NES-Bit, Magazine Announcement

[Lorfarius]

I've spent the last couple of months beavering away on something which some people might call insane but I'm trying to create a full database of all UK NES releases with a ton of articles, reviews, information, gaming vids etc I launched the whole thing earlier this week and this is the result:

http://www.nes-bit.com/

In case you are wondering why I decided to focus on the UK scene it's simply because there isn't one! Despite wandering about the web trying to find a home I could relate to with my collection I found very little with focus o n what was a huge market for the time so decided to pull my finger out and create something myself. Feel free to have a nosey and tell me what you guys think? Bare in mind I have no previous HTML experience or ever had anything to do with designing websites so it's been a rather huge learning process from the get go.

[tom]

Very good. The NES was not well loved in the UK, but then Mattel did a bad job and Nintendo didn't care much about Europe anyway.
U-Force was by Broderbund though.
I used to own the complete Total run, gave them to an NES enthusiast way back.

[poloplayr]

Great work! Anythign to boost the UK classic gaming scene is fantastic.

[Lorfarius]

Very good. The NES was not well loved in the UK, but then Mattel did a bad job and Nintendo didn't care much about Europe anyway.
U-Force was by Broderbund though.
I used to own the complete Total run, gave them to an NES enthusiast way back.

The weird thing is I can remember the NES craze back in the day (I think I mention it in the Personal History article) and the system was a pure sellout, no one could find a working one so there has to be lots of fans hidden away I'm sure.

Sorted the Broderbund. I suspect database Gremlins :puppydogeyes:

[Lorfarius]

Gone and written a top 10 NES games article. All UK games of course :angel:

http://www.nes-bit.com/?p=3294

[tom]

Not bad, I remember when the NES was reduced to GBP 49.99 and games where still GBP 60.00, boy did they get it wrong.....


Above post...A NES craze in the UK? I remember it more like a fiasco, as Mattel couldn't market the NES properly.

[Lorfarius]

Not bad, I remember when the NES was reduced to GBP 49.99 and games where still GBP 60.00, boy did they get it wrong.....


Above post...A NES craze in the UK? I remember it more like a fiasco, as Mattel couldn't market the NES properly.

I can remember it clearly. Every kid in school was talking about the upcoming NES and Turtles pack everyone was going nuts.

My poor parents ended up searching several towns for one as did many of my friends folks only to find none in the shops. In the end they picked up a Master System for me even though I loved playing it the feeling just wasn't the same :angel:

[Lorfarius]

Been busy on a few articles so please have a nosey :)

http://www.nes-bit.com/?page_id=132

[jammajup]

The Playchoice cabinet looks in good condition :)

[Lorfarius]

Been awhile since I've posted an update here so thought I'd mention a couple. Just added some reviews, first we have Snake Rattle 'n' Roll

http://www.nes-bit.com/?p=3539

And Alien 3:

http://www.nes-bit.com/?p=3538

Finally I've stepped up in the world of web technology and created a Twitter feed. Will be keeping this up to date with stuff for the sites and random NES tidbits so worth signing up for:

https://twitter.com/nesbitsite

[Zama]

Oooo nice! The NES is getting some <3 from the wonderful land of Europe :snuggle:

[Lorfarius]

Oooo nice! The NES is getting some <3 from the wonderful land of Europe :snuggle:

I think a lot of the Europe lot are in hiding LOL

[Lorfarius]

Happy to say I have posted my first ever interview. Had a chat with Ste Pickford of Rare and Zippo Games fame, who spent sometime talking about his time in the games industry (with a hefty bit of NES related history of course!) and his upcoming game:

http://www.nes-bit.com/?p=4328

[Sysop]

I think I might just check out this website, it looks quite well made.

[Lorfarius]

I think I might just check out this website, it looks quite well made.

