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Now you're playing with Windows
This Akihabara store display contains a Super Famicom that has been gutted and turned into a Windows PC. We already love the idea of making boring, ugly things like computers look less boring and ugly by cramming them inside game consoles. But what really makes this mod a winner is the custom label on the hollowed-out cartridge.The fact that it actually appears to run Windows XP is the hilarious icing on the cake. Oh! Maybe it's really Windows Vista, but made to look like XP! You know, in keeping with the retro-camouflage theme![Via Gizmodo]
VC Friday: Galaga breath
We're pretty sure we wouldn't want to smell Galaga breath (it reeks of intensity), but it makes for a great week on the Virtual Console for European gamers! Only three titles this fine Friday, but when you're talking about Galaga '90 and Breath of Fire II (oh, and some hot Volleyball action), what else do you really need? RPGs and beautiful, rhythmic patterns make for some good gaming. Breath of Fire II -- SNES -- 800 Wii points Galaga '90 -- Turbografx -- 600 Wii points Volleyball -- NES -- 500 Wii points
Rumor: Metroid goodness coming soon to VC
Using a Firefox browser workaround, intrepid Virtual Console fans can occasionally get a peek into the future of Nintendo's retro gaming plans (and the dripping irony is not lost on us). Aiming their black-hatted crystal ball at Nintendo's U.S. VC servers, their recent exploits have today turned up images of the start screens for both the original Metroid (already available in Europe) as well as Super Metroid. Could Nintendo be priming these titles to coincide with its release of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption later this month? Don't you know it! [Via GoNintendo]
Young Paul Rudd really loved his SNES
You can learn a lot from commercials. From this ad, for example, we learn that before he was Brian Fantana or the brother-in-law from Clueless, actor Paul Rudd wielded his Super Nintendo Entertainment System like some sort of holy relic, jamming games into its cartridge slot like he was thrusting jewel-encrusted daggers into the lone eye of a cyclops, attracting the attention and adoration of the neighborhood boys all the while.We know what you're asking yourself and the answer is "yes." He has a nickname for his SNES. Its called the Octagon, but he also nicknamed his controllers -- his left one is James Westfall and his right one is Doctor Kenneth Noisewater. You ladies play your cards right you just might get to meet the whole gang.
VC Friday: Four, but not of a kind
This week's Virtual Console update for Europe is all about choice. Four games are on the block, and pretty much all they have in common is retro goodness. From pinball to pool to RPG, you can revel in whatever you like the best this weekend ... unless you like beat 'em ups or shooters, and the VC is already full of those. Breath of Fire II -- SNES -- 800 Wii points Devil's Crush -- TurboGrafx -- 600 Wii points Kirby's Ghost Trap -- SNES -- 800 Wii points Lunar Pool -- NES -- 500 Wii points So, campers, anything you feel like downloading this week?
VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 7/23/07
As if last week wasn't enough pain and suffering, this week has just doubled it. Multiple times did we upload the file to YouTube, in its native AVI state, only to have a file with sound, yet no video, returned to us. Then, we decided to convert the file from AVI to WMV, but, again, we only got back a file of sound, no video. And, as we sat defeated and drained, none other than new recruit Mike Sylvester walked in and showed us how to fix it. Without him, we are lost.So, everyone thank Mike for making this week's video possible and be sure to head past the post break for the usual.
VC Monday Madness: Shining Force, Devil's Crush and Kirby's Dream Course
We told you to at least get 600 Wii Points ready for today, as you were going to need to download at least one title. And, we weren't kidding. That's exactly what you're going to have to do, so once the clock strikes 9am PDT, you better be prepared to download.Today's available VC downloads are: Shining Force (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points) Devil's Crush (TurboGrafx16, 1-2 players, 600 Wii Points) Kirby's Dream Course (Super NES, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points) Be sure to stop back later for our video wrap-up, where we promise we'll be uploading it to another video hosting service this week.
