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Fun Fact: The Tetris theme is a folk song. The famous tune is based on the 19th‑century Russian song “Korobeiniki,” and the pieces are officially called “Tetriminos.”

In today’s email:

• SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance — Why the Japanese Voice Track (with English Subs) Steals the Show

• Atari Gamestation Go: Your Portable Portal to Retro Glory

• Shaken, Not Stirred: 007 First Light Brings Bond Back to Gaming Glory

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SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance — Why the Japanese Voice Track (with English Subs) Steals the Show

You’ve been slicing through pixel-souped reinventions of ninja classics, but this one? This one hits different. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a gorgeously hand-drawn, blood-soaked ballet of blade and shadow—but it’s the Japanese voice track, paired with English subtitles, that turns it into something transcendent. It’s like rediscovering a retro soundtrack in its original master tape: raw. Nostalgic. Just… better.

A Slice of Retro History Meets Fresh Vengeance

The Shinobi series hasn’t had a full-fledged revival in 14 years—since Shinobi 3D on the 3DS. And now, developed by Lizardcube with Sega’s guiding hand, Art of Vengeance brings Joe Musashi back in all his ninja glory. Released August 29, 2025 across platforms like PS5, Switch, Xbox, and PC, the game makes its debut after teasers dating back to The Game Awards in December 2023.

Game Design: Stunning Hand-Drawn Style with Metroidvania Flair

Lizardcube, known for Streets of Rage 4 and Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, helpatively brewed their unmistakable aesthetic into this fed-ninja-meets-art-book affair. The result? Over a dozen beautifully crafted stages—deserts, neon cities, labs—animated with jaw-dropping character artistry and fluid Ninpo attacks that feel like liquid ink spilling across the screen. If your heart beats at 8-bit speed, this is the 2D world for you.

Japanese Voices — Why They Pack the Punch

The Japanese voice track doesn't just add to the atmosphere—it defines it. Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (yes, that Daytona USA legend) plays both Joe Musashi—whose grunts are laden with gravitas—and Yamato, the spirit-dog companion. In English, Murkier Mistakes happen: Joe’s clan name bashfully alternates between “oh-BOH-roh” and “OH-bo-ro” depending on which actor is voicing; even The Ankou and the narrator blend into one voice, blurring distinction in a way that feels… unintentional. For clarity, authenticity, and sheer voice-acting polish? Japanese wins every time.

Region Notes & Access Tidbits

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a global digital drop—available on all major platforms simultaneously, no territorial exclusivity. Pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition even nets you a three-day early access, plus goodies like a "Ghost Outfit," in-game currency, and a DLC stage starring Sega villains (including Dr. Eggman) slated for early 2026. Region-locked? Not in the slightest. Weaponized nostalgia? Very much so.

Quick Notes

• Japanese title: Shinobi: Slash’s Revenge (復讐の斬撃)

• First new Shinobi in 14 years (since Shinobi 3D)

• Japanese voice director & actor for Joe Musashi: Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, famed for Daytona USA, Virtua Fighter 2, Shenmue, and more

• English voice director: Tony Oliver; English cast includes Suzie Yeung as Tomoe and SungWon Cho as Lord Ruse

• Mashing old-school Shinobi lore: secrets from The Revenge of Shinobi, Shinobi III, and even Ryo Hazuki (from Shenmue) cameo in the Fish Market stage

So here’s the deal: Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a visual and gameplay marvel, but it’s the Japanese voice track—carried by a Sega legend—that elevates it from a retro comeback to a cultural event. Grab your digital copy (or Deluxe if you’re feeling spicy), pop on the Japanese audio with English captions, and let every grunt, yell, and whisper transport you into Musashi’s world. It’s a newsletter-signed, ninja-approved invite back into the blade-shaded shadows where passion meets precision—just as it should be.

Atari Gamestation Go: Your Portable Portal to Retro Glory

Get ready to press “Start” on serious nostalgia—because the Atari Gamestation Go is officially up for preorder, launching next month! This handheld marvel brings over two hundred classic games to your palms, complete with blinking retro controls and sleek modern conveniences. Whether you're a pixel pioneer or a history-hunting gamer, this one's calling your name.

1. A Trip Down Memory Lane—In Handheld Form

Atari’s legacy meets modern play in this My Arcade–powered collaboration. The Gamestation Go features a 7-inch high-resolution display, packs 200+ built-in games spanning Atari's 2600, 5200, 7800, Arcade, Recharged series, and even Pac-Man, Jaleco, Piko titles, plus Balls of Steel pinball tables. Imagine launching Asteroids: Recharged or blasting through Centipede—all without digging out cartridges or emulators.

2. A Controller Buffet—Play ‘Em Because They Were Meant To Be Played

This thing isn’t just another D-pad slider. It’s got:

• A paddle—Pong and Arkanoid fans, rejoice.

• A trackball, perfect for Centipede and Millipede.

• A numeric keypad—nostalgic compatibility for Atari 5200 era gems.

• Standard A/B/X/Y buttons, D-pad, triggers, bumpers.

• SmartGlow™ tech that lights up exactly the controls you need for each game.

3. Modern Bells & Whistles Meet Retro Roots

This isn’t just an arcade museum in your pocket. It’s built for today:

• Rechargeable battery with about 4–5 hours of playtime.

• Wi-Fi for firmware updates, possibly new titles.

• HDMI-out for TV play and USB-C ports for plugging in extra controllers—Big screen or couch co-op, anyone?

• A handy pop-out kickstand lets you game hands-free.

4. Launch Details & Region Notes

• Preorders are now live, with the MSRP set at $179.99.

• Shipping begins in October 2025.

