Super Famicom
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NES and SNES creator Masayuki Uemura dies at 78
Masayuki Uemura, the lead creator of the NES and SNES, has died at 78.
'Wild Guns' and 'Panel de Pon' are coming to Switch Online next week
Nintendo is adding Rygar, Operation Logic Bomb, Wild Guns and Panel de Pon to the Switch Online library.
Super Famicom visual novel makes English debut on iOS
Visual novel Banshee's Last Cry was released as a choose-your-own-adventure novel on the Super Famicom back in 1994, but this week's iOS port is the first chance to experience the game in English. You can try out Banshee's Last Cry for free, but you'll need to pay $3.99 if you want to flip through every digital page. The who-done-it murder mystery takes place in a ski hotel lodge. No, you cannot just leave and let the authorities handle it - the app store description notes that guests are "snowed in" to the resort, so you can either channel Scooby Doo or let a killer go unchecked. Have we mentioned that local legends involve a banshee that can rip through flesh just by screaming? Sounds like a good time! Banshee's Last Cry has multiple endings and unlockable side stories, so diligence is likely rewarded. While the novel is currently only available on iOS, Assistant Localization Editor "@Aksys_June" tweeted that an Android version should appear soon.
Ys 5 fan translation released, full series now available in English
Falcom's 16-bit action-RPG Ys 5 has been localized and patched by the team of fan translators at Aeon Genesis, ending its long reign as the sole entry in the Ys series to never see an English-language release. Ys 5 debuted as a somewhat controversial game in 1995, arriving exclusively on the Super Famicom after a string of multiplatform releases. Ys 5 ditches the simplified enemy-ramming combat of earlier Ys games in favor of more traditional, Zelda-like fare, giving players more control over sword strikes and defensive maneuvers. Series enthusiasts previously localized the PC Engine version of Ys 4: The Dawn of Ys and its Super Famicom counterpart Ys 4: Mask of the Sun, and many other entries in the series were officially translated and released in North America. Ys 5 was never officially localized and a revised edition, Ys 5 Expert, also remained exclusive to Japan. A translation patch for Ys 5 is available at Aeon Genesis' website, and requires either an emulator or a Super NES flash cartridge to play. Falcom's most recent series entry, Ys: Memories of Celceta, was released last week for the PlayStation Vita in North America.
Prettied-up pastel SNES consoles now on sale
Okay so, we've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that a French retailer called Lekki has started selling four different shades of gorgeously refinished Super Nintendo console, each with its own matching controller and bonus Super Mario World cartridge. Hooray!The bad news, for us non-Europeans at least, is that these are PAL systems, which means that your dust-covered, attic-stored boxes of old SNES carts won't work, and therefore you'll need to either find a good import shop, or only ever play Super Mario World. If you are European though, or you've run out of holiday gift ideas for the retro-gamer in your life, the consoles will set you back €150, which is essentially $200.
SNES-001 Advance gives two retro gamers a screen to play, guarantees no fights for TV time (video)
There's been no shortage of SNES mods with built-in screens. They almost always tend to overlook one fundamental problem, however: with only one screen, gamers have to either share one tiny LCD or play solo, and neither option will make that Street Fighter II nostalgia trip a pleasant one. Frequent console modder Downing has offered a fix with a key trade-off. Although his Super Famicom-like SNES-001 Advance is decidedly non-portable, each gamepad has its own LCD to show what would normally go to one screen, even with audio. Both controllers are custom-molded creations that still plug in the old-fashioned, wired way. Downing certainly isn't hoarding his creation, despite it being one of a kind. An auction for the console (with a $500 buy-now price) is still well underway as of this writing, making sure that at least two Double Dragon fans will be happy without cutting into their less sentimental roommate's Netflix marathon.
ThinkGeek selling SNES-style Wii Classic Controller
The Super Famicom Classic Controller for Wii remains out of reach for everyone but Japanese Club Nintendo members (and eBay users, of course), but ThinkGeek is stocking a very close facsimile for $20.In fact, the Classic Super Famicom Controller for Wii is functionally identical to the Club Nintendo version. It plugs into your Wii Remote and lets you play Virtual Console games (or anything else that supports Classic Controller use and doesn't require analog sticks) with a controller designed to replicate the SNES pad. It even has the colorful face buttons of the Japanese controller.Right now seems like a questionable time to buy a Wii accessory, but you'd already be using it to play old games. The impending obsolescence of the Wii isn't necessarily a deal breaker. Besides, the Wii U uses Wii Remotes; a Classic Controller might come in handy with that as well.
