Alex Kidd in Miracle World 2 - A fan sequel to a classic Sega Master System game you've just got to play!

In 1987 Sega released the great side-scrolling platform game ' Alex Kidd ' for the Sega Master System console. Although it was first released in Japan in 1986 but internationally in 1987, it was one of the most well known games as it was also built into most Master System II's. For anyone that has played the rather enjoyable original, will be pleased to know that a creator by the name of Ian has released ' Alex Kidd in Miracle World 2 ', which is a direct fan sequel to the original Alex Kidd in Miracle World and features more than just a new title screen!

Super Mario World on the NES gets a SNES improvement hack

We've just had an interesting heads up in our inbox, that Super Mario World on the NES has been hacked by Jabu to make the game even more similar to the SNES version, improving gameplay and graphics. Now if you're thinking to yourselves I don't remember Super Mario World on the NES, that's because the game was never officially released on the NES, and was only ported over to the NES from the SNES as a bootleg developed by Hummer Team and released in 1995. Now thanks to Jabu, he has made the game more in line with the SNES version but keeping as much of the core bootleg gameplay intact.

Rampart - The Japanese adaption of a Strategy classic gets a full English translation

We've just had another great heads up from our good friend VizionGamer that the Japanese adaption of Atari's classic Arcade game ' Rampart ' has been fully translated into English. Whereas Rampart was released way back in 1991 by Atari Games and available on multiple systems including the Sega Genesis, this Japanese version by Konami was only ever released in Japan, and instead of being set in a medieval age, featured an exotic storyline based on the life of Nobunaga Oda, a very famous samurai in the late 16th century.

Castlevania 30th anniversary NES facelift patch by KYA released!

Have I got a retro gaming treat for you today, as kya199 has announced that the Castlevania 30th anniversary facelift patch, which graphically overhauls the classic NES game to that of the mobile version, with missing tiles taken from Vampire Killer, Castlevania Bloodlines, or touched up by kya199. Has been released in celebration of the original games release since 1986, that had you tasked with the defeating of the vampire Dracula!

Multiple Super Mario Bros Rom hacks released that completely change a classic!

Another range of classics that have been given an overhaul or changed to make it look like an almost new game, is Super Mario Bros and Super Mario Bros 3 on the NES. These games are part of the greatest platforming game series ever released that was originally released by that famous company Nintendo in the late 80's, with a number of more advanced versions coming much later on different systems. Now however it's time to play Super Mario Bros and Super Mario Bros 3 but in a totally different way, as a number of fans have made the game either far harder or have changed the game(s) with new story and levels.

Super Mario Kart Reversed n' Remixed - A complete reversal of a fantastic classic SNES game!

If you've never heard of Super Mario Kart, then I guess you were living in a cave, as this game series which first appeared in 1992 on the SNES, was one of the greatest arcade style racing games ever to appear on a TV screen. Starring many famous characters such as Mario and Princess Peach, it put you and possibly your friends in control of your very own Kart, racing around a colorful track, picking up power ups, and being knocked about like some crazed bumper kart. Well you'll be pleased to learn as of today, Joseph Marshall has released the Super Mario Kart Reversed n' Remixed Hack, which doesn't just make the game playable in reverse but tweaks the game too!

Nemesis - An enhanced Gradius blasts its way onto the MSX2

You may have played this sidescrolling shoot-em-up under the game's alternative title: "Gradius". It was a fairly faithful conversion of the Japanese coinop that was first released in 1986 and ported over to a number of systems such as the MSX. The game is classed as a side scrolling shoot em up, and puts you in control of the spaceship Vic Viper on a mission to destroy waves of enemies with a power-up system at your disposal. That same game has appeared in our news feed, but this time as an enhanced version available for the MSX2, that is also playable through your browser.

Super Castlevania IV Other Castle - A complete hack of Super Castlevania 4 features new levels!

In 1991 Konami released the incredible action platformer of Super Castlevania IV for the SNES; a game that is highly regarded even today, and featured not only impressive 16-bit graphics using SNES mode 7, but a brilliant soundtrack with brand new arrangements based on the previous Castlevania music. It was and still is a game that is well worth playing, that has also appeared in our inbox as Super Castlevania IV Other Castle, a complete hack of Super Castlevania IV featuring more than just new levels.

Energy - Flawed PC Engine game gets improvements and an English translation

VizionGamer is on the ball again as he has once again informed us of a new English translation and game improvement that has been released via the Romhacking website. Today however isn't one of the best games we've ever mentioned on the PC Engine, nor is it particularly loved as it is the rather flawed game ' Energy ', which was released way back in 1988 by Quasar Soft that has a character that fights mutants released all over Tokyo. The game featured a long intro, poor graphics, very slow speed scrolling and not the best of controls.Thankfully this has been improved some what by cabbage and onionzoo to make it a far more enjoyable game.

Animetic Story Game 1: Cardcaptor Sakura - A Fully Playable English Translated Release!

Bit of a late one this and one we had to give a shout out to, is PsionBolt and NoOneee's fully playable English translated release of the PlayStation game Animetic Story Game 1: Cardcaptor Sakura. Mentioned earlier today by our good friend @VizionGamer. This game was released in Japan by Arika in 1999 for the Playstation 1, it featured beautiful 2D graphics, full voice acting, animated cutscenes from the TV show, and actually retells the story of the first season of the popular Anime that many people are still a fan of to this day. As RomHacking puts it  "this game recreates the world of Cardcaptor Sakura more accurately than any other CCS game before or since (and there have been quite a few other attempts)!"

