The 30th anniversary of Kirby’s Dream Land was just last week, and that got me thinking that there must be games worth celebrating that are now 40 years old! So, I hopped on the google machine to see when my favorite arcade games were ported to the Atari. Lo and behold, many of the Atari’s best games came out in 1982! (If we wanted to go really deep, the world’s first ever video game, Spacewar!, came out in 1962 – 60 years ago!!!!!). To celebrate, I sat down to draw some of my most cherished characters from the early days.
Donkey Kong Junior
Sequel to the original Donkey Kong (1981), Donkey Kong Junior put a spin on the story by having you go up against the first game’s main protagonist. I remember playing this game in the arcade and being drawn to the colorful screen full of vines, fruits, and the great caged ape at the top of the level. Of course, clearing the first stage was a rare occurrence. Its biggest challenge? Falling more than 2 feet!
Peter Pepper from BurgerTime
Who knew fast food could be so chaotic? Avoiding Mr. Hot Dog, Mr. Pickle, and Mr. Egg was a nightmare in this game where you control Peter Pepper as you try to piece together four giant hamburgers by walking all over the ingredients. Something tells me that the customer is going to want to speak the manager.
Q*Bert
If you recall, I talked about Q*Bert back in my Odd-gust post about weird games. @!#?@!, indeed! I always found the hardest part about playing Q*Bert was knowing exactly which way the little snouted fellow was going to jump on the 3D isometric grid that was inspired by M.C. Escher paintings. Nonetheless, we were all enthralled with seeing the colors change every time our hero landed on a new ledge. Crazy to know that Q*Bert is now officially part of the Adam Sandler universe!
Dig Dug
Here’s another game that showed up in my old Descent-ber article. Dig Dug is one of those classics that I can’t help but play if I see it in an arcade. One of the things I loved most about this game is that the music coincided with the character’s movement. So, if you stood still, you heard nothing. But if you moved, the music played in full force! I also found it incredibly satisfying to blow up enemies with an air pump – and even more satisfying to smash them with a rock!
Kangaroo
I actually played the Atari version of this game before I ever knew that Kangaroo was in the arcade. Also, I was miserable at the game. If I recall correctly, I was able to finagle my way up to about the third set of platforms on the first level before I’d have to deal with an angry monkey that threw apples (or, in the case of Atari graphics, a brown blob that threw brown dots). The Kangaroo Mother’s only attack was to punch (as indicated by her giant boxing gloves on the cover art), but she had the unfortunate handicap of only being able to punch one inch in front of her. So, if your timing wasn’t exactly right, be prepared to start over. Start over, I did. So much start over.
Pitfall Harry from Pitfall!
Pitfall! defined the platforming genre and went on to inspire every similar game that followed. Most Atari games at the time involved just a single screen where all the action would take place. But in Pitfall!, the player traversed over several screens (255, in fact!) on a grand jungle adventure to collect treasure just like Indiana Jones. I loved the sense of exploration – especially so with the option to tackle obstacles above ground or to go subterranean when the crocodiles looked too menacing. And who could forget that classic Tarzan call every time Harry grabbed onto a swinging vine?!
Did you know that Jack Black was in one of the first commercials for the game when he was a kid?? Neither did I! Watch it below:
Just add color…The final product!
Thanks for stopping by to check out my art! What were some of your favorite classic Atari games? Let me know in a reply below. Make sure to FOLLOW my blog, or subscribe via e-mail to have content delivered directly to your inbox.
I’ve always had a special affinity for Super Mario Bros 2 (USA), and I even place it within the top five of my favorite Mario games. In particular, I really appreciated the game’s uniqueness, the ability to play as four different characters each with their own individual attributes, and the atypical storyline that expanded on the Mario universe. Obviously, we all know now that the game we got as SMB2 was a re-skinned version of Japan’s Doki Doki Panic, but as a kid who didn’t know any better, I welcomed the chance to see Mario, Luigi, Toad and Princess Toadstool team up to take on a new threat.
Aside from Birdo, none of the bosses from SMB2 have ever returned to the series in any form (apart from a one-off appearance of Wart in Link’s Awakening). I’m desperately hoping they’ll show up in a future installment. Until then, I’ll create my own opportunity to see them on my bedroom wall with the rest of my video game art!
FryguyBirdoTriclydeMouserClawgripWartPre-color…The final product!
Thanks for stopping by to check out my art! Are you a fan of Super Mario Bros 2 (USA)? Who is your favorite boss in a Mario game? Leave me a reply and tell me about it! Also, be sure to FOLLOW my blog or SUBSCRIBE via e-mail to have content delivered directly to your inbox.
Hippity-hoppity, Easter’s on its way! After you find your basket and eat way too many chocolate covered rabbits, hop on down the bunny trail with me as we take a look at the Top Ten instances of hares in video games! It’s lagomorphin’ time!
10. Robbit Jumping Flash! (Playstation, 1995)
The “first platform video game in true 3D,” according to the Guinness World Records, Jumping Flash! is a first-person adventure where the player controls a robotic rabbit named Robbit who is on a quest to help the citizens of Crater Planet from the evil Baron Aloha. The Baron’s plan? To rip giant chunks of land away from the world and turn them into profitable private resorts!
Naturally, Robbit’s primary mechanic is his jumping ability. Now, we all know that Mario can single jump. Arthur from Super Ghouls n’ Ghosts can double jump. But Robbit… Robbit can TRIPLE jump!! Can anyone beat that?? To aid with the required precision platforming, a dynamic camera was built into the game that automatically tilts downward when Robbit jumps so that the player can more easily hit their target.
While the game spawned a couple of sequels, it didn’t have quite the same staying power as some of its contemporaries. However, I’d be totally willing to give it a go if I ever found a copy. It scored well on the charts and has even been listed on a few Top 100 Games of All Time lists from various outlets.
9. Reader Rabbit (Apple II, 1983)
Am I supposed to be a man? Am I supposed to say, “It’s okay, I don’t mind, I don’t mind?” Well, I mind! I mind big time! And you know what the worst part is? I NEVER LEARNED TO READ!
Of course, we learn seconds later that Wayne was just being overly dramatic. He probably used Reader Rabbit!!
Back when Number Munchers and The Oregon Trail were all the rage in edutainment, Reader Rabbit was there to help children learn the ins and outs of reading and spelling. The original 1983 game included four activities from which to choose: Sorter, Labeler, Word Train, and Matchup Games – all taking place in the game’s fictional Word Factory. I vaguely recall playing the Matchup Games where I’d have to try to pair up pictures with the correct word. The game must have worked, because to this day, I am a pro at matching up pictures with words. Pure resumé material.
