Brief Summary
The video discusses the unreleased MaxiVision, a collection of 30 unlicensed NES games promoted by Hulk Hogan in an infomercial. The project was too ambitious and faced manufacturing and licensing issues, leading to a reduced 15-game release. The original 30-in-1 collection remained lost media until recently. The video reviews 14 of the games that were cut from the final release, assessing their gameplay, graphics, and overall quality. It also explores why the project failed and what could have been done differently.
- MaxiVision was an ambitious project of 30 games in 1 cartridge.
- Manufacturing costs and licensing issues led to a reduced 15-game release.
- Many Color Dreams games were cut from the final release.
Introduction
The video introduces MaxiVision, a collection of 30 unlicensed NES games that was promoted in an infomercial featuring Hulk Hogan. Despite the promotion, the collection was never released and remained lost media for 30 years. Recently, the game was discovered and preserved. The video aims to discuss the games that were initially intended for the collection but didn't make the final cut.
How MaxiVision Started
American Video Entertainment, an unlicensed publisher, faced declining sales due to Nintendo's restrictions on unlicensed games. To overcome this, they devised a plan to use TV infomercials, a platform Nintendo couldn't control. They hired Hulk Hogan as a spokesperson and created a collection of 30 games to make the offer more appealing. The infomercial featured a video game competition showcasing various games, with Hulk Hogan explaining the gameplay. The lineup included diverse genres and involved developers like Color Dreams and Sachin.
Why It Failed
The MaxiVision project was too ambitious, leading to high manufacturing costs and licensing issues. American Video Entertainment didn't secure the rights to all 30 games, resulting in a final release with only 15 games. While the downsizing was disappointing, the reasons behind it were understandable.
Lost Media
The original MaxiVision 30-in-1 collection was never publicly released, and the cartridge remained lost media. The game was eventually discovered and the ROM was dumped in March 2025, 30 years after its initial promotion. The video will now focus on the games that didn't make it to the final collection.
Ultimate League Soccer and Mermaids of Atlantis
Ultimate League Soccer is a typical soccer game with various teams having different strengths. The controls are functional, and the game is playable for an unlicensed title. Mermaids of Atlantis is a falling blocks puzzle game where players line up four bubbles of the same color. It features three gameplay modes and was originally an adult-themed game called Bubble Bath Babes. The family-friendly version is considered high quality for an unlicensed game and was previously featured in a top 10 unlicensed games video.
Wally Bear and the NO Gang
Wally Bear in the No Gang is a platformer where the player completes missions for friends, dealing with issues like stealing and drinking. The game is unforgiving at the start due to the lack of a weapon and unpredictable enemy patterns. The music is notably bad, with the developers allowing players to turn it off. The MaxiVision collection contains a prototype version where the player is invincible and can change levels. The prototype also features Pepsi advertisements in the Subway stage, which were replaced in the final version.
Poke Block
Poke Block is a falling blocks puzzle game where players line up pieces by number or increasing numbers to complete challenges. The game becomes more challenging as the pieces change appearance. The controls are a point of complaint, as the A button drops the piece straight down without allowing changes. The game was released on the final collection as Stackum.
Captain Comic
Captain Comic is a platformer where the player collects keys and finds the exit, using a straight-shooting projectile as a weapon. The game is maze-like with dead ends, requiring trial and error. The jumping is floaty, and the frame rate is excellent for a Color Dreams game. However, the player can only shoot straight, and smaller enemies cannot be destroyed. The game allows multiple hits before dying and includes health upgrades.
RoboDemons
RoboDemons is divided into a shooter segment and a platformer stage. The game has a lenient health bar and health upgrades. However, the graphics are ugly, the frame rate is terrible, and it's difficult to distinguish between what can be jumped on and the background. The weapon has an awkward pattern, and some enemies are unreachable.
King Neptune’s Adventure
King Neptune’s Adventure is an exploration game where the player finds items and keys, swimming freely across stages. The player uses a straight-shooting projectile and bombs. The game is non-linear, making it easy to get lost. The bomb weapon is problematic due to its limited quantity and the need to backtrack for more upgrades. The frame rate is poor, and the background blends with the foreground.
P’radikus Conflict and PesTerminator
P'radikus Conflict is a flight simulator where the player destroys enemies on planets. The player can move in any direction in space, replenish fuel, and purchase items. The level map is large, but the enemy planets have the same layout and graphics. Pest Terminator involves going through a house and destroying every enemy to advance. The game is trolly, with enemies appearing on the second visit to rooms and doors leading to different locations. The frame rate is terrible, except when walking up the stairs.
Castle of Deceit
Castle of Deceit is a platformer where the player collects keys and finds the exit, shooting enemies with a projectile. The enemy patterns are annoying, and enemies remain stuck on the player after a hit, causing more damage. The second level is frustrating due to slippery controls and the need to restart after a missed jump. The graphics are decent for a Color Dreams game, but the game is mediocre.
Moon Ranger
Moon Ranger is divided into a shooter segment and a platformer stage. The shooter stage has slippery controls and a momentum-based ship. The platformer stages have terrible traction, making it hard to reach platforms. The player can only shoot straight, leaving them vulnerable to enemies from above. The game reuses stage designs and layouts.
Challenge of the Dragon and Secret Scout
Challenge of the Dragon is a platformer where the player defeats enemies to move the screen and fight a boss. The graphics are ambitious with parallax scrolling, but the gameplay involves mashing the same button. Only half of the attacks seem to hit. Secret Scout is similar, requiring the player to destroy all enemies to advance, but includes items and nonlinear levels. The controls are awful, the frame rate is bad, and the character is slippery. Falling into a pit while running allows the player to run through the level off-screen.
Baby Boomer
In Baby Boomer, the player controls a crosshair to protect a baby from dying. The baby moves on its own, requiring quick reflexes. The player can destroy enemies and build bridges. The baby dies in one hit, but the player starts with three lives. The game can be played with the NES Zapper or D-pad. The game received a lot of screen time in the infomercial but didn't make the final cut.
Dude II
Dude II is a sequel to Dudes with Attitude, which made it to the final game list. The sequel was released as Trolls on Treasure Island, a puzzle game where the player collects items on the screen. The player can move up or down, but not left or right, and can only grab items of the same color. The game has unlimited lives and provides hints. The presentation is good, but the gameplay is minimalistic. The Dude 2 prototype was never dumped, and selecting it on the menu boots a different title.
Conclusion
The video concludes by noting the high number of Color Dreams games that were cut from the final MaxiVision collection. It's unclear why these games were removed, especially since other Color Dreams titles like Menace Beach remained. The same question is raised about CE Tiles of Fate, as Mermaids of Atlantis and Ultimate League Soccer were excluded. It's possible that American Video Entertainment had agreements to include only certain games.
Could it Have Been Successful?
The MaxiVision game was likely unsuccessful, as American Video Entertainment's infomercial aired only once, the number of games was halved, and the company ceased to exist. The project might have succeeded if all 30 games were included and the infomercial aired more than once. The combination of 30 games on a single cartridge and Hulk Hogan's promotion could have stirred up competition and made unlicensed games viable.
