Finds 2053: Ys Books 1 & 2 Plus Ys III

There’s something special about adding true classics to the collection—especially when they come from a legendary action-RPG lineage like the Ys series. Today on Retro Gaming Life, I’m excited to share two incredible new additions that any retro enthusiast will instantly recognize.

First up is Ys Book I & II, a cornerstone release that helped define what action RPGs could be in the early CD era. Originally developed by Nihon Falcom, this compilation brought together the first two adventures of Adol Christin with enhanced audio, anime-style cutscenes, and that unforgettable redbook CD soundtrack. Even today, it stands as one of the best examples of how CD technology elevated storytelling and immersion in gaming.

Alongside it is Ys III: Wanderers from Ys, a bold departure from the top-down gameplay of its predecessors. This entry shifted to a side-scrolling perspective, giving it a unique feel within the series while still delivering the fast-paced combat and epic music fans love. Whether you’re revisiting it or experiencing it for the first time, it’s a fascinating chapter in the evolution of Ys.

Both of these titles were iconic on the TurboGrafx-16 and its CD add-on, showcasing just how ahead of its time the system really was. The artwork alone on these cases is enough to transport you back to a golden era of gaming, when opening a new game felt like unlocking a whole new world.

Of course, no unboxing or collection moment in this house goes unnoticed—especially not by my feline companion. Mouser made sure to personally inspect these new arrivals, giving them the classic curious sniff of approval. Whether it’s the shiny cases or just the excitement of something new, Mouser always seems to know when a legendary title enters the collection. I’d say that’s the official Retro Gaming Life quality check right there.

Moments like this are what retro collecting is all about—rediscovering timeless games, appreciating their history, and sharing the experience (even with a curious cat). Stay tuned for more pickups, deep dives, and retro goodness right here on Retro Gaming Life.

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Retro-Bit of the Day: The Legendary Axe (TurboGrafx-16)

For today’s Retro-Bit of the Day, we’re highlighting The Legendary Axe, released for the TurboGrafx-16 in 1989. Often remembered as one of the system’s most iconic titles, the game combined fast-paced side-scrolling action with a unique charge-up axe mechanic that added depth to combat.

The game’s detailed visuals, large character sprites, and atmospheric music helped showcase the power of the TurboGrafx-16 during its early days. While challenging, it rewarded patience and timing, making it a favorite among fans of classic action games.

 

The Legendary Axe remains an essential title in the TurboGrafx library and a true piece of retro gaming history.

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Popful Mail PC Engine Fan-Dub Project Brings New Life to a Classic!

Retro gaming fans have a new reason to celebrate—the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² version of Popful Mail is officially getting an English voice dub and fan translation! Announced by dedicated fans and preservationists, this ambitious project aims to give Western audiences a fully dubbed version of the game, complete with translated menus, subtitles, and redubbed voice lines that match the energy and charm of the original Japanese release.

🎮 A Cult Classic With Untapped Potential

Popful Mail is beloved among Sega CD owners for its quirky humor, action-platformer gameplay, and vibrant anime-style cutscenes. But what many gamers outside Japan don’t realize is that the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² version has its own unique charm, featuring different voice performances and balance tweaks. Until now, it remained locked behind a language barrier, with no official localization ever produced.

🎙 Fan-Dub Passion Project in Motion

This new initiative goes beyond just subtitles—it's a full fan-dub undertaking, meaning English-speaking voice actors are lending their talents to recreate the nostalgic feel of early ’90s anime-style game dubbing. The goal? To keep it faithful, fun, and packed with personality, just like fans remember.

Highlights of the project include:

• ✅ Complete English voice dub of cutscenes and in-game dialogue

• ✅ Translated menus, system text, and subtitles for full playability

• ✅ Preservationist mindset—maintaining original game tone and humor

• ✅ Compatible with PC Engine emulation and flashcart setups

🌟 Why This Matters for Retro Enthusiasts

Projects like this aren't just about convenience—they’re about preserving gaming history. The PC Engine library is full of hidden gems that never left Japan, and Popful Mail is one of the most charming examples of early CD-ROM era storytelling and character animation. A proper English dub makes the experience accessible to a whole new audience while respecting the game’s legacy.

