Anyone playing Super Bonk?

16bit · 07/07/2011, 06:03 PM

So I dusted off my Wii the other day and to my surprise there was a new Bonk game available in the VC store that I had no idea even existed.....SUPER BONK!

Super Bonk was released on the SNES in 1994 and is similar in style to Bonk III. I was thrilled to learn it was published by Hudson Soft. I've read a few reviews that did not like some of the changes (for example, Bonk can turn into a Dinosaur now), but so far I am enjoying the game...it has that classic Bonk feel, with the same graphics and all the old enemies I remember bonking as a wee lad.

I've only played a few levels but it just feels great to be playing a Bonk game in 2011....this will take some of the sting off of the cancellation of Brink of Extinction for sure!

Who else has played Super Bonk? Thoughts?

nat · 07/07/2011, 06:54 PM

Super Bonk (Bonk "4") is old news.... Not exactly an obscure game, came out back in the day, even in the U.S. It's by FAR my least favorite of the 5 16-bit console Bonk games. Seems to me people that don't like Bonk 3 would, on principle alone, absolutely despise part 4 since it's all the the things people complain about 3 and more... I say this only for people who've never played it, are thinking about picking it up, and already know they don't like 3.

Personally, I don't like it because it (in my opinion) lacks any sort of individuality, is very bland visually and has that lifeless SNES synth sound to the audio. It feels like a cheap attempt to cash-in on Bonk's popularity on a more popular platform.

If you weren't aware of this game, then there's absolutely zero chance you're aware of a fifth game in the series-- Super Bonk 2, also on the SNES, although it's the only console Bonk that didn't come out in the U.S. I don't know if it's available on the VC (probably not), but it's better than both Revenge and 4 as far as I'm concerned. They really went back to the drawing board with SB2 which, let's face it, was desperately needed after the four previous games were more or less cut from the same mould.

16bit · 07/07/2011, 07:58 PM

Quote from: nat on 07/07/2011, 06:54 PMIf you weren't aware of this game, then there's absolutely zero chance you're aware of a fifth game in the series-- Super Bonk 2, also on the SNES, although it's the only console Bonk that didn't come out in the U.S. I don't know if it's available on the VC (probably not), but it's better than both Revenge and 4 as far as I'm concerned. They really went back to the drawing board with SB2 which, let's face it, was desperately needed after the four previous games were more or less cut from the same mould.

Yeah, I never bought an SNES...I was content with my TG16+CD and knew the Turbo Duo was coming out (plus they had that awesome trade in deal). So I pretty much missed the SNES era, and had no idea the Bonk franchise existed on that console. Makes sense though, since NEC was a sinking ship around '94 I believe.

Will have to check for Super Bonk 2 within the emulation realm. Thanks for the info!

DragonmasterDan · 07/07/2011, 08:34 PM

Quote from: 16bit on 07/07/2011, 06:03 PMSo I dusted off my Wii the other day and to my surprise there was a new Bonk game available in the VC store that I had no idea even existed.....SUPER BONK!

Super Bonk was released on the SNES in 1994 and is similar in style to Bonk III. I was thrilled to learn it was published by Hudson Soft. I've read a few reviews that did not like some of the changes (for example, Bonk can turn into a Dinosaur now), but so far I am enjoying the game...it has that classic Bonk feel, with the same graphics and all the old enemies I remember bonking as a wee lad.

I've only played a few levels but it just feels great to be playing a Bonk game in 2011....this will take some of the sting off of the cancellation of Brink of Extinction for sure!

Who else has played Super Bonk? Thoughts?

I've have it on SNES, it reminds me a lot of Bonk 3. I also have.... dun dun dun daaaaa.... Super Bonk 2 which is a Japan only release. It's quite a bit better than Super Bonk 1 and even has a map screen.

SignOfZeta · 07/07/2011, 09:15 PM

Wow. If Super Bonk impresses you that much the SNES/SFC Bomberman games are going to blow your fucking mind.

VestCunt · 07/09/2011, 03:43 AM

Yeah, Super Bonk 2 is good. Track down that Super Famicom cart and rip off your SNES tabs!

VestCunt · 07/09/2011, 03:44 AM

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 07/07/2011, 09:15 PMWow. If Super Bonk impresses you that much the SNES/SFC Bomberman games are going to blow your fucking mind.

Some of them have co-op modes that are a nice addition!

CGQuarterly · 07/09/2011, 03:05 PM

I'll have to give the games a shot with my Super Everdrive. I never knew that they existed.

