by Brett Weiss
balloon, firing missiles, a machine gun, and/or
the screen (one at a time), trying to form solid
torpedoes. Enemies and obstacles include bar-
lines to make the stones disappear. There are
rels, shooting stars, sharks, pirate ships, buz-
five stone types of varying shapes and sizes,
zards, jellyfish, airplanes, and more. The jump-
each of which contains some component(s) of
ing controls could use a little polish, but this is
a triangle and/or a square. Completing two
a solid (if short) game. Similar to: Felix the Cat.
lines simultaneously rewards players with a
bomb, which is useful when the screen gets
Puzzle
crowded. If the stones pile to the top, the game
PUBLISHER: American Video Entertainment.
will end. Pyramid plays a lot like Tetris, but the DEVELOPER: Idea-Tek. Jigsaw Puzzle, 1 player.
shapes are more angular, making it a tougher
1990.
game. Unlicensed.
Puzzle is similar in concept to those plas-
tic handheld games where the user slides little
Q*bert
tiles in place to form a picture. There are 10 dif-
PUBLISHER: Ultra Games. DEVELOPER: Konami.
Non-Scrolling Platform, 1 or 2 players (alter-
ferent images in this video version, beginning
nating). 1989.
with a tiger and progressing to more advanced
designs. After the player selects a puzzle, the
By the time Q*bert hit the NES, the sim-
computer scrambles the picture randomly, and
ple four-way control and non-scrolling playfield
the player must reassemble it. For assistance,
seemed outdated. However, the game was still
players can view the completed picture (up to
fun, with players hopping a round, orange,
152
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
hose-nosed creature on the blocks of a pyra-
ent control schemes, both of which work rea-
mid. Jumping on a block changes its color, and
sonably well. Also released for the ColecoVi-
Q*bert must hop on every block (thereby mak-
sion, Game Boy Color, and various other sys-
ing all the block colors the same) to progress
tems, Q*bert spawned a PlayStation remake
to the next pyramid. Later levels force players
and two sequels: Q*bert’s Qubes (arcade, Atari to change the color of each square twice. While
2600, ColecoVision) and Q*bert 3 (SNES).
Q*bert does his job, Ugg, Wrong-Way, Coily
the snake, and Slick and Sam (who change
Qix
squares back to their original color) get in the
PUBLISHER: Taito. DEVELOPER: Novotrade.
way. Hopping off the pyramid is lethal unless it’s
Maze, 1 or 2 players (alternating). 1991.
on to a disc that transports Q*bert to the top of
In Qix, players use a diamond-shaped
the pyramid. The original arcade version (Got-
marker to draw lines. As players draw, filling
tlieb, 1982) has crisper graphics and better con-
in the screen with boxes, rectangles, and other
trols, but the NES game does offer two differ-
straight-line shapes, enemies in the form of Qix
(an undulating, fan-shaped computer
virus), Spritz (star-shaped objects), and
Sparx make things difficult. Players should
make sure the Qix and the Spritz don’t
touch the Stix (the line being drawn) and
that the Qix, Spritz, and Sparx don’t
touch the marker. If players stop in mid-
draw, a fuse can burn up the Stix, de-
stroying the marker. The objective is to
fill in 75 percent or more of the screen.
During each game, players can draw fast
and slow, the latter garnering more
points for each percentage point com-
pleted. Trapping the Qix and Spritz while
filling in space also scores extra points.
Based on Taito’s 1981 arcade game, the
NES version of Qix added a computer
virus storyline, textured designs, and the
aforementioned Spritz. Also released for
the Atari 5200, Atari Lynx, and Game
Boy. Sequels include : Qix II (arcade),
Super Qix (arcade), Ultimate Qix (Genesis), and Qix Neo (PlayStation).
Quattro Adventure
PUBLISHER: Camerica. DEVELOPER: Code-
masters. Multi-Game Compilation/Side-
Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1991.
Quattro Adventure collects four pre-
viously unreleased games in one car-
Six coin-op classics ported to the NES: Q*bert, Bump
tridge. Linus Spacehead finds a caped
’n’ Jump, Galaga (which was subtitled “Demons of alien adventurer floating on bubbles to
Death”), Joust, Xevious, and Spy Hunter. Most of these avoid rocks and sea creatures, running
games were released for previous systems, such as the Atari 2600 and the ColecoVision, but the more power-on a beach while avoiding falling co-
ful NES was better able to mimic the arcade experience.
conuts, and more. In Super Robin Hood,
NINTENDO NES
153
the mythical anti-hero collects treasures and
bombs, the ability to move blocks) while avoid-
keys, climbs ladders, jumps on moving plat-
ing enemies. Stunt Buggies is an overhead-
forms, shoots arrows at bats and other enemies,
view, Rally-X-style racer in which players drive and more. The titular boy in Boomerang Kid
around mazes, collecting bombs and avoiding
collects (but doesn’t throw) boomerangs while
or blowing smoke on a wacky assortment of
performing such activities as jumping on plat-
enemy vehicles. Unlicensed.
