Natsume

December 1990

Action

1-2 Players

Frustration is the name of the game when you're playing Shadow of the Ninja.  This side-scroller features strong artwork, a comfortingly familiar soundtrack, and oh yeah, a murderously high difficulty level.  It's not just that the game is just hard... it simply won't fight fair, giving you a handful of flawed weapons that always leave you vulnerable to attack.

Kemco/Seika

December 1989

Adventure

1 Player

Shadowgate sends you, an unnamed knight, into an ominous castle to take the head of the scheming sorceror within it.  Before you can find him, you must thoroughly explore the castle, unlocking doors, confronting monsters, and triggering traps that spell instant death.  You'd better bring along some patience for this journey, because man are you ever going to need it!

Jaleco/Natsume

December 1991

Action

1 Player

Cybernetically enhanced soldier Steve Hermann is high on the list of the most macho NES action heroes.  His fists of iron send enemy agents flying and turn towering robots into piles of spare parts.  He'll need this awesome strength (and a little help from some android friends) to survive this excellent action game, loaded with sharp graphics and entertaining boss fights.

Hot-B

June 1990

Strategy

1-2 Players

If the full course meal of Koei strategy games wasn't enough to satisfy your hunger for resource development and military leadership, you might want to have Shingen the Ruler for dessert.  As Shingen, it's your goal to unite ancient Japan through alliances with other fuedal states.  If that doesn't work, perhaps a nice bloody war will whip them into submission!

Bandai

June 1989

Light Gun

1-2 Players

A light gun game needs impact and compelling gameplay to make it worthwhile, and Shooting Range has neither of these qualities.  The game is completely devoid of excitement, with predictable targets that pose no threat to you and stages that never seem to end due to an overly generous time limit.  The party mode is a little better than the standard game, but not by much.

Nintendo

December 1989

Light Gun

1 Players

This cartridge gives you two reasons to break out that dusty old Power Pad in your closet.  In Short Order, you sling hash along with a mouse and a pig at a greasy spoon, and in Eggsplode, you take on sly foxes sneaking bombs under the nests of hapless chickens.  The two games are simple to play, but become incredibly frantic after a few minutes.

Data East/Namco

June 1987

Sports

1-2 Players

Side Pocket looks like your typical pool game, but play it for a while and you'll discover that it's got a few tricks up its sleeve.  You're often encouraged to sink balls in specially marked holes on the table, and there are bonus rounds which test your ability to make especially difficult trick shots.  This added depth adds zest to Side Pocket's solid gameplay.

Ultra/Rare

December 1989

Simulation

1 Player

The NES dives into murky waters in this ill-conceived port of the Microprose computer release.  The icon-based interface and slower gameplay in Silent Service makes it easier to play than most military combat simulations, but ultimately, it just doesn't belong on a game system.  Really, have you ever tried steering a nuclear-powered submarine with a four button gamepad?