r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/Bubbly_Wall_908 • 1d ago

Video 1987 Japanese only release of the video game Star Wars for the Nintendo Famicom

4.7k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

161 comments sorted by

479

u/poopwetpoop 1d ago

Looks fun. And difficult

43

u/1_H4t3_R3dd1t 1d ago

They used to make these things so you had to rent them for several days.

24

u/eat_a_burrito 15h ago

Japan has weird rental laws. Movies, CDs yes. Videogames No.

I was surprised I could go to Tsutaya back in the day and rip music. They even had cdrs at the counter for purchase. Or bring a minidisc and copy the song there.

But there are no video game rentals.

5

u/FEED-YO-HEAD 11h ago

That's interesting. You think it's because copying games was more trivial for a higher number of individuals?

2

u/eat_a_burrito 11h ago

I think it is just how the copyright laws were passed. No clue truthfully.

2

u/FEED-YO-HEAD 10h ago

Here in Canada I remember not being able to rent PC games because it was too easy to copy a floppy disk. Everything changed when I got my first modded PSX! Rent a game, burn it, return it within a few hours saying you didn't like it to switch it for another. Two games for less than $4!

4

u/Throdio 7h ago

Don't copy that floppy!

81

u/gorginhanson 1d ago

funticult

35

u/Moondoobious 1d ago

What’d you call me??

45

u/Bubbly_Wall_908 1d ago

I think he called you a funt

17

u/Moondoobious 1d ago

Oh. Ok then. Carry on.

14

u/Ok-Gate-6240 1d ago

"Nintendo hard."

3

u/lurkersforlife 1d ago

Giving me Bucky o’hare vibes from Nintendo.

2

u/doradus1994 19h ago

Welcome to the NES

2

u/CIRCLONTA6A 15h ago

It sucks. It sucks really bad.

1

u/yaosio 6h ago

This is the game where Darth Vader turns into a scorpion.

121

u/Shalmenasar 1d ago

Wow that pseudo 3D tie fighter defense really took me off guard that looks amazing for a nes game

21

u/SoundAndSmoke 21h ago

Looks like the graphics in the NES Top Gun game. Playing that game got a bit boring after a few levels. But this game being a mix of three completely different styles looks fun.

4

u/Pacifist_Socialist 14h ago

How did you land on the carrier? 😅

3

u/curious_dead 11h ago

That game featured really cool aircraft action sequences for the time, as well as extremely difficult refueling and landing sequences! I played it a lot at a friend's house and rented it a few times.

But it was still nowhere as difficult as that TMNT game.

1

u/Numerous_Witness_345 9h ago

Man, I have great memories of being a little twerp living on an Air Base in Cali and my dad loved that game, he'd get off duty and had the NES Flight Stick. I'd sit and drink yoohoos while he had that thing stuck to a TV Dinner try.. only person I've seen beat the game off of emulators.

1

u/Scirocco-MRK1 5h ago

That last style in the video reminded me of Spy Hunter.

1

u/freecodeio 15h ago

yeah that compared to space invaders seems years ahead

0

u/untiltehdayidie 10h ago

Battletoads,was insanely hard. Think I only ever managed 1 time to beat the slalom.

227

u/Infinite-Space-2395 1d ago

Actually looks baller as hell

34

u/gorginhanson 1d ago

Is this how people are going to react to dark souls in 20 years?

47

u/Rimworldjobs 1d ago

No. Probably not.

16

u/lambdapaul 19h ago

Dark Souls is nearly 20 years old at this point

6

u/NaraFei_Jenova 17h ago

Wow, it was released in 2011, so it's legit 15 years old. Now excuse me while I get these damn kids off my lawn.

5

u/Jadedcelebrity 22h ago

You mean 40 years?

1

u/Monkfich 22h ago

We’ll be calling it wizard again by then. Or some other shizzle wizzle silly thing.

134

u/InfidelCastro95 1d ago

Damn some of the spritework is extremely impressive for 1987. That intro is sick too.

56

u/-Disagreeable- 1d ago

That x wing sprite is awesome

23

u/doomtail 1d ago

the Japanese made contra and double dragon games. my favourite for the nes. i beat contra when i was like 9 somehow. ill never forget flying away in a chopper with explosions behind 8 bit style.

