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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.

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.

At RetroShell we take video game preservation very seriously, we make the best video game protectors that you can find, which are designed to offer your retro video game cases the ultimate protection. Our video game box protectors are made from hard 4mm acrylic and allow games to be perfectly displayed and protected, and can even be stacked due to our unique video game protector box design. 

If you are a collector of Sega games, then you should consider protecting them with a RetroShell.

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.

Why Collecting Retro Games Is A Worthy Investment

Why Collecting Retro Games Is A Worthy Investment

Sonics the hedgehogsd retro video game collection

Introduction

The video game industry is worth an estimated $100 billion dollars, with 2.5 billion gamers worldwide. That’s a lot of people playing a lot of games! But what about the games that started it all – the retro games that laid the foundation for the industry we know today?

These days, retro games are becoming more and more popular, with people of all ages rediscovering the joys of classic gaming. But why? What is it about these old games that is so appealing? And is collecting retro games a worthy investment?

In this article, we’ll explore the history of video games, why collecting retro games is a viable investment opportunity, and what games you should look for when starting your collection. So, whether you’re a seasoned collector or a complete novice, this article is for you!

The History Of Video Games

The first video games appeared in the early 1950s, with early examples including tennis for two and Spacewar!. These games were played on cathode ray tube displays, and were limited in both graphics and gameplay. It wasn’t until 1971 that the first commercial arcade game, Computer Space, was released. This was followed by the release of the iconic Atari Pong in 1972. These early games laid the foundation for the video game industry we know today. The 1970s saw the golden age of arcade gaming, with classics like Space Invaders, Asteroids and Pac-Man being released. These games were simple in design but addictive in nature, and became hugely popular in both arcades and homes. The late 1970s also saw the release of the first home video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey. The 1980s was the era of the home video game console, with devices like the Atari 2600, Commodore 64 and Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) becoming wildly popular. This was also the decade that saw the release of some of the most iconic video games of all time, including Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong. The 1990s was the era of the personal computer, with games like Doom, Myst and The Sims becoming popular. This was also the decade that saw the rise of console gaming, with Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s Nintendo 64 becoming household names. The 2000s was the era of online gaming, with the release of Microsoft’s Xbox Live service in 2002. This was also the decade that saw the rise of mobile gaming, with games like Angry Birds and Candy Crush becoming global sensations.

Why Collecting Video Games Is A Worthy Investment

While the video game industry is worth billions of dollars today, it wasn’t always this way. In fact, the industry has only been around for around 50 years. This means that there is a limited supply of vintage video games, and the demand for these games is only going to continue to increase. Not only is there a limited supply of vintage video games, but these games are also becoming increasingly rare. Many of the earliest games were never released outside of Japan, and as such, they are extremely hard to find. Even if you do find one of these games, it is likely to be in poor condition. However, there are some people who are willing to pay top dollar for these rare and valuable games. In fact, in February of 2020, a copy of the Super Mario Bros. game for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was sold at auction for a record-breaking $114,000. This just goes to show how much people are willing to pay for these vintage games. While the value of vintage video games is certainly on the rise, there are a few factors to consider before investing in these games. Firstly, it is important to consider the condition of the game. A mint condition game is going to be worth more than a game that is in poor condition. Secondly, it is important to consider the rarity of the game. A game that is more common is going to be worth less than a game that is rarer. Finally, it is important to consider the demand for the game. A game that is in high demand is going to be worth more than a game that is in low demand. With all of this in mind, it is clear to see that collecting retro video games is a worthy investment. Not only are these games becoming increasingly rare, but they are also becoming more and more valuable. So, if you’re thinking about starting a collection, now is the time to do it! One thing that is important, is that older games need protection, especially as some of these games are 40+ years old. This is why we created RetroShell – the finest retro video game protectors. Our video game protectors are made from the finest quality 4mm acrylic, making sure that your retro video games have the best protection out there.

What Games To Look For

Now that we’ve established that collecting retro video games is a worthwhile investment, you might be wondering what games you should look for. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Super Mario Bros. (NES) – This classic platformer is one of the most iconic video games of all time. It is also one of the most valuable, with a copy of the game selling for $114,000 in 2020. 2. The Legend of Zelda (NES) – This classic adventure game is another one of the most iconic video games of all time. It is also quite valuable, with a copy of the game selling for $100,000 in 2020. 3. DOOM (PC) – This groundbreaking first-person shooter is one of the most influential video games of all time. It is also quite valuable, with a copy of the game selling for $3,000 in 2020. 4. Myst (PC) – This classic puzzle game is one of the most popular video games of all time. It is also quite valuable, with a copy of the game selling for $2,000 in 2020. 5. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) – This classic platformer is the third entry in the Super Mario Bros. series. It is also quite valuable, with a copy of the game selling for $1,200 in 2020. These are just a few examples of the many classic and valuable games that are out there. So, if you’re looking to start your collection, these are some of the games you should look for!

