Happy Video Game Nerd: Little Nemo the Dream Master (NES)

This is an adventure!
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☠Credits ☠
Written/Edited/Starring Derek Alexander
Derek's Mom as herself
Shot and Produced in Anchorage, AK

[@JohnRiggs]

2022, here we are.

[@thepositiver9977]

It's been 8 years since the video was released and I still come back to it and enjoy every single time ^^

[@tjlnintendo]

Now it’s almost 12 years ;_; 😭

[@mullaoslo]

13 years 🤣 I love the old capcom reviews.. I'd love to see stop skeletons from fighting to... Redo them? Not replace them just an update 13 years later

[@BryanX64]

It’s been 8 years since this comment

[@gutelaunetyp]

Still watching in 2020 :) Still one of my favourite videos on KZbin and still one of my favourite KZbinrs of all time :)

[@Avantgarde-pl6iw]

Und du bist immer noch einer meiner liebsten KZbinr XDDDDDDD

[@StopSkeletonsFromFighting]

I've actually exchanged emails with Rob over at the West Mansion, and he was nice enough to put my Splatterhouse videos on the front page back in October. Without me even asking!

[@ShadowPhoenix142]

"If you carry your childhood with you, you will never become old." *Sheds a tear* Truer words have never been spoken. Cheers to childhood.

[@DmitriyK12]

More than 6 years later, and counting...I still enjoy these flashback videos to my younger days. I used to play more RPG's and Action games; in my 20's and 30's I started to get involved in puzzle, racing, suspense/horror, fighting/strategy, and sports video games.

[@sojar6598]

I think one of the coolest things about watching Derek's old vids is seeing the montage of the underrated classics of old. There are games that he pays nod to in these montages that he doesn't get to for a while. Like in this vid, you can see a clip of Shatter Hand, a game he wouldn't get to until the changeover to SSFF! I like this sort of nostalgic consistency.

[@SameNameDifferentGame]

Doing a ten-year anniversary rewatch, and man, it was surprising to see Derek get mad about modern games and their difficulty. I don't think I've watched this one since it was originally posted, and I can't imagine the SSFF crew now saying stuff like that. But at the time, I was probably like "YEAH, GAMES USED TO BE HARD AND WE LIKED IT. WE ALSO WALKED UPHILL BOTH WAYS TO SCHOOL IN THE SNOW WITH BARE FEET!" Also forgot the Tom Stoppard quote at the end. Love Stoppard's work.

[@TornadoCreator]

I come back to watch these every now and then, the appreciation, the respect, the genuine happiness is intoxicating. It always makes me feel great, even for games I have no personal nostalgia for.

[@tjlnintendo]

I feel the same. My favorite part of this video is in the beginning when he talks about becoming adults but reminiscing of the good ole days. It hits the heart strings.

[@CZAR.6]

"Not some Ratchet and Clank shit". Man, that punched a hole in my childhood.

[@ireallylovepie]

0:24 Old KZbin is old.

[@omnisel]

Even older now.

[@NintendoPsycho]

I loved old youtube a lot more than the modern shit.

[@rjmario2234]

that windows xp toolbar

[@ninjaguyYT]

If only you knew

[@bredmond812]

5:04 - 5:24 I gave you a like just for that scene there. Wow, I have never seen anything like it on a simple video game review. Quite inspired.

[@StopSkeletonsFromFighting]

yep, it was really my mom.

[@Real1Gaming]

You just earned yourself a subscriber. Made me really nostalgic... oh, days of old, come back!

[@fusion772]

I remember this game... this is a crazy flashback. Nice breakdown

[@stepheng8061]

Derek grows up a lot in the last decade. Seriously dude you rule!

[@fwobebe5164]

He's grown up from just being a little happy nerd, to stopping the skeletons from fighting.

[@Masubi]

The rant at 6:22 is pretty funny. You're such a gangster.

[@DuckAlertBeats]

The 'mom' bit had quite good comic timing, enjoyed it

[@BryanX64]

Man, just beat this game yesterday for the first time in like 5 years. A bit rusty but still got it, only took 1 game over to beat it!

