Game over, old sport!
February 14, 2011 7:39 PM Subscribe
In my younger and more vulnerable years I might have really enjoyed playing The Great Gatsby on the Nintendo Entertainment System. If you think you have what it takes to fight gangsters and advertisements and hobos, you might, too.
This is pretty awesome. The music in level one is great too.
posted by SmileyChewtrain at 7:46 PM on February 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by SmileyChewtrain at 7:46 PM on February 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
I have this one in my cartridge library. Of course, all the games' shrink-wrap is uncut.
posted by m@f at 7:47 PM on February 14, 2011 [18 favorites]
posted by m@f at 7:47 PM on February 14, 2011 [18 favorites]
oh god, the glasses as the boss is hilarious
posted by leotrotsky at 7:49 PM on February 14, 2011
posted by leotrotsky at 7:49 PM on February 14, 2011
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: Jazz Age Ennui.
posted by The Whelk at 7:51 PM on February 14, 2011 [6 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:51 PM on February 14, 2011 [6 favorites]
I'll be the owl-eyed man. Nonplaying characters are teh best.
posted by jfuller at 7:52 PM on February 14, 2011
posted by jfuller at 7:52 PM on February 14, 2011
Are you a bad enough dude to be a metaphor for disillusionment and moral decay in post-WW1 America?
posted by Riki tiki at 7:52 PM on February 14, 2011 [40 favorites]
posted by Riki tiki at 7:52 PM on February 14, 2011 [40 favorites]
okay the opening title using the most famous book cover which already looks 8 bit? genius
posted by The Whelk at 7:53 PM on February 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:53 PM on February 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
This is awesome. I just sent this to my old Honors English teacher on facebook.
posted by Deflagro at 7:55 PM on February 14, 2011
posted by Deflagro at 7:55 PM on February 14, 2011
Victory eluded me today, but that’s no matter — tomorrow I will run faster, jump higher, throw my boomerang farther....
posted by 2bucksplus at 7:55 PM on February 14, 2011
posted by 2bucksplus at 7:55 PM on February 14, 2011
I look forward to the 'To Kill a Mockingbird' cartridge:
Collect all of Boo's Presents to Help Jem and Scout defeat Mean Ol' Bob Ewell!
I envision cutscenes of Atticus bestowing fatherly wisdom, as well as Sweet Tea power-ups.
posted by leotrotsky at 7:57 PM on February 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
Collect all of Boo's Presents to Help Jem and Scout defeat Mean Ol' Bob Ewell!
I envision cutscenes of Atticus bestowing fatherly wisdom, as well as Sweet Tea power-ups.
posted by leotrotsky at 7:57 PM on February 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
This is ezactly how I'm going to view all the parties to go to from now on.
posted by The Whelk at 7:59 PM on February 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:59 PM on February 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter — to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And one fine morning ——
"That should be a red light," said Nick, "and it's definitely not supposed to be flashing. Did you take the cartridge out and blow on it?"
posted by naju at 8:00 PM on February 14, 2011 [12 favorites]
"That should be a red light," said Nick, "and it's definitely not supposed to be flashing. Did you take the cartridge out and blow on it?"
posted by naju at 8:00 PM on February 14, 2011 [12 favorites]
SORRY GATSBY BUT YOUR TWENTIETH CENTURY AMERICAN DREAM IS IN ANOTHER CASTLE
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 8:20 PM on February 14, 2011 [60 favorites]
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 8:20 PM on February 14, 2011 [60 favorites]
I love this, especially the bad guys who are doing the Charelston.
posted by cell divide at 8:21 PM on February 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by cell divide at 8:21 PM on February 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
This is ezactly how I'm going to view all the parties to go to from now on.
From now on??!?
Also, too: this is awesome thank you.
posted by joe lisboa at 8:26 PM on February 14, 2011
From now on??!?
Also, too: this is awesome thank you.
posted by joe lisboa at 8:26 PM on February 14, 2011
THIS IS A MOCKERY OF LITERATURE.
