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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Google Maps comes to ... the NES?! [April Fools!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/google-maps-comes-to-the-nes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/google-maps-comes-to-the-nes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/google-maps-comes-to-the-nes/#comments
In a move that is as surprising as it is whimsically delightful, Google has decided to bring its globally renowned and often essential Google Maps service to one of the best-selling home computing solutions of all time: The Nintendo Entertainment System.

As demonstrated in the video above, using Google Maps on your NES/Famicom is just as easy as using it on your desktop, smartphone or tablet. Simply insert the cartridge into the system, remove it, blow into it, reinsert it back into the system, attach a phone line and you're ready to go. Google's cloud of servers compensate for the NES's lack of processing prowess, allowing for a quick, seamless experience.

While Google Maps for NES has yet to begin shipping, a demo version is available at the web-based Google Maps portal -- just click on the Quest button on the top right to begin your adventure.

Update: Rather than play along with these gags as they happen, we've decided instead to tag each April Fools' Day prank as such in the headline, in order to avoid as many dashed hopes as possible. For what its worth, we want this to be real as much as you do.

JoystiqGoogle Maps comes to ... the NES?! [April Fools!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april-fools-12april-fools-2012april-fools-dayfamicomGoogleGoogle-MapsGoogle-Maps-NESits-already-april-1-in-JapanNESnintendonintendo-entertainment-systemSat, 31 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Square's unreleased Aliens game for Famicom Disk System uncovered]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/15/squares-unreleased-aliens-game-for-famicom-disk-system-uncovere/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/15/squares-unreleased-aliens-game-for-famicom-disk-system-uncovere/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/15/squares-unreleased-aliens-game-for-famicom-disk-system-uncovere/#comments Man, what is it about the Aliens franchise that makes its video game adaptations so easily cancelable? Long, long before Obsidian's Aliens RPG ended up on the cutting room floor, Square had its own unreleased entry into the franchise: A 1987 side-scrolling action game for the Famicom Disk System (the disk-loading NES attachment which never quite made it stateside).

A ROM for the canned title recently appeared online; you can check out some footage from an emulated version of the game over at 1UP. It actually doesn't look too terrible -- though back in 1987, we really only had room in our hearts for one unstoppable, alien-obliterating heroine, and that room was totally already spoken for.

JoystiqSquare's unreleased Aliens game for Famicom Disk System uncovered originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alienscanceledfamicomfamicom-disk-systemnessquareSquare-EnixSat, 15 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Alleged Legend of Zelda prototype released]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/28/alleged-legend-of-zelda-prototype-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/28/alleged-legend-of-zelda-prototype-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/28/alleged-legend-of-zelda-prototype-released/#comments Lost Levels, a website dedicated to pulling unreleased video games out of the void of obscurity, recently obtained a pretty epic find: An alleged prototype build of the original, Famicom version of The Legend of Zelda. What's different about this early build? Well, apparently, while the retail version of Zelda was responsible for crushing the spirits of many a lesser gamer, this prototype build was designed to be played by sweet, little babies.

The difficulty of the early version of the game appears to be fairly reduced, as the prototype features a much more liberal rate of rupee distribution and an easier palette of enemies compared to the retail release, as evidenced by the screenshot comparison above (prototype on the left). If you've got the right emulator, you can download and play the prototype right now -- or, if you're not in the dungeon-diving mood, you can check more details about the Zelda prototype on The Cutting Room Floor wiki.

JoystiqAlleged Legend of Zelda prototype released originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emulatorfamicomnesnintendoprototypesthe-legend-of-zeldazeldazelda-no-densetsuTue, 28 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata Asks about development of the NES]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/iwata-asks-about-development-of-the-nes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/iwata-asks-about-development-of-the-nes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/iwata-asks-about-development-of-the-nes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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)"

JoystiqIwata 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsfamicomiwata-asksnesnintendoretrosatoru-iwataSuper-Mario-Bros-NESwiiThu, 07 Oct 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Retro consoles torn apart, ancient innards exposed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/retro-consoles-torn-apart-ancient-innards-exposed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/retro-consoles-torn-apart-ancient-innards-exposed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/retro-consoles-torn-apart-ancient-innards-exposed/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you want to see just how far game consoles have come over the last few decades, check out iFixit's teardown of the Atari 2600. As you can see, there's not much to onetime king of home entertainment. Just look at how complex an iPhone 4 is in comparison! The Atari teardown was part of a full week of retro console deconstructions, including the Famicom, Magnavox Odyssey and even the Virtual Boy. Check them out for yourself -- if you think you can handle all that naked, aging PCB.

JoystiqRetro consoles torn apart, ancient innards exposed originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atari-2600culturefamicomifixitmagnavox-odysseyteardownvirtual-boyWed, 08 Sep 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pole's Big Adventure: Year of the Cow Suits]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/poles-big-adventure-year-of-the-cow-suits/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/poles-big-adventure-year-of-the-cow-suits/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/poles-big-adventure-year-of-the-cow-suits/#commentsFiled under: ,

The countdown at the Eventful Journey! Pole's Big Adventure site has elapsed, revealing a lot of inscrutable Japanese info and wonderful media about the new Famicom parody game from Phantasy Star Universe producer Takao Miyoshi. While the graphics and Mario-esque gameplay suggest Nintendo, the music sounds kind of reminiscent of the Master System. Speaking of which, isn't it a bit strange for Sega to be revelling in NES nostalgia?

