Joystiq

Nintendo Power remembered

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 10:55:00 EST

Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to remember Nintendo Power. Not its passing, but its life. Nintendo Power will conclude 24 years of publication with a final issue this December. We've experienced the loss of many magazines over the years, but Nintendo Power's conclusion is different for many of us. Directly attached to childhood memories of so many, it was the publication of both the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super NES at the dawn of the console era, with children of the late 80s and early 90s eagerly awaiting the magazine's arrival every month.

We've gathered some fond Nintendo Power memories from today's media after the break. Please feel free to share your happy memories too.

Continue reading Nintendo Power remembered

Nintendo Power remembered originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Mario Bros. demade in Atari 2600 style

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 23:59:00 EST

An ambitious forum user at AtariAge has uploaded a playable Atari 2600 demake of World 1-1 from the original Super Mario Bros. The demo includes the entire level with warp pipes, yellow bonus blocks and flagpole.

Developer Chris Spry, who posts as "Sprybug" on the site, hopes to add another 15 levels, up to World 4-4. He'd also like to add a Koopa Kid to the end of each world. It may not be canon, but we aren't complaining.

Super Mario Bros. demade in Atari 2600 style originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kickstarter seeks funds for many Lego bricks to make Super Mario Bros. world 1-1

JC Fletcher — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST

Kickstarter achieves its true potential today, as Zachary Pollock asks for $26,400 to buy Lego bricks to complete a model. It is an especially cool and extravagant model, however. Pollock plans to build the entirety of Super Mario Bros. world 1-1, a project that requires an estimated 780,000 1x1 bricks.

In addition to creating a showpiece for Lego conventions, Comic-Con, and PAX, Pollock has lofty goals for the project. It will "test the waters for a foundation I would like to start that will work with children doing healing art projects using Lego bricks." Should the "epic Mario" sculpture be successfully Kickstarted, construction will take place in "building parties" in Portland, and will result in a totally huge, amazing thing.

Kickstarter seeks funds for many Lego bricks to make Super Mario Bros. world 1-1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Mario Bros. updated for 3DS eShop release in Japan

JC Fletcher — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:35:00 EST

Japan's 3DS eShop will offer another of the NES "Ambassador" games for sale next week -- an act that also means an updated version of the app for those who downloaded it for free. Following last week's release of The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros. will be available on January 5. Those without 3DS diplomatic immunity will have to pay ¥500 ($6.44).

The updated eShop versions of the Ambassador games add multiplayer, save state and sleep mode support and instruction manuals. So far, no NES games have been released on the eShop outside of Japan.

Super Mario Bros. updated for 3DS eShop release in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bastion narrator takes a hilarious journey through other games

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST

What happens when Bastion's ever-present contextual narrator lands in some of gaming's most famous titles? Pure hilarity, as seen in the Dorkly-crafted video above.

Bastion narrator takes a hilarious journey through other games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Mario Bros. Portal is totally a thing that is happening

David Hinkle — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:00:00 EST

You know how we've all seen Mario with a Portal gun before? Well, somebody is actually trying to make that into a game we can not only watch, but play! It's called Mari0 and is currently in development for OSX, Windows and Linux at two-man team Stab Yourself.

Mari0 will sport not only the original Super Mario Bros. levels, but also all of the Lost levels -- plus in-game downloadable map packs, a level editor and simultaneous multiplayer for co-operative portal slinging. Seriously, read that sentence again and then click this link.

Like many (if not all!) of you are, we're behind this project entirely. Let's just hope we can all snag it before Nintendo's lawyers shut it down.

Super Mario Bros. Portal is totally a thing that is happening originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thank you Mario, but our new Converse are in another country

JC Fletcher — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:20:00 EST

Converse already showed off two Mario-themed Chuck Taylor shoe designs, due in Japan next month. Before those have even hit stores, the shoe company revealed two more designs that put Super Mario Bros. level designs on your feet.

