ActRaiser (SNES) James & Mike Mondays

James, Mike and guest Ryan playthrough ActRaiser on Super Nintendo!
Twitter Mike ✜ / mike_matei
Twitter James ✜ / cinemassacre
Visit ✜ cinemassacre.com/ ✜ www.mikematei.com
Read Mike’s Blog ✜ www.mikematei.blog #retro #retrogaming #nes #snes #jamesrolfe #mikematei #atari #playthrough #gameplay #gamereview

one of my favourite SNES games. replayed it loads of times throughout the years

[@branaa09]

Think about this, the guy who made the music for Actraiser also made the music for the Streets of Rage games, Yuzo Koshiro.

[@nicodimus2222]

And Revenge of Shinobi.

[@DSan-kl2yc]

branaa09 he's recently done work for wangan midnight games and he's still awesome

[@CynicalBastard]

Mind blown.

[@friendforce4788]

Etrian Odyssey, Ys1&2, brilliant man.

[@bloodyangel1]

Glad he moved on to the better system to make great music.

[@Tonindo]

1:50 when they're talking about comparable games to Actraiser 2, James says: "like a much easier Ghosts 'n Goblins". You should really give Actraiser 2 a try. It's one of the hardest games on the SNES, and it's pretty fun.

[@lilhoodlilwrist2417]

Tonindo Actraiser 2 is great, fun challenge and very addicting, not to mention great graphics, a very underrated game

[@sporedoutofmymind]

27:15 Causes an earthquake that kills hundreds of people "How wonderful! The islands are now connected!"

[@nathanielwright1183]

Actraiser, Actraiser 2, Soul Blazer, TerraNigma, and Illusion of Gaia are all part of the same series of game through different points of the world's lifecycle.

[@kiyoaki1985]

It's a little bit more complicated than that. The subtitle for Illusion of Gaia in Japan was "Soulblazer 2", but then in Terranigma an NPC developer calls the game "Illusion of Gaia 2". So Terranigma is like, Soulblazer 3, Illusion of Gaia 2, those games aren't even a straightforward trilogy. Honestly the Actraiser games have way more things in common with the Soulblazer games than most people realise. The town development stuff is obviously in there, but also the item trading stuff to develop towns returns in Terranigma, some of the magic God uses in Actraiser is the same in Illusion of Gaia. Enemies are the same, final boss is the same in all 5 games. It's just the side scrolling part which was lost and replaced with top down RPG style fighting, but for all intents and purposes you can say that Quintet tried to make the same game 5 times with varying success. If you ask me, Terranigma is best. Soulblazer is cute but also a bit lacking in character development and mood, Illusion of Gaia and Actraiser 2 are the outliers because of the lack of town building. Illusion of Gaia was still great because it got the mood just right. Actraiser 2 was basically a failure. I love how the games, particularly IoG, capitalise on a certain early 90's craze for ancient ruins and aliens and stuff. It's all mysterious and a little educative at the same time.

[@nathanielwright1183]

Fair enough. A lot of re-used audio assets, then?

[@jaythomas468]

KaneMagus Ahh that’s what I thought but the OP almost blew my mind, like, “wait a minute, WHAT?!” I would love a modern Actraiser, even though Enix is part of Square now and I’d be surprised if anyone at the company even has any knowledge of this game.

[@Merek29]

You didn't really build a city in soulblazer so much as unlock it a piece at a time.

[@notoriousbig3k]

@@jaythomas468 square enix was one being .... look in cartidges James has all write in them both names

[@daniellado2523]

I loved the building parts of this game. It's a shame the sequel had only the 2d gameplay. Also another game by quintet which I loved was Soul Blazer, which was part of the Gaia trilogy. You guys should totally play this game and Illusion of Gaia, they are badass.

[@scottdufferland]

I LOVED this game and so did my friends. When Act Raiser 2 came out, the disappointment was deep. The city building was gone.... baffling.