The comedy-based game actually keeps a count of the jokes you encounter, and even has big red text on the screen commenting about it like a Japanese TV show!

The site features character portraits for the major characters, including this hilariously non-representative "realistic" take on the protagonist. The main enemies are cow-suited "poachers", apparently chosen because 2009 is the year of the cow.

Clicking on the red button under the control diagram will pop up a video. Speaking of controls, Pole's Big Adventure supports the Wiimote, Classic Controller, and GameCube Controller.

JoystiqPole's Big Adventure: Year of the Cow Suits originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famicompoles-big-adventureretrosegaFri, 23 Jan 2009 12:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Famicom Classic Controller available at Play Asia [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/21/super-famicom-classic-controller-available-at-play-asia/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/21/super-famicom-classic-controller-available-at-play-asia/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/21/super-famicom-classic-controller-available-at-play-asia/#commentsFiled under: ,


Update: Wow, that was fast. The controller is sold out. Uh, people must have way more money than we do. Send us one, plz?

If you're looking for more of an authentic experience when playing those Virtual Console games, then know that Play Asia is now allowing folks to order the Super Famicom Classic Controller. Of course, if you want that authentic experience, you're going to have to pay for it. The controller is going for a whopping $70 at the site. Frankly, we'd advise tracking down a SNES controller and doing one of those wireless hacks to the thing. It's got to cost a lot less than seventy freakin' dollars.


[Thanks, MoFro!]

JoystiqSuper Famicom Classic Controller available at Play Asia [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classic-controllerfamicomimportimportsjapansuper-famicomFri, 21 Nov 2008 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtually Overlooked: Popeye]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/virtually-overlooked-popeye/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/virtually-overlooked-popeye/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/virtually-overlooked-popeye/#commentsFiled under:

Nintendo's Donkey Kong features an everyday tradesman saving a helpless, reedy girlfriend from a giant brute, using only his agility and the occasional pickup of a trademark item that makes him super-strong for a short time, marked by a fanfare. Replace the carpenter with a sailor and make the ape a bit less hirsute, and you've pretty much got the theme of every Popeye cartoon.

It's not that surprising, then, that Donkey Kong was conceived as a Popeye game. And it's even less surprising, considering the runaway success of Donkey Kong, that Nintendo was able to secure the rights to the property for a subsequent game.

Continue reading Virtually Overlooked: Popeye

JoystiqVirtually Overlooked: Popeye originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famicomnespopeyeThu, 13 Nov 2008 19:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Music reflects on Nintendo's past with playable Famicom]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/wii-music-reflects-on-nintendos-past-with-playable-famicom/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/wii-music-reflects-on-nintendos-past-with-playable-famicom/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/wii-music-reflects-on-nintendos-past-with-playable-famicom/#commentsFiled under:



Nintendo has been happy to think outside the box when selecting Wii Music's line-up of instruments, and over the weekend, the company revealed another unconventional choice: the Famicom. This isn't as weird as the dog suit -- there is, after all, a whole scene dedicated to making music from old game sounds (and even household names have dabbled) -- but is an interesting and fun addition nonetheless.

The other recently unveiled instrument, the Timbales (there's a video after the break), is less interesting as a result, though Wikipedia (yes, we call this "journalism" -- Pulitzer, here we come) taught us that "Timbales" doubles up as a Spanish euphemism for, well, a rude word. Expect much childish giggling in Spanish-speaking households later this year, then.

Continue reading Wii Music reflects on Nintendo's past with playable Famicom

JoystiqWii Music reflects on Nintendo's past with playable Famicom originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famicommusicnestimbalestodays-instrumentwii-musicMon, 29 Sep 2008 16:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Show and Tell: Recipes for awesome]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/show-and-tell-recipes-for-awesome/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/show-and-tell-recipes-for-awesome/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/show-and-tell-recipes-for-awesome/#commentsFiled under:

Good news -- we're expanding Show and Tell a little to include not only your personal creations (though these are, of course, our favorites), but all sorts of interesting fan-created things we find in the wide world of the internet. Each week, we'll show off a new set of Nintendo-inspired projects, and this week, we're starting with the basics: recipes and ingredients. Every creation has to begin somewhere, after all. Your journey can start right here.


Show and Tell is all about fan stuff, so long as it's Nintendo-related. We love to see your collections, your crafts, your frosted creations, your t-shirts and swag of all sorts.Just snap a few pictures, tell us what's up, and send it all to showmeit [at] dsfanboy [dot] com. We'll take care of the rest. Not a handy type, but found something neat? Send us a link instead.

JoystiqShow and Tell: Recipes for awesome originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cakecasefamicomkirbymetroidpapercraftphoenix-wrightTue, 12 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Datel releasing Famicom-inspired Classic Controllers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/datel-releasing-famicom-inspired-classic-controllers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/datel-releasing-famicom-inspired-classic-controllers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/datel-releasing-famicom-inspired-classic-controllers/#commentsFiled under: ,


With Super Famicom- and even PSP-inspired Classic Controllers hitting the market, we're not surprised to see someone exploit the sentiments of nostalgic gamers with a pad fashioned after the original Famicom controller.

Available in Japan starting this September, Datel's line of retro Classic Controllers -- all four of which you can view in the gallery below -- will retail for ¥1,659 (approx $15.54). It's nowhere near an exact replica, as you'll notice several missing and inconsistent design elements, but the controller features Home and Turbo buttons. Also, you can relive those childhood memories of throwing an NES pad at the wall after crashing into the aircraft carrier for the 20th time in Top Gun.


