Episode 630: Battle of the Master System Mascots
Added 2024-08-05 11:00:15 +0000 UTCJeremy: Well, it's the episode you've been asking for! It's finally here! Yes: We have, once and for all, presented the definitive word on one of society's most burning questions. Look here for the truth. Whomst amongst the Master System's putative mascot characters reigned supreme!? The contenders this episode: Alex Kidd! Wonder Boy! Opa Opa! Each of them appeared in several games! Some of those games were very good! Some were not! But only ONE of those l'il guys deserves to be regarded as the Main Guy for Master System. In this episode, I tussle with Stuart Gipp, Kurt Kalata, and Nicole (of definitive Master System-heavy tech blog Nicole Express) to determine the answer. Once again, only Retronauts has the courage AND the gumption to bring you the hard facts about retro games.
Edits by Greg Leahy; art by John Pading (who ended up drawing exactly the tableau I mentioned my intent to draw myself during the episode?!)
10:54 - Wonder Boy: Bonus
25:11 - Alex Kidd in Miracle World: Underwater
35:08 - Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars: Machine World
46:09 - Alex Kidd in Shinobi World: Level 1 | Fantasy Zone: Plaleaf
57:07 - Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa: Shop
1:06:59 - Fantasy Zone: The Maze: Top Power
1:14:21 - Wonder Boy in Monster Land: Main Theme
1:20:53 - Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap: Mind of Hero (FM ver.)
1:28:15 - Wonder Boy in Monster World: Begonia, the Dragon Village
Closing - Alex Kidd in Miracle World: Ending
Comments
That's just Opa Opa's heel turn!
Kevin Bunch
2024-08-13 00:11:15 +0000 UTCI would be remiss if I didn't mention that not only was Alf a moderate hit in Japan, but the current rights holders at Shout Factory host a free 24/7 stream on YouTube of the Japanese dub of Alf. It's actually a great resource for Japanese learners, and features some recognizable voice talent for fans of late 80s to early 90s anime.
Ben
2024-08-11 13:01:40 +0000 UTCLoved this episode! On the question of whether Wonder Boy is the same character every time: I’m playing the spiritual successor Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom, which is superb, and it takes place in the same universe. It clearly depicts the Wonder Boys from the original series as three separate legendary heroes: TomTom from the original Wonder Boy; Book from Wonder Boy in Monster Land and Wonder Boy III - The Dragon’s Trap; and Shion from Wonder Boy in Monster World. Jeez, this series is confusing! TomTom and Book being two separate characters was obviously retconned when they made Monster Boy, as they were originally very clearly denoted as the same dude.
BlueWeaselBreath
2024-08-09 15:56:00 +0000 UTCRE: ALF in Japan. Last year I came across at least 2 ALF DVD box sets in Japan. One going for over $100. I think I saw some merch too. So… you’re welcome, I guess?
JJR
2024-08-07 23:08:49 +0000 UTCYou mean Scott Sharkey?
Retronauts
2024-08-06 18:01:41 +0000 UTCWonderboy is the same character in every game the same way James Bond is the same character in every film.
thatcamjones
2024-08-06 10:31:44 +0000 UTCI'm sorry the real mascot of the SMS is "that kid in Ghost House"
James Eldred
2024-08-06 07:38:39 +0000 UTCOpa-Opa's windshield getting smashed is shocking violent
FamiCommie
2024-08-05 23:51:45 +0000 UTCMuch like Ghostbusters II, I do not recognize Zillion II for its profound failures. /s. But more seriously, Zillion existed to popularize the Master System, both as an anime and as a game with the tie in being the SMS Phaser. AND it featured Opa-Opa. I've always considered Zillion the statement on the identity of the SMS. It just seemed to capture the vibe like no other game. But hey, I'm just one guy who chose SMS over NES in 86. This is basically therapy for me lol.
Joseph Tavano
2024-08-05 15:06:59 +0000 UTCHave you even played Zillion II? That game is an immediate disqualification. If nothing else, it turns Opa Opa into a minor cannon fodder bad guy. Unforgivable.
Retronauts
2024-08-05 14:24:55 +0000 UTCI haven't even listened to the episode yet, but I already want more episodes like this just for the art. One of the all-time best.
Andrew O.
2024-08-05 14:11:15 +0000 UTC*Snail squints eyes in envious anger upon seeing the episode art.*
Normallyretro
2024-08-05 13:14:07 +0000 UTCAnd the winner is Zillion!
Joseph Tavano
2024-08-05 12:00:37 +0000 UTC
