Retro - News
August2017
News SNES Classic Edition Has A Rewind Feature To Make Up For Your Ageing Reflexes
You can also use special frames to spruce things up
Nintendo has given a bit more detail on the upcoming SNES Classic Edition console, which launches on September 29th. The most interesting new announcement is that the console comes with a special "Rewind" feature which allows you to skip backwards when you make a mistake - a similar concept to...
Video Take a Detailed Look at the Original "Legend of Zelda" Manga
Just in time for the 30th anniversary of the English release
If there is anything that you could say is good about having delayed releases for games from Japan, it’s that for many classics we can celebrate anniversaries for both the East and West. The Legend of Zelda is one such game, and though its Japanese landmark was last year, the US release...
News Pokémon Gold and Silver Getting Boxed 3DS Releases In Europe
With a download code inside!
Back in June's Pokémon Direct it was revealed that Game Boy Color classics Pokémon Gold And Silver will be coming to the 3DS Virtual Console on the 22nd September. As if that wasn't exciting enough for Pokémon fans, Nintendo of Europe has announced today that it will be releasing a boxed version of the game,...
News Here's How ARMS Might Look On The Game Boy Advance
Retrotastic
We weren't sure what to make of ARMS when it was first revealed, but Nintendo's bold new IP turned out to be a pleasant surprise and every bit as colourful as Splatoon. The game makes great use of Joy-Con motion controls to let the player use their stretchy weaponised arms to punch, thump and knock-out opponents. However what if...
Not very ultra
If humanity has given the world anything, it’s the ability to turn even the most mundane games into a sport. Rock/Paper/Scissors, the epitome of what you do when you can’t decide who gets to do something unsavoury, now has world championships. Not content with merely kicking a soccer ball into a net, folk now insert themselves...
News UFO 50 Brings a Team of Talented Developers Together for an 8-bit Collection
Confirmed for PC so far, but looks like a lovely fit for Switch
The retro aesthetic is used a fair amount in modern gaming, sometimes to play on nostalgia and on other occasions because it's the best option for a given project. When you browse any download store you don't need to look far before you see pixel-art and hear chiptune music. The...
Random When Fans Go to the Next Level - Check Out Alex Kidd in Miracle World 2
No Kidding
Sometimes business realities don't bring us all of the games we want, or publishers have their own ideas on how to best utilise an IP. This certainly applies to retro gaming and 'missed opportunities' in the past, which explains the rich scene in mods and fan created games that deliver sequels and remasters that enthusiasts want to see...
News 25 Years Later, And Night Trap Still Isn't Going To Appear On A Nintendo Console
Howard Lincoln's words echo through the decades
Controversial FMV game Night Trap is getting a 25th anniversary remaster, but the game won't be appearing on the Switch - despite the best efforts of the developers. The game - which involves trying to protect a household full of excitable young women from the clutches of some rather unconvincing...
News Hyperkin Reveals HDMI SNES Clone, The Supa RetroN HD
The SNES Mini could have competition
Hyperkin's Chris Gallizzi has just lifted the lid on the company's next clone system, the Supa RetroN HD. The clone system uses hardware rather than software emulation, and boasts 720p output via HDMI as well as composite AV. You'll be able to toggle between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios, and there's a region...
News Game Boy Color Screen Mod Almost Makes The Console Complete
Close, but yet so far
Those of you who happen to follow the Game Boy modding scene will be aware that its relatively easy to tinker with your monochrome system and get a gorgeously sharp and well-lit screen these days, but the Game Boy Color is a harder nut to crack, largely due to the nature of its reflective display, which can't be lit with LEDs...
Feature Is It Really Cheaper To Order Retro Games Direct From Japan?
Forget eBay - there could be a cheaper option
Back in the '90s, it seemed that the Japanese got all the best stuff. Not only did games typically launch sooner in Japan, they came in gorgeously-illustrated boxes complete with full-colour manuals, putting the rather drab western equivalents to shame. Not only that, the Japanese were blessed with many...
July2017
News Aero Fighters 2 Joins The ACA Neo Geo Lineup On Switch Next Week
Pew pew pew
Hamster has revealed that Video System's 1994 shooter Aero Fighters 2 is next week's ACA Neo Geo title on the Switch eShop. It's a neat change from the usual raft of fighting titles, and is one of the Neo Geo's more enjoyable blasters. While the game contains plenty of outlandish bosses and enemies, all of the player-controlled planes...
