Finally managed to figure out actually functioning enemy chase AI (with the help of an asset on Itch). Still not sure on how to make it actually respect the dirt barriers, but it's definitely a huge improvement. #gamedev #indiedev
Also of note is that the game is also available as a bonus game on the Evercade Vs.; inserting both the Piko Collection 1 and Gaelco Arcade 1 cartridges into the system will unlock Twin Brats.
This technically makes the game the only version of Lady Bug to see a modern home release.
A screenshot from the 1995 arcade game, Twin Brats, featuring a low-resolution digitised image of a brunette woman displaying her breasts. The image is displayed through a pattern that the player can move around.
Although not displayed in the gameplay video above, after every stage on default settings, the game will display an low-resolution image of a naked woman, as is common from lesser-known arcade titles from the 90s onwards.
Gameplay footage of Twin Brats, an unlicensed adult clone of Lady Bug released in 1995 by Elettronica Video Games S.r.l.
Alongside several presentational alterations, Twin Brats' main gameplay innovations are its simultaneous two-player and an attack the player can use to temporarily stun enemies.
A scan of a page from GAME FREAK 'zine, with black ink doodles of various arcade characters such as from Xevious, Pac-Man, Mappy, Dig Dug, Galaxian, and Mr Do. The names are written out in English, with a little bit of charming 'Engrish' to some of them. Mario Brozouvs and Garaxian.
All your early 80s Japanese arcade favourites, sketched out in pen and sent into the pages of GAME FREAK in 1984 by Hiroaka, member 102.
Unlike most of its Universal contemporaries, Snap Jack never saw an official home port to any platform; however, the C64 game, Wheelin' Wallie, is a direct clone of the game in many ways.
youtu.be/Q7pmXmtJ5j8
Gameplay footage of Snap Jack, a game released in 1981 by Universal.
Based on the framework of their previous Cosmic Avenger (released only a few months prior), players must avoid giant fireballs, barrels, and "Medusa Jacks" while also eating enough dots to acquire the table-turning "Power Dot".
Mr. Do's Wild Ride
Mr. Do's Wild Ride
Source: Amusement Life 16 (April 1984)
Scan Source: DFJustin (Internet Archive)
#retrogaming #arcadegaming
Ad for Neo Mr. Do! from Monthly Coin Journal magazine, issue 1995 09
πΉοΈ Neo Mr. Do!
π Monthly Coin Journal 1995 09
π€ @thestacks.ca
The loader screen for another bootleg release of the C64 version of Mr. Do!, entitled "Caves"; the artwork here depicts a semi-realistic clown pointing upwards at a batch of colored ovals spelling the word "CAVES". (sourced from https://www.edicola8bit.com/gioco.php?collana=special_playgames&console=c64&codice=caves&id_rivista=18)
A cropped scan of the inlay instructions for "Caves", featuring both a screenshot of the game (showing that it has been translated into Italian) and a description of the gameplay: "Il tuo scopo è raccogliere quante più ciliegie potrai mentre ti difendi dai vari mostri con le tue palle di forza o facendo cadere sopra le ele giganti. I mostri possono essere di quattro ipi: normali, extra-mostri, gobbi e scavatori. Tra tutti solo gli scavatori possono fare dei tunnel, ma stai attento perché i mostri normali talvolta possono trasformarsi in scavatori. I super-mostri hanno una lettere scritta sopra e appaiono tutte le volte che mangerai attrazione dello schema. Ricorda che i super-ostri sono sempre seguìti da un gobbo e che se ditruggerai il super-mostro per primo il gobbo diventerà una mela. Se riuscirai a distruggere tutti i mostri che compongono la parola EXTRA avrai una vita omaggio. Non scordare poi di prendere il diamante della duna che appare in alcune mele cadute, avrai un extra-bonus." (sourced from https://www.edicola8bit.com/gioco.php?collana=special_playgames&console=c64&codice=caves&id_rivista=18)
As software piracy, especially in regards to the Commodore 64, was incredibly commonplace in Italy (as can be read about here), the C64 port of Mr. Do! was bootlegged several times, usually either under the titles of "Caves" or "Gigi il Minatore".