[Via VC Reviews]

JoystiqDatel releasing Famicom-inspired Classic Controllers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonclassic-controllerdatelfamicomretroSun, 20 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Famicom leaves college and settles in to a secure office job]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/famicom-leaves-college-and-settles-in-to-a-secure-office-job/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/famicom-leaves-college-and-settles-in-to-a-secure-office-job/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/famicom-leaves-college-and-settles-in-to-a-secure-office-job/#commentsFiled under: ,

Time to get nostalgic, proud, and teary-eyed all at the same time. On this fifteenth day of July in the year 2008, the legendary Famicom turns 25 years young. Some of us (though not all of us) weren't even born when the Famicom was released in Japan in 1983, and that day marked the beginning of Nintendo's plot of world domination. They didn't get around to the United States until 1985 with the NES, but it's the thought that counts.

A few committed folks at 1up have gone to extreme lengths marking this occasion, reminiscing about the life and times and significant games that made the little white box of fun so legendary. Is the Famicom dead? Hellz to the no -- in fact, you might say the Famicom legacy is just taking shape with new games and new ideas, all with origins dating back a quarter of a century.

As we begin today's E3 proceedings, spare a single thought for the console that changed the world for the better. Happy 25th birthday, Famicom!

JoystiqFamicom leaves college and settles in to a secure office job originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birthdaycakefamicomjapannesTue, 15 Jul 2008 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtually Overlooked: Star Wars (Famicom)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/virtually-overlooked-star-wars-famicom/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/virtually-overlooked-star-wars-famicom/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/virtually-overlooked-star-wars-famicom/#commentsFiled under: ,

Star Wars games aren't always great. In fact, sometimes they're Masters of Teras Kasi. Sometimes they're Super Bombad Racing. They suffer from the same fate as any other licensed game: the developers put the universe before the gameplay, and insert whichever popular genre of game they feel like into a Star Wars framework, knowing that enough units will sell regardless of quality.

Namco's Famicom Star Wars game is the worst, and the best. It deviates from the source material not just to fit the genre (Super Bombad Racing required the existence of karts, for example, though in this case the game just shouldn't have been made), but seemingly at random. Somebody on the team may have heard of Star Wars, maybe. Even Soul Calibur IV, which actually isn't a Star Wars game at all, makes more sense as a Star Wars game than this.

Continue reading Virtually Overlooked: Star Wars (Famicom)

JoystiqVirtually Overlooked: Star Wars (Famicom) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionfamicomnamconesstar-warsThu, 03 Jul 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Famicom Lite]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/famicom-lite/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/famicom-lite/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/famicom-lite/#commentsFiled under: ,

Genius modder Kotomi is at it again. A couple of years ago, he redid a DS Phat in the old Famicom colors -- his favorite console, apparently -- but as he recently came into some free time, he realized it was time to live in the now. At least, as "now" as you can be when doing a modern system over in the colors of a retro console.

With a black DS Lite as his base, the modder worked his magic, and the result is simply stunning (and shiny!). Kotomi says he's got some more projects in the pipeline at present, so we'll be keeping an eye on this master.

Want more? We've got a few of his other, older projects in the gallery below.

Continue reading Famicom Lite

JoystiqFamicom Lite originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customfamicomkotomiretroMon, 30 Jun 2008 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Promotional Consideration: Dragon Quest IV commercials were weird]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/promotional-consideration-dqiv-commercials-were-weird/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/promotional-consideration-dqiv-commercials-were-weird/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/promotional-consideration-dqiv-commercials-were-weird/#commentsFiled under: ,



With the Dragon Quest IV DS remake announced for the US and Europe this week, we thought it'd be good a time to dig up Enix's commercials for the original Famicom game's release in Japan. They're completely different from the retro ads used last November when the DS remake shipped.

As with Squaresoft's chocobo commercials for Final Fantasy IV on the Super Famicom (launching a little over a year after Dragon Quest IV), these ads were just plain odd! They show hardly any in-game video, relying on logos and recognizable theme music instead. Gather your party and meet us in the fifth chapter, past the post break, for the commercials.

Continue reading Promotional Consideration: Dragon Quest IV commercials were weird

JoystiqPromotional Consideration: Dragon Quest IV commercials were weird originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 May 2008 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artepiazzachunsoftcommercialdqivdragon-questdragon-quest-ivdragon-warriorenixfamicomheartbeatnesoverturepromotional-considerationpromotionalconsiderationremakerpgsquare-enixSun, 25 May 2008 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Collection of strange and obscure Famicom peripherals, controllers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/collection-of-strange-and-obscure-famicom-peripherals-controlle/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/collection-of-strange-and-obscure-famicom-peripherals-controlle/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/collection-of-strange-and-obscure-famicom-peripherals-controlle/#commentsFiled under: ,



It's astounding that, despite all the eBay auctions we've followed and Nintendo oddities we've researched, there are still so many Famicom accessories out there that we've never seen, much less heard of. Thankfully, an obsessive Japanese collector has put up a page documenting these rare controllers and peripherals, like Hori RF adapters and Disk System cleaning sprays. Check out the Hyper Shot Zapper-clone pictured above -- can you believe that Bandai made a submachine gun for the Famicom? Jump past the post break for more Famicom odds and ends.

