Capcom made a surprise announcement today about DuckTales: Remastered, saying the game will no longer be available on digital storefronts beginning August 8.

As a refresher, DuckTales: Remastered is currently available on the Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation 3, Steam, and Xbox 360.

Until its removal, the game is on sale for up to 75% off.

The approximate times when the game will go offline for good are as follows:

• Wii U – August 9, 4:59 p.m. PDT
• PlayStation 3 – August 9, 8 a.m. PDT
• Xbox 360, Xbox One (via Backwards Compatibility) – August 8, 5 p.m. PDT
• Steam – 4:59 p.m. PDT (we're waiting to hear back from Capcom on the date for this one, but it should be either Aug. 8 or Aug. 9.)

Capcom emphasized the fact that DuckTales: Remastered will still be playable for those who have a physical copy and those who have already downloaded the title. If it's been removed from a user's system, it can also still be re-downloaded.

DuckTales: Remastered received mixed reviews when it launched back in 2013, with appreciation of its retro quirks largely depending on the individual playing it. Our own review noted how nostalgia can often skew how we remember games we played in the distant past, even if the gameplay itself still holds up.

Still, it's not altogether surprising the game, firmly anchored as it is in the previous generation, is bowing out from digital arenas. As we begin moving into the next generation with platforms like Xbox Scarlett and PlayStation 5 (or something), it's likely more games from that era will start disappearing from storefronts as well (although it could just, you know, stay on Steam with all of the other retro games...). 

Even though the medium of film is over a hundred years old, preservation efforts didn’t start until 29 years ago with the National Film Registry -- you’d be surprised how much we’ve risked losing in video games. Unlike film however, the attention for conserving games within the video game industry is still in its infancy, and as a result, there are a lot of titles out there that are afflicted with scarcity in their numbers -- as a result they have ballooned their value in the market.

Enthusiasts struggle with the grim reality that your wallets are going have to be pretty deep if you’re looking to be a purist, so the alternatives are limited to either official re-releases of the classics, or emulation. The “e” word has gotten less dirty over the years (thanks largely in part to the efforts of Frank Cifaldi) but that doesn’t stop it from being any less salacious -- at least to the people who want to boast about a $75 price tag they got away with on the Twisted Tales of Spike McFang on Instagram.

As the fever pitch for authentic software gets closer to the tipping point, a loophole of artificial software in the form of reproduction titles have recently surfaced, and I find it ironic that this method isn’t subjected to the ethical scrutiny that emulation is.

Why is that? Think about it; when you boot up an emulator and load a ROM on it, you know exactly what you’re getting into there, but when you finally get that copy of Twisted Tales of Spike McFang delivered to you, you’re risking the chance of receiving a costumed donor-cartridge in disguise.

It’s a valid concern, but not one that warrants damnation from the public -- reproductions can exist if we have some more accountability about it.

The Fakers

Generally, when the subject of retro video games comes up, even for the people who are in the know, the topic of identifying what games are real and what’s fake doesn’t garner a whole lot of focus. The perception around the idea is that bootlegs are majorly conspicuous as all hell the moment you encounter one, so there’s no need for a discussion on the analysis on a game’s legitimacy. That’s just not the case anymore.

You can visit just about any retro video game centric convention or swap market throughout the year, spotting more fakes behind glass cases that you can count on your hands, and these phonies are being peddled for the same asking prices that the real McCoy’s are. As such, the Reseller market is flooded with these carbon copies, and the principles used to justify the existence of reproduction commercial titles are blurred by the hardship of accessibility to some particular pieces of software.

More often than I would like to admit, I have to make recurring peace with the fact that I will never be able to defend a purchase of Legend of Hero Tomna for the Turbo-Grafx 16 -- as a reasonable middle-class adult. The IREM-developed side-scroller is currently fetching a cost of $1,300 or more on all secondhand marketplaces, and the PC Engine import valuing over a couple hundred dollars isn’t much better. Sure I can go download the game right now on an emulator, or buy it for $10 on Nintendo’s Virtual Console while the shop channel is still accessible on my Wii U, but I’ll never be able to play the game the way I was MEANT to be played -- unless I succumb to a really irresponsible financial decision.

Enter tg16pcemods.com, a site ran by a group of enthusiasts who share that same sentiment, and want to do something about it without any sort of delusion around the service they’re trying to provide. For the price of $40, your space bucks will earn you a painstakingly detailed imitation of the original HUCard, it’s meant to represent with a finish that’s evidently handcrafted with love. Some of the key differences here in what the people at TG16PCEMods do and the aforementioned resellers is the degree of transparency.

The recreation of the HuCards only extend so far as you’re given the game on a Turbo Chip that’s a wildly different color than what the original was sold on, and then there’s the disclaimer on the back that clearly labels it as a reproduction game in case the point needed to be any clearer.

Pellucidity aside, the argument is still a tricky one to make within the sub-culture around the Turbo Grafx/PC Engine considering that a large scope of their devotion stems out of their pure love for the nuance and design for the original hardware, software, and peripherals of that brand. Selling the idea that anyone can get it on the fandom by means of a facsimile can be a bit insulting to outspoken aficionados. Just imagine an exchange between a married couple who pooled together $5,000 to buy Magical Chase with the dude who casually dropped forty bucks to play it on the Retro Freak they picked up from Play Asia. The suggested elitism that permeated that last sentence alone is pretty intense, and a real life scenario would just be another sad representation of the video game community as a whole.

