DF Retro: The Nintendo Launch Spectacular - NES/SNES/N64/GCN/Wii

As a new Nintendo system draws closer to launch, John takes a moment to look back at some of the most impressive launch titles to grace each of Nintendo's consoles. From the original NES to the Nintendo 64 all the way up to the Wii, it's all here and captured on original hardware. All this and a teaser for the next episode are yours in this latest edition of DF Retro.
Planet GameCube E3 footage at 10:55 via Nintendo World Report TV: • Planet Gamecube E3 200...
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[@switchnx]

“With all the NX news this week..” WOW that brings back memories.

[@computergeek621]

"and with all the NX news this week..." Holy crap what did I just click

[@fabrigarciacartoons]

ah the old good times

[@theakiwar9118]

Damn never imagined to hear that name again

[@agamaz5650]

trueeeeeeeee

[@QuaziIrtiza]

DF Retro is currently the best thing in this channel. Keep continuing this!

[@Cogglesz]

I would honestly support John & DF Retro over on Patreon if it meant more could go into it. I've never seen a channel on youtube do such a deep analysis on games and their technology from the past. I can't get enough. I look forward to new episodes every weekend. Really looking forward to john having a look at Shenmue 2 and HL2. I Rarely comment but i thought about sending over an email of my thanks, Its that good.

[@danjcollins26]

cough Ahoy cough

[@danjcollins26]

TrueKinth True but there wasn't that much technical analysis in here to be honest.

[@danimadrid5454]

DF is the best channel

[@OldsXCool]

There is no comparison. Ahoy's videos are light years ahead of not just anything Digital Foundry has ever done, but light years head of just about anything done period. Technical analysis is a very very tiny part of a game's judgement. As you saw, Waverace ran at 20 FPS which is deemed unplayable to most, but it certainly didn't feel like it was 20 frames and there is still NO game today that can touch Waverace, not even the sequel on Gamecube. Ahoy's analysis goes way beyond simple tech analysis that it almost makes tech analysis completely irrelevant. Not to say that DF did a bad job here, and they won't do a bad job on Half Life 2. They just won't even come close to Ahoy. To be completely fair Ahoy's videos take days to even months to write, prepare, capture, and edit. DF's videos take a couple of hours to no more than a day to make.

[@mermaidman961]

Coming home from school, having an ice pop and playing some N64 was just the best dude.

[@fabriciovega4215]

gamecube and dreamcast are my favorite consoles of the 6th generation. So many great games on both systems that many people overlook

[@RhythmGrizz]

The 6th generation as a whole was just god-tier

[@2fernandoc1]

​@@RhythmGrizzI'm more of a 7th generation stan, but I won't deny that the 6th generation of gaming was awesome!

[@DavidBeaumont]

Rouge Leader was an astonishing game. The "Battle for Endor" level was just so epic.

[@A_Player]

Anyone else think F-Zero holds up well? It works great as a pick up and play kind of game. Also those cloth physics on the GameCube. It's like PhysX before PhysX.

[@huttyblue]

@jonny j ati is amd, amd aquired ati in 2006. Not that it's relevant for a cpu based physics effect.

[@elimalinsky7069]

@@huttyblue It was actually ArtX, an off-shoot of SGI, that designed the GPU in the GameCube. ArtX was acquired by ATI just a few months before the GameCube launched, not enough to make an impact on the design itself, while ATI was acquired by AMD in 2006.

[@AvatarRishi]

Dude that moment when the Wii Sports music kicked in, it hit my heart

[@mermaidman961]

Ikr

[@joshharold2658]

Same here

[@TenshiCat]

Instantly takes you back ten years Wait... it's been ten years since the Wii launched? Shit

[@TenshiCat]

Umami Cupcake Thanks for your input, anime girl

[@Storebrand_]

Holy shit! that star wars game looked better than that recent Godzilla game! :O

[@theinsfrijonds]

Damn! Nintendo 64 had 4k... bytes of vram!

