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Hardcore Gaming 101 Presents: NES Cult Classics PDF

156 Pages·2018·23.952 MB·English
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Hardcore Gaming 101 Presents: NES Cult Classics Digital Edition Second Printing: July 2018 The images reproduced in this book are printed under the banner of fair use as supplemental visuals to support critical and historical writing. All images contained herein are copyright of their respective rights holder. This book is not affiliated with Nintendo in any official capacity. Introduction Welcome to theNES Cult Classics book! We've covered a lot of NES games in the past, but this is the first book that's solely devoted to the system itself. For this edition, we've decided to highlight some of the console’s lesser-known games, titles that you may have remembered renting on a bored Saturday afternoon or gazing at inNintendo Power (at least, if you were a kid back in that era, like I was). The basic standards that had to be met were: (1) anything not by Nintendo, Konami, or Capcom, and (2) an original NES game and not a port of something else. As a result, most of the games featured here focus on titles from Sunsoft, KID, Natsume, and a few from Irem and Jaleco, along with some other smaller publishers and developers, and some of the better Japan-only Famicom games. We also decided to make one exception and fully feature theBlaster Masterseries, including its non-NES entries, just for completion's sake. (Originally we wanted to cover all of Sunsoft's NES library, but no one on staff wanted to spend more than a few minutes withFester's Quest.) Indeed, the basic definition of "cult classic" is kind of loose – not all of these games are amazing, and some may be considered mediocre even in the best of assessments, but all have something interesting about them, enough that we were willing to write a thousand or so words each about most of them. Some of the lesser quality (but still worth checking out) titles are listed briefly near the end of this book. We've also included some coverage of a few infamous unreleased games, including one of the most well-known,Bio Force Ape. Of course, there are many more NES cult classics than the ones listed here, but either they didn't meet our standards listed above, or they were covered in another HG101 book. For example, almost all of Konami's NES/Famicom output is pretty good, so please check out theContra and Other Konami Classics book. Compile also put out some of the best shooters on the system, includingGun-Nac andThe Guardian Legend, all of which are featured in theGuide to Shoot-em-ups Vol. 1. There are a handful of other series which may end up in a future book or digest (likeA Boy and His BloborWizards and Warriors). We'll probably run a feature on more Japan-only Famicom RPGs in the future as well. -Kurt Kalata June 2018 Hardcore Gaming 101 Presents: NES Federico Tiraboschi: Chris Rasa: Cult Classics Ufouria: The Saga Werewolf: The Last Warrior Editor-in-Chief: Apollo Chungus: Jeremy Signor: Kurt Kalata Bio Senshi Dan: Increaser to no Tatakai Ghost Lion Managing Editor: Adrian Sandoval: Bruno de Figueiredo: Jason Kowalczyk Shadow of the Ninja, The Flintstones, Otocky The Jetsons, Clash at Demonhead, Copy Editor: Felix the Cat Robert Greene: Nicolas DiNuzzo Crystalis Dylan Cornelius: Cover Design: Super Spy Hunter, Xexyz, Rockin’ Kats Robert Fenner: Thor Thorvaldson Faria Garrett Greenwood: Contributors: S.C.A.T., Youkai Club, Conquest of the John Sczepaniak: Crystal Palace, Kabuki Quantum Fighter Kyatto Ninden Teyandee Michael Plasket: Journey to Silius, Little Samson, Panic Jonathan Kaharl: Michael Ayala: Restaurant, Metal Storm, Holy Diver, Shatterhand, Mitsume ga Tooru, The Magic of Scheherazade Whomp ‘Em, Totally Rad, Burai Fighter, Dragon Fighter, Jetman, Wurm G.I. Joe, Low G Man, KickMaster, Maciej Prekurat: Isolated Warrior, Dr. Chaos, Vice Hugo Provost: Layla Project Doom, Zombie Nation, Ninja Crusaders Nightshade, Bio Force Ape Mat Bradley-Tschirgi: Neil Foster: The Battle of Olympus Paul Brownlee: The Krion Conquest, Mendel Palace Blaster Master Word on the Wind: Audun Sorlie: Arkista’s Ring K. McDonald: Jackie Chan’s Action Kung Fu Gremlins 2 2 Table of Contents The Wing of Madoola 4 Low G Man: The Low Gravity Man 84 Blaster Master 6 KickMaster 86 Batman 16 Isolated Warrior 88 Batman: Return of the Joker 18 Banana Prince 90 Gremlins 2 20 Dr. Chaos 92 Journey to Silius 22 Conquest of the Crystal Palace 94 Super Spy Hunter 24 Cowboy Kid 96 Ufouria: The Saga 26 Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu 98 Gimmick! 