Courses

This course provides a complete history of the Virtual Boy, a gaming console released by Nintendo in 1995. The course covers the introduction, history, development, problems, games, downfall, and conclusion of the Virtual Boy. By the end of the course, learners will gain an understanding of the Virtual Boy's impact on the gaming industry and why it became one of the worst selling consoles of all time. The course is suitable for gaming enthusiasts, historians, and individuals interested in the history of video games. The teaching method involves a detailed narrative with visuals and background music to enhance the learning experience.

This course provides an overview of the history of the StarTropics series, a Nintendo franchise developed for the NES. By exploring the origins, gameplay, unique features like the Secret Code, and the reasons behind its limited success, learners will gain insights into Nintendo's attempt to cater to the western gaming market. The course is suitable for gaming enthusiasts interested in the history and evolution of video game franchises.

This course provides a history and overview of Ristar, a forgotten Sega platformer released in 1995. Students will learn about the character's origins, gameplay, its release on Game Gear, reasons for its lack of popularity compared to Sonic the Hedgehog, and a conclusion. The course aims to educate viewers on the background and reasons behind Ristar's failure to achieve the same level of success as other Sega games. The teaching method involves a structured presentation of information in a 16-minute video format. This course is intended for gaming enthusiasts interested in learning about the history of video games and the factors influencing their success in the industry.

Join a virtual conversation with acclaimed narrative historian Hampton Sides, renowned for his gripping non-fiction adventure stories set in war and epic expeditions. Explore Sides' best-selling works, including "Ghost Soldiers," "Blood and Thunder," and "On Desperate Ground." Discover his journalistic contributions to Outside and National Geographic magazines, and learn about his upcoming book on James Cook's final voyage. Gain insights into Sides' writing process, his role as a fellow at the Santa Fe Institute, and his involvement with the Society of American Historians and the Author's Guild.

This course delves into the history of the iconic puzzle game Tetris, exploring its origins in Cold War-era Russia and its journey to becoming a global phenomenon. By examining key chapters in Tetris' story, learners will understand how the game transcended cultural and political boundaries. The course covers the creation of Tetris by Alexey Pajitnov, the battle for publishing rights, and its impact on the video game industry. The teaching method involves a documentary-style format with chapters detailing different aspects of Tetris' history. This course is suitable for gaming enthusiasts, history buffs, and individuals interested in the intersection of technology and culture.

This course provides a comprehensive history of Nintendo's Punch-Out!! video game series, covering its origins, evolution, and key milestones. By the end of the course, learners will gain an understanding of the development and impact of the Punch-Out!! franchise. The course covers topics such as the creation of the game, spin-offs, notable versions, and the return of the series. The teaching method involves a documentary format with chapters dedicated to different aspects of the game's history. This course is intended for gaming enthusiasts, Nintendo fans, and individuals interested in the history of video games.

This course provides a biography and history of Satoru Iwata, highlighting his life, accomplishments, and significance in the video game industry. The learning outcomes include gaining insights into Iwata's passion, logical thinking, leadership qualities, revolutionary contributions, and his essence as a gamer. The course teaches about the life of Satoru Iwata and his impact on the gaming world. The intended audience for this course is individuals interested in the history of video games and the key figures that have shaped the industry.

This course delves into the history and impact of the Super Mario Land series on the Mario franchise. By exploring the evolution of games like Super Mario Land, Super Mario Land 2, Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, and Virtual Boy Mario Land, learners will gain insights into Nintendo's Game Boy era. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the series' significance and its contribution to the broader Mario universe. The intended audience includes gaming enthusiasts, Mario fans, and individuals interested in video game history. The teaching method involves a structured approach with chapters dedicated to each game, offering a chronological exploration of the series.

Analyze AI-generated "historical" portraits through the expert lens of a dress historian. Explore the accuracy and nuances of AI-created images depicting various historical periods, from Tudor to Edwardian eras. Gain insights into the challenges of accurately representing historical fashion and learn to identify common misconceptions in AI-generated historical imagery. Delve into the intricacies of period-specific clothing, accessories, and styling, while developing a critical eye for authenticity in visual representations of historical dress.

Explore the hidden mysteries of the occult and The Illuminati in this 27-minute episode of "Wondrium Now" featuring historian Rick Spence. Delve into the secretive world of esoteric knowledge as Spence addresses viewer questions and comments, including some of the more unconventional theories surrounding The Illuminati. Gain insights into the historical context and cultural impact of these enigmatic topics from an expert perspective. Learn about the intersection of history, conspiracy theories, and occult practices in this engaging and informative discussion.

