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Part of me hates writing these posts, because, hey, if you've seen one episode of game-oriented television in the '80s, you've more or less seen them all. We're at that age now where we can all look back and realize that The Wizard was a marketing stunt, Nick Arcade contestants were developmentally disabled, and "tips" almost always meant "dodge and hit the enemy with your weapon". These shows were awful, and a crime against every lad they suckered into appearing on, watching, or even thinking of watching them.

But much like the eternal flame memorial you made for your cat when he drank a quart of paint thinner and exploded into chunky kibble, I'm posting this video so we can remember those who fell victim to the darker days of gaming television. G4's a pile of crap, sure. But Video Power was pile of crappier.

Video Power's previous incarnation was a cartoon starring Acclaim characters. I'm going to repeat that: a cartoon starring Acclaim characters. This included Tyrone from Arch Rivals, Kuros from Wizards & Warriors, and Big Foot. What? No, not that Big Foot. The f**king truck Big Foot. The show metamorphosed into a game show starring the misanthropic coke-fueled Johnny Arcade lording over a corral of maladroit kids, making them play games and ask pre-scripted obscure trivia questions ("What boss characters are based in the Bronx?" Yeah, that was a burning question for 8-year-olds around the country).

As a reward for enduring such punishment, producers would shovel copies of Karate Kid and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde upon the kids, which is producerese for "go home and kill yourself", if you weren't already aware. There's a swell place to read up on the horrors that lurked behind the camera, if you're interested, and you can hit the jump for the rest of episode one and three more complete episodes of Video Power. Abandon hope, all ye who yadda yadda et cetera.

Episode One, Part Two


Episode Two, Part One


Episode Two, Part Two


Episode Three, Part One


Episode Three, Part Two


Episode Four, Part One


Episode Four, Part Two







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20 comments | showing # 1 to 20
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EternalDarkWing's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2007 14:42
EternalDarkWing
Those poor kids got Battletoads in the first video. :[
comradetrotskii's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2007 14:44
comradetrotskii
This is all very good but I need to go and grab a glass of milk now. It does a body good.
robotplague's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2007 14:51
robotplague
The commentary when they were playing was the highlight.
Oni's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2007 15:32
Oni
I swear the host was on cocaine or methamphetamine or something. Jesus Christ. I'd be scared to have him touch me.
that1guy's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2007 15:40
that1guy
I remember these and at the time I thought they were cool but now not so much...oh my gosh..how dorky this was.
ghnvt's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2007 15:40
ghnvt
I love the "Video Power Edge" tactics for TMNT II, "hit the white tiger, then jump out of the way." Wow, that is insight.
velcroman's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2007 16:36
velcroman
Tom's gloves made me horny
Moon Jump's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2007 17:27
Moon Jump
Great to see somebody found the videos of the show. It used to come on Channel 9 here in New York at around 6:30 in the morning so I rarely ever watched it.

I want to see if anybody has the cartoon parts online, I haven't seen that in a LONG time, I just remember it being very cheesy and the host was a little more calm when he did the tips and tricks and introduced the show.
PiKo's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2007 18:29
PiKo
BAHAHAHAHA during the Johnny on the spot segment and they ask the Indian kid his name and the guy goes "Well thats correct" Simply hilarious.
Lord Helmet's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2007 19:03
Lord Helmet
Wait, hold on a seccond...

..Shredder is from the Bronx?

What the fuck?
ChrisFurniss's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2007 20:04
ChrisFurniss
I remember this show more vividly than any other show of my childhood.
Doomtrain's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2007 20:14
Doomtrain
Hit him.

Then, jump out of the way.
Aaron Mxy Yost's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2007 20:27
Aaron Mxy Yost
I really only remember this when it was the cartoon/video game review show, I'd stopped watching by the time it morphed into a game show.
Lord_Satorious's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/05/2007 20:32
Lord_Satorious
Remember kids, mash buttons until you defeat the boss! Fantastically useful advice, now I know where my fighting game style comes from.
Gamechamp's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/06/2007 02:10
Gamechamp
Electric Man? Who the heck is Electric Man? I thought that question was about Elec Man.

Also, that host is a douche. He kept making fun of the shy kid.

And then, the first two losers... "Wow, you two suck. Here's a game just because we're forced to give you one, now get out of my sight, losers."
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/06/2007 02:19
ArrestedDeveloper
Johnny Arcade raped my grandmother.
Aaron Mxy Yost's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/06/2007 08:57
Aaron Mxy Yost
@Arrested Developer:

Yours too?
WillyFourEyes's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/06/2007 11:06
WillyFourEyes
Wow. There's a trip down Memory Lane I wish I HADN'T taken. Oy...
Roryzilla's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/06/2007 11:33
Roryzilla
"BUST A GAME"
Geo1362's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/06/2007 16:14
Geo1362
Last week my friends and I were talking about how awesome this show was, man we are such assholes
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