[@elimalinsky7069]

The N64 used the 4MB of RAM as VRAM whenever needed, so the RAM was shared between the CPU and GPU (as well as the audio, data bus controller, DSP and I/O chips). The GPU however had only 4KB of memory for the framebuffer cache used for textures, so only 4KB of textures could be used to draw what appears on screen at any given moment. Contrast that with 128KB of texture cache on the PS1 and you get why it was such a problem (hence why everything on the N64 looked cartoony with textures looking like almost featureless smears).

[@shuvam6952]

That Mario music is ageless!!! ITS SOOO GOOOOD!!!

[@TitusSc]

Yeah, it felt so good at 16:46 when Buoy Base Galaxy started! I couldn't help but whistling its melody

[@kevinoriordan20]

+Tao S. (Gnash) Mario Galaxy had one of the best soundtracks ever in a game

[@akajiblubb2401]

whats the name of 17:06 music?

[@JadedAlyx]

Buoy Base - Super Mario Galaxy

[@angell8249]

+kevin oriordan The Sonic Unleashed soundtrack say hi

[@Nu_Merick]

This popped up in my recommended, and I'm glad! I am so grateful to experience all these eras on gaming😊

[@mwj9080]

The SNES will always be my favorite. Love that console. So many memories!!

[@EposVox]

Holy crap. Fantastic presentation, as always. Great episode.

[@CrimsonSteelMoonTheWolf64]

aww I was hoping for a analysis of Metroid Prime, it was one of the best looking games on GameCube. I know it wasn't exactly a launch title so maybe they'll do it for the retro bit they do

[@TheRockLobsterMafia]

Same here!

[@russmawson6744]

it wasn't a launch title though

[@CrimsonSteelMoonTheWolf64]

I was thinking for the retro bit segment they could do it

[@The_Noticer.]

tbh it was the best nintendo game ever. But yeah, it wasn't a launch title. Dat soundtrack though.

[@CrimsonSteelMoonTheWolf64]

Fuddy Duddy yeah it's music is killer and it's one of favorite games of all time

[@symol30872]

This channel has become one of my favourites on KZbin in the last few months. Keep up the awesome work

[@TheDarkenedRose]

DF Retro is becoming one of my absolute favorite series' to watch on KZbin. Such an amazing history of gaming is something worth looking into.

[@MKKTeam]

Awesome episode John as always. Some suggestion: Primal Rage, the dinosaur fighting arcade game, came out for 12 different systems, all of them with VERY different and dispair results, wich can be taken as a different game each, and as today, there is not a single one that it´s a close or perfect rendition of it. Being port or being emulation. The closest is the one included on Midway Arcade Treasures for PC and Xbox (On ps2 and GC suffers from issues too). There you go for a challenge!

[@porjay]

This was fantastic. Loving the DF Retro keep up the amazing work!

[@luismiranda8944]

These DF Retro videos are definitely becoming my favorites on this channel.

[@MF-jz4gm]

Loving the DF Retro series. Fantastic content and delivery. Keep it up!

[@Perjoss]

When dire dire docks kicked in at around 6:44, the feels...

[@cazmoken8181]

Love your dedication John.

[@Ostnizdasht206]

I'm really glad I found this channel.

[@adam145]

Rogue Leader is the single title that I cannot comprehend. It looks good, runs smoothly and is a blast to play. I still can't get enough of this game 15 years later.

[@Baconmaninspace]

I love how this channel has diversified its content. You always provided a useful service, but now you produce some of the best content on KZbin on top of that

[@game_now_4927]

I love DF Retro! I think it´s the best content on youtube! Thank you John!

[@badleech]

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you.

[@davidtobin1]

Really, really enjoyed this. Great stuff!

[@Fendera1]

really great video John! keep it up

[@L0L247]

Nice vid guys! Star Wars Rouge Squadron for GC was so impressive for me at the time.

[@KrunchyTheClown78]

You guys are awesome, great video as always!

[@DesumetaruLiadz666]

DF Retro, very nice section with some nice facts and points of view, nice DF.

[@8bitDNA]

love the DF Retro series!!!

