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[Nerdkiller]

Tag Team Wrestling retrospective: The NES gets jobbed | NES Works #029

The NES gets its third third-party title, its second wrestling game, and yet another trash fire to burn away into the night. This may be the worst NES release yet thanks to its bizarre and poorly handled rendition of pro wrestling. But at least it gave us some memes.

Also, we haven't seen you do a Gintendo for a while, Jeremy. Ran out of booze or something?

 

[ToastyFrog]

I've been out of the country. Kinda hard to stream while on the other side of the planet.

 

[Worthintendo]

I've been out of the country. Kinda hard to stream while on the other side of the planet.

Thats not good enough Jeremy, next time you do a trip to Japan we fully expect you to take your streaming rig over with you and stream either from your hotel room or preferably live from a street in Akihabara, possibly a multiplayer game with one of the girls dressed up as a maid handing out flyers

That said I'm keen to see more of your playthrough of Seiken Densetsu 3, I love that you picked the exact same 3 characters as I did on my first playthrough.

 

[Nerdkiller]

Ninja Kid retrospective: An unlikely glimmer of hope | NES Works #030

Yet another game by TOSE and Bandai based on a Japanese manga and anime property. Oh noooo! But wait. Ninja Kid is actually... kinda good? Like, legit fun in an old-school arcade sort of way, with varied level objectives and play styles, and a pretty decent power-up system. Maybe this whole "NES third party content" thing isn't doomed to trash-tier video game hell after all....

 

[Nerdkiller]

1942 retrospective: Capcom's disaster at sea | NES Works #031

One of the all-time great Nintendo third-party publishers makes its debut on NES here, but this release — produced by infamous low-grade development contractor Micronics — offers little to hint at the greatness we could eventually come to expect from the Capcom name.

Also, proposals for the name of an alcohol based playthrough of EU/Japan Mega Drive games...Mega Gin, Mega Wine, Sega Mega Sake (for Mega CD playthroughs), Sega Rum Through, I'll be here all night, folks.

Spoiler

Genesis as a name still sucks.

 

[Nerdkiller]

Well...this is different.

Miss Peach World (NSFW) retrospective: American trash becomes Japanese filth | NES Works Gaiden #07

By Patron request, here's a "controversial game": An unlicensed and slightly smutty American game that became straight-up porn when Japanese publisher Hacker International got ahold of it. And to further tempt the fates, they sold it with packaging that made it look like a Mario game starring Princess Peach. Some men want to watch the world burn; myself, I'd settle for burning this janky excuse for an NES game.

 

[Nerdkiller]

Oh, Boulder Dash.

Boulder Dash retrospective: A fine PC vintage | Game Boy Works #089

Yet another old PC game makes its way to Game Boy: First Star's Boulder Dash. It loses the custom level builder and gains a new art style, but otherwise this is a faithful (and perfectly decent) conversion of a computer gaming classic for the small screen. Again.

 

[butalala]

Hey Jeremy, any chance for a return to SNES works in light of the SNES Classic?

Either way you decide to go, keep up the good work. I really enjoy your videos.

 

[FN-2187]

I know Jeremy already has his hands full with the different system he is covering, but I would love it if he added a Sega system to the mix. Maybe Game Gear? I know that is probably impossible to capture without emulators, but there must be some hidden gems on that system and it is often neglected when it comes to retro discussions and retro releases (besides the few the 3DS saw).

 

[Nerdkiller]

Ghosts ’N Goblins retrospective: The delicate art of self-flagellation | NES Works #032

The second (and, as it happens, final) Micronics/Capcom joint for NES falls upon the cruel arcade torture implement known as Ghosts ’N Goblins. While it's a more technically competent port than 1942, the trademark Micronics jank makes a tough game even more brutal. You'll notice this video doesn't contain any footage captured beyond the second boss, and that is because I have better things to do with my life than dash my brains repeatedly against the torture implement that is this game. Anyway! Things get better from here.

Hey, topical.

 

[Zero-Crescent]

Ghosts ’N Goblins retrospective: The delicate art of self-flagellation | NES Works #032



Hey, topical.

Ah, makes me think back to the Game Center CX episode for Ghost 'N Goblins, particularly to Arino's reaction to the fake-out ending.
"

Spoiler

GIVE UP!

