J.J. Hendricks, the Denver entrepreneur who bought the rare Nintendo World Championships Gold cartridge, is hosting an event today that seeks to recreate the original contest. He spoke to Kotaku about it and his acquisition.

Hendricks, the owner of vintage game-and-console retailer JJGames.com, bought the NWC Gold cart last month for $17,500. The seller was asking $25,000. So it was a nice discount for a "holy grail" of game collecting similar to baseball cards' Honus Wagner T206 or comics' Marvel Comics #1. Rather, his business bought it, and will reunite that game with a lesser known (and possibly more rare) Nintendo Campus Challenge cartridge he's in the process of purchasing for $14,000.

"My guess is that they'll increase in value over time," Hendricks said, saying he considers both cartridges to be investments held by the business he founded 10 years ago while at the University of Colorado. "I these as opposed to wine or paintings or other collectibles because of the business connection, and because I have always enjoyed video games."

Though the NWC Gold cart was a newsmaking buy back when Hendricks got it in June, the Campus Challenge cartridge was an even luckier find. That cart was the basis of a 60-college tour by Nintendo from 1991 to 1992 and, unlike the World Championships, none of the game cartridges went public as prizes or giveaways. Hendricks said his copy was found at a garage sale and might be the only known copy.

For those wondering, yes he has played the original NWC gold cart - it was advertised as a working one, after all, and Hendricks wanted to make sure it was still good. I asked if the cart - made in 1990 - required the Nintendo Blow.

"Yes, but after I played it," Hendricks said laughing, "I just wanted to make sure it was clean before I put it in a safety deposit box."

Unfortunately, the cartridge will be there, not on display, during JJGames' inaugural - and free - Retro Game Championship today in Denver. From 2 to 9 pm today (MDT) at the business's warehouse storefront in south Denver, players can try for high scores in both the World Championships and the Campus Challenge. Hendricks had duplicate carts worked up off of both games' ROMs. Ten screens will be set up, five playing one game and five handling the other.

"I got the idea earlier this year while thinking about buying the game," Hendricks said. "I wanted to have an event that would as closely as possible recreate the Nintendo World Championships - right down to the six-minute, 21-second standard time limit."

In the NWC, players have to grab 50 coins in Super Mario Bros., complete a specialized course of Rad Racer, and then rack up as many points in Tetris until the end of the time limit. In the Campus Challenge, players grab 25 coins in Super Mario Bros. 3, score 100,000 in Pin*Bot, and then play Dr. Mario until time expires. It too has a 6:21 limit.

JJGames is offering prizes, from $200 gift cards to top scorers to T-shirts for the first 20 people to show up. Reproduction carts will also be offered as giveaways. Directions and details are here.

As a collector, Hendricks says he is choosy about what he'll acquire - he won't just throw money at a cabinet or other collectible. As of now, the Campus Challenge and the World Championship are the cornerstones of a collection that has just one other specimen.

"It's a Starfox Super Weekend competition cartridge," Hendricks said. "It's worth maybe $300."

http://kotaku.com/5317437/gold-cartr...ionships-today ...

Ordinarily it's not my policy to cave in to peer pressure like this, but ignoring the likely-fake shakycam video of a PS3 Slim hasn't slowed the tide of hey-d00ds tips we're getting about it.

There's also a nagging, buzzing doubt in my head, in the region of my brain that entertains such ideas as a faked moon landing and the existence of Bigfoot. After all, rumor went around last month that this sucker was in production, and a steep price cut on the 80GB PS3 likely means retailers have been told to clear space for a new SKU.

So I am going to put this to the wisdom of the crowd. Is this a real PS3 slimline console? Or is it fake?

Arguments pro:
• You can see the ethernet and USB ports on it. Why would counterfeiters go to that kind of trouble?
• Logo looks legit enough.
• It's in the Philippines, where you can buy anything before it's available, such as Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Arguments con:
• Plugged-in-and-running footage or GTFO.
• Some clown's giving us the old shake-and-fake.
• It's in the Philippines, where you can buy anything before it's available, such as Flintstones Chewable Viagra.

