by Brett Weiss
turbo (sometimes called “nitro”) to give their ve-
include such elements as espionage, spy tactics,
hicle an extra boost of speed. Turbo power fre-
sniper fire, terrorist activity, stealth, authentic weap-quently appears in the form of power-ups that can
onry, squad-based battles, military operations,
be driven over or purchased.
and/or the rescuing of hostages. Mission-based ob-
jectives are commonplace in tactical shooters.
TurboGrafx-16: Released in 1990 by NEC, the TurboGrafx-16 was a nice console, but couldn’t com-
Third-Party Company: A company that develops
pete with the Genesis and SNES. Games in the Tur-
or publishes a game for a system of another com-
boGrafx library relevant to this book include:
pany. Capcom’s releases for the NES are classic,
Bonk’s Adventure, Dragon Spirit, Galaga ’90, and textbook examples of third-party games.
Space Harrier, among others.
Third-Person Action Role-Playing Game: Most
TurboGrafx-16 CD: Released in 1990, the Turbo-
third-person action role-playing games are at least
Grafx-16 CD was a pricey, disc-based add-on for
somewhat similar to The Legend of Zelda, in which the TurboGrafx-16. Games in the TurboGrafx-16
players view their character (usually a solo figure)
CD library relevant to this book include: The Ad-
from overhead as he or she engages in real-time
dams Family, Prince of Persia, Ys Book I & II, and Ys battles. Real-time swordplay and/or other actions
III: Wanderers from Ys.
are generally at least on par (in terms of impor-
Turn-Based Strategy: The type of strategy game tance to the game) with exploration, character-where each player finishes all of his or her maneu-
building, and other RPG elements.
verings and actions for a turn prior to the next
Third-Person Graphic Adventure: Similar to first-player taking their turn. Many board games em-
person graphic adventure, but, instead of seeing
ploy this technique, but they fall under the board
the action through the eyes of the character, the
game umbrella.
character is visible onscreen.
Unlicensed: A game that is released without ap-Third-Person Role-Playing Game : An RPG in
proval from the hardware manufacturer (when
which players view their character or party of char-
such approval is required), usually referring to ti-
acters from a third-person perspective, usually
tles for the NES produced by such companies as
from overhead or from the side. Unlike third-per-
Color Dreams and Tengen.
son action role-playing games, these types of games Vector Graphics: Onscreen images that are com-usually (but not always) feature turn-based bat-
prised of lines, points, arcs, angles, and other geo-
tles.
metric shapes. A vector is a pair of end points on an Third-Person Shooter: A game like Space Harrier x-y matrix. The Vectrex system, which displays vec-or After Burner, in which players view the charac-tor graphics, is a rarity in the arena of classic home ter, ship, or other bullet-spewing implement of de-game systems as most employ raster graphics.
struction from behind.
Vectrex: Released by GCE in 1982, the Vectrex was a tabletop game system with its own screen, which
32X: Short for Sega 32X.
displayed games using vector graphics (as opposed
3DO: Released in 1993, the 3DO was Panasonic’s to raster). Games in the Vectrex library relevant to
pricey 32-bit console. Games in the 3DO library
this book include: Pole Position.
266
GLOSSARY
Vertical Scrolling Platform: Unlike the far more sole portion of the Wii Shop Channel, players can
common side-scrolling platforming games, which
download various games for the NES, Master Sys-
move horizontally, the action in vertical scrolling
tem, and certain other classic consoles.
platform games moves up and/or down the screen.
Word Puzzle: Word scrambles, word searches, and Vertical Scrolling Shooter: A game in which the other types of puzzle games involving letters and
player’s ship, character, or other shooting imple-
words belong to this genre. Educational titles often
ment travels upward (or possibly downward, but
involve letters and words, but are more geared
only on rare occasions), firing away at various air-
toward younger players learning how to spell or
borne and/or ground-based enemies, targets, and
read.
other objects.
