Reviewed: 2002/4/24
Last modified 2008/2/12.
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.
| Operation Wolf | Grade: C | |
| Publisher: Taito (1989) Reviewed: 2002/4/24 | | |
Here's something you don't see everyday: a light gun game that's best played without a light gun! Strange but true, Operation Wolf is far more enjoyable when you mow down bad guys by moving a cursor around the screen. Each of the game's six stages is a war-torn battle zone, with locations including a jungle, command center, airport, and prison camp. One button is used to shoot, and the other throws grenades that inflict heavy damage. You'll have to constantly replenish you ammunition by shooting icons that appear in place of fallen soldiers. At any given moment there are plenty of vehicles and soldiers running across the screen to fire at. The action is frantic, but take care not to shoot the occasional prisoner or medic squad. So what's wrong with using the Zapper light gun? Well, besides the constant clicking noise, the gun causes too much flashing on the screen. Stick with a normal controller however and you'll definitely have a good time. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Operation Wolf on Ebay | 1 player |
| Pinball | Grade: C+ | |
| Publisher: Nintendo (1983) Reviewed: 2001/8/12 | ||
It's easy to pass this off as a shallow, generic pinball game, but with repeated play it proves surprisingly addictive. There's only one table, and it's theme is... well, it really doesn't have a theme, but that's okay. The game switches between two screens that display the top and bottom halves of the table, each with their own sets of flippers. You get all the standard pinball trappings, including bumpers, spinners, flippers, and traps. The graphics aren't anything to write home about, but the action is smooth and the physics is realistic enough. You only control the flippers - there's no "nudge" button. Pinball may not be much to look at, but it's challenging, well-balanced gameplay is more than respectable. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Pinball on Ebay | 1 or 2 player |
| Pirates | Grade: B- | |
| Publisher: Ultra (1991) Reviewed: 2006/9/3 | ||
This game is held in such high esteem by many classic gamers that it's practically review-proof. For an NES title, Pirates is a surprisingly deep mix of text-based strategy, sea battles, and sword fights. You begin with a modest ship, but gradually gather a crew and assemble a fleet as you defeat enemy ships and plunder ports. You'll guide your ship around a huge map of the "new world", occasionally encountering foreign vessels. While engaged in a sea battle, you must carefully maneuver your vessel to avoid incoming cannonballs while launching your own. Invading an unfriendly town involves exchanging fire with forts. Interior land battles require you to strategically position groups of your men, although the actual fighting is fairly "abstract" and mostly automatic. Most land battles climax with a swordfight between you and the opposition's leader. The swordfights aren't much to look at, thanks to swords that look more like batons. Otherwise Pirates' graphics are bright and inviting, with scenic towns and dark taverns rendered in meticulous detail. I also love the shimmering bright blue sea and the swashbuckling musical score. Patient gamers will relish the layers of strategy, which include opportunities to spread your influence, betray treaties, marry a wench, and discover lost treasure. Less patient gamers like myself however, are likely to lose interest over time due to the sluggish sea battles and repetitive nature of it all. The cartridge allows you to save your place, and wouldn't you know, my used copy still contains a bunch of old saves! Wow, those old batteries must be pretty powerful. Subsequent editions of Pirates incorporated additional features and eye candy, but its basic gameplay has always remained the same. Strategy-minded gamers will do well to track down this golden oldie, but casual players will only find it mildly amusing. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Pirates on Ebay | 1 player |
| Platoon | Grade: F | |
| Publisher: Sunsoft (1988) Reviewed: 2003/6/8 |  | |
Platoon features well-defined soldiers and rich, dense jungle environments, but its gameplay can be described as "missing in action". Playing Platoon is more irritating than it is fun. In the first stage you explore endless jungle screens, jumping over wire traps and shooting an endless parade of brainless enemy soldiers. There's precious little technique involved, and the action gets terribly repetitive in a hurry. You'll also find yourself absorbing an excessive number of mandatory hits thanks to enemies that leap out suddenly from trees or behind bushes. Worst yet, you'll pull your hair out trying to navigate the endless labyrith of jungle screens, which all look the same and contain numerous dead ends. Just completing the first stage will test the patience of even the most seasoned gamer. Subsequent levels contain some good-looking first person shooting action, but these prove equally frustrating and hardly worth the effort. Platoon looks great, but Sunsoft should have gotten someone to play test this thing before inflicting it on the masses. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Platoon on Ebay | 1 player |
