Gaming News — arcade

We tone things down a little as you wrap up things this month and start April. Well, we won't be featuring anything too explosive. We're still looking at some pretty dynamic retro games that'll keep you wanting more. And no, we're not slowing things down, don't worry. From Rogue Light to Platformer to Tech Space Adventure, we're covering all our bases this week, so sit tight.

PLANET B

We got the four in one, and anyone looking forward to anything coming out on the Sega Mega Drive. The game Planet B is a 16-bit Roguelike RPG that offers just what any fan would expect, a unique run every time. Fabrice Fernandez, Hieu-Khai Bui-Quang, and Emmanuel Rousseau are leading in developing this title, and things are looking great with randomly generated content; players can explore dungeons, collect items, and go through a story with a different experience every time. Just like any good roguelike.

Currently, there isn't much info on planet B, but given the love for the genre, you can best believe we'll be following up.

CRACKY

Now it's time to look at a new game for the Amstrad C64, Plus4 and ZX Spectrum. Yeah, that's a lot of consoles, but we're looking at an intriguing game. Cracky is an arcade platformer where you collect all the stars while avoiding deadly baddies and other dangers you'll definitely come across. Cracky is a new title with an old-schooled book and feel. Written by a Japanese developer Infuto who habitually releases games on many eight-bit platforms. This one is his 13th release, and we can expect many more by the look of things.

The game objective is simple, clear each level by collecting all the stars without getting killed. As for the reason why it's called Cracky. While some parts on the game's floor literally crack when you walk over, creating holes in the platforms. To make things even more challenging, there's no jumping. So on most levels, you must use the cracks to your advantage or fall from the stars. So if you're in the market for a non-jumper platformer with a quirky twist, then it's time to get Cracky. 

GNOME RANGER & TIME AND MAGIK

Now for an adventure in text, retro style. Developer Csabo, together with Pigmy are doing old-school fans of the genre, a solid by reporting the classic text space adventure games of Gnome Ranger and Time and Magik over to the Commodore Plus4.

For those unfamiliar, Gnome Ranger is a text adventure game designed by Peter Austin and released by Level 9 in 1987, many, many moons ago. A year later, we got a sequel entitled Ingrid's Back, which further explores the series. As for Time in Magik, you got a trilogy of interactive fiction games by the same studio.

Level Nine first released the individual games separately from 1983 to 1986. The trilogy came out in 1988, with all three games revised, expanded, and rereleased together as a compilation by Mandarin Software. When it comes to text Adventures, Level 9 of the Gnome Ranger franchise, we're among the first to popularize the genre. It's nice to see the same games getting more love in 2023. Once the Commodore Plus Port comes out, we'll make sure to let you know. 

Check the Weekly Gaming News video here:

Come play and talk with us on Discord and subscribe to our YouTube for more Retro Gaming News!

We're blazing right through quarter one, and the games just keep on coming. We've covered our fair share of action-packed titles up to the point where the action was pretty much the name of the game.

Now we can't deny how much we love something a bit intense. Something challenging sprinkled with implied or explicit violence, you know what I'm talking about? Whether it's a side-scroller, action-adventure, or first-person shooter, best believe we'll talk about it no matter what console. So let's get to it. 

MIGHTY CASTLE ADVENTURE

We've been talking about a few Castlevania-inspired titles and even some that look to become full-blown spiritual successors. That said, we have another update for a game by yogtze, which looks to keep that running theme alive on the Amstrad CPC. Mighty Castle Adventure just might steal the show in a long line of Castle Crashing Metroidvanias.

It's nice that yogtze knows how huge the franchise has become, so coming up with something in the same vein is a win-win for everyone. We all love our Castlevania, and any game that comes close to capturing the same magic will be something we look forward to. Now this new Amstrad CPC title will hopefully be the next best thing for fans to look forward to.

So far, the gameplay looks pretty good for a side-scrolling action game, and we can only wait and see how things pan out for the Mighty Castle Adventure. 

(Short gameplay contains slight nudity)

GREY

The latest doom light game to take center stage is Grey. A new action-packed title being developed by Piotr Kozka set for release in the near future. While the game is still in early development, we're treated to some map exploration with some areas requiring a door key. As a player, you'll have access to a badass chain gun, lots of ammunition, and med packs to keep you topped up and on the hunt.

It does look like a title worth looking out for, especially if you like to let loose and pop a few shots into some evildoers. 

