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Nintendo Famicom – The Console that started it all

The Nintendo Famicom, also known as the Family Computer, was a home video game console released by Nintendo in Japan in 1983. One of the defining features of the Famicom was its unique game boxes, which featured colorful and eye-catching designs that helped to make the console stand out on store shelves. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the design and history of Famicom game boxes.

A Famicom Store Re-Imagined

The Famicom game boxes were designed to be both attractive and informative. The front of the box featured a large image of the game’s main character or characters, along with the game’s title and a small logo for the publisher. The back of the box featured screenshots of the game, a brief description of the game’s story and gameplay, and a list of features and controls. The sides of the box featured additional information about the game, such as the developer, release date, and number of players.

The Famicom game boxes were a different size to the NES game boxes, being smaller and not having the same NES video game protector sleeve which was standard for the system. The Famicom game boxes were made of cardboard and due to this they can wear fast due to their age and through wear and tear. For this reason it is a good idea if you are a collector to get the best Famicoms video game protectors for your Famicom game boxes. At RetroShell we offer the best famicom protectors which are made from 4mm acrylic and have a sliding door for easy access and offer the best retro game protection.

The design of Famicom game boxes was heavily influenced by the video games and anime of the time, with many boxes featuring bright colors, bold lines, and exaggerated character designs. The boxes also often featured illustrations of the game’s characters and environments, which helped to give players a sense of what the game was like before they even played it.

The design of Famicom game boxes was not only used as a way to grab attention but also as a way to create a sense of nostalgia. Many of the games box designs were often used again in later games or in re-released versions, creating a sense of continuity and a feeling of familiarity to old fans and new players.

The Famicom game boxes were not only a defining feature of the console, but they also played a major role in the success of the Famicom in Japan. The colorful and eye-catching designs of the boxes helped to make the Famicom stand out on store shelves, and they helped to attract both children and adults to the console. Today, Famicom game boxes are highly sought after by collectors and are considered an important piece of gaming history.

In conclusion, Famicom game boxes were not only an important part of the console’s design but also played a major role in the success of the Famicom in Japan. The unique design and attention to detail of the game boxes helped to make the Famicom stand out on store shelves and helped to attract both children and adults to the console. Today, Famicom game boxes are highly sought after by collectors and are considered an important piece of gaming history. If you want to keep and display your famicom game boxes in the best way, get yourself some RetroShell Famicom game protectors to ensure that they remain preserved for future generations.



Retro Gaming Weekly News #0031

Welcome to issue #31, tomorrow is a special day. It is the 57th birthday of a very famous fighter from one of the greatest fighting games ever. Despite being a fighter, he is also a movie star and wears a red gi. Can you guess who he is (answer at the bottom)?

 

 

News

Atari has revealed pre-orders for a master collection of 10 games for the 2600 and they look amazing – but $1000 and limited to 100 units. Link

 
Beautiful Designs, but $100 each.

Konami is selling its latest ‘Power Pros’ baseball video game for $1. It started as a game or the Super Famicom and has not been so popular outside Japan (for the PS4/Switch) [Video Games Chronicle). Link

Some smart gamer has made a Mario game in No Man’s Sky [Giant Freakin Robot]. Link

And another has made the Legend of Zelda in Minecraft [AFK Gamer]. Link

Nintendo has announced that they are bringing some classic Game Boy and Game Boy Advanced games to the switch, including Super Mario World and Tetris [Axios]. Link

Universal Studios will be doing a live stream of the opening of Super Mario World on the 15th of February (Wednesday). Link

And if you want to know the Mushroom Cafe menu – then Pirates and Princesses have got you covered. Link

 
That is a tasty burger.

A speedrunner has broken the record to complete Mario 64 – in only 46 mins, and 56 seconds [Reutir]. Link

Earthworm Jim 4 has been officially cancelled [MXDWN]. Link

Analogue has announced final orders for the Super NT (with an all-black version) and Mega SG – beautiful hardware. Link

 
Beautiful.

