2008 Woodie Awards
The Flippin' Sweetest Video Game
Kristen Bussanich
Issue date: 3/30/05 Section: The Triangle
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Every fan knew it was inevitable that Napoleon Dynamite would be made into a video game. It is filled with thrilling action sequences, and features incredibly charismatic characters in an engaging storyline. It ?would have been very hard for a game development company to create anything but an outstanding piece of software based on such inspirational source material. After much too long of a wait, the development team at Acclaim has finally created Napoleon Dynamite: The Video Game (Acclaim/NES/$1.00). The fans were initially wary of this video game tarnishing the wonder that is Napoleon Dynamite, the film. Fortunately, it seems that Acclaim loves technology just as much as Kip does.??This game is only going to be available for NES. If you are thinking that this development choice makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, then you have just understood the very basic idea behind Napoleon Dynamite. Nothing makes any sense. At all.
The player can choose to go through the game as either Napoleon or Kip. Each has his own advantages. Napoleon specializes in nunchacku skills, bow hunting skills, and computer hacking skills. Kip, a trained cage fighter, instead relies on his brute strength and cat-like reflexes.
Game play is varied and unique, which is just a nicer way of saying "very random." There is nothing cohesive about any particular moment in this video game. Go to the schoolyard anytime you want for a rousing game of tetherball. The best thing about it is that you will always win, since you are sure to be playing against yourself. As Kip, there is even a level in which you must woo LaFawnduh. This is a particularly tense level. Win her love, or risk losing everything. For Napoleon's notorious dance sequence, attach your floor pad instead of your controller and bust a move (as in a game like Dance Dance Revolution). Do not even worry about your own lack of talent. You will most likely only get more points for being inept.
While most of the time is spent playing as Napoleon or Kip, some other characters do make playable guest appearances. In one, you play as Pedro and try to build the best possible cake for Summer. Perhaps the most entertaining of levels is one in which the player get to be Uncle Rico. Given a virtually limitless supply of steaks, you have the ability to launch them at Napoleon as he rides by on his bike. A direct blow to his head even opens up the secret milk-tasting level, for lots of bonus points. This is definitely the most challenging level in the game.
?The soundtrack is what truly makes the gaming experience a recreation of the film experience. I hope you are not tired of your friends repeating the same Napoleon quotes over and over again! Because the entirety of the dialogue in the game is exclusively made up of only a handful of the film's catchy phrases. You will hear them repeatedly. Almost constantly. And they never stop. Never. Napoleon and Kip each have their own few retorts, which they call out to opponents during the game. "You fat lard!" and "Your mom goes to college", are two catch phrases no one could ever tire of hearing.
?By the end, players generally have one of two reactions. You may be rolling on the floor with laughter, after which you get on your knees and thank God for the exquisite work of genius that is Napoleon Dynamite: The Video Game. Or you will be staring blankly at your screen with an inexplicable desire to hurt someone.
The player can choose to go through the game as either Napoleon or Kip. Each has his own advantages. Napoleon specializes in nunchacku skills, bow hunting skills, and computer hacking skills. Kip, a trained cage fighter, instead relies on his brute strength and cat-like reflexes.
Game play is varied and unique, which is just a nicer way of saying "very random." There is nothing cohesive about any particular moment in this video game. Go to the schoolyard anytime you want for a rousing game of tetherball. The best thing about it is that you will always win, since you are sure to be playing against yourself. As Kip, there is even a level in which you must woo LaFawnduh. This is a particularly tense level. Win her love, or risk losing everything. For Napoleon's notorious dance sequence, attach your floor pad instead of your controller and bust a move (as in a game like Dance Dance Revolution). Do not even worry about your own lack of talent. You will most likely only get more points for being inept.
While most of the time is spent playing as Napoleon or Kip, some other characters do make playable guest appearances. In one, you play as Pedro and try to build the best possible cake for Summer. Perhaps the most entertaining of levels is one in which the player get to be Uncle Rico. Given a virtually limitless supply of steaks, you have the ability to launch them at Napoleon as he rides by on his bike. A direct blow to his head even opens up the secret milk-tasting level, for lots of bonus points. This is definitely the most challenging level in the game.
?The soundtrack is what truly makes the gaming experience a recreation of the film experience. I hope you are not tired of your friends repeating the same Napoleon quotes over and over again! Because the entirety of the dialogue in the game is exclusively made up of only a handful of the film's catchy phrases. You will hear them repeatedly. Almost constantly. And they never stop. Never. Napoleon and Kip each have their own few retorts, which they call out to opponents during the game. "You fat lard!" and "Your mom goes to college", are two catch phrases no one could ever tire of hearing.
?By the end, players generally have one of two reactions. You may be rolling on the floor with laughter, after which you get on your knees and thank God for the exquisite work of genius that is Napoleon Dynamite: The Video Game. Or you will be staring blankly at your screen with an inexplicable desire to hurt someone.