Kotaku
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music
Chiptune's 8-Bit Profit
Ah, yes, 8-bit chiptune. It's music that is performed and composed by using retro game hardware like the Famicom and the Gameboy as instruments. Love it, great stuff. More »
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Comment by Kirbysuperstar: While I can't say I'd purposefully listen to Vocaloid covers of pop music, that album art is FUCKING great. 9 Responses | Other threads
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art
Browse The Entire Catalogue Of Arty NES Carts
We are, unreservedly, big fans of hipster Japanese game store Meteor and its Famicase art exhibition. So please, join us as we peruse the entire history of the show. More »
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Comment by Komrade Kayce - Hero of Soviet Kotaku: Do these games work, or are they just art? They'd have to go in a V2 NES, correct? 2 Responses | Other threads
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art
You Cannot Play The George W. Bush Famicom Game
Hipster retro shop Meteor is once again holding its "My Famicase" exhibit. Like last year, the show features Nintendo Famicom cartridges for games that never were created by artists and designers. More »
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Comment by Frequen-Z: If Bush knew the Konami code he wouldn't have fucked the economy. 23 Responses | Other threads
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maximum risky
This Girl Is Wearing A Famicom Bikini She Crafted Herself
Retro gaming maniac, pin-up model and underground photo Amano Ai (aka Julie Watai) is putting out a new DVD called Plastic Candy. In it, she dons a DIY Famicom bikini made moments before the shoot. More »
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Comment by Matt Dusza: so she took out a shaprie and drew on her underwear.... this is news how? 18 Responses | Other threads
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nes
How To Play Famicom Games On A Famicom Cartridge
Step 1: buy a business card holder that looks just like a Famicom cartridge. Step 2: crack that card holder open. Step 3: put the guts of a cheap, emulator-capable media player inside. More »
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Comment by That mop mutant from NES.: Nifty. I could be the envy of those around me or have kids incessantly ask me about the new handheld. Who... 4 Responses | Other threads
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famicom
The Crappy $10,000 Famicom Game
A Famicom cartridge of Kinnikuman Muscle Tag Match: Championship Commemorative Gold Edition has sold for US$10,023 in an online auction. More »
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Comment by LllusionX:Proud Commander of the Sony Attack Force Helghan!: Oh yeah! i remember that show!! i hated it. 9 Responses | Other threads
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politics
Barack Obama Doll Relaxes With Miniature Famicom
Okay, the gaming connection? Slim at best and pretty much stops at the title. But hey, yesterday was the inauguration. If you're cool with all that, read on. More »
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Comment by kojirodensetsu: I'm gonna vomit if I see one more article about Obama. 6 Responses | Other threads
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retro
Sigh, Someone Chickens Out Of Spending US$7,000 On Famicom "Complete" Set
Oh, the drama! First a "complete set" of Famicom cartridges went on sale, then someone was going to buy then. But that was then, this is now. More »
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Comment by Mister Jack is Stalking Konata: He probably backed out of this when he realized how dumb it is to spend 7,000 dollars on a bunch... 20 Responses | Other threads
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japan
Yes, Someone Has Purchased $7,000 Worth Of Famicom Cartridges
Remember that "complete set" of retro Famicom cartridges that we posted earlier today? Sure you do! More »
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Comment by Witzbold: Folks just imagine the day when the games of our generation will be put up in a window and sold... 11 Responses | Other threads
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akihabara
One Thousand Plus Famicom Cartridges For You To Buy
Open your wallets, retro gaming collectors! Has Akihabara retailer Mandarake have a deal for you — a "complete" set of Famicom cartridges. And yes, this comes at a cost. More » -
retro
This Konami Famicom Game Is Crazy Expensive, Rare
Some retro games you buy to play, others you buy to play a couple times and then put them behind a glass case. More »
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Comment by punjabifury: I don't see the point of buying a game just to have and not to play. So you can have... 8 Responses | Other threads
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maximum risky
Ready To Get Up Close With Famicom Lady? How About Dreamcost Woman?
