Do You NintenKnow: July 2023

Below is a set of clues for games that have a notable US release date anniversary (5, 10, 15, etc.) in the current month. See if you can figure out the title before clicking the blurred image to find out if you were correct! Head down to the comments when you’re finished and reminisce about the personal memories that were dredged up. Remember that these are going by the release date in the United States. Have fun!

July 1988

Tengen published this top-down dungeon-crawling arcade port for the NES where you control one of four playable characters: the warrior Thor, the wizard Merlin, the valkyrie Thyra, or the Elf Questor. Hack-and-slash your way through the monsters and monster generators in each level to try and reach the exit. Here’s a hint…if you’re up for the challenge, throw down the __!

July 1993

Capcom developed and published this NES spinoff of their popular 1989 arcade game featuring Mayor Haggar. Like that original game, this title is also a side-scrolling beat ‘em up but utilizes a chibi art style. Haggar is back as a playable character along with Cody and Guy as you attempt to rescue Haggar’s kidnapped daughter, Jessica. Unlike the original arcade game, this title has a leveling system using experience points gained by defeating enemies. The name is similar to “Fearsome Terminal Tussle”.

The SNES saw the release of this Enix game, which Charles Darwin would (probably) have loved. In this side-scroller, you design a creature and try to progress through five different geological periods of time. Defeat enemies and consume the meat they leave behind to upgrade specific body parts and change your appearance. Interestingly, the cartridge can store up to 50 previously created creatures in the game’s “Book of Life”. The game was considered very innovative at the time, but not entirely fun to play.

Another game developed and published by Capcom here, but this SNES title is based off a Disney animated television series of the same name. This game features multiplayer and you can choose between the divorced dog dad, or his son, Max. You don’t fight enemies directly, rather throw objects at them, knock them off the stage, etc. There are items to collect including a grappling hook which can be used to cross gaps or collect items along with knocking back enemies. Fun fact, this was one of the first games designed by Shinji Mikami of Resident Evil fame.

July 1998

Acclaim published this Iguana Entertainment N64 racing title named after their mascot. Each character is circle-shaped and must utilize a grappling hook to climb up the tower-shaped levels. There are 10 worlds with 10 towers in each, for a grand total of 100 courses. I’d say the most interesting thing about this game is the name, but it was actually pitched by Jools Watsham now of Atooi.

July 2003

Many of your Mushroom Kingdom favorites hit the links in this GameCube title developed by Camelot Software Planning. This second console title in the series offered 16 playable characters and seven courses which became more difficult as the game progressed. You can link up with the Game Boy Advance companion title to use your character from the handheld game if that’s your thing. Fore!

July 2008

Square Enix published this DS remake of a classic 1991 SNES game in their long-running RPG franchise. This version eschewed the spritework of the original for a 3D presentation along with full motion video cutscenes. Follow Cecil’s story to try and prevent Golbez from destroying the world. The numbering convention for this series was messed up in the US since not all of the games were released on the SNES, so this title uses the same name as the GBA re-release and not the original SNES game. Not confusing at all, right?

Summer is the season for whacking a little white ball around a course, so why not have another game featuring that sport this month! Capcom published this Wii title that was developed once again by Camelot Software Planning. They didn’t have a golf game in the previous series in this article on the Wii, but they attempted to fill that void without the recognizable characters. Instead, dress up in Capcom costumes from series like Ace Attorney or control Mii Avatars as you swing your Wii Remote like a club. Camelot must really really like golf…heck, they tell you as much in the name of the game!

July 2013

Atlus developed and published this title on the 3DS which was the fourth entry in the mainline of their demon recruiting RPG series. One main gameplay mechanic is the ability to talk with the demons and negotiate with them to obtain their services in battles. This title features over 400 demons to recruit and you can also fuse demons into new forms to gain abilities. Take control of Flynn and his demons to try and tip the balance in the struggle between angelic and demonic forces. You ever look up some of the demons in this game? Definitely some NSFW designs in there!

July 2018

This Switch RPG from Square Enix ushered in the age of “HD-2D” which combines retro sprite graphics with high-definition effects and backgrounds. Play through eight separate stories that begin to weave together as the game progresses. Square Enix released a demo in advance and used the feedback to make changes to the final product. The game and soundtrack are both gorgeous, but that name? Classic Square Enix.

Bonus

The first issue of this famous Nintendo magazine was published in July 1988 and featured clay models of Mario and Wart from Super Mario Bros. 2 on the cover. “Now you’re playing with ­­­_____!”