by Brett Weiss
viewed from overhead).
cade game (which was simply called Victory
102
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
Road), the NES port has less detailed graphics gun, drilling lasers, rippling lasers, a v-cannon,
and horribly inferior voice effects. The coin-
seeking missiles, and a side shooter.
op game also benefited from rotary controls.
The Immortal
Ikari Warriors III: The Rescue
PUBLISHER: Electronic Arts. DEVELOPER: Sand-
P
castle. Isometric Action Role-Playing Game, 1
UBLISHER: SNK. DEVELOPER: SNK. Overhead
View Action, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous).
player. 1991.
1991.
The Immortal for the NES is based on Will
Harvey’s notoriously difficult computer classic
A port of Tradewest’s Ikari III: The Rescue
(1990). Armed with fireballs and a pack for car-
(arcade, 1989), this game unwisely removes
rying amulets, shrinking potions, and other
most of the shooting action of the first two en-
items, a wizard must brave a dark, dreary dun-
tries in the series and replaces it with mere
geon filled with spiders, bats, pit traps, and
punching and kicking (roundhouse kicks and
other obstacles. Gameplay is largely trial-and-
jump kicks). Grenades and machine guns can
error, with players trying (again and again, in-
be found, but ammo is severely limited. Other
evitably) to use the right items at the right
weapons to pick up include oil drums (which
times and in the right places. Monster battles,
kill all onscreen enemies) and rocks. Once
which are comprised of jabbing, slashing, and
again, there are a variety of soldiers to kill,
ducking right and left, switch the action to an
but, thanks to an underwater level, this game
up-close perspective. Includes password fea-
adds scuba divers to the mix. Other enemies
ture. An impressive port, but less so than the
include ninjas, tanks, knife men, an armored
graphically superior Genesis version.
train, and more. Ikari Warriors III has better animation, more detailed jungle scenery, and
more realistic characters than the previous
Impossible Mission II
games in the series. All three feature an over-
PUBLISHER: American Video Entertainment.
D
head viewpoint and unlimited continues (via
EVELOPER: Novotrade. Non-Scrolling Plat-
form/Adventure, 1 player. 1991.
codes Up, Right, A in this game and A, B, B, A
in the first two).
A faithful port of the Epyx computer
game, Impossible Mission II puts players in the Image Fight
role of a 25th century sleuth, who must infiltrate
P
the stronghold of mad genius Elvin Atomben-
UBLISHER: Irem. DEVELOPER: Irem. Vertical
Scrolling Shooter, 1 or 2 players (simultane-
der (located within the six-story StarCom In-
ous). 1990.
ternational Building) and shutdown his main-
frame computer, which has spread a nasty virus
Despite scaled back graphics (in terms of
that could unleash nuclear Armageddon upon
detail, depth, and richness of coloring), Image
the world. Armed with a pocket computer,
Fight is a solid port of Irem’s 1988 arcade game.
players must run, jump, duck, climb stairs, ride
The action, though enjoyable, is standard for
elevators, and search for various items, includ-
the genre, with players piloting an OF-1 Fighter
ing: time extender icons; security codes (for en-
ship up the screen, firing away at robots, can-
tering other rooms); safes (which contain mu-
nons, alien ships, and other enemies (including
sical key data sequences that must be recorded);
Medusa) while avoiding their fire and various
and terminal commands (for turning on lights,
types of terrain (including walls). Whether
setting bombs and mines, disengaging enemy
flying over land, sea, or the enemy base, or
droids, and resetting moving platforms). Like
through an elevator shaft or an abandoned
its predecessor ( Impossible Mission, which
mine, the view is from overhead. At any time,
didn’t make it to the NES), the action is a nice
players can toggle between four different flying
mix of platforming and puzzle solving. Impos-
speeds. Special weapons to pick up include
sible Mission II was also released by SEI. Both shields, reflecting balls, seeking lasers, a five-way versions are unlicensed, and they play the same.
NINTENDO NES
103
The Incredible Crash Dummies
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
PUBLISHER: LJN. DEVELOPER: Software Cre-
(UBI Soft)
ations. Side-Scrolling Platform, 1 or 2 players
PUBLISHER: UBI Soft Entertainment. DEVEL-
(alternating). 1992.
OPER: NMS Software. Side-Scrolling Plat-
form/Side-Scrolling Combat, 1 player. 1993.
Based on the Tyco toy line, which was pat-
terned after the government-sponsored crash
The second of two NES cartridges based
dummies used to test car safety, The Incredible
on Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Last
Crash Dummies puts players, as Slick or Spin Crusade (1989), this game puts players in the (depending on the stage), through eight levels
title role of the popular adventurer, who must
of action: Crash Test Center, Sewer, Big Top,
rescue his father and find the Holy Grail.
