King's Knight (NES) Square's worst game? James and Mike Mondays

James Rolfe and Mike Matei play Square Enix's Kings Knight for NES (Previously known as squaresoft)
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[@Marius-vw9hp]

Mike torturing himself with this game on Twitch is my favorite lets play of all time.

[@Hurlebatte]

Let's Suffer

[@Archvile1]

"The knight the knight the knight!!" lol

[@SloofmanPlays]

@@yittmashups oh yeeesss :)

[@alexgarbe1971]

I think the only game I've seen him more excited to beat was Jekyll & Hyde.

[@cesarpena899]

press select on the screen and you can repleay and level up characters

[@kristophsams5036]

James is sitting there towards the end thinking to himself "So this is what slipping into madness looks like"

[@benrisotto910]

Haha.

[@shadowraider964]

😂😂😂

[@DrewKW96]

"Have I ever told you the definition of insanity?"

[@randalgraves6979]

He’s not mad. But he is Angry!! 😏

[@theatheistbrony9332]

He's writing the King's Knight episode of AVGN in his head.

[@michaelsierra9]

James is falling asleep, lol

[@KornFlace]

I really liked Mike at the beginning mentioning how he sounded like a raving lunatic in the Barts nightmare J&M Monday episode

[@dodgydpad1798]

i see this being a perfect nerd game

[@dudeseriously79]

@@VaughnJogVlog They ruin then for a reason though. James is a dad now and the AVGN episodes take a lot of time. Someone else needs to enter the game... but will there be?

[@bossrosslp]

@@VaughnJogVlog You say that, but there are instances where J&M mondays have turned into Nerd episodes. Bevis and Butthead, for example? All that's needed is expanding the original material to a greater source. So, a good nerd episode would be all the Square games before Final Fantasy.

[@dudeseriously79]

@@VixXstazosJOB I could be wrong but as a 40 year old, I would imagine his work life revolves around his children more than the way he got to where he is now. Don't worry though man, he still despises the same games I'm sure.

[@warlordofvideogameglitches]

The final fantasy 15 characters mentions this game.

[@gabrielapetrie]

James would just give up before even figuring out exactly HOW shitty and unfair everything is.

[@kaipo09]

In all irony, the guy that designed this "game" would direct Final Fantasy and design Chrono Trigger.

[@logan2642]

Sometimes hitting the bottom of the barrel, or close to it, can teach you what not to do in the future to bring about success.

[@3Rayfire]

They called it Final Fantasy for a reason, namely that Square was almost dead (likely because of games like this) so this was gonna be their last hurrah. Then it blew up and saved the company.

[@adgato75]

Even a blind pig gets a truffle occasionally.

[@3Rayfire]

@@adgato75 🤔 Wait, don't pigs find truffles by scent?

[@adgato75]

@@3Rayfire Yep. It is a bit of a confusing proverb , but you get the gist , I imagine. Personally, I think the version that uses "acorn" rather than "truffle" makes more sense , but is less pithy.

[@hectormorales9042]

Perfect reaction from Mike at the end when beating the game. Also, watching Jame’s face as Mike is explaining everything, slowly sinking deeper into the couch.

[@blackRXrider]

Cool artwork on the box, disappointing game.

[@RyllenKriel]

That was a reoccurring theme in old games.

[@treborironwolfe978]

"It wears on your soul."

[@VVhistory]

Dissapointing why?

[@dudeseriously79]

@@RyllenKriel You have to remind us? Lol

[@CrappyCar]

@@VVhistory Did you watch the video?

[@khukri_wielderxxx1962]

6:10 "And I got, whatever that thing is..." Sums up 8 bit gaming pretty well

[@jackalofhadouken9374]

6:05

[@Deceptiwolf]

Fun fact: Square was going bankrupt because of games like this. Final Fantasy was their last ditch effort for a hit.

[@dhgmrz17]

In the end it served them well to make a much more straight forward RPG like Final Fantasy. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for exploring and secret items as long as they aren't required.

[@heavysystemsinc.]

