The Beans are Back (and Ballin’): Why Fortnite’s Crown Jam is the Switch 2’s First Must-Play Obsession

Fun Fact: Street Fighter Names Were Swapped Legally In the Japanese version of Street Fighter II, the boxer character is named M. Bison (a play on Mike Tyson). Fearing a lawsuit from Tyson, Capcom USA shuffled the boss names: The boxer became Balrog, the claw-wielding Spaniard became Vega, and the dictator became M. Bison.

In today’s email:

• The Beans are Back (and Ballin’): Why Fortnite’s Crown Jam is the Switch 2’s First Must-Play Obsession

• SEGA’S Holy Grail Just Got A Sequal: Meet The CDX2

• RED ALERT: The ModRetro M64 Just Got a "Ferrari" Makeover and We’re Obsessed

The Beans are Back (and Ballin’): Why Fortnite’s Crown Jam is the Switch 2’s First Must-Play Obsession

Hold onto your crowns—and your controllers. The most chaotic crossover in gaming history has returned, and this time, it’s brought a whistle and a playbook. Fall Guys Crown Jam has officially taken over Fortnite, and if you haven’t dived into the "Bean-physics" basketball-soccer hybrid yet, you’re missing out on the purest dopamine hit of 2026.

Whether you’re still rocking the reliable original Nintendo Switch or you’ve just unboxed the powerhouse Nintendo Switch 2, you have until February 9 to claim glory. This isn't just a skin swap; it’s a full-blown sports-arcade revolution that proves Mediatonic’s physics-based mayhem still has plenty of juice left in the tank.

Physics-Based Pandemonium: 3v3 Like You’ve Never Seen

At its core, Crown Jam is a 3v3 arena battle that feels like a fever dream mashup of Rocket League and NBA Jam, but with 100% more stumbling. You aren't just shooting hoops; you’re managing the hilarious, top-heavy physics that made Fall Guys a global phenomenon back in 2020.

The gameplay centers around "Hype Abilities"—meter-based power-ups that can flip a match in seconds:

• Big Bean: Grow to double size to block the entire goal.

• Bounce Pad: Instantly deploy a launchpad for a mid-air "Slam Bean" dunk.

• Confetti Crash: A defensive blast that sends opponents tumbling into a pile of limbs.

Next-Gen Beans: The Switch 2 Advantage

While the original Switch holds its own with impressive optimization, playing Crown Jam on the Nintendo Switch 2 is a revelation. We’re talking a locked 60fps even when all six players are popping Confetti Crashes at once. The haptic feedback on the new hardware actually lets you feel the weight of the ball and the stumble of a missed tackle, adding a layer of immersion we didn't know we needed for a game about sentient jellybeans.

Global Access & Exclusive Swag

The event is live globally, with no regional lockouts, meaning you can squad up with friends from Tokyo to New York without a hitch. As long as you have Fortnite downloaded and an internet connection, you’re in.

And let’s talk loot. Completing the "Jam Session" challenges before Feb 9 unlocks:

1. The Blue Plushie Bean Back Bling: A reactive buddy that cheers when you score.

2. "Less Fallin’ More Ballin’" Jam Track: A high-energy synth-pop anthem for your Lobby and Fortnite Festival sets.

Quick Notes & Bean-Sized Trivia

• Developer Roots: This mode was co-developed by Epic’s internal teams and Mediatonic, ensuring the signature Fall Guys "clumsiness" was perfectly ported into the Fortnite Creative engine.

• History Lesson: The first Fortnite x Fall Guys collab happened back in 2022, but this is the first time the gameplay has shifted from obstacle courses to a dedicated team sport.

• Did You Know? The "Crown Jam" arena features hidden easter eggs referencing the original Fall Guys Season 1 maps—look up at the rafters to see the "Big Yeetus" hammer looming over the court!

• Pro Tip: Diving (X/Square) right before hitting the ball adds a power-modifier to your shot, making it much harder for the goalie to track.

Don't Get Left in the Dust

The clock is ticking louder than a final-round countdown. You have until February 9, 2026, to jump into the madness, earn those rewards, and experience the smoothest Bean-physics to date. Whether you’re a retro historian who remembers the original 2020 "Bean-mania" or a new-gen Switch 2 owner looking for a thrill, the court is calling.

See you in the arena—try not to trip.

SEGA’S Holy Grail Just Got A Sequal: Meet The CDX2

Forget everything you know about the "Tower of Power." While the rest of the world was busy duct-taping Genesis consoles to Sega CDs and 32X mushrooms, the original Sega CDX (or Multi-Mega for our friends across the pond) was the ultimate flex of 90s miniaturization. It was a sleek, portable-CD-player-sized beast that played everything you threw at it. But let’s be real—as cool as it was, it was a relic of its time.

Enter TZMWX, a visionary Chinese modder who decided that "good enough" wasn't in the vocabulary. The Sega CDX2 isn’t just a refurb; it’s a ground-up reimagining that turns Sega’s rarest console into a modern-day masterpiece.