World-Building Simulator: A strategy game that Vertical Scrolling Tank Shooter: A shooting game lets players create a virtual world to their liking.
in which the player’s tank travels up the screen,
Once the world has been formed, players can man-
firing away at various ground-based objects.
age its armies, citizens, goods, and/or various other Virtual Boy: Released in 1995, the Virtual Boy was aspects.
Nintendo’s failed attempt at an immersive, 3D
Xbox: Released in 2001, the Xbox was computer
game system. Games in the Virtual Boy library rel-
giant Microsoft’s first video game console. Games
evant to this book include: 3D Tetris, Mario Clash, in the Xbox library relevant to this book include:
Mario’s Tennis, and Wario Land.
Capcom Classics Collection, Castlevania: Curse of Warp: Transporting a ship, character, or other ob-Darkness, Gauntlet (downloadable via Xbox Live), ject instantly to another area of the screen or an-and Tecmo Classic Arcade, among others.
other level or area of the game by simply pressing
Xbox 360: Released in 2005, the Xbox 360 was Mi-a button or entering a specific area. Similar to hy-
crosoft’s follow-up to the Xbox. Using the Xbox
perspace, but more versatile in nature.
Live Arcade online service, players can download
Wii: Released in 2006, the Wii was Nintendo’s fol-Galaga Legions, Mega Man 9, Contra, Defender, Ms.
low-up to the Game Cube. Using the Virtual Con-
Pac-Man, and other classic games.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books
Kunkel, Bill. Confessions of the Game Doctor.
Springfield, N.J.: Rolenta Press, 2005.
Bloom, Steve. Video Invaders. New York : Arco, Santulli, Joe (editor in chief ). Digital Press Classic 1982.
Video Games Collector’s Guide. Seventh Edition.
Burnham, Van. Supercade: A Visual History of the
Pompton Lakes, N.J.: Digital Press, 2002.
Videogame Age 1971–1984. Cambridge, MA: The
Schwartz, Steven. COMPUTE!’s Guide to Nintendo
MIT Press, 2001.
Games. Greensboro, N.C.: COMPUTE! Publi-
Cohen, Scott. ZAP! The Rise and Fall of Atari. New cations, 1989.
York: McGraw-Hill, 1984.
Sheff, David. Game Over. New York: Random
DeKeles, Jon C.A. Video Game Quest. Northridge, House, 1993.
CA.: DMS, 1990.
Weiss, Brett. Classic Home Video Games, 1972–1984: Demaria, Rusel, and Johnny L. Wilson. High Score!
A Complete Reference Guide. Jefferson, N.C.: Mc-The Illustrated History of Electronic Games.
Farland, 2007.
Berkley, CA: McGraw-Hill/Osborne, 2002.
Fox, Matt. The Video Games Guide. London: Box-tree, 2006.
Websites
Herman, Leonard. ABC to the VCS
(A Directory of
Software for the Atari 2600). Second edition.
Atari Age (www.atariage.com)
Springfield, N.J.: Rolenta Press, 2005.
Digital Press (www.digitpress.com)
_____. Phoenix: The Fall & Rise of Home Video GameFAQS (www.gamefaqs.com)
Games. Third Edition. Springfield, N.J.: Rolenta J2 Games (www.j2games.com)
Press, 2001.
Killer List of Video Games (www.klov.com)
Kent, Steven L. The Ultimate History of Video
Nintendo Age (www.nintendoage.com)
Games. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2001.