That's a classic myth. The truth is they were doing fine and were selling games on the MSX as well. I think people like to believe it, but the reality is they were merely 'doing okay' and Final Fantasy catapulted them into a powerhouse studio status with all that FF moneys.

[@MasterZebulin]

The irony, lol.

[@chrisbeach423]

MasterZebulin thats also why it was named “FINAL fantasy” lol it was their final chance

[@FIRE-LOTUS]

And Square-Enix is kind of fucking up the Final Fantasy line. The only thing that's potentially keeping them alive is FF14 and possibly the 7 remake.

[@dead0ntime]

17:05 this is what cinemassacre has turned into. James showing up for a paycheck while sleeping.

[@lourecivargas9736]

unless it's nearly 5:40. then he'd better get up and running to get the damn thing over with

[@jmnyc212]

"And then and then...then"

[@treborironwolfe978]

I think, what he meant to say, was.. "You have to do these levels like... FU*C! I just died again..." It's like an Ikari version of Zelda with crappier mobs.

[@Canadas_Very_Own]

I love the custom intros y’all make for these videos. 👍🏻😎

[@erichquinones598]

Too damn loud tho...

[@emarskineel]

0:13 I don this same thousand yard stare when someone I hate is talking to me.

[@MajoradeMayhem]

"THIS IS WHAT I DO IN MY SPARE TIME" That special moment all videogamers have at some point, lmao

[@alexsilva28]

Mike's the MVP. Nothing but respect 🙏

[@CompressionPolice]

Mike: "hey I wanted to show you this game" James: "oh yeah what is it?" Mike: "aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

[@Pensive_Scarlet]

I think this is just the ultimate example of "NES Hard", you know? Lots of repetition and learning, etc.

[@patpear6567]

Battletoads is the prime example because it's the hardest "nes hard" game within the bounds of a good game. They just went too far at like 6 different points.

[@viejodelentes6079]

@@jgfjgfify Nah, Ninja Gaiden still has some bullshit that makes no sense, even if you learn and do things with logic, like one part where the game has to glitch a little bit the jump animation to make it through, you can only discover that if you play without thinking it through too much.

[@schwarzerritter5724]

Even other "NES Hard" games don't kill you randomly and give you *some* room to mess up.

[@alexsilva28]

More like NES bullshit

[@0verl0rdPr0duction5]

Will there be an AVGN episode about this game

[@marhansgamingchannel4732]

I hope so. 🤣🤣🤣

[@KevyB.]

Its so shitty, there has to be😂

[@psychochicken9535]

As a kid, I played this game and thought it was pretty fun. Until someone explained to me just exactly how you go about beating the game like Mike just did.

[@storiedworlds6261]

The gameplay itself looks pretty awesome: a fantasy shooter with a wizard, dragon, knight, and thief as playable characters. Too bad it's hindered by everything Mike is talking about.

[@leroyvisiongames2294]

Better fantasy shooters: Dragon Spirit Space Harrier Legendary Wings

[@storiedworlds6261]

Matt Ring I’ve definitely enjoyed Space Harrier and Legendary Wings. I’ll have to check out Dragon Spirit.

[@Nov-5062]

@@leroyvisiongames2294 Isn't Space Harrier more of a sci-fi shooter? You know, space and stuff.

[@BBHood217]

It looks like a JRPG, it seems to have JRPG mechanics, and it certainly has obscure JRPG secrets. ...but it plays like a shmup.

[@vincentchang2259]

It had greater graphic than other games though.

[@Chlorophyllius]

11:49 i love how the knight picks up the down arrow while he automatically walks towards the end of the level, can you die to that?

[@megamob5834]

Mikes gamer rage makes me feel better about my own gamer rage. Could Mike be the true AVGN???

[@RobotWillie]

It was worth showing this to James because it led to an analogy about cleaning up cat vomit.

[@cricketguy1206]

Here is a game you should try to play or review: Tom and Jerry: Frantic Antics on Genesis.

