REAL MODE WIRE

System Requirements: 56K Modem, VGA Graphics, Beige Hardware
Vol. 1, No. 5 Feb 05, 2026 • Every First Thu. Cost: 640KB

HEADLINES

Legendary Game Duke Nukem 3D Turns 30 Years Old

Duke Nukem 3D just turned 30. First released in 1996 by Apogee Software, the game made a name for itself by swapping abstract mazes for recognisable modern locations and pairing its action with a hero who never missed a one-liner. The result was an instantly memorable shooter that helped define the tone and expectations of the genre for years to come.

To celebrate the anniversary, Apogee Entertainment has shared a short tribute video on YouTube. Built around footage from FPS: First Person Shooter – The Documentary, it features reflections from the game’s creators alongside the unmistakable voice of Duke himself. It’s a compact, affectionate look back at a game that left a lasting mark — and still has fans ready to quote “Hail to the King, baby” three decades later.

Continued on Page 2 >> >> - Johnny Sector

DOOM Is Coming To Evercade

The legendary first-person shooter DOOM is officially coming to the Evercade ecosystem. This release brings the genre-defining classic to the cartridge-based modern retro console, allowing collectors and players to experience the "rip and tear" action on both handheld and home setups in a physical format.

Continued on Page 28 >> >> - Penny Pentium

AYANEO Ships Pocket S Mini With Wrong Battery

AYANEO has reportedly shipped units of the Pocket S Mini with the incorrect battery and is offering a free Pocket Air Mini to affected customers.

Continued on Page 19 >> >> - Johnny Sector

ScummVM Prepares for its "Biggest Release" Yet

The team behind ScummVM, the essential utility for playing classic graphic adventure games on modern hardware, is teasing a massive new update. This release is expected to add support for 12 new game engines and nearly 200 additional titles, significantly expanding the preservation of point-and-click history.

Continued on Page 22 >> >> - Penny Pentium

New GZDoom Game 'Washington Prime' Channels '90s Action Thrillers

A new First-Person Shooter titled Washington Prime is in development using the GZDoom engine. The game explicitly cites 1990s action thrillers like Heat, Cop Land, and Clear & Present Danger as inspirations, featuring a "realistic story" and retro-style FMV sequences reminiscent of the mid-90s PC gaming era.

Continued on Page 33 >> >> - Penny Pentium

COMMUNITY

RE: Duke Nukem 3D hits 30

It's hard to picture how Duke Nukem would handle the passage of time, seeing as he's already been in a perpetual mid-life crisis since 1996. If the womanizing, cigar-smoking, beer-guzzling, motorbike-riding one-liner-extravaganza we know as Duke Nukem had to actually handle aging, we'd see him go Atomic Edition indeed.

- C.D. Spinner

Anbernic's New Handheld Borrows Heavily from PS Vita Design

Prolific emulation handheld manufacturer Anbernic has revealed its latest device, which bears a striking resemblance to Sony's PlayStation Vita. This continues the trend of modern emulation hardware paying "homage" to classic form factors, sparking discussion about the design ethics in the retro handheld market.

Continued on Page 10 >> >> - Penny Pentium

Today Only: Alone In The Dark Trilogy Free on GOG

You can now grab the original Alone in the Dark trilogy for free on GOG. A perfect opportunity to revisit the roots of survival horror. Act quick before the offer expires.

Source >> - Johnny Sector

Spent the last month setting up the perfect DOS gaming system

A user showcases their dedication to building the ultimate DOS gaming rig, detailing the hardware choices and setup process for an authentic experience.

Continued on Page 6 >> >> - Isa Buster

RE: ScummVM Prepares for its "Biggest Release" Yet

ScummVM is adding support for 12 new engines? Fantastic. I can't wait to replay those obscure educational titles from 1994 where the main objective was to learn typing without falling asleep. "Biggest Release Yet" is tech-speak for "We finally figured out how to emulate that one game nobody asked for but everybody needs."

- C.D. Spinner

Underkeep - This upcoming Dungeon Crawler by Rake in Grass looks stunning! (PC)

Rake in Grass has released new footage for their work-in-progress PC dungeon crawler, Underkeep, and a demo is expected later this month.

