Monday 30 January 2012

Wednesday 25 January 2012

The Super-FX Chip

[Have the noticed the markings on the PCB pictured in the header for this blog? The circuit board features the ‘MARIO CHIP 1’ which whilst sharing the same name as Nintendo’s famous mascot, is the name of the Super FX chip which was introduced into certain Super Nintendo games to offer improved graphics, render polygons and stretch and scale sprites which wasn’t previously possible.

Monday 23 January 2012

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Three

It's a violent game this week so even if you've never played it, if you had children around the time this game was released then I'm sure you would have heard of it.

Monday 16 January 2012

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number Two

It's Monday everyone so it's time for the next PCB sized screenshot taken from a popular video game.

Monday 9 January 2012

Monday Screenshot Quiz: Number One

The idea is simple. Each Monday I will try and put a screenshot about the the size of a PCB up that's taken from a video game. All you have to do is say which game it is and if you've played it say whether your enjoyed it, what was your favourite part or if you haven't played it then why? Simple.

Friday 6 January 2012

Console Spotlight: XBox

When Microsoft entered the video game industry in 2002 with the launch of the Xbox video game console, no one knew the impact it would have and how successful it would become. The console introduced proper online play with Xbox Live and had a killer app launch title in the form of Halo. It was the systems power that allowed all of this to be possible so in the first of our ‘Console Spotlight’ series, let’s have a look at the systems, processors, PCB and chipsets that made the Xbox tick on the inside.

Thursday 5 January 2012

Different Generations of Mario

Mario is to Nintendo what Mickey Mouse is to Disney and has been the mascot for the Japanese video game company since he was introduced in the Donkey Kong video game in 1985. Each new iteration of Nintendo hardware has seen a new Mario game entered into the main platforming series of games starring the plumber. There have also been numerous offshoots as Mario and friends have taken part in karting, golf, tennis, party games, dancing and basketball over the years. Its’ the main platform adventure series that are the jewel in Mario’s crown so here’s a look at the Mario games on the different systems so you can see how the PCB, processors and CPU’s have improved the look and capabilities of Mario over the years.

Tuesday 3 January 2012

Nintendo Video Game Consoles

Many people enjoy nothing better than sitting down and playing video games to enjoy their free time. Where once it was the hobby of teenage boys, video games these days are big business and the Nintendo Wii captured the minds of all ages with its unique motion control method. Nintendo has been developing both consoles and games for many years and as time goes on the PCB and hardware inside the consoles is getting more and more powerful. Here’s a look at the different consoles released by Nintendo over the years.

Sunday 1 January 2012

Welcome

Welcome to my new Video Games and PCB Electronics WordPress blog. I have always had an interest in video games; the consoles, the games, the characters and the companies have all interested me over the years. I also have a new interest in electronics and in particular printed circuit boards (PCB). This blog will be covering and combining both of these interests.