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What We Found in the Vault

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...

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...

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...

Sony PlayStation Vita handheld console promotional image with Uncharted: Golden Abyss gameplay and slogan Never Stop Playing

Buying a PlayStation Vita in 2025 – The Complete Retro Gamer’s Guide

Explore our PlayStation Vita guides, reviews, and tips to help you get the most out of Sony’s powerful handheld...

Visual Guide for Identifying Counterfeit Pokémon DS Games

Collector's Guide: How to Spot Fake Pokémon DS Games – Real vs Counterfeit

I popped in a Pokémon DS game that wouldn’t load. The pins looked clean, so I started to suspect it might be a fake....

Pile of NES cartridges with bold red text overlay reading "Collector's Guide to Fake Video Games.

Counterfeit Guide – Video Game Reproductions & Homebrew Explained

As the retro video game market continues to surge, so does the risk—counterfeit games, reproduction cartridges, and...

Portable gaming consoles and handheld devices for casual and mobile gaming

Portable Video Games – How Mobile Play Is Redefining Where We Game

Discover how casual, portable, and mobile gaming are changing where and how we play. The landscape of gaming has...

Console Wars SNES vs PlayStation – Comparing the Best RPGs from Each Classic Gaming Era

Console Wars: SNES vs PlayStation – Which Has the Better RPGs

From Chrono Trigger to Final Fantasy VII, the SNES and PS1 both defined RPG greatness — now it's time to settle which...

Red Dead Redemption PS3 box art – Regular vs Game of the Year vs Greatest Hits versions

Game Labels Explained – Black Label vs Greatest Hits & Player’s Choice

This guide breaks down the differences between Black Label, Greatest Hits, Player’s Choice, and other game...

Mario and Luigi wearing headphones enjoying video game music with text 'How video game music tells the perfect story'

How Video Game Music Tells Stories: Orchestral to Licensed Hits

From sweeping orchestral scores to unforgettable licensed tracks, video game music is now a storytelling powerhouse...