SMS Power! (www.smspower.org)
267
This page intentionally left blank
INDEX
Abadox: The Deadly Inner War 29
Alex Kidd: High Tech World 220
Bad Dudes 40, 165
Ace of Aces 8, 9, 14, 24
Alex Kidd in Miracle World 217,
Bad Dudes vs. Dragon Ninja 40
Action 52 29, 60
221–222, 242
Bad News Baseball 40–41
Action Fighter 219, 242
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World 218,
Bad Street Brawler 41
The Activision Decathlon 56
221, 246
Ballblazer 9
Actraiser 210
Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
Ballblazer Champions 9
The Addams Family 30–31, 265
221, 263
Balloon Fight 16, 41, 109
The Addams Family: Pugsley’s
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars 222
Bandai Golf: Challenge Pebble
Scavenger Hunt 30
Alf 222
Beach 41
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons:
Alfred Chicken 35
Bandit Kings of Ancient China 41
DragonStrike 31
Alien Brigade 8, 21, 260
Barbie 42
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons:
Alien Syndrome 35–36, 222–223,
The Bard’s Tale 42
Heroes of the Lance 31
227
Barker Bill’s Trick Shooting 42
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons:
Alien 3 36
Barnyard Blaster 9, 18, 260
Hillsfar 31
All-Pro Basketball 36
Baseball 42
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons:
Alpha Mission 36
Baseball Simulator 1.000 43
Pool of Radiance 31
Alpha Mission II 36
Baseball Stars 43, 120, 198
Adventure Island 31–32, 252
Altered Beast 223
Baseball Stars Color 43, 261
Adventure Island II 32
Altered Beast: Guardian of the
Baseball Stars Professional 43
Adventure Island III 32
Realm 223
Baseball Stars 2 261
Adventures in the Magic Kingdom
Amagon 36
Baseball Stars II 43
32
American Gladiators 37
Bases Loaded 43, 232
The Adventures of Bayou Billy 32,
Anticipation 37
Bases Loaded II: Second Season 43
33
Arcade Party Pak 262
Bases Loaded 4 44, 164
The Adventures of Captain Comic
Arch Rivals 37
Bases Loaded 96: Double Header
56
Arch Rivals: The Arcade Game 38
43
Adventures of Dino-Riki 33
Archon 38
BasketBrawl 10
The Adventures of Lolo 33, 111
Arkanoid 16, 38, 193–194
Bassin’s Black Bass 49
The Adventures of Lolo 2 33
Arkanoid: Doh It Again 38
Batman 44, 68, 186
The Adventures of Lolo 3 33
Arkanoid DS 38
Batman: Return of the Joker 44
The Adventures of Rad Gravity
Arkista’s Ring 38–39
Batman Returns 45
33–34
Asteroids 7–8, 9, 107, 137, 149, 175,
Battle Chess 38, 45, 265
The Adventures of Rocky and Bull-
256, 262
The Battle of Olympus 45
winkle and Friends 34
Asteroids Deluxe 9
Battle Tank 258
Adventures of Tom Sawyer 34
Asteroids Hyper 64 9, 261
Battleship 45, 72, 262
Aerial Assault 219
Astro Warrior 223, 235
Battletank 45
After Burner 34, 220–221, 229,
The Astyanax 39
Battletoads 46, 111, 263
264–265
Athena 39
Battletoads/Double Dragon — The
After Burner: Black Falcon 35, 220
Athletic World 39
Ultimate Team 46
After Burner Climax 35, 220
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes 39
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs 46
After Burner II 34, 220
Auto Racing 89
Battletoads in Ragnarok’s World 46
After Burner III 34, 220, 263
Aztec Adventure 223
Battlezone 46
Air Fortress 35, 213
BC’s Quest for Tires 48
Airwolf 35
Baby Boomer 40
Bee 52 46
Al Unser Jr. Turbo Racing 35
Back to the Future 40
Beetlejuice 46–47
Al Unser Jr.’s Road to the Top 35
Back to the Future Parts II & III 40
