GAMES FROM N TO Z
NOVA
BLAST |
IMAGIC |
SHOOTER |
|
Why settle for defending ten people when
you can be the guardian of four enormous cities? That's
the premise behind Nova Blast, a fast, smoothly scrolling
shooter that's far superior to the ColecoVision version of
Defender. | |
OIL'S
WELL |
SIERRA ON-LINE |
MAZE |
|
Oil's Well, but it isn't great, and it
sure as hell isn't as fun as Pac-Man. The gameplay is
kinda inventive, but if you've gotta get this game, go for the
PC version with the pumped up graphics and Petrosaur
intermissions. |
OMEGA RACE |
COLECO |
SHOOTER |
|
What are these giant bacteria doing crawling around on
my pool table? Oh, wait... never mind. It's just
someone playing Omega Race on the ColecoVision
again. |
ONE ON ONE WITH DR. J &
LARRY BIRD |
MICROFUN, ELECTRONIC
ARTS |
SPORTS |
|
Why'd they replace Julius Erving and Larry Bird with
two blocky sumo wrestlers? They play hoops about as well
as sumo wrestlers would,
too. | |
PAC-MAN |
ATARISOFT |
MAZE |
|
Atarisoft does it again... but doesn't get
a chance to release it. Oh well... at least it's out
now! I'd say that this translation was better than those
available for ANY of Atari's own consoles, even the later
ones. |
PEPPER II |
COLECO |
MAZE |
|
I
was one of the half dozen people lucky enough to play the
arcade game, and I've gotta admit, this is a close
conversion. It was definitely the best maze game on the
ColecoVision before Pac-Man came around. |
PITFALL! |
ACTIVISION |
ACTION/ PLATFORM |
|
Remember the old garbage commercials? Well, this
is a wimpy, wimpy, wimpy translation of the hefty, hefty,
hefty 2600 classic. Honestly, the 2600 game is
better. |
PITFALL II: THE
LOST CAVERNS |
ACTIVISION |
ACTION/ PLATFORM |
|
If
it weren't for Super Pitfall on the NES, this would be the
worst version of Pitfall II ever made. |
PITSTOP |
EPYX |
RACING |
|
Bland graphics and repetitive gameplay set this game a
few laps behind Turbo. The pitstop in the title is a
unique feature, but who the hell wants to be stuck in a
pitstop when you could be RACING?! |
POPEYE |
PARKER
BROS. |
ACTION/ PLATFORM |
|
Gee, another underwhelming arcade translation with
poorly animated single color sprites. I'll tell you
what, Parker Bros... I'll pay you Tuesday for a copy of this
today. |
PORKY'S |
FOX |
ACTION/ PLATFORM |
|
Race a cartoon David Duchovny (hey, that's what he
looks like!) around a variety of rounds, hoping to blow up a
greasy spoon while avoiding characters from the film.
You definitely don't want someone named Ms. Ballbricker
catching you! |
POWER LORDS |
PROBE 2000 |
ACTION |
|
An
ambitious action game that's noticably more complex than its
Odyssey2 counterpart. Whether it's as fun or as
satisfying as the Power Lords board game remains a mystery,
but it's pretty good by ColecoVision standards. |
PURPLE DINOSAUR
MASSACRE |
JOHN
DONDZILA |
SHOOTER |
|
The kind of game you'd expect to see on Newgrounds is
now available on your
ColecoVision! | |
Q*BERT |
PARKER
BROS. |
ACTION |
|
A good enough translation of the weird
Gottlieb coin-op... but corners were obviously cut, as was
often the case with Parker Bros' arcade ports. |
Q*BERT'S QUBES |
PARKER
BROS. |
ACTION/ PUZZLE |
|
The sequel to Q*Bert lets you spin cubes with different
colors stamped on each side, giving the game a more cerebral,
Erno Rubik inspired challenge. |
QUEST FOR QUINTANA
ROO |
SUNRISE |
ADVENTURE |
|
Probably the best ColecoVision game by Sunrise, but
Montezuma's Revenge is faster, less confusing, and more
fun. | |
RIVER
RAID |
ACTIVISION |
SHOOTER |
|
The only real improvement I saw was that
the game stamps each bridge with a number... otherwise, it's
about the same as the 2600 version, with sharper (but less
colorful) graphics. |
ROBIN HOOD |
XONOX |
ACTION |
|
Fight Prince John's corrupt soldiers! Save the
lovely Maid Marion! Get a circumcision by Rabbi
