👾 Retro Gaming Weekly News #0138
A bumper 52 stories coming your way this week, including 30 years of Ristar, more GTA for the Dreamcast, Terminator 2 is back and 100 years of Pokemon?

News
⚽ Super Soccer Exits Switch Online in Japan – Nintendo is removing Super Soccer from the Switch Online SNES library in Japan on March 5, 2025, marking a rare case of a game being delisted from the service. Retroshell
💰 Rare Pokémon Game Sells for Over $80,000 – A sealed copy of Pokémon Red (1996) set a new auction record, fetching more than $80,000 due to its rarity and pristine condition. JustCollecting

🎸 Gibson & CRKD Unveil New Guitar Controllers – Gibson has partnered with CRKD to launch officially licensed Guitar Hero-style controllers, designed for modern and retro gaming platforms. Retroshell
🎮 Retroid Pocket Flip 2: Specs and Colors Revealed – The upcoming Retroid Pocket Flip 2 handheld will feature a clamshell design, improved hardware, and multiple color options, appealing to retro gaming enthusiasts. Retrododo
🦎 Gex Trilogy Set for Summer 2025 Release – Limited Run Games confirms the Gex Trilogy will launch in Summer 2025, bringing the cult-classic platformer series to modern consoles. Retroshell
🚀 Sigma Star Saga Gets Enhanced DX Cartridge Release – The cult-classic GBA title Sigma Star Saga is receiving an upgraded physical release with new features, celebrating its 20th anniversary. Time Extension
🤖 Terminator 2D: No Fate Brings Retro Action to Modern Consoles – Terminator 2D: No Fate is set to deliver classic side-scrolling action with modern enhancements, launching on current platforms. Retroshell
📥 Anbernic Pulls Controversial Firmware Update – Anbernic has removed a firmware update that allowed direct ROM downloads, following backlash over potential legal issues. Time Extension
🕹 Old Towers Expands to Atari Jaguar – The indie puzzle platformer Old Towers is making its way to the Atari Jaguar, continuing the trend of modern games arriving on retro hardware. Retroshell
🎶 Sega Rally 30th Anniversary Soundtrack Now Streaming – The official Sega Rally soundtrack is available to stream for the first time, celebrating 30 years of the arcade racing classic. Time Extension
🎮 8BitDo Unveils Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller – 8BitDo’s new Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller blends modern technology with retro gaming appeal, supporting multiple platforms. Retroshell
🧱 Breakout: Beyond Coming to PC & Consoles in March – The former Amico-exclusive game Breakout: Beyondis set to release on PC and modern consoles next month. Time Extension
🟨 Tetris Forever Update Brings MS-DOS Classics to Modern Players – The latest Tetris Forever update adds MS-DOS game support, expanding its retro gaming library. Retroshell
🕹 GamesCare Unveils New Dev Cart for Sega Genesis – A new development cartridge for the Sega Genesis promises enhanced functionality for homebrew and prototype game creators. Retroshell
🔥 King of Fighters ‘98 Leads Arcade Archives 2 on PS5 & Xbox – King of Fighters ‘98 is the first Arcade Archives 2 Neo Geo title launching for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Retroshell
🐺 Wolfenstein RPG Gets Unofficial PC Port – The rare Wolfenstein RPG from 2008 has been ported to PC by fans, making the mobile-exclusive title more accessible. Retroshell
👊 Final Vendetta Neo Geo Release Delayed for Quality Enhancements – The Final Vendetta Neo Geo version has been delayed, with developers promising improved features and performance. Retroshell
🚀 Fan-Made Genesis R-Type Port Expands with New Content – A homebrew R-Type port for the Sega Genesis is receiving exclusive levels and enhancements. Retroshell
🌙 Sonic’s Lunar Adventure: Unfinished Fan Game Released – An incomplete Sonic fan game, Sonic’s Lunar Adventure, has unexpectedly surfaced online. Retroshell
🎮 Hyperkin Confirms PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16 Clone – Hyperkin has officially announced a new clone console that will support PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 games. Retroshell
🌍 English Translation of Dreamcast RPG Segagaga in Progress – The fan translation of Sega’s cult-classic Segagaga is making steady progress toward completion. Time Extension
🥷 Justice Ninja Casey Brings SNES Classic to the West – The 1994 SNES game Justice Ninja Casey is finally getting an official Western release this week. Retroshell
💖 ToHeart Remake Launching in Japan on June 26, 2025 – The ToHeart visual novel remake is set to release in Japan with updated visuals and gameplay enhancements. Retroshell
🎥 ToHeart Remake Opening Movie Compared to PS1 Version – A side-by-side comparison showcases the graphical improvements in the upcoming ToHeart remake. Siliconera

