My Mount Rushmore Of Video Games Consoles 🪨🗿

If I were to carve a Mount Rushmore of video game consoles, honouring my personal picks of the most iconic and influential systems in gaming history, these four would be my picks.

🗿 1. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) – The Saviour [1986]

Why it belongs: Rescued the industry after the 1983 crash and redefined home gaming.
Legacy: Introduced franchises like Super Mario Bros., Zelda, and Metroid.
Impact: Standardised the D-pad, cartridges, and third-party licensing.

"Okay, so I never owned an NES, but what I do know is that this grey box that sat under millions of TV sets across the USA and the rest of the world was a primary reason that we have a video games industry today. I remember when my mate Briggsy got an NES in the late 80s for his 10th birthday, and we all went round his house to just sit there and watch him play Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Castlevania. For me at that age, the NES felt out of reach as it looked like a luxury product that my pocket money would never be able to stretch to. So alas, I never got to own the grey oblong, but what I do know is that we owe Nintendo a lot because of this little grey box."

LEGO SEGA Mega Drive Unboxing – "Retro Bricks & SEGA Genesis Bliss" 🧱 🧱 🧱

Unboxing the LEGO SEGA Mega Drive / Genesis Kit – Retro Gaming Meets Brick‑Building Brilliance

Why This LEGO Set Hits the Nostalgia Button

Unboxing the LEGO SEGA Mega Drive / Genesis kit — a perfect mash‑up of retro gaming nostalgia and brick‑building goodness. In this video, I crack open the box, check out every piece, and give you a close look at this beautifully detailed tribute to SEGA’s legendary 16‑bit console.

Whether you're a LEGO collector, a SEGA fan, or just love retro hardware recreated in brick form, this set is an absolute treat.

🔗 https://www.lego.com/en-gb/product/sega-genesis-console-40926

Reboxy Review By Britt "every video game has a soul. And every soul deserves a body." 💾 #Retrogaming

One of the things we are very keen on here at GF is the preservation of older video games, and Reboxy is very much in the same vein. Creating high quality products that allow gamers, fans, and collectors to celebrate key games from their gaming histories in physical form.

I first became aware of Reboxy a few weeks ago when I received an email from Ziggurat Interactive – another company that celebrates the legacy of older games- as they were promoting their collaboration with a PC big box release of Terminal Velocity. This really intrigued me, as Ziggurat have brought some really intriguing releases back from the brink (including a personal fave of mine – Boiling Point), and I was soon making my way through the Reboxy website which led to GF being in the position of being able to cover two Reboxy editions – Litil Divil (1993), and Realms of the Haunting (1996).

The presentation is absolutely top notch, these specific titles are officially licensed from Funbox Media, another company that we’ve previously covered here at GF and I especially love the attention to detail, such as the logos on each box regarding Gremlin Graphics / Interactive reflecting the logos used at the time of original release, and the colouring of Reboxy’s logo on each release matching the main font / colour of the game in question, for example – Litil Divil’s box font is red, whilst Realms of the Haunting is gold, and the Reboxy logo on the side is colour-matched accordingly. It’s a small touch but shows the level of detail that goes into these Reboxy editions. Also of note is that all editions are DRM free!

Death & Lead SEGA Mega Drive Review 7/10 "The West rises again on Sega’s best machine from the East" 🤠🏇 @Kai_MSX #IndieGame #GameDev #RetroGaming

We here at GF have been big fans of Kai Magazine Software, a Spanish development company that has brought us The Secret of the Four Winds, Life On Mars, and Metal Dragon – amongst others over the years. 

Whilst their games have had some pros and cons, the one thing that stands out about this development house for me, and keeps me extremely interested in their upcoming releases, is that they have an uncanny ability to hone in on game genres that felt under-realised on Sega’s best* home console system, as well as having the ability to make the audio shine. 

