Topic: Blaster Master confirmed for VC

[TJ Spyke]

I tried submitting this to NWR news, but it wouldn't let me (the confirmation letters wouldn't show up):

Sunsoft today announced that they will start publishing games in North America again (their last one was
Blaster Master: Blasting Again for the PS1 in 2001). Their first one will be Blaster Master (for the NES) on the Virtual Console this month.

http://www.sunsoftgames.com/news/2009-12-03%20Blaster%20Master.php

[BeautifulShy]

Haven't played this series. I think there was a GBC game of Blaster Master made by NST.

*Goes and looks for other Sunsoft titles*

[TJ Spyke]

You are correct, I fixed my mistake. Their last game was Blaster Master: Blasting Again for the PS1 in 2001.

The NES game was well known for being incredibly difficult, even by NES standards.

[BeautifulShy]

How did the game play like?

[EasyCure]

i still have this game and though i never beat it, i still loved it..

its sorta like Metroid come to think of it.. you ride around in this tank type vehicle, over all sorts of terrain (including diving underwater i think) but you can also hop out and crawl into areas that your tank couldnt fit in to. Ever play that Ninja Turtles game for the NES (turtles 2??) that has some side scrolling mixed with overhead gameplay? Similar to that i'd say. Alll i remember is your character having a huge head (lol) and the first boss being this giant slime...

and that i had a book based on this game, which i read, and if the story of the book is anything like the story of the game.. you're trying to rescure your... pet frog!?

I might have to pickthis game up. its one of those NES games i got later on in life, that i enjoyed but due to my NES's bad connection, was never able to finish because the games would lock up.

[BeautifulShy]

Thanks for the synopsis of the game EasyCure.
Also Turtles 2 on the NES was the arcade game but with a few changes. The one you are talking about is TMNT on the NES.

[EasyCure]

Thanks for the synopsis of the game EasyCure.
Also Turtles 2 on the NES was the arcade game but with a few changes. The one you are talking about is TMNT on the NES.

and thank you for the clarification Maxi

For those curious, here's the first level/boss of Blaster Master

[BlackNMild2k1]

My Secret Santa better get this (and one other $5 game) for me.
I used to love this game, but I never did beat it.

This is on my "will own" list.

I really wish I could attach games to my My Nintendo Account so that I can play them from any Wii I choose. My Wii is at my Mom's house and i do most of my gamin on my girls Wii. But if I download to her Wii so I can play it more often, then I won't be able to play it on my Wii when I confiscate if from my mom at some point in the future.

[EasyCure]

My Secret Santa better get this (and one other $5 game) for me.
I used to love this game, but I never did beat it.

This is on my "will own" list.

I really wish I could attach games to my My Nintendo Account so that I can play them from any Wii I choose. My Wii is at my Mom's house and i do most of my gamin on my girls Wii. But if I download to her Wii so I can play it more often, then I won't be able to play it on my Wii when I confiscate if from my mom at some point in the future.

maybe your secret santa will gift you two version of it then, one to each friend code

[Mop it up]

I never knew that this game was considered difficult, especially since I have beaten it. Then again, this was back when I had plenty of free time to sink into the same game and a small amount of games, so I guess I stuck it out.

Anyways, though the game's appearance on the VC means nothing to me by itself, it does make me excited to think that Blaster Master 2 for the Genesis will be released at some point. That was probably my favourite game on the Genesis.

[BlackNMild2k1]

My Secret Santa better get this (and one other $5 game) for me.
I used to love this game, but I never did beat it.

This is on my "will own" list.

I really wish I could attach games to my My Nintendo Account so that I can play them from any Wii I choose. My Wii is at my Mom's house and i do most of my gamin on my girls Wii. But if I download to her Wii so I can play it more often, then I won't be able to play it on my Wii when I confiscate if from my mom at some point in the future.

maybe your secret santa will gift you two version of it then, one to each friend code

I gotta get the other Wii online first. I don't remember the password to the router and I've been too lazy to actually reset it.

[TJ Spyke]

Speaking of Secret Santa programs, is there gonna be one here at NWR?

[williamsjj]

I remember playing this game on the NES and enjoying it, but I don't think I ever beat it.  I may purchase it, but I rarely find myself playing VC games to completion.  I think the newer graphics and methods of gameplay have me spoiled.

