A Quick Note

One of Nintendo's coolest franchises: Metroid has a new game coming out. "Other M" is due for release June 27, 2010 (The link on "Other M" is to the official Metroid website)

*Images are game play images from Nintendo.com.

**The game box is a temporary design as it states.

Franchise Monster

Here are the websites for game franchises mentioned (some games mentioned are parts of franchises but those franchises are left out :-( ). The 2 game series covered in their entirety ("The Legend of Zelda" and "Super Mario") are included.

"Mortal Kombat"

"Castlevania"

"Silent Hill"

"Mario Kart"

"Mario Party"

"Legend of Zelda"

"Super Mario"

Do the Dirty... Walkthroughs

Here are walkthroughs and or info for all games referenced in the Blog. Game franchise references don't count so they wont be included.

"Galaxian" (1979)

"Galaga" (1981)

"Dig Dug" (1982)

"Pole Position" (1983)

"Xevious" (1982)

"Pac-man" (1980)

"Pac-man Plus" (1982)

"Super Pac-man" (1982)

"Pac & Pal" (1983)

"New Rally-X" (1981)

"Bosconian" (1981)

"Perfect Dark" (2000)

"Turok: Dinosaur Hunter" (1997)

"007 Goldeneye" (1997)

"Harvest Moon 64" (2000)

"Mortal Kombat: Trilogy" (1996)

"Star Wars" (1991)

"Donkey Kong Land" (1995)

"Asteroids and Missile Command" (1995)

"Pokemon Red" (1998)

"Pokemon Blue" (1998)

"Pokemon Yellow" (1999)

"Pokemon Gold" (2000)

"Pokemon Silver" (2000)

"Frogger" (1981)

"The Legend of Zelda" (1987)

"Zelda II: The Adventure of Link" (1988)

"The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past" (1992)

"The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening" (1993)

"The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (1998)

"The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask" (2000)

"The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons" (2001)

"The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages" (2001)

"The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past/ Four Swords" (2002)

"The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures" (2004)

"The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap" (2005)

"The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Walker" (2003)

"The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" (2006)

"The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hour Glass" (2007)

"The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks" (2009)

"Donkey Kong" (1981)

"Donkey Kong Junior" (1982)

"Mario Bros." (1983)

"Super Mario Bros." (1985)

"Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels" (1986)

"Super Mario Bros 2" (1988)

"Super Mario Land" (1989)

"Super Mario Bros. 3" (1990)

"Super Mario World" (1991)

"Super Mario Land 2: 6 Gold Coins" (1992)

"Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island" (1995)

"Super Mario 64" (1996)

"Super Mario Sunshine" (2002)

"New Super Mario Bros." (2006)

"Super Mario Galaxy" (2007)

"New Super Mario Bros. Wii" (2009)

Super Duper

The "Super Mario" franchise is arguably Nintendo's most recognizable video game series. The "Mario" franchise has spawned hundreds of offshoots using the same characters. Some of which have become huge hits in their own rights such as "Mario Kart", "Mario Party", "Super Smash Bros.", and many "Mario" sports games. In my collection I have 3 "Super Marios": "Super Mario 64", "Super Mario Galaxy", and "New Super Mario Wii" along with the "Mario" spin offs: "Mario Party 8" and "Super Smash Bros.: Brawl".

Mario, the character, first debut was as Jumpman in the arcade game "Donkey Kong" (1981) as a carpenter.

In 1982 he appeared as Mario for the first time in the arcade game "Donkey Kong Junior" in which Mario is the antagonist (the bad guy). The only game ever that Mario is as such.

Mario and his younger brother Luigi make their debut as Italian-American plumbers in 1983 in the arcade game "Mario Bros."

In 1985 Nintendo released "Super Mario Bros." for the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)

"Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels" was released in Japan only in 1986 for the Family Computer Disk System. It wasn't released in North America until 2007 on Wii's virtual console.

"Super Mario Bros." was the best selling video game for over 2 decades until "Wii Sports" (2006) outsold it in 2009.

