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Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master

2025-10-20T16:46:44Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{Short description|1993 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
|image = Shinobi III Return of the Ninja Master.jpg
|caption = North American cover art
|developer = [[Sega]]
|publisher = Sega
|director = Tomoyuki Ito Takeshi Matsuhashi
|designer = Naohisa Nakazawa
|artist = Kazuyuki Iwasawa Katsuhiko Ogikubo Hiroyuki Hirama
|producer = Tomio Takami Tokinori Kaneyasu
|composer = Hirofumi Murasaki Morihiko Akiyama Masayuki Nagao
|programmer = Tsukasa Aoki Toshiaki Yajima Akio Oi
|series = ''[[Shinobi (series)|Shinobi]]''
|platforms = [[Sega Genesis|Genesis/Mega Drive]]
|released = {{vgrelease|JP|July 23, 1993|EU|July 24, 1993|NA|August 22, 1993|AU|1994<ref>[http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/genesis/data/586455.html Mega Drive release dates]. [[GameFAQs]]. Retrieved on February 4, 2008.</ref>}}
|genre = [[Hack and slash]], [[Platform game|platform]]
|modes = [[Single-player]]
}}

'''''Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master''''', released in Japan as {{nihongo foot|'''''The Super Shinobi II''''',|ザ・スーパー忍II|Za Sūpā Shinobi II|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1993 [[hack and slash]] [[platform game]] developed and published by [[Sega]] for the [[Sega Genesis]]. It is the direct sequel to the previous ''[[The Revenge of Shinobi (1989 video game)|The Revenge of Shinobi]]''. ''Shinobi III'' received critical acclaim, and has been ranked among the greatest Genesis games.

==Gameplay==
Compared to its predecessor, the action is considerably smoother, with less emphasis on difficulty and more on speed. In addition to the ability to run from place to place, the player character comes equipped with a new array of moves and techniques, including a mid-air dashkick, the ability to jump-scale walls and a powerful running slash that renders him temporarily invincible to projectiles.

Besides his regular assortment of moves and attacks, the player has the ability to perform four special [[ninjitsu]] techniques. Only one can be used in each level, unless the Shinobi finds additional ninjitsu bonuses throughout hidden spots in most levels. The four ninjitsu techniques involve engulfing lightning as a temporary shield, summon fire-dragons, boosting his vertical leap and self-sacrificing, the latter costing one life to destroy common enemies or damage bosses.

==Plot==
Neo Zeed is threatening the world once more. The evil crime syndicate - thought to have been vanquished [[The Revenge of Shinobi (1989 video game)|two years earlier]] - has returned, headed by a man known only as the Shadow Master. [[Joe Musashi]] has felt their presence, and descends from the lonely mountaintops of Japan to face his nemesis once more.

==Development and release==
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2020}}
''Shinobi III'' was originally set to be released in 1992.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Huyhi4Kxac |title=SEGA 新作ソフトビデオ VOL.24 |date=2022-01-03 |last=wadelyjp |access-date=2025-08-28 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Sega |title=Shinobi III Return of the Ninja Master |date=1993 |url=http://archive.org/details/sg_Shinobi_III_Return_of_the_Ninja_Master_1993_Sega_US |access-date=2023-07-19}}</ref> Several gaming magazines (including ''[[GamePro]]'', ''[[Mean Machines]]'' and ''[[Computer & Video Games]]'') gave previews and even reviews of the game, showing pictures of levels, enemies, artwork and special moves which were not seen in the final version at all. Because of general dissatisfaction with the result up to that point, Sega delayed the game for a 1993 release date while the development team worked on improving gameplay and visuals. When ''Shinobi III'' was finally released, many game features seen earlier were missing, with new ones taking their place. A beta-version of the original version of the game has been leaked and is now widely available as a [[ROM image]].

''Shinobi III'' is included on the ''[[Sega Genesis Collection]]'' for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[PlayStation Portable]] and ''[[Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection]]'' for the [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 3]]. It was also released for the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] service in 2007,<ref>[http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/wii/data/941717.html Wii release dates]. [[GameFAQs]]. Retrieved on February 4, 2008.</ref> for the [[Personal computer|PC]] on the download service [[Steam (service)|Steam]] in 2010, on the [[iPhone]] in 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/34277/|title=Shinobi III released on Steam|publisher=Valve Corporation|access-date= September 14, 2010}}</ref> for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] [[eShop]] in 2013, and on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service in 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/443285/us-nintendo-eshop-update-shinobi-streets-of-rage-castlevania/ |title=News: US Nintendo eShop update: Shinobi, Streets of Rage, Castlevania |publisher=ComputerAndVideoGames.com |date= |access-date=2013-12-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Stedman|first=Alex|date=September 30, 2021|title=Nintendo Switch Online Expanding With N64 and Sega Genesis Games in New Membership|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-online-n64-sega-genesis-new-membership|access-date=December 24, 2021|website=IGN|language=en}}</ref> The game also appears in ''Sega Genesis Classics'' (released as ''Sega Mega Drive Classics'' in PAL regions) for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Linux]], [[macOS]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]] and [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2018/03/14/sega-mega-drive-classics-featuring-over-50-iconic-games-hits-ps4-on-29th-may/ | title=Sega Mega Drive Classics, featuring over 50 iconic games, hits PS4 on 29th May | date=14 March 2018 }}</ref>

{{Clear}}

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 85% (Genesis)<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586455-shinobi-iii-return-of-the-ninja-master/index.html |title=Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master for Genesis |publisher=GameRankings |date=1993-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309051122/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586455-shinobi-iii-return-of-the-ninja-master/index.html |access-date=2013-12-22|archive-date=2016-03-09 }}</ref> 61% (iOS)<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/620572-shinobi-iii-return-of-the-ninja-master/index.html |title=Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master for iPhone/iPod |publisher=GameRankings |date=2011-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909115844/http://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/620572-shinobi-iii-return-of-the-ninja-master/index.html |access-date=2013-12-22|archive-date=2015-09-09 }}</ref>
| MC = 62/100 (iOS)<ref>{{cite web|author=VonSeux |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/shinobi-iii-return-of-the-ninja-master/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad |title=Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master for iPhone/iPad Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |date= |access-date=2013-12-22}}</ref>
| CVG = 84% (Mega Drive)<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Anglin |first1=Paul |last2=Keen |first2=Steve |last3=Rand |first3=Paul |title=3 Page Review: Super Shinobi II (Mega Drive) |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=15 January 1993 |issue=135 (February 1993) |pages=22–4 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/8/81/CVG_UK_135.pdf#page=22}}</ref>
| EuroG = 8/10 (Mega Drive)<ref>{{cite web|last=Whitehead |first=Dan |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vcroundup060807_wii |title=Virtual Console Roundup Review Page 1 Reviews Wii |publisher=Eurogamer.net |date=2007-08-06 |access-date=2013-12-22}}</ref>
| GSpot = 7/10 (Genesis)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/shinobi-iii-return-of-the-ninja-master-review/1900-6180370/ |title=Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master Review |publisher=GameSpot |date= |access-date=2013-12-22}}</ref>
| IGN = 8/10 (Genesis)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/10/16/shinobi-iii-return-of-the-ninja-master-review |title=Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master Review - IGN |publisher=Uk.ign.com |date= 16 October 2007|access-date=2013-12-22}}</ref> 6.5/10 (iOS)<ref name=ign>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/01/28/shinobi-iii-return-of-the-ninja-master-iphone-review |title=Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master iPhone Review - IGN |publisher=Uk.ign.com |date=2011-01-27 |access-date=2013-12-22}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[MegaTech]]''
| rev1Score = 93% (Mega Drive)<ref name=mt>MegaTech review, [[EMAP]], issue 21.</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Game Index |magazine=[[MegaTech]] |date=31 May 1995 |issue=42 (June 1995) |pages=30–1 |url=https://archive.org/details/megatech-42/page/n29/mode/2up}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]]''
| rev2Score = 79% (Mega Drive)<ref name=mm>[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]] review, issue 13, page 34, October 1993.</ref>
| award1Pub = ''[[MegaTech]]''
| award1 = Hyper Game (Genesis)
| rev3 = [[Power Unlimited]]
| rev3Score = 90% (Mega Drive)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Power Unlimited Game Database |url=http://www.powerweb.nl/database/img/index.php?page=database&&query%5border%5d=datum&ending=ASC&query%5bstart%5d=140 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031021212640/http://www.powerweb.nl/database/img/index.php?page=database&&query%5border%5d=datum&ending=ASC&query%5bstart%5d=140 |archive-date=October 21, 2003 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |website=Power Unlimited }}</ref>
}}
{{Expand section|date=September 2021}}

''Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master'' received critical acclaim. ''[[MegaTech]]'' magazine praised the game's new attacks and moves, but criticised that it was "not as hard as ''[[The Revenge of Shinobi (1989 video game)|The Revenge of Shinobi]]''".<ref name=mt/> ''[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]]'' said that "beyond the tricky bosses, this is far too easy".<ref name=mm/> An ''[[IGN]]'' review by Levi Buchanan called it "a legit Genesis great, one of the better action games for the 16-bit console of yesteryear", even if the [[iPhone]] version was deemed just "okay".<ref name=ign/> ''[[Power Unlimited]]'' gave the Mega Drive version a score of 90% summarizing: "''Shinobi III'' is a massive improvement over its predecessor, ''Revenge of Shinobi''. It's a bit easier, but the game moves faster and is therefore less frustrating. Everything from graphics to fighting techniques are fine. Addictive game!"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Power Unlimited Game Database |url=http://www.powerweb.nl/database/img/index.php?page=database&&query%5border%5d=datum&ending=ASC&query%5bstart%5d=140 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031021212640/http://www.powerweb.nl/database/img/index.php?page=database&&query%5border%5d=datum&ending=ASC&query%5bstart%5d=140 |archive-date=October 21, 2003 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |website=Power Unlimited }}</ref>

''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' rated it the third best game on the Sega Genesis, stating: "The only drawback? The last level was freaking impossible!"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2010/11/sega-anything-the-25-best-genesis-games/Shinobi-III |title=#3. Shinobi III: Return Of The Ninja Master (1993) / Sega Anything: The 25 Best Genesis Games |publisher=Complex |date=2010-11-29 |access-date=2013-12-22}}</ref> ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' included it among their top ten Mega Drive games.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top Ten Mega Drive Games|url=http://www.retrogamer.net/top_10/top-ten-mega-drive-games/|website=[[Retro Gamer]]|access-date=23 August 2016|date=January 7, 2014}}</ref> In 2023, both ''[[Nintendo Life]]'' and ''[[GameSpot]]'' ranked the game among top 15 Mega Drive/Genesis games.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lane |first1=Gavin |last2=Nintendo Life Staff |title=Every Nintendo Switch Online Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Game Ranked |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/every-nintendo-switch-online-sega-genesis-mega-drive-game-ranked?page=3 |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |publisher=[[Hookshot Media]] |access-date=12 January 2024 |date=28 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bonthuys |first1=Darryn |title=The 15 Best Sega Genesis Games Of All Time |url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/the-15-best-sega-genesis-games-of-all-time/2900-4685/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[Fandom]] |access-date=12 January 2024 |date=19 March 2023}}</ref>

{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Video games|1990s}}
*{{Official website|http://vc.sega.jp/vc_shinobi2/}} {{in lang|ja}}
*{{moby game|id=/shinobi-iii-return-of-the-ninja-master}}
*[http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/shinobi/shinobi3.htm Hardcore Gaming 101: ''Shinobi'']
*[[iarchive:sg Shinobi III Return of the Ninja Master 1993 Sega US|Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master]] can be played for free in the browser on the [[Internet Archive]]

{{Shinobi series|state=expanded}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1993 video games]]
[[Category:Action games]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Nintendo 3DS eShop games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Overworks games]]
[[Category:Science fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Side-scrolling video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Sega video games]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Shinobi (series)]]
[[Category:Sequel video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games set in Japan]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:MegaTech Hyper Game awards winners]]

Shining in the Darkness

2025-10-20T16:39:33Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{Short description|1991 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Shining in the Darkness
| image = Shining in the Darkness Coverart.png
| caption = North American box art by Greg Martin
| developer = [[Climax Entertainment]]
| publisher = [[Sega]]
| director = Kan Naito
| producer = [[Hiroyuki Takahashi (game producer)|Hiroyuki Takahashi]]
| designer =
| writer = Hiroyuki Takahashi
| composer = Masahiko Yoshimura
| engine =
| series = ''[[Shining (series)|Shining]]''
| platforms = [[Sega Genesis]]
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|March 29, 1991<ref name="Sega titles - Sega JP">{{cite web |title=Software List (Released by Sega)|url=https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html |website=セガ製品情報サイト |publisher=Sega |access-date=May 15, 2023 |language=ja}}</ref>|NA|August 6, 1991<ref>[http://cheats.ign.com/objects/006/006303.html Game data], IGN.com</ref>|PAL|November 11, 1991<ref>{{cite news |title=The Release Schedule |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/dc/CTW_UK_362.pdf |work=Computer Trade Weekly |issue=362 |publisher=Opportunity Publishing |date=11 November 1991 |page=27}}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
}}

'''''Shining in the Darkness'''''{{efn|Released as {{nihongo|''Shining and the Darkness''|シャイニング&ザ・ダクネス|Shainingu & Za Dakunesu}} in Japan}} is a 1991 [[role-playing video game]] developed by [[Climax Entertainment]] and published by [[Sega]] for the [[Sega Genesis]]. It is the first game in the [[Shining (video game series)|''Shining'']] series.

In 2007, the game was re-released on the [[Wii]] [[Virtual Console]]. The game also appears in ''[[Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection]]'' for [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 3]], as well as ''[[Sega Mega Drive and Genesis Classics]]'' on PC.<ref>[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/953/953832p1.html Review for Xbox 360 version of Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801182814/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/953/953832p1.html |date=2012-08-01 }}, IGN.</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[File:MD Shining in the Darkness (Shining and the Darkness).png|thumb|left|Gameplay screenshot]]
''Shining in the Darkness'' is a "[[dungeon crawl]]er" [[role-playing video game]] that puts the player in control of the main character and two friends (Pyra and Milo) as they explore 3D dungeon mazes with turn-based battles. The game consists of story line interaction, dungeon exploration, random monster fights, and predetermined '[[Boss (video gaming)|boss]]' fights. The combat in this game operates similarly to role-playing video games of the era such as ''[[Dragon Quest]]'' (or, more specifically, ''[[Wizardry (video game series)|Wizardry]]''). Additionally, the dungeon contains three characters in need of rescue. Rescuing any or all of the three is optional, and the story changes depending on whether or not the player locates and returns each of these characters to safety. Another key innovation is its icon-based menu system. This is used for battles in dungeons, equipment management, and character interactions in town.<ref name="segapro_shining"/>

==Plot==
''Shining in the Darkness'' is set in the Kingdom of Thornwood. The king's daughter and the main character's father have vanished, while the evil sorcerer Dark Sol (not to be confused with his father, ''[[Shining Force]]'' villain Darksol) has appeared to threaten the kingdom. The main character is charged to find the Arms of Light, rescue the princess and his own father, and stop Dark Sol.

In ''[[Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict]]'', it was revealed Dark Sol is the son of Darksol and Mishaela, the villains of ''[[Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention]]''. After the final defeat of Darksol, the child Dark Sol was whisked away by Oddeye, the foremost Greater Devil of Darksol's archenemy, Zeon. Therefore, Dark Sol's role in ''Shining in the Darkness'' places its entry in the timeline sometime following the events of ''[[Shining Force II]]''. This revelation also supported by a possible reference to Darksol, when Theos mentions "a Dark Wizard" who once wielded the same Dragonbreath spell as Dark Sol.

==Development==
Sega allocated the bare minimum budget offered to out-of-house developers for the creation of ''Shining in the Darkness''. In a 2009 interview, Hiroyuki Takahashi (credited for "writing" and producing the game) recalled: {{blockquote|Because we were on such a tight budget, apart from the programming and graphics, I did nearly all of the work on [''Shining in the Darkness'']. I suppose the basic concept behind ''Darkness'' was 'realism'. I thought it would be exciting if the player could actually travel to a fantasy world and walk around, exploring old houses, dungeons and other places. It was in essence a continuation of the sense of excitement you'd get from moving through the dungeons in older games such as ''[[Wizardry (video game series)|Wizardry]]''. By 'reality' I'm not talking about true realism – I mean the feeling that you really are progressing through actual houses and dungeons, and the same thing applied to the battles.<ref name="gTM article">(November 2009). "Behind the Scenes: Shining Force", ''GamesTM'' (90): 136–41.</ref>}}

The game was re-released on the [[Wii]] [[Virtual Console]] in North America on August 13, 2007, and in Europe on September 7, 2007.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McFerran |first1=Damien |title=Shining in the Darkness Review (Mega Drive) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/08/shining_in_the_darkness_virtual_console |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223165133/http://vc.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/08/shining_in_the_darkness_virtual_console |archive-date=December 23, 2011 |date=August 12, 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Clear}}

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| title = Contemporary reviews
| Dragon = 4/5<ref name="Dragon178"/>
| rev2 = ''[[Sega Force]]''
| rev2Score = 90%<ref>{{cite journal|last=Osborne|first=Ian|title=Reviewed: Shining in the Darkness|journal=[[Sega Force]]|date=January 1992|issue=1|pages=52–3}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Sega Pro]]''
| rev3Score = 93%<ref name="segapro_shining"/>
}}

{{Video game reviews
| title = Retrospective reviews
| GR = 70%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586454-shining-in-the-darkness/index.html |title=Shining in the Darkness for Genesis |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=24 October 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209014104/www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586454-shining-in-the-darkness/index.html |archive-date=2019-12-09}}</ref>
| RPGFan = 82%<ref>{{cite web|title=Shining in the Darkness|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/shininginthedarkness/Shining_in_the_Darkness.html|publisher=RPGFan|accessdate=8 February 2012|author=Musashi|date=1999-04-18|archive-date=2012-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524064604/http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/shininginthedarkness/Shining_in_the_Darkness.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Allgame = 2.5/5<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=11750&tab=review |title=Shining in the Darkness Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115042151/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=11750&tab=review |archive-date=15 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

''[[Sega Pro]]'' reviewed the game in 1991 and gave it a 93% score, describing the [[dungeon crawler]] as "superior to all other RPGs of this style", praising its detailed "background preparation", detailed graphics (including [[2.5D|scaling sprites]] and water effects), character conversations, sound design (especially around taverns), replayability ("Every game is different"), and its innovative icon-based menu system.<ref name="segapro_shining">{{cite journal|title=Shining in the Darkness|journal=[[Sega Pro]]|date=November 1991|issue=1|url=http://www.outofprintarchive.com/articles/reviews/MegaDrive.html|accessdate=29 January 2012}}</ref> Peter Olafson of ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' compared ''Shining'' to ''[[Dungeon Master (computer game)|Dungeon Master]]'' and ''[[Speed Racer]]'', and favorably cited the combat and animation. The magazine concluded that the game was a "[[hack-and-slash]] adventure" that is "not the full-blown CRPG that many gamers were hoping for" but "a ''decided'' step" in that direction.<ref name="olafson199202">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1992&pub=2&id=91 | title=Sega Sets a Shining Example | magazine=Computer Gaming World | date=February 1992 | accessdate=24 November 2013 | last=Olafson |first=Peter | pages=22, 24 |issue=91}}</ref> ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' reviewers praised the game's smooth interface and gave it four out of five stars, saying that it "combines the icons and combat of ''[[Phantasy Star III]]'', the first person perspective of ''[[Phantasy Star (video game)|Phantasy Star I]]'', and the great close-up graphics of ''[[Phantasy Star II]]''."<ref name="Dragon178">{{cite journal
|title=The Role of Computers|last1=Lesser|last2=Lesser|last3=Lesser|first1=Hartley|first2=Patricia|first3=Kirk|name-list-style=amp|journal=Dragon|issue=178|date=February 1992|pages=57–64}}</ref>

''[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]]'' placed the game at #28 in their Top Mega Drive Games of All Time.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Mega review |url= |magazine=Mega |issue=1 |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |date=October 1992 |page=76}}</ref> In 2017, [[GamesRadar+|''GamesRadar'']] ranked the game 32nd on their "Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games of all time."<ref>{{Cite web|last=GamesRadar Staff|date=2017-06-21|title=Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games of all time|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-sega-genesis-games-all-time/|access-date=2022-02-24|website=gamesradar|language=en}}</ref>

By late 1991, over 300,000 copies of the game had sold and paved the way for the new game project ''[[Shining Force]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=News from USA - Programmer Profile Yasuhiro Taguchi |url= https://www.smspower.org/Scans/SegaPro-Magazine-Issue02?gallerypage=15 |magazine=[[Sega Pro]] |issue=2 |publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]] |date=December 1991 |page=15}}</ref>

==Legacy==
''Shining in the Darkness'' is considered by many gaming historians to be a pioneer of Japanese console RPGs, especially in Europe, which would not see a ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' game until more than six years after ''the Darkness'' made its mark in the region.<ref>Day, A (2008). "The History of Shining Force", ''Retro Gamer'' (58): 66–73.</ref> One of the game's key innovations was its introduction of an icon-based menu system,<ref name="segapro_shining"/> possibly inspired by fellow [[Sega]] RPG ''[[Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom]]'' (1990).<ref name="Dragon178"/> The game also marked the beginning of the successful [[Shining (series)|''Shining'' series]].

The second game in the ''Shining'' series, ''[[Shining Force]]'', diverged greatly in gameplay; however, many stylistic parts are reminiscent of ''Shining in the Darkness'', including music and art. Other features such as the distinctive menu system, the use of priests for saving games and resurrecting characters, and several magic spells that would continue to be used in every game in the series up to and including ''[[Shining Force III]]'', with the notable exception of ''[[Shining Wisdom]]''. These games also all share story continuity, even ''Wisdom''.

A ''Shining'' game with similar gameplay, ''[[Shining the Holy Ark]]'', was released for the [[Sega Saturn]] in 1996.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{moby game|id=/shining-in-the-darkness}}

{{Shining Force}}

[[Category:1991 video games]]
[[Category:Camelot Software Planning games]]
[[Category:Climax Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Dungeon crawler video games]]
[[Category:First-person party-based dungeon crawler video games]]
[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Shining (series)]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]

Yoshi (video game)

2025-10-20T15:26:09Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{Short description|1991 video game}}
{{For|the character|Yoshi}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Yoshi
|image = Yoshi game cover.png
|caption = North American NES box art
|developer = [[Game Freak]]
|publisher = [[Nintendo]]
|producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]
* [[Tsunekazu Ishihara]]
}}
|director = [[Satoshi Tajiri]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Helen |date=November 15, 1999 |title=King of Craze Too Shy For Spotlight Pifather Is an Introvert |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |publisher=[[Mortimer Zuckerman]] |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/1999/11/15/1999-11-15_king_of_craze_too_shy_for_sp.html |url-status=dead |access-date=January 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815034205/http://articles.nydailynews.com/1999-11-15/news/18108980_1_pokemon-craze-satoshi-tajiri-insects |archive-date=August 15, 2011}}</ref>
|designer = Satoshi Tajiri
|artist = [[Ken Sugimori]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.siliconera.com/game-freak-director-junichi-masuda-on-the-making-of-yoshi-and-pokemon/|title = Game Freak Director Junichi Masuda on the Making of Yoshi and Pokemon|date = May 25, 2019|access-date = January 9, 2021|archive-date = January 9, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210109201340/https://www.siliconera.com/game-freak-director-junichi-masuda-on-the-making-of-yoshi-and-pokemon/|url-status = live}}</ref>
|composer = [[Junichi Masuda]]
|series = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]''
* ''[[List of Yoshi video games|Yoshi]]''
}}
|platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Game Boy]]
|released = '''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 14, 1991|NA|June 1992|EU|December 10, 1992}} '''Game Boy'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 14, 1991|NA|July 10, 1992|EU|December 17, 1992}}
|genre = [[Puzzle video game|Puzzle]]
|modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}

'''''Yoshi''''',{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Yoshi no Tamago'''''|ヨッシーのたまご|Yosshī no Tamago|Yoshi's Egg|lead=yes}}}} known as '''''Mario & Yoshi''''' in [[PAL]] regions, is a 1991 [[puzzle video game]] developed by [[Game Freak]] and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] and [[Game Boy]]. Both versions were first released simultaneously in Japan on December 14, 1991, and released in all other regions the following year.

In ''Yoshi'', the player is tasked with clearing monsters from the on-screen playing field. The monsters fall in from the top of the screen to build vertical stacks; the player must prevent a stack from growing too high such that it exits the play field. In order to do so, the player swaps and moves the stacks about such that falling monsters collide with identical monsters stationed atop the stacks, causing them to be removed from play. ''Yoshi'' offers both a [[Score (game)|scoring]]-focused [[single-player]] mode and a competitive [[multiplayer|two-player]] mode.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Yoshi for NES screenshot.png|thumb|256px|left|The playing field is divided into four columns in which blocks fall from the top to the bottom.]]
''Yoshi'' is a [[falling block puzzle|falling block game]] in which the player is given a playing field that is divided into four columns. The objective is to match Yoshi egg shells to hatch them and prevent the four stacks, which pile up from the falling monsters, from growing too tall. The [[player character]], [[Mario]], swaps the stacks around such that the falling monsters will be eliminated by coming into contact with the blocks they match.

Monsters, which consist of various ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' enemies, appear at the top of the screen and fall into each the columns, turning into blocks as they land and creating stacks that incrementally grow in height. The main objective is to prevent the four stacks from growing too high by eliminating blocks from the field; a [[game over]] occurs when any of the stacks crosses the black line drawn across the top of the play field.<ref name="instructions">{{Cite book |title=Yoshi Instruction Booklet |publisher=Nintendo |year=1992 |id=NES-YM-USA}}</ref> A stack can hold up to eight objects in the NES version or seven in the Game Boy version.

To eliminate a block from the top of a stack, it must come in contact with a falling monster that matches it. For example, if a [[Goomba]] falls directly onto a Goomba block, both will be removed. The player controls Mario, who resides below the playing field and has the ability to swap the positions of any two adjacent stacks at a time. Thus, the player is required to switch around the stacks to ensure that the monsters fall into the correct places. [[Score (game)|Points]] are awarded for each set of monsters that are eliminated.<ref name="instructions" />

In addition to the four different types of monsters, two halves of a [[Yoshi]] [[eggshell]] will also fall. The bottom eggshell half behaves like a monster: it disappears when it comes into contact with another bottom half. However, if a falling top half comes into contact with a bottom half, the two will join and hatch a Yoshi, earning the player bonus points. Furthermore, if a stack of monsters grows atop a bottom half and a top half is then added, all monsters between the halves will be encased and eliminated. Larger Yoshi characters will hatch depending on the number of monsters encased, which also increases the number of bonus points awarded.<ref name="instructions" /> If a falling top half does not have any bottom half to join to in the stack it touches, it is automatically removed and no points are awarded.

The [[single-player]] mode has two variations: A-Type and B-Type. In A-Type, the game is played indefinitely until the player receives a game over. In B-Type, the player plays a series of [[level (video gaming)|level]]s in which the player is required to completely clear the playing field of all the blocks. The initial number of blocks inside the playing field grows as the player progresses. In [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] mode, a second player controls [[Luigi (character)|Luigi]]. The two players play simultaneously in separate playing fields using the traditional rules. A player wins the match by clearing all the blocks in the field or when the other receives a game over; the first player to win three matches wins overall.<ref name="instructions" />

==Development==
''Yoshi'' was the first collaboration between developer [[Game Freak]] and publisher [[Nintendo]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nutt, Christian |date=April 3, 2009 |title=The Art of Balance: ''Pokémon<nowiki>'</nowiki>s'' Masuda on Complexity and Simplicity |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/132371/the_art_of_balance_pok%C3%A9mons_.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108172656/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/132371/the_art_of_balance_pok%C3%A9mons_.php |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |access-date=January 9, 2021 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[Informa]]}}</ref> Nintendo had previously passed on publishing Game Freak's first title, ''[[Mendel Palace]]'' for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]. After the smaller company incorporated and began work on its second release, ''[[Smart Ball]]'' for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]], Nintendo made Game Freak the offer to develop ''Yoshi''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hilliard, Kyle |date=August 9, 2017 |title=Game Freak's Origins And Its Pre-''Pokémon'' Games |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/08/09/game-freaks-origins-and-non-pokemon-games.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022755/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/08/09/game-freaks-origins-and-non-pokemon-games.aspx |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |access-date=January 9, 2021 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |url-status=live |publisher=[[GameStop]]}}</ref> It was suggested by [[Tsunekazu Ishihara]], an associate of Game Freak co-founder [[Satoshi Tajiri]], that they develop smaller games like ''Yoshi'' in order to give the company the financial backing to eventually realize its larger-scale project, the [[role-playing video game|RPG]] series ''[[Pokémon (video game series)|Pokémon]]''.<ref name="nom">{{Cite web |last=Nintendo staff |date=July 2000 |title=田尻智さん（ゲームフリーク）ＶＳ石原恒和さん（クリーチャーズ）対談 |trans-title=Satoshi Tajiri (Game Freak) vs. Tsunekazu Ishihara (Creatures) Talk |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0007/taidan1/page02.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113010805/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0007/taidan1/page02.html |archive-date=November 13, 2015 |access-date=January 9, 2021 |website=Nintendo Online Magazine |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |language=ja}}</ref> ''Yoshi'' was developed in six months with Tajiri as its director.<ref name="nom" /> [[Ken Sugimori]] came up with the gameplay concept.<ref name="siliconera">{{Cite web |last=Wong, Alistair |date=May 24, 2019 |title=Game Freak Director Junichi Masuda On The Making Of ''Yoshi'' And ''Pokemon'' |url=https://www.siliconera.com/game-freak-director-junichi-masuda-on-the-making-of-yoshi-and-pokemon/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109201340/https://www.siliconera.com/game-freak-director-junichi-masuda-on-the-making-of-yoshi-and-pokemon/ |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |access-date=January 9, 2021 |publisher=Siliconera}}</ref> Ishihara and Yoshi creator [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] served as [[Video game producer|producers]].<ref name="nom" /> Tajiri explained that it was during the development of ''Yoshi'' that he learned the "wave" design of [[Game balance#Difficulty level|game difficulty]] in which the player is presented with an easy [[Level (video games)|stage]] directly after a challenging one to allow them to savor their accomplishment.<ref name="siliconera" /> [[Junichi Masuda]] composed the game's music and sound. Masuda stated that he spent an extensive amount of time programming the movement of the game's menu items to its music. Game Freak had also wanted to add in a realistic-sounding Yoshi voice, but Nintendo disapproved of it.<ref name="siliconera" /> In 2024, a prototype of an unreleased [[Nintendo DS]] remake was discovered as part of the October 2024 Game Freak leak, hidden in the source code of ''[[Pokémon Black and White]]''; evidence led some to believe that the prototype may have been based on an unreleased [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] version.<ref>{{cite web | last=McFerran | first=Damien | title=Unreleased Yoshi's Egg Remake For Nintendo DS Breaks Cover Online | website=Time Extension | date=October 16, 2024 | url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2024/10/unreleased-yoshis-egg-remake-for-nintendo-ds-breaks-cover-online | access-date=October 17, 2024}}</ref>

==Release==
''Yoshi'' was released in Japan for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] and [[Game Boy]] on December 14, 1991.<ref name="famitsu-fam" /><ref name="famitsu-gb" />

The NES version of ''Yoshi'' was made available for purchase on the [[Virtual Console]] for the [[Wii]] in 2007. The game was then re-released on September 1, 2011, as a downloadable title on the [[Nintendo 3DS]], available only to members of the Nintendo Ambassador program.<ref name="nintendo 3ds">{{Cite web |last=Thomas, Lucas M. |date=August 3, 2011 |title=Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors, Behold Your Final Five NES Rewards – DS Feature at IGN |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/119/1191508p1.html |access-date=August 31, 2011 |archive-date=March 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317015025/http://ds.ign.com/articles/119/1191508p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Yoshi'' was made available for purchase in the [[Nintendo eShop]] on August 22, 2012, in Japan, on February 21, 2013, in North America and on May 2, 2013, in Europe. It was also released for the [[Wii U]] on June 12, 2013, as the part of the 30th anniversary of the Famicom with the price of 30 [[Cent (currency)|cents]] which become the regular price starting on July 12, 2013. The NES version was also released via the [[Nintendo Classics]] service on September 18, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tucker|first=Kevin|date=September 13, 2018|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/107274/all-nes-classic-games-coming-to-nintendo-switch-online|title=All NES classic games coming to Nintendo Switch Online|website=[[Shacknews]]|access-date=September 9, 2025}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| title = Contemporary reception
| Fam = 6/10, 7/10, 6/10, 5/10 (NES)<ref name="famitsu-fam">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Famitsu|Famicom Tsūshin]]|date=January 3, 1992|language=Japanese|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation]]|title=New Games Cross Review|authorlink1=Hirokazu Hamamura|first1=Hamamura|last1=Tsūshin|last2=Suzuki|first2=Altz|last3=Watanabe|first3=Miki|author4=Taco X|issue=159|location=Japan|p=37}}</ref> 6/10, 7/10, 4/10, 3/10 (GB)<ref name="famitsu-gb">{{cite magazine|magazine=Famicom Tsūshin|date=January 3, 1992|language=Japanese|publisher=ASCII Corporation|title=New Games Cross Review|first1=Hamamura|last1=Tsūshin|last2=Suzuki|first2=Altz|last3=Watanabe|first3=Miki|author4=Taco X|issue=159|location=Japan|p=38}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''N-Force''
| rev1Score = 4/5<ref name="n-force buyers guide">{{Cite journal |date=January 1993 |title=Christmas Crackers! |journal=N-Force |publisher=[[Europress]] |issue=7 |page=64}}</ref>
}}

