Marble Madness NES Secrets and History | Generation Gap Gaming
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- Marble Madness NES Secrets and History | Generation Gap Gaming
Marble Madness, you know that quirky race through the maze NES game you likely just rented when you were a kid but still managed to roll its way into your heart, was just one of many console ports of the original 1984 arcade classic created by Atari. Unique visuals and controls along with groundbreaking music and sound deem this title a notable historical video game even to this day. This deep dive will of course share a detailed account of its development history, intriguing secrets, and a few challenging strategies to help you beat Marble Madness. We will also reveal its unreleased sequel along with small tie ins to some of your favorite 80s board games, and even the king of pop Michael Jackson. Now, let’s get started.
#MarbleMadness #NES #retrogaming
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Oh! I was gonna watch an FF TRAILER BREAKDOWN video but look what we got here! Good to see u my man
😂i gotta get that tyson shirt. Are you selling those, or do i have to make my own? I'd rather buy it from you and help your channel out. Let me know, please, sir.
Crazy how hard a few short levels can be. Glad to see you back Tyler.
me 2.
Good to be back man! Hope you are doing well man!
I owned Marble Madness for the Genesis. Used to beat it over and over. I am wearing a shirt right now that says "everything you know is wrong", a reference to text that appeared on the screen at the intro of the upside-down level. That text seemed overly-dramatic, randomly giving children an existential crisis because you move uphill instead of downhill. Great game.
Cool you have that shirt!!! thanks for sharing
Every notification from GenerationGapGaming is well received! Marble Madness was the game that introduced me to... ehm, weird concepts and originality, creativity. It wasn't a classic action game, a typical arcade game focused on platforming sections, no muscle dudes like Contra (Probotector here in Europe) and Bad Dudes, no spaceships, no superheroes, no princess to save. Marble madness was Marble Madness! And yes, every version I played (NES and Master System were the easiest the find), it was always Marble Madness. And that soundtrack is still running in my head to this very day!
Well said. I should have you help me wording my scripts lol
@@GenerationGapGaming what a great honour! Thanks! :D
So happy to see this series back!
Good to have another Secrets and History video back. I already know what the next one is gonna be lol
@ awesome!
Man, the first time I saw the commercial for the NES game, I HAD to have it! Begged for it for my birthday and I got it. That was awesome because I only got to get one game for my birthday and one for Christmas each year. Played this game to death. Absolutely loved it!
I love hearing stories like these. Sounds like you have a genuine passion for Marble Madness.
Glad to see another G3 vid! We had this game on NES when it came out, and it is still enjoyable to pick up and play!
I’m glad you still enjoy it! Thanks for the kind words
The music IS a true star! Fun fact: In the arcade, once you progress about halfway through Aerial Race, the music changes to a darker much more ominous tune. This song never made it to most ports (though it is on the Genesis version.) Great video!
Awesome trivia there. Much appreciated. Glad you enjoyed the video
Oh yeah.... I remember going through a phase when I was younger where I was a pretty big fan of this game.
Sweet! Glad it brought back some fun memories
Been waiting to get off of work to watch this. Well done as always brother.
Thank you bruther! Glad you enjoyed
Welcome back brother. Miss these videos and Mullet Boy.
This game on arcade and NES are underrated.
It is a pretty good game, I have lots of memories with friends playing this!!!
Thank you man! Felt good to get another Secrets and History under the belt lol
Excellent video as always, it's been awhile but welcome back! Hope to see more!
Thank you! I already have the next secrets and history video in mind lol
There was a bunch of well done ports, but they were all missing the trackball
Definitely the only element that makes it hard to reproduce the original
Marble Madness was definitely a game I rented multiple times as a kid. Especially whenever my cousins were over for a birthday party.
Exactly! The perfect rental
I remember we had a marble madness arcade at our local bowling alley. It was definitely a quarter eater. I preferred the home version better.
I greatly preferred playing with the trackball myself, Monkey Ball played awesome in the arcade too with the banana control stick.
I would assume it would take a lot of money to make it through. Especially if you could continue where you left off by throwing in another quarter
This was a fun game. I had it and played it off and on for years! Awesome video!
Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Always fun to go back and play this one.
Had no idea the a button gave you a speed burst. And I loved this game on the NES.
Yeah....Had to figure that out the hard way on the beginning of the final level where you need to use it to get into that teleporter thing.
Thanks for reminding me of the most frustrating game ever made. I frequently come back to this game for nostalgia’s sake and eventually I remember how much I absolutely suck at this game.
