MMMC - Popeye

[scooterb23]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/scooterb23/mameclub.jpg

I'm strong to the finich 'cause I eat my spinach I'm Popeye the Sailorman *TOOT TOOT*

That's right everybody, this week we're playing the 1982 Nintendo classic POPEYE. I spent a lot of time in the arcades playing this game. I really like it a lot, although, as is usually the case...I'm not very good at it.

http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9090

http://www.klov.com/images/11/1181242152113.png

Club Rules

01. You do not need to sign up for the club. If you want to participate, simply download the game of the week and post about it!

02. At the end of the week, I will randomly select a game from a list of nominations.

03. The current MAME Club Pick of the Week can be found every Monday stickied at the top of the Arcade Alley.

ROM will be hosted by Flack at http://www.robohara.com/mameclub/

Previous MMMC games: Jump Coaster, Rampart, Jungler, Ninja Emaki, Port Man, Psycho Soldier, Metamoqester, Gunbarich, Sengoku (series), Snacks'n Jackson, Metro-Cross, Moon Shuttle, The Real Ghostbusters, Moonwalker, Black Widow, Kid Niki, Joust 2, Super Contra, Shoot-Out, Raiden, Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Dead Connection, Gate of Doom, The Outfoxies.

[Arasoi]

I had this for NES when I was a lad and enjoyed it a lot, more than Donkey Kong. I hadn't actually MAMEd up the arcade original until today.

The graphics are pretty impressive for 1982, and the sound is a bit above average. The gameplay of course is donkey kong like which suits the franchise fairly well considering the spinach is basically the hammer of the popeye universe.

The overall presentation of the arcade game gets it the nod over the NES version I'm used to. Little stuff like the extended intro in the levels and the screen shaking from Bluto getting banged around cinch it for me. I went through all the levels and it feels like a nice upgrade to what Im used to, though technically it was first.

A nice change of pace. I'll toss these names into the rotation if I havent yet:

Alien vs Predator
Baseball Stars (Neo Geo)
Ninja Kun
Shock Troopers (Neo Geo)

[jb143]

I really like it a lot, although, as is usually the case...I'm not very good at it.


We must have the same tastes and skill levels in arcade games because everytime you say that I feel the exact same way. A simple yet addictive game. Hopefully I'll be able to find some time this week to get better at it.

[scooterb23]

Thanks for the titles. AvP was already there, but the others are new. This brings the total number of games recommended for play up to 23! We don't need more right now, but if we can get that up to 30 by next week...that'd be cool as well. I guess it may be a good idea to share the list of what games are up for nomination, since some of them have been there for a couple months at this point.

Dr. Micro
Berzerk
Omega Race
Alien vs Predator
Life Force
Midnight Resistance
Yie Ar Kung-Fu
Bull Fight (1984 Sega)
1943
Intrepid
Tatsujin(Truxton)
GROWL/Runark
Samurai Showdown 2
Blast Off
Assault
Raiden Fighters Jet
Search and Rescue
Ikari Warriors II
P47 Aces
Surprise Attack
Baseball Stars (Neo Geo)
Ninja Kun
Shock Troopers (Neo Geo)

A lot of "newer" games on there (at least it feels like it to me, I was out of the arcade scene when most of these were released). Any other older games we should add?

Also, just as a side note. It's kind of funny Nintendo made a game that's reminiscent of Donkey Kong and Mario Bros. (at least a little bit) for Popeye in 1982, then when they made Popeye 2 for the Gameboy, it feels a lot like a Super Mario Bros. style hop-n-bopper.

[Ed Oscuro]

So this is the game Flack's dad referred to in "the ol' Popeye trick" quote?

I'll have to check it out...this game looks amazing for 1982, characters actually look like their cartoon counterparts, proportions and details alike. :o

[Arcade Antics]

The overall presentation of the arcade game gets it the nod over the NES version I'm used to. Little stuff like the extended intro in the levels and the screen shaking from Bluto getting banged around cinch it for me.

Let one of the hearts (or notes, letters) sink in the water at the bottom of the screen. Olive Oyl will scold you.

Before DK was started, Nintendo was trying to get the Popeye license. Presumably DK would have been Popeye-based if it came through. It didn't, and DK and Mario were born. Then the Popeye rights were worked out later on and this game was the result.

Always found this game to be great fun but way too easy. Usually complete the first 6 levels without losing a turn.

[jb143]

Hey, I made it past level 1 for the 1'st time! Score of 10350. I know...probably laughable as far as scores go but at least I'm starting to get the hang of it.

How many levels are there anyways...before they start repeating or whatever happens?

[Arcade Antics]

How many levels are there anyways...before they start repeating or whatever happens?

3 levels - hearts, notes, HELP letters.

[jb143]

OK, tried again tonight and managed to get to level 3 with a score of 23740. I still keep getting clobbered on the 1'st level most of the time though.

[InsaneDavid]

Great choice this week! One of the Arcade / NES comparison reviews I actually enjoyed writing 100% a few years ago for RTM (http://classicplastic.net/dvgi/features-RTMnescadePopeye.html).