Episode 170 - Best Of 2025 + Zynaps (ZX Spectrum) vs Armalyte (c64)

We're back for Episode 170 of Pixel Gaiden!

In this episode Cody and Eric catch up on the news and cover Battle Of The Systems: Zynaps (ZX Spectrum) vs Armalyte (c64)

Plus - All three hosts talk about their best things from 2025!

 

7:37 - Quick Questions

22:48 - Patreon Song

26:17- Tea Time With Tim - Indie Developer Spotlight #1

43:58 - News

1:33:25 - Battle Of The Systems: Zynaps (ZX Spectrum) vs Armalyte (c64)

2:18:43- Best of 2025

 

News -   

Cody - https://www.indieretronews.com/2025/11/world-of-spells-this-first-person.html#more 

Tim - Chikubi Ninja – MSX2 platformer from the MSX GameDev 25 competition.  

Chikubi Ninja is an auto-scrolling action-platformer shoot-‘m-up with a groovy PSG soundtrack, where sharp reflexes and quick decisions are key to defeating every opponent. Designed for MSX2, but taking advantage of the MSX2+/turboR scrolling feature if present. 

https://www.msxdev.org/2025/12/27/msxdev25-21-chikubi-ninja/ 

Eric - After 25 Years, Google Has Finally Killed Dreamcast Web Browser Support | Time Extension 

https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/12/after-25-years-google-has-finally-killed-dreamcast-web-browser-support 

Tim – Bridle for the C64 from the awesome Roy Fielding (aka Roysterini) has now been released, a play on his previous release Turdle. Also a game thats been in dev for a while “eat ya greens” maybe back in development and out later this year. 

https://megastyle.itch.io/birdle-c-64 

Eric - Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance Burns onto Switch Online 

https://www.retronews.com/fire-emblem-path-of-radiance-switch-online/ 

Cody – Marble Madness for 2026!  https://www.retronews.com/marbles-marbles-steam/ 

Eric - 'About Fishing' Is What You Get When You Combine Shenmue With Sega Bass Fishing, Apparently 

https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/01/about-fishing-is-what-you-get-when-you-combine-shenmue-with-sega-bass-fishing-apparently 

Tim – Latest installment of Vix’s series on Hudson Soft has been released. In part 4 Vix takes a look at the ill fated PC-FX console and sets a few things historically right about the system that has been misreported over time. 

https://youtu.be/dg9dJ_0aHs8 

Cody - https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/01/someone-finally-did-it-this-homebrew-dreamcast-game-uses-two-vmu-displays-at-once 

 

Eric - SN Operator lets you play actual SNES carts on your PC, pre-orders open Dec. 30th, 2025 

https://gonintendo.com/contents/56332-sn-operator-lets-you-play-actual-snes-carts-on-your-pc-pre-orders-open-dec-30th-2025 

 

 

Tim - Sega Channel on MiSTer (via RetroRGB) - One of the first download services for video game consoles that was released in the 90’s for the Sega Genesis and only available via Time Warner Cable service.  The core is a modified version of the Mega Drive core, designed to run Sega Channel Revival ROMs released by BillyTime! Games. 

https://retrorgb.com/sega-channel-on-mister.html 

Cody - https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/12/ais-insatiable-hunger-for-ram-is-going-to-play-havoc-with-the-emulation-handheld-industry-in-2026  

Eric - Sega co-founder David Rosen dies aged 95 | Games | The Guardian 

https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/jan/05/sega-co-founder-david-rosen-dies 

Cody – Super Important! https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/12/who-created-the-term-metroidvania-gaming-historian-critical-kate-tries-to-find-out 

Eric - Retro-inspired Turn Based Tennis Title Hardcourt Balls Announced 

https://www.retronews.com/hardcourt-balls-announced/ 

 

Tim – PiMiga5 by Chris Edwards has been released, likely to be the last version. This is a BareMetal build of an Amiga emulator system that can be used on lots of different Intel or Arm based systems. It comes in an image you upload to an SD card or USB stick to boot from, you can also install it on an SSD. 

Not only does it provide Amiga emulation, but within it, it also emulates early Mac systems and allows you to run early Mac games. You do however need to provide kickstart ROMs to get it working, but if you own Amiga Forever from Colanto then you already have them! Its a great way to breathe new life into old hardware by turning it in to an Amiga. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFa8YWv6j98 

Eric – 2048 for Pico-8 (GREAT VERSION!) 

https://www.lexaloffle.com/bbs/?tid=153397 

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You can always reach us at podcast@pixelgaiden.com. Send us an email if we missed anything in the show notes you need. You can now support us on Patreon. 

Thank you to Henrik Ladefoged, Roy Fielding, Daniel James, 10MARC, Eric Sandgren, Brian Arsenault, Retro Gamer Nation, Maciej Sosnowski, Paradroyd, RAM OK ROM OK, Mitsoyama, David Vincent, Ant Stiller, Mr. Toast, Jason Holland, Mark Scott, Vicky Lamburn, Mark Richardson, Scott Partelow, Paul Jacobson, Steve Rasmussen, Steve Rasmussen's Mom, Retro Gamer Nation, Peter Price, Brett Alexander, Jason Warnes, Josh Malone (48kram), AndrewSan, Joe Ochwat, John Shawler, and Adam from Commodore Chronicles for making this show possible through their generous donation to the show.