Lol. We all have games like that
Great to hear from you again Tyler and I love your secrets and history videos I miss seeing them and it was great getting another one from you. Thank you Tyler. Oh yeah if possible can we get a secrets and history video on R.C. Pro Am, that's one of my favorite NES titles.
You are most welcome sir. Thanks for the kind words. R.C. Pro AM would be a great one to cover one day.
I love your channel, man. Stoked to watch this one.
That is great to hear and thank you! Hope you enjoyed it
Yes! Just got the game working today! Love your channel!!
Thank you sir! Hope you got a chance to play.
Bravo, Tyler. Another gem. 👍
Thank you James!
Nice job! Thanks for the shout out to Marble Blast Ultra. I always enjoyed Marble Madness as a kid but it was really hard. MBU is one of my favorite games and I was old enough to get really good at that one. MM definitely paved the way.
Thanks! I never got a chance to play Marble Blast Ultra but I bet I would enjoy it. I need to try it for sure. Thanks for the recommendation.
@GenerationGapGaming it's kind of hard to find now since it was on Xbox Live Arcade. I do recommend Marble It Up though. It's not quite as good but I still enjoyed it a lot. MBU is one of those games for me. I had most of the levels cleared with the fastest time possible (without a modded and controller). I love a good marble game.
Yoooooo! A G3 video!! It's like Christmas! 😆 i vividly remembered this game. But honestly can't remember if I liked it or not.
Ha! Glad you enjoyed the comback. Well at least you remember the game lol
good to see ya man! trying hard not to procrastinate today and failing LOL. might boot up the NES later now haha.
Thanks! Yeah its hard to get started sometimes lol
Great to see you & the family back! Wonderful game to return with! 😁❤️
We're excited to be back. I'm really happy you enjoyed it
This game is one of my earliest memories. Love it
Awesome!
lol at “Phteven” I need a Phteven ROM hack of Marble Madness now! Awesome video, hope to see another soon!
I'm glad someone appreciated the Phteven lol. Thanks Eric. Already working on the next script and its a secrets and history video I think everyone should be excited about!
It's been a minute...glad to see you back.
It has definitely been a minute lol. Thanks!
You have outdone yourself Tyler, amazing video on a great game that has been overlooked. And agree, this was a game I rented multiple times. Keep the nostalgia coming brother. 🙏
Thank you sir! Crazy how many people said they rented it a lot too. I think it's great we all experienced it similarly.
Great to see you back, Tyler.
Thank you Jeremy! Great to be back
So glad to see a new video from you! Always a treat and a trip back in time.
Thank you so much! I am glad it brings back great memories.
Nice Twilight Zone! I appreciate the box-on-the-glass shot. I’m guilty of that flex too. I’d love to see some pinball content!
I love that game too, so much nostalgia! And you're right, pinball would be awesome on the channel. I assume you have the TZ machine?
It’s great to see a new G3 video 🙌
That's great to hear! Thanks for the kind words
Great video! Can't wait to see what you have for us next time.
Thank you so much! Next video planned is a secrets and history as well.
loved this game...I remember the trick for one player allowing you to use both trackballs to speed up play, example move left with left ball and right with the right one
That's actually pretty awesome! I didn't get to play the original cabinet. Cool you could use both trackballs
Secrets Revealed! Welcome back brother!
Great to be back Michael. Great to hear from you my friend
I actually owned this game and I loved it. I used to play it in the arcade and the NES port was very close to it.
Awesome! Glad you got to play the original arcade too
TYLER MY MAN!!! GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK BROTHER!!!
Thank you sir! It's good to be back. Great to hear from you again
He's back!!!!
Yes sir!!!!!
this game blistered many thumbs back in the day
No doubt! It can be frustrating lol
This was such a fun game. It was short, challenging, but actually possible for a kid to beat, unlike quite a few of the other games on the NES back in the day.
I could not agree with you more!
pure infuriating fun! gotta give this game props for what it could do at the time!
Infuriating fun is a perfect description lol
I remember this game. Still not sure how they were able to pull this off on the nes hardware. It's very impressive even to this day
I agree. Very creative minds to bring it to us at home as such a true representation of the OG
@GenerationGapGaming yes sir, brings back a whole Lotta memories too. Actually I have a nes emulator on my phone I might try to see if I can find this rom lol. Thanks man, and thanks for replying also.
I was installing a new WiFi router for my parents last summer and found my Fireball Island in a closet in their basement. That game was AWESOME.
Sweet! I bet that was a blast from the past
I had Marble Madness on the Sega Master System 2 as a kid I used to really like it.
Sweet! Btw we have a cat too that looks just like your profile pic!