I MEAN THERE WERE NO ALLIGATORS IN THE BOOK WHAT WERE THEY THINKING. MY GOD.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 8:30 PM on February 14, 2011 [6 favorites]
I MEAN THERE WERE NO ALLIGATORS IN THE BOOK WHAT WERE THEY THINKING. MY GOD.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 8:30 PM on February 14, 2011 [6 favorites]
really though this was delightful
posted by Solon and Thanks at 8:31 PM on February 14, 2011
posted by Solon and Thanks at 8:31 PM on February 14, 2011
I love this! The Charleston dancers, the books in the library...not really sure why I kept shooting the butler (could be a statement on the nouveau riche. Or, you know, just some more fun game play).
posted by misha at 8:35 PM on February 14, 2011
posted by misha at 8:35 PM on February 14, 2011
This is awesome, even though it is making me realize that my Nintendo skills are not what they used to be.
posted by OolooKitty at 8:37 PM on February 14, 2011
posted by OolooKitty at 8:37 PM on February 14, 2011
Oh, and did you know about Full Glass, Empty Clip, the excellent gaming blog run by Mefightclub members?
posted by misha at 8:38 PM on February 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by misha at 8:38 PM on February 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
The best part about this isn't that it's funny, though it is. Or that it's a really clever use of a classic book, though it is.
The best part for me is that it gets the NES era game design and gameplay so right. This really wouldn't have been out of place on the real thing.
posted by HostBryan at 8:42 PM on February 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
The best part for me is that it gets the NES era game design and gameplay so right. This really wouldn't have been out of place on the real thing.
posted by HostBryan at 8:42 PM on February 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
So, what are the controls? Space is jump, arrow keys move around, what else?
posted by kenko at 8:42 PM on February 14, 2011
posted by kenko at 8:42 PM on February 14, 2011
The person who did that should be a millionaire.
posted by skepticallypleased at 8:53 PM on February 14, 2011
posted by skepticallypleased at 8:53 PM on February 14, 2011
The rich are different from you and me. They have more power-ups.
posted by Marla Singer at 8:54 PM on February 14, 2011 [15 favorites]
posted by Marla Singer at 8:54 PM on February 14, 2011 [15 favorites]
This is so amazing. I second HostBryan, the true genius of this project is that it's a thoroughly playable and authentic example of NES gaming. Pitch perfect on every level.
posted by Sticherbeast at 9:15 PM on February 14, 2011
posted by Sticherbeast at 9:15 PM on February 14, 2011
Oddly enough, this is not the first video game version of a Fitzgerald novel.
posted by Uppity Pigeon #2 at 9:18 PM on February 14, 2011
posted by Uppity Pigeon #2 at 9:18 PM on February 14, 2011
Make sure you check out the About page too. Man I want a high res version of that image at the bottom.
posted by SomeOneElse at 9:28 PM on February 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by SomeOneElse at 9:28 PM on February 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
I love that there's a sewer level for no good reason, because of course there is.
posted by IjonTichy at 9:44 PM on February 14, 2011 [18 favorites]
posted by IjonTichy at 9:44 PM on February 14, 2011 [18 favorites]
The aesthetics and controls are pretty authentic, but the difficulty is not. I was able to beat this one on my first try, which is completely unacceptable for an NES-era title. Maybe if it removed the wimpy health bar and added a bunch more unfairly-placed enemies.
posted by neckro23 at 9:57 PM on February 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by neckro23 at 9:57 PM on February 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
leotrotsky: "I envision cutscenes of Atticus bestowing fatherly wisdom, as well as Sweet Tea power-ups."
Willl you take me home?
posted by boo_radley at 10:04 PM on February 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
Willl you take me home?
posted by boo_radley at 10:04 PM on February 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
There's even a special ending screen if you beat the game without dying. I had to play through it twice because the first time around I jumped in between the train carts to see if it would kill me. The music, graphics, and style reminded me of playing Duck Tales on the NES (which also has an alternate ending screen for masochists).
I'm kinda glad this game was on the easy side, though. The last thing I'd want on my mind throughout the day is WHY CAN'T I GET PAST THAT ONE CROCODILE I KEEP MAKING THE SAME MISTAKE THIS BUTTON DOESN'T WORK GRAAKHTHKH.
posted by lemuring at 10:11 PM on February 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm kinda glad this game was on the easy side, though. The last thing I'd want on my mind throughout the day is WHY CAN'T I GET PAST THAT ONE CROCODILE I KEEP MAKING THE SAME MISTAKE THIS BUTTON DOESN'T WORK GRAAKHTHKH.
posted by lemuring at 10:11 PM on February 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Is it as good as Arm Joe, the Les Mis fighting game?
