BreakThru -- For a second I confused this one with Jackal, another game in which you control an armed jeep in a warzone. I think Jackal is much better and have played it in the past decade or so. Though I do remember renting Breakthru once and having fun with it. Haven't played it as an adult.
Goonies II - I never knew the full story here. I too played the original Goonies at a pizza place in the late 1980s, many times. For a time, it was one of my favorite arcade games for some reason. But that place was Showbiz Pizza (later acquired by Chuck E. Cheese). I had no memory of it being a VS. cabinet; until now I was thinking it was a regular arcade game that just never saw a home port. I haven't played Goonies 1 since those days. Something tells me it doesn't hold up.
Funny story: I've never really sat through the whole Goonies movie. I don't think it has held up, either. As a young kid, I remember being excited to see it was coming on TV because I thought the movie was based on the game (Goonies 1) -- how cool is that? But I tried to watch it when it came on TV and I was too young for it, too slow. Tried to watch it as an adult and now I'm too old for it and I just don't think it's that good. But growing up, there were lots of kids around me that loved it.
But as for Goonies II itself: is it the worst Konami game? I think so. Or at least the worst of the 8/16-bit eras. I'm surprised every time I look at this box and see that logo.
I was deeply disappointed renting it and finding how much better the original was. I'll admit that I couldn't figure out ANYTHING about where to go or what to do, and I considered it one of the worst games on NES for many years. Which might be unfair, as it probably did involve a lot more effort than many worse games on NES.
Gotcha -- I know I rented this one as part of my elusive quest to find the elusive Greatest Zapper Game, but it left very little impression. My search continued.
Ah Jackal. Yes, Jackal is quite a bit better than BreakThru. We'll see that one in 1988.
That's awesome that you also remember playing the first Goonies game at a pizza parlor. I was debating playing it for the Substack, but we'll see if that happens.
I think the Goonies film is perfect for the preteen set. My cousin who is three years older than me really enjoyed it, and I, as a young kid, didn't fully understand what was happening - nor did I care. I also watched it later as an adult, and yeah, it's fine. I see its appeal, but its not a quintessential 80s movie for me by any means. Love that you thought the movie was based on the game too, haha.
I used to despise the Goonies II, but playing it this time around, it's... not that bad? I also played it with a guide and, well, it's kinda fun when you know what you're doing. But there's the rub. Esoteric, mysterious, non-linear action adventures were becoming a big deal in 1987, but they weren't all executed very well. The Goonies II falls into the latter category, I think.
Gotcha! is not the greatest Zapper game by any means, but if it had maybe a dozen levels instead of three, it would definitely rank higher. The shooting is solid, but the content is severely lacking.
That's interesting about your reassessment of Goonies II. Maybe I'll try it again someday with a guide.
But I was thinking of contrasting with something like Blaster Master, which you could also call an early non-linear action adventure or Metroidvania. As a little kid, I loved that game. I don't think it's a bad game today, but back then I thought it was a lot better than it actually was. I'm sure I got stuck really early, but I didn't seem to mind. There was just something compelling about it. Awesome music. Alternating gameplay modes. The fact you can get out of your tank and see how small and weak you really are (or how large and powerful your tank really is). It all completely captured my imagination.
Goonies II did not have that effect. I guess if you're young enough that you're seldom able to complete a game on your own, then you're going to judge a really obtuse Metroidvania by other qualities, unless the obtuseness is just so front and center that even a small child can't fail to see it and be frustrated by it.
Also, thinking again on Gotcha and looking at your review -- is it possible that I didn't realize you needed to play the game with both a Zapper and a regular controller? It was probably lacking an instruction manual when I rented it (assuming I was old enough to even read it). But I can see how that would have lowered my assessment of it!
I remember seeing Goonies II in the local video store once and talking about maybe renting it. I thought it was a movie sequel. I had no idea it was a sequel to a game that only came out in the US as an NES arcade title…
As a kid, I always wondered where the original Goonies game was on the NES. Same with the first Mega Man. Every rental store I ever went to always had Mega Mans 2-6, but never the first one.
Best captions in the game! All these features bring back so many memories :)
Cheers, thanks buddy!