Features
📖 Metroid Prime’s Legacy Celebrated in New Visual Retrospective – A new book explores the artistic and historical impact of Metroid Prime, offering fans a detailed look at the franchise’s evolution. Retroshell
🕹 Unreleased Popeye Game for Sega Genesis Resurfaces After 31 Years – A long-lost Popeye beat-’em-up from the makers of Double Dragon has been discovered, shedding light on a canceled 16-bit project. Time Extension

🏆 BAFTA Calls for Votes on Gaming’s Most Influential Title – The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is inviting gamers to vote on the most influential video game of all time. Retroshell
💻 Developer Ports x86 Linux to the NES – A developer has successfully ported a version of x86 Linux to the Nintendo Entertainment System, demonstrating the console’s unexpected capabilities. Research Snipers
🎮 Pokémon Boss Aims for a Century-Long Gaming Legacy – Pokémon Company president Tsunekazu Ishihara discusses the franchise’s long-term vision, aiming for a lasting impact over the next 100 years. Retroshell
🎮 Battle of the Handhelds: Which Portable Console Reigns Supreme? – A deep dive into the best handheld consoles, comparing classic and modern devices in the ever-evolving portable gaming landscape. Nerdbot
🕹 AYANEO Clarifies Production and Future of Flip Handheld – AYANEO has addressed concerns about the production status of its Flip handheld, reaffirming its commitment to upcoming releases. Retroshell
🐴 Link’s Iconic Horse Was Almost a Moose, Reveals Miyamoto Interview – Newly unearthed insights from Shigeru Miyamoto reveal that The Legend of Zelda nearly featured a moose instead of Epona. Creative Bloq
⚔ BioWare Co-Founder Reflects on Jade Empire’s Lost Potential – A BioWare co-founder looks back on Jade Empire, expressing regret over the studio not expanding the franchise further. Retroshell
🤼 Play Classic WCW Games with New Mods for N64 – Modders have recreated WCW Saturday Night using Virtual Pro Wrestling on the Nintendo 64, offering a fresh way to experience classic wrestling games. TheSportster
📟 The Unused Terminal of the NES Disk System – A look into a forgotten feature of the NES Disk System, revealing an unused terminal mode that was never fully implemented. Retroshell
🎰 All the Classic Sega Games Featured in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (aka Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii) includes numerous classic Sega titles as playable minigames. Siliconera

🎨 Collector Digitally Preserves Iconic Street Fighter II Figures – A gaming historian has scanned and preserved rare Street Fighter II action figures, ensuring their legacy in digital form. Retroshell
🎵 Streets of Rage Composer Disappointed by Lack of Recognition – Yuzo Koshiro, the legendary Streets of Ragecomposer, expresses disappointment that his influential work isn’t more widely recognized. Time Extension
🌟 Ristar at 30: A Cult Classic Fans Want Revived – As Ristar turns 30, fans are calling for a modern revival of the beloved Sega platformer. CBR
⭐ Ristar Turns 30, Fans Demand a New Game – The 1995 Sega platformer Ristar reaches its 30th anniversary, reigniting discussions about a potential sequel. Metro
🕹 Tokyo Arcade Shares Update on Post-COVID Recovery – A famous Tokyo arcade has provided an update on its business performance after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Time Extension
🦇 Castlevania: Dracula X—Better Than You Remember? – A fresh look at Castlevania: Dracula X argues that the game deserves more appreciation than it originally received. CBR
🔗 The PlayStation Had a Hidden Multiplayer Mode Using Game Boy Cables – A forgotten multiplayer feature on the original PlayStation allowed link-cable gaming using Game Boy peripherals. Ruetir
🏈 Classic NFL Game Gets Online Multiplayer Mode via Fan Mod – Modders have introduced online multiplayer functionality to a classic NFL video game, reviving it for modern players. AppTrigger

Lists & Rankings
🎮 The Rarest NES Games and Their Prices – A look at some of the rarest and most valuable NES games, with prices reflecting their rarity and collector demand. CBR

🦔 Sonic’s Surprisingly Weak Characters – A ranking of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise’s weakest characters, highlighting those who fall short in terms of power and impact. GameRant
⚔ Best 32-Bit Tactical RPGs, Ranked – A list of the top tactical RPGs from the 32-bit era, showcasing strategic gameplay and memorable stories. GameRant
🕹 The Best Arcade Games of All Time – A curated selection of the greatest arcade games ever, celebrating their lasting influence on gaming history. Digital Trends
🎮 Best Third-Party GameCube Games, Ranked – A ranking of the best third-party titles on the GameCube, spotlighting hidden gems and fan favorites. CBR