I don't see what's so great about the Bonk games

[T.A.P.]

I've tried repeatedly to get into them, but they just never click for me. They just feel like generic 90's platformers to me.

For those of you that enjoy them, what is it about them you like?

[FiftyQuid]

I've tried repeatedly to get into them, but they just never click for me. They just feel like generic 90's platformers to me.

For those of you that enjoy them, what is it about them you like?

They are generic 90's platformers, but you're playing them on the TurboGrafx-16.  The spin attack and just the general humour of the game is what made them unique.  At the time, these games were some of the most colourful games ever produced.  Myself, I enjoy the music and the bosses.

[CGQuarterly]

Do you like platformers, or not so much?  I think that they're cool, but if you're not that into the genre, then I could see why you don't enjoy them.  I think they have great graphics and sound, tight controls, cool environments (level variation and atmosphere), and unique gameplay elements.  Can't really ask for much more out of a cartoony, kid-friendly platformer.

Chris

[Bernie]

Ahhhh!  Blasphemy! Bonk rules!

[TheClash603]

The spin mechanic is what made the game different and worthwhile.  Additionally, the graphics are bright and fun, and some of the enemies are really funny and there is more charm to the game than most platformers.

Only thing I never liked about the game was climbing or swimming, wish that wasn't in there.  Otherwise, it is a lot of fun.

...New Adventure Island is better 

[CrackTiger]

What I've always loved about the Turbo/PCE Bonk games is how much they don't feel like generic 90's platformers to me. Too many 16-bit (and SMS) platformers tried to fit a generic mold for 16-bit platformers that was heavily influenced by the Sonic series. They would build an engine around too-huge jumps and flying around and minimized actual platforming... and then just shoehorned in the rest of the game as an afterthought. Most platformers in general also have uninspired character designs and art. Bonk feels unique and fun as a game (with great design and stage layout), but the art and aesthetics really tie it together and make it a very special and solid all-round experience. This is made all the more apparent by non-Turbo Bonk games that broke the experience by failing to maintain too many of the aspects that make Bonk great.

[HercTNT]

Agreed, i love bonk for how it feels different than other platformers. How you feel about it though depends on how much you like platformers from the get go.

[turboswimbz]

Bonk's Adventure was the first game I ever played as a kid.  So to me every other 90 platformer is just a copy of Bonk.  I still play them today from time to time. here's what keeps me coming back:  
1) I love the artwork, graphics and fun themes.  
2) The games sound great and play well.  
3) They had enough variety with the bonus games and such to allow for some replay value too.
4) The spin and head bonk aspect still make me smile everytime I play.  
5) I thought that the games also where challenging enough without being fustrating.
 
    To play the other side, No there isn't anything that AMAZING about the bonk series.  It's just a good solid series. Which still hard to come by, and harder yet on the TG16.

[CPTRAVE]

The artwork ,sound, the colors are great, its a game where you can relax and enjoy it, it is not stressful at all. 

[Drakon]

Everything.  Even the music.  There's a definite theme going on with these games.

[tggodfrey]

In my eyes. they were revolutionary when they came out.  Colors. graphics, concepts were differnt than the 8 bit molds that mario produced.  Many of us grew up with them as they came out and that adds a great deal of interest becuase you get to relive the enjoyment you had back then.  thats what it is for me.

[VestCunt]

In my eyes. they were revolutionary when they came out.  Colors. graphics, concepts were differnt than the 8 bit molds that mario produced. 

I can't speak for Bonk's Adventure because I didn't play it until the late Nineties, but Bonk's Revenge was pretty impressive when it came out. The graphics and sound really felt like a 16-bit title and something new.

These days, Bonk's Adventure is the only game in the series that continues to stand out for me. The play control is better and it doesn't get bogged down with an excess of bonus rounds.

[KnightWarrior]

I like all Bonk Games

TurboGrafx/NES/Game Boy

Bonk's Adventure on the TG-16 is better

[HercTNT]

Gameboy and nes bonks are decently made. i play them from time to time. they are just not as good as the turbo versions.

[BigusSchmuck]

You have to remember, when these games came out there wasn't Sonic or Mario World (at least for the first game) and what you really had to compare to other plat-formers at the time were pretty much 8 bit NES/SMS games so in that sense it was definitely revolutionary. I am curious though when Bonk's Revenge came out in Japan and compare it to the release of Mario World and Sonic to see which came first. Otherwise, I think they are pretty good games and deserve some praise.

