Heavy Shreddin' (NES review)

Developer: Imagineering
Publisher: Parker Brothers
Released: 1990

Heavy Shreddin' is a snowboarding game that was released in Europe and North America.

+ Each stage is divided into four parts that house unique play-style challenges to keep the gameplay feeling fresh.

+ Great core concept and there's a real accomplishment when you get into a flow and successfully conquer a tough slope.

+ Excellent full-screen artwork when you complete a stage, and the music has a hard-edge sound that suits the action.

- Spotty collision detection irritates and it's tough to judge spatial distance between hazards due to the angled camera.

- Controls always feel imprecise and attempting to deftly manoeuvre between slalom gates is an exercise in frustration.

- Half Pipe events are comically bad, as your rider needs to stop at its apex before you can perform mid-air tricks!

- Course design suffers from repetition, and the graphics are poor with primitive sprites and crude animation.

Mechanized Attack (NES review)

Developer: SNK
Publisher: SNK
Released: 1990

Mechanized Attack is a shooting game that supports the NES Zapper or a standard controller.

+ Includes a choice of routes between certain stages, and there's always plenty of ammunition to give you a fighting chance.

+ Stage 3 adds an unexpected, yet memorable twist by casting darkness on the entire level until you shoot a Flare icon.

+ Huge bosses feature intricate sprite work, and meticulously breaking down their vast array of weaponry is gratifying.

- Level design feels very by the numbers, and the game doesn't differentiate itself from Operation Wolf (1989, NES).

- Often feels impossible to avoid damage when multiple foes enter simultaneously and start firing towards you.

- Robots require multiple hits, which is very fatiguing when using the Zapper, as several are typically on-screen at once.

- Zapper implementation isn't quite as accurate as other NES titles, and the reticle moves too fast on the controller option.

Anticipation (NES review)

Developer: Rare
Publisher: Nintendo
Released: 1988

Anticipation is a video board game that's exclusive to Nintendo's 8-bit home console. 

+ Includes 16 puzzle categories for longevity and the higher levels remove all hints to really test your noggin.

+ Risk-reward comes in the form of waiting to guess the answer until the dice shows the number of moves you need.

+ Timer adds a sense of urgency and the cursor moves smoothly while allowing you to cycle through letters in reverse order.

+ Allows you to battle against three CPU opponents, but the real fun comes from pitting your wits against 2-4 friends.

- A few of the drawn objects barely resemble their real-world counterparts, and some are shoehorned into unfit categories.

- Avatar is pre-determined (depending on your player number) and the game doesn't let you select from the four available.

- Light on presentational flair, and more graphical finesse could have enhanced the overall gameplay experience.

Barbie (NES review)

Developer: Imagineering
Publisher: Hi-Tech Expressions
Released: 1991

Barbie is an action-platformer that was also released on MS-DOS in 1992.

+ Different outfits are worn by Barbie in each stage, which caters to the target demographic in a clever fashion.

+ Includes basic puzzles to break up the action, and there is some fun in figuring out how to call on your animal friends.

- Difficulty is high and it's baffling why the developers made the game so tough when you consider the intended audience.

- Stage 2's opening area is horrifically designed, as enemies and hazards are replicated for long stretches.

- Collision detection is suspect and Barbie's sprite is ludicrously large when trying to avoid projectiles.

- There's no warning to signify when invincibility charms are about to expire, which typically leads to unfair damage.

- Graphics are putrid with lots of colour clashing / recycled assets, and the boss battles have tedious patterns.

Laser Invasion (NES review)

Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Released: 1991

Laser Invasion is a mixed-genre action game that uses the NES Zapper for certain sections.

+ Multiple gameplay types merge together to create a cohesive whole that enhances the grandeur of your objective.

+ Missile types and optional equipment can be chosen prior to take-off, which allows players to form their own strategies.

+ Gun shooting works great with the Zapper, as well as a d-pad thanks to a speedy reticle and generous hit-boxes.

+ 3D maze section could easily have been an entire game in its own right, and having to locate items to survive is fun.

+ Stage 2's escape finale is exhilarating and the twists and turns through narrow corridors gets the adrenaline pumping.

- Difficulty could deter some players, as it's sky-high from the outset and the time limits in the maze areas are strict.