It’s a really awkward line to draw when you want to advocate for both schools of thought, but I think the tempers from both camps are pared when it comes to reproduction releases that offer a second chance to vaporware, or modifications that reinvent the experience altogether.

The Makers

I personally endorse that one of the most exciting things about retro gaming is getting to expose someone to a game that they have never seen or heard of before; a game that has completely escaped their childhood and introduced to them for the first time as if it were a time capsule. While those moments have led to some really heartfelt moments between friends and family, there have also been some moments where my attempt to bond with someone else over an old game has been less than stellar.

I mean, those moments will happen, and that’s ok, but the reproduction movement has led to some really inspiring creations that have the potential to close some of those gaps.

Let’s remember back to that story about a father named Mike Mika who introduced video games, both old and new, to his younger daughter, and one game they shared a love for in particular was Donkey Kong. It only took one question out a 3-year-old girl for Mike to work on reinventing the conceit of Nintendo’s arcade hit because his little girl challenged the roles of Mario and Pauline played in the fight against the ape. Now, “reinvent” may seem like a really hyperbolic statement considering that it’s ostensibly the exact same game, but it also isn’t; it’s a game where the concept of “damsel in distress”
and all of the archaic implications surrounding it are thrown out in favor of epic born out of the simple human condition known as heroism. Reconfiguring some lines of code, and slapping it onto a new EPROM chip allowed a little girl to celebrate Pauline as a hero, not a victim, and that’s all it takes at times for someone to connect with a game the way people around you did on the same machine.

Another instance is much closer to home, when I recently watched the trailer for Disney Afternoon Collection with my girlfriend. After explaining my love for the games included in that bundle to her, I sat her down and plugged in the original NES version of Ducktales for her to play. She saw the appeal of it, but wished it had some kind of mode that let me play it with her because she enjoys video games more that way. I thought about what she said, and decided to do some digging on the web, and that’s when I came across Ducktales 2 Player: a ROM hack of Ducktales 2 that adds in a cooperative two-player mode where second person can join in as Darkwing Duck.

Someone out there, took simultaneously their fandom of the Disney classic and the NES to a new level (pun intended) by ingeniously ripping the sprite of the Caped Canard from his respective NES game, and adding into the framework of Ducktales with Scrooge and gang in a way that could almost be presented like a DLC add-on.

Needless to say, it’s really fun, and I don’t know if I can go back to playing my original copy of Ducktales 2 now that I have this new way to play it that I never had before.

I can imagine a number of you saying that an emulator could have easily done what I did with a cartridge, and to that I’d say that you’re wrong.

The art of reproduction game is in the very name of it; it’s a super emulator in a sense as it not only emulates the software aspect of the game, but the experience of holding it in your hand on cartridge with its own artwork, that’s capable of running on a console just like any other game in your collection. Reproduction video games can essentially synthesize the same kind of feelings you would get out buying and holding a “real” game.

There are gamers who’re divided on that fact, with some actively celebrating the avenue, and others loudly condemning it, and I personally find myself in the middle. For every bootleg Little Samson, there’s a tribute to Bio-Force Ape—there’s going to be a counterfeit or fake in any hobby you participate in, but not many of them can claim that those same methods genuinely help the accessibility or preservation of that medium as well, just something to chew on.

This list featured 14 titles that would have been great to see on the NES Classic Edition, but even that combined with the 30 titles already on the console only covers 44 of the 713 licensed games in the NES library!

What games would you like to have seen added to the NES Classic Edition? Leave your suggestions in the comments section below!

#1 - Mother / Earthbound Beginnings

What can I say about Earthbound Beginnings? Well, for starters the game would have made a perfect addition to the NES Classic Edition seeing as Mother never made it over to the original NES. Furthermore, Earthbound Beginnings would sell the NES Classic Edition like hotcakes considering the still-strong Undertale fandom.

Earthbound Beginnings acts as the predecessor to Earthbound, a game released on the SNES in North America that faced limited success due to its poorly thought out advertising campaign. In it, players take the role of Ninten - not to be confused with the nearly identical looking Ness - as he sets out to find the missing mother of a character known as Ana.

The game is one of the strongest RPGs on the original NES console, and it would have been a dream come true to finally play this game on a recreated NES controller. Thankfully, we can still use the NES Classic Edition's controller to play Earthbound Beginnings on the Wii U's virtual console. It still would have been nice to have it on an NES-looking console though...

#2 - Dragon Warrior III

Okay, so admittedly I love the spin-off title Dragon Warrior Monsters better than I do the main series. Nevertheless, Dragon Warrior Monsters still has a sizable place in my heart.

Dragon Warrior had its first title released on the NES as well, but Dragon Warrior III was the first in the series to have a party size of four characters. The game also featured multiple character classes such as soldier, fighter, wizard, and more which allowed you to customize your team to your liking - as well as improving the replayability factor. Dragon Warrior III is also one of the few games that can leave you terrified of a silver-colored smiling slime.

Dragon Warrior is no more, and has since been rebranded as Dragon Quest. It's the same game, sure. But nothing will ever replace the cringeworthy awesome title of Dragon Warrior in my mind.

