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The RTA in Japan Summer 2025 event, scheduled to take place from August 9 to 15, 2025, will include no Nintendo titles in its official lineup — a surprising first for one of Japan’s most prominent speedrunning events. RTA in Japan is a major gathering dedicated to speedrunning, where players aim to complete games as quickly as possible in real time, often using advanced mechanics, glitches, or expertly executed shortcuts.

A notable absence

Nintendo titles such as Super Mario 64, Pokémon Red and Blue, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Splatoon have traditionally been mainstays of the event, drawing huge audiences during the Summer 2024 edition. Their complete removal from the 2025 roster has sparked frustration and confusion among fans.

Why this exclusion?

Nintendo has not issued an official statement. However, the event organizers revealed that Nintendo contacted them in June 2025 to inform them that, as a legal entity, they must request prior permission to include Nintendo games in the event. Additionally, Nintendo considers all previous broadcasts of their titles at RTA in Japan to be “unauthorized use.” As a result, RTA in Japan has chosen not to feature any Nintendo games this summer and has begun negotiations with the company for future events.

Impact on the event

The absence of Nintendo’s flagship games significantly changes the programming of this major event. Still, the organizers have retained a solid lineup of other popular titles that are staples of the speedrunning scene, such as Final Fantasy IX, Dragon Quest IV, Mega Man 9, Resident Evil 2, and the remake of Monster Hunter 2.

Source: Numérama / Automaton

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the legendary studio Rare is honoring its incredible video game legacy… through music! In collaboration with iam8bit, a stunning 4×LP vinyl box set is set for release this October, featuring the most iconic soundtracks from the British developer.

From Battletoads to Banjo-Kazooie, via Perfect Dark, Donkey Kong Country, and Sea of Thieves, this compilation offers a true audio journey through Rare’s history, with no less than 2.5 hours of remastered music. The beautifully colored records (in blue and gold) come in a sturdy cardboard sleeve illustrated by Lewy Jones, packed with nods to the studio’s legendary games.

Founded in 1985, Rare quickly became a key player in video game history, first on NES and Super Nintendo alongside Nintendo, before joining Microsoft in 2002. The studio has left its mark on every generation of gamers with innovative titles, often accompanied by unforgettable soundtracks composed by David Wise, Grant Kirkhope, and Robin Beanland.

Already available for pre-order on iam8bit's website, the box set will be distributed in France around September by Maximum Entertainment. A must-have for collectors and nostalgic music lovers alike, this anniversary edition promises to be one of the year’s most beautiful vinyl releases.

And if you’re into stylish game music on wax, don’t miss our previous features on the Super Mario World and Atari vinyls. Video game music is clearly in vogue—and vinyl is the perfect format to enjoy it, much to our delight.

Source: rom-game

Images: Rare

Earthion, a small phenomenon in the world of retro gaming and pixel art, has been available for a few days on Steam. Modern console versions will arrive on October 30, 2025, while the Mega Drive version (the “original” version) is expected sometime in 2026.

If the game is generating so much buzz, it’s largely due to the technical feat it represents. Earthion is primarily a Mega Drive game (also ported to PC and modern consoles), and running such a technically advanced game on this 16-bit console is pure talent. The ship animations, especially in the intro and outro of each level, are pre-rendered but look stunning for 1988 hardware.

This is not fan service nor a perfect game, but we wanted to offer a full review because it’s one of those productions that remind us why we love video games, why they are an art form, and why pixel art still has a bright future ahead…

World and Story

The year is 2175. Earth is dying, resources are scarce, and humanity has decided to migrate to Mars for a better future. During this exodus, an alien threat hidden in the shadow of the Moon’s far side appears.

The situation is dire: humanity is technologically outmatched, losses are heavy, but hope remains. Alien casualties have provided access to their technology, enabling a surgical strike against the enemies. That’s when your fight begins.

You play as Azusa Takanashi, an environmental biologist and pilot of the YK-IIA ship, navigating through 8 levels, each with distinct environments (space, planets, installations…). As a shmup, each level ends with a boss fight featuring unique mechanics (destroying weapons, disabling shields, invincibility phases…).

Enemies and Bosses

The bosses are all very inspired, and so is the overall enemy roster. Enemies vary with aesthetics matching their biome. They can be mechanical or organic. Some adapt to your movements; weaker enemies flood you with projectiles but can be killed quickly, while others can cause instant game over due to devastating firepower.

Some levels also feature mid-level bosses to vary the pace of your runs.

The bosses are all very inspired

Graphics and Atmosphere

The game takes place in absolutely stunning settings, whether in space, over water (with a breathtaking sunset—well known for its contemplative effect), or industrial locations. It’s one of the most generous shmups in terms of diversity and inspiration.

However, one of the few flaws is the occasional difficulty distinguishing background from foreground elements. You might blindly crash into walls trying to avoid projectiles, which can be instantly fatal. This can be obvious sometimes, but when the screen fills with projectiles and enemies, reading the game becomes tricky. On the other hand, enemy shots are always clearly identifiable, even in large numbers.

Some scenes are magnificent

Gameplay and Mechanics

Your YK-IIA ship delivers a powerful, visible arsenal. You have a main weapon and secondary weapons. As you progress, you can equip multiple weapons and switch between them in combat. Each weapon can be upgraded with Solrium Crystals collected in levels. These crystals automatically boost your firepower without extra action from you. But beware: if you switch weapons, you’ll need to upgrade the new weapon again.

This clever mechanic means the weapon you’re currently using is the one upgraded by crystals. To upgrade all weapons, you need to switch between them. Each weapon can be situational—sometimes perfect, sometimes useless—depending on the bosses or enemies. We leave that discovery to you.

