Ra Ra Boom is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC this summer, as part of what we consider the summer of beat 'em ups. As beat 'em up fans, we can't wait to play some of the great titles that will make this probably the biggest year for beat 'em ups since Castle Crashers launched forever ago. If you're a fan of beat 'em ups, you're in for a great summer. And we hope you consider adding Ra Ra Boom to your list of must plays. In Ra Ra Boom, you and up to three friends play as one of four ninja space cheerleaders. There's Aris (the leader), Ren (the blade), Vee (the shield), and Saida (the cyborg). Zoi, an AI gone rogue, has overtaken earth and our four heroines are the only ones who can stop it.

Beat 'em Up/Shoot 'em Up Mash Up
As the saying goes, you don't bring pom poms to a boss fight. So, we had to ensure our heroines were armed for the AI menace they were facing. Where most beat 'em ups focus on melee with limited-use ranged options, we did things a little different. Ra Ra Boom can be played as a pure beat 'em up. Each character has their own melee attack and you can be effective with them. Or you can play it as a pure shoot 'em up, because you also have an effective ranged attack with unlimited ammo. But it's best to mix the two, getting into your flow and finding the attack combos that suit the moment. We think that after you play Ra Ra Boom, with its speed and fluid mix of melee and ranged combat, it will be hard to go back to the standard we've all gotten used to.

Hey everyone! We're almost exactly one year past the release of Sea of Stars (!!!), and while we've been a bit quiet lately, we're excited to share some fantastic news today. Throes of the Watchmaker is coming Spring 2025, for free! Visit the DLC's website for everything there is to know so far. We hope you're as excited as we are about this new adventure!

Malevolent Spectacle Awaits
Throes of the Watchmaker finds the Solstice Warriors Valere and Zale venturing into the miniature clockwork world of Horloge. In this magical land where denizens are threatened by a cursed carnival, our heroes will need to adapt to unfamiliar rules if their Sun and Moon powers are to manifest.

After the infamous US trade war escalated tariffs on Chinese goods to as high as 145%, many PC hardware and peripherals vendors have felt the pressure, with hardware companies, like Framework, previously both increasing prices on certain products and suspending orders on others altogether. In the case of Framework, this was later overturned when the US administration announced an exemption for certain electronics, including smartphones and computers. 8BitDo, however, has not been so lucky, with Polygon recently discovering that items not currently in the US warehouse cannot be shipped to the US. We confirmed this with a brief test of our own and found the same warning that our order could not be shipped to the US.

Curiously, there are no warnings on individual product pages or anywhere else on the 8BitDo website that give any indication that 8BitDo will not be able to fulfil orders with US shipping addresses. It's only after the products are added to the cart and buyers head to check out that the warning appears. In the case of Polygon, the warning specified which items could not be fulfilled, indicating that US warehouses still had stock of certain items, but when we tested it, the warning was less specific, reading only "Shipping not available. Your order cannot be shipped to the selected address. Review your address to ensure it's correct and try again, or select a different address." Amazon, on the other hand, still seems to have stock for at least some of 8BitDo's items available. We tested the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard C64 Edition, which is unavailable via the 8BitDo site but is still listed at $99.99 on Amazon. Recently, Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders were also suspended due to US tariffs on Chinese goods, and Gamers Nexus also recently published a deep dive detailing the sweeping effects of the increased pricing and uncertainty from the perspective of various US-based PC hardware vendors and system integrators.

PowerA is proud to reveal the final addition to its PAC-MAN x PowerA Collection: the Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch - PAC-MAN Neon Arcade Edition. Designed for retro gaming collectors and Nintendo Switch players alike, this officially licensed controller celebrates PAC-MAN's legacy with nostalgic style and modern performance.

With signature Lumectra Ghost RGB LED lighting, a hidden PAC-MAN design, and premium features for today's players, the Neon Arcade Edition is the third and final product in the collectible lineup.

Late last November, 8BitDo announced the transparent "classic Xbox-inspired" Retro 87 mechanical keyboard and a matching Retro R8 wireless mouse. The brand tends to borrow visual language from much older hardware—mostly from the 1980s and 1990s—but Microsoft's debut home console effort (in Halo 2 Collector's Edition form) stimulated 8BitDo's design team. As of last week, the manufacturer has opened up pre-orders for another Retro R8 mouse model. The "N Edition" variant will be deployed with identical internals—as seen within its translucent forebear; namely Pixart's PAW 3395 optical sensor and Kailh's Sword GM X micro switches—but it features a familiar off-white/multi-gray tones/red button aesthetic. 8BitDo's product page does not mention Nintendo's Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) by name, but promotional imagery showcases a return to truly retro pastures. The Retro R8 N Edition SKU is also marketed as a "perfect companion" to the brand's first attempt at making a mechanical keyboard: the Retro 87. 8BitDo's official webstore advertises a May 22 launch for their Retro R8 N Edition wireless mouse—the pre-order price is $49.99 (+ shipping fee).

