by Brett Weiss
nons, double-barreled piston pumpers, and
balls, release fairies (10 of which grant Dana an
crystal snappers). The objective is to gather
extra life), destroy all enemies at once, and
pieces of the Golden Warpship, which are scat-
more. Most of the rooms in Solomon’s Key are tered on 12 alien planets across the galaxy.
deviously difficult (in a good way), forcing
While towing a spaceship part, the jetpod sways
players to think their way past the numerous
with the weight of that object, adding to the
obstacles and monsters impeding their pro-
challenge, fun, and unusual nature of the game.
gress. Predictably, the arcade version (Tecmo,
Hurrying through a level is a surefire method
1986) is more crisply rendered, but this is a very
for getting killed. Stellar graphics and sounds
nice port of a cult classic. Followed by: Solo-
are icing on the proverbial cake. Includes pass-
mon’s Club (Game Boy) and Fire ’n Ice (NES).
word feature.
Solstice: The Quest for the Staff of Dem-
Solitaire
nos
PUBLISHER: American Video Entertainment.
PUBLISHER: CSG Imagesoft. DEVELOPER: Soft-
DEVELOPER: Odyssey Software. Card Game, 1
ware Creations. Adventure, 1 player. 1990.
player. 1992.
To rescue Princess Eleanor from Morbius
The box for Solitaire claims that “you are
the Malevolent, Shadax must explore more
all alone on a beautiful tropical island,” but the
than 250 rooms of Kastlerock fortress (which is
solid green background found in this simple
viewed from an isometric perspective), search-
game of Klondike (an earlier name for solitaire)
ing for six pieces of a magical staff. Shadax can
would indicate otherwise (perhaps “grassy
walk through portals, detonate bombs to blast
field” would have been less hyperbolic). Play-
holes in walls, ride crystal balls through the air,
ers can select from five different card backs, five
and use various potions to freeze moving ob-
different color combinations, and whether or
jects, become invincible, and more. Many
not to have the music and sound effects turned
rooms contain blocks, which can be picked up
on or off. There are two modes of play: One
and carried, walked on like steps, and used as
Card Draw and Three Card Draw. To pick up
protection against pyramid spikes. Other obsta-
and place cards (in descending order on the lay-
cles (and enemies) include needle spikes, skulls,
out cards or ascending order on the founda-
eyeballs, trolls, and slime balls. Followed by:
tion piles), gamers guide a cartoonish looking
Equinox (SNES).
hand around the screen. Winners are acknowl-
edged by the spelling out of “YOU WIN” with
Space Shuttle Project
lettered cards. Unlicensed.
PUBLISHER: Absolute Entertainment. DEVEL-
OPER: Absolute Entertainment. Flight Simula-
Solomon’s Key
tor, 1 player. 1991.
PUBLISHER: Tecmo. DEVELOPER: Tecmo. Maze/
Action Puzzle/Non-Scrolling Platform, 1
Space Shuttle Project was designed by for-
player. 1987.
mer Activision employees (David “Pitfall! ” Crane
176
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
even lent his voice to the project), making it
a locked door); a TNT detonator (for blowing
an unofficial sequel of sorts to Space Shuttle: A open a secret passage); and infra-red goggles
Journey Into Space for the Atari 2600. Game-
(for seeing in the dark). The action takes place
play is predictably complex, with armchair as-
in the following New York City locations: The
tronauts performing a variety of tasks, includ-
Power Station, Toxic Waste Dump, The House
ing activating the shuttle’s oxygen and
of Illusion, Streets and Rooftops, The Forest &
hydrogen pumps, escorting crew members into
Hobgoblin’s Cave, and Doc Ock’s Castle. Also
the orbiter, breaking gravitational pull and en-
released for the Game Gear.
tering into orbit, launching a satellite, con-
structing a space station, rescuing a cosmonaut,
Spiritual Warfare
reentering Earth’s atmosphere, and much
PUBLISHER: Wisdom Tree. DEVELOPER: Wis-
more. The manual is required reading.
dom Tree. Third-Person Action Role-Playing
Game, 1 player. 1992.
Spelunker
A poor man’s The Legend of Zelda, Spiritual PUBLISHER: Broderbund. DEVELOPER: IREM.
Warfare was produced by Wisdom Tree, the
Side-Scrolling Platform/Adventure, 1 player.
company infamous for its unlicensed religious
1987.
games. While traveling through a park, a
A graphically enhanced rendition of the
prison, the woods, and other areas of town,
1983 MicroGraphicImage computer game, Spe-
players must throw “fruits of the spirit” to con-
lunker for the NES has players exploring caves vert unsaved souls (i.e. defeat enemies). De-deep beneath the Earth, shooting a phantom
feating a boss reveals one of the following
blaster at ghosts and firing a flare gun to scare
pieces of the armor of God: belt of truth (for
away bats. Finding keys to unlock doors to var-
pushing obstacles); boots of the gospel (for
ious passages is crucial, as is using dynamite to
walking across rubble and wet cement); helmet
blow away rocks blocking your path. There are
of salvation (protection from explosions);
ropes and ladders to climb and elevators, boats,
breastplate of righteousness (cuts damage
and mine cars to ride. Jumping can be tricky,
taken by half ); shield of faith (cuts damage
and falling a short distance can result in death,
taken by an additional half ); or sword of the
making for a difficult, but immersive game.
spirit (the sword bursts when it is thrown).
