Retro News
September2016
Weirdness Fans Think They've Found Mario And Luigi's Father
Just who is "SR"?
They may be entirely fictional characters but it's fair to assume that in Super Mario canon, the famous Italian siblings must have a father - but Nintendo has never really acknowledged the fact. Or has it? Reddit user l33tredrocket appears to have found evidence that Mario and Luigi's papa does indeed exist in some form - the form...
News Microsoft Blocks NESBox Emulator On Xbox One
That was quick
The NESBox saga appears to be drawing to a close with Microsoft "unpublishing" the app after it was submitted for launch on its Xbox One console. Many questioned whether or not the company would allow it to stand, given that NESBox effectively turns the Xbox One into a NES. However, on Friday it looked certain to be on the way as it...
Video Learn a Little More About Super Mario World
Did You Know Gaming digs up some neat information
It's likely that many reading these pages know an awful lot about Super Mario World; after all, it's one of the standout and iconic games of the 16-bit era, and is often in the conversation when considering the best Super Mario games. In any case, it's always interesting to learn a little more about...
Review Mega Man X3 (New 3DS / SNES)
Flawed finale
It was 1995 or 1996 (depending on where you lived) and for the third year running Capcom released a Mega Man X game on the SNES. Further games in the series would follow but whilst X's 1-6 would arrive on the GameCube in Mega Man X Collection, Mega Man X3 would be the last in the series for the SNES and now presumably the New Nintendo...
Video A Modder Has Made Super Mario Run 64
Of course they have...
For some there's no escaping from the 'good old days', which in the Nintendo scene means - for some - delving into Nintendo 64 goodness. Nintendo's powerhouse console (at the time) was home to iconic games that are still much loved today. Super Mario 64 is right up near the top of the list when considering the most beloved...
News Super Pitfall Gets The Fan-Made 30th Anniversary Makeover It So Badly Needed
Turning A Lump Of Coal Into a Diamond
The adventures of Pitfall Harry are a big part of many a gamer's childhood. His escapades were the closest we got to play (outside of licensed games of varying quality) as Indiana Jones on second generation consoles such as the Atari 2600. However, one particular game in the series was a lot more Kingdom of the...
News Xbox One NES Emulator Passes Certification, Could Hit Console In The Next Few Days
Your move, Nintendo
We reported on the development of a NES emulator for the Xbox One console a few days ago, and we're now hearing that the app has passed certification, meaning it could arrive on the system any day now. NESBox will allow Xbox owners to play classic NES titles on their consoles, as well as load up fan-made games. ROMs will be...
News Unreleased Game Boy Color RPG Infinity Gets Unexpected Soundtrack Release
A unique situation
Usually video game soundtracks are released because a game becomes a commercial success and the demand therefore exists for such a product, but in the case of the unreleased Game Boy Color RPG Infinity - which we reported on a while back - the situation is a little different. Originally intended for release over 15 years ago, the...
Review Mega Man X2 (New 3DS / SNES)
Extra X
Thanks to 16-bit visual loveliness and some new moves, the first Mega Man X stood out from the many 8-bit Mega Man games that had popped up on the NES and Game Boy. Released the following year, this sequel may lack the freshness of that first title, but Mega Man X2 still provides the expected action-platforming fun, backed by some great...
Retro Remember When Nintendo Ditched The Headphone Socket?
Paving the way in more ways than one
In case you missed it, Shigeru Miyamoto appeared on stage at Apple's 2016 conference yesterday to announce Super Mario Run, a brand-new Mario game for iOS. As if that wasn't shocking enough, Apple also revealed its new iPhone 7 which - as had been rumoured - does away with the traditional 3.5mm headphone socket...
News The Dolphin Emulator Can Now Play the Entire GameCube Library
Many years in the making
Most that have been following Nintendo over the last decade will have heard of the Dolphin emulator at some point. Over the course of many years it's offered a means to run the GameCube library, and has even been used by enthusiasts to test out Wii games in HD. It's actively used by various communities; earlier this year...
News The Xbox One Might Be Getting A NES Emulator
Nintendo's legal team, take note
Given this is a Nintendo-focused site many of you may not be aware that it is now possible for Windows developers to submit their applications for release on the Xbox One. It's all part of Microsoft's overarching plan to unify its business interests and should - on the whole - result in benefits for console users...
News Lost Nintendo 64 Racer Rev Limit Rolls Out Of The Garage
The Gran Turismo beater that never was
Seta is a name that will be familiar to SNES owners thanks to the firm's well-recieved Exhaust Heat / F1 Race of Champions titles and the Castlevania-inspired Nosferatu. During the N64 era the firm pledged its support to Nintendo with a raft of titles including Wild Choppers (Chopper Attack in the west) and a...
