Nintendo's '8-bit Summer' Starts Next Week

In a recent Nintendo Direct press conference, Nintendo announced a summer promotion for 3DS owners that should make retro fans very happy. Dubbed the "Summer of 8-bit," the promotion will see Nintendo releasing retro Virtual Console titles on the 3DS eShop for each week in July. Here is the list of games and dates they've put out so far:

• The Legend of Zelda (NES) - July 5
• Kirby's Pinball Land (Game Boy) - July 12
• The Sword of Hope II (Game Boy) - July 12
• Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters (Game Boy) - July 19
• Tumblepop (Game Boy) - July 19
• Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (Game Boy) - July 19
• Sonic Blast (GameGear) - date TBA
• Sonic Labyrinth (GameGear) - date TBA  

Not too shabby of a list, and it's great to see not only NES games, but GameBoy and SEGA GameGear games as well on the list. For me personally, I'll be picking up Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters, Wario Land and both Sonic GameGear games.

Nintendo also released a trailer for the promotion, which you can check out below.

Gameboy Advance Time Machine

I really enjoy all the Famicon style designs Nintendo came out with in Japan back in the day. I loved the American version as well, but there's something really cool about these designs. The other really cool thing about early Nintendo in Japan is that they came out with all sorts of insane accessories. Later in the game, Nintendo actually created a "GBA Time Machine." I assume it was Nintendo and not a third party. It allows you to play your NES carts right on your GBA. Now, you can get a tiny card that supports micro SD slots to do the same thing via ROMs. But the fact that you can play your own carts and show off your coolness to all the other retro gaming nerds, makes me want one even more.

Replace your batteries on your Gameboys and other handhelds

A few years back I was very excited to find my Original Nintendo Game Boy, Gray at my parents house. I had all the original games and the original hard case. When I opened up the box I saw that Tetris was still in it. I thought I'd fire it up. Well it didn't fire up. I pulled at the cartridge and it didn't really want to come out. When I got it out I saw that it was coated in a blue patina. I had left the batteries in it. Not for very long either. Sadly when I opened up the unit, the cancer had spread throughout the circuit board and it was a lost cause. I still have it in case I need an extra body case etc... but I encourage all you retro gaming addicts to go to you closet, pull out your handhelds that you're not using and remove the batteries. NOW!

Pictured above: That's my childhood Gameboy. It was like watching my dog die before my eyes.

Watch Movies Via your Gameboy Advance

Holy cow! I don't know if this works but during my searching for Gameboy Advance systems I stumbled across this compact flash card that allows you to watch movies on your GBA. Since I'll be getting a donated GBA soon, I'm on the look out for anything and everything I can do with it. I've found multiple sites touting cards similar to an R4 to be used to play roms, but this is the first I've seen of this! Very cool. There's no product description but I can only assume is supports various types of movie file and allows you to watch them on the go.

Gameboys

I'm sure I've expressed my love for Gameboys in the past, but it's worth repeating. Recently I received and email asking me if I had any interest in a free Gameboy or a Gameboy Advance. What do you think my answer was? ABSOLUTELY! Even though I already have a GB and a GBcolor. You never know when these devices will die or accidentally fill with corrosion like my original GB. RIP. I still own it, but it may as well be a paper weight.

I am very excited about the GBA. I have never owned that unit and look forward to having some first hand game play. I also am thinking about picking up a GBA Flash card to allow me to download all the roms of all the GB games I already own and any GBA games I pick up. Much easier than lugging the actual carts around. As you know, I'm not a big fan of MASS ROM download. Just the games I own. Less wear and tear on my games and easier to carry.

If I had a choice to own any GB system it would be the Gameboy Mini. The device is insanely attractive and fits right in the pocket. I'm not positive, but it may also be backlit. If you've never seen one of these, drop by ebay and type in Gameboy Mini. Comes in a variety of flavors. If you have one laying around that you don't want, I'd be happy to pay shipping!

UPDATE: I just learned that one of my PS3 clan members recently sold off a mini. What a blow!! I'm afraid to ask how much he sold it for.