Chris

DragonmasterDan · 07/09/2011, 08:39 PM

Quote from: guest on 07/09/2011, 03:43 AMYeah, Super Bonk 2 is good. Track down that Super Famicom cart and rip off your SNES tabs!

Oh just a quick note, as long as your SFC cart doesn't have expansion chips (FX chip etc) it won't require the two end tabs on the SNES. If you don't want to chop up a SNES, you can buy a used SNES Game Genie cut the tabs off and use that as a converter as well.

The game genie doesn't have the two side tabs though, so games with expansion chips will not work

SignOfZeta · 07/09/2011, 10:56 PM

Or you could use an XBand, which has the correct number of pins and works with FX games.

Or you could just rip the tabs out. It takes about 1 minute, costs nothing, and is more or less undetectable. Its not like SNES systems are collectible or attractive or anything like that. Ugly purple box, probably yellowed, street value $35.

nat · 07/09/2011, 11:47 PM

That's what I did. And talk about ugly-- half my SNES (bottom half of the shell) is the same color as your first piss of the morning while the top half is still the original color.

SignOfZeta · 07/10/2011, 12:04 AM

Yeah, the (US) SNES was never pretty, but I've seen some ugly fucking systems in the used shops and such.

JoshTurboTrollX · 07/11/2011, 01:04 PM

Ok, I know I'm weird, but I enjoyed Super Bonk JUST as much as the Turbob versions. I found the mini games to be a fine addition. The music reminded me of other Hudson games from the SNES years (which I loved!)

Super Bonk 2 is Excellent, probably better than the first SNES outing. I didn't discover that one until much later though and haven't played it all the way through, so It is a bit hard to judge it. I'm also a HUGE fan of Bonk 3, I guess it mostly is because of the 2 player option, and just too many late nights laughing my ass off with friends.

Quote from: nat on 07/09/2011, 11:47 PMThat's what I did. And talk about ugly-- half my SNES (bottom half of the shell) is the same color as your first piss of the morning while the top half is.....

the same color as your last piss at night!

Nintendo used some cheap ass plastic on the SNES......

VestCunt · 07/11/2011, 01:13 PM

Quote from: DragonmasterDan on 07/09/2011, 08:39 PM
Quote from: VestCunt on 07/09/2011, 03:43 AMYeah, Super Bonk 2 is good. Track down that Super Famicom cart and rip off your SNES tabs!
Oh just a quick note, as long as your SFC cart doesn't have expansion chips (FX chip etc) it won't require the two end tabs on the SNES. If you don't want to chop up a SNES, you can buy a used SNES Game Genie cut the tabs off and use that as a converter as well.

The game genie doesn't have the two side tabs though, so games with expansion chips will not work

I think we're talking about different tabs.

DragonmasterDan · 07/11/2011, 02:47 PM

Quote from: guest on 07/11/2011, 01:13 PMI think we're talking about different tabs.

I assume you're referring to the two plastic tabs located by the cartridge slot on the inside of the SNES which if properly snapped off allow a Super Famicom Cartridge to fit into the SNES cartridge slot?

I was referring to the same tabs, but also that a slightly easier thing to do is buy a 5.00 used SNES game genie allows use of 99% of SFC games as well (only leaving out those with the FX chips and various other odd accelerator chips). I was doing the Game Genie thing up until I bought Tengai Makyo Zero and discovered it wouldn't work. Then I broke off the tabs on the inside of my system.

nat · 07/11/2011, 08:37 PM

Quote from: DragonmasterDan on 07/11/2011, 02:47 PM
Quote from: guest on 07/11/2011, 01:13 PMI think we're talking about different tabs.
I assume you're referring to the two plastic tabs located by the cartridge slot on the inside of the SNES which if properly snapped off allow a Super Famicom Cartridge to fit into the SNES cartridge slot?

I was referring to the same tabs, but also that a slightly easier thing to do is buy a 5.00 used SNES game genie allows use of 99% of SFC games as well

Taking 4 seconds to snap off 2 dinky little tabs = Easier
Logging on to eBay, searching up a Game Genie, buying it, waiting for it to show up = Harder

DragonmasterDan · 07/11/2011, 10:16 PM

Quote from: nat on 07/11/2011, 08:37 PMTaking 4 seconds to snap off 2 dinky little tabs = Easier
Logging on to eBay, searching up a Game Genie, buying it, waiting for it to show up = Harder

I guess it depends if it requires use of ebay for you, I see game genies all the time in the wild. But I also go around looking for used games on a near daily basis.

jlued686 · 07/14/2011, 02:15 PM

Not a fan of Super Bonk, but Super Bonk 2 kicks ass. It's just so damn colorful! It's like Hudson saw what Nintendo did with Super Mario World and applied it to Bonk. Really, really cool game and relatively cheap too.

