Level 6 cleared...finally! Lost in Translation section on the way
over 2 years ago
– Wed, Dec 01, 2021 at 06:46:22 PM
Here's something we're thankful for: the preorder numbers have pushed the grand total past 100k, meaning we've reached the last stretch goal!
Level 6 CLEARED: "LOST IN TRANSLATION" - 100k
EarthBound. Advance Wars. Fire Emblem. Just a few of the beloved game series that got their start on the Famicom...yet didn't reach the West until much later! This additional section of the book will be focused on these and other imports as Howard and Matthew reflect on the decisions to not bring them to the NES. As Matthew is quite the EarthBound fan in particular, he's sure to have a few things to say...!
Thanks again for all your support to make this book possible!
-Matthew
Book Spotlight: Howard's Now Playing
over 2 years ago
– Sat, Oct 30, 2021 at 07:34:38 AM
Happy Halloween!
Today's update isn't of the spooky variety, but it's sure to be a treat regardless. Each chapter will feature "Howard's Now Playing," a comic strip series of autobiographical--and totally true--shenanigans that the Gamemaster got involved in during his time at Nintendo. As alluded to in a past update, sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction. Here are a bunch of panels taken out of context to give a taste of things to come:
Can you guess the stories they foretell?
With the Matthew's Memories comics, blue is the central color choice, but with Howard's Now Playing, I decided on the orange monochrome for a variety of reasons: it matches the Howard character's iconic hair and bow tie, it's a good complement to blue, and it gives a sort of nostalgic sepia-tone throughout. However, in both types of comics, any NES games represented in the art will use the NES's own color palette as the unifying piece tying the NOA and gamer fan halves together. Am I overthinking this?
At any rate, enjoy your frightful weekends. We're not quite ready to prep surveys yet, but we'll begin that process pretty soon, so if you've got some art you wanted to submit, it'd be a good time to start thinking about what you want to make.
-By Matthew
Back to Normalcy
over 2 years ago
– Thu, Sep 30, 2021 at 06:26:21 PM
Without delving too deeply, it's been a hectic few weeks for both myself and the Gamemaster. But no worries! We're rolling with the punches and are now back to our normal routine for GMC.
For this month's preview, I've got more illustrations at the ready! Try to figure out which NES title each is from; these will really test your retro knowledge. Your only hint is that they all debuted on the same year.
1. VERY EASY MODE
This Joust-like first-party title was programmed by one of my favorite Nintendo employees. I still think the main character would be a good fit for Smash Bros.
2. EASY MODE
This particular image should look familiar to anyone who's put a few minutes into this white-knuckle action-platformer. Actually, the game in question is our Debate for this particular chapter; it's a series Howard seems to enjoy a lot more than I do (I'd wager I may need a flame shield even more than our poor protagonist up there)!
3. NORMAL MODE
Nothin' like a good ol' shmup to lower your stress (or perhaps raise it?). Remember, failure is not an option, and Options will keep you from failure!
4. HARD MODE
Things are starting to get obscure! This fellow originally kicked back between stages with a cigarette in the arcade version, but you won't find him engaging in such activity on the NES. Catching a quick bite before his next mission ensures he'll be full of beans and ready to blast away bad guys.
5. GAMEMASTER MODE
Yep, it's two games represented this time--and both from the same publisher. Wacky and obscure platformers were really starting to crop up everywhere, and this year was no exception. Can you recognize these wide-eyed protagonists?
-Matthew
Fact or Fiction?
over 2 years ago
– Sat, Aug 28, 2021 at 08:40:12 PM
Whew, it's been a bit of a rough month for me. Not only have we been quarantined due to my youngest catching coronavirus, but our family is set to evacuate from the incoming Hurricane Ida. As such, I'm popping today's update up moments before we hit the road!
This little game originally ran in NF Magazine a month back, but I thought our backers should be privy to the fun too! Can you guess which three of the following six scenarios actually happened, and which ones did not? Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, as they say...
Despite these recent setbacks in the Taranto house, we're still rollin' with production. I've backed up my files in case the unthinkable happens, so hopefully this whole hurricane situation blows over soon, if you'll pardon the expression. In the meantime, stay safe!
-Matthew
Book Spotlight: Nintendo Insider
over 2 years ago
– Mon, Aug 02, 2021 at 09:47:15 AM
Time for another peek at one of the book's sections!
Each chapter will contain a section titled Nintendo Insider; it's basically a snapshot of the goings-on at the company. Unlike the comic-based stories of Howard's Highlights and Matthew's Memories, Nintendo Insider is less personal and more of a broader-scale look at the business. That said, there'll still be a few asides from the Gamemaster as well...!
As a Nintendo fan myself, I'm interested in seeing how things developed and grew at NOA throughout the duration of the '80s. Hopefully my rendition of an animatronic Donkey Kong doesn't haunt your dreams, though.
We'll continue progressing on the book, so stay tuned for more updates each month!
Thanks,
-Matthew
