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Years ago they were our heroes. They brought us hours of fun and excitement, and brough huge profits to their creators.
Who am I talking about?
The gaming heroes of days gone by.
Some of them have lasted through the ages. Link, Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, Ecco the Dolphin, but others were not so lucky. Maybe it was a duff title, maybe the developers just lost interest, but some of our heroes have left the world of gaming. Today I ask 'where are they now?'
Firstly we have 'Alex Kidd'. Alex Kidd was very popular on the Sega Master System, starring in 5 top games. However, after a poorly recieved (and poorly developed) outing on the Sega Megadrive he left the world of gaming. We managed to track him down in Detroit, where he is manager of a car hire firm, and we put a few questions to him.
Me: So, Alex, do you have any regrets about leaving Sega?
AK:Why no Meka. After Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle (Megadrive) I was told that I was becoming stale. I was too 8-bit they told me. Apparently humanoid characters were out, and they were bringing in a new mascot, a blue hedgehog. I was disappointed at first, but then I realised that all my life I'd been a video game character, and it was time for something new.
Me: And what happened to your trademark big ears?
AK:Well you may remember that they were big in the Master System days, but I had cosmetic surgery before my Megadrive outing to reduce the size of them. I had a further operation after leaving Sega, funded by my severence pay.
Me:So tell us a little about your life now.
AK:As you can see, I'm doing quite well, I earn a tidy amount here as manager, and I've discovered a whole new world of fun since discovering women. Unfortunately I've also started to age, after remaining the same during my years at Sega. But it can't all be good. I'd urge other characters that aren't getting any action to move on, there's more to life than being a fictional game character.
As you can see, Alex is doing well. Unfortunately not all characters are doing so well. I discovered a very sorry sight on the streets of New York, living in a doorway was Pitt from Kid Icarus.
I asked him what had gone wrong.
Pitt: it was all going so well. I had me NES game, and I was even in a cartoon with other popular Nintendo characters. I was adored. Anyway, along came the SNES, and I was told I was going to be needed for another game. 'Great' I thought, and I got myself back into shape, looking better than ever. Only the game was scrapped. Half way through development and I was out on my ear.
Me: So they fired you?
Pitt: No, I wasn't going to wait forever for another chance to make a game, so I left, thinking I could make it on my own. Anyway, things didn't go as planned, and I've got nothing. Nothing I tells you! I did a few commercails, put there ain't much call for cherubs with wings and an attitude.
Me: I hear that you feature in the trophy section in Super 'Smash Bros Melee' though, didn't that bring some cash your way?
Pitt: Bah! No, Nintendo still own my image. Just 'cause they created me they think they can use it anyhow they like. They don't care about me out here on the streets. Have you got some spare change?
The downfall of such an icon is nothing short of tragic. We can only hope that he can claw his way back up to some where like the level of success he previously enjoyed. If anything can give him hope, surely it's the revival of Donkey Kong, who had a long wait between the last arcade Donkey Kong game, and the SNES classic Donkey Kong Country. I caught up with DK in England, on a break from development of his latest Rare game, Donkey Kong Racing.
Me: Donkey Kong,can you tell us a little about what you did between the Donkey Kong arcade games, and the SNES title Donkey Kong Country.
DK: Ah, it was hell! All people wanted me for was remakes of the classic. I featured in a few really poor copy cat games. They were terrible, but I needed the money. Anyway, the money and the games dried up. I was drinking alot, and started to experiment with drugs. I had a couple of dealers after me, and I started to deal in order to pay them. I was really on a downward spiral. Anyway, one of the developers at Rare discovered me on the streets, trying to get rid of some wobbly eggs, and he took me in, got me cleaned up, and promised me a game or two if I got back in shape. As you can see I managed to do so, and the good times are back!
Me: Are you managing to stay clear of drugs now though?
DK: Yes. I've learnt my lesson, I've got too much to lose now. Hopefully Pitt will also get a second chance some day.
So there you have it. Some of the characters of yesteryear have really changed, some have successfully moved on, others not so.
Who am I talking about?
The gaming heroes of days gone by.
Some of them have lasted through the ages. Link, Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, Ecco the Dolphin, but others were not so lucky. Maybe it was a duff title, maybe the developers just lost interest, but some of our heroes have left the world of gaming. Today I ask 'where are they now?'
Firstly we have 'Alex Kidd'. Alex Kidd was very popular on the Sega Master System, starring in 5 top games. However, after a poorly recieved (and poorly developed) outing on the Sega Megadrive he left the world of gaming. We managed to track him down in Detroit, where he is manager of a car hire firm, and we put a few questions to him.
Me: So, Alex, do you have any regrets about leaving Sega?
AK:Why no Meka. After Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle (Megadrive) I was told that I was becoming stale. I was too 8-bit they told me. Apparently humanoid characters were out, and they were bringing in a new mascot, a blue hedgehog. I was disappointed at first, but then I realised that all my life I'd been a video game character, and it was time for something new.
Me: And what happened to your trademark big ears?
AK:Well you may remember that they were big in the Master System days, but I had cosmetic surgery before my Megadrive outing to reduce the size of them. I had a further operation after leaving Sega, funded by my severence pay.
Me:So tell us a little about your life now.
AK:As you can see, I'm doing quite well, I earn a tidy amount here as manager, and I've discovered a whole new world of fun since discovering women. Unfortunately I've also started to age, after remaining the same during my years at Sega. But it can't all be good. I'd urge other characters that aren't getting any action to move on, there's more to life than being a fictional game character.
As you can see, Alex is doing well. Unfortunately not all characters are doing so well. I discovered a very sorry sight on the streets of New York, living in a doorway was Pitt from Kid Icarus.
I asked him what had gone wrong.
Pitt: it was all going so well. I had me NES game, and I was even in a cartoon with other popular Nintendo characters. I was adored. Anyway, along came the SNES, and I was told I was going to be needed for another game. 'Great' I thought, and I got myself back into shape, looking better than ever. Only the game was scrapped. Half way through development and I was out on my ear.
Me: So they fired you?
Pitt: No, I wasn't going to wait forever for another chance to make a game, so I left, thinking I could make it on my own. Anyway, things didn't go as planned, and I've got nothing. Nothing I tells you! I did a few commercails, put there ain't much call for cherubs with wings and an attitude.
Me: I hear that you feature in the trophy section in Super 'Smash Bros Melee' though, didn't that bring some cash your way?
Pitt: Bah! No, Nintendo still own my image. Just 'cause they created me they think they can use it anyhow they like. They don't care about me out here on the streets. Have you got some spare change?
The downfall of such an icon is nothing short of tragic. We can only hope that he can claw his way back up to some where like the level of success he previously enjoyed. If anything can give him hope, surely it's the revival of Donkey Kong, who had a long wait between the last arcade Donkey Kong game, and the SNES classic Donkey Kong Country. I caught up with DK in England, on a break from development of his latest Rare game, Donkey Kong Racing.
Me: Donkey Kong,can you tell us a little about what you did between the Donkey Kong arcade games, and the SNES title Donkey Kong Country.
DK: Ah, it was hell! All people wanted me for was remakes of the classic. I featured in a few really poor copy cat games. They were terrible, but I needed the money. Anyway, the money and the games dried up. I was drinking alot, and started to experiment with drugs. I had a couple of dealers after me, and I started to deal in order to pay them. I was really on a downward spiral. Anyway, one of the developers at Rare discovered me on the streets, trying to get rid of some wobbly eggs, and he took me in, got me cleaned up, and promised me a game or two if I got back in shape. As you can see I managed to do so, and the good times are back!
Me: Are you managing to stay clear of drugs now though?
DK: Yes. I've learnt my lesson, I've got too much to lose now. Hopefully Pitt will also get a second chance some day.
So there you have it. Some of the characters of yesteryear have really changed, some have successfully moved on, others not so.
Meka Dragon wrote:
> Ah, I'd forgotten all about the Chupa Chups all over that game!
Hehehe, I only remembered it because I noticed Sheffield Wednesday are sponsored by Chupa Chups. Couldn't help chuckling...
---
THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY CHUPA CHUPS, MMMMM TASTY AND TANGY, YOU SIMPLY MUST EAT ONE, OR 10, OR 100...
---
> Ah, I'd forgotten all about the Chupa Chups all over that game!
Hehehe, I only remembered it because I noticed Sheffield Wednesday are sponsored by Chupa Chups. Couldn't help chuckling...
---
THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY CHUPA CHUPS, MMMMM TASTY AND TANGY, YOU SIMPLY MUST EAT ONE, OR 10, OR 100...
---
I remember ecco the dolphin. He was sooooo cool!! But sonic's probably my fave, though i don't know anything about him
Surely you have not forgotten the coolness that was Toe Jam and Earl? What about Bubsy Bobcat... ah the Mega Drive.
Ah, I'd forgotten all about the Chupa Chups all over that game!
How about Zool, from the Amiga...
funkygamer : So, Zool, it has been a while since the public have seen you, what have you been up to?
Zool : Well, after my first hit game, I decided to go on holiday, and, well, didn't come back.
funkygamer : Yours was one of the first platform games to actually have a sponsor, in the form of "Chupa Chups" I recall, do you feel that you helped pave the way for some of the product sponsorships that we see today, like Lucozade and Lara Croft?
Zool : I like to think I had something to do with that. Of course, that was back in the day when gaming wasn't quite as cool as it is now, so it was a risk, some say it paid off, some say I was a sell out....
funkygamer : What do you say?
Zool : Well, a little of both I think. [Takes a sip of champagne bought and paid for with said lucrative sponsorship deal]
funkygamer : OK... You were touted about as the home computer's answer to Sonic and Mario, you were to be a new figurehead for computer games... WTF happened?
Zool : Well, the thing that really stopped me taking over the world was that my game came on about 5 floppy disks, and so evertime you finished a level, you had to swap disks like a madman, whilst those pesky console jockeys were cart based. Damn. I coulda been a contender... [Bottom lip starts to quiver, tears well up in eyes]
funkygamer : [Quicky packing up tape recorder and notes] OK, thanks for your time, bye now....
Zool : Don't go... I'm lonely... Nobody loves me anymore...
funkygamer : [already out the door]
funkygamer : So, Zool, it has been a while since the public have seen you, what have you been up to?
Zool : Well, after my first hit game, I decided to go on holiday, and, well, didn't come back.
funkygamer : Yours was one of the first platform games to actually have a sponsor, in the form of "Chupa Chups" I recall, do you feel that you helped pave the way for some of the product sponsorships that we see today, like Lucozade and Lara Croft?
Zool : I like to think I had something to do with that. Of course, that was back in the day when gaming wasn't quite as cool as it is now, so it was a risk, some say it paid off, some say I was a sell out....
funkygamer : What do you say?
Zool : Well, a little of both I think. [Takes a sip of champagne bought and paid for with said lucrative sponsorship deal]
funkygamer : OK... You were touted about as the home computer's answer to Sonic and Mario, you were to be a new figurehead for computer games... WTF happened?
Zool : Well, the thing that really stopped me taking over the world was that my game came on about 5 floppy disks, and so evertime you finished a level, you had to swap disks like a madman, whilst those pesky console jockeys were cart based. Damn. I coulda been a contender... [Bottom lip starts to quiver, tears well up in eyes]
funkygamer : [Quicky packing up tape recorder and notes] OK, thanks for your time, bye now....
Zool : Don't go... I'm lonely... Nobody loves me anymore...
funkygamer : [already out the door]
Years ago they were our heroes. They brought us hours of fun and excitement, and brough huge profits to their creators.
