NES Reviews O-R

Pac-Mania feels like a logical 3D extension of the original Pac-Man formula. No longer limited to two dimensions, Pac-Man appears round as he moves around a scrolling 3D maze with a slightly diagonal overhead view. This not only gives the visuals more pizzazz, but also incorporates the concept jumping. That's right - when surrounded by ghosts you can just hop over one (or more) to escape. Just keep in mind that in advanced stages the ghosts can jump too! Each stage offers a completely different layout, although several tend to be influenced by the classic 2D games. The white one is my favorite; it looks like a winter wonderland! Since the mazes are more sprawling the game feels slower because you have a lot of ground to cover. Alerts are displayed when a fruit or power-up is available, since the center of the maze may not be in view at the time. There are up to nine ghosts (!) in each stage, but they seem less tenacious than the four in the original Pac-Man. You can rack up some insane multiplier bonuses by chomping them all up. When the eyes of an eaten ghost travel the same path as Pac-Man, it looks like he's wearing glasses! In addition to bonus fruit there are power-up pills. Most of these have subtle effects, save for the speed demon icon that lets you move twice as fast. Each game begins with the option of skipping to an advanced level a la Millipede (Atari 2600, 1984). The fact that you earn a big fat bonus up front for doing this (up to 150K) seems a little unfair. The game has happy-go-lucky music in the tradition of the series but the intermissions are not particularly memorable. That's the problem with the game in general. Despite all the extra bells and whistles I'd be just as happy to play the original Pac-Man instead. © Copyright 2018 The Video Game Critic.

Pirates was originally released in 1987 as an historical simulation for the Commodore 64. The game places you in the role of a young pirate captain in the Caribbean during the mid-1500s. I love how this shoehorned NES version makes it easy to get a ship with a full crew up and running. You'll sail your tiny ship around a huge map of the "new world", frequently encountering foreign vessels. I like the look of those shimmering blue waters. While engaged in a sea battle you must carefully maneuver your ship to avoid incoming cannonballs while launching your own. Invading an unfriendly town involves exchanging fire with forts. Interior land battles require you to strategically position groups of your men, although the actual fighting seems mostly automatic. Many battles culminate with a sword fight between you and the opposition's leader. The duels aren't much to look at, and like the sea battles they tend to drag on for too long. The graphic depictions of towns and taverns are well done, but the images appear in small windows that leave little room for detail. I was disappointed that when I visited the tavern in the Spanish city of Santiago I talked to the same blonde bartender I met in Fort Royale. The game is text-heavy and sometimes you're presented with an entire screen of text to read. Patient gamers will savor the layers of strategy which provide ample opportunity to spread influence, betray treaties, marry a wench, and discover buried treasure. Less patient gamers however are likely to lose interest due to the sluggish sea battles and repetitive nature of it all. Fighting the wind at sea or moving men across land can be painfully slow. The cartridge offers eight slots of saves, and wouldn't you know, mine are full from the adventures of previous owners! How long do these batteries last anyway? Pirates has remarkable depth for an NES title, but I'd advise pirate lovers to pursue subsequent versions of the game with faster gameplay and better eye candy. © Copyright 2020 The Video Game Critic.

Although probably nifty in its time, this old football game has not aged particularly well. Upon turning on Play Action Football you're treated to an elaborate performance of the national anthem, although that black guy playing the trumpet doesn't really match the electronic notes you hear. The game itself features an overhead view with the field running diagonally across the screen. Play Action Football's play-calling screens are well designed, letting you select from eight plays and four formations. A high-angle view of the players moving into formation is accompanied by an annoying helicopter sound effect. A "high" view is used for passing plays, but a closer angle is employed for running plays. The action on the field unfolds slowly, thanks to the players' turtle-like speed and passes that float in the air for an eternity. The controls are pretty good however, borrowing a page or two from Tecmo Bowl. You can tap the A button to avoid tackles on offense, or speed up on defense. Pressing both A and B switches you to the nearest defender. The kicking game is solid, but the football looks absolutely huge as it sails through the goal posts. No wonder there are so many bounces off the posts! My first game of Play Action Football got off to an inauspicious start as both the CPU and myself ran back kick-offs for touchdowns. And if that wasn't unrealistic enough, we both missed our extra points as well! Play Action Football tries to incorporate voice synthesis, but it's unintentionally comical. When the referee yells "First down!" it sounds like he's saying "Prison!" And before each snap, instead of "Ready, set, hut!" the QB seems to be shouting "Goodie, set, hut!" Surprisingly, Play Action is equipped with an NFL Player's Association license, so actual player names and faces are displayed on the bottom of the screen! I have to give Play Action credit for incorporating some cool bells and whistles you don't even see in some modern football games. For example, when a player gets hurt, trainers come out onto the field with a stretcher. And when a first down is in doubt, the officials bring out the chains to measure up close! There's even some cheerleader action during halftime. As usual, Nintendo incorporates a lot of little musical jingles into the game, which are actually quite catchy and memorable. There's no way this can possible compete with excellent Tecmo Bowl games, but Play Action Football represents a decent effort on Nintendo's part. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

This run-and-gun shooter should bring joy to the hearts of Contra (Konami, 1987) fans. Power Blade takes place in 2191 where the future looks just like Seattle! The dude on the title screen is a dead ringer for Arnold Schwarzenegger - the archetype hero of the 1990s. Your mission is to recover computer tapes - a storage media that apparently makes a big comeback (I knew it!) The stage select screen lets you choose between six locations including an atrium, sewers, and a space shuttle launch pad. The stages tend to look very similar but I like how there are alternate routes and secret areas. A few (like the waterfalls) have flickering scenery that's kind of unsightly. Your primary weapon is a boomerang. Not only does it inflict serious damage but you can throw it in any direction - including diagonally! Once powered-up you can unleash them in a rapid-fire fashion that's very satisfying. The ability to knock down drones while hanging off ladders is especially fun. The fluid controls make it easy to traverse platforms and leap to and from ladders. Just be sure you're on the very edge on a platform before initiating your jump. This game is not forgiving. About halfway through each stage you'll rendezvous with a team member to obtain an ID card. Why is his face blue? An onslaught of enemies include soldiers, pink gorillas, and robots that look like ED-209 from Robocop. Many adversaries have shells that make them frustratingly impervious to attack. Instead of clearing out each room you'll be wise to make a quick exit as converging enemies nip at your heels. Power Blade needs more checkpoints. It's infuriating when you travel deep into a stage only to fall and have to restart from the beginning. Still, the tuneful NES synth music keeps your adrenaline flowing. I wish the game had a score but at least there's an easy-to-enter password which allows you to make progress in small chunks, stage by stage. You can really get into a zone playing Power Blade, especially once you get familiar with the layouts. I'm not saying you should break your piggy back for it, but you probably won't regret it. © Copyright 2019 The Video Game Critic.

When you fire up this game you'll want to pay attention to the amazing introduction. It shows Predator traveling to Earth in a pod deployed from his hawk-shaped space ship. That's like watching a deleted scene from the film! You're then treated to a title screen that alternates images between Arnold and Predator over menacing music and the subtitle "Soon the Hunt Will Begin". I love it! At this point most critics would have slapped an "A" on this bad boy and called it a day, but I happened to be in the mood for some improbable jungle shenanigans. In the opening stage Arnold appears to be decked out in pink pants and white boots. Wait what?! Oh that's right - this was made in the 80's! Falling into the first pit will leave you hopelessly stuck, despite the breakable wall and a supply of grenades! Apparently somebody forgot to test this level. It was probably the same guy who forgot to test all the other levels. In fact, the stages are so poorly constructed that a "self destruct" mechanism had to be included. But since it's accessed from the pause screen, you're more likely to accidentally blow yourself up (gah!). Some stages offer multiple paths but I'd recommend taking the high road to avoid crawling rocks, scorpions, and crazy people. Subterranean areas force you to jump between narrow ledges, but the jumping controls aren't bad. Enemies occupy some ledges, but if you wait they tend to fall off on their own. The initial encounter with Predator is anti-climatic, as you simply shoot him 14 times as he somersaults around. After every few stages you're subjected to what the instructions call "the big mode". These stages were clearly developed as a separate game, but the manual tries to rationalize them as some kind of "ethereal zones." The oversized characters look impressive but the orb-dodging gameplay is pointless. Predator has no score but there is a continue option. This game is technically deficient, but Predator fans may still want to check out this so-bad-it's-bad film adaptation. © Copyright 2014 The Video Game Critic.

The Hudson Soft logo is normally a sign of quality but I guess they can't all be winners. I've received numerous requests to review Princess Tomato over the years. It turns out that this cartridge is pretty rare so I had to settle for a reproduction. Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom is a whimsical text adventure set in a magical place inhabited by personified vegetables. You play the role of Sir Cucumber trying to save the princess (naturally). The game screen consists of a picture window in the center, text commands lining each side, and a dialog box along the bottom. Typical commands are move, look, check, talk, take, use, give, and buy. Less obvious options are hit, praise, dump, and "Percy". The game is broken up into chapters, with passwords allowing you save your progress between them. The well-designed user interface makes it easy to enter commands, using one button used to select and another to back out. I found the illustrated cartoon graphics somewhat endearing, but there's minimal animation and the happy-go-lucky music got on my nerves. I could have embraced a quirky game like this if it made any sense but it does not. Most of the puzzles are illogical. To extract a coin from a fountain you need to "check" the fountain and then "hit" it? How did people ever make progress before the internet? Like Infocom's classic Zork text adventure series, your actions are heavily constrained ("don't give anything away now"). Even when you choose the right action it's often necessary to execute "talk" or "check" multiple times to get the desired result. In one case I had to check a trash can in a bathroom twice to discover a donut! What is this - a Seinfeld episode?? Princess Tomato is a cute, innocent adventure but its trial and error gameplay is impenetrable without a FAQ. © Copyright 2019 The Video Game Critic.

If you enjoy 2D platform jumping games, you might appreciate this four-games-in-one Aladdin cartridge (plugs in a special Aladdin "game enhancer" attachment). The first title is a Mario Bros clone called "Linus Spacehead". The first stage takes you underwater where you character must "ride" rising bubbles to reach the surface. After that, the stages become more conventional and are generally forgettable. Spacehead's background music is pretty catchy, which is fortunate since it plays non-stop. The second game, Robin Hood, takes place in a castle where you collect keys, unlock doors, shoot bad guys with arrows, climb ropes, and jump over pits. Robin Hood looks absolutely freaky with that big goofy smile on his face. Momentum plays in a key role in the game, as you'll need it to slide under walls or leap great distances. It's no prize, but Robin Hood is probably the best of the bunch. Next up is Boomerang Kid, and this one makes no sense at all. Your character collects boomerangs, but get this - he can't throw them! Supposedly an Australian, this idiot looks more like some country bumpkin. Most of the action takes place in trees, and falling to your death is a common occurance thanks to lousy controls that make it hard to judge your jumps. The final game is Treasure Island Dizzy. Yes, the "Eggman" is back, but Treasure Island isn't as bad as Dizzy The Adventurer, a game I detested. This time Dizzy's user interface has been streamlined, so you can manipulate objects without calling up a separate screen. Dizzy is also easier to control since he doesn't roll around as much. Treasure Island Dizzy is playable until you reach one particularly stage loaded with wall-to-wall cheap traps. With only one life and no continues, I have no patience for that kind of crap. All in all, Quattro Adventure offers a lot of gaming, but whether there's any real value here is arguable. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

Quattro Sports is four games in one, so you'd hope at least one would be worthwhile. Would you believe me if I told you that they all suck? Each has at least one serious flaw that renders it borderline unplayable. Baseball Pros includes teams that inexplicably hail from all over the world, including the Moscow Bears, Roman Centaurs, and Boston Graduates. The pitcher/batter screen is respectable, but once the ball is hit the runners move like turtles! Fielders are never positioned where you expect them to be (where's my [expletive] shortstop?!) and fly balls are hard to judge because the shadow tends to be far to the right. The annoying music sounds like a wacky cartoon theme playing on fast-forward. The second game, BMX Simulator, tries to be an old-school, overhead racer, but it's deplorable. The courses are so littered with junk that you have no idea where you're supposed to go! Touching anything turns your bike into a twisted wreck as you watch the CPU riders lap you again and again. Soccer Simulator is probably the most playable of the bunch, but that's hardly a ringing endorsement. The unimpressive overhead view lets you easily pass the ball, but trying to get the ball into that tiny goal is an exercise in frustration. Last (and probably least) is Pro Tennis, featuring unattractive, flabby players playing in a chicken coop. The gameplay is equally unappealing, considering you can't even serve the ball in-bounds! My friend Scott noted that the best strategy is to set the controller down and sip your beer while watching your opponent double-fault time after time until you eventually win the match. Quattro Sports is proof that four games aren't necessarily better than one, especially when they're as half-baked as this collection. Note: This cartridge only works with the Aladdin "deck enhancer". Also, I could only get it to work with a top-loading NES and a really old TV. © Copyright 2013 The Video Game Critic.

This vertically-scrolling motorbike racer can be a lot of fun just as long as you take a slow, deliberate approach. When I first played this with a friend we tried to tear right through the course but didn't get far because touching just about anything means instant death. No, Rally Bike requires you to skillfully navigate narrow paths, moderate your speed, anticipate upcoming hazards, and keep your distance from other bikes. Memorizing the course helps a lot. When you begin the screen says "qualifying rank: 30", which means you need to finish in the top 30 to advance to the next race. You begin in the final position (50), but don't be in a rush to move up, because these races are long. In fact, I'd say the first race is too long and hard for its own good. You begin on a wide open bridge, but soon have to navigate thick brush, narrow city streets, and even deal with oncoming trains! The first stage of most games helps ease you in, but this is a trial by fire. Even so, scaling the ranks isn't too tough because your brain-dead opponents constantly crash, littering the screen like bugs on a windshield. Occasionally a helicopter drops a bonus icon, and this gives the game a Spy Hunter flavor. Some icons provide extra gas or bonus points, but my favorite supplies "helper bikes" that ride alongside you and let you ram adversaries. Rally Bike has its share of surprises like cars that pull out onto the road without warning, and marauding trucks that squash everything in their path. The controls are simple as can be, with one button serving as accelerator and the other the brake. Although the scenery changes drastically even within each race, the bridges, beaches, and palm trees give the game a real summer vibe. Simple to play but surprisingly deep, Rally Bike spells good times for NES gamers. © Copyright 2009 The Video Game Critic.

If there were a popularity contest for NES games, River City Ransom would fare quite well. I don't recall hearing much about this game back in the day, but every NES player I talk to thinks it's awesome. And they are right. River City Ransom is a side-scrolling beat-em-up with RPG elements that add surprising depth. The heroes are two brothers attempting to save River City from a gang of thugs. The characters are rendered as short and boxy, but that doesn't hinder the fighting action very much. Considering only two buttons are used, the number of moves is amazing. You can punch, kick, jump, throw, sprint, and block. There are plenty of weapons lying around, including chains, brass knuckles, lead pipes, and trashcans. But it's the special moves you acquire from the book stores that really put the game over the top. River City Ransom never ceases to amaze, and you'll often discover new moves like running on a tire. Unlike Double Dragon, it doesn't take many punches to defeat the bad guys, so the fights don't feel as repetitive. The graphics are clean, but there is significant flicker and break-up when two players are fighting at the same time. The backgrounds offer some simple but attractive scenery including bright city skylines and scenic canals. The bottom of the screen displays colorful dialogue, most notably "BARF!!" when a thug is defeated. Perhaps the game's most innovative feature is how you earn and spend money to restore your life, raise your attributes, and acquire new moves. There are four shopping malls, each with a different set of stores. When using the gym sauna, you see your character's bare ass, which looks hilarious. River City Ransom provides a password save, but this thing is huge! I'm not sure I could write it down without making a mistake. It's also possible to find yourself "stuck" and unsure how to proceed, which happened to me and my friend George. Despite its minor flaws however, River City Ransom is a quality two-player beat-em-up that has withstood the test of time better than most. © Copyright 2008 The Video Game Critic.

This side-scrolling shooter does a fair job of capturing the spirit of the 1987 film. What I find odd is how a game based on an ultra-violent R-rated flick was marketed to kids! The graphics are cheesy at times and the controls could be better, but in general I enjoyed Robocop's brand of wanton violence with a dash of exploration. The game begins as you would expect, with our armor-plated hero patrolling the streets of Old Detroit. The foreground is dominated by barbed wire fences and run-down buildings, but a nice city skyline can be seen in the distance. At first Robocop uses his fists to beat up male ballet dancers (in purple tights), dogs, and guys in turbans. Hey - I thought he was the good guy!? The action really picks up when Robocop brandishes his automatic weapon and starts shooting thugs in the face. I also love how the bad guys in windows will hurl themselves down to the pavement below when shot. The instruction manual states "at the end of each level, there's a foe who's much harder to defeat than any of the rest". That sounds like every NES game I've ever played! The first boss is a strongman who is gun-resistant but apparently not fist-resistant. Stage two takes place in an upscale hotel, and I like how you're free to explore and discover hidden areas. The remaining stages include factories and office buildings. Robocop can be confusing to play because the game arbitrarily decides when you can use your fists or guns. Stairs are aggravating to navigate, and when you want to shoot low, you often shoot diagonally down instead (which is useless). I also hate how Robocop's energy is always running low. It's a real drag when you're totally kicking ass and suddenly he keels over due to a lack of energy. The game's soundtrack is catchy, but it's always the same, so it gets monotonous. The cut-scene following stage one is hilarious. It looks like Robocop just got back from the dentist and he's trying to talk with a mouth full of novocaine. Robocop serves its purpose as a standard crime-fighting side-scroller. If you think it sounds mediocre, wait until you see its two sequels. © Copyright 2014 The Video Game Critic.

I have a cure for boredom and it's name is Rolling Thunder! This excellent arcade port kicks off with a stylish intro culminating with a green, pointy-eared villain guffawing "heh heh heh". I want to kill that bastard! The side-scrolling gameplay can be described as Shinobi (Sega Master System, 1988) except with secret agents instead of ninjas. Our hero is a dude I call "daddy long legs" who wears tan pants pulled up so high he looks like he belongs on a 1978 cop show. As you infiltrate some evil facility you encounter scary-looking dudes with sacks over their heads. Naturally they come in an assortment of colors so you can tell how many hits it will take to kill each one. The shooting action is supremely satisfying for several reasons. First, the crisp controls allow you to quickly toggle between a standing and squat position, unloading several rounds at a time. Your default weapon is potent, even if its bullets are a little slow. It's really not a bad idea to fire first and "follow" your shots. I love watching enemies keel over, with the first shot typically bringing them to their knees. The digitized grunts are great too. Special weapons like machine guns only serve to ratchet up the fun. Most areas offer two levels you can jump between, as well as doors that let you duck out of the line-of-fire. It was very considerate of the bad guys to clearly label their ammo closets with signs like "BULLETS". Just keep in mind that enemies tend to enter from those same doors. You'll be tempted to rush through this game but it pays to be cautious. Your life meter is only two units long so there's little room for error. The only thing I don't like about Rolling Thunder is its shrill music which is a little hard on the ears. The scenery is a bit repetitive but surprises abound like black panthers that try to pounce on you! Requiring equals parts tactical strategy and quick reflexes, Rolling Thunder is an outstanding shooter for the NES. © Copyright 2018 The Video Game Critic.