Retro Joy Lab 레트로 즐거움의 활력소

[태그:] SuperAsurada77

  • The Revenge of Shinobi – Beating the 16-Bit Sega Classic with Save-Load Magic

    By Super Asurada 77 – Retro Joy Lab

    Hello, this is Super Asurada 77.


    For gamers in their 40s and beyond, here’s a title that lets you finally beat that impossible childhood game — thanks to the magic of forced save/load tricks!


    It’s The Revenge of SHINOBI, a legendary 1989 Sega title that helped define the 16-bit Mega Drive era.
    Known in Korea as Super Shinobi, this classic ninja adventure is a true symbol of Sega’s golden age.


    Basic Controls:

    A Button: Ninja Magic
    B Button: Attack or Throw Shuriken
    C Button: Jump
    Press Start, then use the D-pad to select your ninja spell.


    Jump → Jump again: Double Jump
    Attack at the peak of a double jump: Multi Shuriken Throw (only works if you have enough shuriken).


    Ninja Magic:

    Flame Technique – Summons a blazing dragon that fills the screen, burning all enemies.

    Thunder Technique – Your body becomes surrounded by lightning, making you temporarily invincible. But take a few hits, and it wears off.

    Clone Technique – Boosts your jump height slightly. Honestly, I rarely use it. Seems cool, but not essential for boss fights.

    Suicide Technique – Sacrifice one life to damage nearby enemies. You’ll revive instantly with full health and one magic use restored. Extremely useful for boss battles if you have extra lives!

    Now, let’s begin the game.

    Middle-aged gamers have their pride — full 90 shuriken stock, difficulty set to NORMAL.
    Hold that pride high! “Normal mode” is our badge of honor.

    Round 1 begins. Wait, why are we fighting again?
    Are we saving the world… or did someone kidnap our girlfriend?

    Oops, pressed the wrong button? Yep — you just wasted your ninja magic on a random grunt.
    Better restart.

    A rock bridge? Step close and it starts moving — the arrow appears, and you go the opposite way.

    Enemies swarm in waves, but we’ve got plenty of shuriken left. Fire away!

    Here comes a boss in cool armor — I love that color scheme!

    When he swings his sword from the wall, hit him midair with multi-shuriken. Perfect timing!

    That armor’s gorgeous — changing colors like it’s AI-controlled. Man, I want one!

    Round 2: The waterfall stage.

    This is where most players hit their first wall.
    Don’t worry — the mighty save/load trick will carry you through.

    The waterfall is beautiful… but fall off, and you’ll lose a precious life.

    Ugh, those falling logs! You’ll need perfect double-jump timing to land safely.
    Trust your rhythm — if you can leave your office exactly at 6:00:00 PM, you’ve got this.

    Make it across the logs, and you’ll see the exit.

    Now the city stage begins. A nun turns into a ninja, and a guy straight out of a Jackie Chan movie attacks with flying kicks!

    It’s total chaos — take them down one by one, calmly and precisely.
    If they won’t listen, well… shuriken and sword it is.

    Stop attacking me already! It hurts!

    I’m exhausted… time to chill at the club.

    Yep, it’s a club — but the boss shows up using Clone Magic!

    Take down his clones first, one by one.

    Then unleash your Flame Magic to burn off your stress!

    On to Round 3. The difficulty spikes here.

    Looks like an airfield. Japanese soldiers fire guns, toss grenades, and use flamethrowers.
    Time to rely on our best friends: save and load.

    Boarding an airship now.

    Why does that door keep opening? The maintenance crew’s clearly slacking.
    They need a 3 AM wake-up drill!

    Exit ahead — wait for the door to close before passing.
    Your life is precious!

    Boss time: a machine boss. Aim for the glowing vacuum-tube parts.
    Almost smashed my console, but held back — hardware is sacred!

    Round 4: The Waste Disposal Plant.

    Look at those neatly parked vehicles — way better than our lazy mechanics.
    You guys deserve a bonus!

    A tough industrial stage full of hazards.

    Flames everywhere, constantly burning you. Brutal.

    Boss fight — wait, is that… Schwarzenegger?!
    No way… is this Terminator?

    Yep. It’s definitely the Terminator.

    Round 5: The Skyscraper Stage.