One of the new designs is a wraparound of 1-1. Flip down the top of the high-top and you'll find a night scene, with Luigi picking up coins. The other design is Mario battling Bowser, with a hidden "Thank you Mario!" and princess on the second layer of canvas. The two designs are, like the other Mario shoes, Japan-only, and will be out in August. You'll either have to import, or just visualize your feet in these.

Thank you Mario, but our new Converse are in another country originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mario propaganda posters for glorious Koopa Kingdom

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 03 May 2011 02:00:00 EST

The Koopas are fighting, why aren't you? Don't let Mario stomp all over the armies of the great and mighty Koopa. Join up today!

Continue reading Mario propaganda posters for glorious Koopa Kingdom

Mario propaganda posters for glorious Koopa Kingdom originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 May 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FPM: First-person Mario

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 22:30:00 EST

More than a Mario Half-Life or Left 4 Dead mod, this is what happens when the original Super Mario Bros. goes full-on modern FPS.

Continue reading FPM: First-person Mario

FPM: First-person Mario originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LEGO art pays homage to some of gaming's best

David Hinkle — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST

You don't know flickr user Encaja en Camon, but rest assured that the account in question has some pretty awesome and simple LEGO adaptations of famous games and their characters. Above, you can check out Sonic's blocky noggin, while just past the break we've included a couple of our other favorites.

Continue reading LEGO art pays homage to some of gaming's best

LEGO art pays homage to some of gaming's best originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spanish neighborhood receiving video game street names

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:20:00 EST

If you happened to be visiting the new neighborhood of Arcosur, located in Zaragoza, Spain, this past weekend, you would have played witness to a truly ... unique sight. This past Saturday, one of the first streets in the still-under-construction suburb received a moniker: Avenida de Super Mario Bros., which, as the Spanish-speakers and context clue-users among you probably figured out, translates to Super Mario Bros. Avenue.

Present at the unveiling was the titular plumber himself, as well as the neighborhood's new residents, who sported fake black mustaches in solidarity. The name was chosen by said residents in an online poll -- and it isn't the only gaming-themed name which won out. Future boulevards in the community will be named after Sonic the Hedgehog, Space Invaders and The Legend of Zelda. This is all very cool -- but we're still holding out hope for an Alleyway Alleyway. Is it too late for a write-in ballot?

[Image credit: VicioJuegos]

Spanish neighborhood receiving video game street names originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo World Store 'reopens' Nov. 7 with a Mario celebration

JC Fletcher — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:00:00 EST

The Nintendo World Store in New York City is open once again after a couple of weeks of remodeling. Next week, Nintendo will "officially" open the store in style, with a Mario party. Not a Mario Party, though, to be clear.

On November 7, from 12-5 PM, Nintendo will host a party in honor of the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. Attendees will be able to play various Mario games, record their Mario memories for posterity in a video station and eat some Mario-themed cake.

Don't dismantle that Bullet Bill costume you built for this Halloween yet -- Nintendo is also encouraging fans to come in their finest Mario series costumes. Do keep in mind, when deciding what to wear, the thing we mentioned before about posterity.

Gallery: Nintendo World Store remodel

Nintendo World Store 'reopens' Nov. 7 with a Mario celebration originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Developers celebrate Super Mario Bros.' 25th anniversary

JC Fletcher — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST

In case the red consoles didn't sufficiently alert you, 2010 is the 25th anniversary of the release of Super Mario Bros. for Famicom and NES. To commemorate the occasion, Famitsu spoke to a group of prominent developers about the impact Shigeru Miyamoto's masterpiece had on them and the industry.

"The reason I entered the industry," Capcom's Keiji Inafune said, "was because I encountered Mario and learned how interesting games can be. Thank you, Mr. Shigeru Miyamoto." Super Monkey Ball and Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi expressed a similar sentiment, saying "It's the game that made me enter the game industry." Bethesda's Todd Howard said that Super Mario Bros. was the beginning of "the genre where the hero always follows the correct path."

Our favorite quote is from Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii. "Also, I can't say much," he said, "but there was also 'Kintamario.'" Yes, yes there was.

