Is Deadly Towers a Hidden Gem? | Ranking Every NES Game, Episode 05

[@octocoq]

Every episode not featuring Metal Storm brings us one step closer to the episode featuring Metal Storm

[@craiggetting7123]

oh man i LOVED metal storm as a kid

[@EmergencyChannel]

Turns out we all wanted to just watch Jeff play old games all along.

[@fatshawnkemp4176]

Around the time Deadly Towers came out, one of my Mom's co-workers asked her if her kids had a Nintendo. She said yes and the lady gave her Deadly Towers to bring home to us . . . For free. It wasn't worth it. I really tried to like it. I spent hours and hours trying to not hate my free Nintendo game. I eventually traded it to some really dumb kid at school for Metroid.

[@ShaolinTechnoMage]

Holy shit, best trade ever!

[@AxelHunterTwitch]

It’s been a while since I’ve had appointment viewing here, but I absolutely look forward to this all week.

[@sleepwalkusa135]

seeing this and DF retro on the homepage are my biggest youtube dopamine hits

[@Froakadoke]

Hell yeah. I'm about 120 videos behind in my YT backlog but these are the only videos that get immediately watched

[@Chummy8]

@@Froakadoke Most of my YT subs are to Nostalgia bait channels so I love it when Jeff does these streams.

[@duckypresents]

@@Froakadoke wow only 120!! Mine is well over 1000 had it down to about 800 at one point!

[@chappymcchapster6130]

It's amazing seeing Jeff (re)visit these games. He gives a perspective and wealth of knowledge that is just awesome.

[@Kenny-Blankenship]

About Deadly Towers - "Start a new character and die on the same screen. Write down the password, change the first two letters to EF or FE, and enter the results on the PASSWORD screen" doing that made the game more...bearable. Still not good, but walking faster and having strong, fast projectiles adds a lot.

[@ShaolinTechnoMage]

Kabuki is brutal... but seems like a pretty awesome game. Nice graphics, good music, decent but brutal level design. I've never heard of it, but it's pretty cool.

[@ShinyVHS]

Well I’m glad you tried my suggestion Little Nemo. Seeing someone play that’s not familiar with it really exposed some issues I didn’t see. Missing key two is easier than I thought.

[@JasonMaxwell]

Watching someone play without the nostalgic lens really shows some flaws in the game. Nemo has good ideas but needed some polish.

[@hideokojimajr]

So wild, I remember this game being absolute top tier

[@thevoiceofdogLP]

i liked this game as a kid but it was waaaaay too hard due to the nasty way enemies respawn. game genie codes let me see the rest of the game tho

[@MissAshley42]

Right? It's a trippy game with some fun moments, but the last time I checked it out, I felt a dearth of magic. Thinking about it now, it's like the game's caught between being search action and just plain action (especially with the wand coming into play later). I wonder how the two indie Nemo games will turn out since each seem to have different gameplay focuses.

[@kevinkuenn5733]

I remember being so impressed by the dynamic music in Rescue: The Embassy Mission. I also remember getting bored with the game in about an hour.

[@Duckyofalarcon]

I loved Rescue: The Embassy Mission as a kid. Always played it at a friends house and the music was incredible. Loving this series, keep up the great work.

[@devmas]

One of my favorite things about RC Pro-Am is that after you get the fastest vehicle and all the upgrades, you end up driving at roughly the same speed as the yellow car when it goes super speed (or as we said in our household, when it goes "berserk"). Then when you loop back around to track 1 with that fully upgraded vehicle, you end up FLYING through the tracks compared to when you first played them.

[@esmerylan]

I was curious about Kabuki: Quantum Fighter so I looked it up and the plot was different in the Japanese version, it was a tie-in with a movie called Zipang... but it still involved going inside a computer, so that doesn't solve the whole "this doesn't look like the inside of a computer" thing.

[@Discospawn]

I always appreciate the fast uploads. Otherwise I get anxious about whether you might have played a video game that uses real-life music that KZbin doesn't like, and then I start to panic that I might be forced to watch a Twitch VoD.

[@benito6036]

I’m belatedly playing catch up and “the ol’ touch and rank” almost made me snort a drink out my nose

[@Tenfey]

I used to rent Rescue: The Embassy Mission from the local video store just because I loved the music.

[@OMTstudios]

No way Jeff had enough time to pee and properly wash his hands afterwards during his break at 1:35:38. No human can move that fast and efficiently

[@MissAshley42]

The man's a professional. I expect nothing less.

[@CommandoRick]

The movie Little Nemo scared the shit out of me as a kid. It’s dark and weird and the game doesn’t do it justice. Crazy to see that there was a game, I had no idea it came out in 1989.

