diff --git a/apps/frontend/src/styles/retro.css b/apps/frontend/src/styles/retro.css
index c1e0dd4..70c3824 100644
--- a/apps/frontend/src/styles/retro.css
+++ b/apps/frontend/src/styles/retro.css
@@ -1,65 +1,121 @@
 /* ===================================================================
-   RETRO MODE — Windows 98/2000 style
-   All rules scoped under .retro-mode on the root app wrapper.
-   Activated via cookie "retro-mode=1".
+   RETRO MODE — Windows 98 / GeoCities / Web 1.0 experience
+   Scoped under .retro-mode on the root app wrapper.
    =================================================================== */
 
+/* ---- ANIMATIONS ---- */
+@keyframes retro-blink {
+  0%, 49% { opacity: 1; }
+  50%, 100% { opacity: 0; }
+}
+
+@keyframes retro-rainbow {
+  0%   { background-position: 0% 50%; }
+  50%  { background-position: 100% 50%; }
+  100% { background-position: 0% 50%; }
+}
+
+@keyframes retro-marquee {
+  from { transform: translateX(100%); }
+  to   { transform: translateX(-100%); }
+}
+
+@keyframes retro-pulse-border {
+  0%, 100% { border-color: #FF00FF; }
+  33%       { border-color: #FFFF00; }
+  66%       { border-color: #00FFFF; }
+}
+
 /* ---- BASE ---- */
-.retro-mode,
-.retro-mode body {
-  font-family: Tahoma, "MS Sans Serif", Arial, sans-serif !important;
-  background: #D4D0C8 !important;
+.retro-mode {
+  font-family: "Comic Sans MS", "Comic Sans", cursive !important;
+  background-color: #008080 !important;
+  background-image:
+    repeating-linear-gradient(
+      45deg,
+      rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.04) 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.04) 1px,
+      transparent 1px, transparent 8px
+    ) !important;
   color: #000 !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode * {
+  font-family: "Comic Sans MS", "Comic Sans", cursive !important;
   border-radius: 0 !important;
   transition: none !important;
-  animation-duration: 0.001s !important;
 }
 
+/* Keep actual spinners spinning */
 .retro-mode .animate-spin {
-  animation-duration: 1s !important;
+  animation: spin 1s linear infinite !important;
+}
+/* New badges blink freely */
+.retro-mode .new-post-badge,
+.retro-mode .new-badge {
+  animation: retro-blink 0.9s step-start infinite !important;
+}
+.retro-mode .new-post-dot,
+.retro-mode .new-dot {
+  animation: none !important;
+}
+
+/* ---- PAGE BACKGROUNDS ---- */
+.retro-mode .bg-gray-50,
+.retro-mode .home-container,
+.retro-mode .blog-container,
+.retro-mode .howtos-container {
+  background: transparent !important;
+  min-height: auto !important;
 }
 
 /* ---- NAVIGATION HEADER ---- */
 .retro-mode header.bg-gray-800 {
-  background: #D4D0C8 !important;
+  background: linear-gradient(180deg, #D4D0C8 0%, #C0BCAC 100%) !important;
   color: #000 !important;
-  padding: 0 0 0 4px !important;
-  border-bottom: 1px solid #808080 !important;
-  box-shadow: 0 1px 0 #fff !important;
+  padding: 2px 0 2px 4px !important;
+  border-bottom: 2px solid #808080 !important;
+  box-shadow: 0 2px 0 #fff, 0 3px 0 #0a0a0a !important;
   display: flex !important;
   align-items: stretch !important;
-  min-height: 22px !important;
+  min-height: 26px !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode header.bg-gray-800 a.text-xl {
   color: #000 !important;
   font-size: 12px !important;
   font-weight: bold !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
   padding: 2px 10px !important;
-  border-right: 1px solid #808080 !important;
+  border-right: 2px solid #808080 !important;
   box-shadow: inset -1px 0 0 #fff !important;
   display: flex !important;
   align-items: center !important;
   text-decoration: none !important;
+  background: #E8E4D0 !important;
+}
+
+.retro-mode header.bg-gray-800 a.text-xl::before {
+  content: "💾 " !important;
+  font-style: normal !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode header.bg-gray-800 nav.hidden a,
 .retro-mode header.bg-gray-800 nav.hidden.md\:flex a {
   color: #000 !important;
-  font-size: 12px !important;
-  padding: 0 8px !important;
+  font-size: 11px !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  padding: 2px 10px !important;
   display: inline-flex !important;
   align-items: center !important;
+  border-right: 1px solid #C0BDB8 !important;
+  text-decoration: none !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode header.bg-gray-800 nav a:hover,
 .retro-mode header.bg-gray-800 nav.hidden a:hover,
 .retro-mode header.bg-gray-800 nav.hidden.md\:flex a:hover {
   background: #000080 !important;
-  color: #fff !important;
+  color: #FFFF00 !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode header.bg-gray-800 nav a.router-link-exact-active,
@@ -67,6 +123,7 @@
 .retro-mode header.bg-gray-800 nav.hidden.md\:flex a.router-link-exact-active {
   background: #000080 !important;
   color: #fff !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode header.bg-gray-800 button {
@@ -84,28 +141,17 @@
 /* Mobile nav */
 .retro-mode nav.md\:hidden.absolute {
   background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #808080 !important;
-  box-shadow: 2px 2px 0 0 #0a0a0a !important;
+  border: 2px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow: 2px 2px 0 #0a0a0a !important;
 }
-
 .retro-mode nav.md\:hidden.absolute a {
   color: #000 !important;
   font-size: 12px !important;
   border-bottom: 1px solid #C0BDB8 !important;
 }
-
 .retro-mode nav.md\:hidden.absolute a:hover {
   background: #000080 !important;
-  color: #fff !important;
-}
-
-/* ---- PAGE BACKGROUNDS ---- */
-.retro-mode .bg-gray-50,
-.retro-mode .home-container,
-.retro-mode .blog-container,
-.retro-mode .howtos-container {
-  background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  min-height: auto !important;
+  color: #FFFF00 !important;
 }
 
