by Brett Weiss
humans, dwarves, elves, gnomes, and hobbits),
but only six can join the party. Includes bat-
Winter Games
tery backup. Based on the popular computer
PUBLISHER: Acclaim. DEVELOPER: Pony. Sports/
game, Knight of Diamonds was followed by nu-
Olympics, 1 or 2 players (alternating, simulta-
merous sequels for various systems, including
neous). 1987.
Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom for the SNES.
Introduced by the Olympic theme song,
the lighting of the torch, and the releasing of
Wizardry — Proving Grounds of the
the white doves (otherwise known as the
Mad Overlord
Opening Ceremonies), Winter Games for the
PUBLISHER: Nexoft. DEVELOPER: Game Studio.
NES is based on the Commodore 64 computer
First-Person Role-Playing Game, 1 player.
game (1985), but only has four events (com-
1990.
pared to six in the C64 game and eight in var-
ious other computer versions). Events include:
Based on the groundbreaking Apple II
Hot Dog Aerials (ski-jumping with flips and
computer game (1981), Wizardry — Proving
stunts); Speed Skating (side-view/split-screen
Grounds for the NES invites players to assem-racing against the computer or an opponent);
ble a party of six characters from the following
Figure Skating (arena ice skating with various
classes: fighters, thieves, clerics, wizards, hu-
jumps and spins); and Bobsled (negotiating
mans, elves, bishops, mages, dwarves, hobbits,
twists and turns while sledding down a moun-
and gnomes. The objective is to retrieve an
tain). By all accounts, this is a disappointing
amulet stolen by the Great Wizard Werdna.
port, thanks to poor controls (especially in Fig-
This involves: exploring maze-like dungeons
ure Skating), shoddy graphics (including
(depicted by brick walls); purchasing armor,
mono-colored contestants), primitive sounds,
magic, and weapons (swords, shields, daggers,
and the lack of an eight-player mode (which
and the like); initiating turn-based battles with
did show up in the superior Atari 7800 ver-
monsters in order to gain experience points;
sion). Also released for the Atari 2600.
finding secret doors and trapped treasure
chests; avoiding pitfalls, traps, and other ob-
Wizardry — Knight of Diamonds: The
stacles; and much more. The graphics are
Second Scenario
sparse (there’s lots of text and a few still shots,
PUBLISHER: ASCII. DEVELOPER: Game Studio.
but no animation), and it is recommended that
First-Person Role-Playing Game, 1 player.
players map out their adventure using 20 × 20
1992.
graph paper. Includes battery backup.
210
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
Wizards & Warriors
Players guide the rebellious X-Man as he runs,
PUBLISHER: Acclaim. DEVELOPER: Rare. Side-
swims, jumps, and crawls his way through nine
Scrolling Platform/Adventure, 1 player. 1987.
obstacle- and trap-ridden levels, punching,
kicking, and clawing ninjas, droids, zombies,
Wizards & Warriors puts players in the
and other enemies along the way. Mutant bud-
role of Kuros, who must brave dangerous
dies Shylock, Jubilee, and Havoc provide an
woods, caves, secret tunnels, underground pas-
occasional assist. Levels, which were created by
sageways, and Castle IronSpire in order to res-
Sabretooth and his mutant terrorists, include:
cue the proverbial princess. Kuros uses his
The First Trial (denoted by machinery and
Brightsword to fend off skulls, ghosts, goblins,
electronics); Trial by Air; Trial by Traps; Trial
werewolves, and other enemies. Finding and
by Water (an underwater maze); Trial by Ter-
collecting the right items (magic, keys, torches,
ror; Trial by Fire; Into the Fortress; Defeat
daggers, axes, cloaks, potions, and the like) is
Magneto; and The Final Battle.
crucial in beating each level. Plenty of precise
platform jumping is required as well. Wizards
& Warriors is a steep challenge that fans of Ac-World Champ
traiser and Ghosts ’n Goblins will enjoy. Fol-PUBLISHER: Romstar. DEVELOPER: Romstar.
Sports/Boxing, 1–8 players (alternating, 2-
lowed by: IronSword: Wizards & Warriors II
player simultaneous). 1991.
(NES).
This graphically detailed, arcade-style
Wizards & Warriors III, Kuros: Visions
boxing game lacks the strategic aspects of
of Power
Punch-Out!! , but the fun, button-mashing ac-
PUBLISHER: Acclaim. DEVELOPER: Rare. Side-
tion should appeal to Ring King fans. The ob-Scrolling Platform/Adventure, 1 player. 1992.
jective is to beat five ranked opponents in each
The sequel to IronSword: Wizards & War-
division: Welterweight, Middleweight, Cruis-
riors II, this game adds a decidedly different erweight, and Heavyweight. Winning fights
wrinkle to the Wizards & Warriors franchise, (including sparring in the gym) earns points
though the creature stabbing and perilous plat-
to increase your boxer’s speed, stamina, de-
forming action remain intact. Kuros begins as
fense, and punch. Upgrades can be saved via
a knight in shining armor, but can find statues
password, and a special Tournament mode lets
and perform certain tasks to turn into the fol-
up to eight gamers square off in a bracketed
lowing characters: a thief (equipped with a dag-
tournament. The elevated view is from the side,
ger, a crow bar, and a skeleton key); a wizard
and the screen scrolls right and left to show the
(equipped with fire balls, a force field, and lev-
entire ring. A referee with a scratchy voice ap-
itation); and a more powerful knight (equipped
pears before each round and after knockdowns.
with a long sword, a throwing axe, and a shoot-
ing sword). Of the three games in the series,
World Class Track Meet
this one has the best graphics.
PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Bandai.
Sports/Track & Field, 1–6 players (alternating,
Wolverine
2-player simultaneous). 1988.
PUBLISHER: LJN. DEVELOPER: Software Cre-
A re-release of Bandai’s Stadium Events
ations. Side-Scrolling Platform/Side-Scrolling
(only the title screen and certain other bits of
Combat, 1 or 2 players (alternating). 1991.
text were changed), World Class Track Meet was With the release of Wolverine for the NES,
packaged with Nintendo’s Power Pad, which
fan boys nationwide thrilled to the notion of
was a re-release of Bandai’s Family Fun Fitness
controlling their favorite Marvel mutant. Un-
control mat (Nintendo forced Stadium Events
fortunately, thanks to a small lead character,
and the Fa
mily Fun Fitness mat off the market
sluggish controls, and a really stupid design el-
once they began producing the items under dif-
ement (using Wolvie’s claws makes him lose
ferent names). The cartridge contains four
strength), the game was a disappointment.
events: 100M Dash, 110M Hurdles, Long Jump,
NINTENDO NES
211
and Triple Jump, each requiring the use of the
houses and underground tunnels); and DRAT
Power Pad. The events are viewed from behind,
Headquarters. Varied weaponry gives the ac-
with players (standing alone or side by side
tion some level of strategy, but the similar (yet
with a second player) hopping, stepping, jog-
more popular) Ninja Gaiden is a superior take ging in place, and otherwise pressing buttons on
on this type of game.
the mat with their feet in order to get the on-
screen characters to run and jump. The game is
Wrecking Crew
also available via the 3-in-1 Super Mario Bros./
PUBLISHER: Nintendo. DEVELOPER: Nintendo.
Duck Hunt/World Class Track Meet cartridge.
Climbing, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous). 1985.
A system launch title, Wrecking Crew has
World Games
Mario and Luigi running and climbing in the
PUBLISHER: Milton Bradley. DEVELOPER: Rare.
interiors of buildings (which are viewed from
Sports/Miscellaneous, 1–8 players (alternating,
the side), using hammers to destroy walls and
2-player simultaneous). 1989.
knock away monsters. Demolishing all the
Based on the Epyx computer program,
walls clears a level, but oil drum barriers, fire-
World Games for the NES is comprised of eight ball obstacles, and pesky enemies (Eggplant
different sporting events from around the
Man, Gotchaman, and others) conspire to
world: Weight Lifting (Russia), Barrel Jump-
make things difficult. Mario and Luigi can also
ing (Germany), Cliff Diving (Mexico), Slalom
use dynamite (for defeating enemies and
Skiing (France), Log Rolling (Canada), Bull
knocking down several walls in a row), trap en-
Riding (America), Caber Toss (Scotland), and
emies behind doors, trap enemies in gaps in
Sumo Wrestling (Japan). Depending on the
the floor, capture monsters in drums, and find
event, players must press the control pad ar-
letters to spell out their names (for extra lives).
rows in rhythm, time button presses precisely,
There are 100 puzzle-like screens, and players
hold buttons down, and perform other such
can design their own levels. The action is rela-
specialized control techniques. Gameplay is
tively simple in nature (Mario and Luigi can’t
straightforward and entertaining, and the in-
jump, for example), but fun and addicting.
clusion of national anthems, a practice mode,
and a travelogue gives the cartridge added
Wurm: Journey to the Center of the
weight.
Earth
PUBLISHER: Asmik. DEVELOPER: Asmik. Multi-
Wrath of the Black Manta
Genre Game, 1 player. 1991.
PUBLISHER: Taito. DEVELOPER: Kyugo Trading.
Wurm puts players at the helm of a multi-
Side-Scrolling Combat, 1 player. 1990.
configuration vehicle that is designed for under-
In Wrath of the Black Manta, players con-
ground exploration and is equipped with the
trol the titular hero, a running, jumping, dart-
following weapons: cyclone drill, double and
throwing, sword-wielding ninja hell bent on
triple Gatling gun, laser gun, hyper cannon,
rescuing innocents and stopping such crimi-
Doppler cannon, hydrosonic water cannon,
nals as kidnappers, robots, thugs, drug run-
and melt needle. The action is divided into four
ners, and terrorists. Black Manta can also
types of play: Horizontal Scroll Shooting
crouch, turn somersaults, and open doors.
