Line #48 VideoGame/Stinkoman20X6


1	[[quoteright:288:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/challenge_9762.gif]]
2	->''There is no time for candy\
3	Only the challenge of fight. (I will fight a brick wall!)\
4	Referred to being "The Guy" (I will collect many things!)\
5	Hero making showdown tonight!\
6	Tonight!\
7	Stinkoman! (Stinkoman!)\
8	Stinkoman! (Stinkoman!)\
9	FIGHT!''
10	-->-- "Theme from Stinkoman", FMV intro
11
12	''Stinkoman 20X6'' is a ''VideoGame/{{Mega Man\|Classic}}''-like PlatformGame starring Stinkoman, the blue-haired {{Animesque}} counterpart of Strong Bad from ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner''. It was released as a [[UsefulNotes/AdobeFlash Flash game]] in 2005, and is [[https://homestarrunner.com/stinkogame/v7/stinkogame.html freely playable]].[[note]]The game now uses the [[https://ruffle.rs/ Ruffle emulator]] as Flash Player has been completely depreciated on browsers.[[/note]]
13
14	The story, in the typical ''Homestar Runner'' irreverence, focuses on Stinkoman's adventures in his homeworld of Planet K, many of which involve fighting, challenges, and variations of sentences using those two words. However, a Mysterious Shadowy Figure has kidnapped his friends Pan Pan and 1-Up, and it's up to Stinkoman to save them. He'll probably get around to it eventually, but not when there's brick walls to fight and many things to collect.
15
16	On January 6th, 2018, more than twelve years after Level 9 was added to the game, [[https://twitter.com/StrongBadActual/status/949767712670089217 a teaser for Level 10 was released]]. [[https://twitter.com/StrongBadActual/status/1078803198125723648 And another teaser]] on December 28 of the same year. [[https://twitter.com/StrongBadActual/status/1340863605621862400 It finally released on December 20, 2020]].
17
18	----
19	!!Tropes:
20
21	* OneUp: Collecting an icon of Stinkoman's head grants the player an extra life. In an homage to this trope, the 20X6 version of Homestar is named 1-Up.
22	* AbsurdAltitude: Parodied. Stinkoman jumps high enough to see all of Planet K to get over a wall that is only just out of his normal jumping reach, spending the rest of the stage first flying upwards, then falling down.
23	* AdaptationalVillainy: [[spoiler:Z-Sabre is one to Coach Z, who is usually not considered antagonistic in his other incarnations]].
24	* AdvertisedExtra:
25	** Pan Pan is given equal billing with Stinkoman and 1-Up in the AttractMode intro, but he's kidnapped for most of the game and acts as a LivingProp in the few cutscenes he's in.
26	** Done again in the FMV intro, where Pan Pan gets a cool action sequence. Marzi-Mei and Cheatball also have prominent scenes despite only showing up at the end of Level 10, a fact she {{lampshade\|Hanging}}s when she makes her cameo.
27	* AllThereInTheManual: Just about anything that can hurt you has a name in the Stinkomanual. That's not a cactus! It's called a Pooru-Pooru!
28	* AllTheWorldsAreAStage:
29	** Level -0 takes everything from the rest of the game and throws it in a blender.
30	** Level 10.2 plays this more literally, composing of most of the levels played so far and throwing it at your face (except for Levels 3 and 9), even referencing the glitchfest of Level -0. It even features every single enemy from those levels.
31	* AnimationBump: The boss cutscene for Level 10 features a fluid animation sequence of Stinkoman getting injured by the Shadowy Figure's attack ({{recycled\|Animation}} from a [[https://twitter.com/StrongBadActual/status/1126676810429870080 short]] Strong Bad posted on Twitter), compared to the jerky sprites of the rest of the cutscenes before and after this.
32	* AntiFrustrationFeatures: "New Mode", added to the game when Level 10 was added, gives Stinkoman two extra hits, more extra lives to start with, mid-level checkpoints, the ability to respawn after falling into a pit at the cost of a hit point, and makes Level 3 "less annoying".
33	* AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent: You play as 1-Up instead of Stinkoman in Level 5.
34	* ArtShift: The FMV intro cinematic is animated by [[https://www.smallbu.com/ SmallBu Animation Studio]], and it resembles an anime opening; in particular, it strongly resembles Studio Trigger's ''Anime/BNABrandNewAnimal''.
35	* AutobotsRockOut: The final level has some epic music that sets it apart from the rest of the levels.
36	* BadWithTheBone: One enemy is an obese, robotic chicken that constantly spits bones out of its mouth.
