Triffix

June 1991

Action

1 Player

When it comes to innovative graphics, this NES conversion of the computer game Tower Toppler really delivers... all the action takes place on a cylindrical structure which rotates as you walk around it.  It's an amazing special effect in an otherwise average platformer.  Castelian suffers from unforgiving gameplay and needlessly awkward one-button control.

Seta

June 1990

Action

1 Player

Nice name there, Seta!  What, was Fortress of Monster and Stronghold of Villain already taken?  Yeesh.  The title gives you a good idea of what to expect from this underwhelming medievel action game.  Its levels are flatter than flat and its enemies are cheaper than cheap... if it weren't for the passable graphics and sound, this would be a complete waste of time.

Nexoft

September 1989

Action/Puzzle

1 Player

I suspect that there's at least someone out there who appreciates this antiquated adventure game, but that someone sure ain't me.  Castlequest casts you as a purple-clad musketeer who must make his way through the interior of a maze-like castle.  Your only weapons are a tiny dagger, your wits, and most importantly, a tolerance for cheesy, high-pitched music.

FAST FACT:  Castlequest is actually a conversion of an old computer game called The Castle.  This game was released by ASCII in the mid 1980's for the MSX, a Japanese computer which was very popular overseas.  The MSX was even released on these shores, although the few Americans who owned the machine used it to compose MIDI music, rather than to play video games.

Konami

May 1987

Action

1 Player

This video game retelling of the legend of Dracula was instrumental to the success of the Nintendo Entertainment System, and inspired dozens of other developers with its dark setting, inventive gameplay, and a superb cast of characters, all based on popular movie monsters.  It's since been surpassed by many sequels, but Castlevania is where all the fun began.

Konami

December 1988

Action

1 Player

In Simon's Quest, the hero from Castlevania had become the victim of a curse which threatened to end his life.  When they discovered what a departure this sequel was from the original Castlevania, the player couldn't help but feel Simon's pain.  Simon's Quest has some of the charm of the first game, but the tedious exploration and item collecting hurt its appeal.

Konami

September 1990

Action

1 Player

Konami hoped to add depth to Castlevania, but went too far with Simon's Quest, transforming the game into an entirely different experience.  In Dracula's Quest, they wisely chose to enhance the gameplay of the original, rather than completely changing it.  There are new characters and vastly improved audiovisuals, but deep down inside, it's the same old Castlevania.

Data East

October 1990

Sports

1-2 Players

Data East brings sports competition to the Stone Age with Caveman Games, a clever (although slightly unpolished) parody of games like Track 'n Field.  There's no archery or bobsledding here... instead, you'll be running from hungry sabretooth cats and throwing your spouse for long distances in your quest to win the gold... or at least, a really shiny rock.

Romstar

December 1989

Sports

1-2 Players

Ever notice how bowling in a video game is always easier than the real thing?  That goes double for Championship Bowling on the NES.  You'll be racking up tons of spares, even when faced with tough situations like the dreaded 7-10 split.  The gameplay might not be especially challenging, but it IS a lot of fun, thanks to colorful graphics and an easy to use interface.