Joystiq

Mysterious Sam's Club listing for 'Midnight Purple' 3DS surfaces

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST

Given that purple plastic housings were as iconic to the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance as many of the games that made them so wildly successful, it's always struck us as odd that Nintendo's subsequent handhelds haven't followed suit. Sure, we have Pearl Pink and some gorgeous limited edition models, but what about that classic Grape, or Atomic Purple?

Someone at Nintendo may just share our sentiment, as a listing for a "Midnight Purple" 3DS has been discovered on Sam's Club. The page lists the model just below market value at $168.58, although no other information is given or implied, nor are any pictures available for legit-ness verification. Obviously no official announcement has been made by Nintendo, but we've got our collective ears to the ground and will update with any information that arrises.

[Thanks, Andrew!]

Mysterious Sam's Club listing for 'Midnight Purple' 3DS surfaces originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Man ransoming unreleased Resident Evil GBC prototype ROMs to the Internet

Jordan Mallory — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST

Two prototype versions of the Game Boy Color port of Resident Evil are waiting in the wings for an imminent release; news that strikes us as rather serendipitous considering that we were just talking about that game last week. Like all great news, however, there's a bit of a catch.

We're not talking about something awesome and legit, like an official 3DS eShop release, we're talking about ROMs. What's more, the ROMs for these two prototype cartridges, one containing most of Jill's campaign and the other containing an earlier build, will only be released to the internet if the anonymous seller's "fundraiser" reaches its $2,000 goal by the end of February.

Now, that sounds more like extortion than a fundraiser, but the third party running the sale maintains that the benefactor in question is actually taking a substantial loss at that price point. That sounded reasonable at first, but the more we think about it, the less we buy it.

It's true that some rare games can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, but those games tend to exist in extremely limited quantities and also tend to be remarkably verifiable; Stadium Events for the NES and the European version of Kizuna Encounter for the Neo Geo immediately spring to mind. Those are actual games, though, and not ROMs. Unless this collector destroys these cartridges after the ROMs are posted, the $2,000 entry fee is nothing but pure profit, since the cartridges can still be sold afterwards.

Don't get us wrong, we love the idea of preserving the gaming industry's wackier moments. What we don't love is the idea of someone coercing a substantial amount of money from a dedicated fan base by ransoming the distribution of a product that they have no right to distribute. To paraphrase a brilliant professor of archeology, "They belong in a museum!"

Man ransoming unreleased Resident Evil GBC prototype ROMs to the Internet originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3DS has a Game Boy/ Game Boy Color Virtual Console [update]

JC Fletcher — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 01:43:00 EST

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

One of the 3DS's killer apps may be ... old games. As has been requested for the original DS and DSi since time immemorial (2004), Nintendo will offer downloadable Game Boy and Game Boy Color games on the 3DS, through a VIrtual Console-style store.

In addition, as shown at E3, Nintendo will offer 3D-ified versions of classics like Xevious.

Update: The transcript from Nintendo's conference last night show that Iwata specified games from the Game Boy and Game Boy Color -- not Advance. At least, not yet. We apologize for the confusion.

3DS has a Game Boy/ Game Boy Color Virtual Console [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 01:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Game Boy modded to play GBA, GBC games

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:30:00 EST

Do you find yourself pining for the portable Nintendo gaming of days past, but not pining for its pea green hues? If so, then this modded Game Boy -- as in the large, boxy "released in 1989" Game Boy -- should really fit the bill. Flickr user CRTdrone has modded an original Game Boy to play every flavor of Game Boy title, including Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance and, of course, original Game Boy. According to the description, the mod relies on the guts of a Game Boy Advance SP and all the buttons, the rechargeable battery and even the headphone jack are in working order. The shoulder buttons, if you're wondering, have been relegated to tiny buttons on either side of unit.

The creator will be making "a couple more" and possibly documenting the process. So stay tuned if you want to make one of these bad boys for yourself.

[Via Tiny Cartridge]

Game Boy modded to play GBA, GBC games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wii sales surpass NES; DS Nintendo's best-selling hardware ever

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:01:00 EST

In addition to revealing its latest financial figures, Nintendo has released some interesting facts about its two star performers, the Wii and DS. As revealed in the financials, the Wii has sold over 67 million units since its launch in 2006. Putting that in context, Nintendo reveals that the original Nintendo Entertainment System sold 61.91 million units in its lifetime, which now makes the Wii the company's most successful console of all time. As for the DS, it has now sold 125.13 million units, surpassing Game Boy and Game Boy Color lifetime sales of 118.69 million units. That makes the DS Nintendo's most successful piece of hardware ever.