===Contemporary===
''Yoshi'' sold 500,000 copies in Japan on its first day on sale.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Season 1 Special Episode: Pokémon - Satoshi Tajiri interview |work=[[GameCenter CX]] |publisher=[[Fuji Television]]}}</ref> In the United States, the game topped [[Babbage's]] NES sales charts for two months in 1992, from August to September.<ref name="EGMOct1992">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_Issue_039_October_1992/page/n43/mode/2up |title=EGM Top Ten |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=39 |date=October 1992 |pages=44–45}}</ref><ref name="EGMNov1992">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20040%20%28November%201992%29/page/n39/mode/2up |title=EGM Top Ten |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=40 |date=November 1992 |pages=40–41}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, the Game Boy version still sold 100,000 copies in 1997, years after release.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Christmas Editorial: Nintendo's Blue-Eyed Boy |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=12 December 1997 |issue=194 (January 1998) |page=6 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_194_1998-01_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n5}}</ref>

Upon release, the game received a positive review from the [[Europress]] gaming magazine ''N-Force'', which stated in a preview for the game in its September 1992 issue that "basically [the game] is great. The fun of [[Tetris]], but with colour and sound effects. Just as hard, maybe harder – definitely just as addictive."<ref name="n-force preview">{{Cite journal |date=September 1992 |title=Pre-Play! NES Yoshi |journal=N-Force |publisher=[[Europress]] |issue=3 |pages=28–29}}</ref> It later rated the game 4 out of 5 in the Buyers' Guide for its January 1993 issue, summarizing that "Yoshi is great fun. Gameplay's nothing new – Tetris all over again! Graphics are a treat. Lots of fun – in short bursts."<ref name="n-force buyers guide"/>

{{Clear}}

===Retrospective===
{{Video game reviews
| title = Retrospective reception
| NES = true
| WII = true
| Allgame_NES = 2.5/5<ref name="allgame review">{{Cite web |last=Weiss, Brett Alan |title=Yoshi – Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=13886&tab=review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211001000/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=13886&tab=review |archive-date=December 11, 2014 |access-date=April 27, 2015 |publisher=[[Allgame]]}}</ref>
| GSpot_WII = 5/10<ref name="gamespot review">{{Cite web |last=Provo, Frank |date=July 26, 2007 |title=Yoshi |url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/puzzle/yoshi/review.html?sid=6175705 |publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
| IGN_WII = 5/10<ref name="ign review">{{Cite web |last=Thomas, Lucas |date=July 17, 2007 |title=Yoshi Review |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/805/805744p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809191532/http://wii.ign.com/articles/805/805744p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 9, 2007 |publisher=IGN}}</ref>
| NLife_WII = 4/10<ref name="nlife review">{{Cite web |last=Calvert, Darren |date=May 17, 2007 |title=Yoshi (Wii Virtual Console/NES) Review |url=http://vc.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/05/yoshi_virtual_console |publisher=Nintendo Life |access-date=September 10, 2011 |archive-date=December 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222184120/http://vc.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/05/yoshi_virtual_console |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

''Yoshi'' received mixed reviews from retrospective critics, with common criticism directed towards its perceived repetitive gameplay and dependence on luck, which led to insufficient [[replay value]]. Brett Alan Weiss of ''[[Allgame]]'' called ''Yoshi'' a "surprisingly dull game," noting that while the game's controls are unique, "the novelty wears off after a while."<ref name="allgame review" />

Reviews of ''Yoshi''{{'}}s [[Virtual Console]] release on [[Wii]] in 2007 were also mixed. Both Frank Provo of ''[[GameSpot]]'' and Lucas M. Thomas of ''[[IGN]]'' rated ''Yoshi'' 5 out of 10. Thomas regarded the gameplay as "slow" and the controls "cumbersome," and concluded that the game is a "beginner's puzzler, holding little appeal for experienced players".<ref name="ign review" /> While Provo complimented both the game's graphics and music, he stated that the gameplay did not involve much strategy, inciting little reason to play more than a few minutes.<ref name="gamespot review" /> ''Nintendo Life'' felt that ''Yoshi'' was "uninspired", rating the game 4 out of 10.<ref name="nlife review" />

Several websites that covered recent Virtual Console releases recommended that players refrain from purchasing ''Yoshi''. Nintendo World Report stated that "there's too much luck and chance in the game to make playing it satisfying,"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez, Steven |date=July 10, 2007 |title=Virtual Console Mondays: July 9, 2007 |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/recommendations/13828 |access-date=September 9, 2011 |publisher=Nintendo World Report |archive-date=July 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726033316/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/recommendations/13828 |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Joystiq]]'' also stated that "while [the gameplay is] admittedly a pretty interesting way to spend an afternoon, it still feels like kind of a ripoff."<ref>{{Cite web |last=McElroy, Justin |date=July 9, 2007 |title=Mach Rider, Yoshi and Air "Zonk" appear on Virtual Console |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/mach-rider-yoshi-and-air-zonk-appear-on-virtual-console/ |access-date=September 12, 2011 |publisher=Joystiq}}</ref> Jeremy Parish of ''[[1UP.com]]'' stated that the gameplay in ''Yoshi'' was "not enough to justify the asking price [of 500 [[Nintendo Points|points]]],"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parish, Jeremy |date=July 23, 2007 |title=Retro Roundup 7/23: Paper Mario, Kirby, Zonk, Shining Force |url=http://www.1up.com/news/retro-roundup-723 |publisher=[[1UP.com]] |access-date=September 13, 2011 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020054646/http://www.1up.com/news/retro-roundup-723 |url-status=dead }}</ref> though he later stated that, compared to the "uninspired" ''[[Yoshi's Cookie]]'', ''Yoshi'' was "decent and actually had some relationship to the Mario series."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parish, Jeremy |date=April 8, 2008 |title=Retro Roundup 4/8: Yoshi's Cookie and Bases Loaded |url=http://www.1up.com/news/retro-roundup-48 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716110028/http://www.1up.com/news/retro-roundup-48 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |publisher=[[1UP.com]]}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100626034935/http://www.nindb.net/game/yoshi.html ''Yoshi''] on [https://nindb.net NinDB] (archived June 26, 2010 at the [[Wayback Machine]])
* [https://www.nintendo.com/jp/famicom/software/fmc-yeg/index.html ''Yoshi's Egg''] on the [[Famicom]] 40th Anniversary page {{in lang|ja}}

{{Mario puzzle games}}
{{Yoshi}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|1990s}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yoshi's Egg (Video Game)}}
[[Category:1991 video games]]
[[Category:Falling block puzzle games]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:Game Freak games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]
[[Category:Yoshi video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Mario puzzle games]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Junichi Masuda]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Video games directed by Satoshi Tajiri]]

Tecmo Super Bowl

2025-10-20T15:25:42Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{short description|1991 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Tecmo Super Bowl
|image = Tecmo Super Bowl.jpg
|caption = North American NES box art
|developer = [[Tecmo]]
|publisher = Tecmo
|director = [[Shin-ichiro Tomie]]
|programmer = Akihiko Shimoji [[Tomonobu Itagaki]]
|artist = Kazushige Tomita Yoshitaka Mizushima
|composer = [[Keiji Yamagishi]] Ryuichi Nitta
|series = ''[[Tecmo Bowl]]''
|platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], [[Sega Genesis]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]
|released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|December 13, 1991}}|'''NES''' {{vgrelease|JP|December 13, 1991<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|title=All Famicom games sorted from the latest release to the earliest|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|archive-date=October 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015061257/https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|url-status=dead}}</ref>|NA|December 1991<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |title=NES Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611225644/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |archive-date=June 11, 2014 }}</ref>}} '''Super NES''' {{vgrelease|JP|November 26, 1993<ref name="SNES-JapanDate">{{cite web |title=スーパーファミコンソフト [Super Famicom Software] |url=http://www.tecmo.co.jp/product/sufami.htm |website=[[Tecmo]] |access-date=October 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010626234429/http://www.tecmo.co.jp/product/sufami.htm |archive-date=June 26, 2001 |quote=９３年１１月２６日 - テクモスーパーボウル |language=Japanese |url-status=live}}</ref>|NA|November 1993<ref>{{cite web |title=Nintendo.com - Complete old games list (NES, SNES, GB, GBC, VB, N64) |url=https://archive.org/details/completeoldgameslist/page/n39/mode/2up |website=Internet Archive |access-date=January 5, 2025 |date=2003}}</ref>}} '''Genesis''' {{vgrelease|JP|November 26, 1993<ref>{{cite web |title=ソフトウェア一覧（ソフトライセンシー発売） {{!}} メガドライブ {{!}} セガハード大百科 |url=https://www.sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html |website=ソフトウェア一覧（ソフトライセンシー発売） {{!}} メガドライブ {{!}} セガハード大百科 |access-date=January 5, 2025 |language=ja}}</ref>|NA|1993}} '''PlayStation''' {{vgrelease|NA|1996}}
}}
|genre = [[Sports video game|Sports]] ([[List of American football video games|American football]])
|modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}
'''''Tecmo Super Bowl'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as テクモスーパーボウル ''Tekumo Sūpā Bōru''}} is a 1991 [[List of American football video games|American football video game]] developed and published by [[Tecmo]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES). It is the sequel to 1987's ''[[Tecmo Bowl]]'', as well as the first video game to be licensed by both the [[National Football League]] and the [[National Football League Players Association]], thus allowing the game to use the names and attributes of real NFL teams and players. Prior games used either the real teams, the real players, or fictional substitutes, but not real teams and players together.

The game was a major success,<ref name="ign">[https://web.archive.org/web/20050716052117/http://top100.ign.com/2005/021-030.html IGN's top 100 Games] (ranked 24) retrieved October 31, 2006</ref> resulting in several follow-ups for subsequent game consoles. The NES original has had an extensive [[cult following]] across the decades,<ref name="cult">{{cite magazine|last=Burke|first=Chris|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/07/07/tecmo-super-bowl-nfl-video-games-nintendo|title=Tecmo Super Bowl's popularity lives on 25 years later - 25 years later, Tecmo Super Bowl maintains cult following|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|publisher=theMaven, Inc.|date=July 6, 2016|access-date=2020-10-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815015804/https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/07/07/tecmo-super-bowl-nfl-video-games-nintendo|archive-date=2020-08-15|url-status=live}}</ref> with widely covered tournaments as the [[Mod (video games)|game modification]] community provides annual roster updates. It has been variously named as one of the best NES games, one of the best sports games, and one of the most influential video games of all time.

== Overview ==
With ''[[Tecmo Bowl]]'' for [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] in 1989, Tecmo had procured an official license from the [[National Football League Players Association]], providing twelve teams and a truncated roster. The full NFL team license was unavailable because of the exclusive license held for another NES game, ''[[NFL (video game)|NFL]]'' published by [[LJN]].<ref name="NFL Football">[http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/home/587483.html NFL Football] retrieved August 25, 2009</ref> The success of ''Tecmo Bowl'' was followed by the release of ''Tecmo Super Bowl'' in 1991 in North America and Japan,<ref name="Release Date">[http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/data/587686.html Release Date] retrieved August 25, 2009</ref> for which Tecmo acquired both sets of the NFL/NFLPA licenses, making it the first and only NES game to feature both real NFL teams and players. Although the game was released in late 1991, all team rosters and player attributes are from the prior [[1990 NFL season|1990–91 NFL season]], so it contains no rookies taken in the [[1991 NFL draft]] and no player team changes executed before the start of the 1991 season.

''Tecmo Super Bowl'' surpasses its predecessor with the complete 1991 league of 28 teams,<ref name="NFL History 1991–2000">[http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1991-2000 NFL History 1991–2000] retrieved August 25, 2009</ref><ref name="NFL History 2001-">[http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/2001- NFL History 2001–] retrieved August 25, 2009</ref> expanded rosters, expanded playbooks, and statistical tracking including NFL records. [[Jim Kelly]], [[Randall Cunningham]], and [[Bernie Kosar]] are represented by generic names of QB Bills, QB Eagles, and QB Browns, respectively, because the players were not members of the NFLPA's marketing contract.<ref name=NFLPA-Lie>{{cite web|title=QB Eagles and the NFLPA Lie|url=https://tecmobowlers.com/2015/09/29/qb-eagles-nflpa-lie/|first=Keith|last=Good|date=September 29, 2015|work=Tecmo Bowlers|access-date=September 29, 2015}}</ref> This gameplay foundation would be expanded upon during the course of the series' run.

== Gameplay ==
{{Empty section|date=October 2025}}
[[File:Tecmosuperbowl.png|thumb|[[Bo Jackson]] is carrying the ball.]]

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| Allgame = {{Rating|4|5}} (SNES)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14153&tab=review |title=Tecmo Super Bowl (SNES) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116001137/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14153&tab=review |archive-date=16 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> {{Rating|4|5}} (GEN)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=12599&tab=review |title=Tecmo Super Bowl (Genesis) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116001140/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=12599&tab=review |archive-date=16 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> {{Rating|2.5|5}} (PS1)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7978&tab=review |title=Tecmo Super Bowl (PlayStation) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116045828/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7978&tab=review |archive-date=16 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

In the United States, ''Tecmo Super Bowl'' topped [[Babbage's]] NES sales charts for three months in 1992, from October to December.<ref name="EGMDec1992">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20041%20%28December%201992%29/page/n47 |title=EGM Top Ten |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=41 |date=December 1992 |page=48}}</ref><ref name="EGMJan1993">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20042%20%28January%201993%29/page/n45 |title=EGM Top Ten |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=42 |date=January 1993 |page=46}}</ref><ref name="EGMFeb1993">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20043%20%28February%201993%29/page/n37 |title=EGM Top Ten |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=43 |date=February 1993 |page=38}}</ref> At a retail price of $54.99 ({{Inflation|US|55|1992|fmt=eq|r=0}}), it was the most expensive NES game released to date.<ref>{{cite news |last=Plunkett |first=Judy A. |date=1992-01-31 |title=Would-Be Buyers Frustrated over Super Bowl Video Game |work=[[The Miami Herald]] |page=10A |quote=...a $54.99 cartridge—the most expensive ever offered for the Nintendo eight-bit system...}}</ref>

In 1997, ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' and ''[[IGN]]'' each named ''Tecmo Super Bowl'' as one of the top 100 video games of all time.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=100 Best Games of All Time |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=100 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 1997|page=120}}</ref><ref name="ign"/> [[IGN]] ranked ''Tecmo Super Bowl'' number 53 in its top 100 NES games.<ref name="IGN Top 100 NES">[http://www.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/53.html IGN Top 100 NES]</ref> [[GamesRadar]] ranked it number 22 in its list of the best NES games, noting that it may be the only football game from the NES still widely played.<ref>{{cite web |title=Best NES Games of all time |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/best-nes-games-all-time/ |work=[[GamesRadar]] |date=April 16, 2012 |access-date=December 5, 2013}}</ref> ''[[PC Magazine]]'' ranked the game number 10 in its list of the ten most-influential video games of all time.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Jeffrey L.|title=The 10 Most Influential Video Games of All Time|url=https://www.pcmag.com/slideshow_viewer/0,1206,l=251652&a=251651,00.asp|work=[[PC Magazine]]|access-date=April 19, 2012|date=June 11, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411053612/http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow_viewer/0,1206,l=251652&a=251651,00.asp|archive-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref> [[ESPN]] named ''Tecmo Super Bowl'' the greatest sports video game of all time.<ref name="ESPN">[https://www.espn.com/espnradio/story?id=6165623 ESPN Top Sports Games] retrieved August 31, 2011</ref>

==Legacy==
===Sequels and related games===
Tecmo produced several direct sequels to ''Tecmo Super Bowl'', and other games originating with the ''Tecmo Bowl'' engine. 16-bit versions of ''Tecmo Super Bowl'' for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]] and [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]] were released in 1993 (reflecting the rosters and attributes for [[1993 NFL season|that season]]), which fixed many bugs and added some new features. New features include these: improved game graphics and sound; official NFL team logos in the [[end zone]]s; user-controlled touchbacks; the ability to control a player to attempt a punt block; the in-game option to change plays in a team's playbook during games; a running back "dive play" option; a designated return team that includes defensive backs; statistical achievements during games; and three weather conditions (sunny, rain and snow), which can occur randomly in Season mode. Accelerated fifteen-minute and ten-minute quarters can only be used for Exhibition and Pro Bowl games. The game can play three consecutive seasons (1991–1993). Sequels to these versions, ''[[Tecmo Super Bowl II: Special Edition]]'' and ''[[Tecmo Super Bowl III: Final Edition]]'', were released in subsequent years for the Super NES and Genesis. These were followed by ''Tecmo Super Bowl'' for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] in 1996.

''Tecmo Super Bowl'' for the PlayStation sports new features such as a new player editor which can make unlimited amounts of unrestricted trades, change jersey numbers, edit player attributes, edit names, and swap player portraits. It has a play-by-play announcer voice. Offenses can pick a formation before selecting a particular play. The game has alternate camera angles, instant replay, and the option to adjust AI difficulty in regular season games. This is the last entry in the series to have the NFL and NFLPA licenses, and reflected the rosters and attributes of the [[1996 NFL season|1996 season]].

A [[Sega Saturn]] version was in development,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Later this Season... |magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=97 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=October 1996 |page=100}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Tecmo Super Bowl |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=89|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=December 1996|page=314}}</ref> but was never released. Subsequent entries, such as 2008's ''[[Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff]]'' for the [[Nintendo DS]],<ref name=ignannouncement>{{cite web|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/870/870922p1.html|title=Tecmo Bowl Returns|last=Harris|first=Craig|work=[[IGN]]|date=May 1, 2008}}</ref> and 2010's ''[[Tecmo Bowl Throwback]]'' for the [[Xbox 360]] and [[PS3]] feature generic players and teams, due to [[Electronic Arts]] obtaining the exclusive NFL and NFLPA licenses in 2004 for the [[Madden NFL]] series.

===Cult following===
Since the advent of modern [[Video game console emulator|console emulation]] on computers, ''Tecmo Super Bowl'' is one of the most [[Mod (video games)|modified]] NES games. This contributes greatly to its [[cult following]] as it is constantly updated with rosters for college and professional football. Numerous websites are dedicated to pickup games, online leagues, and message boards for the original game and its mods.<ref name="cult"/> In 2016, popularity spiked with 26 national tournaments,<ref name=TecmoBowl.org>{{cite web|title=Tecmo Super Bowl Live Tournaments|url=http://tecmobowl.org/forum/159-tecmo-tournaments/}}</ref> Tecmo Madison XIII's livestream having 161,076 viewers,<ref name=TecmoMadison.com>{{cite web|title=Tecmo Madison XIII Sees Newfound Success, Same Champion|url=http://tecmomadison.com/tecmo-madison-xiii-sees-newfound-success-champion/|first=Chris|last=Vogt|date=May 3, 2017|work=MWTecmo.com|access-date=May 3, 2017}}</ref> and ESPN.com providing coverage.<ref name=ESPNTecmoMadison>{{cite web|title=Tecmo Super Bowl gunning for resurgence with esports|url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/19095180/tecmo-super-bowl-gunning-resurgence-esports|first=Michael|last=Rothstein|date=April 7, 2017|work=ESPN|access-date=April 7, 2017}}</ref><ref name=ESPNTecmoMadison2>{{cite web|title=Tecmo Madison Recap|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-0654817491540778707-4|first=Michael|last=Rothstein|date=May 1, 2017|work=ESPN|access-date=May 1, 2017}}</ref>

An episode of ''[[NFL Films]] Presents'' documents the video game and its cult following. Centering on the annual world championship tournament in [[Madison, Wisconsin]],<ref name="tecmomadison">{{cite web|url=http://www.tecmomadison.com/|title=Tecmo Madison – Official Site of the Tecmo Super Bowl World Championships|publisher=TecmoMadison.com|access-date=May 27, 2014}}</ref> the episode includes interviews with NFL greats such as [[Emmitt Smith]] and [[Christian Okoye]]<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/10/23/okoye-tecmo-super-bowl/1651951/ | title=Chiefs legend Christian Okoye discovers his Tecmo Super Bowl dominance | first=Chris | last=Strauss | work=USA Today | date=2012-10-23}}</ref> who are featured in the original game, and modern NFL players such as [[Philip Rivers]] who discuss their passion for the game.<ref name=KotakuDoc>{{cite web|title=The NFL's Greatest Players Revere Tecmo Bowl Too|url=http://www.kotaku.com/5954671/the-nfls-greatest-players-revere-tecmo-bowl-too/|first=Owen|last=Good|date=October 24, 2012|work=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker Media|access-date=October 26, 2012}}</ref>

===In popular culture===
Gameplay is featured in the ''[[Family Guy]]'' episode "[[Run, Chris, Run]]", where [[Peter Griffin|Peter]] uses [[Bo Jackson]] to beat [[Glenn Quagmire|Quagmire]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Paget|first1=Mat|title=Family Guy Used NES Game Footage From YouTube, Then Claimed Copyright on Same Video|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/family-guy-used-nes-game-footage-from-youtube-then/1100-6440033/|website=GameSpot|access-date=May 21, 2016}}</ref>

''Tecmo Bowl'' is a central theme for two 2016 [[Kia Sorento]] commercials, starring Bo Jackson and playing off his ridiculously advantageous in-game characteristics. One features [[Brian Bosworth]], who had been famously run over by Jackson during a ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' game in 1987 as he attempted to score a touchdown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/09/bo-jackson-tecmo-super-bowl-kia-commercial-video |title=Bo Jackson stars in awesome new 'Tecmo Super Bowl'-themed commercial | For The Win |website=Google.com |date=September 9, 2016 |access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Tecmo Bowl}}
{{Tomonobu Itagaki}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tecmo Super Bowl}}
[[Category:1991 video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Tecmo Bowl]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Keiji Yamagishi]]

Bomberman II

2025-10-20T15:23:36Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{this|the 1991 NES game|the 2008 Nintendo DS game|Bomberman 2}}
{{Short description|1991 video game}}
{{Refimprove|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Bomberman II
| image = Bomberman2Cover.jpg
| caption = North American box art by Greg Martin
| developer = [[Hudson Soft]]
| publisher = Hudson Soft
| designer = Hitoshi Okuno
| producer = Shigeki Fujiwara
| programmer = Yasuhiro Kosaka
| artist = Mika Sasaki
| composer = [[Jun Chikuma]]
| series = ''[[Bomberman]]''
| platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|June 28, 1991<ref>{{cite web|title=Hudson - Action game (archive)|url=http://www.hudson.co.jp/user/actfc.html|website=[[Hudson Soft]]|publisher=Hudson|access-date=31 October 2014|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970206222929/http://www.hudson.co.jp/user/actfc.html|archive-date=6 February 1997}}</ref>|PAL|1991}}{{vgrelease|NA|February 1993<ref>{{cite web| author=Nintendo staff | title=NES Games | url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/nes_games.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221005931/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/nes_games.pdf | publisher=[[Nintendo]] | archive-date=December 21, 2010| access-date=September 24, 2011}}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Puzzle video game|Puzzle]], [[List of maze video games|maze]], [[Strategy video game|strategy]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}

{{Nihongo foot|'''''Bomberman II'''''|ボンバーマンII|Bonbāman Tsū|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}}, released in Europe and Australia as '''''Dynablaster''''', is a [[Maze video game|maze]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Hudson Soft]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] originally in Japan and Europe in 1991 and later in North America in February 1993.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Bomberman II (Dynablaster) gameplay.png|thumb|left|Area 1-1]]The game follows the classic ''[[Bomberman]]'' formula and it is based directly on the 1990 ''[[Bomberman (1990 video game)|Bomberman]]'' video game. Players control Bomberman, who is in a room full of blocks and enemies and must plant bombs to destroy the blocks and enemies. Several blocks contain [[power-up]]s (such as blast radius increasers or fuse shorteners), and one in each level contains a door, which takes Bomberman to the next level.

Passwords are given after a game over, recording the level, number of bombs, and strength of bombs. These passwords can be entered when the game starts, allowing players to continue where they left off.

New to the series are the multi-player modes. Vs Mode is a two-player mode, while Battle Mode is a three-player mode. The objective is to kill the opposing Bomberman by planting bombs. An [[NES Four Score]] is required to play the three-player mode.

==Plot==
Bomberman is framed for terrible crimes by Black Bomber. After being accused of robbing a bank, Bomberman is thrown in jail. Bomberman's mission is to escape his prison cell and bring the Black Bomber to justice.

==Development==
{{empty-section|date=February 2024}}

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
|NP={{efn|Graphics: 2.9/5, Play Control: 3.5/5, Challenge: 3.3/5, Theme/Fun: 3.4/5<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/nintendo-power-issue-45-february-1993/page/102/mode/2up|title=Now Playing|date=February 1993|work=[[Nintendo Power]]|volume=45|pp=102–107|via=[[Internet Archive]]|access-date=August 28, 2025}}</ref>}}
}}
{{empty-section|date=February 2024}}

{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080101020034/http://www.hudson.co.jp/gamenavi/hbc/html/vol1.html Hudson Soft page]
*{{moby game|id=/bomberman-ii}}
{{Bomberman}}

[[Category:1991 video games]]
[[Category:Bomberman|2]]
[[Category:Hudson Soft games]]
[[Category:Maze games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System-only games]]
[[Category:Puzzle video games]]
[[Category:Top-down video games]]
[[Category:Sequel video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Jun Chikuma]]

Adventure Island II

2025-10-20T15:19:47Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{short description|1991 video game}}
{{for|the Game Boy game named Adventure Island II|Adventure Island III}}
{{Refimprove|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title=Adventure Island II
| image=Adventure Island 2 box art.jpg
| caption=North American cover art
| developer=[[Now Production]]
| publisher=[[Hudson Soft]]
| designer = J. Koyanagi
| programmer = Nobuyuki Shinohara
| artist = Katsuya Jittō
| composer = Miyoshi Okuyama
| series = ''[[Adventure Island (video game)|Adventure Island]]''
| engine =
| platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Game Boy]], [[Gamate]]
| released = '''NES'''{{vgrelease|NA|January 1991<ref name="egm-rev" />|JP|April 26, 1991<ref name="fam-rev" />|EU|July 22, 1992}}'''Game Boy''' (''Adventure Island''){{vgrelease|NA|February 1992|JP|March 6, 1992|EU|April 23, 1992}}'''Gamate''' (''Kiki Inland''){{vgrelease|EU|1992}}
| genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
}}

'''''Adventure Island II'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{Nihongo|'''''Takahashi Meijin no Bōken Jima Tsū'''''|高橋名人の冒険島II||''Great Takahashi's Adventure Island II''.}}}} is a 1991 [[platform game]] developed by [[Now Production]] and published by [[Hudson Soft]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. It is the sequel to ''[[Adventure Island (video game)|Adventure Island]]'' and the second game in the series for the NES. While the first game was an adaptation of [[Sega]]'s ''[[Wonder Boy (video game)|Wonder Boy]]'', ''Adventure Island II'' is an original work, as were most of the subsequent ''Adventure Island'' games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/vc/adventure_island_ii_nes|title = Review: Adventure Island II (Wii Virtual Console / NES)|date = 20 April 2011}}</ref> A portable version was also released for the [[Game Boy]] in 1992, titled '''''Takahashi Meijin no Bouken Jima II''''' or '''''Adventure Island''''' outside of Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2011/12/02/adventure-island-review|title = Adventure Island Review - IGN|date=2 December 2011}}</ref>

==Plot==
Master Higgins' girlfriend Tina, has just been kidnapped by the Evil Witch Doctor's persistent followers. Eight perilous islands are in control of the various monster minions, although four friendly dinosaurs will gladly ally themselves with those willing to brave the islands' dangers and defeat their common oppressors. Thinking of how grateful his favorite lady will be when he comes to her rescue, Master Higgins embarks on a daunting quest to get to his honey.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Adventure_Island_II_Screenshot.png|thumb|256px|left|Screenshot of the first level, from the NES version]]
The rules of the game are the same as those in the original ''Adventure Island'', with the main new feature being the addition of an inventory system. Before the player begins a stage, he can choose which of Higgins' animal friends to bring (if he has rescued any), as well as whether or not he should bring one of the stone hammers he has accumulated. Because of this, the player can no longer upgrade to shooting fireballs when he picks a second hammer. Instead, it gets added as a reserved hammer to the player's inventory.

The checkpoint system has been eliminated and if the player dies in the middle of a stage, he must restart from the very beginning. However, the stages are significantly shorter than in the previous game. When the player strikes a place where a hidden egg is located, it will play a different noise that will serve as an indicator of its location. The bonus zones are now accessed by picking up a key located inside these hidden eggs. Some of these keys will also transport the player to an item room or a shortcut to the next island. There are now underwater stages, as well as vertical-scrolling stages. When the player completes a stage riding a skateboard, he does not get to take it to the next stage like he could in the previous game. When the player completes a stage, he will be asked to choose one of ten spinning eggs that will give him a certain number of points. The player can now backtrack during a stage as well, but only up to a certain point.

The boss of each island awaits the player on a specific stage at the beginning. However, if the player is defeated while fighting a boss, the boss will move to another area, forcing the player not only to clear his current stage, but also another one in order to fight the boss.

There are four types of dinosaur friends that Higgins can ride. These animal friends are summoned when the player collects a [[playing card suit]] hidden inside an egg, and they include: A blue [[camptosaurus]] (summoned by a heart card) that attacks with its tail and can walk on ice without sliding; a red camptosaurus (spade) that can breathe fire and swim over lava until a certain point; a [[pteranodon]] (clover) that can fly over obstacles and drop stones; and an [[elasmosaurus]] (diamond), the only dinosaur that can survive in underwater stages (the others will be lost when used underwater) and can help Higgins swim faster.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| Allgame = 3.5/5<ref name="Allgame">{{cite web|last1=Miller|first1=Skyler|title=Adventure Island II - Review|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1141&tab=review|website=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|accessdate=February 23, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115040040/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1141&tab=review|archivedate=November 15, 2014}}</ref>
| EGM = 7/10, 7/10, 7/10, 7/10<ref name="egm-rev">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|title=Review Crew|date=January 1991|volume=4|issue=18|publisher=Sendai Publishing|first1=Steve|first2=Ed|first3=Martin|author4=Sushi-X|last1=Harris|last2=Semrad|last3=Alessi|url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/dc9de403-27eb-440e-99a4-5388b5a542fd|via=[[Video Game History Foundation]]|accessdate=October 9, 2025|p=20}}</ref>
|Fam = 6/10, 7/10, 7/10, 5/10<ref name="fam-rev">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Famitsu|Famicom Tsūshin]]|title=新作ゲームクロスレビュー Part2|trans-title=New Games Cross Review Part 2|date=May 2, 1991|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation]]|issue=130|language=Japanese|last1=Famibo
|first1=Tofuya
|last2=Bucho
|first2=Mizuno
|last3=Morishita
|first3=Mariko
|author4=Taco-X|p=24}}</ref>
| GamePro = 16/25<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/90/GamePro_US_017.pdf |title=Nintendo ProView: ''Adventure Island II'' |last=Quan |first=Slasher |magazine=[[GamePro]] |date=December 1990 |pages=110–111}}</ref>
}}

[[Allgame]] editor Skyler Miller praised the game over the original, specifically its "improved graphics, a map screen, and most importantly, four dinosaur buddies for Master Higgins to ride, each with their own special ability".<ref name="Allgame"/>

==Other media==
''Adventure Island II'' is one of the video games featuring in the manga titled ''Cyber Boy'', by Nagai Noriaki, Published by Coro Coro Comic and Shogakukan, from 1991 to 1993. Cover artwork for the packaging was illustrated by Shelley L. Hunter.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/adventure-island-ii|name=''Adventure Island II''}}

{{Adventure Island series}}

[[Category:1991 video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:Adventure Island (franchise)]]
[[Category:Now Production games]]
[[Category:Platformers]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games set on fictional islands]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Hudson Soft games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS]]

Adventures of Lolo 3

2025-10-20T15:18:41Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{Short description|1990 video game}}
{{Refimprove|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Adventures of Lolo 3
| image = BoxArtLolo3(US).jpg
| caption = North American box art
| developer = [[HAL Laboratory]]
| publisher = HAL Laboratory
| designer =
| platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|December 26, 1990<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|title=All Famicom games sorted from the latest release to the earliest|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|archive-date=October 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015061257/https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|url-status=dead}}</ref>|NA|September 1991<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |title=NES Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611225644/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |archive-date=June 11, 2014 }}</ref>}}
| series = ''[[Eggerland]]''
| genre = [[Puzzle video game|Puzzle]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}

'''''Adventures of Lolo 3''''' is a 1990 [[puzzle video game]] developed and published by [[HAL Laboratory]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. It is the ninth installment of the Japanese ''[[Eggerland]]'' series, as well as the fifth to be released in Europe and the third to be released in North America.<ref name="freewebs.com">[http://www.freewebs.com/eggerland/theeggerlandseries.htm www.freewebs.com: The Eggerland Series] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001000139/http://www.freewebs.com/eggerland/theeggerlandseries.htm |date=October 1, 2007}}</ref><ref name = "Big Book of Nintendo Games">{{cite book |last1=Schwartz |first1=Steven |title=Big Book of Nintendo Games |url=https://archive.org/details/bigbookofnintend00stev |url-access=registration |publisher= Compute Books |date=1991 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/bigbookofnintend00stev/page/19 19–20] |isbn=0874552486}}</ref> The North American version of the game reused new gameplay elements, cutscenes, and graphics from the Japanese-only ''Adventures of Lolo 2'' (unrelated to the American ''[[Adventures of Lolo 2]]'').

