Yie Ar Kung-Fu reservation list (ColecoVision)

[opcode]

Hi there,

Well, there has been two months since I released Sky Jaguar for the ColecoVision and the game has reached near 60 copies and sales have almost stopped by now. So it places my whole idea of porting MSX games for the ColecoVision in jeopardy, since it would be too risk to produce a game which will barely pay the bills.
But I thought that maybe if I create a reservation list first, I would wait till I have some 60 pre-orders and just then start production (if we get there).
So guys, I am starting a reservation list for Yie Ar Kung-Fu now. Please send your name, desired number of copies and email address to eduardo@opcodegames.com. If I am able to get 60 pre-orders, game will be produced as usual: cartridge, manual and box. Please keep in mind that if you send me your name, you are aggreing to buy the game when/if it is made available.
Here is what you will get:

The place is ancient China. The time is the end of the Ching Dynasty! The entire kingdom is in turmoil because of the dastardly deeds of the villainous Chop Suey Triad Gang.
In a desperate attempt to eliminate the Chop Suey Triad Gang, the hero of our story, Lee The Kung Fu Master, has secretly entered the Gang's castle headquarters - the dreaded Bamboo-Shoot Pagoda!!
But...once in the castle, LEE has to face the Chop Suey Gang's deadliest martial arts experts and defeat them one after another: Wicked Wang, the quarterstaff (bojutsu) fighter; Terrible Tao, the flame wielder; Chen The Chainfighter; Lady Lang, expert with the razor-sharp throwing knives (shuriken); and finally Wily Wu, the mystery man!!
Will Lee be able to use his Kung Fu techniques to defeat these evil enemies and restore peace to Imperial China?

- A perfect conversion of the popular MSX game.
- Based on the very tweaked Konami build 1.1. Get ready for more challenging matches.
- Challenge 5 different martial arts experts, with different fighting techniques.
- Fighter Lady Lang completely redesigned, based on the Famicom version.
- Perfect your Kung Fu techniques in the special bonus stage.

Yie Ar Kung-Fu will include a offset printed box, manual and label.

This is the same version as the one that got released in Japan for the Famicom, back in 1985, though the MSX version came out first. In fact, since it was released in January 1985, I think it was developed in the same time frame as the famous arcade game, though story and even the characters are different.

Price will be as usual: $26.50 plus shipping.

http://www.opcodegames.com/games/yiearkungfu/yakf4.gif
http://www.opcodegames.com/games/yiearkungfu/yakf5.gif

Eduardo

[Griking]

Put me down for a copy as usual.

I'm really looking forward to this one.

[opcode]

Thanks folks!

I have already 6 names! :)

Eduardo

[Aswald]

I most certainly WILL purchase a copy of Sky Jaguar, within the next few weeks...barring anything else going wrong!

So, if you have a copy anywhere, I'd like to reserve it. That's another sale!

[wberdan]

put me down if you didnt put me down already,
you know ill buy any you make

willie

[opcode]

put me down if you didnt put me down already,
you know ill buy any you make

willie

Thanks guys!
We have 10 names already! :D

Eduardo

[Aswald]

Of Sky Jaguar, that is! First things first...

This game also looks pretty impressive. As for a lack of sales...just make these games available at the CGE, and you won't have THAT problem!

Thanks!

[dojosky]

add me to the list i am a huge coleco vision fan been a proud coleco vision owner ever since 1982/1983 and i will be buying the sky jaguar too and too bad magicial tree isnt being released for the coleco vision only one because i d buy it immediately ! so hope you'd consider about that thanks ! also looking fwd to more coleco vision releases !! :) thanks !

[opcode]

So we are reaching 20 names. :D
BTW, I found this interesting link:


The MSX version of Yie Ar Kung-Fu is currently available for cell phones:

http://www.konami.net/i-mode/dx/i-appli_action.html

Eduardo

[tyranthraxus]

If you are dissapointed with Sky Jaguar sales its probably because its not the
most popular or famed arcade game out there. If you were to make a port
of say Tempest or Sinistar for the Colecovision I'm sure you'd find sales very healthy.

[opcode]

If you are dissapointed with Sky Jaguar sales its probably because its not the
most popular or famed arcade game out there. If you were to make a port
of say Tempest or Sinistar for the Colecovision I'm sure you'd find sales very healthy.