Continued on Page 13 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Magenta Sky and Welcome 2 The Machine - Two great games for the ZX Spectrum by Radical Reflux

Radical Reflux has released two unique games for the ZX Spectrum, Magenta Sky and Welcome 2 The Machine, featuring a distinctive graphical style where players take on the oppressive u_corp.

Continued on Page 12 >> >> - Johnny Sector

RE: Minesweeper credit card

Someone turned a credit card into a playable Minesweeper game. This is genius. Now, when your card gets declined, you can just click a tile and explode your financial dignity in 8-bit glory. "Sorry sir, insufficient funds, but you did clear the top left quadrant."

- C.D. Spinner

DOS gaming 240p

A discussion on achieving the crisp 240p resolution for DOS games, likely involving CRT monitors or scalers to get that pixel-perfect retro look.

Continued on Page 32 >> >> - Isa Buster

I made a roguelike inspired by Scorched Earth

A developer shares their new project, a roguelike game that draws inspiration from the classic artillery game Scorched Earth, featuring 50+ weapons and DOS-style visuals.

Continued on Page 15 >> >> - Isa Buster

Stunts DOS game mod SuperSight 2.00 released

Fans of the classic racing game Stunts get a treat with a new mod release, SuperSight 2.00, which likely enhances the game's visuals or features.

Continued on Page 12 >> >> - Isa Buster

RE: DOOM Is Coming To Evercade

Finally, a way to play DOOM on a cartridge! Because if there's one thing missing from the "Does it run DOOM?" challenge, it was the satisfying *clunk* of plastic jamming into a slot. I assume the next step is porting it to a smart toaster, but only if it accepts bread cartridges.

- C.D. Spinner

A "modernized" Speedball by Rebellion hits Steam

Rebellion has released a modernized version of the classic 1990 Bitmap Brothers game, Speedball 2, on Steam, bringing the violent futuristic sport to modern audiences.

Continued on Page 32 >> >> - Johnny Sector

JOTD's Bad Dudes vs DragonNinja port for the Amiga gets an AGA update tease

JOTD has teased a new gameplay video for the upcoming Amiga AGA conversion of the arcade classic Bad Dudes vs DragonNinja, promising a significant improvement over the original 1989 port.

Continued on Page 22 >> >> - Johnny Sector

RE: Working in ewaste does have occasional advantages

One person's trash is another person's... reason to post on Reddit. Apparently, working in e-waste is like an archaeological dig, but instead of dinosaur bones, you find a sticky keyboard and a copy of "Myst" that refuses to die.

- C.D. Spinner

Midwinter Fan Remaster - A ground-up PC remaster of Mike Singleton's 1989 classic is in the works!

A full PC remaster of Mike Singleton's 1989 classic Midwinter is currently in development by DrEvil, with the blessing of the rights holder, Chilli Hugger.

Continued on Page 33 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Space Quest 3, Wing Commander 3 & More on Real 90s Hardware

A showcase of a high-end 90s DOS build featuring Soundblaster, Gravis Ultrasound, and Roland gear, demonstrating how these classics were meant to be heard and played.

Continued on Page 31 >> >> - Isa Buster

This is the only proof I have that I was at the NES Championship in 1990

A nostalgic photo post where a user shares their only evidence of participating in the legendary 1990 Nintendo World Championships.

Continued on Page 28 >> >> - Isa Buster

Sierra needs some more love - they made some of the best games from ‘88 through ‘98

A thread appreciating the legendary developer Sierra On-Line, discussing their golden era of adventure games and their impact on gaming history.

Continued on Page 20 >> >> - Isa Buster

Lemmings Reloaded - This enhanced version of a classic looks awesome for the C64 (WIP)

Jörg Karwath and his team are working on an enhanced version of the classic puzzle game Lemmings for the Commodore 64, titled Lemmings Reloaded.

Continued on Page 16 >> >> - Johnny Sector

OpenRCT2 project - Open-Source adaption of RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 reaches v0.4.30!

The open-source project OpenRCT2, which enhances RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 with new features and fixes, has released its latest version, v0.4.30.

Continued on Page 9 >> >> - Johnny Sector

RE: upgrade from gf4 to gf fx rational or waste of money and time.

