I Ranked Every IREM game on NES

[@SNESdrunk]

Always nice to hang out with John for a bit, even if it's only for a 5 min vid

[@blacksunshine7485]

Defo. Hey Snes Drunk!

[@louisdellalucca8969]

SSSSNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNESDRUNK!

[@Rountree1985]

I hope you have a great rest of your day.

[@JohnRiggs]

Blame irem for not publishing more of their own games in the US.

[@TurdFerg117]

Love the drunk...I myself an a drunk

[@maxpowered7144]

In Japan Irem also published Zippy Race, 10-Yard Fight, Spelunker, Spelunker II, Deadly Towers (Hell's Bells), Guardian Legend (Guardic Gaiden), Kid Niki and its sequels (Kaiketsu Yanchmaru), Spartan X2, Holy Diver, Hammerin' Harry and its sequel (Daiku no Gen-san)

[@EbenezerScroogeMcDuck]

Irem is the copyright holder of The Guardian Legend. Although broderbund published it in the US, it was only by license. It's still very much an Irem game even in the US. It's too bad they refuse to sell off the rights. I would love an official reboot or sequel.

[@chrisazor]

Saw that "S" for Kickle Cubicle coming a mile away lol.

[@davidbermudez7704]

I love that game I play it on my Jailbroken PS3

[@SeekerLancer]

Actually it wasn't Metal Storm, I was going to get salty if Kickle didn't get S rank. It's unfortunate we missed out on a lot of great Irem games left in Japan.

[@JohnRiggs]

That's for sure.

[@KTJohnsonkidThunder]

@@JohnRiggs Holy Diver comes to mind. It wasn't released here originally because as the name goes, Ronny James Dio would've sued the living pants out of them. Plus, Irem would have to have Broderbund to localize it and give it a name change because NOA was strict about religious themes in games.

[@JohnRiggs]

ElectroBrain made some weird NES games. Here's a look at all and where I rank those. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6Dah2Oao66ZZ80 I understand Holy Diver was officially released in the US a couple years ago by Retro-Bit. That would make Retro-Bit the publisher (much like how Nintendo published Kung Fu by Irem)

[@7thangelad586]

Love this series on the NES & SNES! I hope you get around to Nexoft eventually. I’m itchin to rebuke you about your opinions....

[@imperialjoe8023]

Black box kung fu and 10 yard fight are also technically irem games. They where developed and published by irem in Japan, but when it came time for the NES to launch in the west Nintendo published those two games as launch titles.

[@wilsif]

I feel like Kickle Kubickle is a missed or sleeper franchise for Nintendo.

[@frod79]

perfect game to be reimagined / recreated for the switch

[@amaiorano]

Is John trolling us giving Metal Storm an A, especially after that spiel about commentors saying "this game better get a high score" lol

[@toryficarola]

That's what I was hoping since it's by far one of my all time favorites.

[@kingvoxel6516]

WHAT?? You gave Metal Storm an A and not an S? Cue the death threats! lol jk

[@sleepbox2]

Kickle Cubicle is definitely S tier. Thank you for having good taste John.

[@darrickcato9499]

I would like to see John's top ten before being a collector, and now.

[@PlayasGuide]

Finally Irem, I've been waiting this entire series for that Sqoon title screen. Not a bad game in the bunch.

[@solusemsu7957]

Hey, John. Love these videos. I would love to see a review video of all your NES rankings where you ranked games an "S". Kinda a "looking back" video highlighting the ones you ranked the highest.

[@FretzlemaniaPod]

And now for what we all came here to see: nudity!

[@Massiveillusion14]

Whut whut!

[@northofnashira2575]

Dirty, dirty pixel...

[@JohnRiggs]

prepare to be disappointed.

[@robertanderson2898]

Well there are those 3 "adult" NES games by Panesian, but i doubt those will ever have a video :O ;)

[@mattandsarahrose]

Irem is one of those publishers that emphasized quality over quantity. I believe 3 of those games were actually developed by Irem as well. Seems like they were kind of the WayForward of their day, splitting time between developing/publishing their own IP and doing contract work to pay the bills.

