I Have Gnarly Potential

July 4, 2011 7:09 PM

The Rad Project is an in-depth documentation of the changes that turned the standard Japanese NES platformer Magic John into the tubular Totally Rad.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn (15 comments total)

All hail Edogy.
posted by BeerFilter at 7:26 PM on July 4, 2011

Also, every image has alt text for a madcap hoverination adventure.
posted by BeerFilter at 7:29 PM on July 4, 2011 [2 favorites]

And if you click on the images, they link to GIFs that flash between the two versions.
posted by filthy light thief at 8:10 PM on July 4, 2011

It only took 3 pages until we got to a Hobgoblins reference so I approve.
posted by The Whelk at 8:24 PM on July 4, 2011

This is the best thing I've ever seen in my life.
posted by NoraReed at 9:33 PM on July 4, 2011 [1 favorite]

I find any sort of geekery on this scale inspiring, especially so in the gaming realm. GOOD. SHOW.
posted by smirkette at 10:39 PM on July 4, 2011 [1 favorite]

"This is a picture of my boss. He doesn't have anything to do with this game."
From the pdf manual.
posted by sandswipe at 1:03 AM on July 5, 2011 [1 favorite]

Has anyone actually played it? It looks like it might be fun... might have to fire up my completely legal, physical copy of the game tonight.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 1:08 AM on July 5, 2011

YES! I had this game. The controls were kind of sluggish if I remember correctly- other than that it was typical side-scrolling save-the-princess fare. The side by side comparison is hilarious!
posted by Dr-Baa at 4:22 AM on July 5, 2011

Yeah, the gameplay is basically a Megaman clone, except you have all of the powers at the start of the game. I actually was just playing this a few weeks ago, and it's definitely Nintendo Hard, so I'm glad to see all the gnarly cutscenes in one place.

Fantastic post!
posted by bookwo3107 at 4:31 AM on July 5, 2011

So that's what inspired that Kid Radd webcomic (less 80s speech, more fun with cliches).
posted by ersatz at 5:29 AM on July 5, 2011

Lovecraft In Brooklyn: Has anyone actually played it? It looks like it might be fun... might have to fire up my completely legal, physical copy of the game tonight.

If your NES is packed up somewhere and your completely legal physical copy is boxed up, you can play it online. You can also play Magic Johnson's Fast Break Magic John online.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:42 AM on July 5, 2011 [1 favorite]

As someone who had Totally Rad purchased for them as a birthday present by a well-meaning grandma, I approve of this post.
posted by SpiffyRob at 11:32 AM on July 5, 2011

Here's an analysis of the translation of the preface to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Nintendo of America no-likey religious references, even generic ones.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:46 PM on July 5, 2011 [1 favorite]

Hardcore Gaming usually does a few of these side by side comparisons with every article too.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:28 PM on July 5, 2011