Based off of the comic strip in Mad Magazine, Spy vs. Spy (NES) is a really fun game, as well as very nostalgic for me. You play as 1 of 2 spies, and you have to collect all of the hidden items, while trying not to get killed by the other spy. Once you collect the briefcase and all of the items, you escape through a door. I always loved the cut scenes at the end of the levels.
Do you remember Spy vs. Spy?
One of the first run and guns I remember playing on Nintendo, Ikari Warrriors (NES) is a super cool port of the amazing arcade game. Although lacking the unique rotary joysticks that the arcade had, this NES port still has all the awesome arcade features that we all loved. I always kind of struggled with the game's difficulty level but nevertheless I always enjoy giving this shooter a play through.
Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) has so many iconic moments. One of them that I always loved doing was the slot game. It was usually pretty easy for me to get the mushroom, but I rarely got the star for the 5 extra lives. I honestly remember only getting it like once. Lol. It was so awesome when I did manage to do it though, and it was totally just luck.
How often did you manage to win the 5 extra lives by lining up the stars?
I got to thinking about all the great games for the SNES, and in particular the arcade ports for the legendary home console. Of all the great choices, for me it has to be U.N. Squadron (SNES). I'm a sucker for side scrolling fighters, and this game takes the great arcade experience and perfectly delivers it to the SNES console. The music is amazing, and the same arcade challenge is there. I will say that Final Fight, Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, and TMNT: Turtles in Time, are all strong runner-ups for me.
Which arcade port for the SNES is your favorite?
Slalom (NES) is a great port of the arcade version of this classic downhill skiing game. With some awesome animations and graphics, this game plays fast, and can be quite challenging. Also the first NES game not made in Japan, it was released under Rare and made in the United Kingdom.
I struggled a bit avoiding the obstacles in this play through. It always cracks me up how hard the skier is hunched over with their rear end sticking out so far. The wipeout animation makes me smile. That music is on point, and is just the right intensity for a game like this. Another awesome early NES black box title that takes me back.
Was Slalom (NES) a favorite early NES sports game of yours?
I had never played Circus Charlie before, but it was mentioned recently and it looked really fun, so I decided to try it and I am really enjoying it.
You play through 6 stages in the circus. Fire Rings, Tightrope, Trampolines, Balance Balls, Horse Hurdles and the Flying Trapeze. If you beat all of the stages, the game starts over at a faster pace. I'm glad I gave this one a try, and it is a game that I would recommend. 😊
A racing game that was foundational for so many future games, 280 ZZZAP (Arcade) is a great early example of fast paced racing action. Drawing comparisons to Night Driver, released around the same time, this game places you behind the wheel of a Datsun 280Z, and features some of the earliest authorized branding in games.
This game plays really fast, and it can be tough to judge those turns. Sadly my version had no sound, so that was a bummer.. I really liked the POW animation when I wrecked that corner. It's a trip playing this, and then seeing the similarities to so many future racing titles, this game's influence can't be understated.
Did you play 280 ZZZAP, or did you play Night Driver?