by Brett Weiss
mula-1/Indy Racing, 1–4 players (simultane-
ous). 1991.
penalties (field goals have been removed as
well), and the ball is a bomb that will explode
Despite poor sound effects and somewhat
if the player fails to get a touchdown or cross the
downgraded (though still very nice) graphics,
50-yard line within four downs. There are four
Danny Sullivan’s Indy Heat is a finely pro-
selectable teams (as opposed to 28 in the Gen-
grammed port of Leland’s 1991 three-player ar-
esis version). Atari released an arcade sequel in
cade game. Up to four gamers (via multi-tap
68
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
adaptor) can race around nine different non-
the Liquidator, Quackerjack, Wolfduck, and
scrolling tracks: Western Canada, New Jersey,
other F.O.W.L. agents. This surprisingly chal-
Southern California, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio,
lenging game meets Capcom’s usual standards
Eastern Canada, Colorado, and Tradewest
of rock solid gameplay and stellar graphics.
Speed Bowl. A fifth car is always driven by Indy
Different renditions of Darkwing Duck were re-500 champ (1985) Danny Sullivan. Winning
leased by other companies for the Game Boy
races grants players cash to purchase turbo
and Turbografx-16.
boosts and better brakes, tires, engines, pit crew
members (drivers occasionally pull over to re-
Dash Galaxy in the Alien Asylum
fuel and douse engine fires), and miles per gal-
PUBLISHER: Data East. DEVELOPER: Beam Soft-
lon. As in the similar Ivan “Ironman” Stewart’s
ware. Adventure Puzzle/Side-Scrolling Plat-
Super Off Road (NES), the racing action is
form, 1 player. 1990.
viewed from overhead.
An unusual mix of puzzler and plat-
former, Dash Galaxy puts players in the role of Darkman
a fearless space explorer on a distant planet,
PUBLISHER: Ocean. DEVELOPER: Ocean. Side-
trying to make it back to his ship. Each level
Scrolling Platform, 1 or 2 players (alternat-
begins in an overhead-view elevator shaft, with
ing). 1991.
players entering rooms by passing through
Based on the 1990 feature film, in which a
doorways, some of which are blocked by force
vengeful scientist (played by Liam Neeson) de-
fields or blocks. Blocks can be rearranged, and
velops a new type of synthetic skin, Darkman
both force fields and blocks can be blown up
takes place at a warehouse, in Central Park, at
with bombs. Once inside a room, play switches
a funhouse, in Chinatown, and across a par-
to a side-view perspective, with Dash running
tially constructed building. Players guide the
and climbing slowly (but certainly not dash-
title character as he punches and kicks bad
ingly) and jumping awkwardly (on platforms
guys, rides moving platforms, walks across
and trampolines) as he turns off switches,
ledges and tightropes, hangs from a helicopter
avoids aliens, and grabs keys, bombs, detona-
on a rope ladder, bounces on springs, dodges
tors, stars, oxygen, and other useful items.
spinning blades, takes photos to create a mask
(the most original aspect of the game), and
Day Dreamin’ Davy
more. Weapons Darkman can use include a
PUBLISHER: HAL America. DEVELOPER: Sculp-
gun, rocks, and throwing stars. Similar to Bat-
tured Software. Overhead View Action/Ad-
man (NES), but not as good. Also released for venture, 1 player. 1992.
the Game Boy.
Using the greatest time machine in his-
tory (his imagination), Davy goes on a jour-
Darkwing Duck
ney through three distinctive worlds: Medieval,
PUBLISHER: Capcom. DEVELOPER: Capcom.
Greek Mythology, and Western. Each world has
Platform Shooter, 1 player. 1992.
thematic enemies (such as knights, gnomes,
Darkwing Duck, which is based on the
satyrs, bats, rattlesnakes, buzzards, and/or
Disney cartoon series, plays a lot like Mega
birds), and each has era-appropriate weaponry
Man, but the titular fowl can do three things (swords, spears, bows and arrows, rifles, shot-Mega Man cannot: grab ledges and hooks, use
guns, and the like). Other items to purchase or
a cape as a shield, and, fittingly enough, duck.
trade for include shields, snake elixir, magic
Darkwing’s gas gun uses three types of ammo:
potions, fairy dust (for invincibility), sundials
heavy gas, which sends a shockwave across the
(for stopping time), and more. To reach air-
floor; thunder gas, which releases two bolts of
borne enemies or make it past rocks and other
lightning; and arrow gas, which can be shot at
obstacles, Davy can jump. Certain characters,
walls to help Darkwing get past obstacles. His
such as nymphs and the sheriff, provide lim-
job is to gather gold and diamonds and defeat
ited assistance. Some strategy is involved as
NINTENDO NES
69
specific items are required to beat certain ene-
Death Race for the NES is somewhat sim-
mies.
