Do You NintenKnow: May 2023

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!

May 1993

Nintendo published this NES title from HAL Laboratory which introduced the now-iconic copy abilities of the “pink puffball”. This is the second game in the series – following the GameBoy debut – with future Smash Bros. legend Masahiro Sakurai serving as the director. The main character finally looks how Sakurai always envisioned him…pink! He was white in the original game, though Sakurai had always planned for that rosy hue.

In the era of mascot platformers, Accolade tried its hand with this SNES title featuring an anthropomorphic bobcat attempting to protect the planet’s supply of yarn balls from alien invaders called “Woolies”. Apparently, the hero has the world’s largest collection of yarn balls so that reaction is justifiable. I wonder if this is Wolverine’s favorite mascot platformer because of its name?

The SNES saw the release of this tabletop RPG adaptation from Beam Software set in a cyberpunk-fantasy world. Take control of amnesiac Jake Armitage and try to help him uncover his identity while finding out who wanted to kill him. The game features an isometric view and has a cursor that’s used to perform actions such as opening doors or examining objects. The name is kind of the opposite of “Lightwalk”.

HAL Laboratory couldn’t have been too swamped with the first game above, because they also released this SNES title in the same month. No pink puffballs here, but plenty of moolah and gambling! Head to that popular location in Nevada with $1,000 to your name and attempt to walk away with $10 million from different casinos. Try your hand at blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, and slot machines. The game also supports the Super NES Mouse!

May 1998

Midway developed and published this N64 3D fighting game that was originally planned for arcades, but never made it into a cabinet. Take control of one of the playable Biological Flying Robotic Enhanced Armored Killing Synthoids in organized tournaments put on the by the Secret Games Commission to take control of Neo-Amerika. Makes sense, right? The gameplay is fully polygonal and utilizes both hand-to-hand combat along with long-range attacks. There are also “finishing attacks” similar to Fatalities from Mortal Kombat. Did I make it easy by putting the name in the description? Yes, but there’s no way I could leave that acronym out!

May 2003

Konami developed and published this Game Boy Advance “search action” title in its classic gothic-themed franchise – the third (and last) to grace the GBA. Once again produced by Koji Igarashi, this instalment follows Soma Cruz in a more futuristic setting as opposed to the usual medieval backdrop. The biggest addition to this title is the “Tactical Soul” ability system which involves gaining abilities by absorbing the souls of defeated enemies.

Nintendo’s garlic-loving, gas-passing, anti-hero stepped into a new series with this Game Boy Advance title chock full of short minigames meant to be completed in seconds. After a number of these short games, there’s a “boss stage” where the player must complete a longer game which can grant an extra life. The games can be extremely silly. Want to pick a nose? You’re in luck!

May 2008

This Wii title from EA really wanted you to know that Steven Spielberg was involved. In all seriousness, it was pretty good. The gameplay centers around physics-based puzzles where the player tries to keep structures from being knocked down or knocking them over yourself. The name is extremely close to that piece of equipment Diddy Kong carries on his shoulder as he’s jamming out in DKC2.

Nintendo expanded into the “exergaming” space with this Wii title that requires the use of the Wii Balance Board. That peripheral is used to detect the user’s balance and can also weigh the user similar to a bathroom scale. There are plenty of activities in the game including yoga, strength training, aerobics, and balance. This game was a huge success, selling over 20 million copies. Who said gamers don’t like to work out?

Bonus

May 28, 1993 is a date that will live on in the hearts of video game fans all over the world as they were finally able to see their favorite characters on the big screen in this live-action movie starring Bob Hoskins, John Lequizamo, Dennis Hopper, and others. Did it follow the games? Not really. Was it good? Eh, depends on your definition of “good”. The Yoshi design is kind of terrifying, though.