💬 A Love Letter to ’90s Anime Gaming Culture

With its upbeat protagonist, flashy character art, and energetic fantasy world, Popful Mail perfectly captures that quirky, colorful era of gaming when CD audio and voice acting were brand-new features. Seeing fans dedicate time and talent to bring that era back to life in English is something the retro gaming community can truly appreciate.

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If you’re a fan of PC Engine collecting, fan translations, or just love seeing forgotten classics get the attention they deserve, this project is one to watch. Retro passion continues to keep gaming history alive—and Popful Mail is getting the spotlight it always deserved.

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Finds 1946: Super Volleyball & Dead Moves!

I found a new shoppe and decided to visit it! The store was kinda of messy so I will take pics next time when they're more organized so you can see the full potential of this place. Anyways, I found some decently priced games for the collection. Nothing crazy but definitely some oddities you don't see every day! It's getting really hard finding Turbo Grafx games after all! 

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Finds 1725: Naples, Florida Additions!

Here are my findings of my trip to Naples, Florida. I went to a bunch of different game stores and ended up with these. I should really document on here which game stores I go to in order to provide information for people who go to the area. Starting now, I will do it. Anyways, check out the stuff I got! Love Blaster Master and I'm happy to have it complete in a box. The Turbo Grafx games are always a must whenever I run into them. I also found a weird USB Ethernet connection which I could use on my old computers and Magic Carpet for PS1. Also, Muramasha for Wii was probably the best find even though the disc needs resurfacing. 

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Finds 1536: Cyber Core for Turbografx

Another arrival and addition for the Turbografx collection. This is Cyber Core for the Turbo Grafx and it's a very decent shoot 'em up. If you never heard of it, that's fine, I didn't heard about it till a couple of weeks ago. There are so many games still to explore. I definitely need to bring my Turbografx back out again as my Turbo Duo doesn't play the English titles. I could also use my Retro Freak! HD Quality! 

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Finds 1424: First Loot of the Year! Bomberman 2 and Lords of Thunder!

Happy new year once again! It’s time for some new loot! This time around, I was able to snag Bomberman 2 and Lords of Thunder from the usual game shoppe I visit. I did paid a lot for them but these are two games I wanted for a while especially Bomberman 2 believe it or not. I played Bomberman 2 when I first found out about emulators. It was such a fun game with a storyline and even though Bomberman games are repetitive, I still love playing them. Some of them do bring new stuff to the table. Lords of Thunder on the other hand was one game I never even heard of when I was young and only found out how amazing it is from YouTube videos and other gamers. The game is really hard to find so I thought it would be one of the few chances I had to get me a physical copy. Overall, a great way to start the year. I am really happy. You will see a decrease in loot in the coming months as I am focusing on other things in my life. There are priorities and as much as I love this hobby, this other things have to come first. 

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Finds 1423: Final Loot of 2020! TMNT Neca, Bolo Adventure 3, Fire Emblem 30th Anniversary, Grandia 1 and 2, and Turbo Grafx Mini

This is it! The final post of the year and it's of course , some amazing new additions! Lets go down below and see these final additions for the year. 

This is a classic game for DOS that caught my attention. I will obviously make a floppy repro of this artwork and add it to my shoppe. 

I've been wanting this for quite some time and they are always sold out on amazon so I picked it up when it finally showed up. 

Another game that sold out quite fast and had to pick it up when it was available again. I just love the Famicom retro style NES box it comes with. 

These have eluded me for years! Not anymore! I always wanted this set and I'm happy to get an original 2016 set of the arcade turtles from comic con. I just love these and yeah I am not opening them. 

The Turtles in Time figure was needed to continue the Turtles in Time line. I love it. Also, last but not least, one of my favorite RPGs of all time! I wonder why they didn't included part 3...might as well had remastered it. 
What a way to finish the year! Totally loved it and even though it wasn't the easiest year for everyone around the world, I'm glad we are almost done with it. With a new year, we start with new hopes and projects. I have so many projects to come it's ridiculous! I'll be so busy but it's the good busy. I can't wait. See ya next year guys....

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Finds 1387: Orlando Trip Visiting Various Game Shoppes!