An evolving arsenal at your disposal

You start each stage with three ships and have three lives total to finish the game, with some 1UPs scattered along the way. Your ship’s health is represented by a shield that depletes when hit but regenerates if you avoid damage long enough, allowing you to expose yourself and fight back.

At the end of each level, you choose an upgrade: an extra ship, a shield slot, a secondary weapon slot, or increased max weapon level—preparing you for the final stages.

If you get a Game Over, the game provides a password to restart with your upgrades intact, a sort of New Game+ without finishing the game, easing the challenge. This feature is optional.

The game offers various difficulty modes (you can even set the number of ships), and a Challenge mode with survival and weapon-specific tests, great for score hunters. On PC and modern consoles, a leaderboard lets you compare with top players worldwide.

One drawback is the ship’s movement, which can feel heavy and slow, potentially hindering you in certain situations. This is a personal impression, whether using analog sticks or arcade sticks.

Soundtrack and Audio Atmosphere

The soundtrack is composed by Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage, The Revenge of Shinobi, ActRaiser, etc.), featuring 27 original tracks composed on real Mega Drive hardware.

If you fall for the music, the soundtrack is also available physically on vinyl and cassette (nostalgia indeed).

Sound effects are well balanced, not overwhelming, and considerate to those nearby—a positive sign for a shmup. Special mention to the few voice lines that signal low shields or radio messages and simple “copy” confirmations at the start, enhancing immersion.

Availability and Yuzo Koshiro’s Appeal

Earthion was released on July 31 on PC for €17.99. Modern console versions will launch on October 30, 2025 for $34.99 in a physical edition by Limited Run Games. Each platform also offers a collector’s edition at $99.99, including posters, soundtrack, and a mini decorative arcade cabinet.

The Mega Drive version was postponed to 2026 (no exact date) because the game isn’t yet up to the developers’ standards. Cartridge releases can’t be patched post-launch, so it must be perfect from day one. Modern versions will get updates, but the cartridge must be flawless.

A problem arose when unauthorized Mega Drive ROMs leaked online, causing two issues: the game isn’t finished, so the leaked version is unofficial, and it harms the developers financially if players use the ROM instead of buying the game.

An appeal was made by Yuzo Koshiro, head of Ancient, on X (formerly Twitter):

“A pirated ROM of Earthion is circulating online. Some might think it’s official, but it is not. The official version is only available on Steam for now. The MD/Gen version will be released next year on cartridge only. No downloadable ROM is planned. Please support us through official channels.
We sincerely thank everyone who supports Earthion officially. Pirated ROMs harm small indie teams like ours. We poured our hearts into this game and want people to enjoy it as intended. Your support makes a real difference.”

For the best experience, buy from Steam, Limited Run Games, or official console stores when available. This investment (€17.99 on Steam) provides updates and helps fund a dev team inspired to deliver quality productions at their own pace.

Conclusion

Given the quality of the game, we highly encourage this kind of release that honors the golden age of shmups while elevating it. Earthion is proof that passion, hard work, and listening to a community can yield rare, high-quality productions reminding us that video games, beyond often sterile debates, are above all an art.

Images: Ancient / YKGGG / Earthion

August 1st marks the launch of the second part of the Challenge X Recalbox event, also known as Summer Camps 2025. As a reminder, this friendly competition pits the community of The Challenge against the Recalbox community. Everyone is welcome! Whether you play on an arcade cabinet, with a controller, on a CRT, LCD, or even a handheld device, you can join the fun.

It’s worth noting that this is a “challenge” in name only: players of all skill levels are welcome, from hardcore scorers aiming for the top of the leaderboard to newcomers (like me!) who simply want to discover new games and connect with fellow enthusiasts.

That said, be warned: arcade gaming can quickly become addictive, whether it’s in terms of playtime or hardware… You’ve been warned!

Three games for August

For this second month of Summer Camps 2025, three games have been selected to help determine the winner. You don’t have to play all three – feel free to focus your efforts on your favorite(s).

You have until August 31st at 11:59 PM to submit your best score, achieved on a single credit, for each game you play.
The top 10 scores per game and per community will be used to determine the final score.
And if you manage to complete a game on a single credit, your community will earn 15 bonus points.

As with previous Recalbox challenges this year, rewind, save states, cheats, and autofire (unless part of the original game) are strictly forbidden.

August Game Lineup

Recalhorn (Taito F3 – unreleased prototype)

Genre: Action / Platformer
Recalhorn is a side-scrolling platform-adventure game developed by Taito in 1993 for the F3 arcade system, but never officially released. You play as a young hero in a fantasy world filled with strange creatures, enjoying polished graphics, a classic Taito soundtrack, and smooth gameplay featuring jumping, attacking, and exploring. A hidden gem few players have ever tried!

Batsugun (Toaplan – 1993)

Genre: Shoot’em up (Maniac Shooter / Bullet Hell)
A pioneer of the maniac shooter genre, Batsugun is widely considered the first game to introduce massive bullet curtain patterns on screen. Choose from three pilots with distinct shooting styles, collect power-ups to upgrade your weapons, and survive through intense and spectacular stages. A demanding and thrilling classic, developed by Toaplan and also released on Sega Saturn.

Penguin-Kun Wars (UPL – 1985)

Genre: Action / Versus (Arcade Duel)
A game as simple as it is brilliant! In Penguin-Kun Wars, you face off against an opponent (AI or player) in a fast-paced duel where you must throw balls across a table while dodging those thrown at you.
Each match lasts 60 seconds, and the player with the fewest balls on their side at the end wins. With a cast of animal characters, the game is fun, fast, and ultra-competitive.

