retro
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8-bit graphic goodness for your desktop
Freaky Fonts has a collection of retro-gaming wallpaper images up on their site which prove that simplicity can still kick butt. These work really well because they aren't so busy that your icons get lost in the background, plus they look snazzy to boot. When's the last time you had an image from H.E.R.O. on your computer? What about Super Zaxxon? Dang, time to fire up MAME for some gaming.Check out the whole set of eleven here, and decorate your desktop to your heart's content. Got a favorite video game desktop image? Tell us about it.
Wii Remote Power Glove Hack
When Nintendo first revealed that its new system would use a motion-sensitive controller, comparisons were inevitably drawn to the company's first experiment with VR, the NES Power Glove. Well, all those comparisons just became a whole lot more apt now that a Japanese hacker has mounted a Wii remote on a power glove.The prototype hybrid controller uses specially mounted triggers on the thumb and middle finger to simulate the A and B buttons, and even includes an opening for the nunchuck attachment in the back. The video below shows how the setup allows for some cool Minority-Report-style interaction in pointer-based games, but we can't help but worry about the inevitable arm fatigue caused by holding the glove straight out in front of you. Ouch!Previously: Illinois students revive the Power Glove[Via Engadget, Thanks Mike]
Power Glove mod merges with Wiimote
For all of those people out there who didn't manage to grab a Wii at launch -- and probably won't be able to until next year -- there comes a moderate form of compensation in seeing what crazy Wii-themed mods people who did have come up with. The latest to pop up is one that retro-loving Nintendo fans will surely appreciate: a fully functional Wiimote Power Glove, complete with working finger buttons. The burst of nostalgia at seeing the Wii-glove in action is definitely enough to last us until the next Wii shipment, although we can't quite shake the nagging concern that this guy must have spent a whole lot of time not playing his Wii in order to create it.[Via Slashgear]
Nintendo promises four VC games every Monday
After a bit of an inconsistent start, Nintendo has finally decided to standardize the release of classic game downloads on the Wii's Shop Channel. Starting this week, the company will make available four virtual console downloads every Monday at 9 a.m. Pacific time. The following titles will be available on Dec. 4: Donkey Kong Jr. (500 Wii points - NES*) Victory Run (600 points - TG-16) Columns (800 points - Genesis) Ristar (800 points - Genesis) While we're happy to see Nintendo add some regularity to the release of new content, we can't help but wonder why there have been so few SNES and N64 games announced for the virtual console thus far. Is Nintendo trying to hook new users with lower-priced, older games, or are they just reluctant to put out downloads that require a Gamecube pad or a somewhat-hard-to-find classic controller? Or neither. Or both. Or something else! Hooray for rhetorical questions!* - Mistakenly listed in the press release as SNES[Via Gaming Bits]
The NES Advantage Belt Buckle: so much retro it hurts
These days, with everybody out to prove how "old school" they are via t-shirts, game controller buckles, game cart collections and even Mario score comparisons (sorry guys, but CliffyB beats you all, sez Nintendo Power), it can be hard to stick out of the crowd -- until now. From the very kids responsible for the brash commercialism behind the NES Buckle, comes the NES Advantage Belt Buckle, which brings a bit of arcade nostalgia to the front of your pants. Honestly, we never found the controller to be much of an Advantage at all, unless you count those isolated incidents where it was wielded as a weapon against a particularly sucky Contra companion -- not that that ever happened, of course -- but there's no arguing with the look here, and you really never know when you and a couple turbo buttons will be needed to wield control over the Statue of Liberty. The buckle is available now for $50.
