Chiptune, or 8-bit music, has become a widespread phenomenon that sparks a bit of nostalgia when you hear the combination of warm, tinny, and crunchy sounds. It has become an artistic outlet for many musicians, amateurs and professionals alike. Whether its a simple cover rendition of the latest pop tune or the creation of a full film score, this easily recognizable “sound” has made an impact.

But, what is it that makes 8-bit music what it is?

In this spotlight, we’ll take a quick glance at the inner workings of chiptuning and some of the hardware/software involved. Hit the break to find out more!

The 3DS launch lineup has been largely considered as less than great. There are 18 titles on day one in North America but it appears to lack some key pieces for day one. There are the standard first-party Nintendo titles but there’s no Mario game. There are a bunch of games that appear to be good but there aren’t any killer apps. But, are the complaints warranted? Let’s take a look at the launch games list, examine all of the portable launches, not just Nintendo’s, and have a bit of a comparison.

3DS

• Number of games: 18
• Number of First-Party Games: 3 (Pilotwings Resort, Steel Diver, Nintendogs + Cats)
• Launch Price: $249.99 USD
• Launch Comments: Well, we have to wait and see how this one compares but they don’t seem to have a killer app among the starting titles. Ghost Recon, Street Fighter IV, Steel Diver, and Pilotwings all look good but I’ll pass judgement once I get my hands on all of them.

Check the break for the rest of the portable launches.