• Tag Archives Data East

  • BreakThru (NES)

    Posted on by Azrael 1 Comment

    https://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/188910182090/humor-y-videojuegos-breakthru-año-1987



    BreakThru was originally an arcade release by Data East in 1986. I don’t believe the arcade version was ever officially released in the U.S. but the NES conversion came along about a year later. This game fits into the sub-genre of side-scrolling vehicle shooter games. It reminds me a bit of a cross between Silkworm and Jackal.

    Your goal in this game is to recapture a stolen jet fighter. There are five levels to overcome and obstacles include enemy soldiers, other ground vehicles, aircraft, mines, rockets and even falling rocks. Of course your vehicle has its own weapons and also the ability to jump which is useful for overcoming certain obstacles (e.g. rock slides).

    This isn’t the greatest game in the world but it is an okay diversion if you are looking for a new old game to play. In addition to the NES, it was also released for the Commodore 64 at the same time. Less than two years ago it was also re-released as Johnny Turbo’s Arcade: Break Thru on the Nintendo Switch. I think this is the arcade version of the game. Other than the Switch release, I don’t believe there have been any other re-releases.

    If you are looking for an original copy, the cartridge is available on eBay for pretty reasonable prices. Otherwise, emulation works well also.


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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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  • Dragon’s Lair (Super Nintendo)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    page-37

    Source: Game Fan – December 192 – Page 37 (Super NES Review)

    Although this review of Dragon’s Lair for the Super Nintendo from the December 1992 issue of GameFan is very positive, overall reviews for this game were decidedly mixed. Part of the problem is that it is nothing at all like the arcade version. The original arcade version was laser disc based and was more of a timing/puzzle type games where you had to react quickly with the right moves, the result of which would them be shown with full motion, high quality video. It was like watching a cartoon with the animation done by the legendary Don Bluth. Some people loved it and some hated it but the Super Nintendo version is nothing like it in any case.

    The Super Nintendo version by Data East is a pretty standard 2D platform action/adventure game. The storyline remains much the same as the arcade (rescue the princess from the dragon) but it obviously plays much different. As a platform game it is pretty average though the graphics and sound are very well done. They managed to make the graphics quite reminiscent of the arcade despite being a completely different style of game. Control is a little awkward but it’s something you can get used to.

    If you are a fan of the Dragon’s Lair games then this one is probably worth playing. Just don’t expect the same type of game as the arcade. Though there have been many home conversions of Dragon’s Lair, this particular iteration is unique to the Super Nintendo and to the best of my knowledge hasn’t been re-released on any more modern platform. Original cartridges can be found reasonably priced as long as you don’t care about it being new/sealed in the box or there is always the emulation route.





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