 

 

Features

Reutir has a feature on the mystery of Bowser’s brother, the other villain of Mario. Link

And they also have an article on how Zelda revolutionised the industry. Link

Study Finds has a list of the top 5 video games ever, and three are retro games. Link

“Get something that’s fun to play, then think about the story” – the Guardian have a feature on how and why Nintendo continue to succeed. Link

 

Lists and Rankings

CBR share a list of the 10 best Anime video games that were not released in the West. Link

Shacknews look back at the best-selling Zelda games of all time. Link

The Gamer gives you the best Star Trek games of the 90’s. Link

 
Who was the best captain?

And they also give you 7 8-bit era games that still hold up well today. Link

 
8 Bit Wonders

GamePur ranks the best 10 Sonic games. Link

CBR give you a list of the 10 best secret worlds in gaming. Link

And that’s a wrap. Ken is the birthday boy! Thanks for reading, if you want to follow our series on the top 20 SNES games you can do so on Tiktok, Instagram or YouTube – and we also have a RetroShell Reddit. Thanks for reading!

The importance of protection: Nintendo 64 Game Boxes

Introduction

When we think about the Nintendo 64 (N64), we usually think about Mario and The Legend of Zelda. But there are other great games for this console that deserve to be played too! And if you have any N64 game boxes lying around at home, you should make sure that those games stay safe in storage for future generations. 

The Old Video Game Protector

The Nintendo 64 (often referred to as N64) was released in 1996 and was the last major home video game console of the fifth generation, as well as the first console released by Nintendo since the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.

It was succeeded by the GameCube in 2001.

The Nintendo 64 (N64) was released in 1996 and featured the first ever 3D Mario game. The N64 was one of the most advanced consoles ever made when it was released, featuring analogue controls and a cartridge-based storage medium that allowed for more complex games than previous generations of consoles.

Many N64 games are in high demand and can be very expensive, even brand-new copies.

If you’re a collector, chances are you’ve heard of the Nintendo 64. This console has been around for over 20 years and there are still plenty of people who want to play its games today. Most popular titles can be purchased brand new from online retailers like Amazon or eBay; however, there are also many collectors who prefer to purchase used copies at much lower prices.

If you’re looking for N64 game boxes for your collection and don’t want to pay an arm and leg for them, then I recommend checking out online auction sites like eBay before making any purchases from retailers like Amazon or GameStop (which often charge more than what they should).

Game boxes are also very fragile and can be easily damaged or destroyed if not handled properly. The Nintendo 64 game box is made of cardboard, which is not a durable material by any means. Game boxes can become dirty or stained if they’re not stored properly, so it’s important to keep them safe at all times.

Additionally, game boxes are prone to damage from being dropped, stepped on or otherwise mishandled during transport (or even just due to age).

The cover art is printed on cardboard which can become worn and discoloured over time as well as becoming curled from repeated use.

Cardboard is a very common material for packaging games, but it’s also very prone to damage. Cardboard can be easily damaged by water and humidity, causing the colours of your box to fade or in some cases completely disappear.

They also frequently have special inserts such as posters or maps that are prone to tearing or creasing because they are made of thin paper stock.

If you are a collector or a gamer who owns Nintendo 64 games, then it’s important to protect your collection. There are several ways to do this. One option is using storage boxes that come with inserts for game discs and manuals. These can be purchased online or at local gaming stores, but if you’re looking for something more affordable and customizable, another option is making your own box from scratch.

The problem with these types of boxes is that they frequently have special inserts such as posters or maps that are prone to tearing or creasing because they are made of thin paper stock. If these items aren’t properly stored in their original condition when not in use (e.g., folded), then over time they will become damaged by frequent use and handling by children who may want access to them all the time!

Protecting your Nintendo 64 game boxes will keep them looking their best!

The Nintendo 64 game boxes are made from cardboard, which means that they can be damaged by moisture. Moisture can also cause the colors to fade over time, especially if you store your games in a hot attic or basement.

To protect your Nintendo 64 game boxes, keep them in a cool dry place away from sunlight and UV light. They should not be stacked on top of each other (unless you are using a RetroShell Nintendo 64 game box protector) or stored in garages or attics because these areas tend to be very humid and warm!