    Fight your way through the building’s enemies…

    Then head out to the city streets.
    Wait — is that nun back again?

    She’s no nun — she’s a kunoichi, a female ninja!

    Enough already — stop attacking!

    Time to make a run for the exit!

    Another machine-type boss. Electric shocks, gas attacks, the works.

    Hit the red button-like core. It’s all about rhythm — jump to dodge the electricity, and time your shuriken toss perfectly.

    Round 6 begins.

    Looks like Chinatown — fittingly, the BGM is called “China Town.”
    I still love listening to it. The composer Yuzo Koshiro also did Streets of Rage!

    That enemy blocks all shuriken. Dodge his attack, then strike up close.

    Avoid the woman if you can — she takes multiple hits to go down.


    I get it, you want to protect her. But survival first — retreat if needed!

    Wait, are you her boyfriend? Sorry, man. My girlfriend’s kidnapped — I’ve got my own rescue mission!

    Didn’t move aside? Fine, have some shuriken!
    Exit’s up ahead.

    Now you’re fighting on top of a speeding train.
    Seriously? Yeah, definitely a kidnapped-girlfriend plot.

    Still, the wind feels great up here!

    Wait… Spider-Man?! Earlier we had Terminator — now this?
    Guess licensing wasn’t a big deal back then!

    Spider-Man transforms into a bat. I thought you were supposed to be a spider!
    Anyway, hit and dodge, one strike at a time.
    Finally defeated the bat!

    Round 7 — almost there, stay strong!

    At the docks, precision jumping is key.
    Enemies always wait near landing spots, so throw shuriken preemptively.

    Board the ship.

    Wander through until you find the boss room.

    ##################################
    Whoa… a giant dinosaur?!
    We’ve had Terminator, Spider-Man… and now Godzilla?

    Dodge its fire breath and tail swipes — aim only for the head. You can do this!

    Final Stage: Round 8. Are we rescuing our girlfriend or saving the world? Maybe both.

    Epic waves crash in the background — true 16-bit power on display!

    That cannon fire is infuriating.

    Now entering the enemy base — ZEED Headquarters.

    Careful — one wrong door and you’ll loop endlessly like a maze.

    Each door has a kanji number. Door #4 on-screen is your target — pick wrong, and you’ll go in circles.

    In the underground, crouch through tunnels to grab lots of power-ups.
    You’ll need to max out before the final boss.
    Activate Thunder Magic to stay powered up before entering.

    Finally, the final boss chamber.

    See the woman in the background? That’s your girlfriend.

    Rocks start falling — it’s a timed battle!
    Hit the boss only when his wig attack exposes him.

    You defeated him… but your girlfriend got crushed by the falling rocks.

    Our hero is devastated.

    Ah… I couldn’t save her.

    He stares silently into the distance.

    A falling star crosses the sky — he remembers her.
    The game ends in a sad ending.

    But wait! We’ve got the power of save/load magic.

    Reload before the final fight — make sure you’re fully powered up.


    When he attacks with the wig, counter immediately with a powered shuriken.
    Dodge with double jumps, maintain your power, and you’ll win in time.

    This time, you save her — before the rocks fall!

    She escapes the prison and runs toward you.

    The lovers reunite in an embrace.

    They hold each other close, comforting one another.

    Now, they gaze at the horizon together — a true happy ending.


    My hands and eyes are exhausted… but my heart is full.
    Time to rest, shed a tear, and move on to the next retro adventure.


    Have fun, and enjoy your retro gaming life!

    ✅ Retro Joy Lab – Your daily dose of nostalgic energy!
    by Super Asurada 77

    Original article in Korean: [link]

  • RG477M Review – 4.7-inch Retro Gaming Powerhouse

    Hello everyone, this is Super Asurada77.

    The RG477M is a retro handheld console with a 4.7-inch display, 1280×960 resolution, and an impressive 120Hz refresh rate.
    Its metal body gives it a premium look and feel — one you can proudly take out and play on the subway without hesitation.

    Although it’s portable, it weighs about 365g, which might feel a bit hefty at first.
    The metal body gives it that luxury feel, but it also adds to the overall weight.

