American Truck (PC-88 Paradise) Telenet Japan's 1985 trucker game for MSX, PC-98, Sharp X1, and more

[@Dradeeus]

Really nice of NASA to draw the line at school buses

[@goatbone]

Those are future astronauts.

[@Isteak80]

Wow that backstory was NOT something I was expecting. It does kind of explain why our truck can go 200 km/h though.

[@BasementBrothers]

Oh yeah, I totally forgot to comment in the video on how it's weird that the game uses km instead of miles.

[@MalleusSemperVictor]

Japan's concept of how the American trucking industry worked in the 80s is probably on par with what any American thought of how anything worked in Japan in the 80s too.

[@chrismcovell]

Telenet actually was working on a Mega Drive game in 1990 called Road Busters that looked very much like a sequel to this. You drive a big rig vertically past attacking vehicles, more Mad Max 2: Road Warrior than Convoy in theme. But they never released the game. :(

[@applebonker141]

The bad guy from Zeliard's frowny face with the single tear cracks me up 😂

[@alvfaria]

This cannel's videos are always very relaxing and chill. I don't know why, it's just the feeling I got while watching them.

[@menhirmike]

I love how "Hi-Speed Scroll" is a legit marketing point - I think the MSX2 did just come out to offer truly smooth, high speed scrolling? Also, seeing a big rig truck with trailer go to 200 km/h (~124 mph) is impressive and slightly terrifying to imagine in real life - if I'm on the freeway and I see one in the mirror coming at me at that speed, I'd definitely lose my Taco. The game is no Truck Heck, but it looks pretty decent for 1985!

[@BasementBrothers]

Haha. I doubt they meant to actually refer to the speed of the scrolling, though. Since it was 1985 PC's, I imagine they were bragging that the game has scrolling at all... and that the action is fast-paced.

[@remka2000]

I do remember a time when having any kind of scrolling was a feature by itself indeed 😂 The next big thing was parallax...

[@paxhumana2015]

I wonder if you have played Euro Truck Simulator or American Truck Simulator yet, out of curiosity?

[@Steambull1]

@@BasementBrothers I missed that part in the video, but if they wrote that, I think OP is correct. The MSX2, released in 1985, included a vertical scrolling register, allowing pixel-by-pixel scrolling for games like this. I believe its horizontal scrolling options were also improved from the original MSX, which was "famously" held back by its lack of scrolling capabilities in that time period when games like Xevious and Mappy were hot in the arcade. The Famicom, released in 1983, had been designed with smooth scrolling in mind, and it had many faithful arcade ports before SMB completely sealed the deal.

[@JohnnyUndaunted]

12:17 - A bit of a nitpick, but the NEC PC-6000 series is not much older than the NEC PC-8800 series, they're actually from the same vintage, it's just the PC-6000 series were sold as a cheaper alternative.

[@diebesgrab]

NASA, spies, exploding cars, and bombs in the road? This is what Euro Truck Sim was missing.

[@Nemo2342]

I just love the story about being a secret agent for NASA.

[@KLegyyn]

Ahh, the American dream: driving a truck while delivering packages to Nasa with the license to kill anybody on the road. . Haha, great video as always. . .

[@NoelComiX]

Japan gets it

[@RndStranger]

This reminds me a lot of Konami's Road Fighter which was a big hit for them on computers at the time, though there were plenty of other overhead-view "stay on the road and ram people" games around...

[@t-wrecksthenerdasaur7468]

When I think of 80's American truck drivers, I think of arm wrestling competitions and having a chimp as a sidekick.

[@travisjordan3853]

Personally I think of the Mystery Science Theatre 3000 episode "Riding with Death". Although the TV show that Riding with Death was re-edited from, Gemini Man, originally aired in 1976. However Riding with Death aired in 1981, so it still "technically" counts as something from the 80's.

[@miketendopower]

This reminded me of a game that I can't seem to find any information on anymore. As a kid I would go to the convince store buy some 7th series Garbage Pail Kids and stick around to play this game. It was called Stocker. You were a red big rig. It had a similar top down view. You basically had to drive from coast to coast. Even the music is still stuck in my head. Wish I could find it again.😊

[@miketendopower]

Nevermind, you were like an orange car..my memory sucks or just another Mandela effect lol😅.

