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VC Tuesday: It's a Small World
Despite both of this week's North American VC releases being quality games in their own right, we found the selection disappointing. We only got two games, one of which is only a minor upgrade over an existing release. Why did Nintendo skimp on the releases? And why have they been skimping for the last three or four weeks?The situation is actually not that much better in Japan. This week only one new game is available: Devil World, the weirdo Famicom maze game designed by Miyamoto. With the game's dancing Devil making an appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it's not terribly surprising that the original Famicom game is showing up on the VC. Is it going to join imports like Super Mario Bros. 2 and Sin and Punishment on Western consoles? It's got a lot of religious imagery -- more than Devil's Crush, which was censored -- so we're going to say no and hope we're proven wrong. Devil World (Famicom, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points)
Familator taken out for a test-Familate
We are still fascinated by this gigantic, impractical Famicom cartridge adapter. That's why we were delighted when GAME Watch picked up one of CYBER Gadget's CYBER Familator Lite adapters and tested it out, taking plenty of pictures during the process. Unsurprisingly, but still sadly, the various issues with the device make it a suboptimal method of playing Famicom games.Most notably, you can't plug a second controller in, meaning also that the Famicom microphone (which is embeded in the player 2 controller) cannot be used. Also, the system can't hook up to the Famicom Disk System. The Familator also suffers compatibility issues with a few games, including Bases Loaded.GAME Watch did a side-by-side comparison of the Familator's TV output of Xevious to the Wii's Virtual Console version of the same game, and found that the colors and the sound were inferior, even without taking into account the Wii's ability to use component and D-terminal connections. Battery life was, of course, also an issue.None of these concerns are exactly dealbreakers, but even as a novelty it would be hard to justify the expense of such an item without excellent performance.
CYBER Familator Lite: Faminow available
The CYBER Familator has been described as "... unique ..." , "neat", and "Nomad-sized" by our commenters. And now we'll finally get an opportunity to purchase this critically-acclaimed item. Starting tomorrow, NCSX will offer the DS Lite Famicom adapter for $68. Yes, you could easily load up a bunch of ROMs on a Flash card or whatever, but you shouldn't. Whenever possible, we do enjoy having an option for retrogaming that doesn't involve violating copyright. And anyway, if you're looking at this huge thing in terms of its real-world utility, you kind of missed the point. This item is fully in "wacky contraption" territory.
Dragon Quest V screens for comparison and perusal
Square Enix has released new images from the upcoming DS remake of Dragon Quest V, and that means two things for you: a gallery of spiffy new(ish) shots, and several comparison images. With two earlier versions to look at, we just couldn't help finding some comparable shots and setting them up side-by-side for your viewing pleasure. You can check them out after the jump, and the new DS images are all safely tucked away in our gallery below, along with some character art. %Gallery-12146%
Virtually Overlooked: Wily & Right no Rockboard: That's Paradise
Welcome to our weekly feature, Virtually Overlooked, wherein we talk about games that aren't on the Virtual Console yet, but should be. Call it a retro-speculative.We were driven into a melancholy by the news that Australia (and probably Europe) was getting a Virtual Console version of Mega Man 2 while we have yet to see a download of the first game. Many of you correctly noted that it was stupid to wait for a VC version with the Mega Man Anniversary Collection disc available so cheaply and plentifully. But we actually have the disc and the cartridge. It's a simple matter of wanting every game we like to be available through as many conduits as possible, to get into the most hands as possible. A Virtual Console release, as well, allows a game to come back to the attention of the gaming community, sparking discussion once again. We want that for Mega Man 2 forever. Our memories of Mega Man 2 are 110 million, after all.The existence of the Mega Man Anniversary Collection still makes any included game too easy to play on the Wii to be Virtually Overlooked material, even if, by doing so, it limits discussion. There's no real reason to wish for a game that you can just go buy for less money. That renders Mega Man 1-8 off limits (good luck playing 8 on a Nintendo system any other way!) as well as The Power Battle and The Power Fighters. But we still want to talk Mega Man, so we went scrambling for an appropriate game. Mega Man X? No, it is also available on a compilation. Rockman Battle & Chase? No, it's on the same compilation! Rockboard will have to do, then. It's got the benefit of being the weirdest Mega Man game yet, and we can keep Mega Man Soccer saved up for a bit.