On April 28th, the retro horizontal Android handheld, the AYANEO Pocket ACE, was officially released. With its golden size, top-tier aesthetics, and explosive performance, the Pocket ACE is a complete upgrade over traditional horizontal retro handheld. It's an performance powerhouse in a compact form, a true gamer-centric Android handheld, and is set to become the dream device that retro gaming enthusiasts will not be able to put down.

AYANEO Pocket ACE is equipped with a 4.5-inch 3:2 IPS ultra-clear True color display, housed in a sleek, lightweight body with powerful cooling. Powered by Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 gaming platform running at full 15 W performance and paired with a 6000mAh large battery, it delivers long-lasting, uninterrupted gameplay.

RetroPixel Digital and MicroProse are excited to unveil the first animated short in the Green Hawk Platoon character spotlight series: "Meet the Rifleman". This humorous introduction brings to life the game's most disciplined (and perhaps overly enthusiastic) class—the Rifleman.

In this animated feature, viewers get an up-close look at the Rifleman's personality, gameplay style, and unique abilities. Armed with classic toy-inspired weaponry and an unwavering commitment to the rulebook, the Rifleman is the dependable all-rounder every squad needs—even if his teammates didn't ask for it.

Weapon systems live, awaiting orders...Your army is ready, Commander! Tempest Rising Early Unlock is now available for all players who pre-ordered the Deluxe Edition. We want to thank you all for supporting our game since we first announced it way back in 2022. We read every comment, and the excitement we've seen from RTS players around the world has kept us motivated throughout development. Also, a special thank you to all the players and other developers in the community who played Tempest Rising at live events, tried out our demos, and participated in our Closed Beta; your passion for RTS games was clear, and the feedback you gave us was invaluable during development! We hope you enjoy Tempest Rising as much as we enjoyed making it!

Double Time!
If you have not pre-ordered the Deluxe Edition, but are now considering playing early, don't worry, there's still time. Or maybe you're looking to get access to the Commander Pack items, like the Commander Main Menu backdrop. You can still purchase either edition before April 24 and still get the early bonuses for each! Below, you will find a brief breakdown of the Early Unlock information.

Apogee Software, famous for making Duke Nukem and publishing early Id Software hits like Commander Keen and Wolfenstein 3D, has more games that people should know about. One good example is BioMenace, a fun and colorful side-scrolling shooter they put out in 1993. The story follows CIA agent Snake Logan as he tries to save a city and its people from the evil Dr. Mangle's plans. Surprising for some, a joy for others, Dosgamert announced on social media yesterday that Rigel Gameworks is working on a remaster set to launch in Fall 2025 on Steam.

This updated version of BioMenace will feature improved graphics and technical enhancements; however, to cater to gaming purists, it will also include an option to switch between the original and remastered visuals, keeping the authentic experience intact for those who prefer it. The original game featured the 'Keen Dreams' engine from Commander Keen, which ran on MS-DOS. James Norwood, who later designed Shadow Warrior, created this game while Bobby Prince known for his music in Wolfenstein 3D and Doom, wrote the soundtrack. The remastered BioMenace will have the original 3 episodes (36 levels in total) plus one brand-new episode, spanning a range of diverse environments including cities, underground caves, and secret high-tech labs.

Greetings, heroes! Tribute Games, Dotemu, and Marvel Games assemble today to announce MARVEL Cosmic Invasion, an arcade-style beat 'em up featuring an incredible roster of characters from Marvel's golden eras!

A Cosmic Battle awaits!
After Annihilus has launched an unprecedented attack across the galaxy, all life hangs in the balance. Nova, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Phyla-Vell, Captain America, and many more heroes, both earth-born and cosmic, will join forces in a star-spanning brawling adventure against the deadly Annihilation Wave. Get ready to brawl through the streets of New York City and all the way to the depths of the Negative Zone to foil Annihilus' plan to spread death across the cosmos!

