Retro News
December2020
Feature Now Is A Great Time To Support Your Local Retro Computer Museum
Preserve And Protect
In 2020, the majority of our interactions with video games is virtual – games are easily accessible and available online 24/7. However, there are plenty of people who have fond memories of the more physical side of games, whether that be browsing racks in dedicated video game shops, visiting sensory-overload arcades or getting...
Feature NES Creator Masayuki Uemura On Building The Console That Made Nintendo A Household Name
"Back then, we didn’t know if it was going to be popular or not"
There's no denying that the NES – or Famicom as it was known in its native Japan – is one of the most important pieces of video game hardware ever made. Not only did it turn Nintendo from an outsider player to industry leader, it laid down the foundations of an industry which...
News This New Game Boy Game Is 21 Years In The Making
All it took was a global pandemic to finish it
2020 has changed things for a lot of people. While the video game industry has generally done well out of the fact that everyone has had to remain indoors for most of the year, the coronavirus outbreak has had a massively negative effect on other business sectors, with many companies having to lay off...
Feature 10 Nintendo Games We'd Love To See Finally Come To The West
Nintendo games that never officially left Japan
These days there are very few first-party or Nintendo-published titles that don't get an international release, but back in the day it was common for games to remain in their Japanese homeland for months or even years, if they ever came overseas at all. No, we're not just talking about the countless...
Poll Box Art Brawl #72 - Tuff E Nuff
Had E Nuff yet?
Welcome all to the Box Art Brawl, our regular contest where we vote on regional cover art variants from the dim and distant past when you could only buy games in physical form. Last time, we observed an old-fashioned Pokémon battle with Pokémon Stadium 2 for the N64 in honour of its
Feature No Anime Please, We're Westerners - When Anime Was Taboo In Western Games
A time when anime and western games didn't mix
Japanese animation – or 'anime' as many call it – is huge business these days. While it is naturally most popular in its homeland, we've seen numerous anime properties cross over to the west and find the kind of success that is usually reserved for home-grown cartoons and media franchises. Series...
News Super Mario RPG Character Designer Shares Original Concept Art For Geno
To celebrate the return of his Mii Fighter costume in Smash
Geno, as you've likely heard by now, has returned to the Smash Bros. series once again as a Mii Fighter costume. It might not necessarily be the news every Geno fan wanted to hear, but hey - some acknowledgment is arguably better than nothing. To celebrate this special occasion, Super...
Random Watch Out Next-Gen, Real-Time Ray Tracing Is Now On The SNES
Well, with a little bit of extra help...
Ray tracing is more than a buzzword, it's actually a big deal for next-generation gaming. Although we likely won't be seeing it on a Nintendo platform any time soon, game developer and software engineer Ben Carter has at least found an unofficial way to get this rendering technique up and running on Super...
News Just When You Thought 2020 Couldn't Get Any Weirder, WaterMelon's Paprium Is Finally Finished
And now it wants you to buy its next game without even seeing it
Despite its rough edges, we're still fans of WaterMelon Games' faux-retro RPG Pier Solar here at Nintendo Life, having followed the development of the game from its release on the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive all the way up to its eventual launch on the Wii
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #71 - Pokémon Stadium 2
Ho-Oh ho!
Welcome back to Box Art Brawl, the contest where we pit regional box art from around the globe against each other in a deadly fight for your vote. We exaggerate — it isn't deadly in any way, shape or form, it's just a box art poll. We love a bit of drama. Last time, Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts fought a battle between East and West...
Feature Why Open A Video Game Shop During A Global Pandemic?
How one man is bucking the trend
2020 may have been a bumper year for video game sales, but it's impacted other businesses in a very negative way. Cinemas and restaurants have been forced to close to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and while video game sales have been buoyant thanks digital and online purchases, physical retail stores with no means...
News Yuzo Koshiro's Sumptuous ActRaiser Soundtrack Is Getting A Vinyl And CD Release
Includes previously unreleased tracks
The gorgeous soundtrack for Quintet's ActRaiser – one of the SNES' most unique and iconic third-party releases – is getting a special re-release on vinyl and CD, courtesy of Paris-based Wayô Records. Composed by the legendary Yuzo Koshiro, who has also created the music for Streets of Rage,
News Upcoming Documentary Seeks To Explore The Incredible Legacy Of Street Fighter II
Update: Kickstarter is now live
Update: The Kickstarter is now live, with a goal of £25,000. If you've got a spare £1,500, you can secure yourself an Executive Producer credit on the final film. For £500, an Associate Producer credit awaits – we imagine the £28 tier will be the most popular, which will get you a digital copy of the movie, its...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #70 - Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts
Demon souls
Welcome back to Box Art Brawl, our regular vote to see which box art variant from around the globe wins your approval. Last time, we went all modern and looked at the two covers The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild received. We thought it would be a much closer contest than it was, but the result is crystal clear: North American and...
