by Brett Weiss
does offer two-player simultaneous action (ala
ternating). 1986.
Shadow of the Ninja), and it lets players trans-
140
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
form their ninja into one of four different ani-
supplemented by killer platforming, dramatic
mals: a tiger (claw swipe); a scorpion (tail
music, and sweeping, anime-style cut scenes.
whip); an eagle (no attacking ability); or a fly-
Gameplay is similar — defeat enemies with
ing dragon (waves of fire). Standard weapons
quick sword-thrusts, turn flips, jump off walls
include shurikens, a whip, a bo staff, and a
and over fire, spikes, and other obstacles— but
sword. The mission is to battle robots, bats,
this time Ryu can throw fireballs, climb on
drones, wraiths, and other enemies through 10
walls (as opposed to just ladders), and split his
levels: Civilization’s Ruin, Watery Grave (add-
body into three for a multiple attack (which is
ing swimming to the running, jumping for-
a cool and powerful effect). In addition, the
mula), Canyon Trap, Lake of Chaos, Devil’s
game has more detailed backgrounds, new
Forest, Ironfist Castle, Hurricane Cruser [SP],
characters (including Ashtar, who wields the
Wraith’s Lair, Shadow Village, and Temple of
titular Sword of Chaos), and some fresh (if
the Cursed. One-hit kills make the game a chal-
frustrating) environmental hazards, such as
lenge.
mountain winds that can blow Ryu into deadly
chasms. Followed by: Ninja Gaiden Shadow
Ninja Gaiden
(Game Boy).
PUBLISHER: Tecmo. DEVELOPER: Tecmo. Side-
Scrolling Combat/Side-Scrolling Platform, 1
Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of
player. 1989.
Doom
Infused with style, flair, and hard-as-nails,
PUBLISHER: Tecmo. DEVELOPER: Tecmo. Side-
hack-and-slash gameplay, Ninja Gaiden kicked Scrolling Combat/Side-Scrolling Platform, 1
off what would quickly become one of the most
player. 1991.
revered series in the NES library. Ryu Hayabusa,
the agile ninja players control, moves with
Ninja Gaiden III begins with a cut scene of
fluidity, speed, and grace as he runs, crouches,
a Ryu impersonator sending the beautiful Irene
climbs (ladders), flips, and jumps (including
Lew plummeting off a cliff, effectively setting
wall-spring jumps and wall-spring climbing
the stage for the final game in the NES Ninja
jumps) his way through six levels of caves, icy
Gaiden trilogy. Players once again guide a
cliffs, temples, and other venues of non-stop
crisply controlled Ryu Hayabusa as he runs,
action. Ryu dispatches enemies with quick
jumps, flips, and battles his way through gor-
sword-thrusts, and he can slash lamps and
geous levels (jungles, caves, the desert) and a
other objects to reveal such pick-ups as points,
variety of enemies (lots of robots and monsters
spiritual strength, and the following weapons:
in this case). The weapons of the previous two
throwing stars, windmill throwing stars, time
games return, but Ryu does have some new at-
freezes, a jump & slash technique, and an invin-
tack methods, including vacuum wave art,
cible fire wheel that rotates around Ryu. A
which is a blade that can be thrown up and
powerful musical score and cinematic cut
down, and a dragon spirit sword upgrade,
scenes complement the kill-or-be-killed action.
which increases the range of Ryu’s standard at-
Also released for the Game Gear and Atari
tack. Ryu can also attack while hanging from a
Lynx. The arcade rendition of Ninja Gaiden
wall, climb to the top of a wall (as opposed to
(Tecmo, 1988) was a two-player combat game
having to jump to the opposite wall first), and
somewhat similar to Double Dragon.
move hand-over-hand via pipes and jungle ivy.
Also released for the Atari Lynx. Followed by:
Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of
Ninja Gaiden Trilogy (compilation for the
Chaos
SNES), Ninja Gaiden (3D remake for the
PUBLISHER: Tecmo. DEVELOPER: Tecmo. Side-
Xbox), and numerous sequels and offshoots.
Scrolling Combat/Side-Scrolling Platform, 1
player. 1990.
Ninja Kid
Like its progenitor, Ninja Gaiden II offers
PUBLISHER: Bandai. DEVELOPER: Bandai. Plat-
up a heaping helping of hack-and-slash action,
form Shooter, 1 player. 1986.
NINTENDO NES
141
In Ninja Kid, players control the titular
as speed, passing, and defense. Each team is
“junior defender of human rights,” who nim-
granted five super kicks per half, and the play-
bly runs, jumps (over holes), and shoots his
ers look like the guys from River City Ransom
way through the monster-filled Demon Island.