Where To Start Your Collection

Now that you know what games to look for, you might be wondering where to start your collection. Here are a few suggestions: 1. eBay – eBay is a great place to start your collection, as it is a marketplace where you can find both common and rare games. You can also find games in both good and poor condition, which is great for beginners. 2. Garage sales – Garage sales are a great place to find cheap games, as people are often selling them for well below their value. However, it is important to inspect the games before you buy them, as they may be in poor condition. 3. Flea markets – Flea markets are similar to garage sales, but they are usually larger in scale. 

Conclusion

Retro video games are not going to increase in availability, so I believe that you will look back in a few years time and either be glad that you made the move to start a collection, or maybe regret the fact you did not move sooner. 

Whether you have one or two games, or a massive collection across a number of systems RetroShell is here for you. We are collectors as well and have designed our video game protectors to the highest quality to ensure that your games last for a long long time and do not get damaged. 

 

 

 

Retro Gaming Weekly News #0027

Welcome to issue #27! Not really, so much was released historically this week and I could not find any birthdays, so let’s celebrate 29 years to the release of Super Maio Land 3 on the Gameboy.

News

A NES Zelda VR remake using a Doom mod is (or maybe has) being made, based on the Famicom Disk System Legend of Zelda. Confused? Read more [TechSpot]. Link

This NES Zelda VR remake was created using a Doom mod
caption…

Sega has shut down ‘The Unofficial MD/GEN: A Visual Compendium’ book that was being developed by Bitmap. Strange when you consider they let a Master System one get made and Nintendo (who are the kings of litigation) let theirs go [News.com.au]. Link

Bitmap Books says it tried to stick to third-party titles, but Sega still shut the project down. Picture: Bitmap Books
 
This might be as close to the book as you will ever get

Want to run Java on your N64? Well, you might be in luck [Hackaday]. Link

 
Because why not
 

 

Features

Could you name the NES launch titles? GameRant looks back at the USA launch lineup. Link

 
Why was Mario blue…?

“While we are at it we might as well do the SNES launch titles as well.” – Someone at the GameRant offices (there were only 5). Link

“Shall we do the N64 as well?” GameRantLink

Slashgear want to tell you about what they consider to be the best video game launches of all time! Link

I love a failed console, there is something special for me about the hype and eventual downfall of the next big thing (I purchased a Tiger R-Zone after discovering it whilst making this newsletter). GameRant has a list of 8 good games on failed consoles. Link#

 
The Apprentice (bottom right) for the Philips CDi had some good looking graphics.

It’s 1985, the great video game crash happened and the Famicom was slowly restoring faith in the industry, but did you know Atari was going to be the company to bring the NES to the West it was to be called the “Advance Video System”? Inverse talk about it being shown at CES and the subsequent rest of the story [Inverse]. Link

Totalntertainment looks back in a shot feature of the evolution of music in video games. Link

Some of you might have seen the 80’s cartoons of Mario and Zelda, but there were more planned. CBR revealed which almost made it. Link

 
I can’t unsee Pac-Man in Mario’s eyes

The Enlightened Mindset (?!) has a nice feature on the creative minds behind the Sony Playstation. Link

 
Use RetroShell to stop your games from getting damaged

 

Lists/Rankings

Den of Geek gives you 15 NES game secrets you never knew existed – like the password for Metroid “Engage Ridley Mother F*cker” I kid you not (replace the star with the letter). Link

Metroid NES
 
Engage Ridley one more time, I dare you I double dare you mother f*cker.

Nintendo Life has run a reader poll and given you the 50 best NES games of all time. Hard to argue with the results, but I will not spoil them for you. Link

Pocket Tactics give their view on the beat games for the OG Game Boy & Color. Link

 
Everyone loves a golf game.

The Virtual Boy was a strange thing, I own one but must admit I do not play it at all as it’s really not easy on the neck. Destructoid ranks the 10 best games for the system. Link

That’s all for this week, thanks as ever for reading and please keep that feedback coming. If you are on TikTok or Instagram, please give us a follow by clicking on the links.

