Inside a NES Cart...and It's Not What You'd Expect

If you were to open up an old school NES cartridge what would you expect to find? The most likely answer is not much besides the circuit boards that sit inside the plastic casing. Well check out the image below which shows the casing of a cartridge which contains not only the PCBs inside but also $5,000!

I wouldn't start cracking open all your old games yet though as I'm sure this is just a one off.

So true...

Gaming has changed over the years. Gone are the days of having a large cupboard full of video games and blowing the dust off the PCB sticking out the bottom of a game cartridge to get it to work. Gaming is digital now with online distribution and cloud gaming. This image perfectly conveys my feelings on gaming in its past and current state.

3DS XL Sports a Little See Through Number

It's obvious that at this blog we like video games and circuit boards, you only have to look at the logo to tell that. Since it's Mario's hat up there it's safe to say that we are also Nintendo fans. So if you combine video games, PCBs and Nintendo into one image, well, that's going to be an image the VideoGamesandPCBElectronics blog likes.

The *NEW* Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number 22

So how did you get on last week with the new and improved Monday Screenshot Quiz? Well it's that time again so have a look through this disassembled PCB and work out what game it is.

Funny Video Game Website

I recently stumbled across this humorous video on a website called the Ultimate Condensed History of Gaming (UCHG) website. The website looks at video games with a very funny tone and some more content for the more mature audiences. They are also a very talented bunch of guys when it comes to digital image and videos. Check out this one:

Love the way they refer to removing the old circuit board parts as “ripping out the capacitors like an electronic cancer”.

Great humour. Great execution. Great video.
Keep them coming UCHG.

The *NEW* Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number 21

We recently teased you with the return of the Monday Screenshot Quiz and that it would be back with some sort of twist. Well its Monday. And its here.

As you can see the twist is that now the image is partially blocked out by a printed circuit board. So can you focus past the PCB parts and work out what game it is beneath the board?

Hint: Since this is the glorious return of the Monday Screenshot Quiz, the game in question was a glorious return to gaming for one of video games few leading ladies.

The Return of the Screenshot Quiz

It's been a while since we've done the 'Monday Screenshot Quiz' since our wrap up of the top 20 but rest assured because it will return.

That's right, each Monday starting next week we will be testing your gaming knowledge with a circuit board sized image but this time it will be slightly different.

So stay tuned for Monday when the quiz returns...with a twist.

E3 Game Highlights: Halo 4

One of the biggest games to be shown off this year at E3 was Halo 4. The game is the first in the series not to be developed by Bungie and has been in development since 2009 by 343 Industries.

The game is said to be set "some time" after the events of Halo 3 and will see the return of the main protagonist from the original trilogy Master Chief. This will be the first time since 2007 that he has made an appearance, the last 2 Halo titles focussed around other characters and alternative game play.

While the gameplay will obviously be much the same as the previous titles, hopefully 343 can inject their own bit of something into it. I will look forward to saving the world with Master Chief once again at the end of the year.

Nintendo Looking to Expand Reach

The Nintendo Wii took the world by storm when it was released just a few years ago, it appealed to a market that no other console really did, the 'casual gamer'. People loved the easy, active, party like fun games like Wii Sports. Established franchises like Mario were also available for the existing Nintendo fan base. Other releases like Wii Fit brought interest from the home fitness enthusiast. The only market that Nintendo failed to conquer with the Wii was the 'hardcore gamer'.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: 20 Answers

Since we've recently hit the big 20 milestone on the 'Monday Screenshot Quiz', I thought it's about time I gave you the answers. The quiz has taken in a range of games from a number of different video game electronic manufacture companies so without further ado here's the answers:

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Twenty

For the twentieth Monday Screenshot Quiz it's an epic game that is played by millions of people all over the world. Can you name the game and do you play it?

The Last of Us

The Last of Us is an upcoming post-apocalyptic survival video game from Naughty Dog. They have been hugely successful in the past with the original Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter series' and more recently with the Uncharted games.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Nineteen

I'm sure you'll be able to name this classic game but for bonus points can you give me the names of the four ghosts that chase the titular character around his maze?

Bridging the Gap Between Console and PC

PC gaming has taken somewhat of a back seat to console gaming over recent years. Consoles offer a simplicity and core services that aren't so easily available on a PC. Electronic manufacture giant Dell has recently released a new line of Alienware gaming computers to rival the console market.

PacMan Circuit Board T-Shirt

When I found this I had to share it with you. Combining the maze design of PacMan with printed circuits design, this t-shirt is cool and combines everything this blog is about. Have a look...

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Eighteen

Well that's a monkey...in a ball. Super!

If that isn't a big enough clue for you then you have no chance lol

Stop...JAMMA Time! - WWF Wrestlemania

Welcome back folks!

It's time to enter the squared circle as we take a look at the WWF Wrestlemania arcade game which you can pick up on a JAMMA printed circuits board.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Seventeen

It's a popular character in this weeks quiz from electronic manufacture giant Sega. He's not starring in his usual genre of game though.

