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Celebrating The 35th Anniversary of Super Mario Bros.

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We must admit that the latest Nintendo Direct got us excited with all of the games, products and events that are coming up to celebrate Super Mario’s 35th anniversary!

In particular, we were most excited about Super Mario 3D All-Stars, the Augmented Reality (AR) induced Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit and the awesomely cool Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. These will all be launching in the very near future (make sure you pre-order, as they will go quick)!

We have included the rest of the announcement further below, so let us know on Twitter or Facebook of what you are most excited about!

Wahoo!

source: Nintendo

  • Super Mario 3D All-Stars: Optimised versions of 3D Super Mario games Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy, are coming to Nintendo Switch in one package. In addition to having higher resolutions than their original versions, the games have been optimised for a smooth gameplay experience on Nintendo Switch. Super Mario 3D All-Stars also includes an in-game music-player mode to play the music and songs from all three games. Players can also listen to music on their Nintendo Switch systems when the screen is off. Super Mario 3D All-Stars launches exclusively for the Nintendo Switch family of systems on 18th September with a suggested retail price of AU$$79.95. The package version software is a limited-time only production, and the digital version will be a limited-time only release until the end of March 2021. Super Mario 3D All-Stars is available to pre-order from Nintendo eShop today.
  • Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit: Created in partnership by Nintendo and Velan Studios, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit brings the fun of the Mario Kart series into the real world by using a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite** to race against opponents using a physical kart come to life. The physical kart responds to boosts in-game and in the real world, stops when hit with an item, and can be affected in different ways depending on the race. Players place gates to create a custom course layout in their home, where the only limit is their imagination. Race against Koopalings in Grand Prix unlock skins to customise courses and costumes for Mario and play with up to four players in local multiplayer mode.*** Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, which is available in Mario or Luigi models, launches on 16th October with a suggested retail price of AU$149.95.
  • Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.: This new collectable device is inspired by the original Game & Watch systems first released in the 1980s. The original handheld device included a game and could also be used as a watch to tell time. The original Game & Watch series sold more than 43 million worldwide. Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. features a modern +Control Pad. In addition to playing classic games Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (released in Japan as Super Mario Bros. 2) and a special version of Ball with a Mario makeover, Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. also functions as a clock, with 35 little touches to discover, including some guest appearances from Mario’s friends and foes. Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. launches on 13th November with a suggested retail price of AU$79.95.
  • Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury: Multiplayer mayhem pounces onto Nintendo Switch! This enhanced version of Super Mario 3D World, which originally launched for Wii U, features co-op gameplay both online* and through local multiplayer in a variety of creative levels. Additional details about what new things this game has to offer will be revealed later. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury launches for Nintendo Switch on 12th February 2021 with a suggested retail price of AU$79.95. New Cat Mario and Cat Peach amiibo will also be released as a double pack (SRP AU$44.95) at the same time as the game.
  • Super Mario Bros. 35: Welcome to Super Mario Bros. … with 35 players! In this competitive online battle game, 35 players will compete to be the last Mario standing… or running. Enemies defeated will be sent to other players’ courses, but that also works the other way around! Players can activate special items to try and outpace their opponents. Super Mario Bros. 35 launches 1st October as a digital-only game exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online members*. The game will be playable until 31st March 2021.
  • Super Mario All-Stars: The classic Super NES game that includes upgraded versions of Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3 with enhanced 16-bit graphics is joining the catalogue of games available with Nintendo Switch Online… in a matter of hours*!
  • Super Mario Events: From now until March 2021, there are many events to mark the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.
  • From 4:00pm AEST / 6:00pm NZST on 9th September until 4:00pm AEST / 6:00pm NZST on 23rd September, Mario Kart Tour will have a Super Mario Kart Tour event, with special appearances by Mario (SNES) and Donkey Kong Jr. (SNES) from the original Super Mario Kart.****
  • A 35th anniversary-themed Ninji Speedrun course is coming to Super Mario Maker 2 in November.
  • In November and December, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will have an in-game online tournament using Super Mario series fighters, stages and items.
  • A Super Mario-themed Splatfest is coming to Splatoon 2 in January 2021. Physical Splatfest T-shirts will be available for purchase on the My Nintendo Store soon. The upcoming Splatfest asks the important question: Which Super Mario power-up do you prefer: supersize with a Super Mushroom or become invincible with a Super Star?
  • In March of next year, Super Mario-themed furniture will be available in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
  • Super Mario Products: In addition to events, many different Super Mario-themed products are now available.
  • Monopoly Super Mario Celebration from Hasbro is now available at retailers worldwide.
  • The LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System set is now available exclusively at LEGO stores, with multiple LEGO Super Mario sets now available at retailers worldwide, including the Adventures with Mario Starter Course.