[NightWolve]

In my eyes. they were revolutionary when they came out.  Colors. graphics, concepts were differnt than the 8 bit molds that mario produced.

I can't speak for Bonk's Adventure because I didn't play it until the late Nineties, but Bonk's Revenge was pretty impressive when it came out. The graphics and sound really felt like a 16-bit title and something new.

These days, Bonk's Adventure is the only game in the series that continues to stand out for me. The play control is better and it doesn't get bogged down with an excess of bonus rounds.

I kinda agree, I think the first one is actually the best game overall. When Bonk's Revenge came out, I was impressed by the colorful graphics but I just didn't like it as much in the end; I was happy to have rented and beaten it though. As for Bonk III (which I bought after TTi was going out of business), while it's cool that Bonk can go all super-size taking up about 1/3 of the screen flicker-free, and that it provided another decent adventure game for the system, I was really bothered by the background music; it really just bored the shit out of me... My judgment though is limited by the fact that it was a long time ago since I beat it and any time I've fired it up, I can't seem to force myself past the 1st level's boring music... It just makes me go, "Eh, no thanks... Bye."

[ParanoiaDragon]

Yeah, the music took a nose dive in Bonk 3.  I think it's partially because of them using a different sound engine.  Any bongo's you hear in Bonk 3, are very tame compared to 1 & 2.  But even in general, the music lost some of it's Bonkness.  For me, it wasn't until Super Bonk 2, that the Bonk soundtracks started improving again(though, there was too much wacky music in that one), & then ofcoarse, that ended up being the last new Bonk game.  Super Bonk 1 had a few redeeming tracks, but it bored me even more then Bonk 3's music.

[Tatsujin]

for me as well 1 > 2 >> 3.

what does make pc genjin / bonk so special is the fact that it IS so special.
it's fresh and great gameplay, it's humor, very nice level design and grafics, it's music/FX and last but not least the character itself, which is one of the cutest and unique ever created in the whole world of video games.

how can one not like it is beyond my comprehension.

[FraGMarE]

I can understand you not seeing the big hubbub about Bonk's Adventure, but Bonk's Revenge?  Bonk's Revenge is the shit, flat out.  Easily makes the list of top 10 16-bit era platform games.  Maybe even top 5.

[Mathius]

Bonk's Adventure has a certain magic and charm to it that the others lack. Take the music that plays as you are being lowered into a boss chamber-it really sets a mood that isn't replicated in any other game on any platform.

[420GOAT]

what? ....get out. i like the baby caveman or kid concept. i like that he chews his way up cliffs and shit. he has no weapons besides his naugen. he gets hot when he eats meat. he makes dinosaurs cry. thats just the beginning.

[turbokon]

Bonk's Adventure has a certain magic and charm to it that the others lack. Take the music that plays as you are being lowered into a boss chamber-it really sets a mood that isn't replicated in any other game on any platform.

I love that part too!! I enjoy the play mechanic, the soundtracks and the graphics of the bosses. Couldn't get into bonk 3 though.

[TheClash603]

Anyone ever play Chuck Rock 2: Son of Chuck?

That was a game that obviously ripped off some of the Bonk charm, but was a lot of fun.  Don't know why I just thought of that...

[jlued686]

From a gameplay standpoint, sure, these games aren't mindblowing. Yet there are a lot of aspects that are pretty unique to the series. But like a lot of folks have already said, it's the overall feel of the games that really make it for me; at least the first two games. They're colorful as hell, the music is fantastic, and Bonk and the side cast of characters are so damn endearing. Bonk's Adventure is my favorite game of all time, and though I admit much of that is due to nostalgia, it's also because it's a really great game.

[BigusSchmuck]

Anyone ever play Chuck Rock 2: Son of Chuck?

That was a game that obviously ripped off some of the Bonk charm, but was a lot of fun.  Don't know why I just thought of that...

That and Joe and Mac. I haven't played any of those games in years.

[Bardoly]

The Joe & MAC games are great!  I've played both 1 and 2 this year (on the SNES) and really enjoyed them, although I haven't beaten either one yet.

But yes, I agree that they were probably influenced in some way by the Bonk games (which are quite good, by the way).

[turboswimbz]

I love joe and mack, influenced maybe, but it doesn't have the same flow and awesome-ness bonk does.  + the end of joe and mac gets annoying as shit, way to fustrating trying to make it the end of the stages.