37	* BigBad: The Shadowy Figure, or [[spoiler:Z-Sabre, the [=20X6=] version of Coach Z]].
38	* BladderOfSteel: No pausing allowed. While in most levels you can easily find a safe spot to idle, in Level 7 idling will cause Stinkoman to freeze and take damage.
39	* BodyHorror: [[spoiler:The last scene shows Z-Sabre with his lower face destroyed and with a mouth.]]
40	* {{Bowdlerise}}: Stinkoman's level intro is based off of one of his poses from the "Japanese cartoon" short, sans the Big Knife in his hand.
41	* BrainMonster: The first boss is the brain of the HumongousMecha Stinkoman defeated in the opening cutscene.
42	* BreakingTheFourthWall: The intro cutscene to Level 5 has Stinkoman {{refus\|alOfTheCall}}e to help 1-Up get Pan Pan back, because he'd "already helped out in Level 4"--not the Lava Zone as it was referred to in-universe, just Level 4 in general.
43	* BossRemix: The final boss theme is a remixed version of [[spoiler:Trogdor's theme]] that transitions into a rendition of the first stage's theme.
44	* TheCameo: When a character says "asplode", Vector Strong Bad shows up to [[HeyThatsMyLine admonish them]].
45	* CatchPhrase: Stinkoman shouts his catchphrase, "Are you asking for a challenge?!", whenever he is about to engage in a BossBattle. Likewise, 1-Up shouts "I wanna be the guy, too!" in his solo boss fight.
46	* ChekhovsGun: In level 4, 1-Up takes Stinkoman's Power Crunch which doesn't seem to have any other importance for the rest of the game. [[spoiler:Come the final level, 1-Up tosses the Power Crunch to Stinkoman to give him a needed [[SuperMode power boost]] against Z Sabre.]]
47	* CollapsingLair: After defeating the final boss, Stinkoman must navigate a short but tricky platforming course and escape to the Stinkowing before time runs out.
48	* ContinuityNod:
49	** Stinkoman's "Power Crunch" from level 4 is the cassette tape of Strong Bad's "number 1 jam" from the Sbemail "[[Recap/StrongBadEmailE115TimeCapsule time capsule]]", which Stinkoman thought was a Power Crunch (and somehow wound up empowering him).
50	** Level 10 starts with a fight against the "Worst End-Boss Ever" from episode 6 of ''Skills of an Artist''. [[spoiler: Fortunately, if you just keep shooting at him as he does his charge attack he'll explode.]]
51	** The credits have another one where [[spoiler:after beating Level 10.5, you fight against Sticklyman as the credits roll, just like how Strong Bad said he would be the secret boss of Level 10.5 in [[VideoGame/StrongBadsCoolGameForAttractivePeople the fifth episode of SBCG4AP]]. Neither he nor Stinkoman can be defeated, and if you just stay still, he won't attack.]]
52	* CostumeEvolution: Marzi-Mei's original character design had her wearing a purple leotard with a purple skirt, and she highly resembled a ''Anime/SailorMoon'' character. Her new design created by Lindsay Small-Butera has her wearing a purple jumpsuit with hand-hiding sleeves (and Foot-Hiding Pant Legs). Her hair is also styled differently, with it originally being up in a long ponytail.
53	* CriticalExistenceFailure: Our protagonist has four (or six on New mode) energy bars and unless it drops to zero, he'll never be injured.
54	* DefeatEqualsExplosion: Most enemies explode upon defeat.
55	* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: The manual quotes the second boss as saying, "My feet are orange feet."
56	* EasterEgg: The hidden fourth option in the main menu, visible either by pressing down from the third option or hovering over the area, shows the game's manual. The option is made visible with the Level 10 update.
57	* EdibleCollectible: The bread in Level 3.2, which must be collected tenfold in order to clear the level.
58	* EscapeSequence: [[spoiler:After beating Mecha-Trogador, one last level is played which has a timer with the objective being to get out of the tower.]]
59	* EscortMission: Stinkoman has to protect his Power Crunch (and, by extension, 1-Up) from the creatures in the Lava Zone.
60	* ExcusePlot: While there is some semblance of a plot in the background, most levels are initiated by Stinkoman looking to get his challenge fix. Quoth the AttractMode summary:
61	-->[[AC:ON PLANET K, STINKOMAN IS ALWAYS]][[AC:LOOKING FOR A FIGHTING OR A CHALLENGE.]][[AC:IN 20X6, HE CAN USUALLY FIND ONE!]]
62	* ExplosiveBreeder: While trapped inside The Shadowy Figure's lair, Pan Pan had 100 babies. Despite no other member of his species being around for... the act of breeding.
