Alleyway retrospective [remastered]: Game Boy's breakout title | Game Boy Works

A top-to-bottom do-over of the very first Game Boy Works episode, bringing the series' debut up to current production standards. It's a look at the first of Game Boy's four launch titles in Japan, a standard Breakout-style block-smashing game with a few small fun touches. Nothing incredible as games go, but as a transitional work between Game & Watch and the Game Boy, its limitations are certainly understandable.

[@ungurdagda813]

One of my dad's favorite games. The ambiance of the ball bouncing back and forth is always nostalgic to me.

[@KimFareseed]

Loved the sound in Alleyway, the music from the ball hitting the bricks and walls were so calming.

[@h1m1ko]

I just received your Gameboy Works volumes 1&2 books today and couldn't be more struck how much content and quality you put into these. You most certainly won me over and will continue to support you to the end! Thank you!

[@JeremyParish]

Thank you so much!

[@MilaMarieRose]

Love your work Jeremy! I've been a fan of yours since the 1up Retronauts days and I just have to say your work on this channel is exceptional and you deserve so many more views and subscribers.

[@B33FY2011]

He most definitely does deserve many more views and subscribers.

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

I have a slight obsession with Alleyway, and I'm not sure why. I think it's the sound effects. Not sure.

[@Retrosys]

Alleyway is a good time. Fun pick up and play with a lot of Mario Easter eggs, and charming sound. The title screen reminds me of NES black box games too.

[@scotthillman9134]

Its neat just not seeing how you have devoloped as a video capturer, but as an editor and a narator, in these videos.

[@Poever]

I approve of this remaster. The original video had shrill audio from the capture, and this quality plus the additional info is an impressive improvement

[@JeremyParish]

The original capture was from a terrible emulator, so yeah, everything about it was bad.

[@PuglyWont]

I have a fondness for this game for whatever reason. I think you articulated it though, it seems more like a one off toy than a video game. Maybe it's the lack of music along with the 'musical' sound effects.

[@childofcascadia]

I remember being a very annoyed little gamer when I found out alleyway was extremely basic. I was expected something like arkanoid with power ups/downs, special block types and 2 player or cpu battles. Arkanoid (and advanced modern takes on the formula) can actually be really fun, but a basic breakout version wouldnt cut it in 1986 after arkanoid came out, nevermind 1990 when I got Alleyway

[@sunnohh]

Did not catch that wonderful burn first time I watched this... great work as ever. You never review on a curve!

[@caryslan5890]

With the eShop closing on the 3DS, I am trying to pick up the Virtual Console games I have missed over the years. So, I picked up Alleyway a few days ago and it's a fun little game. It's simple and far from being the most ambitious game from the Game Boy, but it's design suits itself well to pick up and play sessions, perfect for a handheld. It's a simple and fun little breakout style game that has some Nintendo charm. For $2.99, it was worth the asking price.

[@Pants69]

Great video, Jeremy!

[@adesignersperspective]

i remember seeing this in various packed-in advertisements for other game boy games back in the day. always thought the box art looked cool, but never owned it or saw it sold anywhere.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

Quick gaffe at 1:30, it's 1987, not 1997 for Arkanoid's NES release (I think).

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

Yep! "Wario's Woods", the last NES game, was released in 1992. No chance for one in '97!

[@unrealggecko]

Congrats on 16k subscribers!

[@Dracalis]

I like this remaster, and I think it's a good idea. Our first episodes are never the best reflection of our abilities, but they're often where new viewers will turn. While I appreciate the original (and also have a bit of nostalgia for the old Game Boy World title that went with it), you've definitely leveled up your editing and narration skills. The more thorough information, including the video clips, in this version is pretty cool too!

[@CoquiReploid81]

I really enjoy these.

[@jessmartinez539]

Thank goodness its on switch now.

[@AngelRtypex]

Wow I'm surprised that you used my Block Kuzushi video! Btw, nice retrospective! 😊

[@Totter87]

I see what you did there with that title.

[@1989Ezal]

I loved it. The Breakouts on the Playstore has mostly a style and soundset that i dont like.

[@RyumaXtheXKing]

That you would subject yourself to this again. I hope you can keep your sanity.

[@adamking6645]

I'm curious, are you planning on redoing all your Game Boy videos prior to Skate or Die? And if so, are they going to replace the videos you previously posted? Or are you just going to have two Alleyway videos on your channel?

[@JeremyParish]

Absolutely not. I'm only going to remaster the first half dozen or so, the ones before I switched to HD capture, and the old videos will continue to show up… but strictly as deprecated versions outside the playlist.

[@adams213]

You're my favourite person

[@joefacethefirst]

Is there an expected release date for the hardcover version of the book? And/or pre-order?

[@JeremyParish]

Spring-ish?

[@joefacethefirst]

Awesome! I shall await a further announcement. I enjoy your research, diligence, and delivery. Thank you for your videos, podcasts, etc.!

[@J_Ciner]

I really admire that you were able to get this much mileage from talking about Alleyway on Game Boy. I don't think I could fill more than like two sentences about this game.

[@JetstreamGW]

It's so weird to me that Alleyway took a lot of crap, honestly. I mean, okay, it's not an _amazing_ game but... It seems completely serviceable? Perfectly fine middling gaming? An attempt was made and at least wasn't a failure?

[@jamesmoss3424]

I like alleyway it's a game boy game classic. 😀👍🎮