While Nintendo 64 cartridges are made to be durable, they can still be damaged. The N64 carts can be damaged by heat, humidity and dust. They can also be damaged by dropping them or exposing them to extreme temperatures–like leaving one in your car on a hot day.

Nintendo 64 game boxes also need protection.

While not as fragile as the console itself, Nintendo 64 game boxes are still susceptible to damage if they’re not handled properly. The cover art is printed on cardboard that can become worn and discoloured over time as well as becoming curled from repeated use. If you want your collection to remain in good condition, then it’s important that you store them properly when not in use.

The best way to protect your Nintendo 64 games is by storing them inside their original boxes with the manuals included so that they can be kept safe from dust and other harmful elements which could cause damage or destruction of these items over time if left unchecked for too long without proper care taken into account before doing so!

The N64 was one of the most advanced consoles ever made when it was released, with a sophisticated analogue control system that always took some getting used to after playing other systems with digital controls. The N64 also featured a Rumble Pak attachment that added vibration effects to games — another first for the console industry.

This means that if you’re looking for an authentic experience or want to play classic titles like Mario Kart 64 or GoldenEye 007 online, then you’ll need an original Nintendo 64 and controller.

The Nintendo 64 was the first console to use analogue controls, allowing players to control their characters by manipulating three-dimensional spaces using analogue sticks rather than just moving through 2D levels as in classic platformers like Donkey Kong Country or Super Mario Brothers. It also offered 3D graphics and a cartridge format, which meant that developers could put more memory into their games than they could with CDs (the standard format for PlayStation games).

The result? Platformers like Super Mario 64 were revolutionary because players could control their characters by manipulating three-dimensional spaces using analogue sticks, rather than just moving through 2D levels as in classic platformers like Donkey Kong Country or Super Mario Brothers.

Taking care of your games is important. Whether you’re a casual collector or a serious one, it’s important to ensure that your library stays safe for generations to come!

  • Careful storage will ensure that your game library stays safe for generations to come!

  • Use archival quality materials when storing video games and consoles: acid-free boxes, sleeves or cases; good quality plastic zip lock bags (not the cheap ones from Walmart); anti-static containers made specifically for storing electronics; etc.

If you are an experienced N64 collector, or starting to build your first collection – we suggest that you protect your games with our Nintendo 64 game box protectors. At RetroShell we offer N64 game protectors made of 4mm clear acrylic with a sliding door for easy access. Our Nintendo 64 game box protectors are best in class, and allow you to stack your N64 game boxes either horizontally or vertically to display your collection.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article on the importance of protecting your Nintendo 64 game boxes. If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Retro Gaming Weekly News #0030

Month one of 2023 is complete! This week in 1990 one of the greatest games of all time was released on the NES. Can you guess what it was? I’ll give you a clue if you found an instrument you could progress quickly [answer at the bottom].

We have been doing a quick video of the top 20 SNES games ever, doing a 30-second video for each, and you can check these out on our TikTok, Instagram or YouTube accounts.

 

News

If you are a fan of Japanese-exclusive games then you might be pleased to hear that the Super Famicom game -Kaizou Choujin Shubibinman Zero has been fan translated as Shockman Zero, and it looks like fun [Destructoid]. Link

 
There is a lot to love about this type of game.

There are rumours abound of there being a Lego Zelda set which might be released at the same time as the new game [Gossip Chimp]. Link

Limited Run Games have begun pre-orders for the 3DO/PC game “D”. Link

 
Nice to see the 3DO getting some love.

Whilst we are on Zelda, The Gamer report that A Link to the Past has been ported to the PC. Link

Crunchyroll games have released Hime’s Quest (a new game for the Game Boy Colour) for the PC for free! Link

 
Love to give baddies a good old-fashioned debugging….?