#3 - R.C. PRO-AM

R.C. PRO-AM is a cute little kart racer that is deceptively difficult. Sure, it looks like it's a game for kids, but unless you memorize the maps and master the controls you won't make it very far. Oil slicks, water puddles, and various other obstacles await your little R.C. car on the tracks so it'll take everything you got to make it through in one piece. The game also features a vehicle upgrade feature, something we take for granted nowadays but was rare back in the day.

R.C. PRO-AM was the game you played because Super Mario Kart wouldn't be released for another 5 years. The game surprisingly plays just as well as it used to, so seeing this game released on the NES Classic Edition would have been a blessing.

#4 - River City Ransom

Another game that surprisingly didn't make the cut, River City Ransom is a game that is likely better remembered for its memes nowadays than it is as a game.

River City Ransom was originally released back in 1989, and was a well-known open world action, role-playing, beat 'em up game for the NES and Famicom. The game featured really silly spritework, as well as captions for every scene in the game. If you beat up a character they'd respond with lines like "Barf!" or "Mamaaa!" while they would taunt you in turn if they hit you.

This NES classic is truly something that has to be played to appreciate. Sadly, it looks like we'll have to stick to playing the game on the Wii U and 3DS virtual console.

#5 - DuckTales

Okay, so I may or may not have selected the above image to get that old theme playing in your head again. This NES classic action platformer developed through a partnership between CAPCOM and Disney is perhaps one of the best known games in the Western world for the NES. It's only a given that the game was destined for success considering the fact that it was developed in part by the same team that made the Mega Man series.

DuckTales has also seen a remastered version since its original release back in 1989, but nevertheless it would have been great to see this game re-released on the NES Classic Edition. Remasters are always nice, of course. However, nothing beats playing the classic. Considering the fact that the NES Classic Edition uses a digital signal via HDMI it would have been great to play this game in pixel-perfect HD.

#6 - Adventure Island II

Adventure Island is another well-known NES title, however, Adventure Island II is an even better sequel. The game took the original Adventure Island's gameplay and added new features such as an inventory system that let players bring along animal friends that the player saved or any weapons they found along the way.

Other changes and improvements this game made over the original included: shorter stages with no checkpoints, sound-based indicators of hidden egg locations, underwater stages, and vertical-scrolling stages.

Of course, the original Adventure Island would have been a great addition to the library as well. If we only got to choose one though, I'd vouch for Adventure Island II.

#7 - Batman

Back in the June of 1989, Tim Burton's Batman hit the silver screen. In the December of that same year we saw the licensed game released on the NES. The game featured wall jumping, wall scaling, and good old fist-to-face action expected of a Batman title.

The game also featured several big-name DC Comics villains such as Deadshot, KGBeast, Maxie Zeus, Heat Wave, and culminated with a battle with the Joker himself.

Batman (NES) is one of the few well-known licensed video games that actually played well. As such, it would have been great to see this game make it onto the NES Classic Edition. Maybe we'll see a virtual console release someday instead...

#8 - Metal Gear

Metal Gear fans know of this title, but most players who started the series with the PlayStation title Metal Gear Solid still don't know that Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear series saw its first console debut back on the Nintendo Family Computer back in in 1987.

The NES title features many of the stealth mechanics that would make the series famous in the games that came after it. The game is also canonical with this title and its sequel fitting in between The Phantom Pain and Metal Gear Solid.

While we can't be certain why this game didn't make the cut, chances are that Konami had some say in what made - and didn't make - the cut to the NES Classic Edition. Considering their poor relationship with Kojima, chances are the game was withheld for legal reasons.

#9 - Duck Hunt

Who doesn't love Duck Hunt? It's a great NES title that used the Nintendo Zapper accessory to simulate a good day out hunting ducks with your dog. Heck, even PETA doesn't have any problem with Duck Hunt.

Duck Hunt was originally released in Japan on April 21st, 1984, and stands as one of the most well known games of the NES (aside from Super Mario Bros.). The reason for the game's success was due to the game coming on the dual-game Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt cartridge that came with all consoles bundled with the Nintendo Zapper.

While the laughing dog has a love-hate relationship going on with most Duck Hunt players, I imagine many players would have loved to see this game make a comeback on the NES Classic Edition. Unfortunately, the plug and play console doesn't support the Zapper, so I guess it's a lost hope.

#10 - Battletoads

The video game equivalent of getting a giant boot to the face, Battletoads was a game about two toads giving a horde of enemies a giant boot to the face in an attempt to save their kidnapped partner, Pimple. 

Battletoads is both notorious and well-loved by many players who owned an NES back in the day. If anyone remembers how rage-inducing the Ride Chasers from Mega Man X were, chances are you weren't tempered by the speed bike scenes in Battletoads.

A challenging classic NES beat-'em-up title, a team of toads named after skin blemishes, and an over-the-top story... what's not to love?

#11 - Life Force

Riding on the success of other scrolling shooters, Life Force (originally known as Salamander) is a space shooter game that innovated the genre by providing simplified upgrade systems and two-player gameplay. Sure, we already got Gradius - a game heavily influenced by the innovations Life Force made - but you have to honor the classics too!