Random Sealed Copy Of Super Mario Bros. Fetches Over $30,000 On eBay
Who needs two kidneys anyway
When you think of rare and collectable NES games, chances are Super Mario Bros. is the last thing that springs to mind. It's one of the most common NES releases in existence, and logic would dictate that on the secondary market, it's not worth a great deal - even in exceptional condition. However, a sealed copy of the...
News Terranigma on SNES Gets The Ultimate Digital Audio Treatment
MSU1 Magic turns Quintet into full orchestra
Like everyone else we love the whole SNES Mini thing, but with a total of 21 games we also had to accept that many big names would be missing in action. One of biggest third-party producers missing is Quintet, which is surprising considering its incredibly prolific output during the SNES years, which...
News Walmart Cancels All Super NES Classic Pre-Orders
Rolling back more than just prices
If you pre-ordered a Super NES Classic Edition from Walmart when they were live for a brief period last Friday, you're in for some disappointment. Earlier today, the mega-retailer emailed all customers who managed to nab one of the highly sought after consoles to inform them that the listing was made available in...
News Namco Museum Won't Gobble Up Too Much Memory On Your Switch
Munch munch munch
Namco Museum comes out this week, and thanks to the game's listing page on the eShop, we now know exactly how much space it will consume on your Switch. If you're struggling for space then you'll be pleased to know that just 876MB is required to download this retro compilation, which contains 10 classic hits such as Rolling...
News AtGames Confirms Its SEGA Genesis Clone Systems to Roll Out Ahead of SNES Mini
Ah, memories of console wars... sort of
While plenty went nuts over the NES Mini and the cycle begins anew with the upcoming SNES Mini, it's sometimes worth remembering that licensed (and unlicensed) clones of SEGA's old hardware have been around for years. Sometimes they're 'mini', occasionally they're chunky but offer plenty of games and...
Video Did You Know Gaming Delves Into The History Of The Game Boy Advance
Discover the mystery of Atlantis
The Game Boy Advance was well received when launched way back in 2001. Fans of the classic Game Boy eagerly awaited this successor, which was rather like a juiced up Super Nintendo, as you could play that level of games on the go; Nintendo delivered the goods eventually. Our chums over at Did You Know Gaming? have...
News Walmart Cancels a Number of SNES Mini Pre-Orders
Of course...
The Super NES Classic is, as predicted by many, proving to be more elusive than a stable Pokémon GO connection in Chicago. Pre-orders were a bit of a farce in the UK, and they've taken an age to appear in North America. Some retailers in the US did start opening pre-orders at the weekend, however, with stock unsurprising selling out in...
News Factor 5 Almost Ported Super Castlevania IV To The Sega Mega Drive
"We did a 1:1 port of Indiana Jones to the Genesis"
Factor 5 is a studio with a long and proud history of technological achievement; it was founded in the super-competitive "demo scene" era of the Commodore Amiga and Atari ST, and went as far as to create its own development hardware for the SNES and Mega Drive / Genesis in order to gain traction in...
Gallery We Take a Look at the SNES Mini (With Waluigi)
Only slightly bigger than our correspondent's sunglasses
This coming weekend brings us San Diego Comic-Con, with Nintendo gearing up to showcase a variety of games. Our man Alan Lopez went along to a pre-conference event and took the chance to take a good look at Nintendo's goodies, including the upcoming Super NES Classic Edition (NA)...
News Trademark Application Has Fans Dreaming of the Nintendo 64 Classic Mini
Or perhaps it's just a coincidence?
Nintendo has recently filed a trademark application for the Nintendo 64 controller in Europe, which given the timing might well indicate that a Nintendo 64 Classic Mini could be in the works for next year. Such trademark applications have also been filed for the NES controller and the SNES controller,...
News Prima Games' Nintendo SNES Classics Book Will Go Nicely With A SNES Mini
Now you're reading with Super Power!
Alongside the NES Mini, Prima released a lovely book featuring some of the games included on the mini-console to coincide with this. It really reminded us of the old Nintendo Power days and was a nice accompaniment to the NES Mini (that is if you were able to buy one!). To go with the SNES Mini, you'll be able...
Random Game Boy Tetris Inspires New Commercial From UK Supermarket Sainsbury's
Clear those lines
Tetris is one of the world's most famous video games, and has been the subject of hit singles, documentaries and - of course - more sequels and spin-offs than you can shake a stick at. One of the more recent applications of Tetris is this new commercial from UK supermarket chain Sainsbury's, which shows a table being laid for a...
Hardware Review Hyperkin SmartBoy Turns Your Smartphone Into A Real Live Game Boy
Gaming on the go, revitalised
"Many a true word is spoken in jest." That age-old saying is very true of Hyperkin's SmartBoy device; originally pitched as an April Fool's prank it gradually evolved into something more tangible thanks to online reaction which keenly illustrated a demand in the marketplace for something that allowed you to play old...
