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[The NES before it was the NES (and the knitting machine that almost was)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/the-nes-before-it-was-the-nes-and-the-knitting-machine-that-alm/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/the-nes-before-it-was-the-nes-and-the-knitting-machine-that-alm/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/the-nes-before-it-was-the-nes-and-the-knitting-machine-that-alm/#comments Howard Lincoln's amazing facebook page and its many treasuresBefore the Famicom became the Nintendo Entertainment system, Nintendo of America had plans to launch it as the "Advanced Video System," a totally different looking device with weird, weird peripherals. And before Howard Phillips was the bow-tied foil to Nester in Nintendo Power comics, he was a real Nintendo executive trying to sell the "AVS" to retailers.

"Gamemaster Howard" posted a vintage brochure on Facebook, full of hypothetical, prototyped AVS designs that never made it to market. Some of this stuff is on display in the Nintendo World Store, but now you can see it as Nintendo wanted it to be seen back in early 1985, complete with pompous ad copy and absurd peripherals - and the weird wireless controller with the square D-pad. "Glad we punted on both the design (not as comfortable or as precise as the D-pad) and the IR (inconsistent performance) for the NES controllers (best controller ever designed?)," Phillips noted in a Facebook comment.

Phillips also posted an ad for an unreleased NES peripheral from 1987 - a knitting machine that interfaced with the system for its designs. "Mr. A (Arakawa) [Nintendo of America president at the time] asked me with just 30 minutes notice to give Toys R Us Chairman Charles Lazarus a live demo," Phillips said. "Likely one of my least genuinely enthusiastic demos." See that gloriously Nintendo-centric ad after the break.

Continue reading The NES before it was the NES (and the knitting machine that almost was)

JoystiqThe NES before it was the NES (and the knitting machine that almost was) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced-video-systemfacebookhoward-phillipsnesnintendo-entertainment-systemnintendo-knitting-machinenow-youre-knitting-with-powerThu, 30 Aug 2012 10:40:00 EST<![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[Guitar made out of an NES sounds like it's made out of an NES]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/guitar-made-out-of-an-nes-sounds-like-its-made-out-of-an-nes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/guitar-made-out-of-an-nes-sounds-like-its-made-out-of-an-nes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/guitar-made-out-of-an-nes-sounds-like-its-made-out-of-an-nes/#comments What to get for the Nintendo fan in your life who already has everything? How about this guitar made out of a Nintendo Entertainment System? GetLoFi.com hacked a working electric guitar together from the body of an NES, and as you can tell from the YouTube video after the break, it sounds ... ok?

So it's not great, but then again it's basically a box made out of plastic. The guitar is being sold for $150 on GetLoFi's web shop, and because it's custom made (the neck is a reused oak guitar neck), they've only got one for sale, but they seem game to make more if the demand is there. The NES itself has been hollowed out for all the other electronics, so if you want to play your favorite NES games while strumming their tunes, you'll need your own console for that.

Continue reading Guitar made out of an NES sounds like it's made out of an NES

JoystiqGuitar made out of an NES sounds like it's made out of an NES originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customgetlofiguitarhackmusicNESnintendo-entertainment-systemThu, 09 Dec 2010 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NES RetroVision: play Game Boy games on your NES]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/nes-retrovision-play-game-boy-games-on-your-nes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/nes-retrovision-play-game-boy-games-on-your-nes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/nes-retrovision-play-game-boy-games-on-your-nes/#comments We can't imagine why anyone would want to play a Game Boy game via their NES -- aside from the cool factor, that is. You can still find a Game Boy player relatively cheap, hook it up to your GameCube and get your handheld-on-TV fix that. But we digress.

Nintendo Age forum user bunnyboy is responsible for the Frankensteinian concoction of cool you see above: the NES RetroVision. It follows the same principles of the Super Game Boy, except in that it functions with the NES. By cramming the guts of a Game Boy into an NES cart, bunnyboy uses a custom board to translate the Game Boy graphics into a format understood by the NES. Utilizing a second controller, you can then change the border and colors displayed on-screen.

There isn't a page or any way to order one of these kits just yet, though bunnyboy promises that he'll eventually have some for sale. If you want one, you're going to have to fork over $130 plus shipping.

[Via never know tech]

JoystiqNES RetroVision: play Game Boy games on your NES originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 May 2010 17:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-boymodmodsnesnes-retrovisionnintendo-entertainment-systemsuper-game-boyTue, 11 May 2010 17:43:00 EST<![CDATA[VC in Brief: Mega Man 4 (NES)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/vc-in-brief-mega-man-4-nes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/vc-in-brief-mega-man-4-nes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/vc-in-brief-mega-man-4-nes/#commentsDo you like incredibly tough video games? What if those games also star small, robotic children? Well then, we've got quite the VC in Brief for you this week, as we check out Mega Man 4 -- a game that not only has all of those things, but also teaches us how robots can murder and then "acquire" the abilities of their mechanical brethren. Life lessons, folks -- life lessons.
  • Mega Man 4 (NES, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)
Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer VC in Brief as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.

