video game cartridges and more than 40 game
In addition to exhaustive entries for each
consoles, and I’ve always wanted to do some-
game, the book includes a foreword by the leg-
thing with that collection beyond simply play-
endary Bill “The Game Doctor” Kunkel, who
ing the games. I enjoy reading about video
co-founded Electronic Games Magazine, which
games, but there aren’t a whole lot of books on
basically invented the concept of video game
PREFACE
5
journalism, along with many of its medium-
former, have all but disappeared, prompting
specific terms and phrases. As a teenager, I read
fans of those types of games to look to consoles
each and every issue of Electronic Games from of the past.
cover to cover, marveling over the publication’s
Many modern titles benefit tremendously
high-gloss photos, colorful screen shots, and
from 3D graphics (playing Halo or Resident Evil entertaining, informative articles. If someone
in 2D would be unthinkable, for example), but
would have told me when I was 15 that some-
old-school 2D games are generally more de-
day Bill Kunkel would be writing the introduc-
manding, especially in terms of timing and
tion to a book I had written, you could have
precision of movement. Players are forced to
knocked me over with a cathode ray.
make difficult jumps (or other maneuvers) and
In preparing Classic Home Video Games,
face hordes of hard-to-avoid enemies with
1985–1988, I played (and replayed) hundreds
alarming frequency. One-hit deaths are com-
of games, usually at night. And the next morn-
monplace, and it is often necessary to battle
ing (oftentimes as early as three), fueled by a
the same boss or retry the same level many,
strong, hot cup of Earl Grey (which I started
many times before figuring out the correct pat-
drinking and quickly became addicted to after
tern or developing the proper skill set required
watching Captain Picard order it time and
to defeat that boss or level.
again from the food replicator on Star Trek: The
In short, older games are frequently more
Next Generation), I would write about the
challenging and more intense than newer ones,
games I had played the night before. I re-
at least in terms of quick reflexes and pure eye-
searched each title extensively, using a variety
hand coordination. Certain modern titles are
of resources, most notably my own collection.
terribly difficult ( Ninja Gaiden for the Xbox, Since most game cartridges for older systems
anyone?), but they are the exception to the rule.
found “in the wild” and even at game stores
Classic games are generally more simplistic in
lack instruction manuals (despite the already
design as well, meaning there are fewer button
extensive nature of my collection, I had to pur-
combinations to hassle with and fewer hoops to
chase and borrow lots of games during the
jump through in learning how to play the
writing of the book), I consulted websites (pri-
games. Another appeal of classic gaming is the
marily Atari Age and Nintendo Age) that con-
assortment of titles that reflect the zeitgeist and
tain scans of said manuals. In addition, certain
are likely to never be remade or ported to a cur-
websites offer game downloads, which were es-
rent console, such as Michael Jackson’s Moon-
pecially helpful when it came to cartridges that
walker, Pete Rose Baseball, and Bill & Ted’s I couldn’t get my hands on.
Excellent Video Game Adventure. More impor-
Skeptical modernists may wonder why in
tant, many of the older games are still a heck of
the world someone would want to play (or read
a lot of fun.
about, for that matter) games from the increas-
Thanks to eBay auctions, video game con-
ingly ancient 1980s (and early ’90s), when
ventions (such as the Classic Gaming Expo and
today’s consoles, such as the Xbox 360, PlaySta-
the Oklahoma Video Game Exhibition), and
tion 3, and Nintendo Wii, offer vastly superior
console emulators (such as the Nintendo Wii’s
graphics and sounds. There’s the nostalgia fac-
Virtual Console, which lets players download
tor, of course, but one of the most important
games for the NES, Master System, and other
reasons lies in dimensions. With the exception
antiquated systems), gamers of all ages are
of certain handheld titles (such as New Super
hopping aboard the classic video game band-
Mario Bros. ), puzzlers (such as the countless wagon with increasing frequency, discovering
Tetris iterations), and download-only games
the thrills and inevitable spills two-dimensional
(such as the decidedly retro Mega Man 9), twogaming has to offer. In addition, countless clas-
dimensional gaming has largely become a lost
sic systems are still hooked up to television sets
art, alienating many of us who grew up in a 2D
across the country, letting veteran gamers hang
virtual world. Entire genres, such as the side-
on to an important part of their youths. Instead
scrolling shooter and the side-scrolling plat-
of simply remembering the “good old days,”
6
PREFACE
video gamers have the advantage of reliving
and every one of them in detail, mainstream
them again and again.
hits and obscure oddities alike. Hopefully, the
Classic Home Video Games, 1985–1988: A
book makes for entertaining reading as well,
Complete Reference Guide pays tribute to those for both casual fans and hardcore gamers.
