Kazuhisa Hashimoto, Creator of the Konami Code, Has Passed Away

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start. Without a doubt the Konami Code is the most famous code in the medium that is gaming. Heck, the Konami Code is recognized even outside of video games. Unfortunately the creator of the code, Kazuhisa Hashimoto, died on February 25. This news comes from former Konami collaborator Yuji Takenouchi via Twitter.

The Konami Code gained fame from being used in the NES version of Contra where entering the code would up the player's lives count from three to 30. The code was first printed in the pages of Nintendo Power's Classified Information section, which really helped the code spread like wild fire. While Contra may have made the code so well known, it was not the first game to use it.

Hashimoto-san came up with the code while play testing the NES version of Gradius. The Nintendo Hard difficulty from the arcade game was carried over to the home version, thus he came up with the world's most recognizable button inputs to make things a bit easier for himself. The code gave him a fully powered up Vic Viper, which allowed him to finish play testing the game. Why did Hashimoto-san go with that particular set of button inputs? Because it was easy to remember. Makes sense. Even someone that hasn't played Contra in years probably still has the code cemented in their skull. I know I do.

There's some debate on whether or not Hashimoto-san forgot to remove the code before the game hit store shelves. Did Konami like the code and leave it in? No one really knows for sure. Whatever the reason, the Koanmi Code remained and went on to have a colossal impact on gaming and pop culture.

I never would have been able to beat Contra without the Konami Code. Matter of fact, I still can't beat Contra without it. That game is so punishing that I am certain that players that do no death runs on Contra or are able to beat the game without any help used the Konami Code to get as good as they are. I let out the biggest sigh of relief when playing NES Contra on Contra Anniversary Collection when I input the Konami Code and got 30 lives. 

When I played Gradius III religiously, I would frequently use the Konami Code. I was even aware that the code in Gradius III had two different versions. Knowing this, I had one of my best friends input the code on his game and got a laugh out of his ship blowing up when he entered the old Konami Code and unpaused the game. Of course he didn't think it was funny.

I don't think we can thank Kazuhisa Hashimoto enough for his contribution to gaming. That cheat that he came up with in Gradius to make play testing easier for him made gaming infinitely better. R.I.P. Hashimoto-san. Thanks for helping me power up the Vic Viper and for letting so many gamers beat Contra.

Additional source: The Gaming Historian

NES Classic Edition: Discontinued

The NES Classic Edition, a spiffy miniature edition of the Nintendo Entertainment System with 30 built in games that was originally released in November of 2016 has been notoriously difficult to come by. Nintendo suplied retailers with very small amounts of units and scalpers were all to quick to capitalize on  this, pick them up and try to resell them at dozens of times over the original $60 price tag. Scoring a NES Classic is going to get a lot more difficult because at the end of this month, the system will be discontinued. 

I'm puzzled as to why Nintendo would pull the plug on the NES Classic Edition so early. It isn't like demand for the thing dropped. Yes, Nintendo wants to go full throttle with the Switch but there is still plenty of people out there, hardcore and casual alike that would love to get one of these things.

I bought a Japanese version of the NES Classic Edition, the Famicom Mini, with no hassle off of Amazon for a reasonable price back in February and about a week ago, I got my local GameStop's only unit they received in months when I went in there to pick up some Legend of Zelda amiibos. I didn't plan on purchasing it because I had no idea they would even have one in stock. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. Best of luck to anyone that is still trying to find one of these elusive little machines.

Introducing Nintendo Switch

Long code named the Nintendo NX, Nintendo has finally revealed its next generation console, officially named the Nintendo Switch. Gonna miss that NX code name but the Nintendo Switch name is rather fitting for what the console can do. Play on the TV, play on the tablet, play at home or on the go. 

Street Fighter II The Animated Movie Re-Release

In 1994, what is widely considered to be the greatest film adaption of Street Fighter was released. No, not that awful live action travesty. I'm talking about Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie. While the film mainly centers around Ryu, Ken, Guile, and Chun-Li get the most screen time, all sixteen fighters from the Street Fighter II games are featured in some form or another. While browsing around on Amazon, I was surprised to see Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie would be getting a re-release on October 25th, 2016.