To keep up-to-date with the latest Super Mario news, check out the official Super Mario Bros. 35th anniversary website.

Related videos:

Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Direct https://youtu.be/pmEhxzbPjCI
Super Mario 3D All-Stars is coming September 18th! https://youtu.be/tXcHqmPI_3k
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit – Coming October 16th! https://youtu.be/5W_MNv65UMc
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury comes to Nintendo Switch on February 12th, 2021! https://youtu.be/1LoC9hK_zLo
Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. – coming November 13th! https://youtu.be/DrCI0Z-_o5E
Super Mario Bros. 35 – Announcement trailer (Nintendo Switch) https://youtu.be/AMpi0rTvCuQ

 

A Very Funny Street Fighter II Battle In Real Life

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Now this is so funny and so clever, so we had to share it with you all! The sound effects are hilariously spot on!!

Well done to the Japanese comdey duo, Nomotion – NO79369371 and @nomo_info, this is awesome!

TIGER Electronics + Famicom = FAMIGER NES Edition

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Another jaw-dropping creation by the French modder OktoRetroLab, posted by Recalbox, this time, the mod is a fusion of an old Tiger Electronics handheld and a Famicom – making a pretty cool FAMIGER!

We reckon it’s the perfect use of a Tiger Electronics handheld 😉

source: Recalbox / OktoRetroLab

 

Talking Retro Gaming, Pinball and Toy Collecting with Cause and Effect Gamers

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I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed during the Tech Games Fest event (TGF 2020) by our good friend Andrew Owen from Cause and Effect Gamers – Andrew is also the co-ordinator of TGF.

We talk all things retro gaming, our involvement with PAX Aus, the lure of pinball, toys – especially Masters Of The Universe, and of course, movies we love to watch!

Grab some popcorn and enjoy 🙂


source: Cause and Effect Gamers

 

Original Film Footage of Mortal Kombat Fighters

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This was an awesome tweet by History Uncovered! The tweet features original footage that was used to animate the first Mortal Kombat arcade game!

HIGH SCORE – A New Netflix Docuseries Tracing The History of Classic Video Games

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If you have Netflix, then mark August 19th on your calendar to watch HIGH SCORE, a new 6 part documentary series tracing the history of classic video games.

Narrated by the voice of our favourite video game plumber, Charles Martinet, this docuseries traces the history of classic video games, featuring insights from the innovators who brought these worlds and characters to life.

We have watched a plethora of documentaries on the history of video games, so we expect to hear some of the same stories, but that isn’t a bad thing at all. With Netflix behind this documentary, we are assured of high production value!

We can’t wait to watch this to get our nostalgia hit! Get Ready!


source: Netflix

 

Retro Gaming Relived On Your iPhone!

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Wanna get a hit of retro gaming on your iPhone? Nostalgia is quite powerful, where just hearing a theme tune or seeing the loading screen is enough to transport you back to a simpler time.

You don’t need to let these gaming memories live in the past, so the below games breath a new lease of life to some of your favourite classic games for your iOS device:

story & image source: Apple Inc.

 

Online Pre-Orders For Atari VCS and Accessories Start Today for Gamers in Australia and New Zealand

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PSA: For those of you not in the know, Atari have been tinkering away for a while, creating a new Atari gaming system. The time has come where an official announcement was made this morning about this new gaming system, its availability and price for Australian and New Zealand gamers. We hope to get our hands on an Atari VCS system in the near future and give you our thoughts on it!

The press release is provided below with photos of the system(s), their peripherals, where to pre-order, and most importantly, the prices:

Atari® — one of the world’s most iconic consumer brands and interactive entertainment producers — today announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with Bluemouth Interactive, a supplier of premium video game products, as part of its worldwide Atari VCS hardware launch strategy into the Australian & New Zealand market.

Atari® returns to the living room with the Atari VCS — a completely modern gaming and video computer system, blending the best of consoles and PCs to delight a whole new generation of  gamers and creators.

