 Abadox | |||
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| Grade: D |
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Last modified 2007/11/12.
The overriding criteria is how fun the game is to play, although control, graphics, and sound are also taken into account. |
Screen shots courtesy of Video Game Museum, GameScreenShots.com, NES Player, Video Game Advantage, Pro-NES, Moby Games.
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10-Yard Fight is a terribly outdated football game that combines the shallow gameplay of an arcade title with the sluggish pace of a simulation. The tiny players move like snails, and the vertical field scrolls in a jerky manner. Before each play, a receiver goes "in motion", but it takes him forever to run down the line. In addition to that slow-ass receiver, your quarterback has two other players that run on each side of him. The only advantage to this dumb-looking formation is how it lets you pull off the old "flea flicker" play. You only control one guy on defense, but the overly effective "dive" move lets you to soar through the air like Superman! 10-Yard Fight's sound and graphics are poor, but I might have been able to overlook them had the gameplay not been so marginal.
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I was expecting a little more from 1942 than an easy, generic airplane shooter. As the screen scrolls vertically, enemy aircraft emerge from both the top and bottom. Your plane maneuvers around freely, and there's no shortage of firepower. An "evasive maneuver" is also available, but you probably won't need it, because 1942 is an easy as they come. It doesn't even become remotely challenging until you reach the land stages, which arrive about 5 levels and 15 minutes into the game. And what in the heck is up with that annoying non-stop beeping sound?? It's so irritating that I had to turn the volume all the way down! There's a two-player mode, but it only allows for alternating turns, so what's the point? The 1942 arcade game was pretty good, but this mediocre translation fails to impress.
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The NES edition of 1942 was pretty lame, but this sophisticated sequel improves upon its predecessor in every way. Before each mission you're allotted a certain number of points to configure your plane based on offensive power, defensive power, energy level, and special weapons. 1943's graphics are noticeably improved, with clouds in the sky and a better variety of enemies on land and sea. Several effective power-ups are also available, including a devastating five-way shot (sweet). In addition to your normal cannon, you can fire an extra powerful shot, or unleash a "smart bomb" that obliterates every enemy on the screen. The "evasive maneuver" is performed by pressing both buttons simultaneously. Unlike 1942, taking a hit won't instantly destroy you - it just drains your energy. Upon meeting your demise, a password is provided, along with an option to continue. Unlike the incessant beeping of 1942, 1943 even features some nice upbeat music. A satisfying shooter with surprising depth, the game's only real disappointment is the lack of a two-player mode.
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Recently I saw a funny video on the Internet showing some guy struggling through Abadox, spouting all sorts of profanity as he tried in vain to complete the frustrating first stage. After playing this generic side-scrolling shooter myself, I can empathize with the guy to some degree. In Abadox you control a guy in a jet pack, and he's a pretty big target. You start by shooting random targets over a living surface before entering the anus of a huge, shapeless organism. Enemies attack from all directions, making it easy to become caught in the crossfire. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason behind the enemy designs, which include floating eyeballs, pterodactyls, and flaming skulls wearing bandanas. Most foes can withstand multiple shots, and the first "sub-boss" - a giant skeletal dog - requires about 25 (!) hits to defeat. Give me a [expletive] break! The first real boss seems insurmountable until you figure out the strategic spot where he can't reach you. The graphics are about average, but the multi-colored explosions look nice. There are two keys to beating Abadox: loading up on power-ups early, and memorizing the patterns. The game's uneven difficulty can lead to frustration, but even if that were fixed, Abadox would still be marginal at best.
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I've always been a fan of Disney's Magic Kingdom, having visited the parks in Florida, California, and even France. This game lets you freely explore a virtual Disney amusement park, with the rides represented by mini-games. Wandering around the park should be fun, but why does it look so sparse? All of the different areas are represented like Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and Liberty Square, but there's minimal detail. Instead of paths and roads between areas, there's just grass! Pretty lame! Your goal is to collect silver keys hidden in the five attractions. Space Mountain is a simplistic first-person space shooter that demands quick reflexes, Autopia is a clumsy overhead racer, and Big Thunder lets you steer speeding mine-carts while trying to avoid dead-ends. The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean are the real highlights. These two addictive side-scrollers look great and control well. In Pirates, you wander through burning towns and treasure-filled caves while trying to save six prisoners. The Haunted Mansion features some wonderfully creepy ghouls and decrepit scenery, along with clever touches like spooks that appear in mirrors as you pass by. If only there wasn't so much emphasis on tedious platform hopping between floating chandeliers and chairs. When playing any of the games, you can hit Select to trade in stars for bonuses like free lives, invincibility, or freezing enemies. A sixth silver key can be acquired by correctly answering trivia questions posed by kids standing around the park. Don't worry if you get a question wrong - just go back and ask again. On the surface, Adventures in Magic Kingdom seems aimed squarely at kids, but even adults will enjoy the challenge of collecting all of the keys. The game could have used a few more attractions (the Jungle Cruise comes to mind), or at least a few hidden surprises around the park. As it stands Adventures in the Magic Kingdom is a pleasant collection of mini-games that should appeal to Disney fans of all ages.
