Pterodactyl Squad have just released Dark City by Renegade 8, a new NES chiptune artist from Portugal. If you’re a fan of melodic, action-oriented chiptunes make sure to check it out. It even has a gritty underlying storyline inspired by Streets of Rage! It’s available to download for free at ptesquad.com.

Renegade 8′s debut release is a mesmerizing nighttime journey through the seedy underbelly of chiptune. Pulling a variety of samples from the crackling guts of an NES, Renegade 8 uses these sounds to craft melodic, action-packed chiptunes reminiscent of side-scrolling beat ‘em ups set across subway stations, dimly-lit streets and grimy alleyways. Do you have what it takes to make it all the way to Dark City in one piece?

1. Underground Rendezvous
2. Subway Shadows
3. Vigilante Justice
4. Smashin’ Back Doors
5. Danger on the Dancefloor
6. She’s With Me
7. Dark City
8. Moonlit Faceoff

Looks like back in 2010, when the amazing Kid Icarus Uprising was barely announced to bring back our legendary NES era hero, The Icarus Kid (AKA Dan Crowdus) was hard at work with this upbeat look back at some of the tracks of that wonderful regular Nintendo past. Purchase and sample this release over through The Kid Icarus website and reminisce about traversing dungeons and climbing towers in pixelated 2D.

Enjoy a small sampling of the full thirteen tracks below.

Been rocking this album with mad swag as I hustle and grind. While I am trying to get mine, you should get this album. City of Thieves mashes up Himself of Shadowrunners’ swaggering lyrics against some wild video game beats. Max out that swag to 100% and start a New Game +.

Sick spits from J.3k and crew. Press Start and enter the dope rhythms and rhymes of The NES Sessions. Not one, but two Earthbound beats on this album that I got to mention. Heavy hitting rhymes over some banging game remixes that sound like they’re “worth a million points.”

Last time The Protomen performed in Chicago, they were accompanied by a myriad of other fantastic performers. It was a phenomenal show, but giving them the headlining set really gives them the opportunity to shine.

This past April 7th, they had the opportunity to do just that. Bringing the audience through Acts One and Two of their dystopian Megaman-based rock opera story, and even tantalizing the audience with a preview of some Act Three work, it was hard for any member of that audience to contain their excitement. Below are some choice shots of their performance as they “fought” alongside their Chicago army. An army that had help from as far as Ireland, thanks to fan James that traveled overseas to see them, and even get a shot with Murphy Weller!

Intergalactic warbles reach us from some distant, and yet unknown galaxy. It sounds like music. It sounds like Zelda music! Across the cosmos comes The OneUps with that cosmic swagger.

A collection of covers to some of my favorite video game themes, including an evocative rendition of Stickerbrush Symphony from the wonderful DKC2 soundtrack. Through Self Deduction’s latest album Power Up! is here to rock your pants off, so make sure you have another pair before hitting play.

Albums heard. 3/5   Forgetful mother f… 300pts

1. Seattle Jazz Composers Ensemble – Classic Video Game Music album
2. Jake ‘virt’ Kaufman – Mighty Milky Way / Mighty Flip Champs OST
3. Gossip Stone – Nostalgiaopolis album release

Games discussed. 8/7   Over the top!  800pts

1. Einhander: A Shoot-Em-Up Classic from an Unlikely Source
2. Cover This: Toxic Caves
3. Video Game Magazine Memories: Electronic Gaming Monthly
4. Top DSiWare Games: Introduction
5. I feel bad for Sony more than ever / Why are you hating on Sony so much?
6. Top DSiWare Games: X-Scape and a plea to Dylan Cuthbert
7. Top DSiWare Games: Boxlife, Skip, and classic Nintendo swagger
8. Crossing the X’s and Dotting the Y’s: Gambling On Some Pokemon Eggs

Songs played. 9/9   Fresh to death! 450pts

1. Nintendo and The Reaper by Roey Goldstein
2. Samus The Jazz Queen by MC Larny
3. Caves of Sagila (Rygar) by Killed by Koopa
4. SMW (Ghost House B-Boys Mix) by Threv
5. Second Quest by Moldilox
6. DuckTales – The Moon by Megalixir
7. Chainsaw Beats Wood, Man! by Daniel Alm
8. Just a Quickie (Mega Man 2) by Killed by Koopa
9. Sonic the Funky Spinball Wizard by MC Larny

Score: 1550/1650pts

Record:1650pts

Final score 4800/4950pts

Previous score: 1650pts

A short but sweet mix of catchy beats and familiar sounds. Let Gossip Stone show you all the sights and sounds in the city of Nostalgiaopolis. Imagine a disjointed memory randomly looping and jumping through your mind, all in a head bobbing rhythm.

Cure what ails your arcade-deprived heart with this retrotacular release from Gossip Stone.

Great games. That is what Mighty Flip Champs and Mighty Milky Way are. One of the qualities of a great game is great audio. Jake ‘virt’ Kaufman provides that great audio. Flipping and floating to your hearts content.

Download the games!

Dear WayForward, I am officially ending each post about you with some variation of, “Sigma Star Saga successor please!”