Alright, vote!

http://kotaku.com/5317605/yes-i-know...s3-slim-video-[update] ...

Across the Atlantic, the folks at Fase Extra got their hands on Sony's PSP Go and a couple of games recently -- LittleBigPlanet and Gran Turismo, specifically. Lucky for us, Sony Spain allowed them to grab some video of each game, that we've now conveniently dropped for you after the break.

Here's the thing: We've got another three months or so until the release of PSP Go, and, ya know, it's really pretty. So, while entertaining, these videos do little more for us than tantalize our already over-tantalized mind grapes. Thankfully though, three months should be plenty of time to put away, um, a lot of extra change for the $250 handheld.

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/18/li...on-the-psp-go/ ...

Need a little something to get you over the Saturday lull? Gnaw on this. Japan's own Yomiuri is reporting today that Toshiba is expected to finally admit defeat and enter the dark, devious world of Blu-ray later this year. For those keeping tabs, we've heard both confirmations and denials about the outfit finally caving and supporting the format it once battled so valiantly, but this seems to solidify it. If machine translation is to be believed, the company's first DVD / Blu-ray deck will boast a BD 18 label, and it's slated for release somewhere in the world by the year's end. The article also mentions that Tosh is strongly considering a Blu-ray recorder for the Japanese market, though no further details on that are available. C'mon Toshiba -- get this bad boy to the States before Christmas. We're anxious for a BD price war.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/18/t...-by-years-end/ ...

Microsoft has reportedly drastically reduced the amount of indie titles it's going to allow on its Live Arcade service — but no such limits have been placed on material from major publishers. Have the publishers themselves been pushing this agenda? And what will it mean for indies? Quoting: 'More and more indie developers are being created, bucking the trend of working for the blockbuster-sized titles of many publishers and opting to control their own development and keep their IPs. This is likely becoming more and more of a concern to major publishers, who seem — especially in ZeniMax's recent purchase of id Software and EA's combination of Bioware and Mythic, as well as Warner Bros. purchase of Midway's IPs and studios — to be doing everything they can to consolidate their power and lock down all the available resources.' When questioned, Microsoft released a statement saying that they're 'a great supporter of independent game development.'

http://games.slashdot.org/story/09/0...From-Xbox-Live ...

Heres the list of whats new in blueray releases this week:

Asahiyama Dobutsuen Monogatari Penguin Ga Sora Wo Tobu (~Toshiyuki Nishida, Ai Maeda, ...) JPN US$ 51.90
Changeling (~Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, ...) JPN US$ 51.90
Curse of King Tut's Tomb (~Malcolm McDowell, Casper Van Dien, ...) HK US$ 21.90
Death Trance (~Honoka Asada, Yko Fujita, ...) US N/A
Heaven's Door [Blu-ray+DVD] (~Tomoya Nagase, Sachi, ...) JPN US$ 62.90
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (~Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, ...) JPN US$ 52.90
The Sekai Isan Zekkei [Digital Remastered Special Editon] / The Sekai Isan Deirector Ga Erabu Sekai Isan Zekkei 20-Kei JPN US$ 85.90
Tytania Vol.7 (~Daisuke Kishiga, Katsuyuki Konishi, ...) JPN US$ 74.90

More Info --> http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...-23m-84-n.html ...

Play Asia have done of one their updates with tons of classic games for many systems, heres the details:

In these classic gaming news updates you will find a frequent summary of all classical titles which were added to our site. Availability is subject to frequent changes and fast decisions are recommended as we usually have only very few copies of those titles that are listed below. As always we are trying to expand our catalogue regularly.

In todays round up of restocks you can find all items restocked for Sony™ systems like PlayStation™, PlayStation2™ and PSP™.