Nick Offerman – the lead for “The Last of Us” (well worth a watch) has never played the game he is performing for. Why? Banjo-Kazooie for the N64, that’s why [Comicbook.com]. Link

Goldeneye is finally on the Xbox – but they kept in the original bugs to “preserve authenticity” [IGN]. Link

The PS5 has finally outsold the Sega Megadrive – with sales of 32m units [Kit Guru]. Link

The Sega Astro City Mini V Cabinet is available in Europe [GameSpew] with 22 actual arcade games installed. Want. Link

 

Features

The Boar has a feature on 50 years of gaming, from Pong to the PS5. Link

The Express has a feature looking at some of the best video game books, with some notable mentions for a number of retro-related publications. Link

 
Love a good book

The Gamer reveals that Sonic was up against an egg to be the mascot for sega. Link

Game Rant looks back at 6 things that the Game Boy Advance did better than most other handheld consoles. Link

Who does not love dinosaurs? Skoar takes a look back on the brief history of dinos and video games, from Turok to Yoshi (is Yoshi a dinosaur…?_). Link

 

 

Lists & Rankings

Nintendo Life gives their view on the 50 best Game Boy games of all time. Link

 
Little grey bundles of joy.

Exputer tells you the best 35 multiplayer N64 games. Link

Game Fragger looks back at 38 years of Spider-Man in video games. Link

 
Not sure why, but I loved this picture.

Cultured Vultures presents to you the 15 best Sega Saturn games of all time. Link

That’s all folks. The answer to today’s question is Mario 3 (the magic flute was the clue). Thanks for reading, and if you enjoy this, please do share the love.

The Top 20 SNES Games with Metacritic Scores and Present Values

The SNES, or Nintendo Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a beloved console from what I consider to be the golden generation of gaming. The limited 8-bit era was over and the stage was set for more colours and better graphics. The two winners of the era were the Sega Megadrive/Genesis, and the Super Famicom, or Super Nintendo.

Which are on the list 

I was given a Megadrive for my birthday, which made me firmly team Sega – but as I have gotten older, I have learned to appreciate the amazing SNES. So without further ado, I give you my top 20 SNES games ever (my opinion!).

#20 – Mortal Kombat II is a classic fighting game that defined the genre in the 90s. With a roster of iconic characters and brutal finishing moves, it’s a must-play for fans of fighting games. Metacritic score 76%, expect to pay:  $15-$90

#19 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles- Turtles in Time is a classic beat-’em-up with fast-paced action and memorable levels. With up to four player co-op, it’s a great game to play with friends. Metacritic score 87%, expect to pay:  $45-$500

#18 – Kirby’s Dream Course is a unique and charming take on mini-golf, featuring the iconic pink character. With fun power-ups and challenging levels, it’s a must-play for fans of Kirby games. Metacritic score 79%, expect to pay:  $30-$110

#17 – Star Fox (Star Wing) is a classic on-rails shooter with a memorable cast of characters and iconic levels. With smooth gameplay and a sense of speed, it’s a must-play for fans of the genre. Metacritic score 82%, expect to pay:  $15-$50

StarWing SNES Game Box Protector
StarWing SNES Game Box Protector

#16 – F-Zero is a high-speed racing game with futuristic vehicles and challenging courses. With tight controls and a sense of speed, it’s a must-play for fans of the racing genre. Metacritic score 80%, expect to pay:  $15-$55

#15 – Super Mario RPG- Legend of the Seven Stars is a classic RPG that combines the best elements of the Mario franchise with traditional RPG mechanics. With a memorable storyline and engaging combat, it’s a must-play for fans of both genres. Metacritic score 88%, expect to pay:  $90-$500

#14 – Shadowrun is a classic RPG based on the popular tabletop game. With a deep story and complex character progression, it’s a must-play for fans of the genre and of the franchise. Metacritic score 84%, expect to pay:  $60-$150

#13 – ActRaiser is a unique blend of city-building simulation and action platformer. With an epic storyline and memorable music, it’s a must-play for fans of both genres. Metacritic score 79%, expect to pay:  $50-$230

#12 – Contra III- The Alien Wars is a fast-paced and challenging run-and-gun shooter. With cooperative multiplayer and memorable levels, it’s a classic that’s still fun to play today.Metacritic score 81%, expect to pay:  $30-$225

#11 – Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts is a challenging action platformer that’s known for its difficulty. With tight controls and beautifully designed levels, it’s a classic game that still holds up today. Metacritic score 78%, expect to pay:  $20-$210