[Tatsujin]

Joe & mac was only fun in the arcade.
the snes port was a big downgrade and the
stretched levels were not the best idea to
make the game more enjoyable.

[esteban]

I've tried repeatedly to get into them, but they just never click for me. They just feel like generic 90's platformers to me.

For those of you that enjoy them, what is it about them you like?

ANSWER: I have no choice. PRINCESS ZA NEEDS TO GET BACK TO MOONLAND. I must help her.

_{► /Slime_World/Slime_World_05.mp3}

[HercTNT]

Joe & mac was only fun in the arcade.
the snes port was a big downgrade and the
stretched levels were not the best idea to
make the game more enjoyable.

sorry tats, gotta disagree with you on this one. joe and mac arcade is no doubt a great game, but also very hard. you can beat it, as with any arcade game, if you shove in enough quarters. the snes version may have been missing some stuff, but it was beatable within the confines of the difficulty settings, and still very enjoyable.

[RegalSin]

1. Platformer is just the western word for J-rpg becuase they can't just say action, game.
Western videogames had no idea, all we had in the west was tron and Atari before Super Mario Brothers.

2. Bonk is what is called a Dinosaur game. Dinosaur game genre, took place in a bushy world,
with a prehistoric character, and would proceed in a j-rpg ( Adventure island/Wonder boy ) fashion. What is so auwsome about that game is their are sooo many things to interact with
in the world itself, and the funny animations. If you ever played Doramon, or other games like this, you will understand.

3. Another way to look at this is a starter game, like Kirby. Kirby was made for young kids, who never played a videogame before, and was meant for people to have something to enjoy, at the same time. Boink does just that, a great game to play for a beginer.

Boink is a great series, NEC just screwed up the PCE by making the DUO series, and then the
Super Grafx. Everybody in the west, was high on NES.

[Bernie]

   Are you, um.... RETARDED??

Posted by: RegalSin

1. Platformer is just the western word for J-rpg becuase they can't just say action, game.
Western videogames had no idea, all we had in the west was tron and Atari before Super Mario Brothers.

2. Bonk is what is called a Dinosaur game. Dinosaur game genre, took place in a bushy world,
with a prehistoric character, and would proceed in a j-rpg ( Adventure island/Wonder boy ) fashion. What is so auwsome about that game is their are sooo many things to interact with
in the world itself, and the funny animations. If you ever played Doramon, or other games like this, you will understand.

3. Another way to look at this is a starter game, like Kirby. Kirby was made for young kids, who never played a videogame before, and was meant for people to have something to enjoy, at the same time. Boink does just that, a great game to play for a beginer.

Boink is a great series, NEC just screwed up the PCE by making the DUO series, and then the
Super Grafx. Everybody in the west, was high on NES.

[BigusSchmuck]

1. Platformer is just the western word for J-rpg becuase they can't just say action, game.
Western videogames had no idea, all we had in the west was tron and Atari before Super Mario Brothers.

2. Bonk is what is called a Dinosaur game. Dinosaur game genre, took place in a bushy world,
with a prehistoric character, and would proceed in a j-rpg ( Adventure island/Wonder boy ) fashion. What is so auwsome about that game is their are sooo many things to interact with
in the world itself, and the funny animations. If you ever played Doramon, or other games like this, you will understand.

3. Another way to look at this is a starter game, like Kirby. Kirby was made for young kids, who never played a videogame before, and was meant for people to have something to enjoy, at the same time. Boink does just that, a great game to play for a beginer.

Boink is a great series, NEC just screwed up the PCE by making the DUO series, and then the
Super Grafx. Everybody in the west, was high on NES.

Uh, my brain just went potty on reading that comment.

  Are you, um.... RETARDED??

I wouldn't say retarded, more like if someone had a crashing hard drive for a brain.

[HercTNT]

1. Platformer is just the western word for J-rpg becuase they can't just say action, game.
Western videogames had no idea, all we had in the west was tron and Atari before Super Mario Brothers.

2. Bonk is what is called a Dinosaur game. Dinosaur game genre, took place in a bushy world,
with a prehistoric character, and would proceed in a j-rpg ( Adventure island/Wonder boy ) fashion. What is so auwsome about that game is their are sooo many things to interact with
in the world itself, and the funny animations. If you ever played Doramon, or other games like this, you will understand.

