A Passionate Defense of Ice Climber, A Severe Takedown of Ghostbusters | Ranking the NES, Episode 11

[@Achoohorsey]

Wanted to give context as to why I nominated Ghostbusters (other than because it's bad and I like making you play bad games) - When I was a little kid and the only console we had was a really old NES, I played this game without the manual and was confused as hell. I eventually kind of figured it out. But I was bad at it. So for years afterwards, I kind of shied away from video games because I was convinced that I would never be good enough to play them well. Then later, as an adult in college, I saw AVGN's video about the game and realized that no, I wasn't necessarily bad at games, it was just a crap game. I started getting into non-PC games again after that. Maybe that speaks poorly to my self-confidence but it's the truth. Being a young girl when it was unusual for girls to play video games (except maybe on the PC) didn't give me enough context at the time to understand much different.

[@sletrent]

Ghostbusters was one of those games that first taught me that games could actually just be bad. I would always leap to the conclusion that some games were just too "hard" and I wasn't good at them, not that the game itself was trash. Ghostbusters changed that.

[@EsDeib]

Best show going on in all media.

[@CatFish107]

Disagree hard. I stumbled on this, and the guy's language and the general impression of being unhygienic disgusts me. Clean yourself and your background man. Maybe fewer F bombs would help retention. There's my feedback. Have a good one y'alls. I'm out.

[@suicidepacmen]

@@CatFish107worst take in media

[@aegisfate117]

​@@CatFish107the media is in the news

[@EsDeib]

@@CatFish107What a horrible person.

[@Retro64_]

@@CatFish107 Do you know who Jeff is? Google him, he's an industry legend.

[@TheUncleshady]

Never seen this guy's videos but if RCR and Rygar are at the top of his list, he's definitely got his shit together.

[@Jaspertine]

He's a veteran of games journalism who doesn't put up with anyone's bullshit. (google the Kane & Lynch scandal) unless you're doing a bit, in which case... whoooosh.

[@TheUncleshady]

No He just popped up in my recommended. Everybody in the comments seems to have high praise. Guess I'm OOTL@@Jaspertine

[@BigLooDaddy]

@@TheUncleshadyGerstmann is the best. And remember, he is and always will be a threat.

[@houdin654jeff]

For all the times he keeps using it as a benchmark of quality, I hope when all this is over, we get a full play through of Dynowarz: Destruction of Spondylus as a season finale.

[@furrymessiah]

SpondeeLOOS

[@brescianit]

We need the dude who was making all the stats for the daily David Lynch videos in here, a counter of how many times Dynowarz Destruction of Spondylus has been pronounced is what I'm sorely missing in life

[@KyleS.1987]

The word 'spondylus' pops into my head several times a day and I don't know how to feel about that.

[@furrymessiah]

@@KyleS.1987 just your head? I keep saying it!

[@friendlyghost75]

I don't want this to sound negative because it's not meant to be but I've been a patreon backer of Jeff's since he went independent and while I have liked a bunch of his content (especially the Hall of Fame) nothing quite scratched that Jeff Gerstmann itch for me until this series. This series is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for when I subscribed and is a highlight of the week in terms of video content. I really hope he does the whole library and continues to other consoles. Again I'm not meaning to be negative about his other content, much of which is good, but this is the stuff I want hooked directly to my veins.

[@piercegardner3207]

Appreciate Jeff giving it his all with each game. A solid effort to learn the game's rules and try to win by them. Multiple attempts in doing so, even when the frustration builds in his facial scenes. A true Scientist™ in every sense of the word, and unmistakable Science being exhibited here.

[@MrTableDesk]

It's nice to see someone who actually knows how to play Skate or Die play it.

[@jameswilson6240]

Jeff has made Friday my favourite day of the week with this series.

[@matthewlouis5546]

The fact that Super Dodgeball made the top 10 is unequivocal proof that Jeff is doing science here.

[@VancedBoi]

This series is really making me appreciate checkpoints in games.

[@Filmipatkis]

Fun fact: Ice Climber was former (from 1982 to 1994) Finnish president Mauno Koivisto's favorite game. His daughter's husband introduced Mr. Koivisto to the wonderful world of Nintendo and brought him games to play :)

[@MonotoneTim]

The not-quite-A-Hard-Day’s-Night-music in the London stage of Super Dodgeball is driving me crazy.

[@namewastaken360]

The best thing about Ivan Ironmans Off Road was spinning the steering wheel rather than merely turning it to steer.

[@_gorezone_]

It's my favorite Friday of the entire week!

