I’m a little bummed we didn’t get to include Diddy Kong wearing a Nintendo hat, as it probably would have made an ironic ending panel. To make up for it though, you can take a look at the vector art for Samus, Link, and Luigi, as well as a sketch I did to prepare. Which is actually pretty rare…
I’d also like to thank all of you readers for making 2P START! such a long and enjoyable journey thus far. It’s been lots of fun, and I hope you are enjoying it as well. If you have never checked out our podcast before, I encourage you to take a listen. We actually strive to keep it a worthwhile piece of edited audio.
I was excited about this comic for a couple reasons: first, Ray got Link’s panel done a day early and it looked GOOOOD, it built up the anticipation for me! Second, those complaining about last week’s lack of ‘quality artwork’ would hopefully be more than satisfied with this one! Regarding the topic at hand, one of my favorite TV shows, Burn Notice, recently sold itself out to a beer company and now episodes include closeups of the beer label and lines of dialogue about how few calories are in this particular beer. I fear that as the gaming industry ‘matures’ we’ll see more and more of this (as if we don’t see enough already). Please Nintendo, never sink to this level!
That sure would be a nice way for Nintendo to make some extra money…
Because, you know, Nintendo needs even more money.
Wow ! no wonder link has so much energy he drinks Gatorade and because of that he loses all his energy and dies.
Anyways when did link start using Gatorade?
*rolls eyes*
*COUGH*PIKMIN 2*COUGH*
Also, I was going to locate that secret preview Ray said wouldn’t be in the comic, but it’s far too obvious where that one goes… Bottom of the second panel. Rats.
Whoa whoa whoa, don’t be dissing Pikmin 2. Sure, there was a crapload of product placement in that game, but in my opinion, that one was excusable for the reasons sheppy mentions below. Those products fit because you were actually on Earth (SPOILERS! :P) collecting real things. If they only had random blank bottle caps lying around, it doesn’t make it feel like it actually is Earth as much as a Snapple cap does. I loved it every time I found another Chap-Stik or Duracell battery, because it really made it believable that you were actually on Earth. Now, if your spaceship had a giant Chevy logo on it or something, that wouldn’t fit as well, but the way it was done was, in my opinion, probably one of the best forms of product-placement in video games. In fact, that is one of the “features” that I actually would be really excited to see return in Pikmin 3. I just really enjoyed it.
As far as the comic goes, this one doesn’t really do it for me. I guess I just feel like there really isn’t a joke. The art is good, though.
I’m not dissing Pikmin 2. I’m pointing out that “if Nintendo did product placement” really happened. That’s indisputable fact.
yes i would agree with some PIKMIN plugs
I remember when Nintendo first started 3D. They plastered their logo on ever polygon they could. Actually, this was sort of exclusive to Nintendo. Waverace plastered billboards with N64 logos. “Why yes, thank you Nintendo. I am indeed playing on an N64… it’s a good thing you reminded me.” Meanwhile the Playstation route was actual sponsors which may or may not annoy. “Yes, thanks Sony. One must Do the Dew while flying around on Rocket Bikes in an extreme fashion.”
Holy Demons! Why is there a star next to my name? In Mario Party, this would make me a target!
It means you’re a Premium Member, awarded to those who’ve been on the site for a long time.
Ahh… Yes. The N64 logos on essentially every billboard there was. I mean, we already know that it’s an N64, so what’s the point? To advertise for the console that you already have? Maybe if someone else is there, and they don’t have an N64, it’s to get them to buy one (As if you just playing it wasn’t big enough of an ad already…)? I dunno. Well, time to stop this comment before it gets too long and turns into a blog post……
I find this amusing, and yet depressing at the same time. It is an unfortunate sign of the times though. With modern technology granting us the ability to bypass the traditional TV commercial all together, we left advertising agencies nowhere to go. Thus they have burrowed themselves directly into the entertainment we enjoy. Tim mentioned Burn Notice, but also shows like Eureka have fallen prey to then need for ‘de moolah’. Eureka’s current masters? Subaru. Not so bad really, compared to last seasons ‘Degree Anti Perspirant’ travesty.
*shudder*
Already in video games we have seen ads driven by user habits and computer history, along with the ubiquitous billboards and posters. But mark my words: I wouldn’t be surprised to be playing HALO:ODST, only to see my troopers chugging down on Game Fuel between missions.
But regardless of the future of advertising in general,
NCG!
