Jeremy Parish

NES Works Gaiden #040: Donkey Kong / Donkey Kong Junior / Mario Bros. / Centipede (Patreon)

Published:

2022-06-01 11:41:39

Imported:

2024-04

Tags:

atari atari 7800 centipede donkey kong mario bros. nes works nes works gaiden

Content

Hmm, these games look somehow familiar...

Yes, we've reached the weird speed bump in console history. The time Atari released a handful of late-era cartridges for its 8-bit platforms that all hailed from Nintendo, despite Nintendo having ascended to market dominance in Japan and North America by that point and wanting to cede zero territory to competitors. What shenanigans could possibly explain this? I did not come across any definitive statements about the provenance of these games while researching this episode, and therefore I spend most of its running length speculating idly.

Also this week: A belated look at Centipede, which accidentally ties this episode to last week's mentioned of Millipede for NES. This cart is way better, though.

Files

Donkey Kong / DK Jr. / Mario Bros. / Centipede retrospective: Ape escape | NES Works Gaiden #40

As we head into the final quarter of 1988, we have three classic Nintendo games appearing on what is decidedly NOT a classic Nintendo console. Atari published ports of three vintage Nintendo creations (Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Junior, and Mario Bros.) on a variety of platforms in late 1988, including the 2600, their various 8-bit platforms, and as seen here the 7800. While the 7800 releases can't quite punch with the actual Nintendo-programmed NES versions, the fact that these three carts exist at all turns out to be more than enough to fill an episode with speculation and musings. Also this episode, a little touch of errata: I somehow overlooked the fact that Centipede appeared at the 7800's launch in May 1986, so that also gets some air time this week. Unlike the Nintendo conversions, this take on Centipede is top-notch, with some surprisingly cool additions courtesy of General Computing Corp. Production notes: Video Works is funded via Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/gamespite) — support the show and get access to every episode up to two weeks in advance of its YouTube debut! Plus, exclusive podcasts, eBooks, and more! Atari 7800 and NES footage captured from @Analogue Nt Mini Noir. Arcade footage captured from MiSTer when possible (courtesy of @MiSTer Addons ). Video upscaled to 720 with @Retro Tink 5X.