[@larkhainan]

The Quintet games were so good. In my mind, if you talk to a "gamer" who claims to have loved the 16-bit classics and they mention still existing franchises but not a Quintet game, I know they're full of it... Unless of course they mention something else obscure, ie, have a real opinion actually built from renting games and begging their parents for games as a kid.

[@JohnWolfe]

The third game, Terranigma, is probably top 5 on the SNES for me. So good! When they were talking about best looking SNES game I was like "Please someone say Terranigma" the whole time haha. I agree, wish they would check out the Gaia trilogy.

[@Real1Gaming]

John Wolfe Indeed. I bought Terranigma super cheap a few years ago (40 bux) because I loved Illusion of Time so much... And it did indeed deliver. Beautiful thought-provoking game ahead of its time. Buuuut, and this is a controversial opinion; I believe Illusion of Time is better. Probably because there were so many likable characters in there and spectacular character development. Especially for a 16-bit game. Quintet

[@blackenedwritings]

I've recently seen an in depth video about Actraiser 2 which kinda changed my mind about that game. I'd link it but it's in german.

[@NY4Life]

Remember this being on the series "Nick Arcade" on Nickelodeon

[@UltimateGamerCC]

yes and i remember how horrible most of the kids were on that show, loved Nick Arcade but wow was it terrible how bad the kids flopped, they didnt even try to make it out like they was trying when they werent supposed to win.

[@KTF0]

The Gaming Paladin Yeah! It was like they got those kids from a parallel universe in which video games didn't exist.

[@videogamepolak0]

yeah amazing how they found a "scoring" method to use on this game to work it..even though its only like 30% of the game

[@muccmaster]

Love the sound effects Quintet used for their games. The enemy explosion/death sound is so satisfying and nostalgic from playing Illusions of Gaia as a kid.

[@flashbacks7892]

If I am not mistaken, SFX was all done by Mr. Koshiro himself.

[@nik700]

Mike's pro tip: Don't get hit

[@arscheerio]

@@poptigre more like don't get shlong by my long hit

[@fuzzymotion]

He was low key getting sassy.

[@nicholaslienandjaja1815]

Get the knife, get the knife, get the knife Don't get the knife, don't get the knife, don't get the knife

[@Aquascape_Dreaming]

​@@fuzzymotionsure, but Mike always says 'don't get hit' when health is low. It's like an encouragement/reminder. Dude in the middle got unnecessarily sarcastic and low key snarky.

[@sinkingdutchman7227]

Don't die before he dies

[@Your_Degenerate]

One of the best sound tracks I've ever heard for a game.

[@SeekerOTheWay]

This game! LOVE! I played it when it came out. I loved all the SECRETS and the fun changing of genres. A lot of creativity went into this game.

[@cptoats16]

oldgraphics Exactly. As your city advances, you burn it down and let them build the fancier houses!

[@OHardCorePipperO]

Mike freaking the fuck out after James made the jump made this video so much funnier

[@DanielAldanaGT]

One of my SNES favorites :)

[@steamboshow606]

Lol, as soon as Mike gets the controller he complains! XD

[@AJScraps]

He’s one *complainy boii*

[@oscardelarosa3601]

He's the real angry video game nerd 😂😂🤣

[@UncleSilverGaming]

This game is one of my all time favorite games. Great memories, and such an awesome blend of action and sim.

[@ariekanibalie]

When the SNES came out, I was 13 and pretty much only listened to metal and hip hop - Actraiser's symphonic score convinced my younger self to explore classical music and film scores of John Williams, Moricone, etc.

[@sean253]

2:01 I wasn't expecting that.

[@Fretburn333]

Sean Larkin You weren't expecting Sean or the boob in the background? Lol

[@sean253]

Fretburn333 The boobs, lol.

[@KennyMcCormick99]

Dude isn't even trying to get out of the way from the attacks! LOL😅

[@Dingleberries]

found this on my emulator a couple years back. my favorite SNES game to be honest

[@creepypato3984]

I don't know what do I like more about Ryan: the technical stuff he is always talking about or the fact that he is slowly becoming a possible meme material.