I don’t mind advertising in games, so long as it doesn’t break the universe. Like Wipeout HD, for example, is rife with the possibility of advertising. Just watch a REAL race on TV. Problem is, with Wipeout HD, they didn’t TRY to be clever with it at all. Just imagine what a Pepsi commercial would look like in the Wipeout universe. Take a look at Back to the Future 2. Why companies aren’t trying to do that is beyond me. Most of them pull things off sooo hamfistedly, you end up shooting your first music video… sponsored by PONTIAC?!?
Samus: What’s going on! Those things hit for two points of damage! TWO POINTS! You DO know the difference between TWO POINTS and TWO ENERGY TANKS worth of damage?! Right? RIGHT!?
Very nice comic. Especially love the Luigi panel, with the slightly grainy look giving it the 50s style.
And as for product placement in games, the one I always point out is the bananas in Super Monkey Ball have the Dole sticker on them. Its as if there aren’t any other actual bananas in the world.
And for nitpicking (probably my first time doing this): Link isn’t bleeding blue, as one does when they consume Gatorade. Clearly, it is not in him.
Also missed the logo. Not quite as subtle as the others, but still funny.
And man, I love replies. That way I don’t feel guilty for taking up random spaces throughout the comments. Its just all stuck in one place.
Greaet comic!! I love the art style of the Luigi and Link panels. I had to relook at the comic because the first time i missed that a bunch of gatorade wasn’t even going into link’s mouth (and he had pit stains). and there is a ad on Luigi’s overalls.
Hello 2P start! I am Rising from my grave!!!! I have been lurking is the shadows of the website sece the mario cart comic, AND i have herd ALLL the podcasts. (“wshew”)
NCG!
well untill the podcast….BUY ALL THERE T-SHIRTS AND…..and what?…i guess u guys dont have any thing els……hmmmmm Ray you need to get Tim to get a shovle and take out some cash out of his pool so u can make some Tim and Ray toys or trophies….HEY BRAWL TROPHIES lol. sorry i kinda rambled Anyways DOWNLOAD ALL THERE PODCAST’S AND HAAAAAAAACK’S!!!!!!!!
I have the strong urge to sing that last sentence to the tune of cheat commandos theme
“BUY ALL OUR PLAYSETS AND TOYS!”
Product placement isn’t always bad. NBC signing a major advertising deal with Subway is the reason Chuck is still on so I’m pretty happy about that. Of course it remains to be seen just how placed Subway’s product is…
Actually I kind of think Nintendo placed product endorsements looked like this:
http://www.mtv.com/games/video_games/images/promoimages/d/dime/games_to%20_feed_your_inner_weirdo/pikmin_2.jpg
Actually, that one is charming enough that it’s not that horrific.
Now imagine all those ads in the city levels of Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2. Then replace their made-up stuff with big-name brands. Actually, correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Soap Shoes (Sonic’s funky footgear from Sonic Adventure 2 and the source of those ads with the word “soap” on them) might be an actual product.
Yes, the brand does exist.
http://soaps.sonicandpals.com/
Verizon Wireless has service in Zebes?! Awesome! Now if only they had iPhones…
Well from what i hear they ARE making the iPhone for Verizon, but that has nothing to do with this comic…
Nice Comic Guys! The joke was clever, and the art was great!
NCG
Honestly, I’m fine with in game advertising as long as it doesn’t interfere with gameplay or take up unnecessary loading time. Don’t you hate it when your in the middle of something inpatient or exciting and an ad shows up.
DANIEL X VIDEO GAME IN DS — JANUARY 2010! SEE TRAILER HERE! http://www.max-dan-wiz.com/profiles/blogs/daniel-x-video-game-in-dsIt’s like watching something on NBC.com and every 5 min an unskippable ad stops the show and makes you wait for the exact same commercial EVERY TIME!!! Anyway great comic and I wish Samus good luck in not hitting any 3G dead zones.While I did not care for the joke (sorry, Tim), the art quickly made up for it. Ray, you did a great job, especially considering that each panel has a different style. The Zelda slide had a rough, paint-pastel look, while Luigi had the style of an old photograph, and Samus was…”shiny.” Great artwork, Ray, and you didn’t even have to use nubby elbows *cry*.
~ Obilink
I think people slam companies too much for product placement. It can be a good way for producers to make an extra buck, and as long as product placement isn’t obtrusive or actually works in favor of the movie (or game) then it is just fine. I read the article that Tim linked to and I disagree with most of it, especially about Cast Away. Much of the enjoyment of that movie came from the excellently integrated product placement. It wouldn’t have been nearly as good if Tom Hanks worked for some random fictional delivery service, or he had decided to name an off brand volleyball Fred.