28 Kabuki Quantum Fighter 100 Abadox 30 The Krion Conquest 102 S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team 32 Vice: Project Doom 104 Shadow of the Ninja 34 Ninja Crusaders 106 Shatterhand 36 Felix the Cat 108 Mitsume ga Tooru 38 Clash at Demonhead 110 Dragon Fighter 40 Wurm: Journey to the Center of the Earth 112 Choujin Sentai Jetman 42 Zombie Nation 114 The Flintstones: Nightshade 116 The Rescue of Dino and Hoppy 44 Mendel Palace 118 The Flintstones: The Battle of Olympus 120 The Surprise at Dinosaur Peak! 46 Arkista's Ring 122 The Jetsons: Cogswell’s Caper! 48 Faria : A World of Mystery and Danger! 124 Power Blade 50 The Magic of Scheherazade 126 Power Blade 2 53 Crystalis 128 Cocoron 54 Ghost Lion 130 Little Samson 56 Otocky 132 Panic Restaurant 58 Moon Crystal 134 Bio Senshi Dan 60 Kyatto Ninden Teyandee 136 Xexyz 62 Layla 138 Rockin' Kats 64 Space Hunter 140 Werewolf: The Last Warrior 66 Fuzzical Fighter 142 Metal Storm 68 Bio Force Ape 144 Holy Diver 70 Cosmic Epsilon 146 Youkai Club 72 Tetra Star: The Fighter 147 Whomp 'Em 74 Armadillo 148 Totally Rad 76 Time Zone 149 Burai Fighter 78 New Ghostbusters II 150 G. I. Joe 80 Capsules 151 G. I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor 82 Patreon Donors 155 3 The Wing of Madoola In the mid-80s, a variety of those titles. In all three cases, the developers began combining the focus is just as much on action as action-based gameplay of console it is on picking up loot. and arcade platformers with the The first couple of stages are statistics and equipment-driven mostly direct, but the game quickly features of a computer role playing introduces non-linear labyrinths game. Amongst one of the first of that, while technically self- these experimentations for the contained and not all that large, Famicom was Sunsoft'sThe Wing can still be slightly confusing to of Madoola, released in 1986 for navigate, especially owing to the the Famicom. occasional warp door. The ultimate The heroine is a big-haired goal is to hunt down the boss, take The Wing of Madoola anime-styled female warrior named its power crystal, and make your Original Release: 1986 Lucia, who tends to get overlooked way to the exit. Just as important Platforms: FC, PS1, 3DS when discussing female is exploring all of the other alcoves protagonists in video games. This in each stage, many of which have might be due to the fact thatWing equipment essential to your quest. of Madoolaisn't all that fantastic Grabbing a pair of boots will of a game. Our heroine is clad in a increase your speed and jumping warrior swimsuit outfit, but at least prowess, while swords will raise she's not as embarrassingly your attack strength. There are also portrayed as Namco'sWonder multiple magical items spread Momo, another early video game throughout the game, including leading lady, although one flame swords, bombs, and highlighted for all of the wrong bouncing balls, although these reasons. In any case, the fantasy consume magic when you use stylings are very similar to the them. Jars and spell books will also anime OVALeda: The Fantastic increase your maximum health and Adventure of Yoko, which also magic power, respectively. The heavily influenced theValis series. ultimate goal of the final stage is to Lucia's journey requires find the eponymous Wing of traversing through 16 stages to Madoola, which will allow you to defeat the evil Darutos and save fly into the sky and take on the her beloved prince. There's no ultimate baddie. story in the game itself, and the Although picking up all of sparse text is entirely in English. these power-ups is technically Structurally, the closest comparison optional, it's something you're toWing of Madoola would probably going to want to do, asWing of be Sega/Westone'sWonder Boy in Madoola's enemies are unrelenting, Monster Land and Namco'sThe and the numbers are rarely Legend of Valkyrie, although balanced in your favor. Right from Sunsoft's game predated either of the beginning of the game, the 4 4 The Wing of Madoola smallest of frogs take several hits Most bosses, save the last, are adventure gameDead Zone. These to kill, as do the other standard simply more powerful versions of two tracks were replicated on a enemies, until you're able to regular enemies, and the only real third mini-CD included with the stumble through a few screens strategy is to either attack from a ROM Cassette Disc In Sunsoft and improve your sword. Even as distance or play hit-and-run. release from 2011, which features you proceed through the game, The difficulty initially seems music from all of Sunsoft's you can find yourself being overwhelming, because once you cartridge-based games, including attacked from all angles by die, there's no evident way to Wing of Madoola. The bonus enemies that can sap huge chunks continue. However, holding down tracks are