[@memenest468]

Or Tom and Jerry and Tuffy for NES Had good memories with it and it's challenging but not too hard

[@supergeoff]

@@memenest468 I like Tom and Jerry on Nes, me and my friend MegaDan was just Talking about during his playthrough of Tom and Jerry on Super Nes

[@nakano15]

Nah, the Master System one is the best.

[@supergeoff]

@@nakano15 I still need to play the Master System version and there also a Game Gear one too

[@nakano15]

@@supergeoff It's great, Tom tries to catch Jerry through the stages, while stumbling and being hit by hazards on the way, and having a music that seems to make fun of you during the gameplay.

[@Quantaur]

Worst? I don't know. Left Alive, The Quiet Man and Fear Effect Sedna are strong contenders

[@paulovinasrocha6166]

Those were just publised by them, so i am not sure if they should be contenders

[@Kullen64]

paulo vinas rocha They only published King’s Knight as well. Atlus made it.

[@adrianjenkins5877]

@@Kullen64 according to Wikipedia, it was co-developed by Square and something called Workss

[@Alamyst2011]

I'll say it. FFXIII

[@Kullen64]

Adrian Jenkins Must have been Atlus before they were Atlus or something like that because the whole King’s _____ series belongs to them and spun into Demon’s Souls. I’ll have to read more into it 🤔

[@TheCobrabee]

Me at used bookstore finding an early Square Soft game for NES with cool anime looking characters on the front: "Wow, this looks awesome!" I'm glad I didn't have to rent it back in the day, and ponder why my only game choice for the weekend would do me so wrong.

[@Kourumeme]

Kings knight for avgn?

[@supergeoff]

Agree and The Jetsons Cogswell cogs caper

[@Kourumeme]

Well jetson and flinstone games at least. Need to try out cogswell caper one day

[@supergeoff]

@@Kourumeme awesome man

[@glenaladar]

17:04 When your mom asks if you're coming down for dinner.

[@DragonHeart613]

I just got done watching Yongyea playing the just released hour-long Final Fantasy VII Remake demo which looks phenomenal. My God how far has Square come since the NES days to now👍🙂👌

[@djpuredirt5540]

17:05 "you have to hit a fucking random u-turn thing and get lucky enough to turn into the fucking knight, who can turn into a flying HORSE, to go through the lava beans" almost spit out my coffee at work. You were right Mike, you do sound insane describing this game hahah

[@therealhardrock]

To enjoy this game, load up the Game Genie and put in GZVXTPSA and ZESUTPAA and suddenly the game becomes a straightforward blast everything in sight shoot-em-up type game and is 1000 times more enjoyable. And don't even bother with the last level. The ending is just one screen with the princess on it and some congratulations text. Just watch someone's lets play and pretend you beat the game. Edit: also, get a turbo controller so that you can just hold the A button down and you'll knock out the walls and reveal stuff all over the place.

[@katakis1]

I feel so sorry for James

[@kennethwehrs8924]

"I don't have a millipede as a pet" Best JaMM quote yet!

[@atxmedic0544]

His fuck you at the end was pure visceral hate, and satisfaction wrapped into a Fuck you. I love it.

[@ssj3fox]

I love Mike explaining things like a mad man!

[@joshuafilms5944]

One question and one question only Do u one day plan to continue Board James

[@Blutroid8542]

With adjustments this game could be a fun little thing, its a shame it turned out the way it did.

[@UTUBMRBUZZ]

I did play this game on my MSX 1. Belive me this game is rather good compared to some others...

[@KevyB.]

Love you guys' work. I've been asking/hoping for YEARS that you guys would play Werewolf: The Last Warrior - NES. Maybe this year will be the year. *Fingers crossed*

[@deathsdollar2606]

I really like that game and it had some pretty good music too!

[@GameTacoFTW]

Who hid the buttons on my VCR in my NES game?

[@drewcuthbertson125]

"You ready to rumble, Noct?"

[@BrentWigginsWords]

I can hear the Nerd saying, "This game gives Pepto-Bismol diarrhea!"

[@saturnalis8813]

Would be a perfect AVGN episode

[@blackmage20]

Forgot to mention the part where the dragons weakness changes, and you have to use all characters on him.

