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What We Found in the Vault

Pixelated video game background with blue RPG-style text box that reads “Life Lessons From Video Games,” symbolizing real-life wisdom gained through classic gaming.

Life Lessons: What Classic Video Games Taught Us About Real Life

A couple of years back, while visiting with family over Thanksgiving, my cousins and siblings and I started playing...

NES Cartridge Variants: How to Spot 5-Screw vs 3-Screw from the Bottom

NES Cartridge Screws Explained: 5-Screw vs 3-Screw Variants & Why They Matter

In 1985, Nintendo released the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in North America, forever changing the video game...

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...