#10 – Mega Man X2 is a classic action platformer that builds upon the success of its predecessor. With fast-paced action and challenging levels, it’s a must-play for fans of the Mega Man franchise. Metacritic score 83%, expect to pay:  $150-$500

#9 – Super Mario All-Stars is a collection of four classic Mario games, updated with improved graphics and sound. It’s a must-have for fans of the franchise and a great way to experience some classic Mario games on the SNES. Metacritic score 87%, expect to pay:  $25-$80

#8 – Donkey Kong Country is a landmark platformer with fluid animations and tight controls. Its levels are challenging and well-designed, and its use of pre-rendered graphics was revolutionary at the time. Metacritic score 85%, expect to pay:  $10-120

#7 – Super Castlevania IV is a beautifully designed platformer with tight controls and challenging levels. It’s a must-play for fans of the genre, and its stunning visuals still hold up today. Metacritic score 77%, expect to pay:  $25-$150

#6 – Secret of Mana is a classic action RPG that features a memorable storyline and engaging combat. With up to three player co-op, it’s a great game to play with friends or family. Metacritic score 87%, expect to pay:  $25-$150

#5 – Super Mario World 2- Yoshi’s Island is a charming platformer that puts players in control of Yoshi. The game’s graphics and sound design are distinctive and memorable, and it remains a fan-favorite to this day. Metacritic score 89%, expect to pay:  $35-$150

#4 – Super Mario Kart is a classic kart racing game that is still popular today. With fun power-ups and a roster of beloved Mario characters, it’s a must-play for fans of the genre and of Mario games.Metacritic score 82%, expect to pay:  $35-$175

#3 – Super Street Fighter II Turbo is a legendary fighting game that defined the genre in the 90s. With a roster of iconic characters and smooth gameplay, it’s a must-play for fans of fighting games. Metacritic score 83%, expect to pay:  $20-$150

#2 – Final Fantasy IV is a classic RPG that was ahead of its time. It has a deep story and characters, and was a pioneer in the use of active time battles. It’s still enjoyable to play today. Metacritic score 83%, expect to pay:  $50-$500

#1 – EarthBound is a quirky RPG with a unique storyline and humor. Players control a group of kids on a journey to save the world from aliens. It’s a classic and beloved game for fans of the genre. Metacritic score 90%, expect to pay:  $400-$2000

So there you have it! Some classic games and great memories. Sadly the Super Nintendo game boxes were made of cardboard, unlike their Sega counterpart, so they are getting more valuable and getting hold of a nice version of these games is getting more and more expensive. If you are a collector and are looking for the best game box protector for your Super Nintendo games, then trust in RetroShell to give you the best Super Nintendo game box protection. Our SNES game protectors are made from 4mm hard acrylic and offer a sliding door for easy access. 

 

SNES Game Box Protector
A RetroShell SNES Game protector

For more Retro content, please follow us on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter. Thanks for reading.

The Nintendo 64: A Time Capsule of Gaming History

The Nintendo 64, commonly known as the N64, was a home video game console developed and released by Nintendo in 1996. It was the first console to feature true 3D graphics and was a major player in the fifth generation of gaming consoles. The N64 was known for its innovative hardware, which allowed for a more immersive gaming experience, as well as its wide variety of games that spanned genres and audiences.

The N64 was a console that left a lasting impact on the gaming industry. It was the first console to introduce many new features such as the analogue stick, four controller ports, and the Rumble Pak, which added force feedback to the controller. The N64 game boxes were of a similar size to is predecessor, the Super Nintendo and were also made of cardboard, meaning that the N64 game boxes did not have much protection and could often be damaged quite easily through regular wear and tear.

The N64 was designed with cutting-edge technology that allowed for a more immersive gaming experience. The console featured a 64-bit central processing unit (CPU) and a Reality Coprocessor, which made it capable of rendering 3D graphics in real-time. This was a significant leap forward in gaming technology at the time and set the N64 apart from its competitors.

One of the most notable features of the N64’s design was its unique controller. The controller featured an analog stick, which allowed for more precise control in games. It also had a total of six buttons, four of which were arranged in a diamond shape and two in the middle, making it one of the most versatile controllers of its time. The N64 also featured four controller ports which allowed for multiplayer gaming, a feature that was not common in consoles at that time.

