Were you a kid glued to the TV, watching Mikey, Chunk, and the gang search for One-Eyed Willy's treasure? The Goonies movie is an undeniable 80s classic. But while fans longed for a film sequel, Konami delivered something else entirely: The Goonies II NES. Released in 1987, this wasn't a direct adaptation of the movie, but a bona fide, albeit strange, video game sequel that sent Mikey on a brand-new, incredibly confusing mission.
If you stumbled upon this cartridge back in the day, you might have been scratching your head. "Wait, Goonies II? Was there a Goonies I on the NES?" Technically, yes, but it was a different game – an arcade/Famicom title that never got a wide NES release in North America. So, for many of us, this was our first, and only, console adventure with the Goonies crew. And what an adventure it was... full of platforming, hidden rooms, and bewildering interactions.
What Kind of Game is The Goonies II?
Forget linear level progression. The Goonies II NES is an early example of the non-linear adventure or "Metroidvania" style that would become wildly popular. You play as Mikey, and your goal is twofold: rescue the rest of the Goonies who've been kidnapped by the nefarious Fratellis, and save a mysterious character named Annie the Mermaid. Yes, a mermaid.
The gameplay primarily unfolds as a 2D side-scrolling platformer. You'll jump, climb ladders, and use various weapons like your trusty yo-yo, a slingshot, or a boomerang to fend off bats, ghosts, and the ever-present Fratellis. The world is interconnected, spanning caverns, ice mountains, and even a weird underwater area.
But here's where things get weird: scattered throughout the world are doors and certain spots that, when interacted with, switch the game to a first-person perspective.
Exploring the World (and Getting Lost)
Navigating the world of The Goonies II NES is... challenging, to put it mildly. The map is expansive and interconnected, but the game gives you very little direction on where to go or what to do next. Finding the next key item or rescued Goonie often involves a lot of wandering and backtracking.
You collect various items – bombs, molotovs, shoes for better jumps, a diving suit for water – that help you access new areas or deal with enemies. Rescuing a Goonie gives you a health boost, which is crucial because enemies, while not always tough, can be annoying and knock you off ledges.
The biggest hurdle for many players was figuring out how to progress. Unlike Metroid where new abilities clearly unlock paths, The Goonies II NES often relies on obscure actions or finding hidden entrances in those first-person rooms.
Those Weird First-Person Rooms
Ah, the first-person rooms. This is perhaps the most unique and divisive aspect of The Goonies II NES. When you enter a door or find a hidden entrance, the game switches to a static first-person view of a room. You then use a menu to interact: look, hit, use item, talk.
Finding secrets in these rooms often requires hitting specific, seemingly random spots on the walls or ceiling. Sometimes you talk to a character who gives a cryptic hint, or you find an item. These segments feel less like puzzles and more like trial-and-error pixel hunting. Need to find a ladder? Try hitting every inch of the ceiling. Looking for a hidden passage? Start punching walls. It's bizarre, and frankly, often frustrating without a guide. The game even has strange characters like an old lady who heals you or a wizard who teleports you (often to places you don't want to go).
The Good, The Bad, and The Bizarre
The Goonies II NES is a game of contrasts.
The Good:
- Konami Polish: For an 80s NES game, the graphics are decent, and the music is fantastic, featuring catchy original tunes alongside an 8-bit rendition of Cyndi Lauper's "Goonies R Good Enough."
- Unique Concept: The blend of 2D platforming and 1st-person exploration was ambitious for its time.
- Rewarding Moments: Finally figuring out how to progress after being stuck feels incredibly satisfying.
The Bad:
- Obscure Progression: Knowing what to do next is often a mystery, heavily relying on guesswork or external help.
- Frustrating Navigation: The non-linear design combined with cryptic hints and the need to backtrack can lead to a lot of aimless wandering.
- Trial-and-Error: The first-person rooms are notorious for requiring random actions to find secrets.
The Bizarre:
- Saving a mermaid.
- Hitting walls to find hidden doors.
- Getting healed by an old lady.
- A character named Konami Man.
Playing The Goonies II NES Today
Is The Goonies II NES worth revisiting? Absolutely, especially if you have a soft spot for challenging, quirky retro games. It's a fascinating piece of NES history and a unique take on the adventure genre.
However, if you value your sanity, playing it with a walkthrough or guide is highly recommended. It transforms the experience from a potentially frustrating exercise in patience into a rewarding exploration of a weird, charming world. You can experience it today through emulation on platforms like Archive.org or various other emulators available online.
Conclusion
The Goonies II NES might not be a perfect game. Its design choices, particularly the obscure progression and the first-person rooms, can be genuinely baffling. Yet, it holds a special place in the hearts of many retro gamers. It's a unique sequel to a beloved movie, packed with Konami's signature charm and a healthy dose of 80s video game weirdness. It's a true relic of its time, a reminder that sometimes, the most memorable adventures are the ones that make you scratch your head and keep coming back for more, guide in hand.
FAQ
Q: Is there a Goonies I game on the NES? A: Not widely in North America. The first Goonies game was an arcade title ported to the Japanese Famicom. The Goonies II was the first and main Goonies game released on the NES in the US.
Q: Why is The Goonies II NES so confusing? A: Its non-linear design, combined with obscure hints, hidden items, and the need to find secrets by interacting randomly in first-person rooms, makes progression difficult to figure out without a guide.
Q: What is the main goal in The Goonies II? A: You play as Mikey, and your primary goals are to rescue the other kidnapped Goonies and a mermaid named Annie from the Fratellis.
Q: Can I play The Goonies II today? A: Yes, you can play The Goonies II on NES emulators available online or potentially on retro gaming collections if it's included in any future releases.
