The Many Different Ports of Popeye Arcade

[@BriansManCave]

It's interesting how many people have their favorite port of this game! For me it was the Commodore 64 port as it was my first experience with the game, I played it a lot and it has a bug on the first level where you can trap Bluto with the basket if you catch him after you punched him under spinach power. :-)

[@supergeoff]

Brian you get a Spinach my man

[@BriansManCave]

@@supergeoff well blow me down

[@supergeoff]

@@BriansManCave 😂😄😄

[@robbiewalker2831]

@@BriansManCave Mine is the Java port which wasn’t mentioned in the video.

[@AngryCalvin]

Try the Amiga port by Bignonia. Like the Donkey Kong port they made it’s the C64 version with added color and an extra level. It’s even got a cartoon animation sequence of the old cartoon as an intro.

[@sgt.zombie]

I know you like to keep your channel family friendly but i was wondering when you have your museum would there be an area about controversial video games? Would you ever be to do a vid on them?

[@kodiiayyeee256]

@@85wastedyears man get outta here with your negativeENERGY

[@sgt.zombie]

@@TotalAdultNetwork He would probably have to do it on another channel like with metal Jesus but no idea if youtube or cancel culture would even let it happen. Some games are nothing but shock value like hatred or worst ideas ever like custer's revenge. But since people are so easily offended doubt we'll see a vid. I usually tell people look at the movie American history x. It's clearly against racism but Hollywood wouldn't make a movie like it today.

[@TheSolidRockStudios]

Awesome video! My most played version was probably the NES or C64...but that Colecovision version is so good!

[@jeenkzk5919]

My heart is with the 5200 version. I got it for Christmas in 83(?). I played the hell out of it and really became a Popeye fan in general.

[@The9Crozier]

Another great video to start 2020, keep them coming John !

[@enthusiasticgamer88]

Your positivity is contagious John. Thank you.

[@chucklea5898]

I have never heard of some of these versions. It's so awesome to see retro games I've never seen before. Thanks John, keep up the good work.

[@chrisspearline767]

The reason why the NES version was played by people more than the arcade was most arcades didn't have it. I can't believe the game is selling for around 30.00 used. The game has 3 short levels

[@tomarnold8417]

The coleco version is my favorite. The hearts drift more naturally and Brutus has more natural movements which aren’t as predictable as the other versions. Also his death is very well done. However one thing you forgot to mention is that the Atari 5200 has the arcade music on the second screen and the other version do not.

[@markahlers6011]

Some of the recent homebrews on the Commodore VIC-20 are nothing short of amazing. Popeye, Pooyan, and Frogger Arcade to name but a few.. Back in the day I played the Commodore 64 and ColecoVision ports as those were the only gaming platforms I had..

[@johnhancockretro]

Where can I find these

[@markfraser6825]

Nice video. Enjoyable. But what’s happening channel wise. I take it the weird apology - not apology video was the end of the matter for you. I would like to know where you are with the museum that you used to talk about all the time. Would you still be able to do these videos if your games were in a museum? It would be great to keep us informed. I subscribed because I thought the channel and your ambitions were pretty cool, but now it looks like you may have duped a lot of people for your own profit

[@johnhancockretro]

First board meeting completed and paperwork filed to the state. Non profit to be finalized by end of year.

[@markfraser6825]

John Hancock thank you the reply. Truly appreciate it

[@mcorleonep]

John Hancock, there was a very cool glitch in the Colecovision version of Popeye. On the second level, eat the spinach and chase Bluto to the teeter-totter and drop off after him. If done right, he will spin across the screen indefinitely until you lose a life or complete the level. I remember reading about it in one of the gaming magazines of the time; can’t remember which. Sure enough it works!

[@Had0k3n2X]

I just bought Popeye on Atari 2600 today!

[@stephenthomas9256]

As a kid I never knew remembered if I played Atari. Recently I saw gameplay of the NES and thought...wasnt this game more green when I was a kid? Turns out I did play the 2600 port at my grandma's back in early 90s

[@Manatarms25]

I like this style video, love the comparison. Great work John, missing the newer intro now days 😃

[@riverdealer]

i had Popeye for the Atari 400...I believe it was the best non-nintendo version

[@tcphvacr9950]

I’m glad to see you mention “Sailorman”, that was the version I had. The CoCo 2 had a lot of renamed versions of arcade games, and I’ve always had a fondness for Popeye. Nice comparison video!

[@jeff97ish]

Really cool video John! Just finished gaming for 3 and a half hours myself. It was nice to relax to a John Hancock video.

[@Lunch_Box_74_]

You have to give the 2600 credit. They tried hard.