Virtual Console release numbers Magically Drop in Japan
We used to look at Nintendo's monthly Virtual Console lineup with a mixture of anticipation (because we'd see at least a few games each month that seemed destined for our own Virtual Console) and dread (because it was a big list of Japanese game titles to translate). The May lineup inspires neither -- only a measure of apathy roughly equal to that on the part of whoever is responsible for the Virtual Console in the first place. There are only three Virtual Console games listed for May release in Japan. That's half of May 2009's already-skimpy lineup, and laughable compared to May 2008's bumper crop. Bandai Namco doesn't announce its VC Arcade releases beforehand, so there could be more games, but still ... poor Virtual Console. Genghis Khan 2: Clan of the Grey Wolf (Super Famicom) Heisei Shin Onigashima Zenpen (Super Famicom) Magical Drop 2 (Neo Geo)
Wii Super Famicom Classic Controller on sale to general public
Remember that limited edition Super Famicom Classic Controller? You know, that one that was once available only to Club Nintendo members over in Japan? By some remarkable feat of magic, wit and unmatched skill, the crew over at Play-Asia has secured stock to sell to the public at large, and wouldn't you know it, they have no issues shipping to the United States of America. Of course, you could also execute the X2Wii hack in order to make your existing SNES controller play nice with the Wii, but where's the fun in that? Unfortunately, this piece will run you just over $80 shipped, so you should make sure you're really as hardcore a gamer as you say you are before plunking down.[Thanks, Marcus]
Wii Warm Up: Even more classic
Last night, we saw the extremely brief return of the Club Nintendo Super Famicom Classic Controller, which popped up for sale at $70 and promptly disappeared. It's pretty desirable for something with the exact same button layout as the stock Classic, and no analog sticks.Don't take this as a slight, since we adore old systems --this is merely a conversation topic. Is there something about the Super Famicom/SNES controller, or any other pre-N64 controller (we understand that the N64 controller has a unique form factor and button layout), that makes it inherently superior to the Classic in non-nostalgia-related ways? We miss the turbo switches from the TurboPad, but Hori's finally got a solution for that.%Gallery-20586%
Super Famicom Classic Controller available at Play Asia [update]
Update: Wow, that was fast. The controller is sold out. Uh, people must have way more money than we do. Send us one, plz?If you're looking for more of an authentic experience when playing those Virtual Console games, then know that Play Asia is now allowing folks to order the Super Famicom Classic Controller. Of course, if you want that authentic experience, you're going to have to pay for it. The controller is going for a whopping $70 at the site. Frankly, we'd advise tracking down a SNES controller and doing one of those wireless hacks to the thing. It's got to cost a lot less than seventy freakin' dollars.%Gallery-20586%[Thanks, MoFro!]
New SNES portable is heavy on the SNES, light on the portable
The SNES has certainly proven to be one of the most popular consoles to get the portable treatment among those go-getter console modders out there, and it looks like it's not showing any signs of losing that status, with this so-called SNEP (Super Nintendo Entertainment Portable) only the latest to pop up on our radar. As you can see above, this one is a tad less portable than some other handheld SNES mods we've seen (it also apparently needs to be plugged in), but it does at least do better job than most at staying true to the SNES's (or, more accurately, the Super Famicom's) instantly-recognizable appearance. There's no plans available for building your own, unfortunately, but you can check it out in action in the video after the break.[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]
A brief history of Club Nintendo Awesomeness
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/A_look_back_at_Club_Nintendo_s_greatest_gifts'; By now, you've no doubt heard: Nintendo is rolling out Club Nintendo in the U.S. by the end of 2008. Wahey! Yeah, we know that Japan (generally speaking) gets the most excellent items when compared to elsewhere, but listen here, bub: it's free stuff. We're not about to complain, and nor should you (if you want to feel sorry for somebody, Australia's Club Nintendo scheme has gone AWOL, and check out South Africa's piss-poor Stars Catalogue).Anyway, as these are happy times for North Americans, we thought we'd reflect on some of the bestest Club Nintendo gifts and trinkets from both Japan and Europe to date -- some of which could end up in the U.S.! Hit the gray button to start DS Fanboy's whirlwind Club Nintendo Tour of Wonders! NEXT >> #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; }