[@jaanu2222]

the best thing about this game is its music , every level has a great music

[@megamarsonic]

After almost a decade of watching this episode, I finally found a copy of this game out in the wild. First off, holy fuck you weren't kidding when you said this game was hard. Level 2 and I'm already getting my ass kicked by the bees and instant death spikes. Second, so far this game has been fun. Something about using a big eyed gorilla to happily punch your enemies out of existence warms to cockles of my heart. Thanks again for another awesome recommendation.

[@Mathman1ac]

This game was undoubtedly extra fun even for this time. I remember playing this game AGAIN in 2001 and I enjoyed it as much as when it first came out. Totes adorbs

[@TangoAndPizza]

I love this game, was the trippiest, coolest powers, insanely hard too

[@ricardosavagestrike]

One of the very first games of my childhood! Thanks for the memories, HVGN!

[@Protoman85]

I hate this game. All those frustrating things you counted up are what makes me hate it. It's not worth it.

[@k4nc3r]

Johan Öberg Agreed. Talk about shining a turd until it glows. This game is torture. Fuck the nostalgia.

[@frozenaorta]

Outside of the final level, where the game completely changes, I find this game to be amazing and really not all that difficult. I got it when I was 9 right when the game came out, and I fell in love with its charm and originality. And even at that age, I had no problem getting to the last level (where I'd promptly get my ass kicked). I think kids from later gaming generations don't have the proper skills for the "NES hard" games, particularly the old platformers. You get frustrated and don't have any fun.

[@TrYED84]

The game is not that hard,lol, the learning curve is fair, I feel that Ghost n Goblins is more unforgiving than Little Nemo ever was, I can beat Little Nemo with no problem, Ghost n Goblins however, I just can't master that game, much less beat it.

[@SuperMikeFender]

It's nothing to do with "hard" so much as cheapness. The game is not far off being enjoyable but there's WAY too much bullshit in there. Stupid design and unfair deaths. You only remember it fondly because as a kid you didnt know any better.

[@shadiwon]

you fucking had the moon song at the end of your video.........subscribed immediately

[@johnpuckett2907]

dude. at least come up with an original theme song. We can tell what you are by your name

[@CGoody564]

You say this on a 6 yr old video...

[@SonofSethoitae]

John Puckett Google Happy Video Game Nerd for 30 seconds and you'll realize why that's a stupid statement

[@Varinz]

Doesn't matter if it's 100 years old, his comment is on point.

[@seakermac]

I remember watching this movie as a kid in the early 90s. this hit me straight in the nostalgias big hoss. Your channel does a great job of reviewing and entertaining at the same time. really dig your stuff. I'm also glad you adopted the SSFF moniker. HVGN was just too obvious. Awesome videos Derek. You're a badass homie

[@Shintai123]

Ya know, as much as I do love hard games, I belive your outta line Derek. Dont get me wrong, hard games need to exist, and I love them: Contra, Castlevania, Ninja Gaiden(NES and current), Devil May Cry, Odin Sphere, and among others. Still, all games cant be hard as hell, do you honestly want to be punished brutaly EVERY time you play a game? It will eventually get on your nerves. Plus games are meant to be enjoyed, not angry at all the time. Well its your opinon, great review btw!

[@misternebojsa]

MEMORIESSSS

[@sig519]

when I was a kid (7 years old) I wanted to be the princess camille's playmate.. now that I'm a grown up (24 years old).. I want to be the princess camille's playmate

[@ninjaguyYT]

📸 🤨

[@anarchysoftworks4592]

i loved that movie as a kid, had no idea their was a longer theatrical cut. thank you so much!!!!

[@Gabzthevamp]

That was awesome. You have just helped me prove the existence of this game to my older sister who cannot remember playing this game with my father. Thank you! Great representation of the game, film, and history by the way.

[@Geardirector]

"None of this Ratchet and Clank shit" Ouch, right in the teendom. Seriously though, I see your point, Ratchet & Clank has never been particularly challenging, speaking as a long-time fan of the series, I can totally understand where you're coming from. R&C has never been about challenge, it's been about... I don't know, fun? Well, it is funny, and fun to play.

[@lenny7494]

PERFECT, this is what a video is supposed to be, great editing, great script, excellent video quality, i am speechless, thank you for the VERY insightful and entertaining video, the visuals at the end were just amazing, thank you for posting this video, i am now a fan.

