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PSP mod allows the use of a SNES controller
Once upon a time there was a girl who had limited use of one of her hands. Not to worry, she is still able to game after mastering the use of a Super Nintendo controller. However, she also enjoys the PSP but is understandably reluctant to learn how to play it with one hand. What's a gal to do?Fortunately, a clever bloke was commissioned to create a mod for her so she can use the SNES controller to play games on her PSP. Here's how it happened: he added a small socket originally intended for a cell phone, put together a custom cable and plug for the socket, then wired it to be used with the vintage controller. The mod even acts as a stand and keeps the PSP at an angle. A video of this in action, after the break:[Via Engadget]
VC Monday Madness: Super Turrican 2
Super Turrican 2 (SNES, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)Wii Fanboy says: download it! With there being only the one Virtual Console game this week, it had better be a good one, right? Well, Super Turrican 2 is a pretty solid title, but with the other great entries in the genre available on the Virtual Console, why should you check this one out? Well, hopefully the video helps answer that, otherwise we only have one thing to say: explosions. Each week, we here at Wii Fanboy like to check out the latest Virtual Console releases in our VC Monday Madness feature, in the hopes that you can make the most sound decision possible regarding purchasing retro titles from the Wii Shop Channel. If you're looking for more retro goodness, check out Virtually Overlooked, which talks about games that should be on the Virtual Console.
Super Nintendo controller table signals a trend
Remember that fad where everyone had dining room tables of their favorite Disney character? Or the age in the 70s where tables were shaped like lava lamps? No? At any rate, the modders over at SCAD Inc. have spent all summer crafting a fully-functional Super Nintendo controller-table, which reminds us an awful lot of the fully-functional NES controller-table we saw in May of this year. So, which geek is gonna take on the N64 controller table? Or better yet, the Virtual Boy?
Virtually Overlooked: Aerobiz Supersonic
I know what you're thinking upon seeing Aerobiz Supersonic as the chosen title for Virtually Overlooked. While some of you dapper readers might have played the game and can't wait to read and reminisce, most of you (if you've noticed the byline) are probably hoping for JC's swift return to the column next week. Before you pass this over in indifference, though, you should keep in mind that not only is this classic being "virtually overlooked" by Nintendo, but by virtually everyone else as well.
How to justify buying expensive SNES games
Do you crave awesome, quite rare SNES games? Do you wish you could buy said games without feeling guilty about coughing up the kind of money that would go a long way on the Virtual Console? Then we have a solution, dear reader -- head over to one of the two auctions we've linked below and bid away on whichever takes your fancy. The first lot consists of Square duo Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana auction (current price: $68), while the second consists of Super Mario RPG and Super Mario All-Stars (currently at $57). Even though they lack boxes, all four are quality games, and will serve a worthy cause -- every cent spent will go to Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana-West, a non-profit provider of training, career services, and education for people with disadvantages, including homelessness, lack of education, and physical, mental and emotional disabilities.Go on, do it! It'll make you feel all fuzzy inside, and may even assuage the guilt of the thousands you wasted on Stadium Events. But probably not.Read: Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana Read: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and Super Mario All-Stars [Via GamerTell]
Super Mario RPG alive and well!
In case you were wondering what all the fuss is about, the first footage of Super Mario RPG on the Virtual Console has surfaced. It's a rather speedy video showing bits and pieces of the acclaimed RPG, and it should be just enough to get fans excited and newcomers intrigued.Japanese gamers are already enjoying the classic title once again, but it might be a while before it becomes available in North America. It should come out eventually -- it's been rated for Australia, and the original SNES game was never even released there in the first place![Via GoNintendo]
Japan's Legendary Virtual Console
There's a certain feeling of envy emanating from non-Japanese Wii owners right about now, because the big release on Japan's Virtual Console calendar in June is not to be sneezed at. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is known to some intellectually superior gamers as one of the greatest SNES games ever made, and a catalyst for the entire range of righteous Mario titles we enjoy today -- Super Paper Mario, Mario & Luigi, and many others.Kudos, Japan. While we may be disappointed, it gives us a bright shiny ray of hope that maybe, just maybe, we'll be rocking out with this classic sometime in the future. However, Nintendo are tacking on an extra 100 Wii Points to the price tag, making the download a still-reasonable nine bucks. There's an extra dollar that will be lost forever, never to be spent on that bus fare to Grandma's house.Check in after the break for the full list of Japan's June Virtual Console releases.
Nintendo of Canada offers sealed NES, SNES, GameBoy titles for charity auction
Video game collectors have just been given a golden opportunity (and another thorn in their significant others' side). Nintendo of Canada is cleaning out their warehouse and is auctioning their collection of brand new, sealed retro games, with all proceeds going to United Way charity. The auctions, totaling 421 games in 24 different auctions, break down as follows: 70 NES games over 4 lots 169 SNES games over 13 lots 182 GameBoy games over 7 lots As of this writing, the highest bid in any auctions is US $1,013 for a collection of NES games that includes Mario's Time Machine, Dragon Warrior IV, The Great Waldo Search and – this is the big draw, folks – George Foreman's KO Boxing. There's some great games in the other lots, too, with Addams Family and Lost Vikings activating the most synapses in our nostalgic minds.Joystiq got in touch with Nintendo of Canada to confirm the auction is legit, so what are you waiting for? Bidding for all lots ends June 5.