A brave soul asks if upgrading from a GeForce 4 to a GeForce FX is rational. "Rational" is a strong word for anyone still manually configuring IRQ settings in 2026. Spoiler alert: The "FX" stands for "Financially X-hausting" for minimal gain. Stick with the GF4; it has better personality.

- C.D. Spinner

Knightmare - The 1980's hit TV show, as a super new version for the ZX Spectrum by Sausageware Games goes FREE

Sausageware Games has made their ZX Spectrum adaptation of the 80s TV show Knightmare available as a free digital download.

Continued on Page 11 >> >> - Johnny Sector

S.C.I.O.N. - A great ZX Spectrum game via BitmapSoft by SausageWareGames goes FREE!

SausageWareGames has released their intense run-and-gun ZX Spectrum game, S.C.I.O.N., as a free digital download.

Continued on Page 29 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Minesweeper credit card

A creative project where someone turned a credit card into a playable Minesweeper game, blending retro gaming with modern tech in a unique form factor.

Continued on Page 13 >> >> - Isa Buster

Working in ewaste does have occasional advantages

An e-waste worker shares a lucky find, likely some rare or valuable retro gaming hardware rescued from being recycled.

Continued on Page 21 >> >> - Isa Buster

Atari 2600 Raiders of the Lost Ark – “Why did it have to be snakes?”

A retrospective look at the 1982 Atari 2600 action-adventure game based on the film, exploring the design choices of Howard Scott Warshaw and the game's legacy.

Continued on Page 22 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Sega Saturn’s "Guardian Heroes" Turns 30

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of one of the Sega Saturn's finest beat 'em up titles, reflecting on why it remains a standout in the genre.

Continued on Page 26 >> >> - Johnny Sector

RE: Boot-up Beep Test

Ah, the song of our people: *Beep... Beep-Beep... Beep*. A forum thread dedicated to deciphering the Morse code of dying motherboards. It’s like a séance, but instead of contacting the dead, you’re just trying to figure out if your RAM is seated correctly or if the ghost in the machine is just hungry.

- C.D. Spinner

Duke Nukem 3D – An updated AGA/RTG port for the Amiga by NovaCoder

NovaCoder has released an updated AGA/RTG port of Duke Nukem 3D for the Amiga, bringing the classic shooter to retro hardware with significant improvements.

Continued on Page 8 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Banjo: Recompiled Release Trailer (Banjo-Kazooie PC Port!)

A major announcement for N64 fans: a native PC port of Banjo-Kazooie has been released, offering high framerates and modern features.

Continued on Page 7 >> >> - Isa Buster

Quest 64 Recompilation Released

Another N64 title gets the recompilation treatment, making Quest 64 playable natively on PC, showing the growing trend of static recompilation projects.

Continued on Page 26 >> >> - Isa Buster

Retro Review: Pokemon Picross: For dedicated fans only

A review of the 3DS title Pokemon Picross, examining how it successfully blends two cult franchises for dedicated fans of both series.

Continued on Page 33 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Was Coleco’s Donkey Kong Port for Atari 2600 SABOTAGED? | Garry Kitchen Settles It!

Garry Kitchen settles the long-standing debate on whether Coleco's Donkey Kong port for the Atari 2600 was intentionally sabotaged in a new interview.

Continued on Page 31 >> >> - Johnny Sector

EmuDevz is now on Steam! a free/open-source game where you build an emulator

A meta-game release where players take on the role of an emulator developer, simulating the challenges and technicalities of creating emulation software.

Continued on Page 27 >> >> - Isa Buster

Five Retro Series Due For A Massive Comeback

Patrick Hickey Jr. counts down five classic game series that are long overdue for a modern revival, including the likes of Jumping Flash.

Continued on Page 12 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Nebulus Ported to the Game Boy Advance

Retro Room Games has released a new Game Boy Advance port of the 1987 classic puzzle platformer Nebulus, originally for home computers.

Continued on Page 34 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Video Game Trading Card Spotlight – Don Hodges

Don Hodges, famous for analyzing the code of classic arcade games like Pac-Man and Galaga, is featured in the latest Trading Card Spotlight.

