This was a good mix of humor, callbacks, and personal experiences (which I liked the most). I always find stories about childhood to be the most interesting; we all have different events and occurrences from when we were kids, and hearing your tale of the Master System White Whale-- and what happened after you landed it-- really resonated with me. Interestingly enough, the Master System is one of the few platforms that I've not yet had in my collection. It's really neat to hear about and see the games running; it seems like it was generally a solid console. Happy New Year to you and the entire crew. Here's looking forward to even more awesome stuff here in 2015!
I agree with your sentiment, but ehh... there is a reason the master system lost that war. Hardware wise it's rather quirky (pause button on the console, for one, crazy "I'm not really a d pad" for another) and software wise..... well I hope you like primitive sega games or inferior ports of genesis titles, because that's all your are getting. Mind you it wasn't their fault, Nintendo made companies sign exclusivity clauses for the NES, but the end-result is that you just didn't have many quality games. Rastan might be one of the few exceptions. The arcade version is the best, so play that these days, but it didn't get ported to anything but the MS. Rastan II got a genesis and tg 16 port, but boy did it suck.
Interesting comment about the childhood memory thing - I have a blog about how games bring back specific memories from childhood, and go into them with as much detail as I'm comfortable sharing. It's a bit personal at times, but I don't regret putting it all out there. I was thinking of making video versions of the posts as well at my alternate (primary) channel, but wasn't sure if people would be interested. Glad to know some people might actually be! :)
Wow Pat, you out did yourself with this video! I take back what I said about wanting to see improvised game reviews, great job and happy new years! "Rastan" looked like a solid game for it's time, you can see the work that went into production like the day/night transition and the details that went into the sprites and animations.
The enemies that he thought looked like goombas, actually look a lot more like dharmas... which is definitely a weird choice for an enemy, but they're not goombas.
+Joy Lobo Your picture looks like you just fondled someone and still can't decide whether you find the smell to be disturbing or surprisingly enjoyable. XD
I'm just surprised to see Ian in your video again after he said he would never be in another video. How many Ballast Point's did you have to bribe him to get him to reappear Pat?
My only experience with the Master System was at my dad's friend house. He had Double Dragon for it and I was jealous because I thought it was a better version compared to the NES version. Great video Pat!
me too! I thought that was different this time but I thought I just never noticed it before, glad you mentioned it so i know i wasnt imagining things lol
My first experience with the Master System was my sister's at-the-time husband's console in 1989. I thought it was awesome, but I didn't get to experience the goodness of my own till 1992 when I got my Genesis and a Power Base coverter, as well as a huge shit-ton of Master System games some guy was selling at a garage sale for 50 cents apiece. Still holds a special place in my heart.
So funny when Ian appeared, and Frank, was hoping for your dad, oh wait, maybe Frank is... never mind. Great video, thanks for posting. (I also loved the Tuba at the end, nice touch)
The bouncing enemy in Alex Kidd is actually a winged version of a Daruma, a paper mache doll that students use in Japan to start and end a project (kind of like a charm). The doll is actually based on a famous Zen monk named Bodhidharma (Daruma is from Dharma), who supposedly brought martial arts to China and founded Shaolin monastery.
Pat I really enjoyed this episode, much more so then previous ones (which I also loved, don't get me wrong). I love that you seem to be taking the Pat character in a less goof ball direction and giving a little more serious analysis towards reviewing a game. Looking forward to seeing what you do next and still loving the podcast.
+Abelino Jara yes. Its like if you compared SNES to the Genesis. Both SMS and SNES came later though. But that third party issue almost killed the poor SMS
"It looks like Alex's hand was stung by a bee." Yep... That is what just happened to me the other day and that is what my hand looks like... Itches like nuts too.