SFII: TAM could not have been released at a better time. The early to mid 1990s was the peak of SF's popularity. 1994 was also the same year the box office live action bomb, Street Fighter came out, so the animated movie was a great way to wash the taste of that travesty out of our mouths.

A marvel on multiple fronts, SFII: TAM has gorgeous animation, stunning fight scenes, incredible music and a surprisingly good dub. Anime hadn't exploded in America at the time, so a good dub in 1994 was incredibly rare. Although, considering the talent on board, Steven Blum (Cowboy Bebop Samurai Champloo), Beau Billingslea (Cowboy Bebop), Lia Sargent (Trigun, Big O), Tom Wyner (Gun Grave), I guess it shouldn't come as that much of a shock. A lot of SF fans saw this movie around the time it was originally released. I didn't see it until 2004 when I purchased Street Fighter II Anniversary Collection on the PS2. Even thought it was edited, I was taken back by just how good this movie was.

There have actually been several re-releases of SFII: TAM. The uncut 2006 DVD release, the Street Fighter Anniversary Collector's Box, in 2012, containing an edited Blu-ray release,  and the Kaze, France Blu-ray release in 2013. This 2016 re-release makes will make the Blu-ray version more easily obtainable. While the DVD version can still be picked up, I'm happy to see this film get the Blu-ray treatment. If for some reason, you haven't seen this film, pick it up.

Super Mario Adventures Manga to be Re-Released

If you were an avid reader of Nintendo Power from 1992-1993, you were probably exposed to the Super Mario Adventures manga. Written by Kentaro Takamura and art by Charlie Nozawa, Super Mario Adventures told wacky tales of the Mario, Luigi and Yoshi's quest to save Peach from Bowser. Peach is surprisingly pretty badawesome in this manga series, taking matters into her own hands and kicking all kinds of Koopa shell. However, Mario and company's journey to rescue Peach isn't the only thing taking up pages in this manga. Mario vs. Wario was always a favorite of mine and another story had the rivals trying to one up the other by getting Peach a Samus Aran doll for her birthday.

Super Mario Adventures was one of the best inclusions of Nintendo Power in the early 1990s and I was sad to see it go. When The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past manga was re-released by VIZ Media in 2015, I had hopes that Super Mario Adventures would follow suit. After being out of print for years and going for insane prices, Super Mario Adventures will at long last be re-released for old fans and a new generation of readers to enjoy.

Super Mario Adventures will hit stores on October 11th, 2016. Published by VIZ Media, this 112 page manga will retail for $14.99. I haven't read these comics in years and I've been dying for a re-print. Sure, you can read it online, but I'm so happy to have a physical copy. It'll make a great stocking stuffer for Christmas for anyone you know that's a fan of Mario and manga.

Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS Trailers & Reactions

Being a huge fan of the Super Smash Bros. series, I was pleased to hear that trailers for the upcoming Wii U and 3DS entry had hit the web. Along with familiar favorites like Mario, Samus, Donkey Kong and Pit are three new challengers.

First up is the Villager from Animal Crossing. He comes with much of the tools that were used in Animal Crossing like the axe, the net and... a bowling ball? I'm stocked to have him as part of the roster for the upcoming Smash Bros. I'm guessing that a female version of the Villager will be selectable as an alternate costume.

Next up is the Wii Fit Trainer. I've never played Wii Fit but I thought her reveal was absolutely hilarious!

Last but certainly not least is one I was beyond excited to hear about. When I saw the footage of this guy joining the fight, I wanted to jump up and down like a school girl.

Yes. YES. A THOUSAND TIMES, YES!!!

HOLY! CRAP! Mega Man. MEGA. MAN. Is gonna be in the upcoming Super Smash Bros.?! This had to be one of those times were gamers around the world simultaneously erupted with applause. If any third party character was deserving of a spot on the Smash roster, it's this guy.