Continue reading Collection of strange and obscure Famicom peripherals, controllers

JoystiqCollection of strange and obscure Famicom peripherals, controllers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 May 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-systemarcadebandaiblackexciting-boxingfamicomhyper-shotkonamimr-joysanwasharpsticktop-ridervarieWed, 21 May 2008 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[NES coffee table is so much more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/nes-coffee-table-is-so-much-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/nes-coffee-table-is-so-much-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/nes-coffee-table-is-so-much-more/#commentsFiled under:



Kyle Downes' NES coffee table isn't just an awesome coffee table, oh no. Read up on the making of this beautiful piece of furniture on Kyle's blog, the appropriately named Ultra Awesome, and it's obvious that Downes' work is far more than a mere coffee table -- make the jump to see what else it can do.

Continue reading NES coffee table is so much more

JoystiqNES coffee table is so much more originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 May 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coffee-tablecraftsfamicomfurniturenesFri, 09 May 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Man chats about his $15k NES game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/man-chats-about-his-15k-nes-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/man-chats-about-his-15k-nes-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/man-chats-about-his-15k-nes-game/#commentsFiled under: ,

James Baker collects games, but probably not in the same way that any of us collect games. Baker recently coughed up $15,000 for one of the 26 gold-colored NES carts that were originally manufactured for the Nintendo World Championships in 1990 (only twelve are still accounted for) -- in fact, we're fairly certain that his is the cart we posted about recently.

Speaking to Edge about his latest acquisition, Baker confesses that spending so much on a single videogame is "pretty crazy," but also says that he "doesn't really see it purely as a videogame."

Not only is the guy richer than us, he's also a lot braver -- when he received the cart, he popped it into his NES to give it a go! "I didn't even need to blow on the end of it to get it to work," he said, nonchalantly. You better believe that playing such a game would be the last thing on our minds. Instead, we'd be handling it very delicately, and then only after washing our hands several times over.

(Fun fact: $15,000 would cover the cost of 1.5m Wii Points, which in turn could be used to purchase the whole of the current U.S. Virtual Console line-up -- more than ten times over.)

JoystiqMan chats about his $15k NES game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayedgefamicomnesnintendo-world-championshipsnintendo-world-championships-1990nwcnwc-90rareWed, 30 Apr 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Clean up with a cheap Famicom-style towel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/clean-up-with-a-cheap-famicom-style-towel/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/clean-up-with-a-cheap-famicom-style-towel/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/clean-up-with-a-cheap-famicom-style-towel/#commentsFiled under: ,


NCSX is selling their remaining stock of these lovely red-and-gold Famicom towels for just $13.90 each. These are big beach towels with the "Family Computer" logo and some controller outlines emblazoned on them, and they were originally produced by Banpresto in 2005.

We're guessing that, for some reason, the segment of NCSX's customer base that regularly visits the beach is smaller than they expected. If we needed a beach towel, we would totally buy this one, but we have no use for a beach towel, much like most shut-in game nerds. Well, except for when we run out of regular towels and we have to awkwardly dry off after our shower with one of these giant things. But we're not buying a beach towel just for that.

JoystiqClean up with a cheap Famicom-style towel originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famicomtowelMon, 28 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtually Overlooked: Kart Fighter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/virtually-overlooked-kart-fighter/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/virtually-overlooked-kart-fighter/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/virtually-overlooked-kart-fighter/#commentsFiled under:


What if a bunch of Nintendo's world-famous franchise characters stopped adventuring and just got in a big fight? No doubt that would be an awesome game. You can just imagine the dollar (or appropriate currency) signs in the eyes of the person who came up with a surefire idea like that.

That was the idea behind Kart Fighter, created ... some time after Super Mario Kart was released, by an unknown Hong Kong developer. It's a 2D fighting game starring Mario and friends, in familiar settings based on the Mario games.

Nintendo totally ripped these guys off. Have they no respect for intellectual property?


Continue reading Virtually Overlooked: Kart Fighter

JoystiqVirtually Overlooked: Kart Fighter originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famicomjoystiqfeatureskart-fightermario-kartmario-kart-weeknesThu, 24 Apr 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Working NES squeezed into ... an NES cartridge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/entire-nes-squeezed-into-nes-cartridge-case/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/entire-nes-squeezed-into-nes-cartridge-case/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/entire-nes-squeezed-into-nes-cartridge-case/#commentsFiled under: ,

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]

JoystiqWorking 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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cartcartridgefamicomhackNESnintendonintendo-entertainment-systemSuper-Mario-BrosSuper-Mario-Bros-NESTue, 22 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[This is what a coin-operated NES looks like]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/this-is-what-a-coin-operated-nes-looks-like/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/this-is-what-a-coin-operated-nes-looks-like/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/this-is-what-a-coin-operated-nes-looks-like/#commentsFiled under:

While it's not unusual to be loved by anyone for hotels to include video game services, Japan used to do it arcade-style with coin-operated consoles (like the one shown above). 100 JPY (approximately $1 USD) would net you 10-15 minutes with a Famicom (NES), which means you'd have to lay down about $2 or $3 to for a satisfactory amount of this blogger's hotel staple, Punch-Out!!. The Super Famicom (SNES), though, was a bit more coin-hungry, and the $1 equivalent would only last five minutes -- yikes. Still, we're sure that if we visited Japan during the magical time that these boxes were hooked-up to hotel TVs, we would have let go of a few coins for some quick bouts of Mario and such.