[Jonnyboy117]

Ooh, I love Blaster Master! Never played the Genesis sequel, so I hope that one comes to VC too.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Speaking of Secret Santa programs, is there gonna be one here at NWR?

If I told you it wouldn't be a secret anymore.

[Stratos]

Here is a list of Sunsoft games. I couldn't think of any off the top of my head but I knew I had played games from that company before.

• ACME Animation Factory (SNES)
• Adian no Tsue (Famicom Disk System)
• Aero the Acro-Bat (SNES, Sega Genesis) (developed by Iguana Entertainment)
• Aero the Acro-Bat 2 (SNES, Sega Genesis) (developed by Iguana Entertainment)
• Albert Odyssey series
• Arabian (Arcade)
  • Super Arabian (Famicom)
• Astra Super Stars (Sega Saturn)
• Atlantis no Nazo (Famicom)
• Barbapapa (PlayStation)
• Banbam (Arcade)
• Batman (NES, Game Boy, Sega Genesis, TurboGrafx-16)
• Batman: Return of the Joker (NES, Sega Genesis (titled as Revenge of the Joker), Game Boy)
• Barcode World (Famicom)
• Benkei Gaiden (PC Engine)
• Blaster Master series:
  • Blaster Master (Chô Wakusei Senki Metafight in Japan) (NES)
  • Blaster Master Boy (Game Boy; possible conversion of Hudson's Bomber Boy)
  • Blaster Master 2 (Sega Genesis) (developed by Software Creations)
  • Blaster Master: Enemy Below (Metafight EX in Japan) (Game Boy Color)
  • Blaster Master: Blasting Again ("Blaster Master" in Japan) (PlayStation)
• Block Challenger (also known as Block Perfect or Galaxy Force) (Arcade)
• Bugs Bunny Rabbit Rampage (SNES)
• City Hunter (TurboGrafx-16)
• Clock Tower 3 (PlayStation 2, published by Capcom in America)
• Chameleon Twist (Nintendo 64)
• Chameleon Twist 2 (Nintendo 64)
• Cosmopolis (Arcade)
• Daedalian Opus (Game Boy)
• Daffy Duck: The Marvin Missions (SNES, Game Boy)
• Dai San Wakusei (roughly translated as The Third Planet) (Arcade)
• Daze Before Christmas (SNES, Sega Genesis)
• Dead Zone (Famicom Disk System)
• Deae Tonosama Appare Ichiban (SNES)
• Death and Return of Superman (SNES, Sega Genesis)
• Disney's Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Quest (Sega Genesis)
• Disney's Beauty and the Beast: Roar of the Beast (Sega Genesis)
• Eternal Eyes (PlayStation)
• Fester's Quest (NES)
• Final Fantasy Adventure (Game Boy; re-release of a Square title from the Mana series)
• Final Fantasy Legend (Game Boy; re-release of a Square title from the SaGa series)
• Final Fantasy Legend II (Game Boy; re-release of a Square title from the SaGa series)
• Final Fantasy Legend III (Game Boy; re-release of a Square title from the SaGa series)
• Firepower 2000 (SNES)
• Flashback (Super Famicom)
• Freedom Force (NES)
• Funky Fish (Arcade)
• Galaxy Fight: Universal Warriors (Neo Geo, Sega Saturn)
• Gimmick! (NES)
• Hissatsu Pachinko Collection (Arcade)
• Gremlins 2: The New Batch (NES)
• Hebereke (Ufouria) series (NES, Super Famicom, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Arcade)
• Ikki (also known as Boomerang and Farmer's Rebellion) (Arcade, Famicom)
• Initial D: Takahashi Ryosuke no Typing Saisoku Riron (PlayStation 2)
• Journey to Silius (NES) (known as Raf World in Japan)
• Kangaroo (Arcade)
• Lemmings (NES, SNES)
• Lionex (Nintendo Vs.)
• Logical (NES, Game Boy Color)
• Looney Tunes (Game Boy, Game Boy Color)
• Looney Tunes B-Ball (SNES, published by Acclaim)
• Marchen Veil (Famicom Disk System) (original version developed and released by System Sacom for the MSX)
• Markham (Arcade)
• Mitokoumon II: Sekai Manyuuki (Famicom)
• Monsterseed (PlayStation)
• Moomin's Tale (Game Boy Color)
• Myst (Sega Saturn)
• Out Live (PC Engine)
• Pescatore (NES) - Unreleased
• Pettan Pyuu (Arcade)
• Pirates of Dark Water (Sega Genesis, SNES)
• Platoon (Nintendo Vs. Series, NES)
• Power Quest (Game Boy Color)
• Project S-11 (Game Boy Color)
• Ripple Island (Famicom)
• Road Runner's Death Valley Rally (SNES)
• Route 16 (Arcade, Famicom)
• Runaway (Arcade)
• Shanghai: True Valor (PlayStation)
• Speedy Gonzales - Los Gatos Bandidos (SNES, published by Acclaim)
• Spy Hunter (NES)
• Strength & Skill - Guiness Book of Records (Arcade)
• Super Boy Allan (Famicom Disk System) (developed by Asmik)
• Super Spy Hunter (NES)
• Super Fantasy Zone (Sega Genesis)
• Superman (Sega Genesis)
• T.R.A.G. (PlayStation)
• Tenka no Goikenban: Mitokoumon (Famicom)
• TÅ�kaidÅ� GojÅ«san-tsugi (Famicom)
• Tough Turf (Arcade)
• Trip World (Game Boy)
• Waku Waku 7 (Neo Geo, Sega Saturn)
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Game Boy)
• The Wing of Madoola (Famicom)
• Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel (SNES, Sega Genesis) (developed by Iguana Entertainment)