[@PaceFilmsProductions]

I (a longtime fan) just want to say thank you for this video and introducing me to work/art of Winsor McCay. I grew up watching the movie but had no idea it was based on a comic. When I was in college I found a huge Little Nemo book in the library and thanks to watching HVGN I knew what it was and loved looking through it. Really inspiring imagination throughout so again, thank you sir.

[@time4manmode945]

3:06 they were right it is a girl's name!!

[@phillipnicewaner4480]

This is one of two games that I cherish deeply (Chip 'n Dale's Rescue Rangers is the other). I still whistle the music from time to time. Hilariously right on assessment of those fuzzy things.

[@galmorzu]

Little Nemo is still one of my all-time favorite games. Very difficult, but beautiful music and colorful graphics creating such whimsical worlds instantly made an impression on young me and stuck with me all these years later. Somehow I did beat this when I was little, though playing it now, I have no idea how I managed to do that. 😅

[@DoctorTalon]

That Duck Tales theme from the NES has the kind of the charm to it that will make a person's eyes sparkle or tear up with imagination. I love that song!

[@Bracsten]

I LOVE these videos! :) I'm also a major fan of AVGN, but I like how you respectfully took his character and put your own spin on it. And since you've started, I can see how your videos have changed and how you've become your own reviewer with your own style! I've been spending the past few days watching all of your videos! They're really great and you should be more famous than what you are! Keep it up! :D

[@justanotherlikeyou]

I remember playing Little Nemo when I was a kid. Never beat it, really hard, but it was a really good game. You forgot to mention that there was an arcade version by Capcom. Very different from the NES. PS: Thanks for calling the NES "Ness". That's how my friends and I called it growing up. Nowadays people like to call it N.E.S. I realize that's the correct way to say it, but a part of me, my childhood part, will always call it "Ness" and the Super Nintendo the Super "Ness". Thanks again🙂👍

[@bustedporkchop]

This was my favorite game growing up, and this review summarizes my feelings of it perfectly. No game I play really makes me feel like a kid again. This game is criminally underrated. Thanks for making this video.

[@azimuth457]

also, that was me, on my sisters account, and to add, i never knew about those old comics, but i had the movie as a kid, and still have a copy lol. it's a new copy though, and the part of the movie with the evil black ooze(you have to see it to understand) gave me nightmares i didn't even understand, where there was a story to them that wasn't in the movie, a story i can't quite remember, and it made it hard to find the movie again. ..then one day i found it in a store..and just knew:)

[@ninjapimp2181]

I loved Little Nemo when I was a kid, and I forgot about it. Thank you, you reminded me of how great that game was.

[@StopSkeletonsFromFighting]

thanks! this was the reason i missed that game night a few weeks ago btw.

[@samsunnyuk]

LOL the bit where his mum comes in! thats genious i'm loving these videos!

[@houstonjdd]

This is a completely different show with a similar title IMHO. Love the Idea's and the non-angry and informative approach to all his films. Bravo!

[@LadyTink]

5:20 THAT WAS AWESOME I love little bits of crazy like that :D

[@LadyofTheSummer]

It's great on how much you knew about the story and development. I didn't know that the plot could go that far back in time. Woot juiceboxes and lol at your mom showing up out of no where. Great review.

[@gilessaint-loup2426]

The ending quote in this episode. I like it!!!

[@soterioncoil2163]

I think I was obsessed with original Battletoads when I rented Little Nemo. I was very intrigued with The Dream Master and planned on acquiring a copy of my own when I finished Battletoads but couldn't find a copy. That train stage was great!

[@theinfinity7s]

Excellent work sir! I found the history of this game to be quite fascinating as well. Some other fun facts, The movie was in production limbo for years. From being shopped and optioned to different studios to having different treatments written. It's amazing how many of the hands it got passed too were so passionate about the project. Even Studio Ghibli produce a demo reel of what how they envisioned how the movie looked. It's on you tube if you haven't seen it but damn, is it B-E-A-utiful!

[@Zappaholic1]

Great review with some backbreaking research put in. It's people like you that keep KZbin alive.

[@PoLaRIV]

Man... when I was a kid, I used to go to the Video Store, and Little Nemo was one of the movies I would choose all the time. What an incredible, dark, and exciting movie. Amazing. I rocked the NES as a kid but never got to play this game, I think I'll pick It up.

[@dduuddeechil]

Omg this is so cute Look at baby Derek!!