Poll Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & The Blade Of Light Is Out Today, Are You Getting It?
Experience a slice of Nintendo history
There are a lot of big releases this week, but one that stands out on the Nintendo front is Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light. Sure, it might not be a new release, but it is a slice of Nintendo history - marking the first time the 1990 8-bit Famicom title by Intelligent Systems has ever been...
November2020
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #69 - The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Nice
Welcome back to Box Art Brawl, our weekly(ish) contest between box art variants from around the world. Last time, to coincide with the 30th anniversary of both that game and its host system, we looked at SNES launch title Super Mario World. Thirty years! Time has its own Magic Cape, it seems. In
News The Revo K101 Plus GBA Clone Now Comes With Fancy New Colours, But Not Much Else
2015's best GBA clone hasn't change much in 5 years
Remember the Revo K101 Plus? We took a look at this smart little Game Boy Advance clone way back in 2015, and passed the following verdict: If you're looking for a decent GBA system but don't like the tiny form factor of the Game Boy Micro -–and can't afford the revised G
Video 21 Nintendo 64 Games Everyone Should Play
In no particular order
The N64 may have failed to reach the same dizzy commercial heights as the NES and SNES, but it's unquestionably home to some of the finest video games Nintendo has ever produced, and rightfully holds a special place in the hearts of many gaming fans. On that topic, do remember when we asked you, our lovely readers, to rank...
Feature GBA Mod Company Creates The Game Gear Sega Should Have Released In 2020
Showing them how it's done
The Game Gear Micro was a neat little product and all, but it wasn't exactly practical – it's absolutely tiny, so playing it for longer than five minutes is an exercise in pain, and the fact that Sega only included a handful of games on each unit means you have to buy five different consoles to get the whole collection...
News Capcom's Releasing A Mini-Arcade System Packed With Mega Man And Street Fighter Games
Coming this Christmas in Japan
The craze for micro-consoles shows no signs of slowing down, with Capcom now revealing that it is about to release a mini-arcade machine packed with classic titles. Dubbed the Retro Station, this tabletop unit has an 8-inch screen and weighs 2.1 kg. It comes with the following titles: Mega Man The Power Battle Mega...
Poll Box Art Brawl #68 - Super Mario World
It's a Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario World
Welcome back, you beautiful bunch, to Box Art Brawl — our regular poll to find out which of two or more vintage video game cover variants from around the globe is the best, better than all the rest (diew, diew, diew-diew, diew), better than anyone we ever met. Last time we watched F-Zero take itself to the...
Video A Look At Ocean Software's Cancelled SNES Game Green Lantern
That never got the green light
Green Lantern might not be remembered for much other than a failed movie starring Ryan Reynolds over the past decade, but long before this in the early '90s, British developer Ocean Software was working on a licensed Super Nintendo video game for the DC Comics hero. This unreleased project has been largely shrouded in...
Hardware Classics Super Famicom
Still super after all these years
To many, it's the greatest video game console ever made. The Super Famicom — or Super Nintendo Entertainment System as it is more commonly known outside of its native Japan — is host to some of the finest pieces of interactive entertainment ever made. It was on this console that Nintendo refined so many of the...
News Sealed Copy Of Super Mario Bros. 3 Sells For $156,000
We've got another new world record
Earlier this year in July, a sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. for NES sold for $114,000 USD. It set a new record for the most expensive video game ever sold. While most probably expected it to hold this record for some time, the highest price paid for a video game at auction has now been broken (again). Heritage...
News Puma Is Releasing A Pair Of NES-Themed Sneakers Just In Time For Christmas
Ride to the Future
Puma has been doing some neat sneaker collaborations of late, taking on both Mario and his erstwhile rival Sonic, and now the sports brand is back with a pair of shoes which celebrate the iconic NES console. The "Future Rider" sneakers are due for release on December 4th, 2020, and boast the famous NES colouring, a "Po
Soapbox Here's How I'd Fix The Pokémon Series
Alex decides to pika-part the mainline games
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, senior video editor Alex Olney explains how he would "fix" the Pokémon series... Pokémon is a series that has always been extremely dear...