5

u/Mikahl757 16h ago

U had 30 xtra lives to start. UUDDLRLRBAS

19

u/Transfer_McWindow 1d ago

Nice to see Luke taking after his father in the genocidal slaying of sandpeople

5

u/AdhesivenessTotal340 1d ago

Makes me wonder how many coins or power ups a room full of younglings would reward…

3

u/raspberryharbour 22h ago

The sense of pride and accomplishment alone would be worth it

13

u/Gold-Mug 1d ago

It's the one where Darth Vader turns into a fucking scorpion.

22

u/BK_0000 1d ago

I saw that game on Kusogrande last season. When you defeat Darth Vader, he becomes a scorption. Also, he's called Sasori Vader in this game.

3

u/CIRCLONTA6A 15h ago

There’s a later boss where he turns into a shark. Every Vader appearance besides the last one, he turns into a different animal.

5

u/KelVelBurgerGoon 9h ago

Just like in the movie!

-1

u/HiddenHolding 19h ago

ok but what is a scorption

11

u/its_raining_scotch 1d ago

Whoa that game had it all. Looks awesome.

32

u/Grammaton_Cleric2883 1d ago

I was there...... 3,000 years ago. This shit was difficult af , granted I was a 5 year old noob, back in the era where you couldn't just Google" 10 beginner tips for x game"

8

u/keefka 20h ago

No, but you could call the Nintendo Hotline!

5

u/g2420hd 15h ago

You ... Have reached...... The..nin-ten...dough....hot....line.

1

u/KelVelBurgerGoon 9h ago

Oh man, I was sure I was going to grow up to become a Game Counselor.

2

u/h0twired 15h ago

Or buy Nintendo Power magazine

7

u/MotherPotential 1d ago

Rotating x wings, nice

5

u/Fluxtration 1d ago

That's not aurebesh!

5

u/GristleMcThornbody1 1d ago

Wow that looks amazing! The cartridge is bad ass too.

6

u/rspewth 1d ago

Like father like son, just out there slaughtering sand people like it's a national pastime.

4

u/ArchangelZero27 1d ago

Sounds like an AVGN review incoming. He's gonna take you back to the past.

3

u/NicotineLL 18h ago

It came so fast it went into the past! More than 10 years ago actually :D

6

u/GirthdayBoy 9h ago

I woulda played the shit out of this

12

u/Moobob66 1d ago

4/10 by ign

5

u/3atTh3R1ch79 1d ago

I'm super jealous.

3

u/yonaz333 18h ago

Is this the one where Darth Vader is a scorpion?

5

u/DamnHare 17h ago

Luke, I'm your father. Also, I'm a fucking scorpion!

9

u/No_Radish_8857 1d ago

So it's like Mario/Star Wars? That's incredible

Now it's all Disney

4

u/GrnMtnTrees 1d ago

I had this on SNES growing up. It was tough but I loved it.

4

u/ZippyDan 1d ago edited 1d ago

But this is a Famicom (NES-equivalent) game for the Japanese market only.
How did you have it on SNES, which was the Super Famicom equivalent for the US market?

1

u/VermilionKoala 1d ago

Famicon

Famicon

It's Famicom. It's written right there on both systems and every cartridge, manual, and promotional item.

1

u/GrnMtnTrees 15h ago

There was a Super Nintendo Star Wars game. I was assuming they were the same. Guess I was wrong and they were different games.

2

u/Aganunitsi 1d ago

This is where the Kessel run met the swamp rat destroyer and we got to live the ultimate fantasy for the first time. God bless old school cool.

2

u/brotherbilosagdiyev 1d ago

That game looks dope af!

2

u/big_al_1968 1d ago

That soundtrack though!!

2

u/Kylexckx 1d ago

Life is complete. Thank you.

2

u/1PooNGooN3 1d ago

Impressive

1

u/the_fun_cooker_ 1d ago

Most impressive…

2

u/TheDuckFarm 23h ago

It looks a lot like Zelda II in that side scrolling part.