How to submit your score

To submit your scores, simply head over to the Discord of the community you’re representing and post a screenshot (or photo) of your score, making sure to include:

your username + score + game title
Example: LittleG4M3, 24,300, Batsugun

• If you’re representing The Challenge community, share your score via this Discord link.

• If you’re representing the Recalbox community, post your score here.

Have fun and good luck!
Feel free to share your sessions, experiences, and tips on Discord...
And most importantly: enjoy yourselves!

With Recalbox version 10, already available for Patreon members, the Nintendo DS is now emulated on the Raspberry Pi 5. A great step forward for all portable console fans. And precisely, a new device is drawing attention from dual-screen enthusiasts: the AYANEO Pocket DS.

Unveiled at the ChinaJoy 2025 event on the Qualcomm Snapdragon booth, the Pocket DS is a flip-style Android handheld designed for retro game lovers and fans of dual-screen setups. AYANEO took inspiration from its Flip DS lineup but this time offers a secondary screen with a decidedly retro style.

Technical Specifications

The Pocket DS stands out with its two touchscreens:

• A 7-inch OLED main display in 16:9, with Full HD resolution (1920x1080), a refresh rate up to 165 Hz, and a maximum brightness of 800 nits. This ensures excellent smoothness and vivid color fidelity.

• A 5-inch secondary display in 4:3 (1024x768), featuring 256 PPI and 550 nits brightness. This setup recalls the Nintendo DS while offering much more modern specs.

Both screens are touch-enabled, allow app navigation, and can even be used in single-screen mode to save battery.

Design

In addition to its screens, the Pocket DS features a reinforced design with a CNC-machined shell, ensuring durability. Ergonomically, it includes curved rear grips for better handling. However, the layout of buttons and joysticks might be problematic for long gaming sessions, notably due to the format and the high number of controls.

The model appears larger than a 3DS XL, which may appeal to fans of bigger screens for the best experience with Android games and emulators like PSP. The console will be available in black or yellow.

As of now, AYANEO has not yet announced the price or official release date for the Pocket DS.

Warning: the AYANEO Pocket DS is not compatible with Recalbox.

After a remarkable first appearance at ZEvent 2024, where Fabrice and his guests highlighted the passion for retrogaming in support of a great cause, we’re excited to announce our return for the 2025 edition!

Looking Back at an Unforgettable 2024 Edition

Last year, we shared intense moments and witnessed the strength of our community. Here’s a look at the key figures from our involvement:

• 56 hours of non-stop, 100% retrogaming stream
• Over 15 exciting guests shared their love for retro gaming
• More than 35,000 unique viewers followed our journey
• An average of over 500 simultaneous viewers tuned in throughout the weekend
• And most importantly: €11,500 in donations were raised thanks to your generosity!

To energize the three-day stream, Fabrice introduced donation goals, which boosted interaction and community engagement. Every contribution played a part in this collective success.

ZEvent 2025: A New Milestone!

Save the dates: ZEvent 2025 will take place from September 5 to 7 in Montpellier, with an opening concert on September 4 at the Zénith.

Just like last year, Recalbox will be taking part in this major Twitch event. Get ready to join us live on our Twitch channel to catch every moment!

Recalbox will be back to:

• Offer a varied retrogaming schedule, with new challenges and exclusive content
• Invite passionate personalities and influencers for unique streaming sessions
• Rally our community to increase donations and surpass our previous goals
• Introduce new donation goals to keep the stream engaging and interactive

Supporting Essential Causes Through Fondation de France

As always, donations will go to several essential charities, coordinated by the Fondation de France. Your support will directly impact their incredible work:

• La Ligue contre le cancer
• Association Française des Aidants
• Helebor
• Nightline
• Le Rire Médecin
• Sourire à la Vie
• L’Envol
• Sparadrap

Join Recalbox at ZEvent 2025 on Twitch!

Don’t miss this unique event where gaming passion meets generosity.

Join the Recalbox team and the retrogaming community from September 5 to 7 live on our Twitch channel.

Be part of three days of games, sharing, and solidarity. Your presence and support will make all the difference. Let’s make ZEvent 2025 a meaningful success for a great cause!

Released in 1996, the Sega Model 3 is a fourth-generation arcade board developed by Sega in collaboration with Lockheed Martin. A true powerhouse for its time, it followed the earlier Model 1 (Virtua Fighter) and Model 2 (Daytona USA), and marked a major turning point with far more realistic 3D graphics, detailed textures, and smooth animation at 60 frames per second.

Thanks to this advanced architecture, iconic titles like Virtua Fighter 3, Scud Race, and Daytona USA 2 were born. Long difficult to emulate properly, Model 3 support — already available on PC — is now a reality on Raspberry Pi 5 with Recalbox, opening the door to a new generation of legendary arcade games on our retrogaming systems.

Daytona USA 2

This support is currently available via version 10, exclusively for our patrons. It's still an experimental version under development, but the first results are very promising — and fully compatible with the upcoming RGB DUAL 2, both on CRT screens and modern monitors.

This means you can now enjoy cult titles like Daytona USA 2, SEGA Rally 2, Virtua Fighter 3, and Scud Race in all their glory. With its ability to render a million polygons, 32 levels of transparency, and an advanced lighting system supporting up to four light sources, the Model 3 pushed technical limits and gave developers a hard time when attempting console ports — especially to the Dreamcast. The board was so powerful for its era, with several hardware improvements (Step 1.5, 2, and 2.1), that it clearly outclassed home consoles.

