Nintendo's Forgotten Gems

If you took the time to scroll down to the bottom of this article, you may have noticed that it is significantly shorter than the last edition of Nintendo’s Forgotten Gems. While there are many reasons for this decrease in word count, it largely comes down to the fact that shorter, bite-sized articles will make it easier to post these more frequently, as well as to allow you readers to enjoy them without having to invest too much of your precious time. Be sure to let me know if you like this change, or if you prefer the old format.

GUMSHOE (NES)

Gumshoe is one of the strangest platformers you are likely to ever play. It’s not strange in a Michael Jackson way, though. In fact, upon first inspection, it seems like a fairly typical side-scroller, complete with a typical storyline involving a detective on a quest to rescue his kidnapped daughter. It isn’t until you find out how the game plays that it throws you for a loop.

All of the action in-game is commanded by way of the Zapper light-gun. Want to clear away your enemies? Shoot them. Want to collect ammo-replenishing balloons? Shoot them. Want to make your character jump? Shoot him. It is a unique system that is completely foreign and captivating at the same time.

Though most people may not remember Gumshoe, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its place in history. The game likely played a big role for the inspiration of the on-foot sections of Yoshi’s Touch and Go for the DS. Both are auto-scrolling platformers that utilize a non-virtual item to directly interact with the game through the screen. However, rather than shoot Yoshi or his power-ups, players simply employ a tap of the stylus.

So, if Gumshoe was good enough to inspire a game twenty years later, why has it become a forgotten gem? The main reason is that it was never really given a chance by most players when it was first released. At that time, gaming magazines were not a very popular way to stay informed on the industry. Most game-buying decisions were based on knowledge through advertising or by choosing a box that stood out on the shelves. Unfortunately, there were no ads for the game, and the screenshots on the back of the box made the game look, well, lame.

Also, despite the immense popularity of Duck Hunt, Zapper games were largely ignored at retail. Plus, due to the Zapper’s lack of precision, certain games were difficult to play and required a high level of skill to play effectively. This is especially true in the case of Gumshoe, which has many small targets and requires a quick timing. It is very likely that any kids that did give the game a chance quickly became frustrated and deterred their friends from making the same mistake.

Still, the game is definitely worth experiencing for Nintendo fans, if not for the enjoyment of the game, then at least for a history lesson.