An Old School Nintendo Quiz

1 of 25

Which wrestler was NOT an option in the 1986 classic "Pro Wrestling"?

King Slender

Great Puma

Fighter Hayabusa

The Amazon

ANSWER: Although Great Puma was a character in the game, he was the final "boss" you had to contend with to conquer the VWA (Video Wrestling Association) and officially claim your title belt. Great Puma could not be selected by the gamesman as a controllable wrestler. Other notable names: Starman, Kin Corn Karn and Giant Panther. Fighter Hayabusa's signature move was the "back brain kick." Awesome. Although Great Puma was a character in the game, he was the final "boss" you had to contend with to conquer the VWA (Video Wrestling Association) and officially claim your title belt. Great Puma could not be selected by the gamesman as a controllable wrestler. Other notable names: Starman, Kin Corn Karn and Giant Panther. Fighter Hayabusa's signature move was the "back brain kick." Awesome.

2 of 25

What was the name of the all-female team in Baseball Stars?

Lucky Ladies

Luscious Longbombers

Lovely Ladies

Lithe Lefties

ANSWER: I don't mean for this to sound sexist and chauvinistic (although it absolutely will), but the Lovely Ladies (along with the Ninja Blacksox) were the push-over team you would schedule a game against in order to score an easy win. More wins translated to more money...which could be used to "power up" custom made teams and enhance individual player's abilities. Although this game perpetuated negative gender stereotypes about innate athletic inequality, it also was a harbinger of the "franchise mode" features in many contemporary sports games (unsubstantiated claim). I don't mean for this to sound sexist and chauvinistic (although it absolutely will), but the Lovely Ladies (along with the Ninja Blacksox) were the push-over team you would schedule a game against in order to score an easy win. More wins translated to more money...which could be used to "power up" custom made teams and enhance individual player's abilities. Although this game perpetuated negative gender stereotypes about innate athletic inequality, it also was a harbinger of the "franchise mode" features in many contemporary sports games (unsubstantiated claim).

3 of 25

Which Greek mythology-themed game featured the lead character "Pit"?

Battle of Olympus

Kid Icarus

Mermaids of Atlantis

12 Trials of Hercules

ANSWER: Pit had to retrieve three items- the mirror shield, the arrow of light and the wings of Pegasus before he could face off against Medusa...who had remorselessly imprisoned Palutena (the Goddess of Light) in the underworld. I vaguely remember strange eggplant-looking things falling from the ceiling and rendering Pit unable to fight. Great game, but I have no idea why it was named Kid Icarus. It had nothing to do with the Icarus legend. Pit did get wings though. I made up 12 Trials of Hercules; sounds like it would have been a good game though. Pit had to retrieve three items- the mirror shield, the arrow of light and the wings of Pegasus before he could face off against Medusa...who had remorselessly imprisoned Palutena (the Goddess of Light) in the underworld. I vaguely remember strange eggplant-looking things falling from the ceiling and rendering Pit unable to fight. Great game, but I have no idea why it was named Kid Icarus. It had nothing to do with the Icarus legend. Pit did get wings though. I made up 12 Trials of Hercules; sounds like it would have been a good game though.

4 of 25

All of the following names are player options in "Hoops," except:

Zap

Barbie

Wiz

Tricks

ANSWER: Mr. Doc, Jammer, Barbie, Face, Bomber, Zap, Legs and Wiz are all potential players in Hoops. This game was a half-court game where players would compete on an inexplicably enormous basketball court. Not only was it too easy to pick up an offensive foul, but it made playing Around the World seem like more of a chore than actual recreation. Blocking an impending dunk was hands down the coolest thing you could do in this game, says I. Mr. Doc, Jammer, Barbie, Face, Bomber, Zap, Legs and Wiz are all potential players in Hoops. This game was a half-court game where players would compete on an inexplicably enormous basketball court. Not only was it too easy to pick up an offensive foul, but it made playing Around the World seem like more of a chore than actual recreation. Blocking an impending dunk was hands down the coolest thing you could do in this game, says I.

5 of 25

Which of the following game titles actually existed for the NES?

War Babies

The Adventures of Rad Gravity

Abandoned Luncheonette

X-Static

ANSWER: No words necessary- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Rad_Gravity. The other three answers are all names of Hall and Oates albums...seriously. My friend Bridget loves H&O, so I wrote this question for her. The cat is out of the bag babe. No words necessary- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Rad_Gravity. The other three answers are all names of Hall and Oates albums...seriously. My friend Bridget loves H&O, so I wrote this question for her. The cat is out of the bag babe.

6 of 25

The incomparable Sly Stallone was a blockbuster machine in the early epoch of his career, and many of his box office smash hits were converted into games for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Only one of the following, however, was so honored- can you name it?