classic games by cataloging and describing each
ATARI 7800
The Atari 7800 ProSystem was a solid up-
ture and advanced in terms of both gameplay
grade over the 2600 and the 5200, both of
and graphics. The 7800 also had to compete
which were great consoles, but had a number of
with Sega’s Master System.
increasingly obvious shortcomings. By 1986,
Theoretically, the Atari 7800 could have
when the 7800 hit store shelves, the 2600 was
launched in 1984, since it had been designed
drastically outdated (blocky graphics just
and tested by that time. However, former Com-
wouldn’t cut it anymore), and the aging 5200,
modore executive Jack Tramiel had bought the
which had fragile, non-centering joysticks that
video game and computer divisions of Atari
were the subject of much derision, had ceased
from Warner Bros. in 1984, and, for a variety of
production in 1984. When the 7800 hit the
reasons, shelved the 7800 until 1986, after the
scene, gaming traditionalists were thrilled with
NES had already staked an enormous claim on
the s
ystem’s trio of launch titles, which in-
the market. It’s been reported that Tramiel pre-
cluded Joust, Ms. Pac-Man, and Asteroids, the ferred computers over consoles, that he was
latter of which offered a new wrinkle on the old
skeptical until he saw the money Nintendo was
rock-shooting formula: two-player simultane-
bringing in, and that he had some licensing is-
ous action. Pole Position II, a less impressive sues to work out. Whatever the case, the 7800
port, was the pack-in game with the system.
made it into stores a couple of years too late. In
Unfortunately for Atari apologists, the
addition, the system was hindered by Atari’s
wildly popular Nintendo NES had launched in
continued support of the 2600, and by the con-
the U.S. the year before, ushering in the next
fusing introduction of the Atari XE console,
generation of home gaming. The dynastic NES
which played cartridges designed for Atari’s
boasted the vaunted Super Mario Bros. , one of line of home computers.
the best, most influential games in the history
The Atari 7800 is a powerful, graphically
of the industry, and the console would soon be-
capable system that can handle lots of moving
come the home of such groundbreaking titles as
objects at once with little to no slowdown or
Metroid and The Legend of Zelda. The 7800, flickering. Also, it is backwards-compatible
though blessed with nice retro arcade ports and
a number of other interesting titles (such as
of the games in the 2600 library. On a less pos-
Midnight Mutants), simply couldn’t compete
itive note, its sound capabilities are compara-
with the Nintendo juggernaut. The NES saw
ble to 2600 audio, and many gamers complain
vastly superior marketing and third-party sup-
about the system’s controllers, which are sturdy
port, and its cartridge library contained a
(compared to Atari 5200 joysticks), but tiring
plethora of games that were expansive in na-
on the hands. The side buttons are thumb-
7
8
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
Atari 7800 console with two joystick controllers. Though home to some nice ports of classic arcade games, such as Asteroids and Centipede, the 7800 couldn’t compete with the NES, which boasted such cutting edge titles as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.
killers when lots of continual pressing is re-
bombers, ME 109 fighters, and V1 rockets.
quired. The system is compatible with any
Players view the action through five different
Atari 2600 joystick, but only for one-button
screens, including from directly below the
games.
plane. The relatively complicated gameplay in-
Production of the Atari 7800 came to a
cludes: loading up the plane with missiles, bul-
halt in 1991, and the system left with the repu-
lets, and fuel canisters; operating a variety of
tation of an underachiever. Given an earlier re-
plane controls (thrust, engine speed, altitude,
lease date, more marketing support, and more
flaps, boost, and the like); putting out engine
console-defining games, the 7800 could have
fires; navigating through or around storms;
challenged Nintendo on a more even playfield.
consulting intelligence reports; and more. The
Unfortunately, that just wasn’t meant to be.
cockpit controls look great, and there are
plenty of things to do for the patient gamer.
The controls are sluggish (the computer ver-
Atari 7800 Games
sions of the game benefit from keyboard con-
trol), and the action moves slowly, but Ace of
Ace of Aces
Aces is superior to Tomcat F-14, F-18 Hornet, PUBLISHER: Atari. DEVELOPER: Absolute Enter-and Super Huey (similar games for the 7800).
tainment. Flight Combat Simulator, 1 player.
1988.
Alien Brigade
P
This first-person game puts players in the
UBLISHER: Atari. DEVELOPER: Atari. Light Gun
Shooter, 1 player. 1990.