It's important to point out that Nintendo counts all four iterations of the DS in its life-to-date sales numbers. Considering each version has a number of improvements over previous versions, we're sure there's plenty of overlap among consumers. Still, there's no denying that Nintendo's latest hardware lineup has been incredibly successful, even if it was slightly less successful in 2009.

[Via Shacknews]

Wii sales surpass NES; DS Nintendo's best-selling hardware ever originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Boy and His Blob detailed in latest Nintendo Power

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:30:00 EST

Remember earlier today when we revealed the first image of A Boy and His Blob from Nintendo Power's exclusive story? Well, we lied a little bit when we said that the pixelated image you saw then wasn't going to be revealed until March 5. No folks, we got the full details (well, the first full page of details at least) early from our good buddies at Nintendo Power, and are happy to report that A Boy and His Blob looks to recreate all the enjoyment you had with the original.

Jellybean-related gameplay and the game's story are back for a second run in the Majesco-published, WayForward-developed Wii game and it's set to hit retailers this Fall, according to the NP piece. WayForward, known for recent WiiWare horror/puzzler LIT and technologically impressive Shantae for Game Boy Color, will be hand-drawing all the (yes, 2D) visuals. It's also adding to the original's defensive and puzzle-solving jellybeanery with beans that turn your blob into various offensive items (some examples given are anvil dropping and ground removing). If you want more details (and an interview with the game's director) you'll just have to wait until you get your grubby little mitts on the April issue of Nintendo Power.

A Boy and His Blob detailed in latest Nintendo Power originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Two Tribes reveals original title ReWind

David Hinkle — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

If you're not familiar with Two Tribes, then you haven't ever played Toki Tori or Worms: Open Warfare 2. Aside from the game's recent release on WiiWare, it was also available on the Game Boy Color. They also did a game on the GBA called Three Tribes.

But, we digress. This new title, which is nothing more than some concept art right now, promises "a unique gameplay experience" in an on-rail shooter. Two Tribes also says that the controls will be accessible, as "average players will be able to complete the game while seasoned players will be motivated to go for higher scores and completion rates."

[Thanks, psyborg!]

Two Tribes reveals original title ReWind originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Shiren 2 screens are all that and a bag of Shiren chips

Eric Caoili — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Screens

We couldn't decide which was more awesome -- these new screenshots for Shiren the Wanderer DS 2: Demon Castle in the Desert, or the fact that Chunsoft went out of its way in 2001 to promote the original Game Boy Color title, Shiren the Wanderer GB2, with bags of steak-flavored chips (In case you're late to the party, STW DS 2 is a roguelike remake of STW GB2).

So, we went ahead and featured both the crisps and an image of Shiren's long-lost and perpetually hungry brother, Pekeji, in our article image. Hopefuly, publisher Sega will have a similar potato chip promotion with STW DS 2! Even better, maybe they'll eventually localize the chips along with the game?

See also: Shiren GB2, Shiren DS 2 compared

[via Inside Games]

New Shiren 2 screens are all that and a bag of Shiren chips originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shiren GB2, Shiren DS 2 compared

Eric Caoili — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST

Filed under: Screens

No more than a week after Shiren 3 for the Wii shipped in Japan, Chunsoft already has a teaser site and screenshots out for its next Shiren the Wanderer game for the Nintendo DS -- Fushigi no Dungeon: Furai no Shiren DS 2: Sabaku no Majou (Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer DS 2: Demon Castle in the Desert). It's a long title!

Seeing that this roguelike is a remake of a Game Boy Color title, we thought that this batch of new images would make for a great opportunity to compare the updated game's visuals to the original's. While we expected Shiren DS 2 to look pretty much exactly like the first Shiren DS game released in March, we're surprised by how similar Shiren DS 2 and Shiren GB2 (GBC) look based on the shots released so far.

Jump into our comparison gallery to see what we mean!

[Via Famitsu]

Shiren GB2, Shiren DS 2 compared originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Promotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials, revisited

Eric Caoili — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Promotional Consideration

We're aware that we write about the Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer games much too much, especially considering that it's a niche series representing such a hardcore genre. But after playing Shiren the Wanderer DS, Chunsoft's remake of the original Super Famicom game and the first Shiren game brought stateside, it's hard for us to think of anything else but the other five Shiren titles that've yet to touch soil outside of Japan.

Chunsoft's recent announcement for Shiren the Wanderer DS 2, another remake, this time porting Furai no Shiren GB2: Sabaku no Majou (Shiren the Wanderer GB2: Demon Castle in the Desert), originally a Game Boy Color title, has only stoked the flames of our yearning. Though it's reckless to assume Sega will eventually localize the game as it did with the SFC remake, we've thrown caution to the wind, blinded by our optimistic heart's promises.

