ModRetro has announced its upcoming M64 gaming console, designed to play original Nintendo N64 cartridges. Built with AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGAs, the new console aims to replicate the original console at the hardware level rather than relying on software emulation.

ModRetro focuses on manufacturing retro gaming systems that support original physical cartridges. One such example is the Chromatic, a handheld console designed for original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges.

The company drew on its prior experience to power its new M64 console with AMD's Artix UltraScale+ FPGA. The console recreates classic gameplay by directly emulating the original hardware chip logic, which the company claims delivers greater accuracy and lower latency than software emulation. The company also stated that the design mimics the original system's behaviour, matching everything from controller inputs to on-screen responses.

Those interested in the ModRetro M64 can sign up to get notified when the console launches on the official product page. The console is scheduled to begin shipping on July 28th.

KitGuru says: FPGA-based hardware emulation is an excellent way to preserve classic games without the accuracy issues of software emulation.

The post ModRetro leverages AMD FPGAs for upcoming N64-compatible console first appeared on KitGuru.

8BitDo has expanded its nostalgia-fuelled Retro lineup with the Retro 18 mechanical numpad in a striking Xbox Edition. Dressed in the iconic partially transparent green plastic that defined the early 2000s, this peripheral is designed to complement the Retro 87 Xbox mechanical keyboard.

The Retro 18 (via ITHome) is far from a travel-sized accessory, measuring 170 x 104 x 45.5 mm. Its substantial footprint is necessitated by its dual-purpose design, which makes it both a standard PC numeric keypad and a standalone calculator. A nine-digit seven-segment LED display sits at the top, allowing for quick math without ever needing to interact with your PC. Like its keyboard counterpart, it offers tri-mode connectivity via Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz wireless with a dongle, and USB-C. For the Xbox Edition, 8BitDo has opted for hot-swappable Kailh Jellyfish X linear switches.

While the Retro 18 is an aesthetic marvel, its software implementation remains somewhat limited. The 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 application currently only supports firmware updates. This means that despite having mechanical switches and hot-swap capabilities, users cannot natively remap the keys to function as a macro pad or a specialised gaming controller.

On the hardware side, the 1000mAh battery offers up to 160 hours of use on a single 4-hour charge. The device also features a dedicated shortcut button to launch the Windows calculator app instantly. At €44.99, it is a dedicated piece of kit for those who opted for a tenkeyless keyboard but realised they needed a dedicated numeric keypad for work or calculations.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Given the substantial desk space this requires, do you think the standalone calculator functionality is genuinely useful, or is it mostly a gimmick?

The post 8BitDo introduces the Retro 18 numpad with original Xbox aesthetics first appeared on KitGuru.

Here at KitGuru we appreciate cases that are slightly different – perhaps with wood panels, or the cooler mounted in an unusual location – and the Thermaltake Retro 360 TG looks like it might offer us a bit of fun. On the one hand the front panel gives the impression this case dates from 1990, but on the other hand you look through the huge glass panel and see a conventional budget case that accommodates a 360mm liquid cooler in the roof or the side.

Timestamps:

00:00 Start
00:48 Retro?
01:37 Removing panels / Fans
03:12 Installing hardware
06:14 Cabling and CPU Cooler
07:04 RGB and Lighting
07:21 Testing the case
09:29 Closing Thoughts

Main features

• Retro 360 TG Mid Tower Chassis: The Retro 360 TG Mid Tower Chassis is an ATX case featuring a retro-style front panel and a tempered glass side panel, and supports up to a 360mm AIO for maximum cooling efficiency. An optional 6” LCD Screen Kit is available for enhanced visuals. Up to twelve 120mm fans, and it supports up to 360mm radiator at the top, providing flexible options for cooling solutions.
• Visually Pleasing, Totally Interactive: Maximize your Retro 360 TG Mid Tower Chassis visual effects by upgrading it with our LCD Screen Kit.
  The 6” LCD Display allows you to monitor real-time information and upload any images or GIFs to add extra flair using the latest TT RGB Plus software.
• Good Dust Protection: Removable dust filters help keep your system clean while maintaining optimal airflow.
• Storage: The drive plate supports one 3.5” HDD plus one 2.5” SSD or two 2.5” SSDs.

