Sorry Bart, I believe I will have a cow. Bart ponders the significance of space mutants jumping in front of a “Space Mutants 4” poster. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Acclaim DEVELOPER: Imagineering GENRE: Action/Puzzle RELEASE DATE: February 1991 For the first few years of the Simpsons’ television existence, the … Continue reading #571 – The Simpsons: Bart Vs. The Space Mutants
#570 – Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer is all chocolate underneath. Invading the local mall for a quick bite! PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Arcadia Systems DEVELOPER: Software Creations GENRE: Shoot-em-up RELEASE DATE: November 1990 Silver Surfer is a licensed shoot-em-up with a bad reputation. The Angry Video Game Nerd famously disparaged it in one … Continue reading #570 – Silver Surfer
#569 – Silkworm
The best tag-team shmup of its day. Calm before the inevitable crap storm. PLAYERS: 1-2 simultaneous PUBLISHER: American Sammy DEVELOPER: American Sammy GENRE: Shoot-em-up RELEASE DATE: June 1990 Two questions you should ask yourself while engaging a shoot-em-up: 1) does it present a unique/interesting concept that enhances the … Continue reading #569 – Silkworm
#568 – Silent Service
The Beav and Steve McQueen team up for the ultimate underwater adventure. Silent Service‘s slow pace actually made me long for the sailing in Wind Waker. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Ultra Games DEVELOPER: Rare GENRE: Sim RELEASE DATE: December 1989 Submarine sims are a dime a dozen these days,* … Continue reading #568 – Silent Service
#567 – Silent Assault
Doesn’t look very silent to me. In a salmon-colored world, only one soldier can save the Olympic Torch from mini-UFOs. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Color Dreams DEVELOPER: Sachen GENRE: Action RELEASE DATE: 1990 Two breeds of Color Dreams’ games exist: the wicked and the weird. Silent Assault was only … Continue reading #567 – Silent Assault
#566 – Side Pocket
Cyndi Lauper cheers on Rick Astley from afar. The City Master is ordering a milk on the rocks, just because. PLAYERS: 1-2 alternating PUBLISHER: Namco DEVELOPER: Data East GENRE: Pool RELEASE DATE: June 1987 NES pool simulators are a curious lot. Fantasy titles like Lunar Pool take place … Continue reading #566 – Side Pocket
#565 – Short Order/Eggsplode!
The beef and the buns look exactly the same. “Short Order,” my eye. It’ll take you a half hour and a couple heart attacks to build a burger with the pig’s specifications.* PLAYERS: 1-5 alternating PUBLISHER: Nintendo DEVELOPER: TOSE GENRE: Mini-games RELEASE DATE: December 1989 As a Power … Continue reading #565 – Short Order/Eggsplode!
#564 – Shooting Range
Warning: Zapper does not fire actual lasers. Welp, I’m horrified. Well done, Shooting Range. PLAYERS: 1-4 alternating PUBLISHER: Bandai DEVELOPER: TOSE GENRE: Light gun RELEASE DATE: June 1989 Today’s outdoor “shooting range” implies real guns, earplugs, and precious antique cans. According to Bandai, a Shooting Range is a … Continue reading #564 – Shooting Range
#563 – Shockwave
What is wrong with that spaceman’s body? I’d say see a doctor, but fat chance! “Hello… is there anybody in there?” PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: American Game Cartridges DEVELOPER: American Game Cartridges GENRE: Puzzle RELEASE DATE: 1990 Shockwave was actually included in Maxi-15, a “more junk-for-your-buck” unlicensed multi-cart. But … Continue reading #563 – Shockwave
#562 – Shinobi
It might say “Shinobi” on the box, but brother, this ain’t Shinobi. My sprite disappeared behind the scuba enemy, into the nethers of the salmon-colored house. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Tengen DEVELOPER: Tengen GENRE: Action RELEASE DATE: 1989 Shinobi is indeed a Sega-developed game and franchise, so yes, it … Continue reading #562 – Shinobi
#560 – Shatterhand
David Arquette finally loses it. That green vest just screams good taste. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Jaleco DEVELOPER: Natsume GENRE: Action RELEASE DATE: December 1991 In Shatterhand, you play a man – let’s call him Biff ShatterPow – whose hands can literally cripple nations. Or at least shatter them. … Continue reading #560 – Shatterhand
#559 – Shadowgate
Pretty intense cover for an NES game. Shadowgate got away with a fair amount, considering Nintendo’s strict censoring policy. You think you’ve heard it all, and then…. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Kemco DEVELOPER: ICOM Simulations GENRE: Adventure/Point-and-click RELEASE DATE: December 1989 Believe it or not, the NES was home to … Continue reading #559 – Shadowgate