A game that lets players love game consoles. Pico Pico, a naughty title from erotic game maker AGE SOFT's sub-brand Phi-age, features controller controlled characters cosplaying as game consoles. As website Hobby Blog points out, there have been loads of amateur drawings of humanized video game consoles, but Pico Pico appears to be the first professional made adult title for the PC to run with this motif. Pico Pico features characters like Famicom-esque Miko, "PLAYSTALLION7" Nana and DS-style Pipi. There's even a "Dreamcost" character! Game's out August 29th in Japan. Screenshots below. More »
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Comment by cholinms: They didn't follow the OS-tan formula very closely. The more Memory that the system needs to run the bigger the... more » | Other threads
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nintendo
See A Famicom Gutted For Your Amusement
The Nintendo Famicom, picture above in happier times, was sadly gutted by Benj Edwards for PC World, giving us a disturbing, yet educational look at the NES precursor. Even as we look at the grisly insides of the Famicom, its game cartridges, controllers and Japan-only disk system, we learn quite a few things. For instance, I didn't know the Famicom had microphones built into the controllers and that one could shout into them, killing enemies in the Japanese version of The Legend of Zelda. More »
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Comment by blizzardjesus: Extra fact. The first version of the famicom had square buttons instead of round buttons. But this unit had some... more » | Other threads
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give me back my son!
Fake Ransom Demanded Over "Nintendo Computer"
In China, a guy known only by his surname "Yang" faked his abduction because his skinflint parents wouldn't buy him "a Nintendo computer," according to the China Daily. The scheme crowbarred about 10,000 yuan ($1,400 U.S.) off the 'rents, but the kid and his two captors were snagged trying to get the dough out of an ATM. More »
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By Owen GoodComment by Bearded Rapper: Well of course his parents wouldn't buy him one. It doesn't exist. more » | Other threads
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famicom
Famicom Carts, Not Games, As Art
Games are art, games aren't art, yo mama so fat, yada yada yada, blah blah blah. Enough of that tired old, stuck-in-a-loop argument! It's time to move on and focus on game carts as art. These are from the recent Famicase exhibition in Japan, where artists were tasked with coming up with their own imaginary games, then designing the imaginary cart for their imaginary game. Some highlights are below, while you can see the entire collection here. More »
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Comment by denki: Dammit, missed this exhib again. Curses Kotaku! Ya'll should have some kind of calendar of neat events coming... more » | Other threads
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gallery
Odd Famicom Controllers, So Friggin' Great
Nintendo's Famicom, that was a great console. A great console with some crazy peripherals! While our presence was graced with the badass of the Power Glove reached foreign shores, some of the truly nutty ones (like the Coconuts Japan pachinko controller or the JoyBall thing) never did. Just think if we had a shot at the one-handed Ascii Stick controller, developed especially for RPGs, or any of the Hori-produced Famicon controllers! Click the gallery below and imagine. More »
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Comment by relic1980: @Does Not Equal: I still have one somewhere around here. There's a program somewhere on the net where you can... more » | Other threads
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famicom
The Unlicensed Harry Potter Shoot 'Em Up
Pirates have brought gaming some good things. Make that, some interesting things. Take this unlicensed Famicom Harry Potter... shmup? Yep! Young Harry rides about on his broom, shooting floating dog heads and bats. According to game site Siliconera: More »
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Comment by Dragoness_Muir: OMG No!!!! It looks like something from the gameboy color X.x more » | Other threads
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retro
Coin-Op NES
Want to play? Get out those coins. Here's a coin-operated Famicom that was hooked up to standard TVs in Japanese hotels and inns. One hundred yen coin got players 10~15 minutes of playtime. There's a Zapper and everything! Hit the jump for the pricier Super Famicom, which only doled out 5 minutes of playtime for a hundred yen. Well, it was "Super." Super expensive! More »
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Comment by denki: @Number41: It's still there. They set it to "freeplay" though so you can choose whatever game you want- I... more » | Other threads
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clips
Let's Compare Dragon Quest IV Ads
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japan
Nintendo Forever Abandons Famicom
SEGA isn't the only company disowning vintage consoles. Starting October this Halloween, Nintendo Co., Ltd. will no longer provide hardware support for the Famicom. The console was originally launched in Japan back in 1983, and Nintendo continued to service the machine all these years. With the rise of the Virtual Console and original Famicom parts becoming harder and harder to locate, Nintendo had decided cease repairs. What's more, Nintendo Co., Ltd. will no longer repair the Super Famicom, the Nintendo 64, the Gameboy and the Gameboy Pocket. Virtual Console or not, this strikes me as sad. More »
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Comment by icarusprime: @JakeLL: I still have EVERY sytem I've ever owned. The NES, original toaster sized Gameboy, SNES, Gameboy Pocket, Genesis, Gameboy Colour,... 1 Responses | Other threads
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hard proof
Japanese Kids Like NES Better Than PSP
Yup, it's that time again. Time for some fascinating data. This particular data concerns the gaming habit of Japanese children. This past summer, 1,165 elementary school kids (60 percent girls) were polled in a public questionnaire on the Kids goo website. What did we learn? Certainly the DS dominates. Duh. But there actually were a few surprises. Those, after the jump! More »
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Comment by pixelator: @Purple Dave: OK, then you're just a hater. And you're still damned verbose - and wrong. Look up Metacritic scores... more » | Other threads
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mecha retro
