Introducing the new king of modded handheld Nintendo 64s
Before you start wondering: No, we don’t post about every single portable Nintendo 64 that slides across our tip box — rather, we only spend our time writing about the ones that are so much cooler than their predecessors. We were pleased to find that one such project was recently highlighted by Engadget: The Kamikaze 64, which is demoed in a video after the jump.
The device, which was commissioned by an unnamed party for an unspecified amount of cash, isn’t the smallest handheld N64 we’ve ever seen. However, with a crisp screen, support for a second controller, video output, a headphone jack and a Controller Pak slot, it might just be the most comprehensive stab anyone’s ever taken at miniaturizing the console. We’ll take four, thanks.
Continue reading Introducing the new king of modded handheld Nintendo 64s
Introducing the new king of modded handheld Nintendo 64s originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Somewhat playable N64 emulator released for jailbroken iPhones
Mobile emulation expert ZodTTD’s newest project, a Nintendo 64 emulator for jailbroken iPhones, has been released — and just in time for the holidays, too, allowing you to recreate that one video with those screaming, flailing children. With a miniscule $2.50 price tag and bluetooth support, which allows you to control the emulator with a Wii remote, it would be a pretty great deal. If, you know, it didn’t run at a handful of frames per second.
Check out the video after the jump to see the emulator in action, and to decide whether the double-thick molasses-slow gameplay is still worth the price of admission.
[Via Gizmodo]
Continue reading Somewhat playable N64 emulator released for jailbroken iPhones
Somewhat playable N64 emulator released for jailbroken iPhones originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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GameStop lets you be the N64 Xmas kid
While the above headline is true, you’ll probably have to squint your eyes a bit to see it. You see, someone at GameStop had the particularly brilliant idea of making an application that can plaster your face directly over the famous (infamous?) Nintendo 64 kid. What kid, you ask? You know the one. Yeah, that one. Or, if you’re like us, you can always use a picture of a cat. Apart from the video being holiday themed, we’re not sure how the application will help GameStop sell games. But, then again, we don’t really care. We just put a cat face on N64 Kid’s face. What more could you want?
[Via GoNintendo]
GameStop lets you be the N64 Xmas kid originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Atlus Launches Shiren the Wanderer Trailer and Website
If you’re feeling the blues due to a lack of good RPGs on your Wii, then let Atlus cheer you up. The company launched its official North American trailer and website (www.atlus.com/shiren) for Shiren the Wanderer today, the new console entry in the Shiren series.
“One of the most important elements of what makes Shiren the Wanderer a worthwhile RPG adventure on Wii is its intricate story,” said Crystal Murray, PR Specialist at Atlus. “The stoic ronin Shiren and his ever-prattling sidekick Koppa set out on an epic millennium-spanning journey, steeped in Japanese mythology. Join them as they as they race to unlock the secrets of a mystical land. The newly launched official website and trailer will help make waiting for the game’s February release slightly more bearable, of course excluding fans who have access to a time machine and/or the ability to safely freeze themselves until said time, in which case they’re all set.”
The title, which has received a 9/9/8/9 scoring from Japanese gaming publication Famitsu, will incorporate the following features
Epic adventure in feudal Japan — As the wandering samurai Shiren, you will explore a vision of historic Japan that is beautiful and vibrant. An epic story that begins 1000 years prior takes you through villages and dungeons and places you alongside figures straight out of Japanese mythology.
Variable challenge — A brand new easy mode lets even newcomers to the genre find a foothold while experienced players will find a more rigorous challenge in Normal mode. Post-game activities will test the most advanced gamer with additional quests, super dungeons, a tournament, and the “ultimate challenge”-the Millennium Dungeon, a pain-staking 1,000 floor dungeon crawl.
Challenging depth and strategy — Control your time in the dungeons down to the details. Choose direct control over your party members or take advantage of the excellent AI that lets you specify attitude and tendency. Power up equipment through the new Dragon Orb system, and imbue them with special abilities via more than 100 Seals. New Spells allow targeted casting of effects on enemies.
Shiren the Wanderer is the third game in the Shiren series, the first being “Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer,” released for the Super Famicom in 1995, and the second being “Fushigi no Dungeon: Fūrai no Siren 2: Oni Shūrai! Siren-jō!,” a Japanese-only entry on the Nintendo 64. The original title was ported to the Nintendo DS in March of 2008.
Shiren the Wanderer will arrive on the Wii on February 9, 2010.
Australian Virtual Console to Get Ogre Battle 64
Australia’s OFLC (Office of Film and Literature Classification) has posted a rating today for Atlus’s strategy-based Nintendo 64 title, Ogre Battle 64, meaning that the title is headed to the Australian Virtual Console some time soon. The classification board has given the title a rating of “PG” for “Mild fantasy violence” and lists “Nintendo Co., LTD.” as the publisher.