    Still, even during a one-hour subway commute, I didn’t really find it tiring to hold — probably because I rested it on my backpack while playing. 😄

    The 4:3 ratio 4.7-inch screen is absolutely perfect for retro gaming.
    Especially for those of us in our 40s and 50s, this screen feels like a cure for aging eyes!
    It’s easy on the eyes — truly comfortable.

    The ABXY buttons are quiet enough to enjoy shooting games even in public.
    However, the L1/L2 and R1/R2 buttons make a noticeable clicking sound, so I tend to avoid pressing them too much.

    See that vent? Even when playing PS2 games, the device barely gets warm.
    I was hoping it could double as a hand-warmer in winter… but nope, it stays cool! 😆

    The fan noise is audible, but once you plug in your earphones, it fades into the background.

    Because the R2 and L2 buttons aren’t analog triggers, games that require pressing both can feel a bit awkward to hold.
    But hey, just play games that don’t need them! 😂

    It supports 3.5mm headphones, and even 4-pole headsets work perfectly.
    However, when using Bluetooth earphones, I sometimes experienced disconnections in specific subway sections — but the signal returns right after passing those areas. T.T

    You can enjoy PS2 games in 4:3 ratio on this 4.7-inch screen without letterboxing.
    For middle-aged eyes, it’s a true blessing. 👀✨

    In Super Robot Wars Impact, the map and robot icons look crystal clear.
    On the Retroid Pocket 5 Mini, it was hard to tell whether I was looking at Mazinger or Great Mazinger, but
    on the RG477M, the difference is obvious — which makes me really happy.

    Recently, SEGA Ages Virtua Fighter 2 for PS2 runs perfectly after emulator updates.
    There’s minor glitching on the character selection screen, but gameplay is smooth.

    The Retroid Pocket 5 also runs it fine, but at 3x resolution the performance drops noticeably.
    On the RG477M, however, you can knock down your opponent, jump up, and slam them at full speed — even at 3x scaling.
    (2x scaling also runs well on the Pocket 5.)

    When you play PSP games (16:9) on the 4:3 screen, you’ll get letterboxing at the top and bottom.
    It makes the image appear smaller, but still perfectly playable.

    If you stretch it to full screen, it fills the display — though characters look a bit elongated. 😅

    Here’s the original ratio screen of PSP Super Robot Wars A Portable.

    And this is the stretched full-screen version — taller and thinner, but still playable.

    PSP Tekken 5 in its original aspect ratio.

    And here’s the full-screen stretched version — the fighters look long and lean. 😂

    Now here’s Bubble Bobble running on the 4.7-inch 4:3 display.
    Looks spacious, right? Super comfortable on the eyes!

    Super Famicom (SNES) games also look amazing on this wide 4:3 screen.

    Here’s Game Boy Super Robot Wars G — you can see a slight letterbox on the sides,
    but it’s still a great experience on the larger display.

    Famicom (NES) Super Mario 3 also looks great on the big screen,
    though pressing A and B together can be tricky due to the narrow button spacing.
    But hey, just skip the running and focus on jumping! 😆

    Even MAME Run and Gun 2 runs beautifully — smooth and vibrant!

    Here’s a size comparison between the Retroid Pocket 5 (top) and the RG477M (bottom), both in 4:3 mode.
    The RG477M’s display is clearly larger, though the Pocket 5 still holds up nicely.

    Here’s another comparison — PS2 Super Robot Wars Impact:
    the Pocket 5 (top) vs RG477M (bottom).
    Notice how much larger the text appears on the RG477M.

    And this one compares PSP gameplay — Pocket 5 (top) and RG477M (bottom) stretched to full screen.
    The RG477M still handles PSP games decently well!

    Here’s the original aspect ratio comparison — Pocket 5 (top) vs RG477M (bottom).
    Smaller but much sharper and cleaner visuals on the RG477M.

    Here’s Yoshi’s Island on SFC (SNES) — Pocket 5 (top) vs RG477M (bottom).
    The 4.7-inch 4:3 screen truly shines for retro titles like this.

    Game Boy games look pretty similar between the two devices.

    Finally, GBA (Game Boy Advance) comparison — Pocket 5 (top) vs RG477M (bottom).
    The RG477M’s screen is slightly smaller but still crisp and clear — perfectly enjoyable. 😄

    Make sure to use a 5V 2A charger or higher!
    Using a 5V 1A charger can overheat or even damage it — mine got really hot during charging.

