Tag Archives: super nintendo

EarthBound’s “This Game Stinks” Ad Campaign

The Backfire Effect As funny as the ads seemed in the moment, many players and parents found them off putting. Not everyone wanted to open a gaming magazine only to be blasted by the smell of spoiled food or worse. While the gag fit EarthBound’s tongue in cheek tone, it did not make the game’s actual strengths clear. Instead of explaining its charming writing, modern setting, and unique battle mechanics, the marketing painted the game as a gross out comedy that did not match its true personality. The campaign also struggled because it targeted the wrong pain point. RPG fans were ready to embrace new titles after Final Fantasy III and Chrono Trigger, but Nintendo’s push for EarthBound downplayed that community and instead tried to lure kids who preferred Mortal Kombat or NBA Jam. As a result the game’s advertising appealed to an audience unlikely to stick around while alienating the players who might have loved it most. Even in hindsight the scratch and sniff gimmick feels more like a prank than a promotion. It got attention, but not the kind that converted into purchases at the register. Legacy of a Smelly Campaign EarthBound’s sales were disappointing for Nintendo, and many analysts point to its marketing as one reason why. The game itself went on to become a cult classic, beloved for its heartfelt story, quirky dialogue, and unique suburban setting. But in 1995 its first impression was defined by scratch and sniff jokes rather than its creative brilliance. Today the “This Game Stinks” campaign is remembered as both a curiosity and a cautionary tale. It shows how risky advertising can overshadow the very product it tries to sell. Fans still bring up the ads in retrospectives, often with a mix of laughter and disbelief that Nintendo ever thought it was a good idea. In the end EarthBound outgrew its smelly reputation. Thanks to word of mouth, emulation, and re releases, it is now regarded as one of the finest RPGs of the 16 bit era. But the scent of its original marketing campaign will always linger as one of the strangest footnotes in video game history.

A Bold but Bizarre Idea In 1995 Nintendo of America faced a challenge. They were preparing to launch EarthBound on the Super Nintendo, a quirky role playing game full of humor, offbeat enemies, and suburban satire. But how could they sell such an unusual RPG to an American audience that was not yet fully invested in the genre? Their answer was one of the strangest campaigns in gaming history. Nintendo …

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The Console That Could Not Handle Blood – Retro Replay FYI

Mortal Kombat violence differences between consoles

When Mortal Kombat hit arcades in 1992, it shocked the world with its brutal fighting, over the top violence, and those unforgettable Fatalities. It was the game every kid wanted to play and the game every parent wanted to ban. So when the time came to bring it home to consoles, Nintendo and Sega faced a tough decision on how much of the blood would make it into living rooms. …

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Fanmade SNES Port of Punch-Out!! Now Available for Download

In exciting news for retro gaming enthusiasts, the highly-anticipated SNES port of the classic NES game Punch-Out!! is now available for download. The port, created by the talented ROM hacker and porting expert Infidelity, promises to bring the beloved boxing game to the Super Nintendo with a host of quality-of-life improvements and enhanced audio. Infidelity has made a name for himself in the retro gaming community by porting several iconic …

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Top SNES Title for Each Year Throughout the Console’s Existence

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) is a hallmark of retro gaming, a testament to Nintendo’s enduring legacy in the video game industry. Each year of the SNES’s prime brought a standout game that not only defined the year but also left an indelible mark on gaming as a whole. Let’s take a nostalgic journey through the most quintessential SNES games from its golden years. 1991: Super Mario World The …

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Pocky & Rocky [SNES] Review and Longplay 1992

Pocky & Rocky Review for the Super Nintendo – A Mythical Multiplayer Adventure “Pocky & Rocky” for the Super Nintendo is a title that conjures up images of mythical creatures, vibrant levels, and frenetic action. This top-down, shoot ’em up style game, developed by Natsume, is a hidden gem that I recently had the pleasure of playing through with my Australian Discord friend, Hyrule13. The game tapped into Japanese folklore, …

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What are your thoughts on how the Super Nintendo’s look was changed from the Sup…

I like both versions to be honest. “What are your thoughts on how the Super Nintendo’s look was changed from the Super Famicom in Japan? I remember there being a small bit of controversy, with readers writing into magazines about how boxy and ugly the US design was from the Japanese model. And frankly, it never really bothered me back then. And while it doesn’t really bother me still, I …

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New Super Nintendo game: Super Road Blaster

I’m Matthias Nagler and have recently released a new game for the SNES. It’s an unlicensed port of a 1986 Laserdisc arcade game, the first full-motion movie game and the biggest game on the Super Nintendo yet at 6320 Mbit. The game is called Super Road Blaster and uses a special enhancement device called the MSU-1 that enables CD quality audio and a vast amount of storage space on the …

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Retrode 2: A Retro Game Adapter For Computers

A pretty neat solution for anyone looking for a small and portable box that enables you to hook up Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Controllers and game cartridges up to your computer for easy play. it plays through legal emulation, so if you feel uncomfortable scrounging the internet for grey area roms, load up your old school carts and have a ball. This is a pretty neat device, and can …

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Create a Funtendo

This may be one DIY hack I have to try myself some day. Pick up a NES, Super Nintendo or N64 pad map away and start playing. It may be the best present for that geek in your life this holiday season. The fine people over at Funtendo have created a self contained, small form, portable  multi-emu capable of playing those great nintendo classics. This DIY hack should be easily …

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