Wheel of Fortune (NES) Playthrough - NintendoComplete

A playthrough of GameTek's 1988 game show game for NES, Wheel of Fortune.

I played two different games in this video. The first is on difficulty level two, and the second, beginning at 12:24, is on difficulty level three.

Wheel of Fortune on the NES was an incredibly popular game, as you may have expected given the number sequels it received. It was the first of four games based on the franchise to be released on the NES between 1988 and 1992. It also happens to be GameTek's first published title, Rare's first (of eight!) gameshow adaptations for the system, and finally, it was the first license-based game show game on NES in the United States.

For any game that appears as frivolous as a glitzed up version of Hangman could possibly be, that's an impressive list of noteworthy trivia tidbits.

The graphics aren't so hot. Well, the neon pink Miami Vice vibes of the wheel screen are, but why is Vanna's skin is the color of baby food? And why does her dress make her look like she should be playing castanets? Not even Molly Ringwald would've been caught dead in that radioactive potato sack.

The sound is pretty good, though. There's a crispy voice sample on the title screen (that's gotta be PCM!), and even though the in-game music is limited, Dave Wise still somehow manages to find a funky groove to tap into for the little ditties and fanfares.

I loved the Wheel of Fortune games as a kid, and they still hold a lot of their appeal now. Wheel of Fortune hasn't changed much since 1988, and the NES handled the concept just fine from the start. It does pretty much everything that the modern editions do, so if you like the 8-bit aesthetic (or if you like stable framerates and not staring at loading screens... *ahem* Ubisoft), you'll probably have fun with it!

(This video is a brand new recording to replace my original 240p video.)
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No cheats were used during the recording of this video.

[NintendoComplete]

Even for what amounts to a gussied up version of Hangman, Wheel of Fortune is a solid game show adaptation that's fun to play.

[susanfit]

Since the game was an early NES release, the music leaves a lot to be desired. It is nice to see that the show's theme song by Merv Griffin made it into the game. The music was all done by David Wise of Wizards & Warriors, R.C. Pro-Am, Battletoads, Donkey Kong Country fame.

To write the music, Wise had to tediously enter the music in 6502 assemlby machine code using hexadecimal numbers. He used Chris Stamper's sound driver.

The track names and orderings are taken from the game's NSFE. However, the NSFE fails to mention the title music is Changing Keys by Merv Griffin.

The Junior Edition of the game uses the same exact music as the regular version of the game. However, the Family Edition includes a completely different soundtrack.

[psychedelicartistry]

This game was classic. I remember being a little kid getting the car as a prize saying "I want that car!" lol. Good old days back in the 90s ^^

[WoodsofWilmer]

Dude! I had this game when I was just a wee one. I didn’t know enough English at the time to understand what was the correct answer. So I didn’t win a lot, but it was fun to play none the less. I’m so glad to be watching this!

[danalong]

1:10: “Good luck to all three of you. $1000 is the top dollar value for Round 1, and, as always, we’re playing for cash. Here comes our first category (insert chimes) and it’s a phrase that we’re looking for. Just before the show, we drew numbers to see who would begin the game, and Alex, you won the draw backstage. Spin the wheel and good luck to you, sir!”-Pat Sajak.

[RebeccaArndt]

I remember this game. My grandparents used to have it for their NES

[jubirelle]

Immediately hearing the title theme and I'm like that's David Wise isn't it? Dude writes so many catchy tunes!

[horizon]

One of my most favorite games for NES as a kid

[v]

This game used to scare the crap out of me. The face on the blonde haired lady would occasionally glitch out. It was freaky looking. Granted I was maybe 4 when this was around.

[dexm]

OMG My Dad used to love this game, and he didn't like a whole lot of NES games other than Bases Loaded, Blades of Steel and Golf.

[danalong]

11:27: “Alex, here you are in our bonus round, and the mini-wheel awaits you. Do you have anybody in the audience rooting you on? (Alex says yes) We would love to see you win that prize. Spin that wheel and good luck!”-Pat Sajak.

(Alex spins the wheel)

“Step right over here, Alex. The place is ours, and, speaking of which, the category for tonight is indeed a place. As always, we start with R, S, T, L, N, and E. There they are. Now, I need you to do you work: three consonants and one vowel.”-Pat Sajak.

(Alex picks D, M, B and A, and a D and an A appear on the board)

“One D and One A. Audience, as always, complete silence. Place is the category. 10 seconds. Go!”-Pat Sajak.

(Alex correctly says “Ellis Island!”)

“YES! You did it! You did it! Let’s see which prize you won! It’s a new Porsche! Charlie O, tell us about it!”-Pat Sajak.

“Alex, you just won this beautiful Porsche! (Charlie O’Donnell describes the Porsche) And, Alex, this Porsche is worth… $19, 750! Congratulations!”-Charlie O’Donnell.

[AntilifeHorde]

Damn, you won a sports car and a trip to Hawaii. You're a lucky one!

[danalong]

12:10: “Alex Florentine, you’re gonna be leaving us with a grand total of $29, 900 in cash and prizes! Our congratulations to you! We’ll see you Monday! Have a great weekend!”-Pat Sajak,

“Bye-bye!”-Vanna White.

“Some of our departing contestants will receive… (insert fee plugs).”-Charlie O’Donnell.

(Fred Cowgill plugs sports on the Channel 32 News at 11 on WLKY, which has carried Wheel of Fortune since 1983)

“This is Charlie O’Donnell speaking. Wheel of Fortune is produced by Merv Griffin Enterprises. Distributed by KingWorld.”-Charlie O’Donnell.

[danalong]

0:07: “(audience: Wheel… of… Fortune!”) From our studios in Hollywood, it’s America’s most-watched game show! The famous wheel is spinning your way with lots of cash and an assortment of great prizes! Over $126, 000 just waiting to be won tonight! Now, here are your host and hostess… PAT SAJAK AND VANNA O’Donnell (1932-2010).

[ALTAIR]

I had the tiger electronic version of this and it was great

[darrendoyle]

I played this game a lot as a kid obviously the stakes are much higher now and what I like about this is it had the old bonus round format

[Gameboy-Unboxings]

Vanna's sprite looks way better in the game boy version in my opinion.

[MegaMr]

My grandparents were fans of the game show

[troy]

I remember this game looks like I remembered

[DABangEm]

I had this game and thought that Vanna looked like a zombie.