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Has nothing to do with [[Literature/PressStart book series of same name]], thought it also has to do with video games.
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Has nothing to do with [[Literature/PressStart [[Literature/PressStart2016 book series of same name]], thought it also has to do with video games.
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%%Commented-out examples are zero-context examples. Please do not re-add without adding context.
%%
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/poster.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"This is no game. It's a movie!"'']]
->'''Zack:''' Why'd you let him hit you?\\
'''Sam:''' It was his turn.
''Press Start'' is an independent spoof comedy film produced by [[Creator/DarkMazeStudios Dark Maze Studios]].
It chronicles the adventures of Zack Nimbus, the 'ChosenOne', Lin-Ku, [[HeroicComedicSociopath an overly violent]] {{Ninja}}, and Sam, a [[ActionGirl woman warrior]] [[SamusIsAGirl in a spacesuit]]. They set out to find the [[MacGuffin three ancient relics]] and battle [[TheEmpire The Empire]] ruled by the [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment nefarious]] [[CardCarryingVillain Count Nefarious Vile]] and they [[{{Troperiffic}} spoof more video games than you can count]] along the way. Featuring special appearances by game actors Daniel and Carlos Pesina (Mortal Kombat) and music by videogame composer Jake Kaufman (Contra 4). Made on a budget described as "spare change placed in a mayo jar," the film was well received by many video game websites. It even spawned an AnimatedAdaptation series which premiered on Website/ChannelAwesome, and a sequel, ''Press Start 2 Continue'' was released in March 11 2011.
According to the production notes (available in PDF on the [[http://www.darkmaze.com/pressstart/main.html website]]), the original concept by Ed Glaser was [[TheMovie Videogame: The Movie!]] - like the Film/ScaryMovie series, [[{{Dissimile}} only funny]]. It was written by Kevin Folliard. The truly great thing is that everyone involved in the movie has either worked on games or [[AscendedFanboy is a hardcore fan]], so naturally the movie is {{Troperiffic}}. Plus, most of them are [[IKnowKarate accomplished martial artists]] that raised the level of fight scenes in the movie. The incredibly low budget was worked around thanks to the extremely committed and versatile team.
So sit back, relax, and get ready for some cheesy video game laughs. Just Press Start.
Recap here: Recap.PressStart
Has nothing to do with [[Literature/PressStart book series of same name]], thought it also has to do with video games.
----
!!This film provides examples of:
%%* AffectionateParody - And how.
* AlliterativeName - Princess Passionfruit and Plumber Pete.
%%* AnimatedAdaptation - ''Press Start Adventures''.
%%* BeleagueredAssistant - Johnson.
* BewareTheSillyOnes - Vile. [[GenreBlindness genre-blind]] buffoon he may be, but he's a very tough {{final boss}}.
* BrickJoke: Subverted - Zack's refusal to participate in the the Jackomo card game SideQuest is itself a RunningGag, but [[spoiler:when Zack & Lin-Ku reach Vile & promise to defeat him, Vile asks if they have several powerful weapons & pieces of armour. Zack then asks how they could get that stuff, and Vile responds with "You have to do very well...in the Jackamo card tournament."]]
* ButtMonkey - Johnson gets turned into a turtle. A ''turtle''.
%%* CaptainErsatz - Essentially every character. Carries over into Adventures. See ShoutOut.
%%* CardCarryingVillain - Vile.
* CharacterLevel - Zack seems to be leveling up quite quickly in the beginning of the film. (He's a level 4 Swordsman!) In one of the later web-toons, his bedroom has a certificate mounted on the wall, congratulating him for making it to level 99.
%%* ChekhovsGun - The [[VirtualBoy Virtual Visor]].
* CreatorCameo - Ed Glaser plays "[[Franchise/{{Metroid}} Justin Bailey]]", Vile's employee, as well as the voice of [[spoiler: the lair's self-destruct mechanism.]] Writer Kevin Folliard, in addition to voicing Lin-Ku, also has a brief appearance as "[[VideoGame/{{Pitfall}} Jungle Jerry]]".
* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment - Did you know the ancient prophecy was made by an ancient prophet?
* EverythingsDeaderWithZombies - The abandoned research facility was hit with a "zombie virus".
%%* ExpositionFairy - Zippy, bringing you a big healthy dose of AnnoyingVideoGameHelper.
%%* FacePalm - Sam does quite a few of these.
%%* FangsAreEvil - Vile.
%%* FreudianTrio
%%** Ego - [[TheHero Zack]]
%%** Id - [[TheLancer Lin-Ku]]
%%** Superego - [[ActionGirl Sam]]
* ForgottenFallenFriend: [[spoiler:After Zack kills Zippy...no one ever mentions him, or the incident. Again. Ever. In any way. Even Sam, who actually liked Zippy, and ends up dating Zack, never brings it up. You'd think you'd care if your significant other killed your pet...]]
* FinalBossNewDimension - For the climactic battle, Vile teleports them all to a dark, featureless place because "property damage is only funny if it's someone else's."
* GuideDangIt - The final battle would have been MUCH easier on the heroes if only they'd done the Jackamo card game sidequest.
%%* {{Hammerspace}} - How Press Start explains [[strike:Franchise/{{Kirby}}'s]] Zippy's ability to eat things and then shoot them out of his mouth as an energy blast.
* HandWave - When Zack tries to bring up the point that killing the current ruler of most of the world (evil or not) might send the world into a socioeconomic turmoil leaving it vulnerable to a dictator of equal or greater power, Sam and Lin-ku pretty much do this.
-->"I think they'll be okay."
* HeroicComedicSociopath - Lin-Ku's cast page in the animated episode "Speed Run" calls him [[TokenEvilTeammate "ethically challenged"]].
* HyperactiveMetabolism:
** Zack eats a turkey leg Lin-ku finds on the floor to regain health. Revisited when he attempts to eat a medkit.
** Lin-Ku also does this to regain health [[spoiler: by eating Captain Psychodrive's heart.]]
%%* InAWorld - The trailer. Word for word.
%%* IntimateHealing - The 'Life Lady', taken right out of ''VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink''.