 /* ---- MAIN CONTAINER ---- */
@@ -121,23 +167,23 @@
 .retro-mode .hero-section-gradient,
 .retro-mode .hero-section-slate,
 .retro-mode .blog-header {
-  background: linear-gradient(to right, #000080, #1084D0) !important;
-  padding: 4px 8px !important;
+  background:
+    linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(255,255,255,0.25) 0%, transparent 40%),
+    linear-gradient(to right, #000080, #0844C8, #1084D0, #0844C8, #000080) !important;
+  padding: 5px 10px !important;
   color: #fff !important;
   overflow: visible !important;
   text-align: left !important;
+  border-bottom: 2px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow: 0 2px 0 #404080 !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .hero-decor-blob,
 .retro-mode .home-header-decor,
 .retro-mode .howtos-header-decor,
-.retro-mode .blog-header-decor {
-  display: none !important;
-}
+.retro-mode .blog-header-decor { display: none !important; }
 
-.retro-mode .hero-badge {
-  display: none !important;
-}
+.retro-mode .hero-badge { display: none !important; }
 
 .retro-mode .hero-container,
 .retro-mode .post-hero-container {
@@ -149,153 +195,60 @@
 }
 
 .retro-mode .hero-title {
-  font-size: 13px !important;
+  font-size: 14px !important;
   font-weight: bold !important;
-  font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
+  font-family: "Comic Sans MS", cursive !important;
   margin: 0 !important;
-  text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) !important;
-  letter-spacing: 0 !important;
-  background: none !important;
-  -webkit-background-clip: unset !important;
-  background-clip: unset !important;
+  letter-spacing: 1px !important;
   -webkit-text-fill-color: #fff !important;
   color: #fff !important;
+  text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #000, 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.4) !important;
+  background: none !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .hero-title span.text-transparent {
-  -webkit-text-fill-color: #C8C8FF !important;
+  -webkit-text-fill-color: #FFFF88 !important;
   background: none !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .hero-subtitle {
   font-size: 11px !important;
-  color: #D0D4FF !important;
-  font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif !important;
-  margin: 1px 0 0 !important;
+  color: #C8DFFF !important;
+  margin: 2px 0 0 !important;
   max-width: none !important;
-  line-height: 1.3 !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .back-link {
-  color: #C8C8FF !important;
+  color: #FFFF88 !important;
   font-size: 11px !important;
+  text-decoration: underline !important;
 }
 
