Loopz (NES)

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Loopz
Loopz - NES.jpg
Platform: NES
Year: 1990
Developer: Bits Studios

Loopz is a puzzle game designed by Ian Upton of Audiogenic Software. It was released on many computer platforms until making its debut on the NES, courtesy of Bits Studios. Besides the expected drop in graphics and sound compared to the computer versions, the NES version does a pretty good job being faithful to the computer versions.

In Loopz, you must combine pipes together to form a complete loop, hence the title. There are three game modes, and a two-player option is available. Bonus levels can also be accessed.

Screenshots

Loopz - NES - Title Screen.png

The title screen. This version lacks the polish of title music.

Loopz - NES - Gameplay 1.png

The main menu.

Loopz - NES - Gameplay 2.png

That's one big Loopz!

Loopz - NES - Gameplay 3.png

Playing one of the bonus levels.

Loopz - NES - Gameplay 1.png

Game Over.

Loopz - NES - Gameplay 1.png

The final score.

Loopz - NES - Gameplay 1.png

Inputting a name for the high scores.

Music

The music is taken directly from the Amiga/computer versions and arranged for the NES by its own composer, video game pioneer David Whittaker. As a result, the music stays true to the Amiga version in terms of being note for note. However, the NES version does have a few changes. For one, the lead instrument changes square wave pulse widths, possibly indicating a different instrument playing, whereas the Amiga version used a Pan Flute for its lead instrument. The drum tracks have been slightly altered, but barely noticeable. Also, some of the lead parts play an octave higher than in the Amiga version, while most other parts play at the same octave. It is unknown why Whittaker made these changes, but it was probably to see what the NES was capable of, as this was one of his first projects on the NES.

Whittaker had to code the music in 6502 assembly in his own sound driver. According to interviews, Whittaker mentioned when he did the music for a game across many platforms, he could do each one in less than a day, so this game is probably no exception. However, Whittaker was most likely unaware of the differences between sound playback between PAL and NTSC NES consoles, as NTSC plays a 1 1/4 step higher and at a faster tempo.

Even though the game was not released in Europe, the PAL version of the music was recorded because it is what Whittaker originally intended for it to sound like. There are several factors to prove this. First, the game was developed in England, a country that uses the PAL format. Second, playing the music in PAL matches the Amiga version's pitches and timing almost perfectly. Also, Whittaker did the Game Boy's music in the same key as the Amiga version, though the songs play faster. However, there are no regional differences between PAL and NTSC Game Boy systems.

Recording

  1. NTSC
  2. PAL
# Title Composer Length Listen Download
101 Tune A 1 David Whittaker 1:48
Download
102 Tune A 2 David Whittaker 1:31
Download
103 Tune A 3 David Whittaker 1:47
Download
104 Tune A 4 David Whittaker 1:47
Download
105 Tune B 1 David Whittaker 3:35
Download
106 Tune B 2 David Whittaker 3:35
Download
107 Tune B 3 David Whittaker 3:35
Download
108 Tune B 4 David Whittaker 3:35
Download
109 Tune C 1 David Whittaker 3:14
Download
110 Tune C 2 David Whittaker 3:14
Download
111 Tune C 3 David Whittaker 3:14
Download
112 Tune C 4 David Whittaker 3:14
Download
113 Loopz David Whittaker 0:02
Download
114 Victory 1 David Whittaker 0:02
Download
115 Victory 2 David Whittaker 0:02
Download
116 Bonus David Whittaker 0:36
Download
117 Lose David Whittaker 0:02
Download
118 Game Over David Whittaker 0:07
Download
# Title Composer Length Listen Download
201 Tune A 1 David Whittaker 2:08
Download
202 Tune A 2 David Whittaker 1:47
Download
203 Tune A 3 David Whittaker 1:47
Download
204 Tune A 4 David Whittaker 1:47
Download
205 Tune B 1 David Whittaker 4:16
Download
206 Tune B 2 David Whittaker 4:16
Download
207 Tune B 3 David Whittaker 4:16
Download
208 Tune B 4 David Whittaker 4:16
Download
209 Tune C 1 David Whittaker 3:51
Download
210 Tune C 2 David Whittaker 3:51
Download
211 Tune C 3 David Whittaker 3:51
Download
212 Tune C 4 David Whittaker 3:51
Download
213 Loopz David Whittaker 0:03
Download
214 Victory 1 David Whittaker 0:02
Download
215 Victory 2 David Whittaker 0:02
Download
216 Bonus David Whittaker 0:41
Download
217 Lose David Whittaker 0:02
Download
218 Game Over David Whittaker 0:09
Download

Credits

(Source)


Game Rip

Issue - Incomplete.svg

This rip is missing songs.

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Format

Download

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Releases

  USA.svg   USA
Loopz - NES.jpg
Title: Loopz
Platform: NES
Released: 1990-10-??
Publisher: Mindscape

Links