Old School & Retro Gamers

09/09/2026

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake & Switch 2 – 40th Anniversary Edition finally revealed! 🎉

For those who may have missed the Nintendo Direct event that was broadcast earlier today, we had to share the news with you folks, as it's now time to celebrate!

While opinions are mixed regarding the look of the game more specifically, as far as I'm concerned, I think Nintendo is hitting hard. They really nailed it with everything that was announced.

As a fan of the original game (1998), having played it back in the day and even later, and having lived through the N64 & GameCube eras, witnessing what Nintendo has done after so many years is like a dream come true.

This is exactly what I was hoping for in a Remake. I was thrilled to see that they have preserved the feel of the original. We can tell that it is the exact same game, but this new version looks and feels a lot more immersive & modern with some really thoughtful quality-of-life improvements...

When they introduced the new hardware, I was amazed by the look of the Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda: 40th Anniversary console, the carrying bag, and the Pro Controller all together.

However, the game isn't cheap: $84.99 CAD (Digital) and $99.99 CAD (Physical). The game is sold separately (not included with the console).

Pre-orders are now live for the game, which will come out on November 5, 2026. Pre-orders for the console & accessories will eventually go live in the next few weeks and are planned to release on October 29, 2026.

If you're a fan of the original game and played it back in the day, what are your thoughts & impressions about the Remake?

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQvD3p2yGwc

Switch 2 – TLOZ – 40th Anniversary (console & accessories):
https://youtu.be/Ymw9UTRu1V0

Watch as series producer, Eiji Aonuma, gives a gameplay demonstrati...

08/14/2026

🔥 The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is BACK! 🧙‍♂️⚔️

But there's a catch...

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North was originally released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011. A new remaster, Legacy Edition, has just been released as a total surprise to fans on August 11, 2026!

The game is now available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2, and PC. Its full price is $25.99 CAD, with a current 10% discount on all platforms, bringing it down to $23.39 CAD.

However, sadly for collectors, there is no physical version — at least not yet. For now, it's a digital-only release, and we don't know if a physical edition has been discussed or is planned.

Still, it's a great time to go back and relive the nostalgia while enjoying the improvements made to the new Legacy Edition. It's not just a visual upgrade! It also adds:

🎮 60 FPS support
🔄 Character hot-swapping in solo play
🎯 Improved enemy targeting
💾 Autosave + more save slots
👥 Better AI companion management
❤️ Visible party Health/Mana/EXP bars
🐛 Bug fixes & various quality-of-life improvements
🎮 Modernized controls

And yes — 3-player co-op is still here! 🗡️🛡️🏹

After 15 years, it's great to see War in the North officially return! ❤️

We provided the link from GOG because they are a DRM-free-oriented company. With DRM-free games, you can download and keep the game installer without being dependent on an online activation system.

A Shadow rises in the North. Step into a darker, grittier Middle-earth where war rages

08/04/2026

Croc 2: Kingdom of the Gobbos coming soon to consoles & PC! 🐊

Following the remaster of the first game, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, originally released on the PS1, SEGA Saturn and PC, fans of the cute little green crocodile wondered what would happen with its sequel, Croc 2. The developers responded that they would be interested in working on it as well, but that it would depend on how well the first game sold.

Well, it looks like that was indeed the case, as the remaster of the second game, which was also originally released on the PS1 and PC, is currently in the works. It was recently announced that the game will finally be arriving soon.

Apparently, it's not just the visuals that have been improved, as players will also be able to enjoy gameplay enhancements. For example, Croc can now perform a triple jump, which sounds exciting for 3D platformer lovers!

Developer Argonaut Games has not announced a specific release date yet. However, the game is currently planned for release in Q4 2026 (October–December 2026). We'll keep you posted with future updates!

The game will be available on the following platforms:
• Nintendo Switch
• PlayStation 5
• PlayStation 4
• Xbox Series X
• Xbox Series S
• Windows PC via Steam and GOG.com

🎬 Watch the Croc 2 Remaster trailer here! 👇

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

07/31/2026

"Freedom Isn't Free!" 📺

Travel back to 2004 and experience this retro TV commercial for Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3, captured from a VHS recording.