With that explained, hopefully you'll forgive us for featuring another piece on roguelike commercials less than two months after our installment on Pokemon Mystery Dungeon ads. Bring your talking weasel past the post break for two Japanese commercials from Shiren the Wanderer GB2's original 2005 release.

Continue reading Promotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials, revisited

Promotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials, revisited originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Neo Geo Pocket Color almost had Game Boy compatibility

JC Fletcher — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fan stuff, Homebrew

A third-party project was underway during the Neo Geo Pocket Color's short (but beautiful) life to add Game Boy and Game Boy Color functionality to SNK's handheld. Ganksoft Entertainment began by working on a software emulator capable of running GB/GBC software on the NGPC. The project was cancelled before the emulator was finished, due to SNK's dramatic exit from the console market. The screenshot shows roughly what state the emulator was in. Of course, with no software, the hardware never came to fruition either.

Would the system's history have been different if it could run its major competitor's games via an obscure, unlicensed peripheral? The Dreamcast says no.

[Via Insert Credit]

Neo Geo Pocket Color almost had Game Boy compatibility originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 May 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Probably the coolest Game Boy Color you'll see today

Alisha Karabinus — Fri, 02 May 2008 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: Fan stuff

Blurry pictures aside, this modded and painted Game Boy color looks pretty good! It's been Zelda-fied and is now available on eBay, though the Buy it Now price of $70 seems a little ambitious, but maybe with the upgraded sound and the new look, seller auron5881 might get lucky.

It's starting to seem as though Zelda-themed mods and paint jobs are among the most common for Nintendo fans. How's this rate among all you've seen?

Probably the coolest Game Boy Color you'll see today originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 May 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameStop to stop taking Game Boys

Candace Savino — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Are you looking to finally unload your Game Boy, Game Boy Color, or any accompanying games? We'd suggest doing so sooner rather than later, because in a few days it will be too late (at GameStop, at least). As it turns out, the games retailer will no longer be taking these trade-ins as of April 7th.

If you own these systems, though, there's a good chance that you either a) sold them a long time ago or b) have no plans to ever sell them, so we're sure this is a non-issue, for the most part. Still, this makes us feel old.

[Via GoNintendo]

GameStop to stop taking Game Boys originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Man loves DS so much, tries to turn a Game Boy Color into one

David Hinkle — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fan stuff, Hacks, GBA

We can understand. The DS is the best invention since antiseptics, in our eyes, completely revolutionizing our life and bringing peace to the world. It's a device that could probably travel back in time, get into the ring with the great Muhammad Ali and knock him out in two rounds (the DS would spend the first round dancing circles around Ali, humiliating him before going in for the kill in the second round). The DS is our own personal super hero.

So, we can appreciate this mod that puts a touch-screen into a Game Boy Color. But, you may wonder how the controls actually work. See, different areas of the touch-screen are mapped to corresponding buttons, with a majority of the screen being assigned to the d-pad. It's not as exact to the DS, but it's close enough for us.

[Thanks, deadpixels!]

Man loves DS so much, tries to turn a Game Boy Color into one originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Daily: Revisiting the download rumor

Alisha Karabinus — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 09:00:00 EST

The idea of a download service that could offer up older portable (and maybe not-so-originally-portable?) Nintendo games for play on the DS has us so very excited that we just needed to take some time to talk about it a little more. Also, to hyperventilate. But since the daily question is just that -- a question -- and not simply us performing the dance of potential endless joy, we figured we'd ask: what would you want to download, completely (or at least mostly) untouched in some form for play on your DS? Remember, we're talking about Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles, so don't go crazy with the wishing here.

DS Daily: Revisiting the download rumor originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Singapore Airlines passengers get emulated GBC games

David Hinkle — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

While riding the friendly skies with Singapore Airlines, one of the crew over at Siliconera found themselves in for a treat. Well, kind of. See, the airline offers emulated Game Boy Color games for use during your flight, to help you stab that foul beast called boredom directly in its disgusting, black heart. While a nice gesture, it turns out the emulation software has some issues.

First of all, there are only two categories of play: Pokemon and Adventure. Also, the titles under the Adventure category suffer from choppy frame rates and overall sluggish play. As far as the Pokemon games go, there is no save feature, hardly making an effort to actually progress in the game a meaningless one.

Other flights, however, featured different titles. Some flights featured The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Wario Land 3. Others even had Picross 2. All in all, seems like a good idea executed somewhat poorly.

Singapore Airlines passengers get emulated GBC games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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