-.retro-mode .back-link:hover {
-  color: #fff !important;
-}
-
-/* ---- BUTTONS ---- */
-.retro-mode .btn-hero,
-.retro-mode .btn-hero-teal,
-.retro-mode .btn-hero-indigo,
-.retro-mode .btn-primary,
-.retro-mode .btn-play-sm,
-.retro-mode .btn-info-sm,
-.retro-mode .browse-wiki-btn,
-.retro-mode .discord-hero-btn,
-.retro-mode .read-more-btn,
-.retro-mode .yt-play-button {
-  background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  color: #000 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #0a0a0a,
-    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #D4D0C8,
-    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #808080 !important;
-  font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif !important;
-  font-size: 12px !important;
-  font-weight: normal !important;
-  text-shadow: none !important;
-  transform: none !important;
-  padding: 3px 12px 4px !important;
-  text-decoration: none !important;
-  display: inline-flex !important;
-  align-items: center !important;
-  justify-content: center !important;
-  gap: 4px !important;
-  min-height: 23px !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .btn-hero:active,
-.retro-mode .btn-hero-teal:active,
-.retro-mode .btn-hero-indigo:active,
-.retro-mode .btn-primary:active,
-.retro-mode .btn-play-sm:active,
-.retro-mode .btn-info-sm:active,
-.retro-mode .browse-wiki-btn:active,
-.retro-mode .discord-hero-btn:active,
-.retro-mode .yt-play-button:active {
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #0a0a0a,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #808080,
-    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #D4D0C8 !important;
-  padding: 4px 11px 3px 13px !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .btn-hero:hover,
-.retro-mode .btn-hero-teal:hover,
-.retro-mode .btn-hero-indigo:hover,
-.retro-mode .btn-primary:hover,
-.retro-mode .browse-wiki-btn:hover,
-.retro-mode .discord-hero-btn:hover {
-  background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  color: #000 !important;
-  transform: none !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #0a0a0a,
-    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #D4D0C8,
-    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #808080 !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .filter-btn {
-  background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  color: #000 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #0a0a0a,
-    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #D4D0C8,
-    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #808080 !important;
-  padding: 2px 8px 3px !important;
-  font-size: 12px !important;
-  font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .filter-btn:hover,
-.retro-mode .filter-btn.active {
-  background: #000080 !important;
-  color: #fff !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #0a0a0a,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #808080,
-    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #D4D0C8 !important;
-}
-
-/* ---- CARDS / PANELS ---- */
+/* ---- WINDOWS / PANELS ---- */
 .retro-mode .card-base,
-.retro-mode .card-interactive {
+.retro-mode .card-interactive,
+.retro-mode .blog-post-card,
+.retro-mode .software-card,
+.retro-mode .countdown-card,
+.retro-mode .featured-card,
+.retro-mode .yt-featured-wrapper,
+.retro-mode .contact-card,
+.retro-mode .commit-item,
+.retro-mode .team-card,
+.retro-mode .bg-white.rounded-3xl,
+.retro-mode .bg-white.rounded-2xl {
   background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #808080 !important;
+  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border-color: #fff #808080 #808080 #fff !important;
+  outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow: 2px 2px 0 #0a0a0a !important;
   transform: none !important;
 }
 