It was broadcast on MuchMusic, a Canadian music television channel, to promote Ubisoft's tactical first-person shooter for the PlayStation 2.

Featuring the memorable tagline "Freedom Isn't Free," it combines intense action with a dramatic military atmosphere, showcasing the style of early-2000s video game advertising.

Enjoy this nostalgic piece of Canadian gaming & television history, preserved for retro gaming enthusiasts & fans of classic TV.

Let's dive in! 👾

Welcome to OS & RG! 📺 🎮 🕹"Freedom Isn't Free."Travel back to 20...

07/27/2026

Original XBOX exclusives now playable on PC? 😮

In case you missed the news, XBOX is working on bringing classic games that debuted on the Original XBOX—many of which were console exclusives at the time—to PC through XBOX PC.

Those who purchase a digital copy of a supported game—or already own one digitally—will automatically become eligible to download the PC version at no additional cost. These PC versions also come with several graphical enhancements, such as 4× resolution upscaling, VSync, anti-aliasing, anisotropic filtering, and windowed mode.

However, it's important to note that these are PC-specific features, meaning they do not currently apply to the console versions. That said, XBOX has confirmed that Achievements will be coming later this year to select Original XBOX games on both console and PC.

As for those who own physical copies, you should still be able to benefit from new console features like Achievements for supported titles. However, the new PC graphical enhancements are not guaranteed for physical owners on console. Many Original XBOX games have already been part of Microsoft's backward compatibility program—first on XBOX 360 and later expanded on XBOX One and Series X|S—where they received various console enhancements over the years, including higher resolutions, improved image quality, and other improvements.

Unless Microsoft explicitly announces additional console upgrades, the new PC visual enhancements appear to remain exclusive to the PC versions.

While this may be a bit disappointing for physical collectors, this is still great news for game preservation overall. It's exciting to see more classic games becoming accessible on modern platforms, and even more encouraging to hear that XBOX plans to continue expanding the program with additional titles, including games from the XBOX 360 era.

How do you feel about this initiative? Are you excited to see more Original XBOX and XBOX 360 classics making their way to PC?

Today, we’re introducing XBOX Backward Compatibility on PC, making it easier to play classic XBOX games from the past across PC and handhelds, including the ROG XBOX Ally and XBOX Ally X.

07/22/2026

📣 Sign the Don’t Kill the Disc petition | Tell Sony to Keep Physical PlayStation Games❗

As you may know, following PlayStation’s recent decision to end the production of physical game discs in 2028, there has been a massive backlash, as many people felt the urgent need to stand up and fight for the future of physical games.

Thanks to Jade Pearce from PNP Games Inc., who started a petition on Change.org, the movement has already gained over 336,000 signatures in just three weeks since Sony’s shocking announcement.

OSNRG has cancelled its PS Plus subscription, signed the petition, and left a comment to do our part and stand united with this movement. As promised, today we would like to share the petition link with you, as this was something requested during the signing process to help spread the word and reach even more people. Not everyone is constantly up to date with the latest gaming news, and that is exactly why sharing this matters.

The more signatures we gather, the stronger our voice becomes. The bigger the movement grows, the greater the impact can be. We need you — together, we can make a difference!

Note:
Those who have signed the petition can also leave a comment or record a video. If you choose to comment, there is plenty of space available to share your thoughts in detail if you wish. However, please be aware that paragraph breaks will not be preserved in the published version, and your comment will appear as one continuous block of text.

Comments cannot be edited once published, but there is an option to delete them if needed.

What happens if I cancel my PS Plus subscription?
Many YouTubers and other well-known personalities in the gaming community have spoken up and explained that one of the best ways to make an impact is to “speak with your wallet.” They are encouraging users to cancel their PlayStation Plus subscriptions, which actually makes a lot of sense, as modern gaming companies increasingly rely on online subscriptions as an important source of revenue.

In other words, you have nothing to lose — but they risk losing you.

