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.

Playing Galaga on my Motorolla Droid

I was just sitting around trying to decide what to do and decided to fire up Galaga on my Motorola DROID X Android Phone using Nestoid. If you haven't tried out Nestoid on the Droid I highly recommend it. Unfortunately it is not available on the iPhone. If it were available I'd be playing some online NES action with Brian. We'll figure out something one of these days. I'm dying to play Double Dragon with him via the internet. I think I'm going to have to figure out a way to do that.

Retro Mint Box Storing Erasers

I bought these mints a long time ago just to get this awesome tin. The Nintendo Store in NYC has all sorts of cool items like this! I now usr it to store my awesome erasers. It is a head turner.

Retro Review--Donkey Kong (Wii Virtual Console)

Man, I love me some Donkey Kong. There are certain games from my childhood that are embedded in my brain permanently, both for their gameplay and their unmistakable sounds. From the moment the ominous intro music starts, Donkey Kong brings me right back to 1981.


Sadly, however, the Virtual Console version of Donkey Kong fails to fully complete my nostalgic trip back to my childhood, as the version available for the Wii is the NES version, not the arcade one.

 This is bad, because the NES version, for those that don;t remember, is missing one of the four levels (the conveyor belt one).  This game has only three levels, and it’s also missing the intro where Donkey Kong jumps on the girders before Mario starts making his way up to Princess Paulina.

It’s not all bad--the base mechanics and graphics are fine, and the signature sounds are all still there. This version also offers two levels of difficulty, for those that like their barrels to be coming fast and furious.

So, if you’re looking to take a trip down memory lane, you can download Donkey Kong on virtual console for five bucks. Just keep in mind, you won’t be able to go all the way down memory lane. But, a short walk is better than no walk at all.

3 out of 5 Incomplete Trips to the Past

NEStacular Summer Challenge Print

Well the print is done and sent out to the winners of our NEStacular summer challenge. Congrats on the folks who beat Super Mario Brothers, Metroid and Zelda this summer! IMPRESSIVE! Here is a sneak peak at what they won. I'm not sure what else Brian has intended for this print. But enjoy!

Retro Gaming Donations

Brian and I are always seeking new games, game consoles and accessories. If you think you have something kicking around your parents attic or in your basement and would like to donate the item, please contact us. We do our best to provide our audience with a wide variety of content ranging from the early days of gaming up to ten years ago. We promise, your piece of antique technology will get the love and care it deserves.

That's right! Brian and I are back in action with NEW Cartridgecade segments. We'll be announcing the new episode soon. You'll be able to go check out the podcast by going to Secret Identity and downloading the latest episode, going to drivethrucomics.com to download or by streaming it via the link on the right column of this site. We'd like you to stop by our message board (RIGHT NOW) and tell us what games you want to hear us talk about.

NES Cart Humidor

So, one of my good chums gave me this massive humidor thinking I could make a sweet guitar out of it. I might just do that. But as soon as I saw the size of it, I knew exactly what could fit in it. AND BAM! They did! While this is only a tiny tiny portion of my NES games, they look lovely in this well crafted cedar humidor.

Program your own NES cartridge

This is a very cool product. Unfortunately the price point is a bit high for my taste. It allows you to play your ROMs on a cartridge. It saves the roms on an SD card and you are ready to rock.


More info here.

What game controllers do you have?

I was zipping around the internet today seeking retro game goodness, when I came across this image in google images. Kotaku.com asks their readers, "which game controllers do you own?" I'm pretty sure I own seven from this picture. Do I know what they all are called? Nope. But I've got them. How many do you have?

NES controll mod for Wii

I wish Nintendo would just release a completely white old school NES controller to attach to the Wii. However, rather than holding your breath, you could try this cool mod that I found while browsing for retro gaming goodness. There is nothing better (in my opinion) than meshing todays technology with my favorite old games. That's one of the main reasons I purchased a Wii.

Check out the mod by clicking this link.
Or just buy an adapter!!!!

GMP Game Media Player 2GB - NES Emulator + AV OUT (0549-0001)

Not interested in obtaining piles of NES carts for your Mini Retro Handheld? Or you don't want to carry around you carts on your long road trips? Try out a handheld like the GMP Game Media Player 2GB - NES Emulator + AV OUT (0549-0001). You can load up your roms and go to town without the hassle of extra bulk. You can also listen to music and watch movies too.

