DF Retro Let's Play: Rocket Knight Adventures - Classic Sega Genesis/ Mega Drive Action!

[@Fattydeposit]

John Linneman always comes across as such a genuinely kind hearted beautiful man. By far my favourite content creator; every thing he makes is fantastic and always makes me feel better about this hellscape world.

[@Jambobist]

Good of you to take the time to leave such a nice comment, people normally only bother if they have something negative to say.

[@retrom8442]

I agree, I love all the Digital Foundry's work, but John's DF videos are the best.

[@expectingbrainchild1707]

Absolutely. I'm not even all that into the technical side of games but I watch DF all the time because his passion shines through.

[@stelgeo]

He has vast knowledge, passion and does proper research. He deserves the props.

[@shanekrauchi2357]

I get the feeling it's hard to get a word in with him, though. He. can. talk.

[@bowloflentils]

This is one of my favorite Genesis games. Everything is so polished and full of variety. And that mech fight with Axel Gear is one of my favorite set-pieces in gaming.

[@spacemeng]

Awesome video, guys! Rocket Knight Adventures is a true gem and you did it justice here. I enjoyed watching until the end!

[@scalliano]

I survived Rocket Knight 2019. Why this didn't make the cut for the MD Mini when Bloodlines and Hard Corps did I have no idea.

[@dvdbytes4348]

When was the last time Konami did something sensible ?

[@Cl04d]

License.

[@newtypepunk9967]

It should have 100 percent been on there, still happy we got Contra and Vampire Killer though.

[@CheckmateStallioN]

hope is very much alive since a Genesis mini homebrew is currently in the works :)

[@yohanntoutain2682]

Thank you for revisiting this absolute masterpiece of the Mega Drive! Rocket Knight Adventures deserves much more love and attention.

[@fistsop]

40:56 You should do a video highlighting the "rental fix" differences in various NA releases compared their Japanese originals.

[@KinoKonformist]

fistsop it would very long video. Most Japanese games had this adjusting in difficulty. Sometimes people even didn’t notice it, like in Resident Evil games. But sometimes good games became horrible because of it. Like Dr Jekile and Mr Hyde on NES that was very good game on Famicom with unique gameplay mechanics. But on NES it’s just test your patience with unfairness.

[@SuperBearPoo]

The Cutting Room Floor is pretty good about covering those kind of regional differences, just FYI.

[@retractingblinds]

Finally, more DF retro! This is the best content on the channel and you can tell John pours his heart into it.

[@birms3287]

I am blown away at how this game still holds up so well. I used to play it as a 5-year-old and it's still just as good.

[@DeToxCommunity]

John, you're one of the only people I'd truly love to watch do Let's Plays. You should do more of these! Your insight combined with not sucking makes this very enjoyable!

[@Horos_de_Vega]

These videos are my favorite videos! By far! It brings me back to the golden age of video games with, on top, the live commentaries of living human encyclopedias!

[@SolidSonic08]

I love these retro plays

[@ThePhantomnaut]

SolidSonic08 Yee

[@Asobitech]

Wonderful playthrough, showcasing and highlighting some of the best effects on the Megadrive. The ingenuity in these older 16bit games is just amazing.

[@JP-qb8qx]

John, Nice! Bring more content like this to the channel! You are the best retro gaming content creator on KZbin by a far margin. Kudos man!

[@jayvee0521]

I survived Rocket Knight 2019. Man, this game is one of my eternal favorites out of Konami's classic catalog and the Genesis/Mega Drive library. Cool to see you give it a spotlight here.

[@danielblack6529]

Great playthrough, John and Audi! I SURVIVED ROCKET KNIGHT 2019! This game is packed with variaty. I played through the european version's Hard and Very Hard mode (called Easy and Normal respectively in the US version) and even with the slower speed this game is THOUGH and pushes you to the limits. And it makes you get a controller with a good D-Pad because if that is not responding right to what you wanted in a quick event where you need to use rocket you'll get crushed. I'm not sure if I'll try to beat the Crazy Hard mode though. Maybe some day? We'll see.

[@retrosoul8770]

Great run Jon. This game is a fine display of the Gen's great 1988 hardware and just one of the better 16-bit titles in general. Smooth animation, parallax, great music the works. I really wish the Gen/MD was supported by more of the great Japanese developers (Capcom, Irem, Natsume, Hudson Soft, Squaresoft etc), than we would have gotten more classics on the system, that represented the hardware well the way this one does against the Snes which was supposed to be two years newer but many times failed to show it...

[@davidaitken8503]

The SNES was superior hardware to the Genesis. I find it funny how Sega fanboys are completely blind to all of the frame skipping and flicker going on throughout the entire game yet they freak out over any performance hitch on SNES games. Talk about a double standard.