[@Alucard-A-La-Carte]

My childhood really took a beating in this one! I remember liking Little Nemo as a kid, but watching Jeff play this, I actually think what I liked were the big expressive graphics and I didn't ever get out of the first level... Also played a LOT of the Three Stooges game, and...yeah, it was rough. Hilariously, my dad and I ALSO did the ol' "two VCR" VHS copying of rented 3 Stooges tapes. I think those two games are some of my earliest memories of disappointment.

[@LunkvanTrunk]

I played "Rescue: The Embassy Mission" on the Amiga 500, it was called "Hostages: Rescue Mission" there 😀. I was a little bit too young, I never could kill all the people in the building.

[@Gafgarion45]

47:45 This really got me. Jeff goes on a long monologue about how evil the water dispenser is, and the whole time I'm just casually looking down at his timer ticking down. I'm thinking to myself, "It sure would be amusing if he died from running out of time right at the end," and my wish was granted. Good stuff.

[@JulianCurrie]

I remember playing Little Nemo when I was kid. Brings back a lot of memories. I thought it was neat at the time. I didn't realize how trippy it was 😄

[@shanenewman1747]

I like a little game touchin Jeff thanks for having me

[@SimBen3]

MAN the Kabuki Quantum Fighter soundtrack slaps

[@afacelessname]

Little Nemo’s music is so damn good.

[@paradigmdream]

would love to see Zen: The Intergalactic Ninja show up at some point. I have no idea how I got that game when I was a kid but I loved it.

[@icytower38]

I played the hello it of RC Pro Am as a kid. I loved that game, and I agree that I don’t remember the difficulty being so high. I also forgot how much my favorite game of all time, Rock ‘N Roll Racing, seams like a sequel when you look at it.

[@pointblank0020]

funny that the #1 game and the last game are both greek mythology based games

[@unholyhiltsy]

Finally a definitive ranking of NES games based on science and facts

[@dudeskeela]

RC Pro-Am deserves the F-Zero 99 treatment EDIT: AND INTRODUCING YOUR HEADLINER FOR THE EVENING - THE MIAMI BASS WIZARDS

[@d.s.i.6722]

After watching Rescue, I'm hoping Golgo 13 gets its chance at the plate, if just so i can watch Jeff try to figure it out. I'd rent it as a kid but it nver had the instruction manual, and my 7yr old brain couldnt suss it out

[@IgnatiusAlpha]

I am addicted to this series now. 1:48:00 seems like the authentic Deadly Towers experience and LMAO at 2:17:28. Little Nemo seems highly regarded among the NES fans, but I never got into it when I was a kid. R.C. Pro AM is a great example of a game that I love, but I'm completely ass at playing. And 3D World Runner is great, even if the last few worlds get a bit ridiculous. Can't wait to watch more. Only gripe I have so far is that I wish more time was spent with Dr. Chaos. There are "warp zones" which act as the real levels for the game where you get equipment and fight bosses.

[@BluPotato]

I love seeing Jeff talk about these old games critically and try to put nostalgia aside. We often remember games we loved as better than they were so its good to revisit it time to time.

[@Explicitnice]

Love this series! This is like looking in old nintendo power magazines and looking at all the screenshots and descriptions, which I keep coming back to over time. There's just something magical about those magazines and that magic is also here with the Gerstmann.

[@SuperInfinitezero00]

I remember being like, maybe 11 years old, around 99-00, when a neighbor went to do some internship at Microsoft for the summer. He came back with Windows ME and a BUNCH of emulators from some people there and I was mesmerized that there was a way to play games like Little Nemo or Super Mario World on a PC. I can trace my PC troubleshooting roots all the way back to when he told me how to set up one of the files for one of the emulators. I didn't get into emulation for real for another couple years, but I'll never forget feeling like my eyes were popping out of my skull seeing that stuff.

[@bdre5555]

This has been an incredibly fun ride so far. And I didn't know that watching you add games are drinks to a list, was something I needed in my life 😂

[@aegisfate117]

Jeff simultaneously talks major shit about lists during the game of year podcasts but he also loves them, a complicated individual

[@fisk0]

@@aegisfate117 the duality of man

[@GameThatTune]

man, Kabuki Quantum Fighter's music FUUUUUUCKS. When a good composer messed with that sound chip it could sound so badass. really loving this spank and rank series.