News The Hidden Secrets Of Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. Game & Watch
See them yourself!
Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. Game & Watch has just been released and while it might be based on the company's classic hardware, this new version contains a number of hidden secrets. For your convenience, we've rounded them all up into a single post (thanks, Nintendo) - take a look below: Finish Super Mario Bros. and...
Poll Rate Your Favourite SNES Games
Help us assemble the top 50 Super NES games ever
It varies from person to person, of course, but your favourite console generation is often the one you played most in childhood — in that impressionable pre-to-early teen sweet spot where a foundation of gaming memories are formed. That's when you play the classics you return to later in life for...
Review Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. - A Gorgeous Object That Leaves You Wanting More
Time to shine?
Looking back on the history of Nintendo as a maker of video games, it's clear that the Game & Watch line was a significant step; not only did it allow Nintendo's core developers to hone their skills with snappy, engaging titles, it also gave them the opportunity to evolve their hardware talents, coming up with innovations such as...
News Chinese Firm Which Ripped Off The NES With Jackie Chan's Help Has Filed For Bankruptcy
So long, Subor
While most of the world grew up with the NES (or Famicom), there are numerous examples of unofficial clone systems becoming incredibly popular in certain regions over the years – one of which was China. The Chinese market, like that in Brazil, was flooded with "Famiclone" systems which basically replicated the performance of...
Random Playing Switch With A 1977 Atari Joystick Is Neat, If A Little Impractical
Bridging a 40-year gap of gaming tech
The two pieces of tech may well be 40 years apart, but it's possible to play on a Nintendo Switch with a 1977 Atari joystick. YouTube channel Will It Work?, which we've featured on the site in the past thanks to a project which got a Wii Nunchuk working with Mario Kart Tour on mobile devices, has shared a new...
News Turns Out This Kickstarted HDMI-Ready N64 Is A Bust
Buyer beware
N64 fans know that out of the box, the console doesn't exactly give you the best possible picture – which is why we've seen aftermarket options appear like RGB mods or external HDMI adapters. However, the king of the hill has to be the superb
News The Game Boy Is Getting A New Wonder Boy And Ys-Inspired Adventure
Say hello to Coria and the Sunken City
Remember when we recently reported on the fact that the Game Boy was getting a brand-new RPG title in 2020? Well, if that brought a smile to your face, then you're going to be very pleased to hear that the plucky little console (and its more powerful sibling, the Game Boy Color) is getting another new release...
Feature How A Donkey Kong Clone Almost Scuppered Nintendo's Ambitions In The West
This Kong be CRAZY
The following feature is an excerpt from Ken Horowitz's excellent Beyond Donkey Kong: A History of Nintendo Arcade Games and has been reproduced here with the kind permission of both Horowitz and the publisher. 1981's arcade smash-hit Donkey Kong created a surge in revenue that lifted Nintendo’s prospects for its North...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #67 - F-Zero
From zero to F-Zero
Welcome to Box Art Brawl, the weekly vote to find out which of two or more regional box art variants has what it takes to win your hearts and minds. Last time we boarded the Halloween train with a trio of Resident Evil 0 covers. While Japan and North America scarpered to lock themselves in the WC when the ticket man came, the...
Reminder Rate Your Favourite Wii Games
Help us assemble the top 50 Wii games ever
Reminder: This is a final call to rate your favourite Wii games before we publish the top 50 very soon. You'll still be able to rate the games and affect the ranking after the list goes live, of course, but there's nothing quite like the moment of anticipation, is there? We've added several games that were...
October2020
Poll Box Art Brawl #66 - Resident Evil 0
From hero to zero
Welcome to Box Art Brawl, the battle between box art variants from around the globe scrapping to win your vote. Last time we lost our collective minds in the company of Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem, although we regained our composure enough to see the metaphysical North American and European version win with nearly...
News Banjo-Kazooie Composer Posts Remixes For Halloween, With A Full Album Coming
Banjo-KazooiEP
There are myriad spooky levels throughout the history of video games, although one of the best has to be Mad Monster Mansion from Banjo-Kazooie (officially known as The Best Video Game Of All Time™ around these parts — when this writer's around, at least). Composer Grant Kirkhope recently put out a remix of that level's creepy...
