Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): Mighty Bomb Jack

Year: 1987
Genre: Action
Players: 1
Our Rating: 7/10

Mini Review

Mighty Bomb Jack for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is an enjoyable retro game for all. Those that remember the 80s as well as younger players should all enjoy the combination of skill an d speed needed to progress through the game. The aim of the game is to collect all of the bombs on the screen to advance to the next level. The controls are relatively simple with jumping and floating all being on the same button. To add a further sense of control you can float in mid-air by repeatedly hitting the jump button. This will allow you to float effortlessly to extend your flight time and collect bombs in the more tricky locations.

My tip here would be to use the auto-fire function on your pad if you have one. It saves a lot of aching fingers if you intend to play the game for a while. On each level there are a wide range of enemies that will try to stop you collecting the bombs. It’s a case of one-hit and you’re dead (although you do have multiple lives). The enemies appear to move in a random order although some will move slightly slower and more predictable than others. Bomb Jack has been around in many forms for many years. The arcade version is un-missable as is Bomb Jack on the Commodore Amiga. The NES version benefits from the series in the way that all versions of the game relatively low on graphic power. You aren’t missing out on alternate high resolution competitors. I do like the NES version of Mighty Bomb Jack although some of the level designs are less than inspiring. Overall though this is a well made game and a solid title for the NES games library.

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): Arkanoid

Year: 1986
Genre: Action
Players: 2 (alternating)
Our Rating: 7/10

Mini Review

Arkanoid for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is one of the retro classics of the ‘80s. There are many versions of the first Arkanoid, each varying slightly in graphic detail. The NES version is a more than adequate rendition of the game though. The basic premise of Arkanoid is to advance to the next level by destroying coloured blocks. You control the pad/bat at the bottom of the screen, your movement options are limited to simple left or right. You must serve a white ball and keep it bouncing against the coloured tiles at the top of the screen. These tiles will be destroyed on impact although some will require multiple impacts.

From time to time a coloured tile will fall to the bottom of the screen. These falling tiles allow a power up bonus to the bat. Some of the power ups include; multi ball, extended bat and an ability to fire bullets. Arkanoid is one of those games that you can’t really go wrong with. It’s simple yet very addictive. Arkanoid was an important retro game for many reasons, it had major appeal for both genders and crosses the age gap of gamers very well. It’s one of the true universal games. As a result it has been copied time and time again. In fact the first “Arkanoid” game I ever played was actually a title called “Amegas” for the Amiga 500 which took the essence of Arkanoid and upgraded the graphics and sound for a new audience. There is a theory though that the original is always the best. I’m inclined to agree that the original releases do have a real lasting retro game charm.

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): Bubble Bobble

Year: 1990
Genre: Platformer
Players: 2
Our Rating: 8/10

Mini Review

Bubble Bobble for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was a huge retro gaming success. The game started its life in the arcade back in 1986 but had been ported to the NES (and other home consoles) by 1990. The aim of the game is to capture a range of colourful enemies in bubbles. You play one of the two lovable lizard-like creatures, in some editions these are named Bub and Bob but some editions leave the names absent. Your character must jump around the platform levels shooting at the enemies to collect them in a bubble. After the enemy is trapped, jumping on the bubble will pop the enemy and turn them in to bonus fruit.

After some time if the enemies are not captured they will become red and angry, at this point they will run at high speed around the level increasing the difficulty of capturing them in a bubble. The game is a true retro classic and creates lasting game play with it’s many secret bonuses and bubble upgrades. Firing a certain number of bubbles or collecting certain items will allow essential level warps. Most can only realistically be achieved with the help of a second player. Taito has a real hit with Bubble Bobble and had various sequels and spins offs just as successful such as Puzzle Bobble, Rainbow Islands and Parasol Stars. Bubble Bobble is an essential retro game for your collection. I still tip my hat to the arcade version as still the best. However there are many retro game packages including this game and also re-makes on consoles such as the Nintendo DS. The cute characters, learning curve and classic sweeter than sweet theme tune make this game an essential part of any retro gamers collection.

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): Contra

Year: 1988
Genre: Run and Gun
Players: 2
Our Rating: 8/10

Mini Review

Contra for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is one of the best know and most playable of the NES library. The game is essentially a run and gun. It is executed with some great style and really benefits from a well thought out control system. Aiming in multiple directions, firing whilst jumping, dropping up and down platforms are all exceedingly smooth in Contra. The game begins in a jungle stage and it isn’t long before army men of all descriptions mass to attack you. Luckily you will find a range of power ups along the route to help you, the machine gun upgrade is particularly useful combined with the auto fire button.

The 1 player game begins to get very challenging not far in to the game, it’s simply a case of too many bullets to avoid. However, the 2 player option really evens up the odds against your enemies. Your friend can cover your back whilst you take out some of those more troublesome turrets or enemies requiring multiple hits. In between the side scrolling missions are third person perspective levels, these add a nice variety to the game. My general experience of the NES is that it doesn’t cope with multiple sprites very well. Similar to the Sega Master System, once you approach the sprite limit there becomes issues with flickering or partial sprites. Contra seems surprisingly good at handling this issue and considering the amount of on screen action the NES does a marvellous job of keeping the game action packed. Contra is a real retro game experience. Whether you were there in the ‘80s or have just heard of the game through reputation, this is a game well worth a play through. I can highly recommend this game for some real Nintendo retro nostalgia.

Nintendo Entertanment System (NES): Gauntlet

Year: 1985
Genre: Hack ‘em up
Players: 2
Our Rating: 7/10

Mini Review

Gauntlet on the Nintendo NES is one of the more basic versions of the game due to the 8-Bit limitations of processing and the limited digitised speech capabilities. However, it really is still such a classic retro game. Gauntlet had releases on many consoles and arcade and was popular in both. Inspired by the dungeons and dragons role playing era you will be given the option of four heroes:

Thor the Warrior
Merlin the Wizard
Thyra the Valkyrie
Questor the Elf

With each there’s a pay off between strength, armour and damage.

I personally favour either the wizard for power or the elf for his running away abilities. The NES version of the game is surprisingly playable; the elf character even seems faster than in other versions of the game. The basic aim is to hack and slash your way through numerous dungeons of hordes of ghosts, demons and other fantasy villains. I can highly recommend this retro classic. Gauntlet remains an influential stepping stone in the dungeon exploration game era.

Related Game: Gauntlet 4 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis.