Friday, 18 Oct 2024

Abandoned Game 40 Winks Finds New Life on Nintendo 64

Crowdfunded indie games often draw inspiration from nostalgic titles of the past. Games like Yooka-Laylee and Hyper Light Drifter bring back the charm of consoles like the SNES and Sega Genesis. While these projects may include stretch goals with mock cartridges, it’s rare to see them actually released on their intended platforms. However, Piko Interactive is changing the game by resurrecting canceled titles and bringing them to their original hardware, including the Game Boy Color, NES, and now the Nintendo 64. One such game is 40 Winks, a collect-a-thon platformer that was successfully funded on Kickstarter in just 10 hours.

A Second Chance for a Lost Gem

Originally developed by Eurocom and published by GT Interactive, 40 Winks was first released on the PlayStation in 1999. The game was met with critical acclaim, but plans for a Nintendo 64 version were abandoned when GT Interactive was acquired by Infogrames. Now, Piko Interactive is giving 40 Winks a second chance on its intended platform. With three weeks remaining in the Kickstarter campaign, the project has already raised four times its original funding goal of $20,000.

A Dreamy Adventure

In 40 Winks, players embark on a whimsical adventure as a brother and sister duo. The story follows the journey of a grumpy man who, out of spite, transforms the creatures responsible for good dreams (Winks) into nightmarish versions (Hood-Winks). It’s up to the siblings to save the Winks and navigate through a series of imaginative and surreal worlds. The game features classic platformer mechanics, including mini-games and unique transformations. What sets this “new” version of 40 Winks apart is the addition of a co-op mode, which was not available in the original PlayStation release. The game is also set to be released on Steam alongside the Nintendo 64 version in September.

Bringing Lost Games Back to Life

Piko Interactive’s mission to revive games on their original platforms is truly commendable. It raises the question of whether there is a market for producing games on outdated hardware, much like the resurgence of vinyl records in recent years. The success of 40 Winks on Kickstarter suggests that there is indeed an enthusiastic audience for such endeavors. Piko Interactive’s dedication to preserving gaming history and giving forgotten games a second chance is a testament to their passion for the medium.

40 Winks
Image source: Piko Interactive on Kickstarter

FAQs

1. Can I play 40 Winks on modern consoles?

As of now, 40 Winks is being released for the Nintendo 64 and Steam. There are no official plans for releases on other platforms.

2. Will the Nintendo 64 version have any exclusive features?

Yes, the Nintendo 64 version of 40 Winks will include a co-op mode, which was not present in the original PlayStation release.

3. When will 40 Winks be available for purchase?

The Nintendo 64 version and the Steam version of 40 Winks are both set to be released in September.

Conclusion

Piko Interactive’s dedication to bringing abandoned games back to their original platforms is a welcome sight in the gaming industry. With the success of their Kickstarter campaign for 40 Winks on the Nintendo 64, it’s clear that there is a passionate audience for these nostalgic experiences. We can’t wait to see what other hidden gems they unearth and give a second chance to in the future. To learn more about Piko Interactive and their projects, visit Wqaindia.