Just got the NES Power Pad - Need Advice

[figgler]

I found this for $9 on the weekend while thrifting and figured that it was cool enough as a collector's piece and worth having. It looks like some kid used it once and then one more time so Dad could see how it worked, then he put it away forever.

Which leads to my questions:

 

Should I use it? Has anyone ever had fun with this?

 

and of course do you think it's worth supporting with some games?

[Ze_ro]

It was an interesting idea... but it was never used very well. The whole point was to play World Class Track Meet (which should be easy to find on the same cartridge as Duck Hunt and Super Mario Bros, since the pad, cart, and NES were often sold as a set), and actually run in place in order to make your character run. But everyone invariably just gave up, knelt on the floor and pounded the pad with their hands since it was easier, and generated better results.

 

One of these days, someone should make a homebrew DDR clone for the NES... maybe then the pad will be more interesting. As it is, I think the kid you described had the right idea.

 

--Zero

[zombiecraig]

I actually got a brand new Power Pad sealed in it's box with the solo World Class Track Meet cartridge enclosed from the official Nintendo website store a few years ago. My wife and I tried it out once, then I boxed it up and it now sits in the closet with my console boxes.

 

The only reason I would have to bring it out again would be if someone would make a homebrew title for it. Otherwise, there it will stay...

[JerseyDevil]

Ze_ro, your avatar is a little hard for me to see. Is that a pic of the Jets with the Avco Cup?

 

I have a game on VHS of the Jets winning the Avco Cup over Edmonton. It is the last WHA game ever played and features an 18 year old Wayne Gretzky. If your intersested, PM me your address and I'll send it to ya.

[Dones]

Should I use it?  Has anyone ever had fun with this?

 

and of course do you think it's worth supporting with some games?

 

Yes I think you should definitely give it a try and see for yourself. I had some fun using it playing it with the neighbor's kids (World Class Track Meet), but most of the time the pad just stays in the closet. There are only about seven games for it which makes it easy to collect for.

 

Most games are variations on the Track Meet theme. There is one from Bandai (Athletic World?) which is side scrolling and has you jumping logs in a river (among other things). Sprites are bigger than Athletic world so it adds that cartoony look seen in other Bandai games.

 

The game we most enjoy is ShortOrder/Eggsplode. Eggsplode is like those "whack 'em" games you find at arcades. ShortOrder is like "simon says" but with the making of burgers. You have to remember the order of the always increasing ingredients. What I like about this cart is that it doesn't focus on exercising unlike other games. Personally I think this is the best cart to have.

 

Dance Aerobics is a test of patience. You follow the instructor on the screen doing some low, low impact exercises on the pad, eg. raising alternating legs while sitting on the pad. Similar to the Twister board game, it tells you which buttons on the pad you should press while doing the exercises. Complete a group of sets and you are given a nice graphic of a medal and a password you can use to continue to the next level.

 

The worst game I find it to be Street Cop. It's about a cop who chases criminals down a street. You use the pad to run but you have to go "up" or "down" also (makes the cop avoid obstacles). Game control is very bad and it takes an absurdly amount of effort to catch a thief. Many times the thief will go away because the controls are so unforgiving.

[chairmonkey4406]

One of these days, someone should make a homebrew DDR clone for the NES... maybe then the pad will be more interesting. As it is, I think the kid you described had the right idea.

 

--Zero

 

 

mmmm.... I love DDR, I'd buy that in a heartbeat. Check the icon.

[Ze_ro]

Ze_ro, your avatar is a little hard for me to see. Is that a pic of the Jets with the Avco Cup?

 

Yep, sure is. The WHA stuff was totally before my time (I was born in 1980), but it's pretty cool anyways. I was more into the team when they had Hawerchuk, Steen, and Carlyle. At one of the recent Moose games (The Manitoba Moose are our AHL hockey team), they had a whole WHA celebration... the team wore early-70's blue Jets jerseys, and the Avco Cup was brought out onto the ice. I managed to get a poster which has the same scene as in my avatar.

 

--Zero