The ColecoVision has always been famous for its obscure arcade ports. The fact a game wasn't popular doesn't mean it wasn't any good. Some MSX games are just brilliant, far above the standard CV original fare. Just check my new post for another example. However, if I am not able to push those through the door, I really don't see why I would keep porting them.

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35381

In other hand, if I am able to keep selling them (I don't mind about making a single penny, I just want to see them properly released), then better things will come. I think Manekineko has already realised the kind of nice stuff this MSX trip could bring... ;)

[mcgrail0007@netzero.net]

Opcode,

Your work is always excellent. You can count me in for one.

[mcgrail0007@netzero.net]

Have you thought about converting Galaga over from the MSX or trying to make a more arcade like Galaga for the Colecovision. I am sure it would be a big seller.

[opcode]

Have you thought about converting Galaga over from the MSX or trying to make a more arcade like Galaga for the Colecovision. I am sure it would be a big seller.

Though the MSX version of Galaga is nice, I think a more direct port would be better. I have learned a lot since I started... I hope Pac-Man Collection will show it. :)
The biggest problem is it would suffer from the same "colorlessness" (geez, does this word really exist?!) issue that plagged the MSX version. More colors would mean more static aliens, which would detract from the arcade experience. That's a limitation with the CV video processor. There is a "flickering" possibility though, but I still need to check it...

[Aswald]

Opcode, you can most certainly count me in for that Nightmare game, too. Just send me a "PM" as to how I can purchase Sky Jaguar, and the money order will be in this week. Just include the address and amount needed.

The fact that the MSX library includes games of many genres, including those not available for the ColecoVision, is a superb development. Soon, at this rate, the CV will have a variety that easily equals the NES, and the quality of the games is almost on a par with that "next generation" console!

Keep up the great work, you and newcoleco! Reversi!

[opcode]

22 names and a new, lower price: $25.00. :) (the US dollar value is going up here in Brazil, so I can reduce my price a little)

Eduardo

[opcode]

A few years ago a proto version of Video Hustler for the CV shown up thanks to Adam House. That game was created by Konami for the MSX computers (based on an arcade game of the same name) and it seems Coleco was planning to release it before the crash.
Well, so here is the good(?) news: I am including Video Hustler with Yie Ar Kung-Fu. But I didn't just attach the old binary in. I ported the European version of that game, called Billiards, which is basicly the same game but with a better menu system, a different title screen (obviously) and a few bugs corrected. While I couldn't recommend a purchase just because Billiards, I think it is a fun little game, and a nice addition to any collection.

http://www.opcodegames.com/games/yiearkungfu/BILLIARDS.gif

In the meantime, I finally created a new ColecoVision cartridge PCB supporting 4KB of extra RAM. It will debut with my next one, Road Fighter, but it is already allowing me to create some interesting experiments, like the one in the screenshot bellow. Of course I still need a memory mapper with that one, but it's already a good start.

http://www.opcodegames.com/games/gradius/gradius.gif


Eduardo

[Aswald]

Hah! A side-scrolling/level/boss game, something else the Atari 7800 did not have! Great! Is it like Nemesis 3?

I sent in payment for Sky Jaguar 3 weeks ago, but still haven't gotten my copy yet. Are the copies all sold out?

That other game looks interesting- a version is already available from ADAM's House (ecoleco), but it is probably the inferior version. It also most certainly does not have the other game with it, so, who'd want to buy it instead of your version?

[Aswald]

Does that fighting game have a two-player version, where you can select your character?

[opcode]

Does that fighting game have a two-player version, where you can select your character?

Nop. Like the original arcade, it's a single player game.
BTW, your game was indeed shipped. Please let me know if you don't get it by next week...

Eduardo

[Aswald]

:D

[Raedon]

Put me down for an order, and if you have other left overs of other CV homebrews I'd like to make a deal.

[opcode]

Hi!

Ok, the good news is: Yie Ar Kung-Fu is now confirmed! :)
The bad news is we will need to wait a month or two while Dale and Jess put the final touches on the game package. But hey, I am sure we're going to get another top notch work from them. :D

Eduardo