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For the Game & Watch video game, see Popeye (Game & Watch).
Popeye is a 1982 video game by Nintendo R&D1 released in arcades. The game is a platformer in a similar vein to Donkey Kong, which was also developed by R&D1. Interestingly, Shigeru Miyamoto originally wanted Donkey Kong to feature Popeye characters, though Nintendo couldn't receive the license to do so. However, after the success of the game, it was understandable that they would be given the right to create a game based off of the property. A Famicom port of the game was released alongside the console, and years later the game would be released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in America.
Development
When developing Popeye, Shigeru Miyamoto would watch the cartoon, stop frame by frame, and draw each frame by himself to assist him in developing the game and designing the graphics.
Trivia
Assuming no legislation is taken to extend the Sonny Bono Act, Popeye will enter public domain in 2025. If the Virtual Console is still in existence at that time, a re-release of this game will be made possible that year.