by Brett Weiss
NES act as well. In fact, Konami’s Contra and shelves, but the true success of the system, at
Castlevania are two of the most fondly remem-least initially, can be attributed to a little side-
bered games ever released for the system. In a
scrolling platformer called Super Mario Bros. , marginally successful attempt to keep third-which astonished grizzled gamers and video
parties from cranking out lousy and/or unli-
virgins alike with its rich colors and sounds,
censed games, Nintendo had built a lockout
cartoonish graphics, lengthy levels, freedom of
chip into the console and forced third-party
27
28
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
A boxed Nintendo NES Control Deck, which Nintendo dubbed, “The Most Challenging Video Game System Ever Developed.”
companies to pay substantial licensing fees in
games, is vastly superior to controllers for pre-
order to produce games for the console. In ad-
vious systems, all of which have at least one
dition, third-party companies could only pro-
overriding flaw. Also cool are the two multi-
duce five games per year, a rule that certain
player adapters released for the console: the
companies circumvented by forming sister
NES Satellite and the NES Four Score.
companies. Other companies, like Tengen and
No game system is perfect, and the Nin-
Sachen, bypassed Nintendo altogether by pro-
tendo NES does have one notable setback: The
ducing unlicensed games. Authorized game
console lacks durability. Dusty or heavily used
cartridges have an official Nintendo seal of ap-
cartridges can render the system unreliable by
proval (or seal of quality) on the packaging, but
gumming up or otherwise making the intake
that doesn’t necessarily guarantee a great game
port less than reliable in loading games. In ad-
(as owners of the dreadful Hydlide will attest).
dition, frequent usage can loosen the connec-
During its lifespan, the two-tone gray,
tor pins in the intake port, resulting in the loss
boxy looking NES was a staple in homes across
of connectivity between the cartridge and the
America, selling tens of millions of units be-
console. Finding a used system that works per-
fore its official demise in 1995 (the last Nin-
fectly can be difficult. Nintendo remedied this
tendo-brand NES game, Wario’s Woods, was
design flaw in 1993 with the release of a top-
released in 1994). One of the best, most endur-
loading version of the console, but it was pro-
ing things about the system is its sturdy, user-
duced in small quantities and is therefore very
friendly controllers, which are rectangular in
hard to find, often commanding $100 or more
shape and feature an eight-way directional pad
in today’s collector’s market.
on the left, a select and a start button in the
Along with the Atari 2600 and Sony’s
middle, and a pair of action buttons on the
original PlayStation, the Nintendo NES is one
right. This design, which was patterned after
of the most important, most influential video
Nintendo’s Game & Watch series of handheld
game systems ever released. It is home to an as-
NINTENDO NES
29
Nintendo NES console with two controllers and Zapper light gun. Along with the Atari 2600, PlayStation, and PlayStation 2, the NES was one of the most popular video game systems of all time.
tonishing number of revolutionary, genre-
creature, then blast their way down its throat
defining titles, and it popularized and expanded
and through its body, using lasers, guided mis-
upon such concepts as beating levels, saving
siles, and orbiting shields to destroy eyeballs,
progress (via passwords or battery backup),
worms, skeleton fish, bacteria, anti-bodies,
and exploring vast, lavishly illustrated worlds.
bosses, and other monsters. Power-ups to grab
Most importantly, it revived (make that resur-
include super speed, an orbiting barrier shield,
rected) the American home video game indus-
twin missiles, a laser gun, multi-directional
try.
beams, and more. When the action scrolls ver-
Today, the NES remains a popular system
tically, the ship travels downward, which is an
among hardcore collectors and casual fans
unusual trait for the genre. Even more unusual
alike. For those who don’t want to bother with
(for the era) are the game’s gruesome, graphi-
getting an original NES system and a bunch of
cally rich visuals.
cartridges, select NES titles are available for
download via the Nintendo Wii Virtual Con-
Action 52
sole, which is a phenomenon that has helped
PUBLISHER: Active Enterprises. DEVELOPER: Ac-
introduce a new generation of gamers to the
tive Enterprises. Multi-Game Compilation, 1
distinct pleasures of retro gaming.
player. 1991.
This cartridge features 52 games, most
of which are shoddy and poorly produced: Fire
Nintendo NES Games
Breathers, Star-Evil, Illuminator, G-Force
Fighters, Ooze, Silver Sword, Critical Bypass,
Abadox: The Deadly Inner War
Jupiter Scope, Alfredo and the Fettuccini’s,
PUBLISHER: Milton Bradley. DEVELOPER: Nat-
Operation Full-Moon, Dam Busters, Thrusters,
sume. Side-Scrolling Shooter/Vertical
Haunted Hills of Wentworth, Chill-Out,
Scrolling Shooter, 1 player. 1990.