%%* IzchaksWrath - Lin-Ku axes the shopkeeper to see if he had NPC Invulnerability, and he later shows up as the third guardian.
%%* LargeHam - Count Vile. Totally Count Vile.
%%* LaResistance - As straight as it could possibly be played.
%%* LaughablyEvil - Again, Count Vile.
%%* MacGuffin - The Ancient Relics.
* MistakenForGay - Zack, unaware of Sam being female, mistakes her early affection for this. Later, when Zack and Lin-Ku wait outside the third dungeon and Zack shares this, Lin-Ku ends up mistaking Zack as gay.
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast - Nefarious Vile. [[ObviouslyEvil Seriously]]. Also, Captain Psychodrive.
%%* OnlySaneMan - Johnson. Carries over to the AnimatedAdaptation.
%%* PowerMakesYourHairGrow - Zack.
%%* RagTagBunchOfMisfits - How the creator describes the Resistance.
%%* RuleOfFun - Apparently, how the movie was made on such a low budget.
* RunningGag:
** Lin-ku's ninja stars, Zack thinking Sam is a boy, the Shopkeeper, and Jackamo cards. Oh boy those Jackamo cards.
** The Virtual Visor. It causes headaches.
* SamusIsAGirl - Not to the audience, but to Zack Nimbus thinking Sam is a boy. Of course, the movie was specifically trying to parody the [[TropeNamer Trope Namer]] with this...
* SkewedPriorities: Vile. Oh, Vile.
-->Johnson: (crawls up to Vile, severely injured and bleeding profusely)
-->Vile: (sigh) I've gotta go, Vlad. Johnson probably needs me to sign something.
%%* ShoutOut - Arguably half the fun of the movie. Too many games are referenced to name.
%%* TakeThat - The [[BlandNameProduct CrazyFeline]] game controller is called "a third party piece of crap". The Visual Visor to the Virtual Boy.
* TheChosenOne - Played straight. Zack Nimbus is chosen by a prophecy from an ancient prophet.
%%* TheUnintelligible - Zippy.
* ThisIsForEmphasisBitch - "Game over, you son of a bitch."
* ThisIsSomethingHesGotToDoHimself - Subverted and played straight. Lin-ku pulls this when fighting Captain Psychodri- I mean G. Foreman. However, Zack and Sam have no problem letting the murderous ninja do the fighting for him. Played straight when Zack tries to intervene in the fight, but Sam stops him.
* TookAShortcut - The Shopkeeper continually shows up wherever the heroes go. Including a secret passage Sam discovers by blowing up a wall. It gets lampshaded.
* WarpZone:
** Zack and Lin-ku would've had to go through some terrible places to get to Vile's Lair. Instead, they opt out for one of these.
** Referenced in the AnimatedAdaptation.
-->'''Vile:''' Come, Johnson! We'll take the WarpZone! * SMASH*\\
'''Johnson:''' Sir, that was your [[BrickJoke Berry Blast Sports Drink]].
%%* WhenTreesAttack - Voiced by Egoraptor even!
----
!!The AnimatedAdaptation provides examples of
%%* AIIsACrapshoot - "Misshapen pentagram. Unacceptable. >:("
* AndIMustScream - The Dark Mages have no mouths. And they certainly won't have mouths once they're [[NightmareFuel frozen into a pillar]].
* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking - Vile doesn't mind that you've shot fireballs at him or knocked a statue on top of him. He only cares that you've altered [[strike:his crayon drawings]] his blueprints.
* ArtEvolution - Compare the art and animation in "Poker, Mon" (particularly that of Reptillor) with any current episode. There is a decent amount of improvement which will hopefully continue.
%%* BalanceBetweenGoodAndEvil - When Vile became the ruler of Hell, he quit with the eternal damnation to plan to return to life, eventually resulting in [[spoiler:the near destruction of the universe.]]
%%* BananaPeel - How Vile defeats Satan and gains control of Hell.
* BigDamnHeroes - The other Resistance members show up to save Zack, Sam and Lin-Ku in "Golden Axed".
%%* BrickJoke:
%%** Everyone should smile when a DMA agent enters Vlad's throne room.
%%** "But first, some electrolytes!"
%%** Actually, most of "Pac-Manifold" uses jokes from "Pac-Manic Depression" to even funnier effect.
%%* BuildLikeAnEgyptian - "Tomb Traitor".
* CaptainObvious:
** Belfast.
--->'''Belfast:''' After twelve seconds we sent out a search party. ({{Beat}}) Us.
** Also, Vile.
--->'''Vile:''' I can't tell you how much fun I'm having, Vlad! Did you know I get to torment these people forever!\\
'''[[DeadpanSnarker Vlad]]:''' Yeah, that's the general idea.
%%* ChainsawGood - By Johnson, of all people.
%%-->'''Johnson:''' What? I may be a turtle with glasses and a tie, but [[CardCarryingVillain I'm still evil]].
%%* ChargedAttack - Sam's blaster. [[{{Deconstruction}} Deconstructed somewhat]] in "Megabusted" when she and Lin-ku discover how inconvenient a charged attack without a cancellation method is.
%%* ChristmasEpisode - combined with MusicalEpisode.
* CoolAndUnusualPunishment - Vile decides to occupy Hell's residents with macaroni projects. Vlad lampshades this trope.
%%* CovertPervert - Trenton Belfast.
%%-->'''Belfast:''' As sure as the curves of a curvaceous concubine of succulent succubi.
%%* CrimefightingWithCash - How Lauren Ketch contributes to the Resistance. Sometimes a case of ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney.
* CreatorCameo - Aside from the fact that writer Kevin Folliard plays the voice of Lin-Ku, director Ed Glaser appears as an employee of the Vile corporation, and later as [[spoiler: the ultimate game designer, God]].
%%* CurseCutShort - Vile at the end of "Pac-Manic" and [[BrickJoke "Pac-Manifold"]].
%%* DeadpanSnarker - Vlad, especially when talking to Vile.
%%* DesignatedGirlFight - Lauren Ketch versus Sam.
* {{Dissimile}} - "In a world much like our own... except with monsters and robots and anthropomorphic animals..."