8. Jazz Jackrabbit (MS-DOS, 1994)
Despite the game’s title, there is no jazz in Jazz Jackrabbit. If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if the grudge that originated in Aesop’s The Tortoise and the Hare continued three thousand years into the future, now you can find out!
In this futuristic fantasy setting, a tortoise tyrant named Devan Shell messes with the wrong rabbits when he captures Princess Eva Earlong from the planet Carrotus. It’s up to Jazz to save the day (aren’t we the ones usually trying to save jazz???)!
The game’s opening sequence, set to a funky soundtrack, parodies classic comic superheroes by showing Jazz entering and exiting a phone booth, each time wearing iconic outfits akin to Batman, Superman, and even Wonder Woman.
It’s clear that the developers were trying to bank off of the success of Sonic the Hedgehog, but as the signs say in the first stage: “RABBITS STINK.” Hare today, gone tomorrow.
7. Mr. Rabbit The Manhole (iOS, 1988)
When we first meet Mr. Rabbit, he’s sitting comfortably in his chair watching a scrambled TV channel (I hear the reception is terrible if you live inside a fire hydrant). His wallpaper is covered in carrots, and he has a giant carrot plant in the corner of the room. If you click on him, he offers you some tea. Selecting the nodding head, your character exclaims “Yes, please!” and the screen displays a full cup of tea for you to drink. If you choose no, he’ll offer you some cold milk with a big straw in the glass instead.
Of all the colorful characters that appear in The Manhole, it’s Mr. Rabbit who was selected to represent the box art. Oddly enough, he’s probably the least interactive of the entire cast. However, one of the coolest *Easter* eggs about this location is that you can watch the entire “Making of Myst” video (made by the same creators) on Mr. Rabbit’s tiny TV screen simply by clicking on it. There’s no way to make it full screen. You just have to sit there and accept the smallness. I guess that’s the way Mr. Rabbit likes it!
6. Bucky O’Hare (NES, 1992)
Giving off some subtle Contra combined with Battletoads vibes, Bucky O’ Hare lets you control the comic book character with your very own hands. The plot involves saving Bucky’s comrades Deadeye, Jenny, Blinky, and Willy from an army of toads. As each crewmate is rescued, the player can swap between characters, taking advantage of their unique abilities.
Bucky, of course, can reach new heights with his super jump power that was ripped directly from Super Mario Bros 2 (USA). Holding down on the controller charges his power meter, and releasing it sends him flying upward.
Made by Konami, the game is solid and it even made it onto Retro Gamer’s best all-time NES games list (as #24). I’m just waiting for Bucky to make his cinematic debut since comic book movies are cool, right??
5. Robbie the Rabbit Silent Hill3 (Playstation 2, 2003)
First appearing in Silent Hill 3, Robbie the Rabbit is one of four mascots for the Lakeside Amusement Park. His figure is the only full-sized costumed character that can be seen around the park, and there is a ton of Robbie merch sprinkled throughout the shops. Clearly, they must have been trying to stir up some Donnie Darko emotions with this one.
Since then, he has become kind of a pseudo-icon for the series and has also popped up in several other games. In Silent Hill 4, there’s a Robbie plush doll in a room, a Robbie tattoo on an alternate costume, and a Robbie hot air balloon in the sky. The Book of Memories game lets you use a Robbie doll as a weapon if you input the Konami code. His most animated appearance shows up in Silent Hill: The Arcade where he is a main enemy in the amusement park level.
If you want your own Robbie plush doll, you can buy one from Gaya Entertainment. Though, I’d get the feeling that it’s always watching me. No, thank you!
4. Bunny Link The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES, 1991)
It’s said that entering the Dark World without the Moon Pearl will turn you into a shape that reflects your “true nature.” So, what happens to Link? He turns into a cuddly, pink bunny rabbit!
As a rabbit, Link is completely defenseless, and he can’t use his sword or shield. Only the power of the Moon Pearl found in the Tower of Hera can repel Ganon’s Magic so he’ll retain his shape. There are some dungeons, however, that override this mystic relic if Link touches a “rabbit beam” that bounces around the room. But, this effect wears off after a few seconds. Perhaps Ganon should have upped his bunny magic in order to more easily defeat his foe.
If you were to enter the dark world without the Moon Pearl, what would YOU turn into? Tell me in the comments!
3. MIPS Super Mario 64 (N64, 1996)
MIPS (named after the MIPS microprocessor) was actually the first character that was created for this groundbreaking N64 game. “MIPS” stands for “Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages,” and I have no idea what that means or how it functions in the game. Apparently, the developers liked the character so much that they decided to call him Peach’s pet rabbit and throw him in the basement so we could suffer the fate of never being able to grab him.
One fun fact that I learned from mariowiki.com is that a MIPS-like rabbit was originally slated to be Mario’s racing opponent for the Koopa the Quick star. However, the rabbit was scrapped because it was too difficult. Maybe it’ll show up in a collection someday called “MIPS: The Lost Levels” since Japan has a habit of withholding difficult games from American audiences.
2. Peppy Hare Star Fox (SNES, 1993)
Without Peppy, we may have never done “a barrel roll.” Thankfully, Peppy was the lone survivor at the Battle of Venom where James McCloud (Fox’s Dad) disappeared.
While his first appearance was in Star Fox for the Super Nintendo, all of his most memorable quotes came from Star Fox 64 (N64, 1997) when they added voice acting to all of the characters. I was surprised to learn that the voice of Peppy, Rick May, also did the voice for the game’s main threat, Andross! Plot twist: Peppy IS Andross???????? This changes everything.
Honorable mentions:
Robbit Mega Man 2 (NES, 1988)
Mysidian Rabbit Final Fantasy 6 (SNES, 1994)
Mugu mugu?
Rabiroo Kirby and The Forgotten Land (Switch, 2022)
Fran/The Viera Race Final Fantasy XII (Playstation 2, 2006)
Noid Yo! Noid (NES, 1990)
1. Bunny Wario Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (Game Boy, 1992)
The carrot powerup in Super Mario Land 2 is probably one of my favorite abilities in any Mario game. Grabbing it turns Mario into “Bunny Mario” where he can use his ears to glide through the air while slowly descending. I actually learned today that if the player holds down the A button, Mario will automatically jump upon hitting the ground. I’m not sure why I’d ever need to use this ability, but hey, that’s what a bunny would do!
In one of the most clever final boss battles of all time, the game’s antagonist, Wario, takes Mario’s powers and uses them against the plucky plumber. The result? Bunny Wario!