forms (cliffs, trees, and the like) and avoiding
snakes and koalas. In Treasure Island Dizzy, the
Quattro Sports
egg-shaped star of The Fantastic Adventures of
PUBLISHER: Camerica. DEVELOPER: Codemas-
Dizzy explores a tree house village, gold mines, ters. Sports/Multi-Game Compilation, 1–3
a dragon’s lair, and other areas while using
players (simultaneous). 1991.
items and encountering wizards, trolls, lep-
Quattro Sports features four graphically
rechauns, and other strange creatures. All four
challenged (actually, Baseball Pros looks de-
games are mediocre at best, and only Super
cent) titles in one cartridge. The best game in
Robin Hood gives players a weapon. Unli-
the bunch, Baseball Pros is playable, but does
censed.
have some flaws, such as regulation games last-
ing 10 innings and the apparent lack of a short-
Quattro Adventure (Aladdin Version)
stop. Viewed from overhead, Soccer Simula-
PUBLISHER: Camerica. DEVELOPER: Codemas-
tion features throw-ins, penalties, and fouls,
ters. Multi-Game Compilation/Side-Scrolling
but moves much faster than the real sport.
Platform, 1 player. 1993.
Played on three different court surfaces (grass,
The Aladdin rendition of Quattro Adven-
clay, and gravel), Pro Tennis features lobs,
ture looks and plays
like the standard version, smashes, volleys, and other hits, but serving the
but was produced in a compact cartridge for-
ball in bounds can be tough. Similar to (but
mat. Requires the Aladdin Deck Enhancer. Un-
nowhere near as good as) Ivan “Ironman” Stew-
licensed.
art’s Super Off Road, BMX Simulator offers 15
different tracks across three types of terrain:
Quattro Arcade
Dirt Biking, Desert Riding, and Quarry Rac-
PUBLISHER: Camerica. DEVELOPER: Codemas-
ing. Unlicensed.
ters. Multi-Game Compilation, 1 or 2 players
(simultaneous). 1992.
Quattro Sports (Aladdin Version)
PUBLISHER: Camerica. DEVELOPER: Codemas-
Quattro Arcade consists of four previously
ters. Sports/Multi-Game Compilation, 1–3
unreleased, highly playable games. F-16 Rene-
players (simultaneous). 1993.
gade is a vertically scrolling shooter in which
players fly over forests, deserts, and an arctic
The Aladdin rendition of Quattro Sports
wasteland, firing bullets and bombs at tanks
looks and plays like the standard version, but
and planes, the latter of which move in patterns
was produced in a compact cartridge format.
and release power-ups. Certain levels offer a
Requires the Aladdin Deck Enhancer. Unli-
third-person, behind-the-plane perspective.
censed.
C.J.’s Elephant Antics is a cute side-scrolling
platformer in which C.J. runs, jumps (over
Race America
spikes and on moving platforms), throws
PUBLISHER: Absolute Entertainment. DEVEL-
bouncing bombs, and shoots peanuts through
OPER: Imagineering. Sports Car Racing, 1 or 2
players (simultaneous). 1992.
his trunk at such enemies as freaky frogs and
savage snowmen. In Go! Dizzy Go!, the egg-
Race America is an unusual game. It fea-
shaped Dizzy and his pal Denzil maneuver
tures the typical behind-the-car perspective of
around a series of themed mazes (Underwater,
such racers as Pole Position and Rad Racer, but Forest, Pyramid, Mountain, and Castle), col-the lead car gets a larger view of the action (the
lecting fruits and power-ups (shields, smart
trailing car is shown in a small window at the
154
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
bottom). In addition, when the racer closes the
Rad Racer
gap on an opponent during a cross country race
PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Square.
(the course runs from Boston to Los Angeles,
Sports Car Racing, 1 player. 1987.
with eight cities in between), the view switches
Although it owes more than a passing nod
to overhead. There’s side-view, split-screen
to Out Run, this early title from Square is a fine drag racing as well, in which players must focus
game in its own right. After selecting one of
on acceleration, speed, shifting gears, RPMs,
two cars (a 328 Twin Turbo or an F1 Machine),
oil slicks, and the opponent’s car.
players begin racing on the first of eight differ-
ent twisting, turning, timed courses, including
Racket Attack
a run through the Rocky Mountains, a stretch
PUBLISHER: Jaleco. DEVELOPER: Jaleco. Sports/
in Athens, Greece, and a spectacular looking
Tennis, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous). 1988.
night drive toward the San Francisco skyline.
