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** Zak has [[Film/THX1138 $1138]] on his bank account.
to:
** Zak Melissa has [[Film/THX1138 $1138]] on his her bank account.account and Zak owes the exact same amount to the Phone Company.
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** Zak has [[Film/THX1138 $ 1138]] on his bank account.
** On Mars there is [[Film/2001ASpaceOdyssey a black monolith]]... which is actually a vending machine.
** On Mars there is [[Film/2001ASpaceOdyssey a black monolith]]... which is actually a vending machine.
to:
** Zak has [[Film/THX1138 $ 1138]] $1138]] on his bank account.
** On Mars there is[[Film/2001ASpaceOdyssey [[Film/ASpaceOdyssey a black monolith]]... which is actually a vending machine.
** On Mars there is
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** Zak has [[Film/THX1138 $ 1138]] on his bank account.
** On Mars there is [[Film/2001ASpaceOdyssey a black monolith]]... which is actually a vending machine.
** On Mars there is [[Film/2001ASpaceOdyssey a black monolith]]... which is actually a vending machine.
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On second thought, I\'ll let it slide, but it requires an explanation at the very least.
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** The entire city of Miami, Florida is closed for repairs. This might be a reference to ''Film/NationalLampoonsVacation'', in which Clark Griswold explains a hypothetical situation in which the entire state of Florida is closed for repairs.
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Too much of a stretch.
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* ShoutOut: [[NationalLampoonsVacation Miami is closed for Repairs]]
** A Hare Krishna sells Zak a book on how to find enlightenment in life. The book costs a [[CrackIsCheaper whopping]] $[[Literature/TheHitchHikersGuideToTheGalaxy 42]].
** A Hare Krishna sells Zak a book on how to find enlightenment in life. The book costs a [[CrackIsCheaper whopping]] $[[Literature/TheHitchHikersGuideToTheGalaxy 42]].
to:
* ShoutOut: [[NationalLampoonsVacation Miami is closed for Repairs]]
**A Hare Krishna sells Zak a book on how to find enlightenment in life. The book costs a [[CrackIsCheaper whopping]] $[[Literature/TheHitchHikersGuideToTheGalaxy 42]].
**
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** A Hare Krishna sells Zak a book on how to find enlightenment in life. The book costs a whopping $[[Literature/TheHitchHikersGuideToTheGalaxy 42]].
to:
** A Hare Krishna sells Zak a book on how to find enlightenment in life. The book costs a whopping [[CrackIsCheaper whopping]] $[[Literature/TheHitchHikersGuideToTheGalaxy 42]].
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** A Hare Krishna sells Zak a book on how to find enlightenment in life. The book costs a whopping $[[Literature/TheHitchHikersGuideToTheGalaxy 42]].
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deleted duplicate entry
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* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: All three fan sequel projects are based in Germany, a coincidence which stumps even David Fox.
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* {{Feelies}}: The game came with a free issue of ''The Daily Inquisitor'', the tabloid the protagonist works for. Several of the articles provide vital hints, such as how lightning can mend crystals
to:
* {{Feelies}}: The game came with a free issue of ''The Daily Inquisitor'', the tabloid the protagonist works for. Several of the articles provide vital hints, such as how lightning can mend crystalscrystals.
* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: All three fan sequel projects are based in Germany, a coincidence which stumps even David Fox.
* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: All three fan sequel projects are based in Germany, a coincidence which stumps even David Fox.
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* RoadApples: If Zak mind-links with the yak in Katmandu, he will only have the option to "chew" at first. After clicking "chew" 20 times, the yak will now also have the option to "poop," producing a "yak pie."
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* AdaptationDyeJob: In the FM Towns version, Leslie's hair was changed from [[YouGottaHaveBlueHair blue]] to white.
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[[FridgeLogic Yeah, it's that kind of story]]. It is also very inspired by NewAge themes such as Atlantis, Aliens, Crystals, Telepathy, and the Giant Face on [[TheRedPlanet Mars]], as well as the outrageous tabloid the ''WeeklyWorldNews''.
to:
[[FridgeLogic Yeah, it's that kind of story]]. It is also very inspired by NewAge themes such as Atlantis, Aliens, Crystals, Telepathy, and the Giant Face on [[TheRedPlanet Mars]], UsefulNotes/{{Mars}}, as well as the outrageous tabloid the ''WeeklyWorldNews''.
