Hey Steve, you probably know anyway but, you can get an alignment kit for the tape machines. Normally the cause for not loading some tapes...Great vids, your very informative...
Hmm, this looks like it would have been great fun if the controls were adequate. As it stands, it looks more like a novelty than a real game. Still pretty cool though!
this is one of those games i was telling you about, where id spend ages losing it only to discover it could only entertain me for about 5 minutes, your commentary is all that made this game interesting
Haha, I lmao when that purple dragon thing bit your head off, so wasn't expecting that lol! I've got this on the GX4000 but haven't got round to playing it yet :)
Another badly designed computer game... It's amazing how programmers didn't have a clue about gameplay... No wonder the Japanese industry have designated gameplay designers.
Not much strategy to this one, is there? Swing that axe and pray the random enemies don't knock you down first. As for the stream in the middle of that one screen, I think it's supposed to be lava, which is why you kept falling down, Steve. lol
Why was it only the programming team at Palace software could get decent sized figures running on the C64? Why they weren't asked to do Final Fight and Streetfighter 2 is something I wondered about years ago.
I think you really needed that work out session - lol. I think you used everything but 'Muppet' too.
I remember all the advertising and hype of the 1st game, don't remember this one anywhere near as much. Once I get the tape lead for my Electron I'll have to try getting a audio file of it to give it a go.
The trick would seem to be in the timing of your kicks/swings, as well as finding which one works on which enemy. I just recently read in an OLD copy of Retro Gamer about how the direction you end up facing is confusing, and you have to look to the sword to show which was in North (or something).
The C64 tape drive is actually a rather reliable device, I found. Never had loading problems, and I had 100's of tapes over the years. Keep the drive far from (especially) CRT screens, speakers, etc. Also clean the mechanism once in a while; you can also try realigning the head. There were special tapes that came with a tiny screwdriver for this purpose. The Amiga version of B2 had a great screen prompting you to switch to disk 2, but I thought he game was crap, I'm sorry to say.
@MarkTheMorose I'm not a fan of the C64 drive, but on the other hand, I like the Atari one even less. Gimme a standard domestic tape recorder like you can use on the Acorn Electron or ZX81 any day.
The reliability could be due to the slower baud rate of the drive, when compared with other micros from that era. I agree the C64 tape deck was reliable and the Amstrad CPC was too. Yes I remember adjusting the azimuth screw and eventually they always end up rather loose, but still work.
If there is an amiga version try it, else try the ST, better graphics. Though for me, the same shit game. Sorry but I can't stand this after the excellent Barbarian.
A pretty good game actually, but i do understand why people was upset when they bought it back then. Barbarian 1 was a completely straight beatemup-game and people obviously bought the second one hoping for more. Barbarian 2 shows up having half the moves of the first and feature very straight forward battles (kick kick kick) is not what people expected.
Looking at Barbarian 2 alone tho and you will find that its actually a quite good "adventure" style game.
Great GP Steve this took me right back, still prefer the original but this one has a certain charm :) Love how the monsters don't learn and just keep coming back to get kicked or hacked :)
i had exact same problem and solution recently with the tape deck failing on commodore 64, turns out it was a rubber guiding wheel near the head it had become deformed and was very slightly wobbling the tape .the rubber tire/wheel is removable and replaceable. If you can find a replacement that is
You were back on fine form here. Lots of laughs to be had from this one. Can't believe it took you nearly half the video to get off the first screen. MLG, are you watching this?!? :P
HUGE LOL @ the death animation! XD
That dinosaur didn't fight fair! :(
I think the sword at the bottom tells you where to go.
I feel that this game is far more fun to watch than it would be to play, though. Seems clunky, at least going from this video. :(
I threw away my tapedeck and switched to a floppy drive because i had loading problems all the time. And that was a long time ago when the tapedeck was almost new. The commodore tapedeck is just a piece of crap. Although copying files was pretty easy, just copy the tape and there you go.
Oh, Baraka vs. black-haired He-Man, that ages-old rivalry. Seriously though, I like the enemies , and the way your character just falls over and dies while the monsters stand back and let it happen.
