by Brett Weiss
Side-Scrolling Combat/Side-Scrolling Plat-
the Sesame Street television series.
form, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous). 1991.
In the year 2029, the mad emperor Garuda
Sesame Street 123
and his minions control New York City, and it
PUBLISHER: Hi Tech Expressions. DEVELOPER:
is up to a pair of ninja warriors to save the day.
Rare. Educational/Math/General, 1 player.
After selecting Hayate (a male) or Kaede (a fe-
1989.
male), players must battle through five multi-
Sesame Street 123, which contains two sep-
stage levels (Sea Port, Underground Sewers,
arate games (along with a number of varia-
Rooftops of the City, Air Fortress, and Final
tions), has cute graphics, charming music, and
Fortress), using a katana, shurikens, lightning
a kid-friendly approach to making learning
bolts, energy blasts, bombs, and a sickle to bat-
fun. In Ernie’s Magic Shapes, a shape or item
tle robots, soldiers, guards, ninjas, and other
composed of shapes appears above Ernie’s head,
enemies. Players will also climb, dodge traps,
and players must help Ernie select the correct
grab poles (and swing up onto them), jump on
shape or shapes that correspond to that image
moving platforms and over gaps, and more.
(the size and color of the shape can be deter-
The game lacks the cinematic cut scenes of such
mining factors). After the image has been com-
similar titles as Ninja Gaiden and Wrath of the pleted, Ernie’s magic bunny pops out of a hat
Black Manta, but it does offer two-player si-
and waves. In Astro-Grover, players add, sub-
multaneous action (ala Contra). Not much in
tract, and count little green men called Zips,
the way of originality going on here, but
which hail from the planet Zap. A series of cor-
Shadow of the Ninja is a great action title with rect answers rewards players with the building
nice visuals and excellent gameplay.
of Grover’s city, or with the launching a space-
ship.
Shadowgate
PUBLISHER: Kemco/Seika. DEVELOPER: ICOM
720°
Simulations. First-Person Graphic Adventure,
PUBLISHER: Mindscape. DEVELOPER: Mind-
1 player. 1989.
scape. Sports/Skateboarding, 1 player. 1989.
Adapted from the computer game, Shad-
Based on Atari’s highly influential 1986
owgate for the NES is a point-and-click adven-arcade game, which benefited from a spinning
ture in which players explore an atmospheric,
controller, voice effects, and a pair of boom
maze-like castle, trying to prevent the evil War-
box-like speakers, 720° for the NES is a
lock Lord from bringing darkness upon the
simplified, though nicely realized port. Players
land. The screen is divided into three views:
skate around a main park, avoiding cars, thugs,
physical environment (depicting current loca-
and killer bees while pulling off moves (spins,
tion, puzzles, and monsters); inventory of
handstands, and the like) to earn tickets to gain
items, weapons, and spells (arrow, blade, cloak,
entrance to smaller parks and four different
helmet, mirror, torch, and much more); and
events: Downhill, Slalom, Jump, and Ramp.
list of commands (look, take, open, close, use,
Money earned or found can be used to pur-
hit, leave, speak, and move). Fun and challeng-
chase helmets, skateboards, shoes, and pads.
ing the first time through (but much easier
168
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
upon succession), Shadowgate is similar to Déjà A quick glance at the manual would lead
Vu and Uninvited. Includes battery backup.
one to believe that Shinobi for the NES is equal Also released for the Game Boy Color (as Shad-to its Master System counterpart. Everything
owgate Classic). Followed by: Beyond Shadow-initially appears to be intact, from the lead
gate (TurboDuo) and Shadowgate 64: Trials of character (a Master Ninja) to the five bosses
the Four Towers (Nintendo 64).
(Ken Oh, Black Turtle, Mandara, Lobster, and
Masked Ninja) to the first-person bonus stages
Shatterhand
to the running, jumping, punching, kicking,
PUBLISHER: Jaleco. DEVELOPER: Natsume. Side-
shooting (shurikens and knives), sword-
Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1991.
thrusting, magic-using action. Unfortunately
for Nintendo apologists, the NES game is eas-
Outfitted with cybernetic hands, Shatter-
ily the inferior port (of Sega’s 1987 arcade orig-
hand is the world’s only hope against an army of
inal), thanks to poor controls, loss of back-
rogue cyborg soldiers. To vanquish his fearsome
ground detail, easier gameplay, and some gaps
foes, he must run, jump, climb, and punch his
in programming, namely part two of the second
way through seven basic, but entertaining lev-
level, which only takes the Master Ninja right
els: Factory, Refinery, Submarine, Filtration
and left (in the SMS version, players had to
Plant, Anti-Gravity Research Center, Ravaged
jump up to higher platforms and exit via the
City, and Missile Command. Scattered through-
top of the playfield). Although playable, the
out are white boxes containing letters. Collecting
NES rendition of Shinobi is hugely disappoint-any combination of three letters grants Shatter-
ing. It’s unlicensed, and it shows. Also released
hand one of eight hovering satellite robots, sup-
for the Game Gear. Followed by numerous se-
plementing his punches with such weaponry as
quels and a PS2 remake.
laser beams, a sword, or fireballs. Other power-
ups, including health, more powerful punches,
ShockWave
and extra lives, must be purchased.