• Available in the U.S. through Atari.com, GameStop, and EB Games—select retailers will carry stock come launch.

• As of now, no regional exclusivity has been announced, but early availability seems focused on North America—Euro and Asia rollouts remain unconfirmed.

┌ Quick-Trivia & Sidebars

• Developer Backstory
  My Arcade, known for crafting mini tabletop arcade machines and retro handhelds, is the engine behind the hardware, with Atari licensing content and branding.

• Release History Flashback
  Teased at CES 2024 as a concept, the Gamestation Go slowly revealed its quirky controls through teasers at CES 2025 before arriving on preorder shelves in Fall 2025.

• What Sets It Apart
  SmartGlow™ lighting that highlights active controls—not just eye candy, but retro accessibility gold. Plus, official licensed titles across multiple publishers, not just Atari.

• Real-World Preview Tidbit
  Digital Trends’ CES hands-on found the handheld comfortable and charmingly authentic. “The numberpad is designed exclusively for Atari 5200 games… the trackball is for Millipede… the numberpad lights up while Millipede lights up the trackball,” said one impression.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re reliving arcade glory or exploring Atari’s vault for the first time, the Atari Gamestation Go feels like the real deal—not a quick nostalgia cash-grab, but a thoughtfully-Built-for-fans handheld machine. Preorders are roaring, shipping’s right around the corner, and that SmartGlow™ is ready to show you exactly what to press—pixel-perfect nostalgia, reimagined.

Shaken, Not Stirred: 007 First Light Brings Bond Back to Gaming Glory

Get ready, retro gaming aficionados: 007 First Light isn’t just another Bond game—it’s the start of a new era. With a fresh-faced, origination-story–style James Bond stepping into the spotlight, IO Interactive taps into nostalgic espionage thrills while dialing up modern stealth and cinematic spectacle. Brace for a journey that’s equal parts homage and revolution.

Rebirth of a Legend

After a long drought following 007 Legends (2012), James Bond video games are back—this time with IO Interactive (the minds behind Hitman) at the helm. Drawing from Fleming’s stories and Bond lore, this game crafts a brand-new origin tale, taking us back to the moment when a 26-year-old recruit earns his “license to kill”.

And this isn’t a CGI-crossover or star imitation—developers intentionally created an original Bond for gaming, unanchored by any actor’s likeness. The result? A Bond entirely your own.

Gameplay Mechanics: Sneak, Spy, and Swagger

Think Hitman in a tuxedo—with gadgets. Stealth reigns supreme, and your License to Kill is literal gameplay: lethal force is strictly a last resort unless backpedaling gets messy. IOI's showcase highlighted party infiltration where blending in, picking up ambient chatter, and leveraging surroundings are key—yes, even bystanders and chandeliers are fair game\.

Bond’s toolkit gleams with sophistication—laser watches, gadgetry, diversion techniques, glamour, and grit all featured alongside dramatic car chases and cinematic action sequences like airplane face-offs. And get this—the missions are some of the largest IOI’s ever tackled.

Cast of Characters

• James Bond: Portrayed by Patrick Gibson (of Dexter: Original Sin fame), bringing youthful intensity to an untested agent.

• Money Phrases and Allies: M (Priyanga Burford), Q (Alastair Mackenzie), Moneypenny (Kiera Lester), seasoned mentor Greenway (Lennie James), and enigmatic Miss Roth (Noémie Nakai) round out the early MI6 squad.

Launch & Access Details

Mark your calendars: 007 First Light hits Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X|S on March 27, 2026.

Pre-orders are live with three editions:

• Standard (~$70) grants the base game plus a Deluxe Upgrade—including 24-hour early access (March 26), four exclusive Bond outfits, a weapon skin, and a “Gleaming Pack” of gold gadgets.

• Specialist (physical) adds a Classic Tuxedo skin to all that.

• Legacy Edition (~$300) throws in a collectible Golden Gun figurine (with clever secret compartment), Obsidian Gold suit, Golden Gun weapon skin, and collector-grade steel case.

Quick Notes

• The 14-year Bond-game hiatus began after 007 Legends (2012) flopped and Activision’s license was revoked.

• IOI pitched a Bond game based on subtlety and stealth—proving they were a “sophisticated” fit for the license.

• Bond’s “license to kill” becomes a literal gameplay restriction: use it wisely, or don’t use it at all.

• IOI’s mission designs? Among the studio’s biggest ever.

• The project was initially called Project 007 before being officially christened 007 First Light in June 2025.

From GoldenEye to today, Bond games have long held a place in our hearts—007 First Light promises to reignite that spark with modern thrills, narrative ambition, and retro-chic flair. Whether you're a nostalgic agent or a spy-game historian, this one’s poised to be a license to remember.

How 433 Investors Unlocked 400X Return Potential

Institutional investors back startups to unlock outsized returns. Regular investors have to wait. But not anymore. Thanks to regulatory updates, some companies are doing things differently.

Take Revolut. In 2016, 433 regular people invested an average of $2,730. Today? They got a 400X buyout offer from the company, as Revolut’s valuation increased 89,900% in the same timeframe.

No wonder 10K+ everyday people are taking the chance on Pacaso.

Founded by a former Zillow exec, Pacaso’s co-ownership tech reshapes the $1.3T vacation home market. They’ve earned $110M+ in gross profit to date, including 41% YoY growth in 2024 alone. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

The same institutional investors behind Uber, Venmo, and eBay backed Pacaso. And you can join them. But not for long. Pacaso’s investment opportunity ends September 18.

Invest While You Still Can

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We hope you tune back in for our next issue, where we'll dive deep into more retro gaming news!