"Super Mario Bros. 2" was released in 1988.

In 1989 "Super Mario Land" was released for the Game Boy.

1988 "Super Mario Bros. 3" was released in Japan. 1990 in North America.

"Super Mario World" (formerly known as "Super Mario Bros. 4") was released in 1990 in Japan and 1991 in North America for the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System).

In 1992 Nintendo released "Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins" for Game Boy.

In 1995 "Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island" was released for the SNES.

"Super Mario RPG: Legend of the 7 Stars" was released in 1996. Developed by Square and published by Nintendo.

"Super Mario 64" was released in 1996 and was Mario's 3d debut.

"Super Mario Sunshine" was released in 2002 for Nintendo Game Cube.

In 2006 "New Super Mario Bros." was released for the Nintendo DS.

In 2007 Nintendo released "Super Mario Galaxy" for the Wii. This game was regarded as one of the best Marios to date.

"New Super Mario Bros. Wii" was released in 2009. This game brought Mario back to his 2 dimensional scrolling roots.

"Super Mario Galaxy 2" is under production and is expected to come out on May 23rd 2010.

*All information is from Nintendo.com

**There are many other games starring Mario and or featuring Mario. This list is intended to be a list of the "Super Mario" series.

More Plug and Play

This bad boy is another Plug and Play by Namco. It features 8 games with their original programming: "Pac-Man(1980)", "Pac-Man Plus(1982)", "Super Pac-Man(1982)", "Pac & Pal(1983)", "Galaxian(1979)", "New Rally-X(1981)", "Bosconian(1981)", and "Dig Dug(1982)"

I've got my eyes on this for the next piece in my collection.

The "Pac-Man" series is produced by Namco.

"Galaxian" is produced by Namco and released by Midway Mfg..

"New Rally-X runs on Namco's "Pac-Man" hardware. It is produced by Namco.

"Bosconian is developed by Namco and runs on Namco's "Galaga" hardware with a video system similar to "New Rally-X"

"Dig Dug is developed and published by Namco. Namco's "Galaga" hardware as well.

*Information from wikipedia.org.

Everyone Loves Link

Though the Game Boy Pocket was my first system the game that truly got me to love video games was "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time". This is one of the best games of all time in my opinion and the opinion of millions of other gamers.

I, personally, only own 3 Zelda titles: "Ocarina of Time (1998)", "Majora's Mask (2000)", and "Twilight Princess(2006)". All 3 games are developed and published by Nintendo and exceptionally well done.

The Zelda game chronology is (some games are prequels. Not a chronology of the game play):

"The Legend of Zelda" (1986 Japan 1987 North America)

"Zelda II: The Adventure of Link" (1987 Japan 1988 North America)

"The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past" (1991 Japan 1992 North America)

"The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening" (1993)

"The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (1998)

"The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask" (2000)

"The Legend of Zelda: The Oracle of Seasons" (2001 developed by Flagship)

"The Legend of Zelda: The Oracle of Ages" (2001 developed by Flagship)

"The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past/Four Swords" (2002 developed by Nintendo R&D2 and Flagship)

"The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures" (2004)

"The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap" (2004 Japan 2005 North America)

"The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Walker" (2002 Japan 2003 North America)

"The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" (2006)

"The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hour Glass" (2007)

"The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks" (2009)

There is a new "Zelda" title on the way for the Wii system but not for some time.

*The first image in this post is concept art for the new "Zelda" title. It is rumored that Link will not have a sword and that the odd figure to Link's back somehow symbolizes or even is the Master Sword. If you look at the picture Link does not have a sword on his back or in his hands. It is also rumored by Satoru Iwata (President and CEO of Nintendo Co., Ltd) that this game will use the Wii Motion Plus controller add on.

**All information from Nintendo.com

Frogger my Man

I got it.

Prospect

The aforementioned "Frogger" Plug and Play console may be mine soon. My friend doesn't have any interest in video games at all and doesn't have any reason to posses it. She has kindly offered it to me. Makes my day. If only she can find the Super Nintendo.