Bunny Wario appears in the second phase of their epic showdown. After consuming a carrot and donning his bunny ears, Wario flies around the room attempting to crush Mario when he’s directly below him. Each time he crashes down, the room shakes and Mario is frozen in place from the shock. Chandeliers also fall from the ceiling. After three hits to the head, Wario retreats to the next room to try out another item: the fire flower…
I thought this entire battle was brilliant because, after all, why wouldn’t the enemies in a game take advantage of all the mushrooms, flowers, and carrots that are scattered about the world to take down the guy who has been murdering everyone with the same items?
Thanksfor stopping by to read my list! Do you agree with my choices? Can you think of any other rabbits in games? Leave me a reply to tell me about it! Also, be sure to FOLLOW me or SUBSCRIBE to my blogvia e-mail to have content delivered directly to your inbox.
Happy Sibling’s Day! Let’s recognize some of the most iconic sets of brothers and sisters in gaming! Can you think of any others? Let me know in the comments!
10. Sirrus and Achenar Myst (Mac OS, 1993)
Red pages or blue pages? After dropping onto the mysterious island of Myst, you discover these pair of brothers who have been “wrongfully” trapped inside of a set of books. If you bring them the corresponding pages that have been torn out, they can be freed. But, which one do you trust? Well, which one did YOU trust?
9. Nick and Tom Snow Bros. (Arcade, 1990)
Nick and Tom are on a quest to rescue a set of twin princesses, and the only way to win is by starting a giant snowball fight!
8. Popo and Nana Ice Climber (NES, 1984)
Speaking of snow… Popo and Nana just want to be on top of an icy mountain while collecting stolen fruits from a giant condor(?!). Personally, I always found the controls of this game to be horrendous and could never make it past even the first few stages.
7. Porom and Palom Final Fantasy 4 (SNES, 1991)
This set of magical twins from Mysidia makes one of the bravest sacrifices ever witnessed in a Final Fantasy game.
6. Bub and Bob Bubble Bobble (NES, 1986)
Would you enter a treacherous cave of monsters to save your girlfriend? Well, that’s what Bub and Bob are trying to do – using the power of…bubbles!
5. Mega Man and Proto Man Mega Man 3 (NES, 1990)
It’s interesting that Proto Man doesn’t show up until Mega Man 3 even though he was, according to the model number, the first robot that was ever created by Dr. Light. In any case, he has the best theme music in maybe the entire Mega Man series!
4. Edgar and Sabin Final Fantasy 6 (SNES, 1994)
One is a playboy king of Figaro who loves his tools and the other left to study the martial arts. Their tragic backstories decided by the simple flip of a coin.
3. The Koopalings Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1988)
Are these guys actually siblings? In Super Mario Bros 3, we were all led to believe that Bowser had a set of children who went on to become minions in his armies. The cartoon show reinforced this belief. Later, however, it was determined that there was no relation at all. But, they could still be related to each other? We need a follow up on this!
2. Billy and Jimmy Lee Double Dragon (Arcade, 1987)
Have you noticed that many of our sets of siblings sport red and blue colors? Just a mid-article observation!
Bimmy, I mean Billy and Jimmy take on the Black Warriors (come out to play-ee-ay!) in order to rescue Billy’s kidnapped girlfriend, Marian. However, if you and a friend manage to take down the final boss as a team, the brothers duke it out to see who is the true champion of Marian’s heart – just what women want!
Honorable mentions:
Masa and Mune Chrono Trigger (SNES, 1995)
1. Mario and Luigi Mario Bros. (Arcade, 1983)
Plumbing since 1983, this iconic pair is widely recognized as the most prolific set of siblings ever to grace the gaming world! With the recent release of the animated Super Mario Bros movie, we learn that their relationship has been strong since childhood showing that Mario was protective of his brother even as babies. Are you hooked on the brothers??
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“The Time Witch” was inspired by a dream I had way back on July 6th, 2012.
Last night, Ellora the witch and her two companions were using time magic to destroy children’s parents, thus erasing the kids from ever existing. I watched it happen. She needed the child’s shoe, and then she would perform a ritual that eliminates the parents in the past. After the ritual, we’d all be forced to watch as the child slowly started to disappear. I don’t know why she followed us on our tour to San Diego. The kids who were with me were having a great time until she showed up. Each time she called a child from her room, though, I managed to get a little more info out of her younger witch friends. It turns out that they weren’t always witches. They just wanted power… and they’re not even terribly interested in hurting these children.
One evening, I found out from one of them that a friend from my school had been following us. There was a light rap at the door. It was him.
“Noise.” he said, rushing inside before I could say anything.
“What?” I questioned, as that was sort of an odd greeting.
“She can’t cast her spell if she’s distracted.” he replied. “Tonight, after she chooses her first child, gather up all the kids from each of their rooms. We’re going to make some noise.”
We all waited patiently in our rooms. After what seemed like an eternity, we finally heard light footsteps trotting slowly down the hallway. Then, the sound of a door opening. There were a few short gasps and sobs, but no one struggled. They were used to it by now. We could hear the sniffling through the door as they walked her selection down the hallway. As soon as they were down the stairs, our plan sprung into action.
I walked quickly and quietly to every door. I entered each room and gave a nod. The children all knew what to do. As soon as all the doors had been open, it began. Without any hesitation, children started screaming and running down the stairs. They entered the chamber where the witches were conducting their spell. The kids knocked over chairs and threw papers. They messed up the carpets. They drew on the walls. Anything they could think of to cause a distraction!
“Stop them!!” Ellora shouted.
The other witches seemed more amused than concerned. The kids created a scene of pure chaos while Ellora continued to try and cast her spell. I noticed that she kept going. That’s when I remembered… Her shoes! If I can replace the child’s shoes with the shoes of the witch just as she finishes the ritual, the spell will be reversed!
I headed straight toward Ellora. She didn’t even see me coming. I knew about how far along she was in the ritual, and I knew I didn’t have much time left. She was chanting wildly and throwing her hands in the air, all while trying to fend off any stray papers that were tossed in her direction. Kids were tugging on her clothing, and she flung them away without any hesitation while never losing her spot in the spell.
At this point, the child in the ritual could see what was happening and watched with eager anticipation. The other witches continued to just stand aside with slight smiles curled on their mouths. My friend who had followed us was busy turning the lights on and off to make it seem like we were at a wild dance party or something. The last word of the spell had left the witches lips. The shoe in front of her began to glow. I bolted straight for her. With the effect of the strobe lights we had going on, it almost seemed like I was in slow motion. The first second: I dodged a kid wearing a lampshade for a hat. The second second: I jumped over a group of kids using an upside-down table as a rowboat. The third second: I reached Ellora and barreled straight into her. She flew off balance and hit the floor. The fourth second: The child’s shoe was glowing even brighter. I reached down for Ellora’s shoe – thankfully it was just a slipper! The fifth second: Ellora has no idea what was happening. I grabbed her slipper and knocked the other shoe off the pedestal. Before she could even respond, her slipper was sitting dead center of the pedestal. She gave a slight gasp, before sort of a small portal opened up in thin air and engulfed the entire slipper! Then, it was over. She had disappeared. The kids let out a great cheer! The room was already prepared for celebration. The torn papers flew through the air like confetti. My friend continued to do his strobe light thing. The other witches seemed happy to be free of Ellora’s destructive authority. We had done it! Next time you think your kid is being too loud and messy, think twice. They might be practicing to help stop an evil witch.
