Revisiting Sparkster - SNESdrunk

[@TheZetaKai]

This game is one of those forgotten gems that makes me think, "if the stars had lined up just right back then, this would have been huge." It's clear that these games were somebody's passion project at Konami, with so much effort and care put into them to make them shine. In some alternate timeline, Sparkster could've had a Saturday morning cartoon, an action figure line, and a revival series of its own. Most games don't really have that potential, but Sparkster has got it. A true hidden gem.

[@joesshows6793]

Yep. Maybe there were just too many good games at the time. Maybe we just assumed it was another ‘me too’ game like Bubsy and alike.

[@ModelJames13]

And Sparkster would have been in a Smash Bros game.

[@AndalusianLuis]

Instead we’re stuck in the Sonichu timeline 💀

[@teen_laqueefa]

​@@AndalusianLuisany boyfriend-free white girls😂😂😂😂

[@RM2011ish]

The Rocket Knight series honestly could have rivaled Sonic the Hedgehog. It had so much potential.

[@freddiejohnson6137]

Konami at this period in time loved making versions of games exclusive to that system so they weren't always simply just ports of what another system had. They liked trying to get the best out of a specific piece of hardware rather than attempting a direct port that may have had to be compromised in some way to get running on one system.

[@MentalLiberation]

And it really worked on so many levels

[@DaedalosC9]

except for Genesis Sunset Riders :(

[@chrissymc886]

​@@DaedalosC9could have been so so much better with a larger cartridge size. The Snes was almost arcade perfect besides some animations and censorship.

[@freddyvidz]

Tiny Toons is a great example

[@GiordanDiodato]

tbh they always put their B team on Genesis/MD.

[@lawrencefitzgerald4744]

I played, and loved, all three of those games. Konami, in general, was an absolute legend throughout the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. I honestly feel blessed to have been born at the start of the 8-bit era, and experience the creativity and memories from so many amazing games.

[@zachreddy]

I think it’s worth noting that Treasure was formed by former Konami employees in 1992, while Sparkster released for SNES in 1994. Sparkster was directed by Hideo Ueda, who mainly worked on shooters at Konami, including a role as lead programmer on Axelay in 1992 as well as a number of games in the Gradius, Parodius and Twinbee series. He remained with Konami at least until the 2000s, as he was credited on MGS3. That said, devs undoubtedly kept in touch with their former co-workers, and a healthy spirit of competition led remaining Konami employees to push their limits trying to keep up with Treasure’s software wizardry; and gamers reaped the rewards with Konami titles like Sparkster, Contra: Hard Corps and Castlevania: Bloodlines.

[@LouisWritingSomethingCrazy]

As someone who grew up in the SNES era, I can tell you exactly why this wasn't big: it was never promoted, really. Only hardcore gaming nerds (like myself) bought gaming mags, and without a TV commercial, no one would know about it. Guess what they never had, really?

[@AkaiAzul]

I agree. Growing up in this era, I've heard about this game but personally never played it. Seeing it in action here and talked about, it easily would've been a big hit. And yet, I only recall hearing about it from Nintendo Power, if memory serves.

[@bergamt]

Also it shared a Nintendo Power issue with Donkey Kong Country, so

[@Bloodreign1]

Indeed, never saw an ad for it, or RKA for that matter, only knew of the games from gaming magazines like EGM and Game Pro. Hell the SNES one if I remember right, was not featured in Nintendo Power that much, if at all.

[@zerocal76]

Let's all thank the Lort then that today we have SNESDrunk 😃 for real, love this guy. I've added so many gems to my collection bc of his good vids 👍

[@bergamt]

@@Bloodreign1 It got a six page feature (NP #66, p18-23), but very little of what makes this game interesting comes across in print. Looking back it is not hard to see why I paid attention to DKC, Earthworm Jim, and FF3, but passed over Sparkster.

[@QuwehShunMark]

Loving these revisits. I know you still have snes games that you haven't touched on but you gotta go back for favorites and relive what made you get started. You're the best drunk.

[@samuelallen2831]

Rented this one a TON as a kid. Looks like it still holds up really well!

[@Bsdel]

I like to give the screen finger-guns whenever SNESDrunk says “you’re gonna have to play this ‘any way you can’”

[@Sarahm2261]

Yea obviously he mean play it on my wii through genesis vc injections right? BTW don't do that, it a pain to do and may not work on your wii, just use genesis plus gx emulator on your wii and have a blast.

[@TheAxeGrinder]

0:54 I absolutely LOVE this song. Konami being awesome with the music, as usual.

[@Selgeron]

I swear that song is in mischief makers too, or something. It sounds incredibly familiar but I've not played sparkster.

[@8squared007]

@@Selgeron Not too surprising, considering who developed Mischief Makers.

[@Chrono86]

The more driving rock version used in the first level on the Genesis version of Sparkster is way better imo

[@vegeta4882]

What's the song called

[@TheAxeGrinder]

@@vegeta4882 It's literally just the Stage 1 music. It doesn't have an official title, as far as I know.

[@ottagol1985]

Thank you for shining the spotlight on my boy Sparkster. The Rocket Knight Adventures series is vastly underrated and deserves another chance in life.

[@lastchance3272]

I was introduced to this game by a former friend. I was hooked to this game during my kid days. Sadly, I never got to play the Genesis versions. This game has some of my favorite soundtracks that I still listen to till this day

[@jrod1986]

Aww, why are they a former friend?

[@gars129]

Man those sampled orchestras in the first level are insane. When i first heard them i was surprised yet again at how good an SNES game can sound.

[@aidanhever3369]

When my cousin brought this game for my aunt's SNES, I thought it was a video game adaptation of Dragon Ball, especially the protagonist who has a tail and fights an evil army with robots like the Red Ribbon Army.

[@VampireA1056]

One of the most Underrated games on the SNES, from one of my favorite platforming franchises.

[@wiedo]

A sparkster collection on modern platforms would be rad. Come on konami!

[@gonzalot.605]

This comment has aged like a fine wine!

[@rubyeyeshabranigdu]

Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked (YESSSS!)

[@triggeredjp7491]

This aged well

[@GiordanDiodato]

wish granted

[@Justforvisit]

This game series certainly is one of the "Hidden Gems", really great quality and fun to play, not too easy and not too challenging as well and I'll be forever grateful that I got to know of these games thanks to SNES Drunk's earlier videos about them :)

[@rubyrogers8879]

Honest to god this game and the series is one of the main reasons I've started drawing and even made me dig deep for this series like some lore bits and how Axel Gear (the rival knight) dyes his hair a different color every game

[@ddrchad]

God I LOVED Sparkster so much as a kid. Such an incredible soundtrack to go along perfectly with the gameplay! Also I've NEVER seen that jetpack exploding animation before!!!

[@nanoglitch6693]

The stage-1 music is one of my favorite tracks on SNES. Absolutely perfect to set the hype-meter for this adventure 😎

[@michaeloffgrid]

Everyone celebrates RKA but never the two Sparkster games, which I think are both pretty fun. I'm happy to see you give them their due!

[@FireBomberBassist]

I picked this up from a bargain bin at KB Toys as a kid for $8. I still have it. Love this game.

[@EvilHienSan]

Playing this game on a theater surround system back in the day was pure dynamite. Loved this game. 👍

[@therealquinnzack1819]

I’ve been loving you revisiting these games you’ve previously talked about, it’s been awesome it’s cool to see how far you’ve come😎

[@Lunitarium]

Great series that could use a modern treatment. I recall fondly playing the first genesis Rocketknight with my cousins a lot. The balance of the games allows for pickup playthrough if you’re new to it.

[@keironhiggspoet]

in the realm of mascot platformers, this was already a steady 10 for myself, and the fact Snes got a spinoff intrigued me, as i didn't get to play until emulation was a thing. immensely fond of the first game on the megadrive (more so than the second) to say I've never beat it. also it had so much potential to be a animated TV series in a way. we did get a comic adaption here in the UK, but that was sadly short lived.