[@CubamusPrime]

I remember having the Japanese version of the console 6 months before it hit the US. Best memories ever.

[@prophismusic]

Have you tried, NOT GETTING HIT?

[@CynicalBastard]

Ever try not trying so hard?

[@almostalways]

CynicalBastard Ever try not trying to imply he's trying so hard?

[@KuroNoTenno]

Videogames 101: just don't get hit.

[@TheBaioken]

Love how Mike tried to banter Ryan and he gave it right back at him by beating the stage

[@FoulFTW]

You guys should totally play Soul Blazer! Also made by Enix and it was amazing!!

[@negativecreep9320]

Ryan's very existence is so divisive.

[@widdowson91]

One of my top 10 SNES games.

[@Cosmicslopman]

It's in my top 5.What is your top 10 games?

[@epicgamingmen5697]

Comments: 90% complaining about Ryan 10% about the actual game

[@BeatdownGG]

because the game is good. the person playing the game is below average.

[@CopiousDoinksLLC]

@@BeatdownGG I'll be honest, I don't really find Ryan funny or informative but I don't find him that offensive, either. He's like background noise to me - when he's speaking I just sort of phase him out.

[@Underdrummer]

ActRaiser kicks ass.

[@secondghost]

Notice how Ryan is never stoned in videos with James?

[@jamesgrey785]

They're all stoned dude. You need to get stoned too

[@KTF0]

Visine

[@videogamepolak0]

LOL what proof do you have of this? I see zero evidence

[@davidczajkowski5956]

Used to be my favorite game. Always loved the ending with the statues. Wish they redid it for PlayStation or Xbox one

[@DragonX64567]

"I'd recommend NOT getting hit." "The enemy has more health than you, you should probably change that"

[@UltimateGamerCC]

Ryan is not altogether correct, allow me to clarify what the story is all about, you see you are the god of that world, only referred to as The Master, your greatest nemesis Tanzra who is essentially the devil of this world, invaded the Sky Palace, defeated you and obliterated mankind. YOU must regain your strength by rekindling humanity's faith and repopulate the world, so you can destroy Tanzra once and for all. i owned and played the shit out of this game, it was great fun and i completed it, i also completed the sequel but it isnt nearly as good.

[@kekeke8988]

Your nemesis is literally called Satan in the Japanese version, and you are supposed to be God.

[@notoriousbig3k]

@@kekeke8988 well white world could not use god and Satan cus censorship

[@Xxanderbeau]

Loved this game when I was a kid.

[@tomb4610]

favorite snes game. I'm surprised u guys didn't show the dragon boss on the snow level

[@whobootlegs5825]

It looks beautiful. The backgrounds and animations look lovely.

[@wurstlord6856]

the Game is from Quintett Not from Enix by the way

[@TotallyRadical]

This is one of those games like Pilotwings and SimCity where the music is just so calming. Just totally gets me engrossed into the game

[@Derek-kj9mt]

I loved this game when I was younger, even picking up the sequel. Awesome to see it get some play!

[@JoakimOtamaa]

I prefer the sequel because it dropped the SIM parts out. It really clashes with the side scrolling monster bashing.

[@brigadierburnsauce]

I like how Ryan kept talking about how if he had the other kind of magic he would be able to kick the plant boss's ass immediately, then when he switches magic he still just uses the sword to kill it.

[@Amlorian]

"we have the following to offer this year, my master" - Bomb

[@LVL100RED]

SOOOOOOO Many memories playing this game a CLASSIC for sure great play CINEMASSACRE TEAM

[@rickardgustafsson493]

great game

[@only257]

Rickard Gustafsson agreed 👻

[@FreeportAaron]

Very fun game; never owned Actraiser but it was a game I rented frequently.

[@Marco_Ak]

Wow, you skipped Fillmore. The stage with best music.

[@themasterarcangel2362]

I don't know, both music tracks in Northwall are serious contenders for best tracks in the game. But yeah, Fillmore act 1 is a solid second best for me.