Random How One Of Sega's Worst TV Ads Sparked An Epic Quest To Track Down A Fictional Barber
"In truth I was really surprised - in a good way"
Sega and Nintendo's history has been well documented in the past, with the two firms being bitter rivals during the 16-bit era. In recent years things have become a little more rosy, what with Nintendo publishing some of Sega's games on its consoles. Sega's transition from hardware maker to...
News Turns Out Nintendo Came Up With Metroid Prime's Most Compelling Feature
"Nintendo was like, this is going to be about the scan visor"
The Metroid Prime sub-series has to rank as one of the most beloved of all Nintendo's franchises. The three mainline Metroid Prime titles are sublime pieces of software, yet it's easy to forget that the public reaction to early footage of the first instalment was met with widespread...
News Collector 'Metal Jesus' Reveals More About His Rare North American Nintendo 64DD
Breaking down the mysteries of the system
A while ago we spoke to Jason Lindsey, who's well known on YouTube as MetalJesusRocks, about a remarkable discovery for his collection. He picked up a North America Nintendo 64DD, which was seemingly the first of its kind. The 'Lot Check' sticker suggested it was used to test games at Nintendo of America,...
Video Remembering Trevor McFur, Atari's Not Entirely Convincing Answer To Star Fox
Out-foxed
1993 was a bumper year for gamers, and Nintendo's groundbreaking Star Fox was possibly the cream of the crop. Powered by the Super FX chip and offering intense 3D graphics, it set a new standard for visuals on home consoles and gave its host platform a new lease of life. Also released in 1993 was the Atari Jaguar, the veteran company's...
Poll What Are Your Favourite Mini NES Games?
30 for the 30th Anniversary in Europe
Here's a fun fact that fell under the radar on a rather busy day - the NES turned 30 in Europe on 1st September. It celebrated the equivalent North American anniversary nearly a year ago, but the system took a while to arrive in Europe and, actually, struggled to gain much of a foothold - initially at least - in...
News Retro-Bit Generations Game List Contains Capcom, Irem And Data East Classics
Rest easy, Super Noah's Ark is included
Clone consoles are all the rage at the moment, what with Nintendo's own NES Mini and RetroUSB's AVS arriving on the scene to remind everyone just how great the NES was, and still is. However, Retro-Bit is taking a slightly different approach by not focusing on a single system but instead creating an "all in...
News Devs Look Back At The Original Street Fighter, The Clunky Classic Which Birthed A Genre
"It's bad and Ryu has red hair. I played it for like 5 minutes"
Street Fighter is one of the most famous video game brands in the world and has sold millions of units as a series, but ironically the game which began the franchise in 1987 is often totally ignored in favour of its much more successful 1991 sequel. The original Street Fighter is...
Feature Pay A Visit To Rare's Local Indie Video Game Store
"They used to come in to buy their latest game to go in their vault"
The English market town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch can chart its history as far back as the 11th century and owes its rather unusual name to the Norman Conquest of England around the same time, when the settlement - then known as plain old Ashby - became the property of the La Zouche...
August2016
Random You Can Now Fly A Drone Using Your Game Boy, If You So Wish
Pocket power
Not so long ago we reported that one industrious individual had turned the Nintendo Power Glove into a device which could control a drone. Now, Gautier Hattenberger has gone one better by turning his dusty old Game Boy into a remote control for his Parrot AR.Drone 2.0. Hattenberger - who is Assistant Professor of Flight Mechanics and...
Video These Five Mario Games Were Never Really Mario Games
A Link to the Farce
Companies will often use a mascot to sell a mostly unrelated product, whether it be a tin of SpaghettiOs or otherwise, it's an expected move by big brands. Video games are no exception to the rule, and more times than we'd like we've been tantalised by the Mario name only for the portly plumber of Nintendo fame to not be the...
News Nintendo Shares The Best NES Nostalgia Photos From UK Fans
#ILoveNES
It's fair to say that there is a lot of excitement for the upcoming Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition, bundled with 30 of the best classic NES games. If you're a seasoned Nintendo fan then you're certainly going to want to find one under your Christmas tree this year. To celebrate the launch of the NES Mini our chums at...
Random Nintendo Acknowledges Virtual Boy After Decades of Passive Denial
Graphics so good they'll give you a headache
The 3DS has done a remarkable job in the current economic climate, cutting out a respectable install base several million units sold over it's run. Of course, in the early days of the console, many believed that it would be a failure due to the unfortunate historical precedent that was the Virtual Boy...
