatively unfamiliar with vintage consoles and has not been the generation most affected by their use. The oldest were born the year the Nintendo 64 was launched, while the youngest were born the year the Wii U came out.

Finally, one last point that marks an epochal turning point: the Alpha generation, born from 2013 onwards, and those that follow will almost exclusively know dematerialised.

This survey was commissioned by Pringles (photo illustration), to mark the opening of a temporary ‘clinic’ in London, offering free repairs to retro, portable and home consoles. A similar survey was published a few days ago in the United States, reporting similar behaviour (article here). To date, no similar study has been carried out in France.

Source: Metro.co.uk

As Dreamcast owners may know, it's still possible to connect online using DreamPi, a Raspberry Pi-based solution that connects the console to the Internet for online gaming. Although there are other alternatives, this is still the most popular.

If you're tempted by the idea, the Time Extension website published a detailed guide to the procedure last September, available at this address.

Today, a news item linked to DreamPi deserves our attention, once again relayed by Time Extension. Developer Robert Dale Smith has come up with a solution for saving VMU saves in the cloud, just like modern consoles.

Called Virtual VMU, this open source solution is accessible via the Dreamcast web browser through the DreamPi portal mentioned above.

Protecting and recovering your backups online is therefore possible on Dreamcast 26 years after the release of the 128-bit console, with one notable advantage over similar services on modern consoles... it's free.

Nike is continuing its foray into the world of video games with a new collaboration. After partnering with EA Sports, Fortnite, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo 64, the brand with the comma has been forging one partnership after another for over thirty years. Some are purely commercial and questionable - notably those focused on NFTs - while others pay genuine tribute to a franchise or a landmark anniversary.

Today, the spotlight is on a classic from the 90s: Donkey Kong Country 2, released in 1995 on Super Nintendo. Colours, graphics and materials have been carefully chosen to appeal to fans of the franchise.

This pair of sneakers will feature beige, brown and yellow hues, evoking Donkey Kong's fur, with suede even imitating the hair of the famous gorilla. The Nike logo (the swoosh) will adopt the red colour of Donkey's tie and angles inspired by the 16-bit era, recalling Nike's dedicated video game range.

The tribute will be rounded off by a number of details, including a pixelated ‘NIKE AIR MAX’ logo on the tongue and soles featuring iconic gaming motifs such as coins and bananas.

Dubbed SWOOSH x Nike Air Max 1 ‘Big Head Origins ’, this special edition is expected to be released in Spring 2025 at a price of around €150. It will be exclusively reserved for Swoosh Nike members. Registration available here for those interested.