World War II–era Royal Air Force, piloting a
RAF Mosquito through the not-so-friendly
Although Alien Brigade is light gun com-
skies, shooting or bombing U-boats, JU88
patible, it can also be played using a standard
ATARI 7800
9
Atari 7800 controller. Players point the gun at
to the Game Boy and Game Boy Color. Fol-
(or guide a cursor around) the screen, shooting
lowed by two enhanced remakes: Asteroids
such targets as aliens, brainwashed soldiers,
(PlayStation) and Asteroids Hyper 64 (Nin-
helicopters, tanks, and spaceships while trying
tendo 64).
not to harm mermaids, panthers, civilians, and
other innocents. Gamers begin with a single-
Ballblazer
shot, semi-automatic pistol, a five-burst auto-
PUBLISHER: Atari. DEVELOPER: General Com-
matic machine gun, 100 48-round clips of am-
puter Corp. Sports/Futuristic, 1 or 2 players
munition, and eight grenades. However, each
(simultaneous). 1987.
scenario offers more weapons (some of which
Ballblazer for the Atari 7800 improves
are hidden), including rockets, a flamethrower,
upon the 5200 version by providing sharper
a laser rifle, and a dart gun. Levels to blast
graphics (the ships and ball have smoother
edges) and better controls. For the uninitiated,
American River Resort, Underwater, Alien
the game is essentially futuristic, one-on-one
Cave Base, and Main Alien Cave Base. There
soccer, but with hovercrafts (called Rotofoils)
are lots of things to shoot, but the action some-
instead of players and moving goalbeams in-
times experiences slowdown when the screen
stead of standard goals. The first-person,
gets too busy. The rapid-fire gameplay is fast-
pseudo–3D action is set in 3097 on the lumi-
paced, and the detailed graphics feature some
nous surface of an artificial asteroid, which is
nice animations, such as aliens dissolving after
a green, 1155-square grid surrounded by an
being shot. Alien Brigade is the sequel to Planet electroboundary. The split-screen perspective
Smashers.
(featuring a panoramic viewpoint), dazzling
sounds, and excellent two-player action have
Asteroids
truly stood the test of time. Followed by: Ball-
PUBLISHER: Atari. DEVELOPER: General Com-
blazer Champions (PlayStation).
puter Corp. Non-Scrolling Shooter, 1 or 2
players (simultaneous). 1986.
Barnyard Blaster
P
Asteroids for the Atari 7800 is a brilliant
UBLISHER: Atari. DEVELOPER: Atari. Light Gun
Shooter, 1 player. 1988.
port/upgrade of Atari’s 1979 arcade smash. The
game controls
about like the 2600 version
This mediocre light gun shooter has nice
(push joystick left and right to rotate ship, push
graphics and a fun setting, but little else going
forward to thrust), but includes a number of
for it. Players take aim and fire at bottles, cans,
features that make it stand out, such as tex-
gophers, watermelons, pumpkins, rabbits,
tured, colorful, spinning asteroids that evoke
ducks, chickens, owls, and other targets across
the space rocks found in Blasteroids (arcade, four levels of play: The Barnyard, The Corn-1987). More importantly, the game has a cou-
field, The Barn, and Gramps’ Bonus Screen, the
ple of awesome two-player modes: Competi-
latter of which features an old man redun-
tion Asteroids and Team Asteroids, the latter of
dantly throwing bottles into the air. Some
which lets friendly fire pass harmlessly through
gamers may get a mischievous kick out of
the players’ ships. Arcade purists may scoff at
shooting Gramps himself. Moving targets,
the raster visuals (the coin-op classic had black-
which appear onscreen just one at a time, only
and-white vector graphics) and the joystick
travel in straight lines and are easy to hit, mak-
controls (the original benefited from a five-but-
ing Barnyard Blaster a rather dull shooter. One ton layout), but open minded shooter buffs will
thing that does help is that smaller, faster tar-
absolutely love this game. Asteroids for the 7800
gets are worth more points. Also, hitting targets
lacks the Asteroids Delux e–like shields feature quickly scores more points. At the end of the
found in the Atari 2600 version, but the two-
game, players are ranked (with names like
player action more than makes up for this rel-
Total Dud, Red Neck, Sniper, and Terminator)
atively minor absence. Asteroids was also ported according to how many screens they completed.
10
CLASSIC HOME VIDEO GAMES, 1985–1988
BasketBrawl
lipede, which was the sequel to Centipede, was PUBLISHER: Atari. DEVELOPER: BlueSky Soft-ported to the NES and Atari 2600, but not the
ware. Sports/Basketball, 1 or 2 players (simul-
7800. Centipede spawned an enhanced remake
taneous). 1990.
for the PlayStation and Dreamcast.
This rowdy game of two-on-two basket-
ball lets players shoot hoops and fight on three
Choplifter!
different courts: Street, Junkyard, and Roof-
PUBLISHER: Atari. DEVELOPER: Ibid. Side-