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Bayou Billy offers several styles of gameplay, but none of them are exceptional. Most stages consist of Double Dragon-inspired fighting on a side-scrolling screen. You'll face a nice variety of thugs, and it's cool how you can steal their weapons to use against them. Without a weapon the action amounts to a very repetitive series of kicks and punches. Sometimes you'll punch a guy and a freakin' turkey will fly out of him! That's why mom said to never fight after dinner! In addition to pummeling thugs, you'll also encounter alligators that look pretty fearsome until you realize you can beat them up with your bare hands. Billy Bayou's graphics are finely detailed, and its music is well orchestrated. The Louisiana motif is innovative and attractive, with its dark swamps and that distinctive Southern architecture. In addition to fighting, there are car-driving stages that let you blast oncoming traffic and shoot down helicopters. The pseudo-3D graphics are unimpressive, but it does provide a nice change of pace. Finally, there are a few light-gun stages with bad guys that are hard to miss. In case you can't stomach the fighting stages, the driving and shooting games are immediately available under the practice menu. Bayou Billy is certainly an ambitious title, but despite its strong graphics and sound, this falls squarely into average territory.
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The object of this generic shooter is to infiltrate a series of space fortresses while destroying aliens and collecting energy required to stay alive. In part of the game you pilot a space ship, and in the other part you fly around in a jet pack. The action isn't too intense, with few power-ups, and a low level of difficulty. Air Fortress really can't compete with classics like Life Force or Gradius. On the positive side, the music is quite catchy (in a "Lost In Space" kind of way), and a password feature lets you save your progress.
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I first played this overhead shooter on the Sega Master System, but I much prefer this more robust NES edition. Clearly inspired by the Alien films, you control a soldier blasting through a series of alien-infested ships while attempting to rescue their crews. You'll find weapons scattered about and maps to help you locate each crewmember. Aliens continuously regenerate, emerging from slimy holes in the floor, sulking around slowly and splattering nicely when shot. Once you've gathered the crew, a self-destruct countdown begins, giving you seconds to escape. But just when you thought you were out of the woods, you need to contend with one of many huge alien bosses. Defeating these gross monstrosities is by far the most challenging aspect of the game. The game gets off to a slow start, with beginning stages that are really easy. The background music can't match the menacing tones of the Sega Master System game, and the sound effects are also disappointing. This NES edition plays better, but offers a somewhat forgettable shooting experience.
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It deeply troubles me to think that a whole generation of gamers may be missing out of this monumental classic! Archon is to video games what chess is to board games! Heck, it even looks like chess. The checkered playing field is lined with black and white mythological creatures, with the object being to capture five strategic spaces. The white side includes knights, genies, wizards, unicorns, golems, archers, a phoenix, and a wizard. The dark side is composed of goblins, trolls, lizards, banshees, a sorceress, and an evil shape-shifter. As the characters take turns moving around the board, the squares cycle between light and dark, giving the respective side an advantage. The characters move much like chess pieces, but when two land on the same spot, a battle is initiated! The two warriors are then transported to a wide-open battlefield for a fight to the death! The warriors move at different speeds, and each has its own weapon, ranging from swords and clubs to arrows and fireballs. The "king" on each side also has a set of spells, including teleport, time shift, summon elemental, and resurrect. Yes, Archon is as fun as it sounds. The characters are small but cleverly animated, and well-orchestrated music scores contributes to the fun.
