by Brett Weiss
VELOPER: AGCI. Side-Scrolling Platform, 1
player. 1991.
from teammates, check opponents, commit
penalties (hooking, slashing, high sticking,
This game puts players in the role of Wally
etc.), and more, but the game has terrible
Bear, a “just say no” type of guy who skateboards
graphics, monotonous coloring, small skaters,
around town, throwing pies at rats, lizards, and
and sub par gameplay. Options include period
other enemies while dodging and/or jumping
length, game speed, and game type (Practice,
over balls, bats, birds, and other obstacles. The
Normal, and Playoff ). In two-player mode,
mission through the seven levels of play is to save
gamers can go at it head-to-head or team up
Toby Turtle from Ricky Rat, the latter of whom
against the computer. Based on the 1989 com-
is a drug dealer. Like most unlicensed NES
puter game. “The Great One” starred in sev-
games, Wally Bear has crude graphics and slugeral other video games, including Wayne Gret-
gish controls, but the unintentionally humorous
zky and the NHLPA All-Stars (Genesis, SNES)
anti-drug messages do provide some amuse-
and Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey (arcade, Nin-
ment.
tendo 64).
Wario’s Woods
Wayne’s World
PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Nintendo.
PUBLISHER: THQ Software. DEVELOPER: Radi-
Action Puzzle, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous).
cal Entertainment. Side-Scrolling Platform, 1
1994.
player. 1993.
206
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
Much different than its Genesis and Super
monsters. There are ladders to climb, obstacles
NES counterparts, Wayne’s World for the NES
to jump over, and more. Players begin in
lets players control Wayne or Garth (as op-
human form, but grabbing a red W icon trans-
posed to just Wayne), depending on which sec-
forms the character into a powerful werewolf
tion of which level the player is in. Garth uses
capable of crawling, doing back flips, and walk-
a gun to shoot the musical instruments, nin-
ing on the ceiling. Grabbing five white power
jas, bouncers, cats, spiders, and other enemies
bubbles fills an anger meter that transforms
while Wayne employs a kicking maneuver.
players into an even more powerful super were-
Both can duck under objects, enter doors, and
wolf. Other items grant extra time, additional
jump across gaps, onto ledges, and the like.
lives, invincibility, and restoration of health.
Levels include: Kramer’s Music Store, Stan
Included in the package is a Werewolf comic
Mikita’s Donut Shop, The Gasworks, Alleyway,
book.
Benjamin’s Chicago Studio, and Benjamin’s
Condo. The action is limited in nature, and the
Wheel of Fortune
game is short and easy to beat. Based on the
PUBLISHER: Gametek. DEVELOPER: Rare. Game
1992 feature film (which in turn was based on
Show, 1–3 players (simultaneous). 1988.
a Saturday Night Live skit), Wayne’s World is Based on the long-running TV game show,
excellent. NOT!
Wheel of Fortune for the NES is not endorsed by Pat Sajak or Vanna White, but a pretty blonde
WCW: World Championship Wrestling
in a dress is on hand to turn the letters. As play
PUBLISHER: FCI. DEVELOPER: Nihon Bussan.
begins, gamers are shown a wall of hidden let-
Sports/Wrestling, 1 or 2 players (simultane-
ters (blank boxes) spelling out a word or words
ous). 1990.
in one of the following categories: person, peo-
The only WCW title for the NES, this en-
ple, phrase, place, event, title, or thing (there are tertaining game is a series of one-on-one fights
more than 1,000 puzzles in all). To guess a con-
against 13 different large wrestlers, including
sonant in the puzzle, players spin a large wheel
such stars as Rick Flair, Sting, and Lex Luger,
(which appears on another screen), hoping that
and an unlockable character called the WCW
the wheel lands on a dollar amount or free spin
Master. Tag team matches are included, as are
(as opposed to bankrupt or lose a turn). Play-
a variety of standard wrestling moves, such as
ers can choose to buy a vowel in lieu of guess-
punches, kicks, head butts, body slams, hammer
ing a consonant, or they can bypass the wheel
throws, flying moves, and grapples. The wrestlers
altogether and attempt to solve the puzzle.
are somewhat similar in appearance, but each
After the first two rounds, play switches to a
has a unique special move, such as jumping
speed-up round. The fourth and final round is
neck breaker drop, neck wringer, jumping
a bonus game in which the winner competes
elbow drop, or double arm suplex. Wrestlers
for valuable prizes. Also released for the Gen-
can also climb out of the ring to go grab a
esis, SNES, Sega CD, and numerous other sys-
weapon. The elevated view is from the side, and
tems.
the screen scrolls horizontally to show the en-
tire ring.
Wheel of Fortune Family Edition
PUBLISHER: Gametek. DEVELOPER: Rare. Game
Werewolf: The Last Warrior
Show, 1–3 players (simultaneous). 1990.