News 2020 Isn't All Bad, Because The Game Boy Is Getting A Brand-New RPG Called Dragonborne
And you can pre-order it right now
2020's been a pretty torrid year by all accounts, but there's some light at the end of the tunnel – for those who love Nintendo's legendary Game Boy, at least. Indie studio Spacebot Interactive has announced that it will ship a brand-new RPG for the monochrome marvel early next year, and that pre-orders are open...
Video The History Of Nintendo's Game & Watch Range
Pocket power!
For many people (your humble scribe included), Nintendo's Game & Watch series served as an introduction to the wild and wacky world of video games. These pocket-sized devices familiarised a generation with the likes of Mario, Luigi and Donkey Kong, and were one of Nintendo's biggest successes in the games sector until the NES and...
News Fancy A Glimpse Of An Unpublished Final Fantasy Comic From The '90s?
"Four issues were outlined, two or three written. One and a half drawn..."
Comic book writer Kurt Busiek, whose impressive career includes runs on many familiar titles from Marvel and DC, has recently opened up on Twitter about a video game-related project he was involved with back in the early 1990s — a Final Fantasy comic. As Busiek points out,...
Random This Prototype Sega Mega Drive Controller Is Giving Us Serious Wii Nunchuk Vibes
Genesis?
The development name for Nintendo's Wii — the 'Revolution' — was arguably the most apt codename for any console ever. Nintendo turned the traditional spec-chasing console model on its head with its accessible little system, and a huge part of its success came from its unconventional controller design with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. As...
News Fangamer Has Just Launched A Range Of Goemon Merchandise
Mystical merch
Konami's Goemon series – also known as Mystical Ninja in the west – is one of those franchises that we hope and pray will get a proper revival one day soon. Until that time, we'll have to make do with Fangamer's amazing range of officially-licenced gear, which includes shirts, pin badges, posters and even a vinyl LP. You can check...
Random Crash Bandicoot 4 Dev Has A Cult Classic N64 Game On The Brain
Clue 2: It's one from GTA devs DMA Design...
Developer Toys For Bob has a long and storied history stretching back thirty years, although you may know them more recently for the Skylanders series and two excellent platformer compilations: the Switch version of Naughty Dog's (via Vicarious Visions) Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and the revival of...
Feature Evercade's Latest Cart Is Offering A Vital Connection To Nintendo History
You're making me Dizzy, my head is spinning
We've covered the Evercade console a few times on this site, mainly because we love the idea of a brand-new handheld system which uses old-school cartridges. This pocket-friendly device doesn't have the backing of a Nintendo or Sony-sized company behind it, yet the team involved have managed to not only...
News The SNES Encyclopedia Is An Exhaustive Resource For Nintendo Fans
Penned by Chris Scullion, no less!
As long-time readers of this very site will be aware, Chris Scullion really knows his stuff. That's why we get him to fill these hallowed pages with lovely words; he's something of a boffin when it comes to the world of Nintendo, having worked at Official Nintendo Magazine during its heyday. Scullion has been...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #65 - Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
Chattur’gha, Narokath, Santak, Pargon, Pargon...
Welcome one and all to Box Art Brawl, the battle between two or more regional box art variants to find out which one's the most aesthetically pleasing to the most discerning, intelligent — and may we say charming — of all internet users: your lovely selves. Last time we commiserated about the...
News Nintendo Reminds Us Its Super Mario Bros. Game & Watch Will Only Be Around For A Limited Time
Get it while you can
If you're planning on picking up the special Super Mario Bros. Game & Watch, just be mindful that it's also a limited time deal. The official website for this system celebrating Mario's 35th anniversary has reportedly been updated and now includes the following message below - noting how this product will be sent to...
Poll Box Art Brawl #64 - International Superstar Soccer 98
Fresh blood is coming in... again
Welcome back to Box Art Brawl, the series where we throw two or more regional box art variants into a ring and watch them kick seven shades out of each other in a fight for your vote. Last time we watched Advance Wars: Dual Strike give itself fifteen birthday bumps in a two-way bout between East and West. It...
Random OK, We Really Need This Pokédex Game Boy Advance Console
The bespoke mod to rule them all?
Nintendo's handhelds have been the focus of fan-made mods for years, with industrious individuals doing everything from fitting better screens to creating entirely new case designs to make their Game Boy, GBA or DS stand out from the crowd. However, Rose Colored Gaming has been doing this for longer than most, and...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #63 - Advance Wars: Dual Strike
What is it good for?
