Only about half a month left in 2023, and the end of the year is officially here.
Nintendo published Nintendo Switch 2023: Looking Back at This Year on its website, which lets you look back at the titles you played on the Nintendo Switch in 2023, so you can see your most-played games of the year. Be sure to check it out!
For this writer, the title with the most playtime was The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Since 2023 marked the 40th anniversary of the Famicom, Nintendo launched the Famicom 40th Anniversary campaign site and rolled out various initiatives throughout the year.
Around 8:00 PM on Thursday, December 14, 2023, right when this article goes live, Episode 6 of Famicom Talk Shop Kobayashi Toy Store will premiere, so don't miss it!
Among the Famicom 40th anniversary projects, the Famicom National Vote, held with various themes every week, has been a weekly highlight.
This week, Nintendo announced the results for the 22nd vote, Which game comes to mind when you think of cheats?, which accepted votes through Wednesday, December 13, 2023!
「ファミコントークショップ コバヤシ玩具店」第6回を12月14日（木）20時よりYouTubeでプレミア公開します。URLは後日こちらのアカウントでお知らせします。
コバヤシ店長が考えた国民投票のテーマ「タッグといえば？」。結果を知った店長の反応はいかに…!?https://t.co/Aw1IfTYF29 pic.twitter.com/2xfXYLxF5v— ファミコン40周年 (@famicom40th) December 12, 2023
That Code Dominates! Results Announced for the 22nd Vote!
Nintendo announced the results for the 22nd Famicom National Vote, Which game comes to mind when you think of cheats?, and published the top 20 games on the Famicom 40th Anniversary campaign site!
Taking an overwhelming 1st place is Gradius, which likely popped into most players' minds right away when thinking of Famicom cheats! It won by a landslide with an approval rating of 42.2%!
Gradius is the title where the familiar ↑↑↓↓←→←→BA, affectionately known as the Konami Code (the world's most famous Code), made its first appearance. Entering it while paused grants you almost full equipment.
It originated as a debugging code when developers ported Gradius, famous for its high difficulty as an arcade shooter, to the Famicom.
When this writer played it back in the day, I was too young to clear it even using the Konami Code, but playing it over and over again made me appreciate how great the music is!
By the way, Mega Man 3, which this writer voted for, placed 6th. Other ranked titles include games players heavily relied on cheats for, such as Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen in 5th place with the flee 8 times trick and 838861 casino coin glitch, and Downtown Special: Kunio-kun no Jidaigeki Dayo Zenin Shuugo! in 13th place with the Golden Beetle code.
As for Crystal Dragon in 4th place, it ranked in for a slightly different reason than other cheats, so be sure to check it out if you're curious!
#ファミコン国民投票 第22回テーマ結果発表
「裏技」といえば？
みなさんに選ばれたトップ10はこちら。第23回テーマ
「青いカセット」といえば？
の投票をただいまより受付開始。サイトではトップ20やあなたが投票したタイトルの順位も確認できます。 #ファミコン40周年https://t.co/sdHovLdeBx pic.twitter.com/XMHlM3TGcf
— ファミコン40周年 (@famicom40th) December 14, 2023
Voting Begins for the 23rd Vote: Which Game Comes to Mind When You Think of a Blue Cartridge?
With the 22nd vote wrapped up, the 23rd vote has begun.
Voting for the 23rd Famicom National Vote officially opened on Thursday, December 14, 2023, with the theme Which game comes to mind when you think of a blue cartridge?
Up until now, previous themes focused on cartridge colors like red cartridges, white cartridges, and black cartridges, but this round spotlights the blue cartridge! It's a theme unique to Famicom cartridges, which came in various colors and shapes.
Just like previous color-themed votes, the cartridge catches your eye when you insert it into the Famicom and while you play, so every fan surely has a title that comes to mind for blue cartridge!
You might have multiple games in mind, but pick the one that popped into your head first or the title you feel most attached to, and cast your vote!
Just like before, you can vote by logging into your Nintendo Account and heading over to the Famicom National Vote page on the campaign site.
Don't worry if you forget the exact title—suggestions will pop up as you type.
The voting period for the 23rd Famicom National Vote runs until 11:59 PM on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, and the results are scheduled to be announced on Thursday, December 21, 2023!
This writer voted for Star Force, which came home together with our Famicom when it first arrived! Defeat Larios before they merge!
ファミコン国民投票 第23回のテーマは…
「青いカセット」といえば？
投票期間は12月20日（水）11:59AMまで。
結果発表は12月21日（木）予定です。#ファミコン40周年https://t.co/sdHovLdeBx pic.twitter.com/E23CSbVFNX— ファミコン40周年 (@famicom40th) December 14, 2023