%%* DontExplainTheJoke - "Tomb Traitor".
%%-->'''Sam:''' Where is your famili-\\
%%'''Lauren:''' IT'S MY GUN!
%%* DoubleEntendre - [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Plumber Pete's]] cast page in "Speed Run". "Perks" indeed.
%%* DreamLand - Visited for one episode. Zack calls it the "scariest place [they've] ever been."
* EarlyBirdCameo - Princess Xanna of ''Press Start 2'' appears on a newspaper in the first episode of season three.
* ElaborateUndergroundBase - Locations are captioned. One such location? "The Underground Lair of Count Nefarious Vile". Strangely enough, it looks more like a DeathMountain.
%%* EmptyCopThreat:
%%** "Megabusted". Ends up overlapping a little with JackBauerInterrogationTechnique.
%%** Additionally, Handy, Candy, Dandy, and Ruth.
%%* FemmeFatale - Morgan le Slay, succubus and Vlad's sidekick/assistant.
%%-->'''[[TheMenInBlack Morris]]:''' (Your) outfit is far too revealing for a boy his age!\\
%%'''Morgan:''' To wear or to look at?
%%* FetchQuest - The entirety of "Side Quest".
* ForcedTutorial - The gang gets stuck listening to one when trying to acquire [[Franchise/FinalFantasy dragobos]]. Instead, they use its convoluted nature as a LogicBomb against attacking robots.
%%* ForTheEvulz - A lot of Vile's actions, particularly in his miniseries, ''Dial V for Vile''.
* GlowingEyesOfDoom - Vlad is probably the most notable, since his eyes make a significant color change and spark with electricity when he decides to [[OurVampiresAreDifferent call lightning from the sky]], but Vile and [[TokenEvilTeammate Lin-Ku]] have them in the animation as well.
%%* GlurgeAddict - Vile.
%%* GotTheWholeWorldInMyHand - The Vile splash page that sometimes introduces the episodes.
%%* HarmlessVillain - Vile usually [[NotSoHarmlessVillain isn't harmless]] - but he's pretty damn stupid, especially in "Statue of Limitations".
* HypocriticalHumor - Sam, to Lauren Ketch in "Tomb Traitor":
-->'''Sam:''' I've been [[AdventurerArchaeologist violating ancient ruins]] longer than you, Lauren!
%%* IncrediblyLamePun - All the episode titles.
%%* LaughablyEvil - Vile, in several ways.
%%* LedgeBats - The opening narration of ''Press Start Adventures'' references them as part of how the villain conquered the world.
%%* LimitedAnimation: Any movement is saved for when it's necessary.
* LimitedWardrobe - Played straight for most of the cast, but sort of averted with Lin-Ku, whose outfit is always the same but whose color often changes. Of course, this is a relatively subtle shout-out to the palette-swap ninjas in ''Franchise/MortalKombat'', as Lin-Ku is sort of based on the idea of an MK style ninja, rather than any one in particular.
%%* MadeOfExplodium - The golem in "Food Fight". Lampshaded by Zack.
* TheMenInBlack - The Department of Metaphysical Affairs, which seems to combine a traditional Film/MenInBlack "supernatural investigators" vibe with the [[TheScrappy US Department of Motor Vehicles]].
* {{Metaphorgotten}} - Vile in "F-Xerox".
-->'''Vile:''' [[WhoDares As sure as an out-of-control airplane bombing a swarm of acrobatic jellyfish!]]
%%* MrExposition - Rick from Accounting in "F-Xerox".
%%* MrFanservice - Scarth. [[FunetikAksent KUH]]. Rooooooth! (He even has onscreen fangirls.)
* MurderIsTheBestSolution:
** Lin-Ku's standard approach to problems. For example:
--->'''Lin-Ku:''' You know, I almost wish I hadn't broken our grappling hook disemboweling that troll.\\
'''Zack:''' That was a '''forum''' troll!\\
'''Lin-Ku:''' I said "'''almost'''".
** And in the movie:
--->'''Lin-Ku:''' Wait! I know these guys! Don't kill them!\\
'''Zack:''' Did you say '''don't''' kill them?\\
'''Lin-Ku (visibly uncomfortable):''' Yeah, I know. It felt weird.
* OhCrap - The entire Resistance in "Endgame (Part 2)".
-->'''Belfast:''' [[ThisIsGonnaSuck That's going]] [[{{Understatement}} to be a problem.]]
%%* OneWingedAngel - Vlad '''almost''' does this in "Golden Axed", but decides against it since he already accomplished his goal.
* OnlySaneMan - Oddly enough, Vlad.
-->'''Vlad:''' Does [[SurroundedByIdiots anyone]] lock the door around here?
%%* OrcusOnHisThrone - Vlad really likes Jeopardy.
* OurVampiresAreDifferent: Vlad is clearly based on Castlevania's Dracula, has an apparent affinity to bats, and flat-out states that his moat is meant to keep out vampire hunters. But he has blue hair, lacks a mouth (maybe he talks telepathically?), refers to himself as a "dark lord of chaos" rather than a vampire, and can conjure lightning bolts out of nowhere. At this point, he seems more like a [[OurLichesAreDifferent lich]] than a vamp.
* PayEvilUntoEvil - Pretty much every good character, since being a video game hero usually entails killing the bad guys. In particular, Trenton Belfast refuses to consider making peace with evildoers, and Lin-Ku is downright bloodthirsty.
%%* PlatformHell - Johnson has to go through a lot of it to get a certain library book.
%%* PowerEchoes - Vlad, whenever he wants to make an impression (or alternately, when he's really pissed off).
%%* RedEyesTakeWarning - Vlad and Lin-Ku.
%%* RightBehindMe - Lin-Ku in "Beer Comes a New Challenger".
%%* RunningGag - The moment Lin-Ku walks into the shop in "Side Quest," you know someone's getting axed.
%%* SayMyName - "Scarthcaroth." "Scoffkuhraugh?"
%%* SesquipedalianLoquaciousness - Trenton Belfast. He usually fails at it, though.