VestCunt · 07/16/2011, 03:25 AM

Quote from: DragonmasterDan on 07/11/2011, 02:47 PM
Quote from: VestCunt on 07/11/2011, 01:13 PMI think we're talking about different tabs.
I assume you're referring to the two plastic tabs located by the cartridge slot on the inside of the SNES which if properly snapped off allow a Super Famicom Cartridge to fit into the SNES cartridge slot?

I was referring to the same tabs, but also that a slightly easier thing to do is buy a 5.00 used SNES game genie allows use of 99% of SFC games as well (only leaving out those with the FX chips and various other odd accelerator chips). I was doing the Game Genie thing up until I bought Tengai Makyo Zero and discovered it wouldn't work. Then I broke off the tabs on the inside of my system.

Oh, I was talking about tabs of acid.

ParanoiaDragon · 07/17/2011, 12:22 AM

Both CrackTiger & I have never been thrilled with Super Bonk, & have talked about what changes could be made to improve the visuals(which are mostly very dull both in color & construction), music(most of it is just very bland & sounds nothing like classic Bonk music, though there are a few songs that shine, like Saber & Juicy), sound effects(most of the sound effects seem dull & unapealling, I miss the sound from Bonk's 1 & 2!), playability(Bonk seems to walk slower IMO, plus we've discussed spinning speed, among other things). I think it'd be cool to tackle remaking this game on the Turbob someday, along with all the other non-Turbob Bonk's, fixing them in the process. But, that's just one of many dreams of mine, along with ports of Contra, Super C, Golden Axe(to fix what was blasphemy that is the current Turbob version!), Battletoads(maybe with an easier difficulty level), etc.

JoshTurboTrollX · 07/23/2011, 06:41 PM

Quote from: ParanoiaDragon on 07/17/2011, 12:22 AMBattletoads(maybe with an easier difficulty level), etc.

o.O? 'toads was perfect. No need for easier difficulty!!

~

Still, I'd love to see it!!

jlued686 · 07/31/2011, 09:05 PM

I played through Super Bonk today based on this thread. I had played bits of it in the past, but never really attempted to finish it.

In all, it's an extremely easy game. I don't think I died until level six, which is the last level. However, level six is an absolute pain in the ass. I won't spoil anything for those who haven't played it, but if you screw up once inside King Drool's tower, you're pretty much hosed. I had 10 lives and pretty much wasted them all after I missed one key jump.

Anyway, about the game itself, I wouldn't say it's terrible, but it's certainly my least favorite of all the Bonk games. The levels just don't have a lot of character, and I really miss the prehistoric theme, which was only present in a small handful of levels. Bonk in modern times and in space is a funny concept, but after a while I was just pining to get back to the jungle. In addition, too much time is spent roaming around bland-looking mazes and inside the intestines of enemies. Seriously, it's as though the folks making this game saw the inside-the-dino level of Bonk's Adventure and became obsessed with it.

Also, what's with all the bonus levels? There seems to be one about every thirty seconds; sometimes more. It really breaks up the action and gets seriously repetitive.

As mentioned above, the way Bonk moves and bonks is kinda sluggish, and the music lacks the charm and tunefulness of the first two Turbo games. This one reminds me a lot of Bonk III CD, both in theme, gameplay, and audio.

So that's that. Next I think I'll try to finish Super Bonk 2, which I always considered to be a much better game.

VestCunt · 08/01/2011, 09:15 PM

Quote from: guest on 07/31/2011, 09:05 PMAlso, what's with all the bonus levels? There seems to be one about every thirty seconds; sometimes more. It really breaks up the action and gets seriously repetitive.

Amen. You just put into words my biggest gripe with many of the Bonk games - too much crap breaking up the action.
Bonk's Adventure was perfect.
Bonk's revenge added a few too many bonus stages.
Bonk 3 broke up the action with too much size changing.
Super Bonk went overboard with WAY too many bonus stages, too much size changing, and too much intestinal spelunking.

ParanoiaDragon · 08/02/2011, 01:19 AM

I was curious how people feel about the giant forms, where you become a bird & dinosaur? If those forms were removed from the game, & it just used bigger versions of each meat level, would it make any difference to anyone?

jlued686 · 08/02/2011, 10:08 AM

Quote from: ParanoiaDragon on 08/02/2011, 01:19 AMI was curious how people feel about the giant forms, where you become a bird & dinosaur? If those forms were removed from the game, & it just used bigger versions of each meat level, would it make any difference to anyone?