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 10:53 PM on February 14, 2011
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 10:53 PM on February 14, 2011
I look forward to the 'To Kill a Mockingbird' cartridge:
Collect all of Boo's Presents to Help Jem and Scout defeat Mean Ol' Bob Ewell!
I envision cutscenes of Atticus bestowing fatherly wisdom, as well as Sweet Tea power-ups.
Don't stop there!
Scout's school-pageant ham costume could be a rare, one-time-only power-up, like Kuribo's Shoe in Super Mario 3.
Between levels, there could be a timed chifforobe-bustin' challenge, a la Street Fighter 2.
Of course, the character of Dill would prove popular enough to warrant his own spin-off game, based on In Cold Blood.
posted by Strange Interlude at 3:22 AM on February 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
Collect all of Boo's Presents to Help Jem and Scout defeat Mean Ol' Bob Ewell!
I envision cutscenes of Atticus bestowing fatherly wisdom, as well as Sweet Tea power-ups.
Don't stop there!
Scout's school-pageant ham costume could be a rare, one-time-only power-up, like Kuribo's Shoe in Super Mario 3.
Between levels, there could be a timed chifforobe-bustin' challenge, a la Street Fighter 2.
Of course, the character of Dill would prove popular enough to warrant his own spin-off game, based on In Cold Blood.
posted by Strange Interlude at 3:22 AM on February 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
In some dark basement somewhere, the ghost of Andy Kaufman is playing this game from beginning to end on a British TV.
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 5:22 AM on February 15, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 5:22 AM on February 15, 2011 [3 favorites]
The aesthetics and controls are pretty authentic, but the difficulty is not. I was able to beat this one on my first try, which is completely unacceptable for an NES-era title.
Ever play Kirby's Adventure?
posted by ekroh at 5:41 AM on February 15, 2011
Ever play Kirby's Adventure?
posted by ekroh at 5:41 AM on February 15, 2011
So many beautiful details in this. I wish I had a time machine to go back to scream at my teenage self to use the ten billion hours you spent screwing around with RPGMAKER 2000 and try to turn it into an Independent Study class or something
(Okay you did make that dictionary of the khazars game but no one would play that and you gave up in the middle)
posted by The Whelk at 7:32 AM on February 15, 2011
(Okay you did make that dictionary of the khazars game but no one would play that and you gave up in the middle)
posted by The Whelk at 7:32 AM on February 15, 2011
Ha! It's a video game of The Great Gatsby! Ridiculous!
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:01 AM on February 15, 2011
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:01 AM on February 15, 2011
Ever play Kirby's Adventure?
That's where I was a Viking.
posted by drezdn at 10:57 AM on February 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
How do you kill the New York City boss? He seems out of reach.
posted by spamguy at 7:20 PM on February 15, 2011
posted by spamguy at 7:20 PM on February 15, 2011
Then wear a Goomba's Shoe, if that will move her;
if you can bounce high, bounce for her too,
(hit B twice to double-bounce!)
Till she cry "Lover, Goomba-shoed, double-bouncing lover,
"I like shorts!
"They're comfy and easy to wear!
posted by No-sword at 3:12 AM on February 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
if you can bounce high, bounce for her too,
(hit B twice to double-bounce!)
Till she cry "Lover, Goomba-shoed, double-bouncing lover,
"I like shorts!
"They're comfy and easy to wear!
posted by No-sword at 3:12 AM on February 16, 2011 [2 favorites]
The Great Gatsby game is awesome and highly addictive. The jumping is kinda weird though. I doubt these dandies could really get that kind of "air," unless Gatsby's party is taking place on Titan.
posted by rabbit at 6:57 PM on February 21, 2011
posted by rabbit at 6:57 PM on February 21, 2011
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posted by unliteral at 7:46 PM on February 14, 2011 [18 favorites]