Hudson Soft's "Raid on Bungeling Bay" for the Famicom console - a Will Wright game
Reviewing "Raid on Bungeling Bay" from a philosophical perspective involves exploring the game's underlying themes, gameplay mechanics, and the broader existential, ethical, and sociopolitical implications it presents.
1. The Nature of Conflict and Warfare:
"Raid on Bungeling Bay" puts players in control of a helicopter tasked with disrupting the infrastructure of an enemy nation. This scenario can be seen as a metaphor for the nature of conflict and warfare. Philosophically, the game invites contemplation on the ethics of war, the justifications for military intervention, and the impact of such actions on a broader scale. It echoes the moral dilemmas of warfare, questioning the righteousness of destruction, even in the pursuit of a perceived greater good.
2. The Dichotomy of Power and Vulnerability:
The game presents a dichotomy where the player, while possessing significant offensive capabilities, is also vulnerable to enemy defenses. This balance reflects philosophical discussions about the nature of power – its potential and limitations. The player’s experience of alternating between feelings of power and vulnerability can be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition in conflict, oscillating between dominance and susceptibility.
3. The Impact of Technology on War:
"Raid on Bungeling Bay" illustrates the role of technology in modern warfare. The player's helicopter, equipped with advanced weapons, underscores the increasing reliance on technology in military conflicts. This aspect of the game invites reflection on the ethical implications of using advanced technology in warfare and the dehumanization that can result from technologically mediated combat.
4. The Concept of the Enemy 'Other':
The game's premise of attacking the Bungeling Empire involves the concept of the enemy 'Other' – a common theme in wartime propaganda and political rhetoric. This raises philosophical questions about the construction of enemy identities, the ease with which the 'other' is dehumanized in conflict, and the ethical implications of such binary us-versus-them thinking.
5. The Player's Moral Agency and Decision-Making:
As the game progresses, players must make strategic decisions about which targets to attack. These decisions can be seen as a reflection on the concept of moral agency in conflict situations. The game challenges players to consider the consequences of their actions and the moral weight of decisions made in the context of warfare.
6. The Cyclical Nature of Conflict:
Finally, the repetitive nature of the game, with continuous sorties against an ever-rebuilding enemy, can be interpreted as a commentary on the cyclical nature of conflict. Philosophically, it reflects the Sisyphean aspect of war, where victories are often temporary and the underlying causes of conflict remain unresolved, leading to an endless cycle of violence.
In conclusion, "Raid on Bungeling Bay" is more than a strategic combat game; it offers rich ground for philosophical exploration. The game engages with themes such as the nature of conflict and warfare, the dichotomy of power and vulnerability, the impact of technology on war, the construction of the enemy 'Other', moral agency in decision-making, and the cyclical nature of conflict. Through its gameplay, "Raid on Bungeling Bay" provides a platform for players to engage with deep and complex ethical, psychological, and existential questions.
The Story of SimCity - How Will Wright Created a Phenomenon | Kim Justice
From video description:
A documentary about how the genius Will Wright made SimCity, one of the most important computer games ever made. Going through his inspiration, his struggles, the formation of Maxis, the mainstream success, plus several versions of the game and some of its successors.
Timecodes:
0:00 Intro
2:28 Will Wright's Beginning: Raid on Bungeling Bay
9:46 SimCity's Inspiration: Urban Dynamics, Stainislaw Lem and the Game of Life
17:05 It's Good, but is it a Game?: Wright Struggles With Studios
23:38 Maxis Software Forms and SimCity Arrives
29:20 SimCity In-Depth: How The Game Plays
37:09 SimCity Ports: Windows, Amiga, Macintosh, SNES, C64, Acorn etc.
47:28 SimCity as a Mainstream and Political Phenomenon, and it's Infuence
53:30 The Follow-Ups: SimEarth, SimAnt, SimTower, SimHealth, SimRefinery etc.
