Feature The Real Wizard: A Nintendo World Champion's Tale
Jeff Hansen talks about his past life as a gaming superstar
Random This 'Joy Boy' Hardware Concept Could Be The Virtual Console Solution We Need
Shame it's just an idea at the moment
Feature What Makes A Person Sell Their Entire Retro Games Collection?
"I'm just hoarding and not even appreciating them"
Feature Freedom Fighter: Paul Cuisset On The Making Of Flashback
As the 16-bit classic comes to Switch, its director reflects
Retro - News
October2014
Rares follow-up to Banjo-Kazooie didnt arrive on the N64 with quite the same amount of impact as that of its first 3D platformer, but it nevertheless an impressive, and one which drew much critical acclaim. Banjo-Tooie is an even bigger game that achieves a number of technical feats, such as long draw distances and real-time shadows, without...
News Developers Reflect on F-Zero As It Passes Ten Years in the Wilderness
"F-Zero is really something special to me"
Barely an E3 or Nintendo Direct goes by without someone in the Nintendo Life team muttering that maybe, against all odds, F-Zero will return. It's now been over ten years since F-Zero Climax, a thoroughly disappointing Game Boy Advance entry that's ignored by many, arrived in stores. It was an inglorious...
Taking everything that made ISS64 a true next-generation football game, ISS 98 went far further, solidifying its reputation as the best football game on the N64. Its arcade style stands the test of time with fluid controls and ISS64s bugs eradicated. Tournaments / scenarios allow immense enjoyment alone but multiplayer is where it truly shines...
News Crazy EarthBound Fans Open EarthBound-themed Media Kickstarter
Many other, equally crazy EarthBound fans are backing it
It's 20 years old, with a prequel and sequel never officially released in the West, yet EarthBound continues to possess a significant presence in the gaming world. You can largely thank the game's dedicated fanbase for that; some so dedicated that they're planning to produce a cultural...
As a rally racer, TGR was not alone on the N64. Yet it stood shoulders above the competition. Its copious variables really added longevity; taking time to become skilled enough to be an expert, whether racing in snow or choosing the right suspension. Graphically impressive with excellent course layouts and locations: Strip Mine a personal...
Video Did You Know Gaming Tackles Donkey Kong Once Again
The Rare years
Rare's Donkey Kong titles have recently been making their way onto the Wii U eShop in Europe — and hopefully will do so soon in North America — making it a good time to look back on the franchise. Whether that timing was part of its consideration or not, we do have Did You Know Gaming returning to the DK IP in its latest video...
Nintendo 64x64 Jet Force Gemini
Rare again with another original title: wonderful visuals, addictive gameplay and atmospheric soundtrack. You're the JFG team, attempting to thwart antagonist Mizar and his insect army. As a third-person shooter, it showed another string to Rare's bow and was very popular. Personally, a least-favourite Rare N64 outing, having awkward controls and...
Nintendo 64x64 Turok: Rage Wars
Amongst four Turok games, Rage Wars is only for the purest Turok fan. Essentially, its a multiplayer-only game: lots of game options, characters, weapons and levels make for great battling. Single-player is weak compared to canonical Turok games, with its most redeeming feature being Co-op mode; although, subsequently bettered by Perfect Dark...
In the 3D age, this took Tetris to the next logical stage. By matching shapes, you break into a sphere to (e.g.) rescue that which is trapped inside. Graphically, it sensibly wasnt overcomplicated, further accompanied by superb music score. Highly addictive in single and multiplayer modes, as all puzzle games should be. Despite this, still parts...
Nintendo 64x64 Super Smash Bros
It may feature a limited number of characters and stages compared to later instalments, but Super Smash Bros. packed one hell of a punch when it landed in 1999. It feels a tad sluggish today, but the brawl 'em up's arena style gameplay system stills offers an addictive and frantic multiplayer experience. The merging of different Nintendo universes...
Nintendo 64x64 Shadows of the Empire
At the time, a decent addition to the Star Wars franchise despite its failings being magnified up against Mario 64. Level locations, atmosphere, music capture the Star Wars universe well. Personally, too many third-person platform levels: the game needed more variety. These levels are clunky and some overly long. Bosses can also be unnecessarily...
News The Game Boy Color is Now 16 Years Old
It'll be asking to host house parties...
