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A Boy and His Blob ooze onto Wii

Majesco to publish WayForward's revamp of unconventional 8-bit classic on Nintendo's console later this year.

47 Comments

In 2005, Majesco Entertainment sought to revamp and revitalize the NES classic A Boy and His Blob with a new version of the game for the Nintendo DS. That project never came to fruition, but Majesco hasn't given up on the endearingly amorphous ooze just yet. Today the publisher revealed plans to launch a new A Boy and His Blob on the Nintendo Wii later this year.

It certainly looks a lot different than the NES original.
It certainly looks a lot different than the NES original.

Development duties for the new A Boy and His Blob have been entrusted to WayForward. It won't be the studio's first time revamping a retro franchise; in 2007, WayForward created Contra 4 for the DS. And though the company has specialized in portable development going back to the Game Boy Color, it also has experience working with the Wii on last month's WiiWare release Lit.

As in the 1989 original, gamers will need to navigate tricky obstacles with the assistance of a multitalented blob sidekick. When fed different flavored jelly beans, the blob gains special abilities such as changing into a ladder, trampoline, parachute, cannon, or other forms helpful for solving a variety of puzzles. The Wii game features 40 side-scrolling levels, unlockable bonus content, and a mix of new and old jellybeans to spice up the gameplay.

Majesco has pegged A Boy and His Blob for a fall release in North America, whereas European gamers have been told only to expect the game "later this year."

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keyroon

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art style reminds me of the xbox 360 game braid

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rouguesquadron

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I still break out my NES every now and then just to play the original game, I can't wait for the new version.

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everlong12

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i never was very good at the old game. My fun ended when I made the blob a hole and fell through about 20 screens and died. I'm still excited about this one though. Maybe I can figure it out. Can't wait!

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blackie8

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the art style looks awesome

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japanesegoth

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pretty much the only thing i remember about the original is making the blob turn into a rocket right when you start the game and flying across like 10 screens. that was sooo weird. and it was the best part cause that's the only thing we watched lol.

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Erebus

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Sold.

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stziggy

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I wish they'd reconsider putting this out on the DS. I loved this game when I was a kid.

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gameking5000

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Good to hear they are revitalizing this game.

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Phazevariance

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Damn! I wanted this game to come back and here it finally is! Loved teh first one, but it was too easy.

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Oloryn

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Oh heck yes, this is what I'm talking about! Loved the original though it has had a tough time not feeling dated. Great to see a reboot of a creative game! WayForward did a great job with Contra 4 so I have faith that they will deliver a fresh experience. Something to keep an eye on for sure!

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mrklorox

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I'll probably be getting this upon release. I remember being absolutely confounded by the original game as a child back in the day. Perhaps I'll be able to navigate the damn thing now.

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Guzthon

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This game looks interesting, WayForward has a great reputation in video games (Shantae for the GBC from Capcom and Contra 4 for DS from Konami). I wish them good luck and great success.

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Oni

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Ahh the memories. I would actually buy a Wii to play this.

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deactivated-6223e64b57ad6

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Drool...can't wait!

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dag-dabreemie

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They need to make this game into a live action movie or cartoon! They also need to endorse gourmet Jelly Bellys with this game! I think its great that they will revamp this ABHB! Long live David Crane!

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Phylyn5151

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This game was so dumb, I don't even know why I have it still. I remember giving the blob a jellybean to turn him into a trampoleen, bounce really high, and whistle to make him change back, falling to my death.....I just remembered why I own it now!

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Generic_Dude

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Given that my DS gets a lot more use than my Wii, I'd definitely prefer this to be a DS release, but that being said, I'd be interested enough in a Boy And His Blob remake to pick this up. Is this supposed to be a Wiiware release or a full retail game?

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Madmangamer364

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thunderhorse55: Maybe I'm being a bit too optimistic here, but I think this is one of those games that can pull off being able to appeal to a wide variety of Wii owners. If Majesco puts some worthwhile effort into pushing this game, I think it has the right style and look to capture the young Wii userbase. To top it off, if the gameplay holds up, it may also grab those Wii owners that remember the classic and/or those that are looking for something fresh and exciting to play. I know that all of this remains to be seen at the moment, but something's telling me not to count out this game just yet. The fact that someone has taken an NES game like this and given it a chance in this day and age is enough to get me excited about it. I'll admit that much in a heartbeat, as I think it's a cool thing. If Majesco and WayFoward can pull this off, though, I think this could really be saying something. I have my fingers crossed.