ilar to Exidy’s 1976 arcade game of the same
name. Both are viewed from an overhead per-
Days of Thunder
spective; both refer to the people you run over
PUBLISHER: Mindscape. DEVELOPER: Beam
as “gremlins”; and both offer two-player simul-
Software. Stock Car Racing, 1 player. 1990.
taneous action. However, the cult coin-op clas-
sic, which does benefit from steering wheel
Based on the 1990 feature film starring Tom
control, has black-and-white graphics, no pit
Cruise, Days of Thunder pits rookie driver Cole stops, and no shooting mechanism. In the NES
Trickle against 15 other drivers (including Rowdy
game, players can fire a machine gun and mis-
Burns and Russ Wheeler) in an eight-race series
siles at the pedestrians (and at silos and other
cup, which includes such raceways as Daytona
vehicles). The NES version also lets players cap-
Beach and Talladega. To perform well, players
ture flags (before the timer expires) and pur-
must master side-slamming, slipstreaming, and
chase special guns, tires, engines, chassis, and
making use of the pipeline. Plus, there’s a pit
missiles. Loosely based on Death Race 2000
crew (viewed from overhead), meaning players
(1975), the infamous film starring Sylvester
have direct control over refueling, changing
Stallone. Unlicensed.
tires, and repairing the engine. This is a difficult
(if nice looking) racer that casual gamers
Deathbots
should avoid. Also released for the Game Boy.
PUBLISHER: American Video Entertainment.
DEVELOPER: Odyssey Software. Maze Shooter,
Deadly Towers
1 pl
ayer. 1990.
PUBLISHER: Broderbund. DEVELOPER: Irem
Software. Third-Person Action Role-Playing
In Deathbots, players guide a man in a bat-
Game, 1 player. 1987.
tle suit through a labyrinthine, eight-level
gamma base, with the ultimate goal of destroy-
In Deadly Towers, players control Prince
ing a powerful bomb located deep under-
Myer on a mission to climb seven poorly de-
ground. As players work their way through var-
signed bell towers, remove the bells, and burn
ious corridors, walking over floor pads to open
down the towers. Myer is outfitted with a short
doors, robots, genetically engineered creatures,
sword and can upgrade his weapon several
flying sentinels, and other enemies will attack.
times for battling an assortment of uninspired
To ward off the baddies, players are armed with
enemies, including sparks, devils, and slime
a handgun and can acquire such selectable
creatures. The most powerful primary weapon
weaponry as a laser pistol, a laser rifle, a blaster
is Splendor, a golden sword of legend. Other
pistol, hand grenades, and a shield belt. Mines
power-ups and helpful items include shields,
should be avoided while transporters, which
helmets, double shot (which lets players shoot
look similar to mines, transport players to new
two swords), armor, warps, green crystals (which
locations. The game has a uniform (i.e. redun-
freeze the monsters), blue necklaces (for invin-
dant) industrial look and is marred by poor
cibility), green drinks (which restore 200 hit
programming. Unlicensed.
points), magic keys, hyper boots (for climbing
stairs faster), and more. Deadly Towers is am-Defender of the Crown
bitious in concept, but fans of action-oriented
PUBLISHER: Ultra Games. DEVELOPER: Master
RPGs should stick with The Legend of Zelda.
Designer Software. Turn-Based Strategy, 1
Includes password feature.
player. 1989.
Death Race
A graphically simplified port of the Amiga
PUBLISHER: American Game Cartridges. DE-
computer game (1986), Defender of the Crown
VELOPER: American Game Cartridges. Demoli-
for the NES takes place in England, circa A.D.
tion/Combat Racing, 1 or 2 players (simulta-
1149. Gamers play as one of four Saxon knights,
neous). 1991.
each rated according to leadership, jousting,
70
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
and swordplay. The objective is to acquire land
players flying over a mountainous planet, shoot-
through conquests, jousting, and morning star
ing laser beams at aliens. Smart bombs destroy
tournaments. Players must raid and defend
all onscreen enemies. Also released for the Atari
castles, engage in swordfights, capture un-
2600.
guarded territories, move through friendly
lands, and strategically place knights, soldiers,
Defenders of Dynatron City
and catapults (catapult ammo includes boul-
PUBLISHER: JVC Musical Industries. DEVEL-
ders, fire, and disease). Also released for the
OPER: Lucasfilm Games. Side-Scrolling Com-
Game Boy Advance and Philips CD-i. Followed
bat, 1 player. 1992.
by: Robin Hood: Defender of the Crown (PS2,
Featuring an original super-hero team,
Xbox).
Defenders of Dynatron City lets gamers play as six different characters, each with different
Defender II
powers: Buzzsaw Girl (blade, somersault at-
PUBLISHER: HAL America. DEVELOPER: HAL
tack); Monkey Kid (banana bombs); Jet Head-
Laboratory. Slide-Scrolling Shooter, 1 or 2
strong (fly, throw cars, fire head like rocket);
players (alternating). 1988.