#12 - Tetris

While Nintendo hasn't held the rights to Tetris since 1989, it would have been great to see the most well-known version of this classic arcade style game make a return on the NES Classic Edition. Unfortunately, because of the weird state of Tetris's copyright, it was nothing more than a pipe dream.

Oh well, at least we're getting Dr. Mario.

#13 - Kung Fu

Kung Fu - originally known as Kung Fu Master in arcades - is one of the games that everyone has likely played at one point or another. Whether or not they understood what was going on while they played is another question entirely.

Kung Fu is a fairly simple side-scrolling action game in which the player tries to reach the end of the level without getting beat up by hordes of kung fu fighters, all in an attempt to save their girlfriend from the mysterious Mr. X. The game's difficulty is certainly nothing to laugh at, and it makes for a fun 2-player game if you feel like sharing the pain of losing over and over again.

Fun fact: the game was known as Spartan X in Japan, tying in the game with Jackie Chan's Wheels on Meals film that came out just a few months before Kung Fu Master in arcades.

#14 - A Boy and His Blob: Trouble in Blobolonia

A game that hasn't seen the light since its remastered port of the Wii remake, A Boy and His Blob is a game about a boy and his blob. In this NES classic players will find themselves wandering about an underground dungeon in an attempt to find and defeat the evil emperor who has taken over the world of Blobolonia.

A Boy and His Blob is a unique game on the NES in the sense that the blob is actually controlled by an AI. Also, the jellybean-based gameplay ensures that players have to memorize and budget their jellybeans carefully to make it through the game. Overall, it's an interesting game concept that is fairly underappreciated and would have been a welcome addition to the NES Classic Edition.

Without a doubt, Nintendo's decision to release the NES Classic Edition is among one of the most clever moves they've made in the last year. Set for release on November 11th, 2016, the NES Classic Edition will be sold for $59.99 USD ($79.99 CAD) and includes 30 pre-installed games.

While the price and list of games are great already, there are some games that Nintendo overlooked when setting up this beauty for sale. As such, let's take a look at what could have been with this list of NES titles that didn't make the cut!

Author's note: Games listed are in no particular order...

Duck Dynasty

Now we're talking! This little gem is the creme de la creme of licensed games. It includes so many activities like driving a truck, fishing, shooting beavers in their natural habitat, and of course, shooting ducks after deceiving them with a duck call!

Who wouldn't love that?!

No one. Ever.

Seriously though, except for Duck Dynasty and many others, there are some great licensed games out there not worthy of the associated negative stigma.

If you haven't played them, seek them out!

Also, if I left any game out or you want to talk about shooting ducks, please feel free to leave me a comment below!

Image source: Hardcore Gamer

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time 

This one is a lot like The Simpsons beat-em-up where players can play cooperatively as one of the four Ninja Turtles. But this time, there's lots of pizza involved.

This game was a lot of fun, but could very difficult at certain spots. Also developed by once-wonderful Konami, this title is actually their best selling arcade game to date.

People do love themselves some turtles. And time.

Image source: Gamefaqs

Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay

Back when this game was released in 2004, I remember how surprised everyone was that a game based on a movie did not suck! Developed by Starbreeze Studios, for its time, Riddick was an impressive looking game.

Additionally, it featured unique stealth gameplay when the game could have easily just been a standard beat-em-up. 

Also, you get Vin Diesel! I'm sure that's bound to make someone out there excited!

Image source: GE Force

Duck Tales

Normally, if you saw a title like DuckTales on the store shelves, you would likely assume it to be crap. I mean it's a kid's game based on a cartoon. Of course, it's going to be crap!

Well, in this particular case, you'd be absolutely wrong. DuckTales is a completely functional and incredibly fun platformer. I'm serious! If you don't believe me, check out the recently released remaster for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, and Wii U.

 Image source: Mental Floss

Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor

Although there are good Lord of the Rings based RTS titles that could easily be placed on this list, Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor was not only fun, but innovative in design that allowed for players capture forts and defeat rival loud-mouthed Orc generals.

Although some could say that Warner Brothers is getting a bit too repetitive with this gameplay design, such as in the recent Mad Max, it does not make this game any less addictive.

I have to capture each fort, defeat each general, and pick up every flippin' herb that appears along the path. Warner Brothers has developed great gameplay mechanics that completely appease my OCD.

Image source: Crave Online

GoldenEye: 007

If you had a Nintendo 64 back in the day (or even now), you have likely played GoldenEye. Developed by the geniuses at Rare, GoldenEye redefined the first-person shooter by starting a trend towards more realistic shooters.

The game had incredibly atmospheric moments and had that awesome escort mission with Natalya. You know you loved how she would take forever to activate that console!

Image source: Gamasutra

Star Wars: Battlefront

Star Wars and video games have had a long history together. Sometimes things go well and other times, well, let's just say things don't often work out. 

While Bioware's Knights of the Old Republic was a huge contender for this place on the list, I had to give it to Star Wars: Battlefront. No, it does not contain a deep story woven from the Star Wars lore. However, it is an incredibly fun shooter. Sometimes, that's just all you need.

Confession! I'm not even a huge Star Wars fan, but I played this game endlessly. I had a lot of fun eradicating enemies near Mos Eisley while the Cantina theme played on a loop.