Nintendo's released so many systems and iconic games that anniversaries are a regular occurrence; now it's the turn of the Game Boy Color — it's 16 years old, having been released in Japan on 21st October 1998. While some attribute Nintendo's trend for focusing on innovation and content over raw power as a...
News RETRO Game Magazine Well On Its Way To Funding Another Year Of Issues
One for the print fans
While we've seen some iconic brands close down over the past year in the gaming print industry, some magazines and print projects have found life by gaining support through crowdfunding platforms. One of these is RETRO Video Game Magazine, which launched last year through a successful Kickstarter campaign; it's now back to...
Feature The Making of Rocket: Robot on Wheels
How one of the N64's most criminally under-appreciated games came to be
The Nintendo 64, while simultaneously renowned and infamous for doing many things, is arguably best remembered for defining the 3D platforming genre. When Super Mario 64 released in 1996, it didn't just blow everyone’s socks off; it revolutionised home console gaming and set...
Nintendo 64x64 The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
A Link To The Mask
Releasing another same-platform entry following up the greatest game the N64 had seen was bold by Nintendo. Its two new gameplay mechanics, time travel and the use of masks, were simple at heart yet utterly integral in creating a sublime, more interesting, and darker world than Hyrule. It retained everything exquisite about OoT...
News New Music and Voice Samples Discovered in the Donkey Kong Arcade
A few decades on, there's still more to find
The Donkey Kong arcade was a key turning point for Nintendo as a company, as it brought Shigeru Miyamoto to the fore and helped to demonstrate to Hiroshi Yamauchi and his management that the video game business could be lucrative for the company. It's so iconic that a small band of gamers still compete...
What a treasure
Few N64 games manage to come close to delivering the sheer amount of chaotic action that Bakuretsu Muteki Bangaioh delivers in droves. A Japanese exclusive, this 2D shoot em up majestically -- and intentionally -- puts both the player and the console through their paces; the hundreds of projectiles and enemies on screen at any one...
Poll Nintendo Minute Debate - Is Super Mario World or Super Mario Bros. 3 More Influential?
Well, which one?
We often like to share Nintendo Minute videos here on Nintendo Life, the series in which hosts Kit and Krysta play games and do various things to entertain big N fans. Their video this week tries something a little different, as the two hosts debate the following: Which game is more influential – Super Mario World or Super Mario...
Say Cheese
Off-beat and remarkably novel, its surprising just how well Pokémon Snap works as a concept. In this snap em up, you trade in your Pokéballs for a trusty camera, with which you have to take the best Pokémon portraits possible. Sporting delightful environments and plenty of secrets to keep you coming back, its still one of the...
Mario Kart on snow
Racdym's cute and vibrant snowboarding-themed racing game is one that's unfairly drowned out by the perpetual, yet understandable noise that surrounds its more popular counterparts, Mario Kart 64 and Diddy Kong Racing. Incorporating a remarkably balanced offensive / defensive power-up system and a nifty stunt system that feeds...
Nintendo 64x64 007 The World is not Enough
Christmas only comes once a year
No beating around the bush here; Eurocom produced a Goldeneye clone of epic, almost plagiaristic, proportions. Yet if one ignores this, TWINE is still an enjoyable FPS: objectives vary and increase with difficulty; AI is decent; locations represent the film faithfully; and its well-animated throughout. A return to...
News Transport Yourself To The Eighties With This Totally Dope Ultimate NES Remix Cap
Ships with the game when you buy from the UK online store
Ultimate NES Remix is a collection of mini-games inspired by some of Nintendo's finest 8-bit escapades and — we we're sure you're aware — hits the 3DS next month. Just in case the game's considerable retro vibe isn't strong enough for you, you can now pre-order the title from the...
THE PRE-BATTLE HAS BEGUN!
Transferring data between games is a common feature nowadays, but in 1999 it was a huge deal for Pokémon fans who could finally see their favourite creatures battle it out in 3D. The pure focus on battling -- with various rule sets to choose from -- makes for a change of pace from the Game Boy original. The mini-games,...
News Junichi Masuda Talks Pokémon Snap and Listening to Fans
Get your Game Freak on
In a recent interview about Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, director of the Pokémon games Junichi Masuda talked about the fans' desire to see a new Pokémon Snap game. Masuda-san was clear to point out that the N64 cult classic "wasn't originally developed by Game Freak", although it does seem that he has a certain...
