iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Use your letters before Alphy eats the extras! 😋 Alpha Pairs is coming to NES and Sega Genesis later this year. #segadev #segagenesis #nesdev #homebrew

010

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 02/10/2026

NES and Sega Genesis builds of Alpha Pairs are coming along in parallel. Here's where the Genesis version is at. #segadev #segagenesis #nesdev #homebrew

011

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 28/09/2026

Our custom Sega Genesis emulator, built in Unity, now supports dynamic touch regions and widescreen, and the ROM still runs on original Genesis hardware. We're using it to bring Alpha Pairs to desktop, TV and mobile.

053

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 12/09/2026

Work in progress on Beyond Sentinel: Justin and Erica's character animations in Aseprite. #screenshotsaturday #pixelart #indiedev #gamedev

0112

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 12/09/2026

Wrote an Aseprite script that tells you exactly which palette indices your indexed sprite uses, how much, and where. Click a color → jumps to its first frame/layer and selects the pixels. Great for NES/SNES palette budgeting. 🎨 #aseprite #pixelart

240

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 07/09/2026

Alphy now follows the action with his eyes as you move around the board in Alpha Pairs. Small touch, but it makes him feel a lot more alive. Also new: a pause screen, complete with curtain. NES version shown.

013

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 06/09/2026

We wanted anyone to be able to pick up Alpha Pairs and start playing right away, so there's a full tutorial built into the game. Here's how it plays on the NES version. Printed and digital manuals are coming too.

011

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 05/09/2026

and Sega Master System.

000

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 05/09/2026

Alpha Pairs cover art for the Sega Genesis version featuring Dr. Atoz and Alphy. In development now, and coming to 5 other retro systems.

100

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 05/09/2026

This is what the title screen looked like on real hardware before the fix. 😵‍💫

000

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 05/09/2026

Alpha Pairs is coming to the Sega Master System and 5 other retro systems. We hit corrupted sprites on real SMS hardware that didn't show up in emulators or even a Genesis in Master System mode. The EverDrive from @krikzz.bsky.social has been essential for catching bugs like that on every system.

231

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 03/09/2026

Alpha Pairs title screen on the Sega Game Gear. Music by Matias Sosa. #segadev #gamegear #chiptune

011

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 03/09/2026

Alpha Pairs title screen on the Game Boy. Music by Matias Sosa. #gbdev #nintendo #chiptune

120

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 01/09/2026

Devlogs for Alpha Pairs and Beyond Sentinel are going up on YouTube - NES, Super NES, Genesis, Game Boy, Master System and Game Gear builds, all in progress. www.youtube.com/embraceware #nesdev #segadev #homebrew

011

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 31/08/2026

Added platform edge detection to Beyond Sentinel, so the character strikes a dramatic pose at ledges - inspired by Sonic, Aladdin and plenty of others. Running here on NES, Game Boy, Super NES, Genesis, Master System and Game Gear. #nesdev #gbdev #snesdev #segadev #homebrew

073

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 30/08/2026

Announcing our second game: Beyond Sentinel, a metroidvania crossed with a horizontal shooter, in parallel development with Alpha Pairs. Mapping engine is operational, with a Super Metroid style mini-map. Level artwork is placeholder - character is finalized 😀 #nesdev #snesdev #segadev #homebrew

362

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 29/08/2026

Alpha Pairs title screen on the Sega Master System. Music by Matias Sosa. #segadev #segamastersystem #chiptune

021

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 24/08/2026

One composition, three very different chips. Alpha Pairs title intro on NES, Super NES and Sega Genesis, music by Matias Sosa. #nesdev #snesdev #segadev #chiptune

051

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 17/08/2026

High scores screen finished for Alpha Pairs (NES). Battery-backed SRAM, so the board keeps your scores between sessions. #NESdev #homebrew #gamedev

0102

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 14/08/2026

Game Boy port is in progress. Alpha Pairs booting on a Game Boy Pocket and an Analogue Pocket. #gbdev #homebrew #gameboy

032

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 11/08/2026

After some palette, tile and sprite acrobatics, we finally got Dr. Atoz and Alphy both on the title screen together. The letter cube rotation is working nicely too. #nesdev #homebrew #pixelart #gamedev

0113

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 10/08/2026

More progress on Alpha Pairs, running on real NES hardware. Getting the graphics compliant for NES was a fun challenge. Game Boy is next, and there's a peek at it in here. #nesdev #gbdev #segadev #homebrew

042

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 08/08/2026

Fitting 53,901 words onto a NES cart. Alpha Pairs is a word game: make words from letters on a 6×6 grid, cart validates them. The dictionary ships in ROM as a DAWG, 168KB of the 256KB PRG. Those ten solid banks in my space checker are all dictionary. #NESdev #homebrew #gamedev

074

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 06/08/2026

Artwork pipeline is in. Our GameKit tool now handles validation, optimization and export per system — tile limits, palette rules and formats all applied automatically. #nesdev #gbdev #segadev #homebrew

165

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 04/08/2026

Building our own tooling to manage game assets across NES, Super NES, Game Boy, SMS/GG and Genesis. First up: sound effect authoring for NES and Master System, and NES music playback with FamiStudio FMS support. #nesdev #chiptune #homebrew #gamedev

1132

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 04/08/2026

First draft of the title screen music for Alpha Pairs (NES). Just a little DPCM left to sprinkle in. Next up: getting the character to dance to it. #nesdev #chiptune #homebrew

