snes posts(Subscribe to this feed)

Quickdev16 cart opens up wonderful world of SNES homebrew

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 26th 2009 at 7:30PM }

Has your homebrew SNES masterpiece, Secret of Manilow, been trapped within your computer for a decade or so due to technological restraints? Time to dust off your old ROM file -- the Quickdev16 SNES developer cartridge has all you need to get your brainchild up and running on Nintendo's Super console. The cart includes an Atmel AVR ATmega644 with boot loader, a USB connection with which to upload a ROM, 16 megabits of SRAM, and an RS232 converter.

We're assuming that if you possess the technical know-how to craft custom SNES games, then you probably know what all that stuff means. We're also assuming that you'd be more inclined to pony up for the cart's $120 price tag than we are. That's just a tad too steep for an SNES cart -- or rather, an SNES cart that isn't a sealed, mint condition copy of Chrono Trigger.

[Via Engadget]

VC in Brief: Final Fight 2 (SNES)

by David Hinkle { Oct 12th 2009 at 6:30PM }

Final Fight 2 (SNES, 1 -2 players, 800 Wii Points)

This week's offering punches the Virtual Console silly, continuing the adventures of everyone's favorite wrestler-turned-politician (What, you think Jesse Ventura deserves that honor? Pfft ...) in Final Fight 2. It doesn't innovate or really add much more to the original experience -- well, except for more dudes to punch. There are plenty more thugs to beat on, that's for sure. But what it lacks in innovation, it makes up for in dudes to punch. Seriously, do you wanna punch dudes? Because that's totally what's going on here.

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 like that.

NintendoWare Weekly: Pinball, Gravitronix, Final Fight 2

by David Hinkle { Oct 12th 2009 at 12:00PM }

Usually, we can't fit all of the titles available for download across Nintendo platforms into the headline, but this week's NintendoWare Weekly post is an exception. Those anxious to get their hands on some digital wares will only find three games available this week -- so in the interest of keeping this train a-chuggin' along, let's get to the details.

Continued →

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]

Continued →

VC in Brief: Super Empire Strikes Back (SNES)

by David Hinkle { Aug 24th 2009 at 6:15PM }

Super Star Wars (LucasArts, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
We say: You don't need a Jedi Mind Trick to tell you this is worth the scratch

After taking a week off to hook us up with some Shinobi, the Virtual Console provides us with the promised sequel to Super Star Wars: Super Empire Strikes Back. It's an improvement on the very fun Super Star Wars and ramps up the experience in almost every respect. But, be warned: as fun as it is, it's equally as punishing.

NintendoWare Weekly: Super Empire Strikes Back, Mr. Driller W.

by David Hinkle { Aug 24th 2009 at 11:10AM }

It may be slim pickings for Nintendo fans this week, but at least there's more 2D Star Wars action to enjoy. If that's not your thing, there's a new version of Mr. Driller on WiIWare and another puzzler on DSiWare to check out but, well ... that's it.

Head past the break for the complete listings.

Continued →

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]

VC in Brief: Super Star Wars (SNES)

by David Hinkle { Aug 10th 2009 at 9:15PM }

Super Star Wars (LucasArts, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
We say: Find $8 and cram it into your Virtual Console

Look, guys, you could head down to Toshi Station and waste time with your friends buying power converters or you could enjoy one of the finest titles in the SNES library. Go back to a time when MidChlorians never existed and just have fun with Super Star Wars. You won't be disappointed!

This is how you make a portable SNES

by David Hinkle { Jul 3rd 2009 at 1:15PM }

We often want to play SNES, but our busy up-and-go lifestyle of blogging for Joystiq doesn't allow it. Thankfully, a modder over at Retroactive.be came up with a solution: the portable SNES you see above. Sure, it's not our first time seeing such a mod, but it is definitely one of the most stylish. Why, we haven't been so blown away since we've seen this same mod made out of wood!

Head past the break for a video showing off the device, then hit up our gallery below for some other impressive retro mods.

[Via Pocket Gamer]

Gallery: Retro Mods

Continued →

USB SNES cartridge adapter will keep your PC clean

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 21st 2009 at 1:30PM }

We all know that emulation download sites are disease-riddled virtual cathouses, designed to inject your unassuming computer with any number of viruses, spywares and trojan horses -- that's why we can't help but be intrigued by this recently unveiled USB adapter for SNES game cartridges, which was lovingly crafted by modder matthias_h.

The adapter looks incredibly easy to use -- plug in a game cart, then boot or copy the SMC file found therein. Just like that, you're playing your favorite SNES titles -- and without contracting incurable cases of e-syphilis from "russian porn sites." Check out the video demo after the jump!

[Via Engadget]

Continued →

Modders gut an SNES, cram in a PC

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 20th 2009 at 1:00AM }

The SNES you see above, ladies and gentlemen, is no SNES at all. It is, in fact, a fully functioning PC (an Acer Aspire One netbook, if you want to know). Built by quangDX and DuPPs of Asobitech.com, the AASNES1 packs all the connections you need, WiFi and even some cool USB extension cables that plug directly into the console's controller ports (its makers also modified a Super NES controller to work as a USB controller). The DVD-RW drive is located inside the Super Mario World cartridge and the modders even made the Super Nintendo logo on the back light up. It is, in summation, sweet.

Check out a video of the AASNES1 after the break and head over to Asobitech for a step-by-step retelling of its creation.

[Via Engadget]

Continued →

VC in Brief: Ghengis Khan II (SNES)

by David Hinkle { Jun 8th 2009 at 6:15PM }

Ghengis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf (SNES, 1 - 2 players, 800 Wii Points)
We say: Strategy nuts will enjoy, but most should pass
This week, the Virtual Console receives a strategic update in Ghengis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf for the SNES. Oh, and hey, we're totally back with VC in Brief, after taking a short hiatus for E3. Are you glad we're back? We are! So, without further ado, let's get to it!

NintendoWare Weekly: Minis March Again, Swords & Soldiers

by David Hinkle { Jun 8th 2009 at 11:45AM }

With all of the excitement of E3 dying down, it's time we got back into the groove of things, and Nintendo knows that best. This week, the DSi gets some Mario vs Donkey Kong love, and WiiWare gets a pair of new titles. The Virtual Console isn't left out in the cold, either, as strategy fans will likely be interested in what Ghengis Khan is up to. So, head past the break and check out what's available for download from Nintendo this week.

Continued →

New DSiware revealed: Prehistorik Man, Six in One Translator

by Mike Schramm { Jun 2nd 2009 at 2:45PM }

Nintendo has cracked open the vault of upcoming titles due out later this year, and there's quite a few new titles mentioned for DSiWare. A few we already knew about (Gameloft's Uno and Hudson's Sudoku games were expected), but Prehistorik Man, published by Interplay, is an old SNES game (so Virtual Console we guess?), and there's a working title for a DSiWare game called Six in One Translator. Could you be translating between six different languages on your DSi sometime later this year? There are also quite a few "Domo" games planned -- we're guessing these are games that have to do with the popular Japanese Domo character, though

The full list of publishers, games, and expected release dates is after the break.

Continued →