The real-time strategy/role-playing title developed by Quest/Nintendo was a rare example of an original (and highly regarded) RPG for the generally RPG-bereft Nintendo 64. Much like Sin & Punishment, a virtual console release of Ogre Battle 64 may help to bring a rare title into the hands of several old-school Nintendo 64 fans, as well as RPG aficionados.
There’s no word on an American release so far, but with Nintendo evidently publishing the title itself, it wouldn’t be too unlikely for the game to arrive in the U.S. shortly after landing in Australia.
Nintendo Needs to Make a Commercial Out of This
Word has quickly spread via every major gaming publication (as well as Yahoo) about the impromptu Wii Sports bowling tournament held by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office during their March raid on a convicted drug dealer’s house near Lakeland, Florida. Florida’s News Channel 8 broke the story yesterday.
After obtaining a search warrant and crashing into drug dealer Michael Difalco’s house, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies began an on-the-spot Wii bowling session within a matter of 20 minutes, and the competition itself lasted well over an hour while deputies conducted a 9-hour raid.
The video itself - taken by Difalco’s wireless security camera - puts senior Wii bowling leagues to shame. The officers not only stopped their on-the-job duties to throw curve balls against each other, but they jumped up and down with adolescent-like glee upon getting two strikes in a row.
So while a slue of commentators have shared their mixed thoughts ranging from roaring laughter to censure, I couldn’t help but think, “Why hasn’t Nintendo made a commercial out of this?”
Honestly, the entire event is so surreal and downright comical that it plays like something from a cartoon. A very goofy, satirical, over-the-top cartoon….
It’s just too easy for Nintendo to do because the commercial needs almost no thought at this point. Simply copy the Polk County Sheriff’s Office with little inspiration.
Start with a shaky, up-close camera shot of a SWAT team busting into a suspected criminal’s house, followed by a very quick sweep of the entire premises. Then cut to a lone officer who, after being unable to locate the suspect, curiously picks up a nearby Wii remote and starts bowling. Splice in a short clip of the entire SWAT team competing in a surprisingly energetic Wii Sports bowling tournament, and viola, instant commercial. You can even end it with a nearly simultaneous (but unexpected) FBI raid with the FBI throwing down in a tennis tournament against the SWAT team. Or, even better, have the unaware suspect walk in on the tournament and cut to the SWAT team arresting the criminal - after thoroughly trashing him in a game of Wii Sports boxing.
It’s not even that far fetched (as far as the possibility of Nintendo doing such a commercial - the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has already backed the veracity of such an incident occurring). Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look at the best Nintendo commercials so far to see if Nintendo would jump all over this.
VC Tuesday: Japan celebrates Super Smash Bros. Day
Filed under: Virtual Console, Imports, WiiWare
The day is finally here! Well, not here here. But there are people in the world playing vintage Super Smash Bros. on their Wiis right now, and we declare that to be boss. They’re paying 1,200 Wii Points for the privilege, but Japanese Wii owners have probably forgotten how much Nintendo 64 games are supposed to cost on the Virtual Console anyway.
Poor Champion Wrestler is doomed. This just isn’t the week for another 4-player competitive fighting game starring at least one vintage game character (Rastan Saga’s title character, in the Ultimate Warrior-esque guise of “Miracle Rastan”).
- Nintendo All-Star! Dairantou Smash Bros. (Nintendo 64, 1-4 players, 1,200 Wii Points)
- Champion Wrestler (PC Engine, 1-4 players, 600 Wii Points)
There’s no competition between the VC and WiiWare this week. Here’s Japan’s WiiWare lineup:
- Nothing (Just Play Smash Bros., Seriously)
VC Tuesday: Japan celebrates Super Smash Bros. Day originally appeared on Nintendo Wii Fanboy on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Some guy put a Nintendo 64 in his Wii
Why? NOBODY KNOWS. Maybe he desperately misses the days of blowing in slots. Whatever reasons he had, this is now up on eBay, with bidding starting at $49.99. The auction notes that the mod is “100% working!” (uh … good?) and that the Wii’s blue lights still illuminate when it’s switched on, which we have to admit is kind of neat. Also, the seller calls it a “Wii64.” Hmm. See more of this peculiar beast past the break, and more illustrious Wii mods here.
Gallery: 5 Great Wii Mods
Some guy put a Nintendo 64 in his Wii originally appeared on Nintendo Wii Fanboy on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Virtual Console Wrap-Up for 10/6
Last week, we derided what was a relatively lackluster week for the Virtual Console, with only one release for the system, that being the somewhat weak Super Turrican 2. Then we heard that Europe ended up getting Shining Force II, which led to a delightfully snarky AIM conversation between Lucard and myself that I wish I’d saved. We basically predicted we’d get SFII in a month, whereas this week we’d get another form of Sonic The Hedgehog. It turned out that we were actually supposed to get Gradius II (which has never been released in America, save on the PSP compilation), and an obscure boxing title.
