#retro-gaming

#retro-gaming

Numbers suggest this isn't just nostalgia at work. While the global games market fluctuates, interest in pixel art and retro-inspired titles continues to grow. According to Cognitive Market Research, the pixel‑game games market is projected to expand at around 11.5% (CAGR) between 2024 and 2031. Indie titles, many leaning into 2D or pixel aesthetics, continue to be key drivers of engagement and discovery, even as saturation makes standing out increasingly challenging.

Nostalgic for beloved gadgets from your childhood? One easy and uncommon way to celebrate these gizmos is to frame them up on your wall. Grid Studios has been deconstructing old-school gadgets for 5 years now, and to celebrate its anniversary, the company is offering a 20 percent off sitewide discount with code GRID5, though the sale event ends September 17.

When a name like Acclaim returns, you can't help but expect fireworks. For gamers of a certain age (me included), Acclaim is more than a publisher; it's a time capsule of the '90s and early noughties. This was the label that gave us NBA Jam, Burnout, Re-Volt, Turok, and Shadow Man. It's the kind of back catalogue that makes you imagine instant remasters, slick reboots, maybe even a comeback tour for a series or two.

Most Arcade1Up releases these days are $500-$600 Deluxe Arcade Cabinets, but Walmart carries a trio of models that more closely resemble Arcade1Up's early hits. These throwback Special Edition machines cost $334 each and are themed around Mortal Kombat 2, Ms. Pac-Man, and Pac-Man. Each cabinet is preloaded with 13 games and has a 15.6-inch IPS display. Other features include dual stereo speakers, Wi-Fi support for leaderboards and multiplayer, and pretty solid controls to mirror Arcade1Up's pricier options.

In the mid-90s, with the arrival of 3D graphics cards, developers were suddenly handed a whole other axis in which to explore. The stand-out example of this new-found freedom was 1995's Descent, know as a "six degrees of freedom" game, where you controlled a floating ship that could orientate itself however it wished in 3D spaces. That shooter was created by Parallax Software, a name you might not recognize until I tell you the studio split in two, one half becoming Volition.

Emporium Arcade Bar San Francisco, the dynamic venue known for its classic arcade games, colorful, fun-loving atmosphere, and renowned drink menu, now offers 8 free game tokens for anyone in "the industry" - so we're assuming barstaff, restaurant staff, nightlife staff. Monday Nights are for the Industry! Every Monday night come join us for some drink specials and if you are part of our industry you get 8 tokens!Featuring Console Encounters! Get to play some retro games on our 50′ HD screen!

Even retro console superfans would be forgiven for not knowing about the LaserActive, a pricey LaserDisc player released in 1994 alongside swappable hardware modules that could add support for Sega Genesis and NEC TurboGrafx-16 games and controllers. Using those add-ons, you could also play a handful of games specifically designed for the LaserActive format, which combined game data and graphics with up to 60 minutes of full-screen, standard-definition analog video per side.

The Science Museum is hosting adults-only evenings of retro gaming in the Power Up arcade this winter, featuring over 160 consoles and classic games.

PSX Retro Tools is a complete toolkit for creating authentic low-poly, low-resolution, dithered graphics, designed for 3D artists and retro enthusiasts.

UFO 50 is a wildly varied set of retro-styled games belonging to a fictional console, created by a made-up developer UFO Soft from the 80s.

Crafted by Blasphemous developer The Game Kitchen, Ragebound is a deliberately old-school action game that captures the essence of the classic Ninja Gaiden series, with sharp gameplay, challenging levels, and gloriously retro visuals and music that would feel right at home on the Super NES.

ModRetro's M64 is a tribute to the Nintendo 64 costing $200, positioning itself as a more affordable alternative to the Analogue 3D at $250.

Maingear's Retro95 is a prebuilt, customized iteration of the SilverStone FLP01, featuring modern components inside a nostalgic, beige design reminiscent of the 90s.

The Mini Arcade - Steering Dodge Car Toy is nearly as close a rip-off of the classic Road Fighter as possible, bringing the game to life in a non-digital, portable format.

The brand famously known for the Commodore 64, which sold over 15 million units and inspired creativity through its graphics and sound chip, aims for revival.

Francesco Salicini, an Italian retro gaming YouTuber, faces potential jail time and legal charges for reviewing Android handheld gaming devices pre-loaded with old games.

Wilder Toys has launched a new line of Console Heroes Sega Genesis Cartridge Dioramas, resembling popular Sega Genesis game cartridges with tiny diorama scenes inside.

The goal of Chromatic in a non-technical sense is not to replicate the experience of actually playing a Game Boy or Game Boy Color, it's to replicate the way that you felt playing it when you were younger. You want it to be authentic but also to live up to that rose-tinted recollection of how you remember it.

Amazon has taken a nostalgic turn this Prime Day, offering retro-inspired PS5 deals that attract attention with polished remakes of classic games, fully utilizing new console technology.

The best home arcade machines combine nostalgia and addictive gameplay, giving players a chance to relive classic games with family and friends, just like in arcades.

The Adventure of Samsara is a retro pixel-art game that combines the aesthetics of classic Atari 2600 games with modern gameplay mechanics, resulting in a unique nostalgic experience.

The mechanical Flappy Bird game is completely playable, with a button for flapping and 3D-printed pipes that mimic the original game's challenge.

Anbernic's RG Slide handheld is criticized for focusing too much on novelty while failing to leverage successful design insights from nostalgic devices like the PSP Go.

Paradox Soul, a free-to-play Metroidvania game on Steam, features Dr. Alli Rose navigating a test facility filled with secrets and robot enemies.

8BitMod's upcoming VMU Pro revitalizes the classic Sega VMU with modern upgrades, including a color screen and backup functionalities, while maintaining original compatibility.