Cliff Hanger (video game): Difference between revisions

Cliff Hanger
Cliff Hanger
	Arcade flyer
Developer(s)	Stern Electronics; Tokyo Movie Shinsha;
Publisher(s)	Stern Electronics
Designer(s)	Paul M. Rubenstein; Bob Kowalski; Jon Michael Hogan; Edward J. March Jr.;
Programmer(s)	Paul M. Rubenstein; Bob Kowalski; Jon Michael Hogan; Edward J. March Jr.;
Artist(s)	Hayao Miyazaki; (The Castle of Cagliostro); Sōji Yoshikawa; (The Mystery of Mamo);
Series	Lupin III
Platform(s)	Arcade
Release	NA: September 1983;
Genre(s)	Interactive movie
Mode(s)	1-2 players alternating

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Cliff Hanger is a laserdisc video game that was released by Stern Electronics in 1983. It is an interactive movie, using animation from two Lupin III films, and requires the player to respond to quick time events to progress the storyline. Most of the game's footage is from The Castle of Cagliostro (1979), with additional footage from The Mystery of Mamo (1978).

Plot

The game's plot is based loosely on The Castle of Cagliostro and follows the eponymous Cliff Hanger as he attempts to rescue Clarissa from the evil Count Draco (in some materials called "Dreyco"^[2] and in the instruction manual "Dragoe"), who wants to marry her. Cliff is aided in his quest by Jeff (Dan Dunn) and Samurai.

Development

The game was originally edited at Associated Audio Visual, Inc., in Evanston, Illinois. Jack Bornoff, was the editor, Paul Rubenstein, was editorial supervisor.^{[citation needed]} The segments from The Mystery of Mamo use the original Toho / Frontier Enterprises English dub, while the segments from The Castle of Cagliostro use an English dub created for the game.

Cliff Hanger uses a feedback loop to read frame details from the game laserdisc. This prevents the laserdisc and gameplay from ever going out of sync (a common occurrence in other laserdisc games as the disc players aged).^{[citation needed]}

The original version of Cliff Hanger shows footage from The Mystery of Mamo of Cliff being hanged if the player fails a quick time event. According to the instruction manual, a setting on the game cabinet's logic board would allow the individual owners/operators the option of not playing the sequence if they so chose.^{[citation needed]}

Legacy

The game was considered for inclusion on the American Blu-ray release of The Castle of Cagliostro by Discotek Media, but when it became apparent that the original contracts for the game were lost, it was left off the release.^[3]

The television show Starcade featured a special episode where rather than playing the usual three games, the contestants played three rounds of Cliff Hanger. The winner of the show, Mark Walsh, won a Cliff Hanger cabinet.^[4]

In the film The Goonies (1985), Chunk is playing Cliff Hanger when he sees the Fratelli Brothers driving past while being chased by the police.^[5]

Cliff Hanger helped expose many Americans in the 1980s to Lupin III, Hayao Miyazaki, and Japanese anime in general, as it was released in the United States before any Lupin III or Miyazaki anime productions had officially been released theatrically or on home video.^[6]

References

^ "Manufacturers Equipment" (PDF). Cash Box. November 26, 1983. p. 34.
^ Dragons-lair-project.com
^ Bertschy, Zac (26 June 2015). "ANNCastle of Cagliostro". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
^ "Starcade". Starcade. Episode 103. WTBS.
^ Thegoonies.org Archived 2012-09-18 at archive.today
^ Surat, Daryl (9 March 2012). "The Castle of Cagliostro Hayao Miyazaki's First (And Most Enjoyable) Movie". Otaku USA Magazine. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2013.

External links

Cliff Hanger at IMDb
Dragon's Lair Project
Cliff Hanger at the Killer List of Videogames
The Dot Eaters entry on Cliff Hanger and the laser game craze

[1] "Manufacturers Equipment" (PDF). Cash Box. November 26, 1983. p. 34.

[2] Dragons-lair-project.com

[3] Bertschy, Zac (26 June 2015). "ANNCastle of Cagliostro". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2 July 2015.

[4] "Starcade". Starcade. Episode 103. WTBS.

