Did you know that there was an episode of Famicom Dojo before there was a Famicom Dojo? Not just the one released on Zac Shipley’s channel, but one we never released for public consumption? Sure you didn’t! We know lots of stuff from back in 2006. Learn more from Vinnk and Sean as they talk about their memories of Famicom Dojo before there was a Famicom Dojo, how the name was chosen, and the revelation that even the first episodes took a super-long time to create! Oh, and we explain a bit more about our plans for the future of Famicom Dojo in 2013 and beyond.
Leave your own voicemail at 608-492-1923, or just share your thoughts in the show notes at FamicomDojo.TV: http://famicomdojo.tv/podcast/78
by William Talley, filed in Lost Classics on Jan.04, 2013
Beam Software developed this 1991 NES adaptation of A New Hope. You play as Luke Skywalker as you make your way through the sands of Tattoine, explore the Mos Esiley Cantina, and you know the rest, it’s freakin STAR WARS! You’ll encounter Han Solo and Princess Leia, and you can even play as them. However, they only have one life. If they get killed, Obi Wan Kenobi can revive them a limited number of times. There are also shooter segments where you fly the Millennium Falcon. The game’s soundtrack also contains NES versions of the familiar themes. The controls are touchy and it lead to several frustrating deaths, but it’s still an excellent movie tie-in on the NES. And it’s nowhere near as bad as Namco’s bizarre Japanese version.
by William Talley, filed in Lost Classics on Dec.14, 2012
Kung Fu Heroes is an NES port of an arcade game called Chinese Hero. Either playing alone or with a friend, players take control of Jacky and Lee as they try to rescue the princess. Each level takes place on a singular screen as you beat up waves of enemies and find hidden bonuses. It isn’t a very complex game, but it is fun and colorful, even if the characters are depicted somewhat stereotypical. It’s the first installment of Culture Brain’s “Super Chinese” video game franchise, or as we know it over here, Ninja Boy. Unlike later installments of the game, it contains no RPG elements. Even so, I can think of worse 8-bit titles to spend an afternoon with.
Welcome to the Powet Top 5, where we explore the top (and bottom) 5 items we think are relevant to any of a variety of topics that span the imagination. Sit back, read, and respond
Super Mario Bros. games are some of the best Nintendo has to offer, and conversely they are some of the best games to come out in the 80s. Here’s a look at my top 5 favourite Super Mario Bros. games that were released over a period of more than 25 years.
George Lucas recently sold all of LucasFilm to Disnet for $4 billion.
Not only does that mean there will be a new Star Wars movie in 2015, but all of
LucasFilm’s ancillary businesses came with the deal: the graphic effects powerhouse
Industrial Light and Magic, used by almost every major motion picture studio for
photorealistic effects; Skywalker Sound, which does for audio was ILM does for video;
and the once-mighty Graphic Adventure game shop LucasArts.
Sean and Vinnk reminisce about their favorite LucasArts games from their childhood —
such as Loom, Maniac Mansion, Day of the Tentacle, the Indiana Jones Graphic Adventures,
and more — trace through its more recent games to see what the studio has become,
and speculate what will become of its talented game designers once faced with Disney’s
own powerful video game publisher, Disney Interactive.
Leave your own voicemail at 608-492-1923, or just share your thoughts in the show notes at FamicomDojo.TV: http://famicomdojo.tv/podcast/64
Monster in My Pocket was a kids franchise that was fairly popular in the early 90s. The line consisted mainly of small action figures (similar to the Muscle figurines of the 80s), although there was also a short-lived comic series, an animates special, a board game, a trading card line, and this video game from Konami. Playing as either Frankenstein’s Monster or the Vampire (or both is playing in 2-player simultaneous mode) you make your way through 6 stages in order to stop the evil Warlock. You’re traveling throughout mundane environments like a living room and garden, but since you’re pocket size, these environments become quite dangerous. Both characters are equal in terms of skill, although they can do a double jump as well. Several monsters from the line show up in the game, and the package even contains an exclusive figurine. While this game was nothing special, it was a remarkably good NES game which you and a friend could spend an afternoon playing.
Before Capcom got its hands on the Marvel license, it made several games based on Disney franchises, particularly based on movies and TV shows. Chip and Dale’s Rescue Rangers, Duck Tales, and Tailspin all received video game adaptations. However, one of the best NES Disney games was undoubtedly Darkwing Duck. You all remember Darkwing Duck. Basically it was a Ducktales spin-off that’s best described as Batman-meets-Spider-man-meets-The Shadow with ducks. It was fun to watch, and the game was just as fun to play. Built off a slightly tweaked version of the Mega Man 5 engine, Darkwing Duck took players through several levels as they attempted to stop a crime wave hitting St. Canard. Armed with your gun (which you can collect adapters to enhance), you take on several enemies from the show on your way to confront the villain Steelbeak. There is probably a very slim chance we’ll see this on Virtual Console, and it’s too bad. Thanks to its quality platforming gameplay, not only did kids enjoy the game, but older players enjoyed it as well. How frequently can you say that about video games based on Disney properties these days?
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