Classic Home Video Games (1985-1988)
Page 31
Brain. Third-Person Action Role-Playing
Game, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous). 1991.
The Little Mermaid for the NES takes place
after Disney’s 1989 feature film. The evil octo-
The sequel to Kung-Fu Heroes, Little Ninja pus/witch Ursula has taken over the ocean,
Brothers is an oddly humorous cartridge that
NINTENDO NES
121
separates itself from the average RPG by giv-
Galactic Commando up and down ladders,
ing its two playable characters (Jack and Ryu)
over brick platforms, and across ropes while
the ability to punch and kick, making for an
collecting gold and dodging enemy robots.
action-heavy game. The overhead view, real-
After collecting all the gold, players should
time battles are against pigs, ghosts, gargoyles,
climb a ladder to the top of the screen to exit to
frogs, bosses, and other enemies. Throughout
the next level. The Galactic Commando is
Chinaland, the world our heroes must explore,
equipped with a laser drill pistol for drilling
there are a number of upgradeable items to
holes in the brick, which lets players trap ene-
grab, including swords, shields, talismans (for
mies or send them falling through the brick
slowing down enemies), and throwing stars.
floors. Most versions of Lode Runner feature Other helpful items include a skateboard, a
100 or more levels, but the NES rendition con-
whirlybird, and a dragster. In addition to the
tains just 50. Also, players can’t save the game
standard game, there’s a Field Meeting Mode
boards they have edited. Unlike the original
featuring six different events: 50 Meter Dash,
computer game, the NES rendition scrolls to
Balloon Popping Race, Athletic Race, Treasure
the left and right, meaning it’s easy to walk into
Hunt, Eating Race, and Shooting Race. In-
a trap or get blindsided by an enemy. Despite
cludes password feature. Followed by: Super
these weaknesses, smooth controls and classic
Ninja Boy (SNES).
challenges make the game loads of fun. Fol-
lowed by: Hyper Lode Runner (Game Boy),
Little Samson
Lode Runner (PlayStation), and Lode Runner 3-P
D (Nintendo 64).
UBLISHER: Taito. DEVELOPER: Taito. Side-
Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1992.
In Little Samson, players must guide four
The Lone Ranger
fearless adventurers through castles, ruins,
PUBLISHER: Konami. DEVELOPER: Konami.
forests, jungles, mountains, and other nicely il-
Multi-Genre Game, 1 player. 1991.
lustrated, monster-ridden areas. Each running,
jumping, battling character — Little Samson,
A very nice looking and playing take on
Kikira the Dragon Lord, Gamm the Rock Lord,
the classic television series (1949–1957), The
and K.O. the Enchanted Beast (The Lord of the
Lone Ranger puts players in the role of a for-Mice)— has his or her own special skills, such
mer Texas Ranger out to avenge his brother’s
as climbing walls, throwing bells, dropping
death and rescue the president, who has been
bombs, flying, breathing fire, walking across
kidnapped by the evil Butch Cavendish. The
spikes, walking through small areas, and/or
game employs a staggering array of genres and
punching. Levels are designed in such a way
viewpoints, from top-down action to light gun
that players must determine when and where to
shooter to side-scrolling combat/platform to
switch between characters, making for a good,
role-playing adventure. Aided by scouting re-
strategic challenge. As in Mega Man, there’s lots ports from Tonto, “Kemosabe” must: search
of horizontal scrolling. A relative obscurity, Lit-buildings, caves, and mountain hideouts; ride
tle Samson is a quality game that deserves a his faithful horse, Silver; play poker; make
larger audience.
friends with Indians; talk to townsfolk; shoot
or punch bad guys to release money, extra bul-
Lode Runner
lets, and health hearts; and much more. The
P
masked hero begins the game armed with his
UBLISHER: Broderbund Software. DEVELOPER:
Hudson Soft. Climbing, 1 or 2 players (alter-
fists, a short range pistol, and a supply of bul-
nating). 1987.
lets, but he can purchase extra bullets, silver
bullets, TNT, and medium and long range
Based on Irem’s 1984 arcade game (which,
guns. Compatible with Nintendo’s Zapper gun
itself, was based on the 1983 computer classic),
and Konami’s LaserScope Voice Command
Lode Runner for the NES has players guiding a Optical Targeting Headset.
122
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
Loopz
Viewed from overhead, each of the 60 ta-
PUBLISHER: Mindscape. DEVELOPER: B.I.T.S.
bles in Lunar Pool is displayed horizontally.
Action Puzzle, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous).
Unlike regular billiards, there are tables of vary-
1990.
ing layouts, such as an arrow, an L-shape, and
In Loopz, random puzzle pieces appear
a V-shape. In addition, table friction can be al-
one at a time over a grid-like board (there are
tered, determining (at least in part) how far a
50 boards in all), and it is up to the player to
ball will roll when hit. The objective is simple:
place them on said board. Each piece is either
set up the electronic cue stick, take aim, select
a straight line or a shape containing perpendi-
shot power, and shoot the cue ball into vari-
cular lines (L-shapes, T-shapes, U-shapes, and
ous numbered balls in hopes of knocking them
the like), and each piece can be rotated. The
into side pockets. Some of the pockets, depend-
objective is to connect pieces in order to create
ing on the table, are obscured by bumpers,
loops (enclosed sections), thus making the
adding to the futuristic nature of the game.
pieces disappear. Bigger loops net more points,
and pieces that are not in the loop (so to speak)
Mach Rider
stay onscreen. Unlike the similar Pipe Dream, PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Nintendo.
pieces cannot overlap, and there are no clues
Demolition/Combat Racing, 1 player. 1985.
given for the pieces that will appear next. A sep-
Viewed from behind (and a little above)
arate mode of play begins with the computer
the titular motorcycle, Mach Rider has players removing pieces of an already formed loop.
careening down winding highways in the year
Once the pieces have been taken off the board,
2112, firing a machine gun at enemy vehicles
the player must put them back into place. Also
while avoiding rocks, oil spots, oil drums,
released for the Game Boy.
water, tacks, and bomber balls. The enemies all
have the same
design (post apocalyptic three-
Low G Man: The Low Gravity Man
wheelers), but they do come in six different col-
PUBLISHER: Taxan. DEVELOPER: KID Corp.
ors and strengths. Using 37 different course
Platform Shooter, 1 player. 1990.
parts, players can design (but not save) their
own tracks (ala Excitebike). Despite spotty col-Hostile aliens have programmed robots for
lision detection and choppy graphics, the game
war against humankind, prompting the Low-G-
is fast and fun. A system launch title.
Man to take action. The high-jumping hero bat-
tles through 15 sectors (including mines, the
ocean, mountains, a tower, a submarine, and in-
Mad Max
dustrial areas), using a freeze gun to halt enemies
PUBLISHER: Mindscape. DEVELOPER: Gray Mat-
ter. Demolition/Combat Racing, 1 player.
in their tracks and an armor-piercing spear to
1990.
kill them. Low-G can also acquire a boomerang,
bombs, fireballs, and a wave. Other helpful items
Mad Max for the NES takes place in a
include invincibility, double shot, healing po-
post-apocalyptic, war-torn future. Players,
tion, and low gravity (for even higher jumps).
viewing the action from an angled/overhead
By killing the drivers of certain vehicles, Low-
view perspective, take on the titular role, a
G can commandeer a robot suit, a hover craft,
leather-clad nomad driving around wastelands,
and a spider, the latter of which can crawl on
dodging oil slicks, barricades, gangs, and pits
walls. A game action fans should enjoy, Low G
while lobbing dynamite and shooting bullets
Man has huge bosses, detailed backgrounds,
at various enemies and obstacles. The overall
and fast music. Includes password feature.
objective in the roadway segments is to reach
the demolition arena, where cars knock each
Lunar Pool
other into pits. Such helpful items as ammo,
PUBLISHER: FCI/Pony Canyon. DEVELOPER:
fuel, and dynamite can be found in mine shafts
Compile. Sports/Billiards/Futuristic/1 or 2
or purchased in service stations. Based on the
players (simultaneous). 1987.
films The Road Warrior (1981) and Beyond Thun-
NINTENDO NES
123
derdome (1985), both of which were sequels to Magic Johnson’s Fast Break
1979’s Mad Max (starring Mel Gibson).
PUBLISHER: Tradewest. DEVELOPER: Software
Creations. Sports/Basketball, 1, 2, or 4 players
(simultaneous). 1990.
The Mafat Conspiracy
PUBLISHER: Vic Tokai. DEVELOPER: Vic Tokai.
The first basketball cartridge compatible
Multi-Genre Game/Adventure, 1 player. 1990.
with the NES Satellite, Magic Johnson’s Fast
Break lets one, two, or four armchair athletes The sequel to Golgo 13, The Mafat Con-engage in a simple, yet fast and fairly enjoyable
spiracy once again puts players in the role of game of two-on-two action (seen from an ele-Duke Togo (a.k.a. Golgo 13), a sharp-shooting
vated side-view perspective). There’s no tour-
secret agent. Duke has been assigned by the
nament or season mode, but gamers can select
CIA to eliminate the leader of the Mafat Rev-
from five different difficulty levels. Other ele-
olutionary Group, which is threatening to
ments include three-minute quarters, an ani-
bring down all American and Soviet satellites.
mated crowd, fouls, free throws, dunks (but no
The action is divided into five different types of
Double Dribble-like cut scenes), steals, stats, gameplay scenarios: side-scrolling (shoot and
salaries, and a 24-second clock. After players
kick scorpions, dogs, and armed men); station-
make a three-pointer (a fairly easy thing to do),
ary (punch and kick enemies); sniper (aim and
a close-up of Magic Johnson will appear. Un-
fire, taking wind speed and direction into ac-
fortunately, the NBA legend is not a playable
count); Ferrari (drive, shift gears, throw grenades
character. Based on Arcadia’s 1988 arcade game.
at other cars); and first-person maze (walk
down hallways, shoot bad guys, use infrared
The Magic of Scheherazade
scope to see). The maze sequences are redun-
PUBLISHER: Culture Brain. DEVELOPER: Culture
dant in terms of gameplay and visuals (the
Brain. Third-Person Action Role-Playing
walls are a consistent gray), but the rest of the
Game, 1 player. 1990.
game is nicely illustrated and more fully real-
The Magic of Scheherazade is an unusual
ized. As in Golgo 13, cinematic cut scenes tell the (not to mention high quality) RPG, offering
involved storyline.
turn-based fights (strategically select two char-
acters to engage in battle) as well as Zelda-style Magic Darts
action (battle enemies to gain experience and
PUBLISHER: Romstar. DEVELOPER: Romstar.
cash). There are three character classes— Saint,
Sports/Darts, 1–4 players (simultaneous). 1991.
Fighter, and Magician, each of varying abili-
ties and weaponry — and five Arabian worlds
Boasting 10 playable characters (includ-
to conquer: Water, Desert, Winter, Flower, and
ing a monkey, an alien, a ninja, and a robot)
a mystery level, the latter of which finds play-
and three different dart weights, Magic Darts
ers battling the evil wizard Sabaron, who sum-
lets gamers compete in six different versions of
moned demons to Arabia in the first place. As
the popular bar room sport: 301, 501, 701,
in most RPGs, visiting shops and casting spells
Count Up, Round the Clock, and Half It. The
(killer winds, thunder, fire, and star attacks,
bottom 1/4 of the screen shows the player, who
turning enemies into fireworks, etc.) play
is positioned on the right, throwing darts at a
prominent roles, as does using such items as
side-view board, which is positioned on the
swords, magic rods, and magic carpet. Players
left. The top 3/4 of the screen depicts a large,
can even go to casinos and attend Magic Uni-
traditional, black and red dart board, viewed
versity. Includes password feature.
from the front. To set the position, curve,
angle, and power of a dart throw, golf-like me-
Magician
ters are used. Magic Darts joins the computer PUBLISHER: Taxan. DEVELOPER: Eurocom.
title 180 (circa 1986) as one of very few video or Third-Person Action Role-Playing Game, 1
computer games based on darts.
player. 1991.
124
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
In Magician, players, as a wizard named
The first NES game backed by the big
Paul, must journey through the kingdom of
leagues, Major League Baseball includes all 26
Merlwood (which consists of towns, wilder-
teams from the 1987 season. The game lacks an
ness, lakes, forests, caverns, dungeons, castles,
MLPBA license, but real players are repre-
and towers), engaging in real-time battles with
sented by their jersey number, abilities, throw-
creatures (rats, skeletons, dragons, and the like)
ing arm, and batting order placement. All the
beset upon the land by Abadon, an evil magi-
staples of the genre are included, such as pitch-
cian. The action scrolls vertically, horizontally,
ing, catching, hitting, bunting, pitch outs, base
and diagonally, and Paul can run, jump (over
stealing, fielding, and errors, and players can
gaps and onto moving platforms), and even fly.
make such managerial moves as bringing in re-
As with most RPGs, there are plenty of puzzles
lief pitchers, changing the batting lineup, and
to solve, including overhead view areas where
using pinch hitters. Modes of play include Reg-
Paul must use holes to make stones shift. Other
ular Game, All Star Game, and World Series.
activities include talking to townsfolk to garner
clues, casting spells, and finding or purchasing
Maniac Mansion
keys, shields, staffs, lightning, food, and other
PUBLISHER: Jaleco. DEVELOPER: LucasArts.
items. A fairly obscure title, Magician is easily Third-Person Graphic Adventure, 1 player.
one of the most complex games in the NES li-
1990.
brary. Includes battery backup.
Sporting a side-view perspective, Maniac
Mansion has players guiding three (of seven) MagMax
teenagers of varying abilities through a large
PUBLISHER: FCI. DEVELOPER: Pony Canyon.
haunted house in order to rescue a girl. This
Side-Scrolling Shooter, 1 or 2 players (alter-
nating). 1988.
requires using an arrow cursor to select verbs
(get, open, close, use, push, pull, turn on, turn
Despite missing certain graphical flour-
off, and the like) that appear in a list on the
ishes (the robot enemies near the beginning of
lower portion of the screen, and then applying
the game don’t bob up and down, for exam-
said verbs to various household objects within
ple) and the inclusion of a reworked sound-
the mansion. Puzzle-laden activities include
track, MagMax for the NES is a solid port of fixing a phone and a shortwave radio, drain-Nichibutsu’s enjoyable (if unspectacular) ar-
ing a swimming pool, opening mail, escaping
cade game (1985). The action begins on the sur-
from a dungeon, and much more. Certain ele-
face of a planet, with gamers guiding a small,