A new Battlefront title is releasing late this year, so here's hoping it will be just as good as its predecessor.

Image source: GameSpot

South Park: Stick of Truth

Although Stick of Truth went through development hell, developer Obsidian and publisher Ubisoft managed to create an excellent title. With the assistance of show creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Stick of Truth captured the show's style and humor perfectly. 

The throwback turn-based RPG battle system was fun and made for some great in-game jokes. Although the gameplay might not have been deep, the game was thoroughly enjoyable even for those just watching from the sofa. 

As a long time fan of South Park, Stick of Truth was definitely worth the wait. This was my personal Game of the Year for 2014. Of course, I'm anxiously awaiting the sequel, Fractured But Whole, releasing (hopefully) in 2016.

Image source: Screen Invasion

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Of course, there have been tons of Batman games released over the years, some are good and some are well...incredibly bad. However, when Arkham Asylum was released in 2009, gamers were given the Batman game they always wanted.

Amassing critical acclaim as well as succeeding to resonate with gamers, this action-adventure game featured great gameplay, numerous cameos by characters from the Batman universe, and an excellent performance of the Joker by Mark Hamill.

Although I could have easily chosen fan favorite Arkham City, the often forgotten Arkham Origins, or the Batmobile-centric Arkham Knight, the original is what made us fall in love with series in the first place.

Image source: Dual Shockers

The Simpsons 

Released in 1991 by the once-not-so-evil Konami, The Simpsons arcade game was a classic beat-em-up title. It utilized the style of the show well, incorporating bright colorfully designed levels and fun gameplay, as America's favorite animated family fights their way through hoards of Mr. Burns' minions to save baby Maggie.

The game was super fun at the arcade as four players could play cooperatively and assume the role of either Homer, Marge, Bart, or Lisa. Thankfully, the game did receive an HD port for the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade. Although, I do miss playing this at the arcade.

Image source: Simpsons Wikia

TellTale's The Walking Dead

TellTale's The Walking Dead series took most gamers completely by surprise. When it was announced, the game was met with little excitement. However, with each episode released, the series garnered not only more critical acclaim, but also respect from gamers for its excellent writing and characters.

With TellTale having only released a few titles such as Sam & Max and Back to the Future, most of us didn't know what to expect from the developer. However, TellTale managed to create an immersive and powerful narrative influenced by player choice.

TellTale has done an excellent job (okay, maybe not so much with Jurassic Park!) at weaving their own stories into pre-existing, licensed universes.

Image source: GameSpot

It's a popular opinion among gamers that licensed games are terrible. Although that opinion might be mostly valid, there are some great, licensed titles that manage to defy this common belief. 

I've composed a list of a few games which managed to do what most licensed games cannot do: not suck!

This list is mostly based on my opinion as well as overall critical acclaim. If you don't see a game on the list, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Image source: Games Radar

Do you and your kids enjoy the same kinds of video games? What classic games have you already introduced them to? Let us know in the comments!

The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise has been ported to many platforms since it debuted on the Sega Genesis back in 1990. You can play it on the 3DS Virtual Console for $4.99.

Also available: Sonic Labyrinth

The Sly Cooper franchise may not be getting a prequel on the PlayStation 4, but that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy the trilogy with your kids. Pick up The Sly Collection on PlayStation 3 for about $20.

The Punch-Out!! franchise got a much-needed reboot on the Wii in 2009, but you can also find the original on the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Virtual Consoles for $4.99.

Also available: Super Punch-Out!!

If there was one game that defined our childhoods, it was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. At $40, it's by far the most expensive game on this list, but we think you'll agree that the experience is worth it.

Also available: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Xbox 360's Konami Classics Vol. 1 features Frogger, Castlevania, and Contra for around $15, or you can jump on the Crossy Road bandwagon and dodge traffic to infinity for free.

Not much has surfaced regarding the fourth installment in the Earthworm Jim franchise since 2008, but you can play the original on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC for under $20.

The classic NES title, DuckTales, was remastered in 2013 for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, and PC. You can find a copy for around $15 (prices vary).

I guarantee, your kids will hate that laughing dog as much as you did. Snag Duck Hunt on the Wii U Virtual Console for $4.99.

Whether you're playing on a home console or handheld system, Donkey Kong is ready and waiting for you and your child. Find it on the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Virtual Consoles for just $4.99.

Also available: Donkey Kong Country.

If you've gotten rid of your Nintendo 64, or just don't feel like searching for it in the attic, you can download Banjo-Kazooie from the Xbox Live Arcade for $14.99.

Also available: Banjo-Tooie.

Aging is hard. No matter how hard you try to stay on top of your game, the younger generations eventually overtake you, because they’ve grown up with technologies you’ve had to adapt to use. Sharing your childhood pastimes and passions with your children can often be difficult. You’re offering them a form of entertainment that’s decades older than the ones they’re used to enjoying, so it’s no small wonder they can see the flaws you were able to ignore: visible wires, boom mics, zippers, and cracks.

Their children’s rejection of the things they loved can be particularly difficult for gamers, especially those who were forced to give up their hobby in favor of work, education, or familial obligations. These people are now out of touch with the same video game technologies in which their children are fluent. The hurdle, therefore, isn’t just a generation gap; they’re speaking entirely different languages.