Welcome to Box Art Brawl, the contest which pits regional box art variants from across the globe against each other in a deadly duel to the death. Well, not really — you just vote for your favourite, like. It's a bit of fun, see? Last time we witnessed Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest give itself a sound thrashing as...
Poll Rate Your Favourite Nintendo 64 Games
Help us rank the Top 50 N64 games of all time
The Nintendo 64 is a console which tends to divide gamers. Launching back in 1996 (or 1997 in PAL regions) as the gaming industry's bread-and-butter switched from sprites to polygons, the console represents — from a certain perspective — the first time Nintendo really dropped the ball. Tired of the...
News Beyond Donkey Kong Digs Deep Into Nintendo's Often Overlooked Arcade Heritage
New book sheds light on a coin-op legacy
While Nintendo has long been a major force in the realms of domestic and portable video gaming, it's important to remember that the release that truly put the Japanese firm on the map was an arcade one: 1981's Donkey Kong. Shigeru Miyamoto's first masterpiece transformed Nintendo from a coin-op also-ran into...
PSA It's Diddy's Kong Quest, Not Diddy Kong's Quest
But you already knew this, right?
Towards the end of last month, Nintendo added even more classic games to its Super Nintendo online service. The highlight for most was Rare's 1995 release Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. As happy as Nintendo is to see everyone enjoying this absolute gem once again, the company's official UK Twitter...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #62 - Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
A Kong time ago...
Welcome to Box Art Brawl, the video game cover contest that pits regional variants against each other in a fight for your vote. Last time we observed a thrilling duel between Okamiden North American / European cover and the Japanese variant. Ultimately, it was an easy victory for Japan with over 70% of your votes going to the...
News Taito's 1984 Action Platform Game Ben Bero Beh Joins The Arcade Archives
Save the day
Hamster's latest Arcade Archives release is Taito's 1984 game, Ben Bero Beh. It's filled with plenty of unique characters such as the enemy from Elevator Action and Chack'n from Chack'n Pop (another Taito game). This action platform arcade title requires you (a superhero) to avoid obstacles and put out fires to rescue NAO-Chan (your...
September2020
News Hamster Announces More Than 15 Games For The Arcade Archives Series On Switch
Gradius III and much more
Hamster Corporation is arguably the biggest support of the Nintendo Switch (outside of Nintendo), so far releasing hundreds of retro titles with additional modern enhancements on the hybrid system. There is no sign of it stopping production of these releases, either - with the Japanese publisher announcing another 18 games...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #61 - Okamiden
'Den again
Welcome back to another round of Box Art Brawl, the series that sends two or more regional variants of game covers into an arena to pugilise for your pleasure. Last week we enjoyed the epic duel between the North American / European Metroid: Other M box and the rather lovely Japanese variant. The result was predictable from the start,...
Random Someone's Made A NES Game That Can Track The International Space Station
Interstellar
When Nintendo was putting together the final hardware for what would become the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) back in the '80s, it's unlikely that it would ever have envisioned the humble hardware being used for something like tracking the International Space Station. As the ISS was launched in 1998, that wouldn't have made much...
News Brawler64 Aims To Be The Ultimate Wireless N64 Controller
Retro fighter
We've seen lots of third party controllers pop up for retro systems over the years, including the excellent Hyperkin Admiral for the N64, but we could always use another one, couldn't we? Retro Fighters currently has a Kickstarter on the go which
News This NES-Based Take On Smash Bros. Has A Wi-Fi Chip In The Cart For Online Play
Old-school meets the nu-school
We've seen plenty of games attempt to take on the might of Super Smash Bros. over the years, but few have been as unique as Super Tilt Bro. on the NES. For starters, yes, it's a NES game. Secondly, the cartridge actually has a Wi-Fi chip inside so you can play online with other people. On your NES. This open-source...
News Fangamer's Talking Conker Plush Comes With Brand New Voice Lines, Pre-Orders Now Open
Need a drinking buddy?
Rare's heavy-drinking squirrel is getting his own Fangamer plush with brand new voice lines recorded by Conker himself, Chris Seavor. You can order the Conker Talking Plush right now for $32 USD or your regional equivalent. This official Conker plush, designed by Versiris, is about eight inches tall when seated. It features...
News Relive Nintendo's Glorious Past With This Game Boy: The Box Art Collection Book
Update: Pre-orders open September 28th
Update: Bitmap Books has confirmed that pre-orders will go live on the 28th September at 17:00 BST. Original Story [Wed 15th Jul, 2020 15:30 BST]: If you've been keeping up with our Box Art Brawl series, where we pit various game covers from different regions against each other to see which is the prettiest,...