That said, I do think there needs to be a lot of thought about how product placement is done, or it can really hurt the game or movie. There is a balance there, and context is very important. Putting real ads on in game billboards, for example, works fine if the game is in the real world (or close to it) setting. In game adverts in Metroid, however, are not so good.
Oh, and I forgot to say good comic. But not great. But still good.
I also read that article Tim linked to. I also disagree with most of it. I think that people look at just a little product placement as a bad thing. I think as long as there is no blatantly obvious endorsement of the product and its not annoying its okay. Besides, if it takes place in the real world, that’s how we talk / dress – we mention brands that we like and we like to show them off.
I think the guy who wrote that article needs to calm down. If he (or she, I didn’t check) lets good movies like I, Robot be ruined for himself because Will Smith mentions a certain brand of shoes then the problem is with him, not the movie. I honestly didn’t notice the product placement in I, Robot. Now that it is pointed out I can recall some of it, but I couldn’t have told you what was in there. I just enjoyed the movie.
I think I, Robot ruined itself without the help of Converse.
Not gonna bash, but the product placement in that movie was absolutely everywhere. Just read the book, its about a billion times better and more interesting. Oh, and it has one less Will Smith in it.
I agree that the book is better. I read it recently. That doesn’t mean that the movie wasn’t good also. And I like Will Smith. Forget that the book exists and judge the movie on its own merit and it is a pretty good movie. Also, I realize that product placement was everywhere in that movie, but what was done was fairly unobtrusive and actually fit the character. I don’t let product placement bother me, so I didn’t notice or remember it until it was pointed out to me.
But some companies go too far. Did you see the short, failure of an ad campaign that hindered Wipeout HD for a few days? I truly dont mind subtle ads, but ones that force it into focus just kill it. Say, I’m playing Street Fighter 4. I dont want to see Ryu an Ken have the burger king logo branded in their hadokens. But something like a billboard ala Burnout Paradise is fine with me.
That is pretty bad. This is exactly the sort of thing I don’t approve of, because it causes damage to the actual product.
Worst example I can think of this is Monkey Ball and Dole brand bananas. It got to the point where it was just ridiculous, Dole stickers were on anything, and I stopped playing for that reason.
Yeah…I just read Tacos’ comment, and now I just feel silly.
That would be awesome. Just imagine…
Link: “I JUST BEAT GANNON! That’s G.”
Oh the possibilities of the different Nintendo characters…
Of course, if Sonic Team allowed people to take THEIR characters for advertisments, Sonic would advertise shoes, Knights would probably advertise Red Bull, and the Monkey Ball characters would advertise… pet toys?
This was one of those clever comics, not necessarily a haha comic, but I enjoyed it nonetheless, and the last panel is freaking amazing and it’s awesome and it doesn’t need Rouge and it awesome!!! And it’s awesome!
Funny joke x beautiful art + small details = classic 2P START!
I hope no one else looked at this comic on their iPhone, as it’s too small to see the joke in the final panel.
I saw the comic for the first time on my iPod touch. Yeah, I couldn’t really see the joke in the last panel. I was like “Whats ‘veri on’?” (I couldn’t really see the Z but i could barely see the ‘wireless’)
You know, it just occurred to me. Web pages always make T-shirts and other stuff, but I have never seen websites selling pants.
Probably because pants don’t really have as much design potential as a shirt.
Think of it like this:
Would you rather draw on a big canvas or a narrow strip of paper?
I want to say a few things about the last panel:
1. It would’ve been really awesome if you could see Samus’ eyes.
2. I can’t believe you put the radar, weapon, and visor selections on the visor. That’s awesome. Oh and the energy tanks! But no missiles. At least not that I can see.
3. NITPICKY TIME! Now don’t get me wrong I absolutely love that last panel, but sadly, nitpicking is fun for me. Umm…Samus has FAR too many energy tanks for her not to have all four visors at this point.
Oh yes, I’d like to call wallpaper and/or T-shirt on that last panel.
The ironic part is that they can’t make that into a t-shirt because they would be using and selling a brand name and trademarked logo without permission.
Oh, well Dr. Oswald…who needs the verizon part? haha But there are only a certain amount of colors available for T-Shirts huh?