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You got to love the plot lines of these old Nintendo games. Once again, the president of the United States has been kidnapped by ninjas. Bad Dudes is a mediocre Double-Dragon clone with flickering graphics and repetitive side-scrolling action. The graphics aren't half bad - in fact, the city skyline looks very impressive. The characters are nicely detailed, but the unsightly flickering is hard to bear. Your moves are basically limited to a short range kick/punch, a special spin-kick, and a jump. Unfortunately, you can't attack as you're jumping, making you vulnerable to constant cheap hits. Later levels contain weapons like knives and nun-chucks to spice up the action a bit. After conquering each end-of-level boss, your "bad dude" exclaims, "I'm bad!" via the worst voice synthesis ever produced. The two-player mode is alternating turns only, which is pretty lame. Arguably the best feature of Bad Dudes is its soundtrack.
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Base Wars is a futuristic baseball game with robot players, much like SNK's Super Baseball 2020 (Neo Geo, 1991). It's an interesting premise and the robots look pretty slick. They all resemble Ultraman in the face, but their lower bodies are composed of wheels, treads, or flying discs. The pitcher/batter screen is impressive, with huge (albeit single-colored), smoothly-animated players. The pitcher literally fires the ball out of his arm, and by holding down the button, you can "power-up" your fastball. With total control of the ball in mid-air, you can make it do all sorts of crazy stuff. The fielding aspect is less impressive; it sucks, really. The screen seems to lag behind when balls are hit, and by the time your fielder comes into view it's usually too late. I tried to dive for the ball once, but alas - I had treads! I'll say one thing for these fielders: they have cannons for arms! No seriously, their arms are literally cannons. But the game's real highlight occurs during tag situations, during which the game is transformed into a one-on-one fighter. The characters are large but their attack controls are rudimentary at best. Cornering the other guy and bashing him in the head repeatedly is usually the best strategy. Of course, when playing against the cheap CPU you'll be lucky to get in one punch! Another annoying aspect of Base Wars is how every other hit is a freakin' homerun - enough already! Still, I enjoy the brisk pace of the game and its over-the-top action. Base Wars certainly is unique and should appeal to most arcade-minded sports fans.
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I thought this early Nintendo title would deliver some fun old-school action, but its gameplay turned out to be atrocious. I like the idea of viewing the entire field on one screen (as in Atari 5200 Realsports Baseball), with a separate screen for the pitcher/batter duel. The ball movement is smooth enough, but the fielders are painfully slow and choppy. Much of the fielding appears to be computer controlled, and it's all too common for outfielders to throw out runners headed to first. Baseball's sound effects are practically non-existent, and so is the fun.
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I'll be the first to admit I "missed the boat" on this game the first time around. By the title alone, you might expect Baseball Simulator 1.000 to be all about realism and statistics, but in fact it's just the opposite! On the surface, this appears to be standard NES baseball fare, with small, squat players, simple gameplay, and intuitive controls. The behind-the-batter pitching screen makes it easy to gauge incoming curveballs, and when a ball is hit, you get a nice wide angle of the field. There are six stadiums to choose from including a dome, a park near a harbor, and even one in outer space. They all look pretty much look the same however until a homer is hit and the background scenery is revealed. Baseball Simulator's pacing is brisk, allowing you to toss one pitch after the next with minimal pauses. The fielding is a bit weak, with fly balls that take forever to come back down, and a second baseman that insists on covering first base. It sounds pretty average, until you discover Simulator's ace in the hole: The Ultra League. This is a special set of teams that allow you to employ outrageous power-ups that turn the game on its head. When pitching, ten special pitches include a stopper ball (stops in mid-air), a phantom ball (disappears over the plate), and the ninja ball that breaks into multiple balls. As the batter, special swings include the meteor hit (knocks out the fielder), hyper hit (twice the power), and bomb hit (explodes on impact). There are even special moves for the fielders, including one that lets them leap high in the air. Not only do these power-ups add humor and variety, but since they're limited, they add a strategic element as well. In "normal mode", Baseball Simulator's music is absolutely unbearable with constant ear-splitting whistles, but thankfully it's much better in the ultra league mode. And that's really the only mode you'll need.
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Baseball Stars is a popular, high-quality baseball game for the NES. There are no actual major league teams or players, and a few of the players are actually girls (in shorts no less). The uniforms are ugly (one team is all purple), but the players are well animated. I love how the ball bounces so smoothly and realistically. Baseball Stars' gameplay reminds me of Ken Griffey games for the SNES - very fun and arcade-like. There are a few flaws however. Annoying background music blares nonstop throughout the game. Fly balls can be difficult to track down because they have no shadow (sound effects indicate the ball's height). In spite of these deficiencies, Baseball Stars provides a good time for the casual baseball fan.
