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NES launch titles

Dave Farquhar Retro Gaming October 18, 2022October 12, 2025

The NES launch titles were the 18 games released alongside the Nintendo Entertainment System during its North American launch on October 18, 1985. All of the launch titles belong to the Black Box series of games. The lineup was something of a mixed bag, but it was carefully balanced for a tepid American market.

When the NES launched, there were eighteen games available for it, a line-up that included four sports games, three light gun games, two ROB games, two racing games, an edutainment title, and six other miscellaneous games. Many of them were conversions from arcade titles, which is unsurprising since arcade games were Nintendo’s core business at the time.

What silicone grease is used for

Dave Farquhar DIY October 17, 2022October 16, 2022

Silicone grease sells side by side with lithium grease in hardware stores and auto parts stores. But what is silicone grease used for? Here’s when to use it and why, and when to use another type. Although it may seem like grease is grease, that’s not entirely the case.

Nonpareil tinplate trains

Dave Farquhar Toy trains October 13, 2022October 11, 2022

Nonpareil is an unsung brand of tinplate toy trains from the early 20th century. Based in Newark, New Jersey, they made floor trains out of lithographed tin that resemble Ives trains, but they are less well known. The company, whose full name was the Nonpareil Toy and Novelty Company, was in business from 1914 to 1933.

Do the date codes in a retro computer matter?

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing October 12, 2022October 11, 2022

Youtuber Dave Plummer made an interesting argument in his PET 2001 repair video. He said he wants the date codes on his chips to match as closely as possible, arguing that it matters to vintage car enthusiasts, so it’s going to matter in the future on vintage computers too.

He has a point.

Types of keyboard connections, illustrated

Dave Farquhar Hardware October 11, 2022March 19, 2024

Someone asked me recently to help them identify the type of keyboard they needed. And I realized that some of the keyboard connector types that used to be easy to find, common, and common knowledge are no longer any of those things. And then I realized that this is an area that is still changing. So let’s go over the common keyboard connector types or types of keyboard connections.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a refrigerator? It depends

Dave Farquhar DIY October 10, 2022October 9, 2022

How long does a refrigerator last? Is it cheaper to repair or replace a refrigerator? How much does a refrigerator cost to repair? Those are all very valid questions, and unfortunately, answer is it depends. But let’s dig in.

In the short term it’s usually cheaper to repair a refrigerator. But in the long run, the older the refrigerator is, the more likely it is to be cheaper to buy a new one.

Lionel Laser train set

Dave Farquhar Toy trains October 6, 2022July 12, 2024

The Lionel Laser (or L.A.S.E.R.) train set from 1981 and 1982 was a product of its time. Very much so. In some ways it was the perfect thing for Boomer parents to buy for their Gen X kids. At least that was the intent. And while the Lionel Laser is not the pinnacle of Lionel trains, there are reasons to be nostalgic for it, at least if you’re of a certain age.

Who makes Insignia TVs for Best Buy

Dave Farquhar Hardware October 5, 2022September 9, 2023

Insignia is one of Best Buy’s house brands. Best Buy doesn’t manufacture any products, but they contract manufacturing out to other companies. So who makes Insignia TVs for Best Buy? And how long do they last? Should you buy one?

Insignia is Best Buy’s house brand for various consumer products. Insignia TVs are currently made for Best Buy by Hisense.

Will CRT monitors make a comeback?

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing October 4, 2022June 19, 2024

A friend asked me if CRT monitors will make a comeback. I can tell from the way he asked that he expected my answer to be no. “Do they hold up?” he asked.

CRT monitors already have made a comeback. At least that’s what the numbers say. I had a basement full of them and it took me years to get rid of them. I couldn’t give them away. They’d be worth a fortune now, but I needed the space for other things. That said, I’m glad I kept the three that I did.

Atari 400 versus 800

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing October 3, 2022February 19, 2025

The Atari 8-Bit line is the most underrated 8-bit computer. And I’m biased. I’m a Commodore fan going way back. I’m not supposed to like Atari. The 400 was the low end of the line, and the 800 was the original high end machine. Atari expanded the line over time, but let’s look at the 400 versus 800, the first two machines in the line. Read more