Feature The Story Of Virtual Tank, A Lost Virtual Boy Successor To Atari's Battlezone
"We were really surprised at the speed that the platform died"
We've pleased to present a chapter from Bitmap Books' excellent The Games That Weren't, which looks at an unreleased Virtual Boy title that aimed to emulate the success of Atari's Battlezone – but sadly never saw the light of day. Nintendo helped rejuvenate the games industry after...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #60 - Metroid: Other M
Another M
Welcome to Box Art Brawl, the weekly series where we pit regional box art variants against each other in a fight for your approval. Last week the fastest thing alive dropped into the brawl with the seminal Sonic 2 for Genesis / Mega Drive. In a close battle between the three regions, it was ultimately North America who triumphed, with...
News Earth Defense Force Joins Hamster's Arcade Archives Collection This Week
Save the day
Hamster's weekly Arcade Archives release is Jaleco's 1991 scrolling shooter, Earth Defense Force. This original version of the game allows you to take control of an XA-1 space fighter as you fight to save the earth. Here's the backstory along with some information about the gameplay and some screenshots: Control your XA-1 space...
We can dream, right?
2020 is the 35th birthday of the Super Mario series, and Nintendo is marking that event in a wide range of ways, one of which is the resurrection of its Game & Watch series of handhelds. Ninten
Random Someone Found A Prototype Game Boy Advance In A Yahoo Japan Auction
As part of a job lot, too
Remember back when Nintendo lifted the lid on the Game Boy Advance all those years ago? It showed the system in two colourways which were never officially released, both of which had silver bodies. These 'prototype' models are something of a collector's item, and it turns out one of them has been sold via a Yahoo Auctions...
News Bizarre Super Mario Bros. 3 Prototype Cartridge Sells For $31,200 At Auction
Kid Icarus no more
We've seen plenty of expensive Nintendo auctions taking place over the last few years, but not many items have been as interesting as this one. This weekend, a Super Mario Bros. 3 prototype was sold at auction for a whopping $31,200. The listing was a first for Heritage Auctions, being the first time that the auctioneer had ever...
Poll Box Art Brawl #59 - Sonic The Hedgehog 2
Sonic 'Tude-sday
Welcome back to Box Art Brawl, the series where multiple regionally variable covers of the same game fight for your vote in a deadly beauty bout to the bitter end. Last time we had a duel between the East and West: two versions of Super Mario All-Stars went head to head following all those Mario 35th anniversary announcements,...
News Nintendo Launches Website For The Original Super Mario Bros. Game
Celebrating 35 years
Mario's 35th anniversary celebrations are well and truly underway. So far Nintendo has announced new games, merchandise, and even events and promotions for other first-party titles like Splatoon 2 and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. If that's still not enough Mario-themed goodness for you, Japanese websites for Super Mario Bros...
News Here's Your First Look At The Console Wars TV Series From Seth Rogen And Evan Goldberg
Airs later this month
Blake J. Harris' excellent book Console Wars did a wonderful job of recounting the titanic struggle between Nintendo and Sega for control of the living in room in the early '90s. Mario and Sonic went head-to-head in a battle worth millions of dollars, and the book – filled with
News Mario Kart Live Isn't Nintendo's First Try At Remote Control Cars
Say hello to the Lefty RX
Mario Kart Live caused quite a stir when it was announced recently; it's a new 'toy' from Nintendo which mixes the real world with augmented reality via your Switch console's display, and it launches next month. Nintendo has teamed up with developer Velan Studios to create Mario Kart Live, but it's worth noting that this...
Guide Where To Buy PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16 Mini
Small but mighty
Following the shock news that Konami was releasing a PC Engine Mini console (or TurboGrafx-16 for our US readers) we were eager to slam down a pre-order on this classic retro system. We assumed that these would sell out quicker than the original NES Mini due to limited supply at launch. Following a delay due to the COVID-19...
News Evercade's Next Two Cartridges Come Loaded With NES And SNES Titles
Fancy a brawl, bro?
The Evercade handheld console is getting two more cartridges soon, both packed with retro titles from back in the day. If you're a fan of Rival Turf – also known as Rushing Beat – then you're in for a treat. Jaleco Collection 1 is perhaps of most interest; it comes with Bases Loaded, Astynax, Brawl Brothers, City Connection,...