AYANEO today officially launched its latest retro-style Android handheld, the AYANEO Pocket ACE. Featuring a horizontal retro design, this handheld is exquisitely crafted, elegant, and portable, while being powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 gaming platform for top-tier performance that effortlessly handles both classic games and popular mobile titles. Upholding its philosophy of "Real Gamers, Know Gamers," AYANEO once again pushes the boundaries of retro horizontal handheld gaming with the Pocket ACE.

Honoring Classics, Reinventing Elegance - Inheriting the brand's aesthetic DNA, retro design meets modern craftsmanship. The AYANEO Pocket ACE continues the brand's design philosophy, paying homage to classic horizontal handhelds while incorporating modern manufacturing techniques to breathe new life into the form. Its sleek, flowing body and meticulously refined button layout deliver a comfortable grip, allowing players to experience the perfect fusion of retro charm and contemporary refinement in every gaming session.

Konami Digital Entertainment, has announced the GRADIUS ORIGINS collection—this compilation will release on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam on August 7 with digital pre-orders starting on March 27 (yesterday). GRADIUS ORIGINS is the definitive collection of the earliest games from the GRADIUS series—2D shoot 'em up classics that embody nostalgic gaming from the 1980s.

GRADIUS holds a special place in gaming history - not just for its side-scrolling spacecraft battles, but also for introducing a legendary cheat code. First appearing in the original 1986 Japanese FAMICOM version, the now-iconic code (activated once players pushed the ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A buttons on their controllers) gave players a crucial power-up boost, and would later go on to become a staple in gaming culture. With this new collection, players can relive the challenge of GRADIUS while paying homage to the origins of one of gaming's most famous secrets.

Wizordum, the retro first-person spell caster developed by Emberheart Games and published by Apogee Entertainment, summons a 1.0 launch for PC via Steam on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, for $19.99. As one of the last surviving mages, traverse seven new levels on a journey to eradicate Chaos for good in this magical finale of Wizordum.

Battle arcane foes aboard speedy mine carts across Episode 3's chaotic fire and ice levels, filled with fiery lava and razor-sharp falling icicles. Face formidable bosses using all-new mage-tastic weapons, including the bolt-throwing Faewood Crossbow and the Staff of Chaos, an elemental triple-threat harnessing ferocious ice, fire, and storm spells.

I want to thank everyone for your support approaching launch, we—at Sword & Axe LLC—have been working hard for years to bring Dark Deity 2 to you and I think you're going to be really happy with it! Can't wait to see all the builds and team compositions you put together as your build up the Eternal Order! Verroa is a peaceful continent on the brink of war as the Asverellian Empire seeks to expand—at your homeland's expense. Command unlikely heroes, fight challenging turn-based battles, and watch hardship forge iron into steel. Dark Deity is back, bigger and better than before!

Engage in Thrilling Tactical Combat
Fight through over 40 tactical scenarios utilizing your team of twenty's varied abilities and prowess, where you will complete side objectives and balance your experience gain to make your squad as strong as can be.

Ayaneo's AM01S is a mini PC with a built-in articulating touch-screen and a design inspired by '80s and '90s retro computing. For 2025, the AM01S has received a number of choice upgrades that make it both more powerful and more compatible. The headline feature updates for the AM01S are the new AMD Strix Point Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and the new display, which features a number of improvements over the Ayaneo AM02. The basic specifications also include DDR5-5600 RAM and an M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD for storage, with an SDXC card slot on the side for migrating files and expanding storage. Ayaneo has yet to announce pricing or expected availability for the AM01S, but the mini PC looks to be officially launching soon.

The 4-inch touchscreen in the Ayaneo AM01S is a native horizontal display, as opposed to the rotated vertical display from the AM02, which means it should present no compatibility issues similar to those that plagued some Lenovo Legion Go and Valve Steam users when those devices first launched. The tiny display also supports Windows extended mode, meaning you can operate the AM01S using only the small touchscreen—another improvement over the AM02, which could not use the built-in display as the primary screen. The display is attached to the retro-inspired case with a hinge that allows for 90° of articulation, so the mini PC can be used flat on its side or vertically, in which case it looks something like a CRT-equipped Macintosh computer. Ayaneo even cheekily uses a colored version of the cursive "hello" text often featured on the original Macintosh advertising materials. The idea seems to be that users will use the secondary touchscreen to display system information, run diagnostic apps or widgets, or simply as an aesthetic add-on. Ayaneo also pre-installs its AYASpace v2.5, which contains a custom control center for things like TDP control and performance monitoring.

