by Brett Weiss
punches. To help George recover from a knock-
unit, build fence, and retreat. Includes battery
down, players must press A or B in rapid suc-
backup. Also released for the Genesis and
cession. In this version of the game, damage is
SNES.
tracked by simple meters, but in the Genesis
and SNES renditions, damage is shown via
Genghis Khan
swelling, bruising, and blood on a pair of por-
PUBLISHER: Koei. DEVELOPER: Koei. Turn-
traits positioned on the lower corners of the
Based Strategy, 1–4 players (simultaneous).
screen. Includes password feature. Also released
1990.
for the Game Boy and Game Gear.
The third in a trilogy of historical simula-
tors from Koei (after Nobunaga’s Ambition and Ghost Lion
P
Romance of the Three Kingdoms), Genghis Khan UBLISHER: Kemco. DEVELOPER: Kemco. Third-Person Role-Playing Game, 1 player. 1992.
lets players assume the role of King Richard the
Lion-Hearted, Emperor Alexious III, Shogun
To find her parents and unravel the mys-
Minamoto Yoritomo, or even the titular war-
tery of the fierce, village-haunting Ghost Lion,
lord himself. The game takes place in the 12th
Maria must journey through caves, forests, pyr-
NINTENDO NES
91
amids, and other overhead-view areas, brav-
Ghostbusters II
ing such vicious creatures as skeletons, zom-
PUBLISHER: Activision. DEVELOPER: Imagineer-
bies, goblins, and dog-faced monsters. When
ing. Platform Shooter/Side-Scrolling
an enemy attacks, players can run or engage in
Shooter/Slide-and-Shoot, 1 player. 1990.
a static, close-up, turn-based battle, in which
Taking place five years after the original
players select magic fighting tools or call upon
Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II (based on the 1989
a spirit. Forms of magic include needles,
horror/comedy film) drops the needless com-
bombs, darkness, flames, storms, thunder, pro-
plexity of the first game, making for a more en-
tective barriers, and more. Throughout the ad-
joyable (if still difficult) experience. The action
venture, Maria will gather fragments of hope
is divided into three types of gameplay spread
for increasing her courage (energy) and dreams
over seven areas. Tunnel of Slime, Order in the
(which let her call upon the aforementioned
Court, Subway Slime, and Storming the Mu-
spirits). Maria will also collect rubies, which
seum have players running, jumping, firing a
are used for purchasing keys, bread, a sword,
slime blower at ghosts, and setting traps for
and other useful items. The box claims that
ghosts. The Moon Patrol-like Hitting the Road Ghost Lion (called “Legend of the Ghost Lion”
and Ghosts in the Park have players driving
on the title screen) is a “great role-playing game
down a side-scrolling street, firing at ghosts
for beginners” while the manual recommends
and dodging or jumping over manholes and
that players draw their own maps. Includes bat-
other obstacles. The Statue of Liberty Strikes
tery backup. Similar to: Dragon Warrior.
Back finds Lady Liberty walking through the
harbor and the streets of Manhattan, firing her
Ghostbusters
torch at swarming ghosts. Also released for the
PUBLISHER: Activision. DEVELOPER: BITS Stu-
Game Boy, but in a much different form.
dios. Action/Adventure, 1 player. 1988.
Ghosts ’n Goblins
Hampered by boring maze scenarios
P
(guide the Ghostbusters icon around a map,
UBLISHER: Capcom. DEVELOPER: Capcom.
Side-Scrolling Platform, 1 or 2 players (alter-
enter flashing buildings), redundant driving
nating). 1986.
sequences (drive up the screen, dodge enemy
vehicles, suck up ghosts), mundane ghost-bust-
Despite slightly less detailed (but still gor-
ing action (stand under ghosts, trap them in
geously creepy) graphics and clunkier controls,
streams), and tough stair-climbing levels
Ghosts ’n Goblins for the NES is an excellent (climb 22 floors, avoid ghosts), Ghostbusters
port of Capcom’s notoriously difficult, yet
gives players $10,000 for starting their own
strangely addictive arcade game (1985). Play-
Ghostbusters franchise, but even fans of the
ers guide a running, jumping, climbing (up
popular film (1984) may want to reconsider.
ladders) knight through seven hellish levels,
Busting ghosts nets extra money, which players
throwing javelins, torches, swords, axes, and
can use to purchase the following strategic
crosses at zombies, dragons, devils, cyclopean
items: a ghost vacuum, a sound generator, a
unicorn beasts, bats, skeletons, and other mon-
capture beam, a hyper beam, ghost food, an
strous enemies. One hit reduces the knight to
anti-ghost suit, a capture trap, and a super trap.
his boxers, and one more kills him, but armor
Compare this to the superior (though equally
pick-ups are available. Also released for the
convoluted) Master System version, which has
Game Boy Color. Followed by: Ghouls ’n Ghosts
15 items, including a laser confinement system
(arcade, SMS, Genesis), Super Ghouls ’n Ghosts
for keeping the ghost traps perpetually empty
(SNES, Game Boy Advance), and Ultimate
and a marshmallow sensor for detecting the
Ghosts ’n Goblins (PSP).
Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. In both games,
Ray Parker’s familiar theme song plays con-
Ghoul School
stantly. Based on the 1984 computer game. Also
PUBLISHER: Electro Brain. DEVELOPER: Imagi-
released for the Atari 2600.
neering. Side-Scrolling Combat, 1 player. 1992.
92
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
Designed by Garry Kitchen (of Activision
The evil Cobra organization has been ter-
fame), this disappointing game finds a teen
rorizing the world for decades, and it is up to
punk named Spike wandering through his
The G.I. Joe Team to bring down this group of
ghoulish school, warding off bats, skeletons,
thugs. The team consists of: Duke (ring laser
giant eyeball monsters, the Frankenstein mon-
rifle, front punch); Blizzard (flame ball, dag-
ster, the Grim Reaper, Medusa’s head, and
ger); Snake Eyes (jitsu of power, katana sword);
other creepy (if cartoonish) creatures. Armed
Captain Grid-Iron (grenade launcher, front
with such weapons as a baseball bat, a sickle,
punch); and Rock & Roll (spread machine gun,
embalming fluid, a towel (snap!), and a gun,
front punch). Duke is the leader of the mission,
Spike can acquire spring shoes for higher leaps
and players can select two others to be on t
heir
and suction cups for walking on ceilings, and he
team. In addition to running, jumping, and
can enter lockers to avoid enemies. Obstacles
battling bad guys through maze-like jungles,
include crates, pointers (similar to spikes),
players must place bombs at pre-determined
skulls, and rooftop vents. Regrettably, tepid
locations and then find the exit. Ammo is lim-
combat and tedious exploration suck the fun
ited, so players should conserve accordingly.
out of what could have been a cool cartridge.
At certain points in the game, players will com-
Stick with Ghosts ’n Goblins.
mandeer the following Cobra vehicles: Pogo
(moves slowly, jumps high); Interrogator (a
G.I. Joe — The Atlantis Factor
one-man copter); and Buzz Boar (clings to ceil-
P
ings and walls). In the final stage, a jetpack-
UBLISHER: Capcom. DEVELOPER: Capcom.
Platform Shooter/Side-Scrolling Combat, 1
wearing General Hawk is a playable character.
player. 1992.
Includes password feature.
The sequel to G.I. Joe — A Real American
Gilligan’s Island
Hero, The Atlantis Factor begins with players PUBLISHER: Bandai. DEVELOPER: Bandai. Ac-in control of General Hawk, but level progres-
tion/Adventure, 1 player. 1990.
sion gives gamers access to the following char-
acters: Wet-Suit (underwater expert); Storm
Based on the popular sitcom, which ran
Shadow (ninja magic maven); Snake Eyes
on CBS from 1964 to 1967, Gilligan’s Island for (martial arts master); Roadblock (totes a heavy
the NES unfortunately lacks the humor and
machine gun); and Duke (small arms expert).
goofy fun of the TV show. There are four dif-
Players can select various routes through the
ferent “episodes,” each of which has the Skip-
game via a mission map, but the ability to drive
per and Gilligan wandering around performing
Cobra vehicles is gone. Weaponry for battling
a variety of dull tasks, including saving other
the various enemies (Overkill, Cesspool, De-
crew members (rescuing Mary Ann from head-
stro, and the like) includes a variety of punches,
hunters has never been more boring), deci-
kicks, sword attacks, guns (machine, pulse, and
phering clues, searching for Mr. Howell’s golf
laser), a battle orb (which circles the Joe), and
ball, collecting materials to build a hut, and
a missile launcher. Blasting open such things
gathering coconuts. Swimming, punching wild
as crates, walls, and hillsides reveals bonus
animals, and dodging rocks and trees can’t res-
items, including Pows (increases power of cur-
cue the game from sheer tedium. The top two-
rent weapon), extra points, k-rations (partially
thirds of the screen depict the side-view action
refills health bar), and ammo. Includes pass-
while the bottom section displays text, life
word feature. The G.I. Joe games are based on
hearts, and a mapping system. Lucky for Gin-
Hasbro’s military action figure line, which
ger, she’s not in the game.
began in 1964.
Goal!
G.I. Joe — A Real American Hero
PUBLISHER: Jaleco. DEVELOPER: Jaleco.
PUBLISHER: Taxan. DEVELOPER: Taxan. Platform
Sports/Soccer, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous).
Shooter/Side-Scrolling Combat, 1 player. 1991.
1989.