cheesy but enjoyable of your health, to the point where Select then pressing Start on the 80s-style synth, while the in-game most of the time it's just better to title screen after perishing will music is fairly average, predating avoid conflict altogether. There are bring you to a stage select, the era of amazing Sunsoft NES even certain enemies, malicious allowing you to resume progress soundtracks that began with purple blobs-things that respawn where you left off, or start at an Blaster Master. The outdoors infinitely in certain areas, requiring already-completed area, in case theme music is peppy and likeable, you to stave them off while you you've missed some power-ups. It and the castle interior theme is dash away. (The trick is that they also resets your magic to excellent, but the rest is largely can't attack when you're maximum and your health to 1000 unmemorable. crouching, but you can thankfully – helpful considering that Lucia is well-known among still harm them in that position – otherwise they aren’t replenished Japanese retro game fans, and she unfortunately due to the rate at between stages beyond the 500 even starred in various comics, which they fly towards you, that's points of life granted when including a spin-off calledWing of not a huge advantage.) There's no grabbing the boss' crystals. Madoola Gaiden, authored by gold or experience points to Owning to the technical Moriken, the character designer. obtain, and while fallen enemies limitations of a 128k ROM, both Moriken founded the group M's occasionally drop health or magic the visuals and the map layouts Cafe and has published a number restoratives, they're so rare as to are quite repetitive. Some of the of doujin action/adventure games make it not worth your time. To levels differentiate themselves starring heroines from old Sunsoft that end, each stage generally using altered palettes, but more games – Lucia stars in boils down to running around, than a few stages are only slight Ma*oolaEX, while other games jumping away from as many variations on the same outdoor parodied includeDead Zone, enemies as possible, scavenging area, giving many areas a distinct Ripple Island, andMarchen Veil. for items until your health starts to feeling of déjà vu. Furthermore, Additionally, Lucia, along with run low, then hunting down the the generally clumsy nature of Kane Gardner fromMeta Fight boss and hoping you have the both the combat and the RPG (AKABlaster Master), Yumetarou numerical fortitude to survive. elements renderWing of Madoola fromGimmick!, and the characters This being a Famicom game only really playable for those with fromHebereke (AKAUfouria), also from 1986, the action is highly a historical interest in action-RPGs. show up as super deformed unrefined. Enemies attack quickly On a positive note, you can see characters in cards for Sunsoft's and erratically, and the range of the groundwork that Sunsoft laid Barcode World. your sword is so short that it's for better titles, likeBlaster The Wing of Madoolawas hard to fight anything without Master, which took both the later re-released on the PlayStation taking damage yourself. At least action and exploratory elements in as part of theMemorial Series since Lucia swipes at an arc, she a more palatable direction. Sunsoft Vol. 3 package, where it can attack enemies directly above There was a contest at the was coupled up withToukaidou her, as well as to the side. This time of the game's release to find Gojuusan-tsugi, another Japanese- issue is also slightly negated by a secret password in the game's only Famicom title. It's just a the various ranged magic spells, eighth stage. Upon successfully straight emulation with sparse even though they’re limited in use. finding it, the player could send it extras, though. The game was The enemy spawning is also to Sunsoft in exchange for a also featured onGame Center glitchy, occasionally wrapping music tape with two tracks, one CX/Retro Game Master, and is around to other sides of the fromWing of Madoola, the other one of the few officially translated screen, or flat out disappearing. from the Famicom Disk System videos that have been released. 