WEEKY DOSE OF GAMING NEWS: MIRACLE BOY IN DRAGON LAND, CYBORG WARRIORS, ANBERNIC RG556
New year, new games and consoles. 2024 hasn't been the fastest of years to jumpstart, and it really feels like we're stuck in January for a while. And we were. All things considered, we're always quick to find some sweet recommendations when it comes to new releases, both in retro titles and gaming gear.
If you're searching for something shiny and new but vintage at the same time, you've come to the right place. We're starting the year right by delivering some much-needed action, just like we always do.
Let's go!
This year, Atari 520ST users can celebrate as you all will be getting an official sequel to an absolute classic. It's a work in progress, but hey, we all gotta start somewhere. When it comes to classic retro titles, we remember the arcade-like experience we got from Wonder Boy on the Amiga or even newer games like Monster Boy and The Cursed Kingdom.
Since good old Wonder Boy's been around for a while, we're getting something new from Samuel Blanchard, who just released a first public demo for the unofficial sequel, Miracle Boy in Dragon Land. And yes, it's coming out on the Atari 520ST. So far, the demo covers the first level, but we can get a clear idea of how it's gonna pan out.
Miracle Boy in Dragon Land is, in essence, a Japanese-style RPG made with a 68,000 assembler. Thankfully, if you have an Atari ST emulator like Steam, SSE, Hatari, or Saint, you're good to go. It's also worth noting that it'll be compatible with all Atari ST consoles, with at least 1 MB of memory. So, if you wish to recreate those Wonder Boy memories, we'll keep you posted on this game's development.
Moving on to the Atari XL/XE because we're taking things to space. Vega, Kaz and Miker have just dropped their newest polished version of a 90s game called Cyborg Warriors, a cool extraterrestrial side-scrolling shooter originally released in 1991 by Superior Software for the BBC Micro. While simple in mechanics, you can't deny the old-school action that this title brings to the modern gaming space, which happens in space.
Cyborg Warrior sees players shooting and flying to the right, dodging or shooting just about everything. Gameplay takes place on strange planets featuring a variety of alien lifeforms, both big and small. Of course, you'll be thoroughly equipped with several weapons that you and a fellow player can choose from. Two-player action in space? Sounds like a party. Especially on an Atari. So, if space shooting is more your speed, cyber wars just might be up your alley.
Now, when it comes to news about the newest and potentially best retro gaming consoles, we can never dismiss rumors. After all, we want to get all the info we can to fuel the hype in our old-school hearts.
So, since Anbernic's latest creation is making rounds on the internet, it's about time we chimed in. Anbernic's upcoming ergonomic RG556 console has yet to hit your local markets, but a few photos have been circulating online, and we gotta say, we're just a bit excited about it. With what looks to be one of their most comfortable and powerful handhelds, the retro console competition of 2024 has officially begun.
So far, we see a 5.5-inch screen, which is rumored to be an OLED panel, a Unisoc T820 chipset running on Android, some full-size triggers, and comfy ergonomic grips. Pretty sweet, to be honest. Given its new chipset, we can expect a power boost that can run more modern retro titles from the likes of the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo's GameCube and Wii.
Yes, they're actually considered retro at this point. As for the usual fan-favorite titles from the 90s and earlier, you shouldn't expect any problems. Still, it's best to take this early news with a grain of salt. A lot could happen in the following months. As for its potential release, it's anyone's guess. Mid-2024 or Q4 would be our best bet. So don't expect this comfy console to come out any time soon. But still, it's best to keep the Anbernic hype going.