Testing SEGA Rally 2 on Recalbox V10 with RGB DUAL 2

Today, thanks to ongoing hardware and software advancements, we’re thrilled to finally experience these iconic games, which are an essential part of arcade history, with some of the most popular cabinets ever produced.

If you're testing Model 3, the Recalbox developers would love to hear your feedback on our Discord, especially in the Patron and Patron Alpha channels. The team is actively working to fine-tune emulator resolution, and we’re here to help if you encounter any bugs or issues.

We’d also like to thank Pit64 for his work on this integration, along with Beubeud and digitalLumberjack!

Testing Virtua Fighter 3 on Recalbox V10 with RGB DUAL 2

Testing Scud Race on Recalbox V10 with RGB DUAL 2

Summer means vacations, barbecues… and sometimes lively debates about the subtle art of lighting a grill. Some wait patiently for the charcoal to turn white, while others prefer to press a button on their plancha and hand out advice.

So, while waiting for the coals to be just right, and after introducing you to retro games that smell like summer, we thought a little overview of retro cooking games wouldn’t hurt. Here, things jump, sizzle, fry… and the cooking never fails!

It’s not easy to find retro games that focus 100% on cooking proper. It must be said that with the arrival of touchscreens and mobile games, cooking games became much more popular later on, notably thanks to Cooking Mama on Nintendo DS in 2006, and more recently the very fun Overcooked.

What about our retro games? Food most often appears as bonuses, usually for healing, following a simple rule: the more appetizing it looks, the more life it restores! As for purely cooking games, here are three titles dedicated to the pixelated world of cooking — feel free to add to the list if your retro taste buds bring back memories:

BurgerTime (Data East, 1982)

The classic. You play as Peter Pepper, a chef who must assemble giant hamburgers while escaping edible enemies! Sausages, fried eggs, pickles — they all chase you as you stomp buns with your boots. Simple, weird, brilliant.

Ore no Ryouri (PS1, 1999)

A gem that stayed in Japan but has a cult following. You run a restaurant at full speed: cutting, cooking, plating, serving. Everything flows in a joyful chaos of mini-games that really test your nerves. A precursor to a lineage of frantic cooking games and a major inspiration for Cook, Serve, Delicious!.

Panic Restaurant (NES, 1992)

Developed by Taito, this platformer puts you in the chef Cookie’s hat, armed with a frying pan to fight mutant food in a haunted restaurant. Enemies include eggs, shrimp, desserts, and even pots. It’s funny, colorful, and completely crazy. A real old-school pixel stew.

Fast Food Tycoon (PC, 1999)

A management game where you play as a fast-food entrepreneur tasked with creating and expanding your restaurant empire. You’ll need to manage menus, staff, pricing, and marketing to outsmart the competition and become the king of burgers. Strategy, economics, and humor blend together in this classic culinary simulation.

Sushi Bar (Naomi Arcade, 2000)

A unique Japanese arcade game where you must prepare and serve sushi in a fast-paced environment, carefully following customers’ orders. Fast, colorful, and demanding, Sushi Bar focuses on speed and precision. It offered an immersive culinary experience long before mobile cooking games became a trend.

Roasted Meat That Saves Lives

Even when you’re not cooking, food is everywhere in retro games, often as bonuses. The most iconic of all (forget the mushrooms)? The well-grilled meat that restores your entire health bar.

• In Streets of Rage, a roast chicken hides in a dumpster.
• In Golden Axe, a roast drops from a campfire after kicking a goblin thief.
• In many beat’em ups or hack’n’slash games of the era, meat is the ultimate elixir. Nobody knows how it got there, but you eat it without hesitation.

From giant burgers to haunted kitchens, frantic orders to survival steaks… retro gastronomy lacked neither salt, pixel nor imagination.
And even if cooking techniques vary, one thing is sure: in front of the screen or the embers, nothing beats sharing it with friends. 😉

Remember: last January, we already talked on the blog about a rumor around a LEGO Game Boy set. It's now official!

After years of rumors and fan creations, it’s confirmed: LEGO will launch on October 1, 2025 a faithful reproduction of the iconic Nintendo Game Boy, priced at €59.99. Listed under number 72046, this new piece from the LEGO x Nintendo Super Mario collection was unveiled on the brand’s official store, sparking enthusiasm among retrogaming and building fans alike.

Composed of 421 pieces, the set allows you to recreate a classic gray Game Boy, with its green monochrome screen, directional pad, and famous A/B buttons. Two iconic cartridges are included:

• Super Mario Land
• The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Each cartridge can be inserted at the back of the console, and the set also includes printed inserts to slide into the screen, depicting scenes from these cult games. No mechanisms or cranks here: it’s a static but carefully designed display, made for collectors as well as nostalgic fans.

The site BrickFanatics even published a side-by-side comparison with a real Game Boy: the dimensions are almost identical, and the attention to detail is impressive.

This new set continues the ongoing collaboration between LEGO and Nintendo, already marked by tributes to Super Mario, Donkey Kong, and the NES. But this time, a true icon of portable video gaming officially joins the LEGO universe.

If you love creations like this, don’t miss our article dedicated to the amazing LEGO arcade cabinet, another successful homage to video game history:
LEGO Arcade Cabinet for Retrogaming Fans

With this LEGO Game Boy set, LEGO and Nintendo offer retrogaming enthusiasts and brick lovers a unique piece, blending nostalgia and a true pop culture icon. Faithful to the original while adding a playful touch, this creation is already shaping up to be a must-have in 2025. Whether you’re a collector, a Nintendo fan, or simply curious, get ready to rediscover a video game icon in a whole new way…

Although the official back-to-school season is not until September, Fabrice is already back: live streams have resumed on our Twitch channel since Tuesday, July 22!
Are you passionate about retrogaming, curious to (re)discover classic games, or just looking for a good time? Look no further: the schedule remains unchanged, continuing what you love:

Monday at 9 PM – Retro Gaming News
100% retrogaming news: new releases, projects to follow, launches, and weekly favorites.

