Do You NintenKnow: April 2024

Below is a set of clues for games that have a notable US release date anniversary (5, 10, 15, etc.) in the current month. See if you can figure out the title before clicking the blurred image to find out if you were correct! Head down to the comments when you’re finished and reminisce about the personal memories that were dredged up. Remember that these are going by the release date in the United States. Have fun!

April 1989

This HAL Laboratory puzzler released for the NES was the first in the Eggerland series to make it to the US despite it being the fifth overall title. No, Eggerland is not in the US title at all. You control a round ball-like character with hands and feet who must collect hearts in each room to open a treasure chest revealing a gem that opens the door to the next room. King Egger kidnapped the princess – who’s name rimes with “Baba” – and it’s your job to save her!

Bandai published this NES side-scroller loosely based on a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. You alternate between two characters, changing from the slow-walking man with a cane into the more monstrous counterpart when the Anger Meter fills up. The transformation gives the player offensive skills to kill monsters in order to turn back into the mild-mannered man. You can also be struck by lightning and killed instantly. This is generally considered one of the worst video games on the NES, so I hope this doesn’t bring up too many bad memories!

April 1994

Capcom released this SNES port of an arcade beat ‘em up with a King Arthur theme. Smack and smash your way through seven stages as either King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, or Sir Perceval. Each character has their own capabilities and special attacks to take down the grunts and bosses. You can even fight on horseback at times and have them stomp on the enemies!

April 1999

“Me and you, and you and me…” Anyone who saw the commercials for this N64 fighting game has those lyrics burned into their memories along with the visuals of Nintendo mascots smacking each other around. It may seem barebones compared to where the series is today, but Masahiro Sakurai and HAL Laboratory delivered a fun debut title that was a “smash” hit with the masses.

April 2009

Ok, this DS title from Nintendo will be very hard to describe without using a word from the title but I’ll give it a go. It’s a collection of “timing” games played completely without buttons where you tap, flick, or hold and drag the stylus across the touch screen to keep a beat in the level. You get a rank at the end of the level and must achieve “Just OK” or “OK” to move on to the next level. This is the first in the series that was released worldwide but there was a Japan-only title on the Game Boy Advance previously. Remember the “Chorus Kids”?

Have you dreamed of leading your own marching band? If so, this Wii title is sure to be right up your alley! Use the Wii Remote as a baton to keep tempo and recruit new band members on the quest to create the most impressive parade ever. The game sold poorly. Like, 600 copies in the first two days in Japan poorly. What’s so special about it? The designer was Masaya Matsuura who was involved in designing, producing, and composing the music for PaRappa the Rapper and its sequel!

This Monster Games racing title published by Nintendo was exclusive to North America, though Japanese Club Nintendo members could eventually cash in points for a copy a few years after release. Race around in different animal-themed robot vehicles, performing tricks as you go to get a higher final score in the race. Sadly, this game didn’t support the ability to play music from the SD card like the previous title in the series did.

April 2019

The Switch saw the release of this enhanced version of a 2012 Capcom action RPG where you play as the Arisen and attempt to defeat the dragon Grigori. Explore the open world of Gransys along with your “pawns” – one of the main distinctions of this game. Three of these AI characters can join your party and fight alongside you to help with the dungeons and bosses. The enhanced version features an additional dungeon, extra weapons and armor, and full Japanese voice acting. Despite the name, there is no direct link to Kevin Smith’s “heavenly” comedy film from 1999.