053

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 03/08/2026

Early development test: Alpha Pairs running on NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Gear and Game Boy. Same game, five sets of hardware constraints — still lots to build. (Master System works too, just didn't make the video.) #nesdev #gbdev #segadev #homebrew

141

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 03/08/2026

Alpha Pairs is coming to NES, Game Boy, SNES, Master System, Genesis, Game Gear, iOS, Android, Mac and PC. One palette strategy, ten platforms. High-color platforms use a closest-match index. NES, Game Boy and SMS are mapped by hand. Anyone shipped across this range? #nesdev #gbdev #segadev

010

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 02/08/2026

Two more platforms confirmed: Alpha Pairs is now targeting Game Boy and Game Gear alongside NES. Updates coming as we go. @krikzz.bsky.social flashcarts have made testing ROM builds so convenient. #nesdev #gameboydev #gamegeardev #homebrew #retro

0122

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 31/07/2026

Homebrew is coming to the Ultimate Game Guide app, so collectors can finally catalogue their physical homebrew games alongside everything else. If you're a #nesdev with a physical NES game out there, send us a DM to get it listed. The listing can include a link to purchase the game as well.

144

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 31/07/2026

It has been an exciting first week of #nesdev. We're looking forward to sharing more progress. The battle of the day was the smooth curtain animation via MMC3 IRQ as well as getting our logo perfect with some background tile + sprite overlay tricks.

072

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 31/07/2026

Alpha Pairs for the NES is coming along nicely. I just realized today that my EverDrive cart had a USB port for debugging. It works flawlessly! Stay tuned for development updates. #nesdev #gamedev

0192

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 29/07/2026

I really like the tin this one is packaged in👌

030

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 18/06/2026

HoloSnaps is here! Turn your photos into living lenticular cards that shift and shimmer as you tilt your phone. Collect them in your binder, and watch your memories come alive. Sync with iCloud and share your cards with friends and family. App Store: apps.apple.com/app/holosnap... #HoloSnaps #iOS

010

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 10/06/2026

One app. Zero distractions. SoloFocus is out now for macOS 🚀 It automatically hides every other app as you work, so your screen only shows what matters right now. Mac App Store: apps.apple.com/app/solofocu... #macOS #productivity #focus #deepwork #IndieApp

010

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 08/06/2026

Awaken 7 is coming to macOS, iOS, and iPadOS this month. A fresh new design across all three platforms. #AwakenApp #MacApp #iOSApp #AlarmClock #MorningRoutine #IndieDev #AppLaunch

151

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 18/05/2026

Ultimate Game Guide 4.6 is out with full localization in English, French, Spanish, and Japanese, a redesigned system switcher, tap-to-zoom screenshots, and improved rating controls. 📲 ultimategameguide.com #NES #RetroGaming #SNES #Nintendo

030

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 19/04/2026

Game Boy is coming to the Ultimate Game Guide app later this year. Here's an early preview of the screenshot color palette feature. Download the app today for NES and Super NES: ultimategameguide.com. #gameboy #nintendo

020

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 23/11/2025

Work has started on adding Game Boy to our Ultimate Game Guide app. We'll have this addition available in early 2026. Download the app today for NES and Super NES: ultimategameguide.com

000

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 21/10/2025

🎶 Our new macOS app VibeCtrl is now live on the Mac App Store! Automatically skip songs in the Music app by artist, album, genre, or disliked tracks — and keep your playlists perfectly tuned to your vibe. 👉 vibectrl.app

000

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 14/10/2025

Ultimate Game Guide visual upgrade for iOS 26 available now! 📲 ultimategameguide.com

010

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 13/10/2025

Ultimate Game Guide visual upgrade for iOS 26 coming this week. 📲 ultimategameguide.com

021

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 26/06/2025

Awaken 7 for iOS and macOS is currently in development. We would like your feedback on the new icon design. #LiquidGlass #iOS #macOS #Icon

111

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 14/06/2025

Skip levels, pick your difficulty, and get more lives in TMNT III! 🐢 Find this cheat in the Ultimate Game Guide — on iOS, Android & Mac! 📲 ultimategameguide.com #NES #RetroGaming #TMNT #Nintendo

011

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 31/05/2025

Start with 50 lives in Donkey Kong Country! 🍌 Discover this cheat and tons more in the Ultimate Game Guide — now on iOS, Android & Mac! 🎮 ultimategameguide.com #SNES #NES #DonkeyKongCountry #RetroGaming

021

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 28/05/2025

Master Higgins can warp ahead in Adventure Island II using a stage select code 🍍 Find this and more in the Ultimate Game Guide app — now on iOS, Android & Mac! 🎮 ultimategameguide.com #NES #RetroGaming #AdventureIsland #Nintendo

011

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 27/05/2025

Code of the day: Sunset Riders stage select 🤫 Unlock tricks like this in the Ultimate Game Guide app — the ultimate sidekick for retro gamers. 📲 iOS, Android, Mac: ultimategameguide.com #SNES #NES #SunsetRiders #RetroGaming

011

Embraceware @embraceware.com · 26/05/2025

Skip ahead with stage select codes and uncover hidden secrets in the Ultimate Game Guide for NES and Super NES — now on iOS, Android, and Mac! 🎮 Get it: ultimategameguide.com #NES #SNES #RetroGaming #Nintendo

062