If I could only find someone with an NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)

The "Frogger" Plug and Play console was made by Konami (makers of the "Metal Gear" franchise, one of the coolest games ever: "Dance Dance Revolution", the cult classics "Castlevania", and "Silent Hill" franchises).

Konami was founded in 1969 as a jukebox rental and repair company.

"Frogger" was made in 1981. Developed by Konami and licensed for distribution by Sega/Gremlin.

*It's all from wikipedia.org except the last fact and the second fact.

Yard Sale Season

Soon it will be warm enough in Vermont for yard sales. That means finding really random video games. It's not usual to find cartridge games or Play Station one games (though not impossible) as far as older games go. What you can find are Plug and Play consoles or random hand held consoles with one game programmed on it like "Frogger" (1981). Lots of these systems have a lame poker or solitaire or some extremely poorly made sport. These are worthless to me as they don't have any significant or recognizable game on them. Oh well, I'm quite excited for the season.

On a somewhat related note: one of my friends was rifling through some old stuff and they found a Plug and Play console with "Frogger". I'm amped to try it out. On a not so related note that same friend is looking for a long lost Super Nintendo in some pile of junk (it doesn't belong there) with some wires that have been chewed through (presumably by a mouse). An easy fix for a length of wires, needle nose pliers, and electrical tape.

Gameboy Spectacular

In my earlier years I can remember when Game Boy Pocket came out (1996). It was the hottest thing to sneak into class as it fits in your pocket. I can remember one commercial on T.V that featured a kid getting busted with his GBP (Game Boy Pocket in cool acronym form) and having to turn it in to his teacher.

GBP was my very first video game system and holds very fond memories of my initiation into nerdom. The oldest games I have are "Donkey Kong Land(1995)", "Star Wars"(1991), and "Asteroids and Missile Command(1995)". Besides these gems are the good Pokemon games, e.g: Red, Blue(1998 Red and Blue), Yellow(1999), Gold, and Silver(2000 Gold and Silver). With a mishmash of other great games that wont be mentioned as of now.

There is a staggering selection of hand held systems with the title "Game Boy" produced by Nintendo. The line starts with the large and in charge original: Game Boy. This bad boy was released in 1989. In 1995 Nintendo released a series of color shelled Game Boys dubbed "Play it Loud Game Boys".

The next big change in the Game Boy line would happen in 1996 with the release of Game Boy Pocket. In 1998 Nintendo released a slightly bigger model than the Game Boy Pocket called Game Boy Light (exclusively released in Japan). In 1998 Nintendo also released the Game Boy Color. The first Game Boy to feature color graphics and an ifrared communications port making the need for a link cable obsolete. The next installment in the Game Boy Franchise was Game Boy Advanced (my favorite Game Boy). Released in 2001 it changed the basic structure of the Game Boy from a taller console to a wider one and added right and left bumbers. The Game Boy Advance SP was released in 2003 and featured a flip open design and a front-lit screen. In 2005 Nintendo improved on the SP design and released the Game Boy SP+ in North America. The final installment in the Game Boy line was the Game Boy Micro, the first non-backwards compatible with Original Game Boy or Game Boy Color games it could only play Game Boy Advance games.

*Image from Wikipedia.org. Information from Nintendo.com.

The Cool Pokemon

"Mortal Kombat Trilogy" was released in 1996. The game was published and developed by Midway Studios.

Cheats, Fatalities, and walkthroughs:

http://faqs.ign.com/objects/000

/000454.html

"Harvest Moon 64" was released in 1999. The game wasdeveloped by Victor Interactive Software and produced by Natsume Co., Ltd.

Unlockables and walkthroughs:

http://faqs.ign.com/objects/001/001910.html

Cool Ones

One of the best First Person Shooters of all time: 007 Goldeneye was released in 1997. Developed for the N64 by RARE. ONE OF THE BEST GAMES EVER!