The Japan-exclusive '''''Adventures of Lolo 2''''',{{nihongo foot||アドベンチャーズオブロロ 2|Adobenchāzu obu Roro 2|that is'' Adventures of Lolo 2''|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} on the other hand, is a different game. It has a different difficulty curve and featured completely different stages. It was released for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] and it is the eighth installment in the ''Eggerland'' series. New gameplay elements, later re-used in the American ''Adventures of Lolo 3'', were added to make the base gameplay deeper than before.

==Synopsis==
Lolo and Lala are enjoying some time together when the Great King of Eggerland's son and heir throws a potion on all of Lolo and Lala's friends, turning them to stone. Lolo and Lala return home to see the damage that the Great King's son and heir has done and embark on a quest to stop him and return their friends to normal.

==Game information==
The player has the ability to select between playing as Lolo or Lala in the levels by pressing the "A" or "B" button when on the overworld map. Neither character has any advantage over the other, however, the only difference being the character dialogue in the tutorial levels.

Two changes to the gameplay included the crumbling [[bridge]], which is a bridge that can only be crossed two times before it crumbles into nothingness. The other change was a new monster called Moby. Mobies only appear in the underwater levels and use a line of sight attack that sucks Lolo in towards them. Though not directly a fatal attack, it can cause Lolo to get stuck and have to restart the room.

When pressing Select to give up, Lolo does not actually die this time. Instead, a short "give up" tune plays and the level restarts. Pressing Start will return the player to the overworld map. Pressing Start again reveals the password to that point in the game. ''Adventures of Lolo 3'' uses 16-character passwords instead of four-character ones.

Unlike the previous game, there is no limit on lives. The player may restart the level as many times as desired without returning to the title screen.

The game features a total of 17 levels with 100 different puzzle rooms, nine boss rooms, and ten training rooms. Levels 3, 13, and 17 have ten rooms each. The other levels only have five rooms. Levels 4–7, 9–12, and 17 have a boss at the end. The two big trees on the overworld map are where the training rooms are, each tree having five rooms each.

==Reception==
Reception to ''Adventures of Lolo 3'' is universally positive. Dylan Cornelius of Questicle wrote that ''Adventures of Lolo 3'' is "worth every penny".<ref>{{cite web|author=Cornelius, Dylan |url=https://questicle.net/22-adventures-of-lolo-3/ |title=The Quest to Review Every NES Game, Adventures of Lolo 3 |date=January 18, 2011 |accessdate=October 4, 2018}}</ref> Lee Evans of Downwards Compatible wrote: "If you like puzzlers, the Lolo series is a ton of fun, and ''Adventures of Lolo 3'' is a standout".<ref>{{cite web | author=Evans, Lee | url=http://www.downwardscompatible.com/2012/12/nes-replay-adventures-of-lolo-3.html | title=NES Replay: Adventures of Lolo 3 | date=December 10, 2012 | accessdate=December 12, 2012 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121223104041/http://www.downwardscompatible.com/2012/12/nes-replay-adventures-of-lolo-3.html | archivedate=December 23, 2012}}</ref>

''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the game an A,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ew.com/article/1991/07/26/adventures-lolo-3/|title=The Adventures of Lolo 3|work=EW.com|access-date=2018-11-03|language=en}}</ref> and later picked the game as the #10 greatest game available in 1991.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ew.com/article/1991/11/22/video-games-guide/|title=Video Games Guide|work=EW.com|access-date=2018-11-03|language=en}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/adventures-of-lolo-3|name=''Adventures of Lolo 3''}}
* [http://hg101.kontek.net/eggerland/eggerland.htm Hardcore Gaming 101: ''Eggerland'' / ''Adventures of Lolo''] - an English article about the ''Eggerland'' series and all its games.

{{Eggerland series}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Adventures Of Lolo 3}}
[[Category:1990 video games]]
[[Category:HAL Laboratory games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System-only games]]
[[Category:Puzzle video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Sequel video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]

River City Ransom

2025-10-20T14:50:15Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{Short description|1989 video game}}
{{redirect|Street Gangs|street gangs|Gang}}{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = River City Ransom
| image = River City Ransom-front.jpg
| caption = North American NES box art
| developer = [[Technōs Japan]]{{efn|X68000 version developed by SPS; PC-Engine Super CD-ROM² version developed by [[KID]]; Game Boy Advance version developed by Million.}}
| publisher = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Technōs Japan}}|'''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|Technōs Japan|NA|[[Technōs Japan#U.S. subsidiary|American Technōs Inc.]]|EU|[[Atari SA|Infogrames]]}} '''X68000''' [[Sharp Corporation]] '''Super CD-ROM²''' [[Kaga Create|Naxat Soft]] '''Game Boy Advance''' [[Atlus]]}}
| director = Mitsuhiro Yoshida Hiroyuki Sekimoto
| composer = [[Kazuo Sawa]]
| series = ''[[Kunio-kun]]''
| platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[X68000]], [[PC Engine Super CD-ROM²|PC-Engine Super CD-ROM²]], [[Game Boy Advance]]
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|April 25, 1989}}|'''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|April 25, 1989<ref>{{cite web|title=VC ダウンタウン熱血物語|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_dtn/vc_dtn_01.html|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|language=ja|access-date=2011-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402082537/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_dtn/vc_dtn_01.html|archive-date=2011-04-02|url-status=live}}</ref>|NA|January 1990<ref>{{cite web | author=Nintendo staff | title=NES Games | url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/nes_games.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221005931/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/nes_games.pdf | publisher=[[Nintendo]] | archive-date=December 21, 2010 | access-date=September 24, 2011}}</ref>|EU|1992|DE|August 1993<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Eggebrecht, Julian|journal=[[Total!]]|publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]]|date=August 1993|title=Street Gangs|page=69|language=de}}</ref>}}'''X68000'''{{vgrelease|JP|April 1990<ref name="sps">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807140628/http://www.sps.co.jp/05_03_other02.htm|archive-date=August 7, 2007|url=http://www.sps.co.jp/05_03_other02.htm|title=株式会社エス・ピー・エス～博物館―Window|language=ja|publisher=SPS|access-date=2011-04-02}}</ref>}}'''Super CD-ROM²'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 24, 1993}}'''Game Boy Advance'''{{vgrelease|JP|March 5, 2004<ref name="jpgbarelease">{{cite web|author=IGN Staff|date=March 8, 2004|title=Now Playing in Japan|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/497/497224p1.html|website=IGN|access-date=2011-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205160221/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/497/497224p1.html|archive-date=December 5, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>|NA|May 26, 2004<ref name="nagbarelease">{{cite web|author=Castro, Juan|date=May 26, 2004|title=River City Ransom EX Ships|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/519/519189p1.html|website=IGN|access-date=2011-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124153052/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/519/519189p1.html|archive-date=January 24, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
}}
| genre = [[Beat 'em up]], [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}

{{Nihongo foot|'''''Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari'''''|ダウンタウン熱血物語|Dauntaun Nekketsu Monogatari|lit. ''Downtown Hot-Blooded Story''|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}, released as '''''River City Ransom''''' in North America and '''''Street Gangs''''' in PAL regions, is a 1989 [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]] [[beat 'em up]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Technōs Japan]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. It is the third installment of the ''[[Kunio-kun]]'' series released for the NES, preceded by ''[[Renegade (video game)|Renegade]]'' and ''[[Super Dodge Ball]]'', and the first to be developed specifically for the system.

Gameplay is similar to that of ''Renegade'', but set in a non-linear [[open world]], a first for the series. It was the first console game published by the developer's North American subsidiary American Technos, without input from previous series publisher [[Taito]].

Outside Japan, ''River City Ransom'' was not highly successful when initially released. However, it received positive reviews from critics for its innovative gameplay and humor, retaining a dedicated [[cult following]] to this day, while also making the ''Kunio-kun'' series prominent in the beat 'em up space.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-12-09 |title=River City Ransom: A NES classic is back 20 years |url=https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/river-city-ransom-a-nes-classic-is-back-20-years |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Red Bull |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Byrd |first=Matthew |date=2024-04-25 |title=35 Years Ago, River City Ransom Invented The Modern Action Game |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/river-city-ransom-invented-modern-action-game/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Video game remake|Remakes]] have been released for the [[X68000]], [[PC Engine Super CD-ROM²|PC-Engine Super CD-ROM²]], and [[Game Boy Advance]].

==Gameplay==
[[Image:rcr gameplay.png|thumb|left|Gameplay of ''River City Ransom'']]
''River City Ransom'' is a [[beat 'em up]] game with [[action role-playing game|action]] [[role-playing video game|role-playing]] elements. The game is [[Nonlinear gameplay|non-linear]],<ref name="thunderbolt">{{cite web|last=Kramer|first=Josh|title=River City Ransom|url=http://www.thunderboltgames.com/reviews/article/river-city-ransom-review-for-nes.html|publisher=Thunderbolt|access-date=16 October 2011|date=29 July 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026012310/http://thunderboltgames.com/reviews/article/river-city-ransom-review-for-nes.html|archive-date=26 October 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> allowing players to explore an [[open world]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Plante|first=Chris|title=Every Easter Egg Hidden in the Scott Pilgrim Video Game Trailer|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/river-city-ransom|publisher=[[UGO Networks]]|access-date=16 October 2011|date=June 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629025713/http://www.ugo.com/games/river-city-ransom|archive-date=29 June 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> in a sandbox manner.<ref>{{cite web|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|title=Retronauts Carjacks Grand Theft Auto|url=http://www.1up.com/news/retronauts-carjacks-gta|website=[[1UP.com]]|access-date=23 January 2012|date=2008-04-29|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723234344/http://www.1up.com/news/retronauts-carjacks-gta|archive-date=23 July 2012}}</ref> The fighting style is similar to ''[[Double Dragon]]'', in that the player can move freely around the screen while pressing buttons to punch, kick, or jump. The player can also use items such as brass knuckles, steel pipes, and trash cans as melee weapons or throw them at enemies.<ref name="ignreview">{{cite web |author=Thomas, Lucas M. |date=April 21, 2008 |title=River City Ransom Review |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/868/868095p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121040726/http://wii.ign.com/articles/868/868095p1.html |archive-date=January 21, 2012 |access-date=2011-04-02 |website=IGN}}</ref>

The plot follows high school students Alex and Ryan as they cross River City in an attempt to reach River City High and rescue Ryan's girlfriend Cyndi from the clutches of a villain called "Slick".<ref name="ignreview" /> Along the way, they battle gangs of students and their gang leaders, latter of which act as [[Boss (video gaming)|bosses]]. In the original NES version there are nine gangs in total, with names such as "The Generic Dudes", "The Frat Guys", "The Jocks" or "The Squids". Gang members are distinguished by the color of their t-shirt; each gang has unique characteristics and attacking patterns.

The characters' effectiveness in battle is determined by their [[stats]] in combination with unlockable fighting techniques such as Grand Slam, Stone Hands, and Dragon Feet. These techniques are purchasable as books in shops throughout the city. Players can collect loot from defeated gang members,<ref name="ignreview" /> and these funds may be spent on various food items and spa treatments which serve to not only revitalize the player's stats, but may also permanently increase attributes like "Punch" and "Kick". The game has a [[Password (video games)|password]] system for saving and loading of the player’s character stats, skills, possessions, money, and defeated bosses.<ref name="ignreview" />

==Development==
[[Image:Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari game cover.jpg|thumb|left|The Famicom cover artwork of ''Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari'']]{{More citations needed|section|date=June 2023}}
''River City Ransom'' is an English [[Internationalization and localization|localization]] of ''Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari'', the third title starring Technōs Japan's mascot character [[Kunio-kun|Kunio]] (and the first entry in the series where Kunio teams up with his rival, Riki). In addition to anglicizing all of the names and dialogue, the characters' sprites were redrawn to replace the [[Gakuran|Japanese school uniforms]] with [[t-shirts]] and [[jeans]]. In the original, the gangs are all students from different high schools, and many of its characters would reappear in subsequent ''Kunio-kun'' games (particularly those directed by Sekimoto and Yoshida).{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

The number of difficulty settings was reduced from three to two; the easiest difficulty setting was removed, and the Medium setting was changed to "Novice". An alternate version of the 2-player mode which disables [[Player versus player|player-versus-player]] damage was also removed. In addition to the password feature for keeping track of the player's progress, the Famicom version supports the [[List of Nintendo Entertainment System accessories|Turbo File]], a peripheral released only in Japan that allows the player to save and load their progress.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

''River City Ransom'' was the first console game localized by Technōs Japan's U.S. subsidiary, American Technos, Inc. Although most of Technōs Japan's previous games were also released in North America, they were licensed out to other publishers. American Technos' second and final game would be ''Kunio-kun''<nowiki/>'s ''[[Crash 'n' the Boys: Street Challenge]]''.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

In February 2020, an alternate localization called '''''Downtown Nekketsu Story''''' was released in North America. This version more closely resembles the Famicom version, being a direct translation of the original. It was released alongside other fully-translated ''Kunio-kun'' Famicom titles as part of the ''Double Dragon & Kunio-kun Retro Brawler Bundle'' for the [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Nintendo Switch]].{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

==Ports==
===X68000===
''Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari'' was ported to the [[X68000]], a Japanese computer platform, and released in April 1990. This version of the game, which was developed by SPS and published by [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]],<ref name="sps"/> features several enhancements to the Famicom original, such as displaying three enemy characters on-screen instead of just two, slightly more colorful graphics, an expanded game world, and new items and special techniques for the player (including some that were only used by certain enemy characters in the Famicom version, such as the headbutt and the whirlwind kick). The new locations includes several new shops (such as a dojo) and the schools of each enemy gang, each featuring two new bosses. In addition to the player's regular stats, the player also has individual stats for all the special techniques their character has acquired. The more frequently a special move is used to finish off enemies, the stronger that particular move becomes. Unlike the Famicom version, the X68000 does not feature adjustable difficulty settings. The player can save and load their progress in one of ten save files provided by the game itself.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

===PC Engine===
The [[TurboGrafx-16|PC Engine Super CD-ROM²]] version of ''Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari'', released on December 24, 1993, was published by Naxat Soft and developed by [[KID]], the same team that did the PC Engine versions of ''Nekketsu Kōkō Dodgeball'' (''[[Super Dodge Ball]]''), ''[[Double Dragon II: The Revenge]]'', and ''Downtown Nekketsu Kōshinkyoku''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~mx-5/kid/kidlistpce.htm|script-title=ja:ＫＩＤゲーリスト（ＰＣエンジン）|language=ja|access-date=2008-03-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029105129/http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~mx-5/kid/kidlistpce.htm|archive-date=2007-10-29|url-status=live}}</ref> This version features enhanced graphics, an arranged redbook soundtrack and fully voiced characters, with the voices of Kunio and Riki performed by [[Ryō Horikawa]] and [[Nobutoshi Canna]] respectively. The player's progress is saved in this version on the PC Engine's backup memory. The rest of the game is almost identical to the Famicom version.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

===Game Boy Advance===
[[File:River City Ransom EX cover.jpg|thumb|North American cover of ''River City Ransom EX'' for the Game Boy Advance]]
A [[Game Boy Advance|GBA]] version of the game, titled {{nihongo foot|''River City Ransom EX''|ダウンタウン熱血物語ex|Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari ex|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} was released in Japan on March 5, 2004 and in North America on May 26.<ref name="jpgbarelease"/><ref name="nagbarelease"/> This remake was developed by Million and published by [[Atlus]]. The most notable change from the original version is the loss of a true cooperative mode. Instead, the game can be played with an [[AI]]-controlled partner, and players may exchange the data of their own characters to fight alongside each other. The GBA version also includes a vast number of configurable options that can adjust game play on the fly, such as changing AI behaviour, the number of enemies in one map area, and shop item reshuffling frequency. The password system is replaced by battery backup, which allows saving up to 12 characters. Character's appearances, keystrokes for learned techniques, even enemy characters can be customized and saved using secret shop items. A saved game does not store story progress or reputation, but it does store the player's statistics, techniques, current items and money, player's name, and customized appearances. The player can gain additional computer-controlled allies and form a "posse" who helps the player on his adventure. Some of these boss characters are from the original NES version, while others are taken from later ''Downtown Nekketsu'' games. The player can be accompanied by up to three AI-controlled partners.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

===Digital ports===
Many years after the original NES version was released, it was digitally ported to four more Nintendo systems: the [[Wii]], [[Nintendo 3DS]], [[Wii U]] and [[Nintendo Switch]]. The game has also been digitally released on [[Xbox One]] and [[PlayStation 4]].{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

The first digital port of ''River City Ransom'' was released on the Wii [[Virtual Console]] in Japan on October 23, 2007,<ref name="jpvcrelease">{{cite web|author=Fletcher, JC|date=October 23, 2007|title=VC Tuesday: Best week ever|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/23/vc-tuesday-best-week-ever/|publisher=Joystiq|access-date=2011-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019124404/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/23/vc-tuesday-best-week-ever/|archive-date=October 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> in PAL regions on February 21, 2008,<ref name="palvcrelease">{{cite web|author=Calvert, Darren|date=February 21, 2008|title=EU VC Releases - 22nd February - Street Gangs|url=http://vc.nintendolife.com/news/2008/02/eu_vc_releases_22nd_february_street_gangs|website=Nintendo Life|access-date=2011-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723221853/http://vc.nintendolife.com/news/2008/02/eu_vc_releases_22nd_february_street_gangs|archive-date=July 23, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> and in North America on April 21.<ref name="navcrelease">{{cite news|title=River City Ransom and Phantasy Star III Now Available on Wii Shop Channel!|url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/5tTAdRLSK64NoFSfayQuZ9f9xfVKO1Dc|publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]]|date=April 21, 2008|access-date=2008-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080426160747/http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/5tTAdRLSK64NoFSfayQuZ9f9xfVKO1Dc|archive-date=April 26, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> The western NES titles, graphics, and storylines for the latter two releases were left intact. ''Ransom'' was next released on the 3DS Virtual Console available through the 3DS eShop in Japan on November 28, 2012, PAL region on July 25, 2013 and North America on November 14.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/50010000012591 |title=ダウンタウン熱血物語 | ニンテンドー3Ds | 任天堂 |access-date=2018-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216093853/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/50010000012591 |archive-date=2019-02-16 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Z7BAknbDkSyizF0zLTU0Mqj7VEdv_qhr |title=River City Ransom for Nintendo 3DS - Nintendo Game Details |access-date=2018-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401203327/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Z7BAknbDkSyizF0zLTU0Mqj7VEdv_qhr |archive-date=2019-04-01 |url-status=live}}</ref> Like other 3DS Virtual Console games, the user is able to create a restore point in the game. It also features a two player mode via download play. Only one person needs to own a copy of the game in order to play, and restore points are disabled during two player mode. Three years later ''Ransom'' was then made available on the Wii U Virtual Console,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/23Qpx0RdHmm0UYlLaoo7EOMsiyJqsBzw |title=River City Ransom for Wii U - Nintendo Game Details |access-date=2018-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220230901/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/23Qpx0RdHmm0UYlLaoo7EOMsiyJqsBzw |archive-date=2018-12-20 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/20010000012468 |title=ダウンタウン熱血物語 | Wii U | 任天堂 |access-date=2018-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220230824/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/20010000012468 |archive-date=2018-12-20 |url-status=live}}</ref> and another three years later, it was also released as part of the [[Nintendo Classics]] service worldwide on September 18, 2018, complete with HD graphics and the ability to create save states, like the other NES games offered.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |date=2018-09-13 |title=Nintendo Switch Online has these 20 classic NES games |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/13/17856798/nintendo-switch-online-nes-games-list |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212105440/https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/13/17856798/nintendo-switch-online-nes-games-list |archive-date=2025-02-12 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = NES: 78%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/nes/563453-river-city-ransom/index.html |title=River City Ransom for NES |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2021-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209011329/https://www.gamerankings.com/nes/563453-river-city-ransom/index.html |archive-date=2019-12-09 |url-status=dead}}</ref> GBA: 78%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gba/915026-river-city-ransom-ex/index.html |title=River City Ransom EX for Game Boy Advance |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2021-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209011753/https://www.gamerankings.com/gba/915026-river-city-ransom-ex/index.html |archive-date=2019-12-09 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| EuroG = NES: 8/10<ref name="EuroG"/>
| Fam = NES: 28/40<ref name="Fam"/>
| GMaster = NES: 32%<ref name="gmaster"/>
| GSpot = GBA: 6.9<ref name=":2" />
| GSpy = GBA: 4/5<ref name=":1" />
| IGN = NES: 9/10<ref name="ign"/>
| NLife = NES: 8/10<ref name=":0" />
| rev1 = ''[[:fr:Player One|Player One]]''
| rev1Score = NES: 93%<ref name="player1"/>
| award1Pub = [[GamesRadar]]
| award1 = [[List of video games considered the best|7th Best NES Game of All Time]] (2012)<ref name="gradar12"/> 11th Best NES Game of All Time (2014)<ref name="gradar14"/>
}}''River City Ransom'' initially received mixed reviews upon release. Japanese magazine ''[[Famitsu]]'' reviewed the Japanese version and gave it a generally positive review, stating that it is a fighting game which skillfully incorporates RPG elements, scoring it 28 out of 40.<ref name="Fam">{{cite web |url=http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=5657 |title=ダウンタウン熱血物語まとめ [ファミコン] / ファミ通.com |website=Famitsu.com |access-date=2016-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312070019/http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=5657 |archive-date=2016-03-12 |url-status=live}}</ref> French magazine ''[[:fr:Player One|Player One]]'' reviewed the game under its European localised title of ''Street Gangs'' and gave it a highly positive review, concluding that it is not to be missed and scoring it 93%.<ref name="player1">''[[:fr:Player One|Player One]]'', issue 23 (September–October 1992), [http://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=32&num=1405&album=oui pages 86-87] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530081755/http://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=32&num=1405&album=oui |date=2015-05-30}}</ref> UK television programme ''[[GamesMaster]]'' generally panned ''Street Gangs'', with one reviewer saying he "would rather sit in a vat of horse manure than play this game, give it to your worst enemies", with an overall score of 32%.<ref name="gmaster">''[[GamesMaster]]'', Episode 14 ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huo90uhLsfg#t=6m45s Series 2, Episode 4] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330220844/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huo90uhLsfg#t=6m45s |date=2016-03-30}}), 22/10/1992</ref>

Retrospective reviews have been very positive. [[IGN]] said that the fighting mechanics are exceptionally achieved, and that the RPG-esque elements give the game a depth and replayability, ultimately scoring it 9 out of 10.<ref name="ign">{{cite web |url=http://ign.com/articles/2008/04/21/river-city-ransom-review |title=River City Ransom Review |website=IGN |date=2008-04-21 |access-date=2016-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312090457/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/21/river-city-ransom-review |archive-date=2016-03-12 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2006, ''Play'' contributing editor Eric Patterson listed the game's cover art, along with ''[[Groove on Fight]]'', as his favorite game covers of all time.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=July 2006|title=Play: Staff roundup|magazine=Play (USA)|location=United States of America|publisher=Fusion Publishing|issue=55|page=68}}</ref> In 2008, Nintendo Life gave it 8 out of 10.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nes/river_city_ransom|title=Review: River City Ransom (NES)|date=2008-02-23|website=Nintendo Life|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-05-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503204026/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nes/river_city_ransom|archive-date=2019-05-03|url-status=live}}</ref> EuroGamer gave it an 8 out of 10.<ref name="EuroG">{{Cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/vcroundup_230208_wii?page=2 |title=Virtual Console Roundup • Page 2 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |date=23 February 2008 |access-date=2019-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231233139/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/vcroundup_230208_wii?page=2 |archive-date=2014-12-31 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, [[IGN]] ranked it the 15th best NES game in their Top 100 NES Games list.<ref>{{cite web |title=15. River City Ransom |url=http://www.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/15.html |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019060913/http://www.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/15.html |archive-date=19 October 2009}}</ref> In 2012, [[GamesRadar]] ranked it the seventh best NES game ever made. The staff felt that it was more memorable than ''[[Ghosts 'n Goblins]]'', ''[[Legend of Kage]]'', and ''[[Double Dragon]]'', and is still influential.<ref name="gradar12">{{cite web |title=Best NES Games of All Time |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/best-nes-games-all-time/ |work=[[GamesRadar]] |date=2012-04-16 |access-date=2013-12-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026090808/http://www.gamesradar.com/best-nes-games-all-time/ |archive-date=October 26, 2013}}</ref> In 2014, GamesRadar ranked it the eleventh best NES game of all time.<ref name="gradar14">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/best-nes-games-all-time/ |title=Best NES Games of all time | GamesRadar |access-date=2016-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202205842/http://www.gamesradar.com/best-nes-games-all-time/ |archive-date=December 2, 2014}}</ref> In 2017, [[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] ranked it 16th in their 100 Best NES Games list.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Garrett |title=The 100 Best NES Games |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/nes/the-100-best-nes-games/ |website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |publisher=Paste Media Group |access-date=6 September 2022 |date=13 July 2017}}</ref> Also in 2017, [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] ranked it 461st in their 500 best games of all time list.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 500 best games of all time: 500-401 |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/27/16158276/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-500-401 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |access-date=6 September 2022 |date=27 November 2017}}</ref> In 2021, [[Retro Gamer]] included the game in their Top Ten NES Games list.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Ten NES Games |url=https://www.retrogamer.net/top_10/top-ten-nes-games/ |website=[[Retro Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |access-date=6 September 2022 |date=19 August 2021}}</ref>

''[[GameSpy]]'' gave the GBA version a score of 4/5,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/river-city-ransom-ex/520203p1.html|title=GameSpy: River City Ransom EX Review|last=Leeper|first=Justin|date=June 2, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210144450/http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/river-city-ransom-ex/520203p1.html|archive-date=2009-02-10|url-status=dead|access-date=2019-05-20}}</ref> while ''[[GameSpot]]'' gave it 6.9.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/river-city-ransom-ex-review/1900-6099482/|title=River City Ransom EX Review|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|date=2004-05-28|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430233743/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/river-city-ransom-ex-review/1900-6099482/|archive-date=2019-04-30|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Legacy==
The Japanese version, ''Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari'', was considered highly successful and would be followed by several spin-offs (including seven subsequent Famicom installments) until Technos Japan's closure in 1996. Of these seven games, ''Downtown Special: Kunio-kun no Jidaigeki dayo Zen'in Shugo'' features the same gameplay system as ''Monogatari'', with the main difference being that the characters are re-enacting a [[jidaigeki]] play.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

In 1994, a prequel was released for the [[Super NES]] titled ''[[River City Girls Zero|Shin Nekketsu Kōha: Kunio-tachi no Banka]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.grouvee.com/games/5152-river-city-girls-zero/ | title=River City Girls Zero (1994) (Video game) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.giantbomb.com/river-city-girls-zero/3030-5471/ | title=River City Girls Zero (Game) }}</ref>

In 2002, an aspiring game designer, tester for [[Atari]], and longtime fan of the game obtained the title's trademark and began work on a sequel aptly titled ''River City Ransom 2''. The project was halted when it was announced at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]] in 2003 that ''River City Ransom EX'' was to be released the following year.<ref>{{cite web | first=Frank | last=Cifaldi | year=2004 | title=Realize Games' River City Ransom 2 | url=http://www.lostlevels.org/200402/200402-rcr.shtml | work=Lostlevels.org | access-date=June 21, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615120020/http://www.lostlevels.org/200402/200402-rcr.shtml | archive-date=June 15, 2006 | url-status=live}}</ref> A true sequel to the game, {{nihongo|''Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari 2''|ダウンタウン熱血物語2}}, was developed by Miracle Kidz for a Japanese release on [[WiiWare]] in 2011. An online [[personal computer|PC]] version was due out in 2012,<ref>{{cite web | author=Anoop Gantayat | title=River City Ransom Sequel Set for WiiWare
| url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/115/1157652p1.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125233319/http://wii.ign.com/articles/115/1157652p1.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=January 25, 2013 | website=IGN | access-date=March 25, 2011}}</ref> but was put on hold due to an announcement that the developers were freezing development to focus on making completely original games.<ref>{{cite web | title=River City Ransom 2 On Hold, Developer Now Working On Original Games | url=http://www.siliconera.com/2012/10/22/river-city-ransom-2-on-hold-developer-now-working-on-original-games/ | publisher=Siliconera | access-date=November 22, 2012 | date=October 22, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029153307/http://www.siliconera.com/2012/10/22/river-city-ransom-2-on-hold-developer-now-working-on-original-games/ | archive-date=October 29, 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2013, the Canadian independent developer, Conatus Creative, began development on an officially licensed follow-up game, named ''River City Ransom: Underground'', originally scheduled for Windows in August 2014.<ref>{{cite web | title=River City Ransom Underground announced | url=http://conatuscreative.com/2013/04/river-city-ransom-announced/ | publisher=Conatus Creative | access-date=April 22, 2012 | date=April 22, 2012}}</ref> In September, Conatus Creative launched a campaign on the [[crowdfunding]] site, [[Kickstarter]], seeking [[Canadian dollar|CA$]]180,000 in funding for the game. They successfully reached their funding goal, ending it on October 9, having collected $217,643, approximately 120% of the original goal. After years of development and negotiations with [[Arc System Works]] (which, as Technōs Japan's parent company, currently own the rights for the ''Kunio-kun'' franchise), the game was released on Steam for Windows, OS X and Linux on February 27, 2017.<ref>{{cite web | title=River City Ransom Underground launch date announced | url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/combitstudios/river-city-ransom-underground/posts/1797492/ | publisher=Conatus Creative | access-date=February 2, 2017 | date=February 2, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203162059/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/combitstudios/river-city-ransom-underground/posts/1797492/ | archive-date=February 3, 2017 | url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[River City: Tokyo Rumble]]'' was released for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] on August 8, 2013 in Japan, December 29, 2015 in Korea, and September 27, 2016 in the United States. ''[[River City Girls]]'', which was being developed by [[WayForward]], was released on [[PlayStation 4]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[Xbox One]], and PC on September 5, 2019.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1146468827678437376|user=WayForward|title=The gloves are off! We're excited to...|date=3 July 2019}}</ref>

The NES version was re-released for the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] in 2007, the [[Nintendo 3DS]] in 2013 and the [[Wii U]] in October 2015. It was released again with the launch of the [[Nintendo Classics]] service on September 18, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |date=September 13, 2018 |title=Nintendo Switch Online has these 20 classic NES games |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/13/17856798/nintendo-switch-online-nes-games-list |access-date=January 10, 2019 |website=Polygon}}</ref>

Kunio, Riki, Gouda, and the Hattori Brothers make an appearance in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' as fighting spirits.<ref>{{cite web | title=Super Smash Bros Ultimate Kunio-kun Spirit Board Event Adds Kunio, Riki, and The Dragon Twins | url=https://www.siliconera.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-kunio-kun-spirit-board-event-adds-kunio-riki-and-the-dragon-twins/ | publisher=Siliconera | access-date=January 22, 2020 | date=January 22, 2020}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.atlus.com/rcr/ Official ''River City Ransom EX'' webpage] {{Webarchive | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124062528/http://www.atlus.com/rcr/ | date=2012-01-24}}

{{Kunio-kun series}}
{{Arc System Works}}

[[Category:1989 video games]]
[[Category:Action-adventure games]]
[[Category:Arc System Works franchises]]
[[Category:Arc System Works games]]
[[Category:Atlus games]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:High school-themed video games]]
[[Category:Infogrames games]]
[[Category:Kaga Create games]]
[[Category:Kunio-kun]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Open-world video games]]
[[Category:Organized crime video games]]
[[Category:Side-scrolling beat 'em ups]]
[[Category:Technōs Japan beat 'em ups]]
[[Category:TurboGrafx-CD games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]
[[Category:X68000 games]]

Rollerball (video game)

2025-10-20T14:42:48Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{Short description|1984 video game}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Rollerball
|image = Rollerball NES cover.jpg
|caption = North American NES box art
|developer = [[HAL Laboratory]]
|publisher = HAL Laboratory
|producer = [[Satoru Iwata]]
|designer = [[Satoshi Matsuoka]] (MSX) Makoto Kanai (NES)
|composer = Hideki Kanazashi Hiroaki Suga
|platforms = [[MSX]], [[NES]]
|released = '''MSX'''{{vgrelease|JP|1984}}'''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 20, 1988|NA|February 1990|EU|1992}}
|genre = [[Pinball game|Pinball]]
|modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}

{{nihongo|'''''Rollerball'''''|ローラーボール|Rōrābōru}} is a video game produced by [[HAL Laboratory]] in 1984 for the [[MSX]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rollerball (1984) |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/rollerball |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=MobyGames}}</ref> A [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] version of the game was released in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rollerball |url=https://www.igdb.com/g/2tl |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=IGDB.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rollerball (NES) - The Cutting Room Floor |url=https://tcrf.net/Rollerball_(NES) |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=tcrf.net}}</ref> It is designed to be played by one to four players, in turn. It is an emulation of a [[pinball]] machine.

The pinball machine rendered in ''Rollerball'' is composed of four screens, which, by proportion, would be about as long as two standard pinball tables if it were a real table. The graphics on two of the four screens are based on various aspects of the [[New York City]] skyline. The topmost screen (hereafter called the ''bonus screen'') merely shows some clouds and a blimp. The second screen (the ''main screen'') shows the top of the [[Empire State Building]], while the third screen (''intermediate'') shows the lower skyline and the [[Statue of Liberty]]. The lowest (''final'') screen shows only a blue backdrop, representing the Ocean.

==Gameplay==
===Main screen===
In the main mode, each player launches the ball directly into the main screen. To the top is a small loop marked ''SLOT''; if the player sends the ball through this loop, a [[slot machine]] display in the center of the screen cycles, with various penalties or rewards given when one of the three symbols (an eggplant, a pair of cherries, or a bell) appears three times. The center of the SLOT loop is open, allowing the player to enter the bonus screen.

There is a pair of [[Kickback (gaming)|kickback]] holes in the upper left of the main screen, with a bumper in proximity to the upper one. The lower one will shoot the ball straight up, relying on the curvature of the wall to direct it into the upper hole if the player is lucky. If the ball falls in the upper hole, one of two things can happen. If the kickback slot in the bonus screen is empty, the ball will be transferred to that slot and another ball will be released to the plunger to enter play. If the kickback slot is already filled, the ball is relaunched from the lower hole.

===Intermediate screen===
When in the intermediate screen, the most viable way of returning to the main screen is by a kickback hole on the upper left of the screen. It initially fires up to the main screen when entered, but switches directions every time it is used. If the player gets three cherries on the main screen slot, this hole will always shoot the ball upwards. Otherwise, there are some chances to score in this screen, but it is not a desirable place to have the ball.

There are three sets of three drop targets, and a set of three slots. When the game begins, a light (with the letter [[A]]) is lit above the first slot, and one set of three drop targets is chosen and marked with a flashing green light. Additionally, a bonus tally on this screen begins at 3,000 points. Completing a set of drop targets increases this bonus tally; sending the ball through a slot when its light is lit (one can move the light by flipping the flippers) adds the current tally to the player's score.

===Lower screen===
The lower screen, however, is the least desirable place to be. The ball can only be officially drained from this screen. However, some options are still available to the player:

* The apparatus on the left side of the screen acts as a kind of slot machine to provide bonuses. The button on the lower side of the apparatus enables it, the spinner changes the bonus indicated, and the flashing sensor will (as long as it is flashing when the ball passes over it) award the player the indicated bonus.
* A smaller right flipper sits near a kickback hole at the upper right of the screen. If enabled through either receiving three cherries on the main screen or the Exit Hole bonus from the lower screen bonus apparatus, this hole sends the ball back to the plunger to be relaunched, with no lost ball penalty.
* A kickback slot to the left of the left flipper complex can be opened the same way as the Exit Hole, as can a stopper between the two flippers. The kickback can also be opened by lighting the ABC slots in the middle of the screen.
* A well-aimed hit from the left flipper can send the ball safely back into the intermediate screen.

===Bonus screen===
While on the bonus screen, the player must shoot the ball over each of seven sensors, with the letters in the phrase "SKY HIGH" written on them, in a random but forced order. (That is, the player must shoot the ball over the flashing letter to light it and activate it; passing over non-flashing or already activated letters has no effect.) After this is done and the ball is placed in the kickback hole at the top of the screen, the letters turn into bumpers which must be hit numerous times to remove and start the bonus game again. Successfully finishing this bonus gives the player a large sum of points, as well as an extra ball (the first time completed) or an increase of the bonus multiplier (any other completion).

Two sets of four targets, similar to drop targets, are in the top corners of the bonus screen. When all activated, the upper left targets, labeled "RAISE THE SAVER", place a stopper at the gap between the left wall and the left flipper apparatus. The upper right targets, labeled "OPEN THE GATE", open a kickback slot in the lower right corner. Locking a ball in the kickback slot will send the ball into play as part of a two-ball multiball event when the bonus game is enabled. If the slot is opened when a ball is already locked, the locked ball will kick the entering ball back into play.

===Losing a ball===
If the ball passes the flippers on the lower screen, on either side or between the flippers, it is drained and the end-of-ball bonus is calculated. A tally of the current bonus is kept during gameplay and shown on the lower screen; this bonus starts at 1,000 points and is increased in intervals of 1,000 points during play. Upon draining the ball, the bonus is counted down to 0 points and added to the player's score; to represent any increase in the bonus multiplier, this count is repeated. The bonus multiplier can be increased by finishing the bonus game more than once, or by receiving three cherries or three bells on the main screen slot machine.

The game ends after three balls (in addition to any extra balls from the bonus screen) are drained; a typical final score can be around 300,000 points. Scoring 1,000,000 points enables the credits after the final ball is drained.

==Match play==
The alternate mode is a two-player game called '''Match Play'''. In this mode, a much smaller table, only one screen tall, houses a number of buttons and switches that lower the score of the player on that side by various amounts. Four sensors in the middle of the table will switch the scores of the two players whenever they all become lit. A slot machine is spun by the buttons on the outer walls, and its bonus is enacted by hitting the button on the top wall. The first player to lose all his or her points loses.

Two animals in the middle of each player's area show an emotion, from ecstasy to sadness, through neutral indifference, depending on that player's score and the score margin between the two players. In the Japanese version, the left player's animal is an [[elephant]], and the right player's is a [[giraffe]]. In the English version, the giraffe was changed to a [[donkey]], likely in reference to the [[United States Republican Party|Republican]] and [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic]] U.S. [[political party|political parties]].

==See also==
*[[List of MSX games]]
*[[List of Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
*''[[Pinball (1984 video game)|Pinball]]'' (1984)
*''[[Rock 'n Ball]]'' (1989)
*''[[Pinball Quest]]'' (1989)
*''[[Pin*Bot (video game)|Pin*Bot]]'' (1990)
*''[[High Speed (video game)|High Speed]]'' (1991)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.hallab.co.jp/works/detail/000767/ Info on HAL Laboratory's website]
*[http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=23&gi=2079&vi=3540 Rollerball World Records] at [[Twin Galaxies]]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20081005074800/http://moonbooks.net/scifi/rollerball-murder/ Science Fiction Radio Theater - Rollerball Murder]}} Rollerball Murder Audio Drama
*[http://generation-msx.nl/msxdb/softwareinfo/360 Infosheet at Generation MSX]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1984 video games]]
[[Category:HAL Laboratory games]]
[[Category:MSX games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Pinball video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]

1943: The Battle of Midway

2025-10-20T14:35:39Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{Short description|1987 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{About|the arcade game|the World War II battle itself in which the game was named after|Battle of Midway}}
{{Refimprove|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = 1943: The Battle of Midway
| image = 1943 The Battle of Midway flyer.png
| caption = North American arcade flyer
| developer = [[Capcom]]
| publisher = Capcom
| series = ''[[194X]]''
| designer = [[Yoshiki Okamoto]]
| composer = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|Kumi Yamaga}}|'''''1943 Kai''''' [[Manami Matsumae]] Takashi Tateishi Junko Tamiya Hiroshige Tonomura [[Tamayo Kawamoto]] [[Harumi Fujita]]}}
| platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[TurboGrafx-16|PC Engine]], [[Atari ST]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Amiga]]
| released = '''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|June 1987<ref name="Akagi">{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005) |date=13 October 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |pages=23, 112 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n23/mode/2up}}</ref>|NA|October 1987<ref name="Akagi"/>}} '''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|June 20, 1988<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|title=All Famicom games sorted from the latest release to the earliest|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|archive-date=October 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015061257/https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|url-status=dead}}</ref>|NA|October 1988<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |title=NES Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611225644/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |archive-date=June 11, 2014 }}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Scrolling shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| arcade system = [[Commando (video game)|Capcom Commando Hardware]]
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''1943: The Battle of Midway'''''|1943 ミッドウェイ海戦|Ichi Kyū Yon San: Middowei Kaisen|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1987 vertically [[scrolling shooter]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Capcom]] for [[Arcade video game|arcades]].<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=6769 | title = 1943: The Battle of Midway | publisher = The International Arcade Museum | access-date = 3 Oct 2013}}</ref> It was the first follow-up to Capcom's earlier ''[[1942 (video game)|1942]]''. Like ''1942'', the player controls Americans attacking the Japanese air fleet; this was due to being one of the first Capcom games designed with Western markets in mind. The game's name is a reference to the [[Battle of Midway]], which occurred in June 1942.

== Gameplay ==
{{Unsourced section|date=October 2025}}
[[File:1943 arcade.png|thumb|left|Gameplay screenshot]]
The game is set in the [[Asiatic-Pacific Theater|Pacific theater]] of [[World War II]], off the coast of the [[Midway Atoll]] with the [[Imperial Japanese Armed Forces]] as the main group of [[antagonist]]s. The player takes the role of an unnamed [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] [[flying ace|ace pilot]] seeking revenge to defeat the [[Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service|Japanese naval aerial forces]] that [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|attacked]] the American [[Pacific Theater aircraft carrier operations during World War II|aircraft carrier]], destroy all Japanese air and [[Imperial Japanese Navy|sea forces]], fly through the 16 [[Level (video gaming)|stages]] of play, and ultimately destroy the [[Japanese battleship Yamato|battleship ''Yamato'']], the game's [[Boss (video gaming)|final boss]]. 11 of these stages consist of an air-to-sea battle with a battleship or an aircraft carrier as the stage boss, while 5 stages consist of an all-aerial battle, either against a squadron of multiple [[strategic bomber]]s or a single [[heavy bomber]], the latter requires the player to shoot its engines to destroy it.

As in ''[[1942 (video game)|1942]]'', players pilot a [[P-38 Lightning]]. Controls are also similar: button 1 fires main weapons, and button 2 performs two special actions: one of three special lightning attacks in exchange for some of the player's fuel, or a loop maneuver like in ''[[1942 (video game)|1942]]'' if buttons 1 and 2 are pressed simultaneously. Players now have only one life, in the form of a large "fuel" meter, constantly depleting, but refillable by collecting various powerups. In 2-player mode, when both players overlap their planes on screen, the energy bar can be transferred from the player with more fuel to the player with less. Destroying a complete formation of red enemy planes will result in a [[power-up]], such as a health boost or a new main weapon.

There are cheat codes, different for every stage, ranging from holding down a fire button or pointing the joystick in a certain direction; player(s) are rewarded with fully upgraded weapons.

'''Attacks and Items'''

There are a number of different weapons, attacks, and items the player can use in total.

'''Weapons'''

There are 6 different weapons in the game. The player comes equipped with a standard weapon at all times unless a power up is obtained by destroying a group of red planes, in which case the player will have a chance to receive a special weapon. The power up can also be cycled to various weapons by shooting it. Weapons include:

* Standard Machine Gun: The player comes first equipped with this. Two shots are fired simultaneously when the fire button is pressed.
* Shotgun: Shoots a wide, short-ranged, shot of bullets. These bullets can also destroy enemy fire. If a second shotgun power-up is obtained it will increase its power
* Three-way MG: Like the standard MG but will also shoot bullets diagonally allowing for wider spread.
* Auto: Will shoot a short burst of eight bullets with every press of the fire button.
* Shell: The shell, sometimes referred to as the Super Shell, will shoot a single line of shells with no spread. A wider spread can be obtained through the side fighter item. The shell is powerful and requires good accuracy and is the only weapon that can be continuously shot with the fire button being pressed down.
* Laser: A rare item that shoots a powerful piercing laser. This item can be obtained by collecting the maneki-neko (beckoning cat) that will flash around the screen.

'''Special Attacks'''

There are three separate special attacks that the player can use by pressing the B button. Each attack uses a chunk of energy from the player. Using the attack cannot kill the player but instead the player will be unable to use the attack when low on energy.

* Lighting Attack: Only usable during the air section of the game. This attack instantly destroys any small air targets.
* Tsunami Attack: Only usable during the surface attacks, it destroys all small air targets, damages ships, and stops the screen from scrolling for a few seconds.
* Cyclone: Destroys all enemy fire.

'''Items'''

There are five separate items that can be obtained through playing:

* POW: POWs can be obtained by destroying a group of red planes. A POW will restore 8 of the players energy.
* Energy tank: An energy tank can be obtained by shooting a POW or weapon enough to cycle it to the energy tank. The energy tank will restore 24 of the player's energy.
* Yashichi: Can be obtained by shooting special locations or obtained rarely by shooting a fighter under certain circumstances. This will completely refill the player's energy bar.
* Star: A rare item to appear, more rare than the Yashichi. It will reset the special weapon timer to max and give the player 5,000 points.
* Side fighters: Adds two fighters to the side of the player that add to the projectile amount with certain weapon upgrades. The side fighters are weak and can be destroyed in a few hits.

'''Bonus Items'''

There are six bonus items the player can get which will give them differing numbers of points:

* Bamboo Shoots: In order to make them appear the players must fly over the clouds in a certain way. 500 points are awarded for making them appear and 2,200 for collecting them.
* Strawberry: To make appear the player typically has to shoot the higher and smallest battleship just before dropping down. Collecting them will give 10,000 points.
* Barrels: Barrels can be found by shooting hidden locations when closer to the water. Barrels are worth 10,000 points.
* Dragonfly: The hardest item to get. It is said to appear when a battleship becomes visible from aerial battle or when the credit notation is at 9. It is worth 10,000 points if collected.
* Cow: Can be revealed by shooting secret locations and is worth 20,000 points when collected.
* Mobi-chan: When a battleship receives 100% destruction four pieces will come from the bridge and fly towards the player. Each piece will deal massive damage to the player if they hit them but if shot down before hitting the player gets 10,000 points for each one. In addition Mobi-Chan from ''[[Hyper Dyne Side Arms]]'' may escape when the bridge explodes. If shot down it is worth 100,000 points.

== Ports ==
Capcom released their own port for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], but the game has also been ported to the [[Atari ST]], the [[ZX Spectrum]], the [[Amstrad CPC]], the [[Commodore 64]] and the [[Amiga]]. In 1998, it was re-released as ''[[Capcom Generations|Capcom Generation 1]]'' for the Sega Saturn and the PlayStation. In 2005, it was re-released for [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and [[PlayStation 2]] as part of ''[[Capcom Classics Collection]]'', and again in ''[[Capcom Classics Collection: Reloaded]]'' on the [[PlayStation Portable]]. It is also included as the initial game in ''[[Capcom Arcade Cabinet]]'', a compilation of games released digitally for [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]] in February 2013, in which the games are sold individually or in packs. The game was also included as a free game on ''[[Capcom Arcade Stadium]]'', with other games being sold in packs or individually as before.

=== NES ===
Released exactly one year after the arcade version, the NES version of ''1943'' introduced the ability to improve the player's plane by permanently upgrading certain aspects of its abilities. These include the plane's offensive and defensive powers, the maximum fuel level, and its special weapons and their durations. This somewhat alters the game balance and a different tactic is required to survive the game. For example, initially few weapons are made available; more can be attained from power-ups by putting statistic points into "special weapons ability".<ref>This version does not bear a subtitle, though packaging gives the original Japanese release "The Battle of Valhalla" and the US release the normal "The Battle of Midway". Further, a Japan-bound prototype exists named ''1943: The Battle of Midway''.</ref>

=== ''Kai'' ===
[[File:ARC 1943 - The Battle of Midway Mark II (1943 Kai - Midway Kaisen).png|thumb|right|Arcade version of ''1943 Kai'']]
Developed and released alongside the Family Computer version, {{nihongo|''1943 Kai: Midway Kaisen''|1943改ミッドウェイ海戦}} is an arcade game, an "alternate" version of the original ''1943'', released in 1987<ref>{{Cite web|title=1943 Kai – Midway Kaisen – Videogame by Capcom|url=https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=6768|access-date=2022-12-16|website=www.arcade-museum.com}}</ref> in Japan.

In 1991, this version was converted to the [[TurboGrafx-16|PC Engine]] as simply ''1943 Kai'', again exclusively in Japan; this version contains many additional levels and original music.

Although the arcade release was exclusive to Japan, the arcade version itself was included in the 1998 ''[[Capcom Generations]]'' for the Sega Saturn and the PlayStation and in the 2005 ''[[Capcom Classics Collection]]'' for [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]].

== Reception ==
In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''1943: Midway Kaisen'' as the most popular arcade game of July 1987.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=Game Machine|issue=312|publisher=Amusement Press|date=15 July 1987|page=29|lang=ja}}</ref> It went on to become Japan's second highest-grossing table arcade game of 1987,<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=87' ゲーメスト大賞〜ベストインカム |trans-title=87' Gamest Awards – Best Income |magazine=[[Gamest]] |date=December 28, 1987 |volume=17 (February 1988) |url=https://archive.org/details/gamest0017/page/n40/mode/2up |pages=25-38 (36-7) |lang=ja}}</ref> and tenth highest-grossing arcade conversion kit of 1988.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25: '88 ''/ "Game of the Year '88" By Game Machine'' |magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]] |issue=348 |publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]] |date=15 January 1989 |pages=10–1, 26 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19890115p.pdf#page=6}}</ref> ''Game Machine'' also listed ''1943 Kai: Midway Kaisen'' as the sixteenth most popular arcade game of July 1988.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=Game Machine|issue=337|publisher=Amusement Press|date=1 August 1988|page=29|lang=ja}}</ref>

[[Yoshiki Okamoto]], the producer of the game, stated on his [[YouTube]] channel that the game faced protests from the Japanese right wing. According to him, protesters criticized the game's content – where players control American aircraft to attack and destroy Imperial Japanese Navy warships – as an insult to the souls of fallen soldiers enshrined at [[Yasukuni Shrine]]. Okamoto acknowledged the criticism resonated deeply, that one could question why Japanese developers would deliberately make a game about defeating the Japanese military, and that he had been too young to consider that perspective at the time. He explained the setting was chosen to make the game more appealing by putting the player on the side of the war's winners, and that the content was fantastical – diverging from historical accuracy with elements like mixed Army/Navy aircraft and the battleship Yamato appearing at the Battle of Midway, where it was not actually present. In the NES version, the names of the warships and battlefields were replaced with fictional ones. <ref>{{Citation|title=AC版『1943 -ミッドウェイ海戦』開発の裏側| date=August 3, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IetifMbc1e4|accessdate=2023-09-19|language=ja-JP}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{KLOV game|6769}}
* {{WoS game|id=0009298}}

{{Spoken Wikipedia|1943 The Battle of Midway.ogg|date=2010-05-25}}
{{194X series}}

[[Category:1987 video games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Amstrad CPC games]]
[[Category:Atari ST games]]
[[Category:Capcom games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:Fiction about aircraft carriers]]
[[Category:Games about the Battle of Midway]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:TurboGrafx-16 games]]
[[Category:Vertically scrolling shooters]]
[[Category:Sequel video games]]
[[Category:Pacific War video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games set in 1943]]
[[Category:Video games set in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Harumi Fujita]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Manami Matsumae]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Tamayo Kawamoto]]
[[Category:ZX Spectrum games]]

Millipede (video game)

2025-10-20T14:24:13Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{short description|1982 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Millipede
| image = Millipede Poster.png
| caption = North American arcade flyer
| developer = [[Atari, Inc.]]{{efn|Game Boy version developed by [[The Code Monkeys]].}}
| publisher = {{vgrelease|NA|Atari, Inc.|JP|[[Namco]]}}
| designer = [[Ed Logg]]
| programmer = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|Ed Logg [[Mark Cerny]]}}|'''2600''' Dave Staugas<ref name=giantlist/> '''Atari 8-bit''' Steve Crandall<ref name="giantlist">{{cite web|last1=Hague|first1=James|title=The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers|url=https://dadgum.com/giantlist/}}</ref>}}
| artist = '''2600''' Jerome Dourmat
| series = ''[[Centipede (video game)|Centipede]]''
| platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Atari 2600]], [[Atari 8-bit]], [[Atari ST]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Game Boy]]
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|November 1982}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|NA|November 1982<ref>{{cite web|title=Production Numbers|url=http://www.atarigames.com/atarinumbers90s.pdf|publisher=[[Atari]]|year=1999|archive-date=10 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510143012/http://www.atarigames.com/atarinumbers90s.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>|EU|April 1983<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Arcade Action |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 April 1983 |issue=19 (May 1983) |pages=30–1 |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/176/491}}</ref>|JP|1984<ref>{{cite web |title=Millipede |url=https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/M731118 |website=Media Arts Database |publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]] |access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref>}} '''2600'''{{vgrelease||March 1984<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hahn |first1=Duane Alan |title=1984: Atari 2600 Video Game Release Dates with Pop Culture Atmosphere |url=https://www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-history-1984.html |website=Random Terrain}}</ref>}} '''Atari 8-bit'''{{vgrelease||1984}} '''Atari ST'''{{vgrelease||1986}} '''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|October 1, 1987<ref name="famitsu review" />|NA|October 1988<ref name="NintendoList">{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |access-date=August 9, 2015 |title=NES Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611225644/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |archive-date=June 11, 2014 }}</ref>}} '''Game Boy'''{{vgrelease|NA|August 1995<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/dmg_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |title=Game Boy (original) Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402190758/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/dmg_games.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2016 }}</ref>|EU|1995}}
}}
| genre = [[Fixed shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}

'''''Millipede''''' (stylized as '''''millipede''''' in western releases and as '''''Milli-Pede''''' in Japan) is a 1982 [[fixed shooter]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Atari, Inc.]] for [[arcade video game|arcades]]; in Japan, it was distributed by [[Namco]]. It is the sequel to 1981's ''[[Centipede (video game)|Centipede]]'', with more gameplay variety and a wider array of insect enemies. The objective is to score as many points as possible by destroying all segments of a millipede that moves toward the bottom of the screen, as well as eliminating or avoiding other enemies. As with its predecessor, the game is played with a [[trackball]] and a single fire button which can be held down for rapid-fire.

''Millipede'' was ported to the [[Atari 2600]] and [[Atari 8-bit computers]], and later to the [[Atari ST]] and [[Nintendo Entertainment System]].

== Gameplay ==
{{Unsourced section|date=August 2025}}
[[File:millipedearcadegame.png|thumb|left|The start of a new game, with the millipede at the top left and four blue DDT bombs (arcade)]]

The player no longer takes the role of the "Bug Blaster" from ''Centipede'', but instead takes the role of an [[elf]] called the "Archer". The object of the game is to destroy a [[millipede]] that advances downward from the top of the screen. The millipede travels horizontally until it either hits an obstacle or reaches the edge of the screen, after which it drops one row and reverses direction. Once it enters the player's gray maneuvering area, it stays there and extra heads appear at intervals until both they and the millipede are destroyed. Shooting a body segment splits the millipede in two, with the rear portion sprouting its own head. A collision with any enemy costs the player one life.

===Differences from ''Centipede''===
* According to the game's arcade flyer and instruction manual, the game's storyline involves the player character, Archer, defending his mushroom forest from the onslaught of gigantic insect monsters using his magic arrows.
* The [[millipede]] moves faster and its head segment is more difficult to hit.
* [[Earwig]]s replace scorpions from ''Centipede'', making mushrooms poisonous so that the millipede will charge straight to the bottom of the screen after touching them.
* [[Bee]]s replace fleas from ''Centipede'', leaving mushrooms in a vertical line and requiring two shots to destroy.
* [[Spider]]s behave the same way as in ''Centipede'', moving in zig-zag pattern across the player area and eating mushrooms. Multiple spiders can appear at the same time on higher levels.
* [[Inchworm]]s move horizontally across the screen and slow all enemies for a short period of time when hit.
* [[Ladybug]]s crawl around the player area for a while, then climb up and leave the screen, turning any mushrooms they touch into indestructible flowers. When hit, all mushrooms on the screen scroll down one row.
* [[Dragonflies]] drop mushrooms while zig-zagging down.
* [[Mosquito]]es bounce off the sides of the screen as they descend diagonally. When hit, all mushrooms on the screen scroll up one row.
* [[DDT]] bombs are triggered when shot, destroying all enemies and mushrooms within the resulting cloud. Whenever the mushrooms scroll down, a new bomb is added at the top of the screen, with up to four bombs in play at one time. Points are scored for shooting the bomb itself, and enemies destroyed in the blast are worth three times the normal points.

[[File:Musée Mécanique 218.JPG|thumb|An upright cabinet]]

All flowers and poisoned or partially destroyed mushrooms revert to normal, whole mushrooms and score points during the process when the player loses a life.

At regular intervals, the player enters a bonus level with a swarm of enemies (bees, dragonflies, etc.) instead of the usual millipede. Each enemy awards increasing points, up to a maximum of 1,000 points per enemy. The attack ends when either the entire swarm has passed or the player loses a life. Also, at intervals new mushrooms will grow on the field while others disappear, in a pattern similar to [[Conway's Game of Life]].

Players can choose whether to play at an advanced level, starting with a score that is a multiple of the number of points needed to earn an extra life (by default, 15,000). The gameplay is generally much more advanced than it would be had the player started with a score of 0 and worked their way up to that point level. The maximum advanced level allowed is a function of the preceding player's score, and games started at an advanced level where the player did not earn at least one extra life are not eligible for the high scoreboard.

== Ports ==
''Millipede'' was released for the [[Atari 2600]] and [[Atari 8-bit computers]] in 1984, then the [[Atari ST]] in 1986. A version for the [[Family Computer]] was developed and published by [[HAL Laboratory]] in 1987 as ''Milli-Pede: Kyodai Konchū no Gyakushū''. It was renamed to ''Millipede: Super Arcade Hit!'' for its 1988 US [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] release. In the Family Computer and NES versions, earwigs do not poison the mushrooms.

A port of the Atari 8-bit version to the [[Atari 5200]] was completed in 1984 but not published.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| NES = true
| Fam_NES = 3/10, 5/10, 7/10, 3/10<ref name="famitsu review">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Famitsu|Weekly Famicom Tsūshin]]|issue=227|date=October 2, 1987|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation]] | p=12 | language=Japanese | title=新作ゲームクロスレビュー|trans-title=New Game Cross Review}}</ref>
}}

It was listed by ''[[Cash Box]]'' magazine as America's fourth highest-grossing arcade game of 1983, below ''[[Ms. Pac-Man]]'', ''[[Pole Position]]'' and ''[[Dragon's Lair (1983 video game)|Dragon's Lair]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Cash Box Jukebox/Games Survey |magazine=[[Cash Box]] |date=October 29, 1983 |page=46 |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox45unse_20/page/54 |publisher=Cash Box Pub. Co.}}</ref>

French magazine ''[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]'' rated the arcade game with four out of six stars.<ref name="Tilt">{{cite magazine |title=Service Compris Arcade: Les Seuers Froides |magazine=[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]] |date=May 16, 1983 |issue=5 |pages=72–3 |lang=fr |url=https://archive.org/details/Tilt005/page/n71/mode/2up}}</ref>

Reviewing the game for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] port, the Japanese magazine ''[[Famitsu|Biweekly Famicom Tsūshin]]'' had its four reviewers commented that the small graphics and play screen made it difficult to play and lamented that different favorite arcade titles weren't chosen or that the cart did not contain three or four extra older games.<ref name="famitsu review" />

== Legacy ==
In 1995, ''Millipede'' was released together with ''Centipede'' on the [[Game Boy]] under the title ''[[Arcade Classic|Arcade Classic No. 2: Centipede / Millipede]]''. This version was developed by [[The Code Monkeys]] and published by [[Nintendo]].

In 1997, it was included in ''[[Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 2]]'' for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]].

In 2005, ''Millipede'' was combined with ''[[Super Breakout]]'' and ''[[Lunar Lander (1979 video game)|Lunar Lander]]'' for the [[Game Boy Advance]].

The arcade and Atari 2600 versions of the game were rereleased in the 2005 [[Atari Anthology]] for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and [[PlayStation 2]]. ''Millipede'' and ''Centipede'' were made available for the [[Xbox 360]] via [[Xbox Live Arcade]] in 2007.

==High scores==
Donald Hayes of New Hampshire scored a [[world record]] 10,627,331 points playing ''Millipede'' on December 26, 2004.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=2&gi=3232&vi=1373 | title= Twin Galaxies' Marathon Millipede High Score Rankings | accessdate= 27 December 2009 | url-status= dead | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081004120508/http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=2&gi=3232&vi=1373 | archivedate= 4 October 2008}}</ref> The highest ''Millipede'' score played under tournament settings is 495,126 points, also by Hayes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.twingalaxies.com/scores.php?player=12711|title=Twin Galaxies}}</ref>

In the default high-scores table of the arcade version, the initials "ED" and "FXL" refer to Ed Logg (designing and programming) and Franz Lanzinger (who helped in designing and testing), respectively.<ref>''[[Retro Gamer]]'', issue 76, page 27 (Q&A)</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|1980s|Video games}}
* {{KLOV game|id=8698|name=Millipede}}
* [http://www.arcade-history.com/?page=detail&id=1633 ''Millipede''] at the Arcade History database

{{Centipede series}}

[[Category:1982 video games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Atari games]]
[[Category:Atari 8-bit computer games]]
[[Category:Atari arcade games]]
[[Category:Atari ST games]]
[[Category:Atari 2600 games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Atari 5200 games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Atari 7800 games]]
[[Category:Ed Logg games]]
[[Category:Fixed shooters]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:HAL Laboratory games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer hotseat games]]
[[Category:Namco games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Trackball video games]]
[[Category:Video games about insects]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Brad Fuller]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 Live Arcade games]]

Stargate (1981 video game)

2025-10-20T14:23:16Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{Short description|1981 video game}}
{{About|the 1980s Stargate video game|the game based on the film|Stargate (1995 console video game)|other uses|Stargate (disambiguation)}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2008}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Stargate
| image = Stargate flyer.png
| caption = North American arcade flyer
| developer = [[Vid Kidz]]{{efn|NES version developed by [[HAL Laboratory]].}}
| publisher = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[WMS Industries|Williams Electronics]]}}|'''Apple II, C64, IBM PC''' [[Atarisoft]] '''2600''' [[Atari, Inc.]] '''NES''' [[HAL Laboratory]]}}
| designer = [[Eugene Jarvis]] [[Larry DeMar]]
| platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[IBM PC]], [[Apple II]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari 2600]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]]
| release = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|October 1981}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|NA|October 1981<ref>{{cite news |title=Manufacturers Equipment |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/0/0e/CashBox_US_1983-05-14.pdf |work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |date=May 14, 1983 |page=42}}</ref>}} '''IBM PC'''{{vgrelease||1983}} '''Apple II'''{{vgrelease||Early 1984<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/16d5f176-05e9-4f4c-9f76-9244f408ae6c |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=2 |issue=11 |date=February 1984 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''C64'''{{vgrelease||April 1984<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/f316eb98-2116-4984-9360-1263e60e0acd |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=3 |issue=2 |date=May 1984 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''2600'''{{vgrelease||June 1984<ref>{{cite web |title=Atari VCS game release dates |url=https://www.atariarchive.org/atari-vcs-game-release-dates/ |website=Atari Archive}}</ref>}} '''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 24, 1987<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|title=All Famicom games sorted from the latest release to the earliest|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|archive-date=October 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015061257/https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|url-status=dead}}</ref>|NA|July 1988<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |title=NES Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611225644/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |archive-date=June 11, 2014 }}</ref>}} '''Amiga, Atari ST'''{{vgrelease|UK|1990}}
}}
| genre = [[Scrolling shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| arcade system =
}}

'''''Stargate''''' is a horizontally [[scrolling shooter]] released as an [[arcade video game]] in 1981 by [[WMS Industries|Williams Electronics]]. Created by [[Eugene Jarvis]] and [[Larry DeMar]], it is a sequel to ''[[Defender (1981 video game)|Defender]]'' which was released earlier in the year. It was the first of only three productions from [[Vid Kidz]], an independent development house formed by Jarvis and DeMar. Some home ports of ''Stargate'' were renamed to '''''Defender II''''' for legal reasons.