- Helicopter sections don't feel integral to the gameplay, as you can avoid combat and head straight to a map icon.

The Little Mermaid (NES review)

Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Released: 1991

The Little Mermaid is an action title that was also released on the Nintendo Game Boy in 1991.

+ Decent level design, and figuring out how to open chests to gain power-ups adds a welcome puzzle element.

+ Ability to dash is handy, and your power / bubble range can be incrementally boosted to strengthen your offense.

+ Boss battles house some entertaining ideas that cleverly rely on you using projectiles rather than direct attacks.

+ Cut-scenes are charming and the excellent music is on par with Castle of Illusion (1991, Sega Master System).

- With only six brief stages and a very low difficulty, the credits will unfortunately roll around the 20 minute mark.

- While the animation is good, it takes a while for Ariel to turn around which puts you in danger of incoming enemies.

- Combat is an inconsequential part of the gameplay, as you can easily avoid foes and just head straight to the boss.

Airwolf (NES review)

Developer: Beam Software
Publisher: Acclaim
Released: 1988

Airwolf is a flight simulator that's based on the TV series of the same name.

+ Action is fast and frantic with a decent landing mini-game, and you'll see some familiar characters from the TV show.

+ Overhead map before each mission allows you to plan an optimal route to victory, while plotting your refuelling / repair point.

+ Start / Select buttons are used effectively for increasing or decreasing your speed, giving you full control at any moment.

+ Excellent (albeit repetitive) rendition of the series' theme tune, and there's some large character art on display.

- The 20 missions basically repeat the same ideas, with nothing new added to the mix to spice things up.

- Touching the boundary edge before completing a mission decreases your speed to zero, making you a lame duck.

- Almost impossible to outrun enemy missiles due to a slow turn speed, and the graphics are rather primitive.

Xenophobe (NES review)

Developer: Sunsoft
Publisher: Sunsoft
Released: 1988

Xenophobe is an action game that was first released in the Arcade in 1987.

+ Two-player co-op mode is mildly entertaining as you work together to stop enemies from overrunning the bases.

+ Provides you with an assortment of weapons and figuring out the strengths / weaknesses of each is fun.

- Little challenge with no difficulty options, inordinate amount of health pickups, and easily exploitable enemy patterns.

- Aliens respawn indefinitely in single rooms, meaning you can complete bases without leaving the opening screen.

- Missing the Festor enemy from the Arcade original and Atari Lynx (1990) port, which added more variety.

- Controls are unbearably stiff and you always feel like you're battling against them throughout each play-through.

- Graphics have been dumbed-down in an overly cartoony way and they no longer evoke the original's creepy vibe.

Xenophobe (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: BlueSky Software
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1989

Xenophobe is an action game that was first released in the Arcade in 1987.

+ Plays great in solo mode, but the teamwork involved in surviving the two-player co-op mode is very engaging.

+ Provides you with an assortment of weapons and figuring out the strengths / weaknesses of each is enjoyable.

+ Eerie backdrops convey a foreboding sense of dread and isolation, and losing access to a weapon is stressful.

+ Always an urgency to destroy enemies as quickly as possible, otherwise they mutate into powerful creatures!

- Missing the Festor enemy from the Arcade original and Atari Lynx (1990) port, which added more variety.

- Little challenge (even on Expert) and the action never replicates the chaotic nature of the aforementioned versions.

- Cut-scenes and point total calculations between rounds cannot be skipped, which slows down the game's flow.

Xenophobe (Atari Lynx review)

Developer: Epyx
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1990

Xenophobe is an action game that was first released in the Arcade in 1987.

+ Supports 1-4 players via ComLynx, and in a perverse twist, one person can play as an evil Snotterpillar to hinder the others!

+ Huge list of playable characters, and the Festor enemies (that were absent from the Atari 7800 and NES ports) are included.

+ Space stations evoke a creepy atmosphere, and the game provides you with lots of weapon types to even the odds.

+ Makes good use of the console's additional buttons to enhance the gameplay via grenades and jetpacks.

+ Impressive graphics with highly-detailed rooms, and the between level cut-scenes have some excellent sprite scaling.

- Unfortunate amount of slowdown when enemies litter the screen, and items can often be obscured by the foreground.