| Play Action Football | Grade: C- | |
| Publisher: Nintendo (1990) Reviewed: 2006/1/7 | ||
Although probably nifty in its time, this old football game has not aged particularly well. Upon turning on Play Action Football you're treated to an elaborate performance of the national anthem, although that black guy playing the trumpet doesn't really match the electronic notes you hear. The game itself features an overhead view with the field running diagonally across the screen. Play Action Football's play-calling screens are well designed, letting you select from eight plays and four formations. A high-angle view of the players moving into formation is accompanied by an annoying helicopter sound effect. A "high" view is used for passing plays, but a closer angle is employed for running plays. The action on the field unfolds slowly, thanks to the players' turtle-like speed and passes that float in the air for an eternity. The controls are pretty good however, borrowing a page or two from Tecmo Bowl. You can tap the A button to avoid tackles on offense, or speed up on defense. Pressing both A and B switches you to the nearest defender. The kicking game is solid, but the football looks absolutely huge as it sails through the goal posts. No wonder there are so many bounces off the posts! My first game of Play Action Football got off to an inauspicious start as both the CPU and myself ran back kick-offs for touchdowns. And if that wasn't unrealistic enough, we both missed our extra points as well! Play Action Football tries to incorporate voice synthesis, but it's unintentionally comical. When the referee yells "First down!" it sounds like he's saying "Prison!" And before each snap, instead of "Ready, set, hut!" the QB seems to be shouting "Goodie, set, hut!" Surprisingly, Play Action is equipped with an NFL Player's Association license, so actual player names and faces are displayed on the bottom of the screen! I have to give Play Action credit for incorporating some cool bells and whistles you don't even see in some modern football games. For example, when a player gets hurt, trainers come out onto the field with a stretcher. And when a first down is in doubt, the officials bring out the chains to measure up close! There's even some cheerleader action during halftime. As usual, Nintendo incorporates a lot of little musical jingles into the game, which are actually quite catchy and memorable. There's no way this can possible compete with excellent Tecmo Bowl games, but Play Action Football represents a decent effort on Nintendo's part. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Play Action Football on Ebay | 1 or 2 players |
| Punch-Out! | Grade: A- | |
| Publisher: Nintendo (1987) Reviewed: 2000/12/3 | ||
I was always fascinated by the arcade version of Punch-Out!, thanks to its huge, hilarious cartoon boxers. In this version the boxers are rather small, but the gameplay is still a knockout. You'll face ten different opponents from around the globe, each with his own distinct dances, taunts, and special punches. Your boxer looks like a midget by comparison, but at least his height gives you a clear view of the action. Superb controls let you punch high or low, block, and dodge. Unlike some other boxing games, this isn't a button-mashing affair. You'll need to study your opponents and identify their weakness if you aspire to advance up the ranks. A password is provided after you conquer each circuit. I can highly recommend this fun, arcade-style boxing game. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Punch-Out! on Ebay | 1 player |
| Q*bert | Grade: C- | |
| Publisher: Ultra (1989) Reviewed: 2004/9/10 | ||
This one was tough to review. On the surface, it appears to be one of the best adaptations of the Q*bert ever made. Its colorful, vibrant graphics rival the arcade, and all of the game's elements are included. Having played many scaled-down versions of Q*bert, I had almost forgotten about the green ball that paralyzes adversaries, or the little green creature that changes squares back to their original color. The screen is always teeming with enemies, so the action is non-stop and the challenge is high. In order to address possible issues with the game's unique diagonal-direction control scheme, you can fully configure the controls to your liking. This could have been the ultimate Q*bert, but it has a fatal flaw. Like most classic arcade games, the goal of Q*bert is to play for high score. However, when your game ends, you're immediately presented a black game screen with two prompts: end or continue. The problem is, your score is never displayed anywhere! Considering how great the game is otherwise, this massive oversight is a real shame. Other minor issues includes muffled audio and the fact that you get five lives instead of three (three lives should always be standard). © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Q*bert on Ebay | 1 or 2 players |