I used to have one of these lol...my dad's friend told my dad he had a Nintendo his son never used anymore so he gave it to us, turns out he didn't understand the difference between systems, any video game system was "a nintendo" to the guy given that home consoles were pretty new at the time and he was an older dude. So I got it, was disappointed at first but after I got home and played it actually grew to really love the system. Had a copy of Rampage too :) only trouble was finding games for it. Eventually got an NES and SNES and loved 'em but this always held a special place being my first 8-bit or higher console. Blew me away compared to the Commodore 64 "data tape" games and Atari 2600 games I'd gotten used to. Sadly, it got ruined when my basement flooded years later...RIP old friend, you're missed.
As an avid CU Podcast listener, when Ian mentioned having to scalp Amiibos and PS4 price-matching I lost my shit. Great episode Pat and it was cool to see Ian in one of these again. As a UK-based gamer in the early 90s, I actually only played one Master System that had Alex Kidd built in (I think) - the majority here had Sonic.
LOL, During Rampage, at the moment Pat says: 'I'm bored with this review... I hope you did not click off the video yet, it get better, I think. VLAN: a pub !!
I'm 27 and I remember no-one knowing what a Sega master system was. We had always called the genesis just Sega and when I snagged an sms at a yard sale I thought it was the coolest thing. My brother and I always just called it "the original Sega" mostly I think we played double Dragon on it.
Seriously dug this episode, not just because of the Sega games, but your humour really fits in well around this time of the year :P Super refreshing. Here's to an awesome 2015 and hoping the Let's Players don't start fighting back.
Great video, i laughed so much. I had a mastersystem 2, me and my brother used to have speed run contests in alex kid :) Oh Frank, so grumpy when you disturb his cooking, ha ha.
"Is that a shot at Mario?" No, that one enemy looks like a Japanese dharma/daruma doll. Sega actually did try to take a shoot at Mario in Alex Kidd in Shinobi World. The first boss was going to be Mario, called Mari-Oh (King Mari in Japanese), but I assume their legal team made the developers change him. :)
Pat! The Holiday season is so much more jolly with your videos in it. I did NOT have a good Christmas. My father was trampled to death by wildebeests, and it was all my fault! But at least your video made me laugh for a few minutes.
I wasnt allowed a sega mega drive christmas 1993, so I got a new master system II from woolworths, (uk they lasted longer) with a pack in of six games! None of my friends had one as it was so late in the systems life but I loved that system and still own it. I was laughed at a bit having it and still playing it throughout the 90s but one friend got jealous of me even though he had a mega drive and it started my habbit of buying systems once they were out of fashion, as a result brought cheap, never sold and even though I was always behind the times...refined a quality collection of the best games of the 90s/early00's. thank you for doing a feature about the master system.
I was 4 when I was playing Alex the Kidd. I can tell you that I was fully aware of the boss patterns and memorised them. Pretty sure 8 year olds were fine too..
I never noticed before that Alex Kidd's death animation is him flapping his arms, not actually turning into an angel. also that the bosses petrify you if you lose the rock/paper/scissors match I kinda like this game, for all its flaws.
FYI Pat, the power up boxes arent random, the first in a level is always a power ring, the 2nd in a level is a ghost, the third in a level is an extra man.. there are a few exceptions to this, but through 90% of the game that's the way it works
one of my good friends had the master system growing up. he had a ton of games for it and i just found myself switching games every 5 minutes as they were all mediocre and i just wished i was playing NES the entire time i was over there. i always seemed to play columns which is kinda like tetris
Thank you Pat for this video. In 1987 when i was 6 I asked for a nes and got a sega master system which turned me into a sega fanboy. I never got my nes :-( even so, ive been watching you for over a year . I enjoy your reviews but just you talking about the SMS made my year. Thanks
nice review I like that you did 3 different games I am kind of new to your channel but have seen you a few times on AVGN you are just as cool as he is I would have to say.
This is the meanest review of "Alex Kidd in Miracle World" I've ever seen! But all you said was true so... I mean, this game is very important to us brazilians because for most of us is the first game we ever played (Master System was [is] hugely popular around here) and it carries a lot of nostalgia for us.
