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Lego NES really undersells system's graphics

by David Hinkle { Nov 6th 2009 at 4:15PM }

Video games and Lego go together like peanut butter and chocolate. We've seen wonderfully bricky homages to Donkey Kong and cuddly little Pokemon, an ingenious way to make your own Zapper and even recreations of other Nintendo consoles -- and now, a full NES set courtesy of MOCpages.

Not only does it come with two controllers and a Lego cartridge, but the builder even went so far as to create a TV and mock gameplay. But, that's not even the kicker: the thing even has a working cartridge slot and power and reset buttons! Head on over to MOCpages to check it out.

[Via Gizmodo]

Ten ways to spend your Internet Channel rebate

by JC Fletcher { Oct 21st 2009 at 4:30PM }

Some of you are, as of today, five dollars richer, with that five dollars earmarked for the NES Virtual Console game of your choice. You probably have all the Marios and Zeldas you want (and River City Ransom), so we thought we would help you figure out what to do with that windfall.

We've picked ten games that you may not have purchased yet. We didn't try to get obscure or anything, because there are only 83 NES games available! So this is basically a list of games we like that we think you're not so likely to have purchased, And there are no imports, because those cost 600 Wii Points.

Let us help you spend your money>>

Free NES game now available to Internet Channel buyers

by JC Fletcher { Oct 21st 2009 at 11:15AM }

Good news for the people who were unfortunate enough to get the Wii Internet Channel between July 1, 2007 and September 1 of this year. Yes, you may have gotten taken for 5 bucks, but with today's Wii update, Nintendo of America is giving that money back to you in the form of a free NES game from the Virtual Console. You'll see the message when you turn your Wii on, as with all updates.

Don't take too long pretending to face a tough decision, because this offer will expire at the end of the year. Just buy River City Ransom and enjoy it! If you've already got River City Ransom, we've heard good things about that "Castlevania" series.

NES controller flash drive is Konami Code-protected

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 15th 2009 at 3:30AM }

Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Start. It's a powerful string of commands capable of garnering its invoker thirty lives, a gaggle of power-ups or other potent in-game bonuses. However, a technomancer from ProtoDojo.com has figured out a way to give the Konami Code practical applications in real life -- it can now be used to unlock one gigabyte of LOLCat JPEGs, German techno covers of Billy Ocean songs or, well, smut.

This little slice of realized magic is possible due to a 1GB flash drive embedded into a hollowed-out NES controller. Entering the Konami Code into the controller unlocks it, allowing you to browse its contents on your compy. To see how this technological feat was made possible, watch the video after the jump. After that, start pondering what this guy could put into a Power Glove. Perhaps -- dare we say it -- a two gigabyte flash drive?

[Via The Tanooki]

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NintendoWare Weekly: Thorium Wars and a Word about Final Fantasy

by David Hinkle { Oct 5th 2009 at 10:58AM }

It's a light load this week for Nintendo aficionados. With only a trio of new downloads available, this week's offerings pale in comparison to the robust lineup of last week, but, alas, we must soldier on. Despite a lack of quantity this week, quality is here, as Nintendo and Square Enix have finally made good on their promise to bring Final Fantasy to the Virtual Console.

See the full release details after the break.

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Euro Wii 'Ambassadors' to receive keys to the Virtual Console

by James Ransom-Wiley { Sep 16th 2009 at 11:15AM }

Eager to show its disconnected patrons that their Wiis can do more than Wii Sports -- you don't even have to eject the disc! -- Nintendo has appointed pretty much anyone in Europe savvy enough to visit Wii's Connection Settings menu an "Ambassador." Here's how the "Connection Ambassador Promotion" works: Beginning in October (as seen in Japan), if you help another Wii owner establish an online connection, you and your incompetent friend will both receive five Nintendo bucks (500 Wii Points). (Presumably, when connecting for the first time, there will be an option to credit an Ambassador.)

And if you extend your services to the maximum of twenty previously offline console owners? You're looking at a 10,000-point payout ($100 worth of old games you probably have tucked away in cart form, plus all those WiiWare options) -- not bad, eh?

But wait! There's a more tempting perk to this promotion. As Ambassador, once you connect ten users, you'll achieve "gold status" and be free to download all first-party NES titles on Virtual Console. Oh, but it gets far better: Hit your twenty connections and -- you guessed it -- you've attained "platinum status," essentially granting you the keys to Nintendo's Virtual Console catalog. That's right, all first- and third-party NES, SNES and N64 games -- for free.

Quick! Google map the twenty nearest old folks homes and get ambassadoring!

Contra vs. Duck Hunt takes fowl play to a whole new level

by David Hinkle { Sep 15th 2009 at 1:15PM }

When Contra 4 came out, we had the distinct displeasure of realizing not enough things in life had Contra in it. Thankfully, through the magic of internet technology, we can now check one thing off that list: Duck Hunt. YouTube user daneboe managed to combine the shoot-em-all gameplay of Contra with the duck genocide that is Duck Hunt, creating an entirely new experience. We do think that snickering dog should've gotten a taste of Bill Rizer's brand of justice, but hey, something's gotta be left for the sequel, right?