PSone™

70's Robot Anime: Geppy-X [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Alundra [pre-owned] JPN US$ 24.90
Arc The Lad II [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Arc The Lad III JPN US$ 34.90
Asuka 120% Excellent: Burning Fest Excellent [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90
Asuka 120% Final: Burning Fest Final [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Asuka 120% Special: Burning Fest Special [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Azito 3 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 79.90
BioHazard 3: Last Escape [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
BioHazard: Director's Cut - Dual Shock Ver. [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
BioHazard: Gun Survivor [pre-owned] JPN US$ 24.90 Brave Fencer Musashiden [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Bust A Move 2: Dance Tengoku Mix [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Captain Commando [pre-owned] JPN US$ 139.90
Captain Tsubasa: Aratanaru Densetsu Joshou [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Chocobo Racing: Genkai e no Road [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Chrono Trigger [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
Dance Dance Revolution 2nd ReMIX [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Dance Dance Revolution 3rd Mix [pre-owned] JPN US$ 54.90
Dancing Blade: Katteni Momotenshi II: Tears of Eden [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90
Dancing Blade: Katteni Momotenshi! [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Densha de Go! 2 Premium Pack [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
Densha de Go! Professional Shiyou [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Detana TwinBee Yahoo! Deluxe Pack [pre-owned] JPN US$ 44.90
Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers [pre-owned] JPN N/A
DoDonPachi [pre-owned] JPN US$ 109.90
Ehrgeiz [pre-owned] JPN US$ 24.90
Eithéa [Limited Edition] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Elemental Gearbolt [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
EVE TFA The Fatal Attraction [Limited Edition] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 64.90
EVE The Lost One [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Final Fantasy Collection [Anniversary Package] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 109.90
Final Fantasy I+II [Premium Package] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 69.90
Final Fantasy IX [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Final Fantasy V [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
From TV Animation One Piece: Grand Battle 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Front Mission 3 [Square Millennium Collection Special Pack] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 54.90
G-Darius [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
GaiaSeed: Project Seed Trap [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Gouketsuji Ichizoku 2: Chottodake Saikyou Densetsu [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90
Guilty Gear (Reprint) [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
GunBullet + Guncon [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Gundam The Battle Master 2 [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Gunners Heaven [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Harmful Park [pre-owned] JPN US$ 229.90
Hokuto no Ken: Seiki Matsukyu Seishi Densetsu [pre-owned] JPN US$ 54.90
Horned Owl [Limited Edition w/ Light Gun] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 44.90
Image Fight & X-Multiply Arcade Gears [pre-owned] JPN US$ 99.90
In the Hunt [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius: Forever with Me [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Khamrai [pre-owned] JPN US$ 24.90
Konami 80's Arcade Gallery JPN US$ 89.90
Konami Antiques MSX Collection Vol. 1 [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Konami Antiques MSX Collection Vol. 2 [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Konami Antiques MSX Collection Vol. 3 [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Langrisser I & II [Limited Edition] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Macross: Do You Remember Love [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
RockMan X5 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
Metal Gear Solid 20th Anniversary: Metal Gear Solid Collection [pre-owned] JPN US$ 109.90
Metal Gear Solid Integral (Konami the Best) [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Metal Gear Solid [Premium Package] [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Mortal Kombat II [pre-owned] JPN US$ 79.90
Namco Anthology 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 79.90
Namco Museum Encore [Limited Edition /complete with all games] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 149.90
Namco Museum Vol. 2 [Limited Edition] [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Other Life: Azure Dreams [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Panzer Front bis. [pre-owned] JPN US$ 79.90
PaRappa The Rapper [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Parasite Eve [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Parasite Eve II [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Pepsiman [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment [pre-owned] JPN US$ 44.90
PocketStation crystal [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Pop'n Music 6 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 64.90
Raiden Project [pre-owned] JPN US$ 44.90
Raiden Project (PlayStation the Best) [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90

Rakugaki Showtime [pre-owned] JPN US$ 269.90
Ranma 1/2: Battle Renaissance [pre-owned] JPN US$ 69.90
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special: Dominated Mind [Limited Edition] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Rising Zan: The Samurai Gunman [pre-owned] JPN US$ 69.90