Sharks, Megalonia, The French Baker, Atmos-
A challenging shooter that fans of Life
Quake, Meong, Space Dreams, Streemerz,
Force and R-Type will enjoy, Abadox has play-Spread-Fire, Bubblegum Rosie, Micro-Mike,
ers using a space ship to battle a giant creature
Underground, Rocket Jockey, Non-Human,
named Parasitis, who feeds on life forms and
Cry Baby, Slashers, Crazy Shuffle, Fuzz Power,
planets. Players must survive the surface of the
Shooting Gallery, Lollipops, The Evil Empire,
30
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
The Nintendo NES Four Score, which lets players hook up four controllers for simultaneous, multi-player action; and the QuickShot controller, an oddly designed NES peripheral containing a large, 16-way ball instead of the more conventional directional pad.
Sombrero’s, Storm Over the Desert (The Land
money. The game has lots of atmospheric,
War), Mash-Man, They Came from Outer
richly illustrated areas to explore, plenty of
Space, Laser League, Billy-Bob, City of Doom,
tricky puzzles to solve (such as finding keys to
Bits and Pieces, Beeps and Blips, Manchester
open doors and using a potion to shrink Pugs-
Beat, Boss, Dedant, Hambo’s Adventures, Time
ley), and a nice musical score.
Warp Tickers, Jigsaw, Ninja Assault, Robbie
and the Robots, and The Action Gamester. Un-
The Addams Family: Pugsley’s Scav-
licensed.
enger Hunt
PUBLISHER: Ocean. DEVELOPER: Ocean. Side-
The Addams Family
Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1992.
PUBLISHER: Ocean. DEVELOPER: Ocean. Side-
Based on the Addams Family cartoon se-
Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1992.
ries (Hanna Barbera, 1992–1995), The Addams
Based on the 1991 feature film (which, in
Family: Pugsley’s Scavenger Hunt finds the
turn, was based on the 1960s television series
chubby son of Morticia and Gomez Addams
and on the Charles Addams cartoon panels),
searching for members of his family (Gomez,
The Addams Family for the NES stars many of
Granny, Wednesday, and Uncle Fester), who
the characters familiar to fans of the popular
have been kidnapped and hidden as prisoners
franchise, including Gomez, Morticia, Pugsley,
in their own home. Each family member holds
Wednesday, Lurch (who plays music), and
a piece of music that Lurch must play to un-
Thing (who acts as a shield). Gomez must res-
lock the secret passage leading to Morticia, and
cue members of his family from various rooms
Thing is on hand to provide clues. Pugsley has
of his house and the surrounding grounds,
no weapons, but he can jump on the various
avoiding skulls, ghosts, spikes, and other crea-
creatures that impede his progress. Pugsley can
tures and obstacles (many of which fall very
also crouch, climb, swim, and fly (with the help
quickly) along the way. There are no weapons,
of beanie caps). Pugsley’s Scavenger Hunt is but Gomez can jump on enemies, swim in a
much different than its SNES counterpart, in
pond, paddle down a secret river, and collect
which Pugsley searches for items Wednesday
NINTENDO NES
31
has hidden around the Addams mansion. Inter-
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Hillsfar
estingly, it plays more like The Addams Family
PUBLISHER: FCI. DEVELOPER: Pony Canyon.
(NES, SNES), but with Pugsley taking over for
Third-Person Action Role-Playing Game, 1
Gomez.
player. 1993.
This oddly segmented, narrative-deprived
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Drag-
RPG lets gamers explore areas in and around
onStrike
Hillsfar, using a character created by the player.
PUBLISHER: FCI. DEVELOPER: Westwood Asso-
Characters are ranked according to strength,
ciates. Overhead View Free-Roaming Shooter,
intelligence, dexterity, and other attributes that
1 player. 1992.
can be built up as the game progresses. Four
DragonStrike for the NES eschews the
character classes are available: fighter, mage,
first-person elements of the computer version
thief, and cleric. Activities include searching
of the game, opting instead for free-roaming
secret rooms, stunning guards, finding exits,
shooter action. Players guide one of three dif-
looting gold chests, avoiding traps, blasting ob-
ferent dragons (bronze, silver, and gold)
stacles with a rod, competing in Archery con-
through 14 missions, firing lightning bolts, ice
tests, using a horse to jump over obstacles,
balls, fireballs, and other weapons at archers,
fighting in an arena, gathering information in
battleships, carpet mages, giant dragonflies,
taverns, and more. Based on the computer
swamp monsters, bosses, and other enemies.
game of the same name (1989), Advanced Dun-
The dragon can fly high to avoid certain ob-
geons & Dragons: Hillsfar for the NES includes stacles, but must fly low at times to complete
battery backup.
various mission objectives. RPG elements are
conspicuously absent, but there are power-ups
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Pool of
to grab, and the game looks decent and is
Radiance
plenty challenging. Includes battery backup.