1:01:24 Outro: Pulling The Sims Out of the Fire
youtube
FURTHER READING:
The Story of Maxis Business Simulations and SimRefinery:
(2) Will Wright's lost arcade game lost in a fire. Nintendo Vs. Raid on Bungeling Bay arcade. INTERVIEW! - YouTube Future Look of Retro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjAZjLWw0LA
Episode 81: Guardian Heroes, Raid on Bungeling Bay, Toyshop Trouble
Join the HG101 gang as they bomb factories and paint toys. Patreon bonus for this episode is Devil Daggers. Outro music is from Rusty (PC-98). Donate at patreon.com/hg101 to get this bonus content and much, much more! Follow us on Twitter @GC9X @HG_101 Check out the ongoing list bit.ly/47kgames Check out the earlier HG101 podcast Game Club 199X bit.ly/gc9x_linky
See what’s been ranked and nominated so far by checking out The Big List.
Back in 2011, the now-defunct GamePro published a piece including Criterion Collection-style covers for a handful of SNES titles, along with descriptions of the hypothetical bonus materials that would come with such deluxe rereleases. Though the cover images are still floating around online, a bunch of the descriptions are probably lost, including those for games like Street Fighter II, Donkey Kong Country, U.N. Squadron, Desert Strike, and Chrono Trigger.
A few can still be accessed via the Wayback Machine though, so I decided to repost the ones I can still get to:
An old enemy brings bounty hunter Samus Aran back to Zebes, where she discovers that the Space Pirate threat is greater than ever -- and thus begins one of the most evocative games ever made. Thanks to its simple but powerful storytelling; outstanding soundtrack; and massive, lonely world, Super Metroid, created by Nintendo's well-known R&D1; team, is a masterpiece of design that has come to represent the Super Nintendo at its pinnacle.
SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET FEATURES
DISC ONE
All-new 16:9 transfer optimized for high-definition televisions
Video introduction by writer/director Yoshio Sakamoto
Two Interactive Audio Commentaries: one by Yoshio Sakamoto, Satoru Iwata, and Shigeru Miyamoto; and one by producer Makoto Kano
New Leaderboards: Test your sequence-breaking skills against the best speedrunners in the world
DISC TWO
Return to Zebes (2011): A 90-minute feature documentary on the making of the game
From Zebes to the Bottle Ship (2011): A 30 minute documentary about the history of the Metroid franchise
Deep Red: Scenes from the film that helped to inspire Super Metroid
Sequence Breaking: Noted speedrunners offer a guided tour of sequence breaking in Super Metroid
Into Tourian Base: An interactive map of Zebes with developer commentary and notes
Play the complete, original Metroid for the NES
Illustrated production history with rare behind-the-scenes photos, original press kit, and the U.S., European, and Japanese trailers
PLUS: Complete OST featuring original and remastered tracks from Super Metroid
A party of four child prodigies must band together to fend off a mysterious, malevolent alien force in this cult-classic role-playing game, scripted by influential Japanese copywriter and author, Shigesato Itoi. Ness, Paula, Jeff, and Poo embark on a fantastic adventure that spans a quirky, contemporary world, with a charming sense of lighthearted humor that shines through to the engrossing story’s awe-inspiring ending.
SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET FEATURES
DISC ONE
Fully animated opening and ending cinematics from Studio Ghibli.
In-game commentary from director/producer/writer Shigesato Itoi, designer Akihiko Miura, and composers Keiichi Suzuki and Hirokazu Tanaka.
Live recording of the “Earthbound Orchestral Experience.”
Excerpts from the new translation of Saori Kumi’s Earthbound novelization, read by the author.
DISC TWO
The Man that Fell to Earthbound – Retrospective Q&A; with Shigesato Itoi about Earthbound’s critical and commercial reception.
It Hurts -- documentary feature chronicling the troubled production of Earthbound 64.