News Atari's New Console Seems To Be Part NES Classic Mini, Part Ouya
Crowdfunded, runs "classic" and "current" content
Atari's new Ataribox system may not have a Nintendo focus, but the company's history in the games arena warrants some mention here regardless - hence our coverage of the news that the veteran firm was re-entering the hardware arena earlier this year. Atari has now released renders of its new...
News Flash Carts Could Be Slowly Killing Your Retro Consoles
Scary technical details contained within
The relentless march of technology - combined with the rising price of certain retro games - has created a healthy market for flash carts which allow you to load up a bunch of ROMs onto an SD card and play them on your original vintage consoles. We've made no secret of our affection for such carts in the...
Video Is this $40 8Bitdo Controller Really a Switch Pro Controller Alternative?
Look at the shiny shiny
The Switch's Pro Controller is a thing of beauty, but what isn't so beautiful is the price tag. It may be filled to the brim with gizmos and gadgets but it's still a tough pill to swallow. At a lower cost, however, you can invest in a more compact alternative from 8Bitdo, the first manufacturer to stick out a third-party...
News Wisdom Tree Wants To Inflict Noah's Ark On The World, Again
Sunday Funday
What more can be said about Wisdom Tree's unlicensed games that the Angry Video Game Nerd hasn't already said? (NSFW kids, he swears a lot!). Games such as Noah's Ark are tedious platformers, dressed up with biblical themes which often don't even make any sense. If for some crazy reason you have any nostalgia for these games then...
News Fake NES Mini Consoles Spotted for Sale On The Web
Buyers beware
Imitations of Nintendo's popular NES Mini have been spotted on a Chinese import site, with packaging that can quite easily catch out consumers. The much sought after console sold out months ago, with fans trying ever since to get their hands on one without paying astronomical prices from scalpers. A new batch seemed to have appeared...
News Mega CD Super Strike Trilogy Prototype Reaches A Playable State
Pick a Strike, Any Strike
“One man's trash is another one's treasure” is how the saying goes. For Assembler Games forum user tdijital such was the case last year, when he stumbled upon an individual in possession of a substantial amount of diskettes and CD-ROM filled with video game source code and Sega development tools for Mega CD, 32X and...
News Fan-Made "Mega Maker" is Releasing Next Week
DIY Mega Man
“Super Mario Maker's” popularity proved something most people in the ROM hacking community already knew for years: there is a game designer hidden in all of us. Yet most of us do not have the technical expertise to look up code and understand how it works. Level editors are nothing new, of course, going as far back as some games...
News Netflix Renews Castlevania Series For A Second, Longer Season
8 episodes, up from 4
Netflix's animated take on Konami's Castlevania series went live on Friday, and we're sure a great many of you will already have basked in its blood-soaked, foul-mouthed brilliance. Penned by author and comic book legend Warren Ellis and featuring some impressive vocal talent, it's a surprisingly effective take on
News Nintendo's Been In The Video Game Business For 40 Years This Month
Humble beginnings
Time flies when you're having fun, and it's crazy to think that it's been 40 years since Nintendo started making video games. It feels like there is a anniversary for something every other day at the moment, but this is a big one. According to Nintendo's own records, the Color TV Game 6 and Color TV Game 15 in July 1977 in Japan...
Random How To Take Photos Of The Moon With The Game Boy Camera
2-bit moon
Just when you thought the humble Game Boy Camera couldn't get any cooler, someone comes along and takes detailed photos of the moon with it. Enter Alex, a Reddit user who connected a Game Boy Camera to an antique telescope in order to take grainy photos of the Moon and Jupiter. In his own words: The Game Boy Camera is a...
Hardware Review Hyperkin's Retron HD Is The Cheapest Way To Play NES In High Def
Can't get a NES Classic? Check this out
Hyperkin is one of the elder statesman of the clone hardware arena, having operating in this sector for quite some time now via its line of Retron systems, the earliest of which replicated the performance of the fan-favourite Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES. The recent kerfuffle regarding the...
News Amazon UK Reduces SNES Mini Orders to One Per Customer
A good call, right?
Though there's always hope that Nintendo will step up and deliver enough stock for demand, it's fair to say that right now plenty expect the diminutive SNES Mini to be hard to find. In the UK pre-orders opened early, but often at relatively random times and with pre-order allocations selling through rapidly. Argos kept orders...
