Power Lode Runner (SFC)

Pub: Nintendo | Dev: Atelier Double | 1.1.99
Pub: Nintendo | Dev: Atelier Double | January 1, 1999

Today (January 1, 2019) marks 20 years since Nintendo published a Super Famicom game by the name of Power Lode Runner. It was released only in Japan as a “Nintendo Power” cartridge, where players could download various games on said accessory. Thus, you won’t find an official cartridge of Power Lode Runner on the internet. Power Lode Runner is an update on the classic Lode Runner formula.

THE CLASSIC

35 years old and counting!
35 years old and counting!

Developed in 1983 by Douglas E. Smith, Lode Runner went on to become a smash success. Released in countless versions and on way too many platforms to name, Lode Runner is a classic action puzzle game with a simple premise that grows increasingly complex. Therein lies its brilliance!

Gotta love those old school gaming ads
Gotta love those old school gaming ads
Japan always did it crazier and wackier
Lode Runner was big everywhere, including Japan
From NES to Sega Saturn, so many variations exist
From NES to Sega Saturn, so many variations exist
Classic stuff
Classic stuff
Lode Runner Legacy is the latest variation
Lode Runner Legacy (2017) is the latest variation

*CUE MOVIE TRAILER VOICE GUY*

[Here we go again… *whips out big check* -Ed.]

IT IS AN ISLAND SATE WITH DANGER AND TRAPS…

PowLodRun

ER… THAT’S PRETTY MUCH ALL I GOT THIS WEEK.

*loud rumbling in the background, couple F-bombs and gunshots later*

Ahem, well I guess we won’t be hearing from Movie Trailer Voice Guy again. At any rate, Power Lode Runner is a curiosity and an oddity indeed. Released on New Year’s Day 1999 (happy 20th anniversary), this version of Lode Runner is a bit more modernized though it plays much the same as ones before it. “B” digs a hole in the ground to your left while “A” digs a hole to your right. Trap a bad guy and safely walk over their head. Collect the items necessary to unlock the next level. Control a blue rabbit-like animal, named Muguru-kun, and go through all manner of themes. There are 3 different worlds you can select from the very beginning, with themes changing every 5 levels. Let’s take a look at some of the worlds.

WORLD ONE

The world shots look great!
The world shots look great!

I love the art style here. Muguru-kun is adorable and has a unique look that screams “leading mascot potential.” Kinda makes me long for a platformer starring him!

PowLodRun3

To your bottom left is the map (which can be switched off) and to your bottom right is the item count (in yellow) required before being able to leave that stage. Touch the logs encased in the bubble there, leaving you with 3 left to collect.

Youll do plenty of climbing
You’ll do plenty of climbing
Small touches make it fun to play
Small touches make it fun to play

I appreciate games with sensible mechanics which allow the player to be efficient. There’s no need to climb down a tree, not when you can slide off at a moment’s notice. Grab your second item. 2 down, 2 to go!

Quit monkeying around
Quit monkeying around

Those are the BAD guys?! Why yes. In this theme, those rather innocent looking monkeys are the source of danger. Each theme, which alters every 5 levels, is home to its own unique enemies.

Monkey See, Monkey Die
Monkey See, Monkey Die

Applying some good ol’ Lode Runner know how will make quick work of them.

There's sneaky contestant #3
There’s sneaky contestant #3
Rope underneath? Fall down
Rope underneath? Fall down
Good way to evade bad guys
It works well to evade bad guys
A lone monkey tries to thwart ya
A lone monkey tries to thwart ya
I'm walking on sunshine whoa oh And don't it feel good HEY!
“I’m walking on sunshine whoa oh!
And don’t it feel good HEY!”
Last one!
Last one!
Home sweet home
Home sweet home

You’ll spot a giant teddy bear head throughout each level. That marks the stage’s exit point. After collecting all the items needed, stand by the giant teddy bear face and it’ll swallow you whole, taking you to the next stage. Cute, yet slightly disturbing. Let’s look at some other levels from this first world.

Sometimes it's easy like such
Sometimes it’s easy like such
This part is really fun to navigate
This part is really fun to navigate
Look out for barbaric beavers
Look out for barbaric beavers
A little spooky here, sans Teddy
Dang, only 2 out of 7 items

Spotting Teddy does squat if you haven’t collected all of the items necessary. In such cases, it’s time to backtrack to find those missing pieces.

"So... you come here often?" "Yeah, great place to hang out."
“So… you come here often?”
“Yeah, great place to hang out.”
Metal parts are unbreakable
Metal parts are unbreakable
Incoming!
Incoming!

Bad guys can throw various objects at you. You’re momentarily stunned if hit, but thankfully it doesn’t mean automatic death.

"Ninety-eight... niiiinety-niiiine..."
“Ninety-eight… niiiinety-niiiine…”
Try to catch me, Donkey Kong!
Try to catch me, Donkey Kong!

Evading enemies left and right, weaving through them and going from point A to point B is quite satisfying. You can really get in the zone and develop a great rhythm that makes Power Lode Runner a really fun game to play.

WORLD TWO

So freakin' gorgeous
So freakin’ gorgeous
Cover up, it's flu season!
Cover up, it’s flu season!
"I'M TOO OLD FOR THIS SHIT!"
“I’M TOO OLD FOR THIS SHIT!”

WORLD THREE

Evokes so much adventure
Evokes such a grand adventure

It does, doesn’t it? Makes one yearn for an actual platformer game starring the ever lovable Muguru-kun. There’s a sense of adventure and stealth that gets the ol’ heart pumping.

Look out for crabs and ghosts
Look out for crabs and… ghosts?!
Muguru-kun is a trained professional. Kids, do NOT try this at home
Muguru-kun is a trained pro.
Kids, do NOT try this at home

CLOSING THOUGHTS

PowLodRun30

Power Lode Runner is just a simple and enjoyable action puzzle affair. It celebrates 20 years today, and although you can’t get it officially on cartridge, there are of course various ways to still play it. And that I recommend you do, especially if these old school action puzzle games appeal to you. And if you like this game, I also suggest checking out another 1999 Super Famicom hit in the form of Power Soukoban (another modern spin on a classic formula). I slightly prefer Power Lode Runner over Lode Runner Twin. Power Lode Runner has Lode Runner Twin beat on visuals, sound and gameplay. The level design and enemy roster is also better as it oozes with more creativity and charm. Of course, you can’t go wrong with either.

PS- Happy 2019 to everyone out there! Speaking of anniversaries, can you believe RVGFanatic will turn 12 years old in less than a week from now? Insanity. Here’s to more SNES goodness in 2019 :)

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