Classic Home Video Games (1985-1988) Read online

video game cartridges and more than 40 game

  In addition to exhaustive entries for each

  consoles, and I’ve always wanted to do some-

  game, the book includes a foreword by the leg-

  thing with that collection beyond simply play-

  endary Bill “The Game Doctor” Kunkel, who

  ing the games. I enjoy reading about video

  co-founded Electronic Games Magazine, which

  games, but there aren’t a whole lot of books on

  basically invented the concept of video game

  PREFACE

  5

  journalism, along with many of its medium-

  former, have all but disappeared, prompting

  specific terms and phrases. As a teenager, I read

  fans of those types of games to look to consoles

  each and every issue of Electronic Games from of the past.

  cover to cover, marveling over the publication’s

  Many modern titles benefit tremendously

  high-gloss photos, colorful screen shots, and

  from 3D graphics (playing Halo or Resident Evil entertaining, informative articles. If someone

  in 2D would be unthinkable, for example), but

  would have told me when I was 15 that some-

  old-school 2D games are generally more de-

  day Bill Kunkel would be writing the introduc-

  manding, especially in terms of timing and

  tion to a book I had written, you could have

  precision of movement. Players are forced to

  knocked me over with a cathode ray.

  make difficult jumps (or other maneuvers) and

  In preparing Classic Home Video Games,

  face hordes of hard-to-avoid enemies with

  1985–1988, I played (and replayed) hundreds

  alarming frequency. One-hit deaths are com-

  of games, usually at night. And the next morn-

  monplace, and it is often necessary to battle

  ing (oftentimes as early as three), fueled by a

  the same boss or retry the same level many,

  strong, hot cup of Earl Grey (which I started

  many times before figuring out the correct pat-

  drinking and quickly became addicted to after

  tern or developing the proper skill set required

  watching Captain Picard order it time and

  to defeat that boss or level.

  again from the food replicator on Star Trek: The

  In short, older games are frequently more

  Next Generation), I would write about the

  challenging and more intense than newer ones,

  games I had played the night before. I re-

  at least in terms of quick reflexes and pure eye-

  searched each title extensively, using a variety

  hand coordination. Certain modern titles are

  of resources, most notably my own collection.

  terribly difficult ( Ninja Gaiden for the Xbox, Since most game cartridges for older systems

  anyone?), but they are the exception to the rule.

  found “in the wild” and even at game stores

  Classic games are generally more simplistic in

  lack instruction manuals (despite the already

  design as well, meaning there are fewer button

  extensive nature of my collection, I had to pur-

  combinations to hassle with and fewer hoops to

  chase and borrow lots of games during the

  jump through in learning how to play the

  writing of the book), I consulted websites (pri-

  games. Another appeal of classic gaming is the

  marily Atari Age and Nintendo Age) that con-

  assortment of titles that reflect the zeitgeist and

  tain scans of said manuals. In addition, certain

  are likely to never be remade or ported to a cur-

  websites offer game downloads, which were es-

  rent console, such as Michael Jackson’s Moon-

  pecially helpful when it came to cartridges that

  walker, Pete Rose Baseball, and Bill & Ted’s I couldn’t get my hands on.

  Excellent Video Game Adventure. More impor-

  Skeptical modernists may wonder why in

  tant, many of the older games are still a heck of

  the world someone would want to play (or read

  a lot of fun.

  about, for that matter) games from the increas-

  Thanks to eBay auctions, video game con-

  ingly ancient 1980s (and early ’90s), when

  ventions (such as the Classic Gaming Expo and

  today’s consoles, such as the Xbox 360, PlaySta-

  the Oklahoma Video Game Exhibition), and

  tion 3, and Nintendo Wii, offer vastly superior

  console emulators (such as the Nintendo Wii’s

  graphics and sounds. There’s the nostalgia fac-

  Virtual Console, which lets players download

  tor, of course, but one of the most important

  games for the NES, Master System, and other

  reasons lies in dimensions. With the exception

  antiquated systems), gamers of all ages are

  of certain handheld titles (such as New Super

  hopping aboard the classic video game band-

  Mario Bros. ), puzzlers (such as the countless wagon with increasing frequency, discovering

  Tetris iterations), and download-only games

  the thrills and inevitable spills two-dimensional

  (such as the decidedly retro Mega Man 9), twogaming has to offer. In addition, countless clas-

  dimensional gaming has largely become a lost

  sic systems are still hooked up to television sets

  art, alienating many of us who grew up in a 2D

  across the country, letting veteran gamers hang

  virtual world. Entire genres, such as the side-

  on to an important part of their youths. Instead

  scrolling shooter and the side-scrolling plat-

  of simply remembering the “good old days,”

  6

  PREFACE

  video gamers have the advantage of reliving

  and every one of them in detail, mainstream

  them again and again.

  hits and obscure oddities alike. Hopefully, the

  Classic Home Video Games, 1985–1988: A

  book makes for entertaining reading as well,

  Complete Reference Guide pays tribute to those for both casual fans and hardcore gamers.