One of the more entertainingly realistic
With each successive course, a new enemy car
sports sims for the NES, Racket Attack offers is added, such as a Corvette or a Mercedes Benz.
the following features: 16 playable characters
Bumping into other cars is allowable, but dan-
(eight males and eight females, each nicely
gerous since getting bumped into roadside trees
drawn); three courts (hard, clay, and grass); a
and signs is a common occurrence, especially
surprisingly articulate announcer calling out
during turns. The view is from behind the
scores; and three types of serves (spin, slice,
player’s car, which moves at an immensely sat-
and straight). Standard hits include lob, volley,
isfying, turbo-enhanced maximum speed of
smash, slice, forehand, and backhand. The
255kmph. Like 3-D WorldRunner, Rad Racer
manual recommends that gamers keep track of
was originally packaged with a cheaply pro-
their own tournaments (meaning there’s not
duced pair of 3D glasses, though WorldRunner
an actual tournament mode), but the game
uses the 3D effect to much better, um, effect.
does offer a password-backed, seven-match
competition against the computer. As in most
Rad Racer II
tennis video games, the perspective is from an
PUBLISHER: Square. DEVELOPER: Square. Sports
elevated viewpoint behind the court.
Car Racing, 1 player. 1990.
Viewed from behind the
player’s car, Rad Racer II is a lot
like the original Rad Racer, letting
gamers speed down eight twist-
ing, turning, timed tracks (includ-
ing Big Apple, Las Vegas Blvd.,
and Bay Bridge), each of which
sports dazzlingly detailed back-
grounds. Players can select from
two different songs (compared to
three in the original game), and
there’s only one car available this
time around. In addition, 3D is no
longer an option, helping create
an unusual case where the sequel
has fewer features than the origi-
nal. One new component is a
turbo boost ignition, which lets
players send their car into an im-
NES sports car games Rad Racer and Rad Racer II, both devel-mediate power start. Another thing
oped by Square.
Rad Racer veterans will notice is
NINTENDO NES
155
that Rad Racer II is a tougher game, allowing bious reputation, thanks to poor controls,
very little room for error.
buggy programming, limited animation, and
lame graphics. Armed with a gun, players, as
Rad Racket-Deluxe Tennis II
an undercover narcotics officer named Shadow,
PUBLISHER: American Video Entertainment.
must traverse six stages (Pier, Streets of Tech-
DEVELOPER: Idea-Tek. Sports/Tennis, 1 or 2
nopolis, Warehouse, Swamp, Space, and Com-
players (simultaneous). 1991.
puter Center), dodging mines and bird drop-
Rad Racket is a typical tennis video game,
pings (!), entering doorways, seizing cocaine
but for one odd distinction. From time to time,
and cash, and shooting drug kingpin Pitbull’s
a rat will appear on the court, to which the side-
army of robots and brainwashed servants.
line referee will exclaim (via text bubble), “Yuk
Pressing up and down moves Shadow diago-
a rat.” If a player manages to hit the rat with
nally, and certain levels must be repeated if all
the ball, he or she will automatically win the
the bad guys aren’t killed, even though all the
round. Otherwise, standard rules apply (at least
enemies don’t appear onscreen the first time
for the most part). Gamers can select from
through (leading to certain frustration).
three court surfaces (grass, clay, and hard) and
Shadow can jump and grab weapon power-ups,
from six characters, each of whom is supposedly
and he pilots a boat and a spaceship in certain
an expert in one area, such as the smash or the
areas, but these flourishes hardly make the
short ball. The controls are simple, and the el-
game worth playing. Unlicensed.
evated viewpoint is from behind one end of the
Rainbow Islands
court (as in Racket Attack and numerous other PUBLISHER: Taito. DEVELOPER: Taito. Vertical
tennis games). Despite the “II” in the title, there
Scrolling Platform, 1 or 2 players (simultane-
is no evidence of a precursor to the game. Un-
ous). 1991.
licensed.
A nice port of Taito’s 1987 coin-op classic,
Raid on Bungeling Bay
Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2, P
which was the arcade sequel to Bubble Bobble
UBLISHER: Broderbund Software. DEVELOPER:
Hudson Soft. Overhead View Free-Roaming
(as opposed to the NES sequel, which was Bub-
Shooter, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous). 1987.
ble Bobble Part 2), Rainbow Islands for the NES
is a nice entry in an unusual genre: the verti-
Adapted from the Commodore 64 com-
cal scrolling platformer. Players guide a boy
puter classic (1984), which was SimCity creator named Bubby as he makes his way up four
Will Wright’s first game, Raid on Bungeling Bay
stages in each of seven different worlds. Bubby
has players flying a helicopter (which is equipped
can jump up to platforms, but is better known
with a machine gun and bombs) over islands
for his ability to create small, solid rainbows
controlled by the evil Bungeling Empire. The
that he can use as walkways (to reach platforms
scrolling playfield is 100 contiguous screens in
above and below) and as weapons to knock
size, and players must locate and destroy six
bats, bugs, tanks, baby Frankenstein monsters,
secret weapons factories, making sure to land
and other enemies off the screen. Grabbing
for repairs and protect aircraft carriers. Enemy
magical items (stars, potions, and the like) gives
defenses, such as bombers, fighters, missiles,