From the very same team that brought you the hit Famicom adaptation of The Drifting Classroom comes an 8-bit take on another Kazuo Umezu manga, Fourteen. This monsterpiece—which follows Chicken George as he grows from a sentient pile of chicken flesh to a full-sized creature who absorbs and implements all of our scientific knowledge in the most twisted way imaginable—debuted in Big Comic Spirits in 1990, and could possibly be the master’s most mental work yet.

If you want to read about the specific insanity of Umezu’s Fourteen, here is as good a place as any. Unlike The Drifting Classroom, you won’t find much information awaiting you on Wikipedia. Details on the game are equally scant, though a few tracks from the rare soundtrack were recently unearthed.

“The Birth of Chicken George” and “The Liberation of Chicken George” follow the first and second stages, respectively. The first finds the player controlling the lump that will become Chicken George, maneuvering past scientists in the lab, and eventually making it toward a series of computer terminals while fighting off attackers and growing piece by piece. Stage two has George free at last, and running rampant through a zoo filled with scientific horrors, releasing them all and unleashing them on the unprepared masses.

Enjoy, and hope that one day we can play this Japanese classic once and for all. Perhaps by the time the manga is translated and licensed for North America…

01 The Birth of Chicken George

02 The Liberation of Chicken George

Created by Moldilox using Milky Tracker (OSX)

Special thanks to Ryan Sands of Same Hat; pretty sure it was this post that originally introduced me to Fourteen!

Ah, now here’s someone with fine, obscure tastes. What you’ve stumbled upon, friend, is a sought-after gem scored by would-be musical legends Moblin, a duo famous only for collaborating with Lucio Fulci on a number of his ’70s flops. Never able to reach the heights of Argento’s go-to group, Goblin, Moblin settled on aiming for the videogame boom of the ’80s as it finally reached Italy.

Unfortunately, this too would prove unsuccessful as all of their games—most famously INSEGUITORE DELLA VIA (Street Stalker)—would never find their way out of Italy. This ominous track, which translates elegantly to “Death of the Stranger,” perfectly encapsulates the chilling NES murder experience of which our shores were robbed.

Update: As it turns out, we found another track from this elusive title: “Un’atmosfera sinistra.” Enjoy!

Morte dello sconosciuto

Un’atmosfera sinistra

Created using Milky Tracker (OSX)

In an attempt to continue capitalizing on the success of their previous horror themed titles (Uninvited, Shadowgate), game developer Kemco/Seika began working on another point and click adventure based on the popular movie franchise Halloween. Unfortunately, the brutal nature of the content caused financial backers to pull the plug shortly before completion. All that remains is the game’s main theme, cartridge art, and some incidental press info.

Take control of Dr. Samuel Loomis as you navigate the streets of Haddonfield on a quest to bring the maniac Michael Myers to justice. Use your years of experience and incredible powers of deduction to gather clues as you race against the clock to discover Michael’s motives and location. Experience terror unimaginable as the mystery of the Myers family unfolds, drawing you into its web of horror. Trick or treat…or DIE!

Halloween (Theme)

Download The Module

Created using Milky Tracker (OSX)

Our foolish hero crosses the threshold into the unknown. Nightmares spring to life and specters dance a fiendish jig while a sea of beady, red eyes peer from the darkness ahead – always watching, always waiting. Take up sword and shield as you begin the ascention through Terror Tower. Hon your reflexes to razor sharp as you master each level of the nightmare spire. Match brain and brawn against the dreaded Count Gorgamere and his minions as you quest to free your kingdom from his tyranous reign.

You’ve Been Cordially Invited (To A Nightmare Waltz)

Created using Open MPT (Modplug)