Unfortunately, classic Nintendo and Super Nintendo games were cartridge-based and extremely sensitive to dust and corrosion, and when the delicate metal contacts on these cartridges were dirty, the games would often refuse to function at all. When buying a classic Nintendo game on the secondary market today, this problem is even more likely to occur as the vast majority of used cartridges that are available have been improperly stored for two decades or more. Thankfully, with just a few household items, it is possible to restore these games to their original operation while avoiding the inflated prices that are charged by game retailers for cartridge refurbishment.

Getting Started

Before you begin restoring your classic Nintendo games, you will need a fully-functioning and clean Nintendo console. Nintendo games are equally as susceptible to blinking and non-playability if the console is dirty as they are if the games themselves need to be cleaned, and it is far more difficult to clean the inside of a console, which was never meant to be opened by the end user. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you purchase a refurbished Nintendo console to enjoy your games with a minimum of hassle.

Alternatively, several clone consoles are currently available which emulate the original hardware to near perfection. The SNES/NES FC Twin Video Game System is a popular example of this; it is able to play both Nintendo and Super Nintendo games, and generally costs under $50.

Supplies Required

Before you begin cleaning your classic Nintendo games, ensure that all of your supplies are laid out in front of you in a manner that is accessible. You will need some isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, a large supply of cotton swabs, a small dish or cup, and a place to dispose of your dirty cotton swabs. Because alcohol is a highly flammable substance, do not smoke or leave an open flame in the area where you will be working.

Cleaning Your Games

Pour some of the alcohol into your dish. Alcohol evaporates quickly, so using a separate dish will allow you to close your bottle while you work. Wet a cotton swab with a generous amount of alcohol, and rub it across the contacts of your cartridge. Work in an up-down motion, rubbing with the direction of the cartridge’s contacts rather than against it.  This will prevent the fibers of the cotton swab from becoming lodged underneath the contacts. When you remove the cotton swab, you will find that it is dark with grime. Dip the other side of the cotton swab into the alcohol, and repeat. Do this only once for each side of the cotton swab; this will avoid recontamination of the alcohol and prevent dirt from being re-deposited onto the cartridge’s contacts. Once both sides of the cotton swab are dirty, discard it and begin cleaning with another one. Ensure that you are cleaning both sides of the cartridge’s contacts, and continue this process until your cotton swabs no longer pick up any dirt.

Once your Nintendo games are clean, leave them out and allow them to air dry for at least 3-4 hours. If you wish, you may use a fan to aid in the drying process, but do not blow into your cartridges. The saliva in your mouth could trigger corrosion, eventually rendering the game unplayable. After the cartridges are completely dry, you should be pleasantly surprised to find that they play exactly as they did when they were new.

NOTE: To extend the life of your classic Nintendo games, always remove them from the console when you are done playing with them, and place them into dust covers. Dust covers are available online and in retail game stores for pennies each, and can help to prevent grime from re-accumulating inside your cartridges and avoid more time-consuming cleaning projects.

Although the graphics and sound of modern console games greatly outclass the technical capabilities of the games that were made decades ago, restoring and playing classic Nintendo games proves that great gameplay is timeless.  The simple steps that have been outlined in this article will restore your cartridges to pristine working condition, enabling you to continue enjoying them for many years to come.

By Gabriel Morgan

You can see the top toys for Christmas (and other holidays of the winter season) here: Amazon’s Top Picks in Toys 2009.

Hyperdash has been selected in many toy lists each year, and it’s no wonder. We love the game that has kids thinking on their feet–literally. It’s an Edutaining Kids Top Pick as well, as it fits perfectly into our expectations for a quality “edutaining” toy. Hyper Dash puts a new spin on the term “active learning”–it promotes listening, memory, and math skills, as well as giving kids a little workout. Intense fun! For more information about this fun and educational toy, see Wild Planet Hyper Dash.

Zhu Zhu Pets are one of the most wanted toys this Christmas, but their scarcity has led to toy stores upping the prices. There are many other alternatives to be found, thankfully.

Some of the toys that appear on both Amazon’s list and our Edutaining Kids Holiday Gift Guides include Crayola Glow Dome which allow kids to draw on a dome and have their drawings projected onto the ceiling in full glow in the dark glory, LeapFrog My Pal Scout and LeapFrog My Pal Violet (cute little stuffies that actually say your child’s name after they’re programmed, LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table, and more.