Cobra

Cliffhanger

Rocky

Over The Top

ANSWER: I think we can all agree that pretty much any of Sly's movies would make spectacular video games, but of this distinguished list, only Cliffhanger manged to "Wow" NES executives and game designers into a commitment. Rocky did become a Gamecube classic. I think we can all agree that pretty much any of Sly's movies would make spectacular video games, but of this distinguished list, only Cliffhanger manged to "Wow" NES executives and game designers into a commitment. Rocky did become a Gamecube classic.

7 of 25

Which of these scary movies did not make the leap from film to NES game?

Friday the 13th

Halloween

Jaws

Nightmare on Elm Street

ANSWER: Each of the other three answers were converted into games. Jaws was one of my favorite games of all time. Guess that image kind of gave it away. Each of the other three answers were converted into games. Jaws was one of my favorite games of all time. Guess that image kind of gave it away.

8 of 25

The makers of "Ice Hockey" failed to acknowledge which country's existence?

Poland

Sweden

Finland

Czechoslovakia

ANSWER: The six team options in Ice Hockey were the United States, Poland, Sweden, Canada, Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia. There were also highly advanced weight class options in this game ranging from ectomorphic to endomorphic, so you could customize the relative size of your four team members prior to face off. The six team options in Ice Hockey were the United States, Poland, Sweden, Canada, Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia. There were also highly advanced weight class options in this game ranging from ectomorphic to endomorphic, so you could customize the relative size of your four team members prior to face off.

9 of 25

Which of the following cities does not have a team in "Double Dribble"?

Boston

Chicago

Philadelphia

Los Angeles

ANSWER: The four teams were Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The mascots for each of these teams (who made token appearances at halftime) were perhaps purposely vague (Boston Frogs?) and indistinguishable because of thorny NBA licensing issues. Strange that the NBA wouldn't embrace and endorse a product of this quailty, no? One more fun note, from Wikipedia: "In the third-quarter, third is abbreviated as '3rt.'" The four teams were Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The mascots for each of these teams (who made token appearances at halftime) were perhaps purposely vague (Boston Frogs?) and indistinguishable because of thorny NBA licensing issues. Strange that the NBA wouldn't embrace and endorse a product of this quailty, no? One more fun note, from Wikipedia: "In the third-quarter, third is abbreviated as '3rt.'"

10 of 25

In "The Legend of Zelda," Link was able to use which of the following methods of conveyance:

Horse

Raft

Chariot

Boat

ANSWER: Only after finding the raft was Link able to access previously unattainable levels and areas of Hyrule. Link was also allowed to participate in various gambling games to try and acquire more rupees...a morally questionable practice to expose to children (the game's key demographic). Only after finding the raft was Link able to access previously unattainable levels and areas of Hyrule. Link was also allowed to participate in various gambling games to try and acquire more rupees...a morally questionable practice to expose to children (the game's key demographic).

11 of 25

How many installments of the game "Mega Man" did the NES ultimately offer:

4

5

6

7

ANSWER: All told, there were a grand total of 6 Mega Man installments in the NES game catalog. (T-shirt image courtesy of 80sTees.com.) All told, there were a grand total of 6 Mega Man installments in the NES game catalog. (T-shirt image courtesy of 80sTees.com.)

12 of 25

Three of the following key words will be readily identifiable to anyone who has played the game Metriod...one will not. Which word is not part of the Metroid lexicon?

Krion

Ridley

Kraid

Zebes

ANSWER: Ridley and Kraid were the two "minor bosses" Samus had to defeat before advancing to face Mother Brain on the planet Zebes in Metriod. Krion is a random word extracted from the game "The Krion Conquest," which I have neither played nor heard of in my startlingly illustrious Nintendo playing career. Ridley and Kraid were the two "minor bosses" Samus had to defeat before advancing to face Mother Brain on the planet Zebes in Metriod. Krion is a random word extracted from the game "The Krion Conquest," which I have neither played nor heard of in my startlingly illustrious Nintendo playing career.

13 of 25

All of the following movies starring Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger inspired Nintendo game replications, except:

Total Recall

Last Action Hero

Terminator 2

The Running Man

ANSWER: Although it may seem like there should have been a seamless transition from screen to game, The Running Man mysteriously was never converted into one. The Governator had many of his films metamorphosed into gaming format, including "Conan: The Mysteries of Time," but evidently his portrayal of Ben Richards in this cult classic did not make the cut. Although it may seem like there should have been a seamless transition from screen to game, The Running Man mysteriously was never converted into one. The Governator had many of his films metamorphosed into gaming format, including "Conan: The Mysteries of Time," but evidently his portrayal of Ben Richards in this cult classic did not make the cut.

14 of 25

Was there, or was there not, a Nintendo game based on the 60s television program "Gilligan's Island"?

