Finally I can reap the benefits of years spent doing … whatever this is. #NintendoWorldChampionshipsNES

With all the end-of-year work stuff I didn’t end up having time for my favourite retrospective part, so I’m doing it now! Here are my top five best “new physical retro gaming things” that I got in 2023. (1/6)

The predatory microtransactions used to be 70c-per-minute phone calls.

I won’t make it to Syd for this, but if you’re up there it looks like a lot of fun. Not many chances come up to spectate live speedrunning. Team Sonic obvs.

Unexpected drop of Mega Drive games onto the Switch Online service, including 3 oddities and 1 banger: -Street Fighter II′ (not the best SF on Switch) -Flicky (port of a weird 80s arcade game) -Kid Chameleon -Pulseman (gorgeous Japan-only platformer from Pokemon's Game Freak)

Recommendation Dog, by @SweetBabyInc. You're a dog running a temp agency, people appear at your door with humourously hyper-specific demands, and you have to crank your rolodex to find a suitable candidate in seconds. It's stupid but surprisingly sweet.

Carve Jr, by @ChuhaiLabs. Chuhai's arcade surfing game was great at Playdate's launch, but this take on snowboarding adds a lot more depth and variety. Holding the crank at an angle for maximum speed is fun, and nailing a huge aerial spin or a last-minute skid dodge feels great.

Grand Tour Legends, by @ioramastudio. A cycling game where you crank to pedal! It seems so obvious in retrospect! I love the animations in this one, and the impressive video background. Getting the fastest time is all about watching the inclines and managing your stamina.

Generations, by @ScenicSoftware. I'm usually hopeless at puzzle games that demand combos and planning, but something about this one really hooked me. You're matching family portraits to clear and age them,and need to pay close attention to keep room for future moves.

Bloom, by @RNGParty. It was the first Playdate game I got outside of the included season and set the bar incredibly high. A social sim where you run a flower shop while lying to your parents about dropping out of school, it's beautiful and designed for quick drop-in gameplay.

Playdate appreciation thread! Almost a year ago I listed 5 of my favourite games included with this adorably dorky machine, but between itchio and the new 'Catalog' store I now have more than 60 games on the thing. So here are 5 sold-separately must-haves: xitter.cf/TimBiggs/status/151661…

Big day for Game Pass release dates! -TODAY: Hi-Fi Rush from Tango Gameworks -TOMORROW: GoldenEye 007 (also Switch) -April 18: Minecraft Legends -May 2: Redfall We already have dates of Age of Empires 2, Atomic Heart & Wo Long. Hopefully Starfield and Silksong are also H1.

N64 is too intense for philips ambilight.

I just mentioned Kirby’s Avalanche in this week’s Press Any Button newsletter! Coincidence? (Yes) pressanybutton.substack.com/…

Here are our picks for the best games of the first third of 2022! See anything you skipped over? Surprisingly neither of us chose Elden Ring, so sorry if you’re really thirsty for more takes on that one.