Video Your Heart Will Melt At This Sega Genesis Promo Created By A Son and His Gaming Mad Father
1991 home movie intended to convince family members to dump the NES
As you'll know if you've read the recent Console Wars, back in the early '90s Nintendo was still very much the king of the hill when it came to video games. Sega's time in the sun was yet to come, but the 16-bit Genesis (Mega Drive if you're outside of the US) was already making...
Operation Alien Overlord
A valiant console port of a PC classic, Quake II on the N64 comes with an original campaign and four-player multiplayer. The latter is where the game truly shines, providing a quicker and much deadlier arena shooter experience than competing titles on the system. It excels in terms of technical performance -- notably the...
Video Here's a Simultaneous Speedrun of Super Mario 64, Ocarina of Time and GoldenEye
All in under an hour
We're certainly fans of speedruns here on Nintendo Life, as few gaming pursuits push the boundaries of games and those playing them as far. Whether world records in classic Zelda games that exploit errors in coding, or flat-out runs that tackle every stage in order, there's plenty to enjoy in seeing the best of the field show...
Hey, Mario! We got a letter from Princess Peach!
It may possess a paper-thin aesthetic, but Paper Mario's biggest success is that it adds considerable depth to what is historically a story-weak franchise. The puzzles may be a little on the simple side, but otherwise this is a rich and fulfilling RPG experience -- something which is quite hard to...
Weirdness Super Mario 64 Has a New Level of Immersion in Oculus Rift
Motion controls for punching, anyone?
We've seen plenty of Oculus Rift mods over the past year that attempt to breath new life into retro Nintendo games. Some have been a tad peculiar, while examples such as Metroid Prime suited the virtual reality technology particularly well. Running a Super Mario 64 mod through the VR headset isn't new, but...
Video Another Neat 1-UP Trick Has Been Found in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
Awesome skills
The NES-era Mario platformers are still much-loved to this day, and are still tested and experimented upon by eager gamers looking for glitches and tricks. Given the limitations of the 8-bit hardware these are bountiful and are still being found; they can be rather entertaining for those of us without the skills to find them...
Nintendo 64x64 Conker's Bad Fur Day
One mean %&*@% Squirrel…
Only Rare could have taken the cutesy adventure platformer genre and so masterfully warped it into such an hilariously offensive and beautifully vulgar gameplay experience. Enter Conker, a binge-drinking squirrel, whose walk home from the pub quickly turns into an adventure of inappropriate and scatological proportions...
Par 4
One of Mario Golfs biggest successes is its intuitive and simple interface; its easy for anyone to play, making it a title that appeals even to those who dont show any enthusiasm for the real-life sport. Featuring a good number of playable characters; varied and challenging courses; and connectivity with the Game Boy Color version,...
Nintendo 64x64 Mystical Ninja 2 Starring Goemon
Goemon returns!
The follow-up to Goemon's first 3D outing trades the free-roaming environments of its predecessor for a tighter and far more challenging 2.5 experience. The game comes with a two-player cooperative mode, which also extends to the series' renowned giant robot battles. Of particular note is the fantastic music, which merges traditional...
Near Perfect?
The Messi of FPSs: sublime graphics, gameplay, longevity, multiplayer. Goldeneye was tough to follow but the freedom of originality allowed Rare to let their creativity loose: Co-op mode; superb array of weapons; using Miyamoto's face (!) are some of my favourites. So why do I prefer Goldeneye? To me, it reinvented FPSs; Perfect Dark...
Nintendo 64x64 Mission: Impossible
"should you choose to accept it"
Best enjoyed without the obvious comparison with other movie tie-ins. Don't judge on the poor opening two levels; they're far more engaging and complex as it progresses, plus unlocking levels like Terminal Room is immensely rewarding. Its strength is the stealth elements of the game, although unfortunately hindered...
News Mega Video Game Fan Aaron "NintendoTwizer" Norton Auctions Gaming Goldmine
Coins and rupees incoming?
If you thought your gaming collection was something extraordinary, think again. eBay enthusiast reel.big.fish — perhaps better known as Aaron “NintendoTwizer” Norton — has decided to auction his entire collection of consoles, games, and gaming memorabilia. This includes more than 5,700 games, with systems (and...