-.retro-mode .card-interactive:hover {
+.retro-mode .card-interactive:hover,
+.retro-mode .team-card:hover {
   transform: none !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #808080 !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .bg-white {
-  background: #fff !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .shadow-xl,
@@ -303,167 +256,314 @@
 .retro-mode .shadow-lg,
 .retro-mode .shadow-sm,
 .retro-mode .shadow-md {
+  box-shadow: 2px 2px 0 #0a0a0a !important;
+}
+
+/* ---- BUTTONS ---- */
+.retro-mode .btn-hero,
+.retro-mode .btn-hero-teal,
+.retro-mode .btn-hero-indigo,
+.retro-mode .btn-primary {
+  background: #D4D0C8 !important;
+  color: #000 !important;
+  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
+    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #0a0a0a,
+    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #D4D0C8,
+    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #808080 !important;
+  font-family: "Comic Sans MS", cursive !important;
+  font-size: 12px !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  text-shadow: none !important;
+  transform: none !important;
+  padding: 4px 14px 5px !important;
+  text-decoration: none !important;
+  display: inline-flex !important;
+  align-items: center !important;
+  justify-content: center !important;
+  gap: 4px !important;
+}
+
+/* Play buttons — bright green */
+.retro-mode .btn-play-sm,
+.retro-mode .featured-btn-play,
+.retro-mode .yt-play-button {
+  background: #008000 !important;
+  color: #fff !important;
+  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #40C040,
+    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #004000,
+    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #20A020,
+    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #003000 !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  font-family: "Comic Sans MS", cursive !important;
+  font-size: 11px !important;
+  padding: 3px 10px 4px !important;
+  text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #004000 !important;
+}
+
+/* Info / secondary buttons — orange */
+.retro-mode .btn-info-sm,
+.retro-mode .featured-btn-secondary {
+  background: #FF8000 !important;
+  color: #fff !important;
+  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #FFBE80,
+    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #804000,
+    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #FFA040,
+    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #603000 !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  font-family: "Comic Sans MS", cursive !important;
+  font-size: 11px !important;
+  padding: 3px 10px 4px !important;
+  text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #603000 !important;
+}
+
+/* Wiki / external buttons — purple */
+.retro-mode .browse-wiki-btn {
+  background: #800080 !important;
+  color: #fff !important;
+  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #D080D0,
+    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #400040,
+    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #A040A0,
+    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #300030 !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  font-size: 12px !important;
+  text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #400040 !important;
+  padding: 4px 14px 5px !important;
+}
+
+/* Discord button */
+.retro-mode .discord-hero-btn {
+  background: #5865F2 !important;
+  color: #fff !important;
+  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #9BA4FF,
+    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #2030C0,
+    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #7080FF,
+    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #102080 !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  font-size: 12px !important;
+  text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #2030C0 !important;
+  padding: 4px 14px 5px !important;
+}
+
+.retro-mode .read-more-btn {
+  color: #0000EE !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  text-decoration: underline !important;
+  background: none !important;
+  border: none !important;
   box-shadow: none !important;
+  padding: 0 !important;
+  font-size: 12px !important;
+}
+
+/* All active states */
+.retro-mode .btn-hero:active,
+.retro-mode .btn-primary:active,
+.retro-mode .btn-play-sm:active,
+.retro-mode .btn-info-sm:active,
+.retro-mode .browse-wiki-btn:active,
+.retro-mode .discord-hero-btn:active,
+.retro-mode .yt-play-button:active,
+.retro-mode .featured-btn-play:active {
+  padding-top: 5px !important;
+  padding-left: 15px !important;
+  filter: brightness(0.85) !important;
+}
+
+/* Filter buttons */
+.retro-mode .filter-btn {
+  background: #D4D0C8 !important;
+  color: #000080 !important;
+  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
+    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #0a0a0a,
+    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #D4D0C8,
+    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #808080 !important;
+  padding: 2px 10px 3px !important;
+  font-size: 11px !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+}
+
+.retro-mode .filter-btn:hover {
+  background: #000080 !important;
+  color: #FFFF00 !important;
+}
+
+.retro-mode .filter-btn.active {
+  background: #000080 !important;
+  color: #FFFF00 !important;
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #0a0a0a,
+    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #fff,
+    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #808080,
+    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #D4D0C8 !important;
 }
 
 /* ---- STATUS BADGES ---- */
 .retro-mode .status-badge {
-  padding: 1px 5px !important;
+  padding: 1px 6px !important;
   font-size: 10px !important;
-  font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  font-family: "Comic Sans MS", cursive !important;
+  border: 2px solid !important;
 }
 
-.retro-mode .status-released { background: #C8F0C8 !important; color: #007000 !important; border-color: #009000 !important; }
-.retro-mode .status-demo { background: #C8C8FF !important; color: #000080 !important; border-color: #0000C0 !important; }
-.retro-mode .status-development { background: #FFFFC8 !important; color: #808000 !important; border-color: #B0A000 !important; }
-.retro-mode .status-archived { background: #E0E0E0 !important; color: #404040 !important; border-color: #808080 !important; }
+.retro-mode .status-released { background: #00CC00 !important; color: #fff !important; border-color: #007700 !important; text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #007700 !important; }
+.retro-mode .status-demo { background: #0000CC !important; color: #fff !important; border-color: #000077 !important; text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #000077 !important; }
+.retro-mode .status-development { background: #FFCC00 !important; color: #000 !important; border-color: #886600 !important; }
+.retro-mode .status-archived { background: #808080 !important; color: #fff !important; border-color: #404040 !important; text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #404040 !important; }
 
 /* ---- COUNTDOWN ---- */
 .retro-mode .countdown-card {
   background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #808080 !important;
+  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border-color: #fff #808080 #808080 #fff !important;
+  outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow: 2px 2px 0 #0a0a0a !important;
   padding: 12px !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .countdown-event-name {
-  font-size: 11px !important;
-  letter-spacing: 1px !important;
+  font-size: 12px !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
+  letter-spacing: 2px !important;
   color: #000080 !important;
+  text-transform: uppercase !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .countdown-timer {
+  display: inline-block !important;
   font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace !important;
-  font-size: 26px !important;
-  background: none !important;
-  -webkit-background-clip: unset !important;
-  background-clip: unset !important;
-  -webkit-text-fill-color: #000080 !important;
-  color: #000080 !important;
-  letter-spacing: 2px !important;
-  margin: 6px 0 !important;
+  font-size: 36px !important;
+  font-style: normal !important;
+  background: #000 !important;
+  -webkit-text-fill-color: #00FF00 !important;
+  color: #00FF00 !important;
+  padding: 8px 16px !important;
+  border: 2px solid #808080 !important;
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #404040,
+    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #C0C0C0,
+    0 0 6px rgba(0, 255, 0, 0.4) !important;
+  letter-spacing: 4px !important;
+  text-shadow: 0 0 10px #00FF00 !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .countdown-date {
-  font-size: 11px !important;
+  font-size: 12px !important;
   color: #404040 !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
 }
 