N64 Control Pads

Another important aspect of the N64‘s design was the Rumble Pak. It was an accessory that plugged into the controller and added force feedback, allowing players to feel the vibrations of in-game actions. This technology was a first in the gaming industry and added a new dimension to the gaming experience. The Rumble Pak was so successful that it became a standard feature in most controllers today.

N64 Rumble Pack
N64 Rumble Pack

The N64 left a lasting impact on the gaming industry and is still remembered fondly by many gamers. One of its greatest legacies is the introduction of 3D graphics in gaming. The N64 was one of the first consoles to make 3D graphics accessible to the masses, and it paved the way for future consoles to continue to push the boundaries of what was possible in terms of graphics and gameplay.

Another important legacy of the N64 is its game library. The console featured a wide variety of games that spanned genres and audiences, including some of the most iconic franchises in gaming history such as Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and GoldenEye 007. These games not only sold well at the time of release, but also continue to be considered classics and are still played today by many gamers.

The N64 also played a significant role in popularizing local multiplayer gaming. The console featured four controller ports, which allowed for multiplayer gaming, a feature that was not common in consoles at that time. This feature led to many memorable gaming experiences shared among friends and family, and it helped to establish the N64 as a social console. It also influenced the design of future consoles, which continued to prioritize local multiplayer gaming.

The Nintendo 64 is a true time capsule of gaming history. It was a console that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in terms of graphics and gameplay, and it introduced many new features that are now standard in gaming. The N64’s hardware and design were ahead of its time, and it continues to be remembered fondly by many gamers today.

In recent years, with the resurgence of some of the Nintendo 64 games being remade, or appearing on the Switch Online game service – there has been a surge in popularity. Due to N64 games being made of cardboard, the games have not stood the test of time so well, and getting a N64 game with a good condition game box is a big challenge. 

If you are an experienced N64 collector, or starting to build your first collection – we suggest that you protect your games with our Nintendo 64 game box protectors. At RetroShell we offer N64 game protectors made of 4mm clear acrylic with a sliding door for easy access. Our Nintendo 64 game box protectors are best in class, and allow you to stack your N64 game boxes either horizontally or vertically to display your collection.

RetroShell N64 Game Box Protectors




Retro Gaming Weekly News #0029

Welcome to this week’s edition of the newsletter, 31 years ago this week one of the greatest RPG games ever was released in Japan for the Sony PlayStation. The focus of the game is to save the planet from Mako – can you guess the game?

 

News

Someone has upgraded their NES to generate Bitcoin whilst he is playing Super Mario. Definitely not a get-rich-quick scheme [Twitter]. Link

Square Enix has issued a survey asking fans what HD-2D games they would like to see next, you have until the 8th Feb to vote [In Japanese]. Link

Super Nintendo World is opening on 17th Feb in Universal Studios in Hollywood – and GameXplain has captured more than 30 Easter eggs found and shared it on video [YouTube]. Link

US Customs (apparently) ruined a graded and sealed copy of Pokémon Yellow for the OG Gameboy [CBR]. Link

Limited Run Games start taking pre-orders for their Gameboy game “Melon Journey (Pocket)” for $45. Link

 
Love everything about this

Game Reactor reviews the “N64 Encyclopedia” by Chris Scullion. Link

 
Does what it says on the tin

Xbox has launched the N64 Classic Goldeneye for Game Pass [Xbox]. Link

Wonder Boy Anniversary collection is now available on the Nintendo Switch [My Nintendo News]. Link

Naoto Ohshima (the Sonic artist and game designer) has been answering questions on Twitter and shared some early art showing that Sonic was proposed as being a human child and the game was pitched as being called “Twin Stars”. [Reutir]. Link

Remut (a musician who releases music on old games) is remaking a classic German Film called “Decoder” on the Sega Genesis/Megadrive) and you can pre-order for €34.99/€44.99 [Real Otaku Gamer]. Link

In homebrew news, a talented person is bringing Castle Vania to the Sega Master System [YouTube]. Link

 
Very good looking by Master System standards.