  classic games by cataloging and describing each

  ATARI 7800

  The Atari 7800 ProSystem was a solid up-

  ture and advanced in terms of both gameplay

  grade over the 2600 and the 5200, both of

  and graphics. The 7800 also had to compete

  which were great consoles, but had a number of

  with Sega’s Master System.

  increasingly obvious shortcomings. By 1986,

  Theoretically, the Atari 7800 could have

  when the 7800 hit store shelves, the 2600 was

  launched in 1984, since it had been designed

  drastically outdated (blocky graphics just

  and tested by that time. However, former Com-

  wouldn’t cut it anymore), and the aging 5200,

  modore executive Jack Tramiel had bought the

  which had fragile, non-centering joysticks that

  video game and computer divisions of Atari

  were the subject of much derision, had ceased

  from Warner Bros. in 1984, and, for a variety of

  production in 1984. When the 7800 hit the

  reasons, shelved the 7800 until 1986, after the

  scene, gaming traditionalists were thrilled with

  NES had already staked an enormous claim on

  the s
ystem’s trio of launch titles, which in-

  the market. It’s been reported that Tramiel pre-

  cluded Joust, Ms. Pac-Man, and Asteroids, the ferred computers over consoles, that he was

  latter of which offered a new wrinkle on the old

  skeptical until he saw the money Nintendo was

  rock-shooting formula: two-player simultane-

  bringing in, and that he had some licensing is-

  ous action. Pole Position II, a less impressive sues to work out. Whatever the case, the 7800

  port, was the pack-in game with the system.

  made it into stores a couple of years too late. In

  Unfortunately for Atari apologists, the

  addition, the system was hindered by Atari’s

  wildly popular Nintendo NES had launched in

  continued support of the 2600, and by the con-

  the U.S. the year before, ushering in the next

  fusing introduction of the Atari XE console,

  generation of home gaming. The dynastic NES

  which played cartridges designed for Atari’s

  boasted the vaunted Super Mario Bros. , one of line of home computers.

  the best, most influential games in the history

  The Atari 7800 is a powerful, graphically

  of the industry, and the console would soon be-

  capable system that can handle lots of moving

  come the home of such groundbreaking titles as

  objects at once with little to no slowdown or

  Metroid and The Legend of Zelda. The 7800, flickering. Also, it is backwards-compatible

  though blessed with nice retro arcade ports and

  with the Atari 2600, meaning it can play most

  a number of other interesting titles (such as

  of the games in the 2600 library. On a less pos-

  Midnight Mutants), simply couldn’t compete

  itive note, its sound capabilities are compara-

  with the Nintendo juggernaut. The NES saw

  ble to 2600 audio, and many gamers complain

  vastly superior marketing and third-party sup-

  about the system’s controllers, which are sturdy

  port, and its cartridge library contained a

  (compared to Atari 5200 joysticks), but tiring

  plethora of games that were expansive in na-

  on the hands. The side buttons are thumb-

  7

  8

  CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988

  Atari 7800 console with two joystick controllers. Though home to some nice ports of classic arcade games, such as Asteroids and Centipede, the 7800 couldn’t compete with the NES, which boasted such cutting edge titles as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.

  killers when lots of continual pressing is re-

  bombers, ME 109 fighters, and V1 rockets.

  quired. The system is compatible with any

  Players view the action through five different

  Atari 2600 joystick, but only for one-button

  screens, including from directly below the

  games.

  plane. The relatively complicated gameplay in-

  Production of the Atari 7800 came to a

  cludes: loading up the plane with missiles, bul-

  halt in 1991, and the system left with the repu-

  lets, and fuel canisters; operating a variety of

  tation of an underachiever. Given an earlier re-

  plane controls (thrust, engine speed, altitude,

  lease date, more marketing support, and more

  flaps, boost, and the like); putting out engine

  console-defining games, the 7800 could have

  fires; navigating through or around storms;

  challenged Nintendo on a more even playfield.

  consulting intelligence reports; and more. The

  Unfortunately, that just wasn’t meant to be.

  cockpit controls look great, and there are

  plenty of things to do for the patient gamer.

  The controls are sluggish (the computer ver-

  Atari 7800 Games

  sions of the game benefit from keyboard con-

  trol), and the action moves slowly, but Ace of

  Ace of Aces

  Aces is superior to Tomcat F-14, F-18 Hornet, PUBLISHER: Atari. DEVELOPER: Absolute Enter-and Super Huey (similar games for the 7800).

  tainment. Flight Combat Simulator, 1 player.

  1988.

  Alien Brigade

  P

  This first-person game puts players in the

  UBLISHER: Atari. DEVELOPER: Atari. Light Gun

  Shooter, 1 player. 1990.

