GameCube Bonk: Good times

[D-Lite]

I searched here and found nothing about the GameCube Bonk game released about, what, 2 years ago?  Surprised me.

Anyways, I've had the game forever and decided to really give it a go, not my normal 15 minute attempt at playing with the little time I had.  And it was fun.

Graphics:  Stunning for the large part and the animations are great.  Has a bit of the Paper Mario 2 feel to it and that's a good thing.  Some weird crap in the game, but that's probably more an effect of the Japanese-ness of it.

Sound:  Good, but nothing super special.  For my money the music in Bonk's Revenge is still #1.  The meat-eating sound drives me nuts though.

Gameplay:  Now this is the important part.  It feels enough like the originals that you like it.  The level designs are close to the original Bonk for the most part too with obvious updates and tweeks.  But the balance is way off.  Some of the boss battles are HARD.  I mean, I was audibly PISSED a few times.  Cheap bastards.  The other thing was the final level is very very long, nearly as long as all the stages combined.  The action and fun was there, but just felt weird.  Kept me guessing the whole time, which, I guess, is a good thing though.  

Would I recommend buying it?  Since you need the Freeloader disc and the game disc and you'd need to import it, maybe not for the casual fan.  But definitely for the Bonk fiend.  

I did beat it in about 2.5-3 hours.  On the first real time through.  But realize I've played the originals about 200-300 hours probably  

[GUTS]

I've been meaning to get this for ages, but I couldn't decide on whether to get the PS2 version since I already have a modchip or the GC version which is most likely a little better.  Have you played the PS2 version by chance, or do you just have the GC one?  I wish there was an Xbox version so I could just get that and have the best of both worlds, hah.

[Nemo]

I have the PS2 version Guts, they're the same since it's a budget title.  I agree with D, the game is a lot of fun, though not as good as the originals.

[_Paul]

I was very excited when I first heard of this, but when I saw the screenshots I was totally put off by how apalling it looked. It looked like a poor Amiga game - or like something they had given the new kids in the company to convert to get some practice for 'proper' games.

I don't know how it looks in action, but the stills were enough to show me that it was a wasted opportunity compared to what it could have been.

[TR0N]

Thanks for the heads up on the remake D.

Dunno if i'll ever track down of a copy of it now :

[Keranu]

I really want to play it someday as well, along with the other Hudson Soft game remakes.

[GUTS]

Nemo sweet, I was thinking it'd have horrible load times or something.  I need to get that, and maybe Adventure Island also.  Your Bonk isn't for sale is it?  I don't think I saw it on your sale list, but I might have missed it.

[D-Lite]

I found a review Lawrence at gamesx.com did:

http://nfg.2y.net/games/bonkgc/

Nice stuff with lots of screenshots!

[esteban]

I have GC version + Freeloader, but haven't had the time to really play this game. It's on my "to do" list, but PlayStation 3 will be in stores before I'll actually have enough time for it.

I thought Aaron reviewed this game here at PCEfx ?   Maybe that was before he redsigned the site?

anyway, here's a review that the search engines might not pick up:
http://www.famiconsumer.com/bonk.html

[Nemo]

Nemo sweet, I was thinking it'd have horrible load times or something.  I need to get that, and maybe Adventure Island also.  Your Bonk isn't for sale is it?  I don't think I saw it on your sale list, but I might have missed it.

No, that one isn't for sale.  I'll also add that both the Star Soldier and Adventure Island remakes are nice games as well.  Star Soldier actually being my favorite.

[Keranu]

I've heard a lot of people give crap to the Star Soldier remake, but I remember it looked awesome in the videos I saw for it a couple of years ago and they probably aren't in Star Soldier games to begin with anyways, which I sort of am (Final Soldier is under appreciated).

[jlued686]

I was very excited when I first heard of this, but when I saw the screenshots I was totally put off by how apalling it looked. It looked like a poor Amiga game - or like something they had given the new kids in the company to convert to get some practice for 'proper' games.

I don't know how it looks in action, but the stills were enough to show me that it was a wasted opportunity compared to what it could have been.

I think the game looks great.  I got it immediately after it came out and really enjoy what they did to it.  They made the fruit collecting a lot cooler, for example.  