Famicom Gundam
Look closer. That isn't just some Gundam statue. It's a Nintendo Famicom colored Gundam statue. Folks who purchase Mobile Suit Gundam: MS Sensen 0079 for the Wii will have a shot in hell to get one of these by registering the Club Nintendo serial number enclosed with the software. There are only a thousand of them so don't get your hopes up. Application period runs from July 26 to August 31st.Gundam nerds only!Japan only! More »
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Comment by Heiae: @pjladyfox: Turn-A is super-sexy. I love that series. Victory was a bit of fun but it's one of my least... more » | Other threads
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amen
Before Square, Enix Had Jesus
Jesus! Dreadful! Bio-Monster! Years back, developer Enix (of current Square Enix fame) released a Famicom text-based survival horror game called "Jesus: Kyoufu no Bio Monster." The game is set in 2061 when Halley's Comet has changed direction and starts heading right for earth! The nations of the world, who banded together to create the space station "Jesus," must figure out how to stop the comet. Players are the Japanese rep. and military cadet Hayao Musou. While our usually rule of thumb is that no way a game with that kooky title can be any good, Jesus: Dreadful Bio-monster is apparently fairly decent. The game's music was even composed by Koichi Sugiyama, who's behind the instantly recognizable Dragon Quest theme. Jesus: Kyoufu no Bio-Monster never saw an English translation. How sad! More »
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Comment by Altima NEO: I was wondering why Eliza's posts werent on Wired anymore. Come on Eliza, you can be the president of Kotaku's... more » | Other threads
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clips
Famicom Guitar Looks Good, Sounds Meh
Ashcraft posted about Japan's Amazing DIY Famicom Guitar back in February, but we've just caught wind of someone actually playing the thing. How's the wind? Not that great apparently, but maybe it's just this unimpressive rendition of the Super Mario Bros. theme stinking up the place. Or maybe Famicom inspired guitars are just best left on their stands.
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Comment by Billkwando bought his tickets for Hyde's US tour: It's the player, not the instrument. It sounds like he's playing through a DOD Grunge Pedal, which sounds just like... more » | Other threads
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open your wallets
How Much Is It To Collect Every Famicom Game?
Is it possible to buy all the Famicom games? We mean all, including that copy of Super Mario Bros. with characters from radio show All Night Nippon that was given away at raffles. On a recent episode of Oriental Radio's TV show Shuukan Oriraji Keizai Hakushou, comedians Nakagawa-ke attempt to find out. Trolling Akihabara and online sites, they are able get 1043 of the 1051 games — being unable to locate titles like the card based Datch games: Datach Ultraman, Datach SD Gundam, Datach J-League and Datach Dragon Ball Z. (Some of those Datach games are available over eBay.) And the total cost? Eight games short, their bill was ¥1,350,261 ($11,095). That averages out to about $10.60 per game, which, you know, isn't too bad if you've got money to burn. More »
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Comment by BIGmog: They can't have all the Famicom games because I still have a few at my place. more » | Other threads
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super rip-off land
"Rare" Super Mario Bros. IV Hits eBay
It's not often that we see an ultra-rare copy of Super Mario Bros. IV for the NES, let alone one going for the low, low price of only $149.99. The game's rarity is most commonly chalked up to the fact that it doesn't really exist. Yet, today, we are lucky enough to bask in the presence of its eBay auction. More »
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Comment by Tzepish: What's shameful about it is that even though whoever gets swindled basically deserves it for being a moron, the guy... more » | Other threads
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purdy
Retro Famicom Case Art Coolness
Tokyo retailer METEOR is running an art show called "MY FAMICASE EXHIBITION" until May 31st of custom designed Famicom cartridges. Sure, the games aren't real, but the art is. Check out the gallery below. There are some real dazzlers! More »
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Comment by Trackback: Retro Famicom Case Art Coolness - Kotaku Pioneer Announces 8th Generation Plasma TVs - Born RichOmelette 1.0 is First Free... more » | Other threads
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Comment by DUOPHONIX.com: 121, i just make my finger quiver on the button, i think it would be harder to mash a controller... 2 Responses | Other threads
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(no, really)
Brand Spankin' New Famicom Game
It's been 13 years since the last Famicom game Takahashi Meijin no Bouken Jima IV was released. Leave it to a Japanese TV program to make a totally new, unofficial Famicom game, complete with packaging and an instruction booklet. The game is called Mr. Splash and not sold in stores. Players hover over a pool and try to splash a ball in their opponents goal. Best of all, normal people can actually play this game! So, Tokyo residents, head over to hipster space "gg" and fork over 200 yen for 15 minutes of Mr. Splash. Oh, there's going to be a tournament, and a cartridge will be given to the winner. But, remember, the tourney's on April 28th, and that's tomorrow! Here are the rules. Clips of the cartridge and game play after the jump. More »
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Comment by toysmaniac: u can find some classic games here if u really want to http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-5vmf-71-c-49-en-84-k-4... more » | Other threads
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original
Afternoon At The Nintendo Museum
Over the weekend, the fam and I hit Hankyu Department store in Umeda to check out the Nintendo Museum exhibit. Co-sponsored with magazine Nintendo Dream, the exhibition featured items from the collection of Isao Yamazaki. Goodies like retro Nintendo playing cards, post-war toys and retro consoles. Plus there were playable Wii/DS games and stuff to buy. The kid played a bit of Mario Kart on the VC — The staffer had to explain to him that the classic controller doesn't work like the Wii-mote. There were some neat items, like Mario design drawings. Anyway, I'll be uploading pics throughout my shift, so do be sure to check back.