[SixthAngel]

WHO RUN BARTER TOWN!!???!!!!

[EasyCure]

Oh wow, Chameleon Twist... I remember reading about that in Nintendo Power back in the day and thinking it woulda been a fun platformer with interesting gameplay, but I never got a chance to play it. Is it any good? Musta sold well enough to warrant a sequel right? I'd love to finally try it..

and flashback! I remember my brother borrowing that from a friend and i could never get past like the third screen.. lol.. but it seemed like such an interesting game that i'd love to give it another shot. I think i've had this talk with someone else on this forum before, strange.

[BlackNMild2k1]

I played Chameleon Twist. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great.
I don't really remember too many details about it, but it was worth the rental.

[EasyCure]

i'll put it on my wishlist of games i probably won't ever buy myself. thanks.

[BeautifulShy]

Oh wow, Chameleon Twist... I remember reading about that in Nintendo Power back in the day and thinking it woulda been a fun platformer with interesting gameplay, but I never got a chance to play it. Is it any good? Musta sold well enough to warrant a sequel right? I'd love to finally try it..

and flashback! I remember my brother borrowing that from a friend and i could never get past like the third screen.. lol.. but it seemed like such an interesting game that i'd love to give it another shot. I think i've had this talk with someone else on this forum before, strange.

That would be me in the VC Monday thread.

[NWR_Lindy]

This game rules.  I'll download this as soon as it's up.  Like most people, I've never beaten it either, but I did play quite far into it.  IIRC, it's pretty high on the "die once and you start all the way back at the beginning" meter, which is probably why I never completed it.

[vudu]

I swear, if they even think about releasing Aero the Acrobat on VC I will rage quit video games.

I wouldn't mind playing NES Batman again.

[NWR_Lindy]

I'll note that you said "rage quit video games" as opposed to "rage quit the NWR Forums".  I believe the two can be mutually exclusive.

[TJ Spyke]

Me too vudu, too bad there is not much chance of it happening. Square Enix has the Batman license (thanks to them buying Eidos Interactive, who had it), right? Maybe they could reach a deal and just charge 600 Wii Points like Konami and Ubisoft did for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

[vudu]

I'll note that you said "rage quit video games" as opposed to "rage quit the NWR Forums".  I believe the two can be mutually exclusive.

Of course--I'm not going to punish you for something you have no control over. 

[Stratos]

Me too vudu, too bad there is not much chance of it happening. Square Enix has the Batman license (thanks to them buying Eidos Interactive, who had it), right? Maybe they could reach a deal and just charge 600 Wii Points like Konami and Ubisoft did for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Maybe when the next Batman movie comes out they will release the NES one?

[broodwars]

As I said in the VC thread, this announcement makes me quite happy.  Blaster Master is an obscure enough game that I thought it would get ignored at the rate Nintendo's going with the VC.  Maybe I'll actually beat the game this time...maybe.