Tuckman! No, wait, that's not right... anyway, I kind of
liked this game, even though the characters are super shrimpy
and you're defenseless in the last round. |
ROC 'N ROPE |
COLECO |
ACTION/ PLATFORM |
|
I
don't get it. Why didn't Coleco just have Konami program
this? It was their arcade game, after all. Oh
well. It's not bad as it is... it has more variety than
Donkey Kong did, and the music's pretty nice. |
ROCK 'N BOLT |
ACTIVISION |
PUZZLE |
|
Why weren't people paying attention to these games
before Tetris was released?! You'll wonder too after
playing this excellent puzzler, featuring attractive isometric
graphics. |
ROCKY SUPER ACTION
BOXING |
COLECO |
BOXING |
|
Imagine fighting Mr. T with wooden splints tied to your
arms and legs. You'd feel pretty helpless, wouldn't
you? Well, this game makes you feel the same
way. |
ROLLOVERTURE |
SUNRISE |
ACTION/ PLATFORM |
|
This weak, confusing platformer with a musical theme
turned out to be Sunrise's symphony of destruction. Good
riddance, I
say. | |
SAMMY
LIGHTFOOT |
SIERRA
ON-LINE |
ACTION/ PLATFORM |
|
Guide the love child of Conan O'Brien and
Elvis through an unforgiving series of rounds that require
some experimentation and a lot of perfect
timing. I'm tempted to cut Coleco's flawed port of
Donkey Kong a break after playing this unattractive and
downright sadistic platformer. |
SECTOR ALPHA |
SPECTRA VIDEO |
SHOOTER |
|
Believe it or not, game companies' unhealthy obsession
with 3D graphics ruined plenty of games in the 80's as
well. This miserable shooter is just one of
them. |
SEWER SAM |
INTERPHASE |
ACTION/ SHOOTER |
|
Ever wonder what Doom would have been like on the
ColecoVision? Try this, then imagine there's a lot more
blood and bigger enemies. |
SIR LANCELOT |
XONOX |
ACTION |
|
Thank you, Atarisoft! Thank you, thank you, thank
you! Now we can play Joust instead of having to settle
for THIS. |
SKIING |
TELEGAMES |
SPORTS |
|
A
simplistic skiing game with two events and the world's most
unconvincing animation. |
SKY JAGUAR |
KONAMI (conversion by
Opcode) |
SHOOTER |
|
This Konami title, originally released for the MSX
computer, is a welcome addition to the ColecoVision
library. You won't find another shooter on the system
that's this complex... or challenging! |
SLITHER |
COLECO |
SHOOTER |
|
It's Centipede with a Tex-Mex flavor. The great
graphics and trackball compatibility do enhance the game, but
unlike Centipede, it just isn't very intense. |
SLURPY |
XONOX |
ACTION |
|
What is that thing? A bagpipe? An animated
kidney? Whatever it is, it sucks far more than the
mindless enemies that float around waiting to be
devoured. |
SMURF PAINT 'N PLAY
WORKSHOP |
COLECO |
CREATIVITY |
|
This is essentially Cabbage Patch Kids Picture Show
with new backgrounds and characters (who, thankfully, have
their pants stapled on this time). Um, er, Gargamel
looks kind of cool... |
SMURF RESCUE |
COLECO |
ACTION/ PLATFORM |
|
Not a bad little platformer, but Konami's Cabbage Patch
Kids has larger, crisper graphics. It is better than the
ColecoVision version of Pitfall!,
though. |
SPACE
FURY |
COLECO |
SHOOTER |
|
It's a more confusing, and confused,
version of Asteroids with flickery graphics and three
different power-ups. The alien at the beginning is a
nice piece of eyecandy. |
SPACE INVADERS
COLLECTION |
OPCODE (EDUARDO
MELLO) |
SHOOTER |
|
An
exceptional conversion of both Space Invaders and Space
Invaders Part II, with absolutely nothing omitted. The
games look and feel, but not quite sound, EXACTLY like the
arcade versions. It's too bad Coleco's own games
(particularly Gorf) weren't this faithful... |
SPACE INVASION |
JOHN
DONDZILA |
SHOOTER |
|
A
slightly compromised version of Space Invaders with smaller
characters but a very impressive title screen. |
SPACE PANIC |
COLECO |
ACTION/ PLATFORM |
|
Similar to Lode Runner, but with slow, clumsy, and
frustrating gameplay. Mr. Do!'s Castle clobbers this
one. |
SPECTRON |
SPECTRA VIDEO |
SHOOTER |
|
A
colorful shooter with what sounds like Journey music at the
beginning of every game. This would have been a whole
lot more memorable if it had different rounds or a boss or
SOMETHING. |
SPY
HUNTER |
COLECO |
ACTION/ SHOOTER |
|
It's better than the arcade game, believe it or
not! The main reason why is that the control is a lot
more precise now that the aggravating stick shift is
gone. |
SQUISH 'EM SAM |
INTERPHASE (SIRIUS) |
ACTION |
|
"OK, Mr. Wolfcastle, say the
line." "I am Squish Them Sam!" "No,
no! Squish 'EM!" "Squish THEM!" "Oh, just
climb that building and crush those alien insects with your
feet." |
STAR FORTRESS |
JOHN
DONDZILA |
SHOOTER |
|
It's a slightly choppy port of the Vectrex game Star
Castle, but frankly, I don't think Coleco themselves could
have given us a better conversion. |
STAR TREK: STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
SIMULATION |
COLECO |
ACTION/ SHOOTER |
|
On
the ColecoVision and everywhere else, Star Trek has no trouble
kicking Star Wars' overhyped ass. A fun, unique shooter
with multiple perspectives, including a very impressive view
from the bridge. |
STAR WARS: THE ARCADE
GAME |
PARKER
BROS. |
SHOOTER |
|
It's hard to be satisfied with this after playing the
beautiful and intense coin-op. It's like being stuck
with Jar Jar Binks after Han Solo gets frozen in
carbonite. |
STEAMROLLER |
ACTIVISION (RELEASED
BY BLUE SKY RANGERS) |
MAZE |
|
An inventive, fast-paced Pac-Man
derivitive that starts out tough but becomes much easier- and
more fun- when you get used to the odd play mechanics (the
steamrollers can't reverse direction unless you hit the
brakes). |
STRIKE IT! |
BIT
CORP |
ACTION |
|
This dull Breakout clone has no trackball support, and
you can't even control the paddle with the little dial on the
bottom of your Super Controller. This, of course, means
that it plays like ass. |
SUBROC |
COLECO |
SHOOTER |
|
Sort of a first-person shooting gallery with jets,
UFOs, and ships firing missiles at you. Hideously choppy
and ugly, but I've gotta admit, it's fun to get socked with
the missiles. |
SUPER ACTION BASEBALL
|
COLECO |
SPORTS |
|
Nice artwork, but I could never figure out how to play
this game. I think you need a second player to get the
most out of it. |
SUPER ACTION
FOOTBALL |
COLECO |
SPORTS |
|
I
haven't had the chance to try this one yet... but if it's like
the other Super Action Sports games, I'm very lucky I missed
it. |
SUPER ACTION
SOOCER |
COLECO |
SPORTS |
|
An
underpowered soccer game with some of the most hilariously
crude camera close-ups I've ever seen. The graphics look
like something a caveman would chisel into the side of a large
rock. |
SUPER COBRA |
PARKER
BROS. |
SHOOTER |
|
If
cobras only bite when they're provoked, you have to wonder
what Parker Bros. did to make this one so mad. |
SUPER CROSS FORCE
|
SPECTRA VIDEO |
SHOOTER
|
|
Double barrel your enemies with two cannons, placed at
the top and bottom of the screen. Plays fairly well but
the cross fire play mechanic can be a little frustrating.
|
SUPER DONKEY KONG
|
COLECO |
ACTION/ PLATFORM |
|
If
this is Coleco's apology for their first mediocre Donkey Kong
translation, they owe me another
apology. | |
TANK
WARS |
BIT CORP |
SHOOTER |
|
A pretty good clone of Namco's Tank
Battalion/Battle City, but it's very repetitive, and a little
sloppily designed. |
TAPPER |
COLECO |
ACTION |
|
Serve (root) beer to dozens of demanding customers in
this slightly watered down conversion of the Bally/Midway
classic. |
TARZAN |
COLECO |
ACTION/ FIGHTING |
|
You'll be amazed at the atmosphere in this adaptation
of the legendary novels. There's everything from lush
jungle scenery to the constant pounding of native drums... and
the amount of variety is surprising for a ColecoVision game.