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqThis is what a coin-operated NES looks like originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coin-opcoin-operatedfamicomhotelhotelsjapannessnessuper-famicomFri, 18 Apr 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Joystiq: On region-free downloading, Xbox streaming and Karnov]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/ask-joystiq-on-region-free-downloading-xbox-streaming-and-karn/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/ask-joystiq-on-region-free-downloading-xbox-streaming-and-karn/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/ask-joystiq-on-region-free-downloading-xbox-streaming-and-karn/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This week on Ask Joystiq, we look at downloading foreign content to a foreign system, streaming content to an Xbox 360, and identifying one --or possibly two? -- obscure Argentinian NES games.

If you have any burning questions, unsolved gaming mysteries, or just a desire for musings from our knowledgeable cadre of writers, drop us a line at ask AAT joystiq DAWT com (and yes, we write it that way for a reason).

Q: I might be going to Japan towards the end of the summer and might pick up some games or a system. If I get a system, how would that work when I bring it back to the states and log on-line for a Wii, PS3 or 360?? Would a Japanese Wii let me log in to only US servers or would I be able to download Japanese games from the marketplace. Same question applied to the other systems...
-- iwantmymtv

A: For the Wii, the region of the console corresponds to the region of the Wii Shop Channel -- Japanese systems will access the Japanese store, no matter where you plug them into the intertubes. You have to buy Wii Points that correspond to the system's region too, which means using a Japanese credit card or getting some Japanese Wii Points cards imported. [source]

Any PS3 will play downloads from any region, but each PSN account is locked to a specific region when you create it. Luckily, it's relatively easy to set up "dummy accounts" for each region you want to buy content, as long as you have a credit card from that country. Be warned, though: there is a significant language barrier for navigating the Japanese store.

Xbox Live users can also create dummy accounts to get around regional restrictions, but there are reports that Microsoft has been blocking downloads from accounts where this practice is detected. As always, let the international buyer beware.
-Kyle Orland

Continue reading Ask Joystiq: On region-free downloading, Xbox streaming and Karnov

JoystiqAsk Joystiq: On region-free downloading, Xbox streaming and Karnov originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-joystiqconnect-360connect360famicomHDDkarnovPS3region-freestreamingwhomp 'emWhomp'emWiixbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[39 sealed Power Gloves, a great gift for nearly 5 octopi]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/39-sealed-power-gloves-a-great-gift-for-nearly-5-octopi/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/39-sealed-power-gloves-a-great-gift-for-nearly-5-octopi/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/39-sealed-power-gloves-a-great-gift-for-nearly-5-octopi/#commentsFiled under:

All right, here's the situation: You're staging an NES-themed musical (off-Broadway) and the big finale requires a shiny, new Power Glove for all 40 members of the chorus line. You already have access to one unopened Glove that your grandmother gave you as a present in 1995 (way after it was a hot-ticket item), but you need the other 39 before the end of the month or the opening night of your show will be ruined!

This is the only situation that we could think of to justify anyone bidding on the lot of 39 sealed, Japanese Power Gloves that recently showed up as a bulk lot on eBay. Apparently we're not imaginative enough, though, because the Australia-based auction already has four bids with a high offer of AU$90.88 (not including the hundreds of dollars in shipping costs). Maybe we're just not "bad" enough to realize the economic and cultural potential of owning what is most likely the world's largest collection of sealed Power Gloves in one place. So we leave it as an open question to our commenters: What would you do with 39 Power Gloves?

[Via GameSniped]

Joystiq39 sealed Power Gloves, a great gift for nearly 5 octopi originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionebayfamicomNESnintendonintendo entertainment systemNintendoEntertainmentSystempower glovePowerGloveFri, 21 Mar 2008 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy VII ported to the Famicom. Finally!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/final-fantasy-vii-ported-to-the-famicom-finally/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/final-fantasy-vii-ported-to-the-famicom-finally/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/final-fantasy-vii-ported-to-the-famicom-finally/#commentsFiled under: ,


Remember back in the late '90s, when Square was so frustrated trying to fit their opus Final Fantasy VII onto the cartridge-based Nintendo 64 that they made their famous defection to Sony? Well, just a short decade later, China's Shenzhen Nanjing Technology Co, Ltd has apparently done what Square couldn't, squeezing the PlayStation epic onto a cartridge. And not just any cartridge .. a Famicom cartridge. How's it feel to be shown up, Square?

Of course, the conversion isn't perfect. According to a write-up from intrepid blogger CinnamonPirate (who unearthed the 2MB ROM from a Chinese blog) the polygonal graphics and cut scenes are gone, replaced with an impressively wide array of sprites, many stolen from other Final Fantasy games. The story remains surprisingly authentic, though, encompassing the entire three-disc epic while only leaving out a few optional side stories (bye bye, Yuffie and Vincent). The wide array of weapons, magic and materia from the original is a bit restricted in the port, but frankly, we're impressed that features like materia-leveling made it on to the 20+ year old hardware in any form.

The company behind the cart is apparently now primarily makes MP3 players, so our hopes for a Colecovision version of Final Fantasy XII will probably remain unfulfilled.

JoystiqFinal Fantasy VII ported to the Famicom. Finally! originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bootlegChinaChinesefamicomFF7FFVIIfinal fantasyfinal-fantasy-viiFinalFantasyportPS2squaresquare-enixsquaresoftFri, 22 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA["Paper" Mario comes to life in art project]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/paper-mario-comes-to-life-in-art-project/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/paper-mario-comes-to-life-in-art-project/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/paper-mario-comes-to-life-in-art-project/#commentsFiled under: ,


Dude. Remember that time we went to Tim's house and got like TOTALLY baked off his special stash and we busted out the NES and we thought the controller was, like, making the TV move around the room? Do you? Man, that thing was REAL. I like totally saw it on the internet man!