[5] Thegoonies.org Archived 2012-09-18 at archive.today

[om-6] Surat, Daryl (9 March 2012). "The Castle of Cagliostro Hayao Miyazaki's First (And Most Enjoyable) Movie". Otaku USA Magazine. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2013.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|1983 video game}}
-{{for|the game based on the Sylvester Stallone movie Cliffhanger|Cliffhanger (video game)}}
+{{for|the game based on the 1993 film|Cliffhanger (video game)}}
 {{Infobox video game
 |title = Cliff Hanger
 |image = CliffHanger arcadeflyer.png
 |caption = Arcade flyer
+|developer = {{plainlist|
-|developer = [[Stern (game company)|Stern Electronics]]<br/>[[Namco Tales Studio|Wolf Team]]
-|publisher = [[Stern (game company)|Stern Electronics]]
+* [[Stern (game company)|Stern Electronics]]
+* [[TMS Entertainment|Tokyo Movie Shinsha]]
-| series = [[Lupin III]]
+}}
-|designer =
+|publisher = Stern Electronics
-|release = 1983
+|series = ''[[Lupin III]]''
-|genre = Retro, [[Laserdisc video game]], [[Interactive movie]]
+|designer = {{plainlist|
-|modes =1-2 players alternating
+* Paul M. Rubenstein
-|cabinet = Upright
+* Bob Kowalski
+* Jon Michael Hogan
+* Edward J. March Jr.
+}}
+|programmer = {{plainlist|
+* Paul M. Rubenstein
+* Bob Kowalski
+* Jon Michael Hogan
+* Edward J. March Jr.
+}}
+|artist = {{plainlist|
+* [[Hayao Miyazaki]]
+* (''[[The Castle of Cagliostro]]'')
+* [[Sōji Yoshikawa]]
+* (''[[The Mystery of Mamo]]'')
+}}
+|release = {{vgrelease|NA|September 1983<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Manufacturers Equipment |magazine=[[Cash Box]] |date=November 26, 1983 |page=34 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/CB-1983-11-26.PDF#page=34}}</ref>}}
+|genre = [[Interactive movie]]
+|modes = 1-2 players alternating
 |arcade system =
+|platforms = [[Arcade game|Arcade]]
-|display = Horizontal, [[Raster graphics|Raster]] standard resolution
-|platforms = [[Arcade game|Arcade]]<br>[[Sega CD]]
 }}
-'''''Cliff Hanger''''' is a [[laserdisc video game]] that was released by [[Stern (game company)|Stern Electronics]] in 1983. It uses animation from two ''[[Lupin III]]'' films, most prominently ''[[The Castle of Cagliostro]]'', as well as ''[[The Mystery of Mamo]]''. Like many laserdisc games, it is a reactive game which requires the player to press a button or move the joystick in a particular direction when prompted by the game to progress the storyline. The segments from ''The Mystery of Mamo'' use the original English dub commissioned by [[Toho]], while the segments from ''The Castle of Cagliostro'' use a dub created for the game. The voice actors for this game are unknown.
+'''''Cliff Hanger''''' is a [[laserdisc video game]] that was released by [[Stern (game company)|Stern Electronics]] in 1983. It is an [[interactive movie]], using animation from two ''[[Lupin III]]'' films, and requires the player to respond to [[quick time event]]s to progress the storyline. Most of the game's footage is from ''[[The Castle of Cagliostro]]'' (1979), with additional footage from ''[[The Mystery of Mamo]]'' (1978).
+== Plot ==
-The game's plot is based very loosely on that of ''The Castle of Cagliostro'', and follows Cliff ([[Arsène Lupin III]]) as he attempts to rescue Clarissa (Lady Clarisse d'Cagliostro) from the evil Count Draco (in some materials called "Dreyco"<ref>[http://www.dragons-lair-project.com/games/materials/flyers/large/ch_02.jpg Dragons-lair-project.com]</ref> and in the instruction manual "Dragoe"), who wants to marry her. Cliff is aided in his quest by Jeff ([[Daisuke Jigen]]) and Samurai ([[Goemon Ishikawa XIII]]).
+The game's plot is based loosely on ''The Castle of Cagliostro'' and follows the eponymous [[Arsène Lupin III|Cliff Hanger]] as he attempts to rescue Clarissa from the evil Count Draco (in some materials called "Dreyco"<ref>[http://www.dragons-lair-project.com/games/materials/flyers/large/ch_02.jpg Dragons-lair-project.com]</ref> and in the instruction manual "Dragoe"), who wants to marry her. Cliff is aided in his quest by [[Daisuke Jigen|Jeff]] (Dan Dunn) and [[Goemon Ishikawa XIII|Samurai]].
+== Development ==