[@hnorrstrom]

All music is great, but Filmare is terrific...

[@angelictorchic]

This game, along with FF4, were two games that really brought me into the gaming world. It brings me back to my childhood, playing games with my parents and beating it together.

[@ChristopherM1701]

Great strategy for playing video games : Don't get hit!

[@invisipunk]

and....don't die.

[@danielbeaver3152]

Christopher Martin When being shot at by the enemy, hide behind cover!

[@robintst]

Such a ridiculously underappreciated game. ActRaiser would get tons of mileage today with a remake or new sequel.

[@gd523]

I love this game, Played the HELL Out of it! Oh the Sean Connery movie is Zardoz from 1974

[@RodimusPrimal]

This game was really fun and its part of Enix's series on creation and life. Master is a censorship term for god in this game. The same Master (god) is the one who the main character in Soul Blazer follows. The original title for Illusion of Gaia in the US was going to be Soul Blazer - Illusion of Gaia which you can see that title screen if you play the prototype.

[@RyuPlaneswalker]

"Don't get hit." - best advice ever

[@Chrispypullen]

This and the SNES go hand in hand with my memory

[@YowLife]

I really don't like watching James and Mike inviting Thirdguy to play with them.

[@Tingle457]

Earthquake is actually pretty useful in every area, as it gets rid of the old buildings, making room for the improved ones that can house more people.

[@franco7363]

Love that game. Another Yuzo Koshiro masterpiece...

[@TheTenthArt]

After 29 years I finally played and beaten this game. It's awesome! And with Yuzo Koshiro soundtrack!!

[@BearInfestedWaters]

James you should marathon Doctor Who the way you did Power Rangers. 40 years of television in 4 weeks.

[@brianmortenson4212]

'Fuck You King Tut!' lol

[@MagickMitch]

hey guys, might want to edit the Sean Connery photo before youtube gets pissed. the lady behind him in the bottom corner with no head has her right nipple out. I mean I'm not complaining but just a heads up lol

[@adamrichardson2227]

Yep, tits at 2:01

[@Nliman]

The commentary throughout the entire video is hilarious. Mikes expert advice or only Gods deserve to live moments are two of many. Well played.

[@Treychik]

15:50 - In the basement nobody hears your screams, Mike! xD ___ Please, play the 2'nd ActRaiser :))) ____ Don't listen to Ryan, James should totally like 'old' Doctor Who episodes! :)

[@Dimensiom]

When fighting Kalia, the Marahna Act II boss, the key to an easy victory is to turn around (while still crouching) as the platform reaches the top. Your character will then fall away from him as it falls.

[@DrClawizdead]

One of the best games on the SNES. ActRaiser 2 is excellent as well.

[@SpunkyDunk]

I remember finding an orchestrated album version of the soundtrack for this game. I forget the specific name but it was absolutely fantastic and even my friends that didn’t play video games loved it.

[@astrosteve]

So, guys. Guess what? The game DOES make sense! Right around 15:20 or so, Mike says "This game makes no sense!" in reference to you being in Egypt. But it does make sense, and here's why: The ancient Greeks totally knew about Egypt's existence. In fact, the Greeks believed their Gods went to Egypt and took the form of animals, which the Egyptians later began to worship. Most Egyptian gods either have an animal head or take the form of an animal found in Egypt and the Greeks saw this as their [Greek] gods in disguise. So yes, you WOULD totally see Greek gods in Egypt, at least according to the Greeks. The Greeks and Egyptians intermingled, so it does make sense. Cool, isn't it?

[@Zeldaschampion]

I remember renting this from a truck that would come around my area and actually rent games and movies off the truck like you would buy ice cream off of a truck. The craziest way I ever rented a video game in my life.

[@mrenricop]

bring back james & mike mondays

[@bluearmy893]

They're already here, you just left a comment on one of their videos ;-)

[@squidwardstesticles5914]

Soup or Nintendo? He means like just james and mike. The other shows are fine for other people, but james and mike mondays should always be just them.