Nintendo 64x64 WCW/nWo Revenge
"Fighting Game of the Year"
The best WCW game ever and only bettered by THQ's very own No Mercy. The game engine was the best a wrestling game ever had; simple controls to use, with scope to hone and perfect for expert status. It had a fantastic roster, all WCW arenas and competition for every belt. Revenge should have had a proper create-a-player...
Video You are Hereby Ordered To Surrender Nearly Three Hours Of Your Life To Game Boy Title Screens
Strangely mesmerising
Ever wondered what it would be like to sit through every single Game Boy title screen? Ponder no longer, as YouTube user NicksplosionFX has given us the chance to do just that. The video below is almost three hours (2:42:02, to be precise) of Game Boy title screens — that's every known original game for the console — and...
Video Check Out this Adorable Tribute to the Mother Series
That's 'Earthbound' to us
Regardless of who wrote them, fans are the ones who can really tell the story of a game better than anyone, and that statement is no truer than in this video which pays homage to the Mother series, which sadly still only exists as a single game outside of Japan. All of the peculiarity, all of the charm, and all of the...
News This Castlevania Super NES May Be The Spookiest Console Yet
We want one
The eagle-eyed among you have no doubt noticed that we like some modded retro consoles here at Nintendo Life; giving a new design and style to a lovely old system can be a fine thing indeed. This latest effort is also perfect for the upcoming Halloween festivities. It's the work of Vadu Amka, who we've featured before with some stylish...
Video Here Are Some Fun Facts About The Mighty GameCube
GCN or NGC?
The GameCube may be Nintendo's lowest-selling home console to date, but for some it's a special part of the company's history. It was the last occasion when a Nintendo system competed toe-to-toe with contemporaries in terms of raw graphical power, it brought us some absolute classics in its library, and it had a handle. Its controller...
Acclaim Entertainment took the successes and failures of its original first-person shooter for N64 and used them to influence the creation of a sequel that was superior in virtually every single way. The campaign mode is much more tightly designed, although getting lost is still quite easy at times. When played using an Expansion Pak, the game...
News You Can Now Download The Entire Banjo-Kazooie Soundtrack For Your Listening Pleasure
And we mean the ENTIRE soundtrack
Rare's N64 classic Banjo-Kazooie is one of the best 3D platformers you're likely to find on any console, and its soundtrack was also pretty swell to boot. You can now download every piece of music contained in the game — that's 164 different tracks — over at composer Grant Kirkhope's Bandcamp page. It's not...
Nintendo 64x64 Sin & Punishment
A real gem from the legendary shmup factory that is Treasure, Sin & Punishment delivers a consistently action-packed experience from start to finish. A Japanese exclusive that finally saw an international release through the Wii Virtual Console in 2007, the combination of ranged and melee combat results in a varied gameplay experience. The story is...
Nintendo 64x64 Space Station Silicon Valley
Its hard to believe that SSSV was created by the team that would go on to develop Grand Theft Auto III; quirky, playful and downright bizarre in tone, yet remarkably fun as a result. Playing as a crawling microchip, you must commandeer various robotic animals to defeat enemies and solve exceptionally creative puzzles in a futuristic amusement...
Ah Mr. Bond, we've been expecting you...
A masterpiece of the first-person shooter and entire console gaming. Beautifully rendered visuals immerse you in the well-expanded film world with controls easy to use, challenging to perfect. Three difficulty levels pitched faultlessly wonderfully rewarding on completion, especially Secret Agent. Levels...
Nintendo 64x64 Mickey Speedway USA
Rare's spiritual follow-up to Diddy Kong Racing didn't contain quite the same level of magic and charm -- surprising given its Disney setting. Nevertheless, Mickey's Speedway USA achieves on a technical level, sporting a mostly consistent frame rate and tight track design to boot. The multiplayer mode is a worthwhile alternative to more popular...
Nintendo 64x64 Mischief Makers
2D on 3D platforms is risky. Mischief Makers shows how to get it right: by being utterly unique. Immediately surreal, youre Marina; a robot on a quest to save her creator..! You jump, shake and throw your way through levels and worlds, and this simple premise is variedly combined to offer many types of level. 2D but nothing like you played on the...
Imagine the fast-paced gameplay of Quake, throw in some futuristic hover vehicles and you've pretty much got Forsaken. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this game is the incredible sense of speed you move at, although this quickly disappears with three other players also firing off various high-tech weapons. The campaign doesn't provide quite...
