Inspired by the recent gameplay reveal for Halo Infinite, one intrepid video maker has imagined what the game would look like on the Nintendo 64. Microsoft unveiled the trailer in question last month during a highly anticipated Xbox Games Showcase, featuring many upcoming titles for the Xbox Series X. Halo Infinite started off the show, and the footage was questioned by some because of its graphical quality. It wasn't quite to the level of graphics from the age of Super Mario 64, but many players were expecting more out of Microsoft's next-gen launch title. This has led to various memes and at least one new mascot for the Xbox console, and this new mockup clearly plays off that zeitgeist.
Back in the day, the Nintendo 64 was the first home console to gain any success supporting first-person shooters, bringing Goldeneye 007 and Perfect Dark to the living room of countless gamers. However, it wouldn't be until 2001 and the release of Halo: Combat Evolved that developers really solidified shooter controls on a gamepad. That one shift would lead to shooters becoming a dominant force in the industry. Therefore, it really makes sense to bring these two trailblazing gaming moments together in a "What If?" scenario, and that's exactly what video creator Hoolopee has done.
The polygonal visages of Master Chief and his new pilot sidekick start off this retro trailer. Instead of voicework, the pilot speaks his displeasure via Banjo-Kazooie speech balloons while cartoony sound effects play in the background. When a ballista hits the Pelican, it shares the same noise as a Thowmp trying to crush Mario from Super Mario 64. Once Master Chief crash lands, viewers witness a blocky Assault Rifle firing away at blurry grunts and a cameo appearance from an Arwing overhead. Following that, a couple more cameos end the tribute in a rather humorous fashion.
Halo Infinite's N64 translation is actually the second demake trailer Hoolopee has created. A year ago, they decided to bring Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding to the PlayStation 1, the home of his most famous game, Metal Gear Solid. Just like in real life, Halo N64's models look a bit more complete, and the PS1 version of Norman Reedus has more defined shapes in place of the actor's head and torso. In both cases, the game recreations look completely playable, although many gamers would likely still prefer the maxed-out 4K versions of these titles.
Thankfully, Halo Infinite will look much better than this N64 rendition when it launches alongside the Xbox Series X later this year. While this trailer isn't specifically a mockery of the game's graphics, it does showcase something that players who only care about 4K and the latest tech fail to take into account. Even with 1996 tech, the trailer clearly reads as Halo. In fact, any series with a strong visual design can translate onto any level of technology and still retain its signature style. It's one of the most important aspects of creating a new franchise, especially in a genre with characters as strong and timeless as Master Chief.
Source: Hoolopee/YouTube