| Qix | Grade: C | |
| Publisher: Taito (1990) Reviewed: 2000/8/6 | ||
I remember Qix very well from the arcades way back in 1981, although to be honest, I've never been sure how to pronounce its name. Qix is great because it's totally original and dares you to take risks. The game begins with you controlling a little diamond on the perimeter of a big blank square, with a "helix" flying around the interior. This helix looks like a twisting set of colored lines, and it's quite lethal. Using the fast or slow "draw" buttons, you move your little diamond to draw lines, attempting to enclose areas of the screen without being touched by the helix. The goal is to capture as large a percentage of the screen as possible, but when you reach 75% the stage ends. If you're a skilled player, you can lure the helix into a tight area and "trap" him there, capturing well over 90% of the screen with that last "draw". Complicating matters are deadly sparks that move around the perimeter, force you into harm's way. While this edition of Qix is a fair approximation of the arcade game, I wasn't overly impressed. I don't like how the areas enclosed with the slow draw (worth twice as many points) are filled with the same colors as the fast draw. The music is good and the control is decent, but the graphics and colors are drab. This is not as fun as I remembered. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Qix on Ebay | 1 or 2 players |
| Quatro Adventure | Grade: D+ | |
| Publisher: Codemasters (1993) Reviewed: 2001/9/16 | ||
If you enjoy 2D platform jumping games, you might appreciate this four-games-in-one Aladdin cartridge (plugs in a special Aladdin "game enhancer" attachment). The first title is a Mario Bros clone called "Linus Spacehead". The first stage takes you underwater where you character must "ride" rising bubbles to reach the surface. After that, the stages become more conventional and are generally forgettable. Spacehead's background music is pretty catchy, which is fortunate since it plays non-stop. The second game, Robin Hood, takes place in a castle where you collect keys, unlock doors, shoot bad guys with arrows, climb ropes, and jump over pits. Robin Hood looks absolutely freaky with that big goofy smile on his face. Momentum plays in a key role in the game, as you'll need it to slide under walls or leap great distances. It's no prize, but Robin Hood is probably the best of the bunch. Next up is Boomerang Kid, and this one makes no sense at all. Your character collects boomerangs, but get this - he can't throw them! Supposedly an Australian, this idiot looks more like some country bumpkin. Most of the action takes place in trees, and falling to your death is a common occurance thanks to lousy controls that make it hard to judge your jumps. The final game is Treasure Island Dizzy. Yes, the "Eggman" is back, but Treasure Island isn't as bad as Dizzy The Adventurer, a game I detested. This time Dizzy's user interface has been streamlined, so you can manipulate objects without calling up a separate screen. Dizzy is also easier to control since he doesn't roll around as much. Treasure Island Dizzy is playable until you reach one particularly stage loaded with wall-to-wall cheap traps. With only one life and no continues, I have no patience for that kind of crap. All in all, Quatro Adventure offers a lot of gaming, but whether there's any real value here is arguable. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Quatro Adventure on Ebay | 1 player |
| R.C. Pro-Am | Grade: B | |
| Publisher: Rare (1987) Reviewed: 2001/1/1 | ||
This innovative title introduced several new concepts to the overhead racing genre. R.C. Pro-Am puts you up against three CPU-controlled vehicles on 32 tracks of increasing difficulty. The cars are large for an NES game, and the screen scrolls rapidly as you whiz around the tracks. You can't see too far ahead, but arrows on the road help you anticipate upcoming turns. Still, it can be difficult to make some turns even when you know they're coming. Spicing up the contests are acceleration arrows and the ability to fire missiles at the other racers. These may seem pretty standard by today's standards, but in 1987 they were pretty original. R.C. Pro-Am is still a lot of fun to play, but the AI is undeniably cheap as CPU-controlled cars are almost impossible to shake from your tail. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.| Check for R.C. Pro-Am on Ebay | 1 player |
| RBI Baseball | Grade: D | |
| Publisher: Tengen (1987) Reviewed: 2003/8/20 | ||
