16-Bit Gems - #34: Plok!

[@Larry]

Shigeru Miyamoto was so impressed by Plok's music, he assumed that someone had modified the SNES in order to play it! also check out Spider-Man and the X-Men: Arcade's Revenge on the SNES if you like Tim Follin's music. But I grew up playing the Pickford brother's games, Their game "Feud" was the first game I ever bought with my own money! They're also really nice guys IRL, I speak to them almost every other day on Facebook!

[@scientificbrony]

I love you; marry me, i never thought I would see you here

[@eyedam]

Dammit, Larry! Everywhere I go, you are already there.

[@Larry]

scientificbrony lol, I've been subbed to Roo since he had less than 500 subs!!!

[@eyedam]

***** I'm not talking just about this video. I see you all over the place. And it was more or less pointing tords that you have good taste in videos. So, carry on!

[@Larry]

eyedam Lol, well I am severely crippled by my procrastination I must admit. But I do enjoy watching others' videos.

[@JPlokford]

Very well researched (and flattering) video. I'm well chuffed!

[@AnthonyBall]

Great video, but "Plok! is property of Activision, Tradewest and Nintendo" ? I thought you retained the rights to everything Plok?

[@JPlokford]

Anthony Ball We own the IP. Not the (c) to the SNES game.

[@AnthonyBall]

Ahh... I see. :)

[@ClanOfTheGrayWolf]

Truly, it's an honor for you to even watch the video - let alone being well chuffed because of it! Thank you so much for making this great game that we can still talk about 20 years on. :)

[@deathb.e.a.t.1904]

John Pickford Oddly enough, my dad picked up Plok for me among the Super Mario Worlds for SNES, and I have so many fond memories playing this as a kid (I'm now 32, grew up with an Atari as my first console), inevitably getting my butt kicked by it, and it's gained a respect and nostalgia in my eyes only matched by the likes of Super Mario RPG and Donkey Kong Country. I'm beyond happy to hear you and your brother are still at it with your unmatchable creative and humorous wits in the gaming development world :) Very excited to play your next release, Sir Ste and Sir John Pickford ^_^

[@TipsterLIVE]

Holy cow! A new 16-Bit Gems? Miracles do happen...

[@King_K_Rool_]

Fun story i heard about the audio of this game, aparently when Miyamoto heard the music he was convinced the super nintendo he was playing it on had been modified! Thats the power of Follin :)

[@MichaelBtheGameGenie]

I have never heard of Plok before but it looks fantastic, also so very excited that 16 Bit Gems has back!

[@Nikos8BitStereo]

Fantastic review Roo! It's finally great to see 16-Bit Gems back in action. While everything about this game is pure fun and greatness, I was so excited to hear you talk about Tim & Geoff Follin's work on the music, by far my favorite aspect of any game, and there work here certainly is a criminally underrated soundtrack of SNES proportions.

[@Freako]

I'VE BEEN DIDDLED AGAIN!

[@kellsennett548]

Your gonna need to talk to someone about that mayn.

[@GreenGearMood]

Might I inquire what you were wearing at the time?

[@EDWARDJFOX-sb6zl]

I remember when my friend & I first rented this game in the mid 90's, the music floored me & I immediately began to record every level's song as my buddy played it.. still had the tape around & eventually put it into my iTunes.. killer soundtrack!!!!

[@gamepopper101]

I really like Tim Follin's music on Solstice, the underrated NES isometric dungeon game. Shame he quit video game music back in 2006.

[@autobotstarscream765]

Don't forget Equinox, the sequel to Solstice with another catchy Follin soundtrack.

[@Ornochestror]

@@autobotstarscream765 And Equinox was made by the Pickford brothers! There's a game from 2017 called "Lumo" which is quite similiar to Solstice and also features references to the Pickford brothers

[@FoxMan_FF]

It's about time this game got more recognition! Plok is my all-time favorite SNES game, and it seriously deserves more love.

[@Saxcat20]

Good to see this back...I thought it was done for good this time.

[@thefitnerd5116]

Update from the future: You were correct.