This sequel adds new ships to the alien fleet, including Firebombers, Yllabian Space Guppies, Dynamos, Phreds, Big Reds, Munchies and Space Hums. The Defender ship is now equipped with an Inviso cloaking device, which renders the ship invulnerable when activated, but has a limited charge. A Stargate transports the ship to any humanoid in trouble. There are two special stages: the Yllabian Dogfight, first appearing at wave 5 and recurring every 10 waves; and the Firebomber Showdown, first appearing at wave 10 and also recurring every 10 waves.

==Gameplay==
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2019}}
The player flies a small spaceship above a scrolling, [[mountain]]ous landscape which [[wraparound (video games)|wraps around]], so flying constantly in one direction will eventually return to the starting point. The player's ship flies in front of the landscape and does not contact it.

The terrain is inhabited by a small number of humanoids. Enemy ships fly overhead. The goal is to destroy the enemies to prevent the humans from being captured.

The player is armed with a beam-like weapon which can be fired rapidly in a long horizontal line ahead of the spaceship, and also has a limited supply of smart bombs, which can destroy every enemy on the screen. The player also has a limited supply of "Inviso" cloaking energy, which makes the ship invisible, and able to destroy any ships it comes in contact with.

At the top of the screen is a [[mini-map]], which displays the positions of all aliens and humans on the landscape.

===Aliens===
[[Image:Stargate-enemies.jpg|thumb|right|The names of most of the new alien types are inside jokes.{{clarification needed |date=July 2023}}{{citation needed |date=July 2023}}]]

There are fifteen types of aliens:
* '''Lander''' - the primary enemy on every level. Landers teleport into the level in staggered waves, and attempt to capture humanoids by descending upon them and dragging them into the air; if they make it to the top of the screen with a human, the two fuse together into a more dangerous Mutant. Landers can fire projectiles at the player.
* '''Mutant''' - a mutated Lander. Mutants home in on the player at constant speed, firing projectiles. They move erratically, making them difficult to shoot.
* '''Baiter''' - a flat, iridescent spacecraft that teleports in if the player is taking too long to complete a level. Homes in on the player and attempts to match their speed, while firing accurate projectiles. A difficult opponent due to its unbeatable speed and tiny horizontal cross-section, which makes it very hard to shoot.
* '''Bomber''' - a box-shaped alien that lays stationary [[Naval mine|mine]]s in the air.
* '''Pod''' - a star-like alien that bursts into a number of Swarmers when shot.
* '''Swarmer''' - a tiny teardrop-shaped alien that moves very quickly in an undulating fashion. Difficult to shoot.
* '''Firebomber''' - a rotating variation on the Bomber, which shoots high speed '''Fireballs''' at the player.
* '''Yllabian Space Guppie''' - an undulating attacker, which attacks in swarms and homes in on the ship.
* '''Phreds''' and '''Big Reds''' - square aliens which look like they are constantly opening and closing their mouths. Similar to the Firebombers, they launch tiny versions of themselves called '''Munchies'''.
* '''Dynamos''' - diamond-shaped ships composed of clusters of '''Space Hums''', which periodically break off to attack the ship independently. Once all aliens (except Fireballs, Space Hums, Baiters, Phreds, Big Reds, and Munchies) are destroyed, the player progresses to the next level.

===Humanoids===
The game starts with ten Humanoids inhabiting the planet. Landers will attempt to capture and fuse with them during play.

To rescue a Humanoid from capture, the player must kill the Lander holding it while it is in the air, causing the Humanoid to drop. At low height Humanoids can survive the drop on their own, but if the Lander is killed at too high an altitude, the player must catch the Humanoid with their ship and return him to the ground, otherwise he will not survive the drop. A player's ship can carry as many Humanoids as are alive on that level.

The Humanoids can be killed by the player's weapon just as easily as the aliens can, so careful aim is required when firing near them.

If all Humanoids are killed, the entire planet explodes, leaving the player in empty space. This also has the unfortunate effect of turning every Lander into a Mutant, making the player's job very difficult.

Every time the player completes 5 waves of enemies (i.e. at wave 6, 11, 16 and so forth), the planet (and all its 10 Humanoids) is restored.

===Scoring===
As well as the points gained by killing aliens, scores are also awarded as follows:
* Humanoid falling back to the ground without dying: 250 points
* Catching a falling humanoid: 500, 1000, 1,500, and 2,000 points, depending on number of humanoids carried at the time.
* Returning a humanoid to the ground: 500 points
* Humanoid surviving the level: 100 points per humanoid for 1st wave, 200 per humanoid on 2nd wave, up to a maximum of 500 points from 5th wave onwards
* End-of-wave humanoid bonus: If all enemies are destroyed and a humanoid is falling to the ground, the player receives a 2,000 point bonus if the ship is positioned at ground level directly under the humanoid, so as to simultaneously catch the humanoid and place it back on the ground. If the player simply catches the humanoid in mid-air while above the ground, the wave ends with the player only receiving the 500 points for catching the humanoid.
* If the player accumulates 999 ships and gets awarded another ship, the counter wraps around, eliminating all ships but the one being awarded, and the one currently being played with.

By default, the player receives an extra life, smart bomb, and Inviso energy every 10,000 points. This amount can be overridden when the machine is in maintenance mode. As in ''Defender'', at 9,990,000, those bonuses are given for every enemy destroyed.

===Controls===
The control system of ''Stargate'' expands on that of ''[[Defender (video game)|Defender]]''. The game has a joystick to move up and down, a Reverse button to toggle the player's horizontal direction, and a Thrust button to move in that direction. There is also a Fire button for shooting, a button to activate a Smart Bomb, a button to turn on the Inviso cloaking device, and a Hyperspace button which teleports the player to a random position in the level, at the risk of either exploding upon rematerialization, or materializing onto an enemy or enemy projectile, and then exploding.

===The Stargate===
A central feature of the gamefield is the Stargate itself, represented by a series of concentric rectangles. The operation of the Stargate depends on the current game conditions.

If a Lander is in the process of abducting a Humanoid, flying into the Stargate will teleport the ship to where the Humanoid is under attack. If more than one Humanoid is being captured, the ship will be taken to the Lander that is closest to the top of the screen. If a Humanoid is being captured while a Humanoid is falling to the ground, the ship will be taken to the Humanoid that is falling to the ground. Otherwise, entering the Stargate will teleport the ship to the opposite side of the planet.

If the ship is carrying at least four humanoids, entering the Stargate will "warp" the game ahead three levels. This allows more advanced players to skip the easier lower levels and also get a great number of points, extra lives, smart bombs, and inviso energy. Warping is only allowed in the first 10 levels, and can be avoided (if desired) by flying into the Stargate in reverse, allowing a player to continue on the current level.

==Ports==
Ports of ''Stargate'' were being developed for the [[Atari 5200]] console<ref>{{cite web |last=Reichert |first=Matt |title=Stargate (Atari 5200) |website=AtariProtos.com |url=http://www.atariprotos.com/5200/software/stargate/stargate.htm |accessdate=September 19, 2014}}</ref> and the [[Atari 8-bit computers]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Reichert |first=Matt |title=Stargate (Atari 8-bit) |website=AtariProtos.com |url=http://www.atariprotos.com/8bit/software/stargate/stargate.htm |accessdate=September 19, 2014}}</ref> by [[Atari, Inc.]] programmer Steve Baker in 1984, but were not released. The game was also ported to the [[Commodore 64]], [[Apple II]], the [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]] and [[IBM PC]].

The [[Family Computer]] port developed by [[HAL Laboratory|HAL]] (renamed ''Star Gate'', and later named ''Defender II'' for U.S. release) has some elements in common with their ''[[Millipede (video game)|Millipede]]'' (renamed ''Milli-Pede'', later named back to ''Millipede'' for U.S. release) and ''[[Joust (video game)|Joust]]'' ports, as well as ''[[Punch-Out!! (NES)|Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!]]'', all of which were released around the same time. In particular, the title jingles for ''Milli-Pede,'' ''Star Gate, and'' ''Joust'' are almost identical, the music played when ''Star Gate'' begins is a longer version of the opponent entrance music from ''Punch-Out!!'', and the music played during ''Star Gate''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s intermission screen between waves is the same as the screen after a loss in ''Punch-Out!!''.

=== Name change ===
The ''Defender II'' name was used in some home releases, due to legal issues (according to the bonus material for ''[[Midway Arcade Treasures]]'', Williams wanted to "make sure they could own the trademark" on the ''Defender'' name). The name ''Defender II'' has been used on many home ports and game compilation appearances, but not in arcades. The [[Atari 2600]] port was originally sold as ''Stargate'', but was renamed to ''Defender II'' for a later re-release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atariage.com/software_page.php?SoftwareLabelID=130|title=AtariAge - Atari 2600 - Defender II (Atari)|website=www.atariage.com}}</ref> The Amiga and Atari ST ports were developed by [[Jeff Minter]] and includes ''Defender'', ''Stargate'' and ''Defender II''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Campbell |first=Colin |date=January 1991 |title=Defender II |url=https://amr.abime.net/review_825 |journal=Amiga Format |issue=18 |pages=58}}</ref>

==Reception==
''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' scored the Atari VCS version 89% in 1989.<ref name="CVG">{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}</ref> In 1996, [[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]] ranked the arcade version 82nd on their "Top 100 Games of All Time" list.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1996 |title=Top 100 Games of All Time |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |journal=GamesMaster |issue=44 |pages=75}}</ref>

==Legacy==
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2017}}
In July 2000, [[Midway Games|Midway]] licensed ''Defender II'', along with other [[WMS Industries|Williams Electronics]] games, to [[Adobe Shockwave|Shockwave]] for use in an online applet entitled ''Shockwave Arcade Collection'', to demonstrate the power of the Shockwave web content platform. The conversion was created by [[Backbone Entertainment|Digital Eclipse]]. This port is no longer available.

As with ''Defender II'', the game is included in the 2012 compilation ''[[Midway Arcade Origins]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/14/midway-arcade-origins-review|title=Midway Arcade Origins Review|first=Samuel|last=Claiborn|date=13 November 2012|publisher=}}</ref>

===In popular culture===
A ''Stargate'' machine is featured in the 3rd-season episode "Arcade" of the TV comedy series ''[[NewsRadio]]'', in which it was referred to as "Stargate Defender". Eugene Jarvis, the game's creator, had a cameo role on the episode as "Delivery Guy #3".<ref>NewsRadio 3rd season DVD commentary for the episode "Arcade", and the ending credits of the episode itself (also on the DVD).</ref>

''Stargate'' and its predecessor ''[[Defender (1981 video game)|Defender]]'' are featured as plot points in the podcast ''Rabbits''.

==See also==
{{portal|Video games}}
* ''[[Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits]]''

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{KLOV game|id=9780|name=Stargate}}
* [http://www.coinop.org/Game/100181/''Stargate''] on Coinop.org
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040814112126/http://www.daylongraphics.com/products/defcon/ Defence Condition - open source GDI-based ''Stargate'' clone for Win32]
* [http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&pi=2&gi=3944&vi=1502 Twin Galaxies high score rankings for ''Stargate'']

{{Defender series}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stargate (Video Game)}}
[[Category:1981 video games]]
[[Category:Apple II games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Atari 2600 games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Atari 5200 games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Atari 8-bit computer games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:HAL Laboratory games]]
[[Category:Horizontally scrolling shooters]]
[[Category:Midway video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer hotseat games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Vid Kidz games]]
[[Category:Sequel video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Williams video games]]

Rad Racer

2025-10-20T14:21:04Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{Short description|1987 video game}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Rad Racer
|image = Rad racer box front.jpg
|alt =
|caption = North American NES box art
|developer = [[Square (video game company)|Square]]
|publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|Square|WW|[[Nintendo]]}}
|designer = [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]]<ref name="produce" />
|programmer = [[Nasir Gebelli]]
|artist=[[Kazuko Shibuya]]
|composer = [[Nobuo Uematsu]]<ref name="Uematsu" />
|platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Arcade game|arcade]]
|released = {{vgrelease|JP|August 7, 1987|NA|October 1987|EU|January 15, 1988}}
|genre = [[Racing game|Racing]]
|modes = [[Single-player]]
|arcade system = [[PlayChoice-10]]
}}

'''''Rad Racer''''', known as {{nihongo foot|'''''Highway Star'''''|ハイウェイスター|Haiwei Sutā|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} in Japan, is a [[racing video game]] developed and published by [[Square (video game company)|Square]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) in 1987. In this game, players drive a [[Ferrari 328]] or a generic [[Formula One]] racing machine through a racecourse. The game was released in North America and Europe months after its debut. The title became well known for being one of two titles from Square that made use of [[Stereoscopy|stereoscopic 3D]], which was made possible by wearing a pair of [[Anaglyph 3D|anaglyph]] glasses. Square president [[Masafumi Miyamoto]] initially conceived the game as an opportunity for developer [[Nasir Gebelli]] to demonstrate his 3D programming skills. Gebelli developed, and often drew by hand, the graphics for the game's 3D mode.

The game sold 1.96 million copies and is considered one of the best racing games on the NES, but was criticized as being derivative of other racing games from the period. Reviewers widely compared the game to ''[[Out Run]]'', though opined that ''Rad Racer'' was different in some ways, and they praised the sense of speed. The game appeared in the 1989 film ''[[The Wizard (1989 film)|The Wizard]]'' and was one of three games to feature a unique competition course in the 1990 [[Nintendo World Championship]].

==Gameplay==
[[File:Radracer3D.gif|frame|left|Players can engage a [[Stereoscopy|stereoscopic 3D]] mode by pressing the select button while wearing included [[Anaglyph 3D|anaglyph]] 3D glasses. {{3D glasses|color=red blue}}]]
''Rad Racer'' is a [[racing game]] in which the player races in a "Transamerica" race from the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] to the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]].<ref name="manual2">{{cite book | author=Nintendo staff | date=1987 | title=Rad Racer ''Instruction Manual'' | publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] | pages=2}}</ref> The gameplay is sprite-based, and the player controls the car from a "behind the vehicle" perspective.<ref name="3D" /> At the start of the game, the player chooses between two types of car to race, either a [[Ferrari 328#GTB/GTS Turbo|328 Twin Turbo]] or an [[Lotus 99T|F1 Machine]], though both cars perform exactly the same.<ref name="cores" /> The objective is to complete eight driving stages of varying skylines, environments, and locations, including [[Los Angeles]], [[San Francisco]], and [[Athens]].<ref name="cores" /><ref name="allgames" /> Competitors' vehicles get faster as the stages progress and include [[Volkswagen Beetle]]s to [[Ferrari Testarossa]]s.<ref name="allgames" /> The player's car can accelerate to 100 km/h, which [[turbocharger|turbo]] can then be activated to accelerate to a maximum of 255 km/h.<ref name="allgames" /><ref name="manual4">{{cite book | author=Nintendo staff | date=1987 | title=Rad Racer ''Instruction Manual'' | publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] | pages=4}}</ref> The player can brake, steer, and change the background music while driving.<ref name="manual4" /> Hitting any obstacles or other cars may cause the player's vehicle to flip and crash.<ref name="cores" /> Players have a limited amount of time to reach the next "checkpoint" in the course, which is indicated by a checkered flag; passing the flag adds additional time or may signal the end of the course. Players have a simulated dashboard that contains a progress bar, [[speedometer]], [[tachometer]], score, and time remaining.<ref name="manual5">{{cite book | author=Nintendo staff | date=1987 | title=Rad Racer ''Instruction Manual'' | publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] | pages=5}}</ref> Unlike in ''[[Out Run]]'' where the [[game over|game ends]] immediately, when time runs out, the player's vehicle coasts and decelerates down to 0 km/h before the game ends, giving the player an extra five to ten seconds to possibly reach the next checkpoint.<ref name="drift" />

Players can activate a 3D mode during play by pressing the "Select" button and wearing [[Stereoscopy#3D glasses|3D glasses]].<ref name="3D" /> Players could also use the [[Power Glove]] to control their vehicle.<ref name="ign" /> The game was also compatible with the [[Famicom 3D]], an accessory to the original [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] released in Japan that utilized LCD "shutter glasses" to simulate 3D.<ref name="famicom3d" />

==Development and release==
[[File:Famicom-3D-System.jpg|thumb|right|''Rad Racer'' was developed with the Famicom 3D System in mind.<ref name="lane" />]]

The root cause for the game's development was the then-President of Square [[Masafumi Miyamoto]] wanting to implement newly hired programmer [[Nasir Gebelli]]'s skills with 3D programming previously used to develop games for the [[Apple II]].<ref name="Next Generation p. 89"/><ref name=hawaii/> ''Rad Racer'' was the second title by Square to use anaglyph-based 3D: Gebelli worked on both titles and was influenced by his work on the first 3D game titled ''[[The 3-D Battles of WorldRunner]]''.<ref name="savage" /><ref name=hawaii/> Two game programmers had left Square as Gebelli was hired, resulting in Gebelli to begin programming the game by himself.<ref name=shortinterview>{{Cite web|url= https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/watch-john-romero-s-90s-chat-with-nasir-gebelli-about-coding-i-final-fantasy-i-|access-date=July 14, 2021|date=March 22, 2017|publisher=Gamasutra|title= Watch John Romero's '90s chat with Nasir Gebelli about coding Final Fantasy|first=Alex|last=Wawro}}</ref> Gebelli remained in Japan to figure out how to create realistic background movement of the game's scenery while the rest of Square was on vacation in Hawaii.<ref name=hawaii>{{Cite web|url= https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QJhZ0guRPdM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/QJhZ0guRPdM |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|access-date=July 14, 2021|title=Episode 4 - Nasir Gebelli - Part 2 of 3|website= Apple Time Warp Podcast|date=May 20, 2018|first=John|last=Romero}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Game developer [[Takashi Tokita]] worked on ''Rad Racer'' with Gebelli, alongside developer [[Hiromichi Tanaka]] and artist [[Kazuko Shibuya]] who had previously worked on ''The 3-D Battles of WorldRunner'' with Gebelli.<ref name="dimensions" /><ref name="shmup" /><ref name="runner" /> [[Akitoshi Kawazu]] also contributed to the development as his first game under Square. [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]] and [[Akitoshi Kawazu]] both worked on ''Rad Racer'', causing developer [[Koichi Ishii]] to plan for the original ''[[Final Fantasy (video game)|Final Fantasy]]'' by himself briefly.<ref name="solo" />

Though Gebelli found the work challenging, he was able to simulate the moving road in what Tokita described as a "tricky" bit of programming.<ref name=shortinterview/><ref name="dimensions" /> To make the roads look like they were turning in 3D on a typical television, most of which at the time used [[cathode-ray tube]]s, the developers integrated scrolling by individual scanlines.<ref name="runner" /> ''[[Final Fantasy III]]'' used this method to create game effects for the enemy Odin.<ref name="runner" /> Since the game was not programmed to display single sprites but was drawn line by line, Gebelli came several times a week memorizing Shibuya's instructions on how the courses should be drawn. Shibuya would point out how many pixels and what color the lines had to be to create roads to Gebelli.<ref name="shmup" /> Square produced six different versions of ''Rad Racer'' for different regions to accommodate the different 3D viewing systems needed if players were using either a typical television or the Famicom 3D System and a different version required for the PAL region.<ref name="answer1" /> At the time, programmers usually worked on games individually, which Tokita described having someone to work with as an asset.<ref name="dimensions" /> Tokita designed and wrote the program for the billboards that appear in the game.<ref name="lane" /> Tokita also made all four levels and during the process, he learned that the middle two levels shared assets, which saved time and memory.<ref name="lane" /> Shibuya worked on the character sprites in which Final Fantasy developer Koichi Ishii stated that the sprites of ''3-D Battles of WorldRunner'' and ''Rad Racer'' typify [[Kazuko Shibuya]]’s pixel art style.<ref name="solo" /> Akitoshi Kawazu’s designed the ''Rad Racer''{{'s}} ending that indicated with dots how far the player's progress.<ref name="dots" />

''Rad Racer'' was announced at [[CES (annual technology trade show)|CES]] in May 1987 as '''''3-D Racer'''''<ref>{{cite press Release |last1=Tilden |first1=Gail |title=NINTENDO UNVEILS NEW GAME TITLES |date=May 30, 1987}}</ref> and was released in Japan as ''Highway Star'' on August 7, 1987.<ref name=JP-date/> In August 1987, Nintendo released an arcade machine called ''[[Playchoice-10]]'' that contained up to ten popular NES titles.<ref name="PC-10" /> Amongst the eligible NES games, ''Rad Racer'' was also available on the arcade machine.<ref name="retro-PC10" /> Finally, the game was later released for the NES as ''Rad Racer'' in October 1987 in North America and on January 15, 1988 in Europe.<ref name=dates /><ref name=NA-date/>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| CVG = 80%<ref name="CVG">{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}</ref>
| Fam = 32/40<ref name="FamHS" />
| rev1 = ''Family Computer Magazine''
| rev1Score = 20.89 of 30<ref name="FamHS" />
}}

''Rad Racer'' was met with favorable reviews, enjoyed commercial success, and sold 1.96 million copies.<ref name="Next Generation p. 89" /><ref name="racing2" /> It also ranked 8th on ''[[Nintendo Power]]'''s player's poll ''Top 30''.<ref name="bNtW9" /> ''[[Famitsu]]'' praised the sense of speed but felt the game was slightly monotonous.<ref name="FamHS" /> Japanese publication ''Family Computer Magazine'' applauded the variety of game landscapes found in different levels.<ref name="crossreview8" /> British magazine ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' called it an "extremely playable racing game" and said "things get very fast and competitive as you get further into the game."<ref name="CVG"/>

Retrospective reviews gave the title a more mixed reception. Skyler Miller of ''[[GameSpot]]'', in his article ''The History of Square'', commented that the game bears more than a passing resemblance to ''[[Out Run]]''," but went on to say that "it's more than just a clone" and credited the game with "effectively convey[ing] the proper sense of speed."<ref name="interviews" /> He continued to criticize the 3D effect, stating it created some sense of depth to the gameplay but was hindered by a pronounced screen flickering.<ref name="interviews" /> He concluded that the game does not require 3D features and that it stands on its own as a "fine racing game".<ref name="interviews" /> Craig Harris of ''[[IGN]]'' stated in his retrospective that the game's simplicity and "race or die" focus make it one of the best racing games of its time.<ref name="3D" /> He also mentioned how the power glove does not improve player control, though felt the experience was still fun.<ref name="3D" /> ''Hardcore Gaming 101''’s Jeremy Peeples and Neil Foster praised the game's sense of speed and arcade levels of difficulty, but criticized the lack of personality and faulty collision physics.<ref name="cores" /><ref name="drift" />

''Rad Racer'' was ranked number 57 on ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s Top 100 Nintendo Entertainment System games and was called "iconic" and one of the NES's premier racing games.<ref name="ign" /> ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' included the game amongst thirteen others in their greatest 8-bit video games of all time list.<ref name="AzYtE" />

===Legacy===
Due to most of ''Rad Racer''{{'s}} sales being from the United States, ''Rad Racer II'' was developed and released only in North America for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] and the arcade.<ref name="racing2" /><ref name="arcadia" /><ref name="interviews" /> The sequel featured eight new tracks and new music but similar gameplay.<ref name="new" /> ''Hardcore Gamer 101'' said that steering was looser than the first game and rival cars more aggressive, leading to a less enjoyable playing experience.<ref name="racing2" /> Despite the efforts of Square to make unique games with 3D features such as ''Rad Racer'' and ''[[3-D Worldrunner]]'', and high sales, the company was in financial trouble.<ref name="legacy" /> These events are what led to a final attempt at a breakout hit, ''[[Final Fantasy (video game)|Final Fantasy]]''.<ref name="legacy" /> ''Rad Racer'' appeared in a scene in the movie ''[[The Wizard (1989 film)|The Wizard]]''.<ref name="wizard" /> It was also one of three games, including ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' and ''[[Tetris (NES video game)|Tetris]]'', featured at the 1990 [[Nintendo World Championship]] with an exclusive racing level to complete as one of the rounds of competition.<ref name="beat" /> The limited-edition release of the game's cartridge used in the tournament is now one of the rarest and most valuable Nintendo games available.<ref name="champion" />

==References==
;Notes
{{notelist}}

;Citations
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="retro-PC10">{{cite web |author=Retrobates |title=Nintendo PlayChoice 10 |website=[[Retro Gamer]] |url=https://www.retrogamer.net/why_i_love/nintendo-playchoice-10/ |date=January 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705131013/https://www.retrogamer.net/why_i_love/nintendo-playchoice-10/ |archive-date=July 5, 2014 |url-status=live |access-date=July 15, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="PC-10">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox50unse_5/page/40 |title=Nintendo's 'PlayChoice-10' |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]] |page=41 |issn=0008-7289|date=August 30, 1986 |access-date=July 15, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name=dates>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/nes/rad_racer|website=Nintendo Life|access-date=July 6, 2021|date=January 1, 2021|title=Rad Racer (NES) (1987)}}</ref>
<ref name=JP-date>{{cite magazine|title=フアミコンソフト全タイトルスト |magazine=大好き! ファミコン倶楽部mini |publisher=Kasakura Publishing |language=Japanese |page=94 |isbn=9784773058192 |date=December 15, 2016}}</ref>
<ref name="legacy">{{Cite web |last=Fahs |first=Travis |date=June 26, 2009 |title=IGN Presents the History of Final Fantasy |url=http://m.ign.com/articles/2009/06/26/ign-presents-the-history-of-final-fantasy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618033817/http://m.ign.com/articles/2009/06/26/ign-presents-the-history-of-final-fantasy |archive-date=June 18, 2013 |access-date=March 5, 2013 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name=NA-date>{{cite magazine |title=Recent Nintendo Releases |magazine=Insider's Guide to the Nintendo World Championships 1990 |publisher=[[Minoru Arakawa]] |page=6 |url=https://archive.org/details/RetroGameMagazineOneShots/Insider%27s%20Guide%20to%20the%20Nintendo%20World%20Championships%201990%20%281990%29/page/n5/mode/2up |access-date=July 7, 2021}}</ref>
<ref name="3D">{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=July 15, 2010 |title=Legacy Games for Nintendo 3DS |url=http://m.ign.com/articles/2010/07/15/legacy-games-for-nintendo-3ds |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618005848/http://m.ign.com/articles/2010/07/15/legacy-games-for-nintendo-3ds |archive-date=June 18, 2013 |access-date=March 5, 2013 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
<ref name="wizard">{{Cite web |first=Levi |last=Buchanan |title=The 90-Minute Super Mario Bros. 3 Commercial |url=http://m.ign.com/articles/2008/06/18/the-90-minute-super-mario-bros-3-commercial |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618071948/http://m.ign.com/articles/2008/06/18/the-90-minute-super-mario-bros-3-commercial |archive-date=June 18, 2013 |access-date=March 4, 2013 |website=[[IGN]]|date=June 18, 2008 }}</ref>
<ref name="ign">{{Cite web |first=Levi |last=Buchanan |title=57. Rad Racing |url=http://uk.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/57.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019084349/http://uk.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/57.html |archive-date=October 19, 2009 |access-date=March 4, 2013 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
<ref name="interviews">{{Cite web |first=Skyler |last=Miller |date=December 15, 2001 |title=The History of Square |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_square/p1_01.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011219222139/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_square/p1_01.html |archive-date=December 19, 2001 |access-date=July 15, 2021 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CNET]]}}</ref>
<ref name="allgames">{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Christopher Michael |title=Rad Racer - Overview |url=http://allgame.com/game.php?id=1285 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210220110/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1285 |archive-date=December 10, 2014 |access-date=January 30, 2010 |website=[[Allgame]]}}</ref>
<ref name="produce">{{Cite web |last=Barder |first=Ollie |title=Hironobu Sakaguchi Talks About His Admiration For 'Dragon Quest' And Upcoming Projects |website=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2017/06/29/hironobu-sakaguchi-talks-about-his-admiration-for-dragon-quest-and-upcoming-projects/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715162731/https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2017/06/29/hironobu-sakaguchi-talks-about-his-admiration-for-dragon-quest-and-upcoming-projects/#6d92dfb31cb4 |archive-date=July 15, 2017 |access-date=May 16, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="Uematsu">{{Cite web |last=Fletcher |first=J.C. |date=June 17, 2016 |title=Square Enix offers chance to meet Nobuo Uematsu in London |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-06-17-square-enix-offers-chance-to-meet-nobuo-uematsu-in-london.html |access-date=May 12, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="drift">{{Cite web |last=Peeples |first=Jeremy |date=August 2, 2013 |title=Graveyard: Rad Racer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/2013/08/02/graveyard-rad-racer/47720/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929200526/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2013/08/02/graveyard-rad-racer/47720/ |archive-date=September 29, 2017 |access-date=May 13, 2020 |website=Hardcore Gamer}}</ref>
<ref name="famicom3d">{{Cite web |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |date=April 30, 2010 |title=Nintendo's First 3D Technology Shot A Spaceship at Mario's Face |url=https://kotaku.com/nintendos-first-3d-technology-shot-a-spaceship-at-mario-5527760 |access-date=May 12, 2020 |website=Kotaku}}</ref>
<ref name="Next Generation p. 89">{{cite magazine|date=February 1999 |title= "The Man Behind the Fantasies" |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|issue=50 |pages=89, 90}}</ref>
<ref name="savage">{{Cite magazine |last=Marchiafava |first=Jeff |date=July 1, 2010 |title=A Look Back at 3D Console Gaming |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/07/01/a-look-back-at-3d-console-gaming.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826235644/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/07/01/a-look-back-at-3d-console-gaming.aspx |archive-date=August 26, 2019 |access-date=May 12, 2020 |magazine=[[Game Informer]]}}</ref>
<ref name="dimensions">{{Cite web |last=Jeriaska |date=April 28, 2011 |title=Interview: Serializing RPG Storylines On Final Fantasy Legends |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/audio/interview-serializing-rpg-storylines-on-i-final-fantasy-legends-i- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226150029/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/124123/Interview_Serializing_RPG_Storylines_On_Final_Fantasy_Legends.php |archive-date=February 26, 2018 |access-date=May 12, 2020 |website=Gamasutra}}</ref>
<ref name="lane">{{Cite web |title=Square Enix's Rad Racer could be the 3DS's next 3D Classic |url=http://www.gamestm.co.uk/features/square-enixs-rad-racer-could-be-the-3dss-next-3d-classic/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612032428/http://www.gamestm.co.uk/features/square-enixs-rad-racer-could-be-the-3dss-next-3d-classic/ |archive-date=June 12, 2015 |access-date=May 12, 2020 |website=gamesTM}}</ref>
<ref name="runner">{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2020 |title=Final Fantasy III 30th Anniversary Special Interview Vol.1 |url=https://na.finalfantasy.com/topics/171 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508131140/https://na.finalfantasy.com/topics/171 |archive-date=May 8, 2020 |access-date=May 13, 2020 |publisher=Square Enix}}</ref>
<ref name="dots">{{Cite web |last=Parish |first=Jeremy |date=January 1, 2010 |title=What's the Deal with Square Enix's Akitoshi Kawazu? |url=http://www.1up.com/features/deal-square-enix-akitoshi-kawazu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061202/http://www.1up.com/features/deal-square-enix-akitoshi-kawazu |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |access-date=May 12, 2020 |website=1UP.com}}</ref>
<ref name="solo">{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2020 |title=Final Fantasy III 30th Anniversary Special Interview Vol.2 |url=https://na.finalfantasy.com/topics/176 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510025108/https://na.finalfantasy.com/topics/176 |archive-date=May 10, 2020 |access-date=May 13, 2020 |publisher=Nintendo}}</ref>
<ref name="shmup">{{Cite web |last=4Gamer |date=March 1, 2013 |title=Kazuko Shibuya – Square Developer Interview |url=http://shmuplations.com/kazukoshibuya/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518030722/http://shmuplations.com/kazukoshibuya/ |archive-date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=May 13, 2020 |website=Shmuplations.com}}</ref>
<ref name="answer1">{{Cite book |last=Szczepaniak |first=John |title=The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers |date=February 1, 2018 |publisher=SMG Szczepaniak |volume=3 |page=212}}</ref>
<ref name="FamHS">{{Cite magazine |date=July 10, 1987 |title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: ハイウェイスター |url=https://archive.org/stream/bi-weekly-famitsu-no.-27-july-10th-1987-600DPI/Bi-Weekly%20Famitsu%20-%20No.%2027%20July%2010th%201987%20%28Compressed%29#page/n16/mode/1up |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |language=ja |publisher=[[ASCII Corporation]] |issue=27 |page=15}}</ref>
<ref name="racing2">{{Cite web |last=Kalata |first=Kurt |date=November 19, 2017 |title=Rad Racer II |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/rad-racer-ii/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030161204/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/rad-racer-ii/ |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |access-date=May 12, 2020 |website=Hardcore Gaming 101}}</ref>
<ref name="crossreview8">{{Cite journal |last=和書 |date=June 16, 2005 |title=6月16日増刊号特別付録クロスレビュー優良ソフトパーフェクトカタログ上巻 |journal=Family Computer Magazine |language=ja |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |volume=1 |pages=8}}</ref>
<ref name="cores">{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=Neil |date=November 19, 2017 |title=Rad Racer |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/rad-racer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029182900/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/rad-racer/ |archive-date=October 29, 2019 |access-date=May 12, 2020 |website=Hardcore Gaming 101}}</ref>
<ref name="arcadia">{{Cite web |title=Rad Racer II |url=https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9236 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802140739/http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9236 |archive-date=August 2, 2017 |access-date=May 13, 2020 |website=Arcade Museum}}</ref>
<ref name="new">{{Cite web |title=Rad Racer II |url=http://na.square-enix.com/radracerii |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805002737/http://na.square-enix.com/radracerii |archive-date=August 5, 2012 |publisher=Square Enix}}</ref>
<ref name="beat">{{Cite web |last=Grubb |first=Jeff |date=April 21, 2014 |title=NES Remix 2 is great for players who bring the right memories (review) |url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/04/21/nes-remix-2-is-good-for-players-who-bring-the-right-memories-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111174329/https://venturebeat.com/2014/04/21/nes-remix-2-is-good-for-players-who-bring-the-right-memories-review/ |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |access-date=May 13, 2020 |website=Venture Beat}}</ref>
<ref name="champion">{{Cite web |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |date=August 8, 2019 |title=$13,000 NES cartridge found at the bottom of a Safeway sack |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/08/13000-nes-cartridge-found-at-the-bottom-of-a-safeway-sack/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316192600/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/08/13000-nes-cartridge-found-at-the-bottom-of-a-safeway-sack/ |archive-date=March 16, 2020 |access-date=May 13, 2020 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref>
<ref name="bNtW9">{{cite magazine|issue=July/August 1988 |title="Player's Poll Top 30" |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] |volume=1}}</ref>
<ref name="AzYtE">{{Cite web |last=Sciarrino |first=John |date=August 1, 2016 |title=Here are the greatest 8-bit video games of all time |website=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] |url=https://www.maxim.com/.amp/entertainment/nes-mini-greatest-8-bit-video-games-of-all-time-2016-8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728021745/https://www.maxim.com/.amp/entertainment/nes-mini-greatest-8-bit-video-games-of-all-time-2016-8 |archive-date=July 28, 2017 |access-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
* {{mobygames|/rad-racer}}