[@ShadowsBehindU]

Keep it up john, love the retro series. Can't wait for the hl² episode

[@VideoplayerINLIVE]

Amazing video, amazing games and amazing channel guys :)

[@Sedifet]

Nintendoland was a very good, imo underrated, launch title for Wii U

[@DatGameCollector]

I thought it was good too

[@mistamaog]

it was fantastic when you had friends.

[@219SilverChoc]

The Luigis Masion ghost game was great

[@Sedifet]

iMiguelAOG that's a good point...'when' you had friends. Still, when we did....good memories. The metroid game with five friends was my favorite probably

[@alinepiroutek8932]

And 1,2 Switch is a shame to the legacy of Wii Sports.

[@YulanCardoso]

Gamecube. From the controller to the titles and graphics, I can't help but feel this console deserved a lot more love than it ever got.

[@Rey-td7uz]

i drop a like in every episode of DS retro, keep up the good work :D

[@mrsasshole]

Really enjoyed this. Had forgotten how spectacular Rogue Squadron looked on what was perhaps my favorite game console of all time.

[@hellrider15]

More DF Retro, I demand moooore! Love this series.

[@gietie96]

Great work John.

[@ryanrdlps]

Great stuff! Amazing to hear about the under the hood mechanics, of revolutionary technology! Thanks DF!

[@gandrurass]

Thumbs up for the teaser!

[@invisibleevidence1970]

I can't wait for the next episode !

[@aelbali]

such a great series, the nostalgia is overwhelming, ty for bringing back great childhood memories with these videos. Cant wait for the next episode with half life 2

[@Zuflux]

I'm surprised you didn't bring on Sunshine. That game warped my perspective on water so much, that I still look at water in some places and think "huh, just like in Sunshine."

[@nate567987]

sunshine was not a Launch game

[@Xpert74]

I've never played Rogue Leader before, but it looks truly amazing. Thanks for another great video!

[@AnalogFoundry]

NX and DF upload at the same time... What a treat.

[@shtiken]

Of all the great videos you've ever made, this was probably the best. However I feel like you blazed through the Wii and Wii U. This video could have been a whole hour long and still be filled with amazing games and defining moments in history.

[@MXCelis]

Awesome Video man!

[@hector4470]

I'd love a handheld version of the best launch games for sure DF:Retro!

[@DennySchneidemesser]

Stellar content guys, always pleasing my inner nerd! Can't wait to see more!

[@Peachboobs]

I love those retro videos :D

[@rare6499]

So good! Mario 64 is pure gold, literally genius!

[@Theinvalidmusic]

Rogue Leader does make me wonder why more Gamecube games didn't take advantage of the Gamecube's built-in pixel shaders for bump/normal mapping. Most GC games could have been even further ahead of the curve.

[@baxter009]

Because of ports???

[@DeToxCommunity]

Blame the PS2s complex and unique hardware for that.

[@baxter009]

And developer laziness and craving for the quick easy buck with no effort whatsoever. If only our jobs could be like that.

[@Wogle]

Was that an MDK screenshot?! Wow. memories.

[@RaceToNowhere]

A remake of the first one would be so welcome in my life, that game was gold.

[@Jerry4050]

I have it on steam but wish they can patch it to work for Windows 10

[@pegasusactua2985]

Hey...Pilotwings 64 was a classic.

[@MaxonerousX]

When he got to Mario 64, I was hoping that he would talk about Pilotwings, because it would be interesting. Dashed all my dreams at once with the PW64 diss

[@AvatarRishi]

Damn the GameCube impressed me. Also, this series is amazing! Keep up the good work!

[@jonatanp007]

Gamecube

[@dampflokfreund]

Gamecube had actually amazing and ambitious games. Wii U not many. So no.

[@oskulock]

NGC launch was just downright crazy, i still remember playing Melee and Rogue Squadron and comparing their stable 60fps to the stuff we had on N64 and it was, man. Just comparing Shadows of the Empire to Rogue Squadron. It's amazing.

[@VSaccount]

man, i've never seen so good looking NES gameplay footage.