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Not only is this a major step up from the original, but Baseball Stars II (BS2) is arguably the best NES baseball game ever! As a tribute to Babe Ruth himself, all the players look like fat slobs, and they're easy to control. The pitcher/batter screen lets you keep a watchful eye on baserunners, and infielders can dive for grounders. To catch fly balls, you'll need to use both the ball shadow and the sound effects, but initially locating your fielder can be a problem. The fielders have weak arms, and many of their throws bounce in the dirt. All the players and teams are fictional, as are the four stadiums. BS2's graphics are simple but attractive, and pleasant background music plays throughout the game. You can select your starting pitcher, alter your batting order, insert pinch hitters, and change pitchers at any time. A few of the sound effects are comical, like the pitch that sings like a bird. But hey, this game isn't for purists; it's for people who want to have fun!
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In addition to being a terrific baseball game, Bases Loaded effectively renewed my interest in video game consoles after jumping onto the home computer bandwagon in the mid-80's. I remember stopping by my buddy Tuan's house, sitting in his bedroom and watching him play my friend Bobby as I looked on with great interest. Bases Loaded may have lacked the sharp graphics and sophisticated controls of a computer game, but I was captivated by its clean visuals, smooth animation, and intuitive gameplay. Innovative for its time, Bases Loaded helped popularize the realistic "behind the pitcher" camera angle, and its fast-paced gameplay has held up well over the years. The controls are easy to grasp, and although the fielders move like snails, they are smoothly animated. You can pitch and swing with precision, but fielding is tricky because there's no diving and the margin for error is slim when it comes to positioning fielders for fly balls. The game is loaded with memorable moments, and its many quirks are what makes it so endearing. When pitching a ball way outside, it's hilarious to see the catcher's mitt "float" away from the catcher's body as if it were a ghost. Upon striking out, batters walk back to the dugout dejected with the bat on their shoulders. Pitchers can't seem to resist intercepting balls directed to first base. Relief pitchers drive themselves to the mound, leaving me to wonder: who returns that little cart? And just look how big that mound is! But the highlight of Bases Loaded is how you can initiate a brawl by hitting a batter in the face! That feature should be standard in all baseball games. Bases Loaded's background music plays non-stop, which would be irritating if it wasn't so freakin' good! Fielders sound like they're squealing as they throw the ball, but the synthesized umpire voices are clear enough. Bases Loaded lacks a major league license, which may explain why my favorite player is "Paste" from the New Jersey team. But with so many complex baseball games on the market today, it sure feels good to get "back to the basics" with a classic like this.
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In this ill-conceived sequel, Jaleco effectively butchers their landmark baseball franchise beyond recognition. The original Bases Loaded was an old favorite that most NES sports fans have fond memories of. There was room for improvement, but Second Season breaks more than it fixes! The pitching screen has been slightly redesigned, and while the players are smaller, they're also better animated so it's hard to complain. Once a ball is put into play however, everything goes straight to hell. Instead of the classic "from the plate" fielding perspective, you get an awkward "down the baseline" angle that's as disorienting as it is ugly. Adding insult to injury are blob-like fielders that move in a choppy, unsightly manner, rendering the new dive moves worthless. Bases Loaded 2 is just sloppy in general, with lousy control exacerbated by rough outfield scrolling. But the game's worst arocity is its unbearable looping theme song that just won't go away. If someone were to blow a whistle into your ear for the duration of the game, it would be an improvement. Second Season is so awful that you start to wonder if Jaleco's first Bases Loaded game was an accident!