  World War II–era Royal Air Force, piloting a

  RAF Mosquito through the not-so-friendly

  Although Alien Brigade is light gun com-

  skies, shooting or bombing U-boats, JU88

  patible, it can also be played using a standard

  ATARI 7800

  9

  Atari 7800 controller. Players point the gun at

  to the Game Boy and Game Boy Color. Fol-

  (or guide a cursor around) the screen, shooting

  lowed by two enhanced remakes: Asteroids

  such targets as aliens, brainwashed soldiers,

  (PlayStation) and Asteroids Hyper 64 (Nin-

  helicopters, tanks, and spaceships while trying

  tendo 64).

  not to harm mermaids, panthers, civilians, and

  other innocents. Gamers begin with a single-

  Ballblazer

  shot, semi-automatic pistol, a five-burst auto-

  PUBLISHER: Atari. DEVELOPER: General Com-

  matic machine gun, 100 48-round clips of am-

  puter Corp. Sports/Futuristic, 1 or 2 players

  munition, and eight grenades. However, each

  (simultaneous). 1987.

  scenario offers more weapons (some of which

  Ballblazer for the Atari 7800 improves

  are hidden), including rockets, a flamethrower,

  upon the 5200 version by providing sharper

  a laser rifle, and a dart gun. Levels to blast

  graphics (the ships and ball have smoother

  through include: Deep Jungle Camp, South

  edges) and better controls. For the uninitiated,

  American River Resort, Underwater, Alien

  the game is essentially futuristic, one-on-one

  Cave Base, and Main Alien Cave Base. There

  soccer, but with hovercrafts (called Rotofoils)

  are lots of things to shoot, but the action some-

  instead of players and moving goalbeams in-

  times experiences slowdown when the screen

  stead of standard goals. The first-person,

  gets too busy. The rapid-fire gameplay is fast-

  pseudo–3D action is set in 3097 on the lumi-

  paced, and the detailed graphics feature some

  nous surface of an artificial asteroid, which is

  nice animations, such as aliens dissolving after

  a green, 1155-square grid surrounded by an

  being shot. Alien Brigade is the sequel to Planet electroboundary. The split-screen perspective

  Smashers.

  (featuring a panoramic viewpoint), dazzling

  sounds, and excellent two-player action have

  Asteroids

  truly stood the test of time. Followed by: Ball-

  PUBLISHER: Atari. DEVELOPER: General Com-

  blazer Champions (PlayStation).

  puter Corp. Non-Scrolling Shooter, 1 or 2

  players (simultaneous). 1986.

  Barnyard Blaster

  P

  Asteroids for the Atari 7800 is a brilliant

  UBLISHER: Atari. DEVELOPER: Atari. Light Gun

  Shooter, 1 player. 1988.

  port/upgrade of Atari’s 1979 arcade smash. The

  game controls
about like the 2600 version

  This mediocre light gun shooter has nice

  (push joystick left and right to rotate ship, push

  graphics and a fun setting, but little else going

  forward to thrust), but includes a number of

  for it. Players take aim and fire at bottles, cans,

  features that make it stand out, such as tex-

  gophers, watermelons, pumpkins, rabbits,

  tured, colorful, spinning asteroids that evoke

  ducks, chickens, owls, and other targets across

  the space rocks found in Blasteroids (arcade, four levels of play: The Barnyard, The Corn-1987). More importantly, the game has a cou-

  field, The Barn, and Gramps’ Bonus Screen, the

  ple of awesome two-player modes: Competi-

  latter of which features an old man redun-

  tion Asteroids and Team Asteroids, the latter of

  dantly throwing bottles into the air. Some

  which lets friendly fire pass harmlessly through

  gamers may get a mischievous kick out of

  the players’ ships. Arcade purists may scoff at

  shooting Gramps himself. Moving targets,

  the raster visuals (the coin-op classic had black-

  which appear onscreen just one at a time, only

  and-white vector graphics) and the joystick

  travel in straight lines and are easy to hit, mak-

  controls (the original benefited from a five-but-

  ing Barnyard Blaster a rather dull shooter. One ton layout), but open minded shooter buffs will

  thing that does help is that smaller, faster tar-

  absolutely love this game. Asteroids for the 7800

  gets are worth more points. Also, hitting targets

  lacks the Asteroids Delux e–like shields feature quickly scores more points. At the end of the

  found in the Atari 2600 version, but the two-

  game, players are ranked (with names like

  player action more than makes up for this rel-

  Total Dud, Red Neck, Sniper, and Terminator)

  atively minor absence. Asteroids was also ported according to how many screens they completed.

  10

  CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988

  BasketBrawl

  lipede, which was the sequel to Centipede, was PUBLISHER: Atari. DEVELOPER: BlueSky Soft-ported to the NES and Atari 2600, but not the

  ware. Sports/Basketball, 1 or 2 players (simul-

  7800. Centipede spawned an enhanced remake

  taneous). 1990.

  for the PlayStation and Dreamcast.

  This rowdy game of two-on-two basket-

  ball lets players shoot hoops and fight on three

  Choplifter!

  different courts: Street, Junkyard, and Roof-

  PUBLISHER: Atari. DEVELOPER: Ibid. Side-