We all know that emulation download sites are disease-riddled virtual cathouses, designed to inject your unassuming computer with any number of viruses, spywares and trojan horses — that’s why we can’t help but be intrigued by this recently unveiled USB adapter for SNES game cartridges, which was lovingly crafted by modder matthias_h.
The adapter looks incredibly easy to use — plug in a game cart, then boot or copy the SMC file found therein. Just like that, you’re playing your favorite SNES titles — and without contracting incurable cases of e-syphilis from “russian porn sites.” Check out the video demo after the jump!
The SNES you see above, ladies and gentlemen, is no SNES at all. It is, in fact, a fully functioning PC (an Acer Aspire One netbook, if you want to know). Built by quangDX and DuPPs of Asobitech.com, the AASNES1 packs all the connections you need, WiFi and even some cool USB extension cables that plug directly into the console’s controller ports (its makers also modified a Super NES controller to work as a USB controller). The DVD-RW drive is located inside the Super Mario World cartridge and the modders even made the Super Nintendo logo on the back light up. It is, in summation, sweet.
Check out a video of the AASNES1 after the break and head over to Asobitech for a step-by-step retelling of its creation.
That copy of Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen you stashed under the mattress to partly fund your early retirement just got a whole lot less valuable. The ESRB has rated the rare Enix RPG for a Virtual Console release, along with another, more widely known SNES gem: Super Punch-Out!!. Is Nintendo planning to release the classic pugilist title alongside its modern Wii equivalent, as it did in the case of Super Metroid and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption? Perhaps!
Those aren’t the only surprises in the latest ESRB ratings: Lonpos, a launch title for the Japanese WiiWare service no less, has also been classified. As it’s been a while, here’s a reminder of what it looks like:
Seriously, how long have we been waiting for this? The ESRB rated the game for the Virtual Console back in May and we haven’t heard anything since. Why is that? Who wants to download the game via Virtual Console as bad as we do?
Our commitment cannot be measured. Here we are on a holiday, bringing you another VC Monday Madness. This week is a big one, so we decided to take the most care possible with this week’s video. The level of professionalism within will likely blow your mind. Hit it up above, then head past the break for more.
Clu Clu Land (NES, 1 - 2 players, 500 Wii Points) Wii Fanboy says: do not download
Clu Clu Land isn’t really a bad game. I just didn’t like the controls, as they felt a bit clunky, and the game is pretty darn difficult. It’s clearly not for everyone.
Super Mario RPG (SNES, 1 player, 800 Wii Points) Wii Fanboy says: download it!
Why are you reading this? Download it already.
Each week, we here at Wii Fanboy like to check out the latest Virtual Console releases in our VC Monday Madness feature, in the hopes that you can make the most sound decision possible regarding purchasing retro titles from the Wii Shop Channel. If you’re looking for more retro goodness, check out Virtually Overlooked, which talks about games that should be on the Virtual Console.
It’s the little things in life. Like the simple design that focuses on the color scheme of the SNES above, as well as simple no-bull design of the unit overall. What we’re not sure of is how using that d-pad is. This thing looks kind of thick, you know.
But, we have to say we dig the thing. We can see ourselves enjoying a game or two of some of our old favorites on this.
While it’s not unusual to be loved by anyone for hotels to include video game services, Japan used to do it arcade-style with coin-operated consoles (like the one shown above). 100 JPY (approximately $1 USD) would net you 10-15 minutes with a Famicom (NES), which means you’d have to lay down about $2 or $3 to for a satisfactory amount of this blogger’s hotel staple, Punch-Out!!. The Super Famicom (SNES), though, was a bit more coin-hungry, and the $1 equivalent would only last five minutes — yikes. Still, we’re sure that if we visited Japan during the magical time that these boxes were hooked-up to hotel TVs, we would have let go of a few coins for some quick bouts of Mario and such.
