Fun Fact: Did you know that the bushes and clouds in Super Mario Bros. are the same thing, just different colors.

In today’s email:

• Folium: The Multi-System Emulator Making Waves on iOS and Android

• The Nintendo 64DD - The Dream That Never Took Off

• 7-Eleven x Tetris - A Slurpee-Sized Gaming Revolution!

EMULATION

Folium: The Multi-System Emulator Making Waves on iOS and Android

🌟 Introducing Folium: The Future of Retro Gaming on Your Phone 🌟

Retro gamers, get ready to dive back into the golden age of gaming with a modern twist! Folium, the brainchild of visionary developer Jarrod Norwell, is the latest buzz in the world of emulation, promising to deliver a seamless retro gaming experience right on your iOS and Android devices. Imagine playing your favorite classics from various consoles anytime, anywhere—all from the comfort of your smartphone!

🕹️ Diverse Console Support Coming Your Way 🕹️

Folium isn't just any emulator; it's a powerhouse! With current support for systems like the Nintendo 3DS (using the Citra core), Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo Switch (through the Sudachi/Yuzu core), and NES (via the Kiwi core), Folium is a retro gamer's dream. And it doesn't stop there—future updates will see the addition of PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2, and Sega Genesis to its repertoire.

🎨 Sleek Design Meets Top-Notch Functionality 🎨

Designed to echo the nostalgic feel of the Nintendo 3DS, Folium offers a user-friendly split-screen view, ensuring an immersive experience. Its robust directory and library manager automatically scans and organizes your games, keeping everything you need at your fingertips. While still in the developmental stages, Folium has demonstrated promising performance, smoothly running titles like Mario Kart 7 on an iPhone—just check out the gameplay videos making rounds online!

💵 Get Ready to Emulate: Pricing and Availability 💵

Set to launch on the App Store at a friendly price of $4.99, Folium has already passed the rigorous phases of TestFlight beta testing and is on the brink of approval. Android users, don't worry—you won't be left out; the app will be available for you simultaneously.

🚨 Staying in the Clear: Legal Smart Moves 🚨

With Nintendo's keen eye on emulators, Folium navigates the legal seas by ensuring it operates within the bounds of the law. The app requires users to own the consoles from which they dump games, steering clear of legal hot waters without offering directions on obtaining ROMs.

🌐 What’s Next for Folium? 🌐

Looking ahead, Folium is set to enhance its feature set with online capabilities for premium users, including save file hosting, play statistics, and in-game messaging. These upcoming features, combined with a dedicated developer and a passionate community, position Folium as a frontrunner in the mobile emulation scene.

🎉 Join the Emulation Revolution! 🎉

As we eagerly await Folium's debut, the excitement within the retro gaming community is palpable. This app not only promises to bring back the beloved classics on the go but also ensures they are more accessible than ever. So, retro enthusiasts, stay tuned, and prepare to relive the magic of yesteryears on your mobile devices with Folium!

N64

The Nintendo 64DD - The Dream That Never Took Off

Hey, Retro Gamers! Buckle up as we dive into the tale of the Nintendo 64DD, a peripheral that aimed for the stars but barely made it off the ground. Announced with great fanfare in 1995 and finally making a quiet debut in Japan by the end of 1999, the Nintendo 64DD was a promising project that didn't quite deliver.

🚀 What Exactly Was the 64DD? 🚀

Picture this: a magnetic floppy disk drive that snapped onto the bottom of your beloved N64. The 64DD used 64 MB disks to supercharge the console with extra storage, a real-time clock for evolving game environments, and a library full of fonts and audio clips to enrich gameplay. It was designed to be a multimedia powerhouse, allowing gamers to create movies, characters, and animations right within their games.

One of the coolest features? Internet connectivity. The 64DD connected to Randnet, a service that let users play online, share media, and even dip into e-commerce, heralding it as the first writable bulk data storage device for a modern console.