[@JamesInDigital]

We were really close to making an updated dodgeball prototype in college game production class. Really close. Mostly based on this nostalgia. Just a fun game.

[@CommandoRick]

Such a great series. I like to play along on my SteamDeck while I play this on my tv. I’m pretty into retro gaming but I’ve never even heard of a bunch of these, so it’s been a lot of fun to discover something “new”

[@chillhopdrumz1862]

same!!

[@esmerylan]

I'm roughly the same age as Jeff, grew up playing a ton of NES games, and there have still been a lot in this series that I've never even heard of. Two in this episode alone (Master Chu & the Drunkard Hu and Rockin' Cats)!

[@furrymessiah]

Much respect for the Mr. DO! shirt. Last game i ever bought for my SNES was the arcade port for it.

[@JohnBermond]

Gobsmacked at how incredible Super Spy Hunter sounds. I had to pause the video and look up the OST because that bass sound is downright filthy. It's like they sampled a Fairlight and put it on a NES cart. How the hell did they do it?

[@RelaxIntoOblivion]

Sweet jumping joseph, you weren't lying about that Commodore 64 Skate or Die music

[@CJSeedge]

I find it funny that for as much as you didn't want Mike to get the ball in SDB, you didn't just... tag him out for another team member at any point.

[@dongonzulman6478]

Metal Storm is a cool NES game. Has neat gravity switching mechanics, a cool looking mech you control, and some stages wrap around. It's neato

[@Red7Rogue]

That drum solo when getting off the water in Spyhunter holy shit

[@DerekRyn]

I have been thinking about the nes a lot since this wonderful show began!

[@dukeofthebump]

I always get Ice Climber mixed up with Snow Bros. I never played either of them, I just know they're two games with cold-themed duos where you jump up a lot. I just looked up Snow Bros., and now that I've seen both, I predict that the science will place it lower than Ice Climber

[@namewastaken360]

I never played the Nintendo version, but my friends parents had the arcade version of Sno Bros in their fish and chip shop and it was probably the best game there. I know what you mean about mixing up those games, I'm the same, but the game I associate with it is bubble bobble (which I didn't actually play when it was current, but saw ads for it in comic books all the time)

[@Foggen]

Super Dodge Ball is absolutely one of my favorite NES games, no question. It has this great feel like it's based on a crazy sports manga. Also: Sam, Randy, and Steve is the correct starting squad.

[@OrinLinwe]

I noticed you didn't stand during the flag. Interesting. (glad to hear everything worked out great with the baby; cheers, love).

[@Drakir79]

3 hours of just fun. Thanks Jeff!

[@Timberghosst]

Yooo welcome back, Jeff!

[@Evocati25]

One day Jeff will take the science seriously and play through all of Hot B's masterpieces.

[@rygar8bit2]

I love Super Dodgeball so fucking much. Also congrats on the baby.

[@BCThunderthud]

Super Off Road was one of my favorite arcade games, played it at the same pizza place where I tore the hell out of my hand playing Ikari Warriors. Both games that were very successful at getting me to put in more quarters to continue, and both featuring inputs that don't translate well to the NES.

[@TheUncleshady]

Ivan stewart off road racing? I played that in a pizza place too lmao.

[@Thrak94]

Whenever Im sad, I watch Jeff play Ghostbusters and Im happy again

[@8rb1]

I picked up the super dodge ball vinyl soundtrack through channel 3 records and man is it an awesome package

[@Pinion413]

Loving this NES content Jeff!!! I'll fully support on the other platform soon. Please keep this going!

[@JeffGerstmannShow]

Thanks!

[@steve43ful]

Imagine how amazing Super Spy Hunter would be if your car sat closer to the bottom of the screen and you had time to react to the shit flying at you. It still has so much STYYYLE that I kinda want to memorize the levels to get halfway decent at it.

[@MuradBeybalaev]

Watching you play the Drunkard game gave me an urge to blow into the cartridge and reseat it in the slot.

[@bdre5555]

It's really cool seeing skate or die on the nes. I played quite a bit of this back in the day on pc, in sweet ega. The colors are way more Vivid and colorful in the PC version.

[@Johnsonicv]

With Windjammers 2 under their belt I'd love to see Dotemu take on a new Super Dodge Ball

[@bdre5555]

Had to KZbin that level 1 music from Super Spy Hunter. Absolutely killer tune

[@Jagerbomber]

I always wondered what Ice Climber did.

[@TheFizzjunior]

I played the Technos World Cup Soccer and their Volleyball game as a kid. They were just excellent playing games.

