by Brett Weiss
Bubby special powers, such as double rain-
tanks, and battleships, will attempt to shoot the
bows, lightning bolts, and extra speed. The
helicopter down. A second player can control
NES game is missing the world map and is less
enemy gun turrets.
colorful than the arcade original, but it’s a great
game nevertheless. Also released for the
Raid 2020
PlayStation (via Bubble Bobble: Also Featuring
PUBLISHER: Color Dreams. DEVELOPER: Color
Rainbow Islands). Followed by: Parasol Stars: Dreams. Platform Shooter, 1 player. 1989.
The Story of Bubble Bobble III (Turbografx-16), Widely regarded as one of the worst titles
Rainbow Islands: Evolution (PSP), and Rainbow in the NES library, Raid 2020 deserves its du-Islands: Revolution (Nintendo DS).
156
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
Rally Bike
Rampage
PUBLISHER: Romstar. DEVELOPER: Romstar.
PUBLISHER: Data East. DEVELOPER: Data East.
Motorcycle Racing, 1 or 2 players (alternat-
Action, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous). 1988.
ing). 1990.
Based on the slow and redundant (yet vis-
Viewed from overhead (ala Spy Hunter),
ceral) Bally/Midway arcade game (1986), Ram-
Rally Bike has players racing a motorcycle up page for the NES lacks the three-player action streets, trails, and other pathways (including a
of the original (Ralph the Wolf is absent), and
boat dock), dodging such obstacles as trucks,
the graphics suffer from slowdown and chop-
trains, buildings, and trees while trying to pass
piness when the screen gets busy. However, the
other racers or make them crash. Placing in the
action remains roughly the same. Players con-
top 10 of a race lets gamers upgrade their bike’s
trol giant monsters George the Ape or Lizzie
engine and tires, including rain tires (for extra
the Lizard as they climb and punch buildings,
grip), block tires (for off-road driving), and
smash bridges, eat food (including people!),
slicks (for high speeds on highways). Heli-
and destroy helicopters, trucks, soldiers, and
copters frequently drop off such helpful items
more. Certain items, such as lightning, should
as hi-grade gasoline, invincibility, turbocharg-
be avoided. The reign of destruction takes place
ers (temporary speed boosts), and helper mo-
in 128 cities. When compared to the Atari 7800
torcycles (which crash other racers without
version, the NES game has more detailed
hurting themselves or the player). It is some-
graphics, but the 7800 game includes Ralph the
times necessary to pull over and refuel. Unlike
Wolf (as does the Sega Master System version).
the superior arcade original (Taito, 1988), the
Followed by: Rampage World Tour (multiple),
comparatively primitive looking NES port
Rampage Through Time (PlayStation), Ram-
makes players start from the beginning of the
page Puzzle Attack (Game Boy Advance), and
level after a crash.
other sequels and offshoots.
Rambo
Rampart
PUBLISHER: Acclaim. DEVELOPER: Pack-In
PUBLISHER: Jaleco. DEVELOPER: Jaleco. Strat-
Video. Side-Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1988.
egy/Action Puzzle, 1 or 2 players (simultane-
ous). 1992.
Loosely based on the feature film Rambo:
First Blood Part II (1985), Rambo is a convo-Viewed from overhead and set during the
luted, poorly programmed game. In addition
Middle Ages, Rampart is a complex, unusual,
to battling the expected commandos, soldiers,
highly entertaining game. After selecting a ter-
and officers, Rambo, who looks like an over-
ritory and choosing a castle to defend, players
stuffed karate kid in tights, must take on birds,
engage in three primary activities: strategically
spiders, cobras, panthers, and other animals.
placing their cannons (the closer a cannon is to
Rambo begins the game armed with a combat
the harbor containing enemy ships, the better);
knife, but can add exploding arrows, hand
guiding a gunsight over enemy gunships, troop-
grenades, throwing knives, and a machine gun
ships, and flagships while firing cannons (the
to his arsenal. Despite formidable firepower,
more cannons the player has, the faster he or she
the game deviates from straightforward action
can shoot); and using rotateable wall segments
by having Rambo talk with people to garner
(some of which look like Tetris puzzle pieces) to clues and stand on top of N and S ground
fill in holes in castle walls and to build new cas-
markers to transfer from one location to an-
tle walls. In order to continue to the next bat-
other. It’s easy to get lost, so drawing a map is
tle, players must surround at least one castle
recommended. Sluggish controls and poor an-
with walls. Based on Atari’s 1990 arcade game,
imation add to the monotony. Oddly enough,
which benefited from trackball control, a three-
the game is somewhat similar to Zelda II (at
player mode, and higher resolution graphics.
least in basic design).
Also released for the Game Boy, Game Boy
Color, Atari Lynx, SNES, and Genesis.
