StarTropics | The Game That Made Me Love Video Games

Of all the NES games I grew up playing, nothing has stuck with me quite like StarTropics. So to celebrate 10 years on KZbin, I'm gonna take you on a journey through the entire game! Sharing memories, as well as breaking down why it has some of my favourite gameplay in any video game.
LINKS:
/ nitrorad
/ nitroradofficial
/ nitrorad
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - INTRO | Rediscovering StarTropics
10:53 - Introduction and Story
12:56 - CHAPTER 1: Basic Gameplay, Controls, Items, and Enemies
29:22 - CHAPTER 2: Submarines and Tricky Tunnels
31:54 - CHAPTER 3: Tougher, Trickier, and Ghastlier
42:21 - CHAPTER 4: The Whale and the Letter's Secret Message
46:51 - CHAPTER 5: The Parrot's Riddle
50:19 - CHAPTER 6: Submerging into Ancient Ruins
55:08 - CHAPTER 7: Alien Spaceship!
59:49 - CHAPTER 8: FINAL SHOWDOWN
1:03:43 - EPILOGUE and ENDING
1:07:12 - Closing Thoughts
1:12:27 - End Slate

[@Splooshua.]

The start revealing the nitro rad intro is from star tropics all along is mind blowing

[@ittylink]

Really?

[@TheAlison1456]

@@ittylink nope, he has a motive. A dark, shadowy, motive for deceiving you.

[@Evilakuuuuu]

I always knew that lol

[@dumaass]

@@Evilakuuuuu I never played Startropics and I still somehow knew. Wht.

[@beanieweenie1349]

Unless you watched his first Startropics video

[@sweetwheatsy]

Hearing your theme being a remix of this after all these years, and your background visuals also being partly from this game, is quite heartfelt. I've heard a bunch about this game, looks really neat.

[@solidskullz5736]

The video game that makes you a gamer will always be a part of you. If it weren’t for Startropics he might not be who is today. Startropics is part is his brand because it’s a part of him, and I’m sure many gamers out here can relate to that in some way

[@ninjaguyYT]

No offense, but how can you not recognize that they're the same song? It wasn't changed too much.

[@foursidekm]

​@@ninjaguyYTthey probably just never heard the song before. Startropics isn't like super huge

[@sweetwheatsy]

@@foursidekm Exactly, never heard it before. Listening to the soundtrack right now though, it's cool. There also seem to be some Mother 1 connections, both in music style as well as plot and setting, I feel...

[@foursidekm]

@@sweetwheatsy yeah I've heard people compare the game to earthbound

[@WillKeaton]

I remember when I was five, I was hospitalized. I had strep throat, so I was given penicillin. What no one knew was that I was allergic to penicillin, so I got real sick and was in the hospital for a while until the doctors figured out I was allergic to the medicine. While I was In the children's ward, I remember playing _Startropics_ on the NES. Don't think I got past the first boss. Years later, I only had cloudy memories of the game, the title of which I couldn't remember. Then with the internet, I was able to rediscover this game.

[@kingkenno8803]

I was born with conjoined fingers and had to have multiple skin graphs, so I have a lot of hospital gaming memories too! Notably, Snake Rattle & Roll and Donkey Kong Country 3. Hospitals loved Nintendo.

[@mage1439]

@@kingkenno8803 I never had anything like what you dealt with, but I had a really bad concussion as a kid, and the memories of spending a couple of days in the children's area of the hospital are some of my fondest. It was kind of like a magical place in some ways. So much so that it feels like I was there a lot longer than I really was.

[@aliceholmes4952]

He did it, He finally played the (nitro) raddest game of em all. .

[@jennydeaf9O9]

heck yes!!!

[@HasegawaRayven]

Dammit, take my like

[@zersch.]

Only ten minutes in but my wish for the world is that every game can find a fan like you, that goes on to make a video love letter like this to it for the rest of us to watch.

[@lucascouto166]

Even Bubsy 3D?

[@ConcavePgons]

​@@lucascouto166There's someone out there...

[@KOTEBANAROT]

@@lucascouto166yes.

[@yone5499]

@@KOTEBANAROTWhat about Custer’s Revenge?