PUBLISHER: Data East. DEVELOPER: Takara.
Wheel of Fortune Family Edition looks and
Side-Scrolling Combat, 1 or 2 players (alter-
plays virtually identical to the original NES ver-
nating). 1990.
sion of Wheel of Fortune, but with all new puz-In Werewolf: The Last Warrior, Chief War
zles (more than 1,000 in all) and the addition of
Wolf must battle his way through five short,
three new puzzle categories: things (note the
but challenging levels, punching and using a
plural usage), fictional person, and same name
power ray on an assortment of bad guys and
(two names or phrases both ending in a com-
NINTENDO NES
207
mon word). Despite the misleading title, Fam-
men Sandiego? for the NES is based on the 1989
ily Edition does not include any additional
Broderbund computer game (which spawned
modes of play or other special features, making
a PBS game show). Players travel through time
it something of a disappointment.
via a Chronoskimmer 325i to collect the clues
and warrants necessary to capture and arrest
Wheel of Fortune Featuring Vanna
Carmen Sandiego and her henchmen, who
White
have stolen historical artifacts. To determine
PUBLISHER: Gametek. DEVELOPER: Gametek/
the crooks’ whereabouts, players interview eye-
Imagitec Design. Game Show, 1–3 players (si-
witnesses and informants and use a scanner to
multaneous). 1992.
<
br /> locate objects. To obtain arrest warrants, play-
Wheel of Fortune Featuring Vanna White
ers use clues detailing the crooks’ interests and
plays a lot like the other NES versions of Wheel
physical attributes. The left half of the screen
of Fortune, but is enhanced by the endorsement shows the various locales, characters, and ob-of the beautiful Vanna White, who appears via
jects while the right half shows the point-and-
a static close-up shot during the game’s intro.
click menus and other text (including educa-
In addition, during actual gameplay, that’s sup-
tional info on historical figures). Also released
posed to be her turning letters. Players can now
for the SNES and Genesis. See also: Where in
select from different characters (as opposed to
the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (Master Sys-
simply entering their names) who appear in a
tem).
row of three before an angled wheel (in the
other versions, the wheel is flat, and no con-
Where’s Waldo?
testants are shown). There are more than 2,000
PUBLISHER: THQ Software. DEVELOPER:
questions, spread between 10 categories: per-
Bethesda Softworks. Educational/General, 1
player. 1991.
son, people, phrase, place, event, title, thing,
things, fictional person, and same name. A
Based on the popular book series (which
popular staple of the TV game show, Vanna
debuted in 1987), Where’s Waldo? for the NES
White made her Wheel of Fortune debut in
is divided into four modes of play. Search the
1982.
Scene for Waldo is conventional in nature as
players try to spot the miniaturized, bespecta-
Wheel of Fortune Junior Edition
cled fellow in five busy scenes: Train Station,
PUBLISHER: Gametek. DEVELOPER: Rare. Game
Forest, Fairground, City, and Castle. The Cave
Show, 1–3 players (simultaneous). 1989.
Search has players using a flashlight to look for
Wheel of Fortune Junior Edition looks and
Waldo while The Subway Search is a hunt for
plays virtually identical to the original NES
Waldo’s glasses within a maze of octagons. Fi-
Wheel of Fortune, but the word puzzles are
nally, The Moon Match-Up is a slot machine-
geared toward younger players (the cartridge
type of game where players spin rows of his-
is recommended for gamers ages seven and
torical characters and Waldo himself. A poor
up). Two additional categories are included:
fit for the NES, Where’s Waldo? suffers from things (note the plural usage) and fictional per-lousy graphics (making it hard to find Waldo)
son, but there are still just over 1,000 puzzles.
and dull gameplay. See also: The Great Waldo
An enormously popular game show, Wheel of
Search (NES).
Fortune began on daytime television in 1975.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?
PUBLISHER: LJN. DEVELOPER: Rare. Adventure,
PUBLISHER: Konami. DEVELOPER: Distinctive
1 player. 1989.
Software. Educational/History/First-Person
Based on the 1988 feature film (which
Graphic Adventure, 1 player. 1991.
melded animation with live action), Who
Packaged with a paperback New Ameri-
Framed Roger Rabbit for the NES is a mystery can Desk Encyclopedia, Where in Time Is Car-adventure in which players assume the role of
208
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
Eddie Valiant, a detective who must search four
can transform into the following: a Cannon
areas (Downtown L.A., the City Park, the
(for executing powerful attacks); a Mouse (for
Warehouse District, and ToonTown) for clues
crawling through tight areas); a Rock Man (for
to prove Roger Rabbit’s innocence. This in-
punching through certain obstacles); a Bird
volves exploring caves and woods, searching
Man (for flying); and a Dolphin (for swim-
buildings and rooms, questioning passersby,
ming). Grabbing various items improves the
hitching rides with Benny the Cab, and using a
speed and power of Widget’s firing mechanism.
variety of items (bombs, boxing gloves, pies,
Followed by: Super Widget (SNES).
cigars, baseballs, and the like) to battle or dis-
tract snakes, dogs, weasels, and other enemies.