A portable SNES we wouldn't mind having
It's the little things in life. Like the simple design that focuses on the color scheme of the SNES above, as well as simple no-bull design of the unit overall. What we're not sure of is how using that d-pad is. This thing looks kind of thick, you know.But, we have to say we dig the thing. We can see ourselves enjoying a game or two of some of our old favorites on this.
Force Dynamics 301 driving simulator takes on Super Mario Kart
While most of the cool kids are off whizzing around courses in Mario Kart Wii, the gurus at Force Dynamics are reminiscing about the one that started it all. Apparently the firm has tweaked its 301 motion platform to actually control the kart in the SNES hit, and the rider's chair even leaps up along with Mario, Peach or any other jumping character you choose. Sure, it's missing those absolutely brain-melting Wii graphics (but not by much, if you catch our drift), but we'd probably take a ride in this over an hour with the Wii Wheel any day. Check out the full video waiting after the break.
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]
Super Nintendo papercraft set brings memories rushing back
Remember the first time you completed a full race on Super Mario Kart (frustrating finish and all)? If you've somehow let less important things push those blissful memories aside, take a glance at ryo007's beautifully assembled papercraft set and see if doesn't start to come back. This palm-sized kit features a detailed SNES console, a couple of controllers and a hollow version of Super Mario All-Stars. Best of all, the creator has hosted a template in order for you, closet SNES lover, to create your own. Finding where you put those scissors, however, may still be a challenge.[Via technabob]Read - SNES papercraft templateRead - SNES papercraft assembled
SNES modded into handheld by Ben Heck forum member
Sure, you've seen the portable wooden SNES, but if you've been looking for something with more of that fresh-off-the-showroom-floor sheen, maybe you should check into this Ben Heck-forum user's design. Using a modified Polycase, dual lithium-ion batteries, a 5-inch Zenith LCD, and a whole bunch of Super Nintendo, the modder created what could easily be mistaken for a bona-fide production model. Sure, the back looks a tad bit messy, but "Life of Brian" (the SNES fan in question) has managed to squeeze in a second controller port and A/V outs -- no small feat. Check the video after the break to see the handheld in action... a lot of action... like, the guy plays StarFox for a long time.[Via Switched]
SNES CD development controller on eBay for a mint
Ah, eBay. Home to some of the rarest, most incredible devices known (and previously unknown) to man. On the docket today is a stupendously rare, unreleased development controller for use with the SNES CD dev kit. Yep, a unreleased controller for an unreleased system -- pretty much a collector's dream. Unfortunately, the controller alone won't do you very much good beyond hooking you up with unbelievable bragging rights, but unless you've got $2,999.99 (at least) to blow, the above picture is close as you'll get to this treasure.[Via NintendoWiiFanboy]
Club Nintendo gift is Super Famicon controller for Wii
Members of the (unfortunately) Japanese-only Club Nintendo get all the good swag - remember the working TV remote modeled after the Nintendo Wii remote? The big gift this year, for members with over 400 club points (earned via buying Nintendo products over the past year) can receive a working Super Famicon attachment for the Wii that, according to an IGN translation, will be delivered by April 2008. Other items of interest include a Mario Galaxy soundtrack (two CDs, 81 tracks) and a set of two 2008 tabletop calendars. As usual, we wish Nintendo would offer such goodies outside of Japan. Eligible Club Nintendo participants have until December 2 to select one of the above gifts, but do you really need that long to choose?[Via Engadget]
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]
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.
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.
World's "only" PowerFest '94 SNES cartridge up for auction
We have to admit, we've seen some pretty zany stuff in the Nintendo realm this month, but this one probably takes top honors. For the fanboys and girls, the words "PowerFest '94" and "Nintendo World Championships II" immediately incite fits of giddiness, and for those sulking in the uninformed camp, here's the skinny: just 32 of these brutally ugly and oversized cartridges were ever manufactured, and after the round of tournaments played with them in 1994, all but one was reportedly "given back to Nintendo and reused for parts." The cart itself housed Level 1-1 of Super Mario Lost Levels, five laps around the first track on Super Mario Kart, and a home run derby from Ken Griffey Jr. Winning Run, all of which were set to a timer and channeled out to other systems to monitor the scores of everyone involved. Needless to say, owning this prized possession could indeed fetch a pretty penny, and if you've ever wondered just how much a one of a kind SNES cart would run you, we'll give you 25,000 or so guesses. Click on through for a few more snapshots.[Thanks, Casey]
Wii-SNES mod: take that, Virtual Console!
Kotomi, the French mod master we've featured many times on DS Fanboy has finally turned his sights onto the Wii, and the result is beautiful to behold. Forget the Virtual Console -- you can just snap your old SNES carts right in there and throw down. All you need is a classic controller and a lot of extra time. Kotomi has been working on this mod since February, and it was originally planned as an NES mod, but along the way, he gave in to the pervasive allure of the Super NES.