3. Another way to look at this is a starter game, like Kirby. Kirby was made for young kids, who never played a videogame before, and was meant for people to have something to enjoy, at the same time. Boink does just that, a great game to play for a beginer.

Boink is a great series, NEC just screwed up the PCE by making the DUO series, and then the
Super Grafx. Everybody in the west, was high on NES.

Uh, my brain just went potty on reading that comment.

  Are you, um.... RETARDED??

I wouldn't say retarded, more like if someone had a crashing hard drive for a brain.

LOL, diskchecker is finding bad sectors 

[Tatsujin]

I see your point reg. quater munching arcade games, which is a generel problem of arcade games. is and ever was.
but j&m on arcade was a pure actionloaded and very dynamic fastpaced game,
whilst the snes port was slow and lost almost all of its initial arcade flair.
Kinda like the boring but also stretched port of toki for the genesis.

[NightWolve]

LOL, diskchecker is finding bad sectors  

This is the best analogy that I've heard for him so far! A brain with a lot of bad sectors and occasional reading problems even with good ones! ;) Nail on his head...

[esteban]

QUESTION: What is so great about Bonk?

ANSWER:

[turboswimbz]

Speechless. just so b-e-a-utiful...

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Unless you don't like platformers in general, I don't get how you can't like Bonk and his cute/funny/colorful art, bouncy tunes, and perfect controls.  Is there something specific that you don't like about 'em, or are you here just to stir up muck?

[jlued686]

This is probably the tenth time I've seen Regal refer to platform games like Kirby as "J-RPGs". And every time, my brain twitches and I become one step closer to an embolism.

[Arkhan Asylum]

I've tried repeatedly to get into them, but they just never click for me. They just feel like generic 90's platformers to me.

For those of you that enjoy them, what is it about them you like?

There's dinosaurs.  You hit shit with your head.  The music is excellent.

Also, you end up in space!

Climbing with face = <3

The flowers are exciting to bounce off of.


there is nothing generic about these games really.  You don't climb with your face in Mario, Sonic can't bash his face into volcano jive, Mario is worthless in water without a frog suit or fireballs.   Bonk still bashes with his face underwater, and heck, Sonic drowns if he's underwater too long.   

Bonk? Hell no.  He's sweet.



Give him spicy meat foods and watch him destroy everything. 

[PunkCryborg]

Bonk is rad!
End of thread.

[KnightWarrior]

I played Bonk's Adventure on the Game Boy though the Super Game Boy, Got all the way to Round 4 Boss easy game...

[esteban]

To build on what Arkhan said:

AT ITS VISCERAL CORE, THE BONK GAMES PROVIDE VERY SATISFYING VIOLENCE: those moments when you perfectly time a head-butt, and then use the resulting momentum to land another well-placed head-butt, and on, and on.

I'd liken the Bonk head-butt to Gogan's (Legendary Axe) fully-powered axe: it just feels so damn sweet when a well-timed swing SMASHES an opponent.

But, with Bonk, it's better than Gogan's axe! There are gymnastics in Bonk (spinning, springing, multiple hits, trying to stay airborne as long as possible) that most games (including Legendary Axe) lack.

Thankfully, there is a rewarding CRUNCH-KRAK-THUNDERCLAP in Bonk that accentuates a solid hit.

...intermission...

QUESTION: Esteban, what are some of the most satisfying moments of violence in Bonk series?

ANSWER: Personally, I love freezing my opponents and then obliterating them with a head-butt. If I can take out multiple enemies without hitting the ground (staying airborne), I have an orgasm. Some boss battles are fantastic because they encourage you to remain airborne by repeatedly headbutting objects (be they projectiles, bubbles, or boss itself).


NOTE: I won't discuss all the other other elements that work in the series (mood, atmosphere, character design, consistency/logic of Bonk Universe, etc.)

[SignOfZeta]

I've asked myself the same question. PCE fans like Bonk because that's what they have. Sure, they say they prefer Bonk to Mario and Sonic but if Mario or Sonic were on PCE they wouldn't be talking shit about it, that's for sure. They'd be gushing over Super Mario World or Sonic 2 on PCE, but they aren't there, so they gush over Bonk. They are fanboys, period.

There are much better platformers than Bonk out there...but probably not on PCE. PCE has a fairly large selection of EXTREMELY similar and generic platformers and side scrolling RPGs, but somehow Bonk stands alone, particularly the second one.

