Is That All? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Series

"Double Dragon" is a classic combat video game that was originally released as an arcade game by Technōs Japan in 1987. It gained widespread popularity and was later ported to various home gaming platforms, including the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The NES version of "Double Dragon" was released in 1988 and is one of the most iconic and influential games in the "beat 'em up" genre.

Originally intended as a sequel to their "Kunio-kun" game, "Double Dragon" was later removed and set as its own game. A reference to Bruce Lee's movie "Enter the Dragon" and the fact that there are two players to choose from, "Double Dragon" became popular very quickly and spawned an entire franchise of games, the first three of which were playable on the NES.

The story revolves around two brothers, Billy and Jimmy Lee, who set out on a mission to rescue Billy's girlfriend, Marian, who has been viciously kidnapped by the Black Warriors gang. The gameplay involves progressing through a series of stages, defeating enemies, and confronting powerful bosses to ultimately rescue Marian.

Answer: Series

The "Castlevania" series for the NES consists of classic action-adventure games developed and published by Konami. These games are known for their challenging gameplay, atmospheric music, and their contribution to the success and popularity of the "Castlevania" franchise. The original "Castlevania" was released in 1986. The game is a side-scrolling action-platformer with a gothic horror theme. Players take on the role of Simon Belmont, a vampire hunter from the Belmont clan, on a quest to defeat Count Dracula and save Transylvania.

The original "Castlevania" game achieved enough success to create a 1988 sequel, "Castlevania II: Simon's Quest", and then a third game was released for the NES in 1990, "Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse".

Answer: Series

"Bases Loaded" is a classic baseball video game that was originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1987. Developed and published by Jaleco, the game aimed to capture the essence of baseball with a combination of realistic gameplay mechanics and an engaging sports experience.

In the game "Bases Loaded", players take control of a baseball team and compete against computer-controlled opponents or friends in a two-player head-to-head mode. The game features a behind-the-batter perspective during gameplay, providing a dynamic view of the field. Players can pitch, bat, field, and manage their team strategically to secure victories.

"Bases Loaded" received praise for its accessible controls, competitive AI, and the overall fun it offered to baseball enthusiasts. The game's success led to several sequels, further solidifying its place in the sports gaming genre. The NES featured "Bases Loaded 2", "Bases Loaded 3", and "Bases Loaded 4", with several sequels released on other platforms as well.

Answer: Series

"Ninja Gaiden" is a classic action-adventure video game series that gained prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The original "Ninja Gaiden" game, developed by Tecmo, was first released as an arcade game in 1988 and later adapted for the NES in 1989. Its success spawned a series of games of which two sequels were playable on the NES as well.

The protagonist, Ryu Hayabusa, is a skilled ninja seeking to avenge his father's death and retrieve a stolen artifact. Known for its challenging gameplay, fast-paced action, and cinematic storytelling, "Ninja Gaiden" featured side-scrolling levels where Ryu battles hordes of enemies using his ninja skills and a variety of weapons such as the Dragon Sword and the iconic Windmill Shuriken. The graphics of the game were appreciated by many, even for the modified 8-bit NES system.

Answer: Series

"Final Fantasy" for the NES is a seminal role-playing game developed and published by Square (now Square Enix). Originally released in Japan in 1987 and later in North America in 1990, "Final Fantasy" marked the beginning of one of the most beloved franchises in the gaming industry. It spawned a plethora of sequels, II and III playable on the NES as well, as well as other spin-offs throughout the world of entertainment.

The game follows four Warriors of Light on a quest to save the world from the dark forces of Chaos. Players traverse a vast and immersive world, encountering towns, dungeons, and a variety of creatures. The turn-based battle system allowed players to engage in strategic combat, and the progression system allowed character customization through the original classes like Fighter, Thief, White Mage, and Black Mage.

Notable for its expansive narrative, engaging music, and groundbreaking graphics for its time, "Final Fantasy" was able to lay the foundation for both the game and the genre's future success. Despite the hardware limitations of the NES, the game's ambitious scope, compelling storytelling, and innovative mechanics contributed to its lasting impact on the RPG genre and set up the ongoing success of the "Final Fantasy" series.

Answer: Series

The "Mega Man" game for the NES is a classic action-platformer game developed and published by Capcom. Released in 1987, the game introduced players to the iconic character Mega Man, also known as Rockman in Japan. Created by Keiji Inafune, "Mega Man" was known for its challenging gameplay, innovative concept, and memorable music.

In the game, players control Mega Man, a robotic hero created by the brilliant Dr. Light, as he battles against the evil Dr. Wily and his army of Robot Masters. The unique feature of "Mega Man" is its non-linear structure. Players can choose from six different stages, each hosted by a Robot Master, and defeat them in any order. Upon defeating a Robot Master, Mega Man gains its special weapon, adding a strategic element to the gameplay.

The game is known for its tight controls, precise platforming, and the introduction of the "Mega Buster," Mega Man's signature arm cannon. The "Mega Man" series has since become one of the most enduring and influential franchises in the gaming industry, with numerous sequels and spin-offs across various platforms. The NES saw releases all the way up to "Mega Man 6".