GELATINO 2

Last but not least, a quick shout out to the MSX community who've had a variety of games to play ever since and are now getting access to something more, well accessible. For those who remember the 2021 Sweet Arcade Game By Physical Dreams, you're in for a treat.

Gelatino 2 can now be played on your browser. Yes, it is indeed Alt Tab-le complete with all its colorful screens and challenging levels as you do your best to rescue 45 different bubbles across the entire game. And in case you're wondering, yes, it has all of the features that the physical edition had upon release.

Colorful graphics, sweet light effects, mysteries, secrets, a banging soundtrack, plus a variety of creature comforts to make sure you're having fun. Quite the deal, especially since all you need now is an internet browser. Something we all need nowadays. So next time you're at work or stressing over those spreadsheets, open up a new tab and taste some delicious Gelatino 2. 

Check the Weekly Gaming News video here:

Come play and talk with us on Discord and subscribe to our YouTube for more Retro Gaming News!

The wheels of the hype train stop for no one, especially for the retro gaming folk, as we're constantly treated to game, after game, after game. As you all know, we've been getting a number of remake hacks and brand-new titles in the past year, and it looks like 2023 is gonna be the same, if not a lot more exciting. So sit back, relax, and let's tear through a few titles that might tickle your fancy. 

THE LAST NINJA

Let's take a trip to 1987 where System 3 released one of the greatest action-adventure games ever to be made available for the C64, The Last Ninja. It was a great time for this title since it did make its way onto a variety of other consoles. But finally, in 2023, this legendary title is making its way to the Atari XL/XE. 

You follow the exploit of the Ninja Armakuni on his journey to the palace of the evil shogun, Kunitoki, to assassinate him, avenge his clan, and retrieve the sacred scrolls.

Very anime and very badass. The original game combined adventure, exploration, puzzle solving, and ninja-based combat. So in terms of mechanics, you can expect something familiar with a modern port. This version of Last Ninja is being created for the Atari XL/XE by Jakus Husak and will be a complete port of the BBC Micro version, which is good news all around. So if Slain Baddies from the Shadows is your kind of weekend getaway, then you just might be The Last Ninja.

CREEPING ME OUT HEX NIGHT

Mixel's upcoming Amiga platformer Creeping Me Out Hex Night is looking to be an absolute banger. It's a scorpion engine-created platformer that doesn't just feature complex levels, but it also delivers an intriguing story and a whole lot of action that one would expect from a game of the genre.

The game's creator has just released a new demo, which he says Features much better game performance, and now works smoothly on A1200s without the use of Fast Ram.

If you're interested, imagine a combination of Turrican, Castlevania, and a little bit of Addams family thrown into the mix.

You can expect a variety of playable characters, passwords, save game support, enhanced graphics, and a huge campaign with hours of gameplay, it's a nice, fun, challenging adventure that's worth your time. If you don't mind diving into the weird and quirky.

WIZARD OF WOR

If you're a fan of Pac-Man but aren't really fond of the cutesy roundish aesthetic, then this arcade classic just might pique your interest. The 1980s classic arcade game, Wizard of Wor was quite the hit back in the day and also appeared in other systems like the Atari 8-bit, Atari 2600, and 5200. Bally Astrocade, and of course the C64.

Right now we're looking to get its enhanced edition for the Commodore Plus/4, and it is looking pretty damn good. A lot of care was put into making sure that this release stays as faithful to the original as possible.

The game looks, plays, and sounds like a classic and features all the action-packed two-player monster shooting fund that most retro gaming veterans will remember. Hey, it's never too late to fall in love again, so why not with the Wizard of Wor?

Check the video here:

Come play and talk with us on Discord and subscribe to our YouTube for more Retro Gaming News!

As a tribute to the Rolling Thunder series, Rolling Bird functions as an 8 Bit Killer for its genre, merged by compatibility with the controllers.

Although, there are some problems with the game, because of the rogue-like nature of the title, as the whole level scheme changes, and there is no way to detect the enemies’ movement or placement.

The enemies can shoot while crouching, and going into the doors means seeing them as a crowd; but because of their touch-free-ness, they won’t hurt the player through the progress.

And since it’s a modern version of Rolling Thunder, the game notifies the player when the special weapon is running out of ammo, increasing the pace of the game to proceed as fast as possible.

However, you have to utilize your ultimate endeavor to beat the game, since it’s really a difficult title, especially for modern players. You cannot shoot upwards, and even diagonally, and doing so in the air is impossible! So do not forget to make use of the two-tiered layout of the levels!

Links to get the product:

Steam; Itch

Watch the complete walkthrough by the developer himself: