Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[These old Nintendo promo videos are a national treasure]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/09/these-old-nintendo-promo-videos-are-a-national-treasure/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/09/these-old-nintendo-promo-videos-are-a-national-treasure/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/09/these-old-nintendo-promo-videos-are-a-national-treasure/#comments
A collector of gaming antiquities has provided an incredible public service to the world, by uploading six extremely rare, extremely retro Nintendo corporate promotional tapes to YouTube. The six videos (above and after the break) were originally used as sales pitches to promote various products and live events, such as the Super Game Boy and the 1990 Nintendo World Championships, to retailers and potential venues.

Beyond their value as hilarious distractions, however, these blurry, color-smeared glimpses into the past also serve as a reminder of our community's history -- one that must be preserved and cherished, so that our children may one day know how completely ridiculous everything was in the early 90s.

Their tiny, adorable faces will look up and ask "Daddy, why are there day-glo pink triangles all over everything in these 'video tapes'?" To which we'll reply, "Hush, sweetie. Eat your gruel before Ag'rathas and his Labor Wardens start our next shift, here in the Salt Mines of Kuu'uultepth, which is in space because this is humanity's bleak future as a conquered people."

Continue reading These old Nintendo promo videos are a national treasure

JoystiqThese old Nintendo promo videos are a national treasure originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demodisplayDonkey-KongDonkey-Kong-CountrynintendoNintendo-world-championships-1990promotional-tapespromotional-videossuper-game-boyVHSSat, 09 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Xbox Live color playback issue patched]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/psa-xbox-live-color-playback-issue-patched/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/psa-xbox-live-color-playback-issue-patched/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/psa-xbox-live-color-playback-issue-patched/#comments Xbox users may have noticed a mandatory patch preempting their power-up procedures today, the effects of which were either immediately apparent or completely unnoticeable, depending on whether a certain color display issue had reared its head. The patch doesn't apply to apps, however, so developers will have to implement the fix independently; a process that will take place "over the coming months," according to Major Nelson.

Technically speaking, "over the coming months" could mean any time between now and the heat death of the universe, but the fact that Microsoft has corrected its own services is a promising start.

JoystiqPSA: Xbox Live color playback issue patched originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>colordashboard-update-fall-2011displayissuemajor-nelsonmicrosoftplaybackRGBxboxThu, 16 Feb 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Research shows the possible future of split-screen technology]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/27/microsoft-research-shows-the-possible-future-of-split-screen-tec/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/27/microsoft-research-shows-the-possible-future-of-split-screen-tec/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/27/microsoft-research-shows-the-possible-future-of-split-screen-tec/#comments Of all the projects teased by Microsoft Research's Applied Sciences branch, we certainly hope that this is the one that makes it to market. In the video demonstration posted after the jump, Steven Bathiche shows off a few of the interfaces and displays the company's currently researching -- the coolest of which is a "wedge" lens which allows the screen to generate and overlap individual images directed at your eyes, creating a holographic-esque image.

As radical as that sounds, Bathiche took the science one step further: The display can also track two viewers using Kinect, and show each of them a seperate image on the same screen. Considering the number of times we've had to strain our eyes to get our couch co-op Halo: Reach on, the possibility of split-screen gaming that doesn't actually split the screen is infinitely titilating. Check out the video demonstration below!

Continue reading Microsoft Research shows the possible future of split-screen technology

JoystiqMicrosoft Research shows the possible future of split-screen technology originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applied-sciencesdisplaykinectmicrosoftmicrosoft-researchsplit-screenxboxSun, 27 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioShock 2 PC widescreen support patch available now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/bioshock-2-pc-widescreen-support-patch-available-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/bioshock-2-pc-widescreen-support-patch-available-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/bioshock-2-pc-widescreen-support-patch-available-now/#comments Folks who elected to resubmerge themselves into the world of Rapture using a computer have had to suffer a pretty serious display issue -- due to a last minute bug fix, the PC version of BioShock 2 shipped without proper widescreen monitor support. The game would simply slap a letterbox on the 4:3 display, limiting the player's field of view. Fortunately, a patch released today adds 16:9 and 16:10 resolution support to the game's repertoire, meaning you'll finally be able to see that Splicer that's been creeping alongside you for the past few days.

The patch also fixes an issue in which "holding the M1 button would not register in Multiplayer gameplay," which sounds equally serious. Those are the only two fixes in the available update; however, 2K community manager Elizabeth Tobey promises "a larger, more extensive patch" is currently in the works.

[Via Videogamer]

JoystiqBioShock 2 PC widescreen support patch available now originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-games2k-marinbioshock-2displaymonitorpatchsupportupdatewidescreenTue, 23 Feb 2010 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: 40 million homes will have 3D televisions by 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/report-40-million-homes-will-have-3d-televisions-by-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/report-40-million-homes-will-have-3d-televisions-by-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/report-40-million-homes-will-have-3d-televisions-by-2014/#comments In a recent study conducted by Insight Media titled the "Stereoscopic 3D Gaming Report," researchers concluded that the install base of 3D-ready televisions will rise to "over 40 million" by 2014. MCV reports that the $5,000 study's results are based on the statistical outperformance of 3D film over 2D equivalents, as well as "extensive testing of the first generation of 3D games."

"We spoke directly with gamers, game developers, and game publishers ... to build a complete picture of the future of gaming," lead analyst Dale Maunu said of the testing. In fairness, when we last saw 3D technology in games, it kind of blew our minds, so we'd like to trust Mr. Maunu -- that being said, we're still paying off these HDTVs. Give us some time, The Future! Come on!

JoystiqReport: 40 million homes will have 3D televisions by 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d-technologydale-maunudisplayinsight-mediareportscreensstereoscopicstereoscopic-3dstudyThu, 10 Dec 2009 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Pentagon project to put game-like display on contact lenses]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/pentagon-project-to-put-game-like-display-on-contact-lenses/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/pentagon-project-to-put-game-like-display-on-contact-lenses/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/pentagon-project-to-put-game-like-display-on-contact-lenses/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Using contact lenses to simply change your eye color is so passé. Using contact lenses to augment reality is where it's at. At least it is for the Pentagon, which has put out a request for information on a system to display data "not unlike information provided to players of first-person, shooter-type video games" directly on the surface of the human eye. Sounds kind of like those TV display glasses you hear about sometimes, except, y'know, actually cool.

The technology is a little out there, but it's not a total pipe dream. Researchers at the University of Washington are already working on a nano-scale prototype, and the Pentagon wants actual results out the project in three to five years. The means the technology could trickle down into the consumer market in about ten to fifteen years, just in time to be integrated into the Sony PlayStation 5 and the MicroTendo HyperBox 1080. We can't wait!

[Via Wired]

JoystiqPentagon project to put game-like display on contact lenses originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armyaugmented realityAugmentedRealitycontact lensesContactLensesDARPAdisplayfuturemonitorpentagonresearchtechnologyFri, 21 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SNES display kiosk up for grabs, but the price might be too high]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/snes-display-kiosk-up-for-grabs-but-the-price-might-be-too-high/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/snes-display-kiosk-up-for-grabs-but-the-price-might-be-too-high/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/snes-display-kiosk-up-for-grabs-but-the-price-might-be-too-high/#commentsFiled under:


We're not saying the cost of purchasing this SNES display kiosk is too high, because $249.99 isn't that much money (the cost of a Wii, if you can actually find one). No, the high price comes from having to pick this up locally, in Jonesboro, AR (otherwise known as "the south"). Now, we've lived in "the south" before, so we don't want to offend anyone, but we know from experience that those living down there can't be trusted.

Oh, we can regale you with the many times we were fooled by that well-known southern kindness and charm, only to awake an indiscernible amount of time later, duct-taped to a chair in a leaky, dark basement somewhere. If only we had developed muscles by participating in physical activities in the outside world, we could have ripped through that duct tape!