Turns out, to use wrestling parlance, we were swerved. But someone must have gagged Vince Russo and locked him in a closet, because this one works perfectly. Come with us, as we dive into Camelot Week on the Virtual Console!
Mario Golf
Developer: Camelot
Publisher: Nintendo
System: Nintendo 64
Original Release Date: July 30, 1999
Price: 1000 Wii Points
Alex Lucard: Not to be a negative nancy, but I am neither a fan of golf nor Mario games, so this game holds no interest for me. That being said, like the other game released today, this is a Camelot title and Camelot tend to make very solid titles that are colourful, fun and with excellent gameplay. So if you are a fan of either Mario or hitting balls with a long shaft, then this might be worth your ten dollars.
Guy Desmarais: While the Gamecube version is indeed better, I have found that in my attempts to acquire it, it has become pretty rare on the used market as everyone with a copy tends to hold on to it. In the meantime, we have here the N64 version, which is pretty much the same thing, only with a little bit less content. However, what it lacks in depth is more than compensated by the greatest thing to hit Mario’s universe since go-karts: MINI-GOLF! Yes, Mario Golf 64 is home to a great mini-golf mode which is probably the best one I have ever played. It beats the other video games renditions of mini-golf I have tried quite easily and the mode itself could have been a budget title on its own. Last but not least, the game includes a taunt button which can be used while it is NOT your turn to play, so you can use it to annoy your friends just like that character with the fisherman’s hat in Happy Gilmore. You probably remember who I am talking about. It was pretty annoying, right? Now imagine the same thing, but with Wario’s nasal voice. It doesn’t get much better than this when it comes to golf. Well, yes it does. But not on the N64.
Christopher Bowen: Yeah, the Gamecube version is better.
It’s also $25 at Gamestop, last I checked.
This is a fantastic game of Golf for anyone that likes Mario, OR golf; take it from the person that dinged Tiger, this is a more solid game of golf than people give it credit for. And a $10 price point is very, very nice for what is really a surprisingly deep game of golf with a good amount of content.
I recommend this title.
Shining Force II
Developer: Camelot
Publisher: Sega
System: Sega Genesis
Original Release Date: October 20, 1994
Price: 800 Wii Points
Alex Lucard: ABOUT. FUCKING. TIME.
Seriously, SFII is widely considered the best game not only in the Shining series, but the best tactical RPG ever made. This is mainly because the game did things back in the 16 bit era most SRPG’s are just doing now. Hidden characters, unlockable classes, post game missions and battles. A plot that is more than just “Boy saves world from monsters.” You had betrayals on both sides, love rectangles, ninja rats, baby Gamera, human chess games (literally), and so much more. Bebito listed it as his best game ever and I put SF2 as the #3 RPG pf all time. Considering #1 and #2 will never be on the Virtual Console, this means as of October 6th, you now have the best possible RPG that will ever be released in this fashion so you should probably go out and get it.
I would have preferred that the game was released on the VC on 10/20, as it would have been the game’s 14th birthday, but hey, beggers can be chosers.
To get an in-depth look at just why this game is one of the most beloved SRPG’s of all time, I suggest going to Shining Force Central’s Ultimate SF2 Guide and basking in its glory.
Of course, now my problem is wondering what else could come out for the VC from now on that I’ll still want to get. I’d love Shadowrun but it will never happen. I’d love for SNK to put out Garou: Mark of the Wovles or the NES Baseball Stars, but I guess we have to go through a ton of their crappier games to get the good stuff.
I’m still marking out over this. Shining Force II. Sweet. And heads up kids, use your classic controller as the ultimate code of awesomness still works.
Christopher Bowen: A lot has been made about Shining Force vs. Fire Emblem on this site, with the Fire Emblem camp (me) getting drowned out by the Shining Force camp (everyone else).
Truth is, there’s no “better” or “worse”. They’re both incredible in their own ways. And Shining Force II is still one of the best SRPGs of all time. Not “of the era”. Not “for fans”. Of all time. This, combined with the first game, is the kind of game that gets people into SRPGs. It’s got a great story, great characters, it’s well balanced, and isn’t as horribly hard as my beloved Fire Emblem, making it more accessible for people that might not be intuitive with strategy games.
I cannot give a higher recommendation to Shining Force II. This should be an instant purchase.
Incredible week. Absolutely stunning. Though your mileage with Mario Golf might vary, Shining Force II is an absolute classic, and arguably the greatest SRPG of all time. Seriously, if you’re still reading this, and aren’t downloading at least SF II… what’s taking so long?
Until next week, this is Chris Bowen, wishing good night, and good luck.
Top 10 Best Selling Games
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