Tag: Nintendo

Bite-Sized Game History: RIP Stan Lee, NBA Jam’s Expensive Balls, and a Wii Remote Prototype for the GameCube

In this edition of Bite-Sized Game History, we look back at the first time Stan Lee brought his “carnival barker” enthusiasm to video games, as well as a pair of auctions for some very unique artifacts.

With a pocketful of catchphrases, and hiding behind a giant pair of sunglasses, Stan Lee began to resemble a real-life superhero more and more in his later years. Lee’s bombastic speaking style and boundless energy gave his many cameos a zippiness well into his 90s, and it felt like he would always be with us.

Sadly, Lee passed away yesterday at the age of 95.

Along with Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby, Stan Lee redefined the very idea of what a “superhero” was, and their work caused ripples throughout all of pop culture. In this edition of Bite-Sized Game History, we look back at the first time Stan Lee brought his “carnival barker” enthusiasm to video games, as well as a pair of auctions for some very unique artifacts.

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Super Mario’s Namesake, Mario Segale, Has Died: How A Chance Meeting Changed Nintendo

Mario Segale died last week at the age of 84, but the Seattle real estate developer and philanthropist is probably best-remembered among gamers as the namesake for Super Mario, Nintendo’s world-famous mascot.

Mario Segale died last week at the age of 84, but the Seattle real estate developer and philanthropist is probably best-remembered among gamers as the namesake for Super Mario, Nintendo’s world-famous mascot.

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Bite-Sized Game History: The N64’s Analog Stick, Rez’s Prototype, and Early Video Games from 1968

Have you ever wondered how the Nintendo 64’s Analog Stick works? Or what Rez looked like before its wireframe aesthetic was added in? And just what were game developers working on in the early days before Atari?

Have you ever wondered how the Nintendo 64’s Analog Stick works? Or what Rez looked like before its wireframe aesthetic was added in? And just what were game developers working on in the early days before Atari?

Have no fear, we’re able to answer all three of those questions in this edition of Best-Sized Game History…

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Bite-Sized Game History: Pong on a Plane, The Mother 3 Times, and the Importance of Emulation

This time on Bite-Sized Game History… Pong takes flight, Mother 3’s hype train leaves the station, and Nintendo’s battle with ROM hosting sites is yet another blow to game preservation.

There are a lot of great video game historians on Twitter, and they manage to unearth some amazing artifacts in 280 characters or less. Video Game Canon’s newest column, Bite-Sized Game History, will aim to collect some of the best stuff I find in my timeline.

This time on Best-Sized Game History… Pong takes flight, Mother 3‘s hype train leaves the station, and Nintendo’s battle with ROM hosting sites is yet another blow to game preservation.

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Nintendo Will Release Super NES History Book Alongside Super NES Classic in September 2017

Nintendo is teaming up with Prima Games to release a colorful history of the Super NES this Fall.

Playing With Super Power: Nintendo SNES Classics is scheduled to be released alongside the Super NES Classic on September 29th, and it’ll be available in both hardcover (as a Special Slipcase Edition) and paperback.

This encyclopedic work will feature 320 pages of Super NES-fueled nostalgia, as well as a forward from Reggie Fils-Aimé, Nintendo of America’s President and COO. Here’s what fans can expect to find after they flip it open:

The Console: A nostalgic celebration and exploration of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in all its 16-bit glory.

The Games: Discover everything you’ve always wanted to know about some of the most beloved SNES games, including speedrun tips and little-known facts.

The History: Learn about the SNES development and the visionaries behind this groundbreaking console.

The Legacy: An in-depth look at how the SNES has left its mark on the gaming industry, and how its legacy continues.

The Memories: From family stories to fan art to merchandise and more, this book is a love letter to fans of the Playing With Super Power era!

Speedrunning Tips: Some of the best speedrunners around share their tips and strategies for getting the best times in these beloved classic games.

Exclusive Foreword: Written by Reggie Fils-Aimé, President and COO of Nintendo of America.

Playing With Super Power: Nintendo SNES Classics is actually the second partnership between Nintendo and Prima Games. Last year, the two companies published Playing With Power: Nintendo NES Classics to coincide with the launch of the NES Classic.