Poll What Are Your Favourite Super NES Games?
A tough call...
As you've likely been aware, the Super NES recently turned 25 in North America. It's another nice landmark for the iconic system, and one that's prompted us to get all misty-eyed and reminisce on our youth. That aside, it's a chance to celebrate the best of the SNES era, so with that in mind we thought it'd be nice to have an...
Feature From Paul Rudd to Dancing Link and Beyond - Some of the Best SNES Commercials
Can you handle all 24 Megabytes of Super Metroid?
With the Super NES / SNES reaching its 25th Anniversary in North America on 23rd September, we've been reminiscing over the 16-bit powerhouse a lot, and let our minds drift to the advertising that Nintendo used for the system. It was... quirky, though that is a comment admittedly made through a...
Video Relive The Wonders Of The Super Nintendo's Famous Mode 7
Scale, rotate and manipulate
To celebrate the Super Nintendo's 25th Anniversary in North America, certified Retronaut Jeremy Parish gives himself a break from 8-bit tech to explore the wonders of Nintendo's 16-bit wonder console. Launching a new series affectionately titled "Mode Seven", Jeremy aims to provide a chronological survey of U.S. releases...
Anniversary The Super Nintendo Is 25 Years Old Today
Happy birthday, you boxy thing
25 years ago, the Super Nintendo - or Super NES (or even SNES, if you're in a rush) - arrived in North America to critical acclaim and great fanfare. Following on from a successful launch in Japan - where it was named the Super Famicom - the console recieved a rather drastic facelift for its North American debut,...
Weirdness Pokémon GO Triggers Massive Trainer Stampedes In Taiwan
Lots of people, all trying to be the very best
While the latest data suggests that Pokémon GO has peaked in terms of popularity, it's still one of the most-played games on the planet right now - as these chaotic scenes from Taiwan attest. Various sightings in the country have triggered massive stampedes as people rush to catch rare monsters. On...
News Here's The Machine Sega's Artists Used To Bring Some Of Its Best Games To Life
It's the Sega Digitizer System!
3D visuals have largely become the industry standard these days, supported by a host of special tools and engines which aid their creation and streamline the design process. However, back in the '80s the landscape was a lot different. 2D pixel artwork was the dominant style, but studios often had to create their own...
News Forget The NES Classic Edition Mini, Here's The Analogue Nt Mini
20 percent smaller, outputs 1080p via HDMI
Nintendo may have caused quite a stir with the announcement of the NES Classic Edition (or NES Mini, if you prefer), but it's actually quite late to the party when it comes to this kind of product. We've already seen quite a few "clone" consoles that replicate the performance
News A Group Of Fans Are Resurrecting Lost Rare N64 Title Dinosaur Planet As An Animated Series
Special trailer airing today
Dinosaur Planet was supposed to be Rare's swansong on the N64, a 3D action platformer which would create a brand-new IP and push the console to its very limits. As we all know, that never happened - Dinosaur Planet was re-tooled at Nintendo's behest as Star Fox Adventures and would be released on the GameCube. It was...
News Celebrate The Release Of Federation Force By Dressing Your Miitomo Mii Up Metroid Style
Where can we buy a 8-Bit Samus t-shirt in real life?
It's officially Metroid Day with the launch of Metroid Prime: Federation Force on 3DS, and to mark this event Nintendo has added lots of cool new items to Miitomo. From today so you can strike some awesome poses with your Mii - see if you can win the 8-Bit Samus T-Shirt for your Mii and various...
Video These Top Five Secret Mario Levels Were Worth Searching For
Is it-a me, Mario you're looking for?
The Super Mario series like so many others is brimming with secrets, some of them interesting, some of them not so much, but we're sure few would argue the best secrets take the form of complete levels for you to play. That's why we've thrown together what may well be the top five secret levels from the entire...
Video It's Amazing How Many Great Mega Drive Games Genesis Owners Missed Out On
Alien Soldier! Wrestle War! Double Dragon II!
Despite the incredible success of the Sega Genesis in North America, there are a few puzzling omissions from the console's library in that particular region - and our friends over at iretrogamer have decided to take a look at some of the most notable examples. Sega's 16-bit system may have charged to...
News Sailor Moon Super S: Fuwa Fuwa Panic Translated To English
For Love And Justice, Sailor Moon… will pop balloons!?
When the anime craze finally picked up steam around these lands in the '90s, the high school playground was divided between boys who watched Dragon Ball and girls who watched Sailor Moon. A few more enlightened people actually enjoyed both shows, refusing to accept that gender should decide...
