Each
stage is split into eight levels, which repeat over and over, however
they include a further distance to travel and some hazards you must avoid.
In most cases, the screen scrolls while you travel towards the end of
the level, marked by your distance from it at the top of screen. On the
way there are things like moving platforms, and trick paths that can send
you to your doom. Other stages are a single screen affair, where you have
to solve a puzzle as to what you need to do, and the final stage for each
level is a collection of these. Being an LCD game, you move in blocks,
each block dropping the distance you need to go by one. As you progress
through the levels, obstacles like Bullet-O-Bills (I think) and hammer
dropping Lakitus appear, making the progression more difficult.
Graphics
Okay, scoff if you will, but remember that this game is smaller than a
GBA, and made way back in 1988. It's just your general LCD fare, although
this one doesn't have the 'animating' arms or legs of other games of the
ilk. You can't really judge this kind of game on its graphics though.
Sound
You should be able to guess this one. Beeps, beeps, and more beeps. There
are a few traditional Mario Bros tunes converted into beep format which
last about 3 seconds each which are instantly recognisable, but other
than that its a beep for moving, a rising beep for jumping (hard to explain)
and a beep for the screen scrolling. Remember, this is 1988.
Control
There's three buttons: Game, Alarm, and Jump/Time, as well as our great
friend, the D-Pad. In the general, horizontal-platformed levels, all you
need to use is a combination of left/right and jump, however on the flying/swimming
level (who knows which?!) the up and down keys are involved, as you navigate
through the maze of vertical walls in your path. Basically it's simple,
effective and fun.
Satisfaction
Well, in the later levels, some of the best satisfaction available in
the game is to dodge a Bullet-O-Bill coming from your right, and a hammer
dropping from above at the same time, but of course it's the finishing
of each eight-part stage that's the greatest. There's something about
knowing that you can beat level 1, 2, 3, 4 and so on that leaves you feeling
great.
Replay
Value/Game Length
Very long for its time, and more difficult than most games were back then
(and now), this game will definitely see you playing for a good while.
And its sheer, addictive scrolling is enough to keep you coming back for
more. Addiction was definitely more important back then than it is now,
and it shows in this game.
Overall
It was a great game back in '88, and its still a great game now. Snap
one up immediately.
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Cutting
edge technology? Not quite.
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