JoystiqVC in Brief: Mega Man 4 (NES) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcommega-manmega-man-4nesnintendo-entertainment-systemvc-in-briefvirtual-consoleMon, 19 Apr 2010 18:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii sales surpass NES; DS Nintendo's best-selling hardware ever]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/wii-sales-surpass-nes-ds-nintendos-best-selling-hardware-ever/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/wii-sales-surpass-nes-ds-nintendos-best-selling-hardware-ever/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/wii-sales-surpass-nes-ds-nintendos-best-selling-hardware-ever/#comments
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]

JoystiqWii 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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsgame-boygame-boy-colorlife-to-datenesnintendonintendo-entertainment-systemsaleswiiFri, 29 Jan 2010 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[8-bit for the holidays: Gingerbread Entertainment System]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/8-bit-for-the-holidays-gingerbread-entertainment-system/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/8-bit-for-the-holidays-gingerbread-entertainment-system/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/8-bit-for-the-holidays-gingerbread-entertainment-system/#commentsFiled under:


With it being Christmas next week, some look to making gingerbread houses as part of the fun of the holiday. For us, we usually just relish the time we get off to actually play games, but to each their own. Enter this NES made from gingerbread you see above. We especially like the licorice used as the cord, which just so happens to spell out Nintendo.

Personally, if we were going to make anything out of gingerbread, we'd probably also go with a NES. Or maybe a life-sized Boba Fett. You know, something tasteful.


[Via Geekologie]

Joystiq8-bit for the holidays: Gingerbread Entertainment System originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gingerbreadgingerbread-nesnesnintendo-entertainment-systemretroFri, 19 Dec 2008 19:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Punish your wallet with this NES mod]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/26/punish-your-wallet-with-this-nes-mod/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/26/punish-your-wallet-with-this-nes-mod/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/26/punish-your-wallet-with-this-nes-mod/#commentsFiled under:


While we're not the biggest Punisher fans in the world, we'll give credit where credit is due; this NES mod is very nice. With the LED lights and the slick, glossy paint job, we're finding ourselves a bit jealous of the individual who's soon to have this beaut. Of course, when we think about how much the inevitable winner of the eBay auction is going to have to shell out to win this bad boy, it helps.

Hit up the video above then check out the gallery below for screens of the NES from almost every angle.


[Thanks, Val!]

JoystiqPunish your wallet with this NES mod originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customnesguyebayjoystiqfeaturesnesnintendo-entertainment-systemthe-punisherWed, 26 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[VC Monday Madness: Mega Man 2 [update 2]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/15/vc-monday-madness-mega-man-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/15/vc-monday-madness-mega-man-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/15/vc-monday-madness-mega-man-2/#commentsFiled under:


Update 2: Video is back!

Mega Man 2 is something folks can talk at length about. Whether it's strategy involving the 8 initial bosses and their stages, or the bickering between which weapon is the best, it's a game that many hold near and dear to their hearts. If you're a gamer in their 20-somethings, you likely remember this being one of the greatest games of your life. And, to celebrate the upcoming Mega Man 9, it's released to the Virtual Console. If you can't download this amazing game for $5, or don't already own it, you're doing yourself a great disservice. Everyone should spend some time with this game at least one time in their life.
Each week, we here at Wii Fanboy like to check out the latest Virtual Console releases in our VC Monday Madness feature, in the hopes that you can make the most sound decision possible regarding purchasing retro titles from the Wii Shop Channel. If you're looking for more retro goodness, check out Virtually Overlooked, which talks about games that should be on the Virtual Console.

JoystiqVC Monday Madness: Mega Man 2 [update 2] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2dcapcomjoystiqfeaturesmega-manmega-man-2nesnintendo-entertainment-systemMon, 15 Sep 2008 18:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Handheld NES ... in an NES cartridge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/04/handheld-nes-in-an-nes-cartridge/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/04/handheld-nes-in-an-nes-cartridge/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/04/handheld-nes-in-an-nes-cartridge/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Our first thought upon seeing this very cool hack was "that's awesome." Our second thought was "do you have to blow on it to make it work?"

BenHeck.com forum member "darkeru" created this inventive new take on a home made NES portable, which manages to squeeze all of the 8-bit dynamo's guts into a 4.1" by 5.5" space ... with a backlit LCD display. We just had a third thought: what happens when you connect it to this portable NES?

[Via Hack a Day]

JoystiqHandheld NES ... in an NES cartridge originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cartcartridgehacknesnintendonintendo-entertainment-systemFri, 04 Jul 2008 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Illegal ROMs at Wizard World? What?!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/illegal-roms-at-wizard-world-what/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/illegal-roms-at-wizard-world-what/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/illegal-roms-at-wizard-world-what/#commentsFiled under:


I recently attended Wizard World Philadelphia, not because I'm a huge comic nerd or anything, but because my friends are. So, with a couple of buddies, I headed on down to the Philly Convention Center and prepared myself to be underwhelmed by the gaming action on tap and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of cosplayers there.

Imagine my surprise when I actually stumbled on something I could write about. Well, it's not something I'm actually happy to be writing about. You see, for some odd reason, a vendor was allowed to be set up on the show floor, selling CDs chock full of illegal ROMs.

Continue reading Illegal ROMs at Wizard World? What?!

JoystiqIllegal ROMs at Wizard World? What?! originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>illegal-romillegal-romsnesnintendo-entertainment-systemphiladelphiapiracyromromswizard-worldTue, 03 Jun 2008 12:30:00 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