Retro Game Challenge is a game coming soon for Nintendo DS that I've been following.  Its already out in Japan, but said to be out February this year.

It sounds like the kind of game that someone would think up as a cool game when we were kids.  And the story is like the NES Championships at NWCGE. 

The story goes that someone in this time gets thrown back into the 80's, the NES era, where you are a game player playing different NES era themed games against another player.  And says there is game magazines in the game itself you can read for cheats on the games in game.  (like we used to do with the old Nintendo Powers!)  The games aren't real, but they do look like they could be - and each one is a full game.  The shooter reminds me of Galaga, and the RPG reminds me of Dragon Warrior.  So sweet!  The reflective game history spoofing reminds me of something SEGA would do on some of those quirky DreamCast games that only Japan got with the SEGA references - like SEGAGAGA.  Its a must get for me, and my #2 most wanted new release game currently.  (If you wonder, I'll write a little something about my #1 most wanted new release game another time)

The game is based on a TV show in Japan called Retro Game Master  (way too cool to make it here in USA I guess...) and is by Bandai Namco.  (they always come out with the good classic stylish games - if they did it, I'm thinking it HAS to be good)  And the game won't be released in USA until February, so guess its not out yet actually.  And get this, one of the in-game games has sequels!!!  In-game!!  Haggle Man, Haggle Man 2, and Haggle Man 3.    Gah!!  Too cool!!  Says in the story, you are challenged by the evil "Game Master" where you play in short challenges.  And when you win the challenges of a in-game game, it unlocks that game in free play so you can play that whole entire in-game game. 

[Update:  I've since bought the game.  Read and discuss on the Boards as I journal playing thru the game - http://www.specialtygamer.com/talk/index.php/topic,168.0.html]

Links:

Official Retro Game Challenge website - http://www.retrogamechallenge.com/