[@rubyrogers8879]

From what I hear, the SNES might not be a spin off but takes place before RKA2 Probs due to some ENG translation mess ups

[@ottagol1985]

I was hoping for a cartoon version of the game as well.

[@zerocal76]

So cool. I looked for the comic on eBay rn, found nothing but pricey game cartridges. Will keep an eye out. What a gem that comic is 🤓

[@keironhiggspoet]

@@zerocal76 should of mentioned the whole series is from the UK version of the sonic the hedgehog, and is available here. (bad voice acting though!) kzbin.info/www/bejne/norKpYODmNRmoZI&ab_channel=tymime

[@SaltySparrow]

I bought this a handful of years ago and I love it. Just wish you weren’t as zoomed in and screen tearing wasn’t an issue. Would be perfect.

[@raphaelfp]

As a matter of fact I've only found out this one existed through your channel. Back in the day I played only the first Genesis game and it was a blast

[@realguitarthur]

The main theme of the ending theme is quite similar to the Chorus of "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Starship. A very fitting theme for a Rocket Knight who just won a space war. :)

[@ZombieFBody]

About time we got a Rocket Knight collection on modern consoles!

[@HeadacheCentral]

...well...

[@lhfirex]

This is one of those games where I'd happily buy a good retro collection, like Konami's done with Castlevania and Contra. I'm pretty surprised they haven't gotten around to doing it!

[@Aevilbeast]

There's only the three games compared to the many, many games of Castlevania or Contra series...oh and that newer Sparkster game doesn't count, it's pretty bad...and honestly just feels like a cheap nostalgia cash-grab instead of a full-fledged game...But what ya do expect of modern day Konami, were lucky to get anything out of them that isn't a some Pachinko or gambling game.

[@KnobleSloth]

Loved rocket knight as a kid. Wish I knew this existed when I was a kid.

[@TheBeird]

Would love for Rocket Knight Adventures and the two Sparksters to be released in a package. Never played the SNES one

[@savagehadoken6828]

Loved this series as a kid. I remember that if you left the game you would get an interactive cut scene where you got to fight your rival in a giant rodent mech.

[@liamwebster3862]

I hate to be a bother, but at 0:10 when showing footage for Rocket Knight Adventures, you've shown footage from Sparkster for the Genesis by mistake. Hope that helps.

[@LanEXHikari]

I'm loving these revised videos, and of course with a gem from retro Konami like Sparkster. Thank you so much, SDrunk. I should replayed it after I finished the Castlevania collection 🦇

[@sciii3380]

A fitting tribute. I will always enjoy Rocket Knight Adventures. Good times!

[@ShaunRF]

As always, I love your nuanced perspective regarding comparing games on both consoles in the 16 bit console war era. There is no reason to try and declare a winner, when it is so often the case that they are both awesome.

[@RM2011ish]

I grew up on Rocket Knight Adventures and I was absolutely blown away by this game. One of my favorite SNES games and a fantastic sequel (that is IMO superior to the rather odd Genesis Sparkster.) The Bird Mecha stage lives rent free in my head and so does its amazing soundtrack.

[@Reliken]

Yeah, I loooved RKA and absolutely did not click at all with the Genesis Sparkster. Then I assumed the SNES Sparkster was the same game. But it's soooo much more like RKA and so much better than Genesis's Sparkster. Good stuff!

[@bgpixlarn6855]

As far as "Better on the genesis" arguments go, I'd say its half true. Snes sparkster is absolutely better than MD-Sparkster but the original RKA has them both beat pretty hard. But whichever one you pick, you will probably have a great time, so why even complain?

[@mattb6522]

Good review! I actually used to own a physical copy of this one. You can definitely see Treasure's footprint in this game (and the Genesis games). Creative levels, many wild bosses and lots of cool special effects! This game is definitely underrated and it is a shame that it rarely gets discussed when people mention excellent SNES action games! I did play the 2010 Sparkster game, but it felt like a shell of the Genesis and SNES games. I found the redesign for Sparkster unappealing and it just feels so generic. It doesn't have that same creative energy as the 16-bit titles. Not a terrible game, but just a very disappointing Sparkster game.

[@fabiancarta]

Still one of my favorite snes games. Glad I have it physically!

[@ThirteenCorgis]

So a weird random story about my childhood. When I was growing up, I only had one game on the SNES. It was Sparkster and I played the hell out of that game erryday. One day, while being babysat- my babysitter invites her bf over. He sees me playing, then takes the controller away from me. I cried and told my babysitter and she confronts him. He argues with her that I’m a baby, that I shouldn’t be playing these games. So she breaks up with him on the spot and you know what he does? He punches me then steals my copy of Sparkster and then walks out of there. 🥲 Sorry, I miss this game so much and I’ve never shared this story with anyone before. It just felt good to share. 😅

[@VGF64-2]

I discovered this game some 10 years ago and remember enjoying the game's rather energetic soundtrack.

[@protodad6151]

I keep hoping Konami will make a Sparkster collection. I love these games, and even the 2011 sequel was pretty good. Glad to see some Sparkster love.

[@jpmiller7922]

Wished I had played it. I got the original out of a 10 dollar bin at the entrance to KB Toys on a whim (I'm sure the cover art attracted me) and after a few minutes playing I called my best friend and told him he needed to get his mom to take him to the mall to get this game.

[@senor-achopijo3841]

For me, the first RKA game is my second favorite Megadrive game, only behind Sonic 3 & Knuckles. It's such a great time! Sparkster: RKA (Megadrive) is still good, but not even close to the original imo. Still worth checking out, tho. Sparkster (SNES) is my 10th favorite SNES game, just behind Super Castlevania IV and just ahead of Final Fantasy V. Really, I think the first RKA and SParkster (SNES) deserve much more attention. This could have easily been one of Konami's flagship franchises if people had given it more attention. Alas, c'est la vie...

[@Reliken]

The Genesis Sparkster put me off the SNES title, assuming they were the same! I wish I hadn't, Genesis RKA -> SNES Sparkster seems like the best way to go

[@matthewnotch8331]

Oh man. When I was in grade school I was so into this game that my friends and I developed a fan culture with different knights and we played at recess in that universe. One kid got mad that he couldn’t also have the Master Sword from Link to the Past but THAT’S MIXING METAPHORS. Anyway it started drama and the teacher made us stop playing that game. I could have written the Saturday morning cartoon this game would have inspired

[@dewoiski]

Sparkster is a reminder that Konami used to be a good game developer! The soundtrack of this game is amazing, the first stage theme is amazing, one of my favorite game music.

[@ninjacape]

They used to be the best game developer.

[@dewoiski]

@@ninjacape together with square and Capcom!

[@AudioZealot]

Watching your videos helps me find awesome additions to my SNES Collection! Awesome videos dude!

[@evilashxero]

I think one can debate if Rocket Knight 1 is better than this, but this one is a lot better than Rocket Knight 2. This one keeps all of the same mechanics, while that game really was trying to do something different. And I don't think it was as fun.

[@JuanDiaz-uo5wk]

That SNNNNNESdrunk was really well tuned. Off to a great start.

[@bf0189]

All three games are great but Sparkster is like that album one of your favorite artist made solo without the band. But it's extremely indulgent in their style and gets experimental even. It might not be as well known or received as the platinum hit Rocket Knight Adventures but it has soul and style.

[@-The-Stranger-]

I really wish Konami would come back to Sparkster/Rocket Knight. The 2010 game was a pretty large departure. Just didn't have the same...feel to it. For lack of a better way to say it, that's how I feel. Getting a few of the original team together or maybe just a japanese in-house development team would likely solve this. Sparkster deserves more love.

[@ZBR_ProXP]

You hit the nail on the head with those closing lines. I think we all overlook this one, and it def needs some love!

[@bsquire1]

Konami. Rocket Knight Collection. Easy Money.

[@RTPJu]

This game is more funny depending on the way you play. A lad of mine used to play it full aggressive, doing some small combos and things like that. It's the same as Shinobi 3 on the Mega Drive. If the player don't use some time to exploit the jetpack and assimilate it's recovery time, the gameplay can be too slow... but when you learn to play it more aggressively, it turns into one of the fastest action games on the SNES. Cheers!

[@gonzalot.605]

This review will soon get a lot more views now that the original trilogy is getting a major re-release in modern-day systems. I can't wait for more people to find out about this series!

[@MaxwelThuThu]

My Sparkster ranking is: Rocket Knight Adventures (Genesis) > Sparkster (SNES) > RKA2: Sparkster (Genesis). Awesome games, just not a big fan of the slower pace of the second Genesis game.

[@Tyler-hs9eu]

I loved rocket knight as a kid, but have oddly never heard of this before

[@Murdoc_rusche]

"Being adequately prepared to spike a controller into the ground" is an absolute golden piece of writing.

[@dawnofapril3055]

This was a really good game that I wish got more attention. For a long time I thought this was the only one in the series, until years later when I found out about the Rocket Knight games.

[@Matt-Rat]

I got my copy of Sparkster at a game store in Oklahoma a few years ago. I believe I paid $35 or $45 and it was worth it since it's pretty expensive now. I beat it around 2018 or 2020. I made a list of games I beat during those years and this game was one of them. It was pretty fun too!

[@mattdarrock666]

Sparkster has some of the best SNES music... There's no denying that. And it fitted so well with the intensity of the action too!

[@MrDochorrible]

The Rocket Knight series is just so wonderful. It has the strong appealing mascot design & world building of Sonic, but with (IMO) substantially better gameplay. I just discovered these games as an adult by way of showing my kids retro games, and they are now absolutely obsessed with this little opossum. They make Rocket Knight costumes and zoom around the house and love to watch me play. It makes me a little sad this series never caught on the way Mario and Sonic did. I reckon it came down to the lack of marketing oomph to stand out in the crowd.

[@adultmoshifan87]

We need a Sparkster collection for modern systems, featuring not just Sparkster’s Mega Drive, SNES and PS3 outings but also DS title New International Track & Field and iOS title Krazy Kart Racing, as Sparkster is playable in both of them and they could also include online multiplayer in them!

[@CardcaptorLiShowron]

Can't wait for Rocket Knight re-sparked to come out to play it again. Even if I have to get digital

[@Cyberbrickmaster1986]

This was another great, yet under appreciated franchise by Konami. The 2010 reboot by Climax was passable to say the least, but it isn't up to the standards of the old games. Though to be honest, I wouldn't trust modern Konami to make a new entry, unless they outsource it to a developer with enough skill and passion. We can only hope that would happen, and that they won't screw it up.

[@ujai5271]

Rocket Knight Adventure just might be my favorite Mega Drive game, and this looks like more of that. Didn't even know it existed, but excited to try it!

[@onecentman]

I remember this game being heavily advertised when it came out, but it never got much recognition after that.

[@GreySectoid]

If you need any ideas for upcoming videos, after some decades I was just playing the original Battletoads on NES and I thought how the game picks up the pace just perfectly, so maybe the best first levels on SNES? :)

[@lauraheffner5342]

Limited Run is re-releasing a all three games packaged together on cart for Switch and disc for PS!!!! I truly never thought I'd see the day!

[@AJHyoton]

I found a copy of this game on ebay recently and really enjoy it. When Drunk says, "90's Konami at its best," he knows what he says. This game plays differently than any other game out there. Were I to compare it to a land mass, it would be a large, island paradise that is lush and colorful and full of pure waters and the only thing it has in common with other platform games is it is an island

[@samuelallen2831]

My nostalgic hype did not disappoint me one bit. And the Genesis games are pretty great too!

[@wirlogx]

I got the Genesis way before the SNES and I though Sparkster on SNES was a third instalment when I was a kid. I got to play it in a cousin's home and despite the two on the genesis feel more potent than the SNES version, I still like it because has the shoulder button maneuver which on RKA2 could've been very useful

[@Doc_Holaday]

Oooo I love the musical instrument obstacles! I'm going to have to check this one out.

[@Sparkbomber]

Sparkster on SNES is and remains one of the more fun games on the platform. Good music, fun levels, neat bosses and tight controls. I've never touched the Sega games... but the Rocket Knight game's also been on Steam. Store page unavailable at present though, so I guess delisted?