Rival Schools Evolution 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
RockMan Dash: Tron ni Kobun [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
RockMan X6 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
RockMan X6 (PlayStation the Best) [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
SaGa Frontier 2 [Square Millennium Collection Special Pack] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
SaGa Frontier [Square Millennium Collection Special Pack] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
SD Gundam G Generation-0 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
SD Gundam G Generation-F [Limited Edition] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 79.90
Seiken Densetsu: Legend of Mana [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
serial experiments lain [pre-owned] JPN US$ 149.90
Sexy Parodius [pre-owned] JPN US$ 69.90
Shin Megami Tensei if... [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Silhouette Mirage: Reprogrammed Hope [pre-owned] JPN US$ 129.90
Snatcher [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Sol Divide [pre-owned] JPN US$ 44.90
Star Ocean: The Second Story [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Star Ocean: The Second Story (PSOne Books) [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Street Fighter Zero 3 [pre-owned] ...

Play Asia have done of one their updates with tons of classic games for many systems, heres the details:

In these classic gaming news updates you will find a frequent summary of all classical titles which were added to our site. Availability is subject to frequent changes and fast decisions are recommended as we usually have only very few copies of those titles that are listed below. As always we are trying to expand our catalogue regularly.

In todays round up of restocks you can find all items restocked for Sony™ systems like PlayStation™, PlayStation2™ and PSP™.

PSone™

70's Robot Anime: Geppy-X [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Alundra [pre-owned] JPN US$ 24.90
Arc The Lad II [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Arc The Lad III JPN US$ 34.90
Asuka 120% Excellent: Burning Fest Excellent [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90
Asuka 120% Final: Burning Fest Final [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Asuka 120% Special: Burning Fest Special [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Azito 3 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 79.90
BioHazard 3: Last Escape [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
BioHazard: Director's Cut - Dual Shock Ver. [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
BioHazard: Gun Survivor [pre-owned] JPN US$ 24.90 Brave Fencer Musashiden [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Bust A Move 2: Dance Tengoku Mix [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Captain Commando [pre-owned] JPN US$ 139.90
Captain Tsubasa: Aratanaru Densetsu Joshou [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Chocobo Racing: Genkai e no Road [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Chrono Trigger [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
Dance Dance Revolution 2nd ReMIX [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Dance Dance Revolution 3rd Mix [pre-owned] JPN US$ 54.90
Dancing Blade: Katteni Momotenshi II: Tears of Eden [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90
Dancing Blade: Katteni Momotenshi! [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Densha de Go! 2 Premium Pack [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
Densha de Go! Professional Shiyou [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Detana TwinBee Yahoo! Deluxe Pack [pre-owned] JPN US$ 44.90
Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers [pre-owned] JPN N/A
DoDonPachi [pre-owned] JPN US$ 109.90
Ehrgeiz [pre-owned] JPN US$ 24.90
Eithéa [Limited Edition] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Elemental Gearbolt [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
EVE TFA The Fatal Attraction [Limited Edition] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 64.90
EVE The Lost One [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Final Fantasy Collection [Anniversary Package] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 109.90
Final Fantasy I+II [Premium Package] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 69.90
Final Fantasy IX [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Final Fantasy V [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
From TV Animation One Piece: Grand Battle 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Front Mission 3 [Square Millennium Collection Special Pack] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 54.90
G-Darius [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
GaiaSeed: Project Seed Trap [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Gouketsuji Ichizoku 2: Chottodake Saikyou Densetsu [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90
Guilty Gear (Reprint) [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
GunBullet + Guncon [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Gundam The Battle Master 2 [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Gunners Heaven [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Harmful Park [pre-owned] JPN US$ 229.90
Hokuto no Ken: Seiki Matsukyu Seishi Densetsu [pre-owned] JPN US$ 54.90
Horned Owl [Limited Edition w/ Light Gun] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 44.90
Image Fight & X-Multiply Arcade Gears [pre-owned] JPN US$ 99.90
In the Hunt [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius: Forever with Me [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Khamrai [pre-owned] JPN US$ 24.90
Konami 80's Arcade Gallery JPN US$ 89.90
Konami Antiques MSX Collection Vol. 1 [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Konami Antiques MSX Collection Vol. 2 [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Konami Antiques MSX Collection Vol. 3 [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Langrisser I & II [Limited Edition] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Macross: Do You Remember Love [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
RockMan X5 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
Metal Gear Solid 20th Anniversary: Metal Gear Solid Collection [pre-owned] JPN US$ 109.90
Metal Gear Solid Integral (Konami the Best) [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Metal Gear Solid [Premium Package] [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Mortal Kombat II [pre-owned] JPN US$ 79.90
Namco Anthology 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 79.90
Namco Museum Encore [Limited Edition /complete with all games] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 149.90
Namco Museum Vol. 2 [Limited Edition] [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Other Life: Azure Dreams [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Panzer Front bis. [pre-owned] JPN US$ 79.90
PaRappa The Rapper [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
Parasite Eve [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Parasite Eve II [pre-owned] JPN N/A
Pepsiman [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment [pre-owned] JPN US$ 44.90
PocketStation crystal [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Pop'n Music 6 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 64.90
Raiden Project [pre-owned] JPN US$ 44.90
Raiden Project (PlayStation the Best) [pre-owned] JPN US$ 34.90