NINTENDO NES
157
R.B.I. Baseball
Like R.B.I. Baseball 2, R.B.I. Baseball 3 fea-PUBLISHER: Tengen. DEVELOPER: Namco.
tures all 26 Major League teams of the era (rep-
Sports/Baseball, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous).
resented by city names, but not team names),
1987.
each fielding 24 professional players, including
Licensed by the MLBPA, R.B.I. Baseball
such stars as Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens,
was one of the first baseball games to incor-
Barry Bonds, and Nolan Ryan. Stats have been
porate actual player names, meaning Mark
updated to reflect the 1990 season, and 28 new
McGwire, George Brett, Jose Canseco, and nu-
teams have been added: all the Division Cham-
merous other figures of the era are featured (un-
pions from the 1983–1989 seasons. Other op-
fortunately, they are short, fat, and have car-
tions and features include instant replays,
toonishly large heads). Eight teams are available
bunting, stealing, squeeze plays, substitutions,
(represented by city names, sans mascots), plus
switch hitting, pick-offs, and six types of
a pair of all-star squads. Position players vary
pitches: knuckleball, sinkerball, fastball, curve-
according to hitting ability, power, and base-
ball left, curveball right, and normal speed.
running speed while pitchers vary according to
Also released for the Genesis (but with a fatal stamina, pitching speed, and ball control. Pinch
flaw — the computer swings at every outside
hitters are available as needed. Player stats don’t
<
br /> pitch). Followed by: R.B.I. Baseball 4 (Gene-
change from game to game, it’s too easy to hit
sis), R.B.I. Baseball ’93 (Genesis), R.B.I. Baseball home runs and steal bases, and players can’t
’94 (Genesis, Game Gear), R.B.I. Baseball ’95
jump or dive, but R.B.I. Baseball is both play-
(Sega 32X), and Super R.B.I. Baseball (SNES).
able and historically significant. A licensed and
Unlicensed.
unlicensed version of this game was released.
R.C. Pro-Am
R.B.I. Baseball 2
PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Rare.
PUBLISHER: Tengen. DEVELOPER: Tengen.
Miniature/Radio Control Racing/Demoli-
Sports/Baseball, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous).
tion/Combat Racing, 1 player. 1988.
1990.
As in the original R.B.I. Baseball, the view-
Viewed from an isometric/overhead per-
point of R.B.I. Baseball 2 during pitches is from spective, R.C. Pro-Am wasn’t the first combat behind the batter, with a pair of windows
racing game, but its emphasis on bombing and
showing first and third base. Once the ball is
shooting missiles at other cars did influence
hit into play, gamers get a larger view of the
such titles as Super Mario Kart and Rock ’n Roll field. However, numerous improvements and
Racing. Players race against three computer-
additions to the formula have been made, in-
controlled cars around twisting, turning tracks,
cluding talking umpires, instant replays, jump-
avoiding such road hazards as water puddles, oil
ing and diving (including sliding head-first),
slicks, skulls, and pop-up walls while running
the ability to turn the music off, better looking
over such upgrades as higher top speed, turbo
players (realism has replaced super-deformed),
acceleration, roll cages, and sticky tires. Grab-
and many more players. There are now 26
bing letters spelling out NINTENDO earns
teams, each with a 24-man roster. Once again,
players a faster car. Based on Rare’s 1987 arcade
actual player names are included (thanks to
game.
MLBPA licensing), but pro team names are ab-
sent (thanks to the lack of MLB licensing).
R.C. Pro-Am II
Player stats reflect the 1989 Major League Base-
PUBLISHER: Tradewest. DEVELOPER: Rare.
ball season. Unlicensed.
Miniature/Radio Control Racing/Demolition/
Combat Racing, 1–4 players (simultaneous).
R.B.I. Baseball 3
1992.
PUBLISHER: Tengen. DEVELOPER: Tengen.
Sports/Baseball, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous).
By adding truck-pull and drag racing
1991.
mini-games, more elaborate tracks, multi-
158
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
player action, and the ability to purchase
nally, Robin Hoëk of Logwood finds Ren,
weapons, tire upgrades, motor upgrades, oil
armed with bow and turkey baster, making his
slicks, and other items, R.C. Pro-Am II im-
way through the village and to the castle to res-
proves upon the formula pioneered by the al-
cue Maid Moron from the clutches of the evil
ready enjoyable R.C. Pro-Am. Unfortunately,
sheriff of Dodge City. Also released for the
it didn’t sell as well as the original (thanks to
SNES.
the success of the Genesis and SNES, which had
overtaken the NES in popularity), making it a
Renegade
harder game to find. Multi-tap adapter com-
PUBLISHER: Taito. DEVELOPER: Taito. Side-
patible. Followed by: Super R.C. Pro-Am
Scrolling Combat, 1 or 2 players (simultane-
(Game Boy) and Championship Pro-Am (Gen-
ous). 1988.
esis).
