Classic Home Video Games (1985-1988)

by Brett Weiss

  P

  King’s Quest V for the NES puts players in the UBLISHER: Square. DEVELOPER: Square. Vertical Scrolling Shooter, 1 player. 1989.

  role of King Graham, who must journey through

  a magical world (including mountains, forests,

  At first glance, King’s Knight looks like a

  deserts, and an island) to find his missing cas-

  role-playing game. However, it’s actually a

  tle and royal family. Players guide Graham with

  shooter, with players guiding a knight, a wiz-

  the control pad, but an icon system is used for

  ard, a monster, and a thief (one at a time) over

  most functions. Icons include walk, quick

  mountains, towns, and islands, firing away at

  travel, look, talk, action, item (view last item se-

  such enemies and obstacles as rocks, statues,

  lected in inventory mode), inventory, and

  mushrooms, and trees. Magical elements, which

  memory. Items to find include keys for open-

  are hidden in the first four areas, are important

  ing doors, fish to feed a cat, a sled for riding

  for making it through the fifth and final level,

  down a mountain, a tambourine for getting rid

  where the characters band together and fight

  of a snake, a stick to throw at a dog, and much

  as a team. Standard power-ups include higher

  more. Includes password feature. See also:

  jumps, speed, shields, and firing strength. A

  King’s Quest: Quest for the Crown (SMS).

  minor effort by Square.

  Kirby’s Adventure

  Kings of the Beach Professional Beach

  PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: HAL Labo-

  Volleyball

  ratory. Side-Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1993.

  PUBLISHER: Ultra Games. DEVELOPER: Konami.

  Sports/Volleyball, 1–4 players (simultaneous).

  The second installment in the popular

  1989.

  Kirby franchise (following Kirby’s Dream Land

  for the Game Boy), Kirby’s Adventure is a cute, Arguably the best pre–’90s volleyball game,

  colorful, thoroughly enjoyable game. The titu-

  Kings of the Beach has bright, detailed graphics lar pink puff ball must make his way through

  that include onlookers, beachcombers, oceanic

  seven levels (including Vegetable Valley, Ice

  backgrounds, and a nice side-view of the court

  Cream Island, and Rainbow Resort), jumping

  and players. There are three types of serves

  on platforms, swimming, floating over obsta-

  (underhand, flat, and jump) and a variety of

  cles, and sliding into and shooting air pellets

  moves, including bump shots, spikes, blocks

  and water at enemies. Includes three mini-

  (including a special Kong block), feints, and

  games: Quick Draw Kirby, Egg Catcher, and

  dives. The two-on-two action, which is de-

  Crane Fever. The game introduced Kirby’s

  signed to mimic the playing styles of pros Sin-

  trademark ability to swallow enemies and use

  jin Smith and Randy Stoklos, is accessible and

  their powers, which later showed up in such ti-

  fun. Players can even argue bad calls. The game

  tles as Kirby’s Dream Land 3 (SNES) and Super has five stages: Coronado Beach, San Diego;

  Smash Bros. (Nintendo 64).

  Oak Street Beach, Chicago; Waikiki Beach,

  114

  CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988

  Kiwi Kraze

  items as laser guns, balloons (for flying), magic

  PUBLISHER: Taito. DEVELOPER: Software Cre-

  watches (for freezing enemies), and magic staffs

  ations. Platform Shooter/Side-Scrolling Plat-

  (for invincibility). Arrows and a radar map

  form, 1 or 2 players (alternating). 1991.

  help players make it through the levels. Kiwi

  Despite missing the animated introduc-

  Kraze is a cute and charming, yet challenging tory screen, Kiwi Kraze is a very nice port of game that platforming fans will thoroughly

  Taito’s 1988 arcade game, which was called The

  enjoy. Followed by: New Zealand Story: Revo-

  New Zealand Story. Players guide a Kiwi bird

  lution (Nintendo DS).

