Manual Stimulation: Yume Penguin Monogatari (Famicom)

If you geek out over instruction manuals like I do, you may want to start collecting Famicom games.

Yes, some of the earliest examples of manuals made for this system's titles are more than a bit barebones in nature (see: Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros.), but later ones can be quite fabulous.

Case in point: the manual produced for Konami's Yume Penguin Monogatari, which I previously discussed in this post.



All you need to do is check out the back page of Yume Penguin Monogatari's instruction manual to know it's top-shelf stuff. (By the way, I'd highly recommend clicking on each of the scans that can be found throughout this post, as that'll allow you to take a much better, and closer, look at their brilliance.)



The next few pages are pretty great, too--with the ones below providing readers with their first look at this game's main characters as well as their first taste of its rather head-scratching story.





Don't quote me on this, but I believe the illustration above is supposed to show Yume Penguin Monogatari's protagonist, Penta, struggling to balance his love of food with the love he feels for his ex-girlfriend.



The illustrations on the left-hand page above, on the other hand, show what happens to Penta if he's hit by one of the game's enemies or ingests any of the food said baddies toss at him. (Conversely, "diet drinks" found within each stage enable him to lose weight.)





Penta's moves actually differ depending on how big or small he is at any given time, by the way--with the projectile "po" attack (all the way to the left) being the most desirable, of course.

A few photos (and words) that hopefully showcase why I consider Yume Penguin Monogatari to be my second-favorite example of Famicom box art

Once again I'm going to take a bit of a break from my on-going "Year of the GameBoy" series so I can write about some of the games I've purchased for other systems.

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?

See also: 'Even more evidence that I have awesome readers'

Five favorites: Games featuring penguins

My recent experiences with The Berlin Wall, a Japanese Game Gear title that's filled with penguins of various colors and sizes, got me thinking it might be fun to write about my favorite games that feature these waddling, flightless birds.

This post is the result of that brainstorming, of course. Please note that I decided to focus on games that have penguin protagonists. As such, you won't see games like the aforementioned platformer or, say, Super Mario 64 discussed here.

1. Binary Land (Famicom)--This Hudson Soft-made game, which puts players in control of a pair of in-love penguins, is one of my favorite Famicom games, so it shouldn't be too surprising that I'm including it here. I don't love Binary Land because of its adorable protagonists, by the way; I love it because of its unique gameplay (you literally control both characters at the same time as you work them toward each stage's "exit" of sorts) and its highly hummable soundtrack.

2. Parodius Da! (PC Engine)--I could have included any of Konami's Parodius games in this post, really, but I decided to go with this, the series' second release, because it's the first I played. A few additional reasons for its inclusion here: it stars Pentarou, son of Antarctic Adventure's main character, and it features hordes of penguin "baddies" as well as a rather notable penguin boss (who earns extra points from yours truly for being both pink and a pirate), too.

Five favorites: Famicom/NES platformers that don't involve a fat, Italian-American plumber

As much as I love the first three Super Mario Bros. titles as much as the next guy or gal, they're not the only cartridges I stick into my Famicom when I'm in the mood for some platforming action.

In fact, these days I'm far more likely to reach for the five games listed below--each of which offer up music, graphics and gameplay that I consider to be on par with those aforementioned Nintendo-made classics.

1. Don Doko Don 2--I'm guessing Taito's decision to turn Don Doko Don's sequel into a Super Mario Bros.-esque, side-scrolling platformer was met with at least a bit of skepticism back in the day (it was released in 1992), but gamers needn't have worried. After all, the contents of this particular cart is a treat for the eyes, ears and even hands. (You know, because it controls well and is an overall joy to play.) Plus, it features a cameo of sorts by Chack'n (of Chack'n Pop fame)--which, in my mind at least, means it's an absolute-must-play.

2. Hoshi no Kirby: Yume no Izumi no Monogatari (aka Kirby's Adventure)--Is Kirby's first console outing his best? I tend to think so, although I also hold Kirby's Epic Yarn and Kirby's Return to Dream Land in high esteem. (Sorry, I've yet to play Kirby Super Star.) Regardless, the game known to westerners as Kirby's Adventure easily is one of the more enjoyable--and precious--platformers released for Nintendo's 8-bit super system. It is easy? Yes, it is, but that's the point. Focus on taking in the sights and having fun while doing so and you won't regret a second of the time you spend with this one.

3. Pajama Hero Nemo (aka Little Nemo the Dream Master)--Would you believe me if I said that this may be my favorite Famicom/NES game? Well, it is. Or it may be. Whatever. Anyway, even if you don't agree--due to its difficulty, most likely--you have to admit this title is a looker. I mean, really, how adorable are those sprites? That Little Nemo sounds nearly as good as it looks just adds to its status as a top-shelf platformer that should be experienced by everyone who isn't afraid of a bit of a challenge, a splash of color and a protagonist who's still in his pajamas.