GOOD TO KNOW:
Cancelling your subscription will not negatively impact you as a customer. You will continue to enjoy your PS Plus benefits until the date your subscription was originally set to end. You will not receive a refund for the remaining time; your subscription simply will not automatically renew once it expires.

However, this is still a powerful way to send a clear message to PlayStation: “I strongly disagree with this decision, and you cannot take my support for granted.”

Every signature, every comment, and every voice matters. The future of gaming preservation depends on the choices we make today. Physical games are more than just products — they are pieces of gaming history, collections, memories, and a way for players to truly own what they buy.

If you believe physical games still have a place in the future of gaming, make your voice heard.

Sign the petition here:
https://c.org/sNfgkKQxsz

Don't Kill the Disc: Tell Sony to Keep Physical PlayStation Games

07/04/2026

Game Boy Advance SP (GBA SP) - MuchMusic TV Ad - Feat. Finger Eleven - 2004 - RARE! 📼 📺 🕹️

Travel back to 2004 & experience this retro TV ad for the Game Boy Advance SP (GBA SP), preserved from a VHS recording. It's a fun look at the unique style & humour of early/mid-2000s advertising.

This ad originally aired on MuchMusic, a Canadian music TV channel, to promote alternative rock band Finger Eleven's June–July 2004 tour, tied to their 2003 self-titled album, and features clips from their official music video for the song "Good Times," in partnership with Nintendo.

The ad opens with a young couple in their apartment when the girlfriend is suddenly awakened by her boyfriend making some very unusual noises. Curious & increasingly annoyed, she decides to find out what's going on...

Enjoy this nostalgic & memorable piece of Canadian gaming & television history!

Let's dive in! 👾

Travel back to 2004 & experience this retro TV ad for the Game Boy ...

07/02/2026

📢 PlayStation to Stop Production of Physical Game Discs in January 2028, Transitioning to the All-Digital Era! | PS3 & PS Vita Stores Closing Starting in August 2026 (in Some Regions)

Today's gaming news feels like a bad dream—especially for physical game owners, collectors, and retro players who still rely on older PlayStation stores. PlayStation has made several major announcements at once, and for many gamers, this is a much bigger deal than it may seem.

END OF PHYSICAL MEDIA:
It's hard to believe that PlayStation doesn't appear to have any announced plan for physical game owners to transfer their disc-based libraries into Digital.

From what Sony has communicated so far, this sounds like physical game owners could end up having to repurchase their games digitally if they want to play them on next-gen consoles. Hopefully, Sony has a solution they're simply not ready to announce yet.

If physical media disappears, Sony—and digital storefronts in general—will gain much greater control over pricing, while consumers lose one of the biggest sources of competition: discounted physical copies that often help keep digital prices in check.

In practice, it could become a choice of Buy Digital or Don't Buy at All. For some players, that may even be the tipping point to leave consoles and move to PC. If everything becomes digital anyway, platforms like Steam regularly offer significant discounts, making it harder to justify paying full price on console storefronts.

Many people may not think this will matter because PlayStation says around 90% of game sales are now Digital. But once physical competition disappears, consumers may eventually realize they'll be paying $80+ CAD—or more—for digital games with far fewer opportunities to save. Ironically, that could result in people buying even fewer games than they do now.

This is one of those announcements that may not seem like a big deal today—but many gamers may eventually realize just how much it changes the future of game ownership.
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PS3 & PS Vita Store Closures:

August 2026
• Mexico
• Honduras
• Nicaragua

Late 2026
• Latin America
• Middle East

Until July 2027
• USA
• UK
• Most remaining major territories

Once these stores close, digital games will no longer be available for purchase.

Sony states:
"Previously purchased content will remain downloadable after the closing date for the foreseeable future."

While it's good that previously purchased games will remain downloadable for now, the words "for the foreseeable future" leave many unanswered questions about the long-term preservation of those purchases.

Today may be remembered as one of the biggest turning points in PlayStation's history—not just because of the shift away from physical media, but because it raises important questions about game ownership, preservation, consumer choice, and the future of gaming itself.

