Chelnov
Encyclopedia
, also known as Atomic Runner or fully titled as , is a Japanese side-scrolling action
-arcade game
developed and published by Data East
in 1988. After Data East became defunct due to bankruptcy in 2003, Paon
bought the rights to this game, along with a few other Data East games, which Paon comprises former Data East staff.
The player controls Chelnov's movements with the 8-way joystick, and the 3 buttons to attack, jump, or turn around. Six types of weapons can be obtained during the game, and collecting power-ups can improve Chelnov's attack power, rapid-firing capability, attack range, or jumping height.
The game is a forced side-scrolling game where the screen continually scrolls to the right at a constant speed. Chelnov will continue to run with the screen even if the player lets go of the joystick. Though the player can move to the left or right of the scrolling screen by entering the corresponding direction on the joystick, it is impossible to stop or move backwards (Chelnov can turn backwards while jumping). The main character's sprite animation is highly detailed and smooth for its time, comparable to the level of Karateka and the early Prince of Persia
games. The ending screen appears when the player finishes all 7 levels of the game.
visible on the game's opening screen, and above all, the game's title (Chernobyl
is written チェルノブイリ in Japanese) lead many to interpret the game as a tasteless parody of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster
. Data East responded in a television program that the name "Chelnov" was merely a relative of Karnov
, the title character of one of the company's games, and was not at all influenced by the events at Chernobyl. Other development staff members later explained that the game had originally been planned under a different name, but the events at Chernobyl lead to the creation of the name "Chelnov," which eventually became the game's title. Under this explanation, the parodic elements resulted purely out of coincidence, but over a year and a half passed from the accident to the first release of the game, which was ample time for the developers to reassess the suitability of the game's plot and content. The game's story-line was changed considerably to remove connotations with Chernobyl when the game was ported to the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and Sharp X68000 consoles (see Ports & related releases).
, but a regular human-being wearing a special combat suit who battles enemies to rescue his younger sister. The game's enemies and background images were also changed to those reminiscent of an ancient civilization. This version was released for the Wii
Virtual Console
in Japan on September 11, 2007.
The game was also ported to the X68000 in 1993. This version was developed by Micomsoft, and published by Denpa Shinbunsha, and is a faithful port of the original arcade version. This release contained an adapter for the Mega Drive controller, commonly known in Japan as the , and allowed the player to use the Mega Drive controller for many other X68000 games besides Chelnov.
A port to the Sega Saturn
was planned, but was never released to consumers. A version of this port appeared in the Tokyo Game Show
and several game stores in Akihabara
around 1997, but was cancelled for unknown reasons. The content was a direct port of the arcade version.
Karnov
(1987) and Trio The Punch
(1989) were both released at around the same period as Chelnov, and are often grouped together as the strangest of Data East games. Chelnov also appears as an enemy character in Trio The Punch, Tumble Pop (1991), and Fighter's History: Mizoguchi Kiki Ippatsu!!
(1995), and can be seen being transported in a frozen container on a freight train in Bad Dudes Vs. Dragon Ninja (1988). In Sly Spy
(1989), a poster showing Chelnov can be seen at the beginning of Stage 4. Wolf Fang
(1991) bears no direct relation to the game other than also being developed by Data East, but its game system shows strong influence from Chelnov.
}
}
Action game
Action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes diverse subgenres such as fighting games, shooter games, and platform games, which are widely considered the most important action games, though some...
-arcade game
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
developed and published by Data East
Data East
also abbreviated as DECO, was a Japanese video game developer and publisher. The company was in operation from 1976 to 2003, when it declared bankruptcy...
in 1988. After Data East became defunct due to bankruptcy in 2003, Paon
Paon
is a video game development company based in Japan. Through a partnership with Nintendo, the company has developed DK: King of Swing, DK: Jungle Climber and Donkey Kong Barrel Blast...
bought the rights to this game, along with a few other Data East games, which Paon comprises former Data East staff.
Gameplay
The game is a forced side-scrolling game where the screen continually scrolls to the right at a constant speed. Chelnov will continue to run with the screen even if the player lets go of the joystick. Though the player can move to the left or right of the scrolling screen by entering the corresponding direction on the joystick, it is impossible to stop or move backwards (Chelnov can turn backwards while jumping). The main character's sprite animation is highly detailed and smooth for its time, comparable to the level of Karateka and the early Prince of Persia
Prince of Persia
Prince of Persia is a platform game, originally developed by Jordan Mechner and released in 1989 for the Apple II, that represented a great leap forward in the quality of animation seen in video games....
games. The ending screen appears when the player finishes all 7 levels of the game.