-.retro-mode .upcoming-events-section {
-  border-top-color: #808080 !important;
+.retro-mode .upcoming-events-title {
+  color: #000080 !important;
+  font-size: 13px !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .upcoming-event-item {
-  background: #fff !important;
-  border: 1px solid #D0D0D0 !important;
-  box-shadow: none !important;
+  background: #FFFFC8 !important;
+  border: 1px solid #AAAA00 !important;
 }
 
 /* ---- FEATURED GAME CARD ---- */
 .retro-mode .featured-card {
   background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #808080 !important;
+  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border-color: #fff #808080 #808080 #fff !important;
+  outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .featured-badge {
-  background: #000080 !important;
+  background: #FF00FF !important;
   color: #fff !important;
-  border-color: #0000C0 !important;
+  border: 2px solid #880088 !important;
+  text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #880088 !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .featured-title {
-  color: #000 !important;
-  font-size: 22px !important;
-  font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif !important;
-  -webkit-text-fill-color: #000 !important;
+  font-size: 20px !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
+  -webkit-text-fill-color: #000080 !important;
+  color: #000080 !important;
+  text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #8888CC !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .featured-desc {
   color: #404040 !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .featured-btn-play {
-  background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  color: #000 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #0a0a0a,
-    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #D4D0C8,
-    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #808080 !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .featured-btn-secondary {
-  background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  color: #000 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #0a0a0a,
-    inset 2px 2px 0 0 #D4D0C8,
-    inset -2px -2px 0 0 #808080 !important;
+  font-size: 12px !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .featured-image {
-  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border: 3px solid !important;
   border-color: #808080 #fff #fff #808080 !important;
+  outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .featured-version-badge {
-  background: #fff !important;
-  color: #404040 !important;
-  border-color: #808080 !important;
+  background: #FFFF00 !important;
+  color: #000 !important;
+  border: 1px solid #888800 !important;
 }
 
-/* ---- YOUTUBE SECTION ---- */
+/* ---- YOUTUBE ---- */
 .retro-mode .yt-featured-wrapper {
   background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #808080 !important;
+  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border-color: #fff #808080 #808080 #fff !important;
+  outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow: 2px 2px 0 #0a0a0a !important;
 }
 
-.retro-mode .yt-glow {
-  display: none !important;
-}
+.retro-mode .yt-glow { display: none !important; }
+.retro-mode .yt-status-blob,
+.retro-mode .yt-status-dot { display: none !important; }
 
 .retro-mode .yt-label-text {
   color: #000 !important;
-  font-size: 11px !important;
+  font-size: 12px !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .yt-channel-link {
-  color: #0000FF !important;
-  font-size: 11px !important;
+  color: #0000EE !important;
   text-decoration: underline !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  font-size: 12px !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .yt-player-container {
-  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border: 3px solid !important;
   border-color: #808080 #fff #fff #808080 !important;
-  background: #000 !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .yt-status-blob,
-.retro-mode .yt-status-dot {
-  display: none !important;
+  outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .yt-new-tag {
-  background: #FFFFC8 !important;
-  color: #808000 !important;
-  border-color: #B0A000 !important;
+  background: #FF0000 !important;
+  color: #FFFF00 !important;
+  border: 2px solid #880000 !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  animation: retro-blink 0.8s step-start infinite !important;
+  text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #880000 !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .yt-video-title {
   color: #000080 !important;
-  font-size: 13px !important;
+  font-size: 14px !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .yt-stats-row {
@@ -472,61 +572,60 @@
   font-size: 11px !important;
 }
 
-/* ---- NAVIGATION GRID CARDS ---- */
+/* ---- NAV CARDS ---- */
 .retro-mode .nav-card-icon {
-  background: #E8E4DC !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #808080 !important;
+  background: #C8E8FF !important;
+  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border-color: #fff #808080 #808080 #fff !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .nav-card-title {
-  color: #000 !important;
-  font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif !important;
-  font-size: 14px !important;
+  color: #000080 !important;
+  font-size: 15px !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
+  text-decoration: underline !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .nav-card-desc {
   color: #404040 !important;
-  font-size: 12px !important;
+  font-size: 11px !important;
 }
 