September2014
News Ocarina of Time gets a 2D Makeover
Downgradin' and relaxin'
A group of Zelda fans have decided to take the classic gameplay and graphics from A Link to the Past and apply it to what is arguably the most famous outing the the Zelda series, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The game is in the very early stages, and it’s not clear what engine the game is running on, but it’s...
Weirdness Rainbow Road Muscles its Way onto Realistic Racer Assetto Corsa
Hilariously out-of-place
Rainbow Road from Super Mario 64 is a track steeped in many people's nostalgia banks, and Mario Kart 8 recreated that experience in HD for the first time earlier this year. Now, a clever modder who goes by the name of 'N64AC' has managed to get the original track working on an upcoming realistic racing simulator coming out...
Nintendo 64x64 Killer Instinct Gold
Wisely held back from the Snes; giving gamers a further reason for a N64. Subsequently, better fighters did arrive but this became one to saviour as Rare never produced its own sequel. Instantly, the killer soundtrack stands out as well as great backgrounds, fresh new characters and team battles. Pitched perfectly to novices and experts; a rare...
Book Review Boss Fight Books - Super Mario Bros. 2
Subcon-text
For how unique it is compared to other games in the Mario line, it’s amazing how easily Super Mario Bros. 2 is taken at face value or glossed over entirely. Many fans are happy to share the fact that the game is actually a reskin of Japanese title Doki Doki Panic after the original Super Mario Bros. sequel was deemed too difficult...
The best F-Zero
F-Zero had abundant stand-out features, leaving even the strong competition tailing. Although graphically divisive, fans hailed Nintendo for capturing the Snes essence - choosing speed and frame rate over unnecessary graphical overhaul. Persevere with completion - the ground breaking random track generator ensures longevity almost...
Nintendo 64x64 Gauntlet Legends
While a multiplatform release, the N64 version of Gauntlet Legends benefited greatly from the system's four built-in controller ports. Ported over from the arcade, Gauntlet Legends' simplistic hack n' slash gameplay makes it accessible to players of all skill levels. It's a solid, button-bashing adventure which is best enjoyed with three friends...
Nintendo 64x64 F1 World Grand Prix
Solid racer but one only suitable for the niche F1 gamer, not a casual lover of the racing genre. The F1 'feel' is realistic and racing from the bumpy cockpit view is awesome. Accurate track layouts yet backgrounds are dull and racing them doesn't engage like a F-Zero or MK64 track. Advice: conquer the challenges but turn down that incessant...
18 years on and the wave physics still mightily impress; capturing the essence of jet skiing is WR64's finest achievement, yet not its sole one. Firstly, eight tracks that are so well-constructed the replay value moves into decade three. Secondly, it's immensely challenging - myself yet to win at expert! If the PAL version hadn't suffered and...
At a popular period for futuristic racers, Extreme-G was certainly not ground breaking... nor terrible either. Pace is extreme indeed; developers allowing this by misting the upcoming track, luckily not spoiling your ability to race. Admirable scenery (dystopian industries, Aztec past / future fusions) and fitting soundtrack rescue it because track...
Developer Interview How Two Graduates From Nottingham Are Bringing Robin Hood To Life On The SNES
"We'd absolutely love to be able to do a cartridge release"
Indie development has never been more popular than it is now, with each of the major console makers bending over backwards to accommodate bedroom coders in the hope of finding the next Minecraft. However, while most small-scale devs favour the likes of iOS, Android, Steam and the digital...
Excitebike 64 serves as yet another prime example of Nintendo's sheer mastery when it comes to developing technical racing games. A fully 3D sequel to the NES classic, this title requires players to pay particular attention to the topography of tracks. Features some of the best quality visuals and audio on the N64, although Hi-Res mode comes at the...
News Hyperkin Responds To Accusations Of Infringing On The Rights Of Emulator Creators
"We have not been as quick as we could have been"
Last week, we reported on accusations that Hyperkin had infringed on the right of emulator authors with its RetroN 5 console, and at the time we gave Hyperkin the chance to put across its side of the story. We've now had an official response from Hyperkin developer Lawrence Lee: It has always been...
News Super Mario World Speedrun Record Is Broken
Beating the game in under 10 minutes is an artform
Super Mario World is a big game — so big it put other 2D platformers to shame when it launched alongside the shiny new SNES back in the early '90s. However, while many of us will have happy memories of wasting countless hours finding all those levels and secret routes, speedrunner linkdeadx2 has...