"But it still isn't a new game. It's just a cameo." Shush, unpleasable Mega Man fanbase, I'm took excited about this news and I will not let you ruin it for me. Mega Man being in the new Super Smash Bros. is both huge and awesome news.

I LOVE how he was designed in this game! He looks so cute and cool at the same time. He uses sound effects from the NES Mega Man games, uses animations from said games and has a ton of Robot Master weapons at his disposal such as the god-like Metal Blade, the Leaf Shield, and Crash Bombs. Yeah, it sounds like the developers have a major hard on for Mega Man 2 weapons but they didn't stop there. Mega Man also use the Hard Knuckle, Spark Shock, Slash Claw, Flame Sword, Super Arm and Flame Blaster. Even the Top Spin, yes the Top Spin is one of the Blue Bomber's many weapons. All that and his charged up Mega Buster, too. Oh and in case you're wondering, yes, he can slide.

Let's look at some glorious screen shots of everyone's favorite blue android, shall we?

I'm not 100% sold on the visuals for the 3DS version but I'm pleased that I'll be able to play Super Smash Bros. on the go.

Every single Super Smash Bros. trailer since Melee has managed to hype me up and this one is no exception. I can only image the copious amount of things that can be unlocked like stages, music, trophies and such. I never got all of Melee's trophies and I'm still unlocking stuff in Brawl. I was hoping for Little Mac to step into the ring but Mega Man more than makes up for it. And there's still plenty of time before the game's release so more new characters could be added.

Metal Gear Solid: Legacy Collection Due in June

Thinking of buying that Metal Gear Solid HD Collection on the PS3 or Vita that only contains a sliver of games? You might wanna hold off because in June, something much better is coming along. In honor of the franchises 25th anniversary (technically this year the series turns 26, but why be picky?), Konami is releasing the Metal Gear Solid: Legacy Collection exclusively on the PS3.

Games included in this compilation are:

Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid 2: HD Edition
Metal Gear Solid 3: HD Edition (MSX games Metal Gear and Metal Gear: Solid Snake included)
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD Edition
Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions
Metal Gear Solid 4: Trophy Edition

Two unspecified digital graphic novels by Ashley Wood will also be included. No word on a price yet, but I'd wager something this could be in the $60 price range.

Source: GameSpot

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and Legend of Zelda 3DS Trailers

It's a going to be a great time to be a 3DS owner. Well, actually, it's been a great time to be a 3DS owner for some time now with all the incredible games the platform has going for it, but it has even more promising games to look forward to. In today's Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled trailers for Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, the latest game in the Mario & Luigi saga, and the tentatively titled, The Legend of Zelda, a game set in the same era as A Link to the Past, using the same overhead perspective and a beefed up visual style of said game. Seeing the trailers for these games makes me so happy that I own a 3DS. These are day one purchases for sure.

Adam Orth Has Left the Building

Last week, Microsoft Studios Creative Direction Adam Orth  lit up his Twitter with a string of post that can best be summed up as "Deal With It" when it comes to complaints about games requiring an always online net connection. Rumors are abuzz about the Next Xbox using the always online method and Orth's tweets did little to appease fans after problems cropped up from SimCity and Diablo III.

Microsoft issued an apology for Orth's online conduct, but refused to clarify if their next system would go the always online route. Yesterday, it was revealed that Orth has left Microsoft Studios. Did he resign by choice or was he fired? The answer to that question remains a mystery.

Like many of you, I didn't like Orth shooting his mouth off and I'm 100% against always online gaming. Sure Orth can say what he wants on his Twitter, but he still had a company to represent, even when he wasn't on company time. This all comes back to how one's action, even in their off time can have disastrous consequences in the age of social media. Whether Orth was fired or left of his own accord remains to be seen, but his departure after this fiasco speaks volumes.

DuckTales Remastered! Woo-hoo!

DuckTales was one of the best things to come from Disney. Even the NES game based off the show was solid and is fondly remembered to this day. Well it's been over 20 years but DuckTales on the NES is coming back a brand new paint job. Developed by Wayforward, DuckTales Remastered gives the NES classic new visuals and new content like new levels voice work from the original cast. It's a dream come true for DuckTales fans and I could not be anymore excited. You can read more on DuckTales Remastered here.