Sorry, Hamlet, but where technology is concerned, that is the question. If Shakespeare were still around, he would surely agree; whenever a shiny new version of something you already own is released, it can be difficult to decide whether or not that extra lustre is worth the inevitable extra money.

To simplify this comparison, the DS Original will be lumped in with the Lite, as the leap from the Original to the Lite was purely aesthetic: the Lite is smaller, sleeker, features more options for the backlight, and is an all-around better piece of hardware (barring, of course, the Original’s more-attractive price tag and the Lite’s lessened utility as a blunt instrument). The leap from DS Lite to DSi has come with its share of aesthetic improvements, but also with some interesting functional changes, the significance of which will ultimately depend on what you want out of your portable gaming system.

If you’re debating a DSi purchase, you’re in one of two camps, generally speaking:

1. You own a DS already, and you’re wondering if an upgrade is in order.

2. You do not own a DS, and are wondering if the DSi, the newest and priciest of the three available versions, is the one for you.

In either case, the best way for you to make your decision a well-informed one is to be aware of the changes that the DSi has brought with it. No out-of-ten score can replace the usefulness of a point-by-point comparison in helping you to decide whether or not the new perks are enough to warrant your purchase.

First, here are the aesthetic tweaks that this newest member of the DS family is sporting:

- The power button (a slider no more) has moved from the right side to the unit’s face, next to the lower left corner of the DSi’s bottom screen, where it is much less likely to be mistakenly triggered as you’re holding the unit. A tap of the button will send you back the DSi’s main menu, and holding it will turn the device on or off.

- The volume control has similarly changed from awkward slider to button-based adjustment, and is located on the left side of the unit rather than the bottom.

- The Lite was a slim and sleek piece of work, but the DSi is even more thin and pocket-friendly.

- Buttons are less prominent on the surface of the DSi, lessening the likelihood that they’ll become loose and wobbly as they’re hammered on over the years.

- Both of the DSi’s screens are slightly larger. Will you notice the difference as you play? Probably not, but it’s a nice touch nonetheless.

- The DSi’s speakers are much smaller and the sound quality a bit improved.

- In addition to the LED indicators used by the Lite to indicate battery level and battery charger connectivity, the DSi has another one for Wi-Fi connectivity. Each of the three lights is clearly marked by an icon for your convenience.

- The smooth, glossy, smudgeable surface of the Lite has been replaced with a matte finish; neat freaks rejoice and put down your paper towels!

- Stories of ruined L and R buttons should be far less common, as the DSi’s are much hardier. You can feel the difference when you click!

Now to address the bigger, more functional changes that will likely be the true makers or breakers of your purchase.

Nintendo DSi Camera
The DSi received its name partly as an answer to Nintendo’s other cultural giant, the Wii (as the Wii is based around the concept of shared experiences, the DSi is an individual one). The DSi Camera is another aspect of the DSi’s name; two cameras (a pair of eyes), a frontal one on the hinge and a rear one on the back of the unit’s top half, allow you to snap shots of yourself and others and save over 400 of them in the unit’s generous album. Included with the album is a photo editor that allows you to stretch, colour, and otherwise horribly disfigure your pictures in a variety of amusing ways. It’s a 0.3 megapixel camera, so you won’t want to go and sell your digital camera, but the unit’s small screen size ensures that your shots will look pretty nice. Until you start distorting them, that is.

Nintendo DSi Shop
The handheld equivalent of the Wii’s shop, the DSi shop includes budget games from a variety of developers that are tailor-made for the system and added to the library on a daily basis. Applications such as a DSi-friendly Internet browser are also available. Downloaded applications and games are stored on the system’s main menu, a horizontal bar with plenty of space. No word on some sort of Virtual Console-esque service that will let us download Game Boy or Game Boy Color games, but never let hope die.

SD Card Support
On the right side of the DSi is a slot that accepts any standard SD card. This allows you to store music and downloaded applications and games.