Play Famicom games on your DS Lite with 'Familator'
Hideous name, and less-than-hideous hardware. CYBER Gadget's "Familator Lite" plugs into a DS Lite's GBA slot, allowing users to insert their Famicom cartridges and re-live their favorite Nintendo classics in portable form.Would rather re-live the classics on television? The device allows for TV out. Would rather play with the original Famicom controllers? Well... the device doesn't do that, actually. But it does that other stuff!The Familator Lite is due out in Japan in December, but no price has been set. Sadly, the device's form factor means it's only compatible with the DS Lite, and not its phatter older brother.[Via DS Fanboy]
Play Famicom games on your DS with the Cyber Familator cart
Using a simple but bulky cart from Japan, it's possible to make your DS play Famicom games. It'll also play NES games if you can get your hands on an adapter for the different cart shape. Mark this down on your shopping list before you make your compulsory, once-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Akihabara. [Via Technabob]
Famicom adapter makes the DS useful
Finally, we can stop playing all those awful DS and Game Boy Advance games on our DS Lite. Really, we like the hardware, but we want to play real games on the thing. Like Final Fantasy III, Dragon Quest IV, and Ys, not whatever's out on the DS. We're sure you feel the same way.That's why we think CYBER Gadget's CYBER Familator Lite is so great. Based on their CYBER Familator "Famiclone," It plugs into the DS's GBA slot and allows the system to play genuine (and pirate, we suppose) Famicom cartridges. And, with the right Gyromite cartridge, it'll play American games too. It even has TV out, making it a fully functional Famicom!It'll be out in Japan next month, but CYBER Gadget has yet to announce the price. The amazing name will probably bump it up an extra 1000 yen or so. Familator.
Nintendo of Japan drops Famicom hardware support
Well, it had an amazing run.Unless you're a citizen of Japan and own a Famicom system, this bit of news is likely to not affect you. However, should you fulfill those requirements, you might like to know that Nintendo of Japan has ceased to support the old piece of hardware. You're probably one who still plays the thing, we imagine, so you might want to take it easy on the old gal, as this goes into effect on the 31st of this month.Also of note, Nintendo of Japan will be dropping support for the Super Famicom, N64, Game Boy and Game Boy Pocket, as well.[Via Arcade Renaissance]
Famicom tissue holder makes blowing your nose awesome
Never have we been as enthusiastic for the oncoming flu season than when we saw this astonishing tissue dispenser. The pain of being sick is a meager price to pay for a reason to grab a tissue from a Famicom game slot. The best news? This little beauty doesn't fall under the "I hate Japan, why do they get all the cool stuff when we don't?" category. In fact, you can purchase it at MugenToys for only $9.99.As if we really needed another excuse to spend money during this amazing gaming season. What about you? Are you planning to pick up this nifty tissue holder? Or are you actually, you know, careful about spending money?[Via technabob]
Nintendo of Japan calling it quits on Famicom hardware support
It's an end of an era, we suppose. No longer can you bash up your Famicom for flatly refusing to entertain your cartridge of choice and expect Nintendo of Japan to fix it up all pretty for you, like it's been doing for the past 20+ years. For whatever reason, Nintendo has been providing hardware support for the Famicom since its inception, which certainly seems a little extreme, but who's complaining? That support is finally ending, along with support for the Super Famicom, Nintendo 64, Game Boy and Game Boy Pocket -- relative newcomers to the console game when pitted against grandpa Famicom. Repairs will officially end on October 31st, and the reasoning is pretty simple: there just aren't enough spare parts laying around to make the repairs. Nintendo of America stopped supporting the NES a few years back, so this really is the end of the line. Oh, and Nintendo would like to take this opportunity to remind you that it wouldn't mind at all if you give it money again to repurchase your old favorites on the Wii's Virtual Console -- now that's service.[Via Advanced MN Wii]
Nintendo ceases hardware support for Famicom, other aging platforms
The next time your 'Fami' freezes up, blow as you might, it could be all over. Then again, it's nearly 2008; maybe it's time for an upgrade. Indeed, Nintendo of Japan is encouraging just that by ceasing hardware support for Famicom, Super Famicom, Nintendo 64, Gameboy and Gameboy Pocket due to a scarcity of repair parts.It's remarkable that Nintendo's been able to service its pioneering platform for 24 long years. But, alas, nothing lasts forever. So long, Famicom. (Psst, this is when you bow your head for a moment of silence...)[Via Arcade Renaissance]
Virtually Overlooked: Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti
Welcome to our weekly feature, Virtually Overlooked, wherein we talk about games that aren't on the Virtual Console yet, but should be. Call it a retro-speculative.We recently discussed Mighty Final Fight for the NES, which was a weird, super-deformed remake of Final Fight done in a semi-parody style. It managed to competently shrink down the Final Fight gameplay, adapt it to a completely different style and still be fun.Namco executed a similar NES remake of a beat-em-up in 1989, using as a base a much less likely candidate for chibi-ism: the pioneering horror game Splatterhouse.We miss parody remakes, actually.
