Ep 4. Ikari Warriors

The Angry Video Game Nerd is back with a hot-button episode, episode 4 of season 7, entitled Ikari Warriors. In this episode, the Nerd takes a closer look at the classic arcade game released in 1986 with its post-apocalyptic theme and war and peace elements that captivated arcade gamers back in the day. The mission statement of the game is simple: kill everything that moves and survive. However, there are a few catch phrases such as your character being trapped in its own enemies, and the game's frustrating, limited rotary control.

Throughout the episode, the Nerd takes the audience on a nostalgic journey through the Ikari Warrior game world with monstrous beasts, tanks, and helicopters to battle alongside the classic arcade game's co-op mode. He recounts his own experiences of playing the game and the challenges it presented him and other arcade players at the time, such as the joystick's limitation of the initial game version and the original tank control's stigma with players. The Nerd also talks about how the Ikari Warriors game was a predecessor to other war-style games like Commando and Contra.

The Nerd explores Ikari Warriors' iconic features, exposing the game mechanisms, gameplay design, and storylines that came together to create one of the most popular arcade games of all time. He dives deeper into the game with an exploration of Ikari's port to the NES and discovers some significant differences in the ballgame like the initial appearance (a green commando) and a complete conversion of the controls. The NES port also lacked the co-op mode, which added to the overall game play experience; this changed in a sequel.

The Nerd walks through the different levels of the game, showcasing its challenges and game bits that made it standout, such as playing from left to right in the game. A particularly interesting moment of the show is where the Nerd delves into the different life points of the game on both the arcade and NES versions. He explains how the arcade version had a complicated life point system that is tough to understand, with the player sometimes dying for no apparent reason. The NES version, on the other hand, featured a simple one-life point system, making it much easier to understand and enjoy.

In addition, the Nerd provides an interesting perspective on Ikari Warriors' artwork, starting with the arcade’s marquee art, which showcased daring artwork with tanks, explosives and heavy artillery, all set against a dramatic landscape. He also showcases the soon-to-hit stores port box art and how it differed in appearance, making it less immersive than the original. Furthermore, he discusses how Ikari Warriors on the NES was just one game in a long line of ports of arcade games for the console. He highlights some of the other classic arcade-to-NES ports games, such as Popeye, Punch-Out, and Super Mario Bros.

As always, The Nerd's production in the show is top notch, showcasing the Ikari Warrior game with a mix of humor and nostalgia, and his honest opinion on the game. He provides insight and information that only the die-hard fans of the game would know, making it a must-watch article for anyone interested in video games or arcades in general while the show's presentation is high-quality and engaging, enabling the viewer to get a closer look at the game mechanics and action.

In conclusion, this episode of Angry Video Game Nerd is a unique opportunity for gamers and arcade enthusiasts to rediscover one of the most popular arcade games of the 1980s. The show is highly entertaining, combining knowledgeable gems with good comedy and nostalgic elements, making it a perfect piece of online entertainment. The Nerd delivers an insightful and comedic take on one of the most iconic games of the era, and although the game was often trying, the episode is sure to appeal to audiences universally.