[@ricodelta1]

"I don't have a millipede as a pet" Hahahahahaha

[@ei1714]

I was just watching an AVGN Video

[@TotallyRadical]

I could tolerate a lot about this game, except for the depending on the AI to randomly choose the character I need. No reason you couldn't have select change your character on the fly. Other games did it back then. Just shitty game design. 🤷‍♂️💩🤣

[@RuruFIN]

Never been this early.

[@concorde3980]

I have. Last gf left because of it

[@johnnycage3673]

I can't wait for them playing Demon's Souls/ Dark Souls in like 15 years from now

[@Lovuschka]

Please leave "Enix" out of this! Thanks!

[@yoshifan3077]

I think this is what happens When you merge you shared the blame like Activision blizzard

[@Lovuschka]

@@yoshifan3077 What when you... don't exist anymore? Like Quintet did?

[@enixfenix9128]

:(

[@yoshifan3077]

@@Lovuschka what's that mean I don't understand

[@Lovuschka]

@@yoshifan3077 When a studio dissolves. Who takes the blame then? Nobody?

[@shadowraider964]

When is the next nerd episode coming out???

[@crh1985]

I was hoping this would be a “Angry Video Game Nerd” video I had this as a kid and I got 1 game every 6 month I got it got the artwork Update: plz make it a AVGN episode

[@roketfingers]

He is sleeping

[@StuartKReilly]

You know its a terrible game when James is about to fall asleep in the video

[@damians901]

This was pretty much a mike the avgn episode

[@Halbared]

Never heard of this, but looks like I would have enjoyed it. If I had this as a kid alongside Zelda way back, I would probably have drawn a map, like I did for Zelda. :D

[@halonostalgiatheater7440]

Oh wait I remember this game, I couldn’t figure out wtf I was doing as a kid

[@DracoHandsome]

Square actually remade this game as a spinoff of Final Fantasy XV for Android and iOS. It's called King's Knight: Wrath of the Dark Dragon. It ended up shutting down in less than a year. >_>

[@bigsweaty8088]

Id like to see this up against the "Id rather suck farts out of a dogs ass" alternative

[@miltiadiskoutsokeras9189]

Well youngsters, this how you played back then. Memorize the game manual, and trial and error until mastering the game. Just like what learning a musical instrument feels. You do not experience and no hand holding or sign posting. Figure it out yourself. That was the joy.

[@Punkpsychobilly]

This game was not a joy.

[@hanbill]

17:24 James: *I have heard some shit*

[@lando8913]

"You have to hit one of those U-turn things to get lucky enough to turn into the knight who can turn into a flying horse who can fly through the lava beams." Wut 😐

[@slimjimmy]

"Fuck you! Fuck this game!" - Mike Matei, 2020

[@ChaoticHoly]

I remember playing this game at a used game store years ago. The shop owner was trying to hype it up as a Squaresoft game that "no Final Fantasy fan should go without". I never went back to that store.

[@DatGreenGuy]

now i wonder if aggressive advertising of the King's Knight remake (for mobile) in Final Fantasy XV was an easter egg. Also would definitely watch the play-through of that one)

[@Starcraft5477]

@11:38 Recreation of a scene from The Office.

[@kestasgimbickis6917]

I still think this is the perfect material for James to do an AVGN episode. Watched all the twitch streams on youtube of Mike suffering to this game. Was most intense nervewrecking stream i ever watched)))) please cook avgn out of this

[@mysticalknightofjack]

This would have been perfect as a Nerd episode

[@catiseith]

6:49 "Argh! No! Never get the Pokeball!"

[@deathbymybox]

It seems like it could be an action 52 game

[@WickedCrispy]

6:56 "Don't forget about dying."

[@kuruptein]

That was sweet when james played

[@angeluzerrare8170]

Brutal as it is I still want to beat it. Speaking of shooters like this, can some tell me where can I search for a specific arcade shooter of the 80's. I have only 3 generic memories of it. It's co-op, a player is red and the other is blue (classic, right!?) and it's up-scrolling with hazards on the floor. Bonus it has a life meter. Guys I've been looking for it for over a decade now if anyone could help me out or tell me where I can see gameplay of all games just looking for up-scrolling ones would be a lifesaver.