When compared to the entire spectrum of 8 and 16 bit platformers...its B grade, there are a few aspects of it that are really cool. The spin Bonk move, and how its variable based on the two turbo settings and manual. The comical characters, especially all the dudes working on the ship.

Also, the experience of the straight up standard *bonk*. Like, you just walk up to a guy at point blank range and *bonk* his ass right off the fucking screen, its very satisfying, even when you've been playing the game for hours.

[esteban]

I've asked myself the same question. PCE fans like Bonk because that's what they have. Sure, they say they prefer Bonk to Mario and Sonic but if Mario or Sonic were on PCE they wouldn't be talking shit about it, that's for sure. They'd be gushing over Super Mario World or Sonic 2 on PCE, but they aren't there, so they gush over Bonk. They are fanboys, period.

There are much better platformers than Bonk out there...but probably not on PCE. PCE has a fairly large selection of EXTREMELY similar and generic platformers and side scrolling RPGs, but somehow Bonk stands alone, particularly the second one.

When compared to the entire spectrum of 8 and 16 bit platformers...its B grade, there are a few aspects of it that are really cool. The spin Bonk move, and how its variable based on the two turbo settings and manual. The comical characters, especially all the dudes working on the ship.

Also, the experience of the straight up standard *bonk*. Like, you just walk up to a guy at point blank range and *bonk* his ass right off the fucking screen, its very satisfying, even when you've been playing the game for hours.

I agree that Bonk is B (or C grade) in some respects. It is a humble game (series) with a whole lot of charm. This charm is what makes it so endearing.

I love Sonic. I love Mario. But I also love Bonk. Bonk deserves a spot in the pantheon of platformers (no, he doesn't have to get top billing). Bonk has an intentionally slower pacing than many of its brethren, yet this DOESN'T DETRACT from the action and fun! Super Mario World gets tedious! Sonic 2 is awesome, but also gets monotonous. If these stalwarts of the platforming genre can be faulted, I would never expect Bonk to escape unscathed. I could argue that Bonk really relies on its charm, more than anything else!

Anyway, Zeta, I'm glad we both agree that Bonk is SWEETNESS and deserving of tremendous praise in the 8-bit/16-bit universe.

Princess Za *hugs* Zeta.

[RegalSin]

Super Mario World or Sonic 2 on PCE,

That is not fair, Super Mario World was an action game like Popful Mail. You can't compare that to Boink, on the PCE.
If we did then we would have to imagine if Boink had a world map, like Mario World. Boink also had only five sets of games. 1-4 and Roboboink.

All Sonic games were ever about was looking cool and that is about it. Sega made him the most claimest looking color ever, and the whole idea was save the rainforest. You can't beat that, even with Mario. Mario only survived because of the fanbase, and green pipes. Sonic was the most biggest gimmick ever made.

[allyourblood]

I always enjoyed the challenge of the Bonk games. I've never met a standard 2D platform Mario or Sonic game that I wasn't able to beat almost right away (unless it was just a particularly long game to begin with). The Bonk games always seemed to have a higher difficulty (at least 1 & 2) than most other popular platformers and took a bit more finesse and strategy. Heck, the longer the Mario and Sonic series went on, it seemed like the devs didn't want you to die, ever.

I enjoy the Bonk games for all the reasons mentioned in the thread thus far, but I also think they're special because I didn't have a TG16 as a kid. I knew a couple other kids who owned one and while I had a Genesis and NES, the TG16 and its Bonk games were always this mysterious experience that I only got a chance to enjoy once in a great while. They still hold a little magic because of that.

[csgx1]

I agree that Bonk is B (or C grade) in some respects. It is a humble game (series) with a whole lot of charm. This charm is what makes it so endearing.

I have to agree too, charm is what makes Bonk so appealing for me.  To be honest, I really don't like platformer games(Mario/Sonic) but I love Bonk.  I really like the humorous & outrageous prehistoric theme that the Bonk games have along with good controls, unique level design(eg level inside the dinosaur), huge bosses and colorful graphics. 

[kazekirifx]

Yeah. Really. I should have made this thread. Bonk has totally mediocre gameplay, and not enough challenge. It never was a Sonic or Mario. That's probably why when I take out the turbo these days, it's usually to play a shmup or Alien/Devil's Crush and not Bonk. Can't remember the last time I played Bonk. Mine have a think layer of dust on them.

Super Mario World was an action game like Popful Mail.

Yes. That's totally the first game I would have chosen to compare Super Mario World to. It is just like Popful Mail. /s