Hardware Review Everdrive GBA X5
Flash by name, flash by nature
In the world of flash carts, one name stands out from the rest: Krikzz. This individual has produced a long line of carts for various retro systems, including the NES, SNES, Mega Drive / Genesis and N64. With each product the aim is simple - make the user experience as sea
News This Cart Could Contain The First Code Satoru Iwata Ever Wrote For Nintendo
A little piece of history
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata passed away last year at the age of 55. Beloved by gamers and responsible for seeing the company through one of its most successful periods, Iwata started out as a developer in the early 1980s, joining HAL Laboratory and collaborating closely with Nintendo on Famicom titles. It would seem...
Video Make your SNES and NES Tangle-Free with 8Bitdo’s Retro Wireless Controllers and Adapters
Everything old is new again
When it comes to retro gaming there are few who would disagree with the notion that playing on original hardware is the most faithful way to play the classics, even if it's not necessarily the most convenient. Well one of the biggest pet peeves of older hardware has been eliminated for the SNES and NES thanks to 8Bitdo's...
Discuss What Next For The Nintendo 64?
#N64Memories' Steven Smith asks the question
Considering the Nintendo 64 is a twenty-year-old console, the title of this piece may seem odd. However, I personally think there is a potential future for the N64's hardware and software. We are currently in an important period for the console – 2016 and 2017 mark its twentieth birthday, depending on...
Random Metroid Prime's Opening Boss Battle Has Been Recreated Using Lego
Block blasting
Lego builder Jared Rosenblitt is a huge Metroid fan - he's already created an awesome Meta Ridley and Samus showdown using the famous Danish construction toy - and now he's back with another Metroid-themed creation, this time detailing the famous opening boss battle in Metroid Prime. Rosenblitt showed off his creation at BrickFair...
News Work For Volkswagen? Better Delete Pokémon GO From Your Phone
The only bug you're going to catch is the Beetle
Yesterday we reported on the news that people working inside The Pentagon have been instructed not to play Pokémon GO due to security concerns, and today we've got another sad tale - German automobile maker Volkswagen has told 70,000 of its staff that they have to delete the game from their phones...
Video Augmented Reality NES Gaming Finally Gives Us A Reason To Want Microsoft's HoloLens
Super Mario Bros. on your living room wall
Virtual Reality may be the flavour of the moment right now, but Microsoft is attempting to chart a different course with its HoloLens headset. This expensive piece of kit uses Augmented Reality to create unique experiences and has plenty of applications in the sphere of gaming - running NES games being just...
News Game Boy Color Game 15 Years In The Making Finally Sees The Light Of Day
Infinity is free to download, but still not entirely complete
If you're old enough to vividly recall the Game Boy Color era then you may well remember an RPG for the system by the name of Infinity. Developed by Affinix Software, the title began life as Joltima II and was supposed to be published by Crave Entertainment in 2001 - the publisher even...
News United States Department Of Defense Bans Pokémon GO At The Pentagon
"Poses a potential a security risk", apparently
Pokémon GO's hold on mobile phone users shows little sign of weakening, so much so that workers at the Pentagon are being told they're not allowed to use the app when on the premises. The move follows concerns that the game could potentially used to spy on activities within the facility, which houses...
Video Digital Foundry Puts GoldenEye and Perfect Dark to the Test on N64
Also dabbles in cleaning up the visuals
Digital Foundry is one of the premier online teams for technical analysis of games and hardware, often focusing on current-generation gaming to assess performance, frame rates and more. It's now turning its eye to some retro games, too, which provides some interesting context on classics from past generations...
Review Final Fight (3DS eShop / SNES)
Not quite the final word
In the late '80s and early '90s gamers gathered around arcade cabinets instead of playing from the comfort of their own homes, and one of the biggest draws in arcades of the day was undoubtedly Capcom's Final Fight. When Final Fight released for the Super Nintendo in the early '90s, some gamers weren't very pleased with it,...
Video Rare Reminisces on the Development of It's Mr. Pants
"We decided to have a menagerie of animal and bird noises to reward you"
Rare is a studio that's always been known for being one of the most prolific and beloved developers on Nintendo consoles during the 16 and 64 bit eras. Responsible for classics like the Donkey Kong Country series, Banjo-Kazooie, Goldeneye 007, and more, the studio's resume is...
News retroUSB's HDMI NES, the AVS, Goes Up for Pre-Order
Supports all NES / Famicom cartridges
A while ago we told you about retroUSB's HDMI NES, the AVS, a rather slick-looking console that promises a 720p output and support for all current and future NES / Famicom cartridges. It's now close to release, with pre-orders going live over on the official website. The general pitch is that this hardware...