Analogue's modern reimagining of Nintendo's N64 home console has hit another pre-release obstacle. Their Analogue 3D model was first revealed in 2023, with a projected 2024 launch on the cards. The system has experienced a series of setbacks—prior to the latest official announcement, customers were expecting to receive finalized hardware by now (first quarter of 2025). Once again, the company has revised release timeframes for its $249.99 FPGA-powered console—according to an official "3D Preorder FAQ": "Analogue 3D was originally available for pre-order at the end of 2024, (and) scheduled to ship Q1 2025. Shipping is delayed (as of March 18th, 2025) and is now shipping by July 2025. We are working hard to get your 3D order in hands ASAP, and appreciate your patience. If you have an open pre-order no action is needed. As always, if you'd like to cancel your pre-order at any time, Analogue has always had a no questions asked, 100% refund policy for pre-orders."

Analogue's promotional materials showcase a very slick-looking premium reinterpretation (in black or white) of the classic N64 system. The R&D team spent: "nearly four years engineering it in FPGA. No more incompatibilities found in software emulation like input lag, graphic/audio inaccuracies, timing/frame rate issues and more. For the first time, you can re-experience the N64 exactly as it was meant to be, without compromise." According to product pages, a controller is not bundled in with the Analogue 3D package. Authentic front panel connectors indicate customers having to reuse original "trident-shaped" N64 (NUS-005) controllers, or third-party equivalents. Certain promo shots show off 8BitDo's recently introduced 64 Bluetooth Controller. Given Analogue's revised schedule, this wireless gamepad is expected to arrive weeks ahead of its natural partner piece.

The wait is nearly over! We're thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated remaster of Croc Legend of the Gobbos is launching April 2, 2025! Wishlists are open for PC on GOG.com—with Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox digital storefronts following soon. Croc's back and he's still got the moves! Croc Legend of the Gobbos is the heartwarming journey of an endearing, humble little crocodile equipped with only his iconic backpack and a wiggly butt as he platforms his way across a series of unique worlds by running, jumping, climbing, swimming and tail spinning on his quest to rescue his adopted family of Gobbos from the grasp of the evil sorcerer Baron Dante and his impish Dantini hordes.

With its broad appeal and groundbreaking creativity, the original game quickly became a multi-million selling platforming classic, and while the Croc Legend of the Gobbos remaster delivers an authentic gameplay experience that transports players back to the golden age of gaming, it also introduces a roster of modern updates including enhanced HD graphics, modern control mechanics with an updated camera, and retro video modes to recreate the gaming experience that charmed us in the 1990s.

We're so excited to show you the teeniest bit of what we've been working on! Having Giles Goddard as our founder (of Chuhai Labs), we've wanted to make something that pays tribute to his amazing career making legendary games for a while now. With Wild Blue we are making that dream a reality! We can't wait to share more about this love letter to '90s on-rails aerial adventures soon!

Wild Blue reimagines the classic on-rail adventures of the 1990s. Join Bowie Stray and the Blue Bombers as they soar through the skies on a mission to save the world in this action-packed, nostalgic journey! Soar over oceans, desert ridges, and perilous caves, battling waves of enemies and pushing back the Baron's forces. With the help of allies, you'll fight to restore peace while experiencing the thrill of classic arcade flight-combat! Easy-to-learn controls make Wild Blue accessible for newcomers and genre veterans alike, while the game's stunning visuals immerse you in a hand-crafted, anime-style universe. With its compelling gameplay loop, branching paths, and thrilling missions, every flight is an adventure!

The 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller revives the iconic N64 layout, but wrapped in an ergonomic, updated body. A precision hall-effect joystick with the original gate and signature concave rubber joystick cap. Say goodbye to the infamous loose joysticks. We're bringing back the signature C-buttons, A/B and Start—with the button sizes, positioning and feel just like the original.

Multiplayer on the N64 defined an era, and now with Analogue 3D and the 8BitDo 64 Controllers, that era is redefined. The 8BitDo 64 Controller, designed hand-in-hand with Analogue, creates an experience like no other when paired with Analogue 3D. It's a celebration of the N64, the greatest multiplayer system ever. It's Bluetooth-ready, with vibration support and platform compatibility with the new Analogue 3D, Switch, (including N64 Online) and more. Play N64 games like never before—with the best of both worlds in your hands. Available to pre-order at Amazon—MSRP $39.99.

The Retroid Pocket Mini handheld was announced with an AMOLED display boasting a resolution of 1280 x 960, which was plenty for its tiny 3.7-inch display. However, the product has suffered from a pretty severe scaling issue, with the device extending a 1280 x 928 image to fit the panel's native resolution. While that may not sound like much, the scaling issues have adversely affected a sizeable chunk of is customers, particularly those who enjoy CRT filters, ultimately leading Retroid to issue a response. For a detailed understanding of the implications of the scaling issues, be sure to check out Retro Gamer Corps' detailed video on the matter.