[@twinbrossuperstars3970]

​@@yone5499 yes

[@stevethepocket]

I did some digging about the yo-yo thing. Apparently a US court ruled back in the '60s that the term had become genericized and was no longer a legally valid trademark, but that doesn't apply to Canada. I guess Nintendo either didn't realize that back in 1990 or just never sold the game outside of the US in particular until the Virtual Console happened.

[@CarelessFoolFallsFlat]

The biggest takeaway I got from this video is just the sheer unmistakable personality that StarTropics has. That trick with the letter is delightful and I love that they went through the trouble of simulating it for the Virtual Console release.

[@thewiseoldfox]

F in the chat for those who want to play this game, only have access to the NSO version, and want to play the game without a guide.

[@solidskullz5736]

If I was a kid in those days and had a copy with the letter, my mind would’ve been blown when I used it to unlock a new part of the game

[@houseofjax2806]

@@thewiseoldfox considering that internet use is so widespread nowadays i dont imagine anyone having trouble just looking it up on google. still absolutely disappointing on nintendo's part for think considering it

[@bobafett4265]

@@solidskullz5736 yeah it was wild stuff, one of the few times where video games made you break the 4th wall to progress like MGS1 with contacting Meryl to Soft Reseting your Genesis to clear a computer puzzle in that X-Men game, it's wild and I would regard the most memorable ways game wise to progress due to purely being an unconventional way to so, even more so to this day.

[@meteorologically]

So I finished watching the video and I just wanted to say, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being one of my favorite youtubers I’ve been watching for over half a decade now. This was probably my favorite review of a game you have ever done. The game is so goofily and wickedly awesome especially for its time, and your presentation of it really hit differently for me because of how much it meant to you. I could really feel how much of a calling this game was to you throughout the entirety of this video and it really warms my heart. I really resonate with the part about how you said that games can’t be / shouldn’t be for everyone, because recently I’ve felt that games have been so cookie-cutter that it’s hard for me to find something that really stands out as something truly different or brings you back to a different yet very powerful period of time. I feel the same way when it comes to being an artist since I’m always trying to replicate my imagination of what I want my piece to be like. What you said really gave me a boost of confidence that I need right now to be brave and go for stuff in my artwork that won’t please everyone but does please me greatly, and that’s really something that I appreciate because I’m in a really bad creative block right now. Finally, it never really occurred to me that you’ve been doing KZbin for a decade now. I’m so proud of how much you came so far as a KZbinr. You really stand out a lot from other popular creators for your unique flair of presenting, hilarious humor, and incredible production value, all of which is done with your own style to it that I’ve been of a fan of for a very long time. Keep being rad, James! 🫶

[@mrmariofull]

I really resonate with your statement on how not all video games need to be for everyone, that there's worth in games that eschew standard video game conventions and that even if it doesn't end up being something with wider audience appeal, it can create experiences that can resonate far stronger with the people that end up enjoying it.~

[@XadePsyconic]

Agreed. Bold decisions and sticking to your vision are both things we really need more of in video games nowadays.

[@YARGGG_GG]

@@XadePsyconic damn straight. in media in general, really. there's such an obsession with sandpapered lowest common denominator experiences that everyone will like but no one will love.

[@matti.8465]

Nowadays it's kind of hard to do something like this. Videogames are so expensive to make and there's such a competitive market, so it feels like you need to appear to as many people as possible to survive.

[@BynineStudio]

the way it does camera zoom outs is so ambitious for the NES. this game has oodles of charm

[@FreezenFactor]

Love how passionetly you talk about this game dude. Those games you play when you're young that other people don"t "get" so often hold the most sentimental value and I think that's incredibly special.

[@GopherX]

StarTropics was also the first real game that captivated me as a kid. I was 5 when my mom brought this home. My aunt, who lived next door, liked it so much she also bought a copy. We would always be playing this game and eventually we got pretty close to beating it. I remember one day my aunt came running over to my house because she had finally cleared the game, left it on pause and came to get me so we could watch the ending together. Last year I pulled it up on the Switch over Christmas and both my mom and aunt just hung out all evening watching me beat it and reminiscing. It was a really great moment.

[@spaceace9103]

That's awesome

[@kingkazma3246]

I wish I had a mom or aunt as cool as yours 😢

[@Allukard353]

There's the title! Hell yeah, baby

[@bugwells]

dangerously based adell pfp

[@ishouldfindagoodname2416]

Dude, that intro transition was TIGHT. But, really, I love the revisit. This video is a great nostalgic time. I can still remember how hyped I was when you reached 100k and made that video about quitting your cashier job. Huge fan. Rock on.

