“Ultimate challenge” indeed. That ol’ boy needs to learn him some respect. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Nintendo DEVELOPER: Nintendo GENRE: Action/RPG RELEASE DATE: December 1988 Zelda II is white-hot rage pockets mixed with moments of fleeting joy. It’s a jilted ex-lover employing a psychosexual hold over your thoughts, emotions, … Continue reading #751 – Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Tag Archives: 1988
#744 – Xevious
Standing on the edge of tomorrow… yesterday! That’s a forest, not a jello mold. PLAYERS: 1-2 alternating PUBLISHER: Bandai DEVELOPER: Namco GENRE: Shoot-em-up RELEASE DATE: September 1988 The slogan for the original arcade version of Xevious (pronounced Zeh Vee Us) was “Are you devious enough to beat Xevious?” … Continue reading #744 – Xevious
#743 – Xenophobe
Ridley Scott’s Xenophobe “Alert! You’re playing Xenophobe! Alert!” PLAYERS: 1-2 simultaneous PUBLISHER: Sunsoft DEVELOPER: Sunsoft GENRE: Arcade RELEASE DATE: December 1988 Dr. Kwack is a disgruntled duck doctor. Mr. Fogg is a misshapen potato man. Dr. Zordirz is a human of moderate proportions, but he wears an eyepatch … Continue reading #743 – Xenophobe
#734/#600 – World Class Track Meet/Stadium Events
If you have a boxed copy of this, you should come over so we can fawn over it together. If you have a boxed copy of this, you obtained it from a sorcerer – or a scam artist. No box was ever made for this game. Those stairs represent … Continue reading #734/#600 – World Class Track Meet/Stadium Events
#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
#705 – Vindicators
This cover is bonkers compared to the actual game. I expected less pastels. PLAYERS: 1-2 simultaneous PUBLISHER: Tengen DEVELOPER: Westwood Studios GENRE: Arcade RELEASE DATE: 1988 Vindicators is the story of a space tank’s constant fight for survival. Literally, all you do in this game is shoot other … Continue reading #705 – Vindicators
#636 – T&C Surf Designs: Wood & Water Rage
Pearl City, Hawaii must be proud of their legacy. Who wouldn’t want to watch a surfing cat in a blazer? PLAYERS: 1-2 alternating PUBLISHER: LJN DEVELOPER: Atlus GENRE: Sports RELEASE DATE: February 1988 Before Thrilla Gorilla embarked on his personal “Surfari,” he was competing against Kool Kat (a … Continue reading #636 – T&C Surf Designs: Wood & Water Rage
#631 – Superman
If only Superman was this imposing in the actual game. … *nods head* Ma’am. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Kemco DEVELOPER: Kotobuki Systems GENRE: Action RELEASE DATE: December 1988 Constructing an enjoyable Superman game should be a straightforward task, yet developers have consistently had a difficult time rendering this iconic … Continue reading #631 – Superman
#630 – Super Team Games
The kids are all smiles… until the log decides to jump back. This is as far as you’ll get without the Power Pad. PLAYERS: 1-6 simultaneous PUBLISHER: Nintendo DEVELOPER: Human Entertainment GENRE: Track-and-field RELEASE DATE: November 1988 I don’t possess the athletic endurance of a professional runner by … Continue reading #630 – Super Team Games
#624 – Super Mario Bros. 2
“Madness” is accurate. Luigi’s like, Yeah, I’ll do that when I’m dead. PLAYERS: 1 PUBLISHER: Nintendo DEVELOPER: Nintendo GENRE: Action RELEASE DATE: October 1988 Nintendo incorporates Mario into every different genre now, from street b-ball to Dance Dance Revolution to whatever Fortune Street is, so it’s hard to … Continue reading #624 – Super Mario Bros. 2
#597 – Spy Vs. Spy
Oh, the promise… Punching each other is one of the game’s strengths. PLAYERS: 1-2 simultaneous PUBLISHER: Kemco DEVELOPER: First Star GENRE: Action RELEASE DATE: October 1988 Based on the iconic Mad Magazine comic strip, Spy Vs. Spy pits two spies in white and black ensembles against each other. … Continue reading #597 – Spy Vs. Spy
#574 – Skate or Die
She said, “See you later boy.” A couple amateur skaters, eager for Monster endorsements, got a date with Mother Road Rash instead. PLAYERS: 1-8 (alternating) PUBLISHER: Ultra Games DEVELOPER: Konami GENRE: Skating RELEASE DATE: December 1988 Skateboarding games didn’t become a popular genre until the Tony Hawk series … Continue reading #574 – Skate or Die