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It may be more playable than Second Season, but Bases Loaded 3 still isn't in the same league as the original. Catering more to the solo player, the game rates your performance in 13 categories while challenging you to play the "perfect game". You have three stadiums to choose from, but except for the scoreboard designs, you won't notice much of a difference. The pitcher/batter screen looks slightly more detailed this time, but the strike zone is smaller and harder to judge. It doesn't help that the swing controls are less responsive so you need to commit earlier. But the biggest change is the new fielding perspective. Instead of viewing the diamond from behind home plate (as in most baseball games), the camera is situated behind second base, slowly pulling backwards for fly balls. There's a good reason why no other baseball game in the past, present, or future has or will ever adopt a system like this, and that's because it absolutely sucks. For one thing, it's disconcerting to view the diamond upside-down. When you walk a batter, it looks like he's heading to third base (what are these - Japanese rules?!) And even if you get finally the hang of the odd viewing angle, you can never position your oversized fielders properly because they don't even appear on the screen until the last possible moment! The players are nicely animated and pretty huge by NES standards, but they're a lost cause. Be sure to turn the music "off" before starting a game, because the soundtrack has all the charm of a kazoo player. Once again Jaleco has dropped the ball with another half-assed sequel.
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This conventional side-scroller is similar to the Genesis version, except with smaller characters, unforgiving gameplay, and stiffer controls. The sprites are small but well defined, and bold colors accentuate the dark, gothic backdrops (the greens and purples are especially pleasing to the eye). Batman is responsive to control and has a nifty "wall jump" that allows him to vault between the edges of platforms. If only "normal" jumps were so easy! You have no control of Batman in mid-air, so you must carefully measure the distance and time it just right. The start button cycles through special weapons including rockets and Batarangs. Batman on the NES is tough compared to the Genesis version. Annoying mines on wheels roll in from all directions, and you'll absorb a good number of unavoidable hits. Heart icons help replenish your life, but they only bump up your health meter slightly. Personally I recommend using the Game Genie cheat that replenishes your health completely with each heart. I can't forget to mention that the game has an excellent, memorable soundtrack. Batman for the NES is a good time, but beating it will require some serious will and determination.
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Unlike the other NES Batman games, Batman Returns gives you the freedom to meander around the screen as you would in a Double Dragon game. Combining Batman's stylish visuals with Double Dragon's classic gameplay should be a slam-dunk, right? It should be, but Batman Returns stinks. The graphics are certainly not at fault, with colorful background scenery that depicts snowy storefronts, circus trains, and the soaring Gotham skyline. Batman himself is fairly large and his cape blows impressively in the wind. In addition to throwing punches and tossing Batarangs, he can perform flying and sliding kicks. There are a nice variety of circus goons to beat the crap out of, and your punches send them flying off the screen. It's a shame that Batman Return's gameplay falters as it does. The fighting action is tame from the start and never manages to gain any traction. You face off against the same goons in every stage, armed with the same predictable attacks. When Batman Returns does try to innovate, it falls flat on its face. In one perilous stage you're forced to jump between floating blocks in an electrified pool - while clowns shoot at you from the sides. I hate it when that happens! Another stage forces you to fight on slanted rooftops, and you're slipping off the entire time! Batman Returns does provide a handy password feature, but this is one Batman game I won't be returning to very often.
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I really wanted to like this great-looking, unconventional Batman game, but it's too [expletive] hard! For the first two stages, Revenge of the Joker does kick ass. I was seriously impressed with the graphic quality - the characters and backgrounds are bigger and bolder than any other NES Batman game. The gameplay is unique as well - it's more like a shooter than a platform beat-em-up. Instead of punching and kicking, Batman uses his "wrist projector" to fire various types of projectiles. The crossbow arrow default weapon is pretty effective, and power-ups can upgrade you to multi-shot "darts" and guided Batarangs. After collecting several "capsules", Batman turns gold and becomes temporarily invincible, unleashing a torrent of Batarangs all over the place. The exhilarating shooting action gives the game a Metroid or Turrican flavor, and there's even a flying stage that plays like a space shooter. Toss in a killer soundtrack and handy four-letter password feature, and Return of the Joker would appear to be a winner. But as I delved into the later stages, my delight gradually turned to disgust. Beginning with the snowy third stage, the difficulty changes abruptly from reasonable to nearly impossible. Missiles rain from the sky with no warning. Bad guys knock you off of perilous ledges. Mandatory hits are the order of the day, and most platforms either collapse or move like conveyor belts. The intense shooting action that was such a hoot in the first two levels takes a back seat to simply trying not to fall off of the screen. With stage designs like this, even a cheat code can't alleviate the frustrating gameplay. Revenge of the Joker could have been a nice twist on the standard Batman formula, but excessive difficulty and suicidal stage designs spoil the party.
