Tag: retro gaming

Free App Hidden Gem: Retro Achievements for Emulators!

My latest video takes a look at RetroAchievements, a free online service that adds Xbox-style achievements to classic games played through supported emulators. Think of it as a gamified layer on top of your retro library, with score tracking, leaderboards, and a whole community of players competing to earn bragging rights.

In the video I demo an achievement I earned playing the Sega Master system version of Choplifter for gaining an extra life without losing any lives. When an achievement is reached, an on-screen badge pops up, and points get logged on the RetroAchievements website. That bumped me to rank 100,800 out of around 111,000 players. It’s not exactly elite status, but it’s a start :)!

Setting it up was straightforward. After creating an account on retroachievements.org, I linked it up with my emulators. There’s a wide range of compatible emulators, including RetroArch, Dolphin, DuckStation, and PCSX2. On my Steam Deck, I use EmuDeck, which simplifies the process even further and logs you in across all your installed emulators.

RetroAchievements has two play modes: “hardcore,” which disables cheats, save states, rewinds, and slow motion, and “softcore,” which allows those conveniences. There’s a separate ranking system for each mode, so your score stays relevant no matter how you like to play. The community enforces rules against cheating, so even in softcore, the competition feels fair.

What makes this system interesting is how the achievements are actually built. They’re tied to the emulator’s memory and look for specific values or in-game events. When the right conditions are met, the emulator triggers the achievement and reports it back to the website. You can even follow other users and compare your scores directly.

Another nice feature is the in-game feedback indicating how close you’re getting to your next achievement. While playing Afterburner II on the Sega Saturn, I went after a particularly tricky achievement called “Too Close for Missiles,” which requires destroying 150 enemies with guns on normal difficulty or higher. A counter appeared on screen, incrementing after every plane was downed with my cannons. I haven’t cracked that one yet—it resets if you game over and continue—but it’s kept me coming back to the game long after I completed it.

The achievements themselves are created by the RetroAchievements community, and becoming an achievement developer involves learning how emulators and game memory work. It’s more than just coming up with fun challenges—you actually have to build them into the game logic without breaking anything. There’s a whole process for ensuring that achievements trigger properly and don’t interfere with the game’s performance.

FPGA-based systems like the MiSTer and Analog consoles aren’t supported, at least not yet. I use a MiSTer for a lot of my retro gaming on a CRT upstairs, and it would be great to get achievements while playing there. Hopefully, support for those systems is on the horizon.

You can find my RetroAchievements profile here. If you think you can top my score in Afterburner II, go for it. I’ll be watching.

Curious about how I retro these days? Check out my video on that here!

Retro Fighters Game Controller Haul! Quick reviews of the D6 Dreamcast, Hunter and BattlerGC Pro

When it comes to modern takes on classic gaming, Retro Fighters has been making a name for itself by designing controllers that blend nostalgia with contemporary features. Their latest lineup includes controllers inspired by the Dreamcast, GameCube, and original Xbox, each offering wireless connectivity to their respective consoles while also working with modern platforms like the Nintendo Switch and PC.

You can see them all in my latest video.

The Dreamcast-inspired D6 is a six-button controller designed with fighting games and shooters in mind. It features mechanical switches for responsive actuation and comes with a dongles that allow it to function wirelessly with the Dreamcast, as well as on modern systems. While the button feel is satisfying thanks to its mechanical Kailh switches, the D-pad’s rolling maneuverability felt bumpier than expected. This could be a pre-release issue, and Retro Fighters acknowledged that it shouldn’t feel this way. Otherwise, the controller offers solid performance with minimal input lag.

An original VMU attached to a Dreamcast console using the Retro Fighters D6 Dreamcast wireless dongle

The GameCube-style BattlerGC Pro brings modern enhancements to the classic design. Its octagonal-gated sticks are hall effect sensors, meaning no drift issues, and the triggers replicate the analog and digital functionality of the original including an digital button push when the trigger is fully engaged. Like the D6, it includes a dongle for GameCube compatibility and also works on the Nintendo Switch, PC, and other platforms with a second dongle. Interestingly, Bluetooth connectivity is an option, which actually provides lower latency on the Switch compared to the USB connection. The controller performs well across platforms, offering a familiar feel for Super Smash Bros. players.