Who am I talking about?
The gaming heroes of days gone by.
Some of them have lasted through the ages. Link, Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, Ecco the Dolphin, but others were not so lucky. Maybe it was a duff title, maybe the developers just lost interest, but some of our heroes have left the world of gaming. Today I ask 'where are they now?'
Firstly we have 'Alex Kidd'. Alex Kidd was very popular on the Sega Master System, starring in 5 top games. However, after a poorly recieved (and poorly developed) outing on the Sega Megadrive he left the world of gaming. We managed to track him down in Detroit, where he is manager of a car hire firm, and we put a few questions to him.
Me: So, Alex, do you have any regrets about leaving Sega?
AK:Why no Meka. After Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle (Megadrive) I was told that I was becoming stale. I was too 8-bit they told me. Apparently humanoid characters were out, and they were bringing in a new mascot, a blue hedgehog. I was disappointed at first, but then I realised that all my life I'd been a video game character, and it was time for something new.
Me: And what happened to your trademark big ears?
AK:Well you may remember that they were big in the Master System days, but I had cosmetic surgery before my Megadrive outing to reduce the size of them. I had a further operation after leaving Sega, funded by my severence pay.
Me:So tell us a little about your life now.
AK:As you can see, I'm doing quite well, I earn a tidy amount here as manager, and I've discovered a whole new world of fun since discovering women. Unfortunately I've also started to age, after remaining the same during my years at Sega. But it can't all be good. I'd urge other characters that aren't getting any action to move on, there's more to life than being a fictional game character.
As you can see, Alex is doing well. Unfortunately not all characters are doing so well. I discovered a very sorry sight on the streets of New York, living in a doorway was Pitt from Kid Icarus.
I asked him what had gone wrong.
Pitt: it was all going so well. I had me NES game, and I was even in a cartoon with other popular Nintendo characters. I was adored. Anyway, along came the SNES, and I was told I was going to be needed for another game. 'Great' I thought, and I got myself back into shape, looking better than ever. Only the game was scrapped. Half way through development and I was out on my ear.
Me: So they fired you?
Pitt: No, I wasn't going to wait forever for another chance to make a game, so I left, thinking I could make it on my own. Anyway, things didn't go as planned, and I've got nothing. Nothing I tells you! I did a few commercails, put there ain't much call for cherubs with wings and an attitude.
Me: I hear that you feature in the trophy section in Super 'Smash Bros Melee' though, didn't that bring some cash your way?
Pitt: Bah! No, Nintendo still own my image. Just 'cause they created me they think they can use it anyhow they like. They don't care about me out here on the streets. Have you got some spare change?
The downfall of such an icon is nothing short of tragic. We can only hope that he can claw his way back up to some where like the level of success he previously enjoyed. If anything can give him hope, surely it's the revival of Donkey Kong, who had a long wait between the last arcade Donkey Kong game, and the SNES classic Donkey Kong Country. I caught up with DK in England, on a break from development of his latest Rare game, Donkey Kong Racing.
Me: Donkey Kong,can you tell us a little about what you did between the Donkey Kong arcade games, and the SNES title Donkey Kong Country.
DK: Ah, it was hell! All people wanted me for was remakes of the classic. I featured in a few really poor copy cat games. They were terrible, but I needed the money. Anyway, the money and the games dried up. I was drinking alot, and started to experiment with drugs. I had a couple of dealers after me, and I started to deal in order to pay them. I was really on a downward spiral. Anyway, one of the developers at Rare discovered me on the streets, trying to get rid of some wobbly eggs, and he took me in, got me cleaned up, and promised me a game or two if I got back in shape. As you can see I managed to do so, and the good times are back!
Me: Are you managing to stay clear of drugs now though?
DK: Yes. I've learnt my lesson, I've got too much to lose now. Hopefully Pitt will also get a second chance some day.
So there you have it. Some of the characters of yesteryear have really changed, some have successfully moved on, others not so.