[@dpgreene]

For me the game that deserved an S is Kickle Cubicle and you nailed it. Simply one of the best games on NES. Only four main worlds but there’s 32 mind twisting stages after the mainline game as well!

[@scottg7660]

What’s funny is I’ve seen so many of Johns videos I can almost predict exactly what each rating is by his tone of voice and how he is describing the game Hahahah.

[@dave4shmups]

Kickle Cubicle is definitely an S for me as well!

[@aarongaspar]

I think the popular term is “This song really slaps” but I’m a dad too, so I may be a week or 2 behind the slang 😂 Irem may be one of the more consistent devs for the NES

[@thiagodeandradeneves4585]

YES. My mom loved Kickle Cubicle. She'd give it an S for sure and I'm very happy to see someone who shares this uncommon passion with us

[@updownbrodown215]

I guess it doesn’t count since it was only released in Japan, but Yokai Yashiki is a great one, too!

[@jiminboo]

“Come on Irem, oh I swear what he means.. At this moment, you mean everything!” 😭😅

[@fierifipor]

Love your videos. You were hesitant to grade Metal Storm, and I wished you would’ve just gone with the S to get dudes like me off your back. 😂 Oh well. Metal Storm rules!

[@Benjamillion]

I still remember Jontron's Dino City review poking fun at the developer name. God I miss old Jontron. Now he makes uninteresting videos and uploads very inconsistently.

[@Gamingwithgleez]

Image Fight was my jam back in the day. It was one of those games I got randomly that I never heard of and loved it. Thanks for these videos man. They really take me back

[@camokazi1313]

I always called them "Eye Remm."

[@JohnRiggs]

That's probably how it's actually pronounced.

[@DigiPen92]

I noticed Kickle Cubicle looks familiar, isn't Little Medusa from MadCats (I think it was released around 2014) took inspiration from Kickle Cubicle since they're pretty much one screen puzzle levels, shoot enemies to solid objects, and have the objects becomes platforms when they are pushed to the water? And for Sqoon, I wondered how the employees at Nintendo didn't even noticed the Mermaid had been topless?

[@thejabberwalker]

Bro, it's not "SQWOON," it's "SPLATT, SPLATT!" (And it's very very hard to make a noise like that)

[@downforwardjab5503]

Finally, somebody who appreciates Kickle Cubicle the way I do. Thumbs up man!

[@OldSchoolCurt]

Hey Riggs check out pat the nes punks review of Sqoon I think you would enjoy it!

[@tobiasmartin9788]

Always look forward to these vids. Never played these games, I'll have to check them out. Thanks!

[@ChaoticHoly]

Can hardly wait to see how long the video for Ranking & Reviewing EVERY Nintendo NES game list would be...

[@CardboardBots]

Thanks for this

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

I'm so dumb...I thought IREM made Ikari Warriors...derp...SNK...

[@MCastleberry1980]

I never played Kickle Cubicle, definitely need to give it a play. Kind of reminds me of Adventures of Lolo, which I adore.

[@jeffb.6642]

Same here, Lolo is my fav game series on NES but I never got around to trying Kickle Cubicle for some reason.

[@adamrivers9886]

3:37 Nintendo didn't censor the Cross necklace?

[@jaredhammonds8255]

It's crazy what slips past them sometimes

[@chriscalvert4609]

Nice vid, John! Love your channel so much buddy. Seriously, you’re my favorite tuber now!

[@JohnRiggs]

Thank you much!

[@fatbrad412]

Kickle Cubicle was one of my favorite games as a child and I still love it! Such an incredible underrated gem.

[@jaredhammonds8255]

Amen brother

[@MrBoyYankee]

Mine too.

[@jimreid5]

I never played it.

