Pit Fighter on Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Retro Review

This month in history, Pit Fighter released on Super Nintendo Entertainment System in North America.

Pit Fighter's Punchtacular Box Art

In March, 1991 Atari Games' Pit Fighter was ported onto the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.  While reviews of the game were mixed at the time, there is no doubting it today that this game is the pits.  Although some forgiveness may be doled out for being a system launch year title, this game simply does not stand the test of time.

Cartridge Gaming Brings Retro Home

Just when you thought the good old days were gone, Cartridge Gaming brings them back

The store's Castlevania inspired logo depicts an obvious love for the classics.

It was January, 2015 when Will Long decided to make a big decision.  Up until that point he held his business at the local flea market.  Diligently manning his table, Will bought and sold novelty and antique toys.  Business wasn’t too bad but he knew it could be more.  After he began to dabble in used games he realized there was a lot of potential there for growth.

Will told Nintendo Love Affair, “I realized that there wasn’t anyone else doing it in Lima, so I jumped in.”  

Ken Griffey, Jr Presents Major League Baseball on SNES - Retro Review

This month in history, Ken Griffey, Jr. Presents Major League Baseball released on Super Nintendo Entertainment System in North America.

In March, 1994, Ken Griffey Jr. swung his way into our homes with a simple yet exciting baseball game on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.  This is a very unique sports game in the sense that it is not fully licensed.  The developer, Software Creations, was able to secure a Major League Baseball license.  This enabled them to use real MLB parks and team names.  However, they could not get a Major League Baseball Player’s Association license.  Because of this, the rosters for each team are made up of fake names, except for Ken Griffey Jr. of course.  These fictional players do have the stats of the real players they stand in for.  Each team’s roster follows a different theme.  The Cleveland Indians, for example, are named after famous actresses such as A. Hepburn and M. Monroe.  The Seattle Mariners’ roster is filled with employees of Nintendo.   This quirky detail adds a lot of character to the game.

Star Fox on Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Retro Review

This month in history, Star Fox released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in North America.  

On March 26, 1993, less than two years after the SNES launched in North America, Nintendo fans took to the stars to combat the evil Andross and his minions.  We were introduced to a motley crew of pilots fighting for the good planet Corneria.  Fox McCloud (the leader), Falco Lombardi (the mouth), Peppy Hare (the encourager), and Slippy Toad (the screw up) piloted their Arwing fighters across the Lylat system to combat the Evil Andross’ forces.  Players take control of Fox’s fighter from both a first person and third person perspective.  While the individual levels were on rails, players would have the option to choose from three different game paths, each a different difficulty level, which led to Planet Venom and the final battle with Andross.  

Kirby Super Star Saga Ultra on Nintendo DS - Retrospective Review

Kirby might suck, but this game does not.

Gameplay

Kirby Super Star Saga Ultra for the Nintendo DS is Nintendo’s attempt to bring the SNES platforming classic to the dual screen handheld.  Super Star Saga Ultra comes packed with more game options including Revenge of King Dedede, Meta Knightmare Ultra, Helper to Hero, True Arena,  and three new mini games that use the touch screen functionality.  

Gamerz Tek SNES Clone Review

Good, but not great.

Looking for a way to play your Super Nintendo cartridges?  Although I have been playing my original SNES since 1992, the day will come when my classic console dies.  It may be best to have a backup plan as classic consoles continue to get more difficult to find.  What is a good back up you ask? We may have the answer for you!  Check out this review for the SNES Gamerz Tek Clone brought to you by StopDrop&Retro.  Don’t have time for the video?  Check out the notes below.

Retro Gaming Magazine Gets Physical

What Is Retro Gaming, The Future of the Retro Industry & The Coleco Chameleon

We sit down with Retro Gaming Magazine’s Carl Williams to explore the retro gaming genre.

We here at Nintendo Love Affair have covered the Coleco Chameleon Saga (patent pending) extensively over the past couple of months.  With purported involvement from companies like Piko Interactive, Collectorvision and Interworks I began this adventure as a potential early adopter for Retro Video Game Systems.  I, like many, let the nostalgia bug bite me hard. The idea of purchasing new and classic games for a cartridge based system excited me.  That sensation of hearing the satisfying click of the cart being locked into place is a tactile reward that, I argue, makes the 3DS such a timeless system for every generation of gamer.

Collectorvision Reveals Sydney Hunter and The Curse of the Mayans

CollectorVision, Sydney Hunter, and Coleco Chameleon

We sit down for an exclusive interview with Jean-Francois Dupuis, the Project Lead and Game/Graphic Designer, as well as the founder of CollectorVision Games. We discuss the upcoming Sydney Hunter as well as CollectorVision’s involvement with Retro Video Game Systems and the Coleco Chameleon.  Interested in more ‘new games on old platforms’?  Check out our interview with Piko Interactive!

Retro Video Game Systems Kills the Chameleon Kickstarter

Coleco a No Go, Retro Video Game Systems Retreats, and Anticipating E3

The morning of February 26, 2016 was supposed to be D-Day for Retro Video Game Systems and the the retro gaming community. The repeatedly hyped date when retro gamers across the globe expected to secure their order on Kickstarter for a certain cloaked console they crave called the COLECO Chameleon. But that date turned out to be less electric and more reptilian than anticipated with this well-camouflaged Chameleon being impossible to detect.

