Tag: Game Boy Color

  • Roguecraft DX Now Available on Game Boy Color, Amiga, and Mega65

    Roguecraft DX Now Available on Game Boy Color, Amiga, and Mega65

    Key Takeaways

    1. Roguecraft DX, an enhanced roguelike dungeon crawler, will launch on Game Boy Color, Mega65, and Amiga in early 2026.
    2. The game, originally popular at AmigaGameJam 2023, received accolades like Cart of the Year from retro gaming fans.
    3. Players explore the Lovecraftian realm of Mordecoom, choosing from classes like Warrior, Rogue, or Wizard, in isometric dungeons.
    4. New features in Roguecraft DX include extra levels, revamped layouts, new enemies, in-game achievements, and a chiptune bonus track.
    5. PC versions are planned for release on Steam, with a collector’s edition available for pre-order featuring a physical cartridge and themed collectibles.

    There’s more to toast this new year, as Thalamus Digital has recently revealed that Roguecraft DX, an enhanced edition of the popular roguelike dungeon crawler, is set to launch on the Game Boy Color, Mega65, and Amiga systems in the early months of 2026.

    A Fan Favourite Emerges

    Roguecraft made its first appearance at AmigaGameJam 2023 for the Amiga, quickly becoming a hit among fans. The game gained significant attention with its release on the Evercade VS-R. This particular DX version claimed accolades like Cart of the Year from retro gaming enthusiasts, showcasing that its turn-based mechanics and charming pixel art can stand shoulder to shoulder with beloved retro titles.

    Dive into Mordecoom

    For those who are unaware, Roguecraft DX immerses players in a procedurally generated Lovecraftian realm called Mordecoom, teeming with traps, treasures, and terrors. Players can select from various classes, including Warrior, Rogue, or Wizard.

    Adventurers navigate isometric dungeons filled with deadly chickens and squishy bosses. Each game session lasts about 30-40 minutes, providing an exhilarating yet enjoyable experience. However, Roguecraft DX takes things up a notch with additional levels, revamped room layouts, new foes, in-game achievements, enhanced animations, and a catchy chiptune bonus track from Jogier Liljedahl.

    Excitement from the Developers

    Ricki Sickenger, co-founder of Badger Punch Games, expressed excitement, saying, “When we released Roguecraft in 2024, we never imagined it would gain such popularity on the Amiga, and even more so on the Evercade. We’re thrilled that we can now bring Roguecraft to even more retro systems, starting with the Mega65 and Game Boy Color!”

    Thanks to some amazing collaborators, we can now offer these two delightful ports of Roguecraft, tailored to highlight the unique features of each platform. Our hope is that players will enjoy and recognize the dedication that has gone into these ports.”

    Roguecraft DX will be ready for download on February 2, and physical pre-orders are set to launch on March 2 through Thalamus’ website. Currently, it’s anticipated that the collector’s edition will feature a physical cartridge, an artwork-adorned box, posters, manuals, and likely some enamel chicken pins.

    PC Ports in the Works

    Additionally, PC versions remain in the pipeline, as Thalamus plans to release the game on contemporary hardware through Steam.

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  • Ninja Gaiden Shadow DX: Colorful Game Boy Adventure Coming in 2025

    Ninja Gaiden Shadow DX: Colorful Game Boy Adventure Coming in 2025

    Key Takeaways

    1. Homebrew developer Marc Max is creating an unofficial upgrade called “DX” for Ninja Gaiden Shadow, adding color and revitalizing the original monochrome game.
    2. Max has shared a colorized title screen and teaser trailers, generating excitement among fans, with a possible release by the end of 2025.
    3. The “year of the ninja” continues, following the recent launch of Ninja Gaiden 4, despite some storytelling shortcomings.
    4. Marc Max has prior experience with DX upgrades, having enhanced games like Mole Mania and Mega Man 4, and others are also working on similar projects.
    5. Ninja Gaiden Shadow, originally released in 1991 for the Game Boy, serves as a prequel to the NES Ninja Gaiden Trilogy, with a history of development changes.