Meanwhile, sometime in the past… The crypt was full of old bones that were scattered all over the place. The man, still in his polo gear from earlier that day, was trembling. He held in his hand an old slipper. He walked slowly toward the pedestal, careful not to tread on any of the bones. By this point, the smell was unbearable, but he carried on. He placed the slipper on the pedestal and knelt beside it.
“Our team is doing horribly this year. If we can’t win, I can’t support my family. Please, I beg of you… help us!” he said.
The slipper began to glow. Then, a flash of green light swirled around the room. The loose bones on the floor started to shake. As they shook they started to move together, forming a skeleton on the ground. The green light continued to speed around the room even faster. Then, it spoke.
“I can help you…” it said as if it was speaking from a very far distance, in another time.
The skeleton was nearly complete when suddenly the green light shot itself directly into the center of it. It began to stand itself up. Steam was oozing from each open area. The man had to shield his eyes and put his nose in his shirt to avoid the smell.
Just as the steam was settling, a woman appeared in front of him.
“I can help you… for now.” she said. “After all, I’ve got all the time in the world.”
Thanks for stopping by to read my whacky dreams! Can you remember any of yours? Tell me about it in a reply below. Also, be sure to FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to my blog so you can have content delivered directly to you the moment it’s published!
I didn’t know how to describe it at the time, but there was such pure, unadulterated joy in catching even just the slightest glimpse of someone playing a video game while watching a movie. Immediately, I would want to play, too; this was a feeling that was certainly exploited in shows like Video Power or Nick Arcade. Nowadays, I can check out a streamer on Twitch or a Let’s Play on YouTube to get all of the same feels. But back then, when my exposure to games was limited, this was the cream-of-the-crop kind of advertising that left me craving for more.
In case you’re wondering, there’s a word for this: Mudita. “Mudita” is a Buddhist term that means “sympathetic or vicarious joy.” It is taking delight in others’ experiences. With the 2022 Oscars just behind us, let’s take a moment to recognize the Top Ten Mentions of Video Games in Film! And the Oscar goes to…
10. NARC Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
So, you’re telling me that every time that the Ninja Turtles fought members of Shredder’s army, they were actually beating up a bunch of teenage hooligans? In this iconic scene from the original live-action TMNT movie, we see that the Foot Clan hideout was really just the coolest hangout in all of New York. Bubble gum, pool, skateboarding, music – kids were free to do whatever they wanted. On top of all that, a fully-stocked arcade was at their disposal to “go, play.”
Although it’s only shown for a fleeting moment, the camera stops to focus on two children playing the 1988 arcade classic NARC (“Say no to drugs!”). What’s going on in the game?? Well, they’re fighting the final form of the game’s antagonist, Mr. Big! I don’t know about you, but if I was fighting a final boss in a game as hard as NARC, I’d be losing my mind. Perhaps these guys have already gained that ninja focus from all of their Foot Clan training.
9. Hardball The Princess Bride (1987)
Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true loves, miracles – how would you start a movie about all this stuff? With a video game, of course!
Home “sick” from school, Fred Savage (simply known as “The Kid” in the script) is shown playing Hardball (1985) for the Commodore 64 before his mother comes in to tell him that his grandfather is here to visit. In the game, it looks like he’s playing as the “Champs” against the visiting “All Stars,” and he’s getting destroyed. It’s the third inning, one out, and he’s losing 0-6. His pitcher is southpaw “Euler” who is facing off against the All Star’s leading second baseman, “Allen,” who has a batting average of .283. Allen, who is also a switch hitter, is able to take a swing at Euler’s pitch, but it ends up going foul. “The Kid” is going to really need to step it up if he wants to turn this game around!
8. Super Mario Bros 3 Beethoven | 3 Ninjas (Both from 1992)
from “Beethoven”from “3 Ninjas”
Super Mario Bros 3 (1990) had its big North American reveal in The Wizard in December of 1989, but Nintendo continued to push the franchise through marketing campaigns in movies all the way through 1992 (and beyond). Like we needed more reasons to want to play this game?
In Beethoven, a story about a giant St. Bernard dog, the Newton children, Ted and Ryce, are somehow both tackling World 5-3 at the same time.
“Alright, Ryce, I’m gonna get that thing right there,” Ted hastily explains as a Super Leaf flutters down from a question block. “Okay? That leaf’s mine!” he motions to the TV with his hand fully covered in the legendary Power Glove, his other hand vigorously tapping away on the controller on his wrist.
“I get the next one!” Ryce chimes in while also lunging to the left with her controller.
Did movie directors honestly think we were that stupid? Mario 3 doesn’t have a two-player co-op mode! The only time they could possibly be playing together would be if they entered the battle mode by pushing “A” on the world map when standing on Mario or Luigi’s space! Gosh!
Meanwhile, coming off the success of the early 90’s ninja craze (new article coming soon about this!), the kids of 3 Ninjas are hanging out in their room. Rocky is talking to his crush (“ROCKY LOVES EMILY! ROCKY LOVES EMILY!”) via a can connected to a string, Colt is bouncing on a trampoline, and Tum Tum is in the corner playing Nintendo. At the start of the scene, we can hear the sound it makes when Mario enters a level. We then see Tum Tum attempting a section of stairs guarded by Nipper Plants in World 5-1 (what’s with only world 5 being shown in these movies?). Throughout the scene, he makes significant progress, and he even finishes the level. By the end of the scene, an alarm goes off signaling that their mom is coming. In a rush, Tum Tum returns to his game which has somehow gone back to the title screen. Instead of turning off the Nintendo, he just turns off the TV. So much for that World 5 progress!
7. Galaga War Games (1983)
Matthew Broderick plays a hacker that accidentally triggers a potential nuclear strike from the Soviet Union. Before things get too crazy, though, he heads down to 20 Grand Palace (Food, Family Fun, Games) for a round or two of Galaga (1981).
Looking at the screen, Mathew appears to be hyper focused as the alien swarms challenge him to avoid a continuous onslaught of dive-bombs and enemy fire. With around 42,000 points, he’s probably on Stage 8. He was also able to rescue a captured ship in order to gain the advantage of “dual fighter” mode indicated by the two starships that he’s now controlling. With one fighter remaining, he enters the “Challenging Stage” only to realize that he has to leave. Thankfully, “boy in arcade” (Howie Allen) enters just in time for him to take over. Don’t squander this high score, Howie!
