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:

Harry Potter is playable and there are some decent enemy patterns to fly through. At the start of the game Harry is sluggish. Slower than the Vic Viper without any speed power ups slow... If you shoot an entire formation you might get a weapon power-up, a speed boost or an extra life represented a by flickering Harry Potter head.

Brilliant. Bosses include a dragon and a robot. A robot? Sure! Why not? Hit the jump for a screenshot.
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1:00 AM on Wed Apr 23 2008
By Brian Ashcraft
6,956 views, 34 comments

Latest by interstate78: My eyes! they Bleed! more »

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!

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2:00 AM on Mon Apr 14 2008
By Brian Ashcraft
5,606 views, 40 comments

Latest by denki: @Number41: It's still there. They set it to "freeplay" though so you can choose whatever game you want- I think. Not like you can ever go there and actually get on any of the machines. more »

clips

Let's Compare Dragon Quest IV Ads

Dragon Quest IV hasn't been remade once, but twice. The NES game's first remake was for the PlayStation back in 2001, and it's latest is for the Nintendo DS. (It also spanned a bunch spin-offs, but that's neither here nor there!) So, instead of comparing the game's graphics, we're comparing the games' Japanese tv ads. Which one is the best? Like most things, the original. More »

3:30 AM on Wed Nov 7 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
2,845 views, 29 comments

Latest by Aesteval: @mooglegiant: Nope, no SNES release of 4. 1 and 2 were released on one cartridge and then 3 was released but no 4. @Nayato: It's not so much the hats as it's the people essentially cosplaying the characters in the more »

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.
No more support [IT Media via Arcade Renaissance]

1:00 AM on Wed Oct 17 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
3,806 views, 40 comments

Latest by brello: There's still websites that sell NES's complete with fresh pin connectors that DON'T suck, so I don't see the reason for the anxiety. @icarusprime: I still use my cinder block Game Boy from to time. Sure, I could use the SP, more »

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 »

7:00 AM on Mon Oct 1 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
8,728 views, 78 comments

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!
Famicom Gundam [Bandai via Giz Japan]

5:00 AM on Thu Jul 26 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
2,594 views, 27 comments

Latest 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 favorite U.C. Gundams. Nowhere near as bad as ZZ Gundam, though. Victory's actually pretty good. more »

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!
Best part: this post comes via former Kotaku regulars Eliza Gauger and Florian Eckhardt, who's now writing under the so very fake name John Brownlee. Flor and Eliza have a new site, covering things like full-facial tattoos, dolphin sex and Bela Lugosi. Utterly delightful.
Jesus Game [ectoplasmosis]

9:00 PM on Tue Jul 17 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
1,800 views, 21 comments

Latest 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 gaming division. Well send Crecente over to EA for you. more »

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. Michael McWhertor

8:40 PM on Tue Jun 26 2007
By Michael McWhertor
1,294 views, 23 comments

a.d.d. compatible

Clip: 11 Years of Famicom In Five Minutes

This is truly impressive. A collection of the start screens from every Famicom game ever made all put together in a five minute video that is a wonder to behold. Someone obviously put a lot work into this and even finished it all off with a super funky soundtrack of "Magic Bird of Fire" by The Salsoul Orchestra. And how can you not love the Salsoul Orchestra? I mean, come on, they did an album with Charo. Yes, CHARO. Cuchi cuchi! Flynn De Marco

5:00 PM on Sun Jun 10 2007
By fdemarco
2,863 views, 54 comments

Latest by Deletable_Man: My heart is 2D. more »

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 »

9:00 PM on Mon Jun 4 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
2,477 views, 18 comments

Latest by BIGmog: They can't have all the Famicom games because I still have a few at my place. more »

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 »

4:40 PM on Wed May 30 2007
By Michael McWhertor
5,838 views, 38 comments

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! Brian Ashcraft More »

7:40 AM on Wed May 9 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
2,100 views, 6 comments

let's mash

How Fast Can You Push Famicom Buttons?

Hudson's human mascot Takahashi Meijin is a living turbo switch. Into finger exercises, he can press the controller's "B" buttons something like 16 pps (presses-per-second). What about your skills? Above is a "B" button mock-up from the Famicom controller. It records how many times you can press it repeatedly in ten seconds. Me, I can't get my score above 65 pps. You? More »

6:00 AM on Fri May 4 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
13,294 views, 124 comments

(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. Brian Ashcraft More »

5:30 AM on Fri Apr 27 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
3,675 views, 7 comments

Latest 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 »

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. Brian Ashcraft More »

2:00 AM on Mon Apr 2 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
5,131 views, 17 comments

Latest by chaos242: I can't believe I missed this. I live only a 20 minute bike ride away. I'm on the verge of tears. Seriously. Where can I find out about this information sooner!? more »

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. Brian Ashcraft More »

7:00 AM on Wed Mar 21 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
1,593 views, 22 comments

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 »

5:00 AM on Wed Mar 14 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
1,527 views, 14 comments

clip

Clip(s): All You Can Eat Metroid Commercial Buffet

It's the game advertising equivalent of a monkey turning into a man! Not quite, but it is still interesting to see how promoting Metroid has evolved. Picking up where Flynn left off, web site Aeropause has a look back at Metroid's American and Japanese TV spots over the years. Nice cross-culture comparison. Just check out Famicom Disk System ad (above) and the NES one (after the jump) with added Rad Racer 3D headaches. Brian Ashcraft
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11:00 PM on Mon Mar 5 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
4,367 views, 14 comments

Kotaku

Too Human Arrives In August, Officially

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