Sega Master System Video Lounge: Captain Silver

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents "Captain Silver" for the Sega Master System.

Level 1.

Captain Silver for the Sega Master System is a remake of the original arcade version. It has a bit of a cult following in the retro gaming circles. It looks cheap and is just very frustrating to play. However, I actually quite like it :-)

Sega Master System Video Lounge: Pro Wrestling

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents "Pro Wrestling" for the Sega Master System.

Rounds 1-5.

Just re-visiting another classic game on the Sega Master System. I have to say that i'm not particularly impressed with this one. For the first five rounds winning is as easy as pushing your opponent to the ground. The game is still playable but difficult to want to re-play unless you have particularly fond memories of playing this when you were younger.

Sega Master System Video Lounge: Super Tennis

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents "Super Tennis" for the Sega Master System.

Game 1.

Re-visiting a classic tennis game.

Sega Master System Video Lounge: Streets of Rage

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents "Streets of Rage" for the Sega Master System.

Level 1.

First level of the Sega Master System version of Streets of Rage. Not bad for an 8-bit fighter. The Mega Drive/Genesis version is 100's of time better. Not a bad game considering the 8-bit limitations though, the background are nicely animated and there are a good variety of enemies throughout the game.

Sega Master System Video Lounge: The New Zealand Story

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents "The New Zealand Story" for the Sega Master System.

Level 1 Stages 1-4.

The cute Tiki must save his kiwi friends in this classic platform adventure. Use bow and arrows, bombs, lasers to free your friends.

Sega Master System Video Lounge: Enduro Racer

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents "Enduro Racer" for the Sega Master System.

Stages 1-5.

What happened between the arcade and the Sega Master System? Enduro Racer became something quite different. Whilst I do like the Master System version there are a few issues. In particular some of the stages just seem unfair to the first time player, I'm thinking particularly of the mountain course and the marsh course. There are so many blind jumps where if you have never played the level before you would have no idea that you are jumping straight in to a hole or a lake. Having said that this "feature" does add to the replay value of the game. Not a bad title for the Sega Master System.

Sega Master System Video Lounge: Rampage

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents "Rampage" for the Sega Master System.

San Faransisco stages 1-5.

Destructive fun with George, Lizzie and Ralph. Ina world of science gone mad your quest is to destroy the cities of the world in your crazed mutant state. It's simple and good fun for a while. It's easy to see why this game is often targetted for remakes.

Sega Master System Video Lounge: Hang On

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents "Hang On" for the Sega Master System.

Stages 1-3.

Hang-On for the Sega Master system. Not quite up to the arcade standard but still a great game. This is actually the Japanese version of Hang-On, there are slight variations in European version. I'm not an expert at this game but it's a nice one to pick up and take for a ride once in a while.

Sega Master System Video Lounge: Bubble Bobble

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents "Bubble Bobble" for the Sega Master System.

Levels 1-10.

The 1988 Taito classic, Bubble Bobble. One of my favourites from the era. The memory limit sends the Master System crazy with sprite flicker. It's still hugely fun to play though.

If you enjoyed this video you may also enjoy the mini revew of Bubble Bobble for the NES.

Sega Master System Video Lounge: Rainbow Islands

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents "Rainbow Islands" for the Sega Master System.

World 1 Complete.

Rainbow Islands for the Sega Master System. Faithful to the original arcade version as far as the limitations of the Sega Master System would allow. The sprite limit isn't great and does cause quite a bit of flickering. Overall though this is a very decent version of this classic game (I still like the Amiga 500 version most of all). Diamands to collect, thunder storms to activate and even double rainbows!

Sega Master System Video Lounge: Qbert (Q*Bert)

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents Qbert (Q*Bert) for the Sega Master System.

Level 1 - 2 round 4.

Q*Bert is a 1982 classic arcade game. Simply stand on the cubes to change their colour to complete a matching set. Watch out for those snakes and balls though.

I have to say that i'm a fairly poor Q*Bert player but I still enjoy playing it all these years later :-)

Sega Master System Video Lounge: Ghouls 'n Ghosts (大魔界村) (Dai Makaimura)

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents Ghouls 'n Ghosts (大魔界村) (Dai Makaimura) for the Sega Master System.

Level 1 played for fun.

Ghouls 'n Ghosts gives medieval horror action by the bucket load. It's challenging and fun making it a must play retro game. Back in 1988 this game had us all hooked and set on saving the princess.

Sega Master System Video Lounge: Rocky

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents Rocky for the Sega Master System.

Opening title sequence and complete level 1.

Sega Master System Video Lounge: Altered Beast (獣王記)

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents Altered Beast (獣王記) for the Sega Master System.

Opening title sequence and complete level 1.

Altered Beast may be a Sega classic but the Master System version certainly wasn't. It suffers from sprite flickering and incredibly stiff controls. I will still play it though :-)

Sega Master System Video Lounge: Gauntlet

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents "Gauntlet" for the Sega Master System.

Opening title sequence and complete levels 1-9.

Sega Master System Video Lounge: Double Dragon (ダブルドラゴン)

http://www.Insert-Disk.com proudy presents "Double Dragon" (ダブルドラゴン) for the Sega Master System.

Opening title sequence and complete level 1.

Double Dragon for the Sega Master Syster. It looks horrible, sounds horrible and plays even worse. It's still a classic though :-)

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.