[@damarziman]

No music in an NES game makes you want to snap your fingers like Ice Climber

[@fredriksahlstenglimmevi3259]

Sice we've had River City Ransom (or Street Gangs as it was known here) and Super Dodge Ball, will we soon see Nintendo World Cup, the soccer version of this go on the list? I loved that game.

[@pjalne]

Heck yeah, knocking out the goalie with bicycle kicks from the middle of the field.

[@katelankton5403]

This eyeless Mao in the background of Super Dodgeball is freaking me out

[@OMTstudios]

The road was moving in super spy hunter because you were on a bridge suspended with cables. It was supposed to simulate it rocking in the wind

[@zaxxoid]

Loving these sideways, encoded subtitles. Great for lying sideways and muting the video

[@Explicitnice]

Also in ice climbers, HOW WOULD YOU KNOW to jump into the bird to end the level? Video games have taught me that running into birds equals death

[@xwize]

Love these. Would love to see a snes series too

[@blikketty77]

We definitely need a comparison of the good 8-bit Ghostbusters vs the Nintendo one. I agree with the changes sucking. But the stairs part isn't that bad, you just avoid the ghosts. Wow, only takes a couple seconds of Super Spy Hunter and I'm like, oh yeah, thats a Naoki Kodaka jam, all these songs would work on a Batman level.

[@bdre5555]

Glad you were able to get one of these out this week, especially now that you have a small army of children. Can't wait to check it out!

[@Explicitnice]

I like how 01:49:00 just has OH FUCK in big letters as the subtitles on the screen. I think that describes this game perfectly.

[@xtlm]

The thing with Super Off Road is that it was an awesome 4 player game. I know that's not what this list is about though. Though I had a 4 score and several 4 player games growing up. So my opinions may be skewed a bit lol

[@mmd3585]

2:19:55 has a great little rant from Jeff about Super Pitfall

[@d.s.i.6722]

The best shit going on KZbin today

[@scottysunday]

Catching up to these vids late, and I gotta say, it's surprising that the Atari 2600 version of Ghostbusters looks more fun than the NES version.

[@BookerCan]

The only version worth playing of that Ghostbusters game is on The Sega Master System.

[@sargesmash1]

Is this where I point out it's Spondylus and not Spondylous? :P Very entertained by all this - it's wild to see where I'm completely on board and where I vehemently disagree! Freaking love Super Dodge Ball - the NES game is still my favorite. The others always feel a bit off to me.

[@jonammons5882]

Any time I played skate or die I thought "well I guess I will die".

[@GreatistheWorld]

Starting to get concerned seeing Solomon’s Key sink lower, but reminding myself it’s making room for Solomon’s Key 2

[@Duckyofalarcon]

I wonder if it would be worth adding a notation next to the game title if it didnt have the nintendo seal of quality. Might be kind of fun to see where they all end up.

[@MissAshley42]

That Nintendo hasn't somehow turned Ice Climber into some kind of downloadable, portable, and/or mobile darling is criminal. What are we doin'?!

[@ItMeDwaeji]

5:14 Tecmo made the Nioh games you silly goose

[@1gnore_me.]

Ice climber is so frustrating because the concept sounds like it would be awesome, a 2d platformer where you scale a mountain by breaking the terrain with a hammer? sign me the fuck up

[@buzzclikverifyme]

Being a massive fan of the C64 version of Ghostbusters, I can confidently say that the Master System version is the best implementation of the game (save for the turrible music). Each subgame is just beefed up and slicker, plus the endgame once you get past the marshmallow man adds a bunch to the experience (the C64 version would just go to an ending cutscene). Watching/listening to this NES version was kinda painful.

[@mmd3585]

1:59:00 Jeff shows that he doesn't know the AVGN channel

[@redmoonbloodmoon3161]

super dodgeball was so good, sad they never made it again, oh, what they could do.... sighs... (I'm still shocked that a lot of people have no idea that there's also a jumping special attack-throw too)

[@xtlm]

like how we are talking about 120hz 4k capturing while I am here putting the video to max of 1080p lol

[@johnwestendorf]

Jeff, why didn't you switch the lineup around in Super Dodgeball so we could see the supers of the other USA players?

[@incompletex2]

Been calling it Ice Climbers long before Melee

[@nomchonks]

This week had the second game i owned as a kid: Ghost Busters. Got a lot less play than Little Mermaid, let me tell you. I was like, five years old. I had no idea what the fuck was going on.