Anyway, this cabinet. Yeah, it looks sweet, but, as we said, you have to pick it up locally. The seller isn't willing to ship the darn thing.

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqSNES display kiosk up for grabs, but the price might be too high originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>displayebaykioskretailsnesTue, 12 Feb 2008 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dojo update: Talking display preferences]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/dojo-update-talking-display-preferences/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/dojo-update-talking-display-preferences/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/dojo-update-talking-display-preferences/#commentsFiled under: ,


Today's dojo update focuses on the display options for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The game will support both standard, 4:3 display and widescreen, 16:9 display. And, should you not be all up to snuff on your knowledge of widescreen vs. normal display options, the game will let you know which display option is best for you based on the TV your Wii is playing the game on.

Oh, and there's also a nice musical track you can give a listen to.


JoystiqDojo update: Talking display preferences originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>480pdisplaydojosmash-bros-brawlwidescreenTue, 27 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Wii goes portable with Pega]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/the-wii-goes-portable-with-pega/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/the-wii-goes-portable-with-pega/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/the-wii-goes-portable-with-pega/#commentsFiled under:



A 7-inch (or 8.5-inch) screen display for the Wii isn't that impressive when compared to some of the other shrunken setups we've seen, but its portability might interest on-the-go gamers. As we've come to expect from accessories manufacturer Pega, the attachable screen provides just enough functionality to be usable, allowing for volume/color control, four-direction visual angle adjustment, and little else. There's something to be said though about being able to play a game of Wii Sports: Golf with the display whenever the mood strikes -- mainly, "Wow, this sure would be a lot more fun if we had a bigger TV. Or if we were playing Mystical Ninja instead."

[Via MaxConsole]


JoystiqThe Wii goes portable with Pega originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>displaynintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiipegapega hkPegaHkportabilityportablescreenwiiFri, 01 Jun 2007 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[It's like a traveling Xbox 360 notebook]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/17/its-like-a-traveling-xbox-360-notebook/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/17/its-like-a-traveling-xbox-360-notebook/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/17/its-like-a-traveling-xbox-360-notebook/#commentsFiled under: ,

Xbox 360 gaming on the go just got a little easier with manufacturer Hori finalizing their plans for the Compact TFT Monitor EX LCD monitor. This 12.1" LCD monitor easily attaches to an Xbox 360, displays at 720p via component, and includes two built in speakers. Its flip down LCD makes it just like a gaming notebook, but really fat. The only drawback is the price (roughly $300 US) and, being a separate peripheral, it needs its a separate AC adapter. Does this notebook style LCD monitor make your 360 the ultimate portable machine? Not really, but it is pretty nifty and we would never reject it if one should appear on the Fanboy Towers doorstep. The Xbox 360 Compact TFT Monitor EX will get a Japanese release in July.

[Via gearfuse, Thanks Steve]

JoystiqIt's like a traveling Xbox 360 notebook originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>displaynotebookperipheralxbox 360Xbox360Tue, 17 Apr 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[360 display boxes vandalized, Wii evangelized]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/360-display-boxes-vandalized-wii-evangelized/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/360-display-boxes-vandalized-wii-evangelized/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/360-display-boxes-vandalized-wii-evangelized/#commentsFiled under:


If we're to believe Dustin Wilson's assurances, the mischief above wasn't a product of Photoshop or any other methods of internet chicanery. He actually scribbled the Wii endorsement onto the Xbox 360 display boxes with a white paint marker while one of the game shop's employees was distracted.

This episode of When Keeping it Wii Goes Wrong was created as an entry for the EvWiiwhere Challenge hosted by N+, a MyOpera community for Nintendo fans. The contest called for readers to take pictures of the word "Wii" spelled out in unconventional ways, but we're sure this wasn't what the site had in mind. We might have our gripes with all the Electronics Boutiques and GameStops out there, but vandalizing other people's property just isn't cool, especially when it's at the expense of a worker who's just doing her job.

