Rampage Arcade and Ports - MIB Video Game Reviews Ep 25

Summary

This video takes viewers on a nostalgic journey through the classic arcade game *Rampage*, exploring its origins, gameplay, and the lasting impact it had on fans. The speaker reflects on the simplicity and humor of the game, which allowed players to control giant monsters destroying cities. Insights into the game's creation, including its inspiration from monster movies and the development challenges, are shared. The video also compares various home console ports, highlighting their strengths and shortcomings. With a humorous tone and personal anecdotes, the video celebrates the enduring appeal of *Rampage* and invites viewers to share their own experiences with the game.

Takeaways

• 😀 *Rampage* was released in 1986 by Bally Midway and allows up to three players to control giant monsters smashing through cities.
• 😀 The game was inspired by classic giant monster movies like *King Kong* and *Godzilla*, with characters like George the giant ape and Lizzy, a Godzilla-inspired creature.
• 😀 The game's development had humble beginnings; a tech team struggled to animate complex backgrounds, so they started with a simple rectangle—leading to the concept of buildings being destroyed by giant monsters.
• 😀 George, Lizzy, and Ralph, the main monsters, were originally human characters transformed by different means: George through a vitamin, Lizzy from a toxic lake, and Ralph from a sausage with a food additive.
• 😀 One of the game's most memorable features is the ability for players to humiliate others by eating them when they lose all their health and fail to insert another quarter.
• 😀 *Rampage* offers endless levels with 768 stages, which helped keep players engaged in arcades.
• 😀 The game’s simplicity and tight controls have made it timeless, contributing to its enduring popularity.
• 😀 In addition to the arcade version, *Rampage* was ported to multiple home consoles, but many versions had notable differences, from graphical limitations to gameplay changes.
• 😀 Brian Colin, the designer of *Rampage*, also did the art for the arcade cabinet and even used his wife as a model for Lizzy's character.
• 😀 The Atari Lynx version of *Rampage* introduced a fourth monster, a rat named Larry, and changed the gameplay to a moving screen, which felt different from the original fixed screen layout.
• 😀 While many ports were faithful to the original game, the Game Boy Advance port is considered the best single-player version, while the Sega Master System version was praised for its multiplayer functionality.

Q & A

What is the nostalgic significance of *Rampage* for the narrator?

The narrator fondly recalls discovering *Rampage* as a child, drawn to its giant monster theme reminiscent of classic monster movies like *King Kong* and *Godzilla*. The ability to play as a giant monster, destroy cities, and have fun with friends created a lasting impression.

What was the initial concept for *Rampage*, and how did the game evolve?

Initially, the game's development began with the tech team being able to animate only simple rectangles. Designer Brian Colin pushed for more complex animations, leading to the creation of collapsing buildings. The monsters were added as the perfect fit to destroy these buildings.

How does the game *Rampage* incorporate monster movie tributes?

The monsters in *Rampage* are inspired by famous creatures from monster movies. George is based on King Kong, Lizzy was inspired by a creature from *20 Million Miles to Earth*, and Ralph’s design is a reworked version of George's body with a new head and color palette.

What is the in-game story behind the monsters' transformations?

The game’s story reveals that the three monsters were once humans. George was a scientist who mutated after taking an experimental vitamin, Lizzy was a woman who mutated after swimming in a toxic lake, and Ralph became a monster after eating a food additive.

Why does Ralph’s name have an exclamation point, and what significance does it have in the game?

The narrator humorously questions the exclamation point in Ralph’s name, suggesting it implies a dramatic, shouted tone, though the exact reasoning behind the decision remains unclear. It adds a quirky touch to the game’s character naming.

How many levels does *Rampage* have, and how does the game increase its value in arcades?

*Rampage* has 768 levels, and to encourage continued play, when a player loses health, their monster reverts to human form. If they don't insert another quarter quickly, they risk being eaten by another player, adding a layer of humiliation that keeps players engaged.

What is notable about the various home console ports of *Rampage*?

The script explores numerous home console ports, each with its own set of strengths and limitations. Some, like the Sega Master System version, successfully capture the arcade experience, while others, such as the Atari 2600 port, struggled due to technical limitations.

What makes the Atari Lynx version of *Rampage* stand out?

The Atari Lynx version is unique because it introduces a fourth monster, a rat named Larry, and features a dynamic, scrolling screen rather than the fixed screen of other versions. While it offers new gameplay features, it doesn't feel quite like the original *Rampage*.

What are the narrator’s favorite and least favorite ports of *Rampage*?

The narrator's favorite ports are the Game Boy Advance version for its top-notch speed and controls, and the Sega Master System version for its polish and multiplayer support. The least favorite port is the Atari 2600, which faced significant graphical and gameplay limitations.

How does the *Rampage* port on the Game Boy Advance compare to others?

The Game Boy Advance port is praised for its smooth controls and good game speed, despite being a single-player experience. It's considered the best home version for replicating the feel of the arcade game, even if it lacks multiplayer functionality.