This outdated relic isn't one of the better NES baseball games, but it did lay a solid foundation for future installments of RBI Baseball. The freakish players are short and fat with oversized heads. They move like snails and can't jump or dive. Considering the shoddy graphics, it's surprising that RBI has actual Major League teams with real players on the rosters! While pitching, the action is viewed from behind the plate, with two windows displaying runners on first and third. The pitches fly across the play at high velocity, but once the ball is hit, the action slows to a crawl. RBI Baseball does do a few things right. The controls are simple and intuitive, and you can toss the ball around the bases with ease. The ball scales out (becomes larger) as it ascends, making it easy to judge fly balls. Still, RBI has a lot of issues. First of all, the non-stop music will drive you nuts. Next, there are far too many homeruns, and most tend to fly way out of the park. The CPU opponent is dumb, allowing you to steal bases and stretch base hits unchallenged. RBI Baseball will suffice as a simple baseball game for young kids, but everybody else should seek out its excellent sequel: RBI Baseball 2. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.| Check for RBI Baseball on Ebay | 1 or 2 players |
| RBI Baseball 2 | Grade: A- | |
| Publisher: Tengen (1990) Reviewed: 2003/8/20 | ||
Not only is RBI Baseball 2 an enormous improvement over its predecessor, it's one of the best baseball games I've ever played! The players look fairly realistic this time around, and the pitchers look exceptionally good during their windups. The controls are superb. Players can dive for grounders and jump for line drives, and runners even slide head-first! You can select between two skills levels, turn off the music (thank you!), and the homerun frequency is reasonable. You get all the real major league teams and players. Bonus features include voice synthesis for umpires and - get this - instant replays! If there's one thing that annoyed me, it would be the excessive number of foul balls. Otherwise, RBI 2 is outstanding. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.| Check for RBI Baseball 2 on Ebay | 1 or 2 players |
| Rad Racer | Grade: B | |
| Publisher: Square (1987) Reviewed: 2002/3/28 | ||
Rad Racer looks and plays like a second-generation Pole Position. There are eight tracks, each with a series of invisible "checkpoints" that provide additional time to finish the race. Your car routinely tops 200 MPH, and there's unlimited "turbo". Of course, there's no way you can take corners or weave through traffic at high speeds, so the brake is quite useful. The controls are tight, allowing you to skillfully execute power slides around curves. If you cut your teeth on flashy racers like Outrun, you may be disappointed by Rad Racer's sparse visuals. The background scenery in the Grand Canyon stage looks like crap - literally! The night stages look better thanks to their attractive city skylines, but Rad Racer is more about gameplay than graphics. The game requires plenty of skill and is quite addictive. There's even a "3D" mode in case you have some blue and red cardboard glasses lying around. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Rad Racer on Ebay | 1 player |
| Rambo | Grade: F | |
| Publisher: Acclaim (1988) Reviewed: 2008/2/12 | ||
Rambo has never been dumber or gayer than he is in this laughable side-scroller. Not only does Stallone look like a clueless moron on the dialogue screens, but he prances around the game in what appear to be red tights. The game begins with "Trautman" offering Rambo a mission and asking "Are you up to it?" I couldn't resist choosing the option "I feel better in prison," prompting Trautman to explain, "The game doesn't start until you say YES". After chatting with a few military guys in a hangar you're taken onto a helicopter and dropped in the jungle. Rambo can switch between a variety of knife and arrow weapons, but he's forever at the mercy of attacking bees, snakes, and invisible cave creatures. In the swamps he must contend with deadly bubbles and ferocious flamingos. Killer bubbles make a lot of sense to me, and who isn't terrified of flamingos? As if the bizarre assortment of enemies isn't bad enough, the screens aren't even arranged logically! You'll exit a swamp to the left, only to head back right to discover a forest! Is it any wonder I spent most of the game wandering in circles? The only thing Rambo has going for it is a distinctive, melodic soundtrack that is guaranteed to trigger 80's flashbacks. Equally precious is the thought-provoking dialogue that includes gems like "What? You should know us. We wanna get on the boat. Here's money." It's possible that Rambo is actually meant to be a parody of the film, but that doesn't make it suck any less. © Copyright 2008 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Rambo on Ebay | 1 player |
| Remote Control | Grade: F | |
| Publisher: Hi Tech (1989) Reviewed: 2005/8/2 |  | |