... If I have to keep playing this, I might end up hating all games."

 

[ToastyFrog]

I know Jeremy already has his hands full with the different system he is covering, but I would love it if he added a Sega system to the mix. Maybe Game Gear? I know that is probably impossible to capture without emulators, but there must be some hidden gems on that system and it is often neglected when it comes to retro discussions and retro releases (besides the few the 3DS saw).

I have some SEGA plans in mind, but not comprehensive series. I have enough on my plate...

 

[FN-2187]

I have some SEGA plans in mind, but not comprehensive series. I have enough on my plate...

Awesome! Look forward to it. Also, thanks for the many great gin recommendations during your streams!

 

[sixteen-bit]

I originally heard about Heiankyo Alien in one of the Game Boy Works videos.

Interestingly, there's a new entry in the series coming to Famicom this August courtesy of Columbus Circle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34-Wptj5tRk
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B073P5KZ9J/

I know Jeremy Parish has covered Columbus Circle releases on his channel before, so I hope he dives into this once it's out.

 

[ToastyFrog]

Well...

https://twitter.com/gamespite/status/883088872695099392

 

[Nerdkiller]

Commando retrospective: A rapid assault of quality | NES Works #033

Capcom brings its NES development in-house with its third NES release, Commando, and nothing will ever be the same again. A fairly straightforward shoot-em-up offers a perfect trial run for the factors that will help propel the company to the upper echelons of NES development: Rock-solid technical underpinnings and home-exclusive content.

 

[Nerdkiller]

Karate Champ retrospective: Weak jab | NES Works #034

The penultimate NES release of 1986 finds Data East once again struggling to find its voice as a console publisher. Karate Champ takes a seminal arcade release and turns it into an NES dud best forgotten, despite appearing on the surface to be a largely faithful conversion. It's all in the details....

 

[Nerdkiller]

Gradius retrospective: A stellar finish | NES Works #035

And here we arrive at last at the end of NES Works 1986. Thankfully, we've saved the best for last. Gradius turns the tables on the NES's woeful early third-party days, presenting a cutting-edge contemporary arcade shooter with a minimum of compromises. It's not arcade-perfect, but it's every bit as satisfying as the original Gradius — a promising sign for new NES publisher Konami, who jumps immediately to the front of the console race with this debut release.

Also, I came across a loose copy of Mercenary Forces down at the RAGE shop in Dublin a couple of days ago for €20, and thought to myself..."I should probably get this after I get a new GBA SP".

 

[Nerdkiller]

Lunar Lander retrospective: Moons over my Game Boy | Game Boy Works #090

A real blast(-off) from the past here, with Pack-In Video's oddball rendition of classic computer simulation Lunar Lander... or more likely Atari's arcade rendition of the concept. There has never been another adaptation of Lunar Lander quite like this before, though... especially the parts where you dodge aliens while plundering the moon's resources.

 

[Worthintendo]

Lunar Lander retrospective: Moons over my Game Boy | Game Boy Works #090

Yus, back to Game Boy ^_^, can't wait to watch this later today

 

[ToastyFrog]

Yus, back to Game Boy ^_^, can't wait to watch this later today

Only for this week, I'm afraid. I'm treading water on GB until I can find a boxed copy of Fish Dude... plus, everyone has SNES mania at the moment, so I wanna jump in on that.

 

[Worthintendo]

Only for this week, I'm afraid. I'm treading water on GB until I can find a boxed copy of Fish Dude... plus, everyone has SNES mania at the moment, so I wanna jump in on that.

I'm going to be waiting forever for you to get to New Ghostbusters II on the GB aren't I Jeremy

 

[ToastyFrog]

Probably, unless you can help me find that elusive box!

 

[Nerdkiller]

SNES (aka, snezz) returns.


SimCity retrospective: Civic responsibilities | Super NES Works #004

We resume a retrospective journey through the Super NES's 1991 U.S. lineup with this wonderful adaptation of the Maxis PC classic SimCity. Developed by Nintendo and Intelligent Systems, SimCity showed off a different side of the Super NES.

Also in this episode: An explanation of the change in name from Mode Seven to Super NES Works.

