Topics

46

Game Blog / Summer of Mario: GAME & WATCH GALLERY

« on: June 23, 2020, 03:42:40 PM »

It's time to look at another slightly lesser known Mario title...

GAME & WATCH GALLERY



Play through simulations of the classic Game & Watch titles Manhole, Fire, Octopus, and Oil Panic.  While that sounds somewhat interesting, what is more interesting is that the collection comes with modernized remakes of all the game, starring Mario and the other Mushroom Kingdom folks.  Help Yoshi keep brainless Toads from falling through manholes, watch the Mario Bros. as they rescue hundreds of Toads (and others) from a burning castle, collect treasure while dodging the wrathful arms of a giant octopus, and help Mario as he... stops Bowser from dropping burning oil on innocents like Yoshi, Luigi, and DK. Jr..  Bowser has mellowed over the years, it seems.

Developed by Tose and Nintendo, Game & Watch Gallery was released in 1997 across the world, but with different names in different regions.  "Game Boy Gallery" appeared in Japan on Feb. 1 1997, while North America received Game & Watch Gallery in May of 1997.  In Europe and Oceania, it was released as "Game Boy Gallery 2" as the sequel to an earlier collection of Game & Watch remakes entitled "Game Boy Gallery."

The game featured Super Game Boy frames and tinting, and a non-playable gallery of other Game & Watch titles.

[YOSHI]

47

Game Blog / Summer of Mario: YOSHI

« on: June 22, 2020, 05:26:51 PM »

Summer is officially upon us, and it's time to take a look through some of the lesser known entries in the Mario gaming universe...

YOSHI


Yoshi represents one of the odder Mario spin-offs.  In this "falling block" puzzle game, Goombas, Pirahna Plants, and Bloops fall from the sky, stacking up on four trays.  Instead of controlling the path of the falling items, the player can have Mario swap the trays -- any tray can switch places with the tray(s) sitting next to it.  Match two of the same enemies and they'll vanish, giving you points.  If you want high scores though, you'll want to AVOID matching like enemies -- instead, let the bottom half of an egg shell drop onto a platform and wait for a large pile of bad guys to stack up on top of it.  Cap off the stack with the TOP half of an egg shell and the entire stack will disappear (and a Yoshi will appear to give you bonus points).  There's no "end" to the game, but play long enough and you'll occasionally see a small cut-scene of Mario and Yoshi walking across the screen.  If that's not enough, you can always challenge a friend in the multiplayer versus mode.

Yoshi was developed by Game Freak (better known for Pokémon), and released in the USA for both the NES and Game Boy in June and July of 1991.  It had previously been released in Japan as "Yoshi no Tamago" (meaning "Yoshi's Egg") in December 1991, while Europe received "Mario & Yoshi" in December of 1992.

48

Latest News / Yoshi, Goombas, Shy Guys and Wart Return to the Switch Today

« on: September 20, 2019, 10:03:25 PM »

With the release of the Nintendo Switch version of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, you can once more jump on Goombas while wearing green clothing!  Wart (ahem, "Mamu"), Shy Guys, Pokey, Goombas, Piranha Plants, and more guest star in this top-down remake!  (Let's just hope we can still slay Kirby...)  The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is out right now, on the Switch.

49

Latest News / Super Mario World, Super Mario Kart, Yoshi's Island (and more) on the Switch 9/5

« on: September 04, 2019, 06:20:42 PM »

If you have an active Switch Online account, you'll be able to play a slew of SNES titles starting September 5th.  Super Mario World, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, and Super Mario Kart will be playable online, with voice chat, freely available to anyone with an active Switch Online account.  In addition, you'll be able to purchase SNES-style wireless controllers as well, for $29.99 each.

Mario titles aren't the only SNES games being added to the Switch tomorrow; the full roster of SNES games includes The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, Stunt Race FX, Kirby's Dream Land 3, Star Fox, F-Zero, Pilotwings, Kirby's Dream Course, and third party titles such as Brawl Brothers, Breath of Fire, Demon's Crest, Joe and Mac 2, Super E.D.F., Super Ghouls'n Ghosts, Super Puyo Puyo 2, Super Soccer, and Super Tennis.