Come Summer 2013, DuckTales Remastered will be available on the eShop, PSN and XBLA.

Project X Zone to Come to America/Europe in Summer

Rejoice! Namco Bandai has made the excellent decision to bring the turn-based crossover 3DS title, Project X Zone to America and Europe this summer. For the uninformed, the game mixes a plethora of characters (more than 200) from Namco Bandai, Capcom and SEGA's games such as Sonic, Mega Man X, Zero, Chun-Li and Morrigan to name a few.

Source: IGN

Street Fighter X Mega Man Update Releases Today

As promised earlier in the week, Capcom has released an update to the free downloadable PC game, Street Fighter X Tekken. This free updated version of the game fixes a number of bugs found in the original release. Among the fixes include better controller support, confirmation on escaping before quitting the game, a stronger M. Bison, the ability to take screen shots and the most import one of all, a password system to save your game. The update should be available around 5PM PT/8PM ET today. You can get the update when it's available on the Mega Man page on Capcom Unity's website. Just as it was on December 17, their servers could get bogged down again.

Source: Capcom Unity

Pandora's Tower Will Hit American Shores

Live in the US? Have a Wii? Finished off Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story and want another RPG to sink your teeth into? Then XSEED has you covered. In Spring of 2013, Pandora's Tower will hit North American shores. The game has been available in Europe and Japan for quite some time and is one of the three RPGs that Operation Rainfall has attempted to get released in America. For the longest time, I was sure that Pandora's Tower would remain out of reach for American gamers but XSEED has struck a deal with Nintendo to bring the game to the USA. I've still got tons of Wii games to play but I certainly won't mind another.

Source: Game Informer

More Street Fighter X Mega Man Footage

We're just two days away from the start of Mega Man's 25th anniversary, which also means we're two days away from the free PC release of Street Fighter X Mega Man. Capcom Unity has released a new video with gameplay footage and some talks with the crew behind the game, including lead developer Seow Zong Hui.

Among the footage are boss fights, including one with Vega. Not only does Vega's boss chamber have a fence but like the masked fighter, Mega Man can also climb on it!

There will be four more stages after the initial eight and there's a teaser in the video on who the final boss will be. I'm guessing either Akuma or Sagat.

Street Fighter X Mega Man will be available on December 17th on Capcom Unity's Mega Man hub page.

Street Fighter X Mega Man to Release on Dec. 17th

Want a new Mega Man game to play on Mega Man's birthday? Well, if you don't mind one that has Street Fighter characters in it, Capcom Unity has you covered. Street Fighter X Mega Man is a Free PC game that pits the Blue Bomber against characters from the Street Fighter series such as Ryu, Chun-Li, Blanka and Rolento. The game will follow the same format of the Classic series. Select a stage, blast through it, but instead of facing off against Robot Masters, Street Fighters will be waiting for you in the boss chambers. Beat them, get their weapon and proceed to the next level of your choosing.

The game marks the end of the Street Fighter 25th anniversary celebrations and the kick off of Mega Man's 25th anniversary.

Street Fighter X Mega Man has been in development for over three years. It started out as a fan game created by Seow Zong Hui. To have his game getting backing by Capcom is very much a huge deal. And getting it for FREE on Rock's birthday? Awesome.

The game will have a soundtrack by A_Rival. I haven't heard the man's work but from what I gather, his music is pretty good and I doubt anyone will dispute great 8-bit Mega Man/Street Fighter tunes. Hopefully the soundtrack will be free too.

Log on to Capcom Unity's Mega Man hub page on December 17 to download Street Fighter X Mega Man and celebrate the Blue Bomber's birthday in style. While you're waiting for that date to roll around, check out the trailer below and get hyped.