Random NES Found "Rotting" In Kentucky Barn For Decades Is Resurrected
Back from the dead
Vintage consoles are beloved by collectors for many reasons; for some, it's down to pure nostalgia and the belief that games really were better back then, and for others it's the iconic designs and familiar controllers. Another reason cartridge-based retro systems are so appealing is their robust nature; they can withstand much...
Video Off-Screen Footage Of Netflix's Castlevania Series Surfaces Online
Sink your teeth in
Netflix's Castlevania animated series premiers this week, and off-screen footage has emerged showing the introduction sequence and two key scenes. The quality of the footage isn't great and those of you wanting to feel the full impact of the production might be advised to wait until it launches officially on the 7th July, but for...
News Early Super Nintendo Rayman Prototype Released
The Lost And Found Rayman
The retro community was rather giddy when in late 2016 Michel Ancel announced that he had recovered the only known Super Nintendo prototype build of the original, unreleased version of Rayman. It is always a rather exciting prospect when lost software is recovered and there's a whole community of people out there working...
News You Still Can't Pre-Order The Super NES Classic In The US, And This Could Be Why
The all-important approval
If Nintendo Life's Twitter account is any yardstick to judge this by, our North American readers are getting increasing frustrated that pre-orders for the Super NES Classic Edition are still yet to open. We've put together a handy guide rounding up all the SNES Mini pre-order options for you, so all you can do for the...
Video Warm Up for the SNES Mini With This 16-bit Tech Showcase
The technology behind the retro magic
There's plenty of buzz right now around the The Super NES Classic Edition (NA) / The Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL), as plenty scramble to secure pre-orders and stock ahead of the September release. That's prompted a surge in interest around the original hardware, of...
June2017
News Here's What The SNES Classic Edition Looks Like With Its Flap Wide Open
Crouching SNES, Hidden Ports
While we patiently wait for the North American Super NES Classic Edition pre-orders to open, many US-based media outlets have been granted access to this shrunken Super NES, including Polygon who have lots of lovely photos in their gallery. While they weren't given the opportunity to see the SNES Mini powered up as it...
Video Home Movie Clips Reveal The Wildly Differing Fates Of The Game Boy And Virtual Boy
"Do you know what this WOULD have cost?"
iRetrogamer's Tyler Esposito has a wealth of home movie recordings made by his late father, who was gaming mad and got his son hooked on all kinds of interactive entertainment. His latest offering focuses on two Nintendo products with totally different fates - the Game Boy and the
Video Let's See What Star Fox 2 Might Offer on the Super NES Classic Edition
It's not the final ROM, but it's close
Star Fox 2 is a bit of an oddball for Nintendo; a fully completed sequel to an already successful and highly impressive title that was shelved to make way for the new, shiny N64 with go-faster stripes. Thankfully it's on its way to the public's deserving hands with the release of the Super NES Classic Edition,...
News PQube Is Bringing The Hyperkin SmartBoy To Europe
Plays Game Boy cartridges on your Samsung phone
European publisher and retail group PQube has confirmed that it will be bringing the Hyperkin SmartBoy to Europe. The SmartBoy is a device which bolts onto your Android phone and allows you to play original Game Boy cartridges. It's been released as part of the Samsung Mobile Accessory Partnership...
News Mario Paint Lovers Rejoice, Hyperkin Is Making A New SNES Mouse
Coming next month for $20
The SNES mouse never really gets the attention it probably deserves. Despite shipping with Mario Paint - which was as close to being a "killer app" for the device as you were likely to get - and offering compatibility with more games that you might expect, the mouse has been largely forgotten as time as gone on - but not by...
News Famitsu Readers Choose Super Mario Kart as the Best Racing Game of All Time
Crosses the line ahead of all its rivals
Whenever a conversation turns to the 'best of all time' in anything, there's sure to be some feisty opinions. Now that the Famitsu Weekly readers have chosen their best racing game of all time, that's sure to get fans talking. The winner was Super Mario Kart, which saw off various rivals including...
Video Let's Take a Look at All 21 Games You'll Get on your Super NES Classic Edition
Or 20 +1 as Nintendo want to put it
It's a bit of a shame that the Super NES Classic Edition is being bundled with fewer games than its NES counterpart, but the ones that are included with this console are absolute knockouts. From Donkey Kong Country and Super Metroid to Secret of Mana and of course Star Fox 2, they're all included in...
Random Take a Look at Some Awesome Retro Gaming Coffee Tables
As we're all about the old-school right now
It's been an interesting start to the week, with plenty of us thinking about retro gaming following the big SNES Mini reveal from Nintendo. As a result it seems like a nice time to dip into the rather fun bit of the internet, where enthusiasts showcase their love of gaming along with some intriguing...