Tales of Popolon - Santiago Ontanon's new MSX game is a bit of a crawler!

Once again another Nenefranz's heads up and again for the MSX, is Santiago Ontanon's ' Tales of Popolon ', which looks to be a 3D styled Dungeon Crawler that is in development and available as a ROM download with inclusive source code. In this game you play as the hero Popolon who is on a quest to stop to the source of evil that has not only taken residence in a fortress, but is killing people and has taken all the souls, stopping them from reaching Hades.

Alex Kidd 2 - Curse In Miracle World - High grade SMS Demo Hack reaches version 3!

As we said before, in 1987 Sega released the great side-scrolling platform game ' Alex Kidd ' for the Sega Master System console. Although it was first released in Japan in 1986 but internationally in 1987, it was one of the most well known games as it was also built into most Master System II's. In actual fact it was so well loved that a fan by the name of Yeti Bomar (aka Watain) is still working on his latest rom hack 'Alex Kidd 2 - Curse In Miracle World', which is now at demo version 3.

Conker's High Rule Tail - The Legend of Zelda as a Conker hack? This is madness!!

What do you get if you mix The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past with a bit of Conker’s Bad Fur Day? Most likely this latest incredible overhaul ROM hack from SePH and team, 'Conker's High Rule Tail'. According to Romhacking this release was initially built as a spiritual sequel to Parallel Worlds, but the project has evolved so much overtime that eventually it became an unofficial sequel to an M Rated game that was released late in the Nintendo 64 lifespan, none other than Conker’s Bad Fur Day!

Mega Man 7 Refit - Mega Man VII gets an improvement hack by two dedicated fans

It's amazing to think that Mega Man first appeared in 1987 on the NES and since then has spawned so many sequels on a multitude of systems, you'd think people would get bored of the series. But not so, as it is still one of the most amazing franchises to grace a gaming system and it's one of the games in the series as ' Mega Man 7 ' which has received an improvement hack by DarkSamus993 and Joseph Collins.

Layla : The Iris Missions - A complete enhancement HACK for this NES Action Platformer

Prepare for blasting action as Supper via the Romhacking website has released the full enhancement hack for the Japanese only NES game ' Layla The Iris Missions '. In this action packed platformer, you play as Lyla on an Iris mission to defeat Chinelkov Manitokha and his army of mutant Chimairan. Throughout the game you'll be blasting enemies, fighting big bosses, collecting items and trying not to be crushed by the 30ton weights to save the galaxy!

DuckTales 2 - Play as Darkwing Duck in this great two player hack!

With so many console games from our past being hacked with improvements such as graphical enhancements or even English translations, I'm really starting to wonder if I should get another everdrive SD cart so I can play all these hacks on original hardware. In actual fact it's today's seriously cool two player hack of the 1993 Capcom NES game ' DuckTales 2' by Ti, that almost pushed me over the edge to actually get one!

3x3 Eyes : Juuma Houkan - Side-scrolling action adventure gets a full English translation

The gaming news just keeps on coming, as just moments ago @VizionGamer gave us the heads up of the English translation for the side scrolling action adventure game on the SNES ' 3x3 Eyes : Juuma Houkan '. Released only in Japan in the mid 90's and developed by Banpresto, this game is based on the 3×3 Eyes manga and OVA and puts you in control of Yakumo. You must travel around various parts of Hong Kong and other areas to prevent the resurrection of an evil beast!

Bomberman Cx - Play as Black Bomberman and more in this great NES hack!

When I was growing up there was a game I used to love playing with friends, whereby your task was to drop bombs and either blow up other enemies or your very best friend(s) in a maze like game screen. That game was Bomberman also known as Dynablaster, which was actually first released way back in 1983 by Hudson Soft and then published by Konami. It was and still is a fantastic game that can still be played to this day on many different systems and as different versions/sequels. In fact the reason we are mentioning the game today is for the release of ' Bomberman Cx ', which is a rather decent hack of Bomberman on the NES!

Friday the 13th - NES classic horror back with improvements

In 2014 one of our reviewers Duston Justice, did a terrific review of the 1989 NES horror game ' Friday the 13th ', which was developed by the Japanese game developer Atlus. He noted the idea of having any significant blood, gore, or violence in a 1980's video game was unheard of, and given both the limitations of the console and of what would have been acceptable at the time, ‘Friday the 13th’ on NES was a flawed but interesting and fun game, although some critics have said this was one of the worst NES games of all time. But now thanks to Harlemhero, this marmite game has been given a number of improvements to make it just that little bit more enjoyable.

Wizardry V : The Heart of the Maelstrom - SNES Dungeon Crawler released in English and Uncensored!

@VizionGamer contacted us recently about a new English translation and fully uncensored version of Wizardry V : The Heart of the Maelstrom that had been announced via the Romhacking website. This game which is a dungeon crawler and available to play on an SNES, was already released in North America but however decent it was, it didn't the better qualities of the version that was released in Japan. All references to nudity, alcohol, blood, violence, and religion were replaced in the North American version and this hack not only keeps the English intact but removes the censorship so players can experience the game as it was intended.