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Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures: Goof Troop

Image courtesy of Giant Bomb user hmmisee.

Report to the GOOF TROOP…and we’ll always stick together!
Goof Troop on the SNES is an interesting adaptation. Instead of being a typical platformer, Goof Troop is an overhead adventure/puzzle game, not unlike classic Legend of Zelda games. Goof Troop manages to pack in addicting and challenging gameplay and excellent sound and graphics.

Goof Troop aired on the Disney Afternoon block from 1992 to 1993. It was a sitcom style cartoon about Goofy and his teenaged son Max living in the suburbs of Spoonersville. Goof Troop is another fondly remembered show from the ‘90s, and has one of the more catchy theme songs from a Disney cartoon.

Goof Troop on the SNES is the only game based on the show. Developed by Capcom, it is also worthy of being considered one of their better Disney games as well. Unfortunately, the show’s short lifespan and lack of coverage from the video game press caused Goof Troop to fade away.

Also, in an answer to an obscure trivia question, Goof Troop was also Shinji Mikami’s first video game. Everyone has got to start somewhere.

Goof Troop takes liberties in a fun, creative way
Strangely enough, Goof Troop for the SNES does not take place in Goofy and Max’s town. Instead, Goofy, Max and their neighbors Pete and PJ are out fishing. Suddenly, Pete and PJ are kidnapped by pirates and it’s up to Max and Goofy to save them. Max and his dad end up on a tropical island paradise and begin their adventure.

Goofy and Max make their way to the pirate island! Image courtesy of Obsolete Gamer.

Most of Capcom’s Disney games are platformers. DuckTales, Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers and Aladdin, among others, are going down a well-traveled road. It’s a breath of fresh air to see Capcom use one of their Disney licenses for a different genre. It works in Goof Troop, since the show had a laid back tone and wasn’t huge on action to begin with. It’s nice to see Capcom getting creative.

Goofy tries to figure out what to do. See the determination in his eyes! Image courtesy of Obsolete Gamer.

Players can choose to either play as Goofy or Max. Goofy is much slower, but can take more hits. Max is quicker than his dear old dad, but his health is lower. Regardless of their differences, both characters are fun to play as in Goof Troop. It really comes down to personal preferences.

Goof Troop will have Goofy and his son running around beaches, dockside areas and even pirate castles in order to save their friends. Each stage has enough block puzzles to keep players guessing. They are all challenging in their own right, and are just as fun with two players.

Now what has Max gotten himself into now? Image courtesy of Obsolete Gamer.

Goof Troop is similar to Four Swords Adventures in the sense that it’s a top-down adventure game with co-op options. For certain puzzles, two players would be required. For the most part though, the challenge isn’t steep at all. However, that does not stop Goof Troop from being entertaining.

Max and his father cannot fight the pirates off with their bare hands, but can use the environment and few items along the way. Blocks in the puzzles and even a grappling hook will help Goofy and his son on their quest. It’s actually very satisfying kicking a block in a pirate’s direction and watching them fly off the screen.

Yeah, the grappling hook can be used as a bridge. It’s awesome. Image courtesy of Obsolete Gamer.

Goof Troop lives up to Capcom’s standards for Disney games
The original setting and inspired gameplay make Goof Troop worth playing. It’s the game’s graphics and sound which will draw players in. Capcom knew how to take full advantage of the SNES’ colors and power. Goof Troop on the SNES is able to capture the colorful nature of the cartoon, and even manages to get the expressions down as well.

The cutscenes and in-game graphics represent the cartoon perfectly. Image courtesy of Obsolete Gamer.

The music in Goof Troop is bombastic, but playful. It fits the tropical tone of the setting. It’s not Capcom’s best SNES work, but it serves a purpose in keeping the player entertained.

One of Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures
Goof Troop on the SNES manages to be an interesting adaptation of a cartoon many 90s kids love. The adventure game format and engaging gameplay certainly make Goof Troop one of the more creative Disney licensed games. It’s unfortunate the show was short lived, as this game is one of the most highly appealing games on the SNES.

It goes without saying if you’re a fan of the cartoon, than play Goof Troop. However, the game does have a mass appeal to not just fans of Disney cartoons. Anyone looking for a good time with friends, look no further than Goof Troop. It’s not back breaking in terms of prices, so buying it on Amazon won’t be an issue.

Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures: Darkwing Duck (NES)

July 22, 2016 colin

Image courtesy of Moby Games.

