Thank you for watching and supporting the channel! A special thank you to those who made this production possible through their generosity towards a great cause this past Summer! Stay tuned for more, and let me know what you think about Hotel Mario.
A pretty impressive and nuanced review on a game that rarely gets any sort of eloquent discussion. I'm glad that you covered the highs and lows of Hotel Mario in the sort of detail that other reviews of this game lack.
No matter the quality of the game, its impacted me more than most media simply for ruining the phrase "you know what they say" for me more than Shadow the Hedgehog ever could.
So funny story, back in 2017 my brother showed me a meme involving this game's intro cutscene that got a good laugh out of me. At the time I hadn't seen all the cutscenes in their raw form, so I'd look them up myself and of course watch them religiously in the following months. Over time, though I became more curious about the gameplay since most people seemed to think it was the worst game in the franchise, but there were some who defended it as a solid game and one of the best on the CD-i (for what that's worth). With this divide, I knew I had to play it for myself, but since I wouldn't be caught dead buying a physical copy and system for the price it goes for, I resorted to looking up ways to emulate it. I had previously used emulators for the SNES and N64 by my brothers' allowance, but this was the first time I actively sought them out myself. I did eventually get to play the game myself, but it was kind of a long and difficult search. On that journey I first picked up the other 2D Mario games (yeah, I wanted to play Hotel Mario before any other 2D Mario, what of it) as well as the Sonic the Hedgehog series, which has since become one of my current favorite game franchises and gotten me more into critical game analysis than I think I would be otherwise. So basically, I wouldn't be where I am now without Hotel Mario. That's a sentence for the ages. Anyways, good video, you did the game justice 👍
Watching gameplay of a CDi game is interesting cause it dosen't look bad, maybe it's because the cutscenes are so ingranded in my brain with one of the YT Poops if Hotel mario I remember watching.
Kinda harsh on the music imo. I won’t deny that the opening theme is copyright infringement, but I would put it 30 football fields away from calling it “bland”. Yeah it’s jank and it’s unhinged but it’s also kinda funky and I feel that in its unfocused nature it’s managed to carve itself its own genre.
Hey, that’s fair! I’m glad you can enjoy that off-kilter kinda feel. A lot of the music is definitely funky, I can agree. I appreciate your perspective.
I'd never really thought about it before this video, but it is really interesting how well known this game is, yet you basically never see people talk about the gameplay whatsoever. Great video
As always IKG, another phenomenal video you’ve made! As well spoken as ever too!! This was a lot of fun to watch and despite me seemingly enjoying badly made games, I’m glad I didn’t miss anything by not playing this game. Now you’ll have to come up with something new for next years charity stream 😂.
Hotel Mario started the trend of exploring several uniquely themed buildings long before Luigi's Mansion 2 made that leap. This game was ahead of the curve and people are too cowardly to admit it! On a more serious note, I have actually stumbled on an instanced of (likely) stolen music in a video game. In Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade the boss theme "In the Name of Bern" is shamelessly stolen from a solo of a Prog Rock band whose name I have sadly forgotten right now. Always a bit disheartening to see, especially in cases where composer is clearly capable of composing solid music by their own merits.
Hahaha! Nice one there with the LM2 reference. This is the first I'm hearing of the situation involving a piece from The Binding Blade having potentially copied another. I'll have to look into that sometime. It's always interesting to weigh that line between coincidence and theft, because more often than not, it's just the former. Hotel Mario on the other hand... I don't know though.......... Lol.
@@IKGProductions I have it now. It's the piece "Lunar Sea" by Camel. The back half contains a section that is pretty much beat for beat the entirety of "In the Name of Bern", which is quite daming.
I've seen more RUclips Poops of this game than actual gameplay, same with the Zelda games. I always thought the 4 Nintendo/CD-i games were fascinating parts of gaming history, it's funny that online meme culture basically saved them from complete obscurity. Fantastic review!! I love seeing serious looks at these weird little games that Nintendo never wants to acknowledge. lol
Yeah, I honestly don't think this game is *that* bad either. The gameplay is a little stale, but it's inoffensive. It doesn't have enough ideas to justify its length, but it's not painful to play, just not too interesting. And let's be real, those cutscenes are the kind of bad that underflows and wraps around into being amazing.