NINTENDO NES
93
Goal! lets players select from 16 interna-
1954, has stomped his way through numerous
tional teams for World Cup soccer, or from
other video games, including Super Godzilla
eight American squads in a three-round Pro
(SNES), Godzilla: The Series (Game Boy Color), Tournament. Teams consist of 10 players (plus
and Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee
a goalie), each rated according to dribbling,
(GameCube, Xbox).
kicking power, speed, tacking ability, shooting
ratio, marking (defending a specific player),
Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters
and ball-keeping ability. There’s also a Shoot
PUBLISHER: Toho. DEVELOPER: Toho. Turn-
Competition and a VS. Mode. Realistic features
Based Strategy, 1 player. 1992.
of the sport abound, including hooking, slicing,
The famous monsters of Japan’s Toho stu-
back spin, extending shots, tackling, steals,
dios, including such stalwarts as Godzilla,
headers, corner kicks, and throw-ins. The view
Mothra, Rodan, Ghidora, Hedora, and
is from overhead, but the field scrolls diago-
Baragon, are attacking the city, and players
nally. Also released for the Game Boy and
must command the Allied Defense Forces to
SNES.
stop this heinous invasion (which also includes
attacks by flying saucers). The game’s 12 sce-
Goal! Two
narios take place via a square grid/overhead/
PUBLISHER: Jaleco. DEVELOPER: Jaleco.
city view, with players controlling the move-
Sports/Soccer, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous).
ments of fighters, tanks, missiles, freezers, trail-
1992.
ers, radar cars, atomic bombs, destroyers, and
Goal! Two looks similar to Goal! , but the other vehicles and weapons. There are six vital
players appear bigger. There are now 24 inter-
points on the map to pay special attention to:
national teams, but the American city teams
Army Base, Air Base, International Conference
and the Shoot Competition have been re-
Center, Space Center, Nuclear Power Plant, and
moved. Imbued with lots of options, Goal! Two
Laboratory. During battle mode, the game
lets players do the following: select 11 players
switches to a side-view perspective, in which
from a squad of 15; adjust the length of halves
players select from a list of weapons to use
between 1 and 45 minutes; change field forma-
against the monster in question. Godzilla fans
tions (4–3–3, 4–4–2, or 3–5–2); select from two
who enjoy slow, methodical strategy should ap-
types of control (upward-diagonal or standard
preciate Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters.
directional); and turn auto-goalie, fouls, and
offsides on or off. Modes of play include Exhi-
Golf
bition Match and Super Cup.
PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Nintendo.
Sports/Golf, 1 or 2 players (alternating). 1985.
Godzilla: Monster of Monsters!
A system launch title, Golf for the NES
PUBLISHER: Toho. DEVELOPER: Toho. Side-
serves up one well designed 18-hole course and
Scrolling Combat/Fighting, 1 player. 1989.
three enjoyable modes of play: 1-Player Stroke,
Godzilla for the NES consists of three
2-Player Stroke, and 2-Player Match. Gamers
types of gameplay: moving Godzilla and
can choose their ow
n clubs, alter their stance
Mothra around a hexagonal grid (a fairly
and the power of their swings (via a swing
pointless exercise); engaging in sluggish side-
meter), and select the angle of impact on the
scrolling combat; and battling one-on-one
ball for a straight, a slice, or a hook. If the tim-
against Ghidora, Gigan, Mecha-Godzilla, and
ing is right (in accordance with the swing
other nicely rendered giant monsters from
meter) when using a #1 wood, players can pull
Toho’s famed film franchise. Godzilla can do a
off a 306-yard super shot. Trees (and wooded
radiation kick and a tail chop while Mothra
areas in general) are out of bounds, and play-
fights using eye beams and a poisonous powder
ers should take into account water hazard
attack. Unfortunately, the fighting action is
placement (including rivers, ponds, and the
dreadful. Godzilla, who first appeared in film in
ocean), the direction and velocity of the wind,
94
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
and the condition of the putting greens. In-
definitely greater than its parts. Followed by:
cludes behind-the-golfer and overhead view-
The Mafat Conspiracy.
points.
The Goonies II
Golf Grand Slam
PUBLISHER: Konami. DEVELOPER: Konami.
PUBLISHER: Atlus Software. DEVELOPER: Atlus
Side-Scrolling Platform/Adventure, 1 player.
Software. Sports/Golf, 1–4 players (alternat-
1987.
ing). 1991.
The sequel to The Goonies, which was only
In this obscure, but ambitious golf simu-
released in the arcades and on the Japanese
lator, the golfer is viewed from behind in a
Famicom, The Goonies II, like its progenitor, is small square positioned at the bottom left side
based on The Goonies feature film, which was of the screen. An overhead view of the course
released in 1985. Players, as Mikey, must jour-
takes up the majority of the rest of the screen,
ney through the Fratelli mansion (which in-
giving players a nice look at the various greens,
cludes an ice cavern and an underground sea),
trees, shrubs, roughs, sand traps, water haz-
using such weapons as a slingshot, a yo-yo,
ards, fairways, slopes, and bunkers. Using a tar-
bombs, boomerangs, and an underwater gun
geting cursor, a selection screen (where players
to ward off spiders, penguins, sharks, and other
choose the club, stance, grip, direction, and hit-
creatures. The mission is to find fellow
ting strength), and a strike point meter (where