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* BritainIsOnlyLondon: See the Stonehenge example above.
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* MarsNeedsWomen: Parodied with Melissa and Leslie who star in a film entitled ''Mars Needs Men''.
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** To elaborate, during a regular flight, Zak floods the toilet, uses the distraction to explode an egg in the microwave, then uses ''that'' as a distraction to steal a seat cushion, an oxygen tank, and a lighter. The stewardess has to clean up both messes.
to:
** To elaborate, during a regular flight, Zak floods the toilet, uses the distraction to explode an egg in the microwave, then uses ''that'' as a distraction to steal a seat cushion, an oxygen tank, and a lighter. The stewardess has to clean up both messes.messes.
* WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue
* WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue
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* DarkestAfrica: Shaman Slicinmon in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Congo).
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* ArtisticLicenseGeography: Stonehenge is ''not'' located in London. Nor is there a 13th Avenue in UsefulNotes/SanFrancisco (because ThirteenIsUnlucky, the street in between 12th and 14th Avenues is called Funston).
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* AdaptationDyeJob: In the FM Towns version, Leslie's hair was changed from [[YouGottaHaveBlueHair blue]] to [[WhiteHairedPrettyGirl white]].
to:
* AdaptationDyeJob: In the FM Towns version, Leslie's hair was changed from [[YouGottaHaveBlueHair blue]] to [[WhiteHairedPrettyGirl white]].white.
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* NoKnees: The humans have knees. The aliens do not, making rapid steps as they move.
to:
* NoKnees: The humans have knees. The aliens Caponians do not, making rapid steps as they move. move.
* TheNoseless: Again, the Caponians. This is why they need nose glasses.
* TheNoseless: Again, the Caponians. This is why they need nose glasses.
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[[FridgeLogic Yeah, it's that kind of story]]. It is also very inspired by NewAge themes such as Atlantis, Aliens, Crystals, Telepathy, the Giant Face on [[TheRedPlanet Mars]].
to:
[[FridgeLogic Yeah, it's that kind of story]]. It is also very inspired by NewAge themes such as Atlantis, Aliens, Crystals, Telepathy, and the Giant Face on [[TheRedPlanet Mars]].
Mars]], as well as the outrageous tabloid the ''WeeklyWorldNews''.
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* KaleidoscopeHair: Leslie's hair color changes every time she takes her helmet off. WordOfGod (David Fox) says that this is an in-joke to the real Leslie, a girlfriend of designer Matthew Alan Kane.
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Changed line(s) 43 (click to see context) from:
** To elaborate, during a regular flight, Zak floods the toilet, uses the distraction to explode an egg in the microwave, then uses ''that'' as a distraction to steal a seat cushion and an oxygen tank. The stewardess has to clean up both messes.
to:
** To elaborate, during a regular flight, Zak floods the toilet, uses the distraction to explode an egg in the microwave, then uses ''that'' as a distraction to steal a seat cushion and cushion, an oxygen tank.tank, and a lighter. The stewardess has to clean up both messes.
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'''''Zak [=McKracken=] And The Alien Mindbenders''''' is an AdventureGame by Creator/LucasArts, released in 1988. It was the second in a long line of adventure games, preceded by ManiacMansion.
to:
'''''Zak [=McKracken=] And The Alien Mindbenders''''' is an AdventureGame by Creator/LucasArts, released in 1988. It was the second in a long line of SCUMM adventure games, game, preceded by ManiacMansion.
''VideoGame/ManiacMansion''. Originally released for the {{Commodore 64}}, it was ported to the IBMPersonalComputer, {{Amiga}}, AtariST and FMTowns.
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* NoKnees: The humans have knees. The aliens do not, making rapid steps as they move.
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fixed image/caption
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http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ZakMcKracken.jpg
[[caption-width:256:See Ya.]]
[[caption-width:256:See Ya.]]
to:
[[caption-width:256:See
[[caption-width-right:256:See Ya.]]
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namespace
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'''''Zak [=McKracken=] And The Alien Mindbenders''''' is an AdventureGame by {{Lucasarts}}, released in 1988. It was the second in a long line of adventure games, preceded by ManiacMansion.
to:
'''''Zak [=McKracken=] And The Alien Mindbenders''''' is an AdventureGame by {{Lucasarts}}, Creator/LucasArts, released in 1988. It was the second in a long line of adventure games, preceded by ManiacMansion.
