Danny Neleman

“QUByte has put together four very different ports of a cult arcade kart racer that, in some versions more than others, have stood the test of time. With its more involved controls and car mannerisms, it takes a fair amount of investment to get into, but that effort is rewarded with tight and engaging racing, albeit when compared to other racing games of the time. This holds true across all ports, even the almost eye-straining and barely watchable Game Boy version.”

“Montezuma's Revenge's archaic 'flash game' look and production feels more in place somewhere in the early 2000's than 2025, which weird to say about a release that is supposed to celebrate and revive an 40 year-old franchise. That said, it meticulously stuck to the original mechanics and character behaviour making it at least authentic while playing, which should trigger veteran players muscle memory quite easily. The big question for fans is if they would rather play this production or search out the originals, which would be a choice between ease of play or the authentic nostalgia with some of the quirks of a mid eighties video game.”

“In a very competitive niche market Sonic Wings REUNION fails to bring anything substantially different to the table. It offers a wide range of characters and the option to mix and match special attacks, but overall it plays like a Psikyo shooter with lesser challenge and similar visual presentation. On the other hand it is more accessible than much of the competition, which makes Sonic Wings REUNION a suitable entry point for players new to the shmup genre.”

“While, as an F1 fan, I admire the attention to detail that went into faithfully cramming seven decades of F1 racing into an enjoyable unlicensed arcade racing game, the framerate, dynamic resolution, and color hue issues make this a port to avoid if you have the option to play on more powerful platforms. Nothing suggests why a Switch port should be so difficult to pull off with its cartoonish, Micro Machines-like look, but the conclusion is that 3DClouds, or the party responsible for the port, has failed to do so. As for this version, it’s knocked out of Q1 due to technical issues and the stiff competition in the crowded retro arcade racing genre.”

“Angry Video Game Nerd: The Video Game 8-Bit is a remarkable accomplishment as a genuine NES platformer, especially with a physical release for original hardware on the horizon. The platforming is tight and responsive, packed with clever nods to Mega Man and Sunsoft NES classics. Each level ties neatly into some of the Nerd’s most memorable episodes, while the FMV segments and energetic soundtrack give the game plenty of personality. In trying to make the experience more accessible, however, the assist features break the balance, softening what is otherwise solid. Apart from that it is a very decent homage to the best the NES era had to offer.”

“Sometimes it nails its South Park-esque situational gags, and sometimes it doesn’t. Yet if you can tolerate the occasional cringe, push through the rough edges, and aren’t easily offended by literal obscenity, you’ll find a meaty 20-hour retro adventure waiting for you. Maybe it’s a little too long for its own good, given the limited mechanics, but still, for an albeit very specific audience, Edge of Allegoria is absolutely a ride worth jumping on.”

“While the NES version of Goal! tried to bring a more authentic style of football, both the NES and SNES entries still rely on the standards of the era, just before EA Sports and Konami reinvented the digitized version of 'the beautiful game'. But still, midfield play is fun and rewarding, but once you reach the box the old “find one of four spots and score” rule still applies. That said, the production of this collection is top notch. Two games for $/€ 7,79 feels fair given it's features but it won’t win over many new fans. It will definitely scratch the nostalgic itch for those who were there the first time.”

“Beat'em Collection shows Qubyte’s polish in compilation work, with reliable ports, rewind and filters that let these old games run cleanly. The problem is curation. You will find retro oddities such as Iron Commando, Water Margin and Gourmet Warriors, but the set mixes non beat 'em-ups with forgettable Kung Fu and Karateka wannabes. All titles are available separately, as well. If you already own the best entries, this bundle is hard to recommend. If you are hunting for obscure retro oddities and do not prioritize gameplay polish, this collection may suit you.”

“Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade is a technically well-made game, with a very appealing look and overall production. The lack of added value to the strict roguelite gameplay, with no procedurally generated levels or enemy encounters and no real way to excel within each run, makes Yasha a game whose initial veneer wears off extremely quickly. The mundane story delivery does not help to motivate you to power through to get any satisfaction in the end, making it a mediocre experience at best.”