[@mercster]

Thanks, Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[@mercster]

I'm abandoning American Truck Simulator and playing this from now on. Much more realistic. 👍

[@MapleMilk]

American Truck Simulator and Desert Bus back in 1985 Too ahead of its time

[@ドリフト180X]

I like that they went with a wild story for this game. It gives it more character.

[@zeliardforty-two4692]

Okay absolutely love the intro and outro! Nice touch 😊 Interesting how many versions are available, but being a simple game made it easier to port. Definitely makes me think of Spy Hunter or Action Fighter. One of those early Arcade style racing games that always used the spy backstory. Probably why they added the same thing to this game 😂 still, definitely more unique than other clones. One of those that are easy to learn but hard to master type arcade games 👾

[@chazmaru9583]

♬ I like trucking, I like trucking I like trucking and I like to truck I like trucking, I like trucking If you don't like trucking, tough luck! ♪

[@QCJSiteB]

Merry Christmas

[@redalchemy]

Your channel has quickly become one of my favorites on this whole silly app!

[@jacethomas5562]

Wow, I was surprised to see that the game looks as fun as it does! Laughed out loud at the ridiculous story bit, I thought you were making it up. Thanks for another day in Paradise, Mr. Jakes!

[@dragoneye6229]

I remember this game. Oddly enough I played this on an MSX when me and my nephew were checking out old games.

[@Zeithri]

The intro made me chuckle :D

[@EdmondDantes224]

I guess all I can say is.... Merry Christmas and I hope you keep on trucking into the new year ;)

[@ens0246]

I love how you're rewarded for taking people's lives but you still very much respect the people who's jobs it is to save them 😂

[@OutlawOtaku]

Your finest episode yet. I was thoroughly informed and delighted!

[@goatbone]

Reminds me of Road Fighter which came out the year before in 1984 in arcades. I had it on NES and played it to death. You could knock cars into the barriers without slowing down.

[@BasementBrothers]

Oh yeah. I noticed there were quite a few Japanese reviewers who mentioned Road Fighter. That was definitely among the inspirations for the game.

[@goatbone]

@@BasementBrothersIt is a fun game. I'm not familiar with the Arcade version but the NES version has the same cars in the same place every time which sort of sucks. Looks like it was released on MSX too.

[@nimaiiikun]

this game made me think of spy hunter. was waiting for one of those red cars to go inside the truck

[@MrCobalt]

Was thinking the same thing. So many coins wasted on that game.

[@SaladofStones]

I like the editingon this one

[@Wyrdwad]

I think this was your funniest episode yet -- I definitely LOLed quite a few times. ;) Also, the Large Marge scene from Pee-Wee was a really nice touch! Game looks more fun than I ever would've expected, TBH. I might have to check out the MSX version sometime!

[@BasementBrothers]

Glad I could add another MSX game to your play list. :)

[@tommylakindasorta3068]

América, Truck Yeah!

[@tylerlacor8116]

Yes! Another PC-88 Paradise!

[@paulmacknight]

My favorite game of this kind is PayLoad. I played it on the MSX, not sure if it came out for the PC88. Great fun!

[@BasementBrothers]

I too have Payload on MSX! I know there is no PC-88 version, but I wonder if it came out for anything other than MSX?

[@Vulpas]

Nice video, Merry Christmas.

[@realmchat6665]

Great video as always, hope to see more next year! Have a great holiday and thanks for all the quality content - I want a Basement Brothers T-shirt!

[@Feyora]

i love this channel so much lol, what a great intro sequence

[@SNKev411]

One of my favorite retro channels keep doing what you’re doing brothers

[@rchassereau2]

That laugh is going to be my new ringtone

[@borrellipatrick]

Xanadu had a release on Nintendo Switch this week and I had to get it because of the Basement bros video that he had on it a couple months back 🤓

[@BasementBrothers]

So you're saying you watched my video and still wanted to buy it? LOL. Well, that's great. I do hope you enjoy it. :)

[@garaschneider4808]

Surprised Nihon Telenet didn't go all the way and put an unlicensed FM rendition of CW McCall's "Convoy" as a backing track for the game.

[@meltdownremix1996]

If you had asked me as a child to describe what being usamerican was like this is exactly what I would have came up with

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

It works. My brother can vouch for it.