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Groundbreaking for its time, Battletoads still comes across as a very polished, well constructed side-scroller. Had its difficulty been anywhere near reasonable, it would easily merit an "A". But no, this is not even close to being in the same ballpark as "reasonable". Like most video games, the first stage contains chasms to leap over and pig-men to beat the living crap out of. Then things get weird. You'll encounter these freaks with long legs, and once defeated, you use their disembodied limbs as clubs! That's typical of this game's off-beat sense of humor. The first stage ends with an innovative boss battle played from the boss' perspective. In the second stage you'll rappel down into a pit while dealing with toad-eating plants and rope-snapping crows. Each stage of the game offers a variety of interesting and unique challenges, like throwing snowballs at snowmen, surfing log-jammed rivers, and racing against rats. Your ultimate foe is the "dark queen", and I have to tell you - she is one hot chick! Battletoad's fighting action is extra satisfying thanks to its crisp controls and exaggerated attacks, often punctuated with oversized fists and feet. The quirky animations are comical, and you'll even see Space Invader icons towing power-ups. Sadly, most gamers won't appreciate all that Battletoads has to offer, because the game is too [expletive] hard - even with continues! Battletoads supports two-player simultaneous action, but that doesn't make things any easier. If not for my trusty Game Genie, I don't think I would have been able to review this game. Except for the excessive difficulty, there's not much to dislike, except maybe that annoying drumbeat that plays when the game is paused. Battletoads will suck you in with its quality gameplay, only to demoralize you with its relentless difficulty. Even if you like your games hard as nails, Battletoads will beat you into submission and teach you the meaning of pain. Punk!
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In this innovative action adventure, you're a soldier on a mission to infiltrate an enemy headquarters and foil an evil General's plans. I know - it sounds like every NES game you've ever played, right? Its story not withstanding however, Bionic Commando is in a league of its own. The "bionic" part of your soldier is his extensible arm, which pulls him up onto high platforms and allows him to swing to distant ledges. Getting comfortable with the arm control is the key to playing Bionic Commando, and it does take a while. You're also equipped with all the obligatory weapons including machine guns, bazookas, and rocket launchers. Although primarily a side-scrolling affair, there are also some terrific overhead stages that play similar to Mercs or Front Line. By accessing scattered enemy computers you obtain clues and can even spy on your enemies. Bionic Commando is loaded with unique stages, and you can choose the order in which they are played. No question about it - Bionic Commando was way ahead of its time.
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As far as I can tell, this is the first example of a video game trying to realistically emulate the sport of fishing. The Black Bass is no prize, but hey, you have to start somewhere, right? The attractive title screen's easy-going melody puts you in the right frame of mind for fishing on a lazy summer afternoon. You begin by selecting the type of bait, including spinners, frogs, worms, pencil baits, and shallow runners. After selecting your fishing spot from a non-descript map of a lake, you cast your line using a simple power meter. You view your bait in the water from overhead, and reel it towards the bottom of the screen. Depending on your cast location, visible scenery might include marsh weeds or a beach. Attracting fish largely depends on choosing the right style and color of bait, which largely amounts to good old-fashioned luck. Once a fish appears, it gravitates towards the bait and automatically "hooks" when it bites. These fish look fairly hideous with their freakishly large heads. Who would have known that a black bass is really green? You can also catch trout and pike, but they don't count in the competition. Fighting a fish involves swinging the rod from side to side while periodically reeling in or "thumbing" the line. This can be a long and tedious process if the fish is far away, which he usually is. If the fish becomes aggressive you'll want to let out the line a bit to tire him out. Occasionally a fish will leap clear out of the water, accompanied by a completely inappropriate "boiiiing!" sound effect. Once you finally net a fish, it's exciting to watch the scale tally its weight. The game keeps track of your catches as you advance the ranks, and a password feature lets you save your process. If you've played any modern fishing games, Black Bass can be hard to stomach. There's almost nothing to see and you can't shut off the horrible background music (not to be confused with the fine title screen tune). The years have not been kind to this game, but its sequel "The Blue Marlin" has fared much better.
