Fun Fact: The mushrooms in Mario games are based on the real-life psychedelic mushroom Amanita muscaria. This mushroom possesses psychoactive compounds that can make people feel larger when ingested, which is alluded to in the game when Mario grows after eating a mushroom. The iconic red mushroom with white spots in Mario games was directly inspired by this real-world fungus and its hallucinogenic effects.

In today’s email:

• Sega Saturn Slim: The Retro Revolution You Didn't Know You Needed

• Whip It Good: Konami's Castlevania Dominus Collection Slays the Competition

• Time-Traveling Tactics: The Ultimate Chrono Trigger SNES Guide

SATURN

Sega Saturn Slim: The Retro Revolution You Didn't Know You Needed

Hey hustlers! Buckle up, because we're about to take a nostalgia-fueled ride into the future of retro gaming. Remember those chunky Sega Saturns gathering dust in your parents' basement? Well, they're about to get a serious glow-up.

The Mod Squad Strikes Again

WeskMods, the mad scientist of the modding world, has been cooking up something special. Fresh off donating a SNES PlayStation 3D model to the community (because why not?), this digital Dr. Frankenstein has set their sights on the Sega Saturn.

The result? A concept that's got retro gamers salivating: the Sega Saturn Slim.

Slimming Down in All the Right Places

Picture this: Your beloved Saturn, but make it runway-ready. WeskMods has been burning the midnight oil for four days straight, crafting a concept that's sleeker than a greased-up Sonic the Hedgehog.

Here's the skinny:

• It's based on a VA-SG board (for those in the know)

• Supports Saroo or Fenrir (more on that in a sec)

• No board trimming required (cue collective sigh of relief)

But here's the kicker - they're ditching the CD-ROM drive entirely. It's like liposuction for your console, shedding pounds in all the right places.

Out with the Old, In with the New(ish)

So, how do you play games on this slimmed-down beauty? You've got options, baby:

1. Fenrir ODE: Think of it as a digital buffet for your Saturn.

2. Saroo cartridge: Load games through the cartridge slot like it's 1995 all over again.

WeskMods is confident they can pull this off, despite the challenge of relocating the cartridge port. It's like console Tetris, but with higher stakes.

Not Just a Pretty Face

This isn't just about looks (though let's be real, those renders are sexier than a low-poly Lara Croft). WeskMods is sweating the small stuff:

• LED guides

• Mounting solutions

• "Other little finicky things" (their words, not ours)

And for the fashion-forward gamers out there, they're even teasing alternative color options. Because nothing says "I'm a serious gamer" like a neon pink Saturn.

The Competition? Please.

Sure, you can already buy modded Saturns online that ditch the CD drive. But according to our sources, they often look like they were put together in a back-alley chop shop.

WeskMods' concept? It's the difference between a home haircut and a salon blowout. Elegant, refined, and guaranteed to turn heads at your next retro gaming meetup.

The Bottom Line

The Sega Saturn Slim concept is more than just a pretty face - it's a love letter to retro gaming, wrapped in a sleek, modern package. It's proof that sometimes, to move forward, you need to look back (and then make it smaller and better).

Will it revolutionize the retro gaming world? Maybe. Will it make you the envy of every 90s kid on your block? Absolutely.

So, keep your eyes peeled, your cartridges dusted, and your wallets ready. The future of retro gaming is slim, sexy, and potentially Saturn-shaped.

Now, if you'll excuse us, we've got some Virtua Fighter to play. On a real Saturn. Like peasants.

REMAKE

Whip It Good: Konami's Castlevania Dominus Collection Slays the Competition

Holy water, Batman! Konami just dropped a bombshell on the gaming world with its latest release, the Castlevania Dominus Collection. This treasure trove of vampire-slaying goodness is making waves faster than you can say "What is a man? A miserable little pile of secrets!"

From Pixels to Profit: The Business of Nostalgia

Konami's decision to resurrect these classic titles isn't just about fan service—it's a savvy business move. The retro gaming market is hotter than Dracula's coffin at high noon, with global retro game sales expected to hit $3.5 billion by 2025. By tapping into this nostalgia-fueled gold mine, Konami is positioning itself to take a juicy bite out of that market share.

What's in the Box? More Than Just Garlic and Stakes

The Dominus Collection serves up a smorgasbord of vampire-hunting delights:

1. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (2005)

2. Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (2006)

3. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (2008)

4. Haunted Castle (1988) + Haunted Castle Revisited

But wait, there's more! Konami didn't just slap these games onto a disc and call it a day. They've added modern features like rewind, quick saves, and a variety of display options to suit your monster-mashing preferences.

From DS to Success: Adapting for Modern Platforms

One of the biggest challenges Konami faced was translating these dual-screen Nintendo DS games to single-screen platforms. Their solution? A customizable display that lets players arrange the game screen, map, and stats to their liking. It's like choosing your own adventure, but with more whips and holy water.