[BranDonk Kong]

Awesome news. Blaster Master was probably my favorite NES game ever.

[EasyCure]

Oh man, so much love for Blaster Master here.. it's getting me kinda hyped to reexperience the game..

Maybe if it sells well enough we'll miss out on a Blaster Master: Re-armed HD game!!!

[BlackNMild2k1]

A guy that works for the company (Vic Ireland) is posting over at GAF, this is a summarizing of what he said:

- This month, Sunsoft will be releasing Blaster Master for VC on the Wii.

- The VC version of Blaster Master will have easter eggs and surprises not found in the original, and Vic Ireland says you will be rewarded for making the effort to beat the game this time.

- Next Friday there will be another announcement from Sunsoft/Gaijinworks about "whats new for Sunsoft/Gaijinworks"*, which Vic Ireland says will surprise many people and it sounds like it is a pretty big deal.

- The Friday after that there will be another further announcement, as Sunsoft and Gaijinworks continues to outline their plans of returning into the industry outside of Japan.

Okay, since we're talking poker talk, I will say that I recommended a specific course of action in one area (we're dealing with many areas in this Sunsoft resurgence), and Yoshida-san essentially said, "I like where you're headed. I'll see your <suggestion> and go all in <with a MUCH larger implementation of what I recommended, which is what the press release will cover>".

I was literally stunned to hear how far he went with what I recommended. I'm pretty sure you, especially, will be as well.

[Morari]

I already posted in the Talkback thread about this.

Blaster Master was easily one of my favorite NES games. I'm very happy to hear this news!

[Mop it up]

Oh wow, Chameleon Twist... I remember reading about that in Nintendo Power back in the day and thinking it woulda been a fun platformer with interesting gameplay, but I never got a chance to play it. Is it any good? Musta sold well enough to warrant a sequel right? I'd love to finally try it..

I'd love to try it, too. I didn't know it was made be SunSoft, I thought they faded into obscurity after the 16-bit generation. Now that I know that it makes me want to try the games.

I had no idea SunSoft was even still around. How are they in business if they haven't released anything?

[BlackNMild2k1]

Don't you own every N64 game that came out?
wouldn't that mean that you have Chameleon Twist(1&2) and can play it whenever you want?

[Mop it up]

I guess nothing has really motivated me to try them. I could say that about a lot of games...

[Stratos]

Chameleon Twist was always on the 'neat but never bought' list. I'd definitely give it a D/L if it shows up on VC. Plus we need more N64 games, especially need to break out with the 3rd party ones.

[TJ Spyke]

Oh wow, Chameleon Twist... I remember reading about that in Nintendo Power back in the day and thinking it woulda been a fun platformer with interesting gameplay, but I never got a chance to play it. Is it any good? Musta sold well enough to warrant a sequel right? I'd love to finally try it..

I'd love to try it, too. I didn't know it was made be SunSoft, I thought they faded into obscurity after the 16-bit generation. Now that I know that it makes me want to try the games.

I had no idea SunSoft was even still around. How are they in business if they haven't released anything?

They continued releasing games in Japan, this is just their return to publishing games in North America.

[ThePerm]

WHO RUN BARTER TOWN!!???!!!!

lol thats all i think of now when i hear blaster master

[Mop it up]

Plus we need more N64 games, especially need to break out with the 3rd party ones.

Isn't that my line?

[TJ Spyke]

N64 games would be great (yes the N64 library was small, but there are many third party non-licensed games that could be added). I also want to know where Midway support is. Midway announced back in March 2007 that they were gonna support the Virtual Console, specifically naming the Mortal Kombat series as some of the games they would release on it. It's been almost 3 years and Midway hasn't released any games on the VC.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Is Midway still around? Thats a lot of (free) money they left on the table, but it's no one's fault but their own.

[Mop it up]

I thought Midway went bankrupt.

The Rush series of racing games would be nice to have on the VC, they're my favourite racing games on the system.

EDIT: Yep, bankrupt:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midway_Games

[TJ Spyke]

Time Warner purchased almost of Midway's assets (and are working on buying the name itself too), the only things they didn't buy were "Wheelman" and the TNA license. Warner Bros. Interactive (Time Warner's video game division) could release them on VC. I couldn't figure out why Midway didn't try and release as many games on VC as possible after they announced they were declaring bankruptcy, it would basically be free money and could have helped them having to sell themselves to Time Warner.