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Comment by chaos242: I can't believe I missed this. I live only a 20 minute bike ride away. I'm on the... more » | Other threads
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anime
Anime Songs As Envisioned By The Famicon
Bring on the saccharine cuteness! Idol Haruko Momoi covers popular anime songs via the Nintendo Family Computer on her new album Famison 8BIT. In case you are not familiar with Haruko Momoi, she's a Japanese voice actress, nerdy and gave herself the nickname "Halko," which was inspired by 2001's HAL. Have a listen for yourself here. Not bad, but I don't think I could make it all the way through in one listen. More »
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Comment by rislim: @RocketSlug: Perhaps she has better taste in anime. :3 What are the chances of this being available in iTunes Japan since she... more » | Other threads
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famicom
Famicom Shop Licensed By Nintendo, Now Closed
Often, Mom and Pop retailers in Japan are actually official dealers of particular products. I've seen this countless times with companies like Panasonic. But Nintendo? While "wandering around aimlessly," Kotaku reader Landon came across the above shop which is a "Famicom Shop" that is "Licensed by Nintendo." He writes: More »
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Comment by Hemlock: @chaos242: Meet up in Kyoto? Yes, we can do that... I have been visiting home for the past two... more » | Other threads
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Comment by Itanji_Kuraisu: No system will ever be as fun as the NES! FTW!! more » | Other threads
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retro
Japan's Amazing DIY Famicom Guitar
Just look at that craftsmanship. An ingenious guitar loving individual hand made this Famicon electric six-string from Japanese timber. The measurements of the modeled Nintendo Family Computer even match up with the retro console. Everything, including the controller, the d-pad and the buttons were made from wood. The name of this creation? The Family Comguitar. Beautiful. More »
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Comment by mackprime: @Pal: Electric guitars don't rely as much on reverberations in the wood as quality electronics. more » | Other threads
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nintendo
The Famicom Universal TV Remote
Just in time to add another bibelot to your already growing collection of Nintendo themed household accoutrement, comes this Famicom themed universal TV remote. Unfortunately, it doesn't control cable boxes or DVD players, only televisions. The list of compatible brands are: Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, Sylvania, Sanyo, Aiwa, Hitachi, Philips, NEC, JVC, Toshiba, Mitsubishi and Fujitsu. Not recommended for TV's older than 5 years or so. And in case you were wondering, yes, this is an official Nintendo branded product. These are limited editions from Japan, so order now while supplies last! More »
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By fdemarcoComment by NovaGreensocks: Just got mine in today; yes, the select button controls the input/AV. I'm somewhat surprised that it worked on my... more » | Other threads
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Comment by AgentTofu: Wow, I remember about half of these. The Dragon Quest one was always a favorite of mine (very minimal), and... more » | Other threads
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top
From Tiny To Normal, Various Sized Famicoms Lined Up
You know, I've seen "tiny" Famicoms and "normal" ones. It's the medium-sized ones that are new to me. You?
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Comment by khdownes: xhazeleyes01x The cords on the controllers are also about 1 metre long and stick out from the side of the controller... more » | Other threads
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By kotaku.comComment by Paul Soth: Yeah, 9800 Yen. So unless you live in Japan or other non-American markets, quit bitching about game prices. more » | Other threads
famicom
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Fri Jul 10
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