Renegade for the NES is a fairly entertain-
Remote Control
ing (if shallow) brawler, but it isn’t as good as
PUBLISHER: Hi Tech Expressions. DEVELOPER:
Taito’s original arcade game (1986), which had
RSP. Game Show, 1 or 2 players (simultane-
better graphics, three-button control, and
ous). 1990.
smarter enemy A.I. It does feature a couple of
flourishes not found in the original, including
Based on MTV’s first game show, which
a fun side-scrolling motorcycle stage where
more or less began the decline of the formerly
players speed down a highway, battling other
great music channel, Remote Control has three bikers. The basic punch-and-kick gameplay is
players (including up to two human contest-
similar to Double Dragon (sans weaponry), but ants) competing to answer questions about
with an unusual control system: The A button
classic TV shows, rock stars, celebrities, and
attacks enemies (including hoods, street punks,
other pop cultural touchstones. The first player
and kung fu women) to the left while the B but-
to buzz in gets to answer the question, but the
ton attacks to the right. Moves include running
multiple choice format makes the game way
punches, running kicks, sit-on punches, shoul-
too easy. Unlike the TV show, the video game
der throws, and kneeing. Followed by: Target:
has no bonus rounds (though it does have a
Renegade (NES).
fast round), and the host’s annoying remarks
quickly become repetitive.
Rescue: The Embassy Mission
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Buckeroo$!
PUBLISHER: Kemco/Seika. DEVELOPER: Info-
PUBLISHER: THQ. DEVELOPER: Imagineering.
grames. Tactical Shooter, 1 player. 1989.
Side-Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1993.
A forerunner to such games as the multi-
Based on the Nickelodeon cartoon series
platform Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, Rescue: (which was simply called The Ren and Stimpy
The Embassy Mission has players rescuing inno-Show), Buckeroo$! is divided into three distinc-cents taken hostage by political fanatics (in the
tive areas. In Space Madness, players control
original 1988 computer version, which was
the hairball-spitting Stimpy as he guides Ren
called Hostages: Rescue Mission, the enemies
(who wanders Lemmings-like) to sick bay,
were referred to as terrorists). The game is di-
dodging or defeating space rats, alien monsters,
vided into sections, with players performing
robots, and space cabbages along the way.
the following tasks: walking along avoiding
Helpful items include direction-reversing lit-
spotlights and ducking into doorways (side-
ter boxes, a hole-cutting beaver, and sta-put
scrolling); taking sniper shots at windows of a
socks. In Out West, Ren and Stimpy work their
building (viewed from behind the shooter, who
way through town, past the corrals, and on to
is positioned across the street from the build-
the stables, where they aim to steal the sheriff ’s
ing); repelling down and breaking into said
horse. Cowhands, buzzards, trough-sharks,
> building (third-person); and walking through
snakes, and bandits make this task difficult. Fi-
the building, blowing away enemies (first-per-
NINTENDO NES
159
son shooter style). Though terribly short, Res-
Road Runner
cue: The Embassy Mission was clearly ahead of PUBLISHER: Tengen. DEVELOPER: Tengen. Side-its time, offering high production values and a
Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1989.
compelling tactical experience.
The classic Warner Bros. cartoon comes
to interactive life with Road Runner for the Ring King
NES. Players control the titular speedster as he
PUBLISHER: Data East. DEVELOPER: Namco.
runs down twisting, turning highways, jump-
Sports/Boxing, 1–8 players (2-player simulta-
ing over cliffs, avoiding obstacles (boulders, on-
neous). 1987.
coming trucks, cannon balls, and sand traps),
The Data East Championship Title is up
and trying to avoid capture by Wile E. Coyote.
for grabs in Ring King, which includes six
Road Runner is faster than his nemesis, but
modes of play: Watch 1; Watch 2; Training
Wile E. can put the odds in his favor with a hel-
(where players earn punch, speed, and stam-
icopter, a pogo stick, jet skates, and dynamite.
ina power points); 2-Player VS (five five-round
To maintain his trademark speed, Road Run-
fights between two boxers); Ranking (battle
ner should run over birdseed along the way.
ranked boxers in rookie, U.S., and world divi-
Like its coin-op counterpart (Atari, 1985),
sions); and Tournament. Cartoonish, big-
Road Runner has players running from right to headed boxers fight one another using jabs,
left, which is a change of pace from the more
body blows, hooks, and uppercuts. Boxers with
standardized left to right movement found in
a high number of power points can execute
most side-scrollers. Road Runner is simplistic spin hooks, strong jabs, flying uppercuts, and
and not as funny as the cartoon, but players
super flying uppercuts. The elevated view of
must constantly keep on their toes to avoid
the game is from the side, with the screen
Wile E, making for a fun game. Such classical
scrolling left and right a bit as the boxers dance
tunes as Flight of the Bumblebee and the
around the ring (which is shown at a slight
William Tell Overture complement the action.
angle). Based on the 1985 Data East coin-op
Also released for the Atari 2600. Unlicensed.