consoles

The SNES is the greatest console of all time

Over the past few months, I decided to go back in time and relive the days of old. Instead of wasting my day doing things that just weren't productive, I decided to get all of my old consoles out (NES, Genesis, SNES, 3DO, 32X, Sega CD, Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Playstation 1 and 2 and the Nintendo 64) to finally make the decision on which console is truly the best of all-time (so far).

And while the decision was a difficult one -- it's tough to beat Duck Hunt and Super Mario Bros. -- it seemed almost too simple to declare the SNES the greatest console of all-time.… Read more

Will the Gizmondo make a comeback?

Some of you may remember the Gizmondo, a portable gaming console announced in 2005 that was positioned as a competitor to the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS. Tiger Telematics, the company which produced it, was headed by a couple of Swedes who eventually left the firm just before it went bankrupt in early 2006. It's an incredible tale involving a crashed Ferrari Enzo, dealings with the Mafia, and millions of dollars of investor funds going down the drain.

Now it looks like Carl Freer, Gizmondo's former chairman, wants to revive the brand. In an interview with a Swedish publication, … Read more

Bye Bye Wavebirdie

It seems that the Nintendo Wavebird is going the way of the Power Glove. According to Go Nintendo via Joystiq, Nintendo has ceased shipping its wireless GameCube controllers to stores. This isn't too surprising (the Wii has been out for more than a year and effectively completely replaced the GameCube), but it is disappointing. Since the Wii plays all GameCube games and includes four GameCube controller ports, the Wavebird presented a great way to play both Virtual Console and GameCube games wirelessly.

Go Nintendo claims that Nintendo is still shipping wired controllers to stores, which seems very odd. If … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

Three new games with questionable box art grace your Wii this week.

Cybernator (1993, Super Nintendo, 800 Wii points)--Finally, a sci-fi game that addresses the dwindling fossil fuels issue! Cybernator takes place in the distant future where you must clear seven challenging stages. However, you may not solve the world's energy problems. Alien Storm (1991, Sega Genesis, 800 Wii points)--What is a Wii virtual console release without a side-scrolling action game? Alien Storm has you take on eight stages and more bosses than what the arcade original offered. Monster Lair (1989, Turbografx16, 800 Wii points)--Monster Lair … Read more

Buy a Wii now, get it later

Can't find a Wii to put under the tree? Nintendo's got your back--sort of. According to gaming blog Kotaku, reporting on a conversation with Nintendo prez Reggie Fils-Aime, GameStop stores will be offering Wii rain-checks on December 20 and 21. Translation: Pony up your $249.99 now, get a Wii--guaranteed--by the end of January.

Yeah, that's a pretty sucky deal, but I suppose the promise of a Wii is slightly better than the absence of one. Why didn't Nintendo do this in November and promise delivery by December 24? Bad company. Bad!

The more intriguing news … Read more

Wii shortages--are they intentional?

Despite selling 13 million units already and boosting production capacity three times this year, the $250 Nintendo Wii is still one of those impossible-to-find Christmas presents that will be remembered along with Tickle Me Elmo and Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. Critics claim the company could boost production even more by using more than one manufacturing plant but it wants to keep the machine's value higher by keeping supplies down.

Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aimes disagrees, saying his company can't forecast demand--and the shortages are costing Nintendo big time.

Read the full story on Businessweek.com: A Long, Long Wait for a Wii. … Read more

Nintendo adds gift giving with this week's Virtual Console update

A new feature of the Wii Shop channel beginning this week is the ability to send a friend a Virtual Console title as a gift--just in time for the holidays. There is a catch, though; gift giving will require you to start learning and trading those 16-digit friend codes.

Pok?mon Snap (1999, Nintendo 64, 1000 Wii points)--A game that helped launch Pok?mon into mainstream American culture, Pok?mon Snap had gamers capturing Pok?mon "virtually" on film. New to the Virtual Console version of the game, players will now have the option of sharing their … Read more

Wii virtual console releases for this week

Zanac (1987, NES, 500 Wii points)--Vertically scrolling shooting at its finest! Blast your way through 12 areas in one of the first games that changed difficulty based on your skill level. Eternal Champions (1993, Sega Genesis, 800 Wii points)--In this 2-D fighter you'll compete for the chance to battle the Eternal Champion, thus returning to Earth and restoring balance to the universe. The Dynastic Hero (1993, Turbografx16, 800 Wii points)--The Dynastic Hero is an action RPG that involves multiple choice quizzes as well as puzzles for you to conquer as you progress through the story.

Can Nintendo show U.S. the love, too?

Still not jealous over all of the awesome bonuses Nintendo Japan has been giving its customers as part of the Club Nintendo rewards program? Well, get ready to say no friggin' way!

Nintendo has announced three free bonus items that it will be giving to its platinum members of the Club Nintendo service this year. Those customers with platinum status--meaning they purchased enough Nintendo products between 10/1/2006 and 9/30/2007 for over 400 Club Nintendo points--will be able to select one of the following items:

1. Wii Super Famicom Classic Controller: A Wii controller attachment that looks … Read more