[@ThaHyperHybrid]

HOLYSHIT! I so remember this awesome game! This game rocks in every aspect there might be!

[@DomIstKrieg]

dude, thats some comprehensive reviewing. Keep it going.

[@GallantJayVT]

The nomad, I remember that, such an amazing invention for the time, wouldn't you agree?

[@xbatusai]

I actually learn a lot watching this and at the same time.... NOSTALGIA ... awesome video

[@XylonLionheart]

Nemo was a classic old comic back in the day (and I REALLY mean back in the day). Also, I don't know if I mentioned this yet, but seeing Crystalis in your opening video made me giddy. I absolutely ADORE that game.

[@fedupN]

Back here after MANY years. Still holds up.

[@Dandaredus]

I love Nemo, the music is so awesome that I always nostalgia when hearing it. Funny thing is that I never got past the first stage. ^.^

[@Shroctopus]

this was my favorite game as a kid. Still love it.

[@TheMarky60]

Dude spot on with your references to Life Aquatic (in my top 3 movies) and The Critic (favorite animated show of all time)!

[@XylonLionheart]

Every time I watch your videos, I always feel like going out and trying to find the games you review so I can try them myself.

[@bpmbrent]

when i was seven, i couldn't wait until friday afterschool. when i had two whole days to play with my toys, watch cartoons, draw pictures, and of course play nintendo. that is an exact explanation of my childhood.

[@iantgot17]

This is the game that I still want to play as an old man

[@BlackitoOzora]

Little Nemo did something for me as a child that nothing else ever did. The movie and the game. I had them both, and I enjoyed them both. I would love to see a squeal if some how it were possible.

[@yovany87]

man what is this song at 0:08 it makes me go crazy trying to remember for about a year now

[@GeneralCane]

Good show, friend. You made me want to play this game all over again. My childhood memories of this game are just as fond as yours.

[@fujin27]

not only was the gameplay great, music and graphics are all so charming, but there was an awesome anime movie too! I ate it all up as a kid, and it's still charming today.

[@exiledPostman]

I'm getting to really like this guy. He intelligently reviews and recommends decent video games, as well as educating the masses about interesting side trivia.

[@ThePsychedelicYogi]

little nemo kicks ass...you made an awesome video tribute....thank you

[@TheWaste0Time]

I remember clear as day the first time I watched this review. It was way back when I was still using the name Armake21 and making really angry game "reviews" and I recall being blown away by how informative and entertaining your coverage of both the NES game, and the back history of Little Nemo was. This video then became the bar by which I would judge actual retro game reviews, and to this day- It has not been surpassed, and I doubt it ever will.

[@TEEX]

Fantastic review, Derek. What a strange coincidence; I just went back to this game a couple months ago. I'm 19 now, and I've had this game since I was about 6. I did quite some research myself, but new knew there was newspaper comics that went along with the game. You described the concepts of surrealism and childhood imagination far better than I could have done. I only wish you went into greater detail with how awesome the music is in this game; especially the boss theme in Nightmare Land.

[@doppleganger4827]

Been forgetting to watch this one, great job. I remember before I commented on a previous video about changing your theme 'n such, but now I don't really mind it & it fits well. Liked how you got your family involved, too. Hope to see more soon.

[@WaffleAfterHours]

Y'know I just saw this movie tonight and you were right, this did make me feel like a child. The stroy didn't surprise me at all, but it was just a thoroughly enjoyable little film from start to finish!

[@AdventuresinSlumberland]

Never played the game unfortunately, but I have a VHS copy of the movie I got when I was a little kid. Found it and watched it again after 10 years of totally forgetting about it and it has since become one of my favorite childhood memories and favorite movie ever. :)

[@Nicpezer]

Demon's Crest was in the intro, that game inspired me to do a review of it. Yeah this game is pretty difficult but unique, and the part about the history surrounding this game, was a really great thanks for the info.

[@neptunechild3841]

I remember borrowing this off my neighbour in 93' or so lol it was incredible.

[@OliGaming-d1u]

Great ending on that vid! (The keep you childhood and never get old part) That was great :D

[@pwninator345]

THAT WAS YOUR BEST REVIEW EVER! Not only did you review one of my favorite games for the NES, but you also made a reference to Calvin and Hobbes, which is no doubt my favorite comic strip ever. lol Captain S poster 5 stars :) good job P.S. When your mom came out of nowhere, I loled like crazy.

