Popeye

Popeye had something few cabinets could brag about: a character everybody already knew from Saturday morning TV. Watching the sailor run around the platforms catching the hearts Olive Oyl tossed down while Brutus chased him was like stepping inside the cartoon.

And when he cracked open that can of spinach and decked Brutus, the crowd behind you cheered like it was a touchdown.

History

Nintendo released it in 1982 with an official license for the King Features character. The story often goes that Donkey Kong itself grew out of a project first meant to star Popeye, reworked into a different game while the rights weren't secured.

When the license finally came through, Nintendo built this single-screen platformer using a lot of what it had learned on Donkey Kong.

How to play

Olive Oyl tosses items from up top: hearts, music notes or letters, depending on the stage. Popeye has to catch them all before they hit the water and sink. Brutus chases you around the platforms, and the Sea Hag hurls bottles from the side of the screen.

You can punch to smash the bottles, and every stage has a can of spinach: grab it and for a few seconds you can knock Brutus out with one punch. There are also things in the stage you can use against him, like a barrel that drops right on his head.

Fun facts

• The three stages take place by Olive's house, on a city street and aboard a ship.
• In the letters stage, Olive spells out the word HELP.
• Brutus can reach through platforms to grab you from above or below.

In the arcade

Popeye is on the UsuArcade wishlist, coming soon to the lounge. Want to see the sailor man here? Vote with the 'I want to play it' button.

In the meantime you can climb girders in Donkey Kong, dig holes in Space Panic or hop around the bombs in Bomb Jack, with chat, live spectators and arcade high scores.

FAQ