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

[@yittmashups]

Was this the one where he was seriously considering drawing a poster sized map to help in game?

[@Archvile1]

"The knight the knight the knight!!" lol

[@SloofmanTV]

@@yittmashups oh yeeesss :)

[@alexgarbe1971]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@michaelsierra9]

James is falling asleep, lol

[@khukri_wielderxxx1962]

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

[@jackalofhadouken9374]

6:05

[@FlaDechen]

At 17:07 James dies out of boredom

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@CommanderOfTheSun]

James is just done with life...

[@Doommaster1994]

Fun fact: This game was actually developed by the same development team who made Ghostbusters for the NES. No joke. Look up Bits Laboratory/Workss.

[@serigraph73]

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

[@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.

[@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?

[@SHADE45]

King’s Knight is underrated. If you summon it with Queen’s Knight, you can special summon Jack’s Knight and then play one of the god cards

[@skywalker5903]

The Lone Wolf Yeah but no one likes to use these either

[@Kryptnyt]

You can't play three monsters in one turn! That's against the rules!

[@kingdavey90]

I'll use my Horn of the Unicorn, to increase my Beaver Warrior's attack, allowing it to hop onto Curse of Dragon's back, shoot out of Catapult Turtle, allowing me to special summon my Flame Swordsman, who can polymerization with Dark Magician, to become Alligator Sword with Kunai with Chain. But it dies to Kuribo.

[@Kryptnyt]

@@kingdavey90 But I've been sitting here with all five pieces of Exodia in my hand, waiting to win the game at instant speed after you reveal your strategy to me, that I might sideboard for game 2 knowing more!

[@misterbadguy7325]

The Poker Knights are pretty much useless. King's Knight's effect only triggers on Normal Summon so it's not a good Tribute engine, and the Knights are the wrong level to do any kind of summon bar Link.

[@atheismcrew1524]

Mike literally just explains why you shouldn't collect down arrows. Game: "Ok but, you need to collect this double v heu heu."

[@gojira4life]

>"King's Knight" >inner Yami Yugi awakens "I ALSO SUMMON JACK'S KNIGHT AND QUEEN'S KNIGHT TO THE FIELD!!!"

[@HaouRex]

But how?

[@888thisthat]

I like these Angry Video Game Mike J&M Mondays where Mike describes his rage wins to a flabbergasted James.

[@seireiart]

Finally I managed to know this game's real name. Because in a bootleg cartridge, it's called "Lord of the rings" (Why's that ?! I don't know)

[@screamsinrussian5773]

Kinda neat to look into bootlegs though, found out about a lot of neat games thanks to them

[@jimmyju76]

Why is that?

[@screamsinrussian5773]

@@jimmyju76 I don't know

[@AlucardsQuest]

Pretty sure it's original name is Kind Knight in Japan. Lord of the Rings would be the Chinese bootleg.

[@alexsilva28]

The wizard character does resemble Gandalf the White

[@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.

[@DanielRenardAnimation]

Love the Princess' face at the ending screen. She's all like: *¬.¬* *_"Really? You played this, until you beat it? ...are you serious?"_*

[@HupCapNinja]

This game is mentioned through out Final Fantasy XV

[@an3582]

There waa going to be a new Mobile Kings Knight game alongside ff15. There already was and they discontinued it. I never got to play it. Dammit.

[@ArchangelKamui]

@@an3582 It did come out, but didn't last a year, sadly. It was fun.

[@brianmetcalf2440]

Great episode! Lots of awesome quotes: “It wears on your soul.” “This game is like cleaning up cat puke.” Mike, “ and then you wonder why you have the cat in the first place and they come up to you And you’re like oh so cute!” James, “ yeah, little piece of shit.”

[@JReed7560]

James' look thru this video reminds me of my "friends" look when they come to my house and I'm playing a game they hate. Which is all of them lol. I use the term friends very, very loosely.

[@sulcuryaltinone4570]

Justin Reed sounds like your “friends” shouldn’t even be at your house.

[@sulcuryaltinone4570]

@The Deadpool Who Chuckles. Ya know, I don't think that makes sense. I'm curious of what the scenario would be to make a person not have the choice of whether they want their friends to be at their house or not.