Today's most retro ad: Japanese Punch-Out!! commercial
Let's try to follow our logic: in Rocky IV, Sylvester Stallone took on Ivan Drago, the Soviet Sensation, and his victory was implicitly a victory for the United States of America. It's a US holiday. Therefore, watching a Japanese commercial for Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! is patriotic.Got that? Really? We're not sure how, it makes no sense. Anyways, video embedded after the break.
VC Friday: Wolves in dreamland
We can't ever get enough of Kirby around here. He's just so cute and puffy. So obviously, when we think Kirby, we think golf. Because, uh ... balls are round. Yep. And what goes well with golf? Commandos. Right. We don't get this week's pair of releases either, but hey ... maybe opposites really do attract. Bloody Wolf -- TurboGrafx -- 600 Wii points Kirby's Dream Course -- SNES -- 800 Wii points
NES/SNES cover collector is cooler than us
... assuming a very specialized definition of "cool." We are aghast. Agape. We don't know what to say. We're just overcome with jealousy of AtariAge forum user BuyAtari and his collection of original game boxart paintings. We never even thought that these would be out there. It's not that surprising that companies would be hesitant to throw out original artwork, now that we think about it. It's just so weird that the Mystery Quest cover is a real artifact in the real world.Boxart that we thought was terrible suddenly becomes breathtaking when it's alone on a big canvas. Look how cool the Burai Fighter art is! We've got to start selling stuff extra cash, then trolling eBay. This is too much. Too bad about those watermarks-- we would have enjoyed using these as desktop backgrounds.[Via Insert Credit]
GameSpite gets teary-eyed with Chrono Trigger
1UP's Jeremy Parish has a reputation for critical reviews and an unapologetic style, but when it comes to Chrono Trigger, he's as soft and cuddly as a moogle. On his personal blog, Parish has been waxing nostalgic on the classic Square RPG, which first hit the Super NES back in 1995.Now in his second installment of the series, the rabid retronaut is walking readers through his experience of replaying Chrono Trigger, focusing on particularly salient gameplay moments and continually wondering why no game since has thought to copy CT's style.It's a darn good question, too. Beyond the branching, epic storyline and the flat-out amazing soundtrack, Chrono Trigger introduced variations to classic RPG elements -- same-screen battles, the Millennial Fair as tutorial area, dual and triple techniques -- that remarkably few games have capitalized upon since.Parish will undoubtedly continue to bring to light the finer points of Chrono Trigger's greatness. We'll do our part and keep our fingers crossed for a Virtual Console release of the title, however impossible that may be.
By our consoles combined, you are a Nintendo Short Cuts entry
Reader Joe sent us his entry in the Nintendo Short Cuts Showcase competition and we have to give it to him and his friends. Having a Track and Field pad for a cape and a hollowed out NES for a mask are just too good. He's like a deformed combination of Batman and Captain Planet. See what we mean past the post break.
Virtually Overlooked Week: Alisha's picks
Virtually Overlooked has taken over Wii Fanboy! All this week, members of the staff will be outlining their personal picks for future Virtual Console releases.My path through gaming history is very haphazard and filled with missed turns. Somehow, I managed to skip several really amazing titles that I probably would have played for hours and hours, until they were imprinted in the deeper layers of my brain. I guess I just got really attached to the games that I played and loved, and as a kid with limited resources, I couldn't or wouldn't go hunting for new games. Even so, looking back at the avalanche of titles that shaped my early gaming "career," I can't help but think -- could anyone have played everything? Who were those people, and why wasn't I borrowing all their games?But I didn't miss everything, and the games I played were games I loved. I swear, after I finally put it aside, I could have probably played the original Legend of Zelda using only my toes and a half-working controller. Well, through the Octoroks and Tektites near the beginning screens, at least. Even now, the sight of those guys makes me smile. And did anyone else have one of those awesome Zelda watches? During school hours, those things were a lifesaver. But we've already got the inaugural Zelda on the VC -- so let's look at a few of my loves that are as-yet unavailable.
