Retro Arcade: The Goonies 1986 Platform Game Walkthrough: Intro

So today I'm doing a playthrough of one of my favorite old school Nintendo classics - The Goonies! This was one game that had all of us hooked to the screen, taking turns to playthrough, beat the Fratellis and rescue all the captured Goonies. I only recently discovered that this version is actually Goonies II. The original game, which I never played, gained more popularity in the US and that's something I would want to check out for a future Retro arcade.

So, grab your trusty Yo-yo and don your adventurer's cap because we're about to embark on a nostalgic journey into the pixelated world of 'The Goonies II' for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). This classic gem takes us back to the '80s, where brave youngsters took on the treacherous Fratellis gang in a quest to rescue their friends. Join me as we unravel the mysteries, secrets, and challenges of this beloved retro game. It's time to relive the magic of the Goonies and see if Mikey's determination can conquer all!

History:

Developed by Konami in 1986, "The Goonies" game takes inspiration from the iconic movie of the same name. The film follows the adventures of Mikey and his friends as they unearth a pirate's treasure, racing against time to save their hometown from greedy developers. While the game draws from the movie's essence, it takes a unique narrative path. Here, Mikey's friends fall into the clutches of the Frateli family, the movie's antagonists, and Mikey must embark on a quest to rescue them. Along the way, he navigates labyrinthine dungeons and seeks power-up items to aid in his mission.

With six stages to conquer, "The Goonies" offers hidden treasures and power-ups concealed from plain sight. Players must decipher specific joystick inputs corresponding to each stage to unveil these secrets. As they progress, the required inputs change, adding complexity to the gameplay. The game is rife with Easter eggs and surprises, including cameos by iconic Konami characters like Konamiman and Twinbee. Astute players might even uncover a secret warp to bypass a level.

The Story:

In their quest to unearth the fabled pirate One-Eyed Willie's hidden riches, the Goonies fell victim to the clutches of the deranged Frateli family. Amidst the chaos, only Mikey managed to evade capture, becoming the group's last hope for rescue. Mikey embarks on a daring mission to locate and liberate his imprisoned friends. Along the way, he follows the footsteps of Chester Copperpot, an early treasure seeker, unveiling clues that ultimately lead to the legendary pirate ship harboring Willie's coveted fortune. With the Goonies' fate hanging in the balance, Mikey's journey becomes a race against time to save Goon-town from impending doom.

Gameplay:

Assume the role of Mikey as your in-game character, granting you control over his actions. Mikey possesses a versatile skill set, allowing him to sprint, scale ladders, leap, and unleash powerful kicks.

In his perilous journey, Mikey encounters an array of adversaries, ranging from animals and monsters to the menacing Frateli family. He must scavenge for bombs to unlock securely sealed safes scattered throughout the stages. Inside these safes, valuable items such as keys, fellow Goonies, and various aids await discovery. To progress to the next stage, Mikey must amass three keys.

Mikey's vitality is represented by a health meter, initially set at full capacity. This gauge diminishes upon contact with foes or perilous traps, leading to a loss of life should it deplete entirely.

The game unfolds across six distinct stages, interspersed with three passageways connecting specific stages, along with an elusive hidden warp passage that provides a shortcut past one of the stages. Each stage conceals power-ups and diamonds, yet revealing these treasures necessitates executing a unique control pad input tailored to that particular stage's secret locations.

Enemies Types:

1. Fratellis:

• The Fratelli brothers relentlessly pursue Mikey, attempting to thwart his progress. They are unique enemies capable of climbing ladders.
• One Fratelli wields a firearm, firing bullets at Mikey when aiming at him. These bullets deal substantial damage.
• The other Fratelli uses his singing voice as a weapon, releasing musical notes in six directions while standing still. Mikey is safe if positioned directly above or below him.
• Attacking the Fratellis stuns them, causing them to fall temporarily before resuming their pursuit.

2. Rats:

• Common foes found throughout the game, red rats patrol platforms by running back and forth.
• A single kick or slingshot shot eliminates red rats, often dropping bombs for Mikey to collect.
• White rats, while rarer, share similar behavior but provide invulnerability crosses upon defeat.