Consoles take their rightful place in the public library
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Consoles_take_their_rightful_place_in_the_public_library'; Digital Press forum member Gapporin's local public library has a display case for temporary displays of collections from both the library and patrons. Being a Digital Press sort of person (i.e. someone with a lot of old game systems), he decided to exhibit some of his collection.After getting approval from the library, he installed the display seen above, which contains, among plenty of other stuff, a Sharp Twin Famicom, a Sega Master System (with Phantasy Star and Wonder Boy III!), and a Milton-Bradley Microvision. Under each console is a fact sheet with specifications and well-known games. Expect to see a lot more of this kind of stuff in the future, as the worlds of libraries and game nerdism continue to interact!Speaking of said interaction, it's worth mentioning that the Library of Congress has issued a grant for game preservation as part of its Preserving Creative America program. Not only that, but the University of Texas just started their own Videogame Archives Project. It's really a great time to be a retrogaming-obsessed Texan librarian.[Via Insert Credit]
Family Commercials for the Family Computer
Thanks to GayGamer for today's excuse to talk about old Nintendo games. Even if we can't quite decipher all of the noisome talking in these vintage Japanese commercials for Famicom games, we love seeing the old classics advertised. Can you imagine a time in which Nintendo actively encouraged people to buy Urban Champion?It's always nice to get a look at our old friend R.O.B., which, we hope, is next on the list of NES peripherals to be updated for the Wii. And we had forgotten that the Famicom Light Gun, Japan's Zapper, looked like-- you know-- a gun.
An update from a different dojo
No, this isn't about Smash Bros. In fact, Famicom Dojo probably won't be about Smash Bros. for a good few years. Famicom Dojo is a new show from Powet.tv and 4 Color Rebellion about our favorite subject: old Nintendo games. Combining clever comedy with in-depth coverage of old Japanese game hardware, specifically the Famicom and its Disk System.Surprisingly, not all of the comedy comes from the appearance of the Famicom. Other people think it's a little silly-looking, right? Maybe we're just jealous because its player 2 microphone makes the system vastly superior to the compromised hardware we received in the US.
Japanese VC Castlevania is the Famicom Disk System version
This probably doesn't affect any readers here (although, if you're a Japan-local Wii Fanboy, let us know!) but we discovered something interesting while drooling at the Japanese Virtual Console page.Proving their absolute and irrational devotion to historical accuracy, the version of Castlevania going up on the VC this month will not be the same cartridge version that's already been released in the US and Europe. Instead, Japan is getting the original version, which was released for the Famicom Disk System in 1986. The differences include a save state feature and a name entry screen with music unheard in the US version! Which, unfortunately, we can't find. The idea that there's Castlevania music out there that we haven't heard makes us kind of uncomfortable.
Every NES title screen in five minutes
This isn't to drive anybody with a severe obsessive ego mad -- actually, it is. Here is a video of the title screens for (allegedly) every Famicom/NES game ever made ... or is it? Perhaps there are a couple missing. Doesn't it just eat at you? All those title screens, nobody would be arrogant to presume that every title screen is on there. Surely, they must have missed some. Doesn't it gnaw at your soul, to prove that they must have missed one, two, maybe even twenty obscure games? Check the video, go frame by frame, become internet famous for twenty seconds or so for having found the games that are missing from this video.On a lighter note, it does show how many games can still be released for the Wii's Virtual Console. There are some obscure games in there that we can remember from the good old NES days. Titles like Athena, Deja Vu and A Boy and His Blob. They'll all come out eventually. There's still plenty of VC Mondays before the Wii dies and more than enough titles to choose from as this video proves.
Sleuth site and a detective demo
It's doubtful that any publishers will ever pick up Detective Saburo Jinguji for North American localization, but with adventure titles making a comeback on the DS, maybe it's not that farfetched of a dream?Developer Arc System Works has posted a teaser site to drum up interest for the seasoned private eye's DS debut, detailing some of the its features and providing a Flash demo for visitors to try out. Though the trial consists mostly of Japanese dialogue and menus, it's a nice preview of the game's jazzy soundtrack and photographic presentation. Plus, if you investigate the crime scene enough, you might come across some familiar consoles!
Prototype Super Famicom / PlayStation console unearthed?
If you think these nuggets were the rarest of the rare, just take a look at the PlayStation / Super Famicom prototype pictured above. Back when Sony was reportedly looking to collaborate with Nintendo on a machine, this here device was supposedly the offspring of their collective imaginations, but over a decade later we're finally seeing dusty images of what could have been. Of course, there's no way of telling whether this shot is actually authentic, and Game-Rave certainly doesn't go out of its way to lend any further credibility to the situation, but feel free to click on through for a shot of the rear and take guesses as to how much it'll fetch on The Bay if real.[Via NintendoWiiFanboy]