Arcade Classics (Sega Game Gear review)

Developer: Al Baker & Associates
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1996

Arcade Classics is a compilation of Atari titles that was also released on the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis (1996).

+ Lots of options to customise the action, and there's even two-player modes for each game via the Gear-to-Gear cable.

+ Pong plays well and unlike the 16-bit version the paddle ricochets are much more accurate and predictable.

- Offers a measly three games and the inclusion of each is puzzling given their Paddle / Trackball controller origins.

- Redesigned Sega versions fail to add any new gameplay twists, and the graphical reskins are marginal at best.

- Centipede is painfully slow and trying to make quick adjustments to your positioning is like wading through treacle.

- Missile Command suffers from a slow ABM recharge rate, which hampers your ability to launch multiple projectiles.

- Inexplicably decides to show you the compilation credits after each game, which swiftly grows tiresome.

Arcade Classics (Sega Mega Drive / Genesis review)

Developer: Al Baker & Associates
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1996

Arcade Classics is a compilation of Atari titles that was also released on the Sega Game Gear (1996).

+ Centipede includes a two-player co-op mode and there's plenty of options in each game to customise the experience.

- Offers a measly three games and the inclusion of each is puzzling given their Paddle / Trackball controller origins.

- Redesigned Sega versions fail to add anything new apart from garish backgrounds and obnoxious sound effects.

- Centipede has graphical glitches and there's rampant slowdown when a spider appears, resulting in sluggish controls.

- Missile Command omits the iconic 'The End' screen, and the cursor either crawls along (Beginner) or jitters (Normal).

- Ultrapong is frustrating, as the ball seldom ricochets in the right direction based on where it hits the paddle.

- Inexplicably decides to show you the compilation credits after each game, which quickly grows tiresome.

Barnyard Blaster (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: James Zalewski
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1988

Barnyard Blaster is a target shooting game that's compatible with the Atari XG-1 light gun.

+ Light-gun accuracy is decent, and varying point values are available depending on how quickly you shoot the target.

+ Barn stage includes differing target sizes (e.g. minuscule mice and large owls) to test your firing proficiency.

- Consists of only five bare-bones stages that refuse to evolve past their initial concepts in order to deepen the gameplay.

- Barely any challenge (with zero difficulty options), and bird targets often spawn from the same place throughout a scene.

- Bottle throwing level drags on forever, and should have included hazards, or multiple targets to make things interesting.

- Little in the way of visual stimulation, and the locales look graphically amateurish due to a lack of detail and finesse.

- SFX are dreadful and the ear-piercing rendition of Old MacDonald suffers from off-key tones and extreme repetition.

Alien Brigade (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: BlueSky Software
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1990

Alien Brigade is a horizontally-scrolling shooter that's exclusive to the Atari 7800.

+ Levels have lots of scenic divergence to stop things getting stale, and there's plentiful amounts of ammo to even the odds.

+ Stage 3 is a terrific shift, as the underwater location requires you to shoot ahead of your target in order to make contact.

+ Adds new enemy types as you progress, and later foes have large sprites and cryptic hit-boxes that require deliberation.

+ Light-gun offers an excellent level of precision, and joystick mode is no slouch either with its speedy cursor movements.

+ Features fun death animations and the game doesn't take itself too seriously, as it hilariously includes aliens on jet skis!

- With only five short stages, you'll likely see the credits within a few minutes and there's little reason to return.

- There's some cheap and unavoidable hits due to enemies firing in your direction prior to actually entering the screen.

Food Fight (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: General Computer Corporation
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1986

Food Fight is a single-screen action game that was originally released in the Arcade in 1983.

+ Can choose your starting point from Level 1-16, which is excellent for those looking to warp ahead to tougher stages.

+ Scoring system is clever, as while you need food to eliminate foes, each item left at the end of a round earns 100 points.

+ Managing to carry an item of food to the cone affords you the luxury of having it available to throw on the next screen.

+ Manholes are an important part of the gameplay, as they force you to carefully think ahead and plan the best route.

+ Instant replay feature is mind-blowing for the time period, and it even shows you the entire stage you've just completed.

+ Features some fun animations, such as Charley's eyes rolling when hit by food which then proceeds to swarm him!

- Short jingles are fun, but some whimsical music would have complimented the gameplay and enhanced its personality.

