GameSir Launches X5 Lite Mobile Controller and GameHub Gaming Platform 🎮 @mygamesir

X5 Lite - Ideal entry-level mobile controller with precise hall effect sticks, cushioned triggers, and turbo function, pass-through charging, and software support

GameHub - Free Gaming Platform that supports cloud gaming and game streaming, breaking the barriers between mobile and desktop platforms

GameSir has announced the launch of the GameSir X5 Lite mobile controller and GameHub, a free gaming platform that bridges the gap between mobile and desktop gaming. 

Both innovations aim to provide an unparalleled gaming experience for mobile gamers while maintaining flexibility, precision, and convenience. 

The GameSir X5 Lite is available for $34.99/£34.99 from Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA and the GameSir website in both Black and Wasabi colour options.

GameHub is available for download at GameHub, giving gamers access to a dynamic and interactive gaming experience that seamlessly connects mobile and desktop environments.

Toaplan Shooters Collection Vol 2 - Ready for Re-Launch! Pre Orders Are Live NOW! 💥

Two iconic Toaplan shoot 'em ups are now available for your collection! Building on the success of re-releasing four of their titles for SGN 16-bit consoles five years ago in collaboration with Tatsujin and Masahiro Yuge, this new collection showcases the evolution of Toaplan’s craft with one of their earliest classics, Slap Fight, and one of their final masterpieces, Grind Stormer. The community’s incredible response has made this nostalgic revival a reality.

Slap Fight and Grind Stormer are both iconic shoot 'em ups with distinct features:

Slap Fight: Known for its innovative power-up system, players can collect stars to upgrade their ship's abilities, including speed, weapons, and shields. The game offers strategic gameplay, allowing players to customize their ship to suit different challenges. Its vertical scrolling design and intense enemy waves make it a classic in the genre.

Grind Stormer: features two gameplay modes—instant power-ups and a strategic upgrade bar system. Players control the NA-00 space fighter through six stages, battling enemies with various weapons like missiles and lasers. It includes unique mechanics like a smaller hitbox for the ship and a sci-fi FM soundtrack by Masahiro Yuge, enhancing the immersive experience.

Both games showcase Toaplan's creativity and evolution in arcade gaming.

PRE ORDER LINK: https://retro-bit.com/toaplan-shooters-2/

PRE-ORDERS END JUNE 1ST, 2025

What We Learned About The Nintendo Switch 2 on The 2nd of April 2025 Nintendo Direct 🎮

I sat waiting for the Nintendo Direct that was going to lay out the details for the much anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 and overall it was a good Direct with most of our questions getting answered in the process. So let's take a quick look at what we learned:

Release Date: 

05/06/2025

Pre Orders: 

According to a page on the My Nintendo Store, pre-orders will be available from April 8

Boulies launches the cool new MagVida standing desk with EMO™ System 🪑 @BouliesChairs

Able to be setup in just 5 minutes, the MagVida offers the perfect workspace with an easy control panel and high-quality materials to get through the full day in comfort. It also has an EMO™ System that helps to keep everything organised and out the way.

To celebrate the launch, Boulies is also offering substantial discounts on its website, making it currently only £599.99 for UK customers and $699.99 for US customers (reduced from £679.99 and $799.99 respectively).

Game Informer Magazine and Website Is Back?! 📖

When I heard last year that Game Informer was being shut down I became immediately nostalgic and sad for a magazine and a website that I'd heard soooo much about but never really engaged with.

Game Informer was and still is regularly referenced in the video games Podcasts from the USA that I insatiably consume on a weekly basis. This has created a knowledge of Game Informer by osmosis as I lap up my daily dose of Video Games goodness via intravenous Podcast to the ear lug.

So to my absolute surprise I saw a news article on VGC that proclaimed: 

"Game Informer rescued by blockchain firm, with ‘entire team’ reunited"

At this news I instantly went over to GameInformer.com to read this great letter from the editor Matt Miller.

To say I'm excited for something that I've never read is an understatement and my next obsession will be to collect Game Informer Magazines from over the years.