Video These Mario Games Have More Secrets Than You May Think
And it's not even Easter
Continuing the series of discovering hidden Easter eggs in games, Did You Know Gaming has released the final part of its dissection of main series Mario games. It's always a joy to see hidden little details and secrets in video games, it shows just how much developers care about the creations that they make. Unsurprisingly,...
Rescue you he will not dare, there's many dangers in my lair!
Its Mario 64 comparison was always inevitable and which is better is divisive. BK's biggest strengths lie in its 'Rareness': game engine crafted excellently; splendidly contrasting worlds of increasing challenge; Grunty's surprise quiz; and Rare's unique humour injection. Does it have...
News Mother 4 Is On The Way, But It's Not Being Made By Nintendo
Fan project is aiming for a release this year
The Mother series — perhaps better known in the west as EarthBound (AKA Mother 2) — is one of Nintendo's most enduring franchises. However, it has been dormant since 2006, when Mother 3 hit the Game Boy Advance in Japan. Rather than wait for Nintendo to start work on a fourth game in the series —...
Nintendo 64x64 Beetle Adventure Racing
Arcade-style racing from the creative minds behind N64 launch title, Pilotwings 64. What makes Beetle Adventure Racing so enjoyable is that it feels fast and doesnt punish you too much when you make mistakes. It looks pretty good too, with its decent lighting effects and accurate VW Beetle models. The multiplayer battle mode makes for a nice...
News Mitchell Corp Is Keen To Bring Strider's Spiritual Sequel To Home Formats
Along with many of its other arcade titles
Mitchell Corp might not be a household name with most gamers, but the more astute among you will recognise the name from such hits as Pang, Puzz Loop and Polarium. Founded by former Data East staffer Roy Ozaki, the firm has enjoyed a very close relationship with Nintendo in recent years, with its last title...
Nintendo 64x64 Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon
Your friendly neighbourhood ninja
A platforming adventure that takes place across Feudal Japan, Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon focuses on a kiseru-wielding hero and his friends trying to prevent the country from being turned into a westernised fine arts theatre. Rich in Japanese folklore, yet stuffed with anachronisms such as giant robots, the...
On target
Released alongside the N64, Pilotwings 64 delivered a sense of scale and open-world exploration that easily rivalled that of Super Mario 64. While it may not have been as revolutionary, it arguably did a better job of showcasing one of the N64's major unique selling points: the analog joystick, which provides a level of precision that...
Nintendo 64x64 Chameleon Twist
Chameleon Twist is the game that Yoshi's Story should have been. Playing as an anthropomorphised chameleon, you're tasked with traversing a range of 3D environments, using your character's remarkably long tongue to reach otherwise inaccessible places and defeat enemies. An innovative idea that uses the control stick to its strengths, and one which...
Book Review The Untold Story Of Japanese Game Developers: Volume 1
Charting a golden era
When journalist and novelist John Szczepaniak launched his Kickstarter campaign back in 2013 to record the hitherto undocumented story of Japan's game development community, there were a few raised eyebrows around the web. His funding goal was a lofty one, and the task seemed almost herculean in scope — he planned to travel...
Quite the smash
It wasn't the portly plumber's first outing on the virtual court, but Mario Tennis was nevertheless the first smash-hit in the franchise. The simple control input is easy to understand, yet allows for advanced techniques too; the control sticks enhances accuracy greatly. The single-player tournament mode is a bit drawn and...
News Hyperkin's RetroN 5 Console Allegedly Infringes On The Rights Of Multiple Emulator Authors
Team behind RetroArch says Hyperkin is using emulators without permission
Hyperkin's RetroN 5 console is a fantastic way to enjoy old classics, and offers plenty of benefits over existing clone retro systems, largely because it uses advanced software emulation to offer HD visuals and other benefits. However, it would appear that Hyperkin can't...
News First 4 Figures Unveils Running Mega Man Collectibles
Oh my...
While they're a purchase typically too extravagant for many, including this humble writer, we at Nintendo Life nevertheless enjoy gawking at the latest efforts from First 4 Figures, the prominent purveyor of lovely but unaffordable game-related collectibles. Enter two new iterations of a Running Mega Man for us to gaze upon. Portraying the...
3... 2... 1... GO!