Guitar Hero in Action

After mentioning the difficulty of Guitar Hero in yesterday's post I though I'd share this video with you to show a true Guitar Hero player going for it on 'Through the Fire and the Flames' by Dragonforce on Guitar Hero III.

Guitar Hero: Dismantled

The other week we had a look at unique controllers for video games and it's interesting the electronic manufacture that goes into the design of each. One we mentioned was the controller for the Guitar Hero games which are replica plastic guitars with a strum input and five coloured buttons on the neck of the guitar. But that's what is on the outside; what about the inside?

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Sixteen

Tricky one this week. I loved playing this unique racer. Name it.

Avengers Assemble!

In honour of today's release of Avengers Assemble at UK cinemas, here's a look at a JAMMA circuit board for the old arcade game Captain America and the Avengers.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Fifteen

Quiz time.

The blocky visuals. The dark cavern. The female explorer. It can only be one game but what is it?

Unique Video Game Controllers

Form console to console, the controllers that are used to play the games change fom the simple NES controller that featured the 4 buttons and a D-pad to the controllers of today with their motion controls and multiple buttons.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Fourteen

For the fourteenth PCB-sized-screenshot quiz I've chosen a good-un. Name the game please folks.

Stop...JAMMA Time! - The Simpsons

It's time to stop what you're doing and check out another JAMMA circuit board for a classic arcade game.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Thirteen

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Twelve

Stop...JAMMA Time! - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Welcome to a new feature here on the blog entitle; "Stop...JAMMA Time!". As you may have noticed from the last few posts, I've developed an interest in JAMMA circuit boards that are used in arcade machines and so in honour of that I'm going to have a look at some of my favourite arcade games that I remember playing on my holidays as a youngster.

JAMMA Arcade Circuit Boards

It’s not just the home consoles I’m interested in here on the Video Games and Electronics blog and recently I’ve been looking into arcade cabinets and remembering the fun of playing the latest games at the seaside such the Simpsons and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games 4-player arcade games.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Eleven

1992 Nintendo Challenge Game Cart

The other week we posted about the Nintendo Powerfest '94 game cart and how it's the only one left. Well if you enjoyed that then have a look at the 1992 Nintendo Challenge game cart.

Sonic & Knuckles Lock-On Cart

Sonic the Hedgehog was the mascot for Sega during the 16-bit console war of the 90s, with Nintendo and Mario in the other corner. Sonic was meant to be seen as a faster, cooler alternative to the slower pace of the plumber’s adventures. The first Sonic the Hedgehog game was released in 1991 which was then followed by two more sequels in 1992 and 1994 but the game we’re going to focus on, also released in 1994, is Sonic & Knuckles and its lock-on technology.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Ten

It's the turn of everyone's favourite speeding blue hedgehog to appear in a screenshot but which of the games is it?

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Nine

Oh No!
Can you name the above game?

The NES Bed

Whilst looking at this memory foam mattress blog I came across this NES design bedding set. Do you want to know the first thing I thought...

"I wonder if there is a printed circuit board design sheet

underneath when you pull the quilt back?" :-)

Console Spotlight: Nintendo 3DS

All week I've been giving you a run down of the different iterations of Nintendo's handheld over the years leading up to this, a console spotlight and a look under the covers at the printed circuits that make up the newest addition to Nintendo's handheld army; the Nintendo 3DS.

The Nintendo DS Revisions

Following on from the other days post about the different Game Boys over the years, here's a look at the changing face of the Nintendo DS. You may notice that the outer changes aren't as drastic as with the Game Boy but the inner workings and printed circuits inside are enhanced to improve the network connectivity and the addition of a camera from the DS model to the DSi model. As for the DSi XL, that was just a big chunky version for older people that liked Brain training and 100 Classic Book Collection.

Many Faces of the Nintendo Game Boy

Nintendo dominated the handheld market throughout the 90's and saw many different redesigns until it was replaced with the touch screen Nintendo DS in 2004. These redesigns continued with the DS which was replaced last year with the 3DS. The process of shrinking the size of the handhelds whilst maintaining all the same functionality shows how good at electronic manufacture Nintendo is. Here's a look at the different hardware revisions for the Game Boy and we'll take a look at the DS iterations soon, all in preparation for my look at the 3DS in a couple of weeks.

Nintendo PowerFest '94

An article recently caught my eye about the Nintendo PowerFest '94 game cartridge which appeared on ebid recently with a 'buy it now' price of $300,000! Here's a look at why the asking price was so much and why this particular game cartridge is so rare.

Monday Screenshot Quiz*: Number Eight

*on a Tuesday (sorry its late)!

A bit late this week because of a electronic manufacture job but here it is, better late than never.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Seven

UK Launch of PS Vita (Including a Look Inside the Console)

Today saw the release of the Sony PlayStation Vita, the electronic giant’s new handheld gaming machine, in the UK and there have been midnight store openings for fans to get hold of their machines.