IREM released an arcade version in 1985. Sim-
Other useful items include: Samson’s jawbone
ilar to: Montezuma’s Revenge (Master System,
(for beating certain bosses); keys (for opening
various).
locked doors); and torches (to see special
blocks in puzzle rooms). Periodically, an angel
Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six
will present players with Bible trivia questions,
PUBLISHER: LJN. DEVELOPER: B.I.T.S. Studios.
and Christian Helpers are on hand to offer ad-
Side-Scrolling Platform/Side-Scrolling Com-
vice. Includes password feature.
bat, 1 player. 1992.
Loosely based on Amazing Spider-Man #s
Spot: The Video Game!
334–339 (published by Marvel Comics), Re-
PUBLISHER: Arcadia Systems. DEVELOPER: Arca-
dia Systems. Board Game, 1–4 players (simul-
turn of the Sinister Six is the only Spider-Man taneous). 1990.
ga
me for the NES. Unfortunately, it’s mediocre
at best, thanks to poor collision detection, lousy
Based on Infection, the European com-
controls, and hackneyed level design. Players
puter game, Spot has players moving round
control the web-slinging hero as he punches,
pieces on a customizable 7 × 7 board, trying to
kicks, and shoots webbing at such bad guys as
change all the pieces on the board to their color.
Electro, Sandman, Mysterio, Vulture, Hobgob-
Moving a piece to an adjacent empty space du-
lin, and Doctor Octopus. Spidey can also jump,
plicates the piece by one. Moving a piece to an
crouch, turn somersaults, climb, and pick up
empty space that is bordered by any opponents’
and use the following items: a key (for opening
pieces turns those pieces to the moving player’s
NINTENDO NES
177
color. Players can also skip their piece over one
giant springs, water buckets, and time bombs)
or two spaces, but the space the piece started
for one another while searching for a passport,
in will become empty. When a piece is moved,
a bag of money, a key, secret papers, and the
Spot, the red, round, shades-wearing, 7UP
exit. To disable the traps, spies can collect
mascot performs one of 35 different anima-
water buckets, wire cutters, and umbrellas. A
tions. Landing on the Secret Spot unlocks a
split-screen layout allows for two-player ac-
spinning-reel mini-game in which players can
tion, and a mapping system helps gamers keep
win a free turn, extra time, a free move to any
track of both spies and the locations of the
square, or the ability to swap a piece with an-
items and traps. Hand-to-hand combat ensues
other player. Also released for the Game Boy.
when both spies enter one room. Also released
Spot appeared in numerous other video games,
for the Master System and Game Boy Color.
including Cool Spot (SNES, various) and Spot Followed by: Spy vs Spy — Operation: Booby-Goes to Hollywood (Genesis, various).
trap (Game Boy). In 2005, a 3D take on the
strip was released for the Xbox.
Spy Hunter
PUBLISHER: Sunsoft. DEVELOPER: Sunsoft. De-
Sqoon
molition/Combat Racing, 1 player. 1987.
PUBLISHER: Irem. DEVELOPER: Homedata. Side-
Scrolling Shooter, 1 player. 1987.
Viewed from overhead, the oft-ported Spy
Hunter puts players at the wheel of a specially Emboldened by a hankering for some
equipped Ferrari, driving up country roads
“man-ham,” aliens from Neptune have melted
(lined with trees and the like), firing a machine
Earth’s polar ice caps, sinking all its cities under
gun at limousines, helicopters, motorcycles,
water. To save the day, players must pilot a sub-
and other enemies, some of which fire back.
marine (from left to right) through eight areas
When a weapons van appears, players should
(New York, Hawaii, China, India, Egypt,
enter it to obtain oil slicks, smoke screens, and
Greece, England, and the North Pole), shooting
missiles. Occasionally, a boathouse will appear
missiles and ice balls at crabs, sharks, sea
in which players switch out their sports car for
horses, robots, mines, and other Neptunian
a boat. The shooting action in the rivers is sim-
threats. Enemies don’t shoot back, but making
ilar to the streets, but no weapons van appears,
contact with a vessel, creature, or other enemy
and enemies include such watercrafts as speed-
is lethal. To earn points, refuel, gain speed, and
boats and cruise boats. Like the original coin-
power-up the missiles, players should rescue
op classic (Bally/Midway, 1983), the game fea-
humans— who are freed by shooting domes
tures the theme from Peter Gunn. However, the and factories along the ocean floor — and deNES version moves faster (causing some frus-
liver them to the surface. Obscure and simplis-
tration) and is missing the “Beware of the
tic (in a good way), Sqoon is a fun, fair, and enemy agents” points screen. Sequels include:
challenging shooter that should appeal to retro
Spy Hunter II (arcade) and Super Spy Hunter enthusiasts. Irem later released another sub
(NES). Remade for the PS2, GameCube, Game
shooter, In the Hunt, for the arcades, PlaySta-Boy Advance, and Xbox.
tion, and Saturn.