Specification:

• Motherboard support: ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX (supports hidden connection).
• Power supply support: ATX.
• Expansion slots: 7.
• Included fans: 1x 120mm 1,400rpm front intake, 1x 120mm 1,400rpm rear exhaust (DC not PWM)
• Fan mounts: 2x 120mm/140mm front, 3x 120mm/2x 140mm roof, 1x 120mm rear, 3x 120mm side, 3x 120mm PSU shroud.
• Radiator mounts: 240mm/280mm roof, 120mm rear, 360mm side.
• 5.25-inch optical drive bays: None.
• Internal drive bays: 1x 3.5-inch/2.5-inch, 1x 2.5-inch.
• Front I/O ports: 1x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, audio.
• Dimensions: 493mm H x 459mm D x 235mm W.

Testing

To put this case through its cooling paces we will be using a test system consisting of an AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, Palit RTX 5080 and an SSD. This system allows us to produce a substantial amount of heat and effectively test the Thermaltake Retro 360 TG‘s cooling capabilities.

Test System:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D
• CPU Cooler: Thermaltake MAGFloe 360 Ultra ARGB Sync
• Motherboard: MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk Max WiFi PZ
• Memory: 32GB Thermaltake ToughRAM XG RGB D5 DDR5-6000
• Graphics card: Palit GeForce RTX 5080 Gamerock OC 16GB
• Case fans: Thermaltake ToughFan EX 120 ARGB Sync
• Power supply: Thermaltake ToughPower GT 1200W Gold
• SSD: Crucial T700 Gen 5 M.2 NVMe
• OS: Windows 11

Cooling Performance

Cooling Performance Overview

The Thermaltake Retro 360 TG does a reasonable job cooling our test PC, however it would be stretching a point to claim the airflow is impressive. We suggest you either build a mid-range PC inside the Retro 360 TG or, if you must go high end, budget for plenty of extra cooling hardware.

Closing Thoughts

We like the looks of the Thermaltake Retro 360 TG and consider the retro front panel as a bit of fun in a world of PC cases that emphasise mesh and glass.

On the other hand the front panel is quite restrictive when it comes to airflow and the case doesn't support any 5.25-inch external drive bays. In other words, the Thermaltake looks retro at the front but this appearance is only skin deep, and even that look vanishes when you install the accessory LCD screen.

When you turn to the main compartment the Retro 360 TG doesn't look the least bit retro, and it is plain this is a conventional ATX case with a clear glass panel that shows off any RGB lighting you might choose to install. As you will see in our video we used a total of eight 120mm RGB fans and thought it looked pretty darned good.

You can buy the Thermaltake Retro 360 TG for £79.99 HERE.

Pros:

• Fun retro styling.
• Low price.
• Decent amount of room for your ATX gaming PC.

Cons:

• No optical drive bays.
• The included case fans are DC and not PWM.
• Panels are all riveted and fixed in place.

KitGuru says: We applaud Thermaltake for delivering the Retro 360 TG at a low price.

The post Thermaltake Retro 360 TG Case Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Earlier this year, Marvel announced the MaXimum Collection, developed in collaboration with Konami. The new collection grants instant access to some of Marvel's classic 8-bit and 16-bit era Arcade games, remastered for modern hardware. Now just a few weeks on from the announcement, we have a release date.

The headliner of this collection is X-Men: The Arcade Game. This definitive mutant beat-'em-up is being reborn with full online multiplayer support for up to six players, bolstered by rollback netcode. Alongside this Arcade era classic, fans can experience Captain America and The Avengers, as well as the SNES and Genesis versions of the symbiote classics Spider-Man/Venom: Maximum Carnage and Separation Anxiety. The collection also delves deep into handheld history, including the Game Boy and Game Gear ports of Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade's Revenge.

Even the NES Silver Surfer game makes its return in this collection, with added rewind and save state functionality to make the experience less frustrating for casual playthroughs.

Beyond the games themselves, the Marvel MaXimum Collection also includes a music player featuring all of the iconic tracks from these games, along with several new ones. It also includes High-Res scans of the original box art, original instruction manuals and more.

The Marvel MaXimum Collection will be available for PC and consoles starting on March 27th, both physically and digitally.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Were you a fan of any of the retro Marvel games?

The post The Marvel MaXimum Collection comes to PC and consoles next week first appeared on KitGuru.

The company launched its first product, a Game Boy-style handheld device called the Chromatic, in 2024.