 /* AI notice */
 .retro-mode .border-indigo-100 {
-  background: #FFFFC8 !important;
-  border-color: #B0A000 !important;
+  background: #FFFF99 !important;
+  border: 2px solid #888800 !important;
+  box-shadow: 2px 2px 0 #0a0a0a !important;
 }
 
 /* ---- BLOG ---- */
 .retro-mode .blog-post-card {
   background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #808080 !important;
+  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border-color: #fff #808080 #808080 #fff !important;
+  outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow: 2px 2px 0 #0a0a0a !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .blog-post-title a {
-  color: #000080 !important;
+  color: #0000EE !important;
+  font-size: 16px !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
   text-decoration: underline !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .blog-post-title a:hover {
-  color: #0000FF !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .read-more-btn {
-  color: #0000FF !important;
-  text-decoration: underline !important;
+  color: #FF00FF !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .new-post-badge {
-  background: #C8F0C8 !important;
-  border-color: #009000 !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .new-post-dot {
-  background: #007000 !important;
+  background: #FF4444 !important;
+  color: #fff !important;
+  border: 2px solid #880000 !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #880000 !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .blog-post-preview::after {
@@ -534,7 +633,8 @@
 }
 
 .retro-mode .blog-post-description {
-  color: #000 !important;
+  color: #000080 !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .blog-post-body {
@@ -544,36 +644,43 @@
 /* ---- SOFTWARE CATALOG ---- */
 .retro-mode .software-card {
   background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #808080 !important;
+  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border-color: #fff #808080 #808080 #fff !important;
+  outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow: 2px 2px 0 #0a0a0a !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .software-thumb {
-  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border: 3px solid !important;
   border-color: #808080 #fff #fff #808080 !important;
+  outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .software-title {
-  color: #000080 !important;
+  color: #0000EE !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
+  text-decoration: underline !important;
 }
 
-.retro-mode .software-desc {
-  color: #404040 !important;
-}
+.retro-mode .software-desc { color: #404040 !important; }
+.retro-mode .software-meta { color: #808080 !important; }
 
-.retro-mode .software-meta {
-  color: #808080 !important;
-}
-
-/* Catalog Show */
+/* Catalog show — latest release panel */
 .retro-mode .bg-gradient-to-br.from-indigo-600 {
   background: #000080 !important;
+  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border-color: #6060CC #000020 #000020 #6060CC !important;
+  outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
 }
 
-.retro-mode .bg-gradient-to-br.from-indigo-600 * {
-  color: #fff !important;
+.retro-mode .bg-gradient-to-br.from-indigo-600 .text-4xl,
+.retro-mode .bg-gradient-to-br.from-indigo-600 .text-white {
+  color: #FFFF00 !important;
+  -webkit-text-fill-color: #FFFF00 !important;
+}
+
+.retro-mode .bg-gradient-to-br.from-indigo-600 .text-indigo-100 {
+  color: #C8C8FF !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .bg-gradient-to-br.from-indigo-600 a {
@@ -586,193 +693,169 @@
     inset 2px 2px 0 0 #D4D0C8,
     inset -2px -2px 0 0 #808080 !important;
   text-decoration: none !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  padding: 3px 10px 4px !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .bg-gradient-to-br.from-purple-700 {
-  background: linear-gradient(to right, #000080, #1084D0) !important;
+  background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(255,255,255,0.15) 0%, transparent 40%), linear-gradient(to right, #000080, #1084D0) !important;
 }
 
-.retro-mode .text-purple-200 {
-  color: #C8C8FF !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .text-purple-300 {
-  color: #D0D0FF !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode table thead {
-  background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-}
+.retro-mode .text-purple-200,
+.retro-mode .text-purple-100 { color: #C8C8FF !important; }
+.retro-mode .text-purple-300 { color: #D8D8FF !important; }
 
+/* Tables */
 .retro-mode table th {
-  background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  color: #000 !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #808080 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #808080 !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode table tr:hover td,
-.retro-mode table tr:hover th {
   background: #000080 !important;
-  color: #fff !important;
+  color: #FFFF00 !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow: none !important;
 }
 
-.retro-mode table tr:hover a {
-  color: #fff !important;
+.retro-mode table thead { background: #000080 !important; }
+
+.retro-mode table tr:nth-child(odd) td { background: #FFFFFF !important; }
+.retro-mode table tr:nth-child(even) td { background: #C8E8FF !important; }
+
+.retro-mode table tr:hover td {
+  background: #000080 !important;
+  color: #FFFF00 !important;
 }
+.retro-mode table tr:hover a { color: #FFFF00 !important; }
 
