Nintendo

This is Xcavator 2025 (NES Cartridge), a fully functional NES title built from Oberth’s original design of the same name. First developed at Incredible Technologies Inc., the company behind coin-op classics like Golden Tee Golf, Big Buck Hunter, and more, Xcavator was shopped around to multiple publishers across the country way back in 1991, but it never found a home, and was quietly archived and never looked at again.

Recently, the prototype's source code was discovered and rebuilt by the Video Game History Foundation from Oberth's development archives, which were donated by his family after his unfortunate passing. Incredible Technologies then graciously agreed to donate the rights to the game to the VGHF to use as a fundraiser for its charitable work.

The Video Game History Foundation then worked with Mega Cat Studios to finish the game, staying true to Oberth’s original vision and using the tools and environments that Oberth would have utilized himself to make the game whole.

iam8bit took it from there, creating a truly unique and authentically retro package for Xcavator 2025 that includes a 14-page manual loaded with more info on Oberth and Xcavator, written by the fine folks of the VGHF themselves. It’s exhibit-quality stuff, available for your very own collection.

Best of all, 100% of the profits from the Xcavator 2025 NES Cartridge will go to fund the Video Game History Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and teaching the history of video games.

This is a one-of-a-kind product made to support an important cause. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of video game history.

Mega Man will be making his grand return in 2027 with Mega Man: Dual Override, a 2D side-scroller that harkens back to the blue bomber's origins while carving a new path forward.

Work together to save your space station in Orbitals, coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026!

Team up as explorers Maki and Omura to brave the perils of space and save their crumbling space station home from the dangers of a supernatural cosmic storm. As you navigate uncharted areas, teamwork is vital. The only way to save your home is to do it together!

Starting today, iam8bit is opening preorders on Xcavator 2025, a brand new NES game, on a real NES cartridge, with 100% of the profits going directly toward our preservation work here at the VGHF.

This isn't just any NES game- this is based on a prototype made all the way back in 1991! You might remember our story about recovering and rebuilding an unreleased Days of Thunder game for the NES from the archives of its programmer, Chris Oberth. What we didn't tell you at the time was that we found an unfinished demo by him for another game, Xcavator.

An act of altruism from the industry After we recovered the data, our friends at Incredible Technologies, where Xcavator was originally created, were kind enough to donate all of the game's copyrights to us. Developer Mega Cat Studios stepped up to donate their time finishing and polishing up Oberth's work, and Lost in Cult stepped up to donate the brand new key art on the game's packaging. Finally, iam8bit agreed to publish and market the game on our behalf, eschewing all profits and sending them straight to us!

This really is a first-of-its-kind: a lost game that was donated back to the archivists who recovered it, and a multi-company effort to publish it as what just might be the first commercial game to fund a preservation charity.

The cartridge is available to preorder now. We have plans to make the original prototype and its source code available for free as an educational resource as well, stay tuned for that!

From the Video Game History Foundation newsletter.

Go on a garlic-fueled rampage in this action title released for the Nintendo GameCube™ system in 2003! Wario's journey begins with a promise of vengeance against a powerful and cursed black jewel that's warped his castle and nabbed his treasure. Defeat enemies, collect coins and treasures, and rescue Spritelings trapped in boxes as you progress through four stages. Wario's got some mighty powerful moves, like Wild Swing-Ding and Piledriver, that aren't just good for attacking—they're also slick at clearing path-blocking traps.

• Description: Ollie, kickflip, and grind your way through the ash and smoke of the Underworld as you take on a seemingly impossible quest. Skate fast to destroy demons and save tortured souls on your journey from fragile beginner to hardened skater!
• Price: $19.99
• Link: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/skate-story-switch-2/
• Platform: Nintendo Switch 2

Both Rayman® 2: The Great Escape and Tonic Trouble are coming to the Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics library in December! (17)

cross-posted from: https://lemmus.org/post/18459843

Well... at least it's not a City Connection production.

10 classic arcade experiences. One legendary collection.

Taito Milestones 4 is a full tour of TAITO's wildest and most creative years! Play the hits and discover the deep cuts!

This collection features: · Water Ski · Field Day · Typhoon Gal · Arkanoid · Bonze Adventure · Kuri Kinton · Sylvalion · Don Doko Don · Cameltry · Ninja Kids

Taito Milestones 4 will be available digitally for Nintendo Switch on March 26, 2026!

• Release Date: 2026
• Description: Step into a future where happiness is curated by artificial intelligence, in this gentle-paced puzzle adventure.
• Price: TBA
• Link: TBA
• Platform: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2

Super Evil Megacorp have announced Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. It will launch on December 16. Users who own the Switch version will be able to purchase an “Upgrade Pack” for $2.49.