Continued on Page 16 >> >> - Johnny Sector

I ported the classic flash game Bloxorz to Game Boy Advance

A homebrew developer shows off their port of the popular web game Bloxorz running on GBA hardware, preserving a flash classic on a retro handheld.

Continued on Page 32 >> >> - Isa Buster

Working on a 3D Game Boy emulator for 3DS with stereoscopic 3D support

An innovative project that emulates Game Boy games on the 3DS but adds a twist: rendering them with stereoscopic 3D effects.

Continued on Page 11 >> >> - Isa Buster

Stern Pinball Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Jaws with New Machine

Stern Pinball announces a new machine celebrating the 50th anniversary of Universal Pictures' Jaws, launching at San Diego Comic-Con.

Continued on Page 8 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Elevator Action – JOTD’s latest Arcade to Amiga conversion

JOTD has released a final ECS build of the Arcade to Amiga conversion of Elevator Action, bringing the 1983 classic to the Commodore platform.

Continued on Page 36 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Invanoid – An Arkanoid and Space Invaders mix for the Commodore Amiga

DjPiotrs releases "Invanoid" for the Amiga, a unique new game that mashes up the gameplay of Arkanoid and Space Invaders.

Continued on Page 28 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Playstation 2 Games May Soon Be Practical to Recompile

Developer ran-j is making rapid progress on a project to recompile PlayStation 2 games, which could revolutionize how these classics run on modern hardware.

Continued on Page 22 >> >> - Johnny Sector

KENNY vs. SPENNY The Game Boy Game (Free Download)

A new homebrew release for the Game Boy based on the cult classic TV show Kenny vs. Spenny, available for free download.

Continued on Page 29 >> >> - Isa Buster

Who still remembers mIRC and IRC?

A trip down memory lane discussing the early days of internet chat with mIRC, a staple tool for many retro computing enthusiasts back in the day.

Continued on Page 19 >> >> - Isa Buster

Underrated Gems for the Wii

A retrospective look at the Nintendo Wii library to uncover some of its most underrated and overlooked titles as the console ages.

Continued on Page 28 >> >> - Johnny Sector

ModRetro Releases An Official Case For The Chromatic

ModRetro has officially released a protective case designed specifically for their Chromatic handheld, offering owners a new way to safeguard their device.

Continued on Page 23 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Nintendo Adds Two More Game Boy Classics To Nintendo Switch Online

The Nintendo Switch Online library continues to grow, with two more classic Game Boy titles now available for subscribers to enjoy on the hybrid console.

Continued on Page 36 >> >> - Johnny Sector

This Gamer Has Got Super Mario 64 Running Inside A PDF File

In a bizarre feat of technical wizardry, a gamer has managed to get the Nintendo 64 classic Super Mario 64 running entirely within a PDF document.

Continued on Page 24 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Pokémon Inritum Chapter 2 Is Out Now With Zeta Pokémon & New Features

Chapter 2 of the Pokémon Inritum ROM hack has been released, introducing Zeta Pokémon and a host of new features for fans of the modified creature-collecting game.

Continued on Page 28 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Dartmouth College, the birthplace of BASIC

A historical post highlighting Dartmouth College's role in creating BASIC, the language that introduced programming to the masses in the 70s and 80s.

Continued on Page 4 >> >> - Isa Buster

A Real-Time 3D Shader Demo For The Game Boy Color Has Got Us Feeling Creative

Pushing the 8-bit hardware to its limits, a new real-time 3D shader demo for the Game Boy Color showcases impressive graphical capabilities on the handheld.

Continued on Page 26 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Roguecraft DX Comes To Game Boy Color, Mega95, and Commodore Amiga

The homebrew title Roguecraft DX is spreading its wings, with new releases confirmed for the Game Boy Color, the Mega95, and the classic Commodore Amiga.

Continued on Page 25 >> >> - Johnny Sector

5 Of The Weirdest Nintendo Peripherals You Never Knew Existed

A retrospective look at five of the most unusual and obscure accessories ever released for Nintendo consoles, highlighting the strange creativity of the past.

Continued on Page 5 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Furby LEGO Set

Images have appeared suggesting a LEGO set based on the iconic 90s toy, Furby, is on the way.