This course explores the history of Nintendo games appearing on the Atari 2600 before the NES era. By studying the ports of games like Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Sky Skipper, Popeye, and Mario Bros., learners will gain insights into a unique period when Nintendo characters competed on different consoles. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this crossover phenomenon in gaming history. The teaching method involves a structured approach with chapters dedicated to each game, allowing for a focused exploration of the topic. This course is suitable for gaming enthusiasts, historians, and anyone interested in the evolution of video games and the interplay between different gaming platforms.

This course provides a detailed history of the Power Glove, the first mass-marketed gesture-based device, focusing on how Mattel transformed a $9000 virtual reality device into a Nintendo controller. The learning outcomes include understanding the evolution of virtual reality technology and the significance of the Power Glove in gaming history. The course teaches the skills of analyzing historical developments in gaming hardware and recognizing the impact of innovative gaming peripherals. The teaching method involves a chronological exploration of the Power Glove's journey from a virtual reality concept to a Nintendo accessory. This course is intended for gaming enthusiasts, technology history buffs, and individuals interested in the evolution of gaming peripherals.

Explore the complete history and impact of Super Mario Kart, a groundbreaking game that revolutionized the go-kart racing genre. Learn about its origins, development, and the lasting legacy it created for Nintendo. The course covers the evolution of the game from a 2-player F-Zero concept to the beloved title featuring iconic characters like Mario. The teaching method involves a detailed breakdown of the game's history through chapters, providing insights into its success and cultural significance. This course is designed for gaming enthusiasts, Nintendo fans, and individuals interested in the history of video games.

This course focuses on identifying and correcting errors in past episodes, analyzing what went wrong, and offering corrections. The individual skills taught include critical thinking, fact-checking, and historical analysis. The teaching method involves presenting errors, providing corrections, and discussing the impact of misinformation. The intended audience for this course is individuals interested in gaming history and the process of fact-checking in media content.

This course explores the inspirations behind the names of 8 Super Mario characters, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser. The learning outcomes include understanding the origins of these characters' names and the stories behind them. The course teaches the history and trivia related to the naming process of these iconic characters. The teaching method involves a chapter-wise breakdown of each character's name origin. This course is intended for gaming enthusiasts, Mario fans, and individuals interested in the history of video game characters' names.

Learn about the history of Spyro the Dragon and its developer, Insomniac Games, in this course. Discover how Spyro became one of the first open-world 3D platformers on the Playstation and its impact on the gaming industry. The course covers the development of Spyro, including its sequels, and provides insights into Sony's competition with Nintendo. The teaching method includes a structured breakdown of chapters, offering a chronological exploration of Spyro's journey. This course is intended for gaming enthusiasts interested in the history and evolution of video games.

Explore the complete history of Super Mario Bros. 2 and its Japanese counterpart, Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic. Learn about the game's development, differences between versions, and its impact. The course covers the following chapters: Introduction, For Super Players, A Leap of Faith, Heart-Pounding Panic, and A Profound Effect. The teaching method is through a documentary-style video. This course is intended for gaming enthusiasts interested in the history of iconic video games.

This course provides a documentary on the making of Super Mario World, the launch of the Super Nintendo, and how the game perfected the concepts of the Super Mario series. The learning outcomes include understanding the historical context of Super Mario World's development and its impact on the gaming industry. The course teaches viewers about the evolution of game design and the significance of Super Mario World in the gaming world. The teaching method involves a documentary format with chapters detailing different aspects of the game's creation and impact. This course is intended for gaming enthusiasts, fans of the Super Mario series, and individuals interested in video game history and development.

This course provides an ultimate guide to NES light guns, covering the history of light gun games, the functionality of the Zapper, compatibility with third-party light guns, and the range of games that were available for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The course aims to educate viewers on the various aspects of NES light guns. The teaching method involves a video format with chapters dedicated to different topics related to NES light guns. This course is intended for gaming enthusiasts interested in the history and mechanics of light gun games on the NES platform.

This course is a documentary exploring the creation and impact of Super Mario Bros. 3, delving into the hype surrounding its release and its status as one of the greatest games of all time. The learning outcomes include understanding the history and significance of this iconic game. The course teaches viewers about the development process, marketing strategies, and cultural impact of Super Mario Bros. 3. The teaching method involves a structured documentary format with chapters focusing on different aspects of the game's story. This course is intended for gaming enthusiasts, retro gaming fans, and individuals interested in video game history and culture.