SelectaPlay Unleashes Terrifier: The ARTcade Game Collector’s Edition. Prepare for Pixelated Carnage! 🔪🤡🩸

A blood-drenched physical edition slashes its way to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch

Brace yourself for a massacre of the most magnificent kind! Publisher SelectaPlay and developer Relevo are bringing horror fans the ultimate grisly treat, a killer physical Collector’s Edition of Terrifier: The ARTcade Game, launching for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch alongside its digital release for Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Step into the oversized, blood-splattered shoes of Art the Clown in this old-school, arcade-style beat ‘em up inspired by the most brutal horror games of the ‘80s and ‘90s. 

But don’t expect a scripted scream-fest as Art carves his own path of chaos, gutting cops, mangling stunt performers, and terrorizing film sets with his signature blend of sadistic humour and nightmarish brutality. 

Gorgeously grotesque pixel art brings the madness to life, while fluid animations ensure that every slash, stomp, and skull-crushing finisher is as satisfyingly savage as the films.

SpecialEffect’s GameBlast25 charity gaming weekend raises over £130,000 💙

💙The amazing charity that we have been helping with fundraising for over a decade have once again managed to raise an amazing amount of money as part of GameBlast25!

The total raised for GameBlast25, the UK’s largest charity gaming weekend, has been confirmed at over £130,000.

Gamers across the UK and beyond took on gaming marathons and game-themed events over the weekend of 21-23 February to raise money for the charity, who help people with physical disabilities to experience the fun and inclusion of video games.

Hundreds of gamers, creators and communities signed up for the event, along with many major names in the games industry including Rare, Kinetic Games, Dovetail Games, Digital Extremes and Team Terrible.

“We’re amazed and humbled by the final figure,” said Paige Harvey, the GameBlast Event Coordinator, “To have the support of so many gamers around the world is a huge boost for the charity, and we’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of everyone involved. We couldn’t be more thankful for their support, time, and generosity.”

“Both the funds and awareness for SpecialEffect will help us have a positive impact on the lives of thousands of disabled people around the world by assisting them in discovering the magic of video games.”

Funds raised from the event will help support the charity’s lifelong gaming accessibility support service that enables gamers like Maxine to play to the very best of her abilities. The charity does not charge for any of its services.

GameBlast has raised over £1.8M to support disabled gamers over the past twelve years, and the dates for GameBlast26 have been announced as 17 February - 1 March.

Donations for GameBlast can still be made at https://bit.ly/40hQYCG

THE NEXT LONDON GAMING MARKET IS ON 29 JUNE - TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 💰🕹️ @ReplayEvents #retrogaming #gamersunite

The ONLY dedicated gaming market in London is back for its TENTH year. 

The London Gaming Market is THE place to buy retro video-games, board games and merchandise all in one place.

The next market will take place on Sunday 29th June 2025. 

The event starts at 10:30 and the event will close at 16:30.

-Advance Entrance starts from 10:30, tickets cost £8.00 per person. Under 16's must purchase a ticket for this at the door.

-Second door entry is at 12:00 for just £5.00 per ticket. Under 16's must purchase a ticket for this at the door.

-Third door entry is at 13:30 for just £5.00 per ticket. Under 16's must purchase a ticket for this at the door.

-Fourth door entry is at 15:00 for just £3.50 per ticket, with under 16's free with a paying adult.

Under 16s require a ticket for entry before 15:00. Under 5s do not require a ticket for this event.

Brought to you by experienced games expo organisers Replay Events, the London Gaming Market is the only event of its kind held in the heart of London.

So if gaming is your passion you are sure to find unique, nostalgic and rare items from our fantastic vendors.

Whether you are a veteran market attendee or new to the show, come along and join us for a fantastic day of gaming and shopping.

🔗Click the link below to purchase your ticket!

London Gaming Market - Sunday 29th June 2025 Tickets, Sun 29 Jun 2025 at 10:30 | Eventbrite

Double Dragon Revive’s bonus game, "Double Dragon Dodgeball" reveals its newest trailer! 🐲🐉🀄

Arc System Works is pleased to announce the arrival of the new trailer for the bonus game “Double Dragon Dodgeball”. The game will be available as a pre-order bonus for every player pre-ordering the game Double Dragon Revive on PC and consoles. ‘Double Dragon Dodgeball’ is a unique game starring the iconic characters of the Double Dragon series in an action packed game of dodgeball.