[@prixelderp5231]

Ah! I'm so glad to see another great Roo review rather than hordes of live stream clips, podcast clips, and lets plays that one unfortunately sees way too often these days.

[@zagStygian]

YES! More 16-Bit Gems! Welp, now we just have to wait a year before the next video.

[@antster1983]

Plok's soundtrack is definitely one of the best soundtracks on any game ever! Some of it was certainly inspired by 70s progressive rock - Tim Follin (co-creator of the soundtrack with his brother Geoff) cites Genesis, Yes and King Crimson as influences.

[@Goveynetcom]

That amazing plok music. I'm glad this game was featured, it really deserves some more attention. :D and welcome back Roo! I knew the wait would be worth it.

[@HagenFlachmann]

This is one of my favourite platformers of all time. I didnt know that they made a comic. Thats just awesome!

[@CazMeister]

Glad to see your back Roo.

[@_JustSomeGuy_]

After a super long day at work, I couldn't think of a better way to unwind. Thanks Roo!

[@Ryodakun]

16 bit gems nowadays have the pace jontron used to have.

[@cartmanbeer]

It was great to see a new "16 bit gems" in my subscription list. Great to have you back Roo!

[@WarpWorld7]

Whooa!! Look at all those 16-bit gems in boxes on your shelf... Nice work Roo, the collections lookin' awesome!

[@girlfriendvs]

FINALLY some love for Plok! One of my favorite games growing up. You have done it justice good sir.

[@escapee909909]

Thanks for keeping on keeping on, Roo. We all love it, and you.

[@Shotgunminister]

So very glad to see 16-Bit Gems going again. You rock, Roo

[@MrKrowvinland]

Best gaming series around! Thanks for doing this!

[@sourmilkandcereal]

Who knew playing a good ole fashion platformer takes longer than doing an rpg retrospective.

[@Zeithri]

Hah! XD

[@LanIost]

Man Roo, I love what you do. I seriously, seriously appreciate it and from trying to make videos any time in my life about anything I KNOW how hard it is to make something quality. That being said, I can't imagine how much work it is to create something of your.. caliber(?.. s.. uh.. homonym.. ) That being said .... my first reaction when seeing this upload (bear in mind you had a preview of it like 5 years ago) was "ABOUT FUCKING TIME!" Thanks for everything you do. It's so good, and goes down so smooth, that we literally are DESPERATE for these. Please, please, please, quench our thirst more often! I think we can all agree on this. - This guy.

[@johnnymcgeemusic]

Found this review to see if Plok was going to be worth my $5. Ended up subscribing , looking forward to checking out more of your work (and Plok) in the near future!

[@jacobgray9077]

Glad to see new episodes. Roo's reviews are the best I've seen.

[@cwooddirector]

Glad that you're finally back, it's been along time since a proper episode and I can't wait for future episodes.

[@OperationPhantom]

Tim Follin is great on any system he works too. As a c64 owner during the 80s and beyond I have to attest to this! For example Bionic Commando's music was so friggin' awesome!

[@n64glennplant]

I loved plok! Then again I'm English so the humour was right up my street!

[@mattyjmania]

ROO!!! YAY!! Great to have 16bit gems back!

[@TotalZeldaNerd]

OH MY I HAVE MISSED YOU ROO THANKS FOR BEING BACK

[@TheJamesawesome]

Holy shit!! I was surprised to see this in my sub-box, so happy to see it back!

[@bloodymess008]

Wow it's been so long since I've seen one of these posted! Great work as always!

[@TyBlood13]

What a glorious return! It's good to see you again Roo

[@GamerGoingGrey]

So glad to see you back, Roo. Awesome review as per your usual quality.

[@JazGalaxy]

I somehow missed out on Plok. I saw it all over the place, and it looked good, but there was a strange "b" level vibe about it that made me pass it up at the rental store time after time. I'm pretty sure I somehow rented Bubsy more than once, though. Gosh kids are dumb... Incidentally, I MISSED 16 BIT GEMS. This is easily my favorite show on all of KZbin.