The cover for the unlicensed Italian "Supersoft" release of the Commodore 64 port of the 1982 Universal arcade game, Mr. Do!; the cover artwork is quite crude and seems to depict the titular protagonist as a Jawa from the Star Wars series. (sourced from Lemon64)
A cropped image of a Jawa firing an ion blaster from the original Star Wars (1977); this image frequently shows up in merchandise (trading cards, etc.) and it is therefore highly likely that this was the exact pose used as a reference for the bootleg Mr. Do! cover.
The cover for a bootleg Italian release of the C64 port of Mr. Do!, in which the protagonist is inexplicably depicted as a Jawa from the Star Wars series.
bsky.app/profile/univ...
A scan of the cartridge artwork for "Bombardeio", a Brazilian bootleg release of the ColecoVision port of the 1981 Universal arcade game, Cosmic Avenger; the artwork does not appear to bare any resemblance to any official art made for the game. (sourced from https://datassette.org/softwares/splice-br-brasil-jogos-colecovision-softwares/bombardeio)
A scan of the cartridge artwork for "Papa Tudo", a Brazilian bootleg release of the ColecoVision port of the 1981 Universal arcade game, Lady Bug; the artwork present is a crudely redrawn version of the art of the protagonist used for the flyer and backglass. (sourced from https://datassette.org/node/104223)
A scan of the cartridge artwork for "Panico Cosmico", a Brazilian bootleg release of the ColecoVision port of the 1980 Universal arcade game, Space Panic; the artwork is a loose approximation of the arcade game's kickplate artwork. (https://datassette.org/softwares/splice-br-brasil-jogos-colecovision-softwares/panico-cosmico)
Unlicensed releases of Cosmic Avenger, Lady Bug, and Space Panic for the Splicevision, a clone of the ColecoVision sold in Brazil.
It should be noted that the current emulation in MAME is not completely accurate; for example, the "mutant mole" enemy, who occasionally shows up near the bottom of the screen, is supposed to shoot bullets.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_bn...
Flyers for Cosmic Guerilla frequently advertised mangaka Shotaro Ishinomori's involvement with the game, however it is likely that he merely served as a supervisor of some sort.
bsky.app/profile/univ...
Gameplay footage of Cosmic Guerilla, a single-screen shooter released in 1979 by Universal.
One of many games to come out in the wake of Space Invaders, Cosmic Guerilla's main defining feature is its aliens having the ability to steal bases - and your extra lives if you are not quick enough.
Additional note: if you enjoyed the anime girl Mr. Do! fan art post, you may wish to follow my primary account at @clipthejester.bsky.social! I have a character who is also basically anime girl Mr. Do!
bsky.app/profile/clip...
Genuinely in awe that this account is almost at 200 followers now, thank you all so much!
A clipping from pg. 102 of issue 8/9 of the short-lived Amusement Life magazine (Aug./Sept. 1983), featuring fan art of the 1982 Universal arcade game, Mr. Do!, in which the titular protagonist is depicted as a young woman, submitted by a reader. The text seems to roughly translate along the lines of "where is "Mister" Do? Where did the hungry man go?". (scan sourced from: https://archive.org/details/amusement-life-magazine-0809)
A clipping from pg. 102 of issue 16 of the short-lived Amusement Life magazine (Apr. '84), featuring fan art of the 1982 Universal arcade game, Mr. Do!, featuring the same interpretation of the protagonist, entitled "Panic in Game Center". Various characters from both Mr. Do! and several other arcade games (e.g. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong Junior, Pengo) can be seen in the drawing. (scan sourced from: https://archive.org/details/amusement-life-magazine-16)
A clipping from pg. 82 of issue 13 of the short-lived Amusement Life magazine (Jan. '84), featuring fan art of the 1983 Universal arcade game, Mr. Do!'s Castle/Mr. Do! vs. Unicorns, depicting a maze in the shape of one of the unicorns (specifically referenced from promotional artwork for the game). (scan sourced from: https://archive.org/details/amusement-life-magazine-0809)
A selection of contemporary Mr. Do! and Mr. Do!'s Castle fan artwork, from the short-lived Amusement Life/AM Life magazine.