Darkwing Duck for the NES is just as great as the show
Darkwing Duck is good platformer that does the show justice. It is also a solid entry into the consistently great library of Capcom Disney games.

Darkwing Duck is a broad superhero parody which ran from 1990 to 1992 on the Disney Afternoon block. The show was about Drake Mallard and his title character alter ego, battling crime in St. Canard. Along for the ride is his adopted daughter Goslyn and wheelman/sidekick Launchpad McQuack, who is from DuckTales. The show had a silly cast of characters who were parodies of comic book and spy film villains. It’s a fondly remembered show, which combines the quality animated comedy of Disney and the fun of comic books.

Capcom released a game based on the show in 1992 for the NES. Darkwing Duck uses the Mega Man mold of being a platformer where jumping and shooting are key. However, Darkwing Duck is not just another Mega Man clone. Darkwing Duck has some creative level design and boss fights. It stuffs two seasons worth of characters and locations to set it apart from the Blue Bomber.

However, being released at the very end of both the NES and show’s lifespan, the game could not have had a more unlucky release window. Which is a shame. Darkwing Duck on the NES is a fun adaptation that manages to have the personality of the show and fantastic gameplay to back it up.

“WHEN THERE’S TROUBLE YOU CALL DW!”
Darkwing is informed the criminal organization known as F.O.W.L. started to run rampant throughout St. Canard. DW is armed with a variety of gadget to help him on his quest to rid the city of crime.

Darkwing Duck has the same open-ended stage selection of Mega Man. Launchpad drills Darkwing on what villain has taken over what section of the city. QuackerJack, the Joker parody of Darkwing Duck takes control of the bridge; Wolfduck controls downtown and the Liquidator has seized the sewers. Other villains from the show will appear, such as the nefarious Steelbeak, the pseudo-Electro spoof Megavolt and Darkwing Duck’s nemesis Negaduck!

Launchpad is willing to bring DW anywhere! Image courtesy of Hardcore Gaming 101.

Let’s get dangerous… on the NES
Turning on Darkwing Duck for the NES, players will be greeted with a semi-recreation of the show’s memorable intro.

The game oozes with the energy of the cartoon, with DW yelling his classic battle cry, “I AM DARKWING DUCK” at the beginning of each level. The colorful graphics and animation reflect the cartoon perfectly

About to take on QuackerJack. Image courtesy of GameFAQs.

Released in 1992, Capcom knows how to squeeze out whatever graphical capabilities the NES has. Darkwing Duck is a fanatastic showcase for the NES’ graphics and has vibrant and varied colors throughout the game. Characters look like their TV show counterparts.

The game manages to nail the cartoony expressions. Image courtesy of Hardcore Gaming 101.

As the terror that flaps in the night, Darkwing moves fluidly thanks in part to some incredibly responsive controls. Darkwing Duck will certainly invoke memories of Mega Man with all the jumping and the shooting. The level design is certainly inspired. There is enough interesting platforming all throughout Darkwing Duck’s world, such as using a grapping hook to climb up buildings or using tires to get across spiked floors.

DW’s array of gadgets help him move around the stages. Image courtesy of Hardcore Gaming 101.

However, unlike Mega Man, Darkwing does not steal the powers of his enemies. Instead he has to find his own power-ups. DW can gain electric powered ammunition or arrows that shoot in two directions for his gun. It’s a small touch, but the game does not feel exactly like Mega Man once the player gets used to it.

Darkwing Duck for the NES is always challenging. Even for veteran Mega Man players. The abundance of creative enemy types also raise up the ante for each stage. DW may be a superhero, but he will need a player of great skill to take care of the enemies. Boss fights in Darkwing Duck are challenging, having the player utilize their platforming skills to the nth degree.

One of Gaming’s Undervalued Treasures
Darkwing Duck is a great Disney cartoon which holds up even today. Darkwing Duck on the NES is an excellent platformer that does the classic show justice. It does not set the world on fire, but it is a fun game in its own right. Colorful graphics go along with the solid gameplay to create an experience any fan of Darkwing Duck can enjoy.

If Darkwing Duck could provide his own narration for his game, he would say something like this:

“This is a game that is a blast to play. This is a game that shows off my crime fighting skills perfectly. This is DARKWING DUCK…on the NES!!!”

Our hero ladies and gentlemen and his typical catchphrase.
Image courtesy of Nintendo World Report.