NES News, Tips, Tricks & Ideas

An emulator that lets users play thousands of Nintendo games is currently the top free download on the iPhone App Store.

Speedrunning has a long history with Nintendo games, with titles like Mario and Metroid famed for their speed-running potential. Nintendo Switch owners will soon be able to test their skill on various retro challenges when launches on July 18. Additionally, NES superfans who don’t mind paying a bit extra can pick up the $60 Deluxe Set, now available for pre-order.

Retro video game collecting continues to rise in popularity and price, with a recent collection of original unopened NES games selling for upwards of $90,000 on eBay. Beloved classic Nintendo titles can frequently be found in online auctions, with bids rising into the tens of thousands of dollars, and this latest sale once again showcases the growing value of retro games among collectors.

DKoldies, an online marketplace that sells a wide range of retro consoles, games, and accessories, was recently hacked. The cyberattacker temporarily gained access to the NES seller's database and highlighted its massive profit margins.

A homebrew developer is recreating the original NES Metroid game to work on the Game Boy, in the same vein as Metroid 2: Return of Samus. The original Metroid is a classic series that established a formula of exploration and is regularly praised by fans of the series, even if not every aspect of the title has aged gracefully. The Metroid series is a common subject for those looking to make fan games, regardless of whether said games come in the form of an older adventure being remade or a brand-new one being created.

An impressive infographic lists the 10 best-selling games on every major Nintendo system since the NES. Nintendo revolutionized the gaming industry with the Nintendo Entertainment System, establishing landmark franchises that still receive blockbuster new entries to this day.

In a surprise announcement at the latest Nintendo Direct event, it was confirmed that five games developed by Rare are making their way to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service later today. Four of the new game additions will be available to vanilla Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, while one of the game will require a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, which is a little pricier but gives subscribers access to even more legacy games.

At this week’s ongoing Awesome Games Done Quick event, a very talented dog managed to speedrun a lesser-known NES game for charity, to the delight of both their owner and viewers all around the world. For the past decade or so, Awesome Games Done Quick has been held every January to raise money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. The past three Awesome Games Done Quick events were held remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year is seeing the show return to a live format at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from January 14 to the 21st.

I enjoy Games Done Quick, an organisation that raises money for charity (this year is the Prevent Cancer Foundation) by playing games at peak efficiency. If you've never watched it before, I recommend loading up the Twitch stream at about 1am and sort of gently dissociating while someone plays an 80s NES game you've never heard of. Speaking of, one of the headline acts for this year's stream - which is running through to this Sunday 21st - was Peanut Butter, a shiba inu trained to press buttons on command, "playing" a NES game that came out in 1985. Although Peanut Butter obeyed his training, some technical issues colluded to snatch a world best time from him - but he raised many thousands of dollars, so good for him.

The Game Boy – Nintendo Switch Online app has added Quest for Camelot, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online app has added Kirby’s Star Stacker, and the Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online app has added Downtown Nekketsu March: Super-Awesome Field Day! and Joy Mech Fight, Nintendo announced.

I was first introduced to Bucky O’Hare through the NES game. This was back in 2010, long after the cartoon was off the air. It’s an interesting game, which I’ll get to in a bit. However, I quickly grabbed the cartoon to watch and maybe gave up after two episodes. I know that two episodes is a pretty brief amount of time to try and form an opinion on a show, but I couldn’t stand it. It was a horrible maelstrom of bad attempts at wordplay and nauseating self-righteousness.

Paramount has revealed the first new game dedicated to the Rugrats franchise in over 20 years, Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland.

The NES released in Japan 40 years ago, but a new Rugrats game is on the way to Nintendo's old console next year.

There's a new Rugrats game coming out next year, and you can play it with graphics that make it look like it was developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The Mix Games and Wallride have unveiled Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland, which you can play either in HD cartoon mode or in 8bit mode, if you're feeling nostalgic. It's a puzzle platformer where you have to control the Rugrat of your choice — Tommy, Chuckie, Phil and Lil — as they pretend that they're inside a game. 

A new game based on the classic Nickelodeon TV series Rugrats is coming to NES, PC and modern consoles.

The MIX Games and Wallride have announced Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland for consoles and PC. Although it has the distinct palette and 8-bit look of the NES, that is not one of the “consoles” that they are talking about.

There's something really satisfying about a keyboard with retro inspiration, especially when it comes with heaps of modern features hidden under that off-white, 8-bit facade.

Retro fans are being treated to 8BitDo's first gaming keyboard today, and she's a beauty. Featuring those classic gray and red NES tones (a burgundy Famicom colorway is also available), hot-swappable switches, and wireless connectivity, this is a TKL keyboard for true Ninty fans but also those after a suite of controls at their fingertips. 

8BitDo, a manufacturer known for making excellent controllers, fighting sticks, and other gaming accessories, is breaking into the realm of mechanical keyboards with two models. One is inspired by the NES, and the other borrows the color scheme of the Famicom. Both models cost $99.99 to pre-order from Amazon, and they are set to ship out on Aug. 10.

It can be difficult to differentiate oneself in the crowded mechanical keyboard market. The variety of providers and customization options means there’s something for everybody. But retro gaming controller outfit 8BitDo has created something original, and highly alluring to nostalgia fiends like yours truly.