[@qualorii]

Kickle Cubicle is great, and I'm glad you gave it an "S". It's definitely worth it.

[@davesmidnightgamingenterta3523]

Your missing more games like Kung fu, Kid niki there both from irem.

[@megamarsonic]

Irem actually made way more than that but these are the only 4 they published in North America, which is how Riggs does his ranking lists. Kung Fu was ranked in the Black Box video I believe while Kid Niki got it's rank in the Data East video.

[@JohnRiggs]

Yep, I'm going by publisher. Which gets a little confusing after a while.

[@RoXolid]

Man, I thought we got more IREM in the US but I guess those were Famicom games.

[@NESADDICT]

I want that shooter now! Never heard of it!

[@ostiariusalpha]

The Turbografx-16 port is considered the more definitive version, but the NES port is respectable.

[@maxpowered7144]

@@ostiariusalpha The arcade version is on PS4 and Switch and it's even better that any of the home conversions. PC Engine version is still cut back with worse sound, missing parallax backgrounds, loads of flicker

[@JustinLeeper]

“I-Reem?” Makes me realize I don’t actually know how to pronounce it. I alway said “I-rem,” but being a Japanese company, it could be “Ee-rem.” Hmmmm… 🤔

[@unclelou4839]

I owned most of these at one point, heh. Hope you & yours are well, Riggs.

[@retrogamaniac3673]

Hi Mr.Riggs! "S" on Kickle Cubicle is well deserved, you're the one who made me know this game two years ago, while I was watching your video in collaboration with MetalJesus about the hidden games for the NES! It's just superb! I'm curious to know your ranking result for the Famicom-exclusive game Holy Diver. It was reissued on NES by Retro-bit feat. Irem only a few years ago, so you can consider it as a real NES game in some ways. "B" on Image Fight is a nice result. Yeah, it suffers of zero backgrounds after the 2nd stage and not so great renditions of the original arcade music, but remains a solid, fun game even in this version. Stop to follow the "cool to hate" trends of the internet! Cheers.

[@Spartan77]

Every time John Riggs pronounces the word " Sqoon ", I loose faith in the American edumacation system. Just kidding Mr. Riggs, I don't think you mispronounced " Sqoon ", and I lost faith in the American education system 20 years ago.

[@toryficarola]

Here is how I rank all 4 Irem games although I only played 3 of them. Image Fight: A Kickle Cubicle: A Metalstorm: S Sqoon: D, I guess (just found out recently about this old obscure oddity from Chrontendo & boy does it look like it suck, shrugs)

[@theretrospectivegamer]

Hiroshi Iuchi, one of the main creators of Radiant Silvergun, talked about Image Fight being a being an inspiration for RS and Ikaruga. It's a fun game for the NES! I made a video on those Treasure shooters if you want to waste some time.

[@acdc09]

I agree, Kickle Cubicle is one of the best puzzle games on the NES. If you could only have 10 NES games in your library to play what would they be? I know Kickle Cubicle & Mappy Land would make my list.

[@tigmo55]

Wonderful video as always, John! I have the fondest memories of renting Kickle Cubicle over and over again back during the early 90's. It was such a fun game and I agree with you in that it is one of the best puzzle games on the NES. Metal Storm is another hidden gem but boy...that extra quest you can play after beating the game once is HARD! It took me forever to beat it! And Sqoon...good old mediocre Sqoon. It wasn't a bad game but it was definitely on the average side. I got lucky and I rented that game once as a kid from our local gas station. It is impossible to find now though!

[@brandonkick]

I think Kickle deserves the S... a real gem on the NES library. It just wins in every department. The story, the character development, the gameplay while simple is fun and difficulty adjusts at what feels like "just the right rate"... it's not too short, not too long. It's quite nice, it really is. If a developer/publisher were to pick up the rights to this, I could see a new kickle game on the switch. Even if it's just a port of the old game, with maybe some bonus levels.... but I think a proper sequel would do very well.

