Video Game Xtreme 1: The Games

Video Game Xtreme consists of two types of events: Head-to-head and single-player. Head-to-head games are chosen at random and played in single-elimination tournaments. Single-player games are selected and set up around the room beforehand, available for all to play as many times as they wanted. Most of the games were suggested by the players in the days leading up to VGX1. At the end of the night, players were awarded points for each first place (3 points) and second place finish (1 point). The players with the eight highest point totals were seeded for the playoff round.

The Single-player Games

Centipede (Arcade - 1980)
Mike Fleming narrowly edged out George in this old favorite. George was enraged. Of all the arcade games, this one took in the most quarters.
1st place: Mike Fleming 42,066

2nd place: George Coutros 41,408

Tapper (Arcade - 1983)
Note that this game is an original Budweiser version of Tapper, not one of those lame Root Beer conversions. Deane Turner dominated this one, owning most of the top 10 scores. Marc tried hard to upset Deane by the end of the night, but came up a bit short.
1st place: Deane Turner 27,875 2nd place: Marc Guerassio 27,025

Crystal Castles (Arcade - 1983)
Not too many people played Crystal Castles, probably because so few people are familiar with it. Or maybe it's because people thought this game was gay. At the end of the night, the crowd was stunned to learn that John Sperka had obtained the high score.
1st place: John Sperka 43,657 2nd place: Steve See 38,464

Moon Patrol (emulated version on Playstation - originally released in 1982)
I had a lot of requests for this game, and I'm surprised John Sperka and Steve See didn't rank higher, considering they used to always play Moon Patrol at the local arcade. Recommended by: Steve See, John Sperka
1st place: Mike Fleming 25,050 2nd place: David Burdock 21,050

Burnout 2 (Crash Mode) (Nintendo - 1986)
The "crash mode" of Burnout 2 is arguable more fun and addicting that the racing mode. Some of the collisions you can cause by plowing into busy intersections are absolutely sensational. Steve See definitely got lucky in this one by scoring 40 million on his very first try. Recommended by: Mike Brockel
1st place: Steve See 40,406,516 2nd place: Steve Newcomb 33,285,464

Miner 2049er (Colecovision)
This Colecovision version of the classic platform game is fast and fun. George complained about the controller, but that's not unusual.
1st place: Eric Robbins 8,950 2nd place: George Coutros 8,560

Pitfall! (Atari 2600)
Everyone recognized this game, but two players stood head and shoulders above the rest: Steve Newcomb and Mike Brockel. Apparently both guys mastered Pitfall "back in the day", and they hadn't lost their touch.
1st place: Steve Newcomb 85,750 2nd place: Mike Brockel 82,799

Sega Marine Fishing (Dreamcast - 2000)
For some reason these fishing games are always a hit at my video game tournaments. Probably since the objective is so simple: just catch the biggest fish! John Sperka nearly pulled a major upset in this event, hooking an enormous 258 lb white marlon, which he quickly lost.
1st place: Steve See 227.12 lbs 2nd place: Eric Robbins 168.07 lbs

Mine Storm (Vectrex - 1982)
Similar to Asteroids, Mine Storm is an addictive little shooter with slick vector graphics.
1st place: Steve Newcomb 45,215 2nd place: George Coutrous 37,080

The Head-to-Head Games

Super Bomberman (Super Nintendo - 1978)
I was glad to see this classic party selected as the first game of the night. Four players run around dropping bombs and avoiding the chain reactions. Keith McDowell pulled out a major upset in this one.

First Round Finals Winner

Deane
Steve See
Keith
David B Keith
* Keith McDowell *

George
Eric S
Eric R
Marc G George

Poy Poy (Playstation - 1997)
Similar to Super Bomberman, this underrated game features bomb and rock throwing in a 3D environment. George, an old Poy Poy veteran, dominated this one. Recommended by Steve See.

First Round	Finals	Winner
Deane Steve See Keith David B	Keith	* Keith McDowell *
George Eric S Eric R Marc G	George

First Round Finals Winner

Mike F
Steve S
Keith
George George
* George Coutros *

David B
Marc
Rob
Eric S David B

Hydro Thunder (Dreamcast - 1999)
This powerboat racing game is a pure adrenaline rush from start to finish. The races tended to be close, but Dreamcast veteran Steve See was not to be denied.

First Round	Finals	Winner
Mike F Steve S Keith George	George	* George Coutros *
David B Marc Rob Eric S	David B

First Round Second Round Finals Winner

George
Deane
George George
* Steve See *

Steve N
Keith Steve N

Rob Z
Steve S Steve S Steve S

Mike F
Eric S Eric S

Gran Turismo 3 (Playstation 2 - 1978)
Gran Turismo is the first name is realistic racing action. Recommended by George Coutros.

First Round	Second Round	Finals	Winner
George Deane	George	George	* Steve See *
Steve N Keith	Steve N
Rob Z Steve S	Steve S	Steve S
Mike F Eric S	Eric S

First Round Second Round Finals Winner

Eric R
Mike F
Mike F George C
* George Coutros *

Mike B
George C George C

Steve N
Steve S Steve N Steve N

Marc G
Deane T Deane T

Ice Hockey (Atari 2600 - 1978)
Next to Warlords, Ice Hockey is the most competitive game you can play on the 2600. It takes skill and expert timing to master passing the puck. Recommended by Steve Newcomb.