Thanks, have a few more interviews in the pipeline so (I hope!) always worth checking back :)

[Lorfarius]

Well its been awhile since I posted an update but have plenty more content to show off :P First up is a review of Street Gangs or River City Ransom in the US, quite a little gem to find:

http://www.nes-bit.com/?p=4429

Next is me working my way through Nintendo's clash with the education market. Is it a game or just a bad idea?

http://www.nes-bit.com/?p=4451

I've also posted a few updates to the magazine section, nearing a full set of Club Nintendo now and I have the most complete set available! As always I'll be posting a lot more as time goes on so please bookmark the site and keep an eye on it :)

[Lorfarius]

Proud to say we have a major plus to the site today, a developer interview with Sivak Games. The guys behind the home brew release Battle Kid and a few tid bits on it's sequel. Also take a deeper look into what's involved in programming for the NES:

http://www.nes-bit.com/?p=4558

[Lorfarius]

Another major update (having a lot of these lately!) with a developers interview for the D-Pad Hero games:

http://www.nes-bit.com/?p=4633

[Lorfarius]

Another major update (having a lot of these lately!) with a developers interview for the D-Pad Hero games:

http://www.nes-bit.com/?p=4633

[Lorfarius]

Its taken me awhile and taken me forever to write but I'm finally proud to present NES-Bits celebration of The Legend of Zelda's 25th anniversary:

http://www.nes-bit.com/?p=4711

Won't be rushing to one of these again in a hurry!

[Lorfarius]

This week we have a great developers interview thanks to HeavyStylus from RGCD, with MorphCat Games. Homebrew developer of Super Bat Puncher:

http://www.nes-bit.com/?p=4772

[Lorfarius]

For awhile I've been mulling over something extra to help promote the site and with a few helpful contributions it was suggested that a booklet or mini magazine could work. We actually have a professional graphic designer on board who will be doing all the page layouts, design work etc. The plan is to offer this at retro events and pass it on in future to any donators to the site rather than sell it with a cash value stamped to the front. So for example anyone donating a couple of quid to the site or writing an article would get a copy.

With this in mind I'm trying my best to come up with as much decent and exclusive content as possible, the plan being that I won't reuse anything on the site. Of course I'm only 1 person and even I can't write everything plus keep the site going at the same time so I'm looking for some help. This is going to be available on the site for years to come and I plan to get a load printed in high quality (already contacted a firm), so it will get a lot of coverage.

There's a lengthy thread over on the sites forum:

Link (http://www.nes-bit.com/NesBitForum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=343)

But I'm looking for more help with writers or simply suggestions. What would people like to see in such a mag for example?

We have a mockup of covers at the moment (the GB's round the side are just place holders so don't worry!) just to get an idea of what it could look like:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm55/Lorfarius/Nes-bit_Magazine_Front_mock_up_2011_Stacked.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm55/Lorfarius/Magzine_New_Mock.png

[TRM]

You have mail.

[Lorfarius]

Couple of page samples to show off what we have done so far things are really moving fast now. A lot of people have worked hard on this and it's really coming along nicely so I would rather the work speak for itself::

http://i54.tinypic.com/4hbgja.png
http://i52.tinypic.com/3168eow.png
http://i51.tinypic.com/21ad43o.png

In case anyone is worried there's a good mix of PAL and US stuff, even mention of the GameBoy in a NES standoff. Tried to cover as much as possible for a first issue and think there's enough for all to enjoy!

[Lorfarius]

Its taken what feels like forever but after a huge effort by the team we finally launched the first issue of the magazine:

http://www.nes-bit.com/?page_id=5045

[pato]

Its taken what feels like forever but after a huge effort by the team we finally launched the first issue of the magazine:

http://www.nes-bit.com/?page_id=5045

Just downloaded the first issue. Can't wait to read it. Cheers!

[Lorfarius]

Hope you enjoy it :) The more support we get the more issues we can make. Issue 1 is testing the water so to speak.

[RPG_Fanatic]

Are you going to "print" the magazine or just keep it download only?

[Lorfarius]

There is a huge retro event coming up on the 5th November and I'm currently in the middle of sorting printed high gloss copies, hopefully a large enough amount to cover it. The printed version will be available after this on the site with a special extra + freebie exclusive to the printed mag.