8 Bit Mods have started shipping the RetroTime N64 Bluetooth controller received with a memory pack. Now you can play your N64 using a large range of controllers! [New Stock Due 13th March]. Link

 

Features

Cultured Vultures has a list of the 15 best Sega Game Gear games of all time. Link

Softonic looks back at the best (and most random) ads in the history of video games. Link

The best ads (and the most random) in the history of video games
 

Mistah MegaManFan has done a video on some of the unlicensed games that were released on the Sega Megadrive/Genesis – Oh Mummy, Elf Wor, and Xeno Crisis [YouTube]. Link

 

Lists & Rankings

Paste Magazine has a list of the best Fire Emblem Games, can’t say I have ever played one, am I missing out? Link

And if you want to play them in order, ATOF has got you covered. Link

Bingeful gives you their opinion of the best Fighting games of the 90s. Link

The Gamer give their list of the best “Black Box” NES games (games that came in the OG standard Black Box – see below). Link

NES black box games
 

And that’s a wrap, thanks for reading, the answer to the question is Final Fantasy VII. If you want more content and updates, you can follow us on TikTok, Instagram or Twitter.

The History of Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog is a iconic video game character and franchise created by Sega. The character first appeared in the eponymous game in 1991, and has since become one of the most recognizable and beloved characters in the gaming world. The history of Sonic the Hedgehog is a story of innovation, success, and cultural impact.

The origins of Sonic the Hedgehog date back to the late 1980s, when Sega was looking to create a new mascot to rival Nintendo’s Mario. The character was designed by artist Naoto Ohshima, who drew inspiration from the design of Michael Jackson and the speed of a cheetah. The character was initially named “Mr. Needlemouse,” but it was later changed to “Sonic” to reflect the character’s speed.

 

Sonic the Hedgehog was first introduced in the eponymous game on June 23rd, 1991. The game was a massive success and it quickly established Sonic as one of the most popular characters in the gaming world. It was released on the Sega Genesis console, which was one of the most popular consoles of the era. The game featured fast-paced, side-scrolling action and a high-speed, blue hedgehog as the main character.

 

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was released in 1992, and it built on the success of the first game by introducing new features such as the ability to play as Sonic’s sidekick Tails, and the introduction of the Spin Dash move. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles followed in 1994, expanding the Sonic universe and introducing new characters such as Knuckles the Echidna. The series continued to evolve with the introduction of 3D graphics in Sonic Adventure in 1998 and Sonic Adventure 2 in 2001.

 

The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise has also expanded to other forms of media, including comics, anime, and movies. The comic series, published by Archie Comics, ran for over two decades and was one of the longest-running video game-based comic series. The franchise also had a successful anime series, Sonic X, which aired in 2003. In 2020, the first live-action movie of the franchise was released, with a mix of live-action and animation.

 

Sonic the Hedgehog has had a profound impact on the gaming industry, and it has become a cultural icon. The franchise has sold over 160 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time. Sonic has been recognized as one of the most recognizable and iconic characters in the gaming world, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of gamers.

 

If you are a Sega retro game collector and are looking for the best video game protectors for your retro video games – trust in RetroShell to deliver the best video game cases.

A brief history of Sega

Sega is a name that has been synonymous with video games for decades. The company was founded in Japan in 1940 and has a long and storied history that has seen it rise to the top of the gaming industry and then fall from grace. In this blog post, we will take a look at the history of Sega and how it went from a small arcade game maker to one of the most recognizable names in the gaming industry.

Image

Sega’s origins can be traced back to 1940 when the company was founded as Service Games. At the time, the company was focused on importing and servicing coin-operated games like pinball machines and slot machines. However, in the late 1950s, Sega began to move into the world of arcade games. The company’s first arcade game was a submarine simulator called Periscope. It was released in 1966 and was a huge success, quickly becoming one of the most popular arcade games of the time.

In the 1970s, Sega began to expand into new markets. The company released a number of new arcade games that were hugely popular and helped to establish Sega as a major player in the gaming industry. Some of the most popular games of the decade include the racing game Monaco GP and the platformer Carnival.