I usually visit Orlando to get away from the madness of everything that's going on and always end up visiting different game shoppes in the area. Orlando is pretty huge so it's like a mini road trip going to all these different stores. I did went to one that was closed off due to the pandemic which is kind of sad but it is what it is, I hope they make a come back. I posted some photos of the stores down below so check them out. 

My look this time around is some Playstation games like Kensei and Iron Soldier 3 which are two titles that are kind of obscure. Not many people talk about them but they are solid titles so I had to pick those up. Joe & Mac for the NES has eluded me for years so I decided to finally get it. The Game & Watch Collection is one that I missed years ago. You could only get it through the Nintendo Rewards program back in the day by collecting coins from your game purchases. Finally, a Turbografx game called Sonic Spike that's a sports title. Overall, I'm happy with these! 

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Finds 1383: J.J. & Jeff , Casino, and Under the Knife

Got some Turbografx games at the thrift store. How often does that happen? How? Anyways, these are some decent additions that's better than nothing. I also got Under the Knife for NDS. This game was quite popular and unique back in the DS days. Overall, I'm really happy! 

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Finds 1291: Strahl, Riot Zone, High Velocity, and Zelda a Link Between Worlds, Famicom Randoms

Here are so many goodies! Strahl is probably my rarest 3DO game now! High Velocity is an awesome racing game for the Saturn. Finally, got Zelda 3DS sequel! Riot Zone for the DUO! Lots of cool Famicom games as well! See? Lots of amazing additions! 

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Finds 1215: Final Zone II for TurboGrafx

This is a game I've been hearing a lot from because it's just hilarious all around. I'm wondering what happened to the voice actors of this gem! I highly recommend it as it's a decent game and the dub voices put it over the top!

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Finds 1208: Red Alert and Sherlock Homes as Gift!

Two games in one post! This is a funny story, the seller took a little longer to ship Red Alert so he included Sherlock Homes as a gift for being sent out late. You bet I gave him five stars and will definitely buy from him again! Sellers like these are rare! 

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Finds 1207: Ys 1 & 2 for the Turbografx CD

This is an essential game to have for the Turbografx CD and believe me, there aren't that many games for the CD add-on in the USA but if you are going to get some, this is one of the games you should definitely pick up. Try getting part 3 next although it's a little pricey!

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Finds 1205: Dracula X PCE Works, Psikyo Vol 2, and Others

More Limited Run releases as well as Mercs for the Sega Master System. I think Mercs is a decent port although I've played the Genesis version which is superior. Psikyo Volume 2 puts another set of wonderful games into the Switch. Finally, PCE Works released a very special edition of Dracula X for the PC Engine/ Turbo Grafx CD with both Japanese and English version of the game as well as some extras! 

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Finds 1204: Fighting Street and Salt and Sanctuary

I had to get Fighting Street because it was mainly a must have for the funny voice acting. The gameplay is just horrible but hey this is the original Street Fighter and one of the few ways to play it on a console, if anything, the only way other than in old PCs. Salt and Sanctuary is another one of those nifty Limited Run releases. They are always releasing lots of unique games. 

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Finds 1203: Prince of Persia for Turbografx and Super System Card

Here is a pretty awesome game with a hilarious cut-scene. Prince of Persia is a classic game that introduced a very precise type of gameplay which made it extremely replayable. Of course, it needed the Super System Card in order to play on the console. It's one of the many additions that are coming in the future. 

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Finds 1202: Enter PC Engine Duo, an Exquisite Console!

I finally got this console. It's one that I've been wanting for a long time. This is the PC Engine Duo and one of the best features of it was that it was modded to play Turbografx cards. It also plays Turbografx CD games without the need for a region lock. This is an all in one console! I have lots of games coming and I already got some goodies coming. This is another step in having a decent collection. 

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Game-bit of the day 968: Side Arms (TG-16)

A very kick ass shoot 'em up for the Turbo Grafx. It's a must have for Shoot 'em up fans and Turbo fans. The game has fast paced gameplay and will definitely make you come back for more. Now, enjoy the retro looking dude on the cover. He looks so early 90s! 

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Finds 1166: Sega Massive Lot! Sega Saturn, Sega CD, and Side Arms!

I ended up picking up seven new Sega Saturn games for the collection as well as a Sega CD RPG and Side Arms for the Turbo Grafx. I love every single one of them! 

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