Author: Sheldon

Sheldon has spent over a decade immersed in retro gaming, from NES classics to arcade gems. He's deeply passionate about preserving gaming history and helping others rediscover these timeless titles. When he's not gaming, Shaun writes about the evolution of video games and their cultural impact.

There is something special about finding a game that does not feel like it came from a marketing department. Maybe it is a tiny horror project made in a week. Maybe it is a strange browser game with one clever mechanic. Maybe it is a retro-inspired platformer that looks like it escaped from an old cartridge but plays like something completely modern. Maybe it is a visual novel, a puzzle experiment, a game jam prototype, or a passion project that would never survive a traditional publisher meeting. That is the kind of discovery itch.io is built for. While major storefronts…

Read More

Retro games look simple, but old arcade habits can make them harder online. Many Canadians now play titles like Metal Slug, Pac Man, Galaga, Contra, Final Fight, and Street Fighter II in a browser. The problem is not only age, speed, or controls. It is often the same rushed arcade style carried into a setting where players can test, restart, and learn with more control. Arcade Design Was Built Around Short Sessions Arcade games were built around short runs because each credit mattered. A strong Pac Man player might last far longer, but new players often lose within three minutes.…

Read More