This week on Brainlords we are living in a Nightmare…Bart’s Nightmare! Or is it Buster’s Bad Dream? We discuss the wonderful world of Licensed games, advertisement games, and video game product placements to ask the question: Are they even art? Kyle compares a good Disney game that has nothing to do with its license to a bad Simpsons game that gave him an emotional response. Jorge discusses how to find validation as a working class artist when you don’t get to choose what you work on. The one thing we can agree on? The amazing taste of Nissin Cup Noodles. *smiles at camera*

Questions, Comments, Suggestions?

Kyle - Cute Monster Props

Jorge - JMV

THINGS DISCUSSED:

Zbots, Slitterhead, 20XX, 30XX,

Is a Licensed Game only art if it's good? (0:10:58)

Goof Troop (SNES), The Great Circus Mystery starring Mickey & Minnie, Bart’s Nightmare, Virtual Bart, Shaq Fu, Wayne’s World SNES, Home Improvement: Power Tool Pursuit! 

Is there artistry in *really* nailing a license? (0:32:26)

Dragon Ball FighterZ, Inuyasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale, One-Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows, My Hero One's Justice, Jump Super Stars, Jump Ultimate Stars, Jump Force, Cool Spot, Pepsiman

Can product placement say anything meaningful that isn’t goofy by proxy? (0:49:15)

Darkened Skye, The Sims, Death Stranding, Alan Wake, FFXV, Monkey Ball, SNK Allstar

Game Ratings: Overrated, underrated, and accurately rated Tiny Toons Adventures Games (1:08:10)

Buster Busts Loose, Tiny Toons (NES), McKids, Buster’s Bad Dream, Dizzy’s Candy Quest, Wacky Sports Challenge, Acme All-Stars, Tiny Toons: How I Spent My Summer Vacation

BONUS QUESTION: Why are Tiny Toons Adventure games so good and Looney Toons Games so bad? (1:17:46)

Speedy Gonzales: Los Gatos Banditos, Sylvester and Tweety Breakfast on the Run, Infogrames, Bug’s Crazy Castle

What role do celebrities play in making better or worse art? (1:21:09)

The Last of Us, Death Stranding 2, Onimusha 3, City of the Wolves, 

What’s it like working on a license? (1:27:44)

NoClip Burger King Games documentary,  Robocop Rogue City, CalorieMate LIQUID FOR GAME CREATORS

The Question Zone: GET READY (1:44:32)

Are we headed towards the age of Fortnitification of all games - Number One Heehomie

Fortnite, Mortal Kombat, Smite

What game world would you like to immigrate to? Yes you will have to immigrate to that game’s government system. - True Inky

Megaman Battle Network, Donkey Kong Country 1-3, Tropical Freeze 

Why was the Era of Capcom/Konami Disney tie-in games so good and how would you describe the current era of licensed games. -Steamboat William

Aladdin (SNES, Little Mermaid (NES), Ducktales (NES), Batman Arkham Games, Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League, Redfall, The Walking Dead (Telltale), Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Star Wars Rogue Squadron, Transformers Devastation, Legend of Korra (PlatinumGames)

The Rec Room (1:59:58)

TMNT Splintered Fate, TMNT Tactical Takedown, Shredder’s Revenge, The Protomen: Act 1, Megaman 5, Yo Noid 2, Nubby’s Number Factory, Simpsons Summer of 4ft2 Original Airdate VHS rip, Ultimate Love Songs collection