[@SamusGunship]

Even though I wouldn't expect you to put them on this Irem list, I was expecting at least a mention that 10-Yard Fight and Kung-Fu were Irem games as well, they just were appropriated by Nintendo for the Black Box series

[@NESADDICT]

My biggest and only complaint about metal storm is the music cuts out when you shoot. Ever noticed that?

[@JohnRiggs]

haha, I haven't! I'll have to notice next time.

[@soulden77]

Love these videos! I understand the A for Metal Storm (since it's entirely subjective), but I think it deserves an S for the technical achievements and the sheer fun of the antigravity mechanic. I bought the Metal Storm reproduction from Retrobit from a reseller since I missed out on the initial run and I don't regret it one bit. Just an awesome game. It's a top 10 if not top 5 NES game for me. And I have zero nostalgia for it.

[@ehk4296]

Great videos! Thanks for hours of entertainment... You're one of my favorite KZbinrs. I love NES

[@dreddbolt]

A comment for the algorithm, and... also, watching again, because I'm sorta debating on getting an NES. I haven't had one for over 20 years.

[@Nintendofan-yk4cd]

Image Fight is one of my top 3 favorite shooters for the NES along with Gun Nac and Life Force, and Kickle Cubicle is a great NES gem.

[@lippy22]

I just recently introduced my girlfriend to Kickle Cublicle. She isn't really into NES games and she loved it! It's that good!

[@justinrowan4423]

John, can you do something for NES Zapper games? Maybe do them all ranking style, unless there’s too many. I have to d memories of a game called Gumshoe as a kid that I loved! 😊

[@kgrfirdjy]

to this day, kickle cubicle is the very reason i really hate most puzzle games. the controls were really unresponsive on the copy i rented and the puzzles felt too long and drawn out. thank goodness (not really) i only rented it and immediately was able to switch it out for Final Fantasy 3. Best switch ever!

[@villain5873]

Scoon looks like an extended part of Jaws game.

[@Rountree1985]

It’s Sqoon

[@brianjl7477]

Metalstorm is compeltely AWESOME! I have never even heard of Sqoon, much less seen it anywhere!

[@seanm1738]

Your Sqoon was my Kid Icarus and Double Dragon. Literally impossible to find growing up.

[@heavysystemsinc.]

Sqoon is really good f you're playing for points and secrets. There's just so much you have to balance in terms of risk/reward at any time, it's hectic fun. It's not just a straight 'shoot everything', there's a bit going on underneath the surface. That was a pun. And it was glorious.

[@robertdanker6193]

Suprising they didn't make R-type for the NES, especially since the master system and turbo graphic 16 had a port

[@johngavalas74]

Metal Storm is so awesome Image Fight is pretty good but if I use game genie codes Invincible to be exact to try and beat Image Fight on the 2nd level my ship explodes half way through everytime its hard as hell without the codes

[@7thangelad586]

Metal Storm is so awesome. I remember that Nintendo Power with the Transformer style robot on the cover: I was jealous and wanted that toy! You mentioned Nintendo missing a censored bit; I saw the cross before the obvious portion...

[@muhanc.a.9299]

I see some Gravity man(megaman 5) mechanics.

[@brianhatcher2799]

I thought the same thing.

[@steveroberts7080]

I completed my first playthrough of Kickle Cubicle two weekends ago - it is indeed S rank material.

[@lmike9469]

Great video, John. Live your stuff! Any chance we could see a vid about all your S tier ranked games? I love it when you give a game an S tier rank lol. Take care

[@xROCKLOBSTUHx]

Lol yes, Metal Storm's music SLAPS! Definitely a joy to hear while playing!

[@rachellynnsummers6273]

Spelunker is an Irem game on NES 1985. Also made an HD remake for PS3 2010. Then Granzella bought out Irem in 2011 or 2012. Another Spelunker remake called HD Deluxe for PS4 in 2021. I didn't read all comments, so someone could have already mentioned Spelunker. Yes it's an Irem game.