I just hope Time Warner is smarter than Midway executives were.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Master Blasterbater looks like StarFox Landmaster, but fun.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Master Blasterbater looks like StarFox Landmaster, but fun.

and done ~15+ years before hand.

[EasyCure]

NINTENDO ARE TEH TEHIVES!

[BeautifulShy]

December 14th is when this game is going to be released. So next Monday.

[Cambot]

Here's the press release Vic Ireland was referring to:

http://www.sunsoftgames.com/debrief.php

Sunsoft acquired entire Nihon Telenet library. Could mean obscure Rennovation and other obscure Japanese games are coming to VC and other services.

[BeautifulShy]

Yep we have a talkback thread on that already.

[Mop it up]

This might be my free NES game. This announcement makes me want to play the game again but I need a save feature to do so.

[BlackNMild2k1]

save state don't do it for you?


...i didn't think so.
A save feature would be great, and with the amount of effort that Vic Ireland says they are putting in to this revival (rewards and easter-eggs), I'm hoping they include some sort of save feature. The whole reason I never beat this game is the same reason I never beat Fester's Quest. If you die you start all the way back at the beginning since there is no way to save your game.

[Mop it up]

What's the difference?

[GoldenPhoenix]

Fantastic, anyone who hasn't played this game should buy it! Not only that but it has the best name ever for the protagonist's vehicle! Can't wait to play this game again, one of my all time favorites. One big disappointment is that it has one of the easiest final boss fights ever in an NES game.

[BlackNMild2k1]

What's the difference?

As far as I know (I've only played a few VC games) a save state will only save where you were when you quit playing. But if you die, you still have to start from the beginning.

A save feature would allow you to save where ever it lets you save, and then you can continue from that point anytime you load that save.

Now you might be able to mimic a save feature using a save state if you copy the save state over to a SD card after playing, but not every game lets you copy/move the save.
But a save feature would be alot easier and more permanent.

[TJ Spyke]

Yeah, the VC itself has no save feature. It basically just pauses where you are (like hitting paused on a DVD).

GP, i'm not sure how many people even made it to the final boss.

[BeautifulShy]

I haven't  played Blaster Master but the first Turtles game on the NES was very hard but when you got to the final boss it was very easy. I guess the developers thought "hey you have been through hell here is a gimmie final boss"

Oh GP check the Clandestine Claws topic in the Funhouse.

[broodwars]

Fantastic, anyone who hasn't played this game should buy it! Not only that but it has the best name ever for the protagonist's vehicle! Can't wait to play this game again, one of my all time favorites. One big disappointment is that it has one of the easiest final boss fights ever in an NES game.

Just out of curiosity, does the game ever refer to that tank as the SOPHIA or was that just an invention of the book?

[Stratos]

...You based your name on a videogame tank?

[BeautifulShy]

...You based your name on a videogame tank?

Blaster Master came out after GP was born. It is just a coincidence.

[Stratos]

Not when Sophia is an assumed name and not her original name... It's no fun joking with someone when they don't really post here anymore... 

[Mop it up]

One big disappointment is that it has one of the easiest final boss fights ever in an NES game.

Only if you have the best gun upgrade. Otherwise it is pretty tough.

Fantastic, anyone who hasn't played this game should buy it! Not only that but it has the best name ever for the protagonist's vehicle! Can't wait to play this game again, one of my all time favorites. One big disappointment is that it has one of the easiest final boss fights ever in an NES game.

Just out of curiosity, does the game ever refer to that tank as the SOPHIA or was that just an invention of the book?

The name is on the pause screen.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Only if you have the best gun upgrade. Otherwise it is pretty tough.

Meant final boss fight, you can beat him by staying in the right hand corner and shooting him until he is dead.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Only if you have the best gun upgrade. Otherwise it is pretty tough.

Meant final boss fight, you can beat him by staying in the right hand corner and shooting him until he is dead.

SPOILER ALERT!!!!

[Kairon]

*pumps fist* Honestly, I could never beat even the second level of this game. Which... makes this game a lot like Kid Icarus in that respect... hmmm... so... Recommended for Everybody.

[Stratos]

*pumps fist* Honestly, I could never beat even the second level of this game. Which... makes this game a lot like Kid Icarus in that respect... hmmm... so... Recommended for Everybody.

