Virtually Overlooked: Clash at Demonhead

by JC Fletcher { Jun 7th 2007 at 3:10PM }

Welcome to our weekly feature, Virtually Overlooked, wherein we talk about games that aren't on the Virtual Console yet, but should be. Call it a retro-speculative.

Some of our favorite NES games are the ones that were completely unlike their boxarts. Companies didn't think American kids would go for Japanese-looking art, so they Frank Frazetta'd up their characters for the covers of their cartridges. Games that, from the covers, appeared to be heavy sci-fi or fantasy, with square-jawed, beefy characters in dramatic poses would usually turn out to be the cutesiest, chibi-est platformers on the system.

Vic Tokai mastered the art of deceptively Western cover art, with painted covers that always stuck out on the shelves for being so undefinably weird. Clash at Demonhead has one of the best Vic Tokai boxarts ever. Also it's fun.

Why the game hasn't been announced for Virtual Console yet:

Vic Tokai's not in the game business anymore, having returned to their original business of cable TV (and now Internet) service. Nintendo probably hasn't been knocking too hard on their door, either. Considering that an ISP has the equipment to upload some ROMS if anyone does, maybe they should look into dumping some games onto the VC and making a quick buck.

Why we think it should be on the Virtual Console:

We love the structure of the game: short levels punctuated by a map screen that allows travel between branching paths, exactly like the layout of Bionic Commando. Having such a layout adds replayability and a sense of discovery.

Also, the game is charmingly awkward in that inimitable Engrish way. Dialogue sequences are labeled TALKING TIME-- when the protagonist is telepathically attacked, he enters Talking Time by himself. Should you accidentally shoot a comrade (because up until that point you've had to shoot everything), rather than taking damage, he reacts with a voice bubble containing the word "NO". Just shooting the little guy and getting "NO" is a couple of minutes' worth of fun.

For all this, Demonhead is surprisingly sophisticated. There are a ton of items and upgrades, which actually affect your character's appearance, but can also open up different areas of the game, similar to the method of progression in a Metroidvania game. We wonder why more games didn't follow the Bionic Commando model? Surprisingly, Super Mario Bros. 3 did a little, although it was more strictly linear and involved less (no) backtracking. Quickly selecting paths from a map beats a boring, confusing hub world any time.

Tags: clash, demonhead, nintendo, nintendo wii, NintendoWii, vic tokai, VicTokai, vo, wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Chris @ Jun 7th 2007 3:20PM

OK, I don't know a damn thing about this game other than (a.) what I've just read, and more importantly, that (b.) the greatest comic book ever published, SCOTT PILGRIM, features a band called The Clash At Demonhead. For that reason and that reason alone, I would buy this game on the VC sight-unseen.

Squashua @ Jun 7th 2007 4:15PM

Now that "Kid Chameleon" is out (does it still lock-up late into the game or did they fix that?????), wake me when "Solar Jetman" is available.

Ssmoimo @ Jun 7th 2007 5:31PM

Ok, I just have to pipe in on this game. IT IS AWESOME!

This is one of the best games ever created. This was one of my favorite games of all time. Its very hard yet very rewarding, so many secrets to find and the boss battles are very challenging. HIGHLY recommended.

Rubang B @ Jun 7th 2007 5:42PM

Yay! You go JC. Beautiful choice again.

John H. @ Jun 7th 2007 6:03PM

Yes, Clash at Demonhead is quite great. It's got an essential plot point that can only be triggered by YOUR CHARACTER'S DEATH (after you continue he comments that he should go somewhere else!), it's got a shopkeeper who introduces his daughter and gives you a discount after a number of visits, it's got hands-down the weirdest bosses around, and it's just random fun all around. At the end, your guy claims he's going to make a video game about his adventures!

But I agree with Squashua about Solar Jetman. Perhaps the most underrated game on the NES, that.

solaxo @ Jun 7th 2007 9:18PM

This was one of my favorite games from my childhood; I have been hoping for this game on the VC since it was announced, and would love to play it in my living room again.

Thanks for bringing great memories!

psyborg @ Jun 7th 2007 11:11PM

Holy CRAP!! I played this game as a kid and I've been trying to track it down again but I couldn't remember the name, only some of the gameplay and that map. thank you Wiifanboy! If I remember correctly this is a pretty weird game.

Keko @ Jun 9th 2007 1:58PM

Estoy totalmente de acuerdo con ustedes, Clash at Demonheadb es un juego que vale la pena que lo consideren para las nuevas consolas innovadoras como lo es el Nintendo Wii. Es un juego que posee todas las cualidades para ser un clásico y tener mucho éxito. Personalmente lo compararo un poco con los juegos de Zelda, los cuales son un boom.