Released in 1986, the Famicom Disk System was an attachment for Nintendo's 8-bit console that allowed for cheap distribution of re-writable games. Many famous titles, including both Legend of Zelda titles, Super Mario Bros. 2, Doki Doki Panic, Metroid, and Kid Icarus were originally released for the platform. Due to technical advances, the system was eventually discontinued and was never released outside of Japan. Much of its library remained Japan-only as well, and has been sparsely documented among the English-speaking retro game world. Until now. Brought you to by long-standing retro video game website Hardcore Gaming 101, The Complete Guide to the Famicom Disk System includes reviews of every single title in the Famicom Disk System library - all of the classic Nintendo games (including their unfortunately overlooked adventure games), cult classics by Konami, revolutionary oddities like Otocky, many Zelda clones, numerous tie-ins with late 80s Japanese celebrities, and a large number of subpar licensed games from Bandai. Also includes a look at the many unlicensed titles, a history of the system, and its accessories.

Japan has produced thousands of intriguing video games. But not all of them were released outside of the country, especially not in the 1980s and 90s. While a few of these titles have since been documented by the English-speaking video game community, a huge proportion of this output is unknown beyond Japan (and even, in some cases, within it). Hardcore Gaming 101 Presents: Japanese Video Game Obscurities seeks to catalogue many of these titles – games that are weird, compelling, cool or historically important. The selections represent a large number of genres – platformers, shoot-em-ups, role-playing games, adventure games – across nearly four decades of gaming on arcade, computer and console platforms. Featuring the work of giants like Nintendo, Sega, Namco and Konami alongside that of long-forgotten developers and publishers, even those well versed in Japanese gaming culture are bound to learn something new.

In thousands and maybe even millions of homes, basements, and antics all around the world are boxes and boxes of old technology. Old phones that will never make another call, an old high school calculator with someone’s initials etched on it. While these old bits of tech are interesting, they are not what this book is about. This book is about that box containing the stuff your mum didn’t want to throw away when you moved out. The stuff you had spent hours, days, and months with. The once brand-new Nintendo Game Boy Advance and the twenty or so games you saved up and purchased. “It’s in the attic if you want it” your mum says, “I saw online those Game Boys and games are worth a bit now”. As you open the box you remember that you kept each game box and it’s all still there. Everything is in great condition. Mario Cart, Rayman Advance and even your favourite Pokémon Leaf Green Version. As you get home and set yourself up on the lounge with a coffee and your newly reclaimed box of goodies, you start to remember just how much fun this was. Thinking back to when you would lie on your bed for hours levelling up your newly evolved Pokémon and visiting Brock’s Gym. What a great time, even if your homework was left undone. In this book, I discuss Retro Gaming. What it is. Why it’s a thing and my journey and all the learning and fun I’ve had along the way.

Every website or magazine has their own "Best Video Games of All Times" list - here is Hardcore Gaming 101's! From early arcade classics to 3D action games, from text adventures to interactive cinema, this book includes 200 of the best video games ever released, covering over three decades of gaming history, created by developers all over the world. Each entry highlights why our picks are the best examples of their genre, and includes additional recommendations for similar games. Both rookie and veteran gamers will definitely discover some new and interesting games to check out after finishing this book!

Are you ready for hot-blooded fighting action? Hardcore Gaming 101 Presents: The Guide to Beat-Em-Ups Vol. 1 covers the origins of the belt-scrolling brawler with Technos' Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun (AKA Renegade) and the world-famous Double Dragon. Also covered are the works of Capcom (Final Fight, Captain Commando, Aliens vs. Predator, Dungeons & Dragons) and Konami (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Simpsons, Vendetta) as well as Sega's Streets of Rage series!

A must-play checklist and guidebook for the top 101 video games every kid should experience, including trivia and tips, behind-the-scenes tidbits, and ratings. Full color. 5 15/16 x 8 5/16.

Presented by retro video game website Hardcore Gaming 101. Localization is a tricky business, especially due to the myriad of differences between both the English and Japanese languages and cultures. Retro Game Super Translation Selection examines 101 lines of dialogue from classic video games, compares how they were localized, and includes some explanation for the business or cultural reasons surrounding such changes. Originally authored by a professional video game translator, this is a localized version of a doujinshi released at the Game Legend retro game event in late 2016, and features a unique perspective rarely seen in the English speaking world! Also includes four columns by guest writers that compare English and Japanese onomatopoeia, examines different game titles between territories, explains the math behind retro games, and illustrates the many changes made to the Pok�mon Game Boy titles.Covered games include: Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior / Dragon Quest, Super Mario World, Landstalker, Lunar: The Silver Star, Zero Wing, River City Ransom, Cybernator, Pok�mon, Lufia II, Shadowgate, Shadowrun, Maniac Mansion, Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom, and many more!NOTE: The paperback edition of this book is in black and white, but the Kindle version uses color images.