* ShapedLikeItself - Count Nefarious Vile is indeed nefarious and vile. His actor, Peter Davis, is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWO-2GqB-tE&feature=channel fond of speaking like this]].
%%* ShoutOut - probably even more of them than in the movie.
%%* ShipTease - In "Endgame (Part 2)", Lin-Ku and Sam, of all people, can be interpreted this way.
%%-->'''Lin-Ku:''' You know, you really shouldn't have run off without someone to watch your back.
* SuperDrowningSkills - Very subtly lampshaded in "Pit Fallout" (it's a quick comment that's quite easy to miss if you're not paying attention).
-->'''Sam:''' Besides, the blaster would incinerate the crocodile's mouths and then what would we do? Swim?\\
'''Lin-Ku:''' Good point.
* TakeThat: Trenton's copy of the movie ''Film/{{Wishmaster}}'', which reads "You'll wish you'd rented {{Film/Leprechaun}} instead."
%%* TempleOfDoom - The home of the dark mages.
%%* TheDevilIsALoser - [[spoiler:Vile.]]
* TheGodsMustBeLazy - God spends his time hanging out in Heaven playing games and ordering taking out. He only intervenes when Vile's actions in Hell start messing with the cosmic balance.
%%* ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill - Scarthcaroth in "Endgame (Part 1)". Lampshaded by Vile.
* TooKinkyToTorture - Trenton gets blasted by chaos magic repeatedly during a raid to retrieve an oracle. He claims it "started to feel good after a while."
%%* UnfortunateNames - Pay attention to Belfast's "screwed up family tree" in Symphony of the Trite.
* ViceCity - The City of Freedomsville which is visited for one episode. Lin-ku falls in love with the free-for-all nature that rules the place and [[IChooseToStay chooses to stay behind]] to begin a life as a crime-boss. Until next day where he, to his disappointment, finds out that that killing off the other crime-bosses have caused the citizens to reclaim their city and turned it into a peaceful {{Utopia}}.
%%* VillainsOutShopping - It seems that every villain in the Press Start universe shops at Occult Mart.
%%* VillainTeleportation - Vlad. He... morphs places instead of walking.
%%* ViolenceIsTheOnlyOption - What Belfast believes in "Mage of Empires". Averted when Sam reaches a diplomatic solution.
%%* TheVoiceless - Scarthcaroth. It bites him in the butt when he challenges Vile for control of Hell and gets stuck with JokeCharacter Stan Hibachi as a tag-team partner.
%%* [[WasItReallyWorthIt Is It Really Worth It]] - How Lin-Ku feels about Zach in "Endgame (Part 2)".
%%* WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong - Unsurprisingly, Vile says this just before [[spoiler:the universe starts falling apart.]]
* WhatTheHellHero - Sam calls Lin-Ku out on his AntiHero tendencies before [[spoiler:kicking him off the team.]]
-->'''Lin-Ku:''' Hey, I didn't mean for Zack to...\\
'''Sam:''' Save it, you're out.\\
'''Lin-Ku:''' What?, I botch just one mission and I...\\
'''Sam:''' It's more then just that, everyday you tread the line between hero and thug. I just don't know what side you'll end up on anymore.\\
'''Lin-Ku:''' Listen we won the day like we always do...\\
'''Sam:''' We got lucky Lin-Ku but you weren't there when we needed you.\\
'''Lin-Ku:''' So I got a little carried away, next time...\\
'''Sam:''' There is no "next time" Lin-Ku, you have to learn to trust your partners. The bloodiest path isn't always the best one. Next time someone needs your help, don't turn your back on them. Take that advice.
* XanatosGambit - Vlad creates an EvilKnockoff of Zack to go and try and kill him. Seems a pretty straightforward and easily foiled plot, right? After a brief (and stupid) SpotTheImpostor moment, Zack kills his double and that's that, right? Wrong. Remember one of the rituals to unlock one of the gates of Hell? "The hero that killed Vile must spill his own blood on the altar". Evil!Zack is still Zack, so no matter what the outcome was (Zack killing evil!Zack or Evil!Zack killing Zack), the ritual would be fulfilled.
%%* {{Yandere}} - [[strike:[[VideoGame/SonictheHedgehog Amy Rose]]]]... I mean, [[CaptainErsatz Vicki Violet]] in Attract Modes is probably one of the biggest ones around.
----
!!Press Start 2 provides examples of
* ActorAllusion: Vlad (Voiced by David S. Humphry, the [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure2 original]] [[VideoGame/SonicHeroes voice]] of Shadow the Hedgehog) asking Vile if his latest master plan is "another Ultimate Lifeform"
* BrickJoke: Again, involving the Jackomo card game. However, the ''set-up to the joke'' comes with the BrickJoke in the first film.
* BroughtDownToBadass - [[spoiler:Count Vile loses his sorcery after coming BackFromTheDead, but thanks to his [[MacGuffin Omnicrystal]]-powered Veemote, he's still able to give the heroes a hard fight.]]
%%* CallBack: To the VideoGame/StreetFighterII[=/=]WritingAroundTrademarks gag.
%%* CallingYourAttacks: Lampshaded.
%%* DesignatedGirlFight: Princess Xanna vs. Morgan Le Slay.
* HighlyVisibleNinja: Princess Xanna lampshades it when she complains about how she couldn't have gotten a stealthy ninja.
-->'''Lin-Ku:''' [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989 Well, excuuuuuuse me, princess!]]
%%* LighterAndSofter: Played with, via Princess Xanna. [[OddCouple Naturally, she's paired up with the psychotic ninja who wants to kill everyone]].
%%* MineralMacguffin: The Omnicrystal.
* NoExportForYou: Parodied - The film's tagline states that ''Press Start 2'' is "''Press Start 4'' in Japan".
* PunnyName: ''Press Start 2 Continue''
* SequelHook: [[spoiler:Vile is transformed into a Jackomo card, and promptly takes over the world of the Jackomo, declaring his intent to use his new army to take over his own world... As soon as he finds a way to get back there.]]
* TheOtherDarrin: Sam's original actress, Lauren Chambers has been replaced by Jennifer Zahn. They get around this by having Sam keep the helmet on.