LOL, I still try to play Kid Icarus from time to time and still can't get past the first level. I get a bit farther over time but then get frustrated and ignore it for months.

[Kairon]

After about 3 hour of excruciating play, concentration, and frustration, I finally beat Kid Icarus on what I consider the game's "easy mode."

By that I mean I beat level 1. The ending credits looked a lot like level 2, but I didn't stick around to watch them.

[Mop it up]

lol Kid Icarus. That's one of those games that I needed to have back when I had absolutely nothing to do all day.

[BlackNMild2k1]

*pumps fist* Honestly, I could never beat even the second level of this game. Which... makes this game a lot like Kid Icarus in that respect... hmmm... so... Recommended for Everybody.

LOL, I still try to play Kid Icarus from time to time and still can't get past the first level. I get a bit farther over time but then get frustrated and ignore it for months.

Ain't that the truth.

After about 3 hour of excruciating play, concentration, and frustration, I finally beat Kid Icarus on what I consider the game's "easy mode."

By that I mean I beat level 1. The ending credits looked a lot like level 2, but I didn't stick around to watch them.

LMAO. I still haven't gotten that far.

[EasyCure]

i still haven't played kid icarus...

I heard this game had some megaman 2 style tricks to beating bosses like using elecman's weapon on the Yellow Devil in the first wily stage, and constantly pausing/un-pausing as it passed thru him. Then there's what the Ghost of GP said.. which i read about in the book lol. I'm really upset at myself for never finishing the game but finishing the book.

[Mop it up]

i still haven't played kid icarus...

I heard this game had some megaman 2 style tricks to beating bosses like using elecman's weapon on the Yellow Devil in the first wily stage, and constantly pausing/un-pausing as it passed thru him.

Yep, there's an easy trick which works on most bosses. Here it is for those curious:
Pause the game right when a grenade explodes on the part of the boss that causes damage. It will continue to damage them even though the game is paused. Wait about 20 seconds and that should be enough. This works for the bosses on levels 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7.

If they are making changes to this game then I would not be surprised if tricks like this are removed.

[Toruresu]

Blaster Master! The game I always wanted to play but never did. I hope it's not as hard as some are saying and that's just child memories.

[Peachylala]

Sunsoft was capable of the greatest NES music ever. EVER.

[Mop it up]

Blaster Master! The game I always wanted to play but never did. I hope it's not as hard as some are saying and that's just child memories.

I don't think it is as difficult as everyone says, largely because I have beaten it and that should be proof enough. It is nowhere near as bad as games like Kid Icarus or Battletoads or any of those such games, and when it is difficult it is because of good game design and not cheap tricks or poor control.

[EasyCure]

Cometo think of it i rememeber getting pretty far once in middle school when I went on this NES phase and went back to play a bunch of my brothers old games. Some weren't as fun as what I had on SNES but blaster master was awesome. I died a few times but I don't remember feeling frustrated. The only thing that kept me from beating it was my nes being in bad shape.

[Stratos]

The only thing that kept me from beating it was my nes being in bad shape.

That's why I put mine in a conditioning program including dumbbells and treadmills before I commence in any serious retro gaming binges.

[EasyCure]

The only thing that kept me from beating it was my nes being in bad shape.

That's why I put mine in a conditioning program including dumbbells and treadmills before I commence in any serious retro gaming binges.

Neither of us have the will power for that.

[Halbred]

I'm considering this, seeing as I have 1,000 Wii Points just sitting there, yearning for release.

But I'm kind of holding my breath for Castlevania Rebirth, which STILL doesn't have a North American release date, even in that 2010 release schedule. *stews*

Whoever said that Shredder is easy in TMNT is fracking wrong. In the original NES game, his gun kills you in one hit, and he's got like two or three life bars. NOT COOL, because the Technodrome itself is a masochistic nightmare.

[BlackNMild2k1]

TMNT the original is harder than Festers Quest. But neither of this is as hard as Kid Icarus, but I still haven't played an NES game that has made me feel like there was no hope like Section Z.
now that game had me feeling like I was never getting anywhere regardless of how far I thought I went.

[BeautifulShy]

Halibred have you seen any videos of people beating the Shredder lately. It is rediculious how poor the AI is.  The rest of the game is pretty challenging so I think the final boss fight is rediculiously easy. Think about this. The Shredder in the 80's cartoon is not really a menace. So it is fitting that he isn't in the game.