 

[Nerdkiller]

Gradius III retrospective: Life at half-speed | Super NES Works #005

Konami makes its Super NES debut (and so soon on this channel after their first NES game!) with the third Gradius game, and the second to make its way to the U.S.: Gradius III, a verrrrry sloooow adaptaaaation of a murderous arcade game. While it doesn't show off Nintendo's shiny new Super NES hardware to the most flattering effect, the constant, all-consuming slowdown actually does have its share of beneficial side effects....

 

[Nerdkiller]

Final Fight retrospective: Going it alone | Super NES Works #006

Capcom arrives half-heartedly on Super NES with a deeply flawed conversion of arcade smash Final Fight. Missing stages, characters, and play options, this 16-bit debut looked nice in magazines, but it didn't play nearly as impressively as Nintendo's own releases.

So, Jeremy...how do Streets of Rage 2 and 3 compare to Final Fight 2 and 3?

 

[ToastyFrog]

SOR2 > FF2
SOR3 < FF3

Or that's my recollection, anyway.

 

[Nerdkiller]

SunSoft Grand Prix retrospective: Formulaic one | Game Boy Works #091

SunSoft gives Europe an unremarkable but perfectly decent adaptation of formula one racing… roughly two months before Nintendo releases its own revolutionary take on the sport.

Spoiler

OLD NEXT EPISODE MUSIC IS BACK!

 

[Nerdkiller]

Maru's Mission retrospective: Slow-gun warrior | Game Boy Works #092

Jaleco's long-running Ninja Jajamaru-kun series finally makes its debut in the U.S., and... it's very unfortunate that it does so in this form. Jajamaru's first portable has some interesting moments, but it's a total mess on the technical side and features some weirdly bizarre and hostile design choices. Oh well.

Please note: This game incorporates a flickering strobe effect that appeared to create a fifth shade of grey on Game Boy. However, in this high-definition/60fps format, it could cause issues for those with sensitivity to flashing, high-contrast color.

So yeah, if you happen to suffer from Epilepsy, be warned.

 

[Nerdkiller]

Balloon Kid retrospective: 99 kinder ballons | Game Boy Works #093

The Game Boy takes up its mantle as the true successor to the NES (sort of) with the first of several Nintendo R&D1-developed sequels to classic NES games: Balloon Kid, a greatly expanded (and great) reworking of Balloon Fight's "Balloon Trip" mode.

It's Game Boy World and this is...

Spoiler

Hello Kitty

World?

 

[Man God]

Three months for more Gameboy? Oh boy.

 

[Nerdkiller]

Three months for more Gameboy? Oh boy.

On the other hand...more time for SNES games, going by the ending for NES Works #035. Drakkhen will very much be the next title featured.

 

[ToastyFrog]

Game Boy Works will be stalled out until I can track down the box to Fish Dude, I'm afraid.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

Oof. That is going to be hard to track down. That's one of the rarest games in the library. And complete with the box and manual? You might have to find a private collector who's willing to loan it out.

 

[ToastyFrog]

A complete copy sold on eBay a couple of months ago, but eBay didn't bother to trigger the auction alert emails I had set up because it was on a European branch of eBay. I'm still pissed.

Honestly, at this point, if I could get a high-rez scan of the cover I'd fake a photo in Photoshop. I have the manual and cart on hand.

 

[Muffdraul]

One of JParish's retrospectives on Donkey Kong Jr. opened with him saying sternly, "Don't ever talk to me or my son again" and I used to watch that part whenever I felt like I needed a chuckle. But last time I tried, I couldn't find it. =(

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

I'll add it to my ebay search terms. I'm always on there, looking for various rare items. If I see one pop up, I'll PM you immediately about it.

One is bound to pop up eventually.

 

[El Pescado]

Game Boy Works will be stalled out until I can track down the box to Fish Dude, I'm afraid.

Couldn't you just put up a photo of the cart and manual with a *Box Unavailable notice on the photo?

 

[ToastyFrog]

One of JParish's retrospectives on Donkey Kong Jr. opened with him saying sternly, "Don't ever talk to me or my son again" and I used to watch that part whenever I felt like I needed a chuckle. But last time I tried, I couldn't find it. =(

It's still there! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcvxV91H1yI

I'll add it to my ebay search terms. I'm always on there, looking for various rare items. If I see one pop up, I'll PM you immediately about it.