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Some prefer Nintendo's Ice Hockey, but Blades of Steel is the definitive hockey game for the NES. Its realistic graphics, digitized sound effects, and tight controls combine to make this the complete package. Like Nintendo's game, Blades is played on a side-scrolling rink, but the arena is larger and more realistic. Each contest kicks off with the teams entering the rink and skating in circles to a disco theme. What is this, the ice follies? The large players look surprisingly realistic and it's easy to determine which player you control because he flashes brightly. Passing and shooting are responsive and intuitive, and finding an open man in front of the net often results in an easy goal. Unlike Nintendo's Ice Hockey, your selected defensive player changes automatically, which is very convenient. Battling for the puck often leads to fist fights presented on a special close-up screen. These battles provide an opportunity to pummel your opponent by mashing buttons, with the loser left on his rump as the winner speeds away with the puck. Penalty shots also occur, and these are also impressively depicted with dramatic close-ups. Blades of Steel's gameplay is fast and intense, but like real hockey, scoring can be like pulling teeth. Digitized sound effects include grunts and referee voices, but I could do without that annoying whistling that accompanies the crowd noise. The limited play-by-play is mainly limited to "makes the pass!" every time you pass the puck. In the tournament mode, I was shocked to see ads for other Konami games ("All your friends will want it!"), as well as a shooter mini-game. Blades of Steel has it all. Not only is it one of the best games for the NES, but it's one of the best hockey games of all time.
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Whenever I say anything bad about this game, its legion of fans rush to its defense, urging me to go back and give it another try. I have to admit that Master Blaster is beginning to grow on me somewhat. I can't get that catchy music out of my head, and who can forget the touching "boy and his frog" introductory sequence? I weep uncontrollably each time I watch that thing! For the most part Blaster Master is played in a jumping tank, but your character can also climb out to explore areas on foot. You don't tend to see the words "jumping" and "tank" used together very often, but work with me here. You begin by jumping generic platforms in a wooded area, but later blast your way through underground caverns. Upon falling into some water, I assumed I lost of life, but then realized that underwater areas are part of the game! When you encounter a small door, that's your cue to get out of the tank to explore on foot. Your character looks like a dork with that big white helmet over his huge melon head. Instead of platform jumping, the on-foot stages feature overhead exploration and shooting. Both modes have their own health meters and distinct firepower levels, making Blaster Master feel like two games in one. The graphics aren't bad at all, especially the second stage with its nice medieval castle scenery. Some of the lizard and crab-like bosses look pretty intimidating as well. But despite the positives, Blaster Master never completely won me over. The stage layouts are maze-like and confusing, and you're expected to do a good bit of backtracking. Certain enemies can't be shot because they crawl too close to the ground, and slowdown often rears its ugly head. There's no score, but you do get unlimited continues, so you can pretty much play Blaster Master until you're sick of it. It's not one of my favorites, but Blaster Master deserves some credit for innovation and depth.
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Compared to The Black Bass, Blue Marlin looks like a million bucks. Its flashy title screen depicts an enormous swordfish leaping out of choppy, bright blue waters. Awe-some! It's almost enough to make you want to catch a fish! Blue Marlin is far more interactive that its predecessor. Instead of picking a spot on a map, you actually navigate a little boat around a lake with your bait trailing behind. The undulating water looks terrific, as do the surrounding docks, foliage, and villages (although that guy running back and forth on that one building looks awfully suspicious). You can easily determine where to go by the visible schools of fish appearing at random around the lake. If you're lucky, you might even spot a seagull or a marlin leaping out of the water - both very good signs. Dragging your bait through a school of fish usually pops up a window stating: "Hey Dave, I feel a bite on your rod". Yes, that's an actual quote from the game - you can't make up stuff like that. When a fish is on your line, you see an animated fisherman strapped into the back of a boat, and a white flume in the distant water indicating a struggling fish. The bottom of the screen displays vital statistics, along with a nicely rendered reel that makes it easy to see how fast you're reeling in (or letting out). The game uses the same basic techniques involved in real deep-sea fishing (I know because I've done it). You need to alternate between pulling up on the rod and reeling in, while occasionally thumbing the line to recoup you "vitality" when you begin to tire. The fights are pretty intense, and can sometimes last for ten or fifteen minutes. Occasionally you'll be faced with a "dilemma" in the form of a multiple-choice question, and these are fun and exciting. As an example, if your line begins to overheat, you can A) douse it with water, B) free the drag, or C) do nothing. Selecting the wrong answer could result in a snapped line. Once you finally pull a fish aboard, it's always a treat to see what kind you caught. There are several varieties including marlin, swordfish, sailfish, sharks, tuna, dorado, and barracuda. Once you've had enough, you can return to shore for weigh-in, at which time you're presented with a password. The Blue Marlin is an addictive game that bears more than a passing resemblance to King Salmon (Genesis, 1993). If you're looking for some spirited fishing action on the NES, seek out The Blue Marlin.