-The original version of ''Cliff Hanger'' features an animated sequence of Cliff being hanged at the gallows immediately following the "miss" animation sequence. The sequence was taken from the opening sequence of ''The Mystery of Mamo'' (where Lupin was supposedly hanged in [[Transylvania]]), plus a later scene in the same film.  According to the instruction manual, a setting on the game cabinet's logic board would allow the individual owners/operators the option of not playing the sequence if they so chose.  The game was originally edited at Associated Audio Visual, Inc., in Evanston, Illinois.  Jack Bornoff, was the editor, Paul Rubenstein, was editorial supervisor.
+The game was originally edited at Associated Audio Visual, Inc., in [[Evanston, Illinois]]. Jack Bornoff, was the editor, Paul Rubenstein, was editorial supervisor.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The segments from ''The Mystery of Mamo'' use the original [[Toho]] / [[Frontier Enterprises]] English dub, while the segments from ''The Castle of Cagliostro'' use an English dub created for the game.
+''Cliff Hanger'' uses a feedback loop to read frame details from the game laserdisc. This prevents the laserdisc and gameplay from ever going out of sync (a common occurrence in other laserdisc games as the disc players aged).{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}
-''Cliff Hanger'' was released as the novelty of laserdisc games waned, thus many cabinets were destroyed or converted over time. Unlike other laserdisc arcade games, ''Cliff Hanger'' can work perfectly on [[MAME]] as well as [[DAPHNE (emulator)|DAPHNE]], a laserdisc-game [[emulator]].
+The original version of ''Cliff Hanger'' shows footage from ''The Mystery of Mamo'' of Cliff being hanged if the player fails a quick time event. According to the instruction manual, a setting on the game cabinet's logic board would allow the individual owners/operators the option of not playing the sequence if they so chose.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}
-The game was considered for inclusion on the American [[Blu-ray]] release of ''The Castle of Cagliostro'' by [[Discotek Media]], however, due to an inability to find the original contracts for the game, it was left off the release.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bertschy|first=Zac|title=ANNCastle of Cagliostro|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=26 June 2015|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/anncast/2015-06-26/.89753|accessdate=2 July 2015}}</ref>
-== Goofs ==
+== Legacy ==
+The game was considered for inclusion on the American [[Blu-ray]] release of ''The Castle of Cagliostro'' by [[Discotek Media]], but when it became apparent that the original contracts for the game were lost, it was left off the release.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bertschy|first=Zac|title=ANNCastle of Cagliostro|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=26 June 2015|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/anncast/2015-06-26/.89753|accessdate=2 July 2015}}</ref>
+The television show ''[[Starcade]]'' featured a special episode where rather than playing the usual three games, the contestants played three rounds of ''Cliff Hanger''. The winner of the show, Mark Walsh, won a ''Cliff Hanger'' cabinet.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Starcade |series-link=Starcade|series=Starcade|station=[[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|WTBS]] |date= |number=103}}</ref>
-The voices were overdubbed mainly in English. However, when "Cliff" finally reaches "Clarissa's" chamber, the player can clearly hear [[Yasuo Yamada]]'s voice saying "Kurarissu?" ("Clarisse?") from the original vocal track of ''Castle of Cagliostro''. The American voice actor then says "I think we'd better get out of here" before one other missed overdub can be clearly heard: the Count ([[Taro Ishida]]) from the original film saying "ute" ("fire").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.d-l-p-archive.com/video/cliff07.avi|title=DLP|publisher=}}</ref> Also, several soundbits of Yamada can be heard when Cliff and the Count are fighting on one of the rotating gears, and Cliff says "Kurarissu?" again before Clarissa goes up the stairs.