Tuesday at 9 PM – The gaming press from our childhood!
A nostalgic look back at legendary magazines like Joystick, Player One, Console+, and many more.
Browsing, memories, debates… all interspersed with gameplay of the games discussed.

Wednesday at 9 PM – Your retrogaming gems!
Spotlight on forgotten, lesser-known, or cult games. A true video game treasure hunt drawn directly from your library, based on your recommendations.

Thursday at 9 PM – Neo-retro games special!
Discover today’s games that pay tribute to the classics of yesterday.

Saturday at 10 AM – Live FAQ
A special show to answer all your technical questions about Recalbox.
And if you wish, you can even join Fab2Ris live via our Discord to participate.

Sunday at 10 AM – Live FAQ
Same format as the day before, for the early risers on Sunday.

Sunday at 9 PM – Pop Culture!
A broadcast or discussion around pop culture: video games, movies, series, shows… everything we love sharing with you to end the week on a high note.

👉 All streams can be followed on our Twitch channel, and reruns are available a few days later on our YouTube channel.

Recalbox is much more than a retrogaming system: it’s a lively community, regular events, and a lot of shared passion.

The latest Retro Gaming News episode from four weeks ago to get you back in the groove:

The case is shaking the retrogaming community: an Italian YouTuber who specializes in testing retro-style Android-based consoles is facing three years in prison. His crime? Simply showing Chinese consoles with preinstalled ROMs in his videos—without ever sharing or distributing the files himself.

Test videos just like any other

The content creator, whose name is not disclosed in most articles for legal reasons, is known for reviewing handheld consoles such as Anbernic, Powkiddy, or Retroid Pocket. These devices are popular among retro gaming fans because they emulate many classic systems. The catch? Many of these consoles come with preloaded games—often without proper licensing.

In his videos, the YouTuber simply unboxes the consoles, shows their interface, and launches a few games to demonstrate how they work. These are typical YouTube videos, similar to what many other creators in the scene regularly post.

A worrying legal decision

Yet it was the mere act of showing these games on screen that led the Italian justice system to open a criminal case. According to sources, authorities claim the creator “broadcasted” copyrighted content. This isn’t a case of active piracy or selling illegal hardware—it’s about showing consoles that include ROMs, even if he didn’t create or distribute them.

The prosecutor is seeking a three-year prison sentence. It’s a shocking decision, especially given how blurry the line is between product review and promoting piracy.

A case that could set a precedent

This situation raises major concerns for content creators in the retro gaming space. Should games now be blurred out during tests? Is it still safe to show menus from consoles sold “as is” on the market? Who bears responsibility—the reviewer, the seller, or the manufacturer?

According to many observers, this case could set a legal precedent in Europe, potentially reshaping how retro console reviews are handled online. The retrogaming community fears a disproportionate criminalization of a widely accepted and often informative practice.

Image: Once Were Nerd via Kotaku

In November 2023, Nintendo surprised fans by announcing a live-action movie adaptation of The Legend of Zelda. Since then, one burning question has been on everyone's mind: who will play Link and Zelda on the big screen? After months of speculation, the mystery has finally been solved.

A bold casting to portray legends

It’s now official: Link will be played by British actor Walker Scobell, best known for his lead role in the Percy Jackson series on Disney+. At just 15 years old, Scobell steps into the boots of the iconic silent hero in the green tunic. Despite his young age, he's already shown his ability to handle roles that blend action and emotion—two key ingredients for a believable Link.

By his side, Princess Zelda will be portrayed by American actress Milley Alcock, who rose to fame in House of the Dragon as young Rhaenyra Targaryen. Her screen presence and performance appear to have convinced the producers that she can embody a strong, complex, and regal Zelda.

An ambitious blockbuster

This major project is co-produced by Nintendo and Sony Pictures, with Shigeru Miyamoto himself serving as a producer. Directing the film is Wes Ball, known for The Maze Runner trilogy and more recently Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Ball has already promised an “epic and heartfelt” adventure that will stay true to the game’s universe while offering a new cinematic dimension.

While many details are still under wraps (no news yet on supporting characters, Ganon, or the timeline chosen), expectations are sky-high. The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises, and every creative decision will be scrutinized by millions of fans worldwide.

A highly anticipated release

The film will hit theaters on May 7, 2027, as confirmed by Shigeru Miyamoto himself. Originally scheduled for March, the release was pushed back a few weeks to allow more time for production. After the huge success of the Super Mario Bros. movie in 2023, Nintendo seems committed to building its cinematic universe. And Zelda might just be its most ambitious project yet.

🎮 While waiting for the movie, why not (re)discover the greatest Zelda classics on Recalbox? From the NES to the Game Boy Advance and even the GameCube, Link is ready to take you on another retro adventure!

Remember: back in February, we talked on the blog about the 8BitDo Ultimate 2, a refined version of the brand's popular Ultimate controller. Today, 8BitDo is back with an update of a model well known to retro gaming enthusiasts: the 8BitDo Pro 3.

This new version doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but instead fine-tunes the formula with more precision, more comfort, and a few clever ideas for multiplatform gamers.

