Posts Tagged ‘nintendo’
Podcast/Article: The Top 10 Nintendo 64 Games
Due to a video issue and the ever growing challenge of collecting all of the games necessary for a top 10, we’ve decided to go audio only on the debate and reveal. It’s not all bad news though, we do have the printed version if you don’t want to listen to the nearly 2 hour debate over our top 10. Also be sure to submit your own top 10 via this comments section, sending an e-mail, or join the Patreon at $3 or more to be entered into a contest for $10 in Nintendo eShop credit. We want strong community involvement for next week’s response. The contest ends next Thursday, May 14, at midnight Eastern time. The text top 10 is below.
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Podcast: Nintendo’s Double Ds
This week Fred and Jam talk about Nintendo’s random and rare add-on for the Nintendo 64 that only released in Japan, the 64 DD. A compression disk drive that allowed various forms of software and accessories that were quite forward thinking when announced in 1995 but ultimately was anitquated when it finally premiered in 1999. With some of the most versatile and interesting software of the late 90s, the 64 DD is not simply an add-on to display on a shelf (although that’s what most do with it).
Podcast: It’s On Like Donkey Kong
This week, after talking about the controversial Genesis/Mega Drive Top 10 and getting the community list, Fred and Jam run and jump into the world of Donkey Kong. An unfortunately misnamed ape, Donkey Kong marked another strong arcade property for Nintendo that with the help of Rare evolved into the popular platforming series that still lives on today.
Opinion: The State of Games
Normally we focus on retro here at Gaming History 101, but I don’t think it’s ideal or responsible to ignore the present either. Despite the handful of modern reviews and the potential plan to re-introduce the Gaming History X podcast, I still think the strength of our site is to remain retro focused. I still get psyched waiting for E3, seeing the new hardware and software on the market, and reflecting on things to come. Right now is a weird time for console gaming. The PC trumps the consoles yet again but I feel this time around there was never a loss of momentum for the complicated pseudo console that has been the PC and from the time of the PS4 and XB1’s release that gap has only grown wider. Meanwhile Nintendo is this awkward dichotomy of complete control over the handheld market and a niche presence on consoles and some disturbing trends that are exploiting retro fans are emerging. When you suddenly see the cooperative gaming development, media, and zeitgeist all get together and remember the games of the past to provoke interest, those of us that never forgot may be tempted to get a bit elitist and a bit resentful. I personally took issue with the concepts of Gex suddenly entering the world of big press podcasts, the fact that IGN is desperately seeking to keep hold of its massive audience while juggling the departure of major talent and the lack of regular game releases of note, and don’t get me started on the people that just plain like to generate revenue on playing emulated games completely without context and making fart jokes over them. Then I realized I have no reason to care. Let everyone do what they want to do, besides I’ve always conceded that retro content is something to be shared and not competed against. Just as there will be indies who give content away for free to the enjoyment of all, there will also be businesses attempting to make a quick buck off of it. Since we here at Gaming History 101 have no ads, no income, and are not a business, we are in the unique position to have, literally, nothing to lose. With that in mind I would like to take our retro context and take a look at the state of gaming – consoles, PCs, handheld, mobile, and potentially VR – and give a quick oversight as we approach the 90 day mark to E3.
Someone Made A Mario Timeline
Mario has never had the most complex tale. With the majority of the games involving Princess Peach being captured and Mario having to go on a obligatory expedition to rescue her. Well if you ever wondered how could all those Mario titles possibly link together then fear not a hard working YouTuber has placed the majority of the Mario series (including some spin offs) into a rather convincing chronological order. Who knows maybe Nintendo will take note of this effort and allow another official historia like Zelda. It’s just a shame they didn’t go one step beyond and include some of the more uncommon Japanese titles. Still, this is a fantastic video worth watching for any fan of the Mario games. Let’s face it guys there is a couple of games in this video you know you love.
Mini Podcast: The Story of Tetris
Tetris has probably one of the most sordid tales about rights management. This so-called “first game from behind the iron curtain” was one of the most popular and addicting games of the late 1980s. Even more interesting is the story about how Nintendo snuck in behind a handful of eager parties who got in at the ground floor and secured sole console rights to one of the most money-producing games of all time.
Retro Game Challenge: Conker’s Bad Fur Day
Over the Thanksgiving holiday Fred and his brother-in-law Brian sat down and played/streamed 14 glorious hours of the N64 classic Conker’s Bad Fur Day. It was a grueling battle and the boys vowed to use no faqs/walkthroughs/guides, which accounts for the long play time. Well now that all is said and done, this is the outcome: a 3 hour video filled with snarky remarks, alcohol use (in game and by the duo players), and some of the most outrageous moments in gaming. Enjoy!
Vos’ Corner: Toad!
Greetings Everyone! We wanted to share a great forum post made by reader and occasional podcast guest Vos5. He dedicated a very thorough visual history of Mario’s rarely beloved sidekick Toad.
GH101 is proud to present: Toad!
They first appeared in Super Mario Bros. with their infamous line, “Thank you Mario! But our princess is in another castle!” They played the same role in the Japanese Super Mario Bros. 2, known as The Lost Levels in the U.S.
In the American Super Mario Bros. 2, Toad was playable for the first time, where he was the fastest of all the characters! However, he didn’t jump as well as the others.
Super Mario Bros. 3, is where Toad houses are introduced and Toad gives you items and extra lives.
Podcast: Now You’re Playing With Power
This week Fred and Jam are talking about the other 8-bit console that graced the late 1980s, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). While it was just another console option in Japan (albeit a massively popular one), the NES had a strong presence in Europe and a massive overtaking in the United States. It wasn’t just the games, business practices in the US and overall control over game development assisted in making the NES (and in Japan, Famicom) one of the most influential video game consoles of all time.
Podcast: GBA Forever
This week the boys are talking all about the Gameboy Advance. Nintendo’s successor to the extremely popular Gameboy was touted by many as the SNES in your hands. Well it was a lot more than that and we’re talking all about the crazy library of games that reminded us how fond we were of the 16 bit era.
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