[@dark1x]

It's captured from the Analogue NT *BUT* that same quality can be achieved on a regular NES by purchasing the Hi-Def NES add-in board made by Kevtris. He did an amazing job with the board and its features. Definitely worth checking out. retrorgb.com/hidefnes.html

[@gusch]

Great video!

[@HelderCH]

Retro DF is like the best idea ever.

[@duckhive]

Mario World has a beautiful color palette and fantastic SFX.

[@DevinAK49]

Liked and subscribed. Thanks, great video

[@theseabass]

I'd love to see a DF Retro of Super Mario Sunshine! One of the best looking Gamecube games that has a lot of interesting elements. :)

[@rhysspeight7142]

+FirPtl I think it'd better than Mario 64, but that's just my opinion of course. I find Mario 64 hard to play and annoying at times.

[@TuttixD]

man I love DF Retro

[@AdrianXunkeira]

Amazing content!!

[@brianporter9979]

I'd love an episode dedicated to the gameboy, color, advance and DS! These retro episodes are great fun.

[@themodernshoe2466]

this was awesome!!

[@alucart1984]

Awesome video.

[@nix2939]

Nostalgic video. Reminded me of why I used to love Nintendo & why I don't anymore

[@LucasBadur]

I love John's videos

[@MoreNimrod]

Can't wait for the next episode! And definitely do a handheld analysis. Maybe even non-Nintendo handhelds some time if you can get your hands on them.

[@Iksperial]

What a quality content.. dear gosh take my like!

[@MatthewN56736n4]

Digital Foundry, can you do a retro video on the Tony Hawk series? It'd be awesome.

[@ThePimbax]

There were so many impressive tittles back in the day, even sports games were impressive.

[@MatthewN56736n4]

***** Yeah so? I asked if they could do a video on the Tony Hawk series at a later time.

[@Jerome-iwnl]

Mario 64, i remember playing for the first time, it was on my ds and i was young. Was such a great experience!

[@chaser1254]

I looove this series!!!

[@njiska]

That was fun, now a follow up on the handheld systems would be great.

[@reallybigmistake]

15:31 this was a great time to put in Chad Warden laughing at the Wii

[@MrSammersELsoho]

I remember seeing rogue squadron for the first time at EB Games and it blew my mind so weird how graphics are so amazing first impressions but then they fade away.

[@tortugatech]

i could watch df all day

[@0Kurisu0]

Man, the days where Nintendo was pushing the edge of hardware as a business philosophy... Ah well. Tell me there's a chance for a DF Retro on the miracle that is the N64 version of Resident Evil 2.

[@mrcraggle]

Amazing episode as always but dat ending tease

[@KorenLesthe]

I miss Factor 5 too :'(. Thanks for your video :).

[@ravengaming4143]

Going from Super Mario World to Super Mario 64 was a true leap like we probably won't see ever again, unless the next Mario will be some full open world VR game or some such.

[@TenshiCat]

Awesome video! I think it would've also been interesting to see you analyse Mario Sunshine and Galaxy, but, they weren't launch titles!

[@vladurban6036]

Damn it, this 18:15 next episode of DFR announcement was pretty epic.

[@bamster64]

DF Retro should be considered a national treasure *_*

[@Cade_The_Squirrel]

Well that explains why Super Mario 64 feels so good to play that frame pacing is a thing of beauty

[@OBE1plays]

Still remember Rogue Squadron! One of my favorite games ever!

[@Ryuujin1078]

Still waiting on DF Retros Nintendo portable videos about their launch, games and how it affected the industry!

[@DragonClawX123]

Great vid

[@theoroinvictus]

wow I forgot all about the water physics in waverace64, really impressive for the hardware its running on

[@utubeThesugi]

and now we have cliffhanger ^^ .this retro's serie are so dawn cool!

[@doritobandito1917]

DF Retro Super Mario Galaxy would be nice. That game looked absolutely amazing for Wii hardware!

[@XDeadzX]

more of this please.

[@Papimillenium2K]

great video.

[@SpookySkellyGurl]

I love that Star Fox music when discussing Rogue Leader. Don't wanna incur the wrath of Disney's lawyers, I guess.