The Hunter controller is a modernized take on the original Xbox gamepad. While visually similar to an Xbox One controller, it’s designed exclusively for the original Xbox, along with PC and emulation compatibility. The controller maintains pressure-sensitive face buttons, a feature for certain original Xbox titles, while integrating hall effect sensors for the sticks and triggers. A slight drawback is the D-pad, which feels restricted by a raised plastic lip, though this is a minor issue given the Xbox’s limited reliance on the D-pad. Unlike the other controllers, the Hunter doesn’t support wired connectivity, functioning solely through its included dongles.

Across all three controllers, latency performance using my method of shooting a display at 240 fps was excellent. Wired connections on each came in at seven frames and wireless around ten to eleven frames for a button push to be registered on screen. Given the industry’s improvements in reducing input lag, these controllers are competitive with the fastest options available.

All in the Retro Fighters controllers bring a welcome update for those looking to get the right ‘feel’ for their emulated console favorites on modern platforms along with the ability to plug these same controllers into the original console that inspired them.

You can find the controllers on Amazon or via the Retro Fighters website (compensated affiliate links). If you purchase direct from Retro Fighters you can get 10% off your order if you use the code lontv.

Disclosure: Retro Fighters provided the controllers free of charge. However, they did not review or approve this content before it was uploaded and no other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

Mayflash F700 Arcade Stick Review

I recently spent some time with the Mayflash F700 arcade stick, a controller that is both hefty and versatile. Weighing in at around six pounds (2.69 kg), it’s a device built with enthusiasts of fighting games and retro arcade shoot-’em-ups in mind. The F700 is priced at $149, putting it firmly in the premium category, but it offers a wide range of features to justify that investment. You can check it out in my latest review.

Right out of the box, the F700 is equipped with Mayflash-branded controls. The joystick has a satisfying click with every movement, offering a tactile, mechanical feel. The buttons, while quieter, are responsive, featuring shallow actuation and a quick spring-back that lends itself well to fast-paced gameplay. If customization is your thing, both the joystick and buttons can be swapped out for Sanwa components. Mayflash also sells a more premium version with those Sanwa controls already installed. Additionally, the controller’s top acrylic panel, held in place by magnets, allows you to personalize its appearance by replacing the background with your own design.

Another customizable feature is the gate for the joystick. The device comes with an octagonal gate as an alternative to the default rounded square one. While swapping gates requires disassembling the controller, it’s a useful option for those who want more precise control tailored to specific games.

The F700 also boasts a variety of connectivity options. The controller can be used via USB, 2.4GHz wireless with a dongle, or Bluetooth. Its built-in 1,000 mAh battery ensures tens of hours of wireless play. For wired connections, the cable is conveniently stored inside the controller, accessible through a small door. A notch on the door allows you to keep the cable partially exposed for quicker access. One gotchya is that the cable is not easily removed or replaced, it’s hard wired inside.

Compatibility is another standout feature. The F700 works with an impressive array of platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 3, Android devices, Apple products, and retro emulation consoles like the Sega Genesis Mini and Neo Geo Mini. While it’s technically compatible with the PlayStation 5, it only supports games that allow legacy PS4 controllers, which limits its usability on that platform. During my tests, the controller performed seamlessly across several systems, including a PC, a PS4, the Nintendo Switch, and my MiSTer console.

While the controller lacks a customization tool there’s still a bunch of functionality on board. There’s a switch that lets you map the joystick to act as a left stick, right stick, or D-pad, depending on your needs along with the ability to apply turbo to specific buttons. There’s even a headset jack for trash-talking during online matches, though it’s limited to certain connection methods like USB or the 2.4GHz dongle on the PC and PS3/PS4.

In terms of gameplay, the F700 delivers a satisfying arcade experience. I tested it with arcade classics like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the MiSTer and Street Fighter 2 on the Switch, as well as shoot ’em up titles like the original arcade Zaxxon. The controls felt precise and responsive, with no noticeable input lag when hardwired to a PC or the MiSTer.

For latency testing, I recorded gameplay using an iPhone at 240 frames per second, capturing both the button press and the on-screen response. By analyzing the footage frame by frame, I counted the number of frames it took for the input to register on the display. This approach, while not as scientifically rigorous as connecting electronics directly to the controller for precise measurements, provides a reliable baseline for comparison across different controllers and configurations.

That testing revealed the F700’s strong performance. When wired to a gaming laptop, it registered input in just seven frames at 240 frames per second, a remarkably low number. The 2.4GHz dongle added a mere three to four frames, while Bluetooth added a few additional frames. On the Nintendo Switch, however, latency was higher, with input taking around 18 frames. This result aligns with the Switch’s hardware limitations rather than any fault of the controller.

