As was the case with the last three such giveaways, this one features a loose copy of a Japanese GameBoy title. Specifically, a loose copy of the Japanese GameBoy port of Toaplan's Snow Bros.
To those of you who've never played--or even heard of--this single-screen platformer, it's an oh-so-capable Bubble Bobble clone that stars a pair of creepily cute snowmen (ignore the cart label art, below--the "official," in-game versions are far less adorable) who toss what I'm assuming are handfuls of snow at even creepier-looking adversaries until they're encased in towering snowballs that can then be rolled into other baddies or into the walls that line each stage.
It's all quite fun, plus it looks and sounds great. (I especially like its soundtrack--with the first level's backing tune being a particularly pleasant little earworm.)
Anyway, should my description of Snow Bros. Jr. make you want to own a copy of it, share the name of your favorite single-screen platformer (again, there are no wrong responses) in the comments section below between now and the morning of Monday, July 21--which is when I'll randomly point to one of those replies and send the person who published it the slightly abused cart seen above.
Speaking of this cart's slightly abused condition, I have to warn all interested parties that I've had a bit of trouble getting this game to boot on my GameBoy Pocket as of late. Sometimes the title screen pops up after I turn on the system, and sometimes it doesn't. Sadly, I don't know if a proper cleaning of the cartridge's contacts will put the kibosh on that little problem or not. So, just know that the cart that arrives on your doorstep--should you win the giveaway--may only work intermittently (or may not work at all).
See also: previous Gay Gamer Giveaway™ posts
Oh man, this is my favourite Game Boy game of all time, haha. I literally killed the cart, I played it so much as a kid.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with you, the soundtrack is truly awesome.
Hey there, Matt! Your story about killing the Snow Bros. Jr. cart of your youth seems especially funny when placed alongside the fact that the cart that's on offer here seems to be in questionable condition.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for this game's soundtrack, it was the first thing that stuck out at me after I booted up this game for the first time, as it literally made me think to myself, "yep, I'm going to like this one."
Hello, Reynaldo! Well, it seems I'm pretty late to the party this time around, eh? I don't know if I was even aware of the Snow Bros. IP back when I was a kid. Even if I was aware of it, I know for sure I wasn't aware of this GB port. Which is OK, I guess, as it allowed me to uncover and enjoy it today!
ReplyDeleteIt isnt actually a platformer but i hope it counts. Balloon Fight is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteAnything and everything counts, casino12, as all I'm really trying to do here is to get people to comment and maybe start a conversation.
ReplyDeleteAre you talking about Balloon Fight GB/Balloon Kid here, by the way, or the original arcade/NES Balloon Fight?
I love both games, of course, although I probably slightly prefer Balloon Kid over Balloon Fight.
I talk about ballon fight on the NES, i really like the simplicity[is that even word ?] I tried Balloon Kid few times and i really wanted like it, but the game is really slow and had framerate issues.[at least in my emulator].
ReplyDeleteI never played the Arcade version is it diferent than NES version ?
Sorry for my choppy engrish :]
Your English is great, casino12! Where do you live, by the way--or where are you from?
ReplyDeleteI can understand not loving Balloon Kid due to its framerate issues and overall slowness. That's actually why I wish Nintendo would remake or reboot this game for the 3DS, as it's ripe for such an update.
As for the arcade version of Balloon Fight: it's basically the same as the NES version, as far as I'm aware. I believe the main mode's stages may be a tad larger in the arcade version, but I think that's the only difference.
Hello again! Oh, yes, I've definitely heard of Slowakei/Slovakia. In fact, my husband and I had a conversation with one of our friends just the other night about the Czech Republic and Slovakia. (This friend's husband is from the Czech Republic.)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I hope you're enjoying Germany! And how nice that you'll be able to look forward to returning home, too, thanks to the Japanese games that are waiting for you there :)
As for Balloon Fight GB only being available in Japan via the GB Power Cartridge system: yes, that's very true. I've recently contemplated picking up a copy, but the prices on Yahoo Japan Auctions have made me reconsider. Maybe later in the year or next year...
Thank you for making me aware of the GameBoy Crammer podcast, by the way. I don't often listen to podcasts, I'm sad to admit, but given the short length of the GB Crammer ones I'll do my best to make an exception soon!
Once again, I'm disqualifying myself! ^^/ But favorite single screen platformer for me would have to be Bubble Bobble! ^^ I can't got wrong with adorable rainbow dinosaurs and collecting cute food!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I always was intrigued by I think it's Snow Bros. 2. The Snow Bros. arcade game with the 4 different elemental characters. I would see it randomly in arcades when I was young but never got to play it much. I don't think it ever got a console release, but I'm not sure! lol
Yes, yes, that's true, Will :)
ReplyDeleteAh, now I know why we like each other so much, Kaze--we both love Bubble Bobble!
ReplyDeleteAs for Snow Bros. 2, I'm not sure I knew such a thing even existed until just now. Off to the Googles!
*GASP!* Want. I love Snow Bros!
ReplyDeleteWell, then, consider yourself in the running, Justin! Is that your favorite single-screen platformer/Bubble Bobble clone, by the way?
ReplyDeleteYes. Absolutely wet. (Seriously, that's what my brain typed. I can't even remember what I meant to type because I laughed so hard...)
ReplyDeleteLOL! I'm not sure I want to know why your brain made you type that, Justin!
ReplyDeleteIs it too late? I'll comment anyway.
ReplyDeleteI love single-screen platformers, and besides those mentioned here, I'm quite fond of Tumble Pop. Quite similar concept to Snow Bros, it features two characters seemingly inspired by Ghostbusters. It has a Game Boy version but plays better on arcade, as expected.
Nope, it's not too late. I'm just about to pick the winner, in fact. BTW, I too like Tumble Pop. Sadly, I've never played the arcade version, only the GB port, but even then I quite like it :)
ReplyDelete