But gamer parents needn’t worry. Manufacturers have been organizing game ports since Pong became Home Pong, and that tradition is showing no signs of stopping. Here are ten classic video games you can share with your kids.

WayForward just announced the Kickstarter for their newest game: Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.

What does this mean?  It means more classic platforming goodness from the company that knows how to make great side scrolling platformers.  These are the guys behind Ducktales: Remastered, Mighty Switch Force, Adventure Time games and A Boy and His Blob.

The starting payment for the game is $15 but for a limited 1000 you can get it for $12.  Move quick because there are only 700 left after under an hour of announcement!

There are plenty of stretch goals that range from new characters to play, bonus chapters and a few costume changes for our lovely main character!  Seeing the rate it is getting funded, I am sure most if not all of these will be reached.

If you are not familiar with the original Shantae, you can go download it on your 3DS from the Nintendo eShop for $4.99 or hunt down some original copies for the Gameboy Color.

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero will be available for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3 & 4, WiiU and Steam sometime in the future.

Many of you have waited patiently for this day, when our childhoods would be brought back through Ducktales, and that day has come. Today on Steam Ducktales: Remastered has been released for everyone to enjoy. Not only would this be a great game for that classic-gamer who remembers the NES version, but it's family-friendly and a game for everyone to play.

Why Ducktales is so amazing.

Well for one, it brings back a bunch of nostalgic childhood memories for people. Not only has Ducktales been part of many lives as a video game, but also as a TV show. It's in the same regard as "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" to the 90s generation.

If you thought it was spectacular back then, imagine the graphics now. Not too high-intensive, but they definitely give this old classic a big bang. All the characters are better animated, that they seem to jump right off the screen. Also, the backgrounds are vivid in color

Not only can you enjoy the landscape, but you get to play as your favorite protagonist Scrooge McDuck, as he travels around collecting his favorite thing -- treasure. More features included in this game are achievements, concept artwork, music, and accomplishing those multiple painstaking difficulty levels.

Don't feel too left out, console gamers. Ducktales: Remastered is also available for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii U.. Shall we take a seat and reminisce? I think we're all due for a trip down memory lane in Ducktales: Remastered.

It's Tuesday, so it must be PSN Update Day!

PSN Update up early, for once. The PSN Play 2013 released their first game today with Stealth, Inc: A Clone in the Dark for $9.99, $7.99 if you pre-ordered it. 3 games still available up for pre-order and with saving the more you buy. Buy 2 save $3, buy 3 save $6, buy all 4 save $10.

PS3 and Vita Add-ons come mostly from Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational. However for the few God of War Ascension multiplayer players their are new weapons and armors available.

PS Plus subscribers can enjoy Metal Slug XX on Vita and Labyrinth Legends free this week.

For the full list the PSN Update Including all the Avatars, Themes, and Videos check out the official Playstation site.

Play 2013

• Stealth, Inc: A Clone in the Dark ($9.99, Out now)
• Cloudberry Kingdom ($9.99, $7.99 with PS Plus Pre-Order, out July 30th)
• ibb & obb ($9.99, $7.99 with PS Plus Pre-Order, out August 6th)
• DuckTales Remastered ($14.99, $11.99 with PS Plus Pre-Order, out August 13th)

PSN Games 

• Madden NFL 25 ($59.99 Pre-Order)
• Smurfs 2 (39.99)
• Zeno Clash 2 ($14.99)
• Do Not Fall ($9.99)
• Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational ($19.99)
• Zone of the Enders HD Edition ($9.99)
• Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner HD Edition ($19.99) 

PS Vita

• Stealth Inc: A Clone in the Dark ($9.99)

PSP

• Ben 10 PSP Bundle ($29.99)

PS Plus

• Labyrinth Legends (PS3)
• Metal Slug XX (PSP/PS Vita)