Continued on Page 16 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Sony PlayStation 1 LEGO Set

A LEGO set featuring the original Sony PlayStation console and controller has been spotted.

Continued on Page 5 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Black Tower Enigma Analogue Pocket

A new edition of the Analogue Pocket, dubbed "Black Tower Enigma", has been revealed.

Continued on Page 28 >> >> - Johnny Sector

AYANEO's Pocket S Mini Shadow Dropped

AYANEO has surprise-launched the Pocket S Mini, with shipping scheduled to start next week.

Continued on Page 6 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Mangmi Pricing

Mangmi has announced the pricing and release date for their Pocket Max handheld.

Continued on Page 30 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Night Hazard Brings N64-Style Action

A new action platformer titled Night Hazard is in the works, drawing heavy inspiration from the N64 Castlevania titles. It promises to bring that classic 3D-Vania feel to modern audiences.

Continued on Page 10 >> >> - Johnny Sector

MSX2 RPG Burai Coming to Switch

The ambitious MSX2 RPG Burai is making its way to the Nintendo Switch later this month. This is a great chance for modern players to experience a classic piece of Japanese computer gaming history.

Continued on Page 17 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Future Knight: A Game & Watch Tribute

Future Knight is a new run 'n gun shooter that keeps the spirit of the Game & Watch handhelds alive. It's frantic, monochromatic action for modern platforms.

Continued on Page 9 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Sega Saturn "CDX2" Mod

A prolific modder has created a successor to one of Sega's rarest consoles, effectively building a "Sega CDX2" using Saturn hardware. A stunning piece of custom engineering.

Continued on Page 21 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Taito's Top Speed Returns

Taito's 1987 OutRun clone, Top Speed, is making its debut on modern consoles via Arcade Archives. Get ready for some classic arcade racing action.

Continued on Page 36 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Ray Tracing on Sega Saturn

Believe it or not, the Sega Saturn has been shown running Ray Tracing. It's a technical marvel for a machine of that vintage.

Continued on Page 13 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Panzer Dragoon Saga PC Port

A native PC port of the legendary Sega Saturn RPG, Panzer Dragoon Saga, is in early development. This could finally make the game accessible to a wider audience without emulation.

Continued on Page 2 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Analogue 3D Firmware Update

A new firmware update for the Analogue 3D brings a "Force Progressive Output" option and support for the Switch N64 controller, among other fixes.

Continued on Page 9 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Simpsons Hit & Run on Dreamcast

The fan-favorite Simpsons: Hit & Run is being unofficially ported to the Sega Dreamcast. It's an impressive feat of homebrew development.

Continued on Page 5 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Tales of Phantasia PSP English Patch

The definitive version of the Tales of Phantasia remake on PSP is now playable in English thanks to a new fan translation patch.

Continued on Page 2 >> >> - Johnny Sector

32X Virtua Racing Decompiled

A complete decompilation of Virtua Racing Deluxe for the Sega 32X has been released, opening the door for mods and ports.

Continued on Page 36 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Fatal Fury Collection on X68000 Z

A new collection bringing together three Fatal Fury games is coming to the X68000 Z mini console.

Continued on Page 29 >> >> - Johnny Sector

MiSTer N64 Turbo Core

A new "Turbo" core for the MiSTer FPGA N64 implementation delivers a 17.5 percent performance boost, smoothing out many games.

Continued on Page 21 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Strong Museum Acquires Atari Collection

The Strong Museum of Play has acquired a comprehensive collection of Atari materials, ensuring the preservation of this gaming history.

Continued on Page 20 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Final Fantasy VII Updated on Steam

Square Enix is releasing a new version of Final Fantasy VII on Steam to provide an improved gameplay experience for modern PCs.

Continued on Page 11 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Barbarian Ported to Atari Computers

The controversial classic Barbarian is receiving a new fan-made port for Atari computers.

Continued on Page 29 >> >> - Johnny Sector

Lost F-Zero Game "Zero Racers" Found

It turns out part of the cancelled Virtual Boy game Zero Racers (a sequel to F-Zero) has been available to the public for years without anyone realizing it.

Continued on Page 36 >> >> - Johnny Sector

TECH BOARDS