Christmas Past: NES Games Trivia Quiz

Answer: Monster in My Pocket

Released in 1992 by Konami, "Monster in My Pocket" was a franchise that marketed comics, trading cards, and toys as well as video games. Warlock wants to take over the world, assisted by Hobgoblin and Gremlin who were originally good monsters, and the good guys, Vampire and The Monster, try to stop him. Gamers can play as themselves or as one of the good monsters; there is, however, no special benefit in playing as a monster.

Answer: Turtles II The Arcade Game

"Turtles II The Arcade Game" began as a coin operated game in 1989, and was released for NES by Konami in 1990. It was called "The Arcade Game" to differentiate it from other TMT games that had already been released. This was a favorite at my house! Everyone had a favorite turtle, and at the beginning of the game, players choose who they want to be, which means they also choose the weapon they will use to fight! The premise of the game is that Shredder kidnaps April O'Neil and Splinter, and the turtles have to save them and protect themselves from Shredder's evil Footsoldiers.

Some of Shredder's minions, like Bebop and Rocksteady, are also featured in the game.

Answer: Super Mario 3

"Super Mario 3", which some claim is one of the best games released for the NES, was released by Nintendo in North America in 1990. Mario and Luigi must save the rulers of seven kingdoms from the evil Bowser and his children, the Koopalings! The Koopalings have stolen the magic wand from the leaders of the kingdoms, turning each into an animal. What should the brothers do? The Princess helps them to maneuver through the kingdoms, and they are successful - for a time.

After they find success in all seven kingdoms, they receive a message that the Princess has also been taken. Now they must defeat Bowser in order to finish the game!

Answer: Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers

Based on the animated series, "Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers" was released by Capcom in 1990 in North America. There are crazed robots in town and a young girl's cat has gone missing. The Rescue Rangers split up to see if they can solve the problems. Chip and Dale enter a laboratory where they defeat the crazed dog, but then Fat Cat appears and they learn that he wants one of the Rangers, Gadget, to come and work for him. Gadget is being held at Fat Cat's casino and helps the rest of the team find and defeat Fat Cat. It's the Rescue Rangers to the, well, rescue!

Answer: The Simpsons: Bart vs. The Space Mutants

"The Simpsons Bart vs The Space Mutants" was the first video game based on the animated series and it also plays the series theme song. It was released in 1991 by Acclaim Entertainment and Ocean Software. Bart has special sunglasses that allow him to tell the difference between humans and aliens.

It's his mission to stop the aliens from collecting items that they need in order to build a weapon that will allow them to take over the world. Not only that, but somehow he has to convince the other members of his family to help him!

Answer: Mega Man 3

"Mega Man 3" was released by Capcom in 1990. Mega Man jumps into action when Robot Masters steal power crystals to use in their mines. Not only that, but every now and then Break Man joins in the fight. After Mega Man defeats eight of the Robot Masters at different sites, he must fight against Doc Robots. All of the power crystals are finally collected, but in the end he must also battle the evil Dr. Wily, who appeared in previous Mega Man games.

Answer: Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt

"Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt" was released by Nintendo in 1988, and features two classic games. Strange beasts have been showing up in the sewers of New York City, and Mario and Luigi need to investigate. They find that the bad guys must be pushed over on their backs and then kicked in order to be defeated. There are four enemies to fight, and they each make different types of obstacles for the brothers to overcome.

Of course, "Duck Hunt" is just a shoot 'em game, but it was cool because it came with the NES Zapper light gun. Aside from that, the neat thing about it is that this cartridge offered two games in one.

Answer: Punchout!

Released by Nintendo in 1990, originally this game was called "Mike Tyson's Punchout". Ours is the later version that was apparently made after his contract ended and simply called "Punchout!" Little Mac is boxing to work his way to the top of the World Video Boxing Association. In order to be the champ, however, he must win the final bout. In the early game he had to beat Mike Tyson. After the contract ended, Little Mac had to defeat Mr. Dream.

Answer: Galaga

Released by Namco in 1981, this video was a favorite and a weekly rental from the local video store; luckily we were able to eventually purchase it from their sale bin! Another shooter game, the objective is to keep the Galaga aliens from taking over the earth. They fly in from the sides and the top, while the only good guy can maneuver back and forth at the bottom of the screen. The four biggest aliens are called Boss Galaga, and they must be shot twice before they can be destroyed.

Answer: Ice Climber

"Ice Climber", released by Nintendo in 1985, is made for either one or two players. Armed with a wooden mallet, Popo and Nana climb 32 mountains. Along with breaking out chunks of ice, the two are harassed by Topi, Nitpicker, and White Bear, while also trying to look out for the deadly icicles.