[@jeremyhall2727]

Ok, i thought it was going to be just some slice of life driving game 😂 you're bloody james bond mate

[@noirlavender6409]

tHE BEST PC-88 VIDEOGAME JUST GOT A REVIEW, LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@Sarahm2261]

wow what a great video about trucks and america truly an christmas miracle

[@SNKev411]

I like the fact these brothers translate this game for us. What are the top 10 best game for the pc-8801

[@BasementBrothers]

Haha. As you can see, there was a lot of Japanese text to translate in this game!

[@SNKev411]

@@BasementBrothers Bro you are God send for that .Just curious How did you get started building your collection for these Retro computers since games for those systems are hard to get

[@BasementBrothers]

Yahoo auctions is the place to get them. It was a lot easier for me since I've been living in Japan and thus don't need to use an expensive proxy bidding service.

[@SNKev411]

@@BasementBrothers Man I'm super jealous Japan has everything good there

[@TBoneTony]

This is the Japanese Big Rigs on the PC88. Nice music too.

[@James-cf2mr]

I have been wanting this video for quite some time. I wonder how realistic it will be… Will it give American Truck Simulator a run for its money? Time to watch and find out! Thank you!!

[@NoelComiX]

Ahh the bad guy from Ziliard…. lol

[@Your_Degenerate]

You may not have the gold license but you can still have a CB Radio name when you talk to the other truckers.

[@astrades2601]

For me, an European, it's seems very accurate simulator of american truck in 80's xD Jokes asides clearly simpler game from simpler times, but its must was quite popular if there are versions for every computer available in Japan in that time. Interesting.

[@e.l.4409]

I'm surprised you didn't work in a clip of Homer Simpson singing Convoy.

[@RetroTuna]

Cool video mate I will give it a go on mister, and happy Xmas and new year

[@ZeroWalker26]

Awesome video as always. A man some games relay had a silly back story even if they did not need one at all.

[@starlightwitch12]

Burnout on the PC-88 but with Trucks

[@dyvyby]

The music reminds me of that stressful rhythm heaven DS game

[@mousebetr]

I am an AMERICAN mouse and they even let me drive the trucks sometimes. They usually end up regretting the decision, but too bad for them. It's the law!

[@Belgand]

It's a shame they didn't know about the National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Secure Transportation under the US Department of Energy. They transport nuclear material in classified, highly secured tractor-trailer shipments, try to hire ex-special forces when possible, and have a surprising degree of authority. They even monitor upcoming road conditions.

[@arvinrunstein5707]

I gotta get one of these things

[@orangeavenger1597]

American Truck doesnt fuck around.

[@firebreather4192]

Holy sh*t, this truck speed is insane, even for the German Autobahn. 😅

[@bluedragon219123]

I don't know why but the scrolling makes it seem like it's, the truck, is going backward. Still Great Job! :)

[@yousefslimani99]

PC 88 feels like the definitive version of ZX spectrum with high res and better soundchip, And PC 98 a definitive version of MSX with high res and better soundchip too

[@AgentAnnK]

Everyone loves American Truck!

[@goatbone]

Km/h?? Unamerican truck.

[@BasementBrothers]

Yeah. I definitely planned to include a comment on that in the video at one point, but guess I forgot when I was actually writing the script. I try to take good notes but that kind of thing happens all the time.

[@goatbone]

@@BasementBrothers You probably got distracted by the TakoMeter. Now I'm hungry.

[@BasementBrothers]

I am distracted by the Takometer every time I drive a car in Japan. Can't stop singing "tako tako tako tako tako tako..."

[@fazares]

Very cool spy hunter clone..runs quite smoothly too (pc-8801)

[@raziyatheseeker]

This feels like Big Rigs, if it was actually good. Or Desert Bus, at least in concept. My uncle's a trucker who hailed from Florida, and he still delivers there, so I suppose the palm trees are accurate. :p

[@MrNoobed]

Too wholesome to give a bad review to what everyone else would have hammed up as a kusoge

[@BasementBrothers]

No it actually is decently fun for the time it was released. I definitely wouldn't call it a kusoge.

[@MrNoobed]

@@BasementBrothers yeah it seemed fine. A lot like spy hunter.

[@loganjorgensen]

A license to kill and take all the NoDoz you want to.😉 I think they did a pretty good take on trucking to make it interesting, coming off that era of brief fanfare for the profession Eg. Convoy movie. Although I have heard of the truck culture in Japan with the highly decorated rigs. I had an idea for something like that but it was more of GTA slant of drug running, lot hookers, and highway bandits. Some truckers have some wild stories but the majority of the time you just drive from point A to B lol.