There are a handful of developer/publishers that release titles for the Mega Drive – and I genuinely adore them all – but Kai Magazine Software seems to have a little niche in that the games they create aren’t the typical sort that you’d find on the MD, and in doing so, have that frisson that brings the system alive.

The Spectrum Collector’s Edition: A White-Hot Tribute to British Tech History 🕹️ #Retrogaming #ZXSpectrum

Retro gaming fans, prepare yourselves—because PLAION REPLAI, in partnership with Retro Games Limited, has just unveiled something truly special. Introducing The Spectrum Collector’s Edition, a stunning all-white homage to one of the most iconic milestones in British technological history: the one-millionth ZX Spectrum.

Available exclusively for pre-order now at plaionreplai.com, this premium Collector’s Edition is priced at £199.99 / €229.99. And here’s the catch: once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.

Infinity on Game Boy Color "2 Decades In The Making" ♾️ ⚔️ @Incube8Games #IndieGame #GameDev #RetroGaming

Purchase Link

I came across an upcoming game release a few weeks ago that caught my eye, a Game Boy Color title named Infinity, originally created by Affinix Software back in 2001, the game was never fully released due to publishing issues at the time.

Incub8 Games then picked up the project during a Kickstarter back in 2021, and now over 20 years on, the game is completed and finally ready for a physical release (a digital version is also available).

It’s always a pleasure to get the opportunity to play games lost to the mists of time, and so this is definitely one for the GBC fans out there to get excited about! In the coming months we will be reviewing the full game, but until then, check out the information below, and get your pre-orders rocking and rolling, should it tickle your fancy.

How Electronic Arts Marketed The FIFA Football Video Games Over The Years PART III : FIFA 96 - [1995] ⚽ #retrogaming

Following on from FIFA 95 [1994] EA served up another set of iterations to the existing tried and tested
formula with FIFA 96 on SEGA Mega drive and Genesis that had tweaks to the gameplay based on what worked and didn't work in the extremely successful original game.

As FIFA 96 geared up for release, EA Sports also pushed the boundaries across SEGA’s hardware line-up to include the 3D ambitions of the SEGA Saturn and SEGA 32X and each version was now bringing something unique.

🌀 SEGA Saturn

The Saturn version of FIFA 96 wasn’t just a port—it was a reimagining. Developed by Probe alongside the PlayStation and PC CD-ROM versions, it aimed to redefine football gaming on 32-bit systems.

Key Features:

• Virtual Stadium Technology: A dynamic 3D environment with suspended cameras mimicking televised broadcasts.

• Stunning Presentation: A rendered cinematic flythrough of the stadium sets the tone.

• Advanced Camera System: Over 8 angles, including NetCam and tactical overhead views, plus full replay controls.

• Motion-Captured Animation: Real player movements translated into wireframe models, then rendered with lighting and team-specific palettes.

• New Passing Mechanics: Directional passing independent of player movement for smoother gameplay.

• Audio Ambitions: Plans for John Motson commentary with 7,000+ voice samples (pending Saturn hardware limitations).

How Electronic Arts Marketed The FIFA Football Video Games Over The Years PART II : FIFA 95 - [1994] ⚽ #retrogaming

Following on from FIFA INTERNATIONAL SOCCER [1993] EA served up an iteration to the existing tried and tested formula with FIFA 95 that had tweaks to the gameplay based on what worked and didn't work in the extremely successful original game.

This time EA were marketing the fact that FIFA 95 had:

• Improved intelligence.
• Players that move off the ball and provide better service. 
• An amended passing system to provide more accurate passes to team mates. 
• Bullet headers on goal, that could go beyond the reach of the diving 'keeper. 
• New volleys which you'll need to go one-on-one with smarter 'keepers. 
• Goals now can come from volleys, half-volleys and swerving banana shots. 
• They also boasted of harder shots, Faster players, Stronger passes. 
• Over 200 international teams. 
• The ability to play a complete domestic league season, then take your team on tour abroad. 
• Also an injury system that was innovative for the time as picking up an injury might mean that your star player could be out for the season. 
• Fatigue was also introduced as a feature which meant that players would tire during matches and the need for subs to be brought on was more of a tactical consideration.
• EA also added in a set piece system with on screen UI to assist you to be able to score from deadly set play free kicks. 