I was honestly surprised when I heard about almost complete and unreleased Looney Tunes Hotel for the Atari 5200. The gameplay is nearly identical to that of Hotel Mario. I still enjoy Hotel Mario, although in short bursts of it after using a cheat code to access all the hotels.
Great review as always. Especially liked the section where you talk about the overt plagiarizing of the "Little Women" theme. When Nintendo's composer gets inspired by a piece like with "Shy Guy Beach" being inspired by the theme from "A Summer Place," it's distinct enough to be its own thing. This is just a case where they swap the instrumentation and hope no one notices. Like the kid copying an essay with different handwriting. Still the same essay. Also, love the "here's to us" bit from Moonraker. Underrated movie.
Thank you, Alec! That’s a very well-written explanation of why the Little Women theme can be considered plagiarized, while “Shy Guy Beach” is an example of inspiration (love the Andy Williams version of “A Summer Place”, btw). So glad you enjoyed the use of the Moonraker clip, as well. :)
@@IKGProductions You know what they say, the supreme excellence is simplicity. It may not have Cape Fathers, Hammer Suits, or Super Carrots, but I'm glad this game existed. I just wish I could find a way to access this game, or maybe if someone can provide a remaster that is of similar quality to the "Animation Magic Inc." Zelda CD-i remakes. Maybe have the remake provide achievements that will let you unlock extra content if you play Remastered Mode. Perhaps make it more interesting if you find secret hotel rooms that were in the original game, that can be used to unlock new content if you play these levels in Remastered Mode; like the Toaster Room unlocks the Hammer Suit, Killing a Red/Yellow Eyed Koopa to get a Magic Lantern will unlock the Ice Flower, the "Biggest Fan" Room unlocks the Tanooki Suit, finding the Ghost Colonge will give you access to a Debug Mode (which includes an option for Permanent Invincibility), and finding Wendy's Piggy Bank will allow you to customize your coin-1UP ratio; completing all the original Hotel Missions will give you access to a list of achievements that shows more missions to unlock more stuff. One example of a new Remastered Mode Mission Achievement would be to find Toad in any Item Door (usually progressing from Mushroom to Fire Flower to Mushroom again) in order to access the Toad House on the Remastered Mode Map.
This review was really well made! I like it how you look at it as a game that isn't good but has a place in history. I've been wanting to try this game out for a while but after this review I still want to try it even though it's flawed. I like what you said at the end of the video the game shouldn't be forgotten but shouldn't be played. I think it's a interesting piece of video game history more than anything.
Honestly I can't blame Fantasy Factory for using the theme from Little Women considering Nintendo themselves had already used the Can Can song in Super Mario Land, even though Miyamoto wasn't involved in the project I highly doubt they had to pay rights to the song because it wasn't even featured on the game's credits. While Hotel Mario doesn't offend me by it's visuals or soundtrack, the gameplay loop and the painful emulation issues make up for an unpleasing experience.
It is worth noting that the “Can Can” in its original form is a piece of classical music that has been in the public domain for centuries, so it is very different ethically and legally, here. But regardless, I am glad to see others can vouch for the gameplay loop really making the experience not so good.
I'm really sorry man, I saw your post on twitter that this video was coming and it must have got lo lost in my sub box. At its core I think Hotel Mario doesn't look too bad. Honestly if anything it reminds me of the original Mario Bros, with a bit of Wrecking crew. It shows its hand way too early, but the base idea of the game is easily the most competent looking of the CDI games.
Thank you for watching and supporting the channel! A special thank you to those who made this production possible through their generosity towards a great cause this past Summer! Stay tuned for more, and let me know what you think about Hotel Mario.
A pretty impressive and nuanced review on a game that rarely gets any sort of eloquent discussion. I'm glad that you covered the highs and lows of Hotel Mario in the sort of detail that other reviews of this game lack.
Thank you so much. I’m really happy with how it turned out and doubly happy that people seem to appreciate a more honest and nuanced look at the game!
No matter the quality of the game, its impacted me more than most media simply for ruining the phrase "you know what they say" for me more than Shadow the Hedgehog ever could.
This is a powerful comparison.
