Milton Bradley/Rare

June 1990

Shooter

1-2 Players

This intense military shooter first appeared in arcades... and judging from this translation, it probably should have stayed there.  The NES game plays like its arcade counterpart- you're still blowing up buildings and picking off enemy soldiers while stylishly dodging their shots- but much of the game's impact is lost thanks to its dull, lifeless graphics.

Virgin

December 1992

Gambling

1 Player

The level of realism in this gambling game is perhaps a little TOO high... you can even visit the restrooms after you've tried your luck at the many slot machines and roulette tables scattered throughout the casino.  Also, just like in a real casino, it's tough to hold onto your money.  The slot machines in particular are extremely reluctant to pay out.

Milton Bradley/Rare

June 1989

Sports

1-2 Players (alt)

This is the third game in a series of sports titles originally intended to capitalize on the popularity of the Olympics.  However, California Games takes the series in a different direction, offering such radical West Coast events as BMX racing and the ever popular (?) hackeysack.  They'd be a lot of fun, too, if it weren't for the clumsy, frustrating control.

Data East

December 1991

Action

1 Player

Where there are villains in silly outfits to vanquish... where there are generic levels to explore... where there is money to be made from the Marvel license... the Avengers will be there!  Cynicism aside, this is a solid but predictable side-scrolling action game starring the heroes from the Avengers comic.  The ability to play as both Captain America and Hawkeye is a plus.

Mindscape

September 1991

Shooter

1 Player

It's hard to teach kids to respect the environment when your game is so lackluster that they can't resist the temptation to throw it in the garbage.  Captain Planet on the NES is based on the cartoon from the early 1990's, but take away the license and you've just got a mediocre shooter with an awkward weapon system and repetitive enemy patterns.

Milton Bradley

June 1990

Shooter

1 Player

This ambitious arcade-style fight simulator has a lot going for it, like fast-paced action, an impressive level of detail, and multiple perspectives which gives the game plenty of variety.  Sadly, Captain Skyhawk also has its share of problems, like touchy control and an oversized jet in the overhead view stages that makes it tough to dodge canyon walls and incoming fire.

Sofel

October 1989

Gambling

1 Player

In this hybrid of gambling and role-playing games, you'll test your card-playing skills against a casino full of blackjack and poker dealers.  When you exhaust one dealer's supply of money, you can hunt down another, more difficult opponent.  Unfortunately, since there's no two player option, you won't have the chance to play against your friends.

Sofel

April 1993

Gambling

1 Player

Casino Kid 2 abandons the role-playing elements in the first game, replacing them with a more straightforward interface which lets you challenge the world's best gamblers in any order you choose.  You can also try your luck at the roulette wheel when poker and blackjack alone aren't enough to entertain you.  These new features make this sequel much better than the original.