[@PeBoVision]

a good friend brought it home for his 800XL, and I fell in love with it (it features the least annoying music in the history of arcade games...I usually disable music or shut off speakers, but this (and Frogger) are tunes I start humming before the title screen appears. Anyway, I liked the game so much I immediately picked it up for my TI-99. First Graphics are outstanding. I consider it one of the better home ports in that regard. But Parker Bros, didn't pay for a GRom licence from TI, so only 8k of memory...and that means no Music (and parker brothers used interrupts for sound, so it would have played through without resetting with every sound effect - an annoying issue on the TI). So the thing I love the most about the game, doesn't appear on the system I love the most. Still a damned fine port (not quite as spot-on as QBert, Frogger or Tutankham but definitely Parker Brothers!)

[@Sugarkraft]

The arcade version is a hell of a game. To be clear, the 3rd round is not the last stage. The overall theme of the stages repeat but the mechanics do not. It’s gets really hard when you want to go past round 6. If you’re looking for high scores, there’s a lot to pay attention too. I’m never happy unless I get at least 20k on the first round or I’ll just start over. 😂 Great video, good to see other peeps like this one.👍

[@Guernicaman]

Would LOVE to see a homebrew version of Popeye on SEGA Master System & SEGA Genesis. Someone needs to bring these Nintendo arcade classics to SEGA consoles. Would blow us SEGA fans' minds!

[@AngryCalvin]

This game made me want to go to a nearby Chuck E Cheese every chance I could get. Had no idea when I was younger that the Ti994a had a port otherwise I should have had it. Also it’s a really good pork. Popeye was the arcade cabinet I was most excited about after Donkey Kong. Today I have the Famicom, Amiga, and 8-bit Atari ports. This game was a big deal as far as early arcade platformers go. Mappy ended up being my favorite early 80’s arcade cabinet. But Popeye is still on the top of my list.

[@IanSane]

Popeye's a great choice for a video like this as due to licensing issues it isn't something that you can buy new today. You can emulate it but if you want an official release you have to go with these old ports. I have Popeye for the NES. I did an educated guess that the version made by Nintendo themselves would be the best. John, in general I love videos that compare multiple versions of the same game so I would welcome more like this. I'm a collector that's really only focused on obtaining a game to play so I'm not going to seek out the same game on multiple platforms. So getting an idea of which is the best version, and which is the best for the platforms I own since I don't have everything, is really useful.

[@louisboyle8906]

The 2600 version is for me but the others look good. When you factor in price though the 2600 version only costs around $5 where as the NES version costs around $30.

[@dragonlibrarian7982]

God, screw Pacman, Donkey Kong etc, this is my favorite classic arcade game. Love it so much. Had both the 2600 version and Colecovision version, spent so many hours playing it.

[@martinjeremy1078]

Dragonlibrarian 7 played the hell out of the Atari 2600 version back in the day.

[@dancero643]

The graphics of the arcade version are ahead of their time, such as Pole Position

[@STEVEHEROLD]

i had Popeye for Intellivision, 2600, NES and Apple 2. I do remember Apple being kinda bad. NES wins out but 2600 wasn’t bad. Always wished Nintendo had made a sequel back in the day cause it was such a great arcade game.

[@jeradsmith445]

My favorite videos are the ones that compare different versions of the same game!! More please!

[@Spiderdude57]

I remember playing Popeye in the arcade. I really enjoyed it. I use to own the Atari 2600 version back in the day. It wasn't until 2 years ago i picked up the NES version which i play on my retron 5. Popeye is a timeless classic. I'm glad i got to share it with my nephew.. Thanks John for sharing this video.

[@midwestmediashow8863]

I love this game! I used to play this at the arcade back in the day! I have the intellivision and Nes versions and both are awesome. Thanks for doing a video on this game!

[@primal-bits4777]

Fun to see the various computer versions included in your review John. I think the bad guy’s name is Bluto. He is a brute though. Thanks for the video.

[@johnhancockretro]

His name was changed to Brutus for legal reasons. The NES Manual calls him Brutus

[@primal-bits4777]

John Hancock Interesting, I didn’t know that.

[@bmkretrogaming7634]

@@johnhancockretro also Brutus was an alternate name for the character depending upon the era of the franchise. At one point I think they did a comic book crossover explaining that Brutus is Bluto's identical twin brother, they both have a thing for Olive Oyl, neither likes Popeye, and up to that point had never shown up at the same time. As I recall Nintendo at the time of development mistakenly thought the name Bluto was under some form of intellectual property right protection, and used Brutus instead to be on the safe side.

