by Brett Weiss
he can search for letters spelling out MEGA-
MAN V to unlock a powerful new ally: an at-
Mega Man 4
tack robot bird named Beat.
PUBLISHER: Capcom. DEVELOPER: Capcom.
Platform Shooter, 1 player. 1992.
Mega Man 6
P
Though it features a new villain (Dr. Cos-
UBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Capcom.
Platform Shooter, 1 player. 1994.
sack) and an introductory origin sequence,
Mega Man 4 plays a whole lot like the first three Although published by Nintendo, Mega
games in the series. As in Mega Man 2 and Mega Man 6 sticks to the tried and true formula of the
NINTENDO NES
129
previous games in the series. In a new story-
school experience. Players walk around a 5x7
line, the mysterious (if familiar looking) Mr.
grid of tiles, shuffling the tiles in order to shove
X employs a robot fighting tournament to un-
enemies into walls (the storyline revolves
leash upon the world eight killer robots: Bliz-
around a girl who is being held captive by her
zard Man, Wind Man, Knight Man, Plant Man,
dolls in the titular palace). Shuffling tiles also re-Centaur Man, Flame Man, Tomahawk Man,
veals treasures and power-ups, such as suns
and Yamato Man, each of whom Mega Man
that shuffle all the tiles on the board or time
must defeat in order to beat the level and gain
panels that put extra time on the clock. Many
a new weapon. As usual, each boss fits the
tiles contain stars, and grabbing 100 stars grants
theme of his level, such as Blizzard Man’s
players an extra life. There are eight types of
frozen terrain and Plant Man’s jungle sur-
enemies (swimmers, dancers, girl scouts, and
roundings. In addition, there are now mini-
the like), each of which behaves in a different
bosses. Rush is back, but this time he can trans-
way, such as spinning, sliding, or jumping. De-
form into a jet pack for launching Mega Man
veloped by Game Freak, a key company in the
into the sky and body armor for enabling Mega
origination of Nintendo’s Pokémon franchise.
Man to punch through walls. Beat is back as
Pengo fans may want to check this one out.
well (unlockable by finding the letters BEAT),
and so is Flip-Top. Followed by numerous se-
Mermaids of Atlantis
quels and offshoots, including Mega Man X
PUBLISHER: American Video Entertainment.
(SNES), Mega Man 8 (PlayStation, Saturn), and DEVELOPER: American Video Entertainment/
Mega Man 9 (PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360).
Panesian. Action Puzzle, 1 player. 1991.
Mermaids of Atlantis is a sanitized version
Menace Beach
of Panesian’s Bubble Bath Babes. The naked
PUBLISHER: Color Dreams. DEVELOPER: Color
woman at the bottom of the playfield has been
Dreams. Side-Scrolling Platform, 1 player.
change to a mermaid, the between-level nudie
1990.
screens are now storyline cut scenes, and the
Menace Beach finds a cool dude named
difficulty level has been turned down a notch or
Scooter riding a skateboard from left to right,
two, making for a more accessible game. Unli-
jumping over obstacles and battling such ene-
censed.
mies as ninjas, Elvis impersonators, and evil
clowns. Bad guys throw bottles and bombs
Metal Fighter
from windows and manholes, but these items
PUBLISHER: Color Dreams. DEVELOPER: Joy
can be picked up and used as weapons. Scooter
Van. Side-Scrolling Shooter, 1 player. 1989.
can also punch, do spin kicks, grab balloons
Despite the fact that players pilot a bulky
(for floating), and get boosts from Squirt the
fighter ship that looks like a baby chick with a
fire hydrant and a frog named Froggy. Scooter’s
giant head, Metal Fighter is a decent side-
job is to rescue his chained up girlfriend, whose
scroller that is more playable than most Color
clothes rot off as the game progresses (creating
Dreams games. The titular ship walks and
some controversy at the time). In 1995, Wis-
jumps along the ground, shooting at an odd as-
dom Tree retrofitted the game with a religious
sortment of colorful bionic mutants, which fre-
theme and released it as Sunday Funday.
quently make the screen very crowded. By
grabbing an “F” power-up, the ship can fly,
Mendel Palace
which is unusual since in most side-scrolling
PUBLISHER: Hudson Soft. DEVELOPER: Game
shooters the ship can fly from the get-go. Other
Freak. Overhead View Action, 1 or 2 players
power-ups offer speed, extra plasma balls, dou-
(simultaneous). 1990.
ble lasers, multi-angle fire, and circular fire.
With its non-scrolling screens, pastel col-
Unlike most shooters with forced scrolling,
ors, and simple, yet addictively challenging
Metal Fighter lets players turn back and shoot gameplay, Mendel Palace offers a distinctly old-to the left. Unlicensed.
