Mindscape/Bitmasters

October 1993

Sports

1-2 Players

You'll be amazed at just how much work went into this game of billiards... from the animation of the balls as they roll across the table to the clever interface with its spinning arrows, you can tell that this is a quality product.  The only real flaw in Championship Pool is that the aiming system takes most of the challenge out of sinking shots.

Hi-Tech Expressions

January 1990

Strategy

1-2 Players

The age-old game gets a 20th century update in this surprisingly robust chess simulation by Hi-Tech Expressions.  There are plenty of features in the Chessmaster, along with pieces so realistically drawn that nothing is left to chance.  You'll instantly know that a knight is a knight and a rook is a rook, unlike in Battle Chess where all the pieces were ambiguous.

Capcom

June 1990

Platform

1-2 Players

Rescue Rangers wasn't one of Disney's better cartoons, so it makes sense that Capcom's video game adaptation of the series isn't as entertaining as DuckTales.  In the Rescue Rangers game, you're on a quest to find a child's lost kitten, but most of the time, you'll just be travelling through dull stages, lifting box after box and tossing them at comical enemies.

Capcom

January 1994

Platform

1-2 Players

All right... now THAT'S the way you do it!  The first Rescue Rangers was a pretty bland side-scrolling action game, but more imagination was put into this sequel, making it surprisingly fun and addictive.  There's a stronger storyline, the graphics are greatly improved, and the boss fights are every bit as clever as the ones in Capcom's flagship NES series Mega Man.

Bandai

October 1986

Action

1-2 Players (alt)

Chubby Cherub is best described as a side-scrolling eat 'em up.  You're a cupid, trying to reach your human friend who just happens to live on the opposite end of the level.  To keep your strength up, you've got to gobble all the food you see while avoiding small puppies which threaten to bark you to death.  It's every bit as weird as it sounds, but not quite as fun.

OTAKU ALERT!  Believe it or not, Chubby Cherub was actually localized for American audiences!  Bandai didn't change much, however... just the title character, who was originally a small white ghost.  The original game, Obake no Q Tarou: Wanwan Panic, was created to promote a Japanese cartoon which was popular in the mid 1980's.

Toho

July 1990

Platform

1 Player

If you thought clowns were creepy before, just wait until your little sister gets kidnapped by one!  That's the premise behind Circus Caper, a frustrating platform game with plain level design and a constant swarm of enemies that just keep on comin', even when you're trying to leap over crocodile-infested waters.  There are mini-games too, but they're nothing special.

Jaleco

May 1988

Action

1-2 Players (alt)

City Connection tries to bring old-school gaming to the NES, but it only succeeds in raising the blood pressure of anyone unfortunate enough to play it.  The graphics are awash with ugly colors and flicker, and the control is heinous... you'll be forced to leap for platforms repeatedly before you can finally land on top of them.  Good luck dodging all the cats, too.

FAST FACT: Reader Freakservo points out that the American version of City Connection was enhanced on its way to the West, with new graphics at the end of each stage.  Too bad the developers at Jaleco didn't improve the gameplay while they were at it!

Vic Tokai

January 1990

Action

1 Player

Vic Tokai took a little bit of Metroid and a little bit of Mega Man, and combined them to create this wacky action game.  The levels are enormous and endlessly explorable, just like Metroid's, but the lighthearted atmosphere and tricky boss fights are more reminescent of Mega Man.  The shop full of handy items helps distinguish Clash from either of these games.