Despite some memorable moments from this game, it disappoints compared to its predecessor. Level of challenge almost non-existent; 150cc is comparatively a walk in the park. Rainbow Road is laborious and let's not get started on Battle Mode... Agreed, tracks are beautiful, with varied locations and their own challenges and quirks:...
News You Need To See This Amazing Hand-Sculpted Donkey Kong GBA SP Case Mod
Good luck trying to play a game on it, though
If you follow the hardware modding community then the name Vadu Amka will be instantly familiar to you. A seasoned pro when it comes to taking existing systems and making them even more attractive, Amka has recently released another new creation: a Game Boy Advance SP which is based on the model used in...
Nintendo 64x64 BattleTanx: Global Assault
Madison's Militia
BattleTanx: Global Assault is one of those games that deserved far more attention than it actually got. Incorporating fast-paced gameplay based around tank warfare, the game's sense of scale and all-out action is surprising for an N64 title. The campaign mode is a tad repetitive, although more enjoyable when played cooperatively;...
News Missing Super Mario Philips CD-i Game Comes To Light
How Mario almost took America
When Nintendo ditched Sony at the altar and decided not to proceed with the SNES-based PlayStation console, it quickly inked a new deal with Dutch firm Philips. That agreement also fell through, but Nintendo sweetened the divorce by allowing Philips to create games based on its characters for its CD-i entertainment...
They see me cruis'n...
An arcade port that never used the N64's true capabilities and looked easily at home on a PSOne with its pop-up cardboard scenery. Although there are finer racers on the system, it's an enjoyable arcade-style racer: plenty of tracks with recognisable locations, and unlockable cars. It's slightly average but as a Brit who's...
News New Hardcore Gaming 101 Book Takes On Konami's Classic Castlevania Series
Physical and digital versions available now
Remember Sega Arcade Classics Volume 1? Well Hardcore Gaming 101 founder Kurt Kalata is taking a break before starting Volume 2 and has put together another fine tome in the form of Hardcore Gaming 101 Presents: Castlevania. Kalata will be famous among seasoned Castlevania fans as the man behind The...
News The GameCube is 13 Years Old
Happy Birthday to the handled innovator
The GameCube, the system with a look like no other, is now 13 years old. Released in Japan on 14th September 2001, it holds a special place in the hearts of many Nintendo gamers, and was memorable not just for the fact it had a handle, but due to its line-up of exceptional games. While it holds the...
"Mr. Diaz, a synthetic human hybrid created by aliens"
Hybrid Heaven was certainly an ambitious game from Konami and felt widely ignored at a time of MGSs, Final Fantasies, and Zeldas. It deserves praise for trying to revolutionise the norm: a unique battle system; an outlandish plot; claustrophobic playing areas rife. Faults? Much like M:I and SOTE...
Weirdness Here Is A Super Famicom On Top Of Mount Fuji
Reaching new heights since the '90s
The Super Nintendo goes down in history as one of the greatest video game systems of all-time, for a variety reasons – be it the at the time revolutionary controller design, the cutting edge graphics and audio, or the stunning library of games. So how do you make one of the most legendary Nintendo consoles to...
An exclusive to the console in what is a relatively small-scale franchise, Doom 64 has been unfavourably compared to Rare's masterpieces when it's a great FPS in its own right. An abundance of well-designed levels, monsters, secrets, and weaponry is wonderfully coupled by the haunting soundtrack and dark, atmospheric scenery. This is still a joy to...
Weirdness Modder Recreates Donkey Kong Country In Doom Engine
Scary in a different way!
Rare’s Donkey Kong Country was a huge feat in itself when it was released on the Super Nintendo in 1994. Now imagine recreating the iconic jungle-based platformer within an entirely different game engine from around the same era. Enter Doom, and insert the reminder here of just how crazy modders of the classic...
Feature Meet The Unsung Pioneer Behind The Most Reviled Zelda Games Of All Time
Charting the life of Dale DeSharone
The Legend of Zelda series is home to some of the most critically-acclaimed video games ever made, and the franchise is without a doubt one of the most important in Nintendo's illustrious catalogue. However, there a few titles within the lineage which stick out like a sore thumb — the trio of Zelda games...
Nintendo 64x64 Diddy Kong Racing
Despite obvious comparisons to Mario Kart 64, DKR was a unique experience: platformer elements (explorable world, bosses and collectable items) were unique for its time, ensuring one-player longevity. Three vehicle types presented new areas already explored / raced. Vibrant storybook colours may have put off mature gamers but many challenges and...