PUBLISHER: FCI. DEVELOPER: Pony Canyon.
First-Person Role-Playing Game, 1 player.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes
1992.
of the Lance
Based on the oft-ported computer simu-
PUBLISHER: FCI. DEVELOPER: U.S. Gold/Strate-
lation (1988), Pools of Radiance for the NES, gic Simulations. Third-Person Action Role-like its personal computer counterpart, does
Playing Game, 1 player. 1991.
an excellent job of maintaining the spirit and
Sporting real-time battles and a side-view
gameplay of the popular pen-and-paper game,
perspective, Advanced Dungeons & Dragons:
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. The text-heavy Heroes of the Lance for the NES is based on
cartridge lets players create a party of up to six
three things: the computer game of the same
characters of differing races and classes. The
name (1988); the first Dragonlance campaign
characters are modeled after those found in ac-
module ( Dragons of Despair); and the Drag-
tual D&D rules sets, and the battles, which dis-
onlance novel, Dragons of Autumn’s Twilight.
play an isometric viewpoint, evoke those found
Players, controlling one character at a time,
in the AD&D edition of the Dungeon Master’s
guide a band of eight warriors and magic users
Guide book. In addition, the areas to explore of varying attributes and skills on a decidedly
are lifted from the Forgotten Realms campaign brief adventure quest. Enemies to battle in-world. Includes battery backup.
clude giant spiders, Gully Dwarves, ferocious
dragons, monstrous Draconians, and more.
Adventure Island
P
Rightly dubbed one of the “10 Worst Games of
UBLISHER: Hudson Soft. DEVELOPER: Hudson
Soft. Side-Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1988.
All Time” in the September, 1997 issue of Nin-
tendo Power, Heroes of the Lance suffers from Adventure Island, like all games of its type, lousy controls, sluggish game play, and a flawed
owes a debt to the mother of all classic side-
combat system. Includes battery backup.
scrollers, Super Mario Bros. To rescue a princess,
32
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
players must guide a fellow named Masters
pal — Poley Tripetaurus— who can perform a
Higgins through bright, colorful, nicely illus-
rolling attack. To rescue Jeannie Jungle, who
trated forests, mountains, and caves, grabbing
has been kidnapped by aliens, Master Higgins
eggs that turn into skateboards (for going
must explore eight islands, each of which is
faster), axes (for throwing at cobras, skeletons,
filled with creatures to battle, fruit to eat, and
coyotes, bosses, and other enemies), fruit (for
eggs that contain milk bottles (for maintain-
energy), “honeygirls” (for invincibility), and
ing energy), axes, boomerangs, time-stops, and
; other useful items. There are obstacles to jump
other useful weapons and items. There are even
over, such as rocks and snails, and missing a
keys for opening portals to bonus rounds and
cloud jump results in instant death. As in Super
secret rooms. Adventure Island 3 was released Mario Bros. , Adventure Island is divided into for the Game Boy as Adventure Island II.
eight worlds, each containing four stages. Ad-
venture Island is essentially the same game as Adventures in the Magic Kingdom
Wonder Boy (SMS), but with a number of
PUBLISHER: Capcom. DEVELOPER: Capcom.
graphical changes. An unusual licensing agree-
Multi-Genre Game, 1 player. 1990.
ment let Hudson Soft use the same game en-
Adventures in the Magic Kingdom has
gine as Adventure Island, but not the same char-players collecting keys by completing five sur-
acters. Platforming fans won’t be disappointed.
prisingly challenging mini-games, each of
which is based on a real Disney theme park at-
Adventure Island II
traction. Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted
PUBLISHER: Hudson Soft. DEVELOPER: Hudson
House are side-scrolling platformers in which
Soft. Side-Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1991.
players run, jump, and throw candles at ene-
Featuring the return of Master Higgins,
mies. Big Thunder Mountain is a mine cart
Adventure Island II improves upon the already game containing such obstacles as dead ends,
enjoyable Adventure Island by giving the young wrong-way crossing guards, and rolling boul-man four friendly dinosaurs to ride, each of
ders. Autopia is an overhead view racer with
which can perform a fun-to-use, nicely ani-
jumps reminiscent of Bump ’n’ Jump, while
mated skill: tail-whipping (Blue Camptosaurus),
Space Mountain is a first-person space shooter.
fire-spitting (Red Camptosaurus), swimming
Disney fans of all ages will enjoy the atmos-
(Elasmosaurus), or flying (Pteranodon). The
phere of the rides, and many will have fun with
game also has sharper graphics than its prede-
the trivia questions that are posed, but younger
cessor and a special map screen. Good music,
players may find the games to be prohibitively
diverse environments (caves, forests, deserts,
difficult.
and the like), and stiff challenges only add to
the fun. Interestingly, Adventure Island II,
The Adventures of Bayou Billy
which is an offshoot of the Sega Master Sys-