The Ultimate Edition: For Those Who Take Their Vampire Hunting Seriously

For the die-hard fans (pun intended), Konami and Limited Run Games have cooked up an Ultimate Edition that's more packed than Dracula's wine cellar. Priced at a cool $200, it includes:

• A light-up shadowbox that plays music

• Hand-drawn maps by Jeremy Parish

• A light-up Grand Cross lamp

• A 5-disc complete soundtrack

• And more collectibles than you can shake a stake at

The Bottom Line: A Fang-tastic Investment?

With the standard edition priced at $34.99, Konami is betting that gamers will be willing to shell out for a slice of nostalgia pie. And given the collection's early reception, it looks like that bet might pay off big time.

Critics are sinking their teeth into the Dominus Collection with gusto. Andrew Webster of The Verge calls it "truly excellent," praising the clever adaptations for modern systems. Meanwhile, GodisaGeek.com hails it as "a terrific collection for the fans".

What's Next? The Future of Castlevania

With the success of the Dominus Collection, fans are already speculating about what other Castlevania treasures Konami might unearth next. Could we see a revival of the 3D Castlevania games? Or perhaps a brand-new entry in the series?

One thing's for sure: if Konami keeps delivering hits like this, they'll be laughing all the way to the blood bank.

So, whether you're a long-time fan or a curious newcomer, the Castlevania Dominus Collection offers a stake through the heart of boredom. Just remember to pack your whip and your wallet—this adventure might cost you a few coins, but it's bound to be one hell of a ride.

QUICK GUIDE

Time-Traveling Tactics: The Ultimate Chrono Trigger SNES Guide

Calling all retro gamers and RPG enthusiasts! Dust off your Super Nintendo and prepare for a journey through time. We're about to embark on an epic adventure with Chrono Trigger, the 1995 masterpiece that redefined the JRPG genre. Buckle up, because this guide will take you from prehistoric times to a post-apocalyptic future faster than you can say "Lavos."

The Millennial Fair: Where It All Begins

Our hero Crono's adventure kicks off at the Millennial Fair, celebrating 1000 years of the Kingdom of Guardia. Here's your first mission:

1. Meet Marle (spoiler: she's actually Princess Nadia in disguise)

2. Watch Lucca's teleporter demonstration go hilariously wrong

3. Chase Marle through a time portal

Pro tip: Before diving into the time-stream, make sure to try your luck at the racing minigame. You might just win a shiny Silver Point or two!

Medieval Madness: 600 A.D.

Congratulations, you've just become a time traveler! Welcome to the Middle Ages, where knights roam and an evil wizard named Magus is stirring up trouble.

Key objectives:

• Rescue Queen Leene (who looks suspiciously like Marle)

• Team up with Frog, the amphibious swordsman with a vendetta

• Infiltrate Magus's Castle

Prehistoric Shenanigans: 65,000,000 B.C.

Hold onto your loincloths! We're heading way back to the age of dinosaurs and cave people.

Must-do activities:

• Befriend Ayla, the fierce cavewoman leader

• Participate in a prehistoric drinking contest (don't worry, it's just soup)

• Battle the mighty Tyrano

The Future's Not Bright: 2300 A.D.

Welcome to the future! It's bleak, it's desolate, and it's all thanks to Lavos, the world-destroying parasite.

Your mission:

• Meet Robo, your new robotic companion

• Explore the ruins of civilization

• Uncover the truth about Lavos

The Magical Kingdom of Zeal: 12,000 B.C.

Prepare for some high-flying action in the mystical floating kingdom of Zeal.

On the agenda:

• Encounter the mysterious Prophet

• Witness the tragic fall of a civilization

• Face off against Queen Zeal and her nefarious plans

Sidequests Galore: The Fated Hour

You've made it to the endgame! But before facing Lavos, take some time to tie up loose ends:

1. Restore Frog to his human form

2. Help Robo find love (yes, really)

3. Uncover the secrets of the Sunken Desert

Remember, in both RPGs and business, it's often the side quests that yield the most rewarding results!

The Final Showdown: Lavos Awaits

It's time to save the world(s)! Here's your gameplan:

1. Assemble your dream team (choose wisely!)

2. Stock up on ethers and elixirs (the Lavos battle is no joke)

3. Unleash your most powerful techs and combos

Pro tip: Save often and in multiple slots. You'll thank us later when you're hunting for those alternate endings!

There you have it, time travelers! With this guide in hand, you're ready to conquer Chrono Trigger and save the future (and past, and present). Now go forth and become the hero that transcends time itself!

P.S. If you find yourself stuck in a time loop, just remember: there's always New Game+. Happy adventuring!