DuckTales (video game)
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| DuckTales | |
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| Developer(s) | Capcom |
| Publisher(s) | Capcom |
| Designer(s) | Tokuro Fujiwara (producer) |
| Platform(s) | NES, Game Boy |
| Release date | NES version September 1989 January 26, 1990 December 14, 1990Game Boy version 1990 September 21, 1990 1990 |
| Genre(s) | Platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Media | 1-megabit cartridge |
DuckTales is a video game based on the Disney animated TV series of the same name. It was first released in the United States for the Nintendo Entertainment System by Capcom in 1990. In this game, Scrooge McDuck travels around the world collecting treasures to become the world's richest duck. The game was later ported to Game Boy. This game is unrelated to DuckTales: The Quest for Gold, which was released on a variety of personal computers in the early 1990s.
DuckTales is often a subject of NES-related nostalgia and was generally popular. The game provides a good example of the work produced by Capcom in the late 1980s and early 1990s, along with such titles as those in the Mega Man franchise. Duck Tales has much in common with the Mega Man games: bright and colorful graphics, enjoyable game music, tight play control with unique gameplay dynamics (such as using Scrooge's cane as a weapon, tool, and pogo stick), and non-linear gameplay.[1]
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[edit] Gameplay
The player controls Scrooge McDuck throughout the entire game, searching for treasures to become the world's richest duck. Scrooge can jump; his cane is used as a weapon to defeat enemies or strike objects and as a pogo stick to jump higher. There is a wide variety of helpful non-player characters and enemy characters.
DuckTales comprises five levels that can be played in any order. A boss guards the treasure that Scrooge seeks at the end of each level. There are also two hidden treasures: a golden ring in the African Mines level and a golden mirror in the Moon level. Upon finishing all five levels, the player is directed back to Transylvania for the final boss fight. Ducktales contains some non-linear gameplay, in that the player can revisit levels to get items that unlock parts of other levels.
[edit] Levels
- The Amazon – Scrooge makes his way through light forest and then climbs ropes to enter a temple, where the boss is found.
- Transylvania – A mazelike level set in a haunted mansion.
- African Mines – A sprawling system of underground catacombs.
- The Himalayas – Snowy surface trails give way to an underground ice cave. After Scrooge makes his way up and out of the cave, a series of floating ice platforms leads to the boss.
- The Moon – A huge alien spaceship hovers above the moon. Scrooge makes his way to
its entrance, solves some basic puzzles inside, then descends to the surface once again and finds the boss underground.
Alternate ending.
[edit] Alternate ending
The NES version of DuckTales contains an alternate ending shown when the player finishes the game with at least $10,000,000 and has found both hidden treasures. The alternate ending consists of the same newspaper at the end of the game except the picture shows Scrooge McDuck with a crown on his head, and the paper also states that he "stunned the world with his discovery of 2 Lost Treasures."
[edit] Characters
The main character of the game is Scrooge McDuck.
[edit] Helpful characters
- Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby - They give Scrooge messages.
- Mrs. Bentina Beakly - She gives Scrooge some ice cream cones to restore his health.
- Launchpad McQuack - He flies Scrooge from the Duckburg HQ to the various lands in the game. Launchpad can also be found in four of the five lands, so Scrooge can fly back to Duckburg to bank some of the money earned.
- Gyro Gearloose - Sometimes, Gyro shows up after Launchpad is found and Scrooge can play through a bonus area in the clouds.
- Bubba the Caveduck - He gives Scrooge an extra hit point in the Himalayas.
- Gizmo Duck - He blasts through a wall for Scrooge if Scrooge has the remote control.
[edit] Enemy characters
- Beagle Boys - They blend in with other small time Enemy Characters to stop Scrooge from finding the treasures. If they hit Scrooge on the Moon level they will steal his money.
- Magica De Spell - She's the boss of Transylvania.
- Flintheart Glomgold - He appears at the end to try to beat Scrooge to the treasure.
- Terra-Firmian King - boss in the African mines.
- Kronks - Enemies that appear on the moon level.
[edit] Development
Ducktales was developed and published by Capcom.
There were many differences between the beta version of the game and the final release. Many of these differences were seen in the 1990 book Consumer Guide: Hot Tips for the Coolest Nintendo Games [2] [3] [4] [5]. The levels went by different names: Jungle, Ghost House, Underground, Snow Mountain, and Moon Surface. Hamburgers were featured as a third powerup.[6] The coffins in the Ghost House had crosses etched on them instead of R.I.P.[6] The Moon music had a much slower tempo, and the Ghost House had a completely different track. Also GizmoDuck went by his Japanese name "RoboDuck".
DuckTales was also known as La Bande à Picsou in the French NES version, after the popular TV program of the same name (the French version of the DuckTales cartoon). The Japanese Famicom release of the game was titled わんぱくダック夢冒険 (Wanpaku Dakku Yume Bōken Naughty Ducks' Dream Adventure?). The Japanese version of the game did not feature the censorship present in the United States release of the game.
DuckTales was later ported to the Game Boy. That version features the same gameplay, music and levels with different sound and graphics. The layouts of the levels were changed slightly due to the lower screen resolution.
A sequel, DuckTales 2, followed in 1993. It didn't match the success or popularity of its predecessor, as consumers were focusing on the Super NES by that time. Many dedicated NES players of the 1980s and early 1990s were unaware of the sequel.
[edit] Critical reception
DuckTales was released to generally good reviews, praised for its gameplay and soundtrack. The graphics were considered above average for the time. The characters were part of a popular Disney franchise and were easily recognizable. The game is considered a classic among many NES enthusiasts.[7]
Veteran Capcom composer Yoshihiro Sakaguchi (a.k.a. Yuukichan's Papa), known for his work on the first two Mega Man games, composed the soundtrack to the still popular NES game. The music of the moon level seems to be one of the more notable video game compositions of the era,[citation needed] and has been remade and covered by a wide range of underground and mainstream bands in all styles of music, from rock and metal to dance. Remixes and renditions of "The Moon" were still being made as of 2008, alongside the game's other music, albeit to a lesser extent. The music from "The Moon" was included on a 2-CD compilation of some of the most popular NES music.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ [1], The Armchair Empire review of DuckTales
- ^ http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w303/sarujo/Game%20Guides/DuckTalesNESGameP1.png
- ^ http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w303/sarujo/Game%20Guides/DuckTalesNESGameP2.png
- ^ http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w303/sarujo/Game%20Guides/DuckTalesNESGameP3.png
- ^ http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w303/sarujo/Game%20Guides/DuckTalesNESGameP4.png
- ^ a b [2], Emulationworld.com interview with Darlene Waddington
- ^ [3], MobyGames.com review of Ducktales
- ^ [4], Duggmirror.com gaming news
[edit] External links
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