Retro XP

Retro reviews, analysis, and thoughts about retro games I’m playing, and think you should be playing, too.

Featured Posts

11 hours ago

Past meets present: Slap Fight

Toaplan's second STG went sci-fi, loaded up on secrets, and influenced their designs of the future, as well.

Marc Normandin

Oct 14, 2026

It's new to me: Chew Man Fu

Now Production's first effort on the Turbografx-16 was a game where the name told you absolutely nothing about what you're about to experience.

Marc Normandin

Sep 30, 2026

Retro spotlight: Boxyboy, aka Sokoban World

One of the earliest console releases in the hugely important and influential Sokoban series, as well as one of the first released in North America.

Marc Normandin

Sep 25, 2026

Retro spotlight: Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes

Tactical puzzle RPG action. That's not word salad, that's Clash of Heroes.

Marc Normandin

Sep 23, 2026

Guest Feature: James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing

Very much of its era and of Bond, in ways both complimentary and derogatory.

Kevin Fox Jr.

Sep 18, 2026

Retro spotlight: Alien Syndrome

Just how good is Alien Syndrome? Well, it depends on which one you play.

Marc Normandin

Sep 14, 2026

Past meets present: Chibi-Robo! Plug Into Adventure!

One of the GameCube's final classics is also one of the best Nintendo games going.

Marc Normandin

Sep 02, 2026

It's new to me: Battle Pinball

Now here's a concept that needs revisiting.

Marc Normandin

Aug 24, 2026

Past meets present: TX-1

An important and influential arcade game in Japan that just never took off in North America, but the three-screen wonder has finally been ported to home consoles.

Marc Normandin

Past meets present: Slap Fight

Toaplan's second STG went sci-fi, loaded up on secrets, and influenced their designs of the future, as well.

Marc Normandin

Oct 14, 2026

It's new to me: Chew Man Fu

Now Production's first effort on the Turbografx-16 was a game where the name told you absolutely nothing about what you're about to experience.

Marc Normandin

Sep 30, 2026

Retro spotlight: Boxyboy, aka Sokoban World

One of the earliest console releases in the hugely important and influential Sokoban series, as well as one of the first released in North America.

Marc Normandin

Sep 25, 2026

Retro spotlight: Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes

Tactical puzzle RPG action. That's not word salad, that's Clash of Heroes.

Marc Normandin

Sep 23, 2026

Guest Feature: James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing

Very much of its era and of Bond, in ways both complimentary and derogatory.

Kevin Fox Jr.

Sep 18, 2026

Retro spotlight: Alien Syndrome

Just how good is Alien Syndrome? Well, it depends on which one you play.

Marc Normandin

Sep 14, 2026

Past meets present: Chibi-Robo! Plug Into Adventure!

One of the GameCube's final classics is also one of the best Nintendo games going.

Marc Normandin

Sep 07, 2026

Re-release this: B.O.B.

Life is tough when you're a teenage robot looking for love.

Marc Normandin

Sep 02, 2026

It's new to me: Battle Pinball

Now here's a concept that needs revisiting.

Marc Normandin

Aug 28, 2026

Past meets present: Assault Suit Leynos

Known as Target Earth in North America the first time around, Leynos is an underrated and unrelenting Genesis game with a modern update that doesn't forget the point.

Marc Normandin

Aug 24, 2026

Past meets present: TX-1

An important and influential arcade game in Japan that just never took off in North America, but the three-screen wonder has finally been ported to home consoles.

Marc Normandin