Ms. Megawatt (run fast, throw lightning bolts);
Defender II for the NES handles well and
Radium Dog (atomic bite, throw cars, dog pad-
looks pretty good, but it’s absent a number of
dle through the air); and a robot named Tool-
things found in Williams’ Stargate (1981), the box (hammerhead smash, spring jump). The
arcade game upon which it is based. Missing
heroes battle through The Streets of Dynatron
features include hyperspace, the Inviso cloak-
City, Mega Mall, The Sewers, and Proto-Cola
ing device, Yllabian Dogfight waves, and Fire-
Factory, ending up in a face-off against Dr.
bomber Showdown waves. In addition, play-
Mayhem. The action sounds good on paper,
ers cannot take falling innocents back to the
but poor collision detection makes fighting en-
ground or shoot them while they are on the
emies (robosaurs, mutated monsters, and the
ground. Also, in Stargate, the planet explodes if like) frustratingly difficult, ruining the experi-all the innocents are killed, but that explosion
ence. Despite its deficiencies, Defenders of Dy-
never happens here. Like NES Joust, Defender II natron City spawned an animated Fox TV spe-introduces music where there was none before.
cial and a six-issue Marvel comic book series.
The side-scrolling, wraparound gameplay has
Déjà Vu
PUBLISHER: Seika. DEVELOPER:
ICOM Simulations. First-Person
Graphic Adventure, 1 player. 1991.
This point-and-click adven-
ture is literally a journey of self
discovery. As the game begins,
players wake up groggy, with
blood on their right hand, a punc-
ture mark on their left arm, and
no idea of who they are. Game-
play involves selecting from a list
of commands (open, examine,
take, move, use, hit) and using a
pointer to interact with any num-
ber of objects on the way to solv-
ing the mystery, including doors,
Like movies, popular video games often spawn sequels. Pic-mirrors, prescription drugs, a slot
tured are Defender II and Gauntlet II for the NES.
machine, a mugger, elevators, a
NINTENDO NES
71
taxi cab, and much more. The pointer moves
default mode). The objective is to destroy all
slowly, and the view of the action is limited to
the enemy units and capture their headquar-
one fourth of the screen, but piecing together
ters.
the story is both challenging and interesting.
Includes battery backup. Based on the 1987
Destination Earthstar
computer game, Deja Vu: A Nightmare Comes
PUBLISHER: Acclaim. DEVELOPER: Imagineer-
True!! , which benefited from mouse control.
ing. Space Combat Simulator/Side-Scrolling
Followed by: Déjà Vu I & II: The Casebooks of Shooter, 1 player. 1990.
Ace Harding (Game Boy Color).
In Destination Earthstar, players perform
such typical space combat simulator maneu-
Demon Sword
vers as navigating a galactic grid map to locate
PUBLISHER: Taito.
DEVELOPER: Taito. Side-
enemy ships, engaging said ships in battle
Scrolling Platform/Side-Scrolling Combat, 1
(there are eight stages in all), refueling at space
player. 1990.
stations, replenishing weapons at armories, and
An unofficial sequel to The Legend of Kage,
repairing ship damage. Unfortunately for NES
Demon Sword stars a sword-wielding, star-
owners, Atari did much of this better with Star
throwing ninja, who runs and jumps through
Raiders eight years earlier. After players destroy a Bamboo Forest, a Temple Graveyard, and five
all the enemies in a stage and land on a planet,
other levels, battling (or avoiding) a variety of
the action switches to a poorly rendered,
monsters. The ninja is agile and can jump
though marginally entertaining side-scroller,
super high (even to the tops of trees), but land-
with gamers shooting front-end lasers and
ing can be problematic, thanks to holes and
rear-firing missiles at fast and slow alien vessels
other traps. His sword starts off tiny, but is ex-
(destroying faster enemies produces more
tended with the defeat of each boss. Magic pro-
points). The ship can also do barrel rolls.
vides keys, fireballs, lightning, the ability to be-
come three invincible warriors, and other
Destiny of an Emperor
useful items and powers.
PUBLISHER: Capcom. DEVELOPER: Capcom.
Strategy Role-Playing Game, 1 player. 1990.
Desert Commander
Viewed from an overhead, Legend of
PUBLISHER: Seika. DEVELOPER: Kemco. Turn-
Zelda-like perspective, Destiny of an Emperor Based Strategy, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous).
takes place in ancient, war-torn China, an era
1989.
popularized by the novel The Romance of the
Although the storyline is generic, Desert
Three Kingdoms (Luo Guanzhong, 14th cen-
Commander appears to be a loose, fast-paced
tury). From a large pool of officers, players se-
reenactment of the North African Campaign
lect a party of seven, five of whom can engage
(also called the Desert War), fought between
in combat. The other two serve as replacement
Allied and Axis powers (primarily the Brits and
character and strategist, the latter capable of
the Germans) during World War II. Players
employing such tactics as fire, water, and heal-
take turns issuing commands to their units by
ing. Battles, which offer a side-view perspec-
moving an onscreen cursor. After a unit has