(a brawler published and developed by Tech-
Ninja Kid’s standard weapon is daggers, but he
nos). The overhead view action displays a hor-
can acquire iron stars, boomerangs, feathers
izontal field and scrolls in all directions, and
(for invincibility), and fire flames. From time to
there are six different field types: grass, soil,
time, he will be assisted by Pegasus (acts as a
sand, bumpy, concrete, and ice. Interestingly,
shield), Big Eagle (stops enemy movement),
gamers have direct control over just one of the
and Old Witch (throws sand at enemies). His
players on their team, but can order other
ultimate goal is to destroy Demon Castle, but
members of the team to pass, tackle, shoot, and
he must first conquer four objective-specific
dive. Prior to each match, players of this fun,
“fighting fields,” including: Dog Fight (fly on a
innovative game must set their team’s offensive
kite, kill 10 demons); Poison Fields (collect 10
and defensive strategies, further differentiating
demon spirits); Blazing Inferno (light 10 can-
the cartridge from other soccer titles. Multi-
dles); and Guerilla Warfare (kill 10 demons).
player adapter compatible. Includes password
Each fighting field is accessible via a Demon Is-
feature.
land overworld map. Ninja Kid will also face
the ruler of Demon Hell, which features verti-
Nobunaga’s Ambition
cal scrolling action.
PUBLISHER: Koei. DEVELOPER: Koei. Turn-
Based Strategy, 1–8 players (simultaneous).
Nintendo World Championships 1990
1989.
PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Nintendo.
Side-Scrolling Platform/Sports Car
Set during the Warring States period of
Racing/Action Puzzle, 1 player. 1990.
16th century Japan, Nobunaga’s Ambition puts Created for the 1990 Nintendo World<
br />
players in the role of Nobunaga Oda, a daimyo
Championships, this specially produced car-
(feudal lord) with ambitions of becoming a
tridge contains modified versions of three NES
Shogun and ruling the entire nation. Actually,
classics: Super Mario Bros. (collect 50 coins), there are several historical daimyos to choose
Rad Racer (race on a special NWC course), and from, each rated according to age, health, drive,
Tetris (earn the high score). During the official luck, charm, and intelligence. Daimyos rule a
competition, gamers had 6:21 to play all three
single fief, but can conquer more as the game
mini-games, but the cartridge itself contains
wears on. This is achieved by recruiting sol-
dipswitches that can alter the time limit. Often
diers, training an army, buying weapons, ne-
considered the holy grail of 8-bit gaming, Nin-
gotiating with other daimyos, hiring ninjas to
tendo World Championships 1990 is extremely
attack enemies, increasing peasant morale,
rare. When it shows up for sale on the collec-
dealing with natural disasters, and much more.
tor’s market, it commands thousands of dol-
Battles take place on a top-down hex map
lars. Only 116 were produced: 90 cartridges in
(consisting of plains, mountains, hills, water,
the traditional gray format (given to NWC
towns, and castles), with each player taking
finalists) and 26 housed in Legend of Zelda-like turns selecting from 21 different commands,
gold casing (given to winners of a Nintendo
including move (soldiers or the daimyo), tax,
Power contest).
marry, build, view, bribe, and trade. Includes
battery backup. Also released for the Genesis
Nintendo World Cup
and SNES.
PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Technos.
Sports/Soccer, 1–4 players (simultaneous).
Nobunaga’s Ambition II
1990.
PUBLISHER: Koei. DEVELOPER: Koei. Turn-
Nintendo World Cup offers 13 selectable
Based Strategy, 1–4 players (simultaneous).
teams, each rated according to such attributes
1991.
142
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
Thanks to enhanced graphical detail and
Dreams. Side-Scrolling Combat, 1 player.
the introduction of samurai, Nobunaga’s Ambi-
1991.
tion II is an improvement over the first game It’s obvious from the beginning that Op-in the series. Four hundred different samurai
eration Secret Storm is an unlicensed game, and are available for sending into battle, each with
not just because of its terrible music, sub par
distinct abilities and personalities. Only four
graphics, and shoddy gameplay (collision detec-
players can go at it this time around, but the
tion is miserable, and the protagonist slides
game does offer five skill levels, 38 battle maps
when he stops). Saddam Hussein is pictured
and castles, and two scenarios: Warlord Rivalry
on the front of the box, with the word “Dick
(starts March, 1560) and Nobanaga’s Ambition
Tator” written on his partially obscured
(starts March, 1582), the latter of which finds
nametag (something Nintendo would never
Nobunaga Oda already in control of central
have allowed). Players guide a CIA agent
Japan. Gameplay consists of selecting com-
named George as he runs, jumps, and battles
mands from the main display, with the view
his way through 10 areas, including oilfields,
switching to a top-down hex map whenever
an oil refinery, scud missile sites, a village, and
war breaks loose. The objective is to control
a desert airstrip. Enemies to punch, kick, shoot,
more and more fiefs, each of which varies ac-
and throw grenades at include trigger happy
cording to such data as gold, food, land value,
soldiers, chemical warfare specialists, guards
trade, culture, castle defense, soldiers, and
wielding lead pipes, mutated animals (some of
more. Includes battery backup. Similar to: Ro-
which look ridiculous), and even Saddam him-
mance of the Three Kingdoms. Followed by:
self. Ironically (considering the fact that George
Nobunaga’s Ambition: Lord of Darkness (SNES).
fights for America), the first boss is an eagle.