* YouLookFamiliar: The new shopkeeper is the brother of the shopkeeper from first film. Lin-Ku lampshades this.
----
%%
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/poster.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"This is no game. It's a movie!"'']]
->'''Zack:''' Why'd you let him hit you?\\
'''Sam:''' It was his turn.
''Press Start'' is an independent spoof comedy film produced by [[Creator/DarkMazeStudios Dark Maze Studios]].
It chronicles the adventures of Zack Nimbus, the 'ChosenOne', Lin-Ku, [[HeroicComedicSociopath an overly violent]] {{Ninja}}, and Sam, a [[ActionGirl woman warrior]] [[SamusIsAGirl in a spacesuit]]. They set out to find the [[MacGuffin three ancient relics]] and battle [[TheEmpire The Empire]] ruled by the [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment nefarious]] [[CardCarryingVillain Count Nefarious Vile]] and they [[{{Troperiffic}} spoof more video games than you can count]] along the way. Featuring special appearances by game actors Daniel and Carlos Pesina (Mortal Kombat) and music by videogame composer Jake Kaufman (Contra 4). Made on a budget described as "spare change placed in a mayo jar," the film was well received by many video game websites. It even spawned an AnimatedAdaptation series which premiered on Website/ChannelAwesome, and a sequel, ''Press Start 2 Continue'' was released in March 11 2011.
According to the production notes (available in PDF on the [[http://www.darkmaze.com/pressstart/main.html website]]), the original concept by Ed Glaser was [[TheMovie Videogame: The Movie!]] - like the Film/ScaryMovie series, [[{{Dissimile}} only funny]]. It was written by Kevin Folliard. The truly great thing is that everyone involved in the movie has either worked on games or [[AscendedFanboy is a hardcore fan]], so naturally the movie is {{Troperiffic}}. Plus, most of them are [[IKnowKarate accomplished martial artists]] that raised the level of fight scenes in the movie. The incredibly low budget was worked around thanks to the extremely committed and versatile team.
So sit back, relax, and get ready for some cheesy video game laughs. Just Press Start.
Recap here: Recap.PressStart
Has nothing to do with [[Literature/PressStart book series of same name]], thought it also has to do with video games.
----
!!This film provides examples of:
%%* AffectionateParody - And how.
* AlliterativeName - Princess Passionfruit and Plumber Pete.
%%* AnimatedAdaptation - ''Press Start Adventures''.
%%* BeleagueredAssistant - Johnson.
* BewareTheSillyOnes - Vile. [[GenreBlindness genre-blind]] buffoon he may be, but he's a very tough {{final boss}}.
* BrickJoke: Subverted - Zack's refusal to participate in the the Jackomo card game SideQuest is itself a RunningGag, but [[spoiler:when Zack & Lin-Ku reach Vile & promise to defeat him, Vile asks if they have several powerful weapons & pieces of armour. Zack then asks how they could get that stuff, and Vile responds with "You have to do very well...in the Jackamo card tournament."]]
* ButtMonkey - Johnson gets turned into a turtle. A ''turtle''.
%%* CaptainErsatz - Essentially every character. Carries over into Adventures. See ShoutOut.
%%* CardCarryingVillain - Vile.
* CharacterLevel - Zack seems to be leveling up quite quickly in the beginning of the film. (He's a level 4 Swordsman!) In one of the later web-toons, his bedroom has a certificate mounted on the wall, congratulating him for making it to level 99.
%%* ChekhovsGun - The [[VirtualBoy Virtual Visor]].
* CreatorCameo - Ed Glaser plays "[[Franchise/{{Metroid}} Justin Bailey]]", Vile's employee, as well as the voice of [[spoiler: the lair's self-destruct mechanism.]] Writer Kevin Folliard, in addition to voicing Lin-Ku, also has a brief appearance as "[[VideoGame/{{Pitfall}} Jungle Jerry]]".
* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment - Did you know the ancient prophecy was made by an ancient prophet?
* EverythingsDeaderWithZombies - The abandoned research facility was hit with a "zombie virus".
%%* ExpositionFairy - Zippy, bringing you a big healthy dose of AnnoyingVideoGameHelper.
%%* FacePalm - Sam does quite a few of these.
%%* FangsAreEvil - Vile.
%%* FreudianTrio
%%** Ego - [[TheHero Zack]]
%%** Id - [[TheLancer Lin-Ku]]
%%** Superego - [[ActionGirl Sam]]
* ForgottenFallenFriend: [[spoiler:After Zack kills Zippy...no one ever mentions him, or the incident. Again. Ever. In any way. Even Sam, who actually liked Zippy, and ends up dating Zack, never brings it up. You'd think you'd care if your significant other killed your pet...]]
* FinalBossNewDimension - For the climactic battle, Vile teleports them all to a dark, featureless place because "property damage is only funny if it's someone else's."
* GuideDangIt - The final battle would have been MUCH easier on the heroes if only they'd done the Jackamo card game sidequest.
%%* {{Hammerspace}} - How Press Start explains [[strike:Franchise/{{Kirby}}'s]] Zippy's ability to eat things and then shoot them out of his mouth as an energy blast.
* HandWave - When Zack tries to bring up the point that killing the current ruler of most of the world (evil or not) might send the world into a socioeconomic turmoil leaving it vulnerable to a dictator of equal or greater power, Sam and Lin-ku pretty much do this.
-->"I think they'll be okay."
* HeroicComedicSociopath - Lin-Ku's cast page in the animated episode "Speed Run" calls him [[TokenEvilTeammate "ethically challenged"]].
* HyperactiveMetabolism:
** Zack eats a turkey leg Lin-ku finds on the floor to regain health. Revisited when he attempts to eat a medkit.
** Lin-Ku also does this to regain health [[spoiler: by eating Captain Psychodrive's heart.]]
%%* InAWorld - The trailer. Word for word.
%%* IntimateHealing - The 'Life Lady', taken right out of ''VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink''.
%%* IzchaksWrath - Lin-Ku axes the shopkeeper to see if he had NPC Invulnerability, and he later shows up as the third guardian.