This week, we’ve added a bit to our coverage of the Virtual Console releases. Nothing major to alter how we do things here (we hear you’re fine with how it is, but always feel free to let us know how we can improve!), but rather a small thing that we feel many of you will enjoy. So, hit up the video above, then be sure to head past the break for the rest of the coverage.
This week, we’ve added a bit to our coverage of the Virtual Console releases. Nothing major to alter how we do things here (we hear you’re fine with how it is, but always feel free to let us know how we can improve!), but rather a small thing that we feel many of you will enjoy. So, hit up the video above, then be sure to head past the break for the rest of the coverage.
Today Nintendo adds new classic games to the popular Wii Shop Channel. The games go live at 9AM Pacific time. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at stores like Amazon (see to your right).
We’ve included videos of each of today’s games for nostalgia’s sake or so you can see if it’s for you. This week’s new games are:
Double Dribble (NES, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points = $5): Double Dribble, the first 5-on-5, full-court home basketball game, is pure hoops action at its finest. While still a surprisingly accurate basketball game for its time, the frantic action keeps you on your toes as your players run from one end of the court to the other. Choose from a handful of teams and multiple levels of difficulty as you take on the computer alone or challenge a friend and see who has the better skills. Take the ball and sink shots from locations all over the court, or get in your opponent’s face and do your best to block the shot. Better yet, drive the lane and rock the rim to see one of the game’s trademark slam-dunk cut scenes. He shoots, he scores!
Vegas Stakes (Super NES, 1-4 players, rated E for Everyone – Simulated Gambling, 800 Wii Points = $8): Feel like taking a road trip to Las Vegas? Let your inner high roller go wild as you try your luck at five different games-blackjack, slots, poker, craps and roulette. Start with only $1,000 in your pocket and play your way through five casinos, each with a different theme and varying limits. But no one wants to gamble alone, right? Not a problem, as you’ll be able to choose one of four friends to tag along and offer advice when you need it. Further enhancing the experience is the fact that you’ll be presented with a slew of interactions with random casino patrons. Best be careful, though-your choices in these situations could either get you closer to the millions of dollars you’re after or cost you a pile of that hard-earned cash. Roll the dice, spin the wheel, hit or stand-do whatever it takes to stake your claim in Vegas and beat the house!
Ecco Jr. (Sega Genesis, 1 player, rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points = $8): The aquatic adventures of Ecco come to life for a younger generation of gamers. Perfect for kids, Ecco Jr. finds our young hero heading out to sea with a variety of tasks he must perform in order to get there. Along with his friends Tara the baby orca and Kitnee the young Atlantic dolphin, Ecco Jr. will interact with sea lions, sea horses and other aquatic life as he makes his journey to the Big Blue. Introduce your kids to the classic series of Ecco the Dolphin titles by downloading Ecco Jr. today.
In this video interview with former Argonaut Software games developer Dylan Cuthbert you find out about the first 3D wireframe shooting game “X” Commander (1990-1992) on the original Nintendo GameBoy. And the resulting history of “Star Fox” (1993) and the SNES graphics chip Super FX and how they made that 3D shooter happen together with Nintendo.
Keep an eye out for the Winter Consumer Electronics Show 1993 that unveiled Star Fox, the laser setup was beautiful. It gets even better near the end when he talks about Shigeru Miyamoto’s habit of cutting things from games if they don’t fit, or worse, his cancellation of “Star Fox 2” because better 3D consoles like the PlayStation, Saturn and then-upcoming Nintendo 64 were already outperforming the 3D SNES graphics.
Enjoy, it’s absolutely fascinating! Click on the bottom-right corner arrow to view it fullscreen.
By the way, Mr. Cuthbert ended up quitting UK’s Argonaut Software in 1995 (after joining in 1988) and working for Sony in America & Japan for a few years on the PlayStation and PlayStation 2. After which he started his own studio as president called Q-Games in 2001 (working for both Nintendo & Sony), which is where this Points 02 Gamevideos interview was filmed in Japan.
USB SNES cartridge adapter will keep your PC clean originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