Wii Warm Up: All new (to you)
All this week, we're celebrating retro goodness here at Wii Fanboy -- call it an extension of Virtually Overlooked -- and we thought we'd start right here with a question that's perfect to ponder while you're having that morning coffee. With over 100 games now available on the Virtual Console, many of you have probably played something this time around that you never got around to before. As new experiences, how do these games hold up? Or are you unwilling to buy anything you didn't already love in a past life?So why is the ActRaiser box featured here? Because this blogger never played it back in the day, and after playing it now, pretty much considers the sixteen years without ActRaiser to be a mockery of life.
Original Nintendo/Sony PlayStation prototype found
The Sony PlayStation was, in the distant past, devised as a collaboration with Nintendo: a CD system that also played Super Famicom cartridges. The two parted ways in a less than amicable fashion before the system was produced, and then the PlayStation went on to become the system that Nintendo fanboys would simultaneously hate and own. Somehow, a near-complete prototype of a standalone PlayStation system has appeared, as reported by Game Rave. They don't give any information, stating "Real updates coming very, very soon" but it's enough to look at the thing. There are also pictures of a much earlier prototype of the SNES CD add-on. It's a little scary to think of how games may have developed if this product had been successful. Instead of the 3D boom, would we all be playing FMV games now? Or 2D platformers with really good music?[Via Insert Credit]
ActRaiser, Kid Chameleon on the Virtual Console
Each week, Nintendo unveils enough Virtual Console goodness to keep us occupied for seven whole days. Three new classic games make an appearance today, spanning the genres from simulation to platformer to ... well, they're mostly platformers. But the inclusion of ActRaiser means you'll have at least one game worthy of your precious Wii Points. ActRaiser (SNES, 800 Wii Points) - The classis SNES game that combines side-scrolling platform elements with a Sim City-esque urban planning simulation. J.J. & Jeff (TG-16, 600 Wii Points) - A "comical action game" starring two detectives solving cases in a platformer-style adventure. Kid Chameleon (Genesis, 800 Wii Points) - Work your way through over 100 levels in this early Genesis platformer. Take on different forms such as Berzerker, Micromax, or a Skycutter, each with unique abilities.
CNET's best video game controllers of all time
CNET UK recently unveiled a "totally subjective" top five list of the best video game controllers of all time. Heading the pack is Atari's one-button joystick, joined by the SNES controller, and the N64 and PS2 controllers. Surprisingly enough, the Xbox 360 pad lands on the list for being the first to make wireless design a standard. The Wii remote was mentioned but quickly dismissed, as it hasn't been around long enough to prove itself as a revolutionary device.It's a rather obvious list that omits innovation in favor of time-tested design. Atari's joystick was nothing short of groundbreaking in its day, as were the SNES and N64 controllers. And we're just broken to bits that the PS3 boomerang never had the chance to fight for a spot on this list.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Today's most musical video: Final Fantasy in Mario Paint
YouTube user TomBobBlender has built a stockpile of game music songs recreated in Mario Paint. One of his latest, the Final Fantasy IV battle theme is our pick for today's video, but browse through his YouTube page for even more selections. Game music recreated in a game -- does it get any geekier better than that?See the clip after the break.
See before you buy: Japan edition
We were happy when Nintendo of America finally put up some preview videos so people could at least get a look at Virtual Console games before throwing their Wii Points into a hole. Now, Nintendo of Japan has done the same! You'll be able to preview new Virtual Console games long before they come to the US. In many cases, you can just uselessly torture yourself by watching videos of games like Shin Megami Tensei and Mario's Super Picross that will never be released over here! And if there's anything we enjoy, it's uselessly torturing ourselves.[Thanks, creamsugar!]
VC Friday: Fights, battles and bombs
Looking at the Virtual Console releases has taught us one thing: if violent games really did create violent people, we'd all be fighting in the streets. The VC is packed with shooters and brawlers, but hey, that's how we roll, retro style. Not that we don't appreciate platformers, puzzles, and RPGs, mind you. We just really like anything with "up" in the description. We're not picky when it comes to choosing between beating 'em up, or shooting 'em up.This week's batch: Battle Lode Runner -- TurboGrafx -- 600 Wii points Final Fight -- SNES -- 800 Wii points Mighty Bomb Jack -- NES -- 500 Wii points