{{Portal bar|Video games}}

[[Category:1987 video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo arcade games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Nintendo games]]
[[Category:PlayChoice-10 games]]
[[Category:Racing video games]]
[[Category:Square (video game company) games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Nobuo Uematsu]]
[[Category:Video games with stereoscopic 3D graphics]]
[[Category:Video games set in Arizona]]
[[Category:Video games set in California]]
[[Category:Video games set in Greece]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]

Mighty Bomb Jack

2025-10-20T14:05:32Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Mighty Bomb Jack''}}
{{Short description|1986 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Mighty Bomb Jack
| image = MightyBombJack.jpg
| caption = North American NES box art
| developer = [[Tecmo]]
| publisher = Tecmo {{vgrelease|JP|[[Nintendo]] (arcade)}}
| composer = Tsukasa Masuko Michiharu Hasuya
| engine =
| platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64]]<ref>{{cite web | title=An interview with Geoff Phillips | url=http://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2014/11/an-interview-with-geoff-phillips/ | author= fgasking | date=2014-11-28 | publisher=Games that Weren't | accessdate=2014-12-17}}</ref>
| released = '''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|April 24, 1986|NA|July 1987|PAL|1992}}'''Arcade''' (''VS. Mighty Bomb Jack''){{vgrelease|JP|1986}}
| genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| arcade system = [[Nintendo VS. System]]
}}

{{Nihongo foot|'''''Mighty Bomb Jack'''''|マイティボンジャック|Maiti Bon Jakku|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}} is a 1986 [[Platform game|platform]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Tecmo]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. It was later ported to the [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]] and [[Commodore 64]].<ref name="VGEden">{{cite web | title=Mighty Bomb Jack | url=http://www.videogameden.com/fc.htm?mbj | publisher=Video Game Eden | accessdate=2014-12-17}}</ref> ''Mighty Bomb Jack'' is a sequel to Tecmo's 1984 arcade game ''[[Bomb Jack]]''.

Within PAL-A regions, the NES version was only released in Australia. The NES version was released on the [[Virtual Console]] on May 7, 2007 for the [[Wii]], on December 6, 2012 for the [[Nintendo 3DS]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Mighty Bomb Jack for Nintendo 3DS|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/8C3nYRsnaDUvVr-7b5s6qL7X7Pa93b_B#game-details|website=Nintendo.com|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=13 May 2016}}</ref> and on January 23, 2014 for the [[Wii U]].<ref name="Wii U">{{cite web | title=Mighty Bomb Jack, Life Force Explode On Nintendo Virtual Console | url=http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Mighty-Bomb-Jack-Life-Force-Explode-Nintendo-Virtual-Console-61839.html | author= Winslett, Ryan | date=2014 | publisher=Cinemablend | accessdate=2014-12-17}}</ref><ref name="Wii U2">{{cite web | title=Mighty Bomb Jack leaps to Wii U Virtual Console this week | url=http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/21/mighty-bomb-jack-leaps-to-wii-u-virtual-console-this-week/ | author= Cavalli, Earnest | date=2014 | publisher=[[Joystiq]] | accessdate=2014-12-17}}</ref> It was released on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service in November 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=2018-11-07 |title=Three New NES Games, Including Metroid, Are Headed to Nintendo Switch Online Next Week |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/11/07/three-new-nes-games-including-metroid-headed-to-nintendo-switch-online-next-week |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> There was also a board game adaptation released by Bandai in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.bandai.co.jp/candy/products/1986/06772.html | title=魔界村・ゲゲゲの鬼太郎・マイティボンジャック・スーパーマリオブラザーズカセットケースゲーム｜バンダイキャンディトイ}}</ref> An arcade version for the Nintendo VS. System was released by [[Nintendo]] in Japan.<ref>{{Cite news |title=発想転換したTV機テクモ |trans-title=Tecmo: A TV with a new concept |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19861015p.pdf#page=9 |work=Game Machine}}</ref>

==Plot==
Jack, the [[protagonist]] of the game, must make his way through 16 [[Level (video gaming)|levels]] set within a [[pyramid]] in order to defeat the demon Belzebut and rescue the royal Pamera family.<ref name="VGEden" /><ref name="Summary">{{cite web | title=Mighty Bomb Jack Game Summary | url=http://nintendoenthusiast.com/n/game/mighty-bomb-jack | website=Nintendo Enthusiast | accessdate=2014-12-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217180908/http://nintendoenthusiast.com/n/game/mighty-bomb-jack | archive-date=2014-12-17 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[Image:Mighty Bomb Jack 1.png|thumb|left|An action zone (NES version). The blue character in the center is Jack, the [[player character]].]]

Each level is split into two parts; an action zone and a Royal [[Palace]] room. The mechanics and level [[video game design|designs]] of the Royal Palace rooms are directly lifted from ''Bomb Jack''. Action zones can be split up into several portions and contain [[power-ups]] usually hidden in [[treasure]] [[Chest (furniture)|chests]] such as money bags, Mighty Coins and Mighty Drinks. Mighty Coins allow Jack to change colors; blue allows Jack to open orange treasure chests, orange allows him to open any treasure chest by simply touching it from the side, and green transforms all enemies on the screen into coins for 5 seconds. Mighty Drinks add 10 seconds to the game's timer. [[Secret passage]]s can also be found in the action zones, activated by finding a [[Sphinx]] in a visible or hidden treasure chest.<ref name="VGEden" /><ref name="Summary" />

To prevent the player from becoming too "greedy", the game automatically sends the player to a Torture Room if they obtain more than 9 Mighty Coins or 99 seconds on the game's timer. The only way to escape a Torture Room without losing a life is to complete a number of jumps, which are counted down on the screen. Once the player exits the Torture Room, Jack automatically loses all Mighty Coins, the timer is reset to 60 seconds, and the game recommences from the beginning of the current level.<ref name="VGEden" /><ref name="Summary" />

==VS. System version==
A [[Nintendo VS. System]] version of the game was released in 1986 for the Japanese market (not to be confused with the original dedicated arcade version). Differences between the original and VS. versions include adding a [[multiplayer|two-player]] mode, changing the locations of some secret passages and removing a [[Warp (gaming)|warp]] in the Royal Palace rooms.<ref name="VGEden" />

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| NES = true
| 3DS = true
| WII = true
| WIIU = true
| GR_WII = 47%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/nes/587458-mighty-bomb-jack/index.html |title=Mighty Bomb Jack |work=[[GameRankings]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209013454/www.gamerankings.com/nes/587458-mighty-bomb-jack/index.html |archive-date=2019-12-09 |access-date=13 August 2021}}</ref>
| GSpot_WII = 3.8/10<ref name="GameSpot" />
| EuroG_WII = 7/10<ref name="Eurogamer" />
| NLife_WII = 4/10<ref name="Nintendo Life" />
| NLife_3DS = 5/10
| NLife_WIIU = 6/10
| rev1 = ''[[Computer Entertainer]]''
| rev1_NES = {{Rating|7.5|8}}<ref name="CE">{{cite magazine |title=Nintendo Software |magazine=[[Computer Entertainer]] |date=August 1987 |volume=6 |issue=5 |page=12 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_aug87.pdf#page=12}}</ref>
}}

In Japan, the game sold over 1.5 million copies by 1987. In North America, the game received a positive review from ''[[Computer Entertainer]]'' upon release, with a score of 7.5 out of 8 stars, the same as ''[[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' in the same issue. They called ''Mighty Bomb Jack'' a fast-paced "adventure-action game" that is "loaded with nuances which you will continue to discover as play" and said it is a tough, frustrating, "just one more time" game that "will have you back for more and more!"<ref name="CE"/>

The [[Virtual Console]] re-releases later received mixed-to-negative reviews, with ''[[GameSpot]]'' calling the game "repetitive" and "broken",<ref name="GameSpot">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/mighty-bomb-jack-1987/reviews/mighty-bomb-jack-review-6171111/|website=[[GameSpot]]|title=Mighty Bomb Jack Review|last=Provo|first=Frank|date=2007-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413070013/http://www.gamespot.com/mighty-bomb-jack-1987/reviews/mighty-bomb-jack-review-6171111/|archive-date=2013-04-13}}</ref> while ''[[Eurogamer]]'' called it "[kind of] clever", though "not exactly deep".<ref name="Eurogamer">{{cite web | title=Virtual Console Roundup | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/vcroundup_150607?page=2 | author= Whitehead, Dan | date=2007-06-15 | website=[[Eurogamer]] | page=2 | accessdate=2014-12-17}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'' called the [[Wii]] Virtual Console version of ''Mighty Bomb Jack'' "a poor candidate for your time investment".<ref name="IGN">{{cite web | title=Mighty Bomb Jack Review | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/05/07/mighty-bomb-jack-review | author= Thomas, Lucas M. | date=2007-05-07 | website=[[IGN]] | accessdate=2014-12-17}}</ref>

''[[Nintendo Life]]'' criticized the game's platforming and level design, stating that "dynamics of [the game] are somewhat broken" and that "the key to success is anticipating how [enemies] will move in order to get past", because their behavior is "almost random". On the other hand, Nintendo Life praised ''Mighty Bomb Jack''{{'}}s secrets for adding some [[replay value]], as well as the game's sense of humor.<ref name="Nintendo Life">{{cite web | title=Review | url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/vc/mighty_bomb_jack_nes | author= Calvert, Darren | date=2007-04-24 | website=[[Nintendo Life]] | accessdate=2014-12-17}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/mighty-bombjack|name=''Mighty Bomb Jack''}}

[[Category:1986 video games]]
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Atari ST games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Nintendo VS. System games]]
[[Category:Platformers]]
[[Category:Tecmo games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Mark Cooksey]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Tsukasa Masuko]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Nintendo games]]

Tag Team Wrestling

2025-10-20T14:03:49Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{short description|1983 video game}}
{{about|the video game|the professional wrestling term|Tag team}}
{{Refimprove|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Tag Team Wrestling
|image = Tag-TeamWrestling arcadeflyer.png
|caption = North American arcade flyer
|developer = [[Technōs Japan]]{{efn|Apple II, Commodore 64, and IBM PC versions developed by [[Quicksilver Software]]; NES version developed by [[Data East]] and Sakata SAS.}}
|publisher = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Data East]]}}|'''C64, IBM PC'''{{vgrelease|NA|Data East|EU|[[U.S. Gold]]}} '''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|[[Namco]]|NA|Data East}}}}
|platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Commodore 64]], [[IBM PC]], [[Apple II]]
|released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|December 20, 1983}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 20, 1983<ref>{{cite web |title=Tag Team Wrestling (Registration Number PA0000276811) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website = [[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=1 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dataeast-corp.co.jp/dev/license/license2.htm#83 |title=ライセンス一覧表 |website=www.dataeast-corp.co.jp |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010423042028/http://www.dataeast-corp.co.jp/dev/license/license2.htm#83 |archive-date=23 April 2001 |url-status=dead}}</ref>|NA|January 1984<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mikesarcade.com/cgi-bin/spies.cgi?action=url&type=info&page=DECOBoardList.txt|title = DECO (Data East) board list}}</ref>}} '''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|April 2, 1986|NA|October 1986}} '''C64'''{{vgrelease|NA|October 1986<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_nov86.pdf |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=5 |issue=8 |date=November 1986 |page=14}}</ref>|EU|1987}} '''IBM PC'''{{vgrelease|EU|1986|NA|December 1988{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}}} '''Apple II'''{{vgrelease||August 1987{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}}}
}}
|genre = [[Sports video game|Sports]] ([[professional wrestling]])
|modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}

'''''Tag Team Wrestling''''', known as {{nihongo foot|'''''The Big Pro Wrestling!'''''|ザ・ビッグプロレスリング|Za Biggu Puro Resuringu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} in Japan, is a 1983 [[List of wrestling games|wrestling video game]] developed by [[Technōs Japan]] and published by [[Data East]] for [[arcade video game|arcades]]. It was later ported to the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[Commodore 64]], [[IBM PC]] and [[Apple II]].

==Gameplay==
In the original game, the player controls a [[professional wrestling]] [[Tag-team (profession wrestling)|tag-team]], two identical wrestlers with black hair, orange trunks and brown boots named Sunny and Terry (Jocko and Spike in the U.S. version) who must defeat a couple of masked wrestlers known as the Heel Team (Mad Maulers in the U.S. version): one of them a skinny wrestler with an orange mask and boots and white trunks, the other a fat wrestler in a black mask and tights with white boots. The player's team must continually beat the Heel Team in order to win trophies and maintain gameplay. After the tenth match, the player's team is designated the world champions and must keep playing in order to maintain their title. In the event of the Heel Team winning or tying a match, the game is over.

The player is provided with a joystick and two buttons: a "select" button and an "action/pin" button. The player uses the joystick to move Sunny or Terry around the ring, where they must make contact with the member of the Heel Team (in the first match, the skinny wrestler from the Heel Team starts, then the fat one in the second, and it continues that way from there on in, as does with the player's wrestlers). Upon making contact with the opposing wrestler, the two wrestlers will immediately grapple. The player then releases the opposing wrestler by pulling away, then grappling again, waiting for the "Action" command to flash onscreen. Due to being one of the earliest professional wrestling video games, Tag Team Wrestling has a limited number of wrestling moves and characters. Moves and counters are performed through the use of a real-time, menu-based action-reaction fighting module. After engaging in a grapple with the "Action" command flashing, players quickly scroll through a menu and choose a maneuver to perform.

In the NES version, two [[professional wrestling]] [[Tag-team (profession wrestling)|tag-teams]], the Strong Bads and the Ricky Fighters, battle against each other in tag-team action, or a single player competes in a series of tournaments to win ever larger trophies. Each of the four characters has a unique move that can only be used against one other rival wrestler.

==Ports and related releases==
In 1984, the arcade game was ported to the [[Apple II]], [[Commodore 64]] and [[IBM PC]] in the United States by [[Quicksilver Software]] and published by Data East. [[U.S. Gold]] released Quicksilver's ports in Europe for the IBM PC in 1986 and the Commodore 64 in 1987.

Arguably, the most well known port is the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Family Computer/Nintendo Entertainment System]] version created in 1986. The development of this port was a joint venture between Data East (for graphics & sound) and Sakata SAS (for programming). It was published in Japan by [[Namco]] as {{nihongo|'''''Tag Team Pro Wrestling'''''|タッグチームプロレスリング}} on April 2, 1986. In [[North America]], this version was released on October the same year by Data East for the [[NES]], keeping the ''Tag Team Wrestling'' title. This was Data East's first title for the NES and one of the earliest third-party video games for the console in North America.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nintendo Announces Licensing |magazine=[[Computer Entertainer]]|volume=5 |issue=7 |date=October 1986 |page=12 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/2/23/ComputerEntertainer_US_Vol.5_07.pdf#page=12}}</ref>

== Reception ==
In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''Tag Team Wrestling'' as the top-grossing new [[table arcade cabinet]] of January 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型新製品 (New Videos-Table Type)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=228|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=15 January 1984|page=31|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19840115p.pdf#page=16}}</ref> It later topped Japan's table arcade game charts in February 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Hit Games 25|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=229|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 February 1984|page=29|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19840201p.pdf#page=15}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Hit Games 25|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=230|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=15 February 1984|page=27|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19840215p.pdf#page=14}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Video games}}
* [[Strong Bad]], a fictional character inspired by the video game
* ''[[Mat Mania]]''

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.arcade-history.com/?n=the-big-pro-wrestling&page=detail&id=242 ''Tag Team Wrestling''] at [http://www.arcade-history.com/ arcade-history]
* {{moby game|id=/tag-team-wrestling|name=''Tag Team Wrestling''}}

[[Category:1983 video games]]
[[Category:Apple II games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:Data East arcade games]]
[[Category:Data East video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Quicksilver Software games]]
[[Category:Tag team video games]]
[[Category:Technōs Japan games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Sakata SAS games]]

Mach Rider

2025-10-20T13:59:15Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{short description|1985 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{refimprove|date=July 2008}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Mach Rider
| image = Mach rider boxart.png
| caption = North American NES box art
| developer = [[HAL Laboratory]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shmuplations.com/iwata/|title=Satoru Iwata – 1999 Developer Interview |date=January 7, 2022}}</ref>
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| composer = Hideki Kanazashi
| platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Arcade video game|arcade]]
| released = '''NES''' {{vgrelease|JP|November 21, 1985|NA|August 1986<ref>{{cite web |url=https://retrocdn.net/File:ComputerEntertainer_US_Vol.5_06.pdf |title=Availability Update |work=[[Computer Entertainer|Computer Entertainer: the Newsletter]]|date=September 1986 |accessdate=2017-03-23}}</ref>|EU|1987}} '''Arcade''' {{vgrelease|JP|August 1985<ref>{{cite web|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19850815p.pdf#page=4|title=Game Machine - Vs. Mach Rider (Japan)|publisher=Amusement Press|date=August 15, 1985}}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Vehicular combat game|Vehicular combat]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| arcade system = [[Nintendo VS. System]]
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Mach Rider'''''|マッハライダー|Mahha Raidā|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a [[Vehicular combat game|vehicular combat]] [[racing game|racing video game]] developed by [[HAL Laboratory]] and published by [[Nintendo]]. It was first released for the [[Famicom]] console and [[Nintendo VS. System]] arcade board in Japan in 1985, then in North America for the VS. System in 1985 and [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] in 1986, and then for the PAL region in 1987. It was released on the [[Virtual Console]] for the [[Wii]] (2007), [[Nintendo 3DS]] (2013), [[Wii U]] (2014), and on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service (2024).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/B1BegzinL2lEpUkhAG_cJYC8DmOFfnSf|title = Nintendo - Official Site - Video Game Consoles, Games - Nintendo - Official Site}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/AuDm7kFdHFKAVSSyz_e-0roKFU6_vTIO|title=Nintendo - Official Site - Video Game Consoles, Games - Nintendo - Official Site|access-date=2018-12-14|archive-date=2015-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151311/http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/AuDm7kFdHFKAVSSyz_e-0roKFU6_vTIO|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/vTSoGtYK5aDBfuQXu_cUDxUA0AGRq7LD|title = Nintendo - Official Site - Video Game Consoles, Games - Nintendo - Official Site}}</ref>

The Japanese Famicom release can use the [[Famicom Data Recorder]] to save custom tracks. The feature was missing from the American and European releases, but was retained in all versions of the Virtual Console release except for the 3DS version.

==Development==
In 1972, Nintendo originally released a plastic [[race car]] or [[hot rod]] toy called Mach Rider. It has a ramp for jumping and a [[manual transmission|stick shift]] with three different kinds of meters. The car is placed inside of it, to be charged up and released at high speed.<ref>{{cite web | author = Squirl | year = | title = Squirl: Mach Rider | format = image | work = Squirl | url=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/frodaddy/nintendo-069_22331.jpg | accessdate=2008-04-15}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
''Mach Rider'' takes place in the year 2112, and planet Earth has been invaded by evil forces driving vehicles known as Quadrunners. The player controls Mach Rider, who travels from sector to sector on a high-powered superbike, searching for survivors and destroying any enemies in their path.

The game's controls are somewhat more complex than other games at its time and require some extra skills. The left and right directions on the Control Pad steer Mach Rider and the A button accelerates. The B button fires Mach Rider's machine gun which can be used to destroy enemies and obstacles on the road. The up and down buttons are used to shift gears. Mach Rider's bike has four speeds and shifting to the fourth gear at high speed will grant the player in instant speed boost. Conversely, the player remaining in a higher gear while stopping results in a slower acceleration.

In each round, points can be scored by destroying enemies and certain obstacles with the machine gun. The number of points scored for destroying enemies and obstacles is determined by the type of enemy or obstacle destroyed. If the player blocks an attacking enemy by ramming it against a hazard on the track, they obtain more points — this also replenishes Mach Rider's bullets.

* Fighting Course consists of the primary story sequence. The player controls Mach Rider as they travel across 10 different sectors, and tries to avoid being destroyed by obstacles such as Oil Drums and their enemies, the Quadrunners. If Mach Rider is destroyed, they will separate into fragments and then reform, as long as they have energy (lives from the second sector on) remaining. Much like other games of the time, such as ''[[Ice Climber]]'' and ''[[Balloon Fight]]'', there is no ending sequence. Once the 10th sector is completed, the story starts anew, with a second quest of 10 entirely new sectors. After the 20th sector is done, then the story starts again, but with the original sectors. On each sector in Fighting Course, the player is given the choice to ride to the next sector on either Track A or Track B. The two tracks are different from one another and with each new sector there are new tracks.
* Endurance Course: The player must race a certain number of kilometres within a time limit while enemies and obstacles get in the way and slow down the progress. Lives and energy are not a factor in Endurance, but being destroyed causes a loss of time.
* Solo Course: This is the same as Endurance Course, but with no enemies.
* Design Mode: This is where the player may design their own sector and race on it using one any of the three other modes of play, but like ''[[Excitebike]]'', the original game required the [[Famicom Data Recorder]] in order to save the tracks, and the device was never released outside Japan. The feature was restored for international markets in the Wii and Wii U [[Virtual Console]] versions of the game, which allow the player to save their tracks onto the system memory.

==''VS. Mach Rider''==
''VS. Mach Rider'' was released for the [[Nintendo VS. System]] in arcades. It is essentially a modified version of the Endurance Course in the Famicom version. After each level, another piece of an image is revealed of a woman with a dagger next to Mach Rider's bike.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| Allgame = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="allgamereview">{{cite web |url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14428&tab=review |title = Mach Rider Review |author = Baker, Christopher Michael |publisher = [[AllGame]] |accessdate = May 20, 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211061616/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14428&tab=review |archivedate=December 11, 2014}}</ref>
}}
{{expand section|date=June 2015}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* ''[http://www.nindb.net/nes/mach-rider/index.html Mach Rider]'' at NinDB
* [https://www.nintendo.com/jp/famicom/software/hvc-mr/index.html ''Mach Rider''] on the [[Famicom]] 40th Anniversary page {{in lang|ja}}

[[Category:1985 video games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Motorcycle video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo arcade games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Nintendo games]]
[[Category:Nintendo VS. System games]]
[[Category:Post-apocalyptic video games]]
[[Category:Science fiction racing games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Vehicular combat games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games set in the 22nd century]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]

Wild Gunman

2025-10-20T13:47:24Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{Short description|1984 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{original research|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Wild Gunman
| image = Wild Gunman Coverart.png
| caption = North American NES box art
| developer = [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Nintendo R&D1]] [[Intelligent Systems]]
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| director = [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]<ref name="Micom">{{cite journal |last1=Yamashita |first1=Akira |title=Shigeru Miyamoto Interview: Profile of Shigeru Miyamoto |journal=[[:ja:マイコンBASICマガジン|Micom BASIC]] |date=8 January 1989 |issue=1989–02 |language=ja |quote=Famicom (as director & game designer) - ''Hogan's Alley'', ''Excitebike'', ''Super Mario Bros.'', ''The Legend of Zelda'', ''Wild Gunman'', ''Duck Hunt'', ''Devil World'', ''Spartan X''}}</ref>
| designer = Shigeru Miyamoto [[Makoto Kano (video game designer)|Makoto Kanoh]]
| producer = Hiroshi Imanishi Shigeru Miyamoto [[Gunpei Yokoi]]
| composer = [[Hirokazu Tanaka]]
| platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Arcade video game|arcade]]
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|February 18, 1984|NA|October 18, 1985 |EU|February 15, 1988}}
| genre = [[Light gun shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| arcade system = [[PlayChoice-10]]
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Wild Gunman'''''|ワイルドガンマン|Wairudo Ganman|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a [[light gun shooter]] game developed and published by [[Nintendo]]. Based on a 1974 [[Electro-mechanical games|electro-mechanical]] [[arcade game]] by [[Gunpei Yokoi]], it was adapted to a video game for the [[Famicom]] console in Japan in 1984. In North America, it was released in 1985 as a [[launch game]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) with the [[NES Zapper|Zapper]] light gun.

==History==
===1974 arcade game===
''Wild Gunman'' is one of Nintendo's [[Electro-mechanical games|electro-mechanical]] (EM) [[arcade game]]s created by [[Gunpei Yokoi]] and released in 1974. It consists of a [[light gun]] connected to a [[16 mm film|16 mm]] [[projection screen]]. [[Interactive movie|Full-motion video]] footage of an American [[American frontier|Wild West]] gunslinger is [[Video projector|projected]] onto the screen. When this enemy character's eyes flash, the player draws and fires the gun. If the player is fast enough, the projection changes to that of the shot gunman falling down; otherwise it shows the gunman drawing and firing his gun.

Regardless of their success,<ref>{{cite web | title = ''Wild Gunman - Vierzon 2011'' | url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmdOHmnbYHw | website = YouTube}} - Note that the game continues on to the next scene even when the players lose a duel.</ref> the player continues to face off against other gunslinger opponents, of which there are five in total.<ref>{{KLOV game|10432|Wild Gunman (1974)}}</ref>

Should the player draw their gun prematurely, a "foul" light turns on and the player's input is ignored until the next duel begins, rendering the current duel unwinnable.

''Wild Gunman'' was released in North America by [[Sega]] in 1976.<ref name = "Sega">{{cite web|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/70s/1976/Cash-Box-1976-04-24.pdf#page=44|title=SEGA Introduces Two New Games|publisher=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]|date=1976-04-24|access-date=2019-12-10}}</ref> The game's footage was filmed with local, uncredited [[Extra (acting)|extras]] on location around [[Kyoto]] and at the [[Nara Dreamland]] amusement park.<ref>{{cite book|title=Beyond Donkey Kong: A History of Nintendo Arcade Games|page=15|author=Ken Horowitz|date=August 6, 2020 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9781476684208}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=In The Chair with Satoru Okada|magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|issue=163|page=93|publisher=Future Publishing}}</ref>

The toy version has a plastic gunman figure mounted on top of a plastic battery box called ''Custom Gunman'', which later became one of the microgames in the [[Game Boy Advance]] title ''[[WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!]]''.

In Japan, ''Wild Gunman'' was the sixth highest-grossing EM arcade game of 1976, below two other Nintendo [[Laser Clay Shooting System]] titles, ''Sky Hawk'' at fourth place and ''Mini Laser Clay'' at fifth.<ref name="GM65">{{cite magazine|title=本紙アンケー〜ト調査の結果|trans-title=Paper Questionnaire: Results of the Survey |magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=65|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 February 1977|pages=2–3|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19770201p.pdf#page=2}}</ref> In North America, ''Wild Gunman'' was one of the most popular arcade machines at the AMOA 1976 show.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Quick Draw |magazine=[[Cash Box]] |date=December 18, 1976 |pages=42-3 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1976/Cash-Box-1976-12-18.pdf#page=42}}</ref>

The game consists of four film scenes, called Film-A, Film-B, Film-C and Film-D. Each scene was shot on two [[16 mm film]] reels, for displaying [[Multiple endings|alternate outcomes]], making up a total of eight film reels. Two of the original reels were discovered by collector Benjamin Solovey in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lane |first1=Gavin |title=16mm Film From Nintendo's 1974 Wild Gunman Arcade Cabinet Has Been Found |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/07/16mm_film_from_nintendos_1974_wild_gunman_arcade_cabinet_has_been_found |work=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=2 July 2021}}</ref>

===NES video game===
Nintendo adapted the electro-mechanical game into a [[video game]], replacing filmed footage with cartoon-style sprites.

In 1984 in Japan, the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] version was released for use with the original version of the [[NES Zapper|Zapper]] gun peripheral. This version, named the ''Beam Gun'', was a plastic, western-style revolver accessory (modeled after the [[Colt Single Action Army]]) that came packaged with a plastic holster belt. In 1985 in the United States, it was released on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]].

== Gameplay ==
[[File:NES Wild Gunman.png|frame|left|Screenshot showing typical gameplay of ''Wild Gunman'' for the NES]]
The player waits for the opponent's eyes to flash (accompanied by a [[Speech balloon|speech bubble]] reading "FIRE!!") before shooting. It features a [[shooting range|shooting gallery]] where opponents are to be shot from the windows of a [[Western saloon|saloon]]. A piece of [[Frédéric Chopin]]'s "[[Funeral march]]" indicates the player's defeat. This version was also published on the [[PlayChoice-10]] arcade system. On the [[Wii U Virtual Console]], the [[Wii remote|Wii Remote]] pointer is used instead of the Zapper.

