The Battle of Olympus - Why Is This Game So Ignored?

[@Xygor]

What do you remember about Battle of Olympus? Was it just a rip-off of Zelda II? Gain early access to my videos by supporting me at www.patreon.com/xygorgaming OR through KZbin membership by clicking the JOIN button above!

[@Buridan84]

this video was uploaded les than a day ago - how can your pinned message be older than 5 months? - youtube is sus

[@Sparkbomber]

It was a nice game. Didn't get far though.

[@ZmQuad]

I played this when i was young. My cousin and I took turns. We never got past the Cyclops, but overall i found it very entertaining. Wish we could have taken it further, but my family moved away to Texas, and i never picked it up again. One day ...

[@notmousse]

Hey bro did you get hacked?

[@Nikko764]

My father and I loved this game back in the day. We still talk about it. Glad to see it’s getting some love

[@Xygor]

Glad you remember it so well!

[@justinrose8661]

Battle of Olympus was a staple of my childhood. I'm 40. Insanely difficult. Honestly I'd say that Battle of Olympus was one of the best platformers out there, and the Greek mythological setting was so well done. It spurred an interest in ancient Greece in me early on. I replayed it recently and had a great time with it. also, amazing soundtrack! I didn't expect anyone to make a video about this game let alone talk about it. Cheers man.

[@andrewhegstrom2187]

I'm with you on this, also 40 and was a huge fan of this game as a child and it got super interested in mythology in general. Although I'm sure Orpheus wishes he had really been this badass.

[@vashstarwind36]

Rock on. 😎💎👍 I gotta play this once & for all. Lol 👍

[@Aramakie98]

44, and my baby brother and I would rent this along with Yo, Noid! every chance we got. Lol, we never beat either. While watching Blue, from Overly Sarcastic Productions, talk about Greco-Italian architecture my silly brain thinks of this game.

[@humorouserrectis5791]

This was my FIRST NES game I ever owned and I loved it! Thanks for showing it some love!

[@Xygor]

Glad it invoked some great memories for that!

[@masterN8]

1 word: Passwords

[@Syntox]

This was a nearly weekly rental when i was a kid. Such a good game . The MUSIC

[@chaospoet]

Another reason is the competition it had that year: Zelda 2, The Guardian Legend, Double Dragon, Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest, Bionic Commando, Adventure Island, Blaster Master, Contra, Metal Gear, and Super Mario Brothers 2 just to name a few. It was all too easy to get lost in that shuffle. On a side note, man do I miss James and Mike Mondays. Those videos were so entertaining. I still look up the video of them playing Goat Simulator for the first time when I'm having a rough day. It still makes me laugh until it hurts.

[@JB-mm5ff]

Ya. Also, they were banking on massive Z2 success. This might be the first year that games started mixing genres, a la blaster master, and both of these titles were all about it.

[@LongTran-kp3kz]

....A video game retelling of Orpheus's journey to the Underworld to get back his bridwme. Classic.

[@c0mmenter1]

Great video. Never played this one that I remember but been hearing about it lots due to the fact it's so close to Zelda 2. Thanks for inserting the commercial and AVGN clip for reference 😎

[@juanortiz9123]

I REALLY liked this game (more than zelda 2) but i never finished it. It totally deserves a remake!

[@toms781]

As someone who loved Zelda 2 the similarities are what drew me to The Battle of Olympus. I really enjoyed this game but always struggled to get the passwords to work.

[@jackrose6996]

This was one of my favorite games when I was a kid. I still play it once in a while. I think I was about 8 when my parents first rented it for me for a weekend, and I thought it was cool that it used passwords, because that meant I could pick up where I left off the next time around.

[@ItalNico]

I was a huge Zelda fanatic as a kid. After seeing the real ending in the first game I couldn't wait for the second one. But it was not an easy game to find. The other old timers will remember the announcement in Fun Club News and the whole "chip shortage" thing. I loved Zelda II despite all of the changes, especially since you could jump, duck, attack and use your shield. Battle of Olympus was almost like a spiritual successor since it had similar game play and had enough originality of its own. I never saw it as a rip off - in my opinion they took some of the best aspects of Z2 and made it their own. Awesome game!

