Pengo (Virtual Console / MD)

Pengo was a classic arcade game by Sega, involving a penguin who had to push and destroy blocks in order to defeat a number of enemies out to kill him. The game was somewhat famous for including the well-known instrumental song "Popcorn" as background music.

This Mega Drive port was only released in Japan. Aside from including the original arcade game in fully playable form (Albeit with Popcorn sadly removed), the game features a "Story Mode", which plays similar to the single player game in most Bomberman games, and a Battle Mode in which up to 4 players (or computers) can do battle with each other.

ESRB rated

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User Comments

1. alexknibb 23 Feb 2008, 12:48 GMT

Wow. I remember this game! I had it on the BBC Micro, believe it or not. I remember really enjoying it at the time, so that might tempt me, but I was probably about 4 years old then, so my tastes may have changed a little since then!

BBC Micro footage for those who are interested. Needless to say, the MD version is a teensy bit prettier...! http://youtube.com/watch?v=k_j0xHIM5mw&feature=related

2. Drake 23 Feb 2008, 14:09 GMT

I've made a video of the MD version now, have a look.

3. Pocketim 23 Feb 2008, 18:34 GMT

Wow, good graphics in this one. I love Penguins and by the looks of that video I think I will get it, VC is picking up!

4. agent_lime 23 Feb 2008, 19:20 GMT

woah! i played this! i never thought id see it again!

5. Elk810 23 Feb 2008, 20:03 GMT

The penguins remind me of the penguins from Peppy's Puzzles on the Sega Pico. I still remember that from my childhood.

6. alexknibb 24 Feb 2008, 11:05 GMT

I might be being an idiot here, but how did this get to be 4 players? If I remember correctly, the MD only had 2 controller ports. Did it have some kind of multi-tap equivalent or something?

7. Dazza 24 Feb 2008, 12:46 GMT

Yeah there was a multi-tap out for the Megadrive which Pengo and Columns III used. Codemasters came up with an even more innovative solution with Micro Machines on the Megadrive and stuck two extra controller ports on the cart itself! Genius!!

8. alexknibb 24 Feb 2008, 13:17 GMT

Ah, I see. Cool, I'd never heard of that before. Codemasters also came up with the 4 player option for Micro Machines on the PS1 whereby each player used only half of each controller. (Oh, and now I've bothered to look it up on Wikipedia, they did it for an MD version of the game too) Added a whole new dimension to trying to put off your opposition...

I'll probably check this out then, I try and pick up most of the four player games as they're nearly always fun with a few mates and many beers!

9. Serpent 01 Mar 2008, 22:40 GMT

woah, I never expected this one to be on VC.

10. Jogurt the Yogurt 05 Mar 2008, 06:52 GMT

This game just brought back memories of Kickle Cubicle. I wonder if the VC will ever get that little NES puzzler. I wish they could have left Popcorn in Pengo.

11. Pocketim 20 Mar 2008, 18:28 GMT

Now that I think of it, it looks like a mix of Lolo and Bomberman

12. Stu 12 Apr 2008, 13:36 BST

This is the first I've heard of Pengo, but if that video is anything to go by it could be a must have.

Let's hope it surfaces soon...

13. Bensei 03 May 2008, 19:42 BST

That looks funny, maybe I'd give it a try if it comes to us

14. Corbie 27 Jul 2008, 09:41 BST

I used to love the classic arcade game. I had the Game Gear version, but only recently got to play the Mega Drive rendition. It's actually a lot of fun and a must-buy for fans of the arcade game.

15. Ricardo91 31 Jul 2008, 19:20 BST

I played a computer game like this once called Bubble Trouble, and instead of a penguin that pushed ice chunks around, you played as a fish that pushed bubbles around. I also played the arcade game on a ferry ship once (It had an arcade and a cafe. I was pretty cool.) Both are great, so I'll probably get this when it's released. Though the removal of Popcorn saddens me.

16. Mickeymac 19 Aug 2008, 02:33 BST

Looks like Bomberman, only without the bombs, and unless the penguins explode, I'll pass.

17. tatemon555 29 Dec 2008, 22:49 GMT

Awesome! Reminds me of Bomberman, which is actually my favorite game, so I'll be definitely buying this.

18. KnucklesSonic8 09 Mar 2009, 04:39 GMT

Never heard of it but I'm definitely giving it as try!

19. MegaMX4 30 Apr 2009, 20:18 BST

Ditto here. Didn't know it existed until just now, and after watching the video, I'm ready to play! I'm a sucker for a fun looking game, especially if it reminds me of good ol' Bomberman.

20. Super Smash Bros. Fan1999 25 Jun 2009, 23:16 BST

Intresting indeed. A winter release, anyone?

21. TheBlueBomber 20 Jul 2009, 10:32 BST

P. p. p. Pocky and rocky! Release that game!
Is there any petitions you can sign up for? Mabye voting on nindos homepage? Tha would be assum!

22. timp29 01 Aug 2009, 05:38 BST

By any chance did this game originate on the commodore 64?? I remember playing a penguin game on that system that was similar. I have fond memories of that game.