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* UnwinnableByDesign / UnwinnableByMistake: There were only certain courses one could take to save the world, so if a previous action made them impossible...[[TheQuisling I for one will welcome our new Caponian overlords]]. The game was released early in LucasArts history, when they were still in the process of figuring out their design philosophy. ''Zak'' was much more unforgiving than the previous ''Maniac Mansion'' where Creator/RonGilbert, designer of the gentler philosophy, played a larger role than in this game.
to:
* UnwinnableByDesign / UnwinnableByMistake: There were only certain courses one could take to save the world, so if a previous action made them impossible...[[TheQuisling I for one will welcome our new Caponian overlords]]. The game was released early in LucasArts Creator/LucasArts history, when they were still in the process of figuring out their design philosophy. ''Zak'' was much more unforgiving than the previous ''Maniac Mansion'' where Creator/RonGilbert, designer of the gentler philosophy, played a larger role than in this game.
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* PaintingTheFourthWall: The game represents the eponymous character's eponymous treatment by emptying his set of commands and having them gradually return as he recovers.
to:
* PaintingTheFourthWall: PaintingTheMedium: The game represents the eponymous character's eponymous treatment by emptying his set of commands and having them gradually return as he recovers.
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* UnwinnableByDesign / UnwinnableByMistake: There were only certain courses one could take to save the world, so if a previous action made them impossible...[[TheQuisling I for one will welcome our new Caponian overlords]].
** Mind you, this game was released early in LucasArts history, when they were still in the process of figuring out their design philosophy.
** Mind you, this game was released early in LucasArts history, when they were still in the process of figuring out their design philosophy.
to:
* UnwinnableByDesign / UnwinnableByMistake: There were only certain courses one could take to save the world, so if a previous action made them impossible...[[TheQuisling I for one will welcome our new Caponian overlords]].
** Mind you, thisoverlords]]. The game was released early in LucasArts history, when they were still in the process of figuring out their design philosophy.philosophy. ''Zak'' was much more unforgiving than the previous ''Maniac Mansion'' where Creator/RonGilbert, designer of the gentler philosophy, played a larger role than in this game.
** Washed the bread crumbs down the drain? Spent your money and got stuck at a place where you can't win the lottery to gain more money? Accidentally killed someone by removing their helmet on Mars? Got Zak and Annie stuck in jail? Then you can't beat the game
** Mind you, this
** Washed the bread crumbs down the drain? Spent your money and got stuck at a place where you can't win the lottery to gain more money? Accidentally killed someone by removing their helmet on Mars? Got Zak and Annie stuck in jail? Then you can't beat the game
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** Mind you, this game was released early in LucasArts history, when they were still in the process of figuring out their design philosophy.
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** This was removed for the 1991 FM Towns port of the game.
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http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ZakMcKracken.jpg
[[caption-width:256:See Ya.]]
->''Can one hack writer, two Yale coeds, and a stale loaf of french bread save the world from a galactic conspiracy? Not without your help.''
--> -- Cover blurb
'''''Zak [=McKracken=] And The Alien Mindbenders''''' is an AdventureGame by {{Lucasarts}}, released in 1988. It was the second in a long line of adventure games, preceded by ManiacMansion.
The game tells the story of a tabloid journalist named Zak, who has a dream about space aliens on Mars, who wear ten-gallon hats and [[TheMarxBrothers Groucho Marx]] nose glasses. When he awakens, he finds himself uncovering a conspiracy by the alien Caponians, who are using the Phone Company in a [[RevealingCoverup not very hidden plot]] to try and TakeOverTheWorld.
[[FridgeLogic Yeah, it's that kind of story]]. It is also very inspired by NewAge themes such as Atlantis, Aliens, Crystals, Telepathy, the Giant Face on [[TheRedPlanet Mars]].
The game featured many technical improvements on [[ManiacMansion its predecessor]], including a storyline that takes Zak all the way around the world, and an interesting system whereby the various characters have adventures independent of each other (two of the playable characters are introduced as space adventurers on Mars, literally a world away from the bits with Zak).
----
!!Tropes Used In This Game Include:
* AdaptationDyeJob: In the FM Towns version, Leslie's hair was changed from [[YouGottaHaveBlueHair blue]] to [[WhiteHairedPrettyGirl white]].