[@Cheesehead302]

I just got a copy of this at a convention, and I absolutely loved it. The craziest part to me is that most of the hints are really well done, I only had to consult a guide to figure 1 or 2 things out near the end. (Holding up while walking off the platform to go in the door of the water fall, come on! And the funny thing is, even though I didn't have the second heart I used an enemy to knockback me past the minotaur's barrier and it worked. The entrance to Hades didn't show up tho) This game is just as good as Zelda 2 imo.

[@drowningin]

I used to play this in the afternoons at the catholic school I went to waiting for my parents to pick me up. I could never remember what it was called so a few years ago I used the dates and went through every game in this style released up until that point until I found it. Im still not really a fan of Zelda 2, but I do like this game. I think it’s better in a lot of ways. Brøderbund actually published a lot of great games especially on PC

[@roycewise2530]

I hope this gets a remake someday, I'm into Greek mythology and that's what drew me into this game also the music is so good . The developers really captured the feel of Roman times .

[@Choralone422]

I think one big reason why this game is overlooked is because it was released by Broderbund. While the company was a staple in the home computer and educational markets in the 80s and early 90s, they didn't have any broad name recognition on the NES back then. Even worse, before The Battle of Olympus and The Guardian Legend were released Broderbund released Deadly Towers on the NES in 1987. That game immediately gained a reputation as completely awful, even back then! Also, in 1989 Broderbund released the U-Force NES controller which was a complete failure and IMO sealed their fate as a forgotten NES publisher. It wasn't long after the U-Force failed that Broderbund sold the division that worked on the NES to THQ which recently been founded by one of the co-founders of LJN. LJN had been sold to Acclaim earlier in 1990 which prompted one of the co-founders to leave and start THQ.

[@NearLife4life]

I wasn't bothered by the crouch down mechanic to pick up items. In fact, it's beneficial. Enemies won't spawn if you don't pick up what they've dropped. Very useful in Tartarus or Phthia

[@TerryFGM]

thanks for putting my NES games in a toaster

[@Buridan84]

I remember that you can start with full maximum health with a cheat; but when collecting the items that would increase your maximum health it will then decrease

[@malkneil]

Only real drawback was the olive grinding to get later items. Key was using retry instead of continue so as not to lose half your olives

[@SiliconSlyWolf]

I'm there with AVGN, I was young enough I was confused if this game was another Zelda game or not. I didn't get very far tough, just got very stuck and had no idea what to do.

[@Wanderer1200]

I absolutely loved this game as a kid. It's easily a top 20 nes game for me. The setting is so cool and it felt like an epic adventure. It can be a bit frustrating (I especially remember losing half my olives trying to get the Divine Sword in Phthia one time), but it's worth it.

[@BDBD16]

Damn, I never realized how much like The Adventure of Link this is like.

[@eviljoshy3402]

I still remember half this music when I played this as a kid. I had to be like 5 or 6 years old.

[@algernonsblackwoods5859]

I have this cart, definitely an underrated gem. One of the best side scrolling action gems in the NES. Like Whomp'em, nobody talkes about Whomp'em but that game is also baller.

[@Old_Man_Jay]

This game and Faxanadu were 2 games that I spent a lot of time with well after they were released. Ps1 was already released when I got my hands on these games and my friends would laugh a bit at me for playing them. They had no idea how fun those games actually were. Even now in my early 40s I still mostly play older/retro games. I have no regrets for the kind of gamer I am. I only have fun 😆

[@rpgs6218]

Bro what happened to xygor?

[@Jaded_Spawn]

My intro to this game was pure luck. It was early 1990, a typical Friday after school and was looking forward to renting a game for the weekend, and I had my eye set on P.O.W. I loved the arcade version but was such a quarter muncher that knowing an NES port was out, I was like can't wait 🤗 Well that video store only got one copy and I was S.O.L 😑 but I saw this game and the boxart drew me in. I looked at the back and was like hmmm this looks fun; showed it to my Dad who loved Greek mythology and we rented it. It was a blast and was able to finish it within that weekend. It was one of those games my Dad and me helped to solve some of the puzzles, such as the "proof" to get the key. Why I think this game is kinda forgotten isn't so much the Zelda 2 homage/ripoff, I think it's another case of an IP lost in time due to both the publisher and developer being extinct and leaving this IP in limbo, as to exactly owns the rights. It's a game I still like coming back too from time to time -- it's full of charm.

