From NES to Wii U, 5 Reasons to Still Love Nintendo

Whether you're a fan of the snazzy new Wii U, or a throwback to the old-school days of 8-bit NES gaming, this roundup of Nintendo-themed video games deals and gadgetry is FTW. We found deals on a kitschy NES console and games like Kirby's Epic Yarn, Nintendo Land, and Theatrhythm Final Fantasy.

1. Hyperkin NES RetroN 1 Gaming System
   Store: Groupon
   Price: $13.99 with $2.99 s&h
   Lowest By: $2
   Expires: July 14

   Is It Worth It?: Now that former Groupon boss Andrew Mason is out of a job, you can bet he's spending lots of free time tooling around on this console, a blast from gaming past when the pixels were almost as big as the characters themselves. The RetroN 1 serves as a contemporary stand-in for the original Nintendo Entertainment System. Compatible with any US 8-bit NES game, this system includes a console, AV cable, A/C adapter, and two controllers. It's available in Red (pictured), Black, or Silver.

2. Kirby's Epic Yarn for Nintendo Wii
   Store: Walmart
   Price: $7.60 with in-store pickup
   Lowest By: $7

   Is It Worth It?: Games like Kirby's Epic Yarn make a solid case that Nintendo Wii is still a great gaming system, regardless of the digital muscle behind the Wii U. And as such, this Editors' Choice deal is about as addictive as it gets, and it's the cheapest price we've seen.

3. PowerA Wii U Gaming Essentials Kit
   Store: Best Buy
   Price: $5.99 with free shipping
   Lowest By: $27

   Is It Worth It?: This Editors' Choice, officially licensed Nintendo Wii U kit includes a gamepad case, two replacement styluses, a screen cleaner, and a gamepad glove. As for that other gaming essential... Sorry, cheat codes are not included.

4. Theatrhythm Final Fantasy for Nintendo 3DS
   Store: Best Buy
   Price: $17.99 with in-store pickup
   Lowest By: $13

   Is It Worth It?: This "top notch" Editor's Choice game not only features "great backgrounds" but also "about the best song selection you could ask for." In this contest, your task is to beat back chaos and help restore the radiance of the cosmos. Your ally is Rhythmia, the musical wavelength that embodies all space. Your other ally is the friendly clerk at Best Buy, as this deal is for in-store pickup only.

5. Nintendo Land for Nintendo Wii U
   Store: Amazon
   Price: $20.95 with free shipping via Prime
   Lowest By: $25

   Is It Worth It?: To reach Nintendo Land via the free shipping express, you must be an Amazon Prime member, though non-members can spend $25 or more to qualify for free shipping; otherwise, shipping costs $4.98. In this game, you're simulating a theme park experience where there are 12 "attractions," including the games Mario Chase, The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest, and Pikmin Adventure. IGN calls this game "exceptionally fun, and a fitting show of what tablet gaming on a home console is all about."

Lou Carlozo is a dealnews contributing writer. He covers personal finance for Reuters Wealth. Prior to that he was the managing editor of WalletPop.com, and a veteran columnist at the Chicago Tribune.

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