6. Title Fight Blank Check (1994)
11-year-old Preston Waters gets into a bike accident caused by criminal Carl Quigley who was in the midst of a money laundering scheme with the town’s bank president. Wanting to shut the kid up quickly, Carl hands him a signed blank check in hopes that the situation will resolve itself. Well, Preston puts his computer skills to use and hops on his trusty Macintosh to craft a check for ::holds pinky to lip:: one million dollars! In a strange turn of events, the bank president believes that Preston is part of Quigley’s plan, so he loads up the kid’s backpack with bills and sends him on his way. Let the montage of fun begin!
In a scene that shows off some of Preston’s antics after getting his wad of dough, he and limo driver-turned-friend, Henry, can be seen playing Sega’s 1991 arcade hit Title Fight. After doing a little research, we can tell that Preston (red) is playing as Chuck Denver (10 Wins, 0 Loses, 0 Ties) while Henry (blue) is playing as Tony Buntz (26 Wins, 0 Loses, 1 Ties). Only 22 seconds have gone by so far in their three-minute round and Tony Buntz has lost a significant amount of health.
Ten seconds of film time later, it looks like Preston has suddenly declared victory – even though only two seconds of the game time has counted down since then. Additionally, you can hear audio of the referee counting to ten, but when it cuts back to Preston’s excitement, it shows that the ref has only counted to three! Did Preston buy a time machine with all of his money, too?!
5. Rad Mobile Encino Man (1992)
Caveman, Link (Brendan Fraser), is brought back to life in the early 90’s when Pauly Shore and Sean Astin find him frozen in ice. He quickly becomes one of the hottest guys in school when his classmates pin him as an exotic foreigner, but his primitive brain still lives in the past and modern day distractions run rampant.
In this scene, Link is creating ketchup and mustard cave art on the protective glass of a hockey rink while one of his female admirers, Ella, tries to convince him to leave his “Estonian girlfriend” for her. Suddenly, a voice comes from behind them.
“Rad Mobile! Rad Mobile!” the 1990 driving game beckons to Link. Intrigued, he has to check it out.
Moments later, it cuts to a shot of him having the time of his life as he zooms through the streets of Kansas City. But wait… what’s this? If you look in the upper right corner of the screen, it says that he’s already on Round 10! How in the heck!? He eventually drops to 8th Rank and is slammed with a Game Over screen. But dang, he sure got far in a short time! Cheat codes, anyone?
4. Wild Gunman Back to the Future Part II (1989)
“This is a video game!” young Elijah Wood declares from behind the cabinet of Wild Gunman (1984). “I got it working!”
The screen lights up and the two young boys run out to see what they’ve done. “My dad taught me about these,” one says to the other.
Meanwhile, 1985’s Marty McFly (disguised as 2015’s Marty Jr) walks over to the machine, excited to recognize something from his own time period. A former “crackshot,” Marty shows the kids how it’s done (they’re immediately turned off at the fact that you have to use your hands to play. “That’s like a baby’s toy!”)
Interestingly, there never was a Wild Gunman arcade version of the game that’s shown in the movie. The NES game was released in 1984 and used the NES Zapper peripheral. When Marty picks up the gun connected to the cabinet, it looks more like the gun used in the 1974 version of Wild Gunman which featured live action footage that players would have to react to appropriately. The full cabinet was also a beast of a machine, and it didn’t host any joysticks like the ones shown in Back to the Future Part II.
So, my only guess is that in Marty’s 2015 future, somebody created their own Arcade version of 1984’s Wild Gunman. In fact, it has already happened!
3. After Burner SuburbanCommando (1991)
“No way you’re winning the galaxy this time, Dragos!” shouts young Mark Wilcox (Michael Faustino) who is taking his frantic game of After Burner (1987) a little too seriously. Enter interstellar warrior Shep Ramsey (Hulk Hogan) to save the day.
“Use your phasers!” he screams to the distressed child.
“I can’t! I’m in hyperspace!” Mark responds.
“Then launch photon torpedos!” Shep retorts.
“You’re crazy! Dragos absorbs photons to get more power!” says Mark matter-of-factly.
“Impossible! I thought only Zennites could do that!!!” perplexes Shep.
“My shield’s failing!” Mark is nearly in tears.
“Try boosting your injectors,” gives another solution from Shep.
Feeling defeated, Mark decides that there’s no way he can win. “They’re out! I’m doomed! It’s over!”
“IT’S NEVER OVER!” Shep grabs the control stick and faces his enemy with pure determination.
“Forget it! No one can defeat Dragos!” Mark wails.
“That’s what they said about General Suitor,” Shep barks. “Give it up, Dragos! Give it up! Give it up!!!!”
The arcade cabinet begins to whir and in a flash of sparks, smoke rises up from behind the machine. Suddenly, a panel bursts open, and a small white flag protrudes from the back. It is done. Dragos has been defeated!
Of course, the best part of this scene is that NONE OF THIS actually happens in After Burner. The real game has the player commanding an F-14 Tomcat fighter jet that has to fly though eighteen stages of very much Earth-like territories. Additionally, many of these arcade cabinets featured a hydraulic seat, akin to a real cockpit, that would move in conjunction with the player’s actions. So maybe they hyperbolized a bit with this one, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love it.
2. SurfNinjas SurfNinjas (1993)
Keno from the second Ninja Turtles movie (technically the first, too) and Rob Schneider from SNL team up with Keno’s younger bro, Adam, to defeat the evil….Leslie Nielsen? Wait. Seriously? I’m supposed to believe that the main funny guy from the Naked Gun series is an evil warrior named Colonel Chi? Okay, well, it’s a comedy and ninjas are super cool right now, so I’ll go with it. How do they do it?
Well, Adam just happens to own a copy of Surf Ninjas (also 1993) for his Sega Game Gear that can predict the future by showing them scenes in the game that will actually happen in real life. I’m not making this up. The Game Gear is what drives the plot forward for the entire movie. For example, in the game, they see a bunch of ninjas go into a building to kidnap a girl, and suddenly a bunch of people run out of a building nearby to where they are standing.
“Don’t worry, bro! I’ve played this level before.” Adam is confident that he knows how to handle an onslaught of fully-trained ninjas (with swords, I might add).
If this wasn’t enough to suspend all disbelief, Adam learns that he can select actions in the game that will come to fruition immediately afterward. In the very same scene, he chooses an octopus on his handheld (which costs a whopping 500 points to purchase), walks over to a fish tank, grabs an octopus, and then proceeds to open the helmet of his opponent so he can shove the cephalopod in his face (“Eat squid, Poncho!”).