(which includes tank mode, hover mode, and
After completing each of the game’s five levels,
aerial mode); Vertical Scroll Shooting (featur-
Manta earns additional abilities, including: Fire
ing an overhead view of the Wurm); Cockpit
Rain, which paralyzes enemies; Shadow, which
Shooting/Role Playing (guide crosshairs to
brings forth a second Manta; and Invisibility,
search for and destroy monsters, communicate
which makes Manta temporarily disappear.
with crew); and Shooting Adventure/Role Play-
Levels include: New York City (city streets and
ing (get out of the vehicle to run, jump, shoot,
underground sewers); Tokyo, Japan; Rio De
kick, and communicate). Cinematic cut scenes
Janeiro, South America; New York City (ware-
play between each of the game’s 20 levels.
212
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
WWF King of the Ring
Followed by WWF Super WrestleMania (Gen-
PUBLISHER: LJN. DEVELOPER: Eastridge Tech-
esis, SNES), along with three NES sequels.
nology. Sports/Wrestling, 1 or 2 players (si-
multaneous). 1993.
WWF WrestleMania Challenge
The fourth and final WWF game for the
PUBLISHER: LJN. DEVELOPER: Rare. Sports/
NES, King of the Ring features the typical One-Wrestling, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous). 1991.
on-One, Tag Team, and Tournament matches,
The second World Wrestling Federation
but there’s a new mode in town: King of the
video game, WWF WrestleMania Challenge
Ring, which is an eight-man single elimination
keeps only three fighters from WWF Wrestle-
tournament in which each match is a one-fall
Mania (Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and
bout. In addition, there are now three difficulty
Randy Savage), but adds five new ones: Brutus
levels (easy, medium, and hard), and players
Beefcake, Ravishing Rick Rude, Big Boss Man,
can customize their own fighter in such cate-
Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and Ultimate Warrior.
gories as strength, speed, and stamina. Selec-
Or, the gamer can decide to play as his or her-
table wrestlers with pre-determined attributes
self, but there is no customization in this re-
include: Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Mr. Per-
gard. The view of the ring is now from a 3⁄4 per-
fect, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Yokozuna, the
spective, giving it a diamond-shaped appearance
Narcissist Lex Luger, Razor Ramon, Bam Bam
and making certain moves harder to pull off
Bigelow, and The Undertaker. Wrestling moves
accurately since the angles are tougher to judge.
include: flying elbow drops, flying dropkicks,
Thankfully, wrestlers can now grapple and fight
head butts, body slams, throws, suplexes, and
outside of the ring, and there’s even a crowd
more. The action is viewed from the side, and
looking on. Modes of play include: Eight-Man
&
nbsp; the screen scrolls a bit to the left and right. Also
Tournament, One-on-One, Tag Team, Two
released for the Game Boy.
Players vs. Computer, and Survivor Series
(each player captains a three-man team). Fol-
WWF WrestleMania
lowed by: WWF WrestleMania Steel Cage Chal-
PUBLISHER: Acclaim. DEVELOPER: Rare. Sports/
lenge.
Wrestling, 1–6 players (alternating, 2-player
simultaneous). 1989.
WWF WrestleMania Steel Cage Chal-
The first World Wrestling Federation
lenge
video game, WWF WrestleMania for the NES
PUBLISHER: LJN. DEVELOPER: Sculptured Soft-
ware. Sports/Wrestling, 1 or 2 players (simul-
lets players step into the ring as one of six dif-
taneous). 1992.
ferent professional wrestlers: Hulk Hogan (fea-
tured on the box and title screen, ripping his
The third WWF game for the NES, Steel
shirt off ), Ted “The Million Dollar Man” DiB-
Cage Challenge lets players step into the ring as iase, Bam Bam Bigelow, Honky Tonk Man,
one of 10 different professional wrestlers: Hulk
Randy “Macho Man” Savage, or Andre the
Hogan, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Sid Justice, Ted
Giant. There is no visible crowd (the back-
DiBiase, The Mountie, The Undertaker, Bret
ground is black), the fighters can’t leave the
“Hit Man” Hart, Irwin R. Schyster, Jake “The
side-view ring (which only takes up the bot-
Snake” Roberts, or Randy Savage. The cartridge
tom half of the screen), and the button-mash-
includes: four standard match types (One-on-
ing action isn’t as fun as Nintendo’s Pro
One, Tag Team, Tag Team World Champi-
Wrestling. However, the fighters are identifiable onship Tournament, and Single World Cham-in the ring (not always a given in the world of
pionship Tournament); Cage Matches (in
8-bit gaming), and they are accompanied by
which players need only climb to the top of the
their theme music. Wrestling moves include:
cage while the other fighter is down); and a va-
punch, dropkick, body slam, turnbuckle leap,
riety of fighting moves, such as elbow drops,
pin, eye gouge, cartwheel, head butt, back
body slams, drop kicks, turnbuckle smashes,
elbow smash, flying elbow smash, and more.
and flying clotheslines. The cage looks neat
NINTENDO NES
213
(though the wrestlers are more realistic in
but was a well-worn (if still enjoyable) formula
WWF WrestleMania), and Howard “The Fink”
by the time of the NES release. Although a fine