==In popular culture==
{{In popular culture|date=February 2018}}
Experimental filmmaker [[Craig Baldwin]]'s 1978 short ''Wild Gunman'' features footage from the original 1974 arcade game which was re-edited, sped up, and slowed down to surreal effect.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hi-beam.net/mkr/cb/cb-bio.html#gunman |title=Craig Baldwin |website=Hi-beam.net |access-date=April 9, 2016}}</ref>

The 1974 arcade game also appears in the 1981 film ''[[Gas (1981 film)|Gas]]'', being played by the main antagonist. The film establishes the antagonist's ruthless cowboy-like personality by juxtaposing directly captured clips of the game with footage of him giving an expository monologue to his sons (and the audience) while playing. After delivering the monologue, he loses to a gunman and proceeds to shoot the game's projector screen multiple times with a real gun. The game's appearance is also a nod to the character's actor, frequent [[western film|western]] star [[Sterling Hayden]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acriticalhit.com/wild-gunman-74-the-forgotten-first-fmv-game/|title=''Wild Gunman '74: The Forgotten First FMV Game''|website=acriticalhit.com |date=February 22, 2021|access-date=June 18, 2021}}</ref>

In the 1989 film ''[[Back to the Future Part II]]'', protagonist [[Marty McFly]] plays a non-existent arcade version of the NES ''Wild Gunman'' resembling a [[Nintendo VS. System]] cabinet. The 1990 follow-up, [[Back to the Future Part III|''Part III'']], reveals that frequently playing the game has given Marty the skill to shoot a real revolver. Nintendo re-released the game to the [[Wii U Virtual Console]] on October 21, 2015, to coincide with [[Back to the Future Day|''Back to the Future'' Day]], honoring the game's appearance in the film.<ref name="wired">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/10/wild-gunman-virtual-console-wii-u/|title= Nintendo Re-Releases Marty McFly's Favorite Game This Week|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|date=October 21, 2015|access-date=October 21, 2015|first=Chris|last=Kohler}}</ref><ref name="Nintendo Revives">{{cite web | title=Nintendo revives 'Wild Gunman' in time for 'Back to the Future' Day | first=Jon | last=Fingas | date=September 21, 2015 | url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/10/21/nintendo-back-to-the-future-tribute/ | work=Engadget | access-date=December 10, 2019}}</ref>

In the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series, the [[Duck Hunt#Legacy|''Duck Hunt'']] duo can summon ''Wild Gunman'' characters to attack their opponents. Their "Final Smash" attack causes opponents to get caught in the middle of a shootout between the gunmen and the enemy characters from ''[[Hogan's Alley (video game)|Hogan's Alley]]''.

==See also==
* ''[[Duck Hunt]]''
* ''[[Hogan's Alley (video game)|Hogan's Alley]]''
* ''[[Gumshoe (video game)|Gumshoe]]''
* [[Laser Clay Shooting System]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.nindb.net/series/wild-gunman.html ''Wild Gunman'' series] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626033925/http://www.nindb.net/series/wild-gunman.html |date=June 26, 2010 }} at [http://www.nindb.net NinDB]
* [http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=149263 ''Wild Gunman'' Arcade Prop Replica] at [http://www.klov.net KLOV] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225015138/http://klov.net/|date=February 25, 2011}}
* [http://www.arcadeflyerarchive.com/pre1980/photos/S_Wild%20Gunman%20by%20Nintendo%20F.html Front] and [http://www.arcadeflyerarchive.com/pre1980/photos/S_Wild%20Gunman%20by%20Nintendo%20B.html back] side of the flyer of the original 1974 ''Wild Gunman'' movie game (from Arcade Flyer Archive) as well as two pictures [https://web.archive.org/web/20061012074002/http://members.aol.com/gregac5a/private/photos/vagrant.jpg #1] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20061012073957/http://members.aol.com/gregac5a/private/photos/vagabond.jpg #2] of this version (from an AOL member homepage).
* [https://www.nintendo.com/jp/famicom/software/hvc-wg/index.html ''Wild Gunman''] on the [[Famicom]] 40th Anniversary page {{in lang|ja}}

{{NES Zapper|state=expanded}}
{{Shigeru Miyamoto}}
{{Intelligent Systems}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1984 video games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Full motion video based games]] 
[[Category:Intelligent Systems games]]
[[Category:Light gun games]]
[[Category:PlayChoice-10 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo arcade games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Nintendo games]]
[[Category:Western (genre) video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games directed by Shigeru Miyamoto]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]

Tennis (1984 video game)

2025-10-20T13:46:19Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{Short description|1984 video game}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2011}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Tennis
| image = Tennis (video game).jpg
| caption = North American NES box art
| developer = [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Nintendo R&D1]] [[Intelligent Systems]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.intsys.co.jp/company/gamesoft/index.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080825131325/http://www.intsys.co.jp/company/gamesoft/index.html|url-status=dead |title=INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS CO., LTD. ゲームソフト|archivedate=August 25, 2008}}</ref>
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]{{vgrelease|JP|[[Hudson Soft]] (PC-88, Sharp X1, MZ-1500)}}
| producer = [[Masayuki Uemura]]
| designer = [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]<ref name="Miyamoto Spills">{{cite magazine|last1=Kohler|first1=Chris|title=Miyamoto Spills Donkey Kong's Darkest Secrets, 35 Years Later|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/10/miyamoto-donkey-kong-secrets/|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|accessdate=October 17, 2016}}</ref>
| programmer = Kenji Nakajima
| composer = Yukio Kaneoka
| platforms = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Nintendo Entertainment System]]}}|[[Arcade game|Arcade]], [[PC-8801|PC-88]], [[X1 (computer)|Sharp X1]], [[PC-8001|PC-8001mkII]], [[Sharp MZ|MZ-1500]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Nico Nico Rarities: Tennis for MZ-1500|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch/inTNtrzdF0Q|website=YouTube|access-date=May 4, 2020}}</ref> [[Famicom Disk System]], [[Game Boy]], [[Nintendo e-Reader]]}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|January 14, 1984}}|'''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|January 14, 1984|NA|October 18, 1985|EU|September 1, 1986}} '''Arcade {{small|(''Vs. Tennis'')}}'''{{vgrelease|JP|January 18, 1984<ref name="Copyright"/>|NA|March 1984<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Vs. Challenge |magazine=RePlay |date=December 1985 |volume=11 |issue=3 |page=5 |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-11-issue-no.-3-december-1985-600dpi/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2011%2C%20Issue%20No.%203%20-%20December%201985%20%28Compressed%29/page/5}}</ref>|EU|1986<ref name=":7"/>}} '''PC-88'''{{vgrelease|JP|June 1985}} '''X1'''{{vgrelease|JP|1985}} '''MZ-1500'''{{vgrelease|JP|1985}} '''Famicom Disk System'''{{vgrelease|JP|February 21, 1986<ref>{{cite web |title=FAMILY COMPUTER Software List 1986 |url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTC1_FC1986.html |website=GAME Data Room |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827211530/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTC1_FC1986.html |archive-date=August 27, 2018 |language=ja}}</ref>}} '''Game Boy'''{{vgrelease|JP|May 29, 1989|NA|July 31, 1989|PAL|1990}} '''e-Reader'''{{vgrelease|NA|September 16, 2002<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Craig |title=NES Series 2 Pack Art |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/10/nes-series-2-pack-art |website=[[IGN]] |date=October 10, 2002 }}</ref>}}}}
| genre = [[Sports video game|Sports]] ([[tennis]])
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| arcade system = [[Nintendo VS. System]], [[PlayChoice-10]]
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Tennis'''''|テニス|Tenisu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a [[tennis]] video game developed and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Family Computer]] (Famicom). It was originally released in Japan on January 14, 1984, a few months after the launch of the Famicom on July 15, 1983.

An [[arcade game]] version titled '''''VS. Tennis''''' released for the [[Nintendo VS. System]] the same year, becoming a hit at Japanese and American arcades that year; it was the sixth top-performing arcade game of 1984 in the United States. ''Tennis'' is one of 17 [[launch game]]s for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) in North America and Europe. It was also [[ported]] to the [[Game Boy]] in 1989, going on sale about a month after the launch of the handheld console in Japan, and becoming [[Game Boy#Launch titles|one of the five launch titles]] for North America.

== Gameplay ==
''Tennis'' features [[Single-player video game|single-player]] and [[Two-player video game|two-player]] modes for [[Types of tennis match#Standard types of match|singles and doubles matches]], with either [[Player versus player|competitive]] or [[Cooperative video game|cooperative gameplay]]. A computerized opponent's [[Artificial intelligence (video games)|artificial intelligence]] can be set to one of five [[Balance (game design)#Difficulty level|difficulty level]]s. [[Mario]] is the [[Official (tennis)|official]]. Unlike other tennis video games, the singles mode puts one player against the AI and the doubles mode puts two human players on the same team against two AI opponents, it is not possible to do 2 player singles, 1 player doubles, or 2 player doubles on separate teams.

==Development and release==
In 1983, the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] had only three [[launch games]], and its library would total seven, including ''Tennis''. [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] said he was "directly in charge of the character design and the game design".<ref name="Miyamoto Spills"/> The game was developed in 1983.<ref name="Copyright">{{cite web |title=Vs. Tennis (Registration Number PA0000204665) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=30 May 2021}}</ref>

In 1984, it was included in the [[Nintendo VS. System]] [[arcade game]] series under the name {{nihongo foot|''Vs. Tennis'',|VS. テニス|Bāsasu Tenisu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} which was released in Japan on January 18, 1984.<ref name="Copyright"/> In 1985, [[Hudson Soft]] published ''Tennis'' for the [[PC-8801]].<ref>{{cite magazine|issue=1|magazine=Retro Games|title=NEC-8801|page=53|language=pt|year=2003| url=https://archive.org/details/retrogames01/RetroGames%2001/page/n51/mode/2up?q=%22Nintendo+no+Tennis%22 |access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref>{{additional citation needed|date=December 2023}} It was re-released for the [[History of the Nintendo Entertainment System#North American launch (1985–1986)|North American launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System]] in October 1985. Nintendo [[Porting|ported]] the game to the [[Game Boy]] in 1989,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-06-16 |title=Review: Tennis (3DS eShop / GB) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds-eshop/tennis_gameboy |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref> and to the [[Nintendo e-Reader]] in 2002.

The NES version is embedded in the [[life simulation game]] ''[[Animal Crossing (video game)|Animal Crossing]]'' (2001), and in the [[Party game#Party video games|party video game]] ''[[WarioWare: Twisted!]]'' (2004) as one of [[Wario (series)#9-Volt|9-Volt]]'s [[minigame]]s. For the [[Virtual Console]], Nintendo republished the NES version to the [[Wii]] in 2006 and the [[Wii U]] in 2013 and the Game Boy version to the [[Nintendo 3DS]] in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/xSgqzbHeQ932kzeuikje2YNTkSFT0czQ|title = Nintendo - Official Site - Video Game Consoles, Games - Nintendo - Official Site}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/TdIMMXukgaYF1FVxO2aSJVPKWZ-AGnTa|title = Nintendo - Official Site - Video Game Consoles, Games - Nintendo - Official Site}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Rwf2zSpTnwqZYVAGArxhDSsPJyJxAyWo|title = Nintendo - Official Site - Video Game Consoles, Games - Nintendo - Official Site}}</ref> This version was added to the [[Nintendo Classics]] service in late 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/05/guide_nintendo_switch_online_faq_-_everything_we_know_so_far|title=Guide: Nintendo Switch Online FAQ - Everything We Know So Far|date=May 11, 2018|work=Nintendo Life|access-date=May 13, 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Reception ==
In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''VS. Tennis'' in its March 15, 1984 issue as the most successful [[table arcade cabinet]] of the month.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=232|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=March 15, 1984|page=31|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19840315p.pdf#page=16}}</ref> It again topped the ''Game Machine'' table arcade game charts in April<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Hit Games 25|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=233|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 April 1984|page=27|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19840401p.pdf#page=14}}</ref> and May 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Hit Games 25|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=235|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=May 1, 1984|page=29|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19840501p.pdf#page=15}}</ref> In the United States, ''Vs. Tennis'' topped the arcade software conversion kit charts of ''RePlay'' (July 1984)<ref>{{cite magazine |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |magazine=RePlay |date=July 1984}}</ref> and ''[[Play Meter]]'' (August 1984).<ref name="August">{{cite magazine |title=National Play Meter |magazine=[[Play Meter]] |date=August 15, 1984}}</ref> It became the sixth top-performing arcade game of 1984 in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 20 Performing Video Games of 1984 |magazine=[[Play Meter]] |date=1 November 1984 |volume=10 |issue=20 |page=47 |url=https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-10-number-20-november-1st-1984/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%2010%2C%20Number%2020%20-%20November%201st%201984/page/47}}</ref> In Europe, it had become a popular arcade game by 1986.<ref name=":7">{{Cite magazine|last=Edgeley|first=Clare|title=Arcade Action|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=63 (January 1987)|date=16 December 1986|publisher=[[EMAP]]|location=United Kingdom|issn=0261-3697|pages=138–9|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-063/page/n137/mode/2up}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== See also ==
* ''[[Jimmy Connors Tennis]]'' (1993)
* [[List of Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
* ''[[Super Tennis]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Top Players' Tennis]]'' (1990)

== External links ==
* [http://www.nindb.net/nes/tennis/index.html ''Tennis'' at NinDB] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017062516/https://nindb.net/nes/tennis/index.html|date=October 17, 2022}}
* [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/tna/ ''Tennis'' Game Boy] (in Japanese)
* [https://www.nintendo.com/jp/famicom/software/hvc-te/index.html ''Tennis''] on the [[Famicom]] 40th Anniversary page {{in lang|ja}}

{{Shigeru Miyamoto}}
{{Mario sports games}}
{{Intelligent Systems}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tennis (Video Game)}}
[[Category:1984 video games]]
[[Category:Arcade Archives games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Famicom Disk System games]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:Hamster Corporation games]]
[[Category:Hudson Soft games]]
[[Category:Intelligent Systems games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-8001 games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-8801 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo arcade games]]
[[Category:Nintendo e-Reader games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Research & Development 1 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Nintendo VS. System games]]
[[Category:PlayChoice-10 games]]
[[Category:Sharp X1 games]]
[[Category:Tennis video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]
[[Category:Video games designed by Shigeru Miyamoto]]

Ice Climber

2025-10-20T13:44:14Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{short description|1985 video game}}
{{About|the video game series|the activity in general|Ice climbing}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Ice Climber
| image = IceClimberboxartnes.jpg
| caption = North American NES box art
| developer = [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Nintendo R&D1]]
| publisher = [[Nintendo]] [[Hudson Soft]] (PC-8801)
| director = Kenji Miki
| producer = [[Masayuki Uemura]] [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]
| composer = [[Akito Nakatsuka]]<ref>{{cite AV media notes |url=http://vgmdb.net/album/404 |title=Famicom 20th Anniversary Original Sound Tracks Vol. 1 |year=2004 |publisher=Scitron Digital Contents Inc. |access-date=April 18, 2011}}</ref>
| programmer = Kazuaki Morita Toshihiko Nakago<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUsmC2nP85o |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/RUsmC2nP85o |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Ice Climber retrospective: A slippery slope for platforming|publisher=Jeremy Parish|website=[[YouTube]]|date=May 24, 2016|accessdate=May 5, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
| artist = [[Tadashi Sugiyama]]
| platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Arcade video game|arcade]], [[PC-8801]], [[Sharp X1|X1]], [[Famicom Disk System]], [[Nintendo e-Reader]], [[Game Boy Advance]]
| released = {{Collapsible list
| title = {{nobold|January 30, 1985}}
| '''NES''' {{vgrelease|JP|January 30, 1985<ref>{{cite magazine |title=アイスクライマー |trans-title=Ice Climber |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=476&redirect=no |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |language=ja |access-date=June 19, 2021}}</ref>|NA|October 18, 1985<ref name="NES Copyright">{{cite web |title=Ice Climber: instruction booklet. (Registration Number TX0002515321) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date= June 6, 2021}}</ref>|EU|September 1, 1986{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}}}
| '''Arcade {{Small|(''VS. Ice Climber'')}}''' {{vgrelease|JP|February 4, 1985<ref name="FC Copyright">{{cite web |title=Ice climber. (Registration Number PA0000254907) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date= June 6, 2021}}</ref>|NA|March 1985<ref name="vschallenge">{{cite web|url=https://www.flyerfever.com/vs-challenge-screenshots/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622234255/https://www.flyerfever.com/vs-challenge-screenshots/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 22, 2021|title=Flyer Fever - The Vs. Challenge (U.S.)|date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>}}
|'''PC-8801''' {{vgrelease|JP|October 1985{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}}}
|'''X1''' {{vgrelease|JP|November 1985{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}}}
|'''Famicom Disk System {{small|(''VS. Ice Climber'')}}''' {{vgrelease|JP|November 18, 1988<ref>{{cite web |title=FAMILY COMPUTER Software List 1988 |url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTC1_FC1988.html |website=GAME Data Room |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827211535/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTC1_FC1988.html |archive-date=August 27, 2018 |language=ja}}</ref>}}
|'''e-Reader''' {{vgrelease|NA|November 11, 2002<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Craig |title=Ice Climber-e |url=http://pocket.ign.com/articles/377/377502p1.html |website=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021120141504/http://pocket.ign.com/articles/377/377502p1.html |archive-date=November 20, 2002 |date=November 15, 2002}}</ref>}}
|'''Game Boy Advance''' {{vgrelease|JP|February 14, 2004<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Craig |title=GBA SP Goes Back in Time |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/14/gba-sp-goes-back-in-time |website=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251015024713/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/14/gba-sp-goes-back-in-time |archive-date=October 15, 2025 |date=January 14, 2004}}</ref>|NA|June 2, 2004<ref>{{cite web |title=Nintendo Announces NES GBA SP, Plus Retro Games |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/pr/9456/nintendo-announces-nes-gba-sp-plus-retro-games |website=Nintendo World Report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903055031/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/pr/9456/nintendo-announces-nes-gba-sp-plus-retro-games |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |date=March 29, 2004}}</ref>|EU|July 9, 2004<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reed |first1=Kristan |title=Which NES classic do you want released on GBA? |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/news-180604-nesclassics |website=[[Eurogamer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250216032154/https://www.eurogamer.net/news-180604-nesclassics |archive-date=February 16, 2025 |date=June 18, 2004}}</ref>}}
}}
| genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| arcade system = [[Nintendo VS. System]]
}}
{{nihongo foot|'''''Ice Climber'''''|アイスクライマー|Aisu Kuraimā|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1985 [[Platform game|platform]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Nintendo]]. It was released for both the [[arcade video game|arcade]] [[Nintendo VS. System|VS. System]] and the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom/Nintendo Entertainment System]] console.{{efn|One book says the North American arcade release was October 1984, although contemporary flyers are all from 1985.<ref name="NA">{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=128 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n129}}</ref>}} The main protagonists, Popo and Nana, collectively known as the Ice Climbers, scale 32 vertically scrolling, ice-covered mountains to recover stolen vegetables from a giant [[condor]]. In some European countries, ''Ice Climber'' was bundled with the Nintendo Entertainment System.

The arcade expansion, {{nihongo foot|'''''VS. Ice Climber''''',|VSアイスクライマー|VS Aisu Kuraimā|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} features exclusive content from the traditional NES release; including an animated [[title screen (gaming)|title screen]], a stage select menu at the start of the game and between levels, 16 more mountains, occasional blizzard and wind effects, more enemies and vegetables, and bonus multiplier [[item (gaming)|items]].

Popo and Nana are playable characters in the [[Super Smash Bros.|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]], starting with the 2001 game, ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' for the [[GameCube]]. Nintendo released the NES variation for the [[Game Boy Advance]] through the [[Nintendo e-Reader]] in 2002.

==Gameplay==
[[File:NES Ice Climber.png|left|thumb|Popo scales Mountain 1 surrounded by Topis and a Nitpicker.]]
The first player controls Popo, a boy wearing a blue [[parka]], while the second player controls Nana, a girl wearing a pink one. The only tool they carry is a wooden [[mallet]] to carve openings in the ice above and to club enemies. Each mountain [[level (video games)|level]] consists of eight layers of colorful ice and a [[bonus stage]]. Standard, dull ice blocks pose no threat other than an easily disposed-of barrier and platform. Square ice blocks with higher detail are indestructible, forcing the player to take another path. [[Hatching|Hatched]] ice acts as a [[conveyor belt]] sliding Popo or Nana either left or right. Finally, many mountains include unbreakable moving platforms resembling clouds. The bonus stage takes place at the peak. Within a 40-second time limit and no enemies, the Ice Climbers often face trickier jumps and multiple moving platforms. The peak is also the only place to recover stolen vegetables, most especially eggplants. Collecting just one piece of corn from the fifth bonus stage is the only way to gain an [[Life (video games)#Extra lives|extra life]].<ref>{{Cite book|year=1985|title=Ice Climber|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clv/manuals/en/pdf/CLV-P-NAAUE.pdf|publisher=Nintendo|type=Instruction manual}}</ref> At the top of the peak, the [[Condor]] flies overhead.

Enemies encountered on the way up the mountains include the Topi, Nitpicker, and [[Polar bear|White Bear]]. Topis come in two varieties: the blue [[Pinniped|seal]] featured in the Japanese Famicom ''Ice Climber'' release and the short [[Yeti]]-like creatures seen in Western versions and ''VS. Ice Climber''. Topis have the ability to fill in holes in the floor with ice. To do this, a Topi scouts out an opening in the floor, runs back to its cave, and reemerges pushing an icicle to fill in two blocks. This process repeats until no more openings on their layer of ice exist. The Nitpicker is a small, mountain-dwelling bird that swoops down from icy caves on the levels' edges. Unlike the Topi, which is confined to one floor of the mountain, Nitpickers can cross over multiple ice layers. Taking them into account along with moving platforms and sliding ice, timing jumps can be more difficult. The final enemy is the White Bear. This enemy, wearing sunglasses and pink speedo, appears on screen only when Popo and Nana take too long to advance. Pounding the ice, the Polar Bear forces the screen to move up. If Nana or Popo are forced off the screen, the player loses a life.

Other obstacles include deadly falling icicles. These can form on the bottom of any type of platform. After a few successful mountains climbed, all enemies' speeds increase.

The arcade edition, ''VS. Ice Climber'', has a few more gameplay differences. The player must pick from an initial set of 24 mountains to conquer. After eight are cleared, a Super Bonus Stage occurs in which the player must reach a high platform. Afterwards, the player must choose from the second set of 24 mountains (which feature different coloration schemes), in which the Condor is replaced by a giant butterfly. After the next eight stages are cleared and the Super Bonus is over, the player resumes the cycle from the original mountain set. The game keeps track of whether the mountain was claimed by an Ice Climber or if it remains Topi-territory—once all the stages are completed, the counter resets. Approximately 30 of the 48 level designs are borrowed from the NES game. Stage setups are generally trickier in ''VS. Ice Climber'', with some new mechanics such as cloud platforms that move diagonally or strong gusts of wind. A purple bee with a spear flying in a horizontal pattern is included as a somewhat rare fourth enemy.

After the bonus stage, the players' [[Score (game)|scores]] are tallied. Points are rewarded for every brick of ice destroyed, every Topi-pushed icicle smashed, every Nitpicker knocked out and every vegetable collected. Finally, a bonus score is rewarded if a player manages to climb to the top of the bonus stage and jump up and grab the Condor. The game keeps track of the high score, although there is no way to save it on the NES version.

The game can be played in one- or two-player mode. The latter places Popo and Nana against each other in a race to the summit. Players may prefer to [[Cooperative video game|play cooperatively]] on the way up, but during the bonus round, they must compete for the top.

==Development==
{{Expand section|date=September 2008}}
''Ice Climber'' and ''[[NES Open Tournament Golf]]'' were directed by longtime Nintendo [[Video game producer|producer]] Kenji Miki.<ref name="IMDB Kenji">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1308638/|title=Kenji Miki|publisher=IMDB|page=1|access-date=May 2, 2009}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=June 2022}} ''Ice Climber'' is the first video game programmed by Kazuaki Morita. He considered this a "warm-up" before becoming a main [[Video game programmer|programmer]] on ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''.<ref name="Inside Zelda 9">{{cite web|url=http://www.zelda.com/universe/game/twilightprincess/inside09.jsp|title=Inside Zelda Part 9|publisher=Zelda Universe|page=1|access-date=May 2, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331053648/http://www.zelda.com/universe/game/twilightprincess/inside09.jsp|archive-date=March 31, 2009}}</ref> Morita was later credited with central programming roles in numerous games within the ''[[Super Mario]]'' series, ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' series, and in ''[[Star Fox 64]]''.<ref name="Kazuaki Morita IMDB">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0605715/|title=Kazuaki Morita|publisher=IMDB|page=1|access-date=May 2, 2009}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=June 2022}}

==Releases==
''Ice Climber'', a [[launch game]] for the NES in North America, has been re-released for several of Nintendo's consoles. The [[PC-8801]] version has a more limited color palette and a reworked [[HUD (video gaming)|HUD]].<ref name="Strange and Wonderful Images">{{cite web|url=http://andre.facadecomputer.com/saw/pc88.html#ice|title=NEC PC-8801 Games|publisher=Strange and Wonderful|page=1|access-date=May 2, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224165924/http://andre.facadecomputer.com/saw/pc88.html#ice|archive-date=December 24, 2008}}</ref> ''VS. Ice Climber'' has been re-released for the [[Famicom Disk System]], removing the difficulty settings and changing a few graphics to be closer to ''Ice Climber'' (such as the bee and butterfly replaced by a Nitpicker and blue Condor, respectively). It has also been released in the ''[[Arcade Archives]]'' series on [[Nintendo Switch]], although the bee enemy has been removed.

In addition to the releases listed below, the NES game could be unlocked for play in different versions of the original ''[[Animal Crossing (video game)|Animal Crossing]]''. It could be played in the Japanese-exclusive [[Nintendo 64]] version in its [[Nintendo Space World]] 2000 demo,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/article/20000825/nintendo.htm|title=NINTENDO SPACEWORLD 2000開幕|publisher=PC Watch|date=2000-08-25|accessdate=2024-07-16}}</ref> or by using a special [[Controller Pak]] given away as a sweepstakes prize through the June 2001 issues of magazines such as ''[[Famitsu]]'' and ''[[Nintendo Dream]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=アイスクライマービッグプレゼント|magazine=Nintendo Dream|volume=58|publisher=Ambit|date=2001-05-21|page=87}}</ref> It is also unlockable in the [[GameCube]] releases;<ref name="NES AnimalCrossing">{{cite web | last=Schneider | first=Peer | title=Inside Animal Forest Part VII (GameCube, N64) | website=IGN | date=September 11, 2001 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/11/inside-animal-forest-part-vii-gamecube-n64 | access-date=March 24, 2025}}</ref> it can only be officially unlocked via a North America-exclusive [[Nintendo e-Reader|e-Reader]] card, or as a gift to players requesting their save data be transferred from the Nintendo 64 version to the GameCube release.<ref>{{cite web|title=『どうぶつの森』データお引越しサービス |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ngc/gafj/moving/ |website=Nintendo.com |publisher=Nintendo|access-date=January 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030206212144/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ngc/gafj/moving/ |archive-date=February 6, 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
! Date
! Platform
! Notes
|-
| ''VS. Ice Climber''
| 1985
| [[Arcade game|Arcade]]
| [[Nintendo VS. System]]
|-
| ''Ice Climber''
| 1985
| [[Famicom/NES]]
| <ref name="Nintendo Database">{{cite web|title='Ice Climber'|url=http://www.nindb.net/game/ice-climber.html|access-date=May 2, 2009|work=NinDB|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619064232/http://nindb.net/game/ice-climber.html|archive-date=June 19, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| ''Ice Climber''
| 1985
| [[NEC PC-8801]]
| Published by [[Hudson Soft]]
|-
| ''Ice Climber''
| 1988
| [[Famicom Disk System]]
| [[Video game porting|Port]] of ''VS. Ice Climber''
|-
| ''Ice Climber-e''
| 2002
| [[Nintendo e-Reader|e-Reader]]
| Barcoded cards, readable with e-Reader and Game Boy Advance.
|-
| ''Classic NES Series: Ice Climber''
| 2004
| [[Game Boy Advance]]
| [[Classic NES Series]]
|-
| ''Ice Climber''
| 2007
| [[Wii]]
| [[Virtual Console]]
|-
| ''Ice Climber''
| 2011
| [[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]]
| Virtual Console
|-
| ''Ice Climber''
| 2013
| [[Wii U]]
| Virtual Console
|-
| ''Ice Climber''
| 2018
| [[Nintendo Switch]]
| [[Nintendo Classics]]
|-
| ''Arcade Archives Ice Climber''
| 2019
| Nintendo Switch
| [[Arcade Archives]]
|}

==Reception==
The ''Ice Climber'' franchise has received generally positive reviews from critics. In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''VS. Ice Climbers'' in its April 1, 1985, issue as the eighth most-successful table arcade unit of the month.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=257|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=April 1, 1985|page=25|lang=ja}}{{Circular reference|date=September 2021}}</ref> Former President of Finland [[Mauno Koivisto]] was reportedly keen on Nintendo games and his son-in-law has reported that ''Ice Climber'' was his favorite game.<ref>"Uutuuskirja: Mauno Koivisto hullaantui 30 vuotta sitten videopeleihin ja kyykytti kavereitaan Nintendolla: 'Etkö sä oikein hallitse tätä?'", on September 26, 2019, Ilta-Sanomat, https://www.is.fi/tv-ja-elokuvat/art-2000006251088.html</ref>

Reviewing the American release, ''[[Computer Entertainer]]'' magazine called it "addictive" for fans of climbing games. The reviewer awarded 3.5 out of 4 stars, for both categories of graphics and gameplay, adding that it provide "hours of challenging play."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Video Game Update|magazine=[[Computer Entertainer]]|volume=5|issue=1|page=11|date=April 1986|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/5/5e/ComputerEntertainer_US_Vol.5_01.pdf#page=11}}</ref>

Additionally, several fans and critics vote and suggest for a new and modern launch title for the ''Ice Climber'' series, further highlighting the popularity of the series as a whole.

==Legacy==
[[File:Ice Climbers SSBU.png|alt=|thumb|The Ice Climbers in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.]]
Popo and Nana appear in the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series of fighting games as a two-in-one playable fighter under the name, Ice Climbers, voiced by [[Sanae Kobayashi]]. Appearing in 2001's ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee|Melee]]'' and 2008's ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl|Brawl]]'', their return was planned for [[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U|''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' and ''Wii U'']] but technical issues with the 3DS version required game director [[Masahiro Sakurai]] to scrap development on them to maintain parity between the two versions. He said that their inclusion in said game was low-priority because the ''Ice Climber'' series was "unlikely to have another installment" at the time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nintendoeverything.com/sakurai-addresses-ice-climbers-absence-in-smash-bros-wii-u3ds-and-more-in-new-famitsu-column/|title=Sakurai addresses Ice Climbers' absence in Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS and more in new Famitsu column|publisher=Nintendo Everything|date=September 16, 2014|access-date=September 16, 2014|author=Brian}}.</ref> The Ice Climbers returned in 2018's ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate|Ultimate]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Back in the battle after a ten-year absence! There are two of them, so does that make them twice as strong as other fighters?|url=https://www.smashbros.com/en_US/blog/index.html?category=cat02_fighter_15|website=Super Smash Blog|access-date=January 14, 2019}}</ref>

Themes from ''Ice Climber'' regularly appear in the [[Wario (franchise)#WarioWare series|''WarioWare'' series']] classic Nintendo microgames. In ''[[Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land]]'' and ''[[Kirby Air Ride]]'', when [[Kirby (character)|Kirby]] gets the Freeze ability, he dons Popo's parka in the same manner it is worn in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series.<ref name="Nintendo Database" /> In ''[[Tetris DS]]'', an ''Ice Climber'' backdrop appears among other classic Nintendo games.<ref name="Nintendo TDS">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/SHMfI4-pd_DDhbjpYkb631-LunYD1UhC|title=Tetris DS|publisher=Nintendo|page=1|access-date=May 2, 2009|archive-date=April 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422034903/http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/SHMfI4-pd_DDhbjpYkb631-LunYD1UhC|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Daigasso! Band Brothers]]'' includes the bonus stage music theme.<ref name="Daigasso">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/ds/puzzle/jamwiththeband/preview_6114895.html|title=Daigasso! Band Brothers Import Hands-On|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|date=December 10, 2004|website=GameSpot|page=1|access-date=May 2, 2009}}</ref> The Ice Climbers appear in ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'' as an unlockable Mystery Mushroom costume.<ref>{{cite web|last=Benson|first=Julian|url=http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2016/05/12/the-ice-climbers-are-coming-to-super-mario-maker/|title=The Ice Climbers are coming to Super Mario Maker|publisher=Kotaku.com.co.uk|access-date=May 12, 2016}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
{{clear}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100403094656/http://www.nintendo.com/wii/virtualconsole/games/detail/P32v6Gw7R3ONW25Fy0Xv9zqlWFJwIZ0d Virtual Console: ''Ice Climber''] at [https://www.nintendo.com/ Nintendo.com]
* [http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8176 ''Ice Climber''] at [[Killer List of Videogames]]
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20100619064232/http://nindb.net/game/ice-climber.html Ice Climber]'' at [http://www.nindb.net/ NinDB]
* [https://www.nintendo.com/jp/famicom/software/hvc-ic/index.html ''Ice Climber''] on the [[Famicom]] 40th Anniversary page {{in lang|ja}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1985 video games]]
[[Category:Arcade Archives games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo games]]
[[Category:Nintendo arcade games]]
[[Category:Nintendo e-Reader games]]
[[Category:Famicom Disk System games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:Hamster Corporation games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-8801 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Research & Development 1 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Nintendo VS. System games]]
[[Category:Platformers]]
[[Category:Sharp X1 games]]
[[Category:Vertically scrolling video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Akito Nakatsuka]]
[[Category:Video games about children]]
[[Category:Video games set in mountains]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]

Hogan's Alley (video game)

2025-10-20T13:43:43Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{short description|1984 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Hogan's Alley
| image = Hogan's Alley Cover.jpg
| caption = North American NES box art
| developer = [[Nintendo Research & Development 1|Nintendo R&D1]] [[Intelligent Systems]]
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| director = [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]<ref name="Micom">{{cite journal |last1=Yamashita |first1=Akira |title=Shigeru Miyamoto Interview: Profile of Shigeru Miyamoto |journal=[[:ja:マイコンBASICマガジン|Micom BASIC]] |date=8 January 1989 |issue=1989–02 |language=ja |quote=Famicom (as director & game designer) - ''Hogan's Alley'', ''Excitebike'', ''Super Mario Bros.'', ''The Legend of Zelda'', ''Wild Gunman'', ''Duck Hunt'', ''Devil World'', ''Spartan X''}}</ref>
| designer = Shigeru Miyamoto<ref name="Micom"/>
| composer = [[Hirokazu Tanaka]]
| platforms = [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Arcade video game|arcade]]
| released = '''NES''' {{vgrelease|JP|June 12, 1984|NA|October 18, 1985|EU|December 15, 1987}} '''Arcade''' {{vgrelease|NA|March 1, 1985<ref>{{cite web |title=Hogan's Alley (Registration Number PA0000260315) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=6 May 2021}}</ref>|EU|August 1985<ref name="CVG47">{{cite magazine |title=Arcade Action: Hogan's Alley |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 August 1985 |issue=47 (September 1985) |page=119 |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/218/593}}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Light gun shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| arcade system = [[Nintendo VS. System]], [[PlayChoice-10]]
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Hogan's Alley'''''|ホーガンズアレイ|Hōganzu Arei|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a [[light gun shooter]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Nintendo]]. It was released for the [[Family Computer]] in 1984 and then the arcade [[Nintendo VS. System]] and [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] in 1985. It was one of the first hit video games to use a [[light gun]] as an input device, along with Nintendo's ''[[Duck Hunt]]'' (1984). The game presents players with cardboard cutouts of gangsters and innocent civilians; the player must shoot only the former. It was a major arcade hit in the United States and Europe.

