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Episode 525: Worlds of Power (Patreon)

Published:
2023-04-03 11:00:00
Imported:
2026-06
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As the NES gained popularity, so too did the Nintendo-themed Worlds of Power books written by the entity named "F.X. Nine." Kids rejoiced. Parents, not so much. Adults who already had Nintendo coming out of their ears could do without seeing Mario at Ye Olde Scholastic Bookfairs, but one fact remains undeniable: Even picky readers loved the endearingly cheesy "novelizations" of games like Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, Mega Man 2, Ninja Gaiden, and others.

This week on Retronauts, Nadia is joined by Duckfeed.tv's Gary Butterfield. They leaf through the entire Worlds of Power line-up, reminisce about its history, and marvel over how a few of the books even dragged kids into the video games' worlds. Isekai narratives have always walked beside us. When we look back at the genre's history and see one set of footprints, it's because that's when isekai carried us. (Into Wallachia.)

It's true that any schmoe can discourse about Worlds of Power, but only a handful have the talent to write a convincing '80s school grade narrative of their own. Gary talks about the modern Worlds of Power books he's written, and the challenges of writing totally rad dialect in this futuristic age of video games.

Music this episode

09:25 - Castlevania II: Simon's Quest: Message of Darkness

19:05 - Shadowgate (NES): Courtyard

29:49 - Mega Man 2: Boss Theme

38:32 - Bionic Commando (NES): Area 12

43:15 - Blaster Master Zero 2: Jason & Eve

52:24 - Dark Souls: Gwynevere, Princess of Sunlight

Closing - Metal Gear (NES): Return of Foxhounder

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Comments

littleterr0r

I was also born in 1980 and live in Portland, Oregon (no beard though, shockingly) and somehow, these books passed me by, but I did get one from a friend a few years ago when he gave me his Nintendo magazine collection so I may have to finally check it out.

private

The only one I've read was Ninja Gaiden which was decent as I remember it. They changed the ending, but overall seem faithful to the game. Why wasn't any Ninja Gaiden music played in an episode where one the topics was about Ninja Gaiden?

SilverHairedMiddleAgedTuxedoMask

I got Worlds of Power mixed up with those VHS guides where the guy in a dry voice would tell you how to beat Ninja Gaiden. Looking it up, I wonder how canon the Metal Gear novelization is now.

Eric Zuckero

Really loved the exploration of this series. Thanks! I feel like most gamers of a certain age (I’m 43 btw) have a soft spot in their hearts for these books. I only bought a handful of them as a kid like y’all at book fairs. But, as an adult with expendable adult money I’ve tracked down all of the originals on the secondary market. The Bases Loaded II was the rarest and priciest! I even went so far as to buy the Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties book from LRG just because it uses the same font and colors. I’m really excited about the prospect of getting more in the same vein! Where can I buy your books, Gary?