This dates from 2003, but deserves a Kotaku airing. Called the Deconstructulator, it shows exactly how the graphics in Super Mario Bros. are handled. From the site:

This is a deconstructed Nintendo emulator that shows how sprites and sprite memory are handled while a game is being played. The intent is to show insight for how software and hardware work, given the relatively simple example of a minimal architecture from an old game console system.

In a nutshell: This is man behind the curtain. Fascinating. Brian Ashcraft

Deconstructulator Site [Via Urban Retro Lifestyle]

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