Video Watch Super Mario World Get Beaten in Under 16 Minutes, Blindfolded
Panga strikes again for a World Record
World Records may be tumbling in the Olympic Games in Rio, but there are also new marks to be set in the speedrunning community. Panga, who we've featured in the past thanks to his outrageously complicated Super Mario Maker creations, has reclaimed the record for the fastest blindfolded run of Super Mario...
News Nintendo Issues Takedown Notices for Impressive Fan-Made Metroid II Remake, AM2R
Oh, Nintendo
Over this past weekend Metroid fans had a fan-made effort to thank for providing a welcome celebration of the franchise with AM2R, rather jokingly being an abbreviation for Another Metroid 2 Remake. Sadly, and predictably, Nintendo has reacted to the overwhelming positivity and broad coverage of the four year project by shutting it...
News Metroid Composer Shares Personal Note About the 30th Anniversary
Also, a cool Metroid montage track
The Metroid series has always been known for crafting an effective atmosphere, there's just no other game that manages to capture that same sense of creepy isolation. Environment design plays a large role in this, but the soundtrack also contributes in no small way. Considering that we just passed the 30th...
News The Mini NES Classic Edition May Have Some Neat Display Modes
That plug-in Virtual Console experience
Through Virtual Console formats and even the neat retro Mario amiibo effect in Super Mario Maker (sort of), Nintendo has mastered alternative display options with a retro look. From smoothing of DS games on Wii U to the native resolution feature for SNES games on New 3DS, there are often simple options to view...
Video Exploring The Funky Inspiration for the Super Mario Bros. Underground Theme
Time to dig out a record from 1979
The music in Super Mario Bros. is just about as iconic as it gets in gaming, with gamers of various ages and types familiar with the soundtrack. The underground theme is one of the most well-known, with a funky bass beat kicking it off. Our buddies from The Centre for Computing History in Cambridge (England)...
Review R-Type (Wii U eShop / TG-16)
More like our type
You can't have a conversation about shoot-'em-ups, or shmups, without mentioning R-Type. Back in the late '80s and early '90s the game was synonymous with the genre. Unfortunately for Nintendo fans at the time one of the best ports of the arcade classic was on the TurboGrafx-16, an also-ran console that never found its place in...
Review Metroid Prime: Hunters (Wii U eShop / DS)
A bit past its Prime
The year was 2004. The Metroid series had been brought roaring back to relevance a couple years prior with the excellent Metroid Prime, and its sequel was due out soon. At E3, Nintendo opted to unveil its newest platform, a bizarre device that featured two screens. Many were skeptical as to whether or not the device would be...
News A NES Classic Mini is up for Grabs in Nintendo UK's #ILoveNES Competition
8-bit in 140 characters
The Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System (or Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition in North America) is likely to be found in quite a few stockings this festive season, and based on the frenzy that accompanied the announcement it could be a tussle to get hold of a unit. Yes, it has games that many...
News Super Mario Adventures is Being Reprinted as a Graphic Novel
Available this fall
Before the days of the internet, Nintendo Power was the source for all news and secrets about Nintendo. While all those pages held invaluable information for the time, they also played home to some entertaining comic strips, such as Howard & Nester and Super Mario Adventures. Naturally, it's relatively difficult for fans of...
Random Influential Music Publication, Pitchfork, Showcases 'Musical Gems' from the Nintendo 64
Quite right, too
It's common for sites like this one to write with great fondness about platforms like the Nintendo 64, but an article we've seen doing the rounds on social media shows that publications in various genres have an appreciation for gaming's contributions to various areas. Pitchfork, one of the largest and most influential publications...
Hosted at The Centre for Computing History, Cambridge
We had such a blast meeting you lovely people at the inaugural Nintendo Life Gaming Night last year, that it was a no-brainer to team up again with our chums at the Centre for Computing History in Cambridge, England and do another event. Thanks to everyone who joined us on Saturday 30th July 2016...
Retro Bask in Nostalgia With The Nintendo Power Archive
Now you're browsing with power
When you consider iconic imagery from Nintendo's earlier days in North America, in particular, there's a good chance that Nintendo Power magazine will spring to mind. From memorable covers to quirky features, to cut-out crafts and posters, it was a key part of many young gamer's regular routine; in the pre-internet...
News SNES PlayStation Prototype Set to Feature At Game On Expo
Gaze upon the system that would have changed gaming history
As the video game industry continues to evolve in unexpected ways, its increasingly lengthy history continues to be a relevant and intriguing topic for many. Across 40-50 years of mainstream video gaming there's plenty to learn about, and for Nintendo aficionados the so-called 'SNES...
