Ridiculous games are fun. Especially ones with non-official cartridges and missing Nintendo Seals of Approval. This week’s Old Games That Don’t Suck is Toobin’.

First off I have to say that this game isn’t by any means originally an NES game but that is where I played it. It was originally launched as an arcade game by Atari, but never really had the chance to play in the arcade (although I have seen a machine or two).  I first experienced Toobin’ when I rented it at a video store.  When I was handed the cartridge I was puzzled.  I had rented an NES game, but the cartridge was a jet black colour, misshaped, and looked nothing like a normal NES cartridge.  I was reassured it would work, and sure enough it did.

The game is pretty simple: You roll down a river in an inflatable tube.  Avoid things that pop out of the water and get to the whirlpool (yes, whirlpool) at the end of the level.  Once you do you win!  To get through difficult parts you can chuck cans of [pop, beer, water] at the obstacles on the left and right side.

This game is just goofy fun.  On the outside it’s an avoider game, but in the gooey centre you realize its just a whole lot of nonsense and ridiculousness.  I feel like such a lowlife floating in an inner tube down a random river chucking cans at people.  The music complements this shameless act.

It’s hard too.  I could only beat the first level when I was younger, and a later revisit let me get to the second level.  I am honestly not quite even sure what’s past the second level.

I’m not saying by any means that this is my favourite game.  But it’s a funny look at a leisurely activity, and even funnier now that someone made a game for it.