When Keno suddenly is able to defeat all of the attackers, Adam notices that he beat his best score. “I love this game,” he declares!
Well, I played the real Surf Ninjas game for Game Gear at my cousin’s house, and it was absolute garbage. The gameplay was rigid, and every sound would interrupt the music because the system didn’t have enough power to process two noises at the same time. See it for yourself below:
Honorable mentions:
Mario Tennis Runaway Bride (1999)
The music we hear during this scene is from the TITLE SCREEN! That’s a lot of extra movement for trying to select a new game.
Mortal Kombat: Deception 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
Despite them using an N64 controller, this game was never on a Nintendo system!
Rampage: World Tour The Beach (2000)
This game was made specifically for Game Boy Color, but…. nope!
Wolfenstein 3d The Net (1995)
Don’t forget your red pen while you play this one.
Donkey Kong & Mortal Kombat Billy Madison (1995)
No game was actually depicted here, but this exchange is glorious.
1. Rad Racer The Wizard (1989)
“I love the Power Glove. It’s so bad.” While I’ve already mentioned the big reveal of Super Mario Bros 3 at the end of The Wizard, the glaring inconsistencies of that scene have already been discussed time and time again.
Lucas Barton shows off his Nintendo skills (interrupting a rousing game of Hollywood Squares) by donning the fabled motion-control device to play bit of Rad Racer (1987) for the traveling trio. He selects the 328 Twin Turbo car, and then dives right into the Sunset Coastline stage. What’s missing, of course, is the opportunity to show off Rad Racer’s stereoscopic 3d mode that required players to wear the old-fashioned red and blue 3d glasses while they played the game. RR‘s boppin’ soundtrack is also replaced by some edgy 80’s guitar music – you know, for drama. 30 seconds later and he’s done (the first course actually takes around two and a half minutes to complete). We all knew that this entire movie was just a big 90-minute ad for Nintendo. It only took the big N 17 years to finally perfect their motion control technology.
Anyway, Fred Savage isn’t impressed. “Just keep your power gloves off her, pal, huh?” as he puts his arm around his female companion, Haley.
Thanks for stopping by to read my article!What are some of your favorite memories of seeing games in movies? Can you think of others? Leave me a reply below to let me know! Also, be sure to follow and/or subscribe to my blog so you can have content delivered directly to your inbox the second it’s published!
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Did you know that Kirby was almost called “Twinkle Popo?” Thank goodness for the change! “Twinkle Popo’s Dream Land” just doesn’t quite roll off the tongue.
Kirby’s Dream Land was released on the Nintendo Game Boy in April of 1992 (August in the US). After Tetris, it was the first significant game that I owned for the handheld system. I remember playing it often on car trips, and it was easy enough where I could beat it over and over again in just under a half hour. I also fondly recall opening up the configuration mode (by pushing down, B, and select on the title screen) just so I could listen to the Bubbly Clouds music uninterrupted. The bass line especially bopped when wearing headphones!
With the release of Kirby and The Forgotten Land just under a week away for the Nintendo Switch, I figured it was only fitting to devote my next crayon project to Kirby’s roots. Will you be getting the new game? I played through the demo and can’t wait to try out the rest of the adventure! In the meantime, enjoy my classic Kirby crayon art!
KirbyWhispy WoodsLololo and LalalaKaboolaKrackoKing DededeNeeds some color…The final product – with yellow backing.
Thanks for stopping by to check out my art! Which Kirby game is your favorite? Are you excited for Kirby and The Forgotten Land, or have you played it? Leave me a reply and tell me about it! Also, be sure to “follow” my blog or subscribe via e-mail to have content delivered directly to your inbox!
After successfully completing two pieces of 8-bit art, I knew that I wanted to make my own leap into the world of 16-bits. I was also eager to try out a fresh set of Ohuhu markers that were gifted to me by a friend last summer. Searching for the perfect new subject, my mind finally settled on one of my favorite games: Chrono Trigger.
Choosing a character from such a wonderfully diverse cast of fan-favorites was somewhat difficult, but I eventually decided to go with Frog. His sprite was small enough that it would fit snugly on one of my smaller canvases, and he only required seven colors. Furthermore, his theme music was blasting through my head the entire time I worked.
While I can’t (yet) recreate the legendary artwork of Akira Toriyama who was responsible for all of the original drawings, I can definitely try out my new markers by filling in some squares. Read about it below!
First, I chose a template. Luckily, there was one readily available for people who make Perler bead projects. For my drawing to be centered, I needed to know how many squares I’d be using. I also decided that I’d add a row of black at the bottom of this template so Frog’s left foot looked more complete.
Next, I got out my handy dandy ruler and created a pencil grid on my 7×5 canvas. Half-centimeters ended up being the perfect amount to fit everything while leaving a little space around the edges. The lines aren’t perfectly straight, but they did the job. I’d like to eventually invest in a more heavy-duty ruler to help with consistency.
I tried to find colors that matched the template exactly. I started with the black outline and then filled in the rest of the colors one by one.
“Ma’am, thou’rt mistaken, I’m not a pet, I’m a Knight and master swordsman.”
I chose a neutral grey for the background to help the character stand out. I really like how the marker-work turned out because it kind of looks like tree bark. You can see that some of my squares aren’t perfect. Ohuhu markers respond quickly to how hard you press down, so this took some time to get used to.
Overall, I love it! My art now stands proudly on my dresser, and as always, I’m looking forward to the next one!
Having appeared on my Most Mentioned Games list, my affinity for Chrono Trigger is no secret. (The story behind my connection to this game is a doozy if you want to check it out).
Thanks for stopping by to check out my art! Who was your favorite character in Chrono Trigger? Let me know in a reply below! Do you create your own art? Share it with me – I’d love to see it!
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Coming off the heels of a successful Mega Man pixel art project, I knew I had try another! After my girlfriend ordered us some more canvases, I settled on my next painting subject: Link from The Legend of Zelda! The Zelda games have been some of my favorites ever since the original 1986 NES release, and Link’s 8-bit design was the perfect fit for a budding pixel artist. Below are some pics that detail my process.
Naturally, the first task was to create a 16×16 square grid that would work with the template that I found. I struggled somewhat to get it perfectly in the middle, and I had to do some math to make sure all my squares would be the same size. I only have my old 12-inch ruler from elementary school, so this took me a lot longer than I had anticipated! Time to upgrade my straight-edge…
From the first and second pics, you can see that I started adding color. Lucky for me, Link’s sprite only uses three shades! I used a red and brown mix for the shield, belt, hair, feet, and face. Honestly, I’m not sure what that thing on the right is supposed to be. Maybe some sort of shoulder pad?