[Simplynes]

Think I'll wait for a printed copy oh and yours wasn't the first dedicated UK NES website just so you know. :)

[Lorfarius]

Think I'll wait for a printed copy oh and yours wasn't the first dedicated UK NES website just so you know. :)

Can't just say that without a link!

[dystopian]

Hope you enjoy it :) The more support we get the more issues we can make. Issue 1 is testing the water so to speak.

Just picked up my copy via download. Also excited to take a look! Very interesting project.

[Lorfarius]

Just picked up my copy via download. Also excited to take a look! Very interesting project.

Hope you enjoy it :)

[dystopian]

Just finished reading it and loved it! Well worth the 3 dollars. It's easily a few hours of good classic gaming entertainment and I thought very well produced. Recommended!

[c0ldb33r]

What's the anticipated price of the print version?

Why can't people do cool stuff like this for tg16

[pato]

What's the anticipated price of the print version?

Why can't people do cool stuff like this for tg16

I thought these were well made.

http://www.pcengine.co.uk/gamer/index.htm

[T]

I'm looking forward to buying the hard copy

[Lorfarius]

The hard copies arrived yesterday and ready for Replay Expo :)

Very pleased to announce that we managed to get Philiip Oliver of CodeMasters and Blitz Games Studios to have a chat with us about his NES days:

http://www.nes-bit.com/?p=5924

[dystopian]

The hard copies arrived yesterday and ready for Replay Expo :)

Very pleased to announce that we managed to get Philiip Oliver of CodeMasters and Blitz Games Studios to have a chat with us about his NES days:

http://www.nes-bit.com/?p=5924

Would love to contribute to issue 2 when the time comes, keep me in mind! Got a great Shatterhand piece ;).

[Lorfarius]

Would love to contribute to issue 2 when the time comes, keep me in mind! Got a great Shatterhand piece ;).

I'd keep an eye out for an announcement soon :) I've got a big retro event next weekend to get through, then I can finally sit back and plan whats happening next.

[Lorfarius]

We have a limited number of printed copies of the mag left, once these are gone it will be some time until I can print more. So grab one quick :)

http://www.nes-bit.com/NesBitForum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=490

[dystopian]

Sounds like things are going great, Lorf. Keep up the good work, I really like the graphic design in your mag, very professional looking.

[Lorfarius]

I know a few of you have been looking forward to this but Issue 2 has finally been announced:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm55/Lorfarius/nesbitmagcover.jpg

For those thinking the text in the left column is the articles... not this time. Just easy place holders to fill the space!

So far the team have started on several articles and some highlights include:

Religion in NES games
Castlevania (Cover) Special - A look at the NES series and some of its unique stand out points
Big Dan's Cheat Section makes a return
A look at some of the NES's Shooters
8bit wars - Classic systems go head to head
Zelda Special
Japanese Import Special
And much, much more

It will be available as a PDF like the last issue with some printed copies being available at a later date eventually as well.

Suggestions for articles are always welcome.

What can you do to help? We are open to new writers and hope even more people will get involved. So drop me a line or stop by the site.

[Lorfarius]

Been a long time coming but proud to announce that issue 2 has finally been released! Its a bumper issue packed with 66 pages, almost double this time round, with many more writers joining the team.

This issue we have:

Castlevania Special
Famicom
The 8-Bit Wars
The Worlds First Video R.O.B(ot)
NES Hama/Perler Beads
Worldwide NES Collectors
NES Emulation

We have so much more to see inside! You can grab a copy here:

http://www.nes-bit.com/?page_id=7607

Anyway, here's some screenshots to show you what we have come up with:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm55/Lorfarius/frontcover.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm55/Lorfarius/castlevannia.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm55/Lorfarius/8bitwars12-1.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm55/Lorfarius/collector-john.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm55/Lorfarius/famicom.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm55/Lorfarius/rob-1.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm55/Lorfarius/zelda-.jpg

[Lorfarius]

Any feedback? :)