[@MrZangetsu468]

Sulcuryalt Inone ...... Roman Polanski’s House

[@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"

[@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.

[@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"

[@Icalasari]

And now you'll be flooded with requests for this being reviewed as The Nerd

[@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

[@Aa-dn1oq]

Fun Fact: The lead designer of King's Knight was none other than Hironobu Sakaguchi, the father of Final Fantasy.

[@samurizzy]

Fun Fact: This game recieved a full on mobile remake, that was available for a limited time, as part of the Final Fantasy XV, universe.

[@Brycepop]

I played it from launch up until a month before it shutdown. It was a fun little game while it lasted.

[@russwaddel08]

It was a great game with awesome boss battles. Great mobile game.

[@beatsinmycrates]

I used to play this at my cousin's back in the day. Never understood what you were supposed to do.

[@beatsinmycrates]

@Manfreski yes , yes I did. And what's worse was this game and top gun 2 . I've been scarred

[@ChauncyCharm]

@@beatsinmycrates whoosh

[@screamsinrussian5773]

@@ChauncyCharm no

[@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?

[@panpaletkalg2550]

"a unique breed of shit" - this has to be AVGN worthy

[@scalliano]

And there I was wondering why Square never made any shooters other than Einhander. Turns out they did. Now I'm wondering how Einhander ever got greenlit in the first place.

[@Rad-Dude63andathird]

Wasn't there also that shooter they did set around like FF7 or something?

[@cliz305]

Einhander is so good.

[@linkinparkrulz2275]

At least Einhander is completely different in terms of everything. I think this game wanted to be an action adventure game but they only had the code for a shmup.

[@0verl0rdPr0duction5]

Will there be an AVGN episode about this game

[@marhansgamingchannel4732]

I hope so. 🤣🤣🤣

[@KevyB.]

Its so shitty, there has to be😂

[@Rem694u2]

Mike: "WHY ARE WE STILL HERE!? JUST TO SUFFER!?" Squaresoft: YES

[@retrosoul8770]

What's funny is that Einhander makes up for this 10 fold

[@thriftdweller]

Reminds me of Gimmick for Famicom. You have to find the special "gift" in each level in order to unlock levels after 6(I believe) in order to continue and beat the game. Easily missed.

[@habibk.2423]

Great content! This is so weirdly analytical in a way that i love.

[@walter4191]

Why does Nerd look like he's falling asleep in some parts of the video.

[@doomswell]

He's falling into a depression as the bullshit of this game is sinking in and adding up. Like he's realizing "if you screw up then... you have to do it all over... and they don't tell you... and oh... shit."

[@justinfaulcon9498]

The Eternal Induction seems true

[@megamob5834]

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

[@GamerVicyus]

This game totally deserves an AVGN episode! I would like to see the frustration face of James trying to explain the mechanics of this fucking game lol

[@x-crisis]

I like that Mike appropriately pauses every time he grabs the two bars.

[@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 🤔

[@ramzen89]

It's funny cause I heard this game referenced in FF15, but never knew it was an actual Square game.

[@glenaladar]

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

[@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.

[@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👍🙂👌

[@JungleMan777]

I could never beat this game. I would get to the last level and then always die and just get mad to where I couldn't play anymore.

[@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.

[@the1ucidone]

This would be a funny NERD episode. "Idea" You have four friends, each friend, Mike, James, Antonio, and Erin. Could all be different characters. It would be a really funny episode.

[@crotchsplotch]

When your girlfriend asks what you want to do: 17:49

[@Lelouchxzero1]

"Square makes such great game why were they going out of business before final fantasy?" "Let me show you something"

[@briancathers6696]

Dude!!! I loved this game as a kid. I've been trying to find it for years but couldn't remember the name. I had no idea how much was involved with this game, it's no wonder we could never beat it.

[@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

[@emelielager5453]

You really made James's skin crawl this time, Mike! 🤣💗💗💗

[@OmegaNineProfile]

I rented this from Albertson's. One of my favorite NES weekends

[@mrben6573]

I watched all 99 hours of Mike trying to beat this game and it was the most hilarious thing I've ever seen. It was simply magical as he, and the audience, discovered all the different layers of bullshit, one astounding layer after another.