Cheats and walkthroughs:

http://faqs.ign.com/objects/001/001991.html

"Turok: Dinosaur Hunter" was released in 1997. Developed by Iguana Entertainment and Published by Acclaim. It is based on Acclaim Comic's comic book series "Turok".

The game was released for Nintendo 64 as well as Microsoft Windows (despite the fact it says only for n64 on the cover).

All Cheats:

http://cheats.ign.com/ob2/068/000/000425.html

"Perfect Dark" was released for N64 in 2000. Developed by RARE, the same studio that brought us "007 Goldeneye".

"Perfect Dark" will be available tomorrow (March 17 2010) on the

X-Box Live Arcade.

Walkthroughs and cheats: http://faqs.ign.com/

objects/003/003906.html

Videos and More is a Goldmine.

There is a store in my town, "Videos and More", that rents videos and sells an eclectic collection of entertainment. It's a good stop for old video games and movies. They used to have a formidable collection of Nintendo 64 games until they all got picked over. Today they have all but 2 left. In its hay day you could find some interesting games. The ones of note that I took from their selection are "007 Goldeneye", "Turok: Dinosaur Hunter", "Perfect Dark", "Mortal Kombat: Trilogy", and the rarest of all my n64 collection: "Harvest Moon 64". None of these titles were in the box and not all were in mint condition but they all played and I'm not buying to collect. I'm buying to play the games; they were fun then and they're fun now.

Namco Plug And Play

Namco started as Nakamura Manufacturing in 1955 based in Tokyo. Running childrens rides on the roof of a department store.

In 1958 the name of the company was changed to Nakamura Manufacturing Co.. Which later would become Namco.

Namco's first game was made in 1970. A coin-operated mechanical simulator, "Racer".

In 1974 Namco bought Atari-Japan, Atari's Tokyo subsidiary and began running video arcades featuring Atari Games.

In 1978 Namco opened its first branch in the U.S.A: Namco America and Licensed games to developers such as Atari and Midway (producers of "Mortal Kombat" and much more)

Namco was the first company to be licensed by Nintendo and for a short time were allowed to manufacture their own cartridges for use in Nintendo consoles.

In 2005, the companies Bandai and Namco merged to become Namco Bandai Holdings. The third largest video game company in Japan.

In 2006 Namco absorbed Bandai and became Namco Bandai Games and remains that to this day.

In 1979 "Galaxian" was released with revolutionary RGB (red green blue) graphics.

"Galaga", the follow up to "Galaxian", was released in 1981 and was a smash hit as a sequel.

"Dig Dug" and "Xevious" were released in 1982 and were pillars in Namco's franchise.

"Pole Position" was released in 1983. All these games helped bolster video games "Golden Years"

"Ms Pac Man" was an unauthorized sequel to "Pac Man" (a gaming staple) in 1981. Produced by Midway studios.

Due to "Ms Pac Man's" overwhelming success Namco (the licenser of "Pac Man", (the original) licensed "Ms Pac Man".

"Mappy" was released in 1983 as one of the earliest scrolling platformers. It was distributed by Bally/Midway.

JAKKS Pacific made a Plug and Play console (a stand alone joy-stick console that can be plugged into a television via audio-video cable) in 2003 with "Dig Dug" and "Galaxian".

In 2004 JAKKS Pacific produced a Plug and Play console featuring Namco's: "Ms Pac Man", "Pole Position", "Galaga", "Xevious", and "Mappy".

*All info except the last 9 facts were taken from Wikipedia.com. The last 9 are from what can be gathered from the 2 Plug and Play consoles.

The Start

A few years ago I was at a yard sale and I saw some old "plug and play" video games by Namco. They were like $1.00 apiece so I bought them. The gem of the 2 was a plug and play console that had "Mrs. Pacman" (along with "Pole Position", "Galaga", "Xavous", and "Mappy". All very stimulating). A pretty nice pick for my first one. The second has one of my Personal favorites, "Dig Dug" as well as "Galaxian". On further inspection both these pieces were from the early 2000's so not technically vintage but still cool all the same.

*All dates in this blog are the North American release dates unless otherwise stated.