In Real Life

The Story Behind Mario’s Name Change

Mario hasn’t always been known as Mario. Back in the day, one of his earlier names was Jumpman. The story of how the change came about is informative, if also a little said, especially for poor Pauline.


January 12, 2011
In Real Life

It’s Game On In Tokyo’s Sex Hotels

In Japan, there is an array of hotel options. There are traditional inns, business hotels and places like Hotel Akaikutsu (above) where people go to screw each other’s brains out. And when they finish, they can play video games.


September 29, 2010
News

The 3DS’ Hardware Design Is Now Final (Check Out Its Stylus)

At the Nintendo Conference 2010 in Tokyo, the company has shown off the final, retail design of the upcoming 3DS handheld.


July 15, 2010

Why Are Consoles Banned In China?

Video game consoles are illegal in China. Ironically, the Wii, the PS3 and the Xbox 360 are Chinese-made. And there is a flourishing PC gaming culture. There has to be a reason for this ban. Turns out, there is.


March 20, 2010
News

Pikmin 3 “Well Underway,” Says Miyamoto

Nintendo designer and Donkey Kong creator Shigeru Miyamoto was in London today to pick up his BAFTA fellowship award, an honour he reciprocated by delivering his acceptance speech in pure English. What else did Miyamoto have to say about Pikmin?


April 14, 2008
Uncategorized

Coin-Op NES

Want to play? Get out those coins. Here’s a coin-operated Famicom that was hooked up to standard TVs in Japanese hotels and inns. One hundred yen coin got players 10~15 minutes of playtime. There’s a Zapper and everything! Hit the jump for the pricier Super Famicom, which only doled out 5 minutes of playtime for a hundred yen. Well, it was “Super.” Super expensive!


April 10, 2008
Uncategorized

Club Nintendo Dates Animal Crossing Wii? Eh…

Maybe this is just a kwinky-dink. Who knows? Nintendo does! The 2008 Japanese Club Nintendo has a picture of Mario Kart Wii for April. And of course, Mario Kart Wii goes on sale in April. Taking this rubrick, let’s look at December, which shows a picture of…

Hit the jump for an image of December.