    Retro gamers who are still enjoying Game Boy games on the FPGA-based Analogue Pocket or sticking with the classic Game Boy Color have some exciting news ahead. Homebrew developer Marc Max, known online as marc_robledo, is creating an unofficial upgrade for Ninja Gaiden Shadow, called “DX.” This project aims to revitalize the original monochrome game by adding color, much like the official DX releases that Nintendo introduced years ago.

    Exciting Announcements from Marc Max

    Marc Max shared his news online, generating excitement among fans by revealing a colorized title screen, which serves as the first glimpse of the upcoming Ninja Gaiden Shadow DX. He also provided a teaser trailer exclusively for his Patreon supporters, which added more anticipation for the project.

    Year of the Ninja Continues

    Additionally, Marc hinted that “the year of the ninja isn’t over yet.” Recently, we saw the return of Ninja Gaiden 4, featuring dual protagonists and some intense button-mashing action, although it didn’t quite deliver in terms of storytelling and the split-screen experience with Yakuma and Ryu.

    Rumors suggest that his cryptic comments imply the Ninja Gaiden Shadow DX upgrade may be released by the end of 2025. Following this, he shared another teaser trailer, suggesting that the project is close to being finished.

    Previous Projects and Developments

    Marc Max has a history of rolling out DX upgrades and is familiar with such enhancements. He has previously given the DX treatment to titles like Mole Mania and Mega Man 4, adding color to these black-and-white games, along with smoother performance tweaks and improvements to make them feel more modern on today’s hardware or emulators.

    He isn’t the only one working on Game Boy DX upgrades. Brand Newman, for example, has recently released a Tiny Toons Adventures DX upgrade, which carefully colored the black-and-white sprites and backgrounds from Tiny Toons: Bab’s Big Break.

    Ninja Gaiden Shadow’s Background

    Ninja Gaiden Shadow made its debut in 1991 for the Game Boy and was developed by Natsume with support from publisher Tecmo. The game acts as a prequel to the NES Ninja Gaiden Trilogy, telling the story of Ryu Hayabusa facing challenging enemies and navigating platforming sections.

    Interestingly, a 1991 issue of Nintendo Power revealed that Ninja Gaiden Shadow was originally intended to be a handheld adaptation of the NES game Shadow of Ninja before it was reworked to fit into the Ninja Gaiden series.

    As for the release of Marc Max’s Ninja Gaiden Shadow DX upgrade, while an exact date hasn’t been set, recent previews suggest that gamers can expect the game to arrive relatively soon.

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  • Pico-Pal: Retro Game Boy Color Style Handheld Coming Soon

    Pico-Pal: Retro Game Boy Color Style Handheld Coming Soon

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Pico-Pal has a design similar to the Game Boy Color, common among retro gaming handhelds.
    2. It uses a simpler chip design with a Raspberry Pi RP2350B microcontroller and an Espressif ESP32 for connectivity.
    3. The handheld features a 2.6-inch IPS display with a resolution of 320 x 320 pixels.
    4. It includes a 1,500 mAh Li-Po battery with USB Type-C charging support.
    5. The Pico-Pal is set to launch soon on Crowd Supply, with more information to be provided there.

    The Pico-Pal resembles the classic Game Boy Color at first look, which is a common trait among many retro gaming handheld devices. Similarly, Funnyplaying has offered an FPGA-based product for some time, while ModRetro has its own version called the Chromatic.

    Simpler Chip Design

    Unlike the FPGA chipset used in those other devices, the Pico-Pal uses a more straightforward chip. It combines a Raspberry Pi RP2350B microcontroller (currently priced at $12.47 on Amazon) with an Espressif ESP32, which includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 4 MB of flash memory. Additionally, the handheld features a 2.6-inch IPS display with a resolution of 320 x 320 pixels and a 1:1 aspect ratio.