[@Satori_Grimface]

Your thoughts on video games not being for everybody and those challenging, vague control schemes are emblematic with why I love the Lost Kingdoms games so much, especially the second one. I streamed it with my buddies a while ago and they always commented on the vague level design, the strange sense of progress and how to unlock things but...that's why I loved it, that's why I played it so damn much, there's so much to figure out, so much to browse, to explore and tinker with the world around you. Analysing situations, thinking carefully about what cards went into my deck rather then the standardized format of what was broken in modern games these days was what made that game skyrocket for me. I don't think I'd ever play StarTropics, but the way that game resounds to you speaks in concert to how wonderful of a videogame I think Lost Kingdoms II, games that are like a drug to very specific players. It's a beautiful thing, and how videogames should be made.

[@solidskullz5736]

Of all the NES games I’ve played Startropics is definitely one of the most satisfying ones. The gameplay and just the vibes of the game itself really click with me. One of my favorite things about is that it came with a physical version of the letter that Mike’s uncle sent, so when the game tells you to put the letter in water to reveal a message, you actually have to do it in real life. It seems like a simple thing now, but back then I bet it was mind blowing

[@ninjaguyYT]

We can tell you didn't watch the video lol

[@theSato]

pls watch videos you comment on

[@solidskullz5736]

How does me talking about things I like about the game mean I “didn’t watch the video”? What an odd thing to accuse someone of just for sharing their thoughts on something

[@mattblom3990]

Startropics brings back great memories of grade 1. I had been homeschooled for kindergarten and was raised on an isolated hobby farm. It was my first real birthday party with a bunch of other kids, for the cool kid at school, and he just wanted to play Startropics while everyone watched and somehow it was the coolest thing for a 6 year old.

[@palex00_]

I love your April 1st videos. They're not jokes, they're the excuse to do the things most dear to your heart and I love it. I also had a game like this when growing up. Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest. Except the Mystic Quest in the EU - which isn't the same as the MQ in America. I only knew tiny bits of the game, I couldn't even figure out how to save - so I didn't get past. I at one point sold it. I got 1€ for it online. My dad was proud of me and said "You earned your first Euro!" But I was mad at myself. I regret it to this day.

[@AluminumFusion22]

He used to do April Fools specials, but I completely understand why he might have abandoned them. They were probably very time-consuming to make and reaching out to guest stars probably took up a lot of development time.

[@tubguinace]

I'll always be thankful for the time Screwattack featured you on their website when they were still a thing, I probably never would have found this youtube channel, it's been one of my favorites ever since. Congrats on a decade on KZbin!

[@gandyatila]

Dude, you're probably one of the only reviewers I know that manages to turn a review into such a personal thing, just hearing your story with it, your experience in details, what you remember from that time, it just makes it so more interesting and cozy to watch. Hecc, I would be lying if I said I didn't get emotional by the zooming out credits scene and then Mike with bananas in his ears transitioning to the poster on your wall, which I had zero idea was from Star Tropics to begin with awjdkaljwgklajwgklwawg I really wish other reviewers got to that of "intimacy" with their experiences with the things they are talking about. Never change that on you :)

[@walkerwilliams-rigsofrodst3316]

Even 30 years later, this game is actually really impressive for being on the NES, no matter how late to the party it is. Just the plot and environment feels like a late PS1-early PS2 game. The gameplay also is genuinely swell. I mostly play games for the gameplay and not usually the story, so I tend to write off most of the NES and SNES era as something I wouldn't be into. It says alot for me that even just the gameplay is one of the few times I've seen an 8/16 bit game and want to play it, even if it'd be without the hardware. It's another one of those times where I wish I could experience a game for the first time, at the time. Always been a fan of the channel even though I'm not a horror-type person. I've always enjoyed the way you view and breakdown games, it tends to align with what gets me interested about mechanics, along with not dumbing down the terminology being really appreciated from someone who's interested in the background of game development. Excited for more.

[@eitang.6292]

Aw man, this sounds a lot like Castlevania 1- with how the limited movement is used in tandem with the design. I actually played it this year and loved that aspect of it, so I might just love Startropics too! Who knows

[@duckman3597]

I loved how you portrayed not being able to read by making some of the letters gibberish. That's serious commitment!

[@Anthoonius1]

My first introduction to gaming i remember is "Games For Windows 95". A sample CD on windows 95 that had a cool intro scene, you went around a spaceship to play demos of games known at the time, like Doom and Space Cadet. It was amazing!

[@Dorelaxen]

I moved out on my own in early 1996. Got a job at a pawn shop. Those first few months were hard. I had nothing to my name except for my game systems (priorities!). Kay-Bee Toys were pushing out the last of their NES stuff for next to nothing at that time. I picked up StarTropics and Zoda's Revenge for 5 bucks each, and they, along with a copy of Phantasy Star I got at the pawn shop (played through my Power Base Converter), helped me get through those months on my own. I'll always love it for those memories. I may have had nothing, but I have never once felt more free, and I never will again.

[@gamingwithahandicapreviews]

Nitro I just want to say you’re one of my favorite KZbinrs and I can’t wait till you get to my favorite non Mario 3D platformers the Tak and the Power of Juju trilogy! Tak 2 the Staff of Dreams is the best! The music is iconic!

[@BugsyFoga]

Nitro rad is really proving he’s the number 1 Star tropics fan 😁👌

[@jasonerb15]

James.....man.....you've done it again. You're one of the few that perfectly translates those feelings you get from games and then puts them into words. Thank you for what you do and happy 10 years man. I think I'm gonna go play my own "game that made me love games" now.

[@Arcad3n]

Your content means a lot to me as my favorite gaming KZbinr and reviewer in general. You get to the heart of why a piece of media is interesting and how it makes you feel, rather than just talking about the game as a functional product. Congrats on coming so far, and here’s to the future!

[@Petronious]

I actually played this for the first time a few years ago because of you. All of your branding and association with the game made me think it must have had a big impact on you, so I figured it was worth checking out. I ended up really liking it too, despite these kind of games not usually being my thing. Nice to hear more about your earlier years with it, and here's to many more years of Nitro Rad!

[@schlarmo7081]

WE LOVE TO SEE YOU RETURNING TO OLDER GAMES THAT YOU MADE VIDS ON EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! was very happy to see this thumbnail on my front page thank you very much mr.radical!!!

[@schlarmo7081]

i wrote this comment before you mentioned its been 10 years since the original vid was released and idk that just feels so surreal to me. Hoping you can keep up your craft for many years to come!!!!

[@FizzyK-45]

He did it, He finally played the (nitro) raddest game of all time. 😁

[@Kweemz]

I was literally wonder where your intro song came from. Then I heard it continue into the video. Felt like magic, man. 10/10.

[@PeteSkerritt]

Right in the “feels” with this. Your recollection of what was for you, combined with a current playthrough that was both enjoyable and interesting to watch, really makes this video stand out to me. I enjoy tying video games to specific parts of my past, but to have the skill to do it like this? It’s really cool. Bravo.

[@zombie_catgirl]

Watching the beginning of the video reminded me of how much I love video games as a way to form memories and bonds. Hearing personal experiences from one another links us together, and we get a chance to learn more about not only each other but also new potential stories you can immerse yourself into. Even if it's to relive it a second or third time. Thank you for taking the time and energy to record yourself experiencing the game once again, I get so happy hearing you ramble or going on an unrelated tangent in your recent videos. It feels like I'm sitting next to you on the couch of the living room while you play and talk non-stop about what's on screen (mom's making oizza rolls). I can tell from the editing of these videos that you love what you do- going offscript, gushing about the smallest details, and speaking out your each and every thought! I know things have been difficult with KZbin (when isn't it) But I hope this comment reaches you and it can remind you that your words, the money, and time you spent editing these videos matter SO much!! Thank you so so much for what you do! I always look forward to your videos, and I pray the algorithm gods can bless you with the views you deserve. TLDR: I love your work. Take your time, and don't be so hard on yourself. Good luck!

[@calebbroeker8412]

"I wish I still had this" 46:47 Be careful what you wish for, ProJared said something similar, and wound up with 5+ copies from his fans. Might want to ask him for a copy!

[@tannersimmons7261]

This was such a fun watch, and it's easy to see how enthusiastic you are about it. Thank you for sharing your love of the game with us!