 /* ---- TEAM ---- */
 .retro-mode .team-card {
   background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #808080 !important;
-  transform: none !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .team-card:hover {
+  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border-color: #fff #808080 #808080 #fff !important;
+  outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow: 2px 2px 0 #0a0a0a !important;
   transform: none !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .team-card-title {
   color: #000080 !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
+  font-size: 13px !important;
+}
+
+.retro-mode .team-card-desc {
+  color: #404040 !important;
+  font-size: 11px !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .team-card-image-container {
-  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border: 3px solid !important;
   border-color: #808080 #fff #fff #808080 !important;
+  outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
 }
 
 /* ---- CONTACT ---- */
 .retro-mode .contact-card {
   background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #808080 !important;
+  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border-color: #fff #808080 #808080 #fff !important;
+  outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow: 2px 2px 0 #0a0a0a !important;
 }
 
+.retro-mode .contact-card-title { color: #000080 !important; font-style: italic !important; }
+
 .retro-mode .email-link {
-  color: #0000FF !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .community-link-discord,
-.retro-mode .community-link-youtube {
-  color: #0000FF !important;
+  color: #0000EE !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  font-size: 14px !important;
   text-decoration: underline !important;
 }
 
-.retro-mode .irc-box,
+.retro-mode .community-link-discord { color: #5865F2 !important; font-weight: bold !important; text-decoration: underline !important; }
+.retro-mode .community-link-youtube { color: #CC0000 !important; font-weight: bold !important; text-decoration: underline !important; }
+.retro-mode .community-section { border-left-color: #808080 !important; }
+.retro-mode .community-section-title { color: #000080 !important; font-style: italic !important; }
+
+.retro-mode .irc-box {
+  background: #000 !important;
+  border: 2px solid #808080 !important;
+  box-shadow: inset 1px 1px 0 0 #404040 !important;
+}
+
+.retro-mode .irc-network { color: #00FF00 !important; font-family: "Courier New", monospace !important; }
+.retro-mode .irc-channel { color: #00FF00 !important; font-family: "Courier New", monospace !important; text-shadow: 0 0 8px #00FF00 !important; }
+
 .retro-mode .bbs-box {
-  background: #fff !important;
-  border: 1px solid #808080 !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #808080,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #D4D0C8 !important;
+  background: #000 !important;
+  border: 2px solid #808080 !important;
+  box-shadow: inset 1px 1px 0 0 #404040 !important;
 }
 
-.retro-mode .irc-channel {
-  color: #007000 !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .bbs-port {
-  color: #805000 !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .community-section {
-  border-left-color: #808080 !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .community-section-title {
-  color: #000080 !important;
-}
+.retro-mode .bbs-host { color: #FFAA00 !important; font-family: "Courier New", monospace !important; }
+.retro-mode .bbs-port { color: #FFAA00 !important; font-family: "Courier New", monospace !important; text-shadow: 0 0 8px #FFAA00 !important; }
 
 /* ---- CODE PAGE ---- */
 .retro-mode .error-alert {
   background: #FFCCCC !important;
-  border-color: #CC0000 !important;
+  border: 2px solid #CC0000 !important;
+  color: #880000 !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .commit-item {
   background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  border: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
-  box-shadow:
-    inset 1px 1px 0 0 #fff,
-    inset -1px -1px 0 0 #808080 !important;
+  border: 2px solid !important;
+  border-color: #fff #808080 #808080 #fff !important;
+  outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important;
+  box-shadow: 2px 2px 0 #0a0a0a !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .commits-section-title {
   color: #000080 !important;
-  font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
+  text-decoration: underline !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .repo-link,
 .retro-mode .commit-repo-link,
 .retro-mode .commit-sha-link {
-  color: #0000FF !important;
+  color: #0000EE !important;
   text-decoration: underline !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
 }
 
 /* ---- HOWTOS ---- */
 .retro-mode .howto-card-title {
-  color: #000080 !important;
+  color: #0000EE !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
+  text-decoration: underline !important;
 }
 
-.retro-mode .howto-card-title:hover,
-.retro-mode .group:hover .howto-card-title {
-  color: #0000FF !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .howto-card-footer {
-  border-top-color: #808080 !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .howto-card-read-link {
-  color: #0000FF !important;
-  transform: none !important;
-}
+.retro-mode .group:hover .howto-card-title { color: #FF00FF !important; }
+.retro-mode .howto-card-footer { border-top-color: #808080 !important; }
+.retro-mode .howto-card-read-link { color: #0000EE !important; font-weight: bold !important; transform: none !important; }
 