Nintendo DSi Sound
This is a music application that allows you to record and edit short sound clips courtesy of the DSi’s built-in microphone, or put music you’ve brought in through an SD card through a variety of filters (including a rather awesome 8-bit filter). Be aware that only the AAC format (.mp4, .m4a, and .3gp) is accepted for imported songs.

GBA Slot
This is arguably the only true downgrade, and could definitely be a deal-breaker for some: the GBA slot is no more. If you still play your GBA games, trading in your Lite for a discount on the DSi might not be such a great idea.

Conclusion, in handy Q&A format:

Q: “Why might the DSi be a worthwhile upgrade?” or “Why would the DSi be a good point of entry into Nintendo’s DS family of handhelds?”

A: It’s definitely Nintendo’s most ambitious step forward in terms of portable gaming; it’s proof that they have come onboard with their competitors in bringing their systems online. It’s also proof of their dedication in giving their systems something for everyone, as shown by the dual cameras, the music editor, and the online shop with its free Internet browser that’s available for download. If you love some added value with your video games, the DSi has the goods.

Q: “Why might I want to pass on it, pick up a Lite instead, or wait until my current DS kicks the bucket?”

A: The camera and the music application can be fun to monkey with, but if you’re in it purely for the video games, you may want to consider sitting on your money for now. Most changes are certainly for the better, but the changes that truly enhance your gaming experience are few, and the absence of the GBA slot that both the Original and Lite had really hurts the DSi’s value for those who still enjoy their older games. The DSi shop is definitely the biggest draw as far as game-centric enhancements are concerned, but the library of worthwhile DSiWare titles is still very small. If you live for the games and the games alone, the Lite will suit your needs just fine for now.

Nintendo pioneered hand-held entertainment in the 1980’s with the Game Boy video game system. There have been very successful incarnations (or iterations) over the years, and now Nintendo is releasing the Nintendo DSi handheld system. Priced at a manufacturers’ suggested retail price of $169.99, this new handheld features a sleek and slim design, the largest screen Nintendo handhelds have seen yet, a set of two cameras (external and internal, pointed at the user), an interactive voice recorder, and music player. Both the new sights and sounds features can be manipulated–photos can be taken using interactive lenses, and music or voice can be altered. The system will be released in black and matte blue versions.

Similar to the Nintendo Wii’s Wiiware, the DSi platform will allow downloadable games and applications using Nintendo DSi Points. Of course, there will be the usual retail games designed specially for the system.

Is it backwards compatible? In other words, will kids be able to play their current Nintendo DS games on the new DSi? The answer is “for the most part”. It will be able to play most DS games, according to Nintendo.

The system will be launched along with the game, Rhythm Heaven, a unique musical game that has been quite popular in Japan since its release.

For more information and/or to preorder: Nintendo DSi

With the PSP, it’s easy to connect to the Web for any number of activities. You can access RSS feeds, obtain your instant messages, make phone calls with Skype™ and more. The Playstation website also provides easy access to free demos, movie trailers, and screenshots.

The PSP also offers access to a variety of free items downloadable from the Playstation website. This includes wallpaper, backgrounds, custom themes, and much more. All of these features allow you to personalize your PSP to portray your own personality.

You can preset the background color to change automatically on a monthly basis or you can change it manually whenever you want. If you have a special photograph of digital image that you like, you can easily use it for your wallpaper. Plus, changing the look of you icons is simple with the PSP.

Plus, the PSP can be used to connect to the Playstation website in order to download exclusive games. PSP game downloads provide everything avid gamers want- the information needed for game play, game trailers, game demos, and game audio. It is also possible to access your personal PS3™ System using your PSP device.

Parents will discover that the PSP offers exceptional parental control through a variety of features so they never have to worry about what the kids are doing. This system comes with rating features for games and for movies. Plus, it provides hardware settings for that parents can preset what their children can access on the Web. It is also possible to implement a password in order to initiate Internet browsing, limiting what the children can do on the PSP without a parent’s permission.

The Playstation website offers excellent support features that make it easy to use the PSP. Whether you are looking to download Skype or find out how to download games or access Internet radio, the website provides all you need to know. Certain additional equipment might be necessary such as headphones or remote controls. Why not take advantage of the wonders of today’s technology and get a PSP for yourself today?