Stop the evil Herd Army!
Featuring the most annoying theme song to have ever graced the medium, Buck Bumble is an aerial combat game in which radioactive waste has transformed the insect world into a high-tech war zone. Playing as a gun-wielding bumblebee, the task of completing garden-based objectives is unusually appealing, yet a lack of polish --...
Nintendo 64x64 Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
I'm Hit! Rear shields down!
Taking everything that is loved about the grand battles of the original Star Wars trilogy -- the dogfights, the scale and the classic theme of good versus evil -- Star Wars: Rogue Squadron delivers an authentic aerial action experience with its own bespoke storyline. Produced with astonishingly high production values --...
Do a barrel roll!
Nintendo: excellent decision. Ditch Starwing 2 and go for a next-gen sequel. Lylat Wars delivers on many fronts. Corneria is a perfect opener - capturing Starwings feel yet graphically upgraded. From then on levels are superbly varied: corridor levels, dogfights, numerous routes to Venom based on mission success. Not just a...
News Motorola's New Smart Watch Features a Goldeneye-Style Interface Option
Dr. No way to resist
Who in their life hasn't pretended to be a secret agent on a daring mission to uncover and foil the plot of a notorious villain whose greed surpasses their humanity? Well now you can take one step closer thanks to a clever little Android developer. The Moto 360 smart watch from Motorola is one of the more traditional-looking...
Video Which 8-bit Version Of Ghostbusters Are You Gonna Call?
Sega or Nintendo? There's only one way to find out...
Back in the mid to late '80s, North American gamers were hooked on Nintendo, and prior to the launch of the Genesis / Mega Drive, Sega was very much locked out when it came to getting all of the juicy third-party titles. However, there were a handful of games which made it over to Sega's 8-bit...
A hugely underappreciated gem, Body Harvest was DMA Designs (later Rockstar North) first attempt at a 3D open-world game. Playing as a genetically enhanced super-soldier, you must travel across time and thwart a race of sinister aliens before they can harvest mankind. Ambitious, yet buggy and lacking in polish, Body Harvest is greater than the...
Video Watch These Teenagers As They're Exposed To The NES
"I have an iPhone case like this"
Gaming is becoming more and more mainstream with every turn, and sometimes we have to take a step back to realise just how far we've come, and depending on your age that could go back anywhere between the GameCube and the ZX Spectrum. To give you some perspective of the progress we've seen, take some typical modern...
Video If You Love Mario Easter Eggs, This Series is for You
Covering Super Mario Bros. to Super Mario World, so far
One of the delights of retro Nintendo games is in discovering their secrets, little snippets of interesting features that can only be spotted with close attention. Hunting 'easter eggs' is a major part of retro gaming. A current series on the Did You Know Gaming channel is looking to reveal...
It didn't sit well with purists at the time, but Bomberman's first outing in 3D was nevertheless a valiant effort on Hudson Soft's part to ensure its explosive star remained relevant in gaming. To its credit, the single-player mode delivers an engaging experience based around puzzles and exploration; the multiplayer, however, fails to retain the...
Feature The Nintendo 64 Controller and the Rise of 3D Gaming
The three-handled situation
The Nintendo 64 controller is one that has fallen out of favour with some gamers – its outdated control stick and limited number of buttons leaves it and its parent system in a state of being old but without necessarily being seen by the general public as 'retro'. You could easily say the same for Sony's original...
Aside from being the first release in Nintendo's long-running party game series, Mario Party's biggest claim to fame is its stick-spinning mini-games, which left many eager players with blisters on their palms. The series may have come a long way since 1999, but this title nevertheless features a diverse range of timeless mini-games and every...
A divisive first foray into 3D for the franchise as it suffers from mixed fortunes. The feel of 2D versions was captured well through music, locations, enemies and plot. Its controls are quite tight and graphically impressive. Its a challenge; albeit, for the wrong reasons. Certain areas, bosses and gameplay choices leave one extremely...
News Pokkén Tournament's Concept Even Shocked The Game’s Creators
“The entire office was dumbfounded”
In an announcement that could be described as hard to fathom, it was less than a week ago when it was revealed on NicoNico that a fighting-title by the name of Pokkén Tournament for arcade would be co-developed by Bandai Namco, with involvement from Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada and Soul Calibur producer...
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