Retro Gaming News – Super Mario CD, Mighty Street Fighter, Portable Famicom and more.

Retro Gaming Roundup: Stay Updated with the Latest News and Events in the World of Nostalgic Gaming. 

15th April 2024 - By David Law (@myretrogamehub)

Super Mario Brothers CD

In February 2024, the YouTube channel FamicomCD released a trailer for a fan-made Super Mario World rom hack, "Super Mario Bros. CD,". This incredible rom hack was meticulously crafted by a hacker known as @KingMayro in Twitter/X and his dedicated development team (@FamicomCD). KingMayro first made mention of the hack on the 7th of July, 2023, in the SMW Central forum.

On March 15th, 2024, a demo was released featuring two stages: Grassland and Beach.

The demo also included two-speed runs for both stages, allowing players to submit their times to compete for the top spot for a chance to become play-testers for the development builds (the competition ended on April 12th at 8 PM EST).

The demo features stunning 8-bit NES graphics, improved sprites, music, effects, and numerous other enhancements. The full release promises 40 levels and themes, each with unique challenges and surprises. The gameplay is designed to be reminiscent of the classic Super Mario Bros. experience, with a few twists along the way.

This rom hack represents an alternate reality, reimagining what Super Mario Bros. on the NES might have been like if it had a CD version released in the late 1980s.

This fan-made project is a non-profit endeavour that combines the developers’ passion and desire to create the possibility of a game that could have been if Nintendo released a CD NES console back in the day.

King Mayro’s other work includes ‘Pokemon Hatt! Hattrem Version’, a Pokemon Yellow rom hack.

SMBCD is scheduled to be released on 10th October 2025.

Like many retro gaming enthusiasts, I’m eagerly counting down the days until the release of full version. 

Meanwhile, check out the demo for yourself here:

https://famicomcd.github.io/smbcd.html

Here is the trailer below.

Mighty Street Fighter

Another fan-made retro game that caught my eye recently was a remake of Street Fighter 2.

The game is the work of @AmstradGGP(Twitter/X).

Code/Graphx : @MaitrejoeGGP (Twitter/X)
Zics/SFX : JackGGP
Samples: roudoudou

This has to be one of the cutest 8-bit versions of Street Fighter 2, a fan-made project coming to the Amstrad CPC 128K & GX4000. The remake is inspired by Mighty Final Fight, released on the NES in 1993, in which you fight as a little chibi anime version of the characters. Mighty Street Fighter is the Chibi version set in the same universe. 

It looks fantastic graphically, considering it runs on an Amstrad CPC, an 8-bit home computer released between 1984 and 1990.

Based on the gameplay footage, it appears that the performance of this game surpasses that of the 1996 release of Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo on the Amiga CD32. Unlike the infamously subpar Street Fighter 2 port, which suffered from sluggish frame rates and choppy gameplay, this Amiga version looks good with smooth animation. 

MSF includes all eight original playable characters and the ten famous backgrounds. The characters all have their special moves, and there will be tutorials, trainings and three difficulty modes. Unfortunately, there is no release date yet, but keep an eye out for when the game launches. 

Photo: Twitter/X @AmstradGGP. Showcasing their game during the recent Retro Gaming Connexion Association in France at the AC2024 (April 13th & 14th, 2024). 

Check out the trailer with gameplay footage below: 

Portable Famicom Handheld

A Korean modder, @limonegongbang (Twitter/X), constructed a custom Famicom handheld with a design inspired by the Sony Walkman. Limone 3D printed the case in the iconic red colour and bought a 3.5” monitor from AliExpress for just AUD 18.

Additionally, he purchased a second-hand Famicom from a store in Japan that specialises in retro games and consoles, which only cost him 500 yen, equivalent to AUD 5.

The Famicom was my first console as a child, and it brings back a lot of nostalgia. I was amazed and captivated when I discovered a modder had created a Famicom handheld. The whole thing is just super cool, especially how the back of the case opens up for a cartridge slot, just like a cassette for the Sony Walkman.

It is all compacted and so cleverly designed. 

You can check out his video below.

He explains the entire process in full detail, from sourcing the items to creating the custom build and testing the final product. Although the video is in Korean, there are English subtitles.

SONY PVM-14M2U replica

Retro gamers choose CRT TVs for various reasons. They provide an authentic and nostalgic visual experience with curved screens, scanlines, and phosphor glow, faithfully recreating retro games' original look and feel. CRT TVs also maintain the original 4:3 aspect ratio, ensuring that the graphics are displayed as intended without any distortion or cropping.

The Sony PVM-14M2U has always been a highly coveted retro gaming TV. However, it's rare and expensive. I found some on eBay, priced at USD$379, with no sound and high shipping costs. Another fully functioning one is priced at USD$449.99 but doesn't ship to Australia (I live in Melbourne).

Recently, I stumbled upon an Instagram account, @Retroldtech, run by JC Ayala, an artist specialising in creating miniature retro monitors, consoles, and games.

JC's recent undertakings involve creating replicas of the Sony PVM, which are available for pre-order on his website, retroldtech.com. The options include a 5" Mini PVM and a 3.5" Micro PVM, with 10 different colour choices.

However, it is not an actual CRT TV. Instead, it uses a 3.5” LCD monitor for the Micro PVM with HDMI inputs and a 5” LCD for the Mini PVM, which has HDMI, A/V composite, and VGA inputs. Both have dual speakers for stereo sound, and the monitor's 640 x 480 pixels resolution runs at 60fps and displays crisp graphics at 60Hz. Despite not being an actual CRT, the replica is identical to the original, invoking a powerful nostalgia. Owning one of these replicas would be a cool experience and a close second to owning the real thing.

The most recent preorder opened on April 5th and ran until April 14th.

However, on the 7th, when I went to the website to order one, it was already closed due to high demand for the monitors.

JC meticulously handcrafts all PVMs using cutting-edge 3D printing technology, paying utmost attention to every intricate detail.

Prices for the monitors are not listed on the website, and the next pre-order is set to take place later this year. Based on his previous posts, JC began taking pre-orders for the 5" Mini monitors in August 2023, followed by the 2nd batch of pre-orders, introducing the 3.5" Micro monitors around Christmas 2023. The 3rd batch occurred in February 2024; the most recent was in April.

Assuming JC’s schedule remains unchanged, we might see the next preorder by June/July or earlier if we are lucky. Click here or on the image below to bookmark the page.  

The NES Inception

I want to end the post with something quirky. Check out 'James Channel' on YouTube for unique retro gaming content. This modder takes retro gaming to a whole new level by fixing and modifying vintage game hardware in unconventional ways. He uses an angle grinder to cut into an NES cartridge and turns it into a working console using a heat gun and a lot of hot glue.

He then plugs the game back into an original NES console, and it is still playable. He even makes the modified cartridge/console play itself by connecting it back into itself. It's insane, but it is fascinating and satisfying to watch. You won't find anything quite like it on YouTube.

You can also check out James' other incredible creations on his channel. A few months ago, he made a Nintendo PlayStation with his bare hands. No 3D printing or high-tech machinery is involved. Watch as he skilfully bangs things up, disassembles them, and reassembles them like a mad scientist. It's truly impressive!

Stay Retro!

David - My Retro Game Hub (@myretrogamehub)

Check out my other blog post here or have a browse My Retro Shop to see if anything catches your fancy.

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