Developers celebrate Super Mario Bros.' 25th anniversary originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bruvva, a Mario-themed Threadless shirt you should vote on

David Hinkle — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 22:45:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Jeremy Harnell isn't just a cool dude who reads a semi-cool site, he also came up with this nifty Threadless shirt. It's called "Bruvva" and is currently being voted on -- votes determine if it's ultimately produced as a shirt, you see, so if you have an account, head on over and do Jeremy a solid!

Bruvva, a Mario-themed Threadless shirt you should vote on originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iwata Asks about development of the NES

JC Fletcher — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Indulging his inquiry habit, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata spoke with Masayuki Uemura, advisor to Nintendo's Research & Engineering Dept., and Hiroshi Imanishi, Ex-Director and GM, Corporate Communications Division, about their time working on the Famicom (NES) way back in 1981-82. The two veteran developers describe the impetus behind the decision to make the Famicom, the problems competing with Nintendo's own Game & Watch, and the lasting appeal of Super Mario Bros.

Uemura shared how the Famicom came to use its (at the time) unusual 6502 processor. A friend at Ricoh cold-called him and asked for help getting the factory's efficiency up. While working on that, Uemura consulted with Ricoh about processors, and told their engineers about his desire to make a console that could run Donkey Kong. " When I think about it now, I think I was spot-on in asking 'Can we make Donkey Kong?' rather than 'Can we make a circuit like this?'," Uemura said. "It seems like the engineers at Ricoh were starving for the challenge of working on some new technology. Even more important to them was the idea that if they worked at it, they could take Donkey Kong home! (laughs)"

Iwata Asks about development of the NES originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Red Wii with special Super Mario Bros. coming to Japan

JC Fletcher — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 10:04:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

After announcing the Super Mario Collection and special-edition DSi and DSi XL systems, Nintendo has continued the festivities with a red Super Mario Bros. Wii console. The new, Mario-colored Wii will include a matching Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk -- and it will be preloaded with an exclusive altered version of the original Super Mario Bros. All we can tell from the single screenshot is that question-mark blocks now look like the number 25.

This tantalizing collectible will be released in Japan on November 11, for ¥20,000 ($243). Meanwhile, Nintendo of America has yet to announce a single anniversary product.

Red Wii with special Super Mario Bros. coming to Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo reveals Super Mario 25th Anniversary DSi XL [update: now pictured!]

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 01:32:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

At it' press conference in Japan this afternoon (well, in Japan it's the afternoon), Nintendo announced plans to release a Super Mario 25th Anniversary Edition DSi LL (DSi XL, as it's known in the West) to the Japanese public on October 28. Andriasang's liveblog of the goings-on also give it an ¥18000 ($215) price point. Unfortunately, like all other things regarding Super Mario's big two five, this is likely to stay grounded in Japan.

Update: here it is, straight from Nintendo's site.

Nintendo reveals Super Mario 25th Anniversary DSi XL [update: now pictured!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 01:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mario-themed tifo display heats up Chicago Fire soccer game

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EST

Last Saturday, the Chicago Fire played a fairly disheartening game against the Seattle Sounders at home, though the proceedings were brightened significantly by a delightful, Mario-themed tifo display. We're not sure what Mario has to do with the two clubs, but -- oh, wait! Fireballs! Of course.

Continue reading Mario-themed tifo display heats up Chicago Fire soccer game

Mario-themed tifo display heats up Chicago Fire soccer game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Miyamoto explains why it's 'easy' to make a Mario game

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

As part of Nintendo's ongoing celebration of Mario's 25th anniversary, the latest edition of Iwata Asks is a lengthy conversation between Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and guest host Shigesato Itoi, creator of Earthbound. In the interview, Miyamoto suggested that making Mario games has been "easy," thanks to ever-evolving technology.

"What's been easy about making the Mario games is that they could naturally change along with the progress of technology," Miyamoto observed. "For example, when you make live action SFX movies and as special effects technology advances, then you have new methods at your disposal."