    With my daily 3-hour commute, the battery easily lasted until Wednesday, which is pretty impressive!

    Final Thoughts

    Despite a few downsides — a bit of weight, Bluetooth dropouts in certain subway areas, and slightly awkward R2/L2 buttons —
    the 4.7-inch 4:3 screen is a huge strength, especially for middle-aged gamers fighting presbyopia. 👓

    It’s a wonderful retro gaming device that brings back old-school joy without eye strain.

    Enjoy your retro adventures, everyone!
    – Super Asurada77, Retro Joy Lab

    Original article in Korean: [link]

  • I Tried Beating Ghouls ’n Ghosts Again — It Still Drove Me Insane

    👻 Ghouls ’n Ghosts – The Ultimate Test of Patience and Courage!

    By SuperAsurada77

    Have you ever seen a bearded guy in his underwear fighting zombies in an arcade?
    If so, you probably remember Ghosts ’n Goblins — the legendary game infamous for its brutal difficulty.

    Later, it came home as Ghouls ’n Ghosts on the 16-bit Sega Mega Drive, with upgraded graphics and the same soul-crushing challenge.
    Just being able to play it at home was pure joy — until that first clear stage hit you with despair.

    Now, we live in an era where we can play it on handheld consoles — and yes, the save & load trick finally lets us reach the ending.
    Still, you’ll need persistence and a lot of patience.

    Basic Controls

    A Button: Throw weapon
    B Button: Jump

    If you’re wearing the golden armor, hold A to charge your magic and release for a special attack unique to each weapon.


    Now, let’s begin the adventure!


    The opening scene’s graphics and haunting soundtrack hit you right in the nostalgia.

    You start armored, but one hit strips you down to your underwear.
    Get hit again, and you’re nothing but bones.
    Yeah, it’s brutally hard.


    Between grim reapers and dive-bombing eagles, chaos reigns.

    Sometimes your brain presses back on the D-pad…
    but your fingers just refuse to cooperate.

    That golden armor is key — it unlocks special attacks!

    Hold down the attack button to charge up.
    When the gauge is full, release to unleash a powerful magic attack.

    For example, the lance triggers lightning magic, and during that lightning flash, you’re momentarily invincible.

    The pixel art vibes? Absolutely top-tier.
    But… still insanely hard.

    The storm scene — with the rain and swirling tornado monsters — is simply breathtaking for its time.

    Then comes that charging pig monster.
    Mash those buttons like your life depends on it — because it does.

    And when that pig starts puking… yeah, chef’s kiss — perfection and disgust in one.

    Whoever designed these bosses deserves a medal.
    The imagination is off the charts!
    (Headshots are the key, by the way. Three good hits will do it.)

    Time limit’s ticking!

    Even if you beat the boss, if the timer hits zero before you grab the key, it’s back to square one. Brutal!

    Stage 2 begins.
    Forget everything you know about turtles being slow.

    Fall off that bridge, and you’re sucked into the sandpit — straight to monster dinner.
    Turn back and RUN.

    Fiery birds and bean-sprout-looking monsters make life miserable.

    Those flaming phoenixes just won’t stop coming.

    Stage 2 boss time — a flaming demon dog (or lion?).
    Dodge the flames, spam attacks, and pray.

    Victory!
    Of course, only thanks to the almighty Save & Load technique.

    Stage 3 — welcome to hell.
    The hardest stage of them all.

    You have to sprint nonstop or you’ll never make it.

    This is where most players die. Over and over.

    Precision jumps are your only salvation.

    Almost there!
    Right before the stone mouth, you must jump off.
    Watch out — there’s always a monster right where you land.
    Press down + attack mid-fall to survive.
    Easier said than done.

    Please… don’t throw your handheld.
    Your handheld loves you. ❤️

    Attack the eyeball hiding inside the cloud.

    Even monsters look exhausted — that bloodshot eye needs sleep!

    Stage 3 clear!
    Take a deep breath, stare at the horizon, and meditate before continuing.

    Stage 4 — another nightmare.
    “Oh dear lord, haven’t I suffered enough?!”

    Slippery platforms, rage-inducing falls…
    But remember — the princess is counting on you!

