Super Marathon - The Other Console Marathon - Serious Business / Monkey Business
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My Early Days with Marathon
It was 1994 when Marathon first caught my attention, gleaming from the pages of a MacMall magazine nestled between other games of the era. The spark that was lit upon circling that screenshot for my Christmas wish would eventually turn into a roaring blaze of admiration for Bungie's iconic title. Marathon and its subsequent sequels, Marathon 2 and Marathon Infinity, formed the foundations of my ever-growing obsession with the series.
The Ultimate Opportunity
In 2006, the opportunity of a lifetime fell into my lap: the chance to bring Marathon to the Xbox 360. The successful port of Marathon: Durandal to the Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2007 marked the franchise's migration from computer to console. However, the question lingered: why Marathon 2 and not the original?
Discovering Super Marathon
Despite a sense of accomplishment, I stumbled upon whispers of Super Marathon, a mysterious console variant containing both Marathons 1 and 2. This discovery propelled me into a new quest, a search that brought me to the depths of online forums and interactions with both current and former Bungie employees. My goal? To play the elusive Super Marathon.
The Quest for Super Marathon
The tireless search for Super Marathon led me to digital havens like the forums of Digitpress, where an enthusiastic community of classic game lovers resides. Assistance from these passionate individuals opened the gates to understanding the obscure Apple Pippin, Apple's venture into the console market that housed Super Marathon as an exclusive.
The Apple Pippin and its Place in History
Little did many know of the Pippin, an under-the-radar Mac-console hybrid released by Apple and marketed by companies like Bandai and Atmark. Yet, for enthusiasts like myself, the Pippin was now synonymous with Super Marathon.
A Breakthrough in Collecting
After two years of intermittent eBay searches and near misses, fortune smiled upon me. A sealed copy of Super Marathon surfaced, procured from Alex Okita, a former Bungie colleague. With this precious find, I was ready to explore the uncharted waters of console-based Marathon gameplay.
The Super Marathon Experience
Launching Super Marathon on the Pippin reveals a dual-choice interface to play either Marathon or Marathon 2: Durandal. The simple, slow-paced gameplay of Marathon 1 almost made it seem effortless compared to the twitch shooters of today. However, Marathon 2 posed a greater challenge with its more intricate level designs.
Understanding Super Marathon's Mechanics
One of the most intriguing aspects of Super Marathon is its apparent network mode for single-player. You progress without save points, relying on level completion to secure your advancement—a curious design choice that speaks volumes about the era in which it was created.
Consoles, Then and Now
Today, those looking to traverse the expanse of the Marathon universe can readily do so on modern consoles like the Xbox 360. This accessibility makes it all the more intriguing to think of how Super Marathon once stood as a gatekeeper to a world few knew existed on a console.
Final Thoughts
Although the complete journey through Super Marathon has yet to be achieved, the adventure itself highlights the enduring appeal of the Marathon series. It exemplifies a dedication to gaming history and the lengths to which enthusiasts will go to connect with their digital past. From the avid collector to the fresh enthusiast, the legacy of Marathon continues, both as serious business and monkey business for those passionate about gaming's rich history.
This article was written in tribute to the enduring legacy of the Marathon series and the unforeseen journey of its console adaptation, Super Marathon. For aficionados and newcomers alike, it represents one of the many hidden treasures in the world of video gaming.