Classic Home Video Games (1985-1988)

Home > Other > Classic Home Video Games (1985-1988) > Page 30
Classic Home Video Games (1985-1988) Page 30

by Brett Weiss


  solid video representation of the popular sport.

  areas, each viewed from an isometric perspec-

  Players can select clubs, apply backspin to the

  tive. These include Central Park, The Street,

  ball, aim the ball high or low, and hit a draw,

  The Sewers, The Office, The Mansion, and

  fade, or straight shot. Obstacles include wind,

  Final Battle. Armakuni can punch, kick, and

  water, out of bounds, bunkers (standard and

  jump, and he can use throwing stars, a sword,

  hard), and roughs (super, light, heavy, and deep).

  and other weaponry, but the key to success in

  Like the two-player arcade version (SNK,

  this game is finding various objects (keys, bot-

  1988), multiple overhead and behind-the-golfer

  tles, staffs, credit cards, and the like) and discov-

  viewpoints are employed. Despite its title, there

  ering how to use them to get past such obsta-

  is no fighting. Golf fans wanting to fight should

  cles as locked doors, hidden entrances, alligators,

  pick up Ninja Golf for the Atari 7800.

  and panthers. The Last Ninja is a port of the highly popular The Last Ninja 2: Back with a

  Legacy of the Wizard

  Vengeance (Commodore 64), but with some

  PUBLISHER: Broderbund. DEVELOPER: Falcom.

  differences, including altered layouts, simplified

  Adventure/Side-Scrolling Platform, 1 player.

  combat, simplified graphics, and various san-

  1989.

  itized elements (the enemy jugglers throw pins

  Legacy of the Wizard is a quest to find four instead of knives, for example). Includes pass-crowns in order to procure the DragonSlayer,

  word feature.

  which is a magical sword that can defeat a pow-

  erful dragon. Players guide members of the

  The Last Starfighter

  Drasle family (one at a time) through vast un-

  PUBLISHER: Mindscape. DEVELOPER: Mind-

  derground caverns (comprised of hundreds of

  scape. Side-Scrolling Shooter, 1 or 2 players

  rooms), climbing ladders, pushing blocks to

  (alternating). 1990.

  solve puzzles, using magic to defeat monsters,

  With The Last Starfighter, Mindscape took

  and finding gold to purchase wings, keys,

  the Commodore 64 classic Uridium (Hewson/

  elixirs, jump shoes, fire rods (which increase

  Graftgold, 1986), slapped on a The Last Starfighter range of current weapon), and other items.

  title screen from the 1984 feature film, and al-

  Each family member has different strengths and

  tered the soundtrack accordingly. Viewed from

  weaknesses, and each must be used to complete

  a top-down perspective, the game has players

  the quest, making for a complex adventure. In-

  piloting a GunStar fighter ship over a series of

  cludes password feature.

  what look like metallic outer space aircraft car-

  riers, firing lasers at swirling formations of

  The Legend of Kage

  enemy ships and at ground-based targets. Un-

  PUBLISHER: Taito. DEVELOPER: Taito. Side-

  fortunately, flat visuals make it all too easy to

  Scrolling Combat, 1 or 2 players (alternating).

  misjudge and run into the targets. As in De-

  1987.

  fender, the ship can turn around and shoot in The Legend of Kage (pronounced kah-gay)

  the other direction. Similar to The Dreadnaught

  for the NES is a mostly accurate port of Taito’s

  118

  CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988

  1984 arcade semi-classic. Armed with throw-

  In Legendary Wings, players guide a winged

  ing stars and a sword that is severely limited in

  soldier over land and sea, shooting, bombing

  range (it can kill close-up bad guys and block

  (ground-based targets only), and/or avoiding

  enemy weaponry), the titular ninja must work

  dragons, stone faces, horseshoe crabs, ninjas,

  his way through four extremely short scenes:

  earwigs, and other enemies, some of which

  Forest (climb and jump through trees, battle

  move in Galaga-like formations. Unfortu-

  shinobis and yohbohs); Passage (run, swim,

  nately, there is little incentive to kill entire for-

  defeat 10 shinobis to reach the next level);

  mations since scoring is absent, and since

  Fortress (climb fortress walls, battle bomb-

  power-ups (twin lasers, penetration shots,

  throwing shinobis); and Castle (battle through

  flame shots, and firebirds) are obtained by

  each castle level and rescue Kiri). Kage can

  shooting individual enemies. In Capcom’s ar-

  jump far above the treetops, but once he is in

  cade original (1986), destroying every enemy

  the air, players cannot change his direction or

  in a formation grants players bonus points or

  cut short the jump, making for some frustrat-

  power-ups. In addition, the side-scrolling

  ing deaths. Power-ups, including eight-way

  stages in the coin-op game are largely of the

  throwing knives and a shadow ninja, are hid-

  platform shooter variety. For some reason, the

  den, as are certain exits. Kage moves with style,

  NES rendition opts for flight-based horizontal

  but most action fans will prefer a longer, more

  action. As expected, the arcade game has

  grounded adventure. Followed by: The Legend

  crisper, more colorful graphics. Despite the

  of Kage 2 (Nintendo DS).

  aforementioned differences and shortcomings,

  Legendary Wings for the NES is a solid, fairly The Legend of Zelda

  intense shooter that should appeal to fans of

  PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Nintendo.

  such games as Xevious and Dragon Spirit.

  Third-Person Action Role-Playing Game, 1

  player. 1987.

  Legends of the Diamond

  PUBLISHER: Bandai. DEVELOPER: Bandai. Sports/

  Along with Super Mario Bros. 3, The Leg-

  Baseball, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous). 1992.

  end of Zelda is one of the most acclaimed titles Unlike most baseball video games, which

  in the NES library. Gamers guide the sword-

  feature fictional characters or contemporary

  slashing, shield-wielding Link across a vast

  Major League stars, Legends of the Diamond

  overworld (consisting of 128 interconnected

  showcases baseball greats of the past, includ-

  screens of forests, lakes, and mountains) and

  ing such legendary figures as Cy Young, Hank

  through nine underworld mazes, hacking away

  Aaron, Dizzy Dean, Lou Gehrig, Honus Wag-

  at a variety of creatures while searching for (or

  ner, Ty Cobb, and Babe Ruth (note the con-

  purchasing) keys, a ladder, a raft, a map,

  spicuous absence of Mickey Mantle). Players

  boomerangs, bombs, a whistle, a magic wand,

  don old-school uniforms, but can play in a

  and more. Figuring out how to use certain

  modern or a throwback stadium. The limited

  items is an essential requirement for making it

  NES graphics make the players virtually indis-

  all the w
ay to the evil Gannon, who has im-

  tinguishable from one another, but it’s a neat

  prisoned the titular princess. Crisp graphics,

  idea nevertheless. Gameplay evokes R.B.I. Base-

  epic, non-linear gameplay, and a grand musi-

  ball, but with wind conditions to make things cal score make Zelda a timeless classic. Fol-a little more interesting. Team names are

  lowed by: Zelda II — The Adventure of Link

  fictional, and gamers can play a solo match or

  (NES), The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

  enter an eight-game tournament. Random

  (SNES, Game Boy Advance), and numerous

  Mode lets the computer select the players and

  other sequels.

  their positions while Member Select Mode lets

  gamers determine their own lineup.

  Legendary Wings

  PUBLISHER: Capcom. DEVELOPER: Capcom.

  Lemmings

  Vertical Scrolling Shooter/Side-Scrolling

  PUBLISHER: Sunsoft. DEVELOPER: Ocean Soft-

  Shooter, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous). 1988.

  ware. Adventure Puzzle, 1 player. 1992.