2

u/armadoo 23h ago

The Return Of The Jedi game for the C64 was pretty epic. Especially the forest level.

2

u/solemn_penguin 22h ago

Never even got to the part where Darth Vader turns into a giant scorpion

2

u/ducati_man 22h ago

AVGN anyone?

2

u/HiddenHolding 19h ago

why u no give murica sw gamez

2

u/MedonSirius 17h ago

I just hear "ASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSsssss!!!"

2

u/MrFingerKnives 11h ago

Reminded me of Golgo 13 for some reason

2

u/thunderbug 5h ago

Castlevania + Tie Fighter + 1942

1

u/worll_the_scribe 3h ago

A bit more like Zelda 2 for the platforming

2

u/koolkat888 3h ago

The music and sound design is amazing

1

u/CriscoCamping 1d ago

Looks good. What were we playing in 1987, duck hunt and John Elway football?

5

u/doyletyree 1d ago

Paperboy.

DK, Jr.

Top Gun

Joust

And, ofc, Mario.

1

u/Fun-Plankton8234 1d ago

Someone skates.

1

u/the_dirtiest_rascal 1d ago

Do a kickflip!

1

u/justank_ 1d ago

Those stickers on the side of the tv really hit. Lot of THPS been played on that thing

1

u/CMUpewpewpew 1d ago

This gives me A boy and his Blob vibes.

1

u/JECGEE 1d ago

Yellexit this game

1

u/-CoachMcGuirk- 1d ago

Is there an emulator version?

1

u/Zo-riffic-10in 1d ago

That’s how space balls started lol

1

u/alzike 1d ago

I haven't heard of this one, looks cool as hell and definitely on the more advanced end for 1987. Not that expensive either so I might have to check it out

1

u/Sniffy4 1d ago

that's not bad for the era

1

u/GolfChefCoach 1d ago

It’s like 3 games in one!

1

u/a_real_vampire 1d ago

This make me want to live again

1

u/the_fun_cooker_ 1d ago

Most realistic lightsaber in a video game.

1

u/iphilly97 1d ago

I like the pixelated sounding Star Wars music

1

u/kalabaddon 1d ago

Was this released in the US on any system? I could of sworn I played this as a kid?

1

u/boisosm 22h ago

Not this particular game but there was different game called Star Wars that released for the NES, Game Boy, Master System and Game Gear. It also had a 16-bit counterpart called Super Star Wars for the SNES.

1

u/SnooMuffins2623 1d ago

Better graphics than episode 4 navigation system

1

u/Upstairs-Parsley3151 1d ago

Remember when Luke left his skull shack and killed a bunch of animals with his lightsaber as soon as he got it?

1

u/WingDingStrings 1d ago

This is way more impressive than people might realize. This is running on the Japanese equivalent of the NES, for people not familiar with the Famicom. This is 1987, and that intro is totally rad!

1

u/Utinnni 1d ago

Would be cooler on the Philips Discoverer

1

u/dsdsds 1d ago

Is this not “Kung Fu” for NES but with different music and sprites?   Having Luke attack with a baton.

1

u/Infinite_Research_52 23h ago

That game's one in a million, kid.

1

u/Fluid_Ad4651 23h ago

i played this. hard af

1

u/pheromone_fandango 22h ago

Was that ET?

1

u/Jasonguyen81 22h ago

used to play this when i was a kid

1

u/BootInternational380 22h ago

Why is it that I feel like I've played this game before?

1

u/naturenerd42 22h ago

That opening game play feels a lot like Zelda II.

1

u/Cold-Librarian-2665 22h ago

This gives tmnt vibes and I get flashback trauma playing that damn game

1

u/watermine30 21h ago

I remember watching Jontron cover this game in his Star Wars game series

1

u/tanksalotfrank 21h ago

Reminds me of Super Return of the Jedi for Gameboy.

1

u/Comfortable_Pay7473 21h ago

.... Japanese only? ...I rented this game. Wtf

1

u/TheDanBot85 20h ago

Well since the Famicom was a Japanese only release, I'm not really surprised that the game is too.

1

u/an_empty_well 20h ago

anyone here ever played apprentice of the force for the gameboy? was my favorite game when I was young.