63	* ExposedToTheElements: Deconstructed. Standing still too long in the SlippySlideyIceWorld will cause Stinkoman to freeze into an ice cube and take damage.
64	* {{Expy}}: The Shadowy Figure/[[spoiler:Z-Sabre]] is one of [[VideoGame/MegaManX Sigma]].
65	* FaceShip: The Stinkowing, a fighter jet shaped like Stinkoman's (and by extension Strong Bad's) mask.
66	* FanRemake: Created by [[https://ratheronfire.com/projects/stinkoman/ Ratheronfire]] using the Godot Engine and adding more AntiFrustrationFeatures like being able to pause and giving 1-Up three hit points instead of one in Level 4, along with adding post-game content such as a Time Attack where you can play the levels as either Stinkoman or 1-Up, a BossRush mode, and a(n incomplete as of 1.0) Level Editor. Release Trailer [[https://youtu.be/MitDNlfcgeM?si=XD9mJClnVu2CP0y8 here]].
67	* FloatingPlatforms: More than a few levels have them.
68	** Level 4 has floating platforms and corresponding tiles to control them, with the goal being to put them in the correct place to help 1-Up (or Stinkoman) get through.
69	** Many levels have floating trapdoors, which are solid platforms when up, but cause the player to fall through when down. In Level -0, the positions are reversed: down is solid, up lets you fall.
70	* FlyingSeafoodSpecial: The level 9 enemies are vaguely fish-like creatures that fly through the air to attack Stinkoman.
71	* FreezeFrameBonus: During the enemy rollcall in the credits, the Shadowy Figure's non-boss sprite is credited as "Bubs".
72	* GameBreakingBug: Dying on the first two bosses usually causes the floor to disappear, since the trigger that loads the level is at the start of the level instead of the start of the boss. This is fixed in the Level 10 update.
73	* GiantHandsOfDoom: Stlunko fights primarily with its giant disembodied hands.
74	* GlitchEntity: [[InvokedTrope Invoked]]. "Poor Ekersby. He's a jumble of good, good graphics from the rest of the game."
75	* TheHomewardJourney: Level 1 is outright called "Go Home!", focusing on Stinkoman's obstacle-filled journey back after defeating Tampo.
76	* HumongousMecha: [[spoiler:Mecha-Trogador, a robot version of Trogdor, is the game's FinalBoss]].
77	* IdleAnimation: If Stinkoman is left standing, he will start to yawn. In the level where you play as 1-Up instead, 1-Up will blow {{Snot Bubble}}s instead. Turned against the player in Level 7, where Stinkoman will [[InstantIceJustAddCold freeze into an ice block]] and take damage.
78	* IFellForHours: The second part of Level 3, in which Stinkoman comes down from the apex of his [[AbsurdAltitude extremely high]] jump, especially if you're taking too long with collecting the breads.
79	* InconvenientlyPlacedConveyorBelt: Most inconvenient with Stlunko, the Level 3 boss, where it can change direction while you are trying to avoid the giant fists. The belt also has a hazard on each side.
80	* InstantIceJustAddCold: Stinkoman will "freeze to square" if he stands still too long in Stage 7, the SlippySlideyIceWorld. This causes him to be temporarily trapped in an ice cube and take damage.
81	* IntentionalEngrishForFunny: All throughout the game. "AND OTHER VICTORY FOR STINKOMAN!!"
82	* InvincibleMinorMinion: Both Clowder from Level 3 and Stafulter from Level 6 are invincible to Stinkoman's attacks.
83	* JungleJapes: Level 9 has Stinkoman piloting his jet through a jungle. Despite this, [[FlyingSeafoodSpecial most of the enemies are underwater-themed]].
84	* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: Level 10's opening cutscene opens with Stinkoman falling asleep in front of the Shadowy Figure's lair, with said Figure angrily commenting that he's been there for a while. 1-Up and Pan Pan have also been captured for so long that the former grew a beard and the latter gave birth to a litter of children. It's pretty obviously a joke about the out-of-universe long wait in between the release of Level 9 and Level 10.
85	* LethalLavaLand: Level 4, in which you must protect the Power Crunch (held by 1-Up) from giant lava falls.
86	* Level1MusicRepresents: The overworld theme of Level 1 is probably the most iconic piece of music from the game, as it shows up in the menu theme, is used in the Level 10 trailer, and gets all new remixes for Level 10's overworld [[spoiler:and for the final boss]].
87	* LevelInTheClouds: Level 6: Stratosfear, AKA the Pink Cloud Zone. Many enemies are electricity-themed, and The Liekand, a sunglasses-wearing tornado, is the boss.