Head past the break to check out the video.

[Via Infendo]

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VC in Brief: Crash 'n the Boys: Street Challenge (NES)

by David Hinkle { Sep 14th 2009 at 8:35PM }

Crash 'n the Boys: Street Challenge (NES, 1 - 2 players, 500 Wii Points)
We say: Fun, but tiring
Crash 'n the Boys: Street Challenge is pretty awesome, don't get me wrong, but it can be a bit much during extended play sessions. For the 400m Hurdles, my left arm would become quite strained because your speed is dictated by how well you can spam the d-pad (admittedly, it also has to do with how well you can navigate the hurdles). Despite this and some of the more tedious activities within, Crash 'n the Boys: Street Challenge is still a great time. Check it out!

Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer these videos as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks.

NES carts make great external hard drives, clocks too

by Xav de Matos { Aug 27th 2009 at 7:15PM }

Etsy user 8-bit Memory has transformed classic NES carts into functional hard drives ranging in size from 250GB to 750GB. Using an old school style and modern-day tech skills, 8-bit Memory also offers wall mounted clocks made from classic NES carts, much like some we've seen before.

The hard drives start at $109.99 and can be custom-made to a buyer's specifications, while clocks ... uh ... clock in at $24.99. If you're looking to add a little more geek Chic to your gaming lair, check out what the shop has to offer.

[Thanks, Jon]

Square reboot Thexder NEO revealed by ESRB listing

by Griffin McElroy { Aug 24th 2009 at 10:45AM }

Square Enix has its finger in a whole lot of pies right now -- but if a recent ESRB listing is any indication, the developer might be preparing to sully its digits in yet another pastry. Said listing is for a PS3 and PSP title called Thexder NEO -- a new entry in a classic Square-developed franchise, which first appeared on the prehistoric NEC PC-8801 platform before making its way to PC and NES. Considering Square held the reins of this IP back in 1985, we're assuming the company will develop this new title -- but until we get more details, there's no way to be sure.

According to the ESRB listing, Thexder NEO is "a side-scrolling action game in which players control a transforming robot through a series of maze-like levels." Stop right there, ESRB listing. You had us at "robot."

Could this portable SNES look any better?

by Justin McElroy { Aug 14th 2009 at 1:00PM }

So you're not in suspense, the answer the the question we've presented in the headline is "No." In fact, we'd guess that ancient, primitive cultures given a glimpse of this lovely mod would instantly build an fortified temple around it, taking breaks from worshipping it only to make more progress in ActRaiser.

So, in closing, Darthchris 13, we'll take 30. And try to have them ready by the weekend, OK?

[Via Engadget]

Stop what you're doing and listen to the Nintendo Mixtape

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 12th 2009 at 1:01PM }

Doing yard work? Put down the rake. In the middle of intense litigation? Drop it. Giving birth? Hold it in. Whatever you're doing, you need to stop right now and listen to the Nintendo Mixtape. Created by New York hip hop group, No Question? (warning: MySpace link), the Got Game? album sets all of its tracks to mixes of 8-bit Nintendo music and phat beats. And it's awesome. We suggest you start with "Double Dragons" -- we've embedded its video after the break. For those at work, keep in mind that the video and some lyrics are a tad inappropriate. That said, if your boss hears this and does anything other than give you a promotion on the spot, he has no soul.

Oh, and the entire album can be yours for the reasonable price of nothing. Yeah, you're welcome.

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Dragon's Lair on NES might be the worst game ever

by David Hinkle { Jun 24th 2009 at 3:40PM }

While we like to think that we've played a lot of NES games, we never experienced the console's version of Dragon's Lair. And we're thankful for that, as a Nintendorks video (available after the break) shows what could possibly be the worst game ever made ever. Not only is the gameplay an issue, but it's so tough that getting past the first screen is on par with scoring a womp rat bullseye in your T17! How do you make this game and not stop to question it halfway through?

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A portable NES with 76 games? You shouldn't have!

by Justin McElroy { May 29th 2009 at 5:05PM }

Oh dear reader, this gift of yours was completely unnecessarily, but appreciated all the same! How did you know that we wanted a Nintendo-on-a-chip handheld with 76 games built around a Super Joy III KIRF TV game with a 2.5-inch display?

And how did you ever get the dude who made it (Ben Heck forum member Brian Hender) to part with it? No, you're right, it's rude of us to ask. We're just happy you did it.

[Via Engadget]

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NES controller mouse: now you're pointing with power

by JC Fletcher { Apr 30th 2009 at 3:15PM }

We can't remember the last time we felt the pangs of gadget lust for something so utilitarian as a mouse. We know we've never wanted our mouse buttons to be more button-like and less flush with the surface of the device. This NES controller mouse is inspiring feelings in us we didn't even know we had -- as well as the quite familiar feeling of "loving NES controllers."

Too bad, then, that this mouse, the first to elicit an emotional response from us in recent memory, isn't real. It's a foam model made as a school project. Thanks a lot, brain. Try to like real things next time.

[Via Engadget]