%%* LargeHam - Count Vile. Totally Count Vile.
%%* LaResistance - As straight as it could possibly be played.
%%* LaughablyEvil - Again, Count Vile.
%%* MacGuffin - The Ancient Relics.
* MistakenForGay - Zack, unaware of Sam being female, mistakes her early affection for this. Later, when Zack and Lin-Ku wait outside the third dungeon and Zack shares this, Lin-Ku ends up mistaking Zack as gay.
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast - Nefarious Vile. [[ObviouslyEvil Seriously]]. Also, Captain Psychodrive.
%%* OnlySaneMan - Johnson. Carries over to the AnimatedAdaptation.
%%* PowerMakesYourHairGrow - Zack.
%%* RagTagBunchOfMisfits - How the creator describes the Resistance.
%%* RuleOfFun - Apparently, how the movie was made on such a low budget.
* RunningGag:
** Lin-ku's ninja stars, Zack thinking Sam is a boy, the Shopkeeper, and Jackamo cards. Oh boy those Jackamo cards.
** The Virtual Visor. It causes headaches.
* SamusIsAGirl - Not to the audience, but to Zack Nimbus thinking Sam is a boy. Of course, the movie was specifically trying to parody the [[TropeNamer Trope Namer]] with this...
* SkewedPriorities: Vile. Oh, Vile.
-->Johnson: (crawls up to Vile, severely injured and bleeding profusely)
-->Vile: (sigh) I've gotta go, Vlad. Johnson probably needs me to sign something.
%%* ShoutOut - Arguably half the fun of the movie. Too many games are referenced to name.
%%* TakeThat - The [[BlandNameProduct CrazyFeline]] game controller is called "a third party piece of crap". The Visual Visor to the Virtual Boy.
* TheChosenOne - Played straight. Zack Nimbus is chosen by a prophecy from an ancient prophet.
%%* TheUnintelligible - Zippy.
* ThisIsForEmphasisBitch - "Game over, you son of a bitch."
* ThisIsSomethingHesGotToDoHimself - Subverted and played straight. Lin-ku pulls this when fighting Captain Psychodri- I mean G. Foreman. However, Zack and Sam have no problem letting the murderous ninja do the fighting for him. Played straight when Zack tries to intervene in the fight, but Sam stops him.
* TookAShortcut - The Shopkeeper continually shows up wherever the heroes go. Including a secret passage Sam discovers by blowing up a wall. It gets lampshaded.
* WarpZone:
** Zack and Lin-ku would've had to go through some terrible places to get to Vile's Lair. Instead, they opt out for one of these.
** Referenced in the AnimatedAdaptation.
-->'''Vile:''' Come, Johnson! We'll take the WarpZone! * SMASH*\\
'''Johnson:''' Sir, that was your [[BrickJoke Berry Blast Sports Drink]].
%%* WhenTreesAttack - Voiced by Egoraptor even!
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!!The AnimatedAdaptation provides examples of
%%* AIIsACrapshoot - "Misshapen pentagram. Unacceptable. >:("
* AndIMustScream - The Dark Mages have no mouths. And they certainly won't have mouths once they're [[NightmareFuel frozen into a pillar]].
* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking - Vile doesn't mind that you've shot fireballs at him or knocked a statue on top of him. He only cares that you've altered [[strike:his crayon drawings]] his blueprints.
* ArtEvolution - Compare the art and animation in "Poker, Mon" (particularly that of Reptillor) with any current episode. There is a decent amount of improvement which will hopefully continue.
%%* BalanceBetweenGoodAndEvil - When Vile became the ruler of Hell, he quit with the eternal damnation to plan to return to life, eventually resulting in [[spoiler:the near destruction of the universe.]]
%%* BananaPeel - How Vile defeats Satan and gains control of Hell.
* BigDamnHeroes - The other Resistance members show up to save Zack, Sam and Lin-Ku in "Golden Axed".
%%* BrickJoke:
%%** Everyone should smile when a DMA agent enters Vlad's throne room.
%%** "But first, some electrolytes!"
%%** Actually, most of "Pac-Manifold" uses jokes from "Pac-Manic Depression" to even funnier effect.
%%* BuildLikeAnEgyptian - "Tomb Traitor".
* CaptainObvious:
** Belfast.
--->'''Belfast:''' After twelve seconds we sent out a search party. ({{Beat}}) Us.
** Also, Vile.
--->'''Vile:''' I can't tell you how much fun I'm having, Vlad! Did you know I get to torment these people forever!\\
'''[[DeadpanSnarker Vlad]]:''' Yeah, that's the general idea.
%%* ChainsawGood - By Johnson, of all people.
%%-->'''Johnson:''' What? I may be a turtle with glasses and a tie, but [[CardCarryingVillain I'm still evil]].
%%* ChargedAttack - Sam's blaster. [[{{Deconstruction}} Deconstructed somewhat]] in "Megabusted" when she and Lin-ku discover how inconvenient a charged attack without a cancellation method is.
%%* ChristmasEpisode - combined with MusicalEpisode.
* CoolAndUnusualPunishment - Vile decides to occupy Hell's residents with macaroni projects. Vlad lampshades this trope.
%%* CovertPervert - Trenton Belfast.
%%-->'''Belfast:''' As sure as the curves of a curvaceous concubine of succulent succubi.
%%* CrimefightingWithCash - How Lauren Ketch contributes to the Resistance. Sometimes a case of ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney.
* CreatorCameo - Aside from the fact that writer Kevin Folliard plays the voice of Lin-Ku, director Ed Glaser appears as an employee of the Vile corporation, and later as [[spoiler: the ultimate game designer, God]].
%%* CurseCutShort - Vile at the end of "Pac-Manic" and [[BrickJoke "Pac-Manifold"]].
%%* DeadpanSnarker - Vlad, especially when talking to Vile.
%%* DesignatedGirlFight - Lauren Ketch versus Sam.
* {{Dissimile}} - "In a world much like our own... except with monsters and robots and anthropomorphic animals..."
%%* DontExplainTheJoke - "Tomb Traitor".
%%-->'''Sam:''' Where is your famili-\\
%%'''Lauren:''' IT'S MY GUN!
