Welcome to another edition of Playing With Power. The review article that looks at all things Nintendo Entertainment System.
Disney. Capcom. Nintendo Entertainment System.
I think over the last year I’ve definitely made it clear that the combination of those three made for some of the greatest licensed games ever. So, once more we look at another classic Capcom game based on a show from the Disney Afternoon. Could this one be the best of the bunch? Or is it rodent rubbish? It’s time to go to the rescue with Chip ‘N Dale Rescue Rangers.
YEAR OF RELEASE: 1990
PUBLISHER: Capcom
GENRE: Action Platformer
In the late 80’s Disney was starting to gain dominance in the world of syndicated television animation.After the success of Gummi Bears, and especially the massive success of Ducktales, more cartoons would come down the pike. The next cartoon in the pipeline would be another cartoon based on classic Disney characters. This time the former tormentors of Donald Duck now turned into crime fighters Chip and Dale.
Originally, the cartoon was going to be a Miami Vice style cartoon known as Metro Mice, but as the evolution of the cartoon continued, the show would eventually change up to a cartoon about Chip and Dale. And personally, I think it was a far wiser decision. Chip ‘N Dale Rescue Rangers made its debut in 1989, and was another smash hit for Disney.
And of course, as proven constantly with this article, any hit TV show pretty much got a video game. Capcom was beginning their true golden age by this time after the successes of both Ducktales and Mega Man 2. The game would see a 1990 release, and prove to be another hit seller for the console, though nowhere as successful as Ducktales proved to be. The game is still hailed by many as one of the console’s finest co-op titles. This still being a time when quality co-op titles were few and far between.
The success of the game would even warrant a sequel. However, this would be released far too late in the NES timeline to ever come close to the success of the predecessor, and Rescue Rangers 2 is currently one of the rarest games of the NES library. Not “Surprise at Dinosaur Peak” rare, but pretty tough to find. But the original is a slightly easier game to find. So, with all that talk of the first game, does it hold up as a quality classic? Let’s find out.
COVER STORY
I love this cover. As always Disney and Capcom manage to deliver with another eye pleasing cover, filled with action, and quality Disney art. It’s easily my favorite of the Disney game boxes. And as always, I love that purple border. It just cries out nostalgia for me. Hell, I’d want a poster of this game’s cover, I love it that much. It’s definitely one of the best of the NES era.
STORY
The Rescue Rangers (Chip, Dale, Gadget, Monterrey Jack, and Zipper) are on another routine day of rescuing. They set out to find their neighbor Mandy’s cat who has been cat-napped by Norton Nimnul (I assume by Nimnul since the general plot and the boss of the first level is based on the episode “Catteries Not Included”). While scouting ahead of Chip and Dale, Gadget ends up being mouse-napped by the Rescue Rangers arch nemesis Fat Cat. It’s up to the Rescue Rangers to save Gadget and put a stop to their flabby feline nemesis once and for all.
GAMEPLAY
Chip ‘N Dale Rescue Rangers is a 1-2 player co-op action platformer. You control Chip or Dale through 11 levels defeating the many enemies in your path to rescue Gadget from the nefarious Fat Cat. You move the characters with the D-Pad, jump with A, and use the B button to lift and throw the various objects at your enemies.
The duo can use everything from wooden boxes, giant apples, and stone blocks at their foes. You can even pick up and throw your partner. Friendly fire be damned! Rescue Rangers away! You can use some blocks as cover to take damage from enemies, which can be useful in some of the tighter areas in the game.
Blocks aren’t the only thing you can find in the game that can help you. Levels are littered with items to pick up. There are flower icons, which act as the Mario-esque coins of the game. Collect 50 to earn an extra life. Stars are scattered in the stage as well. Collecting 10 can get you an extra life that will appear on screen. There are power bottles that will increase the strength of your rescue ranger making it easier for them to lift and throw heavier objects. And finally there’s acorns, which will restore your hearts.
The other rescue rangers can also be of service in your quest. First there’s Zipper Fly, who when found acts as a temporary invincibility, taking out all enemies. Then there’s Monterrey Jack, the tough, cheese addicted member of the group. When you find cheese, he will will help break any walls that impede your path.
After completing the first level, you will have to go through 10 more levels. You can choose to play all the levels, or even avoid some entirely. There are levels like a giant kitchen, sewers, a toy store, an office, and Fat Cat’s casino. The final stage, is the cat food cannery, where you’ll face off against Fat Cat himself.
The game has several references to the show. There are the mechanical bulldogs, the aliens that can transform into a copy of Chip or Dale. And the cat brushing machine. It’s nice to see so many simple references to such a great cartoon. Tons of enemies like gangster lizards, robot mice, and more to deal with. But all can be felled with a box to the dome.
There are several fresh bosses to face off with. You’ll face off with evil owls, an electric fish, and a cat that throws coins at you. Some levels don’t have enemies, which is a shame, but they are still fun to play through. You start with three lives, and have three hearts. You also have several continues, but no saves or passwords.
The game has solid control, and really no major slowdown or hit detection issues. It’s a co-op game as mentioned, and it’s just fun to play with a 2nd player, although it’s still a fun single player experience. Similar to Ducktales, the game is rather easy, and you shouldn’t have too many issues beating the game after a playthrough or two, but like Ducktales, the simplicity does not take away from the fun.
GRAPHICS
Capcom delivers the goods once more graphically. The game retains the look and feel of the cartoon with great sprites, and solid level design. Personally, I think it’s the best looking of the NES Disney/Capcom games, though that is often a battle between it an Darkwing Duck IMO. But definitely some really well done graphics that use the limitations of the NES color palette to their utmost best.
MUSIC
I honestly think compared to other Disney/Capcom games, Rescue Rangers has a more middle-of-the-road soundtrack… until you get to the final level. Stage J has such an epic theme to it, that just sells the point that this is the final battle of the game, and everything you’ve fought through has come to this… then you beat Fat Cat in a matter of seconds because he’s pathetically easy, but nonetheless it’s still an epic track, and one of my all time faves. The 8-Bit rendition of the theme song is also a work of pure art, but as proven prior, and following this game, that’s definitely to be expected. The other tracks are still good, but I don’t find them as memorable as stage J, but you’re still in store for a quality soundtrack notwithstanding.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Chip ‘N Dale Rescue Rangers is one of the best games on the NES bar none. It has solid control, graphics, gameplay, and sound, as well as being a top notch co-op experience. It’s fairly easy, yes, but the game makes up for it with its near-flawless quality. This game yet another example of Capcom at their absolute best. You know, before they were charging you 50 bucks for the same game every year. This one is definitely a must-play for any NES fan or just a big fan of classic Disney fun.
RATING: Thumbs Up