Slightly, but not enough to make me think it's a good game. The bird and dinosaur bits are kind of lame, IMO, and I'd much rather see a giant, bad ass Bonk. But yeah...the rest of the game is still just so-so.

ParanoiaDragon · 08/03/2011, 01:01 AM

I believe that's how CrackTiger feels, & I'm starting to agree. There are some things about those forms I like, but, more & more I'm leaning towards prefering basically bigger versions of the Bonk without the bird or dino stuff.

DragonmasterDan · 08/04/2011, 06:56 AM

Quote from: ParanoiaDragon on 08/02/2011, 01:19 AMI was curious how people feel about the giant forms, where you become a bird & dinosaur? If those forms were removed from the game, & it just used bigger versions of each meat level, would it make any difference to anyone?

I thought the form changes were a nice bonus. It allowed you to fly to previously inaccessible areas. It reminded me a bit of a Mario game with different costumes.

ParanoiaDragon · 08/05/2011, 12:32 AM

...Fly? I didn't remember being able to fly as the bird or dinosaur, so, I just booted the game up again, & the only way I can get Bonk to fly is when he grabs that flower parasol thing like in previous game

Am I missing something? I know they did reuse that bird mode for Super Bonk 2, & you can fly in that one as the bird, but, I can't seem to fly in the first one.

Also, I think a good point was made, that there are waaaaay too many bonus levels, it really does slow down the game!

DragonmasterDan · 08/05/2011, 07:25 PM

Quote from: ParanoiaDragon on 08/05/2011, 12:32 AM...Fly? I didn't remember being able to fly as the bird or dinosaur, so, I just booted the game up again, & the only way I can get Bonk to fly is when he grabs that flower parasol thing like in previous game Am I missing something? I know they did reuse that bird mode for Super Bonk 2, & you can fly in that one as the bird, but, I can't seem to fly in the first one.

Also, I think a good point was made, that there are waaaaay too many bonus levels, it really does slow down the game!

I was talking about Super Bonk 2.

c0ldb33r · 10/27/2011, 07:53 PM

To anyone that dislikes Super Bonk - which do you like more, Bonk 3 or Super Bonk?

nat · 10/27/2011, 08:24 PM

Bonk 3. Bonk 3 is possibly the best Bonk game (see my thoughts here), while it's sequel comes off as a bland re-hash.

jlued686 · 10/28/2011, 10:59 AM

It's a toss-up, but I think I prefer Bonk 3.

ParanoiaDragon · 10/31/2011, 12:32 PM

I'd say Bonk 3 is better then Super Bonk. I think the music is better & more Bonkish, & the gameplay seems a little faster in general. Plus visually, the color choices seem brighter as well.

incrediblehark · 11/02/2011, 08:10 PM

I didn't like the music in super bonk. I dunno there were a lot of snes games that had amazing music, and a batch that all sounded really similar and terrible, maybe the programmers were using the same sound libraries / tools when they were making them. If the music was as good as Super adventure island that would have been great imo. I actually like bonk's revenge the most, I think it has a good balance of challenge, great graphics and sound, and the gameplay seems a lot tighter than bonk's adventure. I like Bonk 3, but the games after revenge just seemed a lot more weird to me.

ParanoiaDragon · 11/02/2011, 11:27 PM

Yeah, Bonk's 2's my #1 Bonk. I do wonder if the spin was a lil faster, if it'd break the gameplay though.

jlued686 · 11/03/2011, 11:05 AM

I always wondered why they gimped the spin after Bonk's Adventure. I love Revenge, but Bonk just seems to control so much better in Adventure.

roflmao · 11/03/2011, 03:48 PM

Quote from: guest on 11/03/2011, 11:05 AMI always wondered why they gimped the spin after Bonk's Adventure. I love Revenge, but Bonk just seems to control so much better in Adventure.

Agreed.

ParanoiaDragon · 11/04/2011, 04:15 PM

Some have said that the super spin wouldn't work so hot with the way the levels are set up in Bonk's Revenge &beyond. I'm inclined to agree, but I would really like to see maybe someone hack Revenge & speed up the spin, to see how I really feel about it. In Bonk 1, I do recall the level late in the game where there's those platforms to jump on that open up, & I hated it when I would spin to one & land on my head, so that it opens up & drops me before I turn right side up.