[@Autumchild]

I have to agree with you about controls being apart of the personality of the games. The controls are definitely apart of the game development process. It was awesome hearing your passion on the game. It reminds me why I went to school for animation and game development. Keep up the great work as always.

[@SapphireStarz11]

Happy 10th Anniversary James! I didn't get to watch the video when it first dropped, but that's because I wanted to give it my undivided attention; and I'm glad I did! I only heard of StarTropics in passing on my time in the Gaming KZbin sphere, so when I saw in your update video that you would be giving it a full rundown, I got super excited! That excitement was warranted too because this is a very special gem of a game, and it reminded me of when I first learned about Sly 1 (Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus) as a kid. It wasn't a game for everyone since it was kinda like Crash Bandicoot, but the platforming was smoother and tighter; centered around you truly feeling like a thief. It opened my eyes as a kid that videogames can be like the TV shows I like so much, like Batman and Danny Phantom for example, but I'm the one at the helm. You can experience something magical unlike any other form of media, and that's truly special. In a way, StarTropics also reminded me of MegaMan Battle Network because its niche is a 6x3 RPG with deck building elements via BattleChips, and there isn't a game like that anywhere else either. Yeah there are indie games that are inspired by it's combat system (which is great), but nothing is truly like Battle Network, just like there's nothing like Sly Cooper out there. Their art styles, gameplay, stories: they're really unique and I don't think I would've adored these series if they were like modern games (akin to what you brought up in your video). Thank you for sharing this wonderful little game and I think I'm going to try and play it! I'm not sure how good at it I'll be, but I genuinely want to give this game a shot because of it's story and gameplay. :D

[@LFFL381]

I love the videos when James gets all introspective and revisits a game he loves. Been looking forward to this one since the update video!

[@QuackTeamJames]

It's kind of strange but I wish every game was deeply personal to your childhood like Adams Family or StarTropics because I absolutely love these videos where your pour your heart about about your personal experiences and give us all such a great taste of the journey, even down to hiding the final fantasy dialogue boxes in that one shot. The production quality of these videos is so insane and you've done incredibly well. Thanks so much James, here's to another 10 years!

[@Zeiru]

Final Fantasy back in the 80s was the driving reason I learned to read before 1st grade. I just NEEDED to play it, and had to understand it.

[@Xeo7]

I used to play this game a lot as a kid too. I was never able to finish it. But I first played it at my uncle Mike's house. I would play it anytime I came over to his house. And eventually bought my own copy while it was on clearance at a toy store after the N64 had already been out. I was in middle school at that point and had found $40 randomly on the side of the road in an envelope while walking back from a friend's house. It was a busy road so we assume it had simply flown out of someone's car window. We split it in half an then walked to the local mall and I bought this thing thing because I had never been able to finish it an it was like $5. I'll never forget that. And that's when I got to finally sit down and beat the game during that summer all those years later.

[@GameDevYal]

Funnily enough I remember exactly what my first exposure to videogames was, Mariokart 64. I was obsessed with racing games for years and was genuinely afraid of trying anything new and different until I hit like, 13 years and an uncle gave me Pokémon Stadium for christmas. It took me MONTHS before I finally dared to try the actual stadium stuff in that game, I was so scared I just dared to enter the minigame zone. (And on an unrelated note, I realized the concept of mortality while playing Diddy Kong Racing, years later.)

[@Danmarinja]

I just wanna say I really appreciate the effort that goes into the little sight gags. I’m so glad you got the Final Fantsy gibberish to look good.

[@Dazyhead]

This was a very wholesome episode. There's definitely something special about your very first video game. My first experience with video games was sonic the hedgehog back in the early 90s. might've been a toddler back then and had my ups and downs with the franchise over 30 years, but that personal experience with the game and sonic as a whole has been with me literally for the entirety of my life, and it's something i'll never lose

[@0boro]

Part of the fun of the video is watching the game, the other part is hearing you tell childhood stories with such enthusiasm.

[@Duskof81]

Speaking as someone who suffered and laughed his way across Startropics years ago, it really is a one of a kind experience on the NES, and one I'll never forget.

[@revvvedrez546]

Didn’t expect this to come out so soon after seeing ur channel update! I’m excited to watch! Also loved all of ur 3D platformers vids and Corn Kidz 64!

[@SoulStarSketchin]

I'm really glad I watched this one. Could feel the tone you were going for of how deeply this game impacted you. I think lots of us get that way with certain games from the past.