Promotional Consideration: Circuit City savings with Cecil
This week's installment of Promotional Consideration comes with an excellent bonus -- a Circuit City deal for the Final Fantasy IV remake, which ships to stores next week. The electronics retailer is offering a $10 gift card with any purchase of the 3D RPG, on- and offline. Factor in free-shipping for orders totaling over $24, and this makes up for "the Square Enix tax," that extra $10 the publisher often adds to its DS games.Now that we've done our part to sell the game to you, let's look at how Square Enix has been pushing Final Fantasy IV. %Gallery-3278%
Lego mania, Nintendo fanboyism combined
We've featured Lego-constructed Wiis before, but let's be honest -- making a big block out of smaller blocks isn't impressing anyone. This brick-built Super Famicom/SNES (PAL) from Lego Guy, however has a few curves to it, and even accompanying controllers and a cartridge!As you'll see past the post break, he has also fashioned himself a miniature Robotic Operating Buddy. On the topic of Legos, if you haven't checked it out yet, make sure to watch the Slide-Action Lego Crossbow Pistol video we've also embedded!See also: A cheap and colorful way to make your own Zapper
Here comes the Heavenly Bride, all dressed in a DQV promotional trailer
Though Dragon Quest IV hasn't even washed up onto U.S. shores yet (look for it in September), Japan is gearing up for Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride's release on July 17th with a new trailer. We can't complain too much about the wait, however, as publisher Square Enix has already announced that it will be bringing its DQV and DQVI (both originally released for the Super Famicom) remakes to the states eventually, having kept the two games in Japan for over 15 years. Comparatively speaking, a one- or two-year wait for DQV DS isn't that long! %Gallery-12146% [Via NeoGAF]
This is what a coin-operated NES looks like
While it's not unusual to be loved by anyone for hotels to include video game services, Japan used to do it arcade-style with coin-operated consoles (like the one shown above). 100 JPY (approximately $1 USD) would net you 10-15 minutes with a Famicom (NES), which means you'd have to lay down about $2 or $3 to for a satisfactory amount of this blogger's hotel staple, Punch-Out!!. The Super Famicom (SNES), though, was a bit more coin-hungry, and the $1 equivalent would only last five minutes -- yikes. Still, we're sure that if we visited Japan during the magical time that these boxes were hooked-up to hotel TVs, we would have let go of a few coins for some quick bouts of Mario and such.[Via Kotaku]
Limited edition Wii Super Famicom Classic Controller gets unboxed
Ah, Japan -- it just gets all the dope controllers, doesn't it? Just days after hearing that a Wii-white GameCube controller was headed there soon, a lucky, lucky member of Club Nintendo has unboxed his limited edition Wii Super Famicom Classic Controller. Yep, this token of nostalgia that we heard about way back in November of last year has finally arrived in the Land of the Rising Sun. Really, we can't believe you -- being the diehard Nintendo fanatic that you shamelessly are -- haven't already made it to the read link to check out the gallery of shots, but we won't ask you to test your patience any longer. Now, get![Via NintendoWiiFanboy]
Unboxing the Super Famicom Classic Controller
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Unboxing_the_Super_Famicom_Classic_Controller'; Have you put in your preorder for the Super Famicom Classic Controller yet? No? Well, you better do it quick, as the limited edition controller is a Japan-only Club Nintendo exclusive, and you likely won't be able to buy one months from now without spending some serious money on eBay. And by serious money, we mean wacky dollars.Inside Games has received its SFC controller, and so far, it looks faithful to the original, with the added bonus of a wireless experience via hookup to the Wii remote. Alright, so it's not completely wireless, technically, but you should be used to the setup with the Wii Classic Controller. Hit the link below for unpackaging photos of the retro pad.
SNES Wii controller coming to Japan in April
Like some of our editors here at Engadget, we know you long for the carefree, multi-hued days of the Super Nintendo and all its Mode 7 glory. Well, if you live in Japan, are a member of Club Nintendo (wherein you earn points for purchases of the company's games and accessories), and have the patience to wait until April, you could be the proud owner of the Wii SNES (Super Famicom, rather) controller. The gamepad won't be commercially available, nor will it be offered stateside (as far as we know), so now is the time to firm up your relationships with Japanese friends, or start saving pennies for your forthcoming eBay bidding war. Either way, the chance to relive your youth is just around the corner.[Thanks, J]