[@westonparker5940]

These characters were added in an event in Final Fantasy Brave Exvius and the end boss dragon was the raid boss for the event. Can't say I was familiar with the game before this.

[@miguelmf]

7:24 "You have to do these levels like fuck?" lol :D

[@ArcadePilot]

This was a strange shooter game, so many items needed to collect, but also there are some games that also don't give any clue what to do in the game. This game could have been made better, but this was great gameplay.

[@elvispressplay7735]

"...and now I'm dead." *drink*

[@alcoles9660]

Looks like Mike found his "Dr Jekyll and mr hyde"

[@VisionThing]

"The shoe is not extra important?". Mike JUST explained the shoe just gives you speed. Sigh...

[@shsrpr]

Lmao, love the beating the game celebration: "OMG! Yes! Yes!! Fuck You! Fuck this game! Fuck this fucking game, I hate it. I hate this fucking game. Omg. Fuck you. Fuck this game.' 😂😂😂

[@PeaceLoveAndGuns]

I remember playing this game at a friends house once but never knew what it was called abs couldn’t find it!

[@yournamegoeshere7584]

RIP Mikes sanity idk what the hell is birthday is - 2020

[@rssy3819]

Just bought a NES the other day time to relive the glory days

[@mattj2217]

Very polished turd. Like something experimental you'd see at a game jam. Some tweaks and it could be pretty fun.

[@rickybobby2687]

Game end screen “thank you” Mike “fuck you!!!!”

[@natedavis3943]

The spinning character thing sucks but they kinda seemed to learned from it and created the awesome menus in secret of Mana.

[@natedavis3943]

Like even that boss death looked like a primiative Secret Of Mana

[@lockecole6220]

One of the best james and mike mondays. Funny stuff 😂

[@quickdraw90210]

Reminds me of Gunsmoke on NES. Need to get the Wanted Posters in order to get to the big boss.

[@MrWildcard531]

I wonder if this is going to be the next AVGN episode?

[@Grimauld1]

This game actually got a sequel as an (now dead) online mobile game in 2017.

[@calvinlee8103]

What is a "kid thief"? I think they meant a child that steals things, but it sounds like a thief that steals children. **MILD AMUSEMENT, ACTIVATE!**

[@raybyrnes3516]

That little wavy bean thing, is super important. ROTFLOL

[@ChimairaGod]

James lost interest 45 seconds in.

[@Bazooka_Sharks]

I was right there with him. This game seems hella lame

[@glaidermason6870]

Hes seen some real treacherous shit so now nothing fazes him

[@DivineHyperion]

@@Bazooka_Sharks not lame, just exhausting to watch

[@Blankult]

When mike started laughing at the ridiculous difficulty of the game all i've seen was a man slowly cross the barrier of sanity.

[@daverdz7348]

XD

[@TheDeliciousMystery]

17:21 - James' Brain: You can stay, but i'm leaving!

[@Nov-5062]

King's Knight might be the most generic name for a game ever. It's like calling a game "Adventurer's Quest" or "Wizard's Magic".

[@JeroenZM]

'Driver'

[@jamstonjulian6947]

It's weird because it looks like alliteration but isn't. And yeah it's super generic.

[@TheWrathAbove]

I mean this is the same company that named their (at the time) last fantasy style game, Final Fantasy.

[@screamsinrussian5773]

@@JeroenZM ok fine

[@BvousBrainSystems]

I bet Adventurer's Quest and Wizard's Magic are actual games that exist

[@CommanderOfTheSun]

James is just done with life...

[@FlaDechen]

At 17:07 James dies out of boredom

[@serigraph73]

James doesn't seem to be enjoying this at ALL. LOL

[@Mugicha808]

Kings Knight is an accurate representation of life in medieval times as well as capturing the essence and terror of melee and magic combat back in the 1300s.

[@jamstonjulian6947]

Bullshit. I lived through it and it was definitely 3D.