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Three different ancient games can each claim the title of oldest release whose graphics still embarrass modern AAA. The question is what 'graphics' actually means — and the answer involves pre-rendered backdrops, cel-shaded subterfuge, and one studio that built a game for hardware that did not yet exist.
FPGA devices like the MiSTer and Analogue Pocket don't just run your old games — they rebuild the original hardware from scratch. Here's how that actually works, and why it matters.
EmuDeck's major 3.0 release brings cloud save synchronization, automatic emulator updates, and a redesigned interface to the most popular emulation suite for Steam Deck and Linux.
Konami is bundling its most beloved retro franchises into a comprehensive multi-volume collection developed in partnership with Digital Eclipse.
The retro game collecting market is experiencing a sustained price correction, with titles across most platforms falling well below their pandemic-era peaks.
Nintendo reveals that its Switch successor will feature an expanded retro library including Nintendo 64 and GameCube games, though details on pricing and availability remain vague.
After years of pandemic-fueled speculation, the retro game collecting market is experiencing a significant correction that is reshaping the hobby.
Hamster Corporation's long-running Arcade Archives series has reached a staggering 500 individual releases on Nintendo Switch, an unmatched feat in digital preservation.
The Sega Dreamcast is experiencing a remarkable homebrew renaissance as independent developers release a string of ambitious new games for the 25-year-old console.
The N64 recompilation project delivers native PC versions of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask with widescreen support, high frame rates, and quality-of-life improvements that surpass any official release.
Ten Data East arcade conversions including Bad Dudes, Burger Time, and Caveman Ninja. A deep dive into one of the most prolific — and eccentric — arcade developers of the 1980s and 90s.
Earthworm Jim, Clayfighter, and a curated selection of Interplay's 16-bit output make this one of the Evercade's most entertaining and diverse cartridges.
The largest remaining public ROM archive has shut down after months of legal threats, raising urgent questions about the future of game preservation.
Twenty Atari 2600 classics in one cart — from Asteroids to Yars' Revenge. A fascinating trip through gaming's earliest era, though the primitive visuals won't be for everyone.
Double Dragon, River City Ransom, and Super Dodge Ball lead a stellar lineup of Technos beat-'em-ups and sports brawlers. One of the Evercade's strongest and most cohesive collections.
The most popular multi-system emulator frontend gets its biggest overhaul in years with a new interface, revamped shader pipeline, and first-class Steam Deck support.
The crown jewel of the Evercade library. Eleven Namco arcade legends — Pac-Man, Galaxian, Dig Dug, and more — in a single cartridge. Essential for any Evercade owner.
Valve's handheld PC becomes the ultimate retro gaming device with EmuDeck. From Atari 2600 to PS2 and GameCube, it handles decades of gaming history with power to spare — and the setup is easier than you'd expect.
Analogue's FPGA handheld plays Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges with stunning accuracy on a gorgeous 3.5-inch display. With openFPGA support, it's a portable retro gaming powerhouse.
Analogue's FPGA-based Duo plays every TurboGrafx-16, PC Engine, and CD-ROM² format on modern displays via HDMI. For fans of NEC's underappreciated console family, this is the ultimate hardware.
The TurboGrafx-16's answer to Mario and Sonic stars a bald caveman who attacks with his enormous head. Charming, colorful, and packed with personality, Bonk remains one of the system's defining mascots.
Multiple credible sources suggest Sega is preparing a third Genesis Mini console with an expanded game library and possible Sega CD game support.
SNK's refined fighting sequel makes a surprisingly capable appearance on the PC Engine, delivering the core Fatal Fury experience with impressive faithfulness despite the hardware gap.
Sega's beloved arcade stock car racer made an infamously rough landing on the Saturn. The gameplay DNA is intact and the soundtrack is legendary, but the technical compromises are impossible to ignore.
Sega's arcade rally masterpiece made a legendary transition to the Saturn. Three tracks, two cars, and some of the most addictive racing ever created. The definitive Saturn racer and a genre-defining classic.
Namco's arcade racing dynasty made a stunning portable debut as a PSP launch title. Gorgeous visuals, silky smooth drift mechanics, and an enormous amount of content made this the handheld racer to beat in 2005.
Iguana Entertainment's sequel delivered some of the most impressive visuals and creative weapons on the N64, including the legendary Cerebral Bore. The sprawling level design, however, is a double-edged sword.
Nintendo's definitive on-rails shooter delivers cinematic spectacle, branching paths, and endlessly quotable dialogue. The Rumble Pak debut is also one of the N64's most replayable games.
GOG.com has announced a dedicated preservation initiative aimed at rescuing classic PC titles that are at risk of becoming permanently inaccessible.
Midway's arcade racer made the jump to N64 with significant compromises. The cross-country road trip has its moments, but the choppy frame rate and simplified visuals make this a rough ride.
New FPGA-based handheld consoles from multiple manufacturers are entering the market, challenging the Analogue Pocket's dominance with different approaches to price, features, and openness.
Rare's ambitious Kong adventure is bursting with content — perhaps too much. Five playable characters, hundreds of collectibles, and a sprawling world that's equal parts impressive and exhausting.
Nintendo's jet ski racer remains one of the most impressive water physics simulations ever created. The waves aren't just visual decoration — they're the entire game, and they're still remarkable.
After years of dormancy, Microsoft has restarted its beloved backward compatibility initiative, adding a massive wave of original Xbox and Xbox 360 titles.
One of the finest horizontal shooters on the PC Engine CD, Gate of Thunder combines blistering action, a killer Redbook audio soundtrack, and gorgeous visual design into a shoot-'em-up essential.
