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[ Video Power ]
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Video Power
by J.D. Turbeville
With the rising popularity of the NES and Genesis
video game systems, there were several cartoons that
were made to promote the buying of these products. Video
Power was initally one of these shows to do this (notably
they wanted you to buy Acclaim products as seen by what
characters they picked to use on the show), but later
blossomed into a great game show.
Video Power premired on the syndicated market
September 1989 with a format similar to The Super Mario
Bros. Super Show: a cartoon and a real-life version
of the notable stars. In this case we were treated to
The Power Team, a gang of Acclaim characters, who went
on daily adventures attempting to save the day and video
game tips from the leader of the Power Team, Johnny
Arcade, who seemed in reality to be more interested
in making of a fool of himself by acting like a badass
vs. help us struggling video game freaks.
 
After the first season to my knowledge, Video
Power was desperate to gain some viewers to go into
a 180 degree turn on its genre. In order to survive
a second season, they did the inevitable: change their
show format from cartoon to a game show. They kept the
basic elements of the orignal Video Power (Johnny Arcade
real-life segments), but focused more on video game
playing which was more entertaining and fun to watch.
Four kids prepicked before the show challenged each
other to the video games of the week where they would
have to either go the farthest, collect the most items,
or get the most points depending on the type of game
in 2:02. After the dust settled, two would move on and
the other two would perish, but not without Johnny giving
them a video game of HIS choice (oh boy, I won Classic
Concetration and a glove to maximize by game playing
ability ... sheesh!). The following round consisted
of a question and answer round of 5 questions where
each question was 10 pts except the last two, which
was worth 20 pts and the last being a video game question
(the contestants would have to look at a screen and
identify what game it was. The second half was the video
game playing round, similar in format to the first round,
but either with a different game, or with the same game
and a different challenge, this time only having 1:01
to play. Following this, a champion of the day was crowned
and he/she would get to go through the mall and play
Mall Mania. This by far had to be a video game players
dream at the time because one got to grab any game he
could get his hands on (remember those Toys R Us contests?
Same exact thing applies here). The winner got :41 to
spend in the mall and had to go down a chute in order
to claim his prizes. In the instance that this requirement
was not met, he lost everything gained on the mall trip.
This was not often the case, but I've seen it happen
on more than one ocassion.
On Fridays, the NES fan was treated to seeing
the four daily winners from Monday to Thursday square
off for the champion of the week. Everything was the
same format with that winner proceeding to the Tournament
of Champions. Nine weeks and 45 episodes later, would
be the day the nine weekly winners challenged each other
for a NEO GEO and a $10,000 college scholarship. The
format is simple: three champions face each other each
day (Mon-Wed) and the go to the final show. But there
was a second chance day where the second place people
from each show went up against each other (Thu) similarly
to the above. These four people would go into Friday's
show for all the marbles. The victor would claim the
prize and all the glory.
 
Video Power survived two full seasons and 200
episodes (100 each season) and disappeared for the 1991-92
tv season. My best guess is that the NES and Genesis
was starting to become popular and the producers lost
interest in the show. By far, this was the only video
game console show ever to grace our eyes. They tried
to keep the old school alive as best as they can, but
fell. When I think ofthe NES, it reminds me of Johnny
Arcade and how he tried to become the next Vanilla Ice
doing the Video Power rap which I present below with
a link to him singing:
Video Power Season 2 Theme
As Sung By Johnny Arcade (Stivi Paskoski)
Download the intro movie @nesplayer HERE
[echoing] Video Power ... Video Power
My Show is kickin' with maximum height
Say Video Power? Yeah, that's right ... word
I've got the ability to make you win
You want the edge, I'll put you in a power surge
Let 'er rip
Feel the power (power), feel the power
Feel the power of video game power
And feel the power (power), feel the power
Feel the power (of Video Power)
Feel the power (power), power
Feel the power (video power)
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