[@kennethwehrs8924]

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

[@drewcuthbertson125]

"You ready to rumble, Noct?"

[@insectduel]

Next AVGN Episode? Also what happened to February AVGN episode?

[@starshkr46]

The princess at the end is like "Couldn't they have sent a more handsome knight?"

[@r.l.royalljr.3905]

I remember buying this game as a kid from my local Radio Shack. I brought it back after a week and told the guy it was broken because I kept getting killed in impossible situations. The guy refused to give me my money back, saying only that it was not his responsibility to stop me from buying terrible games.

[@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!

[@ssj3fox]

I love Mike explaining things like a mad man!

[@muddyfalcon]

I feel like if they added more sounds and better item effects, then randomize the location of needed items, it would be awesome!

[@Midekai]

Can you imagine what the game design document for this game looked like? lol

[@Trusteft]

"they're lucky they're cute" Best quote ever?

[@CLOWNBOT00]

Without a manual, you're F'ed harder than a brick wall, basically.

[@UltimateGamerCC]

typical retro gaming rules apply, and rule #1 is pick up the fucking manual and read it before you play the game.

[@Starfals]

I've never seen Mike explaining a game with so much hidden anger and passion :P Damn

[@JustinEvitable80]

13:01 - 13:45 LOL. Love that conversation.

[@katakis1]

I feel so sorry for James

[@saturnalis8813]

Would be a perfect AVGN episode

[@atxmedic0544]

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

[@sinisterintent4639]

Your best rage stream ever!

[@johnnyroche138]

So in FFXV when they talk about King’s Knight, is it this they’re making a reference to?

[@aarondevack1912]

Nope. It was a phone game that lasted about a month from launch, I heard it was good but didn't get a lot of attention.

[@Rad-Dude63andathird]

@@aarondevack1912 A phone game based on this though.

[@iamfiefo]

THANK GOD! I played this game as a kid and I never figured out how to beat it! I can get to the last stage with everyone alive but nothing happened. I thought the game was broken!

[@prezidenttrump5171]

James looks like me when I don't like a friend anymore.

[@pocketsand4404]

If I was there in the room: "Mike, you know what's a cool trick to beat this frustrating game?" Mike: "What's that?" *takes game out and throws it out window* *proceeds to put in Super Mario Bros*

[@YunaCrawford]

Kings knight for avgn?

[@supergeoff]

Agree and The Jetsons Cogswell cogs caper

[@YunaCrawford]

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

[@supergeoff]

@@YunaCrawford awesome man

[@gtribejive876]

Its a shooter but it's also a ln adventure game in a sense. Some sort of revive powerup would make this game more fun as well as everything else you guys mentioned. A HUD, hit sounds on bosses, clear indication of key items, power ups to reveal locations of dungeons etc.

[@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.

[@ricodelta1]

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

[@Phantomsangel]

I love how James is sitting there like in a dad pose just listening to Mike and then you see his expression kind of changes when he realizes how shit this game is rofl. I kind of want to see him torture himself as AVGN with this... What did he think about it being made by squaresoft?

[@distortomanipulo]

Fun fact the party in FF15 reference this game.

[@yoshifan3077]

WHY??? WHY?? WHY?????

[@Blutroid8542]

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

[@ei1714]

I was just watching an AVGN Video

[@johnnycage3673]

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

[@nathanieldonley5502]

Mike, you did a really good job trying to explain just how bad this game is. I wrote the 1/10 detailed review on GameFAQs for this back in '08. I'm re-reading it for the first time in years, and it's very appropriate that I even quoted AVGN in my review. I was still so angry when I was writing it. Somehow I trudged through and beat it legit on cart. I still don't understand how they could come up with concepts that were so ahead of their time but make it such a chore and pain in the ass. Poor James! xD

[@quickdraw90210]

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

[@kevinr278]

Yes. Very similar type of game. Gunsmoke was superior however, by far IMO.