Great video Steve! The getting damaged by that lava stream (that's what I think it looks like) would be annoying if only because your enemies can't get hurt by walking on it. I'm bad at fighting games like Street Fighter II, because I don't want to take the time to memorize a bunch of combos.
Hi, borught back memories. I did wonder for the first half why you were kicking when you had axe in your hand, then you explained why.
Was it this game that had a bit of controversy because they used page 3 girl Maria Whittaker(I think thats her name) in adverts ? (may have been babarian 1)
That was weird, it was like he backed into the hole rather than fell forward. He just seems so sluggish for a muscular warrior, I think he has Prince of Persia syndrome since he has more frames than the opponents. Barbarian heads make you fart, look it up in your history books. The control looks wonky but I have to give it high marks for visuals and atmosphere since most early Conan games weren't this good. You got to stop fighting Steve, you're starting to enjoy the pain. ^_^
Hehe, I love Quickshot Turbo joystick. The clicking is loud indeed. I used to wake up my dad from his afternoon naps . I've never heard him swear that much! I've only played Barbarian 2 on amiga and I think I was more impressed by loading screen and laughing skeleton holding the disk than actual game. Not bad game by any means, but iI found it a bit confusing at the times
Haha! That was very Monty Python "He bit me bloody 'ed off...You total nob" lol. Try adjusting the azimuth head alignment with a little screwdriver if you get more problems with the tape deck, if you can be bothered, once you've done that you should find most games should load without a problem
@Retroid64 I did think about trying a screwdiver in the little hole, but when you have to wait 15 minutes to see if that quarter turn to the left/right has helped, and having to do it all over again if it hasn't, and not knowing which way to turn it anyway.... trying a different tape deck seemed easier :)
@SteveBenway Fair do's, I guess you had to have much more patience back then, but once you'd found the sweet spot you were away. I seem to remember there were datassettes available where instead of the little hole there was a dial and a signal gauge, I've tried ebay to see (if it isn't just a figment of my imagination) If I can find one, but to no avail.
I just found this game frustrating. I had that same problem getting stuck in the corners. The deaths can be entertaining though, like the way he falls backwards into the hole and the various decapitations. You can chop off the PE teacher's head if you do the spinning axe move thingy.
Also, I think that's a river of lava. The volcano in the background and the fact that it's red is a clue :P
@murrayefc78 Haha... nah, they're in such good condition and obviously been carefully stored, and the way the thing was failing... it "felt" like a hardware fault.
I never knew about this nor played it back in the day.
Hours and Hours of my life spent on the original. I got so good at it, especially with the quick decaps that most of my friends and family refused to play it with me. That game is why I could basically pick up and play ANY of the 90's fighting games and just tear them up. Palace Software's FINEST hour.
RIGHT TURN, CLYDE! I grew up in the South. We were required by law to watch both of those movies. :D
When i was younger, me and my brother had the C64 with the seperate tape loader and we had plenty of games and it was always hit and miss when loading games. When we thought a game was actually loading we would all leave the room so it could load in peace Lol. Every little vibration any disturbance would just crash it.
The game that would load most was some S.A.S game we had and a Trap door Game. "DON'T open that trap door!, cause theres something down there"
The original Barbarian is so much more better game. I go that same quickshot joystic and prefer Tac2 over it everytime. The microswitched quickshot feels so soft and muddy after the tac2 with its metal ball shorting the metallic contacts.
It would be useful to use your axe !! hahah
lord35ar 2 months ago
Hey Steve, you probably know anyway but, you can get an alignment kit for the tape machines. Normally the cause for not loading some tapes...Great vids, your very informative...
mrsqonk 2 months ago in playlist More videos from SteveBenway
I remember the controls being a real let down on this game. The original was a true classic.
dannyboy1121x 2 months ago
Great game!!
elvirtnt 2 months ago
Nice video, i had the first game which was fun but never tried the 2nd, i'll have to hunt down a copy now.
Consoletronix 2 months ago
@Consoletronix Cheers... and top marks for having Deaths Head as your YT icon. I collected Deaths Head II for a time back in the 90s.
SteveBenway 2 months ago
oh this was a treat to watch not only for the game but watch you play the game! and your commentary just had me laughing! Excellent video Steve.