[@AlexysRising]

StarTropics is my moms favorite game and I have played both of them so many times. They're so special to me and I wish they got more recognition, they certainlt deserve it.

[@fourkz]

Hearing that intro, talking about the first games that made gaming a real thing for you, made me think about how it went for me. I remember being a little kid, probably only 4 or 5, watching my dad play Lego Star Wars 2 on his computer. To me that was crazy, I knew Lego, I knew Star Wars, but to have it be something I could be a part of was wild to me. I remember being 5, in kindergarten, getting a Wii, and even though it was 09 I had never seen anything about it, I was a little kid and my parents were smart and didn't let me on the internet unsupervised. I had an old PS1 when I was really little but nothing as crazy as the Wii. I remember playing Lego Star Wars on it after school with my mom, how epic it felt. It was the first time I saw a game that really had a story. After that I ended up playing a bunch of other Lego games, Lego Star Wars 3, the Lego Harry Potter games, and even after that other games that weren't Lego, Kirby's Epic Yarn stands out to me as one that I enjoyed but couldn't get very far in. The Wii as a whole was just something special to me. While we were a very tech-savvy family we never really got online, so I don't really have any nostalgia for the Wii shop or virtual console, but the games we played made my childhood.

[@NauticalNoey]

Was just thinking about this one from the update video! Time to sit back, relax and watch James do his thing. This feels like a special one. : )

[@cobrapanic]

The Final Fantasy anecdote is completely relatable because when I was about 4 or 5 we had Dragon Warrior (Quest) for the NES, and of course I could barely read so most of the gameplay was me wandering around, getting lost in the main castle, finding my way out and getting into 2 or 3 battles, and then die. I didn't really know how to read nor did I know I had to go to the next town over to buy weapons and armor. My dad tried to help, but he didn't know what to do either. Needless to say, it felt super rewarding that I would play and beat the game 20 years later for the Switch.

[@Cheezmonka]

Your passion shines through in this video and helped turn it into one of your very best. I've never even thought twice about this game until now! What a wild ride!

[@laurentmarcoux2144]

I didn't discover your channel too long ago but I'm glad I did. Will be looking forward to more videos !!

[@keithstagg7115]

Watching this video and hearing him talk about his history with StarTropics reminded me that Nitrorad helped unite me with my own White Whale of a game. I remember having really faint but vivid memories of the original Psychonauts, but I was never able to place a name until seeing the video he made on it; It came out during a really turbulent time in my life, but I was so excited to finally find it and give it a try for myself. It was something to look forward to. Now I have such fond memories of playing Psychonauts late into the night, it gave me a well needed break from reality that I'll always be grateful for. It and its sequel are my favourite games of all time and I'm so thankful for you reuniting me with the series. Sorry about the long tangenty comment- but here's to video games that make us love video games! And if Nitrorad ever sees this, thank you.

[@nachos1162]

This is why I love your channel, you're so enthusiastic about everything. I'm glad you didn't keep the angry gamer persona from your early days cuz your enthusiasm for games like startropics makes me really happy to see, love ya friend ❤

[@angelsheavenlygarden1267]

For me that game was also the first video game I ever played and it’s shaped my taste in games to this day. It was Tales of Symphonia for the gamecube and all these years later it’s still my favorite game of all time.

[@saturnmunchies]

LOVED this video!! I love how sentimental you are about this game, I adore hearing how special media like this can be to people. Also the letter you have to put in water is actually the coolest thing. Blew my mind.

[@apukami3643]

This was such a Radicola video

[@michalswag]

this video feels warm. like when id touch the screen of an old tv and feel its fur.

[@hwiz3903]

I haven’t played it myself yet, but Startropics always makes me think of my little brother. I have the NES mini console, and I’ve enjoyed playing a lot of games on it (Mario 3 was my favorite). But my brother has always loved playing Startropics he requests it almost every time he plays NES. I don’t think he’s even beaten the first chapter yet, but I imagine he’s gonna grow up with a great fondness for this game just like James. And man! If he knew all these cool secrets about the game , he would love it even more! Thanks for sharing Nitro Rad, and thanks for 10 awesome years!

[@SparksEchidna]

I've watched this video a couple of times now. It's always so cool to see people sharing special games that mean so much to them, especially for a game as interesting as this one! Awesome video as always Nitro Rad! Thank you for sharing a game that means so much to you

[@BenMarcWilliams]

Mike Jones for Smash.