[@wallacerigby4393]

It’s my favourite Retro gaming show! Sunday breakfast tastes so better watching this.

[@Jaap-Relou]

Who is here because of the Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked Collection announcement? Great memories totally unlocked again 🫶

[@Oliver-1984]

Always look forward to these sundays with a new video from John. I love to see that there is a genuine place for old classics on a tech heavy channel like Digital Foundry. Thank you for all your work, John! (And Konami was so on fire back in these days, fresh ideas every two steps)

[@Ivsucram]

"You guys having fun?" "Recording..." hahahaha nice

[@RobertoVillegas-vincent404]

I survived Rocket Knight 2019 and hope to survive more lets plays from the DF team in general. Really enjoy when you and Audi do the retro analysis.

[@Zumii]

I survived Rocket Knight 2019! Great video once again, I will watch every minute of these let’s plays, fantastic nostalgia.

[@Cleve_Crudgington]

I loved Rocket Knight Adventures as a kid and played it again some years back and it really holds up. I never really appreciated just how much is going on though. There's so much variety and some really cool and unique stuff. This video has given me a new appreciation for the game. I think I'll have to give it another playthrough.

[@KRYZBLUE]

"I survived Rocket Knight 2019!!" Great video! It was so wonderful to relive my childhood vicariously through this video Thank you!

[@ValterCustodio85]

"I survived Rocket Knight 2019"

[@DigitalFoundry]

Welcome to the club!

[@Daniel-yz3zf]

Yes! An hour of DF Retro just in time for cardio. Thanks guys!

[@AKAaBuster]

I like this format. It helps that you are super knowledgeable about the game and historical context.

[@Tailzo]

I made it to the end, and I enjoyed it. Thank you for playing :)

[@glenpratt3837]

This video warms my heart / I have so many positive emotions ties to Rocket Knight Adventure

[@rramos7488]

This brings me back to when I was like 6-7 years old. Nostalgia to the max.

[@SuperLiquidVegeta]

I survived Rocket Knight 2019! Thank you for doing a lets play of this absolute gem! It is so often overlooked!

[@Belmoon]

I survived Rocket Knight 2019. I LOVE this game and beat the US version myself, but despite the difficulty difference I was quite surprised to see John finish this on one continue. Nice work!

[@cristianrodriguez8429]

I SURVIVED ROCKET KNIGHT 2019 ! And I also wanted to applaud this amazing gameplay, you got us feeling quite a rush of Adrenaline John! I owned a copy of Sparkster on the Super Nintendo,but boy oh boy! Rocket Knight it's quite astonishing! 😀 Btw, while looking at the Mine Cart section of the game, have you ever planned to produce a video featuring in DF Retro "The Adventure of little Ralph "? Its quite a superb 2d platform/action game release on 1999 for the japanese market, I got so lucky to acquire a copy not too long ago, and I was thrilled all the time while playing it all the way to the end! Luckily, I owned a japanese psone combo with the LCD monitor, my preferred way of playing platform games due to the non existent lag on the controllers, it can be very tricky to play an LCD monitor via HDMI / Component cables.

[@mooBaka]

Just want to say 'I Survived Rocket Knight 2019'. Also my favourite game on the mega drive.

[@jowysw]

You survived what?

[@fourdee4d]

I survived, learned and enjoyed. Thank you both.

[@trog871]

"I survived rocket knight 2019" It's amazing the amount of variety that they where able to pack into such a short game. Every stage was something unique and different that made the game seem longer than it actually is and keeps you hooked for what will come next. 9/10. Edit: I feel as if this game would play much better on a CRT as, for example, the 30hz flashing of the water and fire effects would blend into a nice transparency effect rather than producing massive eyestrain like it dose on a LCD display.

[@vortex566]

Great video as always! Learnt a lot watching this video. Keep up the good work.

[@edward3808]

Yay, another DF Retro episode! Thanks John

[@gmsbsghost8993]

I survived Rocket Knight 2019 ;) Great content, thank you a lot, John and Audi.

[@pryan609]

I survived Rock Knight 2019. This was an excellent playthrough! Literally one of my all time favorites on the Sega Genesis. I would love to see more content like this in the future.

[@freddiejohnson6137]

Loved all of Konami's 16-bit games and that they used to do exclusive versions of games for all systems.

[@niklev83]

Hey John, I survived your playthrough. I wish I knew about this game when I was still playing the Sega Genesis! ...I still have my tower of power! And recently got the Analogue Sega SG because of my love for Sega. I'll be looking for this game now, since it didn't come included on the Sega Mini. This game looked super polished to me! I will be trying it casually, because I don't think I'll have the strength to pass all these levels! lol Thank You for this wonderful video! :)

[@SteelSkin667]

I didn't expect that you'd be doing a full play through, but here we are. I survived Rocket Knight 2019!

