Bros in the sun, tanning their guns.
PLAYERS: 1-4 simultaneous
PUBLISHER: Nintendo
DEVELOPER: Technos
GENRE: Sports
RELEASE DATE: February 1990
If you’ve ever wanted to see Billy and Jimmy from the Double Dragon series in their swim trunks, then Super Spike V’Ball is the title for you. The Lee Brothers are one of four bro-teams, and surprisingly (given their track record), they’re heavy on defense. That’s good if you want to block your opponent’s spikes, but not so good if you want to pound a few spikes of your own. And you’ll want to be good at spiking ’cause that’s seventy-five percent of the aptly named Super Spike V’Ball. Serve, watch your opponent set up their shot- BLOCK THEIR SPIKE!, set up your shot- SPIKE! This will be the pattern of your team in every volleyball match in the game. The solid controls keep the game engaging at first, but after a few rounds, these back-and-forth patterns grow wearisome. Yes, as you advance in the American or World Cup circuits, your opponents are feistier, spiking and blocking more often, but the patterns remain the same. Super Spike V’Ball is NES Four Score friendly, and my advice is to make heavy use of it. Playing solo as I did will leave you bored. On a side note, I’m surprised this isn’t a Kunio-kun entry. Their blocky statures would be perfect for volleyball and give the game a more lighthearted feel. Ah well. At least Billy and Jimmy get a day off from Abobos and chain whips.
B-
As you can see, Technos also put out a two-in-one cartridge coupling Super Spike V’Ball with Nintendo World Cup. You can find it in the wild for about two bucks, and it’s definitely worth it.
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9 replies on “#627 – Super Spike V’Ball”
I agree with B- as a solo game, but this was absolutely meant to be played with friends. Playing with four people is a blast, and hilarious when people screw up. There is significant variety in shots, too. The quick spike is awesome (especially if you can KA-BOOM it) as is spiking the opponent's serve on the way over. Once you learn how to direct your spikes, the computer gets a bit easy, but human opponents will be able to adjust and create really long volleys.
Yeah, I'd love to play with three extra people on this one. That's why I couldn't be too harsh on it. The potential for greatness is there.
“Serve, watch your opponent set up their shot- BLOCK THEIR SPIKE!, set up your shot- SPIKE! This will be the pattern of your team in every volleyball match in the game. The solid controls keep the game engaging at first, but after a few rounds, these back-and-forth patterns grow wearisome.”
So in other words it's exactly like real volleyball. Well done, Nintendo!
Oh, and as this is my first post here, thanks for all the material, Dylan. You are truly doing $DEITY's work.
Zing! And you're welcome.
What is SDEITY? I do the Lord's work or I don't work at all.
Great old game. It was good for a Volley Ball game. I guess I was pretty lucky to have a little brother to play most of these game with. It likely raised the fun factor significantly. (Probably why I enjoyed KOEI games so much as well.)
Yeah, most average NES games get bumped up a notch with a second person. This game is probably crazy fun with three other people.
As I read your closing comments regarding the Kunio-Kun style I was going to dorkily point out that WorldCup/SuperSpike VBall double cartridge. I agree I felt like it should've displayed that same style, given the game's broader “family” and super shot mecanics.
You know your 8bit gems.
I think it's a fun game…. BUT FOR THE SAKE OF GOD!!!! A IS ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS JUMP!!!!! Once you can wrap your head around the fact that this game is one of those games where they give you the ol' switch-a-roo its a well crafted sports game that is best enjoyed with a friend.
Those later computer opponents were cheating bastards!