Recently, Retro Gaming Magazine’s Colby Primeaux spoke to Dave Clark, the creator of Doctor Who on the NES to find out about the project, what fans can expect from the game and what Doctor Who has meant to him.

RGM: What made you want to make Doctor Who on the NES?

DC: Ever since I have started hacking roms, I have always tried to make games I would love to see made in 8-bit. I am a Classic Who fan, and seeing that it has such a cult following, I decided the Gallifreyan Time Lord needed to be on the NES.

RGM: Why did you choose Cosmo Police Galivan as the game to hack?

DC: When I decide on a game I want to make, I spend lots of time researching every game in the NES library. I always say, “Finding the right game to hack is half the battle.” Doctor Who was no exception. I spent days researching and looking for the right fit for the Doctor. In the end, Cosmo Police Galivan was a great fit.

RGM: What led to the decision to choose Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor as the lead for the game, rather than a late 80s doctor such as Colin Baker’s Sixth or Sylvester McCoy’s Seventh or the timelessly popular Tom Baker’s Fourth?

DC: As I stated before, I am a huge Classic Who fan. I’ve been a fan since I was eleven or twelve. The Fourth Doctor will always be my favorite. However, the reason I went with Matt Smith is because I wanted to appeal to the new generation of Whovians out there. I love giving the player a real NES experience, with newer things you wouldn’t except to see on a 30 year old console.

RGM: What can Whovians expect from the game?

DC: Fans can expect to see familiar faces in the game, as well as some new ones. The Doctor starts the game with his Sonic Screwdriver, and can add several different attachments to enhance it along the way. The gameplay is similar to  that of Zelda 2: The Adventures of Link. A 2D side scroller that has plenty of action and also makes you think as you play.

Doctor Who along with Clark’s other hacked NES titles can be purchased at https://www.etsy.com/listing/246362294/doctor-who

Colby Primeaux

While some might consider him young for the retro genre, Colby Primeaux has been playing video games since he was old enough to pick up a controller and eagerly seeks out games from before his time to study and appreciate. Primeaux is a sportswriter from Houston, TX.