[@njsteere]

There’s an alternate timeline where they’re still making games in this series 😢

[@timmmybee]

My first exposure to this series was actually the remake on the 360 lol

[@mmrahman82]

Really loved playing these games when I was a kid.

[@bigmansavagedan81]

Nice review as always! Thanks. Been trying to decide to snag the rocket knight adventures resparked and I think this video persuaded me to grab it! Today is the cutoff for preorders so gonna go grab it now for switch. I just feel like it’s one of those games that should be on a Nintendo console over Xbox or PlayStation.

[@tempestfennac9687]

From what I heard, the '10 game isn't very good sadly (it's a shame that there was never a 3D Sparkster game being as it would probably be fun to be able to fly around open areas). I think the enemies in this game are Wolves rather than Tigers.

[@MarMaxGaming]

Looks really neat! It blows my mind you can beat Contra III on hard, but not super punch out.

[@KanokYT]

I played this version first and LOVE it! I couldn't get into the Genesis versions much, but I can contend that they are really good and worth my time, I just have no inclination to play them, personally.

[@MetalJody1990]

Ever since I found this one a few years ago, I keep coming back to it. It excels in every area ...except for performance. Too much stuff happening causes annoying slowdown. The only way around it is to emulate with a bump to the CPU clock speed. A smoother game = a better game.

[@cesurtheguy3807]

I have discovered this game while looking at a rom site. I liked the Genesis game so I gave shot. I wasn't disappointed.

[@bubsy3861]

And it's one of that games that have build in slow motion mode when it's to many action on screen! Very useful. (lol)

[@MentalLiberation]

Really glad I bought this game recently. I believe it was a reproduction card but I still don't mind. I'm in the process of rebuilding my Super Nintendo library anyway. That said, this is a staple to any SNES library. I love it.

[@ManillaHeep]

Fun fact: Sparkster makes a cameo appearance in the great game Snatcher!

[@geraq0]

3:55 that doesn't stop a lot of people from comparing games from both platforms still today, the 16-bit Console Wars are very much alive!

[@initial_C]

This series is just such a blast to play! I haven't played the SNES entry as much but it's just as good as the Sega titles.

[@ReaperCore15]

Maybe i just suck at it, but i never got far in this one, and was never capable of enjoying it, but it feels like a really wild ride. Have still the genesis one on cartdrige, finished it as a kid but never got the " real " ending too ^^"

[@ragingraven7915]

The jetpack exploding it just hilarious!

[@ZEKESPILLEDINKMUSIC]

The SNES and Genesis versions of Sparkster are completely different. As someone who had Rocket Knight Adventures, I wish that I could have played both versions. Rocket Knight from 2010 is okay, I guess. If Konami were smart, they would re-release all the games as a collection or through Nintendo Switch Online (+ Expansion Pack).

[@ZEKESPILLEDINKMUSIC]

Update: Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked has all three 16-bit games available now in one compilation, complete with save states, a "Rewind" feature, and other things. Rocket Knight (2010) didn't make the cut.

[@zennvirus7980]

And the music just Slaps! Best soundtrack of the series.

[@michaelhernandez1841]

The RK collection is being released soon!

[@rdrouynriv]

Rocket Knight Adventures on the Genesis was awesome. Haven't played Sparkster but if it is anything near the Genesis game it will probably be good.

[@RenegadeX28]

I remember never hearing of this game until I found it at a local video game rental shop. I thought it was cool, but I never got enough rental time to play and finish it.

[@samuelallen2831]

Update - it IS being re-released alongside the Genesis games

[@GiordanDiodato]

also one of the composers is none other than Akira Yamaoka, the same guy behind Silent Hill

[@oscarzxn4067]

If anyone wants something similar to this series, play Freedom Planet, that games sells itself as a Sonic inspired title and looks like that too, but the gameplay and mechanics, at least with the main protagonist, is exactly the same as Rocket Knight and the level design is bult thinking in those abilities instead of Sonic's momentum bassed.