Fun House, Warehouse, Pier, Wrecking Yard,
Armed with his fists and the ability to run,
and Junkman’s Lair. Each dummy rolls along
jump, and climb, Indy must battle his way
on a unicycle-like wheel, meaning control is a
through six levels: Exploring the Caves, Escap-
bit tricky. The dummies use an air gun for
ing on the Train, Entering the Catacombs, As-
stunning tanks, rats, flying fish, and other en-
sault on Brunwald Castle, Escape from the Air-
emies, and an oil gun for killing them. Plat-
ship, and The Three Trials. To add to his
forming activities include collecting traffic
arsenal, Indy can grab a whip (beginning in
cones, jumping over gaps, rolling on moving
level two) and a gun (beginning in level four).
sidewalks, flipping switches, bouncing on tires,
Enemies and obstacles include rats, giraffes,
avoiding beach balls, and more. Also released
armed men, Indians, knives, bullets, circular
(in varying forms) for the Game Boy, Game
saws, fireballs, and more. Neither NES Last
Gear, Genesis, and SNES.
Crusade title was a classic, but this version is particularly bad, thanks to short-range punch-Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
ing, poor controls, and Game Boy-like graph-
(Taito)
ics. A port of the 1989 computer game. Similar
PUBLISHER: Taito. DEVELOPER: Taito. Multi-
to the Genesis v
ersion, but with more levels and
Genre Game, 1 player. 1991.
less color.
The first of two NES games based on the
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
third film in the Indiana Jones series, the Taito P
version of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
UBLISHER: Tengen. DEVELOPER: Tengen. Side-
Scrolling Platform/Adventure, 1 player. 1988.
is divided into several distinctive genres, each
partitioned by a cut scene that lets players de-
With Indiana Jones and the Temple of
cide what to do next (such as get cross, rescue
Doom, fans of the 1985 film get to play the role Dad, or find Marcus). In The Cross of Coron-of their favorite whip-wielding adventurer.
ado and Castle Brunwald, Indy runs, jumps,
Indy’s mission is to free enslaved children
ducks, climbs ladders or stairs, and punches,
working in mines, which involves exploring
kicks, and whips bad guys. In the jigsaw puzzle-
caves, climbing ladders, sliding down chutes,
like Catacombs of Venice, players must re-
walking on conveyor belts, riding mine carts,
assemble scattered pieces of the Grail. In The
swinging across gaps, and more. Freed slaves
Desert of Iskenderun, Indy battles enemy sol-
award players with keys, jewels, map pieces,
diers atop a tank while trying not to fall off.
hats (extra lives), arrows pointing to secret
Viewed from overhead, The Road to Berlin has
doors, and weapons (swords, guns, and TNT).
Indy driving a motorcycle up the screen, whip-
There are 12 levels, each filled with rats, snakes,
ping, bumping, or jumping on enemies while
spikes, spiders, lava monsters, guards, boul-
avoiding minefields, washed-out bridges, and
ders, and other enemies and obstacles. Temple
machine gun nests. Also viewed from over-
of Doom is based on Atari’s 1985 arcade game, head, The Lost Temple finds Indy walking
which had digitized voice effects and superior
around a path of letters, spelling out “Jehovah”
graphics (conversely, the NES version added
as he goes.
jumping and more items to the formula). The
104
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
original Tengen release is unlicensed, but
eight directions. Some may find the action to be
Mindscape published an official (though iden-
a tad on the sluggish side, but the slow, steady
tical) rendition later the same year.
pace is typical (and, at least in this case, desir-
able) for a tank shooter. Multiple pathways and
Infiltrator
substantial challenges ensure solid replay value.
PUBLISHER: Mindscape. DEVELOPER: Chris Gray
Similar to Vindicators (NES), but with no keys Enterprises. Flight Combat Simulator/Stealth,
or fuel to worry about.
1 player. 1990.
Infiltrator puts players in the role of
IronSword: Wizards & Warriors II
P
Jimbo-Baby McGibbits, who must infiltrate the
UBLISHER: Acclaim. DEVELOPER: Rare. Side-
Scrolling Platform/Adventure, 1 player. 1989.
headquarters of the Mad Leader. Jimbo starts off
in his DHX-3 Attack Chopper, which he must
This sequel to Wizards & Warriors adds a fly to a secret enemy base. The action is viewed
few new elements to the enemy-stabbing, plat-
from inside the cockpit, with players firing 20
form-jumping action, including a gambling
mm cannons and heat-seeking missiles at
mini-game and shops where players can pur-
enemy fighters. The chopper sections are com-
chase keys, food, armor, and magic spells, the
plex as numerous factors must be considered,
latter of which enable players to gain speed, be-
including speed, engine damage, battery heat,
come invisible, turn enemies into food or
fuel, altitude, RPMs, chaff (metal strips that are
coins, and more. Spells are especially useful
dropped to fool radar-guided missiles), flares,
against Elementals, which are also new to the
radio, turbo engines, whisper mode (fly and
series. The box for IronSword: Wizards & War-
land silently), messages, altimeter, defenses,
riors II sports a painting of muscle-bound
and more. Once a base is reached, players must
model Fabio, making the game a potential col-
undertake timed ground missions, which in-
lector’s item for romance novel enthusiasts. In-
volve searching buildings, wearing disguises,
cludes password feature. Followed by: Wizards
avoiding capture by enemy guards, using var-
& Warriors III, Kuros: Visions of Power (NES).
ious inventory items (sleeping gas, gas
grenades, identification papers, a mine detector,
Isolated Warrior
and explosives), unlocking doors, and more.
