PlayStation Plus — June Classics & Game Catalog
Sony’s 17 June 2025 refresh drops a pair of cult favourites:
- Deus Ex: The Conspiracy (PS2, Premium tier) – the 2002 console cut of Ion Storm’s cyber-punk RPG is now fully emulated on PS4/PS5, complete with the modern PS2-classics tool-set (rewind, quick-save, 50-/60 Hz toggle, CRT filters). It’s the first time this version has been legally playable since the original hardware era. (blog.playstation.com)
- We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie (PS4/PS5, Extra/Premium) – Bandai Namco’s remaster runs at 4 K/60 fps, adds five “Royal Reverie” challenge stages starring the young King of All Cosmos, a selfie photo-mode, and online leaderboards. (blog.playstation.com)
Why it matters: Sony’s PS2 emulator had been focussed on first-party titles; the arrival of Square Enix-published Deus Ex signals third-party traction. Meanwhile, Katamari’s inclusion complements the concurrent Remasters & Retro sale (see below) and entices curious newcomers before the rumoured Switch 2 port later this year.
PlayStation Store “Remasters & Retro” Sale (11 – 25 June)
The annual nostalgia blow-out is live worldwide, slicing up to 90 % off 600-plus downloads. Stand-outs:
| Title | Platform(s) | Discount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotline Miami | PS4/PS5 (BC) | –80 % (£1.59 / $1.99) | Twin-stick carnage for loose change. (psu.com, mp1st.com) |
| Hotline Miami 2 | PS4/PS5 (BC) | –80 % (£2.39 / $2.99) | Brutal finale to Dennaton’s duology. (psu.com, mp1st.com) |
| Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 | PS5 | –50 % ($29.99 / £24.99) | Includes MGS 1–3, MSX originals, digital OST. (pushsquare.com) |
| Castlevania Dominus Collection | PS5 | –30 % (£13.99) | The three DS metroidvanias in HD. (pushsquare.com) |
Tips: the store tags sale prices to your account region, so UK/EU pricing flips at midnight CEST on the 25th, while North-America users keep deals until 23:59 PT. Add to cart before topping-up wallet credit to dodge PSN’s currency-rounding quirks.
Yuzo Koshiro’s Earthion — dates locked
The Streets-of-Rage composer’s first self-directed game in two decades finally has firm launches:
- Digital: 31 July 2025 on Switch, PS4/PS5, Xbox Series, PC (Steam).
- Physical: standard and collector’s editions ship 30 Oct 2025 via Limited Run (West) & SuperDeluxe Games (JP).
- Mega Drive cartridge: target 2026, engineered to run on real 16-bit hardware with dual-region ROM.
The vertical shmup channels Thunder Force IV parallax and a “multi-ship” system that swaps craft (and FM sound channels) mid-wave. Koshiro says the soundtrack uses a brand-new YM2612 driver written in 68 k assembly to “push the Genesis further than SOR2 ever could.” (gematsu.com, timeextension.com)
Donkey Kong Bananza Direct — what to expect tomorrow
Nintendo streams a 15-minute game-specific Direct on 18 June, 14:00 BST / 09:00 ET. Confirmed talking points:
- A deeper look at DK’s new “mole-knuckle” moves that let players smash walls and dig tunnels, turning caves into micro-sandboxes.
- Show-floor footage will run on native Switch 2 hardware at 60 fps with optional 40 fps RT mode.
- Pre-order goodies: a banana-scented steel-book in North America, plush “Odd Rock” key-ring in Europe.
- MSRP holds at $69.99 / £59.99; no mention yet of a dual-release on the original Switch.
Nintendo has pitched Bananza as its “July-anchor” launch for the system after Mario Kart World. (theverge.com, nintendolife.com)
The Bloop Museum — retro tech gets a permanent home
Chiptune composer Brendan Becker (aka Inverse Phase) closed on a 40,000 sq ft former municipal building at 12245 Frankstown Rd, Penn Hills, PA. Highlights:
- Mission: free, family-friendly exhibits of consoles, CRTs, vintage PCs, and full-size arcades—rooms will be styled as 70s/80s living rooms and mall corners.
- Funding: Kickstarter-style drive raised $245k toward the $370k purchase; 501(c)(3) status approved for further grants.
- Timeline: soft-open “hands-on” weekends pencilled for autumn; full museum wings roll out through 2026.
Becker told Axios the site’s low cost and ample parking beat downtown Pittsburgh options, and hinted at future LAN-party nights once wiring is complete. (axios.com, givebutter.com)
Speedrunning Scene — three records & a preservation push
The 13 June PacePals roundup captured a frenetic week:
| Game / Category | New WR | Runner | Context & Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Bros. Any % | 4:54 | Niftski | Achieved live at an offline meet—only 18 frames from TAS perfection; keeps the 4:54 barrier human-viable. |
| Super Metroid Low % Ice | 47:35 | Oatsngoats | Shaves 16 s via tighter Mother Brain RNG manipulation; first sub-48 in three years. |
| Getting Over It Any % | 58.326 s | OyamaTakeshi | The hammer-climb masochism goes sub-1-minute, thanks to a new foothold buffering strat. |
Community project: Siglemic Archive Initiative—fans are crowd-scanning lost 2012-14 SM64 Twitch VODs before the original FLV files vanish. (pacepals.gg)
TL;DR
- PS Plus adds PS2-era Deus Ex and a 4 K Katamari remaster on 17 June.
- PS Store’s Remasters & Retro sale runs until 25 June—Hotline Miami is £1.59.
- Yuzo Koshiro’s 16-bit shooter Earthion lands 31 July; genuine Mega Drive carts follow in 2026.
- Nintendo’s Donkey Kong-only Direct airs tomorrow at 14:00 BST.
- The non-profit Bloop Museum turns a Penn Hills municipal building into a 70s-arcade time-capsule.
- Speedrunning sees new world records in SMB1, Super Metroid, and Getting Over It, plus an effort to rescue classic SM64 streams.