Remember getting the NES version of MM for my birthday as a kid. I loved it.
One suggestion through, if you talk about how good the music is, or the sound quality, why not let us hear a little bit?
I agree with you on the sound. I get a little paranoid about YT dinging videos for copyright when you play game music, but I did want to put some in there.
I have a natural gift for Marble Madness speed running. I can game over faster than anyone i know 😂
🤣 I did not see the end of that sentence coming.
Glad you're back! Loved this video. Marble Madness doesn't get nearly enough discussion
Thanks man! Great to be back. It was fun paying tribute to Marble Madness. Brought back some fun memories.
My only gripe with Marble Madness was that it is only 4 levels. Definately left me wanting more.
Agreed! Short game for sure once you get proficient, but I am still not a master of it by any means lol
You're alive!!!
Yes!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣
@GenerationGapGaming Whew! I'm so happy! Friday Night Gaming stopped posting, then you, I was starting to think there was a vintage game assassin or something.
OG monkey ball. One of my favs as a kid
I enjoyed that one too!
as a kid in the 80s. i never owned Marble Madness for the nes but i did have it on my trs-80 computer.
Sweet! How was that version?
it wasn't as colorful or fancy as the nes version
The Japanese release of Marble Madness on the Mega Drive is a very direct port, with the music being very close to the arcade game. It's definitely the version to go for instead of the western Mega Drive/Genesis release.
Interesting. I'll have to check it out!
@ I hope you enjoy it!
Welcome back!
Thank you sir!
I finally beat this last year!!! What a challenge!
Sweet! Glad you beat it
always good videos
Thank you my friend! I enjoy watching you crush any game you play on your channel lol
@ lol ty!!!
I used the pause technique on the last race, not to gain time but so I could think about my next move because it was super difficult.
I totally get that! It does allow you to calm down and collect your thoughts lol
My Favorite Game of All Time
I remember playing it on an atari 400, NES, Arcade... who knows
but the SEGA Mastersystem version is Probably the Nicest Home Port
Sweet! You got to experience it in so many ways
fun fact: David Wise also composed the brilliant music found in Donkey Kong Country! (aquatic ambience anyone?) 🥰
You are correct!
The #1 rental of all time ‼️
We are on the same page here 100%. The perfect rental!
Generation Gap Gaming was on my 2025 Bingo card! Yay!
Bingo! 🤣
I would play this on my Game Boy over and over.
Awesome! I didn't have the Game Boy version until I was collecting as an adult.
Good To see u Tyler !! Stay Up ! If you ever come down to Southern California , there is a brewery called " 8 Bit " its all about 8 bit gamming. The beers are named after video games. The logo is a 8 bit logo really cool . It also has retro 805s arcades !
Thanks for the tip! That sounds like a fun place to visit. Great to hear from you!
Marble Madness was released right after Atari Corp. (who did the consoles and computers) split away from Atari Games (who did the arcade games). It's confusing that there were two different companies called Atari at that point.
And Marble Madness II had absolutely no chance competing against the popular arcade games of 1991-1992 (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - then several years old, The Simpsons, and Street Fighter II). They axed the game due to bad location testing.
Awesome! Thanks for the info. It's great for all of us to have here in the comments.
This game probably inspired the gyro ball levels of Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath Of Cortex on PS2. I had never heard of Marble Madness though.
That is an excellent point! Probably Cerny paying homage to Marble Madness.
I remember the box, but I can't remember if I ever played it!
The box was well designed for sure. Hope you enjoyed the video.
Mullet boy @ 6:31 for only a quarter lol
You got him! A good value for sure lol
Oh and ps--- the day i stopped seeking out whatever video game cabins were at whichever movie theater or bowling alley, etc, was the day my younger self's heart broke cuz i saw that it was 75c, or even$1.00 to play, i.e. bye bye to the "i put my quarter up, so I'm next"
Just a shame... AS bad as when i went to buy a quarter water in my adult years and the bodega counter dude said, "no, 35 cents"
😢😢
wrote a reply before the "OH AND PS" one (which obv explains why i started with OH AND PS lol)...but it's gone-zo.... not the 1st time a comment of mine was deemed kaput here...puzzling... indicative of madness....Mar....ble....Madness...??
lol im anIdiot
GREAT video
Thank you sir!
This game would drive me nuts.
Yes there's a pun there.
I see what you did there dude lol. Hope all is good with you.
This game made me crazy as a kid lol
Oh I get it lol
7:22 except for the fact that you wouldn't know the a button gives you a soeed burst without the instruction manual which I've never read.