[@joerexhausen8897]

I have tried playing this game multiple times but never did really click for me, though one of my brothers really liked it. This game deserves a touch up for modern consoles.

[@dancingabbot]

I loooooved Battle of Olympus. I could never find the 2nd heart message and ended up getting a password that led me to the ending part to beat it but I was hardcore into Greek mythology when it came out and even painted my Greek history project with designs from the game.

[@Lional]

I absolutely loved this game. I got big into Greek mythology when I was young, so this was one of my all time favorite games.

[@jeremygreen2883]

It's a great game. I own the original cart and go back to play it a few times a year. It's a pleasant memory from my childhood, renting this game on weekends and playing it feverishly trying to beat it before I had to return it on Monday.

[@ovlivion81]

I also thought that Battle of Olympus was the 3rd Zelda game and guardians was the 4th! My child hood was filled with lies!!!

[@Pippa180]

Battle of olympus loved this game. Just can't understand why it has been forgotten 😢

[@tylermatthews5440]

Miss you bro. @xygor

[@destructodisk9074]

Hey.. Greek pimentos are bigger, or so I've heard.

[@christofalbat1632]

I remember playin' it until I reached an area where something invisible hit me. Maybe gas or temperature. I asked the Club Nintendo (our Nintendo Power if you want) back then, but they could'nt help.

[@nanoglitch6693]

I'm one of the weirdos that loved Zelda 2 lol. Tbh, I never even heard of this game back in the day but I've seen all the love and praise from retro enthusiasts. Haven't gotten around to it. I really don't get much of the Zelda vibe that everyone else always talks about. It's a side-scrolling action game like AoL, sure but just looking at it gives me more of an old Castlevania vibe. Also a lot of similarities with the sprites and poses between the two.

[@LongTran-kp3kz]

Also. I'm glad my kid logic never worked like that.

[@dennisluchesi]

Great video, I enjoyed Battle of Olympus I also am a fan of Greek Mythology, I saw a clip of it when I was a kid, in I think Nintendo Power Magazine. I used a password to beat it, years later, I played it, didn't beat it, but still had fun. Maybe one day, I believe I will play Battle of Olympus again!

[@AB-mk9iq]

Amazing video! Will you be able to make a review video of Heracles no A.K.A (glory of heracles) please?

[@franciscor390]

Loved Zelda 2, no wonder i also felt the same about Castlevania 2, Faxanadu and Battle of Olympus.

[@JB-mm5ff]

Yeah, a part of me wonders if an ex-dev from the Zelda team worked on these, or if they decompiled Z2. Guardian legend basically steals the Z2 music for the space levels.

[@backinthedaygamer]

I used to play this while babysitting my cousins back in the day. I really liked it but the mapping/travel mechanic is wonky and the password system made it real tough to use without camera phones lol. I still like it and want to finish it one day.

[@SkelvinKnight]

If I remember correctly, the guy who developed this game absolutely was inspired by Zelda 2.

[@BiRaitBec]

The one downside for this game i find is the constant olive grind sections to 100%, even with efficient strats. If these weren't a thing, this game is great basically everywhere else.

[@rebeccarussell2565]

I recently got a Super Famicom game called Burai, a tactical RPG. I’d like to see you do a video of that one day

[@tjcihlar1]

I liked Zelda 2. I could never get started Battle of Olympus because it was hard and I didn't know where to go.

[@herbaldragonX]

Rented this alot growing up,never compared it to Z2 as a kid hehe great game imo

[@cIymax]

5:05 Hard to blame AVGN tbh. It seems to me the TV ad was meant to make you think it's a proper Zelda sequel 😂 Thanks for the review! p.s. I've released a couple of hacks of this game if you're interested. It's my favorite game from the NES library.

[@KyleLawheed]

Wow, I didn’t even know this game existed. Great content!!!

[@blast_processing6577]

Battle of Olympus is one of my favourite NES games. Solid music and gameplay, and a lot to discover. It's a shame the game hasn't received much love in the ROM hacking community.

[@FIDreams]

I didn't have to watch too tell you that there's Several games on the NES that I don't understand why they get ignored. One that comes to mind is Faxanadu

[@saxyman6803]

What song you use for yo intros

[@thehound1359]

My all time favorite nes game. Arguably the best soundtrack imo. Why is this not on the Nintendo eshop?

