Using a NES cartridge as app icon

Games
#1

I was thinking about posting this in general discussion but figured it would be best served over here.

I am releasing a retro/pixelart game that is reminiscent of Double Dragon and River City Ransom on the old Nintendo (NES). I commissioned some icon art for it, but now I’m thinking of going with the iconic shape of the NES cart itself, with some modified graphics on the “label”.

Does anyone know if this would be infringing some sort of copyright? I can find plenty of hobbyist projects using the cart and it’s image, but I am having difficulty tracking down any apps that have been released using it. That might be my answer, but I thought it was a good enough idea and question to pose here.

Let me know what you think!

UPDATE: Example attached, but imagine it with some sweet GFX in the blank part…

RYz9Sp0.png

#2

I’m sure you’ll be fine until you start making $50K a day from it and then Nintendo will knock on your door for a cut… :slight_smile:

That aside, great idea!

#3

I can always count on you ksan :wink:

I’ll run with it for now, and I have a backup in case I get a C-and-D. 

I’ll also update this thread with any news in case others are looking to follow this trend.

#4

Nice idea. I like retro themed Icons. Check out a game called “slayin” ion the iPhone app store. It uses a retro themed game cart as it’s icon, but isn’t a direct copy of any particular game cartridge. That might give you some ideas :slight_smile:

#5

You could modify it slightly, so as to no be a perfect duplication of the NES cartridge, but instead just be inspired by it.  Might make it easier to defend that you were not trying to profit off of anything owned by Nintendo.

#6

I’m not a lawyer, but I’d take the path of least resistance and use original art.   It’s just an icon.   :slight_smile:

#7

@Dave, I pretty much had the same thought. Not that it’s only an icon; the icon is huge! But that it’s not worth the hassle from a trademark standpoint.

I already had a custom icon created, but I thought that maybe going with the NES nostalgia would help me as it’s a pixel art retro brawler like River City Ransom and Double Dragon. 

I think my next game icons will be more of a derivation like the “Slayin” game that Gremlin suggested. While it doesn’t give a lot of real estate for conveying what you’re game is/is about, the cartridge shape is very evocative to me.

#8

I’m sure you’ll be fine until you start making $50K a day from it and then Nintendo will knock on your door for a cut… :slight_smile:

That aside, great idea!

#9

I can always count on you ksan :wink:

I’ll run with it for now, and I have a backup in case I get a C-and-D. 

I’ll also update this thread with any news in case others are looking to follow this trend.

#10

Nice idea. I like retro themed Icons. Check out a game called “slayin” ion the iPhone app store. It uses a retro themed game cart as it’s icon, but isn’t a direct copy of any particular game cartridge. That might give you some ideas :slight_smile:

#11

You could modify it slightly, so as to no be a perfect duplication of the NES cartridge, but instead just be inspired by it.  Might make it easier to defend that you were not trying to profit off of anything owned by Nintendo.

#12

I’m not a lawyer, but I’d take the path of least resistance and use original art.   It’s just an icon.   :slight_smile:

#13

@Dave, I pretty much had the same thought. Not that it’s only an icon; the icon is huge! But that it’s not worth the hassle from a trademark standpoint.

I already had a custom icon created, but I thought that maybe going with the NES nostalgia would help me as it’s a pixel art retro brawler like River City Ransom and Double Dragon. 

I think my next game icons will be more of a derivation like the “Slayin” game that Gremlin suggested. While it doesn’t give a lot of real estate for conveying what you’re game is/is about, the cartridge shape is very evocative to me.