When I’m compiling these updates, I find that news tends to land in thematic groups. So, for example, a load of ZX Spectrum news might land one day, then retro PC games land a few days later.
Today, it’s Nintendo’s classic hardware and software library that dominates our roundup of the latest retro gaming news, and we kick off with a new game, available free, for the Game Boy!
Table of Contents
Get your hands on Lunar Lancer
It’s always great to see a brand new release for a retro platform. It’s even better when it is from an indie developer and as accomplished as Lunar Lancer.
And let’s be honest, free always helps.
Created for the Nintendo Game Boy, Lunar Lancer is a scrolling space shooter by Jonas Fischbach, and features 5 stages, 5 bosses, and an 8-track soundtrack. Meanwhile, the craft you pilot has 2 weapons.
Lunar Lancer features:
5 Exciting stages, each with its own hazards
5 bosses
Password system
Soundtrack with 8 songs
Built-in cheat code (thank you, Konami)
Hidden music menu
Learn more on the developer’s Itch.io page for Lunar Lancer. You can get it free, too.
Nintendo adds classic Game Boy Advance F-Zero games to online service
On October 11th, F-ZERO CLIMAX and F-Zero – GP Legend arrived on Nintendo Switch Online’s GBA library. Both games were released in the West in 2004. Here’s what you need to know about them.
F-Zero – GP Legend – Get your adrenaline pumping, and race plasma-powered machines against the galaxy’s most elite racers! Boost down some of the most dangerous tracks in the universe and strive for victory at all costs — even if it means ramming your opponent off the track. Compete in the Grand Prix or Story modes, climb the standings and unlock additional modes and characters. Put the pedal to the metal, and get busy boosting, bumping and jumping your way to intergalactic glory!
F-ZERO CLIMAX – Push your driving to its limit! This 2004 sci-fi racing game, only released in Japan for the Game Boy Advance system, is full of game modes designed to test your racing skills at the highest levels. Leave Mach 1 in the dust as you hit the track against 23 other hover cars. Aim to be the fastest racer in the known universe in GRAND PRIX, challenge your limits in TIME ATTACK or test your reflexes in races with their own special rule sets in SURVIVAL. You can even race on courses created in EDIT mode — and save up to 30 original courses!
You’ll find both titles ready to play on the Nintendo Switch Online service right now.
1992 NES classic Gimmick! gets special edition and Steam release
Clear River Games has announced the release of the Gimmick! Legacy Collection on Steam, which it describes as “a great value two-game bundle featuring a duo of platforming gems.”
Here’s the promo blurb:
A legendary title from SUNSOFT, masters of the NES™ platformer, Gimmick! has achieved near mythical status thanks to its cute and vibrant visuals, deliciously addictive physics-based gameplay and limited release status. Originally arriving in 1992, late in the lifecycle of the NES™, Gimmick! was only available across Japan and Scandinavia, securing its position as a highly sought after title for collectors and platformer fans alike. Ported to modern platforms by developer City Connection, Gimmick! Special Edition is a remarkably faithful conversion to the NES™ original, preserving the original graphics, astonishing soundtrack and highly addictive gameplay that made the game so notorious. In addition, several quality-of-life enhancements have been added to provide modern gamers with the features they have come to expect from well-crafted retro releases.
Until reading the PR, I was completely unaware of the games, but they look charming enough. While they’re now available on Steam, the games have previously been released on the Nintendo eShop.
1981 shooter Moon Shuttle and 1992 sports sim Power Spikes hit Arcade Archives
I’m a big fan of the Arcade Archives regular release schedule, and its two most recent games are worth sharing with you. Moon Shuttle (1981) and Power Spikes (1992) are now available to play for around £5.99 each on the Nintendo Switch.
Arcade Archives titles add some quality of life enhancements to classic titles, as well as an international score board. Its library is immense, with most titles for 1 or 2 players. If you’re looking for an easy way to boost your retro library on the Nintendo Switch, the Arcade Archives is an option to consider.
Moon Shuttle is a shooter released by Nichibutsu in 1981. Players can enjoy alternating stages in which they destroy or dodge through groups of meteors to reach the goal, and stages in which they defeat enemies with wave motion cannons.
Meanwhile, Power Spikes is a sports game released by VIDEO SYSTEM in 1991.
This is the second installment of “Super Volleyball”, and like the previous game, the controls are simple, but the battles are even more profound with techniques such as timed attacks and feints, as well as new serves added in this game.
Learn more on the Arcade Archives website. (Both titles are also released on PS4.)
Repairs end for Mini Famicom and Mini Super Famicom
Bad news if you own a the Nintendo Famicom or Super Famicom mini consoles. While support for the US NES Mini and SNES Mini ended in January 2022, Nintendo of Japan extended support for these authentic miniature remodellings of its classic consoles.
However, if you are in possession of an imported mini Famicom or Super Famicom, the devices are now at the end of their official lifespans.
(Information via Soranews)
Pseudo 3D Racer aka Vroom coming to Game Boy
A Game Boy Color racing game is in development, with work shared on X/Twitter. Initially called Pseudo 3D Racer, it appears to have been conceived as a tech demo for 3D effect racing. As it turns out, the game looks pretty good and the dev has spent a bit of time polishing it into something that looks like it might get released.
#GameBoy Pseudo 3D Racer (gonna need a name soon) update:
– Lots of UI improvements (countdown/some kind of wipe at the end/…)
– Added some chatter at the bottom
– Added a progress indicator at the top
– Optimized a load of codeI think a game is emerging. 🍻
— Shane MᶜCafferty (@EGVroom)
4:32 AM • Oct 9, 2024
(McCafferty previously developed Hoonigans, which has been published by the revived Thalamus via Itch.io.)
The game is now mainly known as Vroom, but while the dev has created an intro screen, no release date or price has been indicated.
New GameCube controller for Nintendo Switch possibly in developement
I’ll finish this round up with the rumour of a new GameCube controller for the Nintendo Switch. The previous version of this proved quite popular in its various colour schemes. If the details of this post (Famiboards forum) are accurate, the controller is in development alongside the new Nintendo Switch 2.
Game over!
Thanks for reading the latest update from GamingRetro. I’ll be back with another collection of themed retro gaming news updates later this week.
Until then, please help by sharing the newsletter, encouraging friends to subscribe, and get GamingRetro to the far reaches of the retro gaming community.
Take it easy!
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
We collect the most important retro gaming news and articles and send them to you weekly, absolutely free.