[@zweiiewzable]

Great game i bought it first day. Full enjoyable today 26 years before.

[@Krlos5605]

I love your content dear John! I survived Rocket Knight Adventure 2019.

[@southendbusker7534]

this game has its fans, die hard fans

[@charlottepaterson6354]

I've never even seen this game before but when the guy said he was getting a Contra vibe i was like same.

[@atom_zero5413]

Of course I survived Rocket Knight 2019! It is one of the best games on the Mega Drive! Thank you for showing this game some love!

[@DigitalFoundry]

Thanks for surviving! I certainly adore this game so I’m glad others do as well.

[@andytjm]

I survived Rocket Knight 2019. That was a lot of fun to watch.

[@DigitalFoundry]

Another made it to the end! Amazing

[@madfinntech]

Truly an amazing game that showed what the Mega Drive was capable of in proper hands!

[@zenanarchist]

20:30 The 4th stage boss in Contra: Shattered Soldier is very similar

[@Cl04d]

Doh, do some research.

[@TheGoodOldGamer]

Hey John I'd recommend some lapel microphones and Zoom recorders for this kind of series. This way you can keep your AC on. Great video. I still have my Genesis version, but never beat it. Thanks for the play through I survived Rocket Knight 2019 :)

[@GeminiWoods]

I fondly remember playing this game as a kid. Never beat it but loved it to death. So long ago... Oh and I survived Rocket Knight 2019!

[@FloydMaxwell92]

I survived Rocket Knight 2019 and I regret nothing.

[@michiganjack1337]

This was one of those games I rented at Blockbuster and was so impressed that I bought the game before my rental period was over.

[@Riesenfass]

I survived rocket Knight 2019. What a great game, possibly my favorite on the system but the difficulty is no joke. Great work on this video guys!

[@ru5t397]

I survived rocket knight 2019, great video as always. DF Retro definitely has blast processing.

[@sampa8378]

Rocket Knight was better with Blast Processing.

[@mogo2433]

Did Blast Processing help Rocket Knight or did Rocket Knight help blast processing???

[@sausagesausage]

Most games were.

[@happyspaceinvader508]

If you follow DF’s videos, you’d know full well that no Mega Drive (Genesis) game ever used Blast Processing… but that Blast Processing is absolutely a trick the Mega Drive can do.

[@mohammadmj]

I came back to (and survived) Rocket Night 2019. Thanks!

[@DTM-Books]

I did extensive research on Sega Genesis for a future book project and compiled every readers' poll of its best videogames known to exist, as well as conducting a couple new ones. When all the numbers were crunched, Rocket Knight Adventures ranked 11th in the poll. It's a beloved classic with many fans young and old, and it makes for a terrific showpiece for the Genesis.

[@FifthOfNovember_Original]

I survived rocket knight 2019! Really great video, cannot wait for the next one!

[@jonnyX06]

Loved this game!

[@emanuelgottig9068]

I Survived Rocket Knight 2019 and I hope I get to survive many more games played by John. This one was such a delight, he's a great commentator.

[@DigitalFoundry]

Excellent!

[@d3x7r0]

That was brilliant. My Mega Drive came with the original PAL Rocket Knight Adventures AND Castlevania: The New Generation as pack in games and I still own them but I never managed to finish either. It was so cool finally seeing the levels on the box art I never got to (like that rocketing through the city level). What a nostalgia trip. Love your retro gaming stuff. Oh yeah and I survived Rocket Knight 2019 obviously :D

[@vsanz4758]

I never thought of Rocket Knight like a challenging game, but anyway it's one of the best in the Megadrive, much better than the uninspired sequel

[@AdaaDK]

John, clearly is the retro gaming master. :-D ... Good video guys, and the game looks really nice.

[@ClockedIt]

One of my favourite Megadrive games! Played it to death back in the day and still own my original copy. This game is so colourful and full of character that it almost feels like a Disney cartoon like Gummy Bears or something and could honestly have had its own cartoon series. The flying sections in this game are awesome! When you go into space...oh man. Konami showing their greatness back then. Great play through folks, classic game. I survived Rocket Knight 2019!

[@j0nnyism]

The genesis sprite abilities really helped give it the edge with sports games and shoot em ups. It also had gunstar heroes and streets of rage which are arguably the best in their genre at the time

[@aaroNiGHTS]

I survived Rocket Knight Adventure 2019. Good job chaps!

[@SaavasLP]

Kinda late to the party, but "I survived Rocket Knight 2019". I decided to finish the game for myself first and hear your thoughts after that like I always do.Thanks for the video!