Plot
The player takes the role of Chelnov, a coal miner who miraculously survives the malfunction and explosion of a nuclear power plant. Chelnov's body gains superhuman abilities due to the massive amount of radiation given off by the explosion, and a secret organization seeks to harness those abilities for its own evil purposes. Chelnov must battle and defeat the secret organization using his newfound abilities.History
Chelnov, considered by many people in Japan, is one of the most problematic arcade games in history because of its tendentious setting and plot. The setting, where a coal miner is caught in a nuclear accident, the Soviet flagFlag of the Soviet Union
The flag of the Soviet Union consisted of a plain red flag, with a setting or cross-peen hammer crossed with a sickle and a red star in the upper canton...
visible on the game's opening screen, and above all, the game's title (Chernobyl
Chernobyl
Chernobyl or Chornobyl is an abandoned city in northern Ukraine, in Kiev Oblast, near the border with Belarus. The city had been the administrative centre of the Chernobyl Raion since 1932....
is written チェルノブイリ in Japanese) lead many to interpret the game as a tasteless parody of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster
Chernobyl disaster
The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine , which was under the direct jurisdiction of the central authorities in Moscow...
. Data East responded in a television program that the name "Chelnov" was merely a relative of Karnov
Karnov
is a 1987 platform arcade game developed and published by Data East. It is the debut of Data East's mascot of the same name. After Data East became defunct due to bankruptcy in 2003, Paon, a company comprised with former Data East staff, acquired the rights to Karnov, along with multiple other Data...
, the title character of one of the company's games, and was not at all influenced by the events at Chernobyl. Other development staff members later explained that the game had originally been planned under a different name, but the events at Chernobyl lead to the creation of the name "Chelnov," which eventually became the game's title. Under this explanation, the parodic elements resulted purely out of coincidence, but over a year and a half passed from the accident to the first release of the game, which was ample time for the developers to reassess the suitability of the game's plot and content. The game's story-line was changed considerably to remove connotations with Chernobyl when the game was ported to the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and Sharp X68000 consoles (see Ports & related releases).
Ports & related releases
The game was first ported to the Sega Genesis (Sega Mega Drive in Japan) in 1992, but many parts of the game were remade due to the negative feedback received in the initial release. The Japanese version kept the same name as its arcade counterpart, but the North American and European versions were simply titled Atomic Runner. The game's plot was changed completely, where Chelnov is not a coal miner caught in a nuclear meltdownNuclear meltdown
Nuclear meltdown is an informal term for a severe nuclear reactor accident that results in core damage from overheating. The term is not officially defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency or by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission...
, but a regular human-being wearing a special combat suit who battles enemies to rescue his younger sister. The game's enemies and background images were also changed to those reminiscent of an ancient civilization. This version was released for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
in Japan on September 11, 2007.
The game was also ported to the X68000 in 1993. This version was developed by Micomsoft, and published by Denpa Shinbunsha, and is a faithful port of the original arcade version. This release contained an adapter for the Mega Drive controller, commonly known in Japan as the , and allowed the player to use the Mega Drive controller for many other X68000 games besides Chelnov.
A port to the Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
was planned, but was never released to consumers. A version of this port appeared in the Tokyo Game Show
Tokyo Game Show
The , commonly known as TGS, is a video game expo / convention held annually in the Makuhari Messe, in Chiba, Japan. It is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association and the Nikkei Business Publications, Inc...
and several game stores in Akihabara
Akihabara
, also known as , is an area of Tokyo, Japan. It is located less than five minutes by rail from Tokyo Station. Its name is frequently shortened to in Japan...
around 1997, but was cancelled for unknown reasons. The content was a direct port of the arcade version.
Karnov
Karnov
is a 1987 platform arcade game developed and published by Data East. It is the debut of Data East's mascot of the same name. After Data East became defunct due to bankruptcy in 2003, Paon, a company comprised with former Data East staff, acquired the rights to Karnov, along with multiple other Data...
(1987) and Trio The Punch
Trio The Punch - Never Forget Me...
is an arcade game released by Data East in 1990. The game was never released outside of Japan, and is noted for its bizarreness and stupidity.The game was re-released in 2007 as part of , a series which ported arcade games from the 1980s and 90s to the PlayStation 2...
(1989) were both released at around the same period as Chelnov, and are often grouped together as the strangest of Data East games. Chelnov also appears as an enemy character in Trio The Punch, Tumble Pop (1991), and Fighter's History: Mizoguchi Kiki Ippatsu!!
Fighter's History
is a series of competitive fighting games that were produced by Data East during the 1990s. The original Fighter's History was first released for the arcades in and then ported to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in...
(1995), and can be seen being transported in a frozen container on a freight train in Bad Dudes Vs. Dragon Ninja (1988). In Sly Spy
Sly Spy
Sly Spy, known in Japan as and known in Europe as Sly Spy: Secret Agent, is an arcade game developed and published by Data East in 1989...
(1989), a poster showing Chelnov can be seen at the beginning of Stage 4. Wolf Fang
Wolf Fang
, known outside of Japan as Rohga: Armor Force, is a 1991 run and gun/platform hybrid arcade game developed and published by Data East. It is the sequel to Vapor Trail: Hyper Offence Formation and was followed by Skull Fang Kuhga Gaiden.-Plot:...
(1991) bears no direct relation to the game other than also being developed by Data East, but its game system shows strong influence from Chelnov.
External links
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