Adapting to new technologies has been key to Mario's longevity, Miyamoto explained. "In the same way, as technology advances, the Mario games change, too [...] And as technology changes, so does what you want to do. If it weren't for that, I don't think I could have stuck with it this far." Because the Mario franchise is meant to change with technology, there hasn't ever been a "roadmap" for the series. Instead, the impromptu schedule of Mario games has fueled its creative stamina. "The games turn out more fun that way than if you planned everything out on paper," Miyamoto added.

Although Miyamoto has been working with Nintendo and the Mario series for the past 25 years, it seems the famed designer isn't ready to quit any time soon. When quizzed about his position 25 years from now (when he's 85!), Miyamoto admitted that "I'll probably be working on something." Of course, there's a caveat: "If I'm still alive then."

Miyamoto explains why it's 'easy' to make a Mario game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Mario Bros. played with eye movements

JC Fletcher — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:00:00 EST

Waterloo Labs, a collective of insane National Instruments employees, developed an electrode system to measure eye movement, and then used that as a control method for Super Mario Bros. Look past the break to see it in action -- you'll also have to click, unless you're wearing one of these setups.

Continue reading Super Mario Bros. played with eye movements

Super Mario Bros. played with eye movements originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Real life snowboarding meets old-school gaming in 'Gnarcade'

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:03:00 EST

Our knowledge of the fast-paced, edgy world of extreme sports is limited to "standing on moving, thin slivers of wood is really difficult," though we don't need to know much more than that to appreciate the gaming-influenced video posted below.

Continue reading Real life snowboarding meets old-school gaming in 'Gnarcade'

Real life snowboarding meets old-school gaming in 'Gnarcade' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mario graffiti speedrun video made possible by 'black magic'

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 05:00:00 EST

Don't worry about how Vimeo user Surfap filmed a Super Mario Bros. speedrun done entirely in graffiti. The description says it was "black magic" and that's good enough for us. As Tiny Cartridge points out, a computer was probably involved, but where's the fun in that? Just enjoy the show.

Continue reading Mario graffiti speedrun video made possible by 'black magic'

Mario graffiti speedrun video made possible by 'black magic' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Mario Bros. X trailer takes us to a special place

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 31 May 2010 20:30:00 EST

Hey Nintendo, pay attention: If you really want to find a direct line into the nostalgia centers of our brain, you could learn a few lessons from Super Mario Bros. X. The recently updated game borrows elements from the entire Super Mario franchise (not to mention a few other Nintendo properties), allows for co-op play, has some kind of time distortion gameplay mechanic, includes a level editor and occasionally lets the player navigate the Mushroom Kingdom using the eraser from Mario Paint. It is all kinds of crazy.

You can download the game here, or check out a 10-minute gameplay trailer posted after the jump.

[Thanks, EvoHelix]

Continue reading Super Mario Bros. X trailer takes us to a special place

Super Mario Bros. X trailer takes us to a special place originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 May 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Koopa Hell' may change our Super Mario Bros. strategy forever

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:30:00 EST

We were pretty sure that, after 25 years of practice, our tried-and-true strategy for the original Super Mario Bros. would be fairly set in stone. Little did we know that CollegeHumor (of all websites!) would be the one to show us the cruelty of one of our most basic in-game maneuvers: the Koopa Bounce Pipe Trap. What happens to that poor creature after you've left him bouncing between two pipes? Thanks to the Mushroom Kingdom's lack of inertial dissipation, he stays that way for all eternity.

Watch the video after the break to see how your thoughtless actions might have sent countless Koopas spiraling into a nightmarish realm of Lovecraftian horrors. You monster.

Continue reading 'Koopa Hell' may change our Super Mario Bros. strategy forever

'Koopa Hell' may change our Super Mario Bros. strategy forever originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 May 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dexterous feat: Super Mario Bros. beaten using DDR pad

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 06 May 2010 23:30:00 EST

Nick Hagman knows how to use his feet for a most unconventional purpose: completing games using a Dance Dance Revolution pad. He's done it before with Castlevania, and now he's used his talent to finish another classic, the original Super Mario Bros.