Outgrowing Onett - A short film from director Mamoru Hosoda (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars) that bridges the gap between Earthbound and Mother 3.
Brand new trailer of “Mother 3DS,” the highly anticipated, “definitive” edition of Mother 3.
All-new localization effort overseen by acclaimed director and screenwriter Brad Bird (The Incredibles, The Iron Giant).
Complete HD reimagining of the original Mother.
PLUS: Concept art gallery, and interviews with the game’s development staff.
In a galaxy far, far away, join Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and even Wicket the Ewok as they wage intergalactic war against the evil Empire and the sinister Sith lord, Darth Vader. In this ultimate HD edition of Super Star Wars trilogy, you’ll experience the entire saga, including racing a landspeeder through Tatooine’s wastelands in A New Hope, battling colossal AT-ATs storming Hoth’s rebel base in The Empire Strikes Back, flying the Millennium Falcon through the Death Star’s core in Return of the Jedi, and many more memorable adventures from the classic sci-fi trilogy.
SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET FEATURES
DISC ONE
All three Super Nintendo classics in their original form: Super Star Wars, Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, and Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.
Remastered 16-bit visuals and crystal clear audio optimized for high-definition televisions.
New inventory management menu allows you to hang on to your weapons and powerups through all three games.
Save system lets you save your progress at any time.
New beginner-friendly “Apprentice Mode” eases newcomers into some of the most challenging Super NES games ever mad
DISC TWO
Deleted Levels: Two new playable missions previously cut from the games including R2-D2’s battle through Jabba’s palace.
A History of Sculpted Software: A 15-minute documentary chronicling the developer’s daunting task of reenvisioning George Lucas’ epic science-fiction series for the Super Nintendo.
From Giant Scorpions to Frog Dogs: An all-new 10 minute documentary examining the genesis of Super Star Wars trilogy’s most bizarre enemies.
Digital Strategy Guides: Digital versions of the original strategy guides to help you master what are considered some of the toughest video games on the Super NES.
Ladies and gentlemen: Start your engines, and prepare to challenge some of Nintendo’s most famous gaming characters in a high-speed battle of skill, wits...and luck! A huge critical and commercial success, Super Mario Kart is a seminal race-combat game from the 16-bit heyday of the early 90s that is so well loved, it continues to rank highly on “Best Game Ever” lists almost 20 years since its first release. Its key to success is its finely tuned, beautifully balanced multiplayer battle system that feels as fresh and fun as it did nearly two decades ago. Now’s your chance to rediscover the multiplayer magic of one of the best Super Nintendo games in three different forms, including an all-new Director's Cut!
SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET FEATURES
DISC ONE
Director’s Cut: Featuring all-new polygonal graphics, the characters and courses are completely reimagined for a stunning, cutting-edge visual experience.
Enhanced Edition: A digitally remastered 16-bit version, with 1080p sprite-graphics taken from the original release, and authentic original gameplay
The First Cut: The completely untouched original version of the 1992 Super Nintendo release
Battle On!: Watch as the game’s original creators challenge one another in multiplayer combat and talk about their favorite weapons and characters
The Kart Legacy: A documentary on the legacy of Super Mario Kart, its numerous sequels and ports through the generations, and how it spawned an entirely new genre of racing games.
DISC TWO
Beyond F-Zero. The Making of a Two-player Racer: An in-depth interview with creator Shigeru Miyamoto about Super Mario Kart’s multiplayer design philosophies.
Unlocking Mode 7: Tadashi Sugiyama and Hideki Konno talk about the technical aspects of using Super Nintendo’s Mode 7 to deliver a great gaming experience.
Digitally remastered music by composer Soyo Oka
Bios and gameography of each Super Mario Kart character: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Bowser, Donkey Kong Jr., Koopa Troopa, and Toad.
Cities are living, breathing things -- just as much as the inhabitants that walk their streets -- and nowhere is this more apparent than in Will Wright's masterpiece. Providing one of the earliest examples of free-form emergent gameplay, Sim City for the Super Nintendo is a seminal work, grounded in reality but limited only by the player's imagination.
SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET FEATURES
DISC ONE
Two editions of the game: The original Super NES classic and SimCity+, a specially optimized widescreen edition for modern high-definition televisions.
Social Play: Connect your cities to those of your friends around the world.
Video introduction by Will Wright and Jeff Braun.
Fully voiced tutorial and advice featuring Nolan North as the voice of Dr. Wright.
DISC TWO
Af Wubbas Do (2011): A 60-minute feature documentary chronicling the history of the entire Sim series, from City through Copter to The Sims.
Urban Canvas (2011): A 30-minute exposé of the radical computer artists who use the SimCity series' landscaping and planning tools to produce works of visual art.
The Full, Uncut Raid on Bungeling Bay for Commodore 64: The game that inspired SimCity's creation.
Interactive gallery of real-life cities modeled in the game.
Original press materials and trailers.
Digital copy of "Street Music," an album featuring music from and inspired by the series.
Years ahead of its time, Actraiser was one of the most loved games released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Genre-bending civilization-building simulation with side-scrolling action, the game didn’t continue as a decades-long franchise like some of its other contemporaries, but it was never forgotten. Stepping into the omnipotent shoes of “The Master” to save the land and its people from the evil Tanzra and his six lieutenants is not only many gamers’ first memory of playing a “god game,” for some it is also their fondest memory from the entire 16-bit era.
SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET FEATURES
DISC ONE
All-new 16:9 remastered transfer optimized for high-definition televisions
Switch between the original 2D art assets and the all-new polygonal art with the push of a button.
Video introduction by director Masaya Hashimoto and writer Tomoyoshi Miyazaki.
Audio commentary track with the game’s designers.
DISC TWO
“The Creation Story” (2011), a forty-minute short documentary on the development of the game.
“Lightning in a Bottle” (2011), a roundtable discussion with Masaya Hashimoto, Tomoyoshi Miyazaki and Peter Molyneux about ActRaiser’s influence on game development and the “god games” genre.
The complete Yuzo Koshiro soundtrack performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
An interactive gallery of over 100 never before seen sketches, concept art, and other design documents.
All that stands between a world’s freedom and its conquest by a ruthless tyrant is the intrepid pilot Fox McCloud and his dauntless friends of the Star Fox Team. Featuring the groundbreaking technology of the Super FX chip, Star Fox brought Nintendo into the world of 3D computer graphics. And flying through the sky and in space in the Arwing starship is perhaps the best way for Nintendo to bring polygons to its consoles.
SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET FEATURES
DISC ONE
Remastered audio and visuals, featuring Dolby Digital EX surround sound and a 16:7, HD presentation. Game’s original 1992 audio and visuals are also on the disc.
Two audio commentaries: One from the game’s executive producer, Hiroshi Yamauchi, and producer, Shigeru Miyamoto, and another with commentary from the point of view of Andross, the game’s villain.
Updated motion-comic version of the original Star Fox comic that ran in Nintendo Power from February 1993 to December 1993.
DISC TWO
“Defenders of Corneria”: a 90-minute documentary on the making of the original Star Fox.
“Fox Through the Ages”: A look at how Fox McCloud and the series has changed since their 1992 inception.
“Arwing Declassified”: A collection of other designs considered and rejected for the iconic Arwing starship.
“The Art of Star Fox”: Images of Fox McCloud, the Star Fox Team, and the memorable worlds from the franchise.
Original promotional ads from Japan, Europe, and North America.
Raid on Bungeling Bay...finally beat it and only lost one helicopter! Whoo-hoo! #c64games #c64 #commodore #commodore64 #commodore64games #vintagegaming #vintagegames #vintagegamer #retrogames #retrogamer #retrogaming #raidonbungelingbay https://www.instagram.com/p/CcweeahOVGV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=