Centipede (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: General Computer Corporation
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1986

Centipede is an action game that was first released in the Arcade in 1981.

+ New multiplayer modes are real highlights, as they allow friends to either battle together or against each other.

+ Fun multitasking element, as the mushrooms make it seem like you're fighting against the environment, as well as foes.

+ Giant spider makes the bottom of the screen feel claustrophobic, and the scorpions at the top add a risk-reward element.

+ While the Atari 5200 version (1983) maintained the Arcade's high challenge, this port has difficulty options to ease you in.

+ Despite the lack of any trackball support, the controls do an admirable job of allowing you to move / dodge with precision.

+ While you can shoot individual sparks, a rapid fire option is available to make longer play sessions more comfortable.

- SFX are perfectly serviceable, but they don't mimic the original game's sounds as closely as the Atari 5200 port.

Batman Returns (NES review)

Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Released: 1993

Batman Returns is a side-scrolling beat-em-up that's exclusive to the NES.

+ Gives you a decent attack set (as well as a defensive block) and the Sliding Kick is excellent for getting out of harms way.

+ Includes a wide range of enemy types with unique attack patterns and there's multiple endings based on how well you play.

+ Stage 4-1's Batmobile level adds some much needed variety, as it takes the form of a blisteringly fast side-scrolling shooter.

+ Graphics and cut-scenes feature some beautifully detailed artwork, and the music compliments the high-octane action.

- Controls can be stiff and unresponsive, while the challenge has some wildly uneven spikes in difficulty.

- Hit boxes are questionable and it's actually possible to damage an enemy despite punching in the opposite direction!

- Stage 6-2's ice level is a misstep, as your slippery momentum negates combos and there's increased sprite flicker.

Flo-Boarding (Nokia N-Gage review)

Developer: Housemarque
Publisher: Nokia
Released: 2003

Flo-Boarding is a sports game and a cut-down port of Supreme Snowboarding (1999, Microsoft Windows).

+ Courses are very well designed and allow you to play to your own style whether it's with air-based tricks, or rail grinds.

+ Fast-paced action that gets more exhilarating as you learn the course layouts and figure out the optimal path to the finish line.

+ Includes many shortcuts if you're brave enough to wander off the beaten path, with the reward being huge time savings.

+ The need to consistently execute tricks to top-up your boost metre means you can never play it safe, which keeps suspense high.

- With only five courses on offer, the game is light on content with no real reason to stick around once you've beaten them.

- Can initially be tough to spot upcoming bends due to limited camera visibility, so course memorisation is an absolute must.

- For such a simplistic game, there's an unnecessary amount of grab tricks that make convoluted use of the numbered keypad.

Qix (Atari Lynx review)

Developer: Knight Technologies
Publisher: Telegames
Released: 1991

Qix is an action game that was originally released in the Arcade in 1981.

+ Maddeningly addictive gameplay and there's a considerable amount of techniques you can employ to fill the screen.

+ Works well on the smaller screen and the tense SFX / reduced playfield make the action feel brilliantly claustrophobic.

+ Gives you the option to move fast or slow, with the latter adding risk-reward due to it gaining you more points.

+ Unlike the NES port (1991), this version includes a password feature so you can skip to later levels to continue progress.

- However, each Game Over requires you to re-input this password instead of clearing your score and restarting the action.

- Catchy jingles from the NES version are sorely missing, and the core gameplay doesn't really develop as you advance.

Qix (NES review)

Developer: Novotrade International
Publisher: Taito
Released: 1991

Qix is an action game that was first released in the Arcade in 1981.

+ Maddeningly addictive gameplay and there's plenty of catchy jingles that act as a reward for beating levels.

+ Considerable amount of techniques you can employ to fill the screen, so you always have new strategies to try out.

+ Sparx are brilliantly devious, as they stop you from moving safely by chasing your lines around the playfield.

+ A and B buttons allow you to move fast or slow, with the latter adding risk-reward due to it gaining you more points.

- Light on gameplay options, and the sharp increase in difficulty could deter some players from sticking around.

- Missed opportunity to house a showcase co-op mode, as the included two-player option is turn-based only.

- While there's a huge number of levels, the core gameplay remains the same throughout, with no major shake-ups.

Power Drive (Sega Game Gear review)

Developer: Rage Software
Publisher: U.S. Gold
Released: 1994

Power Drive is a top-down racer that was also released on the Sega Mega Drive in 1994.