It took Hagman 14 attempts and plenty of practice to complete the classic. The 11-minute video documenting the feat can be found after the break, with certain sections sped up for sanity's sake. Now Hagman wants to know which game he should finish with his feet next: DuckTales or Mega Man 2?

[Via GiantBomb]

Continue reading Dexterous feat: Super Mario Bros. beaten using DDR pad

Dexterous feat: Super Mario Bros. beaten using DDR pad originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 May 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Mario Crossover would have killed us in 1989

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:40:00 EST

Sometimes, we wonder what it would be like if versions of ourselves from the past could be magically transported to today and have their minds blown by all the technological advances in video gaming technology. We have a feeling that they'd be disinterested in our "movement controllers" and "big definition graphicals," and would instead become entranced by a new Flash game by Exploding Rabbit that's sweeping the nation at terrifying velocities: Super Mario Crossover.

The premise of the game is simple: It is the original Super Mario Bros., only your choice of playable characters isn't just limited to squat, Italian plumbers. You can also wreck Goombas while playing as Link, Mega Man, Samus, Simon Belmont or Bill (you know, from Contra). You could also just be Mario, but why would you do that, when you could be Bill from Contra? Stop being so silly.

[Thanks, Eric]

Super Mario Crossover would have killed us in 1989 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This piranha plant keepsake box is ironic

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:18:00 EST

Honestly, we're not sure how anyone could come up with the idea of a piranha plant keepsake box. A keepsake box, ideally, is designed to keep your precious items in a safe place so you'll always know where they are. Piranha plants, on the other hand, are about as far away from safe as you can get. They're man-eating plants, some varieties of which can breathe fire. Still, despite all that, this keepsake box -- designed by Etsy user lostmitten -- still manages to be kind of cute. As of this writing, there is a single one available for purchase at $60.

We suppose you could pick it up and store your old high school love notes in there. Just watch your fingers when you open it up.

This piranha plant keepsake box is ironic originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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See Mario transformed into bacteria

Justin McElroy — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:30:00 EST

We're always happy to see gaming encroaching on the rest of the world, a sign that it's becoming more culturally accepted and mainstream, but this example is so nerdy, it might actually be a step in the other direction. What you see on the right there is the classic NES Mario sprite, recreated in specifically-engineered bacteria by the nanobiology laboratories at the University of Osaka, Japan.

We love the idea of gaming's leading man being transformed this way, we can't help but think how great it would have been if Team Osaka could have achieved the same effect with fungus. ... You know, because the Mushroom Kin --- oh, never mind.

[Thanks, Modern Epicurian]

See Mario transformed into bacteria originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Robotic man plays Mario theme with one hand

Justin McElroy — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST

We're willing to abide a lot around Joystiq HQ, but from the start we've had one basic, simple rule. We don't cotton to robots. We know that society has come to depend on them for odd jobs like fruit juicing and child care, but that doesn't mean we have to accept them.

It should be a great testament then to the skill of YouTube user RigorMortis999 that we're willing to break our own prime directive to bring you his one-handed version of the Super Mario Bros. theme, which you'll find right after the break. Sure, he's quite obviously a robot, but we think it's safe to assume he's a friendly one.

[Via Kotaku]

Continue reading Robotic man plays Mario theme with one hand

Robotic man plays Mario theme with one hand originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Laser etcher plays the Mario theme for you

Justin McElroy — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:45:00 EST

How To Ruin Your Moment of Internet Glory:

Work for an unconscionable number of hours making a laser etcher improbably play a fine rendition of the World 1-1 music from Super Mario Bros.
Let Cory Doctorow film it.
Listen as he rewards your hard work with terrible internet cliches, and, in doing so, almost completely obscures the audio you crafted.
Cry yourself to sleep.

Video tutorial right after the break.