PlayStation Blog:
https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/01/physical-disc-production-ending-in-january-2028-for-new-games-releasing-on-playstation-consoles/

06/30/2026

📢 Game Reviews can now be published on the PlayStation Website!

As you may know, Old School & Retro Gamers has been publishing game reviews on XBOX for quite some time. Today, we're happy to inform you that we've recently started publishing reviews on PlayStation as well, under the name "OSNRG1".

Although the feature was never officially announced, written game reviews have actually been available on the PlayStation website since August 2024, alongside the already existing 5-star rating system. However, reviews can currently only be written & read on the PlayStation website—not on consoles, at least for now.
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HOW TO WRITE REVIEWS ON PLAYSTATION

STANDARD RULES:
Users must own the game digitally to be eligible to write a review, and reviews can only be submitted using the PlayStation Online ID that owns the game.

Users must clearly indicate whether or not their review contains spoilers.

Interestingly, PS5 owners who have a physical PS4 copy of a game may also be eligible if a free PS5 digital version is available. Once they have downloaded the free PS5 digital version, they own it & seem to become eligible to submit a review.
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PROS:
• Review titles can contain up to 200 characters, allowing for more descriptive and expressive titles.

• PlayStation allows reviews of up to 4,000 characters, compared to 1,000 on XBOX, giving much more freedom for players who enjoy writing detailed reviews.

• If your current Gamertag/Online ID is too personal or simply doesn't fit the image you want when publishing reviews, you can change it. The first change is free, while additional changes currently cost $9.99 CAD. This feature has been available since 2019 and can be very useful depending on your goals.
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CONS:
• Your Gamertag/Online ID is always visible. There is currently no option to display a different public name or remain anonymous while posting reviews.

• Every review must go through PlayStation's moderation process before being published. Approval is not guaranteed, and the review may remain in a Pending state for several days before going live.

• Reviews can only be edited after they have been approved & published. Any edits must then go through the moderation process again before becoming visible. Since no estimated processing time is provided, this can be frustrating & may discourage some users from writing or updating their reviews.

• Your Gamertag/Online ID must begin with a letter & may only contain letters (uppercase or lowercase), numbers, hyphens, and underscores. No other symbols are allowed. Also, many IDs are already taken, and even IDs that were briefly used & later deleted never become available again, which can make choosing an Online ID more difficult.

This is why "OSNRG1" is used instead of "OSNRG" on PlayStation.

• Even if users structure their review with paragraphs & line breaks, these formatting choices are not preserved after publication. Reviews are displayed as a single continuous block of text, which can make them harder to read & may appear overwhelming to viewers.

• Reviews can only receive "Helpful" votes. While this encourages positive feedback, some users may prefer systems like XBOX's thumbs up/thumbs down or Steam's Helpful: Yes/No, which provide more options.

• Unfortunately, this feature doesn't seem to be a priority for PlayStation at this time. On XBOX, reviews can be edited immediately & as often as needed without going through moderation each time, making the experience much more enjoyable.
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If you decide to write reviews on PlayStation, you now know exactly how the system currently works.
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WHERE ARE THE REVIEWS POSTED?
• Open the game page using the hyperlink below.
• Scroll down to the "Ratings and Reviews" section.
• Look for the "OSNRG1" Gamertag/Online ID to find our review.

Timberman: The Big Adventure - OSNRG1 Review:
https://store.playstation.com/en-ca/product/UP4199-CUSA44758_00-0155979304863925

06/20/2026

“Would You Like to Play a Game?”

Travel back to the early 2000s & immerse yourself in this retro TV ad for NIKITA (known as La Femme Nikita in French-speaking regions), a thrilling spy-action series set in the shadowy world of Section One operatives & covert missions that made it a memorable artifact of the era.

What makes this glimpse into television history particularly fascinating is its connection to the universe of video games, beginning with a brief introduction that provides additional historical context for retro gaming & television enthusiasts.

Let’s dive in!

Welcome to OS & RG! 📺 🎮 🕹Travel back to the early 2000s & immerse ...