88	* ManualMisprint: Invoked as, despite what the manual says, the Level 9 boss is not a squid. Lampshaded in the boss's quote.
89	--> "That description is ALL WRONG!" -Harvax XVII
90	** As a brick joke, that's what we end up seeing in the credits.
91	* MiniGameCredits: Stinkoman can fight [[spoiler:Sticklyman]] during the end credits, though both are invincible.
92	* MinusWorld: Level -0 is a homage to this. It's composed of bits and pieces of other levels, as is its music (see also: AllTheWorldsAreAStage).
93	* PlanarShockwave: The Stinkowing causes a few rings when it explodes.
94	* PoisonMushroom: Poison capsules deal 1 damage to you and look like the Power Crunch capsules that restore full health.
95	* PowerCopying: Parodied with Stlunko--after defeating him, Stinkoman takes one of his giant stone hands as a "new powerup", which comes into play in the next level.
96	* ReadingTheStageDirectionsOutLoud: [[spoiler:Z Sabre]] refers to [[spoiler:Mecha-Trogador]] as his 'pet inside quotes.'
97	* RecursiveCanon: One cutscene shows Stinkoman playing... ...''Stinkoman 20X6''.
98	* {{Retraux}}: A pseudo-8-bit game produced by the fictional video game company Videlectrix, which later gets an upgrade to pseudo-Sega CD game status with the inclusion of a fully-animated (and poorly-encoded) cinematic cutscene.
99	* SegmentedSerpent: Saargtsson, who must be defeated by attacking the last segment of its tail until it falls off.
100	* SequelHook: Lampshaded, when [[spoiler: the Crystal Heart of Mecha-Trogador is [[DismantledMacGuffin broken into pieces]] and scattered across Planet K]], Stinkoman observes that [[spoiler: gathering the shards]] would make for a great sequel or an animated series spin-off. The cartoon short seen in ''Twenty [=THANXty=] Six'' may in fact be said animated series.
101	* SkewedPriorities:
102	** When 1-Up decides to go rescue Pan Pan in Level 4, Stinkoman's first concern is not that his friend is taking a very dangerous shortcut, but that his Power Crunch might be destroyed along the way.
103	** This continues after Stinkoman gets zapped to Level 7 after 1-Up is kidnapped. Getting revenge on the guy who "red-buttoned" him is high priority; ''maybe'' rescuing his friends is secondary.
104	* SlippySlideyIceWorld: Level 7, "Ice 2 Meet U", which has several unique ice enemies, including An Ice Machine as the boss, and in which the cold weather can even damage you if you stay still for too long.
105	* SpaceZone: Level 5, in which 1-Up decides to go to the moon to search for the kidnapped Pan Pan.
106	* StationaryBoss: Stlunko and An Ice Machine each stay put during their respective fights.
107	* TheStinger: After the first "The End" screen, we cut to [[spoiler:Z Sabre emerging from his wrecked lair, now speaking with a newly-formed mouth]].
108	* StylisticSuck: The pre-rendered intro added with the Level 10 update is filtered to resemble the poor-quality FMV seen in Sega CD games like ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Sonic CD]]''. The viewing area is shrunk to a letterbox inside a [="VideleCDrix"=] border, and there are visible graphical blurs and pixelation throughout the video. [[spoiler:Completing the game unlocks a link to watch the cinematic in full HD.]]
109	* SuperMode: [[spoiler:Stinkoman gets buff for the Level 10 boss battles]]. [[DownplayedTrope All it does is make him jump higher]].
110	* TheReveal:
111	** After 15 years, we finally have a definite answer as to who the Mysterious Shadowy Figure is, and the fans were correct: [[spoiler:It's the 20X6 version of Coach Z, known as "Z Sabre".]]
112	** We also finally know the name of the 20X6 version of Marzipan: Marzi-Mei.
113	* TitleScream: "Twenty-exty-six!"
114	* TookAShortcut:
115	** Parodied. Whereas Stinkoman takes an entire level to reach low-Earth orbit, 1-Up just ''walks to the moon''.
116	** [[LethalLavaLand Level 4]] is an attempt to invoke this; it quickly turns into a RidiculouslyDifficultRoute instead.
117	** Lampshaded when Stinkoman tells 1-Up and Pan Pan to "meet [him] in the next cutscene safe and sound" as he escapes the CollapsingLair. They proceed to do just that.
118	* UnexpectedShmupLevel: Level 9, in which you control the Stinkowing instead of Stinkoman himself. The jump command typical of the rest of the game becomes a "shield" command instead.

Context VideoGame / Stinkoman20X6