Rakugaki Showtime [pre-owned] JPN US$ 269.90
Ranma 1/2: Battle Renaissance [pre-owned] JPN US$ 69.90
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special: Dominated Mind [Limited Edition] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Rising Zan: The Samurai Gunman [pre-owned] JPN US$ 69.90

Rival Schools Evolution 2 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
RockMan Dash: Tron ni Kobun [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
RockMan X6 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 59.90
RockMan X6 (PlayStation the Best) [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
SaGa Frontier 2 [Square Millennium Collection Special Pack] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
SaGa Frontier [Square Millennium Collection Special Pack] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
SD Gundam G Generation-0 [pre-owned] JPN US$ 29.90
SD Gundam G Generation-F [Limited Edition] [pre-owned] JPN US$ 79.90
Seiken Densetsu: Legend of Mana [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
serial experiments lain [pre-owned] JPN US$ 149.90
Sexy Parodius [pre-owned] JPN US$ 69.90
Shin Megami Tensei if... [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Silhouette Mirage: Reprogrammed Hope [pre-owned] JPN US$ 129.90
Snatcher [pre-owned] JPN US$ 49.90
Sol Divide [pre-owned] JPN US$ 44.90
Star Ocean: The Second Story [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Star Ocean: The Second Story (PSOne Books) [pre-owned] JPN US$ 39.90
Street Fighter Zero 3 [pre-owned] ...

Ubisoft producer Frederic Lefrancois has explained that PSP game Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines will unlock content on Assassin's Creed 2 on PS3 and vice versa. Both games are due out in November.

"As players unlock health and Hidden blade upgrades in Assassin's Creed 2 PS3, the same upgrades will be unlocked in Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines," writes Lefrancois on the US PlayStation blog. "It also works the other way round: on the PS3 you will be able to access any Templar Coins and special weapons you've collected on the PSP."

Bloodlines begins after Assassin's Creed finishes, and follows Altair on his quest to bring down Templar rule on Cyprus. Our white-robed hero is no longer bossed by Al Mualim, however, and so treads his own curious path.

The story, Lefrancois says, should fill in the blanks between AC1 and AC2.

Griptonite Studio will develop under the supervision of Ubisoft Montreal, and Lefrancois believes Bloodlines to be a "huge benchmark" - "As this kind of freedom of movement has never been seen before on the PSP."

Free-running across rooftops returns, as well as eight extra mission types to compliment the existing investigative techniques.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/as...ck-ps3-content ...