• Retro Swap
  • Posts
  • How a monochrome green screen revolutionized handheld gaming

How a monochrome green screen revolutionized handheld gaming

In partnership with

Learn AI in 5 minutes a day.

The Rundown is the world’s largest AI newsletter, read by over 600,000 professionals from companies like Apple, OpenAI, NASA, Tesla, and more.

Their expert research team spends all day learning what’s new in AI and gives you ‘the rundown’ of the most important developments in one free email every morning.

The result? Readers not only keep up with the insane pace of AI but also learn why it actually matters.

Fun Fact: One of the most legendary tales about the Game Boy involves its incredible toughness. A Game Boy that survived a bombing during the Gulf War in 1990-1991 became famously known as the "Gulf War Game Boy." Despite being heavily damaged and charred, this Game Boy still functioned perfectly! It's displayed at the Nintendo World Store in New York City, running a copy of "Tetris" as a testament to its resilience. This story not only highlights the rugged design of the Game Boy but also symbolizes the enduring nature of Nintendo's craft and the cherished memories associated with playing this iconic handheld console.

In today’s email:

GAMEBOY

🎮Celebrating 35 Years of Game Boy's Greatest Hits! 🎮

In 1989, the Nintendo Game Boy burst onto the scene, transforming pocket-sized pixels into a global gaming obsession. As we rocket through time, let’s dive back into the pixelated world of this iconic handheld that not only defined a generation but continues to inspire nostalgia and joy.

🧱 Tetris: The Blockbuster That Built an Empire 🧱

Imagine this: 1989, you're holding the brand new Game Boy, and nestled within is Tetris—a game so simple yet so addictively brilliant that it became the must-have for gamers worldwide. Its compelling mix of strategy and speed made every train ride and doctor's waiting room an epic battlefield of falling blocks. Tetris wasn't just a game; it was a phenomenon that showed us the power of gaming on the go!

🔴🔵 Pokémon Red and Blue: The Beginning of a Monster Craze 🔴🔵

Fast forward to 1996, when Pokémon Red and Blue hit the shelves in Japan. Little did we know, these games would ignite a monster-catching madness that spanned the globe. With the novel feature of linking Game Boys for epic battles and trades, Pokémon wasn't just a game—it was a community, a trading card empire, and a Saturday morning staple!

🗡️ The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening – A Pocket-Sized Epic 🗡️

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening in 1993 proved that epic adventures weren’t confined to the big screen. With its rich narrative and clever puzzles, it was like holding a sprawling fantasy world in the palm of your hands, proving that the Game Boy was more than capable of delivering console-quality experiences.

🍄 Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins – Mario Goes Mobile 🍄

Mario’s second Game Boy outing in 1992, Super Mario Land 2, was a game-changer. It was bigger, bolder, and introduced us to Wario, Mario’s mischievous counterpart. The game's imaginative levels and charming graphics showcased just what this little handheld could do.

🚀 Metroid II: Return of Samus – A Galactic Adventure in Your Pocket 🚀

Metroid II in 1991 brought space-faring adventure to the small screen, expanding the Metroid saga with new creatures and an engrossing storyline. It pushed the Game Boy's limits and paved the way for future classics in the series.

🍌 Donkey Kong: A Barrel of Old and New 🍌

The 1994 reimagining of the arcade classic Donkey Kong for Game Boy was a masterstroke. With 100 innovative levels, it not only paid homage to its roots but also set the stage for new adventures, proving the Game Boy's versatility and its knack for redefining the gaming landscape.

The Game Boy, a true titan of the gaming world, wasn’t just about hardware. It was the gateway to a universe of unforgettable adventures, pixelated heroes, and hours of joy. These games weren’t just fun; they were a shared language across playgrounds and living rooms. Thanks to these iconic titles and many more, Game Boy remains a cherished part of our gaming heritage. Let's keep those batteries charged and the nostalgia alive!

IOS

🎮Delta Emulator Zooms into iOS! 🕹️

Gaming enthusiasts, rejoice! The Delta emulator has made its grand entrance into the iOS realm, offering a time capsule of classic gaming right on your iPhone and iPad. Developed by the wizard behind GBA4iOS, Riley Testut, Delta takes you on a pixelated journey across gaming history with even more consoles and features than its predecessor.

🌟 A Retro Arcade in Your Pocket 🌟

Delta is your ticket to a nostalgia-packed gaming library. This powerhouse emulator lets you dive into the realms of:

  • Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

  • Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

  • Nintendo 64 (N64)

  • Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance

  • Nintendo DS

  • And, in beta, the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive!

✨ Sleek, User-Friendly, and Ad-Free ✨

Delta isn’t just about the games—it’s about the experience. Its slick, intuitive interface makes navigating a breeze, and the ad-free environment means uninterrupted retro bliss. With customizable on-screen controls or the option to sync your favorite Bluetooth controllers, you're set for a seamless play-through. Even the quirky Nintendo gyroscope and microphone inputs are in play, bringing games like WarioWare: Twisted! and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney to life in new ways.