Continue reading Laser etcher plays the Mario theme for you

Laser etcher plays the Mario theme for you originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You are not likely as hardcore as these Mario fans

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:45:00 EST

You might have noticed a less than offensive Nintendo tattoo donning the image space above this sentence you're reading, and could very well be wondering why this is the case. As it turns out, the Super Mario Bros.-themed images of Princess Peach and a Star are a bit too graphic for use on Joystiq. They are, however, quite unique - rather than the ol' ink-permanently-embedded-in-skin treatment of traditional tattoos, the aforementioned two employ a method of tattooing that involves skin removal. Check out the original shots over at BodyMod.org if you want to see 'em, but click through at your own discretion.

[Thanks Adam!]

[Image credit: Drew Olanoff]

You are not likely as hardcore as these Mario fans originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Conan O'Brien enters World 1-1

Kevin Kelly — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST

We were obviously far too busy at E3 last week to watch Conan O'Brien take over Jay Leno's post on The Tonight Show, and look what we missed: O'Brien's backdrop bears an uncanny resemblance to Super Mario Bros. Coincidence? Probably not, when one of your band members looks a lot like Mario in a Panama hat.

Serious Lunch noticed this and did some nice work in Photoshop, and seeing it come to life in video only makes us wish it was his actual backdrop. Head beyond the break to see the video, which sadly does not feature Andy Richter as Bowser.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Continue reading Conan O'Brien enters World 1-1

Conan O'Brien enters World 1-1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Even Mexico loves Mario parody skits

Majed Athab — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:15:00 EST

Anywhere you go in the world, you'll find people who love Mario. On the national Mexican television show, Hazme reír! y serás millonario, a group of three friends performed a Mario skit parodying / reenacting the original Super Mario Bros. It's a cute little routine with some hilarious moments, though it's not entirely accurate (fanboys will likely point out that the actual Mario does not kick enemies, he stomps on them ... and since when did Mario start dressing in Peach's colors, hmm?). Still, it's an impressive thing to do, especially since it was broadcast across an entire country.

Interestingly, the crowd was pretty into it, rooting on the overalls-clad hero as he took down Bowser and saved the princess. Oh, wait, or was she in another castle? You'll have to watch the video clip after the break to find out!

[Via Go Nintendo]

Continue reading Even Mexico loves Mario parody skits

Even Mexico loves Mario parody skits originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 May 2009 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kanye West once tried to sex up Mario

Justin McElroy — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:30:00 EST

The very best (read: easiest) posts are the ones that no amount of clever presentation could make any funnier -- in fact, any effort to do so could only fail miserably. Observe:

"My game was very sexual," Kanye West told Details magazine, describing a hack he attempted to make on a home computer as a child. "The main character was, like, a giant penis. It was like Mario Brothers, but the ghosts were, like, vaginas. You'd have to draw in and program every little step. It literally took me all night to do a step, 'cause the penis, y'know, had little feet and eyes."

... What's that, it's quittin' time at the blogging factory already? Well, thank you, Mr. West.

Kanye West once tried to sex up Mario originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Working NES squeezed into ... an NES cartridge

Kyle Orland — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hacks, Retro

All right, we'll admit that headline is a little inaccurate. The heavily modified Super Mario Bros. cart shown above actually plays Japanese Famicom carts (like the not-at-all-bootleg Super Bros. 5), not the slightly larger American NES carts. Semantics aside, we're sure you'll share our sense of awe at the accomplishment of fitting an entire video game system into what, at one point, was used to hold the data for a single game.

All the pieces are there, believe it or not, including A/V outputs, a svelte power switch, and two controller ports sticking out at the bottom of the cartridge. The machine seems like a one-of-a-kind hack, and doesn't look like it's going to be sold any time soon. It's a shame, too ... we' d love to get our hands on one of these, if only so we could plug in our Flash Memory PowerPak via an adapter to create the ultimate NES-cartridge-shaped hacking monstrosity.

[Via Engadget]

Working NES squeezed into ... an NES cartridge originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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