Best of the Best 47
269
270
INDEX
Best of the Best: Championship
The Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle 54
Choplifter 226
Karate 47
The Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle 2 54
Choplifter! 10, 63
Beyond Shadowgate 168
Bugs Bunny in Crazy Castle 3 54
Choplifter II 10, 226
Beyond the Black Hole 143
Bugs Bunny in Crazy Castle 4 54
Choplifter III 10, 226
Bible Adventures 47
Bump’n’ Jump 32, 47, 54, 80, 152
Chubby Cherub 61–62
Bible Buffet 47
Burai Fighter 54
Chuka Taisen 226
Bigfoot 47
BurgerTime 3, 54–55, 80, 257, 260
Circus Atari 146
Bignose Freaks Out 48
BurgerTime Deluxe 55
Circus Caper 62
Bignose Freaks Out (Aladdin Ver-
City Connection 62
sion) 48
Cabal 55
Clash at Demonhead 62
Bignose the Caveman 48
Caesar’s Palace 55
Classic Concentration 62
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure 48
Caesar’s Palace II 55
Cliff hanger 62–63
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Game Boy
California Games 55, 224
Cloud Master 226
Adventure 48
California Games II 55, 225
Clu Clu Land 63
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Video Game
Capcom Classics Collection
Cobra Command 63
Adventure 5, 48
262–263, 266
Cobra Triangle 63
Bill Elliot’s NASCAR Challenge 48
Capcom Classics Collection:
Code Name: Viper 63
Bionic Commando 49, 64, 263
Reloaded 262
Color a Dinosaur 64
Bionic Commando: Elite Forces 49
Capcom’s Gold Medal Challenge
Columns 98, 193, 214, 218, 226,
Bion
ic Commando Rearmed 49
’92 55
247, 263
The Black Bass 49–50
Captain America and the Avengers
Columns Crown 259
Black Bass: Lure Fishing 49
44, 56
Commando 10–11, 15, 24, 49, 64,
Black Bass with Blue Marlin 49
Captain Comic: The Adventure 56
239, 243, 250, 260
Black Belt 223–224
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Conan 64
Blackjack 49
56, 208, 215
Concentration 85
Blade Eagle 3-D 224, 241
Captain Silver 225
Conflict 64
Blades of Steel 15, 50, 101, 247
Captain Skyhawk 56–57
Congo Bongo 173
Blaster Master 50, 130
Captain Tsubasa 189
Conquest of the Crystal Palace 65
Blaster Master: Blasting Again 50
Casino Games 225
Contra 3, 27, 58, 65, 95, 109, 167,
Blaster Master Boy 50
Casino Kid 57
170, 182, 266
Blaster Master: Enemy Below 50
Casino Kid 2 57
Contra Force 65, 182
Blaster Master 2 50
Castelian 25, 57
Contra: Hard Corps 65
Blasteroids 9
Castle of Deceit 57
Contra: Legacy of War 262, 264
The Blue Marlin 49–50
Castle of Dragon 57
Contra III: The Alien Wars 65, 265
The Blues Brothers 50
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey
Contra 4 65, 261
Blues Brothers 2000 50
Mouse 225
Cool Boarders 98
Bo Jackson Baseball 50
Castlequest 58
Cool Spot 177
Bo Jackson: Hit and Run! 51
Castlevania 3, 27, 52, 58–59, 80,
Cool World 65
Bomb Jack 132
110, 214, 236, 259, 261
Corpse Killer 264
Bomb Jack Twin 133
Castlevania: Bloodlines 59
Cosmic Spacehead 120
Bomber Raid 224–225
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness 266
Cowboy Kid 66
Bomberman 51, 116, 161, 188, 261–
Castlevania: Dracula X 59
Crack’ed 11
262
Castlevania Legends 259
Crash ’n’ the Boys: Street Chal-
Bomberman: Act Zero 51
Castlevania: Symphony of the
lenge 66
Bomberman ’93 50
Night 59
Crazy Climber 202
Bomberman II 51
Castlevania: The Dracula X Chron-
Crossbow 11, 23
Bonk 3: Bonk’s Big Adventure 51
icles 262
Crush Roller 171
Bonk’s Adventure 51, 265
Castlevania II 58–59
Crystal Castles 173