News Star Fox 2 Dev Is As Shocked As You About The Game Coming To SNES Classic Edition
"I presume it will be that mastered version?"
The internet is still in shock somewhat from Nintendo's decision to include the previously unreleased Star Fox 2 on the Super NES Classic Edition. While questions remain about exactly which version of this unreleased game will be on the hardware, we do know Nintendo has commissioned new artwork and a...
News The Super NES Classic Edition Hides the Classic Controller Connector Ports
But how will the NA version work?
One thing that you might have missed given the deluge of information coming at you regarding the Super NES Classic Edition, was that those SNES shaped controller ports are actually just for show. As shown in the photo of the Japanese version, you can clearly see the panel pops out and unveils two Wii Remote style...
News Nintendo Unveils the Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Famicom for Japan
Same deal, but with a few different games
We've had the reveals for the Super NES Classic Edition (NA) and the The Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL), and now Nintendo has released details of the Japanese version. Aesthetically and in terms of its name it seems to follow the style and branding of the PAL iteration...
News Nintendo Promises 'Significantly More Units of Super NES Classic Edition', But Only in 2017
Controller cable said to be 5 foot in length
With today's announcement of the Super NES Classic Edition (NA) / The Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL), Nintendo has generated a lot of buzz online. After the availability issues with the NES Mini in 2016, however, the scrambl
Random Here's The Reason Why The North American Super NES Looks So Different
"I thought the Super Famicom didn't look good when stacked"
There was great excitement in the Nintendo Life team when the Super NES Classic Edition was revealed to the world, but of course it didn't take long for envy to set in from our US based colleagues when they saw the European version of the SNES Mini; the design differences have always been a...
Poll Are You Excited About the Super NES Classic Edition?
Big hype for a little console
Nintendo, as it likes to drop big announcements through press releases and social media posts, has confirmed the rumours and unveiled the Super NES Classic Edition (NA) / The Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL). Let's just call it the SNES Mini from this point on for clarity. It's not just...
News Register Interest in the SNES Classic Mini on the Official Nintendo UK Store
If it works, there's a bit of traffic...
Today Nintendo of Europe announced The Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System alongside the equivalent Super NES Classic Edition in North America. Now we're all desperately waiting for pre-orders, knowing full well that demand will be very high. If you're in the UK there's a small...
Feature The Full Story Behind Star Fox 2, Nintendo's Most Famous Cancellation
"The series was never intended to be limited to linear 3D scrolling stages"
To celebrate the announcement of the SNES Classic Mini, we're republishing the full story behind the cancellation of Star Fox 2, which first appeared on the site back in May 2015. This year will see the launch of another entry in Nintendo's long-running space battle...
News Star Fox 2 Will Finally Be Released Thanks To Super NES Classic Edition
It only took 22 years...
Nintendo has just casually announced the Super NES Classic Edition which had long been rumoured ever since the initial NES Classic Edition last year. One thing that no-one saw coming was that Nintendo is including a (we're assuming) finished version of Star Fox 2, a cancelled Super Nintendo game that has widely been...
News Nintendo Announces Super NES Classic Edition
Now you're playing with super power
Nintendo today announced the long-rumoured Super Nintendo Classic Edition. The system launches on 29th September, will retail for $79.99 in the U.S. and comes with 21 games, including the never before released Star Fox 2. It includes two Super NES controllers and works with the Wii's Classic Controller and...
News Sega Forever Manager Blames Mobile Fragmentation For Shortcomings
"If you look at the vast majority of feedback it's been strong"
Following the release of Sega Forever on smart devices last week, there were quite a lot of comments on social media decrying the quality of its emulation. Digital Foundry's John Linneman was perhaps one of the more vocal critics due to his years of experience in dealing with the...
News More Rumours Add Weight to Talk of a SNES Classic Mini
It seems inevitable, right?
The NES Classic Mini is a cool little device and proved hugely popular, though sadly Nintendo botched the whole supply and demand thing. The success of the hardware, and the buzz it brought in the Holiday season last year, certainly makes rumours of a SNES Classic Mini this year seem feasible. It could be announced...
News Congratulations Nintendo 64, You're A Proper Grown-Up Now
The classic system turns 21 today
It's a day of anniversaries today it seems, not only does Sonic The Hedgehog turn 26, but it is also a whopping 21 years since the Nintendo 64 was released in its native territory of Japan. Launched on 23rd June 1996, the N64 served as a landmark moment in Nintendo's history as a video game manufacturer, mainly...