I wouldn’t mind a compilation of all three panels into one desktop background
~ Obilink
They’re faint… but her eyes are there.
Oh wow! Yeah, I see them. Then strike that last comment and good job.
Oh and I suppose if I had paid attention to the vector art, I would’ve know her eyes were there.
Good comic though as soon as I realized it was a trademark 2PStart one joke per panel comic I was hoping for a few more panels but oh well. Great art (as usual) with a few good laughs (as usual) Nice job guys. Also like the small OshKosh ad on the overalls. Good touch.
But now I have to ask who is the sexier cell phone spokeswoman, Catherine Zeta Jones or Samus Aran?
Good comic guys! I really enjoyed it. I love the small details. Great work!
All this comic needs is two things, one the Verizon people need to be behind Samus. Second you should have had Donkey Kong eating bananas from a certain company. I could just imagine him saying” The reason Bowser tried to steal my bananas was because they are fresh and full of vitamins. Silly lizard (Insert brand name here) are for monkeys.
Also you should have added a 2p start logo for one person. She could be surfing the internet and looking at your comics on Verizon threw her visor.
I forgot to say I meant Samus.
The art is as great as always, but strip was just “meh”. I mean, yea, there is product placement in some games. So what? It’s less of a joke and more of a statement.
UGH….
THIS JUST GOES TO SHOW US HOW RACIST RAY IS.
THERE ARE NO ASIANS IN IT.
What about Toon Link? his eyes are Almond-shaped enough to be of some other race…
😉
Link IS some other race. He’s Hylian n the few instances they bothered to name it.
…whut?
😛
Wait… there are ASIAN Nintendo characters…? Erm, as far as I know there aren’t…
ok so let me get this straight: Link drinks Gatorade which would explain why he runs around like a midget on crack all the time during wind waker, Luigi is homosexual and cleans houses in his spare time(no wonder Mario never invites him to save the princess, he doesn’t want to have to rescue a queen too), and samus always works alone on the alien planets cause she can’t call for backup on her verizon headset cause its always ‘out of service area'(those text messaging rates must suck)? Thats a really really interesting way to look at things..of course you forgot the best of all….Dr. Layton is legoman… not to mention that lego and 2p start may be affiliated in some way on that note.
Were do you think those hints from Metroid Prime come from?
The best game with product placement has got to be Crazy Taxi. Why deliver people to generic locations when you can take them to KFC, Pizza Hut and the now defunct Tower Records?
Nice Comic Guys, the Luigi panel looks good.
Pretty good comic this week. Link’s artwork is really good, the water drops ad to the thirst quencher add, Luigi’s older comercial feel for house wives and samus being advertised for wireless stuff. fits each character in some way, sadly, for Luigi also (and I can’t read his ”cover-all” add)
Speaking of the water drops, what are they on? Initially, you would think they’d be on the camera, but none are in front of Link. So then you would think they’re behind him, but the blurry background makes it seem like it’s far away. Is there just a transparent screen behind Link with droplets on it, or is the background fake? Or did the cameraman simply clean only the drops that were in front of Link?
Well, maybe Link was just blocking that part of the camera, so no water could get on it. I dunno. XD
And I just noticed that outcast island is behind Link! I fail to notice too many things in these comics.
Two things…in one post!:
1) Ray, what is the clothing brand on Luigi’s overalls? I can not read it because it is so small.
2) The worst case of product placement is when it changes the game. Point-in-case: Shaun White Snowboarding: Target Edition. If you got the game at any store other than Target, it would be missing some of the content. What content? A whole mountain! That is like taking out a whole cup in Mario Kart, or a dungeon from Zelda. You just DON’T do it!
~ Obilink
Osh Kosh B’Gosh.
Uh…and what exactly is the relevance of that? I’ve never played Luigi’s Mansion…so yeah, but…0_o
HaHa…a kids clothes manufacturer, great! 🙂
Thanks Ray
~ Obilink
@ Roadjcat – It is another product placement joke.
Also, you should play Luigi’s Mansion. It is a great GCN game.
~ Obilink
Oh okay, well now I know. And meh. I really don’t like games where it’s dark ALL the time.
It is not dark ALL of the time. The point of the game is to make the entire house light by catching ghosts, so the house gets lighter as you go along.
Also, since the optional ghosts have no affect on the lighting of the mansion, you could to the required ghosts and bosses first, then get the rest with lighted passageways.
~ Obilink
Product placement has to be the last concern that I have for Nintendo.