For the cross, outer shield, arm, and face, I used a mix of yellow with just a touch of brown so it wouldn’t be too light. I think I probably could have made this hue even lighter, but it ended up working out after adding my background.
I’m not ready to do anything too crazy yet for a background, so I settled on a color inspired by the shades found in the dungeon levels of the original game. It’s not exact, but I think it’s dark enough to really make Link’s sprite pop out in the painting. Nothing too fancy here for brush work. I liked the idea of leaving a little white around the edge and then brushing toward the outside to get that feathered look. My girlfriend said it looks like a ring of power surrounding the character!
I’m super happy with how my project turned out! Truly, this is such a fun way to spend an evening, and of course, I’m looking forward to creating more. What should I paint next??
Thanks for stopping by to check out my art! Did you play the original Legend of Zelda? Are you a fan of the series? Tell me about it in a reply below! Also, be sure to subscribe to my blog via e-mail to get content delivered directly to your inbox!
There have been a few times this past month where the wind has been howling wildly outside of our window. It’s loud enough to raise my anxiety a little bit, but apparently this is just the tip of the iceberg. Where I’m currently living, March is supposed to be the windiest month. So, I better get used to it! With all of the noise going on, it was a *breeze* to distract myself by trying to think of some of the gustiest games I’ve ever encountered. Without further ado, here are the Top Ten instances of wind in video games!
10. Final Fantasy 6 (Super Nintendo 1994)
“I hear she fried fifty of our Magitek armored soldiers in three minutes….”
The War of the Magi, magic, Espers… Final Fantasy 6 hits you hard with some pretty big plot stuff within just the first few seconds of your new game. Once the epilogue is wrapped up, the camera settles on the image of a snowy peak where three characters are peering off toward their destination. Accompanying us through their dialogue is one sound: the desolate wind that is no doubt swirling around them. While the wind doesn’t effect the gameplay directly (unless you’re in an airship), this sound effect does well in setting the tone for the moment, and it comes back many times throughout the game when our characters are amongst the mountaintops. Surely, whenever I hear wind sounds now, I always think of the snowy cliffs of Narshe.
9. Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels (Super Nintendo 1993)
The autumn leaves drift by my Mario.
If you’re lucky enough to make it to world 5-1, 7-1, or 7-3 in The Lost Levels, I hope you’re ready for rage. An already difficult game in its own right, these three stages add an extra layer of frustration by tossing in a wind mechanic while trying to navigate some tricky platforms. Easily, the worst level of them all is 7-3 which forces the player to use green “super springs” to launch your plumber off-screen over massive, long-distance chasms. Where will you land? You have no idea! Because your character is off screen, it is nearly impossible to tell where he is positioned. So, falling perfectly on a tiny platform is pretty much never going to happen. Thankfully, the SNES “All Stars” version of this game is quite forgiving in that it saves your progress after every level. If you’re playing the original NES rendition, though, may Miyamoto bless your spirit.
8. Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II (NES 1989)
Cloudy with a chance of eye chunks.
This sequel to Wizards & Warriors is infamous for its box art which features a bare-chested Fabio holding a giant sword in front of mountains of fire. Ironically, the main hero in the game, Kuros, is completely covered by armor from head to toe. So… why this image of Fabio? Well according to one of the game’s designers in a September 2010 article from Retro Gamer, they “used it as an example of the lack of imagination of Americans.”
Anyway, in Kuros’s quest to defeat the evil Malkil, he must take on the wizard’s four elemental forms: wind, earth, fire, and water. Climbing his way toward the wind boss, Kuros must fight off an onslaught of birds while searching for an eagle’s lost egg. Once the egg is returned to its owner, the eagle carries our hero to the clouds above where he must now dodge tornados and….more birds…before confronting the cantankerous cloud. Years later, in 1999, these bird enemies finally got their revenge on our main character when one of them collided with Fabio while he was riding a roller coaster. Well played, birds. Well played!
Meanwhile, fun fact! Legendary Donkey Kong Country composer David Wise also wrote the soundtrack for this game!
7. Mega Man 6 (NES 1993)
Good point: good cook. Bad point: bad with bicycles.
A “Master of Wind” who guards the Mechanical Tower, Wind Man is a successor to the outdated #010 model that was Air Man of Mega Man 2. While Air Man was designed specifically for combat, Wind Man was created for the purpose of helping during harvest time in the farming industry. How exactly does wind help harvest crops? I have no idea! The events of Mega Man 6 lead to Wind Man being reprogrammed by the mysterious Mr. X in order to aid in his plans for world domination.
I would argue that Air Man’s “Air Shooter” attack is much more deadly than Wind Man’s gyro “Wind Storm” attack. However, Wind Man’s stage better fits the breezy theme represented by its respective robot master. Scattered throughout Mega Man’s path are a series of propellors that can push the blue bomber in various directions. On top of that, spikes, flying cannons, and of course, giant pandas (!) stand to get in the way.
Outside of the game, Wind Man was actually created by North American Michael Leader for a Robot Master Design Contest that was being held by Capcom. Many of the bosses featured in Mega Man 6 were the results of these fan submissions. I don’t know about you, but this was a pretty cool move by Capcom to offer their fans a chance to make something for the game. Too bad this didn’t carry over to present times when Mega Man Legends 3 was supposed to be a thing…
6. Ninja Gaiden 2: The Dark Sword of Chaos (NES 1990)
“I think I feel a change in the wind, says I.”
In addition to the birds, horrible enemy placement, and disgusting pushback mechanic, the developers of Ninja Gaiden 2 had to throw in some wind to doubly ensure that young players would fully feel the chaos of the aforementioned Dark Sword. I think the most annoying part about the gales of Stage 2-2 is that the direction will change every few seconds which forces you to wait until the moment is ripe before attempting a difficult jump. In a game that’s supposed to be about fast-paced ninja action, waiting is the last thing that I want to do. Additionally, the rate of this directional change is often enough where it’s very likely to catch you mid-air, thus sending you plummeting to the murky depths blow. Amazingly, Ninja Gaiden 2 is supposed to be the easiest of the trilogy due to the game’s generous continue feature which sends Ryu back to the beginning of the level instead of to the beginning of the stage. I’ve never beaten it. Neither have you.
5. Tornado (Nintendo DS 2008)
“Circle, with the music, the flow. All good things.”
The Nintendo DS was home to many games that experimented with the ways that you could play a game. Not only was it equipped with a built-in camera and microphone, but it featured both an upper and lower screen which could display two different sets of images. The bottom screen also included touch functionality with which players could interact by using either a stylus or their finger.