[@tomwaters5090]

Kids cubicle was one of those games I was surprised never got a follow up game and never continued past the NES. I would have loved the Super Nintendo version and a game boy version of it.

[@Dagasm]

Kickle Cubicle is one of those games I instantly become 8 years old again when I play. Cute looking, cheery music and sound effects, and fun gameplay.

[@telios13]

Nice Glasses dude :)

[@JohnRiggs]

Thanks!

[@louisdellalucca8969]

I remember renting Kickle Cubicle from the grocery store my mom worked at! I loved that game. It was my first all night gaming session.

[@thomasrevere1728]

Metal Storm's soundtrack is swick! Metal Storm's soundtrack is super swick!

[@cuco33]

Image Fight is one of my favorite NES games of all time. I played it to death as a kid, would always try to beat it without dieing. Cool with your B rating but if it were me it'd land higher :)

[@LemonTree9280]

Kickle Cubicle!!! Oh my god i rented that dozens of times! Superior!

[@randomgamer-st1ie]

Sqoon is super cheap on the Famicom. Unfortunately Metal Storm is expensive in all regions.

[@randomgamer-st1ie]

It took me forever to find Image Fight in the wild. Now that I bought one, I see it everywhere. Kickle Cubicle is on my short list to get still. Just haven't seen it.

[@deltonviera2051]

Thanks riggs😄😄

[@jesseshaw5774]

John i love your ranking videos. Would love to see one where you rank all the non black box Nintendo published NES titles. Cheers

[@icey024]

Lmfao! Riggs rocking The Blue World Order shirt, ECW!!

[@tonylenzi166]

Im single father of 3 boys 20 15 and 13, when they like music they say it slaps, or its wet lololol

[@Drinkabeerandplayagameofficial]

I have this weird pirate mini arcade cab with 100+ garbage games then Sqoon. It’s the best game on that thing at least.

[@controlpadblues]

Is it "Eye-reem" or "Eye-rum"? Always thought it was "Eye-rum". Anyway, love these publisher videos, as always.

[@unclelou4839]

'Eye-Rim'

[@JohnRiggs]

I bet it's eye-rehm but old habits die hard.

[@controlpadblues]

@@JohnRiggs Thanks to the long history of different pronunciations of Nintendo-related things, there's nobody holding this one against you. For all we know, Eye-reem is correct. haha

[@jaredhammonds8255]

Kickle Cubicle and Metal Storm are double S and the scrolling level in Metal Storm was ahead of its time.

[@storageanddisposal]

They didn't release anything below a B, in my opinion. Probably the best track record on the system.

[@JohnDoe-wq5eu]

I mean it's a naked mermaid holding a cross it's like a double whammy. But the fact Nintendo missed it is awesome.

[@grundle420]

Kickle Cubicle is my favorite NES game. Underrated game

[@jeffflavin5391]

I think it would be a great if you would create a video ranking the controllers for all Nintendo consoles. Maybe just the launch controllers if there are too many to rank all of them.

[@coorhagon7236]

Kickle Cubicle was a blind bye for me as a kid. I think I bought it because I liked the name. Great game.

[@Hardyhara]

Even though it wasn't originally released I feel Holy Diver could have gone on this list.

[@christopherslovick9373]

Your right, they let something slip, she's holding a cross, which Nintendo frequently censored HA HA HA

[@treyjohnson82]

the originators of kung fu master,tyhe arcade version i played had a deeper voice when kicking and punching

[@chriscalvert4609]

Kickle Cubicle was a game I played the dog mess out of back around 94!

[@horrorstew3577]

❤️ the ❤️ for Kickle Cubicle Definitely a Underrated gem

[@MrPbaydari]

I feel like Super Mario Land was heavily influenced by swoon in its vehicle levels.

[@TheMrMaynard]

Curious when Romstar happens, cause Cowboy Tom Salek and Native American Tom Cruise need more attention