NES Classics also in Europe

Nintendo of Europe plans to release old NES games and a new GameBoy Advance SP

Nintendo of Europe plans to release eight old NES games and a GameBoy Advance SP in a NES design. That one is the same as the American one. They will launch on the 9th July and each game will cost around ?15. The Game Boy Advance "Classic NES Edition" will cost around ?90.

The NES games: 1. Super Mario Bros. - Publisher: Nintendo 2. Donkey Kong - Publisher: Nintendo 3. Ice Climber - Publisher: Nintendo 4. Excitebike - Publisher: Nintendo 5. The Legend of Zelda - Publisher: Nintendo 6. Pac-Man - Publisher: Namco 7. Xevious - Publisher: Namco 8. Bomberman - Publisher: Hudson

80's Icon Revival! 20 years after the launch of the original Famicom in Japan - later known in Europe as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), the legendary console is making a comeback! Nintendo is launching the Game Boy Advance SP "Classic NES Edition", along with eight original NES Classics for the Game Boy Advance on 9th July 2004 in Europe.

This unique console and range of incredibly popular games pays homage to the birth of the NES. The NES console brought arcade quality games to homes all over the world and is considered to be one of the most influential video gaming products ever made.

The Game Boy Advance SP has been remodelled to represent the style of the original NES console to make a handheld system that is guaranteed to turn heads.

The NES Classics games to be released with the Game Boy Advance SP Classic NES Edition include a number of historical favourites such as Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong and The Legend of Zelda. Super Mario Bros. was an undisputed favourite on the system and largely contributed to the astonishing NES boom. It was in Donkey Kong that Mario first appeared and The Legend of Zelda was the first of many adventures for a sword-wielding hero, known as Link.

The eight NES Classics to be released are as follows:

1. Super Mario Bros. - Publisher: Nintendo 2. Donkey Kong - Publisher: Nintendo 3. Ice Climber - Publisher: Nintendo 4. Excitebike - Publisher: Nintendo 5. The Legend of Zelda - Publisher: Nintendo 6. Pac-Man - Publisher: Namco 7. Xevious - Publisher: Namco 8. Bomberman - Publisher: Hudson

The Game Boy Advance SP "Classic NES Edition" will launch across Europe on 9th July for around ?90. The NES Classics games will be launched at around ?15 each.

More info!

So, you've read the exciting news, and here, just for our readers, are more details on the upcoming NES Classics titles mentioned above:

Donkey Kong

Originally released to arcades in 1982, Donkey Kong was Nintendo's first major hit and put them on the path to fame and glory. Having eaten small change across the world, Donkey Kong was an ideal candidate to transfer to the NES, and in 1986 this happened to critical acclaim!

A little-known fact is that Mario in Donkey Kong was originally known as 'Jumpman' until the title came to North America, where he was personalised to make the title more appealing. And just for your information, the damsel in distress is known as 'Pauline.'

Super Mario Bros.

First released in 1985, Super Mario Bros. is one of the most famous games of all time, and kick-started the whole platforming genre! Created by the legendary Shigeru Miyamato, Super Mario Bros. remains one of the highest selling games of its type ever, and was the title that made Mario a Nintendo mascot for ever more.

The game also introduced players to Luigi, Mario's less famous brother, as well as the ever-helpless Princess Toadstool. Mario's ultimate goal was to save the Princess by dispatching the evil Bowser after every four levels of side-scrolling 2D action, with the formula becoming so popular that a number of sequels were spawned.

Ice Climber

Ice Climber is perhaps the least politically correct title in Nintendo's long and illustrious career. Players are tasked with climbing mountains in the guise of a seal-dispatching (evil seal mind) Eskimo, while collecting living eggplants and other odd items in the quest for points and glory.

Released back in 1985, the game still remains highly perplexing, although it has an addictive two-player mode where you compete against a friend to reach those peaks.

Excite Bike

As one of the first ever sports titles on the NES, Excite Bike proved extremely popular, especially as it allowed players to create their own stunt tracks to race on. Released in 1985, Excite Bike was followed by an Nintendo 64 update in 2000, and retained much the same gameplay and customisation. A testament to the quality of the game.

The Legend of Zelda

Released way back in 1987, The Legend of Zelda is heralded as one of the best adventure games ever created! Unusually for such a game, the actual avatar of the player is Link, a small hero who sets out to save the world from the clutches of evil, and reunite the eight pieces of the powerful item known as the Triforce of Wisdom.

Puzzles and action combined in a live action tour de force that has been followed up time and time again.

Pac-Man

It's Pac Man, is there any need to say more? You collect the pills, avoid the ghosts, and sit there all day trying to beat your top score! Alternatively, play with a friend, and become even more addicted.

Toru Iwatani created the original arcade game in 1980, with the NES release being just one of many. Probably the most famous game ever made.

Xevious

In 1988 the innovative schump (shoot 'em up), Xevious, was released to an adoring crowd of NES owners. Players take control of a prototype Solvalou Fighter Plane to battle the alien invaders who want their planet back! However, the battle takes place on Earth...

Xevious was innovative in that it was the first vertically scrolling shoot 'em up that featured attacks on airborne and ground-based enemies, which was a stunning revelation at the time. The game still remains highly enjoyable to this day thanks to the hectic battles against never-ending swarms of alien invaders who need to be expelled!

Bomberman

1987 marked the NES release of Bomberman, a curious yet addictive title in which players controlled a robot from a bomb making factory seeking freedom, and the hope to become human.

Bomberman has to clear stages from a top-down view by destroying enemies, blocks, and other obstacles with his customary bombs. To help Bomberman, various power-ups are provided, and once the stage is cleared he can make his way through the exit to the next - more challenging - level. A classic formula that is replicated to this day.

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