5 5 Blaster Master Jason Frudnick was your normal This is the preposterous story teenaged kid living in a seemingly that marks the beginning of one of average suburban neighborhood, the greatest video game adventures who happened to have a pet frog around,Blaster Master. Known as named Fred. Unbeknownst to him, Chou Wakusei Senki Meta Fight one day a chain of events would ("Super Planetary War Chronicles: occur and forever change his life. Meta Fight") in Japan,Blaster As he’s playing around with Fred, Master is an example of the cross- the frog spontaneously decides to pollination of two different styles of hop out of its glass cage and flee gaming. Part of the experience is a outside, causing Jason to give straightforward, action side- chase. Fred makes his way to the scroller. In these sections, you Blaster Master radioactive container in the middle control your tank, Sophia 3rd, AKA:Chou Wakusei Senki Meta of Jason's yard, which causes the armed with a potent cannon that Fight(JP) amphibian to grow to a freakishly can fire in front or above, and a Original Release: 1988 huge size. jump that can rival Super Mario's. Platforms: NES, PS1, WII, WIIU, Fred proceeds to jump down In addition to the main gun, you 3DS the nearby huge hole in the ground can also find a number of limited that leads deep under the earth. use weapon pick-ups from Jason, completely unconcerned enemies, including homing missiles about why there's a giant and downward lightning strikes. In radioactive container sticking out of a unique feature for platformers at his front yard or how deep the the time, you can actually choose unusually large hole is, continues to get out of the tank and fight on his chase and follows the enlarged foot, though this is usually the Fred down the hole. Somehow quickest way to get your ass surviving the fall, Jason finds handed to you, since your gun himself in a cave of some sort. sucks and you're extra weak in the There’s no sign of his frog, yet he overworld areas. discovers a shiny new battle tank Your tank is very limited at just sitting there, as if it was first as to what places it can reach, waiting for his appearance. Again, and requires the assistance of not one to ask questions, Jason equipment expansions in order for puts on the battle armor inside the progress to be made. These include tank and drives out of the cave into abilities that let you drive on walls the vast underground world, and hover. This is where the determined to get his beloved pet game's second aspect comes in frog back. Here he finds a band of and serves as the primary reason mutants, revealed in later games to you'll need to get out of your have originated from outer space, vehicle. Throughout each area's led by an evil being called the main sections are doors small Plutonium Boss. enough for only a human to fit. 6 Blaster Master These doors lead to overhead, grenade, useful for dealing with technically advanced sounding dungeon crawling sections (similar stronger enemies when your main NES music. The most notable to the originalTheLegend of Zelda gun is in a weakened state. thing about it is how each song orLink to the Past). Most doors Blaster Master likes to conveys the mood and lead to dungeons that are dead occasionally force you out of your atmosphere of a given area with ends, and may only be useful as tank for certain stretches of the uncanny accuracy. The best song quick power-up spots, but one area's overworld parts. In one of in the game, Area 1's theme door contains the lair to the area's the game's harsher moments, (what could be regarded as the boss, and is regularly hidden in the when you initially enter the water "main theme"), has a beginning area's most out-of-the-way stage, Area 5, you find that your part that perfectly matches the location. Defeating the boss earns tank is ill-equipped to maneuver area's short intro scene of you you a new part for Sophia, underwater. The minute you jump taking off out of the cave into the allowing it to bypass whatever in the drink, it promptly sinks to the actual level, and a follow up obstacle currently prevents you the ocean floor like a rock. melody that does much to inspire from going to the next section. Eventually, you have to get out you to explore the strange world Several areas are non-linear, and swim through a good portion you see before you and find that meaning the entrance to the next of the area to the boss's dungeon damn frog of yours. The part may not even be in the one and, if you survive the fight, go all soundtrack was composed by you're in currently, as some areas the way back. Not to mention Naoki Kodaka, a regular supplier of have multiple entrance doors. For while on the way, you have to music in the NES Sunsoft era. instance, once you beat the deal with annoying humanoid/fish Blaster Master will provide Area 3 boss, you have to do some enemies that not only move more you with plenty of challenge. To drastic backtracking through capably underwater, but have beat the entire game, you're only already visited areas to find the better guns than you. given three lives with no entrance to Area 4. The graphics are very nice opportunity to earn more, and a Your character has a separate looking for a late 80s NES game, short supply of credits. Depending health meter from the tank, and