Speaking of classic games from the Famicom (FC) era, many players may first think of Nintendo’s “Super Mario” series, or KONAMI’s “Contra”, “Castlevania”, “Red Fortress” and other classics. However, there is a work that is very familiar to Asian players. Never officially retailed on the NES platform in the United States, causing many American players to miss the opportunity to experience it – it is The side-scrolling adventure game “The Goonies” launched by KONAMI in 1986。
This classic adventure game on FC has not been released in the United States?
“The Goonies” is adapted from the movie of the same name released in 1985. It tells the story of the protagonist Mikey who goes deep into the pirate island to rescue his kidnapped siblings. This game not only inherits the adventure spirit of the movie, but also makes countless Asian players addicted to it with KONAMI’s carefully designed levels. There are six levels in the game, from the dilapidated restaurant, the dark underground waterway, to the hot lava cave, and finally to the pirate ship. The maze-like design allows people to challenge themselves again and again.
But what is unexpected is that this FC cartridge version of the game was launched in Japan. Never released as an NES retail in the United States! However, KONAMI is An arcade version was released in North America called VS. The Goonies, as VS. System (arcade platform based on NES hardware) part of. This means that if American players want to play “The Goonies”, they can only go to the arcade and insert coins, but cannot play the full version on the home NES. In addition, the game is also PlayChoice-10 This kind of arcade platform briefly appeared, but for home gamers at the time, it was far from enough.
The MSX version of “The Goonies” is completely different from the FC version
In addition to the FC version, KONAMI also specializes in MSX computers A completely different Goonies was developed. The MSX version adopts Flip-screen platform gameplay, rather than the smooth horizontal scrolling design of the FC version. The protagonist of the game may be Sloth(or still Mikey), with the goal of rescuing the other Goonies from the Flatley family’s underground cave.
Compared with the linear levels of the FC version, the MSX version adopts Non-linear exploration gameplay, players need to be in 25 interconnected levels Find partners step by step while collecting keys to move forward. The MSX version also introduces Experience value system, players can improve their character’s abilities by rescuing teammates and collecting props. In terms of music, the MSX version adopts Sampled music that is closer to the original soundtrack of the movie, has a stronger sense of atmosphere, but the overall gameplay is slower and more focused on puzzle solving and exploration.
FDS version: a special disk system distribution method
It is worth mentioning that KONAMI in 1988 The Goonies re-released for the Famicom Disk System (FDS), but this time a special distribution method is adopted-game Not sold in traditional retail channels, but provided through Disk Writer Kiosks (disk rewriters). Back then, players could go to a specific automatic terminal and write the game to a blank disk to play. Due to this distribution method, the FDS version of “The Goonies” was quite difficult to obtain at the time, making it a rare edition on the collector market today.
KONAMI’s level design skills are beginning to show, with rich hidden elements
As one of KONAMI’s early masterpieces, the level design of “The Goonies” has already demonstrated its future advantages in the field of action games. The game not only has Complex maze map, and also hides a large number of collection elements, such as Eight diamonds can refill the health bar,and Fire-proof clothing, earmuffs and other props It can withstand damage from certain environments. In addition, KONAMI has also hidden some Easter eggs in the game, and players can even find works such as “Space Cruiser”.
In terms of combat, Mikey’s attacks include Kicks, slingshots and bombs. Bombs are not only necessary props to pass levels, they are used to blow up hidden rooms, and they can also be used to attack enemies. However, you need to calculate the timing, otherwise you may be injured by yourself. This high-risk, high-return design was quite a challenging gameplay back then.
The clearance screen has become a classic, and US version players can only play the sequel?
If the player successfully passes the level, the ending screen will show the protagonist standing on the beach with the rescued brothers and sisters, watching the sailboat slowly approaching in the distance… This scene has become the childhood memory of many Asian players. However, American players Missed the FC version of this game, until 1987, KONAMI launched the orthodox sequel The Goonies II, finally allowed American players to play a complete “Goonies” game on the NES.
Will Celine Dion give way to the classic 8-bit soundtrack?
In addition to the exquisite level design and hidden elements, the music of “The Goonies” is also a highlight. The main theme of the game is “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough”, the theme song sung by Cyndi Lauper for the movie. KONAMI cleverly adapted this popular song into an FC version of 8-bit electronic music, becoming one of the most recognizable soundtracks in the entire game.
FC version soundtrack
Although music in the FC era was limited by hardware, KONAMI’s composition team still successfully created a highly infectious BGM, allowing players to always be driven by passionate rhythms during the adventure. Anyone who has played it knows that just listening to this melody for two seconds can instantly remind people of the game scenes from that year. In comparison, the music of the MSX version is more in the style of the original movie soundtrack, with more sampled sound effects, while the FDS version basically follows the soundtrack of the FC version, maintaining the same melody and rhythm.
The MSX version of the soundtrack comes with more sampled sound effects
Whether it is the arcade version or the home machine version, the soundtrack of “The Goonies” was KONAMI’s classic attempt in the 8-bit music field of that era, and it also made this game more recognizable among many Famicom works.
An action game that influenced future generations, the KONAMI style first emerged.
Compared with the relaxed style of the Mario series, KONAMI’s games are often more challenging and full of fantasy and adventure atmosphere. The success of “The Goonies” laid the foundation for KONAMI in the field of action-adventure games. Subsequent works such as “Contra” and “Saloman” also continued this hard-core style.
Although American players missed this classic game back then, now through emulators or remastered collections, they can easily experience this masterpiece that Asian players recall in their childhood. What’s even more rare is that The three versions of FC, MSX and FDS have their own characteristics., if you are a senior KONAMI fan, you might as well try these three different versions and experience the extreme operation of KONAMI on different hardware back then!
Source:old boys game box、Unearthed Treasures: Goonies (MSX)、The Goonies (グーニーズ) Famicom Disk – Retail Release Reproduction、Wikipedia