HARDWARE HEAVEN: NOT YOUR DADDY'S MULTI-MEGA

The CDX2 takes the DNA of the original and injects it with pure 21st-century adrenaline. This isn't just a shell swap; it’s an engineering marvel.

• Integrated LCD Brilliance: The most striking feature? A crisp, built-in LCD screen that provides real-time status updates, track info, and system diagnostics. It’s like the Dreamcast VMU graduated with a doctorate in aesthetics.

• The Disc Drive Evolution: We all know those 30-year-old laser assemblies are ticking time bombs. The CDX2 utilizes improved drive components that offer faster seek times and significantly better reliability than the original 1994 hardware.

• Audio/Video Perfection: TZMWX has overhauled the internal circuitry to ensure the cleanest RGB signal and high-fidelity audio output possible. Whether you’re blasting the Sonic CD soundtrack or exploring Snatcher, the "Mega" has never sounded this "Pro."

UNDER THE HOOD: THE TZMWX LEGACY

Who is the wizard behind the curtain? TZMWX has gained legendary status in the underground modding scene for a reason.

• Precision Engineering: Based in China, TZMWX is known for high-end boutique hardware that pushes the limits of what vintage silicon can do.

• Limited Runs only: This isn't a mass-market product. These units are hand-assembled and released in extremely small batches, making them an instant "buy on sight" for serious collectors.

• FPGA Integration: While it respects the original hardware, the CDX2 often incorporates modern enhancements to ensure compatibility with modern power supplies and video scalers.

REGIONAL REPORT: CAN YOU ACTUALLY BUY ONE?

Here’s the part that hurts: getting your hands on a CDX2 is like trying to find a working 32X at a garage sale for five bucks.

Currently, these units are produced in extremely limited quantities primarily for the Asian collector market. While a few units have trickled into North America and Europe via specialized importers, there is no "standard" retail availability. If you want one, you’ll need to keep a hawk-eye on modding forums and TZMWX’s direct social channels. This is boutique gaming at its most exclusive—a literal love letter to the 16-bit era that fits in the palm of your hand.

THE VERDICT:

The Sega CDX2 is the console Sega would have built today if they were still in the hardware game and fueled entirely by caffeine and nostalgia. It is the ultimate tribute to the sleekest era of gaming history.

Stay tuned to the feed for more hardware deep-dives. If you’re lucky enough to own one of these beauties, drop us a line—we want to see those setups!

RED ALERT: The ModRetro M64 Just Got a "Ferrari" Makeover and We’re Obsessed

Move over, Jungle Green—there’s a new king of the shelf. ModRetro just dropped a bombshell for the purists: a stunning Red colorway is officially joining the M64 launch lineup. If you thought this 4K FPGA powerhouse couldn't look any sleeker, Palmer Luckey and his team just proved us all wrong.

The M64 isn't just another emulator box; it’s a love letter to the era of 64-bit cartridge gaming, rebuilt for the 2026 living room. At a price point of $199, it’s successfully dodging the "retro tax" while delivering a "zero-latency" experience that puts modern consoles to shame. It’s built to run your original cartridges exactly as you remember them—only, you know, without the jagged pixels and blurry RCA cables.

The Power of 4K FPGA (and a Hint of Hot Pink)

Underneath that vibrant red shell lies a beast of a machine. The M64 uses a custom 4K FPGA chip, meaning it doesn't just "play" games; it becomes the original hardware at a circuit level. We’re talking lightning-fast 4–5 second boot times from the moment you flip the switch.

But the real magic is in the details. ModRetro has included a hidden "light pipe" that illuminates your cartridge art from within the console. And for the hardware nerds: if you peek inside the cartridge flaps, you’ll find a hot pink hidden latch—a cheeky design choice that highlights the "beautiful" PCBA and gold traces tucked inside. It’s clear that this console was designed to be looked at just as much as it’s meant to be played.

The Trident Returns

Yes, they did it. The M64 comes bundled with the iconic three-pronged "Trident" controller. Whether you love it or have traumatic memories of "Mario Party" palm blisters, there’s no denying it’s the only way to play these classics with total authenticity.

While the console is region-free (meaning your Japanese imports will slide right in and play perfectly), getting your hands on one requires some speed. Shipping is currently prioritizing the existing waitlist and loyal ModRetro customers. If you haven't secured your spot yet, that new Red variant is likely to disappear faster than a Golden Mushroom.

🕹️ The M64 Cheat Sheet

• The Maker: ModRetro (founded by Palmer Luckey).

• The Tech: Native 4K output via a custom-tuned FPGA.

• The Look: Now available in Red, Arctic White, Jungle Green, and Grape Purple.

• The Secret: Built-in "light pipe" to make your labels glow.

• The Price: $199 (Standard Edition).

Are you going with the classic Funtastic-inspired Jungle Green, or has this new Red colorway stolen your heart? Hit reply and let us know which cartridge you’re popping in first on Day One!

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