Amazing Homemade Handheld N64

There are some very clever people out there on the Internet and one project which recently caught my eye was this...a homemade, handheld, fully working Nintendo 64!

The Mega Drive Power Base Converter

With today’s powerful consoles and fast Internet connections, gamers have the ability to download a wide range of games from years gone by via online game stores. All three of the major home game systems have the ability to download your favourite old games and enjoy them all over again. Some consoles also have the ability to be backwardly compatible with a previous console such as the ability to play Nintendo GameCube games on the Wii. There is a good demand from gamers who want to continue enjoying their older games but this isn’t a new thing though as consoles from the 90’s were capable of playing older games.

Different Generations of Zelda

The other week we took a look at different generations of Mario, showing how the platforming plumber has evolved over the years with each new console released and how the power provided by the CPU and PCB inside each one has allowed the games developers to create drastically improved games. Another of Nintendo's iconic characters is Link from The Legend of Zelda (LoZ) series and some fans wait for the latest adventure with more anticipation than Mario's adventures.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Six

For this week's quiz we haven't just got a PCB sized screenshot for you to guess, we've made it a little trickier by removing the main character. Can you still get it right?

Wii Remote and Nunchuk

Following up the console spotlight on the Nintendo Wii, here's a look at the PCB inside the main controllers for the console; the Wii remote and the Nunchuk add-on.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Five

Console Spotlight: Nintendo Wii

The release of the Nintendo Wii issued in the dawn of motion controlled gaming with many people blown away by the fun to be had playing Wii Sports and using the Wii remote to play bowling, golf and tennis. The Wii became the fastest selling video game system and targeted an audience that weren't used to playing video games. The console still had a great selection of "gamers" games though and so was very popular with a wide range of people. The architecture, PCB and CPU of the Wii included backwards compatibility with GameCube games and other older Nintendo console games were downloadable through the new online store.

Although Nintendo haven’t officially released the majority of technical details for the Wii, many key facts have been released by press and electronic manufacture fans since release.

XBox 360 Controller PCB

I have never owned on XBox 360. I had the first XBox and there were plenty of games on the 360 that I was interested in such as the Halo, Fable and Forza series but for whatever reason I never ended up purchasing an XBox 360. That's not to say I haven't spent my time playing on them though and I'm very familiar with the 360 controller.

I've never seen any of its insides though so don't know what circuit boards and parts are in there...until now.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Four

Here's this weeks circuit board sized screenshot for you to name the game.

The Super-FX Chip

[Have the noticed the markings on the PCB pictured in the header for this blog? The circuit board features the ‘MARIO CHIP 1’ which whilst sharing the same name as Nintendo’s famous mascot, is the name of the Super FX chip which was introduced into certain Super Nintendo games to offer improved graphics, render polygons and stretch and scale sprites which wasn’t previously possible.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Three

It's a violent game this week so even if you've never played it, if you had children around the time this game was released then I'm sure you would have heard of it.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Two

It's Monday everyone so it's time for the next PCB sized screenshot taken from a popular video game.

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number One

The idea is simple. Each Monday I will try and put a screenshot about the the size of a PCB up that's taken from a video game. All you have to do is say which game it is and if you've played it say whether your enjoyed it, what was your favourite part or if you haven't played it then why? Simple.

Console Spotlight: XBox

When Microsoft entered the video game industry in 2002 with the launch of the Xbox video game console, no one knew the impact it would have and how successful it would become. The console introduced proper online play with Xbox Live and had a killer app launch title in the form of Halo. It was the systems power that allowed all of this to be possible so in the first of our ‘Console Spotlight’ series, let’s have a look at the systems, processors, PCB and chipsets that made the Xbox tick on the inside.

Different Generations of Mario

Mario is to Nintendo what Mickey Mouse is to Disney and has been the mascot for the Japanese video game company since he was introduced in the Donkey Kong video game in 1985. Each new iteration of Nintendo hardware has seen a new Mario game entered into the main platforming series of games starring the plumber. There have also been numerous offshoots as Mario and friends have taken part in karting, golf, tennis, party games, dancing and basketball over the years. Its’ the main platform adventure series that are the jewel in Mario’s crown so here’s a look at the Mario games on the different systems so you can see how the PCB, processors and CPU’s have improved the look and capabilities of Mario over the years.

Nintendo Video Game Consoles

Many people enjoy nothing better than sitting down and playing video games to enjoy their free time. Where once it was the hobby of teenage boys, video games these days are big business and the Nintendo Wii captured the minds of all ages with its unique motion control method. Nintendo has been developing both consoles and games for many years and as time goes on the PCB and hardware inside the consoles is getting more and more powerful. Here’s a look at the different consoles released by Nintendo over the years.

Welcome

Welcome to my new Video Games and PCB Electronics WordPress blog. I have always had an interest in video games; the consoles, the games, the characters and the companies have all interested me over the years. I also have a new interest in electronics and in particular printed circuit boards (PCB). This blog will be covering and combining both of these interests.