Man, I'm telling you I'm SO not high right now. This thing was REAL. It was, like, on this motorized track or something, so when you pushed the buttons on the d-pad the whole TV, like, slid down this track. But there was this Mario level in the background, so it was like the paper Mario cutout on the TV was REALLY moving through the level. Like REALLY. Dude, you could even make Mario jump and hit motorized boxes with mushrooms and stuff. By the way, Tim scored some awesome mushrooms this weekend. You got to try them, man.

Man, don't even try to tell me I'm imagining this thing. I've got the video right here below the break. You watch it while I go scrounge up some Cheetos, man. I've got some serious munchies.

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading "Paper" Mario comes to life in art project

Joystiq"Paper" Mario comes to life in art project originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artDudeFamicomhighMariomovingNESPaper mariopaper-marioPaperMariosuper-mario-bros.Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[VC Tuesday: It's a Small World]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/vc-tuesday-its-a-small-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/vc-tuesday-its-a-small-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/vc-tuesday-its-a-small-world/#commentsFiled under: ,

Despite both of this week's North American VC releases being quality games in their own right, we found the selection disappointing. We only got two games, one of which is only a minor upgrade over an existing release. Why did Nintendo skimp on the releases? And why have they been skimping for the last three or four weeks?

The situation is actually not that much better in Japan. This week only one new game is available: Devil World, the weirdo Famicom maze game designed by Miyamoto. With the game's dancing Devil making an appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it's not terribly surprising that the original Famicom game is showing up on the VC.

Is it going to join imports like Super Mario Bros. 2 and Sin and Punishment on Western consoles? It's got a lot of religious imagery -- more than Devil's Crush, which was censored -- so we're going to say no and hope we're proven wrong.

JoystiqVC Tuesday: It's a Small World originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>devil-worldfamicommazenesvctuesdayTue, 22 Jan 2008 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Familator taken out for a test-Familate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/16/familator-taken-out-for-a-test-familate/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/16/familator-taken-out-for-a-test-familate/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/16/familator-taken-out-for-a-test-familate/#commentsFiled under:


We are still fascinated by this gigantic, impractical Famicom cartridge adapter. That's why we were delighted when GAME Watch picked up one of CYBER Gadget's CYBER Familator Lite adapters and tested it out, taking plenty of pictures during the process. Unsurprisingly, but still sadly, the various issues with the device make it a suboptimal method of playing Famicom games.

Most notably, you can't plug a second controller in, meaning also that the Famicom microphone (which is embeded in the player 2 controller) cannot be used. Also, the system can't hook up to the Famicom Disk System. The Familator also suffers compatibility issues with a few games, including Bases Loaded.

GAME Watch did a side-by-side comparison of the Familator's TV output of Xevious to the Wii's Virtual Console version of the same game, and found that the colors and the sound were inferior, even without taking into account the Wii's ability to use component and D-terminal connections. Battery life was, of course, also an issue.

None of these concerns are exactly dealbreakers, but even as a novelty it would be hard to justify the expense of such an item without excellent performance.

JoystiqFamilator taken out for a test-Familate originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adaptercyber-familatorcyber-gadgetfamicomnesWed, 16 Jan 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[CYBER Familator Lite: Faminow available]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/cyber-familator-lite-faminow-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/cyber-familator-lite-faminow-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/cyber-familator-lite-faminow-available/#commentsFiled under:

The CYBER Familator has been described as "... unique ..." , "neat", and "Nomad-sized" by our commenters. And now we'll finally get an opportunity to purchase this critically-acclaimed item. Starting tomorrow, NCSX will offer the DS Lite Famicom adapter for $68.

Yes, you could easily load up a bunch of ROMs on a Flash card or whatever, but you shouldn't. Whenever possible, we do enjoy having an option for retrogaming that doesn't involve violating copyright. And anyway, if you're looking at this huge thing in terms of its real-world utility, you kind of missed the point. This item is fully in "wacky contraption" territory.

JoystiqCYBER Familator Lite: Faminow available originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyber-familatorcyber-gadgetfamicomncsxWed, 09 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Quest V screens for comparison and perusal]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/dragon-quest-v-screens-for-comparison-and-perusal/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/dragon-quest-v-screens-for-comparison-and-perusal/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/dragon-quest-v-screens-for-comparison-and-perusal/#commentsFiled under:

Square Enix has released new images from the upcoming DS remake of Dragon Quest V, and that means two things for you: a gallery of spiffy new(ish) shots, and several comparison images. With two earlier versions to look at, we just couldn't help finding some comparable shots and setting them up side-by-side for your viewing pleasure. You can check them out after the jump, and the new DS images are all safely tucked away in our gallery below, along with some character art.

JoystiqDragon Quest V screens for comparison and perusal originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artepiazzaCattle-CallcomparisonDQ5Dragon-QuestDragon-Quest-5Dragon-Quest-5-Hand-of-the-Heavenly-Bridedragon-quest-vfamicomgalleryJRPGps2remakerpgsnessquare-enixFri, 21 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtually Overlooked: Wily & Right no Rockboard: That's Paradise]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/virtually-overlooked-wily-and-right-no-rockboard-thats-paradise/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/virtually-overlooked-wily-and-right-no-rockboard-thats-paradise/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/virtually-overlooked-wily-and-right-no-rockboard-thats-paradise/#commentsFiled under:


Welcome to our weekly feature, Virtually Overlooked, wherein we talk about games that aren't on the Virtual Console yet, but should be. Call it a retro-speculative.