 .retro-mode .new-badge {
-  background: #C8F0C8 !important;
-  border-color: #009000 !important;
-  color: #007000 !important;
-}
-
-.retro-mode .new-dot {
-  background: #007000 !important;
+  background: #FF4444 !important;
+  color: #fff !important;
+  border: 2px solid #880000 !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #880000 !important;
 }
 
 /* ---- WIKI CONTENT ---- */
-.retro-mode .wiki-content h1 {
-  color: #000080 !important;
-  border-bottom-color: #808080 !important;
-}
-.retro-mode .wiki-content h2 { color: #000060 !important; }
-.retro-mode .wiki-content a { color: #0000FF !important; }
+.retro-mode .wiki-content { font-size: 13px !important; }
+.retro-mode .wiki-content h1 { color: #000080 !important; font-style: italic !important; border-bottom: 2px solid #808080 !important; }
+.retro-mode .wiki-content h2 { color: #800080 !important; font-style: italic !important; }
+.retro-mode .wiki-content h3 { color: #008000 !important; }
+.retro-mode .wiki-content a { color: #0000EE !important; text-decoration: underline !important; }
 .retro-mode .wiki-content a:visited { color: #800080 !important; }
-.retro-mode .wiki-content img { border-color: #808080 !important; }
-.retro-mode .wiki-content pre {
-  background: #000080 !important;
-  color: #C0C0C0 !important;
-}
-.retro-mode .wiki-content code {
-  background: #fff !important;
-  color: #800000 !important;
-  border-color: #808080 !important;
-}
-.retro-mode .wiki-content blockquote { border-left-color: #808080 !important; }
-.retro-mode .wiki-content th {
-  background: #000080 !important;
-  color: #fff !important;
-}
-.retro-mode .wiki-content tr:nth-child(even) td {
-  background: #F0F0F0 !important;
-}
+.retro-mode .wiki-content img { border: 3px solid #808080 !important; outline: 1px solid #0a0a0a !important; }
+.retro-mode .wiki-content pre { background: #000 !important; color: #00FF00 !important; border: 2px solid #808080 !important; text-shadow: 0 0 6px #00FF00 !important; }
+.retro-mode .wiki-content code { background: #FFFFC8 !important; color: #800000 !important; border: 1px solid #888800 !important; }
+.retro-mode .wiki-content blockquote { border-left: 4px solid #FF00FF !important; background: #FFF0FF !important; }
+.retro-mode .wiki-content th { background: #000080 !important; color: #FFFF00 !important; }
+.retro-mode .wiki-content tr:nth-child(even) td { background: #C8E8FF !important; }
 
-/* ---- RETRO TOGGLE BUTTON (self-styling) ---- */
+/* ---- RETRO TOGGLE BAR (taskbar style) ---- */
 .retro-toggle-bar {
   padding: 6px 8px;
   background: #f5f5f5;
@@ -795,9 +878,22 @@
 }
 
 .retro-mode .retro-toggle-bar {
-  background: #D4D0C8 !important;
-  border-top: 1px solid #808080 !important;
-  box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 #fff !important;
+  background: linear-gradient(180deg, #D4D0C8 0%, #C0BCAC 100%) !important;
+  border-top: 2px solid #fff !important;
+  box-shadow: 0 -1px 0 #0a0a0a, inset 0 1px 0 #E8E4DC !important;
+  display: flex !important;
+  align-items: center !important;
+  justify-content: center !important;
+  padding: 3px 6px !important;
+  gap: 8px !important;
+}
+
+.retro-mode .retro-toggle-bar::before {
+  content: "★ teletypegames.org ★" !important;
+  font-size: 10px !important;
+  color: #808080 !important;
+  font-family: "Comic Sans MS", cursive !important;
+  font-style: italic !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .retro-toggle-btn {
@@ -809,8 +905,11 @@
     inset -1px -1px 0 0 #0a0a0a,
     inset 2px 2px 0 0 #D4D0C8,
     inset -2px -2px 0 0 #808080 !important;
-  font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif !important;
-  font-size: 12px !important;
+  font-family: "Comic Sans MS", cursive !important;
+  font-size: 11px !important;
+  font-weight: bold !important;
+  padding: 3px 10px 4px !important;
+  min-height: 20px !important;
 }
 
 .retro-mode .retro-toggle-btn:active {
@@ -819,5 +918,11 @@
     inset -1px -1px 0 0 #fff,
     inset 2px 2px 0 0 #808080,
     inset -2px -2px 0 0 #D4D0C8 !important;
-  padding: 5px 13px 3px 15px !important;
+  padding: 4px 9px 3px 11px !important;
+}
+
+.retro-mode .retro-toggle-bar::after {
+  content: "🖥" !important;
+  font-size: 14px !important;
+  font-style: normal !important;
 }