1980s

A set of parody covers riffing on classic Atari 2600 video game box art, originally created in 2008, has drawn renewed attention. The artwork plays on the distinctive painted style of 1970s and 1980s game packaging, and readers are sharing and discussing the nostalgic takes on the retro designs.

A developer has released an open-source Android launcher designed to recapture the retro feel of 1980s home computing, drawing direct inspiration from the Commodore 64. The project, called Tile Launcher, is available on GitHub, and early reactions online centre on nostalgia for retro computing aesthetics and interest in customising modern Android phones with vintage-styled interfaces.

The classic sitcom 'A Different World' is back in session, drawing fresh attention from entertainment commentators. NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour devoted a segment to its return, and the reaction from pop culture audiences is warm and enthusiastic. The show, a beloved 1980s and 1990s series set at a historically Black college, continues to hold a special place in television history and nostalgia conversations.

A detailed restoration series documents bringing a Raleigh Vektar back to life. The Vektar was a 1980s children's bicycle famous for its built-in electronic console with lights, sounds and a digital display. The write-up covers the bike's arrival and condition, with readers enjoying the nostalgia of the high-tech toy-cum-bicycle.

A longtime computer user is recalling nights spent in a 24-hour computer lab during the 1980s, when the internet was text-only and accessed through command lines, with graphics limited to ASCII characters. They remember debates about whether the new medium would simply become television all over again, an prediction they believe proved correct.

AudioKit Pro has released Super 606 Drums, a free, open-source emulation of the classic Roland TR-606 drum machine, now available on both iOS and macOS. The app recreates the analog percussion sounds of the 1980s hardware and gives users access to the full source code, making it a rare fully open production tool for musicians and developers.

Gaming press are revisiting Grand Theft Auto: Vice City ahead of the long-awaited GTA 6, arguing that returning to the series' satirical take on 1980s Miami puts players in the perfect mindset for the sequel. The piece reflects wider anticipation as fans replay classic GTA titles while waiting for Rockstar's next release.

The online radio station 80s Mixed is currently playing Rick Astley's 1988 hit 'She Wants to Dance with Me' in its extended mix, inviting listeners to tune in to its live stream. The station focuses on 1980s music, and Astley remains a fixture of that era's playlists, decades after the song first charted.