Final Nintendo Power Cover Revealed

A few days ago, images of the cover of the final issue of Nintendo Power hit the web. And, well, doesn't it bring a bitter sweet nostalgic tear to your eye? It's a clay mold of New Super Mario Bros. U, recreating the very first issue of Nintendo Power that was covering Super Mario Bros. 2. Man. Does the crew at Nintendo Power know how to tug a gamer's heart strings or what?

The final issue of Nintendo Power should be on the news stands on December 11. If the cover is this good, just image what's inside.

Final Nintendo Power Should Hit Stores on Dec 11

It was announced months ago that the December issue of Nintendo Power would be the final issue. With the month right around the corner, it looks like we're ever closer to the end of an era. Nintendo Power staff writer Phil Theobald posted on his Twitter that the final issue of Nintendo Power should hit new stands on December 11. 

Sad to see such a great magazine go. Nintendo Power was the first game mag I ever picked up but as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Much as I don't want to see Nintendo Power go, I will be picking up the final issue and will look forward to reading it. Are you a fan of Nintendo Power? Then make sure you pick up the last issue while you're out doing your Christmas shopping. Make the final issue one of the best selling in the history of video game mags.

Wii U Games Priced at $60

A mist all the Wii U news on Thursday, I missed the details surrounding the price of games. Wii U games will cost $60, the same price of most new 360 and PS3 games. My reaction to this news is the same as that Goomba in New Super Mario Bros. U's box art.

$60 games seem to be a sticking point for a lot of gamers. The cost of development continues to rise, which is the reason we see so many $60 games. The Wii U is Nintendo's first HD console so it stands to reason that development cost is high, where as the cost of development for the Wii was rather low. Now we're back to the N64 days all over again, where games on a Nintendo console are once more $60. I don't like it, but it's just one of those things we're gonna have to deal with. One things for certain: whenever I buy a Wii U game, that will more than likely be the only game I buy until the next paycheck.

Kirby's Dream Collection: Special Edition Set for Sept. 16

It was originally announced that Kirby's Dream Collection, the Wii compilation game to celebrate Kirby's 20th anniversary would hit stores on September 19. Well it seems that, in a rare move for Nintendo, the game will release on September 16. That's this coming Sunday. 

Kirby's Dream Collection contains six Kirby platformers. Kirby's Dream Land (GB), Kirby's Dream Land 2 (GB), Kirby's Dream Land 3 (SNES), Kirby Super Star (SNES), Kirby's Adventure (NES), and Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (N64). Bonus material includes a soundtrack CD with 45 tracks from various Kirby games and three arranged tracks, and a 40 page booklet. All yours for $39.99.

I'll be picking up my copy on Sunday and once work is done, I'll have a fun night of Kirby adventures. Check out the TV ad if you haven't seen it already. And if you have? Well, watch it again. 

Wii U Launch Date, Price and Some Thoughts

Any self respecting Nintendo fan has no doubt been given the rundown on the Wii U release date and price via Nintendo's Nintendo Direct Wii U Preview. I was at work so I missed all the hubbub so forgive me if this is "old news" to you.

The Wii U's North American launch date is Nov. 18th. It's European launch will be Nov. 30, whole the Japanese launch is set for Dec. 8. The system will come in two different sets. Let's get the vanilla version out of the way first, or the Basic Set as Nintendo is calling it. What's it come with? For just $299.99, you get the system, the gamepad, 8GB internal storage space, all the hookup cables but no game.

The Deluxe set has a bit more to offer. For $349.99, you'll get the Wii U, the gamepad, 32GB internal storage, connection cables and Nintendo Land as a pack in game. At $50 extra, I see no reason to even go for the Basic Set, but it's nice to have options.

I'm quite pleased with the pricing of both sets. Nintendo said long ago that the Wii U wouldn't be cheap. Turns out their definition of "not cheap" is quite consumer friendly, which is a must in these tough economic times.

As for Nintendo Land, I'm not super stoked for the game, but the premise of a Nintendo style theme park interests me enough to where I want to check it out, which makes the Deluxe Set for me a no brainer. With New Super Mario Bros. U being a launch title, that's only $410 spent on one day. Not too shabby, I must say.