Thanks to Eric Ruth and his PixelForce NES “de-make” of Left 4 Dead, we now have an idea of what the zombie apocalypse simulator would have been like had it released in the ’80s. Valve is apparently aware of the project and finds the concept “hilarious.” Ruth reveals that he plans to release the full game as a free download in early January 2010 for PC. It features all the campaigns from the original game, including 8-bit incarnations of the special infected, for two players to play through — it is a NES game after all, fancy four-player didn’t exist.

via 8-bit Left 4 Dead leaves modernity behind.

We’ve seen NES mods that incorporate a screen and controls into a cartridge in the past, but this example from Airz in BenHeck’s forums is just so clean and well-polished that we had to give it some love. Inside Airz says it’s just a generic Chinese media player that can play NES, Gameboy, and Gameboy Color ROMs, along with the relevant controller bits, a 2.8-inch LCD, 4GB of storage, and a rechargeable battery. Oh, and if you’re feeling particularly retro, you can hook it up over TV-out and play on the big screen. Not bad — and it’s for sale

via Portable NES modded into a cartridge, hearts modded into love.

Here’s a counter-top Nintendo arcade that basically consists of an XP machine running a NES emulator, all connected to a 17-inch LCD housed inside a custom-built cabinet made of MDF.

via CrunchGear

Back in the 1980s there was apparently some sort of secret war going on between Japan and the United States. We endeavored to play all their games months after they did and they endeavored to devise bold new ways to make us read botched re-imaginings of the word “Congratulations!” This lead to hundreds of well-documented videogame endings set to the sobs of crying, disappointed children across the land.

via GameSpy

All songs are available free at Nintendo Mixtape

via YouTube

In the most recent Iwata Asks interview Wada discusses the original game and, since he has the chance, reveals the secret. “This is a great opportunity, so I have something I’d like to say. In Punch-Out!!, the game gives you a lot of hints about effective timing of punches. There is a big boxer called Bald Bull in the NES version as well and a light flashes to the right in the audience when he charges. If you punch when it flashes you will land a body blow” he said, going on to claim that this was the first chance he had to tell his secret. Not only this but he goes on to say that there are “lots of hidden elements in the NES version.”

via Destructoid

Over the course of the interview, Makoto Wada, one of the people behind the NES version of Punch-Out!! let out that he was the one responsible for Mario being the referee in the game and that Miyamoto never signed off on it.

via Long lost secret in NES Punch-Out!! revealed.

This retro gaming system even comes with a tiny version of the classic NES zapper, apart from a couple of wireless remotes. All you need are original NES carts (that still work) and you’re good to go. Unfortunately, the Zapper won’t be able to function with the integrated LCD screen, and will work only when you hook it up to a CRT-type TV

via SomeSite.