Traditionally, one of the biggest obstacles to game development is learning to code. That's time consuming! Developing for retro hardware can be even more challenging thanks to the scarcity of modern development tools. Well, the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive homebrew scene is about to explode thanks to the impending release of MD Engine from indie developer Two Black Cats. The MD Engine software will launch on Steam on September 7.

We first ran across Japanese merchandise label Kumagumi when they released a cool line of Double Dragon clothing a few years ago. Well, now they're back with a similarly attractive array of physical goods dedicated to SNK's Metal Slug. Metal Slug, of course, is a series of run-and-gun shooters that began its life on the NeoGeo arcade hardware. The series is known for its attractive pixel art and memorable character designs, to say nothing of the challenging gameplay.

It's always sad when a game developer dies, but especially so when that person is the founder of an actual genre. Yoshihisa Kishimoto is just such a person. He created the Kunio-kun/River City and Double Dragon franchises, and as such, is considered the father of the beat 'em up genre. Double Dragon was instrumental in popularizing cooperative multiplayer, so his influence even extends beyond the genre that he created. Lamentably, Kishimito died on April 2, as reported by his son.

When the Neo Geo Mini arrived in 2018, it kicked off a wave of miniature arcade cabinets that continues to this day. Although the unit featured a fairly good built-in arcade stick and buttons, the optional controllers were widely criticized for their lack of microswitches and inauthentic button layout. Five years later, 8Bitdo will finally offer a much better control option with its upcoming 8Bitdo NEOGEO Wireless Controller. The new controller will work with the NeoGeo Mini, PC, and mobile.

Sega's classic arcade and Dreamcast game, Cosmic Smash, isn't very well known internationally since it was only released in Japan. That hasn't stopped RapidEyeMovers and developer Wolf & Wood from reviving the property with a sequel, though! C-Smash VRS is now available exclusively on PlayStation VR2. The first-person brick-breaking...

Sega might not be too keen on making sequels to its games (Sonic Superstars notwithstanding), but it has been willing to license out sequels such as Streets of Rage 4. We'll soon see another such licensed sequel in the form of C-Smash VRS, the upcoming PlayStation VR2-exclusive sequel to Cosmic Smash. While Cosmic Smash is a fairly obscure arcade/Dreamcast game, there's no denying that this sequel looks like a super fun virtual reality game.

The Cotton series of cute ‘em ups has always largely consisted of single-player games, starting with the 1991 arcade original and including the latest entry, Cotton Fantasy (AKA Cotton Rock/n/Roll). However, during a brief, shining period in the 1990s, two co-op entries came along. The first such game, Cotton 2: Magical Night Dreams was ...

Welcome back to  Co-op Classics, the column in which we look at unique cooperative games from yesteryear....

The Nintendo Switch Online Plus Expansion Pack is a yearly subscription that gives players access to numerous features. Among those features is a library of Sega Genesis games, playable on Switch with online multiplayer and other enhancements. 4 new games have just been added to the Switch's Genesis library: Golden Axe II, Alien Storm, Columns, and Virtua Fighter 2. Golden Axe II and Alien Storm are classic 16-bit beat 'em ups, and now Switch Online Plus subscribers can play them with online co-op!

The Sega Genesis Mini 2 and the Japanese model, the Sega Mega Drive Mini 2, launched a few weeks ago. Sega's latest mini console features more than 50 games, including several never-before-released bonus games. The Japanese console includes a slightly different lineup of games and a smaller controller. Sega also sells a mini Mega CD 2/Sega CD 2 for cosmetic use with the original or second Genesis Mini. We've got lots of photos of these brilliant mini consoles to share!