[Mop it up]

So it looks like the game may be a part of some sort of contest soon:

Fans are encouraged to improve their skills so they can finish this supreme test of gaming skill to allow them to take part in a coming promotion that will test their skill for prizes.

http://www.sunsoftgames.com/news/2009-12-14%20BlasterMasterVC.php

Better practice up.

[Halbred]

We're talking about the ORIGINAL NES TMNT game, yes? The sidescroller with cheap jumps and brief, painful overworld segments? I'm gonna have to look this sh*t up on YouTube.

[Peachylala]

Yes, the infamous first NES game, which Konami is evil for making.

[noname2200]

I'm behind on the news; thanks for the heads-up folks. Blaster Master awesomeness for me!

[Halbred]

Just watched the TMNT videos. Shredder is fracking EASY, but the Technodrome looks like it's still ridiculously painful.

[BeautifulShy]

Told you Halibed.Now that we got that out of our system has anybody DLed Blaster Master?
If so what are your thoughts?

[vudu]

I played it a bit on Monday.  I really enjoy it.  I never played the game as a kid so this is my first direct experience with the game (although heard many great things about it).  I got to the boss of the first level but died.  Since it was my last life on that continue the game kicked me back to the start of the level so I just turned it off--I'll try again tonight.

I don't really understand how the gun works when you're controlling Jason in the overhead parts.  I pick up gun upgrades and my level goes up a notch or two (out of like 10) but after a while it goes back to zero--not sure if the upgrade only works for a certain number of shots or if it's timed or what.  Since the upgrades aren't super plentiful (at least not in the first level) and since there are so many boxes to shoot in the overhead parts (all of which respawn if you scroll past them and most of which contain absolutely nothing) I don't see how I'm ever going to upgrade my gun past the second level.  Maybe I'm missing something.

[broodwars]

I don't really understand how the gun works when you're controlling Jason in the overhead parts.  I pick up gun upgrades and my level goes up a notch or two (out of like 10) but after a while it goes back to zero--not sure if the upgrade only works for a certain number of shots or if it's timed or what.  Since the upgrades aren't super plentiful (at least not in the first level) and since there are so many boxes to shoot in the overhead parts (all of which respawn if you scroll past them and most of which contain absolutely nothing) I don't see how I'm ever going to upgrade my gun past the second level.  Maybe I'm missing something.

The way the gun works is that every time you get hit your gun level drops down a notch until it's back to its default level of 1.  Honestly, for the most part you're better off just ignoring the gun and going close range with grenades,  They're more accurate, they do more damage, and they never get weaker.

Yeah, I also picked the game up on Monday and played up to the end of the 3rd level...where I got my ass kicked by the frickin' "block" boss.  It's just a room of spawning blocks that shoot at you after moving a bit.  The thing is, I can't tell if I'm actually doing any damage because this boss doesn't work like the usual bosses.  With the others, they gradually turn increasingly red as you deal damage until they explode.  With this one, you shoot the blocks until they vanish but usually they're just replaced by another block.  The SOPHIA the 3rd (gotta love that silly name) segments are fun and more than a little Metroid-y, though I would have appreciated better level design because all the rooms within a level look identical and it's very easy to get lost.

[Mop it up]

Honestly, for the most part you're better off just ignoring the gun and going close range with grenades,  They're more accurate, they do more damage, and they never get weaker.

This depends on which level you're talking about. The full gun gauge can shoot through walls and has a wide stream; this can be very helpful in levels with narrow passages, and can cut through a boss's defenses.

[noname2200]

I was determined to be the Level 2 boss without using the grenade trick.

I am not so determined anymore.

[broodwars]

I was determined to be the Level 2 boss without using the grenade trick.

I am not so determined anymore.

I've actually tried to pull off the grenade trick just to see how it works, and so far I can't do it successfully.  Thankfully, I had a full Gun meter when I took on the Level 2 boss, so he died without me taking a single hit.  It took several tries and lots of grenades, but I finally managed to beat the Level 3 boss with only a sliver of health left.

Unfortunately, I now have the Hover Pack, and I have to use it to reach the next area.  I loathe how Sunsoft coded the Hover Pack, forcing you to gather up these "H" symbols to fill it up instead of using a recharging meter.  It's amazing, but up until I got the Hover Pack every other enemy was dropping those H power-ups.  Now that I have the Hover Pack, no one drops them so I have to keep going into dungeons to find them.  When I get back to the tank and try going for that specific ledge, my meter's empty in less than 2 seconds (and when I'm about to land on the platform, suddenly an enemy spawns there to knock me off) and then I have to go back and get more power-ups for another attempt.  It's just sheer monotony.

[noname2200]

I was determined to be the Level 2 boss without using the grenade trick.

I am not so determined anymore.

I've actually tried to pull off the grenade trick just to see how it works, and so far I can't do it successfully.  Thankfully, I had a full Gun meter when I took on the Level 2 boss, so he died without me taking a single hit.  It took several tries and lots of grenades, but I finally managed to beat the Level 3 boss with only a sliver of health left.

Unfortunately, I now have the Hover Pack, and I have to use it to reach the next area.  I loathe how Sunsoft coded the Hover Pack, forcing you to gather up these "H" symbols to fill it up instead of using a recharging meter.  It's amazing, but up until I got the Hover Pack every other enemy was dropping those H power-ups.  Now that I have the Hover Pack, no one drops them so I have to keep going into dungeons to find them.  When I get back to the tank and try going for that specific ledge, my meter's empty in less than 2 seconds (and when I'm about to land on the platform, suddenly an enemy spawns there to knock me off) and then I have to go back and get more power-ups for another attempt.  It's just sheer monotony.

Ugh, I remember the part about the hovering. It was such a stupid decision on their part to do that. I'll never understand why they did that.

And I actually had a nearly-fully-powered gun the last time I fought the Level 2 boss, but he hit me quickly, and before I knew it I only had a popgun left. I used to be so good at this game too...

[Mop it up]

Ugh, I remember the part about the hovering. It was such a stupid decision on their part to do that. I'll never understand why they did that.

Because it was 1988 and recharging meters hadn't been realized yet.

The Level 2 boss isn't difficult if you know his movements. Just stay on the bottom of the screen and you can't get hit by the claws. Your bullets can destroy his shots so all you have to do is strafe back and forth blasting away.

I still think the Level 3 boss is the most difficult in the game. I can't beat that one unless I go in there with the full gun.

[vudu]

The way the gun works is that every time you get hit your gun level drops down a notch until it's back to its default level of 1. 

Ah, that makes sense.

...

Wait a sec ... THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL!  (But at least it explains why my gun level kept going down.) 

[noname2200]

So...who's excited about the WiiWare sequel? I'm excited!* And thanks to Johnny, we know that hovering is back, that it's harder to screw up, and that you can permanently increase your hover meter (maybe other attributes as well?).

In honor of that, I pledge to finally beat World 8. Tips, anyone? I get past the first big room, and then encounter nothing but Death Rooms. I don't know where to go!

*This is the first Blaster Master sequel to ever exist. If you think otherwise, shut up.

[Mop it up]

*This is the first Blaster Master sequel to ever exist. If you think otherwise, shut up.

You shut up. I excitedly await the release of Blaster Master 2 on the Virtual Console.

Not only that but it has the best name ever for the protagonist's vehicle!

I discovered that it is actually spelled "SOFIA" which I had forgotten about. I wonder if that had to do with the translation...

[vudu]

In honor of that, I pledge to finally beat World 8. Tips, anyone? I get past the first big room, and then encounter nothing but Death Rooms. I don't know where to go!

http://vgmaps.com/Atlas/NES/index.htm#BlasterMaster

[noname2200]

In honor of that, I pledge to finally beat World 8. Tips, anyone? I get past the first big room, and then encounter nothing but Death Rooms. I don't know where to go!

http://vgmaps.com/Atlas/NES/index.htm#BlasterMaster

Thank you much.

[vudu]

Not a problem!  VG Maps is a great resource for a great number of classic 2D games.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Isn't run by an old PGC member?

[vudu]

That would be one Mr. Jon Leung.

[Mop it up]

Does anyone know if the contest that was mentioned here actually happened/will happen?

http://www.sunsoftgames.com/interact/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26

[Jonnyboy117]

I'm sure they haven't forgotten the contest, as Overload apparently has a similar bonus when you complete it. But I don't know any details of the contest(s). I assumed the critical information would be shown in the game itself, at the very end.