‘Double Dragon Dodgeball’ includes several modes: a Story mode in solo with missions to save Marian. The multiplayer modes feature 1v1 matches and a Survival mode playable up to 4 players. Players will be able to enjoy ‘Double Dragon Dodgeball’ for free by pre-ordering "Double Dragon Revive" on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC Steam. Double Dragon Revive will be available on these platforms on October 23, 2025.

I Hate This Place 👿

Broken Mirror Games, in partnership with Skybound Entertainment, are thrilled to reveal I Hate This Place – an upcoming open-world survival horror game set for release in Q4 2025. As part of a new horror label under Bloober Team (known for The Medium, Layers of Fear, Observer, SILENT HILL 2), I Hate This Place will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. 

Revealed today during the Future Games Show, you can watch the I Hate This Place: Teaser Trailer now:

Promise Mascot Agency Trailer Revealed At Future Games Show ⛩️ @KaizenGameWorks @FutureGamesShow #IndieGame #GameDev

It's the final countdown to Promise Mascot Agency's launch on April 10th so check out the reveal from the Future Games Show!

 

Meet the Kakashi Heroes! The Super Sentai-inspired heroes are amongst weird and wonderful company in this one-of-a-kind mascot management sim from the creators of Paradise Killer. 

Join ex-yakuza legend Michi (played by Takaya Kuroda, the voice of Yakuza's Kazuma Kiryu) in his quest to restore glory to an agency for sentient mascots in a cursed Japanese town.

LONDON GAMES FESTIVAL PREDICTS THE FUTURE OF VIDEO GAMING AND CELEBRATES ITS CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL PAST

This year, the Mayor of London backed London Games Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the festival is inviting the industry and general public to join in with two special anniversary events at the inaugural New Game Plus event on Thursday 3rd April at the London Museum (EC2Y 5HN). 

Star Wars™: Episode I: Jedi Power Battles™ - 25th Anniversary Edition from Limited Run Games 🌠

This is your last chance to get your hands on a physical copy of the 25th Anniversary Edition of the iconic couch co-op side-scrolling adventure, Star Wars™: Episode I: Jedi Power Battles™.

We wouldn’t want you looking for the game in Alderaan places, so we’d like to let you know that it’s available from Limited Run Games on PS5, Xbox and Nintendo Switch. 

This is not something you can pick up at Hoth Topic in the Darth Mall, and pre-orders will close on Sunday March 23rd at 11.59pm ET.

Use the power of the force to take back the Theed Palace in this fast and furious lightsaber action game. Your trusty lightsaber will be a true ally here, as it helps you ward off legions of battle droids, destroyer droids, assassins, and other creatures from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. 

We know you loved the classic game, but this New Game+ version brings you even more features in addition to the ones  you know and love. Modern control schemes are available as well as the originals, but you still have the option to enter classic cheat codes like Big Head Mode (!), and perhaps best of all new playable characters such as the Tusken Raider. 

KEY FEATURES

• Play as Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Plo Koon, Adi Gallia, or Qui-Gon Jinn facing off against droids and other familiar foes from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
• Alternatively, play as one of the previously locked characters such as Darth Maul, Captain Panaka, Queen Amidala, Ki-Adi Mundi, and the Battle Droid, now available from the start!
• Bring a Friend in Classic Couch Co-op
• Battle side-by-side with a companion in 2-player couch co-op for the entire 10-level campaign and bonus mini-games
• Classic & New Game+ - Use classic or modern control schemes, toggle your Lightsaber colors to match the films, enjoy new playable characters such as the Tusken Raider, enter classic cheat codes like Big Head Mode, and discover more surprises in this 25th anniversary celebration of Star Wars: Episode I: Jedi Power Battles

So….grab a chocolate chip wookie and check it out.

Albert's Ark is Launching on Steam in Q2 🚢⚓

Albert Tross Productions Pty Ltd will be releasing Albert's Ark Idle on Steam in Q2 – a fun and quirky 2D clicker game where imagination mixes fact & fiction to create amazing adventures!

Inspired by the Disney comic series “Around the World with Albert Tross”, and novel, “The Enchantment of Albert", Albert's Ark Idle the video game was conceived.

Albert's Ark Idle contains fun and short minigames with cosy visuals & captivating gameplay, featuring fascinating characters & cute creatures.