News Soon You'll Be Able To Wear The Street Fighter II Jeans You've Wanted Since You Were 11
"The Worlds of Raw Denim & Street Fighter 2 Collide!!"
Jeans are pretty cool. They're fashionable - despite being invented many years ago - and hard-wearing. But you know what's really cool? Street Fighter II jeans. In a move that we're shocked hasn't happened sooner, clothing line Naked & Famous Denim is teaming up with Capcom to create a line...
Random Ease The Pain Of Sega Forever's Botched Launch With This Official Cereal
FREE GIFT INSIDE
Sega Forever has finally launched after weeks of speculation, and sadly, it's not had the best of starts. Dogged by poor emulation, the games released so far may be free to download and play, but they're a long way from being the best way to experience such classic titles. While Sega clearly has some work to do in order to bring...
News Sega Forever Launch Marred By Terrible Emulation
"This feels kinda like watching a trainwreck unfold"
Yesterday with joyous glee we reported that Sega Forever had launched on smart devices, and we touched on some comments from Sega Networks' chief marketing officer Mike Evans about the possibilities of bringing the collection of games to Switch as they are built using Unity. However, it...
Video This Year's AtGames Sega Genesis Flashback Console Looks Much Improved
720p, Filters, save states and much more besides
It's fair to say that AtGames doesn't have the best reputation in the realm of clone consoles - which is somewhat ironic when you consider the company has been doing this for years now. Its systems are typically marred by poor emulation, terrible AV output options and ropey audio, but it's trying to...
News Sega Forever Aims To Revive The Company's Past On Mobile, But Could Come To Switch
From Master System to Dreamcast
Sega's been teasing its Sega Forever service for a while now, and has recently indulged in a satfisyingly old-school promotional campaign which includes mailing out cassette tapes with classic Sega tunes o
Guide How To Use A GameCube Controller With Your Nintendo Switch
Going old-school
Own a Nintendo Switch? Fancy using your classic GameCube controller with it? Well, thanks to Mayflash's GameCube Adapter you can now achieve this interface dream. The catch is that the adapter needs to be updated with new firmware (this only works on PC at the moment, you can't use a Mac to update it) and that you can only...
News Say Hello To Allan Alvarez, Perhaps The Greatest Mario 64 Player Ever
And he was only a baby when it was first released
For many players, speedrunning is the ultimate way to show off your skill. While certain games require talent to remember movies or perfect strategies, the art of speedrunning arguably calls for even greater concentration and focus, with the smallest mistake costing valuable seconds and potentially...
Hardware Review The Analogue NT Mini Isn't Just The Best NES Clone, It's Much More Besides
FPGA or GTHO
It's fair to say that the gaming public's interest in clones of vintage consoles hasn't diminished over the past few years; in fact, interest in such hardware is arguably on the rise. We've seen a raft of systems which aim to replicate the performance of retro hardware, including the Hyperkin Retron 5, the Cyber Gadget Retro Freak and...
News Even After 10 Years, Billy Mitchell Still Hasn't Seen King Of Kong
"On the souls of my children, I haven’t watched it"
It's hard to believe that The King of Kong is a decade old now. A seminal work in the history of video game movies, it presented a thrilling David and Goliath tale which focused on humble schoolteacher Steve Wiebe's dream of being the world high score holder for Nintendo's arcade smash Donkey...
News Bitmap Books Announces Officially Licensed NEOGEO: A Visual History
400 pages celebrating the Rolls Royce of game consoles
UK publisher Bitmap Books - previously responsible for The Unofficial NES/Famicom: A Visual Compendium and Super Famicom: The Box Art Collection - has announced that its next project is NEOGEO: A Visual History, an officially licensed publication celebrating one of the most iconic gaming...
Video Tinkling The Ivories With Doremikko, The Famicom's First Piano Video Game
Welcome to the Magic Forest
Those of you old enough to have been alive during the NES era may recall seeing adverts for Miracle Piano Teaching System, released in 1990. It aimed to teach kids how to play the piano via the on-screen instructions delivered using the NES itself, but despite its groundbreaking nature, it wasn't the first device of its...
News Famicom Title "Ganbare Goemon Gaiden: Kieta Ōgon Kiseru" Translated to English
1990 JRPG spin-off includes healthy doses of Ebisumaru
Despite very few and far between official Western releases, Konami’s “Ganbare Goemon” series has quite a following outside of Japan, a deserved status considering that despite a few ninja duds it is a strong and solid series that made its way across several generations of Nintendo...
Random Should The Rumoured SNES Classic Be In Short Supply, This Modder Could Help
Nintendo wouldn't do that again though, right?
