Pixels and Polygons

The book Beat ‘Em Up Vol 1, the unofficial history of Final Fight

A bookshelf filled with books in the 32 Bit Library series

A preview of the Pixels and Polygons Quarterly zine.

A promotional ad for various Pixels and Polygons projects.

I’m Darren Hupke! I do a lot of different things in the retro gaming world.

I’m a writer:
📚32 Bit Library, Beat ‘Em Up

I’m a publisher:
📖 Pixels and Polygons Quarterly

I’m a podcaster:
🎙️Pixels and Polygons

Find out more about all of these projects right here: linktr.ee/darrenhupke

Pixels and Polygons Quarterly - 2026 Q2 A premium zine focused on retro video games. Read about three games' history, personal essays, screenshots, artifacts, and more!

The next issue of Pixels and Polygons Quarterly is shaping up to be a good one! Guest contributors for this issue include @nadiaoxford.bsky.social, @brendanlh.bsky.social, and @cloud-line.bsky.social. I hope you're ready to read about some odd Square games!

Get your copy now!

Preview of the RySpirit art for the next issue of Pixels and Polygons Quarterly.

Preview of the RySpirit art for the next issue of Pixels and Polygons Quarterly.

Preview of the RySpirit art for the next issue of Pixels and Polygons Quarterly.

Here’s a clear look at @ryspiritart.bsky.social’s art for the new issue. I’ll be making these into stickers for the “everything tier” backers. You’ve got 6 days to buy your own copy and get all these extras!

FREE STUFF ALERT!

If you've enjoyed my podcast, consider leaving a review!

If you want a free digital PDF of one of my Retro Game Zine back issues, send me a DM or reply with a screenshot of your review, and I'll send you one! Easy!

CONTENT CREATOR Darren Hupke MARCH I3TH-15TH 2026 PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER GAMEONEXPO.COM Panel @ 1:30pm on Friday Come see what new projects I've been working on and learn all about Pixels and Polygons, plus l'll be sharing some of my favorite other book recommendations! l'Il also be having a live recording of an episode of my podcast!

Hey Phoenix!

I’ll be at GameOn Expo all weekend! If you’re there Friday, I’ll be hosting a panel talking all about Pixels and Polygons, my latest book projects, my favorite other book recommendations for gaming fans, and I’ll even be recording a live episode of my podcast.

A comic depicting Leon from Resident Evil 4 and Isaac from Dead Space getting recognition for the gun mechanics in their games, overshadowing Jean-Luc from WinBack.

Pencils and Polygons “Totally Revolutionary!!” comic with art by @othatsraspberry.com. Part of the latest issue of Pixels and Polygons Quarterly! Available now:

pixelsandpolygons.net/products/pre...

FREE STUFF ALERT!

If you've enjoyed my podcast, consider leaving a review!

If you want a free digital PDF of one of my Retro Game Zine back issues, send me a DM or reply with a screenshot of your review, and I'll send you one! Easy!

A picture of Darren Hupke promoting an appearance at GameOn Expo 2026

A promotional photo of all of the pixels and polygons books

A bearded man reading a zine called Pixels and Polygons Quarterly

A green book on a table of stickers called 32 Bit Library Greatest Hits Vol 1

Hey Phoenix, I’m going to be hanging out at GameOn Expo all weekend, March 13th-15th!

I’ve been going to this show for a few years and I am beyond excited to be a guest!

I’ll be bringing copies of 32 Bit Library, Retro Game Zine, Beat ‘Em Up Vol 1, and the new Pixels and Polygons Quarterly.

A screenshot from Threads of Fate with the Pixels and Polygons logo overset.

Episode 102: CHALLENGE II w/ @seandouglass.bsky.social

The week we talk about a memorable gaming challenge we’ve overcome, and specifically a unique one Sean is currently playing through.

Like, subscribe, tell a friend!

Listen on soundstone.network or find links at the start of the thread! ⬆️

Do you want to write for Retro Game Books? And you have a great retro gaming themed idea? Submit a pitch! We want to hear from you.
retrogamebooks.com/pages/pitch

The box art of Thunder Storm & Road Blaster. Divided into two sections, the left is grey labeled "Thunder Storm", with English text "Mission... You have been ordered to get rid of a terrorist group which is committing crimes all over the world. Piloting your ultra-modern Jet Helicopter you have to confront your enemies. Carry out your mission!" The right side is gold, Road Blaster, with English text "Revenge... A wretched town is overrun by bloody riders. Driving a Monster car you will have to annihilate the bikers responsible for this crime. Now is the time to revenge!!"

Today's Random Game Saturday is Thunder Storm & Road Blaster, a 2-disc Sega Saturn double feature of two FMV games! Now is definitely the time to revenge! Thunder Storm was also known as Cobra Command outside Japan, Road Blaster was also known as Road Avenger (or Road Prosecutor, on LaserActive)

Pixels and Polygons Quarterly - 2026 Q2 A premium zine focused on retro video games. Read about three games' history, personal essays, screenshots, artifacts, and more!

Hi.

This is your reminder to read about Parasite Eve.

You’re welcome.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/dar...

Neo Geo Go! | Baseball Stars Professional | Real! Dynamic! Welcome to Neo Geo Go! Andre and Aaron kick off the series by covering Baseball Stars Professional, a classic bite of arcade baseball.Catch us online at https://neogeogo.showFollow us on Bluesky!Po...

⚾️ REAL!

⚾️ DYNAMIC!

Our first episode is here! Andre and Aaron talk about one of the four Neo Geo launch games in Baseball Stars Professional. Enjoy!

I already follow, but I’ll make it easy for the rest of you:

youtube.com/@acriticalhi...

A book on a table with promotional art and stickers, Retro Game Zine 2025 ANNUAL, with artwork of various gaming characters

The same cover as a digital image

It looks amazing. I’m happy to get to say I’ve got a @wiloverton.bsky.social cover, as well!

I enjoyed it myself. It brought me back after I lost interest in 13 and that series. 15 appeared to be leather friends kingdom hearts.

I still want to play this…

A picture of Darren Hupke promoting an appearance at GameOn Expo 2026

A promotional photo of all of the pixels and polygons books

A bearded man reading a zine called Pixels and Polygons Quarterly

A green book on a table of stickers called 32 Bit Library Greatest Hits Vol 1

Hey Phoenix, I’m going to be hanging out at GameOn Expo all weekend, March 13th-15th!

I’ve been going to this show for a few years and I am beyond excited to be a guest!

I’ll be bringing copies of 32 Bit Library, Retro Game Zine, Beat ‘Em Up Vol 1, and the new Pixels and Polygons Quarterly.

Dark Cloud
Twisted Metal Black
Gran Turismo 3
Metal Gear Solid 2
Ico
The Bouncer
Tekken Tag Tournament
Shadow of the Colossus
Jak & Daxter
Midnight Club
NBA Street Vol 2
Dynasty Warriors 2
Suikoden III
God of War
Steambot Chronicles
Metal Gear Solid 3
Final Fantasy X

…many more.

Kickstarter Kompilation: March 2026 edition Forget February's failings; embrace the month of March

New for March in our monthly Kickstarter Kompilation: video game-related crowdfunding projects from @2old4gaming.bsky.social @darrenhupke.bsky.social @frostwood.bsky.social @gameonthemovie.bsky.social @hueygames.bsky.social & more
retronauts.com/article/2483...

Pixels and polygons logo and pastel colored mascots. A blue robot and pink dinosaur.

What is one of your least favorite games in one of your favorite gaming franchises?

Congratulations on hitting your initial goal!

This is rad! I would absolutely go if weren’t halfway around the world.

Metal Gear?! It can’t be!

The cover of a book titled "32 Bit Library Volume 1" in a jubilee of promotional stickers and trading cards.

The cover of a book titled "32 Bit Library Volume 2" in a jubilee of promotional stickers and trading cards.

The cover of a book titled "32 Bit Library Volume 3" in a jubilee of promotional stickers and trading cards.

The cover of a book titled "32 Bit Library Volume 4" in a jubilee of promotional stickers and trading cards.

Good news! I now have the standard hardcover editions of my 32 Bit Library series for sale over on pixelsandpolygons.net!

Interesting news... Amazon is running a sale at like 33% off for every hardcover, which is a much better deal.

Either way, check them out, tell a friend, stay retro!

This is my favorite Elder Scrolls.

It had 2 years of development, which wasn’t out of the norm for games at that time.

I do agree that I never got attached to this story or its characters.

It was a technological improvement, though!

I’ve had a lot of skateboarding on the brain lately and it bled into my postcard reviews this month!

This one and Circle of the Moon are on the lower end of my personal list. I do enjoy them, and all of the Iga-vania’s are entertaining, but I just don’t have any lasting memories from this one either.

This is my favorite in the series, but I’ve only played maybe half of them…