🌟 The Potential of 64DD 🌟

Nintendo envisioned the 64DD as a breeding ground for new types of games and creativity-enhancing applications. Legends like Shigeru Miyamoto were all-in, claiming nearly every upcoming N64 project was based on the 64DD. The device boasted features such as:

- Dual storage with N64 cartridges and 64DD disks

- Built-in real-time clock

- Internet capabilities for a connected gaming experience

- Tools for creating movies, 3D animations, and music

- Expansion disks for adding new content to games like F-Zero X

🕰️ Delays and the Downfall 🕰️

Despite its potential, the 64DD was plagued by repeated delays and arrived on the scene with technology that was already becoming obsolete. Its reliance on the struggling N64 platform and limited release to the Japanese market further sealed its fate. Only 10 disks were ever released, and with just 15,000 Randnet subscribers, the 64DD quickly faded into obscurity, discontinuing in 2001.

💥 Impact and Legacy 💥

Though it didn't achieve commercial success, the 64DD was a forward-thinking device that introduced concepts like online gaming, downloadable content (DLC), and user-generated content—ideas that were way ahead of their time. These innovations would later find their way into future Nintendo products, proving that sometimes the seeds of failure can bloom into something greater.

The 64DD remains a fascinating chapter in Nintendo's storied history—an ambitious experiment that promised much but was hindered by unfortunate timing and circumstances. For us retro enthusiasts, it stands as a poignant reminder of Nintendo's innovative spirit and the unpredictable nature of the gaming industry.

So, as we look back on what could have been, let's appreciate the bold steps Nintendo took with the 64DD. It may not have been the success story we hoped for, but it certainly contributed to the rich tapestry of gaming history.

EMULATION

7-Eleven x Tetris - A Slurpee-Sized Gaming Revolution!

🚨 Breaking News for Retro Gaming Fans! 🚨

Grab a Slurpee and get ready for a blast from the past because 7-Eleven and Tetris are shaking up the retro gaming world with a one-of-a-kind collaboration! Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the beloved puzzle game, this partnership brings us a quirky and nostalgic handheld gaming device modeled after—you guessed it—a Slurpee cup!

🍧 A Fusion of Convenience and Classic Gaming 🍧

Why 7-Eleven and Tetris, you ask? Both are icons of their fields, with 7-Eleven leading the convenience store arena and Tetris dominating the gaming world since its creation by Alexey Pajitnov in 1984. This collaboration is a tribute to their enduring appeal and a testament to their innovative legacies.

Marissa Jarratt, 7-Eleven’s Chief Marketing Officer, perfectly captures the spirit of this partnership: "We know our customers love gaming and nostalgia. What better way to celebrate both than with a Tetris-themed Slurpee cup turned gaming device?" Indeed, what better way?

🎮 Game on a Cup: The Handheld Device 🎮

Designed by My Arcade, this nifty gadget not only mimics the iconic Slurpee cup but also lights up your gaming with a full-color 1.8-inch screen displaying those classic Tetrimino pieces. An on/off switch ignites the Slurpee dollop on top in a spectrum of colors, making your game time as visually appealing as it is fun.

The device is packed with features suited for gaming on the go, including an intuitive interface, volume-controlled built-in speaker, and dual power options (3 AAA batteries or USB-C cable). This handheld is set to become the coolest travel companion for Tetris fans of all ages.

🌟 How to Score One and Exclusive Merch 🌟

Ready to get your hands on this collectible? 7-Eleven is giving away 20,000 of these limited-edition devices! Just participate in their 7Rewards, Speedy Rewards, or 7NOW Delivery promotions by purchasing selected items, and you could be gaming in style.

And there's more! Dive into a line of limited-edition gear including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and more—each piece celebrating this unique pairing. Available at 7-Eleven's 7Collection online store, these items are must-haves for any gaming aficionado.

🌍 A Toast to Innovation and Nostalgia 🌍

The 7-Eleven x Tetris collaboration is more than just a fun idea; it's a celebration of nostalgia, innovation, and the magic that happens when two seemingly unrelated worlds collide. By blending the fun of Tetris with the iconic Slurpee design, 7-Eleven has created a memorable gaming experience that resonates with fans across generations.

So next time you're sipping on a Slurpee, imagine playing Tetris right from your cup. Thanks to 7-Eleven and Tetris, this fantasy is now a fun-filled reality. Get ready to stack, spin, and clear lines like never before, all in the palm of your hand!