[@buzzclikverifyme]

Legit my favourite content on the internet right now. Jonesing for each instalment. 55:29 Jeff with the hot speedrun tricks

[@3Dant]

Now this is what I call Nintendo Power

[@ResidentNEMES1S]

Just cut to the chase and put M.C Kids at number one already

[@Shiftygism]

I bought 'Rescue: The Embassy Mission' off a dude in sixth grade, someone saw the transaction I guess, and when our Coach told me to put my fanny pack in a locker during gym class, some biznitch stole it. Couple months later I unknowingly bought a stolen Mario LCD game watch off another dude, and the girl it belonged to told the same Coach. I gave it back, but they weren't having my claims it was purchased. I should've just kept my lunch money.

[@Elbobelo]

I was the kid that thought Deadly Towers was the best. It has exploration, secrets, upgrades, fantasy, and hard as nails. I found the trick to beating it and called it my favorite game.

[@rygar8bit2]

Your shadow council needs to recommend you play Zombie Nation.

[@retro9263]

I always loved Deadly Towers. It's on par with the other Broderbund adventures games for the NES: Legacy of the Wizard, Guardian of Legend and Battle of Olympus. Deadly Towers has a lot of replay value whether it's by the order you want to complete the 7 towers, the dungeons you want to visit, or the weapons and items you want to use to progress the game. The graphics were also quite detailed for its time and the soundtracks is good. I wouldn't necessarily call Deadly Towers a "hidden gem" but it's a game that is greatly misunderstood. If my 42 years old dad was able to complete the game in 1988 with no internet around, anybody can today with all the walkthroughs available online. It's a relatively short game.

[@SupaMang25]

Hi Jeff, long time fan. I’m suggesting Kick Master. All the best.

[@redbaron2455]

I love this series

[@Dr_Mel]

When Jeff plays Castle of Dragon he'll wish he was playing Deadly Towers.

[@BoatsyGaming]

RC Pro Am! One of the bests.

[@andrewpeters8106]

Little Nemo was one of my favorite games as a kid and I sure was called a Loser a lot so that checks.

[@bdre5555]

I'm Scott O'Connor... I'm a colonel!

[@ladambell]

It's not called Friendly Towers, Jeff

[@xtlm]

The roll cage looking one is from RC PRO AM II The first game cars were weird looking lol

[@creaturecarolyn]

Ngl I could watch at 24hr Deadly Towers stream from Jeff

[@JustinWillisDevil240Z]

RC Pro AM is good and all but idk why anyone would play it in a world where Rock N Roll Racing exists. Now that music slaps! also I realize that its a SNES game and we are ranking NES here.

[@MissAshley42]

A lot of hay gets made about Seanbaby setting Deadly Towers' reputation in internet stone, but people also tend to forget just how freakin' right he was.

[@orlandeuce6567]

IT'S SOMETHING ABOUT THIS GAME THAT I REALLY LIKE ALTHOUGH IT'S DIFFICULT

[@ArtemusWolfwood]

R.C. Pro-Am is the first game I have any memory of playing. It's the same first memory I have of my dad who let me play it by way of apology for bashing my ear open with a doorknob since I was next to the door when he was coming home from work. Whole thing kinda dictated the course of my life you could say

[@avflashback8913]

Isometric racing games have held-up really well in my opinion. it's a shame there weren't a lot of those types of games made back in the day. Drift-Out '94 and RC de Go are my favourites out of the ones I've played so far. I've always wanted to try Mashed 2 on the Xbox. That game looks fun to play.

[@piratapequeno]

Grew up with Three Stooges and never got anywhere in it.

[@daavpuke]

Absolutely love Rescue. Probably my favorite NES game, if I were pressed to answer that question. It did not get the appreciation it deserved😢

[@nomchonks]

every new episode i rush to check to see if King's Knight makes an appearance

[@creaturecarolyn]

If you had asked me at 8 years old what the best games on the NES were, I probably would have told you Super Mario Bros. 3, Mega Man 2, and a little game called Little Nemo - The Dream Master.

[@Chummy8]

Im not on the advisory panel. But if i was, I'd suggest Rush'n Attack and Power Blade

[@Achoohorsey]

They really made video games out of any IP back then

[@sja012]

My brother and I had the exact experience with Rescure the embassy mission. It was even harder to get when you don't understand English that well.. Rented it without a manual from a store, and it was just confusing as all hell. We could sort of get the sneaking part but couldn't figure out anything else.

[@ckhowitt]

RC Pro AM was great until you reach the race where the one CPU starts to cheat and laps everyone then it's just game over

[@jonathogm]

Will you do aftermarket games like Pac-Man Championship Edition or only games that were released at the time?

[@michaelkitchin9665]

I think he's only after official games released in the US. He's said he may get into the unlicensed ones later.