Tornado is a quirky little game where you play as Toki who is tasked with retrieving stolen Earth items from Prince (no, not that Prince). As a member of the “Cosmic Cleaners,” you are equipped with a “tornado machine” so you can Katamari anything that gets in your way. If you were a kid who used to circle toys in the JC Penney Christmas catalog, then you’ll be a pro at this game!
Grab your stylus and get ready to draw – because you’ll be doing it A LOT. The tornado machine activates by drawing circles around your character. Once Toki gets spinning, he becomes a full-fledged cyclone ready to take Dorothy to Oz and drop houses on wicked witches. Simultaneously, a meter in the lower right begins to deplete and can only be refilled by drawing more circles. And that’s….basically it! Beyond sucking up everything in sight in search of “Planet 69’s” lost items (nice), you also battle giant mechanical dinosaurs, and there’s even a stage where you face off against Earth’s greatest hero (essentially a superman clone) who has mistaken you for being the cause of the planet’s recent problems. Somebody call Helen Hunt.
4. Pilotwings (Super Nintendo 1990)
“Land on the land.”
“Ride thermal current to altitude of 500 feet, then land on the target,” instructs flight teacher Lance who, according to nintendo.fandom.com, “speaks fluently in six languages” and was “formerly an Air Force pilot.” Well, Lance, I better do what you say or….maybe you’ll kill me!
Hang Gliding always gave me the most trouble when playing the original Pilotwings for SNES. Your first objective, as noted above, is to find some wind to send your glider to new heights. These thermal currents are indicated by wavy white dots that are ascending upward. While they’re easy to find, it’s extremely difficult to tell when you’ll actually be close enough to trigger the climb in altitude. When it finally does happen, be prepared to lose all orientation as your character lurches toward the sky, completely losing site of the ground below you. “LAND NOW,” the game implores you upon reaching the required height.
The easy part is over. Landing is a matter of soaring in circles until you think you have enough space to descend perfectly toward your target. All the while, you can hold “A” to flare your sail to reach the ground more quickly. Of course, then you risk the game screaming at you: “RATE OF DESCENT TOO GREAT.” Once you think you’re close enough to the landing, you have to hold “A” one more time (which, again, causes the sail to raise and throws off what once was a smooth glide) and then touch down with your feet just short of the space with the most points – ideally so your character will walk a few steps forward into the best spot. It never works.
If you’re somehow good enough to get a perfect score on this stage, you’re rewarded(?) with this face:
3. New Super Mario Bros DS – Balloon Racing (Nintendo DS 2006)
“I’m gonna need some privacy, so you guys can blow.”
Another game taking advantage of the unique features on the Nintendo DS, New Super Mario Bros DS included a plethora of mini games that used all of the above. One of my favorites (aside from the frantic touch screen version of Whack-A-Monty) was “Balloon Racing.” If you suffer from asthma, you might want to avoid this one. The goal is to guide a forlorn-looking Yoshi who was rigged up with balloons (no doubt by Wario or Waluigi in an attempt to reenact Up) to a flying airship high above Peach’s castle. How does one accomplish this feat? Holding up on the D-pad? Vigorously tapping the touch screen? Repeated pushing of the B button? NO! The secret was within YOU the whole time!
To move Yoshi upward, you must create a gust of wind by physically blowing into the DS’s microphone. With each burst of air, Yoshi will begin to ascend. All the while, you must avoid Fly Guys who are patrolling the skies above. I found that it was best to blow gently into the microphone. If I blew too hard, the action wouldn’t register and Yoshi would remain in the same spot.
To this day, I think this is one of the most clever uses of Nintendo hardware. It’s a feature that harkens all the way back to the Japanese Famicon which allowed you to destroy the “Pols Voice” enemies in the original Legend of Zelda by shouting into the system’s built-in microphone. What weird bodily feature will they incorporate into a game next?!
2. The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker (Gamecube 2002)
“Is that the best you can do? You’re gonna have to kill me!”
I can’t think of a Zelda game that *doesn’t* feature wind in some capacity. Here’s a short list:
The Legend of Zelda – Link plays a whistle which summons a tornado to transport him to different areas on the map. The Minish Cap – Link acquires the “Gust Jar” which both sucks and blows in order to manipulate objects or defeat enemies. A Link Between Worlds – The Tornado Rod creates a mini-tornado that can lift Link high into the air to reach new areas or flip over objects/enemies. Phantom Hourglass – Making use of the DS microphone again, players can use their breath to physically “blow out” candles in the game which is a required feature that’s needed to gain access to one of the main temples. Breath of the Wild – Link literally soars through the air on a Paraglider given to him by the King of Hyrule. Additionally, he can obtain the power of Rivali’s Gale which, like the Tornado Rod, lifts him high into the air.
Obviously, the most prominent use of wind can be seen in the game with “wind” in the title. In Windwaker, Link is given a conducting baton that allows him to control the direction of the wind so he may more easily sail the seas of a flooded Hyrule. Not only that but there is an entire temple dedicated to wind which Link must tackle with his companion Kokiri, Fado. Manipulation of gusts along with crafty use of the Deku Leaf is required to navigate the sprawling temple that centers around one large room with a massive fan at the bottom.
Some players out there have considered sailing to be a tedious form of travel, but I always found these sections to be completely relaxing. If boating is not your thing, Windwaker HD added a “Swift Sail” which can speed up your trek across the water. My only gripe with players who use this new item is that they’re missing out on the chance to hear more of the fantastic Ocean Theme music!
Honorable Mentions:
Chrono Trigger (Super Nintendo 1995)
Super Mario 64 (N64 1996)
Blowing into your NES cartridges
1. Flower (Playstation 3/Various 2009)
Loves me…?
One of the most uplifting, beautiful, and calming experiences in which one can partake, Flower is a game where you don’t just control the wind – you ARE the wind. Your objective is to guide a single petal through the air toward various patches of flowers. Each time you get close, you gain the petals of those corresponding patches which results in a potpourri of color swirling throughout the skies. At the same time, the game’s music, composed by Vincent Diamante, responds in real time with the player’s actions which adds to the overall harmonious environment that the game strives to maintain.
Flower won “best independent game of 2009,” and gosh darn it, it deserved it so hard. If you love exploration and want to feel warm for an hour or two, be sure to pick it up. I can recount so many times when I’d throw on the soundtrack to help me get through heaps of paperwork while applying for grad school. It worked like a charm. And hey, I might not be where I am today if not for this exhilarating music that kept me soaring above all of life’s difficulties.
Thanks for stopping by to read my post! What are some other great instances of wind in video games? Let me know in a reply below. Also, be sure to subscribe via e-mail to have my content delivered directly to your inbox the second it gets posted!
Eric Hagmann Music 