Pop culture of the 1980's was marked by a profusion of commercialistic cartoons meant to sell toys, such as Masters of the Universe (aka He-Man). Some were good, especially  The Real Ghostbusters (1986-91),  DuckTales (1987-90), and  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1988-96). Each of these was adapted into an NES game more than once. DuckTales, in my view and that of many, is the best NES game based on a licensed property.  Capcom, which had made the incredible Mega Man and Mega Man 2 , got the Disney license, which led to several popular games. (Hudson, the maker of Adventure Island , had already made the mediocre Micky Mousecapade , but it was published by Capcom.) Capcom wisely drew upon Mega Man in crafting the levels and game physics for DuckTales, as well as the concept of letting the player choose the order in which to play levels. They even recycled a bit of the Mega Man stage-clear music for the same purpose in DuckTales. This Mega Man engine, coated in th...

Late in its lifecycle, the NES gained one of its best games: Kirby's Adventure. After successfully debuting on the Game Boy the previous year, the titular pink puff-ball made the transition to color with a full-length game. And he gained his now-signature ability to copy enemies he inhales! What most stands out about Kirby's Adventure is the incredible graphics. When you compare it to NES games from the 80's, it almost looks like a Super Nintendo game, the improvement is that vast. Bright colors, varied and elaborate backgrounds, unique stage themes, catchy, upbeat music: all are unmatched on the NES. In addition, Kirby controls very smoothly, and the game runs well. As in the Game Boy game, Kirby's ability to float by inhaling air (press B) makes him a dynamic hero. He can also jump (press A) and even slide-attack (↓ and either A or B). Kirby is inherently overpowered, but since the games are aimed at younger players, it's not a problem. His powerful versatility i...

As I said in my review of its sister game, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages , Oracle of Seasons is focused on combat rather than puzzles. In many ways, it feels like an homage to the original Legend of Zelda . The main gimmick of Oracle of Seasons is that Link has a wand, the Rod of Seasons, which allows him to change what season it is. The power of each season is held in the Temple of Seasons, which is found in an underworld called Subrosia. As the plot progresses, Link gains the power of each season. During winter, snow banks appear, and water freezes into ice. In spring, blast blooms open—flora that can launch Link to higher areas. During summer, vines sprout, which can be climbed. In fall, rock mushrooms ripen, so Link can pick them. Manipulating these elements allows Link to enter new areas. The overall gameplay, items, and enemies are almost exactly the same as in Oracle of Ages, so I need not describe them. A few items are different, which I appreciated. For example, instead ...

The Game Boy Color games The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons launched simultaneously as interrelated sequels to Link's Awakening . The Pokéman Game Boy games came in two colors, but these are completely different games! Ages emphasizes puzzles, while Seasons focuses on combat. How amazing to receive two new Zelda games the same day! The central gimmick of Oracle of Ages is that, by playing the Harp of Ages, Link can travel between past and present in the world of Labrynna (somewhat similar to the light and dark worlds in A Link to the Past ). The threadbare plot mostly confuses me: the villain, a sorceress named Veran, has possessed an oracle named Nayru (who, I assume, can prophesy on behalf of the goddess Nayru). Under Veran's baleful influence, Queen Ambi is building a dark tower in the past. Fantasy stories love dark towers. Anyway, for some reason the solution to this problem, according to the great Maku Tree (not to be confused with  Ocarina of Time...

Like other 80's kids, my first taste of Super Mario Bros. 3 was in the 1989 movie  The Wizard . Due to the lag between its 1988 Japanese release and 1990 American port, Nintendo of America was able to unveil the highly-anticipated third installment in the most popular video-game series via a movie. In The Wizard , starring The Wonder Years ' Fred Savage, a boy goes on an unsupervised, underage road trip in California so his mentally-disturbed little brother can play in a video-game tournament. The final competition requires the contestants to compete in the yet-to-be-released-stateside SMB3. Though a critical failure, the movie made a big impression on me.  Super Mario Bros. 3 is on the shortlist for the title of Best Video Game Ever. It vastly expands, improves, and refines everything that made Super Mario Bros. great, with more levels, secrets, items, enemies, and bosses. Many levels scroll both vertically and horizontally, and Mario and Luigi can backtrack. Although SMB2 ...