This post, about the not-so-recently-acquired copy of Konami's Yume Penguin Monogatari showcased in the photos below, is a case in point.
I've wanted to own a copy of this quirky platformer-slash-shmup--which features a plump penguin whose main goals in life (as well as in this Famicom game) are to lose weight and to win back his ex-girlfriend--for some time now, but I waited until early this year to do so because they tend to go for a pretty penny on eBay.
I was able to pick up the copy seen in the snapshots throughout this post relatively cheaply, though, thanks to a Japanese seller who was willing to accepting offers.
I'm not sure you can tell, but this copy is in damn near perfect condition. As in, I'm not at all sure any other human's ever been in possession of it--aside from a shop owner or two, I mean.
Which is kind of crazy, as not only is this one of the more interesting Famicom games in existence--and, as such, I would've expected sat least a single somebody to have snatched it up between its release in 1991 and now--but it also sports some of the box and manual art that's ever seen the light of day.
Sadly, you won't be seeing any of the Yume Penguin Monogatari manual's art today. I'd definitely look for me to highlight it in a future installment of "Manual Stimulation," though.
In the meantime, let's ogle its cart label (above), and a very specific section of the back of its box (below).
Actually, the entirety of Yume Penguin Monogatari's packaging is pretty darn great, if you ask me. I really like its overall aesthetic, which for whatever reason brings to mind saltwater taffy or other such treats.
I also really like its logo, a miniature version of which can be seen in the photo below. (Check out the very first photo in this post to view the full version.)
Have any of you played this Japan-only release? If so, what are your thoughts on it? Do you like its unique take on the platforming and shoot 'em up genres (despite the questionable message that goes along with its gameplay), or do you, perhaps, consider it to be an over-hyped disappointment?
Regardless, please feel free to share them in the comments section below. Also, feel free to speculate on the name of my favorite example of Famicom box and manual art. Don't worry, I'll reveal it soon enough, but it's kind of fun to guess in the meantime, don't you think?
22 comments:
Ooh! :D Y'know I've never seen the box for this one at all!
I didn't play this one until fairly recently. I dunno about over-hyped (it's not one I hear about that often, at least) but it's certainly an interesting game. One of the things that really stands out to me is how short it is, with that Mario 3-like world map, and yet that one screen is all there is. Questionable message aside, it's surprising that a kid-targeted game like this in a post-Mario 3 world could be over so fast seems surprising. It's still structured a lot like an arcade game though, with a lot of stage variety and some bosses and even that weird one-off propeller beanie item.
The game reminds me a lot of Dynamite Headdy for some reason and you'd think that would be because Kouichi Kimura (Headdy's director) is in the credit but he's dead last in the "thanks" section so I am less sure about his influence. (Maybe it influenced him?) Nazo2 Suzuki, also of Treasure fame, did the soundtrack!
Hey there, Michael! Long time, no see. Or maybe I should've said, long time, no comment :)
Anyway, I'm glad I could introduce you to this game's beautiful box art. And it is beautiful, isn't it?
You're right about nearly everything you had to say here about this game, by the way. One thing I'll add, though, is that it's length has never bothered me, as I've always personally had a tough time getting through even the small handful of stages that are included :|
I can see why you'd compare it aesthetically, at least, to Dynamite Headdy, although I think they play pretty differently.
Also, thanks for letting me know that a Treasure staffer worked on this game's soundtrack. I guess that helps explain why I like it so much! ^_^
Yep I've been lurking lately, just waiting for the right moment. :)
Yeah, it has more to do with the style of the game and how things keep changing up than anything specific about how they play that remind me of it (though the shooter sections) along with the general look of it. The length certainly doesn't bother me (in fact it's one of the things I like about it).
I actually like the back of the box better on this one than the front, the colorful layout and the cute drawings really do it for me. (I appreciate the zoom in on the one in particular, heheh!) Looking forward to the manual scans on this one :)
Oh, I can appreciate and respect "blog lurking," Michael. I do a lot of it myself XD
Also, I can see how you might like the back of this box better than the front. Like you said, the layout's nice and the drawings are cute. That said, I personally like the front best, as the main art looks to have been created using paper cutouts, something that maybe doesn't come across in this photo.
As for this one's manual, boy, are you in for a treat! It's seriously one of the best created for the Famicom. In fact, I'd say it's THE best, but ... another Famicom game I'm going to cover/showcase here has an even better one, I think.
I guess, though, I'll let you and everyone else who reads this blog decide if that's actually the case or not :)
Battle gameplay is out on Nintendo Direct, looks pretty fun but a bit clunky to my taste :/
That boxart instantly had me smiling at it. So much charm and care has been put into this boxart. Love it very much. :)
Now to look up some gameplay on YouTube. :3
Yep, you're right, Adam. And just wait until you see the manual--it's even more charming than the box art!
Yep, I saw it earlier today, too. Like you said, definitely a bit clunky, and the animations seem surprisingly choppy, but I'm still interested in this one due to the art style and the pedigree :)
I'll take box-art with colorful cute art styles that are designed to show that the game is fun over box art with featuring generic action hero looking angry any day of the week.
Me, too, Sam. No question!
Not to reveal too much, but that penguin's girlfriend is a TOTAL HYPOCRITE.
Yes, I have to agree with that, Jess :)
This is arguably the greatest cover art I've ever seen (>.<)
Ha ha, I love that you like this box art so much, Simon! It really is stellar, isn't it? And the game's quite a little treasure, too, in my humble opinion :)
Yeah, it looks pretty cool just from the tiny screenshots in your pictures above. I've added it to my list so I may get around to reviewing it in... the next ten years or so :(
Ha! Well, I hope it doesn't take you *that* long, Simon, as I think you might get a real kick out of this one. After all, it features both platforming and shooting/shmup stages, which is pretty unique!
A rare combination indeed, although Robocco Wars was a combination of those two genres as well, but I doubt the style is quite the same
Oh, right! I definitely remember your post about Robocco Wars, though I can't remember the particulars of how it plays. Yume Penguin Monogatari basically follows this pattern: platformer stage, followed by shmup stage, followed my another platformer stage, etc. Is that how Robocco Wars works, too?
Yep, exactly the same :) It's a great game too. I'll bump Yume Penguin Thingy to the front of the queue so I can see how similar the games are :)
Great! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this game, Simon :)
The blue penguin bares a striking resemblance to the Linux penguin.
And then again, all penguins bare a striking resemblance to the Linux penguin, LOL.
Then you might like this. warning: **SPOILERS**
AGDQ 2014: Yume Penguin Monogatari speedrun by Romscout (12:35)
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