130
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
Metal Gear
In the year 2501, a defense mechanism sta-
PUBLISHER: Ultra Games. DEVELOPER: Konami.
tioned on Pluto has malfunctioned and is sys-
Stealth, 1 player. 1988.
tematically destroying all the planets in the
Solar System. To reach the rogue weapon’s self-
The forerunner of Metal Gear Solid (PSX),
destruct device, players, at the helm of an M-
Metal Gear puts players in the role of Solid 308 Gunner battlemech, must walk, jump, and
Snake, a stealthy marine who must infiltrate
shoot their way through four stages of tanks,
five heavily fortified, overhead-view strong-
surveillance robots, defense gates, laser beams,
holds located throughout Outer Haven, which
and other enemies and obstacles. Armor, extra
is a South African nation ruled by ruthless dic-
time, shields, power beams (which increase the
tator Colonel Vermon CaTaffy. Snake can ac-
width of the player’s laser), and other items to
quire guns, a rocket launcher, plastic explo-
pick up make this challenging task manageable.
sives, and other weapons, but hiding and
One unusual aspect of the M-308 Gunner is
sneaking past guards and soldiers is his pri-
that it allows players to strategically reverse
mary strategy. Certain areas require number-
gravity, sending the mech upward to walk on
coded key cards to enter. Other helpful items in
the ceiling. Other notables include multi-lay-
this complex, though popular game include
ered backgrounds, nice animation, fun game-
body armor, binoculars, a transceiver, a mine
play, a peppy soundtrack, and a garish color
detector, a flashlight, a compass, rations, an
scheme consisting of various shades of
purple,
oxygen tank, and more. Followed by: Snake’s
peach, orange, yellow, red, green, and blue. In-
Revenge (NES), Metal Gear Sold 2: Substance cludes password feature.
(PS2, Xbox), and other sequels.
Metroid
Metal Mech
PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Nintendo.
PUBLISHER: Jaleco. DEVELOPER: Sculptured
Platform Shooter/Adventure, 1 player. 1987.
Software. Platform Shooter, 1 player. 1991.
Metroid is a tough, non-linear game in
which a space suit-wearing cyborg named
In Metal Mech, the intrepid Tony Martin
Samus Aran must explore the dark, yet beauti-
must single-handedly thwart an alien invasion.
ful caverns of an alien planet, using beams
The invaders in question are mechanical in na-
(short, long, ice, and wave), bombs (which can
ture and include such creatures and vehicles as
uncover hidden areas), missiles, and a screw
skull tanks, dragonflies, dogs, ninjas, blowfish,
attack to battle a variety of creepy creatures,
blobs, hovercrafts, and top-walkers, the latter
including mini-bosses and the vaunted Mother
of which hang upside down and walk on the
Brain. To access narrow passageways, Samus
ceiling. Tony pilots a slow-moving Metal
can roll up into a ball. The action scrolls verti-
Mech, which can stomp on or shoot enemies,
cally and horizontally, and it’s easy to get
but sometimes he must exit the alien vehicle to
turned around in the vast, interconnected
navigate tight spaces. Tony blasts his way
world (backtracking is inevitable). Metroid
through six levels: City, Towers, Sewers, At-
spawned numerous sequels, including Metroid
lantis, Alien City, and Alien Queen’s Mother-
II for the Game Boy and Super Metroid for the ship (where Tony dons a jetpack and wields a
SNES, and has a famous surprise ending —
sonic boomer). Each level has things to discover
SPOILER ALERT!— in which Samus is re-
and collect, including smart bombs, extra lives,
vealed to be a woman. Along with Kid Icarus,
shields, a spacesuit, fuel, a cannon, and keys
Metroid was the first video game cartridge to (for exiting the levels). Similar to (but not as
include a password feature for saving progress.
good as): Blaster Master.
Michael Andretti’s World GP
MetalStorm
PUBLISHER: American Sammy. DEVELOPER:
PUBLISHER: Irem. DEVELOPER: Irem. Platform
American Sammy. Formula-1/Indy Racing, 1
Shooter, 1 player. 1991.
or 2 players (simultaneous). 1990.
NINTENDO NES
131
Viewed from behind the vehicle, Michael
side-scrolling levels: City, Number Factory,
Andretti’s World GP lets players select from four Space Research Center, Number City Museum,
different four-speed cars (Chevy Lola, Honda
and Big Bad Pete’s Hideout. At the end of each
V10, Ferrari V12, or Mugen V8) for racing on 16
level is a bonus round in which players must
twisting, turning, international tracks, each of
solve a simple math problem. Mickey is nicely
which is visually sparse. Andretti himself is on
animated and speaks the numbers and a vari-
hand to offer advice (which is actually useful)
ety of phrases in his patented, high-pitched
prior to each race, and gamers can select from
voice. The follow-up to Mickey’s Safari in Let-
three modes of play: Practice, Two Player (split
terland, Mickey’s Adventure in Numberland is screen), and Grand Prix (which is really long).
designed to teach younger gamers number
Turning is done incrementally, meaning the
recognition (1–10), counting, and rudimentary
control pad must be pressed several times for
addition.
each turn. Tires will wear out, making pit stops
necessary, but fuel is not a factor. Similar to:
Mickey’s Safari in Letterland
Michael Andretti’s Indy Car Challenge (SNES).
PUBLISHER: Hi Tech Expressions. DEVELOPER:
Includes password feature.