[@dustincompton992]

I rented it a few times as a kid, but can’t say I ever got very far. I do have fond, if vague, memories of it though.

[@Sesheyan101]

This was one of my fave games on the nes as a kid, I was odd that I liked Zelda 2 more then the first one, and castelvania 2 more then the first one xD

[@Beeppity]

I’ll have to give this a try!

[@vannthybun2546]

Loved this game so much when I was young but I was never able to get far in it.. It had such a lovely atmosphere tho

[@NearLife4life]

The Battle of Olympus is my favorite game. even to this day. i love everything about it.

[@vashstarwind36]

Since Zelda 2 is my favorite NES game, and always has been .... ... I reeally need to play this and others like it ( sooner or later! )

[@crono_8398]

I miss it and wish LRG or somebody could bring it back.

[@WarrenCBennett]

I loved this game as a kid (and Guardian Legend as well.) I still like it. I don't think it's a total rip off of zelda 2, but it does share many similarities. I'd call it a clone, however I think I might have enjoyed this more than Zelda 2 as a kid. I liked Zelda 2, but I loved Greek Mythology so this hit me on multiple levels.

[@JohnDWJ]

I adore this game. But it’s funny, the developers (there were only 3 of them) admitted they made the game too hard. I agree with them. I tried for years and I always got wrecked. It’s an old vendetta I’ve never gotten past. Love the style and story and music, but I could never get past a certain early game beat. Still love it though.

[@javierweeb4428]

What final fantasy is the intro music from

[@Xygor]

It's Magus' Theme from Chrono Trigger

[@SuperIcarusman]

From a technical aspect, the hardware/coding that is incorporated into a side scroller game; they all very much look and play similar in general. Why not Take a good cues from other good games.

[@RetroFrito]

Just small FYI: Faxanadu is pronounced "fa-ZAN-adu." It is short for Famicom Xanadu.

[@ericnorway77]

I loved this game. I wish it would come to the Nintendo Switch Online along with Guardian Legend and Faxanadu.

[@PatrickGann]

Also wasnt this whole game created by like 3 or 4 people? And i think the leads were a married couple?

[@duhmez]

Absolutely love the Battle of Olympus and I beat it back of the day from a week-long rental was my favorite Zelda game and then I read this randomly One Night in the holy crap it's more Zelda too Zelda 2 I was so excited and I loved it and I beat it on a 12-inch black and white TV which was hard because the green potion does like magic in the red potion does health or whatever something like that or the red enemies hard and the green enemies easy but they were all gray

[@EnochBP]

How much do you want for a copy of this game...IN OLIVES?! This was an interesting deep dive. Never heard of this game before. What made you go with this especially if it was legitimately a Zelda 2 clone?

[@marcoalcala7873]

Game was awesome and it had a great soundtrack. Beat it as a kid I remember riding the dolphin and thinking how awesome

[@billyraycyree3785]

The Battle of Olympus is my favorite NES game of all time!!!!!! I play it at least 5 times a year

[@SuperIcarusman]

This game is awesome; the walking on the ceiling mechanic is always fun. And this game was only made by 3 people, not bad 👍

[@powersm1980]

This is one of the best games for the NES

[@darthkobe73]

Hidden gem❤

[@Xygor]

I think so too!

[@notimetogame]

Blast from the past!

[@PatrickGann]

Loved this game!!

[@Xygor]

Wasn't it a great one?

[@mrdeatheli]

I have loved this game for over 30 years and still play it every few years or so, BUT I wouldn't call ot fair orbalanced. Once you stsrt fighting the amazon soldiers it gets unreasonably difficult. I still highly recommend this game today, though!

[@RussellEdwiin]

034 Bechtelar Forges

[@AzureIV]

Never heard of this game, but it looks good.

[@dukeofnylon]

never played but I will now :)

[@Appsmmogamer]

I loved this game

[@XADIENX]

but what if its goood

[@richfutrell753]

What kind of accent is that?

[@BDBD16]

'MERICAN!

[@VictoriaCruz-f7r]

Williams Thomas Garcia Nancy Hernandez Betty

[@VictoriaCruz-f7r]

Williams Donald Hall Susan Johnson Betty