I personally have the Founders Edition, but they’re all great, and wonderfully replicate the original Commmodore 64 experience in modern FPGA hardware. It’s one of the very best ways to recreate the original, and authentic, C-64 experience for our modern world.

Firmware 1.1.0 is now out as well, which adds several improvements, including the ability to use a USB mouse instead of requiring use of the standard classic serial mouse. You can read the changelog here.

The post Commodore 64 Ultimate Spring Flash Sale and new firmware! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Quote: “Evercade Nexus is the new premium retro gaming console designed for the Evercade ecosystem and support for 32 and 64-bit games! A larger, sleek retro handheld design with textured grips, dual analogue joysticks and a big high-resolution screen.” 

Retailing for $229.99 before shipping, the Evercade Nexus 64 Edition (Funstock exclusive) is limited to 2,000 units. It includes a case, cartridge 53 in the main series (Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie for Nintendo 64), and a screen protector. Standard editions will be available at the usual retailers for less.

All cartridges work across all Evercade handhelds, consoles, and tabletops, as well as all Super Pockets. You can check out the current list of games in the entire Evercade library with my master list, found here. The entire list comprises over 902 games across 98 unique collections, including both cartridges and hardware.

Now we have to wait and see what cartridge 52 ends up being!

The post Blaze’s Evercade Nexus is their newest cartridge-based handheld appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

HISTORY OF VIDEO GAMES EXPLORED IN NEW COMIC BOOK BIOGRAPHY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Darren G. Davis, TidalWave Productions
503-941-5851
Portland, Oregon
ddavis@bluewaterprod.com

TidalWave Comics proudly announces the release of Orbit: Power Up—The History of Video Games, the newest installment in its acclaimed biography comic book series spotlighting pop culture icons and milestones. Arriving in stores this week, this exciting graphic novel chronicles the evolution of video games—from their earliest innovations to the modern era—bringing the story of gaming’s creation and cultural impact to life in dynamic comic book form.

Written by Michael Frizell and illustrated by Roe Mêsquita, the 22-page comic book is available digitally on major platforms and in print through Amazon.

Before esports arenas, billion-dollar franchises, and cinematic sagas, there was a signal. It was faint, pixelated, and unstoppable. Orbit: Power Up – The History of Video Games is a 22-page, full-color comic that dives deep into the human stories behind the screens. From Ralph Baer’s basement-built “Brown Box” to the rise of Tetris, Final Fantasy, Tomb Raider, and Halo, this grounded, cinematic narrative explores the inventors, rebels, and visionaries who reprogrammed the way we play. Told in richly detailed captions and immersive visuals, this standalone issue is perfect for fans of digital history, creator-driven storytelling, and the cultural forces that shaped the world’s most powerful entertainment medium. Video games don’t just entertain us. They reshape how we play, think, and connect.

“This collection isn’t just about basketball. It’s about leadership, visibility, and the evolution of women’s sports told through four of the most compelling athletes of their generation.” said writer Michael Frizell.

TidalWave Comic Book Biographies bring the lives of today’s most influential icons to the page through dynamic, visually driven storytelling. From music legends and Hollywood stars to athletes, innovators, and cultural trailblazers, TidalWave transforms real-life journeys into compelling comic book narratives that educate, inspire, and entertain. Known for its bold approach and wide-ranging catalog, the publisher has become a leader in graphic nonfiction, making history and pop culture accessible to readers of all ages. TidalWave’s biographies have earned national attention and praise, with features and coverage in major outlets including Rolling Stone, TIME Magazine, and more—cementing its reputation as a trusted and innovative voice in comic book storytelling.

TidalWave’s titles are available in both digital and print formats, including softcover and hardcover editions. Readers can find them on platforms like Kindle, iTunes, ComiXology, Global Comics, Google Play, Overdrive, Nook, and Kobo.

For more information, visit www.tidalwavecomics.com

Social Media:
Twitter: @TidalWaveComics
Instagram: @TidalWaveProd
Facebook: TidalWaveProd

About TidalWave Comics

TidalWave is a multifaceted multimedia production company with the mission of delivering dynamic storytelling in a variety of forms by developing graphic and literary fiction and nonfiction, audio, film and more. The company’s wide range of diverse titles delight readers through its creative and innovative storytelling available in high-quality print and electronic formats.

TidalWave delivers a multimedia experience unparalleled in the burgeoning graphic fiction and nonfiction marketplace. Dynamic storytelling, coupled with groundbreaking art, delivers an experience like no other. Stories are told through multiple platforms and genres, gracing the pages of graphic novels, novelizations, engaging audio dramas and cutting-edge film projects. Diversity defines TidalWave’s offerings in the burgeoning pop-culture marketplace through its use of fresh voices and innovative storytellers.

As one of the top independent publishers of comic books and graphic novels, TidalWave unites cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by the publishing industry’s most exciting artists and writers. Its extensive catalog of comic book titles includes the bestsellers “10th Muse” and “The Legend of Isis,” complemented by a line of young adult books and audiobooks.