50

Latest News / Stanley the Bugman and the Golden Hammer Come to the Switch This Month

« on: July 10, 2019, 09:57:35 AM »

If you're a Nintendo Online subscriber, you'll gain access to two more NES titles later this month: Donkey Kong 3 and Wrecking Crew come to the Nintendo Switch on July 17th, along with the ability to rewind your NES games.
 
Donkey Kong 3 is best remembered as the Donkey Kong sequel that didn't include Mario, or traditional Donkey Kong gameplay.  It's more of a shooter than anything else -- you control Stanley, shooting clouds of pesticide at the killer bugs Donkey Kong is sending down your way.  Spray DK's simian behind until he falls from... the roof of your greenhouse.  Truly, the Donkey Kong game everyone was waiting for back in the early 80s!
 
Wrecking Crew is notable for being one of the earliest "Mario" spinoff games, with the arcade version debuting before the release of Super Mario Bros.!  As Mario and/or Luigi, smash down the walls of the building and avoid the creepy monsters running all over the place.  Like all of the greatest Mario games ... you can't jump.  You can create your own levels, however!  Watch out for Foreman Spike ("Blackie" in Japan), and look out for the Golden Hammer -- star of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Source: Nintendo YouTube Channel: Nintendo Entertainment System - July Game Updates - Nintendo Switch Online

51

Game Blog / New Notes: The Experience Points "Try Blowing On the Cartridge"

« on: July 10, 2019, 09:25:20 AM »

Do you like video game music and jazz?

You DO?

Amazingly enough, WTMK is now featuring jazzy covers of Mario music from a new Canadian video game music band, Experience Points!  Funk-groove-swinging-jazz sounds abound throughout their album.  Tune in to WTMK today, and visit their site if you'd like to pick up a copy of Try Blowing On the Cartridge, their debut album.  Tracks from Donkey Kong Country, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Odyssey, and more abound on their new release -- and you can catch some of them on WTMK: All Mario Radio, All the Time.

(P.S. Don't blow on NES cartridges -- the condensation in your breath can lead to oxidization of the contacts, causing Goombas to crawl out of your tv screen.)

Links:
WTMK - All Mario Radio, All the time!
Experience Points site - https://www.experiencepointsmusic.com
Bandcamp - https://experiencepoints.bandcamp.com

[96]

52

Game Blog / 25th Anniversary of Donkey Kong for the Game Boy!

« on: June 20, 2019, 12:52:52 PM »

Twenty-five years ago, Donkey Kong was released on the Game Boy.  This was no mere port of the arcade original: while the first four stages feel likely mildly updated versions of the arcade game, the next 96 leave the arcade game far behind.  Save Pauline from Donkey Kong while guiding Mario through action puzzle stages featuring switches, swimming, hammers, springs, locked doors, and even Donkey Kong Jr.!  The game feels like a mix of Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and Super Mario Bros. 2: the arcade mechanics return, mixed with Mario's ability to pluck and toss enemies at each other!

Donkey Kong for the Game Boy is one of the best Mario games ever made, featuring tight gameplay and great music.  It was also the first game to feature Mario's triple jump, Donkey Kong's tie, and Pauline's new look.  If you'd like to try it out, it's currently available on the 3DS eShop -- although if you track down a copy of the original cartridge and play it on the Super Game Boy, you'll get enhanced graphics and a special version of the game's final song!

WTMK will be featuring music from Donkey Kong for the Game Boy throughout the next week.  Tune in today!

Link: WTMK - All Mario Radio, All the time!

53

Game Blog / New Notes: Music from ChequerChequer

« on: June 20, 2019, 12:36:23 PM »

ChequerChequer is the latest artist featured on WTMK!  For the next few weeks, we'll be putting extra attention on ChequerChequer's remixes and covers of classic Mario tunes.  Tracks from Video Game Guitar Collection 1, 2, and 3 will be featured, along with Medley Mania Collection and much, much more!

Tune in to WTMK radio today to here all kinds of Mario related music; if you like what you hear, find more ChequerChequer's Youtube and Bandcamp pages.