Chipsturs 2 months ago
Hmm, this looks like it would have been great fun if the controls were adequate. As it stands, it looks more like a novelty than a real game. Still pretty cool though!
HiroGaems 2 months ago
i loved playing this game as a kid
davidhass3lh0ff 2 months ago in playlist Uploaded videos
this is one of those games i was telling you about, where id spend ages losing it only to discover it could only entertain me for about 5 minutes, your commentary is all that made this game interesting
ReplayRetro 2 months ago
@ReplayRetro Comedy value > gameplay :D
SteveBenway 2 months ago
Maybe I like it now after watching the thing fully. Love those baddies.
wrestletube1 2 months ago
Mah, this is crap and too sluggish to beat an enemy. Barbarian 1 is the one to play Steve if you have it.
wrestletube1 2 months ago
Haha, I lmao when that purple dragon thing bit your head off, so wasn't expecting that lol! I've got this on the GX4000 but haven't got round to playing it yet :)
ninjabearhug 2 months ago
@ninjabearhug It surprised me too. I'd be very interested to see what it looks like on your GX4000 :)
SteveBenway 2 months ago
Love to see c64 games. Hope u got more planned.
duhmez 2 months ago
@duhmez There are a few more to come next week, yes :)
SteveBenway 2 months ago
Another badly designed computer game... It's amazing how programmers didn't have a clue about gameplay... No wonder the Japanese industry have designated gameplay designers.
kingstonlj 2 months ago
Love barbarian. Played it on my atari st.
skalded 2 months ago
"Oh my god, can you smell that..." had me in stitches.
Very entertaining, Steve. Now, do some more drunken Shenmue! Or, if you'd rather... some sober Shenmue. :D
alecjahn 2 months ago
Not much strategy to this one, is there? Swing that axe and pray the random enemies don't knock you down first. As for the stream in the middle of that one screen, I think it's supposed to be lava, which is why you kept falling down, Steve. lol
castlevania78 2 months ago
Why was it only the programming team at Palace software could get decent sized figures running on the C64? Why they weren't asked to do Final Fight and Streetfighter 2 is something I wondered about years ago.
Almuric7 2 months ago
I think you really needed that work out session - lol. I think you used everything but 'Muppet' too.
I remember all the advertising and hype of the 1st game, don't remember this one anywhere near as much. Once I get the tape lead for my Electron I'll have to try getting a audio file of it to give it a go.
electricadventures 2 months ago
so why is this bad but the first barbarian a classic?
AlfredRusselWallace 2 months ago
LOL this game is a prime example of why I sold my C64 collection. Looks infuriating, I would have thrown the joystick at the TV playing that LOL
StigsGameRoom 2 months ago
Great video. Never played this game but I can see why it was panned.
MrStephen182 2 months ago
The trick would seem to be in the timing of your kicks/swings, as well as finding which one works on which enemy. I just recently read in an OLD copy of Retro Gamer about how the direction you end up facing is confusing, and you have to look to the sword to show which was in North (or something).
MarkTheMorose 2 months ago
Crazy game. He bit your damn head off. Nooooooo!
lvpepe38 2 months ago
The C64 tape drive is actually a rather reliable device, I found. Never had loading problems, and I had 100's of tapes over the years. Keep the drive far from (especially) CRT screens, speakers, etc. Also clean the mechanism once in a while; you can also try realigning the head. There were special tapes that came with a tiny screwdriver for this purpose. The Amiga version of B2 had a great screen prompting you to switch to disk 2, but I thought he game was crap, I'm sorry to say.
MarkTheMorose 2 months ago
@MarkTheMorose I'm not a fan of the C64 drive, but on the other hand, I like the Atari one even less. Gimme a standard domestic tape recorder like you can use on the Acorn Electron or ZX81 any day.
SteveBenway 2 months ago
@MarkTheMorose
The reliability could be due to the slower baud rate of the drive, when compared with other micros from that era. I agree the C64 tape deck was reliable and the Amstrad CPC was too. Yes I remember adjusting the azimuth screw and eventually they always end up rather loose, but still work.