TidalWave’s publishing partnerships include entertainment icon William Shatner (“TekWar Chronicles”), legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen (“Wrath of the Titans,” “Sinbad: Rogue of Mars,” “Jason and the Argonauts” and more), novelists S.E. Hinton (“The Puppy Sister”) and William F. Nolan (“Logan’s Run”), and celebrated actors Vincent Price (“Vincent Price Presents”), Dirk Benedict of the original “Battlestar Galactica” (“Dirk Benedict in the 25^th Century”) and Adam West of 1966’s “Batman” fame (“The Mis-Adventures of Adam West”). TidalWave also publishes a highly successful line of biographical comics under the titles “Orbit,” “Fame,” “Beyond,” “Tribute,” “Female Force” and “Political Power.”

Contact Information

Publisher Darren Davis welcomes media inquiries. Interviews may be available upon request.

Darren G. Davis

Publisher, TidalWave Comics

direct line: 503-941-5851

ddavis@Bluewaterprod.com

Quotes from Major Media Outlets:

“The Comic Book Every Child Should Own.” — BuzzFeed

“It’s great that they are doing these comics.” — CNN

“[TidalWave books] engage a growing readership and bridge the gap between comic books and the diverse multimedia marketplace.” — Vanity Fair

“Offers readers a unique insight.” — Fox News

The post From the Brown Box to Halo: The History of Video Games in a New Comic appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

A recent financial analysis dives into the data to rank the highest-grossing Pokémon games ever released. The list is a fascinating mix of nostalgic hits and modern blockbusters, proving that while fans love revisiting the classics, free-to-play mobile mechanics are where the biggest profits lie. Check out the full data below from ChicksX to see where your favorite generation ranks:

Study reveals which Pokémon games bring in the most revenue 

• Pokémon GO tops the list with gross revenue of $9.8 billion 

• The most recent mainline games come in second place with $1.6 billion  

• The worst-performing Pokémon game is Pokémon Rumble U, with revenue of only $210,000 

A new study reveals that Pokémon GO, released in 2016 on mobile, is the best-selling Pokémon game of all time, with a revenue of $9.8 billion. 

The study, conducted by cryptocurrency exchange platform ChicksX, analyzed the estimated earnings of each game in the Pokémon franchise from 1996 to today, to discover which of them has the highest revenue. 

Pokémon GO takes the top spot with a revenue of $9.8 billion. Though the mobile game is free to play, the in-game purchases allow players to catch special legendary Pokémon or have a higher chance of encountering alternate shiny forms. The game has had over 500 million downloads since 2016. 

In second place are the Switch games, Pokémon Sword & Shield, and Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, both with an estimated revenue of $1.6 billion. Both games brought free roam and overworld encounters to the franchise, and both were heavily criticized for performance issues early on. Despite this, updates and DLC have helped to give a more positive overall opinion on generations eight and nine. 

Third place goes to the games that started it all: Pokémon Red, Blue, & Green. With an estimated revenue of $1.27 billion, these games were the world’s first introduction to Kanto and the world of Pokémon. Red and Green were released in Japan in 1996, before an updated version, Pokémon Blue, was released later. In 1998, Pokémon Red and Blue were released worldwide. 

Pokémon Gold & Silver are in fourth place with an estimated revenue of $1.01 billion. These games are the last to break $1 billion and were released for the Game Boy Color in 1999. Gold and Silverare unique for being the first games to include two regions: the new Johto region, and the Kanto region from Red and Blue. They are also the first games to introduce ‘box-art legendaries’ in Ho-Oh and Lugia. 

Fifth place has multiple entries, all with an estimated revenue of $953 million. Pokémon X & Y, the first 3DS games. Pokémon Yellow, a graphically updated generation one game that followed the anime plot, and Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu & Eevee, a game using GO’s capture mechanics and the plot of the original games. 

The top-grossing Pokémon games 

Sixth place sees generation four remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl with an estimated revenue of $903 million. These remakes were critical failures in the eyes of fans for their rigid structure and not including any quality-of-life upgrades from previous games. 

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is in seventh place with an estimated revenue of $900 million. The first entry in the new Legends series, Arceus sees players exploring the Hisui region 150 years in the past. 

Pokémon Sun & Moon are next with an estimated revenue of $879 million. Players complained about the length of the cutscenes in these games, but the lack of traditional gym leaders was a fresh idea for the franchise. 

Generation four’s original Diamond & Pearl are next with an estimated $778 million in revenue. The games had many bugs and issues that were fixed in the updated third version, Pokémon Platinum. 

Completing the list is Pokémon Legends: Z-A, with an estimated revenue of $770 million. Taking place in modern day Lumiose City, the latest entry in the series brings back mega evolution from X & Y. 

Al Alof, CEO of ChicksX commented: 

“The bulk of revenue for the Pokémon franchise comes from the trading card game, which brings more than $30 billion. However, the franchise is an ecosystem of its own where game sales drive card sales. 

“The mainline series of games brings in a total estimated revenue of $17 billion, and the free-to-play mobile games $11 billion. Looking at these figures, we can see that Pokémon GO alone is responsible for 85% of mobile game revenue. 