3. Foxes:

• Initially disguised as yellow rats, foxes can be identified by their jumping behavior on their patrolling platforms.
• A yellow rat can be eliminated with one kick or slingshot shot, but it transforms into a fox afterward.
• Foxes continue jumping and require an additional attack to defeat, leaving bombs behind.

4. Skeletons:

• These eerie enemies appear in passages connecting some stages, resembling pirates and explorers' haunted remains.
• Skeletons may manifest as a complete skeleton or just a flying skull.
• They toss bones towards Mikey, which can be destroyed for extra points or dodged.
• Later in the game, a skeleton hurls its own head, which boomerangs back.
• Skeletons succumb to a well-timed kick or slingshot bullet.

5. Bats:

• Bats hover in passages between stages, causing minimal trouble.
• They float in a continuous direction until colliding with a wall and rebounding.
• Their unpredictable bobbing motion can make timing attacks challenging.

6. One-Eyed Willie's Ghost:

• One-Eyed Willie's determined spirit guards the lower stages near his resting place.
• He materializes in a stage and moves toward Mikey, inflicting harm if they intersect.
• Willie's ghost is impervious to kicks but vulnerable to slingshot bullets. Immediate shooting upon appearance is effective.
• Bombs can also dispatch him if timed correctly, or Mikey can jump over, duck under, or evade him as he eventually fades away.

7. Fish:

• These fish leap out of the water in search of prey, adjusting their jump height based on Mikey's proximity.
• Quick and agile, they offer bombs as a reward for defeating them.

8. Octopus:

• Octopi inhabit wet platforms and behave similarly to rats.
• Slower than rats but better at tracking and pursuing Mikey.
• Kicking them removes them and yields bombs.

Secret Items:

There are a total of 7 secret items scattered throughout the game. You may find that the "treasure bag" may not always appear for you if you have already previously acquired that item. For example, if you got the flame suite in stage 1, you will only find the rain coat item in stage 2. Also, once you have all 7 items, no further secret treasure items will appear.

How To Make The Secret Items Appear:

Stage 1: Kick/ Attack Button

Stage 2: Down Button

Stage 3: Up Button

Stage 4: Down + Attack

1. Headphones (Stage 1):

   - These handy headphones will make you impervious to the musical notes shot at you by the Fratellis, ensuring a safer journey through the treacherous stages.

2. Rain Coat (Stage 2):

   - The rain coat, found in Stage 2, offers protection against the scalding steam released from exhaust jets. It also allows you to leap through waterfalls unharmed and shields you from water droplets falling from the ceiling.

3. Helmet (Stage 3):

   - In Stage 3, discover the helmet, a crucial item that safeguards you from falling stalactites, sparing Mikey from potential head injuries.

4. Flame Suit (Stage 1):

   - In Stage 1, you'll find the Flame Suit, which permits you to walk beneath the jets of flame in Stage 2 without harm. This item is invaluable for traversing fiery obstacles safely.

5. Backpack (Stage 4):

   - The Backpack, located in Stage 4, is a nifty accessory that enables Mikey to carry two bombs simultaneously, doubling your explosive capabilities.

6. Red Suit (Stage 4):

   - Also found in Stage 4, the Red Suit protects you from the bones thrown by Skeletons. It may also offer protection against bothersome Bats.

7. Spring Shoes (Stage 3):

   - These special shoes, acquired in Stage 3, grant Mikey enhanced jumping abilities. They are instrumental in locating a secret warp in the same stage, providing access to Stage 5 and facilitating your journey through the game.

Hidden Characters:

Lookout for my playthrough video on how to collect all the secret items and hidden characters.

1. Konami Man:

   - In Passageway Stage A, you can encounter Konami Man, a recurring character from Konami games. Finding him rewards you with a generous 5000 points.

2. Steven Spielberg:

   - Stage 2 features the director himself!, another hidden character worth 5000 points if you manage to locate and collect him in time. Be sure to grab him!

3. UFO:

   - Keep an eye out for the Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) in Stage 5, a mysterious secret waiting to be discovered.

4. Raccoon:

   - Passageway Stage B houses a cute Raccoon. Capture this critter to earn an additional 5000 points.

5. Sloth:

   - Stage 6 introduces what appears to be a Sloth-like character, adding a touch of mystery and intrigue to your adventure in the Goonies' world.