🎮 Atari Unveils Intellivision Sprint — A Retro Revival for the Ages 🕹️

Atari is taking a bold step into the past to celebrate the future. Today, the legendary gaming company announced the Intellivision Sprint, a brand-new console designed to honour the 45th anniversary of the original Intellivision—the iconic home video game system that helped define the early days of console gaming.

🕹️ A Tribute to the First Console War

Originally released in 1980 as a direct rival to the Atari 2600, the Intellivision carved out a name for itself with more realistic sports games, richer graphics, and its signature gold-and-black design. The fierce competition between the two consoles became known as the First Console War, a defining moment in gaming history.

Now, four and a half decades later, Atari is reviving that legacy with the Intellivision Sprint—a modern reimagining that blends retro charm with contemporary tech.

How Electronic Arts Marketed The FIFA Football Video Games Over The Years PART I : FIFA INTERNATIONAL SOCCER - 1993 ⚽ #retrogaming

Before FIFA came along soccer video games were generally simple affairs with not many thrills or presentation. Animation was generally limited and rightly or wrongly the main focus of titles like Kick Off and Sensible Soccer was the playability rather than the look of the game. 

FIFA from EA Sports changed all of that by introducing a game that was not only fun to play but also lovely to look at. 

I thought it would be fun to look at as many of the Iterations of FIFA over the years to see what (if anything) changed across each release. I do this stuff for shits and giggles, some people say I'm broken but maybe I'm just 🎶football crazy, football mad!🎶

Let's KICK OFF shall we?

101 Most Important Soccer Games Episode 7 Actua Soccer 1995 ⚽ #retrogaming

Rich dives into the world of Actua Soccer, the first fully 3D football game to hit home consoles. Developed by Gremlin Interactive, this 1995 classic changed the game with motion-captured animations, crazy camera!! and polygonal players that paved the way for modern football sims.

⚽🎮🥅

Retro Football Fever! Jaleco Sports: Goal! on the PC Quick Look ⚽🕹️ @RockitGamesNOW #GameDev #RetroGaming

Rich Steps onto the pixelated pitch with this Ten Minute Taster of Jaleco Sports Goal! on the PC! ⚽

Rich gets the opportunity to relive the glory days of 8 and16-bit football as he dives into two classic soccer title from the golden age of gaming. Whether you remember renting this from your local video shop or you're discovering it for the first time, this quick gameplay session is packed with retro charm, crunchy tackles, and those unmistakable NES and SNES soundtracks.

A Cool Table of PS2 Models and How well they support PlayStation 1 Video Games 🎮 #Retrogaming

Here’s a handy table of PS2 models that I just put together. It shows how well they support PlayStation 1 games, especially if you're looking to play classics like Crash Bandicoot or Metal Gear Solid: Special Missions.

- ✅✅ = Best performance

- ✅ = Compatible but may have hardware quirks

- ⚠️ = Lower compatibility due to emulation

Model	Type	PS1 Compatibility	Notes
SCPH-3000x	Fat (early)	✅ Good	Weaker lasers; may struggle with CD-based PS1 games over time
SCPH-3900x	Fat (mid)	✅✅ Excellent	Stronger laser and high reliability with both PS1 and PS2 discs
SCPH-5000x	Fat (late)	✅✅ Excellent	Slightly weaker laser than 3900x, but still great for PS1 games
SCPH-7000x	Slim (early)	✅✅ Excellent	Maintains PS1 CPU; fixes some compatibility issues like MGS: SM
SCPH-7500x+	Slim (late)	⚠️ Lower compatibility	Uses software emulation; some PS1 games may glitch or not run properly
SCPH-7900x/9000x	Slim (latest)	⚠️ Unreliable	Removed original PS1 chip; increased chances of issues with PS1 games

Before Ultimate Team—There Was Ultimate Fun: Remembering EA’s Best Lost IPs 🎮 #Retrogaming

Imagine a world where big video game corporations actually listened to the players who’ve been with them since the ‘80s.