According to Retroid, the aforementioned issue is not fixable, and requires hardware-level revisions for the next version of the system. For those with the current version, Retroid has announced a $10 discount coupon towards their future products for everyone who purchased the system. Moreover, those who simply do not wish to put up with the scaling issues, will have the opportunity to return the product and receive a full refund. The return window is valid only until 14th of March, and while the number of returns was capped at 200 previously, Retroid's recent statement, shared by RGC, contains no such indication.

Beyond the Ice Palace 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 1988 platforming cult classic, launches today on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, GoG, and Epic Games Store. Developed by Storybird Studio and co-published by PQube and PixelHeart, this modern revival of the legendary action-platformer delivers fast-paced combat, challenging traversal, and hidden secrets, all wrapped in a stunning gothic pixel-art world.

After an unprecedented 37-year wait, gaming history has been made with the release of Beyond The Ice Palace 2, shattering records as the longest gap between an original game and its sequel. When the first Beyond The Ice Palace captivated players on platforms like Amiga, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum in 1988, few could have imagined that fans would wait nearly four decades for a continuation of the beloved fantasy action platformer.

Reef Entertainment are excited to announce that legendary heroes Sarah Connor, John Connor and the T-800 are back in Terminator 2D: NO FATE, an upcoming officially licensed 2D action side-scroller developed by Bitmap Bureau! The title will be launching on PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store) on September 5th, 2025.

Play as Sarah Connor and the T-800 through a variety of thrilling missions as they take on the T-1000 and try to put a stop to Skynet's plans before the human race is annihilated. Lead the Resistance as John Connor in the future, fighting on the front lines as mankind's only hope in the War Against the Machines. In this unique story blending iconic scenes from 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' with original scenarios and multiple endings, humanity's fate is yours to decide.

Retro tech lovers who have a knack for gaming handhelds will likely be rather pleased with Sugar Cubes' latest creation - the N97 Elite gaming handheld. As the name suggests, the handheld draws inspiration from the Nokia N97 of '09, and all of its sliding glory. The company has already started shipping out the device to customers, although it is China-only for the foreseeable future. Despite that, there is no denying that the N97 Elite handheld is an incredibly exciting looking gadget for those who miss the good old days of smartphones - that is, before the glass-slab trend took off.

At its core, the N97 Elite handheld packs a decent amount of computing horsepower. Powered by the Snapdragon 855 Plus - an SoC once found in Android flagships - paired with 12 GB of memory, the N97 Elite should be able to breeze through most emulation workloads. The compact handheld comes equipped with a 4.7-inch touch-enabled display, which slides out to reveal the controls. Speaking of which, the controls look pretty disappointing at first sight, although that would be hard to judge without trying the thing in real life. However, given the compact nature, the experience is unlikely to be a comfortable one, and the lack of an analog stick is understandable, but disappointing regardless. The system does have a built-in fan, which should help with sustained workloads.

Just over a year ago, at The Game Awards 2023, Sega teased the revival of several legacy franchises. Today we are excited to formally announce the first of those games: Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. Yesterday's State of Play provided a first look at the game which will release August 29, 2025 on PC and consoles.

There is more to be shared in the coming months, but for now we wanted to bring you a Q&A with the game's producers at Sega of Japan and Lizardcube, who have teamed up to bring the game to life. We discuss the motivation to revive the franchise, how this new installment pays tribute to the original entries, and what players can expect from the full release. We hope you enjoy this first look behind Shinobi: Art of Vengeance!

Keep Driving is finally out! It's hard to express how it feels releasing a game we've worked on since 2016. We failed once, put it on ice, came back to it and devoted all our effort to make it happen. It's been helluva project, much bigger than we initially thought it would be, but we're incredibly proud to finally say: IT'S OUT! Thanks so much to all of you who have come on this ride with us in the months since we announced. When we revealed our game last fall, we would've never thought we'd have this much support at launch. We really hope you enjoy this game, we've worked so hard on making it.

What is Keep Driving?
Keep Driving is a management RPG about slowly making your way through a procedurally generated pixel art open world. Pick up hitchhikers with their own personalities and stories; upgrade, customize and repair your car. Solve challenges on the road using a unique turn-based "combat" system, using your own skills and whatever's lying around in the glovebox to make it through and explore your summer possibilities.