[@kaoskirby3615]

This is such a comfy video to watch with learning your past about the game. It's also awesome to learn where you got your intro/background since I have always found it relaxing to look at as you talk over the footage. I have loved your show for showing me weird and obscure games that I never would have found otherwise, with you giving them a fair chance with what they do well at. Thanks James for making such a unique channel, that you put so much into, and happy 10 year anniversary.

[@Absorbant]

This might be your best video yet. I love your genuine, child-like enthusiasm about this niche little game. It's amazing seeing someone be so passionate about something they love, it's infectious.

[@Bleinsfield]

Amazing amazing work! Something about people diving into why they love a game in such a genuine way fills me with so much joy. I also had only seen footage of early parts of Startropics and had no idea it got so wild by the end!

[@artofthemango]

man this is really inspiring and heartfelt!!! i've been watching for 7 years and i'm in awe with how much love you speak of for your experiences with these games!!! it really feels like its coming full circle with just how much i'm learning about how startopics is embeded into your content. congrats on the 10 years, looking forward to more vids!!

[@boiled_walrus6960]

Your videos are such high quality, I absolutely adore this. So interesting to hear you talk about games I’ve never heard of before

[@IanWisher]

I've been watching your stuff since 2016 and it took me forever to figure out your branding was actually a reference! Its really heartwarming seeing you talk so passionately about a game so close to your heart, and here's to more great videos from a great creator!

[@jacobketcham3595]

Happy 10th Anniversary, James and Nitro Rad. I appreciated the thorough dive into StarTropics you present!

[@referenceick9969]

Congrats on ten years! I love your channel, it’s got me to try games out that I never would have heard about or been interested in playing before. I think that’s important, there was a period where I stopped playing games because I was getting bored of the hobby. Mainly because I was just playing the same games over and over again or games in the same genre. Discovering your channel convinced me to get out of my comfort zone and try games I never thought I’d like playing and got me to fall in love with video games a second time.

[@kinasakuraba]

I loved this video, it really embodied that feeling of coming over to a friend's house and letting them gush about their favorite game and letting them sell you on it. I'm suddenly feeling very nostalgic for a game I've never played before. Thank you for all your hard work! I've loved your videos for idk how many years now, and you never disappoint! ❤

[@YTKeepsDeletingAllMyComments]

I always appreciate your enthusiasm and how you talk about stuff you like rather than falling into that "Game Bad !" Trope far too many KZbinrs fall into. I'm sad I never got to play the game when I was younger. I probably would have loved it. I'm a handful of years older than you but I am glad I got to grow up with a NES and every other generation since. It has given me a different outlook on games than most people seem to have. It seems in our current time people would rather be angry and miserable than play or talk about a game they enjoy.

[@mollystarcat]

While I haven't been a sub of your channel as long as others..my favorite things about your videos is how passionate you get over the games you play. Seeing you talk about your first and favorite game is just wonderful. Glad I could experience this game through your video and hope it brought you joy revisiting it!

Delightful video, James. Thank you for putting this out into the world - your passion for the game really comes through. Here's to many, many more years of your videos!

[@shammahikoro8475]

I loved this video through and through! You are my favorite KZbin gamer!

[@elementos93]

Thanks for the wonderful work for the last 10 years! Here to the next 10 being even better!

[@Canalman]

This vid is definitely one of my favourite vids from your channel already; the effort put to telling the story of why you love this game and it's unique mechanics and how it stuck with you alone is enough to make me want to come back and watch it again in the future!

[@ayame703]

Fantastic video been a fan for years was waiting on this one. Delivered

[@theblurcafex1655]

You can really tell how much love and care was put into this video, congrats on 10 years Nitro Rad! Here's to many more!

[@leoultimaupgraded9914]

This game was awesome to watch you review and play, I love it what a great anniversary video, happy for you for getting to this point (a whole decade! Thats incredible!), and getting to review your favorite game

[@blitzibb787]

this is one of those videos that take me back to a time where i felt something deep, something important, something truly special. very few videos i can call an absolute masterpiece, and even fewer i put in a top 3, but this video is the new number one. this feels like i'm listening to someone talk about something they hold so near and dear to their soul, something that changed them, something that altered their path in life. im doing a whole lot of yapping, but its hard to put into words what i mean. i think this video is what i imagine when i want to explain just how important something is to me. just how incredible, how powerful, how wonderful something is. hearing how you speak of a game like this feels like a love letter to something special. and like that, i feel that same importance emotionally. i may not have quite the same feelings you do, but i sort of understand it. and if a video can do that, it's a video i'll love and cherish for a long time. that's what makes it so wonderful. thank you, nitro rad, i'll always love your channel, and your videos.