[@GoldGloves210]

16 Bit Gems!!!!!!! Oh snap, and I've got this game CIB, hell yes.. can't wait! Thx for this episode Roo!

[@kaio0777]

OMG 16 bit gems is back awesome Roo thank you for bringing this back

[@jewjitsu712]

YAYAYAYAYAYA!!!! Welcome back Roo! I just got my earthbound cartridge, and was super super pumped this review came out the same day!

[@mikedx42]

Welcome back Roo! You've become my favorite youtuber lately!

[@MartinBarreby]

Fantastic! I have missed your 16-bit Gems episodes! Love'em! Great episode! :)

[@nickmasterx]

Welcome back, Roo. Great video as always keep 'em coming!

[@CosmicamsCanvasCurse]

I LOVE this game! The Music is just... FANTASTIC The legendary Tim Follin helped make this the gem it is

[@TrickyMagican]

Very much worth the wait. Great to see another Gem, Roo.

[@TravestyBrimstone]

Welcome back Roo! Plok looks like a intresting game, have to try and find it. Thanks for the review.

[@ComradeUnited]

Glad to see this finally return!

[@loubilly]

Yay Roo is back with a new video! Nice work. I am sold on this platformer now

[@Karanagi]

Glad to see you're back to making these Roo. :D

[@GOKUNYC1]

Finaaaaally.. Glad you are back... can't wait for the next podcast...

[@theorthodoxkase2442]

one of my favorite games of all time!

[@Thermalfusi0n]

I miss your vids,Roo

[@NilsGerlach]

Finally 16-Bit Gems is back! And with a title where I ask myself: How could you miss that one for so long Roo?

[@ouaueaioh]

I had lost my faith. Good to see you back Roo!

[@coolcat555555]

To echo some other comments, the Plok soundtrack is amazing, with one small flaw: there is only one track for all 7 levels of the Fleapit (excluding the Queen), and it's one that we've heard before, in the Creepy Forest. It's a wonderful track, but it starts to feel repetitive after awhile--would have been nice to introduce a new track to break up the slog through the Fleapit levels (by far the longest levels in the game). Effectively, the last new piece of music is "Gohome Cavern," and there's still 10 more stages to pass after that. Just a small quibble!

[@Jetstorm4]

I love this game. And glad to see a great review on it. Deserves more for sure.

[@zanmaru139]

Zippo Games? The guys behind Solar Jetman? That's... pretty awesome.

[@mediaglitch]

I cant believe Im about to watch a new 16 bit gems. Amazing here we go!

[@gonk952]

Heck yes! More 16-bit Gems! Thank you, Roo.

[@SamBamchannel]

It's good to see you back at it Roo! Looking forward to the next one :)

[@mediaglitch]

Thanks for putting this on my radar. Great episode!

[@thesvc2006]

Finally, the Roo, HAS COME BACK!!!! To Youtuuuube!

[@MrNorbert1994]

Discovered this game 7 years ago... the game arrived this week. BEST BOUGHT to the SNES, and in my opinion: the best SNES game ever made. :)

[@argoth83]

For making a video about this game, I award you one Plokontinue.

[@JulesVonBasslake]

WOOT! 16 Bit gems is back.

[@BNGamesYT]

Ive really been looking forward to more vids Roo. Great job, you inspire me to keep creating videos as well. No one does it better than you though.

[@TheGamesShed]

Never played plok before but it looks to be a stunning game. This is now on my wish list. Thanks for sharing it. :)

[@tvj20xl]

Holy Crap!! Roo where have you been man? Please continue this series!

[@JishJosh]

Welcome back roo love your 16bit gems I loved this game as a kid I still have it now think I got it for like £3 back in the 90's Fantastic game happy to see it made the gems list A

[@AirZonkWorldChamp]

Ohya, I loved this as a kid! Great retrospective.

[@JG12]

glad to see you back Roo!

[@RetroOdin]

"Diddle on over to eBay". Damn, that's better than "Googling down low to iTunes"!

[@MyInfiniteZero]

About time, Roo! PLEASE keep them coming!