We were driven into a melancholy by the news that Australia (and probably Europe) was getting a Virtual Console version of Mega Man 2 while we have yet to see a download of the first game. Many of you correctly noted that it was stupid to wait for a VC version with the Mega Man Anniversary Collection disc available so cheaply and plentifully. But we actually have the disc and the cartridge. It's a simple matter of wanting every game we like to be available through as many conduits as possible, to get into the most hands as possible. A Virtual Console release, as well, allows a game to come back to the attention of the gaming community, sparking discussion once again. We want that for Mega Man 2 forever. Our memories of Mega Man 2 are 110 million, after all.

The existence of the Mega Man Anniversary Collection still makes any included game too easy to play on the Wii to be Virtually Overlooked material, even if, by doing so, it limits discussion. There's no real reason to wish for a game that you can just go buy for less money. That renders Mega Man 1-8 off limits (good luck playing 8 on a Nintendo system any other way!) as well as The Power Battle and The Power Fighters. But we still want to talk Mega Man, so we went scrambling for an appropriate game. Mega Man X? No, it is also available on a compilation. Rockman Battle & Chase? No, it's on the same compilation! Rockboard will have to do, then. It's got the benefit of being the weirdest Mega Man game yet, and we can keep Mega Man Soccer saved up for a bit.

Continue reading Virtually Overlooked: Wily & Right no Rockboard: That's Paradise

JoystiqVirtually Overlooked: Wily & Right no Rockboard: That's Paradise originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board-gamecapcomfamicommega-manmegamannesrockboardrockmanThu, 29 Nov 2007 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Play Famicom games on your DS Lite with 'Familator']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/26/play-famicom-games-on-your-ds-lite-with-familator/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/26/play-famicom-games-on-your-ds-lite-with-familator/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/26/play-famicom-games-on-your-ds-lite-with-familator/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Hideous name, and less-than-hideous hardware. CYBER Gadget's "Familator Lite" plugs into a DS Lite's GBA slot, allowing users to insert their Famicom cartridges and re-live their favorite Nintendo classics in portable form.

Would rather re-live the classics on television? The device allows for TV out. Would rather play with the original Famicom controllers? Well... the device doesn't do that, actually. But it does that other stuff!

The Familator Lite is due out in Japan in December, but no price has been set. Sadly, the device's form factor means it's only compatible with the DS Lite, and not its phatter older brother.

[Via DS Fanboy]

JoystiqPlay Famicom games on your DS Lite with 'Familator' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsds-litedslitefamicomfamilatorMon, 26 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Famicom adapter makes the DS useful]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/24/famicom-adapter-makes-the-ds-useful/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/24/famicom-adapter-makes-the-ds-useful/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/24/famicom-adapter-makes-the-ds-useful/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Finally, we can stop playing all those awful DS and Game Boy Advance games on our DS Lite. Really, we like the hardware, but we want to play real games on the thing. Like Final Fantasy III, Dragon Quest IV, and Ys, not whatever's out on the DS. We're sure you feel the same way.

That's why we think CYBER Gadget's CYBER Familator Lite is so great. Based on their CYBER Familator "Famiclone," It plugs into the DS's GBA slot and allows the system to play genuine (and pirate, we suppose) Famicom cartridges. And, with the right Gyromite cartridge, it'll play American games too. It even has TV out, making it a fully functional Famicom!

It'll be out in Japan next month, but CYBER Gadget has yet to announce the price. The amazing name will probably bump it up an extra 1000 yen or so. Familator.

JoystiqFamicom adapter makes the DS useful originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adaptercyber-familatorcyber-gadgetcybergadgetfamicomSat, 24 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo of Japan drops Famicom hardware support]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/21/nintendo-of-japan-drops-famicom-hardware-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/21/nintendo-of-japan-drops-famicom-hardware-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/21/nintendo-of-japan-drops-famicom-hardware-support/#commentsFiled under:


Well, it had an amazing run.

Unless you're a citizen of Japan and own a Famicom system, this bit of news is likely to not affect you. However, should you fulfill those requirements, you might like to know that Nintendo of Japan has ceased to support the old piece of hardware. You're probably one who still plays the thing, we imagine, so you might want to take it easy on the old gal, as this goes into effect on the 31st of this month.

Also of note, Nintendo of Japan will be dropping support for the Super Famicom, N64, Game Boy and Game Boy Pocket, as well.

[Via Arcade Renaissance]

JoystiqNintendo of Japan drops Famicom hardware support originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Oct 2007 17:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famicomgame-boygameboyjapann64nessnessuper-famicomSun, 21 Oct 2007 17:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Famicom tissue holder makes blowing your nose awesome]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/18/famicom-tissue-holder-makes-blowing-your-nose-awesome/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/18/famicom-tissue-holder-makes-blowing-your-nose-awesome/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/18/famicom-tissue-holder-makes-blowing-your-nose-awesome/#commentsFiled under:



Never have we been as enthusiastic for the oncoming flu season than when we saw this astonishing tissue dispenser. The pain of being sick is a meager price to pay for a reason to grab a tissue from a Famicom game slot.

The best news? This little beauty doesn't fall under the "I hate Japan, why do they get all the cool stuff when we don't?" category. In fact, you can purchase it at MugenToys for only $9.99.

