
Bonk is one of video gaming's most unlikely mascots. Originally named PC Kid and seen as the PC Engine's lead character in Japan, he was renamed Bonk when that console was released in North America as the TurboGrafx-16.
Bonk would enjoy three mainline adventures on NEC's hardware - all of which were very well recieved - as well as outings on the SNES and Game Boy. He was supposed to be resurrected on WiiWare, Xbox Live and PlayStation Network in Bonk: Brink of Extinction, but the title was cancelled before release and developer Pi Studios was forced to close as a result.
New footage has now appeared of the game in action, and it's surprisingly polished for an unreleased project. The video shows several of the levels as well as Bonk's fancy transformations, which give him powers such as the ability to freeze enemies or shrink in size to access other areas of the level. Also of interest is the fact that a Nintendo DS version was part of the original pitch for the project.
It's a shame we never got to play this interesting release - be sure to give the video a watch for a more detailed history of the ill-fated venture.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 14
So the game's now Bonk: Extinct?
... bit of a shame :s
I need to grab myself a copy of the GameCube remake.
I was looking forward to this when they announced it...then...the shame came. Would still love if another company grabbed it and released it. Bonk needs to come back...maybe they're actually bring back Chuck Rock then too!
WTF Hudson with that stupid reasoning for why the game couldn't be released. It's a wonder you got anything out your doors.
I would have bought it on Wii. I have Bonk's Revenge on the VC and loved it.
Interesting video!
A real shame, I loved these games back in the day. I also had one on the Amiga. I probably would have picked this up if it would have been released.
@Shiryu Good luck hunting that down. You'd probably be more successful finding an iso, but obviously that's a no-no...
@TheRealThanos The PC Engine trilogy is brilliant. Well, I already have Volume 2 "Star Soldier" ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pytmph0m7c4 ) that I picked up last month, so anything is possible.
@Shiryu I first discovered all the Hudson GameCube classics last year, so that is why I decided to go for iso's instead because over here they are almost impossible to track down and if they are available, the prices are too high for me. I don't want them that desperately...
I have all of them installed on my Wii now, through Cfg USB Loader, as well as the four Triforce Arcade games, another couple of gems that no Nintendo fan should miss...
@TheRealThanos Indeed.
I would love to see a new Bonk game. I'd also prefer a more colorful graphics style like Wario Shake It or Rayman Origins. He'd make a great Smash Bros character too.
I still wish they'd finish and release this game
...poor Bonk, no longer on the brink..
Oh man, this was a thing like 7 years ago which was a long time ago. Almost like a stone age back then.
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