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What We Found in the Vault

NES Collector Guide – How to Identify First-Print NES Games

From identifying rare first prints to spotting fake cartridges, our NES blog dives deep into the history, collecting...

Nintendo NES console comparison – Top Loader vs original Front Loader Toaster model

NES Guide – Do It! Buy a Real Nintendo NES Console

Discover the best Nintendo NES games, accessories, collecting tips, and console guides—all in one place for retro...

The Mystery Bottom Port under an original Nintendo NES Console

Nintendo Hardware Guide – What Are the Bottom Ports on N64 & NES?

Uncover the mystery behind Nintendo’s unused expansion ports and how they evolved from the NES to the Wii era of...

Cartoon of Superman blowing into a Nintendo NES cartridge with a "Busted" stamp and the phrase "blow me" – referencing the retro gaming myth about cartridge blowing

Quick Answer – Does Blowing Into NES Cartridges Actually Work?

If you grew up with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), chances are you’ve blown into a game cartridge more...

Luigi looking shocked with text overlay saying "Terrible NES Games" – humorous retro-style image referencing bad Nintendo titles

Quick Answer: 5 Terrible Nintendo NES Games That Should Never Be Played

Skip these stinkers unless you're collecting for comedy—or enjoy suffering. Skip these stinkers unless you're...

NES Metroid password screen – retro video game save system using alphanumeric codes

Retro Games vs Modern Games – Why Old Games Were So Hard

Explore why retro games were so hard compared to modern titles, uncovering the design choices, difficulty curves, and...

Batman NES intro screen – retro video game screenshot from Nintendo Entertainment System

Retro NES Games – 4 Iconic Titles Worth Playing in 2025

A nostalgic look at four classic NES games—Ikari Warriors, Batman, Rygar, and Tecmo Bowl—that still deliver timeless...

Pixelated collage of classic NES shmup box art featuring Gun Nac, Star Soldier, and The Guardian Legend with retro Nintendo branding and explosions in space.

Retro NES Shmup Rankings: 10 Must-Play Shoot ’Em Ups from the 8-Bit Era

Explore the best of 8-bit gaming with our NES blog collection—featuring classic game reviews, collector tips, and top...

Retro pixel art of Link alongside NES box art for The Legend of Zelda and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, with the title 'NES Zelda Games' in bold text.

Retro Origins – The History of The Legend of Zelda NES Games

If you're a fan of classic gaming, there’s no ignoring the impact of the Legend of Zelda NES games. If you're a fan...

1990 World Championships

Retro Recap: Nintendo 1990 World Championships – A Definitive Look Then and Now

Step back in time to 1990, when the world of gaming was about to be forever changed. Step back in time to 1990, when...