In the 1980s, Sega began to focus on home consoles. The company released the SG-1000 in 1983, which was the first home console from Sega. However, it did not achieve much success and was quickly replaced by the Sega Master System in 1985. The Master System was a much more powerful console and was able to compete with the likes of the Nintendo Entertainment System. The console was released in North America in 1986 and featured a number of popular games like Phantasy Star, Alex Kidd and Wonder Boy.

In the 1990s, Sega released its most successful console to date, the Sega Genesis. The Genesis was released in North America in 1989 and quickly established itself as a major player in the console market. The console featured a number of popular games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage and Phantasy Star IV. The Sega Genesis was also the first console to feature a CD-ROM peripheral, the Sega CD, which was released in 1991.

However, the early 2000s, Sega’s fortunes began to decline. The company’s next console, the Sega Dreamcast, was released in 1998 but was not as successful as the Genesis. The Dreamcast was the last console released by Sega, as the company decided to focus on developing and publishing games for other consoles.

Despite the fall of Sega’s hardware business, the company continues to be active in the gaming industry. Sega still publishes a wide variety of games for multiple platforms, and it’s franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog, Phantasy Star, Yakuza, and Total War continue to be popular.

In conclusion, Sega has had a long and storied history in the gaming industry. The company has been responsible for some of the most iconic games and consoles of all time, and continues to be a major player in the industry today. Despite the fall of Sega’s hardware business, the company continues to be active in the gaming industry. Sega’s legacy and impact on the gaming industry will always be remembered.

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Retro Gaming Weekly News #0028

Happy Monday! A character from a famous fighting franchise turns 56 this week (27th Jan). He is known for his agility and speed and was known as “Balrog” in Japan. Can you guess this week’s birthday boy?

 

 

News

Did anyone hear of Cannon Dancer? Aka Osman? Me neither, it was an arcade-only game that has finally made it to the home consoles and it looks great [EGM Now]. Link

 
Gonna give this a try, looks most excellent.
 

Reto Bit Gaming has announced a Game Boy Player-inspired GameCube controlled [Nintendo Life]. Link

Image
 
Nice or ugly AF?

If you have not seen it already, then you have to check out this amazing retro gaming setup shared. Link

Features

Promotional video games still happen, you often find a TV series accompanied by a mobile game, but back in the day, it was a more experimental phase and it gave the world some really strange combinations, Cracked dives deeper. Link

Harald Hardtooth: Fight of the Clean Teeth 000000 1UP RELEASED ON: COMMODORE 64 CRACKED.COM Released in Denmark, this is Colgate's answer to the question where is an anthropomorphic tooth to fight bacteria in the ramshack town that is my diseased mouth?
 
No caption needed.

GameRant has a look at why so many RPG’s were missed on the N64. Link

 
Spoiler, cartridges have less storage space than CDs. Remember multi-CD games, I cant think of any multi-cartridge N64 games…

Final Weapon looks back at the evolution of video game controllers. Link#

I had a Megadrive as my first real console (I had a Game Boy before this), and Super Jump Magazine takes a trip down memory lane looking at the console designed to dominate the NES. Link

 
90’s AF

Whilst we are on Sonic, Reutir has some rare facts on Sonic the Hedgehog. Link

 
Early design ideas

Nerdbot has a feature looking at the ever-popular Hyperspin arcade systems. Link

 

 

Lists and Rankings

ScreenRant looks back at the 10 Genesis (Megadrive) games that made SNES owners jelly. No mention of the massively underrated LandStalker. Link

 
When a screenshot along brings back such sweet memories.

Kotaku, the usually solid gaming news platform shows us that no outlet is too big for a ranking – and gives their view on the Pokemon games ranked. Link

Slashgear has the 15 rarest N64 games. Link

A Nintendo 64 console and controller with game cartridges
 
Fun fact, the N64 carts cost developers $30 where as the CD consoles at the time were a mere $1

Pocket Tactics also gives their opinion on the best games for the Game Boy Advance. Link

 
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaario

Thanks for reading, we will be back next week, the answer to today’s question is the Spanish bullfighter – Vega.