  named Tiki through zoos, caves, mountains,

  villages, fields, and a pirate ship (all based in

  KlashBall

  New Zealand), rescuing his friends from cages,

  PUBLISHER: Sofel. DEVELOPER: The Bitmap

  dodging obstacles (including spikes and fire-

  Brothers. Sports/Futuristic, 1 or 2 players (si-

  multaneous). 1991.

  balls), and shooting arrows at crabs, koalas,

  angle bats, sea anemones, flying teddy bears,

  KlashBall is basically futuristic soccer,

  flying robo kitties, flying spearmen, and other

  viewed from a top-down perspective. There are

  enemies. In addition to running, jumping,

  four players on either side (plus goalies), and

  shooting, and swimming, Kiwi can find such

  the objective is to kick a small, bouncing ball

  into the opponent’s goal posi-

  tioned at the top or bottom of the

  screen. The action scrolls verti-

  cally, and the playfield is approx-

  imately two screens in size. The

  sides of the field have openings

  like the tunnels in Pac-Man, and if

  the ball goes through one, it will

  come out the other side. Unlike

  traditional soccer, KlashBall has

  bumpers (and other obstacles) and

  randomly appearing power-ups,

  letting players freeze the other

  team, create an extra goalie, pro-

  tect their team from taking dam-

  age, and more. Standard moves

  include catching the ball and div-

  ing to block the ball or knock down

  an opponent. Adapted from Speed-

  ball, the 1988 computer game.

  KLAX

  PUBLISHER: Tengen. DEVELOPER:

  Tengen. Action Puzzle, 1 or 2 play-

  ers (simultaneous). 1990.

  A port of Atari’s Tetris-influ-

  enced arcade game, KLAX for the

  NES has players lining up de-

  Three NES games starring popular Nintendo characters: scending (on a conveyor belt) tiles

  Kirby’s Adventure, which introduced Kirby’s ability to swal-in rows, columns, and diagonals.

  low enemies; Dr. Mario, which put Nintendo’s chief mascot in a Tetris-style game; and Donkey Kong Classics, which includes Scoring a “KLAX” (three or more

  the arcade hits Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr.

  tiles of the same color lined up)

  NINTENDO NES

  115

  removes those tiles from the screen. Players

  them. A cursor is used for picking up the objects

  catch each tile on a paddle and can drop it into

  (one at a time) and placing them in the desired

  position below, hold onto it (up to five tiles at

  spot. The longer the row of objects removed (11

  a time), or hoist it back up to the conveyor belt.

  is the maximum), the more points players will

  Combos are worth extra points, and certain

  score. Objects include cats, dogs, elephants,

  objectives (such as getting a set number of di-

  snails, cobras, chatter teeth, spheres, books,
r />   agonal KLAXs) must be fulfilled to complete

  atomic clocks, fish faces, and more. Gamers can

  each wave. Letting too many tiles get past the

  play solo or have a friend join in for coopera-

  paddle ends the game. Atari’s original coin-op

  tive or competitive action. There’s no music

  classic (1989) has voice effects and crisper,

  during gameplay, the creatures are mono-col-

  more richly colored graphics, but the NES ver-

  ored and lacking in detail, and repetition sets in

  sion does offer a Pong-type bonus game called pretty quickly. However, the simple, fast-paced

  Blob Ball. Thankfully, the two-player split-

  action will appeal to a certain breed of puzzle

  screen mode remains intact. Also released for

  fan. Unlicensed.

  the Atari 7800, TurboGrafx-16, Genesis, and

  other systems. Unlicensed.

  The Krion Conquest

  PUBLISHER: Vic Tokai. DEVELOPER: Vic Tokai.

  Knight Rider

  Platform Shooter, 1 player. 1991.

  PUBLISHER: Acclaim. DEVELOPER: Pack-In

  The Krion Conquest is similar to Mega

  Video. Demolition/Combat Racing, 1 player.