And thus began a new holiday tradition for Frank...yelling and beating up a leather seat with a dough rolling pin. Do you smell what Frank is cookin....in this case baking? xD Happy New Year, Pat, Frank, Ian, and Denise. Great episode.
Pat, if you haven't played it yet? Give Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap a shot. One of the best games on the console. Save States though are a must as it used a password system instead of being able to save. I remember I had pages of passwords for the game, also in the instruction manual there's a code that as I recall starts you off in human form, was kinda cool.
Rampage - the second game I ever beat on the NES. It was a LOOONG game. With a typical NES 'A Winner Is You' type ending. I was spoiled by Ninja Gaiden's ending.
Ian killed it. The line comes across so well because he's speaking from a place of genuine frustration.
Man taking all kinds of shots in this video, resellers, LP'ers, damn man...
Those red mustached enemies weren't Marios, they were daruma
I liked how Frank got in one extra hit after forgiving you. I laughed both times
This was a good mix of humor, callbacks, and personal experiences (which I liked the most). I always find stories about childhood to be the most interesting; we all have different events and occurrences from when we were kids, and hearing your tale of the Master System White Whale-- and what happened after you landed it-- really resonated with me.
Interestingly enough, the Master System is one of the few platforms that I've not yet had in my collection. It's really neat to hear about and see the games running; it seems like it was generally a solid console.
Happy New Year to you and the entire crew. Here's looking forward to even more awesome stuff here in 2015!
I agree with your sentiment, but ehh... there is a reason the master system lost that war. Hardware wise it's rather quirky (pause button on the console, for one, crazy "I'm not really a d pad" for another) and software wise..... well I hope you like primitive sega games or inferior ports of genesis titles, because that's all your are getting. Mind you it wasn't their fault, Nintendo made companies sign exclusivity clauses for the NES, but the end-result is that you just didn't have many quality games.
Rastan might be one of the few exceptions. The arcade version is the best, so play that these days, but it didn't get ported to anything but the MS. Rastan II got a genesis and tg 16 port, but boy did it suck.
Interesting comment about the childhood memory thing - I have a blog about how games bring back specific memories from childhood, and go into them with as much detail as I'm comfortable sharing. It's a bit personal at times, but I don't regret putting it all out there.
I was thinking of making video versions of the posts as well at my alternate (primary) channel, but wasn't sure if people would be interested. Glad to know some people might actually be! :)
I'd like to +1 your comment, but the youtube app doesn't let me. Ah well... I agree with Peter Skerritt
Peter Skerritt It had a few gems but overall it was pretty terrible IMHO.
Peter Skerritt amazing videos and like and wacth my videos too.
Thanks for the belated Christmas gift Pat! I appreciate all the content you give us. Also, I've grown to really enjoy the CUPodcast.
I never thought I'd hear the word "Moncicci" (or "Monchhichi", whatever) ever again.
*****
I... kinda didn't want to be reminded of them.
Minccino?
bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Minccino_%28Pok%C3%A9mon%29
This is why I love the Game Gear: It's a portable Master System!
Wow Pat, you out did yourself with this video! I take back what I said about wanting to see improvised game reviews, great job and happy new years! "Rastan" looked like a solid game for it's time, you can see the work that went into production like the day/night transition and the details that went into the sprites and animations.
lol at Frank " How did I get here? Did I die again?" haha
Looks like Frank used his FIST ATTACK on Pat!!
Your Christmas specials never disappoint, Pat! Always touching and, well, special!
Wow Pat finally made a video rather than re-uploading a podcast. It is truly a Christmas miracle
Oh man thanks for including that ending bloopers. The "alright" *WHACK* was golden.
:) Great video Pat and a happy holidays to you, Frank, Ian, and Denise!
I wish Ian liked acting more and was in more videos. I laughed so hard when he appeared with a cart and a Q-tip. Classic and hilarious.
The enemies that he thought looked like goombas, actually look a lot more like dharmas... which is definitely a weird choice for an enemy, but they're not goombas.