Wild Gunman
The game features two viewpoints: overhead
PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Nintendo.
and side-view. Also released for the Game Boy.
Light Gun Shooter, 1 player. 1985.
Released early in the life of the NES, Wild
Whomp ’Em
Gunman is a fun, simple, Old West-style
PUBLISHER: Jaleco. DEVELOPER: Jaleco. Side-
shootout that requires the use of Nintendo’s
Scrolling Platform, 1 player. 1991.
Zapper light gun. In the first mode of play,
In Whomp ’Em, each time the running,
gamers face a single gunman, who draws his
jumping Indian Brave Soaring Eagle (the char-
gun and says “fire.” Players must wait until the
acter players control) completes a world, he will
gunman draws before they can fire their gun.
gain a totem, such as a fire wand, a cloud (for
The second mode is similar to the first, but
flying), an ice crystal (which freezes enemies),
with two onscreen gunmen. The third and final
or a web (for snaring enemies). The game has
mode borrows from Hogan’s Alley, with players good controls and a nice variety of obstacles
firing away at outlaws that pop up in windows
and platforms to negotiate and creatures to
and in the doorways of buildings.
confront, including gremlins, flying dragons,
and octopi. Killing certain enemies reveals
Willow
magic items, including those that can increase
PUBLISHER: Capcom. DEVELOPER: Capcom.
the length and attack strength of Soaring Eagle’s
Third-Person Action Role-Playing Game, 1
standard spear weapon. Worlds to travel
player. 1989.
through include: Sacred Woods, Magic Forest,
Based on the 1988 fantasy film, this nicely
Water Test, Secret Cliff, Ice Ritual, and Fire
crafted game puts players in control of little
Test (plus an unknown world).
person Willow Ufgood, who must save the
world from the dark magic of Bavmorda.
Widget
Gameplay is similar to The Legend of Zelda
PUBLISHER: Atlus. DEVELOPER: Atlus. Platform
(complete with overhead view), but is more of
Shooter, 1 player. 1992.
a pure RPG. As Willow explores the vast areas,
Like Captain Planet and the Planeteers,
talking to people and using magic spells and a
Widget is an environmentally themed cartoon
variety of swords (and shields) to kill ghosts,
series that began in 1990. Widget the video
zombies, blobs, trolls, and other enemies, he
will gain points in three areas: experience,
headed, four-foot-tall, purple alien who is ded-
magic, and health. At first, Willow’s jabbing,
icated to protecting all living creatures on
slashing sword swings slowly, but it gets faster
Earth. Gameplay evokes Mega Man (but is eas-
with experience points gained. Capcom re-
ier), with players walking along, jumping on
leased a Willow arcade game the same year, but platforms, and shooting snakes, bats, bears,
it features side-scrolling combat/platforming
pigs, hawks, and other creatures with large
action.
round bullets (which makes one question Wid-
get’s aforementioned dedication to preserving
Win, Lose or Draw
all life). To make it past certain areas, Widget
PUBLISHER: Hi Tech Expressions. DEVELOPER:
NINTENDO NES
209
RSP. Game Show, 1 or 2 players (simultane-
The follow-up to Wizardry—Proving
ous). 1990.
Grounds of the Mad Overlord, Knight of Diamonds offers the same type of text-initiated, Based on the popular TV game show,
turn-based battles and dungeon crawling ac-
which aired from 1987 to 1990, Win, Lo s e or tion. The mission this time out is to retrieve
Draw has two teams competing to guess what
the lost staff of Gilda, which is needed for pro-
is being drawn onscreen, either by the com-
jecting a protective force field over the City of
puter or by a player. The quicker a player
Llylgamyn. Gameplay consists of: making selec-
guesses the right answer, the more points he or
tions from text menus; creating a party of six
she will earn. The computer draws expertly
adventurers (fighters, magic users, and a thief );
(making the game a bit easy in one-player
buying weapons and armor at Boltac’s Trading
mode), but players may have a hard time guess-
Post; exploring a maze-like, six-floor dungeon
ing what other players are drawing. Options
(mapping the quest on 20 × 20 graph paper is
include male and female teammates, a practice
recommended); searching for treasure chests;
mode, and a password feature that helps prevent
killing monsters to gain experience points; and
repetitious answers. Win, Lose or Draw is sim-much more. Players can create up to 20 good,
ilar to the board game Pictionary, which was
neutral, and/or evil characters (races include
published in 1985.