Nintendo hasn't officially stated if we're getting a SNES Classic Mini yet, but rumours suggest that it's happening. The company has apparently learned its lesson from the NES Classic and will hopefully, you know, actually make
Video These Super Mario Odyssey Costumes Hark Back to Mario's Past
Mario-achi
Nintendo's never shy to reference retro goodness in its titles, be it stark and obvious or somewhat subtler. Where these costumes form Super Mario Odyssey fall between those categories depends on how well-versed you are in your Mario history. From a guitar-toting, poncho-wearing Mario of Qix fame, to a Chain Chomp with a dashing...
Video Let's See How Super Mario Odyssey's Mechanics Work in this Super Mario 64 Rom Hack
Photoshopped eyes courtesy of Banjo-Kazooie
Super Mario 64 is arguably one of the most heavily modified retro games to date, and as soon as Super Mario Odyssey's deeper mechanics were shown off at E3, notable rom-hacker Kaze Emanuar set to work injecting these features into the classic N64 title. We decided to take it for a test-run to see what can...
News We Know There's An Appetite For Virtual Console On Switch, Says Reggie Fils-Aime
"What's going to be the best way to make that happen?"
The Switch has just had its first E3 but we still don't know exactly how the Virtual Console is going to work on the system. Nintendo has previously spoken about linking some kind of classic game service to the forthcoming paid subscription system, even going as far as to state that...
Hardware Review BittBoy Portable Video Game Handheld
Unofficial NES gaming on the go
Of all the obscure clone consoles to come out of the Far East, the BittBoy is one of the most interesting we've seen in a long time - for obvious reasons. We're massive fans of the original Game Boy here at Nintendo Life and the fact that the BittBoy shamelessly steals the same basic design was enough to get our...
News Modular Retro Console Polymega's Mystery CD-ROM Format Is Revealed
Clue: it's a bit of a MEGA SHOCK
Polymega - the modular retro gaming system formerly known as RetroBlox - is shaping up to be an incredibly interesting piece of kit. It supports various retro systems via modules which come with cartridge slots and controller ports for that particular console, and these bolt onto the base unit which also
News Sky Skipper Arcade Restoration Revealed To The World
Impressive work
Keen readers of Nintendo Life may remember our report on the Sky Skipper project, an ambitious quest by UK-based Alex Crowley and US-based Whitney Roberts to save an almost lost piece of Nintendo arcade history. That piece of history is Sky Skipper, one of a number of arcades planned to arrive after the DK success story. It was...
Video The Top 5 Most Embarrassing E3 Moments by Nintendo
All that glisters is not gold
E3 is a time for most video game fans to get excited and hyped about upcoming releases, and to see all the newest tech that various games companies have to show off. It is sometimes, however, an event of disappointment. Hopefully this year's E3 will be able to surpass the moments in the video above, which highlights...
News AtGames Is Refreshing Its Sega Genesis Line Of Clone Systems For 2017
Clone alone
AtGames has confirmed that it is rolling out three new versions of its "classic" Sega Genesis clone hardware this year, alongside three new Atari-themed systems. Coming this year are the Sega Genesis Flashback, a system we already knew about which features 85 games and support for original cartridges. Wireless controllers and 720p HDMI...
Random Miyamoto Was Once Quite Interested In PSP Game Boy Emulation
"Did you make this?"
While we're a Nintendo site first and foremost, here at Nintendo Life we do occasionally embrace formats produced by other companies - and back in the days of the Nintendo DS, we admit we also dabbled in the world of PlayStation Portable ownership. Sony's handheld was a massive success, despite the incredible dominance of the...
News RetroBlox Becomes Polymega, Joypad And User Interface Get Shown Off
A new supported CD format will be announced next week
A short time ago we reported on RetroBlox, the world's first modular HD retro gaming system. Designed to support a wide range of games via swappable modules - including CD-based systems, which is quite unique - RetroBlox will be hitting Kickstarter soon, but it will have a new name: Polymega...
News Pokémon Gold And Silver Are Coming To The 3DS Virtual Console
Boot up the classics
During today's Pokémon Direct it was revealed that classic entries Pokémon Gold And Silver will be coming to the 3DS Virtual Console later this year. Both titles will be compatible with Pokémon Bank, and will launch on 22nd September. Originally released on the Game Boy Color these games hit Japan in 1999, with the...