A brief history of video game protectors

Video game boxes have come a long way since the early days of gaming. In the beginning, video games were sold in simple cardboard boxes that were designed to hold the game cartridge or disc. These boxes were functional, but not very visually appealing. As the video game industry grew, so did the design and packaging of video game boxes.

Dall.E’s interpretation of a brief history of video game protectors in an art deco style.

In the 1980s and 1990s, video game boxes began to feature more colorful and dynamic artwork, which helped to attract customers and set games apart from one another on store shelves. The boxes also grew larger to accommodate instruction manuals and other materials that were included with the game. The design of the boxes also began to reflect the style and theme of the game itself, making the box art a form of advertising.

As technology has advanced, the way video games are packaged has also changed. With the advent of digital distribution, many games are now sold and downloaded directly to consoles or computers, eliminating the need for a physical box. However, some companies still produce physical copies of games, and these boxes continue to feature eye-catching artwork and design.

One important aspect that has been added to video game boxes is the use of “video game protectors” to ensure the longevity of the game. These protectors are usually made of plastic and are designed to fit snugly over the game cartridge or disc, protecting it from scratches, dust, and other damage. These protectors have become increasingly popular as a way to preserve the condition of the game and maintain its value over time.

In conclusion, video game boxes have come a long way since the early days of gaming, evolving from simple cardboard boxes to visually appealing designs that reflect the style and theme of the game. The addition of “video game protectors” has also become an important aspect to ensure the longevity of the game. While digital distribution has become more prevalent, physical copies of games and the traditional video game boxes are still an important part of the gaming industry.

If you want your video games to have the best protection, you should use RetroShell for your retro video game protection needs!

Retro Gaming Weekly News #0026

I hope everyone’s new year is starting well. This week 36 years ago a Zelda game was released in Japan, can you guess what system it was released for (answer at the bottom)?

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Thanks to everyone that has taken the time to share the newsletter with friends, family and retro-gaming communities worldwide – it is appreciated.

 
Old games need superior protection.

News

Game Rant looks into some of the interesting omissions from Mortal Kombat II after the recent source code was leaked. Link

 
A much more cunning plan than just killing them.

Lego is releasing a New Atari 2600 video game console set [Digital Spy]. Link

lego icons atari 2600 video game console adults set
 
Another one for the “want but don’t need” category

With CES being across the news, the show has a “Wall of shame” which showcases a number of failed tech. Some honourable mentions for retro gaming [Daily Mail]. Link

 
The Virtual Boy was only for sale for 5 months in Japan and 7 months in the USA.

The Switch has overtaken the Game Boy to become the third best-selling console of all time [The Gamer] can you guess numbers 1 and 2? Link

Someone is porting Starfox to the Sega Megadrive/Genesis and it looks pretty good. Link

 
Simply the finest tees

Features

Fan Banter looks at how video game graphics have developed through the years. Link

Video game crossovers are not a new thing, some make sense, others less so. Pocket Tactics look at some of the weirdest ones. Link

 
Who is the guest character here?

Hackaday discusses an epic quest to build the ultimate Game Boy. Link

There was a mask that was due to be put in the Majora’s Mask, which never made it into the game as it would have broken it. Screen Rant report. Link

 
Look into my eyes, don’t look around the eyes. You’re under.

Leiria Economica (wtf) gives you 5 things you did not know about the Super Nintendo (I knew one of these things. Link

 
I said the door was closed because I was BANKING mum.

Next in the random publication hitting you with nothing but facts is OIC Canadian (???) telling you 5 things you didn’t know about the Nintendo 64. Link

 

Lists

Video games are fun, but did you also know they are able to predict the future? Well, I did not but Hard Drive gives you 4 examples of where video games perfectly predicted the future. Link

 
The prophet from Pleasanton – Madden.

Want to relive the 80s through nothing but video games? Well, Unique News Online have 6 games to help you capture this time. Link

GamePur has a list of the greatest handheld consoles. Link

Destructoid has a list of their 10 best NES soundtracks, with some games I am unfamiliar with. Going to check some of these out. Link

Silver Surfer Lizard Stage
 
A lot is going on here, but this is the best music of any NES game ever (according to Destructoid).

And that’s a wrap for this week, the system Zelda II was launched on was the Famicom Disk system. Thanks for reading and if you have any comments or feedback, please let me know!