A familiar design

The Pro 3 retains the well-known ergonomics of the Pro 2: a comfortable controller with a symmetrical layout reminiscent of the DualShock, featuring vertically aligned analog sticks. It comes in three retro-inspired colorways (G Classic, Retro Gray, and a GameCube-style purple), staying true to 8BitDo’s blend of nostalgia and modern design.

Magnetic sticks, smart triggers

The biggest upgrade lies under the hood: the Pro 3 now uses TMR magnetic sticks, which operate without physical contact. This means no mechanical wear, consistent precision even after hundreds of hours of gameplay, and improved energy efficiency.

The triggers use Hall Effect technology, which detects input through a magnetic field. This avoids accidental clicks and provides smoother, more accurate response. You can also choose between linear travel (ideal for racing games) or a quick click (perfect for FPS and retro games).

Swappable stick tops to match your style

Another new feature: the stick tops are swappable, and 8BitDo includes a ball-top option inspired by arcade joysticks. This lets you customize the feel depending on your playstyle — a nice touch for fans of 2D or fighting games. That said, I’m curious to see how it handles in real use, since arcade players often grip sticks by the shaft, not the ball.

Buttons and paddles made to adapt

The ABXY buttons are magnetic and interchangeable, allowing you to switch between Nintendo and Xbox layouts depending on your setup. The back features the familiar rear paddles, perfect for mapping jump, dodge, or turbo, plus two extra L4/R4 buttons on the front.

Naturally, and as is now standard across 8BitDo’s range, every button and stick can be fully remapped using 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 (mapping, macros, sensitivity, etc.).

A welcome charging dock

Just like the Ultimate 2, the Pro 3 includes a charging dock that also stores the 2.4GHz wireless dongle and automatically reconnects the controller as soon as you pick it up — for maximum convenience and comfort.

Full Recalbox compatibility (barring surprises)

Bluetooth, USB, 2.4GHz dongle… The Pro 3 supports most modern platforms (Switch, Android, iOS, PC, SteamOS…). Given that other 8BitDo devices with similar connectivity work great with Recalbox, this one should be no exception — perfect for smooth arcade and retro console sessions.

A premium price for a premium build

Whether it’s on the tech or design side, 8BitDo has successfully refreshed one of its flagship controllers. The brand is now clearly recognized for the build quality of its peripherals. Bonus points for a polished, customizable look, sure to appeal to retro gamers who appreciate fine details.

But all these upgrades come at a price: the controller retails for €69.99, putting it on par with official controllers for current-gen consoles. That’s a pricing strategy 8BitDo had mostly avoided until now — but it seems the brand is confidently establishing its reputation.

Time will tell if the gamble pays off, but based on the quality of previous models, the Pro 3 could well become 8BitDo’s new reference controller — for gamers willing to open their wallets for something truly well-crafted.

The 8BitDo is available on the Recalbox store at this link.

Over the past few days, retrogaming fans have seen several updates and videos circulating about Paprium, the homebrew game developed for the Sega Mega Drive. While much of the community is already familiar with the case, a quick recap is in order for those who haven’t followed the many twists and turns of WaterMelon’s ambitious project.

When it comes to beat'em ups on retro consoles, few projects have sparked as much discussion as Paprium. Announced with great fanfare in 2012 by the studio WaterMelon, the game promised a groundbreaking experience on the Mega Drive, featuring impressive visuals, a custom chip dubbed DATENMEISTER, and technical ambitions rarely seen on the platform. But behind the promise lies a long, chaotic, and still highly controversial story.

An ambitious… and mysterious project

Codenamed “Project Y,” Paprium was born in the post-Pier Solar euphoria — a well-received homebrew RPG by the same team. Pre-orders opened in 2017, gameplay videos made waves, and retro fans lined up. But then the delays began piling up. The studio cited production issues, PayPal account freezes, and missing components… but remained vague and frequently silent.

First shipments… and first controversies

It wasn’t until December 2020 that some backers finally received their copies. But not everyone was so lucky: a large number of orders were never fulfilled. Worse still, some users reported that the cartridge could crash — or even damage — their console. The DATENMEISTER chip, intended to give the Mega Drive a boost, turned out to be unstable on certain hardware revisions.

A new Kickstarter… and more disappointment

In 2021, and against all expectations, Paprium returned with a new Kickstarter campaign, this time to fund ports on PS4, Switch, Steam, and Dreamcast. Nearly €900,000 was raised. But as of today, none of these versions have been delivered. Frustrated backers have grown impatient, and communication remains almost nonexistent. Some have now gathered on the website papriumcase.com in an attempt to seek justice or refunds.

A Time Extension article provides more detail on these actions:
👉 Campaign To Secure Refunds For Paprium Kickstarter Goes Live

A leaked ROM as a final form of payback?

In July 2025, a new twist: the Mega Drive ROM of the game leaked online. Hackers quickly adapted it to run via RetroArch, thanks to a modified Genesis Plus GX core. For backers who felt betrayed, this was a form of revenge. For others, it’s a sad symbol of what Paprium could have been — even though, officially, the project is still under development.

To learn more about this development, check out the article from Megaforce Magazine.

A lesson for the homebrew scene

Paprium remains a curious case. Visually stunning, technically bold, but plagued by poor management and a complete lack of transparency. In the world of crowdfunding, it’s a reminder that ambition alone isn’t enough — trust, communication, and honoring commitments are just as important.

WipEout, the iconic PlayStation 1 franchise, made its mark with its avant-garde approach in many respects: soundtrack, graphics, polished gameplay, and the most dedicated fans will also remember the lore that justified the locations and teams (For those who doubt it, I invite you to check out this image).