Video There Are Actually More Games Called Star Fox Than You Might Imagine
I can't let you do that, StarVox
When European gamers discuss why the original SNES Star Fox was called Starwing for its EU release or why Star Fox 64 was saddled with the confusing title of Lylat Wars, it is often assumed that it was due to some kind of copyright issue in Europe. However, as we discovered many moons ago, the issue was...
News SNES Classic Edition Gets Name-Checked In Xbox E3 Survey
Microsoft knows something we don't
News comes from the most unlikely places at times. A Microsoft survey asking Xbox Live members about their thoughts on the upcoming E3 has once again fueled speculation that a SNES Classic Edition is in production at Nintendo. In the survey, Microsoft ask users "On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means 'Not...
Review Shin Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun: Kunio Tachi no Banka
Say that title three times in a row
With the celebrations of all these other anniversaries going about it is easy to forget the adventures of Kunio, which also celebrated thirty years in 2016. Despite being absent from most Western gamer’s memories in the past several years (despite the odd virtual console re-release), the legacy of Technōs most...
May2017
Video Take a Look at Retro-Bit's Capcom-Themed NES Controllers
Go ahead dauntlessly!
At the start of the year Retro-Bit unveiled its Capcom-themed controllers, mimicking iconic pads from the NES, SNES and Mega Drive / Genesis eras. Naturally those of us with a love for retro gaming can't help but be tempted, especially as they're compatible with PC in addition to the original NES / SNES hardware. Now our video...
Video Rare Footage Of Sega's Epcot Innoventions Installation Appears Online
Genesis! 32X! Sega CD! '90s fashions!
Back in 1994, Sega and Nintendo were very much at war. The two companies were battling for dominance of the living room, with the Genesis and Super Nintendo firmly ensconced in millions of households all over the world. Keen to push its rival to the limit, Sega took part in a wide range of promotional activities...
Music This 8-Bit Rendition Of The ARMS Theme Is Even Catchier Than The Original
Earworm
If you've taken part in the ARMS Global Testpunch recently then you'll no doubt find yourself humming the game's excellent theme tune for most of your waking hours - it's that catchy. In case you're one of the few people who haven't heard it yet - or you need reminding so it can torment you for even longer - here's what it sounds like:...
Guide How to Get Third Party 8Bitdo Controllers Running on Your Switch
Putting the 'firm' back in 'firmware'
In case you missed it, 8Bitdo's line of third party controllers are now compatible with the Nintendo Switch thanks to a firmware update, meaning you can take out your opponents as intended on Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers, grab a perfect score on Puyo Puyo
News SEGA Forever May Be a Subscription Service for the Company's Iconic Retro Games
Probably for mobile, but the dream is for console...
Games companies face ongoing challenges in promoting and monetising their retro content, especially in this age of emulators that are readily available across various devices. Nintendo has the Virtual Console - though the details of its Switch equivalent are still largely a mystery - and we see...
News 8Bitdo Pads Updated With Nintendo Switch Support, Just In Time For Ultra Street Fighter II
Even more control options
Peripheral maker 8Bitdo has released a new firmware update for its controllers which enables support for the Nintendo Switch. The range of pads - which includes the NES30 and SNES30 controllers - are based on classic Nintendo products and boast an exceptional build quality. While there are obvious
News Super Famicom Title "Ghost Chaser Densei" Translated Into English
The other Ghosts in the Shell
You may not be familiar with Winkysoft’s rather decent and zany “Denjin Makai” series of scrolling beat’em ups. Like so many others they stubbornly remained Japan-only affairs, with both games (the titular “Denji Makai” and the sequel “Guardians”) sticking to Japanese arcades. But not all hope was lost,...
News Famicom Version of "Rampart" Translated to English
But your castle is (with)in another castle!
If you fought in the great medieval wars of the 1990s, you might read the headline and wonder what the fuss is all about. After all Atari's "Rampart", a perfect mix of artillery / puzzle game, conquered the arcades and gained quick cult status among gamers; it also had many home conversions, even managing...
Retrospective The Awkward Birth of the DS, Nintendo's Most Successful System
How a third pillar became a golden goose
With 154.02 million consoles sold to date, the Nintendo DS is the company's most successful hardware platform, the world's best-selling dedicated handheld games console and the second most popular video games system of all time. Not a bad set of achievements for a handheld which, prior to launch, was debated,...
Random Does Dr. Mario Take Place Inside Luigi's Brain? A Manga From 1990 Says It Does...
A look at the backstory of Mario’s medical training
Remember when Mario started branching out into jobs other than his traditional plumber role? After cameo appearances in Punch-Out!! for NES, Tennis for Game Boy and some others, Nintendo decided to give Mario his first white collar job as the star of Dr. Mario. Released for...
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