For more information, user reviews, or to buy: PSP 3000

See games for the Playstation Portable: Playstation Portable System & Games

By Susan M Keenan ©2009

Hardly a day goes by when we don’t hear about the problems of obesity–and childhood obesity–in the news. With obesity on the rise, more and more people are aware of the benefits of exercise. But what of video games designed to get kids moving? Is it just hype? Well, some are, no doubt. We tend to get all worked up when a video game gets children out of the typical stupor and onto their feet. But a lot of games inspire only a small amount of movement. Not so with the Nintendo Wii Fit, which completely focuses on working out, without turning the process into a tedious lesson.

Getting enough exercise can be easier said than done. If your children tend to be sedentary and love video games, or if you are not a “going to the gym” type, the Nintendo Wii Fit for the Nintendo Wii gaming system can certainly get you and your family started on the road to fitness, or at the very least, fitness and health awareness. The Wii Fit offers an interactive workout and is designed to make exercise a fun activity that anyone in the family can enjoy, no matter their level of fitness.  It’s also highly interactive and educational: it guides you through designing a workout program, tracking your progress and learning proper technique. Interestingly, the game made our testers aware of the importance of balance.

Using the Nintendo Wii Fit involves stepping  on its balance board, which reads body movements, measures weight and weight distribution, and the game offers feedback about these measures, as well as BMI and Wii “fitness age”. Players learn about their BMI, but do note that kids who are even slightly on the chubby side will find out that they are “at the risk of being obese” or worse. Players set fitness and weight goals, and the Wii Fit records progress as well as total hours and minutes of usage.

The Nintendo Wii Fit is designed to be a fitness and educational tool, but it’s also designed to be pleasurable. Families perform aerobics, strength training, learn yoga moves, play balance games, and more. Weight measurements can be password-protected if desired. Scores in various activities are recorded and lists of top scores are provided. Players jog, play goalie, walk a tightrope, play with hula hoops, go skiing, learn and perform yoga poses, and a whole lot more.

If you are ready to make fun and fitness a permanent part of your life, then getting a Nintendo Wii Fit is one easy way to get started. Work. School. Bills. Housework. With all of the things you have to do each day, it’s easy to forget that you need to make time for exercise in your life.

To find the Wii Fit or other Wii games: Top Selling Wii Games

The list of most wanted, wished for, and hottest toy ideas is categorized into children’s age groups and interests. This year’s list is a little more Web 2.0 with its video component and sliders–great fun!

You can see the top toys for Christmas (and other holidays of the winter season) here: Amazon’s Holiday Toy List 2008.

Hyperdash is selected as the number one holiday toy for 2008, and it’s no wonder. We love the game that has kids thinking on their feet–literally. It’s an Edutaining Kids Top Pick as well, as it fits perfectly into our expectations for a quality “edutaining” toy. Hyper Dash puts a new spin on the term “active learning”–it promotes listening, memory, and math skills, as well as giving kids a little workout. Intense fun! For more information about this fun and educational toy, see Wild Planet Hyper Dash.

More toys that appear on both Amazon’s list and our Edutaining Kids Holiday Gift Guides include Fisher-Price Smart Cycle, EyeClops Night Vision Infrared Stealth Goggles,LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table, and more.

Drifting:

When playing in Automatic mode, drifting is disabled. This means that your kart is more flexible to turn around corners, but you cannot do anything to gain that beloved mini boost.

In Manual mode, turning around sharp corners is restricted, but the game gives you the choice to drift. Press and hold the correct drifting button while accelerating (depending on your choice of controls; see above). Your kart will turn around tight spots very easily. If you hold this combination long enough, you will perform a mini boost. The longer you hold, the longer this boost will be.

Obtain Race Start Boost:

During the counting, at the beginning of each race, you can rocket your way ahead of the competition with an intensive, initial boost. When the “Flying Cloud” has its hand at the top to make the third count, press and hold the gas.

General Tips:

Always place Fake Item Boxes next to legitimate ones; this will trick players and make them run into one. This is especially useful during online play.

As you may already know, drag your items behind you to protect yourself against incoming shells (or other.) Please note that Fake Item Boxes do not protect you against shells.