Three games were released on PS1: WipEout, WipEout 2097, and Wip3out. PlayStation continued to ride the wave of its anti-gravity racing game until 2012 with WipEout 2048 on PS Vita, although in 2017 we got the WipEout Omega Collection which gathered and “remastered” the last three games in the series.

Since then, complete silence. The dissolution of Psygnosis in 2012 (previously renamed Studio Liverpool) has left little room for any ongoing project for now. Players have therefore turned to other franchises, more or less successful, such as Redout.

For now, SONY keeps the ships in the garage

That was before the arrival of a game on the Xbox Store early this year, called Anti-Gravity Racing WipEout. You have probably heard little or nothing about it, and for good reason: there was very little communication about this game...

Tested recently by Digital Foundry (see the video below), the game was brought to the community’s attention — and it’s safe to say it wasn’t for praise. So much so that the game was removed from the store just a few hours later.

Here are the main points from Digital Foundry’s analysis:

• Performance limited to 30 frames per second (FPS): a low framerate, especially compared to current expectations, harms the essential fluidity in a fast-paced racing game.
• Graphical issues: the port shows visual bugs and display quality below modern standards, affecting the immersive experience.
• Lack of optimization for Xbox One: Digital Foundry notes that this game is clearly not adapted to the console, with errors and technical limitations.
• Generic emulation experience: overall, it feels like a poorly polished emulator, without any improvement or specific adaptation, which degrades the gameplay enjoyment.

Testers say:

“Yes, WipEout is available on Xbox, but this is not the right way to enjoy it. It feels like a generic emulation experience and all changes made are downgrades.”

Another point: right from the start of the game, something seems off, as highlighted by laportedesjeux.fr:

“The shock comes with a stunning CGI intro, faithfully reproducing the original WipEout intro with a modern look. The problem? This intro is a work by Benjamin Brosdau dating from 2021! Did he give his consent? Mystery… And the music, with its licensed tracks, strangely recalls that of the PlayStation version.”

Indeed, beyond the technical flaws, an essential question hangs over this port: intellectual property rights. The WipEout franchise belongs to Sony, which holds exclusive rights since the series’ creation.

However, this port:

• Was apparently not authorized by Sony, as evidenced by its swift removal from the Xbox Store shortly after Digital Foundry’s report was published.
• Seems to be an unofficial port, probably using original ROMs via basic emulation, without any license or official agreement.
• Used an ambiguous title, mixing Anti-Gravity Racing (a generic term) with WipEout to try to bypass strict rights enforcement.

Players were refunded their purchase. For those wishing to rediscover WipEout, they will need to turn to legitimate versions like the WipEout Omega Collection on PlayStation, or legal port projects like the Phantom Edition on PC, which enhance the experience while respecting rights.

Remember: last month, we talked on the blog about the release date of Earthion, the retro-futuristic shoot'em up developed by the Japanese studio Ancient, accompanied by its stunning 8BitDo collector’s controller.
👉 Check out the article here

But bad news for console players: the publisher Superdeluxe Games has just announced that the downloadable versions of the game on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, and Xbox Series X|S have been pushed back to mid-September. Originally scheduled for July 31st, they will have to wait a little longer.

The PC / Steam version, however, remains firmly scheduled for its planned release date, which is July 31, 2025.

“We sincerely apologize to everyone who has been looking forward to Earthion. We appreciate your continued support.”
— Superdeluxe Games, Ancient & Limited Run Games

This official statement was co-signed by developer Ancient (led by Yuzo Koshiro, the legendary composer of Streets of Rage) and Limited Run Games, which handles Western distribution.

Finally, a word for purists: the Mega Drive / Genesis version of the game, announced from the start as a tribute to 16-bit consoles, has now been pushed back to 2026. So patience will be needed before sliding an Earthion cartridge into your Sega console.

Arcade closures are becoming increasingly common these days, and all types of business models are affected. A perfect example is RGS Arcade, located in Pourrières, which is facing a difficult time despite its non-profit status.

We're sharing this with you here and on our social media because this venue holds a special place for Recalbox. Our team visits regularly, and it's also the location where we host IRL meetups with members of our community based in southern France.

A Space for Everyone, But a Delicate Balance

Today, due to insufficient funding, RGS Arcade may be forced to close its doors after only three years of existence. With an annual membership fee of €20 and a €5 entry fee for unlimited playtime, the association’s mission honors our shared passion: making retrogaming accessible (consoles, arcade cabinets, and pinball machines) to the widest possible audience.

Unfortunately, this level of accessibility comes at a cost. Each opening costs the association around €50, due to unavoidable fixed expenses (rent, insurance, machine maintenance…) and occasional low attendance.

More Than Just an Arcade: A Community Hub

RGS is more than just an arcade — it's a true community space that brings life to the village, as Mike, the venue’s co-founder, explains:

"We had a lot of people come in during the first year.
Over these three years, we’ve hosted tons of tournaments: arcade cabinets, consoles (modern and retro), and pinball nights with special challenges.
It’s open to everyone — women, men, kids, regardless of age."

"Throughout the year, we run high-score tournaments on arcade games — both classics (Pac-Man, Donkey Kong…) and titles of historical interest like Le Bagnard (the first French game with digitized voices), or original games like QBert, with its diagonally positioned joystick."*

"It’s given many people the chance to discover games they wouldn’t normally play at home.
The combination of community spirit and friendly competition in the arcade is fantastic.
All the contests offer prizes (which often cover the entry fee).
We’ve got regulars who come every week, and kids who stop by after school on Fridays to have a snack and play some pinball."

"The atmosphere is just great."