Review Street Fighter Alpha 2 (New 3DS / SNES)
The eShop has Alpha too
There are a few Virtual Console options for New Nintendo 3DS-owning Street Fighter fans such as a speedy Street Fighter II, a sixteen-character Street Fighter II and this eShop release that stands out on account of not being Street Fighter II. Released in 1996 this SNES port of Street Fighter Alpha 2 may have been overlooked...
Video Learn Some Handy Metroid Glitches
Skip those pesky boss fights
Glitches remain an important part of games for enthusiasts and speed runners, with unintended gaps in code or system limitations allowing those with the know-how to do strange things. Sometimes you can skip entire areas, defeat an enemy easily, or just make something look cool. There's a mix of techniques in the latest...
Video Check Out This Long Lost Third Party N64 Development Tool
It's only sort-of piracy
Nintendo has come a long way in terms of openness with developers for its consoles. Nowadays, anybody with a laptop and some time is welcome to submit a game on the eShop, and there are more tools than ever to help realize this goal. It hasn't always been that way, however, as Nintendo used to require certain standards of...
July2016
Review Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers (New 3DS / SNES)
Super solo fighter
The New Nintendo 3DS is a nifty device with a number of great games available, but as everyone knows something cannot be considered a true games machine unless you can play Street Fighter II on it. Thankfully Capcom has stepped in to save New 3DS owners from the taunts of ZX Spectrum, Atari ST and CD32 gamers by bringing the game...
Review Street Fighter II' Turbo: Hyper Fighting (New 3DS / SNES)
Speedy fighting on the go
Ever since SNES games were announced as coming to the New Nintendo 3DS it seemed inevitable that Capcom would jump at the chance to flog us Street Fighter II again and - sure enough - here it is. In a surprise move they've skipped the World Warrior port and moved straight to Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting, released...
Review New Adventure Island (Wii U / TG-16)
An old-school endless runner
It's often said that there's no such thing as a bad idea, that it just needs the right moment to shine. More than any other medium video games like to rehash what's come before, retrofitting old concepts into new titles for something that can feel wholly unique while paying tribute to what's come before. For instance,...
News Tom Dubois Talks About Creating Some Of The Most Iconic Boxart Of The NES And SNES Eras
"There was never any direct influence from Konami of Japan"
We're used to video game art assets being more or less consistent across all regions these days, but back in the 8 and 16-bit eras it was common for games from Japan to receive entirely new box artwork when released in the west. In the majority of cases the replacement covers were woefully...
Review Style Savvy (Wii U eShop / DS)
Retro Chic
If there's one thing that's true in style, it's that what's old is new again. That's as true in fashion games as it is on the runway, and now, after two excellent turns on the 3DS in Style Savvy: Trendsetters and Fashion Forward, Nintendo's going back to basics by bringing the DS original Style Savvy to the Wii U's Virtual Console. Style...
Hardware Review 8Bitdo x Analogue SNES Retro Receiver
Look Ma, no wires!
The removal of the pesky joypad cable has to rank as one of the most important advances in video game tech. For far too long were we resigned to dealing with tangled wires that shackled us to our games consoles, forcing us to sit within a range dictated by the length of the cable itself (Super Famicom owners will feel this pain...
Video Hyperkin's Upcoming SmartBoy Lets You Catch Pokémon On Your Phone The Old-Fashioned Way
No data connection or walking required
As the world is gripped by Pokémon GO fever, you can't blame peripheral maker Hyperkin from leaping on the bandwagon in order to promote its forthcoming SmartBoy accessory. The device connects to Android phones and allows you to load up original Game Boy cartridges and play them via emulation. Hyperkin's...
Video This Raspberry Pi-Powered, 3D Printed NES Mini Puts Nintendo's Effort To Shame
Complete with tiny NFC carts and scaled-down controller
The recent announcement of the NES Classic Edition (or NES Mini if you're in Europe) caused quite a stir, triggering feelings of intense nostalgia with thirtysomethings all over the globe. While we can't wait to get our hands on the unit, there's definitely room for improvement here - for...
News Somebody Has Already Hit the Level Cap in Pokémon GO
The rewards aren't as exciting as you'd think
About a week ago, data miners revealed various hidden files in Pokémon GO's code. Among these things, the level cap was found to be at level 40, which would take an eye-watering 5 million experience to achieve. Considering that the Master Ball was also found in the game's code, many assumed that players...