EgoShredder 2 months ago
If there is an amiga version try it, else try the ST, better graphics. Though for me, the same shit game. Sorry but I can't stand this after the excellent Barbarian.
Trusteft 2 months ago
Barbarian 2 looks like an relay good example of a crap game.
TheEPROM9 2 months ago
What a tedious game.
Fuzzy192006 2 months ago
A pretty good game actually, but i do understand why people was upset when they bought it back then. Barbarian 1 was a completely straight beatemup-game and people obviously bought the second one hoping for more. Barbarian 2 shows up having half the moves of the first and feature very straight forward battles (kick kick kick) is not what people expected.
Looking at Barbarian 2 alone tho and you will find that its actually a quite good "adventure" style game.
CholoCPC 2 months ago
Great GP Steve this took me right back, still prefer the original but this one has a certain charm :) Love how the monsters don't learn and just keep coming back to get kicked or hacked :)
Snestastic 2 months ago
i had exact same problem and solution recently with the tape deck failing on commodore 64, turns out it was a rubber guiding wheel near the head it had become deformed and was very slightly wobbling the tape .the rubber tire/wheel is removable and replaceable. If you can find a replacement that is
DARKJURNEY 2 months ago
@DARKJURNEY I may take it to bits at some point, but since the VIC-20 one is working fine... I may not bother :)
SteveBenway 2 months ago
Ah, I so missed your videos this last week! :D
You were back on fine form here. Lots of laughs to be had from this one. Can't believe it took you nearly half the video to get off the first screen. MLG, are you watching this?!? :P
HUGE LOL @ the death animation! XD
That dinosaur didn't fight fair! :(
I think the sword at the bottom tells you where to go.
I feel that this game is far more fun to watch than it would be to play, though. Seems clunky, at least going from this video. :(
Good SWILL! :D
AtsumaKarin 2 months ago
@AtsumaKarin Definitely more comedy value than quality gameplay in this, but I still like it more than I probably should :)
SteveBenway 2 months ago
Fearsome kick!
hargcore 2 months ago
I threw away my tapedeck and switched to a floppy drive because i had loading problems all the time. And that was a long time ago when the tapedeck was almost new. The commodore tapedeck is just a piece of crap. Although copying files was pretty easy, just copy the tape and there you go.
metro2002 2 months ago
It's a lava flow in the middle of course lol :o) It's a bit repetitive :o( Love the enemies once you got from the first few screens :o)
RetroGamerVX 2 months ago
Oh, Baraka vs. black-haired He-Man, that ages-old rivalry. Seriously though, I like the enemies , and the way your character just falls over and dies while the monsters stand back and let it happen.
Hindleyak 2 months ago
I have never seen this game before. I can hear you clickity clak on the controller. LOL Oh man this is too funny. Kick kick kick XD
0000Ishbo 2 months ago
Great video Steve! The getting damaged by that lava stream (that's what I think it looks like) would be annoying if only because your enemies can't get hurt by walking on it. I'm bad at fighting games like Street Fighter II, because I don't want to take the time to memorize a bunch of combos.
dave4shmups 2 months ago
Hi, borught back memories. I did wonder for the first half why you were kicking when you had axe in your hand, then you explained why.
Was it this game that had a bit of controversy because they used page 3 girl Maria Whittaker(I think thats her name) in adverts ? (may have been babarian 1)
sminkly 2 months ago
@sminkly She was on this one too.... and there's a great big poster with her and "Wolf" from Gladiators in the box :D
SteveBenway 2 months ago
That was weird, it was like he backed into the hole rather than fell forward. He just seems so sluggish for a muscular warrior, I think he has Prince of Persia syndrome since he has more frames than the opponents. Barbarian heads make you fart, look it up in your history books. The control looks wonky but I have to give it high marks for visuals and atmosphere since most early Conan games weren't this good. You got to stop fighting Steve, you're starting to enjoy the pain. ^_^
TheBladeJunker 2 months ago
Hehe, I love Quickshot Turbo joystick. The clicking is loud indeed. I used to wake up my dad from his afternoon naps . I've never heard him swear that much! I've only played Barbarian 2 on amiga and I think I was more impressed by loading screen and laughing skeleton holding the disk than actual game. Not bad game by any means, but iI found it a bit confusing at the times
CaseofGlass 2 months ago
Every which way but loose, sweet film! I like the first over the second one.
