Loopz (NES)
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Loopz is a puzzle game designed by Ian Upton of Audiogenic Software. It was released on many computer platforms until making its debut on the NES, courtesy of Bits Studios. Besides the expected drop in graphics and sound compared to the computer versions, the NES version does a pretty good job being faithful to the computer versions.
In Loopz, you must combine pipes together to form a complete loop, hence the title. There are three game modes, and a two-player option is available. Bonus levels can also be accessed.
Contents
Screenshots
Music
The music is taken directly from the Amiga/computer versions and arranged for the NES by its own composer, video game pioneer David Whittaker. As a result, the music stays true to the Amiga version in terms of being note for note. However, the NES version does have a few changes. For one, the lead instrument changes square wave pulse widths, possibly indicating a different instrument playing, whereas the Amiga version used a Pan Flute for its lead instrument. The drum tracks have been slightly altered, but barely noticeable. Also, some of the lead parts play an octave higher than in the Amiga version, while most other parts play at the same octave. It is unknown why Whittaker made these changes, but it was probably to see what the NES was capable of, as this was his first NES game, or at least the first released game to use it.
Whittaker had to code the music in 6502 assembly in his own sound driver. According to interviews, Whittaker mentioned when he did the music for a game across many platforms, he could do each one in less than a day, so this game is probably no exception. However, Whittaker was most likely unaware of the differences between sound playback between PAL and NTSC NES consoles, as NTSC plays a 1 1/4 step higher and at a faster tempo.
Even though the game was not released in Europe, the PAL version of the music was recorded because it is what Whittaker originally intended for it to sound like. There are several factors to prove this. First, the game was developed in England, a country that uses the PAL format. Second, playing the music in PAL matches the Amiga version's pitches and timing almost perfectly. Also, Whittaker did the Game Boy's music in the same key as the Amiga version, though the songs play faster. However, there are no regional differences between PAL and NTSC Game Boy systems.
Recording
- NTSC
- PAL
| # | Title | Composer | Length | Listen | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Tune A 1 | David Whittaker | 1:48 | Download | |
| 102 | Tune A 2 | David Whittaker | 1:31 | Download | |
| 103 | Tune A 3 | David Whittaker | 1:31 | Download | |
| 104 | Tune A 4 | David Whittaker | 1:31 | Download | |
| 105 | Tune B 1 | David Whittaker | 3:35 | Download | |
| 106 | Tune B 2 | David Whittaker | 3:35 | Download | |
| 107 | Tune B 3 | David Whittaker | 3:35 | Download | |
| 108 | Tune B 4 | David Whittaker | 3:35 | Download | |
| 109 | Tune C 1 | David Whittaker | 3:14 | Download | |
| 110 | Tune C 2 | David Whittaker | 3:14 | Download | |
| 111 | Tune C 3 | David Whittaker | 3:14 | Download | |
| 112 | Tune C 4 | David Whittaker | 3:14 | Download | |
| 113 | Loopz | David Whittaker | 0:02 | Download | |
| 114 | Victory 1 | David Whittaker | 0:02 | Download | |
| 115 | Victory 2 | David Whittaker | 0:02 | Download | |
| 116 | Bonus | David Whittaker | 0:36 | Download | |
| 117 | Lose | David Whittaker | 0:02 | Download | |
| 118 | Game Over | David Whittaker | 0:07 | Download |
| # | Title | Composer | Length | Listen | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | Tune A 1 | David Whittaker | 2:08 | Download | |
| 202 | Tune A 2 | David Whittaker | 1:47 | Download | |
| 203 | Tune A 3 | David Whittaker | 1:47 | Download | |
| 204 | Tune A 4 | David Whittaker | 1:47 | Download | |
| 205 | Tune B 1 | David Whittaker | 4:16 | Download | |
| 206 | Tune B 2 | David Whittaker | 4:16 | Download | |
| 207 | Tune B 3 | David Whittaker | 4:16 | Download | |
| 208 | Tune B 4 | David Whittaker | 4:16 | Download | |
| 209 | Tune C 1 | David Whittaker | 3:51 | Download | |
| 210 | Tune C 2 | David Whittaker | 3:51 | Download | |
| 211 | Tune C 3 | David Whittaker | 3:51 | Download | |
| 212 | Tune C 4 | David Whittaker | 3:51 | Download | |
| 213 | Loopz | David Whittaker | 0:03 | Download | |
| 214 | Victory 1 | David Whittaker | 0:02 | Download | |
| 215 | Victory 2 | David Whittaker | 0:02 | Download | |
| 216 | Bonus | David Whittaker | 0:41 | Download | |
| 217 | Lose | David Whittaker | 0:02 | Download | |
| 218 | Game Over | David Whittaker | 0:09 | Download |
Credits
- Ripper:
- Recorder: Doommaster1994
- Game Credits:
- Music by: David Whittaker
(Source)
Game Rip
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This rip is missing songs. |
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Format |
Download |
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Audio Devices
The game uses the 2A03 of the NES, and uses David Whittaker's NES sound driver.
Releases
| Loopz | |
| Helter Skelter |  •  •  •  • 
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| Emlyn Hughes Arcade Quiz | • •  • •  • 
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| Loopz | • • • • • • •  •  •  •  •  •  •
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| Super Loopz |  • 
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| Notable Songs | Tune A • Tune B • Tune C |
| Notable Personnel | David Whittaker • Ian Waugh • Paul Tonge • Allister Brimble • Koji Hayashi |