PUBLISHER: American Game Cartridges. DE-
VELOPER: American Game Cartridges. Adven-
Shingen the Ruler
ture Puzzle/Maze, 1 or 2 players (alternating).
PUBLISHER: Hot-B USA. DEVELOPER: Another
1990.
Ltd. Turn-Based Strategy, 1 player. 1990.
In ShockWave, players guide a floating,
Set in feudal Japan (circa 1500s), Shingen
spacesuit-wearing character around a series of
the Ruler finds daimyo Takeda Shingen and his mazes, using a shockwave pistol to create path-son Katsuyori on a mission to conquer all 21
ways by moving and destroying blocks that
territories of the country. In domestic admin-
make up the maze walls. When a block is shot
istration mode, players must build up their
by a shockwave, it is not affected directly.
military, establish statecraft policy, give orders
Rather, shockwaves reverberate through adja-
to territories, and consolidate territories. Bat-
cent blocks, causing them to move or be de-
tle mode consists of field fights, the siege of
stroyed (depending
on the type of block). Solid
enemy castles, the occupation of enemy terri-
blocks cannot be moved or destroyed. Other
tory, and the gaining of rank, experience,
playfield elements include: firestars (which are
troops, and war trophies. Two types of battle
deadly); force fields (which restrict certain
are available: automatic, in which the com-
types of movement); time bonuses; teleporta-
puter takes over; and manual, in which players
tion gateways; and crystals, the latter of which
move troops. Includes battery backup. Similar
must be collected in order for the player to ad-
to: Genghis Khan (NES).
vance levels. Includes password feature. Unli-
censed.
Shinobi
PUBLISHER: Tengen. DEVELOPER: Tengen. Side-
Shooting Range
Scrolling Combat/Platform Shooter, 1 player.
PUBLISHER: Bandai. DEVELOPER: Bandai. Light
1989.
Gun Shooter, 1–4 players (alternating). 1989.
NINTENDO NES
169
Shooting Range has players firing Nin-
Based on the 1986 Data East coin-op
tendo’s Zapper light gun at cowboys, Indians,
semi-classic (which actually showed the pool
birds, witches, ghosts, mummies, aliens, and
player leaning over the table), Side Pocket of-other targets through three themed, side-scroll-
fers a compelling single-player mode called
ing stages: Western/Desert, Monster Town,
Pocket, in which gamers ascend the champi-
and Outer Space, each of which has a time
onship ranks by achieving certain scores. For
limit. Actually, players don’t shoot the charac-
bonus points, players should sink balls in nu-
ters. Rather, they shoot pinwheel targets at-
merical order, in lighted pockets, and on con-
tached to the characters, presumably to cut
secutive shots. Trick shots with wine glass ob-
down on the perceived violence. Shooting cer-
stacles are also part of the action. There’s a
tain items provides extra points, energy, and
two-player take on Pocket pool, plus a two-
time while missing shots reduces the player’s
player game of 9 Ball. Side Pocket employs a energy. A special bonus stage has players shoot-power meter and a dotted line for hitting and
ing as many bottles as possible, and a compet-
aiming, and players can even put spin on the
itive Party Game mode lets up to four players
ball. For those not ready for prime time, a
take turns shooting moving pinwheels.
Training mode is available. The view of the
table is from overhead.
Short Order/Eggsplode!
PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Nintendo.
Silent Assault
Action, 1–5 players (alternating). 1989.
PUBLISHER: Color Dreams. DEVELOPER: Joy
Van. Platform Shooter, 1 player. 1990.
The only Nintendo-developed
Power Pad cartridge, Short Order/
Eggsplode! consists of two separate
games. The Simon-influenced Short
Order has players hopping on pairs of
numbers on the Power Pad in order
to fulfill hamburger orders placed
by animal customers. The animal
will hop on the ingredients (meat,
cheese, lettuce, and tomato), and
players must memorize the sequence
and then hop on the corresponding
ingredients in the correct order. Big-
ger animals order more ingredients.
In Eggsplode, which is similar con-
ceptually to Whack-a-Mole, up to
three foxes plant bombs under nest-
ing chickens, which are laid out in
the same sequences as the buttons on
the Power Pad. Players should step
on said bombs while avoiding step-
ping on the eggs. Both games are
cute and fun, and both offer the tan-
gential benefits of aerobic exercise.
Side Pocket
Short Order/Eggsplode! and Dance Aerobics were designed for PUBLISHER: Data East. DEVELOPER:
the NES Power Pad, which was an exercise-oriented control Data East. Sports/Billiards, 1 or 2
mat containing large buttons that players could press with players (simultaneous). 1987.
their feet.
170
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
Demonic aliens have taken control of
tor jeep that shoots and jumps a little like the
Earth’s military forces, and it is up the player,
moon buggy in the arcade classic, Moon Patrol.
a Rambo-like commando, to save the day. The
In two-player mode, one gamer guides the jeep
hero in question runs along, jumping over ob-
while the other pilots the chopper. Both vehi-
stacles (rolling boulders, mines, torches, and
cles proceed from left to right and can shoot
the like), throwing grenades, climbing ladders,
straight ahead and at a variety of angles.
and shooting slugs, death skulls, tanks, flying
Throughout seven levels of play, gamers will
balloons, and other enemies (including a
blow away rockets, bombers, tanks, ships, tur-
sphinx boss). As in the vastly superior (play-
rets, land mines, robotic vehicles, and MH
ing, looking, and sounding) Contra, gamers
Snakehead helicopters, the latter of which pro-
can shoot forward, straight up, and from a
vide items that double your firepower, give
crouched position. However, unlike Contra,
you shields, and increase your speed, score,
there is no diagonal or spread fire. Players begin
and ranking. Despite less graphical detail, Silk-
the game armed with a bazooka launcher and
worm is an exciting, quickly paced port of Te-can acquire a shotgun and a machine gun by
cmo’s 1988 arcade game (which is spelled Silk
bringing down enemy surveillance crafts.
Worm).
Shooting facility guards sometimes releases
medals of bravery (for temporary invincibil-
Silver Surfer
ity) and iron hearts (for replenishing shields).
PUBLISHER: Arcadia Systems. DEVELOPER: Soft-
There are eight areas to battle through, includ-
ware Creations. Side-Scrolling Shooter/Verti-
ing a desert, a forest, and a besieged city. Un-
cal Scrolling Shooter, 1 or 2 players (alternat-
licensed.
ing). 1990.
The Silver Surfer is one of the most pow-
Silent Service
erful super-heroes in the Marvel Universe.
PUBLISHER: Ultra Games. DEVELOPER: Rare.
Naval Combat Simulator, 1 player. 1989.
However, in this game he can be one-hit killed
by fish, ducks, and riverbanks. In addition, the
Based on Sid Meier’s typically complex
surf board makes for a long target, many pas-
computer game (1985), Silent Service for the sages are narrow, and projectiles move quickly,
NES is set in the South Pacific during World
making the action frustratingly hard. Players
War II. As a submarine captain, players must
guide the Surfer through five selectable
worlds
take on the Japanese Navy and neutralize the
(Reptyl, Mephisto, Skrull Emperor, Possessor,
Japanese Merchant Marine. This requires ma-
and Firelord), using cosmic powered bullets,
neuvering a sub around a war patrol map (in
smart bombs, and orbs to destroy a variety of
order to locate enemy ships or home ports),
creatures, gun emplacements, ships, and other
firing torpedoes at enemy ships (located via a
enemies.
periscope), monitoring numerous instruments
and gauges, reading crew reports, and much
The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mu-
more. Convoy action scenarios, such as Ham-
tants
merhead at Borneo and Tautog at Night, are
PUBLISHER: Acclaim. DEVELOPER: Imagineer-
shorter missions involving players in specific
ing. Side-Scrolling Platform/Adventure, 1
historical scenarios.
player. 1991.
Silkworm
Bart vs. The Space Mutants finds Springfield P
under attack by monsters taking over the bod-
UBLISHER: American Sammy. DEVELOPER:
American Sammy. Side-Scrolling Shooter, 1 or
ies of people who live there. To thwart the
2 players (simultaneous). 1990.
aliens’ plans of building an ultimate weapon,
Bart must jump on enemies, use X-ray specs
In Silkworm, players commandeer a highly
to uncover mutants, spray paint purple objects,
maneuverable attack helicopter or an intercep-
find hats (and knock hats off of people), shoot
NINTENDO NES
171
balloons with a slingshot, and collect exit signs
To make things a bit easier, Bart can pick up
and power rods. Bart can also collect coins to
two types of weaponry: laser bolts and ice crys-
purchase items and play mini-games. The con-
tals, the latter of which emit cold breaths for
trols are iffy, and frustration can be an issue,
fighting bad guys (including Swamp Hag, Lava
but the game is infused with the show’s trade-
Man, and Dr. Crab) and freezing objects (to
mark humor and features many of its locations
make platforms). Bartman Meets Radioactive
and characters, including bad guys Nelson,
Man was the final game in Acclaim’s disap-
Sideshow Bob, and Dr. Marvin Monroe.
pointing Simpsons trilogy on the NES.
Homer, Marge, Lisa, and Maggie are on hand
to help with boss battles, but Bart has to per-
6 in 1
form certain feats within the levels for this to
PUBLISHER: Caltron. DEVELOPER: Caltron.