Review Mega Man X (New 3DS / SNES)
Mega Xcitement
The Mega Man games provided people with enjoyable action-platforming and Capcom was happy to keep producing more and more of them to be purchased and played. 1993 (at least in Japan) saw the release of the sixth NES game in the series, but also the start of something new. Following Virtual Console releases (and a compilation) of the...
Review Front Mission Series: Gun Hazard (SNES)
Out Of This Valken World
The original Front Mission raised the bar very high indeed for what we have come to expect from mecha games on Super Nintendo. Just one year later, Square released a sequel - but don't be fooled, Front Mission Series: Gun Hazard is everything but a traditional follow-up. In fact, it's not even in the same timeline as the...
News Retro-Bit's Next System Aims To Challenge The NES Classic Edition Mini Console
Over 100 titles, HDMI support, SD card slot and 6-button controllers
Ever since the Retron 5 and Retro Freak arrived on the scene clone hardware maker Retro-Bit has fallen a little silent. The company's last major release - the Super Retro Trio - was seen as a rival to Hyperkin's hardware, but lacked HDMI su
News The Man Who Humbled Nintendo In The '90s Has Returned To The Video Game Arena
Sega legend Tom Kalinske returns to gaming
Those of you old enough to have lived through the 16-bit war of the '90s will almost certainly know the name Tom Kalinske. He served as Sega of America's CEO during this incredible period and is often credited with overturning Nintendo's dominance of the US console arena. When he took over the company was...
News Mini Mega Drive / Genesis Systems On the Way to Cash In on Sonic's 25th Anniversary
Nintendo's NES revival is also a handy comparison
The upcoming NES Classic Edition / Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System is undoubtedly a cool little product. Its tiny form, accompanying controller, HDMI support and 30 pre-installed games will likely make it a Holiday hit for the big N. One thing we pointed out in an editorial...
Retro Fresh Nintendo NX Rumours Indicate That History Is Repeating Itself
Beware the savage jaw of 1984
Nintendo is a company that loves to innovate - the Wii and Nintendo DS are prime examples of this desire. However, the Game Boy Advance SP is proof that the Japanese veteran is also wise enough to pillage from the past when it makes sense; the clamshell design was borrowed from its '80s Game & Watch LCD rang
Random Pokémon GO Costs WWE Tag Team A Win
No luchador Pikachu here
We've already reported on the fact that Pokémon GO has reached the level of awareness that permits it a mention during a WWE broadcast, and now the popular app is making its presence felt once more, this time to the detriment of one of the organisation's tag teams, The Shining Stars. During the team's match against Enzo...
News 8bitdo And Analogue Interactive Team Up Again For The SNES Wireless Retro Receiver
Begone, cables!
Peripheral maker 8bitdo and retro revivalist Analogue Interactive recently joined forces to create a wireless adapter for the NES which allows players to use Bluetooth controllers on their vintage hardware. The pair have combined their efforts once again, but this time it's Nintendo's 16-bit console which is getting the cable-free...
Video As TurboGrafx-16 Hits The Wii U Virtual Console, Let's Look Back At Gaming's Lamest Mascot
Meet Johnny Turbo
As the first wave of TurboGrafx-16 classics arrive on the Virtual Console, now is as good a time as any to look back on what has to be one of the weakest video game mascots ever created. That's right, we're talking about TTI's Johnny Turbo, a hero so lame he was put out to pasture almost as soon as he arrived on the scene. In case...
News The Definitive Version Of Super Turrican Was Denied A Virtual Console Release Back In 2008
We got the incomplete retail release instead
There was a bit of a surprise on the latest Retro Spielen webcast with legendary composer Chris Huelsbeck - the show's special guest was none other than founding president and creative director of the defunct and very much missed Factor 5, Julian Eggebrecht. The stage was set for some nostalgic chatter...
Ninterview Stu Brett On Putting Super Famicom Guy To Rest And His Next Venture, Ghost Arcade
"My collection is done and dusted"
Long-time fans of the site will surely know the name Super Famicom Guy. It's been the online handle of Scotman Stu Brett for almost a decade, and using this moniker he has spread his love of Nintendo's 16-bit console to thousands via his Twitter account, Instagram feed and - most notable - his book Super Famicom:...
Video Learn a Little More About the History of Super NES
Did You Know Gaming? does its thing
A lot of retro gaming chatter right now, courtesy of the upcoming minitiarised version, is focused on the NES. Yet its successor has a fascinating history - the Super NES arrived in a time of notable upheaval in the gaming market, with the so-called 'Bit Wars' as SEGA grappled for supremacy with Nintendo. It...