I'm sure you remember this TV show; it's the one everybody hated! The amazing thing is, MTV stopped playing music videos so they could broadcast crap like this instead! And that's when the channel went from being utterly indispensable to completely disposable. This Remote Control cartridge does a fine job of capturing this game show's unlikable format, complete with the annoying host tossing out clever quips like "Whoa, are you related to Einstein or something?" I don't know what I hate most about this guy - his annoying smirk or his spastic, disembodied arm. The game is a simple quiz show with multiple-choice questions. The odd thing is, most of these questions were antiquated even before the show aired in the 80's! We're talking about ancient programs like Bewitched, My Three Sons, Hogan's Heroes, The Odd Couple, and All in the Family. Adding insult to injury, the mechanism used to answer questions is totally based on luck. You "ring in" before choosing your answer, making it a button-mashing contest to see who can ring in first. The computer usually lets you win in the one-player mode. Awful, repetitive music plays incessantly throughout the entire contest. Playing Remote Control ranks right up there with being kicked in the groin over and over again - it's that much fun! © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Remote Control on Ebay | 1 or 2 players |
| Renegade | Grade: C- | |
| Publisher: Taito (1987) Reviewed: 2003/1/19 | ||
This side scrolling brawler looks looks like a Double Dragon clone but has a few tricks of its own. The controls are unusual, as the B button attacks thugs to your left, and A attacks those on your right. It takes some getting used to, but it's cool how you can engage bad guys approaching from both sides. You can also "daze" an opponent with repeated punches, and then grab him and throw him off a platform or into other bad guys. Double-tapping the directional pad allows you to run, although it's hardly necessary. The action is definitely repetitive, and the bosses are a serious pain in the ass. I really wish there were some weapons laying around. Half the thugs are approach with sticks and smack you all over the place. I do like the cool motorcycle sequence where you can kick other riders off of their bikes. And you have to love inspired dialogue like "You ain't tough enough for me!" Renegade isn't great, but it may have influenced later brawlers like Streets of Rage. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Renegade on Ebay | 1 or 2 players |
| Rescue Rangers | Grade: D | |
| Publisher: Capcom (1990) Reviewed: 2001/12/25 |  | |
| Check for Rescue Rangers on Ebay | 1 or 2 players |
| River City Ransom | Grade: B+ | |
| Publisher: Technos (1988) Reviewed: 2008/2/12 | ||
If there were a popularity contest for NES games, River City Ransom would fare quite well. I don't recall hearing much about this game back in the day, but every NES player I talk to thinks it's awesome. And they are right. River City Ransom is a side-scrolling beat-em-up with RPG elements that add surprising depth. The heroes are two brothers attempting to save River City from a gang of thugs. The characters are rendered as short and boxy, but that doesn't hinder the fighting action very much. Considering only two buttons are used, the number of moves is amazing. You can punch, kick, jump, throw, sprint, and block. There are plenty of weapons lying around, including chains, brass knuckles, lead pipes, and trashcans. But it's the special moves you acquire from the book stores that really put the game over the top. River City Ransom never ceases to amaze, and you'll often discover new moves like running on a tire. Unlike Double Dragon, it doesn't take many punches to defeat the bad guys, so the fights don't feel as repetitive. The graphics are clean, but there is significant flicker and break-up when two players are fighting at the same time. The backgrounds offer some simple but attractive scenery including bright city skylines and scenic canals. The bottom of the screen displays colorful dialogue, most notably "BARF!!" when a thug is defeated. Perhaps the game's most innovative feature is how you earn and spend money to restore your life, raise your attributes, and acquire new moves. There are four shopping malls, each with a different set of stores. When using the gym sauna, you see your character's bare ass, which looks hilarious. River City Ransom provides a password save, but this thing is huge! I'm not sure I could write it down without making a mistake. It's also possible to find yourself "stuck" and unsure how to proceed, which happened to me and my friend George. Despite its minor flaws however, River City Ransom is a quality two-player beat-em-up that has withstood the test of time better than most. © Copyright 2008 The Video Game Critic.| Check for River City Ransom on Ebay | 1 or 2 players |
| Robocop | Grade: C | |
| Publisher: Data East (1989) Reviewed: 2005/4/24 | | |
Despite being a little rough around the edges, this side-scrolling crime fighter is quite engaging and captures the spirit of the film. What's odd is how the game was marketed to kids, considering the movie was an ultra-violent R-rated flick. Anyhow, Robocop starts off as you would expect, with our armor-plated hero walking down the street punching and shooting a cadre of random thugs that come out of the woodwork. Most enemies are generic goons in brown outfits, but a few jump-kicking fruitcakes in purple tank tops inject some variety. Snipers appear in the windows, and I love how shooting them sends them falling to the ground below - very satisfying! Occasionally Robocop will encounter a "cyborg" which looks like a blue gorilla. Defeating these guys is simple - just wail