“Flora and Fang is an adorable little single-screen action platformer with a fun premise. It combines two classic arcade game formulas in smart ways and adds neat features that keep the gameplay engaging. However, levels tend to drag on, and the game often feels like it’s setting you up to lose your hearts. Flora and Fang is an enjoyable experience, but it just misses the pacing and the magic spark that made its inspirations so compelling.”

“For run-and-gun loyalists, there’s actually quite a bit to appreciate. The game offers tight action, varied set of weapons, and level design that rewards players with patience and precision. It might not break new ground, but it absolutely holds its own within the genre. On the flip side, while the shmup sections are solid and enjoyable, they’re not a big enough part of the package to make this a must-play for shmup purists — it's too much effort to get there for too little of the good stuff.”

“Shadow of the Orient absolutely nails the look and feel - especially the pixel art and overall presentation. But whether it’s down to poor balance or just an intentional difficulty spike, the combat is often more hassle than it's worth. It stops you from settling into a rhythm, which is a real shame because the platforming is genuinely great. The fact that the shop is tucked away without a single in-game hint is baffling. It took me three hours to even realize it was there. Still, at its best, Shadow of the Orient is fun. At its most frustrating, you're scraping by, surviving on the skin of your teeth.”

“Although being firm competition to Flynn's Arcade own offerings in this under used genre, the special ingredient in the cauldron that should make Freddy Farmer a real standout title, isn't really there. There is no equivalent to Bomb Jack's 'super jump' and steerable decent or Bubble Bobble's chain reacting bubbles. That said, apart from that and a few frustrating mechanics, Freddy Farmer is a lot of fun and delivers a solid challenge that can keep you entertained for 5 to 10 hours.”

“While My Night Job may seem limited in scope and primarily geared toward gamers who enjoy chasing high scores in classic arcade style, it offers surprising depth, balance, and attention to detail within the floors of its haunted mansion. Its price tag is more than justified for those who appreciate a quirky but deep experience like this.”

“balancing issues, uninspired presentation, and reliance on accessibility features to offset its steep difficulty, Macross Shooting Insight struggles to live up to the potential of the Macross franchise. While it has some creative ideas in blending multiple shooting styles, the execution feels uneven. Fans of Macross may find some enjoyment in seeing their favorite ships and characters together, but as a shmup, it shakes things up but doesn’t quite hit the mark.”

“QUByte did the best it could with this somewhat hodgepodge selection of games. It’s a collection that I have nostalgia for, but I wonder how many gamers would care enough. Of all the games, two or three have stood the test of time well enough to appeal to more than just era and brand enthusiasts like me. With Winter Challenge and Hardball! as clear highlights, the collection—despite its accurate emulation across different retro platforms—feels lacking. The absence of more playable sequels, such as Hardball! III, and franchises left untouched on the IP shelf, like the Jack Nicklaus series, could have elevated it into a more mainstream realm.”

“his re-release offers genre fans a chance to rediscover a cult classic with a fresh coat of polish and some excellent quality of life features. If you’re up for a challenge, Rage of the Dragons NEO is more than worth the fight. The casual fighting gamer may be better of with other newly released fighters like Pocket Bravery or seek out ways to play more mainstream NEO GEO genre highlights like Garou: Mark of the Wolves or one of King of the Fighters games.”

“With Spirit Mancer's colorful world and lighthearted humor, the stage is set for an entertaining platforming adventure. However, the game falters under the weight of its own complexities and its ambition to mix mechanics. What could have been a promising platformer is hindered by static enemies designed to be caught rather than defeated, introducing pacing issues and stale gameplay through most of your playtime. Despite this, the game's charm and character as well as range of fun Spirit cards may just be enough to pull you through to the end.”

“Roguelike diehards will feel right at home in the cyberpunk world of Elsie. Gamers seeking a straightforward platforming experience might find the roguelike mechanics convoluted and confusing with its messy UI. When you have the right upgrades at your disposal and the action is firing on all cylinders, Elsie is hard to put down. However, it feels like a chore to reach that point within every new run.”

“It offers quite a bit of content with fun and engaging puzzles that pushes you to do more than look for patterns. It actively supports you to try, fail, and eventually solve it's 30 levels. SokoMage adds a lot to the core Sokoban gameplay which revitalizes the concept considerably.”