Video Ben Heck Fixes and Plays the Rare SNES PlayStation Prototype
One for all you electronics buffs
The so-called 'SNES PlayStation', which exists in prototype form, is undoubtly intriguing to observers of gaming history. Just recently we shared a video in which one of the units had a full technical teardown, with The Ben Heck Show doing the good work. A follow-up has now been shared in which Heck works on fixing...
Review Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs (Wii U eShop / DS)
New features and more circle-capture adventures
The Oblivia region has tidy beaches, clear seas and lots of sunshine; it's a pleasant place to be whether a human or one of the many free-roaming Pokémon. Things have changed recently, however, with many Pokémon abducted by a villainous gang known as the Pokémon Pinchers (no, really) and it's up to...
News NES Visual Compendium Dispute Comes To An End, Kickstarter Resumes For Final 24 Hours
A happy end
Bitmap Books appears to have come to some agreement with Nintendo of America regarding the intellectual property dispute on its NES: A Visual Compendium book. The publication - which is part of Bitmap's Visual Compendium range - had proved to be a massive crowdfunding success on
News Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition Gets a Snazzy Trailer and Website
Now you're playing with power
A week after its announcement, Nintendo has released a snazzy trailer to 'introduce' the Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition. About time too, as we suspect this could be a big-seller for the company in the vital Holiday season. The trailer shows off the included games, and goes a bit retro at the end to...
News Nintendo's Official UK Store Opens Pre-Orders for the Nintendo Classic Mini NES
With some extras thrown in
The Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System is no doubt going to be a big-seller in November, as fans rush to get the budget-priced system. Nintendo's Official UK Store is now joining in with the pre-order fun with its own range of offers; as always everything is priced at the recommended retail rate, but with...
Video We Need To Talk About Ghostbusters 2 On The NES
Scrolling to the left, doing its own thing
In case you hadn't noticed, there's a new Ghostbusters film out at the moment, and it has endured its fair share of unfair criticism purely for having four female busters instead of four male ones. Yes, that's the kind of crazy world we now occupy. Putting such gender-related silliness to one side for a...
Video Here's The Ultimate Game Boy Cartridge Storage Solution
Hanging loose
If you're a discerning retro collector then the issue of how to properly display loose cartridges will probably keep you up at night. If you're unable to get any shut-eye due to this troubling problem, then YouTube channel My Life in Gaming - along with the equally brilliant Game Dave - is here to help. They've pooled their collective...
Review Bonk's Adventure (Wii U eShop / TG-16)
The third (stone) wheel
Woe is the child who grew up with a TurboGrafx-16. Whereas battles of words and wills cropped up endlessly in the schoolyard by stalwart Nintendo and Sega fans in the great console wars of the early 90s, anybody with NEC's home rendition of the PC Engine was the gaming equivalent of Switzerland, a neutral entity that was more...
Feature Happy Birthday Imajin! The Characters from Doki Doki Panic Turn 30 Years Old
Exploring the intriguing history behind Yume Kōjō
Super Mario Bros. 2 was one of the best selling NES games out there. By now the history of the game is fairly well known, but if you don't know the story here's a refresher. Super Mario Bros. 2 stands out as the black sheep of the series for its different play mechanics and character design; that's...
Nintendo Power
When the Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System was announced - called Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition in North America - it caused quite a stir. Its cute form-factor (it can fit in the palm of a hand) and pre-installed list of 30 games got gamers of various kinds rather excited. As pre-orders are live...
Video Learn The Full Story Of The Famicom Disk System With The Gaming Historian
Slipped disk
The Gaming Historian (aka Norman Caruso) is back with ever more luscious hair to get us up to speed with the ill-fated Famicom Disk System. Nintendo considered the Disk System the future of the Famicom, and promised bigger, cheaper games through the hardware iteration. To get a better understanding of how the Famicom Disk System came...
Watch The Finals of Super Smash Bros. Melee at Evo 2016 - Live!
Should be a smashing time
One of the biggest events in the competitive fighting game scene, Evo 2016, is now in its final hours. Champions have been crowned for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Pokkén Tournament, but now it's time for what many consider to be the main event - the Super Smash Bros. Melee finals. There'll be a big crowd watching and...
Video Check Out the Innards of the SNES PlayStation in This Hardware Teardown
The Ben Heck Show gets into the nitty gritty
For fans of Nintendo and Sony's gaming history, few devices are quite as fascinating as the SNES PlayStation, a unit that was planned as a CD add-on, with a version that would have also incorporated the full package in one box. The emergence of prototype units has been interesting to follow as the...
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