Implicit Conversions, a maker of source-code-free retro game emulation, said it is porting XSEED Games’ Milano’s Odd Job Collection, a legendary Japan-exclusive 32-bit casual/simulation gem, into a modern console and PC game.
The retro title will run on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Making its debut at Wholesome Direct 2025, the game, which launches later in 2025, showcases how publishers can tap into the estimated tens of thousands of classic titles awaiting revival, delivering nostalgic experiences with contemporary polish to meet today’s market demands.
Milano’s Odd Job Collection exemplifies the power of the Syrup Engine, turning a classic niche Japanese title into a globally accessible, cozy retro experience. Its nostalgic pixel art, quirky aesthetic, and high replayability are enhanced with publisher-friendly features designed to drive engagement and sales. These include: Full English Localization (text, graphics, voiceovers) to expand into new markets, trophies/achievements to boost player retention, and save states and rewind for accessible gameplay.
Many publishers are risk-averse right now. More and more, we’re seeing them revive games from their back-catalog, which is safer and cheaper, especially when using emulation (which is a fraction of the cost of a full remake). The most common request the company receives is for PlayStation (PS1) games to be ported on Nintendo Switch. There’s a treasure trove of games from the PS1 era that are just waiting to be played by modern audiences.
There are others in a similar space: Limited Run Games, Digital Eclipse, etc. – and we work with them too. Retro games bring “new” games to today’s audience, while also satisfying the nostalgia factor. Additionally, there is a movement in game preservation, led by various groups including the Video Game History Foundation and The Strong Museum of Play.
The enhancements cater to the growing demand for retro games on modern platforms, offering publishers a low-risk way to reintroduce classics with high market appeal. In a risk-averse industry, Implicit Conversions empowers publishers to monetize their back catalogs efficiently.
“Our Syrup Engine unlocks the value of retro titles without the need for source code, saving time and resources while maximizing global reach,” said Bill Litshauer, CEO of Implicit Conversions, in a statement “With Milano’s Odd Job Collection, we’ve proven how to modernize a classic while preserving its charm, creating a blueprint for publishers to revive their own libraries.”
The Syrup Engine is a game-changer for publishers facing the challenge of missing source code or outdated assets. Key benefits include:
- Source-Code-Free Porting: Revive 8-, 16-, and 32-bit titles without original code, reducing development barriers.
- Cross-Platform Efficiency: Optimized for PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, including complex ports like PS1 games on Switch.
- Cost and Time Savings: Internal QA team and automated Release Management System streamline development and certification.
- Global Market Readiness: Localization and modern features ensure broad appeal and compliance with platform standards.
Implicit Conversions simplifies the emulation process, allowing publishers to focus on strategy and marketing. The company’s senior engineers, with deep expertise in emulation and gaming, deliver high-quality ports backed by commercial and open-source experience. The team’s passion for preservation ensures every title retains its original essence while gaining modern appeal. An internal QA team and automated systems handle platform certification, reducing delays and costs.
Milano’s Odd Job Collection demonstrates how Implicit Conversions can transform a publisher’s back catalog into a revenue-generating asset. By combining technical innovation with market-ready features, Implicit Conversions offers a scalable solution for publishers looking to revive classics efficiently and profitably.
Origins
Implicit Conversions was founded in 2019. Production on the first classic games began in earnest in 2022 for a large publisher. Since then, more than 100 classic/retro games have been released from the PS1, PSP, and PS2 to modern consoles like the PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox, and PC.
Implicit Conversions grew to manage the production demand, and is now working with various publishers to revive their back-catalog of games. These include Xseed Games, Limited Run Games, Digital Eclipse, and a few we can’t announce just yet!
Throughout its growth, Implicit Conversions has invested in its own proprietary technology. For example, its Syrup Engine allows it to port games and add additional features like trophies, save states, rewind, localization, widescreen support, up-rendering, network play, custom controls, CRT filters, and more. Our PS1 emulator for Syrup, Pancake, allows us to port PS1 games to each of the modern platforms, like Nintendo Switch 1/2, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam).
The company has have 14 members on the team, mostly software engineers with experience in the emulation space or reverse engineering. The cofounder and chief gaming officer is Robin Lavallée, while Bill Litshauer is CEO.
Implicit Conversions is fully remote, with the team spread out across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Technically, it’s based in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, but there is no “head office”.
As for why this game, Litshauer said in a message to GamesBeat, “It’s one of those titles that stands the test of time with its beautiful pixel art, animations, and Japanese cuteness. It’s a cozy experience full of retro charm. It will be released for the first time in English, complete with audio and visual translations, trophies/achievements, faster load times, save states, and the ability to rewind. We believe that with modern conveniences, today’s gamers will thoroughly enjoy playing it on modern consoles, like the Nintendo Switch.”
He added, “And it opens the door for us to be able to bring more Japan-only titles to a wider audience, which we are really excited to do.”
As far as the history goes, Litshauer said “Milano No Arubaito” (now “Milano’s Odd Job Collection”) was released in 1999 for the original PlayStation and only in Japan. The story follows an 11-year-old girl named Milano, who spends her summer vacation at her uncle’s… but he’s away on vacation! Milano decides to make the most of her situation by taking up a variety of part-time jobs in town. Over the next 40 days, Milano goes all in to make this summer unforgettable: delivering pizzas, nursing sick patients, milking flying cows, and more. And maybe she can spruce up her uncle’s place and have some fun while she’s at it.
As for the tech, Litshauer said, “We use our own proprietary PS1 emulator, Pancake, packaged with our Syrup Engine, to make the magic happen.”
He added, “Using High Level Emulation (HLE), we’re able to replicate the functions used by the original console or ROMs. The source code for old games is often lost to time, but fortunately, our technology doesn’t need it! All we need is the game disk (ROM) and we can reverse engineer using our tools.”
And he said, “Since the Switch doesn’t have very strong processing power, we need to optimize PS1 games to ensure they run at a smooth 60fps. We do this using something called AOT (Ahead of Time) compilation. In short, we profile a game while playing it and identify the hot spots – the spots where performance is poor. We can create a file of pre-compiled code, so that the next time that “slow” area of the game is played, it now loads the pre-compiled file very quickly, which can dramatically increase performance.”
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