Episode 525: Worlds of Power (Patreon)

As the NES gained popularity, so too did the Nintendo-themed Worlds of Power books written by the entity named "F.X. Nine." Kids rejoiced. Parents, not so much. Adults who already had Nintendo coming out of their ears could do without seeing Mario at Ye Olde Scholastic Bookfairs, but one fact remains undeniable: Even picky readers loved the endearingly cheesy "novelizations" of games like Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, Mega Man 2, Ninja Gaiden, and others.

This week on Retronauts, Nadia is joined by Duckfeed.tv's Gary Butterfield. They leaf through the entire Worlds of Power line-up, reminisce about its history, and marvel over how a few of the books even dragged kids into the video games' worlds. Isekai narratives have always walked beside us. When we look back at the genre's history and see one set of footprints, it's because that's when isekai carried us. (Into Wallachia.)

It's true that any schmoe can discourse about Worlds of Power, but only a handful have the talent to write a convincing '80s school grade narrative of their own. Gary talks about the modern Worlds of Power books he's written, and the challenges of writing totally rad dialect in this futuristic age of video games.

Music this episode

• 09:25 - Castlevania II: Simon's Quest: Message of Darkness
• 19:05 - Shadowgate (NES): Courtyard
• 29:49 - Mega Man 2: Boss Theme
• 38:32 - Bionic Commando (NES): Area 12
• 43:15 - Blaster Master Zero 2: Jason & Eve
• 52:24 - Dark Souls: Gwynevere, Princess of Sunlight
• Closing - Metal Gear (NES): Return of Foxhounder