  Man 2, but with a little witch named Francesca 1989.

  in the starring role. Unlike Mega Man, Francesca

  Based on the TV show (1982–1986) star-

  can shoot upward (in addition to left and right),

  ring David Hasselhoff, Knight Rider is some-

  duck, and ride on a broom. There are five lev-

  what similar to Spy Hunter, but is viewed from els of play (Underground Base, Ice Base, Under-inside the car instead of above the action. In

  water Base, Sky Base, and Space Station), and

  addition, the roads twist and turn (ala Pole Po-

  the robot-shooting action is carried out via six

  sition), and there are boss battles against semi types of selectable magic: normal, freeze, fire,

  trucks and jetcopters. Players drive the souped-

  ball (shots ricochet off walls), shield (forms

  up Trans-Am KITT (Knight Industries 2000)

  barrier against enemies), and broom. Holding

  on 15 similar missions, shooting bullets, mis-

  down the fire button charges up the magic gauge

  siles, and lasers at certain vehicles while avoid-

  for unleashing super shots. Derivative, but fun.

  ing or collecting items (such as gasoline and

  shield repairs) from others. Courses are timed,

  Krusty’s Fun House

  and backgrounds reflect the various destina-

  PUBLISHER: Acclaim. DEVELOPER: Audiogenic

  tion cities. Regrettably, there are no voice ef-

  Software. Adventure Puzzle, 1 player. 1992.

  fects, meaning KITT can’t spout wisecracks like

  A Simpsons-ized rendition of the com-

  he did in the television series. However, he can

  puter game Rat-Trap, Krusty’s Fun House finds jump over enemy fire.

  the titular residence being overrun with rats,

  and the player must help the cantankerous

  Krazy Kreatures

  clown lure the pesky creatures into traps set by

  PUBLISHER: American Video Entertainment.

  Bart and Homer. This involves moving blocks

  DEVELOPER: American Video Entertainment.

  (including spring blocks), trapping rats in jars,

  Action Puzzle, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous).

  creating stair steps, finding secret passageways,

  1990.

  throwing superballs, jumping on moving plat-

  In Krazy Kreatures, waves of small animals

  forms, using fireworks, connecting pipes, plac-

  and other objects jump from off screen onto a

  ing fans (which blow the rats), breaking walls,

  rectangular or otherwise geometrical playfield,

  and more. To ward off snakes, aliens, birds, and

  and it is up to the player to place the objects in

  flying pigs, Krusty can throw custard pies. In-

  rows of identical shapes in order to remove

  cludes password feature. Also released for the

  116

  CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988

  Game Boy and Game Gear. Released as Krusty’s

  Laser Invasion

  Super Fun House for the Genesis and SNES.

  PUBLISHER: Ultra Games. DEVELOPER: Konami.

  Light Gun Shooter, 1 player. 1991.

  Kung Fu

  Laser Invasion puts players in the cockpit

  PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Nintendo.

  of a helijet, guiding a cannon sight around the

  Side-Scrolling Combat, 1 or 2 players (alter-

  viewscreen (which takes up the top half of the

  nating). 1985.

  playfield), shooting missiles at enemy fighters,

  Based on Irem’s Kung-Fu Master arcade

  aerial mines, and other enemies in the employ

  game (1984), Kung Fu has less detailed graph-of Sheik Toxic Moron. Below the viewscreen is

  ics than its coin-op counterpart, but handles

  the control panel, where players monitor radar,

  better and has faithfully adapted (if repetitious)

  remaining missiles, remaining optional equip-

  music. Players guide a kung fu expert named

  ment (fuel tanks, ground bombs, and chaff ac-

  Thomas as he runs, jumps, punches, kicks (in-

  tivated protection systems), air speed indicator,

  cluding jump kicks), and crouches his way

  and damage meter. After destroying the Sheik’s

  through a barrage of stick fighters, giants, knife

  Vulture Squadron, players must land the heli-

  throwers, dragons, poisonous moths, and other

  jet, shoot at enemies running around on the

  enemies. The simple fighting action is dated,

  ground, and then enter the 3-D Confusion

  but this system launch title holds a special place

  Maze, which, like the rest of the areas in the

  in the hearts of many early NES owners. The

  game, is viewed from a first-person perspec-

  game was released as Kung-Fu Master for the

  tive. A mapping system helps keep players from

  Atari 2600, Atari 7800, and Game Boy.

  getting lost as they navigate the maze, collect-

  ing items and shooting bad guys. Although it

  Kung-Fu Heroes

  can be played with a standard controller or a

  PUBLISHER: Culture Brain. DEVELOPER: Culture

  Nintendo Zapper gun, Laser Invasio n is de-

  Brain. Maze/Fighting, 1 or 2 players (simulta-

  signed specifically for use with Konami’s Laser

  neous). 1989.

  Scope headset, which is a voice-activated opti-

  cal targeting device.

  When martial arts masters Jacky and Lee

  return to their homeland, they discover that

  Last Action Hero

  Princess Min-Min has been kidnapped by

  P

  monsters. To set things right, the cartoonish

  UBLISHER: Sony Imagesoft. DEVELOPER: Bits

  Studios. Side-Scrolling Combat, 1 player. 1993.

  characters must battle through eight castles,

  each of which contains four single-screen

  Based on the feature film (1993), Last Ac-

  rooms. As in Bomberman, the view is from

  tion Hero puts players in the Arnold Schwarz-overhead, and players can move their combat-

  enegger role of Jack Slater, who must walk (left

 
; ant up, down, right, and left. However, instead

  and right only), crouch, punch, kick, and jump

  of setting bombs, Jack and Lee dish out kung fu

  his way through seven levels, each inspired by

  punches and flying “moon sault” kicks against

  a scene from the movie: Christmas in L.A., A

  the many oddly amusing enemies (including

  Medieval Nightmare, A Date with Your Ex, The

  Mr. Coffin, Medusa Cat, and Dragon Man)

  Car Chase, Leo’s Funeral, Premiere Night, and

  they will encounter. In addition, the duo can

  Finale. Enemies to battle include knights,

  destroy boxes, blocks, and stones to reveal

  archers, bad cops, guerilla guards, psycho candy

  swords, candles (for seeing hidden traps), in-

  girls, The Ripper, and others who have broken

  vincibility, projectile attacks, and other help-

  out of the movie screen and entered the “real”

  ful items and power-ups. Destroying all the en-

  world to unleash cheap hits on our hero. Health

  emies in a maze opens a door to the next

  hearts are the only pick-up. The limited, strat-

  screen. Simple and accessible, Kung-Fu Heroes

  egy-deprived, punch-and-kick action is bro-

  is charmingly retro. Based on Taiyo’s Chinese

  ken up somewhat by Jack having to ride eleva-

  Hero (arcade, 1984). Followed by: Little Ninja tors and jump on cars and trucks. Includes

  Brothers (NES) and Super Ninja Boy (SNES).

  between-level cut scenes. The Genesis and SNES

  NINTENDO NES

  117

  versions include two driving levels. Also re-

  Factor for the Intellivision, but with inferior leased for the Game Boy and Game Gear.

  gameplay and no bombs.

  The Last Ninja

  Lee Trevino’s Fighting Golf

  P

  P

  UBLISHER: Jaleco. DEVELOPER: Beam Software.

  UBLISHER: SNK. DEVELOPER: SNK.

  Adventure, 1 player. 1991.

  Sports/Golf, 1–4 players (alternating). 1988.

  Offering clearly defined graphics, four dis-

  The Last Ninja puts players in the role of

  tinctive golfers of varying abilities (including

  Armakuni, Master Ninja of 9th Century Feu-

  “Super Mex” himself ), two 18-hole courses

  dal Japan, who gets transported to modern day

  (Japanese and American), four modes of play

  Manhattan. On a mission to bring down the

  (Stroke, Nassau, and Practice), and a three-tap

  Evil Shogun Kunitoki, Armakuni must battle

  swing system, Lee Trevino’s Fighting Golf is a his way through six puzzle- and enemy-filled