Video Take A Closer Look At The New Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. System
Launches this November
Nintendo has released a new trailer for the Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. system that was announced during last week's Super Mario 35th Anniversary Direct. As you might remember from last week, this new system is inspired by the original LCD-based handhelds from the '80s and comes with a modern screen and rechargeable...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #58 - Super Mario All-Stars
Super Mario 2D All-Stars
And welcome back, box art enthusiasts, to the latest entry in Nintendo Life's Box Art Brawl canon. Yes, this week we'll be taking another look at some retro game covers and it'll be up to you to pick the best of them. Last time we took a look at Blue Ninja Shadow of the Kage Dragon as Natsume's variously-named 2D...
Review Super Mario All-Stars - All That Glitters Isn't Necessarily Gold
Has this star begun to fade?
On its mid-1993 bow, Super Mario All-Stars was greeted with the sort of rapturous praise usually reserved for pontiffs, or a new Daft Punk album. This was a compilation of a generosity never-before-seen goodies, packing in the stone-cold classic NES titles Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3...
News Nintendo Is Resurrecting Its Game & Watch Line To Celebrate 35 Years Of Super Mario
Special handheld arrives later this year
Nintendo has revealed that it is releasing a special Game & Watch system to celebrate 35 years of the Super Mario series. Based on the original LCD-based handhelds from the '80s, this limited edition model will come with a colour display and directional pad, and will include Super Mario Bros., Super...
News Here Are The 37 Games You'll Get On Sega's Astro City Mini Console
Space Harrier! Thunder Force! Alex Kidd!
The final batch of games for Sega's upcoming Astro City Mini console have just been revealed in a livestream, taking the total number of known games up to 36. It was also revealed that the system is getting a full-size arcade stick controller. There will be 36 games on the machine in total, so we're starting...
News This Battery-Free Game Boy Could Be The Future Of Portable Tech
The catch? A tiny display and no sound
The Game Boy was a true revelation when it launched back in 1989, and kickstarted a portable gaming industry which endures to this very day. However, it also meant that players had to have a steady supply of AA batteries to hand if they wanted to make the most of the console, and while we've since moved to...
Random Can You Use The Game Boy Camera As A Webcam In 2020? Absolutely
But it's not exactly easy
Perhaps one of the most impressive accessories Nintendo has ever released is the Game Boy Camera. Back when it arrived on the scene in 1998, camera phones weren't even a thing yet - so to have something like this (especially if you were a bit younger at the time), was pretty neat. Its legacy lives on via the company's...
August2020
Poll Box Art Brawl #57 - Shadow Of The Ninja / Blue Shadow
Rattling the Kage
Welcome back, one and all, to the latest edition of Box Art Brawl. After a week-long hiatus to charge our hadouken, we're returning with another bout featuring regional box art variants battling for your pleasure (and votes). Last time we took a look at Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door in a particularly close-run duel between...
Quiz How Well Do You Know Rare And Its Nintendo Games?
Rare replay
Veteran developer Rare celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2020. The British studio may be owned by Microsoft these days, but its back catalogue of brilliant games on Nintendo systems mean it will forever be associated with Nintendo in our hearts and minds. The company, a second party Nintendo developer from the mid-'90s, bolstered (and...
Random Finally, Sonic The Hedgehog Spins Onto The Super Nintendo
To be this good takes AGES!
Ah, the good old playground arguments of the '90s. Which camp were you in? Even if you were a dedicated Super Nintendo owner with all of the wonderful exclusives that the system offered, it was hard not to be a little bit jealous of the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive's impressive library of games. And of course, the Mega Drive...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #56 - Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Paper-thin premise
Welcome back to another edition of Box Art Brawl, the weekly bout of regional box art variants where you decide which one wins. Last week we looked at Yoshi's Island in the East and the West, and after some deliberation it was decided that the European / North American cover was the best by approximately two votes to one. It's...
News N64 Joins The Roster Of Old Nintendo Consoles Turned Into Fan-Made Switch Docks
Nintendo Switchy-Phwoar
When it comes to custom Switch docks, the fan community has shown some incredible ingenuity over the past three years and come up with many an eye-pleasing alternative to Nintendo's official offering. The fan-made Link's Awakening and Animal Crossing docks (not the official one, although that's pretty too) are particular...
News Commander Keen In Keen Dreams Comes To Switch Again, This Time With New Levels
Additional Definitive Edition incoming
Commander Keen came to Switch back in February last year when Lone Wolf Interactive published the 1991 DOS game Commander Keen in Keen Dreams on your favourite handheld hybrid. Originally programmed by id Software legends John Carmack and John Romero, it's safe to say the game isn't up there with DOOM in the...