The original NES release set the stage for Mega Man's legacy, blending action, strategy, and a memorable cast of characters, and one of my favourite video games from my childhood.

Answer: One-off

"Duck Hunt" is a classic light gun shooting game that was released for the NES in 1984 in Japan and later in North America in 1985. Developed and published by Nintendo, "Duck Hunt" was often bundled with the NES as part of the "Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt" cartridge. The game became widely popular due to its simple yet addictive gameplay and the innovative use of the NES Zapper, a light gun accessory. It was also popular due to the fact that it was released bundled with the purchase of the gaming console, making it readily available in all households.

The gameplay of "Duck Hunt" revolves around shooting ducks that fly across the screen. The player takes on the role of a hunter accompanied by a faithful dog who retrieves the fallen ducks. The objective is to shoot down a certain number of ducks within a limited time. The ducks become faster and more challenging to hit as the game progresses. Missing ducks results in the dog mocking the player, adding a humorous touch to the game. A second player was able to pick up a regular controller and move the ducks around manually.

Answer: One-off

"Ice Climber" is a classic platformer video game released for the NES in 1985. Developed by Nintendo, the game features two characters, Popo and Nana, who embark on a chilly adventure to reach the top of various mountains. The objective is to climb vertically through a series of icy platforms and break blocks while avoiding enemies. The characters use mallets to break through the ice and eliminate adversaries like Topis and Nitpickers.

"Ice Climber" is particularly known for its cooperative two-player mode, allowing friends to control Popo and Nana simultaneously as they ascend the mountains together. The game's levels become progressively challenging, introducing new obstacles and enemies. Its charming 8-bit graphics and cheerful soundtrack contributed to its popularity.

Answer: One-off

"Alpha Mission" is a vertically scrolling shooter video game that was released for the NES in 1986. Developed by SNK, the game is set in a futuristic space environment where players control a spaceship called SYD to battle against an alien threat known as the "Kai Empire".

The gameplay involves navigating through scrolling levels, shooting enemy spacecraft, and collecting power-ups to enhance the player's ship. One distinctive feature of "Alpha Mission" is the ability to customize the ship's weapons by collecting various letter-coded power-ups. These power-ups can be arranged to create different combinations of weaponry. This adds a strategic element to the gameplay which can change the difficulty of different levels. The game features both horizontal and vertically scrolling levels, providing a varied and dynamic gaming experience.

The game was very successful, especially in Japan, and a sequel was released on the Neo Geo console after first featuring as an arcade game.

Answer: One-off

"Kid Icarus" is a classic action-platformer game released for the NES in 1987. Developed by Nintendo, the game follows the adventures of Pit, a young angelic archer, as he battles through the mythical world of Angel Land. Pit's mission is to rescue the goddess Palutena from the evil Medusa and her underworld forces.

The gameplay combines side-scrolling platform elements with vertical-scrolling shooting segments. As Pit progresses through the game, he collects various power-ups and upgrades to enhance his abilities, including different weapons like bows and arrows. Experimenting with these power-ups added an element of strategy and customization to the gameplay.

"Kid Icarus" was known for its challenging difficulty, requiring players to develop skills and strategies to progress. Overcoming tough enemies and intricate level designs added a sense of accomplishment. By fusing Greek mythology and fantasy elements, "Kid Icarus" gained a dedicated fan base over the years and eventually led to the release of sequels and spin-offs across various Nintendo platforms.

Answer: One-off

"Dragon's Lair" is an animated action-adventure video game that was originally released for the NES in 1990. Developed by MotiveTime and published by Nintendo, the game is a port of the classic arcade title created by Don Bluth in 1983 on LaserDisc and keeps the same plot and idea.

In the game "Dragon's Lair," players control the protagonist, Dirk the Daring, a knight on a quest to rescue Princess Daphne from the evil dragon Singe. The game is unique for its use of fully animated sequences, resembling an interactive cartoon. Instead of traditional sprite-based graphics, players guide Dirk through a series of perilous scenarios by responding to on-screen prompts at the right time, determining the character's actions. Quick reflexes are the key to success in the game where timing is everything.

"Dragon's Lair" was innovative in the use of animation and spawned an arcade game sequel that was later ported onto other platforms.

Answer: One-off

"Balloon Fight" is a classic action game released for the NES in 1986. Developed by Nintendo, the game features a unique and entertaining concept. Players control characters known as "Balloon Fighters" who navigate through the sky using balloons attached to their bodies. The objective is to pop the balloons of enemy Balloon Fighters while avoiding hazards and obstacles.

The game can be played in either a one-player mode where players face off against computer-controlled opponents or a cooperative two-player mode where players work together to clear stages. "Balloon Fight" offers a variety of environments with different challenges, including stages with rising water levels. The game is known for its whimsical graphics, catchy music, and addictive gameplay that combines elements of survival and competitive action.

Despite the catchy idea and popularity, the NES did not see another version of this game. On other platforms, however, the game was re-released and updated several times.