[@Red-Revolution708]

Games used to be very difficult with no games saves nor even memory cards back then . We’re really spoilt nowadays believe me . Going back to the original Atari back in the day we thought Wow , we’d also look at the box art on the packaging with the game cartridges , and we used to use our imagination on how the game would look like , but it reality the game looked nothing like the box art on the cartridge boxes .

[@Renk1]

I bought Rocket Knight for the Mega Sg thanks to John’s praise of the game. The game is amazing, thanks for the tip!

[@slot9]

I survived rocket knight 2019. I got a little distracted at certain points and almost fell asleep right at the end. but I made it to the end. Thanks for doing this! Long form can be a good time.

[@DigitalFoundry]

Amazing ha ha

[@cloudcity4194]

One of the finest Genesis games, one of the finest run & guns and one of my all-time favorites. BTW, the spin in place is an attack. For the first few bosses, it's the "win button", when used correctly.

[@Helgermusic]

I remember this blewing my mind as a kid, i was used to games like sonic and such so, to this day, rocket knight feels pretty unique

[@Septer_Sever]

I survived Rocket Night 2019. I played through it myself for the first time. Now, I watched John Linneman play through it. I got to see some different strategies that I didn't use, but will the next play through.

[@Yuuretsu]

This is the game that convinced me to get a Megadrive and made me a Sega fan in the end. I wouldn't have played any of Sega's own fantastic games if this game hadn't convinced me to pick up a Megadrive.

[@dingo535]

Excellent video, this also reminded of what this title was actually called as I'd borrowed it from a friend in elementary school and had long since forgotten the title. Would love to see something on the Vector Man series, or a shoot 'em up of any orientation or era. Be it Konami, CAVE or any other, I'd love to see a closer look at such a title. Ramble... love your content, retro and current alike!

[@Alorso_]

I Survived Rocket Knight 2019, Nice run john! Amazing showpiece for the Genesis/Megadrive

[@Mephianse81]

I survived rocket knight 2019 in 2023 and loved every minute.

[@ChaosAngelZero]

I survived Rocket Knight 2019... Now try Hard Mode. 😁

[@TAGMedia7]

Next year.

[@shiru8bit]

The best part about Hard Mode is when you beat it, you're getting Try Very Hard mode (accessible only with a secret code). One hit per whole game.

[@alonsojett]

I for one would like to see more DF Retro/Let's Plays of these crazy technical showpieces on the Genesis

[@sir1junior]

Playing one of my favorite platformers tied with Wonderboy 5.

[@combo_banana]

I owned and loved this game back in the day. Wish they would release the original on an eshop sometime

[@DuckAlertBeats]

One of my favourite games ever made.

[@rossdavis428]

It is awesome to see that you guys enjoy Rocket Knight Adventure because I've loved this game since I was a kid in the 90s I wish that this game franchise could get a Modern 2D Sprite-Based Remake; similar in art design to the Hollow Knight franchise~

[@RichardLarge88]

I survived Rocket Knight 2019. That was intense. Not usually into let's plays but that was great. Also 1:06:23 when he's coming down from the sky, he looks like a dude with a goatee.

[@shikamaru9159]

"J'ai survécu à Rocket Knight 2019"

[@IuriFiedoruk]

I am really impressed how much different graphics they made fit into a cartridge. Great looking game, I will add it to my to-pay list :)

[@rorykurek643]

Wow, I was literally playing this game when you uploaded this video. Guess great minds think alike!

[@GENKI_INU]

This game has better level/encounter design than 98% of all games ever made.

[@Jasonms87]

Heck yes! Rocket Knight

[@Kokozuii]

Totally off topic but you guys were quoted in the new COD: MW trailer. Nice to see you guys get some recognition!

[@_dao]

I survived Rocket Knight 2019 A master class in 16 bit gaming.

[@RetroSegaDev]

I adore this game it is still one of my favorite on the system and great to hear John is of a similar opinion :)

[@BluesElwoo2]

Rocket Knight is so awesome! I owned the U.S. Version. It was easily my favorite Genesis game . It wasnt all that popular back then, as I never heard anyone talk about it. I couldn't understand why it never became popular. Now days, its finally getting the recognition it deserves! I've beaten it so many times over the years!

[@davidaitken8503]

Sadly, tons of deserving games like this get overlooked.

[@TechGamesAU]

Fantastic game. I own the original PAL cart myself.

[@cahal]

Great playing John, that was intense at the end!

[@cahal]

Oh, 'I survived Rocket Knight Adventures 2019' :)

[@DigitalFoundry]

Thanks!

[@FaJaR2]

Love me some Rocket Knight, such a gem in Mega Driver's catalogue

[@strangevision99]

I survived Rocket Knight 2019! Great video on a classic game.