The game is named after and based on [[Hogan's Alley (FBI)|Hogan's Alley]], a [[shooting range]] for law enforcement training somewhat similar in design to the city block rounds, first constructed at [[Camp Perry]] in [[Port Clinton, Ohio]] in the 1920s and later redesigned for use at the [[FBI Academy]] in [[Quantico, Virginia]] in 1954. Three years after the release of ''Hogan's Alley'', a third rendition of the Hogan's Alley range was constructed at the FBI Academy, resembling a small town, that is still used today.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Surprising Comic Origins of a Classic Nintendo Video Game|first=Brian|last=Cronin|date=Mar 8, 2017|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|url=https://www.cbr.com/hogans-alley-nintendo-fbi-yellow-kid/}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[File:Hogan's Alley Screenshot NES.png|thumb|left|A wall round. The middle target is a gangster who must be shot; the woman and police officer to either side must be left alone.]]

The game begins with three cardboard cutouts moving into position against a blank wall and turning to face the player. The cutouts display a mixture of gangsters and innocent/friendly people; the player must react quickly and shoot only the gangsters. In later rounds, the backdrop changes from the blank wall to a city block, with some cutouts already exposed as they emerge into view. The player is confronted with five cutouts in each of these latter rounds.

After five rounds apiece in the wall and city block, a bonus round is played. Here, the player has a limited supply of ammunition with which to shoot up to ten tin cans thrown from one side of the screen, trying to bounce them onto ledges at the opposite side for points. Bonus points are awarded for any unused ammunition. After this round, the player returns to the wall rounds and the game continues at an increased speed.

Shooting an innocent person, or failing to shoot a gangster, costs the player one life. Bonus lives can be earned for reaching preset score thresholds. The game ends when all lives are lost.

==Release==
The game is available on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] and as a [[Nintendo VS. System]] Game Pak, which was installed into VS. System Arcade cabinets.<ref name="e278">{{cite web | title=Nintendo Vs. Unisystem Nintendo Vs. Dualsystem Arcade Manuals, PPU, PCB info, daughter board info, Nintendo Vs. Instruction Cards, game info | website=John's Arcade | date=2012-11-11 | url=https://www.johnsarcade.com/nintendo_vs_ppu_info.php | access-date=2024-11-13}}</ref>

In the United States, ''Hogan's Alley'' was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985 as one of the original 17 launch titles for the system. There are three modes: "Hogan's Alley A" (the blank wall), "Hogan's Alley B" (the town), and "Trick Shot" (shooting soda cans to bounce them onto ledges). The "Trick Shot" mode is played with ten cans per round and an unlimited ammunition supply. An on-screen "MISS" counter increases by one for every time the player shoots an innocent person, fails to shoot a gangster, or lets a can hit the ground. The game ends once the counter reaches 10 or higher.

==Ports==
A modified version of ''Hogan's Alley'' using the [[Wii Remote]] in place of the [[NES Zapper]] was released for the [[Wii U Virtual Console]] on January 7, 2016 in North America.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/hogans-alley-wii-u/|title=Hogan's Alley for Wii U - Nintendo Game Details}}</ref>

==Reception==
In North America, the arcade version of ''Hogan's Alley'' became popular and popularized light gun video games along with ''Duck Hunt'' in 1985.<ref name="Adlum">{{cite magazine |last=Adlum |first=Eddie |title=The Replay Years: Reflections from Eddie Adlum |magazine=RePlay |date=November 1985 |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=134-175 (170-1) |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-11-issue-no.-2-november-1985-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2011%2C%20Issue%20No.%202%20-%20November%201985/page/170/mode/2up}}</ref> In the United States, ''Hogan's Alley'' had topped the ''RePlay'' arcade charts by November 1985<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 1985 |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-11-issue-no.-2-november-1985-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2011%2C%20Issue%20No.%202%20-%20November%201985%20%28Compressed%29/page/6 |magazine=RePlay|via=Archive.org |page=6 |volume=11 |issue=2}}</ref> In Europe, it had also become a very popular arcade game by 1986.<ref name=":7">{{Cite magazine|last=Edgeley|first=Clare|title=Arcade Action|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=63 (January 1987)|date=16 December 1986|publisher=[[EMAP]]|location=United Kingdom|issn=0261-3697|pages=138–9|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-063/page/n137/mode/2up}}</ref>

''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' magazine gave the arcade version a generally positive review, calling it "a pleasant change" from the [[Shoot 'em up|space shooters]] popular in arcades at the time, but noted the gameplay is similar to [[Sega]]'s ''[[Bank Panic]]'' which released the same year and that it may not appeal to everyone.<ref name="CVG47"/> Mike Roberts and Eric Doyle of ''[[Computer Gamer]]'' magazine gave the arcade game a positive review, praising the realistic gun controller.<ref name="CG8">{{cite magazine |last1=Roberts |first1=Mike |last2=Doyle |first2=Eric |title=Coin-Op Connection |magazine=[[Computer Gamer]] |date=November 1985 |issue=8 |pages=26–7 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gamer_Issue_08_1985-11_Argus_Press_GB/page/n25/mode/2up}}</ref> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' named ''Hogan's Alley'' as 1988's Best Target Game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, calling it "an entertaining variation on the theme".<ref name="cgw198811">{{cite magazine | title=Video Gaming World | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | issue=53 | date=November 1988 | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_53.pdf | accessdate=April 23, 2016 | last1=Kunkel | first1=Bill | last2=Worley | first2=Joyce | last3=Katz | first3=Arnie | pages=55}}</ref>

==Legacy==
Digital artist [[Cory Arcangel]] hacked the ''Hogan's Alley'' game to produce "I Shot [[Andy Warhol]]", an art piece that replaces the game's targets with images of Andy Warhol. This is a reference to [[I Shot Andy Warhol|the film of the same name]] that dramatized [[Valerie Solanas]]'s attempted assassination of the artist.<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview with Cory Arcangel |publisher=Guggenheim Museum and Langlois Foundation for Art, Science, and Technology |date=January 1, 2004 |work=Seeing Double: Emulation in Theory and Practice |url=http://variablemedia.net/e/seeingdouble/index.html |accessdate=January 27, 2012}}</ref>

''Hogan's Alley''-inspired games appear in ''[[WarioWare: Touched!]]'' and other games in the ''WarioWare'' series. In ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate|Ultimate]]'', the ''[[Duck Hunt]]'' character has the ability to kick the can from the bonus rounds of ''Hogan's Alley'', which can be continually bounced forward by an off-screen shooter using the NES Zapper until it eventually explodes. The character's Final Smash attack causes opponents to get caught in the middle of a shootout between the enemies from ''Hogan's Alley'' and ''[[Wild Gunman]]''.

==See also==
* ''[[Bank Panic]]''

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{KLOV game|id=8128|name=Hogan's Alley}}
* {{moby game|id=/hogans-alley|name=''Hogan's Alley''}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100626034845/http://www.nindb.net/game/hogans-alley.html ''Hogan's Alley''] at [http://www.nindb.net NinDB]
* [https://www.nintendo.com/jp/famicom/software/hvc-ha/index.html ''Hogan's Alley''] on the [[Famicom]] 40th Anniversary page {{in lang|ja}}

{{NES Zapper|state=expanded}}
{{Shigeru Miyamoto}}
{{Intelligent Systems}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Light gun games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Intelligent Systems games]]
[[Category:1984 video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo arcade games]]
[[Category:Nintendo games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Research & Development 1 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo VS. System games]]
[[Category:Video games about police officers]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games designed by Shigeru Miyamoto]]
[[Category:Video games directed by Shigeru Miyamoto]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Hirokazu Tanaka]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]

Excitebike

2025-10-20T13:42:47Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:38CB:706:A630:20F8:

{{short description|1984 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Excitebike
| image = Excitebike cover.jpg
| caption = North American NES box art
| developer = [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development|Nintendo R&D4]]{{efn|PC-88 and X1 versions developed by [[Hudson Soft]]; Nintendo 3DS version developed by [[Arika]].}}
| publisher = {{ubl|[[Nintendo]]|'''PC-88, X1'''|[[Hudson Soft]]}}
| director = [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]
| producer = Shigeru Miyamoto
| designer = Shigeru Miyamoto
| programmer = Toshihiko Nakago
| composer = [[Akito Nakatsuka]] Soyo Oka (FDS)
| series = ''Excite''
| platforms = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Nintendo Entertainment System|Nintendo Entertainment System]]}}|[[Arcade video game|Arcade]], [[PC-8800 series|PC-88]], [[X1 (computer)|X1]], [[PC-8000 series|PC-8001mkIISR]], [[Sharp MZ|MZ-2500]], [[Famicom Disk System]], [[Nintendo e-Reader]], [[Game Boy Advance]], [[Nintendo 3DS]]}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|November 30, 1984}}|'''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|November 30, 1984<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/9069/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725053616/https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/9069/ |url-status=live}}</ref>|NA|October 18, 1985|EU|September 1, 1986{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}}} '''Arcade''' {{vgrelease|JP|December 1984<ref>{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=57 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n58}}</ref>|NA|March 1985<ref>{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=128 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n129}}</ref>}} '''PC-8801'''{{vgrelease|JP|October 1985{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}}} '''X1'''{{vgrelease|JP|1985}} '''Famicom Disk System'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 9, 1988<ref>{{cite web |title=FAMILY COMPUTER Software List 1988 |url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTC1_FC1988.html |website=GAME Data Room |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827211535/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTC1_FC1988.html |archive-date=August 27, 2018 |language=ja}}</ref>}} '''e-Reader'''{{vgrelease|NA|September 16, 2002<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Craig |title=NES Series 2 Pack Art |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/10/nes-series-2-pack-art |website=[[IGN]] |date=October 10, 2002 }}</ref>}} '''Game Boy Advance'''{{vgrelease|JP|February 14, 2004<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Craig |title=GBA SP Goes Back in Time |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/14/gba-sp-goes-back-in-time |website=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251015024713/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/14/gba-sp-goes-back-in-time |archive-date=October 15, 2025 |date=January 14, 2004}}</ref>|NA|June 7, 2004<ref>{{cite web |title=Nintendo Announces NES GBA SP, Plus Retro Games |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/pr/9456/nintendo-announces-nes-gba-sp-plus-retro-games |website=Nintendo World Report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903055031/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/pr/9456/nintendo-announces-nes-gba-sp-plus-retro-games |archive-date=September 3, 2023 |date=March 29, 2004}}</ref>|EU|July 9, 2004<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reed |first1=Kristan |title=Which NES classic do you want released on GBA? |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/news-180604-nesclassics |website=[[Eurogamer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250216032154/https://www.eurogamer.net/news-180604-nesclassics |archive-date=February 16, 2025 |date=June 18, 2004}}</ref>}} '''Nintendo 3DS'''{{vgrelease|WW|June 6, 2011}}
}}
| genre = [[Racing game|Racing]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| arcade system = [[Nintendo VS. System]], [[PlayChoice-10]]
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Excitebike'''''|エキサイトバイク|Ekisaitobaiku|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1984 [[Racing game|racing]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. It was ported to arcades for the [[Nintendo VS. System]] later that year and [[Famicom Disk System]] in 1988. In North America, it became one of the [[List of best-selling Nintendo Entertainment System video games|best-selling games]] on the console. It is the first game in the ''Excite'' series.

Designed and directed by [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], the smooth [[side-scrolling]] [[game engine]] his team developed for ''Excitebike'' was later used to develop ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' (1985), which had the effect of [[Mario]] smoothly accelerating from a walk to a run, rather than move at a constant speed.

''Excitebike'' was a critical and commercial success. It spawned several sequels and has been re-released multiple times onto other Nintendo platforms, such the [[Wii]] and [[Wii U]] [[Virtual Console]], and the [[Nintendo Classics]] service.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Excitebike (NES) screenshot.png|thumb|left|The player jumps high above the computer racers.]]
''Excitebike'' is a [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] [[Racing video game|racing game]] in which the player takes control of a [[motocross]] racer. The two gameplay modes are Selection A as a solo race run, and Selection B against computer-controlled opponents. The objective of the game is to finish in third place or higher in a preliminary race to qualify for the Excitebike championship race.{{sfn|Nintendo|1985|pp=5–9}} The A button accelerates the bike, and the B button activates a turbo boost that enhances the bike's speed, but overheats the engine if it is used for too long, forcing an immobile cooldown period.{{sfn|Nintendo|1985|pp=3–4}} The engine's temperature can be reset by driving over arrows located along the course.{{sfn|Nintendo|1985|pp=5–9}} The player can use the directional pad to shift between lanes, and to shift the racer's balance midair after a jump.{{sfn|Nintendo|1985|pp=3–4}} Landing squarely on both wheels allows the racer to maintain momentum, but an uneven landing will result in a loss of speed or a crash.{{sfn|Nintendo|1985|pp=5–9}} As the game progresses, the player must contend with additional obstacles on the track such as gaps, rough patches that slow the bike if hit, and bottlenecks with only two lanes instead of four.

[[level editor|Design Mode]] allows players to create tracks using 19 types of hurdles,{{sfn|Nintendo|1985|pp=9–12}} with options to save and load created tracks for the [[Famicom Data Recorder]] [[tape drive]], which was unreleased outside Japan.<ref name="NESEncyclo">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IE8IEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Excitebike%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA72 |title=The NES Encyclopedia |last=Scullion |first=Chris |publisher=Pen & Sword Books |year=2019 |page=72 |isbn=9781526737809 |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203163055/https://books.google.com/books?id=IE8IEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Excitebike%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA72 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Other releases==
===''VS. Excitebike''===
There are two enhanced versions, both titled ''Vs. Excitebike''.

The first version was released on [[VS. UniSystem]] for [[Video arcade|arcades]] in 1984, after the Famicom release. It is similar to its Famicom Disk System counterpart, though this version lacks the Design option, has three difficulty levels, and has other minor differences.

The second was released for the [[Famicom Disk System]] peripheral in 1988. The graphics and core gameplay are still the same, and the FDS version has several distinctive features that the NES and arcade versions lack:
* "VS. Excite" mode puts two players competing against each other. The options include the maximum number of rounds to play, the track, and the number of laps.
* The music is completely different; none of the songs from the original game are present, and it has a gameplay theme. The music is composed by Soyo Oka.<ref>{{cite interview | url=https://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/soyooka.shtml | title=Game Music :: Interview with Soyo Oka (March 2011) | first=Soyo | last=Oka | interviewer=Chris Greening, Dave Harris | editor-first=Chris | editor-last=Greening | others=Trans. & local. Ben Schweitzer, Shota Nakama | date=March 2011 | access-date=November 3, 2018 | archive-date=April 3, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403035226/http://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/soyooka.shtml | url-status=live}}</ref>
* The "Original Excite" mode is based on the main mode of the arcade version, with minor differences such as a different color palette.
* Its writable disk format can save created tracks.

===''Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium''===
{{nihongo foot|'''''Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium''''',|エキサイトバイクぶんぶんマリオバトルスタジアム|Ekisaito Baiku: Bunbun Mario Batoru Sutajiamu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} also known as ''Mario Excite Bike'' or ''BS Excitebike'', is a remake of ''Excitebike'' released for the Japan-only [[Satellaview]] peripheral for [[Super Famicom]]. The human racers have been replaced by [[Mario]], [[Luigi (character)|Luigi]], [[Princess Peach]], [[Wario]], [[Toad (Nintendo)|Toad]], and some of [[King Bowser|Bowser]]'s [[Koopa Troopas]]. The concept was unchanged except for a "SUPER" mode where the player has unlimited turbo and coins spread across the courses to increase top speed in a manner similar to the ''[[Mario Kart]]'' series.

===Re-releases===
The original ''Excitebike'' is an unlockable in [[Left Field Productions]]' ''[[Excitebike 64]]'', which was released in 2000 for the [[Nintendo 64]]. It is also one of several unlockable NES games in ''[[Animal Crossing (video game)|Animal Crossing]]'' for the [[GameCube]], released in 2001. The Nintendo 64 version restores the Save and Load functionality in Design mode, though it is limited to saving one custom track on the Game Pak, while the ''Animal Crossing'' version can be transferred to the [[Game Boy Advance]] by using a [[GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable|link cable]]. ''Excitebike'' was also released for the [[Game Boy Advance]] in the form of [[Nintendo e-Reader|e-Reader]] cards, and later as a Game Pak for the ''[[Classic NES Series]]''.

''Excitebike'' was added to the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] in Europe on February 16, 2007, the same day its spiritual successor, ''[[Excite Truck]]'', was released there. The game was later added to the North American Virtual Console on March 19.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.n-sider.com/newsview.php?type=story&storyid=2681 |title=Three new releases for Virtual Console |publisher=N-Sider.com |date=March 19, 2007 |access-date=June 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515201242/http://www.n-sider.com/newsview.php?type=story&storyid=2681 |archive-date=May 15, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was re-released in North America for the [[Wii U]]'s Virtual Console on April 26, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/excitebike-wii-u|title=Excitebike|website=www.nintendo.com|access-date=February 21, 2019|archive-date=February 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224300/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/excitebike-wii-u|url-status=live}}</ref> ''3D Classics: Excitebike'' was released on the [[Nintendo 3DS]] as a [[launch game]] for the Nintendo eShop in [[Americas|America]], [[Japan]] and [[Europe]]; the game was initially offered for free for a period but then was sold at £5.40 / €6.00 for European markets<ref>{{cite web|title=3D Classics Excitebike |url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/nintendo_3ds_download_software/3d_classics_excitebike_43152.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910043915/http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/nintendo_3ds_download_software/3d_classics_excitebike_43152.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 10, 2012 |publisher=Nintendo of Europe |access-date=August 10, 2011}}</ref> and $5.99 in the US.<ref>{{cite web|title=3D Classics Excitebike|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/rzR2UbTBHzXgiibdHhfKQZD3PTzDUTG3|publisher=Nintendo of America|access-date=August 10, 2011|archive-date=July 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707164414/http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/rzR2UbTBHzXgiibdHhfKQZD3PTzDUTG3|url-status=live}}</ref> It features 3D stereoscopic support and analog control support. This release was featured among other games from the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] and [[Super NES]] to be released for the 3DS on a tech demo called ''Classic Games'' at [[E3 2010]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Stephen Totilo |url=http://kotaku.com/5566935/mega-man-2-yoshis-island-among-teased-3ds-sorta+remakes |title=Mega Man 2, Yoshi's Island Among Teased 3DS Sorta-Remakes |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=June 18, 2010 |access-date=June 8, 2011 |archive-date=June 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621132523/http://kotaku.com/5566935/mega-man-2-yoshis-island-among-teased-3ds-sorta%20remakes |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Craig Harris |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/109/1098405p1.html |title=E3 2010: Classic NES in 3D! - Nintendo 3DS Feature at IGN |publisher=Ds.ign.com |date=June 15, 2010 |access-date=June 8, 2011 |archive-date=March 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305225010/http://ds.ign.com/articles/109/1098405p1.html |url-status=live}}</ref> It allows the player to save up to 32 custom created tracks that can be played in either 2D or 3D.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/26461 |title=3D Classics Excitebike Will Be Free in North America - News |publisher=Nintendo World Report |access-date=June 8, 2011 |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606032652/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/26461 |url-status=live}}</ref>

''Excitebike'' is one of the 30 games available on the [[NES Classic Edition]], released by Nintendo on November 11, 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3095790/hardware/nintendos-releasing-a-miniature-nes-console-packed-with-30-classic-games.html | title=Nintendo's releasing a miniature NES console packed with 30 classic games | first=Ian | last=Paul | date=July 14, 2016 | access-date=November 3, 2018 | archive-date=July 15, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715075807/http://www.pcworld.com/article/3095790/hardware/nintendos-releasing-a-miniature-nes-console-packed-with-30-classic-games.html | url-status=live}}</ref> ''VS. Excitebike'' was released on the [[Nintendo Switch]] in the [[Nintendo eShop]] in September 2018, by [[Hamster Corporation]] as part of the ''[[Arcade Archives]]'' series under license from Nintendo.<ref name="Aca">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/03/guide_every_arcade_archives_game_on_nintendo_switch_plus_our_top_picks|title=Guide: Every Arcade Archives Game On Nintendo Switch, Plus Our Top Picks|last=Lane|first=Gavin|date=March 13, 2020|website=Nintendo Life|language=en-GB|access-date=March 28, 2020|archive-date=March 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328183806/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/03/guide_every_arcade_archives_game_on_nintendo_switch_plus_our_top_picks|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| title = Reviews
| state = expanded
| na = true
| ARC = true
| GBA = true
| NES = true
| WII = true
| 1UP_GBA = C+<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/excitebike-nes-classic|publisher=[[1UP.com|1up]]|title=Excitebike (NES Classic)|access-date=May 6, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305081417/http://www.1up.com/reviews/excitebike-nes-classic|archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref>
| Allgame_GBA = 3.5/5<ref name="allgame-gba-overview">{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=45134 |title=Excitebike [Classic NES Series] - Review |publisher=[[AllGame]] |access-date=May 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114112303/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=45134|archive-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>
| Allgame_NES = 5/5<ref name="allgame-review">{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=11901&tab=review |title=Excitebike - Review |publisher=AllGame |access-date=June 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114211906/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=11901&tab=review|archive-date=November 14, 2014|last=Miller|first=Skyler}}</ref>
| CVG_NES = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Takoushi |first=Tony |title=Mean Machines: Reviews |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=December 15, 1987 |issue=75 (January 1988) |publisher=[[EMAP]] |location=United Kingdom |pages=134–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-075/page/n133/mode/2up}}</ref> 84%<ref>{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=October 16, 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46 |access-date=June 15, 2021 |archive-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611004221/https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpot_GBA = 6.2/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gba/driving/famicomminiexcitebike/review.html|title=Classic NES Series: Excitebike|access-date=May 6, 2015|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|date=April 6, 2004|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|archive-date=August 10, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040810000317/http://www.gamespot.com/gba/driving/famicomminiexcitebike/review.html}}</ref>
| IGN_GBA = 7/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2004/06/04/classic-nes-series-excitebike|title=Classic NES Series: Excitebike|date=June 4, 2004|last=Harris|first=Craig|access-date=May 6, 2015|publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
| IGN_WII = 8.4/10<ref name="ign-nes" />
| MC_GBA = 71/100<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/excitebike/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|title=Classic NES Series: Excitebike|access-date=May 6, 2015|archive-date=December 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203164407/https://www.metacritic.com/game/excitebike/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Computer Gamer]]''
| rev1_ARC = Positive<ref name="CG6">{{cite magazine |last1=Roberts |first1=Mike |last2=Phipps |first2=Steve |title=Coin-Op Connection |magazine=[[Computer Gamer]] |date=September 1985 |issue=6 |pages=18–9 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gamer_Issue_06_1985-09_Argus_Press_GB/page/n17/mode/2up |access-date=May 7, 2021}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Play Meter]]''
| rev2_ARC = 10/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Lewin |first1=Gene |title=Gene's Gudgements |magazine=[[Play Meter]] |date=June 15, 1985 |volume=11 |issue=11 |pages=38–9 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c0/PlayMeter_US_Volume_11_No._11.pdf#page=34 |access-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105131747/https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c0/PlayMeter_US_Volume_11_No._11.pdf#page=34 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]''
| rev3_NES = 8/20<ref name="Tilt">{{cite web |title=Excitebike|publisher=Tilt |accessdate=October 4, 2024|url=https://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Tilt/tilt_numero049/TILT%20-%20n%C2%B049%20-%20decembre%201987%20-%20page102%20et%20page103.jpg}}</ref>
}}

In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''VS. Excitebike'' as the fifth most successful table arcade unit of January 1985.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=252|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=January 15, 1985|page=27|lang=ja}}</ref> In North America, the game was number 13 on the ''RePlay'' arcade software charts in December 1985.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |magazine=RePlay |date=December 1985 |volume=11 |issue=3 |page=4 |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-11-issue-no.-3-december-1985-600dpi/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2011%2C%20Issue%20No.%203%20-%20December%201985%20%28Compressed%29/page/4}}</ref> It ended the year as America's second highest-grossing [[arcade system]] game of 1985, below Nintendo's own ''[[Hogan's Alley (video game)|Hogan's Alley]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=1985 Operator Survey: This Poll Says Go Gettum! |magazine=RePlay |date=November 1985 |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=91–102 (94) |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-11-issue-no.-2-november-1985-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2011%2C%20Issue%20No.%202%20-%20November%201985/page/94}}</ref>

The game has received generally positive reviews. [[Allgame]] gave ''Excitebike'' its highest possible rating of five stars and referred to the game as a "staple of any NES collection", praising its graphics as cute and its controls as simple yet still requiring strategy to apply properly. The review noted the design mode, as "the first of its kind in a console game, and greatly extends the life of the title by featuring 19 different components you can piece together to build your own course".<ref name="allgame-review" /> ''[[IGN]]'' praised the NES version in 2007 as "ridiculously addictive" and that it "proves video games don't need to have flashy graphics or complex AI to actually be fun. Sure, there are other racing games out there today, hundreds of them. This one may not necessarily be better than the recent stuff, but it's unique, addictive, and demonstrates what gaming is really about".<ref name="ign-nes">{{cite web|url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2007/03/22/excitebike-review|publisher=[[IGN]]|title=Excitebike Review |access-date=May 6, 2015|date=March 21, 2007|last=Birnbaum|first=Mark}}</ref> ''IGN'' ranked ''Excitebike'' as the 14th best NES game.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 100 NES Games |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-nes-games/ |website=ign.com |access-date=July 29, 2020 |archive-date=July 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729063356/https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-nes-games/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[GamesRadar]]'' ranked it as the 12th best game on the NES Classic Edition, saying that it has aged well with "a great sense of speed while driving and an excellent sense of balance while jumping and landing".<ref name="Best and Worst Gamesradar">{{cite web | title=The Best (And Worst) Games on the NES Classic Edition | date=December 19, 2016 | first=Connor | last=Trinske | url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-best-and-worst-games-on-the-nes-classic-edition/2/ | access-date=November 3, 2018 | archive-date=November 4, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104050251/https://www.gamesradar.com/the-best-and-worst-games-on-the-nes-classic-edition/2/ | url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]'' ranked the game 44 on its top 100 games of all time.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Cork|first=Jeff|title=Game Informer's Top 100 Games Of All Time (Circa Issue 100)|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091119071214/http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=November 19, 2009|access-date=November 30, 2020|magazine=Game Informer|language=en}}</ref>

''[[Kotaku]]'' editor [[Jason Schreier]] ranked it as the worst game on the [[NES Classic Edition]], calling it "a truly awful video game" but with no explanation.<ref>{{cite web|last=Schreier|first=Jason|author-link=Jason Schreier|url=http://kotaku.com/all-30-nes-classic-games-ranked-1788813360|publisher=[[Kotaku]]|title=All 30 NES Classic Games, Ranked|date=November 10, 2016|access-date=May 28, 2017|archive-date=May 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527115153/http://kotaku.com/all-30-nes-classic-games-ranked-1788813360|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Legacy==
The [[side-scrolling]] gameplay of ''Excitebike'' was key to the development of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' (1985). The same Miyamoto-led team that developed ''Excitebike'' went on to develop a 1985 NES port of side-scrolling [[beat 'em up]] arcade game ''[[Kung-Fu Master (video game)|Kung-Fu Master]]'' (1984) called ''Kung Fu''. Miyamoto's team used the technical knowledge they had gained from working on both side-scrollers to further advance the platforming "[[Platform game|athletic game]]" genre they had created with ''[[Donkey Kong (arcade game)|Donkey Kong]]'' (1981) and were key steps towards Miyamoto's vision of an expansive side-scrolling platformer.<ref name="Miyamoto Reveals All">{{cite web |last=Gifford |first=Kevin |title=Super Mario Bros.' 25th: Miyamoto Reveals All |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/super-mario-bros-25th-miyamoto-reveals-all.html |website=[[1UP.com]] |access-date=October 24, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105015455/http://www.ugo.com/games/super-mario-bros-25th-miyamoto-reveals-all.html |archive-date=January 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Horowitz |first1=Ken |title=Beyond Donkey Kong: A History of Nintendo Arcade Games |date=July 30, 2020 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=978-1-4766-4176-8 |page=149 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UXD0DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA149 |access-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117222934/https://books.google.com/books?id=UXD0DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA149 |url-status=live}}</ref> While working on ''Excitebike'' and ''Kung Fu'', he devised the concept of a platformer in which the player can "strategize while scrolling sideways" over long distances, and has colorful backgrounds rather than black.<ref>{{cite AV media |people=[[Shigeru Miyamoto]] |date=December 2010 |title=Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary - Interview with Shigeru Miyamoto #2 |language=Japanese |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNa0M1gymgA |publisher=[[Nintendo Channel]] |access-date=April 12, 2021 |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818032229/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNa0M1gymgA |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Super Mario Bros.'' utilized the fast scrolling [[game engine]] Miyamoto's team had originally developed for ''Excitebike'', which allowed [[Mario]] to smoothly [[accelerate]] from a walk to a run, rather than move at a constant speed like in earlier platformers.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Williams |first1=Andrew |title=History of Digital Games: Developments in Art, Design and Interaction |date=March 16, 2017 |publisher=[[CRC Press]] |isbn=978-1-317-50381-1 |pages=152–4}}</ref>

''Excitebike'' spawned several sequels, including ''[[Excitebike 64]]'' (2000), ''[[Excite Truck]]'' (2006), ''[[Excitebots: Trick Racing]]'' (2009), and the [[WiiWare]] game ''[[Excitebike: World Rally]]'' (2009). An ''Excitebike''-themed track is [[downloadable content]] in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and is available by default in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''.<ref name="NESEncyclo"/> A group of Excitebike racers cameo as an Assist Trophy in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clv/manuals/en/pdf/CLV-P-NAAHE.pdf |title=Excitebike Instruction Booklet |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |year=1985 |ref={{SfnRef|Nintendo|1985}}}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/excitebike|name=''Excitebike''}}
* [https://www.nintendo.com/jp/famicom/software/hvc-eb/index.html ''Excitebike''] on the [[Famicom]] 40th Anniversary page {{in lang|ja}}
* [https://www.nintendo.com/jp/famicom/software/fmc-vseb/index.html ''Vs. Excitebike''] on the [[Famicom]] 40th Anniversary page {{in lang|ja}}

{{Excitebike series}}
{{Shigeru Miyamoto}}
{{Main franchises by Nintendo}}

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