a featuring an impressive level of on your preparedness (meaning: gun meter in the overhead rooms. detail and animation. It’s on the gun level), bosses can be tough Your main gun starts off pretty dark side – you’re underground, customers, though several can be weak, but by collecting the technically, at least according to easily bypassed by taking appropriate icons, it can be made the English story – but it still looks advantage of the infamous significantly more powerful as appealing. Each area has its own grenade pausing trick (simply hit your gun meter fills. Getting hit, visual theme, from the typical fire, "start" when the grenade is however, not only causes you to water, and ice themes, to the exploding). On top of it all, those lose health, but a unit of gun more unique parts like Area 2's old not familiar with the locations will energy as well. Obviously, if you English castle theme. However, probably get lost easily, and the take too many hits, then you end things tend to slow down when traps and enemies spread around up with a gun that’s almost more sprites appear on the screen, each area will be more likely to kill useless. You also have a a problem typical of NES games. you during the search for the next secondary weapon in the form of Blaster Masteralso has a destination. There’s no password a close range, yet powerful great soundtrack, featuring some or save game function, either. 7 7 Blaster Master Blaster Masteris simply an Fighthas a completely different the heroine Dr. Jennifer Cornet, a excellent game. When it was story. Your character there is Kane Nora scientist, who only appears released in the late 80s, games Gardner, and the tank is instead here in the game (she’s in the that attempted to blend multiple known as the Metal Attacker, manual and on the cover, though). genres weren't all that common. developed at a scientific facility on Hidden (and disabled) in the Blaster Masterpulled this off the satellite Nora, to fend off the game ROM is an item called superbly, though, and the only invasion of the planet Sophia 3rd “Spike”, which was assumed to other contemporary that really (yes, it’s the name of a planet let either the tank or Jason walk matches its effort is Compile’s rather than the name of the tank) on the namesake type of surface. Guardian Legend. As a testament by the evil emperor Goez. Since, A similar item was found in the to its greatness,Blaster Master unlikeBlaster Master,Meta Fight laterBlaster Master: Overdrive. remains just as engaging as it was lacks an intro sequence, the only There are also remnants of a title all those years ago, making it a indication of the story difference screen logo indicating that the strong candidate for one of those in the game is from the opening English release was planned to rare games you'll pick up and cinema, where the tank takes off have kept the originalMeta Fight replay every now and then. from a base-like structure rather name in America. Gameplay-wise, the than from a cave. However, some Meta Fight was later re- differences between the English of the ending graphics are released in Japan on the and Japanese versions are minor, different, like the shape of the PlayStation, as part of Sunsoft's with just a tweak to one section in alien base as seen from a Memorial Disccompilations. It’s Area 4 where you need to make a distance. The American ending just a straight emulation with long jump and land on a tiny also adds the protagonist’s frog. some slightly wonky sound, as ladder, or else you’ll hit the ground The final ending screen of the with the rest of the games in the and die; it’s far less cruel in the Japanese version features a chibi series. This is also available on the American version. However,Meta rendition of the hero, as well as Japanese PSN. Screenshot Comparisons American Japanese American Japanese American Japanese 8 Blaster Master 2 Blaster Master was more popular in well. Each stage has a few doors the US than in Japan, leaving the for Jason (or S.O.P.H.I.A.) to enter American side of Sunsoft to and one door to the next stage; it's commission a sequel. As a pretty easy to find where to go result,Blaster Master 2was next. Plus, the designs are rather developed by Software Creations dull. You can’t revisit previous (ofSolstice/Equinox fame) and stages, either. Gone are the released for the Genesis. Alas, it’s overhead dungeons of the original, quite a poor follow-up. and in their place are zoomed-in The game takes place a few rooms, part of the main side- years after the original game, with scrolling areas. These aren't used Blaster Master 2 Sophia the 3rd having been very often, only serving as Original Release: 1993 destroyed and its parts stolen by battlegrounds for the enlarged