First Round	Second Round	Finals	Winner
Eric R Mike F	Mike F	George C	* George Coutros *
Mike B George C	George C
Steve N Steve S	Steve N	Steve N
Marc G Deane T	Deane T

First Round Second Round Finals Winner

Rob Z
Keith M Keith M Steve N
* Steve Newcomb *

Steve N
Deane T Steve N

Eric R
Eric S Eric R David B

David B
Mike B David B

Frogs and Flies (Atari 2600 - 1978)
Few players were familiar with this game, but being fun and easy to learn, it was the perfect game for VGX1. Two frogs in a pond try to snag as many buzzing flies as they can before the sun goes down. This is the game Marc Guerassio credits for single-handedly getting him into the playoffs. Recommended by Steve Newcomb.

First Round	Second Round	Finals	Winner
Rob Z Keith M	Keith M	Steve N	* Steve Newcomb *
Steve N Deane T	Steve N
Eric R Eric S	Eric R	David B
David B Mike B	David B

First Round Second Round Finals Winner

Steve S
George
George George
* Marc Guerassio *

Steve N
Keith Steve N

Rob Z
Deane T Deane T Marc G

Marc G
Eric S Marc G

Virtua Tennis (Dreamcast - 2000)
Virtua Tennis may be the best sports video game ever, and it was the only team game at VGX1. Keith and Rob pulled off the upset in this ferocious doubles competition.

First Round	Second Round	Finals	Winner
Steve S George	George	George	* Marc Guerassio *
Steve N Keith	Steve N
Rob Z Deane T	Deane T	Marc G
Marc G Eric S	Marc G

First Round Finals Winner

Eric R & David B
Deane T & Eric S Eric R & David B
* Rob Zell & Keith McDowell *

Mike B & Steve N
Rob Z & Keith M Rob Z & Keith M

Joust (emulated version on Playstation - originally released in 1982)
This oldie was so popular that I was forced into adding an extra "play-in" bracket to accomodate everyone who wanted to play. Much to his surprise, Mike Fleming decimated his competition.

First Round	Finals	Winner
Eric R & David B Deane T & Eric S	Eric R & David B	* Rob Zell & Keith McDowell *
Mike B & Steve N Rob Z & Keith M	Rob Z & Keith M

First Round Second Round Finals Winner

David B
Rob Z David B David B
* Mike Fleming *

Deane T
Eric S Deane T

Steve N
George C George C Mike F

Marc G
Mike F Mike F

First Round	Second Round	Finals	Winner
David B Rob Z	David B	David B	* Mike Fleming *
Deane T Eric S	Deane T
Steve N George C	George C	Mike F
Marc G Mike F	Mike F

Point Totals

1. George Coutros - 12
2. Steve Newcomb - 11
3. Steve See - 10
4. Mike Fleming - 9
5. Keith McDowell - 6
6. David Burdock - 5
7. Eric Robbins - 5
8. Marc Guerassio - 4
9. Rob Zell - 3
10. Deane Turner - 3
11. John Sperka - 3
12. Mike Brockel - 1
13. Eric Schrott - 0

Note: In case of tie, head-to-head game points take precedence. If still a tie, order of appearance determines rank.

The Playoffs and Finals

Quarter Finals

Smithereens (Odyssey 2 - 1981)
Simple in concept but hard to master, this calapult battle game is won by being the first to level your opponent's tower. Smithereen's exciting gameplay was further enhanced by the "voice", which taunted the players with lines like "C'mon turkey - hit it!" George had to pull off a death-defying comeback to survive this game. Remarkably, Eric Robbins, who once owned an Odyssey 2, inexplicably didn't fare well in this event.

Semi Finals

Street Fighter II (Super Nintendo - 1992)
One of the greatest fighting games of all time, Street Fighter 2 was an ideal game for the playoffs. It allows each player to literally kick their opponent's ass. Steve would have done well in this, had he not been eliminated in the first round (ouch!). Recommended by - wait for it - Steve See.

Finals

Combat (Atari 2600 - 1977)
A fitting conclusion to the tournament, the finalists battled it out with tanks that shot guided missiles. Recommended by Mike Fleming.

Smithereens	Street Fighter 2	Combat		Street Fighter 2	Smithereens
1. George Coutros	1. George Coutros	4. Mike Fleming	2. Steve Newcomb	2. Steve Newcomb	2. Steve Newcomb
8. Marc Guerassio	1. George Coutros			2. Steve Newcomb	7. Eric Robbins
4. Mike Fleming	4. Mike Fleming			6. David Burdock	3. Steve See
5. Keith McDowell	4. Mike Fleming			6. David Burdock	6. David Burdock

VIDEO GAME XTREME 1 CHAMPION: MIKE FLEMING

Second place: Steve Newcomb
Third place: David Burdock

Return to Video Game Xtreme Main Page

Return to The Video Game Critic's Main Page.

© Copyright 1999-2008 The Video Game Critic. The reviews presented on this site are intellectual property and are copyrighted. Any reproduction without the expressed written consent of the author is strictly prohibited. Anyone reproducing the site's copyrighted material improperly can be prosecuted in a court of law. Please report any instances of infringement to the site administrator.