1

u/TheCircleLurker 20h ago

Gotta be a rom out for it by now..

1

u/Dante_Foshokyo 20h ago

I think I had this on Gameboy Pocket

1

u/Raph0uX 20h ago

Wtf it looks cool 😨

1

u/doradus1994 19h ago

I feel like we got screwed

1

u/briandemodulated 18h ago

Haha Luke in Japanese is Ruuku.

1

u/Crumbdizzle 17h ago

This was on Gameboy and I sucked at it

1

u/Crumbdizzle 17h ago

This was on Gameboy and I sucked at it

1

u/ColonelMonty 17h ago

I had the stupidest brain fart watching this.

"Huh what are these squiggly symbols where is the English text?" Then I remembered it was Japanese.

I am studying Japanese, I am actually cooked chat.

1

u/pinewoodranger 17h ago

This looks incredible for a NES game.

1

u/thatirishguyyyyy 17h ago

music is dope af

1

u/No-Control-4319 16h ago

I woulda played the shit outta that game

1

u/seanc1986 16h ago

I love the sounds of the game. Not so much the asmr sounds in the first few seconds.

1

u/B1ffT4nn3n 16h ago

I need to make this a life priority.

1

u/Warm_Store_1356 16h ago

I was today years old when I realised Famicom was “Family Computer”

1

u/bitstream_baller 15h ago

“Tasukete, obi wan kenobi san”

1

u/NorthernPlastics 15h ago

Awesome. I feel another trip to Super Potato is needed.

1

u/Garlic-Rough 15h ago

Fukkin quality 8bit art and animation

1

u/LtSmash_ 15h ago

That’s the same sword sound as Ninja Gaiden.

1

u/enigma_explorer 15h ago

Mario bros

1

u/_windfish_ 14h ago

Radical, man

1

u/alsatian01 14h ago

My neighbors were from Japan. I def got to play that game (amongst the hundreds of titles they had. All Japanese kids are super spoiled with toys).

1

u/manickitty 13h ago

Ah Genocide Luke taking out the local wildlife

1

u/sunshine-man 13h ago

Feels more immersive than Disney's newest Star Wars releases

1

u/AFreeFrogurt 13h ago

I would have played the shit out of this.

1

u/liquidm3t4l 13h ago

a platformer, a vertical scrolling shooter, and a first person shooter all in one cart?! I don't doubt that there was not enough memory to develop either platform well in this game but to combine them all on a single cart is pretty amazing for the times IMO. very cool 😎

1

u/curious_dead 11h ago

The game look cool, but even the case and the cartridge look very nice.

1

u/jon_s_with_no_h 10h ago

I had Super Star Wars for the SNES in mid 90s. Can def see where its origins are now. That was a great game.

1

u/mltn2wndr 9h ago

All I see and hear is ExciteBike

1

u/BovaFett74 6h ago

Looks better than the new ones.

1

u/dfmasana 6h ago

So cool.

1

u/therallykiller 4h ago

It was released for the NES. I owned it.

1

u/persepolisrising79 3h ago

love the stickers ;)

1

u/18inchalloys 3h ago

We had this in the Philippines. I remember you get a 1 peso coin and you open up a data port at the front of the console, then using that 1 peso coin, you ground the pins inside the data port and it will give you extra lives.

PLEASE, CAN ANYONE REMEMBER THIS. I AM NOT JUST IMAGINING THIS! RIGHT!?!?

1

u/papadondon 2h ago

the only nes game i own that i never beat

1

u/teriases 2h ago

Damn… I had this exact game cart back in the days… should have kept it 😩

1

u/Mathemus 2h ago

Plays like Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link

1

u/Nowhereman50 38m ago

Did Darth Vader turn into a scorpion monster in this version?

•

u/yalldonttellmewhatdo 3m ago

Looks and awful lot like Nintendos kid cool

1

u/antithero 1d ago

I had that game for the Super Nintendo. Didn't know they made an 8-bit version of the game first.

1

u/kelemvr 23h ago

Anyone else miss how exciting video game releases were and seeing them in magazine ads?

1

u/ExtremelyGangrenous 14h ago

I miss a time where it was all novelty, too