Back when licensed video games first caught on during the '80s and '90s, it wasn't just cartoons, comics and movies that were being adapted to the newest form of entertainment at the time, there were also games based on musicians. The most famous was Michael Jackson's Sega-developed title Moonwalker - requiring the player to execute signature dance moves to take down a variety of enemies while rescuing children at the same time. The king of pop undeniably had the biggest music game and essentially paved the way for more music orientated video game releases later down the line.
During this period when Moonwalker was at the top of the charts, there were many other musicians cashing in on the success of video games. Apparently, American rapper Vanilla Ice even had a game lined up. The YouTube channel GameBoyle - predominantly focused on Game Boy history - has posted a 10-minute clip about Vanilla Ice's unreleased Game Boy title originally known as Rap City.
At the height of Ice's career, THQ signed a deal with him to create a Game Boy game using his likeness. The developer behind the release was tasked with completing the game as soon as possible. Unfortunately, halfway through the creation of it, the team discovered it didn't legally have the rights to Ice's music. Despite this, work on the title continued until Ice's popularity dropped and the side-scrolling beat 'em up was then renamed Rap Quest, with Ice removed from it altogether. Surprisingly, development was actually completed - and even reached Nintendo for certification, but it didn't get released in the end.
For the full explanation on how it all unfolded, take a look at the video above - it's one heck of a story. The narrator even admits the ROM version of the game he was supplied with has grown on him. And now here's our excuse to post Vanilla Ice's most famous track:
[source youtube.com]
Comments 19
It's never felt more right to share this
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D6TLo4Z_LWu4&ved=2ahUKEwi05fe1q63eAhV1NX0KHRHQDAYQwqsBMAF6BAgHEAU&usg=AOvVaw1LMgj_CoWDK052ZrL7X7z6&cshid=1540874224437
Ice Ice Baby also featured on Dance Dance Revolution X2 Arcade as well.
I was kinda hoping it was unreleased because it stole assets from an unreleased Queen related video game.
But Vanilla Ice fading into obscurity too quickly for anyone to care enough about it is the other obvious punchline, so that will do.
But now I hope it gets a cameo in a TMNT game.
@kkslider5552000 before he faded out of the spotlight tho I remember him growing long blonde dreadlocks and trying to become a reggae type rapper. Then in the late 90’s/early 2000’s he decided to start getting tatted up and tried his luck at being a rockstar. Dude has had some serious identity-crises!
All right, stop.
So awesome to see a Boyographic video featured on NintendoLife! Without a doubt one of my favorite YouTube channels that should have way more views than it does.
@2legit2quit And a DIY show
Wasn't there an FMV Vanilla Ice video game released on the Sega CD?
Cool AS ICCCCCCE. Oh, he is an ice-hole according to Nostalgia Critic.
For two weeks the console wars were dropped in our school to concentrate on the Ice v Hammer conflict.
Wow! Who would’ve thought of a concept where Vanilla Ice is the saviour of rap music? But the game looks quite interesting actually. If this was released back then, I would probably have tried to track it down for my retro collection!
@Jin15 Yeah, Game Boyle deserves more viewers. His videos are always of high quality. As a Game Boy collector myself, his show is pure gold. Glad he gets some attention here, even if it’s for a Vanilla Ice game.
Likely because it was missing a ting somewhere. That ting makes all the difference.
If you’re over 40, Ice, Ice Baby was your favorite song for at least 15 minutes. Admit it...this is a safe place : )
@bluedogrulez it was definitely the truth of its time, lol. It just hasn't aged well as a "thing" XD
I can say the same about Ninja Rap
If we can get novelty games like a new Shaq Fu, why not this?
Yoooo VIP! I remember reading about this being in development. We dodged a Shaq Fu rusty bullet.
God help me i hated him so much, Jim Carrey did a parody if "Ice, Ice Baby" on In Living Color and it hit it on the mark, Vanilla Ice was so pathetic, he was the first person ejected from Dancing With The Stars, it was so humiliating
@bluedogrulez
I am well over 40 and i didn't even like it for 15 seconds, but out of fairness, I am a hardcore Queen fan and that song disgusted me how he tore it up, I don't mind rap sampling songs, I like M.C. Hammer, but it sounded good, Ice Ice Baby was just wrong (opinion)
Is it just me or does the collision detection and the jumping look off?
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