Yes

No

ANSWER: Offered in 1990 by Bandai, "The Adventures of Gilligan's Island" was released 23 years (!) after the show had been cancelled. This amazing game description comes courtesy of Wikipedia: "The player controls the Skipper and is followed around by Gilligan, who is controlled by the computer. The game has four episodes where the player had to wander around the island, collecting various objects, speaking with the other castaways and solving various puzzles." Stellar. Offered in 1990 by Bandai, "The Adventures of Gilligan's Island" was released 23 years (!) after the show had been cancelled. This amazing game description comes courtesy of Wikipedia: "The player controls the Skipper and is followed around by Gilligan, who is controlled by the computer. The game has four episodes where the player had to wander around the island, collecting various objects, speaking with the other castaways and solving various puzzles." Stellar.

15 of 25

What was the subtitle of the first Ninja Gaiden sequel?

The Hunt Begins at Once

The Ancient Ship of Doom

The Dark Sword of Chaos

There was no subtitle

ANSWER: "The Ancient Ship of Doom" was the subtitle for Ninja Gaiden III. "The Ancient Ship of Doom" was the subtitle for Ninja Gaiden III.

16 of 25

Which of the following NES accessories actually featured a joystick?

NES Advantage

NES Max

Game Genie

Power Pad

ANSWER: The NES advantage had turbo control options that could be turned on and off at will (very convenient). The NES Max also had turbo options, but no joystick. The Game Genie was simply a cheat code adapter for NES cartridges. The Power Pad is almost too ridiculous to write about, but it was a Twister-esque pad that you laid on the floor so you could participate virtually in games like Track and Field. I once broke a sweat on this stupid thing and vowed never step on it again. It was a precursor to games like "Dance, Dance Revolution," sort of. The NES advantage had turbo control options that could be turned on and off at will (very convenient). The NES Max also had turbo options, but no joystick. The Game Genie was simply a cheat code adapter for NES cartridges. The Power Pad is almost too ridiculous to write about, but it was a Twister-esque pad that you laid on the floor so you could participate virtually in games like Track and Field. I once broke a sweat on this stupid thing and vowed never step on it again. It was a precursor to games like "Dance, Dance Revolution," sort of.

17 of 25

What level of Super Mario Brothers is depicted in this photo?

1-3

2-3

3-3

4-3

ANSWER: This fantastic site has images from each world. This fantastic site has images from each world.

18 of 25

Which of the following games was compatible with R.O.B.?

Parodius

Chiller

Abadox

Gyromite

ANSWER: R.O.B. is an acronym for Robot Operating Buddy, an invaluable part of Nintendo's marketing efforts when first seeking distributors in the U.S. circa 1985. This remains unconfirmed, but I've been absolutely positive all my life that Gyromite is the only game R.O.B. was EVER compatible with. If you could get him to "participate" in game play that is...the damn thing never worked. Oh yeah, I've never heard of those other games before- I picked them because they sounded outre and R.O.B.-friendly, but I DID do research...none of those games are compatible with R.O.B. "Chiller" was a not-so-veiled reference to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video which was very popular at the time the game was made. R.O.B. is an acronym for Robot Operating Buddy, an invaluable part of Nintendo's marketing efforts when first seeking distributors in the U.S. circa 1985. This remains unconfirmed, but I've been absolutely positive all my life that Gyromite is the only game R.O.B. was EVER compatible with. If you could get him to "participate" in game play that is...the damn thing never worked. Oh yeah, I've never heard of those other games before- I picked them because they sounded outre and R.O.B.-friendly, but I DID do research...none of those games are compatible with R.O.B. "Chiller" was a not-so-veiled reference to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video which was very popular at the time the game was made.

19 of 25

Name the game: The primary objective of Otto, the not-so-inconspicuous spy protagonist of this 1987 gold mine, was to collect a handful of "top secret" documents while navigating his way down the interior of a 30-story building awash in enemy combatants.

Action 52

Operation Wolf

Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode

Elevator Action

ANSWER: The progressively byzantine arrangement of elevators and escalators made this game more challenging than one would imagine. Otto was equipped with a gun that could be used to shoot assailants or hanging lights...thus rendering him virtually invisible to the never-ending succession of enemies that emerged from the blue doors. The secret file pick up points were indicated by red doors. Also, if memory serves, once Otto successfully arrived at ground level, he hopped into a red sports car that had the word "Racecar" emblazoned along the side. (Super Mario block photo courtesy of Etsy.com) The progressively byzantine arrangement of elevators and escalators made this game more challenging than one would imagine. Otto was equipped with a gun that could be used to shoot assailants or hanging lights...thus rendering him virtually invisible to the never-ending succession of enemies that emerged from the blue doors. The secret file pick up points were indicated by red doors. Also, if memory serves, once Otto successfully arrived at ground level, he hopped into a red sports car that had the word "Racecar" emblazoned along the side. (Super Mario block photo courtesy of Etsy.com)

20 of 25

Which of the following games was NOT made for the Nintendo Entertainment System?