[@Alucard0090]

[To the speech about games being hard] When you said that, it made me feel like taking on a tough game again. I remember when games weren't supposed to be forgiving, they were supposed to be challenging and difficult. Some games today are fun, but I miss having a good challenge. Because of that, IT'S TIME TO BEAT THE GHOSTS N' GOBLINS TRILOGY AGAIN!

[@octagon79]

Really glad you mentioned Windsor McKay! Great vid in general.

[@MetalTaffer]

I was born in 96 but my first console wasn't the PS1 the Saturn or the N64, it was the Sega Mega Drive, my brother recieved it on his birthday in 95, so I really have to thank my parents and my brother, I remember playing Sonic 2 in Sonic compilation, and I didnt want to stop playing it, so when a friend asked if he could play I would only tell him "Grab that broken controller and pretend that you're the one playing", but of course i would eventually let him play. Great memories.

[@Flippy]

Where did you get the awesome Parappa shirt??

[@cerberus144]

Looks better...you can point this out to the peopel that rush you Derek. Quality takes time. Hi Derek's Mom.

[@flyer3232]

Thank you HVGN, without you, I'd never have downloaded the awesome games you're reviewing :D

[@benjamingreenwood7370]

I think I owe a lot to this review and DeceasedCrab's play through of this game in terms of my passion for Windsor McCay's work. I even managed to find a GIANT (it weighs more than 20 pounds, I swear) book of ALL the surviving Little Nemo comics which includes a separate book detailing McCay's work and legacy. It was $200 but I got it at half price due to a clearance sale at Barnes and Noble several years back but it's one of my most treasured possessions. I even have the game, too! ...I can never get past level 3 though. But seriously, I love this comic so much and the impact it's had on entertainment. Dreams have always been fascinating to me, and Little Nemo is fantastic for capturing the idiosyncratic surrealism of each dream while still trying to form something of a narrative within each panel. The history behind it alone is worth a read. I encourage everyone to go look them up and acquire them if you can not just if you love illustration like me, but if you just want to be captivated by something. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

[@Ruudos]

I've beaten this game last monday, and you made on tiny error. You don't save the princess, you're saving the king ;)

[@DAMGoodEntertainment]

This was one of my favorite Capcom games on the NES. This along with Rescue Rangers and Duck Tales were the best I played from these guys. I now own one of the systems that plays NES and SNES games and I plan to get Little Nemo back since I sold my old NES and SNES games a few years ago. But when I get this back, I'm going to prepare to relive this classic and beat that dreaded Nightmare King!

[@shibbyguy101]

That theme song never ceases to cheer me up. Great review, great game. I have it and played it once. After watching this, I want to go beat it!

[@ZOMG1103]

This was an incredible and comprehensive review. OUTSTANDING!

[@kittenclanclan]

Holy crap. Metal Storm? Crystalis? Firebrand? Shatterhand? Wild Guns? Rocket Knight Adventures? Kabuki Quantum Fighter? Splatterhouse? I could go on for a little, but dude, you have EXCELLENT taste. Since Splatterhouse is getting a sequel, I thought I'd refer you to the guy who runs West Mansion's (Rob's) forum, The Third Moon (forum link on West Mansion). Rob is going to be getting exclusive info from Namco and you'd make a great addition to the community, so stop on by if you get the chance.

[@troilero5239]

omg I love this video, im 36, i used to play this when I was a kid, the music got me so nostalgic....Im gonna have to learn this in my accordion

[@Sprocketman]

I loved this game, but never knew it was made to tie into the movie, with good reason: the game was released very soon after its release in Japan, in 1989, when the film premiered in Japan. But the film wasn't released in America until 1992, FOUR YEARS LATER. The film was fully completed in English, THEN dubbed in Japanese, and then both Japan and America received a tie-in game...yet we didn't see the film until four years after that. Wild.

[@stephenobrien6983]

Fantastic episode, there was a wonderful charm present in this one

[@PlaysEverything]

Derek, awesome job. They just keep bringing the heat. Never stop.

[@StopSkeletonsFromFighting]

@VerendumProductions news to me, i didn't put it there.

[@Fox_Moulder]

That mom bit was f-ing great!!!!