Latest news with #gamepreservation
Android Authority
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
No emulator required: Star Fox 64 fan port now available on Steam Deck and Switch
TL;DR The Star Fox 64 recomp got a big update, with new releases for the Steam Deck and Switch. Running natively on modern hardware, it offers enhanced graphics, cheats, and more. This is the first major update to the project since it was released in December 2024. It's been just over six months since the Star Fox 64 recompilation called Starship brought the N64 classic to Windows, but the project has now received a huge update with new features, bug fixes, and two additional platforms. Called Starship Barnard Alfa (v2.0.0), it brings the new, native code to the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch for the first time. Sure, you can already play Star Fox 64 on both platforms via N64 emulators or Nintendo Switch Online (also an emulator), but the native fan port brings several key modernizations. For example, it supports higher resolutions, widescreen output, upscaling, cheats, 5.1 surround sound, and more. You can even invert the stick! The fan port works without an emulator and has many modern enhancements. Granted, you will still need a working ROM of Star Fox 64 to start playing. Like all recompilation projects, the developers have created a tool that extracts the copyrighted assets from a legally acquired ROM. This completely sidesteps any piracy concerns, so it's a huge win for game preservation. The latest version now works on the US, JP, and EU versions of the ROM for all you Lylat Wars fans out there. This is one of many recompilation projects from the Harbour Masters team, which has previously released ports of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask under the names ShipofHarkinian and 2Ship2Harkinian, respectively. Those two later received ports to Android phones by third parties, although as of writing Starship hasn't gotten the same treatment. You can download the code for the project on the official GitHub, but again, you'll need to source your own ROM, preferably by dumping your own physical copy. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
CNET
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Xbox Game Pass Makes Classic Games From the '80s and '90s Available Now
Xbox Game Pass offers a catalog of modern games across consoles, PC and other devices. On Wednesday, Xbox announced a partnership with retro games library Antstream Arcade and launched Retro Classics, a collection of more than 50 classic Activision games from the '80s and '90s, that all subscribers can play now. Available games include Commando, Mech Warrior 2: 31st Century Combat and Pitfall! "This initiative honors our commitment to game preservation and backwards compatibility, allowing players to experience many timeless games on modern devices," Xbox posted online. Xbox is also bringing a new feature to many of the games in the Retro Classics collection: saving. Many games included in the collection didn't have a save function at the time of their release, meaning you had to restart your progress each time you started the game. Now, you can save and reload these games so you don't have to fight your way back to a location every time. Microsoft According to Xbox, Game Pass subscribers need to search for Retro Classics on their console, PC or Game Pass app and download the feature to their device. Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard in 2023, and the company has been adding games from the developer behemoth to Game Pass ever since. The Diablo and Call of Duty franchises are represented on the service, and Xbox added a collection of classic games from Blizzard in March, called Blizzard Arcade Collection. Those games include Lost Vikings and RPM racing. Xbox said Wednesday that it plans to continue to add classic games from Activision and Blizzard to the Retro Classics collection. Microsoft offers four tiers to Xbox Game Pass: Core, Standard, PC Game Pass and Ultimate. These tiers range in price from $10 to $20 a month, and each tier offers subscribers perks like deals on non-Game Pass games and online multiplayer. Retro Classics is available on all four Game Pass tiers in the US, but only Game Pass Standard, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate in Japan. For more Xbox news, here's what to know about Game Pass Ultimate and the latest games on Game Pass. You can also check out how your mobile device will likely be the only gaming console you'll need soon.
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Lost In Cult Launches Physical Games Label, And It Looks Gorgeous
Lost In Cult is going physical with games, and it looks utterly fantastic. Lost In Cult, a U.K.-based creative studio known for its gaming-themed printed works, has launched a new publishing label dedicated to physical video games. Even before the release of its initial trilogy, it looks like it's doing everything right, to the point I'm already worried about my ever-dwindling disposable income. Framed around the principles of game preservation, artistic presentation, and accessibility, Lost In Cult hopes to establish a new benchmark for how physical games are curated and produced. It's coming out swinging: the label will debut with three powerful titles across PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, which retail for a base price of £59.99 ($80.30): Each title will be released in two formats: standard mass-market copies, as well as limited collector-focused 'EDITIONS,' true to Lost In Cult's form for small-batch, high-end packages. These include: Look at it, though. Good lord. Most importantly, and in a deliberate move to futureproof its releases, all of the label's games will be complete on disc or cartridge, meaning you never need an internet connection to play them. Lost In Cult has partnered with the game preservation group DoesItPlay? to ensure each title meets offline play standards. Titles that pass these checks will be given its 'DoesItPlay? Approved' badge. It's an admirable move akin to GOG's Game Preservation Program, which does the same in digital terms. While this will undoubtedly limit Lost In Cult's selection process due to disc or cartridge space, there's a good chance it won't, given the company's focus on indie hits. It's already going down well with those working with Lost In Cult, too. Sam Barlow said: 'Collaborating with Lost In Cult has been nothing short of a delight. Each new treasure they create feels like a genuine companion piece, not just a 'nice to have.'' Shaun Aitcheson of Cloak and Dagger Games, who helped create The Excavation of Hob's Barrow, added: 'It had long been our dream to release a physical Switch version. In an era where games are becoming increasingly digital-only, Lost In Cult is doing wonders for the future preservation of indie games.' Mass-market game releases will be available at retail through distribution partner PM Studio, though the limited EDITIONS will only be sold directly through Lost In Cult's website in small batches. Future titles from the label are expected to be revealed in the coming months, and my jam-packed shelves hate me already.