Just out of boredom, I looked it up on IMDb, it has a 5.9 rating! What the f**k!
The game looks okay.
DemonOfGaming 2 months ago
Haha! That was very Monty Python "He bit me bloody 'ed off...You total nob" lol. Try adjusting the azimuth head alignment with a little screwdriver if you get more problems with the tape deck, if you can be bothered, once you've done that you should find most games should load without a problem
Retroid64 2 months ago
@Retroid64 I did think about trying a screwdiver in the little hole, but when you have to wait 15 minutes to see if that quarter turn to the left/right has helped, and having to do it all over again if it hasn't, and not knowing which way to turn it anyway.... trying a different tape deck seemed easier :)
SteveBenway 2 months ago
@SteveBenway Fair do's, I guess you had to have much more patience back then, but once you'd found the sweet spot you were away. I seem to remember there were datassettes available where instead of the little hole there was a dial and a signal gauge, I've tried ebay to see (if it isn't just a figment of my imagination) If I can find one, but to no avail.
Retroid64 2 months ago
ahh cassettes. The good old days.
I liked this game alot, but I was never very good at it so I didn't get to see much of it.
djaliplume 2 months ago
I just found this game frustrating. I had that same problem getting stuck in the corners. The deaths can be entertaining though, like the way he falls backwards into the hole and the various decapitations. You can chop off the PE teacher's head if you do the spinning axe move thingy.
Also, I think that's a river of lava. The volcano in the background and the fact that it's red is a clue :P
JimPlaysGames 2 months ago
@JimPlaysGames Yes, almost definitely lava... though I've seen bits of coloured footpath in Blackpool that look similar :)
SteveBenway 2 months ago
lmao at the p.e teacher :P
MooreGamesJay 2 months ago
I can see you now steve none of these games work that prat murray sent me. lol
murrayefc78 2 months ago
@murrayefc78 Haha... nah, they're in such good condition and obviously been carefully stored, and the way the thing was failing... it "felt" like a hardware fault.
SteveBenway 2 months ago
You should get some ice on that leg its gonna be sore tomorrow :-)
pappachook 2 months ago
@pappachook
Actually after stepping in that molten lava a few times, I think Steve needs to get to accident and emergency FAST! :D
EgoShredder 2 months ago
The first was far superior
timeteam1982 2 months ago
I never knew about this nor played it back in the day.
Hours and Hours of my life spent on the original. I got so good at it, especially with the quick decaps that most of my friends and family refused to play it with me. That game is why I could basically pick up and play ANY of the 90's fighting games and just tear them up. Palace Software's FINEST hour.
RIGHT TURN, CLYDE! I grew up in the South. We were required by law to watch both of those movies. :D
pocketmego 2 months ago
@pocketmego lol@ required by law :D
SteveBenway 2 months ago
Love this in the day . Played it alot stange I usead to think it was violant then
timeteam1982 2 months ago
When i was younger, me and my brother had the C64 with the seperate tape loader and we had plenty of games and it was always hit and miss when loading games. When we thought a game was actually loading we would all leave the room so it could load in peace Lol. Every little vibration any disturbance would just crash it.
The game that would load most was some S.A.S game we had and a Trap door Game. "DON'T open that trap door!, cause theres something down there"
Quovardis83 2 months ago
One of my fav Amiga games. Mates and I used to meet in the middle of the screen performing the web of death to make excellent "pots and pans" sounds!
lakepalmer 2 months ago
what happened to barney, :( he use to be such a cute and cuddly little dinosaur lol
chaoskuun 2 months ago
@chaoskuun I think he started doing drugs or something.
SteveBenway 2 months ago
The original Barbarian is so much more better game. I go that same quickshot joystic and prefer Tac2 over it everytime. The microswitched quickshot feels so soft and muddy after the tac2 with its metal ball shorting the metallic contacts.
Polaventris 2 months ago
@Polaventris Totally agree. I also much prefer the Tac2! And the Quickshot's clicking microswitches drives me mad...
fandenivoldsk 2 months ago