+Joy Lobo
Your picture looks like you just fondled someone and still can't decide whether you find the smell to be disturbing or surprisingly enjoyable. XD
I knew Frank would show up at the end :P Happy New Year Pat!. Looking forward to see your new Turbo Grafix CD! That Chief got ya!
I just want to point out this is the very first video of 2015 that I'm watching.
"I'm sorry", "okay", punches one more time anyway :P
Probably the best Punk Christmas special.
I'm just surprised to see Ian in your video again after he said he would never be in another video. How many Ballast Point's did you have to bribe him to get him to reappear Pat?
He promised less than 20 minutes of filming. He was... more or less accurate.
Ian Ferguson I missed something, why wont you be in any more videos?
Listen to the Podcast
That enemy looks like Mario, actually "Daruma" old japanese toy. work kinda similar to Mighty Bean.
My only experience with the Master System was at my dad's friend house. He had Double Dragon for it and I was jealous because I thought it was a better version compared to the NES version. Great video Pat!
Great video Pat. Your production quality is getting better and better.
Hope Pat, Ian and Frank all have/had a good new year, mine was pretty crap but at least I was entertained for a short while by your work, so thanks.
I think those red bouncing balls are actually Daruma Dolls found in Japan, not a Mario rip off.
Secondly the big hand is a boxing glove.
I liked the scan lines in the video game footage. Looks a lot cleaner and natural.
Yes, sir. I second that.
me too! I thought that was different this time but I thought I just never noticed it before, glad you mentioned it so i know i wasnt imagining things lol
My first experience with the Master System was my sister's at-the-time husband's console in 1989. I thought it was awesome, but I didn't get to experience the goodness of my own till 1992 when I got my Genesis and a Power Base coverter, as well as a huge shit-ton of Master System games some guy was selling at a garage sale for 50 cents apiece. Still holds a special place in my heart.
So funny when Ian appeared, and Frank, was hoping for your dad, oh wait, maybe Frank is... never mind. Great video, thanks for posting. (I also loved the Tuba at the end, nice touch)
You forgive your father for not buying you a games console out of the blue in January? How generous of you.
I'm with Pat's dad on this one. It's different these days, but back then? Back in the 90s, having 2 consoles was excessive. 3 was just insanity!
Ian's delivery is hilarious.
Happy holidays Pat! Your Xmas videos are making me more and more depressed every year.
The bouncing enemy in Alex Kidd is actually a winged version of a Daruma, a paper mache doll that students use in Japan to start and end a project (kind of like a charm). The doll is actually based on a famous Zen monk named Bodhidharma (Daruma is from Dharma), who supposedly brought martial arts to China and founded Shaolin monastery.
Pat I really enjoyed this episode, much more so then previous ones (which I also loved, don't get me wrong). I love that you seem to be taking the Pat character in a less goof ball direction and giving a little more serious analysis towards reviewing a game. Looking forward to seeing what you do next and still loving the podcast.
The Sega Master System looks TONS better than the NES, the difference in color for example, is stunning.
I agree; the Master System just LOOKS high tech, and red plus back really seems to work no matter the object.
+Abelino Jara yes. Its like if you compared SNES to the Genesis. Both SMS and SNES came later though. But that third party issue almost killed the poor SMS
Until you turn on the sound. 🤷🏻♂️
Patdad sounds like a good dad.
Tried to not spoil Pat.
Thanks Pat for uploading & making a video game style review. I really enjoyed it.
Hahahaha, I loved it, Pat!! Happy Holidays (slightly belated) to you and your family, as well as Ian & Frank too!!! You guys are great!!
Ian being his usual cheery self.
Thank you Pat that made my day!! Merry Late Chirstmas too....Tell Ian he did a great job and should make the Ian's Happy hand helds show!!
Never disturb Frank when he's cooking...NEVER!
Good to see you're keeping the NES Punk alive. I like your videos!
"It looks like Alex's hand was stung by a bee." Yep... That is what just happened to me the other day and that is what my hand looks like... Itches like nuts too.
found this gem after watching this weeks intro to the podcast. enjoyable and fun.