BreakThru -- For a second I confused this one with Jackal, another game in which you control an armed jeep in a warzone. I think Jackal is much better and have played it in the past decade or so. Though I do remember renting Breakthru once and having fun with it. Haven't played it as an adult.
Goonies II - I never knew the full story here. I too played the original Goonies at a pizza place in the late 1980s, many times. For a time, it was one of my favorite arcade games for some reason. But that place was Showbiz Pizza (later acquired by Chuck E. Cheese). I had no memory of it being a VS. cabinet; until now I was thinking it was a regular arcade game that just never saw a home port. I haven't played Goonies 1 since those days. Something tells me it doesn't hold up.
Funny story: I've never really sat through the whole Goonies movie. I don't think it has held up, either. As a young kid, I remember being excited to see it was coming on TV because I thought the movie was based on the game (Goonies 1) -- how cool is that? But I tried to watch it when it came on TV and I was too young for it, too slow. Tried to watch it as an adult and now I'm too old for it and I just don't think it's that good. But growing up, there were lots of kids around me that loved it.
But as for Goonies II itself: is it the worst Konami game? I think so. Or at least the worst of the 8/16-bit eras. I'm surprised every time I look at this box and see that logo.
I was deeply disappointed renting it and finding how much better the original was. I'll admit that I couldn't figure out ANYTHING about where to go or what to do, and I considered it one of the worst games on NES for many years. Which might be unfair, as it probably did involve a lot more effort than many worse games on NES.
Gotcha -- I know I rented this one as part of my elusive quest to find the elusive Greatest Zapper Game, but it left very little impression. My search continued.
Ah Jackal. Yes, Jackal is quite a bit better than BreakThru. We'll see that one in 1988.
That's awesome that you also remember playing the first Goonies game at a pizza parlor. I was debating playing it for the Substack, but we'll see if that happens.
I think the Goonies film is perfect for the preteen set. My cousin who is three years older than me really enjoyed it, and I, as a young kid, didn't fully understand what was happening - nor did I care. I also watched it later as an adult, and yeah, it's fine. I see its appeal, but its not a quintessential 80s movie for me by any means. Love that you thought the movie was based on the game too, haha.
I used to despise the Goonies II, but playing it this time around, it's... not that bad? I also played it with a guide and, well, it's kinda fun when you know what you're doing. But there's the rub. Esoteric, mysterious, non-linear action adventures were becoming a big deal in 1987, but they weren't all executed very well. The Goonies II falls into the latter category, I think.
Gotcha! is not the greatest Zapper game by any means, but if it had maybe a dozen levels instead of three, it would definitely rank higher. The shooting is solid, but the content is severely lacking.
That's interesting about your reassessment of Goonies II. Maybe I'll try it again someday with a guide.
But I was thinking of contrasting with something like Blaster Master, which you could also call an early non-linear action adventure or Metroidvania. As a little kid, I loved that game. I don't think it's a bad game today, but back then I thought it was a lot better than it actually was. I'm sure I got stuck really early, but I didn't seem to mind. There was just something compelling about it. Awesome music. Alternating gameplay modes. The fact you can get out of your tank and see how small and weak you really are (or how large and powerful your tank really is). It all completely captured my imagination.
Goonies II did not have that effect. I guess if you're young enough that you're seldom able to complete a game on your own, then you're going to judge a really obtuse Metroidvania by other qualities, unless the obtuseness is just so front and center that even a small child can't fail to see it and be frustrated by it.
Also, thinking again on Gotcha and looking at your review -- is it possible that I didn't realize you needed to play the game with both a Zapper and a regular controller? It was probably lacking an instruction manual when I rented it (assuming I was old enough to even read it). But I can see how that would have lowered my assessment of it!
Blaster Master definitely feels a lot more immersive and captivating than the Goonies II for sure.
The Goonies II just feels like one giant confusing puzzle.
As for Gotcha!, yeah I can see how not knowing that crucial piece of info could hinder your enjoyment!
I remember seeing Goonies II in the local video store once and talking about maybe renting it. I thought it was a movie sequel. I had no idea it was a sequel to a game that only came out in the US as an NES arcade title…
Yeah, isn't that weird?
As a kid, I always wondered where the original Goonies game was on the NES. Same with the first Mega Man. Every rental store I ever went to always had Mega Mans 2-6, but never the first one.