    Battery and Charging Features

    Developer Peter Khouly mentions that the device is equipped with a 1,500 mAh Li-Po battery that supports 5 V/1.45 A charging through the Pico-Pal’s USB Type-C port. As shown in the video below, the primary focus of the Pico-Pal is to emulate Game Boy Color games. At this time, it is not clear when the Pico-Pal will be available for purchase. However, the project is anticipated to be ‘launching soon’ on Crowd Supply, where additional information and images of the device can be found. Alternatively, Khouly has outlined the handheld’s development on a specific WordPress page.

    More Information Available

    For those interested, Crowd Supply will provide further insights into the Pico-Pal. Keep an eye on this project, as details are expected to unfold shortly.

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  • Modretro Chromatic: Sapphire Test for Game Boy Color Screen

    Modretro Chromatic: Sapphire Test for Game Boy Color Screen

    The Modretro Chromatic is now being marketed as the “ultimate retro cartridge gaming console” because it can play all the Game Boy and Game Boy Color games you might still have lying around.

    Screen Quality and Durability

    Its screen matches the size and resolution of the original Nintendo handheld, but Modretro suggests that their version is less prone to scratches thanks to its “sapphire” display. JerryRigEverything’s Zach Nelson took a break from his usual smartphone testing to check that the screen scratches at level 8, which is higher than the typical level 7 or lower (though he didn’t use the gem-tester this time).

    Build and Design

    The Chromatic passed the bend test due to its “magnesium alloy” body. It is designed to be the same size and shape as the original Game Boy Color, and it even features the original tri-wing screws to keep it assembled.

    The new retro gaming console appears to replicate everything the original device offered (except for the translucent purple color, which the Anbernic RG35XX available on Amazon does offer). However, it still requires AA batteries, as Modretro has yet to launch its promised USB-C rechargeable option.

    Drawbacks

    Other issues include that the internal coin battery needed for saving games requires soldering skills to change, and the bright, vibrant display is not easy to repair on its own since it’s affixed to the sapphire cover with glue.

    The Chromatic can be purchased directly from Modretro for $199/€190.95 as of now.

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  • New Super Mario Bros. Demake for Game Boy Color with Yoshi

    New Super Mario Bros. Demake for Game Boy Color with Yoshi

    A familiar classic returns.

    A developer known as Mico27 has recently introduced a port or "demake" of the classic Super Mario Bros. designed for the Game Boy Color. It’s important to highlight that this project is quite distinct from Nintendo’s own version, Super Mario Bros. Deluxe, which hit the shelves in 1999. In contrast to Nintendo’s adaptation, Mico27’s creation showcases smaller graphics tailored for the Game Boy Color’s screen and is packed with additional content.

    Super Mario Bros. Mini Unveiled

    The project is named Super Mario Bros. Mini. It includes the complete original game from 1985, resized to suit the smaller display of the Game Boy Color. All eight worlds are included, along with every enemy, block, coin, and all the other familiar elements players would anticipate.

    New Features and Additions

    Moreover, Super Mario Bros. Mini introduces several new features. A standout addition is the level select option, allowing players to choose which world and level they wish to begin at. This can be activated by pressing the B button on the title screen. As players browse through the available levels, they’ll discover an extra 8 worlds to explore, totaling 16 in all. Furthermore, there are new bosses from Super Mario Land (the first Super Mario game for the Game Boy) and a fresh power-up: Yoshi.

    Yoshi, Mario’s ancient companion, acts similarly to a short-range fire flower. Although the dinosaur cannot eat enemies in this version, its tongue can be quite deadly.

    Unique Aspects of the Game

    There are several unique aspects to this title. For instance, only one projectile (be it a fireball or Bullet Bill) can be displayed on the screen at a time. The controls seem a bit more rigid compared to the original NES game, and the music tends to cut off frequently to accommodate sound effects. Nevertheless, Super Mario Bros. Mini is a fascinating and true-to-form port that feels well-suited for the Game Boy Color.

    The ROM file size is a substantial 2048 KB, which is comparable to other Game Boy Color hits like Pokemon Crystal and Wario Land 3. You can obtain a ROM to play on original hardware from here.

    Consider purchasing a renewed Atomic Purple Game Boy Color from Amazon.

    You can find Mico27’s work on itch.io.

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