away at the punch button. I find it amusing how the instruction manual states "at the end of each level, there's a foe who's much harder to defeat than any of the rest". Wow, that sounds like every NES game I've ever played! Robocop's graphics are better than average, and the city skylines are particularly impressive. Brief cut-scenes between stages show Robocop striking various poses, and the first one is unintentionally hilarious. He's supposed to be talking, but the way his bottom lip quivers, it looks more like he's about to break down and cry! The game is generally fun, but a few annoying glitches hinder you from performing simple actions like punching a wall or exiting an elevator. I also hate how Robocop's energy is always running low. It's a real drag when you're totally kicking ass and suddenly Robocop keels over due to a lack of energy. The sound effects are minimal, but the game's theme song is terrific and hard to get out of your head. Though uneven, Robocop serves its purpose as a standard crime-fighting side-scroller. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Robocop on Ebay | 1 player |
| Robowarrior | Grade: D+ | |
| Publisher: Jaleco (1988) Reviewed: 2006/7/18 |  | |
For the love of God man! This has to be one of the most insanely hard video games I've ever played! I couldn't even make it through the first stage for Pete's sake! Robowarrior puts you in control of a bomb-dropping robot, attempting to forge through a series of side-scrolling stages populated with bushes, rocks, and other obstacles. The game combines elements of Dig Dug and Bomberman, but Robowarrior is far more demanding. As you blast new pathways, you're constantly being attacked by roving monsters and skeletal birds. Blowing stuff up is fun, but the controls are awkward. Pressing the "bomb" button places a bomb directly in front of you, forcing you to immediately step back in order to avoid the explosion. Bomberman veterans will find this concept hard to grasp. It's also quite easy to get caught up in the scenery while trying to take cover, and blowing yourself up is a common occurrence. If that's not bad enough, you'll need to keep an eye on your energy level, because it drains constantly and you only have one life! Should you manage to reach the end of a stage, you'll still need to figure out which rock the exit is hidden under! On the bright side, Robowarrior's soundtrack absolutely kicks ass, and the game has an addictive quality that kept me coming back for more and more punishment. I use the term advisedly; Robowarrior is brutal. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Robowarrior on Ebay | 1 player |
| Rush 'N Attack | Grade: B | |
| Publisher: Konami (1987) Reviewed: 2003/6/8 | ||
In this challenging side-scroller you are a soldier trying to infiltrate an enemy base and destroy its secret weapon. Although the instructions don't specify the country in question, the enemy's hats would indicate Russian (get it - Rush 'N?). The action isn't much different from so many other NES shooters, but this one is intense than normal. Rush 'N Attack begins with a cool intro sequence showing your soldier parachuting into enemy territory. You arrive armed with only a knife, but you'll find other weapons along the way. The background graphics are interesting, featuring massive missile launchers, cargo planes, and enemy watchtowers. The game can be extremely difficult game without one vital piece of information: To defeat the jump-kickers, jump straight up and stab. Once you get that move down, progress comes a bit easier. Whenever possible, try to save your shooting ammo for the bosses. Each of the six stages requires some strategic thinking, and experience is the best teacher. The background music is quite memorable and the controls are responsive. Rush 'N Attack provides no continues, so you'll need to be a pretty skilled player to reach the later stages. The two-player mode is fair, but this game is better suited for solo action. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Rush 'N Attack on Ebay | 1 or 2 players |
| Rygar | Grade: B | |
| Publisher: Tecmo (1987) Reviewed: 2002/4/24 | ||
Rygar is classic NES action all the way. In this better-than-average platformer, you control a mysterious warrior armed with a weapon that resembles a huge yo-yo. Rygar is mainly a side scrolling affair, but there are a few overhead stages, although these are marred by a lack of diagonal movement. The creatures you encounter are weird beyond description, with mutated birds leading the pack. Rygar is great fun despite some significant slow-down and graphic break-up. A mysterious dojo appears every so often to provide guidance, but it's usually pretty cryptic stuff. My favorite aspect of this game is the music. It sounds like every other tune you've ever heard on your NES, but it's great nonetheless. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.| Check for Rygar on Ebay | 1 player |
Select a new range of NES reviews: [Previous] [A] [B] [C] [D-E] [F-H] [I-L] [M-N] O-R [S] [T] [U-Z] [Next]
Return to NES main page.
Return to The Video Game Critic's Main Page.