Legend

Top Gun

Days of Thunder

Mission Impossible

ANSWER: Considering the fantasy-obsessed nature of early-stage Nintendo games, it's a wonder that Legend was not made into a profitable cartridge. The movie had all the makings of a potentially popular NES game- a demon seeking to destroy the light, fairy princesses, unicorns...Tom Cruise. What happened? Note: "Mission Impossible" the game was based on "Mission Impossible" the TV show. Considering the fantasy-obsessed nature of early-stage Nintendo games, it's a wonder that Legend was not made into a profitable cartridge. The movie had all the makings of a potentially popular NES game- a demon seeking to destroy the light, fairy princesses, unicorns...Tom Cruise. What happened? Note: "Mission Impossible" the game was based on "Mission Impossible" the TV show.

21 of 25

In an admirable exhibition of clairvoyance, the NES system had a number of NASCAR, Indy Car and general racing games to choose from in their assorted melange of sports-related cartridges. Which big-name racing stud got the snub when it came to gracing a NES game with his easily recognizable name and/or face?

Al Unser, Jr.

Dale Earnhardt

Michael Andretti

Bill Elliott

ANSWER: Nintendo had these games in their catalog- "Al Unser Jr.'s Turbo Racing," "Michael Andretti's World GP" and "Bill Elliott's NASCAR Challenge." But there was no Dale Earnhardt game. There was, however (for those interested), a "Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat." Good name. Nintendo had these games in their catalog- "Al Unser Jr.'s Turbo Racing," "Michael Andretti's World GP" and "Bill Elliott's NASCAR Challenge." But there was no Dale Earnhardt game. There was, however (for those interested), a "Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat." Good name.

22 of 25

Some truly remarkable and deserving professional athletes were fittingly rewarded with their own Nintendo games. Kind of a faux Wheaties box accomplishment, with considerably less social prestige. Which of the following sports heroes was callously overlooked?

Bo Jackson

John Elway

George Foreman

Julius "Dr. J" Irving

ANSWER: Nintendo featured "Bo Jackson Baseball," "John Elway's Quarterback" and "George Foreman's KO Boxing." There were numerous basketball games offered by the NES, but (sadly) Dr. J never got a taste of the self-promotional souffle. He did, however, star in "One on One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird," a 1983 computer game. Nintendo featured "Bo Jackson Baseball," "John Elway's Quarterback" and "George Foreman's KO Boxing." There were numerous basketball games offered by the NES, but (sadly) Dr. J never got a taste of the self-promotional souffle. He did, however, star in "One on One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird," a 1983 computer game.

23 of 25

Which of these games required the player to spell out the word "Nintendo" to unlock new items?

Skate or Die!

Rad Racer

R.C. Pro-Am

Ivan "iron Man" Stewart's Super Off-Road

ANSWER: One letter per race was set out randomly along the track. With two opportunities to circumnavigate the track per race, sometimes it could take a while to spell out such a long word...especially if the letter was positioned irregularly. The more challenging levels featured different cars, more demanding navigational ability and decidedly complex/speedier gameplay. One letter per race was set out randomly along the track. With two opportunities to circumnavigate the track per race, sometimes it could take a while to spell out such a long word...especially if the letter was positioned irregularly. The more challenging levels featured different cars, more demanding navigational ability and decidedly complex/speedier gameplay.

24 of 25

Which of the following extreme-sports games proudly showcased a course design option that was surprisingly advanced for such an infantile era of technological development?

Excitebike

720 Degrees

California Games

Heavy Shreddin'

ANSWER: Unfortunately, the course design feature took far longer to enact and employ than it did to actually enjoy. The investment of time did not translate to sustained enjoyability. In this primordial period of video game history each selectable obstacle was represented by a letter of the alphabet, so anyone interested in specifically tailoring their own course would have to scroll through all the letters AND remember which letter matched with the piece of racing impedimenta they wished to install. Not fun. Unfortunately, the course design feature took far longer to enact and employ than it did to actually enjoy. The investment of time did not translate to sustained enjoyability. In this primordial period of video game history each selectable obstacle was represented by a letter of the alphabet, so anyone interested in specifically tailoring their own course would have to scroll through all the letters AND remember which letter matched with the piece of racing impedimenta they wished to install. Not fun.

25 of 25

What was the name of the 1991 McDonald's-themed game?

The McDonald's Playground

M.C. Kids

Ronald's Clubhouse

Grimace At Large

ANSWER: