After 32 years, the cult classic NES platformer that goes for thousands on eBay is getting a sequel
Jun. 21, 2024Gimmick lives!
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In the late days of the NES, legendary developer Sunsoft released a game called Gimmick. It did not make a splash at the time, but more recent reevaluations have recognized it as a proper classic - to the point where it’s now one of the most sought-after games on the platform. Now, decades later, another developer is picking up the torch to give us a proper sequel.
The original Gimmick hit the Famicom back in 1992, years after the platform’s 16-bit successor had hit the market. Gimmick was a technical showpiece for the aging hardware, with gorgeous visuals,outstanding musicpowered by a special sound chip in the cartridge, and far more challenging platforming than you’d expect from a game so cute.
Those factors alone would be enough to make Gimmick a collector’s item in the retro community, but its reach outside of Japan wasextremelylimited, as the NES version - retitled Mr. Gimmick - was released only in Scandinavia. Authentic cartridges can go forhundreds of dollars, and if you want a complete copy in the original packaging, you’re looking at a price well north of $1,000.
For years, Gimmick’s legacy has been its technical excellence and absurd rarity, but modern players have actually been getting a chance to enjoy the game on its merits as a platformer. A remaster hit PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox last year, and seems to have done a fine job of bringing the old game to a new audience. Here’s hoping the sequel can prove to be a worthy follow-up.
There’s still a lot to love with thebest NES games.
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