Overall, the Mayflash F700 is a solid choice for casual and enthusiast arcade players alike. Its extensive compatibility, customizable features, and robust build quality make it a versatile option for a variety of gaming setups.

Disclosure: Mayflash provided the F700 to the channel free of charge. However no other compensation was received and they did not review or approve the video or this post before it was uploaded. All opinions are my own.

The Mister Pi is an Affordable New Option for FPGA Retro Gaming and Computing

I’ve spent a lot of time with retro gaming and computing, and one of my favorite devices for diving into that world is the MiSTer. For those unfamiliar, the MiSTer is a device that replicates retro computers, game consoles, and arcade machines with impressive accuracy.

This accuracy comes from its field-programmable gate array processor (FPGA), which remaps the logic of the original devices at a hardware level. The community’s dedication to preserving this technology is extraordinary, going so far as to remove chip casings and manually map circuits to achieve faithful recreations of the original hardware.

Getting into the MiSTer ecosystem hasn’t always been easy, though. It used to require sourcing various components—a DE-10 Nano FPGA development board, analog video boards, USB hub boards, additional memory—and assembling them yourself, often at a high cost.

That’s where a new solution from YouTuber Taki Udon comes in: the MiSTer Pi. It’s a pre-assembled, more affordable version of the MiSTer. I decided to pick one up, opting for the $180 Turbo Pack, which includes everything pre-assembled and ready to use. You can see it in action in my latest review.

The kit comes fully assembled inside a case. The components include Taki’s DE-10 Nano FPGA board clone, a USB hub board for connecting peripherals, Taki’s analog board that allows for connecting the device to CRT televisions (along with attaching original console controllers via SNAC), a 128MB memory board, and a 64GB Sandisk SD card already set up with the MiSTer project firmware.

You only need to add a USB-C power supply, which many of us likely have lying around. I recommend also picking up a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth adapter for wireless connectivity and controller support. Taki sells these for only $5.

If you want to save a little money, the Mega Pack lets you assemble the components yourself, though compatibility with third-party cases might be limited. For beginners, the fully assembled Turbo Pack is a great choice.

Running the MiSTer Pi is straightforward. You select a core—the hardware profile for a specific console, computer, or arcade—and the device reconfigures itself to replicate that system’s logic. Transitioning from an arcade game to a Sega Saturn, for instance, happens with just a few key presses. The MiSTer Pi performs equally well across various platforms, and when paired with a CRT, the experience feels as close to the original hardware as possible. In some cases, the video output even surpasses what the original systems could achieve without modification, especially when used with televisions that have a component video input.

For those interested in maximizing the device’s potential, I recommend a few setup tweaks. First, install the “Update All” script to ensure your MiSTer Pi stays current with community updates, new cores along with ROMs and BIOS files. This script simplifies the process of downloading updates and organizing files, making maintenance a breeze.

I’ve been using my MiSTer Pi primarily for retro computing, dedicating it to classic systems like the Amiga. The vast library of games and demos available for these systems is a treasure trove of nostalgia and discovery. For gaming, the MiSTer Pi supports a wide range of consoles and arcade titles with more being added on a very regular basis by the community. The MiSTer project maintains a list of cores here.

There are a few minor drawbacks. The built-in fan is somewhat noisy compared to fanless MiSTer cases, and existing cases may not be compatible with the MiSTer Pi’s port layout. These are small trade-offs, though, for a device that brings so much functionality at a more accessible price point.

Taki sells the Mister Pi in batches on his website at RetroRemake.co. I suggest keeping an eye on his social media posts on X or BlueSky for updates on when the next batch will be available. I found the last batch remained in stock for about a week or two.

Blockbuster Mini VHS Game Case Review

I am an easy mark when it comes to weird retro stuff.. A few weeks ago I learned of the Retro Fighters Blockbuster VHS Mini Game Case, a case for Nintendo Switch games that looks like a Blockbuster rental complete with a replica VHS tape inside. This is the subject of my latest review.

The case, an officially licensed Blockbuster replica, is designed to hold Nintendo Switch games, capturing the essence of a bygone era of home video rental. Purchased from Stone Age Gamer (compensated affiliate link), this $20 item is likely going to be in short supply given its very niche appeal. It is manufactured by Retro Fighters, known for their retro gaming accessories and controllers.

