mega

Flashback 1989--Gaming 20 years ago

I found an old issue of Video Games & Computer Entertainment magazine in an ancient cardboard box filled with stuff I somehow saved from my years at summer camp. Dated July 1989, it's more than 20 years old--and it's an incredible reminder of how quickly things can change.

Besides the god-awful layout by modern standards, I found a few notable shocks when thumbing through the issue:

Game ads have addresses to write to and phone numbers to call, since there were no Web links yet. The TurboGrafx-16 preview, featured on the front cover, boasts how the $199 console … Read more

Mario, Link, and Mega Man immortalized in Lego mosaics

I've done the research, and it looks like Legos are well on their way to surpassing bacon as the Web's most popular trend, at least in the last year.

Sure, there's been a whole truckload of bacon iPhone cases, bacon floss, and even bacon bracelets, but Legos are hot on bacon's heels with the recent release of Lego video games, Lego boom boxes, and this collection of Lego mosaics dedicated to video games past.

Each intricate design is put together by hand by Flickr user notenoughbricks, an avid Lego fanfreak whose other builds include replica Renegade … Read more

Jay-Z's latest track hit: 8-bit NES-style hip-hop

Well, other than the fact that both Mega Man and Jay-Z were pop-culture icons of their respective eras (yes, people, Jay-Z is that popular), they now each have 8-bit, NES-style music associated with them.

Video game music from the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) era had a very distinct style. Even music on other 8-bit consoles like the Sega Master System could not match it.

Anyone who at least played an NES back in those days (pretty much every kid, at least in the U.S.) will immediately recognize the style of that sound after just a few bars.

It'… Read more

Toolbar deals a bad hand

This free, poker-inspired toolbar is one of the blandest we've seen. It fails to offer users even the most basic of toolbar features.

Mega-Poker.Net Toolbar offers a plain user interface that stretches across your browser window. A large button with what appears to be the toolbar name (you'll need a magnifying glass to read it), features a drop-down menu with options to customize the interface. But don't get too excited; you can only change the toolbar color or remove the default buttons that you don't want. You can't add your favorite applications or gadgets, … Read more

A decidedly adult lunch box

Thanksgiving is over, but that doesn't mean you can't take it with you. The start of the workweek may mean getting back to the grind, but it doesn't have to mean trudging off to the same old sandwich shop. Put those rapidly diminishing Thanksgiving leftovers to use and bring them to work. Not only do you get to enjoy the flavor of the holiday in your cubicle, but you can also save yourself from having to endure yet another tasteless sub.

The White Mega Food Carrier comes with three containers for separating foods. You could have turkey … Read more

WiiWare and Virtual Console releases for this week

This week brings brain training to WiiWare along with a classic game from the Mega Man series to the Virtual Console. WiiWare Brain Challenge (Gameloft, 1,000 Wii points): Test yourself in various brain exercises in categories such as memory, logic, and math mini games. Challenge your friends as well and compete for the highest scores. As a bonus, you can use your Mii character in game further customizing the experience. Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam (Virtual Toys, 1,000 Wii points): In Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam, you must quickly serve customers who are incredibly demanding and hungry. In career mode, … Read more

WiiWare and Virtual Console releases for this week

This week brings us a brand-new Mega Man game sticking true to its 8-bit roots and a classic Dodge Ball game from the NES era.

WiiWare Mega Man 9 (Capcom, 1,000 Wii points): Mega Man 9 is truly an homage to the original classic 8-bit series. Even though the game is brand new with unique stages and bosses, the game has the traditional graphics and gameplay from that of the NES classic franchise. PL?TTCHEN twist 'n' paint (Bplus, 1,000 Wii points): PL?TTCHEN twist 'n' paint is a self-described puzzle-shooter that requires you to paint certain tiles … Read more

WiiWare and Virtual Console releases for this week

This week brings us the second episode in the Homestar Runner series as well as a classic NES action-platformer!

WiiWare Strong Bad Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free (Telltale Games, 1,000 Wii points): The Homestar Runner characters are back in the second episode of the WiiWare series. This time, Strong Bad is faced with an unfair e-mail tax and is placed on house arrest for his failure to comply. Potpourrii (Abstraction Games, 800 Wii points): Potpourrii is a puzzle game that revolves around the four seasons. It makes unique use of the Wii controller and even lets you use … Read more

WiiWare and Virtual Console releases for this week

This week brings us a classic action platformer from the NES era.

WiiWare

Midnight Pool (Gameloft, 800 Wii points): Travel across America and compete in tournaments with a variety of different characters and locations. The game comes with three different play modes and adjusts to players of all skill levels. Virtual Console

Mega Man (1987, NES, 500 Wii points): The classic platformer is now available for the Virtual Console. What many regard as the worst box art for a game ever is also the first game in a legendary generation that still continues today. If you've never completed the … Read more