How to Support RGS Arcade

If you’d like to support the association and this human adventure, you can:

• visit the arcade in person — open Fridays from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 2:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. — in Pourrières (near Aix-en-Provence) ;
• make a donation through the HelloAsso platform ;
• and of course, share this article or our social media posts.

We don’t need to remind you how rare such places are in France — and how important these initiatives are in helping people rediscover, and share, our favorite games in authentic conditions, in a space filled with passion and community spirit.

We recently told you about Infidelity, the talented ROM hacker known for his impressive work porting NES games to the SNES, particularly his remarkable adaptation of Mega Man VI. If you missed it, check out our article here: 👉 Mega Man VI ported to the Super Nintendo by Infidelity

Well, he’s not stopping anytime soon! On his social media, Infidelity just announced his next big project: porting three iconic Konami NES titles to the Super Nintendo. The lucky picks? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1989), Super C (1990), and Contra Force (1992).

In recent years, homebrew NES-to-SNES ports have become increasingly popular, but Infidelity has established himself as the undisputed leader in the field. His past work on legendary titles like The Legend of Zelda, Punch-Out!!, and Metroid shows not only technical mastery but also a deep respect for the source material.

Contrary to what you might expect, the goal of these ports isn’t to “modernize” the graphics or make them look like native SNES games. Instead, the focus lies in eliminating technical limitations from the NES, such as slowdown and sprite flickering, while unlocking new possibilities like MSU1 audio or FMV-style cutscenes.

Since releasing his Mega Man VI port last May, Infidelity has also updated one of his previous projects: the SNES version of Contra (1988, Famicom), which is now fully playable in English. He’s now moving on to the three upcoming Konami titles, which are sure to thrill fans of retro action games.

No official release schedule has been shared yet, nor the order in which the ports will arrive—but one thing is clear: these new versions will be well worth the wait. They aim to let players rediscover these classics under the best possible conditions, while retaining their beloved 8-bit essence.

To stay updated on the progress of these projects, make sure to follow Infidelity on Twitter/X, where he regularly shares updates and behind-the-scenes looks at his work.

Source : Time Extension

Following the success of the LEGO Atari 2600, NES, and the Pac-Man Arcade set, LEGO continues to delight retro fans with a brand-new build that will thrill pixel art and brick lovers alike: the LEGO Arcade Machine. A small arcade cabinet to assemble, full of charm and geeky references, available starting August 1st, 2025 for just €39.99.

A mini retro arcade… full of surprises

Made up of 468 pieces, this arcade cabinet stands about 16 cm tall and sports a distinct old-school style, with its red and black color scheme, colorful buttons, and a screen featuring a "Space Game" sticker. But the real surprise is hidden at the back: the cabinet opens like a dollhouse, revealing a tiny gaming universe inside.

Inside, you’ll find a gamer minifigure comfortably settled in a cozy retro room, surrounded by decorations, a couch, a CRT-style TV, and even… a mini LEGO arcade machine! A fun touch that will delight fans of playful displays.

Easter eggs for retrogaming fans

LEGO has packed this set with plenty of easter eggs for savvy builders. Among them:

• A micro arcade cabinet paying tribute to Junkbot, a cult LEGO Flash game released in 2001.
• A tiny Galaxy Explorer, a nod to the iconic LEGO Classic Space spaceship.
• Posters referencing the world of Insectoids, a sci-fi LEGO theme from the late '90s.
• Graphical elements that evoke legendary game consoles.

Altogether, this set turns into a true miniature museum of retrogaming… in bricks!

Available in August for €39.99

Offered at the very reasonable price of €39.99, the LEGO 40805 Arcade Machine set is aimed at both LEGO fans and retro gaming enthusiasts. Compact, original, and rich in detail, it will look great on a shelf, desk, or proudly displayed as part of any gaming collection.

Available starting August 2025 on LEGO.com and through official retailers, this set could well become a must-have for brick and pixel lovers alike — and let’s be honest, it might be a little easier to get approval for this in the living room than a full-size arcade cabinet…

Remember back in late November, we introduced you to the RetroFlag 64Pi Case, a superb case paying tribute to the Nintendo 64, specially designed to house the Raspberry Pi 5. Today, it's Sega fans’ turn to celebrate, with the arrival of a new case steeped in nostalgia: the RetroFlag Dream Case, inspired by the legendary Dreamcast.

A miniature Dreamcast... for your Raspberry Pi 5

At first glance, the Dream Case impresses with its aesthetic accuracy: white color, clean lines, fake disc tray, functional buttons, stylized logo... every visual cue of the Dreamcast is here. Enough to warm the hearts of fans of Sega's last home console!

But beyond the nostalgic wink, the case is also very well designed: it provides easy access to the Raspberry Pi 5 ports, effective thermal management, and most importantly, wired power and reset buttons for a proper system shutdown, just as we've come to expect from RetroFlag.

A case built for retrogaming

Just like the 64Pi Case that won us over (see our YouTube video), RetroFlag has really taken user experience into account:

• The POWER button lets you safely turn your Recalbox on or off.
• The RESET button, connected to the GPIO, is fully programmable (return to menu, soft reset, etc.).
• A silent fan and aluminum heatsink ensure stable temperatures, even with demanding platforms like Naomi or N64.
• Two front-facing USB ports allow direct connection of your controllers.
• On the back, you’ll find the usual HDMI, USB-C, Ethernet, and microSD ports, easily accessible without disassembly.

The overall design feels sturdy, well-ventilated, and easy to assemble, with an included screwdriver.

Expected to be available in France starting Fall 2025 from all usual retailers, for around €35 to €40, this case is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to combine retro looks with modern reliability, thanks to functional buttons and thermal protection tailored to the Raspberry Pi 5.