So funny story, back in 2017 my brother showed me a meme involving this game's intro cutscene that got a good laugh out of me. At the time I hadn't seen all the cutscenes in their raw form, so I'd look them up myself and of course watch them religiously in the following months. Over time, though I became more curious about the gameplay since most people seemed to think it was the worst game in the franchise, but there were some who defended it as a solid game and one of the best on the CD-i (for what that's worth).
With this divide, I knew I had to play it for myself, but since I wouldn't be caught dead buying a physical copy and system for the price it goes for, I resorted to looking up ways to emulate it. I had previously used emulators for the SNES and N64 by my brothers' allowance, but this was the first time I actively sought them out myself. I did eventually get to play the game myself, but it was kind of a long and difficult search. On that journey I first picked up the other 2D Mario games (yeah, I wanted to play Hotel Mario before any other 2D Mario, what of it) as well as the Sonic the Hedgehog series, which has since become one of my current favorite game franchises and gotten me more into critical game analysis than I think I would be otherwise.
So basically, I wouldn't be where I am now without Hotel Mario. That's a sentence for the ages.
Anyways, good video, you did the game justice 👍
Thank you for sharing that amazing story, Iggy! It really is something else to think about the journey you’ve been on in part to this game. Legendary!
Watching gameplay of a CDi game is interesting cause it dosen't look bad, maybe it's because the cutscenes are so ingranded in my brain with one of the YT Poops if Hotel mario I remember watching.
Kinda harsh on the music imo. I won’t deny that the opening theme is copyright infringement, but I would put it 30 football fields away from calling it “bland”. Yeah it’s jank and it’s unhinged but it’s also kinda funky and I feel that in its unfocused nature it’s managed to carve itself its own genre.
Hey, that’s fair! I’m glad you can enjoy that off-kilter kinda feel. A lot of the music is definitely funky, I can agree. I appreciate your perspective.
I'd never really thought about it before this video, but it is really interesting how well known this game is, yet you basically never see people talk about the gameplay whatsoever. Great video
Exactly! Thanks, Scott!
As always IKG, another phenomenal video you’ve made! As well spoken as ever too!! This was a lot of fun to watch and despite me seemingly enjoying badly made games, I’m glad I didn’t miss anything by not playing this game. Now you’ll have to come up with something new for next years charity stream 😂.
Thanks, Ben! Yes… it’s definitely not worth the investment, especially with how inaccessible the game is!
Hotel Mario started the trend of exploring several uniquely themed buildings long before Luigi's Mansion 2 made that leap. This game was ahead of the curve and people are too cowardly to admit it!
On a more serious note, I have actually stumbled on an instanced of (likely) stolen music in a video game. In Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade the boss theme "In the Name of Bern" is shamelessly stolen from a solo of a Prog Rock band whose name I have sadly forgotten right now. Always a bit disheartening to see, especially in cases where composer is clearly capable of composing solid music by their own merits.
Hahaha! Nice one there with the LM2 reference. This is the first I'm hearing of the situation involving a piece from The Binding Blade having potentially copied another. I'll have to look into that sometime. It's always interesting to weigh that line between coincidence and theft, because more often than not, it's just the former. Hotel Mario on the other hand... I don't know though.......... Lol.
@@IKGProductions I have it now. It's the piece "Lunar Sea" by Camel. The back half contains a section that is pretty much beat for beat the entirety of "In the Name of Bern", which is quite daming.
@hansgretl1787 Very intriguing.
I've seen more RUclips Poops of this game than actual gameplay, same with the Zelda games. I always thought the 4 Nintendo/CD-i games were fascinating parts of gaming history, it's funny that online meme culture basically saved them from complete obscurity. Fantastic review!! I love seeing serious looks at these weird little games that Nintendo never wants to acknowledge. lol
Thank you so much, Cooper! Yes, I agree wholeheartedly that it’s great to see meme culture preserve this very odd game.
Yeah, I honestly don't think this game is *that* bad either. The gameplay is a little stale, but it's inoffensive. It doesn't have enough ideas to justify its length, but it's not painful to play, just not too interesting. And let's be real, those cutscenes are the kind of bad that underflows and wraps around into being amazing.
i am surprised that Nintendo never released this game on anything else after the failure of the CDi.