Beam Software. Educational/Reading/Side-
Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1993.
Mickey Mousecapade
P
In Mickey’s Safari in Letterland, Mickey
UBLISHER: Capcom. DEVELOPER: Hudson Soft.
Side-Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1988.
Mouse must run, jump, and grab letters (with
a butterfly net) through six levels of play:
The first Disney-related game for the NES,
Yukon, Swamp, Forest, Pyramids, Jungle, and
Mickey Mousecapade has players guiding
Caribbean. The objective in each stage is to re-
Mickey Mouse through five levels of play (Fun
trieve three letters, spelling a word in the
House, Ocean, Woods, Pirate Ship, and Cas-
process. There are enemies to dodge, such as a
tle), with Minnie tagging along, echoing
seal, a turtle, and a hippo (like the one in Fan-
Mickey’s moves. Both characters run, jump,
tasia), but Mickey never loses a life. As in
climb, and shoot stars at enemies, but Minnie,
Mickey’s Adventure in Numberland, there are
who cannot be left behind, must occasionally be
three difficulty levels, all of them very easy.
rescued (by finding a hidden key) after being
Mickey speaks letters and phrases clearly, and
kidnapped by the Crow, making her something
Mickey’s pal Goofy is on hand to drive Mickey
of a nuisance. Peg Leg Pete, Crocodile, and The
to each level. Cartoon-like graphics add to the
Wizard are also on hand to make Mickey’s task
fun. Followed by: Mickey’s Adventure in Num-
a challenge. Although playable, Mickey Mouse-
berland.
capade would be a much better game if it had a two-player simultaneous mode.
Micro Machines
PUBLISHER: Camerica. DEVELOPER: Codemas-
Mickey’s Adventure in Numberland
ters. Miniature/Radio Control Racing, 1 or 2
PUBLISHER: Hi Tech Expressions. DEVELOPER:
players (simultaneous). 1991.
Beam Software. Educational/Math/Side-
Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1993.
Viewed from an overhead perspective,
Micro Machines is a nicely detailed, wildly in-Big Bad Pete has stolen Numberland’s
ventive game that lets players select from nine
magical number molds, prompting Sheriff
miniaturized vehicles (including sports cars, a
Donald Duck to employ Mickey Mouse to re-
helicopter, a power boat, and a combat tank)
trieve them. As Mickey, players must run,
and nine different racing environments (in-
jump, avoid obstacles (including falling crates,
cluding a kitchen, a pool table, a sand pit, and
trap doors, bouncing flour sacks, and ringing
a bathtub). There are 32 tracks in all. One-
telephones), enter doors, ride conveyor belts,
player races are against three computer-con-
and collect
the correct numbers through five
trolled cars, and there are 11 characters to com-
132
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
pete against, each with his or her own skill
Might & Magic: Secret of the Inner
level. The controls are simple, the racing action
Sanctum
is fun and variety-filled, and the game makes
PUBLISHER: American Sammy. DEVELOPER: G-
creative use of rubber ducks, Cheerios, sand
Amusements. First-Person Role-Playing
castles, and other commonplace items. Includes
Game, 1 player. 1992.
Tournament mode. Based on the line of Ga-
Secret of the Inner Sanctum lets players
loob toys. Also released for the Game Boy,
pick a party of six adventurers (fighters, cler-
Game Gear, SNES, and Genesis. Followed by
ics, robbers, wizards, paladins, and archers) for
numerous sequels, including Micro Machines
use in exploring the enchanted Land of Varn,
64 Turbo (Nintendo 64) and Micro Machines 1
which is a vast, non-linear world of caverns,
and 2: Twin Turbo (Game Boy Color). Unli-
castles, forests, and islands. To aid players in
censed.
their search for the Inner Sanctum, which in-
volves plenty of monster battling, there are
Micro Machines (Aladdin Version)
more than 250 weapons and other items, plus
PUBLISHER: Camerica. DEVELOPER: Codemas-
92 mystical spells. The bottom half of the
ters. Miniature/Radio Control Racing, 1 or 2
screen displays the many text-based commands
players (simultaneous). 1993.
while the top half shows the creatures (which
The Aladdin rendition of Micro Machines
are non-animated) and first-person rooms,
looks and plays like the standard version, but
hallways, and other areas. In comparison to the
was produced in a compact cartridge format.
original 1986 Apple II computer game ( Might
Requires the Aladdin Deck Enhancer. Unli-
and Magic: Book One) the NES version is eas-
censed.
ier, but has better graphics and sound. Includes
battery backup. Followed by numerous sequels,
including Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra
Mig 29 Soviet Fighter
(Genesis, SNES) and Heroes of Might and Magic
PUBLISHER: Camerica. DEVELOPER: Codemas-
(Game Boy Color).
ters. Third-Person Shooter/Vertical Scrolling
Shooter, 1 or 2 players (alternating). 1991.
Mighty Bomb Jack
One of the better unlicensed NES games,
PUBLISHER: Tecmo. DEVELOPER: Tecmo. Side-
Mig 29 Soviet Fighter does a good job alternat-Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1987.