The pinnacle of classic Castlevania. Rondo of Blood combines razor-sharp level design, gorgeous CD-ROM presentation, and two playable characters into what may be the finest action-platformer of the 16-bit era.
Sega's iconic arcade racer makes a solid transition to the PC Engine, capturing the spirit of sun-soaked coastal driving despite the hardware limitations. A respectable port of an all-time classic.
A federal court sides with the Video Game History Foundation in a landmark case that could reshape how out-of-print games are preserved and accessed.
Nintendo's answer to the extreme sports craze delivered a snowboarding game that prioritized physics and precision over flashy tricks. Challenging, beautiful, and still the best snowboarding game on the N64.
Rare's platforming masterpiece pairs a honey bear and a wisecracking bird in one of the tightest, most inventive collect-a-thons ever made. A genuine rival to Mario 64 — and in some ways, its superior.
A breakthrough in real-time CRT simulation has produced shader technology that is virtually indistinguishable from a genuine cathode ray tube display.
A system-by-system breakdown of the optimal emulator settings for EmuDeck on Steam Deck. Resolution scaling, rendering backends, per-game fixes, and the configs the defaults miss.
Go beyond EmuDeck's defaults with shader presets, per-game performance profiles, custom bezels, and power management tweaks that squeeze every drop of battery life from retro gaming sessions.
EmuDeck transforms your Steam Deck into the ultimate portable retro gaming machine. This guide walks you through installation, configuration, and optimal settings for every supported system.
Sony PVM and BVM monitors along with other professional CRTs are commanding unprecedented prices on the secondhand market as retro gaming enthusiasts compete for a finite and shrinking supply.
The pinnacle of 8-bit platforming. Mario 3 introduced the world map, the Raccoon Suit, and a level of variety that made every world feel like a new adventure.
Not a port of the Genesis original but a unique, challenging platformer built for Sega's handheld. Bridge Zone's music alone makes it worth playing.
A more linear, story-driven Metroid that trades open exploration for constant tension. The SA-X stalking you through BSL Station is one of gaming's greatest horror mechanics.
A game made entirely of boss fights, each a towering puzzle of scale and emotion. Fumito Ueda's minimalist masterpiece strips away everything unnecessary and leaves only wonder.
From Project64 to Ares to RetroArch — a comprehensive guide to running N64 games via software emulation, including recommended settings, plugin configurations, and the best controllers to use.
The best game on Nintendo's worst console. Wario Land VB uses the system's stereoscopic 3D for clever foreground/background platforming that no other game could replicate.
A surreal, heartfelt Zelda adventure on a tiny screen. Link's Awakening DX added color and a bonus dungeon to what was already one of the best handheld games ever made.
Nintendo's dedicated music app now features hundreds of soundtracks spanning the NES, SNES, Game Boy, and N64 eras in a long-overdue celebration of gaming's greatest compositions.
Compile's vertically scrolling shooter is the TurboGrafx-16's killer app. Nine stages of intense action with a weapon system that rewards mastery and a soundtrack that slaps.
Capcom reinvented survival horror with an over-the-shoulder camera, tight gunplay, and relentless pacing. RE4 on GameCube remains one of the most influential action games ever made.
Pixel FX has announced the Morph 4K, a next-generation upscaler designed to be the definitive solution for connecting retro consoles to modern displays.
Sonic Team's dreamy Saturn exclusive is a score-attack masterpiece wrapped in gorgeous art direction. NiGHTS soars with fluid flight mechanics and an unforgettable soundtrack.
Yu Suzuki's impossibly ambitious open-world adventure was years ahead of its time. Shenmue's living, breathing Yokosuka remains one of gaming's most atmospheric settings.
The games that launched a global phenomenon. Exploring Kanto, catching 151 Pokemon, and trading with friends via link cable defined portable gaming for an entire generation.
Sega's answer to Dragon Quest was ambitious, beautiful, and ahead of its time. Phantasy Star's sci-fi setting, female protagonist, and first-person dungeons set it apart in 1987.
The open-source MiSTer FPGA platform receives significant updates to its N64 and Saturn cores, narrowing the gap with commercial FPGA solutions.
The game that perfected atmospheric exploration. Super Metroid's Zebes is a masterclass in non-linear design, environmental storytelling, and tight action gameplay.
Analogue's FPGA-based N64 console plays original cartridges at 4K via HDMI with zero input lag. It's the most faithful — and most expensive — way to experience the N64 library on modern displays.
The dream match that fighting game fans still play competitively. KOF '98's massive roster, three-on-three team system, and deep mechanics make it the pinnacle of SNK's fighting legacy.
Rare's genre-defining shooter brought split-screen multiplayer to an entire generation. Two decades later, it still holds up where it matters most — in the chaos of a four-player Facility deathmatch.
The king of the beat 'em up genre. Streets of Rage 2's pixel art, Yuzo Koshiro's legendary soundtrack, and satisfying combat make it one of the best Genesis games ever made.
Atari has purchased the rights to the legendary Wizardry franchise, signaling an aggressive expansion into its growing portfolio of classic gaming properties.
The long-delayed Sega Saturn module for the Polymega modular retro console is finally available, but early adopters report inconsistent compatibility and performance issues.
The game that married Castlevania's gothic action with Metroid's exploration. SOTN's inverted castle, RPG systems, and Michiru Yamane's soundtrack created the definitive 2D action game.
Blaze Entertainment unveils its most ambitious Evercade cartridge slate yet, headlined by new Konami and Capcom collections alongside deep-cut indie compilations.
After years of delays and mounting skepticism, Analogue's FPGA-based N64 console is finally in customers' hands and it delivers.