Here is one place to get. You may want to shop around.


Manufacturer Specification

• Memory: 2GB
• External Memory: SD/MMC Card (Max 2GB)
• Display: 3 Inch TFT LCD
• Video Format: AVI
  Conversion formats: MP4, AVI, WMV
  Video Resolution: 320x240
  FPS (Frames per Second): 25fps
• Music Format: MP3, WMA
  Bit rate: 32-320Kbps
• Picture Format: JPEG, BMP, GIF
• Built in MIC
  Record Format: WAV
• FM radio: 87.5~108.0MHz
• Earphone Jack: 3.5mm
• SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio): >85dB
• Output of earphones: 2x23mW(16Ohm)
• Output of Speaker: 2x23mW(16Ohm)
• Languages: English, Chinese, French, Dutch, Czech, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish
• USB: 2.0
• System: Windows 98/SE/ME/2000/XP
• Power Source: Built in Rechargeable Li Battery
• Dimension: 62x130x19mm (LxWxD)

You can also check out this less expensive counterpart, which seems promising"
Click Here


China Manufacturer Specifications

• Primary Function: Gaming and media player entertainment system
• Display: 2.8 inch QVGA LTPS (Low Temperature PolySilicon) LCD Screen
• Memory:
  - Internal 4GB
  - External Mini SD card
• Controller Design: D-pad
• Gaming Console Modes:
  - NES (Nintendo Entertainment System - 8bit)
  - SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System - 16bit)
  - Sega Genesis (Sega Mega-Drive - 16-bit)
  - GBA (Nintendo Game Boy Advance)
  - Neo-Geo (SNK Neo-Geo)
  - CPS1 and CPS2 (CAPCOM, arcade game systems, 1st and 2nd edition)
• Compatible Video Formats: FLV, WMV, ASF, RM, AVI, MPEG, MP4, RMVB, SWF
• Compatible Audio Formats: MP3, WMA, APE, FLAC
• I/O Slots
  - Earphone jack
  - Mini-USB slot
  - Mini-SD slot
  - AV OUT (output to TV - NTSC or PAL, 16:9 or 4:3)
  - Stereo Speakers
• Additional Media Functions:
  - FM Radio with recording function
  - Voice Recorder (MP3, WAV)
  - Image viewer (JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG)
  - Ebook reader (with text to speech function)
• Languages: English, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional)
• Dimensions: 125mm x 56mm x 14mm (L x W x H)
• Manufacturer Ref: C244B8F4E8
• Catalog Ref: Nintendo, DS, videogames, handhelds

Product Notes

• Introduce your children to 8-bit and 16-bit gaming coolness and never hear another "I'm so bored" complaint from them again
• NES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System - 16bit) = FC (Nintendo Family Computer, 8-bit)
• SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System - 16bit) = SFC (Nintendo Super Family Computer, 16-bit)

Package Contents

• Model CVFH-N03-4G Portable Game Unit
• AC Adapter
• Mini-USB adapter
• User Manual - English
• Earbuds

NES Wii Game Skin

I'm in a posting mood today because I'm googling 8 bit graphics to get this site under way. I keep getting side tracked!



Check out this cool skin for the Wii. Easy on-easy off decals to give your Wii that NES look. I actually might get this. I can't believe it, but I don't know that I can help myself. Simple concept: get stickers to transform your Wii. We've seen this idea to add your favorite character to your Wii, 360, PS3 etc... but never have I seen someone make a disguise for their system. I give if 5 out of 5 NES cartridges sitting sadly in a corner.

Check it out here.

Get Your Retro-game On with the Wii and Original Game Controllers!

This awesome adapter allows you to hook up your N64, SNES or NES controllers to the Wii for that real retro game feel. Are you like me? You have a bunch of virtual console games on the Wii, but you want to feel like you're really playing the true system or you don't want to worry about batteries in your Wii mote while you try to beat Zelda all in one sitting? Well here is your answer. I may have to get this myself.

I found it here, but I'm sure there are other places on the net.