Spy vs Spy
Stack-Up
PUBLISHER: Seika. DEVELOPER: Kemco. Action,
PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Nintendo.
1 or 2 players (simultaneous). 1988.
Action Puzzle, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous).
1985.
Based on the 1984 computer game (which
was based on the Mad magazine comic strip),
Designed for use with R.O.B., Stack-Up
Spy vs Spy for the NES pits the pointy nosed comes packaged with five trays and five round
Heckel (white spy) against his virtual twin
blocks (red, white, blue, yellow, and green). By
Jackel (black spy) as they traverse a maze of
using the control pad to move Professor Hec-
side-view rooms, setting booby-traps (dynamite,
tor on top of command keys depicted onscreen,
178
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
players prompt the Robotic Operating Buddy to
plants, and other enemies that inhabit the eight
pick up and move the soft plastic blocks. The
levels of play. Stanley can add various items to
objective is to transport the blocks from a start-
his arsenal, including a machete, a blowgun,
ing configuration to a final configuration as fast
rocks, bows and arrows, a battle axe, spears,
as possible, using as few moves as possible. In
keys, maps, a grapnel, rope, and shields.
terms of strategy and fun, Stack-Up is superior There’s plenty of action (running, jumping,
to Gyromite, the only other R.O.B.–compatible climbing, and crawling), but figuring out how
game, but it is much harder to find complete
each item is used plays a key role, as does talk-
due to players losing the aforementioned game
ing to characters to access news and informa-
pieces. A system launch title.
tion. Includes password feature.
Stadium Events
Star Force
PUBLISHER: Bandai. DEVELOPER: Bandai.
PUBLISHER: Tecmo. DEVELOPER: Hudson Soft.
Sports/Track & Field, 1–6 players (alternating,
Vertical Scrolling Shooter, 1 player. 1987.
2-player simultaneous). 1987.
Set in the year 2010 Dimensional Almanac,
Later published by Nintendo as World
Star Force has players battling the murderous Class Track Meet, Stadium Events is one of the planet Gordess, which is divided into 24 fly-rarest licensed games in the NES library, thanks
over sections. Each section is swarming with
to Nintendo forcing the game off the market
zigging, zagging, swirling enemy ships that are
simplistic in design (squares, circles, diamonds,
moniker. The cartridge contains four events:
letters, and other shapes), and each section has
100M Dash, 110M Hurdles, Long Jump, and
ground-based targets that are destroyed via
Triple Jump, each requiring the use of the Fam-
standard firepower (meaning there are no
ily Fun Fitness control mat (later released by
bombs or other air-to-surface weaponry). The
Nintendo as the Power Pad). The events are
ship gamers pilot is called the Final Star, and it
viewed from behind, with players (standing
fires a Star Beam Gun, which is a dual-firing
alone or side by side with a second player) hop-
mechanism. Occasionally, players can grab a
ping, stepping, jogging in place, and otherwise
power-up that makes the bullets and the ship
pressing buttons on the mat with their feet in
move 1.5 times faster. One unusual aspect of
order to get the onscreen characters to run and
this otherwise ordinary (if highly challenging)
jump. Tournament and The Olympics modes
game is the ship’s imperviousness to light con-
are available, the latter of which lets 1–6 play-
tact on its wings, meaning destroying enemies
ers perform all four events in a row. Computer
from the side is possible. Predictably, though
opponents are named after animals: Turtle,
this is a very nicely programmed port, the orig-
Bear, Horse, Rabbit, Bobcat, and Cheetah.
inal arcade version (Tehkan, 1984) has sharper
graphics and sounds. Followed by: Final Star
Stanley: the Search for Dr. Livingston
Force (arcade).
PUBLISHER: Electro Brain. DEVELOPER: Sculp-
tured Software. Adventure/Side-Scrolling
Star Soldier
Platform, 1 player. 1992.
PUBLISHER: Taxan. DEVELOPER: Hudson Soft.
Vertical Scrolling Shooter, 1 player. 1989.
Set in the African Congo (circa 1871),
Stanley: the Search for Dr. Livingston puts playIn this fast-moving, rapid-fire shooter,
ers in the role of an adventurer on a perilous
players dart their ship (called Caesar) over a
mission to find an explorer who got lost while
floating, 16-stage space station, firing double
searching for the legendary Temple of Am-
shots at enemy ships and robot creatures, some
Zutuk. Stanley begins the game equipped with
of which resemble giant insects. The flying en-
Dr. Livingston’s notes, an auto-gyro copter (for