“What’s interesting is the high revenue for the original Game Boy games. With the 30th anniversary of the franchise this year and the news that FireRed & LeafGreenare being released on the Switch and Switch 2 consoles, it’s clear that fans love visiting the very first games despite their age showing when compared to newer entries.” 

The post The Top 10 Highest-Grossing Pokémon Games of All Time appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Inspired by one of the franchise’s most iconic locations, the Lucky 38 Resort & Casino, this design pays tribute to the neon glow and retro-futurism of New Vegas. Featuring a round, silver frame with subtle in-world Easter eggs, the Lucky 38 channels unmistakable Wasteland energy, crafted for fans, Vault Dwellers, and long-haul Prime Video binges alike.

Each pair is officially licensed by Amazon Studios and arrives in collectible Fallout packaging inspired by New Vegas, including:

• A custom Fallout case
• Microfiber pouch
• Cleaning cloth
• 12-month warranty

As with all GUNNAR eyewear, the Lucky 38 Glasses are engineered for performance and comfort, featuring:

• Patented blue light–blocking lenses
• G-Shield® smudge and scratch resistance
• Subtle +0.2 diopter lenses for enhanced focus
• A wraparound fit with removable leather side shields, perfect whether you’re exploring the Wasteland or venturing into a Vault

In addition to the Lucky 38 release, GUNNAR’s Fallout eyewear collection also includes:

• Fallout Vault 33 Glasses (MSRP: $99), introduced during Season 1
• Fallout Brotherhood of Steel Glasses (MSRP: $99), launched at the start of Season 2

The post New GUNNAR x Amazon Studios Fallout: New Vegas Glasses up for preorder! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

Polymega® Collection Vol. 17 – GUNBIRD – Gunbird (arcade, Saturn), Gunbird 2 (arcade), Gunbarich (arcade), Cybattler (arcade), Exerion (arcade), Sky Fox (arcade), Second Earth: Gratia (arcade), E.D.F. / Super E.D.F. (arcade, SNES, SFC), Operation: Logic Bomb (SNES, SFC)

Polymega® Collection Vol. 18 – RIVAL TURF! – Rival Turf! (SNES, SFC), Brawl Brothers (SNES, SFC), Peace Keepers (SNES, SFC), Tuff E Nuff (SNES, SFC), Ninja Kazan (arcade), Daraku Tenshi: The Fall Angels (arcade)

Per usual, with each package, you get the DVD, visual companion (manual of sorts), controller reference, sticker, and collector’s pin.

You can read my 2024 review of the Polymega platform. Since the time of that review, they’ve released quite a bit, with quite a bit more promised.

The post Polymega game collections 17 and 18 up for pre-order, featuring Gunbird and Rival Turf! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

The main takeaway from the update is new information on the PCBA, boot time, controller latency, and other nifty features like a light pipe to uplight a cartridge to see the label art. If you’re ordering, you can take the colorway survey. What follows is the full message:

The post New updates for ModRetro’s upcoming M64 FPGA Nintendo 64 console appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

You can read my 2024 review of the Polymega platform. Since the time of that review, they’ve released a Nintendo 64 module, various disc-based game compilations, and the long-awaited light guns. There’s still much more to come from Playmaji for their intriguing platform, but again, who knows exactly when.

The post Polymega EM06 Pro Module Set for all Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges and controllers now available appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

We’ll be providing reviews for some of these products going forward, but expect the same great quality as always from the company. And don’t forget about the Kith x Backbone collab.

Backbone is a cult-favorite for serious gamers and casual gamers alike; see below for specific product details on the lineup:

Backbone’s Xbox Edition – Starting at $99.99: From casual cloud play to pro-level performance. The Xbox Edition lineup includes options built for on-the-go Xbox gaming, with plug-and-play compatibility for Xbox Cloud Gaming and Game Pass, and a pro-tier model featuring precision sticks and hall-effect triggers for console-quality control.

Available at Backbone, Amazon, and Best Buy.

Backbone’s PlayStation Edition – Starting at $99.99: Designed in collaboration with PlayStation, featuring PS-style controls so players can jump seamlessly into Remote Play and top mobile titles with a familiar console feel

Available at Backbone, Best Buy, and Walmart.

Backbone’s Target Editions – Starting at $99.99 (Target Exclusive): Backbone’s cozy, limited-edition colorways available only at Target, including:

Limited Pink Edition – $169.99

Limited Purple Edition – $99.99

The post Backbone 2026 Lineup: New Xbox, PlayStation, and Limited Edition Mobile Controllers appeared first on Armchair Arcade.

The limited-edition bundle will be available exclusively on electronics.sony.com (U.S.) for $249.99 USD MSRP. You can check out the other variations of the LinkBuds Fit on Amazon using this link.

The exclusive bundle features a limited-edition acrylic earbud stand with newly illustrated artwork by illustrator Ogipote, along with two original HoloModels of Hatsune Miku. Fans will also receive access to a special campaign song and animated performance of “BELIEVE DAY,” viewable through the HoloModels app. Download the app to bring Hatsune Miku to life anywhere and capture photos in real-world settings. 

The post Miku Fans Rejoice: Sony’s New $249 LinkBuds Fit Collab Comes with AR Concerts & More appeared first on Armchair Arcade.