There aren’t many gaming labels that can claim a 43-year history, but System 3 can. Founded in 1982, the company predates the Nintendo Entertainment System and has somehow remained independent through an era that devoured most of its peers.
Now, the label is celebrating its longevity by returning to the well of nostalgia — with The Last Ninja Collection and James Pond Legacy: The Pond Is Not Enough both on the way.
If you grew up with a Commodore 64 or Amiga as I did, System 3’s name will stand out. They developed The Last Ninja, International Karate, and IK+, great games that seemed to squeeze impossible performance out of 8-bit hardware.
Reliving history — or just repackaging it?
The upcoming Last Ninja Collection launches on Steam on 27 November 2025, with console versions to follow. It’s billed as an “authentic emulation” of the Commodore 64, Amiga, and ZX Spectrum originals. If the collection can be as accomplished as others from the era — I’m thinking Turrican Flashback — then this bodes well.
If you’ve tried to revisit early System 3 titles through unofficial emulators, you’ll know that 1980s design can feel punishingly archaic. There’s a fine line between keeping the experience intact and delivering something that feels playable in 2025.
Modernisation — save states, remastered audio, perhaps even commentary or documentary features — is necessary, as collections like this already risk appealing only to a niche audience. As we’ve seen with many other collections, QoL enhancements means more players, and greater appreciation.
James Pond resurfaces — again
Then there’s James Pond Legacy: The Pond Is Not Enough. It’s hard not to smile at the return of the underwater spy, but it’s also difficult to imagine it making waves in the current market. The release promises “faithfully emulated versions” of the original Sega, SNES, and Amiga games.
James Pond was a game that amused me, but I don’t think I managed to complete Robocod, and lost interest. It certainly never contributed to any competitive Amiga gaming sessions!
James Pond’s charm was always its parody and platforming fluidity, but I think I would like to see some reworking of the series, or at least a modern sequel with 16-bit style graphics.
You can wishlist The Last Ninja Collection on Steam now. The compilation features The Last Ninja, The Last Ninja 2, The Last Ninja 3, International Karate, IK+, and Bangkok Knights.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