[@jamesstaggs4160]

Wow it's like an incredibly dull version of Spy Hunter.

[@darktetsuya]

I'd heard of this one from the likes of EGGch on youtube but never got around to checking it out. I mean it seems interesting? don't know why some versions have bombs though, interesting choice there.

[@Viehzerrer]

Compared to its modern Czech cousin, American Truck Simulator, this game might not be very realistic. But it's closer to what I imagine driving trucks in the USA is like. At least, in terms of road safety (or rather, the total lack of). The story is quite a curveball, though.

[@909crime]

this is REAL gaming

[@carlosgoldsmith9146]

Make sure you put out a post or something let your 'community' know you're alright after that earthquake. Hoping the best for you.

[@BasementBrothers]

Thanks. I think most know that I don't live near the affected area. Don't want to make a big deal out of it. :)

[@pokettoboi]

When in farland story lore does this take place? A prequel?

[@quarkbent9165]

A GOOD trucking game? Impossible. What else might Zeliard throw at you?

[@BasementBrothers]

The Sega arcade trucking games are a blast!

[@quarkbent9165]

​ @BasementBrothers Arcades were Sega's strongpoint, so I'd be surprised if they weren't :) I admit, I'm curious about Bakusou Dekotara Densetsu series, but that's a different generation of machines entirely.

[@arcadianlhadattshirotsughW33Z]

i bet if you look at the dust flaps on our "American Truck" you'll see Yuko from Valis and the words "Haulin Ass" under it... also how dare those 80's era japanese programmers at Telenet put Camel at the bottom under Salem and Kent (what the fuck is Jakes?)... camel is only beat by Lucky Strikes.. lucky strikes means fine tobacco... i love the japanese version of american culture...

[@BasementBrothers]

They may be good cigarettes, but their maneuvers just weren't excellent enough.

[@DKarkarov]

The driving in this game is a little too accurate to real life as american truckers definitely drive this way. I guess every trucker in the US thinks they are a spy for NASA. That said did you see the original version of Xanadu has actually released on the nintendo switch as Egg Console Xanadu, was a surprising but welcome classic release for the games anniversary.

[@ryanwarren2970]

Taco Man!

[@cellphonesmartphone7496]

Is it port of Sony MSX games ?? One of first publish by Sony

[@BasementBrothers]

You're thinking of Payload, right?

[@cellphonesmartphone7496]

@@BasementBrothers maybe ... i think it is right ... yah ...

[@BlueMageWithSoulEdge]

I don't know which is more absurd: The fact that there is a "Spy Hunter" for 18 rigs, or this company could have thought that each State had its own branch of NASA.

[@BasementBrothers]

Never said that. It just says each state has different terrain.

[@Antedithulian]

Be the American trucker Japan thinks you are.

[@e.l.4409]

Hell yeah American Truck Simulator ported to PC88!

[@christopherschadl7628]

pretty high revving engine for a diesel semi-truck...

[@OGHUGO]

WOW !

[@joshuawedekind3903]

Can you do Tower for PC-9801?

[@BasementBrothers]

LOL is there a game that's just callled "Tower"?

[@joshuawedekind3903]

@@BasementBrothers Yes. The original version of the "The Tower" (later released in the US as "SimTower") was just called "Tower". Although looking at the requirements, I guess it required a PC-9821 with the Japanese version of Windows 3.1, so maybe that doesn't qualify.

[@fmsyntheses]

I expected something way more sim=heavy and less nonsensical. I'm not certain why.

[@Deathy2D]

Where's the video of you getting the 1 million points so you can become a NASA Truck Driver?

[@BasementBrothers]

Sorry... :(

[@Conan_the_Based]

Nice attempt by Telenet, but it's not the true American Truck experience without arm wrestling competitions and fighting Mortal Kombat characters in Chinatown.

[@Retrokid1998]

Is this the first valis game

[@BasementBrothers]

I guess it must be! Yuko began life as a truck driver in the U.S. before attending high school in Japan. Who would've thought.

[@aaronko3480]

The fact this 1985 PC-88 game is superior to an early 2000’s 3D PC game shows just how crappy Big Rigs really is.

[@fulgenzio1973]

Basically is Traverse USA with trucks