Such a simple, cartoony design. Wonderfully done. I’m not sure if this is racist or not, but it does actually happen within the game. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Atlus DEVELOPER: Atlus GENRE: Platformer RELEASE DATE: September 1991 Before Atlus established themselves in the States as the torchbearers of anything … Continue reading #537 – Rockin’ Kats
#536 – The Rocketeer
Fantastic box-art. If only the game were this well-conceived. That gangster’s purple zoot suit, stylish though it may be, is no match for the Rocketeer’s fearsome helmet. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Bandai America DEVELOPER: Bandai GENRE: Action RELEASE DATE: May 1991 I complained vigorously about the Rocket Ranger resembling/completely … Continue reading #536 – The Rocketeer
#535 – Rocket Ranger
People in the hovercar: “Out of the way, dingus! We’re trying to watch the movie!” The sky is purple. Blue was too expensive. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Kemco DEVELOPER: Beam Software GENRE: Shooting/Strategy RELEASE DATE: June 1990 The Rocket Ranger, as a name, doesn’t have the same ring as … Continue reading #535 – Rocket Ranger
#534 – Rock ‘N Ball
What a gang of spunky adolescents. Excelsior! Playing upside down in the Battle Mode. Boom. PLAYERS: 1-4 alternating PUBLISHER: NTVIC DEVELOPER: Kid GENRE: Pinball RELEASE DATE: January 1990 Rock ‘N Ball is one of several maddeningly obscure titles in the NES library; very few people have heard of … Continue reading #534 – Rock ‘N Ball
#533 – Robodemons
Lawrence of Arabia: 2055 Look at that character design. I can’t tell what’s what besides the legs. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Color Dreams DEVELOPER: Color Dreams GENRE: Action/Shmup RELEASE DATE: December 1989 Color Dreams had absolutely no business making games. Whether desecrating the Bible under the guise of Wisdom … Continue reading #533 – Robodemons
#532 – Robocop 3
Matlock has had just about enough of your shenanigans, Robocop. That thug is actually cross-eyed, hence why he’s not shooting directly at Robocop. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Ocean DEVELOPER: Probe Entertainment GENRE: Action RELEASE DATE: August 1992 “Game Over.” Finally, after three arduous treks into the 8-bit Robocop Universe, … Continue reading #532 – Robocop 3
#531 – Robocop 2
Yup, he still doesn’t have any emotions. The mirthless howl of the damned. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Data East DEVELOPER: Painting By Numbers GENRE: Action RELEASE DATE: April 1991 Words from Robocop 2‘s Game Over screen: “Robocop is taken away for calibration. But he will try again!” Good for … Continue reading #531 – Robocop 2
#530 – Robocop
Robocop dares you to play his game. The bottom menu looks more complex than the game actually is. Punch the dog, shoot the dude in purple, and keep walkin’. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Data East DEVELOPER: SAS Sakata GENRE: Action RELEASE DATE: December 1989 “Robocop is never discouraged. Let’s do … Continue reading #530 – Robocop
#529 – Robo Warrior
Now displayed at the World’s Trade Fair of 1929! Look at all that shrubbery, just waiting to be exploded! PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Jaleco DEVELOPER: Jaleco GENRE: Action/Puzzle RELEASE DATE: December 1988 Welcome to Robo Warrior, a little known Bomberman spin-off that tries to inject more action into the … Continue reading #529 – Robo Warrior
#528 – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Don’t tell me… IT’S NOT WORTH DYING FOR! Have at thee, you merry prankster! PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Virgin Interactive DEVELOPER: Sculptured Software GENRE: Action/Adventure RELEASE DATE: November 1991 Much like Conan the Barbarian or Tarzan, Robin Hood has never been an interesting fictional character to me. He’s a … Continue reading #528 – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
#527 – RoadBlasters
Blasting roads since 1990. Level 6 embraces cotton candy as a lifestyle. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Mindscape DEVELOPER: Beam Software GENRE: Racing RELEASE DATE: January 1990 RoadBlasters is an exciting mess, a weapons-based arcade racer that delivers in size what it lacks in depth. Fifty levels (!) of twisty … Continue reading #527 – RoadBlasters
#525 – River City Ransom
Not all American gamers want to see American bros on a Japanese brawler, Technos. These frat boys deserve a good pummeling. PLAYERS: 1-2 alternating PUBLISHER: Technos DEVELOPER: Million GENRE: Beat-em-up/RPG RELEASE DATE: January 1990 Alex and Ryan are your average high school students. They love gel in their … Continue reading #525 – River City Ransom