[@ZoidbergForPresident]

I agree ;)

[@zach4thlife]

Ryan is great. These guys are great. They all have their own life's going on. As viewers we can't expect James to be there every time.

[@TotallyRadical]

@26:58 Ryan Kills LEVELS entire city - Game - How Wonderful! 🤣🤣😭⚰️ Ryan: Fuck em'

[@samdroidva]

Everyone says ActRaiser II was not as good. I have to strongly disagree. ActRaiser II is better in one way and doesn't compete in the other. I did like the Overview style of the original ActRaiser. However, ActRaiser II totally destroyed the original ActRaiser in the side scroller aspect. Yes!! ActRaiser II was hard as HELL!!! However, it was very possible for anyone to beat with practice. It wasn't as hard as Ninja Gaiden 3, which to me seemed impossible. Also, the original ActRaiser didn't have the replay value that ActRaiser II did. I'm not saying anything bad about either game. However, people are way too fast passing judgement on ActRaiser II. If you played ARII in the past and couldn't get past stage 1, then I suggest going back, learning the various attacks and giving the game your best shot.

[@andyfaulk3962]

Actraiser II spawns so many enemies on the screen the game's FPS slows to a crawl. That is ridiculous

[@nerdbeef1196]

It's amazing how similar the music and graphics are to the game Soulblazer, also made by Quintet and Enix in that same. Time period. Almost like they re-used a lot of their graphics and sounds...

[@WTK55]

Who the fuck is this Ryan guy?

[@svcghost]

Skull V watch your fucking mouth you son of a bitch

[@Tumeg2108]

Mike was the kid who screamed when other kids fought and screamed when the teacher left the room.

[@legacyteam5581]

ActRaiser 2 is tough.

[@tomvanleuven9834]

The song actually has a metal version. It's called "Birth of People" by Mega Driver. These Brazilian guys play all kinds of Sega and NES songs in metal versions.

[@DQuebed]

Mike's got no chill today @_@

[@bluearmy893]

So pessimistic lol

[@retrojunk5960]

The SNES launch window was amazing. The five launch games were F-Zero, Gradius 3, Sim City, Pilotwings, and Super Mario World. Mix that with UN Squadron, Super R-Type, Super Castlevania 4, ActRaiser, Final Fantasy 2 (or 4), Super Ghouls n Ghosts, and some other notable ones it's a great launch window

[@macwiley1761]

Great episode of Ryan and Mike Monday's! Not sure who that guy on the right was but he seemed kinda bored to be there so I'd suggest better guests next time, guys.

[@devilmikey00]

Thanks for not splitting this into 2/3 parts and just giving us this all at once.

[@robertrobinson8370]

still waiting on you guys to do hyperstone heist lol.

[@Elyseon]

Earthquakes also clear out older house types, letting people build the most advanced type available after completely clearing a region. Those are quake proof and hold more population, which means more HP for you.

[@Citizen_J]

fuck yeah, one of the best SNES games! both games are awesome!

[@trueakuma777]

I too loved this game when I was a kid, and even though I never owned a copy I played it a lot through rentals, and eventually beat it. I would say that during the simulation mode the game combines elements from both Sim City with Populous, both of which happen to be favorites of mine as well. A solid game all around.

[@mr.vidjagamez9896]

Honestly, I think the "sim" aspects of this game are not really that great. I don't think the exclusion of them in the sequel really was that bad an idea, but most people just associated the original with it and thought the lack of them made it an inferior game.

[@jupreindeer]

It's also worth noting that the over world map holds secrets that will aid in completing the Boss Rush. Like health/magic upgrades. And, I think there was even a secret magic spell. You have to try crazy things like striking your own temples with lightning or burning down random spots. Using Quake in the right spot and destroying rocks. Things like that. I see they also didn't tackle the 'Pro mode'.

[@patrickandrews1692]

I might be in the minority here, but I'd prefer it if J&M Mondays was just James and Mike. I feel like I get enough of Ryan in the Mike & Ryan videos. A little bit of that guy goes a long way, lol

[@ojtheviking]

I'd be cool with a number of James & Ryan videos too, actually.