  NINTENDO NES

  119

  Although it lacks a two-player mode and

  Based on the Lethal Weapon movie series,

  voice effects, Lemmings for the NES is a re-

  this mediocre, surprisingly easy game puts

  spectable port of the classic computer game.

  players in the role of Murtaugh (who can pick

  Players guide a cursor around the screen, as-

  up boxes) or Riggs (who can jump higher than

  signing such tasks as digging, climbing, bridge

  Murtaugh) as they make their way through a

  building, and bashing to mindless lemmings

  park, a camp, a mall, and other areas, punch-

  in order to guide them past obstacles (lava,

  ing, kicking, and shooting soldiers, kick box-

  spring-loaded traps, holes, and the like) and to

  ers, guards, helicopters, and other common-

  their goal within a set time limit. The game of-

  place enemies. To toggle between Murtaugh

  fers 100 levels of play (as opposed to 125 in the

  and Riggs, gamers must walk off the left side

  SNES version and 180 in the Genesis rendi-

  of the screen, which is strange. Even stranger is

  tion), and the lemmings flicker a bit when the

  that punching and kicking causes more damage

  screen gets crowded. The NES lacks a mouse,

  than shooting. Also released for the Game Boy

  meaning computer versions of the game have

  and Super NES.

  better controls. Includes password feature. Also

  released for the Game Boy, 3DO, and numer-

  Life Force

  ous other systems.

  PUBLISHER: Konami. DEVELOPER: Konami.

  Side-Scrolling Shooter/Vertical Scrolling

  L’Empereur

  Shooter, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous).

  PUBLISHER: Koei. DEVELOPER: Koei. Turn-

  1988.

  Based Strategy, 1 player. 1991.

  This Gradius spin-off is similar to its pro-

  Taking place in the violent aftermath of

  genitor (complete with manual power-up sys-

  the French Revolution, L’Empereur puts players tem), but alters the formula by adding vertical

  in the role of Napoleon Bonaparte, who starts

  scrolling and two-player simultaneous action.

  off as Officer in Charge of City Affairs and rises

  Gamers fly their starship through the insides

  in rank to First Consul and then Emperor.

  of a galaxy-eating space monster (which is re-

  With the goal of unifying Europe (46 European

  plete with cities and volcanoes), shooting bul-

  cities are included), Napoleon must: recruit

  lets, missiles, and lasers at alien vessels, space

  and train an army (infantry, cavalry, artillery,

  rocks, a sphinx, a giant brain, and other ene-

  and reserves); invade hostile nations (including

  mies (including the terrain itself ). Although it

  sea battles); collect taxes; pay stipends; build

  suffers from slowdown, Life Force is a nice port bridges; survive harsh winters (and other hos-of Konami’s 1986 arcade game. The tough-as-

  tile weather conditions); relocate his brothers

  nails gameplay and colorfully detailed graphics

  and son to rule over distant lands; invest in in-

  will thrill shooter fans.

  dustry and agriculture; fend off strikes, rebel-

  lions, and military uprisings; and much more.

  Linus Spacehead’s Cosmic Crusade

  The turn-based battles take place via a hex

  PUBLISHER: Camerica. DEVELOPER: Codemas-

  map, with terrain consisting of mountains,

  ters. Third-Person Graphic Adventure/Side-

  hills, forests, swamps, grassy plains, sand bars,

  Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1992.

  rivers, lakes, seas, ice, and fortresses. Four game

  scenarios tell the story of Napoleon’s storied

  Part point-and-click adventure, part side-

  life: Napoleon’s Beginning, Desire for Power,

  scrolling platformer, this is the second game to

  End of Revolution, and Glorious Empire.

  feature Linus Spacehead (the first being Linus

  Adapted from the 1989 computer game.

  Spacehead from the Quattro Adventure multi-title cartridge). Using five commands (look,

  Lethal Weapon

  pick up, talk, give, and use), players, as Linus,

  PUBLISHER: Ocean. DEVELOPER: Eurocom. Side-

  will interact with the alien environment in a

  Scrolling Combat/Platform Shooter, 1 player.

  number of ways, including: using a teleport ma-

  1993.

  chine; finding the correct keys to enter various

  120

  CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988

  areas; mailing a letter; acquiring a passport;

  prompting Ariel to turn back into a mermaid,

  riding a surf board; and much more. Items to

  say goodbye to her beloved Eric, and return to

  use include an anti-gravity slide, a bridge, gun-

  the water to save her friends, Flounder, Sebas-

  powder, a missile targeting device, and more.

  tian, and Scuttle. Ariel must swim through five

  There are mini-games as well, such as a bumper

  levels (Sea of Coral, Sunken Ship, Sea of Ice,

  car race and a slot machine. In the platform

  Undersea Volcano, and Ursula’s Castle), avoid-

  stages, the mission is to grab candies to earn

  ing or throwing bubbles at ghosts, eels, sharks,

  extra lives. Released on the Genesis as Cosmic

  spineballs, and halibut. In addition, she will

  Spacehead, which has better, more stylized

  search for dinglehoppers (forks), snarf blatts

  graphics and a two-player Pie Slap mode. Un-

  (pipes), hearts (extra health), and shells (for

  licensed.

  opening treasure chests and knocking out en-

  emies). Opening treasure chests releases pearls

  Linus Spacehead’s Cosmic Crusade (Al-

  that make Ariel faster and stronger, the latter of

  addin Version)

  which enables Ariel to push rocks and barrels

  PUBLISHER: Camerica. DEVELOPER: Codemas-

  for gaining access to certain items. Cute visu-

  ters. Third
-Person Graphic Adventure/Side-

  als, charming music, fun action, and easy

  Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1993.

  gameplay (despite exploration elements and a

  The Aladdin rendition of Linus Space-

  non-linear final level) make The Little Mermaid

  head’s Cosmic Crusade looks and plays like the ideal for younger gamers.

  standard version, but was produced in a com-

  pact cartridge format. Requires the Aladdin

  Little Nemo: the Dream Master

  Deck Enhancer. Unlicensed.

  PUBLISHER: Capcom. DEVELOPER: Capcom.

  Side-Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1990.

  Little League Baseball Championship

  Series

  Based on Windsor McKay’s early 1900s

  P

  comic strip ( Little Nemo in Slumberland), and UBLISHER: SNK. DEVELOPER: SNK. Sports/

  Baseball, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous). 1990.

  on the 1989 feature film ( Little Nemo: Adven-

  tures in Slumberland), Little Nemo: the Dream Developed by the company responsible for

  Master finds the title character on a mission to the super popular Baseball Stars (NES), Little rescue King Morpheus and restore peace to

  League Baseball offers the same type of fun, ar-Slumberland. The surrealistic platforming ac-

  cade-style action, but with juvenile players and

  tion takes Nemo (who can run, jump, and

  less emphasis on team management and stats.

  duck) through eight colorful, dream-induced

  In addition, the game follows official Little

  levels: Mushroom Forest, Flower Garden, House

  League Baseball rules, such as six-inning

  of Toys, Night Sea, Nemo’s House, Cloud Ruins,

  games. There are 16 different international

  Topsy-Turvy, and Nightmare World. The ob-

  teams, each ranked according to pitching, bat-

  jective in each area is to collect all the keys so

  ting, defense, and running. And there are two

  Nemo can exit to the next level. Nemo will meet

  modes of play: Exhibition and Championship

  numerous animals through his adventure. To

  Series. Gameplay is simple and intuitive, and

  tame them, ride them, and gain their powers (fly,

  some cool cut scenes add to the game’s already

  dig, throw punches, swim, and more), Nemo can

  top-notch presentation, which includes nice

  feed them candy, making for a fun and varied

  animation and large characters with distinctive

  adventure.

  traits (chubby, short, lanky, and the like).

  The Little Mermaid

  Little Ninja Brothers

  PUBLISHER: Capcom. DEVELOPER: Capcom. Ad-

  PUBLISHER: Culture Brain. DEVELOPER: Culture

  venture, 1 player. 1991.

 

‹ Prev