[@lokanientertainment6594]

Just when I was running out of Game Sack episodes I find this show--awesome!

[@Wyrdwad]

Yay! Glad you mentioned Tim Follin by name -- he remains my favorite non-Japanese game musician to date. For me, Solstice represents his masterwork (there may not be many tracks in that game, but what's there is absolutely astonishing for 8-bit!), but Plok is certainly up there. And if you've never heard his music from the unreleased Sega Genesis version of TimeTrax, I urge you to look it up right now, as it is utterly astounding. I never knew the Genesis was capable of making sounds like that. On another note, what's with all the Bubsy hate? :( I never got why the game was so maligned, as personally... I love it! I played the hell out of it as a kid, got to the point where I could 1cc it without any trouble, and found pretty much every secret there was to find in it (and there are a LOT!). I found it charming and well-designed overall, and really have very little negative to say about it. From day one, I always felt the Bubsy haters just didn't "get" the game, as once you get deep down into it, it really does feel like it was made with love.

[@Pookanator]

went out and bought myself a copy in town today! Thanks Roo

[@Adammyers1995]

GLAD TO SEE YOU BACK!!!

[@stevennicolo6485]

I found this in a 5-dollar bin as a kid and only partially knew what a gem I had on my hands. I'm very glad it's getting the attention it deserves these days.

[@RPGtourguide]

Awesome to see more 16 Bit Gems! :D I hadn't heard of this game until now, so I'll definitely have to check it out. :)

[@jricedrums]

16-Bit Gems is back!!!! Whooooooooooooo!!!!!

[@mbe102]

Holy crap, I missed this somehow as a Child. What a flippin' game. This would've been right up there at the time.

[@XD-385]

I guess that means I was one of the few who ever got a copy back when it was in production. Thank you Grandma.

[@jimknight6362]

Man, I loved this game so much when I was younger!!

[@eastcoasteric]

Ah yes, the Iron Swipe series. As goofy as it was at times, my favorite is still Iron Sword 2...yes, with the Fabio cover (which looking back on their history, you'd think that this was done on purpose, to be funny). I had no idea these guys still were in the Industry, nor about this game other than it's title at a glance at rental stores back in the day. Either way, great mini-retrospective and review Roo!

[@andrester88]

Tim Follin made the music for rock and roll racing?! WOW! That game's soundtrack was kickass!

[@PapaWolfGTG]

I remember reading about this in the various game mags back in the early 90's. The one I remember most was a comic for the game in EGM, I believe it was. Pretty funny for what it was.

[@BakerBoys95]

THANK YOU! I picked up this game years ago at slackers and no one believes me when I tell them it was good.

[@jreddtrex1618]

Man, I love Plok. Great episode :).

[@Chicomite]

What is this sorcery? 16 bit Gems episode? holy crap this is great! Roo must've found the phoenix downs.

[@maesejesus]

...This...this actually happened?A new 16 Bit Gems? And is Plok?! ... I'm very happy! I miss you guys a lot.

[@uminojyaku7108]

"Maybe I should play a game that doesn't take 6 months to review"- Roo from last 16Bit Gems. Lets hope he manages to keep with this mindset from now on.

[@GameNotLoaded]

Plok is a brilliant game, I done a really good Q&A about it. The Pickford Brother's are extremely nice guys who took the time to speak to a small KZbin channel like mines.

[@ExtremeMusicPromotion]

Thank you for showing me this game. Looks amazing.

[@EmergencyChannel]

What game was that behind Tim Follins? I thought it was Reloaded(sequel to Loaded for the PS1) but Neil Biggins done the awesome soundtrack for Loaded.

[@Ponaru]

Welcome back Roo!!! Long time no see! :D

[@RetroJaro]

I've seen this game so many times in the past and I didn't know it was so good. I, like a lot of other people I'd imagine, thought it was another mascot style game that was flooding the market at the time.

[@Riz2336]

Good to see a new vid man, yours are some of the best. My brother owns this game and says it's really fun

[@treepizzle]

You're back! I love your videos! I will check plok out.