* BaguetteBeatdown: You could use the stale baguette from the Bakery next door to kill the [[KillerRabbit two-headed squirrel]].
* TheBermudaTriangle: You simply fly here whenever you want to get abducted by the aliens. This is actually very convenient.
* ButThouMust: the mind-bending machine has a big switch with two positions that are both labeled "on"...
* CallItKarma: The Guru will not help you if you killed Sushi or the Squirrel. [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney Unless you bribe him.]]
* CatchPhrase: See Ya.
* ChainsawGood: You find a can of gas ("For chainsaw use only!") in a locker on Mars as an in-joke, with the player character refusing to pick it up because "It's for [[ManiacMansion another game]]."
* CopyProtection: A symbol dialing screen, accessed every time Zak or Annie book a flight arriving outside of the United States. If you fail this, the character is transported to jail, with the Jailor turning towards the camera lecturing you not to pirate the game.
* {{Elvis Has Left The Planet}}: Parodied, the Caponians are led by an Elvis impersonator named "The King".
* FanSequel: At least three sets of fans have set about creating a sequel: 1) ''Zak [=McKracken=]: Between Time and Space'' and 2) ''Zak [=McKracken=] and the Alien Rockstars'', and 3) ''The New Adventures of Zak [=McKracken=]''
* {{Feelies}}: The game came with a free issue of ''The Daily Inquisitor'', the tabloid the protagonist works for. Several of the articles provide vital hints, such as how lightning can mend crystals
* HomemadeInventions: Zak makes a space suit out of a wetsuit, a fish bowl (leaving his fish in the kitchen) and [[DuctTapeForEverything copious amounts of duct tape]]. However, he'll also need an air tank or he will suffocate.
* ICantUseTheseThingsTogether: "That doesn't seem to work."
* TheMaze: The game has several mazes, most of which are easily mappable, and certain others that are random, but that you automatically get out of after three rooms.
* MoneyToThrowAway: If you make use of The King's lottery number prediction machine, that is! But even then, Zak is doing awfully well for himself despite being a tabloid reporter, if his [=CashCard=] balance is to be believed.
* PaintingTheFourthWall: The game represents the eponymous character's eponymous treatment by emptying his set of commands and having them gradually return as he recovers.
* PaperThinDisguise: The Caponians in their hats and Groucho glasses, who also get fooled by the same disguise that Zak later wears. They only see through it in two cases.
* ThePennyfarthingEffect: You won't get an item's name when you mouse over it unless you're using the "What Is" verb. This makes it very hard to distinguish that some of the background objects are usable.
* PhlebotinumInducedStupidity: The plot revolves around aliens who took over the phone company and are sending out a signal that makes people stupid.
* ShoutOut: [[NationalLampoonsVacation Miami is closed for Repairs]]
* SpaceSuitsAreScubaGear: Zak literally builds a space suit of a set of SCUBA gear (and a fishbowl).
* UnwinnableByDesign / UnwinnableByMistake: There were only certain courses one could take to save the world, so if a previous action made them impossible...[[TheQuisling I for one will welcome our new Caponian overlords]].
* VideogameCrueltyPotential: Leaving aside what Zak ''has'' to do to the stewardess, he can also kill animals in inventive ways (''e.g.'', bludgeoning the two-headed squirrel, running his goldfish Sushi through the garbage disposal). '
** To elaborate, during a regular flight, Zak floods the toilet, uses the distraction to explode an egg in the microwave, then uses ''that'' as a distraction to steal a seat cushion and an oxygen tank. The stewardess has to clean up both messes.
[[caption-width:256:See Ya.]]
->''Can one hack writer, two Yale coeds, and a stale loaf of french bread save the world from a galactic conspiracy? Not without your help.''
--> -- Cover blurb
'''''Zak [=McKracken=] And The Alien Mindbenders''''' is an AdventureGame by {{Lucasarts}}, released in 1988. It was the second in a long line of adventure games, preceded by ManiacMansion.
The game tells the story of a tabloid journalist named Zak, who has a dream about space aliens on Mars, who wear ten-gallon hats and [[TheMarxBrothers Groucho Marx]] nose glasses. When he awakens, he finds himself uncovering a conspiracy by the alien Caponians, who are using the Phone Company in a [[RevealingCoverup not very hidden plot]] to try and TakeOverTheWorld.
