Tag Archives: Retro Gaming

Explore Monster Crown: Sin Eater’s Unique Monster Creation System

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Whether you grew up with a Game Boy in your hands or you’re just a fan of deep RPGs, you’ve probably felt that itch for a creature-collector that actually respects your intelligence. Most games in the genre lean into the “cuddly” and “whimsical,” but Monster Crown: Sin Eater—just released on Xbox—is a very different beast.

If the original Monster Crown was a love letter to the darker corners of 90s handheld gaming, Sin Eater is the grit and the consequence that comes after. Here’s why this one should be on your radar.

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Zombies Overloaded: The Ultimate Arcade Shooter on Xbox

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Whether you’re looking to blow off some steam after a long day or you’ve got a weirdly specific itch for arcade-style carnage, there’s a new indie title on Xbox that might catch your eye: Zombies Overloaded.

Developed by Vinterm Games, this title isn’t trying to be the next Last of Us with deep, emotional storytelling. Instead, it leans hard into that classic “Smash TV” vibe—one room, a ton of weapons, and way too many zombies.

Here’s the lowdown on what it’s like to actually play it.

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Revisiting the Golden Era: Why Elementallis is My New Favorite Zelda-like

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If you grew up with a Game Boy Color or an SNES glued to your hands, you know that specific kind of magic. You know, the one where you’re dropped into a sprawling green world with nothing but a sword, a sense of guilt-fueled purpose, and a map full of secrets just waiting for you to find the right tool.

I just spent the last week diving deep into Elementallis, and honestly? It’s the closest I’ve felt to playing A Link to the Past for the first time in years. Developed by AnKae Games and published by Top Hat Studios, this isn’t just another “retro-inspired” indie. It’s a love letter to the 8-bit and 16-bit era that actually understands why those games were great.

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Is ZPF Good? My Honest Xbox Review of the New Retro SHMUP

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If you grew up with a Sega Genesis controller glued to your hands, the name “ZPF” probably sounds like some forgotten 1992 arcade cabinet your cool older cousin told you about. In reality, ZPF is a brand-new release from Mega Cat Studios, and after spending time dodging screen-filling laser beams and banging my head against some seriously tough bosses, I’ve got some thoughts.

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Xbox Parasol Superstars Review: The Ultimate Retro Platformer Pack

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If you grew up in the golden age of arcades—or if you’ve just developed a deep appreciation for quirky Japanese retro gaming—you probably know that developer Taito has a bizarre obsession with turning everyday items into weapons of mass destruction. First, it was bubbles in Bubble Bobble. Then came the magical umbrellas.

Recently, ININ Games dropped a delightful little package on the Xbox Store called the Parasol Superstars bundle. Priced at $23.99, this bundle pairs two incredibly charming, umbrella-wielding platformers: the classic Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III and the rare, formerly Japan-exclusive arcade gem Spica Adventure.

If you bought these separately, they’d run you around $33, so the bundle offers a solid discount. But is it worth your time and hard-earned cash? I spent time shielding myself from cartoon monsters and chucking bad guys across my screen to find out. Here’s my breakdown of what makes this bundle an absolute blast.

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Is Mouse: P.I. For Hire Worth It? Full Xbox Review and Final Verdict

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If you’ve been hanging around the Xbox store lately, you’ve probably seen a thumbnail that looks like it was ripped straight out of a 1930s Disney vault—only, instead of whistling on a steamboat, the mouse is packing a Tommy gun.

I just finished my first full run of Mouse: P.I. For Hire, and honestly? It’s one of the most visually stunning and unapologetically fun shooters I’ve played in years. If you’re a fan of Cuphead’s art style but always wished you could play it as a fast-paced “boomer shooter” like Doom or Bioshock, this is exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

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Is Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege Worth It? My Full Review

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If you grew up during the NES era, you likely have a love-hate relationship with “Nintendo Hard” games. You remember the stiff jumps of Castlevania, the frantic pace of Ninja Gaiden, and the rewarding (if brutal) feeling of finally conquering a level after fifty tries.

Lillymo Games’ latest title, Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege, is a blood-soaked love letter to those exact feelings. After spending some time with it on Xbox, I can safely say it’s one of the most authentic—and challenging—retro throwbacks in recent years.

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Is Curse Rounds Good? Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy

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If you’ve spent any time on the Xbox Store recently, you might have scrolled past a striking, black-and-white title called Curse Rounds. Developed by the Brazilian indie studio Tentacles Interactive and published by QUByte Interactive, this budget-friendly roguelike aims to stand out in a crowded genre by doing the exact opposite of its peers.

Instead of building an unstoppable god-tier character with buffs, Curse Rounds asks a much more devious question: Which way would you like to suffer?

Here is my look at whether this 1-bit shooter is worth your time and a few bucks.

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Why This $5 Xbox Game Is the Most Fun I’ve Had Since the NES Era

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There is something timelessly satisfying about the rhythm of a brick-breaking game. The anticipation of the bounce, the precise movement of the paddle, and that glorious clink as a digital wall slowly disintegrates—it’s a gameplay loop that never gets old.

I’ve been a die-hard fan of this genre for as long as I can remember. In fact, my first ever exposure to the world of brick-breaking was the classic Thunder & Lightning on the NES. I spent countless hours in front of a heavy tube TV, mesmerized by the fast-paced action and the challenge of keeping that ball in play. Since then, I’ve always had a soft spot for any game that puts a fresh spin on the “ball vs. wall” formula.

That brings me to my latest obsession on Xbox: Bob the Brick Breaker.

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A Deep Dive into The Coin Game on Xbox

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If you’ve ever spent a Saturday afternoon surrounded by the neon glow of a Dave & Buster’s or a seaside boardwalk arcade, The Coin Game will feel instantly familiar. Developed by the solo dev at devotid and recently brought to Xbox by publisher Kwalee, this title is less of a traditional “game” and more of a comprehensive arcade-and-carnival simulator.

After spending time across its neon-soaked island, here is a balanced look at whether this ticket-redemption sandbox is worth your digital quarters.

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