Most gamers can remember the so-called console wars of the 16-bit generation. At the time, each of the console competitors used every advantage they could to show how their system was the right system to own. Along with graphics and other features, companies leveraged the coolness factor of their system's mascots. Nintendo had cemented Mario early on, while Sega finally got around to creating Sonic, and the TurboGrafix-16 wisely dropped Keith Courage in favor of a more marketable and all around better mascot, Bonk.
Sadly, the TG-16 did not gain enough market share to warrant a follow-up system in the states, and minus the few outings Bonk had for Nintendo handhelds, he is still fondly thought of as a mascot of days gone by. Now here would be the sentence in which I would say "until now." You know what, that sentence will do just fine. Hudson Entertainment is bringing back Bonk and his platforming ways. To Bonk fans everywhere that's good news, but unfortunately that's the only good news.
Hit the jump to see why.
Bonk: Brink ofExtinction (XBLA, WiiWare, PSN) Developer: Pi Studious Publisher: Hudson Entertainment To be released: Spring 2010
From the ground up, what was shown and playable of Bonk: Brink of Extinction had the right mix of game elements you would need to bring an old platforming franchise back for old and new fans alike. The 2D levels are in place, but now with 3D character models. There's a world map to traverse instead of having to play the whole game at once. There are online and co-op modes so you and friends can retro game together to your heart's content. And you get the same old Bonk as before, but now with many new abilities.
Except, it doesn't really feel like the same old Bonk. The Bonk of oldhad a certain charm to him that doesn't come through in this version. What made Bonk so adorable back in the day was that he was a little guy who was being tough, not a tough guy who was little. In this version he's just a cute little guy. By no means is that a bad thing, it's just that there's no personality to the character other than the cuteness.
As far as the levels go, you can see from the screen shots that the bright colorful nature of the series has remained in tact. Many old franchises that relaunch seem to forget that the bright colors and snappy graphics of yesteryear were an important part of the attraction (looking at you, Rocket Knight). The new Bonk certainly comes through in this department, but it falls a little flat in its level design. Although pretty to look at, the levels are wide open with little challenge in way of enemy placement and physical layout. It's as if the level design was initially geared towards the co-op play as opposed to a solid single player experience, and because of that there really wasn't much in the way of fun or challenge when played alone.
Regardless of whether you're playing alone or with friends, you will notice that the controls also need some work. Bonk's signature moves, the headbutt and the spinning aerial headbutt, look like they're missing some frames of animation and feel very disconnected from player input. Overall, the whole controlling aspect of the game felt loose, especially with respect to Bonk's controls, and this will need to be addressed to appease any fans of the original series.
Which at least brings me to some good news for those fans! I'm informed that Bonk: Brink of Extinction is still very much a work in progress, and what was shown is not indicative if the final product. This is very, very good news since it will give the developers and Hudson time to make Bonk's return a triumphant one. Too many companies who bring back old platformers make the mistake of thinking a platformer is just "walk to the right and jump." Considering how well the Bombermanfranchisehas been treated over the years, it would be a shame to see Bonkget this treatment. Especially since there are plenty of gamers out there that want to see him succeed.
The graphics look great, and since it's Hudson, they'll more than likely work out the control. But does anyone else think Bonk is way too small? In every screen shot I've seen so far, I have to look around to find him.
Do the graphics look less terrible when you're playing it? Because this has to be one of the ugliest games I've ever seen from the standpoint of art direction. It looks like a bad art school project.
Was just waiting for it to happen. Guess Chad finally threw his temper tantrum :)
(Don't mean to be creepy, but "RetroforceGO!-Episode-34-Hudson-and-the-TurboGrafx-16.mp3" is probably my most played track on the iPod. Still the best episode sans Colettes unfortunate absence.)
Oops. I thought I implied that Bomberman got good treatment and that Bonk should get the same. That's what I meant anyway. And the RFGO! TG-16 episode was dope. We never had chance to make a second one because John Lee left Hudson. Sad face!
I won't knock it till I've tried it; but still... why 3D? A modern, hi-res 2D Bonk would've been stunning! The series had *so* much personality to begin with, I'm worried some of it is bound to be lost in the translation. :(
I hope they iron these issues out. But more importantly, I hope we eventually see Keith Courage on the Virtual Console. I friggin' loved that game, and it's like none of the people in charge care about it one bit.
I could go for a Keith Courage remake. That game was awesome. Weird platforming through a peasant village trying to hit gold cats, then you rode a magical rainbow to robot land where you somehow transformed into a bad ass mech, with a giant beam katana. Good stuff. In the remake they should do a deal with Namco and get the King of Cosmos to shoot out the rainbow. Awesome.
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2:20 PM on 11.06.2009
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(Don't mean to be creepy, but "RetroforceGO!-Episode-34-Hudson-and-the-TurboGrafx-16.mp3" is probably my most played track on the iPod. Still the best episode sans Colettes unfortunate absence.)
(i would prefer it to be in 2d though)