Imagine a world where Electronic Arts (EA) didn’t just squat on a ludicrously luxurious pile of classic video game IPs, letting them rot slowly in the Californian sunshine outside their Redwood City HQ.

Now, EA might argue that they don't need to touch those old IPs. After all, FIFA and Madden rake in the mega spondoolies through microtransactions in Ultimate Team modes with every minor iteration. So why take a gamble on reviving something that might not hit their golden profit margins? But if that’s their guiding logic, then maybe—just maybe—EA has forgotten what it means to be a video games company. One that creates games for fun, not just as an exercise in marginal gains and digital IP hoarding.

Tassei Denki Revives Lightgun Gaming with G‘AIM’E TIME CRISIS Kickstarter 📺🔫 #Retrogaming

Tassei Denki launches an exciting new Kickstarter campaign for the G‘AIM’E TIME CRISIS Lightgun, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the iconic arcade shooter.

Developed under license from Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. and original arcade developers, the G‘AIM’E Lightgun and its plug-and-play mini-console bring arcade-accurate gameplay to modern home setups.

The system is designed to work seamlessly on any TV or monitor using AI-powered tracking and a high-resolution camera, eliminating the need for CRTs or manual calibration.

Classic Style Meets Cutting-Edge Tech: Retro Fighters Lands in Europe 🎮 @retrofightersco #Retrogaming

Game Outlet Europe® (GOE), part of Embracer Freemode®, has announced the European launch of Retro Fighters, a popular LA-based, family-run brand known for modernized retro-style controllers.

Retro Fighters is celebrated in the U.S. for blending classic controller design with modern technology, now available to gamers across Europe for the first time.

The NEW Lightgun project from Tassei Denki [Time Crisis & Point Blank] 🔫 @tasseidenki #Retrogaming

An astonishing new Lightgun project from Tassei Denki, who are working hard to bring the legendary arcade hit Time Crisis to the home in time for the Holiday Season!

Officially licensed, this plug-and-play package, launching under the G’AIM’E brand is a must for fans of the arcade smash-hit-shooter and indeed all things retro!

Rich's PS2 £20 Facebook Market Place Pick Up and Clean Up Video [+ Disc Tray Not Opening Fix] 🎮📺 #PS2 #RetroGaming

I've been yearning for a PS2 for some time now and I have been looking on Facebook Marketplace for a while to see if I could pick up a bargain. Very recently I spotted a £20 PlayStation 2 that was being cleared from a garage with no controller, no leads and a memory card. I felt lucky so I ventured into the murky world of FB Market Place and headed out in my car to snare myself a catch. For posterity I decided to capture my process of cleaning her up and getting her working. 

The long term plan is to play more PS2 games and hoover up some discs from the local car boot sale, the short term plan is to buy a controller.

Take a look at my video as I bring my PS2 home and get her settled in:

Rich Plays Head Over Heels : DELUXE [PC Gameplay] "Like Patting My Head & Rubbing My Tummy!" 🤕🐾 @RustyPixelsUK #Retrogaming

 

Rich gets ready to dive into Head Over Heels : DELUXE, the timeless puzzle-platforming adventure that captivated gamers in the golden age of the 8-bit era and is now reborn with colourful modern visuals and refined gameplay!

I Made an Arcade Cabinet Out Of A Bunk Bed 🕹️ #retrogameroom #retrogaming#arcade

"No one ever picked on Duck Zangief"

Rich has turned an old Bunk Bed Ladder into a functioning arcade cabinet using an old Lenovo Mini Tower PC and putting Batocera on it. Learn exactly how he achieved it by watching this short video.