Anyway, I haven't played it since I got it, but I do remember it being a lot of fun.  The only thing I really missed was the ability to turn on the turbo switches and make Bonk spin w/out having to repeatedly tap the button.  I was hoping they'd make one of the unused buttons a "turbo" button.

[Keranu]

I thought the graphics looked pretty good from videos I have seen (there is a  bit of a cheesy look in the graphics though which I think is where you are coming from, Paul.).

[_Paul]

I found a review Lawrence at gamesx.com did:

http://nfg.2y.net/games/bonkgc/

Nice stuff with lots of screenshots!

The screenshots in that review make the game look a whole lot better than the ones I saw when it first came out. Maybe they were unfinished shots or something, but it actually looks quite appealing now.

[lord_cack]

WOW! I very much like the looks of that title. It would be nice to see some other games done up like that...well not in that same style but given a remake of that quality.

[soco]

WOW! I very much like the looks of that title. It would be nice to see some other games done up like that...well not in that same style but given a remake of that quality.

i've been trying to guess how easy this would be to do in a specialized emulator. you'd probably have to make one for each and every game that had different replacement addresses. so that you could create packages of new games with exactly the same gameplay.

btw, where can you find this game? i remember seeing screenshots and stuff before it came out and then i haven't heard anymore. i searched again rather quickly to find it and came up with nothing.

[Keranu]

I found a review Lawrence at gamesx.com did:

http://nfg.2y.net/games/bonkgc/

Nice stuff with lots of screenshots!

The screenshots in that review make the game look a whole lot better than the ones I saw when it first came out. Maybe they were unfinished shots or something, but it actually looks quite appealing now.

You know, I think I remember seeing early screenshots as well and thinking how cheesy the graphics looked. I'm pretty sure of this actually.

[Nemo]

You know, I think I remember seeing early screenshots as well and thinking how cheesy the graphics looked. I'm pretty sure of this actually.

Well, you wear socks with sandals so we won't hold it against you.  

[Keranu]

Fuck off!  

[ParanoiaDragon]

I didn't see it mentioned, but it says at the end "to be continued" so I'm assuming they originally were planning to make Bonk's Revenge.  Heh, when I won it off of ebay, I was thinking it was the GC version, since I already had a Freeloader, but, at some point, I realised it was the PS2 version, so I have to get the Magic Slide.....which, turned out for the best, so I could play Ys 1-4(& eventually 5, if it ever comes out) on my PS2.

[Keranu]

I would love to see a Bonk's Remake/PC Genjin 2 happen; it was my favorite in the series.

[MotherGunner]

Yeah I have the Jap Ps2 version and LOVE it!

[eastx]

I ordered PC Genjin for GameCube from http://www.yesasia.com and I am waiting for it to arrive. The GC version is rare will the PS2 version is common for some reason... Here's hoping Yes Asia actually can get it for 30 bucks like they say!

Star Soldier for GC/PS2 is EXCELLENT, even though it changes the gameplay a little. It even has a 3 and 5 minute Time Trial BUILT IN, which is a reference to the tournament version of Star Soldier for Famicom used by Takahashi Meijin in the Game King TV special. It also has vintage commercials featuring Takahashi (Master Higgins).
Also, there is an unlockable 3D Star Soldier stage (based on the remake) in Dream Mix TV: World Fighters for PS2/GC. Check out my FAQ at GameFAQs for details on that game.

Oh, and there's a nice, new Star Soldier remake for PSP in Japan, which you can play on American PSPs of course... Plus Star Soldier (Famicom version) is available by itself for GBA or in the Hudson Collection shooting game GBA cart. Don't have the latter, but I'll get it sometime.

Adventure Island for GameCube is SO much better than the original - it saves your stage, has an easy mode, nice graphics, and original or remixed sound... Plus vintage commercials. A Must-buy for Adventure Islands fans. So is Adventure Island Collection for GBA, which has all 4 Famicom games on 1 cart, available now.

Cubic Lode Runner isn't so much of a must-have as the other 4 PS2/GC Hudson Collection games since it's Lode Runner! Well, it has less added too... I mean, they changed the game up to make it 3D (but it works)... There seem to be some unlockables, but I don't have 'em. It's the most budget-looking of all 4 games, that's for sure.