The Switch 2 version of the game runs in 4K resolution in docked mode, and 1080p resolution undocked, at an increased frame rate of 60 frames per second. It also supports GameChat and GameShare functionlity. GameShare will allow you to connect with other Switch 2 and Switch consoles in the same room to play together, while GameChat will let you connect with friends by voice and video for online cooperative play.

• Release Date: January 8, 2026
• Description: I Am Future is a relaxing survival game where you build a cozy base on a skyscraper roof in the middle of a flooded post-apocalyptic city.
• Price: TBA
• Link: TBA
• Platform: Nintendo Switch

• Release Date: Dec 11
• Description: INK INSIDE is based on a lost cartoon pilot and features a deep-lore narrative, local couch co-op, weird loot that changes your abilities, some fart jokes, and a rich story with memorable characters like the “Princess of Cursing” and “Stick” the Stick figure - all fully voice acted by Brian David Gilbert (Dropout), Deneen Melody (Evangelion, Pokemon), Foot of a Ferret (YouTube), and more.
• Price: $9.99
• Link: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/ink-inside-switch/
• Platform: Nintendo Switch

• Release Date: Jan 15, 2026
• Description: CASSETTE BOY is a multi-award-winning and nominated RPG based on puzzles inspired by the rules of quantum physics, where the world around us vanishes when it is out of sight. The game was recognized at BitSummit Drift 2024, where, in addition to being nominated for the Visual Excellence Award, CASSETTE BOY won the Grand Jury Vermillion Gate Award. It was also showcased at the Tokyo Game Show 2024, earning a spot on the prestigious Selected Indie Games 80 list.
• Price: TBA
• Link: TBA

Reminds me a little bit of Fez, with puzzles relating to rotating your screen.

I don't particularly care much about the game, but it's always interesting to read about the development process,

• Part 1: Develop and drive
• Part 2: Three challenges, one solution
• Part 3: Park vibes

Finished Hyrle Warriors: Age of Calamity!

There were some interesting moments in the story, specially near the end, something I never thought I'll say about a Warriors game.

My final percentage was around 50%. I did pretty much all the side missions in first 4-5 chapters, but didn't do any of them in the last couple of chapters. As for the "resource" missions thingies, where you just have to give resources to get some upgrade etc. I did as many of those as I could without specifically grinding for their materials. Majority of the uncompleted nodes belonged to these.

There was also post game content, which can unlock a new character, I didn't go for that, just saw it's video on YouTube.

Spoilers about some characters:

Overall, liked the game, and plan to eventually play both Fire Emblem Warriors and Age of Imprisonment. Not right away though, lots of other games already in my list.

Played more of Dark Souls Remastered.

Game is going good, haven't gotten stuck anywhere since the Bell Gargoyle boss (pretty much the only place where I was stuck). It doesn't mean I haven't died though. Many deaths, many lost souls, but not as much as I was expecting.

I have just reached Anor Londo. Don't know what it means in grand scheme of things, but I think I should be nearing the half-point.

Played a tiny bit more of Mutant Mudd Collection too. Cleared 4-4 and then got stuck at 5-1. Too many moving things! A moving rock, a flying enemy, a disappearing platform!

Found out that there are also alternate/night version of all levels, where enemies are ghosts and I can't hit them, but the rest of the level design is same. Going to try those next. Some of those will probably also be pretty difficult. The first level was pretty easy though, but that was the first level.

Didn't really play Fire Emblem: Three Houses or Cozy Grove this week either.

I have started too many games this time, so trying to finish those I can quickly, before getting back into these.

Weird thing to say right after talking about how many games I have started, but may start Killing Floor 3 this weekend. It was given in PS+ Monthly games this month, and some of the friends are interested, so plan to give it a try over the weekend and see if we like it enough to play it for a while.

This will probably just be a weekend nights game with friends, if we do play it and end up planning to continue it.

What about all of you? What have you been playing and/or plan to play?

The bloodiest release of the year is here with Blood: Refreshed Supply available NOW on PC and consoles (for the first time ever!) including Xbox One, Series X|S, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.

Blood: Refreshed Supply has been rebuilt using the game's original source code, featuring remastered cutscenes, a brand-new Vault with dozens of playable cut-content levels, community content including the multi-episode Marrow expansion, and more!

The Death Wish expansion will be added to Blood: Refreshed Supply in a future update planned for early 2026.

Blood: Refreshed Supply — AVAILABLE NOW

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is available now, only on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.

Step into the suit of Samus Aran, a lone hunter lost on an unknown planet. Fight alongside new allies to take on the threats and challenges of Viewros to find a way home.

Nintendo Switch 2 players who have Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on Nintendo Switch can upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition by purchasing the upgrade pack.

• Description: Assassin's Creed, in Japan
• Price: $59.99
• Link: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/assassins-creed-shadows-switch-2

Haven't seen much reviews for Switch 2 port yet, but according to Digital Foundry it's pretty good, there are some issues but they can be fixed with patches, and Ubisoft has already mentioned that they are working on patches.