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puablo

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Holy crap, this is awesome. I loved the original - it would probably be really frustrating now but it was the greatest idea. The Ketchup jelly bean was the best one of all.

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disposition000

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thunderhorse55, "New Gen" gamers are the problem. The thought of remaking this game made me happy, hopeful. It's such an odd title to remake. The original was impossible to the point of not being fun (at least when I was 8) but this one has so much potential.

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-Saigo-

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Ha ha! How many gamers even remember the original!? It was unique but sorta sucked in my opinion. I had to save up my allowance forever to get this when I was a kid and almost cried when I played it I thought it was so bad! Well, it's good to see them re-making some of the old school games anyways for the "new-gen" of gamers, and this could have some potential if done right.

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Schillinger

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The title of this article made me feel dirty.

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thunderhorse55

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Ok, unless you played the original, who would even look at something lable "A Boy and His Blob"? Well, I clicked on it, so I can't really say that, but still, "A Boy and His Blob"? seriously,I don't think any "New Gen" gamers are gonna be picking this game up.

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-starman-

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as long as it's done right,it'll be successful, no matter which system it's on. yet another great Wii title for 2009!

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BloodMist

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Wow, A Boy and his Blob...that takes me back...that's still such a unique game...wonder if they'll actually have motion controls or anything.

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master_hookshot

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Hmm... looks alright. But we'll see.

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Vinth

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To bad it doesn't come out on the DS, which would be way better, but this love the fact that we get a new game, DS or not!!

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jojo1983

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Just bring the original to the Virtual Console and I'll be happy. I sold my copy years ago.

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AngelCage-2

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Why on wii and not on DS??? that don't have any sense to me.

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Airek49

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This would have had more success on the DS. Should have kept it there. At least Wii is getting something to appeal to gamers (sarcasm).

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hobotech64

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Well if they can get Contra right, they can revive this. Say what you will about the original, the music kicked ass.

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charming989

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I remember playing this game when it first came out... I would always get mad at the stupid blob because he never went where I wanted him to and I used up all my jelly beans. I returned it to a store called Giant.

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jadefury27

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i still have original, good game but i never beat it. this would be a great title to revamp to the as well as the ds. maybe river city ransom will be next...

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mAD_ADaption

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Looks like it plays a little like Yoshi's island. I'll probably try it out.

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aura_enchanted

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well when u consider it was made in a day when selection wasnt an issue but quality was essentially generic u can say it was good for the time.

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Land-0-Funk

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A boy and his blob!..I played that game for a second and thought " This game sucks" and took it back to block buster :) Hopefully a remake will be better

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lolPawnt

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Fun game, can't wait to play it on the Wii :D

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Madmangamer364

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If the game itself holds up to its wonderful art style, the Wii is going to have a surprise hit on its hands. Plus, it appears that WayForward is gaining some momentum these days with the critical acclaimed Contra 4 and the enjoyable WiiWare game, LIT, so I'm hoping it can pull this retro revival off. I never played the original, but nevertheless, I'm keeping my eyes on this one. :)

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twodollarcuts

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I like how it says "aborted DS remake." There's a reason it was aborted: it looked like ass. The new version is about 1000 times better looking.

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aura_enchanted

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blob is clearly made of awsome sauce, long live blobby!

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viewtiful_jay

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Wow, I had no idea this game was so polarizing. I loved it personally on NES, and I've got high hopes for this version. Wonkyman, it IS staying 2D, the screen shot is from a canceled DS version from a few years ago. I've seen screens of the WiiWare version, it looks like hand drawn 2D sprites.

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atopp399

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If it was a sort of Zelda-ish game I think it could be pretty good. They absolutely NEED to put the proper time and money into it though or it will be trash.

I will wait for reviews before I check it out but will be keeping my eye on it.

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LindBergh2007

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It was a VERY VERY lame game back when it came out for the NES in 1990. I'm definelty not happy seeing this back. No sale.

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AstroChimp83

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One of my childhood favorites! Can't wait.

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Wonkyman

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I love how so many titles have been coming back from the grave, but stayed 2D. This is kick ass news.

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zmbi_gmr

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this game was just plain horrible for the nes. i remember getting stuck at some wall that i could never get past. not a fan, but it would be cool if this turns out to be half way decent.

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