+ Course design is very good, and the day / night cycles and weather hazards make the races more interesting.

+ Your vehicle can be repaired in numerous areas using money amassed from competing in / winning events.

- Controls are wildly sensitive and you'll experience major over-steer when trying to turn or correct your path.

- As a result of the awful controls, you'll rack up damage and quickly blow through money repairing your vehicle. 

- When at top speed, the turn assist arrows don't appear until the corner begins, which negates skillful play.

- Game engine constantly feels like it's struggling to keep up and the lack of speed dampens excitement.

- Music occasionally throws in ear-piercing notes and some sprites look amateurish with non-transparent edges.

The Jetsons: Cogswell's Caper! (NES review)

Developer: Natsume
Publisher: Taito
Released: 1992

The Jetsons: Cogswell's Caper! is an action-platformer based on the animated TV show The Jetsons.

+ Level design is decent and there's some interesting ideas such as reversed gravity and switching between dimensions.

+ Opening level features some in-game tutorials to get you used to the controls and gameplay mechanics.

+ Slowly introduces new power-up mechanics to progress the gameplay, and there's some excellent boss battles.

+ Music is delightfully catchy and there's some gorgeous background sprite detail that adds depth to the surroundings.

- Core gameplay is derivative of Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers (1990, NES) and there's little here to differentiate it.

- Controls are stiff and attempting to reverse course in mid-air or make pixel-perfect adjustments is dicey.

- Has some abrupt difficulty spikes that can quickly drain your lives, and the checkpoint spacing can be annoying.

Missile Command (Atari 5200 review)

Developer: Atari
Publisher: Atari
Released: 1982

Missile Command is a shoot-em-up that was originally released in the Arcade in 1980.

+ Trak-Ball brings the Arcade game home in spectacular fashion, as it affords pinpoint accuracy over movement and shots.

+ Tasks you with strategic and resourceful play, as you only have a limited amount of shots to protect your bases.

+ Necessity to shoot in front of an enemy missile to create an explosion radius forces strategic planning ahead of your target.

+ Includes many ways to rack up bonus points, and it helps that multipliers are displayed prior to each wave.

+ Impending doom of missiles encroaching is anxiety-inducing, and the closing 'The End' screen is dramatically poignant.

+ Practice mode is a great addition, as it switches things up by only including homing missiles with deft manoeuvrability.

- Doesn't include any difficulty settings, and there's only one silo instead of the three featured in the Arcade original.

Digger T. Rock: Legend of the Lost City (NES review)

Developer: Rare
Publisher: Milton Bradley Company
Released: 1990

Digger T. Rock: Legend of the Lost City is an action game that was re-released in the Rare Replay compilation (2015, Xbox One).

+ Fun core concept, and supplies are in randomised locations each time you play which adds longevity.

+ Caverns invite you to explore every inch in search of jewels, as they can be traded in to stock up on supplies.

+ Fantastic element of suspense when the timer begins and you frantically search for the cavern exit before it closes.

- Collision detection is inconsistent and there's often a delay being pressing the button and it being recognised.

- Respawning enemies are a huge pain, especially when you're trying to cycle through items to drop a ladder.

- You can't attack upwards with your shovel, yet mosquitoes swarm from above for some very cheap hits.

- Power-ups are a good idea, but they don't last long enough and are frequently placed in locations away from foes.

Centipede (Atari 5200 review)

Developer: Atari
Publisher: Atari
Released: 1983

Centipede is an action game that first saw release in the Arcade in 1981.

+ Plays brilliantly with the Trak-Ball controller and it responds with swift precision to your every movement.

+ Fun multitasking element, as the mushrooms make it seem like you're fighting against the environment, as well as foes.

+ Giant spider makes the bottom of the screen feel claustrophobic, and the scorpions at the top add a risk-reward element.

+ Awesome SFX mimic the Arcade original well, and the game keeps your high score visible while the console is switched on.

+ Allows for two-player competitive gameplay and the bragging rights associated with gaining the best point total.

+ While you can shoot individual sparks, a rapid fire option is available to make longer play sessions more comfortable.

- Difficulty ramps up rather quickly (even when selecting the Easy mode), which might deter some casual players.