system Index D-F
Dam Busters
Grade: F
Publisher: Coleco (1984)
Reviewed: 2000/8/4


screenshotDam Busters was a difficult game to review, even harder to play. The instructions read like a military operations manual, and come with plenty of extra "official" looking documentation (makes me sleepy just to look at it). The apparent objective of this first-person simulation is to fly a fighter plane over enemy territory and blow up dams. Each button on the keypad brings up a different view, similar to the scheme used by B-17 Bomber on the Intellivision. Unfortunately, the game takes place entirely at night, so there's not much to see except a bunch of white pixel "lights". The controls are extremely complicated and require hours to master. Dam Busters is one of those titles for people who love to pore over details. Personally I found it to be hopelessly confusing and dull. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.
1 player 

If you like this game, try: Intellivision Lives (Nintendo DS)
The Dam Busters (Commodore 64)
B-17 Bomber (Intellivision)
Ace of Aces (Atari 7800)
Stealth (NES)

Defender
Grade: B
Publisher: Atarisoft (1983)
Reviewed: 2016/9/8


screenshotDefender was ground-breaking in 1981 and few side-scrolling shooters have ever matched its intensity. Even its sequel Stargate (Atari 2600, 1984) failed to generate the same level of excitement. I recall a Defender arcade machine at my local Highs convenience store when I was a child, but I rarely played it because I could never last for more than a minute or two. Thank goodness we had home versions to save us the public humiliation. Defender is tough!

As you fly over a jagged landscape you blast aliens that abduct humanoids from the surface and transform them into spastic mutants. The programmers were really on the ball when they made this. The scrolling is so smooth - a rarity for the Colecovision. Your sizzling lasers pierce multiple aliens at a time and when your ship takes a hit its blooming explosion is a sight to behold. Your ship doesn't shoot fire out of its exhaust, but hey - you can't have everything.

There are a variety of enemies distinguished by their own unique sound effects. Most dangerous are the pods which unleash groups of tiny red "swarmers". When the screen is crowded that's usually a good time to detonate one of your smart bombs via the right trigger. Hyperspace, always a last resort, is relegated to the "0" button on the keypad, which means you'll never use it.

What's not to love about this game? Well, the controls feel stiff and when you change direction your ship becomes immobile as it reorients itself. The single skill level is ideal for beginners, but the generous free lives and bonus smart bombs can drag things out for experts. Still, Defender is an undeniably impressive arcade port for the Colecovision. © Copyright 2016 The Video Game Critic.

Our high score: 156,250
1 or 2 players 

If you like this game, try: Stargate (Atari 2600)
Defender (Atari XEGS)
Defender (Atari 5200)
Defender II (NES)
Defender (Game Boy Advance)

Destructor
Grade: F
Publisher: Coleco (1984)
Reviewed: 2006/5/11

screenshotHave you ever heard of a "must-have" game for a system? Well, Destructor is the opposite of that. Trust me, this cartridge will do nothing but take up valuable space in your collection. Had Coleco not been so hard-pressed for another title to support their Driving Wheel controller, this dreadful piece of excrement would have never seen the light of day.

Destructor offers an overhead view of a small tractor you steer around a scrolling maze. The title of the game is utterly misleading, as the crux of the "action" involves finding crystals and hauling them back to your "starcruiser" (which resembles a psychedelic shack). You'll be pestered by wandering bugs, but these are easy to avoid. The instruction manual seems to indicate there's some underlying strategy involved, but it never became apparent to me.

The sprites look awful, the screen scrolls in a choppy manner, and unsightly artifacts litter the screen. The crystals and bugs seem to appear at random, giving you little incentive to wander far from your shack. The audio is equally horrendous, with all sorts of irritating beeps and blaring sirens. Once you gather enough crystals, you're off to the next monotonous level, which looks and plays just as poorly. Destructor is one of those games that's so pointless that you switch it off well before depleting your lives. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

Recommended variation: 3
Our high score: 18410
1 player 

If you like this game, try: Zzzap and Dodgem (Bally Astrocade)
Irritating Stick (Playstation)
Star Fox (Atari 2600)
Die Hard Trilogy (Playstation)
Super Pitfall (NES)

Donkey Kong
Grade: B+
Publisher: Coleco (1982)
Reviewed: 2012/7/24

screenshotHaving Donkey Kong as its pack-in game was a huge coup for Coleco. In 1982 gamers were hungry for "arcade quality" graphics and this home version delivered big-time. The game also introduced two of the most beloved characters in the history of video games, with Mario and Donkey Kong meticulously rendered in three colors each.

The three screens are fine renditions of their arcade cousins, with only minor alterations. Die-hard fans will notice a missing girder here and there, but the elaborate elevator screen looks just as amazing as it did in the arcade. The controls are a little stiff, but tapping the joystick to scoot up and down ladders is a very effective technique.

The collision detection can be a little fishy, especially when you're trying to grab the hammer and you jump right through it. Is it even possible to grab that hammer on the left side of the rivet stage? While holding the hammer you become completely invincible - unlike the arcade. This game has been surpassed by subsequent editions on other systems, but let's face it - you can't take the fun out of Donkey Kong. © Copyright 2012 The Video Game Critic.

Recommended variation: 3
Our high score: STP 38,400
1 or 2 players 

If you like this game, try: D2K Arcade (Intellivision)
Donkey Kong Junior (Colecovision)
Donkey Kong Jr. (NES)
Popeye (Atari 5200)
Donkey Kong (Atari 7800)

Donkey Kong Junior
Grade: B+
Publisher: Coleco (1983)
Reviewed: 2012/7/24

screenshotDonkey Kong Junior manages to live up to the legacy of its predecessor without feeling like a rehash. It introduces bold new concepts while faithfully preserving the charm and spirit of the original groundbreaking platformer. This time the tables are turned, with Donkey Kong being held captive in a cage. Coming to the rescue is the diaper-clad Donkey Kong Junior, who is nicely rendered in five colors. Mario now plays the role of the villain, and he looks like a little cowboy.

Instead of climbing ramps and ladders, the gameplay mostly consists of sideways vine-climbing in jungle environments. Enemies include chattering teeth and egg-dropping birds which can be defeated by dropping fruit on them. The second screen requires you to climb chains to unlock your father's shackles. A rope snaps as you unlock each padlock, and it's a neat effect you won't find in any of the other home versions.

Three of the four screens from the arcade are included, with the electrified level having been omitted. Each stage provides a fresh set of challenges, and the game is arguably harder than Donkey Kong. Brimming with innovation and vibrant visuals, Donkey Kong Junior is one of the more underrated sequels of all time. © Copyright 2012 The Video Game Critic.

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Recommended variation: 3
Our high score: 19,300
1 or 2 players 

If you like this game, try: Donkey Kong Jr. (NES)
Donkey Kong Junior (Atari 7800)
Donkey Kong Junior (Intellivision)
Donkey Kong Junior (Atari 2600)
Roc N Rope (Colecovision)

Dragonfire
Grade: A
Publisher: Imagic (1984)
Reviewed: 2001/11/18

screenshotIf you enjoyed the Atari 2600 version of this game, you owe it to yourself to check out Dragonfire for the Colecovision. Imagic really went beyond the call of duty for this one. The first screen displays the exterior of a castle (with bridge), plus attractive, shimmering water in the moat below. You must enter the castle while avoiding fireballs coming from inside. If you get hit, you'll splash into the water below. In later stages, there's also a retracting bridge and an archer in the tower to complicate matters.

Once you make it inside, you see a 3D view of the treasure room, with a menacing dragon at the bottom of the screen. As you frantically run around collecting treasures, your prince actually scales in and out. My only complaint is that the treasure items that looked so nice in the 2600 version are plain and single-colored here. In advanced stages a troll patrols the treasure room, adding to the challenge. Dragonfire has ten skill levels, and although it's tough, the controls are perfectly responsive. This game has it all. There's even a nice title screen showing a princess in the tower and the dragon peeking out of the gate. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

Recommended variation: 1
Our high score: 8200
1 or 2 player 

If you like this game, try: Dragonfire (Intellivision)
Dragonfire (Atari 2600)
Dragonstomper (Atari 2600)
Treasures of the Deep (Playstation)
Mystic Castle (Intellivision)

Dukes of Hazzard
Grade: C-
Publisher: Coleco (1984)
Reviewed: 2006/6/25

screenshotHere's a very primitive first-person driving game that makes use of the Colecovision steering wheel controller. While ambitious as hell considering the system, Dukes of Hazzard is far too clunky in the control department to merit an average grade. The object is to elude Boss Hogg while chasing down a blue car driven by some lawbreaking redneck. You get a clear view of the road above your dashboard, and remarkably, there's even a working rear-view mirror!

Unfortunately the jumpy framerate and choppy scaling make it hard to steer with any degree of precision. You'll be swerving from side-to-side so much that avoiding head-on collisions requires more luck than anything else. It's such a struggle to remain centered on the road that the whole chase element becomes secondary. Graphical glitches don't help matters, including oncoming cars that appear to be approaching from the right, but then suddenly jump to the left. Regulating your speed using the H-shaped gearshift is also tricky.