[@allenellsworth5799]

OJ The Viking That would be cool. Ryan is Mike's friends really.

[@BiggRigg6]

Agreed 100%

[@juliusreigns4218]

Him correcting Mike one after another really grinder my gears.

[@nefnasty2]

I agree. N he like hogs the controller, give someone else a chance. This might cross the line but ud think a guy like Ryan, who like dedicated his life to video games he should b a lot better . N Mike asks him questions that he never answers. I'm just sick of this dude.

[@sarysa]

It's hard to think of anything other than Extra History when listening to the overworld audio.

[@deadgametech6624]

Actraiser is AWESOME! It has two different modes, a really cool side scrolling action/adventure, the other mode is like Sim City, where you play as a god and build civilizations to fight evil. If you like SNES and have never played Actraiser, PLAY IT!

[@deadgametech6624]

Gilligan: I have an idea that may well be instrumental in securing for us deliverance from our enforced isolation.

[@fragmentalstew]

Soul Blazer, a sort of spiritual sequel, is an awesome snes game.

[@SevenWilly]

So stoked you guys are playing this! one of my favorite of the snes!

[@perfectibility999]

The conversation after the earthquake, following 26:50, is hilarious!

[@AwayDreaming]

Why is Ryan now here as well??? Aaasssssssssss!!!!

[@cheezdoodle96]

That whole "I'd recommend not getting hit" bit at, and leading up to 10:50 really reminded me of Retsupurae. Something about the dryness of the delivery/deliveries really reminded me of Diabetus and Slowbeef. It was a really great moment anyhow, and it secured this vid's place in my favourites playlist.

[@LUchesi]

"What do they call an Act Raiser expert?" Obv. a self-funded Raisearcher...

[@pingASS_]

An act raicist?

[@adrianjenkins5877]

HI-YOOOOO!!!

[@ronniedickson6302]

I feel a lot of Mike's jokes went unnoticed in this vid! 'How high is the baby?' 'Nascar' etc. haha

[@austin132140]

How fitting it is for Ryan to sit between Mike and James. Like a stale wedge blocking the well-matched commentary we all look forward to and enjoy each Monday. :/

[@bluearmy893]

You people complain too much about the littlest things lol ;-)

[@MoejiiOsmanTV]

Austin Herrera seriously stop Complaaining

[@austin132140]

Oh, okay.

[@tokyohanamura]

What’s funny is some assets were used in Soul Blazer like the sound of getting hit, life refilling sound, & the life bar itself

[@Captain_Blak]

Guys I'm not going to bad-mouth Ryan but please keep "James and Mike Mondays" to what it is supposed to be... James and Mike!

[@keithrichards8526]

Wing Zero Straight Edge How is it a cameo when he's in every other video released lately? He's practically the star now. Man. Like I said, I don't really mind seeing him so much but you white knights for Ryan say some dumb shit. People who want more James have a legit gripe when Ryan starlights the one consistent time a week we get the dude we actually want to see.

[@Seekarr]

Huh? They have guests all the time.

[@_UPRC]

This game is such a classic, I'm surprised that Mike never played it before!

[@Roastanus]

do you guys get baked before these

[@buchizuco]

you just gotta love that sound when you are pressing the d-pad.

[@PaulBadman]

Can you guys play Bonetown all ready

[@lukfidel7427]

love the roasting at the end "hit him with your sword"

[@AwesomeHairo]

End it rightly

[@BugbearMadness]

Can we keep James & Mike just James & Mike.

[@bluearmy893]

It's better when they Nintendo switch it up

[@bluearmy893]

+Panthers Hockey also I'm not "white knighting" you nerd it's my opinion that I'm entitled to just like everyone else

[@BrandonRob206]

there are about 4 years of videos you can watch without Ryan, he can join them once in a while if he'd like to.

[@okcmpter]

you probably didnt say that about the jontron episodes.

[@MrMikeexley]

Randy naw he speaks for me too. So STFU.