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I have fond memories of playing Boulderdash on my 8-bit Atari computer in the early 80's, when it still under the Electronic Arts label. It was a good idea to resurrect this fun title for the NES. The main character who resembled an alien in the original has received the "Mario treatment", and now resembles a cute little miner. Borrowing many elements from Dig Dug, you dig through the soil, collect items, and dropping rocks on enemies. But Boulderdash takes this concept to the extreme, with non-stop, twitch gameplay and tons of rocks that tend to avalanche. The action is pretty intense but there's subtle strategy involved, and you'll often need to initiate a avalanche in order to gain access to a new area. Boulderdash has aged quite well, and includes a nice password save and a fine soundtrack.
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In Bubble Bobble one or two players control bubble-blowing, chubby little green dinosaurs. The game is jam-packed with 113 levels(!), each with a unique platform configuration. Your goal is to blow bubbles at wandering beasts, trapping them inside and causing them to float towards the top of the screen. Popping these bubbles produces bonus items (fruit, vegetables, and jewelry), and popping several at a time is key to racking up big scores. The game has a Dig Dug vibe that I find appealing. Power-ups spice up the action, including one that wipes out all enemies on the screen. A pleasant musical theme plays throughout the game. Bubble Bobble seems simplistic at first, but there's actually quite a bit of technique involved. Some gamers consider Bubble Bobble to be an NES classic, and they may be right.
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What we seem to have here is a platform game with no jumping. After playing Crazy Castle, I'm starting to think that wasn't such a good idea! Playing as Bugs Bunny, your goal is to collect all the carrots on each level while avoiding characters like Sylvester the cat, Daffy Duck, and Yosemite Sam. The stages are colorful but not very imaginative - just a bunch of empty platforms joined by doorways or tubes. Each side-scrolling stage measures about three screens in width. The graphics are high in resolution, but the characters are so tiny that it's hard to discern their animations. Apparently the best way to neutralize enemies is by dropping boxes on their heads, but since there's no jumping, getting cornered means certain death (unless you have a power-up). Crazy Castle is mildly amusing for a while, but it's too easy and you'll get bored as you rack up endless bonus lives. The controls are stiff, the stages are redundant, and the muffled music sounds like it was recorded in a mineshaft. Crazy Castle is one of those uninspired titles you play once and never again.
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Here's a simple but entertaining little driving game that was popular in the arcades of the early 80's. You control a jumping car on a vertically-scrolling road, bumping other cars into guardrails or landing on them for points. Be sure to keep an eye out for rapidly-approaching gaps in the road that you'll need to jump over. Bump N Jump's graphics are colorful, with changing scenery that includes a bridge, city, and suburbs. A pleasant background tune plays throughout the game. It's not very intense, but Bump N Jump provides simple arcade enjoyment.
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While clearly inspired by the ladder-climbing hijinks of Donkey Kong, Burgertime's sandwich-building premise is innovative and fun. As your tiny chef walks over huge buns, burger paddies, cheese, and lettuce, you not only construct a burger but also bury pursuing hot dogs and eggs in the process. A limited amount of "pepper" can be used to temporarily disable your adversaries, but it's extremely hard to come by so you'll want to ration it. Burgertime isn't the most realistic video game I've ever played. In order to refresh your pepper supply, you'll need to collect items like an ice cream cone and teacup. Was a peppershaker too hard to render? I also find it curious how you're pursued by eggs and hot dogs. Considering they get trapped in the sandwich, pickles and onions would seem far more appropriate. Also, the hot dogs look like they're wearing glasses, and that's just crazy. Burgertime is addictive but insanely difficult. Once your pepper is gone, you're quickly overwhelmed by nefarious food items. To my knowledge, no one has ever cleared the second screen. The game is available for a number of consoles, but this one looks particularly good. The crisp graphics and toe-tapping soundtrack are terrific, but the controls certainly could be more forgiving. You need to perfectly line up your chef with the platforms to walk across them, and it's easy to get hung up just as evil processed meat products are converging. It's also annoying how enemies tend to respawn near the edge of the screen without warning. Still, Burgertime is timeless fun, and its deceptively simple gameplay will give even the most seasoned gamers fits.
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