Coleco Chameleon Kickstarter Fails to Launch

Coleco Chameleon Retreats Into the Shadows

Failure to Launch
As expected the Coleco Chameleon, Retro Video Game Systems' cartridge based gaming console concept, failed to launched on Kickstarter.  As someone who has been covering the story since December 2015 I have voluntarily jumped on board of a very emotional roller coaster.  I cannot remember exactly how I was introduced to the Coleco Chameleon.  It may have been through a suggested link.  The article made me very excited though and I thought the idea of a brand new cartridge dedicated console sounded amazing.  As someone who weeps nostalgic over how much the world has changed, this seemed like a way to make life make sense again. But it was not to be.  The official announcement:

Coleco Chameleon: Predator in a Growing Retro Market

Nostalgia Becomes Marketable, Attempts at Easy Money

Thank you Mr. Nillo for a fantastic job explaining how the appearance of people like Mike Kennedy and projects like the Coleco Chameleon are actually a good sign for the retro gaming community.  The problem is that as the retro gaming market grows more casual gamers get involved.  The consumers who get bitten by the nostalgia bug become prey for predators who want to make a quick buck.  If you are interested in the Coleco Chameleon, or any other crowdfunding effort, please stay informed!  Ask questions.  Make sure your hard earned money is going towards something that will have a good return.

COLECO CHAMELEON AT NEW YORK TOY FAIR – SNES MINI UNDER GLASS? (Cross Posted)

As soon as the Coleco Chameleon's prototype was unveiled by Retro Video Game Systems, the internet went a flurry with speculation.  Accusations and discussions began popping up in many different forums about the legitimacy of Retro Video Game System's debut.  Our friends over at Retro Gaming Magazine have been working hard to put together all the bits and pieces of the Coleco Chameleon's disastrous Toy Fair exhibition.  

Crickets from the Coleco Chameleon's Retro Video Game Studios

No news cannot be good news for the Coleco Chameleon and Retro Video Game Systems.  NLA reached out to multiple companies involved with RVGS and did not come away with a positive outlook.

On Sunday, February 21 Retro Video Game Systems, the company behind the Coleco Chameleon kicked off the week with an announcement.

6 Crowdfunding Projects Every Retro Gamer Will Love

More Than Coleco Chameleon Available

Coleco Chameleon Kickstarter has come and gone.  The RETRO Video Game Systems has went dark and whisper's of financial backing from investors still hanging in the air.   No one knows exactly when the console would actually be available now, if ever.  With the Chameleon soaking up so much of the limelight, below are six crowdfunding projects that every retro gamer can enjoy.  With that in mind, the backer minimum is pretty low but you still get something cool.  The due dates are not a year away, some are completed and will be available to fans as a finished project.  One could argue that these projects may be a better investment for your dollars.

Dragon's Lair for Game Boy Color This Month In History

Dragon’s Lair Brings Full Motion Video to Game Boy Color – This Month in History – February 2001

When Nintendo launched the Game Boy Color, many mistakenly thought it was the original now with color.  Who can blame them though, with a name like Game Boy Color, it just makes sense to jump to that conclusion.  However, the GBC was so much more.  

Retron 5 Versus Super Retro Trio

Watch as the Retron 5 takes on the Super Retro Trio in this retro system match up.  Which do you think is the better system?  Let us know in the comments!

Peek Inside Piko Interactive

Company Ready for Post-Chameleon Campaign, Exciting Projects on the Horizon 

Used with permission from Piko Interactive

Nintendo Love Affair sat down with Eli Galindo from Piko Interactive to get some juicy details about their involvement with the Coleco Chameleon.  He also had updates on upcoming projects planned.  

For the uninitiated, Piko Interactive is a developer and publisher of retro style games for both web-based and physical platforms.  In Eli’s words, Piko Interactive (PI) is a new company that “makes old games”.  Founded in 2013, PI has brought over thirty different titles to classic cartridge based systems such as the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy line.  They also publish games in a digital format for the Apple Store, Steam and Google Play.

What We Know About Coleco Chameleon

February 26, 2016 is when all will be revealed.  That is when the official Kickstarter for the Coleco Chameleon will, well, kick off!  With the mass amounts of confusion, mixed messaging, and soap opera level drama surrounding the system, we here at Nintendo Love Affair felt compelled to get the facts straight and inform our readers of exactly what we know about the Coleco Chameleon at this point in time.

Be the Chameleon's Angel
Retro Video Game Systems has decided to use Kickstarter to finance production of the system.  What that means for you, the potential customer, is that in order to receive the machine you will have to make a predetermined contribution on Kickstarter.  Please keep in mind that the contribution you make on Kickstarter does not guarantee that you will get the system.  Your contribution on Kickstarter makes you the angel investor.  The money you contribute to Retro Video Game Systems on Kickstarter is not part of a transaction, it is an investment.  You may not receive anything in exchange and you will not be getting your money back if the project fails.

With that reality in mind, take a look at what we absolutely know at this point in time about the Coleco Chameleon.  

Coleco Chameleon Kickstarter Rewards Announced

For those of you who have been missing the soap opera surrounding the Coleco Chameleon's development, now is as good a time as any to jump into the story. Mike Kennedy, the face and voice of Retro Video Game Systems, has announced the Kickstarter rewards for the KS campaign set to start February 26. The reward system includes three tiers, all of which offer a different package in exchange for your investment. Details have been pulled directly from RVGS' Facebook page.

Guest Blog: Dee Snyder CAN What COLECAN'T

This is a guest contribution from Nico Nillo.  Check him out on Twitter and on YouTube.

Well, well, well… it’s that time again. That time when everyone who’s anyone in the retro gaming scene kindly offers their sage-like advice on how to turn the Coleco Chameleon (née Retro VGS) into a marketing success story. While I have gone in depth to describe and critique this beautiful symphony of errors that is the Retro VGS project, I always stop short of giving them a list of ingredients they need, conditions to meet and hymns to sing in order to make money rain from the sky.