📲 Easy Access and Setup 📲

Available for free outside the EU (hello, third-party AltStore PAL for our European friends!), downloading Delta is a walk in the park. Just head over to the official Delta Emulator website, follow the simple installation instructions, and make sure your device runs iOS 14.0 or higher.

🕹️ Game On—Legally! 🕹️

Remember, the magic of Delta needs ROMs—those digital copies of your beloved cartridges. Always source your ROMs legally to avoid the dark side of downloads, like potential malware. Own the cartridge? You’re golden to dump that game for personal emulation fun.

🌐 Features That Power Up Your Play 🌐

Delta isn’t just about playing games; it’s about playing them your way. Save states, cheat codes, external controller support, and visual customization options let you tailor your gaming experience. Plus, with cloud sync via Google Drive or Dropbox, you can pick up right where you left off, on any device.

💫 What’s Next for Delta? 💫

The future looks bright as Delta is set to expand its cloud syncing to include iCloud, making game management a breeze across all Apple devices.

Delta has transformed iOS devices into a vibrant canvas of retro gaming, allowing players to relive the glory days of gaming with modern convenience. Whether it’s revisiting childhood favorites or discovering classic gems, Delta offers a portal to the past, all from the comfort of your mobile device. Get ready to play the classics like never before, and keep an eye on what Delta brings next!

SNES

🎮 The Top 10 SNES Games That Will Test Your Limits! 🕹️

Calling all retro gaming aficionados! If you've ever bragged about your pixel-perfect jumping skills or your button-mashing speed, it’s time to put your claims to the test. The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) isn't just home to some of the most cherished classics—it's also the battleground for some of the most notoriously difficult games ever to grace our television screens. Ready for a challenge? Here are 10 SNES games that have been frustrating and captivating gamers for decades!

1. Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts: The Ultimate Test of Perseverance

Prepare to die, and die, and then die again! This unforgiving platformer isn’t just hard; it’s cruel, demanding nothing less than perfection. Just when you think you've conquered it, the game cheekily demands a second playthrough to see the real ending. It's a test of skill, patience, and sanity!

2. Battletoads in Battlemaniacs: Brutal Brawls and Dastardly Difficulty 🐸

A sequel that somehow manages to up the ante on the already brutal original, this game features eye-popping graphics and bone-crushing difficulty that will have even the most seasoned gamers crying for mercy!

3. Zombies Ate My Neighbors: Quirky, Chaotic, and Crazy Hard 🧟‍♂️

With 48 levels of labyrinthine madness, scarce ammo, and relentless enemies, this cult classic shooter is as punishing as it is hilarious. Each level ups the ante with more challenges and chaos!

4. Contra III: The Alien Wars: A Relentless Alien Assault 🌍

Blast your way through this action-packed shooter where the onslaught of aliens and bosses never lets up. With limited lives and relentless foes, each level is a heart-pounding rush for survival.

5. The Lion King: Not Just a Kids' Game 🦁

This colorful platformer might look friendly, but it's got spikes—difficulty spikes, that is! Prepare for some of the trickiest jumps and most infuriating escape sequences ever designed.

6. Hagane: The Final Conflict: Overlooked and Overly Difficult 🤖

This hidden gem is a high-speed spectacle of ninja action with a steep difficulty curve. You’ll need lightning-fast reflexes to navigate through the onslaught of enemies and traps.

7. Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back: May the Force Be With You, Always

Arguably the toughest of the trilogy, this game throws everything at you, from AT-ATs to Boba Fett. The force needs to be strong with this one, or you’ll be seeing the game over screen a lot.

8. Super Castlevania IV: A Hauntingly Hard Adventure 🧛

This masterpiece might be a treat for the senses with its atmospheric levels and haunting soundtrack, but it’s also a brutal challenge, with enemies and traps at every turn that require precise control and timing.

9. ActRaiser: Divine Challenge Meets Divine Frustration

Mixing city-building with side-scrolling action, this game isn’t just hard—it’s divinely demanding. Mastering both the strategic and action elements is a herculean task reserved for the most dedicated gaming gods.

10. U.N. Squadron: Dogfighting to the Extreme

Customize your plane and head into battle in one of the toughest side-scrolling shooters around. With strategic enemy placements and bullet-hell scenarios, it’s a true test of your piloting prowess.

These 10 titles are not just games; they're epic trials that will push your gaming skills to their limits and beyond. While they might bend your will to break, the glory of conquering them is unmatched. So, dust off that SNES, grab your controller, and get ready for a retro gaming challenge that's truly legendary. Let the games begin, and may the best gamers persevere!

Reply

or to participate.