[@CaptainSpandex]

I feel like everyone has at least 1 game they recognize as bad and/or shallow, but still adore it. For me, it's Rescue Embassy Mission. Many a time I just wanted to spend an hour sneaking around w/ a team of SWAT-likes, poppin' fools. Starts out like a horror stealth game, then turns into a power fantasy. It's kind of all-style, no substance, but still ambitious & interesting

[@CaptainSpandex]

Side note: Deadly Towers has always been 1 of my least favorite NES games by far. Had high hopes, being a fan of action-adventure RPG's. But oh boy it's bad

[@RW-ij1ci]

Love this :)

[@patheticandverylazy]

before i die I would enjoy watching Jeff stream Star Raiders.

[@monsieur2D]

I'd like you to try p[laying Time Lord on the NES, the music for this game is gold and from the donkey kong country music maker.

[@lastburning]

That racing game runs so smoothly. I'm more sentimental towards C64 but NES games are so much better. Just that racing game alone is better than anything on C64.

[@thetransporter6447]

Yeah but when's RC Pro Am 2 JEFF!?

[@beatchef]

With Rescue: The Embassy Mission it's really a kick to see basically the Uninvited graphics and transitions in an action game.

[@CaptainSpandex]

Woah. I loved those 3 games; Uninvited, Deja Vu, & Shadowgate, but I never until now made that graphical connection

[@abok6]

I wonder how Jeff is going to tackle RPGs on the NES

[@Budaniel]

Deadly Towers looks like a low quality DOS shareware game, meant to be played on a CGA or EGA display

[@bdre5555]

Deadly Towers is nothing more than a glitchy flash game.

[@xwize]

The athena commentary is legendary

[@smacko81]

Every?

[@michaelthompson3691]

Still lovin these :)

[@azuarc]

"Is Athena the worst NES game ever made?" Me: um, but have you heard of Deadly Towers? ...when you get deeper in the game, DT is just so stupidly jank with how badly it ambushes you if you don't play exactly correctly. And by deeper, I mean not far at all. Just ever so slightly farther.

[@incompletex2]

Shazama Pajama!

[@BookerCan]

Didn't seanbaby call them "Shitty Towers" in egm?

[@esmerylan]

Don't remember if he used those words exactly, but he was the start of the game's modern-day reputation as one of the worst NES games ever. Not that it was very well regarded BEFORE he wrote about it, but also way fewer people even knew it existed before that.

[@michaelthompson3691]

still lovin it :)

[@piercegardner3207]

Colonel Scott uses an Anime Girl Avatar in his social media. Japan accurately predicts the future once again!

[@ItMeDwaeji]

5:22 tatami and cigarettes?

[@Explicitnice]

With that said, is deadly towers OG dark souls? Ringing magic bell towers.. sacred flames?

[@CybeastID]

No, because Dark Souls isn't packed with cheap bullshit

[@newblakestone]

As a child I aspired to someday be a man that could play tv pro am. I can confidently say that I am now a man, but I know those controls were always squirrely

[@Matthew-go9rh]

This might be a controversial statement, but I don't think Deadly Towers is very good.

[@JeffGerstmannShow]

bold

[@megasilverx1268]

Deadly Towers as bad as it seems, I'd still like to own that game so day and give it a go. It looks so interestingly bad. I think I remember hearing that you start near the end of the game in Deadly Towers and have to leave the area to get to the titular Deadly Towers which end up being less of a shit show to explore. I briefly had Little Nemo and could never get into it for basically the same reasons you mentioned. I heard people speak positive things about it, but Nemo ended up b being a dud. I'll stick to Ducktales and Darkwing Duck. Kabuki: Quantum Fighter looks sorta fun. I could tell that it was made by the same team who made Monster Party since the two games share some sound effects.

[@CybeastID]

Short answer: NO.

[@HappyMealBieber]

I like how Deadly Towers Box art has this hyper realism Conan the Barbarian on it. Then you put the game in and its this little stubby boy for a main character graphics. This has to be one of the worst games at that time ., Its worse than Kid Icarus as far as top heavy difficult. Youre stuck in the dungeon for hours farming money . Then the other half is dying and being sent back.

[@TheFizzjunior]

I loved the Three Stooges as a kid. That said, this game SUCKED.

[@beatchef]

As cool as the graphics and sound on Kabuki Quantum Fighter were at the time, it quickly became one of those games that Game Genie prolonged the life of for me lol

[@scottcorso9247]

Ranking of Fighte....rsNES. Science! Without the labcoat, or the allocation of grant money.

[@ahhjason]

GUN.SMOKE

[@frith-faisisteach]

RC Pro-Am was my cousin's favorite game back in the day. These days she's a 9/11 truther who claims she can speak to the dead so ya know, play responsibly.

[@pointblank0020]

funny that the #1 game and the last game are both greek mythology based games