Really? Because I’m not concerned for Nintendo at all. 😀
btw, is Samus’ background anywhere in particular like Link’s is? Because I see a couple blue/red objects in the background. And to my knowledge there is no Metroid Prime area with that olive-y atmopshere.
One the same topic, which room is Luigi in? I would say the projector room, but that, nor any of the rooms I remember, were in black and white.
~ Obilink
I don’t think he’s anywhere in particular. I had assumed the same could be said of Samus, but the things in the background make me think that it’s not just a colored background. And I want to say that it’s Torvus Bog or Tallon Overworld, but there’s no rain in the panel.
You may be right, Roadj. The Luigi background looks pretty generic. I do think that Samus is somewhere specific, though.
~ Obilink
Luigi’s background is generic, and Samus is in Brinstar from Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Oh okay. Well what’s she doing there with her Metroid Prime equipment? XD
Not a bad comic at all. Wonderful styles for each.
Samus should have had the ‘Can you hear me now’ guy following her, checking how strong the reception is on Zeebes
Why is everyone assuming she’s on Zebes? You can see her visor. The way the visor is set up indicates that she is on Tallon IV.
Oh and she could be on Aether too. Aether or Tallon IV. But not Zebes.
Nah, she’s not on Aether. She has all beams/visors but no beam ammo display.
Because Zeebes is the only Metroid-series location I know of… I don’t play Metroid
The ironic thing is, I’m being all smarmy, pointing out small details that indicate that’s she’s on Tallon IV, and then she ends up being on Zebes anyway. haha
Here’s the thing, we don’t know what Samus’s display looks like on either of the games that take place on Zebus, so it might be perfectly accurate.
That doesn’t work DrOswald. I thought of that myself, but she only has 1 or 2 visors in the 2D games and her beams stack in those games as well so there would be no reason to have the option to switch.
Yeah, but in Super Metroid you still have the option to switch beams, despite the fact that they stack. There is the problem about the visors, though. Super Metroid only has the normal and X-Ray visor. So that point stands.
You can switch beams, but there are more than four beams in Super as well.
Me +1, You +0
So, how much did they pay you guys for this comic?
Isn’t it cheaper for Nintendo to release a plastic dumbbell for Xtreme Curls. They would make more money.
Now this is the 2P Start I know. I had to look over the comic three times just to find all of the details. I love looking at the vectors and seeing all the things that you drew, but aren’t even in the comic. It shows how much work you actually put into this site. I love the idea, and I love the art styles this week. NCG, keep it up!
Also, what happened to previewing comments? It was nice to check if the formatting was working correctly.
Previewing comments messed with the reply feature.
Oh, okay. Thanks for the explanation.
I actually like the panel with Link the most out of the three.
That one’s a little too dark for me. I think that’s one reason why I love the Samus panel, it’s just really bright and has amazing coloring to it in addition to the amazing detail. I really cannot stress enough how much I love that panel.
Also, I’m just waiting for Nintendo to start doing product placement for SEGA, Sony, or Microsoft.
Or Nintendo pulls a Sega and becomes third party. Mario and Master Chief at the olympic games?
Im sure that its been said already, but I think that the logo is almost funnier then the comic, just cause I do!
I particularly liked the drawings this week. Nice details on the backgroung. And Osh Kosh B’ was a great touch.
Mario using a Craftsman wrench, DK eating a Chiquita banana, Fox flying a Boeing Airwing, the possibilities are endless!
Duck Hunt with a specific brand gun/bullets
Shadow riding a Harley Davidson
Pac-Man on Prozac
When did Shadow and Pac-Man become Nintendo characters? XD
But now that were going past Nintendo now…Rouge advertising Rouge anyone? haha. The bat advertising the blush if that wasn’t clear.
It’s even better because Rouge DOES wear makeup…
I wouldn’t doubt that’s where she got her name…
They qualify using the “Smash Bros Brawl Canadate” law:
-If they have been on a Nintendo console, they are considered for the role.
From the Sonic Wiki:
“Rouge may have been named after the Jewel, the rouge, relating to her “jewel stealing”. “
I’m pretty sure there’s no gem (btw, don’t look up Rouge Gem on Google Images) called Rouge. I googled all variations I could think of on the subject and came up with nothing. I’m pretty sure it’s the make-up.
I just noticed the logo on Luigi’s overalls, I can’t read what it says so I am going to assume it is somehow a Link to the Past reference.