Platforms: GEN beings who wish to use its powers Jason sprite to do battle with to destroy the planet. Jason goes various bosses that cough up items to the drawing board to create a when you kill them. Jason acts the brand new tank, and then heads same in these rooms as he does in underground to save the world. the main parts of the stages, and Your tank sports a new look he also loses his grenade launcher. and can now fire diagonally The worst of it, however, are upward, otherwise the game plays the new overhead tank sections. similarly to the first. In the main The controls in these parts are parts of stages, you'll spend a lot especially bad, as your tank slides more time out of the tank as all over and bounces like a pinball, Jason, and thankfully he's not not to mention the difficulty in quite as useless as he was aiming the cannon. inBlaster Master's overworlds. The graphics are okay for a Furthermore, both Jason and the later Genesis game. They have the tank share the same life meter and look of an Amiga game, with lots gun upgrades. of bright colors, and contrast with This doesn't sound too bad on the dark color palette of the paper, butBlaster Master 2 heavily original NES game. The music is degrades one of the things the mostly annoying, too, which is an original got spot-on: play control. incredible disappointment after the The controls feels very stiff, and high quality of the first game. your tank does this annoying thing Much of the game's difficulty where it locks the cannon in the comes not from being genuinely direction you push it, so you keep challenging, but from rampant having to remember to manually cheapness. Combine this factor bring your aim back down. with the spotty controls, and The non-linearity of the Blaster Master 2 provides a very original is nearly absent here, as frustrating experience. 9 Blaster Master Boy It’sBlaster Master! For the Game various obstacles that hinder your Boy! Except not really.Blaster progress, such as water, spikes, or Master Boy (orBlaster Master Jr. in darkness, and there are items you Europe) originally wasn't even part can collect that enable you to of theBlaster Master series, at maneuver through these obstacles. least in Japan. It started out as You can also collect various other Bomber King: Scenario 2, a spin-off items that will improve your gun, game of Hudson'sBomberman armor, etc., or let you use bombs series (the firstBomber King you that have differing effects. Each may have played on the NES as substage has a key you need to RoboWarrior when it was released find in order to reveal and open the in the West). Strangely, Hudson's room's exit. Eventually you reach Blaster Master Boy name doesn't appear anywhere on the boss at the end of the stage AKA: Blaster Master Jr.(EU) / the Japanese version's title or and after beating him, you move on Bomber King: Scenario 2(JP) packaging, but Sunsoft's does. One to the next. Original Release: 1991 can assume Sunsoft must have The graphics are typical for an Platforms: GB noticed the similarity between early Game Boy game, so don't Bomber King 2 andBlaster expect anything eye-popping. There Master's overhead dungeons (not isn't much music to be heard, but to mention how the main character it’s all very Hudson-like, particularly sort of looked like Jason in his the reoccurring main stage theme battle armor), and after some minor which sounds like the Stage 1 modifications, domesticated it as a music fromStarship Hector. A few Blaster Master game. It makes spots in the game may give you some sense, consideringBlaster trouble, but for the most part the Master was much more popular in game is straightforward and easy the United States than it was in to get through. If you lose all of Japan. The game itself was initially your lives, you can restart from the developed by Aicom. stage you died on as the game has Aptly so,Blaster Master Boy is unlimited continues. like a cross betweenBomberman You can do a lot worse than and the dungeons inBlaster Blaster Master Boy if you're looking Master. Sophia isn't around this for a Game Boy game. After time, so you just control Jason finishing it though, it's doubtful through the whole game. You still that you'll ever give it a replay, have your gun to shoot enemies since it's fairly unremarkable. All with, but instead of using versions look and play the same grenades, you now plant bombs besides the title – even the robot that can destroy scenery blocking dude as seen in the Japanese your path or damage/kill things, version is close enough to the including yourself. In addition to appearance of Jason in his suit that obstructing scenery, there are they didn’t change his sprite. 10

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