I used to have one of these lol...my dad's friend told my dad he had a Nintendo his son never used anymore so he gave it to us, turns out he didn't understand the difference between systems, any video game system was "a nintendo" to the guy given that home consoles were pretty new at the time and he was an older dude. So I got it, was disappointed at first but after I got home and played it actually grew to really love the system. Had a copy of Rampage too :) only trouble was finding games for it. Eventually got an NES and SNES and loved 'em but this always held a special place being my first 8-bit or higher console. Blew me away compared to the Commodore 64 "data tape" games and Atari 2600 games I'd gotten used to.
Sadly, it got ruined when my basement flooded years later...RIP old friend, you're missed.
When it comes to holiday themed videos I believe Pat is the best!
It's OK, the SNES was worth selling your gifts. Remember the first time you saw Super Mario World, that shit was magical. It was for me anyway.
Ah....Christmas Beatings. Christmas Beatings to all.
YES! :D I was waiting for this since last year! Merry Christmas and Happy 2015 Punk!!!
As an avid CU Podcast listener, when Ian mentioned having to scalp Amiibos and PS4 price-matching I lost my shit. Great episode Pat and it was cool to see Ian in one of these again.
As a UK-based gamer in the early 90s, I actually only played one Master System that had Alex Kidd built in (I think) - the majority here had Sonic.
Dad's and their life lessons. He made you a mad collector ;)
Fuck me I've been watching all your videos without the official Pat the Nes Punk score card! And I caught the foot hepatitis! Christmas is ruined!
i used to love rampage when i was a kid!!!!
Simos Katsiaris dito
At 5:28. those aren't Mario look-a-likes those are Daruma Dolls with wings.
LOL, During Rampage, at the moment Pat says: 'I'm bored with this review... I hope you did not click off the video yet, it get better, I think. VLAN: a pub !!
5:23 no that looks like a Daruma doll.
I'm 27 and I remember no-one knowing what a Sega master system was. We had always called the genesis just Sega and when I snagged an sms at a yard sale I thought it was the coolest thing. My brother and I always just called it "the original Sega" mostly I think we played double Dragon on it.
Seriously, for a LONG TIME Now, i get baked and just watch this special JUST to watch the Ian moment "You ever tried looking yourself in a mirror...."
I lol'd at Ian as the ghost of Christmas re-seller. :)
Very entertaining video. I finally picked up a Master System in the last 2 months and went crazy with games... already have like 40. Solid system!
"The evil janky" _Got dat jank_
_You get challenged to Jankin'_
I remember Kiddie City as a kid! That's where I got my first gaming system...the Commodore 64. Fond memories of my parents buying that for me.
Seriously dug this episode, not just because of the Sega games, but your humour really fits in well around this time of the year :P Super refreshing. Here's to an awesome 2015 and hoping the Let's Players don't start fighting back.
Great video, i laughed so much. I had a mastersystem 2, me and my brother used to have speed run contests in alex kid :)
Oh Frank, so grumpy when you disturb his cooking, ha ha.
"Is that a shot at Mario?" No, that one enemy looks like a Japanese dharma/daruma doll.
Sega actually did try to take a shoot at Mario in Alex Kidd in Shinobi World. The first boss was going to be Mario, called Mari-Oh (King Mari in Japanese), but I assume their legal team made the developers change him. :)
Pat! The Holiday season is so much more jolly with your videos in it. I did NOT have a good Christmas. My father was trampled to death by wildebeests, and it was all my fault! But at least your video made me laugh for a few minutes.
Coming from a Dutch family, I know all about selling my presents to get shit I wanted. I know that feel Pat. I know that feel.
Wow, Ian went full McConaughey on the crazy scale during that rant :P
The toaster gives you life if you wait for the toast to pop.
thanks pat. merry christmas! hope you're enjoying a nice bowl of beefaroni on this new years day.