PS3 Add-Ons

• Aliens: Colonial Marines
• Stasis Interrupted ($9.99)
• Dust 514
• Battle Kit ($0.99)
• Battle Kit with Active Booster ($1.99)
• God of War: Ascension
• Achilles Multiplayer Armor ($2.99, Free for Season Pass)
• Hammer of Odysseus Multiplayer Weapon ($2.99, Free for Season Pass)
• Mythological Heroes Pack ($14.99, Free for Season Pass)
• Odysseus Multiplayer Armor ($2.99, Free for Season Pass)
• Orion Multiplayer Armor ($2.99, Free for Season Pass)
• Perseus Multiplayer Armor ($2.99, Free for Season Pass)
• Spear of Achilles Multiplayer Weapon ($2.99, Free for Season Pass)
• Sword of Orion Multiplayer Weapon ($2.99, Free for Season Pass)
• Sword of Perseus Multiplayer Weapon ($2.99, Free for Season Pass)
• GRID 2
• Peak Performance Car (Free)
• Peak Performance Pack ($4.99)
• Guacamelee! Cross-Buy with PS Vita
• El Diablo’s Domain ($2.99)
• Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational All Cross-Buy with PS Vita
• Ball Beginner’s Level 4 ($0.49)
• Ball Beginner’s Level 5 ($0.49)
• Ball Big Air Level 4 ($0.49)
• Ball Big Air Level 5 ($0.49)
• Ball Infinity Level 4 ($0.49)
• Ball Infinity Level 5 ($0.49)
• Ball Pin Hole Level 4 ($0.49)
• Ball Pin Hole Level 5 ($0.49)
• Ball Straight Level 4 ($0.49)
• Ball Straight Level 5 ($0.49)
• Ball Turbo Spin Level 4 ($0.49)
• Ball Turbo Spin Level 5 ($0.49)
• Club Beginner’s Level 4 ($0.99)
• Club Beginner’s Level 5 ($0.99)
• Club Big Air Level 4 ($0.99)
• Club Big Air Level 5 ($0.99)
• Club Big Magnum Level 4 ($0.99)
• Club Big Magnum Level 5 ($0.99)
• Club Grass Cutter Level 4 ($0.99)
• Club Grass Cutter Level 5 ($0.99)
• Club Infinity Level 4 ($0.99)
• Club Infinity Level 5 ($0.99)
• Club Pin Hole Level 4 ($0.99)
• Club Pin Hole Level 5 ($0.99)
• Club Sand Viper Level 4 ($0.99)
• Club Sand Viper Level 5 ($0.99)
• Club Turbo Spin Level 4 ($0.99)
• Club Turbo Spin Level 5 ($0.99)
• Kat Costume ($0.49)
• New Character Kat ($0.99)
• Northern Fox Course ($2.99)
• Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory
• Child CPU (Free)
• Injustice: Gods Among Us
• Star Labs Mission Pack ($1.99, Free for Season Pass)
• Jimmie Johnson’s Anything With An Engine
• Jungle Kat Add-On ($0.99)
• Jimmy Fallon Vehicle ($0.99)
• Star Trek
• Elite Officer Pack ($0.99)
• Stealth Inc.: A Clone in the Dark (Cross-Buy with PS Vita)
• The Teleporter Chambers ($3.99)
• Time And Eternity
• A Hint of Fishing ($2.99)
• A Hint of Swimwear ($2.99)
• A Touch of Love Item Pack ($0.99)
• Peppers Item Pack (Free)

During the generation of 8 bit games, Disney released a slew of games that are now considered timeless classics. A few that come to mind are Castle of Illusion: Starring Mickey Mouse, Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers, and of course Duck Tales. Not only are these games known to be excellent platformers but also, for a children's game, were quite challenging. I'm pretty sure Duck Tales may have been the first game that made me throw my controller as a child.

Duck Tales: Remastered will release on August 13th on the Playstation store, Wii U eShop, Steam, and will also have a boxed copy available for the PS3 on August 20th. Unfortunately for Xbox 360 owners, the game will not be available for the system until September 11, due to a conflict with Summer of Arcade. The game will be priced at $14.99 as a digital copy, with the PS3 boxed copy running $19.99 and coming with a collectors pin and the digital code. As of Tuesday, July 16th PS+ members may preorder the game for $11.99

The game has been updated for the current generation and features improved HD graphics, voice work from the original actors of the show, and a more fluid story line.

With so many games being remade, which other ones would you like to see come back? I'm waiting for the Little Nemo remake myself. Tell us what you think in the comments below. 

It's Tuesday, so it must be PSN Update Day!

A very hearty PSN update this week with loads off games, New PSN Play 2013 and hell, even a new App.

PSN Play is kind of like Summer of Arcade. Sony highlights 4 indie/ small games through a 4 week period with PS+ members getting a discount on all Pre-Orders. the more PSN Play games you by the more you safe. Buy 2 save $3, buy 3 save $6, buy all 4 save $10.

PS+ Gets the Amazing Jet Set Radio free this week as well as great discounts on games like Datura and DrawSlasher.

For the full list the PSN Update Including all the Avatars, Themes, and Videos check out the official Playstation site.

Play 2013

• ibb & obb ($9.99, $7.99 with PS Plus)
• DuckTales Remastered ($14.99, $11.99 with PS Plus)
• Cloudberry Kingdom ($9.99, $7.99 with PS Plus)

• Stealth, Inc: A Clone in the Dark ($9.99, $7.99 with PS Plus)

PSN Games 

• Shaun White Skateboarding ($19.99)
• Dead Island: Game of the Year Addition ($19.99)
• Dynasty Warriors 8 ($59.99)
• Turbo: Super Stunt Squad (39.99)
• Time and Eternity ($49.99)
• Voodoo Chronicels: The First Sign ($5.99)
• R.I.P.D. ($9.99)
• Alien Spidey ($9.99)
• MamoRokum Curse! ($19.99) 

PS Vita

• Kung Fu Rabbit ($4.99)
• Doodle God ($5.99)
• Geronimo Stilton in the Kingdom of Fantasy ($9.99)

PSP

• Geronimo Stilton Return to the Kingdom of Fantasy The Videogame ($14.99)

• Mystic Chronicles ($14.99)

PS2 Classics

• Capcom vs SNK 2: Mark Of The Millennium ($9.99)

PS Plus

• Jet Set Radio (PS3) (Free)
• Draw Slasher – PS Plus Price: $3.19
• Carnival Island – PS Plus Price: $5.00
• Sorcery – PS Plus Price: $5.00
• Datura – PS Plus Price: $2.50

New App

• Vidzone Music Videos (US only)