[@michaelsegal3558]

He didn’t show the third stage in the C64 version also I can tell that when he showed the NES version by the music and the sound effects that it wasn’t shown off of an actual NES

[@MCastleberry1980]

Just the existence of Popeye on the Odyssey 2 is so weird.

[@GrocerGames]

Cool comparisons. I love how some versions can maintain the feel of the original. I also love the other versions like the 2600 or Odyssey especially since I've been learning about them programming and system limitations.

[@100Bucks]

One of my favorite classic games. Play this on my mame cabinet. Donkey Kong, Ms Pacman, Pac-Man, Classic Mario Bros. Everything after that is all street fighter games and current Fighting games running on steam. Popeye never gets old.

[@panaceaartist]

had the ti 99 version :D I saw it in the thumbnail and remembered, jeez long time

[@fan1701]

Yes, I loved playing the arcade version and the C64 version.

[@Holammer]

All of those are from the early 80's. I could imagine a new C64 port looking much better if enthusiasts ported it today. It could never be a 1:1 conversion of course, as the arcade ran at a crazy high resolution (512x448) for 1982.

[@Holammer]

@Yurt Dweller Checked some video of it and I see what you mean, it looks on par with the NES version, better in some areas. Could use a few more frames of animation.

[@josephoseph4172]

Love videos like this! Thanks man.

[@SVT512]

I had the Atari 800 version and enjoyed it quite a bit. Also owned the 2600 version and while its graphically not so great the gameplay was still there and it was fun, which is the whole point :) having fun!

[@TimBrice7]

I love Popeye. Loved the arcade and The artwork. The nes version is my favorite port but I always felt the 2600 port was surprisingly good.

[@jamesgauthier4956]

Little bias to colecovision was first system back in the day and popeye was one of the first games we play. Later got nes and atari but thought coleco was best

[@chocolocojames213]

I remember playing this on the Famicom. It was addictive.

[@GrocerGames]

The first version I remember was the C64 one. My brother's friend had it and I remember I was amazed watching this game.

[@arthas045]

Love these type of videos! I have always played and loved the NES version!

[@JustMe99999]

None of these home ports really holds a candle to the arcade. I have to say though, from a playability standpoint, the 2600 version is surprisingly good.

[@WordslingingStephen]

In the Nintendo (NES) port, does the Sea Hag bounce skulls at Popeye like she does in the arcade version? It's been so long since I've played this classic! (btw, I was raised on the Intellivision version as a kid.)

[@marioisthebest1980s]

Yes

[@DirkDierickx]

Popeye was the first game i got for my 2600

[@danestegman155]

Good video! Nice to see some of the ports of this Popeye game.

[@Turtle_1976]

I just actually got a cib copy of this last night for the c64. Was one of my favs on the 2600 as a kid! Thanks for sharing.

[@socrates0603]

❤️ Popeye ❤️ I never got past the first level in the arcade as a kid. Looking forward to more videos like this.

[@Duke_Togo_G13]

NES one is my favorite, Colecovision comes in 2nd.

[@AngryCalvin]

Olive Oil looks like the Sea Hag on the Colecovision version.

[@Chicomite]

Ever play Popeye 2 on the original Game Boy? It's actually quite a good platformer, short, but sweet. Very expensive of course.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

ColecoVision FTW!

[@mamoruisamu1]

Actually, I never played this one. I’ll have to give the 5200 version a try.

[@coryhammer9566]

One of my favorite classics! I had both the C64 and Atari 2600 version. Played the 2600 version a lot until I had the better graphics on the C64. I never saw some of these other ports, great to see a comparison to all systems! Would like more videos like this!

[@Miakel]

Next video, many ports of R-Type

[@Gxhbro]

NO....jkjkjk ok hahhah

[@joestradamus75]

did you ever play the 7800 version. I believe its a homebrew that just recently came out.

[@FREETOEFEET]

It’s just the NES version on 7800

[@scottwagenbaugh2336]

NES And Colecovision!

[@tbmoffittiii]

Isn't the bad guys name supposed to be Bluto?

[@bmkretrogaming7634]

Nice video John! I emulate the ColecoVision port via my Collectorvision Phoenix currently. It's an excellent arcade port. Including a recommendation, and a link to your video on my channel's review video of the ColecoVision port.

[@tattoodude232]

it's on the gameboy too

[@MetalJesusRocks]

Really cool idea for a video! Great job John

[@maryetdave]

Hey man thanks for sharing, As a kid I loved the Popeye cartons, never saw those games before.

[@ryanyoder7573]

Good video

[@enriquemartinez1030]

Great video John thank you so much for the video. I remember playing this game on the atari 5200 when I was a kid and it was my favorite you could say I was obsessed.

[@joeyjo-joshabadu9636]

It's a shame that Wimpy didn't make it into the NES port

[@ronaldhenson9170]

Popeye is my favorite cartoon character

[@Gxhbro]

I LOVE THIS GAME TBH I LOVE IT I PLAY IT ON MY 300 IN 1 BOOTLEG CHINESE NES AND GAMEBOY GAME CONSOLE™

[@fan1701]

On the C64, and on level one, if you hit Brutus with spinach and drop the barrel on him while he is flying across the screen, he will stay stuck in the bucket until the level ends.

[@michaelsegal3558]

My favourite version is the NES version

[@bikeh]

To be honest, I used to think there were only the Arcade version & the NES version.

[@TheBigScat]

I LOVED this game! I need to break out the NES to play it again. I wish Hamster could get the rights to this one for the Arcade Archives series.

[@bobboberson]

Popeyes pinball was an excellent machine

[@scottbeach1589]

Loved that game

[@cromagnatron7155]

In the early 80's there was a record store near my house that had a "Pop-Man", a Pac-Man rip off with a Popeye head as Pac-Man. It was weird but I remember playing it quite a bit. Thanks for sharing.

[@shaolingamer7316]

Popeye 2 on Gameboy and Popeye on Gameboy Advance were great

[@transit921]

great videos lately

[@timburger4171]

Once again, the Immortal one crushes it! Very in depth coverage and great commentary!

[@JMFSpike]

NES version looks the closest to the arcade by far. The 2600 version looks pretty terrible. I understand the hardware limitations, but I really think they could have done a little better. I wonder what a modern day homebrew version would look like. Someone should get on that.

[@brianwortz]

Great video as always John! Popeye is one of the reasons I begged for an NES. I loved the original arcade version I played quite a bit when lucky enough to go to Showbiz Pizza Place :)

[@CinemaMacabro]

I had the 5200 and later the Nes, Mine was the Nes in terms of gameplay, 5200 for overall nostalgia

[@jasonshouseoffunandvideoga7169]

Look at all the versions of popeye! I used to love watching the cartoon when I was a kid. I think I may have played the nes version a long time ago but I don't own it currently. I may have another title to hunt down.

[@s31ACE1252]

Loved popeye'ing quarters into this game back in the day. I also enjoyed the NES version.

[@marlinlee]

Actually I prefer this game to Donkey Kong. My favorite would be Sailor Man on the CoCo.

[@Mintcar923]

I’m not sure if this was my favorite ColecoVision game.. But it’s definitely somewhere near the top along with Donkey Kong, DK jr and Mr Do.. I really wish it had a remake/rerelease on the modern systems with more levels.. The gameplay was stellar and addictive..

[@patsfan4life]

Michael Guerra MAME

[@jeff97ish]

I only have the Famicom version. It's a fun game to me. When I imported one of my Famicom's from Japan, it came with a few games and Popeye was it.

[@DreamcastQ]

Great comparison, John

[@atranfanatic]

My first experience with this game was the arcade. I didn't play the ports till later on. Other suggestions would be Donkey Kong, Zaxxon and Centipede ports.

[@memsom]

The ZX Spectrum version was officially released. I think Ocean released it. I had it on cassette and I think I still have it in storage.

[@johnhancockretro]

m4tt3m50n the ZX version released is NOT the arcade game. A homebrew version was made in 2015.

[@BillyBetYT]

Arcade Popeye was one of the first arcade games that impressed me graphically, it was also my introduction to Nintendo in the arcade and their ability to put that Nintendo charm into their games was evident right from the start. I had the ColecoVision version as a kid and spent many Saturday afternoons enjoying it.

[@GameHammerCG]

I love these comparisons, it’s great to see all the differences. Popeye is a great old arcade game and yeah, the NES version is damn good.

[@bradleymorris6981]

Thanks for the video, I had no idea there were so many versions of Popeye. It brings back memories though, back when I lived in Arkansas, my mom worked at the local Dairy Queen and they had a Popeye arcade there, I was 6 or 7 at the time but I really liked playing it, I never could get very far in it but I watched one of my moms co-worker sit down and beat the game in one sitting. We lived in a small town at the time and my mom called around to rental places to see if they had Popeye on the NES and they said it wasn't released on the Nintendo. It may not have been released yet or the person didn't know what they were talking about. I was a little disappointed but shortly after that, I moved on to something else.

[@krathoon2338]

Nes is where it's at.

[@mikexmartinart]

Would love to see more of these comparison style videos

[@Junior-cp9se]

Odyssey looks the best

[@oasisbeyond]

Arcade and nes are the best, tried them all and have them on my hacked snes classic. They are the two best.

[@bobboberson]

Oh yeah