North & South
Operation Wolf
PUBLISHER: Seika. DEVELOPER: Kemco. Action
PUBLISHER: Taito. DEVELOPER: Taito. Light
Strategy, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous). 1991.
Gun Shooter, 1 player. 1989.
In North & South, players can relive the
Sporting four side-scrolling levels of play
Civil War and, as the Union or the Confeder-
(each with six missions), Operation Wolf has acy, even re-write a portion of American his-players pointing the Nintendo Zapper at the
tory, namely the years 1861–1864 (1865 is un-
screen, firing a machine gun and launching
available as a starting year since the South was
grenades at helicopters, gun boats, armored
largely decimated by that point). Gameplay
cars, evil generals, and terrorist soldiers while
consists of the following: moving troops from
being careful to avoid killing hostages, chil-
state to state (around a map of eastern U.S.) in
dren, nurses, and prisoners. Shooting vultures,
order to capture towns; combining units to
pigs, chickens, and magazines grants additional
strengthen weaker ones (the maximum is 3
ammo while dynamite blows up all on-screen
cannons, 9 cavalry, and 18 infantry); evaluat-
enemies. Other items provide reduced levels of
ing the strength of opposing armies; robbing a
injury, extra fire power, and rapid fire. This is
moving train (during special side-scrolling
a nice port of Taito’s 1987 arcade game, which
stages); and attacking opposing armies. Battle
was equipped with a mounted, positional gun.
scenes take place via an overhead perspective,
making the horses, soldiers, bridges, and other
Orb-3D
items look very small. Selectable factors include
PUBLISHER: Hi-Tech Expressions. DEVELOPER:
Indian and Mexican attacks, storm clouds, and
The Software Toolworks. Ball-and-Paddle/Ac-
European reinforcements. Despite the wartime
tion Puzzle, 1 player. 1990.
theme, the game is lighthearted in tone and ap-
pearance.
Packaged with a cheaply produced pair of
3D glasses, Orb-3D is sort of like a one-player Operation Secret Storm
version of Pong, but with puzzles to solve. The PUBLISHER: Color Dreams. DEVELOPER: Color
player controls a pair of paddles (called force
NINTENDO NES
143
shields) placed on the left and right sides of a
come supreme ruler of four planet systems, de-
grid-like playfield. As a Millennium Orb space-
feating Rorn (leader of an evil alien race) and
craft moves in a
spherical pattern (giving the
his trio of allies in the process. By pointing and
game its 3D visual effect) back and forth across
clicking on various icons, players, in real time,
the screen, gamers must keep the orb in play
can do the following: set up farming stations;
by bouncing it off the paddles. In addition, a
mine for minerals; adjust taxation rates; build
button must be pressed to make the orb dive
a fleet (with a maximum of 32 ships); purchase
into various targets on the grid. Hitting the tar-
an atmosphere processor, a solar satellite,
gets, usually in a particular order, is how each
weapons, and other items; monitor economic
of the game’s 30 “enigma chambers” is beaten.
information; load and unload cargo ships;
Each chamber is a puzzle of sorts, including
launch, land, and fuel battle cruisers; attack
challenges based on tic-tac-toe, bowling, and
and colonize planets; transport food, people,
dice. Orb-3D is a port of the computer game
fuel, and energy between colonies; attack ene-
Beyond the Black Hole (1989), which boasted
mies with hovertanks; fire missiles at planetary
35 levels.
shield installations; and much more. The busy
screen displays running text, outer space, plan-
Othello
etary surfaces, the aforementioned icons, and
PUBLISHER: Acclaim. DEVELOPER: Kawada.
more. Based on the 1990 computer game.
Board Game, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous).
1988.
Pac-Man (Namco)
A solid rendition of the classic board
PUBLISHER: Namco. DEVELOPER: Namco. Maze,
game, Othello has player taking turns placing 1 or 2 players (alternating). 1993.
round pieces on a green 8x8 grid of squares,
trying to trap the other player. When one piece
Although it lacks the introductory anima-
is trapped between two opponent pieces (hor-
tion denoting ghost names and point values,
izontally, vertically or diagonally), it will turn
Pac-Man for the NES is an excellent port of
the other color (one player uses black pieces
Midway’s 1980 coin-op classic (which, in 2005,
while the other uses white). The objective of
was dubbed “the most successful coin-oper-
the game is to have more of your
color on the board than the other
player. Games can be timed (20,
30, or 40 minutes) or played with
no clock, and the one-player mode
offers four difficulty levels, some
of which allow for taking back