Random At One Point, The Triforce May Have Been Collectable In Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
New/old icon uncovered
Back in the olden days when we first played The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, there were theories going around that the Triforce--the iconic three-part symbol of Power, Courage and Wisdom from the series--was actually a collectable item in the game. It's one of those gaming myths that has become legend over time, but...
News First Press Games Is Releasing A Brand New Game Boy Color Title
Following on from Tobu Tobu Girl
Fancy a new Game Boy Color game? Did you purchase Tobu Tobu Girl Deluxe last year? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then you might just be interested in POWA! - the second Dot Matrix Series physical release by First Press Games. POWA! is a newly-developed action-platform GBC title by Aiguanachein and...
News GoldenEye 25 Shuts Down After Cease And Desist From 007 IP Holder
"No, Mr Bond, I expect you to stop work immediately"
GoldenEye 25, a fan-made effort to resurrect the classic N64 shooter from Rare, is to shut down following a cease and desist request from MGM/Danjaq, the rights holder for the James Bond media franchise. The aim with the Unreal Engine 4 title – which was inspired by the cancelled XBLA HD remake...
News Analogue Is Retiring Its Amazing Nt Mini After One Final Production Run
Update: More units available tomorrow
Update: Analogue has revealed that a few more Nt Mini units are going up for pre-order tomorrow: Original Story [Fri 28th Feb, 2020 16:45 GMT]: Analogue has announced that it is retiring its Nt Mini system after one final production run. The Nt mini v2 features "a new and perfected NES cartridge slot,...
Feature Rare Turns 35 This Week - We Pick 10 Highlights From The Nintendo Years
Rare talent
Three-and-a-half decades ago this week, British developer Rare was formed. Formerly known as Ultimate Play the Game, the company was created with the express purpose of creating titles for the Nintendo Entertainment System and from the mid-1980s until the early '00s the Twycross-based team would deliver some of the finest video games on...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #55 - Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Crying in a bubble
And we're back for another edition of Box Art Brawl, the weekly poll where you vote for your favourite classic (or sometimes not-so-classic) retro video game box art variant from around the world. Last week we checked in with Dr. Mario on the Game Boy (and NES) 30 years on from
Random Ever Wondered What Halo Infinite Would Look Like On The Nintendo 64?
No, we didn't either, but here it is regardless
If you've been following events in the world of Xbox over at our sister site Pure Xbox, you'll no doubt be aware that Halo Infinite is looming on the horizon – the next chapter in Microsoft's epic sci-fi saga which began with the launch of the original Xbox console almost 20 years ago. Microsoft
News Analogue Pocket Pre-Orders Have Sold Out, But More Are On The Way
"We will do our best to meet demand"
Update: And just like that, the initial batch of pre-orders have sold out (in around 15 minutes, no less). Analogue says that it will be producing more and doing its best to meet demand, and you can sign up to be notified when more consoles are available again here. Original Article (Mon 27th Jul, 2020 16:00...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #54 - Dr. Mario
Doctor who?
Welcome to Box Art Brawl, our weekly bout to find out which regional box art variant is the best, according to you lovely lot. Last week was the inaugural edition of the 'Duel' variant of Box Art Brawl, which saw two versions of Tetris for the Game Boy square off against each other. Despite a rather fetching entry from the East, it was...
July2020
Quiz Can You Name These Nintendo Console Games From Their Box Art?
The devil's in the detail
Over the years there have been some truly iconic covers for games on Nintendo platforms. Often you only need to catch the most fleeting of glimpses to recognise a classic from your collection. Today we're going to put your Nintendo console box art knowledge to the test! We've selected fifteen great games from Nintendo...
News The FunKey S Is A Handheld Console That Fits On Your Keyring
"What is this, a handheld for ants?!"
The impossibly dinky retro handheld FunKey S is close to finishing its Kickstarter run, and has raised an impressive £124,000 so far – and it's easy to see why. This diminutive handheld system is small enough to fit onto your bunch of keys, yet it runs Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, SNES and even PlayStation...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #53 - Tetris
Block droppin' beats
Welcome one and all to Box Art Brawl, our weekly vote on a bunch of regional box art variants. It's Round #53 which means we've got a year's worth of brawls under our belts - thank you to all you box art critics and voters out there! This week we're introducing an ever-so-minor tweak to the format which will accompany the...
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