[[FridgeLogic Yeah, it's that kind of story]]. It is also very inspired by NewAge themes such as Atlantis, Aliens, Crystals, Telepathy, the Giant Face on [[TheRedPlanet Mars]].
The game featured many technical improvements on [[ManiacMansion its predecessor]], including a storyline that takes Zak all the way around the world, and an interesting system whereby the various characters have adventures independent of each other (two of the playable characters are introduced as space adventurers on Mars, literally a world away from the bits with Zak).
----
!!Tropes Used In This Game Include:
* AdaptationDyeJob: In the FM Towns version, Leslie's hair was changed from [[YouGottaHaveBlueHair blue]] to [[WhiteHairedPrettyGirl white]].
* BaguetteBeatdown: You could use the stale baguette from the Bakery next door to kill the [[KillerRabbit two-headed squirrel]].
* TheBermudaTriangle: You simply fly here whenever you want to get abducted by the aliens. This is actually very convenient.
* ButThouMust: the mind-bending machine has a big switch with two positions that are both labeled "on"...
* CallItKarma: The Guru will not help you if you killed Sushi or the Squirrel. [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney Unless you bribe him.]]
* CatchPhrase: See Ya.
* ChainsawGood: You find a can of gas ("For chainsaw use only!") in a locker on Mars as an in-joke, with the player character refusing to pick it up because "It's for [[ManiacMansion another game]]."
* CopyProtection: A symbol dialing screen, accessed every time Zak or Annie book a flight arriving outside of the United States. If you fail this, the character is transported to jail, with the Jailor turning towards the camera lecturing you not to pirate the game.
* {{Elvis Has Left The Planet}}: Parodied, the Caponians are led by an Elvis impersonator named "The King".
* FanSequel: At least three sets of fans have set about creating a sequel: 1) ''Zak [=McKracken=]: Between Time and Space'' and 2) ''Zak [=McKracken=] and the Alien Rockstars'', and 3) ''The New Adventures of Zak [=McKracken=]''
* {{Feelies}}: The game came with a free issue of ''The Daily Inquisitor'', the tabloid the protagonist works for. Several of the articles provide vital hints, such as how lightning can mend crystals
* HomemadeInventions: Zak makes a space suit out of a wetsuit, a fish bowl (leaving his fish in the kitchen) and [[DuctTapeForEverything copious amounts of duct tape]]. However, he'll also need an air tank or he will suffocate.
* ICantUseTheseThingsTogether: "That doesn't seem to work."
* TheMaze: The game has several mazes, most of which are easily mappable, and certain others that are random, but that you automatically get out of after three rooms.
* MoneyToThrowAway: If you make use of The King's lottery number prediction machine, that is! But even then, Zak is doing awfully well for himself despite being a tabloid reporter, if his [=CashCard=] balance is to be believed.
* PaintingTheFourthWall: The game represents the eponymous character's eponymous treatment by emptying his set of commands and having them gradually return as he recovers.
* PaperThinDisguise: The Caponians in their hats and Groucho glasses, who also get fooled by the same disguise that Zak later wears. They only see through it in two cases.
* ThePennyfarthingEffect: You won't get an item's name when you mouse over it unless you're using the "What Is" verb. This makes it very hard to distinguish that some of the background objects are usable.
* PhlebotinumInducedStupidity: The plot revolves around aliens who took over the phone company and are sending out a signal that makes people stupid.
* ShoutOut: [[NationalLampoonsVacation Miami is closed for Repairs]]
* SpaceSuitsAreScubaGear: Zak literally builds a space suit of a set of SCUBA gear (and a fishbowl).
* UnwinnableByDesign / UnwinnableByMistake: There were only certain courses one could take to save the world, so if a previous action made them impossible...[[TheQuisling I for one will welcome our new Caponian overlords]].
* VideogameCrueltyPotential: Leaving aside what Zak ''has'' to do to the stewardess, he can also kill animals in inventive ways (''e.g.'', bludgeoning the two-headed squirrel, running his goldfish Sushi through the garbage disposal). '
** To elaborate, during a regular flight, Zak floods the toilet, uses the distraction to explode an egg in the microwave, then uses ''that'' as a distraction to steal a seat cushion and an oxygen tank. The stewardess has to clean up both messes.