[@Jaspertine]

Bean Ball: The original Battle Royale

[@scottcorso9247]

12:22 OOhhhh, so it's the game's fault....Right Jeff?? 😜🙂 (just razzin ya) Also...SPONDYLOUSSSSS! 26:24

[@hankkingsley2792]

1:30 Well if she must rock and roll all night at least she doesn't party every day.

[@sleepwalkusa135]

ghostbusters (avgn reference)

[@DarkLadyMarie]

science at its finest

[@kevinkuenn5733]

Bummer Jeff missed last Friday, now he's gonna have to wait until next September to play Friday the 13th

[@IgnatiusAlpha]

That was a wild group of games. I need to look into Rockin' Kats, Super Spy Hunter, and Super Dodge Ball more. Those seem great. Ghostbusters, however, is NOT great. God that game is such a piece of shit. The disbelief on Jeff's face once he got into the Zuul building says it all. I expected more from Skate or Die too. It looks kinda dull, but I've always thought it was one of the more revered titled in the NES library. Looking forward to Episode 12 as I plow through more of my KZbin backlog.

[@mazziecat]

In the ranking of the consoles NES could soon overtake anything pre PS2 as far as I'm concerned. There's something raw and direct with NES games that I appreciate more and more. Like take the Megaman games on the NES vs the X games. To me the NES games wins out by a longshot

[@RetroDrew]

I'm with you on the Megaman take but to me the SNES's library is untouchable. So many amazing games and an incredible library for imports

[@mazziecat]

@@RetroDrew I dunno man. The more SNES games I've replayed the more I've realized most don't really hold up for me. Secret of Mana being a recent example which imo is just a shitty game. It's legit straight up a bad RPG

[@chrisrusso4538]

Did he play jaws yet lol

[@derekgroves1374]

The picture on the wall in Super Dodge Ball's China stage looks like Mao has buttcheeks for eyes & it's deeply disconcerting.

[@mmd3585]

Super Dodge Ball for the NeoGeo is Tecmo's finest. I played it like a maniac on an emulator, and got pretty good at it, too

[@0FFICERPROBLEM]

Technōs' finest*

[@LeafhopperV]

You should try Super Dodge Ball Advance one day. Really good improvement.

[@brockk3277]

I had withdrawal last week 😂😂

[@LukeExists]

Just wanted to chime in and say the the cool sound in Master Chu & The Drunkard Hu is probably the worst sound I've ever heard in a video game

[@JohnBasedowYoda]

The master system ghostbusters was wayyyyyy better

[@bawol-official]

This show is better than spaghetti & meatballs

[@ice_queen9]

"what are we doing?" that's what i wanna know. absolutely nothing about this ghostbusters game makes any sense to me :o . why did the ghosts stop? why is there a big white block that just looks like an asset placeholder? why is this driving level they put into the game so boring??

[@pointblank0020]

are the sideways captions a technical issue? could just make a narrow column oriented properly. anyway, nice show

[@MarkAltosaar]

I grew up with Skate or Die and liked it a lot more than Jeff did ... but it may have been a Stockholm Syndrome situation. Learned the shit out of that downhill race mode.

[@Spirit0f]

Curious if the HAL version of Ghostbusters II will get any love on this countdown. Technically not a U.S. release, but a WAY better take on the franchise than the monstrosity that is Activision Ghostbusters.

[@zerorisker9161]

I think he’s going strictly US release games.

[@Megamaduo]

I did not like the Commodore 64 version of Ghostbusters much either but it did not deserve what the NES port did to it

[@jimhallberg2142]

Send up for Master Chu and the Drunkard Hu. Just like the music, it's the game you forget about as its happening. Truly a lovely display of trash.

[@VeI_2.0]

Hi

[@Gafgarion45]

I'm amazed that Rygar and Athena are still the top and bottom. I expected the worst game to change every two episodes or so, the best to change every three. The fact that these are our champions after so long is a little troubling, all things considered. I'd also like to give a personal Thumbs Down to Master Hu and the Drunkard Chu for committing the gravest video game sin, bad invincibility "music". Just a disgusting thing overall, and based on my emotions, it beats Athena for Worst Game Ever (So Far). Not based on science, of course.

[@Drayco91]

Rygar is spectacular and Jeff's been looking for any excuse to play it on-stream at various places for like over a decade, I feel. I don't think it's getting dethroned until we start getting into the more traditional big name first party stuff like the Mario games.

[@steve43ful]

🫡

[@beatchef]

The music for the England team in Super Dodge Ball is funny, it's like a medley of Get Back and the middle 8 of Hard Day's Night by the Beatles. Most of the tunes for the other teams are those racist stereotype pieces, England it's Beatles cause I guess they didn't want to do the national anthem.