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  • Batman: The Caped Crusader (Commodore 64)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment


    Batman: The Caped Crusader (Commodore 64)

    https://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/188879094095/httpwwwmegalextoriacomwordpressindexphpcat



    Batman: The Caped Crusader was developed by Ocean and released by Data East in North America in 1988. The game features both action and puzzle solving. While you have to beat up some bad guys, puzzles and maze navigation are emphasized. This game was released for several popular home computers including the Commodore 64, Atari ST, Amiga, DOS and Apple II. Interestingly, the NTSC release of at least the Commodore 64 version is slightly different in that it has slightly different music and more aggressive enemies making it a little harder.

    As far as the Commodore 64 version goes, the graphics are good and the music is excellent. The graphics feature a unique comic book style where new scenes pop up in new panels over the old ones which fade into the background. Batman: The Caped Crusader actually consists of two separate games. One featuring the Joker and the other featuring the Penguin.

    While this is a pretty decent game, figuring out what to do can be a little difficult and the inventory scree is pretty confusing as well. Having the instructions probably helps. While the Commodore 64 version is pretty good, it probably takes a back seat to the Amiga and Atari ST versions because of their better graphics. You may actually like the music better in the C64 version though.

    This game has not been nor is it likely to be re-released any time soon. If you want to play it you’ll have to find an original copy and the hardware to match or use emulation. While I wouldn’t exactly all this a must play, if you are a Batman fan it may be worthwhile. Pick your favorite vintage computer system and give it a try.

    Screen shots above are from the Commodore 64 version of the game.


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  • Lethal Weapon (NES, SNES, Game Boy)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    48

    Source: Game Players – February 1993

    Lethal Weapons was released for various home computers, the NES, Super Nintendo and Game Boy in 1992. It was actually based on the movie Lethal Weapon 3 which was the iteration of that series that was released around the same time. The game is a fairly typical side-scrolling platform adventure game with the quality you have come to expect from licensed properties.

    There are two primary versions of the game. One released for the NES and Game Boy and another released for the Super Nintendo and various home computers including the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64 and DOS. In both versions, you get to choose to play either of the two main protagonists, Riggs or Murtaugh. The NES and Game Boy version is extremely difficult and mostly involves fighting with various criminals in the Los Angeles area. You can either punch or shoot your enemies and often punching seems to be more effective. The Super Nintendo and computer versions are similar types of games but the levels have more specific goals. The difference between the two characters that you can choose from are minimal and relate to firing speed and jump height.

    None of the versions are particularly great games. The computer versions seem to be more highly regarded but that’s not saying much. If you do want to give this one a try, the Amiga (or Atari ST) version is probably best. Pick the SNES version over the NES or Game Boy version if you want a console game but if you are a sucker for punishment and want to play both variations then you’ll have to give the NES version a shot too (or Game Boy but why?). Needless to say, this game has never been re-released. A Sega Master System version was planned and may have even been mostly completed but was never released.

    The ad above is from the February 1993 issue of Game Players magazine and advertises the NES, SNES and Game Boy versions. Screen shots above are from the Super Nintendo version of the game.





    📂This entry was posted in Game Boy Nintendo (NES) Retro Games Super Nintendo (SNES) 📎and tagged

  • RoboCop (Commodore 64)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    ‘RoboCop’

    [C64 / PC / ST] [USA] [MAGAZINE] [1989]

    • Video Games & Computer Entertainment, April 1989 (#03)
    • Uploaded by Sketch the Cow, via The Internet Archive

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/166910109688/vgprintads-robocop-c64-pc-st-usa

    It’s hard to believe that in 1988-1989 they were still publishing games on the Commodore 64 before other platforms. 1989 was probably the last big year for the Commodore 64. After that, the number of games published for the C64 fell off a cliff while 16-bit platforms like the Atari ST and Amiga limped along for several more years. Meanwhile, DOS based games were skyrocketing. But in 1988, RoboCop was published for the Commodore 64 before those other platforms.

    The version of this game I remember most is actually the original arcade game that was published the previous year. For a while, this was one of two arcade games at a store within bike riding distance from my house. I put a number of quarters into that thing but it never seemed like I really made it very far.

    RoboCop was a fairly typical side scrolling shoot-em-up but it was pretty well done and did a fair job of following the plot of the movie from what I recall. As far as movie licenses go, RoboCop was one of the rare ones that was pretty good, at least as an arcade game. Unfortunately, this didn’t carry over as well to the Commodore 64 version. The graphics weren’t bad but as hard as the arcade version was, the Commodore 64 version was even harder. On top of that, you can tell that this port was rushed because it becomes glitchy in later levels. It’s not a terrible game on the C64 but it isn’t the best example of the quality it was capable of either.

    RoboCop was also released on DOS based PCs, the Atari ST, and Amiga, as well as a few other computers and the NES. The DOS and NES versions weren’t really any better than the Commodore 64 version overall. If you are looking for a home version to play, your best bet is probably the Atari ST or Amiga versions. Those look and play a lot more like the original arcade. Of course, if you are using emulation to play then you might as well go to the arcade source.

    Screens above are from the Commodore 64 verion.




    📂This entry was posted in Amiga Atari ST Commodore 64 Computer Arcana DOS Retro Games 📎and tagged