gaminghistorian

Upcoming Topics & News

National Videogame Museum - I recently had a chance to check out the newly opened National Videogame Museum in Frisco, TX. This video will feature highlights of the museum, as well as an interview with one of the founders!

History of the ESRB - Once upon a time, video game content had no rules or regulations. Nintendo felt questionable content should be censored or simply not published. Sega wanted a ratings system. Eventually, the federal government stepped in....

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31-in-1 BOOTLEG FAMICOM CART! - NORMOGATARI!

April Fools!

April 1st is Comin' Soon!

History of StarTropics - Gaming Historian

Here it is, the History of StarTropics! I apologize for not posting it here early. I ran into some unforeseen audio issues at the last minute. Hope you enjoy!

Gaming Historian on Blu-Ray: What's Your Favorite Episode?

Good morning & Happy Friday!

After getting tons of requests over the years, it's finally happening: Production has begun on a Blu-Ray disc for Gaming Historian!

Rather than throw my first 10 episodes on the disc however, I've decided to select the most popular / favorite episodes. My first 10 episodes were pretty low quality and really aren't worthy of a purchase.

So I thought: Why not ask my Patrons what their favorite episode is? This will help me in deciding what...

Console Wars Book Review - Gaming Historian

Not quite finished with StarTropics, so enjoy my review of Console Wars in the meantime!

Updates!

Hello everyone! Norm here with some updates on what is going on at Gaming Historian HQ.

The 'Nintendo vs Video Game Rentals' has been our most popular video in the past 6 months! I think it turned out pretty well. It wasn't long enough to be a multi-part episode, but it also wasn't short. I'd like to do more episodes like this in the future.

If you haven't noticed, I have added some new goals for the Patreon. I figured we should always be striving to make the show better, so why ...

Nintendo vs Video Game Rentals

I Made It

Warning, this video is very silly. If I sound stuffy, it's because I'm still not over this crazy cold I've had for the past week!

Last week, we hit the incredible goal of $1000, so it's time for me to keep my promise. In this video, I call my mom and tell her "I made it."

This goal has enabled a lot of things, but the biggest is that I have been able to add a crew member to Gaming Historian. This means better research, more videos, and just a helping hand to get random things don...

Before Mario Book Review - Gaming Historian

Upcoming Topics

Currently in the works....

Star Tropics - This is the topic you all selected! Currently I'm trying to get in touch with some folks at Nintendo. I was able to speak with one of the writers of the game, but unfortunately he didn't recall much. One thing I did learn was that Genyo Takeda (who directed the game), was / is obsessed with American culture. This would explain all the USA references (1776, cola, baseball, etc.)

'Before Mario' Book Review - This book details ...

JVC X'Eye - Gaming Historian

In this episode, I'm trying a PBS-type intro for Patreon supporters! Hope you like it.

And The Winner Is...

You all voted, and the results are in. It's time to do an episode on the StarTropics series! This was a close race. The final numbers are below, based on 95 votes.

Alex Kidd - 27 Votes

Bonk - 33 Votes

StarTropics - 35 Votes

Look for this episode coming up soon (I've got some research to do!)

Topic Vote: Forgotten Franchises

It's time, once again, to vote on a topic! Last time, we voted on NES accessories. The Power Glove won by a landslide and ended up being one of the best Gaming Historian episodes!

This time, the theme is "Forgotten Franchises." I have selected 3 from each company during the retro gaming heyday.

StarTropics - Released in December of 1990, Nintendo's StarTropics was unique in that it was developed in Japan, but only released in North America & Europe. A sequel was releas...

Gaming Historian 2016 Plans / Q&A

End of Year Q&A Video - Need Your Questions!

I'm going to be making an end of 2015 Q&A video, and I'd love to get some questions. I'm only going to be fielding questions from you all, since you are my patrons and are special to me <3. I'll be answering them in a video, as well as talking about the upcoming 2016 year and my plans for Gaming Historian.

Feel free to ask me anything!

Ristar - Gaming Historian

You may need to wait for the 60fps to kick in. Otherwise please enjoy and leave feedback below. Thanks!

New Idea - Need Topic Suggestions!

If you read my post a few weeks ago, you will see that I want to start putting out videos more frequently. For the past few weeks, I've been ironing out a new concept for more videos. 

Here is the idea: I examine an odd fact or myth in the video game industry and find out if it is actually true or not. After making this show for almost 8 years, I have come across a lot of misinformation and crazy stories, so this would be a way to get to the bottom of it!

Examples: 2015-12-07 13:40:36 +0000 UTC View Post

60FPS Gameplay

Awhile back, YouTube introduced 60FPS playback. I've been experimenting with it a little this week and I must say, it is beautiful with gameplay footage. I've attached a clip from Ristar at 60fps. This is what the game actually looks like when you play, so it gives it more authenticity in the video. 

Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of my live action shots at 60fps, so I think i'll stick with gameplay for now! The Ristar video will feature all gameplay at 60fps. I recorded this using ...

Updates n' Stuff

Hello everyone!

First of all, thanks for the help on the Satoru Iwata video! I think it turned out well and people seem to enjoy it.

Now for some updates: My new strategy will be to put out content more regularly. While the Iwata video was fun, it took up a lot of time and I had no videos as a result. My plan is to release smaller / less intense videos while I simultaneously work on bigger videos. So every now and then, there will be a massive episode, but until then, smaller one...

The Life of Satoru Iwata - Gaming Historian

Hello everyone. The newest episode is finally here! Hope you enjoy, but I do ask a HUGE favor. This may not be the finalized version. I'd love it if you could do the following after watching:

- Let me know what you thought of the episode!

- How did you listen to the episode? (Computer Speakers, TV, Headphones)

- Could you hear everything clearly? Was the music too loud / soft?

Thanks, and I hope you enjoy!

Satoru Iwata Episode Premieres Sunday

Just wanted to let you all know that the episode on Satoru Iwata will premiere on Patreon a full 24 hours before YouTube on Sunday, November 22nd! Right now it's about 40 minutes long, so make sure you don't have any plans that evening. Thanks!

Satoru Iwata episode is underway

Here's how the timeline looks so far. This episode will be six parts, estimated to be at least 30 minutes long. Hoping to have it done late next week. 

After this episode, I plan on doing a few shorter episodes (one of them being Ristar). 

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Patreon Vlog - Where Did Kirby Get His Name?

Patreon Vlog - Nintendo Trophy Figures

Patreon has a mobile app now!

Exciting times! Patreon finally released their app. This means I can easily post things while im working or traveling! Here is a picture of my cat.

The app isn't perfect (I somewhat struggled to type this), but it's a start. I've got a new series planned that will require some traveling (this is why I needed video equipment), so now I can give you all updates on the road. 

Upcoming Topics

Ristar - In 1995, Sega released a platforming game on the Genesis / Mega Drive called "Ristar." It was supposed to be the next Sonic, another flagship mascot for the company. Unfortunately, the game disappeared into obscurity. Learn more about Ristar's creation and why we never saw another game.

Satoru Iwata - On July 11, 2015, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata passed away. Since 2002, Iwata led Nintendo through a transformation that saw the company develop games and hardware f...

Next Topic?

The Power Glove video has been an amazing success, and guess what? You all suggested the topic! THANK YOU!

So what should I research next? I was thinking of doing a retrospective on a classic game franchise. Think Castlevania, Pokemon, Street Fighter, Super Mario, Kirby, etc. Right now, just taking some general suggestions. I'll pick three of those and then we will vote. 

None of this is possible without you. THANK YOU.

The Power Glove - Gaming Historian

Power Glove Preview