|
TELLY TURTLE |
COLECO |
CREATIVITY |
|
A
ColecoVision version of LOGO, the fad programming language of
the time. Fortunately, the smart parents taught their
kids BASIC instead of showing them how to steer around a
turtle with a piece of chalk stuck up its butt. |
THRESHOLD |
SIERRA ON-LINE |
SHOOTER |
|
Like Megamania for the 2600, but without the
personality. Sure, you got a couple of funny mothership
encounters, but past that you won't remember much about this
shooter. |
TIC TAC TOE |
DAVID
NEUWICZ |
TIC TAC
TOE |
|
Well, the ColecoVision plays a decent game of Tic Tac
Toe. But then again, so does just about everyone who's
out of preschool. |
TIME PILOT |
COLECO |
SHOOTER |
|
Time Pilot deserved a better translation than this, but
as choppy as it is, this game is still playable... and even
fun. |
TOMARC
THE BARBARIAN |
XONOX |
ACTION/ PLATFORM |
|
They should have kept the Thundarr the Barbarian
license. At least that way, they'd have... well,
Thundarr the Barbarian. Unfortunately, the game doesn't
offer too much else. |
TOURNAMENT TENNIS |
IMAGIC |
SPORTS |
|
Plays better than many of the sports games on the
ColecoVision, but the graphics aren't that great, and it is
just tennis. |
TUNNELS AND
TROLLS |
COLECO |
DEMO |
|
The title screen for an embarassingly obvious Dungeons
& Dragons clone that was never finished. I mean,
really... Tunnels & Trolls? |
TURBO |
COLECO |
RACING |
|
A fun racing game with lots of colorful
scenery. Turbo is surprisingly relaxing... I've spent
nearly an hour just passing cars. |
TUTANKHAM |
PARKER
BROS. |
SHOOTER |
|
It
doesn't have the huge variety of monsters in the 2600 version,
but it is a much closer translation of the Konami
coin-op. | |
UP 'N
DOWN |
SEGA |
ACTION |
|
A port of the innovative but clumsy
driving game with dumbed down graphics. Another game
with a seemingly provocative name, Bump 'n Jump, is more solid
and
playable. | |
VENTURE |
COLECO |
ACTION/ SHOOTER |
|
Hunting for treasure in a variety of
dangerous rooms is a great idea, but the clunky control and
repetitive gameplay make it less exciting than it could have
been. |
VICTORY |
COLECO |
SHOOTER |
|
I'd enjoy this a lot more if it made more sense, had
smoother scrolling, and didn't force you to use a
trackball. |
VIDEO HUSTLER |
KONAMI |
POOL |
|
I
know, I know... it's kind of a clumsy pool sim, and it's not
even finished. What can I say? I'm a sucker for Konami's
games. Besides, I like the arcade style play
mechanics. | |
WARGAMES |
COLECO |
ACTION/ STRATEGY |
|
A superb adaptation of the film which
plays like Missile Command, except from an overhead viewpoint
and with a lot more options. Rumor has it that the
graphics were good enough to make high-ranking military
officials of the time nervous. |
WAR ROOM |
PROBE
2000 |
ACTION/ STRATEGY |
|
War Games' more cynical cousin. Blast missiles
and stockpile supplies in a futile attempt to keep the United
States from being destroyed by communism. Makes me
wonder if Rósha Harris had a hidden agenda... |
WING WAR |
IMAGIC |
ADVENTURE |
|
A
surprisingly long adventure that plays like an expanded aerial
version of Imagic's Fathom. Wing War offers both
enjoyable, addicting gameplay and astounding
graphics. |
WIZARD OF ID'S
WIZMATH |
SIERRA ON-LINE
(SYDNEY) |
EDUCATION |
|
Probably the best of the educational games on the
ColecoVision. It plays a little like Pengo, except you
have to push blocks with numbers together to create
equations. Nicely drawn sprites, and fairly challenging
if you're honest about your
age. | |
YOLK'S ON YOU,
THE |
FOX |
ACTION |
|
Nudge a bunch of eggs into a barn before
they hatch. A game this simple needed cartoony graphics
and fast-paced gameplay to make it work, and Yolk's has
neither. | |
ZAXXON |
COLECO |
SHOOTER |
|
This isn't a perfect arcade translation,
but it's hard to complain about that when the isometric
graphics are so amazing. Plus, Zaxxon is still in here,
which is something I wasn't sure about when I first bought the
game. |
ZENJI |
ACTIVISION |
PUZZLE |
|
This great puzzle game was released at entirely the
wrong time... if Activision had held onto it for just a few
more years it could have given that other ethnically flavored
puzzler Tetris a run for its
rubles. | |
|
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