PS3 Add-Ons

• Dead or Alive 5 All Cross-Buy with PS Vita
• Cheerleader Ayane ($0.99)
• Cheerleader Helena ($0.99)
• Cheerleader Hitomi ($0.99)
• Cheerleader Kasumi ($0.99)
• Cheerleader Kokoro ($0.99)
• Cheerleader Leifang ($0.99)
• Cheerleader Lisa ($0.99)
• Cheerleader Mila ($0.99)
• Cheerleader Tina ($0.99)
• Hot Getaway Pack 1 ($4.99)
• Hot Getaway Pack 2 ($4.99)
• Hot Getaway Pack 3 ($4.99)
• Hot Getaway Set ($12.99)
• Cheerleader Set ($8.99)
• BIT.TRIP Presents Runner 2
• Good Friends Character Pack ($2.99)
• Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory
• Justice is Huge (Free)
• Panes of Glass (Free)
• Injustice: Gods Among Us
• Ame-Comi Skins ($2.99)
• LittleBigPlanet 2 All Cross-Buy with PS Vita
• Blue Beach Costume ($0.99)
• Cosy Green Costume ($0.99)
• Lumber Jane Costume ($0.99)
• Purple Business Costume ($0.99)
• Sackgirl’s Casual Friday ($2.99)
• Street Pink Costume ($0.99)
• LittleBigPlanet Karting All Cross-Buy with PS Vita
• Black Cat Costume ($1.99)
• Deadpool Costume ($1.99)
• Dr. Doom Costume ($1.99)
• Hawkeye Costume ($1.99)
• Marvel Heroes Costume Pack 6 ($5.99)
• Sabretooth Costume ($1.99)
• Metro Last Light
• The Faction Pack ($4.99, Free with Season Pass)
• Sniper Ghost Warrior 2
• Multiplayer Map Pack ($3.99)
• Tour De France 2013
• Criterium International ($3.99)

With E3 less than a week away, it’s time to start thinking about the presentation line-ups of some of the major studies. Capcom has announced that it will have several games at their booth on the show floor, including the ever popular DuckTales: Remastered.

Capcom has also teased about a “big surprise” that will be unveiled at E3. There is plenty of speculation about this surprise, from a Dead Rising 3 game, to a new Mega Man. Right now, they’re keeping close-lipped about the purported surprise, but many suspect that the announcement will be dropped at one of the major E3 press conferences next week.

Capcom’s E3 line-up also includes a few other games, like Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara, Lost Planet 3, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies.

What games are you most excited about from Capcom’s line-up? What do you hope the big surprise will be? 

So I know that by now anyone that cares knows that the original Ducktales NES game is being remastered for current generation.  Above is a video depicting a side by side comparison of the new version as to the old one, and let me say, I am impressed.

The game looks amazing and really seems to hold true to the look and feel of the original game. Dialogue has also been added from the original actors to make it feel like you are watching an episode from the show. The fact that they managed to wrangle up ALL the voice actors from the original show is already a feat unto itself. Alan Young is 93 years old and yet he still manages to keep up with doing his Scrooge McDuck voice after all these years.

DuckTales Remastered is coming out for the PC, PS3, 360 and WiiU sometime soon.

As an added bonus, here is some footage of the Transylvania level.  Enjoy!

If Buzzfeed has taught me anything, the early 2010s is all about feeling the feels, and reminiscing over the clear plastic blow-up furniture and orange VHS tapes of yore. (Also, Tamagotchis. Guys. Tamagotchi app out on Google Play and Apple App store. Just sayin’.)

The video game industry is far from immune to this trend, if the release of such nostalgia-hitting titles like Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon and the re-releases of classic titles like Age of Empires II: HD Edition are anything to go by. Here to join the likes of Earthworm Jim is DuckTales Remastered. The updated version of the classic NES game was announced earlier for the Xbox 360, PS3 and the Wii U, but mice and keyboards united in demanding a release for the PC as well.

CAPCOM announced on their site yesterday:

“You guys demanded it, so we’re unbelievably happy to announce that your most requested platform will indeed be receiving DuckTales: Remastered! Yep, Capcom’s heartwarming collaboration with Disney and WayForward will definitely be pogoing onto hard drives everywhere via Steam, Origin, Impulse, GamersGate, Green Man Gaming and numerous other places PC gamers download their wares.”

Release dates have not yet been confirmed, but they appear to be slated for roughly the same time “soon” and are rumored to be set at about $15 USD.

I’ll be honest. I had no idea DuckTales Remastered was even a thing until I saw the announcement for PC pop up on my Facebook. Since then, I’ve scoured YouTube for trailers and sung along with the songs and squeaked happy little noises over the sight of moon ghosts. I can’t even see the word DuckTales without mentally breaking into song (Woo-oo!).

Tell me. Can you?

Capcom finally gets the picture and gives the their fans exactly what they've wanted for so long...DUCKTALES!

It's PAX East and Capcom has revealed their plans to remaster the classic DuckTales NES platformer. The company joins hands with WayForward (known for Mighty Switch Force and the Shante games) to remaster the game.

Now, if you've finished reciting the entire theme song, I should mention that they're aiming for release in Summer 2013 for XBL, PSN, and the Wii U.

Thanks to KOTAKU & CAPCOM-UNITY