The front of the flyer for the 1979 Universal pinball table, Harem Cat (- γγΌγ¬γ γγ£γγ). The flyer proudly boasts about how it is the "WORLD'S FIRST PINBALL GAME USING A TV MONITOR" and mentions some of its features, such as "6 PLAYERS PINBALL EXCITEMENT" and "SCORES TO 999,990", alongside a photograph of the table itself. (scans courtesy of Flyercade)
The first page of the inside of the flyer for the 1979 Universal pinball table, Harem Cat, which goes over the animations the monitor can display during play. (scans courtesy of Flyercade)
The second page of the inside of the flyer for the 1979 Universal pinball table, Harem Cat, which goes over the general features and mechanics of the table itself. The table (and backglass) artwork itself prominently features scantily-clad ladies drawn in a vaguely Beardsleyesque manner, in typical Universal fashion. (scans courtesy of Flyercade)
The back of the flyer for the 1979 Universal pinball table, Harem Cat, featuring a closeup of the table's backglass, the specifications, and Universal's (then-current) Japanese, North American, and European offices. (scans courtesy of Flyercade)
The flyer for Universal's Harem Cat pinball table.
Released in 1979, Harem Cat used a video monitor in order to display both score and animations during play, predating both dot-matrix displays and "hybrid" tables such as Gottlieb's Caveman and Bally's Baby Pac-Man.
A photo of a small T-shirt made to promote the 1982 Universal arcade game, Mr. Do!; featured on the print are the game's logo, an illustration of the gameplay, and a Universal copyright. (image sourced from linked eBay listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/406081197001)
A close-up of the illustration featured on the T-shirt, which features Mr. Do! about to crush a Mini-Dino, an Alphamonster, and a Muncher with a single apple. Mr. Do! is seen thinking "MOVE OVER #1", a phrase commonly found in East Coast distributor Eastern Micro Electronics' print advertisements for the game. The entire print is red except for a few areas of green present in the cherry stalks, which may have been added with a felt-tip or similar marker by the previous owner. (image sourced from linked eBay listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/406081197001)
Two photos of a promotional Mr. Do! T-shirt. Very little information seems to be available regarding this shirt.
A scan of the Japanese-language flyer for the 1977 Universal arcade game, B-29, featuring a photo of the cabinet, a description of the gameplay, and the size specifications. (scan courtesy of Flyercade)
The flyer for B-29, an early lightgun game released by Universal in 1977.
A scanning of pg. 9 of issue 19 of the short-lived Amusement Life/AM Life magazine (Jul. '84), which features the Mr. Do! Telephone Q&A Corner, with questions answered by Mr. Do! himself; the questions in question revolve around the creation of Mr. Do!, the probability of diamonds in both OG Do! and Wild Ride (Vs. Unicorns does not feature the diamond), the inconsistencies in Mr. Do!'s appearance throughout the games, and the possibility of a fourth game in the series (this predates Do! Run Run's release). Near the bottom of the page is Jumping Jack and a unicorn holding up a sign stating that Universal are open to answering more questions sent in by fans. (scan courtesy of DFJustin, sourced from https://archive.org/details/amusement-life-magazine-19)
The Mr. Do! Telephone Q&A Corner, as featured in issue 19 of Amusement Life magazine.
This features a handful of questions relating to the Mr. Do! series sent in, answered in-character by Mr. Do! himself.
A clipping from pg. 127 of Computer & Video Games #087 (Jan '89), detailing a "99-level" version of Mr. Do! with altered graphics and gameplay mechanics, which was seemingly ultimately never released. (scan sourced from: https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_087/page/126)
In early 1989, Electrocoin put a new version of Mr. Do! out on location test, with altered graphics, 99 scenes, and new mechanics.