%%* DoubleEntendre - [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Plumber Pete's]] cast page in "Speed Run". "Perks" indeed.
%%* DreamLand - Visited for one episode. Zack calls it the "scariest place [they've] ever been."
* EarlyBirdCameo - Princess Xanna of ''Press Start 2'' appears on a newspaper in the first episode of season three.
* ElaborateUndergroundBase - Locations are captioned. One such location? "The Underground Lair of Count Nefarious Vile". Strangely enough, it looks more like a DeathMountain.
%%* EmptyCopThreat:
%%** "Megabusted". Ends up overlapping a little with JackBauerInterrogationTechnique.
%%** Additionally, Handy, Candy, Dandy, and Ruth.
%%* FemmeFatale - Morgan le Slay, succubus and Vlad's sidekick/assistant.
%%-->'''[[TheMenInBlack Morris]]:''' (Your) outfit is far too revealing for a boy his age!\\
%%'''Morgan:''' To wear or to look at?
%%* FetchQuest - The entirety of "Side Quest".
* ForcedTutorial - The gang gets stuck listening to one when trying to acquire [[Franchise/FinalFantasy dragobos]]. Instead, they use its convoluted nature as a LogicBomb against attacking robots.
%%* ForTheEvulz - A lot of Vile's actions, particularly in his miniseries, ''Dial V for Vile''.
* GlowingEyesOfDoom - Vlad is probably the most notable, since his eyes make a significant color change and spark with electricity when he decides to [[OurVampiresAreDifferent call lightning from the sky]], but Vile and [[TokenEvilTeammate Lin-Ku]] have them in the animation as well.
%%* GlurgeAddict - Vile.
%%* GotTheWholeWorldInMyHand - The Vile splash page that sometimes introduces the episodes.
%%* HarmlessVillain - Vile usually [[NotSoHarmlessVillain isn't harmless]] - but he's pretty damn stupid, especially in "Statue of Limitations".
* HypocriticalHumor - Sam, to Lauren Ketch in "Tomb Traitor":
-->'''Sam:''' I've been [[AdventurerArchaeologist violating ancient ruins]] longer than you, Lauren!
%%* IncrediblyLamePun - All the episode titles.
%%* LaughablyEvil - Vile, in several ways.
%%* LedgeBats - The opening narration of ''Press Start Adventures'' references them as part of how the villain conquered the world.
%%* LimitedAnimation: Any movement is saved for when it's necessary.
* LimitedWardrobe - Played straight for most of the cast, but sort of averted with Lin-Ku, whose outfit is always the same but whose color often changes. Of course, this is a relatively subtle shout-out to the palette-swap ninjas in ''Franchise/MortalKombat'', as Lin-Ku is sort of based on the idea of an MK style ninja, rather than any one in particular.
%%* MadeOfExplodium - The golem in "Food Fight". Lampshaded by Zack.
* TheMenInBlack - The Department of Metaphysical Affairs, which seems to combine a traditional Film/MenInBlack "supernatural investigators" vibe with the [[TheScrappy US Department of Motor Vehicles]].
* {{Metaphorgotten}} - Vile in "F-Xerox".
-->'''Vile:''' [[WhoDares As sure as an out-of-control airplane bombing a swarm of acrobatic jellyfish!]]
%%* MrExposition - Rick from Accounting in "F-Xerox".
%%* MrFanservice - Scarth. [[FunetikAksent KUH]]. Rooooooth! (He even has onscreen fangirls.)
* MurderIsTheBestSolution:
** Lin-Ku's standard approach to problems. For example:
--->'''Lin-Ku:''' You know, I almost wish I hadn't broken our grappling hook disemboweling that troll.\\
'''Zack:''' That was a '''forum''' troll!\\
'''Lin-Ku:''' I said "'''almost'''".
** And in the movie:
--->'''Lin-Ku:''' Wait! I know these guys! Don't kill them!\\
'''Zack:''' Did you say '''don't''' kill them?\\
'''Lin-Ku (visibly uncomfortable):''' Yeah, I know. It felt weird.
* OhCrap - The entire Resistance in "Endgame (Part 2)".
-->'''Belfast:''' [[ThisIsGonnaSuck That's going]] [[{{Understatement}} to be a problem.]]
%%* OneWingedAngel - Vlad '''almost''' does this in "Golden Axed", but decides against it since he already accomplished his goal.
* OnlySaneMan - Oddly enough, Vlad.
-->'''Vlad:''' Does [[SurroundedByIdiots anyone]] lock the door around here?
%%* OrcusOnHisThrone - Vlad really likes Jeopardy.
* OurVampiresAreDifferent: Vlad is clearly based on Castlevania's Dracula, has an apparent affinity to bats, and flat-out states that his moat is meant to keep out vampire hunters. But he has blue hair, lacks a mouth (maybe he talks telepathically?), refers to himself as a "dark lord of chaos" rather than a vampire, and can conjure lightning bolts out of nowhere. At this point, he seems more like a [[OurLichesAreDifferent lich]] than a vamp.
* PayEvilUntoEvil - Pretty much every good character, since being a video game hero usually entails killing the bad guys. In particular, Trenton Belfast refuses to consider making peace with evildoers, and Lin-Ku is downright bloodthirsty.
%%* PlatformHell - Johnson has to go through a lot of it to get a certain library book.
%%* PowerEchoes - Vlad, whenever he wants to make an impression (or alternately, when he's really pissed off).
%%* RedEyesTakeWarning - Vlad and Lin-Ku.
%%* RightBehindMe - Lin-Ku in "Beer Comes a New Challenger".
%%* RunningGag - The moment Lin-Ku walks into the shop in "Side Quest," you know someone's getting axed.
%%* SayMyName - "Scarthcaroth." "Scoffkuhraugh?"
%%* SesquipedalianLoquaciousness - Trenton Belfast. He usually fails at it, though.
* ShapedLikeItself - Count Nefarious Vile is indeed nefarious and vile. His actor, Peter Davis, is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWO-2GqB-tE&feature=channel fond of speaking like this]].
%%* ShoutOut - probably even more of them than in the movie.
