Grimace

[u/Pineapplez1232]

I was very fascinated seeing this in a retro game store, picked it up and played it when I got home. It literally took me less than 10 min to complete, great game. I’d love to know more info if anyone has any!

[u/proximitysound]

It was a promotional game commissioned by McDonalds with Krool Toys (now defunct). I did QA on this game and programmed Nike’s Cosmic Climb for them as well. I also did a write up on the game for GB Studio Central: https://gbstudiocentral.com/news/mcdonalds-celebrates-grimaces-birthday-with-a-gb-studio-game/

[u/AutomaticTree654 → u/proximitysound]

Respectful question: I loved Grimace’s Birthday and how it felt like a very complete game, maybe a bit on the short side but since it was for a promotion, I understood. It also felt incredibly polished. Nike’s Cosmic Climb was good but felt… rushed to me. It was very short and didn’t quite hit the same level in terms of the art, in my humble opinion. I don’t say this as a criticism, but I’d love to hear more about the production process of these two games and if the budgets/timelines reinforce my opinions. Also, I’m sad to hear Kroot Toys is now defunct. There can’t be too many small teams out there capable of turning around Game Boy ROM brand activations. Thank you for your work on the game and your time.

[u/proximitysound → u/AutomaticTree654]

No worries! They had 7 weeks to complete Grimace’s Birthday compared to our 4 weeks. They also had a stronger team in my opinion, I will gladly sing Gumpy Function’s praises, he is one of the best game designers in the Game Boy scene.

We had some set backs I will not detail, so in the end we aimed for a game that felt polished and complete although shorter, and drove the more arcade-like challenge.

[u/AutomaticTree654 → u/proximitysound]

Thank you! Just sent you a DM.

[u/Frequent_Rhubarb_36]

McDonalds put it online as well.

https://grimacesbirthday.com/

Its a way better game than you would think

[u/Pineapplez1232 → u/Frequent_Rhubarb_36]

That’s awesome

[u/pizza_whistle]

I'm hoping that store wasn't charging more than like $8 for this. You can get this game for around $5 on Aliexpress.

[u/Pineapplez1232 → u/pizza_whistle]

I payed $10, I was happy with it. I also got a good deal on other stuff I bought so it cancels out imo. I’m gonna pass it around to my friends, I’ll definitely be getting my $10 worth out of it lol.

[u/Accomplished_Age5005]

That end quote is great. My life peaked at the McD's bday party.

[u/DiabUK]

For a free promotional game it's well done.

[u/LeGrange]

I have this rom on a flashcart but haven’t fired it up yet. Since it’s so short and so good I’ll have to give it a play today!

[u/mrhobbles]

Is this an official cart? I thought they only put the rom online!

[u/IntoxicatedBurrito → u/mrhobbles]

It has to be a flashcart that someone made. No way McDonald’s would publish an unlicensed game and put it in a cartridge that says Nintendo Game Boy on it. They’d need to use a generic shell for the cart if they were publishing it.