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Back in 2008 began what now can be considered your yearly Nintendo Entertainment System christmas ornament. Only available for roughly one and a half month these 8-bit xmas carts' earlier releases
are highly sought after if you didn't happen to jump the wagon early enough to catch them all.
We're now writing year 2012 and that means a grand total of 5 NES carts now are available, each with their own theme. The first year the cart was $46 with a personal message included. From 2009 the
cartridge was available without a personalized message for $39.
The idea was created by RetroZone, best known for their NES flash cart - the NES PowerPak.
Not only does the cartridge contain a christmas themed game but the cartridge itself also lights up as a christmas tree, meaning it's probably best viewed with a Toploader NES.
Below you'll find details on each of the 8-bit Xmas cartridges.
8-BIT XMAS 2008
RET-X8-GBL
The first digital christmas card to be released by Retrozone would feature "Snow Demo" released way back in 2000 by Anders Strand, edited slightly to feature NA "logo" on the screen.
This year the christmas cart would, for the first time, feature an actual game. Pick a snowball fight with up to 3 friends or play against the computer. Coded by Brian Parker (Retrozone) Music by Kevin Hanley (KHAN Games)
Featuring the game "Xmas Pinball". Coded by Brian Parker (Retrozone) Graphics by N/A Music by N/A
Demo ROM is not available
To spice things up a bit the cartridge also includes a printed chsitmas card with your optional personal greeting from the actual NES cart, while it also serves as a manual for the game and erm... eye candy :-)
In 2011 and 2012, RetroZone also had a Super Nintendo Xmas cartridge available for purchase. Unfortunately the 2013 version was cancelled, but let's hope it'll return in 2014.
If you'd like to order one of these, it can be done from the RetroZone website.