%%* ShipTease - In "Endgame (Part 2)", Lin-Ku and Sam, of all people, can be interpreted this way.
%%-->'''Lin-Ku:''' You know, you really shouldn't have run off without someone to watch your back.
* SuperDrowningSkills - Very subtly lampshaded in "Pit Fallout" (it's a quick comment that's quite easy to miss if you're not paying attention).
-->'''Sam:''' Besides, the blaster would incinerate the crocodile's mouths and then what would we do? Swim?\\
'''Lin-Ku:''' Good point.
* TakeThat: Trenton's copy of the movie ''Film/{{Wishmaster}}'', which reads "You'll wish you'd rented {{Film/Leprechaun}} instead."
%%* TempleOfDoom - The home of the dark mages.
%%* TheDevilIsALoser - [[spoiler:Vile.]]
* TheGodsMustBeLazy - God spends his time hanging out in Heaven playing games and ordering taking out. He only intervenes when Vile's actions in Hell start messing with the cosmic balance.
%%* ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill - Scarthcaroth in "Endgame (Part 1)". Lampshaded by Vile.
* TooKinkyToTorture - Trenton gets blasted by chaos magic repeatedly during a raid to retrieve an oracle. He claims it "started to feel good after a while."
%%* UnfortunateNames - Pay attention to Belfast's "screwed up family tree" in Symphony of the Trite.
* ViceCity - The City of Freedomsville which is visited for one episode. Lin-ku falls in love with the free-for-all nature that rules the place and [[IChooseToStay chooses to stay behind]] to begin a life as a crime-boss. Until next day where he, to his disappointment, finds out that that killing off the other crime-bosses have caused the citizens to reclaim their city and turned it into a peaceful {{Utopia}}.
%%* VillainsOutShopping - It seems that every villain in the Press Start universe shops at Occult Mart.
%%* VillainTeleportation - Vlad. He... morphs places instead of walking.
%%* ViolenceIsTheOnlyOption - What Belfast believes in "Mage of Empires". Averted when Sam reaches a diplomatic solution.
%%* TheVoiceless - Scarthcaroth. It bites him in the butt when he challenges Vile for control of Hell and gets stuck with JokeCharacter Stan Hibachi as a tag-team partner.
%%* [[WasItReallyWorthIt Is It Really Worth It]] - How Lin-Ku feels about Zach in "Endgame (Part 2)".
%%* WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong - Unsurprisingly, Vile says this just before [[spoiler:the universe starts falling apart.]]
* WhatTheHellHero - Sam calls Lin-Ku out on his AntiHero tendencies before [[spoiler:kicking him off the team.]]
-->'''Lin-Ku:''' Hey, I didn't mean for Zack to...\\
'''Sam:''' Save it, you're out.\\
'''Lin-Ku:''' What?, I botch just one mission and I...\\
'''Sam:''' It's more then just that, everyday you tread the line between hero and thug. I just don't know what side you'll end up on anymore.\\
'''Lin-Ku:''' Listen we won the day like we always do...\\
'''Sam:''' We got lucky Lin-Ku but you weren't there when we needed you.\\
'''Lin-Ku:''' So I got a little carried away, next time...\\
'''Sam:''' There is no "next time" Lin-Ku, you have to learn to trust your partners. The bloodiest path isn't always the best one. Next time someone needs your help, don't turn your back on them. Take that advice.
* XanatosGambit - Vlad creates an EvilKnockoff of Zack to go and try and kill him. Seems a pretty straightforward and easily foiled plot, right? After a brief (and stupid) SpotTheImpostor moment, Zack kills his double and that's that, right? Wrong. Remember one of the rituals to unlock one of the gates of Hell? "The hero that killed Vile must spill his own blood on the altar". Evil!Zack is still Zack, so no matter what the outcome was (Zack killing evil!Zack or Evil!Zack killing Zack), the ritual would be fulfilled.
%%* {{Yandere}} - [[strike:[[VideoGame/SonictheHedgehog Amy Rose]]]]... I mean, [[CaptainErsatz Vicki Violet]] in Attract Modes is probably one of the biggest ones around.
----
!!Press Start 2 provides examples of
* ActorAllusion: Vlad (Voiced by David S. Humphry, the [[VideoGame/SonicAdventure2 original]] [[VideoGame/SonicHeroes voice]] of Shadow the Hedgehog) asking Vile if his latest master plan is "another Ultimate Lifeform"
* BrickJoke: Again, involving the Jackomo card game. However, the ''set-up to the joke'' comes with the BrickJoke in the first film.
* BroughtDownToBadass - [[spoiler:Count Vile loses his sorcery after coming BackFromTheDead, but thanks to his [[MacGuffin Omnicrystal]]-powered Veemote, he's still able to give the heroes a hard fight.]]
%%* CallBack: To the VideoGame/StreetFighterII[=/=]WritingAroundTrademarks gag.
%%* CallingYourAttacks: Lampshaded.
%%* DesignatedGirlFight: Princess Xanna vs. Morgan Le Slay.
* HighlyVisibleNinja: Princess Xanna lampshades it when she complains about how she couldn't have gotten a stealthy ninja.
-->'''Lin-Ku:''' [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989 Well, excuuuuuuse me, princess!]]
%%* LighterAndSofter: Played with, via Princess Xanna. [[OddCouple Naturally, she's paired up with the psychotic ninja who wants to kill everyone]].
%%* MineralMacguffin: The Omnicrystal.
* NoExportForYou: Parodied - The film's tagline states that ''Press Start 2'' is "''Press Start 4'' in Japan".
* PunnyName: ''Press Start 2 Continue''
* SequelHook: [[spoiler:Vile is transformed into a Jackomo card, and promptly takes over the world of the Jackomo, declaring his intent to use his new army to take over his own world... As soon as he finds a way to get back there.]]
* TheOtherDarrin: Sam's original actress, Lauren Chambers has been replaced by Jennifer Zahn. They get around this by having Sam keep the helmet on.
* YouLookFamiliar: The new shopkeeper is the brother of the shopkeeper from first film. Lin-Ku lampshades this.
----