+In the film ''[[The Goonies]]'' (1985), Chunk is playing ''Cliff Hanger'' when he sees the Fratelli Brothers driving past while being chased by the police.<ref>[http://www.thegoonies.org/BB/viewtopic.php?p=14083 Thegoonies.org] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120918124448/http://www.thegoonies.org/BB/viewtopic.php?p=14083 |date=2012-09-18}}</ref>
-== Appearances in other media ==
+''Cliff Hanger'' helped expose many Americans in the 1980s to ''[[Lupin III]]'', [[Hayao Miyazaki]], and Japanese [[anime]] in general, as it was released in the United States before any ''Lupin III'' or Miyazaki anime productions had officially been released theatrically or on [[home video]].<ref name="om">{{cite web | url=http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/SearchAudience/News1/The_Castle_of_Cagliostro_4553.aspx | title=The Castle of Cagliostro Hayao Miyazaki's First (And Most Enjoyable) Movie | publisher=Otaku USA Magazine | date=9 March 2012 | access-date=27 August 2013 | author=Surat, Daryl | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018154933/http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/SearchAudience/News1/The_Castle_of_Cagliostro_4553.aspx | archive-date=18 October 2014 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all}}</ref>
-* The television show ''[[Starcade]]'' featured a special episode where rather than playing the usual three games, the contestants played three rounds of ''Cliff Hanger''. The winner of the show, Mark Walsh, won a ''Cliff Hanger'' cabinet.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Starcade |series-link=Starcade|series=Starcade|station=[[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|WTBS]] |date= |number=103 }}</ref>
-* In the film ''[[The Goonies]]'', Chunk is playing ''Cliff Hanger'' when he sees the Fratelli Brothers driving past while being chased by the police.<ref>[http://www.thegoonies.org/BB/viewtopic.php?p=14083 Thegoonies.org] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.is/20120918124448/http://www.thegoonies.org/BB/viewtopic.php?p=14083 |date=2012-09-18 }}</ref>
-* On the special features of the DVD video game ''[[Dragon's Lair (1983 video game)|Dragon's Lair]]'' released by [[Digital Leisure]], a group of children can be seen playing ''Cliff Hanger'' during a visual montage.<ref>[http://www.digitalleisure.com/index.htm Digitalleisure.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830165043/http://digitalleisure.com/index.htm |date=2013-08-30 }}</ref>
-== Technical details ==
-''Cliff Hanger'' uses a unique feedback loop to read frame details from the game laserdisc.  This prevents the laserdisc and gameplay from ever going out of sync (a common occurrence in other lasergames as the disc players aged).
 == References ==
@@ Line 45: / Line 62: @@
 == External links ==
-*{{IMDb title|0161443}}
+* {{IMDb title|0161443}}
-*[http://www.dragons-lair-project.com/games/pages/ch.asp Dragon's Lair Project]
+* [http://www.dragons-lair-project.com/games/pages/ch.asp Dragon's Lair Project]
-*{{KLOV game|id=7352|name=Cliff Hanger}}
+* {{KLOV game|id=7352|name=Cliff Hanger}}
-*[http://www.thedoteaters.com/p2_stage6.php The Dot Eaters entry] on ''Cliff Hanger'' and the laser game craze
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070723032930/http://www.thedoteaters.com/p2_stage6.php The Dot Eaters entry] on ''Cliff Hanger'' and the laser game craze
 {{Lupin III}}
-{{Toei Animation video games}}
 [[Category:1983 video games]]
-[[Category:Arcade games]]
+[[Category:Arcade video games]]
-[[Category:Arcade-only games]]
+[[Category:Arcade-only video games]]
-[[Category:Lupin III video games]]
+[[Category:Full motion video based games]]
 [[Category:Interactive movie video games]]
 [[Category:LaserDisc video games]]
+[[Category:Lupin the Third video games]]
+[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
+[[Category:Multiplayer hotseat games]]
 [[Category:Stern video games]]
-[[Category:Full motion video based games]]
-[[Category:Toei Animation video game projects]]
 [[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
-[[Category:Sega CD games]]