I wasnt allowed a sega mega drive christmas 1993, so I got a new master system II from woolworths, (uk they lasted longer) with a pack in of six games! None of my friends had one as it was so late in the systems life but I loved that system and still own it. I was laughed at a bit having it and still playing it throughout the 90s but one friend got jealous of me even though he had a mega drive and it started my habbit of buying systems once they were out of fashion, as a result brought cheap, never sold and even though I was always behind the times...refined a quality collection of the best games of the 90s/early00's. thank you for doing a feature about the master system.
I was 4 when I was playing Alex the Kidd. I can tell you that I was fully aware of the boss patterns and memorised them. Pretty sure 8 year olds were fine too..
I never noticed before that Alex Kidd's death animation is him flapping his arms, not actually turning into an angel.
also that the bosses petrify you if you lose the rock/paper/scissors match
I kinda like this game, for all its flaws.
doan2300 that's what i thought too, that he was turning into an angel and leaving his body after he dies but he is just flapping his arms.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Great video!!
That ending is brilliant and I believe the first time the Punk uses the F word 😵
SNES was a better move in Jan. 1992, BUT, there were 5 incredible 8-bit games on the SMS that you will need to revisit.
FYI Pat, the power up boxes arent random, the first in a level is always a power ring, the 2nd in a level is a ghost, the third in a level is an extra man.. there are a few exceptions to this, but through 90% of the game that's the way it works
Awesome video Pat! That Covered California joke was gold. Yep, it sucks.
Gotta say, that's a nice impersonation of Arnie.
The self deprecation is so damn funny.
one of my good friends had the master system growing up. he had a ton of games for it and i just found myself switching games every 5 minutes as they were all mediocre and i just wished i was playing NES the entire time i was over there. i always seemed to play columns which is kinda like tetris
Nice Christmas story. Alex Kidd cracks me up with Janken, the Japanese Rock Paper Scissors as a boss name. Hint should be to use rock lol
Thank you Pat for this video. In 1987 when i was 6 I asked for a nes and got a sega master system which turned me into a sega fanboy. I never got my nes :-( even so, ive been watching you for over a year . I enjoy your reviews but just you talking about the SMS made my year. Thanks
nice review I like that you did 3 different games I am kind of new to your channel but have seen you a few times on AVGN you are just as cool as he is I would have to say.
Made my day! Thanks for the upload pat
>amiibo scalping
Ian knows the struggle.
This is the meanest review of "Alex Kidd in Miracle World" I've ever seen! But all you said was true so... I mean, this game is very important to us brazilians because for most of us is the first game we ever played (Master System was [is] hugely popular around here) and it carries a lot of nostalgia for us.
And thus began a new holiday tradition for Frank...yelling and beating up a leather seat with a dough rolling pin. Do you smell what Frank is cookin....in this case baking? xD
Happy New Year, Pat, Frank, Ian, and Denise. Great episode.
great episode!!!
So much charm to that system. Loves me some Shinobi and Double Dragon.
I enjoyed this review. Kudos, Pat!
Pat, if you haven't played it yet? Give Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap a shot. One of the best games on the console. Save States though are a must as it used a password system instead of being able to save. I remember I had pages of passwords for the game, also in the instruction manual there's a code that as I recall starts you off in human form, was kinda cool.
+Enclave Even better, Wonderboy in Monsterland. That's my favorite Sega Master System game of all time.
Rampage - the second game I ever beat on the NES. It was a LOOONG game. With a typical NES 'A Winner Is You' type ending. I was spoiled by Ninja Gaiden's ending.
I always thought the ghosts were levitating walrus heads. And with this game, that would have made just as much sense.
Another great video Pat, nice work. :) Thank you for this!
holly shit this was a dark episode!
You'd think *RASTAN* was a game about a dreadlocked Jamaican clobbering cannabis foes with his giant joint...
**Wild Ian appears**
Me: WTF O.o
The buttons were swapped to be normal on the SMS2 (hamburger) version of AKiMW. The original version does have swapped buttons, but gamers can adapt.