Unboxing the product, the first component that caught my eye was the miniature Blockbuster case. Although smaller than the VHS cases many of us picked up from Blockbuster on a Friday night, the detailing is impressively accurate, complete with a generic label and a barcode, mimicking the original Blockbuster aesthetic. The case even includes an address for a fictional Blockbuster location.

The next component, central to the product’s function, is a faux VHS tape, which houses the Nintendo Switch games. This miniaturized tape, while not functional in the traditional sense, features movable wheels and a decent weight, contributing to its realistic feel. The tape opens up to reveal storage for 12 Switch games and four microSD cards. The design ensures games are securely held, with a slightly rubbery surface inside for added grip.

Assembling the case with the tape inside completes the nostalgic experience. It’s a creative and playful way to store and transport Nintendo Switch games, merging modern gaming with a touch of retro flair.

With all of the chatter about the end of physical media, this product makes a bit of statement. It pays homage to a dead physical media distribution while housing modern physical games!

Hallmark Keepsake NES Zelda Cartridge Mini Review

As someone who has never been particularly drawn to Christmas ornaments, I found myself intrigued by Hallmark’s Keepsake ornaments, especially those that resonate with my passion for retro video games. The latest addition to my collection is the NES Zelda cartridge ornament, which not only appeals to my gaming nostalgia but also stands out for its solid metal construction. Check out my short review here.

The ornament is a diecast metal version of the original Nintendo Zelda cartridge, known for its distinctive gold color—a vivid memory from when I first purchased it years ago. It’s much heavier than expected, requiring a sturdy branch for display.

What sets this Zelda ornament apart from others in my collection, like the Sega Genesis, Nintendo Entertainment System, and Dreamcast, is the absence of electronics. Unlike its counterparts that play sounds from their respective games, this ornament is purely a visual representation. It’s a smaller yet faithful reproduction of the original cartridge’s appearance.

Upon a closer look, the ornament does require a bit of polishing, possibly due to some condensation build-up, a natural occurrence given its metallic nature and my current cold environment. Its design is very close to the original cartridge that was released in 1987 in North America. You can see the two side-by-side in the video.

Nintendo 64 to HDMI on a Budget!

In my latest video I take a look at some budget friendly options to get your old Nintendo 64 working on your modern HDMI television.

The most straightforward method would be using the composite output if your television has composite inputs. But not all televisions do a very good job displaying composite signals properly.

A better way is to get a decent line doubler or scaler to process that signal into something that’s more compatible with modern HD and 4k televisions. I stumbled upon two budget-friendly solutions for this purpose through the Amazon Vine review program: the Pound Link Cable and another device from a company called RuntoGOL. Both devices plug directly into the Nintendo 64 and promise high def output via HDMI. But do they deliver on this promise?

Before diving into these budget options, I explored the higher-end solutions to set a benchmark. The RetroTink products, particularly the RetroTink 2x and the 5x, are renowned in the retro gaming community. These devices are really perfect – they offer a near-zero lag experience with stunning visual quality. But they are quite expensive, starting at $149 for their lowest cost version available at the moment.

However, the Pound Link Cable and the RuntoGOL Adapter are significantly less expensive coming in at under $30 each.

Unfortunately you get what you pay for with the least expensive RuntoGOL Adapter. It stretched the game’s aspect ratio, making everything appear squished. The image clarity was also subpar, likely because it sourced the video from the composite output. Additionally, it introduced noticeable input lag.

On the other hand, the Pound Link Cable was a pleasant surprise. Despite its low cost, it delivered decent image quality by sourcing its visuals from the Nintendo 64’s S-Video output. The aspect ratio was preserved, and the games looked as they should. For casual retro gamers looking for a quick and affordable solution it checks the box. However, like the RuntoGOL Adapter, it also suffered from input lag that was about double vs. what I experienced with the Retrotink products.

For those looking for resources on retro gaming, the best place to start is my friend Bob at retroRGB.com. This website offers invaluable insights into getting the most out of retro game consoles. From modification guides to non-mod solutions, it’s a treasure trove for enthusiasts.

So what’s the best way to experience retro games? On an old tube CRT television of course! And the best part is that you could probably find someone to pay you to take their old TV away! A win-win!

Disclosure: The RuntoGol and Pound cables came in free of charge through the Amazon Vine program. I had no contact with the manufacturers, no one reviewed or approved this video before uploading, and no other compensation was received.