But who knows, maybe this sort of joke will catch on with other retailers? If you think about it, this would be a great way to promote the Xbox 360 to customers inside the shop, while at the same time catching the interest of people outside who see the storefront's Wii wisecrack. It's genius!

Joystiq360 display boxes vandalized, Wii evangelized originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360boxcontestdisplaydisplayboxesebelectronicsboutiquegamestopgsjokemarkernintendonintendowiiprankstorevandalvandalismvandalizewhitewhitemarkerwiiWed, 11 Apr 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS versus PSP: the battle for the best LCD]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/25/ds-versus-psp-the-battle-for-the-best-lcd/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/25/ds-versus-psp-the-battle-for-the-best-lcd/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/25/ds-versus-psp-the-battle-for-the-best-lcd/#commentsFiled under:


PC Magazine got a "display expert" from DisplayMate Technology to evaluate the screen performance of the DS Lite and the PSP. To a casual observer, both have stunning displays. But how do they fare when they're analyzed by the same methods used on high-end HDTVs? The report is incredibly thorough, so I'll just give you some key highlights:

  • Both the DS & PSP screens feature incredible DPI (dots per inch): 110 for the DS, 130 for the PSP. The PSP is the clear victor here, cramming in more pixels into its screen per square inch. (For reference, a 19" LCD monitor has a DPI of 86. So both screens are quite impressive.)
  • The DS Lite's brightness is no joke: it can go as high as 200 cd/m&sup2;. The PSP, even when plugged into an AC outlet, can only produce 148 cd/m&sup2;. When running solely off of battery power, the brightness drops even further to a maximum of 115 cd/m&sup2;. (Clearly, Nintendo wants to destroy your eyes faster than Sony.)
  • Although the DS Lite is much brighter the the PSP, it has an extremely limited viewing angle. The PSP outclasses the DS in terms of viewability, earning it "first place among all of the mobile displays." (Clearly, Sony wants everyone on the subway to be able to see the smut you're watching on the go.)

Continue reading DS versus PSP: the battle for the best LCD

JoystiqDS versus PSP: the battle for the best LCD originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Oct 2006 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brightnesscolorcolor gamutColorGamutcontrastdisplaydisplaymatedpids liteDsLitelcdpc magazinePcMagazineperformancepspscreenviewing angleViewingAngleWed, 25 Oct 2006 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Vast oceans of Wii merchandise]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/10/vast-oceans-of-wii-merchandise/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/10/vast-oceans-of-wii-merchandise/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/10/vast-oceans-of-wii-merchandise/#commentsFiled under:



Well, vast oceans may be a tiny exaggeration. Large warehouse may be more accurate, since that's where these pictures appear to have been taken. All the poor Wii merchandise and endcaps, waiting to be herded into a store so that they can be what they were meant to be.

It's great to see what's going to populate all that empty space at Target we've been seeing. There are several shots tucked away after the jump -- pictures of endcaps and all the goodies that will fill them. Those controller gloves look pretty sweet, but dog tags? What, are they worried we might kick off while playing and someone will need to identify our bodies?

[Thanks to everyone who tipped us on this!]

Continue reading Vast oceans of Wii merchandise

JoystiqVast oceans of Wii merchandise originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Oct 2006 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesdisplaymerchandiseNintendoretailWiiTue, 10 Oct 2006 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest 360 retail indignity in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/26/latest-360-retail-indignity-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/26/latest-360-retail-indignity-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/26/latest-360-retail-indignity-in-japan/#comments
If Xbox 360s aren't selling quite as fast as second-hand panties in Japan, it might be partially because retailers can't be bothered to throw up a decent in-store display. Chris from the Game/Life blog at Wired.com snapped the above pic of a typical effort: an "original faded-ass display box" with a tiny label slapped on it  "advertising" 360s in the back. Follow the link for more depressing reflections of the Japanese public's general apathy toward our beloved console.

JoystiqLatest 360 retail indignity in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360displayjapanretailxboxMon, 26 Jun 2006 21:35:00 EST