Who am I talking about?
The gaming heroes of days gone by.
Some of them have lasted through the ages. Link, Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, Ecco the Dolphin, but others were not so lucky. Maybe it was a duff title, maybe the developers just lost interest, but some of our heroes have left the world of gaming. Today I ask 'where are they now?'
Firstly we have 'Alex Kidd'. Alex Kidd was very popular on the Sega Master System, starring in 5 top games. However, after a poorly recieved (and poorly developed) outing on the Sega Megadrive he left the world of gaming. We managed to track him down in Detroit, where he is manager of a car hire firm, and we put a few questions to him.
Me: So, Alex, do you have any regrets about leaving Sega?
AK:Why no Meka. After Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle (Megadrive) I was told that I was becoming stale. I was too 8-bit they told me. Apparently humanoid characters were out, and they were bringing in a new mascot, a blue hedgehog. I was disappointed at first, but then I realised that all my life I'd been a video game character, and it was time for something new.
Me: And what happened to your trademark big ears?
AK:Well you may remember that they were big in the Master System days, but I had cosmetic surgery before my Megadrive outing to reduce the size of them. I had a further operation after leaving Sega, funded by my severence pay.
Me:So tell us a little about your life now.
AK:As you can see, I'm doing quite well, I earn a tidy amount here as manager, and I've discovered a whole new world of fun since discovering women. Unfortunately I've also started to age, after remaining the same during my years at Sega. But it can't all be good. I'd urge other characters that aren't getting any action to move on, there's more to life than being a fictional game character.
As you can see, Alex is doing well. Unfortunately not all characters are doing so well. I discovered a very sorry sight on the streets of New York, living in a doorway was Pitt from Kid Icarus.
I asked him what had gone wrong.
Pitt: it was all going so well. I had me NES game, and I was even in a cartoon with other popular Nintendo characters. I was adored. Anyway, along came the SNES, and I was told I was going to be needed for another game. 'Great' I thought, and I got myself back into shape, looking better than ever. Only the game was scrapped. Half way through development and I was out on my ear.
Me: So they fired you?
Pitt: No, I wasn't going to wait forever for another chance to make a game, so I left, thinking I could make it on my own. Anyway, things didn't go as planned, and I've got nothing. Nothing I tells you! I did a few commercails, put there ain't much call for cherubs with wings and an attitude.
Me: I hear that you feature in the trophy section in Super 'Smash Bros Melee' though, didn't that bring some cash your way?
Pitt: Bah! No, Nintendo still own my image. Just 'cause they created me they think they can use it anyhow they like. They don't care about me out here on the streets. Have you got some spare change?
The downfall of such an icon is nothing short of tragic. We can only hope that he can claw his way back up to some where like the level of success he previously enjoyed. If anything can give him hope, surely it's the revival of Donkey Kong, who had a long wait between the last arcade Donkey Kong game, and the SNES classic Donkey Kong Country. I caught up with DK in England, on a break from development of his latest Rare game, Donkey Kong Racing.
Me: Donkey Kong,can you tell us a little about what you did between the Donkey Kong arcade games, and the SNES title Donkey Kong Country.
DK: Ah, it was hell! All people wanted me for was remakes of the classic. I featured in a few really poor copy cat games. They were terrible, but I needed the money. Anyway, the money and the games dried up. I was drinking alot, and started to experiment with drugs. I had a couple of dealers after me, and I started to deal in order to pay them. I was really on a downward spiral. Anyway, one of the developers at Rare discovered me on the streets, trying to get rid of some wobbly eggs, and he took me in, got me cleaned up, and promised me a game or two if I got back in shape. As you can see I managed to do so, and the good times are back!
Me: Are you managing to stay clear of drugs now though?
DK: Yes. I've learnt my lesson, I've got too much to lose now. Hopefully Pitt will also get a second chance some day.
So there you have it. Some of the characters of yesteryear have really changed, some have successfully moved on, others not so.