One is bound to pop up eventually.

That's kind of you, but "eventually" may be a long-ass time from now... but, once I have that, I think my next deathly road bump is Sumo Fighter. Last boxed copy of that went for about $900, I think. (Amazingly, someone was kind enough to send me a boxed copy of Avenging Spirit, which cleared one of the big-ticket obstacles from the board.)

 

[Muffdraul]

It's still there! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcvxV91H1yI

Ahhh that's the stuff.

 

[Syril]

Balloon Kid retrospective: 99 kinder ballons | Game Boy Works #093

It's Game Boy World and this is...

Spoiler

Hello Kitty

World?

Ok wow a Balloon Fight adventure, I didn't know that existed. Well I know the next game I'm buying.

 

[CharlesDangus]

I know Jeremy already has his hands full with the different system he is covering, but I would love it if he added a Sega system to the mix. Maybe Game Gear? I know that is probably impossible to capture without emulators, but there must be some hidden gems on that system and it is often neglected when it comes to retro discussions and retro releases (besides the few the 3DS saw).

There are VGA mods for real Game Gear hardware and also a Game Gear FPGA core for the Analogue NT Mini, which Jeremy owns, so it'd be no harder than any other HDMI source.

 

[ToastyFrog]

I have invested in a bunch of CIB Lynx and Game Gear software in the event that somehow I am ever able to produce more than one video per week. (It'll never happen.)

 

[Nerdkiller]

Drakkhen retrospective: Hak hak ’n slash | Super NES Works #007

The Super NES gets its very first RPG, borrowed from the European PC scene, and it's pretty weird! Intriguingly weird, but weird all the same. For example: it's a 3D RPG that uses a flat scrolling visual effect but doesn't make use of Mode 7. What a strange little adventure.

 

[PK Strawstorm]

Drakkhen retrospective: Hak hak ’n slash | Super NES Works #007

Drakkhen was one of the first SNES games I had as a kid with no personal income who depended on whatever random stuff his parents got him from the discount bin. Having jumped from Atari to SNES, this was my first RPG, and honestly it took me years to understand how to play it. I think I like it but I cannot really separate my opinion from from my personal history as a kid who just liked removing everyone's equipment and making them fight in their underwear.

 

[Nerdkiller]

Oooh, preview episode of what's to come.

Super NES Classic Edition preview: Future-retrospective | Super NES Works #????

Also, get with the times, Jeremy. It's officially pronounced "snezz" now (as it should and forever shall be).

Also also, BONUS COMPARISON FOOTAGE!

Alternating footage between Super NES Classic Edition and original cartridge/hardware versions of Final Fantasy III and Mega Man X for comparison (Super NES Classic Edition has brighter graphics and slightly harsher/higher-pitched audio, while the analog setup suffers from slight buzzing from the cables involved).

 

[ToastyFrog]

Also, get with the times, Jeremy. It's officially pronounced "snezz" now (as it should and forever shall be).

Never. I will always love England for giving us progressive rock and Pimm's cups, but those folks seriously come up with the worst nicknames and slang on the planet.

 

[RadarScope1]

Looking pretty good. Certainly close enough for what it is. Anyone chasing perfection will be going the original hardware route anyway.

 

[Nerdkiller]

And here we go with the SNES (snezz) Classic episode.

Super NES Classic Edition review: A morsel of nostalgia | Super NES Works #722

Skipping WAY ahead in the numeration of this series, we look at the latest official Super NES release: Nintendo's new mini-Super NES, which includes 20 classic games and the shiny new ("new") release Star Fox 2. While there aren't a lot of surprises here, the Super NES mini offers a remarkably faithful and fully featured emulation experience for its price. And the games this time around are a lot less hit-or-miss than they were on the NES mini…

And I should have mentioned this ages ago, but if you want to see more of this kind of work per week, please support Jeremy's Patreon. If you can get him over $3,000 a month, he can do a second Works video a week, which as you can see by the number of SNES games implied in the latest video's title (let alone the amount of games for the other systems), it may take decades to complete the series. He's currently hovering at just over $2,000 right now, so if you've got cash in hand, why don't you spare him a few bob?

 

[Sapiens]

In Canada, we all called it the 'es-ness'