I know right lol. It took me a couple rentals to realize the dynamics changed when I accidentally hit the A button out of frustration. I didn't have the manual at first either
Like u never left. But you didn't use that cool background sound music like all the other videos. But thank you for returning
Thanks! I felt a little rusty, but I'm glad it didn't come off that way. I used the music, I guess it just may be a little low lol
Fireball Island was a great board game
No doubt! It actually delivered on the commercial too. It was super fun
Mulllet boy 6:29 nice
You found him!
Interesting, no mention of the Game Boy port? That was the version I grew up playing... and seeing the gameplay and sound compared to the NES version, the port feels like a near-identical experience... aside from the lack of colors.
I showed my game box of the Game Boy port at the beginning of the video, but I yeah I didn't mention it in the video. I had planned to, but I felt it didn't flow with the rest of the script. I'm glad you enjoyed that port!
@GenerationGapGaming I suppose that's fair, and it would be slightly redundant as it didn't do anything new or different aside from being just a competent monochromatic port
6:28
MULLET BOY!
ITS BEEN A WHILE
Found him!
Your voice is great
Thank you! I feel it is a love it or hate it accent lol
My first experience with marble madness was on the Commodore 64
Awesome! How were the graphics on that version?
@GenerationGapGaming Very good actually. The background music was really good
@GenerationGapGaming i miss those floppy disk games
@@johncote2776 awesome! I'll have to be on the hunt for it
@@GenerationGapGaming do you have a commodore 64??
thanks for the video, hello from Ukraine, I never understood how to play this game, but the time will come when I will pass it
Thanks for the support! It's always great to hear from viewers all over the world.
i played marble madness in my stomach after i ate one. curiously, i did pass the level by pooping out the marble
Wow! That last level would definitely be the final boss battle lol. Glad you made it through
This game taught me patience, logic, and...
Wait, I'm a liar.
I hated this game cause I couldn't even beat the first level.
😂😂
Hahaha! I appreciate your honesty. Definitely tons of trial and error with this one....... mostly error
MARBLE MADNESS!!!!
Yes!!!!!!
Hello Tyler!
Hey dude! Great to hear from you. Hope all is well
It was not a phenomenon. It was just a game.
Fair enough lol. We can each have our opinion
Fair enough lol. We can have our own opinions
Glad you're back!! Love the videos please keep'em going!
Thanks man! It's good to be back
The arcade version is easier using both trackballs simultaneously.
Cool to hear that perspective! I never got to play on the original cabinet. I need to find one someday. Thanks for sharing.
Happy to see you back!
Great to be back! Thank you
I played the arcade game a few years ago with the track ball. As a huge fan of the NES game... I'll be honest it didn't click with me. It was a super annoying way to play the game. Give me the precision of the controller any day.
I feel I would draw the same conclusion. I think the NES controller has me hard wired to play it that way.
Mullet Boy - 6:28
That's him but a couple others beat you to him lol. Nice job
4:37 - RC Pro AM should be re-released for today's systems.
5:17 - the font used gives me "Duck Tails" vibes 😐
Correct on the Duck Tales font for sure! RC Pro AM does need a revamp. I'd be down lol
4:36. Wrestlemania was popular?
I mean sales wise it did well. Not saying it was a great game lol. I get what you mean for sure
You don’t make enough videos
I agree lol. I'm trying to improve on it. Quality over quantity for me personally.
Great game, way to short
Agreed 100%!
Why wasnt this remade
Agreed! Seems like it would have been a good title for the Wii with the motion controls and such.
I was never very good at this game, but I really liked the music on the NES. Cool video.
Same here. I'm not master of Marble Madness myself. Thanks for the kind words.
This is my favorite series. I love the back stories and history, the game play, the artwork. Excellent video! 🎉
Thank you so much. They are my favorite to create as well. Just a lot of time lol
@ I bet they are! Do you have like a Patreon page or a way for us to support your videos? They are by far one of my favorites to see hit my feed.
@@rylch44 I did have a Patreon page, but I paused it because of how unpredictable it can be for me to put out videos and I didn't feel it was fair to people. If you would like to support, then I'd say a super thanks here on TH-cam would be your best bet, but don't feel obligated. That way you have complete control of how you'd like to support the channel. Thanks!
This game pissed me off.
I get it. Believe me lol
ads ads ads...pack that .03 cents of revenue right up in there.
I just got my hands on the Marble Madness Tiger handheld! Can’t wait to get a complete in box NES copy for my collection. I loved this game as a kid!
Woah! I need that handheld. I'm glad you got one.