PUBLISHER: NTVIC. DEVELOPER: VAP. Vertical
Based on Infiltrator and Infiltrator II for the Scrolling Shooter, 1 player. 1991.
Commodore 64.
In this testosterone-infused shooter, play-
ers walk, motorbike, and even ride a hovercraft
Iron Tank: The Invasion of Normandy
through seven lengthy levels of explosive ac-
PUBLISHER: SNK. DEVELOPER: SNK. Vertical
tion, using beams (including a spread gun) and
Scrolling Tank Shooter, 1 player. 1988.
bombs to thwart an alien invasion. Weapon
Set during World War II (circa 1944), Iron
power-ups are plentiful, as are enemies, so
Tank finds the United Forces looking to gain there’s no shortage of shooting action. Barrian advantage in their mission to establish a
ers, such as gaps (which can be jumped over),
beachhead, break through the front lines, and
pools of acid, gun emplacements, rocks, and
infiltrate and destroy enemy headquarters.
destroyed buildings, are commonplace as well,
Enter Paul, a special forces veteran who must
helping make for a harrowing trek. In terms of
pilot the titular tank up 19 top-down areas,
audio/visuals, Isolated Warrior is nothing less firing away at foot soldiers, grenadiers, tanks,
than spectacular, boasting rich coloring, a nice
trains, gunboats, fighter planes, fortified bases,
assortment of highly detailed aliens, and a ro-
and other enemies. The Iron Tank is upgrade-
bust musical score. The game, which would
able with armor piercing bullets, long range
look (and sound) at home on the more power-
fire, rapid fire, full screen bombs, and increased
ful Sega Genesis, is viewed from an isometric
explosive power (selectable via a sub screen), and
perspective, meaning the action progresses at
players can point the sturdy vehicle’s turret in
an angle. Includes password feature.
NINTENDO NES
105
Ivan “Ironman” Stewart’s Super Off
number of other video games, including Jack
Road
Nicklaus’ Power Challenge Golf (Genesis), Jack PUBLISHER: Tradewest. DEVELOPER: Rare.
> Nicklaus’ Turbo Golf (TurboGrafx-16), and Jack Rally/Off-Road Racing, 1–4 players (simulta-Nicklaus Golf (Game Boy, SNES).
neous). 1990.
A marvelous port of Leland’s 1989 arcade
Jackal
game, Ivan “Ironman” Stewart’s Super Off Road
PUBLISHER: Konami. DEVELOPER: Konami.
Overhead View Free-Roaming Shooter, 1 or 2
for the NES one-ups the coin-op classic by al-
players (simultaneous). 1988.
lowing four-player action (compared to three).
The arcade game benefits from steering wheel
Dozens of American prisoners of war re-
control and somewhat sharper graphics, but
main on enemy soil, and it is up the player —
Nintendo fans should be pleased with this fine
a Green Beret at the wheel an all-terrain, super-
off-road racer. Viewed from an overhead/an-
mobile attack jeep — to rescue them. After
gled perspective, the game has players racing
parachuting down to the Cambodian border,
their truck around eight different non-scrolling
players must drive around six hostile territories,
dirt tracks, turning sharp corners, driving over
shooting tanks, cannons, light infantry, mobile
bumps and hills, dodging puddles and mud
missile launchers, troop transports, sniper rafts,
holes, and avoiding barriers and other trucks.
shark attack submarines, and other enemies.
Winning races grants players money for up-
To rescue POWs, players must destroy the bar-
grading their trucks with nitro speed boosts
racks where they are being held, pick up said
and better tires, shocks, acceleration, and top
prisoners, and drive them to the heliport. The
speed. Nitros and money can also be picked up
jeep, which can drive in all directions, is armed
along the tracks. After races, beautiful, big-
with a machine gun that can only fire straight
breasted women congratulate the winners. Ob-
up the screen. Players can also throw hand
viously influenced by Super Sprint (arcade,
grenades and fire bazookas, the latter of which
1986), this game was released as Super Off Road
are obtained by rescuing POWs and powering
for the Game Boy, Atari Lynx, Game Gear,
up. Like most Konami cartridges, Jackal exudes Genesis, and SNES. Followed by: Super Off
quality and playability. Predictably, the original
Road: The Baja (SNES).
arcade game (Konami, 1986) has sharper
graphics and more explosive sound effects.
Jack Nicklaus’ Greatest 18 Holes of