This version never made it to market and seemingly didn't last long on said location test, as this preview from an issue of C+VG is the only evidence it even existed.
A screenshot of the 1984 MSX port of the 1982 Universal arcade game, Mr. Do!; some visible differences from the Tomy Tutor version include the Mini-Dinos being recolored yellow, the Alphamonsters being white instead of a light blue, and the lack of a custom font for the numbers. Not visible from this screenshot is just how *slow* it is.
If this version seems familiar, many (but absolutely not all) of the assets made for this port would later be reused for the MSX port, which was released a year later but lacks many of the features found in this version, including the Munchers and the intermission screen.
Gameplay footage of a Japan-exclusive port of Mr. Do! made for the short-lived Tomy Tutor/PyΕ«ta computer.
a man in a hat and coat, holding a bag with a strap has arrived home from work. a man with a woman on his lap are sitting on a chair in front of the television, a cartridge inserted in a console, game on the screen. they look surprised to see him. "my wife! my best friend! my cosmic avenger cartridge!"
comic, videogaming & computergaming illustrated, magazine (1983) archive.org/details/vide...
A "restoration" of the front cover for the PAL release of the ColecoVision port of the 1982 Universal arcade game, Mr. Do!; in the artwork featured, Mr. Do! is interpreted as an elfish figure wearing a white bodysuit and is seen throwing an apple at a ginger man wearing a purple cape, whilst what appear to be a digging enemy (represented by a Mr. T-esque figure with a shovel), an Alphamonster (represented by a foppish man wearing a top hat), and either a Mini-Dino or a Muncher (represented by an agitated man with his arms out), whilst the Grim Reaper rides a lawnmower in the background. Also seen are a group of trees with cherries hanging off, with a diamond embedded in one of them, and also a mocked-up screenshot in the middle of the work, which still depicts Mr. Do! with the "yukidaruma/snowman" design. (Scan/"restoration" by Grumbleduke, sourced from https://www.thecoverproject.net/view.php?cover_id=7584)
The cover artwork for the PAL release of Mr. Do! for the ColecoVision, which features a rather interesting interpretation of both the visuals and general gameplay.
A photograph of a promotional store display for the ColecoVision (and Intellivision, which is listed as "coming soon) ports of the 1981 Universal arcade game, Lady Bug. Present is a photo of the cabinet, the depiction of the titular protagonist from the cabinet backglass artwork (although it has been slightly redrawn), and a mock screenshot claiming to be from the ColecoVision version of the game (the most obvious tells being the extended "SPECIAL" and "EXTRA" indicators). "You're in control of a hungry Lady Bug. Help her traverse the tricky maze, gobbling up dots. But watch out for the pursuing insects who want to make your Lady Bug their lunch! Can she escape them and continue along her merry way, racking up points as she goes? That's up to you! Lady Bugβ’ brings home all the fun, skill, and strategy of the real arcade game!" (photo sourced from https://forums.atariage.com/topic/366166-fst-activision-and-atari-promo-standees-mint-and-rare/)
A promotional store display made to advertise the ColecoVision version of Lady Bug.
A scan of pg. 13 of vol. 10, no. 4 of Play Meter magazine (Mar. 1st, '84), which is an advertisement for the 1983 Universal arcade game, Mr. Do!'s Castle/Mr. Do! vs. Unicorns; the ad simply reads "ATTENTION STREET OPERATORS: If you're not operating Mr. Do!'s Castle, YOU DON'T WANT TO MAKE MONEY!", followed by the Universal logo and the ad telling you to contact your local distributor of Universal's games. (scan sourced from https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-10-number-4-march-1st-1984)
A rather blunt advertisement for Mr. Do!'s Castle, found in volume 10, no. 4 of Play Issue magazine.
At the time, Universal USA were directly positioning themselves as being "the street operators' manufacturer".