Links:
WTMK - All Mario Radio, All the time!
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/chequerchequer
Bandcamp - https://chequerchequer.bandcamp.com

54

Game Blog / People Can't Seem to Get Discounted "Mar10 Day" Prices

« on: March 10, 2019, 04:20:01 PM »

Multiple folks across the internet are complaining that the advertised sale on Switch Mario games isn't happening.  Nintendo put out a press release stating that Target, Best Buy, and Walmart.com would be offering digital downloads of several Switch titles for just $39.99, but Target and Walmart.com don't show the discount, and Best Buy is reportedly canceling website orders after they have been placed.

The press release did contain the phrase "while supplies last," but it would seem odd for digital download "copies" to run out on the first day of a week-long promotion.

If you wanted to take advantage of this sale, it might be a good idea to keep your eye on the websites for these three stores all week long.

Link: TMK Blog - "Mario Day Sale"

55

Game Blog / "Mario Day Sale" - $39.99 for Most Switch Mario Games, March 10 - 16

« on: March 08, 2019, 05:35:17 PM »

At some point a few years ago, someone noticed that the common abbreviation for March 10th looks a lot like Mario -- "Mar10."  As a result, Nintendo of America has been doing small promotions for "Mario Day" each year.  This year, multiple retailers are offering $39.99 digital downloads of popular Nintendo Switch Mario titles.  From March 10th until Marth 16th, the following games will be discounted on Amazon, BestBuy, Target, and Walmart.com:

Super Mario Party
Super Mario Odyssey
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Tennis Aces
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

In addition, it looks like Gamestop and Amazon will be offering a special Switch bundle -- $329.99 for the system plus one of the listed games.

Link: Nintendo.com Sales and Deals - "Mar10 Day"

56

Game Blog / Bowser Takes Over The Mushroom Kingdom on April 16th

« on: February 22, 2019, 12:46:09 PM »

On April 16th, 2019, the unthinkable will finally happen -- Bowser will take control of the Mushroom Kingdom.

More specifically, Doug Bowser will become the new president of Nintendo of America, replacing the retiring Reggie Fils-Aime.  Reggie's last day will be April 15th, before his body runs off into the sunset.

Link: BusinessWire: Nintendo of America's Reggie Fils-Aime to Retire: Doug Bowser Named New President

57

Game Blog / $100,150 for Super Mario Bros.?

« on: February 15, 2019, 01:34:10 AM »

A "sticker sealed" copy of Super Mario Bros. was recently purchased by a group of collectors.  These copies are said to have been sold during the early NES test launches in New York and Los Angeles, and are sealed with a sticker instead of shrink wrap.  The title was certified as authentic and graded by Wata Games, a company specializing in grading retro video games.

What's a bit odd about this is that it seems like a bit of circular publicity.  You see, this sale was announced by a press release from Heritage Auctions, an auction house that auctions off retro video games.  One of the buyers of the game is the co-founder of Heritage Auctions.  Heritage Auctions makes a point of selling games that have been certified by Wata Games.

It's almost like this is a publicity stunt to get collectors excited about buying certified collector's items from Heritage Auctions.

(Wata Games does have some neat articles about obscure game releases though -- like this page about black box NES variants!)

Links: Heritage Auctions Press Release

58

Latest News / The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Remade for Nintendo Switch in 2019

« on: February 13, 2019, 04:38:59 PM »

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is being remade for the Nintendo Switch -- complete with Goombas!  More information to come in the future.

Source: Nintendo Direct 2-13-2019

59

Latest News / Yoshi's Crafted World Demo Releasing Today

« on: February 13, 2019, 04:19:59 PM »

Yoshi's Crafted World comes to the Switch on March 29th, and a free demo is being released on the Switch eShop today.

Source: Nintendo Direct 2-13-2019

60

Latest News / Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Gets Two Player Mode and DLC

« on: February 13, 2019, 04:09:18 PM »

Two player co-op mode is coming to the Switch version Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, available today.  In addition, paid DLC levels are coming to the game as well. 18 challenges spread over five new courses.  The new DLC content will be available on March 14, 2019, although one new course will be available starting today.

Source: Nintendo Direct 2-13-2019