Video game documentary premiering at Sundance
A documentary detailing the 1982 World Video Game Championships will be hitting the screens at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. It's called Chasing Ghosts or Rulers of the Galaxy depending on which source you read (Variety calls it Chasing Ghosts, but the Sundance site calls it Rulers of the Galaxy. They probably had to change the title since a film called Chasing Ghosts was released last year starring Michael Madsen) and is directed by Lincoln Ruchti ... perfect for an Xbox Live Marketplace download, right?The movie focuses on the championships held at the Twin Galaxies Arcade in Ottumwa, Iowa, which was declared the "Video Game Capital of the World" in 1982 by the mayor of Ottumwa, and then later made official by the governor at a special ceremony in 1983. So, if you've been wondering where the capital is, now you know. Start planning your trip now. It also stars top video gamers like Billy Mitchell and Darren Olsen, and contains plenty of retro-gaming action.Twin Galaxies opened in 1981 after founder Walter Day toured over 100 arcades in four months, recording high scores on all the video games, and then brought them to his arcade as the "Twin Galaxies National Scoreboard." Although the arcade closed down in 1984 (wow, video game capital of the world doesn't hold much staying power, does it?) they still track high scores. Check out their Official Video Game & Pinball Book of World Records published in 1997. In today's day and age they live on the web, where you can search to your heart's content on their site. For instance, we just found out that Donald Hayes set the current official high score of 589,350 for Frogger in 2005. Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.We'll be checking the flick out at Sundance and talking to cast & crew, so look for that in January.
Break out the retro, folks
With your classic NES and SNES games on the Virtual Console, you (generally) have three options. You can plug in that silly classic controller, and have the Wiimote sit awkwardly on your lap. You can use a Gamecube controller, with its a-bit-too-complex-for-old-school button layout. Or, you can turn your Wiimote on its side for simplistic button configurations. None of these solutions are quite perfect, and fail to evoke that sense on controller nostalgia for which we so long.Ready for ten tons of cool? Electronic badasses over at RetroZone have made two ever-so-simple adapters that allow you to plug in an NES or SNES controller directly into the Wii's Gamecube controller ports, for use with VC titles. That's right. Your original controllers of awesomeness will work as they once did. And only $19.99! What a bargain.
Get your gift on: game scarves
Bits to die for wants all your holiday money to belong to them. Check out their series of scarves featuring old school game images in knitted Italian wool. Swanky game gear that'll keep out the chill and still let people know you're a gamer.Our favorite is the pong scarf, but these are also perfect for the sidescrollers. We'd like to see one complete with tips and secret areas. Whip it off to get past a boss, and then wrap yourself back up.Black Friday is approaching quickly, check out Joystiq for more gift ideas as we march towards shopper meltdown.
Mad Catz readies Xbox 360 Live Arcade Stick for holiday release
Manufacturing hiccups, or intentional delays to ensure a holiday release? Whatever the reasons behind Mad Catz taking its sweet time on the Live Arcade Stick -- which we were (fairly) certain was eventually coming -- remains unknown, but at least it's (almost) here. According to our pals at Joystiq, the retro-styled controller slated to help Xbox Live Arcade gamers feel a bit more like 1985 is just a month or so away from hitting store shelves. Aside from sporting all the familiar Xbox 360 buttons and rumble functionality, purchasers will also get Frogger, Time Pilot, and Astropop when they throw down their $49.99, and if you're into multi-purpose gizmos, you'll certainly appreciate its ability to play nice with PCs. So if you had every intention of delving into Nintendo's classic library of games today, but couldn't scrounge up an actual Wii for yourself, Mad Catz will hopefully deliver that dash of yesteryear before too long.
[E]mulate seven consoles in one homebrew application
Sorry for the lack of updates. Joystiq & engadget hit the scene at NYC's Wii launch party (coverage continues throughout the next few days). At the after-party at my place, we were horrified to see how pathetic the selection of Virtual Console games were (Where the heck is my Gunstar Heroes? When do Mario RPG and Super Metroid come out?). I'm glad to pay my hard-earned dollar on retro games, but damn it--I can't do that if they're not being offered right now!Interestingly, if I so chose to embrace the Dark Side, I could use [e]mulator, from homebrew developer "e". This application includes emulators for a wide variety of systems: Wonderswan, Lynx, PC Engine, Neo Geo Pocket, Game Gear, Game Boy, and Famicom (NES). If one is so inclined, they can visit the site, download the file, and use a program like WinRAR to extract the files. Don't worry, there's a very Engrish read-me that should theoretically walk you through the process.[Via PSP-Vault]
Modojo rounds-up retro PSP games
I can't remember a time in a system's life when it had more retro compilations than the PSP is seeing right now. And with games the likes of Sega Genesis Collection, Metal Slug Anthology and EA Replay releasing this week, it's a veritable wet dream for us old-school gamers out there.And Modojo has gone through each title and decided which are worthy of your purchase and which are worthy of the trashcan.We're Not Worthy!