As if we really needed another excuse to spend money during this amazing gaming season. What about you? Are you planning to pick up this nifty tissue holder? Or are you actually, you know, careful about spending money?

[Via technabob]

JoystiqFamicom tissue holder makes blowing your nose awesome originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FamicomTissue-DispenserTissue-HolderThu, 18 Oct 2007 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo ceases hardware support for Famicom, other aging platforms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/17/nintendo-ceases-hardware-support-for-famicom-other-aging-platfo/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/17/nintendo-ceases-hardware-support-for-famicom-other-aging-platfo/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/17/nintendo-ceases-hardware-support-for-famicom-other-aging-platfo/#commentsFiled under: ,

famicom
The next time your 'Fami' freezes up, blow as you might, it could be all over. Then again, it's nearly 2008; maybe it's time for an upgrade. Indeed, Nintendo of Japan is encouraging just that by ceasing hardware support for Famicom, Super Famicom, Nintendo 64, Gameboy and Gameboy Pocket due to a scarcity of repair parts.

It's remarkable that Nintendo's been able to service its pioneering platform for 24 long years. But, alas, nothing lasts forever. So long, Famicom. (Psst, this is when you bow your head for a moment of silence...)

[Via Arcade Renaissance]

JoystiqNintendo ceases hardware support for Famicom, other aging platforms originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famicomnesnintendoWed, 17 Oct 2007 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtually Overlooked: Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/27/virtually-overlooked-splatterhouse-wanpaku-graffiti/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/27/virtually-overlooked-splatterhouse-wanpaku-graffiti/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/27/virtually-overlooked-splatterhouse-wanpaku-graffiti/#commentsFiled under:

Welcome to our weekly feature, Virtually Overlooked, wherein we talk about games that aren't on the Virtual Console yet, but should be. Call it a retro-speculative.

We recently discussed Mighty Final Fight for the NES, which was a weird, super-deformed remake of Final Fight done in a semi-parody style. It managed to competently shrink down the Final Fight gameplay, adapt it to a completely different style and still be fun.

Namco executed a similar NES remake of a beat-em-up in 1989, using as a base a much less likely candidate for chibi-ism: the pioneering horror game Splatterhouse.

We miss parody remakes, actually.

Continue reading Virtually Overlooked: Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti

JoystiqVirtually Overlooked: Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famicomnamconessplatterhouseThu, 27 Sep 2007 19:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Consoles take their rightful place in the public library]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/consoles-take-their-rightful-place-in-the-public-library/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/consoles-take-their-rightful-place-in-the-public-library/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/consoles-take-their-rightful-place-in-the-public-library/#commentsFiled under:


Digital Press forum member Gapporin's local public library has a display case for temporary displays of collections from both the library and patrons. Being a Digital Press sort of person (i.e. someone with a lot of old game systems), he decided to exhibit some of his collection.

After getting approval from the library, he installed the display seen above, which contains, among plenty of other stuff, a Sharp Twin Famicom, a Sega Master System (with Phantasy Star and Wonder Boy III!), and a Milton-Bradley Microvision. Under each console is a fact sheet with specifications and well-known games. Expect to see a lot more of this kind of stuff in the future, as the worlds of libraries and game nerdism continue to interact!

Speaking of said interaction, it's worth mentioning that the Library of Congress has issued a grant for game preservation as part of its Preserving Creative America program. Not only that, but the University of Texas just started their own Videogame Archives Project. It's really a great time to be a retrogaming-obsessed Texan librarian.

[Via Insert Credit]

JoystiqConsoles take their rightful place in the public library originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Aug 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famicomlibrariesretrosegamastersystemTue, 14 Aug 2007 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Family Commercials for the Family Computer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/family-commercials-for-the-family-computer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/family-commercials-for-the-family-computer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/family-commercials-for-the-family-computer/#commentsFiled under: ,


Thanks to GayGamer for today's excuse to talk about old Nintendo games. Even if we can't quite decipher all of the noisome talking in these vintage Japanese commercials for Famicom games, we love seeing the old classics advertised. Can you imagine a time in which Nintendo actively encouraged people to buy Urban Champion?

It's always nice to get a look at our old friend R.O.B., which, we hope, is next on the list of NES peripherals to be updated for the Wii. And we had forgotten that the Famicom Light Gun, Japan's Zapper, looked like-- you know-- a gun.

Continue reading Family Commercials for the Family Computer

JoystiqFamily Commercials for the Family Computer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commercialfamicomurbanchampionWed, 18 Jul 2007 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[An update from a different dojo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/an-update-from-a-different-dojo/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/an-update-from-a-different-dojo/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/an-update-from-a-different-dojo/#commentsFiled under:


No, this isn't about Smash Bros. In fact, Famicom Dojo probably won't be about Smash Bros. for a good few years. Famicom Dojo is a new show from Powet.tv and 4 Color Rebellion about our favorite subject: old Nintendo games. Combining clever comedy with in-depth coverage of old Japanese game hardware, specifically the Famicom and its Disk System.

Surprisingly, not all of the comedy comes from the appearance of the Famicom. Other people think it's a little silly-looking, right? Maybe we're just jealous because its player 2 microphone makes the system vastly superior to the compromised hardware we received in the US.

JoystiqAn update from a different dojo originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4crfamicomfamicom disk systemfamicom dojoFamicomDiskSystemFamicomDojonesnintendowiiTue, 17 Jul 2007 16:45:00 EST