Because you have 12 players against you, the chances of being hit with random items have increased, often making the game frustrating. Try not to let go of your current item until you have obtained a new one. In other words, hold one behind you until you reach the next set of item boxes. If you let go of your ONLY item prematurely, you will have nothing to defend yourself before the next item box is reached.

If you fall off a track, when the little cloudy guy lifts you back on, press the gas button just as you touch the ground, and this will give you a much-needed boost. With practice, it can be done!

If left behind on a race, get right behind another racer to gain a major speed boost, as the racer ahead will absorb all the air and leave a “tunnel” free of any pressure.

Controls:

Controlling your character with the Wii Wheel:

+ Button: Pause
Turn: Steer left or right
Flick Up: Trick or Wheelie (Bike Only)
2 Button: Accelerate
1 Button: Brake or Reverse
B Button: Drift (Manual mode)
A Button: Reverse look
D-Pad Up: Throw Item
D-Pad Down – Drop item

Controlling your character with the Wii remote & Nunchuk:

+ Button: Pause
Analog Stick: Steer or Throw Items Back or Forward
A Button: Accelerate
B Button: Drift (Manual mode)
Z Button: Use Item
C Button: Reverse Look
Flick Wii remote Up: Trick or Wheelie (using bike Only)

Controlling your character with the classic controller:

START/PAUSE Button: Pause
Analog Stick: Steer or Throw Items Back or Forward
A Button: Accelerate
B Button: Brake / Reverse
X /ZR Button: Reverse Look
L Button : Use an Item
R Button: Drift (Manual mode)
D-Pad Up: Trick / Wheelie (using bike Only)

Controlling your character with the GameCube controller:

START/PAUSE Button: Pause
Analog Stick: Steer or Throw Items Backward or Forward
A Button: Accelerate
B Button: Brake or Reverse
X /Z Button: Reverse Look
L Button: Use Item
R Button: Drift (Manual mode)
D-Pad Up: Trick / Wheelie (using bike Only)

This pretty much covers all you need to know about Nintendo’s latest entry to the age-old series.  Please note that these tricks are especially useful when playing online, which will always help you stay in the lead regardless of how intense your competition can be!

Pajama Sam for the Wii

The original Freddi Fish title, Freddi Fish: Kelp Seed Mystery, released in the 1990’s for computers is now available for the Wii. Players follow a story line in which they lead Freddi (I remember being surprised that Freddi was a girl!) and her sidekick, Luther, in search of missing kelp seeds. Kids need to listen to clues, collect items along the way that they will use to solve problems later, and play mini-games.

If you’re expecting updated graphics and/or a new experience that takes advantage of the interactive features of the Nintendo Wii system, you’ll be disappointed. However, it’s a bit of a nostalgic blast from the past, and it’s good for children ages 4-7. Anyone older will “beat” the game far too quickly.

Also available at the time of this post are Pajama Sam: Don’t Fear the Dark and Spy Fox: Dry Cereal.

For more information, user reviews, or to buy: Freddi Fish: Kelp Seed Mystery, Pajama Sam in Don’t Fear the Dark, or Spy Fox in Dry Cereal.

GelaSkins are artist-designed skins designed to protect and spiff up laptops, iPhones, iPods, PSPs, Nintendo DS Lite, select cell phones, and Touch. They truly are delightful to look at, and extremely functional at the same time. They peel off and stick on, so that you can reuse them; and, if you have more than one GelaSkin, you can change the look of your device whenever you’re in the mood.

The designs are a must-see–truly creative and inspiring. GelaSkins Inc. has recently added a line of gorgeous wallpapers for the iPhone, Touch, and PSP that you can use on the screens of these devices, downloadable for free at the GelaSkins website. There is a selection of GelaScreens designed to match each GelaSkin.

GelaSkins include a wide variety of styles and artwork. While some are straightforward (such as Golfer), most are alternative. Teens are sure to find something they like. In fact, they’re sure to find many skins they love! You’ll have to take a look at the GelaSkins gallery in order to get an idea of the sheer quantity and impressive quality of skins available. Skins can be purchased offline, but the best selection can be found at the GelaSkins site.

Because we’re talking art–and a lot of it–it’s probably best to let your teens decide which ones they like best, so if you’re planning on giving GelaSkins as a gift, your best bet is to buy a gift card, also available at the site.