    The boss here is fast, tricky, and the timer is cruel.

    Only 27 seconds left! Aim for the heart!

    Made it! Somehow…

    The final? stage begins.
    The enemies are desperate, throwing everything they’ve got.

    Still with the projectile vomit… the mental damage is real.

    All the previous bosses return for revenge.

    “Hey, where’d your bodies go?”

    “Wait… twins?!”
    The blue flame weapon is a must here — charge it up for a devastating magic blast.

    The final boss? Ordinary weapons barely scratch him.

    But the blue flame’s special attack melts him instantly.
    Without it, you’ll need perfect dodges to survive.

    At last, the door to the princess!

    Wait… who’s this guy?

    Brave Knight Arthur, you have done well to come this far.
    However, in your current state,
    you cannot defeat the Demon King Lucifer beyond this gate.
    Return once more to the Demon Realm,
    and within the battles ahead,
    receive the power of true magic.

    Where’s the princess??

    Arthur, wear the magical armor,
    and if you keep opening the treasure chests,
    the goddess will surely appear.
    Be strong, Arthur — I believe
    that you, of all people, can defeat Lucifer.

    What?! It’s restarting?!

    Yes, you have to beat the entire game twice to see the true ending.
    Cruel developers indeed! 😭

    Somewhere in the second loop, you’ll find the ultimate weapon.

    That goddess turns into the final weapon — grab it fast!

    This is the most powerful weapon in the game.

    It even cancels enemy projectiles!

    Bosses crumble in seconds — poetic justice.
    “Thanks, devs… I guess?”

    Keep collecting keys and clearing stages.

    Enemies get faster and meaner this time.

    But with the ultimate weapon, nothing can stop you!

    Easy win — pure satisfaction.

    And yet, more hell awaits…

    “Wait, I have to do this again?!”
    Feels like serving a second term in the army.

    “Oh hey, the eyeball boss! Still bloodshot, huh?”

    Time to put you to rest.

    Enemies come in endless waves now.

    Still, every boss will finally find peace.

    The charging pig?

    He’s done.

    Headless ghosts? Done.

    Triplets of doom?

    Sent them all to heaven.

    The so-called “not-final” boss?
    Yeah, you’re next.

    At last, the true final boss awaits!

    “Oh no… you look like a final boss all right.”
    Jump onto its feet and strike the head relentlessly!

    Defeat it, and the trapped souls are freed.

    A kind bird carries the princess’s body back.

    Now her soul descends to reunite with it.

    Spirit and body

    finally one. (Ghost meets Ghost?)

    Our hero and the princess run toward each other.

    Finally, a moment of peace and happiness.

    Lucifer, who revived the Demon Realm that should have perished three years ago,
    once again tried to rule over it —
    but Arthur rose to defeat him once more.

    Sensing the ominous signs of the Demon Realm’s revival,
    Arthur never let his guard down,
    even after defeating the Great Demon King three years earlier.

    When the power of the Demon Realm began to seep into the fiends once again,
    the heavenly gods bestowed upon the couple — Arthur and the princess —

    Without these magical powers, even Arthur himself
    would have perished before facing Lucifer.
    But after receiving the Psycho Cannon from
    the archangel Cael to defeat Lucifer,
    Arthur finally overcame him after a long and grueling battle.

    The souls of the people who had been trapped
    within Lucifer’s body were finally set free,
    and even the princess, who had once lost her life,
    was revived.
    Thanks to the valiant Knight Arthur,
    peace returned once more to the human world.
    …But someday, by the hand of someone or something,
    the Demon Realm may rise again…

    The souls of those trapped within Lucifer’s body
    were finally freed, and even the princess,
    who had once perished, was brought back to life.
    Through the valor of Knight Arthur,
    peace returned once more to the human world.
    …Yet someday, by the hand of someone or something,
    the Demon Realm may rise again.
    Has Arthur’s battle truly come to an end…?

    “Lived happily ever after?”
    The question mark says otherwise.

    The End.

    Even with save-load abuse, this game is a mountain of pain.
    You’ll need patience, persistence, and maybe therapy.
    But beating it? It’s pure bliss — a retro triumph!

    🎮 Until next time, may your retro gaming spirit stay strong!
    — SuperAsurada77

    Original article in Korean: [link]