NACON’s Revolution X Unlimited Controller Available For Pre-Order Now 🎮 @Nacon

NACON have announced that the Revolution X Unlimited (RXU) is available now for pre-order exclusively on their website, nacongaming.fr. First revealed at last year's Gamescom, this new Xbox-licensed wireless controller is optimised for PC and console shooters, delivering unparalleled precision, lightning-fast responsiveness, and absolute comfort.

Equipped with instant-response triggers and joysticks featuring Hall Effect technology, the RXU guarantees exceptional precision and durability. 

Omron® micro-switches on the majority of buttons enhance players' responsiveness for optimum gaming performance.

NACON innovates again, by integrating an LCD screen into its controller for the first time. The screen provides quick, intuitive access to game information and configuration of audio and gameplay parameters, thanks to the available presets.

A dedicated app lets you create your own gameplay profiles, for an individualized experience, or choose from those already predefined for 'Plug & Play' use.

GameSir launches the Super Nova with auto start-stop charging station, combining both high performance, comfort and style 🎮 @mygamesir

The latest addition to GameSir’s gaming controller lineup is packed with features such as Hall Effect sticks, silent ABXY buttons. switchable connection modes, 1000Hz polling rate and more...

GameSir, a leading brand in gaming peripherals, introduces its latest model, the Super Nova which is set to redefine gaming comfort and precision with its ultra-quiet, responsive controls and auto start-stop charging station. Featuring silent ABXY buttons and advanced GameSir™ Hall Effect sensing sticks, it ensures smooth, precise feedback while minimizing distractions. Whether playing on PC, Switch, Android, or iOS, the Super Nova’s tri-mode connectivity and full customization options make it the perfect choice for gamers seeking a flexible, immersive experience. From its ergonomic design to customizable RGB lighting, it’s built for those who demand both performance and style. 

Have you seen the new Terminator game yet? (Terminator 2D: NO FATE) 💥@BitmapBureau @Reef_Games #IndieGame #GameDev

Terminator 2D: NO FATE feels like the video game we all wanted in the 90s and it's a game that stopped me in my tracks when I saw it was announced. Just look at those wonderful screenshots. Looking forward to when this comes out in September 2025!

CHECK OUT THE AWESOME behind-the-scenes look at how the team tackled the challenge of translating one of cinema’s most enduring cultural touchstones into a complete arcade experience, capturing the unforgettable scenes and moments that helped shape a generation.

Watch The Brand New Trailer For Endzone 2 (Apocalyptic Colony Builder) ☢️ @gentlymadgames #IndieGame #GameDev

Assemble Entertainment continues to build excitement for their flagship apocalyptic colony builder Endzone 2. Launching in 2025 on PC, the game has received a massive, must-play Early Access update. New graphical enhancements, missions, and innovative gameplay features continue to elevate Endzone 2 as a genre-defining experience.

The original critically-acclaimed Endzone, released in 2021, won multiple awards as a groundbreaking survival-builder. Combining city-building with post-apocalyptic survival, it challenged players to thrive on irradiated land while expanding and prospering. Its finely tuned balance kept players hooked. Endzone 2 takes the experience to a whole new level, delivering groundbreaking mechanics and immersive gameplay, ideal for fans of Anno 1800, Frostpunk and Banished!

Promise Mascot Agency arrives April 2025 on PC & Consoles 👹 @KaizenGameWorks #IndieGame #GameDev

 

Kaizen Game Works have announced that Promise Mascot Agency is coming to consoles and PC on April 10th 2025 - with a new trailer exclusively revealed at IGN Fan Fest.

From the dev team behind Paradise Killer, join ex-yakuza legend Michi and his assistant manager Pinky☆ in their epic quest to restore glory to a cursed Japanese town’s defunct mascot agency!

ZPF is one of the most anticipated shoot-'em-ups of 2025!! 💥 @megacatstudios #IndieGame #GameDev #RetroGaming

The long wait is finally over. Mega Cat Studios announced today that the first playable demo for ZPF, a spectacularly surreal 16-bit shoot-’em-up, is now available for free as part of Steam Next Fest. Shooter aficionados can Wishlist the game today. 

Offering a wealth of content for players to sink their teeth into, the demo showcases the ZPF's explosive, high-energy gameplay. It introduces players to its vibrant, diverse worlds across three imaginative realms: fantasy, cyberpunk, and space.

In the ZPF Steam Next Fest Demo, players can choose from three distinct playable characters, each bringing a unique playstyle to the experience: