Introduction

Intro

Welcome to RANews, your #1 source for everything RetroAchievements. In this issue we’ll be covering a wide range of topics, including the impact of February 1996 on the history of video games, the latest in achievement and set news, tons of data organized throughout several articles, and much more. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or a first-timer, our team ensures that every issue of RANews is packed with fresh and exciting content. So sit back, relax, and get ready to dive into the exciting world of RetroAchievements with RANews!

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Community Submitted Content

RANews thrives on community submitted content, Wish This Set, Play This Set and RAdvantage are only possibly if you allow it to be and send us your submissions for those articles. If you have any contributions that you would like to see featured in these articles, please send them in a direct message to RANews.

Set of the Month

Each month, we invite the RetroAchievements community to vote for their favorite set, subset, and revision from the previous month. We gather the votes and share the results in this Set of the Month section. This is a great way to discover new sets that you may have missed and to celebrate the hard work and creativity of our dedicated set developers.

This Month In Retro

If you’re a fan of video games and the history behind them, you won’t want to miss this article on This Month in Retro. Nepiki takes us back to February 1996 and discusses the significance of that months releases. If you’re interested in learning about the video games released in February 1996, including their sales figures and critic scores, this article is worth checking out.

Monthly Stats

Get ready to dive into the numbers and see how you stack up against the rest of the RetroAchievements community. In this section, we’ll be looking at all sorts of stats, including achievements created, most played games, mastery awards, leaderboards, and more. Whether you’re a developer or not, you’re sure to find something interesting here.

Milestones

In this section, we celebrate the user milestones reached this past month. We showcase user milestones ranging from total points to leaderboards joined, as well as developer milestones covering various aspects of the typical set developer. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the site, we hope these highlights inspire you to push your own boundaries, achieve new goals and reach new milestones.

Current Events

The RetroAchievements community is always buzzing with events and competitions, and our ongoing Current Events section is the perfect place to keep track of everything. From weekly leaderboard grinds to yearly community-wide challenges, this section will keep you in the loop on all the exciting events within our community. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events, results from past events, and more!

Community News

Stay up-to-date with the latest news in the RetroAchievements community with our Community News section. We cover everything from web and emulator updates to team updates and other noteworthy events. Don’t miss out on any important news and check out this section to stay in the know.

RAPodcast

Join the RetroAchievements community and listen to the latest RAPodcast, where our hosts, TimeCrush and Fridge, discuss the latest news, updates, and hot topics related to retro gaming and RetroAchievements. Tune in and stay up-to-date with everything happening in the RetroAchievements world!

Play This Set

Looking for some great game recommendations? Play This Set features writeups submitted by the community about existing sets and why you should give them a try. Whether you’re looking to discover a new favorite or just need a reason to play something new, these writeups are sure to provide plenty of inspiration. So dive in, and get ready to take on a new set!

Wish This Set

In this section, users share their thoughts on which games they would love to see have sets created for. Whether it’s a beloved classic or an underrated gem, we want to hear about it. If you are a developer looking for a new set to work on, then look no further than right here.

RAGuide

Get ready to explore the gritty world of Old Detroit with our comprehensive achievement set guide for RoboCop (NES). Written by Glendaal, this guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough to help you conquer this classic title and unlock all its achievements.

RAdvantage

Are you ready to prove your skills as a true stealth warrior? Our monthly tips section is here to help you earn the coveted Big Boss achievement in Metal Gear Solid (PlayStation). Learn how to become a true Big Boss with the helpful tips and advice from s0uth.

HotCheevs Monthly

Stay up-to-date on the latest achievements with our monthly roundup of new sets on RetroAchievements! We’ll take look at the newest achievement sets from the community for each system. Stick around and take a look at all the new sets from last month, you may even find a set that you have been wishing for.

Revisions and Rescores

In this segment, we’ll be taking a closer look at the sets that have recently been revised or rescored. From minor tweaks to major overhauls, we’ll keep you up to date on every set revisions from the previous month. Check out if you need to remaster any of the sets and claim that Top 10 High Score spot.

Art Updates

Discover the latest updates to achievement badges and set icons. From fresh badges to updated set icons, you’ll get the scoop on all the art changes happening on RetroAchievements. Join us for a closer look at the evolving aesthetics of various achievement sets, and stay up-to-date on the latest changes from the artists of RetroAchievements!

Top Players

Wondering who the top players on RetroAchievements are, and how they’ve been performing over the past month? In this section we take a deep dive into the top 300 players on the site, analyzing their progress and point totals over the past month. From the rise of new challengers to the continued dominance of top players, this section gives you a comprehensive overview of the RetroAchievements points leaderboard.

RAnniversaries

Joining RetroAchievements is a major milestone for gamers and achievement developers, and we love celebrating those anniversaries. In this section, we’ll recognize the achievements of our dedicated members by highlighting their years of service to the site. From new members to veterans, we’ll showcase everyone who’s reached a new anniversary milestone. Join us in celebrating our amazing community, and the hard work and dedication that makes RetroAchievements the best achievement hunting community out there.

Top Masteries

Mastering achievement sets is no easy feat, but some RetroAchievements players have proven themselves to be true champions. In this section, we celebrate the top achievers on each console by highlighting the players with the most Mastery Awards. These awards are a testament to their dedication, skill, and determination. Check out these incredible achievements and see how you rank up against some of the best players on RetroAchievements!

Most Wanted Games

Are you itching to tackle a new set, but can’t seem to find the right one? Look no further than our Most Wanted Games section. Here, we highlight the top requested games for console, handheld, and hacks. Plus, each month we feature a new DevQuest console to encourage developers to earn that Most Wanted DevQuest badge. Don’t miss out on the chance to make your requests heard and see your favorite games added to RetroAchievements!

Spot The Difference

In this section, we challenge readers to put their observation skills to the test with a Spot the Difference game created by SporyTike for the game ~Hack~ Pokemon Renegade Platinum (Nintendo DS). There are 10 differences to find, and readers who spot them all will be featured in the next issue. So sharpen your eyes and get ready for some fun!

How to Contribute with RANews

If you have an idea for an article to be published in the RANews, please go to the RANews profile page and send us a message.

Keep in mind that the article must be written in Markdown format. If you don’t know it, you can learn it in 10 minutes following this online tutorial here: https://commonmark.org/help/tutorial/ (it’s pretty similar to what you may be already using on discord).

Acknowledgments

The RANews project wouldn’t be possible without the contributions of many passionate community members. Special thanks to the members who made this issue possible.

     
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