The scenery is fairly impressive, with occasional trees, streets signs, intersections, and even a few single-story buildings in the downtown area. But the highlight of the game is definitely bridge jumping, which can only be done if you're exceeding 75 MPH. I can appreciate what Coleco was trying to accomplish with Dukes of Hazzard, but the technology wasn't quite there yet. It's a playable game, but the problematic controls wear thin after one or two plays. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

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Recommended variation: 2
Our high score: 1100
1 or 2 players 

If you like this game, try: Bump n Jump (Colecovision)
Zzzap and Dodgem (Bally Astrocade)
Super Chase H.Q. (Super Nintendo)
Up 'N Down (Colecovision)
Turbo (Intellivision)

Evolution
Grade: D
Publisher: Sydney (1983)
Reviewed: 2020/1/18

screenshotEvolution is the type of game you rarely find on a classic system. It's a collection of six mini-games, each allowing you to experience a progressively higher form of life. You begin as an amoeba on the first screen, collecting DNA strands while avoiding wandering antibodies. The controls are really touchy in this one. Next you're a frog on the floor of a pond, nabbing passing flies while avoiding red fish. Wait - are these bugs flying through the water? That doesn't make any sense.

In stage three you're a rodent burrowing through soil while avoiding snakes. Your rat's stilted, erratic movements are really annoying. Next up you're a beaver constructing a dam while avoiding patrolling crocodiles, and this one is probably my favorite. In stage five you're a coconut-tossing gorilla taking aim at pesky monkeys.

The final screen portends a dystopian future as you're a human running around shooting at hideous genetic mutants. The flashing city backdrop is very cool and frankly somewhat alarming. After killing ten mutants you witness the destruction of the earth, but it's not as cool as you might expect. Evolution is high-concept but none of its games are great and a few are borderline tedious. Personally I'd prefer to play one really solid game that a bunch of half-baked, marginal titles. © Copyright 2020 The Video Game Critic.

Recommended variation: 2
Our high score: 793
1 player 

If you like this game, try: Frog Bog (Intellivision)
Frogs and Flies (Atari 2600)
Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 2 (Playstation)
Namco Museum Volume 5 (Playstation)
Go Fish! (Atari 2600)

Frantic Freddy
Grade: D
Publisher: Spectravideo (1983)
Reviewed: 2001/11/18

screenshotThis game features a grotesque insect trying to extinguish the flames of a burning building. Freddy gets my vote for ugliest video game character ever, bringing to mind disgusting memories of the movie The Fly. The game alternates between two stages. In the first, you shoot water blobs (from the bottom of the screen) at flames in windows while dodging objects that rain down.

The second stage plays like a typical platform game, as you move from floor to floor shooting water at wandering flames. I wasn't too impressed by the graphics or sound, but I'll say one thing for Frantic Freddy - it's tough. The challenge alone is enough to keep you busy for a while. But when all is said and done, Freddie really doesn't offer anything new or exciting. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

Our high score: 7820
1 or 2 player 

If you like this game, try: Towering Inferno (Atari 2600)
Fire Fighter (Atari 2600)
Aladdin (Game Gear)
Crazy Climber (Arcadia 2001)
Beamrider (Colecovision)

Frenzy
Grade: A
Publisher: Coleco (1983)
Reviewed: 2001/7/4

screenshotI've been a fan of Berzerk for twenty years, but only recently did I discover the sequel: Frenzy. I'm glad I did. This brilliantly executed game retains the classic Berzerk gameplay; while adding additional strategic elements. You still control a man running through a series of maze-like screens, attempting to escape the clutches of Evil Otto and his robot minions. Enemies close in fast at the beginning of each round, so those first few seconds are critical.

Your man is impressively animated, especially when he's taking aim or getting zapped. Unlike the menacing robots of the original game, these look more like skeletons with oversized heads. In addition, they are accompanied by roving tanks. Robot AI has been improved dramatically -- they deliberately avoid giving you a clean shot at them.

But the biggest change is the addition of both destroyable and reflecting walls, which add subtle strategic elements. For example; missed shots will sometimes hit their mark after a ricochet, and occasionally you'll have to shoot your way through an enclosed area. You can even shoot Otto now!

But beware - this makes him very angry, and he comes back twice as fast. The game continues momentarily after you die, so even after losing your last man, the robots sometimes can inadvertently earn you an extra life - just when you thought the game was over! I found Frenzy to be just as fun as Berzerk, if not more. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

Recommended variation: 3
Our high score: 4627
1 or 2 players 

If you like this game, try: Berzerk (Vectrex)
Frenzy (Atari 7800)
Berzerk (Atari 2600)
Berzerk (Atari 5200)
Ladybug (Colecovision)

Frogger
Grade: A+
Publisher: Parker Bros (1983)
Reviewed: 2012/7/11

screenshotLoosely based on a true story, Frogger lets you guide a helpless frog across a traffic-filled street and then cross a stream of moving logs and other hazards. The sympathetic premise is so appealing that even girls have been known to enjoy this. Granted, the frog is the size of an SUV and could probably swallow a man whole, but work with me here!