The all-new Atari VCS home gaming and video computer system is a unique PC/console hybrid platform inspired by classic Atari consoles and contemporary gaming and multimedia PCs. Like the legendary Atari 2600 did in 1977, the new Atari VCS is set to invigorate the TV-centric gaming and home entertainment experience. Users will enjoy an ever-expanding Atari world of all-new games, classic and remastered favorites, streaming media, and personal apps. The Atari VCS is powered by an AMD RyzenTM 1606G high-performance Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) with Zen-core and Radeon Vega Graphics, enabling gaming and video streaming up to 4K HDR at 60fps.

Atari VCS 800 Black Walnut All-In-One Bundle

Atari VCS 800 Onyx Base

Unlike other home game systems, owners can also install Windows or Linux operating systems via the unique Atari VCS “PC Mode” and use a mouse and keyboard to transform the Atari VCS into an expandable PC to enjoy more of their favorite games and applications. The Atari VCS combines the best of consoles and PC into one ultra-versatile device.

“We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Bluemouth Interactive to bring the Atari VCS overseas to Australia and New Zealand,” said Atari CEO Frédéric Chesnais. “Bluemouth Interactive is an experienced distributor of video games, accessories, and gaming hardware, making them the ideal partner to help Atari launch its first new home gaming system in decades.”

David Provan, Managing Director of Bluemouth says, “Working with the Atari team and being given the responsibility to drive this exciting new piece of the iconic Atari brand in this territory is both a privilege and an honour for me personally and professionally. One of the most recognisable and authentic brands not just in gaming but as a lifestyle brand itself, the Atari VCS will honour its past but will be ready for the future.

Atari VCS Wireless Classic Joystick
 

Atari VCS Wireless Modern Controller

At a time when we are all looking for fresh and innovative ways to consume various forms of content (both new and old), the VCS combines nearly 50 years of entertainment into one stylish
creation, opening up our lounge rooms to near infinite content possibilities from one device. Its form and function is unapologetically different, as Atari fans want it to be. Being a PC/Console hybrid device allows for a stylish yet minimalistic icon to grace our lounge rooms, whilst offering the power, openness, and upgradeability that typically only comes with a big ugly PC. That for me is its ‘X Factor’, and for that I’m very excited!”

Bluemouth Interactive will commence full distribution of the Atari® VCS Console and peripherals range effective immediately.

Scheduled to launch in November 2020, the Atari VCS lineup of video computer systems, bundles, and peripherals are available now for preorder at EB Games, JB HiFi, The Gamesmen,  Catch.com.au, Mightape.co.nz, and Atarivcs.com.au.

The Atari VCS 800 (8GB) Onyx Base system will retail for just AU$699.95 (NZ$749.95), while Atari VCS 800 “All-In” system bundles include
the Atari VCS Classic Joystick (available separately for AU$109.95 (NZ$129.95) and Atari VCS Modern Controller (AU$109.95 (NZ$129.95) all for AU$849.95 (NZ$899.95) combined. The Atari
VCS Classic Joystick and Modern Controllers were created in partnership with PowerA.

image source: Bluemouth Interactive

 

Introducing The SNK NeoGeo MVSX Home Arcade

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If the NeoGeo Mini didn’t scratch your MVS and AES gaming itch, then perhaps the SNK NeoGeo MVSX Home Arcade will!

Created by the GStone Group (UNICO brand) and officially licensed by SNK, the SNK NEOGEO MVSX is touted to be the ultimate home arcade for fans of classic SNK titles. The MVSX will include both the MVS and AES versions of games from fan-favourite series like The King of Fighters, Metal Slug, Fatal Fury, Samurai Shodown, Art of Fighting and sports titles including Baseball Stars Professional and Top Player’s Golf!

The games will be housed within a stylish tabletop arcade with a separate attached base that has a 17-inch 4:3 LCD screen and has two-player support with analogue joysticks and buttons. Fans of the classic SNK NEOGEO MVS arcade machines are sure to appreciate the tabletop arcade’s aesthetics as it’s decked out in the iconic MVS red and white, familiar button layout (such as the “SELECT GAME” button) and has its signature marquee showcasing the box art for the most popular franchises of the included games.

Preorders for the SNK NeoGeo MVSX will begin next month (September 2020), with the tabletop to be priced at US$449.99, the base at US$99.99 or both the tabletop and base for US$499.99. The tabletop arcade will officially launch in North America in November 2020. We will seek more info for the rest of the world, so please stay tuned!

image source: SNK MVSX