Computer World. Enjoy the attention while it lasts, honey. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Acclaim DEVELOPER: Atelier Double GENRE: Minigames RELEASE DATE: September 1987 The best part about Winter Games might be the snazzy retro box art. Look at it! It feels Kraftwerkian in its color choice of deep blue … Continue reading #727 – Winter Games
#726 – Win, Lose, or Draw
Well, doesn’t that look like a treat. It doesn’t fit, but it’s the truth. PLAYERS: 1-2 simultaneous PUBLISHER: Hi-Tech Expressions DEVELOPER: RSP GENRE: Game show RELEASE DATE: March 1990 Win, Lose, or Draw sounds snappier than Win, Lose AND Draw, though the latter is more accurate. No matter … Continue reading #726 – Win, Lose, or Draw
#725 – Willow
“Willow: Back 2 Tha Ufgood” was the proposed existential sequel. It never came to pass. “Is that you, Smaug? My, you’ve aged!” PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Capcom DEVELOPER: Capcom GENRE: Action/RPG RELEASE DATE: December 1989 Willow is an obviously well-constructed action-RPG, with gorgeous animation and graphics, solid controls, and … Continue reading #725 – Willow
#724 – Wild Gunman
Yee-haw. Wonder what’s under that blanket… PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Nintendo DEVELOPER: Nintendo GENRE: Light gun RELEASE DATE: October 1985 One of the original eighteen NES launch games and prominently featured in “Back to the Future Part II” as a point of ridicule, Wild Gunman is an antiquated shooting … Continue reading #724 – Wild Gunman
#723 – Widget
And you may say to yourself, This is not my beautiful game. No intimidating Yeti will make Widget lose his joy. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Atlus DEVELOPER: Graphic Research GENRE: Platformer RELEASE DATE: November 1992 Despite looking like a Hanna Barbera reject from the ’70s, Widget’s origins lie in … Continue reading #723 – Widget
#722 – Whomp ‘Em
Yeah, I know. The ghost of H.P. Lovecraft did some design work here. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Jaleco DEVELOPER: Jaleco GENRE: Platformer RELEASE DATE: March 1991 Perhaps the only Mega Man-inspired title to feature a Native American protagonist, the abhorrently titled Whomp ‘Em doesn’t break racial boundaries inasmuch as … Continue reading #722 – Whomp ‘Em
#721 – Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
I really think Bob Hoskins posing seductively would have sold more copies. Out for a drive, amidst concrete and clay and general decay. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: LJN DEVELOPER: Rare GENRE: Adventure RELEASE DATE: September 1989 Rare came so close to getting Who Framed Roger Rabbit? right that it … Continue reading #721 – Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
#720 – Where’s Waldo?
Why… there he is. I understand this is a circus, but beyond that… PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: THQ DEVELOPER: Bethesda Softworks GENRE: Puzzle RELEASE DATE: September 1991 Had Waldo the courtesy to save children’s eyes before they went blind of their own accord, we wouldn’t have been forced to … Continue reading #720 – Where’s Waldo?
#719 – Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?
Carmen Sandiego has pissed off people through the ages. That’s impressive. Spanish conquistadors were jerks. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Konami DEVELOPER: Distinctive Entertainment GENRE: Edutainment RELEASE DATE: October 1991 Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego? is not a rhetorical question. The goal of the game is to travel through … Continue reading #719 – Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?
#715-718 – The Wheel of Fortune Tetralogy
Assuming Pat Sajak and Vanna White have immortality clauses in their contract, I think we’ll be watching “Wheel of Fortune” for years to come. And why not? Pat is dry and witty, with just the right amount of personality while Vanna says a lot by saying little. The show itself is a weird, addicting … Continue reading #715-718 – The Wheel of Fortune Tetralogy
#714 – Werewolf: The Last Warrior
Is… is the werewolf busting out of an NES cartridge? Don’t mind me, Everytown USA! Just a werewolf climbin’ up a skyscraper! PLAYERS: 1-2 alternating PUBLISHER: Data East DEVELOPER: SAS Sakata GENRE: Action RELEASE DATE: November 1990 Werewolf: The Last Warrior wants so badly to be your new … Continue reading #714 – Werewolf: The Last Warrior
#713 – WCW: World Championship Wrestling
Did this look intimidating in 1990? That’s me in the corner/That’s me on the ground/curled/losing lots of bloood. PLAYERS: 1-2 simultaneous PUBLISHER: FCI DEVELOPER: Nichibutsu GENRE: Wrestling RELEASE DATE: April 1990 Not even the talents of Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat can save WCW Wrestling from making a spectacle … Continue reading #713 – WCW: World Championship Wrestling