[@RikkuX5]

Just five minutes in but I already adore your enthusiasm and passion as always. Hope youtube wont screw this video over like the last ones. The 3D platformer video and the raddest games 2023 are some of my favourite videos. This one here is already off to a great start. Keep on keeping on~

[@Victoren]

This quickly became my be Nitro Rad's favorite vídeo, so much love was put into it that it's transparent how he's happy with what he's doing 💜 Good to see that after he looked so down and worried in the last update video

[@CRANTIME]

great video, dude the passion really shines through when you're talking about a game you're this attached to

[@spiderbuzz1404]

Happy 10 years Nitro Rad and keep doing what you are doing I absolutely love your videos here's to 10 more years ❤️❤️🍻🍻

[@canicadventure]

This was a great watch! I can tell you were gushing proudly about this game from the stories of you as a kid until the ending with how you beat it. Great stuff!

[@ChRoNiC717]

This retread of one of your older videos really showcases the improvement your videos have gone through all the years. I remember watching the old videos and enjoying it, but this new video is much better at conveying not only the quality of this game, but also what I imagine you felt as a kid to the viewer. Thanks a lot for such an amazing video!

[@lilypadlilith]

I love the different voices and excitement you put into describing everything! The heart and soul you put into these videos is so apparent

[@seacliff217]

Just wanted to say I've been enjoying these longer videos this channel has been focusing more on for the past year and a half or so. A decade ago, most KZbinrs would give an NES game a sub-10 minute video. Your love and understanding of this game is very well communicated in this video.

[@thomassager6396]

this is easily my all time favorite video youve ever done. i can tell how much passion you out into this. and the message behind it you put in it

[@EzDoesitYGO]

This vid just felt so cozy, it's obvious how much you love this game and I loved hearing about it! I gotta play it for myself because you sold it incredibly well Keep up the fantastic work!!

[@TheJewkerStreams]

Happy 10 years! I always love seeing your analysis of these games. This has been a fun journey to watch and I am excited for the next part of it

[@Pupppeteer]

Incredible video here you can see this is a labour of love and a true passion project. The end speech where you talk about all games not being for everyone because some games are just made for you to love. Great work big man.

[@KnightOfGames]

fantastic review - i could never get into startropics but hearing you talk about it with such devotion makes me appreciate it far more than i ever could otherwise

[@cheezocheddarman7163]

It's crazy to think you've been at this for a whole decade. I remember one of the first videos from you I saw was your Sonic Forces video (which I did a rewatch for the sake of this comment) and off the bat it gave me a totally different vibe from any other channel I had watched before. The lens and presentation at which you approached the game was (if a little fast back then [which does kinda fit for that specific video lol]) an interesting change of pace that I found myself invested in and staying for, and not just for the fact that it stood out amongst all the Forces discourse happening then. You had this mix of casual conversation, curiosity, open-mindedness and analysis that's only grown and become more nuanced since. For me, it's gotten to a point where every video you upload is like an event. I always look forward to seeing what you have to say about a game, especially the how and the why as well as what I could grasp from it to better my understanding of that particular game's mechaniations and/or those of other games and the medium as a whole. Whatever it may be, large or small, I tend to take SOMETHING away from your videos that leaves me inspired, thinking a little differently or both. I doubt that'll change any time soon and the heart and soul poured into this video is evidence of that. Happy 10th Anniversary, James Nitro Rad!

[@MSorge13]

This game has always been one of my favourites on the NES, and for the same reasons you discuss throughout. It truly feels like it’s in a different league than other games of the time, which makes it super memorable. (Monster Party and A Boy and His Blob also come to mind.) I appreciate all your hard work in making this video. It’s always nice to hear engaging stories like these, proving games are a medium like no other.

[@Eddyoshi]

What a lovely and heart warming video. Can really feel the passion and love you have for this game just all over it.