I was honestly surprised when I heard about almost complete and unreleased Looney Tunes Hotel for the Atari 5200. The gameplay is nearly identical to that of Hotel Mario. I still enjoy Hotel Mario, although in short bursts of it after using a cheat code to access all the hotels.
i think Hotel Mario would have been successful had it not been on the CDi
It’s certainly possible!
i think this game has an underrated soundtrack. its also neat that each stage has a different background
Great review as always. Especially liked the section where you talk about the overt plagiarizing of the "Little Women" theme. When Nintendo's composer gets inspired by a piece like with "Shy Guy Beach" being inspired by the theme from "A Summer Place," it's distinct enough to be its own thing. This is just a case where they swap the instrumentation and hope no one notices. Like the kid copying an essay with different handwriting. Still the same essay.
Also, love the "here's to us" bit from Moonraker. Underrated movie.
Thank you, Alec! That’s a very well-written explanation of why the Little Women theme can be considered plagiarized, while “Shy Guy Beach” is an example of inspiration (love the Andy Williams version of “A Summer Place”, btw). So glad you enjoyed the use of the Moonraker clip, as well. :)
i literally searched up hotel Mario like an hour after this video came out by coincidence
It must be fate!
@@IKGProductions You know what they say, the supreme excellence is simplicity. It may not have Cape Fathers, Hammer Suits, or Super Carrots, but I'm glad this game existed. I just wish I could find a way to access this game, or maybe if someone can provide a remaster that is of similar quality to the "Animation Magic Inc." Zelda CD-i remakes. Maybe have the remake provide achievements that will let you unlock extra content if you play Remastered Mode. Perhaps make it more interesting if you find secret hotel rooms that were in the original game, that can be used to unlock new content if you play these levels in Remastered Mode; like the Toaster Room unlocks the Hammer Suit, Killing a Red/Yellow Eyed Koopa to get a Magic Lantern will unlock the Ice Flower, the "Biggest Fan" Room unlocks the Tanooki Suit, finding the Ghost Colonge will give you access to a Debug Mode (which includes an option for Permanent Invincibility), and finding Wendy's Piggy Bank will allow you to customize your coin-1UP ratio; completing all the original Hotel Missions will give you access to a list of achievements that shows more missions to unlock more stuff. One example of a new Remastered Mode Mission Achievement would be to find Toad in any Item Door (usually progressing from Mushroom to Fire Flower to Mushroom again) in order to access the Toad House on the Remastered Mode Map.
never played the game but i think the ost is an unironic banger
This review was really well made! I like it how you look at it as a game that isn't good but has a place in history. I've been wanting to try this game out for a while but after this review I still want to try it even though it's flawed. I like what you said at the end of the video the game shouldn't be forgotten but shouldn't be played. I think it's a interesting piece of video game history more than anything.
Hotel Mario's menu music might be problematic.
Meanwhile, Koji Kondo: ruclips.net/video/ZX5ef_KAZlY/видео.html
@IKGProductions 2:08 Boy, I sure wonder who he's talking about here... Couldn't possibly have a guess :)
Honestly I can't blame Fantasy Factory for using the theme from Little Women considering Nintendo themselves had already used the Can Can song in Super Mario Land, even though Miyamoto wasn't involved in the project I highly doubt they had to pay rights to the song because it wasn't even featured on the game's credits.
While Hotel Mario doesn't offend me by it's visuals or soundtrack, the gameplay loop and the painful emulation issues make up for an unpleasing experience.
It is worth noting that the “Can Can” in its original form is a piece of classical music that has been in the public domain for centuries, so it is very different ethically and legally, here. But regardless, I am glad to see others can vouch for the gameplay loop really making the experience not so good.
Nice of IKG to review Hotel Mario, eh Luigi?
I hope he complained about stealing music from the Little Women film!
I'm really sorry man, I saw your post on twitter that this video was coming and it must have got lo lost in my sub box. At its core I think Hotel Mario doesn't look too bad. Honestly if anything it reminds me of the original Mario Bros, with a bit of Wrecking crew. It shows its hand way too early, but the base idea of the game is easily the most competent looking of the CDI games.
That’s a valid take, Jack! Thanks for giving it a watch, hope you’re doing well!