Gaming TV From Yesteryear – Video Power, “Deaf Ears”

This episode of Video Power loosely carries a baseball theme, as it was apparently part of “World Series Week.” Games covered include Bases Loaded II: Second Season, Gauntlet II, Captain Skyhawk, Double Dragon II: The Revenge, and Baseball Simulator 1.000.

The Power Team cartoon involves a young girl, who I guess is supposed to be dear, that runs away from home. Mr. Big thinks she overhears his plans to steal some guns, and goes after her. Of course, then it’s up to the Power Team to find her first.

Thanks to StillGaming2 on YouTube for posting these full Video Power episodes!

Full episode:

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Gaming TV From Yesteryear – Video Power, “Big Footenstein”

According to the YouTube description, this was the eighth episode of Video Power. The Power Team segment is titled “Big Footenstein,” and it’s about… well, it’s not really about anything except their usual antics.

The live-action segments include “coverage” of the NES games Maniac Mansion, Heavy Shreddin’, and one of the Power Team’s own games, NARC.

Full episode:

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Gaming TV From Yesteryear – Extended Play, GameCube Launch

This episode of Extended Play originally aired on November 16, 2001, just around the time of the launch of Nintendo’s GameCube. As such, it focuses entirely on the new console, including reviews of the launch titles Luigi’s Mansion, Wave Race: Blue Storm, Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader, and Super Monkey Ball.

An interesting part, however, are a couple of games mentioned that were never released for the GameCube. First, there was Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble 2, which was supposed to be a showcase for the system’s ability to link up with the Game Boy Advance, but ended up being vaporware. Then there’s Rare’s Kameo: Elements of Power, which was an entire generation off. The game didn’t see the light of day until it appeared as a launch title for the Xbox 360 in 2005.

Part 1:

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Gaming TV From Yesteryear – Starcade, 1984

Here it is, the grandfather of video game-based television, the early ’80s game show Starcade. The show only ran for two seasons, from 1982 to 1984, but produced 133 episodes. Seeing as how it overlapped with the industry crash in ’83, that might have played a part in its short run. This episode, hosted by Geoff Edwards, aired in ’84.

This seems to be the only full episode available on YouTube, but many more can be viewed at the official site, starcade.tv.

Full episode:

Commercial break!

Gaming TV From Yesteryear – Video Power, Episode 1

One of the earliest pioneers of video game-oriented television (aside from early ’80s game show Starcade) was Video Power. First airing in 1990, it contained live-action segments hosted by Stivi “Johnny Arcade” Paskoski that featured reviews, tips, and various other segments. But by far, most of the show was devoted to an animated series called The Power Team. It was comprised of a group of various video game characters that was decidedly random and obscure even for its time.

Video Power only lasted two seasons, with its second season completely changing into a game show format. But the original live-action segments perhaps laid the groundwork for the subsequent GamePro TV with JD Roth.

This is apparently the very first episode of Video Power, and The Power Team takes up most of the airtime, with the live-action segments lasting only a few minutes.

The audio is a little out-of-sync in the first part.

Part 1:

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Gaming TV From Yesteryear – Extended Play, Silent Hill 2

This Halloween-themed episode of Extended Play apparently aired on October 26, 2001, and features a behind-the-scenes look at Konami’s classic survival horror masterpiece, Silent Hill 2 for the PlayStation 2.

In keeping with the horror theme, there are also reviews of Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (DC), Devil May Cry (PS2), and Aliens vs. Predator 2 (PC). And they continue the anticipation for the impending launch of the GameCube with a preview of Luigi’s Mansion.

Finally, they provide some general tips for survival horror games from the Mistress of the Dark herself, Elvira.

This episode seems quite timely as I post it, as several of the franchises featured will soon be getting (or have already gotten) new installments, including Silent Hill: Downpour, Silent Hill: Book of Memories, DmC: Devil May Cry, Aliens: Colonial Marines, and Luigi’s Mansion 2.

Part 1:

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Gaming TV From Yesteryear – Extended Play, Xulu Universe

This episode of Extended Play apparently aired on October 12, 2001, and it features a look at an interesting spin on the virtual world concept. Xulu Entertainment aimed to create an online universe that wasn’t just accessible from a PC, but also from nightclubs, and involved motion simulators.

This episode also dropped the bombshell that the Dreamcast version of Shenmue II would not be released in North America, instead becoming an Xbox exclusive that wouldn’t be released until a full year later. (Still can’t believe they did that.)

There are also reviews of Okage: Shadow King (PS2), Kessen II (PS2), and Ooga Booga (DC), as well as a preview of Super Monkey Ball for the soon-to-be-released GameCube. There’s also a strategy guide for the PS2 remake of Spy Hunter.

Part 1:

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Gaming TV From Yesteryear – GamePro TV, 1998

This episode of GamePro TV aired sometime in 1998, and it changed up the formula again by bringing back an on-air host in the form of Michael Komessar. The rest of it is pretty standard fare with reviews and S.W.A.T.Pro segments, including coverage of Knockout Kings (PS1), Oddword: Abe’s Exoddus (PS1), O.D.T. (N64), Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (N64), Tekken 3 (PS1), Reel Fishing (PS1), and hints for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64) and WCW vs. NWO Revenge (N64). They also go behind the scenes of NBA Live.

This also seems to be the final full episode of any version of GamePro TV that’s available on YouTube, so unfortunately this will be the last we see of it.

Part 1:

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Gaming TV From Yesteryear – Extended Play, Simulated Life Forms

This episode of Extended Play probably aired in March 2001, and it features an intriguing look at artificial intelligence and simulated life forms. Using The Sims and Creatures as examples, they discuss the various reactions players have when interacting with virtual pets and people, and it brings up some interesting moral issues.

There are also reviews of Record of Lodoss War (DC), Conker’s Bad Fur Day (N64), The Bouncer (PS2), Blade of Darkness (PC), and Outrigger (DC), as well as a look at the Intel Wireless Series of PC game controllers.

Part 1:

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Gaming TV From Yesteryear – GamePro TV, 1997

A few years after the original GamePro TV went off the air, it returned for a short time in the later 90s with a much different format. It eschewed the hosts and set in favor of a somewhat more journalistic approach. Although I feel it lost a lot of its personality, and resembled more of a promo video.

This episode aired in early 1997, and features coverage of the winter CES, as well as a competition in John Madden Football. There are also a couple of segments for Star Wars: Dark Forces and Star Wars: Shadows of the Emipre.

More formal reviews include Tobal No. 1 (PS1), Perfect Weapon (PS1), and Ten Pin Alley (PS1), as well as very short previews of City of Lost Children (PS1) and Final Fantasy VII (PS1).

Part 1:

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