Frogger is a nice-looking game. The screen is awash with color as every vehicle and animal is exquisitely detailed. Heck, there are even different types of cars in the same lane! All the elements of the arcade are present like the snake who patrols the shoreline and that creepy looking otter paddling in the water. The frog must be a total stud because he is constantly picking up chicks on the way across the river. Pursuing a juicy fly can earn you a fat bonus, but try not to go crazy with this type of glory-seeking.

The controls are less forgiving than most versions of Frogger. You need to land squarely on a log; if your feet are hanging off you'll probably slide into the water. Cars and logs tend to change speeds unexpectedly, making this one of the more challenging versions of the game. And I can't forget to mention something about the catchy theme song. How many modern games have you humming along as you play? Try none! Frogger is a timeless game, and this is the version you want. © Copyright 2012 The Video Game Critic.

Our high score: 11,920
1 or 2 players 

If you like this game, try: Frogger (Odyssey 2)
Frogger (Atari 2600)
Frogger (Tiger Game.com)
Frogger (Atari 5200)
Frogger (Genesis)

Frogger 2
Grade: C-
Publisher: Parker Bros. (1984)
Reviewed: 2012/7/11

screenshotThis innovative sequel takes our amphibious hero from the depths of the ocean to the clouds in the sky. You'll traverse three distinctive screens, each with its own set of dangers. Your journey begins on the seafloor, where you must swim past alligators, barracuda, and eel to reach floating logs. It's pretty crowded down there, and that water current is a bastard! Reaching a log takes you to the water surface where you hop across lily pads, ducks, whales, and hippos to reach a life preserver pulled by tugboat. Hopping on a baby duck pisses off the mother duck to no end, but if you hop on the mother directly she'll carry you into the sky.

This third screen lets you bounce on fluffy clouds while avoiding airplanes and dragons. It's clever how the screens are tied together but Frogger 2 is less than the sum of its parts. There are a lot of animals, but most are rendered in a single color. The action is plodding at times, especially when you're waiting for your next chance to jump. Difficulty level 1 is so slow that I caught my friend Chris surfing his phone while playing it! Variation 2 is faster but aggravating. Frogger 2 looks good on paper, but it lacks the simple fun that made the original so appealing. © Copyright 2012 The Video Game Critic.

Recommended variation: 2
Our high score: SLN 9222
1 player 

If you like this game, try: Frogger II (Atari 2600)
Frogger II: Threedeep! (Atari XEGS)
Frogger II: Threeedeep! (Atari 5200)
Duck Hunt (NES)
Rabbit Transit (Atari 2600)

Front Line
Grade: C
Publisher: Coleco (1983)
Reviewed: 2006/5/11

screenshotFront Line is the spiritual predecessor to so many of those "one-man army" games like Ikari Warriors and Rambo. You control a machine-gunning, grenade-tossing soldier fighting in a foreign land against all odds. As you forge your way up the vertically scrolling terrain, you'll navigate around bushes, trees, brick walls, and barbed wire while engaging groups of soldiers, tanks, and cannons.

Front Line's graphics aren't nearly as good as I was expecting. The goofy-looking soldiers look as if they're dancing, and the box-like tanks didn't impress me either. The range of bullets is so limited that you can linger just a few feet away from enemies with no fear of being shot. The constantly changing scenery keeps the action fresh however, and the screen even scrolls sideways to widen the battlefield. Occasionally you have the opportunity to man a tank yourself - an impressive feature for a 1983 title.

Front Line is one of the few Colecovision games that actually requires the Super Action Controllers, utilizing all four of its "finger" buttons. Unfortunately, the counter-intuitive control scheme uses two of these buttons to rotate the direction of your aim. While this provides the ability to strafe and finely adjust your shooting angle, it's awfully hard to remember which button turns which way, especially in the heat of battle. Front Line is a challenge, but its confusing controls and so-so gameplay put this one squarely in average territory. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

Recommended variation: 2
Our high score: 4700
1 or 2 players 

If you like this game, try: Ikari Warriors (NES)
Front Line (Atari 2600)
Seek and Destroy (Playstation 2)
Rambo 3 (Genesis)
Metal Slug First Mission (Neo Geo Pocket)


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